JP2006005541A - Program video recorder, recording method and program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge search results based on keyword information on an electronic program guide (EPG) and to reserve recording of a desired program according to priority by imparting priority to the keyword information. <P>SOLUTION: The program video recorder 10 comprises a means 10a for acquiring an EPG, a means 10b for inputting keyword information related to a desired program, a means 10g for setting priority to inputted keyword information, a means 10c for searching program information including the keyword information from the EPG according to the priority, and a means 10d for processing the EPG such that the display format of relevant program information differentiates from that of other program information based on the search results. When at least a part of broadcast time zone of program information searched from the EPG overlaps that of other program information, the program information is selected in the descending order of priority by the program searching means 10c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a program recording apparatus, method, program, and recording medium, and more particularly, to a program recording apparatus, method, program, and recording medium that can easily perform recording reservation using an electronic program guide.

  Digital television broadcasting using satellites and terrestrial waves is being put into practical use. In digital television broadcasting using satellites, the number of channels is increased, and the number of channels reaches, for example, hundreds of tens of channels. Also, cable television broadcasting with tens to hundreds of channels has already been put into practical use. Due to such multi-channeling, information about broadcast programs increases, and there are cases where conventional program guides such as newspapers and magazines cannot cope with it.

  Therefore, in such digital television broadcasting, the program schedule to be broadcast is electronically distributed and displayed on the television screen, and the user can select the program to be viewed from the electronic program guide (EPG). I am doing so. This EPG is the broadcast schedule data of a TV program transmitted from a TV broadcast station or a service provider. Usually, the scheduled broadcast date, time zone, channel number, program name, performer, outline of program contents, etc. Is described for each program. With this EPG, viewers can acquire various information using paper media such as conventional newspapers and magazines, regardless of whether they are analog broadcasting or digital broadcasting.

  The EPG is often realized by software, and an electronic program guide having a time axis and a channel axis can be displayed on a screen by providing the EPG software in a television receiver or the like. In addition, as one of the functions using EPG, a keyword search function for searching for EPG text information (program name, program content overview, etc.) by inputting a keyword related to a program to be recorded is realized. For example, when the viewer inputs the keyword “soccer”, a list of program names including “soccer” in the text information of the EPG is displayed.

  However, the above keyword search function only displays a list of search results related to the keyword. If there are many search results, the viewer may want to record a desired program from among them. Finding the corresponding program from among them and making a recording reservation has been annoying.

On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a video recording / reproducing apparatus that can reserve recording of a program without imposing a heavy load on the user. This is because the server transmits program attribute information (program attribute name and program attribute search condition) to the video recording / playback apparatus via the network, the video recording / playback apparatus displays a list of program attribute names on the display device, and the user When a program attribute name that is most likely related to a program that is scheduled to be recorded is selected from this list, the search condition corresponding to the selected program attribute name is compared with the EPG information, and the search condition is satisfied. If it is, the program represented by the EPG is recorded in the recording reservation list.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-56631

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 acquires program attribute information (keyword information) from a server, compares a search condition corresponding to a program attribute name with an EPG, and adds a program matching the condition to the recording reservation list. In this case, if there are too many search results added to the recording reservation list and you want to make a recording reservation by further narrowing down the programs, select the program at a glance in the list display. However, it is necessary to find a desired program from many programs and make a recording reservation. In addition, when a viewer selects a plurality of program attribute names and a plurality of programs meeting the conditions corresponding to the program attribute names are in the same broadcast time period, it is necessary to select one of the programs. Can not schedule recording efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and makes it possible to discriminate search results based on keyword information on an electronic program guide, and by giving priority to keyword information. The purpose of this is to make it possible to make a recording reservation for a desired program according to the above.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first technical means is an electronic program for obtaining the electronic program guide in a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide comprising program information relating to the program. Table acquisition means, keyword information input means for receiving input of keyword information related to a desired program, storage means for storing the electronic program guide and keyword information, and program information including the stored keyword information is stored in the electronic program A program search means for searching from the table, and an electronic program guide processing means for processing the electronic program guide so that the display form of the corresponding program information is different from other program information based on the search result. The program information can be reserved for recording from the electronic program guide.

