JPH10304320A - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcast receiver having a function of generating an EPG (program list) which is easily understood by everybody immediately. SOLUTION: An image reception means 80 receives still image data by one image pattern of a program from a video signal, and a program related image icon storage means 82 stores the data as an original icon in a way that the correspondence between the data and the program is recognized. Upon a user's request to display the EPG, the original icon and information denoting to which program the icon corresponds are read from the program related image icon storage means 82, program data denoting broadcasting and scheduled broadcasting data are received from SDT data, and the EPG where the original icon is labeled to the corresponding program position is generated on them. The EPG is displayed for the user by a program list display means 86.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver transmitted via a satellite, a cable, or the like.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver having a function of creating a program table from program data transmitted by digital broadcast transmission data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital broadcast transmission signal includes program data such as a program name, a channel, a broadcast date, and a broadcast time of a program being broadcast or scheduled to be broadcast, along with audio data and video data of the program. A program table can be appropriately created based on the program data.

A conventional program table created by a digital broadcast receiver is an icon (for example, a logo mark) created from only text or an icon sent from a broadcasting station as icon data for a specific program. Icon of the degree) was added in addition to the characters.

[0004]

In the case of a program guide using only characters, it is difficult for a child or the like who cannot read kanji to know what the program is, and it is difficult for adults to intuitively understand the program. Also, even if the icon is included in the program guide, it is an icon created by others,
There are problems that cannot be easily understood.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcast receiver having a program table creation function that allows anyone to easily and immediately know each program being displayed.

[0006]

The digital broadcast receiver (20) of the present invention has the following (a) to (d). (A) Image capturing means (80) for capturing one screen relating to one screen of a broadcast program as still image data (b) Correspondence of a program in which still image data captured by the image capturing means (80) is associated with the broadcast program Image icon (9
(C) Based on the program data captured from the digital broadcast transmission signal and the program corresponding image icon (94) read from the program corresponding image icon storage means (82). (84) Program guide display means (86) for displaying the program guide created by the program guide creation means (84)

[0007] The image capturing means (80) includes a television monitor (2).
While 2) is on or off, all or part of the screen of the broadcast program is captured as still image data. The screen of a broadcast program captured by the image capturing means (80) as still image data is preferably a characteristic scene or an impressive scene of the program. For example, even if characters such as a scene showing the moderator or the leading performer or characters such as a program name are included, the characters themselves have color characteristics, and the characters This is a scene in which even a child without children can identify the program from other programs. The program-corresponding image icon storage means (82) stores all or a part of the still image data captured by the image capturing means (80).
Meaning that a part of the characteristic predetermined range was extracted from the screen. The extraction may be performed by the user, or the image capturing means (80) may automatically extract a predetermined limited area at the center. ) Is stored as the program corresponding image icon (94) associated with the broadcast program. The program-corresponding image icon (94) stored in the program-corresponding image icon storage means (82) can be read out as appropriate, and can be displayed on an arbitrary scale by enlargement or reduction by post-processing. The program guide creating means (84) includes a program corresponding image icon storing means (8
Read the program corresponding image icon (94) from 2),
The program corresponding to the program corresponding image icon (94) is known, while the program data is fetched from the digital broadcast transmission signal, and the program corresponding image icon (94) is displayed on the program being broadcast and / or scheduled to be broadcast. Create a program guide in association with. This program table is displayed on the TV monitor (2) by the program table display means (86).
2) etc. are displayed. As described above, since the actual scene of the broadcast program is added to the program table as the program corresponding image icon (94), anyone can easily and immediately understand the program in the program table.

Another digital broadcast receiver of the present invention (20)
According to the above, still image data is a part of one screen of a broadcast program.

[0009] The program corresponding image icon (9
The size of 4) is limited, and the smaller the storage amount of the program corresponding image icon (94) in the program corresponding image icon storage means (82) is, the more advantageous it is.
In (94), only the characteristic image portion is advantageous, not the entire screen of the broadcast program.

Another digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention (20)
According to the above, the image capturing means (80) follows an instruction from the user for one screen captured as still image data.

The user can select one screen which he / she considers appropriate as the program corresponding image icon (94) in the program guide.

Another digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention (20)
According to this, the image capturing means (80) automatically selects one screen to capture as still image data.

