Program receiving and display device and program receiving and display control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a program receiving display device adapted to digital broadcasting service and IPTV service, the device including: a first program stream acquisition unit that acquires first program stream forming program content on the basis of a broadcasting signal selected from broadcasting waves received in accordance with a channel number; a second program stream acquisition unit that requests a specific distribution server of distribution of second program stream equivalent to the first program stream via a communication network in accordance with link information associated with the channel number and acquires the second program stream distributed from the specific distribution server in response to the request; and a main control unit that selects at least one of the first program stream and the second program stream and performs control so as to display the program content based on the selected program stream on a screen.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program receiving and displaying device and a program receiving and displaying control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Digital television broadcasting services, in which viewers receive broadcast waves sent from radio towers and the like using program receiving and displaying devices such as television receivers and then watch selected program content, have become widespread around the world. In addition, digital television broadcasting services provide program content related to data broadcasting in conjunction with program content (main program content) broadcast in real time.

[0003] In addition, IPTV services (sometimes called "Internet broadcasting services") are becoming more widespread, in which viewers watch program content streamed or distributed from Internet service providers (ISPs) or content delivery network (CDN) providers via communication networks such as IP networks on information and communication terminal devices such as smartphones. For example, IP broadcasting services are services that use communication networks to enable viewers to watch program content on various channels based on the concept of channels, which are organized along a time axis like conventional television services.

[0004] Furthermore, in recent years, a so-called simultaneous program distribution service has been provided in which a broadcasting station simultaneously distributes program content being broadcast by airwaves through an IPTV service. Accordingly, several program receiving and displaying devices that are compatible with both the television broadcasting service and the IPTV service have been proposed.

[0005] For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses an uplink device that quickly ensures broadcast viewing when broadcast reception is not possible. This uplink device includes a simultaneous distribution receiving unit that receives simultaneous distribution signals simultaneously distributed over the Internet when broadcast reception is not possible, a re-encoding unit that re-encodes the simultaneous distribution signals in accordance with a method that complies with the television broadcast encoding method, and a transmitting unit that performs modulation processing on the signal re-encoded by the re-encoding unit to generate a modulated signal and transmits a signal based on the modulated signal to a re-broadcast device.

[0006] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 2 discloses a broadcast receiver capable of simultaneously viewing and recording in an environment in which both radio broadcasts and IP broadcasts are received. This broadcast receiver includes a viewing and recording management unit and a viewing and recording path selection unit. The viewing and recording management unit performs channel selection control for the tuner unit and the communication interface unit to receive radio broadcasts and IP broadcasts broadcast by the same broadcaster, respectively, based on information for selecting the same broadcaster. The viewing and recording path selection unit outputs one of the radio broadcasts and IP broadcasts to a signal path leading to a video / audio output unit that outputs video and audio, and outputs the other to a signal path leading to a stream storage unit that stores video and audio signals, based on the information on the radio broadcasts and IP broadcasts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-108067 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-57690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In recent years, as the trend of young people moving away from television accelerates, it has become an urgent issue for broadcasters to ensure that as many viewers as possible have the opportunity to access program content. IP broadcasting services make it possible to provide program content to viewers via information and communication terminal devices such as smartphones that are not equipped with the functionality to receive broadcast waves and select channels, and it is expected that simultaneous program distribution services using conventional broadcasting and IP broadcasting will become even more widespread.

[0009] Furthermore, if a program receiving and displaying device such as a television receiver can be used to appeal to viewers with new viewing styles, it will lead to securing a larger number of viewers.

[0010] However, while simultaneous program distribution services are becoming more widespread, currently only a few application examples such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been proposed, which are not necessarily sufficient to provide viewers with new viewing styles that take advantage of the characteristics of simultaneous program distribution services.

[0011] Furthermore, in digital broadcasting services, program content related to data broadcasting is linked to the main program content in real time, so viewers cannot receive program content related to data broadcasting through recorded playback, such as so-called time-shift playback.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a program receiving and displaying device and a program receiving and display control method that can effectively utilize simultaneous program distribution services to provide a new viewing style that differs from conventional digital television broadcasting services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention, which aims to solve the above problems, includes the following invention-specific matters and technical features.

[0014] That is, the present invention according to one aspect is a program receiving and displaying device adapted for digital broadcasting services and IPTV services. The program receiving and displaying device includes a first program stream acquiring unit that acquires a first program stream based on a broadcast signal selected according to a channel number from a received broadcast wave, a second program stream acquiring unit that transmits a distribution request for a second program stream to a distribution server according to specific link information and acquires the second program stream distributed from the distribution server in response to the distribution request, and a main control unit that selects at least one of the first program stream and the second program stream and controls so that program content configured based on the selected program stream is displayed on a screen.

[0015] The main control unit may switch between at least a first operation mode and a second operation mode in accordance with a viewer's operation, and may select the first program stream in the first operation mode and the second program stream in the second operation mode.

[0016] The second program stream acquisition unit may acquire the program stream corresponding to the program content for the current channel number, or the second program stream acquisition unit may acquire the program stream of another program content in a delivery time period different from the delivery time period of the program content for the current channel number.

[0017] The main control unit may control, in the first operation mode, that the program content based on the first program stream is displayed on the screen at a real-time playback position on a time axis, and in the second operation mode, that the program content based on the second program stream is displayed on the screen at a past playback position on the time axis.

[0018] Additionally, the main control unit may control, in the second operating mode, that the program content is displayed on the screen based on the second program stream at a playback speed different from the real-time playback speed.

[0019] Moreover, the main control unit may switch to the first operation mode when the playback position of the program content in the past time reaches the playback position in real time.

[0020] Additionally, the main control unit may switch to the first operation mode when a channel number different from the current channel number is selected.

[0021] and the second program stream acquisition unit acquires the second program stream from a past time specified in response to a viewer's operation according to the specific link information associated with the program content.

[0022] The main control unit may also switch to a third operation mode in response to a viewer's operation, and in the third operation mode, the main control unit may control the program content based on the first program stream to be displayed in a first frame on the screen at a real-time playback position, and the program content based on the second program stream to be displayed in a second frame different from the first frame at a past playback position.

[0023] In addition, in the second operating mode, the main control unit can control so that an indicator indicating that it is the IPTV service is superimposed on the program content based on the selected second program stream.

[0024] The second program stream acquisition unit may transmit a VOD distribution request and receive the second program stream distributed by unicast streaming from the distribution server in response to the VOD distribution request, whereby the main control unit may control the program content based on the second program stream from a VOD distribution service to be displayed on the screen.

[0025] Furthermore, when the playback position of the program content based on the second program stream reaches a real-time playback position, the second program stream acquisition unit may transmit an IP delivery request instead of the VOD delivery request, and receive the second program stream that is streaming-delivered by multicast from the delivery server in response to the IP delivery request, so that the main control unit may control the program content based on the second program stream by an IP delivery service to be displayed on the screen.

[0026] Furthermore, according to another aspect, the present invention is a program reception display control method for a program receiving and displaying device adapted for digital broadcasting services and IPTV services. The program reception and display control method includes acquiring a first program stream based on a broadcast signal selected according to a channel number from received broadcast waves, transmitting a distribution request for a second program stream to a distribution server indicated by specific link information, acquiring the second program stream distributed from the distribution server in response to the distribution request, selecting at least one of the first program stream and the second program stream, and controlling so that program content configured based on the selected program stream is displayed on a screen. The controlling includes selecting the first program stream in a first operation mode, and selecting at least the second program stream in a second operation mode.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention can be understood as an invention relating to a computer program for executing the above-mentioned method in a computer system or a computer-readable recording medium having the computer program non-transitoryly recorded thereon.

[0028] In this disclosure, "means" does not simply mean physical means, but also includes cases where the functions of the means are realized by software. Also, the functions of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, and the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

[0029] In addition, in this disclosure, a "system" includes a logical collection of multiple devices (or functional modules that realize a specific function), regardless of whether each device or functional module is physically configured as a single entity or as separate entities. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, the program simultaneous distribution service is effectively utilized, and the viewer can enjoy a new viewing style that is different from the conventional digital television broadcasting service.

