JP2003204501A - Program data viewing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program data viewing system capable of easily managing program data and a video recording available capacity without the need for a user to be conscious about an idle capacity of a display device. <P>SOLUTION: A memory of a display device stores a display program data list. The system manages a size of each of program data stored in the display device, and a program data storage available capacity or idle capacity according to the list. A memory of a video recording apparatus stores a video recording (for synchronization) program data list for managing the size of each of program data stored in the display device and the program data storage available capacity or idle capacity. When the display device is connected to the video recording apparatus, the video recording apparatus requests transfer of the display program data list and compares the display program data list transferred from the display device with the video recording (for synchronization) program data list to update the video recording (for synchronization) program data list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention enables a recording device and a display device to be separated and connected to each other, and transfers a video / audio signal received / recorded by the recording device to the display device as program data.
The present invention relates to a program data viewing system in which only a display device is carried so that program data can be reproduced and viewed at a destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional program data viewing system, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer)
Has a function of receiving and recording television broadcasts, records the program data in a built-in hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD), and then records the recorded program data in a mobile terminal (hereinafter referred to as PDA).
There is one that carries the PDA and reproduces / views the program data at the destination.

[0003]

In such a conventional program data viewing system, in transferring program data from a personal computer to a PDA, a user operates the personal computer to transfer the program data to a memory card and record the program. It was necessary to set the memory card to PDA.

When the PDA is set in a device called a cradle that also functions as a charger and a data transfer interface, data stored in a specific folder (mobile folder) set on the personal computer is transferred to the PDA.
There is a system that has the function of automatically transferring to DA.

For a personal computer of such a system,
By adding a television broadcast receiving function and a recording function, it is possible to construct a system that transfers program data to a PDA without using a memory card. However, even in this case, the TV broadcast receiving function and the recording function,
Since the program data transfer function and the program data transfer function are separately provided, it is necessary for the user to perform an operation and save the program data in the mobile folder for the transfer.

Further, in this case, after the program data is stored in the mobile folder by a user operation, it is necessary to automatically transfer the data so that the data content of the mobile folder and the data content of the PDA match. At this time, if the data stored in the mobile folder is unconditionally transferred without considering the data capacity of the PDA, a failure may occur after the transfer operation is actually started. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to always be aware of the data capacity of the PDA when performing the operation of saving the program data in the specific folder.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and the program data can be transferred from the recording device to the display device without the user performing a complicated operation. Another object of the present invention is to realize a program data viewing system capable of easily managing program data and recordable capacity in a display device.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 of the present application has a recording device and a display device that are detachable from each other, and transfers the program data recorded in the recording device to the display device for viewing. In the program data viewing system, the recording device is connected to a receiving means for receiving a video / audio signal, a recording means for recording the video / audio signal received by the receiving means as program data, and the display device. A first interface means for detecting the fact that the program data recorded in the recording means is transferred to the display device, and a first interface means for controlling the receiving means, the recording means, and the first interface means. Control means, the display device communicates with the first interface means, receives second program means, and receives the program data. Storage means for storing the program data received by the interface means, playback means for playing back the program data stored in the storage means, and second interface means for controlling the second interface means, the storage means, and the playback means. And a second control means for managing at least one of a storable capacity and a free capacity of program data in the storage means and a size of each program data stored in the storage means. And a first control means manages at least one of a storage capacity and an empty capacity of the program data in the storage means, and a size of each program data stored in the storage means. When the first interface unit detects the connection of the display device while creating the recording program data list for A request is made to transfer a display program data list to the device, the display program data list transferred from the display device is compared with the recorded program data list, and the recorded program data list is updated. It is what

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the program data viewing system according to the first aspect, the first control means is:
When the first interface means detects that the display device is connected to the recording device, the recorded program data list is referred to, and program data whose program data size is equal to or less than the free space in the storage means is displayed. It is characterized in that it is determined before the transfer is started, and the program data is transferred from the recording means to the reproducing apparatus via the first interface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the program data viewing system according to the first aspect, the recording device presents the information created by the first control means to the user, and the recording means from the user. An input means for transmitting the operation content to the first control means is further provided, and the first control means transfers the program data in which the data size of the program exceeds the free space in the storage means to the reproduction device. When it is detected that such an operation is performed by the user, it is determined that the free space is exceeded before the transfer is started by referring to the recorded program data list, and a warning is given to the user via the display means. To do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the program data viewing system according to the first aspect, the recording device presents the information created by the first control means to the user, and the recording means from the user. And an input unit for transmitting operation contents to the first control unit, wherein the first control unit reserves a program broadcast at a specific time in the recording unit according to a setting operation by a user. While recording, when the first interface means detects that the display device is connected to the recording device, the reserved program data is automatically transferred to the display device, and the free space of the accumulating means. When the above program data is set to be reserved for recording, it is determined that the free space is exceeded at the time of inputting the setting for reserved recording by referring to the recorded program data list. And it is characterized in providing a warning to the user via the display means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the program viewing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recording means stores a synchronization folder synchronized with the program data area of the accumulating means, and a storage folder. And a folder divided into at least two areas for storing the program data of the program data, and the first controller means that the display device is connected to the recording device. When the means detects, the program data recorded in the synchronization folder is transferred to the display device, and the program data to be recorded is recorded in the spare folder during normal recording in which the recording end time is not defined. It is a thing.

