1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to receiving apparatuses and methods, transmitting apparatuses and methods, and transmission media, and in particular, to a receiving apparatus and method, a transmitting apparatus and method, and a transmission medium which are used for receiving and transmitting an image signal with electronic program guide information (hereinafter referred to as “EPG”).
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a system has become known in which a television broadcast signal with, e.g., EPG is transmitted and the signal is received and displayed by domestic receiving apparatuses.
In this system, when program information forming the EPG is displayed, the program information can be displayed in the order of broadcasting stations designated by a user. The “StarSight” (service mark) and the “GuidePlus+” (service mark) are known examples of this system in North America.
In the case where a particular broadcasting station transmits EPG including program information from all broadcasting stations, a receiving end treats program information from the particular broadcasting station as equivalent to program information from the other broadcasting stations. Thus, the particular broadcasting station cannot benefit by providing the information on all the programs.
In addition, when the user, who is watching a program from a predetermined broadcasting station, recognizes a program to be broadcast after the present program, program information is displayed in the order of broadcasting stations initially designated by the user, which requires the user to spend time finding a program from the desired broadcasting station.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a receiving apparatus and method, a transmitting apparatus and method, and a transmission medium which are used to display program information so as to reflect an intention of a sponsor for the program information and be easily usable by a user.
To this end, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object has been achieved through provision of a receiving apparatus for receiving an image signal transmitted from a transmitting end, the receiving apparatus including: receiving means for receiving the image signal; first output means for outputting the image signal received by the receiving means to a display; extracting means for extracting EPG added to the image signal received by the receiving means; alteration means for altering the display format of the EPG when the EPG is displayed on the display, in accordance with predetermined information; and second output means for outputting the EPG altered by the alteration means to the display.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object has been achieved through provision of a receiving method for receiving an image signal transmitted from a transmitting end, the receiving method including: a receiving step for receiving the image signal; a first output step for outputting the image signal received in the receiving step to a display; an extracting step for extracting EPG added to the image signal received in the receiving step; an alteration step for altering the display format of the EPG when the EPG is displayed on the display, in accordance with predetermined information; and a second output step for outputting the EPG altered in the alteration step to the display.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object has been achieved through provision of a transmission medium for transmitting a computer program used in a receiving apparatus for receiving an image signal transmitted from a transmitting end, in which the computer program includes: a receiving step for receiving the image signal; a first output step for outputting the image signal received by the receiving step to a display; an extracting step for extracting EPG added to the image signal received in the receiving step; an alteration step for altering the display format of the EPG when the EPG is displayed on the display, in accordance with predetermined information; and a second output step for outputting the EPG altered in the alteration step to the display.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object has been achieved through provision of a transmitting apparatus for transmitting an image signal to a receiving end, the transmitting apparatus including: first generating means for generating the image signal; second generating means for generating EPG; third generating means for generating information representing a broadcasting station providing the EPG; adding means for adding the EPG generated by the second generating means and the information representing the broadcasting station, which is generated by the third generating means to the image signal generated by the first generating means; and transmitting means for transmitting to the receiving end the signal obtained by adding the EPG and the information representing the broadcasting station to the image signal.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object has been achieved through provision of a transmitting method for transmitting an image signal to a receiving end, the transmitting method including: a first generating step for generating the image signal; a second generating step for generating EPG; a third generating step for generating information representing a broadcasting station providing the EPG; an adding step for adding the EPG generated in the second generating step and the information representing the broadcasting station, which is generated in the third generating step, to the image signal generated in the first generating step; and a transmitting step for transmitting to the receiving end the signal obtained in the adding step by adding the EPG and the information representing the broadcasting station to the image signal.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object has been achieved through provision of a transmission medium for transmitting a computer program used in a transmitting apparatus for transmitting an image signal to a receiving end, wherein the computer program includes: a first generating step for generating the image signal; a second generating step for generating EPG; a third generating step for generating information representing a broadcasting station providing the EPG; an adding step for adding the EPG generated in the second generating step and the information representing the broadcasting station, which is generated in the third generating step, to the image signal generated in the first generating step; and a transmitting step for transmitting to the receiving end the signal obtained in the adding step by adding the EPG and the information representing the broadcasting station to the image signal.
In
An editor 2 records the image signal output from the television camera 1, and properly combines a plurality of recorded image signals to generate an image signal constituting one program.
An EPG generator 4 generates and outputs EPG (whose details will be described below) composed of program information from a plurality of broadcasting stations.
A provider information generator 5 generates information on broadcasting stations as EPG providers, such as “ASAHI”.
