JP2009201040A - Program reproducing apparatus and program reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program reproducing apparatus and program reproducing method which restrict displaying the name of a viewing-limited program. <P>SOLUTION: The program reproduction apparatus for reproducing a program based on a broadcasting signal including viewing limitation information showing that viewing is to be limited comprises: an input section for inputting display limitation information showing that displaying of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing limitation information is to be limited; a broadcast program table producing section for producing a broadcast program table from the broadcasting signal, wherein displaying of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing limitation information is limited based on the display limitation information; a display section for displaying the broadcast program table; and a reproduction section for reproducing a program selected based on the broadcast program table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program reproducing apparatus and a program reproducing method for reproducing a broadcast program.

The broadcast signal of digital television or the like includes information indicating that the viewing age of the program or channel is restricted, and viewing of the program on the receiver side is restricted according to this information.
A technique for processing a thumbnail image of content corresponding to the restriction of viewing age is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-288484 A

However, with the above-described technique, the display of the program name in the program guide is not limited. In digital broadcasting, a broadcast program table representing a program broadcast from a broadcast signal can be generated and displayed. The contents of the program can be inferred from the program name in the broadcast program table, which may adversely affect the youth.
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a program playback device and a program playback method in which display of the names of programs whose viewing is restricted is restricted.

  A program playback apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a program playback apparatus that plays back a program based on a broadcast signal including viewing restriction information indicating that viewing is restricted, and the program corresponding to the viewing restriction information Alternatively, an input unit for inputting display restriction information indicating that the display of the channel is restricted, and a broadcast program table corresponding to the viewing restriction information based on the display restriction information or a broadcast program table that restricts the display of the channel A broadcast program guide generating unit that generates the program, a display unit that displays the broadcast program guide, and a playback unit that plays back a program selected based on the broadcast program guide.

  A program reproduction method according to an aspect of the present invention is a program reproduction method for reproducing a program based on a broadcast signal including viewing restriction information indicating that viewing is restricted, and the program corresponding to the viewing restriction information Or a step of inputting display restriction information for restricting the display of the channel, and a step of generating a broadcast program guide for restricting the display of the program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information from the broadcast signal based on the display restriction information And a step of selecting a program based on the generated broadcast program guide, and a step of reproducing the selected program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program playback device and a program playback method in which display of the names of programs whose viewing is restricted is restricted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 corresponds to a digital television with a recording function.

  The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes an antenna 101, a tuner / demodulator 102, a descrambler 103, a demultiplexer (DEMUX) 104, a video / audio decoder 105a, an OSD unit 105b, a monitor 106, a speaker 107, an EPG processor 108, and a recording process. Unit 109, control unit 111, wireless reception unit 112, key input unit 113, and storage unit 120.

  The antenna 101 receives a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station. The tuner / demodulator 102 selects a desired channel from the broadcast signal received by the antenna 101, demodulates it, and generates a transport stream (hereinafter referred to as “TS”). The generated TS is output to the descrambler 103. This TS is a multiplexed signal including a scrambled broadcast signal and SI / PSI. The scrambled broadcast signal is, for example, a scrambled MPEG-2 broadcast signal.

  SI / PSI is program arrangement information. SI includes SDT (Service Definition Table), EIT (Event Information Table), and the like. The SDT describes detailed information of a service (organization channel) and includes a channel name, viewing restriction information, and the like. The EIT describes detailed information of a program in the service, and includes a program name (program name), viewing restriction information, and the like. The PSI describes the configuration of a plurality of multiplexed programs and includes a PAT (Program Association Table), a PMT (Program Map Table), and the like.

  The viewing restriction information is information for restricting viewing and is attached to a program or a channel. As an example of the viewing restriction information, there is viewing age restriction information for restricting the age of the viewer. The viewing age restriction information represents an age range in which viewing of the program is restricted. In addition, viewing age restriction information includes “general” (viewable by all ages), “PG-12” (adult guardian is appropriate for viewing under 12 years of age (elementary school age and younger)), “R- You may use age-specific handling categories such as “15” (prohibition of viewing under 15 years old (under junior high school students)) and “R-18” (prohibition of viewing under 18 years old).

