The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP2011-211878 filed on Sep. 28, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
The present invention relates to a network terminal system and terminal device.
As a background technique of this technical field, JP-A-2009-055614 may be referred to. This publication discloses that “interactive communication can be made between a remote controller and an object apparatus to be operated, so that exact communication can be made by confirmation of delivery, complicated command system utilizing GUI (Graphical User Interface) can be managed and relatively broad band can be utilized to transmit a large capacity of data such as streaming of moving picture.”
The publication of JP-A-2009-055614 also discloses the method that a wireless remote controller connected to a network is used to transfer program information received by a display to the wireless remote controller and display EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in wireless remote controller. However, in case of the invention disclosed in JP-A-2009-055614, there is a problem that since program information on the side of display is used, an amount of data to be transferred of program information is increased and display operation is slow since all data cannot be obtained once. Furthermore, a confirmation method of a program being viewed on television and a reserved program for recording is not disclosed. Moreover, a method of changing recording reservation is not disclosed.
In order to solve the above problems, composition described in claims is adopted, for example.
According to the present invention, when a viewer is viewing television broadcast, program guide can be displayed on another terminal device, so that program reservation can be made without preventing viewing of television.
Other problems except the above-mentioned, configuration and effects are made apparent from description of the following embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The following description is made by taking a network terminal system including television receivers having digital broadcasting receiving function and which receive digital broadcasting waves containing service information (event information) and display electronic program guide (EPG) of digital broadcasting on the basis of the received service information and wireless devices as an example.
In BS digital broadcasting, CS digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital television broadcasting operated in Japan, plural transport streams (hereinafter abbreviated to “TS”) are multiplexed to one transponder (frequency channel) to be transmitted. TS has data structure conforming to the standard of the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) and is composed of TS packets having service information of event information added as a header with elementary streams (ES) as contents data.
The data structure of service information conforms to ARIB STD-B10 “Standard of service information for digital broadcasting system” which is the standard of ARIB. The service information includes PSI (Program Specific Information) which is transmission control information specified in the standard of MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group)-2 system and SI (Service Information) for constructing EPG and the like.
SI includes four tables of BIT (Broadcaster Information Table), SDT (Service Description Table), EIT (Event Information Table) and TOT (Time Offset Table).
BIT describes information concerning broadcasters or broadcasting stations in network. SDT is divided into TS information part and service information part. The TS information part includes network ID for identifying network and TS ID (identifiers) for identifying TS.
BS network, CS1 network and CS2 network are allocated different network ID's. In case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, different network ID's are allocated to respective broadcasting stations in the same area. The service information part includes service ID's (so-called channel numbers) which are identifiers for identifying individual services (channels) in network.
EIT describes program information for each event (so-called program) and is divided into service information part and event information part. The service information part includes service ID's (so-called channel numbers) which are identifiers for identifying individual services (channels) in network. The event information part includes event ID's, event start time, event duration, event name (so-called program title) and event genres. TOT describes present time.
The first embodiment according to the present invention is now described.
The network terminal system of the embodiment includes, for example, a television receiver 1, a wireless terminal 15, a wireless router 13 and an external network 14. This example shows the case where a user of the wireless terminal 15 which is a mobile communication terminal such as a portable telephone functioning as an information communication terminal is viewing a television program by the television receiver 1 at home or store while holding the wireless terminal 15.
The wireless router 13 has wireless LAN (Local Area Network) function such as Wi-Fi (trademark) and can be connected to the external network via communication line. Further, the wireless router 13 is connected to television receivers 1 and 24, wireless terminal 15 and external network 14, and television receivers 1 and 24 and wireless terminal 15 can obtain information from the Internet.
Furthermore, it is supposed that wireless router 13 is connected to television receivers 1 and 24 by wired or wireless LAN and is connected to wireless terminal 15 by wireless LAN. Wi-Fi is the standard of wireless LAN formulated by the standard “IEEE 802.11a/IEEE 802.11b” of IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.).
The television receiver 1 is connected to an antenna 38 and includes a tuner/demodulator 2, a signal separator 3, a controller 4, a channel selection controller 5, input unit 6, a storage 8, a memory 37, a superimposition unit 10, a display 11, a communication (Interface) 12, an audio decoder 39, an video decoder 40, a loudspeaker 41, an audio output unit 42 and an video output unit 43. The above processing units are connected one another through a bus 120.
Further, the television receiver 1 can store application programs in storage 8 and the controller 4 can read out the programs from storage 8 to be developed into memory 37, so that the controller 4 can execute the programs to realize various functions. In the following description, for simplification of description, various functions realized by execution of the application programs by the controller 4 are supposed to be realized by various program function modules independently.
