CN101601295B - Information processing device, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A photo album having a slideshow function is provided on a television receiver for viewing photos via a network. When a predetermined application is selected on a screen displaying a television reception screen and a plurality of applications, a photo matching a tag input by a user is searched from among photos having tags for searching, and the plurality of photos are displayed in a list or through a slide show. These applications are loaded from an external network.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method and program

technical field

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program, and in particular, to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user to freely acquire information.

Background technique

The popularity of the Internet has enabled users to obtain information. Also, in digital television broadcasting, users can obtain desired information from television broadcasting through two-way communication. In addition, the user can acquire desired information by reading a predetermined code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or the like, and accessing a predetermined site with a mobile phone or the like. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-303553

Contents of the invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention

Although a user can acquire information in various ways, he/she wants to acquire information easily and freely. Furthermore, it is necessary to enable everyone to view desired information only with a simple operation, rather than allowing only those who perform predetermined operations to view information.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable users to acquire information more easily and freely while watching television broadcasting.

means of solving problems

According to an aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit that acquires image data stored in a predetermined server; and a display control unit that controls display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit. A predetermined server manages the image data in association with the tags, and the acquisition unit acquires the image data managed by the same tag as the set tag at predetermined intervals.

The acquisition unit may acquire a plurality of image data, and the display control unit may control display so as to display a plurality of images based on the plurality of image data on a single screen.

The display control unit may perform control to display an image beside a screen of a program broadcast on television.

The display control unit may control the display so as to display images differently in different modes, and switch the modes by a user's instruction.

The display control unit may control the display so that the plurality of images are displayed in the same size in the first mode, control the display so that one of the plurality of images is displayed in a larger size than the other images in the second mode, and control the display so that only one image among the plurality of images is displayed in the third mode.

When the tag is not set, the acquisition unit may acquire image data managed by the same tag as the default tag.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an information processing method includes the steps of: acquiring image data stored in a predetermined server; and controlling display of an image based on the acquired image data. A predetermined server manages image data in association with tags, and image data to be acquired is image data managed by the same tag as the set tag and acquired at predetermined intervals.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer readable program controls processing including the steps of: acquiring image data stored in a predetermined server; and controlling display of an image based on the acquired image data. A predetermined server manages image data in association with tags, and image data to be acquired is image data managed by the same tag as the set tag and acquired at predetermined intervals.

In the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present invention, image data managed by the same tag as the set tag is acquired at predetermined intervals from a predetermined server that manages image data in association with tags.

Advantages of the invention

According to aspects of the present invention, images and the like managed by a predetermined server can be viewed through simple settings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram further showing the configuration of the system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an application server.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating data managed by an application server.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a content server.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating data managed by a content server.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a television receiver.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of a remote controller.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating data flow.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an application list.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

Fig. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel.

Fig. 43 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system.

Fig. 44 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the television receiver.

Fig. 45 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the television receiver.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS AND SYMBOLS

11: Network

12: Application server

13: Content server

14: TV receiver

219: Graphics generation circuit

220: panel drive circuit

221: display panel

230: SDRAM

231: Flash memory

232: CPU

251: remote control

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[System Configuration]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a system to which the present invention is applied. The system shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that the application server 12 , the content server 13 - 1 , the content server 13 - 2 and the television receiver 14 are connected to the network 11 .

The network 11 includes the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like, and is used for data exchange between devices connected thereto. The application server 12 is a server that manages an application or a list of applications to be described below.

The content server 13 - 1 or the content server 13 - 2 is a server that manages content used by applications managed by the application server 12 . In the following description, when the content server 13-1 and the content server 13-2 need not be individually distinguished, the content server 13-1 or the content server 13-2 is referred to as the content server 13. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which two content servers 13 are connected to the network 11, two or more content servers 13 may be connected to the network 11.

Content managed by the content server 13 includes text data, image data, and video data. Content may include programs.

The television receiver 14 is a user side information processing device. The television receiver 14 has a function of receiving television broadcasts and providing programs of the television broadcasts to users, and a function of acquiring applications managed by the application server 12 through the network 11, performing processing based on the applications, and providing predetermined information to users. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which a single television receiver 14 is connected to the network 11 , one or more television receivers 14 are connected to the network 11 .

In the system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, using the television receiver 14, the user can watch programs of television broadcast and view predetermined information by processing based on applications managed by the application server 12. Details of such a system will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a manager who manages the server and the like shown in FIG. 1 and users who use the service. The service provider 21, the application provider 22, and the content provider 23 provide services. A user 24 uses the service.

The service provider 21 manages the application server 12 . The application provider 22 includes a plurality of application providers 22, such as an application provider 22-1, an application provider 22-2, an application provider 22-3, . . . . The content provider 23 includes a plurality of content providers 23, such as content provider 23-1, content provider 23-2, content provider 23-3, content provider 23-4, content provider 23-5, .. ..

There is a single service provider 21 . The service provider 21 manages the application server 12, and manages the application list 71 and the applications 72 in the application server 12, as described below with reference to FIG. 4 . While the application list 71 describes therein information on the application 72 , the application 72 is provided from the application provider 22 .

The application provider 22 provides an application 72 . The application 72 is configured to appropriately refer to content data managed in the content server 13 . The content data for reference is provided by the content provider 23 .

In the example of FIG. 2, the application provider 22-1 provides an application 72 to the service that refers to content from the content provider 23-1, content from the content provider 23-2, and content from the content provider 23-3. Provider 21.

Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, the application provider 22-2 provides the service provider 21 with the application 72 referring to the content from the content provider 23-2 and the content from the content provider 23-4. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, the application provider 22-3 provides the service provider 21 with the application 72 that refers to the content from the content provider 23-5.

In this way, the application provider 22 provides the service provider 21 with the application 72 that can refer to the content provided from the plurality of content providers 23 . A contract is concluded between the service provider 21 and the application provider 22 , and the service provider 21 can acquire a contract fee or registration fee from the application provider 22 .

The service provider 21 can check the applications 72 registered in the application server 12 in advance, thereby preventing registration of the applications 72 including viruses and the like. A unified service provider 21 ensures improved security.

The application 72 managed by the service provider 21 is provided to the user 24 based on a request from the user 24 . If necessary, as described above, at the time of registration, and after registration, the application 72 registered in the service provider 21 is checked, thereby providing a safe application instead of an application having a virus or the like.

When an application provided to the user 24 is configured to refer to content provided by the content provider 23, the application receives content from the content provider 23 in a single process.

A contract may be separately concluded between the application provider 22 and the content provider 23 .

Application provider 22 and content provider 23 may be the same. Basically, although the content provider 23 manages the content server 13, when the application provider 22 and the content provider 23 are the same, the application provider 22 can manage the content server 13.

As an example of the application provider 22 and the content provider 23, a company that operates a predetermined search site or a company that performs business on the Internet is used as the application provider 22, and provides pages constituting the search site such as news or weather forecasts The content company serves as the content provider 23 .

[Configuration example of application server]

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the application server 12 . The application server 12 can be formed of, for example, a personal computer, and its internal configuration can be the same as that of the personal computer.

The application server 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a bus 34, an input/output interface 35, an input section 36, an output section 37, a storage section 38, The communication part 39 and the driver 40.

In the application server 12, a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33 are connected to each other via a bus 34. The input/output interface 35 is also connected to the bus 34 . Input section 36 including keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc., output section 37 including display, speaker, etc., storage section 38 including hard disk, nonvolatile memory, etc., communication section 39 including network interface, etc., and drives such as magnetic disk, optical disk, A drive 40 of a removable medium 41 such as a magneto-optical disk or a semiconductor memory is connected to the input/output interface 35 .

As the CPU 31, a cell described in "The Birth of Cell", Nikkei Electronics, NikkeiBP Inc., February 28, 2005, pp.89-117 can be used.

In the application server 12 configured as above, the CPU 31 loads the program stored in the storage section 38 on the RAM 33 through the input/output interface 35 and the bus 34, and executes the program so that a series of processes described below are performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating data stored in the storage section 38 . The storage section 38 stores an application list 71 and applications 72-1 to 72-N. The application list 71 is a list of the applications 72-1 to 72-N managed by the application server 12, and is when the television receiver 14 accesses, in other words, when a menu screen for application selection is displayed on the television receiver 14 The data that is provided to the television receiver 14 when uploading.

Each of the applications 72-1 to 72-N is data of the main body of the application. In the following description, the applications 72-1 to 72-N are simply referred to as applications 72 when there is no need to distinguish the applications 72-1 to 72-N separately.

The application 72 may be a program called a widget. The control is a single-function program executed in a specific runtime environment (runtime environment) mainly on the desktop of a personal computer. Examples of controls include clocks, calendars, dictionaries, calculators, and programs for providing weather information, among others. Controls can cooperate with the network.

The application server 12 provides the application list 71 to the television receiver 14 . Then, the application 72 selected from the application list 71 on the television receiver 14 side is provided to the television receiver 14 .

[Example of internal configuration of content server]

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the application server 13 . Similar to the application server 12, the content server 13 may be formed of, for example, a personal computer, and its internal configuration may be the same as that of the personal computer.

In the content server 13, the CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to each other through the bus 104. An input/output interface 105 is also connected to the bus 104 . Input section 106 including keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc., output section 107 including display, speaker, etc., storage section 108 including hard disk, nonvolatile memory, etc., communication section 109 including network interface, etc. and drives such as magnetic disk, optical disk, A drive 110 of a removable medium 111 such as a magneto-optical disk or a semiconductor memory is connected to the input/output interface 105 .

As the CPU 101, a cell described in "The Birth of Cell", Nikkei Electronics, NikkeiBP Inc., February 28, 2005, pp. 89-117 can be used.

In the content server 13 configured as above, the CPU 101 loads a program stored in the storage section 108 on the RAM 103 through the input/output interface 105 and the bus 104, and executes the program so that a series of processes described below are performed.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the storage section 108 of the content server 13 stores content data 131 . The content data 131 is a program or text data.

In the application 72 managed by the application server 12, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of content data necessary to manage the application 72 therein is described. Processing based on the application 72 is performed on the television receiver 14 side, and access to the content server 13 is performed based on the URL in the application 72, and content data 131 is provided.

For example, if the application 72 is an application for providing news, the content data 131 is text data or image data representing the content of the news. If the application 72 is an application for fortune-telling, the content data 131 is text data representing fortune-telling content about each zodiac sign or data of an image acquired by imaging the corresponding zodiac sign.

Although the case where the content data 131 is managed by the content server 13 will continue to be described, the content data 131 may be managed by the application server 12 . In this case, the service provider 21 also functions as an application provider 22 including a plurality of application providers 22 .

The content data 131 managed by the content server 13-1 is different from the content data 131' managed by the content server 13-2 (a dot (') is placed to distinguish the content data 131 managed by the content server 13-1). In other words, different applications 72 are configured to reference different content data 131 such that the content data referenced by application 72-1 is content data 131 and the content data referenced by application 72-2 is content data 131'.

A single application 72 can access multiple content servers 13 to acquire multiple content data 131 .

[Example of Internal Configuration of Television Receiver]

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the television receiver 14 .

The television receiver 14 has an antenna input terminal 211 to which signals are input from an antenna for reception of analog terrestrial broadcasting, and to which antenna input signals are input from an antenna for reception of digital broadcasting (digital terrestrial broadcasting and digital BS/CS broadcasting). The antenna input terminal 212. One of the terminals may be provided.

The terrestrial tuner 213 receives and demodulates a broadcast signal input to the antenna input terminal 211, and acquires a video signal and a sound signal. The terrestrial tuner 213 outputs the acquired sound signal to the sound A/D (Analog/Digital) conversion circuit 214 , and outputs the video signal to the video decoder 215 .

The sound A/D conversion circuit 214 performs A/D conversion on the sound signal supplied from the terrestrial tuner 213 , and outputs the acquired digital sound signal to the sound signal processing circuit 222 .

The video decoder 215 performs decoding on the video signal supplied from the terrestrial tuner 213 , and outputs the acquired digital component signal to the video signal processing circuit 218 .

The digital tuner 216 receives and demodulates a broadcast signal input to the antenna input terminal 212, and acquires MPEG-TS (Moving Picture Experts Group-Transport Stream). The digital tuner 216 outputs the acquired MPEG-TS to the MPEG decoder 217 .