The invention of claim 6 of the present application is the invention of claim 4 or 5.
In the program data viewing system, the first control means displays a selection screen on the display means for overwriting the program data previously recorded at the time of the reserved recording setting or recording the additional program data. It is characterized in that the result of user's selection is received from the input means to set the reserved recording.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A program data viewing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a program data viewing system according to this embodiment. The program data viewing system includes a recording device 1 and a display device 2.

The recording apparatus 1 may include its function in a personal computer, and the antenna input terminal 101 and the tuner section 1 are included.
02, capture unit 103, compression multiplexing unit 104, hard disk drive (HDD) 105, interface unit (I / F unit) 106, input / output terminal 107, bus 10
8. Real-time clock module (hereinafter referred to as RTC) 109, CPU 110, memory 111, display unit 1
12, input unit 113, removable media drive 1
Have fourteen.

The display device 2 has a PDA function, and has an input / output terminal 201 and an interface section (I / F section) 20.
2, memory 203, separation / expansion unit 204, display unit 205,
It has a bus 206, a CPU 207, an input unit 208, and an audio output unit 209.

In the claims of the present application, the tuner unit 102
Is a receiving unit, and is a capture unit 103 and a compression multiplexing unit 104.
The combination of the HDD and the HDD 105 serves as a recording unit, the interface unit 106 serves as a first interface unit, and C
PU110 corresponds to a 1st control means. Also, the interface unit 202 serves as a second interface unit,
The memory 203 corresponds to the storage means, the combination of the separation / expansion unit 204, the display unit 205, and the audio output unit 209 corresponds to the reproduction unit, and the CPU 207 corresponds to the second control unit.

(Recording Operation) First, the recording operation will be described. Consider an operation in which the recording apparatus 1 receives a television broadcast and records program data in the HDD 105. The recording device 1 is presumed to be a personal computer equipped with a function of receiving and recording television broadcasts, and it is basically assumed to be used in a fixed place.

In the recording apparatus 1, each unit is connected to the bus 108 and controlled by the control software executed by the CPU 110. This control software is the recorder 1
Is held in the memory 111 while it is running and is executed on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS). Before turning on the power, the control software and OS are HD
It is stored only in D105, and is transferred and stored in the memory 111 when the recording device 1 is started. Then, when the OS and the control software operate, the operation information required by the user is displayed on the display unit 112 as necessary. In addition, the user's operation is input through the input unit 113, and necessary processing is performed.

A television antenna is connected to the antenna input terminal 101 to input an RF signal. The RF signal is demodulated by the tuner section 102, and when the video signal and the audio signal obtained here are input to the capture section 103, they are converted into digital signals and given to the compression multiplexing section 104.
The compression multiplexer 104 compresses the input digital video signal and digital audio signal, respectively, and further multiplexes them to generate program data. In order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the compression rate in the compression / multiplexing unit 104 is constant and the reception time and the data size of the program data are completely proportional. The program data generated by the compression multiplexing unit 104 is transferred to the HDD 105 via the bus 108 and recorded.

On the other hand, the real time clock information is supplied from the RTC 109 to the CPU 110, and the CPU 1
10 uses this clock information to receive a TV program at a preset time zone and stores the obtained program data in the HDD.
Control for recording in 105. In this way, reserved recording is performed.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the folder structure of the HDD 105. The program data generated by the compression multiplexing unit 104 is recorded in the synchronization folder 131 or the backup folder 132. In the area 133 other than these, the OS, various software, and data are recorded. Folder for synchronization 131
The program data recorded in 1 can be automatically transferred to the display device 2 as needed. Also, program data that is not transferred to the display device 2 for immediate viewing but is desired to be saved and viewed at a later date is recorded in the spare folder 132.

In the recording device 1, the display device 2 has a memory 203.
The capacity of the program data area that can be stored in is managed, and only the program data of the data size that can be stored in the display device 2 is recorded in the synchronization folder 131. When a user performs a normal recording operation to record program data in the HDD 105, the total amount of recorded data is generally uncertain. Therefore, such program data is once recorded in the spare folder 132. Further, the user can move the program data between the spare folder 132 and the synchronization folder 131 as needed. This operation is called a program data moving operation. At this time, it is assumed that the user performs the following operation via the input unit 113. That is, when program data that exceeds the data size that can be stored in the display device 2 is moved from the spare folder 132 to the synchronization folder 131, the control software of the CPU 110 detects this and displays the data via the display unit 112. To warn the user.

Further, the user selects whether to record the program data generated by the compression / multiplexing unit 104 in the synchronization folder 131 or the spare folder 132 when performing the reserved recording setting (referred to as the reserved recording setting operation). can do. At this time, when recording the program data that exceeds the data size that can be stored in the display device 2, if the user tries to set recording in the synchronization folder 131, the control software of the CPU 110 detects this and the display unit Alert the user via 112.

When the user receives a warning via the display unit 112, the reserved recording setting operation or the program data moving operation which the user has previously attempted to perform is canceled as an operation input for avoiding the capacity over in the display device 2. . Alternatively,
The program data previously recorded in the synchronization folder 131 is moved or discarded from the synchronization folder 131 to the spare folder 132, and new program data is recorded in the vacant portion.

