JP4972026B2 - Alternative content presentation device and alternative content navigation program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an alternative content presentation device that presents alternative content in which the operability of multimedia content such as a Web page is changed, and an alternative content navigation program that navigates the operation of the alternative content.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a free pointing device such as a mouse that can freely select an operation target on a screen when viewing multimedia content (hereinafter simply referred to as content) represented by a Web page or the like in a personal computer (PC) environment. Is generally used.

  On the other hand, when viewing content (for example, data broadcasting) with a television receiver or the like that is not equipped with a free pointing device, it is common to use a remote control device having a plurality of keys. In the case of this remote control device, the user (viewer) moves the focus area on the screen up / down / left / right by pressing the “up / down / left / right” key or the like, or presses the “decision / cancel” key or the like. An operation such as determining an operation for the focus area is performed by pressing the button.

  In this way, when viewing content with an operation system using keys, depending on the user's individual preference and skill level, the feeling of complexity due to the number of keys required for operation and the result of focus movement can be as intuitive as a mouse. For reasons such as unsatisfactory, a satisfactory operation feeling was not obtained, and a simpler and more intuitive interface was desired.

  One way to deal with these problems is to add content (metadata) from the outside to the content to operate the content with a simpler operation system that is different from the operation system originally intended for the content. There is a technique to do this (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1, etc.). This method applies content based on an alternative tree structure by applying metadata that defines a tree structure (hereinafter referred to as an alternative tree structure) as an alternative operation system to content that assumes cursor operation. It is possible to operate with.

  Here, a conventional technique using an alternative tree structure (hereinafter referred to as a conventional technique) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the configuration of a conventional alternative content presentation device. As shown in FIG. 13, the alternative content presentation device 1C using the conventional method converts the content CO into viewable data by a general browser 20C and presents the content (original content) CO. Then, the alternative content presentation device 1C analyzes the metadata MD by the alternative navigation means 30C, thereby converting the data structure of the content CO into the alternative tree structure, and presents the alternative content of the tree structure. Note that this alternative content presentation method includes a method of visualizing objects (nodes) constituting the content CO in a tree structure, a method of expressing an object on a braille display in a tree structure, or a tree of the content CO by voice guidance. There are various presentation methods such as those that guide the structure.

Then, when the user M is instructed to move and select an object on the tree, the alternative content presentation device 1C causes the alternative navigation means 30C to identify the node described in the metadata MD and the object in the content CO. Is used to notify the browser 20C of an event indicating that the object corresponding to the operation target node of the user M has been operated. Specifically, when a certain node on the tree is in a focused state, the browser 20C is notified that a focus or mouse-over event has occurred in an object in the content CO associated with that node, and the user When the node selects (clicks) the node, the browser 20C is notified that a click event has occurred in the object corresponding to the node. As a result, the operation state of the user M for the alternative content is synchronized with the operation state of the content CO in the browser 20C. As described above, the conventional method can provide a simple and intuitive interface by enabling the content to be operated in a common operation environment by the tree structure.
JP 2007-249754 A Miyashita, H., Sato, D., Takagi, H., and Asakawa, C. Aibrowser for multimedia: introducing multimedia content accessibility for visually impaired users. USA, October 15-17, 2007). Assets '07. ACM, New York, NY, pp.91-98. 2007

In the method using the alternative tree structure described above, operations such as focus and click performed when the user views the content can be emulated by notifying the browser that an event has occurred in the object on the original content. .
However, since the conventional method only associates an object for each node in the tree structure as metadata, only a specific event occurs when any operation is performed on any object. I can't. For example, when an event is generated by a click operation, a fixed event (an event that a click is performed) is generated by the click operation in any object.

  For this reason, for example, in the case where the content is described by including a script such as HTML, different events may be defined for one object depending on the description of the script. As described above, when only one standard event can be generated in one object, there is a problem that an operation cannot be performed on the content.

  In addition, even in content described in BML (Data Broadcast Description Language) used in data broadcasting, scripts are frequently used, and user operations when viewing the content are not constant. For example, even when the Enter key is pressed on a certain object, depending on the object, the operation may mean an operation for displaying the next page of consecutive pages, or may be hierarchical. It may mean an operation for displaying a lower page of the current page. For this reason, in the conventional method in which only one routine event can be generated in one object, it is not possible to perform operations on content described in BML or the like that uses a lot of script as well as content in HTML or the like. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and presents alternative content expressed in a tree structure even when the content object and the user operation do not correspond one-to-one. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative content presentation device and an alternative content navigation program that can be operated.