The MPEG decoder 217 descrambles the MPEG-TS supplied from the digital tuner 216, and extracts a stream including data of a program to be reproduced (viewed). The MPEG decoder 217 decodes the audio packets constituting the extracted stream, and outputs the acquired audio data to the audio signal processing circuit 222 . The MPEG decoder 217 also decodes the video packets constituting the stream, and outputs the acquired video data to the video signal processing circuit 218 .

The MPEG decoder 217 also performs processing to output EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data extracted from the MPEG-TS to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 232 through a path (not shown).

The video signal processing circuit 218 performs predetermined processing such as noise removal or the like on the video data supplied from the video decoder 215 or the video data supplied from the MPEG decoder 217 , and outputs the acquired video data to the graphic generation circuit 219 .

Graphics generation circuit 219 generates video data or image data of a program to be displayed on display panel 221 through processing based on application 72 provided through network 11 , and outputs the generated video data or image data to panel drive circuit 220 . The graphics generation circuit 219 is configured to appropriately perform such processing to generate video data (graphics) for display of the screen, which is used by the user when selecting an item, and to superimpose the generated video data on the video data of the program. The acquired video data is output to the panel drive circuit 220 .

The panel driving circuit 220 drives the display panel 221 based on the data supplied from the graphics generating circuit 219 and displays the programs or videos of the respective screens on the display panel 221 as described above.

The display panel 221 is formed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays video of a program or the like under the control of the panel drive circuit 220 .

The sound signal processing circuit 222 performs predetermined processing such as noise cancellation or the like on the sound data supplied from the sound A/D conversion circuit 214 or the sound data supplied from the MPEG decoder 217, and outputs the acquired sound data to the echo canceller /Sound synthesis circuit 223.

The echo cancellation/sound synthesis circuit 223 outputs the sound data supplied from the sound signal processing circuit 222 to the sound amplification circuit 224 , and outputs the sound of a program from the speaker 225 . When the data of the sound supplied through the network 11 is supplied from the sound codec 228, or when the data of the sound of the user (user A) of the television receiver 14 is supplied from the A/D conversion circuit 227, the echo cancellation/sound synthesis circuit 223 performs echo cancellation on user A's voice data. The echo cancellation/sound synthesis circuit 223 outputs the sound data acquired by synthesis to the sound amplification circuit 224 .

The sound amplifying circuit 224 performs D/A conversion and amplification on the sound data supplied from the echo canceling/sound synthesizing circuit 223 , adjusts the volume to a predetermined volume, and outputs the sound from the speaker 225 .

The A/D conversion circuit 227 receives a signal of the user's voice imported through the microphone 226 (which is provided for voice conversation in the television receiver 14 ), and performs A/D conversion on the received voice signal. The A/D conversion circuit 227 outputs the digital sound data acquired by A/D conversion to the echo cancel/sound synthesis circuit 223 and the sound codec 228 .

The sound codec 228 converts the sound data supplied from the A/D conversion circuit 227 into predetermined format data to be transmitted through the network 11, and outputs the converted data to the network I/F 234 through the internal bus 229.

SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 230, flash memory 231, CPU 232, USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/F 233, and network I/F 234 are also connected to internal bus 229.

The SDRAM 230 stores various data necessary for processing in the CPU 232.

The flash memory 231 stores programs executed by the CPU 232. The program stored in the flash memory 231 is read out by the CPU 232 at a predetermined timing, for example, when the television receiver 14 is started. The flash memory 231 also stores EPG data acquired through digital broadcasting, data acquired from a predetermined server through the network 11, and the like.

The CPU 232 executes programs stored in the flash memory 231, and controls the overall operation of the television receiver 14 in accordance with control codes supplied from the light receiving section 237. The various components of the CPU 232 and the television receiver 14 are connected to each other by paths (not shown).

The USB I/F 233 performs data transmission and reception with a device outside the television receiver 14, which is connected through a USB cable attached to the USB terminal 236. The network I/F 234 is connected to the network 11 through a cable attached to the network terminal 235, and performs data transmission and reception with each device connected to the network 11.

The light receiving section 237 receives infrared light from the remote controller 251, and outputs to the CPU 232 a control code acquired through demodulation and representing the content of the user's operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of the remote controller 251 . The remote controller 251 includes an upper button 271-1 for upward movement of a cursor displayed on the television receiver 14, a lower button 271-2 for downward movement of the cursor, and a left button 271 for leftward movement of the cursor. -3. Right button 271-4 for rightward movement of the cursor, confirmation button 272 for selecting a moving destination and decision item, and a setting button 273 for predetermined settings, and return for returning to a previous screen Button 274.

These buttons are operated when the application 72 and the like are selected.

In addition to the buttons shown in FIG. 8 , for example, the remote controller 251 is provided with buttons for selecting a program of television broadcast or buttons for selecting a volume (no reference numerals are placed) on the upper side of the remote controller 251 . That is, the remote controller 251 is separately provided with buttons for operations regarding television broadcasting, and buttons for operations regarding the application 72 . Meanwhile, some buttons may be used in common.

If buttons for operations on the TV broadcast and buttons for operations on the application 72 are separately provided as described below, when the program of the TV broadcast and the image or text based on the application 72 are displayed on the same screen, the user A desired operation target can be operated only by an operation of a button of the remote controller 251 associated with the operation target.

If a button for changing channels up as a button for program selection and a button for upward movement of a cursor for application selection are commonly used, even if the user operates the button with the intention of changing the program channel up, the cursor may move up. In order to suppress this from happening, it is necessary to provide a toggle button or the like and operate the corresponding button.

However, as described above, if buttons for operations on television broadcasting and buttons for operations on the application 72 are provided separately, the user can perform desired processing by using the remote controller 251 without erroneous operations and without Complicated operations, such as the operation of a toggle button.

[handling overview]

An overview of processing performed in the system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . The application list 71 is provided from the application server 12 to the television receiver 14 . Thereafter, the application 72 is provided from the application server 12 . The application 72 includes, for example, Java (registered trademark) script 73-1, PSML (Page Structure and Macro Description Language) 73-2, and the like.

After receiving the application list 71 and the application 72 , when a user's instruction is made, the television receiver 14 executes processing based on the received application 72 . In any application 72 (by the script described in the Java (registered trademark) script 73 - 1 constituting the application 72 ), access to the content server 13 is performed to acquire the content data 131 , and processing based on the content data 131 is performed.

[Screen switch]

Next, a screen displayed on the television receiver 14 having such a configuration will be described. In the following description, a screen on which an image based on the application 72 and the like is displayed is exemplified.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display panel 221 when the user wants to activate the application 72 . In the following description, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is referred to as an initial screen. The user can select desired processing on the initial screen. Desirable processing is, for example, processing of referring to a list of programs recorded in an HDD recorder (not shown) connected to the television receiver 14 and selecting a program, processing of viewing a program related to a program guide of digital terrestrial broadcasting, and the like. The initial screen is a menu screen for selection of processing or settings.

In the initial screen of FIG. 10 , dotted lines are placed for description, and they are not displayed on the actual screen.

The icon display section 301 has a plurality of icons arranged and displayed in the horizontal direction, and each icon is an image that allows the user to intuitively recognize which processing or which setting is possible. For example, when processing on an image (for example, processing to display a list of programs recorded in the HDD recorder) is performed, an icon that allows the user to recognize that processing for such an image is possible is displayed in the icon display section 301 .

From among the icons displayed in the icon display section 301, one icon is focused. Displays text below the focused icon indicating what the icon is about. In the example of FIG. 10, since the icon about "NETWORK" is focused, the text "NETWORK" is displayed under the icon. Distinguishes the focused icon from other icons by displaying it in a different color.

The icons displayed in the icon display section 301 slide in the left-right direction based on the user's instruction. For example, when the user operates the left button 271-3 (FIG. 10) of the remote controller 251, the icons displayed in the icon display section 301 generally move to the left, and the focused icon moves to the next icon.

Up and down of the focused icon, the icon display portion 302 is provided, and an icon indicating an option for the process or setting indicated by the focused icon is displayed. In the example of FIG. 10 , in a state where the icon “network” is focused, icons indicating options for processing or setting regarding the network are arranged in the vertical direction and displayed in the icon display section 302 .

Here, the option regarding the icon "Network" is an option for selection of the application 72 .

The cursor 311 is located on an icon of the icon display section 302 . The description will continue of an example where the cursor 311 is positioned at an icon below the focused icon. In other words, the cursor 311 is fixed and is constantly positioned under the focused icon. When the user instructs movement (sliding) of an icon displayed in the icon display section 302, the icon slides in the up and down direction, and movement of the icon is realized.

From among the icons displayed in the icon display section 302 , descriptions of icons excluding icons displayed in the icon display section 301 are displayed in the description display section 303 (in this case, a network of excluding icons). For example, referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that the text "PROGRAM RANKING" is displayed at the top of the description display part 303, and the corresponding icon (application) is used to display the rating of the program.

On the right side of the description display section 303, a status icon display section 304 is provided. In the status icon display section 304, when the application 72 is newly added, the icon "NEW" is displayed, and when the application 72 is updated, the icon "UPDATE" is displayed. It displays an icon "END" when the service provided by the application 72 ends.

On the right side of the status icon display section 304, a registration status display section 305 is provided. When an icon displayed in the icon display portion 302 is selected, the application 72 of the icon is activated, and information of the activated application 72 is provided to the user together with a program of television broadcast. Meanwhile, a predetermined number of applications 72 to be active other than the application 72 selected at that time may be registered in advance. That is, the user can register favorite applications 72 .

Such an initial screen or a layout of information to be displayed is just an example, and it is not limited to the initial screen or the layout of information to be displayed as shown in FIG. 10 . This also applies to screens that will be described below, and these screens are for illustrative rather than restrictive purposes and can be changed appropriately.

When the user selects the icon "Network", in other words, when the television receiver 14 is connected to the application server 12 and acquires the application list 71 in a state where the icon "Network" is focused, the initial screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In this way, the timing to acquire the application list 71 is when the icon is focused, as described above. Also, when the icon is focused, depending on the communication speed of the network, etc., the initial screen may not be displayed immediately. For this reason, for example, it is preferable to acquire and hold the application list 71 at regular intervals.

In the application list 71 , information in each of the icon display section 302 , the description display section 303 , and the status icon display section 304 is described. The information described in the registration status display section 305 is stored on the television receiver 14 side. When the application list 71 is acquired, which application 72 is registered is determined, and the icon REGISTERED is displayed for the corresponding icon.

Referring to FIG. 11, for citing an example of an icon displayed in icon display section 302, further description will be provided for information displayed in each of description display section 303, status icon display section 304, and registration status display section 305.

The icon 321 displayed in the icon display section 302 is formed of an image such that the content of the application 72 is imaged to the user. Icon data used for display of the icon 321 is described in the application list 71 . In addition, a URL in which icon data is stored is described in the application list 71, and the icon data is acquired through access to the URL.

The description display section 303 includes a name display section 322 in which the name of the application 72 is displayed, a description display section 323 in which the description of the application 72 is displayed, and a provider display section 324 in which the provider of the application 72 is displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the name of the application 72 corresponding to the icon 321 is “Program Rating”, and thus “Program Rating” is displayed in the name display portion 322 . The application 72 corresponding to the icon 321 is a program of television broadcast and has a function of providing information on ratings or a recommended program, and thus the description “RECOMMENDED PROGRAM! (RECOMMENDED PROGRAM!)” is displayed in the description display section 323 . The distributor who distributed the application 72 corresponding to the icon 321 is “distributor A (DISTRIBUTORA)”, and thus “distributor A” is displayed in the provider display portion 324 . Distributor A is the application provider 22 .

A status icon 325 displayed when the status of the application 72 changes is displayed in the status icon display section 304 . As described above, the status icons 325 include the icon "NEW" displayed when the application 72 is newly added, the icon "UPDATE" displayed when the application 72 is updated, and the icon displayed when the service provision by the application 72 ends. "End (END)". No status icon 325 is displayed in the status icon display section 304 when corresponding to the application 72 with no status change.

In the case of registering the application 72 , a registered icon 326 is displayed in the registration status display section 305 . Users can register favorite applications 72 . Through this registration, as described below, when a predetermined application 72 is selected, the registered application 72 can be displayed together with the selected application 72 . Referring again to the initial screen shown in FIG. 10 with details described below, if the icon "SERVICECAST" is selected, registered applications 72 are displayed.

