JP2005080013A - Information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more accurately calculate users' preference and to provide more proper programs to users. <P>SOLUTION: A preference information update section discriminates whether or not addition of preference information data has already been applied to video recording title information acquired in a step S24 and discriminates whether or not the number of operation times is a prescribed threshold value or over in a step S25 when the discrimination indicates no addition. When it is decided that the number of operation times is the prescribed threshold value or over, the preference information update section discriminates whether or not a value of a viewing time rate is a prescribed threshold value or over in a step S26, and when the discrimination shows that the value of the viewing time rate is the prescribed threshold value or over, the preference information update section updates preference information database in a step S27 so that the setting of the preference of the users to the program of the video recording title information is increased. The information processing apparatus or the like is applicable to e.g., video recording and reproducing apparatuses such as hard disk video recorders. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus and method capable of calculating a user's preference more accurately and providing a more appropriate program to the user. , A recording medium, and a program.

  Conventionally, for example, when viewing a program with a television receiver, a viewer (user) selects a program of a channel selected when the power is turned on (for example, a channel selected when the power is turned off before the power is turned on). Watch as it is, select a channel based on the viewer's memory and watch the desired program, search for the desired program by switching channels one after another (so-called zapping), A desired program is selected and viewed with reference to a program guide published in a newspaper or magazine, or an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) distributed by broadcasting or a network. There has been a television receiving apparatus in which a user can register a favorite channel in advance and can select a program within a group of the registered channel.

  When performing a recording process using a recording device that records (records) a television signal (television program) received via such a television receiving device, the user receives the program from the recording device. Direct recording operation during recording, program broadcast date and time and broadcast channel designation (recording reservation) in advance, recording reservation using G code in advance, program selection from EPG in advance By making a reservation, the recording apparatus is allowed to execute a recording process. In addition, a keyword can be registered in advance by a user, and a recording device that automatically selects a program to be recorded from an EPG or the like based on the registered keyword and records the program has existed.

  However, in recent years, with the spread of digital broadcasting, the number of television broadcasts has increased, and the broadcasting time has become longer, and the number of programs to be broadcast has increased. Therefore, it is not efficient for a user to search for a target program by zapping all these channels, or to search for a target program from EPG or the like, and is not efficient.

  Incidentally, in recent years, recording devices (hard disk recorders) that record television broadcast programs using a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk have become widespread. Some hard disk recorders can record a large number of programs having a total length exceeding 100 hours by recording programs on a hard disk having a capacity of several tens of gigabytes to several hundreds of gigabytes.

  Therefore, taking advantage of such a large storage capacity, the hard disk recorder not only records the program specifically designated by the user, but also records, for example, the history (or viewing of the television broadcast program actually viewed by the user). A method has been proposed in which a user's preference is analyzed based on time, the number of operations, and the like, and a program that is likely to be a user's preference (a program that is broadcast on television) is automatically recorded using the preference information (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-23589

  However, in the method as described above, the hard disk recorder calculates the preference based on the viewing time of the recorded program, and performs an operation (for example, fast forward, rewind, etc.) performed during playback of the recorded program. ) Is calculated individually based on the number of times. Therefore, for example, even when the user is not interested in the recorded program while playing the recorded program, has left his / her seat and is not viewing the program, the hard disk recorder May be viewed, and the degree of preference for the program (or the genre of the program, etc.) is increased, so that it may not be possible to perform recording processing according to the user's true degree of preference. There was a problem.

  In addition, the hard disk recorder adjusts the degree of preference according to the number of operations (for example, fast forward and rewind) performed during playback of the recorded program. In practice, however, the user is interested in the program. Because there is, it does not necessarily operate. Therefore, for example, even in a fast-forward operation performed when the user is not interested in the program, the hard disk recorder determines that the user is interested in the program, and the degree of preference for the program (or the genre of the program, etc.) As a result, there is a problem that recording processing according to the user's true preference level may not be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and calculates a user's preference level more accurately and can provide a more appropriate program to the user.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires first acquisition means for acquiring information related to the number of operations, which is information related to the number of operations performed by a user during reproduction of a program or content, and information related to the viewing time of the program or content. A first determination unit that determines whether the user has actually watched the program or content based on the information related to the number of operations acquired by the first acquisition unit; Whether or not the user is interested in the program or content that the user has actually viewed based on the determination result by the first determination unit based on the viewing time information acquired by the acquisition unit It is determined that the user is interested in the program or the content based on the determination result by the second determination unit and the second determination unit. If, characterized in that it comprises a first updating means for updating the preference information to increase the degree of preference of the user for programs or content.

  The information regarding the number of operations may be information regarding the number of times the user has performed an operation during the previous reproduction of the program or content.

  The information related to the viewing time may be information indicating a ratio of the reproduction time of the previous reproduction of the program or content to the total time of the program or content.

  The first update means can update the preference information by creating preference data indicating a user's preference degree for a program or content and adding the preference data to the preference information.

  The apparatus further comprises recording means for recording the program or content, and reproduction means for reproducing the program or content recorded by the recording means, wherein the first acquisition means Information relating to the number of user operations performed during reproduction can be acquired, and the second acquisition means can acquire information relating to the reproduction time of the program or content reproduced by the reproduction means.

  The apparatus further comprises third determination means for determining whether or not the preference information has been updated based on the program or content, and the first update means is based on the program or content based on the determination result of the third determination means. When it is determined that the preference information has not been updated, the preference information can be updated.

  When the program or content is deleted, based on third determination means for determining whether the deletion is based on a user instruction and information on viewing time acquired by the second acquisition means. A fourth determination unit that determines whether or not the user is not interested in the program or content determined to be deleted based on the user's instruction based on the determination result by the third determination unit; When it is determined by the determination result by the fourth determination means that the user is not interested in the deleted program or content, the preference information is updated so as to reduce the user's preference for the program or content. 2 update means.

  An automatic recording control unit that controls a process of selecting and recording a program or content based on the preference information updated by the updating unit may be further provided.

  The information processing method of the present invention acquires a first acquisition step of acquiring information related to the number of operations, which is information related to the number of times a user performs an operation during reproduction of a program or content, and information related to the viewing time of the program or content. A first determination step for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content based on the information related to the number of operations acquired by the processing of the first acquisition step, Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the process of the second acquisition step, the user is interested in the program or content that the user has actually viewed based on the determination result of the process of the first determination step. The second determination step for determining whether or not the user has a determination result and the determination result by the processing of the second determination step If THE determines that are interested to the program or content, characterized in that it comprises an update step of updating the preference information to increase the user's preference for the program or content.

