CN100464574C

CN100464574C - A program guidance method for electronic program guide

Info

Publication number: CN100464574C
Application number: CNB2005100598425A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 姜珊
Original assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Current assignee: Lenovo Beijing Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-31
Filing date: 2005-03-31
Publication date: 2009-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-31
Also published as: CN1842145A

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic program guide (EPG) program guiding method, which presets an EPG trigger condition including trigger state and sub-picture playback content information, and the method includes: reading the EPG trigger condition, and judging whether the current state satisfies the EPG trigger condition Trigger state, if yes, start the sub-picture, determine the channel of the sub-picture according to the content information of the sub-picture in the EPG trigger condition, and display the determined channel on the sub-picture, otherwise, return to this step. By applying the present invention, a TV set or a computer with a multi-coordinator system can automatically start the sub-picture, and can automatically play the channel set by the user through the EPG on the sub-picture.

Description

A kind of program guiding method of electronic program guide

Technical field

The present invention relates to electronic program guides (EPG) technology, relate in particular to a kind of EPG program guiding method.

Background technology

Along with the development of electronic technology and video transmission technologies, the function of television set and computer is increasing, and television set and computer with many pictures display mode are also more and more general.In many pictures display mode modal a kind of be picture-in-picture (PIP) pattern.So-called PIP is meant, television set or computer can be by a plurality of tuners (TUNER), received signals from a plurality of signal sources simultaneously, and after synthesizing to the received signal, is shown on the same screen with the form of key frame and secondary picture.Usually, will provide the part of PIP function to be called many TUNER system in television set or the computer.

Be example with double T UNER system below, the implementation procedure of PIP pattern is described.

Referring to Fig. 1, double T UNER system mainly is made up of two signal input module, memory (MEM), micro-control unit (MCU), PIP mixing module and display screen.Wherein, the internal structure of two signal input module is identical, includes TUNER, intermediate frequency (IF) module, channel decoder and transport stream (TS) decoder.Wherein, TUNER will come from extraneous TV signal and be converted to the IF signal, and output in the IF module as the information source input of system; The IF module is reduced into corresponding baseband signal to received IF signal again; The band decoder device converts baseband signal to channel signals, so that reconstitute data flow; The TS decoder resolves into voice data, video data etc. with the data flow of channel decoder output, and is sent in the PIP mixing module; The content that MCU is responsible for understanding among the MEM and is preserved, for example: the channel of being watched before the user shut down last time etc., and receive come from the user call secondary image instruction the time, give an order to the PIP mixing module, make the signal that TUNER transmitted in two signal input module in the PIP mixing module, synthesize an image, and be presented on the display screen with the form of major and minor picture.Referring to Fig. 2, in the major and minor picture that double T UNER system is synthesized, key frame occupies whole display screens usually, and secondary picture only occupies the part of display screen, and the major-minor effect of two pictures can be changed as required by the user.

In addition, along with enriching of the increase of television channel number purpose, TV programme, EPG becomes the TV user necessary tool as a kind of real time programme form.EPG not only can provide real-time help when the user searches and locate TV programme, and can provide such as additional informations such as program brief introduction and stage photos for the user, to improve the convenience that the user watches TV.

Usually, the EPG programme comprises in progress programme information of current time and the programme information that will play, for example channel designation, broadcast date, programm name, time started, concluding time, program brief introduction and program classification etc.For TV with many TUNER system or computer, the EPG programme is shown on the picture among the PIP, and the user can select in the EPG programme, and selected program is switched on the picture of playing the EPG programme.

In existing EPG program guiding method based on many TUNER system, the secondary picture that shows the EPG programme can only can be started through manual operation by the user, and will user-selected fixed program switches to and play this process on the secondary picture of demonstration EPG programme and also must manually be finished by the user.As seen, existing EPG program guiding method hommization degree based on many TUNER system is lower, to bring the user convenience degree not high.

Summary of the invention

In view of this, the object of the present invention is to provide a kind of EPG program guiding method, can start the picture that shows the EPG programme automatically, and the program that can automatically the user be selected switches on the picture that shows the EPG programme.