  The second technical means comprises priority order setting means for setting a priority order for the keyword information when a plurality of keyword information is input by the keyword information input means in the first technical means, and the program search The means is characterized in that program information including the keyword information is searched from the electronic program guide according to the priority order.

  According to a third technical means, in the second technical means, the program search means includes at least a part of a broadcast time zone of program information searched from the electronic program guide overlapping with a broadcast time zone of other program information. In this case, the program information is selected in descending order of priority.

  According to a fourth technical means, in the second or third technical means, the electronic program guide processing means adds information for identifying priority to program information retrieved from the electronic program guide. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth technical means, in a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide comprising program information relating to a program, an electronic program guide acquisition means for acquiring the electronic program guide, and a desired program In accordance with the priority order, keyword information input means for accepting input of keyword information related to, priority order setting means for setting priority order for the inputted keyword information, storage means for storing the electronic program guide and keyword information, and And a program search means for searching for program information including the keyword information from the electronic program guide, and a recording reservation means for making a recording reservation in order from the program information with the highest priority based on a search result. It is what.

  According to a sixth technical means, in the fifth technical means, the recording reservation means according to the present invention, wherein at least a part of a broadcast time zone of program information retrieved from the electronic program guide overlaps with a broadcast time zone of other program information. In this case, the program information is selected in the descending order of priority to make a recording reservation.

  According to a seventh technical means, in the fifth technical means, an external recording medium interface means for detachably connecting an external recording medium, and a usable recording capacity of the storage means and / or the external recording medium. Recording capacity detecting means for detecting, wherein the recording reservation means, when at least a part of the broadcast time zone of the program information retrieved from the electronic program guide overlaps with the broadcast time zone of other program information, The program reservation is performed with priority given to program information that can be recorded with a recording capacity.

  The eighth technical means can be used in the fifth technical means for each recording medium including external recording medium interface means for detachably connecting an external recording medium, and the storage means and the external recording medium. A recording capacity detecting means for detecting a recording capacity; and a recording medium priority setting means for setting a priority for the recording medium in accordance with the recording capacity, wherein the recording reservation means records the recording in descending order of priority. A medium is designated, and recording reservations are made in order from the program information with the highest priority on the designated recording medium.

  The ninth technical means is a program recording method of a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide including program information relating to a program, and an electronic program guide acquisition step for acquiring the electronic program guide; A keyword information input step for receiving input of keyword information related to a desired program, a registration step for registering the electronic program guide and keyword information in a storage means, and program information including the registered keyword information as the electronic program guide And the electronic program guide processing step of processing the electronic program guide so that the display form of the corresponding program information is different from other program information based on the search result. The program information can be reserved for recording from the electronic program guide.

  A tenth technical means includes a priority order setting step of setting a priority order to the keyword information when a plurality of keyword information is input in the keyword information input step in the ninth technical means, In the search step, program information including the keyword information is searched from the electronic program guide according to the priority order.

  The eleventh technical means is an electronic program guide acquisition step of acquiring the electronic program guide in a program recording method of a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide including program information relating to the program; A keyword information input step for receiving input of keyword information related to a desired program, a priority order setting step for setting a priority order for the input keyword information, and registration for registering the electronic program guide and the keyword information in a storage means A program search step for searching program information including the keyword information from the electronic program guide according to the priority, and a recording reservation step for making a recording reservation in order from the program information with the highest priority based on a search result; It is characterized by having.

  A twelfth technical means is a program for executing a function as any one of the first to eighth program recording apparatuses.

  The thirteenth technical means is a computer-readable recording medium recording the twelfth program.

