U.S. patent application number 12/449284 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Seiichi Aoyagi, Fujio Nobori, Naoya Okamoto, Ken Onogi.
Application Number | 20100107208 12/449284 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39674086 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100107208 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okamoto; Naoya ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD,
AND PROGRAM
Abstract
Disclosed is a photo album that allows viewing of photos on a
television receiver through a network. In a screen where both of a
reception screen of a television and multiple application programs
are displayed, if a predetermined application is selected, an
access is made to a photo album, and photos can be viewed in a
slide show manner. If there is a favorite photo from among the
photos being viewed, a point can be given to the favorite photo.
The applications are loaded from an external network.
Inventors: |
Okamoto; Naoya; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Onogi; Ken; (Tokyo, JP) ; Nobori;
Fujio; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Aoyagi; Seiichi;
(Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39674086 |
Appl. No.: |
12/449284 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
January 31, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/051534 |
371 Date: |
July 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/115 ;
348/563; 348/E5.099 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/6581 20130101;
H04N 21/4147 20130101; H04N 21/254 20130101; H04N 21/8173 20130101;
H04N 21/435 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/115 ;
348/563; 348/E05.099 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2007 |
JP |
2007-024293 |
Mar 27, 2007 |
JP |
2007/082825 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition
unit acquiring image data stored in a predetermined server; and a
display control unit controlling display of an image based on image
data acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the predetermined
server manages image data of the image by adding information based
on evaluation of a plurality of viewers to the image, and the
acquisition unit acquires image data suitable for predetermined
information at a predetermined interval.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: an application acquisition unit acquiring an
application, wherein, when the application is acquired by the
application acquisition unit, the display control unit controls
display of a background based on background data, which is included
in the application, and controls display such that the image based
on image data to be acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed
on the background.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the display control unit performs control such that the
image is displayed beside a screen of a program of television
broadcasting.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the display control unit controls display such that the
image is displayed differently in different modes, and the modes
are switched by a user's instruction.
5. An information processing method comprising the steps of:
acquiring image data stored in a predetermined server; and
controlling display of an image based on the acquired image data,
wherein the predetermined server manages image data of the image by
adding information based on evaluation of a plurality of viewers to
the image, and image data to be acquired is image data suitable for
predetermined information and is acquired at a predetermined
interval.
6. A computer-readable program that controls a processing
comprising the steps of: acquiring image data stored in a
predetermined server; and controlling display of an image based on
the acquired image data, wherein the predetermined server manages
image data of the image by adding information based on evaluation
of a plurality of viewers to the image, and image data to be
acquired is image data suitable for predetermined information and
is acquired at a predetermined interval.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing
apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, and in
particular, to an information processing apparatus, an information
processing method, and a program that enable a user to freely
acquire information.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The spread of Internet enables a user to acquire
information. In addition, in the digital television broadcasting,
the user can acquire desired information from the television
broadcasting through two-way communication. Furthermore, the user
can acquire desired information by reading out a predetermined
code, such as a QR Code (Registered Trademark) or the like, and
accessing a predetermined site with a mobile phone or the like.
(For example, see Patent Document 1.)
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-303553
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem that the Invention is to Solve
[0003] The user can acquire information in various ways, but he/she
wants to easily and freely acquire information. Furthermore, it is
desirable to enable everyone to view desired information only with
a simple operation, instead of allowing only a person who carries
out a predetermined operation to view information.
[0004] The invention has been finalized in consideration of such a
situation, and it is an object of the invention to enable a user to
more easily and freely acquire information while watching
television broadcasting.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, an information
processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit acquiring image
data stored in a predetermined server, and a display control unit
controlling display of an image based on image data acquired by the
acquisition unit. The predetermined server manages image data of
the image by adding information based on evaluation of a plurality
of viewers to the image, and the acquisition unit acquires image
data suitable for predetermined information at a predetermined
interval.
[0006] The information processing apparatus may further include an
application acquisition unit acquiring an application. When the
application is acquired by the application acquisition unit, the
display control unit may control display of a background based on
background data, which is included in the application, and may
control display such that the image based on image data to be
acquired by the acquisition unit is displayed on the
background.
[0007] The display control unit may perform control such that the
image is displayed beside a screen of a program of television
broadcasting.
[0008] The display control unit may control display such that the
image is displayed differently indifferent modes, and the modes may
be switched by a user's instruction.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, an information
processing method includes the steps of acquiring image data stored
in a predetermined server, and controlling display of an image
based on the acquired image data. The predetermined server manages
image data of the image by adding information based on evaluation
of a plurality of viewers to the image, and image data to be
acquired is image data suitable for predetermined information and
is acquired at a predetermined interval.
[0010] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a
computer-readable program controls a processing including the steps
of acquiring image data stored in a predetermined server, and
controlling display of an image based on the acquired image data.
The predetermined server manages image data of the image by adding
information based on evaluation of a plurality of viewers to the
image, and, image data to be acquired is image data suitable for
predetermined information and is acquired at a predetermined
interval.
[0011] In the information processing apparatus, the information
processing method, and the program according to the aspects of the
invention, image data suitable for predetermined information is
acquired at a predetermined interval from a predetermined server,
which manages image data of an image by adding information based on
evaluation of a plurality of viewers to the image.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the aspects of the invention, images that are
managed by a predetermined server or the like can be viewed through
simple setting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an
embodiment of a system to which the invention is applied.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram further showing the configuration of the
system.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal
configuration of an application server.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating data which is managed by
the application server.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the internal
configuration of a contents server.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data which is managed by
the contents server.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the internal
configuration of a television receiver.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the exterior
configuration of a remote controller.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data flow.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on a display panel.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an application list.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0034] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0035] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0039] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0042] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0043] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0044] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0045] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0046] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0047] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0048] FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0049] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0050] FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0051] FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0052] FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0053] FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0054] FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a screen which is
displayed on the display panel.
[0055] FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
system.
[0056] FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
television receiver.
[0057] FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
television receiver.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS
[0058] 11: NETWORK [0059] 12: APPLICATION SERVER [0060] 13:
CONTENTS SERVER [0061] 14: TELEVISION RECEIVER [0062] 219: GRAPHIC
GENERATION CIRCUIT [0063] 220: PANEL DRIVING CIRCUIT [0064] 221:
DISPLAY PANEL [0065] 230: SDRAM [0066] 231: FLASH MEMORY [0067]
232: CPU [0068] 251: REMOTE CONTROLLER
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0069] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[System Configuration]
[0070] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an
embodiment of a system to which the invention is applied. A system
shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that an application server 12, a
contents server 13-1, a contents server 13-2, and a television
receiver 14 are connected to a network 11.
[0071] The network 11 includes Internet, a LAN (Local Area
Network), or the like, and is used for data exchange between
devices connected thereto. The application server 12 is a server
that manages applications to be described below or a list of
applications.
[0072] The contents server 13-1 or the contents server 13-2 is a
server that manages contents, which are used by the applications
being managed by the application server 12. In the following
description, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish
the contents server 13-1 and the contents server 13-2, the contents
server 13-1 or the contents server 13-2 is referred to as a
contents server 13. While FIG. 1 shows an example where two
contents servers 13 are connected to the network 11, two or more
contents servers 13 may be connected to the network 11.
[0073] The contents being managed by the contents server 13 include
text data, image data, and video data. The contents may include
programs.
[0074] The television receiver 14 is a user-end information
processing apparatus. The television receiver 14 has a function
that receives television broadcasting and provides a program of
television broadcasting to the user, and a function that acquires
an application being managed by the application server 12 through
the network 11, carries out a processing based on the application,
and provides predetermined information to the user. While FIG. 1
shows an example where the single television receiver 14 is
connected to the network 11, one or more television receivers 14
are connected to the network 11.
[0075] In the system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the
television receiver 14, the user can watch a program of television
broadcasting and view predetermined information by a processing
based on an application, which is managed by the application server
12. The details of such a system will be described below.
[0076] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between an
administrator who manages the server shown in FIG. 1 or the like
and a user who uses a service. A service provider 21, an
application provider 22, and a contents provider 23 provides a
service. A user 24 uses a service.
[0077] The service provider 21 manages the application server 12.
The application provider 22 includes a plurality of application
providers 22, such as an application provider 22-1, an application
provider 22-2, an application provider 22-3, . . . . The contents
provider 23 includes a plurality of contents providers 23, such as
a contents provider 23-1, a contents provider 23-2, a contents
provider 23-3, a contents provider 23-4, a contents provider 23-5,
. . . .
[0078] The single service provider 21 is present. The service
provider 21 manages the application server 12, and manages an
application list 71 and applications 72 in the application server
12, as described below with reference to FIG. 4. While the
application list 71 describes therein information regarding an
application 72, the application 72 is provided from the application
provider 22.
[0079] The application provider 22 provides an application 72. The
application 72 is configured to appropriately refer to contents
data, which is managed in the contents server 13. Contents data for
reference is provided by the contents provider 23.
[0080] In the example of FIG. 2, the application provider 22-1
provides an application 72, which refers to contents from the
contents provider 23-1, contents from the contents provider 23-2,
and contents from the contents provider 23-3, to the service
provider 21.
[0081] Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, the application
provider 22-2 provides an application 72, which refers to contents
from the contents provider 23-2 and contents from the contents
provider 23-4, to the service provider 21. Similarly, in the
example of FIG. 2, the application provider 22-3 provides an
application 72, which refers to contents from the contents provider
23-5, to the service provider 21.
[0082] In this way, the application provider 22 provides an
application 72, which can refer to contents to be provided from a
plurality of contents providers 23, to the service provider 21. A
contract is made between the service provider 21 and the
application provider 22, and the service provider 21 may obtain a
contract fee or a registration fee from the application provider
22.
[0083] The service provider 21 can preliminarily examine an
application 72, which is registered in the application server 12,
so as to prevent an application 72 including a virus or the like
from being registered. The unified service provider 21 ensures
improvement of security.
[0084] The application 72 that is managed by the service provider
21 is provided to the user 24 on the basis of a request from the
user 24. If necessary, the application 72 that is registered in the
service provider 21 is checked at the time of registration, as
described above, and after registration, thereby providing a safe
application, not an application with a virus or the like.
[0085] When an application provided to the user 24 is configured to
refer to contents which are provided by the contents provider 23,
the application receives contents from the contents provider 23
with a single processing.
[0086] A contract may also be individually made between the
application provider 22 and the contents provider 23.
[0087] The application provider 22 and the contents provider 23 may
be the same. Basically, the contents provider 23 manages the
contents server 13, but when the application provider 22 and the
contents provider 23 are the same, the application provider 22 may
manage the contents server 13.
[0088] As the examples of the application provider 22 and the
contents provider 23, a company that operates a predetermined
search site or a company that carries on business on the network
serves as the application provider 22, and a company that provides
contents, such as news or weather forecast, constituting the pages
of the search site, serves as the contents provider 23.
[Example of Configuration of Application Server]
[0089] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal
configuration of the application server 12. The application server
12 may be formed by, for example, a personal computer, and the
internal configuration thereof may be the same as the personal
computer.
[0090] The application server 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing
Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory)
33, a bus 34, an input/output interface 35, an input section 36, an
output section 37, a storage section 38, a communication section
39, and a drive 40.
[0091] In the application server 12, the CPU 31, the ROM 32, and
the RAM 33 are connected to each other through the bus 34. The
input/output interface 35 is also connected to the bus 34. To the
input/output interface 35, the input section 36 including a
keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or the like, the output section 37
including a display, a speaker, or the like, the storage section 38
including a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, or the like, the
communication section 39 including a network interface or the like,
and a drive 40 driving a removable medium 41, such as a magnetic
disc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor
memory, are connected.
[0092] As the CPU 31, a cell described in "The Birth of Cell",
Nikkei Electronics, Nikkei BP Inc., Feb. 28, 2005, pp. 89-117 may
be used.
[0093] In the application server 12 configured as above, the CPU 31
loads a program, which is stored in the storage section 38 on the
RAM 33 through the input/output interface 35 and the bus 34, and
executes the program, such that a series of processing to be
described below is performed.
[0094] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating data which is stored in the
storage section 38. The storage section 38 stores the application
list 71 and the applications 72-1 to 72-N. The application list 71
is a list of the applications 72-1 to 72-N, which are managed by
the application server 12, and is data which is provided to the
television receiver 14 when the television receiver 14 accesses, in
other words, when a menu screen for application selection is
displayed on the television receiver 14.
[0095] Each of the applications 72-1 to 72-N is data of a main body
of the application. In the following description, when it is not
necessary to individually distinguish the applications 72-1 to
72-N, the applications 72-1 to 72-N are simply referred to as an
application 72.
[0096] The application 72 may be a program, called a widget. The
widget is a single-function program that is executed in a specific
runtime environment mainly on a desktop of a personal computer.
Examples of the widget include a watch, a calendar, a dictionary, a
calculator, and a program for providing weather information or the
like. The widget may cooperate with the network.
[0097] The application server 12 provides the application list 71
to the television receiver 14. Then, an application 72 selected
from the application list 71 on the television receiver 14 side is
provided to the television receiver 14.
[Example of Internal Configuration of Contents Server]
[0098] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the internal
configuration of the contents server 13. Similarly to the
application server 12, the contents server 13 may be formed by, for
example, a personal computer, and the internal configuration
thereof may be the same as the personal computer.
[0099] In the contents server 13, a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103
are connected to each other through a bus 104. An input/output
interface 105 is also connected to the bus 104. To the input/output
interface 105, an input section 106 including a keyboard, a mouse,
a microphone, or the like, an output section 107 including a
display, a speaker, or the like, a storage section 108 including a
hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, or the like, a communication
section 109 including a network interface or the like, and a drive
110 driving a removable medium 111, such as a magnetic disc, an
optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory,
are connected.
[0100] As the CPU 101, a cell described in "The Birth of Cell",
Nikkei Electronics, Nikkei BP Inc., Feb. 28, 2005, pp. 89-117 may
be used.
[0101] In the contents server 13 configured as above, the CPU 101
loads a program, which is stored in the storage section 108, on the
RAM 103 through the input/output interface 105 and the bus 104, and
executes the program, such that a series of processing to be
described below is performed.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 6, the storage section 108 of the contents
server 13 stores contents data 131. Contents data 131 is a program
or text data.
