JP2005063519A - Content management device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content management device and a content management method for easily managing a plurality of contents recorded in a recording medium shared by a plurality of users and conveniently handling the respective contents. <P>SOLUTION: In accordance with the contents of application states including the presence of viewing and erasing instructions of each user which are set in a contents information table 111c in each plurality of contents 111a recorded in a contents recording part 111 by a contents information table setting part 110c and application limit setting states including viewing limit and erasing instruction inhibition, a contents management table setting part 110b sets users capable of sharing and utilizing the respective contents 111a in a contents management table 111b to manage the respective contents 111a. A viewing state table setting part 110d sets one or more reproduction interrupting positions in a viewing state table 111d for each user of each contents 111a so as to resume reproducing the contents from an optional reproduction interrupting position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content management apparatus and a content management method, and in particular, a content management apparatus capable of recording content such as television broadcasting on a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk and reproducing or erasing desired content. And a content management method.

As is well known, in recent years, video recorders with built-in hard disks have been developed along with the progress of digital data processing technology and the increase in capacity and price of hard disks.
Such a video recorder with a built-in hard disk can receive a television broadcast signal, convert the received television broadcast signal into a stream in MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) format, and record the stream on the hard disk.

  According to such a video recorder with a built-in hard disk, a list of each content stored on the hard disk is displayed as a menu screen, so that the user can freely select desired content to view or delete. ing.

  In addition, a video recorder with a built-in hard disk also realizes a time shift function such as viewing the content of the broadcast television broadcast on the hard disk in real time while viewing the television broadcast content with a delay of several minutes. be able to.

  In recent years, digital television broadcasting, which has been studied for practical use, is distributed in the form of digital data such as video and audio. A video recorder with a built-in hard disk can record a digital television broadcast as a digital signal as content, and reproduce the digital television broadcast content.

  And since such a video recorder with a built-in hard disk can increase the storage capacity of the hard disk, a plurality of viewers such as family members share a single video recorder to store a large number of contents on the built-in hard disk. Recording can be performed, and each of a plurality of viewers can reproduce and view desired content.

  However, the fact that content can be recorded by sharing the internal hard disk means that content may be erased by others or content that may be restricted due to age, etc., may be freely viewed by people with restricted viewing. is there. For this reason, video recorders having functions such as erasure lock (content erasure restriction) and parental lock (content viewing age restriction) have appeared as methods for restricting erasure and viewing of content.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional technique for performing user authentication so that content recorded by other users cannot be browsed without permission and enabling the video recorder apparatus to be used in an individual setting state for each user. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-94928, “Digital TV Broadcast Recording Device”, and the like. According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to protect deletion and viewing from other users that have been set and registered in advance for each content recorded by the user by performing user authentication of the user to be used. Further, as a method of performing user authentication, a method of authenticating by transmitting an authentication key and a code unique to the remote control from the remote control is used. Alternatively, an operation key may be provided on the video recorder apparatus main body side.

  In addition, in a system for recording and reproducing content, as a known technique regarding content management when a plurality of users share the same recording medium, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-8148 “Video and Audio Recording System” And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-16762 “Data Management Device and Data Management Method” disclosed in Patent Document 3.

According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, deletion restrictions and the like are managed by setting a password for each content recorded on a recording medium.
On the other hand, in the technology described in Patent Document 3, for each of a plurality of contents recorded on a hard disk shared by a plurality of users, it is possible to indicate which user has recorded the contents. A list that records the correspondence between each user and the content owned by each user is provided, and a content list indicating the owner of each content can be displayed as a list.

Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 3 can also have a function (resume playback function) for restarting playback of content that has been played and viewed halfway. Also in the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-112201 “Information Reproduction Method and Reproduction Device” disclosed in Patent Document 4, reproduction is performed from a reproduction interruption point for each of a plurality of contents stored on an optical disk such as a DVD. You can use the function to resume.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-94928 (page 4-6, FIGS. 8, 10) JP 2001-8148 A (page 3) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-16762 (page 4-5, FIG. 5, FIG. 6) JP 2002-112201 A (6th page, FIG. 6)

  In general, in the case of a content management apparatus that is shared by a plurality of users, a single content storage device (such as a hard disk or a DVD) can be freely accessed by a plurality of users. There is a problem of being erased by the user. In addition, there is a problem that content that other users do not want to see can be viewed without permission.

  Here, if the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-94928 shown in Patent Document 1 is used, a content management apparatus can be used by a plurality of users in a state in which content recorded by a specific user is protected for each user designated in advance. Although it can be shared and used, it is not assumed that one content is shared and used by multiple users, so even if it is a content management device shared by multiple users, other users can record This makes it difficult to grasp and view the content that has been used, which is inconvenient in using the content management apparatus.

  Further, the content management means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-8148 shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is used, in which deletion restrictions are managed by setting a password for each content recorded on the recording medium. In this case, it is necessary to set a password every time the content is recorded. For example, assuming that the password is used only within the family, the management of the content is too strict and the inconvenience is inconvenienced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the content management means described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-16762 shown in Patent Document 3 creates a content list for each user, and content owned by any user It is possible to manage the content easily by reflecting the user's possession state when displaying the content list, even if the content recorded by a certain user, Since other users can view it unconditionally, for example, when using it with a family member, anyone can freely view content that should have a viewing age limit (parental lock), etc. Inconvenience occurs.

  FIG. 26 is a table configuration diagram showing a conventional content management table described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-16762. A user management table 2601 indicating the content ownership status for each user, and a user for each content. A content management table 2602 indicating the ownership status is provided, and the ownership status of each content for each user can be managed.

  In addition, in the conventional content management method, for example, content recorded by a certain user can be resumed from the playback interruption position after the other user has played it halfway. However, the management information such as the reproduction interruption position when reproduction is interrupted can set only one reproduction interruption position for each content. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-112201 disclosed in Patent Document 4 above. In the case of the content management means described in the official gazette, as shown in FIG. 27, it is shown that a playback interruption position is set for each content recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD disc. Since multiple playback interruption positions cannot be set, the content may be played simultaneously by multiple people. The number of users who can interrupt playback is limited to one, and in some cases, even if the playback stop position is set and registered, information regarding the playback stop position of the content is overwritten by another user. The problem of being done occurs.

  FIG. 27 is a table configuration diagram showing a prior art content information table described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-112201. The content information table 2702 is recorded on a recording medium 2701 such as a DVD disc. For each content A, content B,..., It is possible to set only one reproduction interruption position 2703 when the reproduction of the content is interrupted, together with management information indicating the parental lock state or erased of the content. It is.

  Further, in the conventional technology, even if a certain content is used not by a plurality of users but by a specific user, the content of the specific user is unique. Only one playback interruption position can be set and registered. Therefore, for example, even if there are a plurality of favorite scenes that a specific user wants to repeat playback of the content from among the scenes that the user has viewed in the past, any one playback is possible. If you can only set the interrupt position and there are multiple favorite specific scenes, if you want to select one of the favorite scenes and immediately set it to play, It was necessary to re-edit the content to create new content.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and when a plurality of users share and manage a plurality of contents recorded on the same recording medium, the sharing state of each content for each user is determined. Content management table to be managed, content information table for setting management information such as viewing status of each content for each user, viewing restriction / deletion lock usage restriction setting status and erased status, and further, each content for each user And a viewing state table capable of setting a plurality of playback interruption positions that enable resume playback of the content from the position where the content was interrupted after being interrupted, and recorded on the same recording medium shared by a plurality of users It is possible to easily manage multiple contents, and for each user to handle each content more conveniently , And its object is to provide a content management device and a content management method so as to realize the use forms suitable by utility.

  A content management apparatus according to the present invention manages a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium by a plurality of users, and can record and play back the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium. The content management table setting means for creating a content management table for managing the sharing status of each user and setting management information is provided, and the usage status and usage limit setting for each user are provided for each content. Content information table setting means for creating a content information table for managing a situation and setting information for management is provided, and the content management table and the content information table setting means set by the content management table setting means Based on the content information table set by There are, characterized by managing the use of a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium for each user.

  The content management apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that, in the content management apparatus, the content management table setting unit performs the content management table setting unit based on the usage status and the usage restriction setting status for each user set in the content information table. The sharing status regarding each user for each of a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium is set in the content management table.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, the content management table and / or the content information table are stored in the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the content to be managed is recorded. It is characterized by being.

  The content management apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that, in the content management apparatus, the sharing status of users set in the content management table and / or the usage status for each user set in the content information table and Based on the use restriction setting status, the content list creating means for creating a content list indicating content usable for each user among the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium is provided. A plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium can be used by using the created content list.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, when an instruction to use the content recorded on the recording medium is given by any user, the content list creation unit performs the usage instruction. The content list created for the user is displayed on the screen.

  Further, the content management apparatus according to the present invention selects, in the content management apparatus, any arbitrary content to be used by the user based on the content list displayed on the screen, and reproduces or erases the content. It is possible to give an arbitrary instruction represented by

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, a user who is in a state where the deletion instruction is not prohibited for the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table is deleted. When the instruction is given or when viewing is terminated, the content information table setting means performs the erased setting for the user who has given an instruction to erase the content information table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing. The content management table setting means deletes the user who has instructed deletion from the content management table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, a user who is in a state where the erasure instruction is prohibited ends viewing of the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. In this case, the content information table setting unit sets the user who has finished viewing the content information table related to the content to be deleted, and the content management table setting unit sets the content management table related to the content. The user who has finished viewing is deleted.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, all users from the content management table related to the content with respect to the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. When deleted, the content is erased from the recording medium.

  The content management apparatus according to the present invention restricts viewing of another user designated by a certain user with respect to content in which a sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table in the content management apparatus. The content information table setting means performs setting for restricting the viewing of the other user who has been instructed to restrict viewing in the content information table related to the content, and the content management table setting means includes: The other user instructed to restrict viewing is deleted from the content management table related to the content.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, regarding the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table, a viewing restriction is set in the content information table related to the content. When all users who have not been deleted from the content management table corresponding to the content, the content is deleted from the recording medium.

