Intermediate Server

Abstract

To solve the problem in which in the prior art, different methods are provided for selecting a video content by broadcast waves and a video content distributed by communication, and each viewer is required to reproduce the video content after selecting a program selection method.SOLUTION: The present invention includes a broadcasting system that transmits broadcast programs, a distribution system that distributes a video over the Internet, and a television receiver that receives a video content by broadcast and a video content distributed over the Internet. Broadcast program information and distribution program information are sent to the television receiver by communication through the distribution system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a television operation system that is composed of a broadcasting system that transmits broadcast programs, a server system that distributes video, and a receiving terminal that receives video content via broadcast and video content via network distribution, and that allows easy selection between video content via broadcast and video content via communication. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, advances in networks have led to the launch of a wide range of video distribution services. In particular, large-screen television receivers no longer simply receive broadcasts as before; they can now connect to networks and play distributed videos, allowing users to enjoy higher-quality, more realistic video. This has become possible thanks to faster networks and improved processing capabilities in television receivers. In the future, it is expected that there will be even more opportunities to display and operate a variety of video content provided over networks on television receivers.

[0003] On the other hand, television sets still receive broadcast video content, and many viewers continue to enjoy watching broadcasts. Therefore, viewers are increasingly choosing from a wide range of content available via streaming services in addition to watching broadcasts as before.

[0004] In this situation, viewers desire an easier way to select their favorite content from video content distributed via broadcast or communication. However, currently, separate methods are provided for selecting video content distributed via broadcast waves and video content distributed via communication, and viewers must select the appropriate program selection method before playing the video content. For example, video content can be selected by displaying a content selection screen from an icon on the television's home screen or by using a dedicated button for the distributed content. On the other hand, for broadcast content, receivers are generally designed so that programs can be selected using direct channel buttons on a remote control or by activating a program guide. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Operational Standards ARIB TR-B14 Part 4 [Non-patent document 2] PSI / SI Operational Regulations for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The current method for selecting video content via broadcasting and video content distributed via communication will be explained below. An example of a current broadcasting system is shown in FIG.

[0007] Broadcast program content 7001 in broadcasting system 7000 undergoes video and audio compression by encoder 7002 and is input to multiplexing unit 7003. Meanwhile, program information necessary for program selection is generated as SI (service information) by SI generation unit 7004, input to multiplexing unit 7003, multiplexed onto the video and audio stream, and transmitted. The multiplexed video and audio stream is transmitted to television receiver 7100 as broadcast waves. In television receiver 7100, reception separation unit 7103 receives the broadcast waves and separates the multiplexed SI signal and video and audio stream. The separated video and audio stream is input to decoder 7102, which decompresses the compressed video and audio stream. The decoded video and audio is input to content display unit 7101, where the video and audio are presented.

[0008] Meanwhile, the separated SI signal is input to an SI processing unit 7104, which stores information necessary for program explanations and program selection for each channel, and then inputs it to a program guide screen generation unit 7105. The program guide screen generation unit 7105 generates a program guide that is easy for viewers to understand, which is input to the content display unit 7101 and then presented to the viewer.

[0009] The above processing is carried out by the control unit 7106 controlling each unit in response to a signal output from a remote control 7107 operated by the user.

[0010] An example of a conventional program guide displayed using the technique of Fig. 7 is shown in Fig. 8. In the program guide screen 8100, the horizontal axis indicates channel numbers and the vertical axis indicates time. Program description information indicating the content is presented on the program guide screen 8100. Content 1A to content 3C shown in the figure indicate the program titles and text describing them.

[0011] The remote control 8000 has an EPG (Electric Program Guide) button for launching the program guide screen 8100, number buttons 1 to 12 for selecting each channel, and also up, down, left, and right keys for moving the cursor to select content on the program guide screen 8100, and an enter key.

[0012] When the EPG button on the remote control 8000 is pressed, a program guide screen 8100 is displayed on the television screen. After that, a cursor 8101 is moved using the up, down, left, and right keys on the remote control 8000 to select a desired content.

