JP2005167894A - Content switching method and channel switching method - Google Patents

Abstract

In conventional content switching or channel switching, channel or content information is not known unless the information of independent media such as newspapers is viewed. It takes time, and in the case of contents on the Internet, since it takes time to connect, there are problems such as being stressed when connecting many times due to selection mistakes.
Before switching a channel or content, information is provided by displaying the next candidate program name or content name in the OSD, or the next candidate program table or content table is presented by using the OSD function. While reproducing the video signal / audio signal, the user can select the program or content to be viewed next based on the information on the same screen.
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a content switching method and a channel switching method in a terminal that can receive a television broadcast by radio waves or content published on the Internet and content broadcast on the Internet and reproduce it as a video signal and an audio signal. is there.

  A content switching method and a channel switching method in a conventional video / audio signal reproduction apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, 7, and 8. FIG.

  A block diagram of a digital streaming broadcasting system in a conventional Internet broadcasting system is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 101 is a server having a plurality of digital streaming contents, and 102 is a terminal for receiving and reproducing contents.

  The server 101 has a function of publishing content or content additional information (metafile) as a browser on the Internet, or is linked to content or content additional information from an anchor published as a browser on the Internet by another server It has a function to stretch. Further, the server 101 has additional information related to content for each content.

  Here, an example of content additional information is shown in FIG. When the server 101 presents additional information to the terminal 102, a plurality of pieces of content information can be presented at once as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the first line clearly indicates the address of the content including its scheme. In FIG. 2, XXX indicates a scheme, and yyy.aaa indicates an Internet address and content. Also, the content name (program name) and content number (channel number) can be described in the additional information.

  When the terminal 102 selects content on the browser, the terminal 102 obtains additional information of the content from the server 101 by using a protocol on the Internet. The terminal 102 analyzes the acquired additional information, and as a result, performs necessary settings before reproducing the content. For example, the content name and the content number are displayed using the OSD (On Screen Display) function. The server 101 is requested to distribute contents. After that, the terminal 102 that has received the stream from the server 101 outputs a video signal and an audio signal reproduced from the stream with an OSD display prepared in advance.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the OSD display. A frame is provided at the top of the screen, and the content name and content number are displayed in the frame. Although the upper part of the screen is shown in FIG. 5, this frame may be located at any part of the screen. Further, an alpha blending effect may be used so that the video signal as the background can be seen through the frame.

  Next, when the user selects a content different from the content being played back, for example, when content number 002 is selected, the terminal 102 that has received a content switching instruction from the remote controller or the like analyzes the additional information and analyzes the content number 002. Recognize the address and content name, make the necessary settings before playing the content, for example, display the content name and content number using the OSD (On Screen Display) function, and then distribute the content Is requested to the server 101. After that, the terminal 102 that has received the stream from the server 101 outputs a video signal and an audio signal reproduced from the stream with an OSD display prepared in advance. FIG. 8 shows this state transition.

  However, the conventional content selection method recognizes what kind of broadcast is being performed on the selected content unless content selection is performed after content information is obtained from media independent of a terminal such as a newspaper. I can't do that. Also, since it takes several seconds to receive the stream, there are problems such as having time until the content selection is accepted again even if it is recognized that the selection has been made immediately after selecting the content, and the browser There is a problem that it is not possible to recognize what kind of content exists unless the information on the screen is stored or content information is obtained from media independent of newspapers or other terminals. Was.

  Next, a channel selection method in the conventional digital broadcasting system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a digital television broadcasting system using a satellite, in which 301 is a broadcasting station, 302 is a transmitting antenna, 303 is a satellite, 304 is a receiving antenna, and 305 is a terminal (set top box: STB). is there. The terminal 305 is a video / audio signal reproduction device.

  The broadcast station 301 transmits a broadcast including a plurality of channel information and video / audio information of the plurality of channels to the satellite 303 using the transmission antenna 302. The satellite 303 broadcasts a broadcast transmitted from the broadcast station 301 toward a predetermined area (for example, Japan). The receiving antenna 304 receives a broadcast from the satellite 303. The terminal 305 analyzes data from the receiving antenna 3304, performs predetermined processing, and receives a broadcast.

