JP2004112782A - Content recording apparatus, content reproducing apparatus, method thereof and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content recording apparatus by which a user is capable of surely knowing that new content data are received. <P>SOLUTION: A content recording apparatus 1 is provided with a network connecting part 13 for acquiring content data via a network, a content recording part 16 for recording the content data, and a display control part 17 for generating a signal for a monitor based upon the content data recorded by the content recording part. The display control part generates the signal for a monitor 3 such that when the content data acquired by the network connecting part via the network are recorded by the content recording part to be reproduced, the user is notified of such a state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a content recording apparatus capable of easily reproducing content data obtained from a network or from a broadcasting station, and a related technique. In this specification, “contents” refers to any combination of (moving images, still images, texts, pictograms, etc.), and “contents data” refers to digital data obtained by recording the contents in an arbitrary format. .

In recent years, the number of opportunities to send and receive e-mails via a network such as the Internet to communicate with other parties has been increasing. In this e-mail, not only character data corresponding to replacement of a letter but also data such as sound, still image, or moving image can be transmitted and received by being attached to the e-mail.

However, for the exchange of content data, the work of attaching data captured by a video camera or the like to an e-mail requires some computer knowledge and experience, and is easy for general users who are not familiar with computers. Is not an easy task.

In consideration of this point, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-171728) and the like set a data format in a video camera for attaching photographed data to an e-mail so that video data can be easily captured. I have to. In addition, similarly, various improvements have been made on the side that transmits video data.

By the way, the sender of an e-mail, that is, a user who captures an image with a video camera and tries to transmit video data, originally has some background in mechanical or electronic, and may be familiar with an environment such as a computer. Many.

However, e-mail recipients, that is, users who simply receive video data and only watch it (eg, elderly people, children, etc.) often do not have such a background. Even if an e-mail with video data attached is received, if the video data cannot be reproduced from now on, it will literally endure the treasure.

In order to improve the operability of the recipient of the e-mail, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-249864 proposes a technique of allocating the e-mail to a television channel. In this way, the received user can easily reproduce the video data simply by pressing the button on the TV remote control.
JP-A-10-171728 JP 2001-249864 A JP-A-10-150611 JP-A-11-266414 JP 2001-119681 A JP 2001-326867 A

(Problem 1) However, in the conventional content recording device, even if the content recording device receives new content data while the user is reproducing the content that the user wants to view, the content being reproduced is Had no change. For this reason, the user sometimes remains unaware that new content data has been received.

(Problem 2) Some conventional content recording apparatuses have an EPG program table function, but this EPG program table supports only data transmitted via a broadcasting station. Therefore, there is a problem that handling of content data via e-mail is troublesome and difficult to understand as compared with data via a broadcast station.

Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a content recording device that allows a user to reliably know that new content data has been received.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a content recording apparatus capable of handling content data via e-mail more easily.

A content recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a network connection unit for acquiring content data via a network, a content recording unit for recording content data, and a content recording device for a display device based on the content data recorded in the content recording unit. A display control unit for generating a signal, an input unit for receiving command information input by a user, a TV program obtaining unit for obtaining content data from a broadcasting station, and a content recording unit for storing content data indicated by the command information received by the input unit. Unit, when the corresponding content data is present, the display control unit includes a control unit that generates a signal for a monitor based on the content data. The content data to be acquired is When the recorded becomes reproducible, and notifies the user, generates a signal for monitor.

With this configuration, when new content data is received while the user is playing back the content that he / she wants to see, the user is notified that the new content data has been received. Therefore, the user can be sure of receiving new content data.

In addition, by recording the content data in the content recording unit, not only the content data acquired in real time but also the content data acquired in the past can be viewed.

(4) When the user inputs command information from the input unit, the content recording unit searches for content data indicated by the command information and performs display using the corresponding content data.

Therefore, the user can play the content data received from the network such as the Internet on the monitor without any difficult operation, similarly to the content data obtained from the broadcasting station, and easily view the content data received via the network. it can.

In the content recording apparatus according to the second aspect, when the content data acquired by the network connection unit via the network is recorded in the content recording unit and can be reproduced, the display control unit can reproduce the content data. A signal for the monitor, which displays a sub-screen indicating, is generated.

With this configuration, the user can see the child screen and know that the content data has been obtained via the network. Therefore, the user can surely view the content data obtained via the network without overlooking the content data.

In addition, since the parent screen still reproduces the desired content, the user can continue to view the content as it is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the content data indicated by the small screen is reproduced, the display control unit deletes the small screen.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the child screen from interfering with the reproduction of the desired content data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the content recording apparatus, the display control unit changes the child screen as time passes.

変 化 The change is, for example, to make the child screen smaller after a certain period of time. In this way, it is possible to prevent the user from overlooking the reception of the content data and not to disturb the child screen, so that the user can view comfortably.

Conversely, after a certain period of time, the child screen can be enlarged to be stronger and draw the user's attention.

In the content recording device according to the fifth aspect, the display control unit can record and reproduce the content data acquired by the network connection unit via the network while the display based on the monitor signal is not performed. In addition, when the display based on the signal for the monitor is started, a signal for the monitor for generating a sub-screen indicating that the content data can be reproduced is generated.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from overlooking the reception of the content data, for example, even when the power of the monitor is off or in the standby state.

Furthermore, in this way, the reception of the content data can be performed in the background with respect to the display on the monitor, and the convenience is greatly improved.

For example, in a case where content data is received via the network while the user turns off the monitor and goes out, when the user who comes home turns on the monitor, a child screen is displayed. In other words, a function such as an answering machine record is exhibited, so that the user can go out without worrying about receiving the content data, which is very convenient.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the child screen includes character information.

