U.S. patent application number 10/660674 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for receiving apparatus and receiving method.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Aratani, Shuntaro, Fukuda, Tetsu, Miyamoto, Katsuhiro.
Application Number | 20040068740 10/660674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32040744 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fukuda, Tetsu ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Receiving apparatus and receiving method
Abstract
A receiving apparatus according to the present invention
includes a receiving unit for receiving television broadcasts and a
communication unit for receiving streaming broadcasts via a
network. A guide information producing unit produces guide
information for displaying a program guide for television broadcast
programs and a program guide for streaming broadcast programs on
the same screen. An outputting unit outputs to a display device
image data on the television broadcasts, image data on the
streaming broadcasts, and the guide information.
Inventors: |
Fukuda, Tetsu; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Miyamoto, Katsuhiro; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Aratani, Shuntaro; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
32040744 |
Appl. No.: |
10/660674 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/45 ;
348/E5.105; 725/40; 725/48 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/478 20130101;
H04H 60/82 20130101; H04N 21/6581 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101;
H04N 2005/4417 20130101; H04N 21/435 20130101; H04H 20/28 20130101;
H04N 21/47202 20130101; H04N 21/2187 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101; H04N 21/42213 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N
21/64322 20130101; H04N 21/4345 20130101; H04N 21/8193 20130101;
H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04H 60/72 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101;
H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/8586 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/045 ;
725/040; 725/048 |
International
Class: |
G06F 013/00; H04N
005/445; G06F 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 2002 |
JP |
294745/2002 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A receiving apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving
broadcast content; guide information producing means for producing
guide information on the broadcast content and for outputting the
guide information to a display device; relevant information
acquisition means for acquiring, via a network, relevant
information on an operation for receiving the broadcast content by
the receiving means; and control means for controlling the guide
information producing means so as to change a display mode of the
guide information in accordance with the relevant information
acquired by the relevant information acquisition means.
2. A receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relevant
information comprises information required for receiving a
predetermined type of broadcast content from among a plurality of
types of broadcast content, and wherein the control means controls
the guide information producing means so as to display guide
information on the predetermined type of broadcast content.
3. A receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the relevant
information is a software module for receiving the predetermined
type of broadcast content.
4. A receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
plurality of types of broadcast content are distributed from
respective types of media.
5. A receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
plurality of types of broadcast content include television
broadcast content that is distributed via television broadcast
waves and streaming broadcast content that is distributed via the
network, and wherein the receiving means comprises at least one
tuner for receiving the television broadcast waves and
communication connection means for connecting to the network.
6. A receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control
means detects the type of broadcast content that is receivable by
the receiving means on the basis of the relevant information, and
wherein the control means controls the guide information producing
means so as to change the display mode of the guide information in
accordance with the detected results.
7. A receiving apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving
broadcast content; relevant information acquisition means for
acquiring, via a network, relevant information on an operation for
selecting the broadcast content by the receiving means; and control
means for changing a function of the operation for receiving the
broadcast content performed by the receiving means in accordance
with the relevant information acquired by the relevant information
acquisition means.
8. A receiving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control
means changes search functions for a plurality of the broadcast
content in accordance with the relevant information.
9. A receiving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control
means changes a reservation function for receiving the broadcast
content in accordance with the relevant information.
10. A receiving apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising
selecting means for selecting desired relevant information from
among a plurality of the relevant information, wherein the relevant
information acquisition means acquires relevant information
selected by the selecting means.
11. A receiving apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving
television broadcasts; communication means for receiving streaming
broadcasts via a network; guide information producing means for
producing guide information for displaying a program guide for
television broadcast programs and a program guide for streaming
broadcast programs on the same screen; and outputting means for
outputting to a display device image data on the television
broadcasts, image data on the streaming broadcasts, and the guide
information.
12. A receiving apparatus according to claim 11, further
comprising: selecting means for selecting a desired program using
the guide information displayed on the display device; and control
means for controlling the receiving means, the communication means,
and the outputting means so as to output image data on a program
selected by the selecting means to the display device.
13. A receiving apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the guide
information producing means produces guide information for
displaying the television broadcast programs and the streaming
broadcast programs in the same format in one program list.
14. A receiving apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising
selecting means for selecting a desired program by moving a cursor
image for selecting a display area from among a plurality of
program display areas in the program list between display areas of
the television broadcast programs and display areas of the
streaming broadcast programs.
15. A method for receiving broadcast content, comprising: a guide
information producing step of producing guide information on the
broadcast content and of outputting the guide information to a
display device; a relevant information acquiring step of acquiring,
via a network, relevant information on an operation for receiving
the broadcast content by receiving means; and a controlling step of
controlling guide information producing means so as to change a
display mode of the guide information in accordance with relevant
information acquired by relevant information acquiring means.
16. A method for receiving broadcast content, comprising: a
relevant information acquiring step of acquiring, via a network,
relevant information on an operation for selecting the broadcast
content; and a controlling step of changing a function of the
operation for receiving the broadcast content in accordance with
the relevant information acquired in the relevant information
acquiring step.
17. A method for receiving television broadcasts by receiving means
and for receiving streaming broadcasts by communication means via a
network, comprising: a guide information producing step of
producing guide information for displaying a program guide for
television broadcast programs and a program guide for streaming
broadcast programs on the same screen; and an outputting step of
outputting to a display device image data on the television
broadcasts, image data on the streaming broadcasts, and the guide
information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to receiving apparatuses and
receiving methods, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of
receiving television broadcasts and streaming broadcasts.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Recently, due to improvements in network technology such as
asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL), high-speed
internet-access services, that is, broadband, are rapidly becoming
commonplace. Broadband technology allows sufficient transfer rate
for video signals of an image quality suitable for television
broadcasting or for video tape recorders (VTRs) that were
previously difficult to transfer in real time.