(Transfer and Viewing Operations) Next, the transfer and viewing operations will be described. In the program data viewing system according to the present embodiment, as described above, the HD in the recording device 1 is
The program data recorded in D105 is viewed by the user after being transferred to the display device 2. The I / F unit 106 is
It has a function of communicating with the display device 2 via the input / output terminal 107, and a function of detecting that the display device 2 is connected to the input / output terminal 107 and notifying the CPU 110. As an interface having such a function, for example, Uni
There are various types such as a versatile serial bus (USB).

When the display device 2 is connected to the input / output terminal 107, the I / F unit 106 detects this connection and detects the CPU 1
Notify the control program executed in 10. This control program communicates with the display device 2, and if necessary, H
The program data recorded in the DD 105 is transferred to the display device 2 via the input / output terminal 107. Basically, the transfer of the program data at this time is automatically performed without any user operation.

A portable PDA is assumed as the display device 2, and the user can view the program data transferred from the HDD 105 at the destination. Input / output terminal 107
Is connected to a charging / communication stand (cradle) of the display device 2. When the display device 2 is placed in the cradle for charging, the input / output terminal 107 and the input / output terminal 201 are automatically connected. Program data is transferred. By doing this, for example, if you make a reservation recording of a program that is broadcast during the time you are out, such as during the day, and go home at night to charge it,
Data is transferred automatically. By doing so, the convenience for the user is increased.

In the display device 2, each unit is connected to the bus 206 and controlled by the control software executed by the CPU 207. This control software is a memory 20
3 and is executed on the OS similarly stored in the memory 203.

The display device 2 has no HDD, and all programs and program data are always held in the memory 203.
The memory 203 is always energized separately so that the contents are not erased even if the user turns off the power of the display device 2, or a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory is used. The operation information of the user is displayed on the display unit 205 as necessary by the operation of the OS and the control software.
The contents of the user's operation are converted into a signal by the input unit 208 and the necessary processing is performed.

The recording device 1 and the display device 2 have an input / output terminal 1
When connected via 07 and the input / output terminal 201, the interface unit 202 receives the program data from the recording apparatus 1 via the input / output terminal 107 and the input / output terminal 201, and transfers the program data to the memory 203 via the bus 206. To store.

The user can watch the program data stored in the memory 203 as needed, regardless of whether the display device 2 is connected to the recording device 1. When the control software executed by the CPU 207 receives a user operation via the input unit 208, the program data is read from the memory 203 based on the content and transferred to the separation / expansion unit 204. Separation and extension unit 204
Separates the compressed digital video signal and digital audio signal from the transferred program data. Then, the data compression is restored to its original state (decompression) and converted into a video signal and an audio signal. The video signal is output to the display unit 205, and the audio signal is output to the audio output unit 209. Display unit 205
Displays the video signal input from the separation / expansion unit 204 after overlaying it with another image created by the CPU 207 as necessary. The audio output unit 209 is the separation / expansion unit 204.
The audio signal input from is output.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an area structure of the memory 203 which is a storage means. The memory 203 is divided into a program execution area 230 and a data storage area 231 for use. A program data area 232 is provided in the data storage area 231, and application data 233 and an OS / program 234 are stored in other areas. Even if the total capacity of the memory 203 is fixed,
Memory capacity allocated to the program execution area 230,
The program data area 232 depends on the total program amount of installed programs and the application data amount.
The amount of memory that can be allocated to the memory varies. By slightly estimating this, the memory capacity of the program data area 232 is completely fixed, and the recording folder 1 is displayed by limiting the size of the synchronization folder 131 to be the same as this fixed memory capacity. It is also possible to manage the capacity of the program data area in the device 2.

However, according to this method, when the number of programs to be installed is small, the free area of the memory increases and it is wasted, or the necessary programs cannot be added to install. Moreover, it is not possible to flexibly cope with the case where the memory 203 is added. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the program data area 232 and the synchronization folder 13
In the following description, the capacity of 1 is variable.

The installation of the program on the display device 2 is always performed with the recording device 1 connected. The program to be installed is recorded on a removable medium (not shown), and is read by the removable medium drive 114 included in the recording device 1. The read program is stored in the memory 203 via the I / F unit 106, the input / output terminal 107, the input / output terminal 201, and the I / F unit 202.
Stored and transferred to.

During the installation operation, the memory 20
3, the area occupied by the OS / program 234 increases, and depending on the program, the program execution area 23
There may be cases where it is necessary to increase 0 or the application data 233. Therefore, the size of the program data area 232 is changed as necessary for the control program of the display device 2 during the installation operation, and the recording device 1
To notify the size of the new program data area 232.

The size of the program data area 232 should be changed only when the recording device 1 and the display device 2 are connected, such as when the above-mentioned program is installed, and only by the user's operation, and not automatically. To do. This is the synchronization folder 131 and the program data area 232.
Since the amount of program data that can be stored in the recording device 1 changes, and in some cases it is necessary to select program data and delete or move it to a spare folder, the size of the program data area 232 is set to the recording device 1. This is because the display device 2 and the display device 2 always need to be matched.

