JP2002051291A - Unit and method for information processing, apparatus and method for video recording and reproduction, and service providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To aid video recording of broadcast contents including a CMs at the request of a viewer. SOLUTION: A server receives an input of a request message of automatic video recording of related contents and references broadcast contents information of a broadcast contents information recording section to allow a viewer video recording request data recording section to register video recording request information to record broadcast contents relating to 'Asako Hamaguchi'. A video recording list generating section references the video recording request information to generate a video recording list to record broadcast contents relating to 'Asako Hamaguchi' at present point in time and transmits the list to a terminal, where a transmission time is recorded on an 'update time' column of the video recording request data recording. With respect to the CM broadcast contents with a smaller amount of data, not a channel for contents broadcast but 'download' is described on a channel column and the server transmits the broadcast contents of a CM broadcast to the terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, a recording and reproducing apparatus and a recording and reproducing method, and a service providing system. Information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording / reproducing apparatus, recording / reproducing method, and service capable of providing a broadcast content search / recording support service based on a viewer's request for not only broadcast content but also CM Regarding the provision system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A viewer wants to know broadcast contents including interesting information (for example, a program in which actor A appears).
And it's common to want to record it. In such a case, in the conventional recording support service, the viewer scans a program guide arranged based on the broadcast time and the channel and searches for a program including desired information.

[0003] However, when the number of programs becomes enormous due to the digitization of broadcasting, it becomes difficult for viewers to search for desired broadcasting content using the conventional recording support service. As a means for solving this problem, a service for searching and recording broadcast content including information designated by a viewer has appeared.

[0004]

However, it is the program unit that can be searched and recorded by these services, and the CM is not the target. For example, for a viewer who is considering purchasing a new car, the CM of the new car should be the broadcast content containing the desired information, but the conventional broadcast content search / recording support service cannot record the CM of the new car. . The ability to record commercials benefits broadcast content sponsors, but conventional services cannot provide services that benefit both sponsors and viewers, and therefore require support from broadcast content providers. I can't get it.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to satisfy not only the broadcast content of a program unit but also the CM by using a simple operation by the viewer. It is possible to provide a search / recording support service for broadcast contents based on the broadcast contents.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: an input / output control unit for controlling transmission / reception of information to / from a recording / reproducing apparatus; a plurality of keywords; First to control recording with information
Recording control means, second recording control means for controlling recording of second information relating to broadcast contents, and a plurality of keywords and first information whose recording is controlled by the first recording control means. A search means for searching for broadcast content corresponding to the keyword, the input of which is controlled by the input / output control means; and
Recording is controlled by second recording control means based on first generation means for generating third information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keyword and fourth information whose input is controlled by the input / output control means. And a second generation unit that extracts second information corresponding to a predetermined broadcast content from the obtained second information and generates fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus. .

[0007] Broadcast contents can include broadcast contents corresponding to commercials.

The fourth information may be recording request information of a user specified by a keyword or recording request information of a user specified for each broadcast content.

[0009] A third recording control means for controlling recording of the fourth information may be further provided. When the fourth information is recording request information of a user specified by a keyword, the third recording control means is provided. The control means can control the recording of the fourth information, and the second generation means can control the fourth information whose recording is controlled by the third recording control means, and the first recording. Periodically referencing the plurality of keywords and the first information whose recording is controlled by the control means,
Fifth information can be generated, and when the fourth information is recording request information of a user designated for each broadcast content, the input to the second generation means is controlled by the input / output control means. In addition, the fifth information can be generated based on the fourth information.

[0010] The second information may include information on the priority of the broadcast content.

[0011] The input / output control means can control the output of the content data corresponding to the broadcast content included in the fifth information generated by the second generation means to the recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0012] The third data generated by the first generating means may be an HTML document.

An information processing method according to the present invention includes an input / output control step of controlling transmission / reception of information to / from a recording / reproducing apparatus, and control of recording of a plurality of keywords and first information indicating broadcast contents corresponding to the keywords. A first recording control step, a second recording control step for controlling recording of second information relating to broadcast content, and a plurality of keywords and a first keyword whose recording is controlled by the processing of the first recording control step. , A search step of searching for broadcast content corresponding to the keyword, the input of which is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step, and a broadcast content corresponding to the keyword based on the search result of the search step. A first generation step of generating third information indicating the following, and fourth information whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step: Based on the second information, the second information corresponding to the predetermined broadcast content is extracted from the second information whose recording has been controlled by the processing of the second recording control step, and the fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus is extracted. And a second generating step of generating.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus for controlling input / output of information with an information processing apparatus, and display control means for controlling display of first information whose input is controlled by the input / output control means. An input control unit that controls input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the first information whose display is controlled by the display control unit; and an operation of the user whose input is controlled by the input control unit. Generating means for generating second information indicating recording request information to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus based on the signal, obtaining means for obtaining broadcast content, and third input / output control means for controlling input / output Recording means for recording the broadcast content acquired by the acquisition means in accordance with the information.

