JP2004304835A - Program information recording device and program information recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program information recording device that can eliminate the need for complicated operations, such as acquiring the information concerning a program in advance before performing various settings, not to miss a desired program. <P>SOLUTION: In the program information recording device, a program information management unit 6 assigns priority to each of the programs that are selected to be recorded automatically. A program information recording unit 7 records the programs selected to be recorded automatically on a recording unit. A storage information management unit 3 performs a processing to reduce the amount of recorded data in the recording unit at a predetermined timing based on the priorities assigned to the recorded programs. This makes it possible to eliminate the need of a complicated reserve operation, such as previously acquiring information related to the programs to perform various settings, not to miss desired programs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a program information recording device and a program information recording method for recording and distributing digital broadcast programs and information.

  In a conventional VTR for recording and playing back a broadcast program by an individual, in order to record the program, the user tunes to the channel on which the desired program is being broadcast and records the program at the start of the program. It is necessary to operate a button or perform a scheduled recording operation for designating a recording channel, a recording start time, a recording end time, and other items related to recording in advance.

  Also, at the time of recording reservation, it is necessary to check the remaining amount of the recording medium such as a magnetic tape in advance, determine whether the desired program can be recorded, and set the start / end time of the desired program, the broadcast channel, and the like. Was.

  Furthermore, if the program to be watched cannot be watched in real time at the same time as the broadcast, it is necessary to obtain the program information in advance and set the VTR. Had no way to watch it unless it was rebroadcasted.

  Further, since the conventional VTR exists outside the frame of the broadcasting system, recording and reproduction have been performed by the user.

  Conventionally, in order to record a program, complicated operations such as obtaining information such as the broadcast time of the program in advance and performing various settings are required, and if the above information cannot be obtained in advance, recording cannot be scheduled. Was. Further, it is impossible to reflect the intention of the program information creator or the broadcaster in the processing or operation on the program on the receiver side.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and eliminates the need for complicated reservation operations such as obtaining information about a program in advance and performing various settings, and also prevents a desired program from being missed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a program information recording device and a program information recording method that enable the program information to be recorded.

  Further, the present invention provides a program information recording apparatus and a program capable of reflecting not only a user request but also an intention of a program information creator or a broadcaster in processing or operation relating to a program on a receiver side. An object of the present invention is to provide an information recording method.

The present invention relates to a program information recording apparatus for automatically recording all or a part of a received program, wherein each program automatically recorded is provided based on personal information registered in advance or provided by a broadcasting station. Priority determining means for determining the priority based on the additional information for the program and personal information registered in advance, recording means for recording the program which has been automatically recorded, Control means for performing a data conversion process with a decrease in the amount of data recorded in the recording device or a process of deleting from the recording device, based on the priority, on the program recorded in the recording device at the timing of The priority determining means prohibits the control means from processing a program satisfying a predetermined condition and / or a program reserved for recording based on a user operation. Characterized by imparting a priority indicating that.
Preferably, the control means does not perform processing on a program having a first priority among programs recorded in the recording means, and performs data processing on a program having a second priority. May be performed, and a program having the third priority may be deleted.
Preferably, the priority of the program that has been subjected to the data conversion processing accompanied by the decrease in the data amount is updated to the third priority, and the priority of the deleted program may be updated to the fourth priority. .
Preferably, the predetermined timing may be a timing at which it is detected that the remaining recordable data amount in the recording unit has fallen below a predetermined reference amount.
Preferably, when a program corresponding to the program to be automatically recorded is already recorded in the recording means, the program may be excluded from the subject of automatic recording.
Preferably, the control means may perform the process on the program periodically at regular intervals.
The present invention also relates to a program information recording method for automatically recording all or a part of a received program, and for each program to be automatically recorded, based on personal information registered in advance or on a broadcast station side. A priority determining step of determining the priority based on the additional information provided for the program and the personal information registered in advance, and recording the program to be automatically recorded in the recording means. Performing a recording step and, at a predetermined timing, a program recorded in the recording unit, a data conversion process involving a decrease in the amount of recording data in the recording unit, or a process of deleting from the recording unit based on the priority. Control step, wherein in the priority determining step, the program that satisfies a predetermined condition and / or a program that is reserved for recording based on a user operation is controlled by the control step. Prohibiting the applying process in the step and said applying a priority indicating a.

Note that the present invention relating to the apparatus is also realized as an invention relating to a method, and the present invention relating to a method is also realized as an invention relating to an apparatus.
Further, the present invention according to an apparatus or a method has a function for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the present invention (or for causing a computer to function as means corresponding to the present invention, or a computer having a function corresponding to the present invention). The present invention is also realized as a program (for realizing), and is also realized as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, all or some programs that can be received at the place where the apparatus is placed and the constraints are automatically recorded, a priority is given to each program, and based on the priority of the program. The amount of data stored in the storage means is appropriately adjusted, so that complicated reservation operations, such as obtaining information about programs in advance and performing various settings, are eliminated, and preventing a desired program from being overlooked. Can be.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide various means of expressing a broadcast program such as an effective advertisement by automatically distributing according to the intention of a program information creator or a broadcaster and a request of a user. And

  Further, according to the present invention, for example, a user makes a recording reservation of a program to be automatically recorded based on an electronic or non-electronic program information guide, so that the priority of the program can be set in the program data. The content is set to a value that does not allow any reduction or deletion of the content, and the total recording time of the program information is reduced by the reserved program, so that the information quality of the reserved program is equivalent to that at the time of broadcasting. You can be assured of saving.