  The recording medium of the present invention acquires a first acquisition step of acquiring information related to the number of operations, which is information related to the number of times a user performs an operation during reproduction of a program or content, and information related to the viewing time of the program or content. A second determination step, a first determination step for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the processing of the first acquisition step, The user is interested in the program or content that the user has actually viewed based on the determination result of the first determination step based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the processing of the acquisition step 2. The second determination step for determining whether or not the user has the result and the determination result by the processing of the second determination step If it is determined that the interest to the program or content, characterized in that it comprises an update step of updating the preference information to increase the user's preference for the program or content.

  The program according to the present invention includes a first acquisition step of acquiring information related to the number of operations, which is information related to the number of times the user has performed an operation during playback of the program or content, and first information acquiring information related to the viewing time of the program or content. A first determination step for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content, based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the processing of the first acquisition step, the second acquisition step, and the second The user is interested in the program or content that the user has actually viewed based on the result of the determination in the first determination step based on the information about the viewing time acquired in the acquisition step. The second determination step for determining whether or not the If a is determined to have an interest to the program or content, characterized in that it comprises an update step of updating the preference information to increase the user's preference for the program or content.

  In the information processing apparatus and method, the recording medium, and the program according to the present invention, information related to the number of operations, which is information related to the number of times a user performs an operation during reproduction of the program or content, is acquired, and the viewing time of the program or content is related. It is determined whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content based on the information related to the number of operations acquired by the process of the first acquisition step, and acquired by the process of the second acquisition step. Whether or not the user is interested in the program or content determined to be actually viewed by the user is determined based on the determination result obtained in the first determination step based on the information regarding the viewing time. Based on the result of the determination in the second determination step, the user can If it is determined to have taste, preference information is updated so as to increase the user's preference for the program or content.

  According to the present invention, information can be processed. In particular, the user's preference level can be calculated more accurately, and a more appropriate program can be provided to the user.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, even if there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. Nor does it deny the existence of an invention added by amendment.

  In the present invention, an information processing apparatus (for example, the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of FIG. 1) storing preference information (for example, the preference information database 401 of FIG. 8) for a user's program or content is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit (for example, FIG. 6) that acquires information about the number of operations (for example, the number of operations 365 in FIG. 6), which is information about the number of operations performed by the user during reproduction of a program or content. 7 for executing the processing of step S7 in FIG. 7 and second acquisition means (for example, the viewing time rate 364 in FIG. 6) for acquiring information on the viewing time of the program or content (for example, the viewing time rate 364 in FIG. 6). The user actually viewed the program or content based on the information related to the number of operations acquired by the first acquisition unit and the recorded title management unit 65 of FIG. 3 that executes the processes of steps S2 and S6 of FIG. A first determination unit (for example, the preference information update unit 66 in FIG. 3 that executes the process of step S25 in FIG. 9) and a second acquisition unit. Based on the obtained information regarding viewing time, the first determination means determines whether the user is interested in the program or content determined to be actually viewed by the determination result by the first determination means. The determination means (for example, the preference information update unit 66 in FIG. 3 that executes step S26 in FIG. 9) and the determination result by the second determination means make the user interested in the program or content. If it is determined that there is a first update unit that updates the preference information so as to increase the user's preference level for the program or content (for example, the preference information update unit 66 in FIG. 3 that executes the process of step S27 in FIG. 9). ).

  The information related to the number of operations may be information related to the number of times the user has performed an operation during the previous reproduction of the program or content (for example, the number of operations 365 in FIG. 6).

  The information related to the viewing time may be information (for example, the viewing time rate 364 in FIG. 6) indicating the ratio of the playback time in the previous playback of the program or content to the total time of the program or content.

  The first updating means creates preference data (for example, preference information data in FIG. 10) indicating a user's preference degree for a program or content, and updates the preference information by adding to the preference information (for example, Step S27 in FIG. 9 can be performed.

  Recording means for recording the program or content (for example, auxiliary storage device 40 in FIG. 2), and reproduction means for reproducing the program or content recorded by the recording means (for example, decoder 33 in FIG. 2); The first acquisition unit acquires information on the number of user operations performed during playback of the program or content played back by the playback unit (for example, step S4 in FIG. 7), and the second acquisition unit. Can acquire information related to the reproduction time of the program or content reproduced by the reproduction means (for example, steps S2 and S6 in FIG. 7).

  The apparatus further comprises third determination means (for example, step S24 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the preference information has been updated based on the program or content, and the first update means includes the third determination means. If it is determined from the determination result that the preference information has not been updated based on the program or content, the preference information can be updated (for example, step S27 in FIG. 9).

  When the program or content is deleted, third determination means for determining whether the deletion is based on a user instruction (for example, the preference of FIG. 3 for executing the process of step S41 of FIG. 12). Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the information update unit 66) and the second acquisition unit, the program or content determined to be deleted based on the user's instruction based on the determination result by the third determination unit A fourth determination unit that determines whether or not the user is not interested (for example, the preference information update unit 66 in FIG. 3 that executes the process of step S43 in FIG. 12) and the fourth determination unit. If the determination result indicates that the user is not interested in the deleted program or content, the user's preference for the program or content is reduced. Preference information second updating means for updating (e.g., preference information update unit 66 of FIG. 3 for executing the processing in step S44 in FIG. 12) so as to be able to further and a.

  An automatic recording control unit (for example, an automatic recording reservation control unit 74 in FIG. 3) for controlling a process of selecting and recording a program or content based on the preference information updated by the updating unit is further provided. Can do.

  In the present invention, an information processing method is provided. This information processing method is a first acquisition step (for example, FIG. 6) that acquires information about the number of operations (for example, the number of operations 365 in FIG. 6), which is information about the number of operations performed by the user during playback of a program or content. 7, a second acquisition step (for example, steps S2 and S6 in FIG. 7) for acquiring information related to the viewing time of the program or content (for example, the viewing time rate 364 in FIG. 6), A first determination step (for example, step S25 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the processing of the acquisition step; Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the process of the acquisition step, the determination result by the process of the first determination step indicates that the user The second determination step (for example, step S26 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user is interested in the program or content determined to be viewed at the time, and the processing of the second determination step If the determination result indicates that the user is interested in the program or content, the preference information (for example, the preference information database 401 in FIG. 8) is updated so as to increase the user's preference for the program or content. Updating step (for example, step S27 in FIG. 9).

  In the present invention, a recording medium is provided. This recording medium has a first acquisition step (for example, FIG. 7) that acquires information about the number of operations (for example, the number of operations 365 in FIG. 6), which is information regarding the number of times the user has performed an operation during reproduction of a program or content. Step S7), a second acquisition step (for example, steps S2 and S6 in FIG. 7) for acquiring information related to the viewing time of the program or content (for example, the viewing time rate 364 in FIG. 6), and a first acquisition A first determination step (for example, step S25 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the processing of the step, Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the process of the acquisition step, the determination result by the process of the first determination step indicates that the user actually A second determination step (for example, step S26 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user is interested in the program or content determined to be viewed, and a determination result by the processing of the second determination step Thus, when it is determined that the user is interested in the program or content, the update is performed to update the preference information (for example, the preference information database 401 in FIG. 8) so as to increase the user's preference level for the program or content. Step (for example, step S27 in FIG. 9).