A combining unit 3 adds the EPG output from the EPG generator 4 and the provider information output from the provider information generator 5 to the image signal output from the editor 2, and outputs it.
The combining unit 3 superposes, for example, the EPG and the provider information on each other in a vertical retrace blanking period of the image signal, and outputs it.
A transmitter 6 modulates a carrier in accordance with the image signal output from the combining unit 3, and amplifies the power of the carrier.
An antenna 7 transmits the carrier output from the transmitter 6 to domestic receivers.
Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in
In step S1 of this process, an image signal output from the television camera 1 is supplied to the editor 2, in which it is once recorded and the image is subsequently edited so as to form a program having a predetermined length. The edited image signal is output to the combining unit 3.
In step S2, the EPG generator 4 generates and supplies EPG to the combining unit 3.
In step S3, the provider information generator 5 generates and supplies provider information to the combining unit 3.
In step S4, the EPG supplied from the EPG generator 4 and the provider information supplied from the provider information generator 5 are added to the image signal supplied from the editor 2. In other words, the combining unit 3 initially adds the provider information supplied from the provider information generator 5 to the EPG supplied from the EPG generator 4.
Subsequently, <BROADCAST FILE 1> to <BROADCAST FILE 6> representing programs are disposed. For example, concerning broadcast file 1, <BROADCAST FILE 1> indicating the type and start of information is displayed. Next, subsequently to <BROADCAST DATE> indicating a broadcast date, the date on which the broadcast file 1 is broadcast: Dec. 24, 1997, 16:00-16:10; and </BROADCAST DATE> representing the end of information are disposed. Subsequently, “SOGO” indicating a broadcasting station is disposed between <BROADCASTING STATION> and </BROADCASTING STATION>, and “NEWS” indicating a program name is disposed between <PROGRAM NAME> and </PROGRAM NAME>. In the same manner, the broadcast files 2-6 are disposed.
The EPG to which the provider tag has been added is superposed on the image signal, for example, its vertical retrace blanking period, by the combining unit 3. The superposed image signal is output to the transmitter 6.
In step S5, the transmitter 6 modulates a carrier in accordance with the image signal, and amplifies and supplies its power to the antenna 7 for transmission. After that, it ends processing.
The structure of a receiving apparatus for receiving the image signal transmitted by the above-described transmitting apparatus will be described below.
In
A provider-information extractor 22 extracts provider information (provider tag) included in the EPG extracted by the TV tuner 21, and outputs the obtained provider tag and EPG.
A frame memory 23 combines the image signal from the TV tuner 21 and the EPG output from a controller 25, or selects either one, and outputs it to a cathode-ray tube (CRT) 24 for display.
The CRT 24 displays the image signal output from the frame memory 23.
The controller 25 includes: a central processing unit (CPU) 25a for controlling other units; a read only memory (ROM) 25b in which predetermined programs to be executed by the CPU 25a and data are stored; a random access memory (RAM) 25c in which, when the CPU 25a performs predetermined computation, data and programs which are being used for the computation are stored; and an interface (IF) 25d for converting the format of data when the data is transmitted to or received from an external apparatus.
An input unit 26 is operated when a user provides a predetermined input (for example, input for selecting a receiving channel).
In the above-described embodiment, an amplifier, a speaker, etc. for reproducing a sound signal included in the image signal received by the TV tuner 21 are omitted for a simplified description.
The operation of the above-described embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in
When the process shown in
In step S11, the CPU 25a specifies a broadcasting station that provides EPG by referring to the provider tag (e.g., “ASAHI” etc.) extracted by the provider-information extractor 22. The process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, the CPU 25a extracts from the EPG supplied from the provider-information extractor 22, program information from the broadcasting station corresponding to the provider tag.
It is assumed that the provider tag is “ASAHI”, the broadcast file 6 shown in
In step S13, the CPU 25a sets the program information (broadcast file) from the broadcasting station corresponding to the provider tag extracted in step S12 in the frame memory 23 in its top row in the order of time.
In step S14, the CPU 25a sets other program information (program information from broadcasting stations excluding the broadcasting station corresponding to the provider tag) in the frame memory 23 in the order of channels.
In the case where the above-described processing (display alteration in accordance with the provider tag) is not performed, an image as shown in
Returning to the flowchart shown in
According to the above-described embodiment, a transmitting apparatus adds to an image signal, provider information indicating broadcast stations that provide EPG, and a receiving apparatus displays in a top row, program information from the broadcast station corresponding to the provider information so that the program information is emphasized. Thus, a possibility in which a user watches the programs from the broadcasting station can be increased.
