Patent Application
20150128184
The present invention relates to a content recommending device for recommending a content to a user.
Recent televisions have various functions in order to enhance user's convenience in operation. For example, there is known a content recommending function which carries out an extraction process for extracting, from an electronic program guide etc., a recommended content to be recommended to a user, and displays an icon which indicates a title etc. of the extracted recommended content and by which an operation on the recommended content is performed.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-166252 (published on Aug. 25, 2011)
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-23684 (published on Feb. 2, 2012)
A conventional content recommending function is configured such that the extraction process is carried out on a plurality of populations having different attributes, and the aforementioned icons for the respective populations from which a recommended content has been extracted are displayed on different screen images, respectively. For example, an icon related to a recommended content extracted from a population consisting of different-channel programs, which are programs broadcasted on different channels but in the same time slot as a certain program and an icon related to a recommended content extracted from a population consisting of programs not yet broadcasted (future programs) are displayed on different screen images.
Consequently, in a case where a user sees an icon related to a recommended content of different-channel programs and then sees an icon related to recommended content information of future programs not yet broadcasted, the user must close a screen image on which the recommended content information of different-channel programs is displayed, before opening a screen image on which recommended content information of programs not yet broadcasted is displayed. This is an operation troublesome to the user.
The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a content recommending device which recommends a content to a user, the content recommending device capable of reducing a troublesome operation for the user.
In order to solve the foregoing problem, a content recommending device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes: extraction means for performing an extraction process for extracting recommended contents to be recommended to a user, and display control means for causing a display section to display recommending icons which identify the recommended content and by each of which a user makes an operational instruction regarding the identified recommended content, the display control means causing the display section to simultaneously display (i) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a first population as a result of the extraction process and (ii) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a second population as a result of the extraction process, the second population being different in attribute from the first population.
With the arrangement of one aspect of the present invention, the user can simultaneously view (i) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a first population (e.g. population consisting of programs on different channels in the same time slot) and (ii) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a second population (e.g. population consisting of programs not yet broadcasted), so that it is possible to reduce a troublesome operation in the conventional content recommending function.
<Configuration of Television>
A television receiver (hereinafter, abbreviated as a TV) according to one embodiment of the present invention is explained below in details referring to
The TV 1 is used together with a remote controller 10. The remote controller 10 is configured to perform infrared wireless communication with the TV 1 in order to transmit various instructions to the TV 1 according to user's operation of the remote controller 10. The remote controller 10 has a home key for displaying a menu screen on a display of the TV 1, and keys for display screen handling, such as an upward key, a downward key, a rightward key, a leftward key, an enter key, a return key, and an end key. The remote controller 10 is configured to transmit to the TV 1 a signal indicating which key is pressed on the remote controller 10.
Moreover, the TV 1 includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, and is connectable with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 20 via the USB terminal. The HDD 20 is for storing, as a recorded program content, a broadcast program content received by the TV 1. That is, the HDD 20 is for storage of data of the recorded program content.
As illustrated in
The tuner 201 is configured to demodulate an encoded video signal and an encoded audio signal from broadcast waves of digital terrestrial broadcasting, BS broadcasting, or CS broadcasting. The video decoder 202 is configured to decode the encoded video signal demodulated by the tuner 201. The video signal decoded by the video decoder 202 is supplied to the display controller 204 via the video process section 203. The display controller 204 controls the display unit 205 to display a video image according to the video signal that has been processed by the video process section 203. The audio decoder 206 is configured to decode the encoded audio signal demodulated by the tuner 201. The audio signal decoded by the audio decoder 206 is supplied to the amplifier 208 via the audio process section 207. The amplifier 208 drives the speaker 209 to output sounds according to the audio signal that has been processed by the audio process section 207.
The HDMI receiver 210 is configured to receive a video signal and an audio signal supplied from a source device. The video signal and the audio signal received by the HDMI receiver 210 are supplied to the video process section 203 and the audio process section 207, and outputted via the display unit 205 and the speaker 209, respectively, like the video signal and the audio signal demodulated by the tuner 201.
Moreover, the LAN interface 211 is configured to obtain either a WEB content from a WEB server or a VOD content from a VOD server. These network contents are decoded by the control device 220 by means of software. A video signal and an audio signal representing the network content thus decoded by the control device 220 are supplied to the video process section 203 and the audio process section 207, respectively, and then outputted from the display unit 205 and the speaker 209, respectively, like the video signal and audio signal decoded by the tuner 201.
The infrared receiving section 212 receives a signal (remote controller signal) from the remote controller 10, and sends the remote controller signal to the control device 220.
In accordance with instructions from the control device 220, the recording process section 213 causes designated broadcast program content to be recorded in the HDD 20 in such a way that the video signal decoded by the video decoder 202, and the audio signal decoded by the audio decoder 206, and program content information of the broadcast program content are associated with each other. The recording process section 213 may obtain the program content information from an electronic program guide. Moreover, the recorded program content is reproduced by supplying, by the control device 220, the video signal and the audio signal of the recorded program content to the video process section 203 and the audio process section 207, respectively, from the HDD 20 where the recorded program content is thus recorded by the recording process section 213.
