JP2001245226A - Device, system and method for recording television broadcast and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television broadcast recording device which can simultaneously record data (broadcast programs) of plural channels, even if it is a simply tuner. SOLUTION: A channel switch means 6 changes over a reception channel among plural channels which are broadcast simultaneously. A storage means 11 stores data of the plural channels which are broadcast simultaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television broadcast recording apparatus, a television broadcast recording system, a television broadcast recording method, and the like, which are used in, for example, a device or system such as a VTR for recording received information of a television broadcast. The present invention relates to a storage medium storing computer-readable processing steps for executing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, recording of a television broadcast has been described.
A television broadcast recording device such as a VTR is used, and this television broadcast recording device is generally provided with functions such as reservation recording.

[0003]

However, in the conventional television broadcast recording apparatus, one tuner can record only a program of one channel.

As a method for simultaneously recording programs on a plurality of channels with one tuner, a method of switching channels in small increments is conceivable. However, in this method, a recording unit having a long time unit is used for a program on one channel. Will be missing for a long time. Furthermore, even if channel switching is performed frequently and programs on a plurality of channels are recorded, since the programs on the plurality of channels are played back in a mixed state at the time of the playback, the playback is truly restless. You can only expect the screen.

Further, in a conventional television broadcast recording apparatus having a reservation recording function, a user forgets to reserve a recorded program and time using the reservation recording function, or the user can use the reservation recording function to record a recorded program and time. For example, when the time is reserved but the broadcast time of the program is shifted, the program of the channel desired by the user cannot be reliably recorded.

In addition, when a user wants to watch a program being broadcast when the power of the television device is turned on from the beginning, the program must be reserved in advance.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, and realizes the following (1) to (12), a television broadcast recording device, a television broadcast recording system, and a television. An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast recording method and a storage medium in which processing steps for executing the method are stored in a computer-readable manner.

(1) A single tuner can simultaneously record programs on a plurality of channels. (2) Even a single tuner can simultaneously record programs on a plurality of channels. (3) Simultaneously recorded programs of a plurality of channels can be divided and displayed simultaneously on the same screen. (4) While a program of a certain channel is being recorded, a program of another channel can be additionally recorded. (5) During simultaneous recording of programs on a plurality of channels, recording of at least one of the programs can be stopped. (6) When reproducing programs recorded on a plurality of channels simultaneously, individual programs can be displayed on a full screen for each program. (7) When reproducing simultaneously recorded programs of a plurality of channels, those programs can be simultaneously divided into the same screen and listed and listed. (8) When reproducing programs recorded on a plurality of channels simultaneously, the sounds of those programs are not output at the same time. (9) The programs of a plurality of channels recorded at the same time are independently re-arranged for each program so as to effectively use the memory.

[0009] (10) The program being broadcast when the power of the television device is turned on can be viewed retroactively without making a scheduled recording. (11) The genre of the program of the channel to be recorded can be specified. (12) The state of the memory at the recording destination is detected, and the recording area of the memory is specified to specify the area, thereby effectively utilizing the memory.

[0010]

For such a purpose,
A first invention is a television broadcast recording device for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, wherein the channel switching means for switching a reception channel among a plurality of channels and the channel switching means. Storage means for storing data of a plurality of channels substantially simultaneously.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect,
It is characterized by comprising a reproducing means for reproducing the data stored in the storage means.

According to a third aspect, in the first aspect,
It is characterized by comprising display means for displaying at least image data included in the data reproduced by the reproducing means, and audio output means for outputting audio data included in the data reproduced by the reproducing means.

[0013] In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect,
The display means displays image data of a plurality of channels on a plurality of divided screens.

According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect,
The display means includes a cursor display means for displaying a cursor for selecting one of the plurality of divided screens.

In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect,
The display means divides a screen based on the number of channels to be displayed.

According to a seventh aspect, in the third aspect,
The audio output means outputs audio data of the data when the reproduction by the reproduction means is reproduction of only one-channel data.

According to an eighth aspect based on the first aspect,
An operation means for externally instructing a storage operation in the storage means is provided.

According to a ninth aspect, in the second aspect,
An operation means for externally instructing the reproduction operation by the reproduction means is provided.

In a tenth aspect based on the first aspect, there is provided a reservation means for reserving a channel of data to be stored in the storage means, and the channel switching means is configured to store a channel based on the reservation information from the reservation means. Switching is performed.

In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, the reservation means can reserve a plurality of channels broadcast at the same time, and the channel switching means is reserved by the reservation means. It is characterized by switching a plurality of channels.

In a twelfth aspect based on the first aspect, the storage means stores a channel number together with data of the channel.

A thirteenth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, there is provided a channel adding means for adding a new channel to a channel to be switched by the channel switching means.

A fourteenth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, there is provided a channel deletion means for deleting an arbitrary channel among the channels to be switched by the channel switching means.

In a fifteenth aspect based on the first aspect, the storage means mixes the data of the plurality of channels in a time series and stores the data continuously.

In a sixteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the storage means stores information including at least channel total number information and channel selection order information together with corresponding data.

In a seventeenth aspect based on the first aspect, the storage means stores the data of the plurality of channels in a plurality of independent memory areas in parallel.

In an eighteenth aspect based on the seventeenth aspect, the storage means stores a start address and a last address of the plurality of independent memory areas.

In a nineteenth aspect based on the seventeenth aspect, the storage means mixes the data of the plurality of channels in chronological order and continuously stores the mixed data. Data is stored in parallel in a plurality of independent memory areas.

In a twentieth aspect based on the seventeenth aspect, the storage means stores data from the beginning of the storage area when the amount of data to be recorded exceeds the storage area.

A twenty-first invention is characterized in that, in the seventeenth invention, a specifying means for specifying a genre of a channel to be switched by the channel switching means is provided.

A twenty-second invention is characterized in that, in the seventeenth invention, a designating means for designating a storage area in the storage means is provided.

According to a twenty-third aspect, in the first aspect, the storage means continuously executes a recording operation regardless of execution of other processing.

[0033] A twenty-fourth invention is a television broadcast recording system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is any one of claims 1 to 23. Characterized in that it has the function of the television broadcast recording device described in (1).

A twenty-fifth invention is a television broadcast recording method for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, comprising: a channel switching step of switching a reception channel between a plurality of channels; Storing the data of the plurality of switched channels.

A twenty-sixth invention is a television broadcast recording method for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, wherein the receiving step of receiving data of an arbitrary channel of the television broadcast; A channel switching step of switching a receiving channel in the step, a storing step of storing data of a predetermined channel received in the receiving step, a reproducing step of reproducing the data stored in the storing step, and a reproducing step of A display step of displaying image data of the reproduced data, and an audio output step of outputting audio data of the data reproduced by the reproduction step, wherein the channel switching step includes a step of switching a plurality of simultaneously broadcasted channels. A switching step, and -Up is characterized in that it comprises the step of storing the data of the plurality of channels.

In a twenty-seventh aspect based on the twenty-sixth aspect, the display step is a screen division step of dividing a display screen, and the plurality of display areas are divided into respective divided areas of the display screen divided by the screen division step. And a screen division display step of simultaneously displaying the image data of the channel data in a corresponding manner.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect, in the twenty-seventh aspect, the display step includes a cursor display step of displaying a cursor on an arbitrary divided area in the screen division display step.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect, in the twenty-eighth aspect, the method further comprises a cursor movement instruction step of moving the cursor by operating means.

According to a thirtieth aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, a storage instruction step for instructing data storage in the storage step by operating means, and a storage instruction for instructing interruption of data storage in the storage step by operating means. It is characterized by including an interruption instruction step and a reproduction instruction step of instructing data reproduction in the reproduction step by operating means.

According to a thirty-first aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, a reservation step of reserving a channel of data to be stored in the storage step, and table information for storing information of the channel reserved in the reservation step as table information. A storage step, wherein the table information storage step includes a step of enabling information of a plurality of channels broadcast at the same time to be stored as the table information.

According to a thirty-second aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, the storing step includes a step of storing channel number information of data to be stored.

According to a thirty-third aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, during the data storage in the storage step, a channel addition step of adding a new channel as a channel of data to be stored in the storage step is included. The channel switching step includes a step of switching the reception channel by adding the channel added in the channel addition step to the reception channel to be switched.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, the data storage in the storage step includes a channel deletion step of deleting an arbitrary channel from channels of data to be stored in the storage step. The channel switching step includes a step of switching the reception channel by deleting the channel added in the channel deletion step from the reception channel to be switched.

In a thirty-fifth aspect based on the thirty-fourth aspect, the storing step includes a step of stopping data storage when the number of data channels to be stored becomes “0” in the channel deleting step. It is characterized by including.

In a thirty-sixth aspect based on the twenty-sixth aspect, the storing step includes a serial storing step of mixing the data of the plurality of channels in time series and storing the data in a memory continuously. Features.

In a thirty-seventh aspect based on the thirty-sixth aspect, the storing step includes a step of storing the number of channels and the order of channel selection as a tag together with the data in a memory.

In a thirty-eighth aspect based on the twenty-seventh aspect, the screen division step includes a step of changing the screen division number based on the number of channels to be displayed.

In a thirty-ninth aspect based on the thirty-seventh aspect, the storing step includes a step of adding the tag to the beginning of the memory when the data to be stored is data of one channel. And

According to a fortieth aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, the audio output step includes a step of not outputting audio data when the data of a plurality of channels is reproduced by the reproducing means. Features.

In a forty-first aspect based on the twenty-sixth aspect, the display step is a step of, when the data of a plurality of channels is reproduced by the reproducing means, reducing each image data to be displayed and displaying them simultaneously. It is characterized by including.

According to a forty-second aspect, in the twenty-sixth aspect, the storing step includes a step of dividing the memory of each of the plurality of channels for each channel and storing the data in parallel.

According to a forty-third aspect, in the forty-second aspect, the storing step includes a step of storing a start address and an end address of the divided memory as an index.

According to a forty-fourth aspect, in the forty-second aspect, the storing step includes a step of storing a pointer indicating a position of the divided memory.

In a forty-fifth aspect based on the twenty-sixth aspect, the storing step comprises mixing the data of the plurality of channels in a time series and storing the data continuously in a memory for each channel. The method includes a step of dividing the memory and storing it in parallel.

In a forty-sixth aspect based on the forty-fifth aspect, the storing step is a step of adding the data of the plurality of channels in time series and adding the mixed data to the data continuously stored in the memory. The method includes a step of removing a tag indicating a channel number and a channel selection order.