[0103] In the application 72 that is managed by the application
server 12, an URL (Uniform Resource Locator) where contents data
necessary for the application 72 is managed is described. A
processing based on the application 72 is performed on the
television receiver 14 side, and an access to the contents server
13 is executed on the basis of the URL in the application 72, and
contents data 131 is provided.
[0104] For example, if the application 72 is an application for
providing news, contents data 131 is text data or image data which
represents the contents of news. If the application 72 is an
application for fortune-telling, contents data 131 is text data
which represents the contents of fortune-telling for every zodiac
sign or data of an image obtained by imaging the corresponding
zodiac sign.
[0105] While a case where contents data 131 is managed by the
contents server 13 will continue to be described, contents data 131
may be managed by the application server 12. In this case, the
service provider 21 also functions as the application provider 22
including a plurality of application providers 22.
[0106] Contents data 131 that is managed by the contents server
13-1 is different from contents data 131' that is managed by the
contents server 13-2 (a dash (') is put in order to distinguish
from contents data 131 that is managed by the contents server
13-1). In other words, different applications 72 are configured to
refer to different contents data 131 such that contents data to be
cited by the application 72-1 is contents data 131, and contents
data to be cited by the application 72-2 is contents data 131'.
[0107] A single application 72 may access a plurality of contents
servers 13 to acquire a plurality of contents data 131.
[Example of Internal Configuration of Television Receiver]
[0108] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the internal
configuration of the television receiver 14.
[0109] The television receiver 14 has an antenna input terminal 211
to which a signal is input from an antenna for reception of analog
terrestrial broadcasting, and an antenna input terminal 212 to
which a signal is input from an antenna for reception of digital
broadcasting (digital terrestrial broadcasting and digital BS/CS
broadcasting). One of the terminals may be provided.
[0110] A terrestrial tuner 213 receives and demodulates a
broadcasting signal input to the antenna input terminal 211, and
acquires a video signal and a sound signal. The terrestrial tuner
213 outputs the acquired sound signal to a sound A/D
(Analog/Digital) conversion circuit 214, and outputs the video
signal to a video decoder 215.
[0111] The sound A/D conversion circuit 214 carries out A/D
conversion for the sound signal supplied from the terrestrial tuner
213, and outputs the obtained digital sound signal to a sound
signal processing circuit 222.
[0112] The video decoder 215 carries out decoding for the video
signal supplied from the terrestrial tuner 213, and outputs the
obtained digital component signal to the video signal processing
circuit 218.
[0113] A digital tuner 216 receives and demodulates a broadcasting
signal input to the antenna input terminal 212, and acquires
MPEG-TS (Moving Picture Experts Group-Transport Stream). The
digital tuner 216 outputs the acquired MPEG-TS to an MPEG decoder
217.
[0114] The MPEG decoder 217 releases scrambling of the MPEG-TS
supplied from the digital tuner 216, and extracts a stream
including data of a program to be reproduced (watched). The MPEG
decoder 217 decodes sound packets constituting the extracted
stream, and outputs obtained sound data to the sound signal
processing circuit 222. The MPEG decoder 217 also decodes video
packets constituting the stream, and outputs obtained video data to
the video signal processing circuit 218.
[0115] The MPEG decoder 217 also performs a processing to output
EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data extracted from the MPEG-TS to a
CPU (Central Processing Unit) 232 through a path (not shown).
[0116] The video signal processing circuit 218 carries out a
predetermined processing, such as noise elimination or the like,
for video data supplied from the video decoder 215 or video data
supplied from the MPEG decoder 217, and outputs obtained video data
to a graphic generation circuit 219.
[0117] The graphic generation circuit 219 generates video data of a
program to be displayed on a display panel 221 or image data by a
processing based on the application 72, which is supplied through
the network 11, and outputs generated video data or image data to a
panel driving circuit 220. The graphic generation circuit 219 is
configured to appropriately carry out a processing to generate
video data (graphic) for display of a screen, which is used by the
user in selection of an item, and to output video data, which is
obtained by superimposing generated video data on video data of the
program, to the panel driving circuit 220.
[0118] The panel driving circuit 220 drives the display panel 221
on the basis of data supplied from the graphic generation circuit
219, and displays the video of the program or various screens
described above on the display panel 221.
[0119] The display panel 221 is formed by an LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display) or the like, and displays the video of the program or the
like under the control of the panel driving circuit 220.
[0120] The sound signal processing circuit 222 carries out a
predetermined processing, such as noise elimination or the like,
for sound data supplied from the sound A/D conversion circuit 214
or sound data supplied from the MPEG decoder 217, and outputs
obtained sound data to an echo cancel/sound synthesis circuit
223.
[0121] The echo cancel/sound synthesis circuit 223 outputs sound
data, which is supplied from the sound signal processing circuit
222, to a sound amplification circuit 224, and outputs sound of the
program from a speaker 225.
[0122] When data of sound supplied through the network 11 is
supplied from a sound codec 228, or when data of sound of the user
(user A) of the television receiver 14 is supplied from an A/D
conversion circuit 227, the echo cancel/sound synthesis circuit 223
carries out echo cancel for sound data of the user A. The echo
cancel/sound synthesis circuit 223 outputs data of sound obtained
by synthesis to the sound amplification circuit 224.
[0123] The sound amplification circuit 224 carries out D/A
conversion and amplification for sound data supplied from the echo
cancel/sound synthesis circuit 223, adjusts the volume to a
predetermined volume, and outputs sound from the speaker 225.
[0124] The A/D conversion circuit 227 receives a signal of sound of
the user imported by a microphone 226, which is provided in the
television receiver 14 for voice speech, and carries out A/D
conversion for the received sound signal. The A/D conversion
circuit 227 outputs digital sound data, which is obtained by A/D
conversion, to the echo cancel/sound synthesis circuit 223 and the
sound codec 228.
[0125] The sound codec 228 converts sound data supplied from the
A/D conversion circuit 227 into a predetermined format data of for
transmission through the network 11, and outputs converted data to
a network I/F 234 through an internal bus 229.
[0126] A SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 230, a
flash memory 231, the CPU 232, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/F
233, and the network I/F 234 are also connected to the internal bus
229.
[0127] The SDRAM 230 stores various kinds of data necessary for a
processing in the CPU 232.
[0128] The flash memory 231 stores a program that is executed by
the CPU 232. The program that is stored in the flash memory 231 is
read out by the CPU 232 with a predetermined timing, for example,
when the television receiver 14 is activated. The flash memory 231
also stores EPG data acquired through digital broadcasting, data
acquired from a predetermined server through the network 11, and
the like.
[0129] The CPU 232 executes the program that is stored in the flash
memory 231, and controls the overall operation of the television
receiver 14 in accordance with a control code to be supplied from a
light receiving section 237. The CPU 232 and the individual
sections of the television receiver 14 are connected to each other
through a path (not shown).
[0130] The USB I/F 233 performs data transmission and reception
with an apparatus outside the television receiver 14, which is
connected through a USB cable attached to a USB terminal 236. The
network I/F 234 is connected to the network 11 through a cable
attached to a network terminal 235, and performs data transmission
and reception with various devices, which are connected to the
network 11.
[0131] The light receiving section 237 receives infrared light from
a remote controller 251, and outputs a control code, which is
obtained by demodulation and represents the contents of a user
operation, to the CPU 232.
[0132] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the exterior
configuration of the remote controller 251. The remote controller
251 includes an up button 271-1 for upward movement of a cursor,
which is displayed on the television receiver 14, a down button
271-2 for downward movement of the cursor, a left button 271-3 for
leftward movement of the cursor, a right button 271-4 for rightward
movement of the cursor, an OK button 272 for selection an item of a
movement destination and decision, and a set button 273 for
predetermined setting, and a return button 274 for return to a
previous screen.
[0133] These buttons are operated when the application 72 is
selected or the like.
[0134] The remote controller 251 is also provided with, in addition
to the buttons shown in FIG. 8, for example, a button for selection
of a program of television broadcasting or a button for selection
of a volume, on which no reference numeral is put, on the upper
side of the remote controller 251. That is, the remote controller
251 is separately provided with a button for an operation regarding
television broadcasting, and a button for an operation regarding
the application 72. Meanwhile, some of the buttons may be commonly
used.
[0135] If a button for an operation regarding television
broadcasting and a button for an operation regarding the
application 72 are separately provided, as described below, when a
program of television broadcasting and an image or text based on
the application 72 are displayed on the same screen, the user can
operate a desired operation target only by an operation of a button
of the remote controller 251 in association with the operation
target.
[0136] If a button for changing a channel up as a button for
program selection and a button for upward movement of the cursor
for application selection are commonly used, even if the user
operates the button with intent to change the program channel up,
the cursor may move upward. In order to suppress occurrence of such
a situation, it is necessary to provide a switch button or the like
and to operate the corresponding button.
[0137] As described above, however, if a button for an operation
regarding television broadcasting and a button for an operation
regarding the application 72 are separately provided, the user can
perform a desired processing by using the remote controller 251
with no erroneous operation and no complex operation, such as an
operation of a switch button.
[Processing Overview]
[0138] The overview of a processing that is executed in the system
of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. An
application list 71 is supplied from the application server 12 to
the television receiver 14. Thereafter, an application 72 is
provided from the application server 12. The application 72
includes, for example, Java (Registered Trademark) Script 73-1,
PSML (Page Structure and Macro description Language) 73-2, and the
like.
[0139] After the application list 71 and the application 72 are
received, when a user' s instruction is made, the television
receiver 14 carries out a processing on the basis of the received
application 72. In any application 72 (by a script described in
Java (Registered Trademark) Script 73-1 constituting the
application 72), an access to the contents server 13 is executed to
acquire contents data 131, and a processing on the basis of
contents data 131 is carried out.
[Screen Switching]
[0140] Next, a screen that is displayed on the television receiver
14 having such a configuration will be described. In the following
description, a screen on which an image based on the application 72
and the like are displayed is exemplified.
[0141] FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen which is displayed on
the display panel 221 when the user wants to activate the
application 72. In the following description, the screen shown in
FIG. 10 is referred to as an initial screen. The user can select a
desired processing on the initial screen. The desired processing
is, for example, a processing to refer to a list of programs which
are recorded in an HDD recorder (not shown) connected to the
television receiver 14 and to select a program, a processing to
refer to a program guide of digital terrestrial broadcasting and to
watch a program, or the like.
[0142] The initial screen is a menu screen for selection of
processing or setting.
[0143] In the initial screen of FIG. 10, a dotted line is put for
description, and is not displayed on the actual screen.
[0144] An icon display section 301 has a plurality of icons that
are arranged in a horizontal direction and displayed, and each icon
is an image that allows the user to intuitively recognize what kind
of processing or what kind of setting is possible. For example,
when a processing regarding an image (for example, a processing to
display a list of programs recorded in the HDD recorder) is carried
out, an icon that allows the user to recognize that processing for
such an image is possible is displayed in the icon display section
301.
[0145] From among the icons that are displayed in the icon display
section 301, one icon is focused. Text indicative of what the icon
relates to is displayed below the focused icon. In the example of
FIG. 10, since an icon regarding "NETWORK" is focused, text
"NETWORK" is displayed below the icon. The focused icon is
displayed a different color from other icons so as to be
distinguished from other icons.
[0146] The icons that are displayed in the icon display section 301
slide in a left-right direction on the basis of a user's
instruction. For example, when the user operates the left button
271-3 (FIG. 10) of the remote controller 251, the icons that are
displayed in the icon display section 301 move leftward as a whole,
and the focused icon move to a next icon.
[0147] Up and down of the focused icon, an icon display section 302
is provided, and icons indicative of options for processing or
setting represented by the focused icon are displayed. In the
example of FIG. 10, in a state where the icon "NETWORK" is focused,
icons indicative of options for processing or setting regarding the
network are arranged in a vertical direction and displayed in the
icon display section 302.
[0148] Here, the options regarding the icon "NETWORK" are options
for selection of the applications 72.
[0149] A cursor 311 is positioned on one icon of the icon display
section 302. An example where the cursor 311 is positioned at an
icon below the focused icon will continue to be described. In other
words, the cursor 311 is fixed and constantly positioned below the
focused icon. When the user instructs movement (slide) of the icons
displayed in the icon display section 302, the icons slide in an
up-down direction, and the movement of the icons is realized.
[0150] From among the icons displayed in the icon display section
302, the descriptions of icons, excluding the icon displayed in the
icon display section 301 (in this case, excluding the icon NETWORK)
are displayed in a description display section 303. For example,
referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that text "PROGRAM RANKING" is
displayed at the top of the description display section 303, and a
corresponding icon (application) is used to display the ranking of
the program.
[0151] On the right side of the description display section 303, a
state icon display section 304 is provided. In the state icon
display section 304, when an application 72 is newly added, an icon
"NEW" is displayed, when the application 72 is updated, an icon
"UPDATE" is displayed, and when service provision by the
application 72 ends, an icon "END" is displayed.
[0152] On the right side of the state icon display section 304, a
registration state display section 305 is provided. When an icon
displayed in the icon display section 302 is selected, the
application 72 of the icon is activated, and information by the
activated application 72 is provided to the user, together with a
program of television broadcasting. Meanwhile, a predetermined
number of applications 72 to be activated other than the
application 72 selected at that time may be registered beforehand.
That is, the user can register the favorite applications 72.
[0153] The layout of such an initial screen or information to be
displayed is just an example, and it is not limited to the layout
of the initial screen or information to be displayed shown in FIG.
10. The same is applied to screens that will be described below,
and these screens are for illustrative but not limitative purposes
and may be appropriately changed.
[0154] The initial screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed when the
user selects the icon "NETWORK", in other words, when the
television receiver 14 is connected to the application server 12
and the application list 71 is acquired in a state where the icon
"NETWORK" is focused. In this way, the timing at which the
application list 71 is acquired is when an icon is focused, as
described above. Meanwhile, when an icon is focused, the initial
screen may not be instantaneously displayed depending on the
communication speed of the network or the like. For this reason,
for example, the application list 71 is preferably acquired and
held at regular intervals.
[0155] In the application list 71, information in each display
section of the icon display section 302, the description display
section 303, and the state icon display section 304 is described.
Information that is described in the registration state display
section 305 is stored on the television receiver 14 side. When the
application list 71 is acquired, it is determined which application
72 is to be registered, and an icon REGISTERED is displayed for the
corresponding icon.
