JP2002344895A - Device, method and system for reproducing video, recording medium and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video reproducing device for performing flexible reproduction display of, for example, a program, a commercial, etc., by relating to a video reproducing method in reproduction display of a plurality of videos. SOLUTION: Pieces of independent video information are optionally collated on the basis of collation information individually corresponding to the pieces of independent video information, and the pieces of video information are combined from the results to perform reproduction control. Namely, the collation information related to individual video information such as a program and a CM is provided, and when a user selects and views certain optional video information, the contents of the collation information of the selected video information are compared with collation information contents of video information other than the selected video information, and a combination of pieces of video information to be reproduced is decided to perform reproduction control. In performing collation and comparison, it is further possible to decide video information to be reproduced with a more flexible combination by adopting a mechanism that uses not only contents of collation information with each other but also date and hour, a region, individual information of a viewer, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video reproducing apparatus for reproducing video information such as programs and commercials.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital broadcasting using satellites and terrestrial waves is about to start in earnest. When digital broadcasting starts in earnest, it becomes possible to easily obtain a program guide of a program to be broadcast electronically, and the user can easily specify the program guide based on the electronic program guide with a remote controller or the like. You can make reservations and recordings.

[0003] Conventionally, recording reservations are made in a format such as "recording what program from what date and what day of the month" or by inputting a code corresponding to a program called a G code. However, since the program guide is digitized, it becomes possible to specify "a program in which a favorite singer appears", "baseball", or all related items at once.

[0004] Recording media are also shifting from tapes to HDDs and optical disks, and it is expected that the total recordable time will increase dramatically. A video reproducing apparatus has been proposed which can perform a cue reproduction of a desired program almost instantaneously by utilizing the characteristics of a randomly accessible HDD or optical disk from among such a huge amount of recorded information.

[0005]

Under such a background,
If the provided programs and commercials are digitized, it is expected that new business forms will be feasible without being restricted by the service form of “program + sponsor CM” established in a certain time frame. You.

[0006] In view of the above, the conventional method has been to break away from providing simultaneous broadcast type video information of "program + CM" of the same content to anyone, and to respond to individual viewers and viewing conditions,
There has been a demand for a video playback device that can play back a combination of a program and a commercial.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a video reproducing apparatus and the like which can reproduce video information such as a program or a CM flexibly according to the situation of a viewer.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, storage means for storing a plurality of independent video information to which attribute information is added, respectively, and Selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the first video information which is arbitrary video information and the attribute information of the second video information other than the arbitrary video information And a reproducing unit for reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination.

According to the present invention, a storage means for storing a plurality of video information and a plurality of attribute information respectively corresponding to the respective video information and provided independently of the respective video information, Based on the attribute information of the first video information that is the stored arbitrary video information and the attribute information of the second video information other than the arbitrary video information, a predetermined third video information is selected from the second video information. And playback means for playing back the first video information and the third video information in combination.

According to the present invention, the attribute information of the first video information, which is arbitrary video information in the storage means to which a plurality of independent video information are respectively added with the attribute information, and other than the arbitrary video information, A selecting step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the second video information, and reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination And performing a reproduction process.

According to the invention of the present application, a plurality of video information and arbitrary video information in a storage means for storing a plurality of attribute information respectively corresponding to the video information and provided independently of the video information. Based on the attribute information of the first video information and the attribute information of the second video information other than the arbitrary video information, a selection step of selecting a predetermined third video information from the second video information, A reproducing step of reproducing the first video information in combination with the third video information.

According to the present invention, there is provided a video reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

According to the present invention, the attribute information of the first video information, which is arbitrary video information in the storage means to which a plurality of independent video information are respectively added with the attribute information, and other than the arbitrary video information, A selecting step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the second video information, and reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination And recording a control program having a reproducing step.

According to the present invention, a plurality of pieces of video information and a plurality of arbitrary pieces of video information in a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of attribute information respectively corresponding to the respective pieces of video information and provided independently of the respective pieces of video information. Based on the attribute information of the first video information and the attribute information of the second video information other than the arbitrary video information, a selection step of selecting a predetermined third video information from the second video information, A control program having a reproduction step of reproducing the first video information in combination with the third video information is recorded.

According to the present invention, the attribute information of the first video information, which is arbitrary video information in the storage means to which a plurality of independent video information are respectively added with the attribute information, and other than the arbitrary video information, A selecting step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the second video information, and reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination And a reproducing step for performing the operation.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a video reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This video reproducing apparatus includes a hard disk (HDD) as a video recording medium. It is configured as a hard disk video recorder used.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a video information input unit for connecting a signal from an antenna for receiving digital broadcasting (information) or a signal from a cable adapter of a cable television network to convert a digitalized program, CM, or the like. This is an interface for acquiring video information.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a control unit for executing each control procedure of the present invention. Various control procedures such as those shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a general-purpose storage unit which stores programs and data for realizing various control means of the present invention.
It is a ROM or a RAM that is also used as a work area as needed for executing control.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a large-capacity hard disk drive (HDD) for recording video information. This part can store program information and CM information recorded from digital broadcasting together with collation information. Further, the collation information can be included in video information such as a program or a CM, or can be independently recorded in the video information recording HDD.

