Patent Publication Number: US-2011055872-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for reproducing video data in video distribution system using network

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/499,645 filed Jul. 8, 2009, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-282357, filed Oct. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One embodiment of the present invention relates to a technique of receiving and reproducing content, such as video data, distributed in moving-picture distribution service that uses a network. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, moving-picture distribution service has been promoted, which utilizes network represented by the Internet, along with the progress of digital broadcasting. Broadly practiced as a moving-picture distribution service is the so-called video on demand (VOD) service. (See, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2008-193284.) 
     In the moving-picture distribution service, a user terminal, such as a personal computer, reproduces a selection menu on the display screen, enabling the user to select any moving-picture content that has been transmitted via the network from a server (e.g., VOD server). To select desired moving-picture content, the user needs to perform a very complex operation at the input device in most cases. 
     Generally, in the moving-picture distribution service such as VOD that uses a network, the user must undergo a considerably complex procedure in order to select desired moving-picture content. More specifically, the user should switch the menu from the data-reproduction menu to the content-selection menu, while the moving-picture content selected is being reproduced. 
     In the moving-picture distribution service, too, it is desirable for the user that he or she can have the program (equivalent to moving-picture content) that he or she is viewing, smoothly to another, on the conventional TV receiver, by merely operating a remote controller or a similar device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the major components of an apparatus for reproducing video data, according to an embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart explaining the sequence of reproducing video data in the embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A to 3C  are diagrams explaining how the embodiment reproduces video data; and 
         FIGS. 4A to 4C  are diagrams explaining how images are switched from one to another while the embodiment is operating in the full-screen reproduction mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for reproducing video data, which receives moving-picture content, using moving-picture distribution service utilizing a network, and which switches the moving-picture content being reproduced to other moving-picture content when the user performs a simple operation. 
     (Configuration of the System) 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram that shows the major components of a video-data reproduction apparatus  10  for reproducing video data, according to an embodiment of the invention. To be more specific, the apparatus  10  is a digital television receiver having the function of receiving digital broadcast programs. Alternatively, the apparatus  10  may be a set-top box or an apparatus equivalent to a home server. In the apparatus  10  according to the present embodiment is a digital television receiver. 
     The video-data reproduction apparatus  10  has a main controller (main CPU)  11 , a memory, and a remote-controlled receiver  14 . The memory includes a random-access memory (RAM)  12  and a read-only memory (ROM)  13 . The RAM  12  is a read/write memory for storing various data items that the main CPU  1  uses to process data, and operates as a buffer memory for storing stream data that is moving-picture content this embodiment reproduces. The ROM  13  stores programs including those the main CPU  11  executes. 
     The remote-controlled receiver  14  is receives an input operation signal transmitted from, for example, a remote controller  20  that is an input operation device. The receiver  14  transfers the input operation signal to a browser  16 , which will be described later. The remote controller  20  transmits the input operation signal by virtue of wireless communication utilizing, for example, infrared lays. The remote controller  20  has not only various operation keys, but also a cross key  21  composed of an up segment, a down segment, a leftward segment and a rightward segment. 
     The video-data reproduction apparatus  10  further has a communications process device  15 , a browser  16 , a video/audio decoder  17 , a monitor  18 , and a speaker  19 . The communications process device  15  is connected to a network  31 , such as the Internet, to perform data communication via the network  31 , thereby to exchange data (including moving-picture content) with a server  30 . 
     The video/audio decoder  17  receives stream data (i.e., encoded video/audio stream content) transmitted from the server  30  and decodes the stream data. The monitor  18  is a display that reproduces, on the screen, the moving-picture content (i.e., video content) decoded by the video/audio decoder  17  and the content reproduced by the browser  16 . The speaker  19  generates sound from the audio content decoded by the video/audio decoder  17 . 
     The browser  16  is a module that performs a process of reproducing the video content. This process includes a program switching process, which will be explained later. That is, the browser  16  incorporated in this embodiment will be described as a browser module that is composed of a microprocessor (CPU) and software and configured to operated independently of the main CPU  11 . 
