JP2005117245A - Video recording reservation method and video recording reservation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video recording reservation method and a video recording reservation system whereby a video recording schedule can be set from a remote place by taking into account a video recording enable capacity of a video recorder and the importance of recorded programs. <P>SOLUTION: In registering a video recording schedule to a personal video recorder 2 through remote operation, a personal terminal 3 transmits a data transmission request signal to the personal video recorder 2 via the Internet 7, extracts the video recording enable capacity and the video recording history of the personal video recorder 2 from the personal video recorder 2 via the Internet 7 and displays the data on a display means 12 of the personal terminal 3. A user refers to the display to be able to confirm the recordable capacity of the personal video recorder 2 and discriminate the propriety of overwrite of data on the personal video recorder 2 on the basis of the importance of the programs having already been recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording reservation method and a recording reservation system for registering a recording schedule in a remote recording apparatus.

  A recording reservation method and a recording reservation system in which a recording schedule is registered in a remote recording device using a personal terminal or the Internet are already known, for example, as Patent Document 1.

  Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 which centrally manage data such as time change and time extension of the recording setting program and automatically change the recording schedule of the recording device by the change operation from the management server. Etc. are proposed.

  However, all of these technologies are based on the premise that all the programs registered as a recording schedule can be recorded on the recording device as they are, and the recording capacity of the recording device is insufficient. May cause inconvenience that data of an important program previously recorded is lost due to overwriting of data in the data storage medium of the recording apparatus by execution of a new recording schedule.

  Therefore, when a new recording schedule is registered, it is necessary to check the recordable capacity of the recording apparatus or to determine whether or not data can be overwritten based on the importance of the already recorded program.

  Such processing is easy when the user is at home, but when the recording schedule is set to the recording device at home from a remote place using a personal terminal, recording by the recording device is possible. It is difficult to check the capacity and the contents of the recorded program, and there is a problem that the recording schedule cannot be set in consideration of the recordable capacity and the importance of the recorded program.

JP 2002-33985 A (FIG. 3) JP 2002-344868 (FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-9047 (FIG. 3)

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, and to make a recording reservation method capable of setting a recording schedule from a remote location in consideration of the recordable capacity of the recording device and the importance of recorded programs, and It is to provide a recording reservation system.

The recording reservation method of the present invention is a recording reservation method for registering a recording schedule in a personal recording device by transmitting program reservation data set in the personal terminal to a remote personal recording device via the Internet. In order to solve the above problem,
When a recording schedule is registered in the personal recording device, a data transmission request signal is transmitted from the personal terminal to the personal recording device via the Internet, and the personal recording device that receives the data transmission request signal transmits the data transmission request signal to the personal recording device. The recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are transmitted to the personal terminal via the terminal, and the personal terminal displays the recordable capacity and recording history on the display means of the personal terminal. The program reservation data is allowed to be transmitted.

  Since the recording capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are displayed on the display means of the personal terminal as pre-processing for transmitting the program reservation data, the user can refer to this display to record the recording capacity of the personal recording device. Or whether or not data can be overwritten on the personal recording apparatus based on the importance of the already recorded program.

Furthermore, in order to enable recording of a desired program even when the recording capacity of the personal recording device is insufficient,
In advance, a personal recording device and a shared recording device are connected to the Internet and deployed.
When registering the recording schedule, a data transmission request signal is transmitted from the personal terminal to the personal recording device via the Internet, and the personal recording device receiving the data transmission request signal transmits the data transmission request signal via the Internet. The recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are transmitted to a personal terminal, and after the personal terminal displays the recordable capacity and recording history on the display means of the personal terminal, the personal recording At the stage when a selection command for designating either one of the device and the shared recording device as a recording schedule registration destination is input to the personal terminal, transmission of program reservation data to the registration destination is permitted.
When a download request signal is input from the personal recording device to the shared recording device via the Internet, the recorded content recorded in the shared recording device is transferred from the shared recording device to the personal recording device via the Internet. You may apply the structure of downloading to.

As described above, the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are displayed on the display means of the personal terminal as pre-processing for transmitting the program reservation data, so that the user can refer to this display for the personal recording device. It is possible to check the recordable capacity, and determine whether data can be overwritten on the personal recording apparatus based on the importance of the already recorded program.
In addition, by inputting a selection command to the personal terminal, any one of the personal recording device and the common recording device can be designated as a recording schedule registration destination, so that the recording capacity of the personal recording device can be increased. If there is a shortage, or if you want to keep the program already recorded on the personal recording device, register the recording schedule of the desired program in the shared recording device and record the program. The program can later be downloaded from the shared recording device to a personal recording device and played back.

In addition, in order to be able to accurately grasp the contents of programs already recorded on personal recording devices,
A database server including a database that stores a program broadcast station name, a program broadcast time, and a program name at least including a program broadcast station name and a program broadcast time in the recording history of the personal recording device. Deploy on top
When the recording history of the personal recording device is transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, the database server refers to the database to identify the program name corresponding to the recording history, and information including this program name May be transmitted to the personal terminal.

  Information necessary for registration of a recording schedule, that is, information necessary for specifying a program to be recorded includes a program broadcast station name and a program broadcast time. Therefore, it is very easy to store such information as a recording history in a personal recording device. However, even if the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time are specified, it is not always easy for the user to grasp the contents of the program corresponding thereto. Therefore, a database server on the Internet refers to the database, specifies the program name from the relationship between the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time, and transmits it to the user's personal terminal, so that it is already recorded on the personal recording device. The contents of the programs that are available can be easily grasped.

The recording reservation system of the present invention is a recording reservation system for registering a recording schedule in a personal recording apparatus by transmitting program reservation data set in a personal terminal to a personal recording apparatus in a remote place via the Internet. In order to solve the above problem,
The personal terminal includes a setting operation detection means for detecting the start of a setting operation for program reservation data, and a data transmission request signal to the personal recording device via the Internet in response to a detection operation of the setting operation detection means. A data transmission request signal transmission means for transmitting the data, a display means for displaying the recordable capacity and recording history transmitted from the personal recording device, and until the recordable capacity and recording history are displayed on the display means. Registration operation prohibition means for prohibiting transmission of program reservation data from this personal terminal during
The personal recording device stores the recording history of the personal recording device, the recordable capacity of the personal recording device in response to the data transmission request signal, and the storage means. And a data transmission means for transmitting the recorded recording history to the personal terminal via the Internet.