[0015] The broadcast contents can include broadcast contents corresponding to commercials.

The second information generated by the generating means is:
It may be recording request information of a user specified by a keyword or recording request information of a user specified for each broadcast content.

The first display whose display is controlled by the display control means.
May be an HTML document.

According to the recording / reproducing method of the present invention, there is provided an input / output control step for controlling transmission and reception of information with the information processing apparatus, and a display for controlling display of first information whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A control step, an input control step of controlling input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the first information whose display is controlled by the processing of the display control step, and an input is controlled by the processing of the input control step Processing of generating second information indicating recording request information to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus based on a signal indicating the operation of the user, an obtaining step of obtaining broadcast content, and an input / output control step Recording the broadcast content obtained by the processing of the obtaining step in accordance with the third information whose input is controlled by the control unit. To.

[0019] In the service providing system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus controls the exchange of information with the recording / reproducing apparatus.
Input / output control means, first recording control means for controlling recording of a plurality of keywords and first information indicating broadcast contents corresponding to the keywords, and control of recording of second information relating to broadcast contents Second recording control means;
A search for searching for a broadcast content corresponding to a keyword, the input of which is controlled by the first input / output control unit, with reference to the plurality of keywords and the first information whose recording is controlled by the first recording control unit Means, first generation means for generating third information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keyword based on a search result by the search means,
Based on the fourth information whose input is controlled by the input / output control means, the second recording control means whose recording is controlled by the second recording control means.
A second generation unit for extracting second information corresponding to a predetermined broadcast content from the information of the second information, and generating fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus. Second input / output control means for controlling transmission and reception of information with the display, display control means for controlling display of third information, the input of which is controlled by the second input / output control means, and display by the display control means Control means for controlling the input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the third information controlled by the user, and information processing based on the signal indicating the operation of the user whose input is controlled by the input control means. A third generating unit that generates fourth information indicating recording request information to be transmitted to the device, an obtaining unit that obtains broadcast content, and a fifth unit whose input is controlled by the second input / output control unit. According to information, by acquisition means Characterized in that it comprises a recording means for performing recording of the resulting broadcast content.

In the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention, transmission and reception of information with the recording / reproducing apparatus are controlled,
The recording of the plurality of keywords and the first information indicating the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword is controlled, the recording of the second information on the broadcast content is controlled, and the plurality of keywords and the first information are referred to. A broadcast content corresponding to the input keyword is searched, and a third broadcast content indicating the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword is searched based on the search result.
Is generated, and based on the input fourth information, a second
, The second information corresponding to the predetermined broadcast content is extracted, and the fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus is generated.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus and the recording / reproducing method of the present invention, transmission and reception of information with the information processing apparatus is controlled.
The display of the input first information is controlled, the input of the signal indicating the operation performed by the user with reference to the displayed first information is controlled, and based on the input signal indicating the operation of the user, Second information indicating recording request information to be transmitted to the information processing device is generated, broadcast content is acquired, and recording of the acquired broadcast content is executed according to the input third information.

In the service providing system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus controls transmission and reception of information to and from the recording / reproducing apparatus, and records a plurality of keywords and first information indicating broadcast contents corresponding to the keywords. The recording of the second information on the broadcast content is controlled, and the broadcast content corresponding to the input keyword is searched by referring to the plurality of recorded keywords and the first information, and the search result is displayed. Third information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keyword is generated based on the information, and second information corresponding to the predetermined broadcast content is extracted from the second information based on the input fourth information. Fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing device is generated, transmission / reception of information with the information processing device is controlled by the recording / reproducing device, and display of the input third information is performed. An input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the displayed and displayed third information is controlled, and a recording request for transmitting the signal to the information processing apparatus based on the input signal indicating the operation of the user. The fourth information indicating the information is generated, the broadcast content is obtained, and the recording of the obtained broadcast content is executed according to the input fifth information.

[0023]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the server 1 and a diagram showing a connection between the server 1 and a terminal device 2 possessed by a viewer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server 1 and the terminal device 2 are connected via the Internet 3. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the server 1 is a Web server and the terminal device 2 has a Web browser.

The input / output unit 11 transmits and receives data between the server 1 and the terminal device 2. The data transmitted from the server 1 to the terminal device 2 includes an HTML document and a recording list (to be described later). The data transmitted from the terminal device 2 and received by the server 1 include viewer search requests and recording requests. There are messages (described later) and the like.

The keyword search engine 12 searches the keyword information stored in the keyword information recording unit 15 for a keyword that matches the keyword requested by the viewer, and searches the keyword requested by the viewer and the broadcast content information related thereto. Has the function of extracting

The display data generator 13 is an HTM for displaying search results and the like on the display screen of the Web browser displayed on the display 63 (FIG. 6) of the terminal device 2.
Generate an L document.

