JP2009081877A - Mobile viewing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continue desired video recording, even when memory capacity is lacked, in a mobile apparatus comprising a terrestrial digital broadcast video-recording function and a radio data communication function. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile viewing apparatus includes a terrestrial digital broadcast viewing/video-recording/playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function, and has: a remaining memory amount monitoring means for monitoring remaining memory amount of a video-recording destination of terrestrial digital broadcast; and a video-recording commanding means for commanding remaining video-recording of a program under video-recording by connecting a communication line with a prescribed fixed video-recording device comprising a terrestrial digital broadcast viewing/video-recording/playback function and a data communication function capable of dealing with the cellular mobile communication, when the remaining memory amount becomes less than or equal to a prescribed value during video-recording of terrestrial digital broadcast. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable viewing device having a function of receiving / recording / playing / viewing terrestrial digital broadcasting and a function of performing data communication with another communication device via a wireless base station. . For example, the present invention relates to a mobile phone having the above functions, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a PHS (simple mobile phone), and the like.

  Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and PHSs that have a function of receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting and recording / playing / viewing have been proposed.

  The radio wave of terrestrial digital broadcasting does not reach the underground mall. For this reason, if a portable electronic device that records / reproduces / views terrestrial digital broadcasts is brought into an underground shopping street, the terrestrial digital broadcasts cannot be received and cannot be recorded or viewed.

In view of such a problem, when the terrestrial digital broadcast cannot be decoded, a recording command or a transmission command is transmitted to the home device (peripheral device) by wireless data communication so that the home device can record or receive the home device. A technique is disclosed in which the digital broadcast is transmitted by wireless data communication (see Patent Document 1).
JP2003-110955

  A portable electronic device is driven by a battery having a finite capacity. The recorded contents are stored in a memory having a relatively small capacity. For this reason, even in a place where terrestrial digital broadcasting can be received, there are cases where viewing / recording of terrestrial digital broadcasting cannot be performed due to insufficient battery capacity or insufficient memory capacity.

  The present invention provides a portable electronic device having a terrestrial digital broadcast recording / playback / viewing function and a wireless data communication function, so that desired recording and viewing can be performed even when the battery capacity and the memory capacity are insufficient. The goal is to be able to continue. It is another object of the present invention to prevent troubles such as recording interruption due to insufficient battery capacity and memory capacity.

The present invention is configured as the following [1] to [5].
[1] Configuration 1:
A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Memory remaining capacity monitoring means for monitoring the remaining memory capacity of the recording destination of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
When the remaining amount of memory falls below a predetermined value during terrestrial digital broadcast recording, the terrestrial digital broadcast viewing / recording / playback function and the data communication function compatible with the cellular mobile communication are provided. Recording command means for connecting the communication line with a predetermined stationary recording device and commanding the remaining recording of the program being recorded;
A portable viewing device comprising:
[2] Configuration 2:
A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Battery level monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery level to supply power;
When the remaining battery level is lower than a predetermined value during viewing / recording of terrestrial digital broadcasting, viewing / recording / playback function of terrestrial digital broadcasting and data communication function compatible with cellular mobile communication; A recording command means for connecting the communication line with a predetermined stationary recording apparatus comprising: a command for commanding the remaining recording of the program being viewed or recorded;
A portable viewing device comprising:
[3] Configuration 3:
A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Memory remaining capacity monitoring means for monitoring the remaining memory capacity of the recording destination of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
Battery level monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery level to supply power;
Reservation input means for instructing recording reservation of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
Necessary amount calculation means for calculating a required memory amount and a required battery amount for recording a program for which recording reservation is instructed by the reservation input means,
A recording availability determination unit that compares the required memory amount with the remaining memory capacity, and compares the required battery amount with the remaining battery level to determine whether the program can be recorded;
As a result of the comparison, if recording is impossible, a predetermined stationary recording device having a terrestrial digital broadcast viewing / recording / playback function and a data communication function capable of supporting the cellular mobile communication Recording command means for connecting a communication line and commanding recording reservation of the program;
A portable viewing device comprising:
[4] Configuration 4:
In any one of the configurations 1 to 3,
The recording command means stores the content of the recording command or recording reservation command,
The portable viewing device comprises:
Selecting means for selecting the stored recording command or recording reservation command on the screen;
Replay command means for instructing the predetermined stationary recording device to replay the recording corresponding to the selected recording command or recording reservation command,
A portable viewing device.
[5] Configuration 5:
A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Radio wave intensity monitoring means for monitoring radio wave intensity of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
When the radio wave intensity falls below a predetermined value during viewing of the terrestrial digital broadcast, the predetermined function includes a terrestrial digital broadcast viewing / recording / playback function and a data communication function compatible with the cellular mobile communication. A transfer command means for connecting a communication line with the stationary recording device of the above and commanding transfer of the program being viewed;
A portable viewing device comprising:

  In the apparatus having the above-described configuration 1, when the remaining memory is insufficient, the stationary apparatus can perform recording for the rest of the program being recorded.

  In the apparatus of the configuration 2, when the remaining battery level is insufficient, the remaining part of the program being recorded can be recorded on the stationary apparatus.

  In the apparatus of the configuration 3, when the remaining memory capacity or the remaining battery capacity is insufficient in view of the recording reservation, the stationary apparatus can be made to perform the recording reservation.

  In the apparatus having the configuration 4, it is possible to easily reproduce a program that has been recorded.

In the device of the configuration 5, when the radio wave of the terrestrial digital broadcasting is weakened, viewing can be continued by transfer from the stationary device.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable viewing device (portable electronic device) 100 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an environment in which the portable viewing device 100 of FIG. 1 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable viewing device 100 receives a terrestrial digital broadcast and records / plays back / views it, and another communication device (stationary communication / control device) via a wireless base station 401 or the like. 201), a portable electronic device having a function of performing data communication with a television receiver, a mobile phone unit, and a common unit. The television unit includes a tuner 33, an MPEG4 decoder 32, and an MPEG4 encoder 31. The mobile phone unit includes a wireless transmission / reception unit 22 and a microphone 21. The common unit includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM (memory) 13, a battery 15, a remaining battery level detection unit 13, an operation panel 16, a speaker 17, and a display device (liquid crystal display panel) 18.

  The tuner 33 takes out an MPEG4 bit stream broadcast by terrestrial digital broadcasting and supplies it to the MPEG4 decoder 32. The evaluation of the radio field intensity of terrestrial digital broadcasting can be performed based on the malfunction of the tuner 33 or the like. The CPU 11 gives an instruction for starting the tuner 33 and channel selection information for selecting a desired broadcast station. The MPEG4 encoder 31 outputs a bit stream according to MPEG4. The MPEG4 decoder 31 decodes a bit stream according to MPEG4 and provides it to the display device 18 during viewing. The MPEG4 bit stream is stored in the memory 13 during recording. The CPU 11 constantly monitors the remaining amount of the memory 13 (more precisely, the remaining amount in the portion reserved for recording in the memory 13). In FIG. 1, the entire storage device in the portable viewing device is shown as a single memory 13. That is, a video memory and a buffer memory at the time of viewing, a working memory for the CPU 11, the recording memory, and the like are shown as representative memories 13.

