Video display device and method for displaying content

Abstract

To enable more useful recording and reproducing processing.SOLUTION: A video display device includes a tuner that receives first content of a broadcast program transmitted by broadcast waves and program information related to the broadcast program, a communication unit that communicates with a server device via a network and obtains second content corresponding to the broadcast program, a display unit that displays the first or second content, a digital interface unit that connects and communicates with a storage for storing the first content, a storage unit that stores information, and a control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a video display device and a method for displaying content.

Background Art

[0002] Recording devices that record broadcast programs of digital broadcasts on recording media such as optical discs or storage devices such as HDDs (Hard Disc Drives) have become widespread. By playing back the recorded broadcast programs, the recording device enables time-shifted viewing of the broadcast programs.

[0003] The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-289057 (Patent Document 1) records and plays back the broadcast program of the selected channel, and deletes the recorded broadcast program when the broadcast of the broadcast program ends. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a user who wants to record a broadcast program operates a designated key during the playback of the broadcast program, and as a result, when the broadcast of the broadcast program ends, the deletion of the recorded broadcast program is prohibited. Thus, the technique described in Patent Document 1 enables recording from the head position of a broadcast program that has already started.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, after recording all of the broadcast program being viewed, unnecessary broadcast programs are deleted. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, programs that the user does not want to record are also recorded, resulting in wasteful processing.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a video display device that enables more useful recording processing and playback processing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As a means for solving the above problems, the technology described in the claims is used.

[0008] For example, a video display device includes a tuner that receives first content of a broadcast program transmitted by a broadcast wave and program information related to the broadcast program, a communication unit that communicates with a server device via a network and acquires second content corresponding to the broadcast program, a display unit that displays the first content or the second content, a digital interface unit that connects to and communicates with a storage for storing the first content, a storage unit that stores information, and a control unit. The control unit outputs the first content via the digital interface unit, stores it in a storage connected to the digital interface unit, and when an operation for playing back the first content by a user is performed, reads out the first content stored in the storage via the digital interface unit and displays it on the display unit (first control). Based on the program information received by the tuner, the control unit acquires program identification information for identifying the broadcast program and address information on the network of the server device where the second content is stored, stores them in the storage unit, and when an operation for playing back the second content by a user is performed, uses the address information stored in the storage unit to access the server device where the second content is stored via the communication unit, uses the program identification information stored in the storage unit to acquire the second content from the server device via the communication unit, and performs second control to display the second content acquired from the server device on the display unit. The second content can be played back after the broadcast of the first content ends.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the effects obtained by representative ones will be briefly described as follows.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a video display device that enables more useful recording processing and playback processing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Example 1) First, an example of a digital broadcast service receivable by the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

[0014] For example, in an example of BS / terrestrial digital broadcasting that can be received by the broadcast receiver of this embodiment, it is possible to multiplex and transmit a plurality of transport streams (TS) on one transponder (frequency channel). A TS is a continuous sequence of TS packets of a predetermined length obtained by dividing data sequences such as video / audio elementary streams (ES) and program specific information (PSI) / service information (SI) and adding a TS header.

[0015] PSI is a proprietary information table defined by the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-2 system standard for identifying to which program each ES included in the TS belongs. PSI is composed of a PAT (Program Association Table), a PMT (Program Map Table), a CAT (Conditional Access Table), etc. The PAT defines a list of programs included in the TS by the PID (Packet Identifier) of the PMT. The PMT defines the PID of the constituent elements of each program, etc. The CAT contains information regarding restricted reception.

[0016] Also, SI is an extension of PSI that includes program information and the like, and has information regarding the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) defined by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) in ARIB STD-B10. SI is composed of the Broadcaster Information Table (BIT), Service Description Table (SDT), Event Information Table (EIT), Time Offset Table (TOT), etc. BIT includes broadcaster identification information, network information, SI transmission information of the broadcaster, etc. SDT includes information such as a network ID for identifying a network, a TS ID for identifying a TS, and a service ID (so-called channel number) for identifying individual services (so-called channels) within the network. EIT includes a service ID for identifying individual services within the network and information regarding events, such as the name, broadcast date and time, and broadcast content of each event (so-called program). TOT includes information regarding the current date and time.

[0017] Also, the TS includes Program Clock Reference (PCR) information that serves as a reference for the playback timing in a decoder, and BML documents subset based on the Broadcast Markup Language (BML) specification defined in ARIB STD-B24.

[0018] In the broadcast receiving apparatus of this embodiment, by receiving and decoding the TS composed of the video / audio ES and various information, etc., it is possible to provide the user with a broadcast program, an EPG, a data broadcast screen produced using BML, etc.

[0019] In addition, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment can cooperate with the function of using a broadband network for digital broadcast services, and combines the acquisition of additional content via the broadband network, arithmetic processing in the server apparatus, presentation processing through cooperation with a portable terminal device, etc. with the digital broadcast service, and is compatible with a broadcast communication cooperation system. In order to realize the broadcast communication cooperation system, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment can execute an application described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like. Further, in the broadcast communication cooperation system corresponding to the present broadcast receiving apparatus, an extended BML specification, application control information (Application Information Table: AIT) in the broadcast communication cooperation system, and extended PSI / SI information necessary for transmitting an application by a broadcast wave are used. Note that AIT is information for providing or notifying various information necessary for starting an application such as the acquisition destination of an application and control information for controlling the start / end of an application, etc.

[0020] The above description is based on the digital broadcast service in Japan, but it is not limited to the application only in Japan, including the broadcast communication cooperation system corresponding to the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0021] Next, a specific configuration example of the embodiment in the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system including the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present embodiment. The communication system of the present embodiment is composed of a broadcast receiving apparatus 100, an antenna 100A, a broadband network 200 such as the Internet and a router device 200R, a radio tower 300T of a broadcast station, a broadcast station server 300, a service provider server 400, and other application servers 500.

[0023] The broadcast receiving device 100 is a television receiver that has a function corresponding to the broadcast communication cooperation system in addition to the existing digital broadcast receiving function. The broadcast receiving device 100 receives the broadcast wave transmitted from the radio tower 300T via the antenna 100A. Also, the broadcast receiving device 100 can be connected to the Internet 200 via the router device 200R, and can transmit and receive data by communicating with each server device on the Internet 200. The router device 200R is connected to the Internet 200 by wired communication, and is connected to the broadcast receiving device 100 by wireless communication or wired communication.

[0024] The radio tower 300T transmits a broadcast wave including a digital broadcast signal, AIT, control information regarding application presentation, etc. from the broadcast facilities of the broadcasting station. Note that the control information regarding application presentation is control information regarding the overlay of a broadcast program and an application on the television receiver and the availability of presenting the application. Also, it is assumed that the broadcasting station includes a broadcasting station server 300. The broadcasting station server 300 stores broadcast programs (program contents, etc.) and metadata such as the program title, program ID, program summary, cast, broadcast date and time, etc. of each broadcast program, and can provide the program contents, etc. and each metadata to the service provider based on a contract. Note that the provision of the program contents, etc. and each metadata to the service provider may be performed through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the broadcasting station server 300.

[0025] The service provider server 400 is a server device prepared for the service provider to provide services such as services and content distribution by the broadcast communication cooperation system. The service provider server 400 stores, manages, and distributes program content and the like, metadata, content and applications produced for the broadcast communication cooperation system. It also has a function of searching for and providing a list of available applications in response to inquiries from the television receiver. Note that the storage, management, and distribution of the program content and the like and metadata, and the storage, management, and distribution of the applications may be performed by different server devices. The broadcast station and the service provider may be the same or different operators. A plurality of service provider servers 400 may be prepared for different services. Also, the functions of the service provider server 400 may be provided by the broadcast station server 300.

[0026] The other application server 500 is a known server device that stores, manages, and distributes general applications, operation programs, content, and data other than those related to the broadcast communication cooperation system. There may be a plurality of other application servers 500 on the Internet 200.

[0027] [Hardware Configuration of Broadcast Receiver] FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast receiver 100. The broadcast receiver 100 includes a main control unit 101, a system bus 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a storage unit 110, a LAN communication unit 121, an expansion interface unit 124, a tuner / demodulation unit 131, a separation unit 132, a video decoding unit 133, an audio decoding unit 134, a subtitle decoding unit 135, a data broadcast reception processing unit 141, a data broadcast engine 142, an application control unit 143, an application engine 144, a content processing unit 151, a video superimposing unit 161, an audio selection unit 162, a video display unit 163, and a speaker 164.