The recording list generator 14 creates a recording list for causing the terminal device 2 to record broadcast contents for which recording has been requested by the viewer. In addition, the recording list generation unit 14 provides the viewer who has requested the related content automatic recording,
It is periodically checked whether or not it is necessary to send a new recording list, and a new recording list is generated and transmitted to the viewer as appropriate.

The keyword information recording unit 15 records each keyword and information relating to each keyword. Each keyword information includes at least a keyword ID and broadcast content related to the keyword in association with each other.

FIG. 2 shows the format of the keyword information recorded in the keyword information recording section 15. In FIG. 2, each piece of keyword information and broadcast content is associated with the broadcast content table in FIG. A broadcast content table is prepared for each keyword, and each broadcast content table includes a “broadcast content ID”,
"Relationship" indicating the strength of association between the broadcast content and the keyword is recorded. The “relevance” may be disclosed to the viewer so that the viewer can refer to it when selecting broadcast content to be recorded.

The broadcast content information recording section 16 records information on broadcast content. Each broadcast content information includes at least “broadcast content ID”,
"Broadcast channel", "start time", and "end time" are associated and included.

FIG. 4 shows a recording format of the broadcast content information recorded in the broadcast content information recording section 16. In the broadcast content information of FIG. 4, "priority" information is associated in addition to the items described above. When it is necessary to select broadcast content to be recorded on the terminal device 2 due to a broadcast time collision, a limitation on the storage capacity of the terminal device 2, or the like, the CPU 51 of the terminal device 2 determines the priority based on the “priority”. And the broadcast content to be recorded is determined.

The priority information is, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application No.
In an apparatus having an automatic recorded program reproduction function as described in 00-150726, high-priority broadcast content is preferentially automatically reproduced, and may be used for setting to increase viewing opportunities. good.

The viewer recording request data recording section 17 records information on the recording request of the viewer. However, from the terminal device 2, “specific content recording” described later
When a signal indicating the request is received, a recording list for recording the corresponding broadcast content is generated and transmitted to the terminal device 2 at the time of the recording request, and the process is terminated. It is not necessary for the viewer recording request data recording unit 17 to record information on a viewer's recording request. On the other hand, when a signal indicating a “relevant content automatic recording” request, which will be described later, is input from the terminal device 2, a new related broadcast content related to the keyword whose recording is requested is added every time a new related broadcast content is added. Since it is necessary to generate a recording list and distribute it to the terminal device 2, information on the recording request of the viewer is recorded in the viewer recording request data recording unit 17.

The viewer recording request data recording unit 17 stores a viewer ID for specifying a viewer who has requested recording in a recording request information recording format as shown in FIG. 5, and a terminal owned by the viewer. The IP address of the device 2, the keyword ID of the keyword to be recorded, and the date and time when the recording list was last transmitted to the terminal device 2 are recorded.

In FIG. 1, the keyword information recording unit 15, the broadcast content information recording unit 16, and the viewer recording request data recording unit 17 are described as separate recording devices. As a configuration, part 2
More than one may be present in the same recording device.

The functions of the keyword search engine 12, the display data generator 13, and the recording list generator 14 are as follows.
All may be realized on the same computer, or may be realized by being distributed to two or more computers connected by a network.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 can record a large number of images on a HDD (Hard disk drive) 56 having an enormous storage capacity, and can accurately grasp the intention of the user and reflect the intention on the storage management of the recorded images. it can. Note that the terminal device 2 can be implemented as an AV device, and can be configured integrally with a television receiver such as a set-top box (STB), for example.

A broadcast wave received by an antenna (not shown) is supplied to a tuner 41. The broadcast wave is based on a predetermined format, for example, EPG (Electronic
Program Guide) data may be included. The broadcast wave is not particularly limited to a satellite broadcast wave, a terrestrial wave, a cable, or a wireless.

The tuner 41 has a CPU (Central Processes).
Under the control of the sing unit (51), tuning of a broadcast wave of a predetermined channel, that is, tuning is performed, and received data is output to the demodulation unit (42). Note that the configuration of the tuner 41 can be changed or expanded as appropriate depending on whether the transmitted broadcast wave is analog or digital. The demodulation unit 42 demodulates the digitally modulated received data and outputs the demodulated data to the decoder 43.

For example, in the case of digital satellite broadcasting, digital data received by the tuner 41 and demodulated by the demodulation unit 42 is AV data compressed by the MPEG2 system,
And a transport stream in which data for data broadcasting is multiplexed. The former AV data is video data and audio data constituting the broadcast content main body, and the latter data broadcast data includes data (for example, EPG data) attached to the broadcast content main body.

The decoder 43 separates the transport stream supplied from the demodulation section 42 into AV data and data for data broadcasting (for example, EPG data) compressed by the MPEG2 system. The separated data for data broadcasting is
Bus 49 and HDD interface (I / F) 55
And is stored in the HDD 56 via the.

