Information providing device and metod for index information for scene changes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing apparatus. Images which are consecutive in time series are sequentially enlarged and displayed such that the enlarged images are continuous spirally in the time-series order from the inner circumferential side. In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to understand easily a before-after relationship between a large number of images which are consecutive in time series by applying the present invention to a set-top box for digital satellite broadcasting, for example.

1 . An information providing apparatus for displaying information on a screen, based on various information data provided through a plurality of information sources, characterized by comprising:
 first information obtain means for obtaining index information concerning a content outputted from a first information source of the plurality of information sources, from the first information source;   second information obtain means for obtaining index information concerning a content outputted from a second information source of the plurality of information sources, from the second information source;   menu screen display means for displaying a categorized menu screen on the screen, based on the obtained index information concerning the content outputted from the first information source and the obtained index information concerning the content outputted from the second information source; and   display means for obtaining necessary information data from the first or second information source, in response to selection operation on the menu screen, and for displaying information based on the necessary information data, onto the screen.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the necessary information data is information data for displaying contents of the content. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the first information source and the information providing apparatus are connected with each other through a network, and
 the first information obtain means obtains the first information data through the network.   
     
     
         4 . An information providing method for displaying information on a screen, based on various information data provided through a plurality of information sources, characterized by comprising:
 a first information obtain step of obtaining index formation concerning a content outputted from a first information source of the plurality of information sources, from the first information source;   a second information obtain step of obtaining index information concerning a content outputted from a second information source of the plurality of information sources, from the second information source;   a menu screen display step of displaying a categorized menu screen on the screen, based on the obtained index information concerning the content outputted from the first information source and the obtained index information concerning the content outputted from the second information source; and   a display step of obtaining necessary information data from the first or second information source, in response to selection operation on the menu screen, and of displaying information based on the necessary information data, onto the screen.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the necessary information data is information data for displaying contents of the content. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , characterized in that in the first information obtain step, the first information data concerning the first information source is obtained from the first information source through the network.