The control device 220 has a function of generating a video signal representing a menu screen, in addition to the above function. The video signal representing a menu screen, which is thus generated by the control device 220, is supplied to the video process section 203, and is outputted from the display unit 205, like the video signal decoded by the turner 201. Moreover, the control device 220 may obtain, from a manufacturer server via the LAN interface 211, various information necessary to generate the video signal representing the menu screen. Furthermore, the control device 220 causes the menu screen to be transitionally displayed according to a remote controller signal received by the infrared receiving section 212.
The control device 220 is a computer comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and/or the like. The aforementioned functions are realized by the CPU executing a program recorded in the ROM, RAM, or the like.
<Menu Screen>
Next, a menu screen 100 displayed on the display unit 205 is described referring to
The menu screen 100 is a screen displayed by the TV 1 when a home key provided on the remote controller 10 is pressed. As illustrated in
(Info Zone)
The info zone 110 is a zone for displaying various information, and may be referred to as an information displaying region, alternatively. The info zone 110 includes a user name displaying region 111, a notice list key 112a, a login key 112b, a setting key 112c, a time displaying region 113, a weather displaying region 114, a currently watching image displaying region 115, a banners 116a to 116c, a banner detail displaying region 116d, and an information displaying region 117.
The user name displaying region 111 is a region for displaying a user name. The TV 1 has a function of logging in a particular server offered by a manufacturer of the TV 1, or the like party (hereinafter, referred as a manufacturer server). The TV 1 is configured such that, when logged in the manufacturer server, a user name used in logging in is displayed in the user name displaying region 111. During the logging-in process, a character string indicting that the TV 1 is still in a log-out state (“Welcome Dear Guest” in
The notice list key 112a is a key for calling up a notice list screen. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the notice list key 112a is being highlighted, the TV 1 changes the screen displayed on the display unit from the menu screen 100 to a notice list screen. The notice list key 112a can be highlighted only when the TV 1 is connected to a network.
The login key 112b is a key for calling up a login screen. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the login key 112b is being highlighted, the TV 1 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a login screen. The login key 112b can be highlighted only when the TV 1 is connected to a network.
The setting key 112c is a key for calling up a setting screen. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the setting key 112c is being highlighted, the TV 1 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a setting screen. The setting key 112c can be highlighted regardless of whether or not the TV 1 is connected to a network.
The time displaying region 113 is a region for displaying a current time. The display of the current time in the time displaying region 113 can be performed in any fashion. The present embodiment employs such a fashion that the current time is displayed as “AM **:**/****(year)**(month)**(day)*****(day of week)” (here, “/” indicates line break) as illustrated in
The weather displaying region 114 is a region for displaying weather information of a local area in which the TV 1 is located. How to display the weather information in the weather displaying region 114 can be performed in any fashion. The present embodiment employs such a fashion that a weather icon (a weather icon for sunny in the example illustrated in
The currently watching image displaying region 115 is a region for performing a split-screen display of an image (moving image or still image) that has been full-screen displayed until just before the screen is changed to the menu screen 100. For example, if a certain broadcast program content is full-screen displayed until just before the screen is changed to the menu screen 100, the certain broadcast program content is continuously split-screen displayed in the currently watching image displaying region 115. If a certain recorded program content is full-screen displayed until just before the screen is changed to the menu screen 100, the certain recorded program content is continuously split-screen displayed in the currently watching image displaying region 115. If a certain web page is full-screen displayed until just before the screen is changed to the menu screen 100, the certain web page is continuously split-screen displayed in the currently watching image displaying region 115. The currently watching image displaying region 115 can be highlighted regardless of whether or not the TV 1 is connected to a network. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while currently watching image displaying region 115 is being highlighted, the TV 1 stops the display of the menu screen 100 and resumes full-screen display and the currently watching image.
The banners 116a to 116c are banners provided from a manufacturer server, and may be, for example, advertising banners provided from the manufacturer server. The banners 116a to 116c can be highlighted regardless of whether or not the TV 1 is connected to a network. In the banner detail displaying regions 116d, detail information regarding a banner thus highlighted is displayed. The banners 116a to 116c and detail information regarding the banner 116a to 116c are downloaded from the manufacturer server while the TV 1 is connected to the network. Then, the banners 116a to 116c and their detail information are stored in the TV 1.
The information displaying region 117 is a region for displaying a character string provided from a manufacturer server. The character string is displayed in the information displaying region 117 in such a way that the character string flows from a right end to a left end of a frame of the information displaying region 117. After a last character of the character string goes out of the frame of the information displaying region 117 from the left end of the frame, a first character of the character string goes into the frame of the information displaying region 117 from the right end of the frame.
In the following explanation, selectable UI (User Interface) items among the UI items constituting the info zone 110 are collectively or generally referred to as menu items. Specifically, the notice list key 112a, the login key 112b, the setting key 112c, the currently watching image displaying region 115, and the banners 116a to 116c are menu items.
