JP4588190B2 - Television program homepage search system, its client device, server device, and homepage URL information acquisition method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for searching Internet homepage information related to a TV program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus that can access a network such as a personal computer and includes a TV tuner, and an information processing apparatus that provides the homepage information Relates to a system constituted by
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, it has become common to connect to the Internet and browse homepages and use e-mails on web browsers. In such circumstances, many homepages related to programs broadcast on television are established. It has become like this.
[0003]
Conventionally, as a method of introducing the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the homepage related to such a TV program to the viewer of the TV program, a telop is played on the broadcast surface of the TV program, or the URL is read out by voice. The method is used. However, the URL of the home page is composed of a list of alphabets, and it is very complicated and troublesome to take notes on the viewer side of the TV program. Further, even if there is a homepage related to a TV program, it is not introduced one by one. Therefore, it cannot be said that there is a sufficient environment for viewers to easily access the homepage.
[0004]
In order to solve such a problem, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-177532, TV program guide data composed of URL information of home pages related to individual TV programs is stored in advance in storage means such as a client computer. In addition, there is disclosed a technique for comparing channel data being viewed with the data and displaying a homepage screen indicated by a URL corresponding to the television program simultaneously with the television screen.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above prior art, in order to search for the homepage of the TV program required by the viewer, TV program guide data composed of URLs related to individual TV programs is previously stored in the storage means of the client computer. Therefore, a problem occurs when the broadcast content currently being broadcast and the content of the TV program guide data captured in advance do not match. In other words, if the TV program time zone is changed due to some influence or the broadcast frame of the TV program is replaced, an incorrect homepage is displayed without matching with the TV program guide data. As the most familiar example, there is an example in which a program after that is extended by extension of a professional baseball broadcast, and such an example occurs on a daily basis. Also, in such a case, if a homepage related to a TV program is to be displayed, the URL is searched based on the contents of the TV program guide data captured in advance, so that the homepage desired by the viewer may not be displayed. There is a problem that damages.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the television program homepage search system of the present invention is connected to a client device capable of receiving a television broadcast and viewing the television program, and the client device connected via a network, and URL information related to the television program is obtained. A server device having a database, wherein the client device requests the server device to acquire URL information related to the television program being viewed, and the server device stores the URL information of the client device. In response to the acquisition request, URL information related to the program being viewed by the client device is provided based on the database, and the client device uses the URL information acquired from the server device for the TV program to be viewed. It is characterized by being displayed on a display screen.
[0007]
The client apparatus constituting the TV program homepage search system of the present invention is a client apparatus that can receive a TV broadcast and view a TV program, and sets a request setting condition for acquiring URL information related to the TV program. And an instruction means for making an acquisition request for the URL information, and an acquisition request for the URL information related to the TV program being viewed based on the acquisition request condition set by the condition setting means, In response to an instruction from the instruction means, a server apparatus having a database of URL information related to the television program via a network and displaying the acquired URL information on a display screen of the television program to be viewed. Features.
[0008]
In addition, the client device constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention has the instruction means for making an acquisition request for the URL information to the server device by one instruction operation.
[0009]
The client device constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention acquires the URL information of the selected genre from the server device by selecting the URL information related to the TV broadcast program from a plurality of genres. It has the said request setting instruction | indication means which can perform the setting which performs a request, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0010]
In addition, the client device constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention has the request setting means capable of performing a setting to make an acquisition request for the URL information to the server device at a predetermined time. To do.
[0011]
In addition, the client device constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention has the request setting means capable of setting to make an acquisition request for the URL information to the server device every time the audio of the television broadcast is changed. It is characterized by.