     (Process of Reproducing the Video Content) 
     How the video-data reproduction apparatus  10  according to this embodiment operates will be explained with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 2 ,  FIGS. 3A to 3C  and  FIGS. 4A to 4C . 
     It should first be noted that the video-data reproduction apparatus  10  has not only the function of receiving digital broadcast programs, but also the function of reproducing moving-picture content by virtue of the moving-picture distribution service utilizing the network  31 . This is because the apparatus  10  has the components shown in  FIG. 1 . The server  30  accomplishes channel-type moving-picture distribution service in which the programs available take the form of VOD moving-picture content, the channels available are those shown in the playlist of moving-picture content, and the moving-picture content of any program selected is stream-transmitted. That is, each channel is composed a plurality of programs that should be broadcast at prescribed timeslots. In other words, each channel includes consecutive moving-picture content on the time axis, as if it was a sequence of digitally broadcast programs. 
     First, the user may push, for example, the dedicated button on the remote controller  20 , demanding that the video-data reproduction apparatus  10  should perform the channel-type moving-picture distribution service. Then, the browser  16  receives the user&#39;s demand through the remote-controlled receiver  14  and informs the server  31  of this demand through the network  31  (Block  200 ). 
     Next, the browser  16  receives from the server  31  the data (i.e., content) about the sequence of operation that should be performed in order to receive the moving-picture distribution service from the server  30 . On receiving this data, the browser  16  analyzes the content and performs a necessary process on the content (Block  201 ). The content transmitted from the server  30  at this point is, for example, data described in the hypertext markup language (HTML). The data contains video data representing still images and programs (software) called “scripts” to execute for various processes. 
     From the content transmitted from the server  30 , the browser  16  generates a channel-selection mode screen  201 , which is displayed by the monitor  18  (Block  202 ). As shown in  FIG. 3A , the channel-selection mode screen  201  shows a window  202 , buttons  203  and  204 , and channels. In the window  202 , a still picture (or moving picture) of the channel that has been selected. The button  203  may be touched to switch the operating mode to the program selection mode. The button  204  may be touched to switch the operating mode to the full-screen reproduction mode. Six channel buttons  207  are provided (for designating channels  1  to  6  in this embodiment). In the window  202 , there may be displayed the video clip of, for example, the channel selected. 
     In the channel-selection mode screen  201 , one of the channels  207 , e.g., channel  6 , is designated as indicated by number  205  shown in  FIG. 3A , when user operates the down segment or up segment of the cross key  21  that is provided on the remote controller  20 . The still picture for channel  6  is thereby reproduced and displayed in the window  202 . 
     The user may touch the button  203  on the channel-selection mode screen  201 . If this is the case (if Yes in Block  203 ), the browser  16  demands the server  30  for data that switches the operation mode to the program selection mode (Block  204 ). In response to the demand coming from the browser  16 , the server  30  transmits the data (content) about the about-mentioned sequence of operation. The browser  16  receives and analyzes the content transmitted from the server  30  (Block  205 ) and causes the monitor  18  to display a program selection screen  208  (Block  206 ). 
     As  FIG. 3B  shows, the program selection screen  208  shows a window  209 , a window  210 , a button  214 , and a window  215 . The window  209  can display a still picture (or moving picture) of the program selected. The window  210  can display programs of the channel selected. The button  214  may be touched to switch the operating mode to the channel selection mode. The window  215  can display the program focused (i.e., in this instance, program  212  designated or selected in this instance). The window  210  for displaying programs selected includes three buttons  211 ,  212 , and  213 . The button  211  may be touched to display a still picture of the program being transmitted now. The button  212  may be touched to display a still picture of the program that will be transmitted next. The button  213  maybe touched to display a still picture of the third program to be transmitted. That is, the more rightward any one of these buttons  211  to  213  is located, the later the program associated with is transmitted on the time axis. 