に よ り With this configuration, accurate notification can be made by characters.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the sound is reproduced in accordance with the display of the small screen.

(4) In this configuration, by reproducing the sound along with the display, the user's attention can be more strongly aroused, and a system that is easy for those who have visual impairment can be provided.

In the content recording apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the child screen includes one or more items among a title, a message, information indicating a sender, a transmission date and time, a reception date and time, a playback time length, and a data size. .

に よ り These items allow the user to be notified of the specifications of the received content data accurately.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the child screen includes a channel number assigned to the content data.

With this configuration, the user can easily reproduce the target content data by inputting a channel from the input unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the content data acquired by the network connection unit via the network is recorded on the content recording unit and becomes reproducible, the display control unit can reproduce the content data. A signal for a monitor that reproduces the sound indicating is generated.

With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the content data can be reproduced without affecting the screen display of the monitor.

In the content recording device according to the eleventh aspect, the child screen includes one or both of a still image and content data.

With this configuration, the user can be notified of the contents of the reproducible content data, such as displaying a still image such as a representative screen of the content data on the child screen or displaying a digest version of the content data. it can.

14. The content recording device according to claim 13, wherein a network connection unit that acquires content data via a network, a TV program acquisition unit that acquires content data from a broadcast station, a content recording unit that records content data, and a network connection unit. Alternatively, one or both of the TV program acquisition units includes a display control unit that displays a content list based on EPG information acquired from a broadcast station and generates a monitor signal. The content list includes a TV program acquisition unit. And the content data obtained by the network connection unit are treated equivalently.

With this configuration, the user can seamlessly and gently use the content data via the broadcast station and the content data via the network without intentionally discriminating by looking at the content list.

15. The content recording device according to claim 14, wherein the content recording unit associates the content data acquired by the network connection unit with a channel assigned to a sender and / or a group of senders that transmitted the content data. And for the content data acquired by the TV program acquisition section, the content data is recorded in association with the channel assigned to the broadcasting station, and the content list includes the sender and / or the sender of the content data. Contains the channels assigned for the group.

With this configuration, by specifying a channel, the content data can be handled separately with respect to each of the senders and / or the groups of the senders. In a case where a large number of content data are received from a plurality of senders, Even so, the receiver can easily find the target content data, and the convenience and the operability can be improved.

As described above, according to the content recording apparatus of the present invention, the content data received from the network such as the Internet can be reproduced on the monitor simply by performing the channel selection operation by the input unit, so that the user can view and listen to the content with a simple operation It is possible to do.

In addition, when content data received via a network such as the Internet becomes available for playback, the user can be notified that the content can be effectively played back. The user can surely view the content data without overlooking it.

In addition, since the user can browse the content assigned to the TV channel as a program guide, the user can easily grasp the location and information of the TV program and the content data obtained via the network, and easily select the content data. Can be.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
First, a content recording device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a content reproduction device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

コ ン テ ン ツ As shown in FIG. 1, the content reproducing device includes a content recording device 1 and a monitor 3.

The monitor 3 is a cathode ray tube, an LCD, a plasma display, or the like, and displays content and reproduces sound based on a signal output from the display control unit 17 of the content recording device 1.

The input unit 2 includes a keyboard, a remote controller, and the like, and receives command information input by a user. The input unit 2 is for the user to input a button operation such as a channel switching operation and a character input operation.

The I / O unit 15 reads and writes content data from and to the content recording unit 7.

The content recording unit 16 is a non-volatile medium such as a hard disk, an optical disk, and a flash memory, and can read and write content data at random.

The content recording unit 16 only needs to be configured so as to be handled as a series of storage areas as viewed from the control unit 11, and may be a combination of a hard disk and an optical disk, for example. The data structure of the content recording unit 16 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each element shown in FIG. 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a program executed by the CPU and following a flowchart described later.

The control unit 11 searches the content recording unit 16 for content data indicated by the command information received by the input unit 2, and if there is the corresponding content data, the display control unit 17 performs monitoring based on the content data. 3 is generated.

The storage unit 12 includes a RAM (random access memory) or the like, and the storage unit 12 secures an area for the control unit 11 to temporarily store information necessary for processing. Note that a part of the storage unit 12 may be used as a cache for the content recording unit 16.

This content recording device 1 acquires content data in at least the following two systems.

First, the TV program acquisition unit 14 includes a TV tuner or the like, and tunes a TV program from a TV antenna or receives a TV program of a cable TV according to an instruction from the control unit 11. That is, the TV program acquisition unit 14 acquires content data and EPG program guide data from a broadcasting station.

(4) The network connection unit 13 acquires content data via a network such as the Internet. The network connection unit 13 specifies a connection destination, establishes a communication session, and obtains content data via a network according to instructions from the control unit 11.

Hereafter, the Internet is taken up as the network. The connection to the Internet is not related to the gist of the present invention, and an existing Internet connection technology such as a dial-up connection may be used.

The display control unit 17 receives the content data received from the I / O unit 15 or the TV program acquisition unit 14, converts the content data into a content signal that can be displayed on the monitor 3, and outputs the content signal. Further, when the content data has been subjected to a compression process such as MPEG, etc., it also has a function of expanding the compression.

When the content data acquired by the network connection unit 13 via the network is recorded in the content recording unit 16 and becomes reproducible, the display control unit 17 notifies the user of the signal (this embodiment). Then, a subscreen is displayed). The details of the processing of the display control unit 17 will be described later with reference to another drawing.