[0012]
The server device constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention is a server device that provides URL information related to a television broadcast television program, and the server can view the television broadcast television program. In response to a request for acquiring URL information related to the television program from the broadcasting station database, and a program information database for searching for URL information related to the television program. The TV program database includes URL information of a plurality of genres related to TV programs according to time periods, and the contents of the program information database are sequentially changed when the TV broadcast program is changed. It is characterized by.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The television program homepage search system of the present invention is used in a form in which a client device such as a personal computer and a server device are connected via a network such as the Internet. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a server apparatus constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention. The server device of the present invention includes a CPU 100, ROM 101, RAM 102, a storage device 103 such as a hard disk, a display device 104, a keyboard 105 and a mouse 106 as input devices, a modem 107 as a network connection port, a broadcast station specifying database 108, It consists of a program URL search database 109. The CPU 100 controls the entire server device. The ROM 101 stores various programs and fixed data used in the server device, and some of these are loaded into the RAM 102 and used. The RAM 102 is used by loading various programs and data. A storage device 103 such as a hard disk stores various programs and data, and is loaded into the RAM 102 for use. The display device 104 displays various information using a liquid crystal display or the like. The keyboard 105 and the mouse 106 are used as input devices that accept key inputs, coordinate inputs, and the like. The modem 107 is used for data transmission / reception with an external device such as a client device via a network. The broadcast station specifying database 108 is used to specify a broadcast station by a regional code or a channel. The program URL search database 109 is used to search for information such as the URL related to the TV program being viewed by the client from the date and time after the broadcast station is identified.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a client device constituting the television program homepage search system of the present invention. The client device of the present invention includes a CPU 200, ROM 201, RAM 202, storage device 203 such as a hard disk, display device 204, keyboard 205 and mouse 206, modem 207, remote control light receiving unit 208, panel switch 209, tuner 210, display controller 211 as input devices. Frame buffer 212, audio decoder 213, and speaker 214. The CPU 200 controls the entire client device. The ROM 201 stores various programs and fixed data used by the client device, and some of these are loaded into the RAM 202 and used. The RAM 202 is used by loading various programs and data. A storage device 203 such as a hard disk stores various programs and data, and is loaded into the RAM 202 for use. The display device 204 displays various information using a liquid crystal display or the like. A keyboard 205 and a mouse 206 are used as input devices that accept key inputs, coordinate inputs, and the like. The modem 207 is used for data transmission / reception with an external device such as a server device via a network. The remote control light receiving unit 208 and the panel switch 209 are a user interface part for operating the client device such as inputting an instruction for operating the tuner 210, for example. The instruction input can also be performed with the keyboard 205 or the mouse 206. The tuner 210 receives television radio waves through an antenna. The display controller 211 demodulates the video signal of the currently selected channel from the radio wave received by the tuner 210. The frame buffer 212 synthesizes the broadcast video demodulated by the display controller 211 and the data obtained by converting the character string generated in the client device of the present invention into video data. The audio decoder 213 demodulates audio data from the TV radio wave received by the tuner 210. The speaker 214 outputs audio data.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is an external view of the front surface of the display device 204 constituting the client device of the present invention. A service selection key 301 provided on the front surface of the display is an example of a key for starting the operation of the client apparatus of the present invention for searching for a URL of a homepage related to the TV program being viewed. The panel shown in FIG. It is also one of the switches 209. Further, the same operation can be activated by using a remote controller.
[0016]
A method for acquiring URL information of a home page in the TV program home page search system of the present invention having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for acquiring URL information of a homepage related to a television program in the client apparatus of the present invention. When the client apparatus of the present invention presses the service selection key 301 while displaying a TV broadcast program, a URL search instruction for a homepage related to the TV program being viewed is issued (S401). In accordance with this instruction, the client device creates a request command to the server device (S402). This request command includes the channel of the receiving broadcast station being viewed when the service selection key 301 is pressed, the region code indicating the viewing region, and the service content desired by the server device. The channel information of the receiving broadcast station is acquired from the tuner 21. In addition, the region codes are classified according to the areas that can be viewed by television broadcasting stations nationwide, and the region codes for each client device are selected and set on the client device from a list set in advance on the server device side. I shall keep it. Also, the service content can be set by selecting a genre of URL information prepared in advance on the server device side. The genre here refers to, for example, on the request setting screen shown in FIG. 5, (1) URL acquisition of the homepage of the program itself that the program has opened, (2) Sponsor (company etc.) providing the program URL acquisition of the homepage, (3) URL acquisition of the performer's own homepage appearing in the program, (4) Acquisition of other information (e-mail address etc.), etc. can be considered, acquired by selecting from these The genre of URL information to be set is set, and the contents set when the service selection key 301 is pressed are reflected in the request command. Next, when a software for internet connection is activated and connected to a network, a request command which is a request information of a service for retrieving URL information of a homepage related to a TV program currently being viewed with respect to the server apparatus of the present invention. Make a call (S403).