  Further, the content management apparatus according to the present invention removes the restriction on viewing of the other user with respect to the content for which the content information table is set to restrict the viewing of the designated other user in the content management apparatus. When instructed, the content information table setting means cancels the setting of the viewing restriction of the other user set in the content information table related to the content, and the content management table setting means relates to the content The other user whose viewing restriction is removed is additionally registered in the content information table.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, an instruction to set prohibition of erasure instruction for a designated other user with respect to any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium is provided. If it is made, or if the designated other user is instructed to cancel the prohibition of erasure instruction, the content information table setting means respectively deletes the other user's erasure instruction in the content information table relating to the content. It is characterized in that the prohibition is set or the deletion instruction prohibition setting is canceled.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, with respect to a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, for each content, a history of positions at which each user has interrupted playback in the past is recorded from 1 to A plurality of viewing state tables that can be set as reproduction interruption positions are created, and viewing state table setting means for setting the reproduction interruption positions is provided, and a plurality of recordings recorded on the recording medium based on the viewing state table are provided. One or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions can be managed for each of the contents.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, in the content management apparatus, the viewing state table is stored in the same recording medium as the recording medium in which the content to be registered for the reproduction interruption position is recorded. It is characterized by.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, when the user instructs playback of any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium in the content management apparatus, the content management apparatus stores the content in the viewing state table. An arbitrary reproduction interruption position is selected from the set one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions, and resume reproduction can be performed from the selected reproduction interruption position.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, when the user instructs playback of any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium in the content management apparatus, from the viewing state table regarding the content. Extracting one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions indicating the history of the reproduction interruption by the user who has given the reproduction instruction, and arbitrarily selecting from the extracted one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions Resume reproduction can be performed from the reproduced reproduction interruption position.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, when the user instructs playback of any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium in the content management apparatus, the content management apparatus stores the content in the viewing state table regarding the content. On the basis of this, one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions indicating a history of reproduction interruption in the past are displayed on the screen.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, when the user instructs playback of any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium in the content management apparatus, from the viewing state table regarding the content. Further, one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions indicating a history of reproduction interruption in the past by the user who has given the reproduction instruction are extracted and displayed on the screen.

  In the content management apparatus according to the present invention, the content management apparatus may perform resume reproduction from a reproduction interruption position arbitrarily selected by a user among one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions displayed on the screen. It is possible.

  The content management apparatus according to the present invention performs user registration in advance for a user who uses a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium in the content management apparatus, and stores the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium. When using, user authentication is performed to determine whether or not a user to be used is registered in advance.

  Also, the content management method according to the present invention is a content management method capable of managing a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium by a plurality of users, and performing recording and reproduction, and the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium. Content management table for managing the sharing status of each user, and a content management table setting step for setting management information, and for each content, the usage status and usage of each user The content management table and the content information table set by the content management table setting step have a content information table setting step for creating a content information table for managing the restriction setting status and setting management information The content set by the setting step Based on the broadcasting table, characterized by managing the use of a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium for each user.

  Further, the content management method according to the present invention is the content management method according to the content management table setting step, based on the usage status and the usage restriction setting status for each user set in the content information table. The sharing status regarding each user for each of a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium is set in the content management table.

  In the content management method according to the present invention, in the content management method, a user who is not prohibited from erasing instructions for a content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table is deleted. When the instruction is given or when the viewing ends, the content information table setting step sets the erased setting for the user who has given an instruction to erase the content information table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing. The content management table setting step deletes the user who has instructed deletion from the content management table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing.

  Further, in the content management method according to the present invention, in the content management method, a user who is in a state where an erasure instruction is prohibited ends viewing of content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. In this case, the content information table setting step sets the erased setting for the user who has finished viewing the content information table related to the content, and the content management table setting step includes the content management table related to the content. The user who has finished viewing is deleted.

  Further, in the content management method according to the present invention, in the content management method, regarding the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table, all users are referred to from the content management table regarding the content. When deleted, the content is erased from the recording medium.

  In the content management method according to the present invention, in the content management method, the viewing of other users specified by a certain user is restricted with respect to the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. When the instruction to cancel the viewing restriction of the other user is made, the content information table setting step is performed when the other of which the viewing restriction instruction is given to the content information table related to the content, respectively. The setting for restricting the viewing of the user is performed, or the setting of the viewing restriction of the other user set in the content information table for the content is canceled, and the content management table setting step is related to the content respectively. The content management table Remove the other user instruction et viewing restriction is made, or, in the content information table corresponding to the content, characterized in that it additionally registers the another user who is releasing the parental restrictions.

  Further, the content management method according to the present invention is the content management method, wherein a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium are recorded with a history of positions at which each user has interrupted playback in the past for each content. A plurality of viewing state tables that can be set as reproduction interruption positions are created, and a viewing state table setting step for setting the reproduction interruption positions is provided, and a plurality of recordings recorded on the recording medium based on the viewing state table One or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions can be managed for each of the contents.

  Further, in the content management method according to the present invention, in the content management method, when a user gives an instruction to reproduce any of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, the content is stored in the viewing state table. An arbitrary reproduction interruption position is selected from the set one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions, and resume reproduction can be performed from the selected reproduction interruption position.

  In the content management method according to the present invention, in the content management method, when a user instructs playback of any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, the content management method is based on the viewing state table regarding the content. Extracting one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions indicating the history of the reproduction interruption by the user who has given the reproduction instruction, and arbitrarily selecting from the extracted one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions Resume reproduction can be performed from the reproduced reproduction interruption position.

  According to the content management apparatus and content management method of the present invention provided with the technical means as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  Regardless of the content recorded by any user on a recording medium shared by a plurality of users, the sharing status of each user is associated with each of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium. Content management table and a content information table for setting management information for each user's usage status and usage restriction information for each content, so that multiple users share the same recording medium. Even when a plurality of contents are recorded, it is possible to manage the sharing status of each user and the usage status such as viewing / erasing for each content.

  Thus, even if the content management apparatus is shared and used by a plurality of users, the sharing status and usage status of each user regarding each content recorded on the recording medium of the content management apparatus can be easily managed. Therefore, handling of each content becomes more convenient for each user, and a usage form more suitable for practical use is possible. That is, with respect to a plurality of contents recorded on a shared recording medium, each user can manage each content, so that the viewing status of each individual content and erasure from the recording medium (that is, the recording medium) Organizing etc. can be performed independently by a plurality of users without being disturbed by other users.

  In addition, by providing a viewing state table that can store a plurality of reproduction interruption positions for each content, it is possible to hold a plurality of reproduction interruption positions for each content. Since the position can be set, each user can comfortably perform resume reproduction (viewing) and editing from the reproduction interruption position for each user of each content. Furthermore, since each user can independently set the reproduction interruption position (viewing interruption position) of each content, the reproduction interruption position of the content indicating that a certain user has viewed halfway is set to other users. Will not be overwritten and lost. Furthermore, since each user can set a plurality of playback interruption positions for each content, even if there are a plurality of his / her favorite scenes in each content, any favorite scene can be set. Can be played immediately.

  Further, any user can record the content recorded on the recording medium by all users who share and use the content management apparatus, and can view the content before viewing the content. It is also possible to avoid troubles such as erasing from the recording medium. In addition, when it is desired to restrict viewing of content recorded on the recording medium by other users (for example, when it is desired to set a parental lock for a user who has not reached that age due to age restrictions, etc.) Since the setting of viewing restriction can be reflected to other users, it is possible to restrict viewing of other users with respect to the corresponding content.

  As described above, the content management apparatus and the content management method according to the present invention manage a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium by a plurality of users, and perform recording and reproduction. For each of these contents, a content management table that sets whether or not each user can share and use for each content is used, and each content is used based on the presence or absence of each user's viewing or deletion instruction It has a content information table that sets the usage restriction setting status that includes the situation, the viewing restriction of each user, the restriction of deletion instructions, etc., and further, the reproduction interruption that each user interrupted the viewing in the past for each content A viewing state table that can set a plurality of history of positions (that is, positions that can be resumed) is provided. It is intended.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a content management apparatus and a content management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of a block configuration of a content management apparatus according to the present invention. The content management apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is configured so that a digital television broadcast signal received by an antenna 101 can be captured by a tuner 102 and recorded or viewed in real time.

  That is, the digital television broadcast signal received by the antenna 101 is tuned and selected by the tuner 102 and then appropriately processed by the reception processing unit 103. Thereafter, in the case of direct viewing in real time, the digital television broadcast signal is sent to the reproduction processing unit 104, subjected to reproduction processing, and then displayed on the display 106 through the output unit 105.

On the other hand, when recording, the digital television broadcast signal appropriately processed by the reception processing unit 103 is sent to the system control unit 107. Here, the system control unit 107 controls the driving of the content recording unit 111 formed of a recording medium such as a large-capacity fixed hard disk device, and the transmitted digital television broadcast signal is taken into the content recording unit 111. And recorded as content 111a.
In addition, when recording while directly viewing, a digital television broadcast signal is supplied to both the display 106 and the content recording unit 111.

  In the present embodiment, the recording medium constituting the content recording unit 111 will be described as an example of a fixed hard disk device having a large capacity, a short access time, and a low price. Any recording medium may be used as long as it has a short access time. For example, a large-capacity removable medium (a large-capacity optical disk represented by DVD, a large-capacity magneto-optical disk represented by MO, or the like) Or a removable hard disk).

  Here, in the case of recording, before the digital TV broadcast signal is recorded in the content recording unit 111, the system control unit 107 supplies the content to the content recording position management unit 110 a of the content table management unit 110 and the content. After the recording position indicating the recording position on the recording medium constituting the recording unit 111 is detected and the recording position instruction is received from the content recording position management unit 110a of the content table management unit 110, the digital television broadcast signal is The content is recorded as the content 111 a at the designated recording position of the content recording unit 111.

  Note that the large-capacity content recording unit 111 can record a plurality of contents 111a, and the content table management unit 110 includes a plurality of contents 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 for each content 111a. Content management table setting unit 110b for creating and setting a content management table 111b for managing the sharing status of users that can be shared and used by other users, and set by the content management table setting unit 110b Based on the content management table 111b, a recording / playback control function for managing whether or not each user can use the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 and controlling the recording / playback operation for each user is provided. Have.

  The content management table 111b created by the content management table setting unit 110b of the content table management unit 110 and set with the sharing status of each user is the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the content 111a to be managed is recorded. Stored in the unit 111. In some cases, the content management table 111b stores another recording medium different from the content recording unit 111 for recording the content 111a (for example, a program or data for controlling the operation of the system control unit 107). The high-speed memory 107A) may be stored.

  In the content table management unit 110, the usage status including the presence / absence of viewing / erasing for each user with respect to each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, which is instructed by a user operation, It also includes a content information table setting unit 110c for creating and setting a content information table 111c for setting management information such as a usage restriction setting status including a viewing restriction set for a user and an erasure lock meaning prohibition of erasure instruction. Providing content information table setting means for creating and setting a content information table 111c for managing the usage status and usage limit setting status of each user corresponding to each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111. Yes.

  The content information table 111c created by the content information table setting unit 110c of the content table management unit 110 and set with the usage status and usage limit setting status of each user is stored in the content recording unit 111 in the same manner as the content management table 111b. The However, the content information table 111c controls the operation of another recording medium (for example, the system control unit 107, for example) different from the content recording unit 111 for recording the content 111a, like the content management table 111b. May be stored in a high-speed memory 107A) in which programs and data are stored.

  Note that the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c for managing the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 are used instructions for the user's content 111a by the operation unit 108, the remote control 109, and the like (instructions related to reproduction and deletion). Is read from the content recording unit 111 by the content table management unit 110, guided to the list display processing unit 112, and available to the user in the list display processing unit 112 having content list creation means. A content list indicating a list of the content 111 a in a state is created and can be displayed on the display 106 via the output unit 105.