  According to the present invention, all or a part of a received program is automatically recorded, a priority is given to each program, and a storage data amount of a storage unit is appropriately adjusted based on the priority of the program. Therefore, the user can watch the automatically recorded desired program without performing the reservation operation.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide various means of expressing a broadcast program such as an effective advertisement by automatically distributing according to the intention of a program information creator or a broadcaster and a request of a user. And

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

  In the present embodiment, generally, all or a part (for example, a program that satisfies a certain condition) of a received program is temporarily recorded, and a priority given to each received program is given. Based on the above, the recorded program is selectively deleted or data is changed (this means that the data amount is reduced; for example, data conversion for lowering the resolution corresponds to this). is there.

  According to the present embodiment, the user (reception-side user) can not only view a program being broadcast or a program that has been reserved for recording (recording reservation) (when a reservation function is provided), but also specially reserves recording (recording reservation). ), It is possible to view programs that have already been broadcast.

  In the following, description will be made mainly on the moving image information which is the substance of the program. However, when the moving image information is accompanied by audio information, the audio information is recorded, processed, audio output, etc. in association with the moving image information. Shall be.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a program information recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The program information recording device 1 includes a reception information analysis unit 2, a storage information management unit 3, a transmission control unit 4, a personal information management unit 5, a program information management unit 6, a program information recording unit 7, and a program generation unit 8. I have. In FIG. 1, a thick line indicates moving image information, and a thin line indicates information other than the moving image information (the same applies to FIGS. 8, 9, and 12).

  First, the broadcast information received via the broadcast signal transmission line 9 will be described.

  The broadcast information includes standard moving image information (main stream) of digital broadcast programs and other information (substream).

  Substreams are broadly divided into additional information for transmitting additional information about a specific program (for example, information that serves as an index of the program, and that the receiving side is used for some control of the program. And independent information used for other purposes. The independent information may be moving image information (or a still image). Although the main part of the additional information is not image information, the additional information may include moving image information (or a still image) as a part thereof. A substream associated with a specific main stream (program) may be broadcast in synchronization with the related program or asynchronously.

  As described above, the moving picture information (program data), which is an entity constituting a program, is broadcast as a main stream. In addition, the sub-stream as independent information additionally broadcasts the program data. It may be done. In this case, the program data broadcast by the sub-stream is used, for example, as a replacement for a part of the main stream.

  The distinction between the main stream and the substream and the type of the substream can be specified by, for example, identification information in a header. A main stream to which a certain sub-stream is related can be specified by, for example, link information in a header of the sub-stream.

  Next, the program information will be described.

  The broadcast station broadcasts program information of each program created by a program information creator or a broadcaster, in addition to moving image information (program data) which is an entity constituting the program (program). Some programs may not broadcast information).

  The program information includes, for example, basic information necessary for receiving the broadcast area, start time, end time, and the like of the program, and information on the user side such as program contents (program type), performers, and keywords. Secondary information that can be used for program introduction, program search, and the like is included. It is assumed that each item in the program information exemplified above is coded. Further, as will be described in detail later, it is assumed that information of a transmission-side setting priority determined by a program information creator or a broadcaster can be added to the program information.

  This program information is added to the main stream, for example, in a header portion and broadcasted, and is synchronized with the program (for example, immediately before the start of each program) by the sub-stream as the additional information, or It may be broadcast asynchronously with the program (for example, individually or collectively for a plurality of programs at an appropriate timing before the start of the program).

  Conversely, there are a main stream that includes both program information and program data, and a main stream that does not include program information.

  It is assumed that, in the program information broadcast by the sub-stream, information (for example, the same program ID) capable of specifying the corresponding main stream is described in, for example, a header portion thereof.

  Next, outlines of the reception information analysis unit 2 to the program generation unit 8 and the digital receiver 10 will be described.

  The reception information analysis unit 2 receives the broadcast information via the broadcast signal transmission line 9, analyzes the received broadcast information based on, for example, a header portion thereof, and passes the program data to the program information recording unit 7 ( When a user requests to view a program being broadcast, the program information is also passed to the program generating section 8), and the program information is passed to the program information managing section 6 (the program information is not added to the received program data). If so, we will notify you).

  The program information recording unit 7 receives the program data from the reception information analysis unit 2 and stores the program data. Here, all or a part of the programs that can be received under the location where the device is placed (that is, whether or not the location corresponds to the area where a certain program is broadcast) or other restrictions are automatically set. Will be recorded.

  As a form of recording a part of receivable programs, for example, a program whose program information matches a preset condition is selectively recorded (for example, only a program corresponding to a drama and a music program is recorded. , Etc.) or a method of selectively recording only programs broadcasted in a specific time zone.

