JP2002135699A - Television program reservation service system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide service to reserve recording of a television program in a www server via a network and to obtain the reserved recording program via the network. SOLUTION: This service is characterized that recording reservation of a broadcasted program is made by accessing a program reservation acceptance server 3 from a cellular telephone 1 or a PC 2 via the Internet 100, each of plural recording servers 4 being linked with the reservation acceptance server 3 creates and stores recording files for each broadcasted program, according to the time schedule of broadcast programs to be broadcast from a broadcasting station, the recording files in which the recording reservation is made by the program reservation acceptance server 3 from a PC 5 or an exclusive terminal 6 via the Internet 100 are obtained from the recording servers 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television program reservation service system and method associated with a television program recording reservation, and more particularly, to reserve a television program recording to a WWW server via a network and obtain the reserved recorded program. The present invention relates to a television program reservation service system and method for providing a service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A program reservation in which a VCR and a television set are set can be set directly on the VCR by using a G code or broadcast time, or a remote control (available only within a few meters) attached to the VCR. Is set by G code or broadcast time. However, according to this method, even if the user wants to watch a TV program in his daily life, he or she often goes out and forgets to make a reservation.

As a solution, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2000
-67488. That is, program information is obtained from a video recording reservation device using a mobile communication network from a portable terminal, and the program information is transmitted to the video recording reservation device by selecting a program. The received video recording reservation device transmits program information to a video terminal connected via a public telephone network, and sets a reservation for a recorded program.

[0004]

However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-67488, a video recording reservation device reserved for recording via a network is connected to a video terminal connected to a public line network. Since it is necessary to set the reservation information of the program, there is a problem that when the user is out of the office, the video terminal must be connected to a public line network and the power of the video terminal must be turned on and off. Further, even if a user wants to record a program in a local area other than his / her own residence, the video terminal can only record in the area where the video terminal is installed, so that there is a problem that a program outside the broadcasting area cannot be recorded.

An object of the present invention, in view of the above problems, is to provide a service that reserves recording of a television program on a WWW server via a network and obtains the reserved recorded program via the network.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a television program reservation service system according to the present invention provides an access means for accessing a server for establishing a homepage for broadcast program reservation from a plurality of devices via a network. When,
Reservation means for accessing the homepage from the device to make a recording reservation for a broadcast program; and a plurality of recording servers linked to the server each recording a broadcast program in accordance with a time schedule of a broadcast program broadcasted from a broadcast station. It is characterized by having storage means for creating and storing a file, and obtaining means for accessing the homepage from the device and obtaining a recording file of a broadcast program reserved for recording by the reservation means.

[0007] Further, when the G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program is input to the G code input field on the screen of the apparatus obtained by accessing the home page, the reservation means inputs the G code. Is registered in the program reservation information database for each user ID of the user.

[0008] Further, when the program selection button on the screen of the apparatus obtained by accessing the homepage is depressed, the reservation means includes a program including a program name and a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program. A table is displayed on the screen of the device, and when a program name to be reserved for recording is selected from the program table on the screen, reservation information including a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the selected program is displayed. User I
D is registered in the program reservation information database for each D.

Further, the recording server is provided with a G code conversion table including a broadcast time (start time and end time) of the program and a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program.
The time schedule is characterized in that it is created by sorting in time order based on the G code conversion table.

[0010] Further, the obtaining means allows the user to select reservation information from a list of reservation information of the reserved program on the screen of the device obtained by accessing the homepage, and based on the selected reservation information, A recording file of the broadcast program reserved for recording is obtained from a storage unit.

Further, the server is characterized in that the server includes a server managed by an Internet service provider contracted with a user of the device.

Further, the server is characterized in that it is a server managed by a wireless telephone company contracting with a user of the device.

[0013] Further, the server is characterized in that it includes a server managed by a broadcast program reservation service contracted with a user of the apparatus.