(Capacity Management Operation on Recording Device Side) Next, the capacity management operation on the recording device 1 side will be described. FIG. 4 is a system conceptual diagram centering on the configuration of the control program in the recording device 1 and the display device 2. OS1 in recording device 1
51 is executed, on which the components of the control program, that is, the recording control component 152, the recording data management component 153, the synchronization component 154, and the communication component 155 are executed. An OS 251 is executed on the display device 2, and a component of a control program, that is, a communication component 252, a synchronization component 253, a display data management component 254, a display control component 25 is executed on the OS 251.
5 is executed.

First, the capacity management operation in the recording apparatus 1 will be described. In the recording device 1, the OS 151 transmits information from each component hardware of the recording device 1 to each component, and controls each component hardware in response to a control command from each component.

The recording control component 152 is a component that controls the tuner unit 102, the capture unit 103, the compression multiplexing unit 104, and the HDD 105 in FIG. 1 to perform an operation of receiving and recording program data. The recording control component 152 also displays information necessary for the user on the display unit 112, receives an operation from the user via the input unit 113, and performs a normal recording operation, a scheduled recording operation, and a program data move / delete operation. To do. These operations are software functions that are also realized by a conventional PC with a television receiving / recording function. However, the recording control component 152 according to the present embodiment uses the synchronization folder 131 and program data as described above. In order to realize capacity management of the area 232, it has a function of communicating with the recorded data management component 153.

The recording control component 152 confirms whether or not it can be executed when the reserved recording setting or the program data moving operation is performed by the user. Therefore, the recording control component 152 sends a recording management command to the recording data management component 153 to make an inquiry, and according to the recording management response returned from the recording data management component 153 in response to the recording management command, the user operates according to the user's operation. Or execute a warning and ask the user to take action. Further, when the normal recording, the reserved recording, the program data movement / deletion are actually performed and the state of the program data on the HDD 105 changes, a recording management command is transmitted to the recording data management component 153 to newly record,
It conveys information on program data that has been moved or deleted.

The recording data management component 153 is H
DD105 synchronization folder 131 and spare folder 1
32 is a component for managing the program data recorded in 32 and the remaining capacity. The recording data management component 153 creates and manages a recording program data list on the memory 111, and when receiving a recording management command from the recording control component 152, it creates a recording management response with reference to the recording program data list. Then, the recording management response is returned to the recording control component 152, and if the recording operation or the program data moving operation is executed, the recorded program data list is updated according to the contents thereof.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in the recording management command and the recording management response. 5A shows the format of the recording management command, and FIG. 5B shows the format of the recording management response. The recording management command includes a command ID, a folder designation / execution attribute, a program data ID, a data size, program data synchronization information, and an overwrite attribute.

The command ID is an ID for associating a recording management command with a recording management response when a plurality of commands are continuously issued, and has the same value for a recording management command and a recording management response that form a pair.

The folder designation / execution attribute designates whether the folder in which the program data is recorded is a synchronization folder or a backup folder, and whether it is an inquiry as to whether recording is possible or whether it is recording execution information. Indicates the execution attribute. These can be realized by a 2-bit flag, for example.

The remaining part is information regarding program data to be recorded or moved. The program data ID is an ID for distinguishing the program data, and is assigned by the recording control component 152 for each program data. The data size is the size of program data. When inquiring about the feasibility of reserved recording, the recording control component 152 sets the data size by converting from the time of reserved recording setting. In other cases, the data size is the program data actually recorded in the HDD 105.

The program data synchronization information is information indicating the status of cooperation (synchronization) between the recording device 1 and the display device 2 of the program data. In the present embodiment, information indicating three types of states, that is, reserved recording execution waiting, new recording, and transferred is stored. At the time of setting reserved recording, when multiple reserved recordings are set, the size of the program data created by the previously set reserved recording is reflected in the free space determination of the reserved recording set next. It is necessary to temporarily register the reserved recording setting contents in the recorded program data list. In order to indicate this temporary registration state, at the time of reserved recording setting, the recording control component 152 sets the program data synchronization information to "wait for reserved recording execution" and outputs it to the recorded data management component 153. When the reserved recording operation or the program data moving operation is executed, the recording control component 152 sets the program data synchronization information to “new recording” and outputs it to the recorded data management component 153.

The overwrite attribute is information indicating whether the program data is overwritten or newly created.
Overwriting is performed, for example, at 19:00 every day in the recording device 1.
This is used, for example, when the reserved recording of the news for 0 to 15 minutes is repeated, and it is transferred to the display device 2 at night and viewed at the destination on the next day. At this time, the recording control component 152 gives the same program data ID to the news in this time period even if the broadcast date (recording date) is different, and regardless of whether or not the news is displayed on the display device 2, the recording device 1 In, the program data having the same program name is overwritten every day. By doing so, once the preset recording is performed every day, the display device 2 is simply connected to the recording device 1 without the user performing any operation for recording / transferring. The overwritten news can always be transferred to the display device 2 (just by placing it in the cradle) so that the latest news can be viewed when moving.

When such a recording management command is sent, the recording data management component 153 of FIG.
A recording management response as shown in (b) is created and returned. The recording management response includes a command ID, recording status, program data ID, data size, program data synchronization information, and overwrite attribute. Of these, except for the recording status, the contents of the recording management command sent are returned as they are.

