Abstract:
Provided is a picture display device having greater ease of use even when shared by a plurality of users. A picture display device comprising: an individual information storage unit for correlating and storing individual setting information and operator information; an operator identification unit for identifying an operator operating the picture display device; an operation confirmation unit for confirming whether the information of the operator identified by the operator identification device and who will operate the picture display device matches the operator information stored in the individual information storage unit; and a control unit for reading out the individual setting information correlated and stored with the operator information in the individual information storage unit and applying to the picture display device the setting modification based on the individual setting information thus read out.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a technique for changing settings in a picture display device. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In general, a picture display device such as a television device enables a user thereof to adjust the picture quality such as brightness, contrast, and tint, in accordance with the user&#39;s preference. However, when the user tries to adjust the picture quality of the picture display device, the user has to manually change respective setting values while confirming a picture displayed on the picture display device, and therefore time and labor are required. As a method for reducing this time and labor, there is a technique described in the Patent Literature 1 as shown below. 
         [0003]    The following Patent Literature 1 describes a technique that “in a state where a picture quality adjustment screen showing N sample images having different picture quality parameters is displayed on the display unit, where N is an integer equal to or larger than 3, when two sample images are selected, the picture quality adjustment screen is changed to show N or less than N sample images having picture quality parameter values between the values of the two sample images; and in a state where the picture quality adjustment screen showing N or less than N sample images is displayed on the display unit, when one sample image is selected, the value of the picture quality parameter of the image displayed on the display unit is set to the value of the selected sample image.” By this technique, it is possible to easily set the picture quality in accordance with the selected sample image. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0004]    PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-147828 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    In a case where a picture display device is a television device placed in the living room, for example, it is considered that the user is not limited, and a plurality of users share the picture display device. In a case there are a plurality of users and the preference of the settings such as the picture quality is different between the users, each user has to choose either to use the picture display device while accepting the settings that do not match the preference thereof or to change the settings of the picture quality or the like every time that user uses the picture display device. Thus, usability is not good. 
         [0006]    In the aforementioned situation, it is desirable that the picture display device identifies each user and automatically changes its settings in accordance with the identified user. However, Patent Literature 1 described above does not consider the aforementioned problem. Moreover, also in a case where the picture display device has a function of recording digital broadcast programs or the like and displays a list or table of recorded programs, for example, the picture display device can have improved usability by being configured to identify the respective users and automatically set a manner of displaying the content corresponding to the identified user. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a picture display device having improved usability even in a case the picture display device is shared by a plurality of users, considering the aforementioned problems. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    As a solution of the aforementioned problems, according to the present invention, a picture display device, a setting modification method therefor, and a setting modification program therefor recited in the claims may be used, for example. 
         [0009]    In an example, a picture display device may be configured to include: an individual information storage unit which stores information related to a settings change applied to the picture display device and information related to an operator instructing the settings change to the picture display device as individual settings information and operator information, respectively, so that they are associated with each other; an operator identification unit which identifies an operator operating the picture display device; an operator confirmation unit which confirms whether or not information of the operator operating the picture display device identified by the operator identification unit coincides with the operator information stored in the individual information storage unit; and a control unit which, in a case where as a result of a confirmation process in the operator confirmation unit, the information on the operator operating the picture display device, identified by the operator identification unit, coincides with the operator information stored in the individual information storage unit, reads out the individual settings information stored in the individual information storage unit in association with the operator information and applies the settings change based on the individual settings information thus read out to the picture display device. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0010]    By using the technique of the present invention, a picture display device having improved usability can be provided even in a case the picture display device is shared by a plurality of users. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a picture display device according to an example. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an operator identification process according to an example. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an operator identification process according to an example. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an operator identification process according to an example. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a screen diagram explaining an OSD massage for clearly showing an operator according to an example. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram explaining an operator identification process according to an example. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram explaining an operator identification process according to an example. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a portable information terminal according to an example. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a screen diagram explaining an OSD massage for clearly showing an operator according to an example. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram explaining an operator identification process according to an example. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of a remote controller according to an example. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram explaining a settings change process performed in accordance with an operator identified in the operator identification process, according to an example. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart explaining the settings change process performed in accordance with the operator identified in the operator identification process, according to an example. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart explaining a process of updating individual settings and a process of storing new operator information, according to an example. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram explaining a settings menu structure of the picture display device according to an example. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram explaining individual settings related to displaying recorded contents according to an example. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram explaining settings related to a display layout according to an example. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below, using the drawings. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a picture display device according to this example. The picture display device  100  includes a main control unit  101 , a system bus  102 , a ROM  103 , a RAM  104 , a broadcast receiver unit  110 , a display unit  121 , a display processing unit  122 , a speaker  123 , an audio processing unit  124 , a storage unit  130 , a video input unit  141 , an operator identification unit  142 , an audio input unit  143 , an external interface  150 , and an operation unit  160 . 
         [0030]    The picture display device  100  may be a television device with a recording function which includes therein a function of recording and reproducing a digital broadcast program, or may be a television device supporting recording which does not include therein the recording and reproducing function but enables a digital broadcast program to be recorded or reproduced on/from a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device or the like externally connected thereto. Moreover, the picture display device  100  may be an internet supporting television device capable of displaying a picture content accumulated in a content server connected to a network such as the Internet. The picture display device  100  may be a tablet terminal, a desktop/portable PC (Person Computer), a game player or the like which has a digital broadcast receiving function and a function of recording and reproducing a received digital broadcast program. The picture display device  100  may be a tablet terminal, a desktop/portable PC, or a game player, for example, which is capable of displaying a picture content accumulated in a content server connected to a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, the picture display device  100  may be a combination of a recording and reproducing apparatus such as a HDD recorder or a BD (Blu-ray Disc) recorder and a monitor device. The picture display device  100  may be a combination of a STB (Set Top Box) capable of receiving a digital broadcast and/or receiving a picture content accumulated in a content server connected to a network such as the Internet, and a monitor device. The picture display device  100  may be a display device with a touch panel capable of displaying and outputting a figure and a character input by means of the touch panel. 
