JP2002209169A - Method and device for providing information, method and device for recording image, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and quickly set reservations for recording. SOLUTION: A server transmits recording reservation data consisting of text data to an image recorder. 'Content-type: application/x-tv-prgram-info; charset = shift-jis' shown in the first line of recording reservation data indicates that this data is recording reservation data. Data which specifies a channel to be recorded is described following 'station'. in the third line of recording reservation data. Ambiguous description in a prescribed range is permitted for this data which specifies the channel to be recorded, and this data is converted to data specifying a prescribed channel (broadcasting station) by processing using a channel conversion file in an image recording and reproducing device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and method, an image recording apparatus and method, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an information providing apparatus and method for making an image recording apparatus make a scheduled recording or making a scheduled recording, and an image. The present invention relates to a recording device and method, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tuner is built in a personal computer, receives image and audio signals from a television broadcasting station, converts the received images and audio into predetermined digital data, and records the digital data on a recording medium such as a hard disk. And
The technology of reproducing as needed is being used.

[0003]

In such a personal computer, the setting of the reservation recording is very troublesome and troublesome.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to set reservation recording easily and quickly.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus, comprising: an image recording apparatus which converts an image of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of a broadcast station, into a data indicating a channel of the broadcast station; It is characterized by including transmission control means for controlling transmission to the recording device.

[0006] The transmission control means can control the transmission of the recording reservation data including the character string represented by the text to the image recording apparatus.

According to an information providing method of the present invention, in an image recording apparatus, recording reservation data, which is converted into data indicating a channel of a broadcasting station and includes a character string specifying a channel of the broadcasting station, is transmitted to the image recording apparatus. It is characterized by including a transmission control step of controlling.

[0008] The program of the first recording medium of the present invention comprises:
The image recording apparatus further includes a transmission control step of controlling transmission of the recording reservation data including a character string specifying the channel of the broadcast station, which is converted into data indicating the channel of the broadcast station, to the image recording apparatus. I do.

[0009] The image recording apparatus of the present invention comprises: a reception control means for controlling reception of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of a broadcast station; a character string included in the recording reservation data; Based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence between the character strings included in the received recording reservation data,
It is characterized by including conversion means for converting the data indicating the channel of the broadcasting station, and recording control means for controlling the scheduled recording based on the converted data indicating the channel of the broadcasting station.

[0010] The conversion means can convert a character string represented by text into data indicating a channel of a broadcasting station.

The image recording apparatus further includes recording control means for controlling the recording of conversion data indicating the correspondence between the character string included in the recording reservation data and the channel of the broadcasting station. Based on the data, a character string included in the recording reservation data can be converted into data indicating a channel of a broadcast station.

An image recording method according to the present invention includes a receiving control step of controlling reception of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of a broadcast station; a character string included in the recording reservation data; A conversion step of converting a character string included in the received recording reservation data into data indicating a channel of a broadcast station, based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence of the broadcast station; and And a recording control step of controlling programmed recording.

[0013] The program of the second recording medium of the present invention comprises:
A reception control step of controlling reception of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of a broadcasting station; and receiving based on conversion data indicating a correspondence between the character string included in the recording reservation data and the channel of the broadcasting station. A conversion step of converting a character string included in the converted recording reservation data into data indicating a channel of the broadcast station; and a recording control step of controlling reservation recording based on the converted data indicating the channel of the broadcast station. It is characterized by including.

According to the information providing apparatus and method of the present invention, and in the first recording medium, in the image recording apparatus, a recording including a character string specifying the channel of the broadcasting station, which is converted into data indicating the channel of the broadcasting station. Transmission of the reservation data to the image recording device is controlled.

[0015] In the image recording apparatus and method and the second recording medium of the present invention, the reception of the recording reservation data including the character string specifying the channel of the broadcasting station is controlled, and the character string included in the recording reservation data is controlled. The character string included in the received recording reservation data is converted into data indicating the broadcast station channel based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence with the broadcast station channel, and the converted data indicating the broadcast station channel is converted. , The scheduled recording is controlled.

[0016]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording / reproducing system according to the present invention. The personal computer 1-1 receives a signal supplied from the antenna 2 that has received a radio wave transmitted from a predetermined television broadcasting station, and reproduces predetermined images and sounds (so-called program images and sounds). Record the image and sound. Also, the personal computer 1-1 has a VCR (Video Cassett
e Recorder) Analog signal supplied from 3 or IEEE
(Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer
s) DVCR (Digita) via network 5 such as 1394
l Plays back images and sounds corresponding to the digital data supplied from the Video Cassette Recorder 4 and records the images and sounds.

The personal computer 1-1 converts analog signals corresponding to the recorded voice and image into a VCR3.
Or the digital data corresponding to the recorded audio and video are supplied to the DVCR 4.

Further, the personal computer 1-1 includes:
Via a network 6 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or the Internet, an HTTP (Hyp
The server 7 transmits a message requesting transmission of data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined television broadcasting station (hereinafter, referred to as recording reservation data) based on a procedure such as ertext transfer protocol. Server 7
Is a so-called Web server that receives a message transmitted from the personal computer 1-1 and requesting transmission of recording reservation data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined television broadcasting station, and includes the message in the message. Correspondingly, data for recording a predetermined program of a predetermined television broadcasting station is transmitted to the personal computer 1-1.

The personal computer 1-1 receives data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined television broadcasting station, and executes reservation recording of a predetermined program based on the data.

The personal computer 1-2 attaches recording reservation data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined television broadcasting station to an electronic mail, and transmits the electronic mail to the personal computer 1-1 via the network 6. I do. The personal computer 1-1 receives the e-mail transmitted from the personal computer 1-2, and executes the pre-programmed recording of a predetermined program using the pre-recording data attached to the e-mail.

In FIG. 2, the personal computer 1 further includes data for making a recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined television broadcasting station via a network 6 such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) Internet. An e-mail attached with the recording reservation data (hereinafter referred to as recording reservation data) is received from the personal computer 11. The recording reservation data includes, for example, a vCalendar (vCale).
ndar) data. Personal computer 1
Sets a recording reservation based on the recording reservation data attached to the e-mail, and executes reservation recording of a predetermined program.

The personal computer 1 has a personal information management program (so-called PIM (Personal Information Format).
n Manager) program) to generate recording reservation data, attach the generated recording reservation data to an e-mail, and send it to the personal computer 11.

The personal computer 11-1 is a personal computer different from the user of the personal computer 1 and used by another user. The personal computer 11-1 generates recording reservation data by using the personal information management program, attaches the generated recording reservation data to an electronic mail, and transmits the recording reservation data to the personal computer 1.

The personal computer 11-2 is a personal computer which is different from the user of the personal computer 1 and the user of the personal computer 11-1 and used by other users. The personal computer 11-2 generates recording reservation data by the personal information management program, attaches the generated recording reservation data to an e-mail, and transmits the recording reservation data to the personal computer 1.

The personal computer 11-2
Receives an e-mail attached with the recording reservation data received from the personal computer 11-1, and can display the contents of the recording reservation data by a predetermined personal information management program. Of course, the personal computer 11-2 receives the e-mail attached with the recording reservation data received from the personal computer 11-1,
The e-mail can be transferred to the personal computer 1.

Similarly, the personal computer 11-1
Receives the e-mail attached with the recording reservation data received from the personal computer 11-2, and can display the contents of the recording reservation data by a predetermined personal information management program.
The e-mail attached with the recording reservation data received from the PC can be received and the e-mail can be transferred to the personal computer 1.

Similarly to the personal computer 11-1 or 11-2, the personal computer 1 can display the contents of the recording reservation data attached to the e-mail by using a predetermined personal information management program. To the personal computer 11-1 or 11-2.
Can be forwarded to either.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the personal computer 11-1 or 11-2 individually, the personal computer 11 is simply referred to as the personal computer 11.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the personal computer 1. CPU (central process
The ing unit 21 actually executes various application programs and a basic OS (operating system). A ROM (read-only memory) 22 generally has a C
It stores basically fixed data of programs used by the PU 21 and parameters for calculation. RAM (rando
The m-access memory 23 stores a program used in the execution of the CPU 21 and parameters that change as appropriate in the execution. These are interconnected by a host bus 24 composed of a CPU bus or a memory bus.

