JP2003009016A - Picture display equipment and method, control program, and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a viewer to quickly and surely select a program which he or she desires at the time of power-on. SOLUTION: Picture display equipment displays a video signal of a channel selected from a lot of channels of respective input sources (tuners 1 to 5) on a display device 7 and is provided with a memory 8a in which the channel selected just before power-off is stored and a viewing history storage part 9 in which the viewing history of the viewer is stored, and the picture of the channel stored in the memory 8a and pictures of one or more channels corresponding to the viewing history stored in the viewing history storage part 9 are displayed as an initial picture in the same picture on the display device 7 at the time of power-on.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device, a method, a control program, and a computer-readable storage medium, and more particularly to a quick and reliable initial screen when the power is turned on. The desired program can be selected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a viewer watches a TV, turns off the power, and then turns on the power to the TV again, the content displayed on the TV is the video of the channel immediately before the power is turned off. It is like this. FIG. 8 shows the display state immediately before the power is turned off, and the display device 7 displays the image 101 of channel 123. Further, FIG. 9 shows a power OFF state. When the power is turned on again, as shown in FIG.
An image of channel 123 is displayed on the display 7 as an initial screen.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-069254, when the power is turned off, the EPG content immediately before that is EPG.
(Electronic program guide) and storage means for storing which is a program, and when the power is turned on, the above-mentioned E as an initial image corresponding to the viewing content stored in the storage means.
An information processing apparatus has been proposed which includes a PG or display control means for displaying a predetermined program.

[0004]

However, when the power of the TV is turned on as in the above-mentioned conventional example, only the image of the channel immediately before the power is turned off is displayed, and it seems that the number of channels is large especially in digital broadcasting. In such cases (for example, several hundred channels), the channel immediately before power-off is often not the channel desired by the viewer, and it becomes difficult to quickly and reliably select the desired program from the large number of channels. .

In order to easily select a desired program from a large number of channels, for example, it is possible to register a favorite program in advance and display the favorite program as an initial screen when the power is turned on. However, it is still difficult to cope with the increase in the number of channels in recent years, and the viewer has to register and set favorite programs in advance.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when the power is turned on (ON), an initial screen for easily selecting a channel is displayed on the display unit so that the viewer can see the initial screen. The purpose is to enable a desired program to be selected quickly and reliably.

[0007]

An image display device of the present invention is an image display device for displaying a video signal of a channel selected from a plurality of channels on a display, and a memory for storing a channel immediately before power-off. Means and, when the power is turned on, on the same screen of the display device, an image of the channel immediately before the power shutoff stored in the storage means, and an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power shutoff. And a display control means for displaying as an initial screen.

Another feature of the image display device of the present invention is that it comprises a viewing history storage means for storing the viewing history of the viewer, and the display control means is stored in the viewing history storage means. The point is that the image of the channel corresponding to the viewing history is displayed as the image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power shutdown.

Another feature of the image display device of the present invention is that the viewing history storage means comprises a removable storage medium.

Another feature of the image display device of the present invention is that video signals can be input from a plurality of input sources.

An image display method of the present invention is an image display method for displaying a video signal of a channel selected from a plurality of channels on a display, and a process of storing a channel immediately before power-off in a storage means and a power supply. At the time of turning on, an image of the channel immediately before the power shutoff stored in the storage means and an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power shutoff are set as initial screens on the same screen of the display unit. It is characterized in that it performs a display process.

Another feature of the image display method of the present invention is that the viewing history of the viewer is stored in the viewing history storage means, and the processing is performed according to the viewing history stored in the viewing history storage means. The image of the different channel is displayed as an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power shutdown.

Further, the control program of the present invention is a control program for controlling an image display device for displaying a video signal of a channel selected from a plurality of channels on a display device, wherein the channel immediately before power-off is stored in a storage means. When the power is turned on and the process to store, on the same screen of the above display,
The present invention is characterized in that it performs a process of displaying, as an initial screen, an image of a channel immediately before the power is shut off and an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power is shut off, which are stored in the storage means. .

Another feature of the control program of the present invention is that a process of storing the viewing history of the viewer in the viewing history storage means is executed, and the processing is performed according to the viewing history stored in the viewing history storage means. The image of the different channel is displayed as an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power shutdown.

