U.S. patent application number 11/185950 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for electronic apparatus, display controlling method for electronic apparatus and graphical user interface.
Invention is credited to Daisuke Inaishi, Yuji Ishimura, Satoshi Kanda, Ko Kusanagi, Kenichi Moriwaki, Kazuto Nishizawa, Shimon Sakai, Daisuke Sato, Hiroshi Sato, Masahiro Urano, Shingo Utsuki.
Application Number | 20060024021 11/185950 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35732314 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060024021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Utsuki; Shingo ; et
al. |
February 2, 2006 |
Electronic apparatus, display controlling method for electronic
apparatus and graphical user interface
Abstract
A graphical user interface is disclosed which achieves an easy
search for a desired item. When an operation inputting section
accepts a selective operation input for selection of one of plural
processing functions, plural representation images individually
representing plural processing object items of the processing
function are displayed in an array along one direction of a display
screen such that one of the representation images can be selected
as a noticed representation image by an inputting operation through
the operation inputting section. A decision section decides whether
or not plural processing object items of the selected processing
function are divided in a plurality of groups. If the processing
object items are divided in groups, then the group name of the
group to which the processing object item of the noticed
representation image belongs is displayed in the proximity of the
noticed representation image.
Inventors: |
Utsuki; Shingo; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Nishizawa; Kazuto; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Inaishi; Daisuke; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kusanagi; Ko;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Sato; Hiroshi; (Kanagawa, JP)
; Sato; Daisuke; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Moriwaki;
Kenichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kanda; Satoshi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ishimura; Yuji; (Tokyo, JP) ; Sakai;
Shimon; (Tokyo, JP) ; Urano; Masahiro;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Family ID: |
35732314 |
Appl. No.: |
11/185950 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/230 ;
348/E5.105; 386/231; 386/241; 386/E5.043 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/44543 20130101;
H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 5/782 20130101;
H04N 21/4332 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/23109
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/046 ;
386/125 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/76 20060101
H04N005/76; H04N 5/781 20060101 H04N005/781 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 22, 2004 |
JP |
P2004-213795 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a processing function
execution section for executing a plurality of processing
functions; a display data storage section for storing a plurality
of display data of representation images individually representing
a plurality of processing object items of the processing functions
individually with regard to the plural processing functions; an
operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a
user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal; a
representation image display order data storage section for
storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing
functions, representation image display order data including data
relating to an array order when the plural representation images
are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the
plural processing object items of the processing functions are
divided into a plurality of groups, coordination data between names
of the groups and data relating to the array order in the
individual groups; and a display control section for displaying,
when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation
input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, the
plural representation images using the display data stored in said
display data storage section and the representation image display
order data stored in said representation image display order data
storage section such that the plural representation images are
arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the
plural representation images can be selected as a noticed
representation image in response to an operation input through said
operation inputting section; said display control section including
a decision section for deciding, when said operation inputting
section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of
the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural
processing object items of the selected processing function is
divided in a plurality of groups, and a group name displaying
section for displaying, when said decision section decides that the
plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of
groups, the group names of the groups to which the processing
object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the
proximity of the noticed representation image based on the storage
contents of said representation image display order data storage
section.
2. The electronic apparatus according claim 1, wherein said display
control section displays the plural representation images
translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the
image of the image content displayed on said display screen.
3. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a display data storage
section for storing a plurality of display data of representation
images which individually represent a plurality of processing
object items; an operation inputting section for accepting an
operation input of a user and outputting a corresponding operation
output signal; a presenting and accepting section for presenting an
operation screen for dividing the plural processing object items
into groups to the user and accepting grouping information of the
plural processing object items in response to an operation input of
the user through the operation screen and said operation inputting
section; a representation image display order data storage section
for performing grouping of the plural processing object items based
on the grouping information and storing representation image
display order data relating to an array order when the plural
representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and
including coordination data between the group names of the groups
and the data relating to the array order in the groups; and a
display control section for displaying the plural representation
images using the display data stored in said display data storage
section and the representation image display order data stored in
said representation image display order data storage section such
that the plural representation images are arrayed along one
direction of said display screen and one of the plural
representation images can be selected as a noticed representation
image in response to an operation input through said operation
inputting section and displaying the group names of the groups to
which the processing object item of the noticed representation
image belongs in the proximity of the noticed representation
image.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising: a broadcast program reception section; a content
storage section for storing data of a broadcast program content
received by said broadcast program reception section and reading
out any of data of broadcast program contents in response to a
readout instruction; and a representation image production section
for producing display data of the display images regarding the
broadcast program contents stored in said contents storage section;
said display data storage section storing the display data,
produced by said representation image production section, of the
representation images regarding the broadcast program contents
stored in said contents storage section; the readout instruction to
read out, when the noticed representation image is selected and
finally decided, the selected and finally decided broadcast program
content being generated to perform reproduction of the selected and
finally decided broadcast program content.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
information included in electronic program guide data regarding the
broadcast program contents is used as the grouping information.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
display control section displays the plural representation images
translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the
image of the image content displayed on said display screen.
7. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a processing function
execution section for executing a plurality of processing
functions; a display data storage section for storing a plurality
of display data of representation images individually representing
a plurality of processing object items of the processing functions
individually with regard to the plural processing functions; an
operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a
user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal; a
representation image display order data storage section for
storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing
functions, representation image display order data including data
relating to an array order when the plural representation images
are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the
plural processing object items of the processing functions are
divided into a plurality of groups, coordination data between names
of the groups and data relating to the array order in the
individual groups; and a display control section for displaying,
when said operation inputting section accepts a selection operation
input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, the
plural representation images using the display data stored in said
display data storage section and the representation image display
order data stored in said representation image display order data
storage section such that the plural representation images are
arrayed along one direction of said display screen and one of the
plural representation images can be selected as a noticed
representation image in response to an operation input through said
operation inputting section; said display control section including
a decision section for deciding, when said operation inputting
section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of
the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural
processing object items of the selected processing function is
divided in a plurality of groups, and a bar displaying section for
additionally displaying, when said decision section decides that
the plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of
groups, a bar display which is divided in accordance with the
plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional portions
thereof, a mark including a group name display and indicating at
which position the noticed representation image is positioned in an
array of the plural representation images including the noticed
representation image on said display screen.
8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bar
display is displayed on said display screen when scrolling is
performed in accordance with a scrolling instruction of the plural
display images inputted through said operation inputting
section.
9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said
display control section displays the plural representation images
translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the
image of the image content displayed on said display screen.
10. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a display data storage
section for storing a plurality of display data of representation
images which individually represent a plurality of processing
object items; an operation inputting section for accepting an
operation input of a user and outputting a corresponding operation
output signal; a presenting and accepting section for presenting an
operation screen for dividing the plural processing object items
into groups to the user and accepting grouping information of the
plural processing object items in response to an operation input of
the user through the operation screen and said operation inputting
section; a representation image display order data storage section
for performing grouping of the plural processing object items based
on the grouping information and storing representation image
display order data relating to an array order when the plural
representation images are to be displayed on a display screen and
including coordination data between the group names of the groups
and the data relating to the array order in the groups; and a
display control section for displaying the plural representation
images using the display data stored in said display data storage
section and the representation image display order data stored in
said representation image display order data storage section such
that the plural representation images are arrayed along one
direction of said display screen and one of the plural
representation images can be selected as a noticed representation
image in response to an operation input through said operation
inputting section and additionally displaying a bar display which
is divided in accordance with the plural groups and includes, at
each of the divisional portions thereof, a mark including a group
name display and indicating at which position the noticed
representation image is positioned in an array of the plural
representation images including the noticed representation image on
said display screen.
11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the bar
display is displayed on said display screen when scrolling is
performed in accordance with a scrolling instruction of the plural
display images inputted through said operation inputting
section.
12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, further
comprising: a broadcast program reception section; a content
storage section for storing data of a broadcast program content
received by said broadcast program reception section and reading
out any of data of broadcast program contents in response to a
readout instruction; and a representation image production section
for producing display data of the display images regarding the
broadcast program contents stored in said contents storage section;
said display data storage section storing the display data,
produced by said representation image production section, of the
representation images regarding the broadcast program contents
stored in said contents storage section; the readout instruction to
read out, when the noticed representation image is selected and
finally decided, the selected and finally decided broadcast program
content being generated to perform reproduction of the selected and
finally decided broadcast program content.
13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
information included in electronic program guide data regarding the
broadcast program contents is used as the grouping information.
14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said
display control section displays the plural representation images
translucently in an overlapping relationship on the screen of the
image of the image content displayed on said display screen.
15. A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus,
comprising: a step of storing a plurality of display data of
representation images individually representing a plurality of
processing object items regarding a plurality of processing
functions into a display data storage section individually with
regard to the plural processing functions; a step of accepting an
operation input of a user through an operation inputting section
and outputting a corresponding operation output signal; a step of
storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing
functions, representation image display order data including data
relating to an array order when the plural representation images
are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the
plural processing object items of the processing functions are
divided in a plurality of groups, coordination data between names
of the groups and data relating to the array order in the
individual groups into a representation image display order data
storage section; a decision step of deciding, when said operation
inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting
one of the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural
processing object items of the selected processing function is
divided in a plurality of groups; a first displaying step of
displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that the plural
processing object items are not divided in a plurality of groups,
the plural representation images using the display data stored in
said display data storage section and the representation image
display order data stored in said representation image display
order data storage section such that the plural representation
images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and
one of the plural representation images can be selected as a
noticed representation image in response to an operation input
through said operation inputting section; and a second displaying
step of displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that
the plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of
groups, the group names of the groups to which the processing
object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the
proximity of the noticed representation image based on the storage
contents of said representation image display order data storage
section in addition to the display displayed at the first
displaying step.
16. The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus
according to claim 15, wherein the display controlling step
displays the plural representation images translucently in an
overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image
content displayed on said display screen.
17. A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus,
comprising: a step of storing a plurality of display data of
representation images which individually represent a plurality of
processing object items into a display data storage section; a step
of accepting an operation input of a user through an operation
inputting section and outputting a corresponding operation output
signal; a step of presenting an operation screen for dividing the
plural processing object items into groups to the user; a step of
accepting grouping information of the plural processing object
items in response to an operation input of the user through the
presented operation screen for the division into groups and said
operation inputting section; a step of performing grouping of the
plural processing object items based on the grouping information
and storing representation image display order data relating to an
array order when the plural representation images are to be
displayed on a display screen and including coordination data
between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the
array order in the groups; and a display controlling step of
displaying the plural representation images using the display data
stored in said display data storage section and the representation
image display order data stored in said representation image
display order data storage section such that the plural
representation images are arrayed along one direction of said
display screen and one of the plural representation images can be
selected as a noticed representation image in response to an
operation input through said operation inputting section and
displaying the group names of the groups to which the processing
object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the
proximity of the noticed representation image.
18. The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus
according to claim 17, wherein the display controlling step
displays the plural representation images translucently in an
overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image
content displayed on said display screen.
19. A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus,
comprising: a step of storing a plurality of display data of
representation images individually representing a plurality of
processing object items regarding a plurality of processing
functions into a display data storage section individually with
regard to the plural processing functions; a step of accepting an
operation input of a user through an operation inputting section
and outputting a corresponding operation output signal; a step of
storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing
functions, representation image display order data including data
relating to an array order when the plural representation images
are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the
plural processing object items of the processing functions are
divided in a plurality of groups, coordination data between names
of the groups and data relating to the array order in the
individual groups into a representation image display order data
storage section; a decision step of deciding, when said operation
inputting section accepts a selection operation input for selecting
one of the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural
processing object items of the selected processing function is
divided in a plurality of groups; a first displaying step of
displaying, when it is decided at the decision step that the plural
processing object items are not divided in a plurality of groups,
the plural representation images using the display data stored in
said display data storage section and the representation image
display order data stored in said representation image display
order data storage section such that the plural representation
images are arrayed along one direction of said display screen and
one of the plural representation images can be selected as a
noticed representation image in response to an operation input
through said operation inputting section; and a second displaying
step of additionally displaying, when it is decided at the decision
step that the plural processing object items are divided in a
plurality of groups, a bar display which is divided in accordance
with the plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional
portions thereof, a mark including a group name display and
indicating at which position the noticed representation image is
positioned in an array of the plural representation images
including the noticed representation image on said display
screen.
20. The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus
according to claim 19, wherein the display controlling step
displays the plural representation images translucently in an
overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image
content displayed on said display screen.
21. A display controlling method for an electronic apparatus,
comprising: a step of storing a plurality of display data of
representation images which individually represent a plurality of
processing object items into a display data storage section; a step
of accepting an operation input of a user through an operation
inputting section and outputting a corresponding operation output
signal; a step of presenting an operation screen for dividing the
plural processing object items into groups to the user; a step of
accepting grouping information of the plural processing object
items in response to an operation input of the user through the
presented operation screen for the division into groups and said
operation inputting section; a step of performing grouping of the
plural processing object items based on the grouping information
and storing representation image display order data relating to an
array order when the plural representation images are to be
displayed on a display screen and including coordination data
between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the
array order in the groups; and a display controlling step of
displaying the plural representation images using the display data
stored in said display data storage section and the representation
image display order data stored in said representation image
display order data storage section such that the plural
representation images are arrayed along one direction of said
display screen and one of the plural representation images can be
selected as a noticed representation image in response to an
operation input through said operation inputting section and
additionally displaying a bar display which is divided in
accordance with the plural groups and includes, at each of the
divisional portions thereof, a mark including a group name display
and indicating at which position the noticed representation image
is positioned in an array of the plural representation images
including the noticed representation image on said display
screen.