Next, an example of recording content data obtained via the network connection unit 13 in the content recording unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the content recording unit 16 can be treated as a series of storage areas as viewed from the control unit 11. For example, as shown in FIG. B, C, etc. are recorded. Here, pa, pb, and pc are pointers indicating the heads of the data A, B, and C, respectively.

At this time, these data A, B, C,... Are managed, for example, by a table shown in FIG.

This table includes, as management items, “ID”, “source information” of content data, “characteristic information” of content data, “related information” created by the sender and associated with the content data, Has each field of “system information” to be added.

The “source information” has fields such as an e-mail address, a name, an IP address, and a domain name. The “characteristic information” includes fields such as a transmission date and time and a reproduction time length. The “related information” includes fields such as a content title, a message, and a still image. The “system information” includes fields such as a playability notification flag indicating whether a playback enable notification of the received content has been displayed and a playback flag indicating whether the received content has been played back.

The “ID” field is an identifier of various content data, and is composed of names A, B, C,... And pointers pa, pb, pc,.

Therefore, if the control unit 11 obtains the ID, the control unit 11 can freely access the corresponding content data of the content recording unit 16 via the I / O unit 15.

Note that it is sufficient for the “ID” to be able to identify various types of content data. Therefore, the “ID” may be assigned and determined by the control unit 11 so as to have a unique relationship with each content data.

フ ィ ー ル ド The “source information” field is a data field for specifying where the content data comes from.

When acquiring the content data via the Internet, the control unit 11 acquires any value such as an e-mail address, an IP address, a domain name, and a name as the information of the transmission source, and sets the value in a corresponding field. I do.

For example, when the content data is sent as an attached file of an e-mail, the source mail address is attached to the e-mail, and the value is set in the “e-mail address” field.

When content data is acquired by file communication such as $ ftp, the values of the "IP address" and "domain name" from which the content data are acquired are set in the corresponding fields.

フ ィ ー ル ド The field of “characteristic information” is a data field indicating characteristics and characteristics of the content data. The control unit 11 measures the size, reproduction time length, and the like of the content data recorded in the content recording unit 16 from the content data, and sets a value in a corresponding field. Alternatively, the control unit 11 measures the time at which data reception is started, and sets a value in a corresponding field.

Each field of “related information” is a data field in which information added to the content data by the source is set.

When acquiring the content data, the content recording device 1 acquires the data created by the sender separately from the content data, and the control unit 11 determines the title, message, still image data, sound data, and the like from the data. Get the content attached to the content data such as, and set the value in the corresponding field.

When multimedia data such as still image data and sound data is acquired as related information, the control unit 11 records the multimedia data in the content recording unit 16 in the same manner as the content data, and acquires a pointer of the recorded multimedia data. Then, these pointers are set in each field.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, still image data A, B, C,... Are recorded in the content recording unit 16, and sa, sb, sc. Are pointers indicating the heads of the data A, B, C..., And the pointer is stored as a value in the still image field of the related information.

The pointer can be arbitrarily changed as long as it is an identifier for specifying the multimedia data to be recorded.

を 挙 げ る A specific example in which “related information” is set in a field will be described. When the content data is sent as an attached file of an e-mail, the subject of the e-mail is set in the data field as "title" and the text content is set as "message".

(4) Still images and sounds attached separately from the content data are stored in the content recording unit 16, and the pointers are set in the data fields.

Note that the data added by the transmission source may be incorporated as a part of the content data.

The “system information” field is a data field in which system information for the content data, such as whether the content data has been reproduced or a reproducibility notice has been displayed, is set.

(4) Information necessary for a system program is set by the control unit 11.

The values of the above fields may be omitted as appropriate, or another field may be added.

Also, as shown in the figure, if at least one field of a title, a message, information indicating a sender, a transmission date and time, a reception date and time, a reproduction time length, a data size is provided, or a TV channel number field is provided. good. Of course, the order of the fields may be changed as appropriate. Also, each field need not be completely filled.

The classification of each field such as source information, characteristic information, related information, and system information is for convenience of explanation, and the manner of classification can be changed as appropriate.

Here, as exemplified in FIG. 3, the storage unit 12 has a correspondence table for associating the TV channel number with the ID of the content data or the TV broadcasting station name.

In the example of FIG. 3, a field of the ID of the content data or the field of the name of the TV broadcasting station is defined for each TV channel number as an item of the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the content data received via the network.

This table is used by the control unit 11 to determine which content data to output when a TV channel number is selected from the input unit 2.

In this example, in the content data received via the network connection unit 13, the ID value of the content data is set in the field of the assigned TV channel number. In the content data (TV program) received via the TV program acquisition unit 5, the name of the TV broadcast station broadcasting the program is set in the field of the assigned TV channel number.

Note that the information set in the TV broadcast station name field may be an identifier indicating the TV broadcast station, and does not necessarily have to be the TV broadcast station name itself.

For example, when the TV channel number “36” is input from the input unit 2, the control unit 11 searches the table in the storage unit 12, and searches the content data corresponding to the entry with the TV channel number “36”. And the content data is extracted from the ID. As a result, the content data is reproduced. In the example of FIG. 3, the content data B, C, E, and F are reproduced in this order.

{Circle around (2)} As shown in FIG. 2 (b), each TV channel number is also set in the field of “TV channel number” in the table of the content recording unit 16.

For example, when the TV channel number “55” is input from the input unit 2, the control unit 11 outputs the TV program of the broadcasting station corresponding to the entry whose TV channel number is “55”.

