JP5336901B2 - Recording apparatus, recording system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video recording system capable of surely recording a program content, even when the band of a transmission path varies. <P>SOLUTION: This video recording system is constituted by including at least one tuner device (100), and a video recorder (200) for recording a program content received from the tuner device (100) via a transmission path. The video recorder (200) changes a program content to be recorded by the video recording device (200) to a program content data-transferrable in the band of the transmission path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording system, a control method, and a program for recording program content.

  In the conventional recording device, when the bandwidth of the transmission path used when transferring the program content received by the tuner device to the recording device fluctuates, the data transfer of the program content from the tuner device to the recording device is delayed, There were cases where the program content could not be recorded correctly. As a result, the recording device cannot record the program content, or even if the program content can be recorded, a part of the program content is lost or incomplete video / audio program content is recorded. As a result, the program content having the same data quality as the program content received by the tuner device cannot be recorded.

  For this reason, it is necessary to develop a mechanism that can reliably record program content even when the bandwidth of the transmission path changes.

  As a technical document filed prior to the present invention, there is a document that discloses a technique for distributing video without interruption in a network environment in which the bandwidth of a transmission path between a server and a client is not guaranteed (for example, patent document). 1).

  In Patent Document 1, the server creates a plurality of bit rate data for one program. The server then selects bit rate data adapted to the transfer data bit rate change request from the client and transmits it to the client.

  Further, there is a document that discloses a technique that can set the number of simultaneous recording reservations for digital recording by making full use of the processing capability of playback recording of the recording / playback control apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In Patent Document 2, the bit rate of content described in EPG (Electric Program Guide) is referred to, and the total bit rate of content for simultaneous recording / playback reservation of a plurality of content in the same time zone is stored in a storage device. The video recording reservation is made so as not to exceed the processing capacity bit rate.

JP-A-10-336626 JP 2000-217063 A

  However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not describe or suggest any point about changing the program content to be recorded by the recording device when the bandwidth of the transmission path changes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, a problem described above, and an object thereof is to record reliably program content even when the bandwidth is varied in the transmission channel.

The recording device according to the present invention is
  A recording device for recording program content received from at least one tuner device via a transmission path based on recording reservation information of program content registered in a storage means,
  Of the recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage means, the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is possible in the band of the transmission path is the program content to be finally recorded. It has a recording reservation changing means to be adopted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably record program content even when the bandwidth of the transmission path varies.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of the video recording system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of each apparatus which comprises the video recording system of this embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of program content registered in a recording reservation DB 2022 by a recorded program selection unit 2012. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a change at the time of changing the program content registered into recording reservation DB2022. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing operation of the recording device 200. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a processing operation at the time of changing the program content registered into recording reservation DB2022. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of each apparatus which comprises the video recording system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a change at the time of changing the program content registered into recording reservation DB2022. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of the video recording system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a processing operation of the video recording apparatus 200 of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a processing operation at the time of changing the program content registered into recording reservation DB2022.

<Outline of Recording System of this Embodiment>
First, the outline of the recording system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The recording system of the present embodiment includes at least one tuner device (100) and a recording device (200) that records program content received from the tuner device (100) via a transmission path. System.

  The recording device (200) of the present embodiment changes the program content recorded by the recording device (200) to a program content that can be transferred in the bandwidth of the transmission path. This makes it possible to reliably record program content even when the bandwidth of the transmission path varies. Hereinafter, the recording system of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
<System configuration example of recording system>
First, a system configuration example of the recording system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of the recording system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration example of each apparatus constituting the recording system.

  The recording system of this embodiment includes a tuner device 100 and a recording device 200. Any communication mode can be applied to the transmission path between the tuner device 100 and the recording device 200 as long as data transfer between the tuner device 100 and the recording device 200 is possible. Various communication forms such as wireless LAN, wired LAN, PCI Express, and USB can be applied as the communication form of the transmission path.

  The tuner device 100 is connected to the antenna 1, receives program content from the antenna 1, and transfers the received program content to the recording device 200 via a transmission path. As shown in FIG. 2, the tuner device 100 includes a tuner unit 101, and the tuner unit 101 receives program content.

  The recording device 200 receives the program content transferred from the tuner device 100 via the transmission path, and records the received program content.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording device 200 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a program content recording unit 203.