22. The display controlling method for an electronic apparatus
according to claim 21, wherein the display controlling step
displays the plural representation images translucently in an
overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image
content displayed on said display screen.
23. A graphical user interface, comprising: a plurality of
representation images representing selection object items and
arrayed along one direction on a display screen; a noticed
representation image selected from among the plural representation
images being displayed emphatically at a fixed position on said
display screen; the representation images being changed in response
to a selection operation of the representation images through an
operating inputting section while explanation information of the
selection object items is displayed in the proximity of the
displaying positions of the representation images; and a bar
display displayed additionally on said display screen and including
a mark representing the position of the noticed representation
image in an array of the plural representation images.
24. The graphical user interface according to claim 23, wherein,
when the scrolling speed becomes a speed determined in advance, a
bar display including a mark representing the position of the
noticed representation image in the array of the plural
representation images additionally on said display screen.
25. The graphical user interface according to claim 24, wherein the
plural representation images are divided into a plurality of groups
based on attributes relating to the selection object items and the
plural representation images are arrayed collectively for each of
the groups while the bar display is divided into a plurality of
divisional portions in response to the plural groups and each of
the divisional portions of the bar display is provided with a group
display representing to which one of the groups the divisional
portion belongs.
26. The graphical user interface according to claim 23, wherein the
plural representation images are displayed translucently in an
overlapping relationship on the screen of the image of the image
content displayed on said display screen.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an electronic apparatus such as a
broadcast reception apparatus which can receive various types of
broadcasts such as, for example, terrestrial analog broadcasts,
terrestrial digital broadcasts, BS (Broadcasting Satellite)
broadcasts and CS (Communication Satellite) broadcasts and a
recording and/or reproduction apparatus and a display controlling
method for an electronic apparatus of the type mentioned.
[0002] Media used to provide image and music contents have been
diversified, and also contents provided have been diversified and
increased in quantity. For example, if only broadcasting media are
taken, terrestrial analog broadcasting, terrestrial digital
broadcasting, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting media and so forth
are available. Further, in the digital broadcasting media, the
number of available program channels is as great as, for example,
150 channels. Furthermore, not only television programs but also
radio programs and data broadcasting programs are provided by some
channels.
[0003] Conventionally, also a multimedia reproduction apparatus
which can reproduce contents of such various media as described
above has been proposed and is disclosed, for example, in Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-73418 (hereinafter referred to as
Patent Document 1) (which corresponds to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,990,884
and 6,370,550 and European Patent Application No. 875,837 A2).
[0004] Also a recording and/or reproduction apparatus has been
proposed wherein a hard disk apparatus having a large storage
capacity is used to record and reproduce a large amount of
broadcasting program contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Incidentally, where channel selection in such a reception
apparatus for multi-channel broadcasting programs as described
above or selection of a reproduction content from among recorded
contents in a recording and/or reproduction apparatus which
includes a storage apparatus of a large storage capacity is
performed merely such that a table of broadcasting channels or a
table of contents is displayed in the form of a list on a display
screen and a channel or a reproduction content is selected from
within the list display, it is very cumbersome to find out a
desired broadcasting channel or content.
[0006] Thus, in electronic apparatus of the type described such as
recording and/or reproduction apparatus and reception apparatus, a
graphical user interface is demanded by which a user can rapidly
search out a broadcasting program content of a broadcasting channel
which the user wants to enjoy or a recorded content which the user
wants to reproduce.
[0007] It is desirable to provide an electronic apparatus which
makes it possible to search out a processing object item
readily.
[0008] In order to desire described above, according to an
embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an
electronic apparatus including a processing function execution
section for executing a plurality of processing functions, a
display data storage section for storing a plurality of display
data of representation images individually representing a plurality
of processing object items of the processing functions individually
with regard to the plural processing functions, an operation
inputting section for accepting an operation input of a user and
outputting a corresponding operation output signal, a
representation image display order data storage section for
storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing
functions, representation image display order data including data
relating to an array order when the plural representation images
are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the
plural processing object items of the processing functions are
divided into a plurality of groups, coordination data between names
of the groups and data relating to the array order in the
individual groups, and a display control section for displaying,
when the operation inputting section accepts a selection operation
input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, the
plural representation images using the display data stored in the
display data storage section and the representation image display
order data stored in the representation image display order data
storage section such that the plural representation images are
arrayed along one direction of the display screen and one of the
plural representation images can be selected as a noticed
representation image in response to an operation input through the
operation inputting section, the display control section including
a decision section for deciding, when the operation inputting
section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of
the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural
processing object items of the selected processing function is
divided in a plurality of groups, and a group name displaying
section for displaying, when the decision section decides that the
plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of
groups, the group names of the groups to which the processing
object item of the noticed representation image belongs in the
proximity of the noticed representation image based on the storage
contents of the representation image display order data storage
section.
[0009] In the electronic apparatus, those of a plurality processing
functions whose processing object item number is great can be
divided into groups in advance. Then, a plurality of representation
images individually representing a plural number of processing
object items regarding one of the plurality of processing functions
which is selected by a user are displayed in a state wherein they
are arrayed in one direction on the display screen, and one of the
plural displayed representation images which is in a selected
condition is determined as a noticed representation image and is
displayed emphatically.
[0010] Then, it is decided whether or not a plurality of processing
object items relating to a processing function selected by the user
are divided in a plurality of groups. If it is decided that the
plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of
groups, then the group name of the group to which the processing
object item of the noticed representation image belongs is
displayed in the proximity of the noticed representation image
based on the stored contents of the representation image display
order data storage section.
[0011] Thus, in the electronic apparatus, where the number of
processing object items regarding a processing function is great,
the processing object items are divided into groups, and it is
displayed as a group name on the screen to which one of the groups
the noticed representation image belongs so that this may be
recognized by the user. Consequently, a search of the processing
object items can be performed easily by referring to the group
name.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided an electronic apparatus including a display data
storage section for storing a plurality of display data of
representation images which individually represent a plurality of
processing object items, an operation inputting section for
accepting an operation input of a user and outputting a
corresponding operation output signal, a presenting and accepting
section for presenting an operation screen for dividing the plural
processing object items into groups to the user and accepting
grouping information of the plural processing object items in
response to an operation input of the user through the operation
screen and the operation inputting section, a representation image
display order data storage section for performing grouping of the
plural processing object items based on the grouping information
and storing representation image display order data relating to an
array order when the plural representation images are to be
displayed on a display screen and including coordination data
between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the
array order in the groups, and a display control section for
displaying the plural representation images using the display data
stored in the display data storage section and the representation
image display order data stored in the representation image display
order data storage section such that the plural representation
images are arrayed along one direction of the display screen and
one of the plural representation images can be selected as a
noticed representation image in response to an operation input
through the operation inputting section and displaying the group
names of the groups to which the processing object item of the
noticed representation image belongs in the proximity of the
noticed representation image.
[0013] In the electronic apparatus, an operation screen for
grouping processing object items is provided to the user, and
consequently, the user can perform grouping of the processing
object items through the operation screen.
[0014] Further, also in the electronic apparatus, it is displayed
similarly as a group name on the screen to which one of groups a
noticed representation image belongs so that this may be recognized
by the user. Consequently, a search of the processing object items
can be performed easily by referring to the group name set by the
user itself and displayed corresponding to the noticed
representation image.
[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided electronic apparatus comprising a processing
function execution section for executing a plurality of processing
functions, a display data storage section for storing a plurality
of display data of representation images individually representing
a plurality of processing object items of the processing functions
individually with regard to the plural processing functions, an
operation inputting section for accepting an operation input of a
user and outputting a corresponding operation output signal, a
representation image display order data storage section for
storing, for the individual ones of the plural processing
functions, representation image display order data including data
relating to an array order when the plural representation images
are to be displayed on a display screen and including, where the
plural processing object items of the processing functions are
divided into a plurality of groups, coordination data between names
of the groups and data relating to the array order in the
individual groups, and a display control section for displaying,
when the operation inputting section accepts a selection operation
input for selecting one of the plural processing functions, the
plural representation images using the display data stored in the
display data storage section and the representation image display
order data stored in the representation image display order data
storage section such that the plural representation images are
arrayed along one direction of the display screen and one of the
plural representation images can be selected as a noticed
representation image in response to an operation input through the
operation inputting section, the display control section including
a decision section for deciding, when the operation inputting
section accepts a selection operation input for selecting one of
the plural processing functions, whether or not the plural
processing object items of the selected processing function is
divided in a plurality of groups, and a bar displaying section for
additionally displaying, when the decision section decides that the
plural processing object items are divided in a plurality of
groups, a bar display which is divided in accordance with the
plural groups and includes, at each of the divisional portions
thereof, a mark including a group name display and indicating at
which position the noticed representation image is positioned in an
array of the plural representation images including the noticed
representation image on the display screen.
[0016] According to a still further embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including a
display data storage section for storing a plurality of display
data of representation images which individually represent a
plurality of processing object items, an operation inputting
section for accepting an operation input of a user and outputting a
corresponding operation output signal, a presenting and accepting
section for presenting an operation screen for dividing the plural
processing object items into groups to the user and accepting
grouping information of the plural processing object items in
response to an operation input of the user through the operation
screen and the operation inputting section, a representation image
display order data storage section for performing grouping of the
plural processing object items based on the grouping information
and storing representation image display order data relating to an
array order when the plural representation images are to be
displayed on a display screen and including coordination data
between the group names of the groups and the data relating to the
array order in the groups, and a display control section for
displaying the plural representation images using the display data
stored in the display data storage section and the representation
image display order data stored in the representation image display
order data storage section such that the plural representation
images are arrayed along one direction of the display screen and
one of the plural representation images can be selected as a
noticed representation image in response to an operation input
through the operation inputting section and additionally displaying
a bar display which is divided in accordance with the plural groups
and includes, at each of the divisional portions thereof, a mark
including a group name display and indicating at which position the
noticed representation image is positioned in an array of the
plural representation images including the noticed representation
image on the display screen.
[0017] In the electronic apparatus according to the further
embodiment and the still further embodiment of the present
invention, representation images are divided into a plurality of
groups based on attributes relating to selection object items such
as, for example, the substance of processing function items or the
substance of processing object contents, and the display order of a
plurality of representation images on the display screen are
decided for each group. Then, a bar display which is displayed on
the screen during scrolling is divided in accordance with the
groups and includes a group name display indicating a group
corresponding to the divisional portion and a mark display
indicating at which position the noticed representation image is
positioned in the bar display.
[0018] Accordingly, the user can recognize in which group the mark
corresponding to the noticed representation image is positioned in
the bar display. Consequently, the user can easily recognize to
which group the noticed representation image belongs.
[0019] With all of the electronic apparatus above, even where the
number of processing object items such as broadcasting channels to
be selected or recorded contents to be selected is great, since the
plural processing object items are divided in groups and the group
name of the group to which a noticed object item of a noticed
representation image is displayed corresponding to the noticed
representation image, a processing object item can be searched
readily by referring to the displayed group name.
[0020] Particularly where a bar display including a mark which
indicates at which one of plural representation images the noticed
representation image is positioned is displayed on the screen, the
position of the noticed representation image from among the plural
representation images can be confirmed at a glance, which
facilitates a search for a representation image.
[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by
like reference symbols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware
configuration of a broadcast reception apparatus as an electronic
apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a relationship
between categories as a first item and a second item of a lower
hierarchy in the broadcast reception apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views showing examples of a
graphical user interface screen of the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating array
orders of the second items in the broadcast reception apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 9 to 12 are schematic views showing different examples
of the graphical user interface screen in the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIGS. 13 and 14 are flow charts illustrating a group setting
processing action of the broadcast reception apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0028] FIGS. 15A to 15E are diagrammatic views illustrating the
group setting processing action illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a different example of
the graphical user interface screen in the broadcast reception
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIGS. 17 to 21 are schematic views showing different
examples of the graphical user interface upon scrolling in the
broadcast reception apparatus of FIG. 1; and
[0031] FIGS. 22 to 26 are flow charts illustrating scrolling
processing action on the graphical user interface in the broadcast
reception apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] In the following, broadcast reception apparatus each as an
electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied are
described. The broadcast reception apparatus are configured so as
to receive broadcasting signals from a plurality of different types
of broadcasting media and cumulatively record received data of a
broadcasting program content into a storage section of a large
storage capacity. Further, the broadcast reception apparatus of the
embodiments of the present invention described below use an icon as
a representation image.
First Embodiment
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a
broadcast reception apparatus as an electronic apparatus according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, the broadcasting reception apparatus is
configured such that various broadcast reception sections and
various processing sections such as an image output display
section, a sound outputting section and an operation inputting
section are connected to a system bus 2 which is in turn connected
to a control section 1 formed from a microcomputer.