  By enabling search results based on keyword information to be identified on the electronic program guide, viewers can easily select programs to be reserved for recording from the electronic program guide, and by giving priority to keyword information, For example, when there are a plurality of programs to be reserved for recording in the same broadcast time period, it is possible to easily make a reservation for recording a desired program according to the priority order.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a program recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a program recording apparatus, and the program recording apparatus 10 includes an antenna 11, a tuner 12, and a decoding unit 13. , EPG processing unit 14, encoding unit 15, output control unit 16, network interface (hereinafter referred to as network I / F) unit 17, input unit 18, external recording medium I / F unit 19, storage unit 20, CPU 21, memory 22 , A system bus 23 is provided. The storage unit 20 is composed of a magnetic disk and the like, and the memory 22 is composed of ROM, RAM, etc., and the tuner 12, the decoding unit 13, the EPG processing unit 14, the encoding unit 15, the output control unit 16, and the network I / F unit 17 , The input unit 18, the external recording medium I / F unit 19, the storage unit 20, the CPU 21, and the memory 22 are connected to each other via a system bus 23.

  Further, the program recording device 10 includes a remote controller 2 for remotely inputting various operations to the program recording device 10, a speaker 3 as an audio data output device, a display such as a CRT, LCD or plasma display as an image data output device. The device 4 includes an external recording medium 5 such as a DVD, a video tape, a semiconductor memory, and an HD capable of recording audio and video data. The speaker 3 and the display device 4 are connected via an output control unit 16 to perform external recording. The external recording medium 5 is detachably connected via the medium I / F unit 19 and can be connected to the network 1 such as the Internet via the network I / F unit 17. The input unit 18 includes a light receiving unit and inputs an operation signal from the remote controller 2.

  Here, the program recording apparatus 10 of the present invention can be suitably applied to, for example, a hard disk recorder, a DVD recorder, a hard disk built-in DVD recorder, and may be applied to a personal computer having a tuner function. In the following description, a DVD recorder with a built-in hard disk will be described as a representative example.

  In FIG. 1, a tuner 12 demodulates a broadcast signal from a broadcast wave received by an antenna 11, and converts it into electronic program guide data (hereinafter referred to as EPG data) including program information relating to a video signal component, an audio signal component, and a program. To separate. This EPG data includes, for example, information about each program such as program name, genre, broadcast time zone (start time / end time), performer, program content (synopsis), etc. You may make it acquire via the network 1 from server apparatuses, such as a service provider which provides an EPG delivery service. The broadcast wave may be a digital broadcast wave (BS, CS, terrestrial wave) or an analog broadcast wave.

  When recording a program using an analog broadcast wave, the tuner 12 demodulates a high-frequency signal (analog modulation signal) received via the antenna 11, processes the separated video signal and audio signal in the encoding unit 15, and EPG-processes the EPG data. Each is input to the unit 14. The encoding unit 15 encodes the input video signal and audio signal using, for example, an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method. The encoded video signal and audio signal are stored in the storage unit 20 or the external recording medium 5. The EPG processing unit 14 performs structural analysis of EPG data and stores the analysis result in the storage unit 20. The EPG data stored in the storage unit 20 may be updated to the latest one each time new EPG data is acquired.

  When reproducing analog broadcast recording data, the video signal and audio signal stored in the storage unit 20 or the external recording medium 5 are output to the decoding unit 13, and the decoding unit 13 converts the input video signal and audio signal into MPEG. The data is decoded by the method and output to the output control unit 16. The output control unit 16 controls the display output based on the decoded video signal to cause the display device 4 to output video, and controls the audio output based on the audio signal to cause the speaker 3 to output audio. The viewer can view an analog broadcast program corresponding to each signal.

  When recording a program using digital broadcast waves, the tuner 12 demodulates a high-frequency signal (digital modulation signal) received via the antenna 11 and stores the separated video signal and audio signal in the storage unit 20 or the external recording medium 5. The EPG data is input to the EPG processing unit 14. The EPG processing unit 14 performs structural analysis of EPG data and stores the analysis result in the storage unit 20.

