JP2002335476A - Recording and reproducing device and overwrite recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and reproducing device that can properly record video data of a broadcast program or the like while effectively reserving a storage capacity of a disk or the like. SOLUTION: When a processing control section determines whether or not setting of overwrite video recording is set (step S12) when determining that a recordable disk is loaded to the recording and reproducing device (step S11). When the processing control section determines that the overwrite video recording is set, the processing control section reads recording area information of program contents and acquires a video recording start/end address (step S13). When a reservation start time comes, the processing control section controls a disk recording/reproduction section or the like to start the video recording operation (step S19). In this case, the processing control section overwrites video data or the like of a broadcast program being a video recording object to an area in the disk designated by the program contents.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus and an overwrite recording method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) capable of reserved recording of a video of a television program (broadcast program) on a magnetic tape of a predetermined standard has been widely used. Such a VTR can automatically make a scheduled recording of a target program in accordance with the program contents that define the start time, end time, channel, etc. of the program to be recorded. There is also known a VTR capable of acquiring a numerical value corresponding to a program called G code (trademark), generating program contents from the obtained numerical value, and recording a target program on a reservation basis.

Recently, a data recordable DVD (Digi
A recording / reproducing apparatus that can record a television program or the like on a disc using a disc such as a tal versatile disc) as a recording medium has been marketed and is becoming widespread. Such a recording / reproducing apparatus has a function of not only recording a video or the like during reproduction by recording a video or the like on a randomly accessible disk, but also deleting unnecessary scenes. A recording / reproducing apparatus using such a disk as a recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a conventional recording / reproducing apparatus.

The recording / reproducing apparatus is a device capable of recording and reproducing a video or the like of a broadcast program on a disk d, and includes a disk recording / reproducing section 11 and an operation section 12.
, A storage unit 13, a display unit 14, and a controller 15. The disk recording / reproducing unit 11 converts a video signal or the like supplied from a tuner unit or the like (not shown) into video data or the like in a predetermined format and writes the video data or the like on the disk d.

[0005] The operation unit 12 is composed of a predetermined remote controller and a plurality of keys arranged on a recording / reproducing apparatus. The operation unit 12 is operated by a user. input. Specifically, the operation unit 12 displays a recording reservation setting image (GUI image) as shown in FIG. 6 on an external television monitor on-screen, and according to a user operation, a recording reservation number P1 and a reservation date P2. , The continuous designation P3, the recording start time P4, the recording end time P5, the recording channel P6, the recording mode P7, and the CM cut setting P8, and supply them to the controller 15.

The storage unit 13 stores the program contents as shown in FIG. 6 inputted via the operation unit 12, and is necessary for other operations (normal recording, reproduction operation, etc.) executed by the recording / reproducing apparatus. Store the data. The display unit 14 includes a fluorescent display tube or the like, and performs, for example, segment display of the operation status of the recording / reproducing apparatus, counter display during reproduction or recording, and the like. The controller 15 includes a processing operation unit and the like, and controls the entire recording / reproducing apparatus. For example,
The controller 15 sends a recording instruction from the user to the operation unit 1.
When the input is made via the disc 2, the disc recording / reproducing unit 11 and the like are controlled to record video data and the like on the disc d. When a reproduction instruction is input, the disc recording / reproducing unit 11
And the like to reproduce the video data and the like recorded on the disk d and display the video and the like of the recorded program on an external television monitor.

Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows the controller 1
5 is a flowchart for describing a scheduled recording process executed by a fifth embodiment. The reservation recording process is started after the contents of the program as shown in FIG. 6 are input via the operation unit 12 and the contents are stored in the storage unit 13.

First, the controller 15 determines whether a recordable disc d is loaded in the apparatus (step S91). When the controller 15 determines that the recordable disk d is not loaded in the apparatus, the controller 15 suspends the subsequent processing and ends the scheduled recording processing without performing the scheduled recording or the like. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recordable disc d is loaded, the controller 15
Searches the disk d for a recording start address that defines an area in which video data or the like can be newly recorded (step S92). Then, the controller 15 writes management information and the like necessary for recording in the management information area of the disk d (step S93).