In the above configuration, when the user starts setting operation of program reservation data to the personal terminal, the setting operation detecting means of the personal terminal detects this and activates the data transmission request signal transmitting means. The transmission request signal transmission means transmits a data transmission request signal to the personal recording device via the Internet.
Then, the personal recording device that has received the data transmission request signal via the Internet operates the data transmitting means, and the recording history stored in the storage means of the personal recording device and the recordable capacity of the personal recording device Are transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, and the personal terminal that receives them displays the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device on the display means.
The user confirms the recordable capacity and the display of the recording history, and further determines whether data can be overwritten on the personal recording device based on the importance of the already recorded program.
When the display of the recordable capacity and the recording history in the personal terminal is completed, the restriction by the registration operation prohibiting means is released, and the transmission of program reservation data from the personal terminal is allowed.
Based on the above-described determination, the user can record a new program by overwriting by deleting a program already recorded in the personal recording device when the recording capacity of the personal recording device is sufficient. Under such circumstances, the personal terminal is operated to transmit the newly set program reservation data to the personal recording device via the Internet, and the recording schedule is registered in the personal recording device. Start recording. In addition, when the recordable capacity of the personal recording device is insufficient, or when the user does not want to delete the program already recorded in the personal recording device, the user can set the newly set program. Cancel the operation of sending the reservation data to the personal recording device via the Internet and cancel the registration of the new recording schedule.
Thus, the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are displayed on the display means of the personal terminal as a pre-process for transmitting the program reservation data, so that the user can refer to this display and record the personal recording device. It is possible to check the recordable capacity, and determine whether data can be overwritten on the personal recording apparatus based on the importance of the already recorded program.

Furthermore, in order to enable recording of a desired program even when the recording capacity of the personal recording device is insufficient,
Deploy a personal recording device and a shared recording device connected to the Internet,
The personal terminal includes a setting operation detection means for detecting the start of a setting operation for program reservation data, and a data transmission request signal to the personal recording device via the Internet in response to a detection operation of the setting operation detection means. A data transmission request signal transmitting means for transmitting, a display means for displaying the recordable capacity and recording history transmitted from the personal recording apparatus, and any one of the personal recording apparatus and the shared recording apparatus The registration destination selection means for selecting the registration destination of the recording schedule from one side, display of the recordable capacity and recording history by the display means, and selection by the registration destination selection means after completion of the selection operation by the registration destination selection means Registration execution means for transmitting the program reservation data to the registered destination,
The personal recording device stores the recording history of the personal recording device, the recordable capacity of the personal recording device in response to the data transmission request signal, and the storage means. A data transmission means for transmitting a recording history to the personal terminal via the Internet, and a download request signal transmission means for transmitting a download request signal to the shared recording device via the Internet,
The shared recording device detects a download request signal input from the personal recording device via the Internet, and records the recording contents recorded in the shared recording device via the Internet. A configuration may be applied in which a recording content transmission means for downloading is provided.

As described above, when the user starts setting operation of program reservation data for the personal terminal, the setting operation detecting means of the personal terminal detects this and activates the data transmission request signal transmitting means, and this data transmission The request signal transmission means transmits a data transmission request signal to the personal recording device via the Internet.
Then, the personal recording apparatus that has received the data transmission request signal via the Internet activates the data transmission means, and the recording history stored in the storage means of the personal recording apparatus and the personal recording apparatus can record The capacity is transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, and the personal terminal that receives the capacity displays the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device on the display means.
The user confirms the recordable capacity and the display of the recording history, and further, based on the importance of the program already recorded in the personal recording device, whether or not the data can be overwritten on the personal recording device, or It is determined that a shared recording device is used instead of the recording device for recording.
When the recordable capacity and recording history display on the personal terminal and the selection operation by the registration destination selection unit are completed, the registration execution unit operates, and the personal recording device or the common recording device that is the registration destination of the recording schedule from the personal terminal is operated. Program reservation data is transmitted to any one of them.
Here, when the program reservation data is transmitted to the personal recording device, the recording schedule is registered in the personal recording device, and the personal recording device records the program according to the recording schedule. When the program reservation data is transmitted to the shared recording device, the shared recording device records the program according to the recording schedule.
When viewing a program recorded on the shared recording device, the download request signal transmitting means of the personal recording device is operated to transmit a download request signal to the shared recording device via the Internet.
The shared recording device detects the download request signal input from the personal recording device via the Internet and operates the recording content transmitting means, and the recorded content recorded in the shared recording device is transmitted via the Internet. Download to a personal recording device.
Thus, the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are displayed on the display means of the personal terminal as a pre-process for transmitting the program reservation data, so that the user can refer to this display and record the personal recording device. It is possible to check the recordable capacity, and determine whether data can be overwritten on the personal recording apparatus based on the importance of the already recorded program.
In addition, by inputting a selection command to the personal terminal, any one of the personal recording device and the common recording device can be designated as a recording schedule registration destination, so that the recording capacity of the personal recording device can be increased. If there is a shortage, or if you want to keep the program already recorded on the personal recording device, register the recording schedule of the desired program in the shared recording device and record the program. The program can later be downloaded from a shared recording device to a personal recording device and played back.

In addition, in order to be able to accurately grasp the contents of programs already recorded on personal recording devices,
The storage means of the personal recording device is configured to store the recording history including the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time, and at least the correspondence relationship between the program broadcast station name, the program broadcast time, and the program name is stored. Deploying a database server with a database on the Internet;
The database server specifies a program name corresponding to the recording history by referring to the database when the recording history of the personal recording device is transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, and includes the program name. Related information transmitting means for transmitting information to the personal terminal is provided.

