JP2009302981A - Content recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem of a content recording apparatus of the related art: when downloading content is carried out in the desired period of time designated by a user, power consumption increases because such downloading becomes a factor causing an increase in the operating time of the recording apparatus in addition to the conventional functional operations, for example, TV program watching/reservation of program recording and acquisition of program data. <P>SOLUTION: The recording apparatus is operated as required by allowing the downloading process to be executed only in the operating period of each functional operation with reference to transitional statistic information of downloading rate and capacity information of the reserved content. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The technical field relates to an apparatus for recording content downloaded from a network.

  Regarding the above technical field, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-228867 discloses “Reservation control method for downloading multimedia data provided to service provider to terminal via network, and content surely by specified date and time of download completion requested by user” "Transfer data" as a problem, and as a solution, "the terminal makes a file request for a sample to measure the transfer speed to the service provider and measures the file transfer time from the service provider, content, Reservation calculation unit that registers the reservation contents in the reservation information database when it is possible to determine whether the reservation can be realized by obtaining the download start time based on the speed information in response to the reservation request including the download completion desired time And the service based on the registered reservation information. It discloses that and a time activation control unit which performs control to start to Providers ".

  Further, Patent Document 2 has an object of “allowing smooth distribution of content by preventing network congestion”, and as a means for solving the problem, “When downloading content in a pull-type connection form, a home client terminal The apparatus 2 captures a schedule file provided from the server apparatus 4 side, and the home client terminal apparatus 2 accesses the server apparatus 4 at a time determined by the schedule file to download a desired content. When content is distributed in a push-type connection form, each home client terminal device 2 is accessed according to a schedule determined on the server device 4 side, and desired content is distributed, whereby each home client terminal device 2 is distributed. Because content can be distributed in a time lag To prevent the congestion of the network it is possible to perform the delivery of smooth content "discloses that.

JP 2003-67280 A JP 2002-202927 A

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in addition to the content download function, viewing / recording of digital / analog broadcasts such as terrestrial / satellite / cable, program information acquisition function for electronic program guide (EPG), and device update The control software download function is not considered.

  For this reason, for example, after executing the download process by the user instruction and ending and entering the standby state, the operation may be resumed for a reserved recording of the TV program after a while. Then, since the recording apparatus repeats operation and standby, there is a problem that extra power is consumed.

  Therefore, in the present specification, for example, a content download device downloads content during a scheduled recording time according to a scheduled recording schedule of a tuner that receives a broadcast, a download unit that downloads content, and a broadcast scheduled recording received by the tuner unit. And a control unit for controlling the download unit so as to execute the process.

  According to the above means, for example, by controlling the download of each reserved content to be within the operation time zone of each functional operation, the recording apparatus can be operated only when necessary, and the power consumption can be suppressed.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the content recording apparatus. As an example, this content recording device is a device capable of viewing and recording TV programs and content on a network.

  In FIG. 2, 1 is a content recording apparatus body, 2 is a content reservation list for managing contents to be downloaded, 3 is a TV program viewing / recording reservation list for managing TV programs to be viewed / recorded, and 4 is BS, CS, ground Antenna for receiving broadcast waves such as digital broadcasting, 5 is a tuner and control unit for selecting a channel from the received broadcast waves, and 6 is a download control for controlling content download processing with reference to content reservation list 2 , 7 is a viewing / recording reservation control unit that controls TV program viewing / recording reservation processing with reference to the TV program viewing / recording reservation list 3, and 8 is a content storage server connected to the content recording apparatus main body 1 via a network. , 9 is a recording unit 1 for recording the downloaded content, and 10 is a recording unit for recording the reserved TV program. It represents a part 2.

  The content download by the above device is performed from the moment when the user selects the content on the operation screen (not shown) and instructs the download start, or the user designates the time to download and automatically when the time comes. Generally done. The content for which the download start time is designated is managed by the content reservation list 2.

  In the case of the above configuration, the degree of congestion of the network at the download start time is not particularly considered, and depending on the degree of congestion, it may take several times as long as the time when the download can be performed in the shortest time.

  Therefore, an example in which the content is downloaded within the scheduled recording time zone of the TV program to minimize the operation time of the recording apparatus and download all the reserved content in the shortest will be described below.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the content recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 to 10 are the same as those shown in FIG. 11 is a download speed measuring unit that periodically accesses the content storage server 8 to measure the download speed, 12 is a download speed statistical information that statistically shows the transition of the download speed during a certain period, for example, one day, and 13 is the above-mentioned A download time estimation unit for estimating the download time of each reserved content in an arbitrary time zone with reference to the download speed statistical information 12 and the content reservation list 2, and 14 referring to the TV program viewing / recording reservation list 3 This represents a general control unit that instructs the download time estimation unit 13 to estimate the download time of each content in the viewing / recording reserved time zone of each TV program.