  The present invention was created to achieve the above-mentioned object. First, the alternative content presentation device according to claim 1 describes content describing an operation for each object and a data structure of the content. In an alternative content presentation device that converts an object into a tree-structured alternative content and presents it based on metadata, browsing means, metadata analysis means, tree structure state holding means, node operation table holding means, , Presenting means, node operation detecting means, and event issuing means.

  In such a configuration, the alternative content presentation device generates the content as display data on the screen by the browsing means, and updates the display data according to an event issued to the content object. By this browsing means, content described in a content description language such as XML (Extensible Markup Language) or BML (Broadcast Markup Language) is sequentially analyzed and reproduced.

  Then, the alternative content presentation device analyzes the metadata in which the user operation and the event generated by the user operation are defined in advance for each node by using each object of the content as a tree-structured node by the metadata analysis unit. , Convert the content structure to a tree structure. The content converted into the tree structure is held in the tree structure state holding unit together with the node information indicating the operation target node. As a result, the content is represented by a tree structure that is a data structure common to all the content.

  Further, the alternative content presentation device generates a node operation table, which is a table in which a user operation and an event generated by the user operation are associated with each other by the metadata analysis unit. This node operation table is held in the node operation table holding means. As a result, a plurality of events (for example, focus movement, pressing of a specific key, etc.) are associated with each content node corresponding to a user operation (for example, movement or selection of the node).

  Then, the alternative content presentation device presents the content as alternative content to the display device by the presentation unit in the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding unit. For example, when the display device is a device that outputs voice, the presenting means outputs the content tree structure as data by voice guidance. For example, when the display device is a braille display, the content tree structure is output in braille as characters, graphics, or the like.

  In addition, the alternative content presentation device is a user for the operation target node of the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding unit based on the node operation instruction from the user input by the node operation detection unit via the input device. Detect operations. Then, the alternative content presentation device refers to the node operation table held in the node operation table holding unit based on the user operation on the node detected by the node operation detection unit by the event issuing unit, and performs the user operation. Issue the corresponding event to the browsing means.

  Thus, the alternative content presentation device converts the user operation on the alternative content managed and presented in the tree structure into an event corresponding to the content structure managed by the browsing means, thereby allowing the content and the alternative content to be changed. Synchronize the presentation.

  The alternative content presentation device according to claim 2 is the alternative content presentation device according to claim 1, wherein a condition for issuing an event for each user operation is added to the metadata in advance, and the event issuing means includes The determination means for determining the condition is provided.

  In such a configuration, the alternative content presentation device determines that the event can be issued only when the determination unit matches the condition for issuing the event for each user operation described in the metadata. This makes it possible to set various conditions for the event to occur for each content object.

  Furthermore, the alternative content presentation device according to claim 3 is the alternative content presentation device according to claim 2, wherein the display state and / or attribute of the object is added to the metadata as a condition for issuing the event. The determination unit acquires the display state and / or attribute of the object from the browsing unit and issues an event only when the condition is met.

  In such a configuration, the alternative content presenting apparatus has a content state (for example, whether an object in the content is currently displayed or in a non-displayed state) or an attribute (for example, inversion) of an object in the content. , Brightness, etc.) are the determination conditions for issuing an event. This prevents unnecessary events from occurring according to the display state of the content.

  The alternative content navigation program according to claim 4 is generated by a user operation and a user operation for each node, with the content describing the operation for each object and each object of the content as a tree-structured node. In an alternative content presentation device that converts an object into a tree-structured alternative content and presents the event on the basis of the metadata defined in advance, in order to navigate the operation of the alternative content, the computer is converted into a tree structure conversion means. , Node operation table generating means, node operation detecting means, and event issuing means.

  In such a configuration, the alternative content navigation program analyzes the metadata and converts the content structure into a tree structure by the tree structure conversion means. The content converted into the tree structure is held in the tree structure state holding unit together with the node information indicating the operation target node.

  In the alternative content navigation program, the node operation table generating unit generates a node operation table that is a table in which a user operation and an event generated by the user operation are associated with each other. This node operation table is held in the node operation table holding means.