  If such a configuration is applied, the related information transmission means provided in the database server on the Internet refers to the database to identify the program name from the relationship between the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time, and this program name is determined. Since it is automatically transmitted to the user's personal terminal, the user can grasp the contents of the program already recorded in the personal recording device very easily.

  As a personal terminal, it is appropriate to use a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet.

  In addition, a personal computer or the like installed at a user's house or a remote place can be used as a personal terminal.

  The recording reservation method and the recording reservation system of the present invention display the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device on the display means of the personal terminal as pre-processing for transmitting the program reservation data. Refer to this display to check the recordable capacity of the personal recording device, determine whether data can be overwritten on the personal recording device based on the importance of the programs already recorded on the personal recording device, etc. can do. Therefore, it is possible to effectively solve the problem that important recordings are lost by overwriting data.

  Furthermore, a personal recording device and a shared recording device are connected to the Internet, and a selection command is input to the personal terminal, whereby either one of the personal recording device and the common recording device is registered as a recording schedule registration destination. If the recording capacity of the personal recording device is insufficient, or if you want to keep the program already recorded in the personal recording device, the shared recording device It is also possible to register a recording schedule for a desired program, record the program, and later download the program from a shared recording device to a personal recording device for playback.

  In addition, the recording history of the personal recording device includes the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time, and at least a database storing the correspondence between the program broadcast station name, the program broadcast time, and the program name is provided. When the database server is deployed on the Internet and the recording history of the personal recording device is transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, the database server refers to the database to identify the program name corresponding to the recording history, Since the information including the program name is transmitted to the personal terminal, even if only the information necessary for registration of the recording schedule is stored as the recording history, the user can The contents of programs already recorded on the personal recording device can be grasped very easily.

  As a personal terminal, it is reasonable from the viewpoint of portability to use a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet, but it is also possible to use personal computers installed in various places as personal terminals. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a recording reservation system when the recording reservation method of the present invention is implemented.

  The recording reservation system 1 substantially includes a personal recording device 2 such as a DVD recorder or a video deck owned by the user, a personal terminal 3 constituted by the user's mobile phone, etc., and a data distribution business owner. The common recording device 4 such as a DVD recorder or a video deck, a database server 6 having a database 5, and the Internet 7.

  The web server 8 owned by the data distribution business owner and the like is for facilitating information transmission between the shared recording device 4 or the database server 6 and the Internet 7, and is not an essential requirement for the configuration.

  Although it is possible to use the personal computer 9 installed in the user's house or other remote place as the personal terminal 3 instead of the mobile phone or the like, it is constituted by a mobile phone or the like in terms of portability and convenience. It is desirable to use the personal terminal 3 to be used.

  The personal recording device 2 is installed at the user's house and connected to the Internet 7, and the shared recording device 4 and the database server 6 are connected to the Internet 7 via the web server 8. Further, the personal terminal 3 constituted by a mobile phone or the like can be connected to the Internet 7 via the nearest base station.

  In the personal recording device 2 and the shared recording device 4, program reservation data input via the Internet 7 is registered as a recording schedule in a non-volatile memory as its storage means, and recording is performed based on this recording schedule. A known recording reservation function to be executed is installed. In order to execute the recording schedule, it is necessary to specify at least the program broadcasting station name and the program broadcasting time, and these pieces of information are nonvolatile in the personal recording device 2 when the program reservation data is input to the personal recording device 2. It is stored as a recording history in the memory, and is automatically deleted when the program reservation is canceled or the recorded data is deleted.

  The database 5 of the database server 6 receives personal information 11a input from the terminal of the entertainment production 10a via the Internet 7 and the web server 8, and is input from the terminal of the program broadcasting station 10b via the Internet 7 and the web server 8. The program information 11b is sequentially updated and stored. The program broadcast station 10b updates and uploads the program information 11b without delay when the program name of the program to be broadcast, the program broadcast time, or the like changes. Since the program ID and program name information are stored redundantly in the person information 11a and the program information 11b, it is possible to refer to the person information 11a and the program information 11b by using these parameters. .

  There is no particular restriction on the information stored as the person information 11a or the program information 11b, but at least the correspondence relationship between the program broadcast station name, the program broadcast time, and the program name needs to be clarified by the program information 11b.

  An outline of a recording reservation method performed using the recording reservation system 1 will be briefly described.

  First, when the user starts setting operation of program reservation data for the personal terminal 3, the setting operation detecting means of the personal terminal 3 detects this, and the data transmission request signal transmitting means of the personal terminal 3 is detected. In operation, this data transmission request signal transmission means transmits a data transmission request signal to the personal recording device 2 via the Internet 7.

  Then, the personal recording device 2 that has received the data transmission request signal via the Internet 7 activates the data transmission means of the personal recording device 2 and stores the data in the nonvolatile memory of the personal recording device 2 at this time. The recorded recording history and the recordable capacity of the personal recording device 2 are transmitted to the web server 8 via the Internet 7. There may be a plurality of recording histories, and each recording history includes at least a program broadcasting station name and a program broadcasting time. Further, the recordable capacity here is an unstored area where no recorded data is stored at the present time among the storage areas of the data storage medium mounted on the personal recording device 2, such as megabytes, gigabytes, etc. The data storage capacity or the recordable time is indicated, and the value is automatically updated sequentially in accordance with the execution of recording or the deletion of recorded data.

  In this embodiment, the recording history is transmitted from the personal recording device 2 to the web server 8 by using the database server 6 to record the recording history including data of the program broadcasting station name and the program broadcasting time. This is because the program name is converted into an easily understandable program name, and the recording history and the program name are substantially equivalent. Since the program name in place of the recording history is finally transmitted to the personal terminal 3 via the web server 8, this structure is “the recording history and the recordable capacity of the personal recording device are recorded for personal recording. This is not inconsistent with the description of the claims that “send from the data transmission means of the apparatus to the personal terminal via the Internet”.

  Next, the web server 8 that has received the information temporarily stores the recordable capacity, requests the database server 6 to search for data, and the database server 6 sets the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time as the recording history. Based on this, the program information 11b in the database 5 is searched to identify the program name corresponding to the recording history, and then the program name data is delivered to the web server 8.