  In the case where a substream related to a specific main stream other than the program information is sometimes broadcast, it is preferable to automatically record such a substream in association with the related main stream. Preferably, the priority of such sub-streams remains the same as the associated main stream.

  The accumulated information management unit 3 monitors the remaining data amount recordable in the program information recording unit 7 at a predetermined timing, and when it is detected that the recordable data amount falls below a predetermined reference amount. In order to secure the reference amount as a recordable data amount, a program that has been recorded is selectively deleted or data is changed based on the priority of each program (a program information recording unit). 7 is monitored at a predetermined timing, and when it is detected that the data storage amount has reached a predetermined reference amount, the data storage amount is set to be equal to or less than the reference amount. It is also equivalent to selectively delete or change the data of the recorded program based on the priority of each program.)

  The personal information management unit 5 manages personal information unique to each user. Also, it is assumed that personal information relating to the device itself is managed by the personal information management unit 5. The personal information includes, for example, information such as age, gender, preference, and area of residence.

  The program information management unit 6 creates and manages a program information index, which will be described later, based on the program information for each program. The program information index includes, for example, information such as program content (program type), broadcast time (start time, end time), performers, and keywords. The program information index can be used, for example, when a list of information about programs is presented to the user, or when the user performs a key search for the program.

  When creating the program information index, the program information management unit 6 determines whether or not the information on the transmission-side setting priority is included in the program information based on (comparison between) the program information and the personal information or in the program information. Gives priority to each program by taking this into account. The priority information is held as a part of the program information index.

  As will be described in detail later, the priority includes, for example, one or a plurality of levels at which automatic deletion or data change (low resolution) is prohibited, and automatic deletion or data change (low resolution). One or more levels to allow are provided.

  After recording the program data, it is preferable that the priority of the program can be appropriately changed based on the operation of the user.

The program information and the program information index may be stored in the program information recording unit 6 or in the program information recording unit 7, but will be described below as being stored in the program information recording unit 6. The transmission control unit 4 receives a request from a user via the digital receiver 10 and performs control according to the request from the user. For example, when a viewing request for a recorded program is received from a user, the program information recording is performed so that the program desired by the user is passed to the program generation unit 8 (for distribution to the digital receiver 10). When the user instructs the unit 7 to receive a viewing request for a program being broadcast, the received information is transmitted to the program generating unit 8 (for distribution to the digital receiver 10). An instruction is given to the analysis unit 2.

  The program generation unit 8 converts the program data passed from the program information recording unit 7 or the reception information analysis unit 2 into an appropriate format that can be displayed on the digital receiver 10 in response to the viewing request issued by the user. Then, the data is distributed to the digital receiver 10.

  The digital receiver 10 displays program data from the program information recording device 1.

  In the above description, a function of a user interface for the program information recording device 1 is provided on the digital receiver 10 side, but a user interface function may be provided for the program information recording device 1 itself.

  Further, the recording reservation function (recording reservation function) may or may not be provided.

  Next, a schematic operation regarding automatic recording of the program information recording device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The received program data (all or part thereof) is automatically recorded in the program information recording unit 7 one after another.

  At the same time, the program information received synchronously or asynchronously with the program data is also sequentially recorded in the program information recording unit 7, and the program information management unit 6 creates a program information index of each program, This is recorded in the program information management unit 6 (or the program information recording unit 7). The priority included in the program information index is determined based on, for example, information such as program information, personal information, and transmission-side setting priority.

  On the other hand, when program data is automatically recorded in the program information recording unit 7 one after another, the remaining data amount that can be recorded in the program information recording unit 7 decreases. Then, selective deletion or data change is performed for each program based on the priority of the program.

  When a request from a user is received via the digital receiver 10, under the control of the transmission control unit 4, the moving image information of the specified program is passed from the program information recording unit 7 to the program generation unit 8, The data is converted into an appropriate format by the generator 8 and distributed to the digital receiver 10.

  By the way, the user can view the program automatically recorded in the program information recording device 1 with the digital receiver 10, but it is preferable to provide various other functions convenient for the user.

  For example, it is preferable to provide a function of displaying a list of automatically recorded programs in a character string, for example, on the digital receiver 10 in response to a request from the user.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a function for reconstructing a program digest based on personal information by specifying a total browsing time at the time of browsing the automatically recorded program and displaying the digest on the digital receiver 10, for example.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a function of displaying a list of still images of the beginning of a program or a main scene, for example, on the digital receiver 10 in response to a request from a user with respect to an automatically recorded program.

  Further, by providing a plurality of arbitrary functions among the above, and by designating a browsing method and / or a total browsing time, a user can browse by any of the above functions or a combination of a plurality of predetermined functions. It may be.

  Furthermore, in each of the above cases, when the user instructs a desired program on the displayed recorded program list or the like, the display is displayed on the digital receiver 10 as if a viewing request was issued for the program. You may make it so.

  Preferably, such functions are realized using a graphical user interface.