[0005] Streaming broadcasting is one of the services utilizing such
broadband technology. "Streaming" refers to technologies for
sequentially playing image and voice data in a server while
downloading them via a network. The use of streaming technology
allows moving image data with a large file size to be played
without waiting for them to download. Also, streaming technology
enables real-time distribution of moving images captured by a user.
Using streaming technology in a broadband environment allows users
to enjoy high-quality content through a personal computer
(hereinafter, referred to as a PC).
[0006] As broadband becomes commonplace, users search for content
that suits their tastes from among a vast amount of content
available on the Internet and enjoy streaming broadcasts.
Currently, such content searching is generally performed by using a
search engine or a portal site for streaming broadcasting.
[0007] At preset, streaming content is available in various
formats. There are standard formats such as MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3
(MP3) and WAV. Also, there are independent formats for respective
decoders typified by Windows (R) Media Player, RealVideo, and
QuickTime, and such formats may depend on the decoder version.
Moreover, there are various other decoders and corresponding
formats, such as HotMedia, FreeVOD, and SoftwareVision. The users,
where necessary, download such decoders or upgrade the version of
such decoders, and in some cases, the users must perform an
operation such as resetting various functions or restarting the PC.
A system for receiving streaming content of this type is disclosed
in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2001-359073.
[0008] There are now demands for static images or the like obtained
via the Internet or electronic mail or by a digital still camera to
be viewed on a television screen in much the same way as television
broadcasts are viewed. In light of the above background, the
present inventor(s) came up with an idea of incorporating streaming
broadcasting as a function of a television receiver. Accordingly,
even users who are not good at operating PCs can enjoy streaming
broadcasts through a television receiver.
[0009] However, in a case where television receivers are provided
with such a function to receive streaming broadcasts, there is a
possible problem of switching between media. In order to switch
from television broadcasting to the Internet or from the Internet
to static image display, there may be a procedure, such as
operating keys on a remote control or tracking the hierarchical
structure via a menu. If such operations are applied to a case
where streaming broadcasts are viewed through a television
receiver, the users must perform such troublesome operations every
time the users switch between television broadcasting and streaming
broadcasting. There may be needs of users to select and browse a
program without being aware of the difference in media, such as
television broadcasting and streaming broadcasting.
[0010] As described above, streaming broadcast content is widely
available on the Internet.
[0011] At present, the user uses a portal site or a search engine
as means for searching for content that suits the user's taste from
among the available content.
[0012] When using such search means, however, the user must spend a
very long time for searching. Moreover, the search results may not
meet the user's needs. Furthermore, content found by searching may
be in a format unsuitable for the user's decoder. In this case, the
user cannot view the content.
[0013] For television broadcasting, even with the increased number
of programs due to digitalization, service information (SI) or the
like included in television broadcast data provides a selection
environment such as an electronic program guide (EPG). The use of
the EPG allows desired content to be selected relatively easily
from among a lot of content. Also, by an additional function such
as category searching, many EPGs assist the users to perform a
selection operation.
[0014] In contrast, streaming broadcasting is not provided with
information such as SI. Thus, in streaming broadcasting, content
cannot be selected using an EPG as in the television
broadcasting.
[0015] Moreover, there is a problem in that various formats are
used for receiving streaming broadcasts. Users who are
inexperienced in operating the apparatus may be troubled by
complicated downloading and various setting operations.
[0016] A function to view streaming broadcasts and a user interface
are unnecessary for users who cannot view streaming broadcasts due
to the absence of an environment for viewing streaming broadcasts
and for users who do not desire to view streaming broadcasts even
with the presence of an environment for viewing streaming
broadcasts. Moreover, such function and user interface may cause
confusion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
receiving apparatus with an easy operation, and a receiving method
therefor.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
receiving apparatus and a receiving method capable of easily
selecting desired broadcast content when streaming broadcast
content, television broadcast content, or other content is received
and displayed.
[0019] According to an aspect of the present invention, a receiving
apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving broadcast
content; a guide information producing unit for producing guide
information on the broadcast content and for outputting the guide
information to a display device; a relevant information acquisition
unit for acquiring, via a network, relevant information on an
operation for receiving the broadcast content by the receiving
unit; and a control unit for controlling the guide information
producing unit so as to change a display mode of the guide
information in accordance with the relevant information acquired by
the relevant information acquisition unit.
[0020] For example, the relevant information may be information
required for receiving a predetermined type of broadcast content
from among a plurality of types of broadcast content. The control
unit may control the guide information producing unit so as to
display guide information on the predetermined type of broadcast
content.
[0021] The relevant information may be, for example, a software
module for receiving the predetermined type of broadcast
content.
[0022] The plurality of types of broadcast content may, for
example, be distributed from respective types of media.
[0023] More specifically, the plurality of types of broadcast
content may include television broadcast content that is
distributed via television broadcast waves and streaming broadcast
content that is distributed via the network. Also, the receiving
unit may, for example, include at least one tuner for receiving the
television broadcast waves and a communication connection unit for
connecting to the network.