  The web server 8 to which the data of the program name has been delivered operates the related information transmitting means of the web server 8 to obtain the program name which is data replacing the recording history and the recordable capacity temporarily stored as described above. The data is transmitted to the personal terminal 3 instead of the database server 6.

  In this embodiment, a web server 8 is used to facilitate information transmission between the shared recording device 4 or the database server 6 and the Internet 7, and the web server 8 shares the communication function of the database server 6. Since it can be regarded as an apparatus, the provision of the related information transmitting means in the web server 8 is not inconsistent with the description of the scope of claims that “the related information transmitting means is provided in the database server”.

  Then, the personal terminal 3 that has received the information displays the recordable capacity of the personal recording device 2 and the program name instead of the recording history on the display means 12 such as a liquid crystal display.

  Here, the user confirms the display of the recordable capacity and the recorded program name (recording history), and the recordable capacity of the personal recording device 2 and the importance of the program already recorded in the personal recording device 2 Based on the above, it is determined whether data can be overwritten on the personal recording device 2 or the shared recording device 4 is used instead of the personal recording device 2.

  When recording a program on the personal recording device 2, the user selects the personal recording device 2 as a recording schedule registration destination using the registration destination selection means of the personal terminal 3, and When recording a program in the shared recording device 4, the shared recording device 4 is selected as a recording schedule registration destination by using the registration destination selection means.

  When the display of the recordable capacity and the program name and the selection operation by the registration destination selection unit are completed in this way, the registration execution unit of the personal terminal 3 is activated, and the personal terminal 3 is the registration destination of the recording schedule. Program reservation data is transmitted to either the recording device 2 or the web server 8.

  As described above, the web server 8 is provided for facilitating information transmission between the shared recording device 4 or the database server 6 and the Internet 7, and the web server 8 communicates with the shared recording device 4. Since it can be regarded as a device that shares functions, transmitting program reservation data from the personal terminal 3 to the web server 8 is “transmitting program reservation data from the personal terminal to the shared recording device”. It is not inconsistent with the description.

  Here, when the program reservation data is transmitted to the personal recording device 2, the recording schedule is registered in the non-volatile memory that is the storage means of the personal recording device 2, and the personal recording device 2 follows the recording schedule. A program is recorded by a known recording reservation function. Further, when a recording schedule is registered in the nonvolatile memory that is a storage means of the personal recording device 2, information on the program broadcast station name and the program broadcast time included in the program reservation data is stored in the personal recording device 2. It is stored as a recording history in a non-volatile memory.

  On the other hand, when the program reservation data is transmitted to the web server 8, the web server 8 registers a recording schedule in the non-volatile memory of the shared recording device 4, and the shared recording device 4 performs a known recording reservation function according to the recording schedule. To record the program.

  When a user views a program recorded on the shared recording device 4, the download request signal transmission means of the personal recording device 2 is activated and a download request signal is transmitted to the web server 8 via the Internet 7. .

  The web server 8 detects a download request signal input from the personal recording device 2 via the Internet 7, operates the recording content transmission unit of the web server 8, and records the recording content recorded in the common recording device 4. Is downloaded to the personal recording device 2 via the Internet 7, the recorded content recorded in the shared recording device 4 is deleted, and the storage area of the shared recording device 4 is released.

  The web server 8 is provided to facilitate information transmission between the shared recording device 4 or the database server 6 and the Internet 7, and the web server 8 shares the communication function of the shared recording device 4. Since it can be regarded as an apparatus, the provision of the recording content transmission means in the web server 8 is not inconsistent with the description of the scope of claims that “the recording content transmission means is provided in the shared recording apparatus”.

  Next, a configuration example of the personal recording device 2, the personal terminal 3, the common recording device 4, the database server 6, and the web server 8 constituting the recording reservation system 1, and the setting operation detection means and data of the personal terminal 3 As transmission request signal transmission means, registration destination selection means, registration operation prohibition means, registration execution means, data transmission means of personal recording device 2, download request signal transmission means, related information transmission means of web server 8, and recording content transmission means The processing operation of the CPU of each functioning device will be specifically described with reference to examples.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the personal terminal 3 constituted by a mobile phone.

  The hardware configuration is the same as that of a conventional mobile phone. The personal terminal 3 includes a CPU 13 for arithmetic processing, a ROM 14 storing a drive control program for the CPU 13, a RAM 15 used for temporary storage of data, a reception The CPU 13 is provided with a nonvolatile memory 16 for storing stored mail and other data, and the CPU 13 includes an input / output circuit including a speaker 17, a microphone 18, a key switch 19, a display means 12 including a liquid crystal display, a transmission / reception circuit 20, and the like. 21 is connected.

  The CPU 13 of the personal terminal 3 also functions as setting operation detection means, data transmission request signal transmission means, registration destination selection means, and registration execution means in the personal terminal 3.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the personal recording apparatus 2 constituted by a DVD recorder or a video deck.

  The main part of the personal recording apparatus 2 is constituted by a recording / reproducing unit 22 which is a mechanism part such as a DVD recorder or a video deck. The recording / reproducing unit 22 includes a tuner 23 for broadcast reception, a monitor 24 for image reproduction, and audio. An external device such as a reproduction speaker 25 is connected. The recording / reproducing unit 22 is driven and controlled by a CPU 27 as its driving control means via an input / output circuit 26, and a driving control program for the CPU 27 is stored in a ROM 28. The RAM 29 is used for temporary storage of data. In addition, program reservation data input from the personal terminal 3 via the Internet 7 and the interface 31 is registered as a recording schedule in the non-volatile memory 30 that is a storage unit of the personal recording device 2. The recording history including the name and program broadcast time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 30. Several switches are provided on the operation panel 32 connected to the input / output circuit 26, and the output of the download request signal from the personal recording apparatus 2 is performed by operating the download switch of the operation panel 32.

