CN104244097A - Program playing device and program switching method - Google Patents

Abstract

A program playing device comprises an obtaining unit used for obtaining program information of channels at the present time, an input unit, a favorite program list creating unit and a favorite program list switching unit. The input unit is used for responding to channel selection operations of a user to produce channel selection instructions and used for responding to channel switching operations of the user to produce program switching instructions. The favorite program list creating unit is used for selecting favorite programs according to the channel selection instructions to create a favorite program list. The favorite program list switching unit is used for selecting favorite programs playing currently from the favorite program list to create a favorite program switching list so that the program playing device can respond to the program switching instructions to switch the favorite programs in the favorite program switching list. The invention further provides a program channel switching method used for the program playing device.

Description

Program playback device and program switching method

technical field

The invention relates to channel management technology of broadcast television.

Background technique

With the development of digital TV and network technology, many operators have established cable TV channels and provided many TV program channels. Users may have multiple favorite programs, but these favorite programs may be played at different time periods. In this way, when users want to watch a certain favorite program, they often need to search for the channel program list provided by the operator, or Based on the impression, the user manipulates the remote control to search back and forth. However, the channel operator frequently changes the channel number, and the user cannot smoothly switch the TV to the desired channel based on the impression. In this way, the user can only keep pressing the channel selection button on the remote control Channel switching, causing considerable confusion for users when searching for channels.

Contents of the invention

In view of this, it is necessary to provide a program playing device, which can allow the user to select a favorite program, and obtain the favorite programs being played at the current time from the favorite programs selected by the user to create a favorite program switching list, so that the user can switch between favorite programs Quickly switch between favorite programs in the toggle list.

The program playback device includes an acquisition unit for acquiring program information of each channel at the current time, an input unit, a favorite program list establishment unit and a favorite program list switching unit. The input unit is used for generating a channel selection instruction in response to the user's channel selection operation, and for generating a program switching instruction in response to the user's channel switching operation. The favorite program list creation unit selects favorite programs according to the program selection instruction to create a favorite program list. The favorite program switching list creation unit selects favorite programs being played from the favorite program list to create a favorite program switching list, so that the program playing device can switch among favorite programs in the favorite program switching list in response to a program switching instruction.

The present invention also provides a program switching method for the above-mentioned program playing device, comprising the following steps:

Obtain the program information of each channel;

selecting a favorite program according to a program selection instruction to create a favorite program list; and

The favorite programs being played at the current time are obtained from the favorite program list to establish a favorite program switching list, so that the program playing device can switch among the favorite programs in the favorite program switching list in response to the program switching instruction.

The above-mentioned program playback device and program switching method can allow the user to select a favorite program, and obtain the favorite program being played at the current time from the favorite programs selected by the user to establish a favorite program switching list, so that the user can switch between the favorite programs in the favorite program switching list. Quickly switch between various favorite programs.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a program playing device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of program information of each channel of the program playing device in FIG. 1 .

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a program switching method in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of main component symbols

Program playback device 100

input unit 10

Timing unit 20

Get unit 30

Favorite program list building unit 40

Toggle list building unit 50

Control unit 60

Detection unit 70

Program switching method steps S210～S280

The following specific embodiments will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings.

Detailed ways

As shown in Figure 1, the program playing device 100 can allow the user to select a favorite program, and obtain the favorite program being played at the current time from the favorite program selected by the user to establish a favorite program switching list, so that the user can switch between favorite programs in the favorite program list. Quickly switch between various favorite programs, and the channel that plays the favorite program is the favorite channel. The program playing apparatus 100 may be an electronic device with a program playing function such as a TV or a computer. In this embodiment, the program playing device 100 is a television. The program playback device 100 includes an input unit 10 , a timing unit 20 , an acquisition unit 30 , a favorite program list creation unit 40 , a switching list creation unit 50 , a control unit 60 and a detection unit 70 .

The input unit 10 is used for generating various user control instructions in response to user input operations. For example, the input unit 10 generates a program selection instruction in response to the user's operation of selecting a program, and generates a program switching instruction in response to the user's operation of switching programs. The input unit 10 may be a key set on the program playing device 100 , a touch panel, etc., or a remote controller adapted to the program playing device 100 .