  Then, the alternative content navigation program is a user for the operation target node of the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding unit based on the node operation instruction from the user input by the node operation detection unit via the input device. Detect operations. Then, the alternative content navigation program refers to the node operation table held in the node operation table holding unit based on the user operation on the node detected by the node operation detection unit by the event issuing unit, and performs the user operation. Publish the corresponding event to the browser.

The present invention has the following excellent effects.
According to the first and fourth aspects of the invention, the alternative content presentation device can define an event corresponding to one or more user operations for each content object. Therefore, the alternative content presentation device according to the present invention can issue different events for each object in a common operation environment for manipulating the tree structure even when the user operation is different for each object. Even if the content is described in HTML, BML, etc., the alternative content can be navigated while maintaining common operability.

  Further, according to the second and third aspects of the invention, the alternative content presentation device determines whether to issue an event for the original content for each content object (for example, content display) State, attribute) can be defined. Therefore, the alternative content presentation device according to the present invention can synchronize the operation of the content and the alternative content with a minimum operation without issuing an event that is unnecessary depending on the display state of the content. It is possible to reduce the load on the machine.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overview of alternative content presentation device]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the outline | summary of the alternative content presentation apparatus based on this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a configuration of an alternative content presentation device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the alternative content presentation device 1 issues, for each node (object), to the metadata MD defining the tree structure of the content CO in the conventional alternative content presentation device 1C described in FIG. Define one or more events to be performed.

  Then, the alternative content presentation device 1 refers to the metadata MD by the alternative navigation means 30 to convert the data structure of the content CO into an alternative tree structure. At this time, the alternative navigation means 30 associates an event to be issued for each node. For example, an event when moving to the parent object A (for example, occurrence of an upward key) and an event when moving to the child object F (for example, occurrence of a downward key) are individually set for the object C. Correlate.

  Then, the alternative content presentation device 1 notifies the browser 20 of an event that is different for each operation target object by the alternative navigation unit 30 when the user instructs the movement of the object on the tree. For example, in a state where the current operation target (focused) object is the object C, when the user M instructs to move to the object A on the tree, the alternative navigation means 30 has the up arrow key pressed. An event indicating this is notified to the browser 20.

Thereby, the alternative content presentation device 1 can provide a common operating environment even when the operation of the content CO is different for each content or for each object.
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the alternative content presentation device will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment]
[Configuration of alternative content presentation device]
First, the configuration of the alternative content presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the alternative content presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The alternative content presentation device 1 converts an object into a tree-structured alternative content based on content describing an operation for each object and metadata describing a data structure of the content. Here, the alternative content presentation device 1 includes a storage unit 10, a browser (browsing unit) 20, an alternative navigation unit 30, a presentation unit 40, and a user operation reception unit 50.

  The storage means 10 stores content CO and metadata MD, and is a general storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  The content CO is multimedia content including data such as video, audio, and text describing the operation for each object. The content CO is, for example, BML content described in BML, which is a content description language for digital television broadcasting, which is an extension of XML. In the following description, BML content will be described as an example of content CO.

  The metadata MD defines a tree structure (alternative tree structure) as an operation system instead of the content CO. Further, here, the metadata MD defines a user operation and an event generated by the user operation for each node, with each object of the content CO as a node of an alternative tree structure.

  Here, a description example of metadata will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, nodes are defined in the metadata by the ref attribute of the node element that is the XML attribute name. For example, the metadata shown in FIG. 3 defines “logo”, “topicA”, “topicA1”, “topicB1”, “topicB1”, etc., which are titles predetermined for each object. As a result, the tree structure of the content is specified.

Each node defines a user operation and an event generated by the operation. In the metadata shown in FIG. 3, for each node, an attribute name (XML attribute name) that identifies a user operation is associated with an attribute value of a key of a remote control device that is generated as an event. The attribute name that identifies this user operation is given meaning as shown in FIG. The key attribute values are given meaning as shown in FIG. Accordingly, in the metadata shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the “topicA” node is focused (attribute name: on Focus), an event indicating that the “decision” key (click) is pressed is generated. Can be defined. Also, for example, when moving from the “topicA1” node to the next sibling node (here, “topicA2”) (attribute name: onGotoNextSibling), an event indicating that the “right” key (dtv_right) is pressed is generated. Can be defined.
Returning to FIG. 2, the description of the configuration of the alternative content presentation device 1 will be continued.