  The CPU 27 of the personal recording device 2 functions as a data transmission unit and a download request signal transmission unit in the personal recording device 2 in addition to the drive control unit of the recording / playback unit 22.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the shared recording device 4 configured by a DVD recorder, a video deck, or the like. The hardware configuration of the shared recording device 4 is loaded in the recording / playback unit 39. It is basically the same as the personal recording device 2 except that the capacity of the data storage medium is large.

  The shared recording device 4 is connected to the web server 8 and the database server 6 through an interface 37. Since the shared recording device 4 is used exclusively for recording a program, connection with a monitor, a speaker, or the like is not always necessary. Program reservation data input from the web server 8 via the interface 37 is registered in the nonvolatile memory 36 as a recording schedule.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the web server 8 constituted by a personal computer or a workstation.

  The web server 8 includes a CPU 41 for arithmetic processing, a ROM 42 storing a drive control program for the CPU 41, a RAM 43 used for temporary storage of data, a non-volatile memory 44 including a hard disk, an interface 49, and the like. A display 45, a keyboard 46, a mouse 47 and the like are connected via an input / output circuit 48. The web server 8 is connected to the Internet 7, the shared recording device 4, and the database server 6 through the interface 49.

  The CPU 41 of the web server 8 functions as an overall drive control unit of the web server 8, and also functions as a related information transmission unit and a recording content transmission unit.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the database server 6 constituted by a personal computer or a workstation. The hardware configuration of the database server 6 is basically the same as that of the web server 8. It is.

  The non-volatile memory 53 of the database server 6 constituted by a hard disk or the like stores at least the database 5 that stores the correspondence between the program broadcast station name, the program broadcast time, and the program name.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the database 5 includes person information 11a and program information 11b. The person information 11a includes a number of persons including a person ID, a person name, a program ID, a program name, and an affiliated office. In addition, the program information 11b includes a large number of information including a program ID, a program name, a broadcasting station name, and a program broadcasting time. Among them, the personal information 11a is information registered in the database storage area of the nonvolatile memory 53 in the database server 6 via the Internet 7 and the web server 8 from the terminal of the entertainment production 10a, and the program information 11b is the program information This information is registered in the database storage area of the nonvolatile memory 53 in the database server 6 via the Internet 7 and the web server 8 from the terminal of the broadcasting station 10b. When the program name or program broadcast time of the program to be broadcast is changed, the content of the program information 11b is updated without delay by the operation on the program broadcast station 10b side.

  In this example, the personal information 11a and the program information 11b are divided and handled for the purpose of facilitating the processing operation on the entertainment production 10a and the program broadcasting station 10b side. However, these pieces of information are integrated. In addition, even in the case of division as in this example, it is handled as substantially integrated data by associating the person information 11a and the program information 11b with the program ID and program name information as parameters. be able to. The person name and person ID mentioned here are not information related to the role but information related to the individual actor.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the CPU 13 functioning as setting operation detection means, data transmission request signal transmission means, registration destination selection means, registration operation prohibition means, and registration execution means of the personal terminal 3. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an outline of processing executed by the CPU 41 functioning as related information transmission means and recording content transmission means of the web server 8, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are processing executed by the CPU 50 of the database server 6. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the CPU 27 functioning as data transmission means and download request signal transmission means of the personal recording device 2.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 7 to 12, the overall processing operation of the personal terminal 3, the web server 8, the database server 6, the personal recording device 2, and the shared recording device 4 constituting the recording reservation system 1. This will be specifically described.

  The CPU 13 of the personal terminal 3 performs a determination process for detecting whether or not a search condition for selecting a program candidate to be reserved is input through the key switch 19 by a user operation (step a1), A determination process (step a16) for detecting whether or not a program change notification mail transmitted from the web server 8 has been received and a normal cellular phone process (step a18) related to a call or the like are repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals. ing.

  Here, when the user inputs a search condition for selecting a program candidate to be reserved, the CPU 13 functioning as a setting operation detection unit of the personal terminal 3 means the start of the setting operation in the determination process of step a1. The CPU 13 functioning as a data transmission request signal transmission means of the personal terminal 3 detects the input of the search condition to be transmitted, and sends the input search condition and the ID of the personal terminal 3 via the Internet 7 to the web server 8. As a data transmission request signal (step a2), and enters a standby state waiting for a response from the web server 8 (step a3).

  As a search condition for selecting a program candidate to be reserved, a combination of a person name, an affiliated office, a broadcasting station name, a program broadcasting time, etc., in addition to a program name that can specify recording contents independently, that is, the database 5 A combination of various types of information registered in advance can be freely used.

  On the other hand, the CPU 41 of the web server 8 detects the presence / absence of input of search conditions from the personal terminal 3 (step b1) and the presence / absence of input of program reservation data from the personal terminal 3. Determination processing (step b9), determination processing for detecting the presence / absence of the input of the reservation result from the personal terminal 3 (step b11), and the presence / absence of the input of the download request signal from the personal recording device 2 A determination process (step b13) for detection and a determination process (step b16) for detecting the presence / absence of an input of a program change notification from the database server 6 are repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals. The search condition transmitted from the terminal 3 and the ID of the personal terminal 3 are detected by the CPU 41 in the determination process of step b1.

  The CPU 41 that has received these data temporarily stores the ID of the personal terminal 3, transfers the search conditions to the database server 6 (step b2), and then enters a standby state waiting for a response from the database server 6 (step b2). b3).

  On the other hand, the CPU 50 of the database server 6 performs a determination process for detecting the presence / absence of a search condition input from the web server 8 (step c1) and a determination for detecting the presence / absence of a recording history input from the web server 8. Processing (step c3), determination processing for detecting the presence / absence of an input of the reservation result from the web server 8 (step c5), input of personal information 11a from the terminal of the entertainment production 10a, or terminal of the program broadcasting station 10b (Step c7) for detecting whether or not the program information 11b is input from the computer, and further, processing related to confirmation of the contents related to the person information 11a and the program information 11b in the database 5 and determination of whether or not the contents are changed ( Steps c9 and c10) are repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals, and the search condition transmitted from the web server 8 In the determination process of step c1 it is detected by the CPU 50.