  The control unit 201 controls the recording device 200 in an integrated manner. The control unit 201 of the present embodiment includes an EPG acquisition unit 2011, a recorded program selection unit 2012, a recorded program change unit 2013, a band measurement unit 2014, a band estimation unit 2015, and a recording unit 2016. Configure.

  The EPG acquisition unit 2011 acquires an EPG (Electric Program Guide) and registers the acquired EPG information in the program information DB 2021.

  The EPG represents a plurality of program information, and each of the plurality of program information includes a character string representing a title of the program content, a broadcast date and time when the program content is broadcast, a broadcast station (channel), and a broadcast wave type (BS Broadcast, terrestrial digital broadcast, CS broadcast, HD broadcast, SD broadcast, etc.), recording mode type (High Quality, Low Quality) and the like. The broadcast date / time includes a broadcast date, a broadcast time zone, and the like. The broadcast time zone includes a broadcast start time at which the program broadcast starts and a broadcast end time at which the program broadcast ends.

  Based on the EPG information stored in the program information DB 2021, the recorded program selection unit 2012 selects a recording reservation candidate program content from the program contents included in the EPG, and the selected recording reservation candidate program content. Is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022.

  For example, when the automatic recording reservation function, automatic recording reservation function, etc. are installed in the recording device 200, the recorded program selection unit 2012 analyzes the contents of the program content recorded by the user in the past, and matches the user's preference. The program content is automatically selected from the program contents included in the EPG, and the selected program content is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 as a program reservation candidate program content. Also, the user sets a keyword in the recording device 200, and the recorded program selection unit 2012 automatically selects program content including the keyword set by the user in the recording device 200 from the program content included in the EPG. Then, the selected program content is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 as a program reservation candidate program content. As a result, the recorded program selection unit 2012 automatically selects the program content that is a recording reservation candidate from the program content included in the EPG, even if the user does not perform an operation to specify the program content that the user wants to record explicitly. The selected program reservation candidate program content can be registered in the recording reservation DB 2022.

  Based on the EPG information, the recorded program selection unit 2012 of the present embodiment performs recording by increasing the priority of program content having a high matching with the user's preference or a program content having a high matching with the keyword set by the user. Register in the reservation DB2022. As a result, the information shown in FIG. 3 is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 for each program content. The priority is for specifying the priority order of the program content to be recorded by the recording unit 2016, and the program content having a high priority is recorded with the highest priority by the recording unit 2016.

  In the state of FIG. 3, three program contents (program contents A, B, and C) broadcast at the same time zone are registered in the recording reservation DB 2022, and the priority of program contents A → program contents B → program contents C It is registered in the order of. In the state of FIG. 3, since the program content A has the highest priority among the program content (program content A, B, C) in the same time zone, the program content A is recorded with the highest priority in the recording unit 2016. Become.

  The recorded program change unit 2013 stores program reservation candidate program contents registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 in the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path used when the program contents are transferred from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200. Change to transferable program content.

  When the recorded program selection unit 2012 registers a program reservation candidate program content in the recording reservation DB 2022 using the above-described known recording reservation function, as shown in FIG. Content A, B, C) may be registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 in duplicate. In the recording device 200, program content exceeding the number of tuner devices 100 cannot be recorded at the same time by the recording unit 2016, so the recording unit 2016 can record within the range of the number of program content (specified number) that can be recorded simultaneously. The program content to be finally recorded is determined from the plurality of program contents registered in the reservation DB 2022, and the determined program content is recorded. The prescribed number is the number of program contents that can be recorded simultaneously, and this prescribed number is set in the recording device 200 within the range of the number of tuner devices 100.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that three program contents (program contents A, B, and C) broadcast in the same time zone are registered in the recording reservation DB 2022. If the specified number set in the recording device 200 is 1, the recording unit 2016 selects one program content to be recorded from the three program contents registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 (in the example of FIG. 3). The program content A) is determined, the determined program content is recorded and recorded in the program content recording unit 203.

  As described above, the recording unit 2016 determines the program content to be finally recorded from the program contents registered in the recording reservation DB 2022, records the determined program content, and records it in the program content recording unit 203. It will be.