[0024] The control unit may detect the type of broadcast content
that is receivable by the receiving unit on the basis of the
relevant information. Also, the control unit may control the guide
information producing unit so as to change the display mode of the
guide information in accordance with the detected results.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving
broadcast content; a relevant information acquisition unit for
acquiring, via a network, relevant information on an operation for
selecting the broadcast content by the receiving unit; and a
control unit for changing a function of the operation for receiving
the broadcast content performed by the receiving unit in accordance
with the relevant information acquired by the relevant information
acquisition unit.
[0026] The control unit may change search functions for a plurality
of the broadcast content in accordance with the relevant
information.
[0027] The control unit may change a reservation function for
receiving the broadcast content in accordance with the relevant
information.
[0028] The receiving apparatus may further include a selecting unit
for selecting desired relevant information from among a plurality
of the relevant information. The relevant information acquisition
unit acquires relevant information selected by the selecting
unit.
[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving
television broadcasts; a communication unit for receiving streaming
broadcasts via a network; a guide information producing unit for
producing guide information for displaying a program guide for
television broadcast programs and a program guide for streaming
broadcast programs on the same screen; and an outputting unit for
outputting to a display device image data on the television
broadcasts, image data on the streaming broadcasts, and the guide
information.
[0030] The receiving apparatus may further include a selecting unit
for selecting a desired program using the guide information
displayed on the display device; and a control unit for controlling
the receiving unit, the communication unit, and the outputting unit
so as to output image data on a program selected by the selecting
unit to the display device.
[0031] The guide information producing unit may produce guide
information for displaying the television broadcast programs and
the streaming broadcast programs in the same format in one program
list.
[0032] The receiving apparatus may further include a selecting unit
for selecting a desired program by moving a cursor image for
selecting a display area from among a plurality of program display
areas in the program list between display areas of the television
broadcast programs and display areas of the streaming broadcast
programs.
[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for receiving broadcast content includes a guide information
producing step of producing guide information on the broadcast
content and of outputting the guide information to a display
device; a relevant information acquiring step of acquiring, via a
network, relevant information on an operation for receiving the
broadcast content by a receiving unit; and a controlling step of
controlling a guide information producing unit so as to change a
display mode of the guide information in accordance with relevant
information acquired by a relevant information acquiring unit.
[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for receiving broadcast content includes a relevant
information acquiring step of acquiring, via a network, relevant
information on an operation for selecting the broadcast content;
and a controlling step of changing a function of the operation for
receiving the broadcast content in accordance with the relevant
information acquired in the relevant information acquiring
step.
[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method for receiving television broadcasts by a receiving unit and
for receiving streaming broadcasts by a communication unit via a
network includes a guide information producing step of producing
guide information for displaying a program guide for television
broadcast programs and a program guide for streaming broadcast
programs on the same screen; and an outputting step of outputting
to a display device image data on the television broadcasts, image
data on the streaming broadcasts, and the guide information.
[0036] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
the preferred embodiments (with reference to the attached
drawings).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a
receiving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the structure of TS data.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a remote control.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the structure of CPU software.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows an example of EPG display.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows full-screen display of a program being
broadcast.
[0043] FIG. 7 shows an example of a list of downloadable additional
modules.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process to display an EPG after
adding a module.
[0045] FIG. 9 shows an example of an integrated EPG screen.
[0046] FIG. 10 shows an example of a list of streaming content
information.
[0047] FIG. 11 is an illustration for explaining processing from
requiring streaming data to receiving the streaming data.
[0048] FIG. 12 shows person name information, which is an
additional SI module.
[0049] FIGS. 13A and 13B are illustrations for explaining search
menus before and after downloading an additional module,
respectively.
[0050] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the structure of a
receiving apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0051] FIG. 15 shows an example of multi-screen display.
[0052] FIG. 16 is an illustration for explaining a reservation
operation on an EPG display after a multi-screen reservation module
is obtained.
[0053] FIG. 17 is an illustration for explaining a display
operation performed in accordance with the multi-screen
reservation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] First Embodiment
[0055] A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the
structure of a digital television receiver 100 to which the present
invention is applicable.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, a signal received at an antenna (not
shown) is input to a tuner unit 101. The tuner unit 101 performs
processing on the input signal, such as demodulation and error
correction, and produces digital data in a format called a
transport stream. Then, the tuner unit 101 outputs the transport
stream (TS) data to a descrambler 102. If the TS data received from
the tuner unit 101 is scrambled for restricted viewing, the
descrambler 102 descrambles the TS data in accordance with
descrambling key information included in the TS data and with key
information output from an IC card control unit 117, and then
outputs the descrambled TS data to a demultiplexer 103.
[0057] The IC card control unit 117 is an IC card reader/writer in
which an IC card is removably provided. The IC card stores the
user's contract information and the key information used for
descrambling the descrambling key information included in the TS
data. If key information used for descrambling the descrambling key
information received from the descrambler 102 is included in the
data in the IC card, the IC card control unit 117 outputs the key
information to the descrambler 102. Predetermined descrambling may
be performed by storing different key information in respective IC
cards and exchanging the IC cards.
[0058] If the TS data received from the tuner unit 101 is not
scrambled, the descrambler 102 directly outputs the TS data to the
demultiplexer 103.
[0059] From among the TS data including different channels of image
and voice data, electronic program guide (EPG) data, data broadcast
data, and the like that are received from the descrambler 102 and
are time-division multiplexed, the demultiplexer 103 retrieves
image data D1 and voice data D2 on a program currently being
broadcast on a channel selected by an operation unit 114 or a
remote control 116. Then, the demultiplexer 103 outputs the image
data D1 and the voice data D2 to a video decoder 104 and an audio
decoder 105, respectively. The demultiplexer 103 also retrieves
data broadcast and EPG data D3 from the TS data and inputs the data
broadcast and EPG data D3 to a data stream processing unit 106. The
data broadcast and EPG data D3 processed by the data stream
processing unit 106 is captured into a memory 107 via a bus 120
connected to a CPU 118. After software processing, which will be
described below, by the CPU 118, the data broadcast and EPG data D3
is stored on a hard disc 121.