A forty-seventh invention is a television broadcast recording method for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, wherein: a receiving step of receiving data of an arbitrary channel of the television broadcast; A storage step of storing the data of the predetermined channel received in the step, a reproduction step of reproducing the data stored in the storage step, and a data reception in the reception step and a data storage in the storage step whenever power is supplied. And a memory reuse step of returning the storage position to the beginning of the storage area when the data storage position in the storage step exceeds the storage area.

According to a forty-eighth aspect, in the forty-seventh aspect, the method further includes a channel switching step of switching a receiving channel in the receiving step between a plurality of simultaneously broadcasted channels. Storing the data of the channel.

A forty-ninth invention is characterized in that, in the forty-eighth invention, a specifying step for specifying a field of a channel of data stored in the storing step is included.

In a fiftieth aspect based on the forty-seventh aspect, the classification step of classifying the storage area in the storage step and the area classified by the classification step is one
And one or more instruction steps.

According to a fifty-first invention, a processing program for implementing the function of the television broadcast recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 23 or the function of the television broadcast recording system according to claim 24 is provided. It is a storage medium that is readable by a computer.

A fifty-second invention is characterized in that a computer-readable storage medium stores the processing steps of the television broadcast recording method according to any one of claims 25 to 50.

[0062]

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

(First Embodiment) The present invention provides, for example,
It is applied to a digital broadcast recording device 15 as shown in FIG. The digital broadcast recording device 15 has a reservation recording function, is capable of receiving a digital broadcast (television broadcast by digital data) and recording (recording) a broadcast signal (digital image data or the like) thereof.

<Overall Configuration of Digital Broadcast Recording Apparatus 15> As shown in FIG. 1, the digital broadcast recording apparatus 15 has a central processing unit (CPU) 1 and a panel (PANL).
2, color LCD3, VRAM4, antenna (ANT)
(TUNR) 6, speaker (SP)
K) 7, a ROM 9, a RAM 10, and a video disk (VDISK) 11. These components 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 are connected to a bus line (BL) 8 Data can be exchanged with each other via the Internet.

The CPU 1 controls the operation of the entire device 15. The panel 2 is provided with switches and keys for instructing and executing various operations of the apparatus 15, keys for selecting a channel of the tuner 6, and the like. The color LCD 3 is provided as an example of a display, and displays characters and images written in the VRAM 4 as a display write-only memory as a font pattern or an image image described later.

The antenna 5 receives a digital broadcast,
The tuner 6 processes a broadcast signal received by the antenna 5. A broadcast signal to be processed by the tuner 6 is selected according to a key operation on the panel 2. The speaker 7 outputs the audio of the broadcast signal processed by the tuner 6.

The ROM 9 functions as a read-only memory, and stores a program (PRG) 9a for executing the control of the apparatus 15 and a font pattern (FONT) 9b for displaying characters and symbols on the color LCD 3. Have been.

The RAM 10 functions as a writable memory, and stores information such as characters, images, and sounds.
The program (PRG) 9a stored in the ROM 9 is also used as a temporary work area and a save area when the program is executed by the CPU 1.

More specifically, the RAM 10 includes a work area (WORK) 10a, a memory (YOYAK) 10b, a channel table (CHCTRL) 10c, and a counter (C).
OU) 10d and tags (N, M) 10e and 10f.

The work area 10a is an area for temporarily storing an image, variable data of the program, or other information in order to execute the above-described program. The reservation memory 10b is an area for reserving a program, and stores a reserved channel number and a date and time in association with each other as a table. Channel table 10c
Is an area for storing the number of the channel being recorded.

The counter 10d is a counter used when executing a program. The counter 10d is not a single memory area but a plurality of memory areas for simultaneously counting a plurality of tables. For this reason, they are described as counters 10d (1), 10d (2),.

The tags 10e and 10f each have a color L
This is an area for configuring a tag of a display screen in CD3. The “tag” is identification information added to the screen of each recorded program and indicating which screen is which program. “Tag” is expressed as tag N / M,
“M” indicates the total number of recorded channels, and “N”
Indicates the order of the channel. Note that "N" is not the channel number itself, as will be described in detail later.

The video disk 11 is an external storage device for storing information such as images, sounds, and characters. The video disk 11 includes a memory (MEM) 11a for storing information such as images, sounds, and characters, and an index (INDX) 11b for storing the index information. The memory 11a is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional memory, as will be described later in detail. For this reason, it is described as MEM (X) or MEM (X, Y).

<Screen Configuration of Color LCD 3> The digital broadcast recording device 15 is configured so that one tuner 6 can record (record) programs of a plurality of channels. At
One screen is simultaneously displayed on each of the divided screen areas.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The screen 21 of No. 3 is divided into nine of 22 (1) to 22 (9), and the respective divided screen areas 22 (1) to 22 (9)
Include channels Ch15, Ch27, Ch36, Ch
48, Ch51, Ch62, Ch73, Ch84, Ch
95 images are displayed. In FIG. 2, channel numbers are shown for convenience in place of actual images.

A cursor 23 is provided on the screen 21 of the color LCD 3. By moving the cursor 23, a recording screen can be selected.

Further, the digital broadcast recording device 15 can display one program on the entire screen or simultaneously display an arbitrary number of programs on the screen area divided according to the number of programs on the color LCD 3. It has been made like that.

FIG. 3 shows the state of the screen 21 of the color LCD 3 when one program is displayed on the entire screen. As shown in FIG. 3, the screen 2 of the color LCD 3
1, an image 31 of a program of a certain channel is displayed using the entire screen.

FIG. 4 shows the state of the screen 21 of the color LCD 3 when two programs are simultaneously displayed. As shown in FIG. 4, the screen 21 of the color LCD 3
Is divided into two parts, left and right, and an image of a program of a certain channel and an image of a program of another channel are displayed in the divided areas 42 and 43, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows the state of the screen 21 of the color LCD 3 when three programs are simultaneously displayed. Here, there are various methods for dividing the screen 21 of the color LCD 3 for simultaneously displaying three programs. As an example, here, as shown in FIG. Is divided into four, and three divided areas 51 of the respective divided areas 51 to 54 are divided.
The images of the programs of the three channels are respectively displayed using. The four divided areas 51 to 54
Of the divided areas that are not used for program display (here,
Nothing is displayed in the divided area 54).

<Configuration of Screen Switching on Color LCD 3> Here, the color LCD described with reference to FIGS.
A configuration for performing the screen division in No. 3 will be described.

First, the digital image data of the program of each channel is transmitted to the digital broadcast recording device 15.
The digital broadcast recording device 15 writes the transmitted digital image data into the VRAM 4 so that the color LCD 3 is transmitted.
To display as a movie.

For example, the digital broadcast recording device 15
When each digital image data of the programs of the A channel and the B channel is received, the digital image data of the A channel is first received as shown in FIG.
In a period 61, the image data is received, and if the image data is compressed, it is decompressed. Next, in period 62,
The received (or decompressed) image data is written to the VRAM 4. Then, in a period 63, preparation for displaying the next image is made.
In this period 63, the screen state of the color LCD 3 is in a stationary state. That is, the total period 6 of the period 62 and the period 63
4 corresponds to the display time of one screen (1/30 second).

Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, the B-channel digital image data is received (or decompressed) at the same timing as the A-channel digital image data, and is transmitted to the VRAM 4. Writing and preparation for displaying the next image are performed.

Therefore, when each digital image data of the programs of the A channel and the B channel is received and the digital image data is displayed in the screen configuration as shown in FIG. It is necessary to display each of the images in a reduced size.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, first, the tuner 6 is switched to the reception of the A channel, and during the period 65, the digital image data of the A channel is received (necessary). Preparation processing such as reduction to one half screen is executed. Thereafter, the digital image data of the A channel is written in a half area of the VRAM 4 based on the divided area of the color LCD 3 (see FIG. 4). At the timing 66, the tuner 6 is switched to the reception of the B channel. Therefore, in period 67, A
The digital image data of the channel is written into the VRAM 4.

When the tuner 6 is switched to the reception of the B channel at the timing 66, during the period 68, the digital image data of the B channel is received (decompressed if necessary) and reduced to a half screen. Execute preparation processing. Then, the digital image data of the B channel is
Based on the divided area of the color LCD 3 (see FIG. 4 above), V
Writing to a half area of the RAM 4 is performed at a timing 69.
Then, the tuner 6 is switched to the reception of the A channel. Therefore, in the period 70, the digital image data of the B channel is written to the VRAM4.

As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the time for receiving digital image data and preparing for preparing the image data (periods 65 and 68), and
The writing time to AM4 (periods 67 and 70) is mutually exclusive for channel A and channel B, and by performing parallel processing, images of programs on both channel A and channel B are lost. It can be displayed without doing. If the parallel processing cannot be performed or the processing speed becomes extremely slow, an image is lost. This will be described later in detail.

<Structure of Panel (Operation Panel) 2> As shown in FIG. 7, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, keys 72 to 7 for moving the cursor 23 shown in FIG.
5, a key 76 for displaying the image indicated by the cursor 23 on the entire screen of the color LCD 3, a recording start key 77 for starting recording of the image indicated by the cursor 23, a recording end key 78 for stopping the recording, A reproduction key 79 for reproducing and outputting a recorded image and a key 80 for converting a plurality of image serial storage data described later into parallel storage data are included.

<Structure of RAM 10> Here, the reservation memory (YOYAK) 10b and the channel table (CHTBL) 10c will be mainly described.

[Reservation Memory (YOYAK) 10b] The reservation memory 10b stores, for example, a time table as shown in FIG. 8 and contents as shown in FIG.

First, in general, when a television broadcast is reserved for recording, a channel number and a date and time are specified. The contents of the table are tabulated in the time table of FIG. In the time table of FIG.
Are the channel numbers (Ch1
5, Ch27, Ch36, Ch48), and “82”
Indicates time (15:00, 16:00,...). An area 83 indicated by oblique lines indicates a time zone for scheduled recording. That is, here, during the time period from 15:00 to 22:00, a program of channel 15 is recorded, and from 16:00 to 22:00.
During the time period of 1:00, programs on channel 27 are recorded and
Even if the times overlap, a plurality of programs are recorded, such as recording a program on 36 channels in the time period from 7:00 to 20:00, and recording a program on 48 channels in the time period from 18:00 to 19:00. The program of the channel can be reserved.

