JP4703261B2 - Network system, signal processing device, and communication processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention comprises a signal processing device having a function of displaying an electronic program guide including a plurality of broadcast program information and a communication processing device having a function of aggregating broadcast program information transmitted from the plurality of signal processing devices. Related to network system.

  In recent years, various video recording / playback apparatuses capable of recording and playing back broadcast program data such as TV programs have been developed. In such a recording / playback apparatus, an electronic program guide such as an EPG (Electric Program Guide) superimposed on a terrestrial digital broadcast wave and a BS / CS (Broadcasting Satellite / Communication Satellite) broadcast wave is received and displayed. On the display screen. The user can perform settings related to viewing and recording reservation of broadcast programs from broadcast programs included in the displayed electronic program guide.

In Patent Document 1, preference information related to reservation recording of a program preferred by a user is transmitted to a program information database on the network, and the preference program information generated on the network based on the supplied preference information is transmitted to the network. And a program reservation device for making settings related to reservation recording based on the favorite program information.
JP 2002-262265 A

  However, recently, with the spread of terrestrial digital broadcasting services, the number of broadcast programs included in the electronic program guide has also increased. In order to designate a broadcast program to be recorded from this electronic program guide, an operation process for designating many times and broadcast programs is also increased. For this reason, the device for displaying the broadcast program contained in an electronic program guide efficiently is desired. In addition, in a plurality of video recording / playback apparatuses connected to a network or the like, a device for knowing the recording performance of a broadcast program to be recorded is also desired.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and provides a network system capable of efficiently displaying a broadcast program to be recorded and displaying a reservation recording record related to recording reservation of the broadcast program. For the purpose.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a network system including a plurality of signal processing devices and communication processing devices, wherein the communication processing device reserves a broadcast program transmitted from the plurality of signal processing devices. First program means for receiving reserved program information and an identifier for identifying the signal processing device, and summing up the reserved program information according to the identifier, and a plurality of attribute information and broadcast according to the total result of the total means A first ranking program guide composed of program information is generated, a transmission means for transmitting the generated first ranking program guide to a signal processing device, and a user transmitted from the plurality of signal processing devices. Means for receiving the keyword and the identifier, second counting means for counting broadcast program information related to the received keyword, A second ranking program table composed of broadcast program information including a plurality of attribute information is generated for each identifier according to the counting result of the two counting means, and the generated second ranking program table is subjected to signal processing according to the identifier. Transmitting means for transmitting to the device, wherein the signal processing device receives the identifier and the reserved program information to the communication processing device, and receives the first ranking program guide from the communication processing device. Receiving means, means for rearranging the broadcast program of the first ranking program guide according to any of the plurality of attribute information, transmission means for transmitting the keyword and the identifier, and the transmission transmitted from the communication processing device A means for receiving a second ranking program guide, and rearranging broadcast programs of the second ranking program guide according to any of the plurality of attribute information Characterized by comprising the that means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to display the broadcast program of recording object efficiently, and to display the reservation recording performance regarding the recording reservation of a broadcast program.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This network system is composed of, for example, a plurality of signal processing devices and communication control devices. The signal processing device is realized as, for example, a video recorder 10 capable of digitally recording and reproducing video and audio signals (AV signals) such as TV broadcast programs.

The video recorder 10 is configured to control AV signal recording and playback operations according to a remote control code transmitted from the remote control unit R by an infrared signal or the like. The video recorder 10 also has a function of digitally recording a TV broadcast program or the like related to a keyword designated in advance by the user by operating the remote control unit R or the like.

  The communication processing device is realized as a video recorder 10, a plurality of signal processing device groups 10A connected to a network such as the Internet, and a server computer S that performs communication via the Internet. Also, a plurality of signal processing devices (video recorders) group 10A capable of digitally recording and reproducing video and audio signals (AV signals) such as TV broadcast programs and the like, such as a video recorder 10, is connected to the Internet. .

  The video recorder 10 and the video recorder group 10A are assigned identifiers such as device IDs for identifying the respective video recorders.

  As shown in the figure, the video recorder 10 includes a communication unit 11, a BS / CS (Broadcasting Satellite / Communication Satellite) tuner unit 12, a terrestrial tuner unit 13, an input side selector unit 16, an output side selector unit 17, and an optical disk drive unit 19. , Hard disk drive unit 18, encoder unit 21, decoder unit 23, interface (I / F) unit 27, control unit 30, operation unit 32, display unit 33, timer microcomputer unit 34, memory 42, display control unit 43 and the like. ing.