Furthermore, the application programs may be stored in storage 8 in advance until television receiver 1 is shipped or may be stored in optical medium, semiconductor memory or the like such as CD (Compact Disk) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) to be installed in television receiver 1 by means of a medium connection unit not shown. Moreover, the application programs may be downloaded from external network 14 through communication I/F 12 and wireless router 13 to be installed in television receiver 1.
Further, various functions of application programs can be realized in hardware as processing units for realizing the same functions. When the various functions are realized in hardware, the processing units realize the functions independently.
The input unit 6 receives user's operation to television receiver 1 to input control information in accordance with input operation and is realized by remote controller, keyboard, pointing device such as mouse and the like, for example.
The controller 4 receives user's operation request through input unit 6 and controls signal separator 3, channel selection controller 5, storage 8, superimposition unit 10, communication I/F 12 and various-program function module.
The storage 8 is controlled in accordance with instructions from controller 4 and can store therein application programs. Further, the storage 8 stores therein various information prepared by application programs. In addition, the storage 8 may store therein contents such as video/audio stream from signal received from tuner/demodulator 2 and communication I/F 12.
The memory 37 is controlled in accordance with instructions from controller 4. Function modules of application programs stored in storage 8 are loaded into memory 37.
The tuner/demodulator 2 is timed to the channel of desired service by channel selection controller 5 to receive broadcasting signal from broadcasting station and demodulates the received broadcasting signal to get transport stream.
The channel selection controller 5 receives instructions for selecting service through input unit 6 and controls tuner/demodulator 2 so as to change channel to be selected in accordance with the instructions. Further, the channel selection controller 5 can receive instructions from various-program function modules and controls tuner/demodulator 2 so as to make change by a unit of the service (channel number), which is broadcasting the event (program) on air at present and presentation of the broadcast, to which that service belongs.
The communication I/F 12 is connected to wireless router 13 by means of wired LAN or wireless LAN. Further, communication I/F 12 can communicate with external apparatuses directly without using wireless router 13 by means of IrDA (trademark), Bluetooth (trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication) or the like. Communication I/F 12 may be plural in number so that each chip performs different communication system or may be single so that one chip deals with plural communication systems. Communication I/F 12 transmits and receives various information to and from television receiver 24 and wireless terminal 15. Moreover, communication I/F 12 can transmit and receives various information to and from apparatuses connected to external network. For example, communication I/F 12 can receive IP broadcasting and contents stream (video/audio stream) in the form of video on demand from server connected to external network. Further, communication I/F 12 can download video stream and application program from server connected to external network. The downloaded information is stored in storage 8, for example.
The signal separator 3 separates transport stream obtained by tuner/demodulator 2 and contents stream obtained through communication I/F 12 for each kind of video data, audio data, subtitle data, program information and the like. Further, signal separator 3 has function of obtaining program information (for example, service information SI) and transmitting it to another processing block. Moreover, when signal separator 3 receives data transmission request from another processing unit, signal separator 3 transmits data designated by the request to request source.
The audio decoder 39 decodes audio data separated by signal separator 3. Audio information decoded by audio decoder 39 is outputted from loudspeaker 41. Audio information decoded by audio decoder 39 may be sent to external apparatus from audio output unit 42.
The video decoder 40 decodes video data separated by signal separator 3. Video information decoded by video decoder 40 is sent to superimposition unit 10.
The superimposition unit 10 superimposes EPG image and OSD image produced by various-program function module and image produced from various information (subtitle information, subtitle superimposition, data broadcasting data and the like) separated by signal separator 3 on decoded video information sent from video decoder 40.
Image or video information passing through superimposition unit 10 is displayed on display 11. Display 11 is formed of for example, display of television receiver and personal computer or liquid crystal panel. Image or video information passing through superimposition unit 10 may be outputted to external apparatuses from video output unit 43.
Furthermore, a digital I/F 44 may be provided to output transport stream for predetermined program separated by signal separator 3 without decoding video and audio.
The television receiver 24 has the same configuration as that of television receiver 1 and description thereof is omitted. In the embodiment, television receiver 1 is described, although the television receiver 1 may be replaced by recorder or the like and in this case the loudspeaker 41 and display 11 can be omitted from configuration of the television receiver of
Further, the wireless terminal 15 stores application programs in storage 25 and the controller 17 can load the programs from storage 25 into memory 32 and execute the programs to realize various functions. In the following description, for simplification of description, various functions realized by execution of the programs by the controller 17 are supposed to be realized by various-program function module independently.
Furthermore, application programs may be stored in storage 25 beforehand until wireless terminal 15 is shipped or may be stored in optical medium, semiconductor memory or the like such as CD (Compact Disk) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) to be installed in wireless terminal 15 by means of a media connection unit not shown. Moreover, the application programs may be downloaded from external network 14 through communication I/F 16 and wireless router 13 to be installed in wireless terminal 15. Alternatively, the application programs may be downloaded through mobile communication I/F 31 from distribution source via base station 23. Further, the wireless terminal can be connected through external apparatus connection I/F not shown to personal computer (PC) which has obtained application programs via network and the application programs can be moved or copied to wireless terminal 15 from personal computer to be installed in wireless terminal 15.