  Based on the setting contents of the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c, the user examines the content list created by the list display processing unit 112 and displayed on the screen, thereby recording a plurality of items recorded in the content recording unit 111. The management status of each content 111a for each user (the sharing status indicating whether or not it is currently available, the usage status indicating whether or not viewing is performed, and the usage restriction setting status indicating whether or not viewing restrictions are set for other users). It can be grasped, and any one of the contents 111a is arbitrarily designated to instruct reproduction or deletion, or in some cases, an instruction to change the usage restriction setting status set for each content 111a. It is also possible to change the management state by doing so.

  Here, since the content recording unit 111 is composed of a large-capacity recording medium such as a large-capacity fixed hard disk device, as described above, a plurality of users manage one content with the large-capacity content recording unit 111. The apparatus 100 is shared and used to record a plurality of contents 111a corresponding to each user, and any user can record any of the plurality of contents 111a regardless of the contents 111a recorded by any user. It is possible to select and play.

  When the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 is reproduced, the content management table 111b managed by the content table management unit 110 is managed by the system control unit 107 in accordance with a user operation using the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109. The content recording unit 111 is driven based on the content information table 111c, and a reproduction signal related to the desired content 111a is read from the content recording unit 111. Then, the read reproduction signal is displayed on the display 106 via the reproduction processing unit 104 and the output unit 105.

  In addition, the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 is stored in the content management table 111b managed by the content table management unit 110 in accordance with a user operation using the operation unit 108, the remote control 109, or the like via the system control unit 107. The content information table 111c is referred to and can be deleted from the content recording unit 111.

  Further, in order to enable the user to perform content management unique to the user when using the content management apparatus 100, the user information table management unit 113 passes through the system control unit 107 of the user who intends to use it. Identification or user authentication can be performed. That is, the user information table management unit 113 constitutes user registration means for registering user information (user name, password, user-specific personal information, etc.) of the user who uses the content management apparatus 100 in the user information table 111e. When the user uses the content management apparatus 100, user identification means for identifying the user based on the user information table 111e is configured.

  As described above, the user information table management unit 113 performs user registration in advance for a user who intends to use the content 111 a recorded in the content recording unit 111 of the content management apparatus 100 and is recorded in the content recording unit 111. Prior to using the content 111a, a user registration / authentication unit that can perform user authentication as to whether or not the user has been registered in advance is provided, and content management unique to the user can be performed. .

  Here, the user information table 111e created by the user information table management unit 113 is stored in the content recording unit 111. However, as in the case of the content management table 111b described above, the content 111a is recorded in some cases. The content recording unit 111 may be stored in another recording medium (for example, a high-speed memory 107A in which a program and data for controlling the operation of the system control unit 107 are stored).

In the content management apparatus 100 configured as described above, an operation for managing a plurality of contents 111a to be recorded and reproduced in the content recording unit 111 will be further described below.
First, a case where the user needs to perform user registration in advance when using the content management apparatus 100 will be described. The flow of the user registration operation is shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user registration operation for registering in advance a user who uses the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  When a user registration is requested by a user operation from the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109, a user registration screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display 106, for example. FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram showing an example of display contents of a user registration / identification screen for registering / identifying a user who uses the content management apparatus 100. On the user registration screen as shown in FIG. 3, the user inputs a user name and password from the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109 (steps S201 and S202), and performs user registration.

  Next, when the user name and password are input, it is checked whether or not the user information table 111e already exists in the content recording unit 111 through the user information table management unit 113 (step S203). If the user information table 111e does not exist yet (NO in step S203), this is a case where user registration is performed for the first time. The user information table 111e is newly created in the content recording unit 111, and the user name and password of the user are created. Are set in the user information table 111e (step S204). Thereafter, user-specific additional information (for example, personal information represented by name, age, etc.) that can identify the user is input (step S205).

  On the other hand, if the user information table 111e already exists (YES in step S203), the user information table 111e is not newly created, and the user name and password input for the user are stored in the user information table 111e. Then, the process proceeds to step S205, and input of additional information unique to the user is accepted. Here, the newly input user-specific accessory information is written in the user information table 111e related to the user of the content recording unit 111 (step S206), and the process ends.

  In addition, regarding the registration of the user who uses the content management apparatus 100, in the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the method of inputting the user name and password is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such a case. . For example, each user owns a remote controller to which a unique code number and viewer information are assigned in advance, so that information unique to each remote controller (unique code number and viewer information) used by each user is stored. Based on this, the user who uses the content management apparatus 100 may be identified, or the user registration may be performed using only the user name and password without setting any additional information unique to the user. Alternatively, only the user name may be input without entering a password, and in particular, user registration may be performed so as not to restrict access to the content 111a using the password.

  In addition, once the user-specific additional information registered in the user information table 111e is changed, and in some cases, the user name and password can be changed and changed and registered. Also good. FIG. 4 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of a user information table 111e that stores information for registering / identifying a user who uses the content management apparatus 100.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4D, the user information table 111e is represented by a name, age, and the like in addition to the user name and password for each user in this embodiment of FIG. User-specific additional information such as personal information is included. However, in some cases, as shown in the user information table 111e ′ of FIG. 4 (A), it may be configured with only a user name and password, or as shown in the user information table 111e ″ of FIG. 4 (B). The user name alone may be used, or the user information and the unique code number of the remote control owned by each user may be used as in the user information table 111e ³ ′ in FIG. It doesn't matter.

  Next, a user identification operation for identifying the user to be used when the user uses the content management apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a user identification operation for identifying a user who uses the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  First, when the user requests to use the content management apparatus 100 by a user operation from the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109, the user information table 111e is read from the content recording unit 111 through the user information table management unit 113 ( Step S501). Further, along with the reading operation of the user information table 111e, a user identification screen as shown in the screen display diagram of FIG. 3 is displayed on the display 106 to prompt the user to input a user name and password.

  When a user name and password are input by the user (steps S502 and S503), the input user name and password are registered with the user name and password registered in the user information table 111e read from the content recording unit 111. If a user having a matching user name and password is registered in the user information table 111e (YES in step S505), the user can use the content management apparatus 100 as a registered user. The user information table 111e can be used as a registered user after reading user-specific attached information about the user in the user information table 111e and management information about the user in the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c. And Yes (step S506), the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when a user whose user name and password match is not registered in the user information table 111e (NO in step S505), a confirmation display for confirming whether or not the user re-enters the user name and password is displayed on the display 106. If it is displayed and the user inputs that it is input again (YES in step S507), the process returns to step S502, the user identification screen as shown in the screen display diagram of FIG. 3 is displayed again, and the user name and password are displayed. To re-enter.
When it is input that the user name and password are not input again (NO in step S507), a confirmation display for confirming whether or not to newly register is displayed on the display 106 (step S508).

  If the user instructs new registration as new user registration (YES in step S508), the process proceeds to the user registration operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, when the user instructs not to newly register (NO in step S508), among the functions such as reproduction of the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 and recording of the content 111a in the content recording unit 111, The management information related to the user in the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c is read so that the content management apparatus 100 can be used as a GUEST user (guest user) with limited functions. Above, the use as a GUEST user is permitted (step S509), and the process ends.

  In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, even when no user registration is made (NO in step S505) and no new registration is instructed (NO in step S508), that is, content management. Even if the user of the user who uses the device 100 cannot be identified, the content management device 100 can be used as a GUEST user with a partly limited function related to content playback / recording. When the user of the user who uses the URL cannot be identified, the content management apparatus 100 may be managed so that it cannot be used at all even as a GUEST user.

  Next, a recording operation in which the user uses the content management apparatus 100 to record the received digital television broadcast signal as the content 111a in the content recording unit 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the content recording operation when the content 111a is recorded in the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

  Recording of the content 111a in the content recording unit 111 is started when an instruction to start recording is given to the system control unit 107 by a user operation using the operation unit 108, the remote controller 109, or the like. First, it is checked whether or not the content management table 111b as shown in FIG. 7 already exists in the content recording unit 111 (step S601). FIG. 7 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a content management table 111b for managing the sharing state of the user regarding each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, and is currently available for each content 111a. An example in which a user (a user in a shared state) is registered is shown. That is, in the content management table 111b shown in FIG. 7, the content A and the content B are shared by three users, users 1, 2, and 3, and can be used by any of the three users. In other words, the content C is shared by the user 1 and the user 2 and can be used together, but the user 3 is in an unusable state.

  If the content management table 111b does not yet exist in the content recording unit 111 (NO in step S601), the content management table 111b is created in the content recording unit 111 (step S602), and the created content management table 111b is recorded in content. In order to read from the unit 111, the process proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, when the content management table 111b exists in the content recording unit 111 (YES in step S601), the existing content management table 111b is read from the content recording unit 111 (step S603).

  Here, as described above, the content management table 111b shown in FIG. 7 includes a plurality of contents 111a already recorded in the content recording unit 111 (in the example shown in FIG. 7, three contents A, B, and C). In other words, the currently available (viewable or erasable instruction) user, that is, a shared user is registered in a format corresponding to each content. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 7, content A and content B are currently available to users 1, 2, and 3, and content C is in a shared state that is currently available only to users 1 and 2. It shows that there is.

  Regarding the setting of the sharing state of each user in the content management table 111b, in the initial setting state when each content 111a is recorded for the first time, which user has recorded the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111. Even for the content 111a, all users who use the content management apparatus 100 may be initially set to a usable state, or only the user who first performed an operation of recording in the content recording unit 111 may Initial settings may be made so that the content 111a can be used. In the latter case, the user who has recorded the content 111a performs an operation of permitting the use to other users, so that the other users can be used for the first time. In this embodiment described below, a case will be described in which all users registered as users who use the content management apparatus 100 are initially set as shared content that can be viewed, unless otherwise specified.

  Next, a content information table 111c as shown in FIG. 8 is created for the content 111a to be recorded this time (step S604). Here, when the content information table 111c is recorded in the content recording unit 111, one content information table 111c is created for each content 111a to be recorded. That is, one content information table 111c is created for each content 111a. FIG. 8 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a content information table 111c for managing the usage status and usage limit setting status of each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 for each user.

  The content information table 111c shown in FIG. 8 is, for example, the content A recorded in the content recording unit 111 among the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, that is, the content set in the content management table 111b in FIG. The content information table regarding A is shown as an example, and management information indicating the usage status and usage limit setting status for each user regarding the content A is recorded.

  In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8, as management information of the content A, management information on usage statuses of viewing status and erased status, and usage limit setting statuses of deletion lock and parental lock (viewing limitation) For each user, a flag or the like is used to indicate whether each management information is valid or invalid. In the case of FIG. 8, for example, the case of “1” (ON) is valid, and the case of “0” (OFF) is invalid. Only the user 1 is used as a flag indicating the viewing status. Is already in the state of viewing the content A, and the erasure lock flag indicating that the erasure instruction cannot be performed, the user 3 has not yet viewed the content A, Even if viewing is unnecessary, it is indicated that the instruction to erase from the content recording unit 111 is prohibited.