(Function and Recommendation Zone)
The function and recommendation zone 120 is a region for displaying a panel for various functions (hereinafter, referred to as function panel), and a panel for various recommended contents (hereinafter, referred to as recommended content panel). The function and recommendation zone 120 may be referred to as a panel displaying region, alternatively.
In
The function panel 121 and the recommended content panel 122 are aligned laterally in the function and recommendation zone 120.
The function panel 121 is a panel for individual functions of the TV 1. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while a certain function panel 121 is being highlighted, the TV 1 changes the screen displayed on the display unit from the menu screen 100 to a screen for using a function corresponding to the highlighted function panel 121.
In the present embodiment, the function panels 121 provided herein are a different-channel program content panel, a smart search panel, a recorded program content list panel, an input switching panel, a program guide panel, and a calendar panel. For example, when the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the different-channel panel is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a different-channel program content selecting screen for selecting a program displayed on a different channel in the same time slot. Moreover, when the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the smart search panel is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a screen for smart search. Moreover, when the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the recorded program content list panel is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a screen for displaying a list of recorded program contents recorded in the HDD 20.
The recommended content panel 122 is a panel for various recommendation contents (which may be a program content on a different channel in the same time slot, a not-yet broadcasted program content, a recorded program content, or a web page) selected (extracted) by the TV 1. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while a certain recommended content panel 122 is being highlighted, the control device 220 starts full-screen display of a recommended content corresponding to the certain recommended content panel (in case where the recommended content is a program on a different channel in the same time slot, a recorded program content, or a web page), or starts full-screen display of a content recording reservation screen for making a reservation to record the recommended content corresponding to the certain recommended content panel (in case where the recommended content is a not-yet broadcasted program content).
In the following explanation, selectable UI (User Interface) items among the UI items constituting the function and recommendation zone 120 are collectively referred to as menu items. Specifically, the function panel 121 and the recommended content panel 122 are menu items.
Menu items (recommended content panel 122 in particular) displayed in the function and recommendation zone 120 are detailed later.
(Net Service Zone)
The net service zone 130 is a region for displaying an icon(s) 131 for a net service or net services. When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while an icon 131 is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a screen for using a net service corresponding to the icon 131 thus highlighted.
in the present embodiment, the icons 131 available are an IPTV icon, a photo/magazine icon, a shopping icon, a search/TV portal icon, a network video icon, a communication icon, a daily-life helpful information icon, a service list icon, and a bookmark icon.
The icons 131 for various net services are displayed only when the TV 1 is connected to a network via the LAN interface 211. It may be configured such that if the TV 1 is not connected to a network, a message for indicating that the TV 1 is not connected to a network, a key for calling up a video content for recommending connecting the TV 1 to a network, a key for calling up a network setting screen, or the like is displayed in the network service zone 130.
In the following explanation, selectable UI (User Interface) items among the UI items constituting the net service zone 130 are collectively or generally referred to as menu items. Specifically, the icons 131 are menu items.
(Display Screen Transition)
Next, display screen transition on the TV 1 is described, referring to
When the home key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while a currently watching image such as broadcast program content or the like is full-screen displayed, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205, as illustrated in
Generally, states of the menu screen 100 can be divided into an info zone highlighted state, a function and recommendation zone highlighted state, and a net service zone highlighted state. Here, the info zone highlighted state is a state in which at least one of the menu items included in the info zone 110 is highlighted. The function and recommendation zone highlighted state is a state in which at least one of the menu items included in the function and recommendation zone 120 is highlighted. The net service zone highlighted state is a state in which at least one of the menu items included in the net service zone 130 is highlighted. In any of the states, the menu item being highlighted is distinguished from the other menu items by a focusing frame 140 framing the menu item being highlighted.
When the rightward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the info zone highlighted state in which a certain menu item is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the highlighted menu item from the certain menu item to a menu item located rightward next to the certain menu item. Similarly, when the leftward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the info zone highlighted state in which a certain menu item is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the highlighted menu item from the certain menu item to a menu item located leftward next to the certain menu item. The change of the highlighted menu item in the info zone highlighted state is carried out by moving the position of the focusing frame 140, not by changing the position of the menu items.
When the downward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the info zone highlighted state, the control device 220 changes, as illustrated in
When the rightward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state in which a certain menu item is being highlighted by the focusing frame 140, the control device 220 scrolls, in a leftward direction, a sequence of menu items displayed in the function and recommendation zone 120 while fixedly positioning the focusing frame 140 at a center of the function and recommendation zone 120. This changes the menu item highlighted by the focusing frame 140 from the certain menu item highlighted by the focusing frame 140 before the scroll to a menu item located rightward next to the certain menu item. Similarly, when the leftward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state in which a certain menu item is being highlighted by the focusing frame 140, the control device 220 scrolls, in a rightward direction, a sequence of menu items displayed in the function and recommendation zone 120 while fixedly positioning the focusing frame 140. This changes the highlighted menu item highlighted by the focusing frame 140 from the certain menu item highlighted by the focusing frame 140 before the scroll to a menu item located leftward next to the certain menu item. The change of the highlighted menu item in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state is carried out not by moving the position of the focusing frame, but by scrolling the menu items (function panels 121 and recommended content panels 122) while fixedly positioning the focusing frame at the center of the function and recommendation zone.
