JP4345069B2 - Video data recording / playback control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video for controlling a video data recording / reproducing apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as a recording / reproducing apparatus) that records and reproduces video data on a large-capacity recording medium such as an optical disk, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory. The present invention relates to a data recording / playback control device, and more particularly to a video data recording / playback control device that controls a video data recording / playback device that records and plays back video data acquired through a broadcast program (television program) in TV (television) broadcasting.

  Conventionally, a VTR (Video Tape Recorder) using a video tape is known as a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing video (and audio) content such as a broadcast program. Recording / reproducing apparatuses such as HDD recorders and DVD recorders that record and reproduce video data using a large-capacity recording medium such as (Digital Versatile Disc), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and semiconductor memory are known. . In addition, there is a recording / reproducing apparatus using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk so that a viewer can reproduce (view) other recorded programs while recording a desired program. .

  As a function similar to time-shifted playback that enables playback of a recorded part of a program during recording of the program by using a random-accessible large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk, A function called playback has also been proposed.

  In this cache reproduction, when a user wants to view a scene from a slightly previous scene again by always recording (cached) a viewing program currently being broadcast on a recording medium with a predetermined capacity (predetermined time) as a limit, This is a function that enables playback by going back in time within the range stored as the cache. Time shift reproduction and cache reproduction are also disclosed in the following Patent Documents 1 to 4, for example.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for setting a program break for a program to be played back by time shift playback or cache playback. According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user wants to re-view a scene that has been missed in a program that is being viewed casually or specially again by playing back data recorded in the cache. The scene can be viewed.

  In Patent Documents 2 and 3 below, when a viewer temporarily switches to another channel while viewing a program of a channel using a plurality of tuners, the channel is not changed. A technique for recording the program is disclosed. Patent Document 4 below discloses a remote controller (remote controller) for performing display switching between a parent screen and a child screen and a cache reproduction operation of a video displayed on each screen in a picture-in-picture viewing system. A technique for improving user convenience by combining them into one is disclosed. According to the techniques disclosed in these Patent Documents 2 to 4, by providing a plurality of tuners for receiving and selecting broadcast signals, a specific program is recorded while another program (the above-mentioned specific program is selected). It is possible to play / view the back program.

  FIGS. 11 to 13 schematically show temporal relationships among user requests, a tuner state, a target channel for temporary recording, a playback state of temporary recording, and a target channel (display state) displayed on the monitor. A timing chart is shown. Hereinafter, an example of the operation according to the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the following, each operation performed at an arbitrary time tα or a state at an arbitrary time tα may be expressed by a function using the time as a parameter. That is, for example, when a channel switching request (Ch1 selection operation) to Ch1 is performed by the user at time t1, it may be expressed as U (t1) = Ch1, and at time t4, Ch4 is displayed on the monitor. When the channel display is started, it may be expressed as D (t4) = Ch4.

  First, a first example of operation according to the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 11, basically, when the user switches channels, the tuner switches in conjunction with the channel switching, and the received signal by the tuner is recorded by the temporary recording device. An example of the case is shown. FIG. 11 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, the user request: U, the tuner state: Tu, and the target channel for temporary recording: Items of C, temporarily recorded data reproduction state: P, and target channel (display state): D displayed on the monitor are arranged.

  In FIG. 11, after a user operation U (t70) = power on (PW ON) at time t70, the channel switching request U (t71) = Ch1, U (t72) = Ch3, U (t73) = instructed by the user. For Ch4, U (t74) = Ch1, the tuner responds to the request as needed: Tu (t71) = Ch1, Tu (t72) = Ch3, Tu (t73) = Ch4, Tu (t74) = Ch1 Switch the channel.

  Accordingly, the temporary recording target channel for recording the program of the channel tuned by this tuner is also C (t71) = Ch1, C (t72) = Ch3, C (t73) = Ch4, C (t74). = Ch1. Further, the monitor display follows the user request, and D (t71) = Ch1, D (t72) = Ch3, D (t73) = Ch4, and D (t74) = Ch1.

  Next, at time t75, when the user performs a request U (t75) = reproduction to reproduce the data recorded in the temporary recording device, the reproduction state of the temporary recording data is the program recorded in the temporary recording device. Output playback video P (t75) = playback (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t74), display state D (t75) = playback (for example, temporarily recorded after time t74) Ch1 program).

  On the other hand, the temporary recording device continuously records the Ch1 program. That is, the temporary recording device records the video data of the tuner selected by the user as it is. When the user makes a channel switching request U (t77) = Ch4 for switching the channel to Ch4 at time t77, the tuner state Tu (t77) = Ch4, the temporary recording state C again in response to this user request. (T77) = Ch4, display state D (t77) = Ch4, and the temporarily recorded data reproduction state P (t77) = stop.

  Next, a second example of the operation according to the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG. The timing chart shown in FIG. 12 also shows an example in which the channel selected by the user is recorded as it is, as in the timing chart shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, the user request: U, the tuner state: Tu, and the target channel for temporary recording: Items of C, recording state of a predetermined recording device: R, and target channel (display state) displayed on the monitor: D are arranged.

  In FIG. 12, after a user operation U (t80) = power on (PW ON) at time t80, a channel switching request U (t81) = Ch1, U (t82) = Ch3, U (t83) = instructed by the user. For Ch4, U (t84) = Ch1, the tuner responds to the request as needed: Tu (t81) = Ch1, Tu (t82) = Ch3, Tu (t83) = Ch4, Tu (t84) = Ch1 Switch the channel.

  Accordingly, the temporary recording target channel for recording the program of the channel tuned by this tuner is also C (t81) = Ch1, C (t82) = Ch3, C (t83) = Ch4, C (t84). = Ch1. Further, the display state follows the user request, and D (t81) = Ch1, D (t82) = Ch3, D (t83) = Ch4, and D (t84) = Ch1.

  Next, at time t85, a request U (t85) for recording (recording) data recorded in the temporary recording device on another recording medium = when recording is performed, the program recorded in the temporary recording device is recorded. Recording starts. That is, when a recording request is made by the user, the recording state R (t85) of the predetermined recording device becomes recording (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t84), and the data recorded in the temporary recording device is predetermined. Are recorded on a recording medium.

  Thereafter, for example, in conjunction with the channel switching request U (t86) = Ch4 and U (t87) = Ch1 instructed by the user, the tuner state Tu (t86) = Ch4, Tu (t87) = Ch1 and the display state While D (t86) = Ch4 and D (t87) = Ch1, the predetermined recording device continuously performs the operation of recording the data recorded in the temporary recording device on another recording medium, and as a result, The state of the predetermined recording device is R (t88) = Ch4 corresponding to the channel switching at time t86, and R (t89) = Ch1 corresponding to the channel switching at time t87.