[0028] The main control unit 101 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 102 is a data communication path for performing data transmission and reception between the main control unit 101 and each operation block in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0029] The ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is a memory in which basic operation programs such as an operating system and other operation programs are stored. For example, a rewritable ROM such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash ROM is used. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 serves as a work area when executing basic operation programs and other operation programs. The ROM 103 and the RAM 104 may be integrally configured with the main control unit 101. Further, the ROM 103 may use a partial storage area in the storage unit 110 instead of the independent configuration as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0030] The storage unit 110 stores the operation program and operation setting values of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, personal information of the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the like. Further, it can store operation programs downloaded from the network and various data created by the operation programs. Further, it can also store contents such as videos, still images, and sounds acquired from a broadcast wave or downloaded from the network. A partial area of the storage unit 110 may replace all or part of the functions of the ROM 103. Further, the storage unit 110 needs to retain the stored information even when no external power is supplied to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Therefore, for example, a semiconductor element memory such as a flash ROM or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a magnetic disk drive such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or the like is used.

[0031] Note that each of the operation programs stored in the ROM 103 and the storage unit 110 can be updated and its functions extended by downloading from each server device on the Internet 200.

[0032] The LAN (Local Area Network) communication unit 121 is connected to the Internet 200 via the router device 200R and transmits and receives data to and from each server device on the Internet 200. The connection to the router device 200R may be a wired connection or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The LAN communication unit 121 is assumed to include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, etc. Further, the broadcast receiving device 100 may further include other communication units such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, an NFC communication unit, and an infrared communication unit.

[0033] The tuner / demodulation unit 131 receives a broadcast wave from the radio tower 300T via the antenna 100A and tunes (selects a channel) to the channel of the service desired by the user based on the control of the main control unit 101. Further, the tuner / demodulation unit 131 demodulates the received broadcast signal to obtain a TS. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, a configuration in which there is one tuner / demodulation unit is illustrated, but for the purpose of simultaneous display of multiple screens, recording of a back program, etc., the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to include a plurality of tuner / demodulation units. Also, based on the control of the main control unit 101, control of access restriction to the demodulated TS may be performed.

[0034] The separation unit 132 inputs the TS output from the tuner / demodulation unit 131 and separates and outputs it into each data sequence such as a video data sequence, an audio data sequence, a subtitle data sequence, a program information data sequence, an AIT data sequence, a BML data sequence, etc. These data sequences may be in the ES format, for example. The video decoding unit 133 decodes the video data sequence input from the separation unit 132 and outputs video information. The audio decoding unit 134 decodes the audio data sequence input from the separation unit 132 and outputs audio information. The subtitle decoding unit 135 decodes the subtitle data sequence input from the separation unit 132 and outputs subtitle information.

[0035] The data broadcast reception processing unit 141 decodes the BML data sequence input from the separation unit 132 and reproduces the BML document. The data broadcast engine 142 is a BML browser that executes the BML document, and executes the BML document reproduced by the data broadcast reception processing unit 141 to output data broadcast screen information. The application control unit 143 acts on the application engine 144 regarding the application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system based on the AIT data sequence input from the separation unit 132 or the AIT file acquired from each server device on the Internet 200, and controls and manages the life cycle and events of the application unit. Also, depending on the state of the application and the instructions of the AIT, the control of the function constraints of the application is appropriately performed. The application engine 144 is an HTML browser that acquires and executes the application created for the broadcast communication cooperation system based on the control of the application control unit 143.

[0036] The content processing unit 151 accesses video content and the like placed in each server device on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 based on the control of the main control unit 101, and acquires the program stream (Program Stream: PS) of the video content and the like. The acquired PS may be further supplied to the separation unit 132 and subjected to the same processing as the TS output from the tuner / demodulation unit 131. Also, the content processing unit 151 may perform control of DRM (Digital Rights Management) processing and the like on the acquired PS based on the control of the main control unit 101. Also, the content processing unit 151 is assumed to have a transcoding processing function. That is, it is possible to supply the PS acquired from each server device on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 to the separation unit 132 after performing transcoding processing. Alternatively, it is possible to perform transcoding processing on the TS or ES output from the separation unit 132 and store it in the storage unit 110.

[0037] The video superimposing unit 161 inputs the video information output from the video decoding unit 133, the subtitle information output from the subtitle decoding unit 135, the data broadcast screen information output from the data broadcast engine 142, and the application execution screen information output from the application engine 144, and performs processes such as selection and / or superimposition. The video superimposing unit 161 includes a video RAM (not shown), and the video display unit 163 etc. are driven based on the video information input to the video RAM. Further, the video superimposing unit 161 performs, as necessary, scaling processing and superimposing processing of the EPG screen information created by interpreting the program information data string output from the separation unit 132, based on the control of the main control unit 101. The audio selection unit 162 inputs the audio information output from the audio decoding unit 134 and the application execution audio information output from the application engine 144, and appropriately performs selection processing based on the control of the main control unit 101. The video display unit 163 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, etc., and provides the video information subjected to selection and / or superimposing processing by the video superimposing unit 161 to the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The speaker 164 provides the audio information output from the audio selection unit 162 to the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0038] The extended interface unit 124 is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed to be composed of a video / audio interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a memory interface, etc. The video / audio interface performs input of video data / audio data from an external video / audio output device, output of video data / audio data to an external video / audio input device, etc. The USB interface connects to a PC etc. and performs transmission and reception of various data. By connecting an HDD, recording of broadcast programs and various contents may be performed in place of the storage unit 110. Also, connection of a keyboard and other USB devices may be performed. The memory interface connects a memory card and other memory media and performs data transmission and reception.

[0039] The broadcast receiving device 100 may be, in addition to a television receiver, an optical disc drive recorder such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, a magnetic disc drive recorder such as an HDD recorder, an STB (Set Top Box), etc. It may also be a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a game machine, etc. equipped with a digital broadcast receiving function and a broadcast communication cooperation function. Note that it does not necessarily have to have a broadcast communication cooperation function. When the broadcast receiving device 100 is a DVD recorder, an HDD recorder, an STB, etc., it may be equipped with a video output unit and an audio output unit instead of the video display unit 163 and the speaker 164. By connecting an external monitor and an external speaker to the video output unit and the audio output unit, the same operations as those of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment can be performed.

[0040] [Software Configuration of Broadcast Receiving Device] Figure 2B is a software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving device 100 of this embodiment, showing the software configuration in the ROM 103, the RAM 104, and the storage unit 110. In this embodiment, a basic operation program 1001 and other operation programs are stored in the ROM 103, and a receiver function program 1002, a reservation management program 1003, a program recording program 1004, and other operation programs are stored in the storage unit 110. In addition, the storage unit 110 is assumed to include a reservation information storage area 1200 for storing information related to recording reservations and viewing reservations of broadcast programs, a recorded content storage area 1300 for storing information related to recorded programs, and various information storage areas for storing other various types of information.

[0041] The basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 is expanded to the RAM 104, and further, the main control unit 101 executes the expanded basic operation program, thereby constituting the basic operation execution unit 1101. Also, the reception function program 1002, reservation management program 1003, and program recording program 1004 stored in the storage unit 110 are each expanded to the RAM 104, and further, the main control unit 101 executes each of the expanded operation programs, thereby constituting the reception function execution unit 1102, reservation management execution unit 1103, and program recording execution unit 1104. Also, the RAM 104 is provided with a temporary storage area for temporarily holding data created during the execution of each operation program as needed.

[0042] Note that hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the process of controlling each operation block by the main control unit 101 expanding and executing the basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 to the RAM 104 will be described as if the basic operation execution unit 1101 controls each operation block. The same description will be made for other operation programs.

[0043] The reception function execution unit 1102 controls each operation block of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in order to realize functions such as a broadcast reception function and a broadcast communication cooperation function. In particular, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a mainly controls the tuner / demodulation unit 131, separation unit 132, video decoding unit 133, audio decoding unit 134, subtitle decoding unit 135, data broadcast reception processing unit 141, and data broadcast engine 142. The broadcast communication cooperation unit 1102b mainly controls the application control unit 143 and the application engine 144. The terminal cooperation management unit 1102c controls the cooperation with the mobile information terminal during broadcast communication cooperation processing.

[0044] The reservation management execution unit 1103 manages information related to the processing of recording reservations and viewing reservations for broadcast programs using a reservation information table stored in the reservation information storage area 1200. The program recording execution unit 1104 controls the operation of scheduled recording based on the reservation information table stored in the reservation information storage area 1200 and the operation of manual recording while viewing a broadcast program. Also, information related to recorded programs is managed using a recorded program information table stored in the recorded content storage area 1300.

[0045] Each of the above operation programs may be stored in the ROM 103 and / or the storage unit 110 in advance at the time of product shipment. After product shipment, it may be obtained from other application servers 500 etc. on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121. Also, each of the above operation programs stored on a memory card, optical disk, etc. may be obtained via the expansion interface unit 124 etc.