In the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the ID of the content data or the broadcast station name, the value of each field may be appropriately omitted or another field may be added. Of course, the order of the fields may be changed as appropriate. Also, it is not necessary for each field to be completely filled.

In short, it suffices that at least one content data or TV broadcast station is specified for the TV channel number. Further, the user may be able to edit the contents of these tables using the input unit 2.

Next, the operation of the content recording apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S1 of FIG. 5, when the Internet connection process is started, the control unit 11 issues a command to connect to the Internet to the network connection unit 13, and the network connection unit 13 that has received the command connects to the Internet. To start. When this connection is completed, the content recording device 1 can perform communication on the Internet (access to a Web server, acquisition of an e-mail, and the like).

Next, in step S2, the control unit 11 performs an event monitoring process. That is, three events are monitored: (1) user input, (2) content upload on the Web server, and (3) arrival of e-mail with content data. It should be noted that a certain fixed time is allocated to each process. If any event occurs during these three monitoring operations, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the type of event is determined. If the upload of the content or the arrival of the e-mail with the content data arrives, it is determined that the event includes the content data, and the process proceeds to step S4. Processing proceeds.

コ ン テ ン ツ In step S4, the content is stored. That is, when the control unit 11 finds that the content has been uploaded, the control unit 11 downloads the content on the Web server on the Internet via the network connection unit 13 and sends the content to the content recording unit 16 via the I / O unit 15. Write data.

If the electronic mail with the content data arrives, the control unit 11 cuts out the content data portion of the data and writes the content data to the content recording unit 16 via the I / O unit 15.

Next, in step S5, the control unit 11 acquires information about the content data, and stores the content management data in the content recording unit 16 and the storage unit 12 via the I / O unit 15, The process proceeds to S6. Thus, the processing relating to the content accumulation processing is completed.

In step S6, the control unit 11 acquires necessary data from the storage unit 12, and instructs the display control unit 17 to generate a child screen.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the display control unit 17 generates a sub-screen 3a indicating that the corresponding content data can be reproduced by the user, and displays the sub-screen 3a as a parent screen (currently It generates a screen signal superimposed on the displayed screen) and outputs this signal to the monitor 3.

If there is information (for example, a still image of the representative screen, a digest version of the content data, etc.) related to the corresponding content data recorded in the content recording unit 16, this information is appropriately selected on this screen 3a. It is desirable to display.

子 Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the child screen 3a include “name”, “e-mail address”, etc., which are source information. When the process in step S6 ends, the process proceeds to step S8.

処理 If the user does not give an instruction to end in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8, and if the user gives an instruction to end, all the processes end.

In step S8, it is determined whether or not the stored data exists, and if not, the process returns to step S2. Otherwise, the content display processing of step S9 is performed.

In the present embodiment, the child screen 3a for notifying the reproducibility is displayed so as to be superimposed on the main screen. However, the child screen 3a may be displayed on a sub window or a simple LED attached to the content recording apparatus. Can be changed. Notification by sound may be used together.

Here, the “child screen” referred to in the present specification has a broader meaning than usual, and necessarily includes a frame line and the filling of the ground in the frame line as illustrated in FIG. It does not have to be. For example, a subtitle that has a transparent background, is composed of only characters, and has no border line, such as a subtitle supermarket, is also included in the “child screen”. Further, the notification may be made only by sound without displaying the child screen at all.

Next, the content display processing in step S9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, in step S21, the control unit 11 analyzes a command input from the input unit 2. Here, in the present embodiment, there is a relationship of “command = selected channel”, and the control unit 11 treats the input number as the selected channel.

Next, in step S22, the control unit 11 refers to the correspondence table in the storage unit 12, and acquires the content management data ID or the broadcast station name.

In step S23, as a result of step S22, if the item assigned to the TV channel number is a broadcast station name, the process proceeds to step S24. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S24, the control unit 11 acquires, via the TV program acquisition unit 14, content data (TV program) currently being broadcast corresponding to the broadcast station name acquired in step S22. Is displayed.

In step S25, if the TV channel number obtained in step S22 is the ID of the content data obtained via the network, the process proceeds to step S26; otherwise, the process ends.

In step S26, the control unit 11 acquires the content management data ID acquired in step S22 by referring to the pointer indicated by the ID, and the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S27, the content data is specified based on the pointer information of the content data, and the content data is transferred to the display control unit 17 via the I / O unit 15, and the display control unit 17 reproduces the data. Output to the monitor 3. As a result, the assigned content data is displayed on the monitor 3.

(4) At this time, the control unit 11 deletes the contents of the storage unit 12 and deletes the child screen indicating the reproducibility notice displayed on the screen.

Next, an operation example according to the present embodiment will be schematically described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, after the content data uploaded on the content server on the Internet is stored in the content recording device 1, a sub-screen 3a indicating that the content data can be reproduced is displayed on the monitor 3. Indicates a state in which

In the example of FIG. 6, the content data is received from the content server of Mr. A by the content recording device 1 and can be reproduced. At this time, the content recording device 1 superimposes the information of the sender A and the child screen 3a including the title and message created by the user on the monitor 3 so as to be superimposed on the displayed content (parent screen). Then, the user is notified of the existence of the received content data.

Furthermore, an example in which a server existing on a network is used is described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the server 102 exists on the network 100. The server 102 is connected with a recording device 103 including a large-capacity hard disk device or the like.

(4) A certain area of the recording device 103 is opened to a specific user who is permitted to access the server 102, and becomes a shared area 104. The own terminal 1 and the partner terminal 101 can transmit and receive content data via the shared area 104.

