JP6841750B2 - Electronic devices and video playback methods - Google Patents

Description

The present embodiment relates to an electronic device and a video reproduction method.

Among electronic devices that reproduce video, there are devices that can set chapters for video content recorded on a recording medium. When playing back video content with chapters set, this electronic device enables video playback from the beginning of any chapter. The electronic device can also automatically skip a predetermined chapter to reproduce the video.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-101348 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-243620 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-98960 International Publication No. 2007/145281

On the other hand, in an electronic device that automatically skips predetermined chapters separated by chapter marks and enables video playback, you want to check the contents of the skipped chapters, or you want to see them because they may be a little. , There are also requests from users. There is also a request to check a little if there is a special scene in this chapter even if it is originally a chapter to be skipped.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the video playback mode, an electronic device and a video playback method capable of realizing special playback to the extent that the contents can be confirmed according to the user's request even for the video in the chapter that is originally skipped are provided. With the goal.

According to one embodiment, when playing back video content, in an integrated control unit of an electronic device having a playback function at a normal playback speed of 1x.
Further, a predetermined chapter special playback unit that reproduces a specific section of a plurality of chapters set in the video content at a special playback speed different from the normal playback speed, and a predetermined chapter special playback unit.
A normal chapter normal playback unit that reproduces a section different from the specific section at the normal playback speed is provided.
The predetermined chapter special reproduction unit
The above-mentioned electronic device is provided , characterized in that a predetermined time from the start of the specific section and a predetermined time retroactive from the end of the specific section are performed at the normal reproduction speed for a time including at least one of them .

Further, the integrated control unit may include a speed adjustment unit that adjusts the fast-forward speed of the predetermined chapter special reproduction unit.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic device to which the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation concept when the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 performs a specific chapter skip operation. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example when the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 performs a specific chapter skip operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen when setting a chapter skip operation mode for the electronic device 100 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the display and another example of the skip mode setting screen for chapter skip. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing, for example, different types of connection processing methods for main video (or relay video) before and after a commercial section. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another operation example when the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 performs a specific chapter skip operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in this specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components which exhibit the same or similar functions as those described above with respect to the above-mentioned figures, and duplicate detailed description may be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an electronic device 100 to which the present embodiment is applied. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a television receiver.

The electronic device 100 includes a broadcast tuner 113, a descrambler 114, a CAS (Conditional Access System) module 190, and a demultiplexer 115. The satellite broadcast wave is input to the broadcast tuner 113 via the input terminal 101, and the terrestrial digital broadcast wave is input to the broadcast tuner 113 via the input terminal 102.

Further, the electronic device 100 includes a data broadcasting reception processing unit 116, a video decoder 117, an audio decoder 118, a subtitle decoder 119, a data broadcasting engine 121, a synthesizer 122, a display control unit 123, a graphical user interface (GUI) 124, and the like.

The broadcast tuner 113 demodulates a stream (broadcast signal) transmitted by a broadcast wave. The demodulated stream (broadcast signal) is input to the descrambler 114. The descrambler 114 descrambles the input stream using the key from the CAS module 190. The stream descrambled by the descrambler 114 is input to the demultiplexer 115.

The demultiplexer 115 separates the multiplexed stream into a video stream, an audio stream, a data broadcast stream, a subtitle stream, and attached data, and separates the video stream into a video decoder 117, an audio stream into an audio decoder 118, and a data broadcast stream. Is input to the data broadcast reception processing unit 116, the subtitle stream is input to the subtitle decoder 119, and the attached data is input to the integrated control unit 150.

The video stream is decoded by the video decoder 117, the audio stream is decoded by the audio decoder 118, and the subtitle stream is decoded by the subtitle decoder 119.

The control data including the application control information, the service data, the transmission control signal and the like included in the attached data is analyzed by the analysis unit (not shown) of the integrated control unit 150.

