JP4781728B2 - PROGRAM VIDEO CREATION DEVICE, PROGRAM VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE, PROGRAM VIDEO RECORDING / REPRODUCING DEVICE, PROGRAM DISPLAY METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program video creation device, a program video display device, a program video recording / playback device, a program display method, a program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, a program for creating a program video related to a broadcast program. Video creation device and program video creation method, program and recording medium for realizing the same, program video display device for displaying the program video, a program video display device combining the program video creation device with a display device, and Relates to a program video recording / reproducing apparatus in which a recording apparatus is combined with the program video creating apparatus.

  In recent years, broadcasting has been digitized in the field of broadcasting technology. For example, terrestrial digital broadcasting has already started in December 2003 in parts of Kanto, Chukyo, and Kinki, and is scheduled to start nationwide by the end of 2006. Since the band can be used efficiently by digitizing the broadcast, high-quality and high-quality broadcasts, data broadcasts, interactive services, etc. can be used. At the same time, the number of channels has increased and many programs have been distributed. Along with this, it becomes necessary for the user to efficiently search for a desired program from a large number of programs.

  As one of support methods, an electronic program guide (EPG) is used. FIG. 23 shows an example of a general electronic program guide. As shown in FIG. 23, the electronic program guide has program information arranged on a two-dimensional plane with channels and time as axes. Here, text information describing the title and contents of a broadcast program is arranged in time series for each channel. By using this electronic program guide, the user can search for, select, and make a recording reservation for a program to be viewed.

  By the way, when a user searches for a program that he / she wants to view using the electronic program guide, it is based on text information of time, channel, program title and contents from a huge number of program information included in the electronic program guide. It is necessary to examine each program that you want to watch. Such complicated work is a heavy burden on the user.

In solving the above problems, information related to the program being viewed is given without damaging the user's interest aroused from viewing the TV program, and recording reservation and playback of the recorded program are performed based on the information. Techniques that can be performed are known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when a predetermined button is pressed while viewing a program, a program related information page is displayed based on the program that has been viewed, and the program recorded in the past can be played back or used in the future. A technique for enabling a recording reservation operation of a broadcast program is disclosed.
JP 2004-357184 A (publication date: December 16, 2004)

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as “prior art”) still has the following problems. In the prior art, a program related information page is displayed when program information about other programs of interest to the user is presented. At this time, since the program video being viewed is hidden by the program related information page, the user is forced to interrupt the viewing of the program video.

  In addition, the program related information page is displayed in a list regardless of whether the text of the program information has been broadcast in the past, is currently being broadcast, or is scheduled to be broadcast in the future. To play a recorded program, find the recorded display icon in the list, move the cursor to select it, and select “Play this program” while watching the detailed information of the program and the display screen of the operation command group. An operation to move the cursor to a command and select it is necessary. In addition, when making a recording reservation, you must select from the list on the same program-related information page, and although it is possible to identify the state of the program with the recorded display icon and the recording reservation display icon, understand the meaning of those icons If not, there is a possibility that a recorded program is erroneously selected as a program that can be reserved for recording. Thus, in the conventional technology, it is difficult to distinguish between a program that can be recorded at a glance and a program that can be reserved for recording.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to display a related program presentation video for presenting a program content of a related program to a user without hindering viewing of the program video. An object of the present invention is to provide a program video creation device and a program display method for creating a video to be output to a display device for display.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide a program video creation device and a program display method for creating a video that allows a user to easily grasp the broadcast state of a related program.

  The program video creation device according to the present invention displays a program to display a related program presentation video for presenting to the user the program contents of another program related to the program being viewed while viewing the program video. A program video creation device for creating a video to be output to the device, and in order to solve the above-described problem, a viewing program information acquisition unit that acquires the viewing program information that is the program information related to the currently viewed program video; A program information acquisition unit for acquiring a program information group including program information of a plurality of programs, and a related program related to the program being viewed from the program information group based on the program information being viewed Related program information extracting means for extracting related program information that is information; and combining means for generating a combined video by combining the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information; The The synthesizing means sets the first and second partial display areas in the synthesized video, reduces the inserted program video into the first partial display area, and inserts the second partial display area. The related program presentation video is inserted into the area.

  According to the above configuration, the reduced program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program are combined and displayed on the synthesized video. Therefore, the program video creation device can create a video for displaying the related program presentation video on the display device without hindering viewing of the program video.

  Further, the program video being viewed is a received program video acquired by receiving a program being broadcast, and the program video creation device is based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction means. The related program classification means for classifying the related program corresponding to the related program information into a broadcasting group or other group depending on whether the related program is being broadcast, and the combining means includes In the composite video, a first adjacent partial display area, which is a partial display area adjacent to the first partial display area, is further set, and the relation of related programs classified into the broadcasting group is set in the first adjacent partial display area. It is preferable to insert a program presentation video and insert a related program presentation video of a related program classified into the other group into the second partial display area.

  According to the above configuration, the video relating to the program being broadcast is displayed in the first partial display area and the first adjacent partial display area in the composite video, and other related programs are displayed in the second partial display area. A video about is displayed. Therefore, the user can easily grasp which related program is being broadcast and which related program is not being broadcast when viewing the synthesized video.

  Further, the program video creation device switches between the partial display area selection means capable of selecting the first adjacent partial display area in the synthesized image, the program video being received and the synthesized video created by the synthesizing means. Video switching means for outputting, and channel switching means for switching a receiving channel in order to receive another program video currently being broadcast, wherein the channel switching means is a first adjacent portion by the partial display area selecting means. When the display area is selected, the reception channel is switched to a channel on which a related program corresponding to the related program presentation video displayed in the first adjacent partial display area is broadcast, and the video switching means When the first adjacent partial display area is selected by the display area selecting means, it is preferable to output the program video being received.

  According to the above configuration, when the first adjacent partial display area is selected, the channel switching means switches the reception channel to the channel on which the related program displayed in the adjacent partial display area is broadcast, and the video The switching unit 20 outputs the program video being broadcast instead of the synthesized video. Therefore, the program video of the related program displayed in the adjacent partial display area is displayed. As described above, the user can easily select a related program of interest when viewing the synthesized video.

  The program video being viewed is a recorded program video obtained by recording a program video broadcast in the past, and the program video creation device corresponds to the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction means. The program further comprises related program classifying means for classifying each related program into a broadcasted group or other group according to whether the related program has been broadcasted, and the combining means includes the first A first adjacent partial display area adjacent to the partial display area is further set, a related program presentation video of a related program classified into the broadcasted group is inserted into the first adjacent partial display area, and the second part It is preferable to insert related program presentation videos of related programs classified into other groups in the display area.

  According to the above configuration, the video relating to the broadcasted program is displayed in the first partial display area and the first adjacent partial display area in the composite video, and other related programs are displayed in the second partial display area. A video about is displayed. Therefore, when viewing the synthesized video, the user can easily grasp which related program has been broadcast and which related program has not been broadcast.

  In addition, the program video creation device includes a recorded program video acquisition unit that acquires a recorded program video obtained by recording a program video that has been broadcast in the past, and a portion in which the first adjacent partial display area can be selected in the composite image The display area selecting means, the video switching means for switching and outputting the recorded program video and the synthesized video created by the synthesizing means, and the recorded program video being viewed by the recorded program video acquisition unit are different. Replay program switching means for switching recorded program video to be viewed by acquiring recorded program video, wherein the replay program switching means has the first adjacent partial display area selected by the partial display area selection means. Recorded program video of the related program corresponding to the related program presentation video displayed in the first adjacent partial display area from the recorded program video currently being viewed when selected Switches the program image view, the video switching means, when the first adjacent partial display region by the partial display area selection means is selected, it is preferable to output the recorded program video.

  According to the above configuration, when the first adjacent partial display area is selected, the recorded program video acquisition unit acquires the recorded program video of the related program displayed in the adjacent partial display area, and video switching The unit 20 outputs the recorded program video instead of the synthesized video. Therefore, the recorded program video of the related program displayed in the adjacent partial display area is displayed. As described above, the user can easily reproduce the recorded program video of the related program of interest when viewing the synthesized video.

  Further, the program video creation device can select a recording reservation finger means capable of instructing recording reservation of a program to a recording device for recording a broadcast program video, and a second partial display area in the composite image. Whether or not the related program classification means is scheduled to broadcast a related program corresponding to the related program information extracted by the related program information extracting means. Accordingly, the program is classified into a broadcast schedule group or other groups, and the synthesis means inserts the related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcast schedule group into the second partial display area, and the recording reservation instruction Means for recording a related program corresponding to the related program presentation video displayed in the second partial display area when the second partial display area is selected by the partial display area selection means; It is preferable to instruct.

  According to the above configuration, by selecting the second partial display area, it is possible to make a recording reservation for the related program displayed in the partial display area. As described above, the user can easily make a recording reservation for a related program of interest when viewing the synthesized video.

  The related program extracting means sets the degree of relevance of the program content with the program being viewed for the program information based on a comparison between the program information being viewed and each program information included in the program information group. And the related program information is extracted based on the related level, and the combining unit includes a plurality of partial areas in series in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the second partial display area in the synthesized video. The second partial display area group arranged in the second partial display area group is set, and related program presentation videos of related programs classified into other groups are displayed in the respective partial areas of the second partial display area group. It is preferred to insert in a based arrangement.