  Next, a third example of the operation according to the conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG. The timing chart shown in FIG. 13 shows an example in which a tuner channel switching operation and a temporary recording operation are performed using two tuners. FIG. 13 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, the user request: U, the tuner status of Tuner 1: Tu1, the tuner of Tuner 2 are shown. The items of status: Tu2, temporary recording operation corresponding to tuner 1, C1, reproduction status P1 of data recorded by the temporary recording device, and target channel (display status) displayed on the monitor: D are arranged.

  In FIG. 13, when the user makes a channel switching request U (t90) = Ch6 at time t90, the state of one tuner (tuner 1) becomes Tu1 (t90) = Ch6 in response to this request, and the user Adjust the channel according to the instructions. Further, the display state is D (t90) = Ch6 in accordance with the user's instruction. Similarly, when the user makes a channel switching request U (t91) = Ch1 at time t91, Tu1 (t91) = Ch1 and D (t91) = Ch1.

  Here, it is assumed that at time t92, the user wants to record this channel (Ch1) for the time being, and has made a temporary recording request U (t92) = recording. In this case, the temporary recording device starts the temporary recording operation C1 (t92) = Ch1 of the channel (Ch1) program of the tuner 1.

  In this state, if the user makes a channel switching request U (t93) = Ch3 and U (t94) = Ch4, the tuning of the tuner 1 and the temporary recording operation of the temporary recording device are continued as they are. In the other tuner 2, channel selection is performed such that Tu2 (t93) = Ch3 and Tu2 (t94) = Ch1, and the display state is linked to this user operation, and D (t93) = Ch3, D ( t94) = Ch4.

  As a result, when the user instructs the temporary recording of the program of a specific channel, the channel selection and monitor display after that are performed by another tuner, even while the program is being recorded (temporary recording). Other programs can be viewed.

  In addition, when the user performs a request U (t95) = reproduction to reproduce the data recorded in the temporary recording device at time t95, the reproduction state of the temporary recording data is the reproduction of the program recorded in the temporary recording device. Video output P1 (t95) = reproduction (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t93), display state D (t95) = reproduction (for example, temporary recording after time t93) Ch1 program).

The subsequent operation varies depending on the setting of the user or manufacturer. For example, when the user requests to stop playback of the temporarily recorded data at time t97 (U (t97) = stop playback), the temporarily recorded data Playback state P1 (t97) = stopped (for example, stopped at the program of Ch1 at time t97) and display state D (t97) = Ch4. Further, for another channel selection U (t98) = Ch8 by the user, the tuner 2 becomes Tu2 (t98) = Ch8 and D (t98) = Ch8. Further, when the user selects Ch1, as in U (t99) = Ch1, P1 (t99) = reproduction (reproduction of Ch1 program (temporary recording data) after time t97) is resumed. , D (t99) = reproduction (temporary recording data of Ch1).
JP 2002-1000016 (paragraphs 0003-0006, 0035-0037) JP 2002-51290 A (FIGS. 2 to 4) JP 2003-52001 (paragraph 0028, FIG. 1) JP 2004-72449 A (paragraphs 0082 to 0084, FIG. 1)

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the cache recording that enables the cache playback is to record the program being viewed, the video being viewed depends on the viewing channel selected by the user. Data will be cached. For this reason, in order to fully utilize the cache function, it is desirable for the user not to change the channel. That is, there is a problem that the cache function cannot be fully utilized for a user whose channel switching is intense.

  Further, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, it is necessary to select a channel broadcasted from among a plurality of channels as a target program for cache recording according to the intention of the user. is there. Therefore, the user needs to be aware of the program to be cached, and it is by no means sufficient in terms of “cache recording for a program that is casually viewed” that is originally required for the cache recording function. There is a problem that it cannot be said.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4, the channel of a specific program (program displayed on the parent screen) is fixed by subjecting the recording of the program being played back on the parent screen to fixed channel recording. While recording, the other channels can be selected and played back. However, as in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the user needs to determine the target program for cache recording according to the relationship between the parent screen and the child screen. There is. Furthermore, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 4 does not support program viewing by full-screen display (one-screen display) that does not use a main screen and a sub-screen. Similar to the techniques disclosed in Documents 2 and 3, there is a problem that the user must select a target program for cache recording by some method.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention misses an important scene when a viewing channel is returned to a program that was initially viewed casually after switching the viewing channel from a program that the user is casually viewing to another program. In such a case, an object of the present invention is to provide a video data recording / playback control apparatus that continuously cache-records a program that has been casually viewed even during the viewing period of other programs.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of tuners and temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected in each of the plurality of tuners. A video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device provided,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Program head specifying means for specifying the head of the program of the channel that the user is viewing;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the program viewing time from the time when the first viewing of the program is viewed to the time when the new channel switching request is detected is measured. Program viewing time measuring means;
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means, a program viewing judging means for judging whether or not the user has watched the program for a predetermined time or more from the top of the program;
Using another tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the program, which is determined by the program viewing determination means that the user has been watching from the beginning of the program for the predetermined time or more, Tuner selection control means for controlling reception of a channel designated by a new channel switching request;
A video data recording / playback control apparatus is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of tuners and a temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected in each of the plurality of tuners. And a video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device having temporary recording / playback means for playing back the video data temporarily recorded by the temporary recording means,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Temporary recording data viewing request detecting means for detecting a temporary recording data viewing request for requesting viewing of the video data temporarily recorded by any one of the plurality of tuners;
Program head specifying means for specifying the head of a program included in the video data reproduced based on the temporary recording data viewing request detected by the temporary recording data viewing request detecting means;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, program viewing for measuring the program viewing time from the time when the top of the program is reproduced to the time when the new channel switching request is detected Time measuring means;
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means, a program viewing judging means for judging whether or not the user has watched the program for a predetermined time or more from the top of the program;
Using another tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the program, which is determined by the program viewing determination means that the user has been watching from the beginning of the program for the predetermined time or more, Tuner selection control means for controlling reception of a channel designated by a new channel switching request;
A video data recording / playback control apparatus is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of tuners and a temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected in each of the plurality of tuners. And a video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device having reserved recording means for performing reserved recording of the program specified by the recording reservation information,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Program head specifying means for specifying the head of the program of the channel that the user is viewing;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, program viewing for measuring the program viewing time from the time when the previous channel switching request was detected to the time when the new channel switching request was detected Time measuring means;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detection means, the remaining time for starting scheduled recording is measured from the time when the new channel switching request is detected until the next scheduled recording is started. Reserving recording start remaining time measuring means,
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means and the reserved recording start remaining time measured by the reserved recording start remaining time measuring means, the user performs a first predetermined start from the beginning of the program. Program viewing determination means for determining whether or not the program has been viewed for at least the time and the start time of the next reserved recording is at least a second predetermined time;
It is determined by the program viewing determination means that the user has viewed from the head of the program for the first predetermined time or more and the start time of the next reserved recording is separated by the second predetermined time or more. Tuner selection control means for controlling the reception of the channel specified by the new channel switching request by using another tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the received program.
A video data recording / playback control apparatus is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of tuners and a temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected in each of the plurality of tuners. And a video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device having reserved recording means for performing reserved recording of the program specified by the recording reservation information,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Program end time specifying means for specifying the end time of the program of the channel that the user is viewing;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, program viewing for measuring the program viewing time from the time when the previous channel switching request was detected to the time when the new channel switching request was detected Time measuring means;
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means, a program viewing judging means for judging whether or not the user has watched the program for a predetermined time or more from the top of the program;
Whether or not the end time of the program being viewed immediately before the new channel switching request is before the next reserved recording start time when a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detection means A program duplication judging means for judging
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means and the determination result of the program duplication determination means, the user has watched the program for the predetermined time or more from the beginning of the program, In addition, it is designated by the new channel switching request using a tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the program that has been determined not to overlap with the time slot of the next scheduled recording target program. Tuner selection control means for controlling the reception of the selected channel,
A video data recording / playback control apparatus is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention described above, it is determined that a program that the user has watched for a predetermined time or more from the start of the program is a program that the user is highly interested in, and reception of the tuner that receives this program and It is possible to continue the temporary recording operation.

  Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention described above, when the user has been playing this program continuously for a predetermined time T or more from the beginning of the temporarily recorded program, the user is interested in this program. It is possible to determine that the program is high and to continue to temporarily record the program.

  Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention described above, when the user views the same channel for a predetermined time or more without switching the channel, the program of this channel is determined as a program that is highly interested by the user. Furthermore, by confirming that the start time of the scheduled recording to be performed after that is performed after a predetermined time or more, it was confirmed that the tuner occupancy operation such as the scheduled recording does not overlap with the tuning of the tuner selection for a certain period of time. As a result, the temporary recording operation of the program can be continuously performed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention described above, when the user views the same channel for a predetermined time or more without switching the channel, the program of this channel is determined to be a program that is highly interested by the user. Furthermore, by confirming that the broadcast time zone of this program and the time zone of the scheduled recording to be performed thereafter do not overlap, the tuner occupying operation such as the scheduled recording and the temporary recording operation automatically performed are performed. After confirming that the time zone does not overlap, it is possible to continue the temporary recording operation of the program so that the program recorded by the temporary recording operation is recorded to the end.

  Hereinafter, first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an example of the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus used in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus used in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function implement | achieved by the recording process part and control part of the recording / reproducing apparatus used.

  A recording / reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 receives an input signal supplied from an antenna or an external device (another reproducing apparatus) and records data (video data) included in the signal on a recording medium. It has a function and a function of reading data recorded on a recording medium and reproducing and outputting the data to a display device such as a TV or another recording device. Note that the recording / reproducing apparatus 50 also has a function of recording a broadcast program based on a reserved time and channel, a temporary recording function for temporarily recording and reproducing a program, and a cache reproduction function.

  In order to realize the above function, the recording / reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 includes an external device input unit 1 that receives an input signal supplied from the outside (such as an antenna or another reproducing apparatus), and a channel selection function. Input signals supplied from the first broadcast receiving unit (tuner 1) 2 and the second broadcast receiving unit (tuner 2) 3 provided, the external device input unit 1, the first and second broadcast receiving units 2, 3 and the like are provided. A recording processing unit 4 having a recording medium for recording, a display unit 5 such as a display panel for displaying an operation state of the recording / reproducing device 50 and an operation state by a user, and a user interface such as a remote controller for the recording / reproducing device 50 The user control unit 6 for enabling operation through the external device input unit 1, the first and second broadcast receiving units 2, 3, etc. (display It has an external device output section 7 to be output to the location, such as or other recording device), and a control unit 8 for controlling the operation of each component.

  Further, the recording processing unit 4 and the control unit 8 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 realize the functions illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, the input signal supplied from the external device input unit 1 or the first and second broadcast receiving units 2 and 3 is a signal selection unit 9 for selecting at least one signal to be processed thereafter. To select a signal. The recording signal processing unit 10 performs recording signal processing such as compression processing (for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system) on the signal selected as the processing target.

  The data after the recording signal processing by the recording signal processing unit 10 is mainly broadcast signals received by the first and second broadcast receiving units 2 and 3 under the control of the recording control unit 11 and the recording medium management unit 12. Are temporarily sent to the temporary recording units 13 and 14 for recording the cache, and the recording medium 15 for storing the video for a long time. The temporary recording units 13 and 14 are realized by, for example, an HDD, and the recording medium 15 is realized by, for example, an HDD or a DVD.

  In FIG. 2, the temporary recording units 13 and 14 and the recording medium 15 are illustrated independently, but may be realized by a single piece of hardware. That is, each of the temporary recording units 13 and 14 and the recording medium 15 may be realized by individual hardware, or may be assigned a recording area of a large-capacity recording device (for example, HDD) that can be accessed at high speed, It may be realized by one large capacity recording device by storing it as a file.

  Further, when data recorded in the temporary recording units 13 and 14 and the recording medium 15 is reproduced, for example, video data instructed by the user control unit 6 (see FIG. 1) is appropriately controlled under the control of the recording medium management unit 12. The temporary recording units 13 and 14 and the recording medium 15 are read out. Then, the data read by the recording medium management unit 12 is sent to the reproduction signal processing unit 17 under the control of the reproduction control unit 16 and subjected to reproduction signal processing such as expansion processing (for example, MPEG expansion). The data after the reproduction signal processing by the reproduction signal processing unit 17 is processed by the display display processing unit 19 under the control of the display control unit 18 (for example, on-screen display processing) and then output as an output signal to the external device. It is output to the output unit 7 (see FIG. 1).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a scheduled recording control unit 20 that performs management of a scheduled recording setting table in which a schedule for scheduled recording and the like are described, and instructions for starting / ending scheduled recording, etc., date and time management and timekeeping functions A system timer unit 21 having the above is also realized. Further, a line control unit 24 that connects to an external communication line (for example, an Internet line or a telephone line) and controls data communication with an external server, etc., and a program acquired from the external server or the like through the line control unit 24 A program information extraction / management unit 23 having a function of receiving information and program information superimposed on a broadcast reception signal and extracting and managing various information is also realized.

  FIG. 2 also shows a system control unit 22 that controls each functional block in order to realize the functions of the entire system. Various functions of the present invention to be described later are also controlled by the system control unit 22.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each function of the recording / reproducing apparatus 50 is represented by blocks, but these functions can be realized by software and / or hardware. In particular, the function of a block for processing information can be realized by executing a program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) mounted on the computer.

