JP5371819B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time required for a GUI display, based on image component information such as vector images. <P>SOLUTION: A display device includes: preferentially selecting image components with high probabilities of being used in the generation of either of the menu screens that could be displayed next time while each menu screen is displayed; enabling a rasterizing unit (136) to generate bitmap images (BMG) of the image components selected; and storing the bitmap images (BMG) generated in a bitmap image storage unit (137). When either of the next menu screens is selected and if the menu screen selected contains an image component whose bitmap image (BMG) is stored in the bitmap image storage unit (137), a screen describing unit (135) uses the stored bitmap image (BMG) in the generation of the menu screen selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a technique for generating and displaying a menu screen.

In recent years, with the diversification and higher resolution of display devices, vector images have been adopted as image data used for GUI (Graphical User Interface). The vector image is composed of drawing commands described in accordance with a vector graphics language. In accordance with the drawing commands, a bitmap (BMP: Bit Map) image is drawn, and the bitmap image is displayed on a display device. For this reason, it may take time until the GUI is displayed after an event that requires the user to input an operation or the like, resulting in poor response.
On the other hand, for example, in Patent Document 1, a GUI that may be displayed next is predicted from the displayed GUI, and an image of the GUI predicted to be displayed next is drawn in advance. A technique for improving responsiveness is described.

JP 2007-286745 A (paragraphs 0017 to 0036, FIG. 1)

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a GUI that may be displayed next is predicted, and the predicted GUI is drawn in advance. However, if the prediction is lost, the GUI is again displayed. It is necessary to draw, and in such a case, the response is poor.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the time required for displaying a GUI using image part information such as a vector image.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A display unit for displaying each of a plurality of menu screens;
An image component information representing an image part to be used in common by the plurality of menu screens, and a data storage unit for storing grouped and image component information representing the image components used in each of the plurality of menu screens ,
A rasterizing unit that generates bitmap image data of an image component represented by the image component information stored in the data storage unit;
A bitmap image storage unit for storing bitmap image data of the generated image component;
A drawing order that preferentially selects an image component that has a higher probability of being used in generating one or more menu screens that may be displayed next to each menu screen displayed on the display unit. A drawing order determining unit for generating information;
Bitmap image data of an image component selected based on the drawing order information generated by the drawing order determination unit is generated, and the generated bitmap image data is stored in the bitmap image storage unit, and then displayed. When one or two or more menu screens that may be displayed are selected, an image component in which bitmap image data is stored in the bitmap image storage unit is displayed on the selected menu screen. If it is included, a screen rendering unit that uses the stored bitmap image data when the selected menu screen is generated is provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time required for displaying a GUI using image part information such as a vector image.

It is a figure which shows the connection relation of the display apparatus and video information apparatus which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a video information device controlled in a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data stored in the data storage part of FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of menu image information according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows an example of the vector image which comprises image component information in Embodiment 1, and the bitmap image produced | generated by this vector image. 6 is a diagram showing a drawing management information table in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. (A)-(E) is a figure which shows the example of one menu screen in Embodiment 1, and the menu screen displayed next. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a drawing order determination process in a drawing order determination unit in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the screen drawing unit acquires image ranking information in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing for drawing the menu screen, which is performed when the screen drawing unit receives a menu screen display instruction in the first embodiment. 3 is a tabulation table showing an example of measurement results indicating the effects of the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the video information apparatus used as the object of control in Embodiment 2 of this invention. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of menu information in Embodiment 2. FIG. (A)-(D) are the figures which show the variation of the reproduction | regeneration button in Embodiment 2. FIG. (A)-(C) are the figures which show the example which changed the image size of the image component of a reproduction | regeneration button in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a drawing management information table in Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a drawing order determination process in a drawing order determination unit in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the screen drawing unit acquires variation drawing order information in the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a screen drawing unit receives a menu screen display instruction or a change display instruction in the second embodiment. 10 is a diagram showing a drawing management information table in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the display apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the appearance rate table which shows an example of the appearance rate information in a modification.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a display system including a display device 130 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a video information device 110 controlled using the display device, and particularly shows a connection relationship between the display device 130 and the video information device 110. FIG. As shown in the figure, the display device 130 and the video information device 110 are connected via a network 170 and can transmit / receive information to / from each other.
The display device 130 is composed of, for example, a television receiver.
The video information apparatus 110 is a video recorder such as a hard disk recorder or a Blu-ray disc player, or a video information device such as a digital tuner.

When the user gives an operation instruction to the video information device 110, the video information device 110 is selected by the remote controller 150 or the operation panel of the display device 130, and the video information is displayed on the display screen 141 of the display device 130. A menu screen using the GUI 142 for controlling the device 110 is called.
When the user performs a selection operation and a determination operation on a menu screen called by the remote controller 150 or the like, control information corresponding to an instruction in the determination operation is transmitted from the display device 130 to the video information device 110 via the network 170. Sent to. In accordance with such control information, the video information apparatus 110 performs processing.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the menu screen includes everything that the user selects on the screen and determines. For example, a setting menu screen, operation button screen, reproduction list screen, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) screen, reservation screen, and the like are included in the menu screen.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the video information device 110. As illustrated, the video information apparatus 110 includes a function execution unit 111, a data storage unit 112, a data processing unit 113, and a network connection unit 114.

The function execution unit 111 executes and controls the entire processing performed by the video information device 110. For example, the function execution unit 111 executes and controls processing corresponding to the original function of the device realized by the video information device 110. Here, the original function of the device means recording / reproduction of video when the device is a video recorder.
The control information CD received by the network connection unit 114 is also sent to the function execution unit 111 and processed by the function execution unit 111.

  The data storage unit 112 stores information necessary for processing performed by the video information device 110. For example, in the present embodiment, menu information DMN1 for drawing a menu screen for instructing the video information apparatus 110 to perform processing is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the menu information DMN1 includes a menu scenario information DB1, new image information DC1, and drawing management information DD1.

The menu scenario information DB 1 represents an operation performed using the menu screen for each menu screen, and includes a menu processing information DBa and a menu screen configuration information DBb.
The menu processing information DBa is, for example, information that identifies a menu item as an option on each menu screen and a process to be executed or a menu screen to be displayed next when an input for selecting and determining the menu item is received. Including.
The menu screen configuration information DBb includes, for each menu screen, component identification information DBb1 for identifying image component information DCa1 for drawing an image component (GUI image component) constituting a part of the menu screen, and the component identification. And an arrangement position information DBb2 representing a position where an image part drawn by the image part information DCa1 identified by the information DBb1 is arranged.
In the present embodiment, each menu screen is identified by, for example, menu screen identification information.

  The menu image information DC1 includes, for each menu screen, image component information DCa1 for drawing an image component constituting a part of the menu screen, and a component identification information DBb1 for identifying the image component information DCa1. Includes component image information DCa. Here, the image component information DCa1 is image data in a vector image format.

The menu screen includes a plurality of image parts.
In the menu screen, each function realized using the menu screen is allocated to the partial area, the allocated partial area is selected, and the decision instruction is input, so that the function allocated to the selected partial area Is often executed. When such a partial area is selected, the display of such a partial area often changes. Therefore, it is desirable to configure the image component so that the partial area that is functionally handled as a unit on the menu screen becomes one image component.

  For example, when a plurality of operation buttons such as a play button, a stop button, and a fast-forward button are drawn on the menu screen in order to perform an operation (video operation) on the video recorder, the user can use the remote remote controller 150 (refer to FIG. ) To move the cursor to highlight the operation button selected with the cursor. When the user performs an operation for determining the selected operation button with the remote controller 150, the determined operation button is displayed in a pressed state, indicating that this operation button has been determined. As described above, the change of the image on the menu screen, that is, drawing and redrawing are performed in units of operation buttons. For this reason, the menu image information DC1 for generating the menu screen is divided into image component information DCa1 at least in units of operation buttons.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the menu image information DC1.
Here, there are several types of menu screens. For example, in the button panel type menu screen, several buttons are displayed on the screen in a tile shape, the menu screen transitions by selecting a button and inputting a decision instruction, and the final process is determined Is done.

  In the cascade menu screen, a plurality of menu items are displayed in a row, and when one of the menu items is selected and a decision instruction is input, the next menu item is displayed near the selected menu item. Such a process is repeated to determine a final process.

  On the operation button type menu screen, operation buttons are displayed like the operation panel of a video recorder, and the processing corresponding to the selected operation button is executed by selecting the displayed operation button and inputting the execution instruction. Is done.

  Note that the names of the button panel type menu screen, cascade type menu screen, and operation button type menu screen are given for the sake of convenience.

Further, the menu screen of the actual video information apparatus 110 is used by combining different types of menu screens according to the operation characteristics.
Since the menu screens used in these menus are considered to have a common part for each type, it is desirable to group them in order to extract the common part.

  Therefore, the menu image information DC1 in the present embodiment includes common component set information Pa and component set information Pb as shown in FIG.

  The common component set information Pa includes a component list Pa-m and image component information Pa-1, Pa-2,. Image part information Pa-1, Pa-2,... Corresponds to image part information DCa1 in FIG.

  The component list Pa-m is a list of component identification information DBb1 for identifying image component information of image components used in common for all types of menu screens. For example, image component information Pa-1, Pa-2,... Of each image component corresponding to the listed component identification information DBb1 is included in the common component set information Pa.

  The image component information Pa-1, Pa-2,... Included in the common component set information Pa is an image component that is commonly used in any type of menu screen, for example, a logo mark, a background image, This is image part information for drawing a border or the like.

  The component set information Pb includes a component list Pb-m, common part image component information Pb-c, image component information Pb-1, Pb-2,. .. and have

  The component list Pb-m is a list of component identification information DBb1 for identifying the image component information DCa1 of the image component used for each type of menu screen for each type of menu screen. For example, the image component information Pb-c of the common part and the image component information Pb-1, Pb-2,... Of each image component corresponding to the listed component identification information DBb1 are the component set information Pb. include.