The recording status is an answer to the recording control component 152, which the recording data management component 153 creates by comparing the contents of the recording management command with the recorded program data list. For example, when the content of the folder designation / execution attribute of the recording management command is an inquiry as to whether recording is possible, it is determined whether the program data indicated by the recording management command can be recorded, and information indicating whether recording is possible or not is possible. Is described in the recording status. When the content of the folder designation / execution attribute of the recording management command is the recording execution information, information for confirming receipt of the execution information is described in the recording status. In this case, the information recorded in the recording status can be recorded as an inquiry, can not be recorded,
Since it is sufficient to receive the execution information, it can be realized by a 2-bit flag, for example. Therefore, in this case, the recorded data management component 153 can overwrite the portion of the folder designation / execution attribute of the transmitted recording management command with the recording status and return it, and the processing can be simplified.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data format in the recorded program data list. FIG. 6A shows the format of the synchronization folder management unit, and FIG.
Shows the format of the spare folder management unit. The synchronization folder management unit of the recorded program data list is composed of the synchronization folder total capacity, the synchronization folder free capacity, the number of synchronization folder data, and the program data information for only the number of synchronization folder data. The program data information includes program data ID, data size, program data synchronization information, and overwrite attribute.

The total capacity of the synchronization folder indicates the capacity of the entire synchronization folder. The synchronization folder free space indicates the amount of data that can be newly recorded in the synchronization folder. This can be calculated from the total capacity of the synchronization folder and the data size of each program data in the synchronization folder, but it is included in the format considering that the same calculation need not be performed by a plurality of components. The number of synchronization folder data indicates the number of program data recorded in the synchronization folder.

In the subsequent columns, each piece of program data information recorded in the synchronization folder is stored by the number of sets of program data. The program data ID, data size, program data synchronization information, and overwrite attribute are information having the same contents as the recording management command and recording management response of FIG. 5, respectively.

The format of the spare folder management section shown in FIG. 6B has a similar format except that the data content of each section is changed from that of the synchronization folder to that of the spare folder. Although the total capacity of the spare folder is not related to the display device 2, in the present embodiment, a place to store the spare folder is provided in order to use it for determining whether or not reserved recording in the spare folder is possible. The value of the total capacity of the spare folder may be initialized by the user, for example. Normally, the memory 2 of the display device 2
On the other hand, since the HDD 105 of the recording apparatus 1 has a much larger capacity than that of the recording apparatus 1, it is generally possible to set the spare folder total capacity to be sufficiently larger than the synchronization folder total capacity, and it is not necessary to change it frequently. In many cases.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the recording data management component 153 when a recording management command is sent from the recording control component 152.
When the operation is started in step S300 and the recording management command is received in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302, and the folder designation is first checked to determine whether the process is for the synchronization folder or the spare folder. If the synchronization folder is designated, the processing of steps S303 to S313 is executed using the synchronization folder management unit of the recorded program data list. On the other hand, if the spare folder is specified, the process proceeds to step S314, and the process for the spare folder is executed. In the spare folder process, the recorded program data list to be used is only changed to the spare folder management unit instead of the synchronization folder management unit, and the specific execution content is the same as the process in steps S303 to S313, and therefore the description is omitted. To do.

After determining in step S302 that the folder to be processed is a synchronization folder by designating a folder, the process proceeds to step S303, and it is determined whether the execution attribute is an inquiry or execution information. If it is an inquiry, the process proceeds to step S304, and it is further determined whether or not the overwrite attribute is overwritten.

If the execution attribute is inquiry and the overwrite attribute is overwrite, the area for writing the data is originally secured in the synchronization folder, so the flow advances to step S305.
Create a recording management response by setting the recording status to "recordable by inquiry". Then, the process proceeds to step S306, and the recording management response is sent to the recording control component 15
Return to 2.

If the execution attribute is inquiry and the overwrite attribute is not overwrite in step S304, step S304
In step 308, the data size in the recording management command is compared with the free space in the folder in the recorded program data list.
In the next step S309, if the free space is smaller than the data size in the recording management command, the process proceeds to step S310, and the recording status is set to "query recording not possible".
Set to and create a recording management response. Then, in step 306, the recording management response is returned to the recording control component 152.

On the other hand, in step S309, when the free space is larger than the data size in the recording management command, the process proceeds to step S311, the program data information in the recording management command is added to the recorded program data list, and the synchronization folder is added. Update the free space and the number of synchronization folder data. After that, the process proceeds to step S305, and the recording status is set to "query recordable" to create a recording management response. Then, the process proceeds to step S306, and this recording management response is returned to the recording control component 152.

When the execution attribute is not the inquiry but the execution information in step S303, the program data information in the recorded program data list having the same program data ID as the program data information in the recording management command is updated. In step S312, in the case of overwriting recording, new recording, or moving program data from the backup folder to the synchronization folder, the program data information in the recording management command is overwritten. Further, in the case of moving the program data from the synchronization folder to the spare folder, a moving process is performed. In the case of deleting the program data in the synchronization folder, the corresponding program data information is deleted. In this way, the free space of the synchronization folder and the number of synchronization folder data are updated. After that, the process proceeds to step S313, and a recording management response is created with the recording status as "execution information received". Then, the process proceeds to step S306, and this recording management response is returned to the recording control component 152.