The registered applications 72 are activated at the same time, and the applications 72 execute processing individually. Meanwhile, if the processing by a plurality of applications 72, mainly, the processing of accessing the content server 13 and acquiring and displaying the informative content data 131 through the network 11 is performed at the same time, a burden may be imposed on the television receiver 14 depending on the number of processing superior. Specifically, since there is a limit in the capacity of the SDRAM 230 for temporarily storing the content data 131 and the like (FIG. 6), the content data 131 passed through a plurality of applications 72 cannot be limitedly stored.

Therefore, it is preferable to limit the number of applications 72 that can be registered. For example, the number of applications 72 that can be registered may be limited to five, and when the user wants to register a sixth application 72, an error message or the like may be displayed. Also, for example, when the number of applications 72 that can be registered is limited to five, five registered icons 326 are displayed in the registration status display section 305 at the maximum.

Registration/unregistration is different for each television receiver 14 . For this reason, information on the registered application 72 such as an ID for recognizing the registered application 72 and the like are stored on the television receiver 14 side. When the television receiver 14 acquires the application list 71 , the application 72 being registered is determined with reference to the stored information and the information described in the application list 71 , and a registered icon 326 is displayed in the registration status display section 305 .

From among the information described with reference to FIG. 11 , in the application list 71 , information displayed in each display section except the registration status display section 305 is described. FIG. 12 is an example of information described in the application list 71 and an example of information about one application 72 .

In the application list 71, for each application 72, "ID" for identifying the application 72, "image (IMAGE)" of the icon displayed in the icon display section 302, "name (NAME)" of the application 72 are described. , information (data) about “DESCRIPTION” of a service provided by the application 72 , a “PROVIDER” providing the application 72 , and a “STATE” of the application 72 .

"ID" for identifying the application 72 may be the aforementioned URL in which the application 72 is managed. In addition, when the television receiver 14 determines whether to register the application 72 , the ID managed on the television receiver 14 side is the ID described in the application list 71 .

The "image" of the icon displayed in the icon display section 302 may be the image data of the icon, or may be the above-mentioned URL in which the image data of the icon is managed. In the case of a URL, the image data of the icon is acquired by acquiring the application list 71 and connecting to the URL described in the application list 71 .

Through the management of the application list 71 on the application server 12 side, the following advantages can be obtained. First, when an application 72 is newly registered in the application list 71 , the manager (in FIG. 2 , the service provider 21 ) that manages the application server 12 can check the application 72 . Through the administrator's check, for example, registration of an ill-intended application 72 including a virus can be prevented. Therefore, the security of the application 72 provided to the user 24 side (television receiver 14 side) can be increased.

The application list 71 is provided to the television receiver 14, and the television receiver 14 presents only the applications 72 registered in the provided application list 71 to the user side. For this reason, if the application list 71 is updated, processing based on the updated application list 71 can be performed on the television receiver 14 side. For example, if there is a newly registered application 72, the newly registered application 72 can be provided to the user side without disturbing the user on the television receiver 14 side (for example, without performing update).

That is, the application 72 provided to the user side can be freely set on the manager side, and the problematic application 72 can be deleted from the application list 71 . For this reason, the application 72 can be provided to the user side through the precise management of the administrator. In other words, the application provider 22 can be freely set on the service provider 21, and therefore the contract with the problematic application provider 22 can be canceled, and the application information provided by the corresponding application provider 22 can be deleted from the application list 71. 72 information of the application. For this reason, the application 72 can be provided to the user 24 side by precise management of the service provider 21 .

The television receiver 14 accesses the application server 12 and holds the URL for acquiring the application list 71 .

We now return to the description regarding the initial screen shown in FIG. 10 . When the initial screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display panel 221, if the user operates the down button 271-2 (FIG. 10) of the remote controller 251, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

The screen example shown in FIG. 13 is compared with the screen example shown in FIG. 10, although in the case of the screen (initial screen) shown in FIG. , but in the case of the screen shown in FIG. 13 , the cursor 311 is located on the icon of the application 72 named "FORTUNE-TELLING".

Referring to FIG. 10 , the icon of the application 72 named "Fortune Telling" is located two icons below the icon of the application 72 named "News". When the user operates the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 twice, or when the user continues to operate the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 until the cursor 311 moves two icons, the cursor 311 moves down to the next two icons. icon of icon.

In this case, since the position of the cursor 311 is fixed, actually, the icon displayed in the icon display section 302 moves up two icons. In this way, processing corresponding to two operations of the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 13 , in a state where the cursor 311 is located on the icon of the application 72 named "Fortune Telling", if the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen changes to the screen shown in FIG. 14 .

A description will be provided for the screen shown in FIG. 14 . In the screen shown in FIG. 14 , a setup screen 351 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the screen shown in FIG. 13 . In the setup screen 351, as selection items, an item 361 "ALL APPLICATION RELEASE" of an operation to release all applications 72 registered, and an item 362 "APPLICATION SELECTION" of an operation to activate a selected application 72 are displayed. ", the item 363 "APPLICATION REGISTRATION" operated to register the selected application 72, the item 364 "APPLICATION DESCRIPTION (APPLICATION DESCRIPTION)" operated to view the description of the application 72 about which process the selected application 72 performs, and the operation To close select the item 365 "CLOSE" of the screen 351 .

"Select application 72" is the application 72 corresponding to the icon on which the cursor 311 is located, and in the screen example shown in FIG. 14, it is the application 72 named "Fortune Telling".

Referring again to the screen example of FIG. 13 , since the application 72 named "fortune-telling" is not registered, the icon indicating registration is not displayed in the registration status display section 305. When such an application 72 is selected, if the item 363 (FIG. 14) "application registration" is selected, the corresponding application 72 is registered.

If the application 72 is registered, when the initial screen is displayed next, an icon indicating registration is displayed in the registration status display section 305 . Also, if the application 72 is registered, the ID of the application 72 is stored in the television receiver 14 . At the time of registration, when a predetermined number of applications 72 have been registered, registration is not performed, and an error message or the like is displayed.

When the registration is performed, although not shown, a screen for the user to confirm whether to perform the registration may be displayed.

Returning to the description for the screen example of FIG. 14 , if the item 364 "Application Description" is selected, the screen of the display panel 221 switches to an application description screen 371 as shown in FIG. 15 . The application description screen 371 is provided with an area 381 in which the name of the application 72 is displayed, an area 382 in which the name of the provider of the application 72 is displayed, and an area 383 in which a telephone number for inquiries of the application 72 is displayed.

The application description screen 371 is also provided with a screen in which an image (for example, an enlarged image of an icon displayed in the icon display section 302) that images the service (which is provided to the user through the process according to the application 72) to the user is displayed. An area 384, and an area 385 in which text describing the content of the service provided to the user through processing according to the application 72 is displayed.

The application description screen 371 is also provided with a button 386 operable to activate the web browser and display contact or support information for the application 72, and to return to the screen shown in FIG. Button 387 of the screen.

A user can view such an application description screen 371 to recognize the content of the service provided by the application 72 .

Next, a description will be provided of the screen when the application 72 is activated from the screen shown in FIG. 13 or the screen shown in FIG. 14 . The screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed when the cursor 311 is located on the icon indicating the application 72 named "Fortune Telling". In the state where the cursor 311 is positioned to indicate the predetermined application 72, if the confirmation button 272 (FIG. 10) of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen of the display panel 221 switches to the screen shown in FIG.

As shown in Figure 14, in the state where the cursor 311 is located on the icon indicating the application 72 "Fortune-telling" and the establishment screen 351 is displayed, if the operation item 362 "Application Selection", the screen of the display panel 221 is switched to that shown in Figure 16 screen.

If the application 72 is activated, the data of the main body of the application 72 is acquired from the application server 12 . In this case, when an instruction to activate the application 72 is made, access to the application server 12 is performed, and data (program, etc.) of the main body of the application 72 is acquired. At the time of acquisition, the data of the application 72 instructing activity is acquired based on the ID of the application 72 described in the application list 71 .

A description will be provided for the screen shown in FIG. 16 . In the screen shown in FIG. 16 , the left side becomes a program display area 401 in which programs of television broadcast are displayed, and the right side becomes an application display area 402 in which services of a plurality of applications 72 are displayed. In this way, the program of the television broadcast and the information provided by the application 72 are simultaneously provided to the user. The user can view desired information provided by the application 72 while enjoying programs broadcast on television.

In the screen example shown in FIG. 16 , information provided by three applications 72 is displayed in the application display area 402 . In the application display area 402, in the upper area 411, information is displayed by an application 72 called a service channel (SERVICE CHANNEL) (hereinafter, the application 72 named "service channel" is described to correspond to the application 72-1) . In the middle area 412, information is displayed by the application 72 named fortune-telling (hereinafter, the application 72 named "fortune-telling" is described to correspond to the application 72-2). In the lower area 413, information is displayed by the application 72 named News (hereinafter, the application 72 named "News" is displayed to correspond to the application 72-3).

The applications 72 displaying information in the application display area 402 include registered applications 72 and selected applications 72 . As described above, it is configured so that the user can register a predetermined number of applications 72 in advance. Even if the unregistered application 72 is selected, the application 72 registered by the user is displayed together with the unregistered application 72 in the application display area 402 .

For example, referring to FIG. 13 , in the screen shown in FIG. 16 , an application 72 - 2 called fortune telling is an unregistered application 72 . Even if the unregistered application 72-2 is selected, the registered applications 72-1 and 72-3 are displayed in the application display area 402 together with the application 72-2.

The applications 72 displayed in the application display area 402 operate separately. For example, the application 72-3 providing a service for news display connects to the content server 13 to acquire the content data 131 of news and update the news (text) displayed in the area 413 at the timing of setting the application 72-3.

Although not displayed, the registered application 72 and the applications 72 - 1 to 72 - 3 displayed in the application display area 402 are operated. For example, when five applications 72 are registered, six applications 72 including the five applications 72 and the selected unregistered application 72 execute processing regardless of whether they are displayed in the application display area 402 . The application 72 - 3 connects to the content server 13 to obtain news regardless of whether it is displayed in the application display area 402 or not.

In this way, the information of the applications 72 displayed in the application display area 402 is updated regardless of whether a user's instruction is made, as long as each application 72 is an application 72 that can update information appropriately. Therefore, the user can acquire new information without trouble.

As described above, when an application 72 is instructed to be activated, the application 72 activated by the instruction and the registered application 72 are simultaneously activated. Here, simultaneous activation refers to performing access to the application server 12 to acquire the data subject of the application 72, performing processing based on the acquired application 72, and during the processing, making a connection to the content server 13 to acquire content data if necessary 131.

As described above, in this embodiment, when an instruction activates the application 72, data about the application 72 is acquired. Accordingly, data pertaining to the application 72 need not be located on the television receiver 14, and therefore the storage space allocated to SDRAM 230 (FIG. 7) for data pertaining to the application 72 can be reduced.

Referring again to FIG. 16, if the up button 271-1 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the applications 72-1 to 72-3 displayed in the application display area 402 move upward, and are displayed as not displayed in the application display area 402, and The application 72-4 of the application 72 under the application 72-3 is substantially set. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 , the information in which the information according to the application 72-2 is displayed in the area 411, the information according to the application 72-3 is displayed in the area 412, and the information according to the application 72-4 is displayed in the area 413 is displayed. Screen. In the following description, the case where the application 72-4 is corresponding to the application 72 named "PHOTO FRIEND" will be continued.

When the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the applications 72-1 to 72-3 move downward, and are displayed as those not displayed in the application display area 402 and substantially set on the application 72-1. Application 72-5 of application 72. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18 , a display in which the information according to the application 72-5 is displayed in the area 411, the information according to the application 72-1 is displayed in the area 412, and the information according to the application 72-2 is displayed in the area 413 is displayed. Screen. In the following description, the description will continue to the case where the application 72-5 is the application 72 corresponding to the name "Gourmet Information (GOURMET INFORMATION)".

As described above, the applications 72 operating in parallel are substantially vertically aligned, and the applications 72 displayed in the application display area 402 are switched according to the operation state of the up button 271 - 1 or the down button 271 - 2 of the remote controller 251 .