  Here, in the component set information Pb, in each type of menu screen, one component identification information DBb1 is allocated to the image component information of the image components that are commonly used for a plurality of menu screens. Assume that image component information is included.

  Here, the image component set Pb in FIG. 4 is, for example, information on an operation button type menu screen having a plurality of operation buttons for performing a video operation. And when each operation button is comprised with the frame and the symbol showing operation, image part information DCa1, image part information Pb-1, and image part for the common part Pb-c to draw a frame The information Pb-2 and the image part information Pb-3 are respectively a triangle (playback), a square (stop), image part information DCa1 for drawing two combined triangles (fast forward), and a button frame that is a common part. This is reference information to the image component information DCa1 for drawing.

  For example, when rendering the image part information Pb-1 of the playback button, the common part Pb-c that is the image part information DCa1 of the frame is referred to as the reference information, and the image part information Pb-1 and the common part Pb-c are referred to. Are combined to complete the image component information DCa1 of the playback button, and the completed image component information DCa1 is rasterized to generate a bitmap image.

  Here, in the present embodiment, since two image formats of a vector image and a bitmap image are used, the structure and characteristics of these images will be briefly described.

  A bitmap image is an image format in which an image is divided into a grid pattern and each of the divided minute areas is expressed by data having color and shading as pixels. In a bitmap image, the amount of data tends to increase according to the image size. When the image size is increased without changing the amount of data, the pixels become conspicuous and the image appears to be coarse.

  On the other hand, a vector image is an image format defined as a collection of drawing information such as drawing commands and function definitions representing curves. In a vector image, the amount of data does not change regardless of the image size, and even if a large image size image is created from the same vector image data, the created image becomes a smooth image. Conversely, with vector images, the amount of data tends to increase as the images become more complex even with the same image size.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of an example of a vector image constituting the image component information DCa1 and a bitmap image generated from the vector image.

  The vector image shown in FIG. 5A is a video playback button described in an uncompressed svg format (Scalable Vector Graphics: w3c recommendation SVG 1.1).

  For example, the “linearGradient” element in FIG. 5A indicates drawing information for drawing a gradation, the “rect” element indicates drawing information for drawing a rectangle, and the “polygon” element is a polygon. The image information for drawing (here, a triangle) is shown.

  Then, the bitmap image shown in FIG. 5B is obtained by rasterizing the vector image as shown in FIG. In the bitmap image shown in FIG. 5B, a triangle by a “polygon” element is drawn in a rectangular frame by the “rect” element, and further, a linear gradient by the “linear” gradient is drawn by the “rect” element. "The gradation by the element is given.

  Many display devices are made as a bitmap display, and the bitmap display can display a bitmap image without changing it to another image format. On the other hand, in the case of a vector image, a rendering operation called rasterization is performed, the vector image is converted into a bitmap image, and the converted bitmap image is displayed on the display device.

  For this reason, it takes an extra rasterization time to display a vector image compared to a case where a bitmap image is displayed on a display device.

  In an image based on a simple line such as an illustration such as a square or a triangle used for an image part on a GUI menu screen, a vector image is more advantageous in terms of data size than a bitmap image.

  For example, the data size of the vector image in FIG. 5A is approximately 620 bytes, and when this is compressed, it becomes approximately 300 bytes.

  On the other hand, the data size of the bitmap image in FIG. 5B is 980 bytes (width 64 pixels) and 3600 bytes (width 240 pixels) when PNG format (with compression) is used as the standard format of bitmap images. Or 8300 bytes (width 480 pixels). This is an image size assuming standard image quality, high-definition image quality, and ultra-high-definition image quality, respectively.

  That is, in the case of high-definition image quality, the data size of the vector image is 1/12 of the data size of the bitmap image. Therefore, in the case of a network GUI in which the menu screen data is transmitted and received via the network and the device is remotely operated, the network transfer time is longer when the vector image is sent than when the bitmap image is sent. It will be 1/12.

  As described above, the use of a vector image in the network GUI is advantageous in terms of transfer time but disadvantageous in terms of drawing time.

The drawing management information DD1 includes information indicating whether or not an image component generated by drawing the image component information DCa1 is stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137 for each image component information DCa1.
The drawing management information DD1 is expressed, for example, in the form of a table (drawing management information table) shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the drawing management information table 112e has a component set column 112f, a component identification information column 112g, and an acquired flag column 112h.

The component set column 112f stores information indicating a set of image components that constitute a part of the menu screen.
In the component identification information column 112g, component identification information DBb1 (Pa-1, Pa-2,...) For identifying image component information DCa1 for drawing an image component included in the set of image components indicated by the component set column 112f. .., Pb-1, Pb-2,..., Pc-1,.
In the present embodiment, the component identification information column 112g in the row in which information including the “common component set” is stored in the component set column 112f is an image component that is commonly used in a plurality of types of menu screens. The component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 for drawing is stored.

In the acquired flag column 112h, information (flag) FLG specifying whether or not an image component has been drawn using the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 112g. Is stored. This information (flag) FLG has a first value, for example, “1” when “drawn (acquired)”, and a second value, for example, “0” otherwise.
In the acquired flag column 112h, “0” is written in the initial state.

Returning to FIG. 2, the data processing unit 113 performs processing such as processing the information stored in the data storage unit 112 into communication data in accordance with an instruction from the function execution unit 111, and sends the data to the network connection unit 114. Process to send.
The network connection unit 114 transmits and receives information via the network 170.

  Among the above video information devices, the function execution unit 111 and the data processing unit 113 can be realized by software, that is, by a programmed computer.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the display device 130. The illustrated display device 130 includes a function execution unit 131, a data storage unit 132, a scenario execution unit 133, a drawing order determination unit 134, a screen drawing unit 135, a rasterization unit 136, and a bitmap image storage unit 137. , An operation unit 138, a display unit 139, and a network connection unit 140.

The function execution unit 131 executes and controls the entire processing in the display device 130. For example, the function execution unit 131 executes and controls processing corresponding to a function realized by the display device 130 such as displaying the video transmitted from the video information device 110 on the display unit 139.
The function execution unit 131 further executes and controls processing corresponding to functions realized by a television receiver such as a tuner.
The function execution unit 131 controls the display of the menu screen on the display unit 139, and the control information CD corresponding to the operation (instruction) input by the operation unit 138 using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. Is transmitted to the video information apparatus 110 via the network connection unit 140.

  The data storage unit 132 stores information necessary for processing performed by the display device 130. For example, menu information DMN1 (see FIG. 3) sent from the video information apparatus 110 is stored.

The scenario execution unit 133 controls the menu operation in response to the instruction signal ES from the operation unit 138.
For example, the scenario execution unit 133 provides the display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 135 according to the menu processing information DBa of the menu scenario information DB1 of the menu information DMN1 (see FIG. 3) stored in the data storage unit 132. The menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 is controlled, and the control signal CS corresponding to the instruction signal ES input from the operation unit 138 is transmitted to the function execution unit 131 using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. give.

  When the scenario execution unit 133 issues an instruction DS for displaying one menu screen, the drawing order determining unit 134 performs the drawing of the menu screen instructed by the screen drawing unit 135 according to this instruction, and one menu screen is displayed. When one or more menu screens that may be displayed next to the menu screen currently displayed on the display unit 139 are displayed as the next screen candidates when displayed on the unit 139, the next specified The appearance rate is calculated for each of the image components used to generate one or more menu screens as screen candidates, and the drawing order of the image components is determined according to the calculated appearance rate. Here, “used to generate one or two or more menu screens” for each image component means that the image component is included in a part of one or two or more menu screens. Means).

For example, the drawing order determination unit 134 determines the drawing order for each image component as follows.
8A to 8E are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a menu screen display operation.
For example, a menu screen 180 shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the display unit 139.

  The menu screen 180 includes a “1” button 180a, a “2” button 180b, a “3” button 180c, and a “4” button 180d. The menu screen 180 accepts selection and determination of these buttons. . When the “1” button 180a is selected by the operation unit 138 and a determination instruction is input, for example, a menu screen 181 shown in FIG. 8B is displayed. When the “2” button 180b is selected by the operation unit 138 and a determination instruction is input, for example, a menu screen 182 shown in FIG. 8C is displayed. When the “3” button 180c is selected by the operation unit 138 and a determination instruction is input, for example, a menu screen 183 shown in FIG. 8D is displayed. When the “4” button 180d is selected by the operation unit 138 and a determination instruction is input, for example, a menu screen 184 shown in FIG. 8E is displayed.

  A menu screen 181 shown in FIG. 8B includes an “A” button 181a, a “B” button 181b, a “C” button 181c, a “☆” button 181d, and a “←” button 181e as image parts. , “↓” button 181f, “↑” button 181g, “→” button 181h, and frame 181i.

  A menu screen 182 shown in FIG. 8C includes an “α” button 182a, a “β” button 182b, a “γ” button 182c, a “☆” button 182d, and a “←” button 182e. , “↓” button 182f, “↑” button 182g, “→” button 182h, and frame 182i.

  A menu screen 183 shown in FIG. 8D includes an “I” button 183a, a “B” button 183b, a “Ha” button 183c, a “Ni” button 183d, and a “←” button 183e as image parts. , A “↓” button 183f, an “↑” button 183g, a “→” button 183h, and a frame 183i.

  A menu screen 184 shown in FIG. 8E includes, as image parts, a “former” button 184a, a “secondary” button 184b, a “丙” button 184c, a “single” button 184d, and a “←” button 184e. , “↓” button 184f, “↑” button 184g, “→” button 184h, and frame 184i.

