JPH10150642A - Receiving terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of tuning at the receiving terminal device of multi-channel digital broadcasting. SOLUTION: Video/audio compressed data and program information from a server 12 are transmitted from a sending circuit 14 in a broadcasting station 10. A receiving terminal device 20 is provided with a receiving circuit 34, a multiple separation circuit 35, a video/audio extension circuit 36, a program information storing memory 22, a viewing information storing memory 23 storing viewing information designated by a viewer, a viewing history information storing memory 24 storing viewing history information on the past viewing of the user and an information processing means 27. Program information separated from received data by the circuit 35 is stored in the memory 22 and added with displaying priority by the means 27 through the use of program information and viewing history information and outputted to an external display device as display data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video device for selecting and displaying image data transmitted on multiple channels such as a multi-channel pay digital broadcast, and to a receiving terminal device having a function of processing viewing information. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique related to a digitally compressed image transmission and display apparatus for simultaneously displaying a plurality of image data and audio data transmitted by multiplexing a plurality of channels on a screen is described in, for example, JP-A-6-276508. . This technique relates to a digitally compressed image transmission display apparatus for simultaneously displaying, on the same screen, a plurality of screens obtained by compressing and encoding image data transmitted by multiplexing a plurality of channels and changing the block size. In addition, the on-screen display (On Screen 3)
The technology relating to “n Display: OSD (hereinafter, referred to as OSD)” is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-131734. This technique is also applied to a screen of a television receiver having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, in which the display size in the horizontal direction of an image having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 is enlarged relatively to the left and right ends relative to the center in the horizontal direction. This is a technology that enables OSD display without distortion.

[0003]

In a multi-channel pay digital broadcast, an extremely large number of channels are multiplexed and transmitted, and an electronic program guide (Electronic Program Guide: EP
For example, program information used for G (hereinafter, referred to as EPG) is also multiplexed and transmitted. When receiving such a multi-channel digital broadcast, even if the program information is displayed in a list on the screen using the EPG, too much information is displayed, and it is extremely complicated for the viewer to select a program, that is, select a channel. Met.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a receiving terminal device of a video device for displaying a multi-channel pay digital broadcast or the like, for example, which preferentially displays viewing information that a viewer has viewed in the past when displaying an EPG. Or to improve the operability of channel selection in the receiving terminal device by comparing the viewing information specified in advance by the viewer with the viewing information viewed in the past and displaying the matching information preferentially. I do.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method of storing received information, viewing history information stored in a receiving terminal device, and a viewer specified in advance and storing the information in the receiving terminal device. The program information to be displayed with priority is determined by using the viewing information that is displayed. That is,
According to the present invention, in a receiving terminal device, program information obtained from a received signal, past viewing history information, and viewing information specified by a viewer in advance are stored, and the program information, the viewing history information, the viewing information, , The program information to be displayed with priority is determined, display data to be output to the display device is created based on the program information, and output to the display device. With this configuration, the program information to be displayed with priority is determined.
At the time of displaying G, it is possible to preferentially display a channel that the viewer has watched in the past, or preferentially display a channel that matches a channel previously specified by the viewer and a channel that the viewer has watched in the past. Thus, the operability of channel selection in the receiving terminal device is improved.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An embodiment of an information transmitting device and a receiving terminal device when the present invention is applied to a multi-channel pay digital broadcasting system will be described with reference to FIG. The multi-channel pay digital broadcasting system includes an information transmitting device (broadcasting station) 10 and a receiving terminal device 20 connected by a transmission unit 50. The broadcasting station 10 includes a control station (Work Station; WS, hereinafter, referred to as a control WS) 1
1, the server 12, the database 13, and the sending circuit 1
4 and an output terminal 15 for a transmission signal.

The receiving terminal device 20 includes a memory control circuit 21
, A program information storage memory 22 and a viewing information storage memory 2
3, viewing history storage memory 24, and time measuring means 25
, Priority adding means 26, information processing means 27, display data creating means 28, display memory 29, control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as control microcomputer) 30
And a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 3
1, a key 32, a system bus 33, and a receiving circuit 34
A demultiplexing circuit 35, a video / audio decompression circuit 36,
An output control circuit 37, a reception signal input terminal 41, an audio output terminal 42, a video output terminal 43, and an information output terminal 4
4.

[0008] The control microcomputer 30 has a function as a control means for controlling the digital information receiving means, the demultiplexing means, and the composite means. Remote controller 31
The key 32 has a function as an input unit for inputting a program request from a viewer or a command for program selection.
The system bus 33 has a function of transmitting information between functional units in the receiving terminal device 20. Receiving circuit 34
Has a function as digital information receiving means for receiving multiplex-compressed digital information. The demultiplexing circuit 35 has a function as a demultiplexing unit that demultiplexes digital information input from the digital information receiving unit. The video / audio decompression circuit 36 has a function as a composite unit that composites the digital signals separated by the demultiplexing unit. The output control circuit 37 has a function as display data output means for outputting display data input from the display data creation means to the display device. The control microcomputer 30 to the output control circuit 37 constitute a normal receiving terminal device (video receiving circuit).

The memory control circuit 21 has a function of controlling writing and reading of data to and from the program information storage memory 22, the viewing information storage memory 23, and the viewing history storage memory 24. The program information storage memory 22 has a function as a program information storage unit that stores the program information separated by the demultiplexing unit. The viewing information storage memory 23 has a function as viewing information storage means for storing viewing information specified in advance by the viewer. The viewing history storage memory 24 has a function as a viewing history storage unit that stores past viewing information input from the control unit. The time measuring unit 25 has a function as a time measuring unit that outputs time information. Priority addition means 2
Reference numeral 6 has a function of adding a priority to information that has been viewed for a long time or for a long time among the information stored in the viewing history storage means. That is, the priority is added when the information (channel) stored in the viewing history storage means is used again. The information processing means 27
A function of determining data to be displayed, such as whether the information to be displayed in the PG or the like is only program information, viewing information, viewing history information, or whether to display them together, that is, a function shown in step S17 shown in FIG. have. The display data creation unit 28 has a function as a display data creation unit that creates display data based on the determination information input from the display information determination unit. The display memory 29
It has a function of storing the display data created by the display data creating means.

First, a multi-channel pay digital broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the case of performing digital broadcasting, as shown in FIG. 1, the transmission means 50 from the broadcasting station 10 to the plurality of receiving terminal devices 20 includes an optical fiber, a coaxial cable, a digital communication satellite, and the like. Any of the above transmission means is applicable. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the receiving terminal device 2
By providing the information transmission circuit to the broadcasting station 10 such as a modem, the two-way service, for example, video on demand (VOD), home shopping, home medical care, and the like can be realized.

In the broadcasting station 10, the server 12 stores various data streams such as compressed video data, compressed audio data, and program information. When a command is received from the control WS 11, the server 12 specifies the data stream specified by the command. Is read out and transferred to the sending circuit 14. Further, depending on the content of the command, the database 13 is searched, the specified data stream is received, and transferred to the sending circuit 14. The transmission circuit 14 multiplexes, modulates, and transmits a plurality of designated data streams. If the designated data stream is charged, the data stream is transferred to an encryption circuit and transmitted together with information for canceling the data stream.

Normally, the receiving terminal device 20 for receiving a multi-channel pay digital broadcast includes a control microcomputer 30, a receiving circuit 34 for receiving a signal, a demultiplexing circuit 35 for separating a multiplexed data stream, compressed video data and compressed video data. It comprises a video / audio decompression circuit 36 for decompressing audio data, and an output control circuit 37 for outputting video and graphics. In addition, a memory for storing various information is provided.

The receiving terminal device 20 receives the data stream transmitted from the broadcasting station 10 by the receiving circuit 34 via the input terminal 41.

The control microcomputer 30 processes a command from the viewer received from the remote controller 31 and the keys 32, and receives a signal from the receiving circuit 34, the demultiplexing circuit 3
5. Control the video / audio expansion circuit 36, output control circuit 37, and the like.

The receiving circuit 34 demodulates the data stream received from the command transmitted from the control microcomputer 30,
If the data stream is encrypted, the data stream is decrypted using the decryption information and transferred to the demultiplexing circuit 35.

The demultiplexing circuit 35 separates a data stream according to a command sent from the control microcomputer 30. For example, compressed video data and compressed audio data are transferred to a video / audio decompression circuit 36, and, for example, program information Is transferred to the memory control circuit 21.

The video / audio expansion circuit 36 expands a data stream separated and transmitted from the demultiplexing circuit 35, for example, compressed video data and compressed audio data. The expanded audio data is transmitted to the audio output terminal 42, and is output by an external playback device such as a speaker, for example. Also,
The expanded video data is transferred to the output control circuit 37.

The output control circuit 37 transmits the decompressed video data to the video output terminal 43 as it is, or transmits it to the video output terminal 43 by superimposing it on graphics input from the display memory 29. Data output from the video output terminal 43 is output on an external display device, for example, a television or a monitor.

The receiving terminal device 20 according to the present invention includes
As shown in FIG. 5, various information, for example, program information multiplexed and transmitted from the broadcast station 10, viewing information specified by the viewer in advance, and viewing information previously viewed by the viewer are stored. To be equipped with memory. The memory control circuit 21 controls a program information storage memory 22, a viewing information storage memory 23, and a viewing history storage memory 24 in which these pieces of information are stored.

The program information includes, for example, a program name, a broadcast station name, a channel number, a broadcast start time, a broadcast end time, program contents, and the like, together with compressed video data and compressed audio data transmitted from the broadcast station 10. Multiplexed and transmitted. The program information is separated by the demultiplexing circuit 35,
It is stored in the program information storage memory 22. The viewing information storage memory 23 stores viewing information specified by the viewer in advance, such as a broadcast channel number and a broadcast station name.

The viewing history storage memory 24 stores viewing information that the viewer has viewed in the past, such as a program name, viewing time,
Stores broadcast channel numbers, broadcast station names, and the like.

The program information, the viewing information, and the viewing history information are read out according to an instruction from the control microcomputer 30, processed as needed by the information processing means 27, and transferred to the display data creating means 28. Thereafter, the display data is changed to display data by the display data creating means 28. Then, when the display data is changed, the data is stored in the display memory 29 and output control circuit 37.
To be superimposed on video data and output, or output without superimposition. Then, the image is displayed on an external display device, for example, a television or a monitor, via the video output terminal 43.

The above-described program information, viewing information, and viewing history information are used, for example, when displaying an EPG, when displaying program contents, and when a viewer selects a channel based on a viewing time signal during program broadcasting. You.

An example of the contents stored in the program information storage memory 22 will be described with reference to FIG. The program information storage memory 22 stores the program information separated by the demultiplexing circuit 35, for example, as a program information storage table stored corresponding to channel numbers. The program information includes channel (CH) number information, channel (CH) name information, frequency information, service type information, PID information, pay / free information, program number information, program name information, genre information, age restriction information, and start. There are time information, broadcast time information, program content information, and the like. The CH number information indicates a channel number, the CH name indicates a broadcast station name (channel name), the frequency information indicates the frequency of the broadcast station, and the service type information indicates a broadcast provided by a broadcast station such as an analog television, a digital television, or a digital audio. Are respectively shown. Also, the PID information indicates the identification number of a packet such as video and audio transmitted in the case of digital broadcasting, the paid / free information indicates whether the broadcasting is paid or free, and the program number indicates the number of the program being broadcast at the corresponding broadcasting station. The number indicates the program name, the program name information indicates the name of the program being broadcast on the corresponding broadcasting station, and the genre information indicates the genre to which the corresponding program belongs. Furthermore, the age restriction information indicates the age at which the corresponding program can be viewed if restrictions are added, the start time information indicates the time at which the corresponding program starts broadcasting, and the broadcast time indicates the time at which the corresponding program is broadcast. Time (length)
The program contents indicate simple contents of the program.

An example of the contents stored in the viewing information storage memory 23 will be described with reference to FIG. The viewing information storage memory 23 stores viewing information specified by the viewer in advance, for example, as a viewing information storage table stored in the order of input. As the viewing information, a set is composed of CH number information, CH name information, frequency information, service type information, PID information, and the like, and is created by inputting CH number information, CH name information, and the like. The contents of these pieces of information are the same as in the case of the program information. A plurality of sets of viewing information can be stored, and the viewing information can be stored for each viewer.

An example of the contents stored in the viewing history storage memory 24 will be described with reference to FIG. The viewing history storage memory 24 stores a viewing history storage table in which a plurality of channels watched by viewers are stored. As viewing information,
There are CH number information, CH name information, and priority information, and the priority determined according to the number of times of viewing and the time for each CH number is simultaneously stored.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a description will be given of a process of assigning priorities, storing viewing information that the viewer has viewed in the past as viewing history information, and performing statistical processing on the viewing history information. This processing corresponds to the processing executed in the memory control circuit 21, the viewing history storage memory 24, the time measuring means 25, and the priority information adding means 26 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, when channel selection is started and a broadcast is displayed on an external video output device, for example, a television or a monitor, the time measuring means 25 starts measuring a viewing time and stores viewing channel information. (Step S1).
Here, it is determined whether the viewing time of the broadcast (channel) watched last time has passed a certain time (step S).
2) If the viewing time of the previously viewed channel has not passed for a certain period of time, the previously viewed broadcast is not being watched by the viewer.
Moreover, it is regarded as a channel selection performed randomly, and the broadcast is not stored as viewing history information. vice versa,
If the viewing time of the previously viewed broadcast has passed a certain time, the broadcast is stored in the viewing history storage memory 24 as viewing history information (step S3). Further, it is determined whether or not the stored channel is an already stored channel (step S4). If the stored channel is a previously stored channel, the channel is a channel that is frequently watched. The display priority is added by the priority adding means 26 (step S5), and the display priority is set high. In this way, by performing statistical processing on the viewing history information, the display priority of the selected channel is set and stored in the viewing history memory 24 (step S6). With the above-described method, it is possible to select and store only the channel that the viewer is actively viewing.

Using the flow chart of FIG. 6, the processing from obtaining the specified information from the program information, the viewing information, and the viewing history information after the statistical processing, determining the information to be displayed, and creating the display data Will be described. This processing is shown in FIG.
, The program information storage memory 22, the viewing information storage memory 23, the viewing history storage memory 24, the information processing means 27,
This corresponds to the processing executed in the display data creation means 28.

The display data obtained in the process shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the display memory 29 and displayed on an external output device, for example, a television or a monitor, via the output control circuit 37 and the video output terminal 43. Is done. Display data is
For example, it is used at the time of displaying the EPG, and is superimposed on the expanded video data, or is displayed as it is without superimposition.

In FIG. 6, upon receiving an information display instruction from the control microcomputer 30, the information processing means 27 acquires program information from the program information storage memory 22 (step S1).
0), the display mode is checked (step S11). If there is an instruction in the display form, it is checked whether or not the instruction is to display viewing history information (step S12). (Step S
13). Next, it is determined whether or not the indication of the display mode is to display the viewing information (step S14). When the display of the viewing information is instructed, the viewing information is acquired by referring to the viewing information storage memory 23 (step S14). Step S15). Next, a priority is searched for with reference to the acquired viewing history information and / or viewing information (step S16). At this time,
When there is an instruction to display the viewing history information, the search is also performed together with the display priority of the viewing history information. Then, display information is determined according to the instruction of the display mode (step S1).
7). The display information is transferred to the display data creation means 28, and display data is created based on the display information (step S18).

In FIG. 1, display data creating means 28
Creates display data based on the display information. As a display mode, there are a case where only program information is displayed, a case where viewing information is displayed, a case where viewing history information is displayed, and a case where program information, viewing information and viewing history information are displayed together.

When only the program information is displayed, the name of the currently viewed channel or the name of a program being broadcast on another channel near the channel number is displayed. When displaying the viewing information, the corresponding program information is selected from the program information stored in the program information storage memory 23 based on the viewing information and displayed. When displaying viewing history information,
The display priority is searched, the channel to be displayed is determined in order from the one with the highest display priority, and the program information broadcasted on the channel is selected from the program information stored in the program information storage memory 23 and displayed. I do. Further, when both the viewing information and the viewing history information are displayed at the same time, the information commonly stored in the viewing information and the viewing history information is searched, and the corresponding program information is stored in the program information storage memory 23. Selected from the program information stored in the program and displayed.

The display data created by the display data creation means 28 is stored in the display memory 29 and is output from the output control circuit 3.
7 is superimposed on the decompressed video data, or without superimposition, via the video output terminal 43
It is output to an external display device, for example, a television, a monitor, or the like. Further, the display information can be transmitted to an external information processing device, for example, a personal computer, via the information output terminal 44. By incorporating software corresponding to the display data creating means 28 in the personal computer, what is displayed on the external display device can be directly displayed on an output device attached to the personal computer, for example, a monitor.

FIG. 7 shows a display example when display data created using the viewing history information is output and displayed on an external output device. For example, a program selection menu screen 61 is displayed in a screen 60 of an external output device such as a television and a monitor. For example, display data such as an EPG is displayed on a part of the screen, and may be displayed while being superimposed on a program being viewed. Program selection menu screen 61
Is program information including a viewing history channel name 62, a broadcast program name 63 at the corresponding time, and a program selection cursor 6.
And 4. Further, a program selection menu screen 6
1 displays the current date and time together with the program information. Also,
The program selection menu screen 61 can display not only the program information of the current date and time but also the program information to be broadcasted in the future. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which display data is created based on viewing history information. The viewing history channel name 62 is displayed in descending order of display priority, and the broadcast program name 63 also shows the name of the program that can be viewed at the current date and time for each channel and the name of the program following this program. Is done.

At the start of the display of the program selection menu screen 61, the selection cursor 64 is displayed along with the currently viewable program on the channel having the highest display priority. The selection cursor 64 can be operated from an input device, for example, a remote controller or a key. When the cursor is moved to the name of a program to be viewed and a program to be viewed is selected and determined, the corresponding program is automatically selected and the external program is selected. Output to the display device.

With the above-described configuration, the channel that the viewer has viewed in the past is displayed preferentially, or the channel that the viewer has specified in advance and the channel that has been viewed in the past is displayed preferentially. This makes it possible for the viewer to easily select a channel to be viewed frequently. As a result, the operability of channel selection in the receiving terminal device is improved.

In the example of the present embodiment, the method using software has been described. However, the above-described embodiment can be realized by using hardware.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A receiving terminal device provided with a program information storage means, a viewing history storage means, and a viewing information storage means, wherein the information stored in the program information, the information stored in the viewing history storage means program information, and the viewing information storage By determining the program information to be displayed preferentially from the information stored in the means, for example, the program information can be displayed preferentially at the time of displaying the EPG. The operability of the station is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a configuration of an information transmitting device and a receiving terminal device of a multi-channel broadcasting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of storage contents of a program information storage memory.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of storage contents of a viewing information storage memory.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in a viewing history information storage memory.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of performing statistical processing on viewing history information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of determining display information from program information, viewing information, and viewing history information and creating display data.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a program selection menu screen displayed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Broadcasting station 11 Control WS 12 Server 13 Database 14 Sending circuit 20 Receiving terminal device 21 Memory control circuit 22 Program information storage memory 23 Viewing information storage memory 24 Viewing history storage memory 25 Time measuring means 26 Priority adding circuit 27 Information processing means 28 Display data creation means 29 display memory 30 control microcomputer 34 reception circuit 35 demultiplexing circuit 36 video / audio expansion circuit 37 output control circuit 50 transmission means 60 external output device 61 program selection menu screen 62 viewing history channel name 63 broadcast program at corresponding time Name 64 Program selection cursor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/907 H04N 7/13 Z 7/24 (72) Inventor Satoshi Mio 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Pref. Hitachi Multimedia System Development Division (72) Inventor Toshio Kushida 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi Multimedia System Development Division

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Digital information receiving means for receiving multiplex-compressed digital information, demultiplexing means for demultiplexing digital information input from the digital information receiving means, and digital signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexing means. In a receiving terminal device comprising a decoding means for decoding a signal, and a control means for controlling the digital information receiving means, the demultiplexing means and the decoding means, a viewing / listening storing past viewing information inputted from the control means. History storage means, program information storage means for storing program information demultiplexed by the demultiplexing means, and information stored in the viewing history storage means and information stored in the program information storage means. Display information deciding means for deciding program information to be displayed with priority, and display based on decision information inputted from the display information deciding means. A receiving terminal device comprising: display data creation means for creating data; and display data output means for outputting display data input from the display data creation means to a display device. 2. A digital information receiving means for receiving multiplex-compressed digital information, a demultiplexing means for demultiplexing digital information input from the digital information receiving means, and a digital signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexing means. In a receiving terminal device comprising decoding means for decoding a signal, and control means for controlling the digital information receiving means, the demultiplexing means and the decoding means, a viewing information storage means for storing viewing information designated in advance by a viewer. A viewing history storage unit for storing past viewing information input from the control unit; a program information storage unit for storing program information demultiplexed by the demultiplexing unit; and a program stored in the viewing information storage unit. From the information stored in the viewing history storage means and the information stored in the program information storage means, Display information determining means for determining program information to be displayed with priority, display data generating means for generating display data based on the determination information input from the display information determining means, and display information determining means input from the display data generating means. Display data output means for outputting display data to a display device. 3. A digital information receiving means for receiving multiplex-compressed digital information, a demultiplexing means for demultiplexing digital information input from the digital information receiving means, and a digital signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexing means. In a receiving terminal device comprising a decoding means for decoding a signal, and a control means for controlling the digital information receiving means, the demultiplexing means and the decoding means, a viewing / listening storing past viewing information inputted from the control means. History storage means, statistical processing means for performing statistical processing based on viewing history information input from the viewing history storage means, and viewing statistics information storage means for storing viewing statistics information input from the statistical processing means; A program information storage unit for storing the program information demultiplexed by the demultiplexing unit, and a program information storage unit for storing the viewing statistics information storage unit. Display information deciding means for deciding program information to be displayed preferentially from the information stored in the program information storage means, and display data based on the decision information input from the display information deciding means. And a display data output means for outputting display data input from the display data creation means to a display device. 4. A digital information receiving means for receiving multiplex-compressed digital information, a demultiplexing means for demultiplexing digital information input from the digital information receiving means, and a digital signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexing means. In a receiving terminal device comprising decoding means for decoding a signal, control means for controlling the digital information receiving means, demultiplexing means and decoding means, a time measuring means for outputting time information, and an input from the control means. Viewing history storage means for storing past viewing information to be stored, program information storage means for storing program information demultiplexed by the demultiplexing means, time information input from the time measuring means, and the viewing history storage Program information to be preferentially displayed is determined from the information stored in the means and the information stored in the program information storage means. Display information determining means, display data generating means for generating display data based on the determination information input from the display information determining means, and outputting the display data input from the display data generating means to a display device. A receiving terminal device comprising: display data output means.