JP2002135754A - Broadcast content guide method and broadcast content guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To make it possible to easily grasp the contents of contents and to search for desired contents in a short time and by an easy operation. A program generator (4) of a program supply device (1) includes a digest version of a plurality of contents provided to a viewer side.
1 to CD-n to create at least one or more digest programs. The STB 2 displays on the television receiver 6 a digest program in which the digest version of each channel is automatically repeated. If the viewer selects the “next” button on the screen while viewing the digest program using the remote controller of the STB 2 or the like, the screen shifts to the next introduction screen. Then, when a desired channel is selected while viewing the digest program, the television receiver 6 broadcasts the content of the selected channel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcast content guide method and a broadcast content guide system for allowing a viewer to select desired content from a huge amount of content.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, video on demand (hereinafter, referred to as video on demand)
In the era of multi-content and multi-channel broadcasting in VOD, digital broadcasting, and the like, it becomes difficult to search for a desired program from a vast amount of contents and channels.

Therefore, in the conventional VOD, a user generally searches for a desired content from a list of genres (categories) and title names (character information). On the other hand, in digital broadcasting, it is common to search for a favorite program from a program list. In a method of browsing a program list, which has already been realized by digital broadcasting, a plurality of screens are browsed simultaneously, or a program table of time and title is displayed on the screen.

[0004]

However, in the conventional VOD, if the content cannot be determined only by the title name, the preview must be viewed each time, so that the operation for searching for the content becomes complicated, and the time becomes longer. There was such a problem.

On the other hand, in digital broadcasting, simultaneous browsing of a plurality of screens makes each screen small and difficult to see.
When a plurality of screens are displayed simultaneously, the number of screens that can be displayed is limited. Further, when a program guide is displayed on the screen and a program is selected from the program guide, the content cannot be confirmed by video. As described above, the conventional digital broadcasting has a problem that it is difficult to grasp the contents of a program, and it is difficult to search for a desired program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a broadcast content guidance method capable of easily grasping the contents of contents and searching for desired contents in a short time and by an easy operation. And a broadcast content guidance system.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, digests of a plurality of contents are collected to create at least one digest program, and the digest program is viewed by a viewer. It is characterized by broadcasting to a device.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
In the broadcast content guidance method described above, when any one of the digests is selected by the viewer device, the content that is the source of the digest can be received by the viewer device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In the broadcast content guidance method described above, skipping to the previous or next digest in digest units is performed based on an operation on the viewer device.

[0010] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
In the broadcast content guidance method described above, the digest program is organized so that the digest is put together for each genre of the plurality of contents.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, according to claim 1,
In the broadcast content guidance method described above, the digest program includes a real-time broadcast program.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, according to claim 5,
In the broadcast content guidance method described above, when the real-time broadcast program includes an advertisement broadcast, a notification for notifying the viewer of the viewer device that the advertisement broadcast is being performed in place of the advertisement broadcast. The information is displayed.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 7, according to claim 1,
In the broadcast content guidance method described above, the digest program includes a telop for introducing each of the plurality of contents, and reception of desired content can be instructed from the telop.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention according to claim 8, a digest program creating means for collecting digests of a plurality of contents to create at least one digest program, and a digest program created by the digest program creating means Output means for broadcasting the digest program to the viewer device.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the eighth aspect of the present invention provides
The broadcast content guide system according to claim 1, wherein said output means is capable of receiving, at said viewer device, a content that is a source of said digest, when one of said digests is selected at said viewer device.

According to the present invention, at least one digest program is created by collecting digests of a plurality of contents, and the digest program is broadcast to a viewer device. Therefore, the viewer on the viewer device side can easily grasp the contents of the contents by browsing the digest program, and can search for the desired contents in a short time and with an easy operation. Become.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the case of VOD and the case of digital broadcasting will be described separately. A. First embodiment A-1. Configuration of First Embodiment (VOD) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a program supply device 1 on the program supply side and an STB (set top box) 2 on the viewer side are connected via a communication network 3 such as FTTH. The program supply device 1 includes a program conversion unit 4 and an input / output control unit 5. The program conversion unit 4 combines digests CD-1 to CD-n, which are digest versions of a plurality of contents provided to the viewer side, creates at least one digest program, and controls input and output of the digest program. Supply to section 5. The input / output control unit 5 transmits the digest program to the STB 2 on the viewer side via the communication network 3 such as FTTH. When receiving a content request from the STB 2 on the viewer side, the input / output control unit 5 transmits the requested content.