  Next, various functions that can be realized by the recording / reproducing apparatus 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

<First Embodiment>
First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  3 includes two first and second broadcast receivers (tuners 1 and 2) 2 and 3 as shown in FIG. 1, and signals from the tuners 1 and 2 are automatically transmitted. The operation of a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with a temporary recording function (cache function) for temporary recording is illustrated. FIG. 3 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, the user request: U, the tuner 1 state: Tu1, the tuner 2 state: Each item of Tu2, tuner 1 temporary recording operation: C1, and target channel (display state): D displayed on the monitor is arranged. The temporary recording operation C2 of the tuner 2 is not shown.

  In FIG. 3, the recording / playback apparatus is configured such that the temporary recording function operates from when the power is turned on, for example. That is, the user's operation U (t0) at time t0 = power on (PW ON) and the temporary recording operations of the tuner 1 and the tuner 2 are started.

  In response to the user's subsequent channel switching request U (t1) = Ch1, U (t2) = Ch3, U (t3) = Ch1, the tuner 1 responds to the request, and Tu1 (t1) = Ch1, Channel switching is performed such that Tu1 (t2) = Ch3 and Tu1 (t3) = Ch1. Further, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is also C1 (t1) = Ch1, C1 (t2) = Ch3, C1 (t3) = Ch1 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display is also the user's channel. Following the switching request, D (t1) = Ch1, D (t2) = Ch3, and D (t3) = Ch1.

  Here, it is assumed that broadcasting of a new next program is started on the reception channel Ch1 of the tuner 1 at time t4. Thereafter, for example, at time t5 after elapse of a predetermined time T or more, if a switching request U (t6) = Ch4 from the user to another channel (Ch4 in this case) is made, tuning of the tuner Tu1 and While the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1 is continued as it is, the tuner 2 is used in response to the user's channel switching request, and Tu2 (t6) = Ch4. The monitor display follows D (t6) = Ch4 following the user's channel switching request. Further, for subsequent channel switching requests (for example, U (t7) = Ch3), the tuner 2 is used for channel selection and display is performed (that is, Tu2 (t7) = Ch3, D (t7). ) = Ch3).

  In this way, when broadcasting of a new program is started on the channel that the user is viewing (or displayed on the monitor), a predetermined time T is obtained from the start time (time t4 in FIG. 3) of this program. When the time has elapsed, it is determined that the user is interested in the program, the channel is fixed (locked), and a channel switching request is made after a predetermined time T has elapsed (time t5 in FIG. 3). If this happens, the program is temporarily recorded continuously.

  Thus, from the user's channel switching operation, a program that has been viewed for a predetermined time T or more and the user has shown interest is specified, and one tuner is fixed regardless of the subsequent user's channel switching operation, and this program is fixed. Recording can be continued. This also makes it possible to automatically record a program that the user has shown interest from the start of the program.

  Note that, for the predetermined time T, a threshold value is set for continuous viewing time when the user shows interest in the program. For example, any time such as several tens of seconds, several minutes, or several tens of minutes is set. It can be set. The predetermined time T can be set at the time of shipment by the manufacturer or by each user, and may be set according to the genre of each program, the scheduled broadcast time, or the like.

  Next, processing performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, only processing related to channel switching and temporary recording operations will be described in order to simplify the description.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the recording / reproducing apparatus sequentially starts the system when the power is turned on (PW On). As part of this, the tuners 1 and 2 are activated in step S101, the reception data (program) selected by the tuner 1 is automatically recorded in step S102, and the channel selected in step S103 is automatically started. The program (or video recorded on the recording medium) is output to a display monitor such as a TV.

  In step S104, the recording / reproducing apparatus detects the head (program start) of the broadcast program of the channel being viewed. The head of the program can be detected by any method. For example, the start of a program may be detected by referring to a program table on which a list of broadcast-scheduled programs is posted and the current time, and detection identification information for identifying the head is added to a broadcasted program. Also good.

  If the beginning of the program is detected in step S104, a timer for measuring the viewing time when the program is viewed from the beginning is started in step S105, and a channel switching request from the user is received in step S106. Check. On the other hand, if the head of the program is not detected in step S104, the timer is not started, and a channel switching request from the user is checked in step S106.

  If a channel switching request is not detected in step S106, the process returns to step S103 and the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, if a channel switching request is detected, in step S107, the time of the timer started in step S105 ( Check the elapsed time from the beginning of the program. In this example, the elapsed time from the beginning of the program is measured by measuring the time using a timer. For example, the time when the channel switching request was made (that is, the current time) and the beginning of the program were detected. The elapsed time may be calculated by calculating the time between the times.

  Here, if the same channel has been viewed for a predetermined time T since the start of the program in step S107, the state of the other tuner 2 is checked in step S110. If the tuner 2 is not used, the tuner 2 channel is switched to the requested channel input in step S106 in step S111, and the tuner 2 tuning data is output to the display monitor in step S112. In addition to switching the selection switch, in step S113, apart from the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1 (while maintaining the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1), the temporary recording operation of the data selected by the tuner 2 is started. In step S114, after the timer started in step S105 is stopped and reset, the process returns to step S103, the program selected by the tuner 1 is output to the display monitor, and the above-described operation is repeated. For example, when the tuner to be checked is being used for recording, it is determined that this tuner is in use, and in the case of simply selecting and receiving an arbitrary channel, This tuner is determined to be unused.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that the same channel has not been watched for a predetermined time T since the start of the program (including the case where the timer is not operating) or the tuner 2 is being used in step S110 (eg, tuner 2). In step S108, the channel of tuner 1 is switched to the requested channel, and in step S109, the output selection switch is switched so that the tuning data of tuner 1 can be output to the display monitor. . In step S114, after the timer started in step S105 is stopped and reset, the process returns to step S103, the program selected by the tuner 1 is output to the display monitor, and the above-described operation is repeated.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a program that the user has watched for a predetermined time T or more from the beginning of the program is determined as a program in which the user is interested, The program can be temporarily recorded automatically, and the temporary recording can be continuously performed. In addition, when the user performs an operation of switching to another channel, the program that is determined to be interested in the user is continuously recorded, while the other vacant tuner is used. Thus, the program selected by the user can be received and displayed.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 includes two first and second broadcast receiving units (tuners 1 and 2) 2, 3 for automatically recording signals from the tuners 1 and 2 respectively. The operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus that implements the temporary recording function (cache function) is shown. FIG. 5 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, user request: U, tuner 1 state: Tu1, tuner 2 state: The items Tu 2, Temporary recording operation of the tuner 1: C 1, Temporary recording reproduction state of the tuner 1: P 1, Target channel (display state) displayed on the monitor: D are arranged. FIG. 5 also shows programs broadcast on each channel as necessary. The temporary recording operation C2 of the tuner 2 is not shown.