[0060] The TS data is transferred in units of packets and the
header of each packet contains a packet identification (PID). The
demultiplexer 103 reads the PID in order to distinguish among the
image data D1, the voice data D2, and the data broadcast and EPG
data D3.
[0061] FIG. 2 shows the structure of a TS signal. The data
broadcast and EPG data D3 includes various program information
tables relating to information inherent in a broadcast program,
such as a program association table (PAT), a program map table
(PMT), a network information table (NIT), an event information
table (EIT), and a time offset table (TOT). The data broadcast and
EPG data D3 will be described below.
[0062] The image data D1 will now be described. The video decoder
104 expands the compressed data, for example, it performs Moving
Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG2) decoding on the image data Dl
received from the demultiplexer 103, and outputs the decoded image
data D1 to a display control unit 109. The display control unit 109
selects display or multiplexes the image data D1 in accordance with
an operation of the operation unit 114 or the remote control 116,
and displays the image data D1 on an image display unit 112. If a
plurality of image data D1, voice data D2, and data broadcast and
EPG data D3 is received, they are combined in the display control
unit 109 and are output to the image display unit 112. A screen
forming unit 108 will be described below. The image display unit
112 includes a monitor and an image signal input terminal (not
shown).
[0063] The voice data D2 will now be described. The audio decoder
105 performs MPEG2 decoding on the voice data D2 received from the
demultiplexer 103, and outputs the decoded voice data D2 to a
digital to analog converter (DAC) 110. The DAC 110 converts the
voice data D2 received from the audio decoder 105 to an analog
signal and outputs it to a voice output unit 113. The voice output
unit 113 includes a speaker and a voice signal input terminal (not
shown).
[0064] The data broadcast and EPG data D3 will now be described.
The EPG data is transferred through a data structure that is
defined in the document entitled "Program Arrangement Information
Used in Digital Broadcasting" and the like of a standard published
by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB). Main
configuration data includes a service description table (SDT) for
transferring information on a programmed channel, such as a
programmed channel name and a broadcaster name, a bouquet
association table (BAT) for transferring information on a bouquet
(a group of programmed channels), such as a bouquet name and a
programmed channel included therein, an event information table
(EIT) for transferring information on a program, such as a program
name, a broadcast start date and time, a description of the
contents, and a time data table (TDT) for transferring information
on the current date and time.
[0065] FIG. 2 shows the structure of the data broadcast and EPG
data D3. The EPG data used in this embodiment is written as some
items and descriptors in the EIT. The EPG data is arranged in the
form of a so-called EPG and is displayed by the data stream
processing unit 106 and the screen forming unit 108. If streaming
content information, which will be described below, is included, an
EPG including the streaming content information added thereto is
displayed. In a header section of the EIT, the start time and
duration of the broadcast program as well as a table ID, a service
ID, and an event ID are written. In the next section of the EIT,
some descriptors are written. Among them, descriptors pertaining to
this embodiment will be described.
[0066] A short event descriptor describes the title (80 bytes or
less) and subtitle (160 bytes or less) of a program. An extended
event descriptor describes names of the actors, the scriptwriter,
the presenter, and the like, comments on the program, and the like.
A content descriptor describes the category of the broadcast
program. Categories include broad and narrow categories. The broad
categories include "news report", "sports", "drama", "movie",
"variety", and "education". The narrow categories are more detailed
categories than the broad categories. For example, "sports" is
divided into narrow categories, "soccer", "baseball", and
"Olympics". A parental rating descriptor describes an age not
permitted for viewing and/or listening. A digital copy control
descriptor describes restriction information on digital and analog
copying. A data content descriptor describes information on data
broadcasting relating to the program. A CA contract information
descriptor describes information on whether or not the user is
allowed to view or record the program to be charged for. An event
group descriptor describes information on sharing and group
formation of events and link information on event relay. A
component descriptor describes information on a combination of
components within an event on a multi-view TV. A series descriptor
describes information on a series, rebroadcasting, and the
like.
[0067] The operation of EPG display will now be described. When an
operation to display the EPG is performed by the operation unit 114
or the remote control 116, an instruction to display the EPG from
the operation unit 114 or an instruction to display the EPG
received from a light-receiving unit 115 through the remote control
116 is input to the CPU 118. When the EPG display instruction is
received from the operation unit 114 or the light-receiving unit
115, the CPU 118 reads necessary information from the memory 107
and outputs it to the data stream processing unit 106. The read
information is program information on a channel selected in
accordance with the operation of the operation unit 114 or the
remote control 116. When an image screen is changed to an EPG
screen in accordance with the EPG display instruction from the
operation unit 114 or the remote control 116, the CPU 118 reads a
channel that was displayed on the last EPG screen from the memory
107, and also reads information on a program being broadcast at a
time corresponding to the current time from the memory 107.