  According to the above configuration, the video relating to the related program is arranged in the second partial display area group based on the degree of association. Examples of the method of displaying based on the relevance level include an ascending order, a descending order, and a method of disposing from the center to the outside in descending order of relevance. By doing in this way, the user can easily determine which related program has a high degree of relevance with the program being viewed when videos related to the related program are listed in the second partial display area group. I can grasp it.

  In addition, the synthesizing unit may move the related program presentation video in each partial display area of the second partial display area group away from the partial display area into which the program video being viewed is inserted as the degree of association decreases. It is preferable to insert in

  According to the above configuration, in the second partial display area group, the video related to the related program having a higher degree of relevance with the program being viewed becomes closer to the program video being viewed. Therefore, the user can intuitively grasp which related program has a high degree of relevance with the program being viewed when the synthesized video is viewed.

  In addition, the viewing program information and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit include information on the genre of the program, and the relevance setting means includes the genre of the program acquired by the viewing program information acquisition unit, It is preferable to set the relevance based on the comparison with the genre of the program acquired by the program information acquisition unit.

  According to the above configuration, the degree of association can be set according to the genre of the program included in the program information.

  The viewing program information and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit further include character string information related to the sub-genre of the program, and the relevance setting means is the program acquired by the viewing program information acquisition unit. It is preferable to set the relevance level based on a comparison between the genre and sub-genre character strings and the program genre and sub-genre character strings acquired by the program information acquisition unit.

  According to the above configuration, the relevance level of a program can be set in consideration of a sub-genre in addition to a genre. Therefore, the degree of association can be set in more detail.

The relevance setting means includes the following conditions (a) to (b) in which the genre of the program and the character string of the sub-genre are between the currently viewed program information and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit. (C)
(A) All match (b) Genre matches and sub-genre matches only part of the character string (c) Only genre matches and the sub-genre character string doesn't match at all, or the sub-genre character string It is preferable to set the degree of relevance higher in the order satisfying that some or all of the characters match and the genres do not match.

  Further, the viewing program information and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit further include character string information related to the title of the program, and the relevance setting means includes the above conditions (a) to (c). When there is a plurality of program information satisfying any one of the above, depending on whether or not a part or all of the character string of the title of the program information matches the program information being viewed for these program information Therefore, it is preferable to make a difference in the degree of relevance.

  According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of related programs that satisfy the same condition, the related degree setting means can set different related degrees for each related program based on the title of the program. Therefore, the degree of association can be set in more detail.

  Further, the program information being viewed and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit further include character string information that describes the detailed contents of the program, and the relevance setting means includes the above-described conditions (a) to (C) If there is a plurality of program information satisfying any one of the conditions, whether or not a part or all of the detailed character string of the program information matches the program information being viewed for the program information Depending on whether or not, the degree of relevance may be different.

  According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of related programs that satisfy the same condition, the related degree setting means can set different related degrees for each related program based on the description indicating the detailed contents of the program. it can. Therefore, the degree of association can be set in more detail.

  In addition, the program information being viewed and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit further include information related to the performers of the program, and the relevance setting means includes any of the above conditions (a) to (c). If there is a plurality of program information satisfying one condition, the degree of relevance depends on whether or not some or all of the performers of the program information match the currently viewed program information. You may make a difference.

  According to the above configuration, even when there are a plurality of related programs that satisfy the same condition, the related level setting means can set different related levels for each related program based on the performers of the program. Therefore, the degree of association can be set in more detail.

  Further, the program video being viewed is a received program video acquired by receiving a broadcast program video, and the program video creation device adds the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction means. Related programs that categorize each corresponding related program into a broadcast group, a broadcast group, and a broadcast schedule group, depending on whether the program is broadcast, already broadcast, or scheduled to be broadcast Classification means is further provided, wherein the synthesizing means sets first, second and third partial display areas in the synthesized video, and reduces and inserts the program video being viewed in the first partial display area The related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcasted group is inserted into the second partial display area, and the related program classified into the broadcast scheduled group is inserted into the third partial display area. Set of related programs presented the video may be inserted.

  The program video being viewed is a recorded program video obtained by recording a program video broadcast in the past, and the program video creation device corresponds to the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction means. Related program classification means for classifying each related program into a broadcast group, a broadcasted group, and a broadcast scheduled group, depending on whether the program is being broadcast, has already been broadcast, or is scheduled to be broadcast in the future The synthesis means sets first, second, and third partial display areas in the synthesized video, and reduces and inserts the program video being viewed in the first partial display area; The related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcasting group is inserted into the second partial display area, and the related program of the related program classified into the broadcast scheduled group is inserted into the third partial display area示映 may be inserted images.

  According to the above configuration, videos related to programs in different broadcast states are displayed in the first, second, and third partial display areas, respectively. Therefore, the user can easily grasp which related program is in which broadcasting state when viewing the synthesized video.

In addition, the program video creation apparatus according to the present invention displays a program to display a related program presentation video for presenting the program content of another program to the user while viewing the broadcast program video. A program video creation device for creating a video to be output to the device, comprising: a viewing program information acquisition unit for acquiring viewing program information that is program information related to the currently viewed program video; and program information of a plurality of programs Based on the program information acquisition unit that acquires the program information group and the program information being viewed, the related program information that is the program information of the related program related to the program being viewed is extracted from the program information group. Broadcast related program information extracting means and each related program corresponding to the related program information depending on whether the related program is being broadcast, has already been broadcast, or is scheduled to be broadcast in the future. During ~ A composition for creating a composite video by combining related program classification means for classifying into a loop, a broadcasted group, and a broadcast scheduled group, the program video being viewed, and a related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information. And the composition means divides a part or all of the synthesized video into partial display areas arranged in a matrix of 3 rows or 3 columns,
(A) If the matrix has 3 rows, each row, or (b) if the matrix has 3 columns, each column,
The first partial display area group, the second partial display area group, and the third partial display area group are set, and the reduced program video being viewed is displayed in one partial display area of the first partial display area group. The related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcasting group is inserted into another partial display area of the first partial display area group, and is inserted into each partial display area of the second partial display area group. The related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcasted group is inserted, and the related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcast scheduled group is inserted into each partial display area of the third partial display area group. It is characterized by inserting.

  According to the above configuration, the first partial display area group displays the program video being viewed and the video related to the related program classified into the broadcasting group, and the second partial display area group displays the broadcast video. A video related to the related program classified into the broadcast group is displayed, and a video related to the related program classified into the broadcast scheduled group is displayed in the third partial display area. Therefore, the user can easily grasp which related program is in what broadcasting state when viewing the synthesized video.

  Further, the program video creation device creates a related program information video in which a part or all of the related program information is displayed based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction means. Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a creating unit, and at least one of the related program presentation videos is a related program information video created by the related program information video creating unit.

  According to the said structure, the image | video on which the related program information was displayed is used as an image | video which shows a user the program content of a related program. Therefore, the user can guess the program content of the related program by watching the video on which the related program information is displayed.

  Further, the program video creation device acquires a program video of a related program currently being broadcast corresponding to the related program information based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction unit. An acquisition unit is further provided, and any of the related program presentation videos is preferably a program video currently being broadcast acquired by the broadcast program video acquisition unit.

  According to the above configuration, the program video of the related program being broadcast is used as the video for presenting the program content of the related program to the user. Therefore, the user can guess the program content of the related program by watching the program video of the related program being broadcast.

  In addition, the program video creation device may store the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction unit from the recorded program video storage unit storing the recorded program video obtained by recording the program video broadcast in the past. And a recorded program video acquisition unit that acquires a recorded program video of the related program corresponding to the related program information, and any of the related program presentation videos is acquired by the recorded program video acquisition unit. Preferably, it is a recorded program video.

  According to the above configuration, the recorded program video of the related program is used as the video for presenting the program content of the related program to the user. Therefore, the user can guess the program content of the related program by viewing the program video of the recorded related program.

  In addition, a program video display device according to the present invention includes any one of the program video creation devices described above and a display device for displaying a video created by the program video creation device. To do.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a program video display device that can display related program presentation video without disturbing viewing of the program video.

  A program video recording / playback apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above program video creation apparatuses, and a recording / playback apparatus for recording and playing back videos created by the program video creation apparatus. Features.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to create a video for displaying on the display device a video for presenting the program content of the related program to the user without disturbing the viewing of the program video, and to record the program video. A recording / playback apparatus can be realized.

  By the way, the program video creation apparatus may be realized by hardware or may be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. Specifically, a program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to operate as each of the above-described means, and the program is recorded on a recording medium according to the present invention.

  When these programs are executed by a computer, the computer operates as the program video creation device. Therefore, in the same way as the above program video creation device, the video to be output to the display device is created in order to display the video for presenting the program contents of the related program to the user without disturbing the viewing of the program video. it can.

  In addition, the program video creation device according to the present invention displays on the display device a related program presentation video for presenting to the user the program content of another program related to the program being viewed while viewing the program video. A program video creation method for creating a video to be output to a display device, and in order to solve the above problem, a viewing program information acquisition step of acquiring viewing program information that is program information related to the currently viewed program video A program information acquisition step for acquiring a program information group including program information of a plurality of programs, and a related program related to the program being viewed from the program information group based on the program information being viewed. A related program information extracting step for extracting related program information, which is program information, and a composite video that combines the program video being viewed and a related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information. In the synthesizing step, the first and second partial display areas are set in the synthesized video, and the program video being viewed is reduced and inserted into the first partial display area. The related program presentation video is inserted into the partial display area.

