JP5096733B2 - Data table generating apparatus, television broadcast receiving apparatus, data table generating method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a user with good visibility and unified operability of various contents by making the grid-like table that is the base of the electronic program guide available to other display contents as well. The present invention relates to a data table generation device, a television broadcast reception device, a data table generation method, and a computer program that realize a reduction in cost and time.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a device for receiving a broadcast program such as a television device and a recording device, a model compatible with an electronic program guide that enables reception of a broadcast program and reservation recording based on an electronic program guide (EPG). There are many. Currently, program data, which is the contents of the electronic program guide, is supplied to the user mainly in two ways. The first is a method that is supplied as a broadcast signal through an analog broadcast or a digital broadcast, and the second is a method that is supplied through a network such as the Internet. Program data is supplied. The apparatus corresponding to the electronic program guide stores table data as a base of the electronic program guide in advance, and generates the electronic program guide as needed by arranging the acquired program data in the table data column (Patent Document 1, 2).

On the other hand, some television devices have a network communication function and a website browsing function so that they can access websites built on the Internet and display web pages on the screen in the same way as broadcast programs. Internet-compatible models have also appeared. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses an apparatus that can display a Web page corresponding to a program being displayed simultaneously with the program. Further, Patent Document 4 discloses an apparatus that allows a program name of a broadcast program to be registered in a bookmark for registering a Web site title and URL (Uniform Resource Locator) frequently used by a user. In addition, some recent television apparatuses have a slot in which a storage medium (for example, a card type semiconductor memory) can be mounted, and the received broadcast program can be stored in the storage medium mounted in the slot. To do. A Web site is a collection of Web pages, and data related to the Web site is stored in a Web server connected to a wide area network such as the Internet, and the Web site is accessed by accessing such a Web server. Can be viewed. Web sites also include simple sites such as blogs.
JP 2004-201025 A JP 2004-201080 A JP-A-11-275537 JP 2006-41856 A

  Devices compatible with electronic program guides are generally multifunctional and are often designed to perform various operation processes. In order to enable these various functions, it is required to set a plurality of target items based on a setting menu. Such setting work is burdensome for the user because it is necessary to find a setting menu corresponding to the required item from among many setting items, and it is necessary to check whether the setting contents are appropriate. Also, the operability in the setting menu is different from the operation on the electronic program guide etc., and the contents of the setting operation may not be known unless the instruction manual of the device is referred to. There is a problem of further increase.

  On the other hand, manufacturers that manufacture multi-functional devices described above need to generate setting menus corresponding to many setting items, and in recent years, the setting menus to be generated are becoming more and more multi-functional. Since the number is also increasing, there is a problem that the cost and construction period for setting menu development increase.

  In addition, the television device compatible with the Internet is provided with a bookmark function as in the device of Patent Document 4 described above, and usually has an access history function for registering the URL of the accessed website, etc. The registered contents of the history can be selected to access a desired website. However, the bookmark and the access history have a problem that the number of items that can display the registered contents is limited, and therefore, if there are many registered contents, the user cannot confirm many contents at a time. For example, since the apparatus of Patent Document 4 is configured to register a program title of a broadcast program as additional information in a bookmark table in which titles and URLs are arranged, the table is configured because the base table is for bookmarks. There is a problem that the number of columns to be processed is small and a large number of various contents cannot be arranged. In addition, since the procedure and method for selecting the registered contents of the bookmark and access history are different from those for selecting a program from the electronic program guide, the operability of the entire apparatus cannot be sufficiently unified. There is.

  Furthermore, in a television apparatus in which a storage medium can be mounted, it is necessary to generate a dedicated list in order to display a list of the contents of broadcast programs stored in the storage medium. However, as in the case of the setting menu, there arises a problem that the cost and the construction period for development increase.

  Furthermore, the display of the electronic program guide, the display of the setting menu, the display of the bookmark, the display of the access history, and the display of the stored contents are all performed in the conventional television apparatus, so that a plurality of contents can be displayed simultaneously. However, when it is necessary to display a plurality of contents, the contents must be switched and displayed one by one, which causes a problem that the operation burden on the user is heavy.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. Conventionally, table data that has been used only for generating an electronic program guide is used for generating a table for displaying other contents. As well as ensuring excellent listability and unified operability with respect to the contents of the data table generation device, television broadcast receiving device, which suppresses the development cost and processing time increase for the processing for displaying various contents, It is an object to provide a data table generation method and a computer program.

  In addition, the present invention makes it possible to display a plurality of types of contents at a time using the table data of the electronic program guide, thereby reducing the operation burden on the user and performing efficient operation and confirmation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data table generation device, a television broadcast reception device, a data table generation method, and a computer program.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a data table generating device according to the present invention is a data table generating device that generates data tables by arranging data representing program names related to electronic program guides in a grid-like blank table column. In this case, at least one of data relating to device settings, data relating to a website access destination, or data relating to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium is arranged in the blank table. A table generation means for generating a table is provided.

  In the present invention, at least one of data relating to device settings, data relating to an access destination to a Web site, or data relating to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium is stored in an electronic program guide. A data table is generated in the blank table column used instead of the data representing the program name. Since the blank table of the electronic program guide has a larger number of columns than the conventional setting menu etc., it becomes possible to display a lot of contents at once and the operability to select the arranged contents is the same as the electronic program guide. It becomes equivalent and the usability of the user is improved. Furthermore, by generating various data tables using the blank table of the electronic program table, various dedicated tables that have been generated separately are not required, and the costs associated with the development and design of the various tables can be reduced.

  Note that the data table generation device of the present invention is limited to a device that can handle all of the data related to device settings, the data related to the access destination to the Web site, and the data related to the storage contents stored in the internal or external storage medium. However, the data to be handled may change depending on the specifications of the apparatus. For example, in a device that does not have a function for accessing a website, data relating to the access destination to the website is not handled, and in a device that does not have a storage medium installed or installed therein, it is stored in a storage medium inside the apparatus. Data related to the stored contents will not be handled (hereinafter the same).

  Further, the data table generating device according to the present invention is a data table generating device that generates a data table by arranging a plurality of data representing program names related to an electronic program guide in a grid-like blank table column, At least a part of a plurality of data representing program names related to the electronic program guide arranged in the blank table column is data related to device settings, data related to an access destination to a Web site, or a storage medium inside or outside the device And a table generating means for generating a data table by replacing at least one of the data related to the stored contents.

  In the present invention, since a data table is generated by replacing at least a part of a plurality of data representing program names already arranged in the blank table with other types of data, the program name and other types of data are generated. Can be easily provided to the user, and a table switching operation for viewing a plurality of types of tables can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, the data generation device according to the present invention is a data table generation device that generates data tables by arranging data representing program names related to an electronic program guide in a grid-like blank table column, A data table in which at least two of data to be represented, data related to device settings, data related to an access destination to a website, or data related to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium are arranged in the blank table. It is characterized by comprising table generating means for generating.

  In the present invention, at least two of data representing program names, data relating to device settings, data relating to access destinations to Web sites, and data relating to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium Is arranged in the blank table column used for the electronic program guide to generate a data table. By arranging data relating to two or more contents in this way, a user can present many kinds of contents at a time and perform a selection operation. Conventionally, this is necessary every time one kind of contents is operated. No need to switch tables.

  Furthermore, the data table generation device according to the present invention includes image generation means for generating a stacked image in which the data table is stacked on an image, and the image generation is performed when the blank table has a column without data arrangement. The means arranges the image changed to the size according to the size of the column where there is no data arrangement in accordance with the column where there is no data arrangement, and the table generation means transmits the lower layer image, A column having no data arrangement is made transparent.

  In the present invention, the column in which no data is arranged is made transparent, and the size and arrangement of the lower layer image are changed in accordance with the column, so that the generated data table is converted into an image (for example, a television set). When the data table is displayed in an overlapping manner, the user can check the lower layer image even while the data table is being displayed. Therefore, even if the data table is manipulated, the user can see the lower layer image. For example, when the data table being displayed is content related to the device settings (brightness, color density, color tone, etc.) The result of the selection operation (setting operation) can be confirmed with the program image that can be seen through the transparent column, and efficient operation processing (setting processing) can be realized.

  In addition, the data table generation device according to the present invention is characterized in that when the blank table includes a column without data arrangement, the data table generation device includes image arrangement means for arranging an image in a column without data arrangement.

  In the present invention, since an image is arranged (imposed) in a column where no data is arranged, a data table including images can be easily generated. In addition, when the data table on which the image is arranged includes data related to the device settings (for example, brightness, color density, color tone, etc.), if the contents of the device settings are appropriately changed in the data table, the changed status is the data. Reflected in the image arranged in the table, the contents of the device settings can be confirmed smoothly with the image arranged in the data table.

  In the data table generation device according to the present invention, when the data table includes data relating to device settings, the table generation means includes setting item data representing device setting items, and setting items as data relating to the device settings. The setting content data representing the setting content corresponding to is arranged, and the arranged setting content data can be selected.

