JP2005079995A - Device and method for information management - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To implement a variety of applications in consideration of taste of programs more effectively as compared with a conventional case. <P>SOLUTION: An information management device holds a category item corresponding information in accordance with electronic program guide information with different regulation of category classification of programs. In the category item corresponding information, the category item of the program corresponding to the category classification for each electronic program guide information is associated with a previously set common category item. When the designation of the program by an operation of recording reservation, as an example, from programs indicated by the electronic program guide information, the common category item corresponding to the designated program is specified. In the taste information, a taste value corresponding to the specified category item is made changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention, for example, an information management apparatus and method for managing information indicating a user's program preference in the case of viewing and recording a television broadcast program using electronic program guide information, etc. It is related to.

In digital satellite broadcasting and terrestrial broadcasting, in recent years, information on an electronic program guide (EPG) has been provided. Such EPG information is provided as data broadcast together with information as a program, for example. Also, a server for uploading EPG information is installed on the Internet, and downloading from the server to a broadcast receiving device or the like via the Internet is also performed.
For example, a user who receives and views a broadcast provided with such an EPG displays the EPG on the broadcast receiving apparatus side. A program to be viewed from now on can be selected by performing a program selection operation on the program guide. It is also possible to make a recording reservation setting.

  In general, in EPG, for example, each content as a program is classified according to several genres such as sports, news, drama, and the like. That is, a certain genre is assigned to each program presented as an EPG according to the contents. For example, the user can use the information of this genre to search his / her favorite program from the EPG.

It has also been proposed and put to practical use to use such EPG genre information to form preference information indicating a tendency of the user's content content (program content).
That is, a history corresponding to a genre is stored as a history (viewing history) about a program that is selected and viewed by the user or a history (program reservation history) about a program that has been set for reserved recording. To. It is possible to construct preference information in which the user's program preference based on genre classification is estimated based on such viewing history and scheduled recording history related to the genre.
If such preference information is used, for example, automatic setting of program reservation recording is performed according to the user's preference, or when the user is watching the television broadcast, the user can be set at an appropriate timing. On the other hand, it is possible to display a message recommending viewing of a program of a favorite genre. That is, it becomes possible to realize a highly convenient application according to the user's preference.

JP 2002-152039 A

  By the way, as a television broadcast, for example, there are a plurality of broadcasts with different transmission forms such as a terrestrial broadcast, a digital satellite broadcast using a specific communication satellite, and a satellite broadcast using a broadcast satellite. It is in. In response to such circumstances, for example, devices that can view and record content data obtained by receiving a plurality of broadcasts having different transmission forms have appeared.

  Depending on the transmission form as described above, the EPG provider is often different, and the EPG format (standard) is uniquely defined by the EPG provider. . For this reason, the current EPG format is different for each provider. Depending on the format of the EPG, for example, the method of classification by genre in the EPG is not unified among the providers of the EPG, and varies.

For this reason, as described above, the device corresponding to a plurality of broadcasts having different transmission forms can create preference information corresponding to each EPG format, but the preference information integrated between the EPG formats can be used. Cannot be formed.
As a device corresponding to a plurality of broadcasts with different transmission forms, the preference information integrated between broadcasts with different transmission forms is held as preference information by genre classification, and this preference information is used as described above. It is more efficient to provide an application according to the user's preference.
In other words, even in a situation where the categorization of programs such as genres varies depending on the EPG format, the preference information based on the classification is managed so as to be properly unified between the EPG formats. It is required to be.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as the information management apparatus as follows.
In other words, it corresponds to each of a plurality of electronic program guide information whose provisions of program classification categories are different, and at least a program classification item corresponding to the classification category for each electronic program guide information is set in advance. Formed in association with classification item correspondence information holding means for holding classification item correspondence information formed in association with items, each of the common classification items, and a preference value that is a value indicating the user's preference level. When a program is designated according to a predetermined condition from among the programs presented in the preference information holding means for holding the preference information and the electronic program guide information, the common classification item for the designated program is The common classification item identified by the common classification item identification means among the preference values in the preference information and the common classification item identification means specified based on the classification item correspondence information It was decided to configure a preference value changing means for changing the preference values associated.

The information management method is configured as follows.
In other words, it corresponds to each of a plurality of electronic program guide information whose provisions of program classification categories are different, and at least a program classification item corresponding to the classification category for each electronic program guide information is set in advance. The classification item correspondence information formed in association with the item is held, and each common classification item is formed in association with a preference value that is a value indicating the user's preference level. The preference information is stored.
Then, when a program is designated according to a predetermined condition from among the programs presented in the electronic program guide information, a common category item for the designated program is identified based on the category item correspondence information. The classification item specifying procedure and the preference value changing procedure for changing the preference value associated with the common classification item specified by the common classification item specifying procedure among the preference values in the preference information are configured to be executed.

Depending on each of the above-described configurations, the classification item correspondence information is held corresponding to each electronic program guide information having different regulation of program classification. This category item correspondence information is formed by associating a program category item corresponding to the category category for each electronic program guide information with a preset common category item.
When a program is designated according to a predetermined condition from among the programs presented by the electronic program guide information, a common category item corresponding to the designated program is specified. In the preference information, the preference value corresponding to the identified classification item is changed. The change of the preference value here means that the management of changing the strength of the preference for the classification item including the program is performed according to the designation of the program in accordance with the predetermined condition.

  In this way, in the present invention, when preference information is managed based on the classification category defined in the electronic program guide information, the electronic program guide information having different classification category specifications is appropriately used according to the unified classification category. It is possible to manage preference information. In other words, even in situations where electronic program guide information classifications are different from each other, various applications that take into account program preferences can be realized more efficiently than before by using common preference information can do.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The information management apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus in which a digital satellite broadcast receiver is provided with, for example, an HDD drive. The description will be given in the following order.

1. 1. Hardware configuration of recording / reproducing apparatus 2. Functional block configuration of recording / reproducing apparatus 3. EPG genre setting example 4. Data structure example of preference information 5. Preference value management procedure 6. Processing operations for preference value management Modified example

1. Hardware configuration of recording / playback device

FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as an embodiment of the present invention.
This recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is an apparatus in which a video satellite recording / reproducing function is added to a digital satellite broadcast receiver, and can record a large number of videos on an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 85 having an enormous storage capacity, as well as a user. It is possible to accurately grasp the intention of the video and reflect it in the storage management of the recorded video.
Note that the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 can be implemented as an AV device, and can be configured integrally with a television receiver such as a set-top box, for example.

  As a digital satellite broadcast, for example, a broadcast wave transmitted from a communication satellite or a broadcast satellite not shown here is received by the parabolic antenna 3 a and supplied to the tuner 71 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. In this broadcast wave, data of electronic program guide information (hereinafter referred to as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data) is superimposed according to a prescribed format.

For example, in a digital satellite broadcasting system in which a television signal is converted into a digital signal by a broadcasting satellite, a communication satellite, etc., and this broadcast signal is received and viewed at each home, for example, it is possible to secure nearly 150 channels. Therefore, for example, it is possible to broadcast a very large number of programs even when compared with conventional terrestrial broadcasting.
Therefore, in the digital satellite broadcasting system, in order to ensure that a desired program can be selected from many programs, information on the broadcast program, that is, information on an electronic program guide (EPG) is transmitted. Yes. On the digital satellite broadcast receiving apparatus side, a program guide table is created based on the data of the electronic program guide and can be displayed and output. The program guide table is configured as a GUI (Graphical User Interface). For example, the user can select a desired program by performing an operation on the program guide table.
Further, as is well known, depending on EPG information, for example, news, sports, drama, etc. can be classified and managed according to genre classification items.
In this way, by using an EPG in which a genre is set corresponding to each program, it is possible to search for a program of a genre to be viewed from a large number of channels. In addition, it is possible to automatically record a program of a genre that a user likes by using preference information formed as described later.

  Note that the received broadcast wave may be any of a cable broadcast wave, a terrestrial wave, and the like in addition to the digital satellite broadcast wave. Further, the internal configuration of the tuner 2 unit and each functional circuit unit to be described later is appropriately changed depending on whether the received broadcast wave is an analog signal or a digital signal.