The host bus 24 is connected via a bridge 25 to a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Inter
face) and an external bus 26 such as a bus.

The keyboard 28 is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 21. Mouse 2
Reference numeral 9 is operated by the user when a point on the screen of a CRT (cathode ray tube) 30 is designated or selected.
The CRT 30 displays various information as text or images. HDD (hard disk drive) 31 and FDD (flexible
The disk drive 32 drives a hard disk or a flexible disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 21 or information on the hard disk or the flexible disk. The speaker 33 reproduces a predetermined sound. The keyboard 28 to the speaker 33 are connected to the interface 27, and the interface 27 is connected to the external bus 2
6. CPU via bridge 25 and host bus 24
21.

The image processing board 34 is controlled by the CPU 21 to control the signal supplied from the antenna 2, the image or audio analog signal supplied from the VCR 3, or from the DVCR 4 or DVCR 5 via the network 6-1. Based on the supplied image or audio digital data, predetermined image or audio data is generated and output to the HDD 31 via the external bus 26 and the interface 27.

The image processing board 34 is connected to the external bus 2
6 and the interface 27, input image or audio data recorded in the HDD 31, generate an analog signal corresponding to the input image or audio data, and supply it to the VCR 3 or input the analog signal. Digital data corresponding to image or audio data is generated and supplied to the DVCR 4 via the network 5.

The image processing board 34 is connected to the CPU 21 via the external bus 26, the bridge 25, and the host bus 24.

The communication board 35 is a device for connecting to the network 6, and is specifically constituted by Ethernet (R) or the like, and is connected to the CPU 21 via the external bus 26, the bridge 25, and the host bus 24. ing.

Next, the configuration of the image processing board 34 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing board 34. The 1394 interface 51 has a configuration corresponding to the IEEE 1394 standard, is connected to the network 5, and is based on a protocol compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard.
It receives image or audio DVCR format digital data supplied from VCR4 or DVCR5,
(Digital Video) Data is supplied to the data interface 52.

Also, the 1394 interface 51
The image or audio DVCR format digital data supplied from the DV data interface 52 is
DVCR based on the protocol corresponding to EE1394
4

The DV data interface 52
The digital data of the image or sound in the DVCR format supplied from the 94 interface 51 or the digital data of the image or sound supplied from the digital selector 57 (for example, uncompressed digital data such as so-called 4: 1: 1) ) Is output to the DV data compression / expansion circuit 53, and the image or audio digital data in the DVCR format supplied from the DV data compression / expansion circuit 53 is output to the 1394 interface 51.
The image or audio digital data (uncompressed) supplied from the digital selector 57 supplied from the data compression / decompression circuit 53 is output to the digital selector 57.

The DV data compression / expansion circuit 53 expands the DVCR format image or audio digital data supplied from the DV data interface 52 into uncompressed image or audio digital data, and
It outputs to the data interface 52 or compresses the uncompressed image or sound digital data supplied from the DV data interface 52 into digital data of image or sound in the DVCR format, and outputs it to the DV data interface 52.

The tuner 54 receives an RF (radio frequency) signal supplied from the antenna 2, and outputs an image and audio analog signal of a predetermined channel to the analog selector 52. The analog selector 52 includes a tuner 5
4, VCR3 or D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion circuit 6
Either the image or audio analog signal supplied from 1 is selected and output to the A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion circuit 56 or VCR 3.

The A / D conversion circuit 56 converts the image and sound analog signals supplied from the analog selector 55 into digital data (for example, so-called image data such as 4: 1: 1). 57. The digital selector 57 includes a DV data interface 52, an A / D conversion circuit 56, or an MPEG (Movin)
g Picture Experts Group) The digital data of the image and the sound output from the decoder 60 is input, any digital data of the image and the sound is selected, and the DV data interface 52, the MPEG encoder 58, or the D / D
Output to the A conversion circuit 61 and output to the bridge 59.

The MPEG encoder 58 compresses the image and audio digital data supplied from the digital selector 57 into digital data of the MPEG system, and outputs it to the bridge 59. Further, the MPEG encoder 58 converts the scene switching image into a still image and outputs the still image to the bridge 59.

The bridge 59 converts the image and audio digital data (uncompressed) supplied from the digital selector 57 through the PCI bus 26 and the interface 27 of the personal computer 1 on which the image processing board 34 is mounted. , CRT30. The bridge 59 uses the MPE supplied from the MPEG encoder 58.
The G-system image or audio digital data is transferred to the HDD 31 or the CPU 21 via the PCI bus 26 of the personal computer 1 on which the image processing board 34 is mounted.
Output to Further, the bridge 59 is connected to the HDD 31 of the personal computer 1 via the PCI bus 26,
It receives digital data of MPEG image or sound and outputs it to the MPEG decoder 60.

The MPEG decoder 60 expands the MPEG image or audio digital data supplied from the bridge 59 and outputs the uncompressed image or audio digital data to the digital selector 57.

The D / A conversion circuit 61 converts the image and audio digital data supplied from the digital selector 57
The signal is converted into an analog signal and output to the analog selector 55.

The MPEG encoder 58 or MPE
The processing corresponding to the G decoder 60 may be executed by the CPU 21 according to a predetermined program.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the personal computer 11. The CPU 81 actually executes various application programs and a basic OS.
The ROM 82 generally stores basically fixed data of programs used by the CPU 81 and calculation parameters. The RAM 83 stores a program used in the execution of the CPU 81 and parameters that change as appropriate in the execution. These are mutually connected by a host bus 84 composed of a CPU bus or a memory bus.

The host bus 84 is connected to an external bus 86 such as a PCI bus via a bridge 85.

The keyboard 88 is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 81. Mouse 8
Reference numeral 9 is operated by the user when instructing or selecting a point on the screen of the CRT 90. The CRT 90 displays various information as text or images. The HDD 91 and the FDD 92 drive a hard disk or a flexible disk, respectively, and record or reproduce a program or information executed by the CPU 81 on the hard disk or the flexible disk. These keyboards 88 to FDD 92 are connected to the interface 8
7 through an external bus 86, a bridge 85, and a host bus 84.
It is connected to PU81.

The communication board 93 is a device for connecting to the network 6. Specifically, the communication board 93 is configured by Ethernet (R) or the like, and is connected to the CPU 81 via an external bus 86, a bridge 85, and a host bus 84. ing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an application program executed by the personal computer 1-1. The recording / playback program 101 is executed by the image processing board 34
The analog signal of the image and the sound of the predetermined channel received by the tuner 54, the analog signal of the image and the sound supplied from the VCR 3, or the network 5
One of the image and audio digital data supplied from the DVCR 4 is selected, and the selected analog signal or digital data is converted into MPEG image or audio digital data, and is composed of one or more files of a predetermined format. AV (Audio Visual) content
DD31 is recorded.

The recording / reproducing program 101 expands AV content recorded in the HDD 31 as one or more files of a predetermined format on the image processing board 34 to generate a predetermined uncompressed image or audio. Digital data is generated, an image is displayed on the CRT 30, and sound is reproduced on the speaker 33.

AV content management search program 102
Displays predetermined information such as the content of the AV content recorded on the HDD 31 or the date of recording. Further, the AV content management / search program 102 instructs the recording / playback program 101 to play back predetermined AV content, selects an AV content to be edited, and transmits information of the selected AV content to the AV content editing program 103. To the timer recording setting program 104 to instruct the timer recording.

The AV content editing program 103
Based on the AV content recorded on the HDD 31, a predetermined image and audio of the selected AV content are edited (the images and audio included in the predetermined AV content are joined), and the edited image or audio is output. Generate AV content of a predetermined format to be reproduced.

The AV contents are, as described later,
Selected A without digital image or audio data
The recording / reproducing program 10 includes information for specifying V-contents and information for specifying images and sounds to be used.
1 can be played.