FIG. 9 shows the contents of the time table shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, "91"
Indicates a channel number, “92” indicates a recording start time, “93” indicates a recording end time, and “94” indicates a date. Here, the recording is reserved on a daily basis, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various reservation instruction methods such as daily and weekly are possible.

[Channel table (CHTBL) 10
c] For example, Ch15, Ch27, Ch36, Ch48
When a program of each channel is recorded, these channel numbers 15, 27, 36, and 48 are registered in the channel table 10c as shown in FIG.

For example, for example, Ch15 → Ch27 → Ch
When a program of a channel to be recorded in the order of 36 → Ch48 is added, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the channel table 10c includes Ch15 → Ch27 → Ch.
Channel numbers are additionally registered in the order of 36 → Ch48.

Further, as shown in FIG.
If the recording of only 48 channels is stopped during the simultaneous recording of the programs of four channels h15, Ch27, Ch36, and Ch48, the channel number of Ch48 is deleted from the channel table 10c as shown in FIG. You. Thereafter, if the recording of only channel 36 is stopped during the simultaneous recording of the programs of three channels Ch15, Ch27, and Ch36, as shown in FIG.
The channel number of h36 is deleted from the channel table 10c.

Incidentally, Ch15, Ch27, Ch36, Ch
During simultaneous recording of programs on 48 channels, for example, if recording of only the second channel 27 (the channel on which registration was performed second) is stopped, Ch27 is registered as shown in FIG. The blank area 121 becomes blank.

<Basic Operation of Digital Broadcast Recording Apparatus 15> Before describing the characteristic operation of the digital broadcast recording apparatus 15, a basic operation as a premise thereof will be described.

When the power of the digital broadcast recording device 15 is turned on, the program (PR) stored in the ROM 9 is read.
G) 9a is read and executed by the CPU 1. As a result, the digital broadcast recording device 15 operates as follows.

First, the antenna 5 receives a digital broadcast. Here, since it is “digital broadcasting” (television broadcasting by digital data), all information of images, sounds, and characters is received as digital data.

At this time, in panel 2, the user
The channel of the tuner 6 is selected. As a result, the tuner 6 temporarily stores the received data of the channel selected on the panel 2 in the work area 1 of the RAM 10.
0a is stored.

The digital image data of the received data stored in the work area 10a of the RAM 10 is decompressed or reduced in accordance with the display size of the color LCD 3 and written to the VRAM 4, if necessary. Thereafter, the screen is displayed on the color LCD 3.

[0103] Of the received data stored in the work area 10a of the RAM 10, character data (character code data) such as titles and subtitles are displayed on the screen of the color LCD 3 by expanding the font pattern 9b of the ROM 9. Will be displayed.

[0104] Of the received data stored in the work area 10a of the RAM 10, digital audio data is converted to analog and output from the speaker 7 as audio.

When the digital broadcast recording device 15 enters the recording state, the received data stored in the work area 10a of the RAM 10 is stored on the video disk 11.

When the digital broadcast recording device 15 is in a state of displaying or recording a program of a plurality of channels in the same time zone, the channels are switched as shown in FIG. The digital image data of the channel program is displayed on the same screen on the color LCD 3 (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5), or stored on the video disk 11.

<Structure and Operation Characteristic of Digital Broadcast Recording Apparatus 15>
The following six embodiments 1 to 6 will be described as examples of the configuration and operation of the fifth feature.

Overview of Embodiment 1: Data of a program on a plurality of channels is stored in a serial mixed mode. Thus, data of all channels can be recorded without being missed. Overview of Embodiment 2: Data of programs on a plurality of channels is
Partially skipped and stored in serial mixed mode. Overview of Embodiment 3: Data stored in a serial mixed mode is reproduced. Overview of Embodiment 4: Data of programs on a plurality of channels is
The data is stored in a parallel independent manner, and data in the range indicated by the index is repeatedly reproduced. Overview of Embodiment 5: Data stored in a parallel independent manner is reproduced. Overview of Embodiment 6: Data stored in a serial mixed mode is converted into data in a parallel independent mode.

In the details of the first to sixth embodiments described below, audio data and the like are actually recorded or reproduced together with the image data. However, for the sake of simplicity, attention is paid to the image data.

[Details of Embodiment 1] Here, a conceptual diagram of image capture in FIG. 13, a memory configuration diagram in FIG. 14, and FIGS.
Example 1 (the data of the programs of a plurality of channels is stored in a serial mixed mode) will be specifically described with reference to the conceptual diagram of the relationship between the tag and the screen in FIG. 18 and the flowcharts in FIGS.

In this embodiment, program data of a plurality of channels are mixedly recorded in one memory. However, for the sake of simplicity, image data of the programs of the two channels 1 and 2 are recorded on a video disc. Record to 11.

FIGS. 13A to 13C show a configuration in which image data of programs of a plurality of channels are collected in one memory.

In FIG. 13A, “131”
An image group of channel 1 (Ch1), "133
Each of (1), 133 (2),... Is image data for one screen.
“132 is an image group of channel 2 (Ch2), and“ 134 (1), 134 (2),.
This is image data for one screen.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13C, continuous image data 133 (1), 133 (2),
.., Image data 134 (1), 134 (2),... (Continuously received image data) are recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11. At this time, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the image data 133 (1) of channel 1 is recorded in an area 136 (1) of the memory 11a, and the image data 13 (1) of channel 2 is recorded in the next area 136 (2).
4 (1) is recorded, and the image data 134 (2) of channel 1 is recorded in the next area 136 (3). For example, the image data of channel 1 and channel 2 are alternately stored in the area 136 of the memory 11a. (1), 136 (2), 1
36 (3),...

The image data to be recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11 may be data in a compressed state or may be decompressed data.

The image recording process as described above is shown by the flowcharts in FIGS.

Step S2001: The counter 10d of the RAM 10 is initialized to "1".

Step S2002: Tag 1 of RAM10
0e and 10f (N / M) are set. Here, tag 1
0e and 10f (N / M) are each initialized to “1”. This indicates that only channel 1 is initially recorded.

Step S2003: Step S2002
Tags 10e and 10f set in (N / M = 1/1)
Is recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11.

Here, the tags 10e and 10f (N / M) will be specifically described. First, the tags 10f (M)
Indicates the total number of channels to be recorded simultaneously, and the tag 10e
(N) indicates the number of the channel among the number M of channels (the number of channels in order). That is, the tags 10e and 10f (N / M) are identification symbols added to the respective image data so that the target image data is the data of the number of channels.

In the case of recording only one channel, if a tag of "1/1" is added only to the first image data, it is not necessary to add a tag to the subsequent image data.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show the tags 10e and 10f.
4 shows the relationship between (N / M) and the screen of the color LCD 3.

In the case of the image data of “N / M = 1/1”, since only one channel is recorded, the image data uses the entire screen 161 of the color LCD 3 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

In the case of image data of “N / M = １ ／”, since recording is performed on two channels, the image data is displayed on the screen of the color LCD 3 as shown in FIG.
The image is displayed on the divided screen area 171 of the divided divided screen areas 171 and 172. Also, “N / M = 2/2”
Is displayed in the divided screen area 172 of the divided screen areas 171 and 172.

In the case of image data of “N / M = 1/3”, since recording is performed on three channels, the image data is displayed on the screen of the color LCD 3 as shown in FIG.
The image is displayed on the divided screen region 181 of the divided divided screen regions 181 to 184. "N / M = 2/3"
Is displayed in the divided screen area 182 of the divided screen areas 181 to 184, and “N / M = 3 /
The image data of 3 "is divided into the divided screen areas 181 to 184.
Are displayed in the divided screen area 183 of the above.

In the case of image data of “N / M = 1/4”, since recording is performed on four channels, the image data is displayed on the screen of the color LCD 3 as shown in FIG.
The image is displayed on the divided screen region 181 of the divided divided screen regions 181 to 184. Also, "N / M = 2/4"
Is displayed in the divided screen area 182 of the divided screen areas 181 to 184, and “N / M = 3 /
The image data of 4 "is divided into the divided screen areas 181 to 184.
Is displayed in the divided screen area 183, and “N / M = 4
/ 4 "image data is divided into divided screen areas 181 to 18
4 is displayed in the divided screen area 184.

When the image data once recorded is reproduced, the display position on the color LCD 3 is defined by the tag “N / M” added to the image data.

Step S2004: After the processing in steps S2001 to S2003 as described above, the image data of the channel to be recorded is stored in the memory 11 of the video disk 11.
Record to a. Here, “N” is set in step S2003.
/ M = 1/1 "is set, that is, only the channel 1 is recorded, and therefore, as shown in FIG.
The image data of the channel 1 is recorded in an area 153 following the area 152 in which “N / M = 1/1” is set.
Therefore, the region 154 including the regions 152 and 153
Is treated as tagged image data, and the next area 1
Data from 55 is treated as untagged image data.

Step S2005, Step S200
6: The counter 10d of the RAM 10 is incremented by "1" (step S2005), and it is determined whether or not the recording is completed based on the addition result (step S2006). Here, "recording end" means that the current time is determined to be the end time of the reserved recorded program based on the value of the counter 10d, or the recording end of the panel 2 is not performed when the recording is not the reserved recording. This means that it is determined that the key 78 has been operated.

If the result of determination in step S2006 is that recording has ended, the identification data 160 indicating the end of the data is recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11, as shown in FIG.

Step S2007: Step S2006
As a result of the determination, when recording is continued, it is determined whether or not a recording channel has been added. This is because the digital broadcast recording device 15 can additionally record a program on another channel even while recording a program on one channel. The determination of the addition of the recording channel here is made by referring to the channel table 10c of the RAM 10 and determining whether or not two or more channels are registered.

If it is determined in step S2007 that no recording channel has been added, the flow returns to step S2004, and the image data of the currently recorded channel (channel 1) is continuously recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11. Thereafter, the processing from step S2005 is continuously executed.

Step S2101: Step S2007
As a result of the determination, if a recording channel is added (here, channel 2 is added), the tag 10f
(M), that is, “1” is added to “M” indicating the total number of channels.
Is added.

Step S2102: Tag 10e (N),
That is, "1" is set to "N" indicating the order number of the channel.

Step S2103, Step S210
4: Check the channel table 10c of the RAM 10 (step S2103) and determine whether the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) is a free area (step S2104).

Step S2105: Step S2104
As a result of the determination, if the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) is an empty area, it means that the recording channel has been deleted as shown in FIG. Is not registered, "1" is further added to the tag 10e (N), and step S2
Proceed to 110.