  In the present invention, a program is provided. This program is a first acquisition step (for example, FIG. 7) that acquires information about the number of operations (for example, the number of operations 365 in FIG. 6), which is information about the number of operations performed by the user during the reproduction of a program or content. Step S7), a second acquisition step (for example, steps S2 and S6 in FIG. 7) for acquiring information relating to the viewing time of the program or content (for example, the viewing time rate 364 in FIG. 6), and a first acquisition step A first determination step (for example, step S25 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or content, based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the processing of step 2, and the second acquisition Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the processing of the step, the determination result by the processing of the first determination step indicates that the user The second determination step (for example, step S26 in FIG. 9) for determining whether or not the user is interested in the program or content determined to have been viewed at the time, and the determination by the processing of the second determination step When it is determined that the user is interested in the program or the content, the preference information (for example, the preference information database 401 in FIG. 8) is updated so as to increase the user's preference for the program or the content. Update step (for example, step S27 in FIG. 9).

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system to which the present invention is applied. In this configuration example, servers 2-1 and 2-2 (hereinafter, these servers need to be individually distinguished in a network 1 constituted by the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like. If there is not, the server 2 is simply connected). Here, it goes without saying that the number of servers 2 is arbitrary and may be three or more.

  The server 2-1 and the server 2-2 provide broadcast program information (EPG (Electric Program Guide) information) and content data distributed over the network to the user apparatus 3 via the network 1.

  The user device 3 disposed in the user's home includes a video recording / reproducing device 11, a display device 12, an antenna 13, and an antenna 14.

  The video recording / reproducing device 11 is, for example, a hard disk video recorder or the like, and receives a broadcast radio wave via an antenna 13 and demodulates a signal obtained by the built-in auxiliary storage device 40 (see FIG. 2 described later). The information is stored and provided to the display device 12 in the subsequent stage for display. The display device 12 is composed of, for example, a television receiver or a monitor.

  The video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. The tuner 31 is a terrestrial television broadcast received by the antenna 13, a satellite radio wave broadcast wave received by the antenna 14, content data supplied via the network 1, or a cable network. 4, a broadcast signal corresponding to cable television broadcast supplied from a broadcast station (not shown) is demodulated, and a video signal component and an audio signal component are output to the encoder 32. The vertical blanking period of the terrestrial television broadcast signal received by the antenna 13 may include EPG information. The satellite wave television signal received by the antenna 14 may also include corresponding EPG information. In such a case, the tuner 31 extracts this EPG information and outputs it to the EPG acquisition module 34.

  The network interface 37 acquires content data or a cable television broadcast program via the network 1 or the cable network 4 and supplies them to the encoder 32 via the bus 52. Further, the network interface 37 receives EPG information (not only content data acquired via the network 1 or the cable network 4 and EPG information of the cable television broadcast program) via the network 1 or the cable network 4, but also the antenna 13 or the antenna. 14 (which may be EPG information of a terrestrial or satellite television broadcast program received by the receiver 14) and supplies it to the EPG acquisition module 34 via the bus 52.

  The encoder 32 encodes the video signal and the audio signal input from the tuner 31 or the network interface 37 by, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system, and supplies the encoded signal to the auxiliary storage device 40 via the bus 52. Remember. The auxiliary storage device 40 has a recording medium with a sufficient storage capacity, such as a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a removable disk, or a flash memory, and stores the information supplied via the bus 52. Store in the area. Further, the auxiliary storage device 40 stores programs and data read from a removable medium 42 mounted on a drive 41, which will be described later, and stores them based on a request from a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 35 or the like. The data is supplied to the main storage device 36 or 39 or the like.

  The video signal and the audio signal stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 are output to the decoder 33 via the bus 52 based on a request from the outside of the auxiliary storage device 40 such as the CPU 35, for example, and decoded by the MPEG method. After that, it is supplied to the display device 12. Note that the encoder 32 and the decoder 33 may output the signal output from the tuner 31 to the display device 12 as it is, when the received video signal and audio signal are not stored in the auxiliary storage device 40.

  The bus 52 is further connected to, for example, a CPU 35, a main storage device 39 including a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 38. The main storage device 39 appropriately stores programs, data, or parameters necessary for the CPU 35 to execute various processes (for example, processes for controlling the entire video recording / reproducing apparatus). The ROM 38 stores a program executed by the CPU 35.

  The bus 52 is further connected to a network interface 37 that executes interface processing with the network 1 and the cable network 4.

  The CPU 35 is also connected to the bus 51 together with the encoder 32, the decoder 33, the EPG acquisition module 34, and the main storage device 36. The main storage device 36 includes a RAM and the like, and appropriately stores programs, data, or parameters necessary for the CPU 35 to execute various processes, such as a recording process based on EPG, a control process related to recording, and the like. .

  Further, a drive 41 is connected to the bus 52 as necessary, and a removable medium 42 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is necessary. Is installed in the auxiliary storage device 40 accordingly.

  The functional configuration centering on the software of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is as shown in FIG.

  The live broadcast reproduction unit 61 executes processing of the signal received at that time by the tuner 31, the signal acquired at that time by the network interface 37, or the signal input from an external input terminal (not shown). . The recorded title playback unit 62 executes playback processing of programs and contents stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 (programs and contents stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 are hereinafter collectively referred to as titles). The recording control unit 63 executes a signal recording process for the auxiliary storage device 40. The application management unit 64 executes activation / termination of each function (application) including the viewing control application 72, the preference information management unit 68, and the recording reservation application 73, and operation state monitoring processing.

  The viewing control application 72 controls the live broadcast playback unit 61, the recorded title playback unit 62, or the recorded title management unit 65 based on an instruction from the user, and plays back the signal received or input at that time. The title stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 is reproduced. In addition, the viewing control application 72 controls the live broadcast reproduction unit 61 so that when the tuner 31 receives a broadcast program of a channel specified by the user, the broadcast program information stored in the broadcast program information management unit 69 ( EPG information) and a preference information database stored in the preference information management unit 68 are referred to as appropriate.

  The viewing control application 72 controls the live broadcast playback unit 61 to acquire a broadcast program or content selected by the user via the network interface 37, or controls the recorded title playback unit 62 to control the auxiliary storage device. When the program stored in 40 is reproduced, the title stored in the recorded title management unit 65 is referred to as appropriate.

  The network communication unit 71 communicates with the servers 2-1 and 2-2 via the network 1 and communicates with a server (not shown) via the cable network 4 so that broadcast program information (EPG) and content data To get. The broadcast program information management unit 69 manages broadcast program information (EPG) acquired by the EPG acquisition module 34. The recording reservation management unit 67 controls the recording control unit 63 based on a request from the recording reservation application 73 or the automatic recording reservation control unit 74, and executes a recording reservation process. The automatic recording reservation control unit 74 executes a recording reservation process based on a preference information database or the like managed by the preference information management unit 68.