Here, the means for attaching each piece of collation information to each piece of video information is considered. In consideration of operation, the broadcasting station adds in advance each program or CM in the form including the collation information.
Broadcasting is conceivable.

The CM information and the collation information are supplied via a television broadcast, a network such as the Internet, or a storage medium such as a disk medium or a memory card, similarly to the program information. ,
In any case, they are separately supplied at a timing independent of the broadcast program and recorded on the HDD 104.

An input operation unit 105 includes a selection button, a determination button, a channel button, various mode buttons, and the like (not shown). For example, an external television monitor (not shown) connected to the video information output unit 107 is provided. The user selects a program to be viewed from the video information displayed on the screen shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a video processing unit. Here, it is assumed that the video file from the video information input unit 101 is in the MPEG2 format. The video processing unit 106 has a decoder function of video information compressed by the MPEG2 system. Such as M
It decodes video information encoded by the PEG2 system and reproduces and outputs it.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a video information output unit, which is a video processing unit 1
06, and also has an interface for outputting and displaying playback video information on an external television monitor (not shown). Also, various information such as file names of various video information recorded in the video information recording HDD 104 and accompanying collation information, and input operation information by the user from the input operation unit 105 are transmitted to the external television monitor to the user. Display output.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a time counting unit which includes a real-time clock (RTC) and a backup battery, counts the date and time, and returns the date and time in response to a request from the control unit 102.

Reference numeral 109 denotes an image of a connection signal line of the internal block of the apparatus, which is usually various signal buses for address and information, control signals, and the like. It is represented by a book line.

<Outline> First, an outline of a control method of the hard disk video recorder having the above configuration will be described.

The feature of this control method is that when the user views the video information by using the collation information added to the individual video information, the video information to be reproduced based on the collation information individually attached is combined. It is in.

An example will be described in more detail. For example, a keyword is attached to a program (video information file),
A keyword is also attached to M. When a user specifies a program to watch, a keyword attached to the program and a CM
Are compared, the CM to be combined with the program to be viewed is determined from the result of the comparison, and the CM is reproduced and displayed. Specifically, at the timing of the CM portion in the designated program, control is performed so that the determined CM is reproduced from the HDD 104 and output instead of the CM included in the original program. In addition, at the CM insertion timing specified in the data of the recorded program,
Control is performed so that the determined CM data is reproduced from the HDD 104 and output.

Here, the collation information to be added includes the production time,
Target audience (male / female, age, generation, adult / child), area, target airtime (morning / day / evening / night / midnight, day / season), sponsor provided, designated CM / program (available)・ None), viewing fee (paid / free / amount), broadcast prohibition conditions, environmental information (weather, temperature, humidity), the number of times the video information is broadcast, series CM (presence / absence), etc. Used.

Further, as a collation method and a combination selection method based on the result, for example, a combination of a large number of matching items is combined. Combine the same CM repeatedly up to a certain number of times. Combine items with matching items of higher priority. Combine items with matching information items that match the date and time.

The collation information may be included in the video information,
In addition to adding the program name, the program name and the collation information may be prepared as an arbitrary independent file.

The collation information (keywords and the like) added to each piece of video information is provided. Based on the collation and comparison of each collation information, a combination to be reproduced and displayed is determined. According to the present invention, which is also characterized by the above-mentioned problem, it is possible to provide a flexible program and CM adapted to the situation of the viewer, which is the above problem.

Of course, here, an arbitrary program and a commercial are assumed as the video information. However, the range covered by the present invention is as follows.
It is not limited to the genre of programs and commercials.
That is, at the start of playback of video information, if the video information has collation information related to each video information,
Because it can be easily applied.

<Specific control procedure> In this hard disk video recorder, in accordance with the control procedure example shown in FIG. 2, in the video reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the verification included in the user area of the header information section of each video information A control method for determining a combination of video information such as a program to be reproduced and displayed and a CM from information is realized.

At the start of step S201, waiting for an operation from the user is started. The start trigger is not specified here.

In step S202, it is detected that the user has pressed any button of the input operation unit 105. Here, assuming that the power button of the apparatus has been pressed, this is detected, and the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203, the video information recording H
In order to present a list of video information recorded on the DD 104 to a user via an external television monitor (not shown) through the video information output unit 107, the video information recording HDD 1
04 to FAT (FileAllocation Ta)
ble) Read information.

Here, as shown in the image diagram of FIG.
Programs 1 to 10 and CM1 including the respective collation information
To CM 8 are recorded in the video information recording HDD 104. Video information such as programs and commercials
It is recorded in the EG2 format, and the verification information is stored in each MPEG2 format.
It is assumed that the file is recorded in the user area of the header information section of the file.

