JP3069381U - Program recording device for audience rating analysis - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To compare and evaluate television programs of a plurality of stations quickly by a plurality of people. SOLUTION: An image dividing device for dividing television images input from a plurality of tuner devices, a video capture for converting the divided television images into digital signals, and an audio recording device for capturing television sound into the video capture, are provided. Digitally processes each television image at a rate of 1 to 5 frames per second at an equal rate via a timer. Also, an image data editing unit that edits the image and audio data in a predetermined display format, a time data recording unit that records the time corresponding to the frame of the digitally processed image so that it can be displayed at least in seconds, and a station corresponding to the time. Audience transition data recording unit that records the audience rating so that it can be displayed while synchronizing with the image data

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing a change in audience rating of a television program, and more particularly to an image / audio reproduction and recording apparatus for examining in more detail the audience rate change in a desired time zone and timing.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 TV program production and editing departments, and departments in charge of commercials, examine the broadcast programs of their own stations and broadcast programs of competition stations in detail, analyze fluctuations in audience ratings, and provide the basis for contributing to program production at a later date. Document.

For this reason, the staff in charge compares and compares broadcast programs of the own station with broadcast programs of other stations in units of minutes and seconds. In particular, when the audience rating fluctuates significantly, what is the cause and what needs to be improved, such as the content of the program of the own station / other station at the point of the audience rating change, such as the timing, length of commercials, etc. It is necessary to consider all aspects, such as the content of the broadcast when the resumption is introduced.

Conventionally, the fluctuation analysis of the audience rating has used a video tape. Since at least television stations are required to record and manage their own broadcast programs for a certain period of time, it is natural to record and save their own broadcast programs. Due to the necessity of configuration / organization, programs of competitive stations are also recorded and stored, and the program contents are analyzed at the desired time (timing) using the recorded video tapes of other stations. The ratings are not available in real time at the moment, but can be obtained the next day, so the program of the own station / other stations will be examined while referring to the results of the ratings.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 By the way, the study of audience rating fluctuation using videotape had several problems as follows. First, since there is only one videotape, there is a problem that a plurality of people cannot individually consider a change in audience rating at the same time. The situation in which multiple people involved in program production and editing are unable to see the necessary recording tapes when desired also delays rapid analysis and review.

Second, since only one program can be watched on a videotape, it took time to understand what kind of broadcast contents the local and local stations had at the same time / time. This was because the tape had to be rewound and cued, and the waiting time was too long before the movements of multiple stations, which were constantly changing, were grasped while being synchronized.

Third, there is a problem of deterioration of the video tape. This can be solved by dubbing or the like, but has the drawback of cost and time. In addition, storing a large number of video tapes on a daily basis by dubbing them into multiple pieces puts pressure on the storage space, and the storage of recorded videos on television stations is usually limited to one.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a plurality of persons to search individually and quickly for a television program of a plurality of stations for quick comparison and examination, and to surely prevent image deterioration. is there.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, a program synchronizing device for audience rating analysis according to the present invention includes an image dividing device that divides a television image input from a plurality of tuner devices into a predetermined number of sections, and a divided television. A video capture device that converts an image into a digital signal; and an audio recording device that synchronizes television sound input from a tuner device with each corresponding image and captures the video sound into the video capture device. The video capture device is connected to a timer device. An image data editing unit that digitally processes each television image at a rate of 1 to 5 frames per second at an equal rate and edits audio and video data input from a video capture device in a predetermined display format; A time data recording unit for recording the time corresponding to the frame of the image so that it can be displayed at least every second. Comprising viewership transition data recording unit capable of displaying records while the stations of the audience the time corresponding to synchronize the image data.

A video capture device sometimes digitally processes a television image of each station at a rate of one frame per second. Further, the image data editing unit includes: a fluctuation timing recording unit that extracts and records the time when the audience rating of one of the own station and the other station changes beyond a preset fluctuation rate; Selection switch means for selecting one of the fluctuation timings of the audience rating thus selected and cueing and displaying the image data at the time.

[0011]

[Action]

 The program synchronizing device for audience analysis according to the present invention digitally processes broadcast images captured by a plurality of stations via a television tuner device and incorporates the broadcast images into a computer device while synchronizing a plurality of times with time timing. Perform frame division processing so that screens can be displayed simultaneously on the same screen, and edit while synchronizing the content of the program that progresses every moment and the fluctuation of audience rating with time.