  The preference information management unit 68 stores and manages preference information data, which is user preference information, as a database (preference information database). The recording reservation application 73 executes recording reservation processing based on a command from the user. The recording reservation application 73 controls the recording reservation management unit 67 to execute the recording reservation process when making a recording reservation based on an operation from the user.

  The recorded title management unit 65 creates and manages information related to the title stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 based on the program identification information included in the EPG managed by the broadcast program information management unit 69. For example, when a title is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 40, the recorded title management unit 65 requests the broadcast program information management unit 69 for program identification information related to the title. The broadcast program information management unit 69 requested for the program identification information extracts the program identification information from the managed EPG and supplies it to the recording title management unit 65. The recorded title management unit 65 uses the program identification information supplied from the broadcast program information management unit 69 to create information about the title (recorded title information). For example, the preference information update unit 66 determines whether to update the information in the preference information database based on the recording title information managed by the recording title management unit 65, and updates the preference information database as necessary. I do.

  The server 2-1 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4, the CPU 221 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 222 or a program loaded from the storage unit 228 to the RAM 223. The RAM 223 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 221 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 221, ROM 222, and RAM 223 are connected to each other via a bus 224. An input / output interface 225 is also connected to the bus 224.

  The input / output interface 225 includes an input unit 226 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal display), an output unit 227 including a speaker, a hard disk, and the like. A communication unit 229 including a storage unit 228 and a modem is connected. The storage unit 228 stores EPG information and content data to be provided to the user device 3. The communication unit 229 performs communication processing with the user device 3 via the network 1 including the Internet.

  A drive 230 is connected to the input / output interface 225 as necessary, and a removable medium 231 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is loaded. It is installed in the storage unit 228 as necessary.

  Although illustration is omitted, the server 2-2 has basically the same configuration as the server 2-1 shown in FIG.

  The broadcast program information management unit 96 and the viewing control application 72 of the user device 3 control the network communication unit 71 and access the server 2 via the network 1. Then, the broadcast program information management unit 96 controls the network communication unit 71 to transfer EPG information, and the viewing control application 72 controls the network communication unit 71 to request the server 2 to transfer content data. To do. Upon receiving this request, the server 2 transmits EPG information and content data via the network 1. Therefore, the broadcast program information management unit 96 receives and stores the EPG information transmitted from the server 2 via the network 1 via the network communication unit 71, and the viewing control application 72 stores the network communication unit 71. Then, the content data transmitted from the server 2 via the network 1 is played back by controlling the live broadcast playback unit 61 or stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 by controlling the recording control unit 63.

  That is, the CPU 221 of the server 2 receives an access from the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 via the network 1 and receives a request for transferring EPG information and content data. The CPU 221 reads the EPG information and content data stored in the storage unit 228, controls the communication unit 229, and transmits the EPG information and content data to the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 via the network 1.

  As described above, the video recording / reproducing device 11 of the user device 3 acquires EPG information from the server 2 in advance and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 40.

  In the case where the auxiliary storage device 40 is composed of, for example, a removable disk, a flash memory, etc., the information stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 is auxiliary stored by receiving provision of those media on which EPG information is recorded from the administrator of the server 2. It is also possible to hold the device 40.

  Next, recording title information, which is information related to the title stored in the auxiliary storage device 40, created by the recording title management unit 65 will be described. When a program or content (title) is stored in the auxiliary storage device 40, the recorded title management unit 65 requests the broadcast program information management unit 69 for program identification information corresponding to the title. The EPG managed by the broadcast program information management unit 69 includes program identification information that is information related to the program as shown in FIG. 5 for each program included in the broadcast schedule. When the video recording / playback apparatus 11 records content data supplied via the network 1, the broadcast program information management unit 69 uses information related to content data similar to the program identification information supplied together with the content data. to manage. Since the recorded title management unit 65 and the broadcast program information management unit 69 process the information related to the content data in the same manner as the program identification information, the description of the program identification information will be described below unless it is necessary to divide the information. It also includes an explanation for information on content data.

  In FIG. 5, program identification information 301 is various information groups related to a program, which are configured by two items of “attribute” indicating the type of information and “content”. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the program identification information 301 includes a program ID (identification code) 311, a broadcast start date and time 312, a broadcast end date and time 313, a reproduction start and end position 314, a distribution source 315, a genre 316, and a title 317. , Contents 318, contents 319, and other attribute information are included.

  The program ID 311 is an ID for identifying a program scheduled to be broadcast. For example, the content of the program ID 311 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 is “00000001”. The broadcast start date and time 312 and the broadcast end date and time 313 are information indicating the broadcast schedule of the program. For example, the content of the broadcast start date and time 312 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 is “2001/01/01 01:00:00”, and the content of the broadcast end date and time 313 is “2001/01/01 01:30. : 0 ". In the case of information regarding content data, the broadcast start date and time 312 and the broadcast end date and time 313 may be blank, or may be information indicating a schedule for releasing the content data on the server.

  The reproduction start / end position 314 is information indicating a reproduction start position and an end position when part of the content data is downloaded from the server. For example, the content of the reproduction start / end position 314 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 is “non (actual broadcast)”. This indicates that the title corresponding to the program identification information 301 is a broadcast program, and information on the reproduction start / end position is not necessary.

  The distribution source 315 is information indicating the distribution source of the title. For example, the content of the distribution source 315 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 is “terrestrial broadcast, XXch, YYY station”, and this title is a program broadcast from the YYY station on terrestrial broadcast XXch. It shows that there is. When the title is content data, the distribution source 315 indicates an address of a server that publishes the content data.

  The genre 316 is information indicating the genre (type) of the content of the title. For example, the content of the genre 316 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 is “news”. The title 317 is information indicating the title name. For example, the content of the title 317 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 is “ZZZ news”. The contents 318 and 319 are characteristic keyword information indicating the contents of the title. For example, the contents 318 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5 are “AAA”. The content is “BBB”.

  It should be noted that the program identification information 301 may include information other than the information shown above, or may be configured by a part of the information described above. Moreover, each information which comprises the program identification information 301 may be hierarchized.

  The broadcast program information management unit 69 supplies program identification information corresponding to the request from the recording title management unit 65 to the recording title management unit 65. The recorded title management unit 65 creates recorded title information, which is information corresponding to the recorded title, as shown in FIG. 6, based on the supplied program identification information.

  In FIG. 6, recorded title information 351 is various information groups related to a recorded title, which is configured by two items of “attribute” indicating the type of information and “content”. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the recorded title information 351 includes attribute information such as a recorded title ID 361, a program title 362, a genre 363, a viewing time rate 364, an operation count 365, and a preference information update flag 366. It is.