According to the above-described embodiment, part of the program information is displayed as shown in
In the case where the number of broadcasting stations providing EPG is two, two type of provider information are transmitted. In this case, for example, as shown in
Compared with the embodiment shown in
The operation of the receiving apparatus shown in
When the process is executed, in step S20, a CPU 25a determines whether or not a predetermined input for displaying EPG has been provided from an input unit 26. If it is determined that the predetermined input has not been provided (NO), the process returns to step S20, in which the same processing is repeatedly performed until the predetermined input is provided. If it is determined that the predetermined input has been input (YES), the process proceeds to step S21.
In step S21, the CPU 25a acquires the frequency of a signal that is being received by a TV tuner 21. The process proceeds to step S22, in which the broadcasting station ID corresponding to the acquired frequency is retrieved from the ROM 25b.
In the case where the receiving frequency of the TV tuner 21 is, for example, 207 MHz, the CPU 25a acquires “ASAHI” as a broadcasting station (channel) ID.
In step S23, the CPU 25a extracts the program information corresponding to the broadcasting station ID acquired in step S22 from EPG data supplied from the TV tuner 21. The process proceeds to step S24.
In step S24, the CPU 25a enlarges the program information extracted in step S23, and writes it in a predetermined region of a frame memory 23, whereby it can be displayed in the top row on a CRT 24. The process proceeds to step S25.
In step S25, the CPU 25a causes the CRT 24 to display additional information (not shown) included in the EPG extracted by the TV tuner 21 in the second top row on the CRT 24. The additional information relates to a program title, program contents, or a cast.
The process proceeds to step S26, in which information on other programs (program information from broadcasting stations excluding the broadcasting station being received) is displayed on the CRT 24 in the order of channels.
According to the above-described embodiment, program information from one broadcasting station being received is displayed in the top row, which enables the user to instantly refer to other programs from the broadcasting station.
Compared with the first embodiment shown in
The priority-station information generator 30 is used to generate a tag (e.g., “ASAHI”) indicating a broadcasting station in cooperation with a manufacturer that produces or sells the receiving apparatus.
The operation of the receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described below, with reference to the flowchart shown in
When the process is executed, in step S40, a CPU 25a in a controller 25 determines whether or not a predetermined input for displaying EPG has been provided from an input unit 26. If it is determined that the predetermined input has not been provided (NO), the process returns to step S40, in which the same processing is repeatedly performed. If it is determined that the predetermined input has been provided (YES), the process proceeds to step S41.
In step S41, the CPU 25a acquires the priority station tag output from the priority-station information generator 30. The process proceeds to step S42, in which the CPU 25a extracts program information corresponding to the priority station tag from EPG data output from the TV tuner 21.
In step S43, the CPU 25a enlarges the program information extracted in step S42 and writes it in a predetermined region of a frame memory 23, whereby it can be emphatically displayed in the top row on a CRT 24. In step S44, the CPU 25a uses the CRT 24 to display other program information in the order of channels.
Here, when it is assumed that broadcaster “ASAHI” is in cooperation with the manufacturer producing the receiving apparatus and that the priority-station information generator 30 generates “ASAHI” as a priority station tag, the image shown in
In the foregoing embodiments, an example of analog terrestrial broadcasting has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case but, needless to say, it may be applied to, for example, satellite broadcasting, digital broadcasting, or cable television.
In this specification types of the transmission medium include not only information recording media such as a floppy disc and a CD-ROM but also network transmission media such as the Internet and a digital broadcasting satellite.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
P9-193589 | Jul 1997 | JP | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5550576 | Klosterman | Aug 1996 | A |
5559548 | Davis et al. | Sep 1996 | A |
5579055 | Hamilton et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5635978 | Alten et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5737029 | Ohkura et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5801787 | Schein et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5848352 | Dougherty et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5867226 | Wehmeyer et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5886691 | Furuya et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5886995 | Arsenault et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5900905 | Shoff et al. | May 1999 | A |
5903262 | Ichihashi et al. | May 1999 | A |
5903314 | Niijima et al. | May 1999 | A |
5907323 | Lawler et al. | May 1999 | A |
5926179 | Matsuda et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5926230 | Niijima et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5931908 | Gerba et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5940073 | Klosterman et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
6005562 | Shiga et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6057856 | Miyashita et al. | May 2000 | A |
6084643 | Kishtaka et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6147714 | Terasawa et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6665873 | Van Gestel et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
9-83891 | Mar 1997 | JP |
9-182035 | Jul 1997 | JP |
WO 9204801 | Mar 1992 | WO |