  Here, an example of the data structure of the television broadcast of this system will be described with reference to FIG. In this broadcast system, a broadcast transmitted by a broadcast station includes a plurality of channels. FIG. 4 assumes MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS), and the frame in the figure is what TS refers to as TS Packet. The channel table is called PMT (Program Map Table) in the MPEG-2 standard, and has information such as IDs of all channels included in the stream in a table. The user information packet has information to be notified to the user in each channel. The video packet has data obtained by compressing a video signal, and the audio packet has data obtained by compressing an audio signal.

  The broadcast station 301 performs predetermined compression on a video signal / audio signal of one channel and converts the video signal / audio signal into a video packet / audio packet, respectively, and the program name and broadcast time related to the channel (video signal / audio signal). User information such as additional information is also converted into a user information packet. Then, the data shown in FIG. 4, which is a stream in which data of a plurality of channels and a packet (PMT) in the channel table are collected, is generated and broadcast.

  In the terminal that receives the data shown in FIG. 4, when the user selects channel 1, the terminal 305 analyzes the PMT code, recognizes the user information, video packet, and audio packet ID of channel 1, and in the stream Extract only necessary packets from. The terminal 305 performs predetermined decoding on the video packet and the audio packet to reproduce a video signal and an audio signal. Further, the terminal 305 outputs a program name and channel number included as one piece of information in the user information on the screen using an OSD (On Screen Display) function when reproducing the video signal. The time to be output varies depending on the terminal or the mode set in the terminal, such as when always outputting or when outputting only for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the OSD display. A frame is provided at the top of the screen, and the program name and channel number are displayed in the frame. Although the upper part of the screen is shown in FIG. 5, this frame may be located at any part of the screen. Further, an alpha blending effect may be used so that the video signal as the background can be seen through the frame.

  Next, when the user selects a channel that is different from the channel being played back, for example, when channel 2 is selected, the terminal 305 that has received a channel switching instruction from the remote control or the like analyzes the PMT code, and the user of channel 2 Recognizes information, video packet, and audio packet IDs, and extracts only necessary packets from the stream. The terminal 305 performs predetermined decoding on the video packet and the audio packet to reproduce a video signal and an audio signal. Further, the terminal 305 outputs a program name and channel number included as one piece of information in the user information on the screen using an OSD (On Screen Display) function when reproducing the video signal. FIG. 8 shows a conventional state transition. Further, FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of this conventional switching method of contents or channels.

A technique that simplifies the program selection operation by allowing the user to instantly recognize the program information by simultaneously displaying a plurality of program information of the program of the current reception channel in a display form suitable for screen display for each channel selection operation. It is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-152112 A

  However, in the past, when receiving television broadcasts by radio waves or contents published on the Internet and contents broadcast on the Internet, and playing them back as video and audio signals, media independent of terminals such as newspapers It is time to search for the desired content and channel by switching the channel or content after obtaining the information, or switching the content or switching the channel without obtaining the information. In the case of content on the Internet or the content on the Internet, it takes time to connect, so there are problems such as being stressed if the connection is made many times due to selection mistakes.

  The present invention makes it possible to know the contents of a channel or content in advance before switching the content or before switching the channel without depending on media independent of a terminal such as a newspaper when switching the channel or selecting the content. An object of the present invention is to avoid unnecessary content switching and channel switching.

  A content switching method according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a content switching method used in a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing received content and content additional information based on an instruction input input from a content instruction input unit. When a content switching instruction is input from the content instruction input means, the next candidate content additional information is displayed while the current content is being played back, and a predetermined content after the content switching instruction is input from the content instruction input means. If a content switching instruction is input again within a predetermined time, the candidate content additional information is displayed one after another while the current content is being played back, and if the content switching instruction is not input within a predetermined time, the next candidate content is played back It is characterized by doing.