[0031] Other technical features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall scheme of a program providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of EPG information applied to a program providing service according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a remote controller adapted to a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining in detail the configuration of a broadcast program receiving and playing section of a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining in detail the configuration of an IPTV program receiving and playing section of a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the time shift playback process by the program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the time shift playback process by the program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen displayed on a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of time shift playback by fast-rewind operation on a program receiving display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of time shift playback by fast-rewind operation on a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of time shift playback by fast-forward operation on a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of time shift playback by a next program operation on a program receiving display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen displayed on a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen displayed on a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the time shift playback process by the program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of program content receiving and reproducing processing in an IP broadcast service by a program receiving display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and application of techniques not specified below. The present invention can be implemented by various modifications (for example, combining the respective embodiments) within the scope of the gist of the present invention. In addition, in the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions, ratios, etc. The drawings may also include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0034] [First embodiment] This embodiment is characterized in that, when a viewer (user) watching a program broadcast in real time by a digital broadcasting service selects time-shift playback of the program, the program can be played back in time-shift mode by switching to an IPTV service that provides a simultaneous program distribution service. Prior to a detailed description of this embodiment, the meanings of the main terms used in this disclosure are described below. The meanings of other terms will be indicated appropriately in the text as necessary.

[0035] "Digital broadcasting service" refers to the conventional digital television broadcasting service in which broadcasters use various broadcasting technologies to provide viewers with programs in real time. Known digital broadcasting services include terrestrial digital broadcasting services, satellite broadcasting services such as the so-called BS broadcasting service using a broadcasting satellite S and the CS broadcasting service using a communication satellite, and cable television broadcasting services using optical cables (not shown).

[0036] "IPTV service" refers to a service that transmits or distributes programs via an IP (Internet Protocol)-based network (hereinafter, unless otherwise required, simply referred to as "distribution"), and is technically distinct from conventional digital broadcasting services. IPTV services can take the form of content distribution services, such as VOD (distribution) services, download services, and IP broadcasting services (including IP distribution services and IP retransmission services).

[0037] "VOD distribution service" is a service in which content distributed by streaming from a content server is directly received and played back based on a request from a viewer. Typically, in a VOD distribution service, the content server (distribution server) can distribute the content by streaming from the beginning or a specified position of the content by unicast.

[0038] "IP broadcasting service" is a broadcasting service based on the concept of channels with programs organized along a time axis. IP broadcasting service can transmit streaming by multicast via a distribution server. However, even with IP broadcasting service, streaming distribution can be performed from the beginning or a specified position of any content.

[0039] A "simulcast service" refers to a service that distributes in real time the same program as that broadcast in real time by a digital broadcast service on an IPTV service. If we look at the digital broadcast service provided by a broadcaster as a main service, the simulcast service is considered to be an ancillary service. In addition, in this disclosure, the simulcast service may include an extended program distribution service that realizes time-shift playback of a program on an IPTV service.

[0040] "Program" refers to a unit organized along a time axis for broadcasting or distribution. "Broadcast program" refers to a program provided by a digital broadcasting service, and "IPTV program" refers to a program provided by an IPTV service.

[0041] The term "program content" is used to mean a package of information that constitutes the contents of a program. However, depending on the context, "program," "program content," and "content" may be used synonymously with each other. Program content may be composed of a package or a data set of various program material data (mono-media data) such as moving images (video), subtitles (and superimposed text), text and graphic images, and / or audio. The program material data is converted into a multiplexed digital data stream (hereinafter referred to as a "stream") conforming to, for example, the MPEG-2 format, which is a high-compression encoding technology, and transmitted, but is not limited to this. An MPEG-2 transport stream (MPEG-2 TS) is one form of stream consisting of a series of TS packets. In addition, in IPTV services, in order to further reduce the communication bandwidth, the MPEG-2 TS is converted into a stream that is further compressed by, for example, the "H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC" format, which is a high-compression encoding technology. From the viewpoint of transmission technology, the multiplexed stream may be referred to as a transmission stream. In this disclosure, a stream or data related to program content may be referred to as a "program stream" or "program data."

[0042] "Program provision service" refers to a service for providing programs to viewers. The term "program provision service" is used in a broad sense to include the above-mentioned conventional digital broadcasting services, IPTV services, and simultaneous program distribution services.

[0043] 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of an overall scheme of a program providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the diagram, the program providing service system 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, a broadcasting provider system 10, a distribution provider system 20, and a program receiving and displaying device 30. In the program providing service system 1, at least the distribution provider system 20 and the program receiving and displaying device 30 are communicatively connected via a communication network 40.

[0044] The broadcasting provider system 10 may be configured to include broadcasting facilities for providing digital broadcasting services. The broadcasting provider system 10 is typically, but not limited to, managed and operated by a broadcasting provider (e.g., a broadcasting station) that has been granted a broadcasting license. Although not shown, the broadcasting provider system 10 broadcasts (e.g., terrestrial digital broadcasting) by transmitting program content stored in a transmission server over airwaves under the control of an automatic operation device, for example.

[0045] That is, the broadcaster system 10 generates a program stream by multiplexing various program material data related to the program content with predetermined service information according to the program lineup along the time axis, and further modulates the program stream into a broadcast signal of a predetermined frequency band and transmits it as a broadcast wave from a transmission base station 12 such as a radio tower to a broadcast target area. In this disclosure, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the program material data is assumed to be video data, subtitle data, and audio data. The predetermined service information includes, for example, EPG information. The broadcaster system 10 transmits the generated program stream to the distribution provider system 20, for example, via a dedicated line. In this disclosure, the program stream provided by the broadcaster system 10 may be referred to as a first program stream.

[0046] The distributor system 20 may be configured to include a distribution server 22 that distributes program streams provided by a broadcaster, a production company, or the like to a viewer's program receiving display device 30 via a communication network 40. In this embodiment, the distributor system 20 provides a program simultaneous distribution service by an IPTV service (i.e., an IP broadcasting service in the narrow sense). The distributor system 20 is managed and operated by, for example, a content distributor (CDN provider) or an Internet provider (ISP), but is not limited to this. Furthermore, one distributor system 20 may include multiple distribution servers 22.

[0047] The distributor system 20 may temporarily store the provided program stream in the distribution server 22 in preparation for the distribution timing, and may stream the program stream to the viewer's program receiving display device 30 via the communication network 40 according to the program schedule, for example, using RTSP (RealTime Streaming Protocol) / RTP (Reatime Transport Protocol) based on IP multicast. Alternatively, the distributor system 20 may stream the program stream to the viewer's program receiving display device 30 via the communication network 40, using RTSP / RTP based on IP unicast. The program stream may be streamed to the information communication terminal device 40 using HTTP long polling or other transmission protocols. In addition, the distributor system 20 may deliver data related to a part of the program content (for example, program-related information, etc.) and other information (for example, EPG information and channel allocation information) to the viewer's program receiving display device 30. Typically, the distributor system 20 may scramble the program stream and distribute it. In the present disclosure, the program stream provided by the distributor system 20 may be referred to as a second program stream. The second program stream may include a program stream that is multicast in an IP broadcast service (eg, an IP distribution service) and a program stream that is unicast in a VOD distribution service.

[0048] As described in other embodiments, the distributor system 20 may switch the program stream for the program receiving display device 30 between the IP broadcast service and the VOD distribution service depending on a predetermined operation of the viewer or the playback state of the program. In this case, the distributor system 20 may include a distribution server 22 for the IP broadcast service and a distribution server 22 for the VOD distribution service. Alternatively, the distribution server 22 may be configured to operate in a multicast distribution mode for the IP broadcast service and a unicast distribution mode for the VOD distribution service, and may switch the distribution mode depending on a distribution request.

[0049] In addition, in the present disclosure, the broadcaster system 10 and the distributor system 20 are configured as separate systems, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the broadcaster system 10 may be configured to include the functions of the distributor system 20, or vice versa. Furthermore, the distributor system 20 may be managed and operated by the broadcaster.