[0017]
On the other hand, the server apparatus according to the present invention includes a broadcasting station specifying database 108 for specifying a broadcasting station from the area code and channel shown in FIG. 7 and a TV program table broadcasted by each broadcasting station shown in FIG. A database 109 for searching program URLs composed of various URL information of related homepages for each program is stored, and when the broadcast schedule of each broadcasting station is changed, the database 109 is changed, and the current progress is always made. It is assumed that the maintenance is performed so that the broadcast content and the database 109 match. Incidentally, as one method for maintaining the database 109, each broadcast station accesses the server device of the present invention when a program broadcast schedule change or program modification occurs, and inputs a user name, a password, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but is not limited to this, and the database 109 may be changed according to a change in the program broadcast schedule or a change in the program. Any method can be used if it can be corrected.
[0018]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for providing URL information of a homepage related to a television program in the server apparatus of the present invention. When the server device of the present invention receives a request command transmitted as a request for providing URL information of a homepage related to a television program from the client device (S601), the broadcast station specifying database is based on the channel and area code included in the request command. By searching 108, the broadcasting station being viewed on the client device is specified (S602). The area code is classified in advance by the broadcast area on the server device side, and the client apparatus side sets an area code that matches the residential area. In addition, the area code used on the television may be used as this area code (the TV has a function of automatically setting a channel corresponding to the area code by inserting the area code). For example, if the area code of the client device is 61 (Osaka) and the channel is 4ch, the broadcast is broadcast every day, so if the area code and channel information are set in the request command, the broadcasting station that is being viewed on the client apparatus The server device can be identified. Next, based on the current date and time, the server device searches the program URL etc. search database 109 composed of various URL information of the homepage related to each program of the TV program guide broadcasted by each broadcasting station having the contents shown in FIG. The URL information requested from the client device is specified (S603). Finally, the search result is transmitted as a response message to the client device (S604). The response message includes the search result and the corresponding URL information.
[0019]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the client device receives the response message transmitted from the server device (S404). Upon receiving this response message, the client device creates a character string such as a URL to be displayed on the display device 204 of the client device in the RAM 202 based on the response message (S405). The character string created in the RAM 202 is combined with the image of the television broadcast being viewed in the frame buffer 212 as image data and displayed on the display device 204 (S406). After the character string such as the URL is displayed for a certain period of time, it is erased and the display returns to the normal television broadcast image display. FIG. 9 shows an example of the display content, but the display content is not limited to this. The acquired URL information may be stored in a storage device of the client device so that it can be used when accessing a homepage separately. Through the above procedure, the client device can acquire the URL of the homepage related to the TV program being viewed from the server device and display the URL information. In addition, the time for requesting URL information to the server device can be set on the request setting screen shown in FIG. For example, if the time is set such as “every 60 minutes” or “start time is 12:00”, the URL information is automatically sent to the server device in the set time unit or time when watching a TV program. You can make a request. Alternatively, in the VTR, the commercial cut function is realized by using the switching of the audio signal between the TV broadcast program and the commercial. However, in the client device of the present invention, the audio signal is automatically switched to the server device. Settings for requesting URL information can also be made. In this setting, the audio decoder 213 detects the switching of the audio signal (monaural ← → stereo, monolingual ← → bilingual, etc.), automatically requests the URL information from the server device, and acquires the URL information. You can also
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the TV program homepage search system of the present invention, URL information of a homepage related to the TV program requested in real time from the client device (for example, a homepage established in the program, a sponsor, or a performer). Since the server device always provides the latest URL information from the database by maintaining the database for the URL information of the homepage, etc., the user of the client device is affected by the change in the broadcast schedule of the TV program. In addition, it is possible to acquire URL information related to a television program that is always viewed.
[0021]
Further, according to the client device of the present invention, the URL information related to the television program can be selected for the purpose, and an acquisition request for the URL information can be instructed. Therefore, the desired URL information of the television program being viewed can be obtained. Can be acquired.