  In FIG. 5, the recording / reproducing apparatus is configured such that the temporary recording function operates from when the power is turned on, for example. That is, at the same time as the user operation U (t0) = power on (PW ON) at time t10, the temporary recording operations of the tuner 1 and the tuner 2 are started.

  In response to the user's subsequent channel switching request U (t11) = Ch1, U (t12) = Ch3, U (t13) = Ch1, the tuner 1 responds to the request with Tu1 (t11) = Ch1, Channel switching is performed such that Tu1 (t12) = Ch3 and Tu1 (t13) = Ch1. Further, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is C1 (t11) = Ch1, C1 (t12) = Ch3, C1 (t13) = Ch1 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display is also the user channel. Following the switching request, D (t11) = Ch1, D (t12) = Ch3, and D (t13) = Ch1.

  Here, it is assumed that at time t14, the user performs a reproduction request U (t14) = program 0 reproduction of program 0 of Ch1 (program 0 temporarily recorded in tuner 1). At this time, the playback state of the tuner 1 temporarily recorded is P1 (t14) = playback (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t13), and the monitor display follows the playback request, and D (t14) = Reproduction (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t13).

  Here, program 0 broadcast from time t13 to program end time t15 is viewed from time t14 to time t16, and program 1 is subsequently viewed from time t17, and then at time t17, the user U (T17) = It is assumed that an instruction to stop playback is input. Here, the viewing time Tp0 (time from time t14 to time t16) of the program 0 and the viewing time Tp1 (time from time t16 to time t17) of the program 1 are shorter than a predetermined time TpLock described later. Shall. That is, Tp0 <TpLock and Tp1 <TpLock.

  Subsequently, when the channel switching request U (t18) = Ch4 and U (t19) = Ch1 is made by the user, the tuner 1 satisfies Tu1 (t18) = Ch4 and Tu1 (t19) = Ch1 in response to this request. Switch the channels as follows. Also, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is C1 (t18) = Ch4 and C1 (t19) = Ch1 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display follows the user's channel switching request. D (t18) = Ch4 and D (t19) = Ch1.

  Next, similarly to the previous case, it is assumed that at time t20, the user performs the reproduction request U (t20) = program 4 reproduction of the program 4 of Ch1 (program 4 temporarily recorded in the tuner 1). At this time, the playback state of the tuner 1 temporarily recorded is P1 (t20) = playback (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t19), and the monitor display follows the playback request, and D (t20). = Reproduction (for example, Ch1 program temporarily recorded after time t19).

  If the user makes a channel switching request U (t22) = Ch3 at time t22 after the viewing of the temporarily recorded program 4 has been performed for a predetermined time TpLock or longer, the playback state of the temporarily recorded data P1 (t22) = stopped. At this time, tuning of Tuner Tu1 and temporary recording operation of Tuner 1 are continued as they are, while Tuner 2 is used in response to a user channel switching request, Tu2 (t22). = Ch3. The monitor display follows D (t22) = Ch3 following the user's channel switching request.

  Thus, when the user continues to watch the same program (the above program 4) for a predetermined time TpLock or more, this channel is fixed (locked), and the predetermined time TpLock has passed. When a channel switching request is made after the time (time t21 in FIG. 5), the program is temporarily recorded continuously. Note that the temporary recording operation may be stopped when the program ends, or the subsequent program may be continuously recorded.

  Thereby, while detecting the state in which the user is watching the same program for a predetermined time TpLock or more, this program is identified as a program in which the user is interested, and regardless of the subsequent channel switching operation of the user, One tuner can be fixed and recording of this program can be continued.

  Note that, for the predetermined time TpLock, a threshold of time for continuous viewing when the user shows interest in the program is set, but for example, any time such as several tens of seconds, several minutes, or several tens of minutes is set. It can be set. The predetermined time TpLock can be set at the time of shipment from the manufacturer or by each user, and may be set according to the genre of each program, the scheduled broadcast time, or the like.

  Next, processing performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following, only processing related to channel switching and temporary recording operations will be described in order to simplify the description.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the recording / reproducing apparatus sequentially activates the system when the power is turned on. As part of this, the tuners 1 and 2 are activated in step S201, the reception data (program) selected by the tuner 1 is automatically recorded in step S202, and the channel selected in step S203 is automatically started. The program (or video recorded on the recording medium) is output to a display monitor such as a TV.

  In step S215, when the user inputs a reproduction request for temporarily recorded data temporarily recorded by the tuner 1 to the recording / reproducing apparatus in a state where temporary recording is in operation as described above, the process proceeds to step S216. The reproduction of the temporarily recorded data is started, and in step S217, a timer for measuring the continuous reproduction time (continuous viewing time) of the program data related to the same program is started. When the beginning (boundary) of a new program is detected with respect to the temporarily recorded data being reproduced, the process returns to step S217 again, and the timer for measuring the continuous reproduction time of the newly detected program is again set. Start it. In the playback state of the temporarily recorded data, the channel switching request from the user is always checked in step S206.

  On the other hand, if the input of the temporary recording reproduction request is not detected in step S215, the timer is not started, and the channel switching request from the user is checked in step S206.

  If a channel switching request is not detected in step S206, the process returns to step S203 to repeat the above-described processing. On the other hand, if a channel switching request is detected, the timer time started in step S217 in step S219. Check (Continuous playback time of the same program).

  Here, when the continuous playback time of the same program has exceeded the predetermined time TpLock in step S219, the state of the other tuner 2 is checked in step S210. If the tuner 2 is not used, the tuner 2 channel is switched to the requested channel input in step S206 in step S211, and the tuner 2 tuning data is output to the display monitor in step S212. In addition to switching the selection switch, in step S213, apart from the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1 (while maintaining the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1), the temporary recording operation of the data selected by the tuner 2 is started. In step S220, after stopping and resetting the timer started in step S217, the process returns to step S203, the program selected by the tuner 2 is output to the display monitor, and the above operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the continuous playback time of the same program has not exceeded the predetermined time TpLock in step S219 (including the case where the timer is not operating), the tuner 2 is being used in step S210 (for example, received by the tuner 2). In step S208, the channel of tuner 1 is switched to the requested channel, and in step S209, the output selection switch is switched so that the tuning data of tuner 1 can be output to the display monitor. In step S220, after stopping and resetting the timer started in step S217, the process returns to step S203, the program selected by the tuner 1 is output to the display monitor, and the above operation is repeated.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the user is playing this program continuously for a predetermined time T from the beginning of the temporarily recorded program, It is possible to determine that the program is a program that the user is interested in, and to continuously record the program. In addition, when the user performs an operation of switching to another channel, the program that is determined to be interested in the user is continuously recorded, while the other vacant tuner is used. Thus, the program selected by the user can be received and displayed.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 7 includes two first and second broadcast receiving units (tuners 1 and 2) 2 and 3 for automatically and temporarily recording signals from the tuners 1 and 2, respectively. The operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus that implements the temporary recording function (cache function) is shown. FIG. 7 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, user request: U, tuner 1 state: Tu1, tuner 2 state: There are arranged items of Tu2, recording state of received data of tuner 2 by a predetermined recording device: R2, tuner 1 temporary recording operation: C1, and target channel (display state) displayed on monitor: D. The temporary recording operation C2 of the tuner 2 is not shown.