[0156] To cite an example of one icon that is displayed in the icon
display section 302, a further description will be provided for
information, which is displayed in each of the description display
section 303, the state icon display section 304, and the
registration state display section 305, with reference to FIG.
11.
[0157] An icon 321 that is displayed in the icon display section
302 is formed by an image that causes the contents of the
application 72 to be imaged to the user. Icon data for display of
the icon 321 is described in the application list 71. In addition,
a URL where icon data is stored is described in the application
list 71, and icon data is acquired through an access to the
URL.
[0158] The description display section 303 includes a name display
section 322 in which the name of the application 72 is displayed, a
description display section 323 in which the description of the
application 72 is displayed, and a provider display section 324 in
which the provider of the application 72 is displayed.
[0159] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the name of the
application 72 corresponding to the icon 321 is "PROGRAM RANKING",
and thus "PROGRAM RANKING" is displayed in the name display section
322. The application 72 corresponding to the icon 321 is a program
of television broadcasting and has a function to provide
information regarding rankings of audience ratings or to recommend
a program, and thus the description "RECOMMENDED PROGRAM!" is
displayed in the description display section 323. A distributor
that distributes the application 72 corresponding to the icon 321
is "DISTRIBUTOR A", and thus "DISTRIBUTOR A" is displayed in the
provider display section 324. The distributor A is the application
provider 22.
[0160] A state icon 325 that is displayed when the state of the
application 72 changes is displayed in the state icon display
section 304. As described above, the state icon 325 includes the
icon "NEW" that is displayed when the application 72 is newly
added, the icon "UPDATE" that is displayed when the application 72
is updated, and the icon "END" that is displayed when service
provision by the application 72 ends. No state icon 325 is
displayed in the state icon display section 304 corresponding to
the application 72 with no change in the state.
[0161] In the case of an application 72 that is registered, a
REGISTERED icon 326 is displayed in the registration state display
section 305. The user may register the favorite applications 72.
With this registration, as described below, when a predetermined
application 72 is selected, the registered applications 72 may be
displayed, together with the selected application 72. Though the
details are described below, referring to the initial screen shown
in FIG. 10 again, if an icon "SERVICE CAST" is selected, the
registered application 72 is displayed.
[0162] The registered applications 72 are activated at the same
time, and the applications 72 individually carry out processing.
Meanwhile, if the processing by a plurality of applications 72,
mainly, the processing to access the contents server 13 through the
network 11 and to acquire and display contents data 131 is carried
out at the same time, a burden may be imposed on the television
receiver 14 depending on the number of processing. In particular,
since there is a limit in the capacity of the SDRAM 230 (FIG. 6),
which temporarily stores contents data 131, or the like is limited,
contents data 131 by a plurality of applications 72 cannot be
stored unlimitedly.
[0163] Accordingly, the number of applications 72 that can be
registered is preferably limited. For example, the number of
applications 72 that can be registered may be limited to 5, and
when the user wants to register a sixth application 72, an error
message or the like may be displayed. In addition, for example,
when the number of applications 72 that can be registered is
limited to 5, five REGISTERED icons 326 are displayed in the
registration state display section 305 to the maximum.
[0164] Registration/unregistration is different for every
television receiver 14. For this reason, information regarding the
registered application 72, for example, the ID for identifying the
registered application 72 or the like is stored on the television
receiver 14 side. When the television receiver 14 acquires the
application list 71, an application 72 being registered is
determined with reference to the stored information and information
described in the application list 71, and the REGISTERED icon 326
is displayed in the registration state display section 305.
[0165] From among the information described with reference to FIG.
11, the information that is displayed in each of the display
sections other than the registration state display section 305 is
described in the application list 71. FIG. 12 is an example of
information that is described in the application list 71 and an
example of information for one application 72.
[0166] In the application list 71, for every application 72,
information (data) regarding "ID" for identifying the application
72, "IMAGE" of the icon displayed in the icon display section 302,
"NAME" of the application 72, "DESCRIPTION" regarding a service,
which is provided by the application 72, "PROVIDER" that provides
the application 72, and "STATE" of the application 72 are
described.
[0167] "ID" for identifying the application 72 may be the
above-described URL where the application 72 is managed. In
addition, when the television receiver 14 determines whether or not
an application 72 is registered, the ID that is managed on the
television receiver 14 side is the ID that is described in the
application list 71.
[0168] "IMAGE" of the icon displayed in the icon display section
302 may be image data of the icon or may be the above-described URL
where image data of the icon is managed. In the case of the URL,
image data of the icon is acquired through acquisition of the
application list 71 and connection to the URL described in the
application list 71.
[0169] With the management of the application list 71 on the
application server 12 side, the following advantages can be
obtained. First, when an application 72 is newly registered in the
application list 71, the administrator (in FIG. 2, the service
provider 21) who manages the application server 12 can examine the
application 72. With the examination by the administrator, for
example, an ill-intended application 72 including a virus can be
prevented from being registered. Therefore, the security of the
application 72 that is provided to the user 24 side (the television
receiver 14 side) can be increased.
[0170] The application list 71 is supplied to the television
receiver 14, and the television receiver 14 presents only the
applications 72, which are registered in the supplied application
list 71, to the user side. For this reason, if the application list
71 is updated, a processing based on the updated application list
71 can be carried out on the television receiver 14 side. For
example, if there is a newly registered application 72, the newly
registered application 72 can be provided to the user side, without
bothering the user on the television receiver 14 side (for example,
without carrying out the update).
[0171] That is, the applications 72 that are provided to the user
side can be freely set on the administrator side, and a problematic
application 72 can be deleted from the application list 71. For
this reason, the applications 72 can be provided to the user side
through the accurate management of the administrator. In other
words, the application provider 22 can be freely set on the service
provider 21, and accordingly a contract with a problematic
application provider 22 can be released, and information regarding
the application 72 that is provided by the corresponding
application provider 22 can be deleted from the application list
71. For this reason, the applications 72 can be provided to the
user 24 side through the accurate management of the service
provider 21.
[0172] The television receiver 14 accesses the application server
12, and holds the URL for acquisition of the application list
71.
[0173] We now return to the description for the initial screen
shown in FIG. 10. When the initial screen shown in FIG. 10 is
displayed on the display panel 221, if the user operates the down
button 271-2 (FIG. 10) of the remote controller 251, the screen is
switched to a screen shown in FIG. 13.
[0174] In comparison of the screen example shown in FIG. 13 with
the screen example shown in FIG. 10, while in the case of the
screen (initial screen) shown in FIG. 10, the cursor 311 is
positioned on an icon representing an application 72 named "NEWS",
in the case of the screen shown in FIG. 13, the cursor 311 is
positioned on an icon of an application 72 named
"FORTUNE-TELLING".
[0175] Referring to FIG. 10, the icon of the application 72 named
"FORTUNE-TELLING" is positioned below the icon of the application
72 named "NEWS" by two icons. When the user operates the down
button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 two times, or when the
user continues to operate the down button 271-2 of the remote
controller 251 until the cursor 311 moves by two icons, the cursor
311 moves downward to the icon positioned below by two icons.
[0176] In this case, since the position of the cursor 311 is fixed,
actually, the icons that are displayed in the icon display section
302 move upward by two icons. In this way, a processing
corresponding to the two times operation of the down button 271-2
of the remote controller 251 is carried out.
[0177] As shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the cursor 311 is
positioned on the icon of the application 72 named
"FORTUNE-TELLING", if the set button 273 of the remote controller
251 is operated, the screen becomes a screen shown in FIG. 14.
[0178] A description will be provided for the screen shown in FIG.
14. In the screen shown in FIG. 14, a setup screen 351 is displayed
so as to be superimposed on the screen shown in FIG. 13. In the
setup screen 351, as selection items, an item 361, "ALL APPLICATION
RELEASE", which is operated to release all the applications 72
being registered, and item 362, "APPLICATION SELECTION", which is
operated to activate an application 72 being selected, an item 363,
"APPLICATION REGISTRATION", which is operated to register an
application 72 being selected, an item 364, "APPLICATION
DESCRIPTION", which is operated to view the description of the
application 72 regarding which processing an application 72 being
selected carries out, and an item 365, "CLOSE", which is operated
to close the selection screen 351, are displayed.
[0179] The "application 72 being selected" is application 72
corresponding to an icon on which the cursor 311 is positioned, and
in the screen example shown in FIG. 14, is the application 72 named
"FORTUNE-TELLING".
[0180] Referring to the screen example of FIG. 13 again, since the
application 72 named "FORTUNE-TELLING" is not registered, the icon
representing registration is not displayed in the registration
state display section 305. When such an application 72 is selected,
if the item 363 (FIG. 14), "APPLICATION REGISTRATION", is selected,
the corresponding application 72 is registered.
[0181] If an application 72 is registered, an icon indicative of
registration is displayed in the registration state display section
305 when the initial screen is next displayed. In addition, if an
application 72 is registered, the ID of the application 72 is
stored in the television receiver 14. At the time of registration,
when a predetermined number of applications 72 are already
registered, registration is not carried out, and an error message
or the like is displayed.
[0182] When registration is carried out, though not shown, a screen
for confirmation of the user on whether or not to execute
registration may be displayed.
[0183] Returning to the description for the screen example of FIG.
14, if the item 364, "APPLICATION DESCRIPTION", is selected, the
screen of the display panel 221 is switched to an application
description screen 371, as shown in FIG. 15. The application
description screen 371 is provided with a region 381 where the name
of the application 72 is displayed, a region 382 where the name of
the provider of the application 72 is displayed, and a region 383
where a telephone number for inquiry of the application 72 is
displayed.
[0184] The application description screen 371 is also provided with
a region 384 where an image that causes a service, which is
provided to the user through processing by an application 72, to be
imaged to the user, for example, an enlarged image of an icon
displayed in the icon display section 302 is displayed, and a
region 385 where text that describes the contents of a service,
which is provided to the user through processing by an application
72, is displayed.
[0185] The application description screen 371 is also provided with
a button 386 that is operated to activate a Web browser and display
a contact or support information of an application 72, and a button
387 that is operated to return to the screen shown in FIG. 14, that
is, the screen on which the setup screen 351 is displayed.
[0186] The user can view such an application description screen 371
to recognize the contents of the service, which is provided by the
application 72.
[0187] Next, a description will be provided for a screen when the
application 72 is activated from the screen shown in FIG. 13 or the
screen shown in FIG. 14. The screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed
when the cursor 311 is positioned on the icon indicative of the
application 72 named "FORTUNE-TELLING". In a state where the cursor
311 is positioned on the icon indicative of a predetermined
application 72, if the OK button 272 (FIG. 10) of the remote
controller 251 is operated, the screen of the display panel 221 is
switched to a screen shown in FIG. 16.
[0188] As shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the cursor 311 is
positioned on the icon indicative of the application 72,
"FORTUNE-TELLING", and the setup screen 351 is displayed, if the
item 362, "APPLICATION SELECTION", is operated, the screen of the
display panel 221 is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 16.
[0189] If the application 72 is activated, data of the main body of
the application 72 is acquired from the application server 12. In
this case, when an instruction to activate the application 72 is
made, an access to the application server 12 is executed, and data
(program and the like) of the main body of the application 72 is
acquired. At the time of acquisition, data of the application 72
that is instructed to be activated is acquired on the basis of the
ID of the application 72 described in the application list 71.
[0190] A description will be provided for the screen shown in FIG.
16. Of the screen shown in FIG. 16, the left side becomes a program
display region 401 where a program of television broadcasting is
displayed, and the right side becomes an application display region
402 where services of a plurality of application 72 are displayed.
In this way, the program of television broadcasting and
information, which is provided by the application 72 are provided
to the user at the same time. The user can view desired information
that is provided by the application 72, while enjoying the program
of television broadcasting.
[0191] In the screen example shown in FIG. 16, information that is
provided by three applications 72 is displayed in the application
display region 402. Of the application display region 402, in the
upper region 411, information is displayed by an application 72
called SERVICE CHANNEL (hereinafter, the application 72 named
"SERVICE CHANNEL" is described to correspond to an application
72-1). In the middle region 412, information is displayed by an
application 72 called FORTUNE-TELLING (hereinafter, the application
72 named "FORTUNE-TELLING" is described to correspond to an
application 72-2). In the lower region 413, information is
displayed by an application 72 called NEWS (hereinafter, the
application 72 named "NEWS" is displayed to correspond to an
application 72-3).
[0192] The applications 72 that display information in the
application display region 402 include the application 72 being
registered and the selected application 72. As described above, it
is configured such that the user can register a predetermined
number of applications 72 in advance. Even if an application 72
being not registered is selected, the applications 72 that are
registered by the user are displayed in the application display
region 402, together with the application 72 being not
registered.
[0193] For example, referring to FIG. 13, in the screen shown in
FIG. 16, the application 72-2 called FORTUNE-TELLING is the
application 72 being not registered. Even if the application 72-2
being not registered is selected, the applications 72-1 and 72-3
being registered are displayed in the application display region
402, together with the application 72-2.
[0194] The applications 72 displayed in the application display
region 402 separately operate. For example, the application 72-3
that provides a service for news display is connected to the
contents server 13 to acquire contents data 131 of news and to
update news (text) displayed in the region 413 at the timing at
which the application 72-3 is set.
[0195] Though not displayed, the applications 72 being registered
are operating, as well as the applications 72-1 to 72-3 that are
displayed in the application display region 402. For example, when
five applications 72 are registered, six applications 72 including
the five applications 72 and the selected unregistered application
72 execute processing, regardless of whether or not they are
displayed in the application display region 402. The application
72-3 is connected to the contents server 13 to acquire news,
regardless of whether or not it is displayed in the application
display region 402.
[0196] In this way, the information by the applications 72
displayed in the application display region 402 is updated,
regardless of whether or not a user's instruction is made, insofar
as each of the applications 72 is an application 72 that can
appropriately update information. Therefore, the user can acquire
new information without feeling bothersome.
[0197] As described above, when one application 72 is instructed to
be activated, the application 72, which is instructed to be
activated, and the applications 72 being registered are activated
at the same time. Here, simultaneous activation means that an
access to the application server 12 is executed to acquire the data
main body of the application 72, a processing is carried out on the
basis of the acquired application 72, and during this processing,
if necessary, a connection to the contents server 13 is made to
acquire contents data 131.
[0198] As described above, in this embodiment, when the application
72 is instructed to be activated, data regarding the application 72
is acquired. Therefore, data regarding the application 72 does not
need to be resident on the television receiver 14, and thus the
memory space of the SDRAM 230 (FIG. 7) to be allocated to data
regarding the application 72 can be reduced.
[0199] Referring to FIG. 16 again, if the up button 271-1 of the
remote controller 251 is operated, the applications 72-1 to 72-3
displayed in the application display region 402 move upward, and an
application 72-4 that is an application 72, which is not displayed
in the application display region 402, and virtually disposed below
the application 72-3 is displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG.
17, a screen is displayed in which information by the application
72-2 is displayed in the region 411, information by the application
72-3 is displayed in the region 412, and information by the
application 72-4 is displayed in the region 413. In the following
description, a case where the application 72-4 is an application 72
corresponding to the name "PHOTO FRIEND" will continue to be
described.
[0200] When the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, the applications 72-1 to 72-3 move downward, and an
application 72-5 that is an application 72, which is not displayed
in the application display region 402, and virtually disposed above
the application 72-1 is displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG.
18, a screen is displayed in which information by the application
72-5 is displayed in the region 411, information by the application
72-1 is displayed in the region 412, and information by the
application 72-2 is displayed in the region 413. In the following
description, a case where the application 72-5 is an application 72
corresponding to the name "GOURMET INFORMATION" will continue to be
described.
[0201] As described above, the applications 72 that are operating
in parallel are virtually arranged in the vertical direction, the
applications 72 displayed in the application display region 402 are
switched in accordance with the operation state of the up button
271-1 or the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251.
[0202] The screens shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 are referred to as a
normal mode. In the normal mode, if the OK button 272 of the remote
controller 251 is operated, the mode is switched to a focus mode in
which an application 72 positioned in the middle at that time (an
application 72 which is displaying information in the region 412)
is focused.
[0203] For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 16, the application
72 that is displaying information in the region 412 of the
application display region 402 is the application 72-2 named
"FORTUNE-TELLING". In this state, if the OK button 272 of the
remote controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to the
screen of the focus mode, in which the application 72-2 is
focused.
[0204] FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen in the focus mode. In
the focus mode, the regions 411 and 413 of the application display
region 402 are displayed dark. In other words, only the region 412
in the middle of the application display region 402 is displayed
brighter than other regions. In the focus mode, the applications 72
being registered and the selected application 72 are operating in
parallel, regardless of whether or not the applications 72 are
displayed in the application display region 402.
[0205] In the focus mode, similarly to the normal mode, if the up
button 271-1 or the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251
is operated, the applications 72 displayed in the application
display region 402 slide upward or downward and are displayed. With
this slide, the application 72 displayed in the region 412 is
switched, and thus the focused application 72 is also switched.
Therefore, in the focus mode, the user can bring a desire
application 72 into focus.
[0206] When the mode is switched to the focus mode, buttons and the
like based on the application 72 being focused are displayed. For
example, referring to FIG. 19, when the application 72 displayed in
the region 412 is the application 72-2, "FORTUNE-TELLING", a button
431, "READ FORTUNE", is displayed in the focus mode. A button 432
called RETURN that is operated to return to the normal mode is also
displayed.
[0207] The user operates the left button 271-3 or the right button
271-4 of the remote controller 251 to select the button 431 or the
button 432. After the button 431 or the button 432 is selected, if
the OK button 272 is operated, a processing corresponding to the
selected button is executed. When the button 431 called "READ
FORTUNE" is selected and decided, the mode is switched to an active
mode, and when the button 432 called "RETURN" is selected and
decided, the mode is switched to the normal mode.
[0208] The active mode is a mode in which only information provided
by one application 72 is displayed. FIG. 20 shows an example of a
screen which is displayed on the display panel 221 in the active
mode. In the application display region 402, an active screen 461
in which only information by one application 72, in this case, the
application 72-2 named "FORTUNE-TELLING" is displayed is
displayed.
[0209] In the active mode, information by one application 72 is
displayed, and in this state, the operations of other applications
72 stop. As described above, while in the normal mode or the focus
mode, the applications 72 being registered and the selected
application 72 operate in parallel, regardless of whether or not
they are displayed, in the active mode, only the applications 72
being displayed operate.
[0210] In the active mode, the activated application 72 accesses
the contents server 13 to acquire contents data 131. A processing
based on acquired contents data 131 is executed, and thus the
active screen 461 is displayed.
[0211] For example, as shown in FIG. 20, information that is
provided by the application 72-2 called "FORTUNE-TELLING" is
displayed, in the active screen 461, text indicative of the
contents of fortune-telling or the like is displayed. The contents
of fortune-telling shown in FIG. 20 is information that is provided
for every zodiac sign, and when the user wants to view
fortune-telling information of zodiac signs other than the zodiac
sign being displayed (in FIG. 20, Virgo), he/she operates a button
"NEXT" that is provided below the active screen 461. The user
operates the button "NEXT" to view desired fortune-telling
information.
[0212] Meanwhile, it is considered that, when fortune-telling
information is provided by zodiac sign, the user wants to view
fortune-telling information of his/her zodiac sign with no
operation of the button "NEXT". Therefore, it is configured that
the zodiac sign of the user is registered, and information of the
registered zodiac sign is first displayed when the mode is switched
to the active mode.
[0213] For example, in the screen of the active mode shown in FIG.
20, if the user operates the set button 273 of the remote
controller 251, an option menu screen for setup (registration) of a
zodiac sign or the like is displayed. FIG. 21 shows an example of
an option menu screen corresponding to the application 72-2 called
"FORTUNE-TELLING". In the screen of the normal mode (for example,
FIG. 16) or in the screen of the focus mode (for example, FIG. 19),
even if the set button 273 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, the option menu screen 481 is superimposed on the screen
at that time and displayed in the same manner as the active
mode.
[0214] Referring to FIG. 21, in the option menu screen 481, a
button 491 called "ALL APPLICATION RELEASE", a button 492 called
"APPLICATION SETUP", a button 493 called "REGISTRATION", and a
button 494 called "INQUIRY" are displayed. Of these, with respect
to the button 493 called "REGISTRATION", when an application 72
being not registered yet is subject to processing, the option menu
screen 481 is displayed, and when an application 72 being already
registered is subject to processing, a button 493 called
"REGISTRATION RELEASE" is displayed.
[0215] The button 491 called "ALL APPLICATION RELEASE" is a button
that is operated to release registration of all the applications 72
being registered. The button 492 called "APPLICATION SETUP" is a
button that is operated to set information depending on the
application 72, for example, in the case of the application 72
regarding fortune-telling by zodiac sign, information of the zodiac
signs or the like.
[0216] The button 493 called "REGISTRATION" is a button that is
displayed when the application 72 being not registered yet is
subject to processing, and is operated to register the application
72 subject to processing. When the application 72 being already
registered is subject to processing, the button 493 "REGISTRATION
RELEASE" is displayed. The button 493 called "REGISTRATION RELEASE"
is a button that is operated to release registration of the
application 72 being registered.
[0217] The button 494 called "INQUIRY" is a button that is operated
to display information regarding a destination for providing the
application 72.
[0218] If the button 492 called "APPLICATION SETUP" is operated,
the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 22. A description
will be provided for a setup screen shown in FIG. 22. A setup
screen 501 shown in FIG. 22 is a screen for setup in the
application 72-2 named "FORTUNE-TELLING". In the setup screen 501
regarding fortune-telling, a column 511 for zodiac sign selection,
a column 512 for name input, and a column 513 for favorite food
selection are provided.
[0219] The column 511 for zodiac sign selection is configured such
that one zodiac sign can be selected, and a desired zodiac sign can
be selected by the operation of the up button 271-1 or the down
button 271-2 of the remote controller 251.
[0220] The column 512 for name input is configured such that the
user can input and set desired text, such as his/her name,
nickname, or the like by the operation of the remote controller
251. While a case where the name is input has been described, the
user ID or password may be set by the application 72.
[0221] In the column 513 for favorite food selection, the names of
a plurality of foods are listed, and a checkbox is provided in
front of each name. The user can select the names of a plurality of
foods, and can check each checkbox.
[0222] As described above, the items that are set in the setup
screen 501 includes an item that is set through input of desired
text or the like by the user, an item that is set when the user
selects one item from among the items being set in advance, an item
that is set when the user selects a plurality of items from among
the items being set in advance or the like.
[0223] The set items that are set in such a setup screen 501 are
stored on the television receiver 14 side. For example, when the
application 72-2, "FORTUNE-TELLING", is put in the active mode, a
zodiac sign that is one of the items set in the television receiver
14 is referred to, and contents corresponding to the zodiac sign is
acquired from the contents server 13 and displayed. Therefore, the
user can first view fortune-telling of his/her zodiac sign set once
in the focus mode or the active mode.
[0224] While the above example has been described mainly focusing
on the application 72-2 named "FORTUNE-TELLING", hereinafter, a
description will be provided again focusing on the application 72-3
named "NEWS".
[0225] In the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 17, that is,
in a state where information by the application 72-3 named "NEWS"
is displayed in the region 412 that is positioned in the middle of
the application display region 402, if the OK button 272 of the
remote controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to a
screen in a focus mode shown in FIG. 23.
[0226] FIG. 23 shows a screen example in a focus mode in which the
application 72-3 named "NEWS" is focused. Of the application
display region 402, only the region 412 where news is displayed
through processing by the application 72-3 is displayed brighter
than other regions. In such a focus mode, the applications 72 being
registered and the selected application 72 are operating in
parallel, regardless of whether or not the applications 72 are
displayed in the application display region 402.
[0227] As the buttons based on the application 72-3 named "NEWS",
in the example of FIG. 23, a button 531, "PREVIOUS", and a button
532, "NEXT", are displayed. The button 531, "PREVIOUS", is a button
that is operated to return to a previous article of news articles,
and the button 532, "NEXT", is a button that is operated to return
to a next article of news articles.
[0228] It is configured such that the operation of the left button
271-3 of the remote controller 251 corresponds to the operation of
the button 531, "PREVIOUS", and the operation of the right button
271-4 corresponds to the operation of the button 532, "NEXT". The
user operates the left button 271-3 or the right button 271-4 to
view a desired news article.
[0229] In the focus mode shown in FIG. 23, if the OK button 272 of
the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is changed to an
active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the
active mode is a mode in which only information to be provided by
one application 72-3 is displayed. In this case, as shown in FIG.
24, an active screen 461 in which only information to be provided
by the application 72-3, "NEWS", is displayed is displayed in the
application display region 402.
[0230] In the active mode, the activated application 72-3 accesses
the contents server 13 to acquire contents data 131 regarding news.
If a processing based on acquired contents data 131 is executed, a
news article is displayed on the active screen 461. The news
article that is displayed on the active screen 461 is updated in a
cycle set in the application 72-3. When the update is carried out,
contents data 131 is acquired.
[0231] In the active screen 461 of FIG. 24, a button 551, "DETAIL"
is provided which is operated to see the details of the news
article being displayed. As described above, the buttons that are
provided in the active screen 461 are buttons that are suitable for
the activated application 72.
[0232] If the button 551, "DETAIL", is operated, data of the
details of the news article is acquired through an access to the
contents server 13. Alternatively, a predetermined browser may be
activated and may access a predetermined server on Internet, and a
processing of the predetermined browser may be executed on the
basis of data acquired from the server to provide the details.
[0233] As shown in FIG. 24, while the news article that is provided
by the application 72-3 called "NEWS" is displayed in the active
screen 461, news of interest is different by users. Therefore, a
genre of interest of the user can be set (registered) such that a
news article of the genre of interest of the user is preferentially
provided more than news articles of no interest.
[0234] In the screen of the active mode shown in FIG. 24, if the
user operates the set button 273 of the remote controller 251, as
shown in FIG. 25, an option menu screen 481 is displayed. In the
option menu screen 481, the same items as the above-described
option menu screen 481 (FIG. 21), which is displayed when the
application 72-2 called "FORTUNE-TELLING" is put in the active
mode, are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 25 is different from
the example shown in FIG. 21 in that the option menu screen 481 is
displayed on the active screen 461 of the application 72-3
regarding news.
[0235] Of the items that are displayed in the option menu screen
481, if a button 492 corresponding to the item called "APPLICATION
SETUP" is operated, the screen is switched to a screen shown in
FIG. 26. A description will be provided for a setup screen shown in
FIG. 26. A setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 26 is a screen for setup
in the application 72-3 named "NEWS". The setup screen 501
regarding news is provided with a region 571 for setup of a desired
genre.
[0236] In the region 571 for selection of a desired genre, a
plurality of genre names are listed, and a checkbox is provided for
each genre name. The user can select a plurality of genre names,
and check each checkbox.
[0237] The items that are displayed in the setup screen 501 shown
in FIG. 20 for the application 72-2 called "FORTUNE-TELLING" are
different from the items that are displayed in the setup screen 501
shown in FIG. 26 for the application 72-3 called "NEWS", and the
items correspond to the applications 72. As described above, the
items that are displayed in the setup screen 501 depend on the
application 72.
[0238] The set items set in the setup screen 501 are stored on the
television receiver 14 side. Then, for example, when the
application 72-3, "NEWS", is put in the active mode, the genre
names of the items set in the television receiver 14 are referred
to, and contents data 131 that corresponds to news belonging to the
genre is acquired from the contents server 13 and displayed.
Therefore, the user can first view news belonging to a desired
genre set once in the active mode.
[0239] As described above, the application 72 called NEWS operates
in parallel to other applications 72, regardless of the normal mode
or the focus mode, and as a result, a news article is updated.
Therefore, in the normal mode or the focus mode, as well as the
active mode, the set genre may be referred to, and contents data
131 of a news article belonging to the referred genre may be
acquired.
[0240] In the active mode, if the return button 274 of the remote
controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to the normal
mode.
[0241] As described above, the normal mode, the focus mode, and the
active mode are provided, and thus the user can easily acquire
information in a desired mode while enjoying a program of
television broadcasting.
[0242] A description will be provided again in reference to an
initial screen. As the initial screen, an initial screen shown in
FIG. 27 is referred to. An icon named "SERVICE CAST", an icon named
"FORTUNE-TELLING", an icon named "PHOTO FRIEND", and an icon named
"GOURMET INFORMATION" are displayed. Of these, the application 72-2
named "FORTUNE-TELLING", the application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND",
and the application 72-5 named "GOURMET INFORMATION" are
registered, and icons, REGISTERED, are displayed in the
registration state display section 305.
[0243] As described above, when the three applications 72,
"FORTUNE-TELLING", "PHOTO FRIEND", and "GOURMET INFORMATION", are
registered, if the icon named "SERVICE CAST" is selected, the three
registered applications 72-2, 72-4, and 72-5 are activated. If the
three registered applications 72-2, 72-4, and 72-5 are activated,
for example, the screen is switched to a screen of a normal mode
shown in FIG. 28.
[0244] While a case where the name of the icon that is operated
when only the registered applications 72 are activated is "SERVICE
CAST" has been described, any name may be used insofar as the user
can easily recognize the service contents.
[0245] In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG.
28, information that is provided by the three registered
applications 72-2, 72-4, and 72-5, "FORTUNE-TELLING", "GOURMET
INFORMATION", and "PHOTO FRIEND", is displayed in the application
display region 402. The information of the applications 72-2, 72-4,
and 72-5 may be displayed in the region 411, the region 412, and
the region 413 in an order of registration or in an order of
display in the initial screen, for example.
[0246] As described above, the icon named "SERVICE CAST" is an icon
that is operated to activate the registered applications 72, and a
utility for activation of a plurality of registered applications
72. Such an icon is also provided in the initial screen.
[0247] If such an icon of the utility is provided in the initial
screen, the user can collectively activate the registered
applications 72, without finding the registered applications 72 in
the list. Therefore, the user can acquire information by a desired
application 72 with a simple operation.
[0248] As described above, when the initial screen is displayed,
the application list 71 is acquired from the application server 12
and stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, when display
is switched from the initial screen to the screen of the normal
mode, one or a plurality of applications 72 (programs of the main
bodies of the applications 72) that are activated at that time are
acquired from the application server 12 and stored on the
television receiver 14 side.
[0249] In the normal mode and the focus mode, an access is
appropriately executed to the contents server 13 on the basis of
the application 72 to acquire contents data 131, and stored on the
television receiver 14 side. In this case, by applications 72,
contents server 13 of the connection destination is different, and
contents data 131 to be acquired is different. In the active mode,
an access is made to the contents server 13 or a server (not shown)
only on the basis of the activated application 72, and contents
data 131 or other kinds of data are acquired and stored on the
television receiver 14 side.
[0250] When the screen is switched from the screen of one of the
normal mode, the focus mode, and the active mode to the initial
screen, the application 72 and contents data 131 (other kinds of
data) stored on the television receiver 14 are deleted. In this
way, the application 72 or contents data 131 is stored as needed,
and deleted as not needed. Therefore, the memory area for the
application 72 or contents data 131 on the television receiver 14
side can be reduced.
[0251] If the television receiver 14 acquires the application 72 as
needed, for example, even if the application 72 is updated, the
updated application 72 can be provided to the television receiver
14 side. Therefore, the application 72 that is provided to the
television receiver 14 side can be constantly made to be an
up-to-date application 72.
[0252] The application 72 that is acquired by the television
receiver 14 can be set only to the application 72 that is described
in the application list 71. For this reason, with appropriate
management of the application list 71, an ill-intended application
72 can be prevented from being downloaded to the television
receiver 14. In addition, if an interval for which the application
72 is described in the application list 71 is limited, the
application 72 can be provided to the user side with a limited
interval, and thus the service width can be increased.
[0253] The television receiver 14 acquires contents data 131 as
needed, and deletes stored contents data 131 as not needed. For
example, even in the case of information, such as news articles,
which is frequently updated, updated up-to-date information can be
provided to the television receiver 14 side, and old information
being stored can be prevented from being provided to the user.
[Other Applications]
[0254] While the above-described example has bee described mainly
focusing on the application 72-2 named "FORTUNE-TELLING", the same
basic flow is applied to the other applications 72. That is, with
respect to other application 72, similarly to the application 72-2
named "FORTUNE-TELLING", in accordance with a user's instruction,
the mode is changed from the normal mode to the focus mode and from
the focus mode to the active mode, and predetermined setting is
carried out in each mode.
[0255] While the basic processing flow is the same, a description
will be provided again for a screen change or the like in each of
the applications 72 other than "FORTUNE-TELLING". First, a
description will be provided for the registered applications
72.
[0256] A description will be provided again in reference to an
initial screen. As the initial screen, an initial screen shown in
FIG. 29 is referred to. An icon named "SERVICE CAST", an icon named
"PHOTO FRIEND", an icon named "PHOTO NICE", and an icon named
"PHOTO CHOICE" are displayed. Of these, the application 72-4 named
"PHOTO FRIEND", the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE", and the
application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE" are registered. For this
reason, the REGISTERED icon is displayed in the registration state
display section 305.
[0257] As described above, when the three applications 72, "PHOTO
FRIEND", "PHOTO NICE", and "PHOTO CHOICE", are registered, if the
icon named "SERVICE CAST" is selected, the three registered
applications 72-4, 72-5, and 72-6 are activated. If the three
registered applications 72-4, 72-5, and 72-6 are activated, the
screen is switched to a screen of a normal mode shown in FIG. 30,
for example.
[0258] While a case where the name of the icon, which is operated
to activate only the registered applications 72 is "SERVICE CAST"
has been described, any name may be used insofar as the user can
recognize the service contents.
[0259] On the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30,
information that is provided by the three registered applications
72-4, 72-5, and 72-6, "PHOTO FRIEND", "PHOTO NICE", and "PHOTO
CHOICE", is displayed in the application display region 402. The
information of the application 72-4, 72-5, and 72-6 may be
displayed in the region 411, the region 412, and the region 413,
respectively, in an order of registration or in an order of display
in the initial screen.
[0260] As described above, the icon named "SERVICE CAST" is an icon
that is operated to activate the registered applications 72, and a
utility for activation of a plurality of registered applications
72. Such an icon is also provided in the initial screen.
[0261] If such an icon of the utility is provided in the initial
screen, the user can collectively activate the registered
applications 72, without finding the registered applications 72 in
the list. Therefore, the user can acquire information by a desired
application 72 with a simple operation.
[0262] Next, the screen shift or setup in each application 72 of
the application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND", the application 72-5
named "PHOTO NICE", and the application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE",
which are displayed in the normal mode of FIG. 30, will be
described.
[0263] Any one of "PHOTO FRIEND", "PHOTO NICE", and "PHOTO CHOICE"
is an application regarding photos (still images). Though the
details are described in connection with a description of each
application, to simply describe each application, "PHOTO FRIEND" is
an application that allows persons who knows a predetermined ID to
share photos. "PHOTO NICE" is an application that allows the user
to view photos, which are selected as nice photos by many people,
from among the photos being managed by a predetermined server
(here, it is assumed as the contents server 13-1). "PHOTO CHOICE"
is an application that allows the user to view photos, which is
classified into a predetermined category, from among the photos
being managed by the contents server 13-1.
[Photo Friend]
[0264] First, a description will be provided for the application
72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND".
[0265] In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG.
30, that is, when information by the application 72-5 named "PHOTO
NICE" is displayed in the region 412 that is positioned in the
middle of the application display region 402, if the down button
271-2 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen becomes
a screen of a normal mode shown in FIG. 31. That is, the screen is
switched to the screen of the normal mode on which information by
the application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND" is displayed in the
region 412 positioned in the middle of the application display
region 402.
[0266] A description will be provided for the screen named "PHOTO
FRIEND" on the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30 or 31. As
shown in FIG. 31, for example, the screen named "PHOTO FRIEND" has
a background as a copy of one page of a paper album, and a photo is
displayed in the background. This photo is switched to another
photo each time a predetermined time elapses. In other words,
display is performed as if the pages of the album are turned over
(replaced) by one page (by one photo). Specifically, the photo that
is displayed within the screen named "PHOTO FRIEND" is displayed in
a slide show manner.
[0267] A photo is switched each time the predetermined time
elapses, and information regarding the predetermined time is
described in, for example, Java (Registered Trademark) Script,
which is included in the application 72-4. When a photo is
switched, image data of the photo is acquired from the contents
server 13 (here, it is assumed as the contents server 13-1), which
manages image data. Image data of the background is included in the
application 72-4, and the screen of the normal mode is
instantaneously displayed earlier than the photo. If only the
background is instantaneously displayed, the user may recognize the
change to the screen of the normal mode or may feel uneasiness of
an erroneous operation since nothing is displayed. Therefore, a
feeling of uneasiness can be relieved.
[0268] Image data that is acquired from the contents server 13-1 is
image data that is identified by a predetermined ID. The
predetermined ID is, for example, the ID for identifying the user
24 (FIG. 1), and the ID that is used by the user 24 to register
image data in the contents server 13-1. In other words, the user 24
can register image data of photos captured by himself/herself in
the contents server 13-1. The predetermined ID is an ID that is
used for authentication of whether or not the user 24 is authorized
to register image data.
[0269] The contents server 13-1 is configured to identify a
plurality of image data being registered on the basis of the IDs.
In addition, at the time of registration, the user puts a tag. This
tag represents a category of a photo. For example, in the case of a
photo of a baby, it is classified into a category named "BABY", and
a tag representing this category is put. An application 72-6 named
"PHOTO CHOICE" that will be described below selects a photo on the
basis of the tag.
[0270] Returning to the description of the screen named "PHOTO
FRIEND" shown in FIG. 31, for example, a white frame is displayed
around a photo. With the white frame, even if it is assumed that
photos based on image data being managed by the contents server 13
have various sizes (aspect ratios), different sizes can be
absorbed. When a photo is displayed within the screen called "PHOTO
FRIEND", a photo based on acquired image data is processed to a
size according to the size of the screen (aspect ratio), and a
white frame that is fitted to the size of the processed photo is
displayed.
[0271] In the example of FIG. 31, in the screen named "PHOTO
FRIEND", a sentence, "ABC'S PHOTO", is also displayed. The sentence
to be displayed is a sentence having, for example, a portion
corresponding to "ABC" as a nickname. The nickname is managed on
the contents server 13-1 side in association with the ID.
[0272] As described above, a photo based on imaged data being
managed with a predetermined ID is displayed in the screen named
"PHOTO FRIEND", and accordingly an ID needs to be set before such
display is performed. This is because, if an ID is not set, it is
not understood which image data being managed with which ID is
acquired from the contents server 13-1.
[0273] Accordingly, when the ID is not set, the screen shown in
FIG. 32, not the screen named "PHOTO FRIEND" shown in FIG. 31, is
displayed. Referring to FIG. 32, a sentence, "IF ID OF ACQUAINTANCE
IS SET, OPEN PHOTO OF ACQUAINTANCE WILL BE VIEWED!", is displayed
in the screen named "PHOTO FRIEND". If such a sentence is
displayed, the user can recognize that the ID is not set and even
if the application 72-4 is activated, he/she cannot view the photos
since the ID is not set.
[0274] If such a sentence is displayed, the user can recognize that
the application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND" is an application 72 that
allows the user to view an open photo of an acquaintance.
[0275] The user who reads such a sentence and recognizes that
he/she does not set an ID can set the ID. In either the screen of
the normal mode shown in FIG. 32 or the screen of the normal mode
shown in FIG. 31, for setup of the application 72-4 named "PHOTO
FRIEND", the user operates the set button 273 of the remote
controller 251.
[0276] If the set button 273 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, the option menu for ID setup is displayed. FIG. 33 shows
an example of an option menu screen corresponding to the
application 72-4 called "PHOTO FRIEND". In any of the screen of the
normal mode (for example, FIG. 31), a screen of a focus mode
described below (for example, FIG. 36), and a screen of an active
mode described below (for example, FIG. 37), if the set button 273
of the remote controller 251 is operated, the option menu screen
481 is superimposed on the screen at that time, and the same
display is performed.
[0277] Meanwhile, in the case of the application 72-4 called "PHOTO
FRIEND", if an ID is not set, control is performed so as not to be
changed to the focus mode or the active mode. Accordingly, in the
focus mode or the active mode, an ID is already set, and in this
case, the ID being already set can be changed.
[0278] In the option menu screen 481, the same items as the
above-described option menu screen 481 (FIG. 21), which is
displayed when the application 72-2 called "FORTUNE-TELLING" is put
in the active mode, are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 33 is
different from the example shown in FIG. 21 in that the option menu
screen 481 is displayed on the normal mode screen of the
application 72-4, PHOTO FRIEND.
[0279] Of the items that are displayed in the option menu screen
481, if a button 492 called "APPLICATION SETUP" is selected and
operated, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG. 34.
[0280] A description will be provided for a setup screen shown in
FIG. 34. A setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 34 is a screen for setup
in the application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND". The setup screen 501
regarding PHOTO FRIEND is provided with a region 571 where a
sentence, which allows the user to recognize which ID is to be
input, is described, and a region 572 where an ID being already set
is displayed.
[0281] In the region 571, a sentence, "PLEASE ENTER ID", and a
sentence, "PLEASE ENTER "***" OF http://abc.d-net.ne.jp/photo/***."
are displayed. From this sentence, the user can recognize that it
should suffice if the characters corresponding to the portion "***"
is input. The address "http://abc.d-net.ne.jp/photo/" is an address
that is used by the contents server 13-1 to manage image data of
photos.
[0282] The user 24 who registers photos in the contents server 13-1
by using the ID makes a contract regarding photo registration
beforehand with the contents provider 23 that manages the contents
server 13-1 or the application provider 22 that manages the
contents server 13-1. There is an ID that is exchanged at the time
of this contract, and this ID is input to the setup screen shown in
FIG. 34.
[0283] In the region 572 of the setup screen shown in FIG. 34, when
there is an ID being already set, the ID, not "***", is
displayed.
[0284] When the setup screen shown in FIG. 34 is displayed, if the
OK button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, as shown in
FIG. 35, a screen, called a soft keyboard or the like, for support
of character input is displayed. For example, in the character
input screen of FIG. 35, a region 581 where input characters are
displayed, a region 582 where a list of buttons of characters that
can be input is displayed, a button 583, "CORRECT", which is
operated to correct the input characters, and a button 584, "OK",
which is operated when the input characters (ID) are satisfactory,
are displayed.
[0285] In the example shown in FIG. 35, the buttons of the
characters, which are displayed in the region 582, are lowercase
alphabet characters. The buttons are configured such that the
characters can be selected by the operations of the up button
271-1, the down button 271-2, the left button 271-3, and the right
button 271-4 of the remote controller 251. The OK button 272 of the
remote controller 251 is operated in order to input a selected
character.
[0286] Through repetitions of the operation of the remote
controller 251, the characters constituting the ID are input to the
region 581. If the characters constituting the ID are all input,
the button 584, "OK", is operated. If the button 584 is operated,
the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 34. Then, the set ID
is displayed in the region 572.
[0287] Such input of the ID is considered as being simple, as
compared with a case where a keyboard of a personal computer is
operated to input characters. The types of the characters
constituting the ID are alphabet characters or numerals and are
limitative. Therefore, even if a desired character is found from
the screen shown in FIG. 35 and input, it is considered that there
is no case where it is difficult to find a desired character or the
operation of the remote controller 251 becomes complicated. The
number of characters constituting the ID is not so much, and thus
it is considered that the ID can be input only by the operations of
the remote controller 251 several times.
[0288] Therefore, since the ID can be simply input, most people,
including children and old people, can set the ID, and can
pleasantly view the photos through processing of the application
72-4.
[0289] For example, it is assumed that a user A tells the parent A
of the user A his/her ID. The parent A, as well as the user A, can
view the photos registered by the user A through the
above-described simple ID setup processing. Therefore, in this
case, when the user A registers the photos of the grandchildren of
the parent A, the parent A can freely view the photos of the
grandchildren. In addition, a person can view the photos while
viewing television broadcasting on the television receiver 14.
Therefore, the parent A can enjoy the photos of the adorable
grandchildren while viewing a favorite program of television
broadcasting. As described above, in the case of the screen of the
normal mode, the photos to be displayed are switched, and thus the
parent A enjoys the photos of the grandchildren with various
expressions.
[0290] As described above, the photos can be shared with simple
setup, in this case, the ID setup.
[0291] The photos that are displayed in the screen of the normal
mode are enlarged and displayed, as described below, when the
screen is switched to the screen of the active mode. When a
favorite photo is displayed, the favorite photo can be simply
viewed as a photo of a larger size.
[0292] The items that are displayed in the setup screen 501 shown
in FIG. 22 with respect to the application 72-2 called
"FORTUNE-TELLING" are different from the items that are displayed
in the setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 34 with respect to the
application 72-4 called "PHOTO FRIEND", and the items correspond to
the applications 72. As described above, the items that are
displayed in the setup screen 501 depend on the application 72.
[0293] The set items set in the setup screen 501 are stored on the
television receiver 14 side. Then, for example, when the
application 72-4, "PHOTO FRIEND", is activated, the ID that is set
in the television receiver 14 is referred to, and image data
(contents data 131) corresponding to the photos belonging to the ID
is acquired from the contents server 13-1 and displayed.
[0294] A description will be provided for the screen of the focus
mode named "PHOTO FRIEND" and the screen in the active mode.
[0295] In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG.
31, if the OK button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated,
the screen is switched to the screen of the focus mode shown in
FIG. 36.
[0296] In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG.
32, that is, when an ID is not set, even if the OK button 272 of
the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is not changed to
the focus mode, and the screen is not switched to the screen of the
focus mode.
[0297] FIG. 36 shows a screen example in the focus mode in which
the application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND" is focused. Of the
application display region 402, only the region 412 where a photo
is displayed through processing by the application 72-4 is
displayed brighter than other regions. In such a focus mode, the
registered applications 72 and the selected application 72 are
operating in parallel, regardless of whether or not the
applications 72 are displayed in the application display region
402.
[0298] As the buttons based on the application 72-4 named "PHOTO
FRIEND", in the example of FIG. 32, a button 601 that is operated
to display a photo previously updated, and a button 602 that is
operated to display a photo next updated are displayed.
[0299] The operation of the left button 271-3 of the remote
controller 251 corresponds to the operation of the button 601, and
the operation of the right button 271-4 corresponds to the
operation of the button 602. The user operates the left button
271-3 or the right button 271-4 to view a desired photo.
[0300] In the focus mode, the frame that is displayed around the
photo as the white frame in the normal mode may be displayed a
different color, such as yellow or the like. If display is changed
in such a manner, the user can better recognize the focus mode, and
fine display can be performed.
[0301] In the case of the focus mode shown in FIG. 36, if the OK
button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is
changed to the active mode, and the screen is switched. As
described above, the active mode is a mode in which only
information to be provided by one application 72-4 is displayed. In
this case, as shown in FIG. 37, an active screen 621 in which only
information to be provided by the application 72-4 named "PHOTO
FRIEND" is displayed is displayed in the application display region
402.
[0302] In the active mode, the activated application 72-4 accesses
the contents server 13-1 to acquire contents data 131 regarding
PHOTO FRIEND. A processing based on acquired contents data 131 is
executed, and thus a photo is displayed as the active screen
621.
[0303] The active screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 is provided with a
region 631 where an enlarged photo is displayed, and a region 632
where information regarding the photo is displayed. The photo that
is displayed in the region 631 is a photo that is displayed in the
focus mode before the change to the active mode. In the region 632,
the title of the photo being displayed, the description,
information regarding the tag, and the like are displayed. In the
region 632, the tag is configured so as to be switched, and if the
tag is switched, the comment for the photo by another user is
displayed.
[0304] Such an active screen 621 may be displayed only in the
application display region 402 or may be displayed on the display
panel 221 as the entire screen.
[0305] When the active screen 621 is displayed only in the
application display region 402, the same screen as when the
above-described application 72-2 named "FORTUNE-TELLING" is put in
the active mode is configured. For example, the screen shown in
FIG. 20 is configured and displayed, together with the screen of
television broadcasting. Meanwhile, when the active screen 621 is
displayed on the display panel 221 as the entire screen, the screen
of television broadcasting is not displayed.
[0306] Meanwhile, as described above, the application 72-4 named
"PHOTO FRIEND" accesses the contents server 13-1 to acquire image
data of photos. The images that are registered in the contents
server 13-1 can also be viewed from the personal computer. When the
personal computer accesses the contents server 13-1 to acquire
image data, an application called a Web browser or the like is
used. The television receiver 14 may also be incorporated with a
Web browser, and as one of the processing of the application 72-4,
when the mode is change to the active mode, the Web browser may be
activated so as to display the active screen 621 shown in FIG.
37.
[0307] That is, when the mode is changed to the active mode, the
Web browser may be activated, and the processing by the application
72-4 is changed to the processing by the activated Web browser so
as to display the active screen 621 on the display panel 221. In
this case, even if the user is not particularly conscious,
conversion from the mode in which television broadcasting is viewed
to the mode in which photos or the like are viewed with the Web
browser becomes possible.
[0308] Conversion on the television receiver 14 from the state
where information of a program of television broadcasting is
received from the broadcasting wave to the state where
predetermined information is acquired by communication through the
network 11 (FIG. 1) becomes possible, without making the user be
conscious. That is, the communication mode can be switched without
making the user be conscious.
[0309] Watching of a program of television broadcasting comes into
wide use. In general, communication through the Web browser is
performed when a personal computer accesses a predetermined server
to view a homepage, but this does not come into wide use, as
compared with watching of a program of television broadcasting. In
other words, there is a user who has viewed a program of television
broadcasting but has not (rarely) viewed information by the
personal computer.
[0310] As described above, the mode in which a program of
television broadcasting is viewed is changed to the mode in which
information is viewed with the Web browser with a series of
operations. Accordingly, even a user who is not familiar with
viewing information by the Web browser can be provided with
information by the Web browser. This can give a change to acquire
information with the Web browser. In other words, in this case, a
chance to view photos being managed in the contents server 13-1
with the personal computer can be given.
[0311] The contents provider 23 or the application provider 22 that
manages the contents server 13-1, which manages the photos, can
view on the personal computer. For this reason, advertising, please
view information with a personal computer and please make a
contract, becomes possible.
[0312] As described above, in the application 72-4 named "PHOTO
FRIEND", the normal mode, the focus mode, and the active mode are
provided, and thus the user can easily acquire information in a
desired mode while enjoying a program of television
broadcasting.
[Photo Nice]
[0313] Next, a description will be provided for the application
72-5 named "PHOTO NICE".
[0314] As shown in FIG. 30, in the screen of the normal mode, that
is, in the region 412 positioned in the middle of the application
display region 402, the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE" is
displayed. A description will be provided for the screen by the
application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE" in the normal mode.
[0315] The screen named "PHOTO NICE" is the same as the
above-described screen named "PHOTO FRIEND", and can be divided
into a background and a photo. Image data of the background is
included in the application 72-5, and when the screen of the normal
mode is displayed, it is instantaneously displayed earlier than the
photo.
[0316] The photo is switched to another photo each time a
predetermined time elapses. In other words, similarly to the photo
that is displayed within the screen named "PHOTO FRIEND", the photo
that is displayed within the screen named "PHOTO NICE" is also
displayed in a slide show manner.
[0317] A photo is switched each time the predetermined time
elapses, and information regarding the predetermined time is
described in, for example, Java (Registered Trademark) Script,
which is included in the application 72-5. When a photo is
switched, image data of the photo is acquired from the contents
server 13 (here, it is assumed as the contents server 13-1), which
manages image data.
[0318] Image data that is acquired from the contents server 13-1 is
a photo that is evaluated to be "GOOD" after a plurality of users
views a plurality of photos, which are registered in the contents
server 13-1. A plurality of users can view the photos that are
registered in the contents server 13-1 if the user who registers
the photos permits. Then, the users who view the photos can
evaluate the viewed photos.
[0319] The application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE" acquires image data
of photos with a high score of evaluation, "GOOD", from the
contents server 13-1. In such a case, the photos with a high score
of evaluation, "GOOD", are displayed within the screen named "PHOTO
NICE" in a slide show manner.
[0320] It is assumed that application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE"
acquires and displays image data of the photos with a high score of
evaluation, "GOOD". In addition, it may be considered that new
photos are displayed in a slide show manner. Even if new photos are
displayed in a slide show manner, the processing can be basically
performed by the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE".
[0321] The new photos are simply registered in the contents server
13-1 on new date and time, and other filters are not applied.
Accordingly, it is considered that undesirable open photos may be
registered, and the photos may be displayed in a slide show
manner.
[0322] In contrast, the photos with a high score of evaluation,
"GOOD", are viewed by a plurality of users and are given
evaluation, "GOOD". Therefore, there is little possibility that the
photos are undesirable open photos. That is, it can be said that
the photos with a high score of evaluation, "GOOD", are photos that
are selected as the result of application of the filters, that is,
through viewing of a plurality of users. As a result, it is
considered that there is no problem in opening and displaying such
photos in a slide show manner.
[0323] In this way, the filters can be applied to information (in
this case, photos) that is provided on the user 24 side of the
television receiver 14, and similarly to the application 72, safe
information can be provided to the user side. In this case, since
the information to be provided does not need to be managed by the
service provider 21 (FIG. 2), the processing of the service
provider 21 can be reduced.
[0324] Returning to the description of the screen named "PHOTO
NICE" shown in FIG. 30, for example, a white frame is displayed
around the photo. With the white frame, even if it is assumed that
photos have various sizes (aspect ratios), different sizes can be
absorbed.
[0325] In the screen named "PHOTO NICE", for example, in the
example of FIG. 30, the sentence "2007/1/31 EARLY AFTERNOON . . . "
is displayed. This sentence being displayed includes, for example,
date and time on which the photo is registered, the title of the
photo, and the like.
[0326] In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG.
30, that is, when information by the application 72-5 named "PHOTO
NICE" is displayed in the region 412 in the middle of the
application display region 402, if the OK button 272 of the remote
controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to a screen of a
focus mode shown in FIG. 38.
[0327] FIG. 38 shows a screen example in the focus mode in which
the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE" is focused. Of the
application display region 402, only the region 412 where PHOTO
NICE is displayed through processing by the application 72-5 is
displayed brighter than other regions.
[0328] As the buttons based on the application 72-5 named "PHOTO
NICE", in the example of FIG. 38, a button 701 that is operated to
display a photo previously updated, and a button 702 that is
operated to display a photo next updated are displayed.
[0329] The operation of the left button 271-3 of the remote
controller 251 corresponds to the operation of the button 701, and
the operation of the right button 271-4 corresponds to the
operation of the button 702. The user operates the left button
271-3 or the right button 271-4 to view a desired photo.
[0330] In the focus mode, the frame that is displayed around the
photo as the white frame in the normal mode may be displayed a
different color, such as yellow or the like. If display is changed
in such a manner, the user can better recognize the focus mode, and
fine display can be performed.
[0331] In the focus mode shown in FIG. 38, if the OK button 272 of
the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is changed to the
active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the
active mode is a mode in which only information to be provided by
one application 72-5 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 37, in this
case, the active screen 621 in which only information to be
provided by the application 72-4 named "PHOTO NICE" is displayed is
displayed in the application display region 402.
[0332] In the active mode, the activated application 72-5 accesses
the contents server 13-1 to acquire contents data 131 regarding
PHOTO NICE. The processing based on acquired contents data 131 is
executed, and thus the photo is displayed as the active screen
621.
[0333] Although the active screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 has been
already described, and the details thereof will be omitted, in the
case of the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE", similarly to the
application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND", in the active mode, the
screen is changed to a screen in which one photo is enlarged and
displayed. In this case, the Web browser is activated (the Web
browser may be activated).
[0334] As described above, the normal mode, the focus mode, and the
active mode are provided, and thus the user can easily acquire
information in a desired mode while enjoying a program of
television broadcasting.
[Photo Choice]
[0335] Next, a description will be provided for the application
72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE".
[0336] In the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30, that is,
when information by the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE" is
displayed in the region 412 positioned in the middle of the
application display region 402, if the up button 271-1 of the
remote controller 251 is operated, the screen becomes a screen of a
normal mode shown in FIG. 39. That is, the screen is switched to a
screen of a normal mode on which information by the application
72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE" is displayed in the region 412 positioned
in the middle of the application display region 402.
[0337] A description will be provided for a screen, "PHOTO CHOICE"
in the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30 or 39. In the
screen named "PHOTO CHOICE", for example, as shown in FIG. 39, a
plurality of photos (in the example of FIG. 39, 9 photos) are
displayed. Each of a plurality of photos are switched to other
photos each time a predetermined time elapses. In other words, the
photos that are displayed within the screen named "PHOTO CHOICE"
are displayed in a slide show manner. A plurality of photos may be
updated at the same time, or may be updated in sequence from the
upper left side to the lower right side.