One screen of a broadcast program serving as a basis of the program-compatible image icon (94) is automated without requiring the user to watch the television monitor (22) or the like one by one and perform an operation for specifying a capture. Can be saved.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows a digital broadcast receiving system. The transmission signal of the digital broadcast is a radio wave or an electric signal from an artificial satellite (not shown) and a cable broadcast station, which is input to a digital broadcast receiver 20 such as each home 14 via a parabolic antenna 10 and a cable 12, The digital broadcast receiver 20 processes the received signal and supplies it to the television monitor 22.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are an upper partial view and a lower partial view, respectively, showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver 20 divided vertically above and below a bus. The tuner module 26 selects the frequency of the received digital broadcast transmission signal and outputs it to the channel receiver 28. Channel receiver 28
Are QPSK (QAM) demodulation, analog / digital conversion (ADC) and FEC (Forward Error Correction).
n) A digital data demodulation circuit that performs error correction and the like, and generates a data stream in a format called a transport stream (FIG. 7). The MPEG2 transport demultiplexer 32 converts the input transport stream into MPEG2 Video transport packets, A
audio transport packets and PSI (Progra
m Specific Information) and reconfigures it. Programs of 4 to 8 channels are multiplexed in one transport stream, and a plurality of transport streams are transmitted from a broadcasting company. To select a channel, data such as which transport stream an arbitrary channel is transmitted in and which packet ID is multiplexed in the transport stream is selected from the PSI. The MPEG2 decoder & OSD (OnScreen Display) 34 decodes the MPEG2 video stream and the MPEG2 audio stream, respectively, and outputs the video signal and the audio signal to the video encoder 36 and the DAC 38, respectively. The OSD converts EPG character data and the like into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the video encoder. A video signal such as an NTSC signal is output from the video encoder 36, and the video is reproduced (output) on the television monitor 22.
Is done.

Each channel or program can be reproduced (output) by subscribing, and the information is transmitted from the transport stream to the IC card interface 44 by sending data (EMM or ECM) to the IC card interface 44.
The card interface 44 sends predetermined data to the transport descrambler 30 in light of the data read from the IC card, and the video and audio can be decoded by the transport descrambler 30 if the conditions are met. The CPU 40 is for controlling each component device of the digital broadcast receiver 20. User interface
Reference numeral 42 is for selecting and operating a channel from the EPG screen, to which a remote controller and a keyboard are connected. The modem 46 transfers the history data of the use of the pay program to the broadcaster.

In digital broadcasting, a program of 100 channels or more is used by utilizing the image compression technology of MPEG2.
It has the advantage of broadcasting over a wide area. In this case, by increasing the number of channels, it is possible to search for a program on the same day, the next day, one week later, etc. from a program table on a print medium such as a newspaper or a magazine, and make a channel selection or recording reservation.
This can be very complicated for many users. Therefore, as a countermeasure, data necessary for creating a program table, such as program information, is also stored in an MPEG2 transport stream (for an MPEG2 transport stream, the data will be described later) so that the user can search and select a program on the TV screen. 5 will be described later). This program guide is called EPG (Electronic Program Guide).

The data necessary to construct the EPG is MPEG2
It is transmitted by the data structure specified by System, and consists of tables and descriptors. The SDT (Ser
viceDescription Table), EIT (Event Information Ta
ble) (Note that SDT and EIT are not general terms used in digital broadcasting, but are used in PerfecTV!
This is a specific term. ), The data of the additional information relating to the channel and the additional information relating to the program are extracted by the MPEG2 transport demultiplexer 32 and processed by a microcomputer or the like to form an EPG (the data structure of SDT and EIT will be described later). The EPG is displayed on the TV screen, the display of the receiver main body, or the display of the remote controller. To display on a TV screen, an IC having an OSD (On Screen Display) function is required.
It is built into the audio / video decoder of the PEG2 decoder 34. Here, the decoded MPEG2 video is overlaid and output.

Perfe as an example of digital satellite broadcasting
cTV! transmits a transmission signal by MPEG2-TS. FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a transport stream of MPEG2 employed in PerfecTV !. In FIG.
The definitions of (1) to (5) and PID are as follows. (1) Unit start indication This means that a new packet starts from the payload of this transport stream. (2) Transport packet priority Indicates the importance of this packet. (3) Scramble control Indicates whether or not this packet is scrambled and its type. (4) Adaptation field control Indicates the presence or absence of an adaptation field and the presence or absence of a payload in this packet. The above (1) to (4) indicate that there is no adaptation field and that there is a payload. (5) Tour counter Information for detecting whether a packet having the same PID has been partially rejected on the way. Detect from count continuity. PID program ID In the payload (PID = program ID) of the transport packet shown in FIG.
If it exceeds the byte, it is divided into two or more transport packets and transmitted. If a plurality of payloads of the transport packet having the target PID are connected, a bit stream such as the target EIT can be obtained.

The SDT (Service) used in PerfecTV!
The structure of Description Table) is as follows. If the PID is 0 from the transport stream transmitted from the satellite
By collecting and collecting x0011 transport packets, a bit stream according to the following format is completed. The SDT contains information about each Service, that is, each channel. This table (section) is configured for each transport stream.