For achieving the above object, the invention provides a kind of EPG program guiding method, set in advance the EPG trigger condition that comprises triggering state and secondary picture play content information, this method comprises:

Read the EPG trigger condition, judge whether current state satisfies the triggering state in the EPG trigger condition, if, then start secondary picture, determine secondary picture channel according to the secondary picture play content information in this EPG trigger condition, and determined channel is presented on the described secondary picture, otherwise, return and carry out this step.Wherein, described triggering state is for starting the time of secondary picture, and the then described method of judging whether current state satisfies the triggering state in the EPG trigger condition is:

Judge whether the current time meets the time of the secondary picture of described startup.

Wherein, comprise Timing Advance in the described EPG trigger condition, the described time method of judging whether the current time meet the secondary picture of described startup is:

According to the time started of secondary picture play content in the EPG trigger condition, determine the time relationship of current time and described time started, and judge whether described time relationship meets the Timing Advance in the EPG trigger condition.

Wherein, comprise Timing Advance in the described EPG trigger condition, the described time method of judging whether the current time meet the secondary picture of described startup comprises:

B11. be index with the secondary picture play content information in the EPG trigger condition, retrieval EPG programme, the time started of obtaining described secondary picture play content;

B12. according to the time started of the secondary picture play content of obtaining, determine the time relationship of current time and described time started, and judge whether described time relationship meets the Timing Advance in the EPG trigger condition.

Wherein, the method of the secondary picture of described startup is: the EPG triggering signal that sends the channel that comprises described secondary picture play content information correspondence to the picture-in-picture mixing module of system, after described picture-in-picture mixing module receives described triggering signal, secondary picture is presented on the display screen;

Describedly determine that according to the secondary picture play content information in this EPG trigger condition the method for secondary picture channel is: from described EPG triggering signal, obtain the channel of secondary picture play content information correspondence, and with accessed channel as secondary picture channel.

Wherein, described sending before the EPG triggering signal, this method further comprises:

With the secondary picture play content information in the EPG trigger condition is index, retrieves the EPG programme, determines the channel of described secondary picture play content information correspondence, and determined channel is put into the EPG triggering signal.

Wherein, described EPG trigger condition further comprises: with secondary picture play content information word information relates;

Described determined channel is presented on the described secondary picture after, this method further comprises:

Described and secondary picture play content information word information relates is shown on the described secondary picture.

Wherein, described EPG trigger condition is stored in the formation of EPG trigger condition, and the then described EPG of reading trigger condition also judges that the method whether current state meets the triggering state in the EPG trigger condition is:

From the formation of EPG trigger condition, read the EPG trigger condition one by one, and carry out and describedly judge whether current state meets the triggering state in the EPG trigger condition.

Wherein, described read the EPG trigger condition before, this method further comprises:

Read the EPG programme, and, judge whether this EPG programme is effective, if then continue to carry out the described EPG trigger condition that reads according to effective time of current time and EPG programme; Otherwise, finish this EPG program guiding flow process.

Wherein, the method for the secondary picture of described startup is:

According to the flag bit that shows secondary picture state, judge and whether have secondary picture in the current display screen, if then carry out and describedly determine secondary picture channel, and determined channel is presented on the described secondary picture according to the secondary picture play content information in this EPG trigger condition; Otherwise, carry out the operation of the secondary picture of described startup.

Use the present invention, television set or computer with many TUNER system can be opened secondary picture automatically, and can play the channel that the user sets by EPG automatically on secondary picture.Particularly, the present invention has following beneficial effect:

1. the present invention satisfies in the current time under the situation of the EPG trigger condition that the user sets in advance, and sends the EPG triggering signal by the module of being responsible for opening secondary picture in MCU, opens secondary picture automatically, has improved the convenience that the user uses;

2. the present invention carries the user by the selected channel of EPG trigger condition in the EPG triggering signal, and under the situation that secondary picture is opened, automatically above-mentioned channel is play on secondary picture, and need not user's manual operation, has strengthened the hommization degree;

3. the present invention also shows the related text information of current playing program on the secondary picture of opening, and makes the user come into plain view for the content in the secondary picture.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the structural representation of many TUNER system;

Fig. 2 is a major and minor picture view in many TUNER system;

Fig. 3 is the EPG program guiding method flow chart that the present invention is based on many TUNER system;

Fig. 4 opens secondary picture automatically, and automatically plays the method flow diagram of the required channel of user on secondary picture for the present invention.