Further, application programs can be realized in hardware as processing units for realizing the same functions. When application programs are realized in hardware, the processing units realize the functions independently.
The communication I/F 16 can communicate with external apparatuses directly without using wireless router 13 by means of wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi etc., IrDA, Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication) or the like. The communication I/F 16 transmits and receives various information to and from communication I/F 12 of television receiver 1. Further, communication I/F 16 is connected to external network and makes transmission and reception of information with server or the like on external network. Communication I/F 16 may be plural in number so that each communication I/F performs different communication system as communication I/F dedicated to Wi-Fi or may be mounted as a chip which deals with plural communication systems.
The mobile communication I/F 31 can utilize mobile communication network such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications: trademark), W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access: trademark), CDMA 2000 (Code Division Multiple Access: trademark) and LTE (Long Term Evolution: trademark) to be connected to communication network via base station 23 and can make transmission and reception of information with server on communication network.
The controller 17 receives user's operation request through input unit 20 and controls signal separator 21, display 19, communication I/F 16 and various-program function module.
The controller 17 has the function of extracting program information from external network 14 through communication I/F 16 and wireless router 13 or through mobile communication I/F 31 and base station 23 to obtain service information and delivering the service information to various-program function module.
In the embodiment, description is made by taking the case where program information of digital broadcasting is extracted by signal separator 21 to obtain service information SI as an example, although service information SI can be obtained from external network or distribution source through communication I/F 16 or mobile communication I/F 31. In this case, signal separator 21 and tuner/demodulator 22 can be omitted from configuration of wireless terminal 15.
The storage 25 is controlled by instructions of controller 17 and can store therein application programs. Further, the storage 25 stores therein various information prepared by application programs. In addition, the storage 25 may store therein contents such as video/audio stream extracted by tuner/demodulator 22, or received from, communication LF 16 or mobile communication I/F 31.
The storage 32 is controlled by instructions of controller 17. Function module of application programs stored in storage 25 is loaded into memory by controller 17.
The display 19 displays image or video. The image or video to be displayed may be picture produced by application program, be image or video of contents received through tuner/demodulator 22, be image or video received from server on external network through communication I/F 16, be image or video received from television receiver 1 through communication I/F 16 and be image or video distributed from server on communication network through mobile communication I/F 31. Further, the display 19 may be constructed integrally with touch screen described below, for example.
The input unit 20 receives user's operation for wireless terminal 15 to input control information concerning input operation and can use physical button or tough screen, for example.
The tuner/demodulator 22 and the signal separator 21 have the same function as tuner/demodulator 2 and signal separator 3 of television receiver 1, respectively.
The acceleration sensor 33 measures acceleration applied to wireless terminal 15. Controller 17 can understand which unit of wireless terminal 15 takes upper position on the basis of gravitational acceleration measured by acceleration sensor 33, for example, and display picture on display 19 so that upper part of the picture is set to correspond to the upper part of wireless terminal measured by acceleration sensor 33 to thereby display the picture to be matched to user's way of holding wireless terminal 15.
The geomagnetism sensor 34 utilizes plural magnetic sensors to measure geomagnetism.
The GPS receiver 35 utilizes GPS (Global Positioning System) to receive signal transmitted from plural satellites. Controller 17 can calculate positional information of wireless terminal 15 on the basis of signal received by GPS receiver 35. When service information SI is obtained from network through communication I/F or mobile communication I/F, for example, controller 17 can transmit positional information of wireless terminal 15 to transmission source of service information SI and transmission source of service information SI can transmit service information SI according to area where wireless terminal 15 exists to wireless terminal 15.
The gyro sensor 36 measures angular velocity of wireless terminal 15 produced when the user moves wireless terminal 15.
The program reservation data 2201 is information prepared by program reservation module 2102 and includes reservation information which is detailed information for setting of programs. The reservation information includes identification information containing network ID, service ID and event ID for uniquely specifying object programs of setting and reservation state information necessary for execution of recording reservation or viewing reservation containing information representative of viewing reservation or recording reservation, information representative of picture quality of recording and information representative of recording destination (storage 8, external storage connected to digital I/F 44 or the like) in case where object program is recorded.
The EPG preparation module 2101 obtains service information separated by signal separator 3 and allocates service ID's in the horizontal direction on the basis of the obtained service information, so that the EPG preparation module 2101 prepares electronic program guide in which program columns are arranged downward in time-series manner for each of service ID's. Part or all of detailed program contents contained in service information can be arranged in each program column of electronic program guide.