The controller 15 controls a tuner unit or the like (not shown) according to the program contents stored in the storage unit 13 to switch the receiving channel to a channel on which a program to be recorded is broadcast (step S94). The controller 15 similarly sets the recording mode according to the program contents, and shifts to the recording standby state (step S95). Then, the controller 15 waits for the execution of the subsequent processing until the reservation start time at which the program to be recorded is broadcast according to the program contents (step S9).
6).

When the reservation start time comes, the controller 15
Starts the recording operation by controlling the disk recording / reproducing unit 11 and the like (step S97). That is, the controller 15 converts a video signal or the like of a program supplied from the tuner unit or the like into predetermined video data or the like, and records the converted video data or the like on the disk d. Controller 15
Continues the recording operation according to the program contents until the reservation end time at which the broadcast of the target program ends (step S98). When the reservation end time comes, the controller 15 stops the recording operation (step S99) and ends the reservation recording process.

[0011]

The above-mentioned conventional recording / reproducing apparatus has the following program contents as shown in FIG.
When "every week" or the like is set in the continuous designation P3, the target program can be repeatedly recorded. Among the programs repeatedly recorded in this manner, there are many programs that are recorded for the time being and then viewed if there is enough time. For example, if a sports program broadcasted once a week is recorded weekly, the user generally wants to view only the latest program, and if he has time, wants to view the recorded program. . In other words, after reserved recording of such a recorded program, the user views it if there is enough time until the next broadcast, and if there is not enough time, the user can watch the recorded program of that time. Do not watch.

As described above, regardless of whether the recorded program is viewed or not, the user erases the recorded program in order to effectively secure the recording capacity (remaining amount) of the disk d. It will be. When erasing a recorded program, it is necessary to operate the operation unit 12 to designate a recorded program that is no longer needed, and to instruct erasure of the recorded content.
It was complicated for the user. Moreover, if the user forgets to delete the unnecessary recorded programs (such as a plurality of recorded programs), the recording capacity of the disk d becomes insufficient, and the next scheduled recording and other recordings cannot be performed properly. There were cases like this.

Further, when such a recording / reproducing apparatus is used for business purposes, for example, when it is used for recording an image of a security camera or the like in a store, there is a similar disadvantage. In other words, recording / reproducing devices generally include "daily
At what time is set a program content such as continuously recording an image or the like from an external input (an image or the like from a security camera) from an external input. For this reason, the store manager or the like replaces the disc d with another disc d each time the remaining recording capacity of the disc d runs out,
Alternatively, it is necessary to manually delete unnecessary images and the like in the disk d each time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of appropriately recording video data of a broadcast program while effectively securing a storage capacity of a disk, and an overwrite recording. The aim is to provide a method.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a program information defining a broadcast program to be broadcast periodically; Storage means for storing area information defining a specific area; receiving means for periodically receiving video data and audio data of a target broadcast program in accordance with the program information stored in the storage means; Recording means for overwriting the received video data and audio data in a target area on a recording medium in accordance with the area information stored in the storage means.

To achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an input means for inputting area information for defining an arbitrary recording target area on a disk capable of recording image data and audio data. And storage means for storing program reservation information including at least a first broadcast date, a broadcast start time, a broadcast end time, a broadcast channel, and a broadcast cycle for specifying a broadcast program; and program reservation information stored in the storage means. Receiving means for periodically receiving video data and audio data of a target broadcast program, and recording the video data and audio data received by the receiving means on a disk in accordance with area information input by the input means. Recording means for overwriting recording in the target area.

To achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording predetermined image data and audio data on a data recordable disc, A storage means for storing at least a first broadcast date, a broadcast start time, a broadcast end time, a broadcast channel, and program reservation information including a broadcast cycle, and a target according to the program reservation information stored in the storage means. Receiving means for periodically receiving video data and audio data of a broadcast program, and video data and audio data of the first broadcast program received by the receiving means are recorded in a predetermined area of a disc, and the receiving means receives the data. Recording means for overwriting and recording the video data and audio data of the second and subsequent broadcast programs in the same area on the disc. And wherein the door.

To achieve the above object, an overwrite recording method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an input step of inputting area information defining an arbitrary recording target area on a disk capable of recording image data and audio data. In accordance with at least the first broadcast date, broadcast start time, broadcast end time, broadcast channel, and program reservation information including the broadcast cycle for specifying the broadcast program, the video data and the audio data of the target broadcast program are periodically updated. A receiving step of receiving, and recording means for overwriting and recording the video data and the audio data received in the receiving step on a recording target area on the disk according to the area information input in the input step. I do.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A recording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a recording / reproducing apparatus applied to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus is an apparatus for recording a broadcast program or the like (recording video data and audio data) on a disk d, and includes a tuner unit 1, a video / audio signal processing unit 2, It is configured to include a reproduction unit 3, a processing control unit 4, an operation unit 5, a clock unit 6, a storage unit 7, and a display unit 8. The disc d is, for example, a DVD-RW or DV capable of recording video data of a predetermined capacity or the like.
A lead-in area, a management information area, a data area, and a lead-out area are arranged in order from the inner periphery in a spiral shape. Then, the recording and reproducing apparatus records a broadcast program or the like by writing the video data and the audio data in the data area.

The tuner unit 1 is, for example, a unit that receives a terrestrial television broadcast, is controlled by the processing control unit 4, tunes to an arbitrary channel frequency (video frequency and audio frequency), and controls an arbitrary broadcast program. It receives video and audio signals as contents. Tuner unit 1
Supplies the received video signal and the like to the video / audio signal processing unit 2.

The video / audio signal processing unit 2 includes a processing control unit 4
And supplies video signals and the like supplied from the tuner unit 1 and the disk recording / reproducing unit 3 to an external television monitor or the like. Further, the video / audio signal processing unit 2 changes the setting image or the like generated by the processing control unit 4 to a video signal or the like,
On-screen display on an external television monitor or the like. For example, the video / audio signal processing unit 2 displays a recording reservation setting image as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B on-screen.

The disk recording / reproducing unit 3 is, for example, an A /
It is configured to include a D conversion unit, an encoder unit, a multiplexing unit, a formatter unit, and the like, and writes video data and the like on the disk d, and reads video data and the like recorded from the disk d. Specifically, when recording video data or the like on the disk d, the disk recording / reproducing unit 3 converts the video signal or the like (analog) supplied from the video / audio signal processing unit 2 by the A / D converter into an A / D signal. D-conversion generates video data and the like (digital), and the generated video data and the like are encoded (encoded) by the encoder unit. Then, the encoded video data and the like (video / audio and sub-video data) are packetized and packed in a multiplexing unit, respectively, so that an MPEG2 program stream is configured as a video pack, an audio pack, and a sub-video pack. Multiplex. Finally, the multiplexed data is converted by the formatter unit into recording data conforming to a predetermined format (file structure) and written to the disk d. When reproducing video data or the like recorded on the disk d, the disk recording / reproducing unit 3 processes the signal read from the disk d in the same order as in the above-described recording in the reverse order. Then, an image or the like is displayed on an external television monitor via the image / audio signal processing unit 2.