  When reproducing recorded data of digital broadcasting, the video signal and audio signal stored in the storage unit 20 or the external recording medium 5 are output to the decoding unit 13, and the decoding unit 13 decodes the input video signal and audio signal. And output to the output control unit 16. The output control unit 16 controls the display output based on the decoded video signal to cause the display device 4 to output video, and controls the audio output based on the audio signal to cause the speaker 3 to output audio. The viewer can view a digital broadcast program corresponding to each signal.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a detailed configuration example of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. The program recording apparatus 10 includes an EPG acquisition means 10a, a keyword information input means 10b, a program search means 10c, and an EPG. The processing means 10d, the recording reservation means 10e, and the recording means 10f are provided, and the recording reservation function according to the present invention is realized by these means. Each means is stored in the storage unit 20 or the memory 22 as a recording reservation program, and is read and executed by the CPU 21.

Hereinafter, the EPG acquisition unit 10a, the keyword information input unit 10b, the program search unit 10c, the EPG processing unit 10d, the recording reservation unit 10e, and the recording unit 10f will be described in detail.
First, the EPG acquisition means 10a acquires EPG data from a broadcast wave via the antenna 11, or acquires EPG data from a server device (not shown) via the network 1. The keyword information input unit 10b receives input of keyword information related to a desired program. This keyword information is, for example, a keyword related to a program name, performer, genre (foreign film, Japanese film, sports, music, drama, news, variety, etc.), song name, etc., and one or more keywords are input by the viewer. The EPG data and keyword information are stored in the storage unit 20.

  The program search means 10c searches the EPG data for program information including keyword information stored in the storage unit 20. As described above, the program information constituting the EPG data includes information such as the program name, genre, broadcast time zone (start time / end time), performer, program content (summary), and the like. Information including keyword information is extracted as a search result. For example, when “Kimura * ya” is designated as a keyword, if this “Kimura * ya” is included in the above performers, the program information is extracted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen example of EPG data processed by the EPG processing means 10d. Based on the search result of the program search means 10c, the EPG processing means 10d converts the EPG data so that the display form of the program information including the keyword information (that is, the program information that hits the keyword information) is different from the other program information. Process. In the case of this example, the color of the program information (hereinafter referred to as the corresponding program) that hits the keyword information is processed into a color different from that of other programs. As a specific example, the background color or frame color of the display column of the corresponding program, the character color included in the display column, or both may be changed. In this way, the EPG processing means 10d processes the EPG so that the viewer can see which program hit the keyword information at a glance, and displays the output on the display device 4.

  Further, the EPG processing means 10d is not limited to the above-described color difference. For example, the EPG processing means 10d displays a flashing display of the corresponding program, displays a different character size, character type, etc., or displays characters (for example, “hit”) on the corresponding program. Alternatively, the display form of the corresponding program can be processed by a method of adding identification information such as a graphic (for example, an icon indicating that “hit” has occurred), a symbol, or the like. The EPG processing means 10d only needs to be able to process the program on the EPG that has been hit by the keyword information so that the viewer can discriminate it only by viewing it, and the method is not limited.

  In FIG. 2, when the viewer selects program information to be scheduled for recording from the EPG on the display device 4, the program recording apparatus 10 executes recording reservation for the selected program information. This is executed by the recording reservation means 10e. The recording reservation means 10e manages the recording start time and end time of the program information reserved for recording. When the recording start time is detected by the built-in timer, the recording means 10f is activated and the designated recording mode (standard, triple) Etc.) to start program recording.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a program recording method to which the present invention is applied. This example will be described based on the configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
First, the program recording apparatus 10 acquires EPG data from broadcast waves or the Internet (step S1), receives input of keyword information from the viewer (step S2), and stores the EPG data and keyword information in the storage unit 20. (Step S3).