In the case of recording reservation, the recording control component 152 first sets the program data synchronization information to "standby recording reservation" at the time of inquiry, and transmits it to the recording data management component 153. Therefore, step S311
Then, the program data information is added to the recorded program data list with the program data synchronization information being "waiting for reserved recording". After that, when the recording reservation is actually executed and the program data is recorded in the HDD 105, the program data synchronization information is overwritten with "new recording" in step S312.

When moving the program data from the synchronizing folder to the spare folder or deleting the program data in the synchronizing folder, the program data recorded in the synchronizing folder tends to decrease. In this case, a recording management command whose folder designation is a synchronization folder and whose execution attribute is an inquiry is not issued, but is executed without an inquiry.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the recording control component 152 cooperates with the recording data management component 153 to synchronize with the synchronization folder 1.
It is possible to prevent recording of program data having a recordable size or more for 31.

(Remaining Capacity Management on Display Device Side) Next, the remaining capacity management on the display device 2 side will be described. Here, the program data and the remaining capacity management on the display device 2 side will be described first, and then the automatic transfer of the capacity management information and the program data between the recording device 1 and the display device 2 will be described.

The display control component 255 of FIG.
The memory 203, the separation / expansion unit 204, the display unit 205, and the audio output unit 209 in FIG.
This is a component for expanding the program data of No. 3 and displaying it. Also, the display control component 25
5 displays information necessary for the user on the display unit 205, receives an operation from the user via the input unit 208,
Normal playback operation and program data deletion operation are performed. These operations are the same as the software functions realized by the conventional PDA with the MPEG data reproducing function, but the display control component 255 in the present embodiment further includes the synchronization folder 131 and the synchronization folder 131 described above. It has a function of communicating with the display data management component 254 in order to realize capacity management of the program data area 232.

The display data management component 254 is
This is a component for managing the program data and the remaining capacity recorded in the program data area 232 of the memory 203. A display program data list is created and managed as application data on the memory 203, and when a program data deletion command is received from the display control component 255, the display program data list is updated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in the display program data list. This display program data list has the same configuration as the synchronization folder management unit of the recorded program data list. The display program data list is
It is composed of the total capacity of the program data area, the free capacity of the program data area, the number of program data area data, and the program data information for the number of program data area data. This program data information includes program data ID, data size, program data synchronization information, and overwrite attribute.

The total capacity of the program data area indicates the capacity of the entire program data area. The program data area free capacity indicates the data capacity that can be newly recorded in the program data area. The number of program data area data indicates the number of program data recorded in the program data area.

In the subsequent columns, information of each program data recorded in the program data area is stored by the number of sets of program data. The program data ID, data size, program data synchronization information, and overwrite attribute are information having the same contents as the recording management command, recording management response, and recorded program data list, respectively.

The display data management component 254 is
When the program data deletion command is received from the display control component 255, the information about the corresponding program data is deleted from the display program data list, and the free space of the program data area and the number of program data area data are reduced by the deleted amount.

(Automatic Transfer Operation) Next, the automatic transfer operation will be described. The communication component 155 and the communication component 252 in FIG. 4 are respectively the I / F unit 106 and the I / F unit 106.
It is a component that controls the F unit 202 and cooperates with each other to control data transfer between the recording device 1 and the display device 2. These components provide the data transferred via the input / output terminal 107 and the input / output terminal 201 to the synchronization component 154 and the synchronization component 253, and synchronize the connection between the recording device 1 and the display device 2. Notify the component 154 and the synchronization component 253.

The synchronization component 154 and the synchronization component 253 are components that cooperate with each other to keep (synchronize) the synchronization folder management unit of the recorded program data list and the display program data list without any difference. . Synchronization component 154 of recording device 1
When the communication component 155 notifies that the recording device 1 and the display device 2 are connected, sends a display program data list transfer request command to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2. When the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 receives this transfer request command, the synchronization component 15 of the recording device 1 displays the display program data list.
Transfer to 4. Synchronization component 154 of recording device 1
Compares the transferred display program data list with the recorded program data list and synchronizes the lists.

FIG. 9 shows the determination result of each program data state by comparing the display program data list and the recorded program data list in the synchronization component 154 of the recording apparatus 1,
It is the figure which showed the operation | movement which the whole system performs with respect to the program data. When a certain program data ID exists in both the display program data list and the recorded program data list,
Alternatively, when a certain program data ID does not exist in the display program data list but exists only in the recorded program data list, the program data states are classified into three types according to the program data synchronization information of the recorded program data list. To be done. When a certain program data ID exists only in the display program data list but not in the recorded program data list, the state of the program data is uniquely determined.

Regardless of whether it is overwritten or new, the program data in the "recording wait" state of the reserved recording is maintained as it is until the reserved recording is executed, and the synchronization component 154 does nothing. Further, the synchronization component 154 does nothing with respect to the program data which is already in the “transferred” state and exists in both the synchronization folder 131 of the recording device 1 and the program data area 232 of the display device 2.