The screens shown in Figs. 16 to 18 are called normal mode. In the normal mode, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is switched to a focus mode in which the application 72 (the application 72 displaying information in the area 412 ) in the middle at that time is focused.

For example, in the screen shown in FIG. 16, the application 72 displaying information in the area 412 of the application display area 402 is the application 72-2 named "Fortune Telling". In this state, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to a screen in which the focus mode of the application 72-2 is focused.

Fig. 19 shows an example of a screen in focus mode. In the focus mode, areas 411 and 413 of the application display area 402 are displayed dark. In other words, only the area 412 in the middle of the application display area 402 is displayed brighter than other areas. In the focus mode, the registered application 72 and the selected application 72 operate in parallel regardless of whether the application 72 is displayed in the application display area 402 .

In the focus mode, similar to the normal mode, if the up button 271-1 or the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the application 72 displayed in the application display area 402 slides up or down and is displayed. By this sliding, the application 72 displayed in the area 412 is switched, and thus also the focused application 72 is switched. Thus, in the focus mode, the user can bring a desired application 72 into focus.

When the mode is switched to the focus mode, buttons and the like of the focus-based application 72 are displayed. For example, referring to FIG. 19 , when the application 72 displayed in the area 412 is the application 72-2 "Fortune Telling", a button 431 "READ FORTUNE" is displayed in the focus mode. A button called RETURN that is operated to return to the normal mode is also displayed.

The user operates the left button 271 - 3 or the right button 271 - 4 of the remote controller 251 to select the button 431 or the button 432 . After the button 431 or the button 432 is selected, if the confirmation button 272 is operated, processing corresponding to the selected button is executed. When a button 431 called "Read Fortune" is selected and decided, the mode is switched to an active mode, and when a button 432 called "Back" is selected and decided, the mode is switched to a normal mode.

The active mode is a mode in which only information provided by one application 72 is displayed. FIG. 20 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display panel 221 in the active mode. In the application display area 402, an active screen 461 showing information in which only one application 72 (in this case, an application named "fortune-telling" 72-2) is displayed is displayed.

In the active mode, information according to one application 72 is displayed, and in this state, operations of other applications 72 are stopped. As described above, while in the normal mode or the focus mode, the registered application 72 and the selected application 72 are operated in parallel regardless of whether they are displayed, in the active mode, only the displayed application 72 is operated.

In active mode, the active application 72 accesses the content server 13 to obtain content data 131 . Processing based on the acquired content data 131 is performed, and thus an active screen 461 is displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20, information provided by an application 72-2 called "Fortune Telling" is displayed, and in an active screen 461, text indicating contents of fortune telling and the like are displayed. The fortune-telling content shown in FIG. 20 is information provided for each constellation, and when the user wants to check the fortune-telling information of a constellation other than the displayed constellation (in FIG. 20, Virgo), he/she operates in the active A button "NEXT" is provided under the screen 461 of . The user operates the button "Next" to view desired fortune-telling information.

Meanwhile, it is considered that when the fortune-telling information is provided by the constellation, the user wants to check the fortune-telling information of his/her constellation without operating the button "Next". Therefore, the registered user's constellation is configured, and the information of the registered constellation is displayed first when the mode is switched to the active mode.

For example, in the screen of the active mode shown in FIG. 20, if the user operates the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251, an option menu screen for establishing (registering) a constellation or the like is displayed. FIG. 21 shows an example of an option menu screen corresponding to the application 72-2 called "Fortune Telling". In the screen of the normal mode (for example, FIG. 16 ) or in the screen of the focus mode (for example, in FIG. 19 ), even if the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251 is operated, an option menu screen 481 is superimposed on the screen at that time, and the Displayed in the same manner as the active mode.

Referring to FIG. 21, in the option menu screen 481, a button 491 called "ALL APPLICATION RELEASE", a button 492 called "APPLICATION SETUP", a button called "REGISTRATION (REGISTRATION)" are displayed. " button 493 and a button 494 called "INQUIRY". Among these, regarding the button 493 called "Registration", when the application 72 that has not been registered undergoes processing, the option menu screen 481 is displayed, and when the application 72 that has already been registered is subjected to processing, a button called "Registration Cancellation" is displayed. (REGISTRATIONRELEASE)" button 493.

A button 491 called “Release All Applications” is a button operated to cancel the registration of all the registered applications 72 . A button 492 called “Application Setup” is a button operated to set information according to the application 72 , for example, in the case of the application 72 about fortune-telling according to astrology, set information of a constellation or the like.

A button 493 called "Register" is a button that is displayed when the application 72 that has not been registered undergoes processing, and is operated to register the application 72 that has undergone processing. When the already registered application 72 is subjected to processing, a button 493 "registration release" is displayed. A button 493 called “Registration Cancellation” is a button operated to cancel the registration of the registered application 72 .

A button 494 called “Inquiry” is a button operated to display information on a destination for providing the application 72 .

If a button 492 called "Application Build" is operated, the screen switches to the screen shown in FIG. 22 . A description will be provided for the setup screen shown in FIG. 22 . The creation screen 501 shown in FIG. 22 is a screen for creation in the application 72-2 named "Fortune Telling". In the establishment screen 501 regarding fortune-telling, a column 511 for constellation selection, a column 512 for name input, and a column 513 for favorite food selection are provided.

The column 511 for constellation selection is configured so that one constellation can be selected, and a desired constellation can be selected by the operation of the up button 271 - 1 or the down button 271 - 2 of the remote controller 251 .

The field 512 for name input is configured so that the user can input and set desired text, such as his/her name, nickname, etc., through the operation of the remote controller 251 . Although the case in which a name is input has been described, a user ID or code can be set through the application 72 .

In a column 513 for favorite food selection, the names of various foods are listed, and a check box is provided in front of each name. The user can select the names of multiple foods and can check each checkbox.

As described above, the items set in the setup screen 501 include items set by inputting desired text or the like by the user, items set when the user selects one of items set in advance, items set when the user selects from among items set in advance Items etc. to be set when there are multiple items.

The setting items set in this setup screen 501 are stored on the television receiver 14 side. For example, when the application 72 - 2 "Fortune Telling" is placed in active mode, a constellation which is one of items set in the television receiver 14 is referred to, and content corresponding to the constellation is acquired from the content server 13 and displayed. Therefore, the user can first check the fortune-telling of his/her horoscope once set in the focus mode or the active mode.

Although it has been described that the above example mainly focuses on the application 72-2 named "Fortune Telling", hereinafter, description will be provided again focusing on the application 72-3 named "News".

In the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. If the confirmation button 272 of 251 is pressed, the screen switches to the screen in the focus mode shown in FIG. 23 .

FIG. 23 shows a screen example in the focus mode in which the application 72-3 named "News" is focused. In the application display area 402, only the area 412 in which news is displayed by the processing of the application 72-3 is displayed brighter than the other areas. In this focus mode, the registered application 72 and the selected application 72 operate in parallel regardless of whether the application 72 is displayed in the application display area 402 .

As buttons based on the application 72-3 named "News", in the example of FIG. 23 , a button 531 "PREVIOUS" and a button 532 "Next" are displayed. The button 531 "Previous" is a button operated to return to the previous news item, and the button 532 "Next" is a button operated to return to the next news item.

It is configured so that the operation of the left button 271-3 of the remote controller 251 corresponds to the operation of the button 531 "previous", and the operation of the right button 271-4 corresponds to the operation of the button 532 "next". The user operates the left button 271-3 or the left button 271-4 to view a desired news item.

In the focus mode shown in FIG. 23, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is changed to the active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the active mode is a mode in which only information provided by one application 72-3 is displayed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 24 , an active screen 461 in which only information provided by the application 72 - 3 "News" is displayed is displayed in the application display area 402 .

In the active mode, the active application 72-3 accesses the content server 13 to obtain content data 131 on news. If processing based on the acquired content data 131 is performed, news items are displayed on the active screen 461 . The news items displayed on the activity screen 461 are updated periodically in the application 72-3. When updating is performed, content data 131 is acquired.

In the active screen 461 of FIG. 24, a button 551 "DETAIL" is provided, which is operated to see the details of the displayed news item. As described above, the buttons provided in the active screen 461 are buttons suitable for the active application 72 .

If the button 551 "details" is operated, the data of the details of the news item is acquired by accessing the content server 13 . Alternatively, a reservation browser may be activated, and a reservation server on the Internet may be accessed, and processing of the reservation browser may be performed based on data acquired from the server to provide the details.

As shown in FIG. 24, although news items provided by the application 72-3 called "News" are displayed in the active screen 461, news of interest differs from user to user. Therefore, the category of interest to the user may be set (registered) so that more news items of the category of interest to the user are preferentially provided than news items of no interest.

In the screen of the active mode shown in FIG. 24, if the user operates the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251, as shown in FIG. 25, an option menu screen 481 is displayed. In the option menu screen 481, the same items as the above-described option menu screen 481 (FIG. 21) displayed when the application 72-2 called "Fortune Telling" is placed in the active mode are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 25 is different from the example shown in FIG. 21 in that an option menu screen 481 is displayed on the activity screen 461 of the news-related application 72-3.

Among the items displayed in the option menu screen 481, if a button 492 corresponding to an item called "Application Build" is operated, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 26 . A description will be provided for the setup screen shown in FIG. 26 . The creation screen 501 shown in FIG. 26 is a screen for creation in the application 72-3 named "News". The creation screen 501 about news is provided with an area 571 for creation of a desired category.

In an area 571 for selection of a desired category, a plurality of category names are listed, and a check box is provided for each category name. User can select multiple category names and check each checkbox.

The items displayed in the setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 20 for the application 72-2 called "Fortune Telling" are different from those for the application 72-3 called "News" in the setup screen 501 shown in FIG. Items displayed in the screen 501, and these items correspond to the application 72. Items displayed in the setup screen 501 depend on the application 72 as described above.

The setting items set in the setup screen 501 are stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, for example, when the application 72-3 "News" is placed in the active mode, the category name of the item set in the television receiver 14 is referred to, and the content data 131 corresponding to the news belonging to the category is acquired from the content server 13 and display it. Therefore, the user can first view news belonging to a desired category once set in the active mode.

As mentioned above, the application 72 called News operates in parallel with other applications 72, whether in normal or focused mode, and, as a result, updates the news items. Therefore, in the normal mode or the focus mode, as well as in the active mode, the set category can be referred to, and the content data 131 of the news item belonging to the referenced category can be acquired.

In the active mode, if the return button 274 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen switches to the normal mode.

As described above, a normal mode, a focus mode, and an active mode are provided, and thus a user can easily acquire information in a desired mode while enjoying a TV broadcast program.

The description will be provided with reference again to the initial screen. As the initial screen, refer to the initial screen shown in FIG. 27 . An icon named "Service Delivery", an icon named "Fortune Teller", an icon named "Photo Friend" and an icon named "Gourmet Information" are displayed. Among these icons, an application 72-2 named "Fortune Telling", an application 72-4 named "Photo Friend" and an application 72-5 named "Gourmet Information" are registered and displayed in the registration state display section 305 Icons are registered.

As mentioned above, when registering three applications 72, "Fortune Telling", "Photo Friend" and "Gourmet Information", if the icon named "Service Delivery" is selected, the three registered applications 72-2, 72- 4 and 72-5. If the three registered applications 72-2, 72-4, and 72-5 are activated, for example, the screen switches to that of the normal mode shown in FIG. 28 .

Although the case has been described where the name of the icon operated when only the registered application 72 is activated is "service delivery", any name may be used as long as the user can easily recognize the service content.

In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. information provided by friends". For example, the information of the applications 72-2, 72-4, and 72-5 may be displayed in the area 411, the area 412, and the area 413 in the order of registration, or in the order displayed in the initial screen.

As mentioned above, the icon named “Service Delivery” is an icon that operates to activate a registered application 72 , and an active utility for multiple registered applications 72 . This icon is also provided in the splash screen.

If an icon of such a utility is provided in the initial screen, the user can collectively activate the registered applications 72 without looking for the registered applications 72 in the list. Therefore, the user can acquire information of a desired application 72 with a simple operation.

As described above, when the initial screen is displayed, the application list 71 is acquired from the application server 12 and stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, when the screen switched from the initial screen to the normal mode is displayed, one or more applications 72 (programs of the main body of the applications 72) active at that time are acquired from the application server 12, and stored on the television receiver 14 side superior.