When the downward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state, the control device 220 changes, as illustrated in
When the rightward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the net service zone highlighted state in which a certain menu item is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the highlighted menu item from the certain menu item to a menu item located rightward next to the certain menu item. Similarly, when the leftward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the net service zone highlighted state in which a certain menu item is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the highlighted menu item from the certain menu item to a menu item located leftward next to the certain menu item. The change of the highlighted menu item in the net service zone highlighted state is carried out by moving the position of the focusing frame, not by changing the position of the menu items.
When the return key, the home key, or the end key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the menu screen 100 is being displayed, the control device 220 ends the display of the menu screen 100 and resumes the full-screen display of the currently watching image.
When the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed in the function and recommendation highlighted state (while any one of the function panels 121 is being highlighted), the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to a screen for using a function corresponding to the function panel 121. For example, when the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the different-channel program panel is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit 205 from the menu screen 100 to the different-channel program selecting screen. Moreover, when the enter key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the smart search panel is being highlighted, the control device 220 changes the screen displayed on the display unit from the menu screen 100 to the smart search screen.
It is preferable that the focusing frame framing the highlighted menu item blinks. The blinking of the focusing frame may be carried out with a blinking cycle of 0.5 Hz, for example. With this configuration, it becomes easy for a user to recognize which menu item is being highlighted even from among colorful item menus. However, in this configuration, if the focusing frame is in a dark state when the focusing frame is being moved, it would be difficult for a user to note that the focusing frame is moved. Therefore, in this present embodiment, this problem is solved by adopting a configuration in which the focusing frame is reset to a bright state every time the focusing frame is moved. Moreover, the focusing frame may be in any color, while the focusing frame is yellow in the present embodiment, thereby improving visibility of the focusing frame when a background color is black.
<Menu Items in Function and Recommend Zone>
The following description will discuss menu items displayed in the function and recommendation zone 120. As has been described with reference to
Data processing related to the function panels 121 and the recommended content panels 122 is carried out by the control device 220. A detailed description will be provided below as to the control device 220 which carries out the data processing.
As illustrated in
The extraction process section (extraction means) 220a is a block which carries out an extraction process for extracting a recommended content from a predetermined population (population consisting of contents) upon reception of an instruction to transit to the menu screen 100 as a result of pressing a home key. As illustrated in
Extraction conditions (reason for recommending a content) in the extraction process are predetermined. The extraction conditions include “viewing history”, “keyword”, “relation to viewed program”, and “recorded program not yet viewed”.
(Viewing History)
The extraction process whose extraction condition is a viewing history is carried out with respect to each of the population of programs on different channels in the same time slot and the population of future programs. Specifically, the extraction process section 220a causes history information indicating a program viewed on the television 1 to be stored in a storage section (not illustrated) in advance. The extraction process section 220a extracts, from a list of programs on different channels in the same time slot in an electronic program guide, a different-channel program which matches the program indicated in the history information, and regards the extracted different-channel program as a recommended content. The extraction process section 220a extracts, from a list of future programs in the electronic program guide, a future program which matches the program indicated in the history information, and regards the extracted future program as a recommended content. A program on different channels in the same time slot herein indicates a program currently broadcasted and other than a program viewed on the television 1. A future program herein indicates a program which is not yet broadcasted and will be broadcasted in a future time zone.
(Keyword)
The extraction process whose extraction condition is a keyword is carried out with respect to each of the population of programs on different channels in the same time slot and the population of future programs. Specifically, the extraction process section 220a causes a keyword entered by a user to be stored (registered) in a storage section (not illustrated) in advance. The extraction process section 220a extracts, from a list of programs on different channels in the same time slot in an electronic program guide, a different-channel program for which a keyword matching the registered keyword (title of program, name of performer) stored in the storage section is described in the program guide, and regards the extracted different-channel program as a recommended content. The extraction process section 220a extracts, from a list of future programs, a future program for which a keyword matching the registered keyword stored in the storage section is described in the program guide, and regards the extracted future program as a recommended content.
(Relation to Viewed Program)
The extraction process whose extraction condition is relation to a viewed program (relation to viewing) is carried out with respect to each of the population consisting of future programs, the population consisting of recorded programs, and the population consisting of web sites. Specifically, the extraction process section 220a obtains, from program information of an electronic program guide, a keyword of a broadcasting program currently viewed on the television 1, and regards the obtained keyword as a related keyword. Then, the extraction process section 220a extracts, from a list of future programs in the electronic program guide, a future program for which a keyword matching the related keyword is described in the program information, and regards the extracted future program as a recommended content. The extraction process section 220a extracts, from recorded programs stored in the HDD 20, a recorded program for which a keyword matching the related keyword is described in the program information, and regards the extracted recorded program as a recommended content. Furthermore, the extraction process section 220a extracts, from a population consisting of web sites on the Internet, a web site indicated by program information of a broadcasting program currently viewed on the television 1, and regards the extracted web site as a recommended content.