  However, if the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path used when transferring program content from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200 fluctuates, the bandwidth necessary for data transfer of the program content recorded by the recording unit 2016 is transmitted. There are cases where it cannot be secured on the road. If program content that cannot secure the bandwidth required for data transfer on the transmission path is recorded by the recording unit 2016, the program content could not be recorded, or the program content could be recorded temporarily. However, part of the program content is missing or incomplete video / audio program content is recorded, and it is impossible to record program content having the same data quality as the program content received by the tuner device. Become.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, the recorded program change unit 2013 changes the program content of the recording reservation candidate registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 to a program content that can be transferred with the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path. I have to. Thus, the recording unit 2016 determines the program content to be finally recorded from the program content registered in the changed recording reservation DB 2022, and records the determined program content. Even if the bandwidth of the program fluctuates, the program content can be recorded reliably. In addition, it is possible to avoid missing part of program content or recording incomplete video / audio program content, and to record program content having the same data quality as the program content received by the tuner device. it can.

  The bandwidth measuring unit 2014 measures the bandwidth (bit rate) of a transmission path used when transferring program content from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200. The method for measuring the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path is not particularly limited, and a known measurement method can be applied.

  The bandwidth estimation unit 2015 estimates the bandwidth (bit rate) required for data transfer of program content for each program content (program content A, B, C) shown in FIG. 3 registered in the recording reservation DB 2022.

  In the case of the program content shown in FIG. 3, the broadcast wave type of program content A is HD (High Definition) broadcast of BS broadcast, and the broadcast wave type of program content B is HD (High Definition) broadcast of digital terrestrial broadcasting. Yes, the broadcast wave type of the program content C is terrestrial digital broadcast SD (Standard Definition) broadcast. Since the band (bit rate) necessary for the data transfer of the program content can be calculated from the broadcast wave type of the program content, the band estimation unit 2015 determines the data of the program content based on the broadcast wave type of each program content. The bandwidth (bit rate) required for transfer can be estimated. For example, when the broadcast wave type is BS broadcast HD broadcast, it can be estimated that the band (bit rate) necessary for transferring the program content is about 23 Mbps. Also, when the broadcast wave type is terrestrial digital broadcast HD broadcast, it can be estimated that the band (bit rate) necessary for transferring the program content is about 17 Mbps. Further, in the case of SD broadcasting of terrestrial digital broadcasting, it can be estimated that the bandwidth (bit rate) necessary for transferring the program content is about 8 Mbps.

  The recorded program change unit 2013 compares the bandwidth of the transmission path measured by the bandwidth measuring unit 2014 with the bandwidth of each program content estimated by the bandwidth estimation unit 2015, and determines the recording reservation candidate within the bandwidth of the transmission path. It is determined whether or not the program content can be transferred.

  For example, the recorded program changing unit 2013 determines that the program content A cannot be transferred when the transmission channel band is not sufficient to transfer the program content A as the first recording reservation candidate. In this case, the recorded program changing unit 2013 does not adopt the program content A as the recorded program content. The recorded program content means program content recorded by the recording unit 2016. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, the recorded program changing unit 2013 lowers the priority of the program content A as the first recording reservation candidate to the lowest order and registers it in the recording reservation DB 2022. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the program content A is deleted from the recording reservation DB 2022.

  The recorded program change unit 2013 determines whether or not the program content B and program content C, which are other recording reservation candidates, can be transferred. When the recorded program change unit 2013 determines that the program content B as the second recording reservation candidate can be transferred, the recorded program change unit 2013 adopts the program content B as the recorded program content. In this case, the recorded program changing unit 2013 retains the priority of the program content B as it is and registers it in the recording reservation DB 2022, for example. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the priority of the program content B becomes higher than the priority of the program content A, so that the recording of the program content B is given priority over the program content A. Can be executed. Further, since the program content B can be transferred within the bandwidth of the transmission path, the program content B can be recorded. In addition, it is possible to avoid missing part of program content B or recording incomplete video / audio program content B, so that program content B having the same data quality as program content B received by the tuner device can be obtained. You can record.