Based on the control of the CPU 81, the tuner 71 tunes a carrier in which a predetermined channel exists, that is, selects a channel (carrier selection), and outputs received data to the demodulator 72.
The demodulator 72 demodulates the digitally modulated received data and outputs it to the decoder 73.
For example, in the case of digital satellite broadcasting, the digital data received by the tuner 71 from the broadcast wave and demodulated by the demodulator 72 is a transport stream in which AV data compressed by the MPEG2 method and data broadcasting data are multiplexed. It is. AV data is video information and audio information constituting the broadcast content body, and data broadcast data is data accompanying the broadcast content body, for example, the above-described EPG data.

The decoder 73 separates the transport stream supplied from the demodulator 72 into AV data and data broadcasting data compressed by the MPSG2 method. The decoder 73 also separates the real-time AV data compressed by the MPEG2 system into compressed video data and compressed audio data.
The separated audio data is PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) decoded, then synthesized with the additional sound, and output to the speaker 93 via the mixer (MUX) 75.
The separated video data is decompressed and then output to the display 94 via the composer 77.
The RAM 74 can store these work data from the decoder 73.
The speaker 93 outputs the audio signal supplied from the mixer 75. The display 94 displays (reproduces) the video signal supplied from the composer 77.

  The decoder 73 also supplies data broadcasting data (EPG data) separated from the transport stream to the CPU 81 via the bus 79. As a result, the CPU 81 can execute a predetermined process according to a predetermined application, and can be used to create an EPG list or a reproduction schedule.

The user interface control unit 76 is a module that processes an input operation from a user. For example, when the user operates a remote commander 91 including operation buttons or switches, an infrared light emitting unit (not shown). The operation signal (IR signal) emitted from is received by the light receiving unit 76a, converted into an input operation signal as an electric signal, and output to the CPU 81.
Of course, an operation switch or the like may be formed on the apparatus housing panel so that the user can operate the operation switch on the panel. In that case, the operation by the operation switch on the panel is detected by the user interface control unit 76 and supplied to the CPU 81 as operation information.

The graphic processing controller 78 is a dedicated controller that generates a screen based on the control of the CPU 81, and has a high-definition drawing function equivalent to, for example, SVGA (Super Video Graphic Array) or XGA (eXtended Graphic Array). .
The graphic processing controller 78 draws, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operation screen, an EPG list screen, or a schedule screen.
These drawing screen data are combined with broadcast video or the like in the composer 77 or switched and output to the display 94 to be displayed to the user.

  The communication control unit 80 controls wired communication using a telephone line or a cable. By communicating with an external server system via the communication control unit 80, broadcast contents, EPG data, or recommended recorded program data are exchanged. In addition, data is exchanged by communicating with an external device via the communication control unit 80.

The CPU 81 is a main controller that controls the overall operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, and executes various applications on a platform provided by an operating system (OS).
For example, the CPU 81 receives and outputs broadcasts, records / plays content, and manages broadcast programs using EPG data and preference information based on operation signals input via the remote commander 91 and the user interface control unit 76. Necessary controls for management, content management recorded in the HDD 85, generation of tube surface display data by the graphic processing controller 78, and the like are executed.

The RAM 82 is a writable volatile memory used for loading an execution program of the CPU 81 and writing work data of the execution program.
The ROM 83 is a read-only memory that stores a self-diagnosis / initialization program executed when the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is powered on, a control code for hardware operation, and the like.
The ROM 83 may have a rewritable nonvolatile area. In this case, for example, information required for preference information management, such as preference information (various genre tables) described later, can be stored in the non-volatile memory area of the ROM 83.

The hard disk drive (HDD) 86 is a random access storage device that can store programs and data in a predetermined format file format, and has a large capacity of, for example, several tens GB (or more than 100 GB). ing.
The HDD 86 is connected to the bus 79 via the hard disk interface 87, and data and control information supplied from the decoder 73 or the communication control unit 80 are recorded and reproduced based on the control of the CPU 81. For example, recording / reproduction of EPG data, broadcast content, etc. is performed.
Video data such as broadcast content reproduced from the HDD 85 is supplied to the display 94 via the composer 77 and output as video. The reproduced audio data is supplied to the speaker 93 via the mixer 75 and output as audio.

The optical disk drive 85 can be loaded with an optical disk of a predetermined standard, and data can be recorded / reproduced corresponding to the loaded optical disk. Corresponding to the optical disc, video / audio data as broadcast contents can be recorded and reproduced. In addition, various data including programs and the like other than broadcast contents can be recorded and reproduced as necessary.
In addition, data recorded / reproduced with respect to the optical disk in the optical disk drive 85 is transferred via a bus 79 connected via the optical disk interface 84.

In this case, the recording / reproducing apparatus can be connected to the external device 100.
The external device 100 selects and receives a broadcast wave received by the antenna 100a by the internal tuner 100b. Here, it is assumed that the tuner 100b has a configuration capable of receiving a broadcast in a different broadcast form from the tuner 71 on the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 side. For example, if the tuner 71 is configured to receive and select terrestrial broadcasts, the tuner 100b is configured to receive and select digital satellite broadcasts using predetermined satellite broadcasts.
The signal received and selected by the tuner 100 b of the external device 100 is input to the demodulator 72 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. The demodulator 72 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment receives not only the reception channel selection signal of the broadcast format supported by the tuner 71 but also the reception of a predetermined number of broadcast formats assumed to be input from the external device 100. The channel selection signal can also be demodulated. Further, the EPG data corresponding to the broadcast form received and selected by the external device 100 can be extracted by the demodulation processing of the demodulator 72.
Further, in this figure, it is shown that there is only one external device 100 that can be connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, but this shows only the simplest configuration. The playback device 11 may be configured to connect a plurality of external devices 100 that can receive and select broadcast waves of different broadcast formats.
Although not shown in the drawing, the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is configured such that the CPU 81 can control the operation of the tuner 100 b in the external device 100.

2. Functional block configuration of recording / reproducing apparatus

FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 based on the hardware configuration described above by functional blocks. In addition, the structure shown in this figure shall mainly show the function relevant to the preference information management of this Embodiment.

  The reception demodulation processing block 21 in this case acquires broadcast content (content data) and EPG data by executing reception channel selection and demodulation processing for the broadcast wave received by the antenna 3a. That is, the function which the tuner 71 of FIG. 1, the demodulator 72, and the decoder 73 perform based on control of CPU81 is shown.

Further, in this figure, in addition to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, two external devices 100-1 and 100-2 are shown. Depending on these external devices 100-1 and 100-2, there are two external devices 100 shown in FIG. 1 that have different broadcast formats that can be received, and these external devices are connected to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. The case where it is connected is shown.
As described above, in the external device 100-1, the tuner 100b-1 selects a broadcast wave received by the antenna 100a-1. Depending on the channel selection operation, broadcast content (content data) and EPG data can be acquired. These broadcast content and EPG data are output to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. Similarly, in the external device 100-2, the tuner 100b-2 selects a broadcast wave received by the antenna 100a-2. Broadcast content (content data) and EPG data acquired by this channel selection operation are also output to the recording / reproducing apparatus 11.

In this case, on the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 side, the EPG data includes EPG data output from the tuner 71 side of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 and EPG data input from the external devices 100-1 and 100-2 side. Can be acquired.
The EPG data includes, for example, title, genre, channel, broadcast date and time (start / end time and time length (data size)), performer, commentary, and other various information for each broadcast program (content). ing. However, as will be described later, the details may differ depending on the EPG format (standard), such as genre classification.
In the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, an EPG database 22 is created and held using these EPG data. Creation of the EPG database 22 is performed by control processing of the CPU 81.
The EPG database 22 may be written and held in the HDD 86, for example, or may be written and held in an area of the ROM 83 as a nonvolatile memory.

