Electronic apparatus, method of controlling electronic apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes an acquiring module, a first output module, a second output module and a third output module. The acquiring module is configured to acquire program information via a computer network upon receipt of an instruction to acquire program information. The first outputting module is configured to create a program guide using program information acquired via a computer network. The second outputting module is configured to receive a broadcast of a program designated in the program guide. The third outputting module is configured to acquire program information of the designated program from the received broadcast of the designated program.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present disclosure relates to the subject matters contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-052287 filed on Mar. 8, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments discussed herein relate generally to an electronic apparatus, a method of controlling the electronic apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute controlling of the electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Recently, portable electronic apparatuses (mobile terminals) such as a tablet PC have been widely used. Among such portable electronic apparatuses, for example, a product which can receives and display a television broadcast is being in widespread use.

Usually, such a portable electronic apparatus (mobile terminal) includes, for example, a battery which is available as a driving power supply.

However, electric power accumulated in a battery is finite. Therefore, there is a demand to reduce the power consumption of an electronic apparatus (mobile terminal).

If a user is provided with, for example, program information while watching a television broadcast or the like, convenience is improved.

However, if program information is acquired from a television broadcast or the like with a tuner, the consumption amount of power accumulated in a battery may be increased in proportion to the operating time of the tuner. This is contrary to the demand that the power consumption of an electronic apparatus (mobile terminal) be reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes an acquiring module, a first output module, a second output module and a third output module. The acquiring module is configured to acquire program information via a computer network upon receipt of an instruction to acquire program information. The first outputting module is configured to create a program guide using program information acquired via a computer network. The second outputting module is configured to receive a broadcast of a program designated in the program guide. The third outputting module is configured to acquire program information of the designated program from the received broadcast of the designated program.

FIG. 1is an exemplary view showing an appearance of an electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to a first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, upon receipt of an instruction to acquire program information, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10acquires the program information from a server27via the Internet26.

As described later, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10generates an electronic program guide using the program information acquired via the Internet26, and outputs it to, for example, a video displaying section17(for example, an liquid crystal display (LCD)).

Also, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10receives a broadcast of a program that is designated in the output electronic program guide with, for example, an antenna12, and then output it.

Also, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10acquires the program information of the program from the received broadcast, and then outputs it to, for example, the video displaying section (LCD)17.

The description will be made using a tablet PC as an example of the electronic apparatus10. The invention, however, is not limited thereto. The first embodiment is applicable to various electronic apparatuses such as a notebook personal computer (PC), a smart phone, and a portable telephone, and a portable television receiver.

FIG. 2is an exemplary block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC) according to the first embodiment.

The electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)101, a north bridge102, a main memory103, a south bridge104, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)105, a VRAM (Video RAM (Random Access Memory))105A, a sound controller106, a BIOS-ROM (Basic Input/Output System-Read Only Memory)107, a LAN (Local Area Network) controller108, a hard disk drive (HDD (an example of a storage device))109, an optical disk drive (ODD)110, a USB controller111A, a card controller111B, a wireless LAN controller112, an embedded controller/keyboard controller (EC/KBC)113, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM)114, etc.

The CPU101is a processor which controls various elements of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10.

The CPU101executes a BIOS stored in the BIOS-ROM107. The BIOS is a program for controlling the hardware.

The north bridge102is a bridge device which connects between a local bus of the CPU101and the south bridge104. The north bridge102incorporates a memory controller which controls an access to the main memory103. For example, the north bridge102has also a function of communicating with the GPU105through a serious bus according to the PCI EPRESS standard or the like.

The GPU105is a display controller controlling the video displaying section (LCD)17, which is used as a display monitor of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10.

A display signal generated by the GPU105is sent to the video displaying section (LCD)17. Also, the GPU105can transmit a digital video signal to an external display device1through an HDMI control circuit3and an HDMI terminal2.

The HDMI terminal2is a terminal for connecting the external display device1. The HDMI terminal2enables an uncompressed digital video signal and a digital audio signal to be transmitted through one cable to the external display device1such as a television receiver. The HDMI control circuit3is an interface for transmitting a digital video signal through the HDMI terminal2to the external display device1, which may be called an HDMI monitor.

The south bridge104controls devices on a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, and those on an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus. The south bridge104incorporates an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the HDD109and the ODD110.

The south bridge104has also a function of communicating with the sound controller106.

The sound controller106is a sound source device, and outputs audio data to be reproduced to speakers18A,18B or the HDMI control circuit3. The LAN controller108is a wired communication device which executes wired communication according to, for example, the IEEE 802.3 standard. On the other hand, the wireless LAN controller112is a wireless communication device which executes wireless communication according to, for example, the IEEE 802.11g standard. The USB controller111A communicates with an external apparatus (connected through a USB connector19) according to, for example, the USB 2.0 standard.

For example, the USB controller111A is used for receiving an image data file stored in a digital camera or the like. The card controller111B executes writing/reading of data into/from a memory card such as an SD card inserted into a card slot provided in the computer (note PC) main body.

The EC/KBC113is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard13and the touch pad16are integrated. The EC/KBC113has a function of powering on/off the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10in response to a user's operation on a power button14.

In the first embodiment, for example, the display control is performed by having the CPU101execute programs stored in the main memory103, the HDD109, and the like.

It is noted that the above description is a mere example. The electronic apparatus of the first embodiment may be implemented by hardware which is different from the above-described one.

FIG. 3Ais an exemplary view showing an example in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10according to the first embodiment displays an electronic program guide that is created using program information acquired via the Internet.FIG. 3Bis an exemplary view showing an example in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10according to the first embodiment receives a broadcast of a program which is designated in the electronic program guide, acquires program information thereof, and displays the program information.

Hereinafter, program information according to the first embodiment will be described.

Here, the program information is, for example, information which for use in a system (EPG (electronic program guide)) for outputting and displaying a broadcast program list showing broadcast programs on a screen of a television receiver, etc.

Namely, an electronic program guide provides information in which programs broadcasted from radio and television broadcast stations and the like are summarized in the form of a table.

For example, an electronic program guide includes a title of each program, and start and end times of each program. Moreover, the electronic program guide may further include name of a performer (name of a personality), an indication of a monaural, stereo, or bilingual broadcast, or the like, an indication of a captioned program or a non-captioned program, an indication as to whether or not each program is a new program, an indication as to whether or not each program is a special program, and the like.

In the case where the program is a movie, a drama, or the like, the electronic program guide may further include names of a country, an organization, and year in which the program was produced, event information, and the like.

Moreover, the electronic program guide may further include a description, comments, or the like of broadcast programs, such as outline of the programs or news analysis.

The information relating to broadcast programs constitutes the program information.

When, although not particularly shown inFIG. 3A, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10receives an instruction to acquire program information which is input by a user's operation on the touch pad, a touch sensor of the display screen, or the like, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10acquires program information from the sever27via the Internet26. For example, this operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10may be implemented by the CPU101and the wireless LAN controller112.

Then, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10creates an electronic program guide using the program information acquired via the Internet26, and displays it on the video displaying section (LCD)17. For example, this operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10may be implemented by the CPU101and the GPU105.

In this case, namely, the created electronic program guide is displayed on the video displaying section (LCD)17.

Also, in this case, an information source indication31ais displayed on the video displaying section (LCD)17, so that it is indicated that the program information used in creating the electronic program guide was acquired from the server. For example, the CPU101and the GPU105may output a signal corresponding to the information source indication31aso that the video displaying section (LCD17) displays it.

Also, in this case, as shown in a middle and slightly upper portion of the electronic program guide, “00 Baseball game live”300is designated by the user in the displayed electronic program guide.

Then, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10receives the broadcast of the designated program (“00 Baseball game live”300) via the antenna12and a tuner21, and outputs the program.

FIG. 3Bshows an example in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10receives a broadcast of a program designated by the user in the electronic program guide shown inFIG. 3A(a broadcast of a broadcast station which broadcasts the program) with the antenna12and the tuner21, and displays the program on the video displaying section (LCD)17.

In this example, however, a broadcast program (“Urgent special program”) which is different from the program (“00 Baseball game live”300) designated by the user is displayed as shown inFIG. 3B.

This is because the program information stored in the server27on the Internet26doesn't always easily follow up, for example, continuation of a sport live broadcast beyond a scheduled time slot or broadcasting of an emergency special program.

In the first embodiment, therefore, the program information (such as outline of a program or news analysis) of a program which is currently being watched is acquired from a broadcast wave which broadcasts the currently watched program so that the displayed program information coincides with the program (“Urgent special program”) which is actually broadcasted.

In the first embodiment, if a broadcast program (“Urgent special program”) which is different from the program (“00 Baseball game live”300) designated by the user is displayed as shown inFIG. 3B, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10acquires the program information (such as an outline of a program or news analysis) of the program, which is currently being watched is acquired, from the broadcast wave broadcasting the currently watched program so that the displayed program information coincides with the program (“Urgent special program”) which is actually broadcasted, and displays the program information simultaneously with and in juxtaposition to the program (“Urgent special program”) which is actually broadcasted, on the video displaying section (LCD)17. For example, this operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10may be implemented by the CPU101and the GPU105.

In this case, the displayed program information of the currently watched program includes “Urgent special program”, “Program information”, “XX persons including Mr. A go missing in Mt. B.”, “As of 10:00 a.m., Mt. B is off-limits.”, “Climbers at the summit . . . ”.

In the first embodiment, an information source indication31bindicating that the program information of the currently watched program is information acquired from a broadcast is displayed in juxtaposition to the program information of the currently watched program. For example, this operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10may be implemented by the CPU101and the GPU105.

FIG. 4is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10according to the first embodiment.

Step S100is a starting step of the flow, and then the process proceeds to step S101.

Step S101is a step in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10is powered on, and then the process proceeds to step S102.

Step S102is a step in which it is determined as to whether or not an instruction to acquire program information related to an electronic program guide is received. If it is determined that the instruction to acquire the program information related to the electronic program guide is received (Yes at step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. If it is determined that the instructions to acquire the program information related to the electronic program guide is not received (No at step S102), the process at step S102is repeated.

Step S103is a step in which the program information is acquired from the server27via the Internet26as described above. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

Step S104is a step in which an electronic program guide is created using the acquired program information, and is output to and displayed on the video displaying section17. Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

Step S105is a step in which, as described above, the user designates a desired program in the displayed electronic program guide. Then, the process proceeds to step S106.

Step S106is a step in which, for example, it is determined as to whether or not a program is designated by the user. If it is determined that a program is designated (Yes at Step S106), the process proceeds to step S107. If it is determined that a program is not designated yet (No at step S106), the process at step S106is repeated.

Step S107is a step in which, for example, a broadcast of the program, which is designated by the user, is received with the tuner21, and output to and displayed on the video displaying section17. Then, the process proceeds to step S108.

Step S108is a step in which the program information (such as an outline of a program or news analysis) of the designated program is acquired from the received broadcast of the designated program. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

Step S109is a step in which it is determined as to whether or not the program information (such as outline of a program or news analysis) of the designated program is acquired. If it is determined that the program information of the designated program is acquired (Yes at step S109), the process proceeds to step S110. If it is determined that the program information of the designated program is not acquired (No at step S109), the process at step S109is repeated.

Step S110is a step in which the acquired program information (such as the outline of the program or news analysis) of the designated program is output to and displayed in juxtaposition to the received program on the video displaying section17. Then, the process proceeds to step S111.

Step S111is an ending step, and the process is ended.

In the first embodiment, namely, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10acquires data related to displaying of an electronic program guide from the server27on the Internet26or the like as described above.

However, in many cases, the program information (such as outline of programs or news analysis) stored in the server27on the Internet26doesn't always easily follow up, for example, continuation of a sport live broadcast beyond a scheduled time slot or an urgent special program.

Therefore, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10displays the information, which is acquired from the received broadcast wave, as the program information of the currently watched program (such as the outline of the currently watched program or news analysis).

Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be compared with an electronic apparatus (tablet PC) having one tuner (single tuner).

It is assumed that the single-tuner electronic apparatus (tablet PC) acquires program information of all receivable broadcast stations (channels).

In this case, since the electronic apparatus (tablet PC) has one tuner, the electronic apparatus needs to continuously supply electric power to the tuner for about 40 minutes in a period in which, for example, television isn't watched.

In the electronic apparatus, however, electric power accumulated in a battery is consumed for acquiring the program information.

To the contrary, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10according to the first embodiment has the configuration as described above. Thereby, the operating time of the tuner21is shortened, so that the power consumption of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10can be reduced.

Furthermore, for example, the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10according to the first embodiment acquires the program information of the currently watched program (such as the outline of the currently watched program or news analysis) from the broadcast wave and display the acquired program information of the currently watched program. Thereby, when watching a television broadcast or the like, the user is provided with the program information (such as outline of a program or news analysis), and the convenience can be improved.

Accordingly, the power consumption of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10can be reduced while it is prevented to impair the user's convenience.

Next, an electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to elements that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment. Duplicated description on the same or similar elements may be omitted.

FIG. 5is an exemplary view showing an appearance of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20according to second embodiment to which electric power is supplied from an outside thereof.

The electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20according to the second embodiment is the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)10shown inFIG. 1in which a power plug51which can receive electric power from an external power such as a commercial power is additionally provided.

When the power plug51is inserted into, for example, a commercial power, it is possible to for the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20to receive a power supply.

FIG. 6is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20according to the second embodiment to which electric power is supplied from the outside.

Step S200is a starting step of the flow, and then the process proceeds to step S201.

Step S201is a step in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20is powered on, and then the process proceeds to step S202.

Step S202is a step in which it is determined as to whether or not an external power (for example, a commercial power) is supplied to the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20. If it is determined that the external power (for example, a commercial power) is supplied (Yes at step S202), the process proceeds to step S203. If it is determined that the external power (for example, a commercial power) is not supplied (No at step S202), the process proceeds to step S205(No).

Step S203is a step in which the tuner21receives broadcasts of a plurality of broadcast stations, for example, in a sequential manner, to acquire program information transmitted (broadcasted) from the broadcast stations. Then, the process proceeds to step S204.

Step S204is a step in which the acquired information is stored, for example, in the EEPROM114, and then the process proceeds to step S205.

Step S205is an ending step, and the process is ended.

FIG. 7is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20according to the second embodiment in the case where program information has already been stored.

Step S300is a starting step, and then the process proceeds to step S301.

Step301is a step in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20is powered on, and then the process proceeds to step S302.

Step S302is a step in which it is determined as to whether or not an instruction to display an electronic program guide is received. If it is determined that the instruction to display the electronic program guide is received (Yes at step S302), the process proceeds to step S303. If it is determined that the instruction to display the electronic program guide is not received (No at step S302), the process in this step is repeated.

Step S303is a step in which it is determined as to whether or not program information has already been stored in the EEPROM114. If it is determined that program information has already been stored (Yes at step S303), the process proceeds to step S304. If it is determined that any program information has not been stored (No at step S303), the process proceeds to step S305.

Step S304is a step in which the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20creates a program guide using the program information stored in the EEPROM114, and output the program guide to and display the program guide on the video displaying section17. Then, the process proceeds to step S305.

Step S305is an ending step, and the process is ended. In other words, if it is determined that any program information has not been stored in the EEPROM114(No at step S303), a program guide is not created at this time even through the instruction to display the program guide is received.

With this configuration, in the second embodiment, if the external power is supplied to the electronic apparatus (tablet PC)20, for example, the tuner21can operate with the external power to acquire program information and store the acquired program information in the EEPROM114in advance.

Also, an electronic program guide can be created using the program information, which is acquired with the tuner21, and displayed.

Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the power consumption of the electronic apparatus at a time of being driven with the battery can be reduced while the user's convenience is improved.

According to the above embodiments, an electronic apparatus (for example, a tablet PC) includes an acquiring module (for example, the CPU101and/or the like) configured to acquire program information via a computer network (for example, the Internet26) upon receipt of an instruction to acquire the program information.

The electronic apparatus may further include a first outputting module (for example, the CPU101and/or the like) configured to create a program guide using the program information acquired via the computer network and output the created program guide

The electronic apparatus may further include a second outputting module (for example, the CPU101and/or the like) configured to receive a broadcast of a program designated in the output program guide and outputted the broadcast of the designated program

The electronic apparatus may further include a third outputting module (for example, the CPU101and/or the like) configured to acquire program information of the designated program from the received broadcast of the designated program and output the acquired program information of the designated program.

The program information of the designated program and the received broadcast of the designated program may be configured to be outputted to and displayed on the video displaying section17in juxtaposition to the received broadcast of the designated program.

Although not particularly shown, the electronic apparatus may further include a battery which can supply an electric power.

For example, the program information which is acquired via the communication network (for example, the Internet26) may be information acquired from the external server27.

The electronic apparatus may further include a power receiving module (for example, the power plug51and/or the like) configured to receive electric power from a power source outside of the electronic apparatus. When the power receiving module receives the electronic power from the power source, the second outputting module may be configured to receive broadcasts from a plurality of broadcast stations and the third outputting module may be configured to acquire program information of the plurality of broadcast stations from the received broadcasts.

In the electronic apparatus, when the third outputting module acquires the program information of the plurality of broadcast stations, the first outputting module (the CPU101and/or the like) may be configured to create a program guide using the program information of the plurality of broadcast stations and output the program guide.

The electronic apparatus may further include a fourth outputting module (the CPU101and/or the like) configured to output an indication (for example, the information source indication31band/or the like) that the program information of the designated program is acquired from the broadcast of the designated program.

With the above configuration, in the embodiments, the power consumption of the electronic apparatus can be reduced while the user's convenience is improved.

The same effects as those of the embodiments can be easily achieved simply by installing and executing a program for executing the procedures of the control process according to any of the embodiments in a general-purpose computer through a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

The above embodiments are not limited to description itself. When any of the embodiments is put into practical use, respective elements in the embodiment may be modified in various manners so long as the modification does not depart from the gist of the embodiment.

Also, various modified embodiments may be made by appropriately combining plural elements described in the respective embodiments.

For example, some elements may be eliminated from all the elements described in each embodiment. Furthermore, elements in different embodiments may be combined appropriately.