That is, in the content information table 111c shown in FIG. 8, the viewing status indicates whether or not the content A recorded in the content recording unit 111 is viewed. Otherwise, “0” is set, and the case of FIG. 8 indicates that only the user 1 is viewing the content A.
When the viewing status is “1”, the management information indicating the viewing interruption position (that is, the reproduction interruption position) in the case where the viewing is interrupted and the reproduction is stopped halfway during the viewing is the content table management unit. 110 is added and created as a viewing state table 111d by the viewing state table setting unit 110d. Note that the viewing state table 111d will be described in detail in the reproduction processing operation described later.

  Next, the erasure lock is management information for protecting the content A recorded in the content recording unit 111 from being accidentally erased. In the case of “1”, the corresponding user is 8 indicates that the content A cannot be erased. In the case of FIG. 8, the user 3 cannot perform the content A erase instruction. Setting or canceling the setting of the erasure lock for prohibiting the erasure instruction to the content information table 111c can be instructed by any user set to the content management table 111b in a shared state in which the content A can be used. The user can designate an erasure lock by designating another user who sets the erasure lock, or conversely, can issue an instruction to cancel the erasure lock setting set by the other user. Note that the erasure lock is set to a state in which the erasure lock is set to “1” for any content 111a for a GUEST user who is not registered in the content management apparatus 100 and the erasure instruction is prohibited.

  The parental lock is management information for restricting other users from viewing the content A recorded in the content recording unit 111. For example, age restrictions are provided for viewing the content A. In the case of “1”, the corresponding user, that is, a user under the age specified in advance, cannot view the content A. That is, if the content A is a content that is prohibited for viewing under the age of 18 specified as a pre-restricted viewing age, if the parental lock flag is set to “1”, a user under the age of 18 can view the content. It can be set to a state that cannot be done.

  Here, when an instruction to set a parental lock that is a viewing restriction for the designated other user is issued, the parental lock in the content information table 111c regarding the content A is set to “1”, and the designated other user's lock is set. Although the viewing restriction is set, at the same time, other users who are set as parental lock and are restricted from viewing are deleted from the content management table 111b related to the content A, and the sharing status related to the content A is changed. Set to the released state.

  On the other hand, when the parental lock set in the content information table 111c related to the content A is canceled and an instruction to release the viewing restriction of the designated other user is given, the pair in the content information table 111c related to the content A The rental lock is reset to “0” and the viewing restriction of the designated other user is set to be released. At the same time, the content management table 111b related to the content A has other viewing restrictions removed. The user is additionally registered, and the sharing status for sharing the content A is updated and set.

  The parental lock can be set to “1” indicating that viewing is prohibited for a GUEST user who is not registered in the content management apparatus 100. In addition, when setting the viewing-restricted age as parental lock, even in the case of a registered user registered in the content management apparatus 100, the age is set and registered in advance in the user information table 111e as personal information for each user. The content that is effective only when the parental lock is set to “1” is restricted for the user corresponding to the age for viewing restriction.

In addition, as a parental lock setting, instead of using the “1” and “0” flags, the viewing restriction age itself for which viewing is to be restricted is set in the content information table 111c, and is set in the content information table 111c. The viewing of users who have not reached the viewing limit age may be limited.
Here, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the case of parental lock that restricts viewing according to age is given as an example of management information that restricts viewing of each content 111a. The information is not limited to parental lock according to age. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not to view each content 111a from the viewpoint of security (security), and to restrict user viewing, or privacy. From the viewpoint of protection, the presence or absence of viewing may be determined and user viewing restriction may be performed, or any viewing restriction method may be used.

  In addition, the erased status is whether or not an instruction is given that a user who is not erase-locked may delete the content A recorded in the content recording unit 111 from the content recording unit 111. In the case of “1”, the corresponding user indicates that the corresponding content A is instructed to be deleted. In the case of FIG. 8, any user deletes the content A. Indicates that instructions have not been given yet.

For example, when viewing of the content A is completed or when it is determined that viewing is not necessary, each user who has not been erase-locked can select the content from the content list displayed on the display 106. When erasure of A is instructed, the erased status flag for the user is set to “1”. In the case of a user who has been erase-locked, the erased status is automatically set to “1” only when viewing of the content A is terminated.
Further, when the erased status of a certain user in the content information table 111c related to the content A is set to “1” by the erase instruction or the end of viewing, the user whose erased status is set to “1” is selected. It deletes from the content management table 111b, and cancels the sharing status of the user regarding the content A.

  Further, when all users are deleted from the content management table 111b related to the content A and the sharing status of all users related to the content A is released, the content A is used by any user. It is possible to control to delete the content A from the content recording unit 111.

  As described above, the content management table 111b is managed so as to change and set the sharing status for each user according to the usage status and usage limit setting status for each user set in the content information table 111c. In the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c, the management status regarding each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 is displayed on the display 106 as a content list via the list display processing unit 112. The user can easily select a desired content from each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 and reproduce or delete the content.

  Next, returning to the flowchart showing the content recording operation of FIG. 6, the contents of the subsequent content recording operation will be described. In step S604, when a content information table 111c relating to the content 111a to be recorded this time is newly created and read from the content recording unit 111, a digital television broadcast signal to be recorded is received by the reception processing unit 103 and the system control unit 107. And recorded as content 111a at the recording position of the content recording unit 111 designated by the content recording position management unit 110a of the content table management unit 110 (step S605).

  Thereafter, information indicating that all registered users can be used as management information indicating the sharing relationship regarding the recorded content 111a is set in the content management table 111b as an initial value, and the usage status for each user regarding the content 111a is set. After the management information indicating the usage restriction setting status is set in the content information table 111c, the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c are stored in the content recording unit 111 (steps S606 and S607), and the process is terminated. .

  Here, with regard to management information related to usage status such as viewing status and erased status set in the content information table 111c, an initial value of “0” is set for all users, and usage restrictions such as parental lock and erase lock are set. The management information related to the setting status is set to a state based on an operation from the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109 of the user who records the content 111a.

  Next, the user uses the content management apparatus 100 to display a list regarding the management state of the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, that is, a content list on the display 106, and reproduce the desired content 111a. Alternatively, a reproduction / erasure operation when erasing the designated content 111a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, FIG. 9 displays a list of content lists related to the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 of the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention, and refers to the content list displayed to display the specified content. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of content reproduction | regeneration / deletion operation | movement in the case of reproducing | regenerating / erasing. In the following description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, a case where the user 1 designates the content A from the displayed content list and performs reproduction / erasure in response to a request from the user 1 will be described.

  The operation of reproducing / deleting any one of the contents 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, that is, the content A is performed by a user operation from the operation unit 108, the remote control 109, or the like by a user operation to start reproduction / deletion. It is started by being given to the system control unit 107.

  Here, in order to perform the reproduction / deletion processing of the content A among the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, first, content indicating a list of management states of the content 111a currently recorded in the content recording unit 111 A list is created in the list display processing unit 112 and displayed on the display 106 as a list. At this time, in order to create the content list and display the list, the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c are read from the content recording unit 111 (steps S901 and S902), and the list display processing unit 112 A content list indicating a list of management statuses of the recorded content 111a is created, and the content list is displayed on the display 106 via the output unit 105 (step S903).

  The content list displayed on the screen of the display 106 reflects information based on information of the user who is currently using the content management apparatus 100. That is, when the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c are composed of management information as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example, the screen is displayed according to instructions from the user 1, the user 2, and the user 3, respectively. Each content list is displayed on the screen as a content list as shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a table configuration diagram showing an example different from FIG. 7 of the content management table for managing the user sharing state of the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, and FIG. FIG. 11A is a table configuration diagram showing an example different from FIG. 8 of the content information table for managing the usage status and usage limit setting status for each user of the content 111a recorded in the section 111. FIG. FIG. 11B is a content information table 111c ″ related to the content B, and FIG. 11C is a content information table 111c ³ ′ related to the content B.

FIG. 12 is a screen display diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a content list indicating a management state of each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 by the list display processing unit 112 in response to a display request from each user. FIG. 10 shows a screen display example of a content list for each user in the management state shown in the content management table 111b ′ of FIG. 10 and the content information tables 111c ′, 111c ″, 111c ³ ′ of FIG. 12A is a content list for the user 1, FIG. 12B is a content list for the user 2, and FIG. 12C is a content list for the user 3.

  That is, in the content management table 111b ′ shown in FIG. 10, the content recording unit 111 records three contents 111a of contents A, B, and C. The user 1 and the user 3 can use the content B, only the user 1 can use the content B, and the content C can be used by the user 1 and the user 2.

  Further, the content information table 111c ′ relating to the content A shown in FIG. 11A is in a state where the user 1 has already been viewed but has not yet finished viewing, and for the user 2, Not viewing but already instructed to delete, and user 3 is already viewing, but has not yet finished viewing, and erasing is prohibited It shows that it is in a state.

In the content information table 111c ″ related to the content B shown in FIG. 11B, the user 1 is already viewing, but the user 1 sets the parental lock, and other users, that is, the users 2 and 3 In addition, the content information table 111c ³ ′ related to the content C shown in FIG. Yes, the user 2 has not watched yet, but the deletion instruction is prohibited. The user 3 has the deletion instruction prohibited, but has already been viewed and can be deleted. This indicates that the erased status is set to “1”.

When the content management table 111b ′ and the content information tables 111c ′, 111c ″, 111c ³ ′ as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. That is, when the user 1 requests to reproduce or delete the content 111a, as shown in FIG. 12A, the user 1 indicates that the contents A and B are already being viewed. In addition, the content B is in a parental lock state and other users cannot view the content with a circle “P”, and the content C is still being viewed. It indicates that it is not in a state.

  If the user 2 has instructed to display the content list on the screen, as shown in FIG. 12B, only the content C is currently available, and the user 2 still views the content C. A circle “L” indicates that the data is not erased but is erase-locked. Note that the user 2 has already been deleted as viewing unnecessary for the content A as shown in FIG. 11A, and the user 1 sets the parental lock for the content B as shown in FIG. 11B. Are in a state that cannot be used, and both are deleted from the content list.

  Further, when the user 3 instructs the screen display of the content list, as shown in FIG. 12C, the user 3 is in a state where only the content A is currently available, and has already viewed the content A. A circle “O” indicates that the image is in the erased state, and a circle “L” indicates that the device is in the erase lock state. Note that the content B is in an unusable state because the user 1 has set parental lock as shown in FIG. 11B, and the content C is in an erase lock state as shown in FIG. 11C. However, it has already been deleted and has been deleted, and both have been deleted from the content list.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the viewing state is a circle “O” (Observation), the parental lock state is a circle “P” (Parental Lock), and the erase lock state is a circle “L” (Lock to Erase). Although the list is displayed using each of the marks, it may be displayed using different symbols or symbols, or in some cases, some or all of the states can be identified The display may not be used.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, information indicating the user (recorder) who recorded the contents A, B, and C in the content recording unit 111 and the information indicating the recording date and time are not displayed. However, it is also possible to further improve the convenience of each user for each content by displaying such information. As described above, when the information indicating the recording person and the information regarding the recording date and time are also displayed in the content list, the recording person and the recording date and time are set in the content management table 111b ′ shown in FIG. .