In step S204, step S203
A list of the video information recorded in the video information recording HDD 104 read out in step (1) is displayed on an external television monitor (not shown) through the video information output unit 107.

In step S205, the user operates the input operation unit 1 from the video information list displayed on the external television monitor.
Using the arbitrarily laid out selection buttons 05, any video information (program or CM) is selected. By pressing the decision button, the selection is completed,
Proceed to step S206. Here, it is assumed that “Program 5” has been selected.

In step S206, step S205
The content of the collation information of the video information selected in is read. Here, the control unit 102 reads “collation information 5” included in the user area of the header information section of the video file of “program 5” recorded in the HDD 104 into the general-purpose storage unit 103 through the control unit 102. I do.

Here, an example of the collation information is shown in FIGS.
Shown in 4 (a) and 4 (b) are examples of items of collation information added / corresponding to a program and CM as video information, respectively, and specific examples of collation contents are shown on the right of FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). Is shown.

The collation information here is not only included in the user area of the file header information section of the video information, but also prepared as an arbitrary independent file associating the program name with the collation information as in an embodiment described later. It doesn't matter.

In step S207, step S205
In step S209, the collation information of the video information included in the video information recording HDD 104 other than the video information "program 5" selected by the user is read in order while determining the rest in step S209. Of course, since the user has selected a program, only the CM may be used as the comparison and comparison target as the video information candidate to be combined, or a mechanism for performing the comparison and comparison including other programs according to the operation may be employed.

In step S208, step S207
The collation information of the video information other than the “program 5” read in step S206 and the “collation information 5” previously read in step S206
Compare.

That is, the viewer who is the user
4, when the reproduction of an arbitrary program included in the program file is designated, the collation information included in the user area of the header information section of the program file is read, and the collation information of the program (or CM) and other video information ( The collation information of CM or program is collated and compared one by one. Here, the number of matches as a result of the comparison of each keyword (collation content) is counted, and the keyword with the highest number of matches is selected.

More specifically, "Program 5" as shown in FIG.
In the comparison of the collation contents included in the “collation information 5” with the collation information A to H of the CMs 1 to 8 as shown in FIG. 6, the collation contents indicated by the stars in FIG. Can be determined to be. "No designation" in the collation content is not counted here as a content match.

Here, as in the embodiment described later, not only the video information to be combined is selected by comparing only the number of matches in the collation content, but also the collation content is given a priority so that the collation item with the higher priority matches. You may make it combine the video information which was performed.

In order to shorten the collation time, change the collation information, and centrally manage the collation information of the individual program / CM video files in the HDD, a list file is prepared in advance. May be compared based on. Further, processing in the case where the number of matching items that match is the same can be dealt with by devising, for example, selecting a CM to be combined according to the frequency at which the CM has been reproduced so far.

In step S209, step S208
It is determined whether or not the comparison of the collation information has been performed for all the video information in the HDD 104. Until the comparison of the collation information is completed, the process returns to step S207. When all the comparisons are completed, the process proceeds to step S210 with the combination having the largest number of matching items.

In step S210, the video information to be reproduced in combination with the "program 5" specified by the viewer is reproduced and displayed based on the result of the comparison. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, “CM2” has the largest number of matches of the collation item with “Program 5”.
In the order of “Program 5”, the video processing unit 106
EG2 is decoded and displayed on an external television monitor through the video information output unit.

The process ends in step S211 and starts again in step S201 if necessary.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the collation information (keywords and the like) included in the user area of the header information section in each piece of video information is provided, and the result of collation and comparison of each collation item (keyword) is reproduced and displayed. The combination of video information to be performed is determined.

Thus, instead of a conventional fixed TV broadcast, a video is newly constructed by combining an arbitrary program and an arbitrary CM, an arbitrary program and an arbitrary program, and an arbitrary CM and an arbitrary CM. It is possible to provide information, and it is possible to realize a video reproducing apparatus or system that flexibly provides video information to a user.

Of course, here, an arbitrary program and a commercial are assumed as the video information. However, the range covered by the present invention is as follows.
The present invention is not limited to programs and commercials, and can be easily applied at the start of reproduction of video information as long as the video information has collation information related to each video information.

[Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the video reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the location of the collation information and the method of comparing the collation information.

In the first embodiment, the collation information exists in a form included in the user area of the header information section of the video information file. In the second embodiment, the collation information exists as an independent file.

A further difference is that in the first embodiment, the collation information included in the video information selected by the user is simply
The content items of the collation information included in other video information are compared, and the content item having the largest number of matching content items is reproduced and displayed in combination with the video information selected by the user. However, the second embodiment is characterized in that not only the number of matching content items but also the collation items are given a priority, and the video information whose collation items with the higher priority are matched are combined.