[0035] In particular, the broadcasting reception apparatus includes
a terrestrial analog broadcast reception section 11, a terrestrial
digital broadcast reception section 12, a BS broadcast reception
section 13 and a CS broadcast reception section 14 as the broadcast
reception sections. The terrestrial analog broadcast reception
section 11, terrestrial digital broadcast reception section 12, BS
broadcast reception section 13 and CS broadcast reception section
14 are connected to the system bus 2 through interfaces 15, 16, 17
and 18 provided therefor, respectively.
[0036] The terrestrial analog broadcast reception section 11
selectively receives existing terrestrial analog television
broadcasting signals and outputs an image signal (video signal) and
a sound signal (audio signal) to the system bus 2 through the
interface 15.
[0037] The terrestrial digital broadcast reception section 12 is
ready for digital television broadcasting, digital audio
broadcasting and data broadcasting and selectively receives and
decodes a broadcasting program in response to a selection operation
of a user. Then, the terrestrial digital broadcast reception
section 12 outputs an image signal (video signal), a sound signal
(audio signal) and data such as EPG (Electronic Programming Guide)
data to the system bus 2 through the interface 16.
[0038] The BS broadcast reception section 13 is ready for BS
television broadcasting, BS audio broadcasting and data
broadcasting and selectively receives and decodes a broadcasting
program in response to a selection operation of a user. Then, the
BS broadcast reception section 13 outputs an image signal (video
signal), a sound signal (audio signal) and data such as EPG data to
the system bus 2 through the interface 17.
[0039] The CS broadcast reception section 14 is ready for CS
television broadcasting, CS audio broadcasting and data
broadcasting and selectively receives and decodes a broadcasting
program in response to a selection operation of a user. Then, the
CS broadcast reception section 14 outputs an image signal (video
signal), a sound signal (audio signal) and data such as EPG data to
the system bus 2 through the interface 18.
[0040] Further, in the broadcasting reception apparatus shown in
FIG. 1, a monitor display unit 19 formed from a CRT (Cathode Ray
Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or the like is
connected as an image outputting display section to the system bus
2 through a display interface 20. Further, in the broadcasting
reception apparatus, a speaker 22 is connected as a sound
outputting section to the system bus 2 through a sound outputting
interface 21.
[0041] Further, in the broadcasting reception apparatus, a remote
controller transmitter 23 is provided as an operation inputting
section, and a remote controller reception section 24 for receiving
a remote control signal from the remote controller transmitter 23
is connected to the system bus 2. The remote controller transmitter
23 in the broadcasting reception apparatus includes at least
leftward and rightward direction indicating operation buttons and
upward and downward direction indicating operation buttons, a
"home" button, a "determination" button and a "return" button. In
response to an operation of any of such buttons by the user through
the remote controller transmitter 23, a selection instruction or
the like is performed on a graphical user interface screen.
[0042] It is to be noted that the leftward and rightward direction
indicating operation buttons and upward and downward direction
indicating operation buttons can be formed from, for example, a
cross-shaped upward, downward, leftward and rightward indicating
button, a joystick or some other element.
[0043] Further, a memory card drive 25, a clock section 26, an
external input/output interface 27, a communication interface 28
and a display image producing and outputting section 30, a display
data storage section 29 and an EPG retaining section 31 are
connected to the system bus 2. Further, a recording
encoding-reproduction decoding section 32, a content data storage
section 33 and a content management section 34 are connected to the
system bus 2.
[0044] The control section 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing
Unit), a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a working area RAM (Random
Access Memory) and so forth and executes various processes using
the working area RAM in accordance with a program written in the
program ROM.
[0045] Each of the broadcast reception sections 11 to 14 selects,
from among object broadcasting signals received by an antenna not
shown, a broadcasting program in response to a selection operation
of a user inputted through the remote controller transmitter 23 and
signals image data and sound data of the selected broadcasting
program or data received from a data broadcast to the system bus
2.
[0046] While the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment provides a broadcasting program to the user from one of
the broadcast reception sections 11 to 14, which one of the
broadcast reception sections 11 to 14 is to be selected depends
upon a selective operation input from the remote controller
transmitter 23 through a graphical user interface hereinafter
described.
[0047] The memory card drive 25 is provided to read data from a
memory card 40 inserted therein or write data into the memory card
40. The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can read out and write data from
and into various types of memory cards.
[0048] The clock section 26 provides information of the time at
present and calendar information. The clock section 26 is used also
for reservation setting of a broadcasting program and measurement
of times of various timers corresponding to such reservation
setting.
[0049] The external input/output interface 27 includes various
external input/output terminals such as video input/output
terminals, audio input/audio terminals and USB (Universal Serial
Bus) terminals and transfers signals between the input/output
terminals and the system bus 2.
[0050] The communication interface 28 is connected to a
communication line and is used to transmit, where a data broadcast
program is a bidirectional broadcast, a response signal to a
predetermined destination or acquire data broadcast contents from a
server apparatus through a network. It is to be noted that the
communication interface 28 may be used additionally to fetch data
such as data of a web content through the Internet or signal
predetermined information through the Internet.
[0051] The display data storage section 29 stores data of icons
which form the graphical user interface hereinafter described,
channel display data, and other display data such as character
data. Further, the display data storage section 29 produces and
stores icons or thumbnail images as representation images of
broadcasting program contents stored in the content data storage
section 33.
[0052] The display image producing and outputting section 30
produces an image to be displayed on the monitor display unit 19
under the control of the control section 1 and forms a display
control section together with the control section 1.
[0053] The display image producing and outputting section 30 stores
image data and music data from the broadcast reception sections 11
to 14 into an output buffer built therein. Further, the display
image producing and outputting section 30 acquires data for
displaying characters and symbols for the graphic user interface
from the display data storage section 29 and stores the data as
on-screen display data into an on-screen buffer built therein. The
on-screen display data are used to be displayed in an overlapping
relationship with a reproduced image displayed on the screen of the
monitor display unit 19. At this time, the data and the display
image are displayed such that the display image can be observed
from below, for example, through the overlapping image such as the
graphical user interface image.
[0054] The display image producing and outputting section 30
supplies composite data of data stored in the output buffer and
on-screen display data stored in the on-screen buffer to the
monitor display unit 19 through the display interface 20.
[0055] The EPG retaining section 31 retains data of an electronic
program guide (EPG data) in a memory built therein. The EPG data
used here are obtained, with regard to a terrestrial analog
broadcast, from a television broadcast signal wherein the EPG data
are superposed within a vertical blanking period, and, with regard
to a digital broadcast, from a data broadcast sent in the digital
broadcast. The EPG data include data of the name of a broadcasting
station, the name of a broadcasting program, the starting time of
the program, the ending time of the program, performers, the genre
of the program and so forth of each of broadcasting programs.
[0056] The EPG retaining section 31 retains EPG data received from
the broadcast reception sections 11 to 14 into a memory thereof.
The EPG data retained in the EPG retaining section 31 are updated
so as to be the latest data.
[0057] It is to be noted that the EPG data to be used may not be
acquired from a broadcasting signal on which the EPG data are
superposed but may otherwise be acquired, for example, from an EPG
data providing server connected to the Internet by accessing the
EPG data providing server using the communication interface 28.
[0058] The recording encoding-reproduction decoding section 32 has
a function of performing, when data of a broadcasting program
content received by any of the broadcast reception sections 11 to
14 and inputted to the system bus 2 are stored into the content
data storage section 33, a recording encoding process the data into
data of a format used for storage into the content data storage
section 33. The recording encoding-reproduction decoding section 32
has another function of performing a reproduction decoding process
corresponding to the recording encoding process for data read out
from the content data storage section 33 to reproduce the data of
the broadcasting program content.
[0059] The content data storage section 33 in the present example
is formed from a hard disk apparatus of a large storage capacity
and used to store image data and/or sound data of broadcasting
program contents and other data.
[0060] The content management section 34 stores and manages
management data for contents stored in the content data storage
section 33. The content management section 34 can use part of the
recording area of a hard disk as a storage section for management
data.
[0061] Here, as the management data, information of the recording
year, month, day and time (year, month, day and time of storage) of
broadcasting program contents recorded in the content data storage
section 33 and relating information extracted from EPG data such
as, for example, information of a genre, performers or the like are
stored and managed in an associated relationship with the
respective broadcasting program contents.
[0062] Further, the content management section 34 stores and
manages also group management information of content data as
management data in addition to reproduction history information
such as the number of times of reproduction of each broadcasting
program content stored in the content data storage section 33. The
group management information includes also information of an array
order of icons or thumbnail images as representation images of the
broadcasting program contents on the display screen. Also
information of the array order of channel items of broadcasting
media in this example is included in the group management
information.
Graphical User Interface
[0063] In the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment, selection of a broadcasting medium, selection of a
broadcasting program and selection of any other function can be
performed simply and readily by a user using a graphical user
interface.
[0064] The graphical user interface of the broadcasting reception
apparatus of the present embodiment includes a plurality of icons
which can be selectively designated by a user through an operation
of a predetermined button key of the remote controller transmitter
23 and explanation information of the icons.
[0065] The icons to be displayed on the screen of the monitor
display unit 19 include category icons representing broadcasting
media, setting functions, categories of processing functions of an
external output, content storage media and so forth and processing
objects, and item icons representing processing function items
belonging to the categories (which therefore form a lower
hierarchy) and items of processing object contents. It is to be
noted that, although a thumbnail image can be used as a
representation image, for the simplified description, it is assumed
that, in the following description, an item icon includes a
representation image formed from a thumbnail image.
[0066] In the present embodiment, seven category titles of
"setting", "HDD", "video", "terrestrial broadcast", "BS broadcast",
"CS broadcast" and "external input" are set in advance as the
categories to be represented by the category icons. Data of the
seven category icons corresponding to the seven category titles are
stored in the display data storage section 29. Here, the "HDD"
signifies a hard disk apparatus as a content storage medium in the
present example.
[0067] The number of item icons representing processing function
items and items of processing object contents in a lower hierarchy
of each category differs among different categories.
[0068] FIG. 2 shows an example of a plurality of categories
(category titles) and items individually belonging to the
categories in the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment. In particular, in FIG. 2, a plurality of categories
indicated by halftone dots are shown arrayed in a horizontally row,
and a plurality of items belonging to each category are shown
arrayed in an upward and downward column from the category. In FIG.
2, each item belonging to a category indicates that, where "=>"
is described in the description of the explanation of the item, it
has items of a lower hierarchy.
[0069] Meanwhile, each item indicated by rightwardly upwardly
inclined slanting lines is an item of utility (called utility
item). On the other hand, each item indicated by rightwardly
downwardly inclined slanting lines is an item whose function
completes (called function completion item) and may be a content
selection item of a broadcasting channel or the like or an input
changeover item. Further, each item to which none of halftone dots
or slanting lines are applied signifies a logic folder.
[0070] As seen in FIG. 2, for example, the category of "setting"
includes only items of logic folders and particularly includes a
plurality of items such as "setting of television", "setting of
external input" and "setting of HDD".
[0071] For the category of "HDD", an item of "sample" is provided
as a utility item above the category title, and stored broadcasting
program content items extracted from the outputs of the broadcast
reception sections 11 to 14 of the broadcasting media and stored
are provided as function completion items.
[0072] The stored broadcasting program content items are divided
into blocks depending upon the broadcasting object such as, for
example, a television broadcast, a radio broadcast or a data
broadcast as an attribute regarding the broadcasting program
content. In particular, in the example of FIG. 2, the stored
broadcasting program content items are divided into three blocks of
a content block 1, a content block 2 and a content block 3. Each of
the content blocks is formed from one of a group of broadcasting
program contents of television broadcasts, a group of broadcasting
program contents of radio broadcasts and a group of broadcasting
program contents of data broadcasts.
[0073] Further, in the present embodiment, in each of the contents
blocks for the television broadcast, radio broadcast and data
broadcast, a plurality of stored broadcasting program content items
are grouped in accordance with a grouping criterion set by the user
as hereinafter described.
[0074] Further, the category of "video" includes items, as items of
logic folders, of recording reservation, recording reservation
confirmation and so forth and further includes, as a utility item,
an item of "card type memory".
[0075] Further, each of the categories of broadcasting media
includes utility items indicated above the category title and
broadcasting channel items as function completion items indicated
below the category title.
[0076] The items of broadcasting channels which are function
completion items belonging to the categories of broadcasting media
are grouped for each broadcasting object such as a television, a
radio and data. In particular, selection object items belonging to
the category of each broadcasting medium are grouped based on the
broadcasting object as an attribute relating to the selection
object item. This grouping in the present example is not set by the
user but is set in advance.
[0077] In particular, in the example of FIG. 2, the selection
object items of the category of the terrestrial broadcasting media
are divided into a group of terrestrial analog broadcasting
channels ("terrestrial A1 ch" is one of the channels), another
group of television channels of terrestrial digital broadcasts
("terrestrial D ch (TV)" is one of the channels), and a further
group of data broadcasts of the terrestrial digital broadcasts
("terrestrial D ch (data)" is one of the channels).
[0078] The selection object items of the category of the BS
broadcasting media are divided into a group of television channels
of the BS broadcasts ("BS ch (TV)" is one of the channels), another
group of radio channels of the BS broadcasts ("BS ch (radio)" is
one of the channels), and a further group of data broadcasts of the
BS broadcasts ("BS ch (data) is one of the channels).