  The recorded title ID 361 is an ID for identifying a recorded title. For example, the content of the recording title ID 361 of the recording title information 351 shown in FIG. 6 is “00000001”. This information may be set based on the program ID 311 of the program identification information 301, or may be set independently of the program ID 311 of the program identification information 301.

  The title 362 is information indicating the title name, and is set based on the title 317 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. For example, the content of the title 362 of the recorded title information 351 shown in FIG. 6 is “ZZZ news”. The genre 363 is information indicating the genre (type) of the content of the title, and is set based on the genre 316 of the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. For example, the content of the genre 363 of the recorded title information 351 shown in FIG. 6 is “news”.

  The viewing time rate 364 is information indicating the ratio of viewing time (playback time) to the entire title when this title is played once. As will be described later, the viewing time rate 364 is measured every time this title is played, and the playback time of the entire title (the broadcast start date and time 312 of the program identification information 301 and the broadcast time) of the measured viewing time. The time when the entire title calculated from the information of the end date 313 is reproduced), and is calculated and updated every time it is reproduced. That is, since the viewing time rate 364 is initialized when playback is started, the viewing time rate in the immediately preceding playback process is recorded. For example, the content of the viewing time rate 364 of the recorded title information 351 shown in FIG. 6 is “75%”, indicating that the last played portion is 75% of the entire title.

  The operation count 365 is information indicating the number of operations (fast forward, rewind, etc.) input by the user when this title is played once. As will be described later, the number of operations 365 is counted every time this title is reproduced, and is updated by the counted number of reproductions. Since the number of operations 365 is initialized when the reproduction is started, information on the number of operations in the immediately preceding reproduction process is recorded. For example, the content of the operation count 365 of the recorded title information 351 shown in FIG. 6 is “6”, indicating that the operation was performed 6 times in the previous viewing.

  The preference information update flag 366 is a flag indicating whether or not the content of the preference information database has been updated based on the content of the recorded title information 351. For example, the content of the preference information update flag 366 of the recorded title information 351 shown in FIG. 6 is “NON (unreflected)”, and the content of the preference information database is not updated based on the content of the recorded title information 351. It has been shown.

  Note that the recorded title information 351 may include information other than those described above, or may be configured by a part of the information described above. Further, each piece of information constituting the recording title information 351 may be hierarchized.

  The recorded title management unit 65 stores and manages the created recorded title information 351 in the main storage device 36 or 39, for example. That is, the main storage device 36 or 39 stores recorded title information 351 corresponding to the number of titles recorded in the auxiliary storage device 40. Note that the recording title management unit 65 holds the information of the recording title information 351 as a list, and by using this list, a plurality of recording title information 351 stored in the main storage device 36 or 39 is stored. The target recording title information 351 can be searched and read from the inside. Then, as described above, when an instruction to reproduce the title stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 is given, the recorded title management unit 65 executes the recorded title information update process, and the recorded title information 351 of the title to be reproduced. Update.

  The recorded title information update process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the recording title information update process is started, first, in step S1, the recording title management unit 65 performs an initialization process, and the recording title information 351 corresponding to the title to be reproduced is recorded as the above-described recording title information 351. By using the list, the main storage device 36 or 39 in which the recorded title information 351 is stored is retrieved and read, the value of the viewing time rate 364 is set to “0%”, or the number of operations 365 is counted. The information included in the recording title information, such as setting the number to “0”, is set, or the setting values of the counter, timer, etc. are set to the initial values.

  When the initialization process ends, the recorded title management unit 65 advances the process to step S2, starts the operation of a timer (not shown), and starts the viewing time measurement in accordance with the playback start timing of the title. The recording title management unit 65 that has started the measurement of the viewing time proceeds to step S3, and performs operations related to playback processing (play, pause, winding, etc.) by the user via an input unit such as an operation button or a remote controller (not shown). It is determined whether or not an input such as “Return” or “Fast-forward” has been input. If it is determined that the input has been input, the process proceeds to Step S4, and the value of a counter (not shown) that counts the number of operations is incremented by “+1”. The recorded title management unit 65 that has incremented the value of the counter advances the process to step S5.

  If it is determined in step S3 that no user operation has been input, the recorded title management unit 65 skips step S4 and proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the recorded title management unit 65 determines whether or not the reproduction of the title has ended. If it is determined that the recording has not ended, the process returns to step S3 and repeats the subsequent processing.

  In step S5, for example, when the user determines that the reproduction of the title has been completed by operating the stop button of the remote controller, the recorded title management unit 65 proceeds to step S6 and does not illustrate the process. The operation of the timer is stopped, and the viewing time measurement is finished. In step S7, the count value at that time is obtained from a counter (not shown), and in step S8, playback is performed based on the viewing time and the count value. The contents of the recorded title information 351 corresponding to the title thus updated are updated. For example, the recorded title management unit 65 divides the value of the viewing time rate 364 of the recorded title information 351 by the playback time of the entire title, calculates the viewing time rate in the current playback, and updates the value of the viewing time rate 364. . In addition, the recorded title management unit 65 updates the count value obtained by counting this time to the value of the number of operations 365 of the recorded title information 351 and updates it. When the recording title information 351 is updated as described above, the recording title management unit 65 ends the recording title information update process.

  By updating the recorded title information as described above, the recorded title management unit 65 can record the number of operations for one title reproduction process. Therefore, since it is possible to determine whether or not the user has actually watched the reproduced title from the information on the number of operations, the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 stores the contents of the recorded title information as will be described later. By reflecting it in the preference information database, the user's preference level can be calculated more accurately, and a more appropriate program can be provided to the user.

  Further, by updating the recorded title information as described above, the recorded title management unit 65 can record the viewing time rate in one playback process of the title. Therefore, since the viewing time rate when the user actually views can be measured by using the viewing time rate information, the video recording / playback apparatus 11 records the recorded title information as described later. By reflecting the contents in the preference information database, the user's preference level can be calculated more accurately and a more appropriate program can be provided to the user.

  Based on the recorded title information generated as described above, the data in the preference information database is updated. Next, the preference information database 401 managed by the preference information management unit 68 will be described with reference to FIG. The preference information database 401 includes, for example, title keyword preference information 411 that is preference information data managed using a title name as a key, keyword preference information 412 that is preference information data managed using a title content as a key, and a title genre. Genre preference information 413, which is preference information data managed using the key as a key, broadcast time zone preference information 414 managed using the broadcast time zone of the title as a key, and the channel on which the title was broadcast (in the case of content data, its content There is channel preference information 415 which is preference information data managed with the server as a key. That is, the title keyword preference information 411 to the channel preference information 415 are tables composed of record groups managed using the attributes included in the above-described program identification information as keys, and a score indicating the user's preference level is added to each record. ing.