The processing control unit 4 has a CPU (Central Processes).
sing unit) and controls the entire recording / reproducing apparatus. Specifically, the processing control unit 4 inputs, via the operation unit 5, the program content that defines the recording reservation of the program broadcast periodically, and the input program content (program reservation information)
Is stored in the storage unit 7. Then, the processing control unit 4 performs programmed recording management according to the stored program contents. That is, when the timer recording unit 6 measures the timer recording start time, the processing control unit 4 controls the tuner unit 1 and receives a video signal or the like of the target program. Then, it controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 3 to convert the received video signal and the like into video data and the like in a predetermined format,
To record. At this time, if the program content specifies overwrite recording on the same recording area, the processing control unit 4 overwrites the target recording area in the disk d with video data or the like for recording.

The operation unit 5 includes, for example, a plurality of keys arranged on a remote controller and a recording / reproducing device, and inputs instruction information and the like according to a user operation. Specifically, the operation unit 5 displays a recording reservation setting image (GUI image) as shown in FIG. 2A on an external television monitor on a screen, and in accordance with a user operation, the recording reservation number d1, Reservation date d2, continuous designation d3, recording start time d4, recording end time d5, recording channel d6, recording mode d7, CM cut setting d8, overwriting designation d9, and recording area d1
A program content consisting of 0 is input and supplied to the processing control unit 4. The recording reservation number d1 is an identification number of the recording reservation setting, the reservation date d2 is a date on which recording is performed, and the continuous designation d3 is “weekly”, “daily”, and “month to
This is a designation for continuous recording such as "gold". The recording start time d4 and the recording end time d5 correspond to the start and end of the recording.
The end time, the recording channel d6 is a channel number for performing recording, and the recording mode d7 is a mode for designating a recordable time per fixed capacity such as "normal" or "double". The cut setting d8 sets whether to cut a CM (commercial) in a program to be recorded.

Further, the overwrite designation d9 designates whether or not a program to be repeatedly broadcast is fixedly recorded in the same area (recording by overwriting), and the recording area d10 is an area to be overwritten and recorded. It consists of the addresses (start address and end address) to be pointed. The recording area d10 may indicate a recording target area by using time information or the like.

When the processing control section 4 inputs the program contents including the recording reservation number d1 to the recording area d10 from the operation section 5, the processing control section 4 determines whether or not there is a setting inconsistency. For example, when the relationship between the input data of the recording start time d4 and the recording end time d5 is inconsistent with the input data of the recording area d10, the processing control unit 4 superimposes a predetermined error message on the setting screen. indicate. At this time, the input data of the recording area d10 may be automatically corrected from the input data of the recording start time d4 and the recording end time d5. For example, the processing control unit 4 sets the recording area d10
If the input data is inconsistent, the recording start time d4
According to the input data of the recording end time d5, only the end address of the recording area d10 is appropriately corrected (when the start address is fixed).

The clocking unit 6 is composed of, for example, a timer circuit including a large-capacity capacitor capable of continuing clocking even when a power failure occurs within a predetermined time, and supplies timed time information to the sequential processing control unit 4.

The storage unit 7 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and stores program contents (program reservation information) as shown in FIG. Note that the program contents are updated to the information shown in FIG. 2B when the first scheduled recording of the broadcast is performed. Further, the storage unit 7 stores data necessary for other operations (normal recording, reproduction operation, and the like) performed by the processing control unit 4.

The display section 8 is composed of a fluorescent display tube or the like.
The counter is displayed at the time of reproduction or recording.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the scheduled recording process executed by the process control unit 4. Note that the scheduled recording processing is performed after the program contents defining the program to be scheduled for recording as shown in FIG. 2A are input via the operation unit 5 and stored in the storage unit 7. Be started.

First, the processing control section 4 determines whether or not a recordable disc d is loaded in the apparatus (step S11). Specifically, the processing control unit 4 controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 3 to determine whether or not the disk d is loaded, based on whether or not the disk d is focused. Note that a sensor for determining the loading of the disk d may be separately provided, and the presence or absence of the disk d may be determined by this sensor. Then, the processing control unit 4 reads the management information from the management information area of the disk d, and subsequently tries writing to the disk d, thereby determining whether the disk d is a recordable disk.