In this case, the partner terminal 101 on the transmission side uploads the content data to the shared area 104 of the server 102.

自 Also, the receiving terminal 1 can download and reproduce the content data from the shared area 104 of the server 102. A drive 20 is connected to the I / O unit 15, and a recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM) 21 is set in the drive 20. A content recording program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 11, and the like is stored in the recording medium 21, and the control unit 11 loads the program into the storage unit 2, 6 and execute this program.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, it is more convenient to describe the TV channel number on which the content can be viewed on the child screen 3b. At this time, the user can view desired content data (the content of Mr. A) by inputting the TV channel “36” to be displayed using the input unit 2.

表示 Furthermore, display examples different from those in FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 16A, the child screen 3d is not superimposed on the parent screen and is displayed in a region separate from the parent screen.

In FIG. 16 (b), the child screen 3e is formed vertically, and the message is displayed vertically.

In FIG. 16 (c), a preview of the content is displayed on the sub-screen 3f, and the channel number (36) to which the content is assigned is displayed.

FIG. 16D illustrates a position that can be taken as a display position of the child screen 3g. That is, the child screen 3g may be displayed at any position.

Further, the normal display mode is changed by moving or deforming the child screen 3g, or changing the brightness of the entire screen (for example, suddenly brightening or blinking as if a flash is used). May take a different display form to draw the user's attention strongly.

In short, it suffices if the user can be notified that the content can be reproduced. For example, you can simply play the message by sound without displaying the sub-screen, or more easily, play specific music (no sound), or even play a beep or buzzer. Even if reproduced, a certain effect can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. However, only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the content recording device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart has the following differences from FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.

First, monitoring of the switch (ON / OFF) of the monitor 3 and monitoring of the timer event are newly added to the event monitoring processing of step S2.

In monitoring the switches of the monitor 3, the control unit 11 acquires the status of the switches of the monitor 3 through the display control unit 17. The switch status here includes ON (display is performed) and OFF (no display), and the standby state is included in OFF.

In the monitoring of the timer event, when the control unit 11 sets the timer event, the control unit 11 generates the event after elapse of an arbitrary time.

In step S5, a value indicating "not notified" is entered in the "reproducible notification flag" field shown in FIG.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the switch of the monitor 3 has been turned on. If the monitor switch is on, the process proceeds to step S11; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S11, the control unit 11 determines whether a condition for displaying a reproducible notice is satisfied.

This condition means that the switch of the monitor 3 is on, and the content management data stored in the content recording unit 16 includes content management data whose “playable notification flag” is “not notified”. That is.

れ ば If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S6; otherwise, the process returns to step S2.

In step S12, the control unit 11 determines whether a timer event has occurred. If so, the process proceeds to step S6; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S <b> 9, when the content data via the network notified of the reproducibility is reproduced, the control unit 11 sets the “reproducible notification flag” of the content management data to “notified already” and stores the content in the content recording unit 16. At the same time, the contents of the storage unit 12 are deleted.

In the second embodiment, the display control unit 17 performs the following processing with the occurrence of a timer event as a trigger. First, as shown in FIG. 7, after the child screen 3b is superimposed on the parent screen and displayed, after a certain period of time, a child screen 3c in which the child screen 3b is reduced is generated as shown in FIG. The reduced child screen 3c is superimposed on the parent screen and displayed. As shown in the figure, the number of characters that can be displayed on the sub-screen generally decreases with the reduction of the sub-screen. Therefore, it is desirable to change the message in the sub-screen to a simpler expression.

Further, in the second embodiment, when the power of the monitor 3 is turned off as shown in FIG. 10A, as shown in FIG. The following processing is performed with step S10 as a trigger.

First, in the second embodiment, while the power of the monitor 3 is turned off, the content data acquired by the network connection unit 13 via the network is recorded in the content recording unit 16 and becomes reproducible, and the display of the monitor 3 is started. At this time, a child screen 3b indicating that the content data can be reproduced is displayed. The display control unit 17 outputs a signal to the monitor 3 so as to satisfy this condition.

In this way, the user can see the initial child screen 3b (FIG. 7) instead of seeing the child screen 3c (FIG. 9) changed with the passage of time.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

The configuration of the content recording device according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

However, in the third embodiment, the TV program acquisition unit 14 acquires EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information indicating a broadcast schedule of a TV program from a broadcasting station, and the control unit 11 analyzes the program information. I do. The EPG information may be obtained via the network connection unit 13.

Next, the operation of the content recording device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S31, the control unit 11 obtains user input information by inputting command information from the input unit 2.

(4) When the user selects display of the TV channel program guide using the input unit 2, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the control unit 11 acquires EPG information from a broadcast station via the TV program acquisition unit 14 or the network connection unit 13. The control unit 11 stores the acquired EPG information in the storage unit 12.

Next, in step S33, the control unit 11 acquires the ID of the content data assigned to the TV channel number from the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the ID of the content data or the name of the TV broadcasting station, and acquires the content. The content management data corresponding to the data ID is acquired from the content recording unit 16 and stored in the storage unit 12. In the above, the content data ID is used as the search key.

Further, the control unit 11 acquires the TV broadcast station name assigned to the TV channel number from the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the ID of the content data or the TV broadcast station name, and stores the EPG information in the storage unit 12. By referring to the information, the TV program information broadcasted by the TV broadcast station is acquired and stored in the storage unit 12.

In step S34, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the control unit 11 creates content list data in which the TV channel number is set on one of the vertical and horizontal axes, and the time is set on the other of the vertical and horizontal axes. .