The data broadcast stream separated by the demultiplexer 115 is sent to the data broadcast reception processing unit 116 for reception processing. The data broadcasting reception processing unit 116 extracts data broadcast data from the data broadcasting stream sent from the demultiplexer 115, and inputs the extracted data to the data broadcasting engine 121. The data broadcasting engine 121 analyzes the transmitted data and outputs the analyzed display data to the display control unit 123 via the synthesizer 122. The display control unit 123 displays the sent display data on the display 11 connected to the terminal 105.

The video signal decoded by the video decoder 117 and the subtitle signal decoded by the subtitle decoder 119 are combined by the synthesizer 122 and output to the display 11 via the display control unit 123. The display control unit 123 sets the gamma characteristic, the display screen size, the display signal level, and the like.

The audio data decoded by the audio decoder 118 is output to the speaker 12 connected to the terminal 106.

The integrated control unit 150 controls the entire block of the electronic device 100 in an integrated manner. The integrated control unit 150 analyzes the application control information, the service data, and the control data separated by the demultiplexer 115, and controls the electronic device 100 according to the analysis result.

The transmission control signal included in the control data includes the channel identification information and the program identification information of the program of the multiplexed video signal, and further, the application function for the program of the multiplexed video signal. In some cases, it may contain designated information indicating that a service that provides the above is added at the same time.

The codec type of the video decoder 117 includes broadcasting media received by the broadcast tuner 113, that is, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting, wideband BS digital broadcasting, advanced BS digital broadcasting, advanced wideband CS digital broadcasting, narrow band CS digital broadcasting, and the like. , MPEG-2 (digital terrestrial television broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting, wideband BS digital broadcasting), H.I. 264 (AVC: Advance Video Coding) (Narrowband CS Digital Broadcasting), H. Either 265 (HEVC: High Efficiency Video Coding) (advanced BS digital broadcasting, advanced wideband CS digital broadcasting) may be used. The codec type is not limited to this.

The receiver 100 includes a communication control unit 180. The communication control unit 180 has a remote controller I / F which is an I / F with the remote controller (remote controller) 313 and a network I / F which is an I / F with the communication network 312. Further, in order to enable communication with the mobile terminal 314, a terminal cooperation control I / F is also provided.

The integrated control unit (which may also be referred to as a video reproduction control unit) 150 includes a recording / reproduction control unit 151. The recording / playback control unit 151 can record the received program on the recording medium 210. Further, according to the operation, the recorded program can be read and played back from the recording medium 210.

Various recording types may be selected by selecting the recording mode. As a selectable recording mode, for example, there is a fully automatic recording mode that automatically records all programs of all channels for about two weeks. In this case, it is necessary that a viewing contract is made for recording a pay program that is subject to limited reception. Alternatively, there may be a mode in which all programs or some programs of the designated channel are automatically recorded. Further, there may be a recording mode in which automatic recording of some channels and scheduled recording for recording a program reserved for recording by the user are combined. Further, the integrated control unit 150 includes a program guide creation unit 161 that creates a program guide based on electronic program information (EPG) from the control data separated by the demultiplexer 115. The integrated control unit 150 also includes a menu screen processing unit 162 that outputs a menu screen displayed when initial settings, operation modes, and the like are set.

Furthermore, the program information recorded on the recording medium 210 by the recording / reproduction control unit 151 is managed by the recording program information unit 171. In the recorded program, the series program is managed by the series program management unit 172. Further, information on a program that has been recorded on the recording medium 210 and has not yet been viewed is managed by the unviewed program information unit 173.

Further, the program information reproduced and viewed from the recording medium 210 by the recording / reproduction control unit 151 is managed by the viewed program information unit 174.

The recorded program information unit 171 and the series program management unit 172, the unviewed program information unit 173, the viewed program information unit 174, and the like are collectively referred to as a recorded program management unit.