  In addition, when such a function is provided with a recording reservation, it is preferable that the function be provided also for a program recorded by the recording reservation.

  In addition, it is preferable that it is possible to specify whether or not to make a recording reservation for the content to be automatically recorded.

  Hereinafter, a more detailed configuration example of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, creation of the program information index (including determination of the priority) will be described in more detail.

  Broadcast information received via the broadcast signal transmission line 9 is passed to the received information analysis unit 2, and the received information analysis unit 2 checks whether program information exists in the main stream or the substream.

  When the program information exists in the main stream or the substream, the program information is transferred to the program information management unit 6 and indexed by the program information management unit 6. That is, a program information index to be used in the device is created based on the code described in the program information.

  For items other than the priority in the program information index, the code described in the program information may be used as it is, or may be converted into a code or character information in the device, or the code described in the program information may be used. It is created by searching for information required as a key.

  The priority is determined based on the personal information of the user registered in the personal information management unit 5 or further considering the intention of the program information creator or the broadcaster.

  For example, for one or a plurality of specific items (for example, program contents, performers, etc.), the degree of coincidence between what is described in the program information and what is described in the personal information is evaluated. If the degree is high, a higher priority is given.

  Further, for example, when the transmission-side setting priority is described in the program information, the higher of the transmission-side setting priority and the priority determined based on the personal information is adopted. There is a way.

  In addition, for example, the user may be able to specify whether or not to consider the sending-side setting priority.

  Furthermore, the user may be able to set a special condition for giving the highest priority. For example, a program having a certain program content, such as a drama, is given the highest priority, or a program that is broadcast during a certain broadcast time period is all given the highest priority, or conversely, a low priority is given. For example, priority may be given.

  Also, the program recorded by the recording reservation (recording reservation) may be given the highest priority.

  On the other hand, if the program information is not added to the transmitted main stream, the reception information analysis unit 2 notifies the program information management unit 6 of the fact. In this case, the program information management unit 6 has received program information for the main stream (that is, the program) in the past, and checks whether a program information index has already been created. Then, if it has not been created yet, the program information management unit 6 creates a program information index to the extent possible. For example, a program start time and a program end time can be generated.

  Regarding the priority in this case, in addition to the same method as described above, a method of setting to a predetermined priority or, in principle, setting to a predetermined non-maximum priority is set by the user. For a program that satisfies the special condition, a method of setting the highest priority can be considered.

  As described above, the program information index is created, and the received program information and the created program information index are stored in the program information management unit 6 (or the program information recording unit 7).

  When the program information is repeatedly broadcast, the program information is received in duplicate. In this case, it is checked whether or not the program information having the same content has already been received. If the program information has been received, no duplicate program information index is created. However, when there is a change in a part of the program information, it is preferable to re-create the program information index or to update only the corresponding part.

  The creation of the program information index for the program information received asynchronously with the broadcast of the program may be performed not at the time of receiving the program information but at a predetermined timing before the start of the broadcast of the program.

  Next, personal information will be described.

  The personal information management unit 5 registers personal information of a user of the apparatus, specifically, data such as age, gender, preference, and area of residence. This registration may be input by the user himself or herself, and some of the data may be automatically obtained by the device (for example, if another database is available, then searched) or used. A user's past recording reservation history or program viewing history may be obtained and analyzed and obtained (for example, an attribute preferred by the user may be extracted from the program information related to the history) to automatically register the user.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the personal information table.

  In the example of FIG. 2, information on the device and a family of three is stored.

  # 0 indicates the device itself, in which device information: TSB1048, receivable data format (for example, MPEG2 moving image format, JPEG restricted image format, etc.): M2J3C5, and installation location: TYOCHI.

  # 1 to # 3 indicate users of the device, and after gender ages: M032, W030, M006, regions of interest: SPBAGY1, DOANTG, EDCHXZ2, etc. are described. It is preferable that the area of interest in the user data is coded in the same manner as the program contents, performers, keywords, and the like in the program information (can be directly compared with the items in the program information).

  When personal information is managed separately for each user as in the example of FIG. 2, when the personal information is referred to in the processing in the apparatus, the contents of the personal information of all the users for the items to be referred to are referred to. The one obtained by taking OR is used. Note that other methods such as taking AND instead of OR may be used according to the purpose.

  Next, a configuration example of the program information recording unit 7 will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the program information recording unit 7.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 3, a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device or the like is used alone or in combination as storage media (61 to 6N), and the storage media is controlled by the processor 63. The total program information recording time is determined by the type and number of these recording media.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of some processes will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the creation (including prioritization) of the program information index and the accumulation of the program data are performed continuously or intermittently, and the recording data amount reduction processing and the priority are performed at appropriate timing. Update processing is executed. Hereinafter, more specific examples of the priority determination processing, the accumulated data amount reduction processing, and the priority update processing will be sequentially described.

  First, a specific example of the priority system will be described.

  As described above, the priority determined by the program information management unit 6 is added to the program information index for each recorded program.