  The communication unit 11 is a device for connecting the video recorder 10 to a network such as the Internet via the modem M, and executes communication with the server S via the Internet, for example.

  The BS / CS tuner unit 12 is a broadcast receiving unit that performs reception of broadcast program data corresponding to the BS and CS and channel selection processing for channel selection, and is connected to a BS / CS-compatible antenna. The terrestrial tuner unit 13 is a device that performs reception of terrestrial analog broadcast program data and channel selection processing for channel selection, and is connected to an external TV antenna.

  The input-side selector unit 16 transmits the signal input from the communication unit 11 to the broadcast wave input from the BS / CS tuner unit 12 and the terrestrial tuner unit 13 and the encoder unit 21, which are written in the memory 42. Has a control function.

The input-side selector unit 16 receives a plurality of electronic program guides received from the BS / CS tuner unit 12 and the terrestrial tuner unit 13 in a superimposed manner. This electronic program guide is an electronic program guide such as EPG (Electric Program Guide). This electronic program guide includes a plurality of broadcast program information for each TV program.

  The input-side selector unit 16 transmits the signal input from the communication unit 11 to the broadcast wave input from the BS / CS tuner unit 12 and the terrestrial tuner unit 13 and the encoder unit 21, which are written in the memory 42. Has a control function.

The input-side selector unit 16 receives a plurality of electronic program guides received from the BS / CS tuner unit 12 and the terrestrial tuner unit 13 in a superimposed manner.

  The electronic program guide input to the input side selector unit 16 is output to the receiver 41 and the interface (I / F) unit 27 via the output side selector unit 17 under the control of the control unit 30.

  The encoder unit 21 is a device that performs an encoding process for digitally compressing and encoding the AV signal input from the BS / CS tuner unit 12 and the terrestrial tuner unit 13 under the control of the control unit 30. By this encoding process, the AV signal is converted into a compression-coded digital data string corresponding to, for example, the MPEG2 or DVD video format. The compressed and encoded AV signal obtained by the encoder unit 21 is input to the decoder unit 23.

  The hard disk drive unit 18 is a disk storage device that executes processing for recording an AV signal converted into a compression-encoded digital data sequence and processing for reading the recorded AV signal under the control of the control unit 30. .

  The optical disk drive unit 19 executes read / write processing on the recording medium D such as DVD-RAM / DVD-R. The DVD drive can also execute data read processing from a recording medium D such as a DVD-ROM medium. The AV signal converted into the compression-coded digital data string is first recorded on the hard disk drive. The AV signal recorded on the hard disk drive unit 18 is recorded on a recording medium D such as a DVD-RAM / DVD-R as necessary (dubbing).

  The temporary storage unit 20 is a buffer memory for temporarily recording write data to the hard disk drive unit 18 and the optical disk drive unit 19 or read data from the hard disk drive unit 18 and the optical disk drive unit 19.

The compressed and encoded AV signal read from the hard disk drive unit 18 and the optical disk drive unit 19 is sent to the decoder unit 23 via the temporary storage unit 20. Note that either the hard disk drive unit or the optical disk drive may be provided as a disk drive.

  The decoder unit 23 is a device that executes a decoding process for decoding the compression-coded AV signal under the control of the control unit 30. The AV signal decoded by this decoding process is output to the output side selector unit 17.

  The output-side selector unit 17 receives the AV signal input from the audio / video processing unit 24 or the electronic program guide received from each tuner to the receiver 41 such as a TV or the interface (I / I) via the bus and output terminal. F) A control function for transmitting to the outside via the unit 27 is provided. The receiver 41 is a display device including a display screen that displays an electronic program guide and the like connected to the video recorder 10.

  The control unit 30 is a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided for controlling the operation of each component of the video recorder 10. The control unit 30 also has a function of storing the broadcast program in the electronic program guide in the memory 42 as reservation information to be recorded.

  For example, the control unit 30 executes a process of transmitting a keyword and user information designated by the user and the identifier of the video recorder 10 to the server S. The broadcast program includes a plurality of items such as a channel number, a broadcast program title name, a recording start time, and a recording time for identifying a broadcast program such as a TV.

  The control unit 30 receives the ranking program guide transmitted from the server S via the communication unit 11. The ranking program table has, for example, a plurality of items as shown in FIG. The ranking program information items include a ranking title name, a ranking subtitle name, a ranking item name, a program information group item, and the like. The ranking title name indicates the title name of the ranking program guide. The ranking subtitle name indicates the subtitle name of the ranking program table. The ranking item name is, for example, an item indicating the ranking of the broadcast program. The program information group is an item indicating a plurality of broadcast programs. An example of the configuration of the program information is shown in FIG. This program information includes rank column display characters, default rank number, program name, channel number (channel code), station code, broadcast start date and time, broadcast time, genre code, and the like.