Step S2110: Tag 10f (M)
Is checked for a magnitude relationship between each value and the tag 10e (N). This is to prevent this processing from falling into an infinite loop when the last channel has been deleted.

As a result of the check in step S 2110,
If “N ≦ M”, the process returns to step S2103 and R
In the channel table 10c of the AM 10, it is determined whether or not the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) after adding "1" in step S2105 is a free area. Thereafter, the processing from step S2104 is continuously executed.

Step S2106: Step S2104
As a result of the determination, if the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) is not an empty area, the processing is switched to the channel set in the area.

Step S2107: Tags 10f and 10e
(N / M) and the image data of the channel (channel 1) switched in step S2106 are recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 14, the tag of “N / M = Ｍ”,
And the image data of channel 1 are integrated data,
It is recorded in the area 156 and the area 157. In the case of recording of two or more channels, for all image data,
An “N / M” tag is added.

Steps S2108 and S210
9, Step S2110: Counter 10d of RAM10
Is added to the tag 10f (step S2108), and the tag 10f
"1" is also added to (N) (step S2109).
Then, as described above, the magnitude relationship between N and M is checked (step S2110).

As a result of the check in step S2110,
If “N ≦ M”, since switching to all the channels (channel 1 and channel 2) has not been completed, the process returns to step S2103, and in the channel table 10c of the RAM 10, the process proceeds to step S2109.
It is determined whether or not the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) after adding "1" is an empty area. Thereafter, the processing from step S2104 is continuously executed.

Step S2201: Step S2110
As a result of the check in step (1), if “N> M”, it means that the switching to all the channels (channel 1 and channel 2) has been completed, so that by referring to the channel table 10c of the RAM 10, It is determined whether or not recording of the channel has been completed. That is, RAM
It is checked whether or not all the channel tables 10c are empty. If all are empty, it is determined that the recording of all the channels has been completed. If the result of this determination is that recording has ended, this processing ends.

Step S2202: Step S2201
If the result of determination is that recording has not been completed, an increase or decrease in the number of recording channels is checked.

If the result of determination in step S2202 is that the number of recording channels has increased, the flow returns to step S2101 to add "1" to tag 10f (M). afterwards,
The processing from step S2102 is continuously executed.

If the result of determination in step S2202 is that the number of recording channels has not changed, step S2102
Returning to, the tag 10e (N) is set to “1”. Thereafter, the processing from step S2103 is continuously executed.

Step S2203: Step S2202
As a result of the determination, if the number of recording channels is decreasing,
Check the total number of recording channels.

If the result of determination in step S2203 is that the total number of recording channels is two or more, step S210
Returning to 2, the tag 10e (N) is set to "1". This is because the value of the tag 10f (M) is unchanged. Thereafter, the processing from step S2103 is continuously executed.

If the result of determination in step S2203 is that the total number of recording channels is 1, the flow returns to step S2002, and “1” is set for each of tags 10e and 10f (N / M).
Set. Thereafter, the processing from step S2003 is continuously executed.

If the result of determination in step S2203 is that the total number of recording channels is 0, the process ends.

When the recording channel is further added to three channels in the middle of the above process, as shown in FIG. 14, the tag N / M = 2/2 is followed by the tag N / M = 2/2. N / M = 1/3 (indicated by “158” in the figure) appears, and this is added to the image data 159.

When only one recording channel is used, each image data does not need to be distinguished from the image data of other channels, as shown by "152 to 155" in FIG. Tags only exist at the beginning. This can save memory and processing time and simplify processing.

At the end of recording, “1” in FIG.
60 ", the end symbol 1
Write 60.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 4, the image data of a plurality of channels can be recorded in one memory (11a) in a serial mixture (in a form in which image data of a plurality of channels are mixed in series) without loss.

[Details of Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1, image data of a plurality of channels are mixed and recorded in one memory. This is, as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that image data of a plurality of channels are all captured without any loss. However, when the number of recording channels increases or when it takes time to record the image data, it may not be possible to capture image data of all channels. In such a case, the image data is inevitably recorded in a discrete manner. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a part of the image data of a plurality of channels is omitted and recorded in a serial mixed mode.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of the recording process of image data in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, for example, when recording image data of a program on two channels 1 and 2 in the memory 11a of the video disk 11, first, the first image data 141 of channel 1 is stored in the memory 11a. The data is recorded in the first area 147 of 11a. At this time, the image data 141
If the recording process takes more than 1/30 (1/30) second, the leading image data 145 of channel 2 is omitted, and the next image data 146 is stored in the area following the area 147 of the memory 11a. Record at 148.
Further, at this time, the recording process of the image data
If it takes 1/30 (1/30) second or more, the image data 144 following the image data 143 of channel 1 is omitted, and the next image data is stored in the memory 11.
Recording is performed in an area following the area 148 of a.

As described above, the two channels 1
The image data of the second program is recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11 every other one.

The received image data is stored in RAM
10 are temporarily stored in the work area 10a. At this time, an image storage area for the total number of recording channels is secured in the work area 10a.

However, the contents of the image storage area are successively rewritten every 1/30 second.
If the image data in the image storage area is not fetched within seconds, the next image data is rewritten. Therefore, unless the time for completely capturing the image data of each channel is less than 1/30 second in total, image data will be lost. For this reason, FIG. 22 shows a state in which the image data of channels 1 and 2 is recorded every other channel. However, depending on the processing time and the number of channels, one image data is missing in three image data. There are various situations depending on the situation at that time, such as two image data missing from five image data.

Even if the image data is lost as described above, the tag (N / M) is added to each image data. The channel of the image data can be clearly identified. Thus, the image data of each channel can be reliably reproduced.

[Details of Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, as described in Embodiments 1 and 2, data of a plurality of channels (such as image data and audio data) is stored in one memory in a serial mixed mode. The recorded data is reproduced. FIG.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 24 show the reproduction processing in this embodiment. Here, in the state as shown in FIG. 14, the video disc 1 on which data of a plurality of channels is recorded.
The data in the first memory 11a is reproduced.

Step S2301: The counter 10d of the RAM 10 is initialized to "1".

Step S2302: Video disk 11
In the memory 11a, the contents (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d are checked.

As a result of the check in step S2302, the contents of the area indicated by the counter 10d (MEM (CO
If (U)) is the data indicating the end (the data indicated by “160” in FIG. 14), the process is terminated.

Step S 2303: Step S 2302
As a result of the check, if the content (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d is data indicating the tag (N / M) (data indicated by “152” or “156” in FIG. 14), The value of "M" of the data indicating the tag (N / M), that is, the total number of recording channels at the time of recording is checked.

If the result of the check in step S2302 shows that the total number of recording channels at the time of recording is not 1, the flow advances to step S2401 (processing for two or more screens) to be described later.

Step S2304: Step S2302
As a result of the check, the total number of recording channels during recording is 1
Or the content of the area (MEM (COU)) indicated by the counter 10d is neither data indicating the end nor data indicating the tag (N / M) as a result of the check in step S2302, In the memory 11a, the contents (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d are read, and of the read data, the image data is written to the VRAM 4. Thus, an image is displayed on the color LCD 3 based on the image data. Also, of the read data, audio data is output from the speaker 7 as audio.
As described above, when one image is displayed, sound is also output.

Step S2305: "1" is added to the counter 10d of the RAM 10 to check the next data. Then, the process returns to step S2302, and executes the processing after the step processing.

Step S2401: Step S2302
As a result of the check, the total number of recording channels during recording is 1
If not, the contents (MEM) of the area indicated by the counter 10d in the memory 11a of the video disk 11
(COU)), and among the read data, image data is reduced based on the display screen size on the color LCD 3.

Step S2402: Step S2401
The image data subjected to the reduction processing is written in a predetermined position of the VRAM 4 based on the tag (N / M) added to the image data. Thus, an image is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen of the color LCD 3 based on the image data. Therefore, an image based on the image data is displayed on the color LCD 3 in a predetermined area of the divided screen area as shown in FIGS. At this time, there is no audio output of the image data.

Step S2403: "1" is added to the counter 10d of the RAM 10 to check the next data.

Step S2404: Video disk 11
In the memory 11a, the contents (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d are checked.

As a result of the check in step S2404, the contents of the area indicated by the counter 10d (MEM (CO
If (U)) is the data indicating the end (the data indicated by “160” in FIG. 14), the process is terminated.

Step S2405: Step S2404
As a result of the check, if the content (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d is not data indicating the end, that is, if the content of the area is data indicating the tag (N / M), the "M" , Ie, the total number of recording channels at the time of recording.

If the result of the check in step S2405 shows that the total number of recording channels at the time of recording is not 1, the flow returns to step S2401 to return to the memory 11a of the video disk 11.
In step (2), the contents (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d are read, and of the read data, image data is reduced based on the display screen size of the color LCD 3. Thereafter, the processing from step S2402 is continuously executed.

If the result of the check in step S2405 is that the total number of recording channels at the time of recording is 1, the flow returns to step S2304 to return to the memory 11a of the video disk 11.
, The contents (MEM (COU)) of the area indicated by the counter 10d are read, and the image data of the read data is written to the VRAM 4. This allows
The color LCD 3 displays an image based on the image data. Also, of the read data, audio data is output from the speaker 7 as audio. Thereafter, the processing from step S2305 is continuously executed.

As described above, the images of the contents of the memory 11a shown in FIG. 14 are sequentially displayed on the color LCD 3, and in the case of displaying one image, sound is also output.

[Details of Embodiment 4] In contrast to the recording or reproduction in the serial-column mixed system in Embodiments 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the data of the programs on a plurality of channels is converted in the parallel independent system. Record. That is, recording is performed independently for each channel.

In this embodiment, the data of the programs on a plurality of channels are independently recorded in the memory. However, for the sake of simplicity, the image data of the programs on the two channels 1 and 2 is stored in the video disk 11. Each is recorded in an independent memory area. For data such as voice and text,
It is assumed to be attached to the image data.

FIGS. 25A to 25D show a configuration in which image data of a program on a plurality of channels is recorded in an independent memory.

In FIG. 25A, “2501”
Is an image group of channel 1 (Ch1), and “250”
.., “3 (1), 2503 (2),...” Are image data for one screen. In FIG. 25D, “2502 is an image group of channel 2 (Ch2),” "2505 (1), 2505 (2),..." Are image data for one screen.