  That is, the title keyword preference information 411 is a table using the contents of the title 317 shown in FIG. 5 as a key, and is composed of keywords (contents of the title 317) and scores for those keywords (user preference). Yes. The keyword preference information 412 is a table using the words constituting the contents of the contents 318 and 319 shown in FIG. 5, that is, the detailed explanation of the program (content explanation, performers, etc.) included in the EPG information as a key. Yes, it consists of keywords (contents 318 and 319) and scores for them. The genre preference information 413 is a table with the contents of the genre 316 shown in FIG. 5 (for example, variety, report, drama, documentary, sports, music, education, etc.) as keys, and keywords (contents of the genre 316) and those. And score for.

  The broadcast time zone preference information 414 is a table with the contents of the broadcast start date and time 312 and the broadcast end date and time 313 shown in FIG. 5 as keys, and the broadcast time of the title obtained from the contents of the broadcast start date and time 312 and the broadcast end date and time 313. It consists of bands and scores for them. In particular, since a broadcast program is characterized by the program structure depending on the broadcast time zone, such information on the broadcast time zone is used to detect user preferences.

  The channel preference information 415 is a table using the contents of the distribution source 315 shown in FIG. 5 as a key, and the channel or the like on which the title is broadcast, which is obtained from the contents of the distribution source 315 (in the case of content data, the content data is It is composed of information of the published server name etc.) and a score for it. In particular, in broadcast programs, each broadcast station (channel) has a characteristic in program organization, so it is information used to detect user preferences. It consists of a score for each channel.

  These scores have high title, keyword, genre, broadcast time, and channel values included in the EPG information corresponding to the program content that the user has watched or ordered to record. The title, keyword, genre, broadcast time zone, and channel values included in the EPG information corresponding to the content that has not been set are set to be low.

  For example, the score corresponding to the component included in the EPG information corresponding to the content selected by the user is incremented by 1, and the score corresponds to the component included in the EPG information corresponding to the content not selected by the user. When the score is set not to increase, the higher the score, the higher the preference level of the corresponding item.

  The score calculation method may be any method other than those described above. For example, the score of each item included in the EPG information corresponding to the content not selected by the user may be reduced. Alternatively, weighting may be applied to each item. Also, the preference information management unit 68 acquires the user's operation history, generates the preference information data by itself, and updates the preference information database 401 described above, but is generated by another device. It is good also as what acquires preference information data and updates the preference information database 401 using it.

  For such a preference information database 401, the preference information update unit 66 repeatedly executes additional reflection processing at predetermined intervals while the power is on after the video recording / playback apparatus 11 is activated, and the above-described recorded titles are recorded. Based on the information, the preference information database 401 is updated.

  The addition determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, it demonstrates with reference to FIG. 10 as needed.

  First, in step S <b> 21, the preference information update unit 66 acquires a list of recorded title information 351 held by the recorded title management unit 65. Having acquired the list, the preference information update unit 66 proceeds to step S22, refers to the list, and determines whether all the recorded title information 351 has been processed. If it is determined that there is still unprocessed recording title information 351 in the list, the preference information update unit 66 proceeds to step S23, selects the next recording title information 351, and via the recording title management unit 65, The recorded title information 351 is acquired from the main storage device 36 and the main storage device 39 from which the recorded title information 351 is stored. If the recorded title information 351 has not been selected, the preference information update unit 66 selects and acquires the first recorded title information 351 (first recorded title information 351) in the list.

  The preference information update unit 66 that acquired the recorded title information 351 proceeds to step S24, refers to the preference information update flag 366 of the acquired recorded title information 351, and adds preference information data to the recorded title information 351. Determine whether it has already been done. The preference information update flag 366 is set (for example, the content of the preference information flag 366 is “YES”), and it is determined that the recorded title information 351 is recorded title information for which preference information data has already been added. In this case, the preference information update unit 66 returns the process to step S22 and repeats the subsequent processes, thereby performing the process for the next recorded title information.

  The preference information update flag 366 is not set (for example, the content of the preference information flag 366 is “NON”), and the recorded title information 351 is recorded title information for which preference information data has not yet been added. If it is determined, the preference information update unit 66 proceeds to step S25, refers to the operation count 365 of the recorded title information 351, and determines whether or not the operation count is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 5 times). judge. When it is determined that the number of operations is smaller than a predetermined threshold and the user does not actually watch this title (for example, when the number of operations is 4 or less when the threshold is 5), the preference information update unit 66 returns the process to step S22 and repeats the subsequent processes to perform the process for the next recorded title information.

  In Step S25, when it is determined that the number of operations is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the user has actually viewed this title (for example, when the number of operations is 5 or more when the threshold is 5), The preference information update unit 66 advances the process to step S26, refers to the viewing time rate 364 of the recorded title information 351, and determines whether the value of the viewing time rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 50%). judge. When the value of the viewing time rate is smaller than a predetermined threshold value and it is determined that the user is not interested in this title (for example, when the viewing time rate is smaller than 50% when the threshold value is 50%), the preference information is updated. The unit 66 returns the process to step S22 and repeats the subsequent processes, thereby performing the process for the next recorded title information.

  In step S26, when the viewing time rate value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and it is determined that the user is interested in this title (for example, when the threshold value is 50%, the viewing time rate is 50% or more). ), The preference information update unit 66 advances the process to step S27 to increase the preference setting of the user for this program as shown in FIG. 10 based on the recorded title information 351. Information data is created, supplied to the preference information management unit 68, and additionally registered in the preference information database 401.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of preference information data.

  In FIG. 10, preference information data 451 is information regarding user preferences corresponding to recorded title information, which is composed of two items, “attribute” indicating the type of information and “content”. In the preference information data 451, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a program title ID 461, a distribution source 462, a broadcast date 463, a broadcast start time 464, a broadcast end time 465, an actual broadcast preference level 466, and a reproduction preference level 467 And other attribute information.

  The program title 461 is information indicating the name of the title corresponding to the preference information data 451, and is set based on the program title 461 of the recorded title information 351 shown in FIG. For example, the content of the program title 461 of the preference information data 451 shown in FIG. 10 is “ZZZ news”.

  The distribution source 462 is information indicating the distribution source of the title. For example, the content of the distribution source 462 of the preference information data 451 shown in FIG. 10 is “terrestrial broadcast, XXch, YYY station”, and this title is a program broadcast from the YYY station on the terrestrial broadcast XXch. It shows that there is. This information may be set based on the distribution source 315 of the program identification information 301 included in the preference information management unit 68, or the recording title information 351 may include information on this distribution source, and the recorded title. It may be set based on the information 351. When the title is content data, the distribution source 462 indicates an address of a server that publishes the content data.