The program reservation module 2102 prepares GUI (Graphical User Interface) for making program reservation and prepares reservation information in accordance with contents inputted by the user to GUI by means of input unit 6 to be stored and managed in program reservation data 2201. Furthermore, when program reservation is understood to be viewing reservation in accordance with contents of reservation information described in program reservation data 2201, service ID of channel used to broadcast reserved program is transmitted to channel selection controller 5 when reservation time is reached and program designated by service ID transmitted is displayed on display 11. When program reservation is recording reservation, service ID of channel used to broadcast reserved program is also transmitted to channel selection controller 5 similarly, although video and audio decoded by video decoder 40 and audio decoder 39, respectively, are coded to be stored in storage 8 as contents.
The program state information preparation module 2103 obtains identification information of program having predetermined attribute from identification information described in service information SI separated by signal separator 3 and adds attribute to the obtained identification information to thereby prepare program state information.
The EPG preparation module 3101 is the same as the EPG preparation module 2101 of television receiver 1 and accordingly description thereof is omitted.
Referring now to
The program state information has the format of network ID 101, service ID 102, event ID 103 and attribute 104 as shown in
Referring now to
When EPG preparation module 3101 receives EPG start instructions from input unit 20 (S401), EPG preparation module 3101 obtains service information SI separated by signal separator 21. EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen on the basis of EIT contained in service information SI (S402) to display EPG screen on display 19. EPG preparation module 3101 requests television receiver 1 to transmit program state information (S403).
When program state information preparation module 2103 receives transmission request of program state information, program state information preparation module 2103 refers to program reservation data 2201 stored in storage 8 to obtain identification information of programs for recording reservation and viewing reservation. Further, state information preparation module 2103 obtains identification information of programs being presently viewed and broadcasted contained in service information SI. Program state information preparation module 2103 adds attributes according to program states of programs to the obtained identification information, prepares program state information and transmits the program state information to EPG preparation module 3101 through communication I/F 16 of wireless terminal 15.
EPG preparation module 3101 receives program state information transmitted from program state information preparation module 2103 (S404) and when identification information described in received program state information is coincident with identification information contained in service information SI separated by signal separator 21 (YES of S405), EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen in which distinguishable indication inherent to program is displayed in accordance with attribute 104 of program contained in received program state information as shown in
The EPG preparation module 2101 also obtains program state information from program state information preparation module 2103 and prepares EPG screen similarly to EPG preparation module 3101 to display the prepared EPG screen on display 11 through superimposition unit 10.
Program having attribute of program state information of “0” (being presently viewed) is displayed by 108 and program having attribute of “1” (program reservation (recording)) is displayed by 107, program having attribute of “2” (program reservation (viewing)) being displayed by 106. In the description of the embodiment,
As shown in
In
In the foregoing, program state information is prepared in response to request from wireless terminal 15, although program state information may be prepared by program state information preparation module 2103 beforehand and be updated by controller 4 each time program state is changed and program state information may be transmitted when request is received from wireless terminal 15.
Further, only program state information of “being presently viewed” and “being broadcasting” of
Moreover, the date and time that television receiver 1 prepares or updates program state information can be recorded as program state information and when wireless terminal 15 requires to transmit program state information, the program state information can be transmitted together with the date and time of the last update, so that only updated contents of program state information after the last update by wireless terminal 15 can be transmitted to thereby update program state information of wireless terminal 15 to be newest.
Thus, even when wireless terminal 15 frequently issues request, processing of preparing program state information can be omitted and response speed can be increased.
The second embodiment according to the present invention is now described with reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the first embodiment.
The network to terminal system of the embodiment is the same as that described in
When program having attribute 104 of “0” representing “being presently viewed” is contained in program state information received similarly to the first embodiment and identification information of the program contained in program state information is identical with identification information contained in service information separated by signal separator 21, controller 17 of the embodiment controls so that service ID contained in identification information of the program is arranged in the center of display 19 preferentially to other service ID's.
In the embodiment, service ID's are arranged in horizontal direction and events are arranged in vertical direction in time-series manner in EPG displayed on display 19, although service ID (broadcasting station: East TV) containing program 111 (Market of Goddess) being presently viewed is displayed to be arranged in the center of EPG screen preferentially to other service ID's. When even broadcasting stations such as, for example, 4 stations, are arranged horizontally on display 19, the service ID may be arranged near the center so that the service ID is displayed second or third from the left.
As far as the user can easily recognize service ID of program being presently viewed and displayed in EPG, service ID of program being presently viewed may be displayed at left or right end of display 19, for example. Further, service ID of program being presently viewed may be displayed at least on initial screen when operation of displaying EPG screen is performed. However, it is preferable that service ID of program being presently viewed is arranged in predetermined position of screen displayed on display 19 from the viewpoint of ease of user's recognition.