As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25D, continuous image data 2503 (1), 2503
(2),..., Image data 2505 (1), 2505
(2), ... (continuously received image data) are stored in the independent memory area 2 of the memory 11a of the video disk 11.
507 (MEM (1)) and 2508 (MEM (2))
To be recorded independently. That is, the image data 2503 (1), 2503 (2),.
507 (MEM (1)) and image data 2505
(1), 2505 (2),...
(MEM (2)).

The image data to be recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11 may be data in a compressed state, or may be data obtained by decompressing the data.

Here, the memory area 2507 (MEM
(1)) and the memory area 2508 (MEM (2)).
(1)) and the memory area 2508 (MEM (2)) are different (independent).

Generally, a memory group is required for each number of channels to be received and stored. Here, each memory area 2507 (MEM (1)) and memory area 2
508 (MEM (2)) is managed as a two-dimensional memory with the number of channels and data in the channels.

Hereinafter, the memory area 2507 (MEM
(1)) and the memory area 2508 (MEM (2))
The memory is described as a memory MEM (1) and a memory (2), and the memory (n) (X, Y) means the Y-th image data of the X channel in the memory (n).

If the number of channels is too large or the processing speed cannot keep up with the receiving speed, image data is lost as described in the second embodiment.

FIG. 26 shows a state of recording in the memories MEM (1) and (2) when image data is lost. As shown in FIG. 26, for example, in channel 1, image data 2503 (2) next to image data 2503 (1) is lost and memory MEM is lost.
Although not recorded in (1), the next image data 2503
(3) is the memory M following the image data 2503 (1).
Recorded in EM (1).

The start address and end address of each of the memories MEM (1) and (2) are recorded in the index 11b of the video disk 11. For example,
As shown in FIG. 27, the address of the first data 2704 and the address of the last data 2705 of the memory MEM (1) are recorded in the areas 2701 and 2702 of the index 11b. Thus, the index 11b is composed of a pair of two areas.

FIG. 28 shows the memory 1 of the video disk 11.
When the image data of a plurality of channels is recorded in 1a, that is, the image data of a plurality of channels are independently stored in a plurality of independent memories MEM (1), MEM (2), MEM (3),. MEM (1), MEM (2), MEM
(3),... And the index 11b.

As shown in FIG. 28, the memory MEM
The address of the first data 2808 and the address of the last data 2809 of (1) are stored in the area 28 of the index 11b.
01 and 2802, the address of the first data 2810 and the address of the last data 2811 of the memory MEM (2) are stored in the areas 2803 and 2 of the index 11b.
804, the first data 2 of the memory MEM (3)
The address 812 and the address of the last data 2813 are recorded in the areas 2805 and 2806 of the index 11b. Therefore, by referring to the contents of the index 11b, the recording position of the data for each channel recorded in the memory 11a can be recognized.

In the first embodiment, one counter 10d is used for the counter 10d of the RAM 10 because of the recording of the serial mixed system. However, in this embodiment, since the recording of the parallel independent system is used, Disc 1
The counter 10d corresponds to the number of memories MEM (n) in one memory 11a, that is, the number of recording channels.
Need to be provided independently. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the counter 10d is provided for the number of recording channels as a parameter. Hereinafter, it is described as a counter 10d (X).

FIG. 29 shows an example of the relationship between the memory MEM (X) and the counter 10d (X). A counter 10d (1) is provided for the memory MEM (1) for channel 1 (X = 1),
A counter 10d (2) is provided for the memory MEM (2) for (X = 2).

The recording processing in this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

Step S3001: Tag 1 of RAM10
0e, 10f (N / M) and counter 10d (N)
(COU (N)) is initially set to "1".

Step S3002: The received data of the current channel is fetched and the memory 1 of the video disk 11
The data is recorded in the memory MEM (N, COU (N)) of the memory 1a.

Step S3003: counter 10d
"1" is added to (N).

Step S3004: It is checked whether recording is completed. If the result of this check is that recording has ended, the process proceeds to step S3204 (to be described later, the index creation process).

Step S3005: Step S3004
If the result of the check is that recording has not been completed, it is determined whether or not a recording channel has been added by referring to the channel table 10c of the RAM 10.

If the result of determination in step S3005 is that there is no additional recording channel, the flow returns to step S3002 to execute processing for recording received data. Then, the processing from step S3003 is continuously executed.

Step S3101: Step S3005
As a result of the determination, if there is an additional recording channel, "1" is added to the tag 10f (M), that is, "M" indicating the total number of channels, and the counter 10d (M) (CO
U (M)) is set to “1”. This counter 1
0d (M) (COU (M)) is a counter for a new recording channel (channel M).

Step S3102: tag 10e (N),
That is, the order number of the channel (channel pointer)
Is set to "1".

Step S3103, Step S310
4: Check the channel table 10c of the RAM 10 (step S3103), and determine whether an area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) is an empty area in the channel table 10c of the RAM 10 (step S3).
104).

Step S3105: Step S3104
As a result of the determination, if the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) is a free area, “1” is added to the tag 10e (N), and the process proceeds to step S3110 described later.

Step S3106: Step S3104
As a result of the determination, if the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) is not an empty area, the processing is switched to the channel set in the area.

Step S3107: Step S3106
The received data of the channel switched by the memory MEM (N, CO
U (N)).

Steps S3108 and S310
9. Step S3110: Counter 10d of RAM 10
“1” is added to (N) (step S3108), and “1” is also added to the tag 10f (N) (step S310).
9). After that, it advances to the next step S3110.

Step S3110: Tag 10f (M)
Is checked for a magnitude relationship between each value and the tag 10e (N).

As a result of the check in step S3110,
If “N ≦ M”, the flow returns to step S3103, and R
In the channel table 10c of the AM 10, it is determined whether or not the area corresponding to the value of the tag 10e (N) after adding "1" in step S3105 is a free area. Thereafter, the processing from step S3104 is continuously executed.

Step S3201: Step S3110
If the result of the check is that "N>M", it means that the recording and recording process of one cycle has been completed, so it is determined whether or not the entire recording process has been completed. If the result of this determination is that the entire recording process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S320 described below.
The process proceeds to the process 4 (index creation process).

Step S3202: Step S3201
If the result of the determination is that the entire recording process has not been completed,
Check the increase or decrease in the number of recording channels.

If the result of determination in step S3202 is that the number of recording channels has increased, processing returns to step S3101, and "1" is added to tag 10f (M). afterwards,
The processing from step S3102 is continuously executed.

If the result of determination in step S3202 is that the number of recording channels has not changed, step S3102
Returning to, the tag 10e (N) is set to “1”. Thereafter, the processing from step S3103 is continuously executed.

Step S3203: Step S3202
As a result of the determination, if the number of recording channels is decreasing,
Check the total number of recording channels.

If the result of determination in step S3203 indicates that the total number of recording channels is two or more, step S310
Returning to 2, the tag 10e (N) is set to "1". Thereafter, the processing from step S3103 is continuously executed.

If the result of determination in step S3203 is that the total number of recording channels is 1, the flow returns to step S3002 to execute recording processing of received data. Thereafter, the processing from step S3003 is continuously executed.

If the result of determination in step S3203 is that the total number of recording channels is 0 and that there is no data for the channel to be recorded, the next step S320
Proceed to 4.

Step S3204: Video disk 11
Create index data for the index 11b. The index data here is data of the start address and the end address of the memory MEM (N) as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Then, the created index data is recorded in the index 11b of the video disk 11.

As described above, data of a plurality of channels are respectively and independently recorded in the memory 11a of the video disk 11 in parallel.

[Details of Embodiment 5] In this embodiment, as described in Embodiment 4, data (image data and audio data, etc.) of a plurality of channels recorded in a memory in a parallel independent manner is reproduced. I do. FIG. 33 shows the reproduction processing in this embodiment. Here, in the state shown in FIG. 25, the data of the memory 11a of the video disk 11 on which data of a plurality of channels is recorded is reproduced.

Step S3301: Video disk 11
Of data (program data) to be reproduced among the data recorded in the memory 11a. This selection may select only one channel,
A plurality of channels may be selected at the same time.
This is because, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, programs on a plurality of channels can be displayed on the split screen on the color LCD 3. Then, “M” indicating the selected channel is determined.

Step S3302: Step S3301
The index data of the data of the channel indicated by "M" determined in step is read from the index 11b of the video disk 11, and the index data is written to the work memory 10a of the RAM 10.

Step S3303: The counter 10d (COU) of the RAM 10 is set to "1".

Step S3304: Video disk 11
Memory MEM (M, COU)
The image data is taken out of the area indicated by, the image data is reduced if necessary according to the size of the display screen of the color LCD 3, and written to a predetermined position on the VRAM 4. Thereby, the image data on the VRAM 4 is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen of the color LCD 3. As for the audio data, when there is one image displayed on the color LCD 3 (when the selected channel is 1).
Only), the sound is output via the speaker 7 as audio.

Step S3305: "1" is added to the counter 10d (COU) of the RAM 10.

Step S3306: Step S3301
It is determined whether or not all the data of the selected channel has been reproduced.

If the result of determination in step S3306 is that playback has not ended, the flow returns to step S3304, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, step S
As a result of the determination in 3306, when the reproduction is completed, the present processing ends.

By the above-described processing, the image data of a plurality of channels recorded on the video disk 11 can be sequentially displayed on the color LCD 3, and the color L
When there is only one display image on the CD 3, the sound can also be output from the speaker 7.

[Details of Embodiment 6] In Embodiments 1 to 5, recording and reproduction of data of a plurality of channels are performed in a serial mixing system or a parallel independent system. In this embodiment, data in the serial mixed system is converted into data in the parallel independent system.

[0231] Specifically, there is no particular problem in reproducing data once recorded in the serial mixed mode as it is, but there may be a problem such as utilization of a memory and a long processing time.

For example, FIG. 34 shows a state in which data of a plurality of channels is recorded in one memory 3401 in a serial mixed mode. In the above FIG.
02, 3403, 3404,...
3406, 3410, 3414, 3418 (shaded area)
Has data of channel A recorded therein. Area 3
Regions 3403 to 340 sandwiched between region 402 and region 3406
5. Region 340 sandwiched between region 3406 and region 3410
In areas other than the shaded area in the figure, such as 7 to 3409,
Data of another channel different from channel A is recorded.