(Recorded Program not Yet Viewed)
The extraction process whose extraction condition is a recorded program not yet viewed is carried out with respect to the population consisting of recorded programs. Specifically, the extraction process section 220a extracts, from recorded programs stored in the HDD 20, a recorded program which is not yet viewed (reproduced), and regards the extracted recorded program as a recommended content.
The aforementioned extraction conditions in the extraction process serve as reasons (recommendation reasons) for recommending the extracted recommended contents. That is, when the extraction process section 220a carries out the extraction process, recommended contents (1)-(8) below is extracted.
(1) Program on a different channel in the same time slot, recommended for reason of relation to a viewing history of a user
(2) Future program recommended for reason of relation to a viewing history of a user
(3) Program on a different channel in the same time slot, recommended for reason of relation to a registered keyword
(4) Future program recommended for reason of relation to a registered keyword
(5) Future program recommended for reason of relation to a program currently viewed
(6) Recorded program recommended for reason of relation to a program currently viewed
(7) Web site recommended for reason of relation to a program currently viewed
(8) Recorded program recommended for reason of being not yet viewed
As described later, the display control section 220c generates recommended content panels corresponding to the aforementioned recommended contents (1) through (8) (see
All the extraction processes carried out by the extraction process section 220a can be realized by using a well-known method for extracting a recommended program. For example, an example of the extraction process in a case where the extraction condition is a viewing history is described in the aforementioned Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-23684).
A description will be provided below as to the obtaining section 220b illustrated in
Examples of the recommended content information obtained by the obtaining section 220b include information indicating a program ranking (e.g. weekly ranking) prepared by the manufacturer or a supplier in alliance with the manufacturer, information indicating a popular VOD ranking, and information indicating a recommended VOD (or web site).
When the instruction to transit to the menu screen 100 is entered by pressing a home key, the display control section (display control means) 220c generates image data indicative of the menu screen 100 illustrated in
As illustrated in
The function panel 121 is an icon by which a user makes an operation instruction for causing a setting screen for executing functions of the television 1 to be displayed.
On the other hand, the recommended content panel 122 is an icon which is indicative of information (title of content) for identifying a recommended content and by which a user makes an operation instruction regarding the identified recommended content (start of viewing the identified recommended content, transition to a screen for setting recordation of the identified recommended content).
Specifically, the display control section 220c causes the recommended content panels 122 respectively corresponding to recommended contents extracted by the extraction process section 220a to be displayed at the function and recommendation zone 120. In the present embodiment, the display control section 220c causes the recommended content panels indicated by (1) through (8) of
“◯ ◯ ◯” in the recommended content panels (1) through (6) and (8) in
Furthermore, with respect to each of the recommended content panels corresponding to the recommended contents extracted by the extraction process section 220a, the display control section 220c causes information indicating attributes (e.g. program on a different channel in the same time slot, future program) of a population from which the recommended contents have been extracted to be displayed. For example, as indicated by (1) and (3) in
Furthermore, with respect to each of the recommended content panels corresponding to the recommended contents extracted by the extraction process section 220a, the display control section 220c causes information indicating a reason for recommendation to be displayed. Specifically, with respect to each of the recommended content panels, a ribbon (information) with a color for identifying a reason for recommendation is attached. Each ribbon shows characters (information) describing a reason for recommendation.
For example, as illustrated in
Furthermore, with respect to the recommended content indicated by the recommended content information obtained by the obtaining section 220b, the display control section 220c causes the recommended content panel 122 to be displayed at the function and recommendation zone 120. It should be noted that in a case of the recommended content indicated by the recommended content information obtained by the obtaining section 220b, the recommended content panel is displayed not per content but per recommended content information obtained. For example, in a case where ranking information indicating top three programs in a ranking is obtained as recommended content information, the top three programs in the raking are shown as recommended contents in one recommended content panel, as shown by (9) of
In the present embodiment, with respect to recommended content information obtained by the obtaining section 220b, the display control section 220c causes the recommended content panels shown by (9) through (13) of
Furthermore, with respect to each of the recommended content panels (
Specifically, since the recommended content panels (9) through (13) of
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In a case where a downward key of the remote controller 10 is pressed while the menu screen 100 illustrated in
While the menu screen 100 is in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state, when a user presses a leftward key of the remote controller 10, the display control section 220c causes the panels 121 and 122 aligned in a line at the function and recommendation zone 120 to scroll rightward (scroll from one side to the other side of a direction of the line), so that the panel surrounded by the focusing frame 140 is changed from the panel having been surrounded by the focusing frame 140 before the scroll to a panel located leftward next to the panel having been surrounded by the focusing frame 140 before the scroll. On the other hand, when a user presses a rightward key of the remote controller 10, the display control section 220c causes the panels 121 and 122 aligned in a line at the function and recommendation zone 120 to scroll leftward (scroll from the other side to one side of a direction of the line), so that the panel surrounded by the focusing frame 140 is changed from the panel having been surrounded by the focusing frame 140 before the scroll to a panel located rightward next to the panel having been surrounded by the focusing frame 140 before the scroll.