  According to the above configuration, the reduced program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program are combined and displayed on the synthesized video. Therefore, it is possible to create a video to be output to the display device in order to cause the display device to display the video presenting the program content of the related program without hindering the viewing of the program video.

  As described above, the program video creating apparatus according to the present invention includes a synthesizing unit that creates a synthesized video by synthesizing the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information. The means sets the first and second partial display areas in the synthesized video, inserts the program video being viewed in a reduced size in the first partial display area, and displays the related program presentation video in the second partial display area. Is configured to be inserted.

Further, in another program video creating apparatus according to the present invention, the synthesizing unit divides a part or all of the synthesized video into partial display areas arranged in a matrix of 3 rows or 3 columns,
(A) If the matrix has 3 rows, each row, or (b) if the matrix has 3 columns, each column,
The first partial display area group, the second partial display area group, and the third partial display area group are set, and the reduced program video being viewed is displayed in one partial display area of the first partial display area group. The related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcasting group is inserted into another partial display area of the first partial display area group, and is inserted into each partial display area of the second partial display area group. The related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcasted group is inserted, and the related program presentation video of the related program classified into the broadcast scheduled group is inserted into each partial display area of the third partial display area group. It is configured to be inserted.

  The program video creation method according to the present invention includes a synthesis step of creating a composite video by synthesizing the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information. In the composite video, the first and second partial display areas are set, the program video being viewed is reduced and inserted into the first partial display area, and the related program presentation video is displayed in the second partial display area. Is configured to be inserted.

  Therefore, as described above, it is possible to create a video to be output to the display device in order to display the video for presenting the program contents of the related program to the user without disturbing the viewing of the program video. There is an effect.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The program output apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that creates video and audio output signals necessary for reproducing video and audio of a broadcast program using a display device and speakers.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the program output device (program video creation device) 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, each part will be described.

  The program output device 1 has each unit shown in FIG. 2 (except for the display output device 130, the IC card 116, the recording / playback device 117, and the remote controller 300). The antenna 200 is for receiving broadcast radio waves. Here, broadcast radio waves include radio waves from satellite broadcasts, radio waves used for terrestrial broadcasts, and the like. Broadcast radio waves received by the antenna 200 are sent to the tuner 101 of the receiving unit 120 of the program output device 1. Note that the program output device 1 is not limited to a device that receives broadcasts using radio waves, and may be a device that receives cable broadcasts such as a CAB STB (Set Top Box).

  The receiving unit 120 includes a tuner 101 and a demodulating unit 102. Tuner 101 selects a channel in response to an instruction from a user via remote controller 300 or the like, and passes a received signal to demodulation section 102. Here, the program output apparatus 1 may be provided with a plurality of tuners 101, whereby a plurality of program videos currently being broadcast can be displayed or a plurality of programs can be recorded simultaneously by the recording / playback apparatus 117. . The demodulator 102 demodulates the received signal into received data. The demodulated received data is transmitted to the TS decoder 103.

  Here, in the case of digital broadcasting, the received data is in the MPEG2-TS (Transport Stream) format. In the MPEG2-TS format data, AV data having video and audio information of a broadcast program compressed by the MPEG2 system and caption data information and EPG (electronic program guide) program information data are multiplexed. Included.

  The TS decoder 103 interprets MPEG2-TS data, separates it into AV data and program information data, sends AV data to the AV decoder 104, and sends program information data to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112.

  When receiving AV data from the TS decoder 103, the AV decoder 104 separates the AV data into video data and audio data. Then, the video data is subjected to decompression decoding processing based on the MPEG2 system to reproduce the original video, and the audio data is also decoded into reproduced audio and reproduced. The reproduced video is sent to the multiplexer 105, and the reproduced audio is sent to the display output device 130. The AV decoder 104 may have a RAM 104A as a writable memory for work data.

  The multiplexer 105 combines the video created based on the AV data with the program information video created by the graphics generation unit (OSD) 109 described later. The composite video created by the multiplexer 105 is output to the display output device 130.

  The display output device (video display device) 130 includes a video display unit 107 and an audio output unit 106. The video display unit 107 only needs to be capable of displaying an image or video, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube). The audio output unit 106 is for outputting the audio of the program and includes various speakers. The reproduced video sent via the multiplexer 105 is displayed to the user on the video display unit 107. Also, the playback audio that has been sent is output from the audio output unit to the user.

  Next, the flow of program information data sent from the TS decoder 103 will be described. The CPU 112 performs overall control of the program display device 100 as a whole. The CPU 112 also performs various processes necessary for recording, recording reservation, reproduction, etc., on the program information transferred via the bus 150. The ROM 110 is a read-only memory that stores a self-diagnosis and initialization program to be executed when the program output apparatus 1 is turned on, and a code for hardware operation. The RAM 111 is used for loading an execution program code of the CPU 112 and storing a database and work data necessary for the execution program.

  In the present embodiment, the RAM 111 stores EPG program information data. This program information data is broadcast program information data transmitted by EIT (Event Information Table) in SI (Service Information) information transmitted by digital broadcasting. For example, as shown in FIG. Information such as date / time, broadcast station channel, program title, program genre, program sub-genre, program content, and performers is included.

  The program information stored in the RAM 111 is not limited to SI information transmitted by digital broadcasting, but may be program information data that can be acquired using the Internet. In this case, program information data is acquired from the Internet by the communication unit 113 described later. When the program output device 1 is configured to be connected to an external storage device such as a memory card or hard disk, program information data stored in the external storage device may be acquired.

  The graphics generation unit 109 generates various information images (videos) other than the broadcast program video, and includes a character display function (OSD: On Screen Display). The graphics generation unit 109 also generates a video on which program information is displayed based on the program information data sent to the CPU 112. Various information images generated by the graphics generation unit 109 are sent to the multiplexer 105, and as described above, the multiplexer 105 combines the program video and the information image, and transmits an output signal of the combined video to the display device 130. To do.

  The operation unit 108 is an operation unit that is provided in the main body of the program output device 1 and that is operated by the user, and includes a reception unit that receives infrared and wireless signals output from the remote controller 300. The communication unit 113 is an interface for connecting to the Internet via an optical line or a telephone line by connecting a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, a modem, or the like. A card I / F (interface) 114 is an interface for mounting an IC card 116 such as a B-CAS card necessary for copyright protection of digital broadcast programs and viewing of pay broadcasts. The external device communication unit 115 performs recording and playback by connecting to a recording / playback device 117 such as a hard disk recorder or a DVD recorder via IEEE1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), wireless LAN (IEEE802.11a / b / g), or the like. Is for.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of the remote controller (partial display area selecting means) 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 300 includes a power button 301, a channel button group 302, up / down / left / right buttons 303 (303 </ b> A to 303 </ b> D), an enter button 304, a cancel button 306, and a related program button 305.

  The power button 301 is a button for turning on / off the power of the program output device 1. The channel button group 302 is for switching the broadcast reception channel by operating the tuner 101, and changes to the channel described on the button surface. Further, the channel can be changed by the up / down / left / right buttons 303A to 303D. The decision button 304 and the cancel button 306 will be described later. The related program button 305 is a button for displaying program information.

[Function configuration]
Next, the configuration of the program output device 1 will be described from a functional viewpoint. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the program output device 1. The program output device 1 includes a broadcast receiving unit 11 for receiving a video signal of a broadcast program, and a broadcast program video creating unit 12 for creating (restoring) a program video from the received video signal. The broadcast receiving unit 11 is realized by, for example, the antenna 200 and the receiving unit 120 described above, but is not limited thereto. The broadcast program video creation unit 12 is realized by, for example, the above-described TS decoder and AV decoder, but is not limited thereto.

  The program output device 1 includes a program information acquisition unit 13, a viewing program information acquisition unit 14, a related program information extraction unit (related program information extraction unit) 15, a broadcast state classification unit (related program classification unit) 16, a related program An information video creation unit (related program information video creation means) 17 and a storage unit 30 are further provided.

  The storage unit 30 includes the above-described RAM 111 and the like, and includes a program information database 31 for storing program information and a temporary storage area for storing program IDs classified according to broadcast conditions.

  The program information acquisition unit 13 is for acquiring program information data. In the present embodiment, EIT in SI information included in the above-described broadcast radio wave is used as program information data. The program information acquisition unit 13 includes, for example, the above-described TS decoder 103, CPU 112, RAM 111, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

  The viewing program information acquisition unit 14 is for acquiring program information of a currently viewed program. The viewing program information acquisition unit 14 is realized by a cooperative action of hardware such as the CPU 112 and the RAM 111 and a program (software) for controlling the hardware.

  The related program information extracting unit 15 is for extracting program information of a program related to the currently viewed program from the program information database based on the program information of the currently viewed program. The related program information extraction unit 15 is realized by a cooperative action of hardware such as the CPU 112 and the RAM 111 and a program (software) that controls them.

  The broadcast state classification unit 16 classifies the related programs from which the program information is extracted by the related program information extraction unit 15 into groups according to the broadcast state. Specifically, on the basis of the current date and time transmitted from a clock unit (not shown), whether each related program has been broadcast in the past, (b) whether it is currently being broadcast, Depending on whether it is scheduled to be broadcast from now on, it is classified into either (a) a group that has been broadcast, (b) a group that is being broadcast, or (c) a group that is to be broadcast. Actually, an ID for identifying a related program is stored in the broadcasted program ID storage area 32, the broadcast program ID storage area 33, or the broadcast scheduled program ID storage area 34 of the storage unit 30 according to the broadcast state. The The broadcast state classification unit 16 is realized by the cooperative action of hardware such as the CPU 112 and the RAM 111 and a program (software) that controls them.