The memory 3401 as shown in FIG.
Even if the reproduction of the data of channel A (the hatched portion in the figure) of the recorded data of (2) is completed (even if the program of channel A is finished), the memory 3401 cannot be used for another purpose. This is because, when reproducing data recorded in the serial mixed system, the area where the tag (N / M) is recorded is always searched in order from the head area, and the tag (N / M) obtained as a result is searched. This is because the data of the tag (N / M) is relied on, and if the sequence of the tag (N / M) is disturbed, the reproduction of the subsequent data is hindered.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to more effectively utilize the memory by converting data once recorded in the serial mixed mode into data in the parallel independent mode.

FIG. 35 shows an outline of the conversion processing in this embodiment. In FIG. 35, “3501”
Is, for example, a memory area in which data of a plurality of channels (here, channel A, channel B, and channel C) is recorded in a serial mixed mode in a memory 11a of the video disk 11 (hereinafter, “serial mixed memory”).
). “3506” is a counter (COU) for the serial mixed memory 3501 in the counter 10d of the RAM 11. “3502” to “3504”
For example, in the memory 11a of the video disk 11,
This is a memory area (hereinafter, referred to as “parallel independent memory”) in which data of the serial mixed system recorded in the memory 3501 is converted into data of the parallel independent system and recorded. “35
07 ”to“ 3509 ”are counters 10d of the RAM 11
Are counters (COU (1), COU (2), COU (3)) for the parallel independent memories 3502 to 3504.

As shown in FIG. 35, in the serial mixed memory 3501, for the data (channel A data) in which the value of the tag (N / M) “M” (tag numerator) is “1”, The data (data of channel B) in which the value of the tag (N / M) “M” (numerator of the tag) is “2” is recorded in the parallel independent memory 3502, and is recorded in the parallel independent memory 3502. The data (channel C) in which the value of “M” (tag numerator) of (N / M) is “3”
Is recorded in the parallel independent memory 3504. Thus, the purpose of this embodiment is to record the data of each channel recorded in one memory (serial mixed memory) in each memory (parallel independent memory) independently of each other and in parallel.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart for carrying out the processing shown in FIG.

Step S3601: Counter (COU) 3 for serial mixed memory 3501 in RAM 10
506, counter for parallel independent memory 3502 (COU
(1)) 3507 and the tag 10f (M) are each set to “1”.

Step S3602, step S360
3: Area (ME) indicated by the value of the counter (COU) 3506 in the serial mixed memory 3501 (MEM)
M (COU)) (step S3602),
It is determined whether or not the data of the area is a tag (N / M) (step S3603).

If the result of determination in step S3603 is that it is not a tag (N / M), the flow advances to step S3607 (processing for transferring the contents of the serial mixed memory to the parallel independent memory), which will be described later.

Step S3604: Step S3603
If the tag is a tag (N / M) as a result of the
The value of (the numerator of the tag) is changed to the tag 10e (N: the number of the
Set to

Step S3605: It is determined whether or not the value of "M" of the tag (N / M) is larger than the value of the tag 10f (M).

If the value of “M” of the tag (N / M) is not larger than the value of tag 10f (M) as a result of the determination in step S3605 (“M” ≦ 10f (M)), the following step will be described. The process proceeds to S3607 (process of transferring the contents of the serial mixed memory to the parallel independent memory).

Step S3606: Step S3605
As a result, the value of “M” of the tag (N / M) is
0f (M) (“M”> 10f
(M)), the value of “M” is set to the tag 10f (M), and the counter (COU) corresponding to the tag 10e (N) is set.
(N)) is set to “1”. This means that new data of the next channel has appeared.

Step S3607: Serial mixed memory 35
01 in the area (MEM (COU)) indicated by the counter (COU (N)) of the parallel independent memory.
(N, COU (N)). In addition, the counter (C
"1" is added to each of the OU) 3506 and the counter (COU (N)).

Step S3608: Serial mixed memory 35
It is determined whether or not this processing has been completed for all data in 01. This determination is made by determining whether or not the processing has been completed up to data indicating the end of the serial mixed memory 3501 (see “160” in FIG. 14).

If the result of determination in step S3608 is that processing has not yet been completed, the flow returns to step S3602 to repeatedly execute the subsequent processing steps.

Step S3609: Step S3608
As a result of the determination, when the processing is completed, index data corresponding to each of the parallel independent memories is created, and the index data is recorded in the index 11b of the video disk 11.

By the above-described processing, the data in the memory in which the data of a plurality of channels are recorded in the serial mixed mode is converted into the data in the parallel independent mode, and is recorded in the independent memory for each channel. be able to. As a result, the memory in which the data of the channel that has been reproduced is recorded can be used for another purpose, and the memory can be used effectively.

(Second Embodiment) The configuration of the first embodiment may be modified as follows.

(1) In the first embodiment, when image data (program data) of nine channels is displayed on the color LCD 3, the display screen on the color LCD 3 is divided.
Although the dividing method is as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, one large screen 3701 and eight small screens 3702 around it
A division method of (1) to 3702 (8) may be used. Also, the number and position of the display screen on the color LCD 3 are not limited to the number and position.
For example, as shown in FIG. 38, two large screens 3801,
3802 and n small screens 3803 at the lower part thereof
A division method of (1) to 3803 (n) may be used.

(2) In the first embodiment, the antenna 5
Although the digital broadcast data is received by the above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the digital broadcast data may be received using a cable.

(3) In the first embodiment, the recording destination (recording destination) of the received data is the video disk 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a digital video tape may be used. In this case, as described in the sixth embodiment, when converting serial mixed data to parallel independent data, two sets of decks are prepared.

(4) In the first embodiment, the color LCD 3 is used as the display means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a CRT or another display device may be used. In addition, as for the display method, the VRAM 4 serving as the display RAM is used, but any other display method can be applied.

(5) In the first embodiment, the panel 2 as shown in FIG. 7 is used as the operating means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a remote controller (remote controller) may be used. It may be.

(6) In the first embodiment, the rewriting cycle of one screen of image data is set to 1/30 second.
Other cycles are acceptable.

(7) In the first embodiment, the RAM 10
The reservation status in the reservation table 10b in FIG. 8 is the status as shown in FIG. 8, but is not limited to this. For example, a reservation is made again after one channel is completed.
Of course, even more complicated situations are fine. Specifically, for example, a situation as shown in FIG. 39 may be used. Also, the number of channels can be freely increased or decreased.

(8) In the first embodiment, the tag (N /
M) is added before the received data as shown in FIG. 14, but is not limited to this, and may be as shown in FIG. 40, for example. Specifically, FIG. 40 shows one piece of received data. The received data includes one-third of a second of image data of one sheet, audio data corresponding to the image data 4004 (audio data of the same time), and a character code which is a code group of characters added to subtitles and images. Contains. When these data are recorded together with the tag (N / M), first, a special code indicating the tag (N / M) is recorded in the head area 4001.
The numerator “N” of the tag (N / M) is recorded in the next area 4002, and the denominator “M” of the tag (N / M) is recorded in the next area 4003. Then, image data, audio data, and a character code are recorded in areas 4004, 4005, and 4006 following the area 4003. In the case of such a recording method, the presence / absence of a tag is determined based on the contents of the area 4001, and if there is a tag, the next area 4
A process of acquiring a tag value from the contents of 002 and 4003 is added.

(9) In the first embodiment, the length of one unit of received data is not particularly limited. Various data such as image data, audio data, and character codes as shown in FIG. 40 may be all variable-length data or fixed-length data.

(10) In the first embodiment, when data of only one channel is recorded, the tag (N / M) is added only to the head of the memory even in the serial mixed system. The method of adding the tag (N / M) may be, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 41, the first received data group is assigned a tag (N
/ M) is recorded in an area 4102 next to the recording area 4101, and before the second reception data group is recorded, the area 4102 is recorded.
The delimiter code is recorded in the area 4103 next to. Therefore, the second received data group is recorded in an area 4104 next to the area 4103 in which the delimiter code is recorded. As described above, by recording the delimiter code between the received data groups, the unit of the received data can be identified.

(11) The received data in the first embodiment may be compressed data or uncompressed data. In the case of the digital system, the memory is saved. Therefore, it is common to handle compressed data. There are various data compression methods, but the method is not limited to these methods. For example, there is a compression method in which a changed part of the basic data is set as difference data. When compressed data is transmitted by this method, the difference data is recorded as difference data. In this case, as shown in FIG.
After recording at 01, the delimiter code is recorded, and the difference data is recorded at the subsequent area 4202. This allows
Significant memory savings can be made. Also, subtitles and the like are not required for each screen, and may be omitted altogether.

(Third Embodiment) The present invention relates to, for example,
This is applied to a digital broadcast recording device 15 'as shown in FIG. The digital broadcast recording device 15 'has the same configuration as the digital broadcast recording device 15 of FIG. 1, but differs in the following configuration.

Note that, in the digital broadcast recording device 15 'of FIG. 43, the digital broadcast recording device 1 of FIG.
Parts that operate in the same way as in 5 are given the same reference numerals, and their detailed description is omitted.

<Structure of RAM 19> The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a writable memory, and temporarily stores received data such as image data, and is used as a temporary work area and a save area when executing a program. .

More specifically, the RAM 19 has a work area (WORK) 19a and a data area (DATA) 19a.
b, address area (ADR) 19c, counter (CO
U) 19d, maximum value area (CMAX) 19e, genre area (JAN) 19f, and flag (AREA) 1
Contains 9g.

The work area (WORK) 19a is a work area for temporarily storing image data, program variable data, and other data for operating the above-described program. Data area (DAT
A) 19b is a recording area for image data and audio data. The address area (ADR) 19c is an area for storing each head address of a recording area divided for each channel. The counter (COU) 19d is a counter for counting a series of continuous image data. The maximum value area (CMAX) 19e is a counter (COU)
This area stores the maximum value of 19d. The genre area (JAN) 19f is an area for storing a genre type of a channel (program). Flag (AREA) 19g
Is a flag indicating the type of an area for storing data (program data) of a channel to be recorded.

FIG. 44 shows the relationship between the data area (DATA) 19b and the address area (ADR) 19c which is a temporary storage area for data addresses in the RAM 19. In FIG. 44, for example, the data area (DATA) 19b has four areas 4401 to 4401.
4404, so that data of four channels can be individually recorded. Address area (A
DR) 19c temporarily stores the head addresses of the four areas 4401 to 4404.

<Basic Operation of Digital Broadcast Recording Apparatus 15 '> Before describing the characteristic operation of the digital broadcast recording apparatus 15', a basic operation as a premise thereof will be described.