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the content list is not only the content list received from the broadcasting station but arranged as described above. The content data (TV program) acquired by the unit 14 and the content data acquired by the network connection unit 13 are treated equivalently.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the vertical axis represents the TV channel number, and the horizontal axis represents the time axis.

Also, channel 22 is assigned to “○ broadcasting station”, channel 36 is assigned to “Taro-san”, channel 55 is assigned to “× broadcasting station”, channel 51 is assigned to “Jiro-san”, and channel 77 is assigned to “△ broadcasting station”. I have.

And data A1, A2... Are content data of a TV program of a broadcasting station. Data B1, B2,... Are content data received from Taro, and so on. There may be a time zone in which the corresponding content data does not exist, such as after 19:40 on channel 51.

In addition, the displayed portion of the content list does not include a broadcast station, and the display may be all of the source, or corporate data may be assigned to a specific channel. In FIG. 12, only the channel number may be displayed.

Here, the program guide displayed on the monitor 3 as illustrated in FIG. 12 is not limited to a mere display, but is used for selection, editing, recording, and the like as in the conventional EPG by using the input unit 2 together. Can also be used as a user interface.

In this way, even a user who is unfamiliar with the computer can look at the content list as shown in FIG. 12 without consciously distinguishing between content data via the broadcast station and content data via the network. It can be used seamlessly and gently.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, only differences from the third embodiment will be described below.

With reference to FIG. 13, a description will be given of a correspondence table between TV channels and source information of content data or TV broadcast station names stored in the storage unit 12 of the content recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 has a table for the control unit 11 to determine which content data to output when a TV channel number is selected from the input unit 2.

As an item of the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the content data to be displayed, for each TV channel number, in the case of content data received via the network connection unit 13, the field of the source information of the content data includes the TV program acquisition unit 14. In the case of a TV program received via a TV, a field of a TV broadcast station name is defined.

Note that the TV broadcast station name field only needs to be an identifier indicating the TV broadcast station, and need not be the TV broadcast station name.

In the example of FIG. 13, channel 55 is “X broadcast station”, channel 7 is “Hanako and Miko group”, and channel 36 is “Taro” having an e-mail address “aaa@bbb.cxm”. , Respectively.

Next, the use of this table will be specifically described. When the TV channel number “36” is input from the input unit 2, the control unit 11 acquires the source information “aaa@bbb.cxm” of the content data of the entry whose TV channel number is “36”. .

Next, the control unit 11 searches the content management data recorded in the content recording unit 16 for content data that matches the value of the acquired transmission source information, and the I / O unit 15, the display control unit 17, and the monitor 3 The found content data is reproduced.

In the example of FIG. 13, when the TV channel number “36” is selected, the content data whose source information is “aaa@bbb.cxm” is retrieved from the content recording unit 16 and reproduced. In the above, the sender information is used as a search key.

When the TV channel number “55” is input from the input unit 2, the control unit 11 acquires the broadcast station name “× broadcast station” corresponding to the entry whose TV channel number is “55”. Next, the control unit 11 instructs the TV program acquisition unit 14 to receive the acquired TV program with the broadcast station name “× broadcast station”, and the TV program is displayed on the monitor 3.

In the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the source information of the content data or the broadcast station name, the value of each field may be omitted as appropriate or another field may be added. Of course, the order of the fields may be changed as appropriate. Also, not all fields need to be filled. It is sufficient that the transmission source information or the TV broadcasting station is specified for the TV channel number. Further, the user may be allowed to change the contents of these tables.

Also, a plurality of sender information may be defined for one TV channel number, or a plurality of sender information may be collectively assigned like “Hanako and Miko group” in channel 7. good. .

The operation of the content recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is almost the same as that shown in FIG.

However, in step S33, the control unit 11 determines from the correspondence table between the TV channel number and the source information of the content data or the name of the TV station the source information or the broadcast station name of the content data assigned to the TV channel number. To get. The difference is that the source information of the content data or the name of the broadcasting station as a substitute for this information is used as the search key.

FIG. 14 shows a display example of the monitor according to the present embodiment. Unlike the third embodiment, as described above, a plurality of transmission sources “Hanako and Miko group” are assigned to channel 7, and thus the display reflects that. In FIG. 14, only the channel number may be displayed.

コ ン テ ン ツ The content list in the present embodiment includes channels assigned to a sender and / or a group of senders who have sent content data.

す る と In this way, the content data can be handled by being distinguished for each sender and / or each group of senders. Therefore, even when a large number of content data are received from a plurality of senders, the receiver can easily search for the content data simply by inputting a command for specifying a channel from the input unit 2.

Next, further examples of the content list will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 17, the vertical axis of the content list is a channel number axis, and the channel number axis is configured so that a sender can be assigned. The horizontal axis of the content list is an axis indicating the order of content reproduction.

垂直 A vertical scroll bar 33 is arranged along the vertical axis, and a horizontal scroll bar 32 is arranged along the horizontal axis. Arranging the vertical scroll bar 33 and the horizontal scroll bar 32 is convenient and easy to select when the number of channels and the number of contents are large.

In the example of FIG. 17, channel 36 is assigned to “Taro”, and the sender of the data A1 to A4 is Taro.

(4) When the user selects channel 36 using the input unit 2, the content data A1, A2, A3, and A4 from Taro are reproduced in order.

Similarly, channel 51 is assigned to “Jiro”, and the sender of the data B1 to B3 is Jiro.

(4) When the user selects channel 51 using the input unit 2, content data B1, B2, and B3 from Jiro are reproduced in order.