In
In the example of
As described above, program being presently viewed on television receiver is preferentially arranged in the center of EPG, so that program information of channel being presently viewed can be confirmed, and programs to be broadcasted after this or programs of adjacent channels can be searched for program that one wishes to view around program or channel being presently viewed.
The third embodiment according to the present invention is now described with reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the embodiment.
Details of program reservation data 3201 and program reservation module 3102 are the same as program reservation data 2201 and program reservation module 2102 of television receiver 1 in the first embodiment and accordingly description thereof is omitted.
Storage 25 stores reservation information prepared by program reservation module 3102 into program reservation data 3201 in accordance with user's operation received by input unit 20. Further, reservation information of television receiver 1 received through communication I/F 12 and communication I/F 16 is stored in program reservation data 3201.
Moreover, controller 17 can transmit reservation information stored in program reservation data 3201 to controller 4 through communication I/F 16 and communication I/F 12.
Storage 8 stores reservation information prepared by program reservation module 2102 in accordance with user's operation received by input unit 6 in program reservation data 2201. Further, storage 8 has the function of storing or overwriting reservation information of wireless terminal 15 received through communication I/F 16 and communication I/F 12 in program reservation data 2201. In addition, reservation information stored in program reservation data 2201 of storage 8 can be transmitted to controller 17 through communication I/F 12 and communication I/F 16 in response to request of controller 17.
Program reservation module 2102 prepares GUI capable of selecting reservation contents of setting items contained in reservation information in pull-down form check box form or the like and prepares reservation information in accordance with user's operation received by input unit 6.
Referring now to
A shown in
Data format of reservation information shown in
As described above, the amount of communication data between television receiver 1 and wireless terminal 15 can be reduced and even the case where the amount of program information is increased and detailed information can be displayed can be treated when service information can be obtained from external network or communication network.
Referring now to
The case where program having program reservation mark added thereto is selected by input unit 20 is described.
The processing performed until identification mark is displayed on EPG screen (S405) in
Controller 4 specifies program requested to transmit reservation information from identification information contained in transmission request of reservation information and transmits reservation information of the requested program with reference to program reservation data 2201 to controller 17. Controller 17 receives reservation information transmitted from controller 4 (S1204) and displays reservation setting screen as shown in
In
Program reservation module 3102 obtains detailed program information from service information obtained by EPG preparation module 3101 on the basis of identification information contained in reservation information stored temporarily in program reservation data 3201 and prepares reservation setting screen 203 shown in
In the embodiment, reservation information contains information concerning “recording mode” and “viewing/recording” and accordingly these pieces of information obtained from reservation information are displayed on detailed reservation setting screen 206. These pieces of information can be displayed in the changeable form, for example, such as pull-down form in accordance with input received by input unit 20 of wireless terminal 15. In “recording mode”, picture quality of recording can be selected and in “viewing/recording”, viewing reservation or recording reservation can be selected. Further, when other information is contained in reservation information as described above, program reservation module 3102 displays these pieces of information on detailed reservation setting screen 206 in the changeable form.
“Reserving button” 207 of
Next, the case where program having no program reservation mark is selected is Described.
When program having no program reservation mark is selected, program reservation module 3102 obtains identification information of the selected program from EPG preparation module 3101 and obtains detailed program information from service information of program identified by the identification information. Program reservation module 3102 displays reservation setting screen 203 and detailed reservation setting screen 206 similarly to the case where program having program reservation mark is selected. However, since reservation information for the program is not prepared, “recording mode” or the like on detailed reservation setting screen is left blank or default is set therein to be displayed in the state that user can change it. When “reserving button” 207 is selected by user, program reservation module 3102 prepares reservation information on the basis of contents set on detailed reservation setting screen 206 to be transmitted to controller 4 of television receiver 1 through communication I/F 16. When controller 4 receives reservation information, controller 4 newly prepares reservation information in program reservation data 2201 of storage 8.
Next, the case where program being presently broadcasted is selected by input unit 20 is described.
“Channel selection button” 209 is displayed when program being presently broadcasted is selected. When this button is selected, channel selection information containing information capable of uniquely specifying program being presently selected is transmitted to controller 4 similarly to the reservation information. Controller 4 which has received channel selection information controls timer 2 through channel selection controller 5 to display selected program being broadcasted on display 11.
Channel selection information includes network ID and service ID (channel number), and event ID can be omitted.
“Recording button” 224 is displayed when program being presently broadcasted is selected. When this button is selected, program reservation module 3102 displays screen similar to detailed reservation setting screen 206 and prepares recording information having the same information as reservation information in accordance with contents inputted on displayed screen. The prepared recording information is transmitted to controller 4 of television receiver 1 through communication I/F 16 and controller 4 records program being presently broadcasted in accordance with recording information. Further, when “recording button” 224 is selected, recording information can be prepared using information of “recording mode” and the like set by default to be transmitted. By doing so, program being presently broadcasted can be recorded immediately.