[0079] Further, the category of the CS broadcasting media includes
two broadcasting media of CS1 and CS2, and the selection object
items thereof are divided into a group of television channels of
the CS1 broadcast ("CS1 ch (TV)" is one of the channels), another
group of television channels of the CS2 broadcasts ("CS2 ch (TV)"
is one of the channels), a further group of radio channels of the
CS1 broadcast ("CS1 ch (radio)" is one of the channels), a still
further group of radio channels of the CS2 broadcasts ("CS2 ch
(data)" is one of the channels), a yet further group of data
broadcasts of the CS1 broadcast ("CS1 ch (data)" is one of the
channels), and a yet further group of data broadcasts of the CS2
broadcast ("CS2 ch (data)" is one of the channels.
[0080] Further, as regards an EPG as a utility item in the category
of each of the broadcasting media, an EPG corresponding to each
group is prepared. For example, "terrestrial A TV EPG" is an EPG
for a terrestrial analog television broadcast; "terrestrial D TV
EPG" is an EPG for a terrestrial digital television broadcast; and
"terrestrial D data EPG" is an EPG for a data broadcast of a
terrestrial digital broadcast.
[0081] The "external input" category includes, as function
completion items, such input changeover items as "video 1", "video
2" and "component 1".
[0082] In the present embodiment, a graphical user interface is
provided wherein a structure which includes a plurality of
processing function items and such items as a processing object
contents substance item immediately below each of the plural
categories shown in FIG. 2 is reflected on the display of the
screen of the monitor display unit 19.
[0083] In particular, each of the categories of FIG. 2 is
displayed, on the screen of the monitor display unit 19, in the
form of a corresponding icon (hereinafter referred to as category
icon), and each of the items shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, on the
screen of the monitor display unit 19, in the form of a
corresponding icon (hereinafter referred to as item icon). Thus, in
a conception, FIG. 2 illustrates a relationship between the
category icons and the item icons immediately below the category
icons.
[0084] FIG. 3 shows an example of an initial menu screen of a
graphical user interface screen displayed on the screen 19D of the
monitor display unit 19 in the present embodiment. In the present
embodiment, the graphical user interface screen is displayed on or
erased from the screen 19D every time the "home" button provided on
the remote controller transmitter 23 which forms the operation
inputting section is operated.
[0085] On the initial menu screen of the present example, a
two-dimensional array is displayed wherein a category icon array
100 in which a plurality of category icons are arrayed in a
horizontal row and an item icon array 200 in which a plurality of
item icons are arrayed in a vertical column intersect with each
other at a substantially central portion of the screen.
[0086] The seven different category icons described hereinabove are
arrayed in the category icon array 100. In particular, referring to
FIG. 3, an icon 41 formed from a pattern of a tool box is the
category icon of "setting"; an icon 42 including characters of
"HDD" is the category icon of "HDD" as a content storage medium; an
icon 43 formed from a pattern of a film is the category icon of
"video"; an icon 44 including a pattern of a steel tower is the
category icon of "terrestrial digital broadcasting"; an icon 45
including the characters of "BS" is the category icon of "BS
digital broadcasting"; an icon 46 including the characters of "CS"
is the category icon of "CS digital broadcasting"; and an icon 47
including a horizontally directed arrow mark is the category ion of
"external input".
[0087] As seen from FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the category
icon array 100 is displayed horizontally a little on the higher
side than the center in the vertical direction of the screen 19D of
the monitor display unit 19. Further, one of the seven category
icons 41 to 47 is normally selected, and the selected category icon
is emphasized by displaying the same a little greater than the
other category icons so as to inform the user of which one of the
category icons is currently selected. In the example of FIG. 3, the
category icon 43 of "video" is the selected category icon. Below
the selected category icon, the title name of the category
represented by the category icon is displayed as seen in FIG.
3.
[0088] In this instance, in the present embodiment, the graphical
user interface display screen displays such that, as seen in FIG.
3, the seven different category icons are normally displayed on the
screen while the item icon array 200 is displayed with regard only
to the category icon being selected from among the seven category
icons.
[0089] Accordingly, the initial menu of the graphical user
interface in the present embodiment is formed from an icon array
wherein the category icon array 100 and the item icon array 200
intersect in a cross shape with each other.
[0090] The item icon array 200 includes a plurality of item icons
representing a plurality of items belonging to the category
corresponding to the selected category icon. In the example of FIG.
3, since the "video" category icon 43 is selected, item icons 51,
52 and 53 belonging to the "video" category icon 43 are displayed
in a vertical column as the item icon array 200.
[0091] It is to be noted that, while, in FIG. 3, no item icon is
shown above the item icon array 200, this is because the number of
items which belong to the category of "video" is small, but where
the number of items is great, item icons are arrayed also above the
category icon array 100 in the vertical direction. Further, as
hereinafter described, also when the item icon to be selected
changes, item icons appear also above the category icon array
100.
[0092] Further, where the number of items in a lower hierarchy of a
category icon is great like the category icons 44 to 46 of the
broadcasting media hereinafter described and the category icon of
the external input, it is difficult, from the size of the display
screen of the monitor display unit 19, to display all of items of
the lower hierarchy of a selected category at a time on the screen
19D. Therefore, those item icons which are displayed as the item
icon array 200 on the screen 19D are only part of the items of the
selected category.
[0093] The graphical user interface screen in the present
embodiment is an on-screen display screen and is displayed in an
overlapping and translucent relationship on the front face of an
image of an image content displayed on the screen 19D. In
particular, the graphical user interface screen is displayed in
such a display manner that, when a broadcasting program is being
viewed on the broadcasting reception apparatus or when an image
picked up by a camera is being reproduced, the image can be
observed translucently through the graphical user interface
screen.
[0094] It is to be noted that an entire region of the category icon
array 100 and the item icon array 200 surrounded by dotted lines in
FIG. 3 may be colored so as to facilitate distinction in appearance
from the background region of the screen 19D or the brightness of
the content image may be adjusted so as to make it easy to watch
the graphical user interface. Naturally, only the category icons or
item icons may be displayed without taking such measures as
coloring or adjustment of the brightness.
[0095] Further, in the present example, the category icon array 100
in the initial menu screen of the graphical user interface screen
does not move in the vertical direction of the screen 19D but is
displayed fixedly at a position, for example, a little higher than
from the center of the screen 19D in the vertical direction as
shown in FIG. 3. Further, in the present embodiment, the region in
which a selected category icon is displayed is an intersecting
region 100C at which the category icon array 100 and the item icon
array 200 intersect with each other, and also the intersecting
region 100C is fixed on the screen 19D. As described hereinabove,
below the category icon positioned in the intersecting region 100C,
the category title name of the category icon is displayed.
[0096] If the user operates the leftward or rightward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
to change the selected category icon to another category icon, then
the plural category icons in the category icon array 100 move in
the entire array thereof in the leftward or rightward direction in
response to the leftward or rightward instruction of the user to
change the selected category icon displayed in the intersecting
region 100C.
[0097] The control section 1 recognizes the category icon displayed
in the intersecting region 100C thereby to recognize the category
selected by the user.
[0098] Also the item icon array 200 does not move in the horizontal
direction similarly, but is displayed fixedly at a position, for
example, a little leftwardly of the center in the horizontal
direction as seen in FIG. 3. However, the plural item icons in the
item icon array 200 can be moved in the upward or downward
direction in response to an instruction of the upward or downward
direction of the user issued through the upward or downward
direction indicating operation button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 serving as the operation inputting section.
[0099] As described above, since the display position in the
vertical direction of the category icon array 100 in which the
plural category icons 41 to 47 are arrayed in a row in the
horizontal direction is fixed and the display position in the
horizontal direction of the item icon array 200 in which a
plurality of item icons are arrayed in a column in the vertical
direction is fixed, the intersecting region 100C between the
category icon array 100 and the item icon array 200 is fixed at a
position obliquely leftwardly upwards with respect to the center of
the display screen 19D.
[0100] Further, in the present embodiment, the region 200C
immediately below the intersecting region 100C is determined as a
region of an item icon selected by the user from among a plurality
of item icons in the item icon array 200. In other words, in the
present embodiment, the control section 1 recognizes the item icon
displayed in the item icon array 200 immediately below the
intersecting region 100C as a selected item icon (the selected item
icon is hereinafter referred to as noticed item icon) thereby to
recognize the selected item.
[0101] It is to be noted that, since the items are laid out and
arrayed in such a manner as described above on the graphical user
interface, in the present embodiment, the noticed region 200C is
positioned substantially at the center of the screen 19D. In order
to make it possible to distinguish the noticed item icon displayed
in the noticed region 200C from the other item icons, the noticed
item icon in the present embodiment is surrounded by a quadrangular
framework 200MK colored in a conspicuous color such as, for
example, yellow so that it is displayed emphatically.
[0102] It is to be noted that the method of emphatic display is not
limited to the method wherein the noticed item icon is surrounded
by the quadrangular framework 200MK but a different method may be
used. For example, similarly as in the case of the category icons,
the noticed item icon may be displayed in a color different from
the other item icons or displayed in a greater size than that of
the other item icons or else may be displayed flickering.
[0103] As described above, in the present embodiment, the category
icon displayed in the intersecting region 100C at a fixed position
is determined as a selected category icon, and the item icon
displayed in the noticed region 200C immediately below the
intersecting region 100C is determined as a noticed item icon.
[0104] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a category selection
operation by a user is an operation of moving the category icon
array 100 in a horizontal direction so that a category icon
corresponding to a desired category is displayed in the
intersecting region 100C, and an operation of a determination
button for category selection or the like is not required. This is
because, when the selected category is positioned in the
intersecting region 100C, the item icon array 200 representing a
plurality of items belonging to the selected category appears
automatically.
[0105] Accordingly, the user can select a category only by issuing
an instruction of the leftward or rightward direction, and such an
instruction operation as is performed on a personal computer such
as a clicking operation of an icon displayed fixedly on a screen by
means of a mouse is unnecessary. Therefore, even if the user is
unfamiliar to a personal computer, the user can perform a selection
operation readily.
[0106] It is to be noted that, while the category icons are moved
leftwardly or rightwardly, they may all be displayed in the same
color and with the same size, and when the leftward or rightward
movement is stopped to position one of the category icons at the
intersecting region 100C finally, the color or the size of the
category icon may be changed so as to display the category icon
emphatically.
[0107] Further, as the change of the color, such a factor as the
luminosity, saturation or hue of the category icon may be changed
or the color may be changed by flickering display. Since the
category icon positioned in the intersecting region 100C is
displayed in a different displaying manner from that of the other
category icons, the user can select a category readily.
[0108] Furthermore, it is possible to hold, when the category icons
are moving in the leftward or rightward direction and none of the
category icons is positioned in the intersecting region 100C, the
item icon array 200 from being displayed and display, when one of
the category icons is positioned finally in the intersecting region
100C, the item icon array 200 such that it extends in a projecting
manner in the upward and downward direction from the intersecting
region 100C.
[0109] The user can recognize those items which belong to the
category displayed in the intersecting region 100C only by
operating the category icons to scroll leftwardly or rightwardly.
Further, the user can recognize the category from a plurality of
items displayed in a projecting extending fashion.
[0110] It is to be noted that it is possible to display, if an
instruction of the leftward or rightward direction is issued
through the remote controller transmitter 23 while the item icon
array 200 is displayed, the extended item icon array 200 in a
contracting fashion toward the intersecting region 100C.
[0111] On the other hand, the selection operation of an item in a
lower hierarchy of the selected category is an operation of moving
the item icon array 200 in the vertical direction until an item
icon corresponding to a desired item is displayed in the noticed
region 200C.
[0112] In particular, the item icons in the item icon array 200 are
moved in the vertical direction of the screen 19D in response to an
instruction of the upward or downward direction of the user issued
through the upward or downward direction instruction operation
button of the remote controller transmitter 23, whereupon the item
icon positioned in the noticed region 200C immediately below the
intersecting region 100C changes. Then, if the user operates the
"determination" button of the remote controller transmitter 23
while the item icon of a desired item is positioned in the noticed
region 200C, then the control section 1 of the broadcasting
reception apparatus erases the graphical user interface and
establishes a state wherein processing of the item is to be
executed.
[0113] However, when items of a lower hierarchy with respect to the
item icon positioned in the noticed region 200C are defined, the
items of the lower hierarchy are displayed on the screen 19D in
response to an operation of the "determination button".
[0114] Since, with respect to the item "recording reservation" in
the example of FIG. 3, items of a lower hierarchy are defined, if
the "determination" button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated on the screen of FIG. 3, then the graphical user
interface screen changes to such a screen as shown in FIG. 4.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 4, in the example shown, the category icon
array disappears from the screen 19D only leaving the category icon
being selected, and the display position of the item icon array
moves to the left end of the screen 19D to leave out the space on
the right side with respect to the item icon array. Then, in the
left out space, a plurality of item icons in the lower hierarchy
are displayed in an upward and downward array and explanation
information regarding the substance of the items corresponding to
the item icons is displayed. At this time, explanation information
regarding all of the item icons of the lower hierarchy is displayed
as seen in FIG. 4.
[0116] Then, the quadrangular framework 200MK which emphatically
displays the noticed item moves to the position of one of the item
icons of the lower hierarchy. Accordingly, the user can selectively
determine a desired lower hierarchy item icon by operating the
upward or downward direction indicating button and then operating
the "determination" button of the remote controller transmitter 23.
It is to be noted that any lower hierarchy item may include a
further lower hierarchy.