Also, in this figure, it can be seen that the recording / playback apparatus 11 creates and holds information on the reserved recording list.
The reserved recording list is information formed by registering, as a list, programs that should be recorded and saved in the HDD 86 in the future, that is, programs to be reserved recorded, for example, and is created as follows.
First, as a user operation on the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, a recording reservation operation is performed after a recorded program is designated. This reserved recording operation is processed as an operation command for instructing reserved recording of a program designated by the user interface (U / I) processing block 29. In response to this, a list of recorded programs designated according to the reserved recording operation is additionally registered in the scheduled recording list 22.

The automatic recording processing block 28 automatically determines a program to be reserved for recording as described below, and registers the determined program to be reserved for recording in the recording reservation list 22. Is done.
The creation of the recording reservation list 22 by registering the recording reservation program as described above is executed as a control process of the CPU 81.

In addition, as a control processing function according to the program of the CPU 81, a function as the preference information management block 26 is also provided.
For example, when the recording reservation operation is performed here, as described above, the recording reservation list is additionally registered. As the preference information management block 26, the recording reservation operation is performed. By referring to the EPG database 22, the format of EPG data in which the program (recorded scheduled program) that has been subject to recording is reserved and the genre of the scheduled recording program defined in the EPG data is recognized.

  Then, the preference information management block 26 updates the preference information 27 based on the format of the EPG data recognized as described above and the genre under the format. The preference information 27 is composed of various genre tables. The data structure of the preference information 27, the update procedure of the preference information 27, and the like will be described later. The preference information 27 is information indicating the user's preference of the program based on the genre of the program set for recording reservation as history information of the recording reservation operation so far. The preference information 27 is also stored in the HDD 86. Alternatively, it is written in a non-volatile memory area of the ROM 83 and stored in a rewritable state.

  The automatic recording processing block 28 described above can recognize the genre of a program that is regarded as having high user preference by referring to the contents of the preference information 27 obtained as described above. The Then, a program belonging to a genre considered to have a high user preference is searched from the EPG database 22, and the searched program is determined as a program to be automatically recorded.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the preference information 27 is used to determine a program to be reserved for recording in automatic recording reservation. In this way, if the program selected based on the preference information 27 is automatically recorded and stored in the HDD 86, the program matching the user's preference is accumulated in the HDD 86. It will be. As a result, for example, there is a high possibility that the program is automatically recorded without performing an operation for recording a program that the user wants to watch. In addition, the user can also obtain a new program viewing mode in which, for example, a program that is suitable for his / her preference presented as stored in the HDD 86 is selected and viewed. .

The recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment acquires a plurality of EPG data and creates an EPG database. This is because the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 stores EPG data in different formats (standards). It means that it can be managed. That is, the broadcast transmission form received and demodulated by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is different from the broadcast transmission form received and demodulated by the external device 100 (100-1, 100-2). This is because the EPG data obtained by receiving and demodulating by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 and the EPG data input from the external device 100 (100-1, 100-2) have different formats.
Against this background, the preference information 27 has preference information (genre table) corresponding to each EPG format as described later, but is unified (shared) among the EPG formats. It is formed so as to have preference information.

The reserved recording processing block 24 has a function for recording the broadcast content recorded in the HDD 86 when the program (broadcast content) listed in the recording reservation list 23 is broadcast. Note that the scheduled recording processing block 24 can also execute an operation of recording in accordance with a manual operation for recording the content currently being broadcast.
The function of the recording processing unit 45 is realized by the CPU 81 controlling and operating the HDD interface 87 and the HDD 86.

  Further, when the tuner arbitration processing block 25 is configured to have a plurality of reception systems (tuners) as the tuner 71 shown in FIG. 1, for example, when executing the reservation recording operation based on the recording reservation list 23, It is assumed that the process of determining whether to use the receiving system for recording is performed.

3. EPG genre setting example

As can be understood from the above description, the EPG has different formats (standards) depending on, for example, a difference in broadcast transmission form. For example, currently, in any EPG, a program is divided by genre, but this genre division is also set differently for each format.
This point will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, EPG-1 and EPG-2 are assumed to be EPGs having different formats. FIG. 3 shows a genre setting example for these EPG-1 and EPG-2. FIG. 3A shows the genre setting for EPG-1, and FIG. 3B shows the genre setting for EPG-2.
In this case, for both EPG-1 and EPG-2, first, a genre setting that is hierarchized by a main genre and a sub-genre is performed.
That is, first, the genre division as the main genre is performed, and the genre division is performed so that each main genre is further subdivided by sub-genre. In both EPG-1 and EPG-2, the main genre ID is assigned in association with each main genre name. Further, a sub-genre ID is assigned in correspondence with the sub-genre name.

As can be seen by comparing FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the correspondence between the main genre names of EPG-1 and EPG-2 and the main genre IDs is different. I understand.
3A shows a sub-genre of the main genre name “sports” specified by the main genre ID = 2 of EPG-1, and FIG. 3B shows a sub-genre of EPG-2. , The sub-genre of “Sport 1” specified by the same main genre ID = 2.
As can be seen by comparing the sub-genres in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the same main genre ID = 2 in EPG-1 and EPG-2 is common in that it is related to sports in this case. doing. However, it can be seen that the contents of the sub-genre below the hierarchy are different between EPG-1 and EPG-2. For example, sub-genre ID = 5 of EPG-1 is defined as “track and field” as a sub-genre name, whereas sub-genre name indicated by the same sub-genre ID = 5 for EPG-2 As “Volleyball”.

4). Data structure example of preference information

As can be understood from the above description, genre information in EPG is used to create preference information for automatic recording, for example. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, even when there is a difference in genre category setting due to the difference in EPG format, the unified genre category Based on the above, that is, preference information that is common to a plurality of EPGs having different formats is created and managed. Hereinafter, the management of such preference information will be described. First, the configuration of data for managing preference information will be described.
In the following, in order to make the explanation regarding the preference information management simple and easy to understand, the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is compatible and the genre should be made common (unified). It is assumed that there are at least two formats, EPG-1 and EPG-2 shown in FIG. An example for managing preference information integrated between EPG-1 and EPG-2 will be mainly described.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of the preference information 27 of the present embodiment.
As shown in this figure, the preference information 27 is roughly divided into an EPG-specific main genre table group 300, an EPG-specific sub genre table group 400, a common main genre table 500, and a common sub-genre table group 600.

  The EPG-specific main genre table group 300 includes a plurality of EPG-specific main genre tables 300-1 to 300-n, each corresponding to each EPG having a different format. Each of the EPG-specific main genre tables 300-1 to 300-n associates a preference value with each of the main genre items defined by the corresponding EPG format. Further, each of the main genre items defined by the corresponding EPG format is associated with a common main genre ID indicating a common main genre that is applicable.

Further, the EPG-specific sub-genre table group 400 includes a plurality of sub-genre items provided for each sub-genre item that is assumed to be under the hierarchy for each main genre item defined in each of the EPG-specific main genre tables 300-1 to 300-n. It consists of sub-genre tables by EPG. Each EPG-specific sub-genre table is a common value indicating a preference value and a common sub-genre to which the sub-genre item corresponds to each sub-genre item defined by the EPG format in one main genre item. This is table information formed by associating sub-genre IDs.
In this figure, as the EPG-specific sub-genre table group 400, only the EPG-specific sub-genre table groups 400-1 to 40-n corresponding to the main genres of the EPG-specific main genre table 300-1 are shown. As a matter of course, a sub-genre table by EPG below the hierarchy for each main genre item in each of the other main genre tables by EPG 300-2 to 300-n is also included.

  The common main genre table 500 includes table information in which common main genre items set to be common to EPG formats that can be included in the main genre table group by EPG 300 and preference values are associated with each other. Become.

  The common sub-genre table group 600 includes a plurality of common sub-genre tables 600-1 to 600-n provided for each common sub-genre item that is supposed to be under the hierarchy of the common main genre item defined in the common main genre table 500. Consists of. Each common sub-genre table is formed by associating a common sub-genre item defined in one common main genre item with a preference value.

  Thus, as the preference information 27 in the present embodiment, the EPG-specific main genre table (300-1 to 300-n) corresponding to each EPG format and the main genre defined in the EPG-specific main genre table It can be seen that there is a sub-genre table corresponding to each EPG, one common main genre table, and a common sub-genre table corresponding to each common main genre defined in the common main genre table. Next, the structure and example contents of these table information will be described.