The timing unit 20 is used for timing real time.

The obtaining unit 30 is configured to obtain program information of each channel, wherein the program information includes program name, program start time, program end time and so on. To facilitate the description of the present invention, in this embodiment, the acquiring unit 30 acquires the program information and the next program information of each channel at the current time as an example for illustration. The next program information of a channel refers to the program information to be played immediately after the program played by the channel at the current time ends. As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the obtaining unit 30 obtains the program information being played by each channel at 14:00 at the current time and the next program information of each channel through the program guide provided by the TV broadcasting service provider. At this time, the user can select a favorite program through the input unit 10, as shown in Fig. Program GG(15:30～16:30), Program DD(14:00～16:00) and the next program MM(16:00～17:00) of Channel 32, and Program EE14:30～ of Channel 33 16:30) and the next program MM (16:30～17:30).

The favorite program list building unit 40 selects a favorite program according to user operations to create a favorite program list. As shown in Fig. 2, the favorite program list establishment unit 40 establishes program AA (14:00～15:00) including 1 station, program GG (15:30～16:30) of 3 stations according to the favorite program selected by the user, The program DD (14:00～16:00) and the next program MM (16:00～17:00) of channel 32, and the program EE14:30～16:30) and the next program MM (16:30) of channel 33 30～17:30) list of favorite programs.

The switching list establishment unit 50 selects the favorite program being played at the current time from the favorite program list according to the real-time time counted by the timing unit 20 to establish the favorite program switching list, so that the program playback device 100 responds to the program switching instruction in the favorite program switching list. Switch between favorite programs. For example, if the real-time time counted by the timing unit 20 is 14:05, since there is only one AA (14:00～15:00) and 32 programs DD in the favorite program list at the current time (i.e. 14:05), (14:00～16:00) is playing, and the switching list building unit 50 selects 1 station AA (14:00～15:00) and 32 stations DD (14:00～16:00) to establish favorite programs Switch the list, so that the program playing device 100 can respond to the user's program switching instruction on the two channels (the AA (14:00-15:00) of 1 station and the DD (14:00-16:00) of the 32 stations) Switch between, so that users can quickly find favorite programs being played. In addition, as time goes by, some programs in the favorite program list will start to play. For example, when the time counted by the timing unit 20 reaches 14:30, the program EE (14:30～16:30) of 33 stations in the favorite program list ) starts to play, at this time, the switching list establishment unit 50 adds the program EE (14:30～16:30) of 33 stations to the favorite program switching list, and generates information: program EE has been switched to inform the user.

The control unit 60 is used for controlling the program playing device 100 to switch between the favorite programs in the favorite program switching list in response to the program switching instruction. For example, at 14:05, since the favorite program switching list includes 1 station AA (14:00-15:00) and 32 stations DD (14:00-16:00), the control unit 60 responds to the program switching instruction The program broadcasting apparatus 100 is controlled to switch between AA (14:00-15:00) of one station and program DD (14:00-16:00) of 32 stations. And when the real-time time reaches 14:30, the favorite program switching list includes 1 program AA (14:00～15:00), 32 programs DD (14:00～16:00) and 33 programs program EE (14:30～16:30), then the control unit 60 responds to the program switching instruction to control the program playing device 100 in the program AA (14:00～15:00) of 1 station and the program DD (14:00) of 32 stations. 00～16:00) and program EE (14:30～16:30) of Channel 33.