  The descrambler 103 descrambles the TS input from the tuner / demodulator 102 and outputs it to the demultiplexer 104. That is, the scrambled broadcast signal in the TS is descrambled to generate a broadcast signal.

  A demultiplexer (DEMUX) 104 separates broadcast signals, SI / PSI, and the like from the TS input from the descrambler 103. The demultiplexing unit 104 outputs the separated broadcast signal to the video / audio decoder 105a. Further, the demultiplexing unit 104 determines whether the separated broadcast signal is good or not, and outputs the result to the control unit 111. For example, whether a broadcast signal is good or not can be determined based on whether or not the broadcast signal can be separated and the BER (Bit Error Rate) of the separated broadcast signal.

The video / audio decoder 105 a decodes the broadcast signal input from the demultiplexing unit 104 and outputs it to the monitor 106 and the speaker 107.
An OSD (On Screen Display) unit 105b displays a setting menu, a display restriction setting screen, a program guide (broadcast program guide, scheduled recording program guide, recorded program guide), etc. on the monitor 106 in a superimposed manner with the program. .
The monitor 106 is a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device. The speaker 107 is an audio output device.

  The EPG processing unit 108 configures a broadcast program guide (EPG (Electronic Program Guide)) from the SI data separated by the demultiplexing unit 104, and further generates an image signal of the broadcast program guide. A broadcast program guide is displayed on the monitor 106 by this image signal. Users can check and reserve programs using the broadcast program guide. At this time, based on the display restriction table T described later, the display of the names of programs whose viewing is restricted is restricted on the broadcast program table. The broadcast program guide is mainly created using EIT.

  That is, the EPG processing unit 108 functions as a broadcast program guide generating unit that generates a broadcast program guide that restricts display of programs or channels corresponding to viewing restriction information from broadcast signals. The EPG processing unit 108 also functions as a second broadcast program guide generating unit that generates a second broadcast program guide in which the display restriction of the program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information is removed.

  The recording processing unit 109 records and reproduces the broadcast using the broadcast signal output from the demultiplexing unit 104 or the video / audio decoder 105a. The recording processing unit 109 records a broadcast program in a built-in memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk, or an external storage device or recording device. A broadcast program guide can be used for recording reservation.

  The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The control unit 111 performs the following processing.

(1) Generation of recording reservation program guide and recorded program guide The control unit 111 generates a recording reservation program guide and a recorded program guide. The recording reservation program table represents a list of programs reserved for recording. The recorded program table represents a list of recorded programs. The control unit 111 functions as a scheduled recording program table generating unit that generates a scheduled recording program table in which display of programs or channels corresponding to the viewing restriction information is limited. The control unit 111 functions as a recorded program guide generation unit that generates a recorded program guide in which display of programs or channels corresponding to the viewing restriction information is restricted.

(2) Generation of Display Restriction Table T The control unit 111 generates a display restriction table T for restricting display of program names and the like in the program guide (broadcast program guide, scheduled recording program guide, recorded program guide). And stored in the NVRAM 123.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the display restriction table T. The code number, display restriction (display restriction information), and release of display restriction (restriction release information) are represented in correspondence.

  The “password” is information for identifying a user who can rewrite the display restriction table T. The password entered by the user who set the display restriction is displayed in this field. Thereafter, by inputting the same password as the password in this field, the display restriction table T can be rewritten, that is, the display restriction can be released.

  In the “display restriction” column, the display of program names and contents (hereinafter referred to as program names, etc.) in the program guide (broadcast program guide, scheduled recording program guide, recorded program guide) is restricted, and The range of target users is displayed. If predetermined information indicating the range of the target user is displayed in the “display restriction” column, it is interpreted that there is a display restriction. When there is no display restriction, display of a program name or the like in the program guide is not restricted. That is, the program name or the like is displayed as it is in the program table. When there is a display restriction, in principle, the display of the program name and the like in the program guide is restricted. That is, the program name or the like is displayed in the program table with blank or replacement.

  In this example, the range of users is represented by an age range. “Age range” represents the age range of viewers that restricts display of program names and the like in the program guide.

The column “Release of display restriction” is divided into presence / absence of release and release conditions. “Presence / absence of cancellation” indicates the presence / absence of cancellation of restrictions on display of program names and the like in the program table. When there is no restriction release, the display restriction becomes effective. When there is a restriction release, if a certain condition (cancellation condition) is satisfied, the restriction on the display of the program name and the like in the program table is released.
“Release condition” represents a condition for canceling restrictions on display of a program name or the like in the program guide. Examples of release conditions are as follows: ~ C. Shown in

a. Release restrictions only on a specific program guide Display restrictions are released only on a specific program guide. For example, when displaying a broadcast program guide whose display is restricted, by setting restriction release, a broadcast program guide whose display restriction is released is generated and displayed. When the display of the broadcast program guide is stopped, the display restriction state is restored. For example, after selecting and viewing a program to be viewed from a broadcast program guide whose display restriction has been removed, the broadcast program guide is displayed. At this time, a broadcast program guide whose display is restricted is generated and displayed.

b. Restriction release only within a predetermined time The program table with the display restriction removed is displayed for a predetermined time after the restriction release is set. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the display restriction state is restored. In other words, a broadcast program guide whose display is restricted is generated and displayed.

c. Restriction cancellation with only a predetermined target The restriction cancellation target is specified as one or two of a broadcast program guide, a recording reservation program guide, and a recorded program guide. For example, when the restriction is lifted only by the broadcast program guide, the display is restricted in the recording reservation program guide and the recorded program guide.

  Whether the release condition is satisfied is determined by the control unit 111, and when the release condition is not satisfied, the display restriction table T is rewritten as necessary. For example, in the case of restriction release only within a predetermined time period for a specific program guide, the “removal presence / absence” column of “restriction release information” is rewritten to release “none”.

  The wireless reception unit 112 receives user operation information transmitted from the remote control 131 wirelessly (for example, infrared rays). The remote control 131 has a “cursor” button, a “blue” button, a “red” button, a “decision” button, and a “return” button, and can input user operation information.

  The key input unit 113 is, for example, an operation button of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 main body. As the key input unit 113, for example, an input device for inputting user operation information such as a keyboard can be used. The key input unit 113 includes a “cursor” button, a color button (“blue” button, “red” button), a “decision” button, and a “return” button. Similarly to the remote control 131, user operation information can be input. Is possible.

  The storage unit 120 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122, and an NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 123. The ROM 121 stores a program for operating the control unit 111 and the like. The RAM 122 is used when the control unit 111 operates and programs, data, and the like are written therein. The NVRAM 123 stores a display restriction table T.

(Operation of broadcast receiving apparatus 100)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. In this example, a program to be viewed or reserved for recording is selected using a broadcast program guide.

(1) Display limit setting (step S11)
Display restriction information is input. For example, by using the remote control 131 to display the setting menu of FIG. 4 on the monitor 106 and selecting “viewing restriction setting”, a display restriction setting screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Using this screen, the display restriction information and the password are entered. The display restriction information in this example is information representing an age range for restricting viewing. The personal identification number is used to identify a user who can release the display restriction. A display restriction table T is generated based on the input display restriction information and password, and stored in the NVRAM 123. In the “removal of display restriction” column of the display restriction table T, “no release” is described.

(2) Creation and display of broadcast program guide with limited display (step S12)
When the display of the broadcast program guide on the monitor 106 is instructed, a broadcast program guide with limited display is created and displayed. Since the display is restricted, some programs cannot be selected, and playback and recording are restricted (as a result, viewing of the program itself is also restricted).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a broadcast program guide with no display restrictions. 7 and 8 show examples of broadcast program tables with display restrictions. In FIG. 6, “Very violent!”, “Blood special!” And “Kill all!” Are displayed as program names. On the other hand, in FIG. 7, the entire channels corresponding to these programs are not displayed. Further, in FIG. 8, these program names are replaced with “harmful program 1” to “harmful program 3” and displayed.

(3) Release of display restriction (step S13)
The restriction release information is input, the display restriction table T is rewritten, and the display restriction is released. At this time, a. Full restriction release; b. There can be two conditional restriction releases.

a. Full restriction release The display restriction can be released completely. For example, by using the remote control 131 to display the setting menu of FIG. 9 on the monitor 106 and selecting “viewing restriction release” for full restriction release, a password input screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. Is displayed. Use this screen to enter your PIN. As a result, the display restriction table T is deleted, and the display restriction is completely released.

b. Conditional restriction release Display restrictions can be released conditionally. For example, when a broadcast program table whose display is restricted as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is displayed on the monitor 106, a simple setting menu is superimposed on the broadcast program table using the remote control 131. (See FIG. 11), and selecting “Release restriction” displays a screen for entering a password (see FIG. 10), and the password is entered using this screen. As a result, the display restriction table T is rewritten, and the display restriction is released conditionally. In this example, the restriction is released only with a specific broadcast program guide. Therefore, it is possible to check and select a display-restricted program only in a specific broadcast program guide.

  On the other hand, as will be described later, the display is restricted when the broadcast program guide changes to the normal broadcast screen and returns to the broadcast program guide again. In this way, the display is restricted when returning to the broadcast program guide again, and the state where the display restriction is canceled due to the user's forgetting to operate, etc., has an unfavorable effect on the youth etc. Is prevented.

(4) Creation and display of broadcast program guide whose display is not restricted (step S14)
A broadcast program guide whose display restriction has been lifted is created and displayed (see FIG. 6).

(5) Program selection (step S15)
Select a program from the broadcast program guide. This is to select the target for playback and scheduled recording. Since the restriction on display in the broadcast program guide has been lifted, it is possible to select programs that are restricted in viewing.

(6) Selection of playback and reserved recording (step S16)
Playback or scheduled recording is selected. Since the display restriction is lifted, all programs can be played back and reserved.

(7) Program playback (step S17)
When playback is selected, the program selected from the broadcast program guide is played.

(8) Creation and display of broadcast program guide with limited display (step S18)
When the broadcast program guide is to be displayed after the program is played back, the broadcast program guide with the display restriction removed is created and displayed. That is, when a transition is made from the broadcast program guide to the broadcast screen, when the program returns to the broadcast program guide again, the display of the program or channel is restricted (returns to the restricted state by stopping the display of the broadcast program guide).

(9) Generation of scheduled recording program guide (step S21)
A program is selected from the broadcast program guide and reserved for recording, and a scheduled recording program guide is generated. Due to the display restriction information, in this scheduled recording program table, the display of programs and channels is restricted. At this time, a scheduled recording program table with limited display is created and displayed.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a scheduled recording program table with no display restriction. FIGS. 13 and 14 show examples of scheduled recording program tables with display restrictions. In FIG. 12, “Violet violence” and “Blood Kids” are displayed as program names. On the other hand, in FIG. 13, these programs are not displayed. In FIG. 14, these program names are replaced with “dummy program 1” and “dummy program 2” for display.

  The scheduled recording program table includes, for example, a restriction target identifier indicating a program or channel whose display is restricted, and the display is restricted using this identifier. The display of the scheduled recording program table is controlled by the display restriction information, restriction release information, and restriction target identifier. Based on these pieces of information, the control unit 111 generates display screen data for the scheduled recording program guide. With this display screen data, the scheduled recording program table is displayed on the monitor 106.

(10) Canceling / displaying display restriction of scheduled recording program list (step S22)
It is possible to release the display restriction of the scheduled recording program table under certain conditions. For example, when a scheduled recording program table whose display is limited as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is displayed on the monitor 106, a simple setting menu is displayed on the monitor 106 using the remote control 131. Superimpose and display, select “Release restriction”, and enter your PIN. As a result, the display restriction table T is rewritten, and the display restriction is released conditionally. In this example, the restriction is released only with a specific program guide.

  Since the display restriction has been lifted, the control unit 111 generates display screen data of a scheduled recording program table in which the program corresponding to the restriction target identifier, the name of the channel, and the like are represented. With this display screen data, the scheduled recording program table is displayed on the monitor 106.

  When the display of the scheduled recording program guide is stopped and redisplayed, the display of the program name and the like on the scheduled recording program guide is restricted.