  In FIG. 7, the recording / reproducing apparatus is configured such that the temporary recording function operates from when the power is turned on, for example. That is, simultaneously with the user operation U (t30) = power on (PW ON) at time t30, the temporary recording operations of the tuner 1 and the tuner 2 are started.

  In response to the subsequent channel switching request U (t31) = Ch1 and U (t32) = Ch4 by the user, the tuner 1 sets Tu1 (t31) = Ch1 and Tu1 (t32) = Ch4 as needed according to the request. In this way, the channel is switched. Also, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is C1 (t31) = Ch1 and C1 (t32) = Ch4 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display follows the user's channel switching request. D (t31) = Ch1 and D (t32) = Ch4. Here, it is assumed that the time T2 from the time t31 at which Ch1 is selected by the user to the time t32 at which Ch4 is selected is shorter than the predetermined time T0. Further, it is assumed that the time T4 from the time t31 when the user selects Ch1 to the next scheduled recording time t33 is shorter than the predetermined time T8. That is, T0 <T2 and T4 <T8.

  Here, it is assumed that reserved recording of Ch6 is started at time t33. At this time, since the user is viewing the reception data of the tuner 1, the reserved recording program is received by the tuner 2, and the program is recorded on a predetermined recording device. That is, Tu2 (t33) = Ch6 and R2 (t33) = Ch6.

  If the channel switching request U (t34) = Ch3 and U (t35) = Ch1 is made by the user during the reserved recording, the tuner 1 responds to the request with Tu1 (t34) = Ch3, Tu1 (t35). ) = Ch 1 is switched. Also, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is C1 (t34) = Ch3 and C1 (t35) = Ch1 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display follows the user's channel switching request. D (t34) = Ch3 and D (t35) = Ch1.

  Here, it is assumed that after the scheduled recording ends at time t36, the channel switching request U (t38) = Ch4 is made by the user at time t38. At this time, a time until the next reserved recording (time T6 from time t38 to time t40) remains for a predetermined time T8 or more, and at time t37, the user has already started the program of Ch1 for a predetermined time T0. Since the user is watching continuously, the channel selection of Tu1 is fixed (locked) at time t37 (or time t38). Note that it is desirable that the channel be fixed when both of these conditions apply.

  As a result, the tuning of the tuner 1 and the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1 are fixed. In response to the channel switching request made by the user at time t38 and the subsequent time t39, the tuner 2 responds to the request with Tu2 (t38 ) = Ch4 and Tu2 (t39) = Ch6. Also, for the reserved recording of Ch3 at time t40, the reserved recording program is received by the tuner 2, and the program is recorded on a predetermined recording device. That is, Tu2 (t40) = Ch3 and R2 (t40) = Ch3.

  Next, processing performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the following, only processing related to channel switching and temporary recording operations will be described in order to simplify the description.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the recording / reproducing apparatus sequentially activates the system when the power is turned on. As part of this, the tuners 1 and 2 are activated in step S301, the reception data (program) selected by the tuner 1 is automatically started in step S302, and the channel selected in step S303 is automatically started. The program (or video recorded on the recording medium) is output to a display monitor such as a TV.

  Next, in step S321, it is checked whether or not a timer timing (such as a channel switching request) for measuring the viewing time of the selected channel can be detected. If the timer timing is detected in step S321, the process proceeds to step S322, and a timer for measuring the continuous playback time (continuous viewing time) of the same program is started. Note that after the timer is started, a channel switching request from the user is always checked in step S306.

  On the other hand, if the timer timing is not detected in step S321, the timer is not started, and the channel switching request from the user is checked in step S306. If a channel switching request is not detected in step S306, the process returns to step S303 and the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, if a channel switching request is detected, the time of the timer started in step S322 in step S323. Check (Continuous playback time of the same program).

  Here, when the continuous playback time of the same program has exceeded the predetermined time T0 in step S323, the state of the other tuner 2 is checked in step S310. Here, if the tuner 2 is not used, it is further checked in step S324 whether or not a predetermined time T8 or more remains until the start time of the next reserved recording. If the predetermined time T8 or more remains until the start time of the next reserved recording, the process proceeds to step S311.

  In step S311, the channel of tuner 2 is switched to the requested channel input in step S306. In step S312, the output selection switch is switched so that the tuning data of tuner 2 can be output to the display monitor. In step S313, tuner 1 Separately from the temporary recording operation (while maintaining the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1), the temporary recording operation of the data selected by the tuner 2 is started. In step S325, after the timer started in step S322 is stopped and reset, the program returns to step S303, the program selected by the tuner 2 is output to the display monitor, and the above-described operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the continuous playback time of the same program has not passed the predetermined time T0 in step S323 (including the case where the timer is not operating), the tuner 2 is being used in step S310 (for example, being received by the tuner 2). In step S324, if the predetermined time T8 or more does not remain until the next scheduled recording start time, in step S308, the channel of the tuner 1 is switched to the requested channel, and in step S309, the tuner is switched. Switch the output selection switch so that the channel selection data of 1 can be output to the display monitor. In step S325, after stopping and resetting the timer started in step S322, the process returns to step S303, the program selected by the tuner 1 is output to the display monitor, and the above operation is repeated.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the user views the same channel for a predetermined time T0 or more without switching the channel, the user is interested in the program of this channel. It is possible to determine that the program indicates Further, by confirming whether the start time of the scheduled recording to be performed after that is performed after the predetermined time T8 or more, the tuner occupying operation such as the scheduled recording does not overlap with the fixed tuner selection for a certain period of time. After confirming the above, it is possible to continue the temporary recording operation of this program.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 9 includes two first and second broadcast receiving units (tuners 1 and 2) 2 and 3 for automatically and temporarily recording signals from the tuners 1 and 2, respectively. The operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus that implements the temporary recording function (cache function) is shown. FIG. 9 shows the flow of time (t) from the left to the right of the drawing. In the vertical direction of the drawing, user request: U, tuner 1 state: Tu1, tuner 2 state: There are arranged items of Tu2, recording state of received data of tuner 2 by a predetermined recording device: R2, tuner 1 temporary recording operation: C1, and target channel (display state) displayed on monitor: D. In addition, in FIG. 9, a program broadcast on each channel is also illustrated as necessary. The temporary recording operation C2 of the tuner 2 is not shown.