When it is instructed to output the received content as it is, the decoder 43 further separates the AV data into compressed video data and compressed audio data.
The separated audio data is PCM (Pulse Code Modulat
ion), and is output to the speaker 62 via the mixer 45. Further, the separated video data is expanded and then displayed on the display 63 via the composer 47.
Is output to

When it is instructed to record the received content on the HDD 56, the decoder 43 outputs the AV data before separation to the HDD 56 via the bus 49 and the HDD interface 55. Also, H
When the reproduction of the content recorded on the DD 56 is instructed, the decoder 43 receives the AV data from the HDD 56 via the HDD interface 55 and the bus 49, separates the data into compressed video data and compressed audio data, Output to the composer 47 or the mixer 45, respectively.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 44
The work data performed by the decoder 43 can be stored.

The composer 47 combines the video data input from the decoder 43 and the image data input from the graphic processing controller 48 as necessary, and outputs the resultant to the display 63. Display 63
Displays (reproduces) the video signal supplied from the composer 47. The speaker 62 outputs the audio signal supplied from the mixer 45.

The U / I (user interface) control section 46 is a module for processing an input operation from the user. For example, when the user operates a remote commander 61 composed of operation buttons or switches, An operation signal (IR signal) emitted from an infrared light emitting unit (not shown) is received by the light receiving unit 46a, and the CPU 5
Output to 1.

The CPU 51 is a main controller that controls the operation of the terminal device 2 as a whole, and executes various applications on a platform provided by an operating system (OS). The CPU 51, for example, based on an operation signal input from the remote commander 61 via the U / I control unit 46 and the bus 49,
Tuner 41, demodulation unit 42, decoder 43, HDD 56
The recording or the reproduction of the content is executed by controlling the contents.

The CPU 51 loads the Web browser software recorded on the HDD 56 into the RAM 52 and executes it.

The HDD 56 is a storage device that can store programs, data, and the like in a file format of a predetermined format and that can be accessed at random. For example, the HDD 56 has a large capacity of about several tens of GB (or 100 GB or more). I have. The HDD 56 is also connected to the bus 49 via the HDD interface 55, and
3, or data broadcasting data such as EPG data is input from the communication control unit 50, the information is recorded, and the recorded data is output as necessary.

The HDD 56 is connected to the server 1 via the Internet 3 and transmits the H
Web browser software capable of displaying the TML document on the display 63 is stored, and the Web browser software is stored in the HDD interface 55 and the bus 49 under the control of the CPU 51.
Via the RAM 52.

The graphic processing controller 48 is a dedicated controller for generating image data.
SVGA (Super Video Graphic Array) or XGA (eXte
ndedGraphic Array) is provided with a high-definition drawing function. The graphic processing controller 48 includes, for example,
A GUI (Graph) that allows the user to enter various settings
hical User Interface) Generates data such as operation screens.

The communication control unit 50 controls wired or wireless communication using a telephone line or a cable. By communicating with the server 1 of FIG. 1 or another server system (not shown) via the communication control unit 50, transmission and reception of broadcast contents or EPG data is performed. The broadcast content input to the communication control unit 50 is input to the decoder 43 via the bus 49, and is input to the tuner 41.
And the same processing as the broadcast data input via the demodulation unit 42. In addition, by communicating with an external device via the communication control unit 50, for example, it is possible to receive input of data related to content that does not include EPG data such as terrestrial broadcasting. The data input to the communication control unit 50 is transmitted to the bus 49 and the HDD interface 5.
5, and is stored in the HDD 56.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 52 is
This is a writable volatile memory used to load an execution program of the CPU 51 and write work data of the execution program. ROM (Read Only Me)
mory) 53 is a read-only memory for storing a self-diagnosis / initialization program executed when the power of the terminal device 2 is turned on, a control code for hardware operation, and the like.

IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers) 1394 interface (I /
F) 54 is a serial high-speed interface capable of transmitting and receiving data of several tens MBps. IEEE1394 port 5
An IEEE1394 compatible video camera 64 is connected to 4a.

Next, referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, the viewer (ie, the user of the terminal device 2) starts the Web browser software using the terminal device 2, and uses the Web browser to access the Internet. 3 through the server 1
Is accessed, a predetermined operation is performed on the display screen displayed on the Web browser displayed on the display 63 and various buttons displayed on the display screen (for example, by using the remote commander 61, , An operation of selecting various displayed buttons) will be described.

When the viewer activates the Web browser software using the terminal device 2 and accesses the server 1 via the Internet 3 using the Web browser, the server 1 displays the search screen 71 shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display 63 of the terminal device 2 via the Internet 3 via the Internet 3.
Send to The CPU 51 of the terminal device 2
From 0, an input of an HTML document is received via a bus 49, a predetermined image processing is executed in a graphic processing controller 48, and then output to a display 63 via a bus 49 and a composer 47.