The STB 2 is connected to the television receiver 6. The STB 2 displays an arbitrary digest of the digest program on the television receiver 6 according to the operation of the viewer, and requests the viewer to request the viewer for the selected content from the program supply device 1 on the program supply side. A request is transmitted, and the content transmitted from the program supply device 1 on the program supply side is displayed on the television receiver 6. In the television receiver 6, while the digest program is being displayed, the “enter” button for selecting the digest version content, the “next screen” button for shifting to the display of the next digest version, and the previous A “previous screen” button or the like is displayed for shifting (returning) to the display of the digest version. Note that the details of the television receiver 6 are general and will not be described.

Next, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of producing a digest program performed by the program supply device 1 on the program supply side according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the method of publishing the content in the digest program is one of the following two types. Stream videos created by broadcasters (content program supply companies). Introduce titles and outlines in text for a certain period of time.

The above are the highlights such as drama and movie,
It is suitable for content with a clear appeal point, which can be appealed by text (such as TOP10 last week), or when you do not want to pay for the digest production. The above is assumed to be a basic service (free), an optional service (paid), and prepared by a broadcaster (content program supplier). Note that the above basic services may be charged, and these fees are paid from the broadcaster (content program supplier) to the broadcaster (program guide supplier).

As shown in FIG. 2A, the broadcaster (content program supplier) who wants to publish in the digest program, as shown in FIG.
Apply for which method to produce the digest program. In the illustrated example, the content A (code C-1),
Content B (code C-2), content N (code C-
n) is a plan, content C (code C-3), and content D (code C-4) are plans. The default is a plan.

The program generator 4 of the program supply device 1 creates a program in which digest versions of each content are bundled according to the plan. When creating a digest program,
A knitting form as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C can be considered. In the example shown in FIG. 2B, one digest program is created by connecting digest versions of the content for each genre of the content. Therefore, in this case, a digest program is created for each genre.
In the illustrated example, the contents A, C, J,..., N1 are bundled in one digest program as the genre “movie”. Similarly, contents B, F, M,..., N2 are:
Genre "Sports", Content D, K, Q, ......
N3 indicates the genre “music”, contents E, I, S,.
.., N4 are bundled into one digest program as the genre “document”.

In the example shown in FIG. 2C, the digest versions of the content are connected (however, collected for each genre) and organized into one digest program regardless of the genre of the content. Note that digest programs are regularly reviewed (addition and deletion of digests).

A-2. Operation of First Embodiment (VOD) Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in detail.
Here, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a transition of a screen in the television receiver 6 on the viewer side in the first embodiment. Viewer presses keypad on STB2 remote control or EPG (Electric Program Guide)
Is selected, the introduction screen (M001) is displayed on the television receiver 6
To be displayed. Here, a favorite genre can be selected.

Next, an introduction screen for each channel is displayed (M002-1). On the introduction screen, a digest version of each channel is displayed (M002-1, M002).
-X). If the buttons on the remote controller are not operated, the screen returns to the first channel introduction screen (M002-1) and the introduction is automatically repeated.

On the other hand, when the channel selection button is selected on each of the introduction screens, a content request is transmitted from the STB 2 to the program supply device 1 on the program supply side. On the other hand, the program supply device 1 transmits the content of the channel corresponding to the content request to the STB 2. Thus, the content of the selected channel is broadcast on the television receiver 6 on the viewer side (M003-1, M003-X).

If the "next" button is pressed during the digest, the screen shifts to the next introduction screen (transition from M002-N to M002-N + 1). Here, if the selected channel has not been contracted, a notification to that effect is made on the screen and a contract is recommended (M004-
1).

Next, the structure of the digest program and the billing method in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of VOD, the digest program is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), contents C-1 to C-n are distributed in order. Therefore, the earlier the posting order is, the more likely the viewer will be noticed and selected.
Therefore, priority is given to the placement order, and charging is performed according to the placement order. Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, the viewer selects a content C from the digest program.
When -2 is selected, the number may be totaled in the recording device 8 and charged according to the selected number (= viewing number) (click charging type). In addition, as shown in FIG. 4C, the longer the digest version of the content to be posted in the digest program is, the more likely it is to be noticed by the viewer and selected. In the illustrated example, the content C-2 corresponds. Therefore, the fee may be charged based on the length of the posting time.

According to the above-described first embodiment, the selection time of the viewing program is reduced in the following points. (A) By organizing digest programs for each program genre, it is possible to search for a desired program from the digest programs. (B) Since the digest can be viewed in the video, the viewer can easily check the content of the content. (C) By using the skip function, uninteresting digests can be skipped. (D) By charging for the registration of the digest program, there is a new business opportunity for the VOD business.