  The related program information video creation unit 17 is for creating a video on which the related program information is displayed. Information to be displayed includes all information of each program information included in the program information database 31, specifically, broadcast date and time, broadcast station channel, program title, program genre, program subgenre, program content, and performers. It may be all information such as, or a part thereof. The related program information video creation unit 17 is realized by, for example, the above-described graphics generation unit 109, but is not limited to this, and hardware such as the CPU 112 and the RAM 111, and a program (software) for controlling them. ).

  Further, the program output device 1 includes a recorded program video acquisition unit 19. The recorded program video acquisition unit 19 is for acquiring a recorded program video from the program video recording / playback apparatus 50. The program video recording / playback device 50 reads a recorded program video database 51 that stores video data of a recorded program video created by recording a broadcasted program video, and reads the video data from this database. And a recorded program video creation unit 52 that creates (plays back) video. The recorded program video acquisition unit 19 is connected from the external device communication unit 115 to the program video recording / playback device 50 via IEEE1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), wireless LAN (IEEE802.11a / b / g), and the like. The recorded program video stored in the recorded program video database 51 can be freely acquired by exchanging commands with the program video recording / playback apparatus 50. Note that the program output device 1 and the program video recording / playback device 50 may be devices that conform to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) guidelines. Further, the program video recording / playback apparatus 50 may be integrated with the program output apparatus 1. Specific examples of the program video recording / playback apparatus 50 include an HDD recorder and a DVD recorder.

  Further, the program output device 1 includes a combining unit (combining means) 18. The synthesizing unit 18 is for creating a synthesized video by synthesizing the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video for presenting the program contents of the related program to the user. More specifically, the broadcast program video sent from the broadcast program creation unit 12, the recorded program video acquired by the recorded program video acquisition unit 19, and the related program information video creation unit 17 are sent. A composite video is created by appropriately combining the video on which the related program information is displayed. The synthesizing unit 18 may be configured to synthesize various videos sent as analog signals to create a synthesized video consisting of analog signals, or synthesize various video data sent as digital data. It is also possible to create a composite video composed of digital data. In the former case, the synthesizing unit 18 is realized by an analog circuit, and in the latter case, it is realized by a cooperative action of hardware such as the CPU 112 and the RAM 111 and a program (software) for controlling them. Alternatively, the synthesizing unit 18 may perform analog / digital conversion.

  The program output device 1 also includes a video switching unit (video switching unit) 20 and a display output unit 21. The video switching unit 20 includes a program video being broadcast sent from the broadcast program video creation unit 12, a recorded program video sent from the recorded program video acquisition unit 19, and a composite video sent from the synthesis unit 18. It is for switching and displaying alternatively. As a result, any one of the broadcast program video, the recorded program video, and the composite video on which the program information is displayed is sent to the display output unit 20. The video switching unit may be configured to switch each video signal sent as an analog signal, or may be configured to switch various video data sent as digital data by software. In the former case, the video switching unit 20 is realized by an analog circuit, and in the latter case, it is realized by a cooperative action of hardware such as the CPU 112 and the RAM 111 and a program (software) for controlling them.

  The display output unit 21 is for outputting the video sent from the video switching unit 20 to the display unit 70 (display output device 130). Here, when the video sent from the video switching unit 20 is digital data, the video switching unit 20 converts it into an analog video signal and outputs it to the display unit 70. When the display unit 70 includes a digital video input terminal, the video data may be output to the display unit 70 as digital data. Thus, the display output unit 21 converts the video sent from the video switching unit 20 into a signal that can be used by the display unit 70 and outputs the signal.

  Next, the operation of the program output device 1 of this embodiment will be described. Normally, the program output device 1 stores the program information included in the broadcast signal in the program information database 31 of the storage unit 30. That is, the program information acquisition unit 13 creates program information data by analyzing the EIT in the SI information included in the broadcast radio wave, and sequentially accumulates it in the program information database 31 shown in FIG. At this time, each program information data is assigned an index number (ID) so that the program information data can be extracted.

  The program information acquisition unit 13 may leave the program information of the already broadcasted program in the program information database 31 as it is, but sequentially deletes the broadcasted information with reference to the clock unit. Also good. In the latter case, the program information of the program recorded by the program video recording / playback apparatus 50 is preferably left. The newly acquired amount may be, for example, one week from the current time.

  In this embodiment, program information other than the program recorded by the program video recording / playback apparatus 50 among the program information of the already broadcasted program is deleted from the program information database 31. By periodically repeating such an update operation, the program information database 31 stores program information of a recorded program, program information of a currently broadcast program, and program information of a program to be broadcast in the future. Is done. In addition, the recorded program information in the recorded program video database can be acquired from the recorded program video database 51 of the program video recording device 50 in the program information of the recorded program. Information that identifies the video is attached.

  By the way, the program output device 1 normally outputs a program video of a currently broadcast program or a recorded program video recorded in the past. In other words, the video switching unit 20 displays the program video being broadcast sent from the program video 12 being broadcast or the recorded program video sent from the recorded program video acquisition unit 19 via the display output unit 21. The data is output to the display unit 70. Here, when the user presses the related program button 305 of the remote controller 300, the video switching unit 20 outputs the video from the synthesizing unit 18 to the display output unit 21, and as a result, the video related to the related program is displayed. Is done.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing processing steps of the program output device 1 when displaying program information. First, when the user presses the related program button 305 of the remote controller 300 while viewing a program video (S1201), the viewing program information acquisition unit 14 acquires program information of the currently viewed program from the program information database 31 (S1202). ). Specifically, when the program being viewed has been received from a broadcast program video, the viewing program information acquisition unit 14 sends the current date and time transmitted from a clock unit (not shown) and the tuner 101. By referring to the program information database 31 based on the current channel information transmitted, the program information currently being viewed is acquired. If the program being viewed is a recorded program video, the program information of the recorded program in the program information database 31 is attached with information that can specify the recorded program information. The program information of the recorded program video is acquired from the program information database 31. The program information of the currently viewed program acquired in this way is sent to the related program information extraction unit 15.

  Next, the related program information extraction unit 15 extracts program information of a program (related program) related to the currently viewed program from the program information database 31 based on the received program information of the currently viewed program (S1203). ). A method for extracting program information of related programs will be described later. Then, the program information of the extracted related program is sent to the broadcast state classification unit 16.

  The broadcast state classification unit 16 refers to the broadcast date / time information for each piece of program information of the received related program, and whether the related program corresponding to the program information has already been broadcast or is currently being broadcast. Depending on whether it is a broadcast schedule, it is classified into any of a broadcasted group, a broadcasting group, and a broadcast scheduled group (S1204). Specifically, for a related program that has already been broadcast, its program ID is stored in the broadcasted program ID storage area of the storage unit 30, and for a related program that is being broadcast, its program ID is stored in the program ID storage area being broadcast. For related programs that are stored and scheduled to be broadcast, the program ID is stored in the broadcast-scheduled program ID 34.

  Next, the related program video creation unit 17 refers to the storage unit 30 and creates a related program information video in which program information of the related program is displayed (S1205). Specifically, the related program is specified by referring to the broadcasted program ID storage area 32, the broadcast program ID storage area 33, and the broadcast scheduled program ID storage area 34, and the program information of the related program is obtained from the program information database 31. The related program information video in which the program information of the related program is displayed is generated for each related program.

  The program information included in the related program information video may be all information included in each program information stored in the program information database 31 or may be a part thereof. In addition, related program information video may be created for all related programs that have been broadcast, are being broadcast, and are scheduled to be broadcast. However, in this embodiment, as a more preferable embodiment, related program information only for related programs scheduled to be broadcast. A video is to be created.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the related program information video creation unit 17 acquires program information from the program information database 31 for the related program whose program ID is stored in the broadcast program ID storage area 34, and the acquired program information is The displayed related program information video is created. This related program information video is used to present the program contents of the related program to be broadcast to the user. The created related program information video is sent to the synthesis unit 18.

  The synthesizing unit 18 first acquires a related program presentation video for presenting the program contents of the related program to the user (S1205). As described above, the related program information video created in step S1206 is used as the related program presentation video of the related program scheduled to be broadcast. The recorded program video stored in the recorded program video database 51 of the program video recording device 50 is used as the related program presentation video of the related program that has been broadcast (recorded in this embodiment). Then, the program video of the related program being broadcast is used as the related program presentation video of the related program currently being broadcast. The method will be specifically described below.

  The synthesizing unit 18 refers to the program information database 31 based on the program ID stored in the broadcasted program ID storage area 32, so that the recorded program video is recorded in the recorded program video database 51 of the program video recording device 50. Get information that identifies where in the. And the recorded program image | video acquisition part 19 is made to acquire the recorded program image | video of a relevant program using the specific information. As a result, the synthesizing unit 18 acquires the program video of the recorded related program.

  Further, the synthesizing unit 18 refers to the program information database 31 on the basis of the program ID stored in the broadcasted program ID storage area 33, and identifies on which channel the related program currently being broadcast is being broadcast. To do. Then, the in-broadcast program image creation unit 12 is caused to acquire program images of related programs broadcast on the channel. As a result, the synthesizing unit 18 acquires the program video of the related program currently being broadcast.