[0022]
Further, according to the client device of the present invention, it is possible to directly instruct the acquisition of URL information when a user needs it while viewing a television program, so that it is possible to operate the television screen without inconvenience.
[0023]
Also, according to the client device of the present invention, URL information is automatically acquired and displayed every set time without instructing URL information acquisition request, so that viewing of the TV screen is not hindered. The URL information of the homepage related to the TV program being viewed can be known.
[0024]
Further, according to the client device of the present invention, the URL information is automatically acquired and displayed when the audio of the TV program is switched without instructing the URL information acquisition request, thereby preventing viewing of the TV screen. In addition, it is possible to know the URL information of the homepage related to the TV program being viewed.
[0025]
In addition, according to the server device of the present invention, the television program being watched on the client device can be maintained by performing maintenance of the television program database composed of URL information related to the television program accompanying the broadcast change of the television program as needed. Corresponding accurate URL information can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a server device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a client device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external view of a front surface of a display device of a client device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the client device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an example of a request setting screen for a URL information acquisition request in the client device of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of the server device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a logical configuration example of a database for specifying a broadcast station from a region code and a frequency in the server device of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a logical configuration example of a database in which a program table broadcasted at each broadcasting station and various URL information related to the program table are incorporated in the server device of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a display example of acquired URL information displayed on the display screen of the client apparatus of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 CPU
101 ROM
102 RAM
103 Storage Device 104 Display Device 105 Keyboard 106 Mouse 107 Modem 108 Broadcast Station Identification DB
109 Program URL search DB

Claims (7)

In a television program homepage search system comprising a client device that can receive a television broadcast and view a television program, and a server device that is connected to the client device via a network and provides URL information related to the television program.
The server device has a database of URL information related to the television program,
The client device makes an acquisition request for URL information related to the television program being viewed to the server device based on switching of the type of audio signal to be received ,
The server device provides URL information related to a program being viewed by the client device based on the database in response to the URL information acquisition request of the client device, and
The television program homepage search system, wherein the client device displays the URL information acquired from the server device on a display screen of a television program to be viewed. A client device that can receive a TV broadcast and watch a TV program,
The client device has request setting means for setting an acquisition request condition for URL information related to the television program, and instruction means for making an acquisition request for the URL information.
A database of URL information related to the TV program via the network in response to an instruction from the instruction means, based on an instruction from the instruction means, based on an acquisition request for the TV program based on the acquisition request condition set by the request setting means. To the server device having
Displaying the acquired URL information on the display screen of the TV program to be viewed ;
The client device characterized in that the request setting means is configured to make an acquisition request for the URL information to the server device based on switching of the type of the received audio signal .   3. The client apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the instruction unit requests the server apparatus to acquire the URL information by one instruction operation.   The request setting means is configured to select the URL information related to a television broadcast program from a plurality of genres, thereby making a setting for making an acquisition request for URL information of the selected genre to the server device. Item 3. The client device according to Item 2. It said request setting means the client apparatus according to claim 2 or 4 further characterized in that it is set to perform an acquisition request for the URL information to the server apparatus every time determined. A server device that provides URL information related to a television program of television broadcasting,
The server device is viewed in response to an acquisition request for URL information related to the television program that is output from a client device that can view the television broadcast television program based on switching of the type of the audio signal to be received. A broadcast station database that identifies a TV program that is being searched, and a program information database that searches for URL information related to the TV program, and is related to the program that the client device is viewing in response to the acquisition request Sending URL information to the client device;
The program information database is composed of URL information of a plurality of genres related to television programs according to time zones,
The server apparatus characterized by sequentially changing the contents of the program information database when the television broadcast program is changed. Homepage in a television program homepage search system comprising a client device that can receive a television broadcast and view a television program, and a server device that is connected to the client device via a network and has a database of URL information related to the television program. URL information acquisition method,
Performing a request for acquiring URL information related to the television program being viewed by the client device to the server device based on switching of the type of audio signal to be received;
The server device providing URL information related to a program viewed by the client device based on the database in response to an acquisition request for the URL information of the client device;
A method of acquiring URL information of a home page, comprising: displaying the URL information acquired from the server device by the client device on a display screen of a television program to be viewed.

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