     The user may operate the cross key  21  of the remote controller  20 , designating the button  211  shown in the program selection screen  208  and thus selecting the program being transmitted now (if Yes in Block  207 ). In this case, a still picture of the program selected is reproduced in the window  209 . The browser  16  then demands the server  30  for data that switches the operation mode to the full-screen reproduction mode (Block  208 ). At this point, one of the buttons displayed in the window  210  that in turned is displayed in the program selection screen  208  may be touched. In this case, any program other than the program being transmitted can be selected. The button  204  displayed in the channel-selection mode screen  201  may be touched to switch the operating mode to the full-screen reproduction mode. In this case, too, the browser  16  demands the server  30  for data that switches the operation mode to the full-screen reproduction mode. 
     The browser  16  receives and analyzes the moving-picture content transmitted from the server  30  (Block  209 ). The browser  16  then performs a full-screen reproduction process (Block  210 ). At this point, the server  30  transmits metadata that is necessary for reproducing the moving-picture content of the program. The metadata contains content-related data items such as the title of the moving-picture content and the size of the moving-picture content. The browser  16  analyzes the metadata and extracts from the metadata the data necessary for reproducing the moving-picture content. 
     In the full-screen reproduction mode, the video/audio decoder  17  decodes the stream data transmitted from the server  30 , generating video content  216  and audio content. Note that in the stream data transmitted from the server  30 , encoded video content and audio content are multiplexed with each other. The video content  216  generated by the decoder  17  is supplied to the monitor  18 . The monitor  18  reproduces the video content  216  in the form of a full-screen image as shown in  FIG. 3C . On the other hand, the audio content generated by the decoder  17  is supplied to the speaker  19 . The speaker  19  converts the audio content to sound, thus reproducing the audio content. The full-screen image displayed, or full-screen content  216 , may have upper and lower frames and/or left and lower frames. In other words, the video content may be displayed in the full-screen reproduction mode, occupying almost the entire screen of the monitor  18 . 
     Thus, the full-screen reproduction process enables the user to view the moving-picture content of any program available on the channel selected (in this instance, the program being transmitted at present), on the monitor  18  in the full-screen reproduction mode as is illustrated in  FIG. 3C . While viewing the moving-picture content in the full-screen reproduction mode, the user may want to view a program broadcast (transmitted) on the same channel, either before or after the program he or she is viewing. 
     With the present embodiment, the user can have the program switched another, merely by operating the remote controller  20  in a specific way. That is, the browser  16  can switch the program to another (Blocks  211  to  213 ), without reproducing the program selection screen  208 . How the program is switched to another will be explained below in detail. 
     In this embodiment, the browser  16  switches the channel to another if the user operates the up or down segment of the cross key  21  on the remote controller  20 , and switches the program to another if the user operates the left or right segment of the cross key  21 . More specifically, if the user pushes the right segment of the cross key  21 , the browser  16  will switch the program the user is viewing to the program that will be broadcast (transmit) next. On the other hand, if user pushes the left segment of the cross key  21 , the browser  16  will switch the program the user is viewing now, to the program that immediately precedes on the time axis. 
     The browser  16  performs the process of switching the program to another, by using the script contained in the HTML data (i.e., the software for performing any designated process) when it receives and analyzes the moving-picture content transmitted from the server  30 . More precisely, the browser  16  receives an instruction the user inputs by pushing the left segment of the cross key  21  on the remote controller  21  while the program  218  is displayed in the full-screen reproduction mode as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  (that is, Yes in Block  211 ). In response to this instruction supplied via the remote-controlled receiver  14 , the browser  16  activates the script that has been designated, switching the program to the program the immediately precedes on the time axis (Block  212 ). That is, the browser  16  demands the server  30  for the full-screen reproduction mode in connection with the program broadcast (transmitted) that precedes, on the time axis, the program the user is viewing now (Block  213 ). 
     The browser  16  analyzes the moving-picture content of the program received from the server  30  (Block  209 ) and then performs the full-screen reproduction process (Block  210 ). In the full-screen reproduction process, the video/audio decoder  17  decodes the stream data transmitted from the server  30 , as indicated above. The program is thereby switched from program  218  ( FIG. 4A ) being viewed, to program  217  broadcast (transmitted) prior to program  218 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 4B . Program  217  is therefore reproduced in the full-screen reproduction mode. 