  The content switching method of the second invention is a content switching method used in a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing received content and content additional information based on an instruction input input from a content instruction input means, When a content list instruction is input from the content instruction input means, the candidate content additional information list is displayed while the current content is reproduced, and when a content selection from the candidate content additional information list is input from the content instruction input means Playing back selected content.

  A content switching method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a content switching method used in a content reproduction device for reproducing received content and content additional information based on an instruction input input from a content instruction input unit, When a content switching instruction is input from the content instruction input unit, the candidate content additional information is displayed in a predetermined order while the current content is reproduced, and the candidate displayed when the determination instruction is input from the content instruction input unit The candidate content based on the content additional information is reproduced.

  A content switching method according to a fourth invention is applied to any one of the first to third inventions used in a content reproduction apparatus in which the content instruction input means is a remote controller.

  A channel switching method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a channel switching method used in a channel program playback apparatus for playing back a received channel program and additional channel information based on an instruction input input from a channel instruction input means. When a channel switching instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, the next candidate channel additional information is displayed while the current channel program is being reproduced, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the channel switching instruction was input from the channel instruction input means. If the channel switching instruction is input again, the current channel program is reproduced and the candidate additional channel information is displayed one after another. If the channel switching instruction is not input within a predetermined time, the next candidate channel program is reproduced. It is characterized by doing.

  A channel switching method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a channel switching method used in a channel program playback device for playing back a received channel program and additional channel information based on an instruction input input from a channel instruction input means. When a channel list instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, a candidate channel additional information list is displayed while the current channel program is reproduced, and a channel selection from the candidate channel additional information list is input from the channel instruction input means. Then, the selected channel program is reproduced.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a channel switching method used in a channel program reproducing apparatus for reproducing a received channel program and additional channel information based on an instruction input inputted from a channel instruction input means. When a channel switching instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, candidate channel additional information is displayed in a predetermined order while the current channel program is being reproduced, and is displayed when a decision instruction is input from the channel instruction input means. A candidate channel program based on the candidate channel additional information is reproduced.

  The channel switching method of the eighth invention is applied to any one of the fifth to seventh inventions used in a channel program reproducing device in which the channel instruction input means is a remote controller.

  As described above, in the content switching method and channel switching method of the present invention, candidate content additional information or channel additional information is displayed before switching the content or channel, and after a predetermined time or after content selection. Since the next content can be reproduced, wasteful content or channel switching can be reduced.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a content switching method in the video signal and audio signal reproduction apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 101 is a server having a plurality of digital streaming contents, and 102 is a terminal for receiving and reproducing contents.

  The server 101 has a function of publishing content or content additional information (metafile) as a browser on the Internet, or is linked to content or content additional information from an anchor published as a browser on the Internet by another server It has a function to stretch. Further, the server 101 has additional information related to content for each content.

  Here, an example of content additional information is shown in FIG. When the server 101 presents additional information to the terminal 102, a plurality of pieces of content information can be presented at once as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the first line clearly indicates the address of the content including its scheme. In FIG. 2, XXX indicates a scheme, and yyy.aaa indicates an Internet address and content. Also, the content name (program name) and content number (channel number) can be described in the additional information.

  When the terminal 102 selects content on the browser, the terminal 102 obtains additional information of the content from the server 101 by using a protocol on the Internet. The terminal 102 analyzes the acquired additional information, and as a result, performs necessary settings before reproducing the content. For example, the content name and the content number are displayed using the OSD (On Screen Display) function. The server 101 is requested to distribute contents. After that, the terminal 102 that has received the stream from the server 101 outputs a video signal and an audio signal reproduced from the stream with an OSD display prepared in advance.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the OSD display. A frame is provided at the top of the screen, and the content name and content number are displayed in the frame. Although the upper part of the screen is shown in FIG. 5, this frame may be located at any part of the screen. Further, an alpha blending effect may be used so that the video signal as the background can be seen through the frame.

  FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing state transition of the present embodiment. When the user wants to select content different from the content being reproduced, the user uses a content switching button of the remote control as content instruction input means. In this example, it is assumed that two buttons above the content switching button and below the content switching button are set in the remote control. In FIG. 10, assuming that the current content number 002 is being played back (811 in FIG. 10), when the upper part of the content switching button on the remote controller is pressed, the content name and content as content additional information in the OSD display Only the number is changed to that of the next candidate content number 003 (812 in FIG. 10). In FIG. 9, the state changes from A to B. In this state, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the terminal 102 requests the server 101 to distribute the content at the address described in the additional information (815 in FIG. 10). After that, the terminal 102 that has received the stream from the server 101 outputs a video signal and an audio signal reproduced from the stream with an OSD display prepared in advance (816 in FIG. 10). The state returns to A in FIG.

  In addition, while the content number 002 is currently being reproduced (811 in FIG. 10), the user presses the content switch button on the remote controller, and only the content name and content number in the OSD display are changed to the content number 003 (FIG. 10). 812), if the lower part of the content switching button on the remote controller is pressed within a predetermined time, only the content name and content number in the OSD display are changed to those of the content number 002 (813 in FIG. 10). . After the change, when the lower part of the content switching button on the remote controller is pressed within a predetermined time, only the content name and content number in the OSD display are changed to those of the content number 001 (814 in FIG. 10). In FIG. 9, after changing from the state A to the state B, the state B is repeated again. As you can see, if you press the upper and lower buttons of the content switch button on the remote control within a given time, you can know the content names of all the contents included in the additional information, You can select the content you want.

  Note that the OSD display may not have a content number, and information other than the content name and content number may be included. In addition, the predetermined time, which is the content switching timeout, is 3 seconds in this embodiment, but it may be any number of seconds. Further, although the remote controller has been described as the content instruction input means, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and an operation panel installed on the main body side or a keyboard may be used. In addition, the content switching button by the remote controller is divided into the up and down buttons in the present embodiment, but may be anything as long as it can be switched to the left or right or the content can be switched. Further, the content is not limited to the content that is transmitted when the terminal instructs the reproduction, but may be in a format that is constantly flowing on the Internet. Further, the content and the content additional information may be transmitted from different servers.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, a content switching method in the video signal and audio signal reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 11, and 12.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the description of the event that performs the same operation as in the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a content table or channel table on the screen, FIG. 11 is a processing flow diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing state transition of the present embodiment.

  When the user wants to select a different content next while the user is playing a content, a content information button for instructing a content list on the remote controller is used. In this example, it is assumed that four content information buttons, an upper button, a lower button, and an enter button are set on the remote controller. In FIG. 12, it is assumed that the content number 002 is currently being reproduced (821 in FIG. 12). When the user presses the content information button on the remote controller, the content table shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen as an OSD. At this time, the terminal continues to reproduce the content number 002 (822 in FIG. 12). In FIG. 11, the state changes from A to B.

  The user changes the selection position in the content table by operating the upper and lower buttons of the remote control button. Assume that the color of the selected position changes in the content table. As long as the enter button is not pressed, the state of B in FIG. 11 is maintained.

  The user selects the next content by selecting the next content to be reproduced and pressing the enter button on the remote control (823 in FIG. 12). The terminal 102 replaces the content name and content number displayed in the OSD as shown in the upper part of the screen in FIG. 6 with the content selected as the selection result, and stops transmission of the content number 002 and transmits the selected content. Is received from the server 101 (824 in FIG. 12), and then the terminal 102 receiving the stream from the server 101 outputs a video signal and an audio signal reproduced from the stream with an OSD display prepared in advance (FIG. 12). 12 of 825). The state returns to A in FIG.

  Note that the OSD display may not have a content number, and information other than the content name and content number may be included. Further, although the remote controller has been described as the content instruction input means, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and an operation panel installed on the main body side or a keyboard may be used. In addition, the selection of content by the remote controller has been divided into buttons such as an up / down button and an enter button in the present embodiment, but any specification may be used as long as the specification allows selection of the right / left or content. Further, the content is not limited to the content that is started when the terminal instructs the reproduction, but may be in a format that is constantly flowing on the Internet. Further, the content and the content additional information may be transmitted from different servers.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, a content switching method in the video signal and audio signal reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 13, and 14.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the description of the event that performs the same operation as in the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 13 is a processing flow diagram according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating state transition according to the present embodiment.