The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that the control program is stored therein.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an image display device, a method, a control program, and a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration including an image display device of the present embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a VHF tuner, which receives terrestrial broadcasting. BS tuners 2 and 3 respectively receive satellite broadcast waves. Reference numerals 4 and 5 denote CS tuners, which receive satellite broadcast waves. Reference numeral 6 is a graphic control unit.
Reference numeral 7 is an indicator. 8 is a microprocessor (hereinafter, M
PU). Reference numeral 9 is a storage means for storing the viewing history.

In the image display device of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, when the power is turned on (ON), the initial screen having the display screen layout as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. The main window 200 on the screen of the display 7 displays the image of the channel immediately before the power is turned off. In addition, the sub (child) window 2 on the screen of the display 7
Reference numerals 01 and 202 are for storing and learning the viewing history of the viewer in advance, and displaying the video of the channel that is frequently used among them. The main window 200 is displayed in a larger size than the surrounding sub-windows 201 and 202 in the sense that it is a program display immediately before the power is cut off. Filing is displayed.

If there is no desired channel on the initial screen shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to switch to the next screen as shown in FIG. 3 by operating a remote controller (not shown). As shown in the figure, on the next screen, on the screen of the display unit 7, programs of a plurality of channels other than those on the initial screen are displayed in a tiling display or an icon display (the content of the program is represented by characters or the like). ) (Window 30
0-308).

When the viewer selects a desired channel on the screens shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by operating a remote controller (not shown), the entire screen of the channel is displayed. For example, in the next screen shown in FIG. 3, the channel (CH33
When the window 307 of 9) is selected, the full screen display of the channel (CH339) is performed as shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 1, each part will be described in detail. The VHF tuner 1 sends the received terrestrial broadcast wave to the graphic control unit 6 via the signal line L1. Similarly, the BS tuners 2 and 3 send the received satellite broadcast waves to the graphic control unit 6 via the signal lines L2 and L3, respectively. The CS tuners 4 and 5 also send the received satellite broadcast waves to the graphic control unit 6 via the signal lines L4 and L5.

The graphic control unit 6 processes these input plural image data into optimum image data, and
Under the control of 8, the signal is sent to the display 7 through the signal line L6,
The information is displayed on the display 7.

The MPU 8 also monitors the signal level of the signal line PON. The signal line PON is a signal line for detecting whether or not an unillustrated power switch or remote controller is operated.

The signal level of the signal line PON is logic "1".
If so, the MPU 8 determines that the power is turned on by operating a power switch or a remote controller (not shown), and gives an instruction for selecting program information to be displayed on the display 7 via the signal line L7. Is sent to the graphic control unit 6 as a control command. As a result, the graphic control unit 6 selectively selects a tuner from the input VHF tuner 1 to CS tuner 5, and displays it on the display 7 via the signal line L6.

The signal level of the signal line PON is logic "1".
When it changes from "0" to logic "0", the power of MPU8 is turned off by the operation of the power switch or remote controller (not shown).
Determine that was At this time, the MPU 8 before the power is turned off (cut off), the channel (or the channel currently displayed on the display device 7 via the graphic control unit 6 (or,
The program (channel) of the main window 200 among the plurality of screens is stored in the memory 8a in the MPU 8.

After that, the MPU 8 receives the information necessary for turning off the power from the graphic control unit 6 through the signal line L7 and enters a sequence for turning off the power, and at the same time, the power is turned on next. In order to judge that, the signal level on the signal line PON is continuously monitored.

When the power is turned on again by operating a power switch or a remote controller (not shown), the signal level of the signal line PON changes from logic "0" to logic "1". In response to this, the MPU 8 supplies the power OF from the memory 8a.
At the same time that the program (channel) immediately before F is read, the viewing history of the viewer is read from the storage unit 9 via the signal line L8.

Then, the MPU 8 stores the program (channel) immediately before the power is turned off, which is read from the memory 8a, and the storage unit 9
Based on the viewing history of the viewer read out from the tuner, the tuners (VHF tuner 1, BS) via the control signal line L9.
It controls the channels of the tuners 2 and 3 and the CS tuners 4 and 5).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the channel immediately before the power is turned off is displayed on the main window 200, and the channel corresponding to the viewing history is displayed on the sub-windows 201 and 20.
Instructions for displaying in tiling format such as 2
It is sent as data to the graphic control unit 6 via the signal line L7.