[0013] In the above, content was selected by operating the EPG button on remote control 8000 to launch program guide screen 8100, but in the case of broadcast, it is possible to launch directly using the direct selection buttons indicated by the numbers 1 to 12 on remote control 8000. This is implemented by mapping the channel number to the direct selection button, since in broadcast, the broadcasting station can be identified by the channel number.

[0014] Next, an embodiment of a video distribution system is shown in Figure 9. Distribution content 9001 in distribution system 9000 undergoes video and audio compression by encoder 9002 and is input to multiplex distribution device 9003. Meanwhile, program information necessary for program selection is generated by program information generation unit 9004, input to multiplex distribution device 9003, multiplexed onto the video and audio stream, and transmitted. The multiplexed video and audio stream is transmitted to television receiver 9100 via a communication path. In television receiver 9100, reception and separation unit 9103 receives the stream transmitted over the communication path and separates the multiplexed program information and video and audio stream. The separated video and audio stream is input to decoder 9102, which decompresses the compressed video and audio stream. The decoded video and audio is input to content display unit 9101, where the video and audio are presented.

[0015] Meanwhile, the separated program information is input to the program information processing unit 9104, which generates a program selection screen. At this time, unlike when receiving a broadcast, icons or a program list screen is presented to the viewer. Normally, in distribution via communication, content selection is performed without a concept of time using VOD (Video On Demand), so a program list is generated. The icons or program list generated by the selection screen generation unit 9105 are input to the content display unit 9101 and displayed.

[0016] The above processing is carried out by the control unit 9106 controlling each unit based on a signal output from a remote control 9107 operated by the user.

[0017] FIG. 10 shows a conventional example of a selection screen for audiovisual content transmitted by conventional communications. When selecting distribution content, the television receiver 9100 (FIG. 9) first presents a distribution source selection screen 10100. The distribution source selection screen 10100 presents one or more icons for each distribution source, and the distribution source can be specified by selecting an icon.

[0018] If icon 1 is selected, a content list 10200 is presented, which is a list of content provided by the distributor indicated by icon 1. Since there is no concept of time, the content is presented as a list display.

[0019] These operations are performed using the remote control 10000. When the viewer presses the home button on the remote control 10000, a distribution source selection screen 10100 is presented. An icon indicating a desired distribution source is selected by operating a cursor 10101 using the up, down, left, and right keys on the remote control 10000. After specifying the distribution source with the enter button, a content list 10200 is displayed.

[0020] In the content list 10200, a desired content can also be selected by operating a cursor 10102 using the up, down, left, and right keys on the remote control 10000.

[0021] As described above, the content selection method differs between when broadcast content is received and when distributed content is received by the television receiver 9100. Therefore, conventional television receivers 9100 that can receive both broadcast content and distributed content have the following problems.

[0022] 1) For broadcasting, a program guide launch button is used, while for streaming, launching is done with the home button and an icon is used to select the streaming source. As a result, the launching method and subsequent operation methods are different, which significantly reduces user convenience.

[0023] 2) Broadcast content is a program guide with a time axis, while streaming content is a list of content without a time axis, which causes confusion for viewers.

[0024] 3) For broadcast content, you can directly select a channel using the direct channel selection buttons (number buttons 1 to 12), but you cannot directly select a channel for distributed content.

[0025] As described above, in the television receiver 9100 that receives both broadcast content and distributed content, the methods of selecting broadcast content and distributed content are significantly different, which significantly reduces user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0026] First, use: A television receiver capable of receiving broadcast wave content from a broadcasting system and distributed content transmitted by communication from a distribution system, a receiving unit that receives broadcast wave content from the broadcasting system; a receiving and separating unit that receives multiplexed program information consisting of program information for distribution multiplexed from the distribution system and program information for broadcast from the broadcasting system, and distribution content, and separates the multiplexed program information from the distribution content; a program information processing unit that separates the multiplexed program information input from the receiving and separating unit into program information for broadcasting and program information for distribution; an EPG generation unit that acquires both the distribution program information and the broadcast program information transmitted from the program information processing unit, creates a program guide for the past, present, and future, and displays it on a content display unit; a selection unit that receives the distribution content from the reception separation unit and the broadcast content from the reception unit; The control unit selects the broadcast wave content with the selection unit when the user selects a current or future program in the program guide, and selects the distribution content with the selection unit when the user selects a past program in the program guide, and displays the content on the content display unit.