  Similarly, the recorded program changing unit 2013 adopts the program content C as the recorded program content when it is determined that the third recording reservation candidate program content C can be transferred. In this case, for example, the recorded program change unit 2013 retains the priority of the program content C as it is and registers it in the recording reservation DB 2022. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, since the priority of the program content C becomes higher after the program content B, the recording of the program content C is given priority after the program content B. Can be executed. For example, when recording two program contents at the same time at the same time, if data transfer of both program contents B and program contents C is possible within the bandwidth of the transmission path, recording of program contents B and C is possible. Can be executed simultaneously in the recording unit 2016.

  The storage unit 202 stores a program for controlling the recording apparatus 200 and various types of information. The storage unit 202 of this embodiment includes a program information DB 2021 and a recording reservation DB 2022.

  The program information DB 2021 stores EPG information. The recording reservation DB 2022 stores information on program content to be recorded by the recording unit 2016.

  The program content recording unit 203 records the program content recorded by the recording unit 2016.

<Outline of processing operation of recording apparatus 200>
Next, an outline of processing operation of the recording apparatus 200 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The EPG acquisition unit 2011 acquires an EPG, and registers the acquired EPG information in the program information DB 2021 (step S1).

  Based on the EPG information stored in the program information DB 2021, the recorded program selection unit 2012 selects a program content as a recording reservation candidate from the EPG program contents, and registers the selected program content in the recording reservation DB 2022. (Step S2). As a result, the recorded program selection unit 2012 registers the program content as shown in FIG. 3 in the recording reservation DB 2022.

  The recorded program change unit 2013 stores program reservation candidate program contents registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 in the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path used when the program contents are transferred from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200. The program content is changed to a transferable program content (step S3). Thereby, the recorded program change unit 2013 can change the program content as shown in FIG. 3 as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

  The recording unit 2016 executes the recording of the program content when the recording start time comes based on the program content shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 after the change. (Step S4).

  As described above, the recording apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment automatically selects program content that is a recording reservation candidate from EPG program content even if the user does not perform an operation of specifying program content that the user wants to explicitly record. The program content of the selected recording reservation candidate is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022. Program content that can be transferred in the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path used when transferring the program content of the recording reservation candidate registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200 The program content is recorded based on the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 after the change. As a result, the program content can be recorded even when the bandwidth of the transmission path varies. In addition, it is possible to avoid missing part of program content or recording incomplete video / audio program content, and to record program content having the same data quality as the program content received by the tuner device. it can.

<Detailed operation of step S3>
Next, a detailed processing operation when the recorded program change unit 2013 changes the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the bandwidth measuring unit 2014 measures a bandwidth (bit rate) of a transmission path used when transferring program content from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200 (step S31). The bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path measured by the bandwidth measuring unit 2014 is α.

  Next, the recorded program change unit 2013 sets the recording reservation candidate n of the program content to 1 (initial value) (n ← 1) (step S32).

  Next, the recorded program change unit 2013 determines whether or not the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 can be transferred with the bandwidth of the transmission path measured by the bandwidth measuring unit 2014; α. (Step S33).

  Specifically, the band estimation unit 2015 estimates a band (bit rate) necessary for data transfer of the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate. This estimated bandwidth (bit rate) is αn.

  The recorded program changing unit 2013 compares the bandwidth of the transmission path measured by the bandwidth measuring unit 2014; α with the bandwidth of the program content of the nth scheduled recording candidate estimated by the bandwidth estimating unit 2015; αn, and α <αn In this case, it is determined that the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate cannot be transferred with the bandwidth of the transmission path; α (step S33 / No). In this case, the recorded program changing unit 2013 rejects the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate as the recorded program content (step S34). In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the recorded program change unit 2013 lowers the priority of the program content A as the nth (n = 1) recording reservation candidate and registers it in the recording reservation DB 2022. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the program content A as the nth (n = 1) recording reservation candidate is deleted from the recording reservation DB 2022.

  Next, the recorded program changing unit 2013 adds 1 to the nth recording reservation candidate (n ← n + 1) (step S35), and determines whether or not the next recording reservation candidate is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022. (Step S36).

  The recorded program changing unit 2013 determines that the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate can be transferred with the bandwidth of the transmission path; α if α ≧ αn in the determination in step S33 (step S33 / Yes). . In this case, the recorded program changing unit 2013 employs the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate as the recorded program content (step S37). In this case, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the recorded program change unit 2013 retains the priority of the program content B as the nth (n = 2) recording reservation candidate as it is for recording reservation. Register with DB2022. Thus, the program content of the recording reservation DB 2022 is set so that the priority of the program content B of the nth (n = 2) recording reservation candidate is higher than the priority of the program content A of the nth (n = 1) recording reservation candidate. Can be changed.