In the normal mode and the focus mode, access to the content server 13 is appropriately performed based on the application 72 to acquire the content data 131 and store on the television receiver 14 side. In this case, depending on the application 72, the content server 13 of the connection destination is different, and the acquired content data 131 is different. In the active mode, only the active-based application 72 accesses the content server 13 or server (not shown), and the content data 131 or other kinds of data are stored on the television receiver 14 side.

The application 72 and content data 131 (other kinds of data) stored on the television receiver 14 are deleted when the screen is switched from the screen of one of the normal mode, the focus mode, and the active mode to the initial screen. In this way, the application 72 or content data 131 is stored when necessary, and deleted when not necessary. Therefore, the storage area for the application 72 or content data 131 on the television receiver 14 side can be reduced.

If the television receiver 14 acquires the application 72 as needed, for example, even if the application 72 is updated, the updated application 72 can be provided to the television receiver 14 side. Therefore, the application 72 provided to the television receiver 14 side can be made constantly the latest application 72 .

The applications 72 acquired by the television receiver 14 can be set only for the applications 72 described in the application list 71 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent malicious applications 72 from being downloaded to the television receiver 14 by proper management of the application list 71 . In addition, if the interval at which the application 72 is described in the application list 71 is limited, the application 72 can be provided to the user side at a limited interval, and thus the service width can be increased.

The television receiver 14 acquires the content data 131 when necessary, and deletes the stored content data 131 when not necessary. For example, even in the case of frequently updated information such as news items, updated latest information can be provided to the television receiver 14 side, and stored old information can be prevented from being provided to the user.

[other apps]

While the above example has been described primarily focusing on the application 72 - 2 named "Fortune Telling", the same basic flow applies to another application 72 . That is to say, regarding the other application 72, similar to the application 72-2 named "fortune-telling", according to the user's instruction, the mode is changed from the normal mode to the focus mode and from the focus mode to the active mode, and in each mode Execute scheduled setup.

Although the basic processing flow is the same, a description will be provided again for screen changes and the like in each application 72 other than "Fortune Telling". First, a description will be provided for the registered application 72 .

The description will be provided with reference again to the initial screen. As the initial screen, refer to the initial screen shown in FIG. 29 . An icon named "Service Delivery", an icon named "Photo Friend", an icon named "PHOTO NICE" and an icon named "PHOTO CHOICE" are displayed. Among these icons, an application 72-4 named "Photo Friend", an application 72-5 named "Photo is nice", and an application 72-6 named "Photo Selection" are registered. For this reason, a registered icon is displayed in the registration status display section 305 .

As mentioned above, when registering three applications 72, "Photo Friend", "Photo is Nice" and "Photo Selection", if the icon named "Service Delivery" is selected, the three registered applications 72-4, 72-5 and 72-6. If the three registered applications 72-4, 72-5, and 72-6 are activated, for example, the screen switches to that of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30 .

Although the case where the name of the icon operated to activate only the registered application 72 is "service delivery" has been described, any name may be used as long as the user can recognize the service content.

On the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. Select the information provided. The information of the applications 72-4, 72-5, and 72-6 may be displayed in the order of registration, or in the order displayed in the initial screen, in the area 411, the area 412, and the area 413, respectively.

As mentioned above, the icon named “Service Delivery” is an icon that operates to activate a registered application 72 , and an active utility for multiple registered applications 72 . This icon is also provided in the splash screen.

If an icon of such a utility is provided in the initial screen, the user can activate the registered applications 72 collectively without looking for the registered applications 72 in the list. Therefore, the user can acquire information of a desired application 72 with a simple operation.

Next, the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend", the application 72-5 named "Photo is nice", and the application 72-6 named "Photo Selection" displayed in the normal mode of FIG. 30 will be described Screen switching (shift) or establishment in each application 72 of .

Any one of "photo friend", "photo is fine", and "photo selection" is an application related to photos (still images). Although the description about each application describes details, to describe each application simply, "Photo Friend" is an application that allows people who know a predetermined ID to share photos. "Photo is good" is an application that allows a user to view a photo selected as a good photo by many people among photos managed by a predetermined server (here, assume the content server 13-1). "Photo selection" is an application that allows a user to view photos classified into predetermined categories among photos managed by the content server 13-1.

[photo friend]

First, a description will be provided for the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend".

In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. If the down button 271-2 of the device 251 is pressed, the screen changes to the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 31 . That is, the screen switches to a normal mode screen on which the information of the application 72 - 4 named “Photo Friend” is displayed in the area 412 located in the middle of the application display area 402 .

A description will be provided for a screen named "Photo Friend" on the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30 or 31 . As shown in FIG. 31 , for example, a screen named "Photo Friend" has a background that is a copy of a one-page paper album, and a photo is displayed in the background. This photo is switched to another photo every time a predetermined time elapses. In other words, the display is performed as if the pages of the album are turned over (replaced) by one page (one photo). In particular, the photos displayed in the screen named "Photo Friend" are displayed in a slide show.

The photos are switched every time a predetermined time elapses, and, for example, information on the predetermined time is described in Java (registered trademark) Script included in the application 72-4. When the photo is switched, the image data of the photo is acquired from the content server 13 (here, assumed to be the content server 13-1) that manages image data. The image data of the background is included in the application 72-4, and the screen of the normal mode is displayed immediately earlier than the photo. If only the background is displayed instantaneously, the user may recognize the screen changed to the normal mode, or may feel discomfort of wrong operation because there is no display. Therefore, uncomfortable feeling can be relieved.

The image data acquired from the content server 13-1 is image data identified by a predetermined ID. For example, the predetermined ID is an ID for identifying the user 24 (FIG. 1), and an ID used by the user 24 to register image data in the content server 13-1. In other words, the user 24 can register registered image data of photographs captured by him/her in the content server 13-1. The predetermined ID is an ID used for verification of whether or not the authorized user 24 registers image data.

The content server 13-1 is configured to recognize a plurality of image data registered based on ID. Also, at the time of registration, the user places a tag. This tag indicates the category of the photo. For example, in the case of a photo of a baby, it is classified into a category named "baby (BABY)", and a label indicating this category is placed. An application 72-6 named "Photo Selection" to be described below selects photos based on tags.

Returning to the description of the screen named "Photo Friend" shown in FIG. 31, for example, a white frame is displayed around the photo. With this white frame, even assuming that photographs based on image data managed by the content server 13 have various sizes (aspect ratios), different sizes can be absorbed. When displaying a photo within the screen called "Photo Friend", the photo based on the acquired image data is processed into a size according to the size (aspect ratio) of the screen, and a white frame suitable for the size of the processed photo is displayed .

In the example of FIG. 31, in the screen named "Photo Friend", the sentence "Photo of ABC" is also displayed. The displayed sentence is, for example, a sentence having a part corresponding to "ABC" as a nickname. The nickname is managed on the content server 13-1 side in association with the ID.

As described above, photos based on image data managed with a predetermined ID are displayed in the screen named "Photo Friend", and accordingly IDs need to be set before such display is performed. This is because, if the ID is not set, it cannot be understood which image data is managed with which ID is acquired from the content server 13-1.

Therefore, when no ID is set, the screen shown in FIG. 32 is displayed instead of the screen named "Photo Friend" shown in FIG. 31 . Referring to FIG. 32 , the sentence "If an acquaintance's ID is set, an acquaintance's open photo will be viewed!" is displayed in a screen named "Photo Friend". If such a sentence is displayed, the user can recognize that no ID is set, and even activates the application 72-4, since he/she cannot view photos because no ID is set.

If such a sentence is displayed, the user can recognize that the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend" is the application 72 that allows the user to view open photos of acquaintances.

A user who reads such a sentence and recognizes that he/she has not set an ID can set an ID. In the normal mode screen shown in FIG. 32 or the normal mode screen shown in FIG. 31 , the user operates the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251 for establishment of the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend".

If the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251 is operated, an option menu for ID establishment is displayed. FIG. 33 shows an example of an option menu screen corresponding to the application 72-4 called "Photo Friend". In any of the normal mode screen (for example, FIG. 31 ), the focus mode screen (for example, FIG. 36 ) described below, and the active mode screen (for example, FIG. 37 ) described below, if the remote controller 251 is operated If the setting button 273 is pressed, an option menu screen 481 is superimposed on the screen at that time, and the same display is performed.

Meanwhile, in the case of the application 72-4 called "Photo Friend", if no ID is set, control is performed so as not to change to the focus mode or the active mode. Therefore, in the focus mode or the active mode, the ID has already been set, and in this case, the already set ID can be changed.

In the option menu screen 481, the same items as the above-described option menu screen 481 (FIG. 21) displayed when the application 72-2 called "Fortune Telling" is placed in the active mode are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 33 is different from the example shown in FIG. 21 in that an option menu screen 481 is displayed on the normal mode screen of the application 72-4 (Photo Friend).

Among the items displayed in the option menu screen 481, if a button 492 called "Application Build" is selected and operated, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 34 .

A description will be provided for the setup screen shown in FIG. 34 . The setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 34 is a screen for setup in the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend". The creation screen 501 about photo friends is provided with an area 571 in which a sentence allowing the user to recognize which ID is input is described, and an area 572 in which an already set ID is displayed.

In the area 571, the sentence "Please enter the ID" and the sentence "Please enter '***' of "http://abc.d-net.ne.jp/photo/***" are displayed. The user can select from the sentence It should be enough to recognize that if the characters corresponding to the part "***" are entered. The address "http://abc.d-net.ne.jp/photo/" is used by the content server 13-1 to manage photos The address of the image data.

A user 24 who registers a photo in the content server 13-1 by using an ID preliminarily concludes a contract regarding photo registration with the content provider 23 who manages the content server 13-1 or the application provider 22 who manages the content server 13-1. There is an ID exchanged at the time of the contract, and this ID is entered into the setup screen shown in FIG. 34 .

In the area 572 of the setup screen shown in FIG. 34, when there is an ID already set, the ID is displayed instead of "***".

When the setup screen shown in FIG. 34 is displayed, if the OK button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, as shown in FIG. 35 , a screen called a soft keyboard or the like for supporting character input is displayed. For example, in the character input screen of FIG. 35 , an area 581 in which input characters are displayed, an area 582 in which a row of buttons that can input characters are displayed, a button 583 "correction" that is operated to correct the input characters is displayed, and A button 584 "Confirm" operated when the input characters (ID) is satisfactory.

In the example shown in FIG. 35, the buttons of the characters displayed in area 582 are lowercase alphabetic characters. The buttons are configured so that characters can be selected by operations of the up button 271-1, down button 271-2, left button 271-3, and left button 271-4 of the remote controller 251. The confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated to input the selected characters.

By repeating the operation of the remote controller 251 , characters constituting the ID are input into the field 581 . If all the characters constituting the ID are input, the button 584 is operated to "confirm". If the button 584 is operated, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 34 . Then, the set ID is displayed in an area 572 .

The input of such an ID is considered to be simple compared to the case of operating the keyboard of a personal computer to input characters. The type of characters constituting the ID is alphabetic characters or numbers and is limited. Therefore, even if a desired character is found and input from the screen shown in FIG. 35 , it is considered that there is no case where it is difficult to find the desired character or the operation of the remote controller 251 becomes troublesome. The number of characters constituting the ID is not very large, and thus it is considered that the ID can be input by only a few operations of the remote controller 251 .

Therefore, since the ID can be simply input, most people including children and elderly people can set the ID, and can view photos happily through the processing of the application 72-4.

For example, assume that user A tells user A's parent A his/her ID. Parent A and user A can view photos registered by user A through the above-mentioned simple ID creation process. Therefore, in this case, when the user A registers the photo of the grandchild of the parent A, the parent A can freely view the photo of the grandchild. In addition, one can view photos while watching a television broadcast on the television receiver 14 . Therefore, parent A can enjoy a picture of a lovely grandson while watching a favorite program broadcast on television. As described above, in the case of the screen of the normal mode, the photos to be displayed are switched, and thus the parent A enjoys the photos of the grandchild with various expressions.

As mentioned above, photos can be shared with simple creation, in this case ID creation.

When the screen is switched to the active mode screen, the photo displayed in the normal mode screen is enlarged and displayed as described below. When a favorite photo is displayed, the favorite photo can be simply viewed as a larger-sized photo.