The viewer searches for a keyword of interest from the search screen 71 displayed by the HTML document, for example, in the same manner as a conventional search engine published on the Internet 3. For example, a viewer who wants to check content related to the entertainment singer “Asaako Hamaguchi” inputs “Asako Hamaguchi” in the text box 81 and clicks the search button 82 or
From the link button 83 described as "entertainer", the category hierarchy of the keyword is traced.

The search result of “Asako Hamaguchi” is displayed, for example, as a search result display screen 91 shown in FIG. The search result screen 91 includes a keyword “Asako Hamaguchi” selected by the user and a recording button 101 corresponding thereto.
Are displayed, the names of broadcast contents related to “Asako Hamaguchi” are listed, and a record button 102 to a record button 106 corresponding to each broadcast content are displayed.

The viewer can request the server 1 to automatically record the broadcast content related to the keyword on the terminal device 2 by clicking the recording button 101 beside the keyword “Asako Hamaguchi”. . Hereinafter, the process of automatically recording all contents related to a predetermined keyword in this manner is referred to as “related content automatic recording”. After requesting the server 1 for "automatic recording of related content", broadcast content related to "Asako Hamaguchi" is automatically recorded on the terminal device 2 of the viewer.

Further, the viewer can use the recording button 102 to the recording button 10 beside the listed broadcast content names.
By clicking on one of the items 6 corresponding to the desired broadcast content, the server 1 can be requested to record the desired broadcast content on the terminal device 2.
Hereinafter, the process of recording individually designated content in this manner is referred to as “specific content recording”.

In addition, when the viewer clicks the link button 84 describing “new song” on the search screen 71 of FIG. 7, a search result display screen 111 as shown in FIG. Web
Displayed on the browser. On the search result display screen 111, "new song information" which is a keyword selected by the user and a recording button 121 corresponding thereto are displayed, and broadcast content names related to "new song information" are listed. Recording button 1 corresponding to
22 to the recording button 129 are displayed.

As in the case described with reference to FIG.
, When the recording button 121 is selected by the user, the server 1 executes a process for “automatic recording of related content”, and when the recording button 122 to 129 is selected by the user, the server 1 A process for "content recording" is executed.

When the viewer clicks the link button 85 describing "New President of Company A" on the search screen 71 of FIG. 7, a search result display screen 141 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. , Is displayed on the Web browser displayed on the display 63. Search result display screen 1
Also in 41, the keyword selected by the user, "Mr. X for the new president of Company A", and the corresponding recording button 151 are displayed, and the broadcast content names related to "Mr. X for the new president of Company A" are listed. And the recording buttons 152 to 155 corresponding to the respective broadcast contents.
Is displayed.

As in the case described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in FIG.
When 51 is selected, the server 1 executes a process for “related content automatic recording”, and when the user selects the recording button 152 to 155, the server 1
Executes a process for “specific content recording”.

Next, a description will be given of information exchange between the server 1 and the terminal device 2 and processing of each of the contents recording support system to which the present invention is applied. Here, a description will be given of a case where the viewer (that is, the user of the terminal device 2) is interested in the entertainment singer “Asako Hamaguchi” and wants to record broadcast content related to “Asako Hamaguchi”.

First, a viewer using the terminal device 2 executes an operation for activating Web browser software on the terminal device 2 using the remote commander 61. The CPU 51 receives an input of a signal indicating a viewer's operation input from the U / I control unit 46 via the bus 49 and transmits the Web browser software stored in the HDD 56 to the HDD interface 55 and the bus 49. Then, the web browser is loaded into the RAM 52 to start the Web browser, and the server 1 is connected to the server 1 via the Internet 3.

The input / output unit 11 of the server 1 reads an HTML document corresponding to the search screen 71 described with reference to FIG. 7 from the display data generation unit 13 and transmits the HTML document to the terminal device 2 via the Internet 3. .

The CPU 51 of the terminal device 2
From 0, an HTML document corresponding to the search screen 71 described with reference to FIG. 7 is input via the bus 49, and a process for displaying the search screen 71 of FIG. Execute. That is, after the graphic processing controller 48 executes predetermined image processing, the image is output to the display 63 via the bus 49 and the composer 47 for display.

Next, the viewer refers to the search screen 71 displayed on the display 63 to search for a desired keyword. For example, when the viewer inputs “Asako Hamaguchi” in the text box 81 of FIG. 7 using the remote commander 61 and clicks the search button 82,
The CPU 51 receives an input of a signal indicating a viewer operation, which is input from the U / I control unit 46 via the bus 49,
A search request message is transmitted to the server 1 via the bus 49, the communication control unit 50, and the Internet 3 (the search request message includes a keyword ID).

The input / output unit 11 of the server 1 receives the search request message and outputs the search request message to the keyword search engine 12. The keyword search engine 12 searches for the keyword I included in the search request message.
Based on D, “Hamaguchi Asako” is retrieved from the keyword information recording unit 15 and output to the display data generation unit 13. The display data generation unit 13 displays an HTML displaying the search result.
A document (that is, an HTML document corresponding to the search result display screen 91 described with reference to FIG. 8) is generated and output to the input / output unit 11. The input / output unit 11 transmits the input HTML document to the terminal device 2 via the Internet 3.

