Broadcasting and communication receiver apparatus

• US 8,009,233 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Company Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Saito, Naoko, Ichifuji, Yasuhisa, Kishi, Takehito, Eda, Takanori, Takashimizu, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Trang U
• Application Number:
  US11/502,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20060274205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• Field of Search: 348/563, 348/564, 348/569, 348/561, 348/406, 348/461, 348/731, 348/725, 725 39- 40, 725/43, 725/56
• US Class Current: 348/563
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• 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 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals

Abstract

A digital receiver to effect display of at least one of video or a plurality of background information blocks each indicative of a program time period, including: a display change controller provided in the digital receiver, which changes a displayed shape of a particular background information block indicative of a program time period in the grid when the program time period indicated by the particular background information block exceeds a program time period which is displayed in a first prescribed zone; a full display controller controlling display of the program start time and program end time to occur concurrently together with the selected background information block on a same display whenever the selected background information block is selected.

Claims

1. A digital receiver comprising:

a receiver which receives a video program and program information including a title of the video program;

a decoder which decodes the program information;

a memory which stores the program information; and

a display controller which controls a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the display controller includes an input data amount calculator to calculate an amount of an input data for the first display zone inputted from the memory, and a comparator to compare the amount of the input data calculated by the calculator with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

2. A digital receiver according to claim 1, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

3. A digital receiver according to claim 2, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

4. A digital receiver according to claim 3, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

5. A digital receiver according to claim 3, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

6. A digital receiver according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

7. A digital receiver according to claim 6, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

8. A digital receiver according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

9. A digital receiver according to claim 8, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

10. A digital receiver comprising:

a receiver which receives a video program and program information including a title of the video program;

a decoder which decodes the program information;

a display controller which controls a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the display controller includes an input data amount calculator to calculate an amount of an input data for the first display zone, and a comparator to compare the amount of the input data calculated by the calculator with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

11. A digital receiver according to claim 10, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

12. A digital receiver according to claim 11, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

13. A digital receiver according to claim 12, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

14. A digital receiver according to claim 12, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

15. A digital receiver according to claim 10, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

16. A digital receiver according to claim 15, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

17. A digital receiver according to claim 10, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

18. A digital receiver according to claim 17, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

19. A digital receiver comprising:

a receiver means for receiving video program and program information including a title of the video program;

a decoder means for decoding the program information;

a memory means for storing the program information; and

a display controller means for controlling a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the display controller means includes an input data amount calculator means for calculating the amount of an input data for the first display zone inputted from the memory, and a comparator means for comparing the amount of the input data calculated by the calculator means with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

20. A digital receiver according to claim 19, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

21. A digital receiver according to claim 20, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

22. A digital receiver according to claim 21, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

23. A digital receiver according to claim 21, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

24. A digital receiver according to claim 19, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

25. A digital receiver according to claim 24, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

26. A digital receiver according to claim 19, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

27. A digital receiver according to claim 26, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

28. A digital receiver comprising:

a receiver means for receiving video program and program information including a title of the video program;

a decoder means for decoding the program information;

a display controller means for controlling a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the display controller means includes an input data amount calculator means for calculating the amount of an input data for the first display zone, and a comparator means for comparing the amount of the input data calculated by the calculator means with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

29. A digital receiver according to claim 28, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

30. A digital receiver according to claim 29, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

31. A digital receiver according to claim 30, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

32. A digital receiver according to claim 30, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

33. A digital receiver according to claim 28, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

34. A digital receiver according to claim 33, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

35. A digital receiver according to claim 28, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

36. A digital receiver according to claim 35, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

37. A method for receiving digital information comprising:

(a) receiving video program and program information including a title of the video program;

(b) decoding the program information;

(c) storing the program information to a memory; and

(d) controlling a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of a display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the operation (d) includes an operation (e) of calculating an amount of an input data for the first display zone inputted from the memory, and an operation (f) of comparing the amount of the input data calculated in the operation (e) with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

38. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 37, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

39. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 38, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

40. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 39, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

41. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 39, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

42. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 37, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

43. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 42, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

44. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 37, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

45. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 44, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

46. A method for receiving digital information comprising:

(a) receiving video program and program information including a title of the video program;

(b) decoding the program information;

(c) controlling a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of a display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the operation (c) includes an operation (d) of calculating an amount of an input data for the first display zone, and an operation (e) of comparing the amount of the input data calculated in the operation (d) with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

47. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 46, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

48. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 47, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

49. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 48, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

50. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 48, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

51. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 46, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

52. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 51, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

53. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 46, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

54. A method for receiving digital information according to claim 53, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

55. A digital receiver comprising:

a receiver which receives a video program and program information including a title of the video program;

a decoder which decodes the program information;

a memory which stores the program information; and

a display controller which controls a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the display controller calculates an amount of an input data for the first display zone inputted from the memory, and compares the amount of the input data with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

56. A digital receiver according to claim 55, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

57. A digital receiver according to claim 56, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

58. A digital receiver according to claim 57, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

59. A digital receiver according to claim 57, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

60. A digital receiver according to claim 55, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

61. A digital receiver according to claim 60, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

62. A digital receiver according to claim 55, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

63. A digital receiver according to claim 62, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

64. A digital receiver comprising:

a receiver which receives a video program and program information including a title of the video program;

a decoder which decodes the program information;

a display controller which controls a display of the program information, the display having a first display zone which displays at least a part of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller and a second display zone which displays an entirety of the title included in the program information under control of the display controller;

wherein the display controller calculates an amount of an input data for the first display zone, and compares the amount of the input data with an amount of displayable data in the first display zone,

and when the amount of the input data is larger than the amount of the displayable data in the first display zone, a part of the title and a symbol indicative of omission are displayed,

and when the first display zone is selected, an entirety of the title in the selected first display zone is displayed in the second display zone.

65. A digital receiver according to claim 64, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

66. A digital receiver according to claim 65, wherein the width of the first display zone is variable.

67. A digital receiver according to claim 66, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

68. A digital receiver according to claim 66, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

69. A digital receiver according to claim 64, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a character of the title.

70. A digital receiver according to claim 69, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.

71. A digital receiver according to claim 64, wherein the amount of the input data is calculated based on a number of characters.

72. A digital receiver according to claim 71, wherein the amount of displayable data is variable in accordance with a width of the first display zone.