  The CPU 50 that has received the search condition in the determination process of step c1 refers to the person information 11a and the program information 11b in the database 5, selects a program name that matches the search condition as a program candidate to be reserved, and the program The personal information 11a and program information 11b corresponding to the name are transmitted as search results to the web server 8 (step c2). This search result includes a storage capacity required for recording each program, and this storage capacity is stored as other information in the program information 11b.

  The CPU 41 of the web server 8 detects the search result in the determination process in step b3 and temporarily stores it, and the personal recording device 2 having the corresponding ID, that is, the individual corresponding to the ID temporarily stored in the process in step b2 A data transmission request signal for requesting transfer of recordable capacity and recording history is transmitted to the personal recording device 2 owned by the user using the personal terminal 3 instead of the personal terminal 3 (step b4). A standby state for waiting for a response from the personal recording device 2 having the corresponding ID is entered (step b5).

  On the other hand, the CPU 27 of the personal recording device 2 performs a determination process for detecting whether or not a data transmission request signal is input from the web server 8 (step d1), and whether or not program reservation data is input from the personal terminal 3 (Step d3), a determination process for detecting whether or not a recording deletion command is input by an operation on the user side via the operation panel 32 (step d5), A determination process for detecting the presence or absence of an operation of the provided download switch (step d7), and a known recording process based on a recording schedule registered in the nonvolatile memory 30 as a storage means (step d10) Is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals, and the data transmission request signal transmitted from the web server 8 is sent by the CPU 27 in the determination process of step d1. It is detected Te.

  When the reception of the data transmission request signal is confirmed in the determination process of step d1, the CPU 27 functioning as the data transmission unit of the personal recording device 2 accesses the nonvolatile memory 30 that is a storage unit of the personal recording device 2. The recording history of the personal recording device 2 is read, and the current value of the recordable capacity of the recording / playback unit 22 that is sequentially updated and stored in the nonvolatile memory 30 according to execution of the recording schedule, deletion of recording, etc. is read These data are transmitted to the web server 8 (step d2). This recording history includes a program broadcast station name and a program broadcast time.

  The CPU 41 of the web server 8 detects the recording history and the recordable capacity transmitted from the personal recording device 2 in the determination process of step b5, temporarily stores this recordable capacity, and stores the record history data in the database server 6. After the transfer (step b6), a standby state for waiting for a response from the database server 6 is entered (step b7).

  The CPU 50 of the database server 6 detects the input of the recording history from the web server 8 in the determination process of step c3, identifies the program name matching this recording history with reference to the past data of the database 5, and this program The name and personal information 11a and program information 11b corresponding to the program name are transmitted to the web server 8 as program information (step c4).

  The CPU 41 functioning as the related information transmitting means of the web server 8 receives the information from the database server 6 in the determination process in step b7, and is temporarily stored in the personal terminal 3 having the corresponding ID, that is, in the process in step b2. For the personal terminal 3 corresponding to the ID, the reservation target candidate search result temporarily stored in the process of step b4, the recordable capacity temporarily stored in the process of step b6, and the program received in the process of step b7 Is transmitted via the Internet 7 (step b8).

  The CPU 13 of the personal terminal 3 receives a search result, program information and recordable capacity from the web server 8 in the determination process of step a3, and displays these data on the display means 12 of the personal terminal 3. Start (step a4) and wait until the display process is completed.

  In the search result of the candidate for reservation displayed here, in addition to the program name that matches the search condition, various information included in the corresponding person information 11a and program information 11b, such as the person name, the affiliated office, and the broadcast The station name, program broadcast time, etc. can be attached. The recordable capacity displayed here is the recordable capacity of the personal recording device 2 installed at the user's home, and the program information displayed here is the individual installed at the user's home. The content of the recording history stored in the recording device 2 is converted into a form that can be easily understood, and includes at least a program name.

  When it is detected by the CPU 13 functioning as the registration operation prohibiting means that the display process has been completed (step a5), the program reservation data can be allowed to be transmitted from the personal terminal 3, and the CPU 13 From the search result displayed in FIG. 12, a standby state is entered in which one of the programs is selected as a reservation target or a process related to recording reservation is canceled (step a6, step a7). As described above, the search result of the candidate program to be reserved is displayed together with the program name and various data of the person information 11a and the program information 11b, as well as the storage capacity required for recording the program. Therefore, the user can select a program to reserve recording in consideration of various conditions.

  When the user operates the key switch 19 of the personal terminal 3 to select a program to be reserved from the search results, the CPU 13 detects the selection operation in the determination process of step a6, and performs the reservation target. (Step a8), the magnitude relationship between the storage capacity required for recording the selected program and the recordable capacity of the user's personal recording device 2 is compared. It is determined whether or not all the selected programs can be recorded in the user's personal recording device 2 (step a9).

  If it is determined that not all the programs can be recorded in the personal recording device 2 of the user, that is, if the determination result in step a9 is true, the CPU 13 selects the reserved program selected this time for the personal use of the user. A message is displayed on the display means 12 to select whether the recording device 2 is to be overwritten or to be recorded by the shared recording device 4 (step a12), and recording by overwriting or recording by commissioning is performed. It waits until either one is designated by the selection command from the key switch 19 (step a13, step a14).

  Here, when recording by overwriting is designated, the CPU 13 functioning as a registration destination selecting unit selects the personal recording device 2 as a registration destination of the recording schedule, and the CPU 13 functioning as a registration execution unit is the user. The program reservation data is transmitted via the Internet 7 to the personal recording device 2 corresponding to the ID (step a10). On the other hand, when the shared recording device 4 is designated as a recording schedule registration destination, the CPU 13 functioning as a registration destination selecting unit selects the common recording device 4 as a recording schedule registration destination and functions as a registration execution unit. The CPU 13 transmits the user ID and program reservation data to the web server 8 via the Internet 7 (step a15). These program reservation data include at least information on the program broadcast station name and program broadcast time.