[0050] The program receiving and displaying device 30 is a terminal device for a viewer (user) to view a program provided in a program providing service. The program receiving and displaying device 30 may typically be a so-called television receiver or a set-top box, but is not limited to this. In other words, the program receiving and displaying device 30 may be any device that is compatible with digital broadcasting services and IPTV services and has a function that allows a viewer to view a desired program. Other examples of the program receiving and displaying device 30 may be computing devices such as desktop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, smartphones, feature phones, and other intelligent devices.

[0051] The program receiving and displaying device 30 of this embodiment is configured to, when receiving broadcast waves relating to a program broadcast from the broadcasting provider system 10 according to program scheduling along a time axis and playing and displaying the program, switch to program distribution from the distribution provider system 20 providing IPTV broadcast services in response to a predetermined operation by a viewer and display the program. For example, when the predetermined operation by the viewer is a time shift playback operation, the program receiving and displaying device 30 requests a program stream corresponding to a time earlier than the actual time on the time axis (hereinafter referred to as "past time") from the distribution provider system 20, and in response, the distribution provider system 20 delivers a program stream corresponding to the past time. As a result, the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives and plays back the program from the past time.

[0052] The communication network 40 may include, for example, an IP-based computer network (hereinafter referred to as an "IP network"). The communication network 4040 may include a form of a content delivery network (CDN). In this disclosure, the communication network 4040 is used in a broad sense including the Internet constructed by an IP network, but is not limited to an IP network and is not intended to exclude networks of other protocols that enable distribution of program streams. The communication network 40 may also include a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like) constructed by a wireless base station or wireless access point (not shown). The communication network 40 may also include a mobile communication network that complies with a mobile communication system standard.

[0053] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a program receiving and displaying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the program receiving and displaying device 30 includes, for example, a main control unit 31, a broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32 that performs processing for receiving and reproducing a broadcast program, an IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 for receiving and displaying an IPTV program, an output control unit 34, and an operation receiving unit 35 that receives operations by a viewer. Also, as shown in the figure, the program receiving and displaying device 30 may include a display device DSP and a speaker SPK as output devices.

[0054] The main control unit 31 is a component that comprehensively controls the operation of the program receiving display device 30. Although not shown, the main control unit 31 is configured to include a processor module including a CPU, a memory module including various memories, and the like. Furthermore, under the control of the CPU, the main control unit 31 can control the operation of an application installed in the program receiving display device 30. The application may be installed in advance in the program receiving display device 30, or may be downloaded and installed by broadcast waves or via the communication network 40.

[0055] Furthermore, the main control unit 31 stores, for example, channel allocation information, EPG information, and channel selection control information in memory. The channel allocation information defines the allocation of channels in each broadcasting area partitioned by the reach of the broadcasting waves. The EPG information is a so-called electronic program guide, and defines the organization of programs by channels and multiple distribution time periods along a time axis. The channel allocation information and EPG information are obtained, for example, from the broadcasting waves as part of predetermined service information.

[0056] The main control unit 31 also controls the program receiving display device 30 to operate in a predetermined operation mode. The predetermined operation mode includes, for example, a first operation mode for receiving and playing program content in a digital broadcasting service, and a second operation mode for receiving and playing program content in an IPTV service. The second operation mode may also include an operation mode for performing variable speed playback when receiving and playing program content in an IPTV service. Furthermore, as described in another embodiment, the predetermined operation mode may also include a third operation mode for displaying videos related to multiple program contents in multiple frames within one screen. The main control unit 31 operates the program receiving display device 30 according to an operation mode selected in response to a viewer's operation.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of EPG information applied to a program providing service according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the EPG information includes, for example, a channel ID, a program ID, a transmission time, an event period, a program name, and a program description. The channel ID is a channel number of a broadcasting station defined by so-called channel allocation information. The program ID is an identifier for identifying program content. In the present disclosure, the EPG information further includes link information. The link information is file location information of the program content. That is, the link information indicates network location information of the distribution server 22 of the distribution provider system 20 that distributes the program content indicated by the program ID and the file path of the program content. The URL is one form of link information. The program receiving display device 30 requests the distribution of a program stream from a predetermined distribution server 22 in accordance with the link information so that the program content starts to be reproduced from a predetermined reproduction position.

[0058] The channel selection control information includes, for example, the currently selected channel number. When the power supply of the program receiving and displaying device 30 is turned on, the main control unit 31 reads the channel selection control information from the memory and starts operation so as to receive and play the broadcast program.

[0059] The broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32 is a component that performs processing for reproducing program content selected from the received broadcast waves under the control of the main control unit 31. An example of the configuration of the broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that in the present disclosure, all or a part of the configuration of the broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32 is one form of a first program stream acquisition unit.

[0060] The IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 is a component that performs processing for reproducing program content based on a program stream received from the distributor system 20 via the communication network 40 under the control of the main control unit 31. An example of the configuration of the IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As will be described later, the IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 can receive program streams distributed by multicast in an IP broadcast service and by unicast in a VOD distribution service. Note that in the present disclosure, all or a part of the configuration of the IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 is one form of a second program stream acquisition unit.

[0061] The output control unit 34 is a component that controls the display of video related to the program content on the display device DSP under the control of the main control unit 31, and controls the output of audio time-synchronized with the video from the speaker SPK. For example, the output control unit 34 includes a display control unit 341 that controls the output to the display device DSP, and an audio control unit 342 that controls the output to the speaker SPK.

[0062] The display control unit 341 selectively and superimposes subtitle data and the like onto the input video data, converts the data into a video signal using a display driver (not shown), and outputs the video signal to the display device DSP. The display device displays video related to the program content based on the video signal. The display device DSP is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED), but is not limited to these.

[0063] Moreover, the audio control unit 342 converts the input audio data into an audio signal and outputs this to the speaker SPK. The speaker SPK outputs audio (voice) in the audible range based on the audio signal.

[0064] Also, as described in other embodiments, the output control unit 34 may perform control so that images related to a plurality of program contents are respectively displayed in a plurality of frames formed within the screen of the display device DSP. A technique for displaying images related to program contents in each of a plurality of frames within one screen is known as multi-screen display. In the present disclosure, under the control of the main control unit 31, the output control unit 34 performs control so that program content of a digital broadcasting service is displayed in a first frame within one screen, and also performs control so that program content of an IPTV service is displayed in a second frame.

[0065] The operation reception unit 35 is a component that receives operation instructions from a viewer to the program receiving display device 30. For example, the viewer can give various instructions to the program receiving display device 30 by operating various buttons on a remote controller RC as shown in FIG. 4. The operation reception unit 35 outputs the received operation instructions to the main control unit 31. In the present disclosure, among the various buttons on the remote controller RC, particularly, a channel selection button group CH_B and a time shift playback button group T-SHIFT_B are used. The main control unit 31 can function as a channel selection unit that selects a channel number according to an operation on any of the channel selection button group CH_B. Note that, when the program receiving display device 30 is connected to or equipped with a recorder (program recording device), the time shift playback button group T-SHIFT_B is used as a recording and playback button group.

[0066] Operations by viewers include, for example, channel (station) switching operations (station selection operations), volume adjustment operations, display / hide operations for data broadcasting program content, display / hide operations for subtitles, audio mode switching operations, time shift playback operations, and variable speed playback operations.

[0067] Time-shift playback refers to playing back past program content on a time axis. In other words, time-shift playback refers to playing back program content that is originally broadcast in real time with a time difference going back in time. Time-shift playback is also called so-called time-shift viewing or chase playback. Variable-speed playback refers to making the playback speed of a program faster (speed playback) or slower (slow playback) than the standard speed in chase playback. In variable-speed playback, typically, the audio of the program content can be played back in synchronization with the playback speed of the video of the program content. When the speed playback of the program content being played back in time-shift playback is continued, the playback position of the program content will catch up with the playback position in real time. In the present disclosure, the time-shift playback operation uses the time-shift playback button group T-SHIFT_B of the remote controller RC. In addition, in time-shift playback, the program content viewed by the user is switched to program content in, for example, a VOD distribution service, but the form of the distribution service is not limited to this.