Embodiment

For making purpose of the present invention, technical scheme clearer, below with reference to the accompanying drawing embodiment that develops simultaneously, the present invention is described in further detail.

The present invention is a kind of EPG program guiding method, sets in advance the EPG trigger condition, and this method mainly may further comprise the steps:

Read the EPG trigger condition, judge whether current state satisfies the triggering state in the EPG trigger condition, if, then start secondary picture, determine secondary picture channel according to the secondary picture play content information in this EPG trigger condition, and determined channel is presented on the described secondary picture, otherwise, return and carry out this step.

In order to open secondary picture automatically, and the program that the user need watch play on secondary picture, the present invention is according to user's needs, set in advance the EPG trigger condition that comprises triggering state and secondary picture play content information, triggering state representation wherein starts the time of secondary picture, program, film or channel etc. that the information representation of secondary picture play content need be watched.For the ease of the EPG trigger condition is set, triggering state and secondary picture play content information can be represented by trigger message and Timing Advance.For example: trigger message is 1 channel/19:00, when Timing Advance is 5 minutes, and then triggering this moment state is that 18:55, secondary picture play content information are 1 channel.In addition, in EPG trigger condition of the present invention, also comprise and the relevant Word message of secondary picture play content information, so that the user can understand the content of playing in the secondary picture fast.Among the present invention, the trigger condition formation that above-mentioned EPG trigger condition is constituted is kept among the MEM.

Referring to Fig. 3, the EPG program guiding method that the present invention is based on many TUNER system may further comprise the steps:

Step 301. system start-up work.

In this step, many TUNER system shown in Figure 1 brings into operation through after powering on.

Step 302～304. judge whether display frame opens, if then read preceding shown channel information and the EPG programme of shutdown last time from MEM, and play the channel that is read on key frame; Otherwise, finish this EPG program guiding flow process.

Open flag bit by the display frame in the PIP module herein, judge whether display frame opens.Under the situation that display frame is opened, MCU reads television set or computer shown channel of key frame before shutdown last time at this many TUNER system place from MEM, and by a TUNER in the system, the signal of this channel is incorporated in the PIP mixing module, on key frame, plays.

In addition,, therefore also the EPG programme to be read out from MEM, so that subsequent step uses because the EPG programme also is stored among the MEM.

Step 305. judges whether this EPG programme is effective, if then execution in step 306 according to the effective time of current time and this EPG programme; Otherwise, finish this EPG program guiding flow process.

The same with TV newspaper commonly used, can only comprise the TV programme in a period of time in the EPG programme.Therefore, can recognize program in current and following a period of time in order to make the user, the EPG programme will carry out regular update.EPG programme after each the renewal all has the effective time of self, then in this step, by judging that the current time is whether in the effective time of EPG programme, determine whether this EPG programme is effective, if promptly the current time judges that then this EPG programme is effective in the effective time of EPG programme; Otherwise, judge that this EPG is invalid.

The formation of EPG trigger condition is read in step 306～308. from MEM, and judges whether to exist the EPG trigger condition, if then read first condition in the formation of current EPG trigger condition; Otherwise, finish this EPG program guiding flow process.

In order to make many TUNER of the present invention system can determine to start automatically the time of secondary picture, this place reads out the formation of the predefined EPG trigger condition of user from MEM; And after in the trigger condition formation of having determined to read, having trigger condition, from this trigger condition formation, obtain first trigger condition, so as in the subsequent step according to this trigger condition, determine the automatic unlatching of secondary picture.

Step 309～310. judge whether the current time satisfy current trigger condition, if, then send the EPG triggering signal, start the secondary picture of the program of playing current trigger condition correspondence; Otherwise, return execution in step 309.

With the EPG trigger condition formation shown in the table 1 is example, and each trigger condition all includes projects such as trigger message, Timing Advance and Word message.Wherein trigger message occurs with forms such as the title of the required play content of user or channel/times, and wherein the title of the required play content of user can be programm name or film title.

Trigger message	Timing Advance	Word message
Trigger message	Timing Advance	Word message	Same first song	3 minutes	Same first song is come into Beijing
1 channel/19:00	5 minutes	News hookup	Same first song	3 minutes	Same first song is come into Beijing
1 channel/19:00	5 minutes	News hookup	Yongzheng imperial court	2 minutes	Yongzheng imperial court (3)

Table 1

This place judges that the method whether current time satisfy current trigger condition has two kinds:

When trigger message occurs with the form of programm name or film title, at first be called index with this programm name or film name, retrieval EPG programme, find the broadcasting channel and the time started of this program or film, again deducted the Timing Advance in the current trigger condition time started that obtains, and then definite current EPG trigger condition time corresponding, the i.e. start-up time of secondary picture; Then, judge again whether the current time arrive this pair picture start-up time, if, judge that then the current time satisfies current trigger condition, otherwise, judge that the current time do not satisfy current trigger condition.For example: suppose that the current time is 13:50, for first EPG trigger condition in the table 1, this place at first finds the time started of same first song program in the EPG programme be 14:00, and the Timing Advance in this trigger condition is 3 minutes, and then be 13:57 the start-up time of secondary picture; Then, because current time no show 13:57 still, then return and judge whether the current time arrives secondary picture start-up time.

When trigger message occurs with the form of channel/time, only need the time in the trigger message is deducted Timing Advance, can obtain current EPG trigger condition time corresponding, i.e. the start-up time of secondary picture; And then judge whether the current time arrive this pair picture start-up time, if, judge that then the current time satisfies current trigger condition, otherwise, judge that the current time do not satisfy current trigger condition.For example: suppose that the current time is 18:55, for second EPG trigger condition in the table 1, this place is 5 minutes according to 19:00 in the trigger message and Timing Advance, and the opening time of determining secondary picture is 18:55; Then, because the current time is identical with the secondary picture opening time, judge that then the current time satisfies current trigger condition.

Satisfy in the current time under the situation of current trigger condition, MCU sends the EPG triggering signal to the PIP module, wherein carry content, start the secondary picture of the program of playing this trigger condition correspondence automatically such as current trigger conditions such as secondary picture channel and Word messages.With first trigger condition in the table 1 is example, and automatically open secondary picture this moment on display screen, and what play in the secondary picture is the channel at same first song program place.

Step 311～312. turn to the next trigger condition in the formation of EPG trigger condition, and judge whether current EPG trigger condition is empty, if then finish this EPG program guiding flow process; Otherwise, return execution in step 309.

Because through after the operation of above-mentioned steps, first trigger condition is finished by many TUNER of the present invention system, so turns to the next trigger condition in the formation of EPG trigger condition in this step.

And,, show that then all EPG conditions that user have been provided with all are finished, and therefore, finish EPG program guiding flow process of the present invention if current EPG trigger condition is empty.

So far, EPG program guiding flow process of the present invention is finished.

In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the method that starts the secondary picture of the program of playing current trigger condition correspondence in the above-mentioned steps 310 may further comprise the steps:

Step 401～402. judge whether to receive the EPG triggering signal, if then obtain the details of EPG triggering signal; Otherwise, return execution in step 401.

After the PIP mixing module receives the EPG triggering signal, from this triggering signal, obtain such as secondary picture channel, be shown in the details such as Word message on the secondary picture, so that open corresponding secondary picture in the subsequent step, and on secondary picture, show the Word message that gets access to.

Step 403～404. judge whether there is secondary picture in the current display screen, if then execution in step 405; Otherwise, open secondary picture window, continue execution in step 405 again.

This place is according to showing the flag bit of secondary picture state judges whether there is secondary picture in the display screen, when this flag bit is when showing the numerical value of secondary picture unlatching, to judge in the display screen to have secondary picture; When this flag bit is when showing the numerical value that secondary picture do not open, judge in the display screen not have secondary picture.For example: when this flag bit is 1, show that secondary picture has been present on the display screen; When this flag bit is 0, show that secondary picture is not present on the display screen.