  The battery remaining amount detection unit 13 constantly monitors the remaining amount of the battery 15 and gives the detection result to the CPU 11 as a value such as “% display”, for example. The remaining battery level detection unit 13 can be configured using a known remaining battery level detection circuit. The remaining battery level detection circuit is known as shown in, for example, “http://www.mitsumi.co.jp/Catalog/ic/battery/mm/1251/text01.pdf”. Since it is sufficient to use the function, detailed description of the circuit configuration and the like is omitted.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 22 controls wireless communication in a cellular mobile phone (cellular phone, PHS). The upper part in FIG. 2 shows an outline of this wireless communication system. Since the cellular mobile telephone system is well known, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the portable viewing device 100, the stationary communication / control device 201 and the stationary viewing / recording device 202, which are counterpart devices, both receive terrestrial digital broadcasting and view / record. / Reproduction is possible, and data communication is possible with each other via the cellular mobile communication network 400.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a portable viewing device 100, and a stationary communication / control device 201 which is a device that receives a recording command or a data transfer command (details will be described later) from the portable viewing device 100. The configuration of the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. Note that the stationary communication / control apparatus 201 and the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202 are stationary, so that the battery, the battery 15, and the remaining amount detection unit 14 are unnecessary. Further, when only data communication is sufficient (when the telephone function is unnecessary), the microphone 21 is also unnecessary.

Since the present invention relates to the portable viewing device 100, the counterpart device (the stationary communication / control device 201 and the stationary viewing / recording device 202) has a function capable of responding to a command from the portable viewing device 100. It will be described as being present, and a detailed description of the counterpart device will be omitted.
If memory / battery shortage occurs during recording / viewing:
FIG. 3 shows processing in the case where a shortage of remaining memory or a shortage of remaining battery power occurs during recording or viewing of a terrestrial digital broadcast program.

  The portable viewing device 100 constantly monitors the remaining memory and remaining battery power during recording / viewing of terrestrial digital broadcasting.

  When the remaining amount of memory falls below a predetermined reference value (YES in S01), it is checked whether the program is being recorded or viewed (S03).

  If recording is in progress (recording in S03), recording will not be able to continue due to shortage of memory shortly. Please select whether or not to continue the recording "and waits for the user's selection.

  If the program is being viewed in step S03 (viewing in S03), the memory shortage does not affect the program viewing and is ignored.

  Also, when the remaining battery level falls below a predetermined reference value (YES in S07), recording and viewing cannot be continued due to a shortage of battery soon. "Please select whether or not to record on your home device (continue recording during recording / record the rest during viewing)" Wait for selection.

  When the user's selection input is made during the standby (standby when the remaining memory is insufficient / standby when the battery is insufficient), the type is checked (S11).

  As a result, when it is input that recording is to be performed (recording is necessary in S11), the wireless transmission / reception unit 22 is activated and the home device 201 (stationary communication / control device 201; installation location may not be home). (Any device that can be used by the user) is executed (S13), and when the line is connected (YES in S15), the home device 201 is connected. Information specifying a program to be recorded and a recording command are sent to the destination. The transmission data is stored in a predetermined memory area (see FIG. 5).

  In response to the recording command, when the home device 201 returns “recording is possible”, the home device 201 is instructed to record on the liquid crystal display panel 18 (S23). It is assumed that the home device 201 returns “recording is possible” when recording by the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202 is possible. The case where recording is possible is, for example, the case where the recording memory (hard disk or the like) capacity of the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202 is sufficient for the recording and there is no other recording reservation in the time zone.

  On the other hand, when the home device 201 returns “no recording” in response to the recording command, the home device 201 displays on the liquid crystal display panel 18 that recording cannot be performed (S25).

Thereafter, a predetermined end process (S27) is performed, and this process ends.
When memory / battery shortage is predicted when recording is scheduled:
FIG. 4 shows processing when it is predicted that recording will not be possible on the way due to a lack of memory capacity or battery capacity at the time of recording reservation for a terrestrial digital broadcast program.

