JP5165837B2 - Electronic information temporary storage device, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a temporary storage device for temporarily storing electronic information in a predetermined recording medium, and in particular, temporarily stores electronic information in a predetermined recording medium in an environment where communication with other devices is possible. The present invention relates to an apparatus for organizing electronic information in the recording medium.

  In recent years, with the digitization of information, high-density electronic information can be easily obtained with familiar information devices. In particular, recently, video, moving images, still images, sounds, documents, and the like have been digitized. In this specification, such electronic information generally converted into digital data is called “content”. The content has characteristics such that it does not deteriorate even when copied, can be stored semi-permanently by being stored in a recording medium, and can be easily moved and copied (excellent portability).

  Devices that handle content have also been downsized, and users can acquire and store content at a desired location without being restricted by the location of the device, and use it whenever they want. For example, a general digital camera has a large-capacity recording medium for storing image data obtained by imaging, and a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the image data. Therefore, the user can possess and browse a large amount of images in the recording medium. In addition, for example, a general mobile phone has a so-called Internet connection function, and content can be exchanged anywhere via the Internet.

  With the easy availability of content and the increasing density and ubiquity of content, the amount of content available to users has become enormous. In effect, the amount of content is unlimited. On the other hand, the storage capacity of any recording medium is limited. For this reason, in information equipment used for content acquisition and storage, it is constantly required to operate a storage medium so as to reserve a storage area for storing newly acquired content in advance. In addition, as content can be easily stored and used, there are many users who want to store content in a device carried by the user so that it can be used at any time. Therefore, in such devices, it is constantly required to store as much content as possible in the recording medium as possible for the user.

  Conventionally, a method for securing a storage area by deleting contents in a recording medium has been widely used. For example, there is a method of deleting contents in a recording medium in a batch as appropriate. This method can secure a large storage area for storing new content. For example, there is a method of deleting the content selected by the user from the recording medium. In this method, content that the user considers unnecessary can be selected and deleted, and content that the user considers useful can be left in the recording medium. Of course, content once deleted from the recording medium cannot be used again. As a result, when the user wants to use the content, there is a possibility that the content will disappear.

  For this reason, a method of deleting content after backing up the content is generally used. In other words, after moving content from a recording medium included in the information device to a removable recording medium or another device, the content in the recording medium of the information device is deleted. For example, digital cameras are commonly used to move held images to a PC in accordance with a user operation on a personal computer (PC) connected to the digital camera. Images moved to the PC can be deleted from the digital camera. Recently, portable storage devices have become widespread. If such a storage device is used, the user can evacuate the content obtained by the digital camera or the like to the storage device on the go, and then delete the content stored in the digital camera or the like to create a new content. Can be used for creation and storage. Further, the user can move the content saved in the storage device to a home PC.

  Techniques for moving content obtained by a digital camera or the like to another device or a recording medium and ensuring backup of the content are disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described later.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is managed whether or not an image is transmitted to a PC in a digital camera having a function of capturing an image and storing it in a flash memory. In this technique, a digital camera has an image management table for managing images. In the table, a status mark indicating whether transmission to the PC has been performed or not transmitted is stored. The digital camera refers to the status mark and selects an untransmitted image and transmits it to the PC, or selects a transmitted image as a deletion target from the flash memory. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an image that has not been transmitted to the PC from being deleted from the flash memory, or the same image to be transmitted to the PC repeatedly.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2 described later, an electronic camera station device that makes it easy to back up electronic camera data is disclosed. This device also serves as a charger for charging the battery of the electronic camera. This apparatus further includes a backup recording medium. When the electronic camera is set, the image data stored in the electronic camera and the image data stored in the backup recording medium are mutually exchanged. The new image data in the electronic camera is discriminated with reference. Then, the new image data is copied to a backup recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and easily back up image data obtained by photographing with the electronic camera.

  Also, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5 described later disclose a technique in which backup of original content is stored in another device and the content whose data amount is smaller than that of the original is used in the information device. .

  The image management apparatus described in Patent Document 3 generates reduced image data (thumbnail image) in which the number of pixels is reduced to the extent that the image can be distinguished from other images from the image data, and the original image data To the external storage device. Further, the original image data is deleted while leaving the imaging information and the thumbnail image data. By making it possible to check the imaging information while browsing the reproduced image of the reduced image data, the image search is facilitated.

  The image management system described in Patent Document 4 saves medical image data in an image database, and creates low-resolution secondary image data. Further, the storage location of the original data is associated with the secondary image data. Normally, the secondary image data is used, and when it is necessary to view a detailed image, the original data associated with the secondary image data is referred to.

  In the document processing system described in Patent Document 5, the entire document is placed in the server device, and the client terminal converts a part of the document into a state with a small amount of data and holds the document. The client terminal uses a document with a small amount of data for document retrieval, and uses the document stored in the server when editing the contents of the document.

  Further, Patent Document 6 and Patent Document 7 described below disclose an image transmission system for efficiently transmitting content from a device such as a digital camera to a server to which content is moved.

  In the image transmission system described in Patent Document 6, a mobile phone relays transmission of image data from an electronic camera to a server. The mobile phone displays an image being transmitted during a period in which image data is received from an electronic camera or the like and relayed to the server. The user can comprehensively visually recognize the state of the image transmission operation and the image being transmitted by looking at the image displayed on the mobile phone.

  In the image transmission system described in Patent Document 7, a gateway server relays transmission of image data from an electronic camera to a server. The gateway server forms a group composed of a plurality of cameras based on the identification information of the electronic camera. The server that is the transmission destination of the image data prepares an album for storing the image data for each group. This group corresponds to the user. The gateway server stores the image data received from the electronic camera in an album corresponding to the group based on the identification information of the transmission source electronic camera. When the user uses the image stored in the server, the gateway server identifies the user and uses the album of the group corresponding to the user.

  Further, a playback apparatus capable of assisting in classifying content useful for users and unnecessary content is disclosed in Patent Document 8 listed later. The reproduction apparatus described in Patent Document 8 includes a group management file for managing a plurality of groups for classifying objects in advance. This playback apparatus calculates importance based on the number of groups representing how many objects belong to a plurality of groups, and the number of times or playback time of the object. Then, using the importance level, the display order of the objects is rearranged, the objects with high importance level are extracted, and the objects are collectively deleted.

JP 2000-209536 A JP 2000-31325 A JP 2003-333495 A JP 2003-196300 A JP 2003-36200 A JP 2003-348555 A JP 2004-48139 A JP 2004-32503 A

  In the method in which the user operates the PC connected to the digital camera to move the image, the user browses the contents in the digital camera, and the contents to be moved to the PC and the contents to be left in the digital camera one by one. You have to choose and it's annoying. Also, it is necessary to start up the PC one by one and perform complicated processing. In addition, knowledge is required to operate the PC. Furthermore, information devices have become multifunctional, and one device is often used for a plurality of purposes. Many users have a plurality of information devices with overlapping functions. Therefore, a huge number of combinations are assumed as combinations of information devices carried by the user and contents used by the user on the devices. It is extremely difficult to select an appropriate combination from the enormous number of combinations.

  If the content is deleted from the recording medium of the digital camera, the digital camera cannot reproduce the content. In order to play back the deleted content on the device, the user of the device must operate the PC and move the content from the PC to the recording medium of the device again. This is also annoying.

  Furthermore, in an environment such as a place where the user is out, the content cannot always be moved from the device to the PC or from the PC to the device. When the user feels that the user wants to move the content, the user cannot move the content, and the user may lose the opportunity to obtain or use the content. Furthermore, in order to move content, communication between devices becomes indispensable. When going out, the communication distance naturally increases. In particular, there are various long-distance communication paths. Some of them require high communication costs, some have a low communication speed and require time to transmit content, and others need to transmit and receive data at high output. Therefore, it is required to use an appropriate communication path for content exchange. Otherwise, a lot of time, cost, and energy will be spent on sending and receiving contents, which will be disadvantageous for the user.

  In the method of saving content in a portable storage device, it may be possible to secure a free area in a storage medium built in a digital camera or the like. Further, it may be possible to move the content while away from home, and to avoid losing the opportunity for the user to obtain or use the content. However, in order to move content from a digital camera or the like to the storage device, an empty area must be secured in advance on the storage device side. That is, the storage device has a problem of securing a free capacity as in the case of a digital camera or the like. Further, the same problem that occurs when moving content from a digital camera or the like to a PC also occurs when moving content from the storage device to the PC.

  Furthermore, a device that is assumed to be carried by the user is usually supplied with power from a battery. If you perform operations such as organizing or evacuating content in a situation where there is almost no remaining battery power, there is still enough power to acquire new content or use content even if you can secure free space. There can be no situation.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 may prevent manual operation errors. However, in this technique, a method for selecting an image to be transmitted is one of the following two. That is, there are a method of selecting the maximum amount of image content that can be stored in a recording medium in the PC, and a method of selecting an image that is explicitly selected by the user. If an image is selected by the former method, a sufficient free area may be secured in the digital camera. However, with this method, the number of images that can be viewed on the digital camera is reduced, and the user may feel inconvenience. In the latter method, the user must select contents to be transmitted one by one, which is troublesome.

  According to the electronic camera station device of Patent Document 2, it may be possible to discriminate new image data in the electronic camera and perform backup reliably. Also, you may not have to worry about running out of battery due to backup processing. However, it is not assumed that the data stored in the backup recording medium is used in the station device or the electronic camera. Data stored in the backup recording medium and deleted from the recording medium in the electronic camera cannot be used in the PC or the electronic camera unless it is moved to the PC or the like. In addition, it does not meet the demands of users who want to save images that are likely to be used and use them at any time. In order to make a backup, the electronic camera must be set in the station device one by one. In order to take a backup at an outside location, the station device must also be carried, which is inconvenient.

  The image data held after the image management apparatus of Patent Document 3 sends an image to the external storage apparatus is reduced image data in which the number of pixels is reduced to such an extent that the image can be distinguished from other images. The thumbnail image obtained by reproducing the reduced data has an image quality that can be distinguished from other images, and is not suitable for viewing. Therefore, it is difficult to use the image data in the image management apparatus.

  By using the systems described in Patent Documents 4 and 5, it may be possible to reacquire original content. However, this system is not based on limited storage resources. In other words, the techniques described in Patent Documents 4 and 5 do not respond to a user's request to store content that is likely to be used at a limited storage resource so that it can be used at any time.

  With the technologies described in Patent Documents 6 and 7, it may be easy to transfer content to an external device using a relay device. However, it is not configured so that as much content as the user is interested in can be stored in the relay device as much as possible, and in addition to the user's desire to save content that is likely to be used at hand and to be able to use it at any time It is not a response.

  With the playback device described in Patent Document 8, it may be possible to extract highly important content or delete unnecessary content. However, the content deleted by this playback device may be necessary for the user later. If such content is deleted, it may become unusable again.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve the situation where new content cannot be obtained unless the acquired content is deleted, and to make more use of the content by effectively using the limited storage resources of the device at hand. It is to provide an apparatus for performing.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of appropriately acquiring, backing up, organizing, and processing contents without having to separate the contents one by one or worrying about the battery or communication status. Is to provide.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that makes it possible to use more content that the user is likely to use in the device that the user carries.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for collecting and managing contents quickly and efficiently.

  The electronic information temporary storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a device for temporarily storing electronic information in a predetermined recording medium. The electronic information temporary storage device receives electronic information from a predetermined input source, stores storage means for storing the electronic information in the recording medium, and electronic information stored in the recording medium. The state storage means for storing the state information representing the state of the electronic information, and the state information regarding the new electronic information in response to the storage of the new electronic information on the recording medium. In response to the fact that the state information initialization means for generating the state information in the storage means and initializing the state information with a predetermined first value can be communicated with a predetermined external device. In response to the output of the electronic information to the external device by the output means, the output means for outputting the electronic information having the first value as the corresponding status information to the external device, the electronic information Value of status information corresponding to dynamic information Update means for updating with a predetermined second value different from the first value, and corresponding to the electronic information in the recording medium in response to satisfying a predetermined processing start condition And processing means for processing with the processing method what has the second value as the state information and can reduce the amount of data by processing with a predetermined processing method.

  When the electronic information is stored in the recording medium by the storage means, the status information initialization means generates status information relating to the electronic information in the status storage means and initializes it with the first value. The output means automatically outputs the electronic information in the recording medium to the external device when it can communicate with the external device. Therefore, electronic information is collected in the external device. The update means updates the value of the state information corresponding to the electronic information with the second value. Whether or not each piece of electronic information has been output to the external device can be determined from the state information. The processing means has a second value as the corresponding state information and can process data whose amount can be reduced by processing with a predetermined processing method. While holding electronic information that has not been output to the external device in the recording medium, the electronic information that has been output can be processed to secure a free area in the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use limited storage resources while solving a situation in which new electronic information cannot be stored unless the electronic information stored in the recording medium is erased.

  Preferably, the processing means has a second value as the corresponding status information among the electronic information stored in the recording medium in response to the processing start condition being satisfied, and the electronic means Means for converting a data amount that can be reduced by converting the information into a predetermined information format specified in advance in the temporary information storage device.

  Since the electronic information output to the external device is converted into an information format designated in advance, the value of the electronic information in the temporary storage device is not impaired, and the data amount of the electronic information can be reduced.

  More preferably, the temporary storage device further includes reproduction output means for reproducing electronic information. As the predetermined information format, an information format corresponding to the performance of reproduction output of electronic information by the reproduction output means is designated.

  The electronic information can be used in the temporary storage device by the reproduction output means. Further, when an information format corresponding to the reproduction output performance of the reproduction output means is designated as the predetermined information format, the converting means converts the electronic information in accordance with the performance of the reproduction output means. Therefore, electronic information can be efficiently stored in the recording medium.

  Preferably, the temporary storage device further includes means for causing the user to select electronic information to be excluded from processing objects by the processing means.

  The user selects electronic information having a second value as the corresponding state information in the recording medium and does not want to be processed by the processing means, and excludes the electronic information from the processing target by the processing means. be able to.

  Preferably, the temporary storage device further includes input means for preparing electronic information by a predetermined preparation method and giving the electronic information to the storage means.

  The electronic information prepared by the input means is stored in the recording medium by the storage means. The stored electronic information is automatically output to an external device by the output means and processed by the processing means. As a result, the data amount of the electronic information is reduced, and an area capable of storing electronic information newly prepared in the future is secured in the recording medium. Therefore, limited storage resources can be used effectively.

  More preferably, the electronic information belongs to one of a plurality of predetermined types. The electronic information temporary storage device further includes a distribution means for distributing, for each type, a data amount that can be used to store the type of electronic information in the recording medium.

  For each type, an area that can be used to store electronic information of that type can be secured in the recording medium. Therefore, by storing electronic information in the recording medium in accordance with the data amount of each type distributed by the distributing means, it is possible to accumulate various types of electronic information in the recording medium at an appropriate ratio. become.

  More preferably, the temporary storage device further includes a recording medium that belongs to the type and whose data amount of electronic information stored in the recording medium exceeds the data amount distributed by the distributing unit. Means for releasing an area in which electronic information belonging to the type is stored.

  Even if the user does not select electronic information stored in the recording medium to be erased, the amount of electronic information belonging to the type does not exceed the allocated data amount for each type. Can be adjusted as follows.

  More preferably, the temporary storage device further inputs, among the types, ones that belong to the type and whose data amount of electronic information stored in the recording medium is less than the data amount distributed by the distribution unit Means for requesting preparation and input of electronic information by the means.

  The storage means stores the electronic information prepared by the input means in response to the request by the requesting means, so that the electronic information is the amount of data distributed by the distribution means. Can be collected.

  The distribution means receives the setting input of the purpose of use of the recording medium from the user, and based on the setting input, the amount of data that can be used to store the electronic information of the type in the recording medium for each type Means for allocating may be included.