  Next, the program recording apparatus 10 searches the EPG data for program information including keyword information stored in the storage unit 20 (step S4), and can determine program information including keyword information based on the search result. The EPG data is processed (step S5), and the processed EPG data is displayed on the display device 4 (step S6). As shown in FIG. 3, the program recording apparatus 10 determines whether desired program information is selected by the viewer from the EPG displayed on the screen (step S7), and when the program information is selected (in the case of YES). Then, the selected program information is reserved for recording (step S8). In step S7, when program information is not selected (in the case of NO), the viewer waits for selection.

  According to the present invention, the search result based on the keyword information can be discriminated on the EPG, so that the viewer can easily select the program to be reserved for recording from the EPG.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining another example of the detailed configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. The program recording apparatus 10 includes the EPG acquisition means 10a and keyword information input means shown in FIG. 10b, a program search means 10c, an EPG processing means 10d, a recording reservation means 10e, and a recording means 10f, in addition to a priority order setting means 10g. In the present embodiment, the priority order setting unit 10g sets the priority order for a plurality of pieces of keyword information input from the keyword information input unit 10b. The program search means 10c searches the EPG data for program information that hits the keyword information according to the priority order.

  Hereinafter, a specific program search case using the priority order by the priority order setting means 10g will be described. In the first case, as a result of the search, when at least a part of the broadcast time zone of the program information searched from the EPG data overlaps with the broadcast time zone of other program information, the second case is simply narrowly defined. This keyword information is set to a higher priority than keyword information in a broad sense. In these two cases, the program search means 10c selects program information in descending order of priority.

  For example, in the first case, (1) Kimura ○ YA and (2) Mystery are set in the descending order of priority as the keyword information, and the programs with the high priority are searched based on these keyword information. In order, (a) Plastic △ Do (drama starring Kimura ○ ya), (b) Monday Mystery Theater, (b) Solve the mystery! Suppose that a real mystery is obtained. However, if (a) Pla △ Do (Drama starring Kimura * ya) and (b) Monday Mystery Theater are in the same broadcast time, "Kimura * ya" as keyword information has a higher priority than "Mystery". Since the search result is high, (a) plastic Δ (drama starring Kimura) is selected as the search result, and recording can be preferentially reserved.

  Also, by setting the priority order, for example, it is possible to automatically record up to 10 programs in the order of higher priority in one week (see the third embodiment described later). The viewer can arbitrarily set the period and the number of programs.

  In the second case, as keyword information, (1) stomach pain and (2) health are set in descending order of priority, and programs searched based on these keyword information are set in descending order of priority. Suppose that (a) today's health, (b) health file for living, and so on are obtained. In this case, if there is no program related to “stomach pain” having the highest priority as a result of the search, a program related to “health” in a broader sense is selected and scheduled for recording.

  If the concept is too narrow, it is difficult to hit the keyword information. If the concept is expanded too much, a large number of programs are hit, and it is difficult for the viewer to select a desired program. Therefore, by setting the priority of the narrowly defined keyword higher than that of the broadly defined keyword, an appropriate range of programs can be selected, and the convenience of the viewer can be improved.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of a program recording method to which the present invention is applied. This example will be described based on the configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
First, the program recording apparatus 10 acquires EPG data from broadcast waves or the Internet (step S11), receives input of keyword information from the viewer (step S12), and stores the EPG data and keyword information in the storage unit 20. (Step S13).

  Next, the program recording apparatus 10 determines whether or not the priority order is set in the keyword information (step S14). If the priority order is set in the keyword information (in the case of YES), the program recording apparatus 10 includes the program information including the keyword information. The EPG data is searched according to the priority order (step S15). Next, it is determined whether there is an overlap of broadcast time zones (step S16). If there is an overlap of broadcast time zones (in the case of YES), program information with a higher priority is selected (step S17). On the other hand, in the above step S16, when there is no overlap of the broadcast time zone (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S19, and the EPG data is processed so that the program information including the keyword information can be discriminated based on the search result. (Step S19). If no priority order is set in the keyword information in step S14 (NO), program information including the keyword information is searched from EPG data (step S18), and the process proceeds to step S19.