[0068] In the present disclosure, the fast-rewind button FR of the remote controller RC is a button for moving the playback start position of the program content in the past direction. The fast-forward button FF is a button for moving the playback start position of the program content in the present direction, with the real-time playback start position as the limit. The previous button PC is a button for moving (jumping) the playback start position of the program content in the past direction to the start position of the most recent program content. Each time the previous button PC is pressed repeatedly, the playback start position moves to the start position of the previous program content. The next button NC is a button for moving (jumping) the playback start position of the program content being played back in time shift playback to the start position of the most recent program content in the present direction, with the real-time program content as the limit. Each time the next button PC is pressed repeatedly, the playback start position moves to the start position of the next program content.

[0069] The pause button PA is a button for temporarily stopping playback of a program content being played back and for resuming playback of the paused program content. The stop button ST is a button for stopping playback of a program content being played back. The play button PL is a button for resuming playback of a program content being paused or stopped.

[0070] The slow play button LS is a button for slowing down the playback speed of the program content. Each time the slow play button LS is pressed, the playback speed changes, for example, from 0.75x speed to 0.5x speed to 0.25x speed to 1x speed. The fast play button HS is a button for slowing down the playback speed of the program content. Each time the slow play button LS is pressed, the playback speed changes, for example, from 1.25x speed to 1.5x speed to 1.75x speed to 2x speed to 1x speed. Note that the playback speed is not limited to these, and may be adjusted to an arbitrary value. The program receiving and displaying device 30 operates in a variable speed playback mode by operating the slow play button LS or the fast play button HS.

[0071] 5 is a block diagram for explaining the details of a portion of the configuration of a program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding, the diagram shows an example of the details of the configuration of the broadcast program receiving and playing section 32 of the program receiving and displaying device 30 together with other components related thereto.

[0072] As shown in the figure, the broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32 includes, for example, a tuner / modulation unit 321, a descrambling unit 322, a separation unit 323, a decoding unit 324, and a data broadcasting engine 325. Also, in the figure, a synthesis unit 3411, a display driver 3412, and an audio driver 3421 are shown as components of the output control unit 34 in relation to the broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32. The configuration including the synthesis unit 3411 and the display driver 3412 is one aspect of the display control unit 341, and the configuration including the audio driver 3421 is one aspect of the audio control unit 24b.

[0073] The tuner / modulator 321 tunes (selects a channel) the broadcast waves received by an antenna or the like to extract a desired broadcast signal, and further demodulates the signal to obtain a program stream. The program stream at this stage is in a scrambled state. The tuner / modulator 321 may also perform error correction processing when demodulating the program stream. In this example, the tuner / modulator 321 is configured as one component, but is not limited to this and may be configured as separate components. The tuner / modulator 321 outputs the demodulated program stream to the descramble 322.

[0074] The descrambling unit 322 descrambles (decodes) the demodulated program stream using a decryption key to restore the original multiplexed program stream. The decryption key is read from, for example, an IC card (not shown) called a CAS card that is attached to the broadcast receiving terminal device. The descrambling unit 322 outputs the multiplexed program stream in the descrambled state to the separation unit 323.

[0075] The separation unit 323 separates the descrambled multiplexed program stream into each stream. A demultiplexer is one form of the separation unit 323. The separation unit 323 outputs each stream separated from the multiplexed program stream to the decoding unit 324, the data broadcasting engine 325, and the main control unit 31, depending on the stream. For example, the separation unit 323 outputs the video stream, audio stream, and subtitle stream separated from the program stream to the decoding unit 324, while outputting the stream for data broadcasting to the data broadcasting engine 325. The separation unit 323 also outputs the separated predetermined service information to the main control unit 31.

[0076] The decoding unit 324 decodes each stream to generate program material data that constitutes the program content. The decoding unit 324 includes, for example, a video decoding unit 3242, an audio decoding unit 3243, and a subtitle decoding unit 3244.

[0077] The video decoding unit 3241 decodes the video stream using a codec conforming to the MPEG-2 video standard, for example, to generate video data. The video decoding unit 3241 outputs the generated video data to the output control unit .

[0078] The audio decoding unit 3242 decodes the audio stream according to, for example, the MPEG-2 audio standard, thereby generating audio data. For example, in the case of multiplexed audio broadcasting, the audio stream may include a main audio stream and a secondary audio stream. The audio decoding unit 3242 outputs the generated audio data to the output control unit 34.

[0079] The subtitle decoding unit 3243 decodes the subtitle stream according to, for example, a broadcast subtitle file interchange format, thereby generating subtitle data. The subtitle decoding unit 3243 outputs the generated subtitle data to the output control unit 34. The subtitle data output to the output control unit 34 is selectively superimposed on the video data and becomes part of the video content of the program.

[0080] The data broadcasting engine 325 decodes the separated data broadcasting stream, thereby generating data broadcasting display data and a display control signal. The data broadcasting engine 325 analyzes the display control signal, and based on the analysis result, controls the output control unit 34 so that the data broadcasting display data is displayed.

[0081] The synthesizer 3411 synthesizes other program material data related to display (e.g., subtitle data) in a superimposed manner with the video data to generate display data. The data synthesis is performed by, for example, alpha blending using a transparency information coefficient (alpha value). The synthesizer 3411 outputs the generated display data to a display driver 3412 .

[0082] The display driver 3412 converts the input display data into a video signal suitable for the display device DSP, and outputs this to the display device DSP, whereby the video of the broadcast program is displayed on the display device DSP.

[0083] The audio driver 3421 converts the input audio data into an audio signal and outputs it to the speaker SPK. The audio data is converted into an audio signal in time synchronization with the display data. As a result, the speaker SPK outputs audio in time synchronization with the video of the broadcast program.

[0084] 6 is a block diagram for explaining the details of the configuration of a portion of a program receiving and displaying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of understanding, the diagram shows an example of the details of the configuration of the IPTV program receiving and playing unit 33 of the program receiving and displaying device 30 together with other components related thereto.

[0085] As shown in the figure, the IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 includes, for example, a communication interface unit 331, a streaming request unit 332, a streaming reception processing unit 333, a separation unit 334, and a decoding unit 335. The configuration of the IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 is basically equivalent to the configuration of the broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32, except that the program stream is received via the communication network 40. In other words, the IPTV service shares the content layer in the protocol stack with the digital broadcast service. Also, in the figure, a synthesis unit 3411, a display driver 3412, an audio driver 3421, and a buffer unit 3413 are shown as the configuration of the output control unit 34 in relation to the IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33.

[0086] That is, as shown in the figure, the communication interface unit 331 is a component that enables computer communication via the communication network 40. In the present disclosure, the communication interface unit 331 is mainly used for communication with the distributor system 20 via the communication network 40 (e.g., streaming distribution).

[0087] Under the control of the main control unit 31, the streaming request unit 332 transmits a distribution request (e.g., a VOD distribution request) for program content in the IPTV service based on a URL associated with a channel number according to the channel selection control information. In response to this, the distributor system 20 starts VOD streaming distribution of the program content according to RTSP by unicast, for example. The program content streamed by the distributor system 20 is substantially equivalent to the program content broadcasted by the digital broadcast service. In another embodiment, the streaming request unit 332 is configured to selectively transmit either a distribution request by IP multicast in the IP broadcast service (IP distribution request) or a distribution request by unicast in the VOD distribution service (VOD distribution request) according to the viewer's operation or the playback state of the program content.

[0088] The streaming reception processing unit 333 decodes a transmission stream in, for example, H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC format distributed from the distribution provider system 20, and generates a multiplexed program stream in MPEG-2 TS format. The streaming reception processing unit 333 outputs the generated multiplexed program stream to the separation unit 334.

[0089] The separation unit 334 separates the multiplexed program stream into each stream. The separation unit 334 may have a configuration similar to that of the separation unit 323 of the above-mentioned broadcast program receiving and playing unit 32. In this example, the separation unit 334 outputs each stream separated from the multiplexed program stream to the decoding unit 335 and the main control unit 31.