  Normally, the recorder who recorded the content 111a in the content recording unit 111 sets the parental lock state and the erasure lock state, but this is not necessarily the case, and other users can The parental lock state and the erasure lock state may be set, or in some cases, the user to be locked may be designated and set. When the screen is displayed, the user name to which the lock is set may be displayed together.

  Next, returning to the flowchart showing the content reproduction / deletion operation in FIG. 9, the contents of the subsequent content reproduction / deletion operation will be described. In step S903, when the content list created by the list display processing unit 112 is displayed as a list on the display 106 via the output unit 105, for example, the user 1 who has instructed playback / deletion uses the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109. By operating, a specific content 111a, for example, content A is selected from the content list displayed as shown in FIG. 12A, and reproduction or deletion of the selected content A is instructed. If such a selection instruction is given, it is next determined whether playback or deletion is instructed for the content A selected by the user 1 (steps S904 and S905).

  First, if it is determined that playback of the selected content A is instructed (YES in step S904), prior to starting the playback operation, first, the content information table 111c (see FIG. The viewing state flag of the user 1 in the content information table 111c ′) in the case of 11 (A) is determined (step S906). Unlike the case of the content information table 111c ′ in FIG. 11A, when the viewing state flag is “0” (OFF) (NO in step S906), the user 1 plays the selected content A for the first time. Thus, the system control unit 107 sequentially reads the content A from the top recording position of the selected content A in the content recording unit 111, and the reproduction processing unit 104 and the output unit 105. The reproduction operation for displaying the screen on the display 106 is started (step S910), and after the reproduction operation is completed, this processing is terminated. Details of the reproduction operation shown in step S910 will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the viewing state flag of the user 1 is “1” (ON) as in the case of the content information table 111c ′ in FIG. 11A, the selected content A is selected (YES in step S906). This means that the user 1 is already in the viewing state, and the viewing interruption position for each user of the selected content A (that is, the reproduction from the reproduction interruption position where the reproduction was interrupted in the past is resumed). The viewing state table 111d in which the resume playback position indicating the position is registered is read from the content recording unit 111 (step S907).

  Here, although the details will be described later, the viewing state table 111d includes, for each content 111a, a plurality of history of viewing suspension positions (playback suspension positions) where viewing of each user has been suspended in the past for the selected content A, for example. It is configured to be able to be set over and over, and the user can select any of the viewing interruption positions from among the viewing interruption positions at which the viewing was interrupted in the past, thereby specifying any viewing interruption. Resume playback is possible to resume viewing even from the position. For example, in the case where there are a plurality of viewing interruption positions where the user 1 has interrupted viewing in the past as a favorite scene and re-viewed as the favorite scene, the viewing interruption positions at the plurality of locations are viewed. It can be stored in the state table 111d, and the user can select any favorite scene from past favorite scenes and immediately replay it.

  The system control unit 107 displays a plurality of viewing interruption positions (that is, resume reproduction positions) that the user 1 has interrupted in the past from the viewing state table 111 d read from the content recording unit 111 with respect to the selected content A on the display 106. (Step S908), and prompts the user 1 to select from which resume playback position to resume playback. When the user 1 selects any one of the resume playback positions from the operation unit 108, the remote control 109, or the like, the system control unit 107 specifies the resume playback position indicating the playback restart position of the content A (step S909), and step S910. The system control unit 107 sequentially reads the content A from the specified resume playback position of the content A in the content storage unit 111 and displays it via the playback processing unit 104 and the output unit 105. The reproduction operation for displaying the screen on 106 is started, and this processing is terminated.

  Next, an operation for erasing the content 111a will be described. First, in step S905 of FIG. 9, if it is determined that the content A selected by the user 1 is not instructed to be erased (NO in step S905), the content A selected by the user 1 is instructed to be played or erased. In this case, the present processing for reproducing / deleting contents is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the user 1 has instructed to delete the selected content A (YES in step S905), the content information table 111c (the content information table in the case of FIG. 11A) is selected for the selected content A. It is determined whether or not the erasure lock for the user 1 in 111c ′) is set to “1” (on) and the erasure is locked (step S911). Unlike the case of the content information table 111c ′ in FIG. 11A, when it is determined that the user 1 has the deletion lock “1” (ON) and is in the deletion lock state (YES in step S911), the user The content A selected by 1 is in the erasure lock state, and a warning is displayed on the display 106 to the effect that the erasure instruction for the content A is invalid.

  As for the user set in the deletion lock state for the selected content A, as described above, the deletion status of the user in the content information table 111c related to the content A is changed only when viewing of the content A is ended. The flag shown is automatically set to “1” (ON), and it is set that the erasable state has been reached.

  On the other hand, as in the case of the content information table 111c ′ in FIG. 11A, when it is determined that the deletion lock of the user 1 regarding the content A is “0” (off) and is not in the deletion lock state. (NO in step S911), assuming that the deletion instruction related to the user 1 of the content A is valid, the flag of the deleted status of the user 1 in the content information table 111c ′ of FIG. “1” (ON) is set, and the usable state of the user 1 related to the content A in the content management table 111b ′ shown in FIG. 10 is canceled and the unusable state is set (step S912). As far as the user 1 is concerned, the sharing state of the content A is canceled and the content A is removed from the content recording unit 111. Removed by and also set a good state.

  Next, the rewritten content information table 111c ′ and content management table 111b ′ are written in the content recording unit 111 (steps S913 and S914), and the content information of FIG. Update processing of the table 111c ′ and the content management table 111b ′ of FIG. 10 is completed.

Thereafter, with reference to the content management table 111b ′ of FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not there are other users who can still use the user who shares the content A (step S915).
When no user who can currently use the content A is registered in the content management table 111b ′ (YES in step S915), it is not necessary to record the content A in the content recording unit 111. In order to organize the recorded contents of the content recording unit 111 and increase the free space, the content A itself is erased from the content recording unit 111 (step S916) and displayed on the display 106. The display content displayed on the screen as the content list related to the user 1 is updated, and the processing ends as the display content in which the content A is deleted.

  On the other hand, when the user who can use the content A is still registered in the content management table 111b ′ (NO in step S915), there is still a user who uses the content 111a. Therefore, the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 is left as it is, and only the display content displayed on the display 106 as a content list related to the user 1 is updated, and the content A is deleted. As the contents, this processing is terminated. That is, in such a case, the content A itself recorded in the content recording unit 111 is not deleted, and the content list displayed for the user 1 who has selected to delete the content A includes the content A A is erased and is no longer displayed, and the user 1 can no longer use the content A.

  In step S915, only the content management table 111b ′ shown in FIG. 10 is referred to determine whether there is still a user who can currently use the content A. Also, the content information table 111c ′ shown in FIG. 11A reflecting the sharing state related to the content A may be referred to.

  That is, referring to the content information table 111c ′, if the content A is not set to the parental lock state, the erased status flag of the content information table 111c ′ related to the content A is set to “ It is determined whether the content A is set to the parental lock state. On the other hand, when the content A is set to the parental lock state, the user who has set the parental lock state issues an instruction to delete the content A. Then, by determining whether or not the erased status flag of the content information table 111c ′ is set to “1” (ON), the content information table 111c ′ is combined with the shared status, that is, the available status of the content management table 111b ′. It is determined whether or not to delete the content A from the recording unit 111 It may be, it is possible to further improve the reliability against erasing from the content recording unit 111 of the content A.

  Alternatively, in some cases, it is determined whether to delete the content A from the content recording unit 111 based on only the content information table 111c ′ of FIG. 11A without using the content management table 111b ′ of FIG. It is also good to do.

  Next, the management status of each of the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c and the change in display contents of the content list when an instruction to delete the content 111a or an instruction to cancel the parental lock setting will be further described.

For example, when the content management table 111b ′ in FIG. 10 and the content information tables 111c ′, 111c ″, and 111c ³ ′ in FIG. 11 are in the management state, as described above with reference to the flowchart in FIG. When the deletion of the content A is instructed based on the list display of the content list as shown in FIG. 12A, the management state related to the content A is the content A deleted processing related to the user 1 in steps S912 to S914. 13 are rewritten as shown in the content management table 111b ′ ₋₁ in FIG. 13 and the content information tables 111c ′ ₋₁ , 111c ″ ₋₁ , 111c ³ ′ ₋₁ in FIG. Therefore, the screen displayed on the display 106 Ceiling list is changed to the display contents of the content list as shown in FIG. 15 from the display content of FIG.

Here, FIG. 13 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the content management table when the user 1 instructs to delete the content A in the content management table 111b ′ shown in FIG. 10, and the content management table 111b ′ in FIG. _{In the case of -1} , the sharing setting of the user 1 is deleted for the content A, and the user 1 is changed to an unusable state.

14 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the content information table when the user 1 instructs to delete the content A in the content information tables 111c ′, 111c ″, 111c ³ ′ shown in FIG. The content information table 111c′- _{1 in} (A) indicates the management status of each user regarding the content A, and the erased status flag of the user 1 is rewritten from “0” (off) to “1” (on). Although the status is changed, the content information table 111c ″ _-1 indicating the management status of each user related to the content B shown in FIG. 14B and the management status of each user related to the content C shown in FIG. Each content information table of the content information table 111c ³ ′ _-1 is the same as that shown in FIG. The same management state remains unchanged from the content information table 111c ″ and 111c ³ ′ in FIG. 11C.

  FIG. 15 is a screen display diagram showing an example of display contents of the content list when the user 1 instructs to delete the content A in the content list shown in FIG. 12, and relates to the user 1 shown in FIG. Information on the content A that has been instructed to be deleted is not displayed from the content list. However, the content lists related to the users 2 and 3 shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C are shown in FIGS. The display content remains the same without changing from the display content of (C).

Here, each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 is erased by all registered users who have registered that the content management apparatus 100 is to be used (ie, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A). When the erased status flags of the content information table 111c′- ₁ relating to the content A are all “1” (on), the content recording unit 111 configured from a recording medium such as a large-capacity hard disk device for the first time The content 111a (content A in FIG. 14A described above) is deleted. By adopting such an erasing method, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a problem that the content 111a in a state where any of the registered users has not yet finished viewing is arbitrarily erased and cannot be viewed. Can do.

  However, if there is a registered user whose deleted status flag is not always “1” (on), the content 111 a remains recorded in the content recording unit 111. Even if the content recording unit 111 is made of a recording medium such as a large-capacity hard disk, it is possible to assume a situation in which the free space of the content recording unit 111 is insufficient. Forcibly erasing means may be provided that forcibly erases the content 111a from the content recording unit 111 when the storage period has elapsed. Note that a message for confirming forcible erasure is displayed on the display 106 before the content 111a is forcibly erased from the content recording unit 111 by the forced erasure unit when the continuous storage period has elapsed. You may make it display and confirm with a user.

Further, as shown in the content management table 111b ′ ₋₁ in FIG. 13 and the content B shown in the content information tables 111c ′ ₋₁ , 111c ″ ₋₁ , 111c ³ ′ ₋₁ in FIG. When the lock is set and the viewing restriction state is set for the other users, that is, the users 2 and 3, since only the user 1 is available in the content management table 111b′- ₁ , this stage When the user 1 instructs the content recording unit 111 to delete the content B, there is no shared user who can use the content B. Therefore, other users who are restricted in viewing, that is, the users 2 and 3 The content B is erased from the content recording unit 111 without viewing.