  The general control unit 14 estimates the time required for downloading each content in each viewing / recording time period to the download time estimating unit 13 in order to determine the contents that can be downloaded within the viewing / recording scheduled time period of each TV program. Instruct. The download time estimation unit 13 estimates the download time of each content in each recording time zone using the download speed statistical information 12 and the capacity information of each content in the content reservation list 2. Using the estimated download time obtained, the integrated control unit 14 can download which content during which TV program viewing / recording reservation time period, and minimizes the operating time of the recording device and downloads all reserved content in the shortest time. To decide.

  FIG. 4 shows a content download setting screen in the present embodiment. In the figure, the transition of the download speed during the day is displayed in a line graph, and the recording reservation time zone of each TV program is displayed in a band graph in the lower part of the graph with the time as the horizontal axis. Furthermore, in the lower stage, based on the download speed of each TV program in the scheduled recording time zone and the capacity of each reserved content, the content arranged to minimize the operating time of the recording device and download all the content in the shortest time The download time zone is displayed as a band graph.

  This figure shows an example in which there are two recording reservations for TV programs and two downloads of contents. As can be seen from the figure, the download speed of the recording time period of the reserved program 1 performed from 3:00 to 6:00 is fast, so the large-capacity (3.0 GB) reserved content B is downloaded within that time period. I am planning so. On the other hand, since the download speed is slow in the recording time zone of the reserved program 2 performed from 12:00 to 15:00, it is planned to download the small content (1.5 GB) of the reserved content A within that time zone. . As a method for determining how much content is downloaded during the recording reservation time of each TV program, the example shown in Table 1 can be considered.

[Table 1] Judgment method for content capacity to download (example)

  By the way, when a user or content provider sets a content download deadline, it may be possible to preferentially control the content download to end within the time limit. Here, when the user sets a download deadline, an operation interface for doing this may be provided in the screen of FIG.

  In addition, the content provider transmits in advance information necessary for downloading the content, for example, information such as a title, a genre, a video / audio format, and a file capacity in the form of download control information and metadata.

  Accordingly, when the content provider sets a download deadline, the information may be transmitted including the download deadline information. Therefore, when this is detected, control is performed so that the download is completed within the deadline.

  Regarding the acquisition of the download speed statistical information in the present embodiment, the download speed measuring unit 11 is obtained in advance by periodically accessing the content storage server 8 at intervals of, for example, 30 minutes and actually downloading the file by ftp or the like. The recording apparatus constructs the download speed statistical information 12 by using the speed as statistical information. Here, the download speed statistical information 12 may be obtained directly from the content provider. As described above, the content provider transmits in advance information necessary for downloading the content. If the download speed statistical information is also transmitted at this stage, more precise download control can be realized by detailed information from the content provider.

  Also, the content download can be divided and performed while being paused. Therefore, if it does not fit within the recording time of each reserved TV program, it may be divided several times.

  In the present embodiment, there is shown a case where reserved recording of TV programs and downloading of contents are not performed at the same time due to the product specifications of the recording apparatus.

  FIG. 5 shows a content download setting screen in the present embodiment. The display configuration of the figure is the same as that of FIG. Although downloading of content is not performed at the same time as recording of a TV program, it is planned to select a time zone where the download speed is fast as much as possible. In the figure, the download speed is fast and the speed increases with time. The reserved content B with a large capacity (3.0 GB) is maintained in the time zone of 0:00 to 3:00, and the high download speed is still maintained. The scheduled content A with a small capacity (1.5 GB) is planned to be downloaded promptly during the 6: 00-00 time zone. However, depending on the actual estimation of the download speed, there is a possibility that the download does not end within this time zone. Therefore, it may be planned to download the reserved content A in the same time zone of 0:00 to 3:00 and download the reserved content B in a certain amount of time in the time zone of 6:00:00.

  In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when a user or a content provider sets a content download deadline, it may be possible to control to preferentially download the content.

  Further, the acquisition of the download speed statistical information 12 may be configured such that the recording apparatus constructs the download speed statistical information 12 by itself or directly from the content provider.

  Also, the content download can be divided and performed while being paused. Therefore, if it does not fit within the recording time of each reserved TV program, it may be divided several times.

  In this embodiment, a case where content is downloaded at the same time as the acquisition of program information that is performed periodically is shown.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a TV program and content recording apparatus in the present embodiment. Reference numerals 1 to 14 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a program information acquisition unit that separates and analyzes program information multiplexed on a broadcast wave of a channel selected by the tuner and the control unit 5.
Generally, a digital TV broadcast receiver needs to periodically acquire program information that is a constituent element in order to display an electronic program guide (EPG) or the like. At this time, the receiver returns from the standby state, and operates a series of devices necessary for acquiring program information such as a tuner, a demodulator, and a demultiplexer. In the present embodiment, the redundant operation of the recording apparatus can be suppressed by simultaneously downloading the content during this process.