The timer recording setting program 104 generates AV contents for executing timer recording based on the settings. This AV content corresponds to the setting (recording mode for determining the recording time and image quality) and secures a storage area of the HDD 31 in advance. Also, the timer recording setting program 10
Reference numeral 4 generates AV contents for executing scheduled recording based on the recording reservation data supplied from a WWW (World Wide Web) browser 106 or an e-mail program (not shown).

When the personal computer 1 is operating (when the OS is operating), the reservation monitoring program 105 always operates (so-called resident). Content to be executed, and an RTC (Real Ti
Executes scheduled recording based on the time supplied from me Clock). Further, the reservation monitoring program 105 changes the setting of the AV content for executing the reservation recording.

A WWW (World Wide Web) browser 106
Requests the server 7 to transmit predetermined recording reservation data, receives predetermined recording reservation data, and supplies it to the reservation recording setting program 104 based on a predetermined procedure such as HTTP.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an application program executed by the personal computer 1.
The recording / reproducing program 101 is provided on the image processing board 34,
A video and audio analog signal of a predetermined channel received by the tuner 54, an image and audio analog signal supplied from the VCR 3, or a DV
The user selects one of the image and sound digital data supplied from the CR4, converts the selected analog signal or digital data into MPEG image or sound digital data, and comprises one or more files of a predetermined format. HDD (Audio Visual) content
31.

The recording / reproducing program 101 expands AV content recorded in the HDD 31 as one or more files of a predetermined format on the image processing board 34, and outputs a predetermined uncompressed image or sound. Digital data is generated, an image is displayed on the CRT 30, and sound is reproduced on the speaker 33.

AV content management search program 102
Displays predetermined information such as the content of the AV content recorded on the HDD 31 or the date of recording. Further, the AV content management / search program 102 instructs the recording / playback program 101 to play back predetermined AV content, selects an AV content to be edited, and transmits information of the selected AV content to the AV content editing program 103. To the timer recording setting program 104 to instruct the timer recording.

The AV content editing program 103
Based on the AV content recorded on the HDD 31, a predetermined image and audio of the selected AV content are edited (the images and audio included in the predetermined AV content are joined), and the edited image or audio is output. Generate AV content of a predetermined format to be reproduced.

The AV contents are, as described later,
Selected A without digital image or audio data
The recording / reproducing program 10 includes information for specifying V-contents and information for specifying images and sounds to be used.
1 can be played.

The programmed recording setting program 104 generates AV contents for executing programmed recording based on the settings. This AV content corresponds to the setting (recording mode for determining the recording time and image quality) and secures a storage area of the HDD 31 in advance. Also, the timer recording setting program 10
Reference numeral 4 generates AV contents for executing scheduled recording based on the recording reservation data supplied from the electronic mail program 111.

When the personal computer 1 is operating (when the OS is operating), the reservation monitoring program 105 always operates (so-called resident). Content to be executed, and an RTC (Real Ti
Executes scheduled recording based on the time supplied from me Clock). Further, the reservation monitoring program 105 changes the setting of the AV content for executing the reservation recording.

The e-mail program 111 uses the SMTP
Based on a predetermined procedure such as (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), an e-mail attached with predetermined recording reservation data is received from the personal computer 11, and the recording reservation data is supplied to the reservation recording setting program 104. The process of supplying the recording reservation data to the reservation recording setting program 104 may be performed by the user operating the personal computer 1 or may be performed by the e-mail program 111.

The personal information management program 112 is a program for managing the schedule of the user of the personal computer 1 and stores, for example, the contents such as the schedule of the meeting or the meeting, the place, and the time, and is stored as the schedule. A process such as notifying the user is performed before the preset time by a preset time. The user of the personal computer 1 can use the personal information management program 112
Thus, the schedule of the day or the month can be known.

The personal information management program 112 is composed of a program name, a channel, a program start date and time, and a program end date and time for recording a predetermined program in place of a schedule such as a conference or a visit. Generate recording reservation data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of application programs, middleware, and drivers executed by the personal computer 1. Middleware responds to requests from application programs,
Operate predetermined drivers. The drivers actually operate predetermined hardware resources such as the MPEG encoder 58 of the image processing board 34.

The hardware interface 121 is
Recording / playback program 101, AV content management search program 102, AV content editing program 10
3. Arbitrate the use of hardware resources requested by the scheduled recording setting program 104 or the scheduled monitoring program 105 so that the application program can appropriately use the predetermined hardware resources based on various priorities and other settings. To

The content database 122 manages data such as attribute data of the AV content, which will be described later. The recording / reproducing program 101, the AV content management / retrieval program 102, the AV content editing program 103, the scheduled recording setting program 104, or the scheduled monitoring program 1
05, attribute data described later of the AV content,
Alternatively, it is a database that provides data specifying a file that stores image or audio digital data corresponding to AV content.

The file I / O (Input / Output) 123 is
The recording / playback program 101 and the AV content management / search program 10 via the content database 122
2. In response to a read or write request for predetermined AV content (consisting of one or more files) of the AV content editing program 103, the scheduled recording setting program 104, or the scheduled monitoring program 105,
Actually, data is read from or written to a predetermined file.

The encoding 124 is the image processing board 34
And controls the MPEG encoder 58 to compress the image or audio data input from the digital selector 57 into MPEG digital data.

The decoder 125 controls the MPEG decoder 60 of the image processing board 34 to expand the MPEG image or audio digital data input from the bridge 59.

The output switching 126 is performed by the image processing board 3
4 operates the analog selector 55 and the 1394 interface 51 to control the output of analog signals from the image processing board 34 or digital data via the network 5.

The input switching 127 is performed by the image processing board 3
4 operates the analog selector 55, the 1394 interface 51, the DV data interface 52, and the digital selector 57 to select an analog signal or digital data input to the image processing board 34.

The screen display 128 is a digital selector 57
And the bridge 59 and the like are operated to control the display of an image on the CRT 30.

The driver 129 includes an encode 124, a decode 125, an output switch 126, and an input switch 12
7 and a program for actually operating the image processing board 34 in response to the request for the screen display 128.

[0080] TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
/ IP (Internet Protocol) 130 is a communication board 35
To connect the e-mail received from the personal computer 11 to the e-mail program 111 via the network 6 and to send the e-mail supplied from the e-mail program 111 to the personal computer. Send to 11.

In the following, description of the processing relating to audio will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an example of the configuration of AV contents. In the content database 122 recorded on the HDD 31, attributes of each AV content are recorded. The AV content attribute record 152-1 recorded in the content database 122 is A
Name, ID (Ide
ntification data), creation date, modification date, recording time,
Data such as a channel name, a recording mode, a state, an expiration date (indicated by date and time), an erroneous deletion prevention setting, presence or absence of an error, a two-dimensional barcode, and memo are stored. The AV content attribute record 152-2 recorded in the content database 122 includes the following attributes of the AV content 151-2: name, ID, creation date and time, change date and time, recording time, channel name, recording mode,
It stores data such as status, expiration date, setting for preventing accidental deletion, presence / absence of error, and memo.

The recording mode data stored in the AV content attribute record 152-1 is such that the moving image data files 161-1-1 to 161-1-3 are compatible with high quality, standard, or video CD compatible (image data). Is MPEG1 system). Similarly, the data stored in the AV content attribute record 152-1 is that the AV content 151-1 is waiting for reservation, during recording, during recording / reproduction (recording, and reproducing the data of the recorded image. ), Not being played back, being played back, or being played back.

For example, the error may be that the personal computer 1 failed during recording and the recording was only partially completed, the reception state during recording was poor, and the image could not be reproduced by the signal input from the antenna 2, Or A such as a part of the moving image data file 161-1-1 is missing.
This shows the state of the V content 151-1.

Neither the expiration date nor the erroneous deletion prevention is set, or either of them is set, and neither the expiration date nor the erroneous deletion prevention is set at the same time.

The recording mode data stored in the AV content attribute record 152-2 is such that the moving image data files 161-2-1 to 161-2-3 are either high-quality, standard, or video CD compatible. Indicates that there is.
Similarly, the data stored in the AV content attribute record 152-2 is the AV content 151-2.
Waiting for reservation, recording, recording / playback, unplayed, playing,
Or, it indicates that it has been reproduced.