[0046] FIG. 2C is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the data format of the reservation information table stored in the reservation information storage area 1200. The reservation information table is composed of information such as an arrangement number 1201, broadcast date information 1202, broadcast time information 1203, broadcast channel information 1204, broadcast program title information 1205, a repetition flag 1206, a recording / viewing mode 1207, recording destination information 1208, etc. It may further include other information.

[0047] The sorting number 1201 is used for managing each reservation information stored in the reservation information table. The broadcast date information 1202, the broadcast time information 1203, the broadcast channel information 1204, and the broadcast program title information 1205 are information regarding the date and time, channel, and program title of the broadcast program to be reserved. The repeat flag 1206 is a flag indicating whether to repeat the recording process or viewing process of the broadcast program to be reserved weekly or daily. The recording / viewing mode 1207 is mode setting information regarding whether the process to be performed based on each reservation information is a reservation recording process or a reservation viewing process, and in the case of performing the reservation recording process, in which recording mode the reservation recording process is to be performed. The recording destination information 1208 is information regarding to which storage (for example, the storage unit 110 or the USB HDD connected to the expansion I / F) the information regarding the broadcast program to be recorded is to be recorded in the case of performing the reservation recording process.

[0048] Figure 2D is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the data format of the recorded program information table stored in the recorded content storage area 1300. The recorded program information table is composed of a sorting number 1301, recording date information 1302, recording time information 1303, recording channel information 1304, recorded program title information 1305, recording mode 1306, recorded program identification information 1307, recorded program content storage destination information 1308, and resume information 1309. It may further include other information.

[0049] Sorting number 1301 is used to manage each recorded program information stored in the recorded program information table. In this embodiment, the recording date information 1302 and the recording time information 1303 are information regarding the date and time when the recording process of the recorded program was executed. The recording channel information 1304 and the recorded program title information 1305 are information regarding the broadcast channel and the program title of the recorded program. The recording mode 1306 is mode setting information indicating in which recording mode the recording process of each recorded program was performed. The recorded program identification information 1307 is a unique identification number for identifying the content related to the recorded program on the content server on the network. The recorded program content storage destination information 1308 is information indicating the storage destination of the content related to the recorded program. The recorded program content storage destination information 1308 may be identification information such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address for identifying the content server on the network where the content related to the recorded program is stored. Directory information and a file name for defining the position where the content related to the recorded program is stored in the content server may be added. When the content related to the recorded program is stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, it may be identification information capable of identifying the storage. The resume information 1309 is information regarding the stop position when the reproduction process of the content related to the recorded program is temporarily stopped.

[0050] [Configuration of Broadcast Station Server] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the broadcast station server 300. The broadcast station server 300 includes a main control unit 301, a system bus 302, a RAM 304, a storage unit 310, a LAN communication unit 321, and a digital broadcast signal transmission unit 360.

[0051] The main control unit 301 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire broadcast station server 300 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 302 is a data communication path for performing data transmission and reception between the main control unit 301 and each operation block in the broadcast station server 300. The RAM 304 serves as a work area when each operation program is executed.

[0052] The storage unit 310 stores the basic operation program 3001, the broadcast content management / delivery program 3002, and the broadcast content transmission program 3003, and further includes a broadcast content storage area 3200 and a metadata storage area 3300. The broadcast content storage area 3200 stores program contents and the like of each broadcast program broadcast by a broadcasting station. The metadata storage area 3300 stores metadata such as the program title, program ID, program overview, performers, broadcast date and time, etc. of each of the above-mentioned broadcast programs.

[0053] Also, the basic operation program 3001, the broadcast content management / delivery program 3002, and the broadcast content transmission program 3003 stored in the storage unit 310 are respectively expanded in the RAM 304, and further, the main control unit 301 executes each of the expanded programs, thereby constituting a basic operation execution unit 3101, a broadcast content management / delivery execution unit 3102, and a broadcast content transmission execution unit 3103.

[0054] In the following, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the process in which the main control unit 301 expands and executes the basic operation program 3001 stored in the storage unit 310 in the RAM 304 to control each operation block is described as if the basic operation execution unit 3101 controls each operation block. The same description is made for other operation programs.

[0055] The broadcast content management / delivery execution unit 3102 manages the program contents and the like of each broadcast program and each metadata accumulated in the broadcast content storage area 3200 and the metadata storage area 3300, and controls the provision of the program contents and the like of each broadcast program and each metadata to a service provider based on a contract. Further, when providing the program contents and the like of each broadcast program and each metadata to the service provider, the broadcast content management / delivery execution unit 3102 may perform authentication processing and the like of the service provider server 400 based on the contract as necessary.

[0056] The broadcast content transmission execution unit 3103 manages the time schedule and the like when transmitting the program content and the like of the broadcast program stored in the broadcast content storage area 3200 from the radio tower 300T via the digital broadcast signal transmission unit 360.

[0057] The LAN communication unit 321 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the service provider server 400 and the like on the Internet 200. The LAN communication unit 321 is assumed to include an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like. The digital broadcast signal transmission unit 360 modulates the TS composed of the video data sequence, the audio data sequence, the program information data sequence, the AIT data sequence, etc. related to the program content of each broadcast program stored in the broadcast content storage area 3200, and transmits it as a digital broadcast wave via the radio tower 300T.

[0058] [Configuration of Service Provider Server] FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the service provider server 400. The service provider server 400 includes a main control unit 401, a system bus 402, a RAM 404, and a storage unit 410, and a LAN communication unit 421.

[0059] The main control unit 401 is a microprocessor unit that controls the entire service provider server 400 according to a predetermined operation program. The system bus 402 is a data communication path for performing data transmission and reception between the main control unit 401 and each operation block in the service provider server 400. The RAM 404 serves as a work area when each operation program is executed.

[0060] The storage unit 410 stores the basic operation program 4001, the video content management / delivery program 4002, and the application management / distribution program 4004, and further includes a metadata storage area 4200, a video content storage area 4300, and an application storage area 4400. The metadata storage area 4200 stores each piece of metadata provided by the broadcasting station server 300, metadata related to video content produced by the service provider, and the like. The video content storage area 4300 stores the program content of the broadcast program provided by the broadcasting station server 300 as video content. It also stores video content and the like produced by the service provider. The application storage area 4400 stores applications necessary for realizing each service of the broadcast communication cooperation system for distribution in response to requests from each television receiver.

[0061] Also, the basic operation program 4001, the video content management / delivery program 4002, and the application management / distribution program 4004 stored in the storage unit 410 are respectively expanded in the RAM 404, and further, the main control unit 401 executes the expanded basic operation program, the video content management / delivery program, and the application management / distribution program, thereby constituting a basic operation execution unit 4101, a video content management / delivery execution unit 4102, and an application management / distribution execution unit 4104.

[0062] In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the process in which the main control unit 401 expands and executes the basic operation program 4001 stored in the storage unit 410 in the RAM 404 to control each operation block is described as being performed by the basic operation execution unit 4101 to control each operation block. The same description is made for other operation programs.

[0063] The video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 acquires program content and metadata of a broadcast program from the broadcast station server 300, manages the video content and metadata stored in the video content storage area 4300 and the metadata storage area 4200, and controls the distribution of the video content and metadata to each television receiver. Also, the application management / distribution execution unit 4104 manages each application stored in the application storage area 4400 and controls the distribution of each application in response to requests from each television receiver. Further, when distributing each application to each television receiver, the application management / distribution execution unit 4104 may perform authentication processing and the like for each television receiver as necessary.

[0064] The LAN communication unit 421 is connected to the Internet 200 and communicates with the broadcast receiving device 100 via the broadcast station server 300 on the Internet 200 and the router device 200R. The LAN communication unit 421 is assumed to include a coding circuit, a decoding circuit, and the like.

[0065] FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the data format of the content information table stored in the metadata storage area 4200. The content information table is composed of information such as program identification information 4201, content storage location information 4202, content name 4203, content title information 4204, content genre information 4205, content broadcast date information 4206, content broadcast time information 4207, content summary information 4208, and the like. It may further include other information.

[0066] The program identification information 4201 is a unique identification number for identifying each video content on the service provider server 400. The content storage location information 4202 is directory information that defines the storage location of each video content in the video content storage area 4300. When the content storage location information 4202 is 'NULL', it indicates that the corresponding video content is not stored in the video content storage area 4300, or even if it is stored in the video content storage area 4300, it is not a distribution target. The content name 4203 is the file name of each video content. The content title information 4204, the content genre information 4205, the content broadcast date information 4206, the content broadcast time information 4207, and the content summary information 4208 are information regarding the title, genre, broadcast date and time, and program summary of each video content.