Further, according to the television program reservation service method of the present invention, a plurality of apparatuses access a server for establishing a homepage for broadcast program reservation via a network, and the apparatus accesses the homepage to reserve recording of a broadcast program. To each of a plurality of recording servers linked to the server, to create a recording file for each broadcast program according to the time schedule of the broadcast program broadcast from the broadcast station and store it in a storage unit, from the device It is characterized in that a recording file of a broadcast program reserved for recording by accessing a homepage is obtained from the storage unit of the recording server.

[0015] Further, according to the television program reservation service method of the present invention, a server having a homepage for broadcasting program reservation accessed from a device via a network, and a plurality of recording servers linked to the server are prepared. Each of the plurality of recording servers creates a recording file with the G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program as an identifier according to the time schedule of the broadcast program broadcasted from the broadcasting station, and records the created recording file. Stored in a file storage unit, the server displays a program table including a program name and a G code on a screen of the apparatus when a recording request of the program is issued from the apparatus, and displays a program to be scheduled for recording from the program table. A user accessing the reservation information including the selected G code by causing the device to select the G code. Registered in the program reservation information database together with the user ID, and when there is a request to obtain the program reserved for recording from the device after the recording is completed, the reservation information corresponding to the user ID of the user who has requested the acquisition from the program reservation information database A list (including the reservation information) is read, a recording file request screen to which the read reservation information list and the URL of the recording server are added is displayed on the screen of the apparatus, and the reservation information is displayed from the recording request screen. The user selects the G code and the URL of the recording server. The recording server accessed by the URL selects a recording file corresponding to the selected G code from the recording file storage unit. The recording file is transferred to the device.

[0016] In addition, according to the television program reservation service method of the present invention, a server having a homepage for broadcasting program reservation accessed from a device via a network, and a plurality of recording servers linked to the server are prepared. Each of the plurality of recording servers creates a recording file with a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program as an identifier for each broadcast program according to the time schedule of the program broadcasted from the broadcasting station, and stores the created recording file in the recording file. Stored in a storage unit, the server displays an input field for inputting a G code on the screen of the apparatus when a recording request for a broadcast program is issued from the apparatus, and causes the server to input a G code from the input field on the screen. The program reservation information data together with the user ID of the user accessing the reservation information including the input G code When a recording request is received from the device after the end of recording, the reservation information list corresponding to the user ID of the user who has requested acquisition from the program reservation information database (the reservation information list). Is displayed, and a recording file request screen to which the read reservation information list and the URL of the recording server are added is displayed on the screen of the device, and the reservation information is selected from the recording request screen. A code and a URL of the recording server are selected, the recording server accessed by the URL selects a recording file corresponding to the selected G code from the recording file storage unit, and the selected recording file is stored in the device. It is characterized by being transferred to

[0017]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The Internet 100 as a network, the mobile phone 1, the PCs 2 and 5 as personal computers, the WWW server and a program reservation receiving server 3 managed by a recording reservation service provider, and the recording reservation service linked to the program reservation receiving server 3 Recording server 4 managed by the operator and dedicated terminal 6
And a TV 7 as a television. In addition,
The mobile phone 1, the PCs 2 and 5, the program reservation receiving server 3, the recording server 4, and the dedicated terminal 6 are connected via the Internet 100. Also, a mobile phone 1 and a PC 2
Is the terminal of the person who wants to reserve a program and has a built-in browser (communication software for connecting to the Internet:
In particular, a terminal that can connect to the Internet by launching a client program for accessing the WWW server) and other terminals that can connect to the Internet may be used. Also, the PC 5 and the dedicated terminal 6 may be other terminals that can connect to the Internet by starting up a built-in browser and that can record and reproduce the program, as well as the terminal for a reserved program distribution applicant. PC2
And the PC 5 may be the same personal computer. Note that a plurality of mobile phones 1, PC2, and PC5 are actually connected to the Internet 100, and for convenience of explanation,
I'm focusing on one.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a configuration inside the program reservation server 3 shown in FIG. 1. The program reservation server 3 includes a control unit 31 in which a processor (not shown) operates according to a program.
An interface unit 32 that communicates with the Internet 100, a readable and writable memory 33,
Customer information database 34 and screen information database 3
5 and a program reservation information database 36.

