JP2006108946A - Device selection supporting apparatus, device selection supporting method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the state where the optimum recording reserving device for reservation of recording cannot be selected from a plurality of recording devices connected with a network. <P>SOLUTION: The device selection supporting apparatus comprises: a network interface 106 for network communication with a client utilizing services; a server accumulation data storage unit 109 for storing the predetermined server accumulation data; an index data storage unit 111 for storing the index data as the information showing characteristic of the server accumulation data; an index data request processing unit 107 for processing an index data acquiring request from the client; and an index data processing unit 110 for generating index data from the data of the server accumulation data storage unit 109 and storing the index data to the index data storage unit 111. When the index data acquiring request is received with the network interface 106, the index data request storage unit 107 acquires the index data from the index data storage unit 111 and transmits such index data from the network interface 106. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording reservation device such as a networked HDD-DVD recorder and a recording reservation client device such as a digital television (hereinafter abbreviated as DTV) that performs the recording reservation via a network.

  UPnP-AV is an example of a protocol used when networking AV equipment.

  UPnP-AV is a standard that defines commands for controlling AV devices, and one of the services defined therein is CDS (Content Directory Service).

This is a service standard related to the acquisition and operation of recorded program information. In the case of an HDD-DVD recorder, a server (HDD-DVD recorder) in conformity with this standard provides the client with recorded program information (recorded program information). Title, recording start time, channel name), device capability information, and notification of changes in the status of recorded programs.

  A method of expressing recorded program information in CDS will be described next.

  In CDS, a folder containing recorded program information has a tree structure, and target recorded program information can be acquired by sequentially processing the folder with a command CDS :: Browse from a tree start point called “root”. It is like. Object orientation is used for the description of recorded program information and folders.

Here, an operation example of AV devices using UPnP-AV will be described with reference to FIG.
Now, assume that there are an HDD-DVD recorder and a DTV compatible with UPnP-AV, and a recorded program in the HDD-DVD recorder is viewed from the DTV via a network.
First, a network participation notification is sent from the HDD-DVD recorder to the DTV (sequence 1701).

  Receiving this, the DTV obtains a DDD (Device Description Document) from the HDD-DVD recorder (sequence 1702).

In the DDD, the name and product number of the device, the type of service to be provided, the URI when using the service, and the URI of the SCPD described below are written.
Next, an SCPD (Service Control Protocol Definition) is acquired (sequence 1703).

  The SCPD describes a command provided by the service and a range of values that can be used as arguments.

Next, the current state and capability of the HDD-DVD recorder are acquired (sequence 1704).
In this example, when the HDD-DVD recorder sorts the recorded program list with CDS :: GetSortCapabilities, it is acquired what keyword can be used for sorting.

  Then, event subscription registration is performed in order to receive a notification of a change in the state of the recorded program containing the recorded program of the HDD-DVD recorder (sequence 1705).

Finally, a recorded program list is acquired. When using CDS :: Browse
In order to acquire the recorded program list, it is necessary to sequentially acquire the data in order from the root (sequences 1706 and 1707).

The above is an operation example using UPnP-AV. Details are disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 below.
UPnP ™ Device Architecture Version 1.0, [online] Contributing Members of the UPnP ™ Forum 08 Jun 2000 10:41 AM. [Retrieved on 2004-08-27]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: http: // www. upnp. org / download / UPnPDA10_20000613. htm> ContentDirectory: 1 Service Template Version 1.01 For Universal Plug and Play Version 1.0 [online] Contributing Members of the UPnPTMForum8-retriever4 Retrieved from theInternet: <URL: http: // www. upnp. org / standardizeddcps / documents / ContentDirectory1.0. pdf>

  However, in such conventional UPnP-AV, although there are commands for obtaining information on the current state of the AV equipment and the capabilities of the equipment, there are no commands for conveying the characteristics and trends of the recorded program information stored in the AV equipment. No.

  In addition, even in other network standards, there is no method for conveying the characteristics and trends of recorded program information stored in AV equipment.