  In this specific example, a priority correspondence table as illustrated in FIG. 4 is provided in the stored information management unit 3, and the program information management unit 6 assigns priorities according to the priority correspondence table.

  Here, a case will be described as an example where priority is set in four stages from A having the highest priority to D having the lowest priority.

  The priority A is the highest priority defined by the device and indicates that erasing and resolution reduction cannot be performed automatically. It is assumed that the priority A is given only to a program satisfying a certain condition. For example, a program including a code registered in the area of interest of the user's personal information, a program explicitly reserved for recording by the user, and a transmission-side setting priority indicating the priority A are described in the program information. Programs.

  The priority B is the highest priority among the priorities that can be set as the storage data amount reduction target of the program information recording unit 7, and more specifically, indicates that the resolution can be automatically reduced. The priority B is assigned to another program that does not satisfy the condition for assigning the priority A during automatic program recording, for example.

  The priority C is assigned to a program whose resolution has been automatically reduced by the apparatus (that is, a program having the priority B), and indicates that the program can be automatically deleted.

  The priority D is assigned to the program information of the automatically deleted program (that is, the program having the priority C). That is, although the content of the program having the priority C is deleted, deleted program information for knowing the deleted program is recorded, and the priority D is added to the deleted program information.

  Next, a specific example of the priority determination will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a priority determination processing procedure by the program information management unit 6.

  Here, it is assumed that the priority system shown in FIG. 4 is used. In addition, this is an example in which a transmission-side setting priority added by a program information creator or a broadcaster is considered.

  First, a transmission-side setting priority added by a program information creator or a broadcaster is detected from program information (step 11).

  If the sending-side setting priority indicates the highest A, the priority of the program in the device is set to A (step 12).

  If the sending-side setting priority does not indicate the highest order A (this includes the case where the sending-side setting priority is not described), the personal information is referenced (step 13). Then, it is checked whether or not the code registered in the region of interest is described in the program information (step 14). If the code is described, it is determined that the code corresponds to the program of interest to the user. The priority is set to A (step 15), and if not described, it is determined that the program does not correspond to the program of interest to the user, and the priority is set to B (step 16).

  Note that various modifications are possible as a method of determining whether each program corresponds to a program of interest to the user.

  Next, processing for reducing the amount of data stored in the program information recording unit 7 will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a stored data amount reduction processing procedure performed by the stored information management unit 3.

  Here, it is assumed that the priority system shown in FIG. 4 is used.

  The accumulated information management unit 3 measures the total recordable time of the program information in the program information recording unit 7 at a predetermined timing (step S21).

  Various methods are conceivable as the predetermined timing, such as a method of performing the recording periodically and periodically every fixed period independently of the automatic recording, and a method of performing the recording when a specific event occurs in the automatic recording.

  If the measured total recordable time of the program information is less than or equal to the preset threshold time T2 (step S22), the information resolution of the program data of priority B is reduced (step S23). For example, when the program information is a moving image, the compression rate of an image compression algorithm represented by MPEG is increased or the video resolution is reduced.

  Further, when the measured total recordable time of the program information is equal to or shorter than the preset threshold time T1 (step S23), the program data of the priority C is deleted (step S23). However, T1 <T2.

  The process of reducing the resolution of the program data may be performed in the program information recording unit 7 (for example, the processor 63 in FIG. 3) or may be performed in the stored information management unit 3. .

  Next, an example of a priority update process performed after the above-described accumulated data amount reduction process will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a priority update processing procedure performed after the above-described stored data amount reduction processing.

  Here, it is assumed that the priority system shown in FIG. 4 is used.

  In the specific example of FIG. 4, the priority is associated with the recording state of the program data. Therefore, it is necessary to downgrade the priority of the erased or reduced-resolution program to the next lower priority after performing the above-described stored data amount reduction processing.

  That is, the priority of each recorded program is checked (step S31). If the priority of the program is A, the program is left as it is (step S32). If the priority is C, the priority is lowered to D (step S31). (S33, S34), if the priority is B, lower the priority to C (steps S35, S36).

  The priority of all the program information stored in the program information recording unit 7 can be reviewed independently of the reduction or deletion of the program data. For example, assuming that the review is based on time, of the program data other than the priority A, the data recorded at a certain time or more before the current time are each given one priority over the current priority. The priority is lowered, or the priority is lowered by one or more in a range corresponding to the difference between the recorded time and the present time.

  Hereinafter, some modified examples of the configuration of the program information recording device according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a program information recording device according to another configuration example. Each block in FIG. 8 has basically the same function as each block with the same name in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which the program information recording unit 27 is a recording device (20) in a separate housing from the program information recording device 21, and a network I / F unit 208 and a network I / F unit 209 provide a network between them. 1 can realize functions similar to those in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a program information recording device (digital receiver) according to still another configuration example. Each block in FIG. 9 has basically the same function as each block of the same name in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a digital receiver in which each block in the program information recording device of FIG. 1 is mounted (that is, each block in the program information recording device of FIG. 1 and the digital receiver 31 exist in the same housing). In this case, the same function as that of FIG. 1 can be realized.