  Then, “←” buttons 181e, 182e, 183e, 184e, “↓” buttons 181f, 182f, 183f, 184f, “↑” buttons 181g, 182g, 183g, 184g, and “→” buttons 181h, 182h, 183h, 184h are drawn by the same image component information DCa1, and are identified by the same component identification information DBb1 in the menu information DMN1 shown in FIG. The frames 180e, 181i, 182i, 183i, and 184i are drawn by the same image component information DCa1, and are identified by the same component identification information DBb1 in the menu information DMN1 shown in FIG. The “☆” buttons 181d and 182d are drawn by the same image component information DCa1, and are identified by the same component identification information DBb1 in the menu information DMN1 shown in FIG.

The drawing order determining unit 134 calculates the probability that each image component is used as the appearance rate in the menu screens 181, 182, 183, and 184 as the next screen candidates of the menu screen 180 displayed on the display unit 139. That is, the appearance rate of each image component is expressed by the following equation (1).
(Appearance rate of each image component)
= (Number of next screen candidates in which the image component is used among one or more next screen candidates that may be displayed next to the currently displayed menu screen) / (currently displayed Number of next screen candidates that may be displayed next to the current menu screen) × 100 (1)

  For example, “←” buttons 181e, 182e, 183e, 184e, “↓” buttons 181f, 182f, 183f, 184f, “↑” buttons 181g, 182g, 183g, 184g, “→” buttons 181h, 182h, 183h , 184h and frames 181i, 182i, 183i, and 184i are used in all of the four next screen candidates 181, 182, 183, and 184 of the menu screen 180 that is currently displayed, so the appearance rate is 100%. It becomes. Since the “☆” buttons 181d and 182d are used in one of the two next screen candidates 181 and 182, the appearance rate is 50%. Since the other buttons are used in only one of the next screen candidates 181, 182, 183, and 184, the appearance rate is 25%.

The drawing order determination unit 134 determines the drawing order so that the drawing order becomes earlier in order from the image component having the highest appearance rate calculated as described above. Here, with respect to the drawing order, natural numbers are assigned from “1” in order from the drawing order that is earlier.
Note that the drawing order determination unit 134 has the same calculated appearance rate, and in an arbitrary order, for example, when a natural number is assigned as the component identification information DBb1, the component identification information DBb1 has a smaller number. The drawing order is determined according to the order of the objects, the order from the smallest or largest data size in the vector image, and the order from the highest priority if priority is assigned to the image parts in advance. decide.

  The drawing order determined in this manner is associated with the component identification information DBb1 of the image component to be drawn in the determined drawing order, and is given from the drawing order determining unit 134 to the screen drawing unit 135 as the component drawing order information FD. It is done.

  The screen drawing unit 135 generates an image to be displayed on the display unit 139 (drawing the entire screen) in response to an instruction from the function execution unit 131 or the scenario execution unit 133, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 139. Control processing.

  For example, when the screen drawing unit 135 receives a menu screen display instruction DS from the scenario execution unit 133, the screen drawing unit 135 is specified by a menu screen instructed to be displayed by the display instruction DS (screen identification information included in the display instruction DS). The component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 of the image components constituting the menu screen) is specified from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 132.

  Then, the screen drawing unit 135 refers to the drawing management information table 112e (see FIG. 6) stored in the data storage unit 132, so that the image components from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1 are displayed. It is determined whether or not is already drawn.

  When the image component has already been drawn from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires the image component from the bitmap image storage unit 137, and the data The menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the storage unit 132 is arranged at a position specified by the component arrangement position information DBb2.

On the other hand, the screen drawing unit 135 corresponds to the specified component identification information DBb1 from the data storage unit 132 when the image component is not drawn from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1. The image component information DCa1 is acquired, the acquired image component information DCa1 is given to the rasterizing unit 136, the image component is drawn, and the bitmap image BMG of the drawn image component is stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137. Thereafter, the bitmap image BMG of the drawn image component is acquired from the bitmap image storage unit 137 and arranged at the position specified by the component arrangement position information DBb2 stored in the data storage unit 132.
The screen drawing unit 135 generates the menu screen image MNS that is instructed to be displayed by the display instruction DS from the scenario execution unit 133 as described above, and the generated menu screen image MNS is displayed on the display unit 139. Output to.
When the screen drawing unit 135 receives the display instruction DS for the menu screen from the scenario execution unit 133, the screen drawing unit 135 notifies the drawing order determination unit 134 of the received display instruction DS.
The display instruction DS includes menu screen identification information, and the menu screen to be displayed is identified by the menu screen identification information.

  Further, when the screen drawing unit 135 acquires the component drawing order information FD from the drawing order determination unit 134, the screen drawing unit 135 controls the process of drawing the image components in the order specified by the component drawing order information FD.

For example, the screen drawing unit 135 identifies the image component information DCa1 to be drawn in order from the component drawing order information FD acquired by the drawing order determining unit 134 in the order of the order specified by the component drawing order information FD. The component identification information DBb1 is specified. Then, the screen drawing unit 135 refers to the drawing management information table 112e (see FIG. 6) stored in the data storage unit 132, so that the image components from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1 are displayed. It is determined whether or not is already drawn.
Then, when the image component is not drawn from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1, the screen drawing unit 135 corresponds to the specified component identification information DBb1 from the data storage unit 132. The image component information DCa1 is acquired, and the acquired image component information DCa1 is given to the rasterizing unit 136 to draw the image component, thereby generating a bitmap image BMG of the image component.
On the other hand, when the image component has already been drawn from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1, the screen drawing unit 135 uses the component drawing order information FD acquired from the drawing order determining unit 134. Then, the process proceeds to the process of drawing the image component that is the next fastest in the order specified by the component drawing order information FD.

  Note that if the image component information DCa1 includes reference information such as an identifier, a file name, a link, or the like regarding the image component information DCa1, the screen drawing unit 135 refers to the reference information to refer to the image of the reference destination. The component information DCa1 is acquired, and the image component information DCa1 of the reference destination is combined with the image component information DCa1 acquired from the data storage unit 132, whereby the image component information DCa1 is completed and given to the rasterizing unit 136. A map image BMG is generated.

  Furthermore, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires the component drawing order information FD from the drawing order determination unit 134 and then receives the menu screen display instruction DS from the scenario execution unit 133, and then acquires the acquired component drawing order information FD. If the drawing of the image parts corresponding to all the part identification information DBb1 specified in (2) is not completed, the drawing process according to the part drawing order information FD is stopped, and the display instruction received from the scenario execution unit 133 A drawing process according to DS is executed.

  The rasterize unit 136 generates a bitmap image of the image component by converting the vector image of the image component information DCa1 received from the screen drawing unit 135, and stores the generated bitmap image BMG in the bitmap image storage unit 137. Process.

  The bitmap image storage unit 137 stores the bitmap image BMG generated by the rasterization unit 136.

  The operation unit 138 receives an instruction input from the user of the display device 130. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 150 shown in FIG. 1 and operation buttons (not shown) provided on the display device 130 are configured.

The display unit 139 displays a video transmitted from the video information device 110 and a menu screen.
The network connection unit 140 transmits and receives information via the network 170.

  Of the display device 130 described above, the function execution unit 131, the scenario execution unit 133, the drawing order determination unit 134, the screen drawing unit 135, and the rasterization unit 136 are realized by software, that is, by a programmed computer. Can do.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a drawing order determination process in the drawing order determination unit 134. For example, when the scenario execution unit 133 issues an instruction DS for displaying one menu screen and the one menu screen is displayed on the display unit 139 in accordance with this instruction, the drawing order determining unit 134 displays FIG. The processing of the flowchart shown is started. For example, when the screen drawing unit 135 sends the menu screen to the display unit 139, the drawing order determining unit 134 that has received the notification notifies the drawing order determining unit 134 together with information for identifying the sent menu screen. What is necessary is just to start the flowchart of FIG.
Further, the drawing order determination unit 134 may start the flowchart of FIG. 9 when the scenario execution unit 133 issues a display instruction DS for one menu screen. For example, when the screen drawing unit 135 receives the display instruction DS for the menu screen, the drawing order determining unit 134 that has received such a display instruction transmits the received display instruction DS to the drawing order determining unit 134. The flowchart of 9 may be started.

First, as a result of the scenario execution unit 133 issuing a display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 135, the drawing order determining unit 134 may be displayed next from the menu screen that is currently displayed. The above menu screen is specified as one or more next screen candidates (S10).
For example, the drawing order determination unit 134 refers to the menu processing information DBa stored in the data storage unit 132 and can display one or more menus that may be displayed next from the currently displayed menu screen. Identify the screen.
Note that the screen identification information that identifies the currently displayed menu screen (the menu screen from which the scenario execution unit 133 has issued the display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 135) is, for example, the scenario execution unit 133 or the screen drawing unit 135. Then, the drawing order determining unit 134 may be notified.

Next, the drawing order determination unit 134 sets the component identification information for each component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 for drawing the image components constituting one or more next screen candidates specified in step S10. The appearance rate of the image component drawn by the image component information DCa1 specified by DBb1 is calculated by the above equation (1) (S11).
Here, the drawing order determination unit 134 acquires the component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 constituting the menu screen as the next screen candidate from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 132.

  Then, the drawing order determination unit 134 determines the drawing order of the image component information DCa1 in descending order of appearance rate calculated in step S11 (S12). Here, in the present embodiment, the drawing order determined in step S12 is assigned a natural number that is a sequential number in order from “1”, and the drawing order is the order from the smallest value. Is not limited to such an embodiment.

  Next, the drawing order determination unit 134 generates component drawing order information FD that associates the drawing order determined in step S12 with the component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 drawn in the drawing order. The image is output to the drawing unit 135 (S13).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed when the screen rendering unit 135 acquires image rank information.

