JP2003319335A - Broadcast video image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast video image recording apparatus for recording broadcast television video data to a storage unit and recording a broadcast video image before the designation of video recording. <P>SOLUTION: The broadcast video image recording apparatus includes: a first storage unit 2 for storing broadcast video data; a second storage unit 3 for storing video data to be reproduced; a control unit 5 for storing the designated video data to the second storage unit after searching for the designated video data from the first storage unit; and a table for storing a recording time and a recording address of the video data of the first storage unit. The broadcast video image recording apparatus stores broadcast video image to the first storage unit at all times and stores the broadcast video image having been stored in the first storage unit 2 to the second storage unit 3 at a start time notified from a designation unit when the time of desirable video recording comes. Thus, the broadcast video image recording apparatus can record video image by easily tracing back to the past recordings. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcast video recording device for recording broadcast television video data in a storage unit.

[0002] As seen in recent trends in the fusion of television and computers and the trend toward multi-channel digital broadcasting, the wave of digitization is rushing to television images. It is possible to transmit 4 to 8 channels in the digital broadcasting in the band of the conventional analog broadcasting 1 channel, and it is expected that the usage cost will be reduced.
Also, the digitization of video enables the image quality to be improved. Further, it becomes possible to obtain digital video information from various information sources such as satellite broadcasting, terrestrial broadcasting, cable television broadcasting and the Internet. Therefore, the system for recording the video is also required to be diversified.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

Digital video recording systems have been proposed which are linked to the services of broadcasting stations. For example, NHK Broadcasting Technology Research Institute is an integrated service television (ISTV; Integrat)
ed Services TV) is proposed. This ISTV uses a home server technology. In ISTV, various information such as news, weather forecasts, programs, and program guides sent from a broadcasting station is automatically selected and recorded on the TV side based on a user's designation. Then, when the user wants to watch the recorded video, the user can watch it at any time.

The functions of the ISTV service are as follows. This is the first function to automatically receive news, TV newspapers, programs, etc. all at once. This function is to collectively receive information transmitted by a broadcasting station at a certain time and watch it at any time. The second function is to automatically update news, weather forecasts, etc., which are broadcast regularly or at regular intervals.

[0006] A third function is that, when an interested genre, theme, performer, etc. are designated, the information is automatically judged from the index information added to the program / information and selectively stored.

The process of these recording systems is shown in FIG.
5 will be described.

(S1) First, the user manually specifies a program to be recorded.

(S2) Broadcast video is input.

(S3) A program to be recorded is selected from the input video according to the designation in step S1. When recording,
Go to step S4. When not recording, the process returns to step S2.

(S4) The designated program is recorded.

(S5) Playback is designated. If reproduction is not designated, the process returns to step S2.

(S6) The recorded program is reproduced. This allows the recorded video to be viewed.

As described above, the conventional recording apparatus is capable of recording the image after the user's designation.

[0015]

With the conventional broadcast video recording apparatus, it was not possible to record retroactively. For example, if you miss the timing to record and the program you want to record has already started, or after watching the program to the end,
This is the case when you want to record and watch again.

In such a case, there is a problem that the conventional recording device cannot record a picture.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast video recording apparatus capable of recording broadcast video before recording is designated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast video recording apparatus capable of recording broadcast video retroactively.

[0019]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve this purpose,
A broadcast video recording device of the present invention includes a first storage unit for storing broadcast video data, a second storage unit for storing video data to be reproduced, and designated first video data for the first video data. A control unit for storing the designated video data in the second storage unit after searching from the storage unit; a designation means for designating the video data to be reproduced; and the first storage. A recording address and a time of the broadcast video data of the unit, and the control unit refers to the table in response to the specification of the start time of the desired broadcast video data by the designating unit. The recording address of the desired broadcast video data in the first storage unit is obtained.

In the present invention, the always-broadcast video is stored in the first storage unit, and when it is designated to record the video,
The broadcast video stored in the first storage unit is stored in the second storage unit. Therefore, recording can be performed retroactively. Further, even if the time slightly changes from the scheduled time, the broadcast video may be moved from the first storage unit to the second storage unit at the time of the change, so that desired recording can be performed. Further, by providing a table of storage time and recording address and designating the start time by the designating means, the recording address of the desired video data can be easily obtained, and the recording in the second storage unit can be easily controlled.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

The receiving unit 1 receives broadcast video.
The primary storage unit (first storage unit) 2 stores all received broadcast videos. Secondary storage unit (second
The storage unit 3) stores the designated broadcast video among the broadcast videos stored in the primary storage unit 2. The request unit 4 is for manually designating a broadcast video. For example, the request unit 4 has a play button, a channel, and a numerical key for specifying a time.