The memory 33 stores a program table 331 for each district.
And a G code conversion table 332 that exists for each district,
An area for storing a district name URL correspondence table 333 in which a URL corresponding to the district name is registered is allocated. The program table 331 has a program table prepared for each broadcast date, district name, and broadcast station. The program table 331 and the G code conversion table 332 are transmitted from each recording server 4 existing in each area via the Internet 100 and stored in the memory 33 by the control unit 31 that has received the program table 331 and the G code conversion table 332.

Referring to FIG. 5, a G code conversion table 332 exists for each district name.
G code, broadcast station, start time, end time, and program name are included.

Referring to FIG. 6, a district name URL correspondence table 333 is information for linking the program reservation receiving server 3 to the recording server 4 and further shows a correspondence between the district name and the URL. 33 is stored in a predetermined area.

Customer information database 34, screen information database 35, and program reservation information database 36
Are allocated to an area in a non-volatile storage medium device (for example, a magnetic disk) that can be read and written.

The customer information database 34 stores contracted user information (user ID, personal identification number, name, address, etc.).
Are stored for each user ID. User information is stored in advance at the time of contract.

The screen information database 35 contains screen information (HTM) to be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 1 or PC2.
L. HTML (Hypertext Description Language) is stored in advance. That is, the screen information database 35 prompts for input of authentication input screen information for prompting for authentication, menu screen information indicating a service menu, program reservation selection screen information for prompting a condition for narrowing program reservation, and program reservation. It includes program reservation screen information and recording file request screen information for prompting a request for a recorded file (program reserved for recording).

The program reservation information database 36 (see FIG. 4) stores reservation information of a user who has reserved a program. The reservation information includes, for each user ID, a district name, a broadcast station, a broadcast date, and a G date. It contains the code, start time and end time.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a configuration inside the recording server 4 shown in FIG. 1. The recording server 4 includes a control unit 41 in which a processor (not shown) operates according to a program, and an interface unit for communicating with the Internet 100. 42
A read / write memory 43 and a recording unit 4
4, a clock 45, and a plurality of recording file storages 46.

The recording server 4 exists for each district. In this case, the whole country is divided into arbitrary blocks, and the divided blocks are defined as one district (identified by the district name).
Therefore, for example, the recording server 4 may be installed for each prefecture, or the recording server 4 may be installed in large units such as the Kinki area and the Kanto area.

The memory 43 stores a program table 431 of the district managed by the recording server, and a G code conversion table 432 (FIG. 8) in which a broadcast station, a start time, an end time, a program name and the like are registered in correspondence with a broadcast date and a G code. 7) and a time table 433 (see FIG. 8) in which a start / end identification code, a G code, a program name, and the like corresponding to time are registered for each broadcast station. The program table 431 includes a program table for each broadcast date and each broadcast station. In the G code conversion table 432, a table for each broadcasting station in this area is prepared for each broadcasting station. These program tables 43
1 and the G code conversion table 432
Is transmitted from a broadcasting station (not shown) existing in a district managed by the Internet 100 via the Internet 100, and is stored in the memory 43 by the control unit 41 having received it. When the program table 431 and the G code conversion table 432 are received from the broadcasting station, the program table 431 and the G code conversion table 432 are transmitted to the program reservation server 3 via the Internet 100. Further, upon receiving the G code conversion table, the control unit 41
From the time based on the time, sort in the order of time, and start /
An end identification code (for example, a logical value “10” indicates the start and a logical value “01” indicates the end) is set, and the created table is stored in the time table 433 of the memory 43 for each broadcast station.
Store in area.

The recording unit 44 receives a broadcast from each television station (not shown), demodulates a television signal received from an antenna for each channel (television station) into a digital video signal (for example, an NTSC signal), While monitoring the clock 45, the demodulated digital video signal is compressed and stored as a recording file of one program in the recording file storage unit 46 corresponding to each broadcasting station.