The detection unit 70 detects whether there is a favorite program that has finished playing in the favorite program list. In this embodiment, the detection unit 70 detects whether the favorite program ends by comparing the real time counted by the timing unit 20 with the end time of the favorite program recorded in the program information. For example, according to the acquired program information, the end time of program AA (14:00～15:00) of one station in the favorite program list is 15:00, therefore, when the time counted by the timing unit 20 reaches 15:00, In other words, it indicates that the AA (14:00-15:00) broadcast of one station has ended. When the detection unit 70 detects that there is a favorite program that has finished playing in the favorite program list, the control unit 60 generates a prompt message to remind the user that the favorite program AA has ended, whether the channel (that is, 1 station) that the program AA has finished playing The next program information not selected in the favorite program list (that is, the program FF (15:00-16:30)) is added to the favorite program list, and the prompt information includes a function option for the user to add or not add the next program. Therefore, when a certain favorite program finishes playing, the user can know in advance the next program information of the favorite channel that is not selected to the favorite program list, and can choose to increase or not increase the next program information that is not selected to the favorite program list according to his preferences. A program information to favorite programs playlist. In this way, when the user watches a multi-episode favorite program, the user can conveniently add the continuously played program information to the favorite program list according to the prompt information, thereby preventing the user from learning about the upcoming favorite program through artificial inquiry and other means information. When the user selects the function of adding the next program according to the prompt information, the favorite program list building unit 40 responds to the user operation to add the next program information to the favorite program list. For example, at 15:00, since one station's AA (14:00-15:00) has ended, the control unit 60 generates a prompt message to remind the user that the program AA has ended, and whether to select the next program information in the favorite program list (that is, program FF (15:00～16:30)) is added to the list of favorite programs. At this point, the user can add the next program information (ie program FF (15:00-16:30)) to the favorite program list according to the prompt information. When the user chooses not to increase the function selection of the next program according to the prompt information, or the control unit 60 generates the prompt information to remind the user that the user's confirmation operation has not been received within a predetermined time after the program AA has ended, or when the control When the unit 60 generates a prompt message and the user performs a channel switching operation, the favorite program list creation unit 40 will not add the next program information (that is, program FF (15:00～16:30)) not selected to the favorite program list to Favorite program list.

When the user chooses not to add the next program to the favorite program list according to the prompt information generated by the control unit 60, the detection unit 70 further detects whether there is an unfinished favorite program in the favorite program list. If there is no unfinished favorite program, it indicates that the favorite programs selected by the user have all been played. At this time, the favorite program switching list is empty, and the program playback device 100 returns to the normal channel switching mode, for example, for example, by operating channel selection Press the +/- key to switch between two adjacent program channels or input the number corresponding to the channel to switch directly. If there is an unfinished favorite program, the switching list building unit 50 continues to select the favorite program being played from the favorite program list according to the real-time time counted by the timing unit 20 to create a favorite program switching list until the detection unit 70 detects a favorite program All favorites in the list have ended.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a flowchart of a program switching method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is used in the above-mentioned program playing device 100 . The program switching method includes the following steps:

In step S210, the acquiring unit 30 acquires program information of each channel, wherein the program information includes program name, program start time, program end time and so on. To facilitate the description of the present invention, in this embodiment, the acquisition unit 30 acquires the program information and the next program information of each channel at the current time as an example for illustration. The next program information of a channel refers to the program information to be played immediately after the program played by the channel at the current time ends.

In step S220, the favorite program list building unit 40 selects a favorite program according to user operations to create a favorite program list.

In step S230, the timing unit 20 counts the real time.

Step S240, the switching list establishment unit 50 selects the favorite program being played at the current time from the favorite program list according to the timed real-time time to create the favorite program switching list, so that the program playing device 100 responds to the program switching command in the favorite program switching list. Switch between favorite programs.

In step S250, the detection unit 70 detects whether there is a favorite program that has finished playing in the favorite program list. If there is no favorite program that has finished playing in the favorite program list, the process returns to step S230. If there is a favorite program that has finished playing in the favorite program list, the flow goes to step S260.

In step S260, the control unit 60 generates prompt information to remind the user that the favorite program has ended, and whether to add the next program information of the channel of the finished favorite program that has not been selected to the favorite program list to the favorite program list. If yes, the process goes to step S270. If not, the process goes to step S280.

Step S270, the favorite program list building unit 40 responds to the user operation and adds the next program information that is not selected into the favorite program list to the favorite program list. Select the currently playing favorite program from the favorite program list to update the favorite program switching list, and the process returns to step S230.

In step S280, the detection unit 70 further detects whether there is an unfinished favorite program in the favorite program list. If there is an unfinished favorite program, the switching list creation unit 50 continues to select the favorite program being played from the favorite program list according to the real time counted by the timing unit 20 to update the favorite program switching list, and the process returns to step S230. If there is no unfinished favorite program, it indicates that the favorite programs selected by the user have all been played. At this time, the favorite program switching list is empty, and the process ends.