  In FIG. 9, the recording / playback apparatus is configured such that the temporary recording function operates from when the power is turned on, for example. That is, the user's operation U (t50) at time t50 = power on (PW ON) and the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1 and the tuner 2 are started.

  In response to the subsequent channel switching request U (t51) = Ch1 and U (t52) = Ch4 by the user, the tuner 1 sets Tu1 (t51) = Ch1 and Tu1 (t52) = Ch4 as needed according to the request. In this way, the channel is switched. Further, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is also C1 (t51) = Ch1 and C1 (t52) = Ch4 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display follows the user's channel switching request. D (t51) = Ch1 and D (t52) = Ch4.

  It is assumed that program 0 is broadcast at Ch1 at time t51, and program 1 is broadcast at Ch4 at time t52. Here, it is assumed that the time T12 from the time t51 at which Ch1 is selected by the user to the time t52 at which Ch4 is selected is shorter than the predetermined time T10. That is, T10 <T12.

  Here, at time t53, it is assumed that reserved recording of Ch6 (reserved recording start time t53, reserved recording end time t56) is started. At this time, since the user is viewing the reception data of the tuner 1, the reserved recording program is received by the tuner 2, and the program is recorded on a predetermined recording device. That is, Tu2 (t53) = Ch6 and R2 (t53) = Ch6.

  When the channel switching request U (t54) = Ch3 and U (t55) = Ch1 is made by the user during the reserved recording, the tuner 1 is used for the reserved recording. Accordingly, channel switching is performed such that Tu1 (t54) = Ch3 and Tu1 (t55) = Ch1. Also, the target channel for temporary recording of the tuner 1 is C1 (t54) = Ch3 and C1 (t55) = Ch1 in conjunction with the user's channel switching request, and the monitor display follows the user's channel switching request. D (t54) = Ch3 and D (t55) = Ch1.

  Here, it is assumed that after the scheduled recording ends at time t56, the channel switching request U (t60) = Ch4 is made by the user at time t60. At this time, the broadcast time zone of the Ch1 program 4 (broadcast end scheduled time t61) that the user is currently viewing does not overlap the recording time zone of the next reserved recording (reserved recording start time t62), and the time Since the user has already watched Ch1 program 4 continuously for a predetermined time T10 or more at time t59 (time T11> T10), the tuning of Tu1 is fixed (locked) at time t59 (or time t60). The In addition, when both of these conditions are applicable, it is desirable to fix the channel.

  In contrast to the fixed tuner 1 at time t59, the program 0 of Ch1 selected at time t51 is continuous viewing shorter than the predetermined time T10, and the end time of program 0 is Ch6. It is after the reserved recording time, that is, overlaps with the reserved recording time zone of Ch6. As a result, the channel related to the program 0 of Ch1 selected at time t51 is not fixed.

  As a result of the processing described above, the tuner 1 tuning and the tuner 1 temporary recording operation are fixed, and in response to the channel switching request made by the user at time t60, the tuner 2 responds to the request with Tu2 (t60) = The channel is switched as in Ch4, and the monitor display is also D (t60) = Ch4. Also, for the reserved recording of Ch3 at time t62, the reserved recording program is received by the tuner 2 and the program is recorded in a predetermined recording device. That is, Tu2 (t62) = Ch3 and R2 (t62) = Ch3. Here, simultaneously with the recording of the program, the program selected by tuner 1 is displayed (that is, D (t62) = Ch1), but the recorded program selected by tuner 2 is displayed. May be.

  Further, when the channel switching request U (t63) = Ch4 is made by the user during the reserved recording, for example, the tuner 1 is used for the reserved recording, and therefore the tuner 1 receives the program. That is, the tuner 1 corresponds to the channel switching request U (t63) = Ch4, and Tu1 (t63) = Ch4, C1 (t63) = Ch4, and D (t63) = Ch4.

  Next, processing performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the following, only processing related to channel switching and temporary recording operations will be described in order to simplify the description.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the recording / reproducing apparatus sequentially activates the system when the power is turned on. As part of this, the tuners 1 and 2 are activated in step S401, the reception data (program) selected by the tuner 1 is automatically recorded in step S402, and the channel selected in step S403 is automatically started. The program (or video recorded on the recording medium) is output to a display monitor such as a TV.

  Next, in step S426, it is checked whether or not timer timing (for example, channel switching request) for measuring the viewing time of the selected channel can be detected. If the timer timing is detected in step S426, the process proceeds to step S427, and a timer for measuring the continuous playback time (continuous viewing time) of the same program is started. Note that after the timer is started, a channel switching request from the user is always checked in step S406.

  On the other hand, if the timer timing is not detected in step S426, the timer is not started, and the channel switching request from the user is checked in step S406. If a channel switching request is not detected in step S406, the process returns to step S403 and the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, if a channel switching request is detected, the time of the timer started in step S427 in step S428. Check (Continuous playback time of the same program).

  Here, if the continuous playback time of the same program has exceeded the predetermined time T10 in step S428, the state of the other tuner 2 is checked in step S410. If the tuner 2 is not used, in step S429, it is determined whether or not the start time of the next reserved recording is included in the currently viewed program end time (that is, broadcasting of the currently viewed program). It is checked whether or not the time zone and the next scheduled recording time zone overlap. If the start time of the next reserved recording is not included in the end time of the currently viewed program, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S411, the channel of tuner 2 is switched to the requested channel input in step S406. In step S412, the output selection switch is switched so that the tuning data of tuner 2 can be output to the display monitor. In step S413, tuner 1 Separately from the temporary recording operation (while maintaining the temporary recording operation of the tuner 1), the temporary recording operation of the data selected by the tuner 2 is started. In step S430, after stopping and resetting the timer started in step S427, the process returns to step S403, the program selected by the tuner 2 is output to the display monitor, and the above operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the continuous playback time of the same program has not passed the predetermined time T10 in step S428 (including the case where the timer is not operating), the tuner 2 is being used in step S410 (for example, being received by the tuner 2). In step S429, if the start time of the next reserved recording is included in the end time of the currently viewed program, the channel of tuner 1 is switched to the requested channel in step S408. In step S409, the output selection switch is switched so that the tuning data of the tuner 1 can be output to the display monitor. In step S430, after the timer started in step S427 is stopped and reset, the program returns to step S403, the program selected by the tuner 1 is output to the display monitor, and the above-described operation is repeated.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the user views the same channel for a predetermined time T10 or more without switching the channel, the user is interested in the program of this channel. It is determined that the program shows. Furthermore, by checking whether or not the broadcast time zone of this program overlaps with the time zone of the scheduled recording to be performed thereafter, the tuner occupying operation such as scheduled recording and the temporary recording operation automatically performed are performed. After confirming that the time zone does not overlap, it is possible to continue the temporary recording operation of the program so that the program recorded by the temporary recording operation is recorded to the end.