  First, the structure of the main genre table by EPG and the sub-genre table by EPG will be described. As an example of the structure of these table information, FIG. 5 shows the structure of an EPG-specific main genre table and an EPG-specific sub-genre table and an example of its contents. In EPG-1, the genre is defined as shown in FIG.

  In the main genre table of EPG-1 shown in FIG. 5A, as shown as the main genre name, “BS movie” “movie” “sports” “drama” “music” “animation” “variety” is set. It is assumed that the main genre item is defined. This main genre item is the same as the main genre name of EPG-1 shown in FIG. The main genre ID = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is set for each of these main genre items according to the EPG-1 format.

  As the main genre table of EPG-1, as shown in the figure, the common main genre is shown for each main genre item (main genre ID = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). An ID is assigned. The common main genre item (common main genre name) indicated by the common main genre ID will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Furthermore, in the main genre table of EPG-1, a preference value is associated with each main genre item. As will be understood from the description to be described later, this preference value indicates the strength of the user's preference for each main genre for each EPG when EPG-1 is targeted. As the preference value increases, the user's preference for the corresponding genre item is treated as being stronger. The same applies to the preference value of each table information described below.

  The EPG-1 sub-genre table corresponding to EPG-1 is provided for each main genre item of EPG-1 shown in FIG. 5A. Here, the main genre item of EPG-1 is provided. An example of the structure of the EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to “sports” is shown in FIG.

The sub-genre table classified by EPG shown in FIG. 5B includes sub-genre IDs and corresponding common sub-genre items for each sub-genre item obtained by further subdividing the main genre item “sport” of EPG-1. Corresponding common sub-genre IDs are associated with preference values.
In this case, the sub-genre items (sub-genre names) are defined as “all”, “baseball”, “soccer”, “golf”, “sumo”, “track and field”, “volleyball”, and “tennis”. These sub-genre items are also the same as the sub-genre names of EPG-1 shown in FIG. In correspondence with these sub-genre items, sub-genre IDs = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are associated. Further, for each sub-genre item, a common sub-genre ID indicating a common sub-genre item to which the sub-genre item corresponds is associated. Also in this case, a preference value is associated with each sub-genre item.
The common sub-genre item (common main genre name) indicated by the common sub-genre ID will also be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of contents of the main genre table by EPG and the sub-genre table by EPG for EPG-2. The genre setting in the EPG-2 format is as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6A shows an EPG-2 main genre table by EPG. In the main genre table by EPG, the main genre names “other”, “foreign film”, “sport 1”, “sport 2”, “drama”, “music”, “anime / kids”, “overseas broadcasting”, and “news” are shown in FIG. Main genre items similar to (b) are defined. The main genre ID = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 is set for each main genre item according to the EPG-2 format.
For each of the main genre items (main genre ID = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), the common main genre ID and the preference value are set as shown in the figure. Be assigned.
Note that the common main genre item (common main genre name) indicated by the common main genre ID in this case is also described later with reference to FIG. That is, a common main genre ID is assigned according to the same rules as the EPG-1 main genre table by EPG.

  The EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to EPG-2 is also provided below the hierarchy for each main genre item of EPG-1 shown in FIG. 6A, but here, the main genre item “EPG-2” An example of the structure of the EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to “Sport 1” is shown in FIG.

The sub-genre table classified by EPG shown in FIG. 6B is the sub-genre ID and the corresponding common sub-genre item for each sub-genre item obtained by further subdividing the main genre item “Sport 1” of EPG-2. Are associated with a common sub-genre ID and a preference value.
In this case, the sub-genre item (sub-genre name) is “all”, “baseball”, “soccer”, “golf”, “basketball”, “tennis”, “american football” (American football) as in FIG. Football) ”,“ Rugby ”,“ Ice Hockey ”,“ Other ”. In correspondence with these sub-genre items, sub-genre IDs = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are associated. Further, for each sub-genre item, a common sub-genre ID indicating a common sub-genre item to which the sub-genre item corresponds is associated. Also in this case, a preference value is associated with each sub-genre item.
The common sub-genre item (common main genre name) indicated by the common sub-genre ID is also described later with reference to FIG. That is, a common subgenre ID is assigned according to the same rules as the EPG-specific subgenre table of EPG-1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the structure and example contents of the common main genre table and the common sub genre table will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the common main genre table in this case includes “other”, “movie”, “sports”, “drama”, “music”, “animation”, “variety”, “ “News”, and these common main genre items are associated with common main genre IDs = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 as shown in the figure. . In addition, a preference value is associated with each common main genre item.

  The common sub-genre table is provided corresponding to each common main genre item of “others”, “movies”, “sports”, “drama”, “music”, “animation”, “variety”, and “news”. A common sub-genre table corresponding to the common main genre item of “sports” is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the common sub-genre table corresponding to the common main genre item of “sports” is “all”, “baseball”, “soccer”, “golf”, “sumo” as common sub-genre items. It is stipulated to be classified as "Athletics""Volleyball""Tennis""Basketball""AmericanFootball""Rugby""IceHockey""Other".
Then, common subgenre IDs = 0 to 12 are associated with the respective common subgenre items. Also, a preference value is associated with each common sub-genre item.

Here, the relationship between the genre items in the main genre table by EPG and the sub genre table by EPG, and the common main genre table and common sub genre table is as follows.
As a specific example, looking at the EPG-1 main genre table of EPG-1 shown in FIG. 5A, the main genre items related to movies are “BS movie” with main genre ID = 0 and main genre. There are two types of “movie” with ID = 1.
Further, in the EPG-2 main genre table of EPG-2 shown in FIG. 6A, the main genre item of the movie type is “foreign film” with the main genre ID = 1.
In this way, it can be seen that EPG-1 and EPG-2 are not the same, for example, in defining movie-related genres (genre setting).

However, it is common to be associated with “BS movie” (main genre ID = 0) and “movie” (main genre ID = 1), which are main genre items related to movies in the EPG-1 main genre table of EPG-1 described above. The main genre ID is [1] as shown in FIG.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6A, a common main genre ID associated with “foreign film” (main genre ID = 1), which is a main genre item related to movies in the main genre table by EPG-2 of EPG-2. Is [1]. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 7A, the common main genre ID = 1 corresponds to “movie” as the common main genre item.
In other words, the movie-related main genre items whose definitions differ between EPG-1 and EPG-2 are commonly treated as belonging to “movie” as common main genre items. .

As another example, as the main genre items related to sports in the EPG-1 main genre table by EPG, as shown in FIG. 5A, “sport 1” with main genre ID = 2 and main genre There are two types of “Sport 2” with ID = 3. In addition, as a main genre item related to sports in the EPG-2 main genre table by EPG-2, as shown in FIG. 6A, there is only “sport” having a main genre ID = 2.
As described above, although the categories of sports-related main genres are also different between EPG-1 and EPG-2, the common main genre IDs associated with the main genre items are all common mains of “sports”. [2] indicating a genre item.
In other words, the sports-related main genre items whose definitions are different between EPG-1 and EPG-2 are also integratedly managed as belonging to “sports” as common main genre items. .

Similarly, the sub-genre is managed in an integrated manner by the common sub-genre.
That is, for example, in the EPG-1 sub-genre table of EPG-1 shown in FIG. 5B, the sub-genre ID = 6 is attached to the sub-genre item of “Volleyball” according to the format of EPG-1.
On the other hand, in the EPG-2 sub-genre table of EPG-2 shown in FIG. 6B, sub-genre ID = 4 is attached to the same “volleyball” sub-genre item according to the format of EPG-2. ing. That is, even in the sub-genre item of the same content “volleyball”, the allocation of the sub-genre ID differs in this case according to the difference in the EPG format.
However, in both the EPG-1 sub-genre table by EPG and the EPG-2 sub-genre table by EPG-2, the common sub-genre ID associated with the “volleyball” sub-genre item is common to [5]. Yes. The common sub-genre ID = 5 indicates a common sub-genre item of “volleyball” as shown in FIG.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, common genre items (common main genre item, common sub genre item) are defined for both the sub-genre and the main genre, and appropriate for the defined common genre item. Are associated with each genre item of EPG-1 and EPG-2. As a result, the preference information 27 is managed by integrating and sharing genre definitions between EPGs having different genre definitions due to differences in formats, such as EPG-1 and EPG-2. That is possible.

