Patent ID: 8711090
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A content output control device for controlling a content output apparatus which obtains, from a plurality of content providing devices some of which are available via a network, contents through device processing sections compatible with the respective content providing devices; and outputs the obtained contents, the content output control device comprising: a switching section for, when a channel switching operation is inputted by a user, switching between channels on the basis of the channel switching operation and determining whether a zapping operation is currently performed; a channel management section for managing, as channel arrangement, arrangement in which channels provided by the plurality of the content providing devices are arranged in order of switching by the channel switching operation; and a determination section for, when the switching section determines that the zapping operation is currently performed, calculating, on the basis of the channel arrangement, an estimated time period until a channel for displaying a content being currently viewed is switched to an initial channel of a different content providing device from a content providing device providing the content being currently viewed; and determining that a start-up timing has come when the estimated time period falls below a predetermined value, wherein the switching section, when the determination section determines that the start-up timing has come, starts up a device processing section connected to the different content providing device.