  In FIG. 9, the program information recording unit may be externally provided as shown in FIG. Next, as a modified example of the priority determination processing, an example of processing performed in consideration of whether or not the program has been reserved for recording by the user will be described.

  Until now, description has been made mainly on the prioritization of automatically recorded program data, but it is assumed that the user has made a recording reservation in advance based on an electronic or non-electronic program information guide. You. In such a case, the priority of the corresponding program data is set to a value that does not allow the program data to be automatically reduced in resolution or deleted, and is excluded from the priority review.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of this priority determination processing procedure.

  Here, a case where the system of priorities in FIG. 4 is used will be described as an example.

  When a user makes a recording reservation to the apparatus based on an electronic program information guide typified by an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) or a non-electronic medium such as a newspaper magazine, program information management is performed. The information of the program reserved for recording is stored in the unit 6 (step S41).

  When receiving the program data, the reception information analysis unit 2 checks whether or not the program corresponds to a program reserved for recording based on the information stored in the program information management unit 6 (step S42). ).

  If the received program corresponds to a program reserved for recording (step S43), the priority is set to A, which is the highest priority (step S44). On the other hand, when the received program does not correspond to the program reserved for recording (step S43), the priority is set to B (step S45).

  Then, the program data is automatically recorded (step S43).

  In this way, by setting only the priority of the program reserved for recording by the user to the highest value A, the program not reserved for recording is automatically recorded and then reduced in resolution or deleted. It is possible to guarantee that the information quality of only the reserved program is saved as the broadcast quality.

  For a program to which the priority A has been given by the user's recording reservation, for example, the user issues a viewing request for the program, and when the viewing is completed, for example, a message as to whether to save the program is displayed. If the instruction to save the program is not given, the priority of the program may be lowered by one step to the priority B. As a result, a program that has been reserved for recording but does not need to be saved can be subjected to priority review.

  Next, another example of the process for considering whether or not the program has been reserved for recording by the user will be described.

  As described above, the transmission-side setting priority determined by the program information creator or the broadcaster can be added to the program information. Thus, a method is considered in which whether or not the program is reserved for recording by the user is determined, and the priority is determined in consideration of the transmission-side setting priority.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of this priority determination procedure. This procedure is such that the sending-side setting priority is added to the procedure in FIG.

  That is, the transmission-side setting priority of the received program is checked (step S51). If the transmission-side setting priority indicates the priority A (step S52), the priority A is assigned (step S54). ).

  On the other hand, if the transmission-side setting priority does not indicate the priority A (step S53), as in FIG. 10, if the received program corresponds to the program reserved for recording (step S53), the priority is set. The degree is set to the highest A (step S54), and if the received program does not correspond to the program reserved for recording (step S54), the priority is set to B (step S55).

  In other words, in the procedure of FIG. 11, the higher of the sending-side superior setting priority and the user setting priority is set as the priority of the program.

  Next, a program information processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the present program information recording apparatus. Each block in FIG. 12 has basically the same function as each block with the same name in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, processing for dealing with duplicate recording is performed.

  The received main stream is added with program information indicating the content of the program or the like, or the program information is obtained by a substream as being independent of the main stream.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where the program information is described in the header portion of the program data. In the header section 100, as the program information, a broadcast area, a start time, an end time, a program content, a performer, a recording format, and the like are described in a symbolized state. In the example of FIG. 13, the broadcast area: JPN02063, the start time: 97010120, the end time: 97010204, the program content: SPBAGY1, the priority: 256687432, the recording format: MPG2HI, the main cast: TKIMGM, the location: TYOCHI, and the number of broadcasts: It is described in the header part like C1203.

  On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows an example of a format of program information broadcast independently of the main stream. As the program information, a broadcast area, a start time, an end time, a program content, a performer, a recording format, and the like are described in a symbolized state. In the example of FIG. 14, a header indicating the start of additional information: AIB, target gender / age: M2040, number of broadcasts: C1203, broadcast area: JPN02063, start time: 97010120, end time: 97010204, program content: SPBAGY1, priority: 25687432, recording format: MPG2HI, main cast: TKIMGM, location: TYOCHI, header indicating the end of additional information: AIE, etc., are described in the header portion.

  The program information of the program data stored in the program information recording unit 87 and the program information index created based on the program information are stored in the program information management unit 86 (which may be the program information recording unit 87). The program information analysis unit 82 performs collation based on the program information or the program information index.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a program information collation processing procedure in the present embodiment.

  The program information of the program subjected to the collation processing is detected (step S61), the detected program information is collated with the program information of the already recorded program (step S62), and the program contents, performers, recording If the information specific to the program content such as the format matches (step S63), it is determined that the program has already been recorded, the automatic recording is stopped, and the automatic recording is performed during the detection and collation. The program data is deleted (step S64). Then, the program information and the program information index are updated as needed (step S65). For example, among the contents of a program information index of a previously recorded program, information on program broadcasting such as a broadcast area, a start time, and an end time is updated as the contents of a currently broadcasted program.

  On the other hand, if the information unique to the program contents such as the program contents, performers, and recording format do not match (step S63), the automatic recording is continued (step S66).