[0117] In the present embodiment, in order to select an item icon
in the item icon array 200, the user operates the upward or
downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 to move a plurality of item icons in the
vertical direction of the screen 19D to search for the item icon of
a desired item.
[0118] It is to be noted that the arrays of the item icons of the
channel items immediately below the category icons 44 to 46 are
such as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, respectively. In particular, while
the channels of the broadcasting media are grouped for each
broadcasting object as described hereinabove, the array order of
the group units and the array order of the channels in the groups
in the present embodiment are determined in the following
manner.
[0119] FIG. 5 illustrates the array order with regard to the
terrestrial broadcasting category. Referring to FIG. 5, where the
downward direction from a location immediately below the
terrestrial broadcasting category icon 44 is determined as an array
direction, the groups are arrayed in the order of the terrestrial
analog broadcasting, terrestrial digital (television) and
terrestrial digital (data).
[0120] Then, in the group of the terrestrial analog broadcasting,
the belonging channels are arrayed in the order of registered
channel numbers in the array direction. The array order is the
registered number order but not the physical number order nor the
displayed number order.
[0121] Meanwhile, in the group of the terrestrial digital
broadcasting (television), the belonging channels are arrayed in
the order of the numbers determined in the distribution order in
the array direction. Also in the terrestrial digital broadcasting
(data) group, the channels are arrayed in the order of the numbers
determined in the distribution order in the array direction.
[0122] FIG. 6 illustrates the array order with regard to the BS
broadcasting category. Referring to FIG. 6, where the downward
direction from a location immediately below the terrestrial
broadcasting category icon 44 is determined as an array direction,
the groups are arrayed in the order of the BS digital (television),
BS digital (radio) and BS digital (data).
[0123] Then, in each of the groups of the BS digital (television),
BS digital (radio) and BS digital (data), the belonging channels
are arrayed in the order of the numbers determined in the
distribution order in the array direction.
[0124] FIG. 7 illustrates the array order with regard to the CS
broadcasting category. Referring to FIG. 7, where the downward
direction from a location immediately below the terrestrial
broadcasting category icon 44 is determined as an array direction,
the groups are arrayed in the order of the CS1 digital
(television), CS2 digital (television), CS1 digital (radio), CS2
digital (radio), CS1 digital (data) and CS2 digital (data).
[0125] Then, in each of the groups of the CS1 digital (television),
CS2 digital (television), CS1 digital (radio), CS2 digital (radio),
CS1 digital (data) and CS2 digital (data), the belonging channels
are arrayed in the order of the numbers determined in the
distribution order in the array direction.
[0126] FIG. 8 illustrates an array order in the content storage
medium category of "HDD". Referring to FIG. 8, a content block 1, a
content block 2 and a content block 3 are arrayed in order in an
array direction which is a downward direction from a position
immediately below the "HDD" category icon.
[0127] The content block 1 includes one of television broadcast
contents, radio broadcast contents and data broadcast contents set
by selective setting of the user. The content block 2 includes
another one of the other two broadcast contents except the
broadcast content set as the content block 1 from among the
television broadcast contents, radio broadcast contents and data
broadcast contents. Further, the content block 3 includes the
remaining broadcast contents other than the broadcast contents set
as the content block 1 and the content block 2.
[0128] In each of the content blocks 1, 2 and 3, broadcast program
contents are divided into a plurality of groups in accordance with
a grouping criterion set by the user as hereinafter described.
Then, each group includes one or a plurality of broadcast program
contents, and the array order of a plurality broadcast program
contents in each group is the order of storage into the content
data storage section 33 or the reverse order as hereinafter
described.
[0129] Incidentally, the items represented by the item icons
belonging to the category of a broadcasting medium in the present
embodiment are function completion items composed of utility items
and broadcasting channel items as shown in FIG. 2.
[0130] Here, the utility items shown above the category titles of
the broadcasting media in FIG. 2 are EPG items, and preferably,
they can be selected simply on the graphical user interface so that
they can be referred to immediately upon channel selection.
[0131] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when one of the
category icons 44 to 46 of the broadcasting media is selected, the
channel item icons in the item icon array 200 are moved upwardly or
downwardly one by one, but when the noticed item icon is to be
selected with regard to a channel item, the item icons of the
utility items above the category icons 44 to 46 are not moved in
the upward or downward direction while only the item icons of the
function completion items below the category icons 44 to 46 are
moved in the upward or downward direction. This similarly applies
to the item icon array with regard to the category icon 47.
[0132] It is to be noted that, if an instruction to select one of
the items above the channel item (uppermost channel item)
immediately below any of the category icons 44 to 46 in FIGS. 5 to
7 is issued by the user, then the selection instruction becomes a
selection instruction of a utility item, and an item icon of an EPG
item is displayed as the noticed item icon in the noticed region
200C so that it can be selected.
[0133] Then, if the selection instruction operation range of the
user changes to the range which indicates item icons of channel
items from an item icon in the EPG item range, then the icons of
those channel items positioned higher in the array direction than
the item icon of the channel item displayed in the noticed region
200C as the noticed item icon successively disappear from the
screen display as the item icons of the channel items move
downwardly in the array direction.
[0134] FIG. 9 shows an initial menu screen of the graphical user
interface screen where the "terrestrial broadcasting" category icon
44 is the selected category.
[0135] As seen in FIG. 9, on the screen shown, each of the
broadcasting channel items is represented by an icon composed of a
channel number. In the example of FIG. 9, the broadcasting channel
of the channel number "1" is surrounded by the quadrangular
framework 200MK and displayed in the noticed region 200C, thereby
indicating that the channel "1" is selected.
[0136] Further, above the category icon, item icons 61 and 62 where
the EPG function is a utility item are displayed. In the example
shown in FIG. 9, the item icon 61 represents the EPG function for
the terrestrial analog television broadcasting, and the item icon
62 represents the EPG function for the terrestrial digital
television broadcasting.
[0137] Then, in the present embodiment, if the selected category
icon changes in response to an operation of the user, then it is
checked whether or not those item icons which belong to the newly
selected category icon are in a grouped state (including a blocked
state). If it is decided that the item icons are in a grouped
state, then the group name displaying place 71 is provided as a
display item on the left side of the noticed item icon, and the
block name and the group name to which the item represented by the
noticed item icon belongs are displayed in the group name
displaying place 71.
[0138] As seen in the example of FIG. 9, on the graphical user
interface screen on which one of the category icons of the
broadcasting media is selected, when the noticed item icon is an
item icon of a channel item, the "terrestrial analog television" is
displayed in the group name displaying place 71 on the left side of
the noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C.
[0139] Then, an explanation display which explains the item
represented by the noticed item icon is provided on the right side
of the noticed item icon similarly as in FIGS. 3 and 4. Here, on
the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 9 on which one of the
category icons of the broadcasting media is selected, when the
noticed item icon is an item icon of a channel item, in the present
example, explanation information for two lines is displayed on the
right side of the noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C.
[0140] A place 72 of the higher line of the explanation information
in the two lines is set as a program name displaying place, in
which a broadcasting program name of the channel of the noticed
item icon is displayed. Meanwhile, a place 73 and another place 74
of the lower side line are used as a broadcasting station name
displaying place and a broadcasting time displaying place in which
a broadcasting station name and the broadcasting time (starting
time and ending time) of the channel of the noticed item icon are
displayed, respectively.
[0141] Then, if, in the state of FIG. 9, the user operates the
downward direction indicating operation button of the upward and
downward direction indicating operation buttons of the remote
controller transmitter 23 in order to select a channel at a
downward portion in the array direction of the channel numbers,
then the display substance of the screen changes as seen in FIG.
10. In particular, the noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C
changes to that of the channel "3" of the terrestrial analog
television broadcasting and the item icon of the channel "1"
disappears from the screen. At this time, the item icons 61 and 62
of the EPG items which are utility items are displayed without
changing the position thereof on the screen 19D.
[0142] Further, if an item icon of a channel item at a lower
portion in the channel array direction is selected, then the screen
changes similarly.
[0143] On the contrary, if the user operates the upward direction
indicating operation button of the upward and downward direction
indicating operation buttons of the remote controller transmitter
23 in order to select a channel at an upper portion in the array
direction of the channel numbers, then the display substance of the
screen changes as seen in FIG. 11. In particular, at this time, the
noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C changes to an item
icon of an EPG function of the terrestrial analog television
broadcasting, and explanation of this is displayed in a program
name displaying place 72.
[0144] Here, if the "determination" button is depressed in this
state, then in the broadcasting reception apparatus, corresponding
EPG data is read out from the display data storage section 29 to
produce EPG display data. Then, the graphical user interface is
erased and the produced and selectively determined EPG screen is
displayed on the screen 19D of the monitor display unit 19.
[0145] FIG. 12 shows an initial menu screen of the graphical user
interface screen where the "HDD" category icon 42 is a selected
category.
[0146] In this instance, thumbnail images of broadcasting program
contents stored in the content data storage section 33 are read out
from the display data storage section 29 in accordance with
information of the array order of the item icons shown in FIG. 8 of
the content management section 34 and displayed in the array order
as item icons. In particular, part of the stored broadcasting
program content data, for example, thumbnail images of the title
images, are displayed in an array in the vertical direction as an
item icon array 200 as seen in FIG. 12.
[0147] Then, a noticed thumbnail image as the noticed item icon in
the noticed region 200C is displayed emphatically, in the example
of FIG. 12, in a greater size than the other thumbnail images.
Similarly as in the case of FIG. 11, three displaying places 72, 73
and 74 are provided in two lines on the right side of the noticed
thumbnail image. In the example of FIG. 12, the storage year,
month, day and time at which the noticed thumbnail image was stored
into the content data storage section 33 is displayed in the
displaying place 72. In the displaying place 73, the name of the
broadcasting station from which the noticed thumbnail image was
provided is displayed, and in the displaying place 74, the title
name of the broadcasting program content of the noticed thumbnail
image is displayed.
[0148] A group name displaying place 71 is provided on the left
side of the noticed thumbnail image of the noticed region 200C
similarly as described hereinabove. In the example of FIG. 12, that
the program is a television broadcasting program (television
broadcasting block) and that the genre is selected as the grouping
criterion and the group of broadcasting program contents
represented by the noticed thumbnail image is "sports" are
displayed as a group name display.
[0149] In the description given with reference to FIG. 11, since
item icons of an object of selection are items of channel selection
of broadcasting media and selection is performed from among items
of channel selection in the category of broadcasting media, the
items are grouped into the television broadcasts, radio broadcasts
and data broadcasts in advance as described above. However, in the
case of the storage medium of the category "HDD", since the
grouping can be set by the user as seen in FIG. 12, the group name
displayed in the group name displaying place 71 is that provided in
accordance with the grouping criterion set by the user.
[0150] As described hereinabove, the groups of broadcasting program
contents stored in the content data storage section 33 and the
array order of the item icons (thumbnail images) on the graphical
user interface are set by the user and stored in and managed by the
content management section 34.
[0151] Processing action for the setting of stored content groups
is described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15A to 15E.
[0152] FIGS. 13 and 14 are flow charts illustrating the processing
action. The processing routine for the setting of stored content
groups is started from FIG. 13 when the item icon "setting of HDD"
is selected in the category 41 of "setting".
[0153] First, the control section 1 displays a setting screen for
selective allocation of the television broadcasts, radio broadcasts
and data broadcasts to the content blocks 1, 2 and 3 on the screen
19D of the display unit 19 (step S101). Then, the control section 1
discriminates through the remote controller transmitter 23 whether
or not a setting instruction is accepted (step S102). If it is
decided that no acceptance of a setting input is detected, then it
is decided whether or not the "return" button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated (step S103). If it is decided
that the "return" button is not operated, then the processing
returns to step S102. However, if it is decided that the "return"
button is operated, then the control section 1 restores the
graphical user interface screen which is that before the "setting
of HHD" is selected (step S104), thereby quitting the present
processing routine.
[0154] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S102 that a
setting input regarding the content blocks 1, 2 and 3 is accepted,
then the control section 1 stores the substance of the setting
input regarding the content blocks 1, 2 and 3 into the content
management section 34 (step S105).
[0155] Then, in the present example, the control section 1 displays
grouping criterion items regarding stored television broadcast
program contents with regard to the contents blocks set as the
television broadcasts, for example, in such a manner as seen in
FIGS. 15A to 15E on the screen 19D to present the grouping
criterion items to the user (step S106).
[0156] The user would selectively input an item to be used as the
grouping criterion from within the selection screen of the grouping
criterion items (item icons) or operate the "return" button of the
remote controller transmitter 23.
[0157] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not a
selective input of the user is accepted with regard to the grouping
criterion items (step S107). If it is decided that no such
selective input is accepted, then the control section 1 decides
whether or not the "return" button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 is operated (step S108). If it is decided that the
"return" button is not operated, then the processing returns to
step S107. However, if it is decided that the "return" button is
operated, then the processing returns to step S101 so that the
processes at the steps beginning with step S101 are repeated.
[0158] If it is decided at step S107 that a selection input of a
grouping criterion item is accepted, then the control section 1
displays an inquiry screen regarding whether the array order of the
broadcasting program contents in the group is the storage order
into the content data storage section 33 or the reverse order on
the screen 19D (step S109). Then, the control section 1 decides
whether or not a selective setting input regarding the array order
is accepted (step S110).