  In addition, the process of each step of the flowchart in the above-described embodiments is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the method according to the flowchart in each of the above-described embodiments, and may be realized by other methods. Further, the recording processing unit 4 and the control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1, the system control unit 22 shown in FIG. 2, or any other function realization unit can be realized by executing a program. Further, as described above, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is realized by hardware and / or software, and the processing of each step of the flowchart in each of the above-described embodiments is executed. It is desirable to change to a process suitable for the hardware and / or software to be performed. In this specification, the case where the recording / reproducing apparatus has two tuners is described as an example. However, the present invention can be realized even when the recording / reproducing apparatus has three or more tuners.

  The video data recording / playback control device according to the present invention is an important scene when the user switches the viewing channel from a program that is casually viewed to another program and then returns the viewing channel to the program that was originally casually viewed. In the case of missing a program, even during the viewing period of other programs, it is possible to continuously record the program that was being viewed casually and to record video data (especially through broadcast programs in TV broadcasting). The present invention can be applied to a technology related to a recording function of video data) and a cache function using a plurality of tuners.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus used in the 1st-4th embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function implement | achieved by the recording process part and control part of the recording / reproducing apparatus used in the 1st-4th embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows an example of operation | movement of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows an example of operation | movement of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows an example of operation | movement of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows an example of operation | movement of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a process of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the 1st example of the operation | movement which concerns on a prior art. It is a timing chart which shows the 2nd example of the operation | movement which concerns on a prior art. It is a timing chart which shows the 3rd example of the operation | movement which concerns on a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1 External device input unit 2 First broadcast receiving unit (tuner 1)
3 Second broadcast receiver (tuner 2)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Recording processing part 5 Display part 6 User control part 7 External apparatus output part 8 Control part 9 Signal selection part 10 Recording signal processing part 11 Recording control part 12 Recording medium management part 13, 14 Temporary recording part 15 Recording medium 16 Reproduction control part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Reproduction | regeneration signal processing part 18 Display control part 19 Display display processing part 20 Reserved recording control part 21 System timer part 22 System control part 23 Program information extraction / management part 24 Line control part 50 Recording / reproducing apparatus

Claims (4)

A video data recording / reproducing control apparatus for controlling the operation of a video data recording / reproducing apparatus having a plurality of tuners and a temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of a channel selected by each of the plurality of tuners. There,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Program head specifying means for specifying the head of the program of the channel that the user is viewing;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the program viewing time from the time when the first viewing of the program is viewed to the time when the new channel switching request is detected is measured. Program viewing time measuring means;
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means, a program viewing judging means for judging whether or not the user has watched the program for a predetermined time or more from the top of the program;
Using another tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the program, which is determined by the program viewing determination means that the user has been watching from the beginning of the program for the predetermined time or more, Tuner selection control means for controlling reception of a channel designated by a new channel switching request;
A video data recording / reproducing control apparatus. A plurality of tuners, temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected in each of the plurality of tuners, and temporary recording for reproducing the video data temporarily recorded by the temporary recording means A video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device having playback means,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Temporary recording data viewing request detecting means for detecting a temporary recording data viewing request for requesting viewing of the video data temporarily recorded by any one of the plurality of tuners;
Program head specifying means for specifying the head of a program included in the video data reproduced based on the temporary recording data viewing request detected by the temporary recording data viewing request detecting means;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, program viewing for measuring the program viewing time from the time when the top of the program is reproduced to the time when the new channel switching request is detected Time measuring means;
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means, a program viewing judging means for judging whether or not the user has watched the program for a predetermined time or more from the top of the program;
Using another tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the program, which is determined by the program viewing determination means that the user has been watching from the beginning of the program for the predetermined time or more, Tuner selection control means for controlling reception of a channel designated by a new channel switching request;
A video data recording / reproducing control apparatus. A plurality of tuners, temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected by each of the plurality of tuners, and reserved recording means for performing reserved recording of a program specified by the recording reservation information. A video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device provided,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Program head specifying means for specifying the head of the program of the channel that the user is viewing;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, program viewing for measuring the program viewing time from the time when the previous channel switching request was detected to the time when the new channel switching request was detected Time measuring means;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detection means, the remaining time for starting scheduled recording is measured from the time when the new channel switching request is detected until the next scheduled recording is started. Reserving recording start remaining time measuring means,
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means and the reserved recording start remaining time measured by the reserved recording start remaining time measuring means, the user performs a first predetermined start from the beginning of the program. Program viewing determination means for determining whether or not the program has been viewed for at least the time and the start time of the next reserved recording is at least a second predetermined time;
It is determined by the program viewing determination means that the user has viewed from the head of the program for the first predetermined time or more and the start time of the next reserved recording is separated by the second predetermined time or more. Tuner selection control means for controlling the reception of the channel specified by the new channel switching request by using another tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the received program.
A video data recording / reproducing control apparatus. A plurality of tuners, temporary recording means for temporarily recording video data of channels selected by each of the plurality of tuners, and reserved recording means for performing reserved recording of a program specified by the recording reservation information. A video data recording / playback control device for controlling the operation of the video data recording / playback device provided,
A channel switching request detecting means for detecting a channel switching request for designating a channel on which a user views;
Based on the channel switching request detected by the channel switching request detecting means, the channel selection control of any one of the plurality of tuners is performed, and the video data received by the tuner subjected to the channel selection control is received. Tuner control means for performing control to output to a predetermined display device;
Program end time specifying means for specifying the end time of the program of the channel that the user is viewing;
When a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detecting means, program viewing for measuring the program viewing time from the time when the previous channel switching request was detected to the time when the new channel switching request was detected Time measuring means;
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means, a program viewing judging means for judging whether or not the user has watched the program for a predetermined time or more from the top of the program;
Whether or not the end time of the program being viewed immediately before the new channel switching request is before the next reserved recording start time when a new channel switching request is detected by the channel switching request detection means A program duplication judging means for judging
Based on the program viewing time measured by the program viewing time measuring means and the determination result of the program duplication determination means, the user has watched the program for the predetermined time or more from the beginning of the program, In addition, it is designated by the new channel switching request using a tuner different from the tuner used for receiving the program that has been determined not to overlap with the time slot of the next scheduled recording target program. Tuner selection control means for controlling the reception of the selected channel,
A video data recording / reproducing control apparatus.

Images