First, the screen drawing unit 135 initializes an index i indicating the order to “1” (S20). The index i is stored in a register (not shown) provided in the screen drawing unit 135, for example.
The screen drawing unit 135 acquires the component identification information DBb1 corresponding to the index i in the component drawing order information FD from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 132 (S21).

Next, the screen drawing unit 135 checks whether or not the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21 has been drawn (S22).
Then, the screen drawing unit 135 proceeds to the process of step S23 if not drawn yet (No in step S22), and proceeds to the process of step S26 if already drawn (Yes in step S22).

  For example, in step S22, the screen drawing unit 135 stores the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21 in the component identification information column 112g in the drawing management information table 112e (see FIG. 6) stored in the data storage unit 132. Specify the row (record) where is stored. When the information indicating that “acquired” is stored in the acquired flag column 112h of the specified record, the screen drawing unit 135 identifies the component using the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21. It is determined that the image component information DCa1 to be processed has already been drawn.

In step S23, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires image component information DCa1 corresponding to the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21.
For example, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21 from the data storage unit 132. When the acquired image component information DCa1-1 includes predetermined reference information, the screen drawing unit 135 extracts the reference destination image component information DCa1-2 specified by the reference information. Then, the image component information DCa1-3 is completed by incorporating the extracted image component information DCa1-2 into the acquired image component information DCa1-1.

Then, the screen drawing unit 135 outputs the image component information DCa1 acquired in step S23 to the rasterizing unit 136 (S24).
Next, the screen drawing unit 135 updates the drawing management information table 112e stored in the data storage unit 132 (S25).
For example, the screen drawing unit 135 identifies the record in which the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21 is stored in the component identification information column 112g in the drawing management information table 112e stored in the data storage unit 132, Information indicating “acquired” is stored in the acquired flag column 112h of the identified record. For this purpose, such a storage (writing) instruction WR is given to the data storage unit 132.

In step S26, the screen drawing unit 135 checks whether or not the index i is a value (maximum value iMAX) indicating the end of the drawing order specified by the component drawing order information FD.
Then, the screen drawing unit 135 ends the processing when the index i is a value indicating the end of the drawing order specified by the component drawing order information FD (Yes in step S26), and the index i is the part. If the value does not represent the end of the drawing order specified by the drawing order information FD (No in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, the screen drawing unit 135 confirms whether or not the menu screen display instruction DS has been received from the scenario execution unit 133 after starting the processing of the flowchart of FIG. The screen drawing unit 135 ends the process when receiving the menu screen display instruction DS (Yes in S27), and if not receiving the menu screen display instruction DS (No in S27), performs the process of Step S28. Proceed to

  In step S28, the screen drawing unit 135 adds “1” to the index i (incrementing the index i by “1”), and returns to step S21.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed when the screen drawing unit 135 receives a menu screen display instruction DS from the scenario execution unit 133. The menu screen display instruction DS includes screen identification information for specifying a menu screen to be displayed.

  First, when receiving a menu screen display instruction DS from the scenario execution unit 133, the screen drawing unit 135 draws image component information for drawing an image component constituting the menu screen that is the target of the display instruction DS received from the scenario execution unit 133. The component identification information DBb1 of DCa1 is specified from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 132 (S30).

  Next, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires one of the component identification information DBb1 corresponding to the image component that has not been arranged in step S36 (described later) among the component identification information DBb1 specified in step S30 ( S31).

Next, the screen drawing unit 135 checks whether or not the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S31 has already been drawn (S32). The screen drawing unit 135 proceeds to the process of step S33 if the drawing has already been performed (Yes in step S32), and proceeds to the process of step S34 if not yet drawn (No in step S32).
For example, in step S32, the screen drawing unit 135 includes the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S31 in the component identification information column 112g in the drawing management information table 112e (see FIG. 6) stored in the data storage unit 132. Is stored, and when the information indicating that the drawing is completed is written in the acquired flag column 112h of the specified record, the information is identified by the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S21. It is determined that the image component information DCa1 to be processed has already been drawn.

  In step S33, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires the bitmap image BMG drawn from the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S31, from the bitmap image storage unit 137, and step S36. Proceed to

On the other hand, in step S34, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S31 from the data storage unit 132, and the acquired image component information DCa1 is a rasterizing unit. To 136.
Then, the screen drawing unit 135 acquires, from the bitmap image storage unit 137, the generated bitmap image BMG drawn by the rasterizing unit 136 from the image component information DCa1 output in step S34 (S35).

  In step S36, the screen drawing unit 135 arranges the bitmap image BMG acquired in step S33 or step S35 at a position specified by the component arrangement position information DBb2 stored in the data storage unit 132.

  Then, the screen drawing unit 135 checks whether all the component images drawn based on the component image information DG identified by the component identification information DBb1 specified in step S30 have been arranged (S37). The screen drawing unit 135 proceeds to the process of step S38 when all the component images are arranged (Yes in step S37), and when all the component images are not arranged (No in step S37). The process returns to step S31.

  In step S38, the screen drawing unit 135 outputs the drawn image as the menu screen MNS to the display unit 139.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image parts constituting the menu screen are stored as vector images, and are drawn in the bitmap image in descending order of appearance rate. At this time, there is a high probability that the image parts used on the menu screen after switching have already been drawn as a bitmap field image, and the average value of the time required for displaying the menu screen can be shortened.

In order to confirm the above effect, a result of creating a system similar to the display system 100 according to the first embodiment and measuring the drawing time will be described.
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the menu screen 180 shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the display unit 139, and the menu screen shown in FIGS. 8B to 8E is displayed from such a menu screen 180. The measurement was performed using an example in which 181, 182, 183, and 184 are displayed.
In such a case, the menu screen to be displayed is not generated in advance, and after the display instruction DS is input by the operation unit 138, the screen drawing unit 135 generates an image of the menu screen to be displayed next. "No pre-drawing", "Pre-drawing by one-screen prediction" that generates one of the menu screens that may be displayed next, and the image components that make up the menu screen are generated in advance An experiment was conducted for each of the “methods of the first embodiment”.
In the case of the “method of the first embodiment”, an “A” button 181a, a “B” button 181b, a “C” button 181c, a “☆” button 181d, and a “←” button shown in FIG. The bitmap images 181e, “↓” button 181f, “↑” button 181g, “→” button 181h, and image components in the frame 181i are already stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137.

In the configuration as described above, in the state where the menu screen 180 shown in FIG. 8A is displayed, a menu screen display instruction DS is given to the screen drawing unit 135, and shown in FIGS. The time until the menu screens 181, 182, 183 and 184 were generated was measured. The result of such measurement is shown in the table of FIG.
In the case of “no prior drawing”, the average rasterization time obtained by averaging the rasterization times until the respective menu screens 181, 182, 183, and 184 are generated was 3.828 seconds.
In the case of “pre-drawing by one-screen prediction”, the average rasterization time obtained by averaging the rasterization times until the respective menu screens 181, 182, 183, and 184 are generated was 2.833 seconds.
In the case of the “method of the first embodiment”, the average rasterization time obtained by averaging the rasterization times until the respective menu screens 181, 182, 183, and 184 are generated is 0.617 seconds.
As described above, in the method according to the first embodiment, although it is a limited condition, it is approximately 6.2 times as compared with the case of “no prior drawing”, and approximately 4 times as compared with the case of “pre drawing based on single screen prediction”. .5 times the drawing speed can be expected to be improved, and the time required for displaying the menu screen can be shortened.

  In the first embodiment described above, the video information device 110 and the display device 130 are connected via the network 170. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and a dedicated connection line. For example, these may be connected by an HDMI cable or the like. In such a case, an interface unit for connecting an HDMI cable or the like is provided instead of the network connection unit 114 of the video information device 110, and an HDMI unit is provided instead of the network connection unit 140 of the display device 130. An interface unit for connecting a cable or the like may be provided.

  In the above-described example, the next screen appearance rate is calculated while the menu is being executed. However, the menu image information is stored in the data memory unit 112 of the video information device 110 by calculating in advance such as when designing the video information device. You may store as appearance rate information with DC1. Thus, by calculating the appearance rate in advance, it is not necessary to calculate the appearance rate during the menu operation, and the burden on the display device 130 can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the video information apparatus 210 to be controlled in the second embodiment. The illustrated video information apparatus 210 is generally the same as the video information apparatus 110 of FIG. 2, but differs in that a data storage unit 212 is provided instead of the data storage unit 112 of FIG.

  The data storage unit 212 stores information necessary for processing performed by the video information device 210. For example, in the present embodiment, menu information DMN2 for drawing a menu screen for instructing the video information apparatus 210 to perform processing is stored.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the menu information DMN2 includes a menu scenario information DB2, menu image information DC2, and drawing management information DD2. The menu image information DC2 includes component image information DCa and variation image information DCb. And have.

The menu scenario information DB 2 includes information representing operations performed using the menu screen for each menu screen, and includes a menu processing information DBa and a menu screen configuration information DBb.
The menu processing information DBa includes a menu item as an option on each menu screen, and information for identifying a process to be executed or a menu screen to be displayed next when an input for selecting and determining the menu item is received. Including.

  The menu screen configuration information DBb includes, for each menu screen, component identification information DBb1 for identifying image component information DCa1 for drawing an image component constituting the menu screen, and image component information identified by the component identification information DBb1. An arrangement position information DBb2 representing a position where an image part drawn by DCa1 is arranged, an image part drawn by the image part information DCa1, and an image part drawn by changing the parameter DCb1 of the image part information DCa1 Variation identification information DBb3 for identifying each of them and variation arrangement position information DBb4 representing a position where an image component identified by the variation identification information DBb3 is arranged are included.

  In addition, in the specific menu screen, when the image component that constitutes the menu screen does not include the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb3, the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb3 and the variation identification information DBb3 The variation arrangement position information DBb4 representing the position where the position is arranged is not included in the menu screen configuration information DBb.