  For this reason, even if the user looks at the list of recording devices displayed on the GUI of the DTV, the recorded content cannot be determined only by the recording device name, and therefore it is not possible to determine which device is optimal for recording reservation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a device selection support apparatus that can optimally make a recording reservation for a user in consideration of the problems of the conventional UPnP-AV.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A device selection support device mounted on a server that provides a service via a network,
A network interface for network communication with a client using the service;
A server storage data storage unit for storing predetermined server storage data;
An index data storage unit that stores index data that is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data;
An index data request processing unit that processes an acquisition request for the index data from the client;
An index data processing unit that creates the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storage unit and stores the index data in the index data storage unit;
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface,
The index data request processing unit is a device selection support device that acquires the index data from the index data storage unit and transmits the index data from the network interface.

The second aspect of the present invention
A device selection support device mounted on a server that provides a service via a network,
A network interface for network communication with a client using the service;
A server accumulated data acquisition request processing unit that processes an acquisition request for predetermined server accumulated data from the client device;
An index data converter that converts index data, which is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data, into a data format of the server accumulated data;
A server storage data storage unit for storing the server storage data and the index data;
Index data that creates the index data from the data stored in the server stored data storage unit, converts the index data into a data format of the server stored data using the index data conversion unit, and stores the index data in the server stored data storage unit A processing unit,
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface,
The server accumulation data request processing unit is a device selection support apparatus that acquires the index data as the server accumulation data from the server accumulation data storage unit and transmits the index data from the network interface.

The third aspect of the present invention
A device selection support device mounted on a server that provides a service via a network,
A network interface for network communication with a client using the service;
A server storage data storage unit for storing predetermined server storage data;
An index data storage unit that stores index data that is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data;
A request processing unit for processing an acquisition request for data other than the index data from the client;
A response data creation unit for creating a response to the request;
An index data processing unit that creates the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storage unit and stores the index data in the index data storage unit;
When an acquisition request for data other than the index data arrives at the network interface,
The request processing unit acquires the index data from the index data storage unit, acquires the response data from the response data creation unit, adds the index data to the response data, and transmits the response data using the network interface. This is a device selection support apparatus.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is
When creating the index data, the index data processing unit holds the genre information of the program in advance, and the server accumulated data storage unit stores the number of server accumulated data or the number of all server accumulated data for each genre of the genre information. Data number information that is a ratio is acquired, sorted in order from the genre with the largest number of data information, and one or more genres and the number-of-data information are stored in the index data as the index data in order from the largest data number information. The present invention is any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention.

The fifth aspect of the present invention provides
When creating the index data, the index data processing unit obtains one or more server accumulation data items from the server accumulation data storage unit in the newest order, and stores them as the index data in the index data storage unit. The present invention is any one of the first to third features.

The sixth aspect of the present invention provides
When creating the index data, the index data processing unit obtains the titles of all server stored data stored in the server stored data storage unit, and the server stored data number for each title or all server stored data Data number information that is a ratio to the number is calculated, the titles are sorted in descending order of the data number information, and one or more titles and data number information are used as the index data in the descending order of the data number information. The present invention is any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the present invention is stored in a storage unit.

The seventh aspect of the present invention
The server storage data is any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the recorded program is a recorded program.

In addition, the eighth aspect of the present invention
The server accumulation data is a recording reservation according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention.

The ninth aspect of the present invention provides
The present invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the service is server stored data reproduction.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is
The service is a recording reservation, according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is
A device selection support method executed by a server that provides a service via a network,
A server stored data storage step for storing predetermined server stored data;
An index data storage step for storing index data which is information representing the characteristics of the server accumulated data;
An index data request processing step for processing an acquisition request for the index data from the client;
An index data processing step of creating the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data and storing the index data;
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface for performing network communication with the client using the service,
In the index data request processing step, a device selection support method is provided in which the index data is acquired and transmitted from the network interface.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is
A device selection support method installed in a server that provides a service via a network,
A server accumulated data acquisition request processing step for processing an acquisition request for predetermined server accumulated data from the client;
An index data conversion step of converting index data, which is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data, into a data format of the server accumulated data;
A server storage data storage step for storing the server storage data and the index data;
Creating index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storing step, converting the index data into a data format of the server accumulated data using the index data converting step, and storing the index data processing step; Prepared,
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface for network communication with the client using the service,
In the server accumulated data request processing step, the index selection data is acquired as the server accumulated data and transmitted from the network interface.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is
A device selection support method installed in a server that provides a service via a network,
A server stored data storage step for storing predetermined server stored data;
An index data storage step for storing index data which is information representing the characteristics of the server accumulated data;
A request processing step for processing an acquisition request for data other than the index data from the client;
A response data creation step for creating a response to the request;
Creating the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storage step, and the index data processing step of storing the index data,
When a data acquisition request other than the index data arrives at the network interface for performing network communication with the client using the service,
In the request processing step, there is provided a device selection support method in which the index data is acquired, the response data is acquired, the index data is added to the response data, and transmitted using the network interface.