The integrated control unit 150 grasps the elapsed days of the recorded program by using the date and time data from the clock 201. Among the recorded programs, for example, old programs are managed by the program retention period management unit 176. Older programs, such as those that were recorded more than three weeks ago and remain, will soon be subject to erasure. The program to be erased is determined by the erase processing unit 177 and erased from the recording medium 210.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation concept when the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 performs a specific chapter skip operation. Now, it is assumed that chapter marks a1, a2, a3, a4 and chapter marks b1 and b2 are given to the video content VCON. Here, the chapter marks a1, a2, a3, and a4 are marks added according to, for example, a pre-designed rule, and the chapter marks b1 and b2 are marks added to the video content VCON by the user consciously. Suppose that Chapter marks a1, a2, a3, a4 may be referred to as predetermined (or specific) chapter marks, and chapter marks b1 and b2 may be referred to as ordinary chapter marks. Of the predetermined (or specific) chapter marks, odd numbers such as a1 and a3 are assigned to the section start positions, and even numbers such as a2 and a4 are assigned to the section end positions as the second specific chapter mark in succession. Numbers are assigned, and odd and even numbers form a pair of start and end of a specific chapter section. The chapter mark is stored, for example, in association with the position from the beginning of the content.

In the example of FIG. 2, the program is, for example, a 2-hour program, the left end is time 0:00:00, the right end is time 2:00: 00, and the chapter mark is associated with, for example, the position from the beginning of the content. Since it is memorized, 0:10:23 is illustrated.

The above-mentioned pre-designed rule is, for example, a section in which a commercial is inserted in the middle of the main part or a section in which a specific audio or video is output in the middle of recording or playback of a drama program. It is automatically detected by the device 100, and a predetermined chapter mark is added to the start position and the end position of this section. The normal chapter mark that the user consciously adds is, for example, when there is a scene that the user is interested in during program playback (playing at normal playback speed or fast-forwarding) in the edit mode. A chapter mark is added by operating the chapter mark insertion switch, such as by pausing.

It should be noted that the predetermined (or specific) chapter mark and the normal chapter mark can be identified by, for example, different identification codes.

Now, it is assumed that the video content VCONT is played. At this time, it is assumed that the user has set the skip operation as the playback mode. Regarding the skip operation, it is assumed that, for example, "Random" processing is set as described later.

In the above setting, the electronic device 100, based on the control of the predetermined chapter special reproduction unit 153, has a specific reproduction according to the present embodiment (specifically, a predetermined reproduction excluding the 1x speed) for the sections A1 and A2 of the predetermined chapter. Double speed, for example, 16x speed reproduction. Or 0.5x speed or the like, which is smaller than 1) processing is executed. Further, the electronic device 100 reproduces at the normal reproduction speed (1x speed reproduction) with respect to the sections B (-2), B (-1), B1 and B2 of the normal chapter under the control of the normal chapter normal reproduction unit 152. ) Execute the process. That is, the electronic device 100 can realize reproduction of a specific section at a special reproduction speed so that the content can be confirmed according to the user's request even for the image in the chapter which has been completely skipped in the past. it can.

As a result, the viewer does not completely disappear the predetermined chapter, but can confirm or see the contents of the chapter a little, and the electronic device 100 can meet the user's request so far.

When hitting a predetermined chapter in the commercial section, the first and last few seconds of the commercial section may be played at 1x speed (normal playback) so as not to accidentally play the main part specially. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the main part from being specially reproduced even when the position where the predetermined chapter is hit is slightly changed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 performs the above-mentioned specific chapter skip operation. Reference numerals SA1, SA2, ..., Etc. are added to the steps of each operation. The operation of the electronic device 100 will be described below.

When the user selects a program from the recording list, the selected program starts playing (SA1, SA2). When the playback progresses, it is determined whether or not the program ends (SA3), and if the program ends, the playback operation ends (SA21, SA22). If the program has not ended, the presence or absence of the chapter mark is checked while continuing the playback (SA4). When a chapter mark is detected, it is determined whether or not it is a specific chapter mark (SA5). In this SA5, it is determined whether or not it is a specific chapter mark (a1 or a3 in FIG. 2) indicating a start position for reproducing a so-called specific section at a special reproduction speed.