The AV contents 151-1 are stored in the HDD 31
Moving image data file 161-1-1 recorded in
To 161-1-3 and still image data files 162-1-1 to 162-1 recorded on the HDD 31
-3. Moving image data file 161-1
-1 to 161-1-3 store MPEG image data. Moving image data file 161-1
The image corresponding to the image data stored at the head of No. 2 is continuous with the image corresponding to the image data stored at the end of the moving image data file 161-1-1.
Similarly, an image corresponding to the image data stored at the head of the moving image data file 161-1-3 is an image corresponding to the image data stored at the end of the moving image data file 161-1-2. It is continuous.

Still image data file 162-1-1
Stores image data obtained by converting a scene switching image of the image data stored in the moving image data file 161-1-1 into a still image, and data of the scene switching time. The still image data file 162-1-2 is a moving image data file 161.
Image data obtained by converting a scene switching image of the image data stored in -1-2 into a still image, and
The data of the switching time of the scene is stored. The still image data file 162-1-3 includes image data obtained by converting a scene switching image of image data stored in the moving image data file 161-1-3 into a still image, and a scene switching image. Time data is stored.

The AV contents 151-2 include moving image data files 161-2-1 and 161-2-2 and still image data files 162-2-1 and 162-2-2.
2 and is the same as in the case of the AV content 151-1, so description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the AV contents 151-1 or AV
When there is no need to individually distinguish the contents 151-2, they are simply referred to as AV contents 151. Hereinafter, when there is no need to individually distinguish the AV content attribute record 152-1 or the AV content attribute record 152-2, it is simply referred to as the AV content attribute record 152.
Hereinafter, the moving image data files 161-1-1 to 161-1-3, or the moving image data files 161-2-1 or 161
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish -2-2, it is simply referred to as a moving image data file 161. Hereinafter, the still image data file 162-1-1 to the still image data file 1
62-1-3 or still image data file 162-2
When it is not necessary to individually distinguish one or the still image data file 162-2-2, it is simply referred to as a still image data file 162.

Next, a screen displayed by the recording / reproducing program 101 on the CRT 30 of the personal computer 1 will be described. FIG. 10 shows the recording / playback program 101
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the CRT 30 of the personal computer 1 when a recording operation is possible.

In the recording window 181, a channel to be recorded, a recording mode, and the like are set. When recording is started, the recording / playback program 101 sets the operation of the tuner 54 or the MPEG encoder 58 of the image processing board 34 based on the setting of the recording window 181,
A predetermined AV content 151 and an AV content attribute record 152 are generated and recorded on the HDD 31.

When the recording window 181 is selected and active, the recording button 182 and the stop button 18
3 becomes active and can be operated. That is, when the recording window 181 is selected and active, the recording / playback program 101
When 2 is clicked, start recording and stop button 1
Recording stops when 83 is clicked.

On the other hand, when the recording window 181 is selected,
When active, the play button 184 and the pause button 185 become inactive, and the recording / playback program 101 executes the play button 184 or the pause button 1
It does not work when 85 is clicked.

FIG. 11 shows that the recording / playback program 101
When recording is started, the CR of the personal computer 1
It is a figure explaining the screen displayed on T30. The recording window 181 displays the elapsed time from the start of recording, the current time, and the like, in addition to the channel to be recorded and the recording mode.

When recording is started, a recording button 182 is pressed.
The button is changed to a recording time change button 191. The recording time is
Each time the recording time change button 191 is clicked, it is changed.

Next, the recording / reproducing program 101
Predetermined AV content 151 or AV content 121
The screen for reproducing is described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the CRT 30 of the personal computer 1 when the recording / reproducing program 101 can perform a reproducing operation.

The playback window 201 contains an AV to be played back.
The content recording mode and the like are displayed. When the play window 201 is selected and active, the stop button 183, the play button 184, and the pause button 18
5 becomes active and can be operated. That is, when the playback window 201 is selected and active, the recording / playback program 101
When the user clicks on the button 4, the reproduction is started. When the pause button 185 is clicked, the reproduction is paused. When the stop button 183 is clicked, the reproduction is stopped.

On the other hand, when the playback window 201 is selected,
When active, the recording button 182 becomes inactive, and the recording / reproducing program 101 does not operate even if the recording button 182 is clicked.

As described above, in response to the selection of the recording window 181 or the reproduction window 201, the recording / reproduction program 101 executes the recording button 182, the stop button 183,
By changing the play button 184 or the pause button 185 to either the active state or the inactive state, the user can surely know what can be operated, so that the user can operate quickly. Further, erroneous operation can be prevented.

Next, recording reservation will be described. FIG.
3 to 15 are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on the CRT 30 when the scheduled recording setting program 104 is activated. When the scheduled recording setting program 104 is activated, the scheduled recording setting program 104 first
As shown in (1), a window for setting the channel to be recorded and the recording start date and time is displayed. The user sets a channel to be recorded and a recording start date and start time (in the example of the figure, hours and minutes are set in different fields, respectively) in each of predetermined fields of this window.

After setting the channel to be recorded, the recording start date and the recording start time, and clicking a predetermined button (in the example of the figure, a button displayed as “next”), the reserved recording setting program 104 Is the channel to be recorded respectively set in the predetermined field, and
The data of the recording start date and start time is read, and the window is changed to the window shown in FIG. 14 for setting the end time and the recording mode.

The reservation recording setting program 104 displays the set recording channel and the data of the recording start date and start time in a window for setting the end time and recording mode, and displays the end time (in this example, The hours and minutes are set in different fields, respectively) and fields for setting the recording mode are displayed.

When the end time and the recording mode are set in this window, the reservation recording setting program 104
It displays data as a guide for setting, such as the recording time and the usage amount of the HDD 31. When the end time and the recording mode are set and a predetermined button (a button displayed as “next”) is clicked, the scheduled recording setting program 104 stores the end time and the recording mode data set in the predetermined fields. The read window is changed to the window shown in FIG. 15 for confirming the settings.

The reserved recording setting program 104 displays data such as the set recording channel, recording start date and start time, recording end date and end time, and recording mode in a window for confirming the settings. indicate. Here, when a predetermined button (a button displayed as “completed”) is clicked, the timer recording setting program 104 is clicked.
Sets the AV content 151 for executing the scheduled recording to the HD
D31, and the AV content attribute record 152 corresponding to the recorded AV content 151 is registered in the content database 122.

AV contents 15 for executing scheduled recording
1 has a moving image data file 161 having a recording area corresponding to a recording time and a recording mode in advance. For example, the amount of image data per second in the standard mode is 5
If it is M bits, the scheduled recording setting program 104 set to record for 4 hours in the standard mode is 4
Since the time is equal to 14400 seconds, one or more moving image data files 161 having a storage area of 9 Gbytes in total are generated on the HDD 31 as calculated by the following equation.

14400 seconds * (5 Mbit / s) / (8
(Bit / byte) = 9 GB Next, an operation of generating the AV content 151 for executing the scheduled recording based on the predetermined scheduled recording data downloaded from the server 7 by the scheduled recording setting program 104 will be described. When the user activates the WWW browser 106, the personal computer 1-1 transmits the HTML (H) provided from the server 7 via the network 6.
A predetermined screen is displayed based on a predetermined file described in Ypertext Markup Language or the like.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a screen displayed on the CRT 30 by the personal computer 1-1 operating the WWW browser 106 based on a predetermined file provided from the server 7. The personal computer 1-1 displays a so-called program guide. In this program table, predetermined recording reservation data download buttons 251-1 to 251-11 are arranged so as to correspond to each program.

[0109] For example, when the recording reservation data download button 251-1 is clicked, recording reservation data for reservation recording of "News at 7:00" of NHK is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1. When a recording reservation data download button 251-2 is clicked, the recording reservation data for reservation recording of the “TV map” of NHK General is stored in the personal computer 1-1.
Downloaded to Clicking a recording reservation data download button 251-3 downloads recording reservation data for reservation recording of a "drama" of NHK synthesis to the personal computer 1-1. When the recording reservation data download button 251-4 is clicked, recording reservation data for reservation recording of "weather in each place" of NHK General is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1.