The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is
A program for causing a computer to execute the server accumulated data storing step, the index data storing step, the index data request processing step, and the index data processing step of the device selection support method of the eleventh aspect of the present invention. is there.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides
For causing a computer to execute the server accumulated data acquisition request processing step, the index data conversion step, the server accumulated data storage step, and the index data processing step of the device selection support method of the twelfth aspect of the present invention. It is a program.

The 16th aspect of the present invention is
The server selection data storage step, the index data storage step, the request processing step, the response data creation step, and the index data processing step of the device selection support method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention are executed by a computer. It is a program to make it.

  The seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium carrying the program of the fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth aspect of the present invention, and is a recording medium that can be processed by a computer.

  In the present invention as described above, for example, the server holds the index data in a unique form, and obtains it with a unique API that is not defined in UPnP-AV. Also, for example, the server holds the index data in the form of recorded program information, and the client records the index data using the UPnP-AV recorded program information acquisition command immediately before displaying the device selection screen. It is acquired in the form of program information. Further, for example, before the device selection screen is displayed on the client side, index data is transmitted in advance in a form that is added to other information by the server, and the client holds the index data.

  Further, for example, the index data is a ratio of the data amount of each genre when the recorded program information stored in the device is classified by genre. Further, for example, the index data is the latest recorded program information of the recorded program information stored in the device. Further, for example, the index data is a ratio of the data amount of each genre when the recorded program information stored in the device is classified by title.

  According to the present invention, when a user selects, for example, a recording reservation destination AV device via a network using a client, a selection index representing characteristics of recorded program information stored in each AV device is displayed as a DTV. By displaying on the GUI, the user can easily determine the reservation destination device.

  In addition, when a user selects a device to be used before playing a recorded program using the DTV via the network, a selection index can be displayed on the GUI of the DTV. You can now select devices that are likely to contain recorded programs you want to play.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  First, a model case of a problem common to each embodiment will be described, and a solution procedure for the problem will be described according to the operation of each embodiment of the present invention.

Explain the model case in question. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a problem model case.
As shown in the figure, a plurality of recording devices and one DTV are connected to a home LAN. These recording devices comply with the UPnP-AV standard and can understand UPnP-AV commands.

  A user operates a recording device (2002 to 2005) connected via a network by transmitting a UPnP-AV command using the DTV 2001.

  The device selection support apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention is built in each recording device and DTV of FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that the user finds a program to be recorded in an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) 2006 displayed on the DTV monitor. When the user designates recording of the program, a table 2007 in which recording device names are arranged is displayed in order to select a recording reservation destination recording device. At this time, it is impossible for the user to determine where the recording reservation should be made because the user cannot know what program is in the recording apparatus and what recording reservation is made only by the recording device name.