The graphic control unit 6 receives the instruction information from the MPU 8 and selects a plurality of input sources (VHF tuner 1 to CS tuner 5) to display them on the display unit 7. The program contents displayed in tiling are MPU from the above multiple input sources (VHF tuner 1 to CS tuner 5).
8, the program (channel) is preset.

Here, a method of managing the viewing history will be described. The storage unit 9 stores the viewer's viewing history and favorite programs under the control of the MPU 8. For example, from the time the power is turned on (ON), the MPU 8 stores the viewing history currently viewed by the viewer via the signal line L7. The items are sorted into detailed genres such as news, sports, movies, dishes, weather forecasts, etc., and the time zone and the number of views for each genre are stored. These pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 9 via the signal line L8.

As described above, by accumulating the viewing history of the viewer every time, every day, every week, etc., the MPU
Reference numeral 8 learns a program the viewer likes, and transmits the learning result to the storage unit 9 via the signal line L8 each time. Thus, the viewer's favorite programs accumulated in the storage unit 9 are constructed. As a result, the MPU8 turns on (ON).
Each time, the viewing history is extracted from the storage unit 9 via the signal line L8, and the tuners 1 to 1 are extracted via the control signal line L8.
The channel 5 is controlled, and information is sent to the graphic controller 6 through the signal line L7.

The graphic control unit 6 selects the VHF tuner 1, the BS tuners 2 and 3, and the CS tuners 4 and 5 based on the information, and the display form (tiling, icon, etc.) required for the display unit 7. Display at.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration centering on the graphic control unit 6. The terrestrial broadcast analog data output from the VHF tuner 1 is sent to the input control unit 20 via the signal line L1. The input control unit 20 is also a control circuit for receiving the control of the MPU 8 and limiting the input data acquisition and controlling the peripheral circuit unit.

The terrestrial broadcast analog data input to the input controller 20 via the signal line L1 is placed under the control of the MPU 8. The internal structure of the input control unit 20 includes an analog switch, a high speed switching element, or the like.

The terrestrial broadcast data that has passed through the input control unit 20 is input to the analog / digital converter (A / D converter) 23 via the signal line L201. Here, since the input image data is an analog signal, it is converted into a digital signal. The converted digital signal is connected to the image processing unit 28 via the signal line L211.

The image processor 28 stores the received digital signal in the image memory 28a under the control of the MPU 8 (the signal line is not shown). The digital signal stored in the image memory 28a is subjected to resolution conversion processing such as upscaling or downscaling in accordance with the screen size of the display 7 and the display window size, and the signal line L2
It is sent to the switching control unit 29 via 16.

Similarly, the satellite broadcast digital data output from the BS tuners 2 and 3 and the CS tuners 4 and 5 are sent to the input control section 20 via the signal lines L2, L3, L4 and L5, respectively.

The satellite broadcast data that has passed through the input control section 20 is input to the format conversion circuits 24-27 via the signal lines L202-L205, respectively. The input digital image data has a digital signal level of L
Since VDS (Low Voltage differential Signaling), conversion processing for that is performed. The converted digital signals are connected to the image processing unit 28 via the signal lines L211 to L215, respectively.

The image processing unit 28 stores the received digital signal in the image memory 28a under the control of the MPU 8 (the signal line is not shown). The digital signal stored in the image memory 28a is subjected to image processing such as resolution conversion as necessary, and is sent to the switching control unit 29 via the signal lines L217 to L220.

In this way, each image data from the VHF tuner 1 to the CS tuner 5 is converted into the signal lines L1 to L.
5, via the input control unit 20 and the image processing unit 28,
It is connected to the switching control unit 29.

The switching control section 29 selectively extracts an image from a plurality of input image data and sends the image signal to the interface circuit (I / F) 30 via the signal line L221. The MPU 8 knows the currently accessed window, the window size, the physical position of the window, and the frame frequency.

Therefore, in the MPU 8, the interface circuit 30 processes the input image data in accordance with the display format of the display device 7 to display the image data on the display device 7 via the signal line L6.