[0110] Recording reservation data download button 251
When -5 is clicked, the recording reservation data for recording the "after-school club" of NHK education is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1. Clicking the recording reservation data download button 251-6 will cause the NH
Recording reservation data for reservation recording of the "sign language corner" of K education is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1. Recording reservation data download button 251
When -7 is clicked, the recording reservation data for reservation recording of "health of tomorrow" of NHK education is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1.

[0111] Recording reservation data download button 251
When -8 is clicked, the recording reservation data for reservation recording of "tonight with you" of NHK education is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1. When the recording reservation data download button 251-9 is clicked, recording reservation data for reserved recording of "Let's learn Braille" of NHK education is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1.

[0112] Recording reservation data download button 251
When -10 is clicked, recording reservation data for reservation recording of "Professional Baseball" of Nippon Television is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1. Clicking the recording reservation data download button 251-1
The recording reservation data for reserved recording of "Friday TV Sun 1" of S is downloaded to the personal computer 1-1.

Since the recording reservation data includes the data necessary for the recording reservation described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15 except for the recording mode, if the recording mode is set in advance, the personal computer 1-1 can execute the recording reservation. If the recording reservation data downloaded by operating the data download buttons 251-1 to 25-11 is used, the AV content 151 for executing the reservation recording can be set to H even if there is no setting from the user.
DD31 can be recorded.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of recording reservation data. The recording reservation data is composed of text data.

"C" shown in the first line of the recording reservation data
ontent-type: application / x-tv-program-info; charse
"t = shift_jis" indicates that this data is recording reservation data. The third line of the recording reservation data includes "stati
Data for specifying the channel to be recorded is described after "on:". For example, in "station: Nippon Television" in FIG. 17, the data for specifying the channel to be recorded is "Nippon Television" It is.

The data for specifying the channel at the time of recording is allowed to have an ambiguous description in a predetermined range.
The data is converted into data specifying a predetermined channel (broadcasting station) by the process using the channel conversion file shown in FIG.

The channel conversion file, for example, "
In the character string of 4,0,0,4, Nippon Television, Nippon Television, Nippon Television, Nippon Television Network, NTV ", the first number from the left, that is," 4 "is data for specifying a channel. The number located to the right of the third comma from the left, that is, “4” is the channel display data,
The character string located to the right of the first comma, that is, "NTV" is data for displaying the channel name.
Character strings (each of "NTV", "NTV", "NTV", "NTV") separated by commas located to the right of the fifth comma from the left are specified in the channel conversion file. Is a character string to be matched with the character string.

For example, in the third line of the recording reservation data, "sta
If the description is "tion: Nippon Television", the scheduled recording setting program 104 indicates that the character string "Nippon Television" following "station:" is located to the right of the fifth comma from the left in the channel conversion file. Determines whether to match the character string.

As shown in the example of FIG. 18, if the channel conversion file contains a character string of "4, 0, 0, 4, Nippon Television, Nippon Television, Nippon Television, Nippon Television Network, NTV" The reservation recording setting program 104 determines that the character string “NTV” (located to the right of the fifth comma from the left) matches the character string of the channel conversion file.

When the character string of the recording reservation data matches the character string of the channel conversion file, the reservation recording setting program 104 sets, as a channel, data specifying the channel in the same column of the matched channel conversion file.

For example, "4, 0, 0, 4, Nippon Television,
When the character string of Nippon Television, Nippon Television, Nippon Television Network, NTV "matches the character string of the recording reservation data, the channel is set to 4.

Therefore, for example, if the character string for designating the channel of the recording reservation data is "NTV", "
In any of “NTV”, “NTV”, and “NTV”, the reservation recording setting program 104 can set the channel to 4 based on the recording reservation data.

As described above, even if the character string designating the channel of the recording reservation data is somewhat ambiguous, the reservation recording setting program 104 can set a predetermined channel based on the recording reservation data.

Similarly, in the fourth to seventh lines of the recording reservation data, data for specifying the date and time to start recording are described, and in the eighth line, data for specifying the time to end recording. Is described.

The recording reservation data is not only downloaded from the server 7, but also, for example, the user of the personal computer 1-2 can attach the recording reservation data to an e-mail and transmit it to the personal computer 1-1. it can. Since the recording reservation data is composed of character string data, the user of the personal computer 1-2 can easily create the recording reservation data using a general-purpose application program such as a word processor or a text editor. it can.

The format described with reference to FIG. 17 is called TVPI (TV Program Information). Here, the specification of TVPI will be described.

1 Data Convention When saving TVPI as a file, the file extension is tvpi (TV Program Information).

The data is text data.
t-Type is application / x-tv-program-info and 0x0
Only two-byte line feed codes of d and 0x0a are allowed. Although TVPI also handles broadcast station data, the alphabet of the broadcast station name may be ascii or a 2-byte code number or alphabet. For example, "NHK"
"NHK" is acceptable. However, the use of so-called half-width katakana is not allowed.

The broadcast station name is not strictly defined. The specification of the broadcast station is performed by an ambiguous search using several types of names including aliases with respect to the broadcast station name in the receivable area on the client side.

Characters representing the year, month, day, hour and minute (English abbreviations for months, alphabets, numbers, colons) are limited to ascii ((1 byte code)).

2 Data Structure TVPI data is composed of two parts, a “header” and a “memo”. However, the memo part can be omitted, and is allowed without it.

The header section and the memo section are separated by one or more blank lines.

According to these specifications, a blank line at the head of the file is not allowed, and the first blank line is a header portion, and the non-blank lines after the first blank line are memo portions.

Header Content-type: application / x-tv-program-info; char
set = shift_jis version: 1 station: NHK:: Blank line Memo section Today's news Sports corner Inside and outside topics::

Several fields are defined in the header part. Each field is in the format "field name: value", one per line
Describe by field. The field name is ascii
And is not case sensitive.

3. Definition of Header Part Fields The field names that can be described in the header part and the description method of their values are as follows.

Content-type: Required field.

Declare the content type.

It must be at the head of the file.
The type is only application / x-tv-program-info.

By appending "; charset = character encoding" after the type, it is possible to declare the encoding of the character set used in the data.

Version: Required field.

The version of the data is specified. Currently only one is allowed.

Station: Required field.

A broadcast station name is designated by a character string.

The alphabet can be used as ascii or 2-byte code.

Year: Optional field.

[0147] The year of the start of recording is designated.

A four-digit number such as "1999" (character code is
(limited to ascii).

When this field is omitted, the client interprets that the year at the time of data acquisition is specified.

Month: A field recommended to be present.

The month of the start of recording is designated.

A maximum of two digits of 1 to 12 (character code is limited to ascii) or {Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul
Specify the three-letter abbreviation of | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec} (limited to ascii, ignoring case).

When this field is omitted, the client interprets that the month at the time of data acquisition is specified.

Date: A field that is recommended to be present.

A recording reservation date is designated.

A maximum of two digits from 1 to 31 (character code is limited to ascii) is specified.

If this field is omitted, the client interprets that the date when the data was obtained is specified.

If a nonexistent date (31st of April, 29th of February not a leap year, etc.) is specified, the client interprets the difference from the last date of the existing month as the date of the next month. (If 4/31 is specified, 31-30 = 1 is adopted and it becomes 5/1.)

Start: Required field.

A recording start time is designated.

Designation is made on a 24-hour basis, such as "13:00". One digit is allowed for both hours and minutes. Character codes are numbers and colons.
Limited to ascii.

The minute is from 0 to 59. Even if 60 or more is specified, it is assumed that the client does not perform the interpretation advanced to the time.

Time specification beyond 23:59 can be specified, and in this case, it will be treated as the next day (26:00
Means 2:00 am the next day).

End: Required field.

A recording end time is designated.

Specify in the same format as start :. However, it is not allowed to be younger than start.