  Based on the setting input by the user, it is possible to concentrate the amount of data on the type of electronic information suitable for the purpose of use. It becomes possible to accumulate more electronic information that the user is likely to use in the recording medium.

  More preferably, the input means includes electronic information generation means for generating electronic information in response to a predetermined operation input and providing the information to the storage means.

  Electronic information generated by the electronic information generating means in response to the operation input is stored in the recording medium by the storage means. The stored electronic information is output to an external device by the output means. The output electronic information is processed by the processing means, and the data amount is reduced. As a result, an area capable of storing newly generated electronic information is secured in the recording medium. A situation in which new electronic information cannot be stored in the recording medium without erasing the electronic information in the recording medium can be avoided. The user can perform operation input without worrying about the situation where the storage resource is exhausted, and can generate and store electronic information.

  The electronic information generating means may include an imaging means for generating electronic information of a video by performing imaging in response to a predetermined operation input and supplying the electronic information to the storage means.

  The user can perform an operation input for imaging without worrying about depletion of storage resources. Furthermore, since electronic information is held in the recording medium, the captured electronic information can be read from the recording medium and used.

  More preferably, the input means includes electronic information receiving means for receiving electronic information from a predetermined device and providing the received electronic information to the storage means.

  The output electronic information is processed by the processing means, and the data amount is reduced. As a result, an area capable of storing newly received electronic information in the future is secured in the recording medium. It is possible to avoid the situation where new electronic information cannot be stored in the recording medium unless the electronic information received in the past is deleted, and to effectively use the limited storage resources to hold the electronic information for a longer period of time. it can.

  More preferably, the temporary storage device further communicates between a predetermined device and attribute information receiving means for receiving attribute information representing an attribute of electronic information that can be provided by the predetermined device from the predetermined device. Means for determining the speed. The electronic information receiving means includes means for receiving electronic information corresponding to the attribute information from a predetermined device and giving it to the storage means in response to the attribute information and the communication speed satisfying a predetermined condition. .

  Prior to receiving the electronic information by the providing means, the attribute information receiving means receives the attribute information of the electronic information from a predetermined device, and the determining means determines the communication speed with the predetermined device. The providing means receives electronic information from a predetermined device when the attribute information and the communication information satisfy a predetermined condition. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user is disadvantaged by wasting energy and time because the electronic information is received in a communication environment inappropriate for receiving the electronic information.

  The temporary storage device may further include a holding means for holding reception of the electronic information by the means for giving in response to the attribute information and the communication speed not satisfying the predetermined condition.

  If reception of electronic information is suspended when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, reception of the electronic information can be resumed when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Accordingly, electronic information can be received and stored in a recording medium using an efficient communication path.

  The temporary storage device may further include a notification unit for performing a predetermined notification indicating the hold to the user in response to the hold unit holding the reception of the electronic information.

  By the predetermined notification, the user can know the presence of electronic information that can be received from the predetermined device. The effect that the predetermined notification prompts the user to improve the communication state between the predetermined device and the temporary storage device can also be expected. Therefore, electronic information can be quickly received and stored in a recording medium using an efficient communication path.

  Preferably, the temporary storage device is further responsive to the output condition determining means for determining whether or not the predetermined output condition is satisfied, and the output condition determining means determining that the output condition is satisfied, Communication permission means for permitting communication with an external device by the output means. Only when the communication is permitted by the communication permission means, the output means responds to the fact that communication with a predetermined external device is possible, and the output means outputs the first status information corresponding to the electronic information in the recording medium. Those having a value of 1 are output to an external device.

  That is, the output means outputs the electronic information in the recording medium to the external device in response to the communication with the predetermined external device only when the predetermined output condition is satisfied. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user is disadvantaged because the electronic information is output to the external device.

  More preferably, the output condition determination means includes a power supply status determination means for determining whether or not it can be expected that power supply to the temporary storage device of electronic information will not be interrupted.

  The output means outputs the electronic information in the recording medium to the external device in response to the communication with the predetermined external device only when it can be expected that the power supply to the temporary storage device will not be interrupted. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where energy is consumed by the output when the power supply is interrupted and the energy that can be used by the temporary storage device is limited. Energy can be preferentially used to store new electronic information or to use electronic information.

  More preferably, the machining start condition includes a condition in which all values of the state information are updated by the updating unit and it can be expected that power supply is not interrupted.

  In a period in which it is expected that power supply will not be interrupted, the output of electronic information to an external device by the output means is performed with priority over the processing by the processing means. As a result, electronic information that can be processed increases, so that a large amount of data can be reduced by processing. Further, when the energy that can be used by the temporary storage device is limited, it is possible to prevent a situation where energy is consumed by processing.

  More preferably, the output condition determination means sums the amount of data that can be stored in an empty area in the recording medium and the amount of data that has the second value as the corresponding status information among the electronic information in the recording medium. Includes medium usage status determining means for determining whether or not a condition that the value is below a predetermined reference value is satisfied.

  Since the electronic information having the second value as the corresponding state information has already been output to the external device, there is a high probability that it can be used in the external device. Compared to electronic information having the first value as the corresponding status information and electronic information newly stored by the storage means, it is less necessary to accumulate in the recording medium. Therefore, in order to store new electronic information, it is assumed that the output electronic information is deleted. Under this assumption, the sum of the data amounts to be determined by the medium usage status determining means is the amount of electronic information that can be newly stored in the recording medium. When the data amount of electronic information that can be newly stored falls below a predetermined reference value, the communication permission unit permits communication between the output unit and the external device. The output means outputs electronic information in the recording medium to the external device in response to communication with a predetermined external device when communication is permitted by the communication permission means. As a result, electronic information having the second value as the corresponding electronic information increases, and the amount of electronic information that can be newly stored in the recording medium also increases. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a storage resource strain.

  More preferably, the machining start condition includes a condition that any value of the state information is updated by the updating unit.

  The electronic information is output to the external device by the output means in a state where the amount of electronic information that can be newly stored is below a predetermined reference value. When the state information corresponding to the electronic information is updated, the processing means processes the electronic information having the second value as the corresponding electronic information. Therefore, it is possible to increase the free space in the recording medium without erasing the electronic information in a state where the amount of electronic information that can be newly stored is below a predetermined reference value.

  Preferably, in response to the fact that the output means can communicate with a predetermined external device via a communication path satisfying a predetermined standard, the output means is a status information corresponding to the electronic information in the recording medium. Means for outputting to the external device what has the first value.

  The means for outputting outputs electronic information to the external device when communication with the external device becomes possible via a communication path that satisfies a predetermined standard. It is possible to prevent a situation where energy and time are wasted because electronic information is output in a communication environment inappropriate for outputting electronic information.

  The means for outputting is in the recording medium in response to being able to communicate with a predetermined external device via a communication path that satisfies a condition that the communication speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference speed. Of the electronic information, the corresponding state information having the first value may be output to the external device.

  Preferably, the temporary storage device further includes prediction means for predicting the size of an area necessary for the storage means to store new electronic information in the recording medium, and the size of the required area is the recording medium. The electronic information having the second value is stored as the corresponding status information in the recording medium until the size of the free space exceeds the size of the required space in response to being larger than the free space in the storage medium. And release means for releasing the existing area. The storage means is a condition for receiving electronic information from a predetermined input source and storing the electronic information in the recording medium only when a free area larger than the required area exists in the recording medium. Attached storage means is included.

  When the size of the necessary area predicted by the prediction means is larger than the free area, the release means stores the electronic information that has been output to the external device and stores new electronic information. To release. It is possible to secure a free space in which new electronic information can be stored while protecting electronic information not output to the external device. The conditional storage means stores the electronic information in the recording medium only when a free area larger than the required area exists in the recording medium. Therefore, new electronic information can be stored without overflowing from the recording medium.

  More preferably, the temporary storage device further re-acquires information for reference when re-acquiring the electronic information from the external device in response to the electronic means being output to the external device by the output means. Including means for preparing. In response to the fact that the required area size is larger than the free area in the recording medium, the releasing means replays the predetermined identification information and electronic information having the second value as the corresponding status information in the recording medium. Means for preparing alternative information comprising acquisition information and replacing electronic information having the second value in the recording medium with alternative information until the size of the free area exceeds the size of the required area including.

  The original electronic information replaced by the replacement means can be reacquired from the external device based on the reacquisition information and used.

  The conditional storage means temporarily responds to the temporary holding means for temporarily holding the given electronic information, and in response to the fact that a free area larger than the required area exists in the recording medium. Means for storing the electronic information held in the target holding means on the recording medium. The predicting means includes means for predicting the size of the necessary area based on the size of the electronic information held in the temporary holding means.

  The given electronic information is temporarily held by temporary holding means. The means for prediction predicts the size of a necessary area based on the size of this electronic information. If there is a shortage of free space, the free space required by the release means is secured. When a free area larger than the required area is secured in the recording medium, the storing means stores this electronic information in the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to secure a free space of an appropriate size after the given electronic information.

  The conditional storage means responds to the fact that there is a size information acquisition means for acquiring the size information of the electronic information from a predetermined input source, and that a free area larger than the required area exists in the recording medium. Means for obtaining electronic information from a predetermined input source and storing it in a recording medium, and the predicting means includes means for predicting the size of a necessary area based on the size information. May be included.

  The means for prediction predicts the size of a necessary area based on the size information acquired by the size information acquisition means. If there is a shortage of free space, the free space required by the release means is secured. When a free area larger than the required area is secured in the recording medium, the storing means stores this electronic information in the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to secure a free space having an appropriate size for given electronic information in advance.

  In the temporary storage device, the size of the necessary area further depends on the size of the area including the empty area existing in the recording medium and the area storing the electronic information having the second value as the corresponding state information. Responsive to being large, means may be included for inhibiting the input of electronic information to the storage means.

  The electronic information having the first value as the corresponding status information has not been output to the external device, and it is highly necessary to store it in the recording medium. In response to the fact that the size of the necessary area is larger than the size of the area including the empty area and the area where the electronic information output to the external device is stored, the means for suppressing is sent to the storage means. Suppresses the input of electronic information. This avoids a situation in which new electronic information cannot be stored unless electronic information that has not been output to the external device is deleted.

  When executed by a computer, the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention causes the computer to operate as any one of the electronic information temporary storage devices described above. Therefore, by executing this computer program on a computer, the operation and effect of the first aspect of the present invention described above can be realized on a computer.

  The recording medium according to the third aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention. The operation and effect of the first aspect of the present invention can be realized by reading and executing the computer program recorded on the recording medium by a computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, limited storage resources can be used effectively. It is possible to hold electronic information that has not been output to the external device in the recording medium, and to process the electronic information that has already been output to secure a free area in the recording medium. It is possible to solve the situation where new electronic information cannot be stored unless the electronic information stored in the recording medium is erased. By performing processing for converting electronic information into an information format designated in advance in the temporary storage device, the amount of data can be reduced without impairing the value as information. Also, electronic information that the user does not want to process can be excluded from the processing target.

  An area capable of storing electronic information newly given in the future can be secured in the recording medium. Also, by allocating a region for each type of electronic information, various types of electronic information can be stored in an appropriate ratio in the recording medium. Even if the user does not make selections one by one, the data amount of electronic information can be distributed for each type. It is also possible to efficiently collect electronic information by adjusting the data amount of each type of electronic information stored in the recording medium. Further, based on setting input by the user, electronic information that the user is likely to use can be concentrated in the recording medium.

  By storing the electronic information generated in response to the operation input or the electronic information received from the predetermined device in the temporary storage device, the user can use the electronic information without worrying about the situation where the storage resource is exhausted. Can be held for a longer period of time. By suspending reception of electronic information in an inappropriate communication environment, electronic information can be received and stored in a recording medium using an efficient communication path. The presence of electronic information that can be received is notified to the user, and improvement of the communication state between the predetermined device and the temporary storage device can be promoted. Electronic information can be quickly received and stored in a recording medium using an efficient communication path.

  It is possible to avoid a situation in which electronic information is output to an external device in an inappropriate environment and is disadvantageous to the user. Reduce the amount of data while avoiding that limited energy is consumed by the output or processing of electronic information, and use it preferentially for storing new electronic information or using electronic information it can. In addition, it is possible to avoid storage resources in advance without erasing electronic information and to increase the free space in the recording medium.

  While protecting the electronic information that has not been output to the external device, it is possible to secure a free space in which new electronic information can be stored, and to store new electronic information without overflowing the recording medium. Further, it is possible to reacquire and use from an external device with reference to the information for reacquisition.

  By executing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention on a computer, the above-described operations and effects of the first aspect of the present invention can be realized on the computer.

  The operation and effect of the first aspect of the present invention can be realized by reading and executing the computer program recorded on the recording medium according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used for the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  In addition, the term “content” refers to all electronic information converted into digital data in this specification. In particular, regardless of the source, the user can view, watch, experience, Or information that can be reproduced or used in a state where it can be understood. For example, electronically playable moving images, still images, and audio, and messages and structured documents represented by HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) are included. The content may be data that the user cannot view.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 schematically shows the entire system including the content input device 80 of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, system 60 of the present embodiment is similar to external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C, and external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C, each having a wireless communication function and a function for storing content. In addition to the wireless communication function and the function of storing the content, it has the function of preparing the content and the function of reproducing the content, preparing the content, temporarily storing the content, and transferring the content to the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C. And a content input device 80 for playing back the stored content. Specifically, the content input device 80 is an imaging device such as a digital camera or a camcorder, a mobile phone equipped with the imaging device, a storage-type broadcast receiving device, a recording / reproducing device, or the like. External devices 64A, 64B, and 64C are devices carried by users such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Data Assistant), portable data storage devices, hard disk recorders, PVRs (Personal Video Recorders), and AVs (Audio-Visual). ) A large-capacity storage device such as a recorder.

  In the system 60 according to the present embodiment, the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C and the content input device 80 are wireless communication using radio waves represented by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11b, or IrDA ( Infrared data communication based on infrared communication methods compliant with the Infrared Data Association standard, which is a short-distance but high-speed communication (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “short-distance high-speed communication”). To do. In the system 60 according to the present embodiment, the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C and the content input device 80 share a secret key in advance, and use the secret key between the content and other devices of the system 60. By encrypting the data sent and received by, a mischief by a malicious user and communication with an erroneous device are avoided.

  In an environment where a device having a function of preparing content and a device having a function of storing content can communicate with each other, the prepared content can be used in a device under this environment and has a larger storage capacity. It is desirable to be aggregated into a device that has resources. In addition, in an apparatus having a function of preparing content, it is desirable to operate the storage resource so that as much content as possible can be replayed without squeezing the internal storage resource.

  Therefore, the content input device 80 of the present embodiment registers the content stored in the built-in storage resource in the external device. That is, the content is transmitted to the external device and held in the external device 64A, 64B, or 64C. Furthermore, the transmitted content is processed in accordance with the performance related to the content reproduction of the content input device 80 to reduce the amount of data. Then, the content is deleted when the shortage of the storage resource is unavoidable.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the content input device 80 in a block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 2, content input device 80 includes content acquisition unit 100 for preparing content, operation input unit 102 for receiving an operation of the user and generating an operation signal corresponding to the operation, and content Obtained from the content storage unit 104, the battery 92 as a power supply source used by the content input device 80, the external power connector 94 for receiving external power supply, and the external power connector 94. The battery 92 is charged with the electric power to be supplied, and the power supply unit 108 for supplying the electric power obtained from the battery 92 and the external power supply connector 94 to each part of the content input device 80; In response to the start of charging of the battery 92, an input device using a Wake (up) On LAN function or the like With activating a predetermined function of 0, and a power supply controller 110 for issuing a notification of the situation.

  The content input device 80 further manages the communication unit 112 for performing wireless communication with the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C, and the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C that are communication partners of the communication unit 112. An external device management unit 114 for holding a station list 116 configured by information is included. The content input device 80 further acquires the content by the content acquisition unit 100 and stores the content in the content storage unit 104 based on the operation signal from the operation input unit 102, the power supply status, and the wireless communication status. A content management unit 106 for managing processing, deletion, and reproduction of content in the content storage unit 104 and registration of content in the content storage unit 104 in the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C is included. Details of the content management unit 106 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The content input device 80 further includes a display output unit 118 for receiving and inputting content and other display screens for display. The content input device 80 further processes and deletes the content in the content storage unit 104 under the control of the content management unit 106, stores the content in the content storage unit 104, and the registration status of the content. And an organizing unit 120 for creating attribute information representing other attributes related to the content, and a state storage unit 122 for storing the attribute information created by the organizing unit 120. The content input device 80 further includes an output performance storage unit 124 for storing information related to the performance of the display output unit 118. Information regarding the performance of the display output unit 118 is referred to by the organizing unit 120 when the content is processed.

  Specifically, the content acquisition unit 100 includes an imaging device such as a digital camera that includes an optical system and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that converts light into an electrical signal, or an antenna and tuner for a broadcast program. A communication device for receiving content exchanged on the device or on the network 62. The operation input unit 102 includes an input device such as a button or a touch panel. The content storage unit 104 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk or a silicon memory. The display output unit 118 includes a liquid crystal panel, a speaker, and the like. The display output unit 118 may include a VGA (Video Graphics Array) output terminal, a headphone output terminal, and the like. For example, if the display output unit 118 is a VGA resolution liquid crystal panel, the information stored in the output performance storage unit 124 is information indicating the screen size of 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, and information indicating the color depth of 16 bits. Etc.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of station list 116 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, station list 116 includes a plurality of entries respectively corresponding to content input device 80 itself and external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C with which communication unit 112 communicates. Each entry includes an identifier (ID) for identifying a device corresponding to the entry on the network 62. Each entry further includes a relationship representing a relationship relating to the exchange of content between the device corresponding to the entry and the content input device 80. Each entry further includes a device type corresponding to the entry and a secret key used for data encryption and decryption. The ID includes the IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) address of the device corresponding to the entry. The connection pattern takes one of the following two types of values. That is, a predetermined value (self) indicating that the entry corresponds to the content input device 80 itself, and a predetermined value indicating that the device corresponding to the entry can be a content registration destination by the content input device 80. One of the values of (ancestor). The type includes information referred to when the user identifies the device. The secret key includes predetermined data (a character string “himitsu” in the example shown in FIG. 3) shared in advance by each device of the system 60 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration of content attribute information 140 stored in state storage unit 122 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, attribute information 140 includes a content ID for identifying content, a date and time (acquisition date and time) when the content was acquired, a type of device that acquired the content (acquisition device), and the content itself. Including type. The attribute information 140 further includes public / private information indicating whether the content is personally created and possessed by the user or the content released by a third party, the output state of the content, the external device 64A, And re-acquisition information that is referred to when re-acquiring content registered in 64B or 64C from those apparatuses. The attribute information 140 further includes the following information regarding the quality of the content. That is, information indicating the quality at the time of acquiring the content (original quality) and information indicating the amount of data (original size), information indicating the quality of the content at the current time (current quality), and information indicating the amount of data ( Current size) and information (change state) indicating the progress of content processing by the organizing unit 120. The attribute information 140 further includes a viewing point that represents a part that the user is currently viewing, and an integer of 1 to 5 that represents an evaluation given to the content by the user regarding whether the content is important or interesting to the user. It includes a numerical value (favorite degree), geographical information (location) obtained about the point where the content was acquired, the date and time when the content was last reproduced and output (last access), the title of this content, and the subtitle.

  The attribute information 140 further includes a protection attribute that indicates whether the user is allowed to process the content. The value of the protection attribute is initially set to a predetermined value “NO” indicating that the processing is permitted, and is set to “YES” when the user performs a predetermined operation for prohibiting the processing of the content. Is done.

  In the attribute information 140 illustrated in FIG. 4, the content ID includes a path name and a file name for representing content storage location information in the content storage unit 104. The type of content takes a predetermined value representing different types of data such as a captured moving image, a captured still image, a broadcast program, a web document, a map, and the sound of music. The output state indicates whether this content is registered in the external device 64A, 64B, or 64C or not registered. The public / private type is appropriately set based on the type of device, the content acquisition route, and other information obtained when the content is acquired. For example, if the content acquisition unit 100 is an imaging device and the content is an image content captured by the imaging device, the public / private type of the content is a value indicating that the content is personally owned (I Content). Also, for example, if the content acquisition unit 100 is a broadcast signal receiving device or the like and the content is a broadcast program or the like, the public / private type of the content is a value (public) Content).

  The reacquisition information includes link information of the content. In the attribute information 140 shown in FIG. 4, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) indicating the location of content on the network 62 is used as link information. The information on the original quality and the current quality includes information on an encoding rate when converting into digital data. The attribute information 140 shown in FIG. 4 includes information of a combination notation of profile and level, which is a general notation regarding the image quality of a motion picture of MPEG2 (Motion Pictures Expert Group 2). That is, the acquired image quality is MP @ ML (Main Profile Main Level), and the current image quality is MP @ LL (Main Profile Low Level). In the example shown in FIG. 4, the content that was MP @ ML at the time of acquisition is compressed to MP @ LL, and the data amount is reduced from 1.3 (GB) to 100 (MB). Therefore, the change state is set to a value “compressed” indicating that the compression is completed. If the content is a still image, the information on the original quality and the current quality includes information on vertical and horizontal resolutions and color depths. If the content is audio, the information of the original quality and the current quality includes information such as the number of quantization bits, the sampling frequency, and the number of channels.

  The viewing point takes a predetermined value representing the part that is currently viewed. For example, when the playback output changes with the passage of time, such as video and audio, the time required for playback from the beginning of the content to the boundary between the viewed part and the unviewed part is Takes a value to represent.

  The location is set according to an operation input to the operation input unit 102 by the user. Alternatively, it is set using coordinate information obtained by a predetermined acquisition method using a positioning system represented by the Global Positioning System at the time of acquiring the content.

  Note that the last access date and time is updated by a device that executes the reproduction output and processing when the reproduction output or processing of the content is executed. Even if the content has not been played back or processed by the content input device 80, if another device has played back or processed the content in the past, the last playback output or The access date and time updated by processing is the last access date and time of the content. The title and the subtitle are given according to the operation by the operation input unit 102. Alternatively, when the content is broadcast content and electronic program guide information about the program can be obtained by an existing program information service or the like, the content is set based on the program information. FIG. 5 shows the structure of program information obtained by program guide. Referring to FIG. 5, this program information 160 is program guide information related to a broadcast content by an existing program information service or the like. The program information 160 is given a content ID for identifying the content. The program information 160 further includes a program type indicating the type of program, the image quality of the program, the broadcast date and time, the broadcast channel, the program ID, the program number (NO) indicating the number of broadcasts of the program, and the program information. Includes audience ratings, titles and subtitles, keywords, performers, and program introductions (contents). The program type refers to, for example, distinction between serial drama, news, documentary, and the like. It is assumed that all of these information can be obtained from the program guide.

  FIG. 6 shows a functional configuration of the content management unit 106 in a block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 6, the content management unit 106 receives an operation signal from the operation input unit 102, and outputs an operation signal processing unit 200 for outputting an operation signal to an output destination corresponding to the content, a content acquisition unit 100, A process connected to the display output unit 118 and the content storage unit 104, and stores the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 100 in the content storage unit 104, a user notification necessary for the processing, and a process for storing each content in the content management unit 106 And a storage management unit 202 for requesting processing. The content management unit 106 is further connected to the content storage unit 104, the storage management unit 202, and the state storage unit 122, and the amount of data that can be stored in an empty area that is not used for storing content in the content storage unit 104 (hereinafter, referred to as “content storage unit 104”). "Actual free capacity") and a predicted value of the amount of data that can be stored in a free area that can be secured under the condition that the organizing unit 120 organizes content (hereinafter, "the remaining amount of (storage area)" And a free capacity management unit 204 for notifying the situation. The content management unit 106 further responds to the notification from the free space management unit 204 and the power supply management unit 110 based on the station list 116 in the external device management unit 114 and the attribute information 140 in the state storage unit 122. The content to be registered in the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C and the registration destination thereof are determined, the communication by the communication unit 112 is controlled, the content registration is executed, the completion of the registration is confirmed, and the processing related to the registered content In response to a request from the registration management unit 208 for issuing a request for organization and the storage management unit 202 and the registration management unit 208, the organization and control of the content and attribute information 140 by the organization unit 120 are controlled according to the request. The operation signal given from the operation signal processing unit 200 determined by the organization management unit 206 and the registration management unit 208 Outside, including with reference to the attribute information 140 in the state storage unit 122 from the content storage unit 104 reads the content and the content output control section 210 for outputting the content to the display output unit 118 and the communication unit 112. The communication unit 112 has a function of confirming the success of content transmission by receiving an Acknowledge signal transmitted by an external device in response to the content transmission, and notifying the registration management unit 208 of the successful transmission.

  The free space management unit 204 according to the present embodiment has an actual free space of the content storage unit 104 as a remaining storage area and a protection attribute among the content stored in the attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4). The sum of the data amounts of the contents that are “NO” and whose output state is “registered” is calculated, and the change is monitored.

  The content input device 80 according to the present embodiment includes hardware that can execute a computer program as in a general computer, except for a special device such as a camera that performs imaging for acquiring content, and the hardware. This is realized by a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as “program”) executed by the computer and data stored in hardware. FIG. 7 shows an internal configuration of a computer that realizes the function of the content input device 80.

  Referring to FIG. 7, a computer 220 includes a camera 222, an input device 224 including a mouse, a keyboard, and buttons, an output device 226 including a liquid crystal display panel and a speaker, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 228. Including. The computer 220 further includes a bus 230 connected to the camera 222, the input device 224, the output device 226, and the CPU 228, and a memory connected to the bus 230 for storing a bootup program, a system program, work data, and the like. 232 and a nonvolatile memory 234 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing a program command, a system program, a data file forming content, attribute information, a save list, and the like. The computer 220 further includes a wireless connection circuit 238 for providing wireless communication, and a network connection circuit 236 for performing processing for connecting to the network 62 using the wireless connection circuit 238.

  A program for causing the computer 220 to realize the function of the content input device 80 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 234. Alternatively, the program may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 234 from the network 62 via the network connection circuit 236. Alternatively, the program may be received by the wireless connection circuit 238 via wireless and stored in the nonvolatile memory 234.

  The program is loaded into the memory 232 when executed. Alternatively, the program may be loaded directly into the memory 232 via the network 62 or wirelessly.

  This program includes a plurality of requests for causing the computer to realize the function of the content input device 80 according to the present embodiment. Some of the basic functions required to implement these functions are provided by operating system (OS) or third party programs running on the computer, or modules of various toolkits installed on the computer. Therefore, this program does not necessarily include all functions necessary for realizing the system and method of this embodiment. This program only includes requests for realizing the functions of the content input device 80 described above by calling appropriate functions or “tools” in a controlled manner so as to obtain a desired result. Just go out. The operation of the computer is well known and will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that causes the computer 220 to realize a process in which the content input device 80 acquires new content. Referring to FIG. 8, this program 300 is automatically started when preparation for acquiring content is started. That is, it is started when the camera 222 shown in FIG. 7 is activated, when a user performs a predetermined operation for acquiring content, and the like. When the program 300 is started, in step 302, the remaining storage area is compared with the predicted size of the acquired content. If the remaining amount of the storage area is larger than the predicted size, the process proceeds to step 304. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 306, a message indicating that the content cannot be acquired is displayed, and the process returns to step 302.

  In step 304, it is determined whether or not an operation for commanding content acquisition has been detected. If an operation is detected, the process proceeds to step 308. Otherwise, return to step 302. In step 308, new content is acquired and temporarily stored in accordance with the operation detected in step 304. In step 310, the actual free space in the storage area is compared with the data amount of the new content temporarily held. If the actual free space is larger than the data amount of the new content, the process proceeds to step 312. Otherwise, go to step 314. In step 312, the temporarily held content is stored in the storage area, attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) relating to the content is prepared and stored, and the process returns to step 302. At this time, contents are registered and processed if necessary. Content registration and processing will be described later.

  In step 314, the contents in the storage area are organized to secure an area for storing new contents. In other words, identify the difference between the amount of new content data and the actual free space, and add the registered content in order from the oldest acquisition date until the total amount of deleted content exceeds the identified difference. Delete content sequentially. When the total data amount of the deleted contents exceeds the difference, the process proceeds to step 312.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control structure of a program that is executed in step 312 and performs registration and processing of content at the time of content acquisition. Referring to FIG. 9, when this program 340 is started, in step 342, the process 300 waits for content to be stored in the storage area. When the content is stored, the process proceeds to step 344.

  In step 344, the remaining capacity of the storage area is checked based on the actual free space in the storage area at that time and the attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) of each content. If the remaining amount of the storage area is less than 10% of the total storage capacity of the storage area, the process proceeds to step 346. If it is 10% or more, the process returns to step 342.

  In step 346, connection with the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C listed in the station list 116 is attempted. By attempting the connection, a connection to any one of the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C is established. Alternatively, connection to any of the external devices 64A, 64B, and 64C is not established, and the connection fails. In the following step 348, it is determined whether or not the connection is successful in step 346. If the connection is successful, the process proceeds to step 350. Otherwise, return to step 342. In step 350, an inquiry is made to the connected external device as to whether or not the content can be registered. That is, for the oldest content whose output state of the attribute information 140 is “unregistered”, a signal requesting registration is transmitted to the connected external device, and the registration is permitted as a response from the external device. Receive data.

  In step 352, it is determined whether the content can be registered in the external device based on the response from the external device. If registration is possible, the process proceeds to step 354. Otherwise, return to step 342. In step 354, the oldest unregistered content to be inquired in step 350 is registered in the connected external device. That is, the content is transmitted to the external device. After confirming the successful transmission, the output state in the attribute information 140 of the content is changed to “registered”. In step 356, the content transmitted in step 354 is processed so as to match the quality that can be output in the output performance of the output device 226 shown in FIG. 7, and the capacity of the content in the storage area is reduced. In step 358, based on the remaining amount of the battery 92, the predicted size of the content that can be acquired until the battery 92 is depleted in the future is compared with the remaining amount of the storage area. If the predicted size of the content that can be acquired with the obtained battery remaining amount is larger than the value obtained by adding a predetermined margin to the remaining amount of the storage area, the process proceeds to step 360. If the predicted size is equal to or smaller than the remaining amount plus a margin, the process returns to step 342. In step 360, the attribute information 140 is referred to and it is determined whether or not there is content whose output state is “unregistered”. If there is content that is “unregistered”, the process returns to step 350. If there is no “unregistered” content, the process returns to step 342.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that realizes a content registration process when activated by receiving power from the battery 92. Referring to FIG. 10, when this program 380 is started, in step 382, the remaining amount of battery 92 is checked. If the remaining amount of the battery 92 is 70% or more of the battery capacity at full charge, the process proceeds to step 384. If not, the program 380 is terminated.

  In step 384, it is determined whether or not there is content whose output state is “unregistered”. If there is "unregistered" content, the process proceeds to step 386. Otherwise, go to step 400. In step 386, as in step 346 shown in FIG. 9, connection with an external device is attempted. In the subsequent step 388, the success or failure of the connection is determined. If the connection is successful, the process proceeds to step 390. Otherwise, go to step 400. In step 390, an inquiry is made to the connected external device as to whether or not the content can be registered. In step 392, it is determined whether content registration is possible. If registration is possible, control proceeds to step 394. Otherwise, go to step 400. In step 394, the oldest unregistered content is transmitted to the external device, and the output state in the attribute information 140 is changed. In step 396, the attribute information 140 is referenced to determine whether there is content whose output status is “unregistered”. If there is “unregistered” content, the process proceeds to step 398. Otherwise, go to step 400. In step 398, the remaining battery level is checked in the same manner as in step 382. If the remaining battery capacity is 70% or more of the battery capacity at full charge, the process returns to step 388. Otherwise, the program 380 is terminated. In step 400, the process waits for a predetermined time and returns to step 382.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that realizes a content registration process when the battery 92 is charged by receiving power from the external power connector 94 (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 11, when program 420 is started, it waits for charging of battery 92 in step 422. If it is detected that the battery is charged, the process proceeds to step 424. In step 424, a series of processes necessary to start registration and processing of the content in the external device are executed. At this time, if the content input device 80 is not activated, the content input device 80 is activated.

  In step 426, it is determined whether or not there is content whose output status is “unregistered”. If there is "unregistered" content, the process proceeds to step 428. Otherwise, go to step 446. In step 428, connection with an external device is attempted in the same manner as in step 346 shown in FIG. In step 430, the success or failure of the connection is determined. If successful, go to step 432. Otherwise, go to step 442. In step 432, an inquiry is made to the connected external device as to whether or not the content can be registered. In step 434, it is determined whether or not the content can be registered. If registration is possible, the process proceeds to step 436. Otherwise, go to step 442. In step 436, the oldest unregistered content is transmitted to the external device, and the output state in the attribute information 140 is changed. In step 438, the attribute information 140 is referenced to determine whether or not there is content whose output status is “unregistered”. If there is “unregistered” content, the process proceeds to step 440. Otherwise, go to step 446. In step 440, it is determined whether charging of the battery 92 is continued at that time. If the state of charge continues, the process returns to step 430. Otherwise, go to step 422.

  On the other hand, in step 442 branched from step 430 or step 434, the process waits for a predetermined time and proceeds to step 440.

  In Step 446 branched from Step 426 or Step 438, the attribute information 140 is referred to, and the condition that the output state, the changed state, and the protection attribute values are “registered”, “unsorted”, and “NO”, respectively. Identify content that satisfies If content satisfying the conditions is specified, the process proceeds to step 448. Otherwise, return to step 422. In step 448, the content specified in step 446 is processed to match the output performance by the same processing as in step 356 shown in FIG. 9, and the capacity of the content in the storage area is reduced. In the subsequent step 450, it is determined whether or not the state of charge continues as in step 440. If the state of charge continues, the process returns to step 446. Otherwise, return to step 422.

<Operation>
The content input device 80 of the present embodiment operates as follows.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when power is supplied from the outside via external power connector 94, power supply unit 108 charges battery 92. In response to this, the content input device 80 performs an automatic registration operation during charging. This operation will be described later. If the content input device 80 is not activated at the time when power supply from the outside is started, the power supply management unit 110 activates the content input device 80.

  When the content input device 80 is activated, the power supply management unit 110 monitors the power supply state, and issues a notification to that effect to the content management unit 106 at the start and end of power supply from the external power connector 94. Further, the power supply management unit 110 monitors the remaining battery level when the battery is driven, and periodically notifies the content management unit 106 of the remaining battery level. The free capacity management unit 204 illustrated in FIG. 6 obtains information on the actual free capacity of the content storage unit 104. Also, based on the attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) in the state storage unit 122, the “current size” of the content whose output state is “registered” and whose protection attribute is “NO”. The total is calculated and the sum of the actual free space and the total of the “current size” is calculated to determine the size (remaining amount) of the area that can be secured in the content storage unit 104. The free space management unit 204 periodically notifies the storage management unit 202 of the remaining amount of storage area in the content storage unit 104 and the actual free space.

  The content input device 80 performs content registration to the external device, content organization, or both when the free capacity of the content storage unit 104 is tight or when the power available to the content input device 80 is sufficient. Do. For organizing content, one of two methods, a method of processing content according to the quality corresponding to the output capability and a method of deleting content, are used.

  When the free space of the content storage unit 104 is tight, it is required to secure a predetermined amount of free space in a short time regardless of whether or not the battery 92 is depleted. Therefore, if a new content is acquired and the free space is tight enough that the content storage unit 104 does not have the free space necessary to store the content, it has already been registered in the external device 64A, 64B, or 64C. Delete the contents of. Deletion is terminated if there is enough free space to store the acquired content. In the future, when it is expected that the free space of the content storage unit 104 will be tight, registration and processing of unregistered content are executed sequentially. Each time content is processed for one item, a new free space is obtained. If the actual free space required for the time being can be secured, the sequential registration and arrangement will be terminated.

  When the battery is driven and there is a sufficient remaining battery capacity, more content is registered with less power. That is, the content is registered in the external device as long as the remaining battery capacity is sufficient. However, in this case, the registered contents are not organized.

  When the content input device 80 is in a charged state, the battery 92 will not run out. In this case, first, unregistered content is registered in the external device, and when there is no unregistered content, the registered and unprocessed content is processed. If the state of charge continues, all the contents that can be registered are registered and processed in the external device.

  First, a periodic content registration operation performed by the content input device 80 in a state of being driven by the battery 92 will be described. When the content input device 80 is driven by the battery 92, the power supply management unit 110 notifies the registration management unit 208 (see FIG. 6) of the content management unit 106 to that effect. Note that power supply management section 110 notifies again when the remaining battery level is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (70% of full charge in this embodiment).

  The registration management unit 208 refers to the content attribute information 140 stored in the state storage unit 122 and searches for content whose output state is “unregistered”. If there is unregistered content, the registration management unit 208 searches for an external device as a content registration destination based on the station list 116 (see FIG. 3) held in the external device management unit 114. That is, in the station list 116, one external device whose relationship value is set to “ancestor” is selected and its ID is acquired. The registration management unit 208 gives the acquired ID to the communication unit 112 and requests the communication unit 112 to connect to the external device. When the communication unit 112 succeeds in the connection, the registration management unit 208 refers to the state storage unit 122, selects the oldest content from the contents whose output state is “unregistered”, and uses the communication unit 112 to connect the external device. The attribute information 140 of the content is transmitted to requesting registration of the content.

  When the communication unit 112 receives a response indicating that the content can be registered from the external device, the communication unit 112 gives the response to the registration management unit 208. The registration management unit 208 gives the content output management unit 210 the ID of the content to be registered, and requests the communication unit 112 to output the content. The content output management unit 210 reads the content with the given ID from the content storage unit 104 and gives it to the communication unit 112. The communication unit 112 transmits this content to the connected external device. When the transmission is successful and the communication unit 112 receives the Acknowledge signal transmitted from the external device, the communication unit 112 provides the Acknowledge signal to the registration management unit 208 and notifies the registration management unit 208 of the completion of content transmission. . In response to this notification, the registration management unit 208 gives the ID of the transmitted content to the organization management unit 206 and requests the attribute information 140 to be updated. The organization management unit 206 requests the organization unit 120 to update the attribute information 140 for the content with the given ID. The organizing unit 120 sets the value of the output state to “registered” in the attribute information 140 of the content with the ID.

  Hereinafter, an operation corresponding to the acquisition of content and the concomitant free space of the content storage unit 104 will be described.

  The storage management unit 202 obtains a predicted value of the size of content that will be acquired in the future by the content acquisition unit 100. For example, if the content acquisition unit 100 acquires a still image, the maximum data amount assumed as the data amount of the still image obtained by one imaging is set as the predicted value. For example, if the content acquisition unit 100 acquires a moving image, the data amount of the moving image for a predetermined time is used as the predicted value. The predicted value is held as a constant depending on the performance of the content acquisition unit 100. The storage management unit 202 receives the predicted value of the content size and the notification of the remaining amount of the content storage unit 104 from the free space management unit 204, and compares the predicted value with the remaining amount of the content storage unit 104. When the remaining amount is less than the predicted value, even if the organizing unit 120 organizes the content storage unit 104, there is a possibility that a free space for storing new content cannot be secured. Therefore, the storage management unit 202 causes the display output unit 118 to display a message indicating that the content cannot be acquired until the remaining amount equal to or greater than the predicted value is notified, and suppresses the content acquisition unit 100 from acquiring the content. When the remaining amount equal to or greater than the predicted value is notified, the storage management unit 202 stops displaying the message and starts accepting the operation signal.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when a user performs an operation for acquiring content on operation input unit 102, operation input unit 102 generates a corresponding operation signal. The operation signal processing unit 200 of the content management unit 106 shown in FIG. 6 identifies the operation content from this operation signal. When it is specified that the operation performed by the user is an operation for acquiring content, the operation signal processing unit 200 provides an operation signal to the storage management unit 202.

  The storage management unit 202 requests the content acquisition unit 100 to acquire content in accordance with the given operation signal. In response to this request, the content acquisition unit 100 acquires content and provides it to the storage management unit 202. The storage management unit 202 temporarily holds the given content and measures the data amount of the content. The storage management unit 202 compares the amount of data obtained by measurement with the actual free space of the content storage unit 104 notified from the free space management unit 204. If the data amount obtained by the measurement exceeds the actual free space, the shortage of the actual free space is calculated, and the organization management unit 206 is requested to secure the free space.

  In response to this request from the storage management unit 202, the organization management unit 206 refers to the attribute information 140 in the state storage unit 122, and adds the registered contents in order from the oldest to the current size of the selected contents. Select until is over the shortage. The organization management unit 206 gives the organization unit 120 an ID of the selected content and a request to delete these contents. The organizing unit 120 deletes the content with the ID given from the content storage unit 104 according to this request. Further, the value of the change state in the attribute information 140 of these contents is changed to “deleted”.

  The free space management unit 204 monitors and notifies the free space during this time. As a result of organizing the content by the organizing unit 120, when the free space necessary for storing new content is secured in the content storage unit 104, the free space managing unit 204 notifies the storage managing unit 202 of this. The storage management unit 202 assigns an ID to the content and stores it in the content storage unit 104. The storage management unit 202 notifies the organization management unit 206 of the ID of the new content and the completion of the storage of the content. Based on this notification, the organization management unit 206 requests the organization unit 120 to create attribute information 140 related to the new content. In accordance with this request, the organizing unit 120 creates new content attribute information 140 and stores it in the state storage unit 122.

  When new content is stored, the remaining amount of the content storage unit 104 decreases accordingly. When the remaining amount of the content storage unit 104 becomes less than a predetermined amount (for example, 10% of the total amount of data that can be stored in the content storage unit 104), the organization of the content is executed as follows.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when the remaining capacity of content storage unit 104 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, free capacity management unit 204 notifies registration management unit 208 to that effect. In response to this notification, the registration management unit 208 and the communication unit 112 register the oldest unregistered content by the same operation as the regular content registration operation described above. When the communication unit 112 completes transmission of the content to the external device, the communication unit 112 notifies the registration management unit 208 to that effect.

  In this case, since the free space of the content storage unit 104 is tight, the registration management unit 208 gives the ID of the transmitted content to the organization management unit 206 and requests organization of the content. In response to this request, the organization management unit 206 requests the organization unit 120 to perform processing according to the output performance of the content with the ID and to update the attribute information 140. Upon receiving this request, the organizing unit 120 reads information related to the output performance from the output performance storage unit 124. For example, it is assumed that the content to be processed is an image of 6 megapixels, and the display output unit 118 has an output performance of about 0.3 megapixels of horizontal 640 pixels and vertical 480 pixels (equivalent to VGA). The image quality of the content clearly exceeds the output performance of the display output unit 118. In order to display such content on the display output unit 118, a process of reducing the resolution so that the content matches VGA or the content is trimmed according to the screen size equivalent to VGA and partial content is extracted. Processing must be done. Therefore, the resolution is converted so that the number of pixels of the registered content matches the VGA. The amount of content data is reduced as the resolution is lowered.

  When the processing of the content to be processed is completed and the free space changes, the free space management unit 204 recalculates the remaining amount value and notifies the registration management unit 208 of the remaining amount again. The registration management unit 208 estimates the content data amount obtained when content is acquired until the battery 92 is used up, based on the remaining battery level at that time, and the remaining amount notified from the free space management unit 204 Compare with As a result of comparison, if the estimated amount of data is large, content that can be acquired before the next charging may not be stored in the content storage unit 104. Therefore, the registration management unit 208 further registers unregistered old content in the external device, and requests the organization of the content. Such content selection, registration, arrangement, and calculation of the remaining amount of the content storage unit 104 are repeated to secure a free space so that the content acquired by the next charging can be stored.

  Hereinafter, an operation of registering and organizing contents when charging the battery 92 (see FIG. 2) will be described. When charging of the battery 92 is started by receiving power supply from the external power connector 94 (see FIG. 2), the power supply management unit 110 first checks whether the content input device 80 is activated. If not activated, the content input device 80 is activated. Subsequently, the power supply management unit 110 notifies the registration management unit 208 of the content management unit 106 shown in FIG. Note that the power supply management unit 110 notifies the end of the charging state thereafter.

  When the registration management unit 208 receives this notification, the content input device 80 operates in the same manner as the content registration operation in the driving state with the battery 92 during the period in which the charging state continues, and the content input device 80 Register. When the registration of the content is completed within the period in which the charged state is maintained, the registration management unit 208 requests the organization management unit 206 to process all the content that can be processed.

  In response to this request, the organization management unit 206 refers to the attribute information 140 stored in the state storage unit 122, and the output state, the change state, and the protection attribute values are “registered” and “unregistered”, respectively. Content that satisfies the conditions of “organization” and “NO” is specified. If there is content that satisfies the condition, the content is set as a processing target, an ID is acquired, and the organizing unit 120 is requested to process the content with the acquired ID. In response to the processing request, the organizing unit 120 processes the registered and unsorted content among the processable content based on the information regarding the output performance stored in the output performance storage unit 124, and sets the attribute of the content The change state in the information 140 is changed.

  When the attribute information 140 stored in the state storage unit 122 is changed for the content set as the processing target, the organization management unit 206 specifies the next organization target. Hereinafter, the organizing management unit 206 and the organizing unit 120 repeat this operation until there is no content satisfying the above condition or the charging state is terminated.

  When the user performs an operation for reproducing the content stored in the content storage unit 104 on the operation input unit 102, the operation input unit 102 generates an operation signal corresponding to the operation. The generated operation signal is given to the operation signal processing unit 200 of the content management unit 106 shown in FIG. When the operation signal processing unit 200 specifies the corresponding operation content, the operation signal processing unit 200 provides the operation signal to the content output management unit 210. The content output management unit 210 specifies content desired by the user with reference to the attribute information 140 stored in the state storage unit 122 in accordance with the given operation signal. The content output management unit 210 further reads the specified content from the content storage unit 104 and outputs it to the display output unit 118. The display output unit 118 processes and outputs content according to its own output performance. For example, unprocessed high-resolution content is also displayed after being converted to a resolution according to the output performance during playback. That is, at the time of reproduction display on the display output unit 118, the content stored in the content storage unit 104 in an unprocessed state with high quality and the content processed by the organizing unit 120 are output with the same quality.

  As described above, the content input device 80 according to the present embodiment does not delete the held content until it is inevitable that deletion is actually necessary when acquiring new content. Therefore, more content can be held in the content storage unit 104.

  Also, the content in the content storage unit 104 is registered in an external device, and the registered content is processed to save storage resources. The original of the acquired content is held in the external device. Therefore, the original content can be used by an external device. Content processing is performed in accordance with the output performance of the display output unit 118. The content output by the display output unit 118 is not impaired by the processing. Therefore, storage resources can be saved without impairing the use value of the content in the content input device 80, and more content can be held inside. Further, when it becomes inevitable that the content needs to be deleted, the registered content is deleted. Therefore, if necessary, the content input device 80 can reacquire the content from the external device and use the content.

  The content input device 80 registers and processes the content when the battery 92 is charged. For example, when a large amount of new content is acquired by the content input device 80 in the daytime and the battery 92 of the content input device 80 is charged at night in an accommodation facility or the like, the external device is automatically searched and the connection is successful. The registration process is performed automatically. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the storage area being constrained in advance while avoiding exhaustion of the battery 92 due to content registration and processing.

  Content registration and processing are performed when storage resources are expected to be tight or when there is a surplus in available power. Storage resources can be effectively operated while avoiding the depletion of usable power. For example, when the external device is a storage device such as a PDA having a small hard disk or the like, and the storage resource of the content input device 80 is a semiconductor storage device, the storage device has a storage capacity much larger than the storage capacity of the content input device 80. Can store a large amount of content. The content acquired by the content input device 80 is appropriately registered in the storage device at an outside location or the like. This makes it possible to acquire a large amount of content without preparing a large-capacity semiconductor storage device in the content input device 80.

  If the owner information is further managed in the station list 116, contents can be managed for each user in an AV recorder or the like, and convenience is improved. The station list 116 may be set in advance. Alternatively, it may be registered by a user's manual input or automatically registered by a predetermined process.

  In the present embodiment, when periodically registering content, the battery 92 is checked each time content for one item is processed. However, when there is very large content, it is conceivable that a large amount of power is consumed in one transfer, so it is useful to always monitor.

  In addition, when the size of the content is large, it is assumed that all cannot be transferred in one session. Therefore, in order to cope with such a situation, it is possible to divide content of a predetermined size or more and register it sequentially. Or you may make it transfer the whole content by repeating the operation | movement which registers the arbitrary part of continuous data in multiple times. In this case, if the content is in the MPEG format, it is desirable to divide in units of I pictures.

  When there are a large number of small-sized content items, it is assumed that the content for the large number of items can be transferred in one session when registering the regular content. In such a case, if the battery 92 is checked each time content for one item is processed, the number of executions of the check may increase and the amount of power required for the check may increase. Therefore, a conversion table or function related to power required for registering contents for a plurality of items may be prepared in advance, and the number of content items that can be processed by the conversion table or function may be estimated. In this case, the number of items may be estimated at the start of processing, and content may be continuously registered according to the number of items.

  Further, in this embodiment, the external device is inquired for whether or not content registration is possible one item at a time. However, the total amount of content that can be registered in the external device is limited, and it is assumed that the external device presents the total amount to the content input device 80 at the start of the session. In such a case, the content input device 80 may select content according to the presented total amount, and collectively transfer the selected content to the external device.

  In step 358 of the content organization program shown in FIG. 9, the estimated size of the content that can be obtained until the battery 92 is used up in the future is compared with the remaining amount of the storage area based on the remaining amount of the battery 92. . However, the predicted size of content may be calculated on the assumption that power necessary for operations other than content acquisition is preserved. As operations other than content acquisition, for example, operations for displaying content on the content input device 80, operations in an idle state of the content input device 80, operations for communication with an external device, and various other operations are assumed. . Also, for example, if the content input device is a mobile phone with an imaging function, etc., power is required for operations as a mobile phone including reception standby and message transmission / reception. In such a case, it is desirable to calculate the predicted size of the content so that the power necessary for these operations is preserved.

  In the program shown in FIG. 8, the determination in step 302 may be performed periodically. Alternatively, it may be performed immediately after the power is turned on and whenever the content acquisition process ends. By performing the processing in this way, it is possible to leave the imaged content until the moment of imaging and appropriately output it to the display output unit 118 according to the operation of the operation input unit 102.

  The attribute information 140 is in a list format composed of a plurality of entries. However, the expression format of content attributes is not limited to such a format. You may express using structured documents, such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language). A code may be assigned in advance to the attribute to be expressed, and the content attribute may be expressed using the code.

  In addition, when sporadic short-time charging states are repeated, unorganized content may be stored in the content storage unit 104. In order to cope with such a situation, the content rearranging process may be continuously performed during recharging.

[Second Embodiment]
The content input device 80 according to the first embodiment prepares content internally and outputs the prepared content to an external device. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, devices such as mobile phones and PDAs may be used to acquire and use content from devices such as digital cameras. Even in such an apparatus, there is a limit to storage resources, so it is desirable to transfer the content to an AV recorder or the like having a larger capacity storage resource. Hereinafter, a content relay apparatus that has such a function, acquires and holds content from a digital camera or the like, and relays the content to an AV recorder or the like will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows an overview of a system including content relay apparatus 480 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12, content relay apparatuses 480A and 480B according to the present embodiment acquire and hold contents (images, videos) from external apparatuses 482A and 482B such as a digital camera and a camcorder having a communication function. . Further, the content is transferred to an external device 484 such as an AV recorder. Hereinafter, the external devices 482A, 482B, etc., from which content is acquired by the content relay device 480 are referred to as “child external devices”. In addition, the external device 484 that is a content transfer destination by the content relay device 480 is referred to as a “parent external device”. In this system, the content relay device 480 and the child external devices 482A and 482B, such as the child external devices 482, comply with the standards established by wireless communication using radio waves typified by IEEE 802.11b or by IrDA. It is assumed that data is exchanged by light wireless communication represented by compliant infrared communication.

  FIG. 13 shows a functional configuration of content relay apparatus 480 according to the present embodiment in a block diagram format. Referring to FIG. 13, content relay device 480 is similar to that of content input device 80 shown in FIG. 2, battery 92, external power connector 94, power supply unit 108, power supply management unit 110, and operation input unit 102. A content storage unit 104, a display output unit 118, a state storage unit 122, and an output performance storage unit 124.

  The content relay device 480 further includes a communication unit 502 for performing wireless communication with the parent external device 484 and the child external devices 482A and 482B, and the station related to the parent external device 484 and the child external devices 482A and 482B. Communication between the external device management unit 504 storing the list 506, the operation signal from the operation input unit 102, the state of power supply to the content relay device 480, and the parent external device 484 and the child external devices 482A and 482B Acquisition of content from the child external devices 482A, 482B, etc., storage of the acquired content in the content storage unit 104, playback and processing of the content in the content storage unit 104, and to the parent external device 484 Content management unit 510 for managing registration of content and the content input device 80 shown in FIG. As an organizing method in place of the attribute information change and content processing and content deletion similar to those of the unit 120, alternative information consisting of content identification information and reacquisition information is prepared, and the content is replaced with the alternative information. And an organizing unit 512 that performs processing. The identification information is, for example, an image of a size that can identify the content (hereinafter referred to as “thumbnail image”). The reacquisition information is, for example, link information to the parent external device. Hereinafter, the process of replacing content with alternative information is referred to as “linking”.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the station list 506 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, station list 506 of the present embodiment is similar to station list 116 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. A plurality of entries corresponding to the child external devices 482A, 482B and the like, and the parent external device 484, respectively. Each entry includes an ID, a relationship, a type, and a secret key, as in the station list 116 according to the first embodiment. The values that the relationship in the station list 506 can take are the same values “self” and “ancestor” as those in the station list 116 shown in FIG. 3, and that the device is a child external device to the content relay device 480. And a predetermined value “mate” indicating that the device has a parent-child relationship between the content relay device 480 and the same external device.

  FIG. 15 shows a functional configuration of the content management unit 510 according to the present embodiment in the form of a block diagram. Referring to FIG. 15, content management unit 510 has a configuration similar to content management unit 106 (see FIG. 6) of content input device 80 according to the first embodiment. However, the content management unit 510 according to the present embodiment replaces the storage management unit 202 according to the first embodiment with a communication unit 502, a display output unit 118, a content storage unit 104, a free space management unit 204, and A storage management unit 520 is connected to the organization management unit 206 and manages the acquisition of content from the child external device via the communication unit 502. The storage management unit 520 receives a content registration request from a child external device via the communication unit 502, and determines whether or not the content can be acquired based on the registration request. In addition, the communication unit 520 has a function of transmitting a determination result of whether or not content acquisition is possible to a child external device that is a transmission source of the registration request.

  Similar to the content input device 80 according to the first embodiment, the content relay device 480 according to the present embodiment is executed by hardware capable of executing a program in the same manner as a general computer, and the hardware. This is realized by a program and data stored in hardware.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that causes a computer to implement processing for acquiring new content by the content relay apparatus 480 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 16, when this program 600 is started, in step 602, it waits for reception of a registration request from a child external device. When a registration request including content attribute information 140 is received from a child external device, the process proceeds to step 604. In step 604, based on the attribute information 140 included in the registration request, the current size of content to be acquired when the registration request is accepted (hereinafter referred to as “content to be acquired”) is specified. The current size is compared with the remaining storage area. If the remaining amount of the storage area is larger than the current size of the content to be acquired, the process proceeds to step 606. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 618, and an unacceptable message indicating that the content cannot be accepted is transmitted to the child external device that is the source of the registration request, and the process returns to step 602.

  In step 606, the power supply state at that time is examined. That is, the amount of power required for receiving and storing content to be acquired, which will be described later, is estimated, and the remaining amount of the battery 92 is compared with the estimated amount of power. If the remaining battery level is less than or equal to the amount of power required for receiving and storing, the process proceeds to step 618 and then returns to step 602. Otherwise, go to step 608.

  In step 608, an acceptance message indicating acceptance is transmitted to the child external device that is the source of the registration request. In step 610, the current size of the content to be acquired specified in step 604 is compared with the actual free space in the storage area. If the actual free space in the storage area is larger than the current size of the content to be acquired, the process proceeds to step 614. Otherwise, go to step 612.

  In Step 612, an area for storing the new contents is secured by organizing the registered contents. That is, the registered contents are linked in order from the oldest acquisition date. When free space capable of storing the content to be registered is secured by this processing, the process proceeds to step 614. In step 614, the content to be registered is received from the child external device. In step 616, the received content is stored in the storage area, and the process returns to step 602.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control structure of the content organization program. Referring to FIG. 17, this program 640 includes steps 342 to 354 similar to those of program 340 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. When the oldest unregistered content is registered in the parent external device in step 354, the process proceeds to step 642.

  In step 642, link information indicating the location of the registered content in the parent external device is acquired and set in the reacquisition information in the content attribute information 140. In step 644, the registered content is processed according to the output performance, as in step 356 of the program shown in FIG. In step 646, the remaining battery level is checked. If the remaining battery level is 50% or less of the full charge, the process returns to step 342. If it exceeds 50 percent, the process proceeds to step 648. In step 648, it is determined whether there is unregistered content in the parent external device. If there is unregistered content, the process proceeds to step 350. Otherwise, return to step 342.

  In this program 640, the remaining battery level is checked in step 646. However, in step 344, the remaining battery level may be checked in conjunction with the remaining storage area check. In this case, in step 344, if the remaining capacity of the storage area is less than 10% of the total storage capacity of the storage area and the remaining capacity of the battery is 50% or more of the full charge, the process proceeds to step 346. Otherwise, return to step 342.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that realizes content registration processing when charging is performed. Referring to FIG. 18, a program 700 for realizing content registration processing during charging according to the present embodiment is similar to the program according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11. However, in the program 700, when the process of step 436 is completed, the process proceeds to step 702. In step 702, link information indicating the location of the registered content in the parent external device is acquired, set in the re-acquisition information in the content attribute information 140, and the process proceeds to step 438.

  The content relay apparatus 480 according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

  When the communication unit 502 of the content relay device 480 receives a content registration request from the child external device 482, the registration request is given to the storage management unit 520 (see FIG. 15) of the content management unit 510. The storage management unit 520 compares the registration target content data amount with the remaining amount in the content storage unit 104 based on the registration target content attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) included in the registration request, and The remaining battery level is compared with the amount of power required for content registration. If any of the remaining capacity of the content storage unit 104 and the battery 92 is insufficient, an acceptance impossible message is returned to the child external device 482. Otherwise, an acceptable message is returned, and a storage area for the content to be registered is secured. That is, if the actual free space in the content storage unit 104 is insufficient, the organization management unit 206 is requested to organize the content. The organization management unit 206 and the organization unit 512 shown in FIG. 13 link the contents registered in the parent external device in order from the oldest one, in the same operation as in the first embodiment. When a free area is secured in the content storage unit 104, the content to be registered is received from the child external device 480 and stored in the content storage unit 104.

  FIG. 19 shows an outline of the operation of content relay apparatus 480 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 19, it is assumed that a parent external device 484 such as an AV recorder is installed at the user's home. It is assumed that the user has a child external device 482 and a content relay device 480, and the content 720 is registered in the content relay device 480 from the child external device 482 at a place where the user is out. That is, the same content as the content in the child external device 482 is stored in the content relay device 480. Even if the content is deleted from the child external device 482, it can be used in the content relay device 480. That is, for example, when the capacity of a storage device used in a digital camera is 1 GB and the storage capacity of the content storage unit of this device is about 50 GB, an image that cannot be captured by the digital camera alone is acquired on the go. It becomes possible.

  After that, when the user moves to the home and brings the content relay device 480 to a position where the user can communicate with the parent external device 484, the content relay device 480 is in a state where the battery 92 has room or charging is being performed. The acquired content 720 is registered in the parent external device 484. At this time, link information for reacquiring the content registered in the parent external device 484 is acquired. It is possible to realize an environment in which content obtained from the child external device 482 is relayed to the parent external device without causing any special manual operation to the user. Further, since link information is also acquired at the time of registration with the server, it is possible to easily restore the original data in a state where communication with the server is possible.

  FIG. 20 shows another example of the operation of content relay apparatus 480 according to the present embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20, content registration is performed using a wireless network connection service provided on the street. ISPs (Internet Services Providers) and the like provide short-distance high-speed communication stations in streets and restaurants, and provide a network connection service via wireless communication. There are various providers of this service such as ISPs and restaurants, and there are various types of services regardless of whether they are paid or free. By using such a service, it is possible to connect to a wide area high-speed communication network via a station from a street or a restaurant, and perform high-speed communication to a predetermined external device such as an AV server at home. . Hereinafter, the communication mode using such a service is referred to as short-distance high-speed communication. In the example shown in FIG. 20, content registration is performed using a short-distance high-speed communication connection service based on IEEE802.11b on the street. Also in this example, it is assumed that a parent external device 484 such as an AV recorder is installed in the user's home. There is a station 932 for short-distance high-speed communication on the street. The station 932 mediates the connection between the network 62 and a device in the predetermined access point 934 capable of short-distance high-speed communication.

  Here, it is assumed that the user possesses the child external device 482 and the content relay device 480, and the content 720 is registered in the content relay device 480 from the child external device 482 at the outside location. After that, when the user moves to the vicinity of the short-range high-speed communication station 932 on the street and brings the content relay device 480 into the access point 934, the content relay device 480 is charged while the battery 92 has a margin or is charged. During execution, the content 720 is registered to the parent external device 484 via the station 932 and the network 62. At this time, the content relay device 480 acquires link information for reacquiring the content registered in the parent external device 484. In this way, by using the station 932 for short-distance high-speed communication on the street, it is possible to realize an environment in which the content obtained from the child external device 482 is relayed to the parent external device 484 even when away from home. In addition, since link information is also acquired at the time of registration with the parent external device 484, it is possible to easily restore the original data in a state where communication with the parent external device 484 is possible. When the content relay device 480 is brought into the access point 934, the user may be inquired whether or not to register with the parent external device 484. For example, when the user wants to avoid consuming the battery 92, it is possible to prevent the content from being registered by the user performing a predetermined operation.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of input devices such as a digital camera, it is possible to register contents from each of the input devices in the content relay device 480. Further, the input device having the relay function is also controlled by performing the content registration and organizing process during charging, so that there is no need to worry about draining both batteries, which is effective.

  In the processing of FIG. 17, the content registration is automatically stopped when the remaining battery level reaches 50%. However, a specification regarding the allowable amount of power that can be used for registration is received in advance from the user, and the amount is used as a reference. The contents may be registered.

  Note that the content relay device 480 receives a request for content reception from the child external device one item at a time and determines whether it can be accepted each time. However, the content relay device 480 processes a plurality of items of content at once. Also good. For example, when a request is received, the total capacity of acceptable content is returned together with an acceptable message, and the contents for a plurality of items selected according to the total capacity are received together from the child external device. You may do it.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the content relay device 480 relays content in one direction from the child external device 482 to the parent external device 484. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Mobile phones, PDAs, portable storage devices, and the like often have output capabilities for reproducing and outputting still images, moving images, audio, and the like. In view of this, the content relay apparatus according to the third embodiment described below goes out by a wide-area low-speed wireless communication network (hereinafter referred to as a “wide-area communication network”) using a mobile phone network or the like. Even before, communication is performed with the parent external device, and the content collected in the parent external device is acquired.

  When the storage resource of the content relay device is tight, the content is automatically moved to the parent external device. Further, when the content relay device needs the content moved to the parent external device, the content relay device acquires the content from the parent external device. For the user, the storage resource of the parent external device can be handled as a virtual storage resource of the content relay device, improving convenience.

  Furthermore, the content relay apparatus receives an input from the user as to what kind of content he / she wants to use using the content relay apparatus. Based on this input, internal storage resources are allocated according to the type of content. Then, the content is organized and acquired so that the content is stored in a distribution suitable for the purpose of use of the content relay apparatus.

  FIG. 21 shows a functional configuration of the content relay apparatus 750 of the present embodiment in a block diagram format. The content relay device 750 according to the present embodiment has the same battery 92, external power connector 94, power supply unit 108, power supply management unit 110, and the same as that of the content input device 80 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. And a display output unit 118, an external device management unit 504 that stores the same station list 506 as that of the content relay device 480 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  The content relay device 750 further replaces the communication unit 502, the content storage unit 104, and the content management unit 510 of the content relay device 480 according to the second embodiment, and performs short-distance high-speed communication with an external device. A first communication unit 764 for realizing communication, a second communication unit 766 for realizing communication in a wide area communication network, and content storage in which a storage area is virtually divided according to the purpose of use of the content relay device 750 In addition to the functions of the content management unit 510, the content management unit 762 has a function of transferring content to and from an external device by properly using the first communication unit 764 and the second communication unit 766 depending on the situation. . The content management unit 762 further has a function of setting a plurality of virtual storage areas in the content storage unit 760 and managing the free space for each storage area.

  The first communication unit 764 performs short-distance high-speed communication using, for example, IEEE 802.11b. Although it has a high physical transfer rate of 11 Mbps, it can only be used in limited areas where the communicable distance is short. On the other hand, the second communication unit 766 performs communication using, for example, a flat-rate packet communication network of a mobile phone. The communication speed is as low as 384 kbps, but the communicable distance is long and the communicable area is wide. Therefore, the content relay device 750 according to the present embodiment receives an outline of content (for example, linked content) by communication in the second communication unit, and enables high-speed communication in the first communication unit. As usual, content is exchanged with the external device via the first communication unit.

  FIG. 22 shows a configuration of the storage area in content storage unit 760 of the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 22, content storage unit 760 includes a plurality of storage areas 780A to 780E. Each of the plurality of storage areas 780A to 780E corresponds to the content type in the content attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4). For example, content belonging to a type such as a captured moving image and a captured still image is stored in the storage area 780B. The sizes of the storage areas 780A to 780E are not necessarily equal. In FIG. 22, the content storage unit 760 is divided into five storage areas, but this number is arbitrary. That is, the number and size of storage areas are set in accordance with a user setting operation corresponding to the purpose of use of content in the content relay device 750.

  FIG. 23 shows a functional configuration of the content management unit 762 in a block diagram format. Referring to FIG. 23, the content management unit 762 is connected to the same operation signal processing unit 200 and the first communication unit 764 as those of the content management unit 106 according to the first embodiment. The same content output management unit 210 and registration management unit 208 as those in the embodiment are included.

  The content management unit 762 uses the first communication unit 764 and the second communication unit 766 separately to output a user notification necessary for acquiring content, and in response to an operation performed by the user in response to the user notification. The storage management unit 802 for performing acquisition and classifying and storing content in the storage areas 780A to 780E in the content storage unit 760 based on the type, and the free capacity management unit 204 according to the first embodiment A free space management unit 804 having a function of performing a monitoring function of free space for each of the storage areas 780A to 780E of the content storage unit 760, and an organization management having a function of selecting a content to be organized for each of the storage areas 780A to 780E. Part 806. The content management unit 762 further sets the size of the storage areas 780A to 780E according to an operation input from the user, and notifies the free capacity management unit 804 of the capacity of each of the storage areas 780A to 780E. Including.

  When the size of the storage areas 780A to 780E is changed by the purpose setting unit 800, the remaining amount in the storage areas 780A to 780E also changes. The free space management unit 804 monitors the excess or deficiency of the remaining amount in each area based on the setting of the size of the storage areas 780A to 780E.

  The storage management unit 802 uses the second communication unit 766 to confirm the unreceived content in the parent external device, and further receives the attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) regarding the unreceived content, It is selected which of the first communication unit 764 and the second communication unit 766 is used for reception. That is, if the content size is small, the second communication unit 766 is used to receive the content over the wide area communication network. If the size of the content is large, the content is scheduled to be received, and link information that is information for re-acquisition of the content is received. An output for notifying the user of the presence of unreceived content is given to the display output unit 118. When it is possible to connect to a parent external device through short-distance high-speed communication using the first communication unit 764 in a state in which the content is scheduled to be received, the entity of the content is received using the first communication unit 764.

  FIG. 24 shows an example of a content list output when the storage management unit 802 according to the present embodiment makes a user notification. Referring to FIG. 24, content list 810 includes a plurality of entries corresponding to attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) stored in state storage unit 122, respectively. Each entry includes the acquisition date and time of the content represented by the attribute information 140 corresponding to the entry, the title of the content, and the subtitle. The content list 810 further includes a restore flag 812 that indicates whether or not the content entity is received from the parent external device, and a viewing progress 814 by the user of the content. In the entry corresponding to the attribute information 140 representing the content newly acquired from the parent external device, the item “restore flag 812” is displayed with a symbol “◯” indicating that the entry is scheduled to be acquired. . Alternatively, when the user desires to acquire content from the parent external device, when the user operates the cursor 816 of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) element and selects the item of the restore flag 812 in a desired entry, the item The symbol “○” is displayed on the screen. The viewing status takes one of the values “not yet”, “halfway”, and “done” indicating the state in which the user is not using the content, the state in use, and the state in use. This value is determined according to the value of the viewing point in the attribute information 140.

  The entry displayed in italics in the content list 810 of FIG. 24 indicates that the content entity represented by the attribute information corresponding to the entry is not stored in the content storage unit 760. The entry highlighted in bold and underline indicates that the viewing status value is set to “not yet” or “midway” in the entry. The content represented by the attribute information corresponding to such an entry includes a portion that is not used by the user. The user notification is not limited to using the content list 810, and may be a display for notifying the presence of content that has not yet been received or content that can be reacquired. Or a warning sound etc. may be sufficient.

  Similar to content relay apparatus 480 according to the second embodiment, content relay apparatus 750 of the present embodiment stores hardware that can execute a program, a program that is executed by the hardware, and hardware. This is realized by the data to be processed.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program for realizing processing in response to an operation for setting the purpose of use of the content relay apparatus 750 by the user. Referring to FIG. 25, when this program 820 is started, in step 822, an operation for setting a purpose of use is awaited. If an operation for setting the purpose of use is detected, the process proceeds to step 824. In step 824, the power supply state at that time is examined. If the remaining amount of the battery is a predetermined amount or more (for example, 70% or more of the full charge), or if the battery is being charged, the process proceeds to step 826. Otherwise, go to Step 834. In step 826, it is determined whether or not communication with an external apparatus whose type in the station list 506 is “ancestor” is possible. If communication is possible, the process proceeds to step 828. Otherwise, go to Step 834. In step 834, processing for canceling the reallocation of the storage area is performed. In the following step 836, the user is notified that the reallocation of the storage areas 780A to 780E according to the operation has not been executed, and the process returns to step 822.

  On the other hand, in step 828, the storage areas 780A to 780E are redistributed. That is, the sizes of the storage areas 780A to 780E are recalculated according to the given contents of the purpose change operation.

  In step 830, for each of the storage areas 780A to 780E, the excess of content with respect to the size of the storage areas 780A to 780E after redistribution is arranged. That is, the registered contents belonging to the storage area are linked in order from the oldest until the total of the current sizes of the contents belonging to the storage area becomes equal to or smaller than the size after the reallocation of the storage area. In all the storage areas 780A to 780E, when the total of the current sizes of the contents belonging to the storage area is equal to or smaller than the size of the storage area after redistribution, the process proceeds to step 832.

  In step 832, the content is acquired from the external device, the content is supplemented to each of the storage areas 780 </ b> A to 780 </ b> E, and the program 820 is ended. In order to keep the content up-to-date, the processing of step 830 and step 832 may be repeated at regular intervals such as 2 hours. Hereinafter, the processing in step 832 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program that realizes an operation in which the content relay device 750 acquires content from the parent external device and replenishes each of the storage areas 780A to 780E. Referring to FIG. 26, when this program 850 is started, in step 852, a reception reservation flag indicating whether or not there is a plan to receive content by short-distance high-speed communication is initialized. In the example shown in FIG. 26, the predetermined value “0” indicating that there is no plan is set. In step 854, it is determined whether a content notification is received from the parent external device via the wide area communication network. If received, go to step 856. Otherwise, go to step 858. In step 856, after performing simple reception processing for receiving link information and thumbnail images of the content via the wide area communication network, the process proceeds to step 858. The processing in step 856 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step 858, it is determined whether or not there is a short-distance high-speed communication station within a range in which short-distance high-speed communication is possible. If a communicable station is detected, the process proceeds to step 860. Otherwise return to step 854.

  In step 860, it is determined whether there is unregistered content. If unregistered content exists, the process proceeds to step 862. Otherwise, go to step 864. In step 862, content registration processing similar to the program 380 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is performed by short-distance high-speed communication.

  In step 864, the value of the reception reservation flag is determined. If the value of the reception reservation flag is a value “1” indicating the presence of content reception, the process proceeds to step 866. Otherwise return to step 854. In step 866, the short-distance high-speed communication connects to the parent external device listed in the station list 506, receives new content from the parent external device, and then proceeds to step 868. The processing in step 866 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step 868, the value of the reception reservation flag is reset to “0”, and the process returns to step 854. Note that the processing of each step shown in FIG. 26 is interrupted when communication is interrupted or when the battery 92 is tight, and resumes from the point of interruption when the state of the communication or the battery 92 is restored. .

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the control structure of the simple reception process performed in step 856 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 27, when simplified reception processing 880 is started, in step 882, connection is made to an external device via a wide area communication network, and attribute information 140 of content not received from the external device is stored for one item. Receive. In step 884, the attribute information 140 received in step 882 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the current size of the content corresponding to the attribute information 140 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. For example, if it is determined that the size is 1 megabyte or more, the process proceeds to step 886. Otherwise, go to step 890. In step 886, link information indicating the location of the content in the parent external device, a thumbnail image, and the like are received. In step 888, the reception reservation flag is set to 1 and the process proceeds to step 892.

  In step 890, the entire content is received from the external device via the wide area communication network. In step 892, the presence / absence of unreceived content is determined. If there is no unreceived content, the process proceeds to step 894. If there is unreceived content, the process returns to step 882. In step 894, the content list 810 is displayed to notify the user of the result of a series of processing from step 882 to step 892.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the control structure of the content reception process executed in step 866 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 28, when content reception processing 900 is started, in step 902, among the contents held by the external device and not held by content relay device 750, the latest acquisition date and time is processed. The attribute information 140 regarding the content is read out. In step 904, with reference to the attribute information 140 stored for the content already held by the content relay device 750, the one with the oldest acquisition date / time is selected from among those whose change status is set to “unorganized”. The acquisition date / time in the selected attribute information 140 is compared with the acquisition date / time of the content to be processed. If the acquisition date / time in the selected attribute information 140 is older than the acquisition date / time of the content to be processed, the process proceeds to step 906. Otherwise, the content reception process 900 ends.

  In step 906, based on the type of content to be processed, a storage region to which the content belongs should be selected from the storage regions 780A to 780E, the actual free space in the storage region, and the current size of the content to be processed. And compare. If the actual free space in the storage area is greater than or equal to the current size of the content, the process proceeds to step 908. Otherwise, go to step 910. If processed content is prepared in advance in accordance with the output performance of the content relay device 750 in the parent external device, the current size of the processed content prepared is used for comparison. Alternatively, the amount of data after processing according to the output performance in the content relay device 750 may be estimated in advance and used for comparison.

  In step 908, the content to be processed is acquired from the parent external device and stored, and the process returns to step 902. In step 910, the oldest unorganized content among the contents belonging to the storage area selected in step 906 is organized, and the process returns to step 904.

  The content relay apparatus of this embodiment operates as follows. First, an operation for selecting content according to the setting of the purpose of use of the content relay device 750 by the user will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 21, when the user performs an operation for changing the purpose of use of the content relay apparatus using operation input unit 102, operation input unit 102 generates a corresponding operation signal. The operation signal is given to the purpose setting unit 800 via the operation signal processing unit 200 of the content management unit 762 shown in FIG. In response to the operation signal, the purpose setting unit 800 determines whether or not the content relay apparatus 750 is in a state where the usage purpose can be changed. That is, information on the power supply state is acquired from the power supply management unit 110 to check the power supply status. If the remaining battery level has fallen below a predetermined value, the change of the objective setting is rejected. In addition, even when it is not possible to connect to the parent external device via the first communication unit 764, the change operation of the purpose setting is rejected and a message indicating that is displayed on the display output unit 118.

  If the purpose of use can be changed, the purpose setting unit 800 creates an operation screen for the user to change the setting of the purpose of use and causes the display output unit 118 to display the operation screen.

  FIG. 29 shows an example of an operation screen for performing use purpose change settings. Referring to FIG. 29, screen 920 includes a schematic display 922 of storage areas 780A to 780E (see FIG. 22) of content storage unit 760, and an arrow 924 that is a GUI element for realizing a change operation on the GUI. Is displayed. In this screen 920, the total storage capacity of the content storage unit 760 is also displayed.

  For example, an operation when the user changes the capacity of a certain storage area will be described. An operation for aligning the arrow 924 with the boundary on the right side of the target storage area is performed. As a result, the target storage area is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the storage area 780B of “album” shown in FIG. 22 is selected as a change target. For example, when the user moves the cursor to the right, the set value of the size of the “album” storage area 780B (see FIG. 22) on the left of the boundary increases following the movement, and the “general purpose” storage area The set value of the size of 780E is decreased. Conversely, when the cursor is moved to the left, the set value of the size of the “album” storage area 780B decreases and the set value of the size of the “general purpose” storage area 780E increases. When an operation signal corresponding to this setting value changing operation is generated by the operation input unit 102 and given to the purpose setting unit 800 via the operation signal processing unit 200 shown in FIG. 23 of the content management unit 762, the purpose setting unit 800. Gives the setting value of the size of each of the storage areas 780A to 780E to the free space management unit 804. When the setting values of the sizes of the storage areas 780A to 780E are given, the free space management unit 804 compares the size setting values with the total of the current sizes of the contents belonging to the storage areas 780A to 780E at the present time. . Among the storage areas 780A to 780E, if there is a storage area where the total of the current size exceeds the set value, the organization management unit 806 displays the type of content belonging to the storage area and the excess of the total of the current size with respect to the set value. Notify Also, if there is a storage area where the total of the current size is less than or equal to the set value, the actual free space and remaining amount after redistribution in that storage area are calculated, the type of content belonging to that storage area, and after redistribution Is notified to the storage management unit 802.

  Based on the attribute information 140 of the content belonging to the notified content type stored in the state storage unit 122, the organization management unit 806 selects the content to be organized in a combination that can reduce the excess data. It selects and requests the organizing unit 512 to organize the content. The organizing unit 512 organizes content according to this request.

  In response to the notification from the free space management unit 804, the storage management unit 802 executes an operation of acquiring content from an external device and storing it in the content storage unit 760 within a range that can be stored in the free space of the storage area.

  FIG. 30 schematically shows content acquisition operation by content relay apparatus 750 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 30, a network 62 includes a first station 932 that mediates the connection between the content relay device 750 and the network 62 by short-distance high-speed communication, and the content relay device 750 and the network 62 by a wide area communication network. A second station 940 that mediates the connection is connected. The first communication unit 764 of the content relay apparatus 750 illustrated in FIG. 21 performs communication with the first station 932. The second communication unit 766 performs communication with the second station 940.

  High-speed communication is possible with the first station 932 and large amounts of data can be exchanged, but the communicable area 934 is limited to a narrow range. On the other hand, communication via the second station 940 has a low communication speed and is not suitable for exchanging large amounts of data, but covers a wide geographical area and can always exchange information. Therefore, the storage management unit 802 of the content relay device 750 first checks whether there is content that has not yet been acquired in the parent external device 752 through communication using the second communication unit 766 through the wide-area communication network. To do. The presence of content is confirmed as follows, for example. When new content is accumulated, the parent external device notifies the content relay device 750 of the presence of the new content by communication via the wide area communication network. When the second communication unit 766 receives this notification, the storage management unit 802 uses the second reception unit 766 to receive the attribute information 140 about the unreceived content from the parent external device 752 and receives the unreceived content. Specify the current size of the content. When the size of unreceived content is large, it takes time to receive the content using the second communication unit 766, and power in the battery 92 is also consumed. Therefore, when the specified current size is 1 megabyte or more, the storage management unit 802 does not receive the content substance, acquires only the link information 942 of the content, and sets the value of the reception reservation flag to “1”. Keep it.

  If the current size is less than 1 megabyte, the second communication unit 766 is used to receive the content. At this time, the acquisition date attribute of the acquired attribute information 140 is confirmed, and if the content is old, reception of the content entity is canceled. If there is no actual free space in the storage area corresponding to the content type, the content belonging to the type is organized and free space is secured. When the free space is secured, the content entity is stored in the corresponding storage area of the content storage unit 760.

  The storage management unit 802 selectively performs only acquisition of link information and acquisition of entities for all new contents in the parent external device 752. If the value of the reception reservation flag is 1 at the stage when this operation is completed, the large-size content is not yet received. Therefore, the storage management unit 802 causes the display output unit 118 to display a notification for informing the user of that fact.

  Referring to FIG. 30, when the user sees the notification and moves content relay device 750 to access point 934 capable of high-speed communication with the first station, storage management unit of content relay device 750 802 performs content registration by the same operation as the content relay device 480 according to the second embodiment. Further, the entity 944 of the unreceived content is received from the parent external device 752 with reference to the link information 942.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the notification of new content is received by the second communication unit 766 that covers a wide geographical range and can always receive information. When the content size is large, it is received at a place where short-range high-speed communication is available. With this configuration, it is possible to quickly notify the user of the occurrence of new content. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid a reception operation by the low-speed second communication unit 766 that takes a long time, and power consumption in the battery 92 can be reduced. Further, when the content can be acquired by the low-speed second communication unit 766 for a sufficiently short time and at a low cost, the content can also be acquired by the second communication unit 766. Therefore, convenience for the user is improved.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the content for one item is a predetermined size or more, and the reception of the entity of the content and the reception of the link information 942 are selectively performed according to the determination result. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to selectively receive the entity and the link information 942 depending on whether or not the total size of the contents for a plurality of items is a predetermined amount or more. Good.

  In addition, since the user's viewing situation is also propagated together, it is possible to continuously view the same or a plurality of contents across a plurality of devices.

<Modification of Third Embodiment>
The content relay device 750 according to the present embodiment simply receives the content when connected to the parent external device through the wide area communication network using the second communication unit 766. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, even when the first communication unit 764 is used to connect to the parent external device, the content is simply received according to the communication path from the parent external device to the content relay device 750, or the content entity is You may make it use properly whether to receive.

  FIG. 31 shows an outline of content exchange in such a modification. Referring to FIG. 31, a first station 932 and a second station 940 similar to those shown in FIG. 30 are connected to the network 62. In this modification, communication between the content relay device 750 and the second station 940 is mediated by a portable third station 950 having a function of performing both a wide area communication network and short-range high-speed communication. For example, the third station is a mobile phone held by the user. The third station 950 communicates with the second station 940 through a wide area communication network, and communicates with the content relay device 750 through short-distance high-speed communication.

  The content relay apparatus 750 according to this modification has a station list similar to the station list 506 shown in FIG. However, the station list in this modification includes an entry corresponding to the third station 950. The value of the relationship in the entry corresponding to the third station 950 is set to “mate”. In the station list according to this modification, at least an entry corresponding to the third station 950 includes information regarding the function as the third station. That is, it includes information indicating whether or not the device corresponding to the entry has a relay function, and information indicating the communication speed when the device is connected to the network 62.

  Referring again to FIG. 31, first station 932 and third station 950 are similar in that both are counterpart stations for communication by first communication unit 764 (see FIG. 21) of content relay device 750. However, communication between the third station 950 and the second station 940 is performed using a wide area communication network. Therefore, when the content relay device 750 is connected to the parent external device 752 via the third station 950, the communication speed is slow. Further, the communication between the third station 950 and the second station 940 covers a wide geographical area and can always exchange information. When the user carries the third station 950 and the content relay device 750, the third station 950 and the content relay device 750 are located within a communicable range at all times or when the user desires. Therefore, information can be exchanged with devices connected to the network 62 over a wide geographical area. As a result, when the content relay device 750 connects to the parent external device 752 via the third station 950, the communication status is determined by the wide area communication network performed using the second communication unit 766 shown in FIG. Similar to communication.

  Therefore, in this modification, when a connectable station is detected by the first communication unit 764, the station is a station with a low communication speed, such as the third station 950, or the first station or the parent station It is determined whether the station has a high communication speed like the external device 752 itself. Depending on the result, it is determined whether to perform simplified reception or to perform content registration and entity reception.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed in place of the program 850 shown in FIG. 26 in the above modification. Referring to FIG. 32, when this program is started, the reception reservation flag is set to 0 in step 852 similar to program 850 shown in FIG. In step 958, it is waited until a station capable of communication by short-distance high-speed communication is detected. If a communicable station is detected, the process proceeds to step 960. In step 960, it is determined whether or not the detected station is a low-speed relay station having a low communication speed like the third station 950 shown in FIG. For example, if the communication speed between the detected station and the external device is less than 1 Mbps, it is determined that the station is a low-speed relay station, and the process proceeds to step 962. Otherwise, go to step 964.

  In step 962, it is determined whether the polling interval is sufficient. That is, it is determined whether the elapsed time from the previous connection is a predetermined interval, for example, 10 minutes or more. If it is 10 minutes or longer, the process proceeds to step 856. Otherwise, return to step 958. In step 856, the simplified reception process shown in FIG. 27 is executed, and the process returns to step 958.

  In step 964, it is determined whether the station detected in step 958 is a high-speed relay station that performs high-speed communication with an external device or the parent external device 752 itself. For example, if the communication speed between the detected station and the external device is 1 Mbps or more, the station is determined to be a high-speed relay station. In this case, the process proceeds to the same step 860 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, after each step up to step 868, the process returns to step 958. If neither the high-speed relay station nor the parent external device 752, the process proceeds to step 966. In step 966, processing different from simple reception processing, content registration, and content reception is performed, and the processing returns to step 958.

  In this modification, it is determined whether to simply receive the content or to receive the substance of the content, based on the communication speed when communication is performed via the detected connectable station. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, it may be determined whether to simply receive the content or to receive the substance of the content based on a communication fee when communication is performed via the detected station.

  For example, the entry corresponding to the third station 950 in the station list includes information indicating whether the communication fee when the apparatus is connected to the network 62 is a pay-as-you-go system or a flat-rate system. When a station is detected, it is determined whether or not the station is a station that performs communication based on a pay-as-you-go system. For example, if the communication fee when connected via the detected station is a pay-as-you-go system, simple reception is performed, and if it is a flat-rate system, the entity is received. Furthermore, information regarding communication charges, communication speeds, power consumption, and the like may be integrated to determine whether to perform simple reception or actual reception.

  In the third embodiment, when changing the purpose of use, the purpose change setting screen 920 shown in FIG. 29 is displayed, and the user directly determines the allocation of the storage area of the content storage unit 760. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. FIG. 33 shows another example of the purpose change setting screen. Referring to FIG. 33, this purpose change setting screen 990 includes a first mode 992 for selecting a mode from a list 992 of modes for each purpose of use and a mode listed in the mode list 992. A cursor 996, a concentration graph 994 indicating how much storage resources are concentrated in the main storage area in the mode selected by the first cursor 996, and a second for the user to set the concentration The cursor 998 is included.

  When changing the purpose using the purpose change setting screen 990, the user first selects from the list 992 a mode that matches the purpose of use desired by the user with the first cursor 996. For example, it is assumed that the user selects “video album mode”. In this case, of the storage areas 780A to 780E in the content storage unit 760, the storage area 780B corresponding to this mode is set as the main storage area, and the storage area 780 is the largest storage in the content storage unit 760. The storage area is reallocated so that it becomes an area. In the concentration degree graph 994, the ratio of the size of the main storage area 780B to the total storage capacity of the content storage unit 760 is displayed. When the user performs an operation to raise or lower the second cursor so that the degree of concentration becomes a desired ratio, the memory area 780B is stored so that the size of the storage area 780B becomes a desired ratio with respect to the total storage capacity in response to the operation. Reallocate space. Storage areas are allocated to the storage areas 780A and 780C to 780E so that the ratio of the size before change is maintained in the areas other than the storage area 780B.

  By using such a purpose change setting screen 990, the user can store the contents in a distribution suitable for the desired purpose of use without individually setting the sizes of the storage areas 780A to 780E. it can.

  Note that the mode shown in the list 992 is not limited to the mode corresponding to any one of the storage areas. For example, there may be a mode corresponding to an abstract purpose of use that does not have a direct relationship with the type of content, such as business and entertainment.

  In simplified reception processing 880 shown in FIG. 27, when it is determined in step 892 that there is no unreceived content, user notification is made in step 894 using content list 810 (see FIG. 24). However, the user notification may be performed only when there is content that has not been notified to the user among the contents received in the series of steps from step 882 to step 892. For example, the attribute information 140 further includes notification history information representing a history of user notification for the content. Further, in the content relay device 750, a notification flag indicating whether or not a user notification is necessary is prepared.

  When the attribute information 140 is received in step 882, the information representing the notification history is synchronized between the parent external device and the content relay device 750. As a result of the synchronization, if the content corresponding to the attribute information 140 is not notified to the user, the user notification flag is set to a predetermined value indicating that the user notification is necessary. In step 894, first, it is determined whether or not the user notification flag is set to the predetermined value. If it is set to a predetermined value, a user notification is made, and the information representing the notification history regarding the content subject to notification is changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contents to be sorted or deleted are selected in order from the ones that have been registered and that have the oldest acquisition date and time. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, based on the attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4), the storage importance that is an index of the importance of storing the content is calculated by a predetermined calculation method, and the storage importance is sorted in descending order. Alternatively, deletion can be performed.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a control structure of processing for calculating the storage importance of the content based on the attribute information 140 (see FIG. 4) stored in the state storage unit 122. In the storage importance calculation processing 1010 shown in FIG. 34, the storage importance is 0 or a positive integer value, and the larger the value, the higher the importance of storing.

  When the storage importance calculation process 1010 is started, in step 1012, the storage importance of the target content is initialized to zero.

  In step 1014, whether the content is public or private is determined based on the content's public / private information. That is, if the value of public / private information is set to “private content”, the process proceeds to step 1016. If it is set to “public content”, the process proceeds to step 1018. In step 1016, 50 is added to the storage importance. Since private content is created and managed by the user personally, the possibility of being ubiquitous is low, and once the content is lost, it cannot be obtained again. In addition, there is a high possibility of repeated use. On the other hand, since public content is publicly distributed by providers other than users, there is a high possibility that it will be ubiquitous, and it is often easy to re-acquire this content from the provider even if it is lost. . Furthermore, the possibility of repeated use by users is low compared to private content. Therefore, the storage importance of private content is generally calculated higher than that of public content.

  In step 1018, based on the value of the favorite level in the attribute information 140, the user's evaluation of the content is reflected in the storage importance level. Here, an integer value from 0 to 30 having a positive correlation with the favorite degree values from 1 to 5 is calculated by a predetermined function, and the integer value is added to the storage importance. When the value of the favorite degree is not set, an integer value calculated when the value of the favorite degree is 3 is added to the storage importance degree. Thereby, the storage importance of the content highly evaluated by the user is set to a high value, and the subjective evaluation of the user with respect to the content is reflected in the storage importance.

  In the subsequent step 1020, the viewing state of the content is evaluated, and the evaluation is reflected on the storage importance. The viewing state refers to information that can be collected by the content management apparatus 60 as to how much content is used by the user, such as whether viewing is interrupted (that is, whether viewing points are set). In the evaluation of the viewing state, whether or not the content is being viewed by the user is evaluated by determining whether or not the reproduction start point exists in the middle of the content in the attribute information 140. Specifically, if there is a playback start point included in the content, 10 is added to the storage importance. When a plurality of playback start points can be set, an integer value obtained by multiplying the set number of viewing points by 10 is added to the storage importance level. As a result, the storage priority of the content in which many viewing start points are recorded is set high.

  Furthermore, if information on the number of times of viewing and the frequency of the content by the user can be obtained, it may be reflected in the evaluation. If the user has completed viewing once, the memory importance level is left as it is, and for content that the user has viewed twice or more, the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the total number of viewing times is multiplied by 5 Add to the degree. As a result, the storage priority of content that is viewed repeatedly over and over, such as favorite movies, favorite private photos, and private videos, is set high, and stored preferentially in the content storage device. . For still images, display time may be taken into account in addition to the number of times. In addition, when information regarding the content viewing schedule by the user is obtained, the information may be taken into consideration. For example, if the user plans to view a certain content, 50 is added to the storage importance.

  In step 1022, the possibility that the content will be viewed by the user in the future is predicted, and the possibility is reflected in the importance of storage. This possibility is evaluated by paying attention to the following points, and is included in the importance of memory. For example, a certain first content may have a specific relationship with another second content. In such a case, if the user frequently views the second content, it is estimated that the possibility that the user will view the first content is increased. Therefore, if there is other content that suggests the possibility of being viewed by the user, the possibility of the content being viewed by the user is predicted in consideration of the viewing state of the other content. . For example, regarding the content, when the program information 160 shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, the possibility that the content is viewed is evaluated based on the program information 160. That is, referring to the items of “program NO” and “program type” of the program information 160, the content to be evaluated is combined with other content such as a series such as a series drama or a regular program broadcast periodically. Whether or not the content is predicted to be viewed. When the content to be evaluated corresponds to such content, the content related to the evaluation target, such as the content of another time in the series, is searched, and the ratio of the found content viewed by the user is calculated. Then, a value obtained by multiplying the ratio by 10 is added to the storage importance.

  In step 1024, the freshness of the content is evaluated, and the evaluation is reflected on the importance of storage so that the higher the freshness, the smaller the possibility of being erased. For example, the storage importance is adjusted as follows. That is, the elapsed days from the date indicated by the “acquisition date” of the attribute information 140 to the present are obtained. Next, the reciprocal of the elapsed days is multiplied by a predetermined constant (for example, 30), and the first decimal place is rounded off to an integer value. The value obtained in this way becomes larger as the content is newer. Therefore, this value is used as the freshness evaluation value. This evaluation value is added to the storage importance.

  In step 1026, it is evaluated whether or not the evaluation target can be easily reacquired, and the evaluation is reflected on the importance of storage. When the possibility of reacquisition is high, there are many cases where contents may be organized. This is because the original content may be reacquired when necessary. Therefore, the reacquisition index may be determined so that the importance of the content is low when the reacquisition possibility is high and the importance of the content is high when the reacquisition possibility is low.

  This evaluation is performed as follows, for example. If the link information is not stored in the item “information for reacquisition” in the attribute information 140, it is evaluated whether or not reacquisition is possible, and 1 is set as the evaluation value. If link information is stored, it is evaluated that re-acquisition is possible, and the evaluation value is set to 2. Further, when information indicating a read-only recording medium or the like is set as the reacquisition information, it is evaluated that the reacquisition possibility is higher, and the evaluation value is set to 3. Thereafter, a value obtained by dividing the storage importance by the above-described evaluation value and truncating after the decimal point is set as a new storage importance.

  In step 1028, the size of the content to be evaluated is evaluated, and the evaluation value is reflected in the storage importance. Generally speaking, in the case of content with a large size, there is a high possibility that it can be further compressed. Therefore, the idea that a larger-sized content may be easily selected as an organizing target is established. Therefore, for example, the value of the current size in the attribute information 140 is referred to specify how many bytes the current size of the content to be evaluated is. For this number of bytes, a logarithm with a base of 10 is obtained and used as an evaluation value. Alternatively, the evaluation value is the number of digits when the number of bytes of the file size is expressed as a decimal number. Further, the importance of storage at this point is divided by the evaluation value, and a value obtained by rounding off the first decimal place so as to be an integer value is set as a new importance of storage. The reason why the logarithm or the number of digits is used as the evaluation value of the size is that the larger the size, the smaller the meaning of the absolute value of the size.

  Note that the freshness of the content may be evaluated by summing up the past viewing history of the user. For example, the content attribute information 140 stores an array A (i) (i = 1 to N) in which the time at which content viewing by the user is completed is stored for a predetermined N times of viewing. As a function of the array A (i), a function is prepared such that the function value monotonously decreases as the elapsed time from the viewing completion time stored in these elements to the current time increases. The value of the function is calculated for the evaluation value PF.

  For example, PT is the current time, C1 and C2 are both constants, and PF is the freshness evaluation value. At this time, it is conceivable to obtain the freshness evaluation value PF as follows.

図３５に、上記した式を用いて算出される評価値ＰＦの、時間に対する変化の一例を示す。図３５を参照して、コンテンツ属性情報１４０の「取得日時」により示される日から、１日目、７日目、１３日目、１４日目、及び１６日目に当該コンテンツを視聴したものとする。評価値ＰＦは、これらの日に増加し、その他の日には時間の経過とともに減少している。したがってこのような配列と関数とを用いることにより、過去の利用履歴を反映させてコンテンツの鮮度を評価できる。

FIG. 35 shows an example of a change with respect to time of the evaluation value PF calculated using the above formula. Referring to FIG. 35, the content is viewed on the first, seventh, thirteenth, fourteenth, and sixteenth days from the date indicated by “acquisition date” of content attribute information 140. To do. The evaluation value PF increases on these days, and decreases on the other days with the passage of time. Therefore, by using such an array and function, the freshness of content can be evaluated by reflecting past usage history.

  Note that the function for the evaluation value PF is not limited to the one described above. As described above, if the elapsed time from the viewing completion time stored in each array to the current time increases, the value becomes monotonous. Any thing that decreases is acceptable. Also in the above formula, the constants of C1 and C2 may be changed according to the content type. For example, the coefficients C1 and C2 are changed between a case where evaluation is performed on content in which freshness is important such as breaking news and weather forecast, and a case in which content is relatively unimportant such as drama and movie. Also good.

  Note that the content input device 80 according to the first embodiment may have the content acquisition function of the content relay device 750 according to the third embodiment. Since each device related to content acquisition, relay, and storage has such a content acquisition function, the user can handle the storage resources of each of these devices in an integrated manner. That is, in any device, a storage area for storing newly obtained content can be secured at any time, and the obtained content can be used from any device at any time. Therefore, convenience is improved.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire system including a content input device 80 according to a first embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content input device 80. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the station list | wrist 116 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the attribute information 140 of the content memorize | stored in the content status memory | storage part 122 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the program information obtained by program guide. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content management unit 106. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a computer that implements the functions of a content input device 80. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which makes the computer 220 implement | achieve the process which acquires new content. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the content organization program. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which implement | achieves the registration process of the content at the time of starting with the supply of the electric power from a battery. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which implement | achieves the registration process of the content when charging is performed. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the system containing the content relay apparatus 480 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content relay device 480. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the station list | wrist 506 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a content management unit 510. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which makes a computer implement | achieve the process which acquires the new content in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the content rearrangement program performed with the content acquisition program in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which implement | achieves the registration process of the content when charge is performed in 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of operation | movement of the content relay apparatus 480 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of another operation | movement of the content relay apparatus 480 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the content relay apparatus 750 of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a storage area in a content storage unit 760. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a content management unit 762. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a content list. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for implement | achieving the process in response to the setting operation of a use purpose. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program which implement | achieves the operation | movement which acquires content from the parent external device. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the simple reception process performed in step 856 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the reception process of the content performed in step 866 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen for performing change setting of a purpose of use. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing content acquisition operation by the content relay device 750. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the modification of 3rd Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program that realizes an operation in which a content relay device 750 acquires content from a parent external device in a modification of the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the purpose change setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the process which calculates the storage importance of a content. It is a graph showing the change of the evaluation value PF of freshness at the time of using another evaluation method regarding the freshness of content.

Explanation of symbols

  64A, 64B, 64C, 482A, 482B, 484, 752 External device, 80 content input device, 92 battery, 94 external power connector, 100 content acquisition unit, 102 operation input unit, 104, 760 content storage unit, 106, 510, 762 Content management unit, 108 Power supply unit, 110 Power supply management unit, 112, 502 Communication unit, 114, 504 External device management unit, 116, 506 Station list, 118 Display output unit, 120, 512 Organizing unit, 122 Status storage unit, 124 output performance storage unit, 140 attribute information, 200 operation signal processing unit, 202, 520, 802 storage management unit, 204, 804 free capacity management unit, 206, 806 organization management unit, 208 registration management unit, 210 content output management unit 222 camera, 224 input device 226 output device, 228 CPU, 230 bus, 232 memory, 234 nonvolatile memory, 236 network connection circuit, 238 wireless connection circuit, 480, 480A, 480B, 750 content relay device, 780A-780E storage area, 810 content list

Claims (34)

A temporary storage device for electronic information for temporarily storing electronic information in a predetermined recording medium,
Storage means for receiving electronic information from a predetermined input source and storing the electronic information in the recording medium;
For each piece of electronic information stored in the recording medium, state storage means for storing state information representing the state of the electronic information;
In response to the new electronic information being stored in the recording medium, the state information relating to the new electronic information is generated in the state storage means, and the state information is set to a first value determined in advance. State information initialization means for initialization;
In response to searching for an external device and being able to communicate with a predetermined external device, electronic information in the recording medium having the first value as the corresponding status information is stored in the external device. Output means for outputting and registering to,
In response to the electronic information being output to the external device by the output means, the value of the state information corresponding to the electronic information is updated with a second value that is different from the first value. Updating means for
In response to the satisfaction of a predetermined processing start condition, the electronic information in the recording medium has the second value as the corresponding state information and is processed by a predetermined processing method. A temporary storage device for electronic information, including processing means for processing a data amount that can be reduced by the processing method. The processing means has the second value as the corresponding status information among the electronic information stored in the recording medium in response to the processing start condition being satisfied, and The electronic information according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting a data amount that can be reduced by converting to a predetermined information format in the temporary storage device into the predetermined information format. Temporary storage device. The temporary storage device further includes reproduction output means for reproducing electronic information,
3. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 1, wherein an information format corresponding to the performance of electronic information reproduction output by the reproduction output means is designated as the predetermined information format. The temporary storage of electronic information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for causing a user to select one of the electronic information to be excluded from processing objects by the processing means. apparatus. The electronic information is temporarily stored in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising input means for preparing electronic information by a predetermined preparation method and giving the electronic information to the storage means. Storage device. The electronic information belongs to one of a plurality of predetermined types,
The electronic information temporary storage device further includes:
6. Temporary storage of electronic information according to claim 5, comprising distribution means for allocating a data amount that can be used to store electronic information of the type in the recording medium for each of the types. apparatus. Further, among the types, the data amount of the electronic information belonging to the type and stored in the recording medium exceeds the data amount distributed by the distribution unit as a result of the distribution of the data amount by the distribution unit. 7. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 6, further comprising means for releasing an area in which the electronic information belonging to the type is stored in the recording medium. Furthermore, among the types, the electronic information stored in the recording medium belonging to the type and whose data amount is less than the data amount distributed by the distributing unit is electronically recorded by the input unit. 8. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 6 or 7, comprising means for requesting preparation and input of information.   The distribution means is used to receive a setting input of a purpose of use of the recording medium from a user and store electronic information of the type in the recording medium for each of the types based on the setting input. 9. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 6, further comprising means for allocating the amount of data that can be stored. 6. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 5, wherein said input means includes electronic information generating means for generating electronic information in response to a predetermined operation input and supplying the electronic information to said storage means. 11. The electronic information generating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electronic information generating means includes imaging means for generating electronic information of an image by performing imaging in response to a predetermined operation input and supplying the information to the storage means. A temporary storage device for information. 6. The temporary electronic information according to claim 5, wherein the input means includes electronic information receiving means for receiving the electronic information from a predetermined device and providing the received electronic information to the storage means. Storage device. Furthermore, attribute information receiving means for receiving attribute information representing attributes of electronic information that can be provided by the predetermined device from the predetermined device;
Means for determining a communication speed with the predetermined device,
The electronic information receiving means receives electronic information corresponding to the attribute information from the predetermined device and provides it to the storage means in response to the attribute information and the communication speed satisfying a predetermined condition. 13. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 12, further comprising: means for storing the electronic information. 14. The storage device according to claim 13, further comprising a holding unit for holding reception of the electronic information by the means for giving in response to the attribute information and the communication speed not satisfying the predetermined condition. Temporary storage device for electronic information. 15. The electronic information according to claim 14, further comprising notification means for making a predetermined notification indicating the hold to the user in response to the hold means holding the reception of the electronic information. Temporary storage device. Furthermore, an output condition determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined output condition is satisfied,
In response to determining that the output condition is satisfied by the output condition determination unit, including a communication permission unit for permitting communication between the output unit and the external device,
The output means responds to the fact that communication with the predetermined external device is possible only when communication is permitted by the communication permission means, and corresponds to the electronic information in the recording medium. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 1, wherein status information having the first value is output to the external device and registered . The electronic information according to claim 16, wherein the output condition determination means includes power supply status determination means for determining whether or not power supply to the electronic information temporary storage device can be expected to be uninterrupted. Temporary storage device. The processing start condition includes a condition that the electronic information by the updating means having a status information said updated to the second value is in the recording medium, and it is expected that the power supply is not interrupted, claim The electronic information temporary storage device according to 16. The output condition determining means is configured such that a sum of the free space in the recording medium and the data amount of the electronic information in the recording medium having the second value as the corresponding state information is a predetermined reference value The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 16, further comprising medium use state determination means for determining whether or not a condition that the condition is below is satisfied. The processing start condition includes a condition that the electronic information is output and registered in the external device by the output unit,
In response to the satisfaction of the processing start condition, the processing means is one that is output to the external device by the output means from the electronic information in the recording medium, and is a predetermined processing method. 20. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 19, further comprising means for processing a data whose amount can be reduced by processing by the processing method. In response to the communication with the predetermined external device via a communication path satisfying a predetermined standard, the output means outputs corresponding status information among the electronic information in the recording medium. 21. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting and registering the first value to the external device. In response to the fact that the means for outputting can communicate with the predetermined external device via a communication path satisfying a condition that a communication speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference speed, the recording medium 24. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 21, wherein the electronic information in the information having the first value as the corresponding state information is output to the external device. Further, in the recording medium, a predicting unit for predicting a size of an area necessary for the storage unit to store new electronic information;
In response to the size of the required area being larger than the free area in the recording medium, the corresponding area in the recording medium until the size of the free area exceeds the size of the required area. Release means for releasing an area where electronic information having a second value as the state information is stored;
The storage means receives electronic information from a predetermined input source only when a free area larger than the required area exists in the recording medium, and stores the electronic information in the recording medium. The electronic information temporary storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, further comprising conditional storage means for storing. Further, in response to the electronic information being output to the external device by the output means, for preparing reacquisition information for reference when reacquiring the electronic information from the external device Including means,
In response to the size of the required area being larger than the free area in the recording medium, the releasing means is predetermined regarding electronic information having a second value as the corresponding status information in the recording medium. Electronic information having the second value in the recording medium until the size of the free area exceeds the size of the required area 24. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 23, comprising means for substituting the information with the alternative information. The conditional storage means includes
Temporary holding means for temporarily holding given electronic information; and
Means for storing electronic information held in the temporary holding means in the recording medium in response to the existence of a free area in the recording medium that is larger than the required area size. ,
24. The electronic information according to claim 23, wherein the predicting means includes means for predicting the size of the necessary area based on the size of the electronic information held in the temporary holding means. Temporary storage device. The conditional storage means includes
Size information acquisition means for acquiring size information of electronic information from the predetermined input source;
Means for obtaining electronic information from the predetermined input source and storing it in the recording medium in response to the existence of a free area in the recording medium that is larger than the required area. ,
24. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 23, wherein the prediction means includes means for predicting the size of the necessary area based on the size information. Further, the size of the necessary area is based on the size of the area obtained by combining the empty area existing in the recording medium and the area storing the electronic information having the second value as the status information. 24. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 23, further comprising means for suppressing input of electronic information to the storage means in response to being larger. A computer program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to operate as a temporary storage device for electronic information according to any one of claims 1 to 27. A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 28 is recorded. The processing start condition is a condition according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein any one of electronic information stored in the recording medium is output and registered in the external device by the output unit. A temporary storage device for electronic information. 18. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 1, wherein the processing start condition is a condition that a free capacity of the recording medium becomes less than a predetermined value. The electronic information temporary storage device is:
A battery for supplying power to each part of the device;
Charging means for charging the battery,
The processing start condition, said a condition that charging of the battery that by the charging means is continued, the temporary storage device of the electronic information according to any one of claims 1 to 17. The electronic information is not processed by the processing means when the electronic information temporary storage device is operated by power supply from the battery and the capacity of the battery is smaller than a predetermined value. The electronic information temporary storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 32. Further, in response to electronic information being output and registered to the external device by the output means, re-acquisition information is prepared for reference when re-acquiring the electronic information from the external device. Information acquisition means for reacquisition for
In response to a request to secure a predetermined free area in the recording medium, predetermined identification information relating to electronic information having a second value as the corresponding state information in the recording medium, and preparation of the information for reacquisition The replacement information consisting of the reacquisition information prepared by the means is replaced with the replacement information for the electronic information having the second value in the recording medium until an area corresponding to the request is secured. The electronic information temporary storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing the electronic information.

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