The recording file storage unit 46 is allocated to an area in a non-volatile storage medium device (for example, a magnetic disk) from which reading and writing can be performed, and is stored in each recording file storage unit 46 assigned to each broadcasting station. Indicates that all programs broadcast by the broadcasting station are recorded. Here, after a certain period (for example, one month) has passed, the program whose period has passed is deleted by the control unit 41.

As a method of connecting to the Internet, when the browser is started, a connection is made with a server connected to the Internet 100 by connecting to a contracted provider (ISP: Internet service provider) through a dial-up IP connection via a telephone line. There is a method of exchanging data and a method of constructing an Internet server group by itself without using a telephone line and accessing a server connected to the Internet 100 by using a dedicated line. both are fine. In this case, when the browser is started, the Internet (each server connected to the Internet 100)
In the following description, the above is said when the connection is made.

Next, an outline of the operation of the present invention from the viewpoint of the user will be briefly described. The user accesses the program reservation service site (program reservation reception management server 3) from the mobile phone 1 or the PC 2 and specifies the broadcast date, broadcast station, G code information (or selection from the program table) and the like of the program desired to be recorded. Input and perform recording reservation operation. After returning home, the user accesses the program reservation service site (program reservation reception server 3) from the PC 5 or the dedicated terminal 6, and downloads the recorded contents. After the download is completed, the user views the program by reproducing the recorded contents on a TV connected to the PC 5 or the dedicated terminal 6.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For a company that provides a program reservation service, a person who wants to make a recording reservation / distribution (hereinafter, a user) has registered as a member. in this case,
The service provider gives a user ID and a password to the member, and provides communication / program reproduction software to the PC user and a dedicated connection terminal (dedicated terminal 6) to the non-owner.

Now, a user who has contracted with a company that provides a program reservation service makes a reservation for recording a television program using the PC 2. The user starts up the browser of the PC 2 and inputs a URL (Uniform Resource Local) from an input screen of a display unit (not shown).
tor: This is equivalent to the address of the homepage and is "ht
tp: // www. ~. When the URL of the homepage providing the program reservation service (URL of the program reservation reception server 3) is input in the input field, the PC 2
The program reservation receiving server 3 is accessed via the Internet 100. The control unit 31 of the program reservation server 3 having received the access via the interface unit 32 reads out the authentication input screen information from the screen information database 35 and transmits it to the PC 2 via the interface 100. That is, a communication path has been established between the PC 2 and the program reservation receiving server 3. PC2 that received the authentication input screen information
Displays an authentication input screen on the display unit (steps A101 and A102 in FIG. 9 and step B101 in FIG. 10).

When the user inputs a user ID and a password on the authentication input screen of the PC 2, the PC 2 transmits the input authentication information (user ID and password) to the program reservation receiving server 3. The program reservation server 3 that has received the authentication information via the interface unit 32 transmits the received user I
The customer information database 34 is searched based on D and the password, and is compared with the password corresponding to the user ID. If they match, the control unit 31 reads the menu screen information from the screen information database 35, and
Send to 2. PC2 receiving the menu screen information,
A menu screen is displayed on the display. In this case, on the menu screen, a selection screen for items such as “program reservation” and “recorded file acquisition processing” is displayed (step A10).
3-A105, B102, B103).

When the user selects "program reservation" on the menu screen of the PC 2, the PC 2 executes the program reservation processing, and the program reservation server 3 executes the program reservation processing (step). A106, A300, B
104, B300).

That is, the PC 2 is connected to the Internet 10
Then, a program reservation request is transmitted to the program reservation server 3 via “0”. The control unit 31 that has received the program reservation request via the interface unit 32 reads out the program reservation selection screen information from the screen information database 35 and transmits it to the PC 2. PC
2. Upon receiving the program reservation selection screen information, the display unit displays
A program reservation selection screen is displayed (step A30 in FIG. 11).
1, A302, B301).