Thus, program reservation in television receiver can be newly registered on the side of wireless terminal and program reservation which has been already set to be recorded can be changed easily. Furthermore, the amount of data communication between wireless terminal and television receiver can be suppressed.
The fourth embodiment according to the present invention is now described reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the third embodiment.
In apparatus authentication, authentication information such as user ID and password set in television receiver 1 by user's input using input unit 6 or set in television receiver 1 in advance before shipment of television receiver 1 from factory is stored in authentication data 2202 of storage 8 and apparatus authentication module 2104 can refer to it. Further, the authentication information can be displayed on display 11 by user's operation or can be confirmed on document appended upon purchase of television receiver 1 by user.
Apparatus authentication module 3104 stores authentication information inputted by user's operation received by input unit 20 in authentication data 3202 as authentication information in order to receive authentication from television receiver 1 and transmits the authentication information to apparatus authentication module 2104 through communication I/F 16 or 12.
Apparatus authentication module 2104 compares authentication information stored in authentication data 2202 with authentication information transmitted from apparatus authentication module 3104 and when both are identical, apparatus authentication module 2104 authenticates connection to apparatus authentication module 3104. On the other hand, when both are not identical, apparatus authentication module 2104 does not authenticate connection from apparatus authentication module 3104.
The foregoing is an example of authentication method and, for example, when television receiver 1 and wireless terminal 15 are connected by wireless LAN, authentication and encryption method using SSID (Service Set Identifier) and WEP key or WPS key may be used. Publicly known technique may be used as authentication method and encryption method of information to be transmitted and received when authentication is successful and it is not limited particularly in the embodiment.
Next, the case where program reservation is made from EPG screen displayed on display 19 by means of input unit 20 is described.
EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen in accordance with user's operation received by input unit 20 and EPG screen shown in
In the embodiment, EPG preparation module 3101 prepares display marks 211 and 212 of authenticated apparatuses on EPG screen. On EPG screen of
Next, the case where television receiver 24 which was connected in the past but is not authenticated presently is selected to make program reservation is described. Such example is supposed to be the case where connection apparatus is located in remote place where Wi-Fi communication cannot be made, the case where connection apparatus is waiting in sleep mode or the case where program information is obtained from communication network outdoors.
In
In
When “reserving button” 207 of
Thereafter, when wireless terminal 15 enters Wi-Fi communication area from the outside thereof to be able to make access, mutual authentication is made between apparatus authentication modules 2104 and 3104 of television receiver 24 and wireless terminal 15 and program reservation module 3102 transmits reservation information stored in program reservation data 3201 to television receiver 24 through communication I/F 16 to be stored in program reservation data 2201 of television receiver 24 as program reservation information. Further, when start time of reservation information stored in program reservation data 3201 is past time before the present time or reservation information is past information, information of displaying error information on display 19 may be transmitted before setting data is transmitted to television receiver 24.
In the embodiment, description has been made by taking two television receivers connected as an example, although it is not limited that plural television receivers are connected to network. Further, the above description has been made by taking the case where reservation information stored in program reservation data 2201 is transmitted to television receiver 24 automatically when television receiver 24 can be authenticated as an example, although reservation information may be transmitted manually when television receiver 24 can be authenticated. Further, when reservation information is stored in program reservation data 2201 temporarily, temporarily stored state may be displayed by means of icon in order to indicate the state. Moreover, when reservation time designated by reservation information approaches current me while reservation information is not transmitted to television receiver on condition that controller 17 of wireless terminal 15 can understand current time, user can be warned by means of indication on display 19 or the like.
As described above, when program desired to be recorded has been found as in case where program information is obtained from communication network outdoors and program is searched for on EPG screen, setting of the program can be made on that occasion and when it is possible to make connection to network in house after return home, program reservation information can be transferred to television receiver automatically (or manually) without forgetting it.
The fifth embodiment according o the present invention is now described reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the first embodiment.
Configuration of system, television receiver 1 and wireless terminal 15 in the embodiment is the same as the first embodiment and description thereof is omitted.
Controller 4 obtains service ID's (channel numbers) and allocation thereof on EPG screen from EPG preparation module 2101 and prepares channel allocation information. Controller 4 transmits the channel allocation information to controller 17 through communication I/F 12, wireless router 13 and communication I/F 16. Controller 17 delivers the received channel allocation information to EPG preparation module 3101 and EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen using the same channel allocation information as that of EPG of television receiver 1.
Thus, even when channel allocation is different in television receiver and wireless terminal, channel allocation on EPG screen is the same and accordingly EPG screen can be treated with similar feeling to improve usability.
The sixth embodiment according to the present invention is now described with reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the third embodiment.
Configuration of network terminal system, television receiver 1 and wireless terminal 15 in the embodiment is the same as the third embodiment and description thereof is omitted.