[0090] The decoding unit 335 decodes each stream to generate program material data that constitutes the program content. The decoding unit 335 may also have a configuration similar to that of the decoding unit 334 of the broadcast program receiving and playing unit 32 described above.

[0091] The buffer unit 3413 temporarily buffers each of the decoded program material data. Each of the buffered program material data is output to the display control unit or the audio control unit under the control of the main control unit 31. In the case of variable speed playback, the program material data is read out in accordance with a specified playback speed.

[0092] In the present disclosure, the broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 32 and the IP broadcast program receiving and reproducing unit 33 are each configured to have a separation unit and a decoding unit, but this is not limited thereto, and the separation unit and the decoding unit may be shared. In this case, for example, either the program stream of the digital broadcast service or the program stream of the IPTV service is selected by a selector under the control of the main control unit 31 and input to the separation unit.

[0093] 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the program receiving and displaying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Such processing can be realized, for example, by cooperative operations between various components according to the execution of a predetermined control program under the control of the processor of the main control unit 31.

[0094] As shown in the figure, for example, when the power supply of the program receiving and displaying device 30 is turned on, the program receiving and displaying device 30 sets the device to a first operation mode as a start-up process and reads channel selection control information stored in the memory (S701). Next, the program receiving and displaying device 30 extracts a program stream from the received broadcast wave according to the channel number indicated by the channel selection control information, and further starts playing back the program content based on the extracted program stream (S702). In other words, the program receiving and displaying device 30 operates in the first operation mode in which a digital broadcasting service is selected to receive and play back the program content. As a result, a video related to the program content is displayed on the display device DSP, and audio synchronized with this is output from the speaker SPK.

[0095] Furthermore, the program receiving display device 30 acquires a URL corresponding to the program ID of the channel number indicated by the channel selection control information according to the EPG information, and stores this in memory (S703). As will be described later, when there is a switch to the IPTV service, the program receiving display device 30 receives and plays a program stream distributed from the distributor system 20 according to the acquired URL. In this embodiment, the distributor system 20 distributes the program stream by unicast. In order to suppress a playback delay when switching to the IPTV service, the program receiving display device 30 may execute a process of establishing a communication session by performing a handshake in advance with the distribution server 22 of the distributor system 20 according to the acquired URL, for example.

[0096] The program receiving and displaying device 30 monitors whether or not various operations have been performed by the viewer during playback of the real-time program content (S704). In this disclosure, only a channel selection operation and a time shift playback operation are described, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

[0097] That is, when the program receiving display device 30 judges that it has received a channel selection operation by a viewer, it updates the channel number according to the channel selection operation (S705) and returns to the processing step of S702 described above. As a result, the program receiving display device 30 switches from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, starts playing back the program content according to the updated channel number (S702), and further obtains a URL corresponding to the channel number indicated by the channel selection control information according to the EPG information and stores it in memory (S703).

[0098] On the other hand, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that a predetermined time shift playback operation by the viewer has been received, it starts the time shift playback process (S706). That is, the program receiving and displaying device 30 switches the operation mode from the first operation mode to the second operation mode. Note that the time shift playback operation here is a time shift operation for going back to the past, and is performed, for example, by the viewer pressing the fast rewind button FR or the previous button PC of the remote controller RC.

[0099] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a time shift playback process of a program receiving and displaying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure is a flowchart showing details of S706 shown in Fig. 7. Also, details of the processing step of S801 shown in Fig. 8 are shown in Fig. 9.

[0100] As shown in the figure, the program receiving display device 30 determines the playback start position on the time axis of the program content based on the viewer's time shift playback operation (S801). Since this is time shift playback processing of program content in a digital broadcasting service, a case where the fast rewind button FR or previous button PC is pressed will be described here.

[0101] 9, the program receiving display device 30 judges whether the viewer has pressed either the fast reverse button FR or the previous button PC of the remote controller RC (S901). If the program receiving display device 30 judges that the viewer has pressed the fast reverse button FR of the remote controller RC, it moves the playback start position backward according to the length of time the button was pressed, and determines the playback start position (S902).

[0102] For example, when the fast-rewind button FR of the remote controller RC is pressed, the program receiving display device 30 displays a seek bar SKB superimposed on a screen 1000 of the program content displayed on the display device DSP, as shown in FIG. 10. The seek bar SKB is an icon indicating the time axis of the program content from the start to the end, and includes a slider SL indicating the current playback position. For example, the viewer can move the slider to a desired position indicating a past position from the current position by continuously pressing the fast-rewind button FR of the remote controller RC. In this way, the program receiving display device 30 determines the playback start position corresponding to the position of the slider moved by the viewer's operation. The seek bar SKB may be displayed as a pop-up window.

[0103] The program receiving display device 30 judges whether or not the determined playback start position exceeds the time frame of the program content currently being played back (S903). In other words, the program receiving display device 30 judges whether or not the determined playback start position is on the time axis of the previous program content.

[0104] When the program receiving display device 30 judges that the playback start position does not exceed the time frame of the program content currently being played back (No in S903), the program receiving display device 30 proceeds to S802 in FIG. 8. That is, the program receiving display device 30 transmits a program stream distribution request (VOD distribution request) specifying the determined playback start position to the distribution server 22 according to the URL stored in the memory (S802). In response to the distribution request, the distribution server 22 starts distribution of the program stream. As a result, the program receiving display device 30 receives the program stream distributed from the distribution server 22 and starts playback (S803). At this time, the program receiving display device 30 stops playing the program based on the broadcast wave. That is, the program receiving display device 30 selectively switches the program stream to be received from the digital broadcast service to the IPTV service. The program receiving display device 30 operates in a second operation mode in which the IPTV service is selected and program content is received and played back. As a result, the display device DSP displays video of the program content progressing along the time axis from a past playback start position, and the audio is output from the speaker SPK.

[0105] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 9, when the program receiving display device 30 determines that the playback start position has exceeded the time frame of the program content currently being played back (Yes in S903), it refers to the EPG information and updates the URL stored in the memory to the URL corresponding to the previous program content (S905).

[0106] For example, if a viewer continues to press and hold the fast-rewind button FR on the remote controller RC, the playback start position on the time axis of the previous program content will be displayed. When the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that the time axis of the previous program content has been switched to that of the previous program content as a result of the viewer continuing to press and hold the fast-rewind button FR, it updates the seek bar SKB displayed on the screen to that of the previous program content and updates the URL.

[0107] Furthermore, when the program receiving display device 30 determines that the viewer has pressed the previous button PC of the remote controller RC, it identifies the beginning position of the most recent program content in the past direction and determines this as the playback start position (S904). For example, when the previous button PC is pressed only once, the beginning position of the most recent program content in the past direction becomes the beginning position of the program content currently being played. Next, the program receiving display device 30 refers to the EPG information and updates the URL held in the memory to the URL corresponding to the previous program content (S905).

[0108] After updating the URL of the program content to be received and played back, the program receiving display device 30 proceeds to S802 in FIG. 8. That is, the program receiving display device 30 transmits an IP distribution request for the program stream, specifying the determined playback start position, to the distribution server 22 according to the URL stored in the memory as described above (S802). In response to the distribution request, the distribution server 22 starts distribution of the program stream, and the program receiving display device 30 receives the program stream distributed from the distribution server 22 instead of the program stream based on the broadcast wave of the digital broadcast service, and starts playback (S803). That is, the program receiving display device 30 acquires and plays back the program stream of the other program content according to the link information of the other program content in a distribution time zone different from the distribution time zone of the real-time program content. As a result, the display device DSP displays the video of the previous program content, and the speaker SPK outputs audio.

[0109] For example, as shown in Fig. 11(a), program contents L, M, and N are organized along the time axis, and the program receiving and displaying device 30 is playing back the video / audio of program content N in real time at playback position P. If the viewer presses and holds the fast-rewind button FR for a certain period of time, the playback position P moves backward as shown in Fig. 11(b), and the position where the fast-rewind button FR is released becomes the playback start position P11. In other words, the program content N in the IPTV service is played back with a time difference D=P-P11 on the time axis.