The control unit 5 controls the primary storage unit 2 so as to store the received broadcast video. Then, the control unit 5 controls the secondary storage unit 3 so as to store the designated broadcast video according to the designation of the request unit 4. Further, the control unit 5 reproduces the image in the secondary storage unit 3 in response to the reproduction instruction from the request unit 4.

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a primary storage processing flow chart of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a secondary storage processing flow chart of FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the management table, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the recording operation of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the primary storage unit (memory) 2 is composed of a hard disk unit. The secondary storage unit (memory) 3 is composed of an optical disc unit.

The control unit 5 is composed of a processor. The overall control unit 10 controls the primary storage address control unit 12 and the secondary storage address control unit 13 to execute a primary storage process, a secondary storage process, and a reproduction process. The timer 11 measures the time. The primary storage address control unit 12 controls the recording address / playback address of the primary storage unit 2.

The secondary storage address controller 13 controls the recording address / reproduction address of the secondary storage unit 3.
The primary storage management table 14 stores the recording address and time of the primary storage unit 2. Secondary storage management table 1
Reference numeral 5 stores the recording address and time of the secondary storage unit 3.

The viewing / playback history section 16 holds a history of viewing requests / playback requests from the request unit 4. The automatic recording designation unit 17 is the viewing / playback history unit 1.
According to the history of 6, recording is automatically designated.

Each of these units 10 to 13, 16, and 17 represents the function of the control unit 5 as a block.

First, the overall control unit 10 includes a timer 11,
Primary storage address control unit 12, primary storage management table 1
4 is used to store the constantly input video data in the primary memory 2. The overall control unit 10 increments the recording address of the primary storage in synchronization with the timer 11 and stores the video data in the primary memory 2 in the FIFO format regardless of the user's request. Details will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(S11) As an initial setting, the primary memory 2
The recording (write) address nw of is set to "0".
The time t is set to the time t ′ of the timer 11.

(S12) Video data for each minute is recorded in the write address nw of the primary memory 2 in increments of minutes.
In the case of MPEG2, the video data for 1 minute is about 60.
It is MB.

(S13) In order to manage the recording status, the time t and the write address nw are stored in the primary storage management table 14 as shown in FIG.

(S14) In synchronization with the timer 11, the time t is incremented and the write address nw is incremented.

(S15) FIFO (First In)
In order to form a first-out type memory, it is checked whether the write address nw exceeds the maximum address N of the primary memory 2. If the write address nw does not exceed the maximum address N, the process returns to step S12.

(S16) When the write address nw exceeds the maximum address N, the write address nw is returned to "0" in order to form a FIFO type memory. Then, the process returns to step S12.

In this way, the broadcasted video data is always stored in the primary memory 2. Then, the video data is stored in the FIFO format.

Next, the video data recorded in the primary memory 2 is selectively taken into the secondary memory 3 in response to a recording request. Therefore, the overall control unit 10 uses the timer 11, the primary storage address control unit 12, the primary storage management table 14, the secondary storage address control unit 13, and the secondary storage management table 15. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

(S21) As an initial setting, the primary memory 2
The reproduction (read) address of is set to nr. Further, the recording (write) address nw 'of the secondary memory 3 is set to "0".

(S22) The overall control unit 10 determines whether or not there is a secondary recording request from the request unit 4.

(S23) The user specifies the start time ts and the end time te of the primary recording from the request unit 4 in order to perform the secondary recording. This time ts, te is 2
It is held in the next storage management table 15.

(S24) In order to confirm whether or not the primary recording has already been performed, it is checked whether or not the start time ts and the corresponding recording (write) address nw are held in the primary storage management table 14. If the start time ts and the write address nw are not held, it is determined that the video has not been recorded yet, and the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if the start time ts and the write address nw are held, it is determined that the video has already been recorded, and the process proceeds to step S26.

(S25) After waiting for 1 minute, the process returns to step S24.

(S26) Primary reproduction (read) address n
r is set to the recording (write) address nw held in the primary storage management table 14.

(S27) As shown in FIG. 5, in order to record one minute of video data from the primary memory 2 to the secondary memory 3, the data of the primary reproduction (read) address nr is secondary recorded (write). ) Record at address nw '.

(S28) As shown in FIG. 5, time ts,
Secondary recording (write) address nw '
It is held in the next storage management table 15.

(S29) In synchronization with the timer 11, the time ts, the primary reproduction (read) address nr, and the secondary recording (write) address nw 'are each incremented by "+1".