<Specific Control Procedure> In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a hard disk video recorder as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
According to the control procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, a control method for determining a combination of a program or a CM to be reproduced and displayed from the collation information corresponding to each video information in the video reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is realized.

First, at the start of step S401, waiting for an operation from the user is started. The start trigger is not specified here.

In step S402, it is detected that the user has pressed any button of the input operation unit 105. Here, assuming that the power button of the apparatus has been pressed, this is detected, and the process proceeds to step S403.

In step S403, the video information recording H
In order to present a list of video information recorded on the DD 104 to a user via an external television monitor (not shown) through the video information output unit 107, the video information recording HDD 1
04 to FAT (FileAllocation Ta)
ble) Read information.

Here, as shown in the image diagram of FIG. 10, the programs 1 to 10 and the CMs 1 to 8 and the collation information 1 to 10 and the collation information A to H respectively correspond to the video information recording HDD 104. It shall be recorded. Video information such as programs and commercials is recorded in the MPEG2 format, and the "corresponding collation information name (file name)" is recorded in the user area of the header information section in the MPEG2 file of each video information. And

In step S404, step S403
A list of the video information recorded in the video information recording HDD 104 read out in step (1) is displayed on an external television monitor (not shown) through the video information output unit 107.

In step S 405, the user operates the input operation unit 1 based on the video information list displayed on the external television monitor.
Using the arbitrarily laid out selection buttons 05, any video information (program or CM) is selected. By pressing the decision button, the selection is completed,
Proceed to step S406. Here, it is assumed that “Program 3” has been selected.

In step S406, step S405
The content of the collation information of the video information selected in is read. Here, the “corresponding collation information name (file name)” included in the user area of the header information section of the video file of “Program 3” recorded on the HDD 104 by the control unit 102.
Is read into the general-purpose storage unit 103 through the control unit 102. Here, it is assumed that the “corresponding collation information name” is “collation information 3”. The content of the collation information is the same as that of FIG. 4 in the case of the first embodiment.

In step S407, step S405
The verification information corresponding to each of the video information included in the video information recording HDD 104 other than the video information “program 3” selected by the user in step is read in order while determining the rest in step S409 described later. Of course, since the user has selected a program, only the CM may be used as the comparison and comparison target as the video information candidate to be combined, or a mechanism for performing the comparison and comparison including other programs according to the operation may be employed.

In step S408, step S407
The comparison information corresponding to the video information other than the “program 3” read in step S406 is compared with the “collation information 3” previously read in step S406.

That is, the viewer, who is the user,
When the reproduction of an arbitrary program included in the program file 4 is designated, the “collation information file name” indicating the collation information file written in the user area of the header information section of the program file is read, and the program (or CM) is read. ) Is identified, and the identified matching information and the matching information corresponding to other video information (CM or program) are sequentially determined.
Compare and compare. Here, based on the result of comparing each keyword (collation content), it is checked whether or not the collation items match in descending order of priority, and the video information in which the collation items with higher priority match is selected. I do.

Specifically, “Program 3” as shown in FIG.
The comparison of the collation contents included in “collation information 3” with the collation information A to H of CMs 1 to 8 as shown in FIG. In the video information read in step S406, in this example, in the collation information 3 corresponding to “program 3”,
The item of “providing sponsor” has the highest priority (here, the collation item with a smaller number has the higher priority), and the collation content is “KANON”. When comparing the pieces of collation information in step S408, the content of the “providing sponsor” of the collation information to be compared becomes important. That is, as shown by ◎ in FIG. 9, the “providing sponsor” is “KANON” in CM1 and CM2. When there is such a collation item with a designated priority, the item having a higher priority is a candidate group to be combined with the matching video information degree.

Although not particularly shown in FIG. 7,
If there is no matching information that matches in priority order 1,
It is assumed that the collation with the lower priority, 2, 3, is advanced.

In step S409, step S208
In the same manner as described above, the number of matches in the comparison result of the matching items of the matching items to be compared is counted, and the matching item having the larger number of matches is selected. However, what differs from step S208 is not to select the one with the highest number of matches, but to select the one with the highest number of matches of the matching item among the matches with the highest priority in step S408. To go.

In step S410, step S40
8. The comparison of the collation information in step S409
It is determined whether or not the processing has been performed for all the video information in the area 04. Until the comparison of the collation information is completed, the process returns to step S407. When all the comparisons are completed, the combination having the highest number of matching items among the matching items having the higher priority order is returned to step S411. move on.

As described above, when there is a collation item for which a priority is designated, a candidate group in which the video information degrees with which the item having the higher priority matches is matched. When there are a plurality of matching items, the one having the largest number of matching items is selected. If there is no matching information matching the priority 1, the matching is sequentially advanced to the lower priority 2, 3, and so on. Further, it can be determined that the contents indicated by a mark in FIG. 9 match. As a result, in the collation information A and the collation information B in which the collation contents having the higher priority match each other, the video information corresponding to the collation information A having the greater number of collation items among the collation items is combined with the program 3.