  If it is determined that all programs can be recorded on the user's personal recording device 2, that is, if the determination result in step a9 is false, the personal ID corresponding to this user ID is automatically set. The recording device 2 is selected as a recording schedule registration destination (step a10).

  Whether the personal recording device 2 is selected as the recording schedule registration destination or the shared recording device 4 is selected as the recording schedule registration destination, the user ID and the program reservation data are used as the reservation result. It is transmitted to the web server 8 (step a11).

  When the program reservation data is transmitted from the personal terminal 3 to the personal recording apparatus 2 in the process of step a10, the CPU 27 of the personal recording apparatus 2 inputs the program reservation data in the determination process of step d3. This program reservation data is registered as a recording schedule in the non-volatile memory 30 which is a storage means of the personal recording device 2 (step d4), and the personal recording device 2 is processed in step d10 based on this recording schedule. However, a known recording process is executed as in the conventional case.

  On the other hand, when program reservation data is transmitted from the personal terminal 3 to the web server 8 in the process of step a15, the CPU 41 of the web server 8 inputs the program reservation data and ID in the determination process of step b9. The program reservation data and the ID are registered as a recording schedule in the nonvolatile memory 36 of the common recording device 4 (step b10), and the common recording device 4 executes the recording process according to the recording schedule.

  Then, the ID and the reservation result transmitted from the web server 8 in the process of step a11 are detected by the CPU 41 of the web server 8 in the determination process of step b11, and the CPU 41 transfers these data to the database server 6 (step b12). The CPU 50 of the database server 6 receives the data in the determination process of step c5, and registers these IDs and reservation results as reservation results in the database 5 (step c6).

  If the personal information 11a is input from the terminal of the entertainment production 10a or the program information 11b is input from the terminal of the program broadcasting station 10b, the CPU 50 of the database server 6 determines the new information in the determination process of step c7. The input is detected, and reconstruction processing of the person information 11a and the program information 11b in the database 5 is executed (step c8).

  Then, when a content change is detected by confirming the content related to the person information 11a and the program information 11b in the database 5 (step c9, step c10), the CPU 50 refers to the reservation result registered in the database 5, The ID corresponding to the reservation result including the detected change information is detected, and the changed person information 11a and program information 11b and the ID are transmitted to the web server 8 as a program change notification (step c11).

  Then, the CPU 41 of the web server 8 receives the program change notification in the determination process of step b16, and uses the personal terminal 3 having the corresponding ID, that is, the program in which the personal information 11a and the program information 11b are changed as a recording schedule. New person information 11a and program information 11b are transmitted as a program change notification mail to the personal terminal 3 of the user registered in the personal recording device 2 or the common recording device 4 (step b17).

  This e-mail is detected by the CPU 13 of the personal terminal 3 in the determination process of step a16, and the CPU 13 detecting this e-mail displays the contents of the e-mail on the display means 12 (step a17) and prompts the user to reconfirm the recording schedule. Prompt.

  Therefore, the user can execute the program reservation data re-input processing and the recording schedule re-registration processing by re-executing the processing after step a1 as described above, if necessary.

  When viewing a program recorded on the shared recording device 4, the user operates a download switch provided on the operation panel 32 of the personal recording device 2.

  The CPU 27 of the personal recording device 2 detects the operation of the download switch in the determination process of step d7, and the CPU 27 functioning as a download request signal transmitting means sends the ID of the personal recording device 2 and the download request signal via the Internet 7. It transmits to the web server 8 (step d8) and enters a standby state waiting for a response from the web server 8 (step d9).

  The CPU 41 of the web server 8 receives the ID and the download request signal from the personal recording device 2 in the determination process of step b13, and the CPU 41 functioning as the recording content transmitting means stores the recorded content stored in correspondence with the ID. Is read from the common recording device 4 and transferred to the personal recording device 2 having the corresponding ID via the Internet 7 for downloading (step b14). This recorded content is read into the personal recording device 2 by the process of step d9 on the personal recording device 2 side and stored in the data storage medium of the recording / playback unit 22.

  When the download is completed, the CPU 41 of the web server 8 transmits a recording deletion command to the shared recording device 4 (step b15), and the shared recording device 4 that has received the command deletes the corresponding storage area in the recording / playback unit 39. Delete the data and free the storage area.

  As described above, as one embodiment, the personal terminal 3 composed of a mobile phone or the like, the personal recording device 2 installed in the user's home, the shared recording device 4 owned by the data distribution business owner, the web server 8, and the like The example of the recording reservation system 1 configured by the database server 6 including the database 5 has been described. However, it is easy to integrate the functions of the web server 8 and the database server 6, and the shared recording apparatus 4 includes the web server 8. The functions of the database server 6 and the like can be sufficiently provided from the current technical level, and the various functions required for the recording reservation system 1 are allocated to which apparatus and how in the design. It's just a problem.

  When a personal computer installed in a remote place is used as a temporary personal terminal instead of the personal terminal 3 such as a mobile phone, the setting operation detection means, data provided in the CPU 13 of the personal terminal 3 Programs for realizing the functions of the transmission request signal transmission unit, the registration destination selection unit, and the registration execution unit are stored in the web server 8, and the web server 8 is used from the personal computers scattered in various places by using the functions of the web browser. It is possible to remotely access the function of the web server 8 and achieve substantially the same function as the personal terminal 3 of the above-described embodiment.

  The technical idea of the present invention can be used as a recording reservation method or a recording reservation system for radio broadcasts in addition to program recording reservation.