If it is the second specific chapter mark (a2 or a4 in FIG. 2) in succession, or if it is not a specific chapter mark (b1 or b2 in FIG. 2), the playback is switched to the normal playback speed. Alternatively, the playback of the recorded program is maintained and the recorded program is played back at the normal playback speed (SA7, SA8).

When a specific chapter mark is detected (SA5) and the playback has been performed at the normal playback speed (a1 or a3 in FIG. 2), the fast-forward speed (for example, 16x speed in the example of FIG. 2) information is acquired. Then, fast-forward playback at the speed is executed (SA6). Further, while performing the above playback, it is determined whether or not the program has ended (SA3), and when the program ends (2:00 in FIG. 2), the playback ends (SA21).

Although terms such as "chapter" and "skip" are used in the present specification, the gist of the present invention is not limited to the category of these terms. For example, it includes a wide range of concepts such as "specific section" in the content, "special reproduction of a specific section, or reproduction at a speed different from 1x speed".

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the display 11 and a setting screen for setting the skip mode or the operation mode of the skip operation or the attribute of the skip operation with respect to the chapter skip.

The electronic device 100 can display a menu screen on the display 11 in response to a user operation. The menu screen M11 of FIG. 4 is a setting menu, and the item m1 for setting the skip operation is included in this menu.

When the user selects and presses the enter button by moving the cursor to the item m1 by operating the remote controller, the recorded program list screen M12 appears. When the user selects a desired program (for example, program Y) by moving the cursor to the program and presses the enter button of the remote controller (hereinafter, this selection operation is also simply referred to as "selection"), the menu screen M13 is displayed. Switch.

On this menu screen M13, a message asking you to select a chapter to skip, a chapter number assigned to program Y in advance, and an item of "Random" appear. The chapter number is a number assigned to a chapter set by, for example, a chapter mark consciously given by the user to the video content.

The chapter mark related to "Random" is a mark automatically added at the time of recording, for example, a section in which a commercial message (CM) is inserted (also simply referred to as a commercial section), or a specific audio or video is output. It is a mark for identifying a section (for example, a section where a program is lively and the sound is equal to or higher than a predetermined value).

When the user selects "Random" by operating the remote controller and presses the enter button, the screen switches to the menu screen M14. Do you want to set the playback speed of the skip section on this menu screen M14? Message is displayed. Then, as selection items, for example, items such as "Random", "16 times or more", "about 16 times", "about 8 times", and "about 4 times" appear. For example, when "Random" is selected, the playback speed is set to the same as when "About 16 times" is set here. In addition, although the reproduction speed of 1x speed or more is shown here, there may be 0.5x speed, 0.8x speed, etc. of 1x speed or less.

After this setting, operate the remote controller, select the "Back" button and press the OK button to complete the setting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the menu displayed on the display 11 and the setting screen of the skip mode or the operation mode of the skip operation or the attribute of the skip operation with respect to the chapter skip.

The electronic device 100 can display a menu screen on the display 11 in response to a user operation. The menu screen M11 of FIG. 5 is a setting menu, and the menu screen M11 includes an item m1 for setting a skip operation.

When the user selects the item m1 by operating the remote controller and presses the enter button (hereinafter, this selection operation is also simply referred to as "selection"), the genre of the program for which the skip process is set. On the menu screen M1X that inquires about, the message "You can select the genre to which the skip operation is applied" is displayed. As selection items, "not selected", "drama", "variety", "sports", and the like are displayed.

When the user selects the item "do not select" and operates the enter button by operating the remote controller, the screen moves to the menu screen M12 shown in FIG. 4 (the contents are the same as those described in FIG. 4 thereafter).

When the user selects the item "sports" and operates the enter button by operating the remote controller, the program list screen M12 appears. In the program list of this screen M12, a program list of only sports programs is selected and displayed. When the user selects a desired program (for example, program G vs Y) and presses the enter button on the remote controller, the user switches to the menu screen M13. Subsequent procedure processing is the same as the description of FIG. 4 above.