[0027] Second, use: In a system that broadcasts and distributes broadcast content and distributed content to a television receiver that can receive broadcast content and distributes past programs as distributed content and current and future programs as broadcast content, The system comprises a broadcasting system and a distribution system, the broadcasting system transmits broadcast program content and program information to the distribution system, and also multiplexes the program information and broadcast program content and transmits them as broadcast waves to the television receiver; The distribution system is characterized in that multiplexed program information consisting of program information for distribution and program information for broadcasting of the broadcasting system, and distribution content are transmitted to the television receiver by a multiplex transmission unit.

[0028] As a third option: In a broadcasting system that broadcasts broadcast waves to a television receiver capable of receiving broadcast content and distribution content, and in which past programs are viewed as distribution content and current and future programs are viewed as broadcast content, Multiplexed program information consisting of program information for distribution and program information for broadcasting of the broadcasting system and distribution contents are multiplexed, and program selection information for selecting a broadcast program and already-broadcast broadcast program contents are transmitted to the distribution system which transmits the multiplexed program information to the television receiver.

[0029] As a fourth option: In a distribution system that transmits broadcast content and distribution content to a television receiver that can receive broadcast content and that watches past programs as distribution content and current and future programs as broadcast content, a receiving unit that receives broadcast program information and broadcast program content that has finished broadcasting from a broadcast system; a program information multiplexing unit that multiplexes the distribution program information and the broadcast program information to generate multiplexed program information; and a multiplexing transmission unit that multiplexes the multiplexed program information and the distribution content and transmits the multiplexed program information and the distribution content to the television receiver.

[0030] As a fifth option: A distribution system that receives broadcast program content and broadcast program information from a broadcast system, and an intermediate server connected by a communication line to a television receiver that can selectively receive video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, a program database that stores program information from the distribution system; and a cross-search unit that, in response to a request from the television receiver, performs a keyword search based on keywords such as the program name and program performers from within the program information and returns the search results to the television receiver. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a program guide according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a channel-specific program guide according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a channel-specific program guide based on the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a cross-search based on the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a program listing according to the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional broadcasting system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional program guide. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional internet distribution system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional distribution content selection screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention enables broadcast content and distribution content to be selected by substantially the same operation, thereby significantly improving convenience for viewers.

[0033] (First embodiment) 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a distribution system 1000, a broadcasting system 2000, and a television receiver 1100.

[0034] The broadcasting system 2000 is different from the conventional embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in that a transmitting unit 2006 and a transmitting unit 2009 are added. The broadcast program content stored in the broadcast program content unit 2001 in the broadcasting system 2000 has its video and audio compressed by an encoder 2002 and output to a multiplexing transmitting unit 2003. Meanwhile, the SI generating unit 2004 generates an SI signal (including program information necessary for program selection) corresponding to the broadcast content and transmits it to the multiplexing transmitting unit 2003. The multiplexing transmitting unit 2003 multiplexes the SI information and the video and audio stream and transmits (broadcasts) it as a broadcast wave. The operation up to this point is the same as in the conventional example. Here, after the broadcast of the broadcast program content in the broadcast program content unit 2001 is completed, the transmitting unit 2006 transmits it to the distribution system 1000. Furthermore, the SI signal generated by the SI generating unit 2004 is transmitted to the distribution system 1000 by the transmitting unit 2009.