         [0031]    The main control unit  101  is a microprocessor unit which controls the entire picture display device  100  in accordance with a predetermined program. The system bus  102  is a data communication path for data transmission and reception between the main control unit  101  and the respective portions in the picture display device  100 . The ROM (Read Only Memory)  103  is a memory in which a basic operation program of the picture display device  100  such as an operating system or a predetermined application program is stored, and a rewritable ROM such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash ROM is used, for example. It is possible to upgrade the version of the basic operation program or expand features thereof by updating the program stored in the ROM  103 . The ROM  103  may use a portion of a storage area in the storage unit  130  described later, instead of being configured independently, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The RAM (Random Access Memory)  104  is a working area during execution of the basic operation program or each application. The ROM  103  and the RAM  104  may be integrally configured with the main control unit  101 . 
         [0032]    The broadcast receiver unit  110  receives a digital broadcast wave and performs signal processing such as decoding. Especially, a tuner  111  extracts a signal of a channel selected by a user who operates the picture display device  100  from a broadcast wave received by an antenna which is not shown, and demodulates a TS (Transport Stream) signal. A splitter  112  splits the TS signal into video data, audio data, and associated information data each of which is packetized, and outputs the video data to a video decoder  113 , the audio data to an audio decoder  114 , and the associated information data to an information decoder  115 . The video decoder  113  decodes the video data output from the splitter  112 , and outputs a video signal to the display processing unit  122 . The audio decoder  114  decodes the audio data output from the splitter  112 , and outputs an audio signal to the audio processing unit  124 . The information decoder  115  processes the associated information data output from the splitter  112 , and especially acquires SI (Service Information) information including program information such as a program name, a genre, and start and end date and time of broadcasting of each program, for example. 
         [0033]    The display unit  121  is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, for example, and provides the video signal processed by the display processing unit  122  to the user of the picture display device  100 . The display processing unit  122  also performs format conversion, a process of superimposing a menu or other OSD (On Screen Display) signal, or the like for the video signal input thereto, as necessary. The speaker  123  provides the audio signal processed by the audio processing unit  124  to the user of the picture display device  100 . 
         [0034]    The storage unit  130  is used for storing values of various operation settings of the picture display device  100 , information of the user of the picture display device  100 , and various applications operated in the picture display device  100 , and is also used for recording a digital broadcast program, for example. The storage  130  is formed by an individual information storage area  131  for storing operator information of the picture display device  100 , information related to individual settings for each operator, and the like, a program storage area  132  for recording a digital broadcast program therein and storing information related to the recording of the digital broadcast program (e.g., reservation information), and a storage area for other information  133 . 
         [0035]    All or some of the functions of the ROM  103  can be replaced with a portion of the other information storage area  133 . The picture display device  100  can expand its feature by downloading a new application from an application server connected to a network such as the Internet. In this case, the downloaded new application is stored in the other information storage area  133 . By expansion of the new application stored in the other information storage area  133  onto the RAM  104  and execution of it, the picture display device  100  can implement a number of types of new functions. 
         [0036]    The storage unit  130  needs to hold stored information even in a state where no power is supplied to the picture display device  100 . Therefore, a device such as a flash ROM, SSD (Solid State Drive), or HDD is used. 
         [0037]    The video input unit  141  is a camera which inputs image data of surroundings and/or an object by converting light input through a lens into an electric signal. The video input unit  141  may be included in the picture display device  100  to be integrally configured therewith, or a separate camera may be connected to a USB interface described later. The operator identification unit  142  performs a process of identifying a person who operates the picture display device  100  or a terminal device used for operating the picture display device  100  (hereinafter, the person and the terminal device are collectively referred to as an operator) (hereinafter, referred to as an operator identification process). The details of the operator identification process will be described later. Although the operator identification unit  142  is shown as being independently configured in  FIG. 1 , the main control unit  101  may work to implement the same function by using the RAM  104  as a working area. The audio input unit  143  is a microphone, for example, and converts the voice of the user or the like into audio data and inputs the audio data. The audio input unit  143  may be included in the picture display device  100  to be integrally configured therewith, or a separate microphone may be connected to the USB interface described later. 
         [0038]    The external interface  150  is a group of interfaces for expanding the functions of the picture display device  100 , and is formed by a LAN (Local Area Network) interface  151 , an audio input/output unit  152 , a video input/output unit  153 , a USB (Universal Serial Bass) interface  154  in this example. The LAN interface  151  connects to a network such as the Internet by wired or wireless communication to transmit and receive information. The LAN interface  151  includes an encoding circuit and a decoding circuit, for example. The audio input/output unit  152  and the video input/output unit  153  input an audio/video signal from an external audio/video output device and output an audio/video signal to an external audio/video input device. In a case where the picture display device  100  is a HDD recorder, a BD recorder, or a STB, a monitor device may be connected to the audio input/output unit  152  and the video input/output unit  153 . The USB interface  154  performs connection with a USB device such as a keyboard or a memory card, for example. In a case where the picture display device  100  does not have a recording/reproducing function therein but records a digital broadcast program onto an HDD device or the like externally connected, the HDD device or the like may be connected to the USB interface  154 . 