That is, with the scroll, a panel positioned at a part surrounded by the focusing frame 140 (center of the function and recommendation zone 120) is sequentially switched. Specifically, when the leftward key is pressed in the state of
Furthermore, in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state, the display control section 220c causes the panel surrounded by the focusing frame 140 to be displayed in a larger size than other panels (see
Furthermore, the display control section 220c causes a scroll indicator 400 for indicating positions of the currently displayed function panel 121 and the currently displayed recommended content panel 122 to be displayed (see
Furthermore, in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state, the display control section 220c causes only the panel surrounded by the focusing frame 140 (function panel 121 or recommended content panel 122) to have, at a lower part of the panel, superimposed texts of a title or URL of a content indicated by the panel. In the case of
Next, a description will be provided blow as to the panel-selecting section 220d in
When the panel selection section 220d selects the function panel 121 or the recommended content panel 122, the panel selection section 220d executes a function/operation/process corresponding to the selected panel.
For example, a smart search panel (panel captioned “SEARCH” in
Furthermore, when the panel-selecting section 220d selects the recommended content panel (1) or (3) in
When the panel-selecting section 220d selects the recommended content panel (9) or (10) in
When the panel-selecting section 220d selects the recommended content panel (12) or (13) in
As described above, in the present embodiment, the display control section 220c causes (i) the recommended content panel (recommending icon) 122a corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a population (first population) consisting of programs on different channels in the same time slot as a result of the extraction process by the extraction process section 220a and (ii) the recommended content panel (recommending icon) 122b corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a population (second population) consisting of future programs as a result of the extraction process by the extraction process section 220a to be displayed simultaneously. This allows a user to simultaneously view the recommended content panel 122a for the recommended content extracted from a certain population and the recommended content panel 122b for the recommended content extracted from another population, so that it is possible to reduce a troublesome operation in the conventional content recommending function.
In the present embodiment, the display control section 220c gives, to the recommended content panel 122, information indicating an attribute of the population from which the recommended content corresponding to the recommended content panel 122 is extracted (information such as characters “recommendable different-channel program” in (1) of
In the present embodiment, the display control section 220c shows, at the recommended content panel 122, the information (ribbon) indicating a reason for recommending the recommended content corresponding to the recommended content panel 122, so as to change a way of displaying the recommended content panel 122 in accordance with the reason for recommending the recommended content corresponding to the recommended content panel 122. This allows a user to grasp, at a glance, the reason for recommending the recommended content in display (e.g. recommendation based on a viewing history of a user).
In the present embodiment, the display control section 220c causes the display unit 205 to display the function and recommendation zone (icon-displaying zone) 120 at which (i) the recommended content panels 122 and (ii) the function panels 121 by each of which a user's operation instruction is given to the controlling device 220 of the television 1 are aligned in a line. The display control section 220c causes panels displayed at the icon-displaying zone (function panel 121 or recommended content panel 122) to be scrolled in accordance with a user's operation, so as to sequentially switch over a panel positioned at a part surrounded by the focusing frame 140 (predetermined part). The panel-selecting section 220d recognizes, as a selection candidate, a panel positioned at the part surrounded by the focusing frame 140, and selects the icon (panel) which is the selection candidate, in response to an input of a selection instruction by the user. This allows a user to sequentially switch an icon (panel) which is a selection candidate with a simple operation of scroll, which is advantageous for the user in terms of easiness in selection of an icon (panel).
The recommended content panels 122 selected by the same user tend to have the common reason for recommendation. Accordingly, it is preferable that the recommended content panel 122 having the same reason for recommendation as the recommended content panel 122 which tends to be selected by the user is initially positioned at a part immediately selectable by the user (part surrounded by the focusing frame 140).
Accordingly, the display control section 220c in accordance with the present embodiment may perform display control as follows.