  When a user input for instructing recording reservation for terrestrial digital broadcasting is detected, the portable viewing device 100 obtains a memory amount and a battery amount necessary for recording based on the broadcast time of the program related to the reservation (S41). ), Respectively, to compare with the current remaining memory capacity and remaining battery capacity (S43, S47). As a result, if the current remaining memory capacity is less than or equal to the required memory amount obtained in step S41 (YES in S43), recording becomes impossible due to insufficient memory capacity. A message stating “Please select whether or not to make a recording reservation on the device at home” is displayed after waiting for the user's selection. If the current battery capacity is less than or equal to the required battery amount obtained in step S41 (YES in S47), recording becomes impossible due to insufficient battery capacity. Therefore, the message “Please select whether or not to make a recording reservation on the home device” is displayed, and the user waits for selection.

  If the current remaining memory capacity exceeds the required memory capacity (NO in S43) and the current remaining battery capacity exceeds the required battery capacity (NO in S47), the portable viewing device Since there is no hindrance to the recording, a recording reservation is made for the portable viewing device (S69).

  If the user's selection input is made during the standby (standby when the memory capacity is insufficient / standby when the battery capacity is insufficient), the type is checked (S51).

  As a result, when it is input to the home device (stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202) that recording should be reserved (reservation to the home device in S51), the wireless transmission / reception unit 22 is activated and the home device (stationary type). Processing for connecting a wireless data communication line with the communication / control apparatus 201) is executed (S53). When the line is connected (YES in S55), the recording reservation target is sent to the home device 201. Information specifying the program and a recording reservation command are sent. The transmission data is stored in a predetermined memory area (see FIG. 5).

  In response to the recording reservation command, when the home device 201 returns “Recording reservation is possible”, the liquid crystal display panel 18 displays that the home device 201 has been instructed to make a recording reservation for the program. (S63). It is assumed that the home device 201 returns “recording reservation is possible” when the recording reservation by the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202 is possible. The case where recording reservation is possible is, for example, when the recording memory (hard disk or the like) capacity of the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202 is sufficient for recording the program, and there is no other recording reservation in the reserved time zone. It is.

  On the other hand, when the home device 201 returns “no recording reservation” in response to the recording reservation command, a message indicating that the program cannot be recorded by the home device 201 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 18 (S65). ).

Thereafter, a predetermined end process (S67) is performed, and this process ends.
When playing home device 201:
When recording (FIG. 3: recording continuation / recording) or recording reservation (FIG. 4) is commanded from the portable viewing device 100 to the home device 201, the data (command content: see FIG. 5) is portable as described above. Stored in the memory 13 of the type viewing apparatus 100.

The portable viewing device 100 can display this data in the form of a list on the liquid crystal display panel 18, and when the user selects desired data from the list, a signal for reproducing the recorded content indicated by the data is displayed. To home device (stationary communication / control device) 201.

In response to this, the home device (stationary communication / control device 201 & stationary viewing / recording device 202) reproduces the recorded content. Here, reproduction means, for example, transfer of recorded data (transfer to the wireless transmission / reception unit 22), a predetermined recording medium (a recording medium that can be used in common by the portable viewing apparatus 100 and the stationary viewing / recording apparatus 202). For example, data writing to the device, reproduction by the stationary viewing / recording device 202, and the like. These may be selectable by a user instruction.
When the intensity of the digital terrestrial broadcast signal being watched is reduced:
FIG. 6 shows the processing when the intensity of the terrestrial digital broadcast radio wave being viewed is reduced.

  The portable viewing device 100 constantly monitors the strength of the terrestrial digital broadcast radio wave during recording / viewing of the terrestrial digital broadcast.

  When the intensity of the terrestrial digital broadcast radio wave becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value (a value that may cause viewing trouble) (YES in S81), the intensity of the radio wave from the mobile phone base station 401 becomes a predetermined reference value (call / data It is checked whether or not the value (a value that does not hinder communication) is exceeded (S83), and if it exceeds (YES in S83), the wireless transmission / reception unit 22 is activated to establish a wireless data communication line with the home device 201 (S85), and after the connection of the line, information specifying the program to be transferred and the data of the program to be transferred to the portable viewing device 100 to the home device 201 Send a command.