(S30) Secondary recording (write) address n
It is checked whether w ′ exceeds the maximum address N ′ of the secondary memory 3. Secondary recording (write) address nw '
However, if it exceeds the maximum address N ', step S31
Proceed to. If the secondary recording (write) address nw 'does not exceed the maximum address N', the process proceeds to step S32.

(S31) Secondary recording (write) address n
Return w'to "0".

(S32) The time ts is the recording end time te.
Check if it has exceeded. The time ts is the recording end time t
If it exceeds e, the requested recording ends and the process returns to step S22. If the time ts does not exceed the recording end time te, the requested recording has not ended, and the process returns to step S24.

In this way, the program at the start time and end time designated by the user is transferred from the primary memory 2 to the secondary memory 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show states of reproduction from the primary memory 2 and recording on the secondary memory 3. Primary memory 2
Then, by turning the address cyclically, the FI
Store data in FO format. While recording at the address n in the primary memory 2, the previously recorded data is reproduced. From the start of playback to the end of playback, once every minute, 1
Video is recorded from the secondary memory 2 to the secondary memory 3.

For example, the primary storage management table 14 and the secondary storage management table 15 can hold data for two hours each. It is assumed that the current time is 9:16 and the data recorded in the primary storage memory 2 at 7:16 two hours ago is overwritten. FIG. 5 then shows 9:01
It shows a case where a primary reproduction and a secondary recording request of data for 14 minutes from 9:14 have occurred.

In the secondary storage management table 15, time, 2
It holds the next recording address and the presence / absence of recording. It is a guideline for whether or not to overwrite depending on the presence or absence of recording.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording table 15-1 holds a range of recording name, time, and secondary recording address. As a result, it is used for grasping the remaining part that is not recorded.

In FIG. 5, for the recording at the current time 9:16,
Primary playback of data from 9:01 15 minutes before (past)
Indicates that secondary recording is in progress. Seen from the primary recording, 1
It can be said that it is a 5 minute time difference recording. Further, when the primary reproduction data is reproduced and output as it is, the time difference reproduction can be realized so that the image 15 minutes before can be viewed. This means that even if the viewing time is delayed, it is possible to view the images with a delay.

The recorded data in the secondary memory 3 is reproduced in response to a reproduction request from the request unit 4.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another recording operation of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a case where the end point of the primary reproduction is after the end point of the primary recording. Compared with the embodiment of FIG. 5, the following two points are different. Firstly, in the example of FIG. 5, from the start of the primary reproduction to the end of the primary reproduction, the recording is synchronized with the time (time difference recording). On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 7, data up to the front (primary recording completed) during primary recording is collected and primary reproduction and secondary recording are performed. As a result, it is possible to shorten the secondary recording time.

The second point is that in the example of FIG. 5, the secondary recording is 1
The time difference is delayed with respect to the next recording. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 7, the primary recording and the secondary recording are simultaneously performed from the time during the primary recording to the end of the primary reproduction. Therefore, the secondary recording can also end at the reproduction end time.

The processing of FIG. 7 is performed in step S2 shown in FIG.
The process of 6 to S29 is performed at once without recording in time during recording. Further, after recording, it may be performed in synchronization with time. However, it is premised that the capability of secondary recording is higher than the capability of primary recording.

FIG. 8 is a view / playback history section 1 shown in FIG.
6. Process flow diagram of the automatic recording designation unit 17, FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the list update process, FIGS. 10 to 12 are explanatory diagrams of the list process, and FIG. 13 is a diagram of the list update operation. The automatic designation process will be described with reference to FIG.

(S41) A viewing / playback request (manual) is received from the request unit 4.

(S42) This viewing / playback request is registered in the list described with reference to FIG. In this case, the list is deleted / updated in accordance with the viewing / playback request.

(S43) Top of list (eg top 5
Program).

In this way, a list is created corresponding to the user's viewing / playback status. Then, the deletion / update of the list is continued. Based on this list, the video that the user wants to watch is automatically specified for recording.

The list update process of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

(S51) Whether or not the viewing / playback request is a new registration to the list is checked based on the registration status in the list. In the case of new registration, the process proceeds to step S52. If it is not a new registration, the process proceeds to step S55.

(S52) It is checked whether the registration space of the list is full. If the list is full, the process proceeds to step S53. If the list is not full, the process proceeds to step S54.

(S53) Since the registration space is full, the lowest information in the list is deleted.

(S54) A new registration is made in the list. This registration method will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

(S55) The list is updated. The updating method will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

10 to 12 show examples of three lists. Each list stores the ranking, day of the week, channel, start time, end time, program name, performer name, and genre.

In FIG. 10, MTF (Move To F
ront) is used. As shown in FIG. 13, the newly registered program is registered at the top of the list. Also, when updating, it moves to the top of the list.
In this method, the most recently watched / played program can always be designated as the highest priority. It is not necessary to count the frequency. This is an effective method when the tendency tends to change in a short period of time.