5). Preference value management procedure

Next, how to manage preference values stored in each genre table forming the preference information 27 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a preference value management procedure according to this embodiment. Here, as an operation for the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, for example, a certain program (broadcast content) is designated as an operation for a program table as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed based on EPG data. It is assumed that an operation for recording reservation of the program is performed. As the procedure shown in step S101 of FIG. 8, the reserved recording setting is performed in accordance with the operation for such a program recording reservation. That is, a program (broadcast content) for which a recording reservation designation operation has been performed is registered in the reserved recording list 23 shown in FIG.

  Such a program selected and designated by the recording reservation operation can be considered to reflect the user's preference. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a recording reservation operation is performed, the preference value information is formed as described in the procedure after step S102 based on the genre of the program selected and designated by the recording reservation operation. The preference value of each genre table is updated.

As described above, when a recording reservation operation is performed as a GUI operation for a program table displayed based on EPG data, the genre (main) set by the EPG format for the program specified by the recording reservation operation is set. Genre and sub-genre) can be recognized by referring to the EPG database 22. It is also possible to recognize the EPG format that is the basis of the program guide for which the recording reservation operation has been performed.
In step S102, after recognizing the format of the EPG that is the basis of the program table for which the recording reservation operation has been performed, the sub-genre set by the EPG format for the program specified by the recording reservation operation is first determined. recognize. Then, in the preference information 27, an EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to the recognized EPG format is accessed. In this EPG-specific sub-genre table, the preference value associated with the recognized sub-genre is updated so as to increase by a predetermined value.

As can be seen from the description with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 above, the common subgenre ID (common subgenre item) associated with the recognized subgenre is recognized by accessing the EPG-specific subgenre table. can do.
Therefore, as a procedure of step S103, the common sub-genre table in which the common sub-genre ID recognized as described above is stored in the preference information 27 is accessed. Then, in the accessed common sub-genre table, the preference value associated with the recognized common sub-genre ID is updated so as to increase by a predetermined value.

The procedures of the next steps S104 and S105 are procedures for updating preference values for the main genre table by EPG and the common main genre table, respectively.
First, in step S104, the main genre set by the EPG format for the program designated by the recording reservation operation is recognized. Then, in the preference information 27, the EPG-specific main genre table corresponding to the recognized EPG format is accessed, and the preference value associated with the recognized main genre is updated so as to increase a predetermined value. .
As a procedure of step S105, a common main genre ID (common main genre item) associated with the recognized main genre is recognized from the EPG-specific sub-genre table accessed by the procedure of step S104. Then, in the preference information 27, the common main genre table storing the common main genre ID recognized as described above is accessed. Then, in the accessed common main genre table, the preference value associated with the recognized common main genre ID is updated so as to increase by a predetermined value.

  The procedure for updating the preference value shown in FIG. 8 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a procedure for updating a preference value when a recording reservation is made for EPGs of EPG-1 and EPG-2 formats. Further, FIG. 9 shows the description of steps S101 to S104, which corresponds to the procedure in FIG. 9 corresponding to FIG.

  Here, first, it is assumed that a program reservation recording operation is performed by a GUI operation on a program guide based on EPG data of EPG-1. This is indicated as “Reservation 1” in FIG. This reservation 1 is a program in which the main genre item is classified as “sports” and the sub-genre item is classified as “volleyball” under EPG-1.

  If the reservation recording setting corresponding to this reservation 1 is performed by the procedure as step S101, the procedure of step S102 in this case is the subgenre ID indicating the subgenre item “volleyball” in the preference information 27. The stored EPG-1 sub-genre table for each EPG is accessed. That is, in this case, the EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to EPG-1 shown in FIG. 9C is accessed. The sub-genre table classified by EPG shown in FIG. 9C is the same as the sub-genre table classified by EPG previously shown in FIG.

  When the EPG-specific sub-genre table is accessed, the preference value corresponding to the sub-genre item “volleyball” (sub-genre ID = 5) is updated so as to increase by a predetermined value. In FIG. 9, the preference value with the increased value is shown in a circle shape.

As a procedure of step S103 in this case, first, in the EPG-specific sub-genre table shown in FIG. 9C, it is recognized that the common sub-genre ID associated with the sub-genre item “volleyball” is [5]. To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (f), the common sub-genre table storing the common sub-genre item with the common sub-genre ID = 5 is accessed. In this case, the common sub-genre ID = 5 specifies “volleyball” as the common sub-genre item.
In the common sub-genre table shown in FIG. 9 (f), the preference value associated with “volleyball” (common sub-genre ID = 5) as the common sub-genre item is increased by a predetermined value. Update.

In this case, the procedure of step S104 is to access the main genre table by EPG storing the main genre ID indicating the main genre item “sports” corresponding to the program of reservation 1 in the preference information 27. In FIG. 9, this access is made from the EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to EPG-1 shown in FIG. 9C, and the EPG-specific main genre table of FIG. It is shown by the procedure of accessing. The sub-genre table classified by EPG shown in FIG. 9B is the main genre table classified by EPG of EPG-1 and has the same structure as that shown in FIG.
In the main genre table by EPG shown in FIG. 9B, the preference value associated with “sport” (main genre ID = 2) as the main genre item is updated so as to increase by a predetermined value. I do.

  Furthermore, as a procedure of step S105 in this case, first, referring to the EPG-specific main genre table shown in FIG. 9B, the common main genre ID associated with the main genre item “sports” is [2]. Recognize that. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the common main genre table is accessed, and the preference value associated with the common main genre ID = 2 is updated so as to increase the predetermined value. That is, the preference value for the common main genre item “sports” is increased.

In addition, the procedure from step S101 to step S105 when the program reservation recording operation is performed by the GUI operation on the program guide based on the EPG data of EPG-2 is as follows in FIG.
First, program reservation recording by an operation on the program guide based on the EPG data of EPG-2 is shown as “Reservation 2” in FIG. This reservation 2 is a program in which the main genre item is classified as “sport 1” and the sub-genre item is classified as “volleyball” under the EPG-2 format.

  It is assumed that the reserved recording setting corresponding to the reservation 2 is performed by the procedure as step S101. Then, as a procedure of step S102 in this case, in the preference information 27, the EPG-2 sub-genre table by EPG storing the sub-genre ID indicating the sub-genre item “volleyball” is accessed. In this case, the EPG-2 sub-genre table of EPG-2 shown in FIG. The sub-genre table classified by EPG shown in FIG. 9E is subordinate to the sub-genre table classified by EPG assumed to be under the hierarchy of the main genre item of “Sport 1” of EPG-2 shown in FIG. Is the same.

  When the EPG-2 sub-genre table for EPG-2 is accessed, the preference value corresponding to the sub-genre item “volleyball” (sub-genre ID = 4) is updated so as to increase by a predetermined value.

In this case, as the procedure of step S103, it is recognized that the common sub-genre ID associated with the sub-genre item “volleyball” is [5] in the EPG-specific sub-genre table shown in FIG. To be done. As a result, the common sub-genre item (“volleyball”) as the common sub-genre ID = 5 is stored as shown in FIG. 9F, similarly to the procedure of step S103 corresponding to the previous reservation 1. Access the common sub-genre table.
In the common sub-genre table shown in FIG. 9 (f), the preference value associated with the common sub-genre ID = 5 (common sub-genre item “volleyball”) is increased by a predetermined value. Update.

In this case, as the procedure of step S104, in the preference information 27, the main genre table classified by EPG storing the main genre ID indicating the main genre item “sport 1” corresponding to the program of reservation 2 is accessed. In other words, as indicated by an arrow as a transition from FIG. 9E to FIG. 9D, the EPG 2 main genre table is accessed. The EPG-2 sub-genre table for EPG-2 shown in FIG. 9D is the same as that shown in FIG.
In the main genre table classified by EPG shown in FIG. 9D, the preference value associated with “Sport 1” (main genre ID = 2) as the main genre item is increased by a predetermined value. Update.