  The browser (browsing means) 20 generates the content CO as display data on the screen of a display device (not shown) and displays data according to an event issued to the object (node) of the content CO. Is to be updated. The browser 20 analyzes the content description language such as BML or XML of the content CO, and generates the content CO as viewable display data such as characters, images, and sounds based on the rules of the language, and displays it on the display device. Output.

  In addition, the browser 20 performs screen transition, update, and the like according to an event generated by a key operation of a remote controller or the like, for example. However, here, the browser 20 does not directly process the user operation (key operation or the like) input by the user operation accepting unit 50, but performs screen transition or the like according to an event issued by the alternative navigation unit 30. I will do it.

  The alternative navigation means 30 acquires user operations such as movement on the tree, selection operation, and the like, which are the operation system of the alternative content presented by the presentation means 40 instead of the content CO, via the user operation reception means 50, and Is converted into an operation system of the content CO and issued to the browser 20 as an event. Here, the alternative navigation means 30 includes a metadata analysis means 31, a node operation table holding means 32, a tree structure state holding means 33, a node operation detection means 34, and an event issuing means 35.

  The metadata analysis unit 31 analyzes the metadata MD, converts the data structure of the content CO into a tree structure, and associates a user operation with an event generated by the user operation for each object (node) of the content CO. The attached table (node operation table) is generated. Here, the metadata analysis unit 31 includes a node operation table generation unit 311 and a tree structure conversion unit 312.

  The node operation table generating unit 311 refers to the metadata MD and generates a table (node operation table) in which a user operation and an event generated by the user operation are associated with each other (node). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the node operation table generation unit 311 performs, for each object (node), each user with respect to one or more user operations (focus, non-focus, movement to a parent node, etc.). A table in which events corresponding to operations (“right” key, “left” key, focus event, non-focus event, etc.) are associated is generated. Here, the node operation table generation unit 311 expands and stores the generated node operation table in the node operation table holding unit 32.

  The tree structure conversion means 312 refers to the metadata MD and converts the data structure of the content CO into a tree structure. The tree structure conversion unit 312 manages, for example, the tree structure of each node as node information describing a pointer to a parent / child node or a sibling node for each node.

  Here, when the hierarchical structure is defined in the metadata MD, the tree structure conversion unit 312 sets a higher-level node and a lower-level node as parent-child nodes, respectively. Then, the tree structure conversion means 312 describes, as each node information, a pointer to the node information of the node in the upper hierarchy and a pointer to the node information of the node in the lower hierarchy, and the “parent” and “child” respectively. Manage as a node.

  In addition, when the nodes are defined in the same hierarchy in the metadata MD, the tree structure conversion unit 312 sets each as a sibling node. Then, the tree structure conversion unit 312 includes, as each node information, a pointer to the node information of the previous node (described earlier on the metadata MD) and the next node (described later on the metadata MD). A pointer to the node information is described and managed as “brother” and “brother” nodes, respectively. Here, the tree structure conversion unit 312 holds each node information in the tree structure state holding unit 33.

  The node operation table holding unit 32 holds the node operation table generated by the node operation table generation unit 311 of the metadata analysis unit 31 and is a general storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). .

  The tree structure state holding unit 33 holds tree structure information obtained by converting the data structure of the content CO by the tree structure conversion unit 312 of the metadata analysis unit 31, and is a general storage medium such as a RAM. . The tree structure state holding unit 33 also holds information on which object (node) is currently focused. The default focused object is set in advance and is set as a root node, for example.

  As described above, by storing the node operation table and the tree structure (and the focus state) in the memory, it becomes possible to perform an event issuance, a tree state change, and the like accompanying a change in the operation target object. .

  The node operation detection unit 34 has a tree structure held in the tree structure state holding unit 33 based on a node operation instruction from a user input from an input device (not shown) via the user operation reception unit 50. The user operation on the operation target node is detected. The user operation on the node detected by the node operation detecting unit 34 is notified to the event issuing unit 35.

  It is assumed that an instruction to move or select (decide) an object (node) on the tree structure is input to the node operation detection unit 34 as a node operation instruction. For example, when “up” is instructed on the tree as the node operation instruction, the node operation detection unit 34 instructs to move from the operation target node to a node (parent node) in the upper hierarchy of the tree. It is interpreted as having been made. Further, for example, when “down” is instructed on the tree, the node operation detecting unit 34 interprets that the operation is instructed to move to a node (child node) in a lower hierarchy of the operation target node. . At this time, when there are a plurality of child nodes, the node that appears first is the destination node.