  Next, the program recording device 10 displays the EPG data processed in step S19 on the display device 4 (step S20). As shown in FIG. 3, the program recording apparatus 10 determines whether or not the desired program information is selected by the viewer from the EPG displayed on the screen (step S21), and when the program information is selected (in the case of YES). Then, the selected program information is reserved for recording (step S22). In step S21, when program information is not selected (in the case of NO), a selection wait state from the viewer is entered.

  In this embodiment, the EPG processing means 10d may add information (for example, a number) for identifying the priority order to the program information retrieved from the EPG data. In this case, The priority is clearly specified for each program information of the EPG displayed on the display device 4, and the viewer can see which program information has a higher priority by looking at the EPG.

  According to the present invention, by assigning priorities to keyword information, for example, when there are a plurality of programs to be reserved for recording in the same broadcast time period, it is possible to easily make a reservation for recording a desired program according to the priorities. it can.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram for explaining another example of the detailed configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. The program recording apparatus 10 includes the EPG acquisition means 10a and keyword information input means shown in FIG. 10b, a program search unit 10c, a recording reservation unit 10e, a recording unit 10f, and a priority order setting unit 10g, and does not include the EPG processing unit 10d. In the present embodiment, by setting the priority order, the recording reservation unit 10e automatically makes a recording reservation in order from the program information with the highest priority order based on the search result of the program search unit 10c. For example, it is possible to automatically record up to 10 programs in one week in descending order of priority. The period and the number of programs are arbitrarily set by the viewer, and the recording reservation unit 10e executes the recording reservation according to the setting.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another example of a program recording method to which the present invention is applied. This example will be described based on the configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
First, the program recording apparatus 10 acquires EPG data from broadcast waves or the Internet (step S31), receives input of keyword information from the viewer (step S32), and stores the EPG data and keyword information in the storage unit 20. (Step S33).

  Next, the program recording apparatus 10 determines whether or not the priority order is set in the keyword information (step S34). When the priority order is set in the keyword information (in the case of YES), the program recording apparatus 10 includes the program information including the keyword information. The EPG data is searched according to the priority order (step S35). Next, it is determined whether or not there is an overlap of broadcast time zones (step S36). If there is an overlap of broadcast time zones (in the case of YES), program information with a higher priority is selected (step S37), and the search results are displayed. Based on the high priority program information, a predetermined number (for example, 10 programs) of recording reservation is made (step S38). On the other hand, if there is no overlap of broadcast time zones in the above step S36 (NO), the process proceeds to step S38. If no priority order is set in the keyword information in the above step S34 (NO), program information including the keyword information is searched from the EPG data (step S39), and the EPG data is processed based on the search result. (Step S40).

  Next, the program recording device 10 displays the EPG data processed in step S40 on the display device 4 (step S41). As shown in FIG. 3, the program recording apparatus 10 determines whether or not desired program information is selected by the viewer from the EPG displayed on the screen (step S42), and when the program information is selected (in the case of YES). Then, the selected program information is reserved for recording (step S43). In the above step S42, when no program information is selected (in the case of NO), the state waits for selection from the viewer.

  According to the present invention, by assigning priorities to keyword information, it is possible to make recording reservations in order from programs with higher priorities, for example, automatically recording up to 10 programs in one week in order of higher priorities. It becomes possible.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram for explaining another example of the detailed configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. The program recording apparatus 10 includes the EPG acquisition means 10a and the keyword information input means shown in FIG. In addition to 10b, program search means 10c, recording reservation means 10e, recording means 10f, priority order setting means 10g, recording capacity detection means 10h is further provided.

  The recording capacity detection unit 10 h detects the usable recording capacity (that is, free recording capacity) of the storage unit 20 and / or the external recording medium 5. For example, when at least a part of the broadcast time zone of the program information retrieved from the EPG data overlaps with the broadcast time zone of other program information, the recording capacity detection means 10h detects the usable recording capacity, and the recording reservation The means 10e preferentially schedules recording of program information that can be recorded with the detected recording capacity.

  More specifically, when the program a and the program b are searched in order of higher priority, and the program a and the program b are in the same broadcast time zone, the broadcast time of the program a is higher than that of the program b. When recording is not possible with the free recording capacity of the storage unit 20 for a long time, it is possible to preferentially make a reservation for recording the program b that can be recorded with the free recording capacity without making a reservation for recording the program a having a high priority. Thus, since a recordable program can be selected and recorded according to the free recording capacity of the storage unit 20 or the like, the program is not cut off during recording.

(Fifth embodiment)
10 is a functional block diagram for explaining another example of the detailed configuration of the program recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. The program recording apparatus 10 includes the EPG acquisition means 10a and the keyword information input means shown in FIG. In addition to 10b, program search means 10c, recording reservation means 10e, recording means 10f, priority order setting means 10g, and recording capacity detection means 10h, a recording medium priority setting means 10i is further provided.

  The recording medium priority setting means 10i is a recording medium comprising the storage unit 20 and the external recording medium 5 (ie, DVD, HD, video tape, semiconductor memory, etc.) according to the free recording capacity detected by the recording capacity detection means 10h. ) To set the priority. The recording reservation unit 10e can specify recording media to be recorded in the order of higher priority, and perform recording in order from the program information with the highest priority on the designated recording medium.

  In this embodiment, priorities are set for recording media in the order of increasing free recording capacity, and programs to be recorded are recorded in order from the recording medium having the largest available recording capacity. For example, when the free recording capacity of the storage unit 20 is small and priorities are set in the order of the external recording medium 5 and the storage unit 20, when recording the program a retrieved by the program retrieval unit 10c, Since the recording is preferentially recorded on the external recording medium 5, it is possible to eliminate the omission of recording of the program even when the free recording capacity of the storage unit 20 is insufficient.

  As described above, each embodiment has been described centering on each function in the program recording apparatus of the present invention. However, the present invention can also be configured as a program recording method as described above as a method of executing each step in the program recording apparatus. Can take. Further, similarly to the program recording apparatus having each function, a form as a program for causing a computer to function as a program recording apparatus or a form as a recording medium on which the program is recorded are possible.

  An embodiment of a recording medium storing a program and data for realizing a program recording function according to the present invention will be described. Specific recording media include CD-ROM (-R / -RW), magneto-optical disk, DVD-ROM (-R / -RW / -RAM), FD, HD, flash memory, memory card, Memory sticks and other various ROMs, RAMs, and the like can be assumed, and a program for realizing the function of program recording is recorded on these recording media by causing a computer to execute the functions of the above-described embodiments of the present invention. Distribution of the function facilitates the realization of the function. Then, the recording medium as described above is mounted on an information processing apparatus such as a computer and the program is read by the information processing apparatus, or the program is stored in a storage medium provided in the information processing apparatus. By reading, the program recording function according to the present invention can be executed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the program recording apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the detailed structural example of the program video recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the EPG data processed by the EPG processing means. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the program recording method to which this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the other example of a detailed structure of the program video recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of the program recording method to which this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the other example of a detailed structure of the program video recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of the program recording method to which this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the other example of a detailed structure of the program video recording apparatus shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the other example of a detailed structure of the program video recording apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 2 ... Remote control, 3 ... Speaker, 4 ... Display apparatus, 5 ... External recording medium, 10 ... Program recording apparatus, 10a ... EPG acquisition means, 10b ... Keyword information input means, 10c ... Program search means, 10d ... EPG processing means, 10e ... recording reservation means, 10f ... recording means, 10g ... priority order setting means, 10h ... recording capacity detection means, 10i ... recording medium priority setting means, 11 ... antenna, 12 ... tuner, 13 ... decoding part , 14 ... EPG processing unit, 15 ... encoding unit, 16 ... output control unit, 17 ... network I / F unit, 18 ... input unit, 19 ... external recording medium I / F unit, 20 ... storage unit, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... Memory, 23 ... System bus.