The component image information DCa includes, for each menu screen, image component information DCa1 for drawing an image component constituting the menu screen and a component identification information DBb1 for identifying the image component information DCa1.
Menu image information DC2 in the present embodiment also includes variation image information DCb.
The variation image information DCb includes the variation identification information DBb3, the component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 whose parameter DCb1 is to be changed when drawing the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb3, and the component. The parameter DCb1 to be changed in the image component information DCa1 identified by the identification information DBb1 and the changed value DCb2 of the parameter DCb1 are included.

Here, by changing the parameters of the vector image, bitmap images with different expressions can be created based on the same vector image.
FIGS. 15A to 15D are schematic views showing variations of the playback button that is an image component.

  For example, by changing the parameter of the vector image for generating the bitmap image of the playback button in the normal state shown in FIG. 15A, the bitmap image of the playback button at the time of highlight shown in FIG. The bitmap image of the playback button when pressed as shown in FIG. 15C and the bitmap image of the playback button when disabled as shown in FIG. 15D can be generated.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the image part information DCa1 of the vector image for generating the bitmap image in the normal state shown in FIG. 15A is stored as a part of the menu image information DC2, and FIG. By storing the parameter DCb1 for generating the bitmap image displayed under the specific conditions shown in (B) to (D) as a part of the variation image information DCb, each image component information DCa1 is held. These bitmap images can be generated with a data size smaller than the above.

Further, FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the image size of the image component of the playback button is changed.
For example, in a vector image, by changing parameters, a small-size bitmap image of the play button shown in FIG. 16A, a medium-size bitmap image of the play button shown in FIG. A large-sized bitmap image of the playback button shown in C) can be generated.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, image part information DCa1 of a vector image for generating a bitmap image having a size used in a normal state is stored as a part of menu image information DCa, and the size of the menu screen is set. By storing a parameter DCb1 for generating a bitmap image used when changed and a parameter value DCb2 after the change as part of the variation image information DCb, each piece of image component information DCa1 is retained. These bitmap images can be generated with a data size smaller than the above.

The drawing management information DD2 generates, for each image component information DCa1, a variation identification information DBb3 that identifies each variation of the image component generated from the image component information DCa1, and an image component that is identified by the variation identification information DBb3. Generated by changing the image size of the image component identified by the information identifying the priority, the information indicating whether the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb3 has been generated, and the variation identification information DBb3 Information indicating whether or not the bitmap image thus stored is stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137.
The drawing management information DD2 is represented, for example, in the form of a drawing management information table 212e shown in FIG.
As illustrated, the drawing management information table 212e includes a component set column 212f, a component identification information column 212g, a variation identification information column 212h, a priority column 212i, and an acquired flag column 212j.

  The component set column 212f stores information indicating a set of image components that constitute a part of a menu screen that performs a predetermined function.

The component identification information column 212g stores a component identification information DBb1 for identifying image component information DCa1 for drawing an image component included in the set indicated by the component set column 212f.
In the present embodiment, the component identification information column 212g of the record in which information including “common component set” is stored in the component set column 212f is an image component that is commonly used in a plurality of types of menu screens. The component identification information DBb1 for identifying the image component information DCa1 for drawing is stored.

In the variation identification information column 212h, there is stored a variation identification information DBb3 for identifying each variation of the image component drawn from the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 212g. Is done.
In the present embodiment, the image component drawn in the component identification information column 212g without modification is stored in the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 212g. The variation identification information DBb3 is assigned to both of the image components drawn by changing the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1.
Further, the variation identification assigned to the image component generated without changing the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 212g. The information DBb3 is generated by changing the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 212g by giving a specific identifier or the like. It can be distinguished from the image parts.
In the present embodiment, when the symbol at the end of the variation identification information DBb3 is “1”, the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 212g. It is shown that the image component is drawn without any change, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

  The priority column 212i stores information PRR that specifies the priority for drawing the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb1 stored in the variation identification information column 212h. For example, in this embodiment, a value of “0” or more and “100” or less is set as the priority so that it can be compared with the appearance rate, and the higher the value, the higher the priority. It is said. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

The acquired flag column 212j stores information FLG for specifying whether or not the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb1 stored in the variation identification information column 212h is drawn.
In this embodiment, when the first value “1” is stored in the acquired flag column 212j, the variation identification of the row in which the first value “1” is stored is stored. This indicates that the image component identified by the variation identification information DBb1 stored in the information column 212h has already been drawn.
On the other hand, when the second value “0” is stored in the acquired flag column 212j, the variation stored in the variation identification information column 212h of the row in which the second value “0” is stored. It indicates that the image component identified by the identification information DBb1 has not been drawn yet.
In the acquired flag column 212j, “0” is written in the initial state.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram of display device 230 according to the second embodiment. The display device 230 shown is generally the same as the display device 130 shown in FIG. 7, but instead of the data storage unit 132, scenario execution unit 133, drawing order determination unit 134, and screen drawing unit 135 shown in FIG. 232, a scenario execution unit 233, a drawing order determination unit 234, and a screen drawing unit 235 are provided.

  The data storage unit 232 stores information necessary for processing performed by the display device 230. For example, the menu information DMN2 (see FIG. 14) sent from the video information device 210 is stored.

The scenario execution unit 233 controls the menu screen in response to an instruction from the operation unit 138.
For example, the scenario execution unit 233 controls the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 according to the menu processing information DBa stored in the data storage unit 232, and uses the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. The function execution unit 131 is supplied with a control signal CS corresponding to the instruction signal ES input from the operation unit 138.
Here, the scenario execution unit 233 in the present embodiment, when the condition for changing the display of a part of the menu screen specified by the menu processing information DBa stored in the data storage unit 232 is satisfied. Then, a change display instruction HS for a menu screen whose display is partially changed is given to the screen drawing unit 235.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the drawing order determination unit 234 can be displayed next from the menu screen currently displayed on the display unit 139 when the scenario execution unit 233 controls the menu screen. The appearance rate is calculated for each of the image components used to generate one or more menu screens that have characteristics, and the drawing order of the image components is determined according to the calculated appearance rate. Here, “used to generate one or more menu screens” for each image component means that the image component is included in one or more menu screens.

  Then, the drawing order determination unit 234 associates the drawing order determined in this way with the component identification information DBb1 of the image component to be drawn in the determined drawing order, and sends it to the screen drawing unit 235 as the component drawing order information FD. give.

  In addition, when the drawing order determination unit 234 according to the present embodiment satisfies a predetermined condition, for example, there is no menu screen that may be displayed next from the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. In this case, the priority of the image components of other variations of the image components constituting the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 is specified, and each image component of the other variations is determined according to the specified priority. Determine the drawing order.

For example, the drawing order determination unit 234 stores the menu screen configuration information stored in the data storage unit 232 with the variation identification information DBb3 of the image component obtained by changing the display of the image components that configure the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. Obtained from DBb.
Then, the drawing order determination unit 234 displays a record in which the obtained variation identification information DBb3 is stored in the variation identification information column 212h in the drawing management information table 212e (see FIG. 17) stored in the data storage unit 232. The priority is specified from the priority field 212i of the specified record.

The drawing order determination unit 234 sets the drawing order of the image parts corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 so that the drawing order becomes earlier in order from the highest priority according to the priority value specified in this way. decide. With respect to the drawing order, natural numbers are assigned starting from “1” in order from the earliest drawing order.
Then, the drawing order determination unit 234 generates variation drawing order information GD that associates the variation identification information DBb3 with the drawing order of the image component specified by the variation identification information DBb3, and generates the generated variation drawing order information GD. Is given to the screen drawing unit 235.

  The screen drawing unit 235 generates an image to be displayed on the display unit 139 in response to an instruction from the function execution unit 131 or the scenario execution unit 233, and controls processing to output the generated image to the display unit 139.

  When receiving a menu screen display instruction DS from the scenario execution unit 233, the screen drawing unit 235 generates an image corresponding to the menu screen instructed to be displayed, as in the first embodiment. The data is output to the display unit 139.

  The screen drawing unit 235 also generates an image corresponding to the changed menu screen even when the scenario execution unit 233 receives a change display instruction HS for displaying a menu screen in which a part of the menu screen is changed. And output to the display unit 139.

For example, when the screen drawing unit 235 receives a change display instruction HS for displaying a menu screen in which a part of the menu screen is changed from the scenario execution unit 233, the image constituting the menu screen that has received the change display instruction HS The component identification information DBb1 and the variation identification information DBb3 of the component image component information DCa1 are specified from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 232.
Then, the screen drawing unit 235 refers to the drawing management information table 212e (see FIG. 17) stored in the data storage unit 232, so that the image drawing information DCa1 identified by the specified component identification information DBb1 is used as an image. It is determined whether or not a part has already been drawn and whether or not an image part corresponding to the specified variation identification information DBb3 has already been drawn.
When the image parts corresponding to the specified part identification information DBb1 and variation identification information DBb3 have already been drawn, the screen drawing unit 135 displays the bitmap image BMG of the image part as a bitmap image storage unit 137. And is arranged at a position specified by the component arrangement position information DBb2 or the variation arrangement position information DBb4 stored in the data storage unit 232.

  On the other hand, when the image component is not drawn from the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1, the screen drawing unit 235 corresponds to the specified component identification information DBb1 from the data storage unit 232. The image component information DCa1 is acquired, and the bitmap image BMG of the image component generated by giving the acquired image component information DCa1 to the rasterizing unit 136 is acquired from the bitmap image storage unit 137, and the bit of the acquired image component is acquired. The map image BMG is arranged at a position specified by the arrangement position information DBb2 stored in the data storage unit 232.