The items displayed in the setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 22 regarding the application 72-2 called "Fortune Telling" are different from the setup screen shown in Fig. 34 about the application 72-4 called "Photo Friend". 501, and these items correspond to the application 72. Items displayed in the setup screen 501 depend on the application 72 as described above.

The setting items set in the setup screen 501 are stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, for example, when the application 72-4 "Photo Friend" is activated, the ID set in the television receiver 14 is referred to, and the image data (content data 131) corresponding to the photo belonging to the ID is acquired from the content server 13-1 and to display.

A description will be provided for the screen in focus mode named "Photo Friend" and the screen in active mode.

In the case of the normal mode screen shown in FIG. 31 , if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to the focus mode screen shown in FIG. 36 .

In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 32, that is, when the ID is not set, even if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is not changed to the focus mode, and the screen is not switched to the screen of the focus mode. .

FIG. 36 shows an example of a screen in the focus mode in which the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend" is focused. In the application display area 402, only the area 412 in which the photo is displayed by the processing of the application 72-4 is displayed brighter than the other areas. In this focus mode, the registered application 72 and the selected application 72 operate in parallel regardless of whether the application 72 is displayed in the application display area 402 .

As buttons based on the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend", in the example of FIG. 32, a button 601 operated to display photos updated in advance, and a button 602 operated to display photos updated next are displayed.

The operation of the left button 271 - 3 of the remote controller 251 corresponds to the operation of the button 601 , and the operation of the right button 271 - 4 corresponds to the operation of the button 602 . The user operates the left button 271-3 or the right button 271-4 to view a desired photo.

In focus mode, the frame that is displayed as a white frame around the photo in normal mode may be displayed in a different color, such as yellow or the like. If the display is changed in this way, the user can recognize the focus mode better, and fine display can be performed.

In the case of the focus mode shown in FIG. 36, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode is changed to the active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the active mode is a mode in which only information provided by one application 72-4 is displayed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 37 , an active screen 621 in which only information provided by the application 72 - 4 named "Photo Friend" is displayed is displayed in the application display area 402 .

In the active mode, the active application 72-4 accesses the content server 13 to acquire the content data 131 about photo friends. Processing based on the acquired content data 131 is performed, and thus a photo is displayed as an active screen 621 .

The active screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 is provided with an area 631 in which an enlarged photo is displayed, and an area 632 in which information about the photo is displayed. The photo displayed in the area 631 is the photo displayed in the focus mode before changing to the active mode. In area 632, the title, description, information on tags, etc. of the photo being displayed are displayed. In area 632, the tags are configured so that the tags are switched, and if the tags are switched, another user's comment on the photo is displayed.

Such an active screen 621 may be displayed only in the application display area 402 or may be displayed on the display panel 221 as an entire screen.

When only the active screen 621 is displayed in the application display area 402, the same screen as when the above-mentioned application 72-2 named "fortune-telling" is placed in the active mode is configured. For example, together with the screen of television broadcasting, the screen shown in FIG. 20 is configured and displayed. Meanwhile, when the active screen 621 is displayed on the display panel 221 as the entire screen, the screen of the television broadcast is not displayed.

Meanwhile, as described above, the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend" accesses the content server 13-1 to acquire image data of photos. Images registered in the content server 13-1 can also be viewed from a personal computer. When the personal computer accesses the content server 13-1 to acquire image data, an application called a web browser or the like is used. The television receiver 14 may also incorporate a web browser, and as one of the processes of the application 72-4, when the mode is changed to the active mode, the web browser may be activated so as to display the active screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 .

That is, when the mode is changed to the active mode, the web browser may be activated, and the processing by the application 72 - 4 is changed to the processing by the active web browser to display the active screen 621 on the display panel 221 . In this case, switching from a mode in which television broadcasts are viewed with a web browser to a mode in which photos and the like are viewed with a web browser becomes possible even if the user is not particularly aware.

Transition from a state in which information of a TV broadcast program is received from a broadcast wave to a state in which predetermined information is acquired by communication via the network 11 ( FIG. 1 ) becomes possible on the television receiver 14 without the user being aware. That is, the communication mode can be switched without the user's awareness.

Viewing of programs broadcast on television is widely used. In general, although communication via a web browser is performed when a personal computer accesses a predetermined server to view a homepage, this is not widely used compared to viewing a program broadcast on television. In other words, there are users who view programs broadcast on television but do not (rarely) view information through personal computers.

As described above, the mode in which programs broadcast by television are viewed is changed to the mode in which information is viewed with a web browser through a series of operations. Therefore, information can be provided through a web browser to even users who are not familiar with viewing information through a web browser. This can give changes to accessing information with a web browser. In other words, in this case, an opportunity to view photos managed in the content server 13-1 with a personal computer can be given.

The content provider 23 or the application provider 22 who manages the content server 13-1 (which manages photos) can view on a personal computer. Therefore, it becomes possible to place an advertisement, check information with a PC, and please conclude a contract.

As described above, in the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend", normal mode, focus mode, and active mode are provided, and thus the user can easily acquire information in a desired mode while enjoying programs broadcast on TV.

[photo is nice]

Next, a description will be provided for the application 72-5 named "Photos are nice".

As shown in FIG. 30 , in the screen of the normal mode, that is, in an area 412 located in the middle of the application display area 402 , an application 72 - 5 named "photo is nice" is displayed. A description will be provided for the screen in normal mode according to the application 72-5 named "Photos are nice".

The screen named "Photo is nice" is the same as the above screen named "Photo Friend" and can be divided into background and photo. The image data of the background is included in the application 72-5, and when the screen of the normal mode is displayed, the screen of the normal mode is displayed immediately earlier than the photo.

This photo is switched to another photo every time a predetermined time elapses. In other words, similar to the photos displayed in the screen named "Photo Friend", the photos displayed in the screen named "Photos are Nice" are also displayed in a slide show.

The photos are switched every time a predetermined time elapses, and information on the predetermined time is described in Java (registered trademark) Script included in the application 72-5, for example. When the photo is switched, the image data of the photo is acquired from the content server 13 (here, assumed to be the content server 13-1) that manages image data.

The image data acquired from the content server 13-1 are photos evaluated as "GOOD" after a plurality of users viewed a plurality of photos registered in the content server 13-1. A plurality of users can view a photo registered in the content server 13-1 if the user who registered the photo permits. Users viewing the photos can then rate the viewed photos.

The application 72-5 named "photo is good" acquires a photo rated "good" with a high score from the content server 13-1. In this case, photos having a high score evaluation of "good" are displayed in a slide show within a screen named "photo is good".

Assume that the application 72-5 named "photo is good" acquires and displays image data of a photo with a high score evaluation "good". Also, consider displaying new photos as a slideshow. Even if a new photo is displayed in a slide show, processing can basically be performed by the application 72-5 named "Photo is fine".

The new photo is simply registered on the content server 13-1 with respect to the new date and time, and no other filtering is applied. Therefore, it is considered that unqualified open photos can be registered and photos can be displayed in a slide show.

On the contrary, a photo with a high score evaluation of "good" is viewed by a plurality of users, and an evaluation value of "good" is given. Therefore, there is a small probability that the photo is an unqualified open photo. That is, it can be said that a photo with a high score evaluation "good" is a photo selected as a result of application of filtering, that is, a result of viewing by a plurality of users. As a result, it is considered that there is no problem in opening and displaying such photos in a slide show.

In this way, filters can be applied to the information (in this case, photographs) provided on the user 24 side of the television receiver 14, and similar to the application 72, secure information can be provided to the user side. In this case, since the provided information does not need to be managed by the service provider 21 ( FIG. 2 ), processing by the service provider 21 can be reduced.

Returning to the description of the screen named "Photo is fine" shown in FIG. 30, for example, a white frame is displayed around the photo. With this white frame, different sizes can be absorbed even assuming that the photos have various sizes (aspect ratios).

For example, in the screen named "photo is good", in the example of FIG. 30, the sentence "2007/1/31 early afternoon! (early Afternoon)" is displayed. The displayed sentences include, for example, the date and time on which the photo was registered, the title of the photo, and the like.

In the case of the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. If the confirm button 272 is pressed, the screen switches to the focus mode screen shown in FIG. 38 .

FIG. 38 shows an example of a screen in the focus mode of the application 72-5 in which focus is named "photo is fine". In the application display area 402, only the area 412 in which the photo is well displayed by the processing of the application 72-5 is displayed brighter than the other areas.

As buttons based on the application 72-5 named "photo is fine", in the example of FIG. 38 , a button 701 operated to display a previously updated photo, and a button 702 operated to display a next updated photo are displayed.

The operation of the left button 271 - 3 of the remote controller 251 corresponds to the operation of the button 701 , and the operation of the right button 271 - 4 corresponds to the operation of the button 702 . The user operates the left button 271-3 or the right button 271-4 to view a desired photo.

In focus mode, the frame that is displayed as a white frame around the photo in normal mode may be displayed in a different color, such as yellow or the like. If the display is changed in this way, the user can better recognize the focus mode, and fine display can be performed.

In the focus mode shown in FIG. 38, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode changes to the active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the active mode is a mode in which only information provided by one application 72-5 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 37 , in this case, an active screen 621 in which only the information provided by the application 72 - 4 named "photo is nice" is displayed is displayed in the application display area 402 .

In the active mode, the active application 72-5 accesses the content server 13-1 to obtain the content data 131 about the photo. Processing based on the acquired content data 131 is performed, and thus a photo is displayed as an active screen 621 .

Although the activity screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 has been described, and its details will be omitted, in the case of the application 72-5 named "Photo is nice", similar to the application 72-4 named "Photo Friend" , in active mode, the screen changes to a screen in which one photo is enlarged and displayed. In this case, the web browser is activated (the web browser can be activated).

As described above, a normal mode, a focus mode, and an active mode are provided, and thus a user can easily acquire information in a desired mode while enjoying a TV broadcast program.

[photo selection]

Next, a description will be provided for the application 72-6 named "Photo Selection".

In the normal mode screen shown in FIG. 251's upper button 271-1, then the screen changes to the screen of the normal mode shown in Figure 39. That is, the screen is switched to a normal mode screen on which information according to the application 72-6 named "photo selection" is displayed in an area 412 located in the middle of the application display area 402.

A description will be given of the screen "photo selection" among the screens of the normal mode shown in FIG. 30 or 39 . In the screen named "Photo Selection", for example, as shown in FIG. 39, a plurality of photos (in the example of FIG. 39, 9 photos) are displayed. Each of the plurality of photos is switched to other photos every time a predetermined time elapses. In other words, the photos displayed in the screen named "Photo Selection" are displayed in a slide show. Multiple photos can be updated at the same time, or can be updated in order from upper left to lower right.

Photos are switched every time a predetermined time elapses, and information on the predetermined time or information on the manner of updating is described, for example, in Java (registered trademark) Script included in the application 72-6. When the photo is switched, the image data of the photo is acquired from the content server 13 (here, assumed to be the content server 13-1) that manages image data.

The image data acquired from the content server 13-1 is image data identified by a predetermined tag. The predetermined tag is, for example, information on a category to which a photo belongs, and information set by determining which category a registered photo belongs to when a photo is registered in the content server 13-1 by a user. For example, a photo to be registered is a photo of a dog, which is classified into the category "pet (PET)" by the user's determination, and a tag indicating the category "pet" is placed.

Information about tags is also displayed within a screen named "Photo Selection". For example, in the screen named "photo selection" shown in FIG. 39, the characters "pet" are displayed on the lower right side. That is, in the example of FIG. 39 , a plurality of photos displayed within the screen named "photo selection" are photos suitable for a tag indicating "pet".

As described above, in the screen named "Photo Selection", photos based on image data managed with predetermined tags are displayed. The user can set tags suitable for photos displayed on the screen named "Photo Selection".

When the user wants to execute the establishment regarding the application 72 - 6 named "photo selection", he/she operates the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251 . If the setting button 273 of the remote controller 251 is operated, an option menu for creation of tags suitable for photos to be displayed is displayed.

FIG. 40 shows an example of an options menu screen corresponding to the application 72-6 named "Photo Selection". In any of the normal mode screen (for example, FIG. 39 ), the focus mode screen (for example, FIG. 42 ) described below, and the active mode screen (for example, FIG. 37 ) described below, if the remote controller is operated 251 of the setting button 273, the option menu screen 481 is superimposed on the screen at that time, and the same display is performed.