However, in the management state shown in the content management table 111b ′ ₋₁ in FIG. 13 and the content information tables 111c ′ ₋₁ , 111c ″ ₋₁ , 111c ³ ′ ₋₁ in FIG. 14, the content information table 111c in FIG. _{'-2, 111c} "-2, 111c ^3' as shown _-2, user 1 parental lock flag related to the content B" if 0 "to disable the viewing restriction state (or off), that is, When the parental lock state related to the content B is released, the user 2 and 3 are also set in a state where the content B can be used, and the content B is shared with the users 1, 2, and 3. management table 111b _'-1, the content management table 111b shown in FIG. _16' as _-2, Yu And administrative state of The 2 and 3 are changed, in a state that has been shared by three users 1, 2, and 3. Thus, in the content list displayed on the display 106, as shown in FIG. 18, the parental lock display circle “P” relating to the content B of the user 1 is deleted, and the content list of the users 2 and 3 is displayed. The content B is displayed as a list.

Here, FIG. 16 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the content management table when the user 1 instructs to release the parental lock of the content B in the content management table 111b′- ₁ shown in FIG. Is in a state where it has been changed to a state where it can be shared and used by three users A, B, and C.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the content information table when the user 1 instructs to release the parental lock of the content B in the content information tables 111c ′ ₋₁ , 111c ″ ₋₁ , 111c ³ ′ ₋₁ shown in FIG. In the content information table 111c ″ _-2 in FIG. 17B showing the management status of each user regarding the content B, the parental lock setting flag of the user 1 is “1” (ON). The content is changed from “0” (off) to “0” (off), but the content information table 111c′- ₂ showing the management state of each user regarding the content A shown in FIG. 17A and FIG. each content information of the content information table 111c ³ _'-2 indicating the management status of each user about the content C shown Table, each view 14 (A) without changing from _-1 content information table 111c _'111c ³ _-1 and FIG. 14 (C)' the remains exactly the same management state.

  FIG. 18 is a screen display diagram showing an example of the display contents of the content list when the user 1 instructs to release the parental lock of the content B in the content list shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. In the content list related to the user 1 shown, the information of the circle “P” indicating the parental lock related to the content B is not displayed. However, the content list related to the user 2 and the user 3 shown in FIG. 18B and FIG. In the content list, the content B for which the parental lock state is released is updated so that the content is added to the display contents of FIGS. 15B and 15C and displayed in a list.

That is, for the parental lock, the content information table 111c (for example, the content related to the content B shown in FIG. 14B) is displayed when the parental lock is set or released as in the case of the deletion instruction. The parental lock flag of the information table 111c′- ₁ and the content information table 111c ″ _-2 ) regarding the content B shown in FIG. 17B is set to “1” (on) or “0” (off), and the content The available state (shared state) of the management table 111b (for example, the content management table 111b′- ₁ shown in FIG. 13 or the content management table 111b′- ₂ shown in FIG. 16) is updated, and the content list is linked together. Update the list display contents.

As for parental lock, as a typical example of viewing restrictions, parental locking that restricts viewing according to age has been described as an example, but it is not limited to viewing restrictions based on age. As described above, any method for specifying a user whose viewing is restricted may be designated.
Furthermore, for example, a locking method may be used in which a user who restricts viewing is designated. In such a case, the content list 111a set as the target of viewing restriction is included in the content list of the designated user. Disappears.

  In the case of parental lock that restricts viewing according to age, it is generally difficult to assume that the viewing restriction related to the content 111a that has been restricted from viewing is released. For purposes such as privacy protection, when a user name is specified and viewing restrictions regarding a specific user are set, even if the viewing restriction is initially set in the content recording unit 111, In some cases, the viewing restriction may be canceled. Therefore, in the content management apparatus and the content management method according to the present invention, when the parental lock setting is canceled as in the above-described embodiment, the sharing state that can be used by users who are restricted in viewing is set. Is considered to be.

  As described above, according to the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the content recording unit 111 formed of a recording medium such as a hard disk is shared by a plurality of users, and any content recorded by any user can be obtained. A content management table 111b that sets a shared state indicating whether or not each user can be used in association with each content for each of the plurality of contents 111a recorded on the recording medium, that is, the content recording unit 111; In addition, the setting status of usage restriction information including viewing restrictions such as parental lock and erasure instruction restrictions such as erasure lock, and the presence / absence of viewing and the erasability required when viewing is terminated / viewing terminated (erased status) Content that sets management information for each user for the content, including usage status Information table 111c, even when a plurality of users share the same recording medium, that is, the content recording unit 111 and record a plurality of contents 111a, the sharing status of each user, viewing / erasing, etc. for each content You can manage the usage status.

  Thus, it is possible to easily manage the sharing status and usage status of each user regarding each content 111a recorded in the recording medium of the content management apparatus 100, that is, the content recording unit 111, and each user can handle each content 111a. It becomes more convenient and enables a usage form more suitable for practical use. That is, since each content can be managed for each user with respect to a plurality of contents 111a recorded in the shared recording medium, that is, the content recording unit 111, the viewing situation of each content and the recording medium, that is, the content A plurality of users can independently perform erasure from the recording unit 111 (that is, arrangement of recording media) without being disturbed by other users.

  Further, any user can record and listen to the content 111a recorded in the recording medium, that is, the content recording unit 111, by all the users who share and use the content management apparatus 100. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid troubles such as erasing from the recording medium, that is, the content recording unit 111 before viewing the content 111a. In addition, when it is desired to restrict viewing of the content 111a recorded in the recording medium, that is, the content recording unit 111, to other users (for example, parental lock for a user who has not reached the age due to age restrictions or the like). If it is desired to set, the setting of viewing restriction can be reflected to other users, so that the viewing of other users can be restricted with respect to the corresponding content 111a.

  Next, the reproduction operation in step S910 shown in FIG. 9 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the content reproduction operation when reproducing the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 of the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention. The description is centered on the table 111d, that is, the viewing state table 111d in which the history of the viewing interruption position (that is, the reproduction interruption position) at which each user has interrupted the viewing is set for each content 111a.

  When the reproduction of the designated content 111a is started, when the content 111a is reproduced for the first time, the viewing state table 111d related to the content 111a has not been created yet. Accordingly, at the start of the flowchart of FIG. 19, it is confirmed whether or not the viewing state table 111d related to the content 111a has already been created (step S1901). If it has not been created yet (NO in step S1901), the content 111a Is reproduced for the first time, and in preparation for the occurrence of a viewing interruption that may occur after the reproduction of the content 111a, that is, by the control of the viewing state table setting unit 110d of the content table management unit 110, A viewing state table 111d related to the content 111a is created in advance and stored in the content recording unit 111 (step S1902).

  Note that the viewing information table 111d is similar to the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c, in some cases, a different recording medium (for example, the system control unit 107) different from the content recording unit 111 for recording the content 111a. The program may be stored in a high-speed memory 107A) in which programs and data for controlling the operation are stored.

  Here, as described above, the viewing state table 111d includes, for each content 111a, one or more history records of positions at which each user has interrupted viewing and playback stopped in the past. A table having a table configuration as shown in FIG. 20, for example, which can be set and registered as (playback interruption position) is created for each content 111a by the viewing state table setting unit 110d of the content table management unit 110. One or a plurality of viewing interruption positions (reproduction interruption positions) are set for each user, and resume reproduction can be performed from the viewing interruption positions arbitrarily selected by each user. FIG. 20 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a viewing state table for setting a history of viewing interruption positions (reproduction interruption positions) for each user with respect to each content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111. The content A of the plurality of contents 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 is shown.

  That is, in the viewing state table 111d related to the content A shown in FIG. 20, in the past, three users 1, 2, and 3 may have stopped viewing while viewing, and the user 1 is “1” of the content A, respectively. , “4”, “6” may have been interrupted three times, and User 2 may have been interrupted twice at the contents “3”, “5” recording positions, respectively. 3 indicates that the recording position “2” of the content A has been interrupted once. In the present embodiment of the viewing state table 111d shown in FIG. 20, the recording position of the content recording unit 111 relating to the content A is used as information indicating the playback interruption position set in the viewing state table 111d. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case.

  For example, it may be set in a format in which different serial numbers are given in order of oldness interrupted in time series for each user, and the serial numbers different for each user are associated with the recording positions of the content recording unit 111, Alternatively, a reproduction interruption date / time at which reproduction is interrupted for each user may be assigned, and the reproduction interruption date / time may be set in correspondence with the recording position of the content recording unit 111 for each user. Depending on the situation, an individual scene name or thumbnail image indicating a scene where the playback interruption position can be specified is used, and the scene name or thumbnail image and the recording position of the content recording unit 111 are associated with each other. May be.

  FIG. 21 shows the reproduction interruption position such as the viewing state table 111d related to the content A shown in FIG. 20 in association with the recording position on the content recording unit 111 where the content A is recorded. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between the history of the reproduction interruption position for each user regarding the content A and the recording position on the content recording unit 111 where the content A is recorded. FIG. 20 shows a history of reproduction interruption positions at which three users 1, 2, and 3 interrupt reproduction (viewing) between the first recording position “0” and the last recording position “N” of content A, respectively. It is shown in correspondence with the viewing state table 111d shown.

  Next, in step S906 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, for example, as in the case of the user 2 in the content information table 111c ′ in the case of FIG. 11A, the viewing state flag relating to the user in the content information table 111c of the content A Is in the state of “0” (off) (when NO in step S906 in FIG. 9), the user is in a state of viewing content A for the first time, and the content recording unit 111 The operation of sequentially reading and reproducing from the head recording position of the content A (that is, the position of “0” in FIG. 21) is started, and the viewing state flag of the user in the content information table 111c regarding the content A is set to “1” (ON ) (Step S1903).

  On the other hand, in step S906 of the flowchart of FIG. 9, for example, as in the case of user 1 in the content information table 111c ′ in FIG. When the reproduction operation is started from the state of “1” (ON) (YES in step S906 in FIG. 9), the user is already viewing the content A, and the step in FIG. Resume playback position related to the content A selected and designated by the user in S909 (ie, in the case of the user 1 shown in FIG. 20, the playback interruption position set in the viewing state table 111d related to the content A) Playback interruption position selected from “1”, “4”, and “6” Sequentially read from starting the operation of reproducing (step S1903).

  Here, when the user selects a resume playback position (playback interruption position) in step S909 of FIG. 9, prior to the selection, as shown in step 908 of FIG. 9, the user can select the resume playback that can be selected. A list of positions is displayed on the display 10 as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 22 is a screen display diagram showing an example in which a list of resume playback positions that can be selected by the user instructing resume playback from the playback interruption position is displayed. The viewing state table 111c in FIG. The display example of the resume reproduction position for each user when the reproduction of the content A as shown in FIG.