[0035] In the distribution system 1000, the receiving unit 1005 receives the audio and video content transmitted by the transmitting unit 2006 in the broadcasting system 2000, and stores it as distribution content in the distribution content unit 1001. In addition, the receiving unit 1006 receives the SI signal (including broadcast program information) generated by the SI generating unit 2004, and outputs it to the program information multiplexing unit 1007.

[0036] Meanwhile, the program information processing unit 1004 generates distribution program information for the distribution content and outputs it to the program information multiplexing unit 1007 .

[0037] The program information multiplexing unit 1007 multiplexes the distribution program information for the distribution content (broadcast program content sent from the broadcasting system 2000) recorded in the distribution content unit 1001 with the program information for broadcast based on the SI received from the receiving unit 1006, and outputs the multiplexed program information to the multiplexing transmission unit 1003.

[0038] The multiplexing unit 1003 further multiplexes the multiplexed program information and the video and audio stream of the distribution content, and then transmits the multiplexed program information and the audio and video stream via a communication line. Therefore, the video and audio stream output from the multiplexing unit 1003 is multiplexed with not only the program information of the distribution content, but also the program information of the broadcast content.

[0039] Here, the multiplexed program information and the video and audio stream are multiplexed in a time-division manner by the multiplexing transmission unit 1003 and are transmitted in a form that can always be separated by the receiving separation unit 1106 of the television receiver 1100 .

[0040] In the television receiver 1100, the reception / separation unit 1106 receives the video / audio stream onto which the program information is multiplexed. The reception / separation unit 1106 separates the program information from the video / audio stream. The separated video / audio stream of the distribution content is input to the selection unit 1110.

[0041] Meanwhile, a video and audio stream via broadcast waves is received by a receiving unit 1103 and input to a selecting unit 1110. In response to an instruction from a control unit 1109, the selecting unit 1110 switches between video and audio from communication or video and audio from broadcast, and outputs the switched video and audio to a decoder 1102. The decoder 1102 expands the compressed video and audio and outputs the expanded video and audio to a content display unit 1101.

[0042] The program information processing unit 1104 separates the multiplexed program information input from the reception separation unit 1106 into program information for broadcast and program information for distribution. Here, the program information processing unit 1104 transfers the program information for broadcast to the SI processing unit 1105.

[0043] Here, timestamp information indicating the time is added to the multiplexed program information, and the program information processing unit 1104 determines whether the program is currently being broadcast, has already been broadcast, or has not yet been broadcast, based on the current time information transmitted from the control unit 1109. Here, since the broadcast program information indicates programs currently being broadcast and programs yet to be broadcast, the program information processing unit 1104 separates the broadcast program information.

[0044] The broadcast program information is converted into a control signal for broadcast reception by the SI processing unit 1105, and controls broadcast reception. In other words, it is used to control the receiving unit 1103. Here, the receiving unit 1103 selects a predetermined channel based on the output of the SI processing unit 1105 and instructions from the control unit 1109, and receives a predetermined video and audio stream transmitted by broadcast.

[0045] The EPG generation unit 1107 generates past, present, and future program guides based on the broadcast program information and distribution program information transmitted from the program information processing unit 1104, outputs these to the content display unit 1101, and presents the program guides to the viewer. Here, the EPG generation unit 1107 acquires both the distribution program information and the broadcast program information, and simultaneously displays the content transmitted by broadcast and communication. In this case, the broadcast program guide includes programs currently being broadcast and future programs.

[0046] Next, the operation of selecting a program guide and playing video content will be described in detail. The viewer selects the video content of their choice from the past, present, and future program guides displayed on the content display unit 1101.

[0047] First, when selecting video content from the past program guide, the viewer operates the remote control 1108 to select the desired video content from the past programs. Here, the control unit 1109 receives a control signal from the remote control 1108, and when the video content to be selected is determined from the content display unit 1101, the control unit 1109 instructs the receiving and separating unit 1106 to request the video content.

[0048] Here, since the video content is acquired via a communication path, a request for the video content is made using request information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), for example.