The SDT has the following meaning depending on the table_id. table_id = 0x42 (SDT_a) Information about channels in the currently received transport stream = 0x46 (SDT_o) Information about channels in other transport streams

The information included in descriptor () of the above data structure includes the following. DM_name_descriptor () Describes the service name (channel name). DM_content_descriptor () Service contents DM_logo_descriptor () Logo of the channel is a bitmap image NVOD_reference_descriptor () Information on near video-on-demand service time_shifted_service_descriptor () s ervice_id mosaic_descriptor () Split screen of the channel on which NVOD is based Display information DM_service_type_descriptor () Video, audio, data, etc. service type DM_event_range_descriptor () Information on schedule_EIT existing in the same TS

EIT (Event) in PerfecTV! As an example
Information Table) has the following data structure. When a transport packet with a PID of 0x0012 is collected and collected, a bit stream according to the following format is completed. The EIT includes information on each Event, that is, information on each program. This table (section) is configured for each service (channel).

The EIT has the following meaning depending on the table_id. table_id = 0x4E (EIT_p / a) active_transport_stream, present_following_EIT Information on the currently or next executed program of the currently received TS 0x4F (EIT_p / o) other_transport_stream, present_following_EIT The current or next executed number of another TS 0x50 to 57 (EIT_g / a) active_transport_stream, general_EIT All program schedule information of the currently received TS (other than program content) 0x60 to 67 (EIT_g / o) other_transport_stream, general_EIT All other TS Program schedule information (other than program content) 0x58 to 5F (EIT_d / a) active_transport_stream, detail_E IT All program schedule information of currently received TS (program content only) 0x68 to 6F (EIT_d / o) other_transport_stream, detail_EIT All program schedule information of other TS (program content only)

Information included in descriptor () of the data structure shown in the above figure includes the following. DM_name_descriptor Describes the program name. DM_ts_event_descriptor time_shifted_event
In the case of, the service_id and event_id of the parent event are described. Stream_identif of DM_component_descriptor PMT
A stream that matches the component_tag of the ier_descriptor is described. content_descriptor Describes the program genre. parental_rating_descriptor Describes the parental level. DM_fee_descriptor Describes the PPV fee. DM_content_descriptor Describes the program content. DM_copy_control_descriptor Information about MACROVISION is described. DM_function_descriptor Describes a function to be implemented by the receiver. DM_voting_descriptor Information about voting is described. DM_series_descriptor Describes the series number to which the program belongs.

Digital satellite broadcasting PerfecTV currently being broadcast
The data structure of NIT (Network Information Table) in! When transport packets having a PID of 0010h are collected from a transport stream transmitted from a satellite, a bit stream according to the following format is completed. The NIT includes the physical information of the transmission path such as the modulation frequency and the organization channel information. This table is organized for each network (currently there is only one network, that is, only for PerfecTV!).

[0027]

The NIT has the following meaning depending on the table_id. table_id = 40h (NIT_a) Physical information, organization, and channel information of the currently receiving network transmission path. 41h (NIT_o) Physical information of the transmission line of another network and information on the organization channel.

In the descriptor () of the data structure shown in the above figure, ne
There are twork_descriptors and transport_descriptors, and the information included includes the following. network_descriptors DM_name_descriptor () Describes the network name. DM_offset_time_descriptor () Offset when daylight savings time is in effect DM_message_descriptor () Message for all network recipients DM_copy_management_descriptor () MACROVISION process_configuration_data transport_descriptors service_list_descriptor () Lists existing service_ids and their types. satellite_delivery_system_descriptor () Transmission specifications

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a conventional process for displaying a digital broadcast EPG. In S50, an instruction to display the EPG is input by the user interface 42 of the digital broadcast receiver 20, for example, a remote controller. In S52, receiving the SDT data,
Confirmation of presence / absence of a program table, acquisition of service names of own and other streams, etc. Next, in S54, EIT data is received,
Information such as the program name, its start time, and the category in each service of the own and other streams is obtained. In S56, an EPG is constructed from these acquired data. The EPG can be configured in various formats, depending on how the microcomputer program is assembled. For example, it is possible to display by channel or program genre.