When the user inputs a broadcast date and a district name to be reserved from the program reservation screen of the PC 2 (select the district name from the displayed district name), the PC 2 transmits the input information to the program reservation server 3. . The control unit 31 of the program reservation server 3 that has received the information via the interface unit selects a corresponding program table from the program table 331 of the memory 33 based on the designated broadcast date and district name, and stores the program reservation information database The program reservation screen information is read from 35. Furthermore,
The control unit 31 adds a program table to the program reservation screen information,
Send to PC2. The PC 2 that has received the program reservation screen information via the interface unit 32 displays the program reservation screen on the display unit (Steps A3030, A304, and B30).
2).

In this case, the program reservation screen displayed on the display unit of the PC 2 has a G code input field for directly inputting a G code and a program selection button for selecting a program by selecting from a program table.

To use the program selection button, when the user clicks the program selection button with a mouse, the PC 2
Displays a program list on the display unit. When a program to be reserved is selected from the displayed program table (when a program is selected, a G code set in advance in association with each program is selected), the PC 2 sets a G code corresponding to the program. Is displayed in the G code input field, and the selected program name, broadcast station, broadcast date, and broadcast time are displayed. When the user confirms the program to be reserved (presses the transfer button previously set on the program reservation screen), the PC 2 transmits the G code to the program reservation server 3 (steps A305, A30).
6).

When directly inputting with a G code,
When the user inputs the G code directly into the G code input field,
The PC 2 transmits the G code to the program reservation server 3 (Steps A305, A307).

When step A301 or A307 can be executed, the control unit 31 of the program reservation server 2 which has received the G code via the interface unit 32 stores the G code in the memory 33 based on the broadcast date, district name and G code. The program name and broadcast time are searched from the G code conversion table 332. Further, the control unit 31 transmits confirmation information such as a user ID, a district name, a program name, a broadcast date, and a broadcast time to the PC 2. The PC 2 that has received the confirmation information displays it on the display unit (step B).
303, B304, A308).

When the user has completed the confirmation, the PC 2 transmits the confirmation information to the program reservation server 3 as the program reservation information. The control unit 31 of the program reservation server 3 that has received the program reservation information via the interface unit 32 stores the broadcast date, district name,
The broadcast station, broadcast program name, G code, start time, end time, and the like are registered in the program reservation information database 36. In this case, the control unit 31 stores the area name URL correspondence table 3 in the memory 33.
The URL corresponding to the district name is read from 33, and the URL is read.
L is also registered in the reservation information database 36. Control unit 31
Sends registration completion notification to PC
Send to 2. The PC 2 displays a comment indicating the registration completion on the display unit, and ends the registration of the program reservation. After this, if there is any other program to be registered for program reservation,
The program can be registered again, and if there is nothing to be registered, the program reservation processing ends and the screen returns to the menu screen (step A).
309 to A312, B305 to B307) On the other hand, the recording unit 44 of each recording server 4 receives broadcast radio waves from each broadcasting station, and stores digital recording data (recording file) in the recording file storage unit 46 corresponding to the broadcasting station. ) Is stored in the recording file storage unit 46.

That is, the recording section 44 is provided for each broadcasting station, and each recording section 44 transmits a TV signal from the broadcasting station to the NST.
The signal is received while being demodulated into a C signal (digital video signal). Each recording unit 44 has a memory 43 prepared for each broadcasting station.
Is compared with the clock based on the broadcast start time and end time of the program registered in the time table 433, and when the value of the start time matches the value of the clock 45, the recording corresponding to the broadcast station is performed while compressing the NTSC signal. Recording is started in the file storage unit 46, and when the end time matches the value of the clock 45, the recording is ended to create one compressed file. In this case, the file name is a G code name, and a broadcast date, a district name, a broadcast station name, a program name, a broadcast time, and the like are registered as additional information. In this way, each recording unit 44 stores the file recorded for each program in the recording file storage unit 46 according to the time table 433 sorted in time order.