Further, for example, when “next” or “prev” is instructed on the tree as the node operation instruction, the node operation detection unit 34 uses the operation target node as a reference to specify the next or previous node. Interpret moving to sibling node as instructed.
Then, the node operation detection unit 34 notifies the event issuing unit 35 of information (for example, node name) that identifies the node before the movement and the node after the movement.

  In addition, for example, when a selection (determination) instruction is input, the node operation detection unit 34 specifies information (operation target node) that identifies the currently focused node (operation target node) held in the tree structure state holding unit 33. For example, the event issuing unit 35 is notified of the node name) and the selection instruction.

  The event issuing unit 35 issues an event corresponding to the user operation to the browser 20 based on the user operation on the operation target node detected by the node operation detecting unit 34. Here, the event issuing means 35 searches the node operation table held in the node operation table holding means 32 for an event (key operation) corresponding to the user operation notified from the node operation detection means 34, and the search result Event (key operation) is issued to the browser 20.

For example, in the case where the node operation table has the contents shown in FIG. 6, the event issuing unit 35 is out of focus from the node A (user operation: non-focus) from the node operation detecting unit 34, and the node B is focused. When notified of (user operation: focus), an event that the “left” key has been pressed is issued to the object α corresponding to the node A, and “focus” is issued to the object β corresponding to the node B. Issue an event. For example, if node A and node B are sibling nodes, and an event is defined in the node operation table for movement between sibling nodes, the event is issued according to the definition.
As described above, the event issuing unit 35 issues one or more events for each node (object) in accordance with a user operation.

  The presentation means 40 converts the original content CO into a tree structure alternative content held in the tree structure state holding means 33 and presents it on a display device for alternative content presentation, not shown. Here, the presentation means 40 generates display data visualized in a tree structure from each object of the content CO, and outputs it to the display device as alternative content.

  Note that the presentation unit 40 is not limited to the one that generates alternative content visualized in a tree structure, and may be one that generates and presents alternative content by voice, Braille, or the like. For example, when a voice display device (speaker) is used as the display device, the presentation unit 40 generates voice data for voice guidance of the contents CO in the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding unit 33, and substitutes It may be output as content.

Further, for example, when a braille display is used as the display device, the presentation unit 40 expresses the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding unit 33 by unevenness on the display, and the content of the content CO is represented by braille characters or graphics. And may be output as alternative content.
As a result, even visually impaired persons can recognize content in a common operation environment having a tree structure.

  The user operation accepting unit 50 accepts a user operation from the user via an input device (not shown). The user operation accepting unit 50 inputs a user operation on the alternative content presented by the presenting unit 40. For example, the user operation accepting unit 50 receives infrared rays transmitted from a remote control device as an input device and performs key operations on the remote control device. It shall be accepted.

Note that the user operation accepting unit 50 may accept a user operation by inputting a sound and recognizing the sound. For example, the user operation accepting unit 50 accepts a user operation when a voice such as “upward movement” or “decision” is input from the user.
As described above, the alternative content presentation device 1 can provide a common operation environment even when the operation of the content CO is different for each content or for each object.

[Operation of alternative content presentation device]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation of the alternative content presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an alternative content presentation operation in the alternative content presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation based on a user operation in the alternative content presentation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Content presentation operation)
First, referring to FIG. 7 (refer to FIG. 2 as appropriate for the configuration), an alternative content presentation operation in the alternative content presentation device will be described.
First, the alternative content presentation device 1 refers to the metadata MD stored in the storage unit 10 by the node operation table generation unit 311 of the metadata analysis unit 31, and performs the user operation and the user for each object (node). A table (node operation table: see FIG. 6) in which events generated by operations are associated is generated (step S1). The node operation table generated in step S1 is expanded and stored in the node operation table holding unit 32.

  Further, the alternative content presentation device 1 refers to the metadata MD stored in the storage unit 10 by the tree structure conversion unit 312 of the metadata analysis unit 31 and converts the data structure of the content CO into a tree structure (step) S2). Each node information of the tree structure converted in step S2 is expanded and stored in the tree structure state holding means 33.

  Then, the alternative content presentation device 1 converts the original content CO into the tree-structured alternative content held in the tree structure state holding unit 33 by the presentation unit 40, and displays the alternative content presentation display device (not shown). (Step S3).