In the option menu screen 481, the same items as the above-described option menu screen 481 (FIG. 21) displayed when the application 72-2 named "Fortune Telling" is placed in the active mode are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 40 is different from the example shown in FIG. 21 in that an option menu screen 481 is displayed on the normal mode screen of the application 72-6, photo selection.

Among the items displayed in the option menu screen 481, if the button 492 corresponding to the item "application creation" is operated, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 41 .

A description will be provided for the setup screen shown in FIG. 41 . The setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 41 is a screen for setup in the application 72-6 named "photo selection". The creation screen 501 on photo selection is a screen for creation of tags suitable for photos to be displayed by processing in the application 72-6 "photo selection".

The setup screen 501 is provided with an area 751 in which a label can be selected. In an area 751, a sentence "Please select a subject of a displayed photo" is displayed, which notifies the user that the setup screen 501 is a screen in which a tab of a photo is displayed in the screen when photo selection can be selected. In the example of FIG. 41, the area 751 is provided with a portion in which a tab can be selected.

The user operates the up button 271-1 or the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 to select a desired tab. For example, although in the example of FIG. 41, the label "pet" (the name indicating the category) is displayed in the area 721, in this state, if the up button 271-1 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the display is substantially in the The tags provided next to the tag "Pets".

As the tags, for example, "PET", "TOUR", "NIGHTVIEW", "ART" and the like are used, and the tags are sequentially displayed in the area 751 by the button operation of the remote controller 251 . When the user wants to set the label displayed in the area 751, he/she operates the button 514 "OK". The photos suitable for the tags set by the operation of the button 514 are displayed within the screen named "photo selection".

In the example of the setup screen 501 shown in FIG. 41, the case in which one label can be selected and set has been described. Alternatively, similarly to the column 513 for selection of favorite food shown in FIG. 22 , a screen having a column in which a plurality of tags are listed and a desired tag is checked from among the listed tags may be displayed. Therefore, multiple tags can be set.

Although the user can set a tag in the setup screen 510, when the user does not set a tag (unset state), if the application 72-6 named "photo selection" is activated, the screen displayed in the screen named "photo selection" Photos suitable for default tags.

The setting items set in the setup screen 501 are stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, for example, when the application 72-6 "photo selection" is activated, the tag set in the television receiver 14 is referred to, and the image data corresponding to the photo suitable for the tag is acquired from the content server 13-1 (content data 131) and display it.

Further description will be provided for the screens of the focus mode and the screens of the active mode in a screen named "photo selection".

In the case of the normal mode screen shown in FIG. 39 , if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the screen is switched to the focus mode screen shown in FIG. 42 .

FIG. 42 shows an example of a screen in the focus mode of the application 72-6 in which focus is named "photo selection". In the application display area 402, only the area 412 in which the photo is displayed by the processing of the application 72-6 is displayed brighter than the other areas.

In the case of the screen named "photo selection" in focus mode, enlarges and displays the photograph displayed in the middle of the screen in normal mode when the mode is changed to focus mode, and also enlarges and displays the photograph displayed in the middle of the screen Photos shown around. The photo displayed at the center of the screen is enlarged and displayed so that the entire photo is displayed, and the photos displayed around the photo displayed at the center of the screen are partially displayed.

If the up button 271-1 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo located at that time on top of the photo displayed in the middle of the screen is enlarged and displayed in the middle of the screen. If the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo located at that time under the photo displayed in the middle of the screen is enlarged and displayed in the middle of the screen.

If the left button 271-3 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo located to the left of the photo displayed at the center of the screen at that time is enlarged and displayed in the center of the screen. If the right button 271-4 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the application 72-6 performs control such that a photo located at that time on the right of the photo displayed in the middle of the screen is enlarged and displayed in the middle of the screen.

Control is also performed such that, when switching the photo in the middle of the screen, other photos are also switched in addition to the photo displayed in the middle of the screen. In this case, image data of other photographs are acquired from the content server 13-1 as necessary.

With this control, when the "photo selection" is placed in the focus mode, the user operates the remote controller 251 to enlarge and display a desired photo in the middle of the screen, and checks the enlarged photo.

In the focus mode, for example, a photo displayed in the center of the screen may have a frame of yellow or the like. This box allows the user to recognize the focus mode, or to ensure that the selected photo is displayed accurately.

In the focus mode shown in FIG. 42, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, the mode changes to the active mode, and the screen is switched. As described above, the active mode is a mode in which only information provided by one application 72-6 is displayed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 37 , an active screen 621 in which only information provided by the application 72 - 6 named "photo selection" is displayed is displayed in the application display area 402 .

In the active mode, the activated application 72-6 accesses the content server 13-1 to obtain the content data 131 about the photo selection. Processing based on the acquired content data 131 is performed, and thus a photo is displayed as an active screen 621 .

Although the activity screen 621 shown in FIG. 37 has been described, and its details will be omitted, the application 72-6 named "photo selection" is the same as the application 72-4 named "photo friend", and in the activity mode , the screen changes to a screen in which one photo is enlarged and displayed. In this case, the web browser is activated (the web browser can be activated).

As described above, a normal mode, a focus mode, and an active mode are provided, and thus a user can easily acquire information in a desired mode while enjoying a TV broadcast program.

[Server for management of photo image data]

As described above, the three applications 72-4 to 72-6, ie, "photo friend", "photo is fine", and "photo selection" are applications for display control of photos. In the foregoing embodiments, the case in which the applications 72-4 to 74-6 for display control of photographs acquire image data from the content server 13-1 has been described.

When registering a photo, the content server 13-1 is configured to manage an ID for identifying a predetermined user associated with a photo to be registered so that the application 72-4 named "photo friend" can acquire image data based on the ID.

The content server 13-1 is configured to open registered photos, or allow users to add comments to open photos, so that the application 72-5 named "photo is good" can acquire image data based on rating order, and is configured to add comments based on evaluation management rating, etc.

When registering a photo, the content server 13-1 is configured to allow the user to place a tag suitable for the photo to be registered, so that the application 72-6 named "photo selection" can obtain image data based on the tag and is configured to manage The photo associated with the tag placed on the photo.

For example, a personal computer is used as a client device for registering photos or performing processing to place tags on photos to be registered. This processing is also performed by the television receiver 14 . As described above, although the photos managed by the content server 13-1 can be viewed on the television receiver 14 by applying the processes of 72-4 to 72-6, the photos can be viewed with a personal computer.

That is, a personal computer can register photos in the content server 13-1, and can view the registered photos with the personal computer and the television receiver 14. The content server 13-1 may store the same photo with different resolutions as the photo for the personal computer and the photo for the television receiver 14, or may store the photo with the same resolution as a common photo for the personal computer and the television receiver. Machine 14 photo.

Even a person who is not familiar with a personal computer but is familiar with the television receiver 14 can simply view photos registered in the content server 13-1. In this embodiment, this is possible. In addition, the television receiver 14 may have a function of importing photos, and such a television receiver 14 may register photos in the photo content server 13-1. Therefore, similar to viewing, even a person who is not familiar with a personal computer but is familiar with the television receiver 14 can simply register photos in the content server 13-1.

In general, the personal computer and the content server 13-1 perform communication using a language such as a web browser.

Like the foregoing embodiment, in the normal mode and the focus mode, in a state where the application 72 does not present information to the user side, in other words, the application 72 does not display information on the display panel 221, the application 72 constantly performs processing as long as the application 72 is a registered application 72 or a selected application 72 . That is, in the normal mode and the focus mode, a plurality of applications 72 execute processing in parallel. In the active mode, the applications 72 other than the application 72 placed in the active mode stop processing.

In normal mode and focus mode, multiple applications 72 store data for processing in memory such as SDRAM 230 . Meanwhile, in the active mode, only the application 72 in the active mode can store required data in the memory.

In consideration of this situation, similarly to the foregoing embodiment, in the normal mode and the focus mode, a relatively small-sized application 72 called a widget or the like is used. In the active mode, depending on the application 72, a program through a language such as a web browser or the like is activated instead of the application 72.

As described above, a web browser is a language generally used for communication between a personal computer and the content server 13-1. For this reason, if a web browser is activated, the television receiver 14 can perform the same processing as a personal computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, an enlarged photo may be displayed or information attached to the photo may be displayed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the mode of the application 72 that executes processing can be switched.

[system operation]

As described above, when the initial screen is displayed, the application list 71 is acquired from the application server 12 and stored on the television receiver 14 side. Then, when the screen switched from the initial screen to the normal mode is displayed, one or more applications 72 (programs of the main body of the applications 72) active at that time are acquired from the application server 12, and stored on the television receiver 14 side superior.

In the normal mode and the focus mode, access to the content server 13 is appropriately performed based on the application 72, and content data 131 is acquired and stored on the television receiver 14 side. In this case, depending on the application 72, the content server 13 as the connection destination is different, and the acquired content data 131 is different. In the active mode, access is made to the content server 13 or server (not shown) based only on the activated application 72 and content data 131 or other types of data are acquired and stored on the television receiver 14 side.

When the screen is switched from one of the normal mode, focus mode and active mode to the initial screen, the application 72 and content data 131 (other types of data) stored on the television receiver 14 side are deleted. In this way, the application 72 or content data 131 is stored when necessary, and deleted when not necessary. Therefore, the storage area for storing the application 72 or the content data 131 on the television receiver 14 side can be reduced.

If the television receiver 14 acquires the application 72 as needed, for example, even if the application 72 is updated, the updated application 72 can be provided to the television receiver 14 side. Therefore, the application 72 provided to the television receiver 14 side can be made constantly the latest application 72 .

The applications 72 acquired by the television receiver 14 can be set only for the applications 72 described in the application list 71 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent malicious applications 72 from being downloaded to the television receiver 14 by proper management of the application list 71 . In addition, if the interval at which the application 72 is described in the application list 71 is limited, the application 72 can be provided to the user side at a limited interval, and thus the service width can be increased.

The television receiver 14 acquires the content data 131 when necessary, and deletes the stored content data 131 when not necessary. For example, even in the case of frequently updated information such as news items, updated latest information can be provided to the television receiver 14 side, and stored old information can be prevented from being provided to the user.

Next, the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the display screen of the television receiver 14 is switched as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 37 . The description provided with respect to the flowchart of FIG. 37 will focus on the flow of data in the system of FIG. 1 .

The television receiver 14 accesses the application server 12 at step S21. During this access, a request is made to provide an application list 71 .

In step S51, the application server 12 accepts the access from the television receiver 14, if accepting the request of providing the application list 71, then in step S52, read the application list 71 managed by the application server 12 from the storage part 38 (Fig. 4), And the application list 71 is provided to the television receiver 14 .

In step S22, the television receiver 14 receives the application list 71 provided from the application server 12, stores the received application list 71, and displays an initial screen based on the stored application list 71 in step S23.

In step S24, the television receiver 14 starts accessing the application server 12 by the user selecting the predetermined application 72 from the initial screen as a trigger. During this access, a request is made to provide the application 72 selected by the user or the registered application 72 .

In step S53, the application server 12 accepts the access from the television receiver 14, and if the request for providing the application 72 is accepted, then in step S54, the application 72 managed by the application server 12 is read out from the storage part 38 (Fig. 4), and The application 72 is provided to the television receiver 14 . In this case, a plurality of applications 72 can be read out and provided according to a request from the television receiver 14 .

In step S25, the television receiver 14 receives the application 72 provided from the application server 12, and in step S26, stores the received application 72, and starts processing based on the stored application 72.

In step S27, the television receiver 14 accesses the content server 13. This access is made when processing based on the application 72 is performed and the content data 131 is required.

In step S81, content server 13 accepts the access from television receiver 14, if accepting the request of providing content data 131, then in step S82, read out the content data 131 managed by content server 13 from storage part 108 (Fig. 6), And the content data 131 is provided to the television receiver 14 .

The applications 72 individually access different content servers 13 to acquire content data 131 .

In step S28, the television receiver 14 receives the content data 131 supplied from the content server 13, and in step S29, stores the received content data 131, and performs processing based on the stored content data 131, for example, processing such as text display .