[0012] The edited image data is recorded synchronously while being associated with the time and the audience rating. Therefore, if a desired time timing is selected, the program contents of the own station and other stations can be simultaneously displayed on one monitor screen. Becomes possible. Of course, it is also possible to enlarge and display only the TV program of one selected station.

The present apparatus only needs to be able to analyze or confirm a change in audience rating, so that it is not necessary to record all moving images that change at several tens of frames per second, and several frames per second to reduce the load on the memory of the computer device. (For example, 1 to 5 frames) is sufficient. Since voice does not squeeze the memory capacity, it can be stored in high quality within the limit that does not burden the device. If there are multiple audio channels, it is desirable to record the audio of all channels.

In order to enable analysis of audience rating fluctuation with a small memory capacity, it is sufficient to record one frame per second (claim 2). The movement during reproduction is awkward, but the storage and handling of data in the main unit is easy, the simplicity when recording to external storage memory, and the response to forward / rewind V (recorded program video data) during reproduction. In each case, one frame per second can provide sufficient functionality, and the memory can be significantly reduced. If a means for efficiently compressing the stored digital image is used, it is possible to store 10 to 20 frames per second. However, the analysis of audience ratings at television stations requires almost no image quality or smooth motion of images, so that the reduction in responsiveness due to image data compression is avoided, and the number of frames to be saved is reduced as much as possible. It is desirable to improve the responsiveness during the reproduction operation. Since the audio data is recorded and stored without division, the basic data for examining the cause of the audience rating fluctuation can be almost certainly recorded and reproduced.

[0015] A third aspect of the present invention is a technique for selectively extracting and recording a significant change in audience rating, and instantly searching for the timing based on a user request. Since the image data reproduced in this case is continuously stored as described in claim 1, it is possible to forward / rewind / still the image (V) cued at the point of a significant change in the audience rating. Of course there is. With this function, even if you do not rely on recording based on other means, when the audience rating of your own station or another station changes to a remarkable level, the recording is automatically called, and if there is more than one record, it is optional. By specifying one of the timings, it is possible to instantly confirm the program contents of the own station / other station at the timing.

[0016] The remarkable change rate of the audience rating is, for example, an increase or decrease of the changed audience rating of 5% or more, or an increase or decrease of the absolute audience rating of 1% or more. The meaning of audience rating differs depending on the time of day. For example, a program with an average audience rating of 15% is reduced by 20% in transitional audience rating to 12%, while a program with an average audience rating of 5% in late-night programs is reduced by 1% in absolute audience rating. The meaning is significantly different from the case of 4%. Therefore, it is desirable that each TV station, etc., can freely set the function of the device that captures the fluctuation timing of the audience rating according to the time zone, program content, sponsors, etc.

Since a plurality of moving images displayed on the monitor screen are recorded as independent image data via the video capture device, one image is selectively enlarged and displayed on the monitor screen. Alternatively, it is possible to enlarge two images and display them in parallel.

The image data recorded at one frame per second does not squeeze the normal memory even if the image quality is not extremely deteriorated, and has sufficient data content as analysis data at the point of change in the audience rating. Since the person in charge can save the data in any external memory (MO, etc.), the convenience in various situations such as briefing sessions and learning sessions will surely be improved. As a matter of course, these data can be transmitted to another device via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0019]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 FIG. 1 shows an example of a program recording device for audience rating analysis according to the present invention. First, the overall configuration will be described. The present apparatus divides a plurality of tuner apparatuses 10 for synchronously recording television programs of a plurality of stations and a television image input from the plurality of tuner apparatuses into a predetermined number of sections. The image processing apparatus includes an image dividing device 11 and a PC device 20 for editing an image and sound signal constituting a television program. Reference numeral 12 denotes a signal connection unit (a video capture card or the like) for capturing a signal from the image division device 11 into the PC device 20, and 14 captures an audio signal reproduced by the tuner device 10 into the PC device 20. (For example, a sound card) for converting analog signals into signals (digital signals) that can be handled in the PC device 20.