  As described above, the synthesizing unit 18 that has acquired the recorded program video of the related program that has been broadcast, the program video of the related program that is being broadcast, and the program information video of the related program that is scheduled to be broadcast, The synthesized video is created by synthesizing the video for presenting the program contents of the program and the program video currently being viewed. Details of the synthesized video will be described later. The created composite video is sent to the display unit 70 via the display output unit 21. Accordingly, the user can simultaneously view the program video being viewed and the video for analogizing the program content of the related program.

[Composite video]
Next, a method of synthesizing video by the synthesizing unit 18 will be described in detail. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the synthesis unit 18 performs each process.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a program video currently being viewed. Here, it is assumed that a program being broadcast is being viewed. At this time, when the user presses the related program button 305 of the remote controller 300, the above-described processing is performed, and a composite video obtained by combining the program video being viewed and the video presenting the program content of the related program is displayed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a synthesized video. As shown in FIG. 7, in the synthesized video, the display area is divided into 3 rows × 3 columns = 9 partial display areas. Here, a certain column of the nine partial display areas is used for displaying a program video of a recorded program. Another column is used for displaying a program video currently being broadcast. The remaining one column is used for displaying program information of programs scheduled to be broadcast.

  In such a composite video, among the three partial display areas for displaying the program video being broadcast, the program video being viewed is arranged in the central partial display area. Program videos of related programs currently being broadcast are displayed in the partial display areas (adjacent partial display areas) adjacent to the top and bottom. In addition to the program video, program information may be displayed in the adjacent partial display area.

  In addition, recorded program videos of related programs are arranged in three partial display areas for displaying broadcasted program videos. In addition to the recorded program video, program information may also be displayed in each of the three partial display areas.

  Further, program information videos of related programs are arranged in three partial display areas for displaying programs scheduled to be broadcast. Of these program information videos, those that have already been scheduled for recording may be configured not to be displayed, and recording reservations may be set by coloring or marking them. As you can see, the display method may be changed.

  In this manner, the recorded program video of the related program, the program video being broadcast, and the program information video scheduled to be broadcast are arranged for each column, so that the user sees this composite video and which related program is recorded. It is possible to easily grasp which related programs are currently being broadcast and which related programs are to be broadcast in the future. In addition, since the program video being viewed is also reduced and displayed at the center of the screen, the user is not prevented from viewing the program video.

  Here, the program video being viewed is highlighted by being surrounded by a frame as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can easily grasp where the program video being viewed is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the partial display area in which the program video being viewed is displayed may be highlighted by enlarging the other partial display areas. In this case, it is preferable that the amount of enlargement of the partial display area in which the program being viewed is displayed be limited so that the contents of the video displayed in the other partial display areas can be grasped. Moreover, you may highlight by making the edge of a partial display area color.

  The recorded program video of the related program displayed in the partial display area may be a moving image, or may be an index image (video) obtained by cutting out the top frame, for example. Similarly, the program video of the related program being broadcast may be displayed as it is, or may be a single frame still image acquired at a certain moment.

  In this embodiment, the composite video is not only used to give information about the related program to the user, but also using this composite video, the recorded program video can be played back, the channel can be switched (selected). Station), recording reservations, and other operations. Hereinafter, these operations will be described.

[Operations for composite video]
The user can issue various commands to the composite video in the state of FIG. 7 by selecting each partial display area using the remote controller 300 (partial display area selecting means). In the state of FIG. 7, when the user presses the enter button 304 of the remote controller 300, the video switching unit 20 switches the video to be output from the synthesized video to the broadcast program video created by the broadcast program video creation unit 12. As a result, the video displayed on the screen returns to the program video of the program being viewed shown in FIG. The same processing is performed when the cancel button 306 is pressed.

  In addition, by pressing the up / down / left / right button 303 of the remote controller 300 in the state of FIG. 7, the user can freely select nine partial display areas. For example, when the user presses the up button 303A, the adjacent partial display area above the partial display area in which the program video being viewed surrounded by a thick frame in FIG. 7 is displayed is selected. At the same time, the reception channel is changed to the channel on which the program corresponding to the selected adjacent partial display area is broadcast. Then, the displayed screen is changed from the synthesized video to the full screen display of the program video.

  At this time, the following processing is performed in the program output device 1. First, when the user presses the up button 303 </ b> A, the CPU 112 acquires the program information of the program video displayed in the selected adjacent partial display area from the program information database 31. The CPU 112 acquires channel information from the program information, and instructs the tuner (channel switching means) 101 to switch channels so that the channel acquired from the program information is obtained. As a result, the channel corresponding to the program corresponding to the selected adjacent partial display area is switched to. Then, the video switching unit 20 switches the video to be output from the synthesized video to the video sent from the broadcast program video creation unit 12.

  Also, when the user presses the down button 303D in the state of FIG. 7, the same processing as described above is performed, corresponding to the adjacent partial display area below the partial display area in which the program video being viewed is displayed. Program video is projected.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the left button 303C in the state of FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 9, the partial display area on the left of the partial display area where the program video being viewed is displayed can be selected. This selectable partial display area is a partial display area related to a recorded related program, and a “play” button for prompting playback of the recorded program video is displayed in a part of the area. When the user further presses the enter button 304, the partial display area is selected, and in response to this, playback of the recorded program video displayed in the partial display area starts as shown in FIG. Is done.

  At this time, the following processing is performed in the program output device 1. When the user presses the enter button 304, the CPU 112 acquires program information of the recorded program displayed in the selected partial display area from the program information database 31. Then, the CPU 112 acquires the position information of the recorded program video in the recorded program video database 51 of the program video recording device 50 from the program information, and sends the recorded program video to the recorded program video acquisition unit 19. An instruction is given to acquire the program video from the recorded program video database 51. As a result, the recorded program video corresponding to the selected partial display area is sent to the program output device 1. Then, the video switching unit 20 switches the video to be output from the synthesized video to the video sent from the recorded program video acquisition unit 19.

  When the user presses the cancel button 306 in the state of FIG. 10, the state returns to the state of FIG. In addition, when the user presses the upper button 303A or the lower button 303D in the state of FIG. 9, the partial display area above or below the partial display area surrounded by the thick frame in FIG. 9 becomes selectable and can be selected. The video can be zapped by switching to a recorded program video corresponding to the partial display area.

  In addition, when the user presses the related program button 305 in the state of FIG. 9, the program related to the recorded program video in the partial display area surrounded by the thick frame in FIG. 9 is synthesized by the same method as described above. Display as video.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the right button 303B in the state of FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 11, the partial display area on the right of the partial display area in which the program video being viewed is displayed can be selected. This selectable partial display area is a partial display area related to a related program scheduled to be broadcast, and a “recording reservation” button for prompting recording reservation of a program video scheduled to be broadcast is displayed in a part of the area. When the user further presses the enter button 304, the partial display area is selected, and in response to this, a recording reservation for the program corresponding to the program information displayed in the partial display area is made.

  At this time, the following processing is performed in the program output device 1. When the user presses the enter button 304, the CPU 112 acquires program information corresponding to the related program displayed in the selected partial display area from the program information database 31. Then, the CPU 112 acquires broadcast channel information and broadcast date / time information of the selected related program from the acquired program information, and sets a recording reservation for the selected related program via the external device communication unit 115. Run for 50. At this time, the CPU 112 functions as a recording reservation instruction means.

  Similarly, when the user presses the upper button 303A or the lower button 303D in the state of FIG. 11, the relation displayed in the partial display area above or below the partial display area surrounded by the thick frame in FIG. Program recording reservation can be made.

  When the user presses the related program button 305 in the state of FIG. 11, the program related to the program displayed in the partial display area surrounded by the thick frame in FIG. 11 is synthesized by the same method as described above. Display as video.

  Note that the above description is for the case where the user presses the related program button 305 while viewing the program video being broadcast, but the above description also applies when the user is viewing the recorded program video. By pressing the related program button 305, a video showing the program content of the related program can be displayed as a synthesized video. For example, if the user presses the related program button 305 while viewing the recorded program video shown in FIG. 7, a composite video as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In this case, the recorded program video being viewed is displayed in the partial display area surrounded by the thick frame in FIG. 12, and the three partial display areas in which the program video being broadcast is displayed are broadcast. The place where the program video of the related program is displayed is different in the above case.

  Then, when the user presses the upper button 303A or the lower button 303D in the state of FIG. 12, the recorded program video displayed in the partial display area above or below the partial display area surrounded by the thick frame in FIG. Playback starts. Further, when the right button 303B is pressed, a related program being broadcast can be selected, and by pressing the decision button 304, the program video of the related program being broadcast is displayed on the full screen. Furthermore, when the right button 303B is pressed again, it becomes possible to make a recording reservation for a related program scheduled to be broadcast. The calling of the selected program video and the recording reservation of the selected program scheduled to be broadcast are executed by the same method as described above.

  In the above composite video, in order from the left column, each of the recorded related programs, the related programs being broadcast, and the related programs scheduled to be broadcast is displayed as a display area. The correspondence is not limited to this. For example, the display area may be a display area for displaying a related program scheduled to be broadcast, a related program being broadcast, and a recorded related program in order from the left column.

[Extraction of related programs]
Next, a method for extracting related programs will be described. As for the related program extraction method, as in the case of the prior art, the extraction method is based on whether the program title information matches, or whether the name information extracted from the genre information, performer information, or program content matches. A method based on this may be used. In the present embodiment, the related program refers to a program in which part or all of the genre or sub-genre information included in the program information associated with the broadcast program is the same as the program being viewed. In addition, a method for extracting related programs and prioritizing the extracted related programs will be described. The priority assigned to the related program is higher as the degree of association between the program being viewed and the program content is higher. That is, it may be said that the degree of association with the program being viewed is set for the related program. It is assumed that the relevance level for the related program is set by a relevance level setting unit (relevance level setting unit) (not shown) included in the related program extracting unit (related program extracting unit) 15.