In FIG. 11, a technique called Transport is used. As shown in FIG. 13, the newly registered program is registered at the bottom of the list. Further, in the case of updating, it is replaced with an adjacent upper program. It is not necessary to count the frequency. This is an effective method when the tendency does not change much in a relatively long period.

In FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. 13, the newly registered program is always registered in the lower level of the list. In the case of updating, the frequency of viewing / playing is calculated, and the lists are exchanged according to the frequency. Although this method requires calculation of frequency, it can accurately grasp the user's preference.

In this way, it is possible to perform manual designation by the user and designation by automatic prediction without the help of the user. In the automatic designation by the user, as in the conventional method, designation by day of the week, time, channel, G code, EPG
It is also possible to select and specify from programs, performers, etc. using (program information) and the like.

Further, in the automatic prediction without the help of the user, the list of the user's current viewing status and secondary recording status is held. Then, the automatic prediction of the recording designation is performed based on the statistical properties of the parameters described by the user designation. For example, recording is designated from the highest probability to the highest five.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. 14, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same symbols. Primary memory 20-2
2 is provided for each channel and temporarily stores the video data of each channel. In this example, video data of a plurality of channels at the same time can be captured at the same time.

Similarly, in the case where one primary memory 2 has the ability to simultaneously store the video data of a plurality of channels simultaneously, the video data of a plurality of channels can be taken in at the same time. In this case, when deleting the video data, the video data that is the oldest in time is deleted.

If the start time is the same in the video data of a plurality of channels, the end time is deleted from the oldest. That is, the ones with the shortest recording time are deleted. As a result, the latest information can be secured. Alternatively, delete the one with the latest end time. That is, the one with the longest recording time is deleted. As a result, the capacity of the primary memory 2 can be secured. As another method, it is possible to simply delete the oldest list. Also, from the list, the programs of lower importance may be deleted first from the importance of programs.

Similarly, as the new recording method of the secondary memory when the start time is the same for the video data of a plurality of channels, the one with the oldest end time is recorded. That is,
Record from the shortest recording time. Alternatively, record from the newest end time. That is, recording is started from the longest recording time. As another method, it is possible to simply record from the youngest one. or,
From the list, the programs of higher importance may be recorded first from the importance of the program.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be modified as follows.

(1) In the above embodiment, the primary memory,
The secondary memory has been described as a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device, but a digital video disk device, a video tape device or the like can also be used.

(2) As the method for designating the secondary recording, the apparatus capable of either the manual method or the automatic designation method has been described. It may be applied to an enabling device.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
They are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It has the following effects.

(1) The always-broadcast video is stored in the first storage unit, and the broadcast video stored in the first storage unit is stored in the second storage unit at the time when it is designated to record. . Therefore, recording can be performed retroactively.

(2) Also, even if the time slightly changes from the scheduled time,
At the time of change, the broadcast video may be transferred from the first storage unit to the second storage unit, and thus desired recording can be performed. By providing a table of the storage time and the recording address and designating the start time by the designating means, the recording address of the desired video data can be easily obtained, and the video recording to the second storage unit can be easily controlled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the primary storage processing of FIG.

4 is a secondary storage processing flow chart of FIG. 2;

5 is an explanatory diagram of a management table of FIG.

6 is an explanatory diagram of a recording operation of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another recording operation of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the automatic designation processing of FIG.

9 is a flowchart of the list update processing of FIG.

10 is an explanatory diagram (1) of the list processing of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the list processing of FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) of the list processing of FIG.

13 is an explanatory diagram of a list update operation of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 receiver 2 Primary storage unit 3 Secondary storage unit 4 request units 5 control unit 10 Overall control unit 11 timer 12 Primary storage address controller 13 Secondary storage address controller 14 Primary storage management table 15 Secondary storage management table 16 Viewing / playback history section 17 Automatic designation section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast video recording device for recording broadcast video data, comprising: a first storage unit for storing broadcast video data; and a second storage unit for storing video data to be reproduced. A control unit for storing the specified video data in the second storage unit after searching for the specified video data from the first storage unit, and a specification for specifying the video data to be reproduced. Means and a table for storing the recording address and time of the broadcast video data in the first storage unit, and the control unit according to the specification of the start time of the desired broadcast video data by the designating means. However, referring to the table, the broadcast video recording is characterized in that the recording address of the desired broadcast video data in the first storage unit is obtained. apparatus. 2. The broadcast video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording unit stores the input video data in a FIFO format. 3. The broadcast video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit stores the video data of the plurality of channels.