         [0039]    The operation unit  160  is an instruction input unit which inputs an operation instruction to the picture display device  100 , and is formed by an operation key  161  in which button switches are arranged and a remote control receiver unit  162  which receives an infrared ray signal from a remote controller in this example. In place of the operation key  161 , the picture display device  100  may be operated by means of a touch panel superimposed on the display unit  121 . Both may be used together. The picture display device  100  may be operated by means of a keyboard or the like connected to the USB interface  154 . The picture display device  100  may be operated by means of a portable information terminal, a PC, or the like connected via the LAN interface  151  to the network. 
         [0040]    The exemplary configuration of the picture display device  100  shown in  FIG. 1  also includes a component that is not essential to the present invention, e.g., the external interface  150 . Without that component, the advantages of the present invention are not spoiled. Moreover, a component such as a communication unit enabling a mobile telephone network communication, a mail transmission/reception unit, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, an earth magnetic field sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver unit may be further included. 
         [0041]    The picture display device  100  of this example has a function of performing the operator identification process by being controlled by the operator identification unit  142  and automatically changing its settings in accordance with the identified operator. 
         [0042]    An exemplary case is described below in which the aforementioned operator identification process is performed by inputting an image of a person who operates the picture display device  100 . 
         [0043]    For example, in a case where a person A ( 400   a ) is an operator who operates the picture display device  100  by means of a remote controller  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , first the video input unit  141  inputs an image of the person A ( 400   a ) who is the operator of the picture display device  100 . Moreover, the operator identification unit  142  extracts face information (operator information) from the input image and performs a face recognition process in which the extracted face information is compared with face information stored by a user of the picture display device  100  in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the person A ( 400   a ) has already registered its face information in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the person A ( 400   a ) by the aforementioned face recognition process. 
         [0044]    Alternatively, the video input unit  141  inputs an image of the person A ( 400   a ) who is the operator of the picture display device  100 , and the operator identification unit  142  extracts gesture information (operator information) of the person A ( 400   a ) from the input image and performs a gesture recognition process in which the extracted gesture information is compared with gesture information stored by a user of the picture display device  100  in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the person A ( 400   a ) has already registered its gesture information in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the person A ( 400   a ) by the gesture recognition process. 
         [0045]    In a case of performing the operator identification process using the gesture recognition process, the picture display device  100  may be configured to, after a predetermined operation, recognize that the gesture for the operator identification process has been performed. More specifically, in a case where the remote controller  200  has a “gesture input” button, for example, the gesture recognition for the operator identification process may be performed after the “gesture input” button is pressed. Alternatively, after the operator speaks a predetermined keyword (e.g., “start the gesture input”) and the picture display device  100  recognizes that keyword, the operator may perform the gesture for the operator identification process and the picture display device  100  may recognize it. In this manner, the recognition efficiency in the gesture recognition process can be improved. 
         [0046]    In a case where there are more than one person (a person A ( 400   a ), a person B ( 400   b ), and a person C ( 400   c )) watching the picture display device  100 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , the video input unit  141  inputs images of those people and detects infrared light output from a remote control transmitter unit  240  of the remote controller  200 . By this configuration, the operator identification unit  142  can identify the person A ( 400   a ) holding the remote controller  200  as the operator of the picture display device  100  by extracting face images of those people and the positions of the bodies connected to those face images from the input images and analyzing the positional relationship between the face images and the body positions thus extracted and the detected infrared light. Furthermore, the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the person A ( 400   a ) by performing a face recognition process or a gesture recognition process for the identified person A ( 400   a ). 
         [0047]    For the face recognition process and the gesture recognition process, known techniques may be used. Therefore, the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0048]    An exemplary case is described below in which the operator identification process is performed by inputting a voice uttered from a person who operates the picture display device  100 . 
         [0049]    For example, in a case where a person A ( 400   a ) is an operator who operates the picture display device  100  by means of the remote controller  200 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the audio input unit  143  inputs the voice uttered by the person A ( 400   a ) who is the operator of the picture display device  100 . Moreover, the operator identification unit  142  extracts predetermined keyword information (operator information) from the input voice, and performs a speech recognition process in which the extracted keyword information is compared with keyword information that a user of the picture display device  100  has stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the person A ( 400   a ) has already registered the keyword information determined by the person A in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the person A ( 400   a ) by the speech recognition process. 
         [0050]    The keyword information may be a phrase such as “I will operate”, “operation start”, or “start-up”, or a name of a person or a pet, or a word such as “mountain” or “river”. Moreover, in the speech recognition process, the voice quality or the like does not necessarily coincide if the keyword coincides. 
         [0051]    Alternatively, the audio input unit  143  inputs the voice uttered by the person A ( 400   a ) who is the operator of the picture display device  100 , and the operator identification unit  142  extracts voiceprint information (operator information) by performing voiceprint analysis for the input voice and carries out a voiceprint analysis process in which the extracted voiceprint information is compared with voiceprint information that a user of the picture display device  100  has stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the person A ( 400   a ) has already registered the voiceprint information thereof in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the person A ( 400   a ) by the aforementioned voiceprint analysis process. 
         [0052]    The voice used for the voiceprint analysis process may be a given phrase or word, but when a phrase or a word that is determined in advance (e.g., “I will operate”) is used, the efficiency of analysis in the voiceprint analysis process can be improved. 
         [0053]    For the speech recognition process and the voiceprint analysis process, known techniques may be used. Therefore, the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0054]    In a case where the person operating the picture display device  100  is a person who has registered information thereof in advance in the individual information storage area  131 , when that person has performed any operation for the picture display device  100 , an OSD message indicating that person is operating the picture display device  100  may be displayed. 