  Further, as a procedure of step S105 in this case, first, referring to the EPG main genre table shown in FIG. 9D, the common main genre ID associated with the main genre item “sport 1” is “2”. ] Is recognized. Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, the common main genre table is accessed, and the preference value associated with the common main genre ID = 2 is updated so as to increase the predetermined value. That is, also in this case, the preference value for the common main genre item “sports” is increased.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, at least the genre of the program designated for reserved recording is handled as the genre of the program (broadcast content) preferred by the user. Then, based on the genre (main genre and sub-genre) given to the program designated for the reserved recording under the EPG format, first, the main genre table and the sub-genre table for each EPG that forms the preference information 27. In the genre table, the preference value associated with the main genre and sub-genre of the program designated for reserved recording is updated. In addition, the preference values associated with the common main genre and common sub-genre to which the program designated for reserved recording is applicable are also updated.

As can be understood from the specific example shown in FIG. 9, the preference value of the common main genre table and the preference value of the common sub-genre table are the preferences of the main genre of each format of EPG-1 and EPG-2. The sub-genre preferences are managed in an integrated manner.
In other words, both the program set for reservation recording for EPG-1 as “reservation 1” and the program set for reservation recording for EPG-2 as “reservation 2” both correspond to “volleyball” as a sub-genre item. The main genre item is “sport” or “sport 1” and is related to sports.
The genres of these “reservation 1” and “reservation 2” programs are integrated as a common main genre item “sports” in the common main genre table in any case. Even in this case, the preference value associated with the common main genre item “sports” is updated.
Similarly, the programs “Reservation 1” and “Reservation 2” are integrated into the common sub-genre item “Volleyball” in any case as a sub-genre. Accordingly, in any case, the preference value associated with the common sub-genre item “sports” is updated in the common sub-genre table.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the case where a plurality of EPGs having different genre classification methods are supported due to differences in EPG formats, the preference information 27 is shared between EPG formats. By creating table information by defining genres (common main genre and common sub-genre), genre classification can be integrated and managed regardless of genre classification differences between EPGs. In addition, as the preference information, the common main genre table and the common sub-genre table are provided, so that preference information integrated between a plurality of EPGs can be obtained instead of being independent for each EPG. ing.

Such integrated preference information (common main genre table and common sub genre table) is registered as an application in the recording reservation list 23 as an automatic recording by the automatic recording processing block 28 described with reference to FIG. Used to determine the program to be.
That is, referring to the preference values of the common main genre table and the common sub genre table, for example, whether the preference value is a genre of a predetermined value or more, or a genre corresponding to a preference value up to a predetermined higher order, according to a predetermined rule, A common main genre and a common sub-genre, which are considered to have high user preference, are specified. And the program of the genre bundled by these specified common main genres and common sub-genres is searched and extracted from the EPG data of EPG-1, and similarly, the EPG data of EPG-2 is searched and extracted. . The program extracted in this way is determined as a program to be automatically recorded and registered in the reserved recording list 23.

If the broadcast transmission form (that is, the EPG format) is different, the program organization of the broadcast station and each broadcast station will be different, so that depending on the user, there may be cases where the program preference is slightly different for each EPG format. For example, a sport program is often viewed corresponding to a certain EPG format, but a bias that a music program is often viewed corresponding to another EPG format may occur. Conceivable.
In such a case, if a program to be automatically recorded is determined from each EPG data based on independent preference information for each EPG having a different format, a sports program corresponding to a certain EPG format can be obtained. The music program is preferentially recorded, and the music program is preferentially automatically recorded in correspondence with other EPG formats.
On the other hand, if the preference information integrated between EPGs is used for program determination in automatic recording as in the present embodiment, even from EPGs in a format that users often watch sports programs, For example, a music program can be selected and automatically recorded. Conversely, sports-related programs can be selected and automatically recorded from an EPG in a format that users often view music programs. That is, it is possible to determine an automatically recorded program between EPGs having different formats without biasing preferences. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible for the user to have a higher possibility that his / her favorite program is automatically recorded.

In this embodiment, as can be seen from the structure of the EPG-specific main genre table and the EPG-specific sub-genre table shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the main genre corresponding to each EPG format and the preference for each sub-genre. Values are also available.
The preference value corresponding to each EPG format is used, for example, when determining a program to be automatically recorded from each EPG data based on preference information independent for each EPG having a different format as described above. it can. For example, depending on the user, such automatic recording may be more suitable for his / her viewing style.

6). Processing behavior for preference value management

The preference value management procedure described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 is realized by the CPU 81 executing processing according to a program when viewed from the configuration shown in FIG. Therefore, processing that the CPU 81 should execute in order to realize preference value management according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

When the processing shown in FIG. 10 is started, it also functions as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for program selection, recording reservation, etc., based on EPG data stored in the EPG database 22, for example. It is assumed that the program guide is displayed on the display 94.
In this state, for example, it is assumed that an operation for recording reservation by designating a certain program (broadcast content) is performed by an operation of the remote controller 91 by the user. In response to this operation, a recording reservation command is output from the U / I control unit 76 via the bus 79.
When this command is input, the CPU 81 performs a reserved recording setting as the process of step S201 in FIG. That is, a process for registering a program (broadcast content) for which a recording reservation designation operation has been performed is executed for the reserved recording list 23 shown in FIG. The reserved recording list 23 is stored in the HDD 87 here. Therefore, when a program is registered in the reserved recording list 23, the reserved recording list 23 stored in the HDD 87 is read and rewritten. Note that the processing in step S201 corresponds to the procedure in step S101 shown in FIG.

If the reserved recording setting is performed, the process proceeds to the next step S202.
In step S202, it is determined whether or not the EPG-specific sub-genre table exists for the program (reserved program) set for reserved recording in step S201. This is to determine whether or not the EPG sub-genre item in which the reserved program of this time is presented is an object of integration of the common genre in the present embodiment.
Here, it is assumed that the preference information 27 is stored in the HDD 87 including the EPG-specific sub-genre table. Therefore, when the genre table that includes the EPG-specific sub-genre table and forms the preference information 27 is referred to or updated (rewritten), the information in the required genre table stored as the preference information 27 in the HDD 87 is added. To be accessed.

  If a negative result is obtained in step S202, it means that there is no EPG-specific sub-genre table corresponding to the current reserved program. In this case, since the preference value cannot be updated (increased) based on the genre of the reserved program, the process is terminated as it is. That is, in this case, only the reserved recording setting corresponding to the user operation is performed.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step S202, the process proceeds to step S203 and the subsequent steps, and processing relating to preference value updating is executed.
First, in step S203, from the sub-genre table by EPG of the preference information 27, the sub-genre ID by EPG corresponding to the genre assigned to the reserved program this time (sub-genre ID defined by the EPG format). Whether or not) exists. If a positive result is obtained that the corresponding sub-genre ID by EPG exists, the process proceeds to step S204.
In step S204, the preference value associated with the EPG subgenre ID corresponding to the genre assigned to the current reserved program in the EPG subgenre table is increased by a predetermined value, and the process proceeds to step S205. The processing in step S204 corresponds to the procedure in step S102 in FIG.
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S203 that the corresponding sub-genre ID by EPG does not exist, the process of step S204 is passed and the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S205, it is determined whether or not a common sub-genre ID to which the current reserved program belongs is present in the common sub-genre table. If a positive result is obtained in step S205, the process proceeds to step S206, and the preference value associated with the common subgenre ID to which the current reserved program belongs in the common subgenre table is set to a predetermined value. Increase by minutes. This process corresponds to the procedure of step S103 shown in FIG.
When a positive result is obtained in step S206, the process proceeds to step S207, and the preference value associated with the “other” common subgenre item in the common subgenre table is increased by a predetermined value.