By means of the above-mentioned program broadcasting device 100 and the program switching method, the user can be allowed to select a favorite program, and the favorite programs being played at the current time can be obtained from the favorite programs selected by the user to establish a favorite program switching list, so that the user can switch between favorite programs. Quickly switch between favorite programs in the list.

In summary, although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and within the scope of the basic technical ideas of the present invention, those skilled in the art It can be modified and applied in various ways.

Claims (10)

1. a program broadcasting apparatus, comprise acquiring unit and the input unit of the programme information for obtaining each channel, input unit selects the operation of program to produce program selection instruction for responding user, and the operation switching program for responding user produces program switching command, it is characterized in that: this program broadcasting apparatus also comprises favourite program list and sets up unit and hobby program handoff list sets up unit, and favourite program list sets up unit for selecting hobby program to set up favourite program list according to program selection instruction; Hobby program handoff list sets up unit for selecting the hobby program play to set up hobby program handoff list from favourite program list, responds between program switching command each hobby program in hobby program handoff list switch to make program broadcasting apparatus.

2. program broadcasting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, is characterized in that: the programme information that this acquiring unit obtains comprises the programme information that each channel current time is being play and the next programme information being about to broadcasting after the program that current time is being play terminates.

3. program broadcasting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, is characterized in that: this program broadcasting apparatus also comprises control unit, controls to switch between program broadcasting apparatus each hobby program in hobby program handoff list for responding program switching command.

4. program broadcasting apparatus as claimed in claim 3, is characterized in that: this program broadcasting apparatus also comprises detecting unit, for detecting in favourite program list the hobby program whether existing and play and terminate; When there is the hobby program play and terminate in favourite program list, control unit produces information and is increased to favourite program list with the next programme information to favourite program list that do not select of the channel of the hobby program of pointing out user and whether this broadcasting being terminated; Described hobby program set up unit also for determine when control unit the channel of the hobby program that this broadcasting is terminated do not select the next programme information to favourite program list to be increased to favourite program list time increase this next programme information to favourite program list.

5. program broadcasting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, it is characterized in that: when control unit determines that the next programme information of the channel of the hobby program this broadcasting terminated is not increased to favourite program list, this detecting unit is also for detecting in favourite program list whether there is unclosed programme information further; This handoff list is set up unit and is also liked program handoff list for continuing to obtain the hobby program that current time playing from favourite program list when there is unclosed programme information in favourite program list to upgrade.

6. a program switching method, for program broadcasting apparatus, this program broadcasting apparatus comprises input unit, and select the operation of program to produce program selection instruction for responding user and switch the operation generation program switching command of program for responding user, this program switching method comprises step:

Obtain the programme information of each channel;

Select hobby program to set up favourite program list according to program selection instruction; And

From favourite program list, obtain hobby program that current time playing to set up hobby program handoff list, respond program switching command to make program broadcasting apparatus and switch between each hobby program of hobby program handoff list.

7. program switching method as claimed in claim 6, the step obtaining the programme information of each channel also comprises:

Obtain the programme information that each channel current time is being play; And

Obtain the next programme information do not selected to favourite program list that each channel is about to play after the program that current time is being play terminates.

8. program switching method as claimed in claim 7, also comprises step:

The hobby program play and terminate whether is there is in detecting favourite program list;

When there is the hobby program play and terminate in favourite program list, producing information and being increased to favourite program list with the next programme information to favourite program list that do not select of the channel of the hobby program of pointing out user and whether this broadcasting being terminated; And

When the hobby program determining this broadcasting to terminate channel do not select the next programme information to favourite program list to be increased to favourite program list time this next programme information is increased to favourite program list.

9. program switching method as claimed in claim 8, also comprises step:

When the hobby program determining this broadcasting to terminate channel do not select the next programme information to favourite program list not to be increased to favourite program list time detect in favourite program list whether there is unclosed programme information further; And

Continue from favourite program list, obtain the hobby program that current time playing when there is unclosed programme information in favourite program list and like program handoff list to upgrade.

10. the program switching method as described in claim 6 ~ 9 any one, is characterized in that: this programme information at least comprises programm name, program start time and end time.