         [0055]    For example, in a case where a person A ( 400   a ) who has stored its operator information in advance in the individual information storage area  131  is identified as the operator of the picture display device  100  by the operator identification process, when the person A ( 400   a ) has performed any operation for the picture display device  100 , the picture display device  100  displays, on the display unit  121 , an OSD message  121 - 1  indicating that the picture display device  100  is being operated by the person A ( 400   a ). By doing this, it is possible to clarify who is the person operating the picture display device  100 , especially in a case where there are more than one person watching the picture display device  100 . 
         [0056]    A timing at which the picture display device  100  displays the OSD message  121 - 1  may be every time the operation of the picture display device  100  is performed, or only a timing at which a predetermined operation (e.g., an operation related to a change of the settings of the picture display device  100 ) is performed. 
         [0057]    The operator identification process may be performed only at a predetermined timing (e.g., when the device  100  is turned on or resumes from its sleep state). Alternatively, the operator identification process may be performed every time the picture display device  100  receives a control command from the remote controller  200  or regularly at a predetermined time interval. 
         [0058]    Moreover, a technique has been common these days in which a dedicated application is operated so that a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet device is used as a terminal device for operating a television device for digital broadcast reception. 
         [0059]    An exemplary case of a case is described below in which that technique is applied and the aforementioned operator identification process is performed by inputting a sound output from a portable information terminal (a terminal device for operating the picture display device  100 ) owned by a person who operates the picture display device  100 . 
         [0060]    For example, in a case where a portable information terminal  300  has a function of transmitting an infrared ray signal for operating the picture display device  100  in place of the remote controller  200  and a person A ( 400   a ) is an operator who operates the picture display device  100  by means of the portable information terminal  300 , first the audio input unit  143  inputs a sound that the person A ( 400   a ) who is the operator of the picture display device  100  caused the portable information terminal  300  owned thereby to generate. Then, the operator identification unit  142  performs digital sampling of the input sound to convert it into sound data (operator information), and performs a sound source analysis process in which that sound data is compared with sound data that a user of the picture display device  100  has stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the person A ( 400   a ) has already registered the sound data chosen by the person A in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the person A ( 400   a ) by the aforementioned sound source analysis process. 
         [0061]    As the sound data, a cry of an animal, a sound generated by musical instrument performance, a popular song or the like may be used. Moreover, as for the sound source analysis process, a known technique may be used. Therefore, the detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0062]    An example in a case where the operator identification process is performed by communication with a terminal device such as a portable information device, which operates the picture display device  100  is described below. 
         [0063]    For example, in a case where a portable information terminal  300  owned by a person A ( 400   a ) is the operator of the picture display device  100 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the portable information terminal device  300  transmits a control command and operator information to the picture display device  100  via a router device  360  in accordance with an operation by the person A ( 400   a ). On the other hand, in the picture display device  100 , the main control unit  101  interprets and executes the transmitted control command, and simultaneously the operator identification unit  142  performs an operator identification process using the transmitted operator information. 
         [0064]    More specifically, in a case where the portable information terminal  300  of this example has a structure shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 8 , the person A ( 400   a ) operates an operation unit  340  of the portable information terminal  300  (for which communication with the picture display device  100  has been established by an authentication process with the picture display device  100 ) in which an application for picture display device control is running, so that first a main control unit  301  converts that operation into a control command for the picture display device  100 . Then, the main control unit  301  transmits operator information for making the portable information terminal  300  be identified as the operator of the picture display device  100  in the operator identification process in the operator identification unit  142 , from a LAN communication unit  352  by superimposing it on the control command. 
         [0065]    In the picture display device  100 , the LAN interface  151  receives the control command on which the operator information is superimposed, transmitted via the router device  360 , and the main control unit  101  interprets and executes the received control command. At the same time, the operator identification unit  142  extracts the operator information from the received control command on which the operator information is superimposed, and performs a process of comparing the extracted operator information with operator information stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the operator information of the portable information terminal  300  has already registered in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the portable information terminal  300  by the aforementioned comparison process. 
         [0066]    The operator information may be data of the portable information terminal  300  such as a product name or a model number, or data such as a product number or a serial number thereof. In a case where the portable information terminal  300  has a telephone communication function, the operator information may be a telephone number used in the telephone communication function or other unique number data associated with that telephone number. The operator information may be a keyword, a pass code, or an owner number which is arbitrarily determined by the owner of the portable information terminal  300 , for example. Moreover, the operator information may be stored in the ROM  303 , the RAM  304 , or the storage unit  310 , or may be stored in a memory card (not shown) connected to a memory interface  341 . Furthermore, owner data stored in a data server or the like on the Internet in association with the telephone number or the unique number may be downloaded to be used as the operator information. 
         [0067]    In addition, it is desirable that the portable information terminal  300  has a user authentication function for authenticating the owner of the portable information terminal  300  and makes the operator information effective (available for transmission) only when the authentication of the owner of the portable information terminal  300  by the user authentication function is successful. 
         [0068]    The process of authenticating the owner of the portable information terminal  300  may be performed by inputting a password or a pass code to the operation unit  340 . Alternatively, the authentication process may be carried out by face recognition by inputting a face image to a video input unit  322  or other image recognition. The authentication process may be carried out by speech recognition by an audio input to an audio input unit  324 , voiceprint analysis, or a sound source analysis by inputting a sound generated by musical instrument performance, a popular song or the like. Alternatively, the authentication process may be performed by fingerprint identification by inputting a fingerprint to a fingerprint input unit which is not shown. The authentication process may be performed by biometric authentication which identifies a palm print, an iris, veins or the like. The authentication process may be performed by touch authentication in which predetermined positions on a touch panel arranged on the operation unit  340  are touched in a predetermined order. 