  That is, FIG. 22A shows a list of resume playback positions that can be selected by the user 1 with respect to the content A. The user 1 has recorded “1” in the past and then “4”. FIG. 22B shows a list of resume playback positions that can be selected by the user 2 for the content A, indicating that playback is interrupted at the recording position, and further at the recording position “6”. Yes, it shows that the user 2 has interrupted playback in the past at the recording position of “3” and then at the recording position of “5”, and FIG. The resume reproduction position is displayed as a list, and shows that the user 3 has interrupted reproduction at the recording position “2” in the past.

  Here, in the screen display example shown in FIG. 22, the case where the list is displayed with information indicating the recording position itself on the content recording unit 111 common to each user regarding the content A is shown. Any information can be used to display the list as long as the information can be used to understand the position at which playback is interrupted. For example, as described above, the scene name or thumbnail that can be used to understand the position at which playback is interrupted. A list may be displayed using images, or information regarding the playback interruption date and time at which playback was interrupted may be displayed, or a different serial number for each user (the first time of user 1) The list may be displayed by using the reproduction interruption, the second reproduction interruption of the user 1,... It may be a list displayed using any combination of species information.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 19, after the playback operation is started as described above, the user continues to watch and continues to watch without performing any operation that interrupts playback. (NO in step S1904), the deletion status flag of the user in the content information table 111c related to the content A is set to “1” (ON) to indicate that the content A can be deleted when viewing ends. (Step S1908), after writing and saving in the content recording unit 111 (Step S1909), resetting the available state related to the user in the content management table 111b for managing the shared state of the content A and sharing it. Rewrite from state to not shared (step S1910), content To write and save the recording unit 111 (step S1911).

  On the other hand, after the playback operation is started, when the user performs an operation to stop playback for some reason from the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109 to interrupt viewing (YES in step S1904), from the content recording unit 111 The viewing state table 111d is read (step S1905), and the playback interruption position at which the user interrupted playback is set as shown in the example of the viewing state table 111d in FIG. 20 (step S1906), and the content recording unit 111 is set. (Step S1907).

  Here, as information that can specify the reproduction interruption position on the content recording unit 111 set in the viewing state table 111d in step S1906, for example, the viewing state table 111d in FIG. 20 and the schematic diagram in FIG. As described above, it may be the recording position itself of the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, or a time indicating the address position and time of the MPEG video stream of the digital television broadcast signal constituting the content 111a. A marker may be used, and any position calculation means or recording method may be used as long as it can specify the reproduction interruption position.

  Further, as described above, when a list of resume playback positions (that is, playback interruption positions) that can be selected by each user is displayed, each user can easily understand their resume playback positions (that is, playback interruption positions). In association with information that can specify the playback interruption position, a serial number for each user (user 1's first playback interruption, user 1's second playback interruption, ...) is assigned, and / or Alternatively, it may be set in the viewing state table 111d by giving a reproduction interruption date and time when the reproduction is interrupted and / or adding a scene name or a thumbnail image that can understand the reproduction interruption position.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 19, by providing the viewing state table 111d that can store a plurality of reproduction interruption positions for each content 111a, it is possible to hold a plurality of reproduction interruption positions for each content 111a. Since each content 111a can be set for each user with a reproduction interruption position, each user can comfortably perform resume reproduction (viewing) and editing of each content 111a from the user's reproduction interruption position. Is possible.

  Furthermore, since each user can independently set the reproduction interruption position of each content 111a, the reproduction interruption position of the content indicating that a certain user has viewed halfway is overwritten by another user. There is no loss. Furthermore, since each user can set a plurality of playback interruption positions for each content 111a, even if there are a plurality of favorite scenes or the like in each content 111a, any favorite It can be played immediately from any scene.

  In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 22, the content management apparatus 100 according to the present invention registers / identifies a user who uses the content management apparatus 100 as shown in the block diagram of FIG. The case where the user information table management unit 113 is provided and the user information table 111e is stored in the content recording unit 111 has been described as an example. In other words, each user who uses the content management apparatus 100 is registered in advance in the user information table 111e so that user authentication is performed for use. However, the content management apparatus and the content management method according to the present invention are not limited to such a case, and even if the user is not authenticated, the content recorded in the content recording unit 111 It is possible to continue playback from the playback interruption position after 111a is played back or interrupted during playback.

  For example, the following content management can be performed. 23 is a block configuration diagram showing an example of a block configuration different from the content management device 100 of FIG. 1 of the content management device according to the present invention. From the content management device 100 shown in FIG. And a user information table 111e created and managed by the user information table management unit 113 is shown as a block configuration of the content management apparatus 100 ′. The block configuration of the content management apparatus 100 ′ does not include the user information table management unit 113, so that user authentication relating to registration / identification of the user to be used cannot be performed, but other circuit blocks are shown in FIG. By adopting the same configuration as that of the content management apparatus 100, it is possible to perform the recording / reproducing / erasing operations of the content 111a exactly as in the case of a user authenticated by the user.

  For example, the content recording unit 111 ′ includes the content management table 111b and the content information table 111c, so that the content 111a can be recorded in the content recording unit 111 ′, and the content 111a designated from the content recording unit 111 ′ can be reproduced / played. It is also possible to delete the same as in the case of the user authenticated as described above. Alternatively, by providing the content recording unit 111 ′ with the viewing state table 111d, for each of a plurality of users who have not authenticated the history regarding the interruption of the reproduction of the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111 ′, Saving can be performed in the same manner as in the case of a user authenticated by the user.

  That is, for example, regarding the viewing state table for setting the playback interruption position, even if the user is not user-authenticated, by inputting some user identification information that can identify the user, the viewing state table shown in FIG. A viewing state table having the same configuration as the state table 111d may be used to set a reproduction interruption position for each of a plurality of users who have not been authenticated, or, for example, as shown in FIG. In addition, a viewing state table 111d ′ having a format in which only the reproduction interruption position (resume reproduction position) corresponding to each content is set in time series in common for all the users who are not authenticated by the user may be provided. good.

  In such a case, when each user selects any one of the plurality of reproduction interruption positions related to the content 111a to be reproduced and resumes playback from the reproduction interruption position, FIG. As shown in step S908 of the flowchart, a list of resume playback positions common to all users is displayed based on the viewing state table 111d ', so that an arbitrary playback interruption position desired by the user, that is, a resume playback position can be obtained. It can be made to select.

  FIG. 24 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the viewing state table for setting the history of the viewing interruption position (reproduction interruption position) of each user for each content, which is different from the viewing state table 111d of FIG. Unlike the viewing state table 111d shown in FIG. 20, it shows an example in which the reproduction interruption position is set in time series in common for any user, not for each user individually. In the viewing state table 111d ′ shown in FIG. 24, for example, content A is recorded in the order of recording positions “1”, “3”, “2”, “5”, “4”, “6” of the content recording unit 111 ′. It is shown that the reproduction interruption of time has been performed in time series.

  In the case of the setting example of the viewing state table 111d ′ in FIG. 24, when a resume reproduction position is displayed in a list in step S908 of the flowchart in FIG. In accordance with the setting order of the viewing state table 111d ′ shown, the six playback interruption positions “1”, “3”, “2”, “5”, “4”, “6” are used as they are, or the content recording unit 111 'is rearranged into six playback interruption positions of “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6” in order of the recording position, and further playback from the top recording position. "0" indicating the head position of the content A is added, and the list is displayed on the display 106. Furthermore, in order to make it easier for the user to understand the respective playback interruption positions, the scene names and thumbnail images may be used for display, or information regarding the playback interruption date and time at which playback was interrupted may be displayed. Also good.

  Also, in the viewing state table 111d ′ shown in FIG. 24, by adding a table in a format different from the case of the viewing state table 111d shown in FIG. You may make it possible to identify the user who interrupted reproduction | regeneration at the reproduction | regeneration interruption position. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, a separate viewing state table 111d ″ that can set the user identification information for which reproduction has been interrupted may be provided in a format associated with the viewing state table 111d ′ shown in FIG.

  That is, even if the user is not authenticated, user identification information that can identify each user who has interrupted playback is input from the operation unit 108 or the remote control 109, and the input user identification information is viewed separately. For example, when the user interrupts playback of the content A, the playback interruption position is set in the viewing state table 111d ′ shown in FIG. The reproduction interruption position set in the viewing state table 111d ′ is also set in the separate viewing state table 111d ″ so as to be associated with the user identification information of the user who has stopped reproduction set in 111d ″.

  FIG. 25 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of another viewing status table 111d ″ for setting user identification information of the user who has interrupted playback as a format associated with the viewing status table 111d ′ shown in FIG. In the same manner as in the viewing state table 111d ', a case where a format that is sequentially set in time series is used is shown. For example, the reproduction interruption position "1" is user A, "3" is user B, “2” indicates user C, “5” indicates user B, and “4” and “6” indicate that user A is interrupting playback. The setting format of the viewing state table 111d ′ and the separate viewing state table 111d ″ is not limited to such a case, and the viewing state table 111d ′ is arranged in the order of the recording positions of the content A in the content recording unit 111 ′. The serial number may be set to be associated with the recording position, or the scene name or the thumbnail image may be set to be associated with the recording position. On the other hand, the separate viewing state table 111d ″ has the viewing state. As information for associating with the table 111d ', the address information or serial number of the corresponding viewing state table 111d' may be set for each user to be associated.

  The content management apparatus and the content management method according to the present invention are not limited to the examples shown in the above-described embodiments, and for example, receive a television broadcast signal as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. Even if the content recording unit 111, 111 'is built in the receiver and the content 111a recorded in the content recording unit 111, 111' is not managed, it is input via a wired / wireless line. It may be applied to an information processing apparatus that records and manages content and content that is read by mounting removable media on a large-capacity recording medium shared by a plurality of users, or The content to be managed is not limited to video information such as digital TV broadcast signals, but only audio information. Of course, the information may be text information or any form, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist described above. It is.