B. Second embodiment B-1. Configuration of Second Embodiment (Digital Broadcasting) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall system configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the program supply device 10 on the program supply side includes a program conversion unit 11. The program conversion unit 11 performs digest CD-1 to CD-n, which are digest versions of a plurality of contents to be provided to the viewer side.
And at least one or more digest programs are created and provided to the broadcasting station 12 via a predetermined communication network or the like. The broadcasting station 12 broadcasts the digest program and its contents as digital broadcasting to an STB (set top box) 13 on the viewer side by a geostationary satellite or a transmitting antenna on the ground.

[0031] The STB 13 is connected to the television receiver 14. The STB 13 displays the digest program on the television receiver 14 or displays the content selected by the viewer from the digest program on the television receiver 14 according to the operation of the viewer. The television receiver 14 displays an “Enter” button or the like for selecting a digest version of the content while the digest program is being displayed. Note that the details of the television receiver 14 are general and will not be described.

Next, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a process of producing a digest program performed by the program supply device 10 on the program supply side according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the method of publishing the content in the digest program is one of the following three types. Stream videos created by broadcasters (content program supply companies). Introduce titles and points in text for a certain period of time. Stream what you are actually broadcasting in real time.

The above are the highlights such as drama and movie,
Appealing to content with a clear appeal point, those that can be appealed by text (such as TOP10 last week), or those who do not want to spend on producing digests. Suitable for easy content. The above is a basic service (free or paid),
The above are optional services (paid). In the above case, the broadcaster (content program supplier) broadcasts the program prepared in advance, and in the above case, the broadcaster (program guide supplier) receives and broadcasts it. If the above is selected and the broadcast includes a CM, character information (title, outline, etc.) to be displayed during the digest is also provided.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the broadcaster (content program supplier) who wants to publish in the digest program, as shown in FIG.
Apply for which method to produce a digest program. In the illustrated example, the content A (code C-
1) is a plan, content B (code C-2) and content N (code Cn) are plans, and content C (code C-3) and content D (code C-4) are plans.

The program generator 11 of the program supply device 10 creates a program in which digest versions of each content are bundled according to the plan. In creating a digest program, a composition form as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C can be considered. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, one digest program is created by connecting digest versions of the content for each genre of the content. Therefore, in this case, a digest program is created for each genre. The genre may be a movie, sports, music, document, or the like. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 6C, regardless of the genre of the content (however, the content is summarized for each genre), the digest versions of the content are connected,
It is organized as one digest program. Note that digest programs are regularly reviewed (addition and deletion of digests).

B-2. Operation of Second Embodiment (Digital Broadcasting) Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described in detail.
Here, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing transition of a screen on the television receiver 14 on the viewer side in the second embodiment. When the viewer presses the keypad of the remote controller of the STB 13 or selects the EPG, the introduction screen (N00
1) is displayed on the television receiver 14. Here, a favorite genre can be selected.

Next, an introduction screen for each channel is displayed (N002-1). On the introduction screen, the digest of each channel is displayed (N002-1, N002-
X). If the user does not operate the buttons on the remote controller, the screen returns to the first channel introduction screen (N002-1) and the introduction is automatically repeated.

On the other hand, when the channel selection button is selected on each of the introduction screens, the program of the selected channel is broadcast by the STB 13 (N003-1, N003-).
X). Here, if the selected channel has not been contracted, a notification to that effect is made on the screen and a contract is recommended (N0
04-1).

Next, the structure of a digest program and a charging method according to the second embodiment will be described. Digital broadcasting has the following features.

(1) In digital broadcasting, since the broadcast drips, when a viewer watches a digest program, it is not always possible to view the digest program from the beginning. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, prioritization based on the order of publication does not make sense. (2) If a real-time broadcast is incorporated into a digest program, there is a possibility that a commercial will be played during the broadcast of the digest program. (3) Since the broadcast is performed, the digest cannot be skipped. (4) Therefore, if there are many digest program contents (digest version), it takes time to view all of them.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, charging is performed as follows. (A) In the case of a broadcast that cannot be caught, such as a digital broadcast, as shown in FIG. 4C, a program having a longer posting time is more likely to be noticed by the viewer. Therefore, the fee is charged based on the length of the posting time. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the number of selections selected by the viewer for viewing is totaled in the recording device 8 for each content, and charging is performed according to the number of selections (= viewing number). Is also good.