During the display on the display unit 7, the MPU 8 stores the viewing history of the viewer and sends necessary information to the storage unit 9 via the signal line L8.

Further, the viewer turns off the power by operating a power switch or a remote controller (not shown),
When the signal level of the signal line PON becomes logic “0”,
It is determined that the power is cut off, and the sleep mode process is started.

First, the MPU 8 stores the channel displayed on the display 7 (or the program (channel) of the main window 200 among a plurality of screens) in the memory 8a.

The viewing history up to now is stored in the storage unit 9 via the signal line L8.

Next, the power control of the graphic controller 6 is executed via the signal lines L23 and L24. As a result, this device enters the sleep mode.

On the contrary, if the viewer turns on the power by operating the power switch or remote controller (not shown), MP
Since the U8 constantly monitors the signal on the signal line PON even during sleep, it detects that the signal level of the signal line PON has changed from logic "0" to logic "1".

This triggers the MPU 8 to transmit a signal for activating the graphic control unit 6 through the signal lines L23 and L24.

At the same time, MP the channel immediately before the power is cut off.
By reading from the memory 8a in U8 and controlling it via the signal line L9, the channel setting immediately before the power-off is performed.

Further, the MPU 8 retrieves the viewing history of the viewer from the storage unit 9 and receives the optimum program information via the signal line L8. As a result, the MPU 8 sends an instruction for displaying the favorite program on the display 7 to the signal lines L9, L23, L.
The graphic control unit 6 is sent via 24 to display the initial screen having the display form as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the processing operation of this embodiment. The MPU 8 monitors the signal level on the signal line PON (step S1). The signal line P
MP until the signal level on ON becomes logic "0".
U8 takes the viewing history (program history) that the viewer is currently viewing and continues to form the favorite program of the viewer (step S7).

When the signal level of the signal line PON becomes logic "0", the MPU 8 judges that the power supply is off and proceeds to step S2 to start the sequence work for powering off. First, the MPU 8 stores the channel currently displayed on the display unit 7 in the memory 8a, and the signal line L7.
The system including the graphic control unit 6 is shifted to the sleep mode via the.

After that, the MPU 8 constantly monitors the level of whether the signal level on the signal line PON becomes the logic "1" (step S3). If the logic is "0", the process stands by in step S3.

If the logic becomes "1", the MPU8
If it is determined that the power has been turned on, the MPU 8 reads the channel immediately before power-off from the memory 8a (step S4), and sets the channel setting to the desired tuners 1 to 5 via the signal line L9 (step S4). S4).

At the same time, the viewing history of the viewer stored in the storage unit 9 is read out through the signal line L8 and the display format to be displayed on the display unit 7 (tiling, icon display).
The parameter is transmitted to the graphic control unit 6 via the signal line L7 as a command (step S5).

The graphic control unit 6 which has received the command
Displays the program information received from each tuner 1-5 in the MPU8.
In accordance with the command instruction of, the resolution of the main window 200 and the sub (child) windows 201 and 202 is converted into a size corresponding to the resolution of the display 7, and the result is displayed on the display 7 through the signal line L6 (step S6).

As described above, when the power is turned on (ON), the video of the viewing channel immediately before the power is turned off (OFF) and the video of the channel of the favorite program according to the viewing history of the viewer are displayed. It can be displayed as an initial screen. Therefore, in most cases, the channel can be selected on the initial screen, and the viewer can quickly and surely select the desired program without the need for complicated operation for program selection.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows the overall configuration including the image display device of the present embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the MPU 8 and the storage unit 9 are connected via a connector 10. That is,
The storage unit 9 is treated as a removable storage medium. Regarding other components and processing operations, refer to the first
Since it is the same as that described in the embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

In this embodiment, the storage unit 9 is the MPU 8
Is not directly connected to, but is detachably connected via the connector 10. As a result, the connector 10 is used as an interface and the signal line L10 and the storage unit 9 with the MPU 8 side.
The storage unit 9 can be freely removed by the viewer by connecting to the signal line L11.

As a result, the viewer can move between rooms without being restricted by a specific place.
By connecting the storage unit 9 to the image display device in the other room, it is possible to receive the favorite program display at any place on the initial screen when the image display device is powered on.