  The broadcast date 463 is information indicating the date when the title was broadcast. For example, the content of the broadcast date 463 of the preference information data 451 shown in FIG. 10 is “every day”, indicating that this title is a program broadcast every day. This information may be set based on the EPG managed by the preference information management unit 68, or may be set based on the recording title information 351 so that the recording title information 351 includes information on the broadcast date. You may be made to do. Note that when the title is content data, the broadcast date 463 indicates a schedule for releasing the content data.

  Broadcast start time 464 and broadcast end time 465 are information indicating the broadcast schedule of the program. For example, the content of the broadcast start time 464 of the preference information data 451 shown in FIG. 10 is “01:00:00”, and the content of the broadcast end time 465 is “01:30:30”. These pieces of information may be set based on the program identification information 301 shown in FIG. 5, or the recording title information 351 may include information related to the broadcast start time or the broadcast end time. It may be set based on 351. In the case of information regarding content data, the broadcast start time 464 and the broadcast end time 465 may be blank, or may be information indicating a schedule for releasing the content data on the server.

  The actual broadcast preference level 466 is information regarding the preference level set when the preference information data is created by a user operation or the like at the time of broadcasting the title. That is, the number of times that the user has operated at the time when the title is broadcast, not when the recorded title is broadcast, is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and the ratio of the total viewing time at that time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. In some cases, the calculated preference level is set to this actual broadcast preference level 466. For example, the content of the actual broadcast preference level 466 of the preference information data 451 in FIG. 10 is “qqqq”.

  The reproduction preference level 467 is information relating to the preference level set when the preference information data is created by a user operation or the like during reproduction of a recorded title. That is, when the number of times the user has operated at the time of playing the recorded title is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and the ratio of the total viewing time at that time is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the calculated preference level is The playback preference level 467 is set. For example, the content of the reproduction preference level 467 of the preference information data 451 in FIG. 10 is “rrrr”.

  Note that the preference information data 451 may include information other than those described above, or may be configured by a part of the information described above. Moreover, each information which comprises the preference information data 451 may be hierarchized.

  The preference information update unit 66 adds preference information data 451 as shown in FIG. 10 to the preference information database 401, so that the preference level of the user for the program corresponding to the recorded title information in the preference information database 401 is set. The preference information database 401 is updated so as to increase.

  The preference information update unit 66 that has updated the preference information database 401 and increased the user's preference level for this program advances the processing to step S28, and sets the preference information update flag 366 flag of the recorded title information 351 (contents). Is set to “YES”), the processing is returned to step S22 and the subsequent processing is repeated to perform processing for the next recorded title information.

  As described above, by repeating the processing from step S22 to step S28, the preference information update unit 66 applies to all the recorded title information included in the list of recorded title information acquired from the recorded title management unit 65 in step S21. Perform additional reflection processing. If it is determined in step S22 that all recorded title information has been processed, the preference information update unit 66 proceeds to step S29, performs an end process, and ends the additional reflection process.

  As described above, by periodically executing the additional reflection process for increasing the preference level based on the recorded title information, the preference information update unit 66 calculates the preference level of the user more accurately and selects a more appropriate program. Can be provided to the user.

  Further, as described above, since the preference information data corresponding to the recorded title information whose content of the preference information update flag 366 is “YES” is not added, the preference information update unit 66 determines what the same recorded title information is. It is possible to prevent the preference information data from being added, the user's preference degree can be calculated more accurately, and a more appropriate program can be provided to the user.

  Next, a case where a recorded title is deleted will be described. Deletion of the title is performed when the user gives an instruction, or when the free capacity of the auxiliary storage device 40 is insufficient (for example, when the free capacity is less than the necessary capacity calculated from the next recording reservation information).

  When the recorded title is deleted, an event related to the deletion as shown in FIG. 11 is supplied to the preference information update unit 66.

  In FIG. 11, an event 501 is information relating to title deletion, which is supplied to the preference information update unit 66, and is composed of two items of “attribute” indicating the type of information and its “content”. Attribute information such as ID 511 and user instruction flag 512 is included.

  The recording title ID 511 is an ID for identifying the deleted title. For example, the content of the recording title ID 511 of the event 501 shown in FIG. 11 is “00000001”, indicating that the title of this recording title ID has been deleted.

  The user instruction flag 512 is information indicating whether or not the deletion has been performed based on a user instruction. For example, the content of the user instruction flag 512 of the event 501 shown in FIG. 11 is “YES”, indicating that this deletion is an instruction of the user. When the deletion process is performed based on the free capacity of the auxiliary storage device 40, the content of the user instruction flag 512 is “NON”.

  When such an event 501 is acquired, the preference information update unit 66 executes a deletion update process, determines whether or not this deletion is based on a user instruction, and if the deletion is based on a user instruction, In the preference information database 401 managed by the preference information management unit 68, the degree of preference of the preference information data for this title is reduced, and the degree of preference of the user for this title is reduced.

  The deletion update process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S41, the preference information update unit 66 that has acquired the event 501 refers to the user instruction flag 512 of the event 501 and determines whether or not the recorded title information has been deleted by the user. When the content of the user instruction flag 512 is “YES” and it is determined that this deletion has been performed based on the user's instruction, the preference information update unit 66 advances the process to step S42 to manage the recorded title management. The recorded title information 351 corresponding to the deleted title is acquired from the unit 65. Note that the recorded title management unit 65 manages the recorded title information 351 corresponding to the title without deleting it for a predetermined period even if the title is deleted. The preference information update unit 66 acquires the recorded title information 351 managed in this way via the recorded title management unit 65.

  The preference information update unit 66 that acquired the recorded title information 351 advances the process to step S43, refers to the viewing time rate 364 of the recorded title information 351, and the value of the viewing time rate is a predetermined threshold value. It is determined whether or not (for example, 10%) or less, and if it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S44, and the parameter (preference level) related to the recording title of the preference information is decreased.

  That is, when it is determined that the user is not interested in this program (the viewing time rate is low) and is deleted because it is unnecessary, the preference information update unit 66 selects the preference for the title. Reduce the degree.

  The preference information update unit 66 that has finished the process of step S44 advances the process to step S45.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the value of the user instruction flag 512 of the event 501 is “NON” and this deletion is performed based on the free capacity of the auxiliary storage device 40, the preference information update unit Since it is not possible to determine whether the user is interested in the title, the process of step S42 to step S44 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S45.

  If it is determined in step S43 that the value of the viewing time rate 364 of the title is greater than a predetermined threshold, the preference information update unit 66 is interested in the title, but deletes it for some reason. It is determined that it has been performed, the process of step S44 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the preference information update unit 66 performs an end process, and ends the deletion update process.

  By performing the deletion update process as described above, the title deletion process can be reflected in the preference information. Therefore, the preference information update unit 66 calculates the user's preference level more accurately, and is more appropriate. Programs can be provided to users. Further, by determining whether or not the deletion is based on the user's instruction, and further determining the viewing time rate, the preference information update unit 66 allows the user to be interested in the title. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the user's preference more accurately and provide a more appropriate program to the user.