  13 and 14 are flowcharts showing a procedure for extracting related programs in the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing EPG genres for classifying each broadcast program according to the program content. Suppose that the genre of the program being viewed is “Sports”, the sub-genre is “Soccer Overseas”, and the title is “Spanish League Section 3 Barcelona VS ☆☆”. Here, when the user presses the related program button 305, the viewing program information acquisition unit 14 acquires the program information of the program being viewed from the program information database 31 as described above. Then, the program information of the program being viewed is sent to the related program information extraction unit 15.

  Receiving the program information of the program being viewed, the related program information extracting unit 15 determines that there is a search request for the related program (S1301), and extracts genre and sub-genre information from the received program information ( S1302). Then, the program information database 31 is searched using the extracted genre and sub-genre information. More specifically, the program information database 31 is searched for program information that matches the genre and sub-genre with the program being viewed (S1303).

  Here, when program information whose genre and sub-genre match the program being viewed is found, the program information is extracted as program information of the related program (S1304). In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the program information belonging to the genre “sports” and the sub-genre “soccer overseas” is in the program information database 31, this program information is extracted. Then, the relevance level setting unit sets a relevance level “1” for the program information extracted at this stage (S1305). It should be noted that the degree of relevance for the program being viewed is 1 is the highest, and decreases as it becomes a few. Then proceed to the next stage. On the other hand, if program information whose genre and sub-genre match the currently viewed program is not found, the process proceeds to the next stage.

  In the next stage, the related program information extraction unit 15 determines whether there is program information in the program information database 31 that has the same genre as the program being viewed and includes the same word as part of the sub-genre. Search is performed (S1306). In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 17, the program information database 31 has program information belonging to the genre “sports” and the subgenres “soccer domestic”, “soccer world cup”, and “olympic soccer”. This program information is extracted.

  The method for determining whether or not the words included in a part of the sub-genre match will be described in detail as follows. It is assumed that a genre dictionary (not shown) is stored in the storage unit 30 in order to determine whether or not words included in a part of the sub-genre match. In this genre dictionary, keywords are stored in advance for each genre. For example, keywords such as “soccer” and “baseball” are stored in the “sports” genre, and keywords such as “economy” and “weather” are stored in the “news and news” genre. However, keywords such as “domestic” and “overseas” are not included in the “sports” genre.

  The related program information extraction unit 15 divides the sub-genre character string included in the program information using such a genre dictionary. As in this example, when the subgenre of the program being viewed is “soccer overseas”, the program is divided into “soccer” in which the keyword is registered in the genre dictionary and other words “overseas”. Subgenres that are included in the genre “sports” and include the character string “soccer” include “domestic soccer”, “soccer world cup”, and “soccer Olympics”. Extract information.

  Note that the related program information extraction unit 15 may further extract program information having “golf overseas” as a sub-genre including the word “overseas” not registered in the genre dictionary as program information of the related program. In this case, however, the degree of relevance is set lower than that of program information whose sub-genre is “domestic soccer”, “soccer world cup”, and “soccer Olympics”. Further, each divided word may be sequentially registered in a term database (not shown).

  If program information satisfying the conditions is found as a result of the search as described above, the related program information extraction unit 15 extracts the program information as program information of the related program (S1307). Then, the relevance level setting unit sets “2” as the relevance level for the program information of the extracted related programs (S1308). Then proceed to the next stage. On the other hand, if program information that satisfies the conditions is not found as a result of the search, the process proceeds to the next stage.

  In the next stage, the related program information extraction unit 15 searches the program information database 31 for program information whose genre matches the program being viewed (S1309). In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 18, when program information whose genre is “sports” is in the program information database 31, this program information is extracted.

  If program information satisfying the conditions is found as a result of the search, the related program information extracting unit 15 extracts the program information as program information of the related program (S1310). Then, the relevance level setting unit sets “3” as the relevance level for the program information of the extracted related programs (S1311). Then proceed to the next stage. On the other hand, if program information that satisfies the conditions is not found as a result of the search, the process proceeds to the next stage.

  In the next stage, the related program information extraction unit 15 searches the program information database 31 for program information including the same word as part of the sub-genre (S1312). For example, if the genre of the program being viewed is “news, news reports” and the sub-genre is “sports”, as shown in FIG. 19, the program information includes the word “sports” in the sub-genre regardless of the genre. Is stored in the program information database 31, the program information is extracted. Specifically, the program information of the genre “Documentary, Culture” and the sub-genre “Sports”, the program information of the genre “Variety” and the sub-genre “Sports”, and the genre of “Hobby, Practical” All program information whose genre is “sports lesson” is applicable.

  If program information satisfying the conditions is found as a result of the search, the related program information extraction unit 15 extracts the program information as program information of the related program (S1313). Then, the relevance level setting unit sets “3” as the relevance level for the program information of the extracted related programs (S1314). And extraction of the program information of a related program is complete | finished. The extraction is also terminated when no program information satisfying the conditions is found as a result of the search.

  The related programs are extracted as described above. If multiple pieces of program information with the same degree of association are extracted, the program information of the program being viewed is matched using the program title, program content, and information on the performers. Ranking items by increasing the degree of relevance as the number of items increases. For example, the genre of the program being viewed is “Sports”, the sub-genre is “Soccer Overseas”, the program title is “Spanish League Section 3 Barcelona VS ☆☆”, and the genre of the searched program information 1 is “Sports”. , The subgenre is “Soccer Overseas”, the program title is “Spanish League Section 4 Barcelona VS ●●”, the genre of the searched program information 2 is “Sports”, the subgenre is “Soccer Overseas”, and the title is “Serie” α Section 5 Milan VS Δ △ ”, the genre and subgenre match between the program being viewed and the searched program information 1 and program information 2, so that the program information 1 and the program information 2 Both relevance levels are “1”. However, between the program information of the program being watched and the program information 1, the “Spanish League” and “Barcelona” match, whereas the program information of the program being watched and the program information 2 The program titles do not match. Accordingly, the program information 1 is set to have a higher relevance than the program information 2.

  As described above, when there are a plurality of program information satisfying each of the above conditions, the relevance setting means can view part or all of the character string of the title of the program information for these program information. It is preferable to make a difference in the degree of relevance depending on whether or not it matches the medium program information.

  In addition, when the program information includes character string information describing the detailed content of the program, part or all of the character string of the detailed content of the program information of the related program matches the currently viewed program information. Depending on whether or not, the degree of relevance may be different.

  In addition, when the program information includes information about the performers of the program, depending on whether a part or all of the performers of the program information of the related program matches the viewing program information, You may make a difference in relevance.

  The degree of association set in the program information of the related program in this way is used when determining which of the partial areas of the composite video is to be arranged. For example, when a recorded program video of a related program classified as a related program that has been broadcast is arranged in the left column of FIG. 7, a program with a higher degree of association is arranged in the center, and the degree of association becomes lower. For example, it may be arranged at a position away from the center. That is, the recorded program video of the program with the highest degree of association is arranged in the central partial display area, and the recorded program video of the program with the lower degree of association is arranged in the upper or lower partial display area. Similarly, when displaying the program video of a related program being broadcast, or when displaying the program information video of a related program scheduled to be broadcast, the higher the degree of relevance, the closer to the center Also good.

  In the above description, the case where all the processes from step S1301 to step S1313 are performed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, when a predetermined number of related program information is extracted, The program information extraction process may be terminated. In this case, the predetermined number may be determined according to the number of partial display areas in the composite video.

  In addition, when the number of related program information retrieved is large, it is possible to display a video showing the program contents of all the related programs by scrolling the screen of the synthesized video.

[Supplement]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the synthesized video is divided into nine partial display areas and each column is set to a broadcasted group, a broadcasting group, and a broadcasting scheduled group has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the synthesized video may be divided into partial display areas of 3 rows × 3 columns, and each row may be set as a broadcasted group, a broadcast group, and a broadcast scheduled group. Here, the correspondence relationship between each row and each group is not particularly limited, and may be set to a broadcasted group, a broadcasting group, a broadcasting scheduled group, respectively, from the upper row, or a broadcasting scheduled group, It may be set to a group being broadcast or a group that has already been broadcast.

  In addition, among the three partial display areas for displaying the broadcasting group, the central part display area is inserted with the program video being viewed being reduced, and the remaining two partial display areas are being broadcast. The program video of the related program is reduced and inserted.

  When the left button 303C or the right button 303B is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 20, the related program displayed in each adjacent partial display area is selected. In addition, when the user presses the up button 303A in the state of FIG. 20, the cursor moves up, and the related program displayed in the partial display area at the center of the recorded group is selected as shown in FIG. That is, the operation of the left button 303C in the state of FIG. 7 corresponds to the operation of the upper button 303A of FIG. Here, when the enter button 304 is pressed, the recorded program video of the selected related program is maximized and reproduced as shown in FIG. When the left button 303C or the right button 303B is pressed in the state of FIG. 10, the recorded related programs can be switched and zapped. Further, when the related program button 305 is pressed in the state of FIG. 21 or FIG. 10, a composite video regarding the related program related to the selected program is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the down button 303D in the state of FIG. 20, the cursor moves down, and the related program displayed in the partial display area in the center of the broadcast scheduled group becomes selectable. As shown. That is, the operation of the right button 303B in the state of FIG. 7 corresponds to the operation of the lower button 303D in the state of FIG. Here, when the enter button 304 is pressed, the selected related program can be reserved for recording. When the left button 303C or the right button 303B is pressed in the state of FIG. 22, the program information of the future related program can be switched. In addition, when the related program button 305 is pressed in the state of FIG. 22, a composite video regarding the related program related to the selected program is displayed. When the return button 306 is pressed in the state of FIG. 20, the program video of FIG. 6 is restored, and when the return button 306 is pressed in the state of FIG. 10, the composite video of FIG.