(11) Recording (step S23)
The program is recorded according to the scheduled recording program guide.

(12) Generation of recorded program guide (step S24)
A recorded program guide is generated. Due to the display restriction information, this recorded program is restricted to display programs and channels.

(13) Release / display of display restriction of recording reservation program guide (step S25)
The restriction on the display of the recorded program table can be released under certain conditions. Since this detail corresponds to step S22, detailed description is omitted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the reproduction of the program, the display of the program name and description in the program guide is restricted. Conventionally, viewing of a program itself has been restricted, but display on a program guide for viewing and recording of a program has not been restricted. For this reason, children and the like may see harmful words on the program guide. In this embodiment, such a possibility can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be expanded and modified. The expanded and modified embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment corresponds to a digital television with a recording function. However, the present embodiment can be applied not only to a television but also to a recording device such as a hard disk recorder, a tuner, and the like.
Broadcasting can be applied to broadcasting through a communication network (so-called IP broadcasting) in addition to television broadcasting using radio waves.

It is a block diagram showing the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display restriction table T. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting menu. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen for display restriction setting. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of the broadcast program guide without a display restriction. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of the broadcast program guide with a display restriction. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of the broadcast program guide with a display restriction. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting menu. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the screen for password input. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a simple setting menu. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of the video recording reservation program table | surface without a display restriction | limiting. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of the video recording reservation program table with a display restriction. It is an example schematic diagram of a recording reservation program guide with a display restriction.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Broadcast receiving apparatus, 101 ... Antenna, 102 ... Tuner / demodulation part, 103 ... Descrambler, 104 ... Demultiplexing part (DEMUX), 105a ... Video / audio decoder, 105b ... OSD part, 106 ... Monitor, 107 ... Speaker 108 ... EPG processing unit 109 ... Recording processing unit 111 ... Control unit 112 ... Wireless receiving unit 113 ... Key input unit 120 ... Storage unit 121 ... ROM 122 ... RAM 123 ... NVRAM 131 ... Remote control

Claims (9)

A program playback device for playing back a program based on a broadcast signal including viewing restriction information indicating that viewing is restricted,
An input unit for inputting display restriction information indicating that display of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information is restricted;
Based on the display restriction information, a broadcast program guide generation unit that generates a broadcast program guide that restricts display of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information from a broadcast signal;
A reproduction unit for reproducing a program selected based on the broadcast program table;
A program reproducing apparatus comprising: A scheduled recording program table generating unit that generates a scheduled recording program table in which display of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information is restricted based on the broadcast program guide and the display restriction information;
A recording unit for recording a program based on the scheduled recording program table;
Based on the display restriction information, a recorded program guide generation unit that generates a recorded program guide that restricts display of programs or channels corresponding to the viewing restriction information;
The program reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A second input unit for inputting restriction release information indicating that restriction on display of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information is released under a predetermined condition;
A second broadcast program guide generating unit that generates a second broadcast program guide in which the restriction on the display of the program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information is released based on the restriction release information;
The program reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The program playback apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display restriction release based on the restriction release information is canceled by the stop of the display of the second broadcast program guide. The program playback apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the release of the display restriction based on the restriction release information is canceled as a predetermined time elapses. 4. The program playback apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display restriction is released for any one of the broadcast program guide, the scheduled recording program guide, and the recorded program guide based on the restriction release information. On the broadcast program guide, the scheduled recording program guide, or the recorded program guide, the name of the program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information is not displayed, or is replaced with another character or symbol. The program reproducing device according to claim 2, wherein The program reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that displays the broadcast program guide, the scheduled recording program guide, or the recorded program guide. A program reproduction method for reproducing a program based on a broadcast signal including viewing restriction information indicating that viewing is restricted,
Inputting display restriction information for restricting display of a program or channel corresponding to the viewing restriction information;
Based on the display restriction information, generating a broadcast program guide from which broadcast or program display corresponding to the viewing restriction information is restricted from a broadcast signal;
Selecting a program based on the generated broadcast program guide;
Playing the selected program;
A program playback method comprising:

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