Then, the CPU 51 of the terminal device 2 receives the HTML document corresponding to the search result display screen 91 from the communication control unit 50 via the bus 49, and executes the same processing as the above-described processing. Figure 8 on Web browser
Is displayed on the screen.

Subsequently, the viewer refers to the search result display screen 91 of FIG. 8 and selects one of the desired recording buttons 101 to 106 by using the remote commander 61 to obtain the specific content. The server 1 is requested to perform recording or automatic recording of related content.

Hereinafter, the processing when the viewer requests the specific content recording and the processing when the viewer requests the related broadcast content automatic recording will be described.

First, the processing when a specific content recording is requested will be described. Here, a case will be described in which the viewer wants to record the broadcast content “Music × XXX” displayed on the search result display screen 91 in FIG.

The viewer uses the remote commander 61 to click the record button 102 in FIG. CPU5
1 receives an input of a signal indicating a viewer operation from the U / I control unit 46 via the bus 49, and
9, via the communication control unit 50 and the Internet 3, the broadcast content “music XX” is transmitted to the server 1.
A message requesting recording of “×” is transmitted (the recording request message includes a broadcast content ID of “music × xxx”).

The input / output unit 11 of the server 1 receives the recording request message and outputs it to the recording list generation unit 14. The recording list generation unit 14 refers to the content information described with reference to FIG. 4 recorded in the broadcast content information recording unit 16 and, for example, as shown in FIG. Is generated. This list includes at least the channel of the broadcast content, the recording start time, and the recording end time. Further, the recording list may include the “priority” information described above. The recording list generation unit 14 outputs the generated recording list to the input / output unit 11, and the input / output unit 11 converts the input recording list into
The data is transmitted to the terminal device 2 via the Internet 3.

The CPU 51 of the terminal device 2
From 0, the recording list is input via the bus 49,
Recording processing (or recording reservation setting processing) is performed according to the recording list.

Also, the viewer can select a CM broadcast content having a small data amount (for example, “@cellular Tokyo & Tokai” or “xx foundation” output as a search result on the search result display screen 91 in FIG. 8). (Ie, when the recording button 105 or the recording button 106 is selected), the server 1 transmits content data including video data and audio data instead of transmitting the recording list. The terminal device 2 that has received the content data processes the received content data in the same manner as the broadcast content recorded based on the recording list, and records the processed content data on the HDD 56.

Next, a case where a viewer requests automatic recording of related content will be described.

The viewer uses the remote commander 61 to click the recording button 101 in FIG. CPU5
1 receives an input of a signal indicating a viewer operation from the U / I control unit 46 via the bus 49, and
9. Send a message to the server 1 via the communication control unit 50 and the Internet 3 to request that “broadcast content related to“ Asako Hamaguchi ”be automatically recorded in the future” (message includes: This includes the viewer ID, the IP address of the terminal device 2, and the keyword ID).

The input / output unit 11 of the server 1 receives the request message for automatic recording of the related content and outputs the message to the viewer recording request data recording unit 17. The viewer recording request data recording unit 17 registers the recording request information for recording the broadcast content related to “Asako Hamaguchi” in accordance with the recording request information recording format described with reference to FIG.

The recording list generating unit 14 records the recording request information recorded in the viewer recording request data recording unit 17 and the broadcast content information recording unit 16.
Referring to the broadcast content information described with reference to FIG.
A recording list for causing the terminal device 2 to record the broadcast contents (that is, the five broadcast contents shown in FIG. 8) which is known to be related to “Asako Hamaguchi” at the present time is created. 11 and Internet 3
Through the terminal device 2. Further, the recording list generation unit 14 records the transmission time in the “update time” column of the recording request information recorded in the viewer recording request data recording unit 17.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a recording list transmitted to the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 12, for a CM broadcast content having a small data amount,
The content is not a channel on which the content is broadcast, but is described as “download”, and the start time and the end time are not described. That is, as for the CM broadcast content, the broadcast content corresponding to the CM broadcast is transmitted from the server 1 to the terminal device 2 as in the case of the specific content recording described above.

The CPU 51 of the terminal device 2
From 0, the recording list is input via the bus 49,
Recording processing (or recording reservation setting processing) is performed according to the recording list.

Thereafter, the recording list generation unit 1 of the server 1
4 periodically checks the keyword information recording unit 15 in order to detect whether or not broadcast content related to “Asako Hamaguchi” has been newly added, and adds broadcast content related to the corresponding keyword. If the added content is a CM, a new recording list (or, if the added content is a CM, content data including video data and audio data) is created, and the input / output unit 11
Then, the data is transmitted to the terminal device 2 of the corresponding viewer via the Internet 3. When a new recording list (or content data) is transmitted, the recording list generation unit 14 updates the value of the “update time” column of the recording request information recorded in the viewer recording request data recording unit 17.