  The rank column display character and the default rank number are items indicating the degree recommended by the server S. The default rank number is an item indicating the rank of a broadcast program. The program name is an item indicating the name of the program of the broadcast program. The channel code is an item indicating the channel number of the broadcast program. The broadcast start date and time is an item indicating date information on which the broadcast of the broadcast program is started. The broadcast time is an item indicating the broadcast time of a broadcast program. The genre code is an item indicating the type related to the broadcast program.

  The control unit 30 also has a function of rearranging broadcast programs in the ranking program table according to the selected item when at least one item is selected by the user from among a plurality of items of the program information.

  When the broadcast program in the ranking program table is selected by the user, the control unit 30 extracts, for example, the channel number, the title name of the broadcast program, the recording start time, and the recording time item from the selected broadcast program. Then, the broadcast program item to be reserved for recording is written in the memory 42 as reservation information.

  When the control section 30 writes the broadcast program information item to be reserved for recording in the memory 42 as reservation information, the item included in the broadcast program information to be recorded and the broadcast program information item stored in the memory 42 are determined. A condition determination process for determining whether or not there is an overlap is executed. In this condition determination process, for example, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the recording start time of the broadcast program information stored in the memory 42 overlaps with the recording start time of the broadcast program information targeted for recording reservation. Determine.

  If there is no overlap, the control unit 30 writes the reservation information in the memory 42. If they overlap, the control unit 30 does not write reservation information in the memory 42. The reservation information written in the memory 42 is designated as a target for executing a recording reservation.

  The control unit 30 has a function of transmitting reservation information stored in the memory 42 and an identifier for identifying the video recorder 10 to the server S. The control unit 30 also has a function of transmitting recorded reservation information indicating that the recording of the broadcast program related to the reservation information stored in the memory 42 has been executed to the server S.

  The display control unit 43 has a display control function for displaying an electronic program guide and a ranking program guide. The display control unit 43 also executes broadcast program rearrangement processing for rearranging broadcast programs in the ranking electronic program guide under the control of the control unit 30.

  The server S includes a ranking program guide generation unit 51, a ranking program guide storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, and the like. The server S also has a function of receiving a keyword from the outside via the video recorder 10 and the communication unit 53 and a function of receiving a broadcast program from the broadcasting station T from the communication unit 53 via the Internet.

  The ranking program guide generator 51 receives the identifier and the reservation information transmitted from the video recorder 10 and the outside via the communication unit 53. And the ranking program schedule production | generation part 51 performs the total process which totals a broadcast program for every identifier.

  The ranking program guide generation unit 51 also has a function of generating a ranking program guide obtained by counting the transmitted reservation information transmitted from the video recorder 10 and the outside via the communication unit 53 according to the item of program information.

  Further, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 also searches for broadcast programs related to the keyword transmitted from the outside from the broadcasting station T or the like, and executes a totaling process for counting the broadcast programs searched according to the search results for each identifier. To do. The ranking program table generator 51 has a function of generating ranking program information in which broadcast programs including only the searched broadcast programs are totaled according to the result of the counting process for counting only the searched broadcast programs.

  Furthermore, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 also executes a counting process for counting only the number of pieces of reservation information transmitted from the outside. In accordance with the result of the counting process for counting only the number of reservation information, the ranking program table generation unit 51 also has a function of generating a ranking program table including broadcast programs in which the number of reservation information is ranked according to the default rank number item. Have.

  Furthermore, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 also executes a counting process for counting only the number of recorded reservation information transmitted from the outside. The ranking program guide generation unit 51 generates a ranking program guide including broadcast programs according to the number of recorded reservation information in accordance with the result of the tabulation process for counting only the number of recorded reservation information. In addition, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 also generates information indicating the degree of recommendation of broadcast programs.

  Further, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 receives the reservation information, the plurality of identifiers, and the plurality of user information included in each of the plurality of identifiers transmitted from the video recorder 10 and the outside via the communication unit 53. And the ranking program schedule production | generation part 51 also performs the process which performs the total process which totals reservation information according to each user information for every identifier about a broadcast program.

  Further, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 is configured so that the server S receives a broadcast code from the broadcasting station T according to a channel code indicating a broadcast wave that can be received by the video recorder 10 indicated by the identifier included in the identifier transmitted from the outside. A ranking program table composed of the same broadcast program information as the received channel code is also generated. That is, it is possible to generate a ranking program guide composed of broadcast waves (broadcast program information) that can be received by the video recorder 10.