  If the user wants to select a different content next while the user is playing a content, the content information button on the remote control is used. In this example, it is assumed that three buttons, a content information button, a content information button, and a determination button for performing a determination instruction are set on the remote controller. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the content number 002 is currently being reproduced, and the content name and content number are OSD-displayed as shown in FIG. 5 (831 in FIG. 14).

  When the user presses the content information button on the remote control, only the content name and content number in the OSD display are changed to the content number 003. At this time, the terminal continues to play the content with the content number 002 (832 in FIG. 14). In FIG. 13, the state changes from A to B. In this state, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the OSD display is changed to the content number 004 (833 in FIG. 14). After the change, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time, the OSD display changes to the content number 005 (834 in FIG. 14). In FIG. 13, the state of B is repeated again.

  Similarly, when the user presses the lower part of the content information button on the remote controller while currently playing the content number 004, only the content name and content number in the OSD display are changed to the content number 003. At this time, the terminal still plays the content with the content number 004. In this state, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time, the OSD display changes to that of the content number 002. In this way, all contents included in the additional information are displayed in OSD one by one until the user performs the next remote control operation.

  Further, when the determination button is pressed within a predetermined time after the OSD display is changed to the next content, the terminal 102 requests the server 101 to distribute the content currently displayed in the OSD (835 in FIG. 14). ). After that, the terminal 102 that has received the stream from the server 101 outputs a video signal and an audio signal reproduced from the stream with an OSD display prepared in advance (836 in FIG. 14). The state returns to A in FIG. The user can know the content names of all the contents included in the additional information by pressing the content information button once, and can select the content to be viewed next.

  Note that the OSD display may not have a content number, and information other than the content name and content number may be included. In addition, although the predetermined time until the next content information is displayed is 3 seconds in this embodiment, it may be any number of seconds. Further, although the remote controller has been described as the content instruction input means, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and an operation panel installed on the main body side or a keyboard may be used. In the present embodiment, the display of content information by the remote controller is divided into the up and down buttons. However, any display may be used as long as it is a specification that can display left and right or display. In addition, the content determination signal by the remote controller is determined by pressing the determination button in the present embodiment. However, it is also possible to select the content number with the numeric buttons or release the content information button. Further, the content is not limited to the content that is started when the terminal instructs the reproduction, but may be in a format that is constantly flowing on the Internet. Further, the content and the content additional information may be transmitted from different servers.

(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, a channel switching method in the video signal and audio signal reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 15, and 16. FIG.

  In FIG. 3, 301 is a broadcasting station, 302 is a transmitting antenna, 303 is a satellite, 304 is a receiving antenna, and 305 is a terminal (set top box: STB). The terminal 305 is a video / audio signal reproduction device.

  FIG. 3 shows a method performed by digital broadcasting using a satellite. The broadcast station 301 transmits a broadcast including a plurality of channel information and video / audio information of the plurality of channels to the satellite 303 using the transmission antenna 302. The satellite 303 broadcasts a broadcast transmitted from the broadcast station 301 toward a predetermined area (for example, Japan). The receiving antenna 304 receives a broadcast from the satellite 303. The terminal 305 analyzes data from the receiving antenna 304, performs predetermined processing, and receives a broadcast.

  Here, data broadcast by this broadcasting system will be described with reference to FIG. In this broadcast system, a broadcast transmitted by a broadcast station includes a plurality of channels. FIG. 4 assumes MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS), and the frame in the figure is what TS refers to as TS Packet. The channel table is called PMT (Program Map Table) in the MPEG-2 standard, and has information such as IDs of all channels included in the stream in a table. The user information packet has information to be notified to the user in each channel. The video packet has data obtained by compressing a video signal, and the audio packet has data obtained by compressing an audio signal.