By executing the processing described above,
The viewer can efficiently know the broadcast content related to the information of interest, record the desired broadcast content by a simple operation (specific content recording), or perform the desired information by one simple operation. Broadcast content including
Recording can be performed automatically (related content automatic recording).

Further, the server 1 associates the information of “priority” with each broadcast content managed by the server 1, so that the server 1 and the terminal device 2 control an opportunity for a viewer to view each broadcast content. be able to. For example, Japanese Patent Application 2000
In an apparatus having an automatic recording program reproduction function as described in -150726, by referring to "priority" information, it is possible to automatically reproduce high priority broadcast contents preferentially. Is also good. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of viewing opportunities for high-priority broadcast contents.

Further, in the present system, it is also possible to perform recording in units of CM, which is impossible with the conventional recording substitute (recording support) service. And this system is the CM
Since the means for recording the corresponding CM is provided to the terminal device 2 of the viewer who is likely to be interested in the CM, the advertisement effect of the CM can be enhanced. For example, the server 1 manages the CM of the new car as broadcast content associated with the keyword “new car”, and causes the terminal 2 of the viewer who has requested the recording of the content related to the keyword “new car” to record them. Can be. In this case, it can be said that a viewer who is interested in the keyword “new car” and requests recording is more interested in the CM of the new car and is more likely to purchase them than other viewers.

In this specification, a system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0092]

According to the information processing apparatus and the information processing method of the present invention, transmission and reception of information with the recording / reproducing apparatus are controlled, and a plurality of keywords and first information indicating broadcast contents corresponding to the keywords are controlled. Controlling the recording, controlling the recording of the second information on the broadcast content, searching for the broadcast content corresponding to the input keyword by referring to the plurality of keywords and the first information, and based on the search result, The third information indicating the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword is generated, and the second information corresponding to the predetermined content is extracted from the second information based on the input fourth information. Since the fifth information for control is generated, a broadcast content search / recording support service based on the viewer's request is provided by simply performing a simple operation by the viewer. Door can be.

According to the recording / reproducing apparatus and the recording / reproducing method of the present invention, transmission / reception of information with the information processing apparatus is controlled, display of the input first information is controlled, and the displayed first information is transmitted. Controlling the input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the second information indicating a recording request to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus based on the input signal indicating the operation of the user; Since the content is acquired and the recording of the acquired broadcast content is executed in accordance with the input third information, the broadcast content based on the request of the viewer can be obtained only by performing a simple operation by the viewer. Can be recorded.

According to the service providing system of the present invention,
An information processing device controls transmission and reception of information to and from the recording / reproducing device, controls recording of a plurality of keywords and first information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keywords, and records second information related to the broadcast content. And searches for the broadcast content corresponding to the input keyword with reference to the plurality of recorded keywords and the first information. Based on the search result, a third broadcast content indicating the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword is searched. And extracting the second information corresponding to the predetermined content from the second information based on the input fourth information, and controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus.
The recording / reproducing apparatus controls the exchange of information with the information processing apparatus, controls the display of the input third information, and is performed by the user with reference to the displayed third information. Controlling input of a signal indicating an operation, generating fourth information indicating a recording request to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus based on the input signal indicating the operation of the user, acquiring broadcast content, and Since the recorded broadcast content is recorded in accordance with the obtained fifth information, the broadcast content search / recording support service based on the viewer's request can be performed simply by the viewer performing a simple operation. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a configuration of a server of a recording support system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a recording format of keyword information recorded in a keyword information recording unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a broadcast content table corresponding to keyword information recorded in a keyword information recording unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a recording format of content information recorded in a broadcast content information recording unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a recording format of recording request information recorded in a viewer recording request data recording unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a search screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a search result display screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a search result display screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a search result display screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a recording list.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording list.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server, 2 terminal device, 3 internet,
11 input / output unit, 12 keyword search engine,
13 display data generation unit, 14 recording list generation unit, 15 keyword information recording unit, 16 broadcast content information recording unit, 17 viewer recording request data recording unit, 50 communication control unit, 51 CPU, 61 remote commander, 63 display, 71 search screen, 91 search result display screen, 101 to 106
Record button, 111 Search result display screen, 121 to 129 Record button, 141 Search result display screen,
151 to 125 Record button