[0067] Hereinafter, the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0068] [Operation sequence at the time of recording reservation] First, the operation of the recording reservation process of the broadcast program using the EPG in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recording reservation process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

[0069] When performing a recording reservation process on the broadcast receiver 100 of the present embodiment, the user first operates a remote controller (not shown) to give an instruction to turn on the power to the broadcast receiver 100 (S501). The broadcast receiver 100 that has received the power-on instruction from the remote controller performs a startup process and an initialization process under the control of the basic operation execution unit 1101 (S502). Note that if the broadcast receiver 100 has already been started up, the processes of S501 to S502 are not necessary. After completing the startup process and the initialization process, next, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a of the receiver function execution unit 1102 performs processes such as receiving a digital broadcast wave and tuning (channel selection) to a predetermined channel by the tuner / demodulation unit 131 and demodulating a modulated signal (S503). Further, separation processing of each data string in the separation unit 132, decoding processing of the video data string and the audio data string in the video decoder unit 133 and the audio decoder unit 134, etc. are performed, and a video signal and an audio signal of the broadcast program are output from the video display unit 163 and the speaker 164 via the video superimposition unit 161 and the audio selection unit 162 (S504).

[0070] Also, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a acquires the program information data string separated by the separation unit 132 (S505). When the user operates the remote controller to give an instruction to display the EPG (S506), the broadcast program playback unit 1102a interprets the acquired program information data string to create EPG information, and further displays an EPG display screen on the video display unit 163 (S507).

[0071] FIG. 6 is a screen display diagram for explaining an example of the EPG display screen displayed in the process of S507. The EPG display screen 163a is a broadcast schedule of broadcast programs in a digital broadcast service. In this embodiment, in a matrix shape with the vertical axis representing time display and the horizontal axis representing service ID (channel) display, program information 163a1 of each broadcast program broadcast on each channel in each time zone is displayed. An operation guide 163a2 is displayed at the lower part of the EPG display screen 163a. By operating the cursor keys of a remote controller (not shown), it is possible to move the program selection cursor 163a3. Further, by pressing the enter key of the remote controller, it is possible to display the detailed information of the broadcast program selected by the program selection cursor 163a3.

[0072] In the EPG display screen 163a displayed in the process of S507 in FIG. 5, when the user operates the cursor key and the enter key of the remote controller to select a predetermined broadcast program (S508), the reservation management execution unit 1103 displays a program detailed information display screen related to the selected predetermined broadcast program on the video display unit 163 based on the control of the reception function execution unit 1102 (S509).

[0073] FIG. 7 is a screen display diagram for explaining an example of the program detailed information display screen displayed in the process of S509. The program detailed information display screen 163b includes a program information display area 163b1 for displaying information such as the program title, program outline, and performers of the selected predetermined broadcast program, a sub-window area 163b2 for displaying the video of the currently viewed broadcast program, a reservation setting key 163b3 for enabling various settings related to the recording reservation process and the viewing reservation process, and an operation selection key 163b4 for enabling selection of whether to perform a recording reservation process or a viewing reservation process on the selected predetermined broadcast program, etc.

[0074] When the "Recording Destination" key of the reservation setting key 163b3 is selected by operating the cursor keys and the enter key of the remote control (the illustration is omitted), a storage for storing information regarding the broadcast program to be recorded can be selected. When the "Program Saving" key is selected, it is possible to set whether to save the content regarding the broadcast program to be recorded in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. When the "Recording Mode" key is selected, it is possible to set in which recording mode the broadcast program to be recorded is to be recorded. When the "Every Week / Every Day" key is selected, it is possible to set whether to repeat the reservation recording or reservation viewing process of the target broadcast program every week or every day, etc. Further, by operating the cursor keys and the enter key of the remote control to select any key of the operation selection key 163b4, it is possible to execute the reservation of the recording process or the reservation of the viewing process for the selected predetermined broadcast program.

[0075] In the program detail information display screen 163b displayed in the process of S509 in FIG. 5, when the user operates the cursor keys and the enter key of the remote control to select the "Recording Reservation" key of the operation selection key 163b4 (S510), the reservation management execution unit 1103 stores the information such as the setting contents of each item set in the program detail information display screen 163b in the reservation information table in the reservation information storage area 1200 (S511). Specifically, for example, the setting information corresponding to the setting contents of the "Recording Destination" key and the "Program Saving" key of the reservation setting key 163b3 is stored in the recording destination information 1208 of the reservation information table. The content set by the "Recording Mode" key is stored in the recording / viewing mode 1207. The content set by the "Every Week / Every Day" key is stored in the repetition flag 1206.

[0076] After the process of S511 is completed, the display of the program detail information display screen 163b is terminated, and the broadcast program playback unit 1102a displays the video of the broadcast program being viewed on the video display unit 163 (S512). With the above operations, the recording reservation process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is terminated.

[0077] [Operation Sequence at the Time of Reservation Recording] Next, the operation of the reserved recording process based on the reserved information table stored in the reserved information storage area 1200 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the reserved recording process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

[0078] During the operation or standby of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the program recording execution unit 1104 appropriately checks the time information of the built-in clock (not shown) and the reserved information table in the reserved information storage area 1200 based on the control of the basic operation execution unit 1101 (S801). When the broadcast start date and time of the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording stored in the reserved information table approaches, the basic operation execution unit 1101 performs the startup process and initialization process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S802). Note that if the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is already operating, the process of S802 is unnecessary. After the startup process and initialization process are completed, next, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a of the reception function execution unit 1102 receives a digital broadcast wave (S803), and further performs processes such as tuning (channel selection) to the channel of the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording and demodulating the modulated signal by the tuner / demodulation unit 131 (S804). Note that the process of S804 may be performed by appropriately selecting an available tuner when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is already operating and tuning to an arbitrary broadcast program that is not the target of reserved recording. Also, the video of the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording may not be displayed on the video display unit 163.

[0079] After completing the tuning process to the channel of the broadcast program targeted for the scheduled recording, the program recording execution unit 1104 acquires program-related information including program identification information and program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program targeted for the scheduled recording, which is superimposed on the digital broadcast wave, based on the control of the receiver function execution unit 1102 (S806). Note that the program identification information and the program content storage destination information may be included in PSI or SI. They may also be included in AIT used for the broadcast communication cooperation function. They may also be included in the BML data sequence used for data broadcasting. Or they may be included in other ways and transmitted included in the digital broadcast wave together with the program content of the broadcast program. Alternatively, they may be acquired by accessing a predetermined server device specified by the AIT of the broadcast communication cooperation function.

[0080] The program-related information including program identification information and program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program targeted for the scheduled recording acquired in the process of S806, together with the information described in the reservation information table in the reservation information storage area 1200 referred to in the process of S801, is stored in the recorded program information table in the recorded content storage area 1300 under the control of the program recording execution unit 1104 (S807). Specifically, for example, the acquired program identification information is stored in the recorded program identification information 1307 in the recorded program information table. The acquired program content storage destination information is stored in the recorded program content storage destination information 1308. Also, the broadcast date information 1202, the broadcast time information 1203, the broadcast channel information 1204, the broadcast program title information 1205, and the recording / playback mode 1207 in the reservation information table in the reservation information storage area 1200 are stored in the recording date information 1302, the recording time information 1303, the recording channel information 1304, the recorded program title information 1305, and the recording mode 1306 in the recorded program information table.

[0081] After completing the process of S807, the reservation management execution unit 1103 deletes the reservation information stored in the reservation information table in the reservation information storage area 1200 (S808). With the above operations, the scheduled recording process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is completed.

[0082] Note that the above series of processes is an example of the process when the "Program Saving" key is set to "No" using the reservation setting key 163b3 on the program details information display screen 163b. That is, it is an example when the program content related to the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording is not stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. When the "Program Saving" key is set to "Yes", in the process of S807, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment may directly use the program content (TS or ES) output from the separation unit 132, or after performing transcoding processing on the program content according to the setting content of the "Recording Mode" key of the reservation setting key 163b3 in the content processing unit 151, store it in the storage specified by the "Recording Destination" key of the reservation setting key 163b3 (for example, the recorded content storage area 1300 of the storage unit 110 or the HDD connected to the expansion I / F unit 124).

[0083] Also, whether or not to store the program content of the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be switched according to the setting of the "Program Saving" key of the reservation setting key 163b3 on the program details information display screen 163b as described above, or may be automatically switched according to whether or not the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information related to the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording is superimposed on the digital broadcast wave. That is, for example, when the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information related to the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording is superimposed on the digital broadcast wave, the program content related to the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording is not stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Also, when the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information related to the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording is not superimposed on the digital broadcast wave, the program content related to the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording is stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0084] Also, in this case, in the program information 163a1 on the EPG display screen 163a, it is preferable to be able to visually confirm whether or not the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information for each broadcast program is superimposed on the digital broadcast wave. For example, the program information 163a1 of a broadcast program in which the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information is superimposed on the digital broadcast wave clearly indicates this fact by adding characters, symbols, illustrations, differences in background color, etc.

[0085] Also, in S803, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a may be configured to receive the broadcast wave only for a predetermined period (for example, one minute from the start of the program). Also, when the program identification information 1307 and the program storage destination information 1308 for a broadcast program targeted for reserved recording are transmitted at predetermined intervals (for example, every 15 seconds), in S803, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a may receive the digital broadcast only for that interval (for example, 15 seconds). This allows the tuner to be released promptly.

[0086] Furthermore, when reservation information for a plurality of broadcast programs with overlapping broadcast times is stored in the reservation information table, in S803, it may be configured to receive the broadcast waves of each broadcast program in a cyclic manner.

[0087] Also, when performing a recording process by manual operation during viewing of a broadcast program, rather than the recording process based on the reservation information table stored in the reservation information storage area 1200, the processes of S801 and S808 are unnecessary. During viewing of the broadcast program selected in the process of S804, the user operates a remote control (not shown) to give an instruction for manual recording (S805), and then the processes of S806 to S807 may be executed.

[0088] [Operation Sequence during Playback of Recorded Programs] Next, the operation of the playback process of the recorded program based on the recorded program information table stored in the recorded content storage area 1300 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recorded program playback process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment.

[0089] When performing the recorded program playback process with the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the user first operates a remote control (not shown) to give an instruction to turn on the power to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 (S901). The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that has received the power-on instruction from the remote control performs a startup process and an initialization process under the control of the basic operation execution unit 1101 (S902). Note that if the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has already been started up, the processes of S901 to S902 are unnecessary. After the startup process and the initialization process, when the user operates the remote control to give an instruction to display the list of recorded programs (S903), the reception function execution unit 1102 displays the recorded program list display screen on the video display unit 163 (S904).

[0090] FIG. 10 is a screen display diagram for explaining an example of the recorded program list display screen displayed in the process of S904. The recorded program list display screen 163c displays a list of the recorded program information 163c1 of each recorded program stored in the recorded program information table in the recorded content storage area 1300 and an operation guide 163c6. The recorded program information 163c1 mainly includes a thumbnail part 163c2 and a program summary part 163c3 that displays information such as the recorded program title, recording date and time, recording channel, recording mode, recording time, etc. Further, the recorded program information 163c1 appropriately has an unviewed mark 163c4 indicating whether each recorded program is unviewed or not and a cloud mark 163c5 indicating whether the program content related to each recorded program is stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Note that the cloud mark 163c5 is displayed when the program content related to each recorded program is not stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, that is, when the "Program Save" key is set to "No" with the reservation setting key 163b3 on the program details information display screen 163b and the reservation recording process is performed.

[0091] By operating the cursor keys of the remote control (not shown), it is possible to move the program selection cursor 163c7. Further, by pressing the enter key of the remote control, it is possible to start the playback process of the recorded program selected by the program selection cursor 163c7.

[0092] In the recorded program list display screen 163c displayed in the process of S904 in FIG. 9, when the user operates the cursor keys and the enter key of the remote control to select a predetermined recorded program (S905), the reception function execution unit 1102 reads the recorded program identification information 1307, the recorded program content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 of the predetermined recorded program from the recorded program information table stored in the recording content storage area 1300 (S906).

[0093] The reception function execution unit 1102 interprets the recorded program content storage destination information 1308 read in the process of S906, and extracts information (for example, IP address information, etc.) for identifying the content server (in this embodiment, the service provider server 400) in which the video content related to the predetermined recorded program is stored on the network. Further, the reception function execution unit 1102 transmits the recorded program identification information 1307, the recorded program content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 related to the predetermined recorded program to the service provider server 400 identified by the extracted IP address information via the LAN communication unit 121, and requests the transmission of the video content related to the predetermined recorded program (S907). Note that when the recorded program content storage destination information 1308 has only IP address information, it is not necessary to transmit the recorded program content storage destination information 1308 in the process of S907.

[0094] The basic operation execution unit 4101 of the service provider server 400 transmits the recording program identification information 1307, the recording content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 related to the predetermined recording program received via the LAN communication unit 421 to the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102. The video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 refers to the content information table stored in the metadata storage area 4200 based on the received recording program identification information 1307. Further, by acquiring the content storage location information 4202 and the content name 4203 corresponding to the program identification information 4201 that matches the received recording program identification information 1307, the video content related to the predetermined recording program is selected (S908). Instead of acquiring the content storage location information 4202 and the content name 4203, the directory information and file name obtained by interpreting the received recording content storage destination information 1308 may be used.

[0095] Next, the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 refers to the video content storage area 4300 based on the content storage location information 4202 and the content name 4203 acquired in the process of S908, and reads out the video content related to the predetermined recording program. Further, the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 performs a transcoding process on the read video content according to the received recording mode 1306 (S909), and transmits it to the broadcast receiving device 100 via the LAN communication unit 421 (S910). Note that instead of the transcoding process in S909, a plurality of video contents with different bitrates may be prepared in advance in the video content storage area 4300, and the video content with a predetermined bitrate may be selected according to the received recording mode 1306. Also, when there is sufficient margin in the communication bandwidth between the service provider server 400 and the broadcast receiving device 100, the transcoding process in S909 may not be performed. The presence or absence of the transcoding process may be switched according to the network situation between the service provider server 400 and the broadcast receiving device 100.

[0096] The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that has received the video content related to the predetermined recorded program transmitted from the service provider server 400 transmits the video content received via the LAN communication unit 121 to the separation unit 132 based on the control of the reception function execution unit 1102. Further, based on the control of the broadcast program playback unit 1102a, separation processing of each data string in the separation unit 132, decoding processing of the video data string and the audio data string in the video decoding unit 133 and the audio decoding unit 134, etc. are performed, and the video signal and the audio signal of the broadcast program are output from the video display unit 163 and the speaker 164 via the video superimposing unit 161 and the audio selection unit 162 (S911). With the above operations, the recorded program playback process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is realized.

[0097] As described above, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, when recording a broadcast program, it is not necessary to individually store the program content related to the broadcast program in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the content related to the recorded broadcast program is obtained from the content server on the network each time during playback. However, unlike a known VOD (Video On Demand) system that accesses the content server by itself to search / select desired content, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the user does not need to be aware of the existence of the content server, and the same usability as a conventional VTR (Video Tape Recorder) can be realized for the recording process and playback process of the broadcast program. Further, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the recorded program information table for managing the information of the recorded program does not require a large storage area, and therefore, it is possible to manage / store a large number of recorded programs. Or, it is possible to manage with a small-capacity storage. That is, it becomes possible to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus that enables more useful recording and playback processes.

[0098] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, Example 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this example are the same as those in Example 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, hereinafter, the differences between this example and Example 1 will be mainly described, and the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0099] In the digital broadcast service of this example, it is assumed that program-related information including program identification information and program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved is included in the program information data string. In this case, when the "Program Save" key is set to "No" with the reservation setting key 163b3 on the program details information display screen 163b shown in FIG. 7, that is, when the program content regarding the broadcast program to be reserved is not individually stored in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, when the program information data string is acquired from the digital broadcast wave, it becomes possible to perform the reservation recording process for the broadcast program to be reserved.

[0100] [Operation Sequence during Recording Reservation and Reserved Recording] FIG. 11 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of a series of operations of the recording reservation process and the reserved recording process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this example.

[0101] In the figure, the processes of S1101 to S1109 perform the same operations as the processes of S501 to S509 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5, so the description is omitted. Note that, as described above, the program information data string acquired in the process of S1105 includes program-related information including program identification information and program content storage destination information regarding each broadcast program of the digital broadcast service. On the program details information display screen 163b displayed in the process of S1109, when the user operates the cursor key and the enter key of a remote controller (not shown) to select the "Recording Reservation" key of the operation selection key 163b4 (S1110), the program recording execution unit 1104 acquires, based on the control of the reception function execution unit 1102, the program-related information including program identification information and program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved from the program information data string (S1111).

[0102] Furthermore, the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program targeted for the reserved recording obtained in the process of S1111 is stored in the recorded program information table in the recorded content storage area 1300 together with the setting content information of each item set on the program details information display screen 163b under the control of the program recording execution unit 1104 (S1112). Specifically, for example, the obtained program identification information is stored in the recorded program identification information 1307 of the recorded program information table. The obtained program content storage destination information is stored in the recorded program content storage destination information 1308. Also, the broadcast date and time information, the broadcast channel information, and the program title information are stored in the recording date information 1302, the recording time information 1303, the recording channel information 1304, and the recorded program title information 1305. The content set by the 'Recording Mode' key of the reservation setting key 163b3 on the program details information display screen 163b is stored in the recording mode 1306.

[0103] When the process of S1112 is completed, the display on the program details information display screen 163b is terminated, and the broadcast program playback unit 1102a displays the video of the broadcast program being viewed on the video display unit 163 (S1113). With the above operations, a series of processes of the recording reservation process and the reserved recording process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 are completed. Also, since the operation of the recorded program playback process in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment is the same as the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, the description thereof is omitted.

[0104] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, when performing the process of selecting a broadcast program and making a recording reservation using the EPG, it becomes possible to simultaneously execute the process of reserved recording of the selected broadcast program, which is user-friendly. Also, regarding the process of making a recording reservation for the selected broadcast program, there is no need to perform the process of storing it in the reservation information table in the reservation information storage area 1200, and the process becomes simple. That is, it becomes possible to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus that enables more useful recording and playback processes.

[0105] (Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, Example 3 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations, effects, etc. in this example are the same as those in Example 2 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, hereinafter, the differences between this example and Example 2 will be mainly described, and the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0106] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 described in Example 2, when performing the process of selecting a broadcast program using the EPG and setting a recording reservation, it is possible to execute the process of making a reservation recording of the selected broadcast program. This is the same as agreeing that after completing the process of selecting a broadcast program using the EPG and setting a recording reservation, even before the original broadcast start time of the selected broadcast program, it is possible to perform a playback process of video content related to the selected broadcast program (that is, the program content of the recorded program). On the other hand, as the service provider that provides the broadcast program, it is not preferable that the video content related to the broadcast program is viewed before the original broadcast start time of the broadcast program. Therefore, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this example corresponds to the limitation of the startable date and time of playback of the recorded program.

[0107] [Operation sequence during playback of recorded program] FIG. 12 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recorded program playback process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this example. Note that the series of operations of the recording reservation process and the reserved recording process in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this example are the same as those in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] In the figure, since the processes of S1201 to S1204 perform the same operations as the processes of S901 to S904 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, the description thereof will be omitted. In the recorded program list display screen 163c displayed in the process of S1204, when the user operates the cursor keys and the enter key of a remote controller (not shown) to select a predetermined recorded program (S1205), the reception function execution unit 1102 reads the recording date information 1302, the recording time information 1303, the recorded program identification information 1307, the recorded program content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 regarding the predetermined recorded program from the recorded program information table stored in the recording content storage area 1300 (S1206).

[0109] In the digital broadcast service of this embodiment, it is assumed that the program identification information, the program content storage destination information, and the playback startable date and time information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved for recording are included in the program information data string as program-related information. Also, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, a series of operations of the recording reservation process and the reserved recording process are performed in the same manner as the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11. However, in the process of S1112, the program identification information and the program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved for recording are stored in the recorded program identification information 1307 and the recorded program content storage destination information 1308 of the recorded program information table in the recording content storage area 1300. Further, the playback startable date and time information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved for recording is stored in the recording date information 1302 and the recording time information 1303 of the recorded program information table. That is, the recording date information 1302 and the recording time information 1303 read in the process of S1206 are the information on the playback startable date and time of the video content regarding the selected predetermined recorded program.

[0110] After the process of S1206, the reception function execution unit 1102 compares the time information of the built-in clock (not shown) with the recording date information 1302 read in S1206 and the recording time information 1303 (S1207). If the current time is before the startable playback date and time of the video content related to the selected predetermined recorded program indicated by the recording date information 1302 and the recording time information 1303 (S1207: No), the reception function execution unit 1102 does not perform the playback process of the selected predetermined recorded program, and the broadcast program playback unit 1102a displays the video of the broadcast program being viewed on the video display unit 163 (S1208). On the other hand, if the current time is after the startable playback date and time of the video content related to the selected predetermined recorded program indicated by the recording date information 1302 and the recording time information 1303 (S1207: Yes), the processes of S1209 to S1213 are executed to perform the playback process of the video content related to the selected predetermined recorded program. Note that since the processes of S1209 to S1213 perform the same operations as the processes of S907 to S911 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, the description thereof is omitted.

[0111] As described above, also in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. Further, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a restriction on the startable playback date and time of the recorded program, and it is possible to prevent the video content related to the broadcast program from being viewed before the original broadcast start time of the broadcast program. That is, it is possible to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus that enables more useful recording and playback processes.

[0112] Note that the startable playback date and time information may be the original broadcast start time of the broadcast program, may be the original broadcast end time of the broadcast program, or may be any other arbitrarily specified time.

[0113] (Embodiment 4) Hereinafter, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this embodiment are the same as those in Embodiment 3 unless otherwise specified. For this reason, hereinafter, the differences between this embodiment and Embodiment 3 will be mainly described, and the description of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0114] [Operation Sequence during Playback of Recorded Program] FIG. 13 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recorded program playback process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Note that a series of operations of the recording reservation process and the reserved recording process in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment are performed in the same manner as the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11. That is, in the process of S1112, the process of storing the playback start possible date and time information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved for recording in the recording date information 1302 and the recording time information 1303 of the recorded program information table is not performed.

[0115] In the figure, since the processes of S1301 to S1307 perform the same operations as the processes of S901 to S907 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, the description thereof is omitted.

[0116] The basic operation execution unit 4101 of the service provider server 400 transmits the recorded program identification information 1307, the recorded content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 regarding a predetermined recorded program received via the LAN communication unit 421 to the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102. The video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 refers to the content information table stored in the metadata storage area 4200 based on the received recorded program identification information 1307. Further, the video content of the predetermined recorded program is selected (S1308) by acquiring the content storage location information 4202 and the content name 4203 corresponding to the program identification information 4201 that matches the received recorded program identification information 1307. Instead of acquiring the content storage location information 4202 and the content name 4203, the directory information and the file name obtained by interpreting the received recorded content storage destination information 1308 may be used.

[0117] The video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 further acquires content broadcast date information 4206 and content broadcast time information 4207, and compares the time information of the built-in clock (not shown) with the acquired content broadcast date information 4206 and content broadcast time information 4207 (S1309). The content broadcast date information 4206 and content broadcast time information 4207 in the content information table stored in the metadata storage area 4200 are information regarding the original broadcast date and time of the corresponding video content, and are information on the restrictions on the startable date and time of playback of the video content.

[0118] In the process of S1309, if the current time is before the startable date and time of the selected video content indicated by the content broadcast date information 4206 and content broadcast time information 4207 (S1309: No), the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 transmits an error to the broadcast receiving device 100 (S1310). The broadcast receiving device 100 that has received the error from the service provider server 400 notifies the user that the playback process of the video content related to the predetermined recorded program cannot be executed under the control of the receiver function control unit 1102. Further, the video of the broadcast program being viewed by the broadcast program playback unit 1102a is displayed on the video display unit 163 (S1312), and a series of procedures are terminated. Note that the notification process may explicitly indicate to the user the startable time of playback of the video content related to the predetermined recorded program.

[0119] On the other hand, if the current time is after the startable date and time of the selected video content indicated by the content broadcast date information 4206 and content broadcast time information 4207 (S1309: Yes), the processes of S1313 to S1315 are executed to execute the playback process of the video content related to the selected predetermined recorded program. Note that the processes of S1313 to S1315 perform the same operations as the processes of S909 to S911 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0120] As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the third embodiment. In the digital broadcast service of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to include the reproduction startable date and time information in the program data string, and the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not need to perform processing for restricting the reproduction startable date and time of the recorded program. That is, it is possible to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus that enables more useful recording processing and reproduction processing.

[0121] (Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this embodiment are the same as those in Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, hereinafter, the differences between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and the description of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0122] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, an example will be described regarding the case where an authentication process is performed with a content server that stores video content related to a broadcast program to be recorded (or a recorded program) during the operation of the reservation recording process and the operation of the recorded program reproduction process.

[0123] [Software Configuration of Broadcast Receiving Apparatus] FIG. 14A is a software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, showing the software configuration in the ROM 103, the RAM 104, and the storage unit 110. In the software configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, compared with the software configuration diagram (FIG. 2B) of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 described in Embodiment 1, an authentication information storage area 1400 for storing login information and the like when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 accesses each content server is added to the storage unit 110.

[0124] FIG. 14B is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the data format of the authentication information table stored in the authentication information storage area 1400. The authentication information table is composed of information such as an arrangement number 1401, service name information 1402, connection destination information 1403, login name information 1404, password information 1405, credit card information 1406, and the like. Other information may be further provided.

[0125] The sorting number 1401 is used for managing each authentication information stored in the authentication information table. The service name information 1402 is information on the service name of the content distribution service accessed by the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The connection destination information 1403 is identification information such as an IP address for identifying, on a network, the server apparatus that executes the content distribution service. The login name information 1404 and the password information 1405 are the login name and password used when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 accesses the server apparatus that executes the content distribution service. The credit card information 1406 is information regarding the credit card owned by the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0126] [Configuration of Service Provider Server] FIG. 15A is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the service provider server 400. The service provider server 400 of the present embodiment also includes a main control unit 401, a system bus 402, a RAM 404, and a storage unit 410, and a LAN communication unit 421. Compared with the internal configuration (FIG. 4A) of the service provider server 400 described in the first embodiment, a user information storage area 4500 for storing information such as information on users permitted to access the service provider server 400 is added to the storage unit 410.

[0127] FIG. 15B is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the data format of the user information table stored in the user information storage area 4500. The user information table is composed of information such as a sorting number 4501, user name information 4502, user associated information 4503, password information 4504, expiration date information 4505, and the like. It may further include other information.

[0128] Sorting number 4501 is used for managing each user information stored in the user information table. User name information 4502 is identification information for identifying a user who is permitted to access the service provider server 400. User associated information 4503 is associated information (such as address, telephone number, etc.) regarding each of the users. Password information 4504 is the password registered by each user to access the service provider server 400. Expiration date information 4505 is information regarding the expiration date of access permission for each user to the service provider server 400.

[0129] Hereinafter, the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0130] [Operation sequence during reserved recording] FIG. 16 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the reserved recording process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In the figure, since the processes of S1601 to S1606 are the same as the processes of S801 to S806 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 8, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0131] When the program-related information including the program identification information and the program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved is acquired in the process of S1606, the reception function execution unit 1102 interprets the acquired program content storage destination information, and extracts information (for example, IP address information, etc.) for identifying the content server (in this embodiment, the service provider server 400) in which the video content regarding the broadcast program to be reserved is stored on the network. Further, referring to the authentication information table in the authentication information storage area 1400, the login name 1404 and the password 1405 corresponding to the service provider server 400 are acquired. Thereafter, the reception function execution unit 1102 transmits the acquired login name 1404 and password 1405 to the service provider server 400 to request user authentication (S1607). Note that, as the login name and password transmitted to the service provider server 400, those appropriately input by operating a remote controller or the like (not shown) may be used.

[0132] The basic operation execution unit 4101 of the service provider server 400 transmits the received login name 1404 and password 1405 to the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 via the LAN communication unit 421. The video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 refers to the user information table stored in the user information storage area 4500 based on the received login name 1404. Further, it compares the password information 4504 corresponding to the user name information 4502 that matches the received login name 1404 with the received password information 1405, and further checks the expiration date information 4505 to perform user authentication processing (S1608). In the process of S1608, if the received password information 1405 and the password information 4504 match, the user authentication is successful. If the received password information 1405 and the password information 4504 do not match, or if the information stored in the expiration date information 4505 indicates that the expiration date has passed, or if the user name that matches the received login name 1404 does not exist in the user information table, etc., the user authentication fails. The authentication result in the process of S1608 is transmitted by the video content management / delivery execution unit 4102 to the broadcast receiving device 100 via the LAN communication unit 421.

[0133] The broadcast receiving device 100 that has received the authentication result from the service provider server 400 (S1609) checks the received authentication result under the control of the program recording execution unit 1104 (S1610). As a result, if the user authentication process in the service provider server 400 is successful (S1610: Yes), the program recording execution unit 1104 stores the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved and recorded obtained in the process of S1606, together with the information described in the reservation information table of the reservation information storage area 1200 referred to in the process of S1601, in the recorded program information table of the recorded content storage area 1300 (S1611). After finishing the process of S1611, the reservation management execution unit 1103 deletes the reservation information stored in the reservation information table of the reservation information storage area 1200 (S1612).

[0134] On the other hand, if the user authentication process fails in the service provider server 400 (S1610: No), the reservation management execution unit 1103 deletes the reservation information stored in the reservation information table of the reservation information storage area 1200 without performing the process of S1611 (S1612). Alternatively, the program content (TS or ES) of the broadcast program targeted for reserved recording output from the separation unit 132 may be directly stored, or after performing transcoding processing, stored in the recording content storage area 1300 of the storage unit 110 or in the HDD connected to the extended I / F unit 124.

[0135] [Operation sequence during playback of recorded program] FIG. 17 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recorded program playback process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In the figure, the processes of S1701 to S1706 are the same as the processes of S901 to S906 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0136] After reading out the recorded program identification information 1307, the recorded program content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 related to the predetermined recorded program selected in the process of S1705 from the recorded program information table stored in the recording content storage area 1300 in the process of S1706, the reception function execution unit 1102 interprets the read recorded program content storage destination information 1308 and extracts information (for example, IP address information, etc.) for identifying the content server (in this embodiment, the service provider server 400) on which the video content related to the recorded program is stored on the network. Further, referring to the authentication information table in the authentication information storage area 1400, the login name 1404 and the password 1405 corresponding to the service provider server 400 are acquired. Thereafter, the reception function execution unit 1102 transmits the acquired login name 1404 and password 1405 to the service provider server 400 and requests user authentication (S1707). Note that the login name and password transmitted to the service provider server 400 may be those appropriately input by operating a remote controller or the like (not shown).

[0137] The processing of S1708 in the service provider server 400 is the same as the processing of S1608 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 16, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0138] The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that has received the authentication result from the service provider server 400 (S1709) confirms the received authentication result under the control of the receiver function execution unit 1102 (S1710). As a result, when the user authentication process in the service provider server 400 is successful (S1710: Yes), the processes of S1711 to S1715 are executed. Note that the processes of S1711 to S1715 are the same as the processes of S907 to S911 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, so the description thereof is omitted. Through the above operations, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 realizes the recorded program playback process for the predetermined recorded program.

[0139] On the other hand, when the user authentication process in the service provider server 400 fails (S1710: No), without performing the processes of S1711 to S1715, that is, without performing the recorded program playback process for the predetermined recorded program, the broadcast program playback unit 1102a displays the video of the broadcast program being viewed on the video display unit 163 (S1716).

[0140] As described above, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, during the operation of the reserved recording process and the operation of the recorded program playback process, it is possible to perform an authentication process with the service provider server 400 that stores video content related to the broadcast program to be recorded (or the recorded program). That is, only the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 owned by a user who has previously contracted with the service provider that provides the broadcast program can acquire the video content provided by the service provider.

[0141] In addition, in the process of S1607 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 16, or in the process of S1707 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 17, credit card information 1406 may be transmitted simultaneously with the login name 1404 and the password 1405, and the charging process may be performed simultaneously during the user authentication process in the reserved recording process or the recorded program playback process. For example, when the user performs the reserved recording process, a charging process corresponding to the video content related to the broadcast program to be reserved is performed, and the user may be able to view the video content without charge during the recorded program playback process for the video content. Alternatively, the user may not be charged during the reserved recording process of the broadcast program to be reserved, and may be charged each time during the recorded program playback process for the video content related to the broadcast program. Further, the charging amount may be appropriately changed according to the length of the playback time of the video content, the image quality, the popularity, etc.

[0142] (Example 6) Hereinafter, Example 6 of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration, effects, etc. in this example are the same as those in Example 1 unless otherwise specified. Therefore, hereinafter, the differences between this example and Example 1 will be mainly described, and the description of the common points will be omitted as much as possible to avoid duplication.

[0143] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the operation of the reserved recording process is performed in the same process as the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 8. However, in the process of S807, while storing the program-related information of the program identification information and the program content storage destination information regarding the broadcast program to be reserved and recorded, which is acquired in the process of S806, in the recording program information table of the recording content storage area 1300, at the same time, the program content (TS or ES) of the broadcast program to be reserved and recorded is stored in the recording content storage area 1300. The program content of the broadcast program to be reserved and recorded may be subjected to transcoding processing by the content processing unit 151 as necessary, based on the setting of the "recording mode" key of the reservation setting key 163b3 on the program detail information display screen 163b. Also, in the recording program content storage destination information 1308 of the recording program information table in the recording content storage area 1300, in addition to the program content storage destination information acquired in the process of S806, information regarding the storage position in the storage of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the program content is stored.

[0144] Also, in the digital broadcast service of this embodiment, each program content of the broadcast program distributed by the broadcast wave transmitted from the radio tower 300T is assumed to have a resolution of 1920 pixels × 1080 pixels, and the video content regarding the broadcast program that can be acquired from the service provider server 400 is assumed to have a resolution of 7680 pixels × 4320 pixels.

[0145] [Operation Sequence during Playback of Recorded Programs] FIG. 18 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the recorded program playback process of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of this embodiment. In the figure, since the processes of S1801 to S1806 are the same as the processes of S901 to S906 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, the description thereof is omitted.

[0146] After reading out the recording program identification information 1307, the recording program content storage destination information 1308, and the recording mode 1306 related to the predetermined recording program selected in the process of S1805 from the recording program information table stored in the recording content storage area 1300 in the process of S1806, the receiver function execution unit 1102 displays a content distribution confirmation screen on the video display unit 163 (S1807). The content distribution confirmation screen is a screen display for confirming to the user whether to perform the recording program playback process for the selected predetermined recording program by acquiring video content (resolution of 7680 pixels × 4320 pixels) from the service provider server 400, or by reading out the program content (resolution of 1920 pixels × 1080 pixels) stored in the recording content storage area 1300.

[0147] FIG. 19 is a screen display diagram for explaining an example of the content distribution confirmation screen displayed in the process of S1807. The content distribution confirmation screen 163d includes a message box 163d1 that displays a message for confirming to the user whether to acquire video content related to the selected predetermined recording program from the service provider server 400, and a selection operation key 163d2 for operation selection. When the "Yes" key of the selection operation key 163d2 is selected by operating the cursor key and the enter key of the remote controller (not shown), the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 executes a process of acquiring video content from the service provider server 400. When the "No" key of the selection operation key 163d2 is selected by operating the remote controller, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not execute a process of acquiring video content from the service provider server 400.

[0148] In the content distribution confirmation screen 163d displayed in the process of S1807 in FIG. 18, when the user operates the cursor key and the enter key of the remote control to select the "No" key of the selection operation key 163d2 (S1807: No), the program recording execution unit 1104 reads out the program content (resolution of 1920 pixels × 1080 pixels) of the selected predetermined recorded program stored in the recording content storage area 1300 based on the information of the recording program content storage destination information 1308 in the recording program information table (S1808). Further, the reception function execution unit 1102 transmits the read program content (resolution of 1920 pixels × 1080 pixels) to the separation unit 132, performs separation processing of each data column in the separation unit 132, decoding processing of the video data column and the audio data column in the video decoder 133 and the audio decoder 134, etc., and outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the broadcast program from the video display unit 163 and the speaker 164 via the video superimposing unit 161 and the audio selection unit 162 (S1817).

[0149] On the other hand, in the content distribution confirmation screen 163d, when the user operates the cursor key and the enter key of the remote control to select the "Yes" key of the selection operation key 163d2 (S1807: Yes), the processes of S1809 to S1816 are executed, and video content (resolution of 7680 pixels × 4320 pixels) related to the selected predetermined recorded program is acquired from the service provider server 400. Since the processes of S1809 to S1816 are the same as the processes of S1707 to S1714 in the operation sequence diagram shown in FIG. 17, detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the reception function execution unit 1102 transmits the acquired video content (resolution of 7680 pixels × 4320 pixels) to the separation unit 132, performs separation processing of each data column in the separation unit 132, decoding processing of the video data column and the audio data column in the video decoder 133 and the audio decoder 134, etc., and outputs the video signal and the audio signal of the broadcast program from the video display unit 163 and the speaker 164 via the video superimposing unit 161 and the audio selection unit 162 (S1817).

[0150] Through the above operations, the recording program playback process of the broadcast receiver 100 of this embodiment is realized. That is, according to the broadcast receiver 100 of this embodiment, when a user views a predetermined recorded program, the user can appropriately select the program content with normal image quality stored in the storage of the broadcast receiver 100 and the high-definition video content obtained from the service provider server 400. That is, it becomes possible to provide a broadcast receiver that enables more useful recording and playback processes.

[0151] Also, in the process of S1809, credit card information 1406 may be transmitted simultaneously with the login name 1404 and the password 1405, and the charging process may be performed simultaneously with the user authentication process. In this way, when the user views a predetermined recorded program, the program content with normal image quality stored in the storage of the broadcast receiver 100 is free, and the high-definition video content obtained from the service provider server 400 is charged, and it becomes possible to perform the recording program playback process for the recorded program.

[0152] As described above, the examples of the embodiments of the present invention have been described using Examples 1 to 6. Needless to say, the configurations for realizing the technology of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be considered. For example, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can also be added to the configuration of one embodiment. All of these belong to the scope of the present invention. Also, the numerical values, messages, etc. appearing in the text and drawings are merely examples, and using different ones will not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0153] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the operation of the recording process has been described with respect to the operation of the reserved recording process based on the reservation information table stored in the reservation information storage area 1200. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained even in the case of the operation of the recording process by manual operation during the viewing of a broadcast program. Further, after acquiring video content from the service provider server 400, when appropriately performing signal processing in the separation unit 132, the video decoding unit 133, etc., the process of storing the acquired video content again in the recording content storage area of the storage unit 110 may be performed simultaneously.

[0154] The functions, etc. of the present invention described above may be realized in hardware by designing a part or all of them, for example, by using an integrated circuit. Further, they may be realized in software by a microprocessor unit or the like interpreting and executing an operation program for realizing each function, etc. Hardware and software may be used in combination.

[0155] Note that the software for controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may be stored in the ROM 103 and / or the storage unit 110 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in advance at the time of product shipment. It may be acquired from other application servers 500 on the Internet 200 via the LAN communication unit 121 after product shipment. Further, the software stored in a memory card, an optical disk, etc. may be acquired via the expansion interface unit 124, etc.

[0156] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown in the figure indicate those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines on the product. In practice, it may be considered that almost all the components are interconnected.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0157] 100…Broadcast receiving apparatus, 101…Main control unit, 102…System bus, 103…ROM, 104…RAM, 110…Storage unit, 121…LAN communication unit, 124…Expansion interface unit, 131…Tuner / demodulation unit, 132…Separator, 133…Video decoder, 134…Audio decoder, 135…Subtitle decoder, 141…Data broadcast reception processing unit, 142…Data broadcast engine, 143…Application control unit, 144…Application engine, 151…Content processing unit, 161…Video superimposition unit, 162…Audio selection unit, 163…Video display unit, 164…Speaker.

Claims

1. a tuner for receiving a first content of a broadcast program transmitted by a broadcast wave; a communication unit that acquires program information related to a broadcast program via a network and communicates with a server device that is a content distributor to acquire second content corresponding to the broadcast program; a display unit that displays the first content or the second content; a digital interface unit that connects and communicates with a storage for storing the first content; A storage unit that stores information; A control unit and An image display device, The control unit is a first control for outputting the first content via the digital interface unit, storing the first content in the storage connected to the digital interface unit, and reading out the first content stored in the storage via the digital interface unit and displaying the first content on the display unit when a user performs an operation to play back the first content; and acquiring program identification information for identifying a broadcast program and information on a distribution source of the second content on a network based on the program information acquired by the communication unit, and storing the information in the storage unit; When the user performs an operation to play the second content, accessing a server device in which the second content is stored via the communication unit, using the information on the distribution source stored in the storage unit; acquiring the second content from the server device via the communication unit by using the program identification information stored in the storage unit; performing a second control to display the second content acquired from the server device on the display unit; The second content can be played back after the broadcast of the first content has ended.

13. A video display device comprising:

2. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, the storage unit stores authentication information required to access the server device, The control unit transmits the authentication information stored in the storage unit to a server device identified by the address information.

13. A video display device comprising:

3. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, the program information further includes a playback start date and time indicating a date and time at which distribution of the second content stored in the server device can be started; the control unit acquires a date and time when the second content can be reproduced from program information related to a broadcast program received by the tuner; When the user performs an operation to play the second content, the control unit compares a current time with the playback start possible date and time, and executes a playback process if the current time is after the playback start possible date and time, and does not execute a playback process if the current time has not reached the playback start possible date and time.

13. A video display device comprising:

4. 4. The image display device according to claim 3, The playback start date and time is different from the broadcast start date and time.

13. A video display device comprising:

5. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, When the user performs an operation to reproduce the second content, the information display displayed on the display unit displays a mark indicating that the second content will be obtained from the server device when the second content is reproduced together with a title of a broadcast program, and further displays a thumbnail image of the second content.

13. A video display device comprising:

6. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, The communication unit acquires program information related to a broadcast program via a network based on acquisition destination information received by the tuner via a broadcast wave.

13. A video display device comprising:

7. receiving, by a tuner, a first content of a broadcast program transmitted by broadcast waves; storing the first content in a storage via a digital interface unit, and when a user performs an operation to play back the first content, reading out the first content stored in the storage via the digital interface unit and displaying the first content on a display unit; acquiring program identification information for identifying the broadcast program and address information on a network of a server device in which a second content corresponding to the broadcast program is stored based on the program information acquired by the communication unit, and storing the information in a storage unit; a step of accessing a server device in which the second content is stored via a communication unit, using the address information stored in the storage unit, when the user performs an operation to play back the second content, obtaining the second content from the server device via the communication unit, using the program identification information stored in the storage unit, and displaying the second content obtained from the server device on the display unit; Do the following: The second content can be played back after the broadcast of the first content has ended.

16. A method for displaying content comprising:

Images