[0068] As described above, the data broadcast and EPG data D3
includes data such as the SDT, the EIT, and the TDT. The data
stream processing unit 106 reads the TDT to retrieve information on
the current time and outputs the information on the current time to
the CPU 118. The CPU 118 receives the information on the current
time and determines a time for EPG display corresponding to the
current time and outputs the appropriate time information to the
data stream processing unit 106. Then, the data stream processing
unit 106 reads the SDT from the memory 107 in accordance with the
time information received from the CPU 118 in order to check the
presence or absence of a program list and to obtain names of
channels of the present and other streams, channel numbers, and the
like. Moreover, the data stream processing unit 106 reads the EIT
from the memory 107 to obtain information on titles of programs on
channels of the present and other streams, starting times,
categories, and descriptions of the programs. Then, the data stream
processing unit 106 decodes the data broadcast and EPG data D3 read
from the memory 107 and outputs the decoded EPG data to the screen
forming unit 108.
[0069] The screen forming unit 108 outputs character signals for
generating a normal EPG screen to the display control unit 109 in
accordance with the EPG data received from the data stream
processing unit 106.
[0070] The display control unit 109 outputs an image signal to the
image display unit 112 in accordance with the operation of the
operation unit 114 or the remote control 116, in such a manner that
an image according to the image data output from the video decoder
104 or an EPG screen according to the character signals output from
the screen forming unit 108 is selectively displayed. When the
instruction to display the EPG screen is given by the operation
unit 114 or the remote control 116, the display control unit 109
outputs to the image display unit 112 the character signals output
from the screen forming unit 108.
[0071] The channel information displayed on the image display unit
112 is stored in the memory 107. Thus, the channel information can
be read from the memory 107 and the EPG screen can be redisplayed
as described above when the EPG screen is displayed the next time.
If streaming content information is retrieved, an EPG including the
streaming content information added thereto is displayed. The
streaming information will be described below.
[0072] For data broadcasting, digital data is repeatedly sent from
a broadcast station in accordance with a DSM-CC data carousel
defined in ISO/IEC13818-6. The data broadcast data filtered by the
demultiplexer 103 includes text information, script information,
image information, and image and voice data. The text information
is described in accordance with the extensible Markup Language
(XML) defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
[0073] In the data stream processing unit 106, the data broadcast
and EPG data D3 is decoded into EPG data composed of text
information and image information and data broadcast data composed
of text information, image information, and image and voice data.
Then, the decoded data is input to the memory 107 via the bus 120.
After processing the data broadcast data, the CPU 118 stores the
processed data, including XML data for display, on the hard disc
121.
[0074] When receiving an instruction to display data broadcasts
from the operation unit 114 or the light-receiving unit 115, the
CPU 118 reads the XML data for display from the hard disc 121 and
outputs it to the screen forming unit 108.
[0075] The screen forming unit 108 outputs the image signal to the
display control unit 109 in accordance with the data processed by
and output from the CPU 118. The display control unit 109 outputs
the image signal to the image display unit 112 so as to selectively
display the image screen, the data broadcast screen, or the like or
to display a composite screen, as described above.
[0076] An IEEE 1394 interface 122 is connected to the bus 120. The
IEEE 1394 interface 122 is used for the digital television receiver
100 to perform protocol communication with a video tape recorder
(VTR) 130 and a printer 131 that are externally connected to the
digital television receiver 100.
[0077] FIG. 3 shows an example of the remote control 116. In FIG.
3, only keys for operating functions required for explaining this
embodiment are shown. Thus, keys required for practical receivers
are not limited to them.
[0078] Also, in addition to the remote control 116 shown in FIG. 3,
a pointing device such as a mouse may be used.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 3, the remote control 116 includes a
light-emitting unit 300 for infrared communication between the
remote control 116 and the light-receiving unit 115 shown in FIG.
1, a power key 301 for switching on and off the power, an EPG
display key 302 for instructing EPG display, a channel up/down key
303 for selecting channels in the tuned order, numeric keys 304 for
channel selection, cursor keys 305 for moving a selection cursor in
four directions (up, down, left, and right), a set key 309 for
confirming the selection of an area designated by the selection
cursor, and color keys 306 of the four colors blue, red, green, and
yellow, which are arranged from left to right. The remote control
116 also includes a cancel key 307 for cancellation of a wrong key
operation, a menu key 308 for displaying a menu screen, a data key
310 for displaying data broadcasts, and a download key 311 for
displaying a downloadable module, described below. Other keys
illustrated in FIG. 3 are used for various functions of the digital
television receiver. Since, however, these keys are not used for
the operations described in this embodiment, a detailed explanation
for them is omitted here.
[0080] The CPU 118 includes a program execution unit. The CPU 118
controls the tuner unit 101, the descrambler 102, the demultiplexer
103, the video decoder 104, the audio decoder 105, the data stream
processing unit 106, the screen forming unit 108, the display
control unit 109, and the DAC 110 in accordance with the operation
of the operation unit 114 or the remote control 116, including
operation switches for channel selection, power on/off, and the
like.
[0081] FIG. 4 shows the structure of control software executed by
the CPU 118. Referring to FIG. 4, graphical user interface (GUI)
software a is a core part of signal processing in this embodiment.
Each piece of control software b to h functions as interface
software (driver) for controlling the processing circuits shown in
FIG. 1.
[0082] A feature of the present invention is that a module for
decoding streaming broadcast data and a module for controlling data
on streaming content description are dynamically incorporated
through a communication control unit. A streaming information
control module j and a streaming decoder k shown in FIG. 4
represent such downloaded modules. An EPG application i performs
EPG display and reservation control. In this embodiment, as
described below, display contents and the function of the EPG
application i can be dynamically changed depending on the
downloaded module.
[0083] FIG. 5 shows an example of an EPG screen according to this
embodiment. The EPG shown in FIG. 5 is in a state before
downloading a module for receiving streaming broadcasts.
