Information processor, information processing method as well as broadcasting system and broadcasting method

• US 7,080,395 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2001
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Yasushi, Fujiwara, Yoshihito
• Primary Examiner(s): Sajous, Wesner
• Application Number:
  US09/899,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20020056106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,839 Days
• Field of Search: 348/569, 348460-461, 348563-565, 348/476, 348/421, 348/731, 348/906, 725/32, 725 41- 43, 725/44, 725/53, 725/60, 345/636, 345/638
• US Class Current: 725/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/434 Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream demultiplexing of data packets for data networks, e.g. RTP/UDP H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8405 represented by keywords

Abstract

There is provided an information processor and an information processing method for effectively utilizing EPG data. Identification codes for identifying specific character parts such as names of the cast of a program described in a description text describing the detail of the program in EPG data are inserted within the description text and are transmitted by a transmitter. Based on the identification codes inserted in the EPG data, the specific character parts are sampled from the description text and predetermined processing steps are performed based on the sampled result in a receiver. That is, the display color of the specific character parts is differentiated from that of the other part in displaying the description text on a monitor for example. Or, a list of the names of the cast of the program is displayed as the sampled specific character parts and when the user selects a certain player, EPG of the program in which the player appears is displayed.

Claims

1. An information processor for processing electronic program guide information having program descriptions therein, comprising:

receiving means for receiving at least said electronic program guide information and program descriptions; and

inserting means for inserting into a program description of said electronic program guide information identification codes for identifying key words in said program description;

wherein upon receipt of said electronic program guide information including said identification codes, said electronic program guide information is stored in a table according to said identification codes,

said program descriptions comprise at least text information, and

said identification codes comprise identifiers for identifying the position of the key words within said program descriptions of said text information, and classification information for classifying each of the key words.

2. The information processor according to claim 1, wherein said inserting means inserts identification codes for identifying key words of said text information according to the content of said text information.

3. The information processor according to claim 2, wherein said identification codes include a plurality of types corresponding to the key words of said text information, and said inserting means inserts said identification codes corresponding to the contents of said key words of said text information into said program descriptions of said electronic program guide information.

4. The information processor according to claim 1, wherein said classification information is arranged in a hierarchical structure.

5. The information processor according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting means for transmitting said electronic program guide information including said program descriptions in which said identification codes have been inserted together with program data.

6. An information processing method for processing electronic program guide information having program descriptions therein, comprising the steps of:

receiving at least electronic program guide information having program descriptions therein, and

inserting into said program descriptions of said electronic program guide information identification codes for identifying key words of said program descriptions;

wherein upon receipt of said electronic program guide information including said identification codes, said electronic program guide information is stored in a table according to said identification codes,

said program descriptions comprise at least text information, and

said identification codes comprise identifiers for identifying the position of the key words within said program descriptions of said text information, and classification information for classifying each of the key words.

7. An information processor for processing transmitted data including electronic program guide information having program descriptions therein and identification codes inserted in said program descriptions of said electronic program guide information for identifying key words of said program descriptions, comprising:

separating means for separating said electronic program guide information from said transmitted data;

sampling means for sampling said key words of a program description identified by said inserted identification codes; and

processing means for implementing predetermined processes based on the sampling result of said sampling means;

wherein upon receipt of said electronic program guide information including said identification codes, said electronic program guide information is stored in a table according to said identification codes,

said program descriptions comprise at least text information, and

said identification codes comprise identifiers for identifying the position of the key words within said program descriptions of said text information, and classification information for classifying each of the key words.

8. The information processor according to claim 7, wherein said identification codes identify key words of said text information according to the content of said text information.

9. The information processor according to claim 8, wherein said inserted identification codes include a plurality of types corresponding to said key words of said text information.

10. The information processor according to claim 7, wherein said processing means controls display of said key words in displaying said electronic program guide information and program descriptions.

11. The information processor according to claim 7, wherein said processing means is operable to retrieve said key words or said program descriptions of said electronic program guide information containing said key words.

12. An information processing method for processing transmitted data including electronic program guide information having program descriptions therein and identification codes inserted into said program descriptions of said electronic program guide information for identifying key words of said program descriptions, comprising the steps of:

separating said electronic program guide information from said transmitted data;

sampling said key words of a program description identified by said inserted identification codes; and

implementing predetermined processes based on the sampling result;

wherein upon receipt of said electronic program guide information including said identification codes, said electronic program guide information is stored in a table according to said identification codes,

said program descriptions comprise at least text information, and

said identification codes comprise identifiers for identifying the position of the key words within said program descriptions of said text information, and classification information for classifying each of the key words.

13. A broadcasting system comprising a transmitter for transmitting transmission data and a receiver for receiving the transmission data from said transmitter, wherein said transmitter comprises:

inserting means for inserting, into a program description of electronic program guide information, identification codes for identifying key words in said program description; and

transmitting means for transmitting transmission data, including said electronic program guide information having said program descriptions therein in which said identification codes have been inserted; and

said receiver comprises;

separating means for separating said electronic program guide information from said transmitted data;

sampling means for sampling said key words of a program description identified by said inserted identification codes; and

processing means for implementing predetermined processes based on the sampling result of said sampling means;

wherein upon receipt of said electronic program guide information including said identification codes, said electronic program guide information is stored in a table according to said identification codes,

said program description comprise at least text information, and

said identification codes comprise identifiers for identifying the position of the key words within said program descriptions of said text information, and classification information for classifying each of the key words.

14. A broadcasting method for a broadcasting system comprising a transmitter for transmitting transmission data and a receiver for receiving the transmission data from said transmitter, said broadcasting method comprising the steps of:

inserting, into a program description of electronic program guide information, identification codes for identifying key words in said program description;

transmitting transmission data, including said electronic program guide information having said program descriptions therein in which said identification codes have been inserted;

separating said electronic program guide information from said received transmission data;

sampling said key words of a program description identified by said inserted identification codes; and

implementing predetermined processes based on the sampling result;

wherein upon receipt of said electronic program guide information including said identification codes, said electronic program guide information is stored in a table according to said identification codes,

said program description, comprise at least text information, and

said identification codes comprise identifiers for identifying the position of the key words within said program descriptions of said text information, and classification information for classifying each of the key words.