  Further, the screen drawing unit 235 determines the specified variation identification from the variation image information DCb stored in the data storage unit 232 when the image component corresponding to the specified variation identification information DBb3 has not been drawn yet. The component identification information DBb1 corresponding to the information DBb3, the parameter DCb1 to be changed in the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1, and the value DCb2 after the change of the parameter DCb1 are specified.

  Then, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the specified component identification information DBb1 from the data storage unit 232, and changes the value of the parameter DCb1 of the acquired image component information DCa1 to the value DCb2. Thus, the changed image component information DCa1 is generated.

Then, the screen drawing unit 235 obtains the bitmap image BMG of the image component generated by giving the generated image component information DCa1 after the change to the rasterizing unit 136 from the bitmap image storage unit 137, and acquires the acquired image component. Is arranged at a position specified by the variation arrangement position information DBb4 stored in the data storage unit 232.
The screen drawing unit 235 generates the menu screen image MNS that has received the change display instruction HS from the scenario execution unit 233 as described above, and outputs the generated menu screen image MNS to the display unit 139.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, when the screen drawing unit 235 obtains the component drawing order information FD from the drawing order determination unit 234, the screen drawing unit 235 draws the image components in the order specified by the component drawing order information FD. Control processing.

  Furthermore, when the screen drawing unit 235 obtains the variation drawing order information GD from the drawing order determination unit 234, the screen drawing unit 235 controls the process of drawing the image components in the order specified by the variation drawing order information GD.

For example, the screen drawing unit 235 specifies the variation identification information DBb3 from the variation drawing order information GD acquired by the drawing order determining unit 234 in order from the earliest order specified by the variation drawing order information GD.
The screen drawing unit 235 refers to the drawing management information table 212e (see FIG. 17) stored in the data storage unit 232, so that the image component corresponding to the specified variation identification information DBb3 has already been drawn. Determine whether or not.

  When the image part corresponding to the specified variation identification information DBb3 is not drawn, the screen drawing unit 235 determines the specified variation identification information from the variation image information DCb stored in the data storage unit 232. The component identification information DBb1, the parameter DCb1, and the value DCb2 after the change of the parameter DCb1 corresponding to DBb3 are acquired. Furthermore, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the acquired component identification information DBb1 from the data storage unit 232, changes the value of the parameter DCb1 of the acquired image component information DCa1, The changed image component information DCa1 is generated.

Then, the screen drawing unit 235 gives the generated image component information DCa1 after the change to the rasterizing unit 136, and causes the image component to be drawn (bitmap image generation).
On the other hand, when the image part corresponding to the specified variation identification information DBb3 has already been drawn, the screen drawing unit 235 determines the variation drawing order from the variation drawing order information GD acquired by the drawing order determination unit 234. The process proceeds to a process of drawing an image component that is the next fastest in the order specified by the information GD.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a drawing order determination process in the drawing order determination unit 234. For example, the drawing order determination unit 234 starts the flowchart shown in FIG. 19 when the menu screen is displayed as a result of the scenario execution unit 233 issuing a menu screen display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 235. For example, when the screen drawing unit 235 sends the menu screen to the display unit 139, the drawing order determining unit 234 receives the notification by notifying the drawing order determining unit 234 together with information for identifying the sent menu screen. What is necessary is just to start the flowchart of FIG.
Further, the drawing order determination unit 234 may start the flowchart of FIG. 19 when the scenario execution unit 233 issues a display instruction DS for one menu screen. For example, when the screen drawing unit 235 receives the display instruction DS for the menu screen, the received drawing instruction DS is sent to the drawing order determining unit 234, so that the drawing order determining unit 234 that has received such a display instruction can The 19 flowchart may be started.

First, the drawing order determination unit 234 is a menu screen that may be displayed next from the menu screen that is currently displayed as a result of the scenario execution unit 133 issuing a display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 135. It is confirmed whether there is a screen candidate (S40). If there is no next screen candidate (No in step S40), the drawing order determination unit 234 proceeds to the process of step S41. If there is a next screen candidate (Yes in step S40), the drawing order determination unit 234 proceeds to the process of step S43. .
For example, the drawing order determination unit 234 displays the menu screen that is currently displayed as a result of the scenario execution unit 233 issuing a display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 235 from the menu processing information DBa stored in the data storage unit 232. Check whether there is a menu screen that may be displayed next.

  In step S41, the drawing order determination unit 234 identifies priorities in the image components of other variations of the image components that configure the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139, and other priority is determined according to the identified priorities. The drawing order for each variation image part is determined. Here, in the present embodiment, the drawing order determined in step S41 is a natural number that is sequentially assigned in order from “1”, and the drawing order is from the smallest value to the drawing order. It is not limited to such an aspect.

  Then, the drawing order determination unit 234 generates variation drawing order information GD that associates the variation identification information DBb3 with the drawing order of the image component specified by the variation identification information DBb3, and generates the generated variation drawing order information GD. Is output to the screen drawing unit 235 (S42).

On the other hand, in step S43, the drawing order determining unit 234 causes the menu that may be displayed next from the menu screen that is currently displayed as a result of the scenario execution unit 233 issuing the display instruction DS to the screen drawing unit 235. Specify a screen as a next screen candidate.
For example, the drawing order determination unit 234 specifies a menu screen that may be displayed next from the menu screen currently displayed, from the menu processing information DBa stored in the data storage unit 232.

Next, the drawing order determination unit 234 determines the image component information specified by the component identification information DBb1 for each component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 constituting the menu screen as the next screen candidate specified in step S43. The appearance rate of the image parts drawn by DCa1 is calculated by the above-described equation (1) (S44).
Here, the drawing order determination unit 234 acquires the component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 constituting the menu screen as the next screen candidate from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 232.

Then, the drawing order determination unit 234 determines the drawing order of the image component information DCa1 in descending order of appearance rate calculated in step S44 (S45). Here, in the present embodiment, the drawing order determined in step S45 is assigned a natural number that is a sequential number in order from “1”, and the drawing order is from the smallest value to the drawing order. Is not limited to such an embodiment.
If the appearance rates calculated in step S44 are the same, the drawing order determination unit 234 determines the drawing order so that the order of priority is higher.

  For example, the drawing order determination unit 234 refers to the drawing management information table 212e (see FIG. 17) stored in the data storage unit 232, and the image component information DCa1 having the same appearance rate in the component identification information column 212g. The record in which the part identification information DBb1 is stored is identified, and the record whose end of the variation identification information column 212h of the identified record is “1” is selected. Then, the drawing order determination unit 234 compares the priority values stored in the priority column 212i of the selected record, and determines the drawing order so that the higher priority is drawn first.

  Next, the drawing order determination unit 234 generates component drawing order information FD that associates the drawing order determined in step S45 with the component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 drawn in the drawing order. The image is output to the drawing unit 235 (S46).

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing when the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the variation drawing order information GD.

First, the screen drawing unit 235 initializes an index j indicating the order to “1” (S50). The index j is stored in a register (not shown) provided in the screen drawing unit 235, for example.
Then, the screen drawing unit 235 obtains the variation identification information DBb3 corresponding to the index j in the variation drawing order information GD from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 232 (S51).

Next, the screen drawing unit 235 checks whether or not an image component corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S51 is drawn (S52). If not yet drawn (No in Step S52), the process proceeds to Step S53. If already drawn (Yes in Step S52), the process proceeds to Step S56.
For example, in step S52, the screen drawing unit 235 stores the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S51 in the variation identification information column 212h in the drawing management information table 212e (see FIG. 17) stored in the data storage unit 232. Identify the record that contains. Then, when the value “1” is stored in the acquired flag column 212j of the specified record, the screen drawing unit 235 already has an image component corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S51. Judge that it is drawn.

In step S53, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S51, the parameter DCb1, and the value DCb2 of the parameter DCb1.
For example, the screen drawing unit 235 changes the component identification information DBb1, the parameter DCb1, and the parameter DCb1 corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S51 from the variation image information DCb stored in the data storage unit 232. The value DCb2 is acquired.

Next, the screen drawing unit 235 changes the value of the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S54 to the acquired value DCb2, and sets the changed image component information DCa1. The generated image component information DCa1 is output to the rasterizing unit 136 (S54).
For example, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the image component information DCa1-1 corresponding to the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S53 from the data storage unit 232, and in the acquired image component information DCa1-1, step is performed. The value of the parameter DCb1 acquired in S53 is changed to the changed value DCb2 acquired in step S53, and the changed image part information DCa1-2 is generated.

  When the acquired image component information DCa1-1 includes predetermined reference information, the screen drawing unit 235 extracts the reference destination image component information DCa1-2 specified by the reference information. Then, the image component information DCa1-3 is completed by incorporating the extracted image component information DCa1-2 into the acquired image component information DCa1-1.

Next, the screen drawing unit 235 updates the drawing management information table 212e stored in the data storage unit 232 (S55).
For example, the screen drawing unit 235 specifies the record in which the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S51 is stored in the component identification information column 212g in the drawing management information table 212e stored in the data storage unit 232; A value of “1” is stored in the acquired flag column 212j of the identified record. For this purpose, such a storage (write) instruction WR is given to the data storage unit 232.

In step S55, the screen drawing unit 235 confirms whether or not the index j is a value (maximum value jMAX) indicating the end of the drawing order specified by the variation drawing order information GD.
The screen drawing unit 235 terminates the process when the index j is a value representing the end of the drawing order specified by the variation drawing order information GD (Yes in step S55), and the index j is the variation drawing. If the value does not represent the end of the drawing order specified by the order information GD (No in step S55), the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the screen drawing unit 235 confirms whether or not a menu screen display instruction DS has been received from the scenario execution unit 233 after starting the flowchart of FIG. If the screen drawing unit 235 receives the menu screen display instruction DS (Yes in S56), the screen drawing unit 235 terminates the process. If the screen drawing unit 235 does not receive the menu screen display instruction DS (No in S56), Step S57 is performed. Proceed to the process.