(Other Embodiments) The tuners 1 to 5, the display 7 and the like shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 may be integrated with the image display device or may be separate components. It may be

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized for a computer in an apparatus or system connected to the various devices so that the various devices are operated to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. What is implemented by supplying the program code of software for operating the above-mentioned various devices according to the program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, in this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. As a transmission medium of the program code, a communication medium (a wired line such as an optical fiber or a wireless line) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, a wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying the program information as a carrier wave. Etc.) can be used.

Further, means for supplying the program code to a computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. A flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used as a recording medium for storing the program code.

In addition, the computer executes the supplied program code to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code runs on the OS (operating system) or other It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the application software of the above.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or function expansion unit is instructed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like included in the above-mentioned performs some or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective portions shown in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is thereby provided. It should not be construed as limiting. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or the main features thereof.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, the viewing channel immediately before the power is turned off (OFF) is stored,
Next time the power is turned on, the stored channel image is displayed on the initial screen, and at the same time, the channel image corresponding to the viewer's viewing history is also displayed on the screen, thereby enabling complicated program selection. It becomes possible for the viewer to quickly and surely select the desired program, without having to perform the operation for.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including an image display device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen layout of an initial screen when the power is turned on (ON).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen layout of a next screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining full screen display.

FIG. 5 is a diagram mainly showing a configuration of a graphic control unit 6;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration including an image display device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state immediately before power-off in a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a power-off state in a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display state when the power is turned on again in the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 VHF tuner 2, 3 BS tuner 4, 5 CS tuner 6 Graphic control unit 7 Display unit 8 MPU 8a Memory 9 Storage unit 10 Connector 20 Input control unit 23 Analog / digital converter (A / D converter) 24-27 LVDS circuit 28 image processing unit 28a image memory 29 switching control unit 30 interface circuit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideaki Yui             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 5C025 AA23 BA27 CA02 CB05 DA01                 5C082 AA02 BA02 BB03 BB22 BB25                       BB53 BC05 CA62 CB06 DA63                       DA73 DA86 MM02 MM09

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image display device for displaying a video signal of a channel selected from a plurality of channels on a display unit, wherein the storage unit stores the channel immediately before power-off and the display unit has the same structure when the power is turned on. Display control means for displaying on a screen an image of a channel immediately before power shutdown stored in the storage means and an image of one or more channels different from the channel immediately before power shutdown as an initial screen An image display device characterized by the above. 2. A viewing history storage unit for storing a viewing history of a viewer, wherein the display control unit displays an image of a channel corresponding to the viewing history stored in the viewing history storage unit immediately before the power-off. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed as an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channels. 3. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein the viewing history storage means is a removable storage medium. 4. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein video signals can be input from a plurality of input sources. 5. An image display method for displaying a video signal of a channel selected from a plurality of channels on a display device, the process of storing the channel immediately before power-off in a storage means, and the display device when the power is turned on. On the same screen, a process of displaying, as an initial screen, an image of the channel immediately before the power is shut off and an image of one or a plurality of channels different from the channel immediately before the power is shut off, which are stored in the storage means. An image display method characterized by the above. 6. A process of storing a viewing history of a viewer in a viewing history storage means, and an image of a channel corresponding to the viewing history stored in the viewing history storage means is different from the channel immediately before power-off. The image display method according to claim 5, wherein the image is displayed as an image of one or a plurality of channels. 7. A control program for controlling an image display device for displaying on a display a video signal of a channel selected from a plurality of channels, the process storing a channel immediately before power-off in a storage means, and power-on. At the same time, on the same screen of the display unit, an image of the channel immediately before the power shutdown stored in the storage means and an image of one or more channels different from the channel immediately before the power shutdown are displayed as an initial screen. And a control program for executing the processing. 8. A process of storing a viewing history of a viewer in a viewing history storage means is executed, and an image of a channel corresponding to the viewing history stored in the viewing history storage means is referred to as a channel immediately before power-off. The control program according to claim 7, wherein the control program is displayed as an image of one or a plurality of different channels. 9. A computer-readable storage medium having the control program according to claim 7 or 8 stored therein.