[0159] If it is decided at step S110 that a selective setting input
regarding the array order is not accepted, then the control section
1 decides whether or not the "return" button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated (step S111). If it is decided
that the "return" button is not operated, then the processing
returns to step S110, but if it is decided that the "return" button
is operated, then the processing returns to step S106.
[0160] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S110 that a
selective setting input regarding the array order is accepted, then
the control section 1 sends information of the item selectively set
as the grouping criterion to the content management section 34 and
instructs the content management section 34 to execute a grouping
process regarding the television broadcasting program contents
(step S112).
[0161] An example of the grouping criterion items displayed on the
screen 19D and presented to the user at step S106 is illustrated in
FIG. 15A. Referring to FIG. 15A, as the grouping criterion items,
for example, that which depends upon the EPG, that which depends
upon the storage timing, that which depends upon the history of
enjoyment in the past and so forth are presented to the user.
[0162] For example, if the grouping criterion item which depends
upon the EPG is selected as the grouping criterion on the screen of
FIG. 15A by the user, then items of the lower hierarchy are
displayed on the screen 19D. In particular, items which are used as
a criterion in grouping depending upon EPG data, for example, such
grouping criterion items as "genre", "performers" and so forth, are
displayed as the lower hierarchy items on the screen 19D as seen in
FIG. 15B.
[0163] If, for example, "genre" is selected as the grouping
criterion by the user on the screen 19D of FIG. 15B, then, for
example, such sub items of the genre as seen in FIG. 15E are
displayed on the screen 19D. The user can select, from among the
sub items of the genre, a plurality of sub items which the user
wants to use for grouping.
[0164] For example, if "movie", "sports" and "document" are
selected as the sub items by the user, then the content management
section 34 refers to the genre information of the EPG data stored
in the content data storage section 33 to divide the broadcasting
program contents stored in the content data storage section 33 into
groups of those which belong to the selected sub items of "movie",
"sports" and "document" and a different group of those which belong
to the "other genres". In other words, the broadcasting program
contents stored in the content data storage section 33 are divided
into a plurality of groups including the groups of the items
selected by the user and the group of the other items.
[0165] On the other hand, if "performer" is selected as the
grouping criterion by the user in FIG. 15B, then though not shown,
a table list of performers is displayed as sub items of performers
on the screen 19D and presented to the user. The user can select
performers which the user wants to group from within the table list
of performers. Also in this instance, the content management
section 34 refers to performer information of the EPG data stored
in the content data storage section 33 to divide the broadcasting
program contents stored in the content data storage section 33 into
groups of those which belong to the names of a plurality of
selected performers and a different group of those which belong to
the "other genre".
[0166] Further, if the grouping criterion item which depends upon
the storage timing is selected as the grouping criterion by the
user, then items relating to the storing timing such as a unit of
one week, a unit of two weeks, a unit of one month and so forth are
displayed as grouping criterion items of the lower hierarchy on the
screen 19D as seen in FIG. 15C.
[0167] If an item relating to the storage timing is selected by the
user, then the content management section 34 refers to the
information of the storage timing (information of the year, month,
day and time) stored in the content data storage section 33 to
divide the broadcasting program contents stored in the content data
storage section 33 into a plurality of groups in accordance with
the selected storing timings.
[0168] Further, if the grouping criterion item which depends upon
the history of enjoyment in the past is selected as the grouping
criterion by the user, then whether or not the broadcasting program
content has been enjoyed even once in the past, that is, presence
or absence of enjoyment, the number of times of enjoyment and so
forth are displayed as grouping criterion items of the lower
hierarchy on the screen 19D as seen in FIG. 15D.
[0169] If the user selects, for example, "presence or absence of
enjoyment" as the grouping criterion item, then the content
management section 34 divides the broadcasting program contents
stored in the content data storage section 33 into a group of those
which have been enjoyed at least once in the past and another group
of those which have not been enjoyed as yet in the past.
[0170] On the other hand, for example, if "number of times of
enjoyment" is selected as the grouping criterion item by the user,
then the content management section 34 divides the broadcasting
program contents stored in the content data storage section 33 into
a plurality of groups depending upon the number of times of
enjoyment such as a group of those which have not been enjoyed as
yet, another group of those which have been enjoyed once, a further
group of those which have been enjoyed twice and so forth.
[0171] It is to be noted that, in all of the cases described above,
the array order of the broadcasting program contents in each group
is the order of timings of storage into the content data storage
section 33 or the reverse order based on a selective input of the
user responsive to the inquiry at step S109.
[0172] In summary, the content management section 34 performs
grouping for the content block of television from among the
contents blocks 1, 2 and 3 in accordance with the grouping
criterion selected by the user in such a manner as described above.
Then, the information of the array order is stored, in the present
example, into the content data storage section 33.
[0173] Next to step S112, the processing advances to step S121 of
FIG. 14, at which, regarding the content block set as the radio
broadcast, a grouping criterion item regarding the stored radio
broadcasting program contents is displayed on the screen 19D and
presented to the user in a similar manner as in the case of FIGS.
15A to 15E. However, the sub items of the genre in this instance
are, for example, classic, pops, Latin, movie music and so forth
and are different from those in the case of FIGS. 15a to 15e.
[0174] The control section 1 decides whether or not a selection
input from the user is accepted with regard to the grouping
criterion item (step S122). If it is decided that no selection
input is accepted, then the control section 1 decides whether or
not the "return" button of the remote controller transmitter 23 is
operated (step S123). If it is decided that the "return" button is
not operated, then the processing returns to step S121, but if the
"return" button is operated, then the processing returns to step
S106 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step S106
are repeated.
[0175] If it is decided at step S122 that a selection input
regarding the grouping criterion item is accepted, then the control
section 1 displays an inquiry screen regarding whether the array
order of the broadcasting program contents in the group is the
storage order into the content data storage section 33 or the
reverse order on the display screen 19D (step S124). Then, the
control section 1 decides whether or not a selective setting input
regarding the array order is accepted (step S125).
[0176] If it is decided at step S125 that a selective setting input
regarding the array order is not accepted, then the control section
1 decides whether or not the "return" button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated (step S126). If it is decided
that the "return" button is not operated, then the processing
returns to step S125, but if the "return" button is operated, then
the processing returns to step S121.
[0177] Further, if it is decided at step S125 that a selective
setting input regarding the array order is accepted, then the
control section 1 sends information of the item selectively set as
the grouping criterion to the content management section 34 and
issues an instruction to the content management section 34 to
execute a grouping process for the radio broadcasting program
contents (step S127).
[0178] Next to step S127, the processing advances to step S128, at
which the control section 1 displays the grouping criterion item
regarding the stored data broadcasting program contents with regard
to the content block set for the data broadcasting on the screen
19D to present the grouping criterion item to the user similarly as
in the case of FIGS. 15A to 15E. However, for example, the sub
items of the genre in this instance are amusement, politics and
economics, travel and so forth and are different from those in the
case of the television shown in FIGS. 15A to 15E.
[0179] The control section 1 decides whether or not a selection
input from the user is accepted with regard to the grouping
criterion items (step S129). If it is decided that no such
selection input is accepted, then the control section 1 decides
whether or not the "return" button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 is operated (step S130). If it is decided that the
"return" button is not operated, then the processing returns to
step S129, but if it is decided that the "return" button is
operated, then the processing returns to step S121 so that the
processes at the steps beginning with step S121 are repeated.
[0180] If it is decided at step S129 that a selective input of the
grouping criterion items is accepted, then the control section 1
displays an inquiry screen regarding whether the array order of the
broadcasting program contents in the group is the storage order
into the content data storage section 33 or the reverse order on
the display screen 19D (step S131). Then, the control section 1
decides whether or not a selective setting input regarding the
array order is accepted (step S132).
[0181] If it is decided at step S132 that a selective setting input
regarding the array order is not accepted, then the control section
1 decides whether or not the "return" button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated (step S133). If it is decided
that the "return" button is not operated, then the processing
advances to step S132, but if it is decided that the "return
button" is operated, then the processing returns to step S128.
[0182] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S132 that a
selective setting input regarding the array order is accepted, then
the control section 1 sends information of the item selectively set
as the grouping criterion to the content management section 34 and
issues an instruction to the content management section 34 to
execute a grouping process regarding the data broadcasting program
contents (step S134). Then, the present processing routine is
ended.
Scrolling Process
[0183] Further, in the present embodiment, taking it into
consideration that the number of stored broadcasting program
content items of the storage medium or the number of channel items
of the broadcasting media is great, a scrolling search can be
performed upon selection of an item icon in the item icon array
200.
[0184] Although the operation button for such a scrolling search
may be provided separately on the remote controller transmitter 23,
in the present embodiment, it is determined that a scrolling
starting operation is performed when the upward direction
indicating operation button or the downward direction indicating
operation button of the upward and downward direction indicating
operation buttons of the remote controller transmitter 23 is kept
depressed for more than a fixed period of time, and while the
upward direction indicating operation button or the downward
direction indicating operation button is kept depressed, the
scrolling is continued.
[0185] Then, in the present embodiment, while the scrolling
continues, the scrolling speed increases gradually. Further, in the
present embodiment, the display substance of the graphical user
interface screen changes in response to the scrolling speed so that
the user can perform the search more readily. A manner of such
change of the screen 19D when a scrolling operation of the item
icons is performed is described with reference to FIGS. 16 to
19.
[0186] FIG. 16 illustrates a manner wherein, while the category
icon 45 of the BS broadcasting media is selected, the item icon of
the channel 98 of the television is selected as the noticed item
icon. The display of FIG. 16 is similar to that of FIG. 9 described
hereinabove but is different in that the broadcasting media change
from the terrestrial broadcasting media to the BS broadcasting
media.
[0187] If, in the state of FIG. 16, the user depresses, for
example, the downward direction indicating operation button of the
remote controller transmitter 23 for more than a fixed period of
time to perform the scrolling starting operation, then the
graphical user interface screen changes to such a manner as seen in
FIG. 17.
[0188] In particular, on the original screen of FIG. 16,
explanation of the selected channel is displayed on the right side
only with regard to the noticed item icon of the noticed region
200C. However, in FIG. 17, explanation not only with regard to the
noticed item icon of the noticed region 200C but also with regard
to a plurality of channels preceding to and following the channel
selected as the noticed item icon is displayed.
[0189] In particular, on the original screen of FIG. 16, although
the channel numbers of a plurality of channels following the
channel selected through the noticed item icon of the noticed
region 200C are displayed in the item icon array 200, explanation
of the program names of the channels and so forth is not displayed.
However, such explanation is displayed on the screen of FIG. 17.
However, also in this instance, the group name displaying place 71
is displayed only for the noticed item icon as seen in FIG. 17.
[0190] Further, on the original screen of FIG. 16, item icons of
channel items preceding to the selected noticed item icon are not
displayed above the category icon 45 because item icons of EPG
items are displayed above the category icon 45 as described above.
However, on the graphical user interface screen shown in FIG. 17
after the scrolling is started, the item icons of the EPG items
disappear, and also item icons of channels preceding to the channel
corresponding to the noticed item icon are displayed.
[0191] Consequently, the user can easily find out a desired channel
item by scroll search.
[0192] However, in the present embodiment, although all of the
program name displaying place 72, broadcasting station name
displaying place 73 and broadcasting time displaying place 74 are
displayed with regard to the noticed item icon as seen in FIG. 16,
with regard to the item icons preceding to and following the
noticed item icon, the substance is displayed only in some of the
program name displaying place 72, broadcasting station name
displaying place 73 and broadcasting time displaying place 74. In
the example of FIG. 16, only a program name is displayed in the
displaying place 72. In particular, in the present embodiment, also
on the scrolling screen, explanation information regarding the
noticed item icon is displayed emphatically and details are
displayed. However, explanation information regarding the item
icons other than the noticed item icon to be displayed
simultaneously is limited to part of the explanation information
regarding the noticed item icon.
[0193] The reason why such a displaying manner of explanation
information as just described is adopted is that, even if a large
number of types of information are provided for images moving at a
high speed in the scrolling display, the information cannot be
recognized readily and, if it is tried to display a large number of
kinds of information, then each piece of information can be
displayed only finely and cannot be recognized readily.
[0194] It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment, the
explanation display is performed such that, where it is positioned
on the right side of the noticed item icon, it is displayed densely
or displayed in a different color from the other displays such as,
for example, in bright yellow so that it can be distinguished from
the other item icons displayed thinly, for example, in white
characters. Further, it is common to all of the graphical user
interface screens used in the present embodiment that a
reproduction image of the background can be generally observed
through the graphical user interface screen.
[0195] If the depression state of the downward direction indicating
operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23 is further
continued in this state, then the broadcasting reception apparatus
decides that the scrolling is continued and gradually raises the
scrolling speed. As the scrolling speed gradually rises, the item
icon formed from a channel number surrounded by the quadrangular
framework 200MK is displayed densely so as to be emphasized as
shown in FIG. 18. However, the explanation displays are all
displayed thinly similarly to the other item icons. At this time,
only the explanation information of the noticed item icon may be
kept densely or may be displayed more densely than the other
explanation displays so that it can be noticed.
[0196] If the scrolling further continues until the scrolling speed
exceeds a predetermined value, then a group bar 80 having a
predetermined width in the horizontal direction and extending over
the overall extent of the screen 19D in the vertical direction is
displayed on the left side of the noticed item icon in the noticed
region 200C which is surrounded by the quadrangular framework 200MK
and displayed densely so as to be emphasized as shown in FIG. 19.