  Further, the alternative content presentation device 1 generates display data for screen display from the original content CO by the browser 20 and presents it on a display device (not shown) for original content presentation (step S4).

  Through the above operation, the alternative content presentation device 1 can manage and present all the content CO in a common tree structure format, and can provide a common operating environment to the user.

(Action based on user operation)
Next, referring to FIG. 8 (refer to FIG. 2 as appropriate for the configuration), an operation based on a user operation in the alternative content presentation device will be described. It is assumed that alternative content is presented in advance by the operation described in FIG.

  First, the alternative content presentation device 1 accepts an operation (node operation instruction) on a node on the tree from the user via the input device (not shown) by the user operation accepting unit 50 (step S11).

  Then, the alternative content presentation device 1 determines whether the node operation instruction input in step S11 is an instruction to move the node or an instruction to select (determine) the node by the node operation detection unit 34. (Step S12). This determination is made by adding a unique ID or the like that is different for each instruction to the instruction notified from the user operation accepting unit 50 in advance and using the ID or the like.

  Here, when the node operation instruction is an instruction to move a node (“node movement instruction” in step S12), the alternative content presentation device 1 refers to the node operation table (see FIG. 6) by the event issuing unit 35. Then, an event (key operation) preset in the node before movement notified from the node operation detecting means 34 is issued to the browser 20 as an event (key operation) for the node (object) before movement (step) S13). For example, the event issuing unit 35 notifies the object corresponding to the node before the movement of an event indicating that a key such as a “right” key has been pressed, an event indicating that the focus has been lost, or the like. And the alternative content presentation apparatus 1 performs the process of the event notified by step S13 by the browser 20 (step S14).

  Further, the alternative content presenting apparatus 1 refers to the node operation table by the event issuing unit 35 and sends an event (key operation) preset to the moved node notified from the node operation detecting unit 34 after the movement. This is issued to the browser 20 as an event (key operation) for the node (object) (step S15). For example, the event issuing means 35 notifies the object corresponding to the moved node of an event indicating that a key such as a “left” key has been pressed, an event indicating that the node is focused, and the like. And the alternative content presentation apparatus 1 performs the process of the event notified by step S15 by the browser 20 (step S16).

  On the other hand, when the node operation instruction is an instruction to select (determine) a node (“node selection instruction” in step S12), the alternative content presentation device 1 refers to the node operation table by the event issuing unit 35, and An event (key operation) preset for the operation target node (object) is issued to the browser 20 as an event (key operation) for the operation target node (object) (step S17). For example, the event issuing means 35 notifies an event indicating that a key press such as a “decision” key has occurred to an object corresponding to the operation target node. And the alternative content presentation apparatus 1 performs the process of the event notified by step S17 by the browser 20 (step S18).

  With the above operation, the alternative content presentation device 1 can synchronize the operation on the content corresponding to the user's tree structure with the presentation operation in the browser 20 of the original content CO.

  Further, since the alternative content presentation device 1 can define a plurality of user operations and events for each node as the node operation table, the content object and the user operation can be flexibly set. As a result, the alternative content presentation device 1 can provide content-dependent operations and object-dependent operations in a common operation environment.

[Second Embodiment]
[Configuration of alternative content presentation device]
Next, the configuration of the alternative content presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the alternative content presentation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The alternative content presentation device 1B converts the object into a tree-structured alternative content based on the content describing the operation for each object and the metadata describing the data structure of the content. This is the same as the alternative content presentation device 1 described in FIG. However, the alternative content presentation device 1B determines whether the alternative navigation means 30B issues an event to the browser 20B according to the content state when the content is presented in the browser 20B. Different from the device 1.

  Here, the alternative content presentation device 1B includes a storage unit 10, a browser (browsing unit) 20B, an alternative navigation unit 30B, a presentation unit 40, and a user operation reception unit 50. Since the configuration other than the browser 20B and the alternative navigation means 30B is the same as that of the alternative content presentation device 1 described with reference to FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The browser (browsing means) 20B generates the content CO as display data on a screen of a display device (not shown) and displays data according to an event issued to the object (node) of the content CO. Is to be updated. Here, the browser 20B notifies the current content state in response to the request from the alternative navigation means 30B. Examples of the content state include a display state (for example, display or non-display) for each current object in the content, and an attribute of the object (for example, a property value of an element in the content described in BML). .

  The alternative navigation means 30B acquires, via the user operation reception means 50, user operations such as movement on the tree, selection operation, etc., which are the operation system of the alternative content to be presented instead of the content CO by the presentation means 40, and the operation Is converted into an operation system of the content CO and issued to the browser 20 as an event. The alternative navigation means 30B acquires the content state from the browser 20B, and determines whether to issue an event to the browser 20B according to the state.

  Here, the alternative navigation means 30B includes metadata analysis means 31B, node operation table holding means 32, tree structure state holding means 33, node operation detection means 34, and event issuing means 35B. Since the configuration other than the metadata analyzing unit 31B and the event issuing unit 35B is the same as that of the alternative content presentation device 1 described with reference to FIG.

  The metadata analyzing unit 31B analyzes the metadata MD, converts the data structure of the content CO into a tree structure, and associates a user operation with an event generated by the user operation for each object (node) of the content CO. The attached table (node operation table) is generated. Note that the metadata analysis unit 31B has a function of adding conditions described in the metadata MD to the node operation table when generating the node operation table. Here, the metadata analysis unit 31B includes a node operation table generation unit 311B and a tree structure conversion unit 312. The tree structure conversion unit 312 has the same configuration as that of the alternative content presentation device 1 described with reference to FIG.

  The node operation table generating unit 311B refers to the metadata MD to which a condition is added, and associates a user operation with an event generated by the user operation for each object (node) (conditional node operation table). Is generated.

  First, the content of conditional metadata handled by the node operation table generating unit 311B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a description example of conditional metadata. As shown in FIG. 10, in the metadata, a CSS is defined for defining a node by the ref attribute of the node element which is an XML attribute name, and describing a layout standardized in XML (BML) for each node. (Cascading Style Sheets) and the contents of XPath (XML Path Language) for describing syntax indicating a specific element in the content are embedded as conditions. In the metadata, various conditions such as issuing an event when the object is in a display state or a non-display state can be described for each node.

  For example, the metadata illustrated in FIG. 10 describes the CSS condition in the node “Btab” and the XPath condition in the node “Rtab”. The meaning of these descriptions is shown in FIG. For example, the node “Btab” in FIG. 10 indicates that the key operation (event) of the “blue” key is issued when the height of the object is 31 pixels. Further, the node “Rtab” includes “A. When the number of image data of “png ′” is “0”, the key operation (event) of the “red” key is issued. Other descriptions are the same as the metadata described in FIG. If no condition is specified, an event is issued unconditionally.

By referring to the metadata shown in FIG. 10, the node operation table generating unit 311B generates, for example, a conditional node operation table shown in FIG.
Returning to FIG. 9, the description of the configuration of the alternative content presentation device 1B will be continued.

  The event issuing unit 35B issues an event corresponding to the user operation to the browser 20B based on the user operation on the operation target node detected by the node operation detecting unit 34. Here, the event issuing unit 35B includes a state determining unit 351.

The state determination unit 351 acquires the state of content from the browser 20B when issuing an event, and determines whether the event can be issued. For example, when the node operation table has the contents shown in FIG. 12 (conditional node operation table), the state determination unit 351 determines that the current content state is as follows when issuing an event corresponding to the user operation. It is determined that an event can be issued only when the condition described in “Condition” is met.
In this way, the event issuing unit 35B can issue an event according to the state of the content, not necessarily issuing an event to the browser 20B according to a user operation.

  As described above, the alternative content presentation device 1B can issue an event corresponding to a user operation in a common operation environment having a tree structure, even for complicatedly defined content.

[Operation of alternative content presentation device]
The operation of the alternative content presentation device 1B is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 except that a condition is added to the node operation table and the event operation is determined with reference to the node operation table to which the condition is added. Since the operation is the same as that described in the alternative content presentation device 1 described in the above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the operation of generating a conditional node operation table with reference to the metadata MD in the node operation table generating unit 311B is included in the operation of step S1 in FIG. In addition, the operation of acquiring the state of the content from the browser 20B and determining whether or not the event can be issued in the state determination unit 351 is included in the operations of steps S13, S15, and S17 in FIG.

  The configuration and operation of the alternative content presentation devices 1 and 1B have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. Here, the content CO and the metadata MD have been described in the state stored in the storage unit 10 in advance. However, the alternative content presentation devices 1 and 1B are provided with a broadcast reception unit and a communication reception unit, via a broadcast wave and a communication line. The content CO and the metadata MD may be acquired. Here, the browsers 20 and 20B output the original content CO to the display device (not shown). However, since the alternative content is presented by the presentation means 40, the original content CO is not necessarily displayed. There is no need to present it. That is, the operation in step S4 described in FIG. 7 is not always necessary.

  Further, the alternative content presentation devices 1 and 1B can be realized by a general computer equipped with a CPU and a memory (not shown). At this time, the alternative content presentation devices 1 and 1B operate according to an alternative content presentation program that causes the computer to function as each of the above-described units. This program can be configured independently for each function. For example, only the alternative content navigation program that causes the computer to function as each of the alternative navigation means 30 and 30B may be an independent program.

It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the structure of the alternative content presentation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the alternative content presentation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of the metadata which defined the event for every node. It is the figure which defined the content of the user operation in metadata in XML. It is the figure which defined the content of the event in metadata in XML. It is a figure which shows the content of the node operation table which a node operation table production | generation means produces | generates. It is a flowchart which shows the presentation operation | movement of the alternative content in the alternative content presentation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement based on user operation in the alternative content presentation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the alternative content presentation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of description of the conditional metadata which defined the event for every node. It is a figure which shows the example which defined the condition designation | designated of conditional metadata by BML. It is a figure which shows the content of the conditional node operation table which a node operation table production | generation means produces | generates. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the structure of the conventional alternative content presentation apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Alternative content presentation apparatus 10 Memory | storage means 20 Browser (browsing means)
30 Alternative navigation means 31 Metadata analysis means 311 Node operation table generation means 312 Tree structure conversion means 32 Node operation table holding means 33 Tree structure state holding means 34 Node operation detection means 35 Event issuing means 351 State determination means (determination means)
40 presentation means 50 user operation acceptance means

Claims (4)

In the alternative content presentation device that presents the object by converting the object into a tree-structured alternative content based on the content describing the operation for each object and the metadata describing the data structure of the content,
Browsing means for generating the content as display data on the screen and updating the display data in response to an event issued to the content object;
Using each object of the content as a tree-structured node, for each of the nodes, analyzing the metadata defining user operations and events generated by the user operations in advance, and converting the content structure into a tree structure Metadata analysis means for generating a node operation table that is a table in which the user operation and an event generated by the user operation are associated with each other,
Tree structure state holding means for holding the tree structure converted by the metadata analysis means together with node information indicating the operation target node;
Node operation table holding means for holding the node operation table generated by the metadata analysis means;
Presenting means for presenting the content as alternative content in a tree structure held in the tree structure state holding means;
Node operation detection means for detecting a user operation on an operation target node of the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding means based on a node operation instruction from a user input via an input device;
An event for issuing an event corresponding to the user operation to the browsing means by referring to the node operation table held in the node operation table holding means based on a user operation on the node detected by the node operation detecting means. Issuing means;
An alternative content presentation device comprising:   A condition for issuing the event for each user operation is added to the metadata in advance, and the event issuing unit includes a determination unit that issues the event only when the condition is met. The alternative content presentation device according to claim 1. As a condition for issuing the event, the display state and / or attribute of the object is added to the metadata,
3. The alternative content presentation according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit acquires the display state and / or attribute of the object from the browsing unit and issues the event only when the condition is met. apparatus. Based on content that describes the operation for each object, and each object of the content as a tree-structured node, and for each node, metadata that defines user operations and events generated by the user operations in advance, In an alternative content presentation apparatus that converts an object into a tree-structured alternative content and presents the computer, in order to navigate the operation of the alternative content, a computer is provided.
A tree structure conversion means for analyzing the metadata, converting the structure of the content into a tree structure, and holding the tree structure holding means;
Analyzing the metadata, generating a node operation table that is a table in which the user operation and an event generated by the user operation are associated with each other, and generating a node operation table that is held in a node operation table holding unit means,
Node operation detecting means for detecting a user operation on the operation target node of the tree structure held in the tree structure state holding means based on a node operation instruction from the user input via the input device;
A browser that refers to the node operation table held in the node operation table holding unit based on a user operation on the node detected by the node operation detection unit, and presents the content with an event corresponding to the user operation Event issuing means to issue to
An alternative content navigation program characterized by functioning as

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