In the embodiment, controller 4 transmits EPG data and program state information prepared by EPG preparation module 2101 to controller 17 through communication I/F 16. EPG data is data necessary for preparation of EPG, the data being extracted from information contained in service information and described in the format capable of being interpreted by EPG preparation module 3101 such as XML format and may contain program state information.
Further, EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen from received EPG data, and EPG screen and program state information are displayed on display 19.
Program reservation module 3102 can store reservation information such as recording reservation made on EPG screen prepared by EPG preparation module 3101 in program reservation data 3202 temporarily and transmit the stored reservation information to program reservation module 2102 through communication I/F 16 and communication I/F 12.
In this manner, by obtaining EPG data from television receiver, program reservation can be made similarly to the third embodiment even when wireless terminal cannot be connected to external network 14 through communication I/F 16 and the like.
The seventh embodiment according to the present invention is now described with reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the fourth embodiment.
When remaining capacity of storage in which recording data 2203 is stored or remaining capacity of storage obtained by subtracting the anticipatory size from remaining capacity of storage is short or insufficient, when storage is full, when program reservation number is maximum, when there is overlap in reservation time or setting of channel and the like, program reservation module 2102 transmits reservation state information indicating that effect to controller 17.
Next, the case where program reservation is made from program guide displayed on EPG screen of display 19 by input unit 20 is described.
EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen (S501) when EPG preparation module 3101 receives EPG start command from input unit 20.
When authentication information set in advance is inputted to television receiver 1 by input unit 20, authentication information is transmitted to apparatus authentication module 2104 through communication I/F 16 and communication I/F 12 by apparatus authentication module 3104. Apparatus authentication module 2104 authenticates connection to apparatus if authentication module 3104 when authentication information from apparatus authentication module 3104 is correct (S502).
Next, as shown in
Next, when “reservation button” 204 of
When “reserving button” 207 of
Program reservation module 2102 examines necessary data amount of recording data 2203 of storage 8, the number of program reservation, overlap of program reservation and the like in order to judge whether received reservation information is effective or not (S509). When reservation information is effective, reservation information is registered and operation is ended normally (YES of S509 and S510). When reservation information is not effective, reservation state information is transmitted to program reservation module 3102 through communication I/F 12 and communication I/F 16 (NO of S509 and S511). The case where reservation information is not effective contains the case where data amount necessary for recording of program indicated by reservation information exceeds remaining capacity of recording data 2203, the case where program reservation number exceeds predetermined number, the case where two recoding settings are made in the same time zone and the like. Further, when television receiver 1 can make simultaneous recording of plural programs, it is judged not to be effective when the number of recording reservations exceeds simultaneous recordable number.
Program reservation module 3102 displays reservation state information indication 216 as shown in
In the embodiment, description has been made to the case where program having no program reservation mark is selected, although even when program having program reservation mark is selected and reservation contents are changed, indication based on reservation state information can be displayed similarly. When program having program reservation mark is selected and reservation contents are not changed, operation in steps S509 to S512 is not necessarily required to be performed because of reservation information decided in television receiver 1 previously.
Further, as a modification example, when the amount of program recording data in recording data 2203 is insufficient for data amount necessary for program recording, recording mode can be automatically set to recording mode having picture quality inferior to currently set recording mode on the basis of reservation state information or indication to the effect that remaining capacity is insufficient can be displayed to ask user whether recording is made in recording mode having inferior picture quality or not. When it is selected that recording is made in recording mode having inferior picture quality, program reservation module 3102 prepares or updates reservation information to be stored in program reservation data 3201 and transmits reservation information to program reservation module 2102.
Furthermore, when viewing reservation or recording reservation is started in television receiver 1, information or the like to the effect that reservation operation is started can be transmitted to wireless terminal 15 in synchronism with start of the reservation, so that state and recording or viewing state of television receiver 1 can be displayed on display 19 of wireless terminal 15.
As described above, even when program reservation is made in wireless terminal, reservation state in television receiver can be understood, so that message can be displayed for user and setting can be changed automatically to thereby make program reservation correctly.
The eighth embodiment according to the present invention is now described with reference to
In the embodiment, description about different points is emphasized as compared with the seventh embodiment.
Configuration of network terminal system, television receiver 1 and wireless terminal 15 in the embodiment is the same as the seventh embodiment and description thereof is omitted.
In the embodiment, apparatus authentication module 3104 has the function of producing user attribute ID inherent to wireless terminal 15 upon apparatus authentication in order to identify user and storing the user attribute ID as personal authentication information in authentication data 3202 of storage 8. Preparation of user attribute ID is made, for example, as follows. Apparatus authentication module 3104 displays input screen of user attribute ID and authentication information on display 19 and transmits input information on input screen by input unit 20 to apparatus authentication module 2104. When apparatus authentication module 2104 confirms that authentication information is correct, user attribute ID is stored in authentication data 2202 as personal authentication information and is referred to if necessary. Further, user attribute ID may be inputted to input screen displayed on display 11 of television receiver 1 by input unit 6 and may be stored in storage 8.