Further, in the present example, the category icon array 100 is
erased on the screen of FIG. 19. However, also on the screen of
FIG. 19, the category icon array 100 may otherwise be kept
displayed but thinly without being erased.
[0197] The group bar 80 is displayed so as to correspond to the
array order of the channels of the individual broadcasting medium
described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Thus, the
group bar 80 is divided in the vertical direction in accordance
with the set group such that the individual divided portions have
lengths corresponding to the number of channels included in the
groups. Since the example of FIG. 19 illustrates the group bar 80
of the BS broadcasting, the group bar 80 is divided into three
regions of divisional regions 81, 82 and 83 in accordance with the
grouping of FIG. 6, and the group name is displayed at the bar
portion of each of the divisional regions 81, 82 and 83. Further,
the group bar 80 displays a noticed item icon position display mark
80MK indicative of the group and the position of the channel in the
group bar 80 represented by the noticed item icon.
[0198] The noticed item icon position display mark 80MK is
displayed using a color which looks conspicuously to the user on
the graphical user interface screen, for example, using bright
yellow similarly to the quadrangular framework 200MK for
emphatically displaying the noticed item icon.
[0199] Consequently, even if the scrolling speed becomes so high
that the noticed item icon displayed on the screen and item icons
preceding to and following the noticed item icon as well as the
explanation displays of them cannot be observed well, it can be
recognized readily from the position of the noticed item icon
position display mark 80MK of the group bar 80 which channel
position is being currently scrolled.
[0200] In the present embodiment, scrolling is possible not only
upon selection of a channel item when the selected category icon is
the category icon of any broadcasting medium but upon selection of
an item icon belonging to all of the seven different category
icons.
[0201] However, in the present embodiment, the selection for the
array of item icons in the item icon array 200 is not of the ring
type. In particular, after change of the selection of an item icon
comes to the upper end or lower end of the item icon array, this
cannot be performed any more in the same direction, but can be
performed only in the reverse direction. Accordingly, also in the
scrolling, after it comes to the upper or lower end of the array of
item icons in the item icon array 200, it is stopped there.
Therefore, where the number of items is small, even if the screen
change to the scroll starting screen of FIG. 17 occurs, the
scrolling may be stopped without changing to the screen of FIG. 18
or 19.
[0202] Naturally, however, the scrolling described above can be
applied also where the upper end and the lower end of the item icon
array are coupled to each other in the change of the selection of
an item icon so as to allow ring-lie selection.
Selection of Stored Medium Contents
[0203] The description above is directed to a case wherein the item
icons of an object of selection are items for channel selection of
broadcasting media, and scrolling is performed for the items for
channel selection of the category of the broadcasting medium.
Therefore, the items are grouped into television broadcasts, radio
broadcasts, data broadcasts and so forth as described above.
However, as regards storage media of the category "HDD", since the
grouping can be set by a user as described hereinabove, the group
name displayed in the group name displaying place 71 conforms to
that according to the grouping criterion set by the user.
[0204] In particular, if the "HDD" category icon is selected and,
for example, a broadcasting program content of the group of
television broadcast programs is selected as the noticed item in
the noticed region 200C, then a thumbnail image of each of the
broadcasting program contents is used as an item icon as shown in
FIG. 12. Further, the thumbnail image in the noticed region 200C is
displayed emphatically in a greater size than the other thumbnail
images.
[0205] If the user issues a scrolling starting instruction through
the remote controller transmitter 23 in the state of the screen of
FIG. 12, then the graphical user interface screen of the screen 19D
displays explanation information regarding not only the thumbnail
image (hereinafter referred to as noticed thumbnail image) as the
noticed item icon surrounded by the quadrangular framework 200MK in
the noticed region 200C but also the thumbnail images of a
plurality of broadcasting program contents preceding to and
following the noticed thumbnail image similarly as in the case of
FIG. 17. It is to be noted that, also in this instance, the group
name displaying place 71 is displayed only for the noticed item
thumbnail image as seen in FIG. 20.
[0206] Consequently, the user can easily find out a desired
broadcasting program content item by the scrolling search.
[0207] Also in this instance, although, in the present embodiment,
all of the program name displaying place 72, broadcasting station
name displaying place 73 and broadcasting time displaying place 74
are displayed for the noticed thumbnail image in the noticed region
200C, for the thumbnail images of the other broadcasting program
contents as the item icons preceding to and succeeding the noticed
item icon, only explanation is displayed in some of the displaying
place 72, displaying place 73 and displaying place 74, in the
example shown, only a program name is displayed in the displaying
place 72.
[0208] The reason why such a displaying manner of explanation
information as just described is adopted is that, as described
hereinabove, even if a large number of types of information are
provided for images moving at a high speed in the scrolling
display, the information cannot be recognized readily and, if it is
tried to display a large number of kinds of information, then each
piece of information can be displayed only finely and cannot be
recognized readily.
[0209] It is to be noted that, also in the present example, the
explanation display is performed such that, where it is positioned
on the right side of the noticed thumbnail image, it is displayed
densely or displayed in a different color from the other displays
such as, for example, in bright yellow so that it can be
distinguished from the other thumbnail images as item icons
displayed thinly, for example, in white characters. Further, it is
common to all of the graphical user interface screens used in the
present embodiment that a reproduction image of the background can
be generally observed through the graphical user interface
screen.
[0210] If the depression state of the downward direction indicating
operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23 is further
continued in this state, then the broadcasting reception apparatus
decides that the scrolling is continued and gradually raises the
scrolling speed. As the scrolling speed gradually rises, the
noticed thumbnail image in the noticed region 200C surrounded by
the quadrangular framework 200MK is displayed densely so as to be
emphasized. However, the explanation displays are all displayed
thinly similarly to the other thumbnail images as item icons. At
this time, only the explanation information of the noticed
thumbnail image may be kept densely or may be displayed more
densely than the other explanation displays so that it can be
noticed.
[0211] Further, in the present embodiment, if the scrolling further
continues until the scrolling speed exceeds a predetermined value,
then two group bars 90A and 90B having a predetermined width in the
horizontal direction and extending over the overall extent of the
screen 19D in the vertical direction are displayed on the left side
of the noticed thumbnail image in the noticed region 200C which is
surrounded by the quadrangular framework 200MK and displayed
densely so as to be emphasized.
[0212] The group bar 90A displays the substances of the groups
corresponding to the content blocks 1, 2 and 3 while the group bar
90B displays the substance of the group in the content block
including the noticed thumbnail image.
[0213] In particular, as described hereinabove with reference to
FIG. 8, it is set by the user that the content blocks 1, 2 and 3
are coordinated individually with the broadcasting program media of
"television", "radio" and "data" and what grouping is provided in
each content block. Thus, the group bar 90A has three divisional
regions 91A, 92A and 93A divided in the vertical direction with
lengths conforming to the numbers of broadcasting program contents
in the content blocks 1, 2 and 3 in accordance with the setting.
Further, in each of the divisional regions 91A, 92A and 93A, the
name of a broadcasting program medium set by the user, that is, one
of "television", "radio" and "data" is displayed.
[0214] Then, in the group bar 90A, a noticed thumbnail image
position indicating mark 90MKa indicating the content block to
which the noticed thumbnail image belongs and the position of a
corresponding broadcasting program content is additionally
displayed, in the example of FIG. 21, as a transverse bar.
[0215] Meanwhile, the group bar 90B is divided in the vertical
direction in accordance with the grouping in the content block set
by the user described hereinabove corresponding to the content
block including the noticed thumbnail image, that is, with lengths
corresponding to the numbers of broadcasting program contents
included in each group.
[0216] In the example shown in FIG. 21, the broadcasting program
contents are divided into four groups of "movie", "sports",
"document" and "others", and the group bar 90B is divided into four
divisional regions 91B, 92B, 93B and 94B with lengths in the
vertical direction corresponding to the numbers of broadcasting
program contents included in the individual groups. A group name is
displayed in each of the bars of the divisional regions 91B, 92B,
93B and 94B. Further, in the group bar 90B, a noticed thumbnail
image position indicating mark 90MKb indicating the group and the
position of the broadcasting program content corresponding to the
noticed thumbnail image in the group bar 90B is displayed, in the
present example, as a transverse bar.
[0217] The noticed thumbnail image position indicating marks 90MKa
and 90MKb are displayed using a color which looks conspicuously to
the user on the graphical user interface screen, for example, using
bright yellow or the like similarly to the quadrangular framework
200MK for emphatically displaying the noticed thumbnail image.
[0218] It is to be noted that, while, in the example of the screen
of FIG. 21, the category icon array 100 is erased, the category
icon array 100 also in FIG. 21 may otherwise be kept displayed but
thinly without being erased.
[0219] From the foregoing, also when the "HDD" category icon is
selected, even if the scrolling speed becomes so high that the user
cannot readily watch the noticed item icon displayed on the screen
or the item icons preceding to and succeeding the noticed item icon
as well as explanation information for them, the user can readily
recognize from the position of the noticed item icon position
indicating mark 80MK of the group bar 80 what channel position is
being scrolled.
[0220] It is to be noted that, while, in the description above, the
group bar 80 and the group bars 90A and 90B are displayed when the
scrolling speed is high, they may otherwise be displayed
simultaneously when the scrolling is started.
[0221] Or else, when a broadcasting medium category icon of
"terrestrial", "BS", "CS" or the like or the "HDD" category icon is
selected by the user, the group bar 80 and the group bars 90A and
90B may be displayed together without fail independently of the
scrolling.
[0222] It is to be noted that thumbnail images as representation
images of broadcasting program contents are displayed, in each
group, in the order in accordance with the year, month, day and
time of the storage. In the present embodiment, since the
descending order or the ascending order is selected as the order in
this instance in the setting mode by the user as described
hereinabove, the thumbnail images are displayed in the order
according to the setting.
Processing Action on the Graphical User Interface
[0223] Now, processing action on the graphical user interface is
described with reference to flow charts of FIGS. 22 to 26
particularly in connection with processing action of the control
section 1 which controls the behavior on the graphical user
interface described above. It is to be noted that, in the following
description, the initial menu screen including the category icon
array 100 and the item icon array 200 is referred to as
"cross-shaped menu".
[0224] Further, while, in the foregoing description, when item
icons of a lower hierarchy of an item icon are displayed,
explanation information regarding all of the item icons of the
lower hierarchy is displayed together, in the following
description, also with regard to the item icons of the lower
hierarchy, explanation information of the noticed item icon among
them is displayed initially, and when a scroll starting instruction
is issued, explanation information of all of the item icons is
displayed similarly to the item icons of the first hierarchy.
[0225] The broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment is configured such that, after a main power supply
switch is switched on, every time the power supply key of the
remote controller transmitter 23 is depressed, the broadcasting
reception apparatus repeats changeover between a state wherein the
power supply is on and a standby state wherein the power is
available only to those elements necessary to restore the state
wherein the power supply is on. Then, when the power supply key is
operated in the standby state to switch on the power supply, the
broadcasting reception apparatus builds up to restore a state (last
state) at a point of time immediately before the standby state is
entered.
[0226] Further, in the following description, operation of the
power supply key and the various buttons is performed on the remote
controller transmitter 23 by the user, and the control section 1
supervises a signal from the remote controller reception section 24
to detect a key or button operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23. However, for simplified description, such an
expression that the control section 1 detects an operation of a key
or button is used in the following description.
[0227] When the broadcasting reception apparatus of the present
embodiment is in the standby state, the control section 1 normally
supervises an operation input of the power supply key as seen in
FIG. 22 (step S141). Then, if it is detected at step S141 that the
power supply key is operated, then the control section 1 displays
the screen of the last state on the screen 19D of the monitor
display unit 19 and displays the cross-shaped menu in an
overlapping relationship (step S142).
[0228] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"home" button is operated by the user (step S143). If it is decided
that the "home" button is depressed, then the control section 1
erases the overlapping display of the cross-shaped menu on the
screen 19D (step S144).
[0229] Then, the control section 1 supervises an operation input of
the power supply key again (step S145). Then, if an operation of
the power supply key is detected, then the control section 1 stores
the last state and restores the standby state (step S146), thereby
ending the processing routine.
[0230] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S145 that the
power supply key is not operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the "home" button is operated (step S147).
If it is decided that the "home" button is not operated, then the
processing returns to step S145. On the other hand, if it is
decided at step S147 that the "home" button is operated, then the
control section 1 displays the cross-shaped menu screen in an
overlapping relationship on the screen 19D of the monitor display
unit 19 being viewed (step S148). The processing thereafter returns
to step S143.
[0231] Then, if it is decided at step S143 that the "home" button
is not operated, then the control section 1 decides whether or not
a category changing inputting operation by the leftward or
rightward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is performed on the graphical user
interface screen formed from the cross-shaped menu being displayed
in an overlapping relationship (step S151 of FIG. 23).
[0232] If it is decided at step S151 that a category changing
inputting operation is performed on the cross-shaped menu screen
displayed in an overlapping relationship, then the control section
1 controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 to
change the selected category icon to that according to the changing
instruction of the user on the cross-shaped menu screen. At this
time, the control section 1 recognizes the category corresponding
to the selected category icon as a selected category (step
S152).