  The display unit 33 is a display device for status display provided in the video recorder 10 main body. For example, the AV signal title, channel number, and progress of playback / recording that are currently viewed, played back, and recorded. Used to display status information. For example, when the user instructs to record / reproduce a TV program by operating the remote control unit R, the title name of the TV program to be recorded / reproduced by the video recorder 10 is displayed on the display unit. 33.

  The timer microcomputer unit 34 is a microcomputer incorporating a timer for timekeeping, and functions as a sub CPU for processing signals transmitted from the operation unit 32 and the remote control unit R, respectively. The timer microcomputer unit 34 also has a function of managing the channel number, title, recording start time, recording end time, and the like for each TV program reserved for recording. The timer built in the timer microcomputer unit 34 functions as a clock module that measures the current date and time. When the recording start time or recording end time of each TV program reserved for recording has arrived, the timer microcomputer unit 34 performs recording according to the reservation information stored in the memory 42 in cooperation with the control unit 30. The timer microcomputer unit 34 has a remote control code processing function. This remote control code processing function is a function that executes an operation requested by the remote control code received from the remote control unit R in cooperation with the control unit 30.

  The remote control unit R is provided with function keys, alphabet keys, numeric keys, and the like (not shown). The user can also instruct the video recorder 10 to output the electronic program guide corresponding to the key to the display unit 33 by operating the key of the remote control unit R. For example, in addition to the power on / off button of the video recorder 10, the function keys include a button group for controlling the recording / playback operation of the AV signal (decision button, back button, quick display button, play button, stop button, A pause button, a record button, a fast-forward / fast-reverse button, etc.) and a button group for operating the recording reservation function and the ranking display function described above. The numeric keypad is provided with a plurality of buttons for inputting numbers and symbols, and is used, for example, for inputting a channel number and editing a title name.

  Each has alphabet keys and numeric keys. A keyword designated by the user can be assigned to each of the alphabet keys and the numeric keys.

  In the remote control unit R, a corresponding key code is assigned to each button of the operation unit 32 described above. When a certain button is operated by the user, a key code corresponding to the button is transmitted to the video recorder 10 by an infrared signal or the like. In the video recorder 10, an operation to be executed corresponding to each remote control code is defined. The user operates the remote control unit R to, for example, record / playback of AV signals, recording reservation, display of a recording reservation list, display of a recorded AV signal title list, and selection of a broadcast program in a ranking program table. The video recorder 10 can be instructed to execute an operation such as an operation.

  Next, a specific example of the rearrangement process executed between the video recorder 10 and the server S will be described with reference to FIG. In this rearrangement process, the video recorder 10 executes a broadcast program rearrangement process for rearranging the broadcast programs in the ranking program table transmitted from the server S.

  In the present embodiment, the broadcast program rearrangement process will be described with attention paid to the video recorder 10 and the server S. The control unit 30 of the video recorder 10 transmits the reservation information 50 stored in the memory 42 to the server S. Specifically, when the reservation information 50 is written in the memory 42, the reservation information 50 is transmitted to the server S. When transmitting the reservation information 50 to the server S, the control unit 30 also transmits the identifier (user information) of the video recorder 10. The user information is information in which at least one of sex, age / age, blood type, constellation, etc. is designated by the user, for example. The video recorder 10 also has a function of creating a plurality of user information.

  The ranking program table generating unit 51 of the server S generates a first ranking program table composed of broadcast programs including items related to the reservation information transmitted for each identifier, and generates the generated first ranking program table Is stored in the ranking program guide storage unit 52. Further, the ranking program table generating unit 51 generates a second ranking program table composed of broadcast programs obtained by counting only the number of recorded reservation information, and uses the generated second ranking program table as a ranking program. Store in the table storage unit 52.

  The ranking program guide generation unit 51 of the server S also has a function of generating a third ranking program guide configured from broadcast program information including items related to a plurality of pieces of user information transmitted for each identifier. The ranking program guide generation unit 51 stores the third ranking program guide in the ranking program guide storage unit 52.

  When a message for obtaining a ranking program guide is transmitted to the server S from the video recorder 10 and the outside via the network, the server S transmits the ranking program guide for each identifier. The video recorder 10 (control unit 30) writes, for example, the first ranking program table, the second ranking program table, and the third ranking program table, respectively, as ranking program tables based on the identifiers.

  The video recorder 10 (display control unit 43) displays the ranking program table (first ranking program table, second ranking program table, and third ranking program table) written in the memory 42 on the display screen of the receiver 41. indicate. The video recorder 10 can also selectively display any one of the ranking program tables stored in the memory 42. FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the receiver 41 such as a TV. The display screen 100 is a main menu screen displayed by the display control unit 43 when the display of the ranking program guide is instructed by the user, for example, the remote control unit R or the operation unit 32.

  On this main menu screen, the ranking title name 101 of the ranking program guide transmitted from the server S is displayed. In the ranking title name 101, an item of the ranking title name of the ranking program table written in the memory 42 by the display control unit 43 is displayed.

  When the “total ranking” is designated by the user from the ranking title name 101 on the display screen 100, the display control unit 43 displays the display screen 110 shown in FIG. 6 on the display screen of the receiver 41. The display screen 110 is a display screen showing the first ranking program information stored in the memory 42 by the display control unit 43.

  On this display screen 110, a program information group 111, a ranking title name 112, a ranking item name 113, and the like are displayed. In the program information group 111, items of the program information group of the ranking program guide are displayed. The ranking title name 112 displays the ranking title name and ranking subtitle name of the ranking program guide. The ranking item name 113 displays the ranking item name (ranking) of the ranking program guide. This display screen 110 can present to the user reservation information on which the scheduled recording of the broadcast program has been executed most frequently. Further, when one of the broadcast programs in the ranking program table displayed on the display screen 110 is instructed by the user, the display control unit 43 receives the display screen 120 for executing the reserved recording as shown in FIG. Displayed on the display screen of the machine 41. The user can execute the recording reservation of the broadcast program selected by the user by pressing a recording reservation execution button 121 on the display screen 120. The control unit 30 extracts broadcast program items selected by the user, and stores the extracted items in the memory 42 as reservation information.

  Next, an example of the broadcast program rearrangement process described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In this broadcast program rearrangement process, the broadcast programs in the displayed ranking program table are rearranged according to any of the broadcast program items. In FIG. 8, for example, when the display screen 110 is displayed on the receiver 41 by the display control unit 43, when the quick display button provided in the operation unit 32 and the remote control unit R is pressed by the user, the menu 130 is displayed. Is displayed on the display screen of the receiver 41. A plurality of items are displayed on the menu 130. For example, when “genre” is selected by the user from among a plurality of items on the menu 130, the broadcast programs displayed on the display screen 110 are rearranged in order of genre and displayed. That is, the display control unit 43 executes a process of rearranging the broadcast programs in the ranking program table for each genre code according to the genre code of the broadcast program. The video recorder 10 can rearrange broadcast programs in the ranking program table displayed on the display screen and present them to the user by selecting at least one of the plurality of items by the user. By specifying the item, the user can customize and display the ranking program guide on a display screen that is easier for the user to view.

  Further, when the “genre” on the menu 130 is selected by the user, the menu 140 may be further displayed. This includes a plurality of items for selecting “genre” in more detail. When the currently displayed display screen is the display screen 110, the item “Drama” on the menu 140 is selected, and as shown in the display screen 150 of FIG. A broadcast program group 151 indicating a broadcast program whose genre code includes a genre code indicating “drama” is displayed. The display control unit 43 rearranges and displays broadcast programs including a genre code whose genre code item indicates “drama” in the currently displayed ranking program table. The user can further sort and display the broadcast programs in the ranking program table by selecting a plurality of items from the selected items.

  Next, referring to FIG. 10, when “drama ranking” is designated by the user from the ranking title name 101 on the display screen 100, the display control unit 43 receives the display screen 160 shown in FIG. Displayed on the display screen of the machine 41. This display screen 160 displays a subtitle name 161 for further specifying an item from a broadcast program including the item “drama”. When the “female drama ranking” including the item “drama” and including the keyword “female” is designated by the user from the subtitle name 161, the display control unit 43 displays the display screen shown in FIG. 170 is displayed on the display screen of the receiver 41. The display screen 170 further displays a subtitle name 171 relating to age for further specifying an item from a broadcast program including the item “drama” and including the keyword “female”.

  When “20th drama ranking” is designated by the user from the subtitle name 171 relating to this age, a broadcast program including the item “drama” and the keyword “female” and including the keyword “20s” is displayed. 12 is displayed. On the display screen 180, for example, a broadcast program group 181 including the item “drama” and the keyword “female” and including the keyword “20s” is displayed. By specifying a plurality of items and keywords, the user can extract broadcast programs that include the items and keywords selected by the user, and can further sort and display the extracted broadcast programs.