[0049] This request information is input from reception / separation unit 1106 to distribution content unit 1001 of distribution system 1000 via a communication line (network). The request information contains information that identifies the video content stored in distribution content unit 1001. Distribution content unit 1001 outputs the video content stored in distribution content unit 1001 that corresponds to the request from reception / separation unit 1106 to encoder 1002. Then, the distribution content and program multiplex information corresponding to the request information are transmitted to television receiver 1100 by multiplex transmission unit 1003.

[0050] When the receiving and separating unit 1106 receives a video stream encoded with specified video content, the control unit 1109 issues an instruction to the selection unit 1110, and the video stream output from the receiving and separating unit 1106 is input to the decoder 1102, thereby playing back the video content.

[0051] Next, a case where video content in the current program guide is selected will be described. The viewer operates the remote control 1108 to select desired video content from the current program guide. Here, the control unit 1109 receives a control signal from the remote control 1108, and when the video content to be selected is determined from the content display unit 1101, it instructs the receiving unit 1103 to select a broadcast channel. To select currently broadcast video content, the control unit 1109 transmits a signal to the receiving unit 1103 that identifies a predetermined frequency, broadcast station, etc. In the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, channel selection is performed using a tuning frequency, service ID, network ID, etc. The receiving unit 1103 outputs a video stream obtained by encoding the desired broadcast video content to the selecting unit 1110. The control unit 1109 instructs the selecting unit 1110 to output the video stream from the receiving unit 1103 to the decoder 1102, and the video content is played back.

[0052] Next, a case where video content in the future program guide is selected will be described. The viewer operates the remote control 1108 to select a desired video content from the future program guide. Here, the control unit 1109 receives a control signal from the remote control 1108 and determines the video content to be selected from the content display unit 1101. Here, since video content in the future program guide has been selected, the control unit 1109 determines that it is a program that has not yet been broadcast, and the control unit 1109 stores information identifying the broadcast station and time information in its internal memory as information for viewing reservation so that it can be started during a future broadcast time slot. Thereafter, at the specified time, the viewer is prompted to view by being notified that a viewing reservation exists, for example by displaying a message on the content display unit 1101.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows an example of a program guide displayed by the above operations. The horizontal axis represents channel number, and the vertical axis represents time. Channel 1 provides contents 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, channel 2 provides contents 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, and channel 3 provides contents 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F. If the current time is 12:00, channel 1 broadcasts content 1B, channel 2 broadcasts content 2B, and channel 3 broadcasts content 3C. Contents 1A and 1B, contents 2A and 2B, and contents 3A, 3B, and 3C, which are already past programs, can be acquired via communication. This is achieved by transferring content that has already been broadcast from broadcast system 2000 to distribution system 1000, as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, broadcast program content stored in broadcast program content unit 2001 is transferred from transmitter 2006 to distribution content unit 1001 via receiver 1005.

[0054] On the other hand, programs that start at 13:00 or later indicate programs that are scheduled to be broadcast in the future. Information about these future programs can be obtained by transferring the SI information generated by the broadcasting system 2000 shown in Fig. 1 to the distribution system 1000. Specifically, this is achieved by transferring the SI signal from the SI generation unit 2004 to the program information multiplexing unit 1007 via the transmission unit 2009 and the reception unit 1006. With the above operations, if the current time is, for example, 12:00, programs broadcast before 12:00 are obtained as distribution content via communication, and since the 12:00 program is currently being broadcast, it is obtained via broadcast, and programs scheduled to be broadcast in the future can be viewed when they are broadcast in the future by booking a viewing.

[0055] The remote control 2900 that controls this program guide is equipped with an EPG button, and pressing the EPG button displays the program guide. In this way, by simply pressing the EPG button once, broadcast programs and distributed programs can be displayed in a list, and broadcast and communication content can be selected with integrated operations.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a channel-specific program guide based on the present invention. In this example, the viewer uses direct selection buttons (numeric keys 1 to 12) provided on the remote control 3000 to select content. The viewer presses, for example, direct key 1. In this case, broadcast content currently being broadcast on channel 1 is presented. The viewer then presses direct key 1. In other words, if the viewer presses it twice in succession, program guide screen 3100 is displayed. Program guide screen 3100 presents programs that have already been broadcast, as well as programs currently being broadcast and programs scheduled to be broadcast. If the viewer selects content that has already been broadcast, the content is acquired via communication. If the viewer selects content currently being broadcast, the content is acquired via broadcast. If the viewer selects content scheduled to be broadcast, a viewing reservation is made and the content is viewed when it is broadcast in the future.