In step S411, step S410
The corresponding video information is called out from the collation information A selected in. Since the “corresponding video information” described in the verification content of the “verification information A” in FIG. 9 is “CM1”, it can be determined that the video information corresponding to the verification information A is “CM1”.

In step S 412, video information to be reproduced in combination with “program 3” specified by the viewer is reproduced and displayed based on the result of the comparison. Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, “CM1” matches the provided sponsor, and
Since the number of matches between “program 3” and the collation item was the largest, both were combined and “CM1” and “program 3” in that order.
MPEG2 decoding is sequentially performed by the video processing unit 106, and is displayed on an external television monitor through the video information output unit.

The process ends in step S413, and starts again in step S401 if necessary.

As described above, in the second embodiment, collation information (keywords and the like) corresponding to individual video information is provided, and each collation item (keyword) is reproduced and displayed as a result of collation and comparison in consideration of priority. By determining the combination of the video information, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the video reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the method of managing the collation information is not individually managed but is managed collectively, and the method of comparing the collation information. The method of comparison is not limited to comparison of items that do not change due to arbitrary environmental conditions, such as the number of matching items, but also features that video information to be combined changes according to items that change with time, such as seasons, days of the week, and time. is there.

<Specific control procedure> In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a hard disk video recorder as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
According to the control procedure examples shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Realize.

First, at the start of step S601, operation waiting from the user is started. In step S602, it is detected that the user has pressed any button of the input operation unit. Here, assuming that the power button of the apparatus has been pressed, the power button is detected and detected in step S603.
Proceed to.

In step S 603, a collation information list file, which is collectively managed in advance, is read from the video information recording HDD 104 in order to show the video information list to the user.
The collectively managed collation information file is as shown in FIG. 13, and includes programs 1 to 10 and CMs 1 to 10 having “corresponding video information” items corresponding to the respective video files.
A list of collation information corresponding to CM8
Shall be recorded in the The video information of programs and commercials is recorded in the MPEG2 format.

In step S604, step S603
Is displayed on an external television monitor (not shown) through the video information output unit 107. In step S605, the user selects arbitrary video information (a program, a CM, or the like) from the video information list displayed on the external television monitor by using a selection button arbitrarily laid out on the input operation unit 105. The selection method is not particularly limited, but the number corresponding to the video information is pressed, and then the enter button is pressed to determine that the selection is completed, and the process proceeds to step S606. Here, it is assumed that program 7 is selected.

In step S606, step S603
Step S6 in the collation information list file read in
The content corresponding to the collation information portion of the video information selected in 05 is searched. For this purpose, the “corresponding video information” item in FIG. 13 is searched, and if there is a description of “program 7” specified by the user, it is determined that the block is a collation information portion corresponding to “program 7”.

In step S607, step S606
It is determined whether or not there is "designation" in the time-related content items in the content items of the collation information searched and extracted in step (1).
If it is irrelevant to time, the process proceeds to step S612, and if it is, the process proceeds to step S608.

Here, looking at the collation information portion corresponding to “Program 7” in FIG. 13, since the item of “Estimated target broadcast time” is “Specified”, step S608 is performed.
Will go on.

On the other hand, in step S612,
The collation information portions other than the collation information portion of the video information selected by the user in 605 are sequentially read from the collation information list file read in step S603.

In step S613, step S607 is executed.
The comparison information portion read in step S606 is compared with the comparison information portion read in step S606. That is, when the viewer who is the user designates reproduction of an arbitrary program included in the HDD 104, the collation information managed collectively is read,
The collation information corresponding to the designated video information and the collation information portions corresponding to other video information (programs or CMs) are sequentially collated and compared.

In step S614, step S613
It is determined whether the comparison of the collation information in step S603 has been performed for all the collation information portions in the collation information list file read in step S603. Until the comparison of all pieces of collation information is completed, the process returns to step S612. When all the comparisons are completed, the process proceeds to step S615. This collation method may be the collation method described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, or may be another collation method.

In step S608, R
Read the current date and time from TC (Real Time Clock). The RTC is separately backed up by a battery, and the timekeeping information continues to be updated normally (as long as the battery level remains) even when the main power of the apparatus is turned off. It is assumed that the date and time adjustment has been separately performed in advance.

In step S609, step S605
The collation information portions other than the collation information portion of the video information selected by the user are read in order from the collation information list file read in step S603.

In step S610, step S608
Then, the time information read in step S606 is compared with the item "Estimated target broadcast time" included in the verification information part read in step S606. That is, the difference from the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and step S613 is that step S6
08, it is determined whether or not the information in the “Estimated target broadcast time” column of the collation information content shown in FIG. .