At the stage where the processes of steps S206 and S207 are completed, the procedure up to step S103 in FIG. 8, that is, the update of the preference value for the sub-genre can be completed. Accordingly, the subsequent processing is for updating the preference value for the main genre.
As a process for this, first, as shown in step S301 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not there is a main genre table by EPG for the program (reserved program) set for reserved recording in the previous step S201. . That is, it is determined whether or not the main genre item of the EPG in which the reserved program of this time is presented is an object to be integrated with the common genre in the present embodiment.
If a negative result is obtained in step S301, it means that there is no EPG-specific main genre table corresponding to the current reserved program. In this case, the preference value relating to the main genre based on the genre of the reserved program cannot be updated (increased), so the process is terminated as it is.

On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step S301, the process proceeds to the process after step S302, and the process related to the update of the preference value related to the main genre is executed.
First, in step S302, an EPG-specific main genre ID (main genre ID defined by the EPG format) corresponding to the genre assigned to the current reserved program from the EPG-specific main genre table of the preference information 27. Whether or not) exists. If a positive result is obtained that the corresponding main genre ID by EPG exists, the process proceeds to step S303.
In step S303, the preference value associated with the EPG subgenre ID corresponding to the genre assigned to the current reserved program in the EPG subgenre table is increased by a predetermined value, and the process proceeds to step S304. The processing in step S303 corresponds to the procedure in step S104 in FIG.
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S302 that the corresponding main genre ID by EPG does not exist, the process of step S303 is passed and the process proceeds to step S205.

In step S304, it is determined whether or not the common main genre ID to which the current reserved program belongs is present in the common main genre table. If an affirmative result is obtained in step S304, the process proceeds to step S305, and the preference value associated with the common subgenre ID to which the current reserved program belongs in the common subgenre table is set to a predetermined value. Increase by minutes. This process corresponds to the procedure of step S105 shown in FIG.
If a positive result is obtained in step S304, the process proceeds to step S306, and the preference value associated with the “other” common main genre item in the common main genre table is increased by a predetermined value.
By executing the processing shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the preference value update management as described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 is realized.

In the above description, the start of the update (increase) processing of the preference value of each genre table (preference information) is a recording reservation operation by designating a program by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. In other words, what is required may be selected from those that the recording / playback apparatus 11 captures as reflecting the user's program preferences. For example, according to the history information such as the user's program viewing history and recording history, a genre that is frequently viewed by the user and the recording reservation frequency is specified, and this is set as a preference value in each genre table (preference information). It may be made to reflect.
Moreover, although the above description refers to increasing the preference value, it is also conceivable to decrease the preference value as an update of the preference value. For example, when a user performs an operation of selecting and deleting a program registered in the recording reservation list by automatic recording reservation setting by the automatic recording processing block 28 later, the genre of the program as a deletion control is It is considered that the preference value corresponding to the genre of the program to be deleted is reduced by a predetermined value in response to such an operation because it is not considered to be suitable for the user's preference. It is.
In addition, various rules can be considered for how much value is increased / reduced in increasing / decreasing (updating) a preference value once, and this point is also particularly limited. It shouldn't be. For example, the reason for increasing the preference value is when a program is specified by a recording reservation operation, or when there is a change in a program of a genre that is determined to have a high preference level based on viewing history information for a certain period. In such a case, it is conceivable to set different values as the amount of increase in the preference value in both cases. Specifically, in the case of the recording reservation operation, it is assumed that the user has selected a program that is more positively preferred, and a higher increase value is set than when the viewing history information has changed. Is done.

7). Modified example

As an embodiment described so far, the preference value is updated in response to a user operation in which the user's program preference is reflected, such as a recording reservation operation by the user, that is, preference information is created and managed. I explained the configuration to do.
Here, for example, also in a product as another recording / playback apparatus, it is assumed that the common genre is set and the preference information is managed in the same manner as in the present embodiment, and for example, the same user has a plurality of different products. Let us consider a situation where a recording / reproducing apparatus is used. In such a case, for example, the preference information created and held in another recording / playback apparatus is taken into the recording / playback apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, and the contents of the fetched preference information have been recorded so far. If it is reflected in the content of the preference information held in the playback device 11, the convenience is further enhanced.

However, the common genre (common main genre, common sub-genre) defined and defined in the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is assumed to be uniquely defined in the product as the recording / reproducing apparatus 11, and thus versatility. If not, it means that the common genre is uniquely defined in other recording / playback apparatus products. Therefore, the definition of the common genre differs between products.
As a modified example described below, in response to such a situation, preference information is acquired from a recording / reproducing apparatus as another product having a different definition of the common genre, and this is appropriately recorded and reproduced in the present embodiment. The configuration is such that the preference information of the device 11 can be reflected.

FIG. 12 schematically shows the flow of processing as this modification.
First, in this figure, two external devices 100-1 and 100-2 are shown as recording / reproducing apparatuses of other products. As described above, these external devices 100-1 and 100-2 manage the preference information by setting a common genre in the same manner as the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment. The common genre setting rules differ between the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment and the external devices 100-1 and 100-2.

  Then, for example, the preference information created and held in each of the external devices 100-1 and 100-2 is taken into the recording / playback apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, and the contents of the preference information 27 held by the recording / playback apparatus 11 are stored. If the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is connected to the external devices 100-1 and 100-2, the predetermined transmission path 110 is used.

  The transmission path 110 here is not particularly limited as long as data can be transmitted and received between the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 and the external devices 100-1 and 100-2. It can be a network such as a LAN or the Internet. Further, a data interface such as USB or IEEE 1394 can be considered. For example, the communication control unit 80 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 adopts a configuration capable of communication and data transmission / reception according to the specific form of the transmission path 110.

  For example, it is assumed that a command for requesting preference information is transmitted from the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 side to the external devices 100-1 and 100-2 via the transmission path 110. Then, the external devices 100-1 and 100-2 that have received this command are configured to transfer the transfer preference information 101-1 and 101-2 as responses via the transmission path 110, respectively. .

The transfer preference information 101-1 and 101-2 are transmitted and output by the external devices 100-1 and 100-2, respectively. Taking the transfer preference information 101-1 as an example, the content includes a product ID 101 a and preference information 101 b. The product ID 101a is ID information for specifying a product (model) as the external device 100-1. In this case, the product ID corresponding to the external device 100-1 is “product A”.
The preference information 101b is preference information created and held in the external device 100-1 by the same processing procedure as the preference value management of the present embodiment described above, for example. That is, it corresponds to the common main genre table and the common sub-genre table of the present embodiment.

As the preference information 101b in FIG. 12, information corresponding to the common main genre table is shown, and the main genre item defined by the product as the external device 100-1 as shown in FIG. The ID and the preference value are associated with each other. The main genre ID and the preference value in the preference information 101b are described as “external side” in parentheses in the figure.
This main genre ID corresponds to a main genre item defined by the product as the external device 100-1, and is based on the main genre category of the external standard when viewed from the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. Indicates that there is. Therefore, the main genre ID in the preference information 101b is based on a genre classification different from the main genre ID managed by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment, and does not have commonality. .

  The transfer preference information 101-2 transmitted and output by the external device 100-2 also includes a product ID 101a and preference information 101b. This product ID 101a indicates that the external device 100-2 is the product B. The preference information 101b is obtained by associating a main genre item (external side) and a preference value (external side) with a main genre item defined uniquely for the product as the external device 100-2. It does not have commonality with the genre division of the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  Note that the external devices 100-1 and 100-2 include the preference information of the contents corresponding to the common sub-genre table of the present embodiment as the preference information 101b of the transfer preference information 101-1 and 11-2. It can also be made. However, in FIG. 12, for convenience of explanation, a case is shown in which only the preference information having the contents corresponding to the common main genre table of the present embodiment is used as the preference information 101b.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment that receives the transfer preference information 101-1 and 101-2, the information of the main genre correspondence table 700 is stored and held. In FIG. 12, as an example of the main genre correspondence table 700, it corresponds to the main genre correspondence table 700-1 corresponding to the transfer preference information 101-1 (that is, product A) and the transfer preference information 101-2 (product B). The main genre correspondence table 700-2 is shown.