Initially, the display control section 220c classifies the recommended content panels 122 into groups with respect to each reason for recommendation. For example, in an example illustrated in
For example, when a selection candidate is changed from the recommended content panel A-1 of the Internet Gr. to the recommended content panel B-2 of the history Gr., the display control section 220c causes the function and recommendation zone 120 to transit from a state in (a) of
When the recommended content panel B-2 is selected as above and then a command to start display of the function and recommendation zone 120 (menu screen 100) is inputted (home key is pressed) by a user, the display control section 220c starts display of the function and recommendation zone 120 in such a manner that one of recommended content panels in a group (Gr.) to which a specific recommended content panel belongs is positioned at the center of the function and recommendation zone 120 (part surrounded by the focusing frame 140 in the function and recommendation zone highlighted state) initially, said specific recommended content panel being a panel which has been selected latest to a present time out of recommended content panels having been selected by the panel-selecting section 220d. That is, out of the recommended content panels having been selected, the recommended content panel B-2 is selected latest to a present time, as illustrated in (b) of
Furthermore, assume that the function and recommendation zone 120 illustrated in (c) of
With the arrangement, since the recommended content panels 122 selected by the same user tend to have the same reason for recommendation, the recommended content panel 122 which is highly likely to be selected by the user is initially positioned at a part immediately selectable by the user (center of the function and recommendation zone 120), thereby enhancing user's convenience. Furthermore, with the arrangement, when an instruction to display the function and recommendation zone 120 (menu screen 100) is inputted by a user right after selection of the function panel 121, the panel positioned at the center of the function and recommendation zone 120 initially is not the function panel 121 but the recommended content panel 122. A user who has started display of the function and recommendation zone 120 (menu screen 100) tends to check initially a recommended content indicated by the recommended content panel 122, rather than the function panel 121. Accordingly, by initially positioning the recommended content panel 122, not the function panel 121, at a position easily noticeable by a user (center of the function and recommendation zone 120), user's convenience is enhanced.
In a case where a user inputs a command for starting display of the function and recommendation zone 120 (menu screen 100), when the panel having been selected latest to the present time out of the function panel 121 and the recommended content panel 122 having been selected by the panel-selecting section 220d is the function panel 121, the display control section 220c causes the function and recommendation zone 120 in which the function panel 121 having been selected latest to the present time is positioned adjacently to the recommended content panel 122 positioned at the center initially. That is, in a case where the panel-selecting section 220d selects the function panel K-3 ((d) of
Functions of individual sections of the control device 220 may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.
That is, the control device 220 includes a CPU (central processing unit) and memory devices (memory media). The CPU (central processing unit) executes instructions in control programs realizing the functions of individual sections of the control device 220. The memory devices include a ROM (read only memory) which contains programs, a RAM (random access memory) to which the programs are loaded, and/or a memory containing the programs and various data. The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying to the television 1 a computer-readable storage medium containing control program code (executable program, intermediate code program, or source program) for realizing the aforementioned functions, in order for the computer (or CPU, MPU) to retrieve and execute the program code contained in the storage medium.
The storage medium may be, for example, a tape, such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape; a magnetic disk, such as a floppy (Registered Trademark) disk or a hard disk, or an optical disk, such as CD-ROM/MO/MD/DVD/CD-R; a card, such as an IC card (memory card) or an optical card; or a semiconductor memory, such as a mask ROM/EPROM/EEPROM/flash ROM.
As described above, a content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment includes: extraction means for performing an extraction process for extracting recommended contents to be recommended to a user, and display control means for causing a display section to display recommending icons which identify the recommended contents, respectively, and by each of which a user makes an operational instruction regarding the identified recommended content, the display control means causing the display section to simultaneously display (i) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a first population as a result of the extraction process and (ii) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a second population as a result of the extraction process, the second population being different in attribute from the first population.
With the arrangement of the present embodiment, the user can simultaneously view (i) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a first population (e.g. population consisting of programs on different channels in the same time slot) and (ii) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a second population (e.g. population consisting of programs not yet broadcasted), so that it is possible to reduce a troublesome operation in the conventional content recommending function.
The content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment may be arranged such that the display control means changes a way of displaying the recommending icons, in accordance with attributes of populations from which recommended contents corresponding to the recommending icons are extracted. Specifically, the content recommending device may be arranged such that the display control means changes the way of displaying the recommending icons, by causing the recommending icons to be displayed together with information indicating the attributes of the populations from which the recommended contents corresponding to the recommending icons are extracted.
This arrangement allows the user to grasp, at a glance, an attribute of the recommended content (program on a different channel in the same time slot, program not yet broadcasted) in display.
The content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment may be arranged such that the display control means changes a way of displaying the recommending icons, in accordance with reasons for recommending the recommended contents corresponding to the recommending icons. Specifically, the content recommending device may be arranged such that the display control means changes the way of displaying the recommending icons, by causing the recommending icons to be displayed together with information indicating the reasons for recommending the recommended contents corresponding to the recommending icons.
This allows a user to grasp, at a glance, the reason for recommending the recommended content in display (e.g. recommendation based on a viewing history of the user).
The content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment may be arranged such that the display control means causes the display section to display an icon-displaying zone at which (i) the recommending icons and (ii) function icons each of which is different from the recommending icons and by each of which a user's operation instruction is given to the content recommending device are aligned in a line, and the display control means causes (i) the recommending icons and (ii) the function icons which are displayed at the icon-displaying zone to be scrolled in accordance with a user's operation, so as to sequentially switch over an icon positioned at a predetermined part of the icon-displaying zone, the content recommending device further comprising icon-selecting means for recognizing, as a selection candidate, an icon positioned at the predetermined part, and selecting the icon which is the selection candidate, in response to a user's input of an instruction to select the icon.