[0084] An EPG full screen 500 is shown in FIG. 5. Means for
extracting the EPG data from the TS data and for displaying the
extracted EPG data on the image display unit 112 is the same as in
the description above. In a normal EPG screen 501, a longitudinal
axis 502 represents a temporal axis covering five hours and a
lateral axis 503 represents a channel axis covering three channels.
Although programs on the three channels for five hours are
displayed here, the number of displayed programs is not limited to
this as long as the EPG data can be obtained.
[0085] The user moves a focused area 504 displayed on the EPG
screen 501 to a desired program using the cursor keys 305 of the
remote control 116 for desired operations. The focused area 504 for
channel selection can be moved only within the EPG screen 501. A
program at a time and on a channel not displayed can be displayed
by scrolling. If the user operates the set key 309 while focusing
on a program that is currently being broadcast, the program can be
viewed in the full-screen mode (shown in FIG. 6). If the user
operates the set key 309 while focusing on a program that will be
broadcast in the future, a viewing or recording reservation for the
program can be made. If a viewing or recording reservation is made,
a reservation confirmation icon 505 is displayed. The name and
start time of each program are shown in a program name and start
time display part 506. A date corresponding to the program list
displayed in the EPG is displayed in a date display part 507. If
the program highlighted by focusing is currently being broadcast,
the program is displayed in a focused program display screen 508.
If the program highlighted by focusing will be broadcast in the
future, the program that is currently being broadcast by the same
broadcast station that will broadcast the highlighted program in
the future is displayed in the focused program display screen 508.
An operation guide for indicating an operation procedure to the
user is displayed in an operation guide display part 509.
[0086] A procedure for downloading an extension module will now be
described. In this embodiment, a streaming broadcast viewing module
is downloaded as an extension module.
[0087] Operation of the download key 311 of the remote control 116
by the user allows a download module list 700 shown in FIG. 7 to be
displayed. The CPU 118 receives the input from the download key 311
and accesses a predetermined server on the Internet through a
communication control unit 123 in order to retrieve a download
table in which information for displaying the latest download
module list is written. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the
server is provided by a receiver manufacturer. The download table
downloaded from the server is temporarily stored in the memory 107.
The CPU 118 compares the module currently held and the download
table temporarily stored in the memory 107 to determine whether or
not a new module can be downloaded. Here, items such as the module
version, date and time of module creation, file size, and the like
are compared. Then, the CPU 118 displays the results to the user as
a download module list.
[0088] In the download module list 700, only downloadable modules
can be selected. The user focuses on a desired module using the
cursor keys 305 of the remote control 116 and operates the set key
309 in order to download a new module (or to update an existing
module). If a selected download module includes a submenu 702, the
submenu 702 can be displayed by operating a right cursor key of the
remote control 116 while focusing on a desired module in a main
menu 701. The method for selecting the submenu 702 is the same as
in the method for selecting the main menu 701.
[0089] The downloaded module is temporarily stored in the memory
107 through the communication control unit 123 and is then stored
on the hard disc 121. Accordingly, the structure of the control
software executed by the CPU 118 shown in FIG. 4 is arranged such
that the streaming broadcast viewing module (the streaming
information control module and the streaming decoder) is added as a
new module. The communication control unit 123 uses a communication
protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), or Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol (HTTP).
[0090] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU
118 to display the EPG to the user. The user presses the EPG
display key 302 of the remote control 116 to start the process. The
CPU 118 receives the input from the EPG display key 302 and starts
the EPG application i. The EPG application i retrieves EPG data
from the TS data, as described above, and analyzes the EPG data
(step S801). After the analysis, the EPG application i outputs
character signals for generating a normal EPG screen for television
broadcasts to the display control unit 109 through the screen
forming unit 108 (step S802). Then, the EPG application i asks the
memory 107 whether or not there is a streaming broadcast viewing
module as a download module (step S803). If there is no streaming
broadcast viewing module, only the EPG for television broadcasts
shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (step S804).
[0091] In contrast, if there is a streaming broadcast viewing
module, in other words, if streaming broadcasts can be viewed, the
EPG for television broadcasts is displayed (step S805) and then the
EPG application i accesses, through the communication control unit
123, a site for providing streaming content information (step S806)
while the user browses or operates the EPG for television
broadcasts. The EPG application i retrieves EPG data for streaming
broadcasts from the site and analyzes the EPG data (step S807).
After changing the format of the EPG data for streaming broadcasts
to a format equal to that of the EPG data for television
broadcasts, the EPG application i outputs the EPG data for
streaming broadcasts to the screen forming unit 108. The screen
forming unit 108 generates a display screen in such a manner that
the received EPG data for streaming broadcasts is in the same
format as that of the EPG for television broadcasts that is
currently displayed, and prepares for the display (step S808).
Then, in response to the user's request, an integrated EPG screen
for television broadcasts and streaming broadcasts is displayed
(step S809).
[0092] Although various display modes of the integrated EPG screen
for television and streaming broadcasts are possible, a mode shown
in FIG. 9 is used in this embodiment.
[0093] The integrated EPG screen for television broadcasts and
streaming broadcasts will be described with reference to FIG. 9.
The EPG shown in FIG. 9 is an EPG for providing an environment for
channel selection to the user without the user being aware of the
difference in media, namely television and streaming. As soon as
preparation for displaying the EPG for streaming broadcasts is
completed, the integrated EPG screen including a broadcast frame
for the EPG for streaming broadcasts added thereto is displayed
instead of the EPG screen only for television broadcasts. Here, the
longitudinal axis represents time and the lateral axis represents
broadcast stations. Broadcast station information includes
information on the television broadcast station and information on
the streaming broadcast station and both types of information are
displayed at the same time.