  Next, the recorded program changing unit 2013 subtracts the bandwidth of the transmission channel; α, the program content bandwidth of the nth recording reservation candidate adopted as the recorded program content; αn, and calculates the remaining bandwidth of the transmission channel (α <-Α-αn) (step S38). Then, 1 is added to the nth recording reservation candidate (n ← n + 1) (step S35), and it is determined whether or not the next recording reservation candidate is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 (step S36).

  When the next recording reservation candidate is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 (step S36 / Yes), the recorded program changing unit 2013 proceeds to the processing of step S33, and the program content of the next recording reservation candidate is changed to the remaining recording reservation candidate. It is determined whether transfer is possible with the bandwidth of the transmission path; α (step S33).

  If the next recording reservation candidate is not registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 (step S36 / No), the process ends (End).

<Operation / Effect of Recording System of this Embodiment>
As described above, the recording apparatus 200 constituting the recording system of the present embodiment allows the recording reservation candidate program to be selected from the program contents included in the EPG even if the user does not perform an operation for specifying the program content to be explicitly recorded. The content is automatically selected, and the program content of the selected recording reservation candidate is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022. Program content that can be transferred in the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path used when transferring the program content of the recording reservation candidate registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 from the tuner device 100 to the recording device 200 The program content is recorded based on the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 after the change. As a result, the program content can be recorded even when the bandwidth of the transmission path varies. In addition, it is possible to avoid missing part of program content or recording incomplete video / audio program content, and to record program content having the same data quality as program content B received by the tuner device. Can do.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the band (bit rate) required for program content data transfer is estimated based on the broadcast wave type (BS broadcast, terrestrial digital broadcast, CS broadcast, HD broadcast, SD broadcast, etc.) of the program content. Decided to do.

  In the second embodiment, a band (bit rate) necessary for data transfer of program content is estimated based on the broadcast wave type of the program content and the recording mode type (whether or not a transcoder is used).

  Some tuner apparatuses 100 are equipped with a transcoder 102 as shown in FIG. The transcoder 102 can reduce a band (bit rate) necessary for data transfer of program content received by the tuner unit 101. For this reason, the band (bit rate) required for data transfer of program content changes depending on whether or not the transcoder 102 is used.

  For this reason, the bandwidth estimation unit 2015 of the present embodiment calculates the bandwidth (bit rate) necessary for data transfer of program content based on the broadcast wave type of the program content and the recording mode type (whether or not a transcoder is used). Then, the recorded program changing unit 2013 compares the bandwidth of the transmission path measured by the bandwidth measuring unit 2014 with the bandwidth of each program content estimated by the bandwidth estimating unit 2015, and the program registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 Change content.

  As a result, the bandwidth (bit rate) required for data transfer of the program content is estimated using the detailed information on the program content, and the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 is changed using the estimated bandwidth. can do. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

<System Configuration Example of Recording System of this Embodiment>
First, a system configuration example of the recording system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The recording system of this embodiment is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and is different from the first embodiment in that a transcoder 102 is mounted on the tuner device 100.

  The transcoder 102 can reduce the bit rate of the TS stream of the program content received by the tuner unit 101.

  In the recording apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, when setting automatic recording reservation or automatic recording reservation conditions, for example, sports programs are set to record without reducing the bit rate without using the transcoder 102. It is also assumed that the animation program is set to use the transcoder 102 and record at a reduced bit rate.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the program content A as the first recording reservation candidate is set in the recording reservation DB 2022 so as to record without using the transcoder 102. (Recording mode A). Further, the program content B of the second recording reservation candidate and the program content C of the third recording reservation candidate are set in the recording reservation DB 2022 so as to record using the transcoder 102 (recording mode B).

  The recording apparatus 200 of the present embodiment performs the same processing as in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and when the program content A, the program content B, and the program content C overlap as the program content in the same time zone. When it is determined that the data transfer of the program content A of the first recording reservation candidate is impossible and the data transfer of the program content B of the second recording reservation candidate and the program content C of the third recording reservation candidate is determined, As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the program content in the recording reservation DB 2022 is changed so that the program content B and the program content C are preferentially recorded by the recording unit 2016 over the program content A. As a result, similar to the first embodiment, the program content of the recording reservation candidate registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 is changed to a program content that can be transferred with the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path. Based on the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022, recording of the program content can be executed.