Program-title: a field whose presence is recommended.

The name of the program is specified.

Program-subtitle: an optional field.

The name of the program is specified.

Performar: an optional field.

A character string of a program performer is specified.

In particular, delimiters and the like are not defined.

Extend: Field to be added.

[0175] Programs that may be extended, such as baseball broadcasts,
Specify the maximum extension time and the extension increment in minutes for the program broadcast thereafter.

The format is "LENGTH [, STEP]" (character code is asci
Write a fraction with (limited to i). The step (STEP) can be omitted.

Clockadjust: a field to be added.

When the TVPI is obtained via the network, the time of the clock of the server providing the TVPI is notified.

The server time is "yyyymmddhhmmss" (example: 19
20:06:09 on September 16, 1999 → 19990916200609)
(Character code is limited to ascii). This makes it possible to correct the built-in clock or to adopt a newer acquisition time when a plurality of overlapping reservations are input.

Url: Field to be added.

Describe the URL. This field can be described more than once.

By kicking this URL into the browser at the time of reproduction or the like, it is possible to browse pages linked to the program.

Url-begin: url-end: field to be added.

[0184] By describing the URL following the "url:" field, the period during which the URL is valid is set.

The offset from the head is described as "hhmmss" (character code is limited to ascii).

Next, two sample data are shown.

Sample data (1) Content-type: application / x-tv-program-info; chars
et = shift_jis version: 1 station: MHK year: 1999 month: 1 date: 26 start: 19:00 end: 57:00 program-title: MHK News 7 performar: Sony Hanako Today's News Sports Corner Information Weather information etc. Sample data (2) Content-type: application / x-tv-program-info; chars
et = shift_jis version: 2 station: year: 1999 month: 10 date: 14 start: 01:00 end: 03:57 extend: 90, 10 clockadjust: 19990916210000 url: http://www.uspto.gov/ url: http : //www.uspto.gov/wep/menu/ url-begin: 003145 url-end: 003215 url: http://www.uspto.gov/wep/ program-title: F1 Grand Prix (Italy)

Also, the scheduled recording setting program 104
The operation of generating the AV content 151 for executing the scheduled recording based on the scheduled recording data attached to the predetermined e-mail received from the personal computer 11 is described in FIG.
The method can be performed by a method other than 6.

FIG. 19 shows that the personal computer 11 running the personal information management program is
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a screen displayed on a screen. When the personal information management program is operated, the personal computer 11 displays a so-called schedule input screen. The schedule input screen has a subject input field 3 for inputting the subject of the schedule.
01, a location input field 302 for inputting a location corresponding to the schedule, a schedule start date input field 303 for inputting a schedule start date, a schedule start time input field 304 for inputting a schedule start time, and inputting a schedule end date A scheduled end date input field 305 and a scheduled end time input field 306 for inputting a scheduled end time are arranged.

When generating the recording reservation data, the user inputs the title of the program to be reserved for recording in the subject input field 301 so as to correspond to the program to be recorded.
Enter the channel in the place input field 302, enter the broadcast start date of the program in the scheduled start date input field 303, enter the broadcast start time of the program in the scheduled start time input field 304, and enter the program in the scheduled end date input field 305. , And the broadcast end time of the program is input in the scheduled end time input field 306.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 19, “close-up ancient” is entered in the subject input field 301 as the title of the program, and “1” (indicating one channel) is displayed as the channel on which the program is broadcast. "1999/06/01" (indicating June 1, 1999) is input into the scheduled input date field 303 as the date on which the broadcast of the program is started. "21:
00 "is input into the scheduled start time input field 304, and" 1999 /
06/01 "(indicating June 1, 1999) is input to the scheduled end date input field 305, and" 21:45 "is input to the scheduled end time input field 306 as the time at which the broadcast of the program ends. I have.

After the predetermined data is input, the personal information management program of the personal computer 11 executes a subject input field 301, a location input field 302, a scheduled start date input field 303, a scheduled Start time input field 30
4. In accordance with the data entered in the scheduled end date input field 305 and the scheduled end time input field 306, for example, v-calendar recording reservation data is generated.

The user of the personal computer 11
The v-calendar recording reservation data is attached to an electronic mail and transmitted to the personal computer 1. FIG.
An e-mail program of the personal computer 11 (a program similar to the e-mail program 111 of the personal computer 1) for displaying an e-mail attached with the v-calendar recording reservation data is a CRT 90.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a screen. An icon 281 corresponding to the v-calendar recording reservation data is displayed on the screen of the e-mail program that displays the e-mail attached with the v-calendar recording reservation data.

When the personal computer 1 receives the e-mail attached with the v-calendar recording reservation data, the e-mail program 111 of the personal computer 1 causes the CRT 30 to display a screen similar to that shown in FIG.

The e-mail program 111 of the personal computer 1 receives the e-mail attached with the v-calendar recording reservation data transmitted from the personal computer 11, and independently records the v-calendar recording reservation data. (Operation of the icon 281 corresponding to the v-calendar recording reservation data displayed on the screen of the e-mail program 111) or supply to the reservation recording setting program 104. Except for the recording mode, the v-calendar recording reservation data includes data necessary for the recording reservation described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, so if the recording mode is set in advance, the reservation recording setting program of the personal computer 1 can be set. If the recording reservation data attached to the e-mail is used, the 104 can record the AV content 151 for executing the reservation recording on the HDD 31 without any setting from the user of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of recording reservation data of the v calendar system. The v-calendar recording reservation data is composed of text data.

"B" shown in the first line of the recording reservation data
"EGIN: VCALENDAR" indicates that this data is data of the v calendar system.

In the fifth line of the v-calendar recording reservation data, data specifying the date and time to start recording are described following "DTSTART:". For example, "D" in FIG.
TDT: 19990601T210000Z "," DTSTART: "and"
“19990601” sandwiched between “T” has a recording start date of June 1999
It indicates that it is the first day of the month, "21000" between "T" and "Z"
"0" indicates that the recording start time is 21:00:00.

Similarly, on the sixth line of the v-calendar recording reservation data, following "DTEND:", data for specifying the date and time to end the recording are described. For example, FIG.
In “DTEND: 19990601T214500Z”, “19990601” sandwiched between “DTEND:” and “T” has a recording end date of 1999.
"June 1st year", "2" sandwiched between "T" and "Z"
"14500" indicates that the recording end time is 21:45:00.

Similarly, on the seventh line of the v-calendar recording reservation data, data specifying the channel to be recorded is described following "LOCATION:". For example, FIG.
"LOCATION: 1" indicates that one channel is to be recorded.

In the ninth line of the v-calendar recording reservation data, the name of the program to be recorded is described following "DESCRIPTION:". "DESCRIPTION: Close-up ancient" in Figure 21
Indicates that the name of the program to be recorded is "close-up ancient".

Thus, the personal computer 11
By transmitting an e-mail attached with the recording reservation data, the user of the personal computer 1 can easily record a predetermined program.

Next, the reservation recording setting program 104
The recording reservation process executed by using the WW browser 106 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S11, the WWW browser 106
Transmits a message requesting recording reservation data corresponding to a predetermined program to the server 7 according to a user operation.
In step S12, the WWW browser 106 determines whether or not the recording reservation data has been transmitted from the server 7, and if it is determined that the recording reservation data has not been transmitted from the server 7, the processing returns to step S12 and the recording reservation data Is repeated until is transmitted from the server 7.

If it is determined in step S12 that the recording reservation data has been transmitted from the server 7, the process proceeds to step S13, where the WWW browser 106 receives the recording reservation data, and transmits the received recording reservation data to the reservation recording setting program 104. To supply.

[0205] In step S14, the programmed recording setting program 104 sets the supplied recording programming data on the basis of the supplied recording programming data.
Execute the channel setting process. The details of the channel setting process will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S15, the timer recording setting program 104 displays a message for confirming the timer setting, for example, in the window shown in FIG.