[0057] As described above, the display of communication content by pressing the direct button twice according to the present invention allows viewers to easily watch not only currently broadcast programs but also content that has already been broadcast and that they have missed, greatly improving convenience for viewers.

[0058] Fig. 4 shows an explanatory diagram of a channel-specific program guide based on the present invention. Fig. 3 shows an example in which direct key 1 is pressed twice, but Fig. 4 explains an example in which direct key 2 and direct key 3 are each pressed twice.

[0059] If direct key 2 is pressed twice, broadcast programs available on channel 2 will be displayed. Similarly, if direct key 3 is pressed twice, broadcast programs available on channel 3 will be displayed. In this way, direct keys mapped to broadcast station channels can also be applied to broadcast content, allowing viewers to easily select programs that have been broadcast in the past.

[0060] In the future, as the terrestrial broadcasting infrastructure ages, it is possible that broadcast content will be transmitted over a network. In that case, by transmitting broadcast content over a network so that it can be selected using the same direct buttons as currently broadcast channels, viewers will be able to select their desired channel without having to distinguish between broadcast and communication.

[0061] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a cross-search based on the present invention. The distribution system and broadcasting system shown in Figure 5 have the same functions as the distribution system and broadcasting system shown in Figure 1. SI information is transferred from the broadcasting system to the distribution system. Distribution system 5001, distribution system 5002, and distribution system 5003 are connected to intermediate server 5200 via communication lines. Intermediate server 5200 is connected to a television receiver via a communication line.

[0062] Intermediate server 5200 has program database 5300, which stores program information 5301 from distribution system 5001, program information 5302 from distribution system 5002, and program information 5303 from distribution system 5003. Cross-platform search unit 5205 performs a keyword search based on keywords such as the program title and program performers from within the program information in response to a request from the television (television receiver 1100 (FIG. 1)). Naturally, because program database 5300 stores program information 5301, 5302, and 5303, it is possible to perform a cross-platform search not only of content distributed from distribution systems 5001, 5002, and 5003, but also of content broadcast from broadcast systems 5401, 5402, and 5403.

[0063] These search results are returned to the televisions 5101 to 5106 that made the search requests, allowing the viewer to view the content they wish to see across the networks.

[0064] Next, the operation of the area control unit 5206 shown in Fig. 5 will be described in detail using the same figure. In current terrestrial digital broadcasting, areas in which broadcast content can be viewed are specified for each region. Television receivers capable of receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting typically have information specifying the broadcast stations that can be received. For example, televisions 5101, 5102, and 5103 in area 1 can view video content broadcast within area 1, and televisions 5014 and 5015 in area 2 and television 5106 in area 3 can view video content broadcast in their respective areas.

[0065] On the other hand, when distribution is performed over a network, unlike broadcasting, the same video content can be distributed to any area, allowing video content to be viewed across areas. In other words, when distributing broadcast content, it becomes difficult to impose viewing restrictions on specific broadcast areas, as is currently possible with terrestrial digital broadcasting. Therefore, when performing a cross-sectional search, the regional control unit 5206 controls the search for video content that can be viewed within an area by limiting the search range to the area that can be viewed in each area.

[0066] Televisions 5101, 5102, and 5103 notify area control unit 5206 that they are located in area 1, televisions 5104 and 5105 notify area control unit 5206 that they are located in area 2, and television 5106 notifies area control unit 5206 that it is located in area 3. Here, this notification can use information previously stored in television receiver 1100 that identifies receivable broadcast stations, such as reception frequency, service ID, network ID, etc. Therefore, area control unit 5206 receives notifications from each television and issues instructions to cross-search unit 5205 to limit the search range of the cross-search by area.