  In addition, the display control unit 43 extracts items of broadcast programs related to the keywords by the user instructing keywords and user information assigned to, for example, alphabet keys of the remote control unit R and the operation unit 32, respectively. It can also be displayed. For example, it is assumed that a keyword such as an item “drama”, a keyword “female”, and a keyword “20s” is assigned to the alphabet key A. When the user operates the alphabet key A, the display control unit 43 displays the broadcast program including the item “drama”, the keyword “female”, the keyword “20's”, and the keyword on the display screen. It can also be extracted from the ranking program table and displayed as a display screen 180.

  As shown in the display screen 190 of FIG. 13, the video recorder 10 allows the display control unit 43 to display the channel associated with the designated number key by the user specifying the numeric keys of the remote control unit R and the operation unit 32. Broadcast program information including codes can also be displayed. In this display screen 190, for example, when the numeric key “1” is pressed, the display control unit 43 displays the broadcast program group 191 in which the broadcast programs are rearranged according to the channel code “1” in the ranking program table. .

  The video recorder 10 can also select whether or not to transmit the user information designated by the user to the server S on the display screen 200 as shown in FIG.

  In addition, the display control unit 43 sets a mark indicating the degree recommended by the server S in the broadcast program group 211 in the ranking program table on the display screen 210 as shown in FIG. You may display.

  The video recorder 10 executes the recording reservation of the broadcast program in the ranking program guide on the display screen 220 as shown in FIG. 16 according to the ranking information specified by the user and the degree recommended by the server S. Execute the process. For example, when the broadcast program corresponding to the automatic recording of the ranking program guide generation unit 51 is set to “1st place”, the broadcast program information item corresponding to the first place in the ranking program guide is extracted as reservation information. Store in the memory 42. In this way, the user simply selects the recording reservation target from the ranking program guide in accordance with the ranking of the designated ranking information and the degree recommended by the server S, so that the recording reservation of the broadcast program in the ranking program guide can be performed. Can be executed.

  In addition, by storing the upper limit of time for recording a broadcast program in the memory 42 on the display screen 220, the control unit 30 does not record the broadcast program for longer than the stored time. In addition, by storing the upper limit of the time for recording the broadcast program in the memory 42, the display control unit 43 displays the broadcast program including the broadcast time item exceeding the set time in the ranking program table. The process which is not performed is also executed.

  The server S may transmit a display message indicating that new ranking information has been generated to the video recorder 10 according to the result of the collection process described above. FIG. 17 shows a display screen 230 indicating that new ranking information has been generated by the server S. The display control unit 30 receives a display message from the server S and displays the received display message on the receiver 41.

  Next, an example of a procedure of reservation information transmission processing for transmitting reservation information executed by the video recorder 10 to the server S will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In the reservation information transmission process, the control unit 30 executes only when the reservation information and the keyword are set to be transmitted on the display screen 200 shown in FIG.

  The control unit 30 determines whether reservation information has been written in the memory 42 (step S101). In step S <b> 101, the control unit 30 periodically refers to the memory 42 to determine whether new reservation information has been written in the memory 42.

  When reservation information is written in the memory 42 (YES in step S101), the control unit 30 extracts items from the written reservation information and transmits them to the server S (step S102). In step S <b> 104, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 executes a counting process for counting reservation information transmitted from the video recorder 10 and the outside for each identifier.

  Next, the control unit 30 determines whether or not a flag indicating that the execution of the recording reservation related to the reservation information written in the memory 42 has been completed (step S103).

  When a flag is written in the reservation information stored in the memory 42 (YES in step S103), the item of reservation information (recorded reservation information) in which the flag is written is extracted and transmitted to the server S (step S104). ). In step S <b> 104, the ranking program guide generation unit 51 executes a totaling process for totaling recorded reservation information transmitted from the video recorder 10 and the outside.

  Next, an example of the procedure of the broadcast program rearrangement process executed by the video recorder 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This broadcast program rearrangement process is executed jointly by the control unit 30 and the display control unit 43.

  The control unit 30 acquires a ranking program guide from the server S (step S201).

The acquired ranking program table is sorted according to the default ranking number (step S202). In step S202, when the program guide is selected, the display control unit 43 rearranges the ranking program guide according to the default rank number.

  Next, the display control unit 43 displays a ranking program table in which broadcast programs are rearranged on a display screen such as the receiver 41 (step S203). Next, the control unit 30 determines whether any one of the return button, the determination button, the quick display button, the numeric key, or the alphabet key is depressed (Step S204, Step S205, Step S206, Step S207, Step S208). ).