  Thus, when a program having the same content, such as a rebroadcast program, is broadcasted a plurality of times, it is possible to avoid recording them repeatedly.

  Note that the above-described configuration can be applied to the program information recording apparatus described in FIGS.

  Next, a program information processing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, in the program information recording apparatus described with reference to FIG. 1, a part of the contents of a program can be replaced.

  By the way, program information that has a difference in value geographically, temporally, or personally, for example, information such as commercials and weather forecasts, is more desirably provided with program information more concentrated on individual needs and regions.

  First, a case where a commercial is replaced will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the program stream (41) includes two CMs (42, 43).

  Here, it is assumed that before each commercial (42, 43) is broadcast, the advance notice information for each of them is broadcasted and received by a substorm as independent information. The notice information describes information on gender, age, preference, area, and the like.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a commercial replacement process procedure.

  When the notice information is received (when the notice information is extracted by the reception information analysis unit 2) (step S71), the notice information of the commercial included in the program already stored in the program information recording unit 7 is extracted. .

  Here, if the notice information satisfies conditions such as the user's sex, age, preference, and region, it is determined that the commercial should not be replaced because there is no need to replace the commercial.

  In addition, as the information on which conditions such as a user's gender, age, preference, and area are based, for example, personal information of the user registered in the personal information management unit 5 can be used. Alternatively, information that the user instructs separately may be used.

  Next, when the notice information does not satisfy the condition, first, the time length of the received notice information and the extracted notice information are compared (step S72), and it is checked whether there is a commercial having the same time length.

  If there are no commercials of the same time length among those already recorded, it is determined that the commercials are not replaced.

  If there is a commercial having the same length of time, subsequently, for each notice information, commercials that match according to conditions such as the user's gender, age, preference, and region are compared.

  In FIG. 17, when there is a commercial that has already stored the user's gender, age, preference, and local conditions (steps S72 to S76), the commercial is replaced with the commercial (step S77). ), An example is shown, but the evaluation value a of the advance notice information of the commercial broadcasted in real time with respect to the above condition is compared with the evaluation value b of the previously recorded commercial advance information with respect to the above condition. Then, when the evaluation value b exceeds the evaluation value a, the commercial may be replaced. Note that the evaluation value may be, for example, the number of items that match, such as gender and age, or the degree of matching determined by a predetermined evaluation function.

  When the stored commercial is selected as a result of the comparison of the commercial notice information, the stored commercial program for replacement is sent to the program generation unit 8 at the time of the commercial broadcast to be replaced, so that the commercial is replaced. Can be replaced.

  As a result of comparison with one recorded commercial, if a commercial that is broadcast in real time is selected (when it is determined not to be replaced), comparison with other stored commercial information is performed. The comparison is repeated only for the number of stored programs or a specified number of times. If no stored program is selected, commercials broadcast in real time are displayed as they are.

  A “PC CM” (43 ′) having the same time length as the “refrigerator CM” (43) in FIG. 16A is stored in advance in the program information recording unit 7 via a main stream or a substream of a broadcast wave. As a result of comparing the notice information of “Refrigerator CM43” with the stored program information of “PC CM43 ′”, the latter was superior in all comparison conditions, and as shown in FIG. "PC CM" (43 ') has been replaced with a program frame of "Refrigerator CM" (43).

  In the case of such replacement of a commercial program, it is conceivable that, besides conditions such as personal information and program time, a commercial provided by the same commercial provider must be provided. As a result, the commercial provider can perform more effective advertisement.

  Next, a case where a weather forecast program is replaced will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of a weather forecast program replacement processing procedure.

  It is assumed that a weather forecast program (moving image information) in each region is broadcast and received via a substream as independent information before a weather forecast program is broadcast by the main stream. It is also assumed that the weather forecast program is coded in the same manner as the format of the program information illustrated in FIG.

  The weather forecast program received via the substream (extracted by the reception information analysis unit 2) is stored in the program information recording unit 7. Further, the weather forecast program is included in the program information recording section 7 based on the area information of each weather forecast program based on the area where the device is located (for example, included in the device information registered in the personal information management section 5). Area information) is sorted and recorded in order of geographical proximity.

  Before the weather forecast is broadcast in the real-time program via the main stream, if the forecast information of the weather forecast is broadcast via the substream (when extracted by the reception information analysis unit 2) (step S81). If the area information described in the notice information matches the area where the device is located, it is determined that replacement is not performed.

  On the other hand, if they do not match, the process proceeds to the process of selecting the most suitable one from the weather forecast in the real-time program and the weather forecast already stored.

  First, the weather forecasts that have already been recorded are selected in the sort order. If the weather forecasts are closer to the area where the device is located than the weather forecast in the real-time program (step 82), the weather forecasts of both are forecasted. And compare the times.

  If the forecast time is within the range of the preset threshold value (step S83), then the time lengths of both programs are compared.

  If the time lengths are the same (step S84), the process proceeds to a program replacement procedure (step S86). If the time lengths are different (step S84), the process of expanding or shortening the stored program is performed according to the time frame of the real-time broadcast (step S85), and the procedure shifts to the program replacement procedure (step S84).