[0233] Then, the control section 1 displays an item icon array 200
belonging to the changed category icon and displays corresponding
explanation on the right side of the noticed item icon (including
the noticed thumbnail image: this similarly applies in the
following description) of the item icon array 200 (step S153).
Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the item icons
of the selected category icon are in a grouped state (step
S154).
[0234] Then, if it is decided at step S154 that the item icons of
the selected category icon are in a grouped state, then the control
section 1 displays the group name to which the noticed item icon
belongs in the group name displaying place 71 on the left side of
the noticed item icon (step S155).
[0235] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
upward direction indicating operation button or the downward
direction indicating operation button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 is operated to decide whether or not a changing
operation of the noticed item icon in the noticed region 200C is
performed in the item icon array 200 of the cross-shaped menu (step
S171 of FIG. 24).
[0236] Then, if it is decided at step S171 that one of the upward
direction indicating operation button and the downward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated, then the control section 1 decides whether or not the
button operation is long-time depression wherein the button
operation continues for more than a predetermined period of time
(step S172). Then, if it is decided that the button operation is
long-time depression, then the control section 1 performs a
scrolling process hereinafter described (step S173). Thereafter,
the processing returns to step S171.
[0237] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S172 that the
button operation is not long-time depression, then the control
section 1 controls the display image producing and outputting
section 30 to change the noticed item icon to be displayed in the
noticed region 200C in the cross-shaped menu to an adjacent item
icon next in the changing operation direction of the noticed item
icon at present to determine an item corresponding to the item icon
displayed newly in the noticed region 200C as a noticed item (step
S174). Then, the control section 1 displays the group name to which
the item of the noticed item icon after changed belongs in the
group name displaying place 71 (step S175).
[0238] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"determination" button is operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23 (step S176). If it is decided that the
"determination" button is not operated, then the processing returns
to step S171 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step
S171 described above are repeated.
[0239] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S171 that none
of the upward direction indicating operation button and the
downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the "determination" button is operated on
the remote controller transmitter 23 (step S177). If it is decided
that the "determination" button is not operated, then the
processing returns to step S143 of FIG. 22 to repeat the processes
at the steps beginning with step S143 described hereinabove.
[0240] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S176 or S177
that the "determination" button is operated, then the control
section 1 executes a function corresponding to the determined item
and erases the cross-shaped menu from the screen 19D (step S178).
Thereafter, the processing returns to step S145 of FIG. 22 to
execute the processes at the steps beginning with step S145.
[0241] If it is decided at step S154 that the item icons of the
selected category icon are not in a grouped state, or if it is
decided at step S151 that a category changing inputting operation
is not performed, then the processing advances to step S156. At
step S156, the control section 1 decides whether or not the upward
direction indicating operation button or the downward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated, then the control section 1 decides whether or not the
changing operation of the noticed item icon of the noticed region
200C is executed in the noticed item icon array 200 in the
cross-shaped menu.
[0242] Then, if it is decided at step S156 that one of the upward
direction indicating operation button and the downward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated, then the control section 1 decides whether or not the
button operation is long-time depression which is a state wherein
the button operation continues for more than a predetermined period
of time (step S157). If it is decided that the button operation is
long-time depression, then the control section 1 performs a
scrolling process hereinafter described (step S158). Thereafter,
the processing returns to step S156.
[0243] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S157 that the
button operation is not long-time depression, then the control
section 1 controls the display image producing and outputting
section 30 to change the noticed item icon, which is to be
displayed in the noticed region 200C on the cross-shaped menu, to
an adjacent item icon next in the direction of the changing
operation to the noticed item icon at present and determine an item
corresponding to the item icon displayed newly in the noticed
region 200C as a noticed item (step S159).
[0244] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"determination" button is operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23 (step S160). If it is decided that the
"determination" button is not operated, then the processing returns
to step S156 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step
S156 described above are repeated.
[0245] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S156 that none
of the upward direction indicating operation button and the
downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the "determination" button is operated on
the remote controller transmitter 23 (step S161). If it is decided
that the "determination" button is not operated, then the
processing returns to step S143 so that the processes at the steps
beginning with step S143 described above are repeated.
[0246] If it is decided at step S160 or step S161 that the
"determination" button is operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the determined item has lower hierarchy
items (step S181 of FIG. 25). If it is decided that the determined
item has no lower hierarchy items, then the control section 1
erases the cross-shaped menu from the screen 19D and executes a
function or process of the item which is currently regarded as the
noticed item (step S182). Thereafter, the processing advances to
step S145 of FIG. 22 so that the processes at the steps beginning
with step S145 described hereinabove are repeated.
[0247] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S181 that the
determined item has lower hierarchy items, then the control section
1 controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 to
display a plurality of ones of the lower hierarchy items of the
noticed item on the screen 19D (step S183). This state corresponds
to the state wherein the "determination" button is depressed while
the item icon of recording reservation is selected as the noticed
item icon, and the display of the screen 19D at step S183 is, for
example, such a display as shown in FIG. 7.
[0248] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
upward direction indicating operation button or the downward
direction indicating operation button of the remote controller
transmitter 23 is operated on the display screen of the lower
hierarchy items to decide whether or not a changing operation of
the noticed item icon of the lower hierarchy surrounded by the
quadrangular framework 200MK is performed (step S184).
[0249] Then, if it is decided at step S184 that one of the upward
direction indicating operation button and the downward direction
indicating operation button of the remote controller transmitter 23
is operated, then the control section 1 decides whether not the
button operation is long-time depression wherein the button
operation continues for more than a predetermined period of time
(step S185). Then, if it is decided that the button operation is
long-time depression, then the control section 1 performs a
scrolling process hereinafter described (step S188) Thereafter, the
processing returns to step S184.
[0250] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S185 that the
button operation is not long-time depression, then the control
section 1 controls the display image producing and outputting
section 30 to change the noticed item icon of the lower hierarchy
surrounded by the quadrangular framework 200MK to an adjacent item
icon next in the changing operation direction to the noticed item
icon at present to determine an item corresponding to the item icon
displayed newly in the region surrounded by the quadrangular
framework 200MK as a noticed item (step S186).
[0251] Then, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
"determination" button is operated on the remote controller
transmitter 23 (step S187). If it is decided that the
"determination" button is not operated, then the processing returns
to step S184 so that the processes at the steps beginning with step
S184 described above are repeated. On the other hand, if it is
decided at step S187 that the "determination" button is operated,
then the processing returns to step S178 of FIG. 24 so that the
processes at the steps beginning with step S178 described
hereinabove are repeated.
[0252] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S184 that none
of the upward direction indicating operation button and the
downward direction indicating operation button of the remote
controller transmitter 23 is operated, then the control section 1
decides whether or not the "return" button is operated on the
remote controller transmitter 23 (step S189). If it is decided that
the "return" button is operated, then the control section 1
controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 so
that the overlapping display of the cross-shaped menu is returned
to the state of the immediately preceding screen (step S190). Then,
the processing returns to step S151 of FIG. 23 so that the
processes at the steps beginning with step S151 are repeated.
[0253] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S189 that the
"return" button is not operated, then the control section 1 decides
whether or not the "home" button is operated (step S191). If it is
decided that the "home" button is depressed, then the control
section 1 erases the overlapping display of the cross-shaped menu
on the screen 19D (step S192). Then, the processing advances to
step S145 of FIG. 22 so that the processes at the steps beginning
with step S145 are performed.
[0254] On the other hand, if it is decided at step S191 that the
"home" button is operated, then the control section 1 returns the
processing to step S184 to repeat the processes at the steps
beginning with step S184.
[0255] Now, the scrolling process at step S158 of FIG. 23 or at
step S188 of FIG. 25 is described with reference to a flow chart of
FIG. 26.
[0256] As described hereinabove, the processing routine of FIG. 26
is started when long-time depression of the upward direction
indicating operation button or the downward direction indicating
operation button, which is regarded as a scrolling starting
operation, is performed on the remote controller transmitter
23.
[0257] After the scrolling starting operation described above is
detected, the control section 1 controls the display image
producing and outputting section 30 to start scrolling in such a
state that explanation information not only of the noticed item
icon (including the noticed thumbnail image) but also of item icons
preceding to and following the noticed item icon are displayed as
seen in FIG. 17 or 19 (step S201). Then, the control section 1
successively changes the noticed item icon in the indicating
direction of the operated button (step S202).
[0258] Then, the control section 1 controls the display image
producing and outputting section 30 to gradually raise the
scrolling speed and control the density or the like of the display
of the cross-shaped menu screen in accordance with the scrolling
speed as seen on the graphical user interface screen of FIG. 17
described hereinabove (step S203).
[0259] Thereafter, the control section 1 decides whether or not the
scrolling speed exceeds a predetermined speed (step S204). If it is
decided that the scrolling speed does not exceed the predetermined
speed, then the control section 1 decides whether or not the
long-time depression of the upward direction indicating operation
button or the downward direction indicating operation button is
stopped (step S205). If it is decided that the long-term depression
is not stopped, then the control section 1 decides whether or not
the last item in the scrolling direction is reached (step
S206).
[0260] If it is decided at step S205 that the long-time depression
is stopped, or if it is decided at step S206 that the last item in
the scrolling direction is reached, then the control section 1
stops the scrolling and displays a cross-shaped menu screen on
which the item at which the scrolling stops is displayed
emphatically (step S207), thereby ending the processing.
[0261] If it is decided at step S204 that the scrolling speed
exceeds the predetermined speed, then the control section 1
controls the display image producing and outputting section 30 to
additionally display the group bar 80 or group bars 90A and 90B on
the screen 19D as seen on the graphical user interface screen of
FIG. 19 or 21 and display the noticed item icon position display
mark 84 indicative of the group and the position of the noticed
item icon in the group bar 80 (step S208). Then, the processing
advances from step S208 to step S205.
[0262] In this manner, since, in the present embodiment, upon
scrolling, not only explanation information of the noticed item
icon or the noticed thumbnail image is displayed but also
explanation information of item icons or thumbnail images preceding
to and following the noticed item icon or the noticed thumbnail
image are displayed, the user can perform a scrolling search
readily.
[0263] Further, in the present embodiment, as the scrolling speed
increases, the group bar 80 including the noticed item icon
position display mark 80MK or the noticed thumbnail position
display marks 90MKa and 90MKb appears on the scrolling screen so as
to notify the user of the group and the position of the noticed
item icon or the noticed thumbnail image in the item icon array
200. Therefore, the user can perform scrolling search readily by
referring to the group bar 80 or the group bars 90A and 90B.
[0264] It is to be noted that, while, in the example described
above, the scrolling in channel selection of the broadcasting media
is performed only within the range of the channel selection, the
scrolling may otherwise be performed including also the utility
items.
[0265] Further, while the group bar 80 or the group bars 90A and
90B are displayed when the predetermined scrolling speed is
reached, it may otherwise be displayed at a starting point of time
of scrolling. Or, when the category icon of broadcasting media or
the "HDD" category icon is selected and then the item icon array
200 belonging to the category icon is displayed, the group bar 80
or the group bars 90A and 90B may be displayed together.
Other Modifications
[0266] While, in the embodiment described above, the user can set
grouping only for groups of stored broadcasting program contents,
also it is possible to classify broadcasting channel items in the
broadcasting form groups of the terrestrial, BS and CS broadcasts
of the broadcasting medium category into groups in accordance with
grouping setting of the user.
[0267] For example, if content attributes such as the genre and
performers included in EPG data are presented as grouping criteria
to the user and the user selectively sets any of the grouping
criteria presented to the user, then the broadcasting channel items
can be grouped based on the selectively set grouping criterion and
arrayed in accordance with the grouping. In this instance, the
group bars 90A and 90B similar to those of FIG. 21 are
displayed.
[0268] It is to be noted that the selection object items
represented by item icons or thumbnail images may be other
contents. For example, the selection object items may be contents
of electronic books, game programs or the like. Here, the contents
are defined as those of movies, music, theatrical performances,
literary arts, photographs, cartoons, animations, computer games,
or other characters, figures, colors, sound, action or images, or
combinations of them, or programs for providing such information
through an electronic computer, which are created through creative
activities of human beings and belong to the range of the culture
or the amusement.
[0269] It is to be noted that, while, in the embodiments described
above, the display position of the group bar is set to the left
side with respect to the noticed item icon, it is not restricted to
this position but may be set to some other position. Further, the
group bar need not be displayed along an array of representation
images such as an item icon array or a thumbnail image array, but
may be displayed in a direction different from the direction of the
array of representation images.
[0270] Further, the mark representing the noticed item icon
position on the group bar is not limited to the example described
above, but such a displaying method that, for example, a triangular
mark or an arrow mark is displayed on the outer side of the bar may
be used.
[0271] Further, while the representation images in the example
described hereinabove with reference to the drawings are icons
including a graphic form or a character or icons formed from a
channel number or thumbnail images formed from images each obtained
by reducing the size of some image of a broadcasting program, some
other symbols or the like may be used as the representation
images.
[0272] While, in the foregoing embodiments, the electronic
apparatus of the present invention is a broadcasting reception
apparatus, the electronic apparatus according to the present
invention is not limited to such a broadcasting reception apparatus
as described above but can be applied to any electronic apparatus,
for example, such as the recording and reproduction apparatus for
image data and sound data only if the electronic apparatus includes
a plurality of categories each of which has a plurality of
processing function items in a lower hierarchy thereof.
[0273] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
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