It is a block block diagram which shows an example of the block configuration of the content management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the user registration operation | movement for registering the user who utilizes the content management apparatus concerning this invention beforehand. It is a screen display figure which shows an example of the display content of the user registration / identification screen for registering / identifying the user who uses a content management apparatus. It is a table block diagram which shows an example of the user information table which stores the information which registers / identifies the user who uses a content management apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the user identification operation | movement for identifying the user who uses the content management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the content recording operation | movement in the case of recording a content in the content management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a table block diagram which shows an example of the content management table which manages the sharing state of the user regarding each content currently recorded on the content recording part. It is a table block diagram which shows an example of the content information table which manages the utilization condition for each user of each content recorded on a content recording part, and a utilization restriction setting condition. A content list related to content recorded in the content recording unit of the content management apparatus according to the present invention is displayed as a list, and content playback / deletion when the specified content is played / deleted with reference to the displayed content list It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement. It is a table structure figure which shows the example different from FIG. 7 of the content management table which manages the sharing state of the user of the content currently recorded on the content recording part. FIG. 9 is a table configuration diagram showing an example different from FIG. 8 of a content information table for managing the usage status and usage limit setting status of each content recorded in a content recording unit for each user. It is a screen display figure which shows an example of the display content of the content list which shows the management state of each content currently recorded on the content recording part. FIG. 11 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of a content management table when a user 1 instructs to delete content A in the content management table illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of a content information table when a user 1 instructs to delete content A in the content information table illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a screen display diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a content list when a user 1 instructs to delete content A in the content list illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of a content management table when a user 1 gives an instruction to release parental lock of content B in the content management table illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of a content information table when a user 1 instructs release of parental lock of content B in the content information table illustrated in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a screen display diagram illustrating an example of display contents of the content list when the user 1 instructs to release parental lock of the content B in the content list illustrated in FIG. 15. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the content reproduction | regeneration operation | movement in the case of reproducing | regenerating the content currently recorded on the content recording part of the content management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a table block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the viewing-and-listening state table which sets the log | history of the viewing interruption position (reproduction interruption position) for every user regarding each content currently recorded on the content recording part. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically an example of the correspondence of the log | history of the reproduction | regeneration interruption position for every user regarding a content, and the recording position on the content recording part in which the said content is recorded. It is a screen display figure which shows an example which is displaying the list of the resume reproduction | regeneration positions which can be selected by the user who instruct | indicates the resume reproduction | regeneration from a reproduction | regeneration interruption position. It is a block block diagram which shows the example of a block structure different from the content management apparatus of FIG. 1 of the content management apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 21 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a viewing state table that sets a history of each user's playback interruption position for each content, different from the viewing state table of FIG. 20. FIG. 25 is a table configuration diagram illustrating an example of another viewing state table that sets user identification information of a user who has interrupted playback as a format associated with the viewing management table of FIG. 24. It is a table block diagram which shows the content management table of the prior art described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-16762. It is a table block diagram which shows the content management table of the prior art of Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2002-112201.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,100 '... Content management apparatus, 101 ... Antenna, 102 ... Tuner, 103 ... Reception processing part, 104 ... Reproduction processing part, 105 ... Output part, 106 ... Display, 107 ... System control part, 107A ... Memory, 108 ... Operation unit 109 ... remote control 110 110 content table management unit 110a content recording position management unit 110b content management table setting unit 110c content information table setting unit 110d viewing state table setting unit 111 111 ′ ... content recording unit, 111a ... _{content, 111b, 111b ', 111b'} -1, 111b '-2 ... content management ^{table, 111c, 111c', 111c "} , 111c 3 ', 111c' -1, 111c" -1, 111c ³ _'-1, 111c' ^{_{2, 111c "-2, 111c 3}} '-2 ... content information table, 111d, 111d' ... viewing status table 111d" ... another viewing status table, 111e, 111e ', 111e " , 111e 3' ... user information table, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 ... List display process part (content list creation means), 113 ... User information table management part (user registration / authentication means), 2601 ... User management table, 2602 ... Content management table, 2701 ... Recording medium, 2702 ... Content information table , 2703: Reproduction interruption position.

Claims (30)

  In a content management apparatus capable of managing a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium by a plurality of users and performing recording and reproduction, the sharing status of each user is managed with respect to the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium Content information table for creating a content management table for performing management, setting content management table setting means for setting management information, and managing the usage status and usage limit setting status of each user for each content Content information table setting means for setting management information, and the content management table set by the content management table setting means and the content information table set by the content information table setting means Based on the data recorded on the recording medium. Content management apparatus characterized by managing for each user to use content.   2. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content management table setting unit records the information on the recording medium based on the usage status and the usage restriction setting status for each user set in the content information table. A content management apparatus, wherein the sharing status regarding each user for each of a plurality of contents is set in the content management table.   The content management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content management table and / or the content information table are stored in the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the content to be managed is recorded. A content management apparatus.   4. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sharing status of users set in the content management table and / or the usage status for each user set in the content information table and Based on the usage restriction setting status, it comprises content list creating means for creating a content list showing contents usable for each user among a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, and created by the content list creating means A content management apparatus capable of using a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium using the content list.   5. The content management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when any user gives an instruction to use the content recorded on the recording medium, the content management device is created with respect to the user who has given the usage instruction by the content list creating means. A content management apparatus that displays the content list on a screen.   6. The content management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user selects any content to be used based on the content list displayed on the screen, and is represented by any reproduction or deletion of the content. A content management apparatus capable of giving an instruction.   7. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user who is not prohibited from erasing instructions for content whose sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. When instructed or when viewing ends, the content information table setting means performs the erased setting for the user who has instructed to erase the content information table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing; The content management apparatus, wherein the content management table setting means deletes the user who has instructed deletion from the content management table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing.   7. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user who is in a state in which an erasure instruction is prohibited has finished viewing the content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. In this case, the content information table setting unit sets the user who has finished viewing in the content information table related to the content, and the content management table setting unit sets the content management table setting unit from the content management table related to the content. A content management apparatus for deleting a user who has finished viewing.   The content management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein all users are deleted from the content management table related to the content for which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. And a content management apparatus for deleting the content from the recording medium.   7. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a certain user restricts viewing of other users specified by the content management table with respect to content in which a sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. When instructed, the content information table setting means performs setting for restricting viewing of the other user who is instructed to restrict viewing in the content information table related to the content, and the content management table setting means includes the content management table setting means. The content management apparatus, wherein the other user for whom viewing restriction is instructed is deleted from the content management table relating to content.   7. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a viewing restriction is set in the content information table related to the content for which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. A content management apparatus, wherein, when all non-existing users are deleted from the content management table corresponding to the content, the content is deleted from the recording medium.   The content management device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction for releasing the viewing restriction of the other user with respect to the content that is set in the content information table to restrict viewing of the designated other user. The content information table setting unit cancels the setting of viewing restrictions of the other user set in the content information table related to the content, and the content management table setting unit sets the content information table setting unit A content management apparatus, wherein the other user whose viewing restriction is removed is additionally registered in a content information table.   13. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction for setting prohibition of deletion instruction is given to a designated other user with respect to any one of the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium. If the designated other user is instructed to cancel the prohibition of deletion instruction, the content information table setting means prohibits the deletion instruction of the other user in the content information table related to the content. Or canceling the setting of prohibition of deletion instruction.   14. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, one to a plurality of histories of positions at which each user has interrupted reproduction in the past are recorded for each of the contents. A viewing state table that can be set as a reproduction interruption position, and includes a viewing state table setting unit that sets a reproduction interruption position. Based on the viewing state table, a plurality of recording states recorded on the recording medium are provided. A content management apparatus capable of managing one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions for each content.   15. The content management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the viewing state table is stored in the same recording medium as the recording medium on which the content for which the reproduction interruption position is registered is recorded. apparatus.   16. The content management apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when a user instructs playback of any one of a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, the content set in the viewing state table is set to 1 A content management apparatus capable of selecting an arbitrary reproduction interruption position from among the plurality of reproduction interruption positions and causing resume reproduction to be performed from the selected reproduction interruption position.   16. The content management apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when a user instructs playback of any of a plurality of content recorded on the recording medium, a playback instruction is issued from the viewing state table regarding the content. One or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions indicating the history of the user who has interrupted reproduction in the past are extracted, and the reproduction interruption arbitrarily selected from the extracted one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions A content management apparatus capable of performing resume reproduction from a position.   16. The content management apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when a user instructs playback of any one of a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, based on the viewing state table regarding the content, the past One or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions indicating the history of reproduction interruption are displayed on the screen.   16. The content management apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when a user instructs playback of any of a plurality of content recorded on the recording medium, a playback instruction is issued from the viewing state table regarding the content. A content management apparatus, wherein one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions indicating a history of the reproduction interruption of the user performed in the past are extracted and displayed on a screen.   20. The content management apparatus according to claim 18, wherein resume playback can be performed from a playback interruption position arbitrarily selected by a user among one or more of the playback interruption positions displayed on the screen. A content management apparatus characterized by the above.   21. The content management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein user registration is performed in advance for a user who uses a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, and the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium are used. A content management apparatus that performs user authentication as to whether or not a user to be used is registered in advance when performing the operation.   In a content management method capable of managing a plurality of contents recorded on a recording medium by a plurality of users and performing recording and reproduction, the sharing status of each user is managed with respect to the plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium Content management table for creating a content management table for setting information for management, and a content information table for managing the usage status and usage limit setting status of each user for each content And a content information table setting step for setting management information, the content management table set by the content management table setting step, and the content information table set by the content information table setting step, Based on the recording medium Content management method, characterized by managing the use of the recording a plurality of contents are for each user.   23. The content management method according to claim 22, wherein the content management table is recorded on the recording medium by the content management table setting step based on the usage status and the usage restriction setting status for each user set in the content information table. A content management method, wherein the sharing status for each user for each of a plurality of contents is set in the content management table.   24. The content management method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein a user who is not prohibited from erasure instruction has issued an erasure instruction with respect to content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. In this case, when the viewing is finished, the content information table setting step performs the erased setting for the user who has instructed to erase the content information table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing, and the content management A content management method, wherein the table setting step deletes the user who has instructed deletion from the content management table related to the content or the user who has finished viewing.   24. The content management method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein when a user who is in a state where an erasure instruction is prohibited ends viewing of content in which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table, The content information table setting step sets the user who has finished viewing the content information table related to the content to the erased setting, and the content management table setting step ends viewing from the content management table related to the content A content management method, wherein the user is deleted.   24. The content management method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein all users are deleted from the content management table related to the content for which the sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. And erasing the content from the recording medium.   25. The content management method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein a certain user gives an instruction to restrict viewing of a designated other user with respect to content in which a sharing status of one or more users is set in the content management table. In the case, or when an instruction to release the viewing restriction of the other user is given, the content information table setting step performs the viewing of the other user who has been instructed to restrict viewing in the content information table related to the content. The setting of restricting is performed, or the setting of the viewing restriction of the other user set in the content information table relating to the content is canceled, and the content management table setting step includes the content management table relating to the content, respectively. Viewing restriction instructions from Remove the other user has been made, or, in the content information table corresponding to the content, content management method, characterized in that additionally registers the another user who is releasing the parental restrictions.   28. The content management method according to claim 22, wherein for a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, one or more histories of positions at which each user has interrupted reproduction in the past are recorded for each of the contents. A viewing state table that can be set as a reproduction interruption position, and a viewing state table setting step for setting the reproduction interruption position, and a plurality of recording states recorded on the recording medium based on the viewing state table A content management method characterized in that one or a plurality of reproduction interruption positions can be managed for each content.   29. The content management method according to claim 28, wherein when a user instructs playback of any one of a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, one or more set in the viewing state table for the content A content management method, wherein an arbitrary reproduction interruption position is selected from the reproduction interruption positions, and resume reproduction can be performed from the selected reproduction interruption position.   29. The content management method according to claim 28, wherein when a user gives an instruction to reproduce any one of a plurality of contents recorded on the recording medium, an instruction to reproduce is made from the viewing state table relating to the content. One or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions indicating a history of the reproduction interruption of the user in the past are extracted, and the reproduction interruption position arbitrarily selected from the extracted one or a plurality of the reproduction interruption positions is extracted. A content management method characterized by being able to perform resume reproduction.

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