  FIG. 6 shows a content download setting screen in the present embodiment. The display configuration of this figure is the same as that of FIG. 4 and FIG. The content is downloaded regularly, for example, at the same time period as the program information acquisition that occurs every three hours. Since program information is acquired in a relatively short time, there is a high possibility that content is divided and downloaded as shown in FIG.

  In the figure, content download is planned by selecting a time zone in which program information acquisition occurs and the download speed is high. For example, for the reservation content A, if the download deadline is not set, it may take time to download, so a time zone with a fast download speed is selected as shown in FIG. However, in order to end the download promptly, the download may be planned in the time zone around 9:00 and 12:00 when the program information acquisition occurs.

In the present embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, when a user or content provider sets a content download deadline, it may be possible to control to preferentially download the content.
Further, the acquisition of the download speed statistical information 12 may be configured such that the recording apparatus constructs the download speed statistical information 12 by itself or directly from the content provider.

Configuration Example of Content Recording Device (Example 1) Configuration example of content recording device Configuration Example of Content Recording Device (Example 3) Content download setting screen in the first embodiment Content download setting screen in the second embodiment Content download setting screen in the third embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... TV program and content recording apparatus main body 2 ... Content reservation list 3 ... TV program reservation list 4 ... Antenna 5 ... Tuner and control part 6 ... Download control part 7 ...・ Reserved video recording control unit 8... Content storage server 9.
10: Recording unit 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Download speed measurement part 12 ... Download speed statistical information 13 ... Download time estimation part 14 ... Comprehensive control part 15 ... Program information acquisition part

Claims (12)

A download section to download content,
In a content recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that records content downloaded by the download unit;
A content recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the download unit to execute content download during an operation time period of the function according to an operation schedule of a function different from content download in the content recording apparatus. A tuner unit for receiving broadcasts;
A download section to download content,
In a content recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that records content downloaded by the download unit;
A content recording / playback apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the download unit so as to execute the download of the content during the time period of the reserved recording according to the schedule of the scheduled recording of broadcast received by the tuner unit. Download speed statistical information that records the transition of download speed over a certain period, a content reservation list that has the content capacity as one of the attribute information, and a function operation management list that has the operation time of the function operation as one of the attribute information A storage unit for storing
A download time estimation unit for referring to the download speed statistical information and the content reservation list to estimate the download time of each reserved content in an arbitrary time zone;
An overall control unit that instructs the download time estimation unit to estimate the download time of each content in the operation time zone of each functional operation with reference to the functional operation management list;
The general control unit is a content recording apparatus that controls content download processing so that a download time of each reserved content is within an operation time zone of each functional operation. The content recording device according to claim 3, wherein
The functional operation is a TV program recording reservation operation, the functional operation management list is a TV program recording reservation management list, and the general control unit has a download time of each reserved content within a recording reservation time zone of each TV program. A content recording apparatus that controls content download processing. The content recording device according to claim 4, wherein
A content recording apparatus that controls download processing so as to minimize the download time of each reserved content without overlapping the reserved recording time zone of each TV program. The content recording device according to claim 3, wherein
The functional operation is a TV program viewing reservation operation, the functional operation management list is a TV program viewing reservation management list, and the general control unit has a download time of each reserved content within a viewing reservation time zone of each TV program. A content recording apparatus that controls content download processing. The content recording device according to claim 3, wherein
The functional operation is a program information acquisition operation, the functional operation management list is a program information acquisition management list, and the general control unit downloads content so that the download time of each reserved content falls within each program information acquisition time zone A content recording device that controls processing. The content recording device according to claim 3, wherein
The functional operation management list is a broadcast station logo acquisition management list, the functional operation is a broadcast station logo acquisition operation, and the general control unit is configured so that the download time of each reserved content falls within each broadcast station logo acquisition time zone. A content recording device that controls content download processing. The content recording device according to claim 3, wherein
The functional operation is a control software download operation of the content recording device, the functional operation management list is a control software download management list, and the comprehensive control unit downloads each reserved content within each control software download time zone. A content recording apparatus that controls content download processing so as to fit. The content recording device according to any one of claims 3 to 9,
A content recording apparatus that preferentially controls the download of the content so that the download ends within the time limit when a content download time limit is set by a user or a content provider when the download process is controlled. The content recording device according to any one of claims 3 to 10,
The download speed statistical information is a content recording apparatus configured as a result of periodic download speed measurement for a content storage server. The content recording device according to any one of claims 3 to 10,
The download speed statistical information is a content recording device that is transmitted from a content provider when accessing the content provider.

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