[0207] In step S16, the programmed recording setting program 104 sets the programmed recording data based on the supplied programmed recording data.
The AV content 151 waiting for reservation including the moving image data file 161 in which a predetermined area of the HDD 31 is secured is recorded. In step S17, the scheduled recording setting program 104 stores the AV content attribute record 152 corresponding to the AV content 151 waiting for the reservation based on the supplied recording reservation data into the content database 152.
And the process ends.

As described above, the timer recording setting program 10
4 and the WWW browser 106 can quickly execute recording reservation of a predetermined program.

Next, channel setting processing corresponding to step S14 in FIG. 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S21, the timer recording setting program 104 reads the timer recording data supplied from the WWW browser 106. Step S22
In, the timer recording setting program 104 reads a character string following “station” of the timer recording data.

In step S23, the scheduled recording setting program 104 reads a character string having a predetermined channel name from the channel conversion file. In step S24, the scheduled recording setting program 104 determines whether the character string following "station" matches the character string of the predetermined channel name, and determines whether the character string following "station" matches the character string of the predetermined channel name. If it is determined that the character string matches, the process proceeds to step S25, and a channel corresponding to the character string having a predetermined channel name is set.

[0211] In step S26, the timer recording setting program 104 sets the channel display corresponding to the channel set in step S25 (sets channel display data and data for channel name display), and the process ends. I do.

[0212] If it is determined in step S24 that the character string following "station" does not match the character string of the predetermined channel name, the procedure proceeds to step S27, in which the scheduled recording setting program 104 executes It is determined whether or not the character strings of the channel names have been read out.
Proceeding to 28, an error message indicating that the channel was not found is displayed on the CRT 30, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S27 that the character strings of all the channel names have not been read, the flow advances to step S29 to set the programmed recording setting program 104
Reads the character string of another channel name and
Returning to step 24, the processing for determining the matching of the character strings is repeated.

As described above, the timer recording setting program 1
In 04, a predetermined channel can be set even if the character string following "station" of the recording reservation data is somewhat ambiguous.

Next, the Web server program is stored in the RAM 8
24, the process of providing the recording reservation data of the server 7 when the CPU 81 executes the Web server program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S51, the Web server program
A message is received from the personal computer 1-1 based on HTTP or the like. In step S52, W
The eb server program is a personal computer 1-
It is determined whether or not the message received from the personal computer 1-1 is a message requesting predetermined recording reservation data, and it is determined that the message received from the personal computer 1-1 is a message requesting predetermined recording reservation data. Then, the process proceeds to step S53, where predetermined recording reservation data corresponding to the message is transmitted to the personal computer 1-1, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step S52 that the message received from personal computer 1-1 is not a message requesting predetermined recording reservation data, step S53 is skipped and the process ends.

As described above, the server 7 provides predetermined recording reservation data to the personal computer 1-1.

Next, the process of transmitting the recording reservation data by the electronic mail program of the personal computer 11-1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S111, the personal computer 11
The e-mail program of -1 attaches recording reservation data generated and recorded in advance to the e-mail. In step S112, the e-mail program of the personal computer 11-1 transmits the e-mail attached with the recording reservation data to the personal computer 1 via the network 6, and the process ends.

As described above, the personal computer 1
The electronic mail program 1-1 can transmit recording reservation data to the personal computer 1. In step S111, the email program may attach the recording reservation data attached to the email received from the personal computer 11-2.

Next, the process of receiving recording reservation data by the electronic mail program 111 of the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S121, the e-mail program 111 of the personal computer 1 receives the e-mail attached with the recording reservation data transmitted from the personal computer 11-1 or 11-2 via the network 6. In step S122, the e-mail program 111 of the personal computer 1 stores the recording reservation data attached to the e-mail in the RAM 23 or the HD.
D31, and the process ends.

In step S122, the e-mail program 111 may directly supply the recording reservation data attached to the e-mail to the reservation recording setting program 104.

As described above, the electronic mail program 111 of the personal computer 1 can receive the recording reservation data.

Next, the recording reservation processing by the reservation recording setting program 104 of the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S1
At 31, the timer recording setting program 104
The recording reservation data recorded in M23 or HDD 31 is read. In step S132, when the e-mail program 111 directly supplies the recording reservation data attached to the e-mail to the reservation recording setting program 104, step S131 can be omitted.

[0224] In step S132, the reserved recording setting program 104 records the AV contents 151 waiting for reservation including the moving image data file 161 in which a predetermined area of the HDD 31 is secured, based on the read recording reservation data. In step S13, the reservation recording setting program 104 sets the A
An AV content attribute record 152 corresponding to the V content 151 is generated in the content database 152, and the process ends.

As described above, the personal computer 1
The reservation recording setting program 104 executes recording reservation processing.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 28, of the processing of a reserved recording when the CPU 21 executes the reservation monitoring program 105 resident in the RAM 23.

At step S71, the reservation monitoring program 105 reads out the current time from an RTC (not shown). In step S72, the AV content attribute record 152 corresponding to the AV content 151 waiting for a predetermined reservation is read.

In step S73, the reservation monitoring program 105 compares the current time with the recording start time included in the AV content attribute record 152, determines whether or not to start the scheduled recording, and determines that the scheduled recording is to be started. If so, the process proceeds to step S74 to start recording. The reservation monitoring program 105 overwrites the image data generated on the image processing board 34 into the moving image data file 161 recorded in advance.

In step S75, the reservation monitoring program 105 reads out the current time from an RTC (not shown). In step S76, the reservation monitoring program 10
5 compares the current time with the recording end time included in the AV content attribute record 152, determines whether to end the scheduled recording, and if it is determined not to end the scheduled recording, continues the recording; Proceeding to step S75, the process of determining the end time is repeated.

[0230] If it is determined in step S76 that the scheduled recording is to be ended, the flow advances to step S77, where the reservation monitoring program 105 determines whether the AV content attribute record 1
After a predetermined process such as changing the data of 52 to a predetermined value, the recording ends, and the process ends.

[0231] If it is determined in step S73 that the scheduled recording is not to be started, the procedure proceeds to step S78, and the reservation monitoring program 105 executes all the reservation waiting A
It is determined whether or not the AV content attribute record 152 corresponding to the V content 151 has been read, and if it is determined that the AV content attribute records 152 corresponding to all the reservation waiting AV content 151 have not been read, the process proceeds to step S79. . In step S79,
The reservation monitoring program 105 stores the AV content attribute record 1 corresponding to the AV content 151 waiting for another reservation
52, the process returns to step S73, and the process of determining the start of scheduled recording is repeated.

If it is determined in step S78 that the AV content attribute record 152 corresponding to all the AV contents 151 waiting for reservation has been read, there is no AV content 151 to be reserved and recorded, so that the recording is not executed and the process ends. I do.

As described above, the reservation monitoring program 105
Executes the scheduled recording based on the AV content 151 waiting for the reservation and the current time.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a computer in which a program configuring the software is incorporated in a predetermined hard disk recorder or the like as dedicated hardware,
Alternatively, it is installed on a general-purpose personal computer, for example, which can execute various functions by installing various programs.

Next, the process of transmitting the recording reservation data by the electronic mail program of the personal computer 1-2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S91, the email program of the personal computer 1-2 attaches the recording reservation data to the email. In step S92, the electronic mail program of the personal computer 1-2 transmits the electronic mail with the recording reservation data attached to the personal computer 1-1, and the process ends.

As described above, the personal computer 1
The -2 e-mail program can transmit recording reservation data to the personal computer 1-1. The personal computer 1-1 that has received the e-mail attached with the recording reservation data can make a recording reservation by the same processing as the processing described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 29, a medium used to install a program for executing the above-described series of processes in a computer and to make it executable by the computer will be described below. The following is an example of the case.

As shown in FIG. 29A, the program is stored in a hard disk 402 (corresponding to the hard disk built in the hard disk drive 31 in FIG. 3) or a semiconductor memory 403 as a recording medium built in the personal computer 401 in advance. It can be provided to the user in an installed state.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 29B, the program is stored in the flexible disk 411 and the CD-RO.
M (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) 412, MO (Magn
eto-Optical) Disc 413, DVD (Digital Versati)
le Disk) 414, magnetic disk 415, semiconductor memory 4
16 or the like, which can be temporarily or permanently stored and provided as package software.