If the processing control section 4 determines that the recordable disk d is not loaded in the apparatus, the processing control section 4 interrupts the subsequent processing and terminates the scheduled recording processing without performing the scheduled recording or the like. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recordable disc d is loaded, the processing control unit 4 sets overwrite recording in the program content stored in the storage unit 7 (see FIG. 2).
It is determined whether (overwrite designation d9 in (a)) is turned on (step S12).

When the processing control section 4 determines that the overwrite recording is on, the recording area information of the program contents (FIG. 2)
(The value of the recording area d10 in (a)) is read, and the recording start / end addresses are obtained (step S13). On the other hand, if it is determined that the overwrite recording is not on (is off), the processing control unit 4 refers to the management information area of the disk d and defines an area in the data area where new video data and the like can be recorded. The recording start address is searched (step S14). The processing control unit 4 writes management information and the like necessary for recording in the management information area of the disk d (step S15).

The processing control unit 4 controls the tuner unit 1 in accordance with the contents of the program stored in the storage unit 7,
The receiving channel is switched to the channel on which the program to be recorded is broadcast (step S16). The processing control unit 4 similarly sets the recording mode according to the program contents and shifts to the recording standby state (step S17). Then, the processing control unit 4 waits for the execution of the subsequent processing until the reservation start time at which the program to be recorded is broadcast according to the contents of the program (step S18).

When the reservation start time comes, the processing control unit 4
The recording operation is started by controlling the disk recording / reproducing unit 3 and the like (step S19). That is, the processing control unit 4
The disk recording / reproducing unit 3 converts a video signal or the like of a program supplied from the tuner unit 1 (video / audio signal processing unit 2) into predetermined video data or the like, and stores the converted video data or the like on the disk d. Record. The processing control unit 4 continues the recording operation according to the program contents until the reservation end time at which the broadcast of the target program ends (step S2).
0). When the reservation end time comes, the processing control unit 4
Stops the recording operation (step S21), and ends the scheduled recording process.

As described above, when the overwrite recording is specified in the program content stored in the storage unit 7, the scheduled recording process causes the broadcast target broadcast to be recorded in the area in the disk d specified by the program content. The video data and the like of the program are overwritten and recorded. That is, when repeatedly recording a program that is broadcast every predetermined period, video data and the like are overwritten and recorded in the same recording area in the disk d. Therefore, for example, when recording a sports program that is broadcast every week and is to be watched if time allows, only the latest program is always recorded on the disk d. In other words, whether or not the user has watched or not watched the recorded program of that time, it is automatically updated when the next program is broadcast.

Further, when such a recording / reproducing apparatus is used for business purposes, for example, when it is used for recording a video of a security camera at a store, it is not necessary to exchange the disk d. . In other words, even in the case of continuous recording of images and the like (such as images from a security camera) from an external input at “from every day and at what time”, by setting overwrite recording in the program contents, Each time, the same recording area is overwritten with video data or the like and recorded. For this reason, there is no shortage of the remaining recording capacity of the disk d, and it is not necessary to replace the disk d. As a result, it is possible to appropriately record a broadcast program or the like while effectively securing the storage capacity of the disk or the like.

In the above embodiment, the recording area information (the recording area d1 in FIG.
Although the case where the user inputs 0) through the operation unit 5 has been described, video data or the like may be overwritten and recorded in the recording area appropriately calculated by the processing control unit 4. For example, the processing control unit 4 executes the scheduled recording process shown in FIG. 4 instead of the scheduled recording process shown in FIG. 3, thereby overwriting and recording video data and the like in the appropriately calculated recording area. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a timer recording process according to another embodiment of the present invention. This scheduled recording process is obtained by adding steps S31 and S32 to the scheduled recording process of FIG.