         [0069]    By providing the portable information terminal  300  with the user authentication function in this manner, it is possible to prevent someone different from the owner of the portable information terminal  300  from using the operator information of the portable information terminal  300 . 
         [0070]    In a case where the portable information terminal  300  is identified as the operator of the picture display device  100  by the operator identification process, when an operation by the portable information terminal  300  is performed for the picture display device  100 , an OSD message  121 - 2  indicating the portable information terminal  300  is operating the picture display device  100  may be displayed, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0071]    Moreover, by further storing information indicating that the owner of the portable information terminal  300  having the aforementioned operator information is the person A ( 400   a ) in the individual information storage area  131 , the operator identification unit  142  can indirectly identify the person A ( 400   a ) as the person using the portable information terminal  300  which is the operator of the picture display device  100 . 
         [0072]    In this case, when the portable information terminal  300  is identified as the operator of the picture display device  100  by the operator identification process and an operation of the picture display device  100  is performed by the portable information terminal  300 , the OSD message  121 - 1  indicating that the person A ( 400   a ) is operating the picture display device  100  may be displayed. 
         [0073]    A timing at which the picture display device  100  displays the OSD message  121 - 2  or the OSD message  121 - 1  may be every time the portable information terminal  300  has transmitted the control command to the picture display device  100  in accordance with the operation by the person A ( 400   a ) or may be only a timing at which a predetermined operation (e.g., an operation related to a settings change of the picture display device  100 ) has been carried out. 
         [0074]    The operator identification process may be performed only at a predetermined timing (e.g., when the picture display device  100  is turned on, when the picture display device  100  resumes from its sleeping state, or when communication between the picture display device  100  and the portable information terminal  300  is established). Alternatively, the operator identification process may be performed every time the picture display device  100  receives the control command from the portable information terminal  300  or may be performed regularly at a predetermined time interval. The operator identification process may be performed by a request of transmission of the operator information from the picture display device  100  to the portable information terminal  300   
         [0075]    Next, an exemplary case is described below in which the aforementioned operator identification process is performed by storing operator information in the remote controller  200  in advance. 
         [0076]    For example, in a case where a person A ( 400   a ) is the operator who operates the picture display device  100  by using the remote controller  200 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , the person A ( 400   a ) stores operator information for making the person A be identified in the remote controller  200  in advance. Moreover, the remote controller  200  transmits a control command and the operator information to the picture display device  100  in accordance with an operation by the person A ( 400   a ). On the other hand, in the picture display device  100 , the main control unit  101  interprets and executes the transmitted control command, and the operator identification process is carried out by the operator identification unit  142  by using the transmitted operator information. 
         [0077]    An exemplary method for storing the operator information for making the picture display device  100  identify the person A ( 400   a ) in the remote controller  200  in advance is described below. 
         [0078]    For example, in a case where the remote controller  200  of this example is configured as shown in the block diagram shown in  FIG. 11 , the person A ( 400   a ) may input a predetermined access key (operator information) which is determined and stored in advance by the person A in the individual information storage area  131 , from the operation unit  220  of the remote controller  200  so that the access key is stored in the RAM  204 . Alternatively, the person A ( 400   a ) may bring the portable information terminal  300  owned thereby close to the remote controller  200  to establish communication between a near field communication unit  353  of the portable information terminal  300  and a near field communication unit  252  of the remote controller  200  so that the remote controller  200  reads out the operator information that the portable information terminal  300  has and stores it in the RAM  204 . Alternatively, the person A ( 400   a ) may connect a memory card  260  (or an item similar to the memory card) in which predetermined identification information (operator information) determined and stored by the person A ( 400   a ) in advance in the individual information storage area  131  is recorded to a memory interface  252  of the remote controller  200 . 
         [0079]    When the person A ( 400   a ) operates the operation unit  220  of the remote controller  200  in which any of the aforementioned types of operator information is stored by the aforementioned process, the main control unit  201  superimposes the any of the aforementioned types of operator information on a control command for controlling the picture display device  100  and transmits it as an infrared ray signal from the remote control transmitter unit  240 . 
         [0080]    In the picture display device  100 , the control command with the operator information superimposed thereon is received by the remote control receiver unit  162 , and the main control unit  101  interprets and executes the control command. At the same time, the operator identification unit  142  extracts the any of the aforementioned operator information from the control command with the operator information superimposed thereon, and carries out a process of comparing the extracted operator information with the operator information stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131 . In a case where the person A ( 400   a ) has registered operator information for making the person A be identified in the individual information storage area  131  in advance, the operator identification unit  142  can identify the operator of the picture display device  100  as the portable information terminal  300  by that comparison process. 
         [0081]    In a case where a person different from the person A ( 400   a ) uses the remote controller  200 , that different person newly performs the process of storing operator information for making that different person be identified in the remote controller  200 . This enables the operator identification process to be carried out even in a case where more than one person watch the picture display device  100  and share the remote controller  200 , for example. 
         [0082]    The aforementioned operator identification process may be performed every time the picture display device  100  receives the control command from the remote controller  200 , or may be performed by regular transmission of the operator information to the picture display device  100  performed by the remote controller  200  at a predetermined time interval, independently of the operation by the person A ( 400   a ). 
         [0083]    The examples of the operator identification process are described above, using the drawings. The methods described in the aforementioned examples may be used in combination, instead of being used solely. The operator identification process may be performed by using a different method from the aforementioned examples. As a different method for the operator identification process, a biometric authentication process which confirms a fingerprint, a palm print, veins, an iris, or the like, and inputting a login password and the like are considered. 