Therefore, not only the recording device name but also information related to recorded programs and recording reservations stored by the recording device is acquired from the recording device as a selection index and displayed.
The following example is given as an index of selection.
A) Of the recorded programs stored in the recording device, the top five genres with the highest number of recordings (corresponding to claim 4)
B) Of the recorded programs stored in the recording device, the latest five title names (corresponding to claim 5)
C) Top 5 titles with the highest number of recorded programs recorded in the recording device (corresponding to claim 6)
Moreover, the following example is given as a mechanism for transmitting to the DTV.
B) Add to DDD (corresponding to claim 3)
B) An index of selection is written as a recorded program in a specific area of the recorded program database, and is acquired by using a command “CDS :: Browse” of information on an existing recorded program of UPnP-AV. Corresponding)
C) An index data acquisition command “CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo” is added to UPnP-AV (corresponding to claim 1).
(Embodiment 1)
Among the types of selection indicators and data transmission methods,
As an example using (A) and (A), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment.
In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a network compatible DTV which is an example of the client of the present invention used by a user. Reference numeral 102 denotes a DTV network interface a. Reference numeral 103 denotes a DTV network processing unit that acquires index data from the HDD-DVD recorder 105 using the network interface a102 and passes the acquired data to the display processing unit 104. is there. A display processing unit 104 displays the data sent from the network processing unit 103 on the DTV monitor.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a network-compatible reservation-recordable HDD-DVD recorder operated by the user through the DTV. Reference numeral 106 denotes a network interface b of the HDD-DVD recorder 105, and 107 receives a DDD acquisition request from the DTV 101 from the network interface b 106, acquires DDD from the response data creation unit 108, and receives from the index data storage unit 111. This is a request processing unit of the HDD-DVD recorder that acquires index data, adds the index data to the DDD, and transmits the DDD from the network interface b106. Reference numeral 108 denotes a response data creation unit that generates a DDD acquisition request. Reference numeral 109 denotes a recording as an example of the server accumulated data storage unit of the present invention in which title information of the recorded program shown in FIG. 2 is recorded. 110 is an index data processing unit that has genre information in advance, creates index data by acquiring recorded information from the recorded program database 109, and stores the index data in the index data storage unit 111. An index data storage unit 111 stores index data, and 112 is a home LAN to which the HDD-DVD recorder 105 and the DTV 101 are connected.

  Next, the movement when index data is created will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the recorded program database 109 is updated, the index data processing unit 110 is notified of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 110 acquires the number of recorded programs of each genre held in the recorded program database 109 for the genre information shown in FIG. In this case, it is assumed that a table as shown in FIG. 5a is obtained (step 301).

  Next, the ratio of each genre to the total number of data is calculated as a percentage. In this case, assuming that the total number of recordings is 200, the ratio to that is as shown in FIG. 6 (step 302).

  Next, sort by the genre with the largest proportion. In this case, it becomes as shown in FIG. 7a (step 303).

  Finally, the five data from the top of FIG. 7a are stored as index data in the index data storage unit 111 (step 304).

  Next, the operation of the device selection support apparatus when the DTV index data is acquired in advance and the user selects the recording reservation destination will be described.

  First, the prior acquisition of index data will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When the HDD-DVD recorder 105 is connected to the home LAN 112, the network processing unit 103 of the DTV 101 sends a DDD acquisition request to the HDD-DVD recorder 105 using the network interface a102 (step 801). Here, the server is an HDD-DVD recorder, and the client is a DTV.

  The request processing unit 107 that has received the request through the network interface b106 (step 805) uses the index data, here, the top five information of the genres with the highest number of recordings among the recorded programs stored in the recording device. Obtained from the data storage unit 111 (step 806).

  Next, the request processing unit 107 obtains the DDD from the response data creation unit 108, and adds the index data to the XML as a comma-delimited CSV data in the XML original definition tag as shown in FIG. 9 (step 807). Then, a response is returned to the DTV 101 using the network interface b106 (step 808).

  The network processing unit 103 that has received the response of the request through the network interface a101 (step 802), converts the DDD into device information as shown in FIG. 10 (including the device name and description along the device No.) and index data (device No. (Steps 803) are stored in the network processing unit 103 (Step 804) in a form corresponding to the device information.

  Next, the movement at the time of recording reservation will be described.

  When the user instructs the DTV 101 to display a screen for selecting a recording reservation destination device in order to select a device for which a recording reservation is to be made using the remote controller, the device information shown in FIG. And the index data are passed to the display processing unit 104. The display processing unit 104 displays the recording reservation destination device list screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the monitor of the DTV. When the device name indicating the HDD-DVD recorder 105 is focused, the selection acquired earlier is displayed. Is displayed on the screen. That is, on the EPG, when the user clicks a language special feature as a program that the user wants to reserve, the “language” in the recording destination list is focused on the device with the largest number of recordings, and the rank index data is displayed.