[0067] By the above operation, when broadcast content is distributed in an area equivalent to that in which terrestrial digital broadcasting can be received, it is possible to limit the video content that can be viewed.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a program list according to the present invention. The above embodiment has shown a method for seamlessly selecting already broadcasted content together with content currently being broadcast or scheduled to be broadcast. However, it is conceivable that content unrelated to broadcast may be viewed in addition to already broadcasted content. In such cases, the program selection method according to the present invention may be configured to display a list of viewable content.

[0069] Viewable contents 1A to 1C, contents 2A to 2C, contents 3A to 3C, and contents 4A to 4C are presented in program list display 6100. Here, programs scheduled for broadcast are displayed with a broadcast mark as shown by reference numerals 6101 and 6102, informing viewers that the program is scheduled for broadcast.

[0070] By displaying such a broadcast mark, content can be selected from a program list that integrates content that can be distributed and content that is scheduled to be broadcast. The remote control 6000 is equipped with a program list display button, and pressing this button presents a program list display 6100. The desired content can then be selected using the up, down, left, right keys and the enter button. While the program list was launched by pressing the program list button in the above operation, the same effect can be achieved by, for example, double-pressing the EPG button. Furthermore, launching the EPG by pressing and holding the EPG button makes it easier for the viewer to operate, improving convenience.

[0071] (Appendix 1) A television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication and selecting the video and audio content, a broadcasting system that transfers program selection information for selecting a broadcast program to a distribution system; a distribution system that transmits the program information transferred from the broadcasting system to a television receiver via a communication line; a distribution system that transmits program selection information for selecting content held by the distribution system to a television receiver via a communication line; a broadcasting system that transfers broadcasted content to a distribution system; and a distribution system that transmits the content transferred from the broadcasting system to a television receiver via a communication line. The television receiver has a user interface for seamlessly selecting broadcast programs and already-broadcast programs by using both program selection information transmitted from a broadcast system via a distribution system and program selection information possessed by the distribution system and transmitted from the distribution system.

[0072] (Appendix 2) This television receiver receives program selection information transmitted from a broadcasting system via a distribution system and program selection information possessed by the distribution system, displays a program list, and can select contents distributed by broadcasting or communication without distinction.

[0073] (Appendix 3) The system comprises a television receiver capable of receiving video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication and selecting the video and audio content, a broadcasting system, and a distribution system, The broadcasting system transmits program selection information for selecting a broadcast program to the distribution system, The distribution system transmits the program information transferred from the broadcasting system to the television receiver via a communication line, the distribution system transmits program selection information for selecting content held by the distribution system to the television receiver via a communication line; The broadcasting system transfers the broadcasted content to the distribution system, and the distribution system transmits the content transferred from the broadcasting system to the television receiver via a communication line; The television receiver is a broadcast / audio / video transmission / reception system that uses both program selection information transmitted from the broadcast system via the distribution system and program selection information held by the distribution system and transmitted from the distribution system to realize a user interface that allows seamless selection of broadcast programs and programs that have already been broadcast.

[0074] (Appendix 4) Transferring program selection information for selecting a broadcast program to a distribution system; Transferring the broadcasted content to the distribution system; A broadcasting system characterized by transmitting program selection information and broadcasted content to a television receiver via a distribution system.

[0075] (Appendix 5) The program information transferred from the broadcasting system is transmitted to the television receiver via a communication line, Transmitting program selection information for selecting content held by the system to the television receiver via a communication line; receiving broadcasted content from the broadcasting system; A distribution system characterized by transmitting the content received from the broadcasting system to the television receiver via a communication line.

[0076] (Appendix 6) The present invention is composed of a broadcasting system for transmitting broadcast programs, a distribution system for distributing video over the Internet, and a television receiver for receiving the broadcast video content and the network distributed video content, and the broadcast program information and the distribution program information are sent to the television receiver by communication through the distribution system.