  In the above example, the display of related programs is divided into nine. However, it may be divided into a broadcast (recorded) group, a broadcast group, and a broadcast scheduled group, and of course, it is divided into three or six. It may be. When the number of related programs is larger than the number of display screens, the related programs can be recorded by pressing the up / down buttons 303A / 303D in the state of FIG. 9 or the left / right buttons 303C / 303B in the state of FIG. It is also possible to scroll the displayed program video. Further, by pressing the up / down buttons 303A / 303D in the state of FIG. 11 or the left / right buttons 303C / 303B in the state of FIG. 22, the program information video of the broadcast scheduled group is scrolled and displayed. Also good.

  Further, the broadcast status classification unit 16 may classify the related program into two groups among them instead of classifying the related programs into three groups that have been broadcast, are being broadcast, and are scheduled to be broadcast. In this case, the synthesis unit 18 may divide the synthesized video into two rows or two columns of partial areas.

  From another viewpoint, the present invention can be said to be as follows. First, in order to achieve the main object of the present invention, the broadcast state classification unit 16 that classifies related programs into three programs that have been broadcast, are being broadcast, and are scheduled to be broadcast is not necessarily an essential configuration. Further, the synthesizing unit 18 may set at least first and second partial display areas that do not substantially overlap each other in the synthesized video. In this case, the synthesizing unit 18 reduces and inserts the program video being viewed in the first partial display area, and inserts the related program presentation video in the second partial display area.

  Since the synthesizing unit 18 sets the partial display area in this way, the program video being viewed is displayed in the first partial display area, so that the related program displayed in the second partial display area is displayed. When viewing the program information video, viewing of the program video that has been viewed is not hindered.

  Further, when the broadcast status classification unit 16 classifies the extracted related programs according to the broadcast status, the broadcast status classification unit 16 may classify the program into a broadcasted group and other groups, or a broadcasting group and other groups. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which makes a user designate how to classify | categorize.

  If the program video being viewed is a program video being broadcast and the broadcast status classification unit 16 classifies the related program into a broadcast group and other groups according to the broadcast status, the program being viewed An adjacent partial display area adjacent to the first partial display area into which the video is inserted may be set, and the program video of the related program being broadcast may be inserted into the adjacent partial display area. Thereby, both the first partial display area and the adjacent partial display area display the program video currently being broadcast, and the second partial display area presents the program of the related program that is not currently being broadcast. An image is displayed. In this way, related programs are classified and displayed for each category, so that the user can easily grasp the broadcast status of the related programs, and further suppress erroneous operations in channel switching and the like. Can do.

  In addition, when the program video being viewed is a recorded program video and the broadcast status classification unit 16 classifies the related program into a broadcast (recorded) group and other types according to the broadcast status, An adjacent partial display area adjacent to the first partial display area into which the program video is inserted may be set, and a program video of a related program that has been broadcast (recorded) may be inserted into the adjacent partial display area. . As a result, the broadcasted (recorded) program video is displayed in both the first partial display area and the adjacent partial display area, and the second partial display area is being broadcasted or scheduled to be broadcasted. The program presentation video of the related program is displayed. In this way, the related programs are classified and displayed for each category, so that the user can easily grasp the broadcast state of the related programs, and further, the recorded program video can be called and the recording reservation can be made. The possibility of erroneous operation during channel switching or the like is reduced.

  When the broadcast status classification unit 16 classifies the related program into a broadcasted group, a broadcast group, and a broadcast scheduled group according to the broadcast status, the synthesis unit 18 divides a part or all of the synthesized video into three. By dividing, first to third partial display areas that do not substantially overlap each other may be set. Then, the first to third partial display areas are set for the broadcasted group, the broadcasting group, and the broadcasting scheduled group, respectively. Here, when the program being viewed is a broadcast program video, the synthesizing unit 18 reduces the size of the program video being viewed and inserts it into the partial display area for the broadcast group, and displays the remaining partial display. In the area, a related program presentation video for presenting the program content of the related program is inserted. On the other hand, when the program video being viewed is a recorded program video, the synthesizing unit 18 reduces the size of the program video being viewed and inserts it into the partial display area for the broadcasted group, and displays the remaining partial video. The related program presentation video is inserted into the area.

  By doing so, program videos or program information videos in different broadcast states are displayed in the first to third partial display areas. Therefore, the user can easily grasp which related program is in what broadcasting state when viewing the synthesized video. As a result, erroneous operations relating to playback, channel switching, and recording reservation can be suppressed.

  Further, when the broadcast state classification unit 16 classifies the related program into a broadcast (recorded) group, a broadcast group, and a broadcast scheduled group according to the broadcast state, the synthesis unit 18 displays the composite video in three lines. You may divide | segment into the partial display area arrange | positioned at the matrix form (grid form). In this case, the number of columns is not particularly limited, and may be one column, but two columns are preferable, three columns are more preferable, four columns are more preferable, and five columns or more are particularly preferable. Or you may divide | segment into the partial display area arrange | positioned at the grid | lattice form of 3 columns instead of 3 rows. In this case, the number of rows is not particularly limited, and may be one row, but 2 rows are preferable, 3 rows are more preferable, 4 rows are more preferable, and 5 columns or more are particularly preferable.

  Then, the synthesizing unit 18 sets each row or each column of such a matrix to the first partial display area group, the second partial display area group, and the third partial display area group, and has already been broadcast ( The program presentation video of the related program classified into the (recorded) group, the broadcasting group, and the broadcasting scheduled group is inserted. When the program video being viewed is a broadcast program video, the synthesizing unit 18 reduces the program video being viewed to one partial display area included in the partial display area group for the broadcast group. And insert. Further, when the program video being viewed is a recorded program video, the synthesizing unit 18 reduces the program video being viewed to one partial display area included in the partial display area group for the broadcasted group. And insert.

  When the synthesized video is divided into partial display areas arranged in a matrix of 3 rows or 3 columns, the number of partial display areas included in each partial display area group need not be the same between the groups. . That is, the broadcast state of each related program displayed in the partial display area belonging to the same row or the same column may be the same.

  In this way, related programs classified into the same broadcasting state are arranged in each row or each column in the composite video, and when the user views the composite video, The broadcast status can be easily grasped. As a result, erroneous operations relating to playback, channel switching, and recording reservation can be suppressed.

  Note that each block of the program output device 1, in particular, the related program information extraction unit 15, the broadcast state classification unit 16, and the related program information video creation unit 17 may be configured by hardware logic, or as described below. It may be realized by software using

  That is, the program output apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the program output apparatus 1 which is software for realizing the functions described above is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the program output apparatus 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the program output apparatus 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The program video creation apparatus of the present invention includes a TV that can use electronic program information, a mobile phone with a TV function, a mobile information terminal with a TV function, a personal computer with a TV function, a mobile TV and / or a video, a DVD recorder, an HDD recorder, a Blu- It can be suitably used for a recording device such as a ray disc recorder.

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a program output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a program output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows the program information stored in the program information database. It is a top view which shows the structure of the remote control for operating a program output device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a composition unit creates a composite image according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the program image | video being broadcast is displayed. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows a mode that the recorded program image | video is displayed. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of extracting a related program by a related program extracting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process of extracting a related program by a related program extracting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an EPG genre. It is a figure which shows an EPG genre. It is a figure which shows an EPG genre. It is a figure which shows an EPG genre. It is a figure which shows an EPG genre. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a synthetic | combination image | video. It is a figure which shows an example of an electronic program guide.