In step S611, step S610
It is determined whether the comparison of the collation information in step S603 has been performed for all the collation information portions in the collation information list file read in step S603. Until the comparison of all pieces of collation information is completed, the process returns to step S609. When all the comparisons are completed, the process proceeds to step S615.

Here, assuming that the date and time acquired in step S608 is 8:50 am on October 10, 2000, the "morning" of the "expected target broadcast time" item included in the collation information portion of CM2 is assumed. It will match the specification.

In step S615, video information to be reproduced in combination with the program 7 specified by the viewer is reproduced and displayed based on the result of the comparison. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, “CM2” is the “Estimated target broadcast time” item and coincides with the acquired date and time information. In this order, MPEG2 decoding is performed by the video processing unit and displayed on the external television monitor through the video information output unit.

The process ends in step S616, and starts again in step S601 if necessary.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the provision of the collation information file which is collectively managed prevents access to a plurality of files to improve the efficiency of collation, and furthermore, the collation information file corresponding to each program is provided. The unit determines the combination to be reproduced and displayed based on the result of comparison and comparison with the date and time obtained from the clock unit. As a result, the video information is not reproduced only in the combination corresponding to the predetermined collation information content, but the video information to be combined changes with the date and time. That is, a combination of video information linked to a season, a day of the week, and a time zone can be realized.

Therefore, it is possible to newly provide an arbitrary program and an arbitrary CM, an arbitrary program and an arbitrary program, and a combination of an arbitrary CM and an arbitrary CM, instead of a conventional fixed TV broadcast. Thus, it is possible to realize a video reproducing apparatus that flexibly provides video information to a user. In addition, there is a characteristic that the CM (or the program) combined with the selected program (or the CM) changes in conjunction with the date and time information.

The above-described control method can be realized by storing and operating a program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 7, 11 and 12 in a storage device in a general-purpose storage unit. Become.

The present invention is not limited to the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, but may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that it will be completed by doing so.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk,
A magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS or the like running on the computer performs actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the functions are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the next program code. Needless to say, the extended function may be performed by a CPU or the like provided in an expansion board or an expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. No.

[0106]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the attribute information of the first video information which is arbitrary video information stored in the storage means and the second video information other than the arbitrary video information are stored. Based on the attribute information, a predetermined third video information is selected from the second video information, so as to reproduce the first video information and the third video information in combination, for example, Based on the comparison result of collation contents (items) of collation information related to individual video information such as programs and commercials, a combination of video information to be reproduced can be determined.

As a result, instead of displaying fixed programs and commercials as in conventional TV broadcasting and video reproduction, new programs and arbitrary CMs, arbitrary programs and arbitrary programs,
It is possible to provide an arbitrary CM and an arbitrary CM in combination.

Further, by comparing the collation contents according to individual viewers and viewing conditions, conventional simultaneous broadcast type video information provision of a program + CM of the same content to anyone at any time. As a new form of providing commercials, it is possible to provide flexible programs and commercials tailored to the situation of the viewer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video playback device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a video information recording HDD 10 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an image diagram recorded in 4.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of collation information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating respective verification contents included in “verification information 5” for “program 5”.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a content comparison between CMs 1 to 8 and collation information A to H.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing collation contents included in “collation information 3” for “program 3”.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a comparison of the contents of the CMs 1 to 8 with respective pieces of collation information A to H.

FIG. 10 is a video information recording HDD 1 according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an image diagram recorded in an area 04.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a collation information list file corresponding to programs 1 to 10 and CMs 1 to 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

101 video information input unit 102 control unit 103 general-purpose storage unit 104 video information recording hard disk drive (HD
D) 105 input operation unit 106 video processing unit 107 video information output unit 108 clock unit 109 connection signal line

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/781 510L 5/91 L F term (reference) 5C052 AA01 AB04 AC08 CC11 DD04 5C053 FA14 FA20 FA23 GA11 GB06 GB38 HA29 JA21 KA05 KA24 LA06 LA07 5D044 AB07 BC01 CC04 DE37 FG23 GK12

Claims (59)