  When the return button is pressed (YES in step S204), the display control unit 43 ends the display of the ranking program guide (step S209). When the determination button is pressed (YES in step S205), the display control unit 43 displays a recording reservation screen (step S210). In step S210, when a broadcast program in the ranking program guide is selected by the user, for example, a display screen 120 for executing recording reservation for the selected broadcast program is displayed. The control unit 30 extracts program information from the selected broadcast program and stores the extracted program information as reservation information in the memory 42 (step S211). After executing step S211, the display control unit 43 executes step S209. When the quick display button is pressed (YES in step S206), the display control unit 43 displays the menu 130 (step S212). Then, the display control unit 43 extracts a broadcast program according to the item selected on the menu 130 (step S213). The display control unit 43 rearranges the extracted broadcast programs (step S214). After executing step S214, the display control unit 43 executes step S203.

  When the number key is pressed (step S207), the display control unit 43 extracts a broadcast program according to the input number (step S215). After executing step S214, the display control unit 43 executes step S214.

  When the alphabet key is pressed (YES in step S208), the display control unit 43 extracts a broadcast program according to the item registered in the input alphabet (step S216). After executing step S216, the display control unit 43 executes step S214.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, ranking program information obtained by counting reservation information and identifiers (user information) transmitted from a plurality of signal processing devices for each identifier indicating the signal processing device is received and displayed. Further, one of a plurality of items is designated from the displayed ranking program information. As a result, in this network system, it is possible to present to the user a scheduled recording record related to the recording reservation and a display screen that is easy for the user to visually recognize by a plurality of signal processing devices.

  The display control unit 43 also executes a process of displaying a ranking program table composed of broadcast programs including items of time information later than the time counted by the timer microcomputer unit 34. Further, the display control unit 43 can display only broadcast programs included in the electronic program guide superimposed on broadcast waves respectively received by the BS / CS tuner unit 12 and the terrestrial tuner unit 13. Thus, the number of broadcast programs displayed in the ranking program guide is limited, and the broadcast programs in the ranking program guide can be displayed efficiently.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine a component suitably in different embodiment.

The block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the network system of the signal processing apparatus and communication processing apparatus which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the example of the mode of the communication performed between a signal processing apparatus and a communication processing apparatus in the network system of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the item of the ranking program schedule produced | generated by the communication processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the program information group contained in the ranking program schedule produced | generated by the communication processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the list of the ranking program schedule received from the communication processing apparatus displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the ranking program guide displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display for performing the recording reservation of the broadcast program designated by the user on the display screen of FIG. The figure which shows the menu which designates the item of the broadcast program displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the ranking program table rearranged according to the 1st item displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display in which the 1st item displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. 1 is selected, and also selects a 2nd item. The figure which shows the example of a display which selects the 1st item and 2nd item which are displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and also selects a 3rd item. The figure which shows the example of a display by which the broadcast program of the ranking program schedule was rearranged according to the 1st item, the 2nd item, and the 3rd item which are displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. . The figure which shows the example of a display which rearranged the item of the channel number of the broadcast program displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the display screen which sets whether a keyword is transmitted to the communication processing apparatus displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the display screen which displayed the mark recommended by the communication processing apparatus from the ranking program guide displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display screen which performs recording reservation according to specific conditions from the ranking program guide displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus connected to the signal processing apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows that the ranking program guide was produced | generated by the communication processing apparatus displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus of the information processing apparatus of FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the example of the procedure of the transmission means which transmits the reservation information performed by the signal processing apparatus of FIG. 1, and recording reservation completed information to a communication processing apparatus. The flowchart for demonstrating the example of the procedure of the rearrangement process which rearranges the broadcast program of the ranking program guide performed by the signal processing apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Video recorder, 30 ... Control part, 41 ... Receiver, 42 ... Reservation memory, 42A ... Memory, 42A ... Memory, 43 ... Display control part, R ... Remote control, S ... Server.

Claims (10)