By applying the playback by chapter skip to the program of the favorite genre as described above, the usage of the electronic device can be enriched.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing, for example, different types of connection processing methods for main video (or relay video) before and after a commercial section.

(A) Depending on the program, for example, a partially overlapping video section (sometimes called a margin) may be secured in the main part connected before and after the commercial section (type 1). Such programs have many dramas and varieties, for example.

(B) On the other hand, for example, in a sports broadcast program, a partially overlapping video section (sometimes called a margin) may be omitted in the main part connected before and after the commercial section (sometimes called a margin) ( Type 2).

Therefore, for example, when skipping the commercial section and connecting the main part (or relay part) before and after this section, when the above type 1 and type 2 are reproduced, the main part (or relay part) when connected. There may be differences in the continuity of.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment can adaptively secure the continuity of the main part as much as possible when skip playback is performed in the type 1 and type 2 programs as described above. I have to. This operation may also be referred to as an operation mode of the skip operation or an attribute of the skip operation.

In FIG. 7, the same processing units as those in steps SA1-SA8, SA21, and SA22 for which the specific chapter skip processing of FIG. 3 is described are designated by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIGS. 3 and 7 is the case where chapter marks a1 or a3 are detected in step SA5. In this case, next, a step SB1 for determining whether or not the program currently being played is a sports program and a step SB2 for performing a margin cut process are provided.

That is, when the program currently being reproduced is a sports program, the electronic device 100 immediately ends the reproduction at the special reproduction speed and shifts to the reproduction operation at the normal reproduction speed of 1x speed. However, if it is determined that the program being played is a drama or a variety program (not a sports broadcast program), a margin cut process is performed (SB2). This margin cut process is a process of omitting (jumping) the reproduction process of a part (for example, about 5 to 10 seconds) of the main part following the end of the skip section, and shifting to the reproduction at the normal reproduction speed. .. As a result, in the skip processing by entrustment, the image in which the same scene is continuous twice is reduced, and the natural continuity of the main part reproduction can be obtained.

When the electronic device 100 performs the skip processing by referring to the chapters attached by the manual different from the "Random" processing, the electronic device 100 does not perform the reproduction at the special reproduction speed and does not perform the margin cut processing.

As described above, in the video playback mode, the electronic device reproduces the video in the chapter that is originally skipped to the extent that the content can be confirmed according to the user's request (that is, playback at a special playback speed in a specific section). It can be realized.
(1) In the above embodiment, when the video content is reproduced, the integrated control unit of the electronic device having the reproduction function at the normal reproduction speed of 1x speed is used.
Further, a predetermined chapter special playback unit that reproduces a specific section of a plurality of chapters set in the video content at a special playback speed different from the normal playback speed, and a section different from the specific section are the normal. It is provided with a normal chapter normal playback unit that reproduces at a playback speed. The specific section may be a part of a specific chapter, or may be an entire section of a specific chapter. Further, the playback function at a speed different from the 1x speed includes the case of playback at a speed slower than the 1x speed (0.1x speed, 0.2x speed, 0.5x speed, 0.75x speed, etc.). It also includes the case of playback at a speed faster than 1x speed.

Further, in the above (1), reproduction at a speed faster than 1x speed includes 16x speed such as 2x or 4x.

Further, in the above (1), the menu image processing unit further has a menu image processing unit, and the menu image processing unit outputs a menu screen for setting playback attributes at a so-called special playback speed for fast-forwarding the predetermined chapter. For example, the menu image processing unit can output a menu screen that allows selection of a program of any genre to be executed at the special playback speed. In addition, a switching means for switching the playback type at a special playback speed according to the genre of the program is provided, and the switching means is a first type in which a part of the main part before and after a predetermined specific section is cut and played, and the cut. It is possible to switch between the second type and not.

Furthermore, in the above (1), the menu image processing unit can output a menu screen for setting the special playback speed. The menu image processing unit can also output a menu screen that allows selection of a program to be executed at the special playback speed.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. Furthermore, in each of the constituent elements of the claim, even if the constituent elements are divided and expressed, a plurality of the constituent elements are expressed together, or a combination of these is expressed, it is within the scope of the present invention. Further, a plurality of embodiments may be combined, and examples composed of these combinations are also within the scope of the invention.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention is applied even when the claim is expressed as a control logic, when it is expressed as a program including an instruction for executing a computer, and when it is expressed as a computer-readable recording medium in which the instruction is described. is there. Further, the names and terms used are not limited, and other expressions are included in the present invention as long as they have substantially the same contents and the same purpose.
The claims at the time of filing are added below.
[Claim 1] When playing back video content, in an integrated control unit of an electronic device having a playback function at a normal playback speed of 1x speed.
Furthermore, the specific sections of a plurality of chapters set in the video content are normally replayed.
A predetermined chapter special playback unit that plays at a special playback speed different from the raw speed,
Normal chapter normal playback unit that reproduces a section different from the specific section at the normal playback speed
When,
Electronic equipment equipped with.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a speed adjusting unit for adjusting the special reproduction speed of the predetermined chapter special reproduction unit.
3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a menu image processing unit, which outputs a menu screen for setting the speed of the special reproduction speed.
[Claim 4] Further, claim 1 or 2 has a menu image processing unit, and the menu image processing unit outputs a menu screen that enables selection of a program to be executed at the special playback speed. The electronic device described in any of.
[Claim 5] Further, a menu image processing unit is provided, and the menu image processing unit outputs a menu screen that enables selection of a program of an arbitrary genre to be executed at the special playback speed. Item 2. The electronic device according to any one of items 1 or 2.
6. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the normal chapter normal reproduction unit cuts and reproduces a part before and after the specific section in a section different from the specific section. machine.
[Claim 7] When playing back video content, in a video playback method of an electronic device having a playback function at a normal playback speed of 1x speed.
Further, the specific sections of the plurality of chapters set in the video content are reproduced at a special reproduction speed different from the normal reproduction speed.
Playing a section different from the specific section at the normal playback speed,
Video playback method including.

11 ... Display, 100 ... Electronic equipment, 114 ... Broadcast tuner, 116 ... Data broadcasting reception processing unit, 117 ... Video decoder, 118 ... Audio decoder, 119 ... Subtitles Decoder, 121 ... Data broadcasting engine, 122 ... Synthesizer, 123 ... Display control unit, 124 ... GUI, 150 ... Integrated control unit, 151 ... Recording / playback control unit, 152. .. Normal chapter Normal playback unit, 153 ... Predetermined chapter special playback unit, 161 ... Program guide creation unit, 162 ... Menu screen processing unit, 180 ... Communication control unit.

Claims (2)

When playing back video content, in the integrated control unit of an electronic device equipped with a playback function at 1x normal playback speed,
Further, a predetermined chapter special playback unit that reproduces a specific section of a plurality of chapters set in the video content at a special playback speed different from the normal playback speed, and a predetermined chapter special playback unit.
A normal chapter normal playback unit that reproduces a section different from the specific section at the normal playback speed is provided.
The predetermined chapter special reproduction unit
The above-mentioned electronic device , characterized in that the time including at least one of a predetermined time from the start of the specific section and a predetermined time retroactive from the end of the specific section is performed at the normal reproduction speed. When playing back video content, the playback function is performed at a normal playback speed of 1x speed, and specific sections of a plurality of chapters set in the video content are played back at a special playback speed different from the normal playback speed. In the video playback method of an electronic device equipped with a predetermined chapter special playback function,
Playing a section different from the specific section at the normal playback speed,
In the special reproduction of the specific section, the time including at least one of a predetermined time from the start of the specific section and a predetermined time tracing from the end of the specific section is performed at the normal reproduction speed. How to play the video on the device.

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