For program data in the "overwrite new recording" state, the synchronization component 154 of the recording apparatus 1 instructs the synchronization component 253 of the display apparatus 2 to "overwrite". To make this instruction, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 transmits a transfer management command to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2. Upon receiving this transfer management command, the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 performs an operation according to the content thereof, and then generates a transfer management response and sends it back to the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in the transfer management command and the transfer management response. 10A shows the format of the transfer management command, and FIG. 10B shows the format of the transfer management response. The transfer management command includes a command ID, a transfer instruction, a program data ID, a data size, program data synchronization information, and an overwrite attribute.

The command ID is an ID for establishing correspondence between the transfer management command and the transfer management response when a plurality of commands are continuously issued. The command ID is a transfer management command and a transfer management response related to processing for one program data. Take the same value. The transfer instruction is information on an operation instructed by the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2, and is “overwrite”,
Indicates either "added" or "deleted" information. The remaining part is information about program data.

Synchronization component 154 of recording device 1
When it determines that the program data having a certain program data ID is in the “overwrite new recording” state, it generates a transfer management command that sets the transfer instruction to “overwrite”, and transfers the transfer management command to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2. After that, the synchronization component 154 transfers the program data from the synchronization folder 131 to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2. Also, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 2 changes the program data synchronization information in the recorded program data list to "transferred".

Synchronization component 253 of display device 2
First, when it analyzes the transfer management command and finds that "overwrite" is instructed, it accepts the program data transferred subsequently and has the same program data ID as the program data ID stored in the transfer management command. Overwrite the program data. Further, the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 generates a transfer management response and sends it back to the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1.

The transfer management response of FIG. 10B is the same as that of FIG. 10 except that the transfer instruction is replaced with the transfer status.
It is the same as the transfer management command in (a). The transfer status indicates one of information of "processing success", "retransmission required", and "processing failure". If the transfer status is “successful processing”, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 does nothing. If the transfer status is “retransmission required”, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 transfers the program data again. If the transfer status is "processing failed",
The synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 displays a message to that effect on the display unit 112 and warns the user.

For program data in the "new recording" state, the synchronization component 154 of the recording apparatus 1 generates a transfer management command with the transfer instruction as "addition". Then, the synchronization component 154 transfers the program data from the synchronization folder 131 to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 after transferring the program data to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2.
Transfer to. In addition, the synchronization component 1 of the recording device 1
Reference numeral 54 changes the program data synchronization information in the recorded program data list to transferred.

Synchronization component 253 of display device 2
When it detects that the transfer instruction of the transfer management command is "add", it additionally stores the transferred program data in the program data area as new program data. Then, the synchronization component 253 adds information regarding the program data stored in the transfer management command to the display program data list, and updates the program data area free space and the program data area data count. Furthermore, the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 generates a transfer management response,
It returns to the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1.

For program data in the “display device side deleted” state, the synchronization component 154 of the recording apparatus 1 moves the corresponding program data from the synchronization folder 131 to the backup folder 132. Further, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 moves the information of the moved program data from the synchronization folder management section of the recorded program data list to the spare folder management section. Then, the synchronization folder free space, the number of synchronization folder data, the spare folder free space,
Update the number of spare folder data respectively. In this case, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 does not issue the transfer management command.

For the program data in the “deletion on the recording device side” state, the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1 generates a transfer management command with the transfer instruction as “delete” and transfers it to the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2. When the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 detects that the transfer instruction of the transfer management command is “delete”, it acquires the information about the program data stored in the transfer management command and deletes the corresponding program data. Then, the display program data list is updated. Further, the synchronization component 253 of the display device 2 generates a transfer management response and sends it back to the synchronization component 154 of the recording device 1.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the program data recorded in the synchronization folder 131 and the program data stored in the program data area 232 are matched.

(Management of Total Capacity and Free Capacity) Next, management of total capacity and free capacity will be described. The synchronization component 154 and the synchronization component 253 operate in cooperation with each other to keep (synchronize) the program data area total capacity of the display program data list and the synchronization folder total capacity of the recorded program data list.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, when changing the size of the program data area 232, the recording device 1 and the display device 2 are connected to each other when the program is installed, and the size of the program data region 232 is changed by the user. Performed only by operation, not automatically. For example, when the program is installed, the display data management component 254 displays the size of each area of the program execution area 230, the program data area 232, the application data 233, the OS / program 234 in the memory 203 after the installation on the display unit 205. By doing so, the user is inquired about the size change of each area.

When a change instruction from the user is transmitted via the input unit 208, the display data management component 254
Changes the total capacity of the program data area of the display program data list, recalculates and updates the free capacity of the program data area accordingly, and notifies the synchronization component 253 of the change of the total capacity of the program data area. At this time, when the total capacity of the program data area is changed to be smaller than the total value of the data sizes of the program data actually stored in the program data area, the display data management component 254
Displays a list of program data on the display unit 205 and prompts the user to select program data to be deleted. The selection result is input section 2
When it is transmitted via 08, the display data management component 254 deletes the program data in the program data area according to the selection result, updates the display program data list, and then changes the total capacity of the program data area to the synchronization component 253. Notice.

Upon receiving this notification, the synchronization component 253 updates the display program data list with the synchronization component 1
54. When the synchronization component 154 receives this display program data list, it compares it with the synchronization folder management section of the recorded program data list, and updates the synchronization folder management section of the recorded program data list for the difference. It should be noted that the individual program data deleted by the user's operation is processed as described in the "deletion on the display device side" in FIG.