  In step S57, the screen drawing unit 235 adds “1” to the index j (increments the index j by “1”), and returns to the process of step S51.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing when the screen drawing unit 235 receives the menu screen display instruction DS or the change display instruction HS from the scenario execution unit 233.

  First, when the screen drawing unit 235 receives the menu screen display instruction DS or the change display instruction HS from the scenario execution unit 233, the screen drawing unit 235 displays the menu screen that is the target of the display instruction DS or the change display instruction HS received from the scenario execution unit 233. The component identification information DBb1 of the image component information DCa1 for drawing the constituent image components, and the variation identification information for identifying the image components constituting the menu screen that is the target of the display instruction DS or the change display instruction HS received from the scenario execution unit 233 DBb3 is specified from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 232 (S60).

  Next, the screen drawing unit 235 selects the component identification information DBb1 or variation corresponding to the image component that has not yet been arranged in step S66 (described later) from the component identification information DBb1 or variation identification information DBb3 identified in step S60. One of the identification information DBb3 is acquired (S61).

Next, the screen drawing unit 235 checks whether the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 or the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S61 has already been drawn (S62). The screen drawing unit 235 proceeds to the process of step S63 when the drawing is already performed (Yes in step S62), and proceeds to the process of step S64 when the drawing is not yet performed (No in step S62).
For example, in step S62, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the component identification information column 212g or the variation identification information column 212h in the drawing management information table 212e (see FIG. 17) stored in the data storage unit 232 in step S61. When the record in which the specified component identification information DBb1 or the variation identification information DBb3 is stored is specified, and “1” is stored in the acquired flag column 212j of the specified record, it is acquired in step S61. It is determined that the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 has already been drawn.

  In step S63, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the bitmap image BMG of the image component corresponding to the component identification information DBb1 or the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S61 from the bitmap image storage unit 137, and then proceeds to step S66. move on.

On the other hand, in step S64, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the image component information DCa1 identified by the component identification information DBb1 acquired in step S61 from the data storage unit 232, or the variation identification information acquired in step S61. The changed image component information DCa1 corresponding to DBb3 is acquired, and the acquired image component information DCa1 or the changed image component information DCa1 is output to the rasterizing unit 136.
For example, the screen drawing unit 235 is identified by the component identification information DBb1 corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 acquired in step S61 and the component identification information DBb1 from the variation image information DCb stored in the data storage unit 232. The parameter DCb1 to be changed in the image component information DCa1 and the value DCb2 after the change of the parameter DCb1 are specified.
Further, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the image component information DCa1 corresponding to the component identification information DBb1 specified from the variation image information DCb from the data storage unit 232, and sets the value of the parameter DCb1 of the acquired image component information DCa1. Then, the value is changed to the specified changed value DCb2, and the changed image component information DCa1 is generated.

  Then, the screen drawing unit 235 acquires the bitmap image BMG generated by the rasterizing unit 136 from the image component information DCa1 output in step S64 from the bitmap image storage unit 137 (S65).

  In step S66, the screen drawing unit 235 places the bitmap image BMG acquired in step S63 or step S65 at the position specified by the arrangement position information DBb2 of the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 232. Deploy.

  Then, the screen drawing unit 235 confirms whether or not all the component images drawn based on the component image information identified by the component identification information DBb1 identified in step S60 have been arranged (S67). The screen drawing unit 235 proceeds to the process of step S68 when all the component images are arranged (Yes in step S67), and when all the component images are not arranged (No in step S67). The process returns to step S61.

  In step S68, the screen drawing unit 235 outputs the drawn image as the menu screen MNS to the display unit 139.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when a part of the menu screen is changed, since the bitmap image of the changed image part is drawn in advance, the display processing on the display unit 139 is related. Time can be shortened.

In the second embodiment described above, the variation drawing order information GD is generated when there is no menu screen next to the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. It is not limited to the embodiment.
For example, when the menu screen display instruction DS is issued from the scenario execution unit 233 to the screen drawing unit 235, the variation drawing order information GD may be generated before the component drawing order information FD is generated.
In addition, when a predetermined menu screen display instruction DS is issued from the scenario execution unit 233 to the screen drawing unit 235 and, as a result, one menu screen is displayed, before the component drawing order information FD is generated, Alternatively, the variation drawing order information GD may be generated. In such a case, for example, information (flag) indicating that the variation drawing order information GD is to be generated is generated in advance in the menu processing information DBa shown in FIG. 14 before the component drawing order information FD is generated. The scenario execution unit 233 may instruct the drawing order determination unit 234 by storing the corresponding menu screen.

  Further, the variation drawing order information GD may be generated after the component drawing order information FD is generated.

  In addition, the drawing order of the image component that is equal to or higher than the predetermined appearance rate is generated as the component drawing order information FD, and the component drawing order information FD of the next screen candidate is generated, and then the variation drawing order information GD is generated. You may do it.

  In the second embodiment described above, the component drawing order information FD and the variation drawing order information GD are separately generated in the drawing order determination unit 234. However, the present invention is limited to such an embodiment. It is not something. For example, in the drawing order determination unit 234, the image component constituting the menu screen as the next screen candidate of the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 at predetermined timing, and the image component information DCa1 for drawing the image component The drawing order information for specifying the drawing order for drawing the image component to be drawn may be generated by changing the parameter DCb1. In such a case, an image component that is rendered by changing the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 for rendering this image component is used for the image component that configures the menu screen as the next screen candidate. The priority may be used, and the drawing order may be determined so that drawing is performed in descending order of appearance rate and priority.

  Further, when the appearance rate is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the drawing order may be determined using the priority value instead of the appearance rate.

In the second embodiment described above, the case where the size of the image component is changed is managed together with other variations of the image component. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the image The case where the size of a part is changed can be managed separately from other variations.
For example, instead of the drawing management information table 212e shown in FIG. 17, the drawing management information table 212e-1 shown in FIG. 22 is stored in the data storage unit 232 to change the size of the image component. It can also be managed separately.

  The drawing management information table 212e-1 shown in FIG. 22 has a developed size column 212k added to the drawing management information table 212e shown in FIG. explain.

  In the developed flag column 212k, the image component information identified by the component identification information DBb1 stored in the component identification information column 212g is changed by changing the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 specified by the component identification information column 212g. Stored is flag information for specifying whether or not an image component in which the image size of the image component generated from DCa1 is changed is drawn.

The developed flag column 212k is provided with a “large” size column 212l, a “medium” size column 212m, and a “small” size column 212n, and image components having these predetermined image sizes are provided. Whether or not it has been generated can be specified.
For example, in the present embodiment, when the first value “1” is stored in the “large” size column 212l, the “medium” size column 212m, or the “small” size column 212n, This indicates that an image component having an image size storing a value “1” of 1 has already been drawn. On the other hand, when the second value “0” is stored in the “large” size column 212l, the “medium” size column 212m, or the “small” size column 212n, the second value “0” is set. This indicates that the image component having the stored image size has not been drawn yet.

  In the above-described second embodiment, when each menu screen is displayed by the function execution unit 131 and the drawing order determination unit 234, either one or two or more menu screens that may be displayed next are displayed. Based on the probability (appearance rate) used in generating such data and the priority assigned to each menu screen, image components are preferentially selected in order of appearance rate and priority, and rasterized. The unit 136 generates bitmap image data BMG of the selected image component, stores the generated bitmap image data BMG in the bitmap image storage unit 137, and any of the next menu screens is selected. When the selected menu screen includes an image part in which the bitmap image data BMG is stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137 The screen drawing unit 235, the time of generation of said selected menu screen, the control unit for utilizing the bitmap image data BMG being the stored is formed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, when the menu screen displayed next to each menu screen includes a variation of the image component included in each screen as the image component, the variation has a relatively high priority. Is given.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a video information device 110 and a display device 130 are connected via a network 170, and a menu screen for controlling the video information device 110 is displayed on the display device 130. The information is displayed on the display unit 139 (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, for example, a menu screen for controlling the display device 330 which is a television receiver is displayed on the display unit 139.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a display device 330 according to the third embodiment. The display device 330 shown in FIG. 23 is generally the same as the display device 130 of FIG. 7, but instead of the function execution unit 131, the data storage unit 132, and the scenario execution unit 133 of FIG. 7, a function execution unit 331, data storage The difference is that a unit 332 and a scenario execution unit 333 are provided.

The function execution unit 331 executes and controls the entire processing in the display device 330 that is a television receiver. For example, the function execution unit 331 executes and controls processing corresponding to a function realized by the display device 330 such as a tuner.
In the present embodiment, the control signal CS corresponding to the instruction signal ES input from the operation unit 138 is sent to the function execution unit 331 using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139. And the function execution part 331 performs and controls the process corresponding to this control signal CS.

The data storage unit 332 stores information necessary for processing performed by the display device 330. For example, in the present embodiment, menu information for controlling the display device 330 is stored.
Here, the data structure of the menu information stored in the data storage unit 332 in the present embodiment is the same as the data structure of the menu information DMN1 (see FIG. 3) in the first embodiment. Data contents are different. In the present embodiment, menu information for controlling the display device 330 itself is stored in the data storage area 332.

The scenario execution unit 333 controls the menu screen in response to an instruction from the operation unit 138.
For example, the scenario execution unit 333 controls the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 according to the menu processing information DBa stored in the menu scenario information storage area of the menu information stored in the data storage unit 332, Using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139, a control signal CS corresponding to the instruction signal ES input from the operation unit 138 is given to the function execution unit 331.

  Since the display device 330 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, the menu screen of the display device 330 itself is displayed on the display unit 139 even when the image data of the menu screen of the display device 330 itself is configured as a vector image. Display processing time to be reduced.