Such a process of acquiring or storing content data 131 depends on the application 72, and is repeatedly performed. For example, in the case of the application 72 that provides news items, the content data 131 of news items are acquired relatively frequently, and the acquired news items are provided to the user side. In addition, in the case of the application 72 that provides information on fortune-telling, when a button operated to perform fortune-telling is operated, the content data 131 is acquired.

In each of the normal mode, the focus mode, and the active mode, the process of acquiring or storing the content data 131 is repeatedly performed based on the application 72 .

In step S30, the television receiver 14 deletes the stored application 72 or content data 131. Executed with the timing at which an instruction is made by the user to end the processing of the application 72 (for example, when an instruction is made to display a program of television broadcast in full-screen mode) or at the timing at which the television receiver 14 is powered off, as a trigger. The processing.

As described above, the application list 71, application 72, and content data 131 are acquired on the television receiver 14 as necessary. Processing is performed based on the application list 71 , the application 72 and the content data 131 . The application list 71, application 72, and content data 131 are deleted when unnecessary.

Next, processing in the television receiver 14 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 44 and 45 .

In step S101, the television receiver 14 accepts an instruction to view an initial screen. When the user wants to view the initial screen, he/she operates the remote controller 251 (FIG. 8) to instruct the television receiver 14 to display the initial screen. The control code indicating the content of the instruction from the remote controller 251 is received by the light receiving section 237 of the television receiver 14, and supplied to the CPU 232. The CPU 232 analyzes the supplied control code to recognize reception of an instruction, thereby displaying an initial screen and performing processing corresponding to the recognition.

In step S102, the CPU 232 controls the network I/F 234 and the like, and accesses the application server 12 based on the URL stored in advance. In this case, a request to acquire the application list 71 is also made.

In step S103, the CPU 232 of the television receiver 14 controls the network I/F 234, receives the application list 71 from the application server 12 as the access destination, and stores the received application list 71 in the SDRAM 230.

Although the case in which an instruction to view the initial screen is made, the application list 71 is acquired and stored has been described, the application list 71 may be acquired and stored in a different timing. For example, the application list 71 may be acquired when the television receiver 14 is powered on. When this occurs, the processing of step S101 is executed with the timing when the television receiver 14 is powered on as a trigger.

The application list 71 may be acquired at a predetermined cycle or at a predetermined time. When this occurs, regarding the processing of step S101, it is determined whether a predetermined period has elapsed, whether a predetermined time has been reached, etc., and the processing of step S101 is executed with the determination result as a trigger.

In any case, the application list 71 to be stored on the television receiver 14 side constantly becomes the latest list.

In step S104, it is checked whether there is a registered application 72 or not. As described above, the user can register a desired application 72 and store information on the registered application 72 such as an ID for identifying the application 72 in, for example, the flash memory 231 .

Although the description will continue of the case where information for identifying the application 72 is stored in the flash memory 231, the ID may be stored in a storage means other than the flash memory 231, or a dedicated storage means for storing the ID may be provided. In addition, although the case of storing the build information and the like in the flash memory 231 will continue to be described, the build information may be stored in a storage means other than the flash memory 231, or a dedicated storage means storing the build information may be provided.

The CPU 232 determines whether or not an ID for identifying the application 72 is stored in the flash memory 231, and when the ID is stored, decides that it is a registered application 72, and executes subsequent processing.

In step S105, the CPU 232 instructs the graphic generation circuit 219 to generate data of the initial screen based on the application list 71. The panel driving circuit 220 controls the display panel 221 based on the data of the initial screen generated by the graphic generating circuit 219 . Through this control, for example, the initial screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display panel 221 .

When the data of the initial screen is generated, in step S104, if it is determined to be the registered application 72, the ID identical to the ID of the registered application 72 is detected from the application list 71, and data is generated for use in the ID corresponding to the detection. Display of an icon indicating registration in the registration status display portion 305 of the application 72 of the application 72.

In step S106, it is determined whether the application 72 is selected from the initial screen. The CPU 232 analyzes the control code from the remote controller 251 to determine whether to operate the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251. When it is determined to operate the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251, the CPU 232 determines to select the application 72 from the initial screen.

As shown in FIG. 10, a cursor 311 is displayed in the initial screen. When the cursor 311 is located on the icon indicating the predetermined application 72, if the confirmation button 272 of the remote controller 251 is operated, it is determined that the application 72 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S107.

Although not included in the processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 44, the CPU 232 analyzes the control code to determine that the up button 271-1 or the down button 271-2 of the remote controller 251 is operated, and controls the graphic generating circuit 219 so that the display is performed. The icon of the application 72 is thus indicated to slide up or down. Such control is appropriately performed based on a control code from the remote controller 251 .

In step S106, when it is determined that the application 72 is selected, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, access to the application server 12 is made, and in step S108, the selected application 72 is acquired. When registered applications 72 exist, all registered applications 72 are acquired together with the selected application 72 . When the utility named "Service Delivery" described with reference to FIG. 31 is selected, all registered applications 72 are acquired. The acquired application 72 is stored in the flash memory 231 .

In step S109, the CPU 232 starts processing based on the application 72 stored in the flash memory 231. In step S110 , access to the content server 13 is made, and in step S111 , the content data 131 is acquired from the content server 13 which is the access destination and stored in the flash memory 231 .

The content data 131 is acquired by processing based on the application 72 . Therefore, in any application 72, processing can be omitted. When the processing is omitted, the processing of step S112 will be omitted.

In step S112, processing based on the content data 131 is performed. Through processing based on the acquired application 72 , the graphics generating circuit 219 generates data of a screen including text or images based on the content data 131 . The panel driving circuit 220 controls the display panel 221 based on the generated data, for example, displays the screen of the normal mode shown in FIG. 14 .

In step S113 ( FIG. 45 ), it is determined whether an instruction to switch to the focus mode is made, and when it is determined that a switching instruction is made, the process proceeds to step S114 . When recognizing from the control code of the remote controller 251 that the confirmation button 272 is operated, the CPU 232 determines that an instruction to switch to the focus mode is made. Although the description will continue of the case where the confirm button is operated, when the up button 271 - 1 or the like is recognized as being operated, processing based on the recognition result is performed.

In step S114, the application 72 displayed in the area 412 in the middle of the application display area 402 is specified. In step S115, processing for display in focus mode is performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , displaying in the focus mode refers to darkening the upper area 411 and the lower area 413 of the application display area 402 , or displaying buttons in the middle area 412 .

The CPU 232 instructs the graphic generation circuit 219 to display the upper area 411 and the lower area 413 of the application display area 402 darkly. Meanwhile, if a button or the like to be displayed is presented in the middle region 412 when the application 72 displaying information in the region 412 is in the focus mode, the CPU 232 instructs the graphic generation circuit 219 to display the button or the like. If processing based on such an instruction is executed, the screen of the focus mode shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display panel 221 .

In step S116, it is determined whether an instruction to switch to the active mode is made, and when it is determined that a switch instruction is made, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, the application 72 displayed in the middle area 412 is specified, and in step S118, the items set in the specified application 72 are read out.

As described with reference to FIG. 20 , for example, the application 72 for certifying fortune-telling is configured to set predetermined items such as zodiac signs, and acquire appropriate information corresponding to the set items (eg, horoscopes). During the processing based on the application 72 displayed in the area 412, when referring to the items set in the active mode, in step S118, the CPU 232 reads out the set items.

Although a case has been described in which an item set in the active mode is read out, in any application 72, an item set in the normal mode or the focus mode may be read out.

In the active mode, in any application 72, a web browser can be activated, and processing can be switched to processing according to the web browser. When the web browser is activated, control is performed so that the process of acquiring information on programs of television broadcast is not performed.

In step S119, access to the content server 13 is made, and in step S120, the content data 131 is acquired and stored. The content data 131 is data suitable for information of set items. In step S121, the screen of the active mode shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. That is, a screen is displayed in which only the information of the application 72 specified in step S117 is displayed, and the information to be displayed is based on the content data 131 acquired and stored in step S120.

In the active mode, the applications 72 other than the application 72 displaying information in the area 412 or the entire display panel 221 are stopped in step S122. That is, the CPU 232 does not execute the processing of the application 72 other than the application 72 specified in step S117.

In step S123, it is determined whether an instruction to end the processing according to the application 72 is made. Determination to make an instruction to end the process of the public application 72 is performed when an instruction to end is made from the user, when an instruction to display only a program of television broadcast is made, when the television receiver 14 is powered off, and the like.

In step S123, when it is determined that an instruction to end is made, the process proceeds to step S124, and the stored application 72 or content data 131 is discarded. In this way, stored data and the like are discarded when unnecessary. In other words, stored information other than setup information is discarded, and only setup information is stored.

As described above, on the television receiver 14 side, the application 72 or content data 131 is acquired when necessary and discarded when not necessary. For this reason, a storage unit such as a flash memory or the like can be effectively used, and the storage unit can have a small capacity, and a plurality of applications 72 can operate in parallel.

The processing described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 44 and 45 is for illustrating one processing. For example, in any application 72, the process of acquiring the content data 131 can be omitted.

Although in the foregoing embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the television receiver 14 has been described, the present invention is not limited to the television receiver 14 but can be applied to CE equipment such as a DVD recorder or the like.

In the foregoing embodiments, the case has been described where the application 72 may be, for example, a program called a widget. In general, controls are downloaded to a personal computer prior to execution, installed on the personal computer, and used in a resident state on the personal computer. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the program is downloaded when executed and discarded when unnecessary. If the application 72 is processed in this way, various effects as described above can be expected.

In the foregoing embodiments, each application 72 may have a hierarchical structure. In the foregoing embodiment, for example, the application 72-4 called "Photo Friend" may be registered in plural instead of one. For example, an application 72-4 called "Photo Friend" may be registered for each of a plurality of friends. Of course, the invention is not limited to the application 72 described above, but the invention can be applied to other applications.

[recording medium]

A series of processing as described above can be performed by hardware or can be performed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, programs constituting the software are installed from a program recording medium on a computer incorporated with dedicated hardware, or a general-purpose personal computer on which respective programs are installed to execute respective functions.

For example, a program executed by a computer (CPU 31) having the same configuration as the application server 12 shown in FIG. Provided by Digital Satellite Broadcasting), the removable medium 41 is a packaged medium, such as a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc.), a magneto-optical disk, Semiconductor memory, etc.

The program can be installed in the storage section 38 via the input/output interface 35 by inserting the removable medium 41 into the drive 40 . The program can be received by the communication section 39 through a wired or wireless transmission medium, and installed in the storage section 38 . In addition, the program may be installed in the ROM 32 or the storage section 38 in advance.

The program executed by the computer may be a program for executing processing in chronological order according to the described order, or may be a program for executing processing in parallel or in necessary timing, for example, when a call is made.

In this specification, a system refers to an entire device including a plurality of devices.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various changes may be made without departing from the subject matter of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A television receiver for receiving broadcast programs of television from broadcast waves, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires image data stored in a predetermined server via the Internet; and a display control unit that controls display of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein said predetermined server manages image data in association with tags, and the acquisition unit acquires image data managed by the same tag as the set tag at predetermined intervals, wherein the display control unit performs control so that the image is displayed close to a screen of a program broadcast by television, wherein the display control unit controls the display so that a plurality of images are displayed in the same size in the first mode, controls the display so that one of the plurality of images is displayed in a larger size than the other images in the second mode, and controls Displayed so that only one image among the plurality of images is displayed in the third mode. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit acquires a plurality of image data, and The display control unit controls display so as to display a plurality of images based on a plurality of image data on a single screen. 3. The information processing device according to claim 1, Wherein, the mode is switched by a user's instruction. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, Wherein, when the tag is not set, the acquiring unit acquires the image data managed by the same tag as the default tag. 5. A method for a television receiver for receiving a broadcast program of television from broadcast waves, comprising the steps of: acquiring image data stored in a predetermined server via the Internet; and controlling the display of an image based on the acquired image data, wherein said predetermined server manages image data in association with tags, and The image data to be acquired is image data managed by the same tag as the set tag and acquired at predetermined intervals, wherein said image is displayed close to a screen of a program broadcast by television, wherein the display is controlled so as to display a plurality of images in the same size in the first mode, the display is controlled so as to display one image among the plurality of images in a larger size than the other images in the second mode, and the display is controlled so as to be displayed in the third mode. Only one image among multiple images is displayed in the mode.

Images