The PC device 20 includes a video capture device 21 that performs digital processing (signal conversion) on an image signal and an audio signal according to a predetermined program. Since various technologies have been proposed for the video capture device 21, any application program can be mounted on the PC device 20 and used. Reference numeral 22 denotes a timer device of the video capture device 21. Based on the timer function of the PC device 20, it may be a means that potentially operates, so to speak. It suffices if the video and audio data processed by the video capture device 21 can be timed and recorded.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a main body of the recording apparatus, which includes at least an image data editing unit 24, a time data processing unit 25, and a rating transition data recording unit 26.

The image data editing unit 24 edits image / audio data input from the video capture device 21 in a predetermined display format. For example, processing is performed so that image data is displayed on the display area in even frame divisions such as 4 divisions and 6 divisions, and audio data is subjected to processing such as high-quality recording regardless of the number of frames per second. The display method of the image data is not limited. At least one station's image is enlarged and displayed, two stations' images are displayed in parallel, and three or more stations' images are displayed in parallel or selectively enlarged only one station's image and the remaining two stations' images are reduced and displayed in parallel That is, it is only necessary to ensure the freedom of the display, such as performing the display.

The time data processing unit 25 performs a process of displaying the time data as characters (displaying numbers) on the image data processed by the image data editing unit 24. In the case of image recording of one frame per second, it is only necessary to be able to display in units of one second. For example, in the case of using the number of frames of five frames per second, it is sufficient to display the timing in units of 60/5 = 0.12 seconds.

The audience rating transition data recording unit 26 records the instantaneous audience rating at the time point corresponding to the time data recorded by the time data processing unit 25 (records the instantaneous audience rate so as to be able to display numbers). Audience rating data has been proposed to be measured and displayed not only in units of one second but also in units of one second or less due to the development of data communication in recent years. The rate can be entered at any time.

The image / audio data processed in the recording apparatus main body 23 is stored in a program data recording section 28 in the PC apparatus 20. The required memory capacity depends on the resolution of the image and the number of frames per second. For example, when the simplest format, for example, one frame per second, and the vertical and horizontal size of the basic stored image is 320 × 240 (mm), Approximately 135 MB of memory is consumed for one hour of recording, and if this amount of memory is consumed, it can be transferred to a small-capacity external memory and fully used, and a CD-ROM or other external memory with a relatively large memory capacity can be used. If a memory medium is used, one day's worth of images can be stored and stored almost satisfactorily for later use. It is needless to say that the program data recording unit 28 in the PC device 20 can store data while updating data for several days to several tens of days because a sufficient margin is expected.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a rating data input unit for inputting rating data to a rating transition data recording unit 26 in the recording apparatus main body 23. It is preferable that the audience rating data input unit 30 inputs a numerically processed numerical value as digital data while correlating it with time. For example, it is possible to directly write data obtained from a predetermined audience rating research organization in real time. desirable. However, the obtained audience rating data may be input numerically from an external memory at a later date, or may be manually written via a keyboard. There is no limitation on the means for entering audience rating data.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a recorded program input unit for storing and storing the recorded program in the program data recording unit 28 as characters. This is a means to function as a menu screen for analyzing audience rating fluctuations. This program program is recorded in a table format in which at least the program name and time are correlated. Functionally, for example, based on a program table (character data, table data) created in advance, a program display table displayed on the screen can be used to specify an arbitrary program, an arbitrary time (timing), It is possible to specify by clicking (specifying based on the pointer function). By specifying the pointer, it is possible to specify the storage address of the desired video / audio data. It is easy to locate the necessary audio / video data on the monitor screen based on the designation of the address.

According to such a program recording apparatus for audience rating analysis, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of screens can be displayed simultaneously on the same screen while synchronizing the image recording time and the audience rating change. Becomes possible. In FIG. 2, 40 is a monitor screen, 41 to 44 are TV images of each station, 45 is a rating transition table showing changes in rating of each station in chronological order, 46 is a program name of the selected station and other items are displayed. A data display column for (switching display) 47 is a display section of an operation switch. An icon pointer for fast-forwarding, rewinding, and stopping an image is displayed in an array on the display section 47 of the operation switch.

Since the television images 41 to 44 of the respective stations have been edited in synchronization with the time timing, only the image of one station is displayed, fast forward and rewind operations are performed, and the images of all the stations are displayed again. However, no time lag occurs. The time number “1702” described in the audience rating transition table 45 as an example is 17:02, and the number “9.0” of the station 1 of each station audience rating indicates the absolute audience rating of 9.0%. Means. It is desirable that the audience rating transition table 45 be capable of vertical scrolling and jump display.

By arranging a plurality of images at the same time in parallel in this way, it is possible to quickly understand the situation (program contents of the own station and other stations) when the audience rating changes. Further, since the image is edited as a digital signal via the video capture device 21 or the like, even if a plurality of terminal devices in the own station access the program data recording unit 28 of the main unit at the same time, the number is within the allowable number which is not busy. Then, simultaneous browsing by multiple persons (operation contents are independent) can be realized.

It is desirable that the number of frames of the moving image to be stored is one per second. As shown in Table 1 below, at present, it is advantageous to compress and save the image by Motion JPEG, and when the image size is 320 × 240, a data amount of about 135 MB can be recorded for one hour. Further, the data transfer amount per second is about 300 kbps, and high responsiveness can be realized.

[0032]

[Table 1]

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the recording apparatus main unit 23, when the ratings of the own station and the other stations significantly change beyond a preset fluctuation rate, A fluctuation timing recording unit 51 for extracting and recording the time and a selection switch creation unit 53 for selecting one of the fluctuation timings of the recorded audience rating and cueing and displaying the image data at the time are provided. It becomes. Since a table of the entire audience rating is created separately, it is sufficient to capture a significant change in the audience rating here.

The remarkable fluctuation of the audience rating is, for example, an increase or decrease of 1% or more of the absolute audience rating, but it is possible to freely record and save the rate of change. For each time period, the audience rating fluctuation to be recorded and stored may be individually set. For example, in the case of the golden time, an increase or decrease of 3% or more is recorded, and in the midnight time period, an increase or decrease of 0.5% or more is recorded.

By providing such means and editing and recording, it becomes possible to grasp the timing at which a significant change occurs in the audience rating of the own station and other stations as a list, and has a high useful value as a material for analysis and study. It is expected to be. The picked-up audience rating change timing can also be instantaneously searched by the created selection switch, so that the time to study the cause of the change can be greatly saved.

[0036]

[Effect of the invention]

 As described above, according to the program recording device for audience rating analysis according to the present invention, it is possible for a plurality of people to individually and quickly compare and review television programs of a plurality of stations. Further, image deterioration can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplifying a display screen of the recording apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Tuner device 11 Image dividing device 12, 14 Signal connection unit 20 PC device 21 Video capture device 22 Timer device 23 Recording device main unit 24 Image data editing unit 25 Time data processing unit 26 Audience rating transition data recording unit 30 Audience rating data input Unit 35 Recorded program input unit 40 Monitor screen 41 to 44 Television image of each station 45 Audience rating transition table 46 Data display column 47 Operation switch display unit 51 Fluctuation timing recording unit 53 Selection switch creation unit

Claims (3)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. An apparatus for synchronously recording television programs of a plurality of stations via a tuner apparatus, comprising: an image division apparatus for dividing television images input from a plurality of tuner apparatuses into a predetermined number of sections; A video capture device that converts a television image into a digital signal, and a sound recording device that captures the television sound input from the tuner device into the video capture device while synchronizing with the corresponding image, the video capture device includes:
Each television image is digitally processed at a rate of 1 to 5 frames per second at an equal rate via a timer device, and image / audio data input from a video capture device is
An image data editing unit that performs editing processing according to a predetermined display format, a time data recording unit that records a time corresponding to a frame of a digitally processed image so that it can be displayed at least in units of seconds, and an audience rating of each station corresponding to the time. A program recording apparatus for audience rating analysis, comprising: an audience rating transition data recording unit that records so as to be displayed in synchronization with image data. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video capture apparatus digitally processes a television image of each station at a rate of one frame per second. 3. An image data editing unit, wherein when a rating of any one of the own station and another station changes beyond a preset change rate, a change timing recording for extracting and recording the time. And a selection switch means for selecting one of the recorded timing fluctuation rates and cueing and displaying the image data at the time.
A program synchronizing device for audience rating analysis as described.