[0077] (Appendix 7) A television receiver capable of receiving broadcast wave content from a broadcasting system and distributed content transmitted by communication from a distribution system, a receiving unit that receives broadcast wave content from the broadcasting system; a receiving and separating unit that receives multiplexed program information consisting of program information for distribution multiplexed from the distribution system and program information for broadcast from the broadcasting system, and distribution content, and separates the multiplexed program information from the distribution content; a program information processing unit that separates the multiplexed program information input from the receiving and separating unit into program information for broadcasting and program information for distribution; an EPG generation unit that acquires both the distribution program information and the broadcast program information transmitted from the program information processing unit, creates a program guide for the past, present, and future, and displays it on a content display unit; a selection unit that receives the distribution content from the reception separation unit and the broadcast content from the reception unit; A television receiver having a control unit that selects the broadcast wave content with the selection unit when a user selects a current or future program in the program guide, and selects the distributed content with the selection unit when a user selects a past program in the program guide, and displays it on the content display unit.

[0078] (Appendix 8) In a system that broadcasts and distributes broadcast content and distributed content to a television receiver that can receive broadcast content and distributes past programs as distributed content and current and future programs as broadcast content, The system comprises a broadcasting system and a distribution system, the broadcasting system transmits broadcast program content and program information to the distribution system, and also multiplexes the program information and broadcast program content and transmits them as broadcast waves to the television receiver; The distribution system is a broadcasting and distribution system characterized in that it transmits multiplexed program information consisting of program information for distribution and program information for broadcasting of the broadcasting system, and distribution content to the television receiver using a multiplex transmission unit.

[0079] (Appendix 9) In a broadcasting system that broadcasts broadcast waves to a television receiver capable of receiving broadcast content and distribution content, and in which past programs are viewed as distribution content and current and future programs are viewed as broadcast content, A broadcasting system characterized by multiplexing multiplexed program information consisting of program information for distribution and program information for broadcasting of the broadcasting system with distribution content, and transmitting program selection information for selecting a broadcast program and already-broadcast broadcast program content to a distribution system that transmits the multiplexed program information and distribution content to the television receiver.

[0080] (Appendix 10) In a distribution system that transmits broadcast content and distribution content to a television receiver that can receive broadcast content and that watches past programs as distribution content and current and future programs as broadcast content, a receiving unit that receives broadcast program information and broadcast program content that has finished broadcasting from a broadcast system; a program information multiplexing unit that multiplexes the distribution program information and the broadcast program information to generate multiplexed program information; a multiplexing unit that multiplexes the multiplexed program information and the distribution content and transmits the multiplexed program information and the distribution content to the television receiver.

[0081] (Appendix 11) A distribution system that receives broadcast program content and broadcast program information from a broadcast system, and an intermediate server connected by a communication line to a television receiver that can selectively receive video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, a program database that stores program information from the distribution system; and a cross-sectional search unit that, in response to a request from the television receiver, performs a keyword search based on keywords such as the program name and program performers from within the program information and returns the search results to the television receiver.

[0082] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0083] Furthermore, the program executed in this embodiment can be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).The program may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1000...Distribution system, 1100...Television receiver, 2000...Broadcasting system

Claims

[Claim 1] A distribution system that receives broadcast program content and broadcast program information from a broadcast system, and an intermediate server connected by a communication line to a television receiver that can selectively receive video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, a program database that stores program information from the distribution system; a cross-sectional search unit that executes a cross-sectional search in response to a request from the television receiver, by conducting a keyword search based on keywords such as program names and program performers from program information of video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communication, and returning search results to the television receiver; an intermediate server that receives and registers information about the area where the television receiver is located, including the receiving frequency, service ID, and network ID, in advance from the television receiver, and a regional control unit that limits the search range of the cross-sectional search unit that performs the cross-sectional search to programs that can be viewed in the area from among the video and audio content transmitted by broadcast waves and communications.

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