In this way, by using the channel number assigned to the sender of the content data as one axis of the content list and the reproduction order of the content data as the other axis of the content list, the user can determine which channel and which channel It can be easily understood whether the content data is reproduced in order.

In the example of FIG. 17, a small content information screen 31 is additionally provided as compared with FIG. The position where the content information screen 31 is provided is arbitrary.

(4) The currently selected content 34 is highlighted, and information on the content 34 is displayed on the content information screen 31.

Content-related information includes a representative video of the content (which may be a moving image or a still image), sender information (such as name and address), time information (such as shooting date and time, transmission date and time, and arrival date and time), and comment information (sender message Etc.), content attribute information (data size, recording method, reproduction time, etc.), or an appropriate combination of these.

(4) Displaying such information about the content along with the content list allows the user to easily understand the content of the content, which is preferable.

FIG. 18 is different from FIG. 17 in that the horizontal axis is the axis indicating the content reproduction time. That is, the length of the horizontal axis is almost proportional to the reproduction time. This is preferable because the user can intuitively grasp the reproduction time.

FIG. 19 is different from FIG. 18 in that the horizontal axis is the axis indicating the content reception date (per day). That is, the length of the horizontal axis is not proportional to the reproduction time. Further, for example, on January 15, two content data of content A3 and content A4 are received from “Taro”. At this time, the notation “A3” and “A4” indicates the reception order of the content A3 and the content A4.

FIG. 20 is different from FIG. 19 in that the horizontal axis is the axis indicating the content reception month (monthly unit). That is, the length of the horizontal axis is not proportional to the reproduction time. Further, for example, in May, three pieces of content data of contents A5 to A7 are received from "Taro-san". At this time, the notation next to “A5”, “A6”, and “A7” indicates the reception order of the contents A5 to A7.

In other words, in the example of FIG. 20, all the content data received in May are displayed in the receiving order. On the other hand, data received from February to April and June to August before and after May includes only representative content (for example, the oldest content at the time of reception) is displayed on the content list, and is not representative content. Are not displayed on the content list.

Nevertheless, when content other than the representative content is present in the month, it is simply hidden behind the representative content on the content list. Therefore, when the user selects April from the state of FIG. 20, the content A3, which is the representative content of April, and the non-representative content A4 hidden behind it are displayed on the content list in the order of reception. Will be done.

When there are multiple contents in the month, the method of selecting the representative contents is arbitrary. For example, in addition to the above, various changes can be made, such as making the content received last the representative content, or making the content with the longest playback time the representative content.

In FIG. 20, only the content of the selected month is displayed in detail, and the content of the non-selected month is simplified or omitted. In this way, the user can view the content for a longer period in a single content list, and can obtain detailed content information for the month to be referred to.

Of course, the display mode of the above-mentioned content list may be appropriately switched according to the input by the user.

The content recording device according to the present invention can be suitably used, for example, in digital video recorders and related fields.

1 is a block diagram of a content recording device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) Storage data configuration diagram of content recording unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (content data portion) {(b) Storage data configuration diagram of content recording unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (management information)} (c) FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a stored data of a content recording unit (still image data unit) according to the first embodiment of the present invention Configuration diagram of correspondence table according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of content recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of content display processing of content recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation explanatory diagram of the content recording device in the first embodiment of the present invention Display example of a content recording device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flowchart of content recording device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Display example diagram of a content recording device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention (A) Display example diagram of content recording device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention (when power is turned off) (b) Display example diagram of content recording device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention (when power is turned on) Flowchart of content recording apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Display example of content list according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Configuration diagram of correspondence table in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Display example of content list according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Content data sharing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (A) Example of display of content list in embodiment 4 of the present invention {(b) Example of display of content list in embodiment 4 of the present invention} (c) Example of display of content list in embodiment 4 of the present invention FIG. (D) Example display of content list according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Display example of content list according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Display example of content list according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Display example of content list according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Display example of content list according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content recording device 2 Input unit 3 Monitor 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 13 Network connection unit 14 TV program acquisition unit 15 I / O unit 16 Content recording unit 17 Display control unit

Claims (36)