  The broadcast station 301 performs predetermined compression on a video signal / audio signal of one channel and converts the video signal / audio signal into a video packet / audio packet, respectively, and the program name and broadcast time related to the channel (video signal / audio signal). User information such as additional information is also converted into a user information packet. Then, the data shown in FIG. 4, which is a stream in which data of a plurality of channels and a packet (PMT) in the channel table are collected, is generated and broadcast.

  The terminal 305 that has received the data shown in FIG. 4 stores the user information of all channels in the terminal. This user information is updated every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). When the user selects channel 002, the terminal 305 analyzes the PMT code, recognizes the user information / video packet / audio packet ID of channel 002, and extracts only necessary packets from the stream. The terminal 305 performs predetermined decoding on the video packet and the audio packet to reproduce a video signal and an audio signal. Further, the terminal 305 outputs a program name and channel number included as one piece of information in the user information on the screen using an OSD (On Screen Display) function when reproducing the video signal. The time to be output varies depending on the terminal or the mode set in the terminal, such as when always outputting or when outputting only for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the OSD display. A frame is provided at the top of the screen, and the program name and channel number are displayed in the frame. Although the upper part of the screen is shown in FIG. 5, this frame may be located at any part of the screen. Further, an alpha blending effect may be used so that the video signal as the background can be seen through the frame.

  FIG. 15 is a processing flow diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing state transition of the present embodiment. When the user wants to select a channel different from the channel being reproduced, the user uses a channel switching button of the remote control as channel instruction input means. In this example, it is assumed that two buttons above the channel switching button and below the channel switching button are set in the remote control. In FIG. 16, assuming that the current channel number 002 is being played back (841 in FIG. 16), when the upper part of the channel switch button on the remote control is pressed, the program name and channel, which are channel additional information in the OSD display, are displayed. Only the number is changed to that of the next candidate channel number 003 (842 in FIG. 16). In FIG. 15, the state changes from A to B. In this state, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the terminal 102 analyzes the PMT code, recognizes the user information / video packet / audio packet ID of channel number 003, Only necessary packets are extracted from the stream (845 in FIG. 16). The terminal 305 performs predetermined decoding on the video packet and the audio packet, and reproduces the video signal and the audio signal (846 in FIG. 16). The state returns to A in FIG.

  When the user presses the channel switch button on the remote controller while currently playing the channel number 002 (841 in FIG. 16), only the program name and channel number in the OSD display are changed to those of the channel number 003 (FIG. 16). 16 842). Thereafter, when the lower part of the channel switch button on the remote controller is pressed within a predetermined time, only the program name and channel number in the OSD display are changed to those of channel number 002 (843 in FIG. 16). After the change, when the lower part of the channel switch button on the remote controller is pressed within a predetermined time, only the program name and channel number in the OSD display are changed to those of channel number 001 (844 in FIG. 16). In FIG. 15, after changing from the state A to the state B, the state B is repeated again. Thus, if you press the upper and lower buttons of the channel switch button on the remote control within a predetermined time, you can know the program names of all the channels included in the user information, You can select the channel you want.

  The channel number may not be included in the OSD display, and information other than the program name / channel number may be included. In addition, although the predetermined time for channel switching timeout is 3 seconds in this embodiment, it may be any number of seconds. Although the remote controller has been described as the channel instruction input means, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation panel installed on the main body side or a keyboard may be used. In addition, the channel switching button by the remote controller is divided into the up and down buttons in the present embodiment, but any specification can be used as long as it can be switched to the left or right or the channel. Further, although the channel is for digital broadcasting, it may be of a format that is always on the Internet. Further, the channel and the channel additional information may be transmitted by another broadcasting station or the Internet.

(Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, a channel switching method in the video signal / audio signal reproduction apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 17, and 18. FIG.

  In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the description of the event that performs the same operation as in the fourth embodiment is omitted. FIG. 17 is a processing flow diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a diagram showing state transition of the present embodiment.

  If the user wants to select a different channel next while the user is playing a channel, a channel information button for instructing a content list on the remote controller is used. In this example, it is assumed that the channel information button, the upper button, the lower button, and the enter button are set on the remote controller. In FIG. 18, it is assumed that the channel number 002 is currently being reproduced (851 in FIG. 18). When the user presses the channel information button on the remote controller, the channel table shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen as an OSD. At this time, the terminal continues to reproduce the channel number 002 (852 in FIG. 18). In FIG. 17, the state changes from A to B.