Explanation of symbols

1 Program output device (program video creation device)
12 Broadcast program video creation section (Broadcast program video acquisition section)
13 Program Information Acquisition Unit 14 Viewing Program Information Acquisition Unit 15 Related Program Information Extraction Unit (Related Program Information Extraction Unit)
16 Broadcast status classification section (related program classification means)
17 Related Program Information Video Creation Unit (Related Program Information Video Creation Means)
18 Synthesizer (synthesizer)
19 Recorded program video acquisition unit 20 Video switching unit (video switching means)
31 Program information database (program information group)
50 Program video recording device (recording / playback device, recording device)
70 Display unit (display device)
300 Remote control (partial display area selection means)

Claims (22)

A program video for creating a video to be output to a display device in order to cause the display device to display a related program presentation video for presenting to the user program content of another program related to the program being viewed while viewing the program video In the creation device,
Viewing program information acquisition unit for acquiring viewing program information that is program information relating to the program video being viewed;
A program information acquisition unit for acquiring a program information group including program information of a plurality of programs;
Related program information extracting means for extracting related program information, which is program information of a related program related to the program being viewed, from the program information group based on the program information being viewed;
A synthesis means for creating a synthesized video obtained by synthesizing the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information;
The synthesizing unit sets the first and second partial display areas in the synthesized video, reduces and inserts the program video being viewed in the first partial display area, and inserts the second partial display area in the second partial display area. Insert the related program presentation video,
The program video being viewed is a program video being received acquired by receiving a program being broadcast,
Based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extracting means, the related program corresponding to the related program information is classified into a broadcasting group or other group depending on whether the related program is being broadcast. Further comprising related program classification means,
The synthesizing unit further sets a first adjacent partial display area, which is a partial display area adjacent to the first partial display area, in the synthesized video, and classifies the first adjacent partial display area into a broadcasting group. A related program presentation video of the related program is inserted, and a related program presentation video of the related program classified into the other group is inserted into the second partial display area ,
The related program information extracting means sets a degree of relevance of the program content with the program being viewed for the program information based on a comparison between the program information being viewed and each program information included in the program information group. A program video creating apparatus including a related degree setting means and extracting related program information based on the related degree . The synthesizing unit sets a second partial display area group in which a plurality of partial areas are arranged in series in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the second partial display area in the synthesized video, and the second partial display area The program video creation according to claim 1, wherein related program presentation videos of related programs classified into other groups are inserted into each partial display area of the group in an arrangement based on the degree of association. apparatus. Partial display area selection means capable of selecting a first adjacent partial display area in the composite video, video switching means for switching and outputting the program video being received and the composite video created by the synthesis means;
Channel switching means for switching a receiving channel in order to receive another program video currently being broadcast,
When the channel switching means selects the first adjacent partial display area by the partial display area selecting means, the reception channel is related to the related program presentation video displayed in the first adjacent partial display area. Switch to the channel where the program is broadcast,
The program video according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the video switching means outputs a program video being received when the first adjacent partial display area is selected by the partial display area selection means. Creation device. A program video for creating a video to be output to a display device in order to cause the display device to display a related program presentation video for presenting to the user program content of another program related to the program being viewed while viewing the program video In the creation device,
Viewing program information acquisition unit for acquiring viewing program information that is program information relating to the program video being viewed;
A program information acquisition unit for acquiring a program information group including program information of a plurality of programs;
Related program information extracting means for extracting related program information, which is program information of a related program related to the program being viewed, from the program information group based on the program information being viewed;
A synthesis means for creating a synthesized video obtained by synthesizing the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information;
The synthesizing unit sets the first and second partial display areas in the synthesized video, reduces and inserts the program video being viewed in the first partial display area, and inserts the second partial display area in the second partial display area. Insert the related program presentation video,
The program video being viewed is a recorded program video obtained by recording a program video broadcast in the past,
Related program classification means for classifying each related program corresponding to the related program information extracted by the related program information extracting means into a recorded group or another group according to whether or not the related program has been recorded. Further comprising
The synthesizing unit further sets a first adjacent partial display area adjacent to the first partial display area in the synthesized video, and the related program classified into the recorded group is displayed in the first adjacent partial display area. Insert a related program presentation video, insert a related program presentation video of a related program classified into another group in the second partial display area ,
The related program information extracting means sets a degree of relevance of the program content with the program being viewed for the program information based on a comparison between the program information being viewed and each program information included in the program information group. A program video creating apparatus including a related degree setting means and extracting related program information based on the related degree . The synthesizing unit sets a second partial display area group in which a plurality of partial areas are arranged in series in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the second partial display area in the synthesized video, and the second partial display area 5. The program video creation according to claim 4, wherein related program presentation videos of related programs classified into other groups are inserted into each partial display area of the group in an arrangement based on the degree of association. apparatus. A recorded program video acquisition unit for acquiring a recorded program video obtained by recording a program video broadcast in the past;
A partial display area selection means capable of selecting a first adjacent partial display area in the composite video;
Video switching means for switching and outputting the recorded program video and the synthesized video created by the synthesizing means;
Replay program switching means for switching the recorded program video to be viewed by acquiring a recorded program video different from the recorded program video being viewed by the recorded program video acquisition unit,
When the reproduction program switching means selects the first adjacent partial display area by the partial display area selection means, the related program displayed in the first adjacent partial display area from the recorded program video currently being viewed. Switch the program video to view to the recorded program video of the related program corresponding to the presented video,
6. The program video according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the video switching means outputs a recorded program video when the first adjacent partial display area is selected by the partial display area selection means. Creation device. The synthesizing unit inserts the related program presentation video into each partial display area of the second partial display area group so as to move away from the partial display area into which the program video being viewed is inserted as the degree of association decreases. The program video creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program video creation apparatus is a program video creation apparatus. The viewing program information and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit include information on the genre of the program,
The relevance level setting means sets the relevance level based on a comparison between the genre of the program acquired by the viewing program information acquisition unit and the genre of the program acquired by the program information acquisition unit. The program video creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . The program information acquired by the viewing program information and the program information acquisition unit further includes character string information related to the sub-genre of the program,
The relevance setting means is for comparing the program genre and sub-genre character strings acquired by the viewing program information acquisition unit with the program genre and sub-genre character strings acquired by the program information acquisition unit. 9. The program video creation apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the relevance is set based on the program. The relevance setting means includes the following conditions (a) to (c) in which the genre of the program and the character string of the sub-genre are between the program information being viewed and the program information acquired by the program information acquisition unit. )
(A) All match (b) Genre matches and sub-genre matches only part of the character string (c) Only genre matches and the sub-genre character string doesn't match at all, or the sub-genre character string 10. The program video creation device according to claim 9 , wherein the degree of relevance is set higher in an order that satisfies a part or all of the genres but not the genres. The program information acquired by the program information being viewed and the program information acquisition unit further includes character string information related to the title of the program,
When there are a plurality of pieces of program information that satisfy any one of the above conditions (a) to (c), the relevance setting means sets one of the character strings of the titles of the program information for these pieces of program information. 11. The program video creation device according to claim 10 , wherein the degree of relevance is differentiated depending on whether or not all or all of the content matches the currently viewed program information. The program information acquired by the program information being viewed and the program information acquisition unit further includes character string information describing the detailed contents of the program,
When there are a plurality of pieces of program information that satisfy any one of the above conditions (a) to (c), the relevance setting means sets a character string of the detailed contents of the program information for these pieces of program information. 11. The program video creation device according to claim 10 , wherein the degree of relevance is differentiated according to whether or not a part or all of the information matches the viewing program information. The program information acquired by the program information being viewed and the program information acquisition unit further includes information on performers of the program,
When there are a plurality of pieces of program information that satisfy any one of the above conditions (a) to (c), the relevance level setting means may perform a part of performers of the program information or 11. The program video creation device according to claim 10 , wherein the degree of relevance is differentiated according to whether or not all match the viewing program information. Further comprising related program information video creating means for creating related program information video in which part or all of the related program information is displayed based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extracting means;
The program video creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein at least one of the related program presentation videos is a related program information video created by the related program information video creation means. . Based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extracting means, further includes a broadcast related program video acquisition unit for acquiring a program video of a related program currently being broadcast corresponding to the related program information,
Any of the related program presentation video, characterized in that it is a program video currently being broadcast acquired by in the Broadcast program video acquisition unit, according to any one of claims 1 to 13 show Video creation device. Corresponding to the related program information based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extracting means from the recorded program video storage unit storing the recorded program video that has been recorded in the past. Further comprising a recorded program video acquisition unit for acquiring a recorded program video of the related program,
Any of the related program presentation video, characterized in that it is a recorded program video image acquired by the recorded program video acquisition unit, program image creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 6 . A program video display comprising: the program video creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 ; and a display device for displaying a video created by the program video creation device. apparatus. A program video comprising: the program video creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 ; and a recording / playback device that records and plays back a video created by the program video creation device. Recording / playback device. The program for operating a computer as each means of any one of Claim 1 to 16 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 19 is recorded. A program video for creating a video to be output to a display device in order to cause the display device to display a related program presentation video for presenting to the user program content of another program related to the program being viewed while viewing the program video In the creation method,
Viewing program information acquisition step for acquiring viewing program information that is program information related to the program video being viewed;
A program information acquisition step of acquiring a program information group including program information of a plurality of programs;
A related program information extracting step of extracting related program information, which is program information of a related program related to the program being viewed, from the program information group based on the program information being viewed;
Creating a synthesized video by synthesizing the program video being viewed and the related program presentation video of the related program corresponding to the related program information,
In the synthesizing step, first and second partial display areas are set in the synthesized video, the program video being viewed is reduced and inserted in the first partial display area, and the second partial display area is inserted. Insert the related program presentation video,
The program video being viewed is a program video being received acquired by receiving a program being broadcast,
Based on the related program information extracted by the related program information extraction step, the related program corresponding to the related program information is classified into a broadcasting group or other group depending on whether the related program is being broadcast. A related program classification step,
The composition step further sets a first adjacent partial display area, which is a partial display area adjacent to the first partial display area, in the synthesized video, and classifies the first adjacent partial display area into a group being broadcast. A related program presentation video of the related program is inserted, and a related program presentation video of the related program classified into the other group is inserted into the second partial display area ,
The related program information extracting step sets a degree of relevance of the program content with the program being viewed for the program information based on a comparison between the program information being viewed and each program information included in the program information group. In addition, a program video creation method , wherein related program information is extracted based on the degree of association . The synthesis step sets a second partial display area group in which a plurality of partial areas are arranged in series in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the second partial display area in the synthesized video, and this second partial display area The program video creation according to claim 21, wherein related program presentation videos of related programs classified into other groups are inserted into each partial display area of the group in an arrangement based on the degree of association. Method.

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