[0094] The user moves the focus to a desired program using the
cursor keys 305 of the remote control 116, as in the operation of
the normal EPG for television broadcasts. A program of a broadcast
station not displayed can be displayed by moving the focus to the
right or left edge and by moving further in the same direction in
order to scroll the entire or a part of the screen. In order to
seamlessly display a program guide for streaming broadcasts, the
focus is moved to a television broadcast program guide for the last
television broadcast station 900 and is then further moved in the
same direction.
[0095] A live broadcast program guide 901 for a streaming broadcast
station for live broadcasts is displayed in a format similar to
that for television broadcasts. In an on-demand broadcast program
guide 902 for a streaming broadcast station for on-demand
broadcasts, the start time is determined by the user. Thus, the
start time of an on-demand program 903 is always equal to the
current time. Also, the end time is calculated by adding the
broadcast duration to the current time, and the on-demand broadcast
program guide 902 are displayed in the same format as the normal
television broadcast program guide.
[0096] An operation for acquiring the EPG data for streaming will
be described. The streaming control module (the EPG application i
shown in FIG. 4) receives an acquisition request for the EPG data
from the CPU 118 and accesses a predetermined uniform resource
locater (URL) through the communication control unit 123. A Web
server designated by the URL provides streaming content and
information on the streaming content. In this embodiment, it is
assumed that the Web server is provided by the receiver
manufacturer. More particularly, the Web server is a site for
providing a list for streaming content information, as shown in
FIG. 10.
[0097] The information is written in the same format as that of
information such as the SDT and the EIT that can be retrieved from
the data broadcast and EPG data D3. If an appropriate broadcast
start time is stored, it is determined to be a live broadcast. If
an appropriate broadcast start time is not stored, it is determined
to be an on-demand broadcast. The preview image shown in FIG. 10
represents static image data for displaying a streaming broadcast
program 905 on a slave screen 904 in FIG. 9 when the streaming
broadcast program 905 is focused on using the cursor keys 305 of
the remote control 116 during the EPG operation.
[0098] Processing for receiving, decoding, and displaying streaming
data used in this embodiment will now be described with reference
to FIG. 11. When the user selects desired streaming content by
operating the remote control 116, the EPG application retrieves a
URL from streaming content information of a corresponding program.
A request for an information file is given to a Web server
designated by the URL (1100). The information file is sent to the
EPG application from the requested Web server (1101). The location,
protocol, and the like of the streaming server are written in the
information file. The EPG application receives the information file
and activates the streaming decoder to provide the information file
to the streaming decoder (1102).
[0099] The streaming decoder establishes an interactive TCP
connection with the streaming server on the basis of the received
information file (1103). This allows control by a designated
streaming protocol. The streaming server establishes a one-way UDP
connection with the streaming decoder and starts to send content in
accordance with an instruction from this protocol (1104). In
accordance with such a procedure, the streaming content selected on
the EPG by the user is played.
[0100] The streaming decoder and the streaming content are
downloaded from a site provided by the digital television receiver
manufacturer. Thus, the user can enjoy streaming content without
being particularly aware of the type of file format or the type and
version of the decoder.
[0101] In this embodiment, after receiving, analyzing, and
displaying the EPG data for television broadcasts, the data for
streaming broadcasts is received, analyzed, and displayed. However,
both the processing may be performed in parallel.
[0102] Although the site for providing streaming content
information is operated by a receiver manufacturer in this
embodiment, a broadcast station or the like may operate such a
site. Also, Web sites may be added and modified when setting up the
EPG. If there is a difference between the formats of the streaming
files depending on the provider sites, a corresponding decoder can
be downloaded at the same time.
[0103] Although the streaming content information is retrieved
after pressing an EPG key in this embodiment, the streaming content
information can be automatically retrieved in the background while
not operated by the user.
[0104] As described above, according to this embodiment, for a case
where a function to receive streaming content is provided, an
integrated EPG screen is displayed in which an EPG for streaming
broadcasts is added to a normal EPG for television broadcasts. A
desired program is selected from among the programs displayed in
the EPG and the selected program is played and displayed. Thus, the
user can easily select a desired program without being aware of the
difference in media, such as television and streaming
broadcasting.
[0105] Second Embodiment
[0106] The features of a download module in a second embodiment of
the present invention are different from that in the first
embodiment. The structure of a receiver according to the second
embodiment is similar to that of the digital television receiver
100 in the first embodiment. Only points different from the first
embodiment will be described below.
[0107] In this embodiment, a new search system not included in the
known EPG is provided by downloading an additional SI module.
[0108] In this embodiment, a list of downloadable modules is
obtained and displayed in the same manner as in the first
embodiment. A user selects a new search condition from the module
list shown in FIG. 7 and then selects a desired search system from
a submenu using the remote control 116. Accordingly, a new SI
module and search engine software are downloaded.
[0109] The CPU 118 acquires all the SI modules for media through
which the modules can be received and displayed. For example, if
data can be received through four types of media, such as
terrestrial broadcasting, broadcasting satellite, communications
satellite broadcasting, and streaming broadcasting, four SI modules
corresponding to such media are acquired. Since the SI modules
received here change over time (in response to changes in the
broadcast programs), the EPG application periodically obtains the
same corresponding modules in a similar manner. Thus, the latest
modules are always held in the hard disc 121.