  As described above, the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 can determine whether or not the user is actually viewing the recorded title, and increases the preference information based on the determination result. It is possible to calculate the user's preference and provide a more appropriate program to the user. Moreover, since the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 specifies the title that the user has given no instruction about the deleted title, and decreases the degree of preference for the specified title, the user's preference is more accurately The degree can be calculated and a more appropriate program can be provided to the user.

  In this case, since the above-mentioned preference level can be updated without using a special sensor or the like, the video recording / reproducing apparatus 11 can easily calculate the user's preference level more accurately and more appropriately. Various programs can be provided to the user.

  Note that the threshold values described above are merely examples, and other values may of course be used. In the above description, the number of operations and the viewing time rate at the time of the previous reproduction are used to determine the update of the preference level. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, instead of the previous viewing time rate. The average value of the viewing time rate so far may be calculated and used, or the maximum value of the viewing time rate so far may be used. Further, instead of the viewing time rate, viewing time (previous viewing time, average value of viewing time, total viewing time, etc.) may be used. The same applies to the number of operations, and a total value or an average value may be calculated. Moreover, you may make it use values, such as these average values and a total value, together.

  Furthermore, as the number of operations, the operation content is weighted, and even if the number of operations is the same, for example, in the case of fast-forwarding, the user's interest is low and the value is small, and pause and rewind are large as the user's interest is high A value may be used, and the value may be different depending on the operation content.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software.

  When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the main body of the apparatus, and includes a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk (CD- It is not only composed of removable media 42 consisting of ROM (compact disk-read only memory), DVD (digital versatile disk), magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk)), or semiconductor memory. These are configured by a ROM 38 on which a program is recorded and a hard disk included in the auxiliary storage device 40 provided to the user in a state of being pre-installed in the apparatus main body.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the video recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of program identification information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of video recording title information. It is a flowchart explaining a recording title information update process. It is a schematic diagram explaining a preference information database. It is a flowchart explaining an additional reflection process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of preference information data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an event. It is a flowchart explaining a deletion update process.

Explanation of symbols

3 User device, 11 Video recording / reproducing device 12 Display device, 13 and 14 Antenna, 31 Tuner, 32 Encoder, 33 Decoder, 34 EPG acquisition module, 35 CPU, 36 Main storage device, 37 Network interface, 38 ROM, 39 Main storage Device, 40 auxiliary storage device, 41 drive, 42 removable media, 51 and 52 bus, 61 live broadcast playback unit, 62 recorded title playback unit, 63 recording control unit, 64 application management unit, 65 recorded title management unit, 66 preference information Update section, 67 Recording reservation management section, 68 Preference information management section, 69 Broadcast program information management section, 71 Network communication section, 72 Viewing control application, 73 Recording reservation application, 74 Automatic recording reservation control section

Claims (11)

In an information processing apparatus storing preference information for a user's program or content,
First acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the number of operations, which is information regarding the number of times the user has performed an operation during reproduction of the program or the content;
Second acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the viewing time of the program or the content;
First determination means for determining whether or not the user has actually watched the program or the content based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the first acquisition means;
Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the second acquisition unit, the program or the content determined by the user to be actually viewed based on the determination result by the first determination unit A second determination means for determining whether or not the user is interested;
If the determination result by the second determination means determines that the user is interested in the program or the content, the preference is increased so as to increase the user's preference for the program or the content. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first updating unit that updates information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the number of operations is information regarding the number of times the user has performed an operation during the previous reproduction of the program or the content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the viewing time is information indicating a ratio of a reproduction time in a previous reproduction of the program or the content to a total time of the program or the content. . The first update means updates the preference information by creating preference data indicating the degree of preference of the user for the program or the content and adding the preference data to the preference information. The information processing apparatus described in 1. Recording means for recording the program or the content;
Replaying means for replaying the program or the content recorded by the recording means,
The first acquisition unit acquires information on the number of times the user has performed the playback of the program or the content played back by the playback unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires information related to a playback time of the program or the content played back by the playback unit. A third determination unit that determines whether the preference information has been updated based on the program or the content;
The first update unit updates the preference information when it is determined that the preference information is not updated based on the program or the content based on the determination result of the third determination unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Third deletion means for determining whether or not the deletion is based on an instruction of the user when the program or the content is deleted;
Based on the information about the viewing time acquired by the second acquisition unit, the program or the content determined to be deleted based on the user's instruction based on the determination result by the third determination unit , Fourth determination means for determining whether or not the user was not interested;
When it is determined that the user is not interested in the deleted program or the content based on the determination result by the fourth determination unit, the user's preference for the program or the content is reduced. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second update unit that updates the preference information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic recording control unit that controls a process of selecting and recording the program or the content based on the preference information updated by the updating unit. . An information processing method of an information processing apparatus storing preference information for a user's program or content,
A first acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the number of operations, which is information relating to the number of times the user has performed an operation during reproduction of the program or the content;
A second acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the viewing time of the program or the content;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the user has actually viewed the program or the content based on the information on the number of operations acquired by the processing of the first acquisition step;
Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the process of the second acquisition step, the program or the content that the user has actually viewed is determined by the determination result by the process of the first determination step. On the other hand, a second determination step for determining whether or not the user is interested;
When it is determined that the user is interested in the program or the content based on the determination result of the second determination step, the user's preference for the program or the content is increased. An information processing method comprising: an updating step for updating the preference information. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of selecting the program or the content to be recorded using preference information for the user's program or content,
A first acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the number of operations, which is information relating to the number of times the user has performed an operation during reproduction of the program or the content;
A second acquisition step of acquiring information relating to a viewing time of the program or the content;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the user has actually viewed the program or the content based on the information regarding the number of operations acquired by the processing of the first acquisition step;
Based on the information about the viewing time acquired by the process of the second acquisition step, the program or the content that the user has actually viewed is determined by the determination result by the process of the first determination step. On the other hand, a second determination step for determining whether or not the user is interested;
When it is determined that the user is interested in the program or the content based on the determination result of the second determination step, the user's preference for the program or the content is increased. An update step for updating the preference information. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of selecting the program or the content to be recorded using preference information for the user's program or content,
A first acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the number of operations, which is information relating to the number of times the user has performed an operation during reproduction of the program or the content;
A second acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the viewing time of the program or the content;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the user has actually viewed the program or the content based on the information on the number of operations acquired by the processing of the first acquisition step;
Based on the information regarding the viewing time acquired by the process of the second acquisition step, the program or the content that the user has actually viewed is determined by the determination result by the process of the first determination step. On the other hand, a second determination step for determining whether or not the user is interested;
When it is determined that the user is interested in the program or the content based on the determination result of the second determination step, the user's preference for the program or the content is increased. An update step of updating the preference information.

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