That is, the processing control section 4 determines whether or not a recording area is set in the program contents stored in the storage section 7 (step S31). When it is determined that there is no recording area setting (at the time of the first scheduled recording)
Next, the processing control unit 4 calculates the recording start / end addresses according to the program contents (step S32). That is, the processing control unit 4 calculates the recording start / end address from the recording time (the recording start time d4 and the recording end time d5 in FIG. 2A) and the like. The calculated address is stored in the storage unit 7 as a recording area setting. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the recording area is set (at the time of the second or subsequent scheduled recording), the recording area information is read, and the recording start / end addresses are obtained.

In the above embodiment, the case where the recording area is set as one of the program contents and the video of the reserved program is overwritten and recorded on the set recording area has been described. A recording area and overwriting designation may be performed. In this case, video data and the like can be overwritten and recorded in the recording area even during normal recording such as when the user instructs a recording operation via the operation unit 5. Alternatively, a recording area may be provided for each genre or broadcast channel of a program, and a program of the same genre or a program of the same channel may be overwritten on each recording area.

Further, instead of overwriting and recording video data or the like in the same recording area, the recorded area may be automatically erased according to the storage period. Instead of setting a storage expiration date, it may be set so as not to be erased.

In the above embodiment, a recordable DVD
Has been described as an example, but is not limited to a DVD or the like, but may be a CD-R (CD Recordable), a CD-R
W (CD ReWritable), MO (Magneto-Optical disk)
Etc. may be used. Also, hard disk,
Video data or the like may be recorded on a medium such as SmartMedia (trademark), Memory Stick (trademark), or MMC (Multi Media Card).

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to appropriately record video data and the like of a broadcast program while effectively securing the storage capacity of a disk or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams for explaining a program content displayed on an external television monitor and input via an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a timer recording process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a timer recording process according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a conventional recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a program content displayed on an external television monitor and input via an operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a scheduled recording process performed by a conventional recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tuner unit 2 video / audio signal processing unit 3 disk recording / playback unit 4 processing control unit 5 operation unit 6 timekeeping unit 7 storage unit 8 display unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] A storage means for storing program information for defining a broadcast program broadcast periodically and area information for defining a specific area on a predetermined recording medium; and, in accordance with the program information stored in the storage means, A receiving unit that periodically receives video data and audio data of a target broadcast program; and the video data and audio data received by the receiving unit,
Recording means for overwriting a target area on a recording medium in accordance with the area information stored in the storage means. 2. An input means for inputting area information defining an arbitrary recording target area on a disk capable of recording image data and audio data, at least a first broadcast date, a broadcast start time, and a broadcast end time for specifying a broadcast program. , A broadcast channel, and storage means for storing program reservation information including a broadcast cycle, and periodically receiving video data and audio data of a target broadcast program in accordance with the program reservation information stored in the storage means. Receiving means, video data and audio data received by the receiving means,
A recording unit that overwrites a recording target area on a disc in accordance with the area information input by the input unit. 3. A recording / reproducing apparatus for recording predetermined image data and audio data on a data recordable disc, comprising at least a first broadcast date, a broadcast start time, a broadcast end time, a broadcast channel, and a broadcast program. And storage means for storing program reservation information including a broadcast cycle, and reception means for periodically receiving video data and audio data of a target broadcast program in accordance with the program reservation information stored in the storage means. The video data and audio data of the first broadcast program received by the receiving means are recorded in a predetermined area on the disc, and the video data and audio data of the second and subsequent broadcast programs received by the receiving means are copied to the same area on the disc. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: recording means for overwriting recording in an area. 4. An inputting step of inputting area information defining an arbitrary recording target area on a disk capable of recording image data and audio data, at least a first broadcast date, a broadcast start time, and a broadcast end time for specifying a broadcast program. , A broadcast channel, and a receiving step of periodically receiving video data and audio data of a target broadcast program in accordance with program reservation information including a broadcast cycle; and transmitting the video data and audio data received in the receiving step. Recording means for overwriting a recording target area on a disc in accordance with the area information input in the input step.