The channel picture of step 405～406. in the details that secondary screen displayed gets access to, and the Word message in these details is shown on the secondary picture.

In two steps at this place, at first, the PIP mixing module is presented at the channel picture of accessed EPG signal details correspondence on the secondary picture, for example: the channel in the details is 1 channel, then plays the TV programme of 1 channel in secondary picture this moment; Then, the Word message in the details is shown on the secondary picture, for example: the Word message that comprises in the details is news hookup again, can occur the text prompt of news hookup on the then secondary picture.

Because the time of implementation of two steps in this place is very short, therefore from user's angle, when secondary picture started, just playing had the pairing channel picture of current trigger condition, and shows related words information.

So far, the program of finishing the automatic unlatching of secondary picture and in secondary picture, playing user's setting automatically.After this, continue to return step 311 in the execution graph 3.

The above only is preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is in order to restriction the present invention, within the spirit and principles in the present invention not all, any modification of being made, is equal to replacement, improvement etc., all should be included within protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic program guide EPG program guide method is characterized in that, the EPG trigger condition that includes trigger state and sub-picture play content information is preset, the method comprises:

Read the EPG trigger condition, judge whether the current state satisfies the trigger state in the EPG trigger condition, if yes, then start the sub-picture, determine the channel of the sub-picture according to the content information of the sub-picture in the EPG trigger condition, and set the determined channel displayed on the secondary screen, otherwise, return to this step.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger state is the time to start the secondary screen, and the method for judging whether the current state meets the trigger state in the EPG trigger condition is:

It is judged whether the current time conforms to the time for starting the secondary screen.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the EPG trigger condition includes a time advance, and the method for judging whether the current time meets the time for starting the secondary screen is as follows:

Determine the time relationship between the current time and the start time according to the start time of the sub-screen playback content in the EPG trigger condition, and determine whether the time relationship meets the time advance in the EPG trigger condition.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the EPG trigger condition includes a time advance, and the method for judging whether the current time meets the time for starting the secondary screen comprises:

B11. Using the sub-picture playback content information in the EPG trigger condition as an index, retrieve the EPG program list, and obtain the start time of the sub-picture playback content;

B12. Determine the time relationship between the current time and the start time according to the acquired start time of the sub-screen playback content, and judge whether the time relationship meets the time advance in the EPG trigger condition.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method for starting the secondary screen is:

Send to the picture-in-picture mixing module of the system the EPG trigger signal that includes the channel corresponding to the secondary picture playback content information, after the described picture-in-picture mixing module receives the trigger signal, the secondary picture is displayed on the display screen;

The method for determining the channel of the sub-picture according to the content information of the sub-picture in the trigger condition of the EPG is as follows:

Obtain the channel corresponding to the sub-picture content information from the EPG trigger signal, and use the acquired channel as the sub-picture channel.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, before the sending of the EPG trigger signal, the method further comprises:

Using the sub-picture content information in the EPG trigger condition as an index, retrieve the EPG program list, determine the channel corresponding to the sub-picture content information, and put the determined channel into the EPG trigger signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the EPG trigger condition further comprises: text information corresponding to the sub-picture playback content information;

After said displaying the determined channel on said secondary screen, the method further includes:

Displaying the text information corresponding to the playing content information of the sub-picture on the sub-picture.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the EPG trigger condition is stored in the EPG trigger condition queue, and then the method of reading the EPG trigger condition and judging whether the current state meets the trigger state in the EPG trigger condition The method is:

Read the EPG trigger conditions one by one from the EPG trigger condition queue, and execute the judgment whether the current state meets the trigger state in the EPG trigger condition.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, before said reading the EPG trigger condition, the method further comprises:

Read the EPG program list, and judge whether the EPG program list is valid according to the current time and the effective time of the EPG program list, if yes, continue to execute the reading EPG trigger condition; otherwise, end the EPG program guidance process.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method for starting the secondary screen is:

According to the sign bit indicating the sub-picture state, judge whether there is a sub-picture in the current display screen, if yes, then perform the described sub-picture play content information according to the EPG trigger condition to determine the sub-picture channel, and display the determined channel on the secondary screen; otherwise, execute the operation of starting the secondary screen.