Moreover, when wireless terminal 15 is personal terminal such as portable telephone, information inherent to apparatus such as MAC address can be used as user attribute ID. In this case, in authentication procedure described in the fourth embodiment, when authentication information is transmitted, MAC address can be transmitted to thereby prepare user attribute ID.
Apparatus authentication module 2204 obtains user attribute ID of user presently using wireless terminal 15 by logging-in of user using user attribute ID and password decided freely and when information for recording reservation and like is transmitted, the user attribute ID is transmitted.
Program reservation module 3102 has the function of relating reservation information for program reservation such as recording reservation made on EPG prepared by EPG preparation module 3101 by input unit 20 to user attribute ID prepared by apparatus authentication module 3104 to be stored in program reservation data 3201 temporarily.
Referring now to
As shown in
In
Referring now to
As shown in
In the detailed reservation setting screen 215, when “reserving button” 207 is selected (S507) apparatus authentication module 3104 reads out user attribute ID 217 from storage 8 (S601) and controller 17 transmits reservation setting state and user attribute ID 217 as reservation information to controller 4 of television receiver 1 through communication I/F 16 and communication I/F 12 (S508).
Furthermore, similarly to step of
Referring now to
As shown in
When “reservation button” 204 of
Controller 17 compares user attribute ID 217 registered in reservation information with user attribute ID obtained from apparatus authentication module 3104 and when both of user attribute ID's are identical (YES of S704), detailed reservation setting screen 215 as shown in
Further, similarly to steps of
In the embodiment, description has been made to the case where only wireless terminal 15 is connected, although even when there are plural wireless terminals, user attribute ID's inherent to wireless terminals can be produced to identify wireless terminals similarly.
Further, as a modification example, there is a case where mismatching occurs in state when operation is made in television receiver in case where program reservation is made or program reservation contents are updated in wireless terminal, although when operation of program reservation is going to be made in television receiver in case where television receiver permits connection of wireless terminal, message can be displayed or operation can be limited.
As described above, limitation can be set so that program reservation of television receiver cannot be changed from wireless terminal of user except user who has registered program reservation.
The ninth embodiment according to the present invention is now described with reference to
In the embodiment, description about different poi s is emphasized as compared with the seventh embodiment.
Referring now to
As shown in
Further in the embodiment, television receivers 1 and 24 and wireless terminal 15 are described as “TV1”, “TV2” and “TERMINAL” as object apparatuses 221 of setting, respectively.
In the embodiment, steps S801, S802 and S803 are added in
Referring now to
Description is made to the case where program reservation is made from program guide displayed in EPG screen of display 19 by input unit 20.
When EPG preparation module 3101 receives EPG start command by input unit 20, EPG preparation module 3101 prepares EPG screen as shown in
Authenticated apparatus indications 211 and 212 and terminal selection indication 222 for selecting wireless terminal are displayed at lower part of EPG screen of
Next, operation in the case where terminal selection indication 222 is selected in
As shown in
When “reservation button” 204 is selected in
When “reserving button 207 is selected in
Furthermore, as modification example, the ninth embodiment can be combined with the eighth embodiment, so that correction of program reservation or the like can be limited to specified user.
As described above, wireless terminal and television receivers which are object apparatuses of setting can make program reservation in the same manner seamlessly. Further, setting overlapping between object apparatuses of setting can be canceled and setting can be changed over to unoccupied apparatus to thereby improve usability.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes various modification examples. For example, in the above embodiments, the whole system is described in detail in order to be easily understood the present invention and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the system including all constituent elements described above. Further, part of configuration of a certain embodiment can be replaced by configuration of another embodiment and configuration of another embodiment can be added to configuration of a certain embodiment. Moreover, addition, deletion and replacement of part of configuration of embodiments can be made.
Further, part or all of the above configuration, function, processing units, processing means and the like may be realized in hardware by designing them by integrated circuits, for example. In addition, the above configuration and function may be realized by software by making processor interpret programs realizing respective functions and execute programs. Information such as programs, tables and files used to realize functions can be stored in recording apparatus such as memory, hard disk and SSD (Solid State Drive) or recording media such as IC card, SD card and DVD.
Further, only control lines and information lines considered to be required
for description are shown and all of control lines and information lines are not necessarily shown from the point of view of product. Actually, it may be considered that almost all constituent elements are connected to one another.
Furthermore, in the embodiments, TV1, TV2 and the like having display 11 are used to describe the embodiments, although the present invention can be implemented similarly using recorder or the like having display provided externally.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2011-211878 | Sep 2011 | JP | national |