It is the conceptual diagram which showed an example of the video recording reservation system at the time of implementing the video recording reservation method of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the outline of the structure of the personal terminal which consists of a mobile telephone. It is the block diagram which showed the outline of the structure of the personal video recording apparatus. It is the block diagram which showed the outline of the structure of the common video recording apparatus. It is the block diagram which showed the outline of the structure of the web server. It is the block diagram which showed the outline of the structure of the database server. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the process performed by CPU of a personal terminal. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the process performed by CPU of a web server. It is a continuation of the flowchart which showed the outline of the process performed by CPU of a web server. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the process performed by CPU of a database server. It is the continuation of the flowchart which showed the outline of the process performed by CPU of a database server. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the process performed by CPU of a personal video recording apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording reservation system 2 Personal recording device (DVD recorder or VCR)
3 Personal terminal (mobile phone)
4 Shared recording device (DVD recorder or VCR)
5 Database 6 Database server 7 Internet 8 Web server 9 Personal computer 10a Entertainment production 10b Program broadcasting station 11a Personal information 11b Program information 12 Display means (liquid crystal display etc.)
13 CPU (setting operation detection means, data transmission request signal transmission means, registration destination selection means, registration operation prohibition means, registration execution means)
14 ROM
15 RAM
16 Non-volatile memory 17 Speaker 18 Microphone 19 Key switch 20 Transmission / reception circuit 21 Input / output circuit 22 Recording / playback unit 23 Tuner 24 Monitor 25 Speaker 26 Input / output circuit 27 CPU (data transmission means, download request signal transmission means)
28 ROM
29 RAM
30 Non-volatile memory (storage means for personal recording device)
31 Interface 32 Operation panel (Download switch)
33 CPU
34 ROM
35 RAM
36 Non-volatile memory 37 Interface 38 Input / output circuit 39 Recording / playback unit 40 Tuner 41 CPU (related information transmitting means, recorded content transmitting means)
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 Non-volatile memory 45 Display 46 Keyboard 47 Mouse 48 Input / output circuit 49 Interface 50 CPU
51 ROM
52 RAM
53 Non-volatile memory 54 Display 55 Keyboard 56 Mouse 57 Input / output circuit 58 Interface

Claims (7)

In a recording reservation method for registering a recording schedule in the personal recording device by transmitting program reservation data set in the personal terminal to a personal recording device in a remote place via the Internet,
When registering a recording schedule in the personal recording device, the personal terminal transmits a data transmission request signal to the personal recording device via the Internet and receives the data transmission request signal. A recording device transmits the recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device to the personal terminal via the Internet, and the personal terminal displays the recordable capacity and the recording means on the display means of the personal terminal. A recording reservation method characterized by allowing transmission of program reservation data after displaying a recording history. In a recording reservation method for registering a recording schedule in the recording device by transmitting program reservation data set in a personal terminal to a remote recording device via the Internet,
A personal recording device and a shared recording device are previously connected to the Internet and deployed.
When registering a recording schedule, a data transmission request signal is transmitted from the personal terminal to the personal recording device via the Internet, and the personal recording device receiving the data transmission request signal transmits the data transmission request signal to the personal recording device. The recordable capacity and recording history of the personal recording device are transmitted to the personal terminal via the personal terminal, and the personal terminal displays the recordable capacity and recording history on the display means of the personal terminal. When a selection command for designating either one of the personal recording device and the shared recording device as a recording schedule registration destination is input to the personal terminal, program reservation data is transmitted to the registration destination. While allowing
When a download request signal is input from the personal recording device to the shared recording device via the Internet, the recorded content recorded in the shared recording device is transferred to the shared recording device via the Internet. The recording reservation method is characterized in that it is downloaded to the personal recording device. A database server including a database that stores a program broadcast station name, a program broadcast time, and a program name, and includes a program broadcast station name and a program broadcast time in the recording history of the personal recording device; Deploy on the Internet,
When the recording history of the personal recording device is transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, the database server refers to the database to identify the program name corresponding to the recording history, and this program 3. The recording reservation method according to claim 1, wherein information including a name is transmitted to the personal terminal. In a recording reservation system for registering a recording schedule in the personal recording device by transmitting program reservation data set in the personal terminal to a personal recording device in a remote place via the Internet,
In the personal terminal, setting operation detecting means for detecting the start of setting operation of program reservation data, and data transmission to the personal recording device via the Internet in response to a detection operation of the setting operation detecting means A data transmission request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal; a display means for displaying a recordable capacity and a recording history transmitted from the personal recording device; and the recordable capacity and the recording history on the display means. Registration operation prohibition means for prohibiting transmission of program reservation data from this personal terminal until it is displayed,
The personal recording device stores the recording history of the personal recording device, the recordable capacity of the personal recording device in response to the data transmission request signal, and the storage means. A recording reservation system, comprising: a data transmission means for transmitting a recorded recording history to the personal terminal via the Internet. In a recording reservation system for registering a recording schedule in the recording device by transmitting program reservation data set in a personal terminal to a remote recording device via the Internet,
A personal recording device and a shared recording device are deployed connected to the Internet,
In the personal terminal, setting operation detecting means for detecting the start of setting operation of program reservation data, and data transmission to the personal recording device via the Internet in response to a detection operation of the setting operation detecting means A data transmission request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal, a display means for displaying a recordable capacity and a recording history transmitted from the personal recording device, and the personal recording device and the shared recording device. The registration destination selection means for selecting the registration destination of the recording schedule from any one of the above, the display of the recordable capacity and the recording history by the display means, and the registration destination selection waiting for completion of the selection operation by the registration destination selection means Registration execution means for transmitting the program reservation data to the registration destination selected by the means,
The personal recording device stores the recording history of the personal recording device, the recordable capacity of the personal recording device in response to the data transmission request signal, and the storage means. A data transmission means for transmitting a recording history to the personal terminal via the Internet, and a download request signal transmission means for transmitting a download request signal to the shared recording device via the Internet,
The shared recording device detects a download request signal input from the personal recording device via the Internet and records the recording content recorded in the shared recording device via the Internet. A recording reservation system, comprising: a recording content transmission means for downloading to a recording device. The storage means is configured to store a recording history including a program broadcast station name and a program broadcast time, and at least a database storing a correspondence relationship between the program broadcast station name, the program broadcast time, and the program name is provided. Deploying a database server on the Internet;
In the database server, when the recording history of the personal recording device is transmitted to the personal terminal via the Internet, the program name corresponding to the recording history is specified with reference to the database, 6. The recording reservation system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising related information transmitting means for transmitting information including the program name to the personal terminal.   7. The recording reservation system according to claim 4, wherein the personal terminal is configured by a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet.

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