Next, the user sets the program reserved for recording on PC5.
The operation in the case of performing playback and viewing by using is described.

The user starts up the PC 5 using the PC 5 and reads out the menu screen information from the program reservation receiving server 3. That is, the PC 5 executes the steps A101 to A101 in the same manner as the above-described menu screen reading of the program reservation processing.
The operation of A105 is performed, and the menu screen is displayed on the display unit. When the user selects “acquire recorded file” from the menu screen of PC 5, PC 5 executes the recorded file request process, and program reservation server 3 executes the recorded file acquisition process (FIG. 9). Step A1
06, A400, B104, B400).

That is, when the PC 2 makes a recording file request to the program reservation receiving server 3, the control unit 31 of the program reservation receiving server 3 that has received the recording file request via the interface unit 32 has made the request. The program reservation information database 36 is searched based on the user ID, a program reservation information list (a list of all previously reserved program information) of the corresponding user ID is read, and the read program reservation information list is stored in the screen information database. 35 and attached to the recorded file request screen information and transmitted to the PC 2.
The PC 5 having received the recording file request screen information displays a recording file request screen (program reservation information list) on the display unit (Steps A401, A402, and B40 in FIG. 12).
1).

When the user selects a desired program from the recording file request screen of the PC 5, the program reservation receiving server 4
Is selected, the PC 5 accesses the recording server 4 specified by the URL, and transmits the selected program information to the recording server 4. That is, the PC 5 sets a communication path with the accessed recording server 4. Upon receiving the program information via the interface unit 41, the control unit 41 of the accessed recording server 4 searches the recording file storage unit 46 based on the broadcast date, the broadcasting station, and the G code, and stores the corresponding recording file. Extract and download to PC5. In this case, the location in the PC 5 to be downloaded can be specified on the screen of the PC 5 (for example, a certain folder on the magnetic disk in the PC 5). When downloading is completed in this way, PC5
The communication path between the server and the recording server 4 is released (however, the communication path between the PC 5 and the program reservation receiving server 3 is not released) (steps A403 to A405, B401, and C40).
1). That is, it means that the user has obtained digital recording data of the program reserved.

Thereafter, when the user starts up the program reproduction software on the PC 5 and executes (designates) the downloaded recorded file, the PC 5 reads out the recorded file, and the recorded program is displayed on the display unit. Video. That is, the user can reproduce and view the reserved program.

In the above description, the program reservation receiving server 3 is a server managed by a recording reservation service provider, but may be a server directly managed by an Internet service provider that provides Internet services.

Next, the program reservation receiving server 3 is transmitted from the mobile phone 1.
The case of accessing is described. In this case, the program reservation reception server 3 is under the management of a telephone company contracting with the user of the mobile phone 1.

A user uses the mobile phone 1 to make a reservation for recording a television program. The user presses a mode button (for example, “i-mode”) that allows access to the Internet providing the service of a contracted telephone company.
Is pressed, the mobile phone 1 starts up a built-in browser, connects to a server (not shown) that manages the menu of a telephone company (preset telephone number destination), and connects the menu. Is read, and the read menu is displayed on the screen (display unit of the mobile phone 1). In this case, a communication path is set between the mobile phone 1 and the menu management server. When the user selects an item indicating the program reservation service from the menu screen (for example, a program reservation service:
When "URL of the program reservation reception server 3 which is a link destination of the menu management server" is selected in this item), the mobile phone 1 accesses the program reservation reception server 3 specified by the URL (FIG. Step A10 of 9
1). In the operation up to step A101, the user starts up the browser built in the mobile phone 1 as described in the PC 2, and sets the URL of the program reservation receiving server 3 as described above.
May be directly input to access the program reservation server 3. In this case, the mobile phone 1 performs the same operation as the PC 2.

The operation of the cellular phone 1 after step A101 (the processing until the program is reserved) is the same as the operation of the PC 2 in the flowcharts of FIGS.