Further, as shown in FIG. 29C, the program is wirelessly transferred from download site 421 to personal computer 401 via artificial satellite 422 for digital satellite broadcasting, and is transmitted to network 431 such as a local area network or the Internet. Via a wire to the personal computer 401,
In the personal computer 401, it can be stored in a built-in hard disk 402 or the like.

[0241] The medium in the present specification means a broad concept including all these media.

As shown in FIG. 31, for example, the personal computer 401 has a CPU (Central Processing).
Unit) 442. The CPU 4 has a bus 4
An input / output interface 445 is connected via the input / output interface 41. When a user inputs a command from the input unit 447 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like via the input / output interface 445, the CPU 442 responds thereto. A ROM (R) corresponding to the semiconductor memory 403 in FIG. 29A
ead Only Memory) 443 is executed. Alternatively, the CPU 442 may transfer a program stored in the hard disk 402 in advance, the satellite 422 or the network 431, receive the program by the communication unit 448, and
Installed on the computer or drive 449
Flexible disk 411 mounted on the CD-RO
The program read from the M 412, the MO disk 413, the DVD 414, or the magnetic disk 415 and installed on the hard disk 402 is transferred to a RAM (Ran
dom Access Memory) 444 for execution. Further, the CPU 442 transmits the processing result to, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crysta
l Display) and outputs it to a display unit 446 as necessary.

In this specification, the step of describing a program provided by a medium is not limited to processing performed in chronological order in the order described, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually or individually.

[0244] In this specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0245]

According to the information providing apparatus and method of the present invention and the first recording medium, in the image recording apparatus, a character string specifying the channel of the broadcast station, which is converted into data indicating the channel of the broadcast station Is transmitted to the image recording apparatus, so that scheduled recording can be set easily and quickly.

According to the image recording apparatus and method and the second recording medium of the present invention, the reception of the recording reservation data including the character string specifying the channel of the broadcasting station is controlled, and the character string included in the recording reservation data is controlled. The character string included in the received recording reservation data is converted into data indicating the broadcast station channel based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence with the broadcast station channel, and indicates the converted broadcast station channel. Since the scheduled recording is controlled based on the data, the scheduled recording can be set easily and quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording / reproducing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording / reproducing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing board.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an application program executed by a personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an application program executed by a personal computer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an application program, middleware, and drivers executed by a personal computer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of AV content.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a CRT of a personal computer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a CRT of a personal computer.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a CRT of a personal computer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen according to a programmed recording setting program.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen according to a programmed recording setting program.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a screen according to a programmed recording setting program.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed by a WWW browser.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording reservation data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a channel conversion file.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a CRT by a personal computer running a personal information management program.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen of an e-mail program of a personal computer displaying an e-mail attached with v-calendar recording reservation data.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of v-calendar recording reservation data.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a recording reservation process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a channel setting process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a reserved recording process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating processing for transmitting recording reservation data by an electronic mail program of the personal computer 11;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving recording reservation data by an electronic mail program of a personal computer.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a recording reservation process performed by a reservation recording setting program of a personal computer.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a scheduled recording process.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a medium.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a process of transmitting recording reservation data by an e-mail program.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1, 1-2 personal computer, 3 VC
R, 4 DVCR, 6 network, 7 server, 11-1, 11-2 personal computer,
21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM,
31 HDD, 34 image processing board, 35 communication board, 58 MPEG encoder, 60 MPEG decoder, 81 CPU, 82 ROM, 83R
AM, 91 HDD, 93 communication board, 101
Recording / playback program, 102 AV content management / retrieval program, 103 AV content editing program, 104 Scheduled recording setting program, 105
Reservation monitoring program, 106 WWW browser, 11
1 electronic mail program, 112 personal information management program, 122 content database, 15
1 AV content, 152 AV content attribute record, 161 moving image data file, 162
Still image data file, 181 recording window,
182 Record button, 183 Stop button, 18
4 Play button, 185 Pause button, 191
Recording time change button, 201 playback window,
251-1 to 251-11 Recording reservation data download button, 301 subject input field, 302
Location input field, 303 scheduled start date input field, 304 scheduled start time input field, 30
5 Schedule end date input field, 306 Schedule end time input field, 401 personal computer, 402 hard disk, 403 semiconductor memory, 411 flexible disk, 412 CD
-ROM, 413 MO disk, 414 DV
D, 415 magnetic disk, 416 semiconductor memory, 421 download site, 422 artificial satellite, 431 network, 442 CPU, 44
3 ROM, 444 RAM, 448 communication unit, 4
49 Drive

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuo Nomura 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Yasushi Miyajima 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Eiichi Watanabe 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Nobuaki Yamaguchi 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni -Inside the Corporation (72) Kumiko Sasaki, Inventor 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Makoto Niijima 6-35, 7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation Inside the company (72) Inventor Ai Suzuki 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Shinya Fujii 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Stock Company (72) Inventor Yusuke Tani 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term within Sony Corporation (reference) 5C052 AA01 AB04 DD10 5C053 FA23 FA30 JA21 KA01 KA24 KA25 LA06 LA07 LA11 LA14 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC01 CC03 CC05 DE22 GK12

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information providing apparatus for providing recording reservation data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined broadcasting station to an image recording apparatus, wherein the image recording apparatus includes data indicating the channel of the broadcasting station. An information providing apparatus, comprising: a transmission control unit configured to control transmission of the recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of the broadcast station to the image recording apparatus. 2. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control unit controls transmission of the recording reservation data including the character string represented by text to the image recording apparatus. apparatus. 3. An information providing method for providing recording reservation data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined broadcasting station to an image recording apparatus, wherein the data indicating the channel of the broadcasting station is provided in the image recording apparatus. An information providing method, comprising: a transmission control step of controlling transmission of the recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of the broadcast station, which is converted into a broadcast station, to the image recording apparatus. 4. An information providing program for providing recording reservation data for recording reservation of a predetermined program of a predetermined broadcasting station to an image recording apparatus, wherein the image recording apparatus includes: A computer-readable program that includes a transmission control step of controlling transmission of the recording reservation data including a character string specifying the channel of the broadcast station, which is converted to data indicating the channel, to the image recording apparatus. A recording medium on which a possible program is recorded. 5. An image recording apparatus for performing scheduled recording of a predetermined program of a predetermined broadcasting station, a reception control unit for controlling reception of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of the broadcasting station, and the recording reservation Based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence between the character string included in the data and the channel of the broadcast station,
A conversion unit configured to convert the character string included in the received recording reservation data into data indicating the channel of the broadcast station; and performing a scheduled recording based on the converted data indicating the channel of the broadcast station. An image recording apparatus, comprising: a recording control unit for controlling the image recording apparatus. 6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the conversion unit converts the character string represented by text into data indicating the channel of the broadcast station. 7. A recording control unit for controlling recording of the conversion data indicating a correspondence between the character string included in the recording reservation data and the channel of the broadcasting station, wherein the conversion unit is configured to The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the character string included in the recording reservation data is converted into data indicating the channel of the broadcasting station based on the conversion data. 8. An image recording method for an image recording apparatus for pre-recording a predetermined program of a predetermined broadcast station, comprising: a reception control step of controlling reception of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of the broadcast station. Based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence between the character string included in the recording reservation data and the channel of the broadcast station,
A converting step of converting the character string included in the received recording reservation data into data indicating the channel of the broadcast station; and performing a scheduled recording based on the converted data indicating the channel of the broadcast station. And a recording control step of controlling the image recording. 9. A reception control step for controlling reception of recording reservation data including a character string specifying a channel of the broadcast station, the program being for image recording processing for reserved recording of a predetermined program of a predetermined broadcast station. And, based on the conversion data indicating the correspondence between the character string included in the recording reservation data and the channel of the broadcast station,
A converting step of converting the character string included in the received recording reservation data into data indicating the channel of the broadcast station; and performing a scheduled recording based on the converted data indicating the channel of the broadcast station. And a recording control step of controlling the recording medium.