[0110] Moreover, if the viewer presses the fast-rewind button FR for a longer period of time, then as shown in FIG. 13C, program content M, which was broadcast before program content N, will be played back from playback start position P12.

[0111] As described above, when the fast-rewind button FR or the previous button PC is operated during playback of program content in the digital broadcasting service, the program content is switched to the program content in the IPTV service, and time-shift playback of the program content is realized.

[0112] On the other hand, if the video / audio of real-time broadcast program content N is being played back at playback position P1 (see FIG. 11(a)), and the viewer presses the previous button PC once, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the playback start position of the program content moves to the beginning position P21 of the currently played program content N, and playback of program content N starts from there, as shown in FIG.

[0113] Moreover, if the viewer presses the previous button PC twice in succession, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the playback start position of the program content moves to the beginning position P22 of the previous program content M, and playback of the program content L begins. Similarly, if the viewer presses the previous button PC three times in succession, as shown in Fig. 1(c), the playback start position of the program content moves to the beginning position P23 of the second previous program content L, and playback of the program content L begins.

[0114] Returning to FIG. 8, while the program content is being played back in the IPTV service (i.e., during time-shift playback), the program receiving display device 30 monitors whether or not various operations have been performed by the viewer, as in the case of the digital broadcasting service (S804). In this disclosure, the viewer's operations are described only as channel selection operations, time-shift playback operations, and variable-speed playback operations, but are not limited to these. Note that the playback position on the time axis of the program content in the IPTV service is in the past relative to the playback position of the real-time program content in the digital broadcasting service. Therefore, in this time-shift playback operation, in addition to the operation instructions using the fast-rewind button FR and previous button PC, operation instructions using the fast-forward button FF and next button NC are valid.

[0115] That is, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines in S804 that it has received a channel selection operation by the viewer, it stops receiving and playing back the program content in the IPTV service (S805) and returns to the processing step of S705 shown in Fig. 7 (terminal A). That is, when it receives a channel selection operation by the viewer, the program receiving and displaying device 30 switches from the IPTV service to the digital broadcasting service. As a result, the program receiving and displaying device 30 updates the channel number in accordance with the channel selection operation by the viewer (S705), and starts playing back the program based on the program stream extracted from the received broadcast wave in accordance with the channel number indicated by the channel selection control information (S702).

[0116] Furthermore, when the program receiving display device 30 determines in S804 that a further time shift playback operation by the viewer has been received, it determines the playback start position on the time axis of the program content in response to the time shift playback operation (S806). The process of determining the playback start position is described above with reference to Fig. 9. Note that when the viewer presses either the fast rewind button FR or the previous button PC of the remote controller RC, the process is the same as the above-mentioned processing steps S901 to S905, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] 9, when a viewer presses the fast-forward button FF of the remote controller RC, the program receiving display device 30 advances the playback start position on the time axis toward the current position according to the length of time the button was pressed, and determines the playback start position (S906). Then, the program receiving display device 30 determines whether the determined playback start position has reached the real-time playback position (S907).

[0118] When the program receiving display device 30 judges that the determined playback start position has reached the real-time playback position (Yes in S907), it stops receiving and playing the program content in the IPTV service (S908), and then returns to the processing step of S702 shown in Fig. 7 (terminal B). As a result, as described above, the program receiving display device 30 switches from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, starts receiving and playing the program content in the digital broadcasting service in accordance with the current channel number (S702), and further obtains a URL corresponding to the channel number indicated by the channel selection control information in accordance with the EPG information, and stores this in memory (S703).

[0119] On the other hand, when the program receiving display device 30 judges that the determined playback start position has not reached the real-time playback position (No in S907), it further judges whether or not the determined playback start position has exceeded the time frame of the program content currently being played back (S909). In other words, the program receiving display device 30 judges whether or not the determined playback start position is on the time axis of the next program content. When the program receiving display device 30 judges that the playback start position has not exceeded the time frame of the program content currently being played back (No in S909), it proceeds to S802 in FIG. 8 described above.

[0120] On the other hand, if the program receiving display device 30 determines that the playback start position has exceeded the time frame of the program content currently being played back (Yes in S909), it refers to the EPG information, updates the URL stored in the memory to the URL corresponding to the next program content (S912), and proceeds to S802 in FIG. 8 described above.

[0121] Furthermore, when the viewer presses the next button NC on the remote controller RC, the program receiving display device 30 determines whether or not the program content currently being reproduced is an earlier program content than the real-time program content (S910).

[0122] If the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that the program content currently being played is not program content earlier than the real-time program content (i.e., it is real-time program content) (No in S910), it stops receiving and playing the program content in the IPTV service (S908), and then returns to the processing step of S702 shown in Figure 7 (terminal B).

[0123] On the other hand, when the program receiving display device 30 judges that the currently reproduced program content is the previous program content to the real-time program content (Yes in S910), it sets the beginning position of the next program content as the reproduction start position (S911). Next, the program receiving display device 30 refers to the EPG information, updates the URL held in the memory to the URL corresponding to the next program content (S912), and proceeds to S802 in FIG. 8 described above.

[0124] For example, as shown in Fig. 13(a), program contents L, M, and N are organized along the time axis, and the video / audio of program content N broadcast in real time is played at playback position P, while the video / audio of program content L played by time shift playback is played at playback position P31. If a viewer presses and holds the fast-rewind button FF for a certain period of time, as shown in Fig. 13(b), the playback position P31 moves toward the present, and the position where the fast-rewind button FF is released becomes the playback start position P32, and the video / audio of program content L is played from the playback start position P32.

[0125] Moreover, if the viewer presses and holds the fast-rewind button FF for a longer period of time, as shown in Fig. 1(c), playback will start from playback start position P33 of program content N, for example. Note that when the viewer presses and holds the fast-rewind button FF to reach playback position P, the service will switch from the IPTV service to the digital broadcasting service.

[0126] On the other hand, if the viewer presses the next button NC once while the video / audio of program content L is being played back at playback position P31 using time shift playback (see FIG. 13(a)), the playback start position of the program content moves to the beginning position P32 of the next program content M, as shown in FIG. 14(a), and playback of program content M begins from there.

[0127] Moreover, if the viewer presses the next button NC twice in succession, as shown in Fig. 1(b), the playback start position of the program content moves to the beginning position P22 of the next program content N, and playback of program content N begins. Note that even if the viewer presses the next button NC from the state shown in Fig. 1(b), the real-time playback position P is not exceeded, the service switches from the IPTV service to the digital broadcasting service, and the video / audio of program content N is played back from playback position P.

[0128] As described above, by operating the fast rewind button FF and next button NC in addition to the fast rewind button FR and previous button PC during playback of program content on an IPTV service, time-shift playback of the program content at any desired playback start position can be achieved.

[0129] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the program receiving display device 30 can receive an operation instruction for variable speed playback during playback of program content in the IPTV service.

[0130] That is, when the program receiving display device 30 determines in S804 of Fig. 8 that it has received a variable speed playback operation by the viewer, it receives and plays back the program content according to the specified playback speed (S807). The playback speeds that can be specified include, for example, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 1.75x, 2x, etc. The viewer can change the playback speed of the program content by pressing the slow playback button LS or the fast playback button HS.

[0131] When the program receiving and displaying device 30 plays back the program content at high speed from a past time, the playback position of the program content may catch up with or reach the real-time position. Therefore, the program receiving and displaying device 30 monitors whether the playback position of the program content has caught up with the real-time position. When the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that the playback position of the program content has caught up with the real-time position, it ends or cancels variable-speed playback. As a result, the reception and playback of the program content in the IPTV service is substantially the same as that in the digital broadcasting service, that is, it becomes a program simultaneous distribution service. Alternatively, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that the playback position of the program content has caught up with the real-time position, it may end or cancel variable-speed playback and switch to the reception and playback of the program content in the digital broadcasting service.