Next, the user uses the dedicated terminal 6 to
The operation in the case where the program reserved for recording is reproduced and viewed is described.

The operation of the dedicated terminal 6 from requesting the program reservation server to obtain the recording file until obtaining the file is performed by the PC.
5 is the same as the description of FIG. 7 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 12). After the user obtains the recorded file by the dedicated terminal 6 in this way, launches the program playback software on the dedicated terminal 6 and starts the obtained recorded file, and the dedicated terminal 6 is connected to the dedicated terminal 6. The recorded program is displayed on the screen of the TV 7. That is, the user can reproduce and view the reserved program.

As described above, according to the present invention, a server for establishing a homepage for reservation of a broadcast program is accessed to make a reservation for recording of a broadcast program, and each of the plurality of recording servers according to the time schedule of the broadcast program to be broadcast. Since a recording file created for each broadcast program and stored in the storage unit is obtained, a desired television program can be reserved at any time regardless of the local program.

Further, according to the present invention, a user desiring to make a recording reservation accesses a homepage or a site (for example, an i-mode site) supported by a telephone company using a terminal owned by the user, and sets a G code on a program reservation screen. Since a program desired to be input or reserved is selected and the program reservation processing is performed, the G code which is mounted in the program column of the newspaper is checked by looking at the G code.
A program can be reserved by inputting a code, and a program can be reserved for a local program by displaying and selecting a local program table on a screen.

Further, since the user desiring to make a recording reservation accesses the service provider from a personal computer or a dedicated terminal, and downloads the file of the broadcast program for which the recording reservation has been made, the user can use the personal computer or the television from anywhere in the country. Can be played and viewed.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention, a server for establishing a homepage for a broadcast program reservation is accessed to make a reservation for recording a broadcast program, and each of the plurality of recording servers broadcasts the time of the broadcast program. Since a recording file created for each broadcast program and stored in the storage unit is obtained according to a schedule, there is an effect that a desired television program can be reserved at any time regardless of a local program.

After recording, the user can access the program reservation homepage via the network.
The effect is that the recorded file can be obtained from anywhere in the country.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration in a program reservation receiving server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside a recording server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration in a program reservation information database of the program reservation receiving server of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration in a G code conversion table of the program reservation receiving server of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration in a district name URL correspondence table of the program reservation receiving server of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration in a G code conversion table of the recording server of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a configuration in a time table of the recording server of FIG. 3;

9 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the PC or mobile phone when the PC or mobile phone in FIG. 1 accesses the program reservation server.

10 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the program reservation server when the program reservation server of FIG. 1 is accessed from a PC or a mobile phone.

FIG. 11 shows a PC or a mobile phone in a program reservation process;
9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a program reservation receiving server.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operations of a PC or a mobile phone, a program reservation receiving server, and a recording server in a recording file request process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mobile phone 2,5 PC 3 program reservation server 4 recording server 5 PC 6 dedicated terminal 7 TV 31,41 control unit 32,42 interface unit 33,43 memory 34 customer information database 35 screen information database 36 program reservation information database 44 recording Unit 45 clock 46 recording file storage unit 100 internet 331,431 program table 332,432 G code conversion table 333 district name URL correspondence table 433 time table

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04N 7/173 640 H04N 7/173 640A

Claims (11)