In a network system composed of a plurality of signal processing devices and communication processing devices,
The communication processing device includes:
First counting means for receiving reserved program information indicating that broadcast programs transmitted from the plurality of signal processing devices are reserved and an identifier for identifying the signal processing device, and counting reserved program information according to the identifier;
Transmission for generating a first ranking program guide composed of a plurality of attribute information and broadcast program information according to the counting result of the first counting means, and transmitting the generated first ranking program guide to the signal processing device Means ,
Means for receiving a keyword specified by a user and the identifier transmitted from the plurality of signal processing devices;
Second counting means for counting broadcast program information related to the received keyword;
A second ranking program guide composed of broadcast program information including a plurality of attribute information is generated for each identifier according to the counting result of the second counting means, and the generated second ranking program guide is determined according to the identifier. Transmission means for transmitting to the signal processing device,
The signal processing device includes:
Transmitting means for transmitting the identifier and the reserved program information to the communication processing device;
Receiving means for receiving the first ranking program guide from the communication processing device;
Means for rearranging broadcast programs of the first ranking program guide according to any of the plurality of attribute information ;
Transmitting means for transmitting the keyword and the identifier;
Means for receiving the second ranking program guide transmitted from the communication processing device;
A network system comprising: means for rearranging broadcast programs in the second ranking program guide according to any of the plurality of attribute information . In a signal processing device connectable to a communication processing device,
Means for transmitting an identifier for identifying a signal processing device and reserved program information indicating that a broadcast program is reserved to the communication processing device;
Receiving means for receiving a first ranking program guide comprising broadcast programs including a plurality of attribute information from the communication processing device ;
Means for rearranging broadcast programs of the first ranking program guide according to any of the plurality of attribute information ;
Transmitting means for transmitting the keyword specified by the user and the identifier;
Means for receiving a second ranking program guide composed of broadcast program information including a plurality of attribute information in accordance with a result of counting broadcast program information related to the keyword, transmitted from the communication processing device;
Means for rearranging broadcast programs of the second ranking program guide according to any of the plurality of attribute information;
A signal processing apparatus comprising: First counting means for receiving reserved program information indicating that a broadcast program transmitted from a plurality of signal processing devices is reserved and an identifier for identifying the signal processing device, and totaling the reserved program information according to the identifier;
Transmission for generating a first ranking program guide composed of a plurality of attribute information and broadcast program information according to the counting result of the first counting means, and transmitting the generated first ranking program guide to the signal processing device Means ,
Means for receiving a keyword specified by a user and the identifier transmitted from the plurality of signal processing devices;
Second counting means for counting broadcast program information related to the received keyword;
A second ranking program guide composed of broadcast program information including a plurality of attribute information is generated for each identifier according to the counting result of the second counting means, and the generated second ranking program guide is determined according to the identifier. Transmitting means for transmitting to the signal processing device;
A communication processing apparatus comprising: The communication processing device includes:
Third counting means for counting recorded program information indicating that recording of a broadcast program related to the reserved program information transmitted from the signal processing device has been executed;
Transmission of generating a third ranking program guide composed of broadcast programs including a plurality of attribute information according to the result of counting by the third counting means, and transmitting the generated third ranking program guide to the signal processing device And further comprising means,
The signal processing device includes:
Transmitting means for transmitting the recorded program information to the communication processing device;
Receiving means for receiving the third ranking program guide from the communication processing device;
The network system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for controlling to display a third ranking program guide received by the receiving means. Transmitting means for transmitting recorded program information indicating that recording of a broadcast program related to the reserved program information has been executed to the communication processing device;
Receiving means for receiving, from the communication processing device, a third ranking program guide composed of broadcast programs including a plurality of attribute information in accordance with the total result of the recorded program information;
The signal processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display means for controlling to display the third ranking program guide received by the receiving means. The communication processing device includes:
Third counting means for counting recorded program information indicating that recording of a broadcast program related to the reserved program information transmitted from the signal processing device has been executed;
Transmission of generating a third ranking program guide composed of broadcast programs including a plurality of attribute information according to the result of counting by the third counting means, and transmitting the generated third ranking program guide to the signal processing device And further comprising means
The communication processing apparatus according to claim 3. The means for rearranging includes:
Selecting means for selecting at least one of the plurality of attribute information;
The signal processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for extracting and rearranging broadcast programs in the electronic program guide according to the selected attribute information. 3. The signal processing device according to claim 2, further comprising means for executing a setting relating to reserved recording of the selected broadcast program when a broadcast program in the first ranking program guide is selected. . The plurality of attributes includes time information indicating a time at which a broadcast program is started, and the broadcast program information includes time information indicating a time of the broadcast program,
The signal processing device includes a time control unit that counts the current time;
2. The network according to claim 1, wherein the rearranging means further comprises means for controlling to display only broadcast programs including time information that is later by a predetermined time than the time counted by the time control unit in the ranking program table. system. The plurality of attributes includes time information indicating a time at which a broadcast program is started, and the broadcast program information includes time information indicating a time of the broadcast program,
The signal processing device includes a time control unit that counts the current time;
3. The signal according to claim 2, wherein the rearranging means further includes means for controlling to display only broadcast programs including time information that is later by a predetermined time than the time counted by the time control unit in the ranking program table. Processing equipment.

Images