This arrangement allows a user to sequentially switch over an icon which is a selection candidate with a simple operation of scroll, which is advantageous for the user in terms of easiness in selection of an icon.
The content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment may be arranged such that the display control means causes the display section to display an icon-displaying zone in which (i) the recommending icons and (ii) function icons each of which is different from the recommending icons and by each of which a user's operation instruction is given to the content recommending device are aligned in a line, and the display control means causes (i) the recommending icons and (ii) the function icons which are displayed in the icon-displaying zone to be scrolled in accordance with a user's operation, so as to sequentially switch over an icon positioned at a predetermined part of the icon-displaying zone, the content recommending device further comprising icon-selecting means for recognizing, as a selection candidate, an icon positioned at the predetermined part, and selecting the icon which is the selection candidate, in response to a user's input of an instruction to select the icon, the display control means classifying the recommending icons into groups depending on the reason for recommendation and, in response to a user's input of a command to start displaying the icon-displaying zone, the display control means starting display of the icon-displaying zone in such a manner that one of recommending icons in a group to which a specific recommending icon belongs is positioned initially at the predetermined part, said specific recommending icon being an icon which has been selected latest to a present time out of recommending icons having been selected by the icon selecting means.
This arrangement allows a user to sequentially switch over an icon which is a selection candidate with a simple operation of scroll, which is advantageous for the user in terms of easiness in selection of an icon.
With the arrangement, an icon firstly noticed by the user when display of the icon-displaying zone is started is highly possibly the icon positioned initially at the predetermined part (icon which is a selection candidate). With the arrangement, when display of the icon-displaying zone is started, one of recommending icons in a group to which a specific recommending icon belongs (group consisting of recommending icons having the same reason for recommendation) is positioned initially at the predetermined part, said specific recommending icon being an icon which has been selected latest to a present time out of recommending icons having been selected. That is, since the recommending icons selected by the same user tend to have the same reason for recommendation, the recommending icon which is highly likely to be selected by the user is positioned initially at a position (predetermined part) immediately selectable by the user, thereby enhancing user's convenience.
Furthermore, with the arrangement, even when a user inputs an instruction for displaying the icon-displaying zone immediately after selection of the function icon, an icon positioned initially at the predetermined part is not the function icon but the recommending icon. That is, since a user who has started display of the icon-displaying zone tends to firstly view a recommended content indicated by the recommending icon rather than the function icon, the recommending icon is positioned initially at a position (predetermined part) noticeable by the user, thereby enhancing user's convenience.
The content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment may be arranged such that in a case where an icon which has been selected latest to the present time out of function icons and recommending icons which have been selected by the icon selecting means is a first function icon, the display control means causes, in response to the user's input of the command, the display section to display the icon-displaying zone in such a manner that the first function icon is positioned adjacently to the recommending icon positioned initially at the predetermined part.
Although a user who has started displaying the icon-displaying zone tends to check initially a recommended content indicated by the recommending icon rather than the function icon, there is still a possibility that the function icon having been selected previously is selected again. Accordingly, with the arrangement, while the recommending icon rather than the function icon is positioned initially at a position (predetermined part) noticeable by a user, the function icon (first function icon) having been selected previously is positioned initially at a position secondly noticeable by the user (part adjacent to the predetermined part). This enhances user's convenience.
The content recommending device in accordance with the present embodiment may be arranged such that the content recommending device is connected via a network with a server in which recommended content information indicating a recommended content determined by a method different from the extraction process is stored, the content recommending device further comprising obtaining means for obtaining the recommended content information from the server, the display control means causing the display section to display a recommending icon corresponding to the recommended content indicated by the recommended content information.
This arrangement allows informing a user of a recommended content (e.g. recommended content based on an audience rating ranking) indicated by recommended content information obtained via a network (Internet) from an outside.
A television receiver in accordance with the present embodiment includes: the aforementioned content recommending device; and the display section.
A method in accordance with the present embodiment is a method for controlling a content recommending device including: extraction means for performing an extraction process for extracting recommended contents to be recommended to a user, and display control means for causing a display section to display recommending icons which identify the recommended contents and by each of which a user makes an operational instruction regarding the identified recommended content, the method comprising the step of causing the display section to simultaneously display (i) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a first population as a result of the extraction process and (ii) a recommending icon corresponding to a recommended content extracted from a second population as a result of the extraction process, the second population being different in attribute from the first population.
Furthermore, the aforementioned content recommending device may be realized by a computer. In this case, the present invention also encompasses a program for causing the computer to function each means of the content recommending device, and a computer-readable storage medium in which the program is stored.
The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments above, but may be altered by a skilled person within the scope of the claims. An embodiment based on a proper combination of technical means disclosed in different embodiments is encompassed in the technical scope of the present invention.
The content recommending device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is applicable to a television receiver which receives television broadcasting and displays a broadcasted program.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-094253 | Apr 2012 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2013/057210 | 3/14/2013 | WO | 00 |