     On the other hand, the user may push the right segment of the cross key  21  provided on the remote controller  20 . In this case, the browser  16  activates the script that has been designated, switching the program to the program that immediately follows on the time axis (Block  212 ). That is, the browser  16  demands the server  30  for the full-screen reproduction mode in connection with the program broadcast (transmitted) that follows, on the time axis, the program the user is viewing now (Block  213 ). 
     The browser  16  analyzes the moving-picture content of the program received from the server  30  (Block  209 ) and then performs the full-screen reproduction process (Block  210 ). The program is thereby switched from program  218  ( FIG. 4A ) being viewed, to program  219  broadcast (transmitted) after program  218 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 4C . Program  219  is therefore reproduced in the full-screen reproduction mode. 
     As has been described, the present embodiment is a video-data reproduction apparatus that receives moving-picture content in units of programs distributed in channel-type moving-picture distribution service achieved via a network. In the embodiment, while being reproduced in the full-screen reproduction mode, the program selected can be smoothly switched to another program, without setting the apparatus back to the program selection mode. Hence, while viewing a program reproduced in the full-screen reproduction mode, the user can view a different program either preceding or following the program, in the full-screen reproduction mode, too, without the necessity of changing the screen mode. That is, the browser  16  keeps functioning while the moving-picture content is being reproduced in the full-screen reproduction mode. Thus, when the user operates the remote controller  20 , inputting an instruction, the browser  16  automatically switches the program to another, while holding the apparatus  10  in the full-screen reproduction mode. Therefore, the user need not perform a troublesome operation, such as setting the operating mode back to the program selection mode, in order to switch the program to another. In other words, the user can switch the program to another, merely by performing an easy operation. In short, an easy operation on the part of the user suffices to switch the moving-picture content received by virtue of moving-picture distribution service achieved via a network, to other moving-picture content. 
     In the present embodiment, the cross key  21  of the remote controller  20  may be operated, inputting an instruction of switching the program to another. This instruction may be input by any other methods. For example, the monitor  18  may display an icon of a remote controller, which the user may touch to input the instruction. Alternatively, the user may operate the keyboard provided on the apparatus  10 , thereby to input the instruction. 
     As described above, the program being viewed is switched to another broadcast on the same channel, either immediately preceding or following on the time axis in the present embodiment. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program may be switched to the first program broadcast on the same channel. Alternatively, code numbers may be assigned to the programs on the same channel, and the user may operate the ten-key pad of the remote controller, inputting the code number of a desired program and thereby switching the program to the desired one. 
     The embodiment described above is applied to digital TV receivers, set-top boxes or home servers. Nonetheless, it can, of course, be applied to personal computers. 
     Further, the present embodiment can be modified as will be described below. 
     Moving-picture content may be sorted in a specific method the user has registered beforehand and then arranged on the time axis, thereby preparing a moving-picture content list. The content shown in the list thus prepared may then be associated with the channels not used in the television broadcasting, thus setting favorite channels of the user. Such favorite channels can be set, also by changing the conditions of retrieving the vacant channels. Furthermore, a moving-picture content list can be prepared, not arranging the content on the time axis. 
     Thus, the user can view any content that meets the retrieval conditions he or she has set, as if there were a channel on which only such content is broadcast. When the user selects any desired channel, the content broadcast on this channel at the very time he or she selects the channel is reproduced. The user can thus enjoy viewing the content being broadcast on the channel he or she has just selected. 
     In this case, the content reproduced on the channel selected is not ordinary on-air content that the broadcasting station transmits on the time schedule. Rather, it is content that the server holds for the VOD service or content recorded in, for example, the HDD incorporated in, or provided outside, the video-data reproduction apparatus  10 . 
     Hence, the user only needs to operate the remote controller to stop reproducing or temporarily stop reproducing, the content that is being reproduced. Now that the reproduction of the content has been stopped, the content can be fast rewound or fast fed, or played back in fast-rewind mode or fast-feed mode. It is enable the user to have any desired content allocated to a past timeslot or a future timeslot. 
     The various modules of the systems described herein can be implemented as software applications, hardware and/or software modules, or components on one or more computers, such as servers. While the various modules are illustrated separately, they may share some or all of the same underlying logic or code. 
     While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.