[0338] A photo is switched each time the predetermined time
elapses, and information regarding the predetermined time or
information regarding a way to update is described in, for example,
Java (Registered Trademark) Script, which is included in the
application 72-6. When a photo is switched, image data of the photo
is acquired from the contents server 13 (here, it is assumed as the
contents server 13-1), which manages image data.
[0339] Image data that is acquired from the contents server 13-1 is
image data that is identified by a predetermined tag. The
predetermined tag is, for example, information regarding a
category, to which the photo belongs, and information that, when
the photo is registered in the contents server 13-1 by the user, is
set through determination of which category the photo to be
registered belongs to. For example, the photo to be registered is a
photo of a dog, it is classified into a category "PET" by user's
determination, and a tag indicative of the category "PET" is
put.
[0340] Information regarding the tag is also displayed within the
screen named "PHOTO CHOICE". For example, in the screen named
"PHOTO CHOICE" shown in FIG. 39, the characters "PET" are displayed
on the lower right side. That is, in the example of FIG. 39, a
plurality of photos that are displayed within the screen named
"PHOTO CHOICE" are photos that are suitable for the tag indicative
of "PET".
[0341] As described above, in the screen named "PHOTO CHOICE",
photos based on image data, which are managed with a predetermined
tag, are displayed. The user can set a tag suitable for photos to
be displayed on the screen named "PHOTO CHOICE".
[0342] When the user wants to carry out setup regarding the
application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE", he/she operates the set
button 273 of the remote controller 251. If the set button 273 of
the remote controller 251 is operated, an option menu for setup of
a tag suitable for a photo to be displayed is displayed.
[0343] FIG. 40 shows an example of an option menu screen
corresponding to the application 72-4 named "PHOTO CHOICE". In any
of the screen of the normal mode (for example, FIG. 39), a screen
of a focus mode described below (for example, FIG. 42), and a
screen of an active mode described below (for example, FIG. 37), if
the set button 273 of the remote controller 251 is operated, an
option menu screen 481 is superimposed on the screen at that time,
and the same display is performed.
[0344] In the option menu screen 481, the same items as the
above-described option menu screen 481 (FIG. 21), which is
displayed when the application 72-2 named "FORTUNE-TELLING" is put
in the active mode, are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 40 is
different from the example shown in FIG. 21 in that the option menu
screen 481 is displayed on the normal mode screen of the
application 72-6, PHOTO CHOICE.
[0345] Of the items that are displayed in the option menu screen
481, if a button 492 corresponding to the item "APPLICATION SETUP"
is operated, the screen is switched to a screen shown in FIG.
41.
[0346] A description will be provided for a setup screen shown in
FIG. 41. A setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 41 is a screen for setup
in the application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE". The setup screen 501
regarding PHOTO CHOICE is a screen for setup of a tag suitable for
photos to be displayed through processing in the application 72-6,
"PHOTO CHOICE".
[0347] The setup screen 501 is provided with a region 751 where a
tag can be selected. In the region 751, the sentence, "PLEASE
SELECT THEME OF PHOTO TO DISPLAY", which notifies the user that the
setup screen 501 is the screen, in which a tag of a photo to be
displayed in the screen at the time of PHOTO CHOICE can be
selected, is displayed. In the example of FIG. 41, the region 751
is provided with a portion where one tag can be selected.
[0348] The user operates the up button 271-1 or the down button
271-2 of the remote controller 251 to select a desired tag. For
example, while in the example of FIG. 41, the tag "PET" (the name
indicative of the category) is displayed in the region 721, in such
a state, if the up button 271-1 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, a tag that is virtually provided next to the tag "PET" is
displayed.
[0349] As the tags, for example, "PET", "TOUR", "NIGHT VIEW",
"ART", and the like are used, and the tags are sequentially
displayed in the region 751 by the button operation of the remote
controller 251. When the user wants to set a tag that is displayed
in the region 751, he/she operates a button 514, "OK". Photos that
are suitable for the tag set by the operation of the button 514 are
displayed within the screen named "PHOTO CHOICE".
[0350] In the example of the setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 41, a
case where one tag can be selected and set has been described.
Alternatively, similarly to the column 513 for selection of
favorite foods shown in FIG. 22, a screen having a column, in which
a plurality of tags are listed and a desired tag can be checked
from among the listed tags, may be displayed. Accordingly, a
plurality of tags may be set.
[0351] Although the user can set a tag in the setup screen 510,
when the user does not set a tag (unset state), if the application
72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE" is activated, photos suitable for a
default tag are displayed within the screen named "PHOTO
CHOICE".
[0352] The set items set in the setup screen 501 are stored on the
television receiver 14 side. Then, for example, when the
application 72-6 of the "PHOTO CHOICE" is activated, the tag that
is set in the television receiver 14 is referred to, and image data
(contents data 131) corresponding to photos suitable for the tag
are acquired from the contents server 13-1 and displayed.
[0353] A further description will be provided for a screen of a
focus mode and a screen of an active mode in the screen named
"PHOTO CHOICE".
[0354] In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG.
39, if the OK button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated,
the screen is switched to a screen of a focus mode shown in FIG.
42.
[0355] FIG. 42 shows a screen example in the focus mode in which
the application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE" is focused. Of the
application display region 402, only a region 412 where a photo is
displayed through processing by the application 72-6 is displayed
brighter than other regions.
[0356] In the case of the screen named "PHOTO CHOICE" in the focus
mode, a photo that is displayed in the middle of the screen of the
normal mode when the mode is changed to the focus mode is enlarged
and displayed, and a photo that is displayed around the photo
displayed in the middle of the screen is also enlarged and
displayed. The photo that is displayed in the middle of the screen
is enlarged and displayed such that the entire is displayed, and
the photo that is displayed around the photo displayed in the
middle of the screen is partially displayed.
[0357] If the up button 271-1 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo
which is positioned above a photo displayed in the middle of the
screen at that time is enlarged and displayed in the middle of the
screen. If the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo
which is positioned below a photo displayed in the middle of the
screen at that time is enlarged and displayed in the middle of the
screen.
[0358] If the left button 271-3 of the remote controller 251 is
operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo
which is positioned on the left of a photo displayed in the middle
of the screen at that time is enlarged and displayed in the middle
of the screen. If the right button 271-4 of the remote controller
251 is operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a
photo which is positioned on the right of a photo displayed in the
middle of the screen at that time is enlarged and displayed in the
middle of the screen.
[0359] Control is also performed such that, as the photo in the
middle of the screen is switched, other photos are also switched,
in addition to the photo that is displayed in the middle of the
screen. In this case, image data of other photos is acquired from
the contents server 13-1, as needed.
[0360] With this control, when "PHOTO CHOICE" is put in the focus
mode, the user operates the remote controller 251 to enlarge and
display a desired photo in the middle of the screen and to view the
enlarged photo.
[0361] In the focus mode, for example, the photo that is displayed
in the middle of the screen may be framed yellow or the like. The
frame allows the user to recognize the focus mode, or ensures a
photo being selected to be accurately displayed.
[0362] In the focus mode shown in FIG. 42, if the OK button 272 of
the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is changed to the
active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the
active mode is a mode in which only information to be provided by
one application 72-6 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 37, in this
case, an active screen 621 in which only information to be provided
by the application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE" is displayed is
displayed in the application display region 402.
[0363] In the active mode, the activated application 72-6 accesses
the contents server 13-1 to acquire contents data 131 regarding
PHOTO CHOICE. The processing based on acquired contents data 131 is
executed, and thus a photo is displayed as the active screen
621.
[0364] Although the active screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 has already
been described, and the details thereof will be omitted, the
application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE" is the same as the
application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND", and in the active mode, the
screen is changed to a screen in which one photo is enlarged and
displayed. In this case, the Web browser is activated (the Web
browser may be activated).
[0365] As described above, the normal mode, the focus mode, and the
active mode are provided, and thus the user can easily acquire
information in a desired mode while enjoying a program of
television broadcasting.
[Server for Management of Image Data of Photo]
[0366] As described above, the three applications 72-4 to 72-6,
"PHOTO FRIEND", "PHOTO NICE", and "PHOTO CHOICE", are applications
for display control of photos. In the foregoing embodiment, a case
where the applications 72-4 to 74-6 for display control of photos
acquire image data from the contents server 13-1 has been
described.
[0367] When a photo is registered, the contents server 13-1 is
configured to manage an ID for identifying a predetermined user in
association with the photo to be registered such that the
application 72-4 named "PHOTO FRIEND" can acquire image data on the
basis of the ID.
[0368] The contents server 13-1 is configured to open a photo being
registered or to allow the user to add evaluation to an open photo
such that the application 72-5 named "PHOTO NICE" can acquire image
data on the basis of an evaluation sequence, and is configured to
manage rankings or the like on the basis of the added
evaluation.
[0369] When a photo is registered, the contents server 13-1 is
configured to allow the user to put a tag suitable for a photo to
be registered such that the application 72-6 named "PHOTO CHOICE"
can acquire image data on the basis of the tag, and is configured
to manage the photo in association with the tag put on the
photo.
[0370] As a user-end apparatus that registers a photo or carries
out processing to put a tag on a photo to be registered, for
example, a person computer is used. This processing is also carried
out by the television receiver 14. As described above, the photos
that are managed by the contents server 13-1 can be viewed on the
television receiver 14 through processing of the applications 72-4
to 72-6, but the photos may be viewed with the personal
computer.
[0371] That is, the personal computer may register the photos in
the contents server 13-1, and the registered photos may be viewed
with the personal computer and the television receiver 14. The
contents server 13-1 may store the same photo with different
resolutions as a photo for the personal computer and a photo for
the television receiver 14, or may store a photo with the same
resolution as a photo, which is commonly used in the personal
computer and the television receiver 14.
[0372] Even a person who is not familiar with the personal computer
but familiar with the television receiver 14 can simply view the
photos that are registered in the contents server 13-1. In this
embodiment, this can be realized. In addition, the television
receiver 14 may have a function to import photos, and such a
television receiver 14 may register the photos in the photos
contents server 13-1. Therefore, similarly to viewing, even a
person that is not familiar with the personal computer but familiar
with the television receiver 14 can simply register the photos in
the contents server 13-1.
[0373] In general, the personal computer and the contents server
13-1 perform communication using a language, such as a Web browser
or the like.
[0374] Like the foregoing embodiment, in the normal mode and the
focus mode, in a state where the application 72 does not present
information to the user side, in other words, the application 72
does not display information on the display panel 221, the
application 72 constantly executes processing insofar as the
application 72 is the registered application 72 or the selected
application 72. That is, in the normal mode and the focus mode, a
plurality of applications 72 execute processing in parallel. In the
active mode, the applications 72 other than the application 72,
which is put in the active mode, stop the processing.
[0375] In the normal mode and the focus mode, a plurality of
applications 72 store data for processing in a memory, for example,
the SDRAM 230. Meanwhile, in the active mode, only the application
72 in the active mode can store necessary data in the memory.
[0376] In consideration of such a situation, similarly to the
foregoing embodiment, in the normal mode and the focus mode, an
application 72 of a comparatively small size, called a widget or
the like, is used. In the active mode, depending on the
applications 72, a program by a language, such as a Web browser or
the like, is activated, instead of the application 72.
[0377] As described above, the Web browser is a language that is
generally used for communication between the personal computer and
the contents server 13-1. For this reason, if the Web browser is
activated, the television receiver 14 can carry out the same
processing as the personal computer. For example, as shown in FIG.
37, an enlarged photo may be displayed or information appended with
the photo may be displayed.
[0378] As described above, in this embodiment, the mode of the
application 72 that carries out processing can be switched.
[System Operation]
[0379] As described above, when the initial screen is displayed,
the application list 71 is acquired from the application server 12
and stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, when display
is switched from the initial screen to the screen of the normal
mode, one or a plurality of applications 72 (the programs of the
main bodies of the applications 72), which are activated at that
time, are acquired from the application server 12 and stored on the
television receiver 14 side.
[0380] In the normal mode and the focus mode, an access is
appropriately executed to the contents server 13 on the basis of
the application 72, and contents data 131 is acquired and stored on
the television receiver 14 side. In this case, by applications 72,
the contents servers 13 as the connection destinations are
different, and acquired contents data 131 is different. In the
active mode, an access is made to the contents server 13 or a
server (not shown) only on the basis of the activated application
72, and contents data 131 or other kinds of data are acquired and
stored on the television receiver 14 side.
[0381] When the screen is switched from the screen of one of the
normal mode, the focus mode, and the active mode to the initial
screen, the application 72 and contents data 131 (other kinds of
data) that are stored on the television receiver 14 side are
deleted. In this way, the application 72 or contents data 131 is
stored as needed, and deleted as not needed. Therefore, the memory
area for storing the application 72 or contents data 131 on the
television receiver 14 side can be reduced.
[0382] If the television receiver 14 acquires the application 72 as
needed, for example, even if the application 72 is updated, the
updated application 72 can be provided to the television receiver
14 side. Therefore, the application 72 that is provided to the
television receiver 14 side can be constantly made to be an
up-to-date application 72.
[0383] The application 72 that is acquired by the television
receiver 14 can be set only to the application 72 that is described
in the application list 71. For this reason, with appropriate
management of the application list 71, an ill-intended application
72 can be prevented from being downloaded to the television
receiver 14. In addition, if an interval for which the application
72 is described in the application list 71 is limited, the
application 72 can be provided to the user side with a limited
interval, and thus the service width can be increased.
[0384] The television receiver 14 acquires contents data 131 as
needed, and deletes stored contents data 131 as not needed. For
example, even in the case of information, such as news articles,
which is frequently updated, updated up-to-date information can be
provided to the television receiver 14 side, and old information
being stored can be prevented from being provided to the user.
[0385] Next, the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the
display screen of the television receiver 14 is switched, as
described above, will be described with reference to a flowchart of
FIG. 37. The description in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 37
will be provided focusing on the flow of data in the system of FIG.
1.
[0386] In Step S21, the television receiver 14 accesses the
application server 12. During this access, a request to provide the
application list 71 is made.
[0387] In Step S51, the application server 12 accepts the access
from the television receiver 14, if the request to provide the
application list 71 is accepted, in Step S52, reads out the
application list 71, which is managed by the application server 12,
from the storage section 38 (FIG. 4), and provides the application
list 71 to the television receiver 14.
[0388] In Step S22, the television receiver 14 receives the
application list 71 provided from the application server 12, in
Step S23, stores the received application list 71, and displays the
initial screen on the basis of the stored application list 71.
[0389] In Step S24, the television receiver 14 starts to access the
application server 12 with a user's selection of a predetermined
application 72 from the initial screen as a trigger. During this
access, a request to provide the application 72 selected by the
user or the registered application 72 is made.
[0390] In Step S53, the application server 12 accepts the access
from the television receiver 14, if the request to provide the
application 72 is accepted, in Step S54, reads out the application
72, which is managed by the application server 12, from the storage
section 38 (FIG. 4), and provides the application 72 to the
television receiver 14. In this case, a plurality of applications
72 may be read out and provided in accordance with a request from
the television receiver 14.
[0391] In Step S25, the television receiver 14 receives the
application 72 provided from the application server 12, in Step
S26, stores the received application 72, and starts processing
based on the stored application 72.
[0392] In Step S27, the television receiver 14 accesses the
contents server 13. This access is made when the processing based
on the application 72 is executed and contents data 131 is
needed.
[0393] In Step S81, the contents server 13 accepts the access from
the television receiver 14, if a request to provide contents data
131 is accepted, in Step S82, reads out contents data 131, which is
managed by the contents server 13, from the storage section 108
(FIG. 6), and provides contents data 131 to the television receiver
14.
[0394] The applications 72 individually access different contents
servers 13 to acquire contents data 131.
[0395] In Step S28, the television receiver 14 receives contents
data 131 provided from the contents server 13, in Step S29, stores
received contents data 131, and carries out processing based on
stored contents data 131, for example, processing, such as text
display.
[0396] Such processing to acquire or store contents data 131
depends on the application 72 and is repeatedly carried out. For
example, in the case of the application 72 that provides news
articles, contents data 131 of the news articles is acquired
comparatively frequently, and the acquired news articles are
provided to the user side. In addition, in the case of the
application 72 that provides information about fortune-telling,
when the button that is operated to execute fortune-telling is
operated, contents data 131 is acquired.
[0397] The processing to acquire or store contents data 131 is
repeatedly carried out on the basis of the application 72 in each
of the normal mode, the focus mode, and the active mode.
[0398] In Step S30, the television receiver 14 deletes the
application 72 or contents data 131 being stored. This processing
is executed with the timing at which an instruction to end the
processing by the application 72 is made by the user (for example,
when an instruction to display a program of television broadcasting
in a full screen mode is made) or at which the television receiver
14 is powered off, as a trigger.
[0399] As described above, the application list 71, the application
72, and contents data 131 are acquired on the television receiver
14 as needed. The processing is executed on the basis of the
application list 71, the application 72, and contents data 131. The
application list 71, the application 72, and contents data 131 are
deleted as not needed.
[0400] Next, a processing in the television receiver 14 will be
described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 44 and 45.
[0401] In Step S101, the television receiver 14 accepts an
instruction to view the initial screen. When the user wants to view
the initial screen, he/she operates the remote controller 251 (FIG.
8) to instruct the television receiver 14 to display the initial
screen. The control code indicative of the instruction contents
from the remote controller 251 is received by the light receiving
section 237 of the television receiver 14 and supplied to the CPU
232. The CPU 232 analyzes the supplied control code to recognize
reception of the instruction to display the initial screen and
executes processing corresponding to the recognition.
[0402] In Step S102, the CPU 232 controls the network I/F 234 and
the like, and accesses the application server 12 on the basis of
the URL, which is stored in advance. In this case, a request to
acquire the application list 71 is also made.
[0403] In Step S103, the CPU 232 of the television receiver 14
controls the network I/F 234, receives the application list 71 from
the application server 12 as an access destination, and stores the
received application list 71 in the SDRAM 230.
[0404] While a case where the instruction to view the initial
screen is made, the application list 71 is acquired and stored has
been described, the application list 71 may be acquired and stored
with a different timing. For example, the application list 71 may
be acquired when the television receiver 14 is powered on. When
this happens, the processing of Step S101 is executed with the
timing at which the television receiver 14 is powered on, as a
trigger.
[0405] The application list 71 may be acquired in a predetermined
cycle or at a predetermined time. When this happens, with respect
to the processing of Step S101, it is determined whether or not the
predetermined cycle elapses, whether or not the predetermined time
reaches, or the like, and the processing of Step S101 is executed
with the determination result as a trigger.
[0406] In any case, the application list 71 to be stored on the
television receiver 14 side becomes constantly an up-to-date
list.
[0407] In Step S104, it is checked whether or not there is an
application 72 being registered. As described above, the user can
register a desired application 72, and information regarding the
registered application 72, for example, the ID for identifying the
application 72 is stored in, for example, the flash memory 231.
[0408] While a case where information for identifying the
application 72 is stored in the flash memory 231 will continue to
be described, the ID may be stored in a storage section other than
the flash memory 231, or an exclusive-use storage section storing
the ID may be provided. In addition, while a case where setup
information and the like are stored in the flash memory 231 will
continue to be described, the setup information may be stored in a
storage section other than the flash memory 231, or an
exclusive-use storage section storing the setup information may be
provided.
[0409] The CPU 232 determines whether or not the ID for identifying
the application 72 is stored in the flash memory 231, when the ID
is stored, determines to be the registered application 72, and
carries out a subsequent processing.
[0410] In Step S105, the CPU 232 instructs the graphic generation
circuit 219 to generate data of the initial screen based on the
application list 71. The panel driving circuit 220 controls the
display panel 221 on the basis of data of the initial screen
generated by the graphic generation circuit 219. With such control,
for example, the initial screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on
the display panel 221.
[0411] When data of the initial screen is generated, in Step S104,
if it is determined to be the registered application 72, the ID
that is identical to the ID of the registered application 72 is
detected from the application list 71, and data is generated for
display of an icon indicative of REGISTERED in the registration
state display section 305 of the application 72 corresponding to
the detected ID.
[0412] In Step S106, it is determined whether or not an application
72 is selected from the initial screen. The CPU 232 analyzes the
control code from the remote controller 251 to determine whether or
not the OK button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated.
When it is determined that the OK button 272 of the remote
controller 251 is operated, the CPU 232 determines that an
application 72 is selected from the initial screen.
[0413] As shown in FIG. 10, the cursor 311 is displayed in the
initial screen. When the cursor 311 is positioned on an icon
indicative of a predetermined application 72, if the OK button 272
of the remote controller 251 is operated, it is determined that the
application 72 is selected, and the processing progresses to Step
S107.
[0414] Though not included in the processing based on the flowchart
of FIG. 44, the CPU 232 analyzes the control code to determine that
the up button 271-1 or the down button 271-2 of the remote
controller 251 is operated, and controls the graphic generation
circuit 219 such that display is performed so as to the icon
indicative of the application 72 slides upward or downward. Such
control is appropriately performed on the basis of the control code
from the remote controller 251.
[0415] In Step S106, when it is determined that the application 72
is selected, the processing progresses to Step S107. In Step S107,
an access is made to the application server 12, and in Step S108,
the selected application 72 is acquired. When there is a registered
application 72, all the registered applications 72 are acquired,
together with the selected application 72. When the utility named
"SERVICE CAST", which is described with reference to FIG. 31, is
selected, all the registered applications 72 are acquired. The
acquired applications 72 are stored in the flash memory 231.
[0416] In Step S109, the CPU 232 starts processing based on the
application 72 stored in the flash memory 231. In Step S110, an
access is made to the contents server 13, and in Step S111,
contents data 131 is acquired from the contents server 13 as an
access destination and stored in the flash memory 231.
[0417] Contents data 131 is acquired through processing based on
the application 72. Therefore, in any application 72, the
processing may be omitted. When the processing is omitted, the
processing of Step S112 will be omitted.
[0418] In Step S112, the processing based on the contents data 131
is carried out. Through the processing based on the acquired
application 72, the graphic generation circuit 219 generates data
of a screen including text or images on the basis of contents data
131. The panel driving circuit 220 controls the display panel 221
on the basis of generated data, for example, the screen of the
normal mode shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.
[0419] In Step S113 (FIG. 45), it is determined whether or not an
instruction to switch to the focus mode is made, when it is
determined that the switch instruction is made, the processing
progresses to Step S114. When recognizing from the control code of
the remote controller 251 that the OK button 272 is operated, the
CPU 232 determines that the instruction to switch to the focus mode
is made. While a case where the OK button 272 is operated will
continue to be described, when it is recognized that the up button
271-1 is operated or the like, processing on the basis of the
recognition result is carried out.
[0420] In Step S114, an application 72 that is displayed in the
region 412 in the middle of the application display region 402 is
specified. In Step S115, processing for display in the focus mode
is executed. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, display in the focus
mode means that the upper region 411 and the lower region 413 of
the application display region 402 are displayed dark or that the
buttons or the like are displayed in the middle region 412.
[0421] The CPU 232 instructs the graphic generation circuit 219 to
display the upper region 411 and the lower region 413 of the
application display region 402 dark. Simultaneously, if the buttons
or the like to be displayed when the application 72, which displays
information in the region 412, is in the focus mode are present in
the middle region 412, the CPU 232 instructs the graphic generation
circuit 219 to display the buttons or the like. If the processing
based on such an instruction is carried out, the screen of the
focus mode shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display panel
221.
[0422] In Step S116, it is determined whether or not an instruction
to switch to the active mode is made, and when it is determined
that the switch instruction is made, the processing progresses to
Step S117. In Step S117, an application 72 that is displayed in the
middle region 412 is specified, and in Step S118, the items that
are set in the specified application 72 are read out.
[0423] As described with reference to FIG. 20, for example, the
application 72 for proving fortune-telling is configured to set
predetermined items, such as zodiac signs, and to acquire
appropriate information corresponding to the set items (for
example, zodiac signs). During the processing based on the
application 72, which is displayed in the region 412, when the
items that are set in the active mode are referred to, in Step
S118, the CPU 232 reads out the set items.
[0424] While a case where the items being set in the active mode
are read out has been described, in any application 72, the items
that are set in the normal mode or the focus mode may be read
out.
[0425] In the active mode, in any application 72, a Web browser may
be activated, and the processing may be switched to processing by
the Web browser. When the Web browser is activated, control is
performed such that the processing to acquire information regarding
a program of television broadcasting is not carried out.
[0426] In Step S119, an access is made to the contents server 13,
and in Step S120, contents data 131 is acquired and stored.
Contents data 131 is data of information suitable for the set
items. In Step S121, the screen of the active mode shown in FIG. 18
is displayed. That is, the screen is displayed in which only
information by the application 72 specified in Step S117 is
displayed, and information to be displayed is based on contents
data 131 acquired and stored in Step S120.
[0427] In the active mode, in Step S122, the applications 72 other
than the application 72, which is displaying information in the
region 412 or the entire display panel 221, stop. That is, the CPU
232 does not carry out the processing of the applications 72 other
than the application 72 specified in Step S117.
[0428] In Step S123, it is determined whether or not an instruction
to end the processing by the application 72 is made. The
determination that the instruction to end the processing by the
application 72 is made is carried out when an instruction to end is
made from the user, when an instruction to display only a program
of television broadcasting is made, when the television receiver 14
is powered off, or the like.
[0429] In Step S123, when it is determined that the instruction to
end is made, the processing progresses to Step S124, and the stored
application 72 or contents data 131 is discarded. In this way,
stored data or the like is discarded as not needed. In other words,
stored information other than the setup information is discarded,
and only the setup information is stored.
[0430] As described above, on the television receiver 14 side, the
application 72 or contents data 131 is acquired as needed, and
discarded as not needed. For this reason, the storage section, such
as the flash memory 231 or the like, can be effectively used, and
with small capacity, a plurality of applications 72 can operate in
parallel.
[0431] The processing described with reference to the flowcharts of
FIGS. 44 and 45 are for illustrative of one processing. In any
application 72, for example, the processing to acquire contents
data 131 may be omitted.
[0432] While in the foregoing embodiment, a case where the
invention is applied to the television receiver 14 has been
described, the invention is not limited to the television receiver
14, but it may be applied to CE appliances, such as a DVD recorder
and the like.
[0433] In the foregoing embodiment, a case where the application 72
may be, for example, a program, called a widget has been described.
In general, the widget is downloaded to the personal computer
before being executed, installed on the personal computer, and is
used in a state of being resident on the personal computer.
However, in this embodiment, as described above, a program is
downloaded when being executed and discarded as not needed. If the
application 72 is handled in such a manner, various effects
described above can be expected.
[0434] In the foregoing embodiment, each application 72 may have a
hierarchical structure. In the foregoing embodiment, for example,
the application 72-4 called "PHOTO FRIEND" may be registered in a
plural number, not alone. For example, the applications 72-4 called
"PHOTO FRIEND" may be registered for each of a plurality of
friends. Of course, the invention is not limited to the
above-described application 72, but the invention may be applied to
other applications.
[Recording Medium]
[0435] A series of processing described above may be executed by
hardware or may be executed by software. When a series of
processing is executed by software, a program constituting software
is installed from a program recording medium on a computer, which
is incorporated with exclusive-use hardware, or a general-use
personal computer, on which various programs are installed so as to
execute various functions.
[0436] For example, a program that is executed by a computer (CPU
31) having the same configuration as the application server 12
shown in FIG. 2 is recorded in a removable medium 41, which is a
package medium, such as a magnetic disk (including a flexible
disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD
(Digital Versatile Disc), or the like), a magneto-optical disk, a
semiconductor memory, or the like, and then provided, or is
provided through a wired or wireless transmission medium, such as a
local area network, Internet, or digital satellite
broadcasting.
[0437] The program may be installed in the storage section 38
through the input/output interface 35 by inserting the removable
medium 41 into the drive 40. The program may be received by the
communication section 39 through a wired or wireless transmission
medium, and installed in the storage section 38. Furthermore, the
program may be installed in the ROM 32 or the storage section 38 in
advance.
[0438] The program to be executed by the computer may be a program
for carrying out processing in time series according to the
described order, or may be a program for carrying out processing in
parallel or with necessary timing, for example, when a call is
made.
[0439] In this specification, the system means the entire apparatus
including a plurality of apparatuses.
[0440] Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the
foregoing embodiments, and various changes may be made without
departing from the subject matter of the invention.
* * * * *
References