  As a result of comparison with one recorded weather forecast, when a weather forecast to be broadcast in real time is selected (when it is determined that the weather forecast is not to be replaced), it is compared with another stored weather forecast. The comparison is repeated for the number of stored programs or a specified number of times. If no stored program is selected, the weather forecast broadcast in real time is displayed as it is.

  The regional information stored in the personal information management unit 5 may be settable by the user in addition to the location where the device is geographically located. For example, if two regions are set, the above processing is performed for each region, and at the time of program replacement, two accumulated weather forecast programs are set to the time frame of the real-time weather forecast program. For example, a method of shortening and replacing or a method of dividing the display screen into two and displaying two weather forecast programs at the same time is adopted.

  In addition, if the user designates one or a plurality of regions separately, and if the region is designated by the user, the designated region is designated by the user instead of the region information stored in the personal information management unit 5. The most suitable weather forecast may be selected based on the information of the region where the weather forecast has occurred.

  Note that this configuration is also applicable to the program information recording device described in FIGS. 8, 9, 12, and the like, and modifications thereof.

Each of the above functions can be realized by being described as software and processed by a computer having an appropriate mechanism.
Further, the present embodiment can be implemented as a program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined procedure, for causing a computer to function as predetermined means, or for causing a computer to realize a predetermined function. In addition, the present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements in an implementation stage without departing from the scope of the invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Further, components of different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a program information recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Diagram showing an example of a personal information table Diagram showing a configuration example of a program information recording device Diagram showing an example of the priority correspondence table Flowchart showing an example of a priority determination procedure Flowchart showing an example of an information storage area securing procedure Flow chart showing an example of a priority change procedure Diagram showing a configuration example of a program information recording device Diagram showing a configuration example of a digital receiver Flowchart showing an example of a reserved program priority setting procedure Flowchart showing an example of a priority setting procedure Diagram showing a configuration example of a program information recording device Diagram showing an example of a program information format Diagram showing an example of an additional information format Flow chart showing an example of automatic recording stop Diagram schematically showing program replacement Flowchart showing an example of a CM program replacement procedure Flowchart showing an example of a weather forecast program replacement procedure

Explanation of reference numerals

  1, 21, 31, 81 ... program information recording device, 2, 22, 32, 82 ... received information analysis unit, 3, 23, 33, 83 ... accumulated information management unit, 4, 24, 34, 84 ... transmission control unit , 5, 25, 35 ... personal information management unit, 6, 26, 36, 86 ... program information management unit, 7, 27, 37, 87 ... program information recording unit, 8, 28, 38, 88 ... program generation unit, 9 Broadcast signal transmission path, 10 Digital receiver, 20 Recording device, 30 Image receiving unit, 208, 209 Network I / F unit, 61, 62, 6N Storage media, 63 Processor

Claims (7)

A program information recording device for automatically recording all or a part of a received program,
For each program that has been automatically recorded, its priority is determined based on personal information registered in advance or based on additional information on the program and personal information registered in advance provided by the broadcasting station. Priority determining means for determining the degree,
Recording means for recording the program that has been automatically recorded,
Control means for performing, at a predetermined timing, a data conversion process involving a decrease in the amount of recording data in the recording device or a process of deleting from the recording device, based on the priority, for the program recorded in the recording device. Prepare,
The priority determining means sets a priority indicating that processing by the control means is prohibited for a program satisfying a predetermined condition and / or a program reserved for recording based on a user operation. A program information recording device, characterized in that the program information is provided.   The control means does not perform processing on a program having a first priority among programs recorded in the recording means, and reduces a data amount for a program having a second priority. 2. The program information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a data conversion process is performed, and a program having a third priority is deleted.   3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the priority of the program which has been subjected to the data conversion processing accompanied by the reduction of the data amount is updated to a third priority, and the priority of the deleted program is updated to a fourth priority. 2. The program information recording device according to 1.   2. The program information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing is a timing at which it is detected that a remaining data amount recordable by the recording unit has fallen below a predetermined reference amount. .   2. The program information according to claim 1, wherein when a program corresponding to the program to be automatically recorded has already been recorded in the recording unit, the program is excluded from the subject of automatic recording. Recording device.   2. The program information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the process on the program periodically at regular intervals. A program information recording method for automatically recording all or a part of a received program,
For each program that has been automatically recorded, its priority is determined based on personal information registered in advance or based on additional information on the program and personal information registered in advance provided by the broadcasting station. A priority determining step of determining the degree;
A recording step of recording the automatically recorded program in a recording unit,
At a predetermined timing, performing a data conversion process involving a decrease in the amount of recording data in the recording unit or a process of deleting the program from the recording unit based on the priority on the program recorded in the recording unit. Have
In the priority determining step, for a program that satisfies a predetermined condition and / or a program that is reserved for recording based on a user operation, a priority indicating that prohibition of performing the process related to the control step is performed. And a program information recording method characterized by adding

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