[0110] FIG. 12 shows person name information, which is an
additional SI module downloaded in this embodiment.
[0111] Referring to FIG. 12, media ID represents an ID indicating
the type of media, that is, terrestrial broadcasting, broadcasting
satellite, communications satellite broadcasting, or the like.
Service ID and event ID represent a broadcaster's name and a
program name, respectively, as in those defined as EPG data. A
person name descriptor functions as the core of person name
information and describes the number of person names described
therein and the entire size of the descriptor. The person name
descriptor also describes a person name on a text basis.
Downloading the person name information as an additional SI module
is equal to obtaining this data for a display period (two
weeks).
[0112] The user operates a predetermined key of the color keys 306
of the remote control 116 during the EPG display in order to search
for a program. For a normal search function in which the additional
SI module is not downloaded, the key operation by the user causes a
normal search menu 1300 shown in FIG. 13A to be displayed. The user
can select a desired search condition by moving a focus on the
search menu 1300 using the cursor keys 305 of the remote control
116 and operating the set key 309. When using the normal function,
however, only a category search 1301 can be performed.
[0113] When downloading of the SI module and the search engine are
completed, the EPG application displays a search menu 1302 shown in
FIG. 13B, instead of the normal search menu 1300 shown in FIG. 13A,
as a search menu display. More specifically, a person search 1303,
which is a new search condition corresponding to the downloaded
additional SI module, as well as the category search originally
provided as a search condition, is displayed. The user can use such
search functions by operating the cursor keys 305 and the set key
309 of the remote control 116.
[0114] Although the module for person searching and the search
engine are downloaded as an additional SI module in this
embodiment, other SI modules and search engines corresponding to a
high-quality search, a text search, and the like may be
downloaded.
[0115] As described above, in this embodiment, all the SI modules
that are receivable through media are downloaded, and therefore,
users can use the functions of the downloaded SI modules by
performing predetermined operations during the display of the
integrated EPG screen. Thus, the users can utilize various
functions with easy operations.
[0116] Third Embodiment
[0117] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0118] In this embodiment, a new reservation system not included in
the known EPG is provided by downloading a multi-screen reservation
function as an additional module.
[0119] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the structure of the
digital television receiver 100 according to this embodiment. In
FIG. 14, similar components as in FIG. 1 are referred to with the
same reference numerals and the descriptions of those same
components will not be repeated here.
[0120] Referring to FIG. 14, tuner units 101a and 101b perform
processing on input signals, such as demodulation and error
correction, and produce digital data in a format called a transport
stream. The tuner units 101a and 101b output the TS data to the
descrambler 102. As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the
digital television receiver 100 includes two tuner units 101a and
101b, and thus each of the descrambler 102, the demultiplexer 103,
the video decoder 104, the audio decoder 105, and the data stream
processing unit 106 receives the TS data from the tuner units 101a
and 101b and processes the received TS data.
[0121] The display control unit 109 has an image composing function
for displaying a plurality of images at the same time. Screen
composition controlling software that is executed by the CPU 118
controls images from at most two pieces of TS data and displays the
composite screen as a so-called multi-screen. FIG. 15 shows an
example of multi-screen display. Referring to FIG. 15, a subscreen
1501 is displayed within a main screen 1500.
[0122] In this embodiment, a list of downloadable modules is
obtained and displayed in the same manner as in the first
embodiment. A user selects the multi-screen reservation from the
module list shown in FIG. 7 using the remote control 116 and then
selects the number of screens to be displayed from a submenu.
Accordingly, new software for reservation control is
downloaded.
[0123] FIG. 16 shows a state in which the multi-screen reservation
is performed on the EPG display after obtaining the multi-screen
reservation module.
[0124] The user selects a selection area 1600 for a reservation
corresponding to a program for viewing or recording reservation
using the cursor keys 305 of the remote control 116. After
operating the set key 309, a reservation select menu 1601 for
selecting viewing reservation or recording reservation is displayed
as a pull-down menu. Then, after selecting a desired operation from
the reservation select menu 1601 using the remote control 116, a
configuration select menu 1602 for selecting the configuration of a
multi-screen on which the corresponding program is displayed is
also displayed as a pull-down menu. The user sets the desired
display configuration using the cursor keys 305 of the remote
control 116 to complete the multi-screen reservation.
[0125] FIG. 17 shows a state when a display operation is performed
in accordance with the multi-screen reservation. When a viewing
reservation to display a reserved program on the left screen of
two-screen display is made, two screens are displayed in such a
manner that, at the broadcast time of the reserved program, the
program that was being viewed is displayed in a right screen 1701
and the reserved program is displayed in a left screen 1700.
[0126] Other processing is performed in the same manner as in the
embodiments described above.
[0127] As described above, in this embodiment, if a two-screen
(multi-screen) display function is provided, a module for realizing
a multi-screen reservation function is downloaded via a network.
With predetermined operations on the EPG display, users can use the
multi-screen reservation function by changing the display mode of
the screen in accordance with the downloaded module. Thus, the
users can use the new function with easy operations.
[0128] Although, in this embodiment, the digital television
receiver 100 includes two tuner units 101a and 101b, three or more
tuner units may be provided to compose a screen.
[0129] As described above, according to the present invention, a
display mode of guide information is changed in accordance with
information on an operation for receiving broadcast content. Thus,
users can select a desired program using a guide screen appropriate
for receiving broadcast content.
[0130] While the present invention has been described with
reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the
invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and equivalent structures and functions.
* * * * *