  Thereafter, in response to the transfer command, the broadcast program transferred from the home device 201 via the wireless data communication line is reproduced (S91).

  If the intensity of the radio wave from the base station 401 of the mobile phone becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value during this reproduction (YES in S93), the intensity of the terrestrial digital broadcast radio wave is checked (S95). When the intensity of the digital radio broadcast wave exceeds a predetermined reference value, that is, when the intensity is restored, the reproduction is switched to the reproduction of the terrestrial digital broadcast radio wave (S97), and the process returns to step S81.

  Note that if NO in step S83, NO in step S89, and NO in step S95, viewing cannot be continued, so a predetermined end process (S99) is performed and this process is terminated. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable viewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the environment where the portable viewing-and-listening apparatus of FIG. 1 is set | placed. The flowchart which shows the procedure in case memory shortage / battery remaining shortage occurs during recording / viewing of a program. The flowchart which shows the procedure when it turns out that the program cannot be recorded to the end due to insufficient memory remaining / battery remaining at the time of recording reservation of the program. Explanatory drawing of the table structure which recorded the content which instruct | indicated the video recording with respect to a home machine. The flowchart which shows the procedure in case the electromagnetic wave of terrestrial digital broadcasting weakens during viewing of a program.

Explanation of symbols

100 Portable viewing device (portable electronic device)
201 Stationary Communication / Control Device 202 Stationary Viewing / Recording Device

Claims (5)

A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Memory remaining capacity monitoring means for monitoring the remaining memory capacity of the recording destination of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
When the remaining amount of memory falls below a predetermined value during terrestrial digital broadcast recording, the terrestrial digital broadcast viewing / recording / playback function and the data communication function compatible with the cellular mobile communication are provided. Recording command means for connecting the communication line with a predetermined stationary recording device and commanding the remaining recording of the program being recorded;
A portable viewing device comprising: A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Battery level monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery level to supply power;
When the remaining battery level is lower than a predetermined value during viewing / recording of terrestrial digital broadcasting, viewing / recording / playback function of terrestrial digital broadcasting and data communication function compatible with cellular mobile communication; A recording command means for connecting the communication line with a predetermined stationary recording apparatus comprising: a command for commanding the remaining recording of the program being viewed or recorded;
A portable viewing device comprising: A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Memory remaining capacity monitoring means for monitoring the remaining memory capacity of the recording destination of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
Battery level monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery level to supply power;
Reservation input means for instructing recording reservation of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
Necessary amount calculation means for calculating a required memory amount and a required battery amount for recording a program for which recording reservation is instructed by the reservation input means,
A recording availability determination unit that compares the required memory amount with the remaining memory capacity, and compares the required battery amount with the remaining battery level to determine whether the program can be recorded;
As a result of the comparison, if recording is impossible, a predetermined stationary recording device having a terrestrial digital broadcast viewing / recording / playback function and a data communication function capable of supporting the cellular mobile communication Recording command means for connecting a communication line and commanding recording reservation of the program;
A portable viewing device comprising: In any one of Claims 1-3,
The recording command means stores the content of the recording command or recording reservation command,
The portable viewing device comprises:
Selecting means for selecting the stored recording command or recording reservation command on the screen;
Replay command means for instructing the predetermined stationary recording device to replay the recording corresponding to the selected recording command or recording reservation command,
A portable viewing device. A portable viewing device equipped with a terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing / recording / playback function and a cellular mobile communication terminal function,
Radio wave intensity monitoring means for monitoring radio wave intensity of terrestrial digital broadcasting;
When the radio wave intensity falls below a predetermined value during viewing of the terrestrial digital broadcast, the predetermined function includes a terrestrial digital broadcast viewing / recording / playback function and a data communication function compatible with the cellular mobile communication. A transfer command means for connecting a communication line with the stationary recording device of the above and commanding transfer of the program being viewed;
A portable viewing device comprising:

Images