  The user changes the selection position in the channel table by operating the upper and lower buttons of the remote control button. It is assumed that the color at the selected position changes in the channel table. As long as the enter button is not pressed, the state of B in FIG. 17 is maintained.

  The user selects the next channel to be reproduced, and presses the determination button on the remote controller to select the next channel (853 in FIG. 18). The terminal 305 replaces the program name and channel number displayed in the OSD as shown in the upper part of the screen of FIG. 6 with the one selected as the selection result, analyzes the PMT code, and then selects the selected channel. The video packet / audio packet ID is recognized, and only necessary packets are extracted from the stream (854 in FIG. 18). The terminal 305 performs predetermined decoding on the video packet and the audio packet, and reproduces the video signal and the audio signal (855 in FIG. 18). The state returns to A in FIG.

  The channel number may not be included in the OSD display, and information other than the program name / channel number may be included. Although the remote controller has been described as the channel instruction input means, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation panel installed on the main body side or a keyboard may be used. In addition, in this embodiment, the channel selection by the remote controller is divided into buttons such as an up / down button and an enter button. However, any specification may be used as long as the specification allows selection of left / right or a channel. Further, although the channel is for digital broadcasting, it may be of a format that is always on the Internet. Further, the channel and the channel additional information may be transmitted by another broadcasting station or the Internet.

(Embodiment 6)
Hereinafter, a channel switching method in the video signal / audio signal reproducing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 19, and 20.

  In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the description of the event that performs the same operation as in the fourth embodiment is omitted. FIG. 19 is a process flow diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating state transition of the present embodiment.

  When the user is playing a channel and the user next wants to select a different channel, the user uses a button on the remote control. In this example, it is assumed that three buttons, a channel information button, a channel information button, and a determination button for performing a determination instruction are set on the remote controller. In FIG. 20, it is assumed that the channel number 002 is currently being reproduced, and the program name and channel number are OSD displayed as shown in FIG. 5 (861 in FIG. 20).

  When the user presses the channel information button on the remote control, only the program name and channel number in the OSD display are changed to those of channel number 003. At this time, the terminal still plays the channel of channel number 002 (862 in FIG. 20). In FIG. 19, the state changes from A to B. In this state, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the OSD display changes to that of channel number 004 (863 in FIG. 20). After the change, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time, the OSD display changes to that of channel number 005 (864 in FIG. 20). In FIG. 19, the state of B is repeated again.

  Similarly, when the user presses the lower part of the channel information button on the remote control while playing the current channel number 004, only the program name and channel number in the OSD display are changed to those of channel number 003. At this time, the terminal continues to play the channel of the content number 004. In this state, if there is no remote control operation from the user for a predetermined time, the OSD display changes to that of channel number 002. In this manner, all channels included in the additional information are displayed in OSD one by one until the user performs the next remote control operation.

  In addition, when the enter button is pressed within a predetermined time after the OSD display is changed to the next channel, the terminal 305 analyzes the PMT code, and then the video packet / audio of the channel currently displayed on the OSD. The packet ID is recognized, and only necessary packets are extracted from the stream (865 in FIG. 20). The terminal 305 performs predetermined decoding on the video packet and the audio packet, and reproduces the video signal and the audio signal (866 in FIG. 20). The state returns to A in FIG. The user can know the program names of all the channels included in the additional information by pressing the content information button once, and can select the next channel to be viewed from among them.

  The channel number may not be included in the OSD display, and information other than the program name / channel number may be included. The predetermined time until the next channel information is displayed is 3 seconds in this embodiment, but it may be any number of seconds. Although the remote controller has been described as the channel instruction input means, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation panel installed on the main body side or a keyboard may be used. In addition, the channel information display by the remote control is divided into the up and down buttons in the present embodiment, but any specification can be used as long as it can be left or right or a signal can be displayed. The channel determination signal by the remote controller is determined by pressing the determination button in the present embodiment. However, the channel number may be selected with a numeric button or the channel information button may be released. Further, although the channel is for digital broadcasting, it may be of a format that is always on the Internet. Further, the channel and the channel additional information may be transmitted by another broadcasting station or the Internet.