When the power of the digital broadcast recording device 15 'is turned on, the program (P
RG) 9a is read and executed by the CPU 1. As a result, the digital broadcast recording device 15 'operates as follows.

First, image data of digital broadcast data received by the antenna 5 is written to the VRAM 4 via the tuner 6, and thereafter, the color LCD
3 is displayed on the screen. The audio data is converted into an analog signal via the DA converter 7a and output from the speaker 7 as audio.

On the other hand, digital broadcast data received by the antenna 5 is stored in the data area (DATA) 19b of the RAM 19. New data is always stored in the data area (DATA) 19b.

<Structure and Operation Characteristic of Digital Broadcast Recording Apparatus 15 ′> Here, as an example of the structure and operation characteristic of the digital broadcast recording apparatus 15 ′, the following 6
Examples 1 to 3 will be described.

Overview of Embodiment 1: Data of programs on a plurality of channels is automatically recorded (recorded). In particular, for example, the power supply
As soon as the ON state is reached, the recording operation is started, and the recording operation is continued even while other processing is being executed. Overview of Embodiment 2: Data of a program of a specific genre is recorded. Overview of Embodiment 3: Data recording area is specified.

[Details of Embodiment 1] Here, FIG.
Example 1 (automatic recording (recording) of program data of a plurality of channels) using the configuration diagram of the data area (DATA) 19b shown in FIG.
Will be specifically described.

Step S4501: "0" is initially set in the counter (COU) 19d of the RAM 19.

Step S4502: It is determined whether or not data of a plurality of channels is to be recorded.

If the result of determination in step S4502 is that data for one channel is to be recorded instead of recording data for a plurality of channels, step S4 will be described later.
Go to step 507.

Step S4503: Step S4502
As a result of the determination, when data of a plurality of channels is to be recorded, switching to a plurality of channels to be recorded is performed. At this time, the numbers and the like of the plurality of channels to be recorded are registered in the work area 19a and the like of the RAM 19 in advance.

Step S4504: Step S4503
RA corresponding to a plurality of channels switched by
The start address of the data area (DATA) 19b of the M19 is set in the address area (ADR) 19c of the RAM 19. Here, as shown in FIG. 44, the data area (DATA) 19b has four areas 4401.
４ 4404, and four channels of data can be stored.
Among them, the head address of the area corresponding to the channel to be recorded is set in the address area (ADR) 19c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4505 described later.

Step S4507: On the other hand, step S4
As a result of the determination in 502, when recording data of one channel instead of data of a plurality of channels, the RAM
The head address of the 19 data area (DATA) 19b is set in the address area (ADR) 19c of the RAM 19. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next step S4505.

Step S4505: The received data is stored in the address area (ADR) 19c and the counter (CO
U) Data area (D
(ATA) 19b.

Step S4506: "1" is added to the counter (COU) 19d of the RAM 19.

Step S4508: Counter (COU)
It is determined whether the value of 19d has exceeded the value of the maximum value area (CMAX) 19e.

As a result of the determination in step S4508, the value of the counter (COU) 19d is changed to the maximum value area (CMAX).
If the value does not exceed the value of 19e, the process returns to step S4502, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

As a result of the determination in step S4508, the value of the counter (COU) 19d is changed to the maximum value area (CMAX).
If the value exceeds 19e, the process returns to step S4501.
As a result, "0" is initialized in the counter (COU) 19d, and the data area (DATA) 19b is used for data recording from the first area.

With the above-described processing, the recording operation is continuously performed even while other processing is being performed. Therefore, even if one channel or a plurality of channels is used, the data area ( DATA) 19b always records the latest received data.

[Details of Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the received data is simply recorded continuously. However, in the present embodiment, the field (genre) of the channel program is selected in advance, and the selected field (genre) is selected. Record only the data of a particular field).

FIG. 46 shows a program table used in this embodiment. Here, news, drama,
And sports programs are broadcast on four channels 1-4. This information is prepared as the program table in FIG.

Therefore, for example, when the user wants to record only news, a number “0” indicating news is set in the genre area (JAN) 19f. Specifically, in this case, the user instructs recording of only news using the panel 2, and sets the number “0” indicating the news in the genre area (JAN) 19f based on the instruction. Thus, in the time zone 4601, data of all the channels 1 to 4 are recorded, and in the time zone 4602, only the data of the channels 1 to 3 are recorded.

When the user wants to record only a drama, a number “1” indicating the drama is set in the genre area (JAN) 19f. Thereby, the time zone 46
In the range 03, only data of channels 1 and 2 are recorded.

If the user wants to record only sports, a number “2” indicating sports is set in the genre area (JAN) 19f. Thus, only the data of channel 4 is recorded in the range of time zone 4602, and only the data of channel 3 is recorded in the range of time zone 4603.

FIG. 47 shows a flowchart of the processing as described with reference to FIG.

Step S4701: The receiving channel is set to channel 1.

Step S4702: Channel 1 data is received. Here, the radio wave transmitted from the broadcasting station always includes a signal (genre signal) indicating the genre of the channel. Therefore, the received data here also includes a genre signal. The genre signal may be various if it is always included in image data or audio data, or if it is set at the beginning of the data. In the latter case, the genre signal at the beginning of the data is May be recorded in an internal work area.

Step S4703: Step S4702
Then, it is determined whether or not the genre indicated by the genre signal acquired in step 2 matches the genre indicated by the value of the genre area (JAN) 19f.

Step S4704: Step S4703
If the genres do not match as a result of the determination, it is not necessary to record the data of the currently received channel.
Switch to the next channel. At this time, the channel may be switched cyclically. In this case, when the channel switching is completed, the channel returns to one channel again. Thereafter, the process returns to step S4702, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

Step S4705: Step S4703
If the genres match as a result of the determination, the data of the currently received channel is recorded. At this time, only one screen of image data and its audio data are recorded. Thereafter, the process returns to step S4702, and the subsequent processing steps are repeatedly executed.

By the above-described processing, a program whose genre has been specified can be recorded while traveling around the channel.

[Details of Embodiment 3] Embodiments 1 and 2
As described above, the data of the received channel is R
The data is recorded in the data area (DATA) 19b of the AM 19. In this embodiment, the recording area is specified.

First, the received data is basically recorded in a so-called blank area in which nothing has been recorded yet. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the data area (DATA) 19
In b, data is already recorded in the area 4801 (shaded area), and when the area 4802 is a blank area, the head address of the area 4802 (blank area) is registered in the address area (ADR) 19c. You. That is,
According to the present embodiment, the address area (ADR) 19
The received data is cyclically recorded only in the blank area 4802 indicated by c, and a new signal is not recorded in a portion where a signal is already recorded.
In such a case, as shown in FIG. 48D, the flag (AREA) 19g indicating the type of the area for storing the data (program data) of the channel to be recorded is set to “0”. As a result, data is recorded only in the blank area.

On the other hand, there is a case where the recording capacity is insufficient with only the blank area 4802 as shown in FIG. In such a case, it is conceivable to use a part of the already recorded area. For example, as shown in FIG.
803 is used as a recording area. This area 4803
And the blank area 4802 as a recording area,
It is reasonable to record a lot of data. In such a case, the flag (AREA) 19g is set to "1" as shown in FIG. As a result, data is recorded in an area that has been recognized to have been reproduced once and in a blank area.

When a large area is not required as an area for recording data, for example, when a recording area for one hour is sufficient, as shown in FIG. One hour area 4804 from the beginning
Only used cyclically to record data. This is effective when a dedicated channel for news or the like requires only new information within one hour. In such a case, as shown in FIG.
A) Set 19 g to “2”. As a result, only the one-hour area 4804 from the head of the blank area is used for data recording.

By specifying the recording area as described above, more convenient automatic recording becomes possible.

(Fourth Embodiment) The configuration according to the third embodiment may be modified as follows.

(1) In the third embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the data area (DATA) 19b
Is divided into four regions 4401 to 4404.
Although data of one channel can be stored, the present invention is not limited to this.

(2) In the third embodiment, the genres of data to be recorded are three genres: news, sports, and drama. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

(3) In the third embodiment, only one genre is specified as the genre of data to be recorded. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of genres can be specified. It may be. For example, both news and sports may be specified.

(4) In the third embodiment, blank areas are used as areas for recording data. For example, if blank areas are not continuous but are scattered, they are searched for. The resulting blank area may be provided in the record. The same applies to the once reproduced area. Further, once the reproduction area is, of course, 2
It may include a reproduction area of a degree or more.

An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal according to the first to fourth embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide the system or the apparatus with It is needless to say that the present invention is also achieved when the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the first to fourth embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, R
OM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like. The functions of the first to fourth embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also executed by the computer based on the instruction of the program code.
It goes without saying that S and the like perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the first to fourth embodiments. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extension function board inserted into the computer or a function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0310]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least the following effects (1) to (12) can be obtained. (1) Even with one tuner, data (broadcast programs) of a plurality of channels can be simultaneously recorded (recorded). (2) Even with one tuner, a plurality of broadcast programs can be simultaneously scheduled and recorded. (3) A plurality of broadcast programs can be divided and displayed simultaneously on the same screen. (4) While a broadcast program is being recorded, another program can be additionally recorded. (5) During recording of a plurality of broadcast programs, recording of at least one of the broadcast programs can be stopped. (6) When playing back multiple broadcast programs recorded simultaneously,
One by one can be played on the full screen. (7) When playing back multiple broadcast programs recorded simultaneously,
All of these broadcast programs can be divided into screens, listed, and reproduced. (8) When reproducing a plurality of broadcast programs, the sound of each broadcast program is not output simultaneously. (9) By effectively reorganizing a plurality of simultaneously recorded broadcast programs for each program, the memory can be effectively used.

(10) Even if the scheduled recording is not performed, the broadcasted program can be viewed retroactively when the television is turned on. (11) The genre of the broadcast program to be recorded can be specified. (12) By detecting the state of the memory at the recording destination, the area of the recording destination can be specified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcast recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a display screen division and a screen selection cursor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining screen display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining two-screen split display.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining three-screen split display.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining switching timing of two channels.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a reservation status for each channel.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a reservation table.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a recording channel table.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining transition of a recording channel table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a case where recording is stopped in a recording channel table.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a case where data of two channels is recorded in a memory in a serial mixed mode without any loss.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a state in which data is recorded in a serial mixed mode.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between single-screen display and tags.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between two-screen display and tags.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between three-screen display and tags.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a four-screen display and tags.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining processing (S2001 to S2007) when data is recorded in the serial mixed mode.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining processing (S2101 to S2110) when data is recorded in the serial mixed mode.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining processing (S2201 to S2203) when data is recorded in the serial mixed mode.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a case where data of two channels is recorded in a memory in a serial mixed mode with a missing portion.