To receive a desired channel, use MPEG2S
ystem, PAT (Program Association Tabl
e), PMT (Program Map Table), CAT (Conditional Access
Table) and NIT (Network Information Table). These data are all given IDs. The ID of the video or audio stream (PID: Packet ID) required for a certain program is described in the PMT,
The PID of the PMT for the program is described in the PAT. CAT is the key for conditional access. The NIT describes physical information on a transmission line of a broadcast, a channel included in one transport stream, and the like. The stream number such as video or audio of the selected channel is determined from these data, and the video or audio is received by receiving the stream of the PID.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for receiving a desired channel. When the channel number is selected in S60, the PAT is received in S62, and it is determined whether or not the channel number selected in S64 exists. If there is, the PMT of the PID described in the PAT is received (S
66). Since the PMT describes PIDs such as video and audio required for the program, the program can be viewed by receiving and decoding the PID (S68). If the channel number selected in S60 does not exist,
In S70, the NIT is received, and in S72, it is determined whether or not the target channel exists in another RF. If there is, S74
Change the RF (Radio Frequency) being received by
To receive. If not, usually, a default RF and a default channel are received (S76).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a function for creating an EPG with an original icon in the digital broadcast receiver 20. The image capturing means 80 is an MPEG2 decoder & OSD34
Receives a decoded video signal and captures still image data for one frame (one screen). When the user is watching the television monitor 22 and viewing a characteristic or impressive scene in the program being displayed, that is, if a scene that is immediately recognized as being this program appears when the scene is viewed later, the scene (= An instruction to select (1 screen) is input by the image capturing means 80
Put out The selection of one screen to be captured by the image capturing unit 80 may be performed by the image capturing unit 80 automatically instead of by the user. That is, during the broadcast of the program being viewed by the user, a predetermined (title display screen immediately after the start) or any one screen is selected and taken in as still image data.
Further, the image capturing means 80 automatically switches the decoding channels of the MPEG2 decoder & OSD 34 automatically even if the television monitor 22 is not turned on, and automatically captures a predetermined or arbitrary one screen of each program. You can also do so. The still image data captured by the image capturing means 80 may not be the entire one screen, but may be only the central part of one screen. The program-compatible image icon (94) (hereinafter referred to as the program-compatible image icon created by the user
Since it is (94), it is called "original icon 94 (FIG. 3)". ), The still image data must be reduced, so if the image capturing means (80) in the center of one screen is set to the original icon 94, the reduction ratio in the EPG becomes smaller, and the original image in the EPG is reduced. The icon 94 becomes clear. The program-corresponding image icon storage means 82 detects, from the EIT data, what program the still image data captured by the image capturing means 80 relates to, and associates the still image data with the program to match the original icon 94 To be stored. The storage of the image capturing means 80 is nonvolatile. Upon receiving an EPG display instruction from the user, the program guide creating means 84 reads out the original icon from the program corresponding image icon storage means 82 and detects which program the original icon relates to. Further, the program guide creating means 84 receives information such as a program name, a broadcast channel, and a broadcast time of a program being broadcast or scheduled to be broadcast from the EIT data, and attaches an original icon 94 to each program.
Create G. The program guide display means 86 is provided with a program guide creation means 84.
Is displayed on the television monitor 22.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for displaying a digital broadcast EPG. The same steps as those in FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and differences will be described. S90 is S
It is subscribed between 56 and S58. In S90, S
The original icon 94 (FIG. 3) is read from the program-corresponding image icon storage means 82 of FIG. 1 into the EPG created at 56, and information on which program it belongs to is read from the program-corresponding image icon storage means 82. In step S56, the original icon 94 is attached to the program corresponding position of the EPG created to create a final EPG. In S58, the final EPG created in S90 is displayed on the television monitor 22.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an EPG displayed on the television monitor 22. This EPG has a broadcast time and a channel in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, similarly to a normal program guide seen in a newspaper or the like. And as a feature of this EPG,
An original icon 94 corresponding to the program is pasted and displayed in the box of each program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an EPG creation function with an original icon in a digital broadcast receiver.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process of displaying an EPG for digital broadcasting.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an EPG displayed on a television monitor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a digital broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 5 is an upper partial view when the block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver is divided into upper and lower parts with a bus as a boundary.

FIG. 6 is a lower partial view when the block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver is divided into upper and lower parts with a bus as a boundary.

FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of an MPEG2 transport stream employed in PerfeTV !.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a conventional process for displaying a digital broadcast EPG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for receiving a desired channel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 digital broadcast receiver 22 television monitor 80 image capturing means 82 program corresponding image icon storage means 84 program guide creating means 86 program guide display means 94 original icon

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/44

Claims (4)

[Claims] (A) image capturing means (80) for capturing one screen relating to one screen of a broadcast program as still image data;
(B) a program corresponding image icon storage means (8) for storing the still image data captured by the image capturing means (80) as a program corresponding image icon (94) associated with the broadcast program;
2), (c) a program guide creating means for creating a program guide based on the program data fetched from the digital broadcast transmission signal and the program corresponding image icon (94) read from the program corresponding image icon storage means (82). (84) and (d) a program table display means (86) for displaying a program table created by the program table creation means (84). 2. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the still image data is a part of one screen of a broadcast program. 3. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein said image capturing means (80) follows an instruction from a user for one screen captured as still image data. 4. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein said image capturing means (80) automatically selects one screen to be captured as still image data.