[0132] As described above, according to this embodiment, a viewer who is watching a real-time program on a conventional digital broadcasting service can switch to an IPTV service that realizes a simultaneous program distribution service by selecting time-shift playback of the program by operating the remote controller RC. Therefore, the viewer can view past video / audio of the program he is watching in real time with a very simple operation. In particular, while previously, a television receiver was required to be equipped with a large-capacity hard disk to play back a program in a time-shift manner, according to this embodiment, the program receiving and displaying device 30 can realize time-shift playback of a program without being equipped with such a large-capacity hard disk.

[0133] In this embodiment, the program receiving display device 30 performs control to return to the digital broadcasting service when it receives a channel selection operation by a viewer or when the playback position of the program content in the IPTV service catches up with the real-time playback position, but is not limited to this. For example, the program receiving display device 30 may also perform control to return to the digital broadcasting service when it receives an operation of a back button, an end button, or the like by a viewer.

[0134] [Second embodiment] This embodiment is characterized in that, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives a time-shift playback operation, the operation mode is set to a third operation mode (multi-screen display mode), and control is performed so that real-time program content in the digital broadcasting service is displayed in a first frame of the display device DSP, and program content for time-shift playback in the IPTV service is displayed in a second frame of the display device DSP. Note that, in the following, a two-screen display mode (2-in-1 screen display mode) is exemplified as the multi-screen display mode, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0135] For example, assume that the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives a time-shift playback operation from a viewer while playing back real-time program content as shown in Fig. 7 (S704 in Fig. 7). In this embodiment, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives and plays back the time-shift playback operation, under the control of the main control unit 31, the program receiving and displaying device 30 switches the screen mode from the normal mode to the dual-screen display mode, and receives and plays back real-time program content from the digital broadcasting service, while also receiving and playing back time-shift program content from the IPTV service. In the dual-screen display mode, for example, the output control unit 34 performs rendering / layout processing so that video images related to program content based on two program streams are displayed in two frames on one screen, respectively.

[0136] 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a screen displayed on a program receiving and displaying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a screen 1500 in a dual screen display mode in the display device DSP of this embodiment is configured to include a first frame 1501 and a second frame 1502. For example, the first frame 1501 displays real-time program content in a digital broadcasting service, while the second frame 1502 displays time-shifted program content in an IPTV service.

[0137] Screen 1500 may also include, for example, an audio output icon 1503. Audio output icon 1503 indicates whether audio (sound) synchronized with currently played program content is from real-time program content or from time-shift program content. In the figure, audio output icon 1503 indicates that the audio of the real-time program content is off and the audio of the time-shift program content is being output. Main control unit 31 may perform control such that the frame to be operated is selectively switched by the viewer operating a switching button (e.g., an arrow button) on remote controller RC, for example.

[0138] More specifically, in such a dual-screen display mode, the viewer can instruct the program receiving and displaying device 30 to perform the above-mentioned channel selection operation, further time-shift playback operation, variable-speed playback operation, etc. As one example, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that it has received a channel selection operation by the viewer, it updates the channel number in accordance with the channel selection operation, ends the dual-screen display mode, and returns to receiving and playing real-time program content in the digital broadcasting service. As another example, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that it has received a time-shift playback operation by the viewer, it performs time-shift playback processing in accordance with the operated button.

[0139] As described above, this embodiment can provide the same advantages as the above-mentioned embodiment. In particular, this embodiment allows a viewer to simultaneously watch a real-time program on a digital broadcasting service and a time-shifted program on an IPTV service in a dual-screen display mode. For example, a viewer watching a soccer game can enjoy a viewing style in which, when he or she wants to see a goal scene again, he or she can check the real-time game situation while watching past goal scenes. This allows the viewer to enjoy watching the program without missing any further noteworthy scenes during the game in real time.

[0140] In addition, in the current digital broadcasting service, data broadcasting programs are linked to real-time programs. Therefore, unless a viewer watches a real-time program, the viewer cannot enjoy information provided by the data broadcasting program. However, according to the present embodiment, the real-time program is displayed in one frame, so that the viewer can enjoy information provided by the program content related to data broadcasting even while watching a time-shifted program.

[0141] [Third embodiment] This embodiment is characterized in that when the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives a time shift playback operation, it displays the time shift program content of the IPTV service on the display device DSP and controls the display to display an indicator indicating that it is an IPTV service.

[0142] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining another example of a screen displayed on a program receiving and displaying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a screen 1600 of the display device DSP of this embodiment displays program content being played back in a time-shift manner, and also displays an indicator 1601. For example, as described above, it is assumed that the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives and plays back a time-shifted program content (second program) of an IPTV service when the program receiving and displaying device 30 receives and plays back the time-shifted program content (second program) of an IPTV service, under the control of the main control unit 31. At this time, for example, the output control unit 34 performs rendering / layout processing so that an indicator 1601 indicating that the program content is an IPTV service is displayed superimposed on the time-shifted program content.

[0143] Furthermore, when any button of the time shift playback button group T-SHIFT_B of the remote controller RC is pressed, the program receiving display device 30 can display a seek bar SKB as shown in FIG. 10 superimposed on the program content screen 1600.

[0144] The program receiving display device 30 may perform control so as to display an indicator that is visually different from the indicator 1601 not only when playing back time-shifted program content in the IPTV service but also when playing back real-time program content in the digital broadcasting service. Alternatively, instead of displaying an indicator on the screen of the display device DSP, the program receiving display device 30 may use, for example, an LED or the like provided in the program receiving display device 30 as an indicator.

[0145] As described above, this embodiment can provide the same advantages as the above-mentioned embodiment. In particular, this embodiment allows the viewer to easily recognize that the program currently being viewed is a time-shifted program in the IPTV service. In addition, the seek bar SKB in the time-shift playback operation occupies a relatively wide area at the bottom of the screen, and therefore, if it is displayed all the time, it will interfere with viewing. However, if the indicator 1601 of this example is displayed all the time, it will not interfere with viewing.

[0146] [Fourth embodiment] This embodiment is characterized in that when the playback position of the program content being played back in time-shift playback using a VOD distribution service by the program receiving and displaying device 30 reaches (catches up with) the real-time position, the program receiving and displaying device 30 switches from the VOD distribution service to an IP broadcasting service (e.g., an IP distribution service) to receive and play the program content.

[0147] In this embodiment, the distribution server 22 of the distributor system 20 is configured to operate in a multicast distribution mode for the IP broadcast service and in a unicast distribution mode for the VOD distribution service. The IPTV program receiving and reproducing unit 33 of the program receiving display device 30 can selectively switch to either an IP distribution request for the IP broadcast service or a VOD distribution request for the VOD distribution service in response to a predetermined operation by the viewer or a playback state of the program content, and receive the program stream.

[0148] Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of a time shift playback process by a program receiving and displaying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, the figure shows a process in which the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines the playback start position on the time axis of the program content in response to a time shift playback operation by the viewer. Note that the figure differs from Fig. 9 in that when the playback position of the program content reaches the real-time playback position by a predetermined time shift playback operation, the VOD distribution service is switched to the IP broadcasting service. Since the rest is the same as Fig. 9, the description of the same parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0149] More specifically, as shown in the figure, when a viewer presses the fast-forward button FF on the remote controller RC, the program receiving display device 30 advances the playback start position on the time axis toward the current position according to the length of time the button was pressed, and determines the playback start position (S1706). Next, the program receiving display device 30 determines whether the determined playback start position has reached the real-time playback position (S1707).

[0150] When the program receiving display device 30 judges that the determined playback start position has reached the real-time playback position (Yes in S1707), it switches from receiving and playing the program content through the VOD distribution service to receiving and playing the program content through the IP broadcasting service (1708). Note that details of the processing steps of S1708 are shown in FIG.

[0151] Furthermore, when the viewer presses the next button NC on the remote controller RC, the program receiving display device 30 determines whether or not the program content currently being reproduced is an earlier program content than the real-time program content (S1710).