[Claims] A storage means for storing a plurality of independent video information to which attribute information is respectively added; and attribute information of first video information as arbitrary video information stored in the storage means; Selecting means for selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on attribute information of the second video information other than the video information, and the first video information and the third video information A video reproducing apparatus, comprising: reproducing means for reproducing in combination. 2. A storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of video information, and a plurality of pieces of attribute information respectively corresponding to the pieces of video information and provided independently of the pieces of video information; Selection of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the first video information, which is the video information, and the attribute information of the second video information other than the arbitrary video information And a reproducing unit for reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination. 3. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing means inserts and reproduces the third video information at a predetermined timing between the first video information. 4. The comparison means compares and compares the attribute information of the first video information with the attribute information of the second video information, and selects a predetermined one of the second video information based on a result of the comparison. 4. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third video information is selected. 5. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is provided as an arbitrary information file in which the contents of the attribute information are put together. 6. The attribute information includes at least a production time of each of the video information, a target audience image, a region, a target target broadcast time, a sponsor provided, the presence or absence of a designated CM or a program, a viewing fee, a broadcast prohibition condition, and an environment. 6. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optional combination of information, the number of broadcasts, and the presence / absence of a series CM. 7. The item of the assumed target audience image as the attribute information includes at least any combination of items of gender, age, arbitrarily set generation, adult, and / or child. The video playback device according to claim 6. 8. The item according to claim 6, wherein the item of the region as the attribute information includes at least an item of an administrative region, a country, a continent, a linguistic sphere, a northern hemisphere, or a southern hemisphere. Video playback device. 9. The item of the assumed target broadcast time as the attribute information includes at least any combination of items of morning, noon, evening, night, midnight, day of the week, or season. 9. The video playback device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. 10. The item of the broadcast prohibition condition as the attribute information includes at least a payment status for a pay program,
10. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an optional combination of age restriction items. 11. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the environment information as the attribute information includes any combination of items of weather, temperature, and humidity. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said comparison means selects video information in which any item of said attribute information matches or satisfies a verification condition as said third video information. The video playback device according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the comparing and comparing of the selecting means selects the third video information based on the number of items corresponding to a match or a matching condition among the attribute information.
13. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 12. 14. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a priority order or an arbitrary condition is set for each item of the attribute information. 15. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third video information is selected based on a priority or an arbitrary condition assigned to each item of the attribute information. 16. Attribute information of first video information, which is arbitrary video information in a storage unit in which attribute information is added and a plurality of independent video information are stored, and a second video other than the arbitrary video information. A selection step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the information; and a reproduction step of reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination. And a video playback method. 17. A first video information which is arbitrary video information in a storage means storing a plurality of video information and a plurality of attribute information respectively corresponding to the respective video information and provided independently of the respective video information. A selection step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on the attribute information of the video information and the attribute information of the second video information other than the arbitrary video information; A video reproducing method, comprising: performing a reproducing step of reproducing information in combination with the third video information. 18. The video reproducing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said reproducing means inserts and reproduces the third video information at a predetermined timing between the first video information. 19. The selecting step includes comparing and comparing attribute information of the first video information with attribute information of the second video information, and determining a predetermined one of the second video information based on a result of the comparison. 19. The video reproducing method according to claim 16, wherein the third video information is selected. 20. The video reproducing method according to claim 16, wherein the attribute information is provided as an arbitrary information file in which the contents of the attribute information are put together. 21. The attribute information includes at least a production time of each of the video information, an assumed target viewer image, an area, an assumed target broadcast time, a sponsor provided, the presence or absence of a designated CM or a program, a viewing fee, a broadcast prohibition condition, and an environment. 21. The video reproducing method according to claim 16, further comprising an optional combination of information, the number of broadcasts, and the presence / absence of a series CM. 22. The item of the assumed target audience image as the attribute information includes at least any combination of gender, age, arbitrarily set generation, adult, or child. Item 22. The video reproducing method according to Item 21. 23. The item according to claim 21, wherein the item of the region as the attribute information includes at least an item of an administrative region, a country, a continent, a language zone, a northern hemisphere, or a southern hemisphere. Video playback method. 24. The item of the assumed target broadcast time as the attribute information is provided with at least any combination of items of morning, noon, evening, night, midnight, day of the week, or season. 24. The video reproducing method according to 21 to 23. 25. The item of the broadcast prohibition condition as the attribute information includes at least a payment status for a pay program,
25. The video reproducing method according to claim 21, further comprising an optional combination of age restriction items. 26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the environment information as the attribute information includes any combination of items of weather, temperature, and humidity.
The described video playback method. 27. The method according to claim 16, wherein in the comparison in the selecting step, video information in which an arbitrary item in the attribute information matches or satisfies a verification condition is selected as the third video information. The described video playback method. 28. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the comparison in the selection step, the third video information is selected based on the number of items corresponding to a match or a matching condition in the attribute information.