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus connected to a recording / playback apparatus owned by a user via a network, comprising: an input / output control unit configured to control transmission / reception of information to / from the recording / playback apparatus; First recording control means for controlling recording of first information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keyword; second recording control means for controlling recording of second information relating to the broadcast content; With reference to the plurality of keywords and the first information whose recording is controlled by the recording control means,
A search unit configured to search for the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword, the input of which is controlled by the input / output control unit; and a third indicating the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword based on a search result by the search unit. A first generation unit for generating information; and a fourth information, the input of which is controlled by the input / output control unit, being determined based on the second information whose recording is controlled by the second recording control unit. And a second generation unit that extracts the second information corresponding to the broadcast content and generates fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast content includes the broadcast content corresponding to a commercial. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fourth information is recording request information of the user specified by the keyword or recording request information of the user specified for each broadcast content. 2. The information processing device according to 1. 4. The apparatus further comprising: third recording control means for controlling recording of the fourth information, wherein the fourth information is recording request information of the user specified by the keyword. The third recording control means controls recording of the fourth information, and the second generating means controls the fourth information whose recording is controlled by the third recording control means, and the fourth information. The fifth information is generated by periodically referring to the plurality of keywords and the first information whose recording is controlled by the first recording control means, and the fourth information is generated for each broadcast content. If the recording request information of the user specified in the, the second generation means, the input was controlled by the input / output control means,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fifth information is generated based on the fourth information. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information includes information on a priority of the broadcast content. 6. The input / output control unit outputs the content data corresponding to the broadcast content included in the fifth information generated by the second generation unit to the recording and playback device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus performs control. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third data generated by the first generation unit is an HTML document. 8. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus connected to a recording / reproducing apparatus owned by a user via a network, comprising: an input / output control step of controlling transmission / reception of information to / from the recording / reproducing apparatus; A first recording control step of controlling recording of a keyword and first information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keyword; a second recording control step of controlling recording of second information related to the broadcast content; Referring to the plurality of keywords whose recording is controlled by the processing of the first recording control step and the first information, and corresponding to the keyword whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step A search step for searching for the broadcast content to be performed; and A first generation step of generating third information indicating the broadcast content, and a processing of the second recording control step based on fourth information whose input is controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A second generation step of extracting the second information corresponding to the predetermined broadcast content from the second information whose recording has been controlled by the following, and generating fifth information for controlling the recording / reproducing apparatus. An information processing method comprising: 9. A recording / reproducing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus of a service provider via a network, wherein the input / output control section controls transmission and reception of information to and from the information processing apparatus; Display control means for controlling the display of the first information whose input is controlled by the control unit; and control of input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the first information whose display is controlled by the display control means Input control means for generating, based on a signal indicating an operation of the user whose input is controlled by the input control means, generating means for generating second information indicating recording request information to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus Acquisition means for acquiring broadcast content; and recording of the broadcast content acquired by the acquisition means in accordance with third information whose input is controlled by the input / output control means. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a recording unit that executes an image. 10. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the broadcast content includes the broadcast content corresponding to a commercial. 11. The second information generated by the generating means is recording request information of the user specified by a keyword or recording request information of the user specified for each broadcast content. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: 12. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first data whose display is controlled by the display control means is an HTML document. 13. A recording / reproducing method of a recording / reproducing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus of a service provider via a network, wherein: an input / output control step of controlling transmission / reception of information to / from the information processing apparatus; A display control step of controlling display of first information whose input is controlled by the processing of the entry output control step, and a user performing the display with reference to the first information whose display is controlled by the processing of the display control step An input control step of controlling input of a signal indicating an operation, and recording request information for transmitting to the information processing apparatus based on a signal indicating an operation of the user whose input is controlled by the processing of the input control step. A generating step of generating second information to be shown, an obtaining step of obtaining broadcast content, and an input controlled by the processing of the input / output control step. A recording step of recording the broadcast content obtained by the processing of the obtaining step in accordance with the obtained third information. 14. A service providing system comprising an information processing device owned by a service provider and a recording / reproducing device owned by a user, connected via a network, wherein the information processing device comprises: First input / output control means for controlling transmission and reception of information, first recording control means for controlling recording of a plurality of keywords, and first information indicating broadcast content corresponding to the keywords, A second recording control unit that controls recording of second information relating to content; and a plurality of the keywords and the first information whose recording is controlled by the first recording control unit,
A search unit configured to search for the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword, the input of which is controlled by the first input / output control unit; and indicating the broadcast content corresponding to the keyword based on a search result by the search unit. A first generation unit for generating third information; and a fourth generation unit whose input is controlled by the first input / output control unit.
Extracting the second information corresponding to a predetermined content from the second information, the recording of which is controlled by the second recording control means, based on the information of 5, a second generating unit for generating information of the fifth information, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus comprises: a second input / output control unit for controlling transmission / reception of information with the information processing apparatus; and a second input / output control unit. Display control means for controlling the display of the third information, the input of which is controlled by the controller; and input of a signal indicating an operation performed by the user with reference to the third information, the display of which is controlled by the display control means Input control means for controlling the information processing apparatus; and generating the fourth information indicating recording request information to be transmitted to the information processing apparatus, based on a signal indicating an operation of the user whose input is controlled by the input control means. Third
Generating means, acquiring means for acquiring the broadcast content, and executing recording of the broadcast content acquired by the acquiring means in accordance with the fifth information whose input is controlled by the second input / output control means. A service providing system, comprising: