JP2005269664A - Image recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording system which can always view and listen again broadcast information which is in the course of viewing and listening by a user or has been viewed and listened by the user, and can save the broadcast information eternally. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording system comprises a broadcast tuner 1 which receives broadcast information broadcasted by radio or a wireline, an external input portion 2, a main image recording portion 5 which saves broadcast information received by the tuner 1 and the portion 2 on the basis of an image recording direction of a user, and a sub-image recording portion 6 which saves received broadcast information temporarily. When an image recording direction which saves broadcast information in the main image recording portion 5 exists, control is performed which restrains processing for saving the broadcast information in the sub-image recording portion 6 temporarily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording system that receives and records broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire, and particularly relates to a recording system that can always re-view broadcast information that a user has watched.

  Conventionally, a VTR has been generally used as an apparatus for recording and reproducing broadcast program contents. When recording the contents of a broadcast program using this VTR, the selection of the program to be recorded, the investigation of the broadcast channel and broadcast time zone, the setting of the broadcast channel and broadcast time zone to the VTR, etc. The user was forced to perform complicated operations. Furthermore, even if such a setting operation to the VTR is performed, the program actually recorded on the VTR is not expected, or the program to be actually recorded is broadcast after the recording ends due to an erroneous operation. It often happened that.

  For this reason, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-282797, for example, a plurality of broadcast signals such as all programs broadcasted 24 hours a day are received, and each received broadcast signal is compressed to be recorded in a single recording. In the case of storing in the means, the content of the received broadcast signal is identified, and when the result of identifying one broadcast signal of the received broadcast signal has already been stored in the storage means, the one broadcast signal is excluded to the storage means. Storage method and storage that enables reduction of the amount of data that leads to degradation of image quality and long-time recording when the storage means has a constant capacity by constantly performing recording of the storage capacity in a circulating manner. A playback device has been proposed.

  In general, a plurality of recording devices such as VTRs may be provided. In this case, a single recording device is used as a main recording device to record a broadcast program or the like, and other recording devices are used for simultaneous broadcasting. In some cases, a recording system for recording a broadcast program (back program) is constructed. In addition, in this recording system, so-called dubbing processing in which information is copied and transferred from one recording apparatus to another recording apparatus can be performed.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-214895 discloses video as interactive interactive broadcast provided to subscribers when a desired program is desired from video programs such as movies or other video / audio signals. A first storage means for storing video / audio signals of a long-term broadcast program and video / audio of a medium-term broadcast program with respect to the on-demand device or a simplified version of the near-video on-demand device The storage means is hierarchized into a second storage means for storing signals and a third storage means for storing temporary video / audio signals for online broadcasting, so that long-term broadcast programs can be stored. Video / audio signal editing / sending apparatus and method for effectively storing broadcast program and temporary video / audio signal for online broadcasting It has been mounting.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-282797 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-214895

  However, in the conventional recording system described above, in addition to the recording based on the user's recording instruction, even if it is intended to immediately re-view the broadcast information that was currently viewed, the recording instruction for the already broadcast information is set. There was a problem that it was not possible to watch again.

  In the storage method and the storage / reproduction device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-282797, all broadcast information is basically stored regardless of the user's viewing, and the device becomes enormous. Moreover, recording all the multi-channel broadcast information such as CATV is a device that is almost impossible in general households.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording system that can always be re-viewed and can be permanently stored while the user is watching or watching the broadcast information.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a reception means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire, and is received by the reception means based on a recording instruction of a user. A main recording means for storing the broadcast information received, and one or more sub-recording means for temporarily storing the broadcast information received by the receiving means, and the recording for storing the broadcast information to the main recording means. When there is an instruction, the sub-recording unit is controlled to suppress processing for temporarily storing the broadcast information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first and second receiving means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire, and the first receiving means received by the first receiving means based on a user's recording instruction. Main recording means for storing broadcast information, and one or more sub-recording means for storing the broadcast information received by the second receiving means, and channel selection for the second receiving means is performed. If not, the same channel as the channel of the first receiving means is set and the recording process is performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the sub-reception unit that receives broadcast information broadcasted by radio or wire, and at least the reception unit and the sub-reception unit received the broadcast information. And switching means for switching and connecting the broadcast information to the one or more sub-recording means.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the receiving means, there is provided sub-receiving means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire, and the switching means is a broadcast received by the receiving means and the sub-receiving means. Information is at least switched to and connected to one or more sub-recording means, for example, while viewing broadcast information received by the receiving means, the broadcast information received by the sub-receiving means can be temporarily stored in one or more sub-recording means To.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the broadcast information received from at least the first receiving means and the second receiving means is stored in the one or more sub-recording means. And switching means for switching and connecting.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the switching means switches at least the broadcast information received by the first receiving means and the second receiving means to one or more sub-recording means, for example, While viewing broadcast information received by one receiving means, broadcast information received by the second receiving means can be stored in one or more sub-recording means.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more sub-recording means are a part of the storage area of the main recording means. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the one or more sub-recording units realize the main recording unit and the one or more sub-recording units as one storage area as a part of the storage area of the main recording unit. I am doing so.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least the broadcast information stored in the one or more sub-recording means is transferred or copied to the main recording means. It further comprises transfer means for performing processing.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the transfer means transfers or copies the broadcast information temporarily stored in at least one or more sub-recording means to the main recording means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is a recording instruction for storing the broadcast information to the main recording unit, the sub recording unit or There is an effect that it is possible to reduce the load due to the access capability of the main recording means and the processing of image capture and compression.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the channel selection for the second receiving means is not performed, the same channel as the channel of the first receiving means is set and the recording process is performed. When the recording instruction for the main recording means set by the user is incorrect and the recording cannot be performed, the recording is performed on the sub-recording means, so that the recording process is surely performed.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the receiving means, there is provided sub-receiving means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire, and the switching means is received by the receiving means and the sub-receiving means. The broadcast information output is at least switched to and connected to one or more sub-recording means. For example, while viewing broadcast information received by the receiving means, the broadcast information received by the sub-receiving means is temporarily stored in one or more sub-recording means. As a result, it is possible to flexibly connect the different broadcast information received by the receiving means and the sub-receiving means, and the combination of the main recording means and the sub-recording means for recording the different broadcast information, For example, it is possible to improve the function of recording broadcast information of the back program in the main recording unit or temporarily storing it in the sub recording unit.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the first receiving means and the second receiving means are provided, and the switching means receives one or more pieces of broadcast information received by the first receiving means and the second receiving means. For example, the broadcast information received by the second receiving means while watching the broadcast information received by the first receiving means can be stored in one or more sub-recording means. It is possible to flexibly connect different broadcast information received by the first receiving means and the second receiving means and the main recording means and sub-recording means for recording the different broadcast information. There is an effect that it is possible to improve functions such as recording broadcast information in the main recording means or storing it in the sub recording means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the one or more sub-recording units realize the main recording unit and the one or more sub-recording units in one apparatus as a partial storage area of the main recording unit. Therefore, the apparatus configuration of the main recording means and the one or more sub-recording means is simplified, and as a result, an effect that a reduction in size and weight can be realized.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the transfer means temporarily stores the broadcast information stored in at least one or more sub-recording means to one or more sub-recording means by transferring or copying the broadcast information to the main recording means. Thus, the desired broadcast information can be surely permanently stored from the broadcast information.

  Exemplary embodiments of a recording system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The recording system shown in FIG. 1 includes a set-top box 10 and a display unit 20 that is a display device such as a television. The “set-top box” generally refers to a device having a stationary reception function placed on a television, and here also has a recording function.

  The set-top box 10 includes a broadcast tuner 1 that selectively receives a broadcast radio signal and an external input unit 2 that receives an external video signal reproduced by a VTR, a video camera, or the like. An information signal including an image and sound input from the external input unit 2 and text is displayed on the display unit 20 and has a function of recording according to a predetermined setting. It has a function that can constantly record the program content indicated by the information signal.

  The image capture / compression unit 3 captures (captures) information such as images, sounds, and texts in real time based on the video signal input from the broadcast tuner 1 or the external input unit 2, and compresses the captured information. And the main recording unit 5 records the compressed information.

  On the other hand, the image capture / compression unit 4 captures information such as images, sounds, and texts in real time based on the video signal input from the broadcast tuner 1 or the external input unit 2, and compresses the captured information. The compressed information is stored (recorded) in the sub-recording unit 6. That is, the image capture / compression unit 3 performs the same processing as the image capture / compression unit 3, but causes the sub-recording unit 6 to record information, unlike the image capture / compression unit 3.

  The main recording unit 5 is specifically realized by a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk device or an optical storage device such as a DVD device, and records information compressed by the image capture / compression unit 3. The target to be recorded by the main recording unit 5 is, for example, to record the program content currently being viewed by the broadcast tuner 1 or reserved program content based on the user's recording instruction as in the case of a normal single VTR. To record.

  The sub-recording unit 6 is specifically realized by a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk device or a semiconductor memory, and records information compressed by the image capturing / compression unit 4. The target to be recorded by the sub-recording unit 6 is basically to always overwrite-record, for example, the program content viewed by the broadcast tuner 1 without having a special recording instruction at the time of viewing. The latest program content is compressed and recorded within the capacity of 6 that can be recorded, and the main recording unit 5 makes it possible to re-view the program that has been forgotten to be recorded or the program content that was viewed immediately before. The recording process to the sub-recording unit 6 will be described later.

  The decompressing unit 7 and the decompressing unit 8 decompress and decode the information recorded in the main recording unit 5 and the sub recording unit 6 respectively, and display the information restored to the original information on the display unit 20 or, if necessary, the external terminal 18. To send.

  The operation unit 11 includes an operation mode setting unit 12 including a genre setting unit 13, an image parameter setting unit 14, and a switch 15 that is a power input, and content to be set by the user for processing content for the set top box 10. Is input. This setting content will be described later.

  The transfer unit 16 mutually transfers or copies the information contents stored in the main recording unit 5 and the sub recording unit 6, and also connects to other recording devices or display devices outside the set top box 10 via a terminal 17. Transfer or copy output.

  The controller 9 controls the entire set-top box 10 and controls the display unit 20, and particularly performs control according to the setting contents instructed by the operation unit 11.

  Here, the operation mode setting unit 12 of the operation unit 11 displays the information of the currently viewed program regardless of whether the information of the currently viewed program is recorded in the main recording unit 5 via the broadcast tuner. Two operation modes can be set: a normal recording operation mode in which recording is always performed in the sub recording unit 6 and a recording prohibition operation mode in which recording in the sub recording unit 6 is prohibited. As described above, the set-top box 10 is characterized in that, in the initial state or the normal state, the sub-recording unit 6 always records the information of the currently viewed program via the display unit 20 and is immediately viewed. The contents of the recorded program or the program that has been forgotten to be recorded can be viewed immediately. The recording process to the sub-recording unit 6 is the durability of the entire set-top box 10, particularly the image capturing / compressing unit 4. This is because, since the durability of the sub-recording unit 6 is reduced and the energy saving effect is not obtained, there is a case where it is desired to prohibit the continuous recording to the sub-recording unit 6 at the request of the user.

  Next, an example of a recording process procedure for the sub-recording unit 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the controller 9 determines whether or not the switch 15 of the operation unit 11 is turned on (step S1), and proceeds to step S2 only when the switch 15 is turned on (step S1, YES). . When the switch 15 is turned on, the device power of the set top box 10 is turned on, which means that the device is started. The operation unit 11 may be provided in the set top box 10 or may be configured as an operation unit of a remote controller separated from the set top box 10.

  Thereafter, the controller 9 determines whether or not the operation mode set by the operation mode setting unit 12 is the recording prohibition operation mode (step S2). When the operation mode is the recording prohibition operation mode (step S2, YES), the process proceeds to step S1, and when the operation mode is not the recording prohibition operation mode (step S2, NO), the terminal type is the general image reception. It is determined whether it is a machine or a high-quality display (step S3). The type of terminal means the type of display unit that displays and outputs the information compressed and recorded in the sub-recording unit 6. A general receiver has a normal resolution, and a high-quality display means a high-resolution display device such as an HDTV.

  If the terminal type is a general receiver, a high compression format is applied to the compression processing method by the image capture / compression unit 4 (step S4), and if the terminal type is a high-quality display, an image is displayed. The high quality format is applied to the compression processing method by the capture / compression unit 4 (step S5), the compression processing is performed by the applied compression format, and the sub-recording unit 6 is recorded (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S1. .

  According to an example of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 6, deterioration of the sub-recording unit 6 and the image capture / compression unit 4 can be prevented and energy saving of the set top box 10 can be promoted by the user's selection. In addition, it is possible to perform appropriate compression processing according to the type of the output destination terminal.

  Here, the controller 9 may stop the recording process to the sub-recording unit 6 when the recording process to the main recording unit 5 is being executed. Thereby, useless recording processing of the sub-recording unit 6 can be eliminated, and as a result, deterioration of the sub-recording unit 6 and the image capture / compression unit 4 can be reduced.

  In the example of the recording process to the sub-recording unit 6, the type of the terminal is automatically determined by the controller 9. However, the determination based on the manual setting from the operation unit 11 may be performed.

  Further, although only the compression processing method, that is, the compression format is determined according to the type of terminal, the compression rate and frame rate in the compression processing method may also be determined in detail.

  The compression processing method (compression format), compression rate, and frame rate can be set by setting image parameters indicating them by the image parameter setting unit 14 of the operation unit 11. In this case, it is preferable to associate the type of terminal with the applied image parameter.

  The compression processing method is an appropriate compression format according to input information, and MPEG1, 2, 3, 4, 7, H.264, which can support multimedia. 261, H.M. International standards such as 262 can be used. In the case of moving images, the compression rate is the spatial compression rate of each picture frame. This compression rate affects the image quality of each reproduction frame, and the frame rate is so-called frame dropping, which is time compression. For example, if the frame rate is lowered, the movement becomes jerky.

  As a result, recording to the sub-recording unit 6 is not performed with an excessive image quality, that is, an excessive amount of information according to the type of terminal, and the storage capacity of the sub-recording unit 6 can be used efficiently. It enables recording for a long time using the storage capacity of 6.

  By the way, although there are two operation modes, a normal recording operation mode and a recording prohibition operation mode, it is also possible to set these two operation modes individually for each genre of a program to be viewed. Good.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation modes by genre by the genre setting unit 13. In the genre 31 on the display screen 30 of the genre setting section 13 shown in FIG. 3, “news, document”, “Japanese film”, “foreign film”, “drama”, “sports”, “animation”, “variety”, “information” 8 for each of these genres 31, and a “always record” button indicating a genre unit recording mode, and a “generally record disabled” operation mode for each genre 31. The operation mode for each genre can be set by selecting and setting any of the buttons. For example, when the “always record” button 34 is selected, the recording process to the sub-recording unit 6 is executed while viewing the program of the genre “news, document”, and when the “not always record” button 35 is selected, The recording process to the sub-recording unit 6 is not executed while viewing the program of the genre “News, Document”. Of course, the button group 33 for “always record” and the button group 32 for “not always record” are exclusive selections.

  In this genre-specific setting unit 13, all the users are manually set, but may be automatically set. For example, the controller 9 investigates the viewing time of each genre, sets the constant recording operation mode for a predetermined genre with a long viewing time, for example, the top three genres with the long viewing time, and sets other genres. On the other hand, automatic setting for setting the recording prohibition operation mode may be performed. Further, the number of genres set in the continuous recording operation mode may be manually set.

  Furthermore, a preference survey mode in which a preference survey can be input to the operation unit 11 is provided, the user inputs and sets his / her preference according to the contents indicated by the preference survey mode, and the controller 9 inputs the preference set by the input. Based on the above, it may be automatically determined whether or not the program being viewed should be recorded.

  In this way, recording processing to the fine sub-recording unit 6 is further executed, and appropriate recording processing that meets the user's preference is also executed.

  By the way, as described above, the transfer unit 16 can perform mutual transfer or mutual copying between the main recording unit 5 and the sub-recording unit 6, and can perform transfer or copying processing to the outside. Therefore, the user can transfer or copy the information recorded in the sub-recording unit 6 to the main recording unit 5 and can transfer or copy the information to the external recording device via the terminal 17. Since the sub-recording unit 6 sequentially overwrites and records the information of the program being viewed repeatedly, even if it is recorded once in the sub-recording unit 6, depending on the passage of time and the storage capacity of the sub-recording unit 6, Although there is a possibility of being erased, this transfer or copying process can reliably record and save a program that the user has forgotten to record after viewing.

  In this way, in the first embodiment, in addition to the main recording unit 5, the sub-recording unit 6 that basically records a program that is currently being viewed during viewing is provided. If you suddenly want to record the program you are watching, you want to see the program you just watched again, or you want to watch the program you watched again The program that was viewed can be re-viewed or recorded and saved without fail.

  Further, since the recording prohibition operation mode including the recording prohibition operation mode for each genre can be set, the recording process of the sub-recording unit 6 can be flexibly performed according to the user's preference. Furthermore, since an image parameter is set automatically or manually according to the type of the terminal and a recording process is performed using this image parameter, an efficient recording process can be executed. In addition, by providing the transfer unit 16, information recorded by the sub-recording unit 6 can be transferred or copied to the main recording unit 5 or an external recording device, so that a missed program can be recorded and stored reliably. it can.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the sub recording unit 6 in the first embodiment is provided in the main recording unit 5. Therefore, in the configuration of the recording system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sub-recording unit 6, the image capture / compression unit 4 and the decompression unit 8 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The main recording unit 41 and the sub recording unit 42 in the main recording unit 41 correspond to the configuration in which the sub recording unit 6 is provided in the main recording unit 5. Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In order to enable such a configuration, the main recording unit 41 needs to be a recording device capable of high-speed access such as a hard disk device. In this case, the sub-recording unit 42 is connected to the main recording unit 41. Is the same hard disk device and is divided into regions.

  The image capturing / compressing unit 43 has a processing capability capable of simultaneously performing the processing of the image capturing / compressing units 3, 4, and recording processing to the main recording unit 41 and recording processing to the sub recording unit 42 during program viewing. However, when there is a recording instruction to the main recording unit 41, the recording process for the sub-recording unit 42 is not performed. As a result, the access capability of the main recording unit 41 including the sub-recording unit 42 and the processing capability of the image capture / compression unit 43 can be reduced.

  The transfer unit 16 transfers or copies information between the main recording unit 41 and the sub-recording unit 42 as in the first embodiment. Since the unit 42 is in the same apparatus, transfer or copying can be performed at high speed.

  According to the second embodiment, since the sub-recording unit 42 is provided in the main recording unit 41, the overall configuration of the set-top box 40 can be simplified and a reduction in size and weight can be realized. can do.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is characterized in that the sub-recording unit 6 in the first embodiment is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a recording system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The sub-recording unit 51 is divided into a plurality of divided areas 51-1 to 51-n. The sub-recording unit 51 is realized by, for example, a hard disk device capable of high-speed access or a large-capacity semiconductor memory capable of high-speed access, and the inside of these devices is divided into regions.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the plurality of divided areas 51-1 to 51-n are divided into a divided area 51-1 as a latest storage area, a divided area 51-2 as an intermediate storage area, and a division as a final storage area. It is divided into three divided areas 51-1 to 51-3 consisting of area 51-3.

  First, the image capture / compression unit 52 records the program information to be recorded in the sub-recording unit 51 in the divided area 51-1 at a low compression rate. Thereafter, when the information stored in the divided area 51-1 has passed for two days, the image capture / compression unit 52 takes out the information stored in the divided area 51-1 and compresses and converts it at a medium compression rate. The compressed and converted information is re-saved in the divided area 51-2. After that, when the information stored in the divided area 51-2 further passes for one week, the image capturing / compressing unit 52 extracts the information stored in the divided area 51-2 at a high compression rate. The compressed and converted information is saved again in the divided area 51-3. The storage in the divided area 51-3 is overwritten to discard old information.

  In this way, in the plurality of divided areas 51-1 to 51-n, information is sequentially compressed and converted as a high compression rate with the passage of time, and transferred to the divided areas corresponding to the compression conversion. As a result, the latest stored information can be quickly decoded, and the old information is highly compressed and the storage capacity can be used efficiently. Furthermore, since the information amount of the program stored in the sub-recording unit 51 can be increased, the program can be recorded over a long period of time.

  Further, the compression format may be changed instead of sequentially increasing the compression rate between the plurality of divided regions 51-1 to 51-n. For example, in FIG. 6, the storage in the divided area 51-1 is performed using the MPEG1 compression format, and the storage in the divided area 51-1 is performed in the H.264 format. The compression format of H.261 may be used, and storage in the divided area 51-3 may be performed using the compression format of Vxstream.

  Further, the frame rate may be sequentially converted with the passage of time, and the information may be stored in the respective divided areas 51-1 to 51-3. For example, the storage in the divided area 51-1 is stored with the frame rate per second as “30”, the storage in the divided area 51-2 is stored as the frame rate “24”, and the You may make it preserve | save as frame rate "15".

  The divided areas 51-1 to 51-n are not limited to the above-described three divided areas 51-1 to 51-3, and correspond to a compression rate, a compression format, or a frame rate that can be changed over time. The number of divided areas can be set. Also, the size of the divided area can be set for each of the divided areas 51-1 to 51-n.

  Further, a plurality of divided areas 51-1 to 51-n are provided in the sub-recording unit 51. However, each sub-recording unit is configured as having a plurality of sub-recording units 6 in the first embodiment. 6 may be stored corresponding to the divided areas 51-1 to 51-n.

  According to this third embodiment, the sub-recording unit 51 is divided into a plurality of divided areas 51-1 to 51-n, and the compression mode is such that the compression rate is increased with the passage of time from the first storage. Since the information is compressed and converted, and the compressed and converted information is transferred to another divided area, the storage capacity of the sub-recording unit 51 can be used efficiently.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a recording system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a sub-tuner 61 having the same configuration as that of the broadcast tuner 1 and a video signal from the broadcast tuner 1 and the sub-tuner 61 and further from the external input unit 2 are received. A switching unit 62 for switching and outputting to the main recording unit 5, the sub-recording unit 6, and the display unit 20, and a switching setting unit 64 for performing switching setting for the switching unit 62 and channel selection of the sub tuner are provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components.

  There are various combinations of switching by the switching unit 62, but the following typical combinations are possible.

  In the first switching setting, the video signal from the broadcast tuner 1 is stored in the image capture / compression unit 3 corresponding to the main recording unit 5, the image capture / compression unit 4 corresponding to the sub-recording unit 6, and the display unit 20. Output to all. Thereby, the same operation as that of the first embodiment can be performed. The video signal from the secondary tuner 61 is output to all of the image capture / compression unit 3 corresponding to the main recording unit 5, the image capture / compression unit 4 corresponding to the secondary recording unit 6, and the display unit 20. It may be.

  In the second switching setting, the video signal from the broadcast tuner 1 is output to the image capture / compression unit 4 and the display unit 20 corresponding to the sub-recording unit 6, and the video signal from the sub-tuner 61 is output to the main recording unit 5. Are output to the image capture / compression unit 3 corresponding to. As a result, the program information input from the broadcast tuner 1 can be displayed and output on the display unit 20 for viewing and recorded in the sub-recording unit 6 so that the program being viewed can be viewed again, The program can be stored, and a program (back program) other than a program input from the sub-tuner 61, for example, a program selected and received by the broadcast tuner 1 can be recorded in the main recording unit 5.

  In the third switching setting, the video signal from the broadcast tuner 1 is output to the image capturing / compression unit 3 corresponding to the main recording unit 5 and the display unit 20, and the video signal from the sub tuner 61 is output to the sub recording unit 6. Are output to the image capture / compression unit 4. As a result, the currently viewed program input from the broadcast tuner 1 can be recorded by the main recording unit 5, and the back program by the sub-tuner 61 selected as a channel can be viewed again. If the channel selection for the sub tuner 61 is not performed, the same channel as the channel of the broadcast tuner 1 is selected and set, so that the recording instruction for the main recording unit 5 is wrong and the recording cannot be performed. Even in this case, the recording is performed in the sub-recording unit 6, so that the recording process is surely performed.

Note that the video signal input from the external input unit 2 can also be performed by replacing the same combination as the broadcast tuner 1 and the sub-tuner 61.
Further, by providing a plurality of sub-tuners 61, various combinations can be made and functions can be improved.

  According to the fourth embodiment, by providing the secondary tuner 61, the switching unit 62, and the switching setting unit 64, it is possible to perform more flexible and reliable recording processing, and the secondary recording unit 6 is provided. Using this advantage, it is possible to easily realize a function enhancement such as recording processing of a back program or the like.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the set top box 60 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a recording system having a normal reception recording function.
The first to fourth embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate. For example, the sub tuner 61, the switching unit 62, and the switching setting unit 64 in the fourth embodiment can be applied to the first to third embodiments.

  As described above, the recording system according to the present invention is useful for a technique for receiving and recording broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire, and particularly for a technique for flexibly storing broadcast information by a plurality of recording means. Are suitable.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording system by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the recording processing procedure to the sub-recording part of the recording system by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the setting part classified by genre of the video recording system by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording system by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording system by 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the division area of the recording system by 3rd Embodiment, and its recording content. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording system by 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Broadcast tuner 2 External input part 3, 4 Image capture / compression part 5, 41 Main recording part 6, 42, 51 Sub recording part 7, 8 Decompression part 9 Controller 10, 40, 50, 60 Set top box 11, 63 Operation unit 12 Operation mode setting unit 13 Genre-specific setting unit 14 Image parameter setting unit 15 Switch 16 Transfer unit 17 Terminal 18 External terminal 20 Display unit 51-1 to 51-n Divided region 61 Sub tuner 62 Switching unit 64 Switching setting unit

Claims (6)

Receiving means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire;
Main recording means for storing the broadcast information received by the receiving means based on a user's recording instruction;
One or more sub-recording means for temporarily storing the broadcast information received by the receiving means;
When there is the recording instruction for storing the broadcast information to the main recording unit, a recording system is provided that controls to temporarily store the broadcast information in the sub-recording unit. First and second receiving means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire;
Main recording means for storing the broadcast information received by the first receiving means based on a user's recording instruction;
One or more sub-recording means for storing the broadcast information received by the second receiving means,
A recording system for performing recording processing by setting the same channel as the channel of the first receiving means when channel selection for the second receiving means is not performed. Sub-receiving means for receiving broadcast information broadcast by radio or wire,
Switching means for switching and connecting the broadcast information received from at least the receiving means and the sub-receiving means to the one or more sub-recording means;
The recording system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The apparatus further comprises at least the first receiving means and the second receiving means, and switching means for switching and connecting the broadcast information received from the one or more sub-recording means. Item 3. The recording system according to Item 2.   5. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more sub-recording units are a part of the storage area of the main recording unit.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer or copy the broadcast information stored in at least the one or more sub-recording units to the main recording unit. The recording system described.

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