The main genre correspondence table 700-1 is a table showing the correspondence between the main genre ID defined by the product A and the common main genre ID defined by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment.
When the recording / playback apparatus 11 receives and acquires the transfer preference information 101-1 shown in the drawing from the external device 100-1, first, the transfer preference information 101-1 is obtained from the product ID 101a included in the transfer preference information 101-1. Is based on the genre classification defined for product A. Therefore, the preference information 101b of the transfer preference information 101-1 is compared with the main genre correspondence table 700-1. Thereby, in the preference information 101b of the transfer preference information 101-1, the preference value (external side) associated with each main genre ID is associated with the common main genre ID defined by the recording / reproducing device 11. Can do.

For example, in the external device 100-1 that is the product A, the correspondence of [main genre item: main genre ID (external side)] of the preference information 101b in the transfer preference information 101-1 is [foreign image: ID = 1] [ Japanese film: ID = 2] [Sports: ID = 3] [Drama: ID = 4]. The main genre item (external main genre ID) of the product A and the common main genre ID of the recording / reproducing device 11 are associated with each other as in the main genre correspondence table 700-1 of the product A. In the preference information 101b, the preference value (external side) “15” associated with [Western painting: ID = 1] corresponds to the common main genre ID = 1 (common main genre item: movie) of the recording / playback apparatus 11. Can be made.
Similarly, in the preference information 101b, the preference value (external side) “40” associated with [Japanese movie: ID = 2] is also common main genre ID = 1 (common main genre item: Movie).
Also, in the preference information 101b, the preference value (external side) “20” associated with [sport: ID = 3] is the common main genre ID = 2 (common main genre item: sport) of the recording / playback apparatus 11. ).
Also, the preference value (external side) “50” associated with [drama: ID = 4] in the preference information 101b is the common main genre ID = 3 (common main genre item: drama) of the recording / playback apparatus 11. It can be made to correspond.

Also, when the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 receives and acquires the transfer preference information 101-2 from the external device 100-2, the transfer preference information 101-2 is obtained from the product ID 101a included in the transfer preference information 101-2. Is based on the genre classification defined for product B, and the preference information 101b of the preference information for transfer 102-1 is compared with the main genre correspondence table 700-2. Become.
Thus, in the same manner as described above, the preference value associated with each main genre ID (external side) in the preference information 101b of the preference information for transfer 101-2 is defined by the recording / reproducing apparatus 11. It can be associated with a common main genre ID.

  In this manner, in the present embodiment, the main genre correspondence table 700 (700-1, 700-2) is held on the recording / playback apparatus 11 side so as to be compared with the genre ID of the preference information captured from the external device. I have to. Thereby, even if the preference information captured from the external device is based on the genre category uniquely defined for each external device, the preference value associated with the main genre ID specified in the product in this preference information is It can be appropriately associated with the common main genre ID of the present embodiment.

Then, as described above, the preference value on the product side (external devices 100-1 and 100-2 side) is associated with the common main genre ID of the present embodiment, as illustrated. The preference values in the common main genre table of the present embodiment are updated so as to reflect these product-side preference values.
It should be noted that there are various ways of reflecting the product-side preference value as the change in the preference value of the common main genre table at this time, and there is no particular limitation here.

Further, as described above, the preference information of the transfer preference information 101-1 and 100-2 may include information in which the sub-genre ID and the preference value are associated with each other. Correspondingly, although not shown here, the recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the present embodiment is provided with a sub-genre correspondence table in addition to the main genre correspondence table 700 in correspondence with various products. The As a result, as in the case of the main genre correspondence described above, the preference value in the common sub genre table of the present embodiment can be updated so that the preference information related to the sub genre of the external device is reflected. It becomes.
In addition, the classification categories (common main genre, common sub genre) defined in common as the present invention may be set in consideration of actual usability and management circumstances, and are limited to the contents illustrated in the embodiment. Should not be done. Further, as the classification category, the present invention can be applied to the case where a category other than the genre such as a broadcast channel or a broadcast time zone is performed.
In addition, the “program” in the present invention indicates a unit of broadcast content corresponding to a classification category, and should not be limited to the concept of a program unit generally classified by a broadcast time zone in a program table, for example. For example, if the genre setting is changed according to the broadcast content of one program divided by the broadcast time zone, the program according to the present invention will change the broadcast content within one program to the genre. It can be handled as being subdivided into units of broadcast content obtained by dividing each.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the recording / reproducing apparatus with which the information management apparatus as embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this Embodiment for every functional block. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the genre prescription | regulation of EPG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the preference information in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of the main genre table classified by EPG, and the sub genre table classified by EPG which is preference information corresponding to the EPG format illustrated as EPG-1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of the main genre table classified by EPG, and the sub genre table classified by EPG which is preference information corresponding to the EPG format illustrated as EPG-2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of the common main genre table and common sub genre table in preference information. It is a flowchart which shows the preference value management procedure example of the preference value (each genre table) in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the preference value management procedure shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation for preference value management in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation for preference value management in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the preference value management procedure as a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  3a antenna, 11 recording / playback device, 21 reception demodulation processing block, 22 EPG database, 23 recording reservation list, 24 reserved recording processing block, 25 tuner arbitration processing block, 26 preference information management block, 27 preference information, 28 automatic recording processing block 29 User interface processing block, 71 Tuner, 72 Demodulator, 73 Decoder, 74 RAM, 75 Mixer, 76 User interface control unit, 77 Composer, 78 Graphic processing controller, 79 Bus, 80 Communication control unit, 81 CPU, 82 RAM 83 ROM, 84 Optical disk interface, 85 Optical disk drive, 86 HDD, 87 HDD interface, 91 Remote commander, 93 Speaker, 94 Display 100, 100-1, 100-2 External device, 300 Main genre table group by EPG, 300-1 to 300-n Main genre table by EPG, 400 Sub genre table group by EPG, 400-1 to 400-n By EPG Sub genre table, 500 common main genre table, 600 common sub genre table group, 600-1 to 600-n common sub genre table, 101 transfer preference information, 101a product ID, 101b preference information, 700 (700-1, 700) -2) Main genre correspondence table

Claims (3)

It corresponds to each of a plurality of electronic program guide information whose provisions of program classification are different, and at least a program classification item corresponding to a classification category for each electronic program guide information is set as a common category item set in advance. Classification item correspondence information holding means for holding classification item correspondence information formed in association with each other;
Preference information holding means for holding preference information formed by associating each of the common classification items with a preference value that is a value indicating a user's preference level;
When a program is designated according to a predetermined condition from among the programs presented in the electronic program guide information, the common category item for the designated program is specified based on the category item correspondence information. A common classification item specifying means;
Of the preference values in the preference information, preference value changing means for changing the preference value associated with the common classification item specified by the common classification item specifying means;
An information management device comprising: External preference information acquisition means for inputting and acquiring preference information of an external device;
In the preference information of the external device, a classification item correspondence information holding means for holding external correspondence classification item correspondence information formed by associating the classification item defined by the external device and the common classification item,
By comparing the external device preference information acquired by the external preference information acquisition means with the external correspondence classification item correspondence information, each of the preference values associated with the external device preference information is set to the common And further comprising a contrast processing means for associating with the classification item,
The preference value changing means is based on a correspondence relationship between the common classification item obtained by the contrast processing means and the preference value associated with the preference information of the external device. The required preference value in the preference information to be held is changed.
The information management apparatus according to claim 1. It corresponds to each of a plurality of electronic program guide information whose provisions of program classification are different, and at least a program classification item corresponding to a classification category for each electronic program guide information is set as a common category item set in advance. The classification item correspondence information that is formed in association with each other is held,
Each of the common classification items and preference information that is a value indicating the preference level of the user are associated with each other, and preference information is formed.
When a program is designated according to a predetermined condition from among the programs presented in the electronic program guide information, the common category item for the designated program is specified based on the category item correspondence information. Common classification item identification procedure;
Of the preference values in the preference information, a preference value changing procedure for changing a preference value associated with the common classification item identified by the common classification item identification procedure;
An information management method configured to execute

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