A network connection unit for acquiring content data via a network,
A content recording unit for recording content data,
A display control unit that generates a signal for a display device based on the content data recorded in the content recording unit,
An input unit for receiving command information input by a user,
A TV program acquisition unit for acquiring content data from a broadcast station;
The content recording unit searches for the content data indicated by the command information received by the input unit, and when the corresponding content data exists, the display control unit generates a signal for a monitor based on the content data. And a control unit for causing
The display control unit, when the content data obtained by the network connection unit via a network is recorded in the content recording unit and becomes reproducible, notifies the user to that effect, generates a signal for a monitor, Content recording device. The display control unit, when the content data obtained by the network connection unit via the network is recorded in the content recording unit and becomes reproducible, displays a small screen indicating that the content data is reproducible. The content recording device according to claim 1, wherein the content recording device generates a signal for a monitor. 3. The content recording device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit deletes the child screen when the content data indicated by the child screen is reproduced. 4. The content recording device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit changes the child screen as time passes. 5. The display control unit is configured such that, while a display based on a signal for a monitor is not performed, content data acquired by the network connection unit via a network can be recorded and reproduced in the content recording unit, and furthermore, the The content recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a display based on a signal is started, a signal for a monitor that generates a child screen indicating that the content data can be reproduced is generated. 6. The content recording device according to claim 2, wherein the child screen includes character information. 7. The content recording device according to claim 2, wherein sound is reproduced in accordance with the display of the sub-screen. The content recording according to claim 2, wherein the child screen includes one or more items among a title, a message, information indicating a sender, a transmission date and time, a reception date and time, a reproduction time length, and a data size. apparatus. 9. The content recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the child screen includes a channel number assigned to the content data. The display control unit, when the content data acquired by the network connection unit via a network is recorded in the content recording unit and becomes reproducible, reproduces a sound indicating that the content data is reproducible, The content recording device according to claim 1, wherein the content recording device generates a signal for a monitor. The content recording device according to claim 2, wherein the child screen includes one or both of a still image and content data. The display control unit generates a signal for a monitor that performs display different from normal display when content data obtained by the network connection unit via a network is recorded in the content recording unit and becomes reproducible. The content recording device according to claim 1. A network connection unit for acquiring content data via a network,
A TV program acquisition unit for acquiring content data from a broadcast station;
A content recording unit for recording content data,
One or both of the network connection unit and the TV program acquisition unit, based on EPG information acquired from a broadcasting station, display a content list, comprising a display control unit that generates a signal for a monitor,
The content recording device, wherein the content list treats content data acquired by the TV program acquisition unit and content data acquired by the network connection unit equivalently. The content recording unit,
For the content data obtained by the network connection unit, the content data is recorded in association with a channel assigned to a sender and / or a group of senders that transmitted the content data,
Regarding the content data acquired by the TV program acquisition unit, the content data is recorded in association with a channel assigned to a broadcast station,
14. The content recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the content list includes a channel assigned to a sender and / or a group of senders who have transmitted the content data. 15. The content recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis of the content list is a channel number axis, and the channel number axis is configured to be able to assign a sender. 16. The content recording device according to claim 15, wherein an axis other than the channel number axis among the one of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the content list is an axis indicating a reproduction order of the content. 17. The content recording device according to claim 15, wherein an axis other than the channel number axis of the one of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the content list is an axis indicating a content reproduction time. 18. A content reproduction device, comprising: the content recording device according to claim 1; and a monitor in which the display control unit performs display based on the generated content signal. Obtaining content data via a network;
Recording the acquired content data;
Generating a signal for the display device based on the recorded content data;
Receiving command information input by the user;
Obtaining content data from a broadcast station;
Searching for the content data indicated by the received command information, and, if the corresponding content data exists, based on the corresponding content data, generating a signal for the monitor,
A content recording method for generating a monitor signal for notifying a user when content data obtained via a network becomes recordable and reproducible. 20. The content according to claim 19, wherein, when the content data acquired via the network is recorded and becomes reproducible, a signal for a monitor is generated to display a child screen indicating that the content data is reproducible. Recording method. 21. The content recording method according to claim 20, wherein the sub-screen is deleted when the content data indicated by the sub-screen is reproduced. 22. The content recording method according to claim 20, wherein the sub-screen is changed over time. While the display based on the signal for the monitor is not performed, the content data acquired via the network can be recorded and reproduced, and when the display based on the signal for the monitor is started, the content data is reproduced. 20. The content recording method according to claim 19, wherein a signal for a monitor for displaying a child screen indicating that the content is possible is generated. 24. The content recording method according to claim 20, wherein the child screen includes character information. 25. The content recording method according to claim 20, wherein a sound is reproduced in accordance with the display of the child screen. 26. The content recording according to claim 20, wherein the child screen includes one or more items among a title, a message, information indicating a sender, a transmission date and time, a reception date and time, a reproduction time length, and a data size. Method. 27. The content recording method according to claim 20, wherein the child screen includes a channel number assigned to the content data. 21. The monitor according to claim 19, wherein when content data obtained via the network is recorded and becomes reproducible, a signal for a monitor that reproduces a sound indicating that the content data is reproducible is generated. Content recording method. 29. The content recording method according to claim 20, wherein the child screen includes one or both items of a still image and content data. 30. The content recording method according to claim 19, wherein when the content data acquired via the network becomes recordable and reproducible, a signal for a monitor that performs display different from normal display is generated. Obtaining content data via a network;
Obtaining content data from a broadcast station;
Recording the content data;
Displaying a content list based on EPG information obtained from a broadcast station, generating a signal for a monitor,
A content recording method, wherein the content list treats content data obtained from the broadcast station and content data obtained via the network equivalently. For the content data obtained via the network, the content data is recorded in association with a channel assigned to a sender and / or a group of senders that transmitted the content data,
For the content data obtained from the broadcast station, the content data is recorded in association with a channel assigned to the broadcast station,
32. The content recording method according to claim 31, wherein the content list includes a channel assigned to a sender and / or a group of senders who transmitted the content data. 33. The content recording method according to claim 31, wherein one of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis of the content list is a channel number axis, and the channel number axis is configured to be able to assign a sender. 34. The content recording method according to claim 33, wherein an axis other than the channel number axis among the one of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the content list is an axis indicating a reproduction order of the content. 35. The content recording method according to claim 33, wherein an axis that is not a channel number axis out of one of a vertical axis and a horizontal axis of the content list is an axis indicating a reproduction time of the content. Obtaining content data via a network;
Recording the acquired content data;
Generating a signal for the display device based on the recorded content data;
Receiving command information input by the user;
Obtaining content data from a broadcast station;
Searching for the content data indicated by the received command information, and, if the corresponding content data exists, based on the corresponding content data, generating a signal for the monitor,
A recording medium in which, when content data obtained via a network is recorded and becomes reproducible, a notice to that effect is given to a user, a signal for a monitor is generated, and a content recording program is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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