[Claims] An access unit for accessing a server for establishing a homepage for broadcast program reservation from a plurality of devices via a network; a reservation unit for accessing the homepage from the device to make a reservation for recording a broadcast program; A storage means for each of a plurality of recording servers linked to the server to create and store a recording file for each broadcast program in accordance with a time schedule of a broadcast program broadcasted from a broadcast station; and Means for obtaining a recording file of a broadcast program reserved for recording by the reservation means. 2. The reservation means, when a G code corresponding to a broadcast time of a program is input to a G code input field on a screen of the apparatus obtained by accessing the homepage, the input G code 2. A television program reservation service system according to claim 1, wherein the reservation information including the following is registered in the program reservation information database for each user ID of the user. 3. A program including a program name and a G code corresponding to a broadcast time of a program when a program selection button on a screen of the apparatus obtained by accessing the homepage is pressed. A table is displayed on the screen of the device, and when a program name to be reserved for recording is selected from the program table on the screen, reservation information including a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the selected program is displayed. 2. The television program reservation service system according to claim 1, wherein the user ID is registered in a program reservation information database. 4. The recording server further comprises a G code conversion table including a broadcast time (start time and end time) of the program and a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program, wherein the time schedule includes the G code conversion. 2. The TV program reservation service system according to claim 1, wherein the TV program reservation service system is created by sorting in chronological order based on a table. 5. The acquisition means selects reservation information from a list of reservation information of a reserved program on a screen of the apparatus obtained by accessing the homepage, and based on the selected reservation information, 2. The television program reservation service system according to claim 1, wherein a recording file of the broadcast program reserved for recording is obtained from a storage unit. 6. The television program reservation service system according to claim 1, wherein the server includes a server managed by an Internet service provider contracted with a user of the device. 7. The television program reservation service method according to claim 1, wherein the server is a server managed by a wireless telephone company contracting with a user of the device. 8. The television program reservation service system according to claim 1, wherein the server includes a server managed by a broadcast program reservation service contracted with a user of the apparatus. 9. A plurality of devices are accessed via a network to a server for establishing a homepage for broadcast program reservation, the devices access the homepage to make a reservation for recording a broadcast program, and are linked to the server. For each of the plurality of recording servers, a recording file is created for each broadcasting program according to the time schedule of the broadcasting program broadcasted from the broadcasting station and stored in the storage unit. A television program reservation service method, wherein the recorded file is obtained from the storage unit of the recording server. 10. A server for setting up a homepage for broadcast program reservation accessed from a device via a network, and a plurality of recording servers linked to the server, wherein each of the plurality of recording servers is a broadcasting station. Creates a recording file using a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program as an identifier in accordance with the time schedule of the broadcast program broadcasted from, and stores the created recording file in a recording file storage unit; When there is a recording request for a program from the apparatus, a program table including a program name and a G code is displayed on the screen of the apparatus, and the apparatus selects the program to be reserved for recording from the program table, thereby displaying the G code. A program reservation information database together with a user ID of a user who has made a selection and has accessed the reservation information including the selected G code. And when there is a request to obtain a program reserved for recording from the device after the end of recording, the reservation information list (including the reservation information) corresponding to the user ID of the user who has requested acquisition from the program reservation information database ) Is read, and a recording file request screen to which the read reservation information list and the URL of the recording server are added is displayed on the screen of the device, and the G code and the G code and The user selects the URL of the recording server, selects a recording file corresponding to the selected G code from the recording file storage unit in the recording server accessed by the URL, and transfers the selected recording file to the device. A television program reservation service method, comprising: 11. A server for setting up a homepage for broadcast program reservation accessed from a device via a network, and a plurality of recording servers linked to the server, wherein each of the plurality of recording servers is a broadcasting station. Creates a recording file using a G code corresponding to the broadcast time of the program for each broadcast program in accordance with the time schedule of the program broadcasted from, and stores the created recording file in a recording file storage unit; When there is a recording request for a broadcast program from the apparatus, an input field for inputting a G code is displayed on the screen of the apparatus, and a G code is input from the input field on the screen, whereby a reservation including the input G code is made. The information is registered in the program reservation information database together with the user ID of the user who is accessing the information. When there is a request to obtain a reserved program, the reservation information list (including the reservation information) corresponding to the user ID of the requesting user is read from the program reservation information database, and the read reservation information is read. A recording file request screen to which a list and the URL of the recording server are added is displayed on the screen of the apparatus, and the reservation information is selected from the recording request screen to display the G.
A code and a URL of the recording server are selected, the recording server accessed by the URL selects a recording file corresponding to the selected G code from the recording file storage unit, and the selected recording file is stored in the device. A television program reservation service method, wherein