  In the present invention, the setting item data and the setting content data are arranged in a blank table column used in a data table such as an electronic program guide, and a data table having contents corresponding to the setting table is generated. Since the blank table of the electronic program guide has a larger number of columns than the conventional setting menu, a large amount of setting contents can be displayed at a time. Further, since the setting content data is arranged to be selectable, the operability of the data table is unified with the electronic program guide. Note that the blank table of the electronic program guide is a specification that allows selection of the contents arranged in the column and that the selected content is transmitted to the control unit of the device, so it is also selected in the generated data table. Processing according to the contents becomes possible. In addition, by generating a data table using the blank table of the electronic program guide, there is no need for a conventional setting menu, and it is not necessary to develop a setting menu. Man-hours can be reduced.

  Specific contents of the setting item data include image brightness, contrast, color depth, hue, image quality, sound quality, recording image quality setting, audio recording method setting, auto chapter setting, energy saving setting, and the like. Further, the specific content of the setting content data differs depending on the content of the corresponding setting item. For example, in the setting content data for the brightness of the video, a value indicating a plurality of stages (plus each value) , Each negative value) is applicable (the same applies hereinafter).

  In the data table generating apparatus according to the present invention, the table generating means arranges the setting content data in the same row or the same column as the corresponding setting item data.

  In the present invention, since the setting content data is arranged in the same row or the same column as the setting item data, the relationship between the contents to be set for each setting item can be understood at a glance, and the setting contents can be visually checked. Can improve the performance. Since the display screen of a television device or the like is horizontally long, when there are many setting contents data for one setting item data, the setting item data is arranged at the left end and is the same as the setting item data. It is preferable to arrange each set content data in a row (horizontal row on the display screen) because the arranged content can be easily viewed. In addition, when there are a large number of setting item data, the setting item data is arranged at the upper end, and if each setting content data is arranged in the same column (vertical column on the display screen) as the setting item data, a large number It is preferable because it can list the contents of.

  Furthermore, the data table generation device according to the present invention is a case where a plurality of setting contents data is arranged for one setting item data, and one setting contents data is selected from the plurality of setting contents data. The table generating means is characterized in that the selected one set content data is different from the other set content data.

  In the present invention, when one setting content data is selected from a plurality of settings, one setting content data is represented in a form different from other setting content data, so that the current setting content can be easily grasped. it can. As examples of different forms, it is conceivable that the character color or character shape of the selected setting content data is different from the other, the background color of the column to be arranged is different from other columns, etc. It is done.

  The data table generating apparatus according to the present invention further includes a registration receiving unit that receives registration of access destination data required for accessing the website, and a communication unit that accesses the website based on the access destination data. When the data includes data related to the access destination to the Web site, the table generating means arranges the access destination data received by the registration receiving means so as to be selectable as data related to the access destination to the Web site. It is characterized by.

  In the present invention, the access destination data accepted for registration is arranged in a blank table column used for generating an electronic program guide, and a data table corresponding to the bookmark list is generated. So-called bookmarks can be registered using the table, the contents of each registered bookmark can be easily listed, and the selection operation for bookmarks can be unified with the electronic program guide to ensure a good operation interface.

  Further, the data table generating apparatus according to the present invention is a communication means for accessing a website based on access destination data required for accessing the website, and means for storing access destination data related to the website accessed by the communication means. When the data table includes data related to the access destination to the Web site, the table generation means arranges the stored access destination data as data related to the access destination to the Web site. It is characterized by doing.

  In the present invention, the access destination data serving as the access history is arranged in the blank table column used for generating the electronic program guide, and the data table corresponding to the access table is generated. So-called access history can be generated using a table, contents related to access destinations can be easily listed, and the selection operation for access history can be unified with the operation of the electronic program guide, ensuring a good operation interface it can.

  In the data table generating apparatus according to the present invention, the table generating means divides the blank table row or column according to the type of the Web site and arranges access destination data according to the type of the Web site. And

  In the present invention, the rows or columns of the blank table are divided according to the type of the website, and the access destination data is arranged at the location divided according to the type. However, it is easy to see for each type of website, and the visibility can be further improved. Note that there are news, search, and shopping types of websites. In addition, when there are a large number of access destination data to be arranged, it is preferable to divide the blank table by arranging the access destination data separately for each row (horizontal row) because the registered contents can be listed. In addition, when there are many types of websites, it is preferable to arrange the access destination data separately for each column (vertical column) so that each type can be listed.

  Further, the data table generation device according to the present invention comprises counting means for counting the number of accesses to the website by the communication means, and the table generation means is arranged in the order of websites with the largest number of accesses counted by the counting means. The access destination data related to the Web site is arranged from one side to the other side.

  In the present invention, the access destination data is arranged from one side of the blank table to the other side in the order of the number of times of access. Therefore, it is possible to easily find an access destination with a high access frequency of the user, and the access destination data is arranged. This makes it easy to see the data table according to the convenience of the user and also makes it easy to perform the selection operation.

  Furthermore, the data table generation device according to the present invention is characterized in that when the access destination data arranged in the data table is selected, the communication means performs access based on the selected access destination data.

  In the present invention, when access destination data arranged in the data table is selected, access is performed based on the access destination data. Therefore, the generated access table has functions equivalent to normal bookmarks and access history. Thus, convenience for the user can be enhanced.

  The data table generating apparatus according to the present invention further comprises storage means for performing a process of storing a program in a storage medium inside the apparatus in association with title data representing the contents of the program, wherein the data table is a storage medium inside the apparatus. The table generation means arranges the title data so as to be selectable as the data related to the storage content stored in the storage medium inside the device. .

  In the present invention, the title data of the program contents stored in the storage medium inside the apparatus is arranged in a blank table and a data table is generated, so the storage contents of the storage medium that can be read and written by the apparatus main body are also a data table. It becomes possible to confirm.

  Furthermore, the data table generation device according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that is connected to an external storage device including a storage medium and acquires title data representing storage contents sent from the external storage device, and the data table includes When data related to the storage content stored in the storage medium external to the device is included, the table generation means arranges the title data so as to be selectable as data related to the storage content stored in the storage medium external to the device. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention, the title data of the content stored in the external storage medium is acquired and placed in the blank table column, so the stored content of the external device connected to the data table generation device is also a data table. It becomes possible to confirm.

  A television broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention comprises any one of the data table generating apparatuses described above and a receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal related to a television broadcast program.

  In the present invention, an apparatus capable of receiving a broadcast signal related to a television broadcast program includes the above-described data table generating apparatus, so that various data tables can be displayed based on the received broadcast signal. It becomes possible to make effective use in association with. Note that the television broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes various information devices having a broadcast signal receiving function in addition to a television apparatus having a video display unit, a recording apparatus for storing received programs, and the like. (Computers, PDAs, mobile phones, etc.) are also applicable.

  The data table generation method according to the present invention is a data table generation method in which a data table generation device generates data tables by arranging data representing program names related to electronic program guides in a grid-like blank table column. The data table generating device stores at least one of data relating to device settings, data relating to an access destination to a Web site, or data relating to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium. A data table is generated by arranging in a table column.

  In the present invention, since the blank table used for the electronic program guide is shared with the table containing other types of data, the operability can be made equivalent to the electronic program guide, and the costs associated with the development and design of various tables can be reduced. Reduction can also be achieved.

  The data table generation method according to the present invention is a data table generation method in which a data table generation device generates a data table by arranging a plurality of data representing program names related to an electronic program table in a grid-like blank table column. In the method, the data table generation device accesses at least a part of a plurality of data representing program names related to the electronic program guide arranged in the blank table column to data related to device settings and access to a Web site. A data table is generated by substituting at least one of the data related to the above or the data related to the storage contents stored in the internal or external storage medium.

  In the present invention, a data table is generated by replacing at least part of a plurality of data representing program names arranged in the blank table with other types of data. It becomes unnecessary to switch the table, and the operation burden on the user can be reduced.

  The data table generation method according to the present invention is a data table generation method in which a data table generation device generates data tables by arranging data representing program names related to electronic program guides in a grid-like blank table column. The data table generation device includes at least program name data, device setting data, Web site access destination data, or data stored in an internal or external storage medium. A data table is generated by arranging two in the blank table.

  In the present invention, since two or more types of data are arranged in the blank table of the electronic program guide, it is not necessary to switch the table that the user wants to see, and the user interface can be improved.

  A computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to perform a process of generating data tables by arranging data representing program names related to an electronic program guide in a grid-like blank table column. A data table in which at least one of data relating to processing settings, data relating to a website access destination, or data relating to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium is arranged in the blank table. It is made to function as a table | surface production | generation means which produces | generates.

  In the present invention, when the computer processing is defined by the computer program, the blank table used for the electronic program guide is shared with the table including other types of data, so that the operability is equivalent to the electronic program guide. In addition, the costs associated with the development and design of various tables can be reduced.

  A computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to perform a process of generating a data table by arranging a plurality of data representing program names related to an electronic program guide in a column of a blank table in a grid pattern. At least part of a plurality of data representing program names related to the electronic program guide arranged in the blank table column, data relating to device settings, data relating to access destinations to the website, or inside or outside the device It is made to function as a table generating means for generating a data table by replacing at least one of the data related to the storage contents stored in the storage medium.

  In the present invention, when the computer processing is defined by the computer program, the data table is generated by replacing at least part of the plurality of data representing the program names arranged in the blank table with other types of data. In order to view a plurality of types of tables, it is not necessary to switch between the various types of tables.

  Further, the computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to perform a process of generating a data table by arranging data representing a program name related to an electronic program guide in a grid-like blank table column, The blank table includes at least two of the computer, the data representing the program name, the data relating to the processing setting, the data relating to the access destination to the Web site, or the data relating to the stored contents stored in the internal or external storage medium. It is made to function as a table generation means which arrange | positions and produces | generates a data table.

  In the present invention, when the computer processing is defined by the computer program, since two or more types of data are arranged in the blank table of the electronic program guide, it is not necessary to switch the table that the user wants to see, and the user interface Can be improved.

  In the present invention, at least one of data relating to device settings, data relating to the access destination to the website, and data relating to storage contents stored in the internal or external storage medium is used in the electronic program guide. Since the data table is generated by being arranged in the blank table column, the operability equivalent to that of the electronic program table can be ensured as compared with the conventional dedicated table.

  In the present invention, a part of a plurality of data representing program names that have already been arranged is replaced with other data, or data representing program names, data relating to apparatus settings, and Web site access destinations. Since the data table is generated by arranging at least two of the related data and the data related to the storage contents stored in the internal or external storage medium in the blank table column used in the electronic program guide, various types of data are generated. The contents can be displayed at once, and switching between different types of tables can be eliminated.

  Further, in the present invention, the column in which no data is arranged is made transparent, and the size and arrangement of the lower layer image are changed according to the column, so the lower layer image is displayed even while the data table is displayed. The data table can be operated while checking the image status.

  In the present invention, since the setting item data and the setting content data are arranged in the blank table, the setting contents can be easily listed, and the operation for the setting contents can be unified with the operation of the electronic program guide. By eliminating the need for a setting menu, it is possible to reduce the cost and design man-hours associated with device development.

  In the present invention, since the setting content data is arranged in the same row or the same column as the setting item data, the visibility of the setting content can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, since the selected one set content data is expressed in a form different from the other set content data, the current set content can be easily confirmed.

  In the present invention, since the access destination data accepted for registration is arranged in a blank table used for generating an electronic program guide, it is possible to improve the listability of registered contents as compared with conventional bookmarks, and to register The selection operation with respect to the contents can be unified with the operation of the electronic program guide, thereby ensuring good operability.

  In the present invention, since the access destination data serving as the access history is arranged in a blank table used for generating the electronic program guide, it is possible to ensure better visibility than the conventional access history. The operability common to the electronic program guide can be provided to the user.

  In the present invention, since the access destination data is arranged by separating the rows or columns of the blank table according to the type of the website, even if there are a large number of registered contents, it can be easily discriminated and the visibility of the data table is improved. Can be improved.

  In the present invention, since the access destination data is arranged in the order of the number of times of access, the arrangement order according to the user's convenience can be achieved.

  Further, according to the present invention, when access destination data arranged in the access table is selected, access is performed based on the access destination data, so the convenience of the data table in which the generated access destination data is arranged is improved. it can.

  In the present invention, since the title data of the program contents stored in the storage medium inside the apparatus is arranged in the blank table and the data table is generated, the storage contents of the storage medium that can be processed by the apparatus main body are also shown in the data table. I can confirm.

  Further, in the present invention, the title data of the contents stored in the external storage device including the storage medium is acquired and arranged in the blank table column, so that the external device connected to the data table generation device The stored contents can also be confirmed in the data table.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, since the device capable of receiving a broadcast signal includes a data table generating device, various data tables can be used in association with video display based on the received broadcast signal.

  FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a television device 1 (corresponding to a television broadcast receiving device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. A television apparatus 1 as an example of the present invention is a type called a thin liquid crystal television, and a display panel 1b using liquid crystal as a display device is arranged in the center of the front surface of the housing 1a, and on both the left and right sides of the display panel 1b. Speakers 1c and 1d are arranged. The television device 1 has a function of connecting to a network NW and performing communication in addition to a function of receiving and displaying a general broadcast program, accessing a web site built on the network, and accessing a web page Can be displayed on the display panel 1b. Furthermore, the television device 1 has a slot portion (mounting portion) 1e in which a memory card K (storage medium) using a semiconductor memory can be mounted, and a plurality of external storage devices (first external storage in FIG. 1). A device G1 and a second external storage device G2) are connectable.

  Further, the television apparatus 1 has a built-in data table generation device, acquires program data of an electronic program guide (corresponding to data representing a program name) included in the broadcast signal, and acquires an electronic program guide (one of the data tables in the present invention). One). In addition, the television apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes spreadsheet-type table data (corresponding to a blank table) used for generating an electronic program guide, data related to device settings, data related to an access destination to a website, and It is characterized in that at least one of data related to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium is arranged and a data table capable of displaying various contents as a list is generated.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main internal configuration of the television apparatus 1. The television apparatus 1 includes a front-end unit 2 that mainly performs reception processing, a transport unit 3 that performs received content transfer processing, and an MPEG decoder unit that performs MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) conversion processing. 4, ROM 5, RAM 6, FLASH memory 7, light receiving unit 8 for remote control device 15, operation unit 9, communication unit 10 for performing network communication, CPU 11 for performing various controls, storage processing unit 12 for memory card, external The connection unit 13 is configured to be connected via two main buses 1f and 1g corresponding to high-speed data transmission. Hereinafter, each part mentioned above is demonstrated sequentially.

  The front end unit 2 includes a tuner unit 2a, a demodulation circuit unit 2b, and an error correction unit 2c. The tuner unit 2a is connected to an antenna such as a BS / CS system and receives broadcast signals (including program content data and incidental data representing the program title and genre) supplied from an external broadcasting facility or the like. Process to receive.

  The tuner unit 2a corresponds to receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal related to a television broadcast program, and the frequency of the received broadcast signal is specified by the control of the CPU 11. The tuner unit 2a of the present embodiment also functions as means for acquiring program data of an electronic program guide (corresponding to EPG-DB for TV (database)), and program data (broadcast signal) transmitted at a predetermined time. And the process of sending the acquired program data to the RAM 6 is also performed. In the television device 1, a portion (transport portion 3 to operation portion 9 etc.) excluding at least the tuner portion 2a of the front end portion 2 corresponds to the data display device according to the present invention.

  The demodulation circuit unit 2b digitally demodulates the broadcast signal (data corresponding to the broadcast program) received by the tuner unit 2a. The error correction unit 2c performs processing such as restoration and correction related to an error in the digitally demodulated signal, and performs processing for reproduction as transport stream data in the MPEG encoded state. The transport unit 3 includes a transport decoder unit 3 a, and the transport decoder unit 3 a performs processing of transport stream data sent from the front end unit 2 based on the control of the CPU 11. Specifically, the process of separating the broadcast video signal, the broadcast audio signal, and the data signal (the signal including the program data of the electronic program guide) in the data reproduced as the transport stream data encoded with MPEG is transcoded. This is performed by the port decoder unit 3a.

  The MPEG decoder unit 4 decodes the MPEG encoded broadcast video signal and broadcast audio signal, and outputs audio from the display processing unit that performs display processing on the display panel 1b shown in FIG. 1 and the speakers 1c and 1d. The video signal and the audio signal are respectively supplied to the audio output processing unit that performs the processing for the above. In order to perform such processing, the MPEG decoder unit 4 includes an MPEG decoder 4a, an OSD (On Screen Display) display unit 4b, a video encoder 4c, and an audio DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) 4d.

  The MPEG decoder 4a performs data demodulation (decoding) on the MPEG encoded broadcast video signal and broadcast audio signal separated by the transport decoder unit 3a, and sends the demodulated data to the video encoder 4c and audio DAC 4d. Yes. The OSD display unit 4b displays various menus (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), an electronic program guide (see FIG. 5), and various data tables (FIGS. 7, 10, 11, 13, 15 and the like) on the display panel 1b. A process of generating an OSD signal for display on the video encoder 4c and sending it to the video encoder 4c is performed based on the control of the CPU 11. The video encoder 4c generates a video signal obtained by superimposing the broadcast video signal demodulated by the MPEG decoder 4a and the OSD signal supplied from the OSD display unit 4b, and outputs the video signal to the display processing unit. By such processing of the video encoder 4c (corresponding to image generation means), a laminated image is generated in which various menus based on the OSD signal, electronic program guide, and various data tables are superimposed on the image of the broadcast program based on the broadcast video signal. Is done. The audio DAC 4d performs a process of generating an audio signal based on the broadcast audio signal demodulated by the MPEG decoder 4a and outputting the audio signal to the audio output processing unit.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 5 stores in advance a system program P1 that defines basic various control processes performed by the CPU 11. The system program P1 defines a control process performed by the CPU 11 for each unit 2, 3, 4 and the like in order to perform video display and audio output, and also defines a process for performing settings for each process. The process for setting can be performed for each of a plurality of setting items. The system program P1 also defines the processing of the CPU 11 corresponding to the communication function of the television apparatus 1, and includes processing for contents to be communicated based on the TCP / IP protocol, for example. Further, the system program P1 defines a storage reproduction process for the storage processing unit 12, a display process for various data received by the external connection unit 13, and the like.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 6 temporarily stores various data based on processing performed by the CPU 11. In the present embodiment, the TV EPG-DB 20 (program) acquired by the front end unit 2 described above is used. Data) and used to generate various tables as a work area. That is, the RAM 6 arranges data in a blank table 30 of the table data D read from the FALSE memory 7 to be described later, and is used as an area for generating various data tables shown in FIGS. Is done.

  The TV EPG-DB 20 stored in the RAM 6 is updated every time data related to the program is acquired by the front end unit 2. Further, the data that is the contents of the EPG-DB 20 for TV corresponds to the data arranged in each column of the blank table 30 in the electronic program guide 31 shown in FIG. 5, for example, arranged in order from the top in the leftmost column X1. Character data such as “CH”, numeric data representing channels such as “6” and “1”, character data such as “BS broadcasting station”, “XX broadcast”, etc. arranged in sequence from the top in column X2. Character data such as “9/16 (Sat.) 9:00 am”, “Program A (corresponding to data representing the program name)” and the like arranged in order from the top correspond to the column X3. The column in which each data included in the TV EPG-DB 20 is arranged is determined according to the contents defined by the table generation program P2 stored in the FLASH memory 7 described later.

  The RAM 6 also stores a program information DB (database) 21 of each storage medium. The program information DB 21 is registered with information such as recording time and recording characteristics in addition to the program name stored in the storage medium arranged in the storage contents list 43 and 44 of FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). These pieces of information are acquired from the storage medium by the storage processing unit 12 or the external connection unit 13 and stored in the program information DB 21 of the RAM 6.

  FIG. 3 shows various contents stored in the FLASH memory 7. The FLASH memory 7 is a table generation program P2 (EPG software, corresponding to the computer program of the present invention) that defines processing for the CPU 11 for generating the electronic program table shown in FIG. 5 and various data tables shown in FIG. The menu image M corresponding to the browser program P3 and the first menu 35 and the second menu 36 shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) is stored in advance, and various DBs (databases) used for table generation are stored. It corresponds to means for storing data and the like. The menu image M includes many contents corresponding to the types of menus other than those shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  The table generation program P2 stored in the FLASH memory 7 specifies processing for generating various tables in conjunction with the processing specified by the system program P1 stored in the ROM 5, and the generated table is shown in FIG. In addition to the data table corresponding to the electronic program guide 31, other various data tables include a bookmark list table 40 shown in FIG. 7 (corresponding to an access table), an access history table 41 shown in FIG. 10 (corresponding to an access table), A composite table generated by combining at least two of the setting table 42 shown in FIG. 11, the stored contents list tables 43 and 44 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, and the tables 31 and 40 to 44 shown in FIG. There are 45. The table generation program P2 is accompanied by table data D used for generating the electronic program guide 31.

  FIG. 4 shows a blank table 30 schematically showing the contents of the table data D. The blank table 30 has rows (Y1, Y2...) And columns (X1, X2...) Extending in the horizontal direction (X direction in the drawing) and the vertical direction (Y direction in the drawing), respectively. It is a grid | lattice-like table | surface which formed many columns. In the blank table 30, various data can be arranged in each column, and each column can be selected by the operation of the remote control device 15, and the contents of the data arranged in the selected column are transmitted to the CPU 11. It has become. Note that the characters X1, X2,..., Y1, Y2,... Attached to the blank table 30 are shown for explanation, and are not shown when displayed on the display panel 1b. The blank table 30 shown in FIG. 4 is a part of the table, and a large number of columns continue after the column X8, and a large number of rows continue after the row Y8.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the browser program P3 stored in the FLASH memory 7 defines various processing contents performed by the CPU 11 regarding browsing of the Web site. Specifically, the processing for accessing a predetermined Web site , Processing for storing a history of accessed information (web site name, URL, number of accesses, access date, etc.), processing for displaying received web site data on the display panel 1b, and using a desired web site as a bookmark It specifies the processing to be registered.

  Further, the FLASH memory 7 stores a URL-DB (database) 22 and a setting DB (database) 23. In the URL-DB 22, the classification data 22a used in the bookmark list table 40 in FIG. 7, the access destination data 24 used in the bookmark list table 40 and the access history table 41 in FIG. 10, and the access history table 41 are used. The ranking data 22b is stored. The setting DB (database) 23 stores setting item data 23a and setting content data 23b used in the setting table 42 of FIG. The contents of each data will be described below.

  The contents of the classification data 22a stored in the URL-DB 22 are "newspaper", "search system", "shopping system", "TV system" sequentially arranged in the leftmost column X1 in the bookmark list 40 of FIG. , “Link system”, and “others” character data representing the types of Web sites are applicable, and these character data are stored in the URL-DB 22 as default. It should be noted that the character data that is the contents of the classification data 22a can be added as appropriate by the classification addition operation by the user.

  The access destination data 24 stored in the URL-DB 22 is data (corresponding to data related to the access destination to the Web site) including information (URL) required for accessing the Web site constructed on the network NW. Yes, the content is a bundle of site data for each accessed Web site.

  FIG. 9 shows the contents of individual site data 24 a and 24 b included in the access destination data 24. The individual site data 24a and 24b are information relating to access corresponding to the websites accessed so far. For example, in the first site data 24a, “△△ newspaper” as the website name and “URL” as “URL” “http: // www...”, “X2, Y1” as the arrangement column in the bookmark list table 40 of FIG. 7, “38” as the access count so far, and “2006.03.28” as the latest access date and time are registered. It has become contents. In the second site data 24b, contents corresponding to the Web site name, URL, arrangement column, access count, and access date / time are registered. Note that no site data not registered in the bookmark list 40 is registered in the arrangement column (see site data 24x). The contents of the site data 24a, 24b,... Included in the access destination data 24 are updated to the bookmark list 40 as the number of accesses and the access date / time are updated as needed according to the access to each Web site. In the case of registration, information on the arrangement location is added to the arrangement column. Further, the accessed site data is added to the URL-DB 22 as the access destination data 24 every time a new Web site is accessed.

  The ranking data 22b stored in the URL-DB 22 of FIG. 3 is “1st to 4th”, “5th to 8th”, “9th to 12th” arranged in the leftmost column X1 in the access history table 41 of FIG. The character data is stored in the URL-DB 22 by default.

  Further, the setting item data 23a stored in the setting DB 23 is data representing items that can be set in the data related to the device settings of the television device 1, and specifically, in the setting table 42 of FIG. Corresponds to character data such as “video”, “black level”, “color density”, “color tone”, “image quality”, “red”, “green”, “blue” arranged in the leftmost column X1. . The setting item data 23a is stored in the FLASH memory 7 by default, and each character data includes position information (for example, “X1, Y1”, “X1, Y2”) for specifying an arrangement column in the setting table 42. Etc.) is attached.

  Further, the setting content data 23b stored in the setting DB 23 includes a plurality of items such as “−3” and “−2” arranged in the second and subsequent columns X2, X3, etc. from the left in the setting table 42 of FIG. This is numeric (parameter) data, and is data representing numerically the level contents set corresponding to each item of the setting item data 23a as one of the data relating to the apparatus setting. Each number data corresponds to each character data representing items such as “video” and “black level” in the setting item data 23a, and is arranged in the same row as the setting target item in the setting table 42. In addition, position information for specifying the arrangement column in the setting table 42 is attached. Specifically, the numerical data “−3” to “3” corresponding to the item “video” arranged in the uppermost row Y1 in the setting table 42 are sequentially arranged in the uppermost row Y1. As shown, position information (coordinate information) such as “X2, Y1”, “X3, Y1”. Further, each numeric data is accompanied by flag information in order to represent the target item being set. The flag information is “1” when the item is being set, and the flag information is “0” when the item is not set. It becomes the content. Therefore, for example, if the setting of the item “video” is “0”, only the flag information of numeric data “0” is “1”, and the flag information of other numeric data is “0”.

  In addition to the above, the data stored in the FLASH memory 7 includes character data used in various tables. For example, the leftmost column in the stored content list tables 43 and 44 shown in FIGS. Character data such as “storage medium”, “memory card”, “HDD1”, “DVD1”, etc. arranged in order from the top in X1, “title 1” “title 2” after column X2 in the second column from the left in the upper row Y1 And character data such as “stored contents” and “setting” arranged in the composite table 45 of FIG. The position of the blank table 30 where these character data are arranged is determined according to the contents defined in the table generation program P2.

  In FIG. 2, the FLASH memory 7 is connected to the thick main bus 1 f, and appropriately transmits and receives data at a transmission rate of 8 bits, 16 bits, or 32 bits per unit time, and various types of data via the CPU 11. The internal processing is speeded up so that various images or various data tables can be displayed smoothly. In addition, data transmission / reception between the RAM 6 and the thick main bus 1f and between the front end unit 2 and the thick main bus 1g is also accelerated in the same manner as described above, and various data can be transmitted at high speed via the CPU 11. Is transmitted.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 includes the front end unit 2, the RAM 6 and the FLASH memory 7, a high-speed thick relay line (shown by a thick line in the figure), and two high-speed main buses 1g and 1f (in the figure). Instead of connecting with a high-speed data transmission and securing high-speed data transmission, a technique called DMA (Direct Memory Access) in which predetermined parts are directly connected without using the CPU 11 is applied to the present invention. Of course it is also possible. An example in the case of using DMA is indicated by a wavy line in FIG. 2, and the RAM 6 is connected to the OSD display unit 4b and the video encoder 4c to perform data transmission without using the CPU 11, and various data tables. Alternatively, each unit may be directly controlled so as to process video display quickly.

  Further, the light receiving unit 8 shown in FIG. 2 receives signal light (infrared light) for remote operation from a remote control device 15 separate from the casing 1a of the television device 1. A process of transmitting the contained operation contents to the CPU 11 is performed.

  The remote control device 15 has up / down / left / right keys, an enter key, a program table key 15a for receiving a display instruction for the electronic program guide 31, a bookmark key 15b for receiving a display instruction for the bookmark list 40, and an access history key for receiving a display instruction for the access history table 41. 15c and a setting key 15d for receiving a display instruction of a setting table 42 for performing various settings, and storage contents list tables 43 and 44 of contents stored in the storage medium (memory card K, external storage devices G1 and G2) (FIG. 13 (a) (see (b)), a number of keys such as a storage title key 15e for receiving a display instruction are provided. The remote control device 15 also includes a registration key 15f (corresponding to registration accepting means) for accepting an operation instruction for registering a currently accessed website as a bookmark. Further, although not shown, the remote controller 15 displays an OSD non-display key for erasing each of the displayed tables 31, 41, 42, etc., and a composite table 46 combining a plurality of table contents as shown in FIG. A composite key and the like are also provided. The operation unit 9 provided in the apparatus main body is composed of a plurality of operation keys corresponding to volume adjustment, channel adjustment, input switching, and the like, and is installed on the top of the housing 1a shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 10 includes a communication interface connected to the network NW, functions as a communication unit that accesses a Web site on the network NW based on access destination data, and accesses a server specified under the control of the CPU 11. Send and receive various data. In the case where the television apparatus 1 is compatible with broadcasting over the Internet (for example, Internet television or the like), the communication unit 10 also corresponds to a means for receiving a broadcast signal, and a signal (broadcast signal) distributed through the network NW. ) Is sent to the MPEG decoder section 4 via the CPU 11 in the apparatus so that a program image based on the broadcast signal can be displayed.

  The storage processing unit 12 connected to the main bus 1g stores (writes) data to the memory card K (storage medium) mounted in the slot 1e, and reads data stored in the memory card K. Is to do. In the process of storing data, for example, the content (data) of the broadcast program decoded by the MPEG decoder unit 4 is stored in the memory card K inside the apparatus, and in the process of reading out the data, the data is stored in the memory card K. The contents (data) of the stored broadcast program are sequentially read out and sent to the MPEG decoder unit 4 for display and reproduction.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows the storage state of the broadcast program (data) stored in the memory card K by the storage processing unit 12. When storing the data of the broadcast program received by the tuner unit 2a of the front end unit 2, the storage processing unit 12 stores the content data of the program itself, title data indicating the title of the program, and genre data indicating the genre of the program. Store it in association. For example, in the first broadcast program data 17 stored, title data (corresponding to “world land”) 17a and genre data are associated with the content data 17c (corresponding to “content 1”) of the program itself. 17b (corresponding to “sports”) is stored, and the same applies to the second and subsequent broadcast program data.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, description of each part will be continued. The external connection unit 13 is a connection terminal for connecting to various external devices (for example, a connection terminal according to the IEEE1394 standard), and various content data (image data, audio data) and content sent from the external device. Acquire title data representing the title. The external connection unit 13 performs processing for sending content data acquired from the outside to the MPEG decoder unit 4, thereby enabling the television apparatus 1 to perform image display and audio output of data of the external device. The external connection unit 13 of the present embodiment has a structure that can be connected to a plurality of external devices. In the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external connection unit 13 is connected to the first external storage device G1 and the second external storage device G2. ing.

  Each of the external storage devices G1 and G2 shown in FIG. 2 can store various data by incorporating a hard disk device (HDD) as a first external storage medium, and a second external storage medium. The DVD can be mounted, and various data can be stored in the mounted DVD. Further, in the case of storing broadcast program data, each external storage device G1, G2 associates content data, title data (data representing the contents of the program), and genre data in the same manner as the memory card K described above. It is a specification to remember.

  Finally, the CPU 11 controls each of the above-described units 2, 3,... 10, 12, and 13 to display an image desired by the user (for example, a program image by a broadcast signal, a website image, etc.) on the display panel 1b. Control processing for outputting various sounds from the speakers 1c and 1d. For the basic operation contents of the television apparatus 1, the CPU 11 performs control mainly based on the specified contents of the system program P 1 stored in the ROM 5. Further, the CPU 11 also functions as a table generating means that characterizes the present invention depending on the processing contents defined by the table creation program P2, and a blank table 30 (see FIG. 4) used for generating the electronic program guide 31 of FIG. 7 is stored in the bookmark list table 40 in FIG. 7, the access history table 41 in FIG. 10, the setting table 42 in FIG. 11, the stored content list tables 43 and 44 in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), and the table in FIG. Control that is also used to generate the composite table 45 and the like is performed. Hereinafter, the processing contents relating to the generation of each 31, 40 to 45 based on the control of the CPU 11 will be described in order.

  First, the process of generating the electronic program guide 31 of FIG. 5 starts when the program guide key 15a of the remote control device 15 is operated by the user. When the CPU 11 is informed that the program table key 15a has been operated by the user, the table creation program P2 (EPG software) is activated, and the CPU 11 reads the table data D from the ROM 5 and expands it into the RAM 6 as a blank table 30. The contents necessary for generating the electronic program guide 31 are read from the TV EPG-DB 20 stored in the RAM 6, and the various contents thus read are arranged in the respective columns of the blank table 30 to generate the electronic program guide 31 shown in FIG. To do. Then, the CPU 11 sends the generated electronic program guide 31 to the OSD display unit 4b, and displays the electronic program guide 31 on the display panel 1b as the OSD. In the state displayed on the display panel 1b, an up / down scroll bar 32a and a left / right scroll bar 32b are added to the electronic program guide 31 by processing in the OSD display unit 4b, and the scroll bars 32a, 32b are connected to the remote control device 15. , The electronic program guide 31 can be scrolled within a range in which various contents are arranged in the blank table 30 (the same applies to the other tables 40 to 44).

  The contents arranged in each column of the electronic program guide 31 can be selected by the up / down / left / right keys and the decision key of the remote control device 15. For example, when the program B in the electronic program guide 31 is selected, The CPU 11 acquires a channel corresponding to the selected content from the TV EPG-DB 20, and controls the tuner unit 2a of the front end unit 2 so as to perform a channel selection operation on the acquired channel, and Δ of program B Receive TV.

  Next, a process of generating the bookmark list table 40 of FIG. 7 (corresponding to the process of the data table generation method) will be described. The bookmark list 40 is generated when the user operates the bookmark key 15b of the remote control device 15. When it is notified to the CPU 11 that the bookmark key 15b has been operated by the user, the table creation program P2 (EPG software) is activated, and the CPU 11 reads the table data D from the ROM 5 and expands it into the RAM 6 as a blank table 30 and FLASH The classification data 22a and the access destination data 24 stored in the URL-DB 22 of the memory 7 are read, and the contents included in the data 22a and 24 are appropriately arranged in the respective columns of the blank table 30 to generate the bookmark list table 40. In this generation process, the CPU 11 arranges the contents (characters) representing the type (classification) of the website of the classification data 22a in the leftmost column X1 according to the definition of the table generation program P2, and includes each of the items included in the access destination data 24. Control is performed to arrange Web site names such as the site data 24a and 24b in a predetermined column (an arrangement column designated for each site data shown in FIG. 9).

  The generated bookmark list 40 is sent to the OSD display unit 4b as in the case of the electronic program guide 31, and the display panel is displayed with the scroll bars (not shown in FIG. 7) added to the OSD display unit 4b. 1b. Further, the website names arranged in the respective columns of the displayed bookmark list 40 can be selected by operating the remote control device 15. When the website name is selected, the site data 24a related to the website name is selected. And the like (see FIG. 9), the CPU 11 obtains the URL from the URL-DB 22 and activates the browser program P3, and uses the obtained URL in the browser program P3 to access from the communication unit 10 to obtain the television apparatus 1. Displays the site page of the selected Web site name on the display panel 1b.

  Registration of the access destination data 24 to the bookmark is performed based on a series of processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. The process of this flowchart is defined by the browser program P3 stored in advance in the FLASH memory 7, and the process from the state of accessing the Web site is shown in FIG. Hereinafter, processing related to bookmark registration will be described based on this flowchart. First, the CPU 11 of the television apparatus 1 determines whether or not there has been an operation for registering the Web site displayed on the display panel 1b being accessed as a bookmark (an operation for depressing the registration key 15f of the remote control device 15) (S1). . When the registration key 15f is not operated (S1: NO), the television apparatus 1 is in a state of waiting for an operation.

  When the registration key 15f is operated (S1: YES), the CPU 11 reads the menu image M stored in the ROM 5 and displays the first menu 35 shown in FIG. 6A on the display panel 1b by OSD. (S2) As the registration destination of the current website, each of the first selection button 35a to the sixth selection button 35f in the first menu 35 or the generation of a new classification of the seventh button 35g is selected from the remote controller. It waits for selection by the operation of the up / down / left / right key and the enter key of the device 15 (S3).

  When any one of the first selection button 35a to the sixth selection button 35f is selected (S3: classification selection), the CPU 11 has the same line as the selected classification in the bookmark list 40 of FIG. The leftmost column is determined as the registration location of the Web site being displayed (S4). For example, when the newspaper-type first button 35a is selected in the first menu 35 of FIG. 6A and the bookmark list 40 at that time has the contents shown in FIG. The placement location is determined in the column “X4, Y1”. Note that the information (“X4, Y1”) in the column determined in this way is an arrangement column that has been blank until now for the site data corresponding to the accessed Web site included in the access destination data 24 shown in FIG. Are added under the control of the CPU 11.

  On the other hand, when the seventh button 35g corresponding to the new classification generation is selected in the first menu 35 in FIG. 6A (S3: classification generation), the CPU 11 displays the second menu 36 in FIG. 6B. Is displayed as an OSD, and an input of a new classification (classification name) is accepted (S5). Further, the CPU 11 adds a new classification to the classification data 22a stored in the ROM 5, and determines the arrangement location of the classification as a column under “Others” in the bookmark list 40 (S6). Further, the CPU 11 determines that the registered location of the website being accessed is the left column in the same row as the new category column (S7). Therefore, for example, when “sports” is entered as a new category in the second menu 36 and the bookmark list 40 at that time has the contents shown in FIG. 7, the category “sports” is “others” "X1, Y7", which is a column below "," and the accessed website is a row Y7 that is the same row as "Sports", and the left column X2 is registered as an arrangement column.

  Further, the generation processing (corresponding to the processing of the data table generation method) of the access history table 41 of FIG. 10 performed by the CPU 11 has the following contents. The generation of the access history table 41 is started when the user operates the access history key 15c of the remote control device 15. When the operation of the access history key 15c is transmitted to the CPU 11, the table creation program P2 (EPG software) is activated, and the CPU 11 reads the table data D from the ROM 5 and expands it into the RAM 6 as a blank table 30, and also the FLASH memory 7 URL-DB22. The access destination data 24 and the ranking data 22b stored in the data are read out, the contents included in the data 22 and 23 are arranged in the columns of the blank table 30, and the access history table 41 is generated.

  As a specific arrangement process of the above-described process, the CPU 11 defines “1st to 4th”, “5th to 8th”, “9” which are contents (characters) representing the rank of the rank data 22b according to the definition of the table generation program P2. ˜12 ”etc. are arranged in order from the upper row Y1 in the leftmost column X1. Further, the CPU 11 counts and compares numerical values stored in the number of accesses such as all site data 24a and 24b included in the access destination data 24 shown in FIG. The site names are arranged in descending order of the number of accesses, so that the column X2 (one side) to the column X4 (“X2, Y1”, “X3, Y1”, “X4, Y1”, “X2, Y2”,... They are arranged in the order in which they are arranged sequentially from the row Y1 downward in the direction of the other side.

  The generated access history table 41 is sent to the OSD display unit 4b, and is displayed on the display panel 1b with a vertical scroll bar added to the OSD display unit 4b. In addition, the Web site name arranged in each column of the displayed access history table 41 can be selected by operating the remote controller 15 as in the bookmark list 40 described above. When the URL is selected, the CPU 11 acquires the URL related to the website name from the URL-DB 22 and starts the browser program P3, and uses the acquired URL in the browser program P3 to access from the communication unit 10, Display the site page. In the access history table 41, the number of accesses used to determine the arrangement location is “1” as the numerical value stored in the number of accesses of the site data 24a, 24b, etc. of the website every time the website is accessed. "Is added under the control of the CPU 11.

  Furthermore, the generation process of the setting table 42 in FIG. 11 (corresponding to the process of the data table generation method) will be described. The generation of the setting table 42 is started when the setting key 15d of the remote control device 15 is operated by the user. When the operation of the setting key 15d is transmitted to the CPU 11, the table creation program P2 (EPG software) is activated, and the CPU 11 reads the table data D from the ROM 5 and expands it into the RAM 6 as a blank table 30, and for setting the FLASH memory 7 A setting table in which setting item data 23a and setting content data 23b stored in the DB 23 are read out, the contents included in each data 23a, 23b are arranged in each column of the blank table 30, and a plurality of setting contents are arranged for each setting item. 42 is generated.

  As a specific arrangement process of the above-described process, the CPU 11 sets “image”, “black level”, “color density”, “color tone”, “image quality”, “image quality”, setting item data 23a according to the definition of the table generation program P2. Control is performed to arrange character data such as “red”, “green”, and “blue” in order from the top in the leftmost column X1. Further, the CPU 11 arranges a plurality of numeric data such as “−3” and “−2” of the setting content data 23b in a column defined by position information associated with each numeric data, and the associated flag information indicates “ Only the column “1” is set to a background color of a color different from others (gray in FIG. 11).

  The generated setting table 42 is sent to the OSD display unit 4b, and is displayed on the display panel 1b with the vertical scroll bar added to the OSD display unit 4b. Further, the numeric data arranged in each column of the displayed setting table 42 can be selected by operating the remote controller 15. When selected, the selected numeric data is acquired from the setting DB 23 and selected. The CPU 11 performs control to adjust the processing level of the processing unit (video encoder 4c or display processing unit) according to the item corresponding to the numeric data, and adjusts the image quality and the like to the level desired by the user. Further, in accordance with the selection of the numeric data described above, the flag information of the numeric data becomes “1” instead of the flag information that has been “1” until now, and the background color of the column also becomes gray. Thus, by setting the background color of the column to gray and different from the other columns, the current setting level can be seen at a glance by the user. The CPU 11 recognizes the numerical data with flag information “1” as the setting contents of each setting item, and performs various control processes so that display or the like can be performed at the grasped level. Also, the thick-lined columns (X4, Y1) in FIG. 11 indicate the current cursor position (selection target position moved by the up / down / left / right keys of the remote control device 15).

  Furthermore, the generation processing (corresponding to the processing of the data table generation method) of the stored content list tables 43 and 44 in FIGS. 13A and 13B will be described. The generation of the stored content list tables 43 and 44 is started when the stored title key 15e of the remote control device 15 is operated by the user. When the operation of the storage title key 15e is transmitted to the CPU 11, the table creation program P2 (EPG software) is activated, and the CPU 11 reads the table data D from the ROM 5 and expands it into the RAM 6 as the blank table 30, and the storage processing unit 12 and A storage medium accessible through the external connection unit 13 is detected. Specifically, the CPU 11 detects whether or not the memory card K is attached to the storage processing unit 12 and is accessible, and the external storage devices G1 and G2 connected to the external connection unit 13 are in a power-on state. Yes, it detects whether the built-in hard disk device and the mounted DVD are accessible.

  As a result of the detection, the CPU 11 specifies a memory card K, a hard disk device built in the external storage devices G1 and G2, and a storage medium accessible from the DVD attached to the external storage devices G1 and G2, and specifies the specified storage medium. The program name, time, recording characteristics, and other data of the broadcast program stored in is acquired, and the acquired contents are stored in the program information DB 21 stored in the RAM 6. Then, the CPU 11 reads the predetermined data stored in the program information DB 21 and the predetermined character data stored in the FLASH memory 7, arranges the read data in the respective columns of the blank table 30, and stores them in the storage medium. Stored content list tables 43 and 44 in which program contents (title names) are arranged for each type are generated. 13B shows a table that is generated when there are few broadcast programs stored in an accessible storage medium, and the blank table 30 is a display panel of the television device 1. When there is a column in which no data is arranged in the range displayed in 1b (range after column X4), the CPU 11 hides the line that divides the column in which no data is arranged, and displays the background of each column. The transparency (alpha value) relating to the planes constituting the part is changed, and the table portion 44a corresponding to each column is made into a transparent form (a state in which the lower image is transparently shown in a transparent or semi-transparent state).

  The generated stored content lists 43 and 44 are sent to the OSD display unit 4b, and are displayed on the display panel 1b with an up / down scroll bar added to the OSD display unit 4b. Further, the title data arranged in each column of the displayed stored contents list 43, 44 can be selected by operating the remote control device 15. When selected, the reproduction instruction of the title data is sent to the first external storage device G1 or the second external storage device G2 through the storage processing unit 12 or the external connection unit 13 based on the storage destination of the content, and the reproduction instruction is issued. After the playback process is performed at the destination, the video (MPEG) signal of the content to be played back is sent to the transport unit 3 to start the playback process, and the display panel 1b displays the video of the played content. Is displayed. It should be noted that the displayed stored content lists 43 and 44 are hidden by operating an OSD non-display key provided on the remote control device 15.

  In addition, any one of the title data arranged in each column of the stored content list tables 43 and 44 in FIGS. 13A and 13B is selected, and reproduction of the content data corresponding to the title data is started. Display processing of the program image 50 as shown in FIG. 14 (a) is performed. In this case, when the display processing of the program image 50 shown in FIG. 14A is performed based on the stored content list 44 shown in FIG. 13B, a laminated image obtained by stacking the stored content list 44 on the program image 50 is a video. It is generated by the encoder 4c. At that time, the size and arrangement of the program image 50 are changed so that the lower-layer program image 50 is positioned in the table portion 44a corresponding to the column in which the data of the stored content list 44 is not arranged. That is, scaling is performed in the process in which the program image 50 is transferred from the MPEG decoder 4a to the video encoder 4c shown in FIG. 2, and the size of the program image 50 is changed to match the size of the table portion 44a. Processing is performed in which 50 positions are arranged so as to match the front portion 44a. As a result, the stored content list 44 displayed on the display panel 1b of the television apparatus 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 14B, and the transparent table portion 44a of the stored content list 44 has a lower layer. The program image 50 appears through. Therefore, even if the stored content list 44 is displayed, the user can check the program content of the selected title data, and even in this state, the stored content list 44 breaks the configuration of each column that the blank table 30 has. Maintain without. As shown in FIGS. 13 (b) and 14 (b), the process of making a column in which data is not arranged transparent has the electronic program table 31, bookmark list table 40, and access history table 41 described above. The same applies to the setting table 42.

  Finally, the process of generating the composite table 45 shown in FIG. 15 (corresponding to the process of the data table generation method) will be described. A composite table 45 in FIG. 15 is configured by combining a stored content list table 44 corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 14B and a setting table 42 corresponding to the state shown in FIG. When the operation of the storage title key 15e and the setting key 15d is transmitted to the CPU 11 after the composite key is operated by the user, the CPU 11 performs processing relating to generation of the tables 44 and 42, and the upper portion 30a of the blank table 30. Each data for the stored contents list 44 is arranged in the table, and each data for the setting table 42 is arranged in the lower part 30b to generate the composite table 45. The generated composite table 45 is sent to the OSD display unit 4b as described above, and finally displayed on the display panel 1b.

  When any title data in the stored content list 44 in the upper part 30a is selected by operating the remote control device 15 in the state where the composite table 45 is displayed, the program corresponding to the title data is reproduced and the program is played. The image 50 is displayed, and the program image 50 is seen through the table portion 44a. In this state, the settings for “video”, “black level”, “color density”, “color tone”, “image quality”, “red”, “green”, and “blue” in the setting table 42 in the lower part 30b are also made. When the operation is performed, since the contents of the setting operation are reflected in the program image 50 shown in the table portion 44a, the user can smoothly check the status of the various setting operations.

  Note that the composite table 45 shown in FIG. 15 is an example that can be generated by the television device 1 of the present embodiment. By performing a desired key operation on the remote control device 15, the electronic program guide 31, the bookmark list table 40, and the access It is possible to make the table content by combining at least two of the history table 41, the setting table 42, and the stored content list tables 43 and 44. In particular, when the resolution of the display panel 1b of the television apparatus 1 is high (for example, when the vertical direction is 1080 pixels or more and the horizontal direction is 1920 pixels or more), a composite table 45 is generated by combining three or more tables and displayed. It is also possible to do. When a table (data table) is generated by combining at least two, the blank table in which each data is arranged is not the electronic program table, but a common blank table that is optimal for the arrangement of various data. It is also possible to apply.

  Thus, the television apparatus 1 according to the present invention uses the blank table 30 used for the electronic program table 31 as the bookmark list table 40, the access history table 41, the setting table 42, the stored content list tables 43 and 44, and the composite table 45. Therefore, the operability with respect to the bookmark list 40, the access history table 41, the setting table 42, the stored content list tables 43 and 44, and the composite table 45 is made common with the electronic program table 31, and user convenience is improved. It has improved. Further, the blank table 30 has a configuration in which a plurality of columns are provided in a lattice shape because of the necessity of displaying a large number of program contents at a time, so that by applying such a configuration of the blank table 30 as it is, bookmarks are provided. Also in the list table 40, the access history table 41, the setting table 42, the stored content list tables 43 and 44, and the composite table 45, a large number of contents included in the table can be displayed on one screen, and high listability can be secured. Furthermore, as a manufacturer who designs the television apparatus 1, a dedicated menu has been conventionally generated for bookmark registration contents, access history, setting contents, and storage contents of a storage medium. No need for menus, etc. Once generated, the table data D of the blank table 30 and the table generation program P2 can be shared with various objects to reduce the development cost and development period, and to improve the contents once The improvement can be reflected in many objects.

  The present invention is not limited to the above description, and there are various modifications. For example, in the bookmark list table 40 shown in FIG. 7, the rows of the blank table 30 are divided according to the type of Web site, and the contents corresponding to one type are arranged in the same row extending in the horizontal direction (X direction). However, each type may be arranged in the uppermost row Y1, and contents corresponding to the types may be arranged in columns extending in the vertical direction (Y direction). In this way, when the columns of the blank table 30 are arranged separately for each type of website, a large number of website names can be arranged for each type, which is preferable when there are many website names to be arranged. The form shown in FIG. 7 is optimal when there are many types of Web sites to be arranged.

  Whether the website name is arranged in the horizontal direction (X direction) or the vertical direction (Y direction) for each type is automatically selected by the user selection or the number of website names. In this case, the table generation program P2 includes processing related to selection of the arrangement direction. Furthermore, the contents to be arranged may be either the horizontal direction (X direction) or the vertical direction (Y direction). The access history table 41 in FIG. 10, the setting table 42 in FIG. 11, and FIGS. The same applies to the stored content list tables 43 and 44) and the composite table 45 of FIG.

  Furthermore, in order to simplify the process of generating the bookmark list table 40 shown in FIG. 7, instead of arranging registered website names for each type of website, simply arranging only the website names sequentially. Then, the bookmark list 40 may be generated (for example, the bookmark list 40 may be sequentially arranged from the upper row Y1 in the order of bookmark registration). In this case, since the arrangement of the classification data 22a is omitted, the classification data 22a is not necessary, the free space of the FLASH memory 7 can be secured, and the processing burden related to the generation of the bookmark list 40 can be reduced. Similarly, when simplifying the generation process of the access history table 41 shown in FIG. 10, the process of arranging and arranging in order of the number of accesses may be omitted. In this case, the access destination stored in the FLASH memory 7 may be omitted. The arrangement is performed in the order of access date / time included in the data 24 or in the order in which it is stored. Further, in the television device 1 of a type that does not include the communication unit 10 (a type that does not have a communication function), the generation processing of the tables 40 and 41 for arranging the website name is omitted, and the blank table 30 The data related to the access destination to the Web site is excluded from the arrangement targets of the.

  Further, the contents of the setting table 42 in FIG. 11 are merely examples, and the items that can be set in the setting item data 23a are provided according to the model of the device to which the present invention is applied. For example, as shown in FIG. Items related to energy saving settings (dimming, no operation power off, no signal power off, etc.), items related to main unit settings (channel display settings, input display settings, video inversion, high temperature emphasis, etc.), timer settings (off timer) It can also be applied to the case of setting, on-timer setting, time setting, etc. Furthermore, the contents of the setting content data 23b for each item are not limited to numeric data as shown in FIG. 11, and depending on the target item, either “on” or “off” is selected. It is also possible to apply a method of arranging a single time number and changing the number, such as a time setting item.

  FIG. 16 shows a setting table 52 of a modification. The setting table 52 of the modified example is characterized in that the setting contents are displayed in a horizontal bar graph shape, the X5 column is set to “0”, and the X2 column is the minimum (minimum. Min in the figure). And the X8 column is set to the maximum (Max. Displayed as Max in the figure). The setting contents are expressed by adding color (for example, red) to “0” for each item to the column indicating the current setting value, while setting the other columns to have no color (for example, white). In this way, the current setting status for each item can be easily grasped visually at a glance. Note that the setting status shown in the setting table 52 of the modification of FIG. 16 is the same as the setting table 42 of FIG.

  Furthermore, the stored content list tables 43 and 44 in FIGS. 13A and 13B are designed to arrange the contents stored in the storage medium inside the apparatus and the contents stored in the storage medium outside the apparatus. However, a list for storage media inside the apparatus and a list for storage media outside the apparatus may be generated separately for the inside of the apparatus and the outside of the apparatus.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, there is a table portion 44a with a column (range after column X4) in which data is not arranged in the range where the blank table 30 is displayed on the display panel 1b of the television apparatus 1. In some cases, when the program image 50 as shown in FIG. 14A is simultaneously displayed, the program image 50 may be superimposed on the table portion 44a. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, a program image 60 is arranged (superimposed) on a table portion 54a formed by a column in which no data is arranged in the storage content list 54 of the modified example, and the program image 60 is included. A stored content list 54 can be generated. At this time, it is assumed that the size of the program image 60 is automatically changed according to the size of the table portion 54a.

  Furthermore, in addition to the memory card K which is a semiconductor memory, the storage medium to be mounted on the television device 1 is different in the specification of the storage processing unit 12 so that an optical disk such as a DVD or a BD (Blu-ray Disc), a mounting type Alternatively, a built-in hard disk device or the like may be applied. Further, in the television device 1 of a type that does not include the storage processing unit 12, the process of arranging the contents stored in the storage medium inside the device in the blank table 30 is omitted.

  Furthermore, in the television apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital program data for the electronic program guide has been described as being acquired by the tuner unit 2a, but the model having an analog tuner capable of acquiring analog program data, The present invention can also be applied to models that acquire Internet program data by the communication unit 10 through the network NW. In these models, the analog tuner and the communication unit 10 correspond to means for acquiring program data.

  Further, when generating a composite table as shown in FIG. 15, in addition to arranging a plurality of types of data in the blank table 30 at once, a part of the generated data table is replaced with another type of data. It is also possible to generate a table. For example, data (corresponding to a part of data) arranged in the lower four rows (Y5 to Y8) of the electronic program guide 61 shown in FIG. 18A is stored in a list of stored contents as shown in FIG. The composite table 62 may be generated by replacing it with data for the table (data relating to the storage contents stored in the internal or external storage medium). In this case, a data table including other contents can be easily generated based on the electronic program guide, which is convenient when it is desired to check other contents while checking the electronic program guide. As data to be replaced, it is possible to apply data related to device settings and data related to the access destination to the Web site, and the replacement range is not limited to a part of the data in the electronic program guide. All ranges may be replaced.

  The television apparatus 1 to which the present invention can be applied is a mobile type as long as it is a type having a function of acquiring program data and generating an electronic program guide (a type corresponding to a data table generator) in addition to a stationary type. The present invention can also be applied to a portable television device. Mobile types include those installed in vehicles, trains, etc., and portable types that support terrestrial broadcasting and those that support so-called one-segment broadcasting (cell phones, portable computers, PDAs, etc.) Also included). When the present invention is applied to a multifunctional device as compared with a normal television device such as a cellular phone, settings relating to functions unique to the cellular phone other than the functions of the television device in the setting table 42 of FIG. Items (for example, settings related to incoming calls, settings related to receiving mail, settings related to manner mode, etc.) can be set in the setting table 42. Thus, the blank table 30 can also be shared among various types of setting items. Thus, the effects of the present invention such as unification of operability, high listability, development cost, and reduction in work period can be further enhanced.

  Further, the present invention has a function of acquiring program data and generating a data table such as an electronic program guide even if the device does not have a display panel (for example, a tuner device and a set top for cable television) It can also be applied to boxes, recording devices, etc. For example, when applied to a recording device, the setting items unique to the recording device (recording image quality setting, audio recording method setting, extended keyword setting, external input audio setting, bilingual audio setting, auto chapter setting, high speed dubbing setting, DVD Proxy recording setting, DVD automatic initialization setting, VHS just recording, video controller setting, DVD playback setting, password setting, VHS setting, etc.) can be applied as the arrangement contents of the setting table 42

It is the schematic which shows the external appearance of the television apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main internal structures of the television apparatus of embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the memory content of a FLASH memory. It is a chart which shows a blank table. It is a chart which shows an electronic program guide. (A) is the schematic which shows a 1st menu, (b) is the schematic which shows a 2nd menu. It is a chart which shows a bookmark list. It is the flowchart which showed the process sequence which concerns on registration of a bookmark. It is the figure which showed notionally the structure of each site data contained in access destination data. It is a chart which shows an access history table. It is a chart which shows an example of a setting table. It is the schematic which showed typically the state of the data concerning the program content memorize | stored in the memory card. (A) is a chart showing an example of a stored contents list, and (b) is a chart showing a stored contents list with a part of the background in a transparent form. (A) is the schematic which shows the program image of a broadcast program, (b) is the schematic which shows the state which accumulated the memory content list on the program image. It is a chart which shows an example of a compound table. It is a chart which shows the setting table | surface of a modification. It is the schematic which shows the condition which superimposes a program image on a part of memory content list. (A) is a chart showing an electronic program guide, and (b) is a chart showing a composite table in which a part of the electronic program guide is replaced with data representing stored contents.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Television apparatus 1b Display panel 2a Tuner part 4b OSD display part 7 Auxiliary memory 10 Communication part 11 CPU
12 Storage Processing Unit 13 External Connection Unit 20 TV EPG-DB
21 DB for program information
22 URL-DB
22a Classification data 22b Order data 23 Setting DB
23a Setting item data 23b Setting content data 24 Access destination data 30 Blank table 31 Electronic program guide 40 Bookmark list table 41 Access history table 42 Setting table 43, 44 Stored content list 45 Compound table K Memory card G1 First external storage device G2 Second external storage device

Claims (22)

A data table generating device for generating a data table by arranging a plurality of data representing program names related to an electronic program guide in a grid-like blank table column,
Data relating to the device setting, or one even without least data relating to the access destination to the Web site, includes a table generating means for generating a data table placed in the blank table,
When the data table includes data relating to device settings, the table generating means sets setting item data representing device setting items and setting content data representing setting details corresponding to the setting items as data relating to the device settings. with arranging the data table generating apparatus according to claim selectably the to Rukoto the setting data placed. The data table generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the table generation unit arranges the setting content data in the same row or the same column as the corresponding setting item data. When a plurality of setting contents data is arranged for one setting item data, and one setting contents data is selected from a plurality of setting contents data, the table generating means selects the selected one setting data. The data table generation device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the setting content data is in a form different from other setting content data. The table generation means relates to at least a part of a plurality of data representing program names related to the electronic program guide arranged in the blank table column, data related to the device setting, or an access destination to the Web site. The data table generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data table is generated by replacing and arranging at least one of the data. The table generation means stores at least two of the data related to the device setting, the data related to the access destination to the Web site, or the data related to the storage contents stored in the internal or external storage medium in the blank table. The data table generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data table is generated by arranging the data tables. Storage means for performing processing for storing a program in a storage medium inside the apparatus in association with title data representing the contents of the program;
When the data table includes data related to the storage content stored in the storage medium inside the device, the table generation means selects the title data as data related to the storage content stored in the storage medium inside the device. 6. The data table generation device according to claim 5, wherein the data table generation device is arranged in a possible manner. An acquisition unit connected to an external storage device including a storage medium and acquiring title data representing storage content sent from the external storage device;
When the data table includes data related to storage contents stored in a storage medium external to the apparatus, the table generation means selects the title data as data related to storage contents stored in the storage medium external to the apparatus. The data table generation device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the data table generation device is arranged in a possible manner. A storage medium specifying means for specifying an accessible storage medium in the apparatus or an external storage medium;
When the data table includes data related to storage contents stored in an internal or external storage medium, the table generating means stores data related to storage contents for each type of storage medium specified by the storage medium specifying means. The data table generation device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the data table generation device is arranged . Image generating means for generating a laminated image obtained by laminating the data table on an image,
When there is a column without data arrangement in the blank table, the image generation unit arranges the image changed to a size corresponding to the size of the column without data arrangement in accordance with the column without data arrangement. The data table generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the table generating unit makes a column in which no data is arranged transparent so that a lower layer image can be transmitted. The data table generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising: an image arrangement unit that arranges an image in a column without data arrangement when the blank table has a column without data arrangement. Registration acceptance means for accepting registration of access destination data required for accessing the website;
Communication means for accessing the website based on the access destination data,
When the data table includes data related to the access destination to the Web site, the table generating means can select the access destination data that the registration receiving means has received as the data related to the access destination to the Web site. The data table generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , which is arranged. A communication means for accessing the website based on access destination data required for accessing the website;
Means for storing access destination data related to the website accessed by the communication means,
2. When the data table includes data related to an access destination to a Web site, the table generating means arranges the stored access destination data so as to be selectable as data related to an access destination to the Web site. The data table generation device according to any one of claims 11 to 11 . 13. The data table generation device according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein the table generation unit divides rows or columns of the blank table for each type of Web site and arranges access destination data according to the type of Web site. Comprising a counting means for counting the number of accesses to the website by the communication means;
The table generation means, any one of the in the order of large Web site access counts counting means has counted, whereas claim arranging the access destination data relating to the Web site to the other side from side 11 to claim 13 The data table generator described in 1. If the access destination data placed in the data table has been selected, the communication means data table generating apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14 for accessing based on the selected access destination data . A data table generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
A television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal related to a television broadcast program. A data table generation method is a data table generation method for generating a data table by arranging a plurality of data representing program names related to an electronic program table in a grid-like blank table column,
The data table generation device includes:
Data relating to the device set, or at least one of data relating to the access destination to the Web site, placed in the column of the blank table, comprising the step of generating a data table,
When the data table includes data relating to device settings, in the step, setting item data representing device setting items and setting content data representing setting content corresponding to the setting items are arranged as data relating to the device settings. And a data table generation method characterized in that the arranged setting content data can be selected . In the step, at least some of the plurality of data representing the program name related to the electronic program guide arranged in the column of the blank table, data relating to the device set, or data relating to the access destination to the Web site The data table generation method according to claim 17 , wherein the data table is generated by replacing at least one of the data tables. In the step, the data relating to the device setting, arranged said data relating to the access destination to the Web site, or device inside or outside of the at least two data relating to stored contents stored in the storage medium to the blank table The data table generation method according to claim 17, wherein the data table is generated. A computer program for causing a computer to generate a data table by arranging a plurality of data representing program names related to an electronic program guide in a grid-like blank table column,
Computer
Data relating to the device set, or at least one of data relating to the access destination to the Web site and so as to function as a table generating means for generating a data table placed in the blank table,
When the data table includes data relating to device settings, the table generating means sets setting item data representing device setting items and setting content data representing setting details corresponding to the setting items as data relating to the device settings. And a computer program for enabling selection of the arranged setting content data . The table generation means, according to at least some of the plurality of data representing the program name related to the electronic program guide arranged in the column of the blank table, data relating to the device set, or the access destination to the Web site computer program according to claim 20 for generating a data table by arranging replaced with at least one data. The table generation means, data relating to the device setting, the data relating to the access destination to the Web site, or at least two devices inside or outside the data relating to the stored contents stored in the storage medium to the blank table The computer program according to claim 20, wherein the computer program is arranged to generate a data table.

Images