<Operation / Effect of Recording System of this Embodiment>
As described above, the recording apparatus 200 constituting the recording system of the present embodiment has a program content broadcast wave type (BS broadcast, terrestrial digital broadcast, CS broadcast, HD broadcast, SD broadcast, etc.) and a recording mode type (transcoder Based on the presence / absence of use), the bandwidth (bit rate) required for data transfer of the program content is estimated, and the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 is estimated using the estimated bandwidth (bit rate) The program content is changed to a data content that can be transferred with the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path. As a result, the bandwidth (bit rate) necessary for data transfer of the program content is accurately estimated, and the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 is transferred to the transmission path using the estimated bandwidth (bit rate). The program content can be changed to data that can be transferred at a band (bit rate). Note that the recording mode type is not limited to the recording mode with or without the use of the transcoder 102 described above, and can be constructed to estimate the band of each program content by applying any recording mode type. .

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the case where there is one tuner device 100 has been described as an example. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, there are a plurality of tuner devices 100 (100-1 to 100-n; n is an integer of 2 or more), and a plurality of programs are simultaneously recorded in the same time zone. Build a system that can. In this case, the same problem as that in the above-described embodiment occurs.

  For example, it is assumed that there are two tuner devices 100 and the recording device 200 has constructed a system capable of simultaneously recording two program contents. In this case, if the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path used when transferring program content from the two tuner devices 100-1 and 100-2 to the recording device 200 changes, it is necessary for data transfer of the two program content May not secure a sufficient bandwidth. If program content that cannot secure the bandwidth required for data transfer is to be recorded by the recording device 200, the program content cannot be recorded, or the program content can be recorded. However, a part of the program content is lost, or incomplete video / audio program content is recorded. For this reason, in the recording system of the present embodiment, when it is determined that simultaneous data transfer of two program contents is impossible, data transfer of one of the program contents is performed, and only one of the program contents is recorded by the recording apparatus 200. record. As a result, the program content can be recorded even when the bandwidth of the transmission path varies. In addition, it is possible to avoid missing part of program content or recording incomplete video / audio program content, and to record program content having the same data quality as the program content received by the tuner device. it can.

  Note that in the recording device 200 of the present embodiment, since the program content exceeding the number of tuner devices 100 cannot be recorded simultaneously by the recording unit 2016, the recording unit 2016 is able to record the number of program contents that can be recorded simultaneously (specified number). Within this range, the program content to be finally recorded is determined from the plurality of program contents registered in the recording reservation DB 2022, and the determined program content is recorded. The prescribed number is the number of program contents that can be recorded simultaneously, and this prescribed number is set in the recording device 200 within the range of the number of tuner devices 100. For this reason, it is preferable that the recording apparatus 200 of this embodiment performs a processing operation as shown in FIG.

  The processing operation shown in FIG. 10 performs substantially the same processing as the processing operation shown in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment, and the processing performed in step A1 is newly added.

  When the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate is adopted as the recorded program content (step S37), the recorded program change unit 2013 of the present embodiment determines the number of program contents adopted as the recorded program content (the recording unit 2016). It is determined whether or not the number of program contents that can be recorded simultaneously is satisfied (step A1).

  When the recorded program change unit 2013 satisfies the specified number (step A1 / Yes), the recorded program change unit 2013 secures program content for the number of program contents that can be simultaneously recorded by the recording unit 2016, and thus ends the processing (End). If the specified number is not satisfied (step A1 / No), the recording unit 2016 does not secure enough program content for the number of program contents that can be recorded simultaneously, so the transmission channel bandwidth; The bandwidth of the program content of the nth recording reservation candidate adopted; αn is subtracted to calculate the remaining bandwidth of the transmission path (α ← α−αn) (step S38). Then, 1 is added to the nth recording reservation candidate (n ← n + 1) (step S35), and it is determined whether or not the next recording reservation candidate is registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 (step S36).

<Operation / Effect of Recording System of this Embodiment>
As described above, the recording device 200 constituting the recording system of the present embodiment can store the program content registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 within the range of the number of program contents (prescribed number) that can be recorded simultaneously in the recording device 200. By changing to the program content that can be transferred with the bandwidth (bit rate) of the transmission path, it is possible to avoid unnecessary change processing.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the program content is changed for each program content broadcasted at the same time zone. However, if the broadcast time zone overlaps even partly, there may be a case where not all program content can be recorded. For this reason, it is preferable to change the program content within the range of the program content that overlaps even part of the broadcast time zone. As a result, it is possible to determine the program content to be recorded preferentially from among the program content having even overlapping broadcast time zones.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the program content E and the program content F share the same broadcast time zone, although the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time are different. In this case, the program content E and the program content F are overlapped even if a part of the broadcast time zone. If only one program can be recorded by the recording unit 2016, only one of the program content E and the program content F can be recorded. For this reason, it is preferable to change the program content within the range of the program contents E and F where the broadcast time zones overlap at least in part. As a result, it is possible to determine the program content to be recorded preferentially among the program contents E and F whose broadcast time zones overlap at least in part. For example, the bandwidth of the transmission path is measured before the recording of the program content E of the first recording reservation candidate, and the data of the program content E cannot be transferred in the measured bandwidth of the transmission path. When it is determined that data transfer of the content F is possible, the program content F as the second recording reservation candidate is changed to the first recording reservation candidate and registered in the recording reservation DB 2022 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the recording unit 2016 can preferentially execute the recording of the program content F. 11B shows an example in which the program content E is changed to the second recording reservation candidate and registered in the recording reservation DB 2022, the program content E can be deleted from the recording reservation DB 2022.

<Operation / Effect of Recording System of this Embodiment>
As described above, the recording apparatus 200 constituting the recording system of the present embodiment performs the above-described program content change process within the range of the program content in which the broadcast time zone of the program content partially overlaps, The recording device 200 can record program content that can be recorded even when the bandwidth of the transmission path fluctuates from the range of the program content in which the broadcast time zone of the program content partially overlaps.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the processing of the recorded program change unit 2013 is performed before the recording of the program content is started. However, it can also be performed while the program content is being recorded.

  For example, during execution of recording of the program content E of the first recording reservation candidate shown in FIG. 11A, the bandwidth of the transmission path is measured, and data transfer of the program content E is impossible in the measured bandwidth of the transmission path. When it is determined that data transfer of the program content F of the second recording reservation candidate is possible, as shown in FIG. 11B, the program content F of the second recording reservation candidate is changed to the first recording reservation candidate, Register in the recording reservation DB 2022. Thereby, the recording unit 2016 stops recording the program content E when it determines that the data transfer of the program content E is impossible during the execution of the recording of the program content E as the first recording reservation candidate. Recording of the program content F that is the second recording reservation candidate that can be transferred is started. As a result, when it is determined that the data transfer of the program content E being recorded is impossible, it is possible to execute the recording of the program content F of another recording reservation candidate capable of data transfer.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the band (bit rate) required for data transfer of the program content is estimated based on the broadcast wave type of the program content and the recording mode type. However, as described in Patent Document 2, when a band (bit rate) necessary for program content data transfer is described in EPG (Electric Program Guide), the band (bit rate) described in the EPG is described. ) Can be managed by the reservation management DB 2022, and the bandwidth (bit rate) necessary for data transfer of each program content can be estimated using the bandwidth (bit rate) for each program content.

  Also, the control operation in each device constituting the recording system in the present embodiment described above can be executed using hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  In the case of executing processing using software, it is possible to install and execute a program in which a processing sequence is recorded in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the program can be installed and executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a removable recording medium. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software. Examples of the removable recording medium include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory.

  The program is installed in the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. In addition, it is wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer. In addition, it is transferred to the computer via a network by wire.

  In addition, the recording system in the present embodiment is not only executed in time series according to the processing operation described in the above embodiment, but also the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or in parallel or individually as necessary. It is also possible to build to run on

  The present invention is applicable to a PC with a TV function that allows a TV to be viewed wirelessly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Antenna 100 Tuner apparatus 101 Tuner part 102 Transcoder 200 Recording apparatus 201 Control part 2011 EPG acquisition part 2012 Recorded program selection part 2013 Recorded program change part 2014 Band measurement part 2015 Band estimation part 2016 Recording part 202 Storage part 2021 Program information DB
2022 Recording reservation DB
203 Program content recording unit

Claims (13)

Based on the recording reservation information of the program content that is registered in the storage means a recording apparatus for recording a program content received via the transmission path from at least one tuner device,
Of the recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage means, the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is possible in the band of the transmission path is the program content to be finally recorded. A recording apparatus comprising a recording reservation changing means to be employed . Measuring means for measuring the bandwidth of the transmission path;
The recording reservation changing means is
Of the recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage means, the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is possible in the transmission path band measured by the measuring means is finally performed. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recording apparatus is employed as program content to be recorded. An estimation unit that estimates a bandwidth necessary for data transfer of program content for each recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage unit ;
The recording reservation changing means is
Comparing the bandwidth measured by the measuring means with the bandwidth for each recording reservation information of the program content estimated by the estimating means,
The recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording device as being able to transfer data in the band measured by the measuring means is adopted as the program content to be finally recorded,
3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is impossible in the band measured by the measuring unit is not adopted as the program content to be finally recorded. . The recording reservation information of the program content is
Including a priority for specifying a priority order of program content to be recorded by the recording device ;
The recording reservation changing means is
Perform the comparison in order from the recording reservation information of the program content with the higher priority,
The recording device determines that the priority of the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording device that data can be transferred in the band measured by the measuring unit is not transferable in the band measured by the measuring unit . 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the priority is changed so as to be higher than the priority of the recording reservation information of the program content . The recording reservation changing means is
The comparison is terminated when the number of recording reservation information of program content adopted as program content to be finally recorded reaches a specified number of program content that can be simultaneously recorded by the recording device. Item 5. A recording device according to item 3 or 4 . The recording reservation changing means is
According to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that to remove the recording reservation information of the program content which the said by the band measured by the measuring means impossible data transfer recording apparatus is determined from the storage means Recording device. The recording reservation information of the program content is
Includes at least one piece of information about the broadcast wave type of the program content, the recording mode type of the program content, and the bandwidth of the transmission path used when transferring the program content ,
The estimation means includes
Wherein the broadcast wave type, said a recording mode type, based on the band, at least one information of the transmission path, claim 3, characterized in that estimates the bandwidth for each recording reservation information of the program content 7. The recording device according to any one of items 1 to 6 . The recording reservation changing means is
While recording the program content, make the comparison,
When the recording apparatus determines that the program content being recorded cannot be transferred in the band measured by the measuring unit, the recording of the program content being recorded is stopped, and the band measured by the measuring unit is used. data transferable to the recording apparatus recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 7, characterized in that controls to record a program content based on recording reservation information of the program content that has been determined. EPG (Electric Program Guide) has a selection means for automatically selecting the program content to be recorded by the recording device from the program content included in the program,
The storage means
Recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that registers and manages recording reservation information automatically selected program content in the selecting means. The recording reservation changing means is
Within the program content broadcast time zone of the program content is duplicated at a portion, of the recording reservation information of the program content stored in said storage means, said recording enables data transfer bandwidth of the transmission path the recording reservation information of the program content device determines the recording device according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that employed as program content to be finally recorded 9. And at least one tuner, recording based on the recording reservation information of the program content that is registered in the storage unit constitutes a, a recording apparatus for recording a program content received via the transmission path from the tuner device A system,
The recording device comprises:
Of the recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage means, the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is possible in the band of the transmission path is the program content to be finally recorded. A recording system comprising a recording reservation changing means to be employed . A method of controlling a recording device,
Based on the recording reservation information of the program content that is registered in the storage means and recording step of recording a program content received via the transmission path from at least one tuner device,
Of the recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage means, the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is possible in the band of the transmission path is the program content to be finally recorded. A recording reservation changing step to be employed. A program to be executed by a computer of a recording device,
A recording process for recording a program content received via the transmission path from at least one tuner based on the recording reservation information of the program content that is registered in the storage means,
Of the recording reservation information of the program content registered in the storage means, the recording reservation information of the program content determined by the recording apparatus that data transfer is possible in the band of the transmission path is the program content to be finally recorded. A program for causing a computer to execute a recording reservation changing process to be adopted .

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