The video reproducing method according to any one of claims 6 to 27. 29. The video reproducing method according to claim 16, wherein a priority order or an arbitrary condition is set for each item of the attribute information. 30. The video reproducing method according to claim 16, wherein the third video information is selected based on a priority or an arbitrary condition assigned to each item of the attribute information. 31. A video playback system comprising the video playback device according to claim 1. Description: 32. Attribute information of first video information, which is arbitrary video information in a storage unit in which attribute information is added and a plurality of independent video information are stored, and a second video other than the arbitrary video information A selection step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on attribute information of the information; and a reproduction step of reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination. A recording medium characterized by recording a control program having the following. 33. A first video information, which is arbitrary video information in a storage means storing a plurality of video information and a plurality of attribute information respectively corresponding to the respective video information and provided independently of the respective video information. A selecting step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on attribute information of video information and attribute information of second video information other than the arbitrary video information; A recording medium having recorded thereon a control program having a reproducing step of reproducing information in combination with the third video information. 34. The selecting step compares and compares attribute information of the first video information with attribute information of the second video information, and determines a predetermined one of the second video information based on a result of the comparison. 34. The recording medium according to claim 32, wherein the third video information is selected. 35. The recording medium according to claim 32, wherein the attribute information is provided as an arbitrary information file in which the contents of the attribute information are put together. 36. The attribute information includes at least a production time of each of the video information, a target audience image, a region, a target target broadcast time, a sponsor provided, the presence or absence of a designated CM or a program, a viewing fee, a broadcast prohibition condition, and an environment. The recording medium according to any one of claims 32 to 35, further comprising an optional combination of information, the number of broadcasts, and the presence / absence of a series CM. 37. The item of the assumed target audience image as the attribute information includes at least any combination of items of gender, age, arbitrarily set generation, adult, or child. Item 36. The recording medium according to Item 36. 38. The item according to claim 36, wherein the item of the region as the attribute information includes at least an item of an administrative region, a country, a continent, a language zone, a northern hemisphere, or a southern hemisphere. Recording medium. 39. The item of the assumed target broadcast time as the attribute information includes at least any combination of items of morning, noon, evening, night, midnight, day of the week, or season. 39. The recording medium according to any one of 36 to 38. 40. The item of the broadcast prohibition condition as the attribute information includes at least a payment status for a pay program,
40. The recording medium according to claim 36, wherein items of age restriction are arbitrarily combined. 41. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein items of weather, temperature, or humidity are arbitrarily combined as said environment information as said attribute information.
The recording medium according to the above. 42. The comparison in the selecting step, wherein video information in which any item of the attribute information matches or meets a verification condition is selected as the third video information. The recording medium according to the above. 43. The recording according to claim 32, wherein the comparison in the selecting step selects the third video information based on the number of items corresponding to a match or a matching condition in the attribute information. Medium. 44. The recording medium according to claim 32, wherein a priority order or an arbitrary condition is set for each item of said attribute information. 45. The recording medium according to claim 32, wherein the third video information is selected based on a priority or an arbitrary condition assigned to each item of the attribute information. 46. Attribute information of first video information which is arbitrary video information in a storage means in which a plurality of independent video information each having attribute information added thereto are stored, and a second video other than the arbitrary video information. A selection step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on attribute information of the information; and a reproduction step of reproducing the first video information and the third video information in combination. A control program characterized by having: 47. First video information, which is arbitrary video information in a storage unit that stores a plurality of video information and a plurality of attribute information respectively corresponding to the respective video information and provided independently of the respective video information. A selecting step of selecting predetermined third video information from the second video information based on attribute information of video information and attribute information of second video information other than the arbitrary video information; A reproduction step of reproducing information in combination with the third video information. 48. The selecting step compares and compares the attribute information of the first video information with the attribute information of the second video information, and determines a predetermined one of the second video information based on a result of the comparison. The control program according to claim 46 or 47, wherein the third video information is selected. 49. The control program according to claim 46, wherein the attribute information is provided as an arbitrary information file in which the contents of the attribute information are put together. 50. The attribute information includes at least a production time of each of the video information, a target audience image, a region, a target broadcast time, a sponsor provided, the presence or absence of a designated CM or a program, a viewing fee, a broadcast prohibition condition, and an environment. 50. The control program according to claim 46, further comprising an optional combination of information, the number of broadcasts, and the presence / absence of a series CM. 51. The item of the assumed target audience image as the attribute information is provided with at least any combination of gender, age, arbitrarily set generation, adult, or child. Item 50. The control program according to Item 50. 52. The attribute information according to claim 50, wherein the item of the area is at least an optional combination of items of an administrative area, a country, a continent, a language zone, a northern hemisphere, and a southern hemisphere. Control program. 53. The item of the assumed target broadcast time as the attribute information includes at least any combination of items of morning, noon, evening, night, midnight, day of the week, or season. 53. The control program according to any one of claims 50 to 52. 54. The item of the broadcast prohibition condition as the attribute information includes at least a payment status for a pay program,
54. The control program according to claim 50, further comprising an optional combination of age restriction items. 55. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein items of weather, temperature, or humidity are arbitrarily combined as said environment information as said attribute information.
Control program described. 56. A method according to claim 46, wherein in the comparison in the selecting step, video information in which any item of the attribute information matches or satisfies a verification condition is selected as the third video information. Control program described. 57. The control according to claim 46, wherein in the comparison in the selecting step, the third video information is selected based on the number of items corresponding to a match or a matching condition in the attribute information. program. 58. The control program according to claim 46, wherein a priority order or an arbitrary condition is set for each item of the attribute information. 59. The control program according to claim 46, wherein the third video information is selected based on a priority order or an arbitrary condition assigned to each item of the attribute information.