  The content switching method and the channel switching method according to the present invention can reduce useless content or channel switching, and therefore control of a playback device for content distributed over the Internet and a playback device for television broadcasting such as radio waves. It can be applied to such uses.

Block diagram of digital streaming broadcasting system The figure which shows an example of the additional information of a content Block diagram of digital TV broadcasting system The figure which shows an example of the data structure of television broadcasting The figure explaining the OSD display on the screen A diagram explaining the content table or channel table on the screen Conventional switching process flow diagram Diagram showing conventional state transition Processing flow chart of switching in the first embodiment The figure which shows the state transition of Embodiment 1 Processing flow chart of switching in the second embodiment The figure which shows the state transition of Embodiment 2 Processing flow chart of switching in embodiment 3 The figure which shows the state transition of Embodiment 3 Processing flow chart of switching of embodiment 4 The figure which shows the state transition of Embodiment 4 Processing flow chart of switching in the fifth embodiment The figure which shows the state transition of Embodiment 5 Processing flow chart of switching in embodiment 6 The figure which shows the state transition of Embodiment 6

Explanation of symbols

101 Server 102,305 Terminal 301 Broadcast Station 302 Transmitting Antenna 303 Satellite 304 Receiving Antenna

Claims (8)

A content switching method used in a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing received content and content additional information based on an instruction input input from a content instruction input unit,
When a content switching instruction is input from the content instruction input means, the next candidate content additional information is displayed while the current content is being reproduced,
If a content switching instruction is input again within a predetermined time after a content switching instruction is input from the content instruction input means, the content additional information of candidates is displayed one after another while the current content is being reproduced, and within a predetermined time If the content switching instruction is not input to the content, the next candidate content is played back. A content switching method used in a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing received content and content additional information based on an instruction input input from a content instruction input unit,
When a content list instruction is input from the content instruction input means, the candidate content additional information list is displayed while the current content is reproduced,
A content switching method comprising: reproducing content selected when content selection from the candidate content additional information list is input from the content instruction input unit. A content switching method used in a content reproduction apparatus for reproducing received content and content additional information based on an instruction input input from a content instruction input unit,
When a content switching instruction is input from the content instruction input means, the candidate content additional information is displayed in a predetermined order while reproducing the current content,
A content switching method, comprising: reproducing candidate content based on displayed candidate content additional information when a determination instruction is input from the content instruction input means. The content switching method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the content instruction input means is used in a content reproduction apparatus that is a remote controller. A channel switching method used in a channel program reproducing apparatus for reproducing a received channel program and channel additional information based on an instruction input input from a channel instruction input means,
When a channel switching instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, the next candidate channel additional information is displayed while the current channel program is being reproduced,
If a channel switching instruction is input again within a predetermined time after a channel switching instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, the candidate channel additional information is displayed one after another while the current channel program is being reproduced, A channel switching method characterized in that if the channel switching instruction is not inputted, the next candidate channel program is reproduced. A channel switching method used in a channel program reproducing apparatus for reproducing a received channel program and channel additional information based on an instruction input input from a channel instruction input means,
When a channel list instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, a candidate channel additional information list is displayed while the current channel program is being reproduced,
A channel switching method comprising: reproducing a selected channel program when channel selection from the candidate channel additional information list is input from the channel instruction input unit. A channel switching method used in a channel program reproducing apparatus for reproducing a received channel program and channel additional information based on an instruction input input from a channel instruction input means,
When a channel switching instruction is input from the channel instruction input means, the candidate channel additional information is displayed in a predetermined order while the current channel program is reproduced,
A channel switching method, comprising: reproducing a candidate channel program based on candidate channel additional information displayed when a determination instruction is input from the channel instruction input means. The channel switching method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the channel instruction input means is used in a channel program playback device which is a remote controller.

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