Claims (13)

  In a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide composed of program information relating to a program, an electronic program guide acquisition means for acquiring the electronic program guide, and input of keyword information related to a desired program Based on the search result, a keyword information input means for receiving the information, a storage means for storing the electronic program guide and keyword information, a program search means for searching program information including the stored keyword information from the electronic program guide, Electronic program guide processing means for processing the electronic program guide so that the display form of the corresponding program information is different from other program information, and recording reservation of program information can be made from the processed electronic program guide A program recording device characterized.   The program recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising priority order setting means for setting a priority order for the keyword information when a plurality of keyword information is input by the keyword information input means, A program recording apparatus, wherein program information including the keyword information is searched from the electronic program guide according to the priority order.   The program recording device according to claim 2, wherein the program search means, when at least a part of a broadcast time zone of program information searched from the electronic program guide overlaps with a broadcast time zone of other program information, A program recording apparatus, wherein program information is selected in descending order of priority.   4. The program recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electronic program guide processing means adds information for identifying priority to program information retrieved from the electronic program guide. Program recording device.   In a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide composed of program information relating to a program, an electronic program guide acquisition means for acquiring the electronic program guide, and input of keyword information related to a desired program Keyword information input means for receiving the priority information, priority order setting means for setting a priority order for the inputted keyword information, storage means for storing the electronic program guide and keyword information, and a program including the keyword information according to the priority order A program recording apparatus comprising: a program search means for searching for information from the electronic program guide; and a recording reservation means for making a recording reservation in order from the program information with the highest priority based on a search result.   6. The program recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording reservation unit is configured such that at least a part of a broadcast time zone of program information retrieved from the electronic program guide overlaps with a broadcast time zone of other program information. A program recording apparatus which performs program recording by selecting program information in descending order of priority.   6. The program recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an external recording medium interface means for detachably connecting an external recording medium, and a recording for detecting a usable recording capacity of the storage means and / or the external recording medium. Capacity recording means, and the recording reservation means, when at least a part of the broadcast time zone of the program information retrieved from the electronic program guide overlaps with the broadcast time zone of other program information, the recording capacity A program recording apparatus characterized in that recording reservation is performed with priority on recordable program information.   6. The program recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an external recording medium interface means for detachably connecting an external recording medium, and a usable recording capacity for each recording medium including the storage means and the external recording medium. A recording capacity detecting means for detecting, and a recording medium priority setting means for setting a priority for the recording medium according to the recording capacity, wherein the recording reservation means designates the recording media in descending order of priority. A program recording apparatus that reserves recording in order from the program information with the highest priority on the designated recording medium.   In a program recording method of a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide including program information relating to a program, an electronic program guide acquisition step for acquiring the electronic program guide, and a program related to a desired program A keyword information input step for receiving input of keyword information, a registration step for registering the electronic program guide and keyword information in a storage means, and a program search step for searching program information including the registered keyword information from the electronic program guide; And an electronic program guide processing step for processing the electronic program guide so that the display form of the corresponding program information is different from other program information based on the search result, and the program information is obtained from the processed electronic program guide. A program recording method characterized in that recording reservation can be made.   A priority setting step for setting a priority for the keyword information when a plurality of keyword information are input in the keyword information input step, and the keyword search includes the keyword information according to the priority in the program search step; 10. The program recording method according to claim 9, wherein program information is searched from the electronic program guide.   In a program recording method of a program recording apparatus having a function of making a recording reservation using an electronic program guide including program information relating to a program, an electronic program guide acquisition step for acquiring the electronic program guide, and a program related to a desired program In accordance with the priority order, a keyword information input step for receiving input of keyword information, a priority order setting step for setting a priority order for the input keyword information, a registration step for registering the electronic program guide and keyword information in a storage means, And a program search step for searching program information including the keyword information from the electronic program guide, and a recording reservation step for making a recording reservation in order from the program information with the highest priority based on a search result. Program recording method.   The program for performing the function as a program recording device of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 12 is recorded.

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