  In the third embodiment described above, the case where the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed by displaying a menu screen for control of the display device itself on the display unit is described as an example. For example, the same processing as in the above-described second embodiment or the later-described fourth embodiment may be performed by displaying the menu screen of the display device itself on the display unit.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 24 is a block diagram of display device 430 according to the fourth embodiment. The display device 430 shown in FIG. 7 is generally the same as the display device 130 shown in FIG. 7, but instead of the data storage unit 132, scenario execution unit 133, and drawing order determination unit 134 of the display device 130 shown in FIG. The scenario execution unit 433 and the drawing order determination unit 434 are provided, and the performance rate calculation unit 441 is further provided.

The data storage unit 432 stores information necessary for processing performed by the display device 430. For example, also in the present embodiment, the menu information DMN1 (see FIG. 3) sent from the video information apparatus 110 is stored as in the first embodiment.
Further, in the present embodiment, the data storage unit 432 stores the total information HD totaled by the scenario execution unit 433.
The total information HD is information obtained by totaling, for each menu screen, the number of times that the menu screen as the next screen candidate of the menu screen is actually selected as the next screen from each menu screen.

The scenario execution unit 433 controls the menu screen in response to an instruction from the operation unit 138, as in the first embodiment.
When the scenario execution unit 433 receives an instruction to display another menu screen from the menu screen via the operation unit 138, the scenario execution unit 433 updates the total information HD stored in the data storage unit 432. . The update here is a process of increasing the number of times the display destination menu screen is selected from the display source menu screen by “1”.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the drawing order determining unit 434 may be displayed next from the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 when the scenario execution unit 233 controls the menu operation. A certain menu screen is specified as a next screen candidate, and an appearance rate for each image component constituting the menu screen included in the specified next screen candidate is calculated.

  Here, the drawing order determining unit 434 according to the present embodiment sets the drawing order for each image component according to the appearance rate calculated in this way and the actual rate calculated by the actual rate calculating unit 441 described later. decide.

  For example, the drawing order determination unit 434 determines the drawing order so that the image parts constituting the menu screen with a high performance rate are drawn first when the calculated appearance rate is the same image part.

When the scenario execution unit 433 controls the menu operation, the achievement rate calculation unit 441 uses the menu screen that may be displayed next from the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 as a next screen candidate. Identify.
Then, the actual rate calculation unit 441 calculates an actual rate that is the probability that the menu screen is selected from the total information HD stored in the data storage unit 432 for each specified menu screen as the next screen candidate. To do.

Further, the performance rate calculation unit 441 gives the calculated performance rate to the drawing order determination unit 434 as performance rate information JD together with the component identification information DBb1 corresponding to the image component included in the menu screen where the performance rate is calculated.
For example, the performance rate calculation unit 441 acquires the component identification information DBb1 of the image component that configures the menu screen as the next screen candidate from the menu screen configuration information DBb stored in the data storage unit 432, and acquires the acquired component. The performance information JD is generated by associating the identification information DBb1 with the performance rate of the menu screen.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, image parts are drawn in accordance with the usage record of the user of the video information apparatus 110, so that the menu screen having a high usage record of the user of the video information apparatus 110 is displayed. Since the image parts are preferentially drawn, it is possible to shorten the time for displaying the menu screen that is frequently used by the user of the video information apparatus 110.

  In the fourth embodiment described above, the drawing order determination unit 434 is configured so that, in the case of image parts having the same appearance rate, the image parts constituting a part of the menu screen with a high performance rate are drawn first. Although the drawing order is determined, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the drawing order determination unit 434 selects such a menu screen when the difference value between the appearance rate of the image component and the actual rate of the menu screen of which the image component constitutes a part exceeds a predetermined threshold. The drawing order may be determined by correcting (for example, adding or multiplying) the appearance rate of the image parts constituting a part of the image parts with a predetermined correction value.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the drawing order determination units 134, 234, 334, and 434 calculate the appearance rate of the image components that constitute the menu screen as the next screen candidate. For example, by providing the menu information DMN1 and DMN2 with appearance rate information that specifies the appearance rate for each image component in advance, the drawing order determination units 134, 234, 334, The processing load at 434 can be reduced.

  For example, FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of the appearance rate table 185 showing an example of the appearance rate information. As shown in the figure, the appearance rate table 185 has a variation column 185a, a priority column 185b, and a next screen appearance rate column 185c. The menu information DMN1, DMN2 is provided with such an appearance rate table 185 for each menu screen.

  The variation column 185a stores a variation identification information DBb3 that is a component identification information DBb1 of an image component that constitutes the menu screen.

  The priority column 185b stores information for specifying the priority for drawing the image component corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 specified in the variation column 185a.

In the next screen appearance rate column 185c, the appearance rate of the image component corresponding to the variation identification information DBb3 specified in the variation column 185a is stored for each menu screen as the next screen candidate of the menu screen.
Of the appearance rates stored in the next screen appearance rate column 185c, rendering is performed by changing the parameter DCb1 of the image component information DCa1 for rendering the image components constituting the menu screen as the next screen candidate of the menu screen. The appearance rate of the image component to be used may be the same as the appearance rate of the image component drawn with the image component information DCa1 before changing the parameter DCb1.

  In the above example, during the operation of the display device, the menu selection results are tabulated, but the next screen is selected based on the general tendency of the user regarding the selection of the next screen in each menu screen. The priority may be determined for each of the next screens based on the predicted value of the probability, and the priority and the appearance rate may be used together.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the bitmap image of the image component is stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and the display unit 139 stores the bitmap image. A menu screen as a next screen candidate for the displayed menu screen may be stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137.
For example, the screen drawing units 135 and 235 are stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137 by referring to the menu screen configuration information DBb and the drawing management information tables 121e and 212e stored in the data storage units 132 and 232, respectively. If it is determined from the bitmap image BMG of the current image part that the entire menu screen as the next screen candidate of the menu screen displayed on the display unit 139 can be drawn, the menu screen image is drawn. Thus, the drawn menu image may be stored in the bitmap image storage unit 137.
Note that any timing can be selected for drawing the menu screen. For example, it is desirable to draw the menu screen in a part of the flowchart of FIG. 10 or FIG. .

100, display system, 110, 210: video information device, 111: function execution unit, 112, 212: data storage unit, 113: data processing unit, 114: network connection unit, 130, 230, 330, 430: display device, 131, 331: Function execution unit, 132, 232, 332, 432: Data storage unit, 133, 233, 333, 433: Scenario execution unit, 134, 234, 434: Drawing order determination unit, 135, 235: Screen drawing unit 136: Rasterize unit, 137: Bitmap image storage unit, 138: Operation unit, 139: Display unit, 140: Network connection unit, 441: Performance rate calculation unit.

Claims (14)

A display unit for displaying each of a plurality of menu screens;
An image component information representing an image part to be used in common by the plurality of menu screens, and a data storage unit for storing grouped and image component information representing the image components used in each of the plurality of menu screens ,
A rasterizing unit that generates bitmap image data of an image component represented by the image component information stored in the data storage unit;
A bitmap image storage unit for storing bitmap image data of the generated image component;
A drawing order that preferentially selects an image component that has a higher probability of being used in generating one or more menu screens that may be displayed next to each menu screen displayed on the display unit. A drawing order determining unit for generating information;
Bitmap image data of an image component selected based on the drawing order information generated by the drawing order determination unit is generated, and the generated bitmap image data is stored in the bitmap image storage unit, and then displayed. When one or two or more menu screens that may be displayed are selected, an image component in which bitmap image data is stored in the bitmap image storage unit is displayed on the selected menu screen. If included, a screen drawing unit that uses the stored bitmap image data when generating the selected menu screen; and
A display device comprising: Among the image components included in the selected menu screen, for the image components not stored in the bitmap image storage unit, the screen drawing unit is stored in the rasterization unit and stored in the data storage unit. The display device according to claim 1, wherein bitmap image data is generated from image component information, and the generated bitmap image data is used to generate the selected menu screen. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the image component information representing the image component is a drawing command described in a vector graphics language for displaying the image component. The screen drawing unit selects image components in descending order of the probability of being used in generating one or more menu screens that may be displayed next based on the drawing order information, The display device according to claim 1, wherein the rasterizing unit sequentially generates bitmap image data of the selected image component. The drawing order determining unit displays, for each of the image components, the number of one or two or more menu screens that may be displayed next that include the image component next. Find the value divided by the total number of possible menu screens as the appearance rate of the image part,
The display device according to claim 4, wherein the drawing order information is generated so that image components having a higher appearance rate type are selected in order. Priority information is added to the menu image information that defines each menu screen,
The display device according to claim 5, wherein the drawing order determination unit generates the drawing order information so as to sequentially select the image components based on the appearance rate and the priority information. A calculation unit that counts the frequency used to generate the menu screen drawn for each of the image parts;
The drawing order determination unit generates the drawing order information so as to sequentially select the image parts based on the appearance rate, the priority information, and a totaling result by the calculation unit. Item 7. The display device according to Item 6. The priority is predetermined based on an expected value of a probability of being selected and displayed for each of one or more menu screens that may be displayed next to each menu screen. The display device according to claim 6.   When the menu screen displayed next to each menu screen includes a variation of an image component included in each screen as an image component, the variation is given a relatively high priority. Item 7. The display device according to Item 6.   The display device according to claim 9, wherein an image component that is different only in size from an image component included in each menu screen is processed as one type of the variation.   Based on the menu scenario information indicating the relationship between each menu screen and the menu screen displayed next to the menu screen, the drawing order determining unit may display one or more of the menu screens. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a menu screen is specified. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the menu scenario information and the image component information are transmitted from a video information device, and the menu screen is used for controlling the video information device.   The display device according to claim 8, 11 or 12, wherein the video information device is connected to the display device via a network. The display device constitutes a television receiver,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the menu screen is used for controlling the display device itself.

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