[0152] If the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that the program content currently being played is not program content earlier than the real-time program content (i.e., it is real-time program content) (No in S1710), it switches from receiving and playing the program content via the VOD distribution service to receiving and playing the program content via the IP broadcasting service (1708).

[0153] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of program content receiving and reproducing processing in an IP broadcast service by a program receiving display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0154] As shown in the figure, the program receiving display device 30 transmits a program stream distribution request (i.e., IP distribution request) specifying the determined playback start position to the distribution server 22 according to the URL stored in the memory (S1801). At this time, the program receiving display device 30 stops receiving the program stream due to the previous VOD distribution request. In response to the new distribution request, the distribution server 22 starts distributing the program stream. As a result, the program receiving display device 30 receives the program stream distributed from the distribution server 22 and starts playback (S1802). In other words, the program receiving display device 30 selectively switches the type of distribution service from the VOD distribution service to the IP broadcast service.

[0155] The program receiving and displaying device 30 monitors whether or not various operations have been performed by the viewer during reception and playback of the real-time program content (S1803). In this disclosure, only a channel selection operation and a time shift playback operation are described, but the present disclosure is not limited to these.

[0156] When the program receiving display device 30 judges that it has received a channel selection operation by a viewer, it updates the channel number in accordance with the channel selection operation (terminal A; S705 in FIG. 7) and returns to the processing step of S702 described above. As a result, the program receiving display device 30 switches from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, and starts receiving and playing program content in accordance with the updated channel number (S702). In other words, the program receiving display device 30 selectively switches the program stream to be received to that of the digital broadcast service.

[0157] Furthermore, when the program receiving and displaying device 30 determines that a predetermined time shift playback operation by the viewer has been received, it starts the time shift playback process (S1804). The time shift playback operation here is a time shift operation for going back to the past, since real-time program content is being received and played back in the IP broadcast service, and is performed, for example, by the viewer pressing the fast-rewind button FR or previous button PC of the remote controller RC. The process of determining the playback start position is described above with reference to FIG. 9, and therefore will not be described here.

[0158] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the playback position of the program content being played back in time-shift playback in the VOD distribution service reaches the real-time position, the program receiving display device 30 can switch from the VOD distribution service to the IP broadcast service. This allows the viewer to view the program content in the IP broadcast service as if it were real-time program content in the digital broadcast service.

[0159] In the present embodiment, the VOD distribution service is switched to the IP broadcast service when the playback position of the program content reaches the real-time position due to the viewer's time-shift playback operation, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, as described above, the program receiving display device 30 may be configured to switch from the VOD distribution service to the IP broadcast service when the playback position of the program content catches up with the real-time position due to variable speed playback during time-shift playback of the program content in the VOD distribution service.

[0160] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments. The present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0161] In addition, in the methods disclosed herein, steps, operations, or functions may be performed in parallel or in a different order, provided that the results are not inconsistent. The steps, operations, and functions described are provided merely as examples, and some of the steps, operations, and functions may be omitted or combined into one, or other steps, operations, or functions may be added, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0162] In addition, although various embodiments are disclosed in this specification, specific features (technical matters) in one embodiment can be added to or replaced with specific features in other embodiments, with appropriate modifications, and such forms are also included in the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0163] 1. Program provision service system 10. Broadcasting System 20...Distribution provider system 30...Program receiving and display device 31...Main control unit 32...Broadcast program receiving and playback section 321…Tuner / modulation section 322…Descrambling Department 323…Separation part 324…Decoder 3241…Video decoding section 3242…Subtitle decoding section 3243…Audio Decoder 33…IPTV program receiving and playback unit 331...Communication interface unit 332...Streaming request section 333...Streaming reception processing unit 334…Separation part 335…Decoder 3351…Video decoding section 3352…Subtitle decoding section 3353…Audio decoding section 34...Output control section 341...Display control unit 3411…Synthetic section 3412...Display driver 3413…Buffer section 342…Audio control unit 3421...Audio driver 35…Operation reception section DSP…display device SPK…Speaker RC: Remote controller 40…Communications network

Claims

1. A program receiving and displaying device adapted to an IPTV service capable of providing digital broadcasting services and simultaneous program distribution, a first program stream acquisition unit that acquires a first program stream based on a broadcast signal selected according to a channel number from a received broadcast wave; a second program stream acquisition unit that transmits a distribution request for a second program stream to a distribution server in accordance with specific link information, and acquires the second program stream distributed from the distribution server in response to the distribution request; a main control unit that selects at least one of the first program stream and the second program stream, and controls so that a program content configured based on the selected program stream is displayed on a screen; The main control unit is switching to at least one of a first operation mode for selecting the first program stream for the current channel number and a second operation mode for selecting the second program stream in accordance with a viewer's operation; when a first time shift operation for going back to a past time is received from the viewer while program content based on the first program stream is being displayed on the screen in the first operation mode, switching to the second operation mode and controlling so that program content based on the second program stream, which is the program simultaneous distribution of the first program stream, is displayed on the screen; when a second time shift operation is received from the viewer while the program content based on the second program stream is being displayed on the screen in the second operation mode, control is performed so that another program content having a delivery time zone different from the delivery time zone of the displayed program content is displayed on the screen. Program receiving and display device.

2. the second program stream acquisition unit acquires the program stream corresponding to the program content for the current channel number; 2. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The main control unit is In the first operation mode, the program content based on the first program stream is controlled so as to be displayed on the screen at a real-time playback position on a time axis; and controlling, in the second operation mode, the program content based on the second program stream to be displayed on the screen at a past playback position on the time axis.

3. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the main control unit controls, in the second operation mode, the program content to be displayed on the screen based on the second program stream at a playback speed different from the real-time playback speed.

4. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the main control unit switches to the first operation mode when a playback position of the program content in the past time reaches a playback position in the real time.

5. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the main control unit switches to the first operation mode when a channel number different from the current channel number is selected.

2. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 1.

7. the second program stream acquisition unit acquires the second program stream from a past time specified in response to a viewer's operation in accordance with the specific link information associated with the program content; 2. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The main control unit switches to a third operation mode in accordance with an operation of a viewer, in the third operation mode, controlling the program content based on the first program stream to be displayed in a first frame on the screen at a real-time playback position, and controlling the program content based on the second program stream to be displayed in a second frame different from the first frame at a past playback position; 2. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 1.

9. the main control unit controls, in the second operation mode, to display an indicator indicating that the service is the IPTV service in a superimposed manner on the program content based on the selected second program stream; 2. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 1.

10. the second program stream acquisition unit transmits a VOD distribution request, and receives the second program stream that is streamed by unicast from the distribution server in response to the VOD distribution request; 2. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 1.

11. the second program stream acquisition unit transmits an IP distribution request instead of the VOD distribution request when a playback position of the program content based on the second program stream reaches a real-time playback position, and receives the second program stream that is streaming-distributed by multicast from the distribution server in response to the IP distribution request.

11. A program receiving and displaying apparatus according to claim 10.

12. A program receiving and displaying control method for a program receiving and displaying device adapted to an IPTV service capable of providing a digital broadcasting service and simultaneous program distribution, comprising: acquiring a first program stream based on a broadcast signal selected according to a channel number from a received broadcast wave; transmitting a distribution request for a second program stream to a distribution server indicated by specific link information, and acquiring the second program stream distributed from the distribution server in response to the distribution request; selecting at least one of the first program stream and the second program stream, and controlling so that program content configured based on the selected program stream is displayed on a screen; The controlling comprises: In a first mode of operation, selecting the first program stream; in a second mode of operation, selecting at least the second program stream; when a first time shift operation for going back to a past time is received from a viewer while program content based on the first program stream selected in the first operation mode is being displayed on the screen, control is performed so that program content based on the second program stream, which is the program simultaneous distribution of the first program stream, is displayed on the screen; when a second time shift operation is received from the viewer while the program content based on the second program stream is being displayed on the screen in the second operation mode, control is performed so that another program content having a delivery time zone different from the delivery time zone of the displayed program content is displayed on the screen. A program reception display control method.

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