FIG. 23 is a process of reproducing the data from the memory in which the data is recorded in the serial mixed mode (S2301 to S230).
It is a flowchart for demonstrating 5).

FIG. 24 is a process of reproducing data from a memory in which data is recorded in a serial mixed mode (S2401 to S240).
It is a flowchart for demonstrating 5).

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a case where data of two channels is recorded in a memory in a parallel independent manner without any loss.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for describing a case where data of two channels is recorded in a memory in a parallel independent manner with a missing portion.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a memory and an index.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a plurality of memories and indexes.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a memory and a counter.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining processing (S3001 to S3005) when data is recorded in a parallel independent system.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining processing (S3101 to S3110) when data is recorded in a parallel independent system.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining processing (S3201 to S3204) when data is recorded in a parallel independent system.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a process of reproducing data from a memory in which data is recorded in a parallel independent manner.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a state of a memory in which data is recorded in a serial mixed mode.

FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining a memory state when converting data in the serial mixed mode to data in the parallel independent mode.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a process of converting serial mixed data to parallel independent data.

FIG. 37 is a diagram for describing another example (example 1) of screen division in the second embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for describing another example (example 2) of screen division.

FIG. 39 is a diagram for explaining another example of the channel-specific reservation status.

FIG. 40 is a diagram for describing details of a tag portion.

FIG. 41 is a diagram for explaining another method of recording in the serial mixed mode.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording method when data to be recorded is compressed data.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital broadcast recording device to which the present invention has been applied in the third embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a memory configuration.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic recording process.

FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining a program table.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating a recording process of a specific genre.

FIG. 48 is a diagram for describing designation of a recording area.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Panel (operation panel) 3 Color LCD 4 VRAM 5 Antenna 6 Tuner 7 Speaker 8 Bus line 9 ROM 10 RAM 11 Video disk 15 Digital broadcast recording device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/445 H04N 5/445 Z 5/765 5/91 L 5/92 5/92 HF term (reference 5C025 CA03 CA06 CA09 CB08 DA01 5C053 FA20 FA23 GA06 GB06 KA24 LA06 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC01 BC04 CC01 CC04 DE14 DE38 DE49 GK08 GK11 HL11 5D080 AA07 BA02 BA03 CA03 DA01 DA06 EA03 GA25 JA09

Claims (52)

[Claims] 1. A television broadcast recording apparatus for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, comprising: a channel switching unit for switching a reception channel between a plurality of channels; and a plurality of channels switched by the channel switching unit. Storage means for storing data of the channels substantially simultaneously. 2. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reproducing unit that reproduces data stored in said storage unit. A display means for displaying at least image data included in the data reproduced by the reproduction means; and an audio output means for outputting audio data included in the data reproduced by the reproduction means. The television broadcast recording device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The display means displays on a plurality of divided screens,
4. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein image data of a plurality of channels is displayed. 5. The television broadcast recording according to claim 4, wherein said display means includes a cursor display means for displaying a cursor for selecting one of the plurality of divided screens. apparatus. 6. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said display means divides a screen based on the number of channels to be displayed. 7. The television according to claim 3, wherein the audio output means outputs audio data of the data when the reproduction by the reproduction means is reproduction of only one-channel data. John Broadcast Recorder. 8. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for externally instructing a storage operation in said storage unit. 9. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising operation means for externally instructing a reproduction operation by said reproduction means. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reservation unit for reserving a channel of the data stored in said storage unit, wherein said channel switching unit switches the channel based on the reservation information in said reservation unit. 2. The television broadcast recording device according to 1. 11. The reservation means can reserve a plurality of channels broadcast at the same time, and the channel switching means switches the plurality of channels reserved by the reservation means. Item 11. The television broadcast recording device according to item 10. 12. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores a channel number together with data of the channel. 13. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a channel adding unit for adding a new channel to a channel to be switched by said channel switching unit. 14. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a channel deleting unit for deleting an arbitrary channel among the channels to be switched by said channel switching unit. 15. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means mixes the data of the plurality of channels in a time series and continuously stores the data. 16. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said storage means stores information including at least channel total information and channel selection order information together with corresponding data. 17. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores the data of said plurality of channels in a plurality of independent memory areas in parallel. 18. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said storage means stores a start address and an end address of said plurality of independent memory areas. 19. The storage means, wherein the data of the plurality of channels is mixed in chronological order and stored continuously, and the data of the plurality of channels are stored in parallel in a plurality of independent memory areas. 18. The television broadcast recording device according to claim 17, wherein the information is stored again. 20. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said storage means stores data from the beginning of said storage area when the amount of data to be recorded exceeds the storage area. 21. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a specifying unit for specifying a genre of a channel to be switched by said channel switching unit. 22. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising designating means for designating a storage area in said storage means. 23. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means continuously executes a recording operation regardless of execution of other processing. 24. A television broadcast recording system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other, wherein at least one device among the plurality of devices is the television according to any one of claims 1 to 23. A television broadcast recording system having the function of a television broadcast recording device. 25. A television broadcast recording method for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, comprising: a channel switching step of switching a reception channel between a plurality of channels; and a plurality of channels switched by the channel switching step. And storing the data of the channel. 26. A television broadcast recording method for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, comprising: a receiving step of receiving data of an arbitrary channel of the television broadcast; and a receiving step of the receiving step. A channel switching step of switching channels; a storage step of storing data of a predetermined channel received by the reception step; a reproduction step of reproducing data stored by the storage step; and data reproduced by the reproduction step. A display step of displaying image data, and an audio output step of outputting audio data of the data reproduced by the reproduction step, wherein the channel switching step includes a step of switching a plurality of simultaneously broadcasted channels. The storage step is Television broadcast recording method characterized by comprising the step of storing the data of the plurality of channels. 27. The display step, comprising: a screen dividing step of dividing a display screen; and causing the image data of the data of the plurality of channels to correspond to each divided region of the display screen divided by the screen dividing step. 27. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 26, further comprising a screen division display step of simultaneously displaying. 28. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 27, wherein the display step includes a cursor display step of displaying a cursor on an arbitrary divided area in the screen division display step. 29. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 28, further comprising a cursor movement instruction step of moving said cursor by operating means. 30. A storage instruction step for instructing data storage in said storage step by operation means, a storage interruption instruction step for instructing interruption of data storage in said storage step by operation means, and data in said reproduction step. 27. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 26, further comprising: a reproduction instruction step of instructing reproduction by operation means. 31. A table information storage step, comprising: a reservation step of reserving a channel of data stored in the storage step; and a table information storage step of storing information of the channel reserved in the reservation step as table information. 27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of storing information of a plurality of channels broadcast at the same time as the table information.
The described television broadcast recording method. 32. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 26, wherein said storing step includes a step of storing channel number information of data to be stored. 33. A channel adding step of adding a new channel as a data channel to be stored in the storing step during the data storing in the storing step, wherein the channel switching step is added by the channel adding step. 27. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of switching the reception channel by adding the selected channel to the reception channel to be switched. 34. A channel deleting step for deleting an arbitrary channel from channels of data to be stored in the storing step during the data storing in the storing step, wherein the channel switching step is added by the channel deleting step. 27. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 26, further comprising a step of switching the reception channel by deleting the selected channel from the reception channels to be switched. 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the storing step includes a step of stopping data storage when the number of data channels to be stored becomes “0” in the channel deleting step. Television broadcast recording method. 36. The television broadcast according to claim 26, wherein the storing step includes a serial storing step of mixing the data of the plurality of channels in time series and continuously storing the data in a memory. Recording method. 37. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 36, wherein the storing step includes a step of storing the number of channels and the selection order of the channels in a memory together with the data as a tag. 38. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 27, wherein the screen division step includes a step of changing the screen division number based on the number of channels to be displayed. 39. The television broadcast recording according to claim 37, wherein the storing step includes a step of adding the tag to the head of the memory when the data to be stored is data of one channel. Method. 40. The audio output step, wherein data of a plurality of channels is reproduced by the reproducing means.
27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of: not outputting audio data. 41. The display method according to claim 26, wherein, when data of a plurality of channels is reproduced by the reproducing means, each image data to be displayed is reduced and displayed simultaneously. Television broadcast recording method. 42. The storage step according to claim 26, wherein the storing step includes a step of dividing the memory of the plurality of channels for each channel and storing the data in parallel.
The described television broadcast recording method. 43. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 42, wherein said storing step includes a step of storing a start address and an end address of said divided memory as an index. 44. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 42, wherein said storing step includes a step of storing a pointer indicating a position of said divided memory. 45. The storing step, wherein the data of the plurality of channels is mixed in a time series and stored in a memory continuously, and the data is divided into memories for each channel and stored again in parallel. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 26, comprising: 46. The storage step includes a step of mixing the data of the plurality of channels in time series and adding tags indicating the number of channels and the order of channel selection added to the data continuously stored in the memory. The method for recording a television broadcast according to claim 45, comprising a step of removing. 47. A television broadcast recording method for receiving a television broadcast and recording the received data, comprising: a receiving step of receiving data of an arbitrary channel of the television broadcast; A storage step of storing the data of the predetermined channel, a reproduction step of reproducing the data stored in the storage step, and an energization that always executes the data reception in the reception step and the data storage in the storage step when energized. A television broadcast recording method, comprising: a time execution step; and a memory reuse step of returning a storage position to a head of the storage area when a data storage position in the storage step exceeds a storage area. 48. A channel switching step of switching a receiving channel in the receiving step between a plurality of simultaneously broadcasted channels, wherein the storing step includes a step of storing data of the plurality of channels. 48. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 47. 49. The television broadcast recording method according to claim 48, further comprising a specifying step of specifying a field of a channel of data stored in said storing step. 50. The method according to claim 47, further comprising: a classification step of classifying a storage area in the storage step; and an instruction step of designating one or a plurality of areas classified by the classification step. Television broadcast recording method. 51. A computer readable processing program for implementing the function of the television broadcast recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 23 or the function of the television broadcast recording system according to claim 24. A storage medium characterized by being stored in a storage medium. 52. A storage medium characterized by storing the processing steps of the television broadcast recording method according to claim 25 in a computer readable manner.