         [0084]    The picture display device  100  of this example further performs a settings change process of applying the individual settings for each operator in accordance with the operator identified by the aforementioned operator identification process.  FIGS. 12 and 13  are a diagram and a flowchart for explaining the settings change process performed by the picture display device  100  in accordance with the operator identified by the operator identified process. 
         [0085]    It is assumed that the picture display device  100  shown in  FIG. 12  stores, as operator information of an operator of the picture display device  100  and individual settings for that operator, operator information of a person A ( 400   a ) and individual settings for the person A ( 400   a ), operator information of a person B ( 400   b ) and individual settings for the person B ( 400   b ), and operator information of a person C ( 400   c ) and individual settings for the person C ( 400   c ) to be associated with each other in the individual information storage area  131  in advance. 
         [0086]    In this state, when the picture display device  100  is turned on by means of a terminal device such as a remote controller or a portable information terminal (S 101 ), the main control unit  101  of the picture display device  100  performs a startup process such as initialization of the respective components, and at the same time the operator identification unit  142  performs an operator identification process (S 102 ). In the operator identification process performed in S 102 , the methods described in the aforementioned examples may be used, for example. In the operator identification process in S 102 , when identification of an operator is successful (S 103 ) and it is confirmed that the identified operator has been stored as the operator of the picture display device  100  in advance (S 104 ), i.e., when operator information of a person operating the picture display device  100  or a terminal device used for operating the picture display device  100  coincides with operator information stored in the individual information storage area  131 , the main control unit  101  reads out the individual settings for the operator thus identified from the individual information storage area  131  (S 105 ) and applies the read individual settings (S 106 ). 
         [0087]    For example, in a case where the person A ( 400   a ) is identified as the operator of the picture display device  100  by a series of processes from S 102  to S 104 , the main control unit  101  reads out the individual settings for the person A ( 400   a ) stored in association with the operator information of the person A ( 400   a ) in the individual information storage area  131  and applies it. Similarly, the main control unit  101  reads out from the individual information storage area  131  and applies the individual settings for the person B ( 400   b ) in a case where the person B ( 400   b ) is identified as the operator of the picture display device  100 , and reads out from the individual information storage area  131  and applies the individual settings for the person C ( 400   c ) in a case where the person C ( 400   c ) is identified. 
         [0088]    On the other hand, in a case where identification of the operator is unsuccessful in a series of processes from S 102  to S 103 , or a case where identification of the operator is successful in a series of processes from S 102  to S 104 , but the operator information of the identified operator is not confirmed as being stored in the individual information storage area  131  (e.g., a case where the person identified in the operator identification process is a person D ( 400   d ), or a case where the operator information of the identified terminal device is not stored in the individual information storage area  131 ), the main control unit  101  reads out standard settings provided in the picture display device  100  from the ROM  103  (S 115 ) and applies the read standard settings (S 106 ). 
         [0089]    When the picture display device  100  of this example is turned off and when the operator is changed during operation, the picture display device  100  performs a process of updating the individual settings for each operator stored in the individual information storage area  131  (in a case where the process of S 105  is selected during execution of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 13 ) or a process of newly storing operator information of a new operator and individual settings for the new operator in the individual information storage area  131  (in a case where the process of S 115  is selected during execution of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 13 ) as necessary.  FIG. 14  is a flowchart explaining the process of updating the individual settings for each operator stored in the individual information storage area  131  ( FIG. 14(A) ) and the process of newly storing the operator information of the new operator and the individual settings for the new operator in the individual information setting area  131  (FIG.  14 (B)), to be performed when the picture display device  100  is turned off. 
         [0090]    When a control command is transmitted from the terminal device such as the remote controller or the portable information terminal while the picture display device  100  is waiting for the control command, the picture display device  100  receives the control command at the remote control receiver unit  162  or the LAN interface  151  (S 201 ). Then, the main control unit  101  confirms whether or not the received control command is a power-off command (S 202 ). In a case where the control command received in S 201  is not the power-off command, the main control unit  101  executes the received control command and then the picture display device  100  returns to the state for waiting the control command. 
         [0091]    On the other hand, in a case where the control command received in S 201  is the power-off command, the main control unit  101  reads out and applies the individual settings for each operator or the standard settings provided in the picture display device  100  and thereafter confirms whether or not the settings of the picture display device  100  are changed by the operator (S 203 ). When it is determined that the settings are changed in S 203 , the main control unit  101  executes the process of updating the individual settings for each operator stored in the individual information storage area  131  (S 204 : in a case where the process of reading out and applying the individual settings for each operator is performed) or the process of newly storing the operator information of the new operator and the individual settings for the new operator in the individual information storage area  131  (S 214 : in a case where the process of reading out and applying the standard settings provided in the picture display device  100  is performed). Moreover, after execution of the process of S 204  or S 214 , the main control unit  101  executes a termination process for turning the picture display device  100  off (S 206 ). 
         [0092]    In a case where it is determined that the settings are not changed in S 203 , the picture display device  100  may execute the termination process for turning it off without executing the process of S 204  or S 214 . 
         [0093]    When the operator of the picture display device  100  is changed during operation, first, the processes similar to S 203  and S 204  in  FIG. 14(A)  (in a case where the process of reading out and applying the individual settings for each operator is performed) or the processes similar to S 203  and S 214  in  FIG. 14(B)  (in a case where the process of reading out and applying the standard settings provided in the picture display device  100  is performed) are performed. Then, in accordance with a newly identified operator, the processes similar to S 105  and S 106  in  FIG. 13  (in a case where the operator information of the newly identified operator is stored in the individual information storage area  131  in advance) or the processes similar to S 115  and S 106  in  FIG. 13  (in a case where the operator information of the newly identified operator is not stored in the individual information storage area  131 ) may be performed. 
         [0094]    By the above processes, the picture display device  100  of this example can perform the settings change process of automatically applying the individual settings for the operator identified in the aforementioned operator identification process in accordance with that operator. 
         [0095]    The aforementioned example is described, assuming that the individual settings for each operator are stored in the individual information storage area  131  of the picture display device  100 . However, in a different example, the individual settings for each operator may be stored in the storage unit  310  of the portable information terminal  300 . 
         [0096]    In this case, when in a series of processes from S 102  to S 104  identification of the operator is successful and the operator information of the operator thus identified is confirmed as being stored in the individual information storage area  131 , the main control unit  101  may apply the individual settings for the identified operator which are acquired from the storage unit  310  of the portable information terminal  300  by communication via the LAN interface  151 . 
         [0097]    In a case where the portable information terminal  300  is operated to change the settings of the picture display device  100 , the main control unit  301  can recognize the content of the settings change performed in the picture display device  100 . Thus, in a case where the individual settings for each operator are stored in the storage unit  310  of the portable information terminal  300 , it is possible to perform the process of updating the individual settings for each operator or the process of newly storing the individual settings for the new operator without acquiring information related to the content of the settings change performed in the picture display device  100  by communication with the picture display device  100 . 
         [0098]    In a case where the picture display device  100  is a display device with a touch panel, such as an electronic blackboard device with a touch panel, the settings change of the display device with the touch panel can be performed by an operation of the touch panel, not by an operation of the portable information terminal  300 . In this case, in the process of updating the individual settings for each operator or the process of newly storing the individual settings for the new operator, the main control unit  301  acquires information related to the content of the settings change, performed in the display device with the touch panel, by communication with the display device with the touch panel in the process of S 204  or S 214  in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0099]    An item which the picture display device  100  of this example can set in the individual settings for the operator applied in accordance with the operator identified in the operator identification process is described below, referring to examples. 
         [0100]    In a case where the picture display device  100  is a television device for digital broadcast reception, items such as the picture quality, the sound quality, and the operation mode when a digital broadcast program is watched are usually changeable in accordance with the preference. Thus, also in the picture display device  100  of this example, settings related to the picture quality such as brightness, a black level, a tint, and color darkness of the picture, settings related to the sound quality such as loudness in each sound range, settings related to the operation of the device such as an operation mode of a frame rate conversion circuit included therein, brightness of a backlight, and on/off of a power saving mode, may be stored as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 , for example. 
         [0101]    By doing this, it is possible for the picture display device  100  of this example to identify an operator by the aforementioned operator identification process and read out and apply the individual settings for the identified operator, such as the picture quality settings, the sound quality settings, and the operation settings of each device, stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131  in accordance with the identified operator. Thus, a person operating the picture display device  100  or a person operating a terminal device used for operating the picture display device  100  can apply and use the settings of the picture quality, the sound quality and the like, which are set to correspond to the preference thereof to the picture display device  100  without being affected by the settings change performed by another person. 
         [0102]    However, it is not necessary to store all the items which can be set by an instruction of the operator of the picture display device  100  as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 . For example, in a case where the settings menu structure of the picture display device  100  of this example is that shown in  FIG. 15 , it is desirable that for respective items in the “picture settings” and the “sound settings” the contents of the settings set in accordance with the preference of each operator are stored as the individual settings in the individual information storage area  131 . On the other hand, for items of “receiving settings”, items of “communication settings”, or the like which are lower order than “initial settings”, only one set of setting contents may be stored as common settings of the picture display device  100  in the other information storage area  133  or the like, instead of storing those as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 . 
         [0103]    That is, in this example, the settings in the items of the “receiving settings” are those related to an area in which the picture display device  100  is used, those related to broadcasting stations available in that area, and the like, but are not usually items for which the settings are changed in accordance with the preference of each operator. Moreover, the settings in the items of the “communication settings” are settings related to an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a subnet mask, a default gateway of the LAN interface  151  of the picture display device  100  and the settings related to a DNS (Domain Name System) server, for example, and do not have to be changed frequently after being set once immediately after installation of the picture display device. 
         [0104]    Therefore, by not storing the contents of the settings related to the items of the “receiving settings” and the items of the “communication settings” as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 , it is possible to reduce a required capacity of the individual information storage area  131 . 
         [0105]    In a case where the picture display device  100  is a television device including therein a function of recording/reproducing a digital broadcast program, the device  100  usually has a function of displaying recorded digital broadcast programs in a list. Thus, also in the picture display device  100  of this example, settings of an initially displayed position when the list of the recorded programs are displayed, for example, may be stored as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 . 
         [0106]    For example, it is assumed that a folder structure in the list of the recorded programs displayed by the picture display device  100  of this example has a structure shown in  FIG. 16  and three people including a person A, a person B, and a person C use the picture display device  100  of this example and each of three records a digital broadcast program. In this case, when the picture display device  100  of this example identifies the person A as the operator by the aforementioned operator identification process, the individual settings for the person A are read out from the individual information storage area  131  and are applied, thereby the settings are changed so that the initially displayed position is set to a “recorded programs for person A” folder in a lower layer of a “user” folder in the list display of the recorded programs. Similarly, when the person B is identified as the operator by the aforementioned operator identification process, the initially displayed position is set to a “recorded programs for person B” folder in a lower layer of the “user” folder. When the operator information of the operator identified by the aforementioned operator identification process is not stored in the individual information storage area  131 , the standard settings are read out from the ROM  103  and are applied, thereby the settings are changed so that the initially displayed position is set to an “all” folder in the list display of the recorded programs. Alternatively, the list display may not be allowed. 
         [0107]    By doing this, in a case where a person operating the picture display device  100  of this example or a person operating a terminal device used for operating the picture display device  100  requests the list display of the recorded programs to the picture display device  100 , it is possible to quickly display the folder in which the programs recorded by that person are stored, and to easily confirm the contents therein. 
         [0108]    In a case where the picture display device  100  is a television device having a function of connecting to a network such as the Internet and functions of performing a search in the network and executing another application, it is possible to simultaneously display a digital broadcast program picture window  121 - 3 , a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for internet access list window  121 - 4 , an icon list window  121 - 5  for icons of applications executable in the picture display device  100 , for example, on the display unit  121 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . Moreover, in the picture display device  100  of this example, respective displayed positions of the digital broadcast program picture window  121 - 3 , the URL for internet access list window  121 - 4 , and the application icon list window  121 - 5  can be arranged freely, and a layout such as the displayed position of each window may be stored as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 . 
         [0109]    Moreover, each operator may set an initially displayed channel in the digital broadcast program picture window  121 - 3 , a preferred URL in the URL for internet access list window  121 - 4 , and an icon of a frequently used application in the application icon list window  121 - 5 , for example, in accordance with the preference thereof, and those may be stored as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 . 
         [0110]    By doing this, it is possible for the picture display device  100  of this example to identify an operator by the aforementioned operator identification process and to read out and apply the individual settings for the identified operator such as the displayed positions of the windows, the initially displayed channel, the preferred URL, and the icon of the frequently used application, stored in advance in the individual information storage area  131 , in accordance with the identified operator. Thus, a person operating the picture display device  100  or a person operating a terminal device used for operating the picture display device  100  can use the picture display device  100  with a window layout, which is set to correspond to the preference thereof, without being affected by the settings change performed by another person. 
         [0111]    In a case where the picture display device  100  is a television device which can display a picture content accumulated in a content server connected to a network such as the Internet, it is possible to download the picture content from the content server and accumulate it or to purchase a paid picture content on the content server and view a video stream thereof. Moreover, it is desirable that not only the picture display device  100  can display a number of picture contents on the content server in a list, but also the device  100  has a function of displaying the downloaded picture contents only in a list or a function of displaying the purchased picture contents only in a list. In this case, the picture display device  100  of this example may store the list of the picture contents downloaded by each operator or the list of the picture contents purchased by each operator, for example, as the individual settings for each operator in the individual information storage area  131 . 
         [0112]    By this, the picture display device  100  of this example identifies the operator by the aforementioned operator identification process, thereby the list of the picture contents downloaded by the identified operator or the list of the purchased picture contents can be read out from the individual information storage area  131 . Thus, when a person operating the picture display device  100  or a person operating a terminal device used for operating the picture display device  100  requests the picture display device  100  to display the list of the downloaded picture contents or the list of the purchased picture contents, it is possible to extract and display the picture contents downloaded by that person or the picture contents purchased by that person only, from among a large number of picture contents. 
         [0113]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described above. The structure implementing the techniques of the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned examples. Moreover, a numerical value, a message text, and the like in the description and the drawings are mere examples, and the use of a different one does not damage the effects of the present invention. 
         [0114]    All or a portion of the aforementioned functions or the like of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, e.g., by being designed by an integrated circuit. Moreover, a microprocessor or the like may interpret and execute a program implementing each function or the like, thereby all or a portion of the aforementioned functions or the like of the present invention are implemented by software. The aforementioned program may be stored in the ROM  103  or the other information storage area  133  of the storage unit  130  of the picture display device  100  in advance, or may be acquired from an application server on the Internet via the LAN interface  151 . The aforementioned program stored in a memory card may be acquired via the USB interface  154 . 
         [0115]    As a control line or an information line in the drawings, the one required for the description is shown. All of control lines and information lines in a product are not necessarily shown. It can be considered that almost all components are actually connected with each other. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               100 : picture display device 
               101 : main control unit 
               102 : system bus 
               103 : ROM 
               104 : RAM 
               110 : broadcast receiver unit 
               111 : tuner 
               112 : splitter unit 
               113 : video decoder 
               114 : audio decoder 
               115 : information decoder 
               121 : display unit 
               122 : display processing unit 
               123 : speaker 
               124 : audio processing unit 
               130 : storage unit 
               131 : individual information storage area 
               132 : program storage area 
               133 : other information storage area 
               141 : video input unit 
               142 : operator identification unit 
               143 : audio input unit 
               150 : external interface 
               151 : LAN interface 
               152 : audio input unit 
               153 : video input/output unit 
               154 : USB interface 
               160 : operation unit 
               161 : operation key 
               162 : remote control receiver unit 
               200 : remote controller 
               201 : main control unit 
               202 : system bus 
               203 : ROM 
               204 : RAM 
               210 : display unit 
               220 : operation unit 
               231 : acceleration sensor 
               232 : gyro sensor 
               240 : remote control transmitter unit 
               251 : near field communication unit 
               252 : memory interface 
               260 : memory card 
               300 : portable information terminal 
               301 : main control unit 
               302 : system bus 
               303 : ROM 
               304 : RAM 
               310 : storage unit 
               321 : display unit 
               322 : video input unit 
               323 : speaker 
               324 : audio input unit 
               331 : acceleration sensor 
               332 : gyro sensor 
               333 : earth magnetic field sensor 
               334 : GPS receiver unit 
               335 : luminance sensor 
               340 : operation unit 
               341 : memory interface 
               351 : mobile telephone network communication unit 
               352 : LAN communication unit 
               353 : near field communication unit 
               360 : router device 
               370 : WAN (Wide Area Network)