(B) When a CM occurs during the broadcast of a digest program by real-time broadcasting, a message M provided by a broadcaster (content program supplier) program supplier is displayed as shown in FIG. . In the illustrated example, the title of the content, the cast, and the broadcast time are displayed together with a message indicating that the user is in the middle of a commercial.

(C) In the above cases (3) and (4), the digest program cannot be skipped. Therefore, if the broadcast time of the digest program is long, it takes a long time to see all of the digest program. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a telop T for introducing a point is played, and by clicking a channel display portion T1 of the telop T, the user jumps to the channel and can view the content.

If a digest program is stored by using a storage type STB, skipping can be performed similarly to the VOD according to the above-described first embodiment.

According to the above-described second embodiment, the time for selecting a viewing program is reduced in the following points. (A) By organizing a digest program for each genre, instead of a conventional program table for each broadcast station, it is possible to search for a desired program from the digest program. (B) Since the digest program can be browsed in the size of the full screen, the viewer can easily check the content. (C) When performing real-time broadcasting, CM
By notifying that the program is in progress and displaying the title of the program and the like, the appeal to the viewer is increased more than merely channel surfing. (D) By charging for the registration of the digest program, there is a new business opportunity for the broadcaster.

The function of the program supply device 1 (programming unit 4, input / output control unit 5) in the first embodiment described above, S
The function of the TB2, the function of the program supply device 10 (programming unit 11) in the second embodiment, and the function of the STB 13 are as follows.
It may be realized by executing a program stored in each storage unit (not shown). The storage unit is
Non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive, magneto-optical disk drive, flash memory, and RAM (Random Access Memory)
mory), or a combination thereof. In addition, the storage unit may be a fixed time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system serving as a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Including those holding programs.

Further, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Also,
The program may be for realizing a part of the processing described above. Further, the above-described processing is performed by the program supply device 1 (programming unit 4, input / output control unit 5), STB2,
Alternatively, the program supply device 10 (programming unit 11) in the second embodiment, a program that can be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the STB 13, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiments, and the design and the like can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. included.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
At least one digest of multiple content digests
Since one digest program is created and the digest program is broadcast to the viewer device, the viewer on the viewer device side can view the digest program,
The advantage is that the content of the content can be easily grasped, and the desired content can be searched for in a short time and with an easy operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a process of producing a digest program performed by the program supply device 1 on the program supply side according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a transition of a screen on the television receiver 6 on the viewer side in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a digest program configuration and a billing method according to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall system configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a process of producing a digest program performed by the program supply device 10 on the program supply side according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a transition of a screen on the television receiver 14 on the viewer side in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation when a CM occurs during the broadcast of a digest program by real-time broadcasting in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a coping operation when a digest program cannot be skipped in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 program supply device 2 STB (set-top box) 3 communication network such as FTT 4 program conversion unit (digest program creation unit) 5 input / output control unit (output unit) 6 television receiver 8 recording device 10 program supply device 11 program conversion Section (digest program creating means) 12 broadcasting station (output means) 13 STB (set-top box) 14 television receiver

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/445 H04N 5/445 Z (72) Inventor Satoshi Seki 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Tonichi Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5C025 CA09 CB10 DA01 DA10 5C064 BA07 BB05 BB10 BC16 BC20 BD02 BD07 BD08

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast content guidance method, comprising: collecting digests of a plurality of contents to create at least one digest program; and broadcasting the digest program to a viewer device. 2. The broadcast content guiding method according to claim 1, wherein when any one of the digests is selected by the viewer device, the viewer can receive the content that is the source of the digest. 3. The broadcast content guidance method according to claim 1, wherein a skip to a previous or next digest is performed in digest units based on an operation on the viewer device. 4. The broadcast content guiding method according to claim 1, wherein the digest program is organized so that the digest is put together for each genre of the plurality of contents. 5. The broadcast content guiding method according to claim 1, wherein the digest program includes a real-time broadcast program. 6. When the real-time broadcast program includes an advertisement broadcast, notification information for notifying the viewer on the viewer device side that the advertisement is being broadcast is displayed instead of the advertisement broadcast. 6. The broadcast content guiding method according to claim 5, wherein 7. The broadcast content guidance method according to claim 1, wherein the digest program includes a telop for introducing each of the plurality of contents, and is capable of instructing reception of a desired content from the telop. . 8. A digest program creating means for gathering digests of a plurality of contents to create at least one digest program, and an output means for broadcasting the digest program created by the digest program creating means to a viewer device. A broadcast content guide system comprising: 9. The broadcast according to claim 8, wherein said output means is capable of receiving, at said viewer device, a content which is a source of said digest, when any one of said digests is selected at said viewer device. Content guidance system.