In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the compression rate in the compression / multiplexing unit 104 is constant, and the reception time and the data size of the program data are perfectly proportional. It is also possible to use a compression method in which the compression rate varies in the compression multiplexing unit 104. In this case, when overwriting the previously created program data with the newly received program data, the difference between the previous program data size and the new program data size is calculated, and this is used as the synchronization folder free space or program data area free space. Need to determine if less than. Alternatively, conversely, in the case of overwriting, the recording control component 152 may terminate the recording operation at the time when the recording is performed for the previous program data size.

Further, in the above embodiments, the analog television broadcast is received by the antenna and then captured and converted into program data. However, cable television or satellite broadcast may be received, and further digital broadcast may be received. Digital data received and demodulated may be used as program data.

[0092]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recorded program data can be automatically transferred from the recording device to the display device without the user's operation. In addition, by transferring and managing the program data area capacity of the display device to the recording device, it is possible to prevent the capacity from being exceeded without the user being aware of the program data area capacity of the display device when setting reserved recording or moving files. You can By recording in the spare folder at the time of normal recording, it is possible to prevent the management of the program data area capacity of the display device from being broken even if the size of the program data finally generated is unknown at the time of recording.
Further, by managing the overwrite attribute, it is possible to update a program, such as regular news, which is automatically updated every day and is desired to be viewed and viewed on the display device, without a user operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a program data viewing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a folder structure in an HDD in the recording device.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an area configuration of a memory in the display device.

FIG. 4 is a system conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a control program in the recording device and the display device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in a recording management command and a recording management response.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in a recorded program data list.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recorded data management component when a recording management command is transmitted from the recording control component.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in a display program data list.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination result of each program data state in the synchronization component of the recording device and a system operation for the program data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in a transfer management command and a transfer management response.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Recording device 2 display 101 Antenna input terminal 102 Tuner section 103 capture unit 104 compression multiplexer 105 HDD 106,202 Interface part (I / F part) 107 I / O terminal 108, 206 bus 109 Real Time Clock Module (RTC) 110,207 CPU 111, 203 memory 112,205 display 113,208 Input section 114 removable media drive 201 I / O terminal 204 Separation and extension section 209 Audio output section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A program data viewing system having a recording device and a display device, which are detachable from each other, for transferring program data recorded in the recording device to the display device for viewing. Receiving means for receiving the video / audio signal, recording means for recording the video / audio signal received by the receiving means as program data, and detecting that the display device is connected, and recording in the recording means. A first interface unit for transferring the program data to the display device; a first control unit for controlling the receiving unit, the recording unit, and the first interface unit; A second interface means for communicating with the first interface means and receiving program data; and a second interface means for receiving the program data. Storage means for storing the set data; reproduction means for reproducing the program data stored in the storage means; and second control means for controlling the second interface means, the storage means, and the reproduction means. The second control means includes a display program data list for managing at least one of a storable capacity and a free capacity of program data in the storage means and a size of each program data stored in the storage means. The first control means creates a recording program data list for managing at least one of the storable capacity and the free capacity of the program data in the storage means and the size of each program data stored in the storage means. And the first interface means detects the connection of the display device, the display program data list is displayed on the display device. Requesting bets transfer, by comparing the recorded program data list and the display program data list transferred from the display device, the program data viewing system and updates the recorded program data list. 2. The first control means, when the first interface means detects that the display device is connected to the recording device, refers to the recorded program data list to refer to the data size of the program. Is determined before the transfer is started, and the program data is transferred from the recording means to the reproducing device via the first interface. 1. The program data viewing system described in 1. 3. The recording apparatus further comprises a display means for presenting information created by the first control means to a user, and an input means for transmitting operation contents from the user to the first control means. The first control means, when detecting that the user has performed an operation to transfer program data whose program data size exceeds the free space in the storage means to the playback device, the recorded program 2. The program data viewing system according to claim 1, wherein the program list is checked by referring to the data list before the transfer is started, and a warning is given to the user via the display means. 4. The recording device further includes a display unit for presenting information created by the first control unit to a user, and an input unit for transmitting operation content from the user to the first control unit. The first control means reserves and records a program broadcast at a specific time in the recording means in response to a setting operation from a user, and confirms that the display device is connected to the recording device. When the first interface unit detects, the program data that has been reserved and recorded is automatically transferred to the display device, and when the program data that is equal to or larger than the free space of the storage unit is set to be reserved and recorded, the recording is performed. 2. The program data list is referred to, it is determined that the free space is exceeded at the time of inputting the preset recording setting, and a warning is given to the user via the display means. Mounting program data viewing system of. 5. The recording means includes a synchronization folder synchronized with the program data area of the storage means, and a backup folder for storing program data for storage.
A folder divided into at least two areas, the first control means stores the synchronization folder in the synchronization folder when the first interface means detects that the display device is connected to the recording device. 5. The recorded program data is transferred to the display device, and the program data to be recorded is recorded in the spare folder during normal recording in which the recording end time is not defined. The program data viewing system described. 6. The first control means displays on the display means a selection screen for overwriting the program data previously recorded at the time of the reserved recording setting or recording as additional program data, and the input means. 6. The program data viewing system according to claim 4, further comprising receiving a user's selection result and making a preset recording setting.