  In this way, when this method is adopted, the user can know which device has what recorded program at what ratio when selecting the scheduled recording destination, and can easily determine the recording destination. Will be able to. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, since DIGA 4 has a high percentage of languages, it can be seen that language programs should be recorded in DIGA 4.

  Further, when this method is adopted, index data is created by the DTV 101 as the client, that is, the data of all the recorded programs of the HDD-DVD recorder 105 is acquired by the DTV 101, and the number of recorded programs is checked for each genre. Compared with the display on the monitor of the DTV 101, less memory is required for the DTV 101, and the time from when the user presses the remote control of the DTV 101 until the list of recording reservation destination devices is displayed on the monitor of the DTV 101 is shortened.

  Instead of CSV data as index data, the survey result of the number of recorded programs by genre may be converted into an image file such as a pie chart, and binary data of the image file may be added as information to be added to the DDD. A URI in which a file is placed may be added.

  Further, the genre information held in advance by the index data processing unit 110 may be acquired from a module having external genre information, such as an EPG (electronic program guide) or the Internet EPG, immediately before creating the index data. .

In addition, DDD is used as an object to which index data is added this time, but SCPD may be used.
Further, as an object to which index data is added, an event notification transmitted from the server after UPnP event subscription registration may be used.

  In addition, only five cases are displayed this time, but the number of cases to be displayed may be other than five.

  In this example, the ratio of the number of recorded programs with the same genre to the total number of recorded programs is stored as the index data, but this may be the number of recorded programs itself.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (B) and (A), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the processing for creating index data is different. Therefore, only the operation when index data is created using the same diagram will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the recorded program database 109 is updated, the index data processing unit 110 is notified of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 110 acquires the program ID, title name, channel, genre, recording start time, and recording end time of the latest five recorded programs from the recorded program database 109.

  In this case, it is assumed that information as shown in FIG. 5b is obtained (step 301a).

  Finally, the information of the top five recorded programs is stored as index data in the index data storage unit 111 (step 302a).

  As described above, when this method is adopted, the user can know what recording has been performed on which device recently when the scheduled recording destination is selected.

  In addition, the DTV 101 requires less memory than the case where the DTV 101 performs CDS :: Browse from all the folders from the HDD-DVD recorder 105, searches for the five latest recorded programs, and displays them on the monitor of the DTV 101. And display speed will be faster.

  In addition, only five cases are displayed this time, but the number of cases to be displayed may be other than five.

  Further, when a recorded program acquired from the recorded program database 109 does not have a title, the title information is obtained from a module having external title information such as an EPG (electronic program guide) or the Internet EPG, and the title information is added. Then, the process of step 301a may be performed.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (C) and (A), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the processing when creating index data is different.

  Therefore, only the operation when index data is created using the same figure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the recorded program database 109 is updated, the index data processing unit 110 is notified of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 110 acquires the title names of all recorded programs from the recorded program database 109. In this case, it is assumed that a table as shown in FIG. 5c is obtained (step 301b).

Next, it checks how many programs each contain the same title. In this case, suppose that it becomes like FIG. 7b (step 302b).
Next, it sorts in the order of titles with the largest number of recorded programs. In this case, it becomes as shown in FIG. 7c (step 303b).

  Finally, five pieces of data from the top of FIG. 7c are stored as index data (step 304b).

  As described above, when this method is adopted, the user can know which device has what kind of recorded program and what proportion when the reserved recording destination is selected.

  In addition, the DTV 101 requires less memory than the case where the DTV 101 acquires the data of the recorded programs of all HDD-DVD recorders 105 and then checks the number of recorded programs for each title and displays it on the monitor of the DTV 101. , Display speed will also be faster.

  Instead of CSV data as index data, the survey result of the number of recorded programs by title may be converted into an image file such as a pie chart, and binary data of the image file may be added as information to be added to the DDD. A URI in which a file is placed may be added.

In addition, DDD is used as an object to which index data is added this time, but SCPD may be used.
Further, as an object to which index data is added, an event notification transmitted from the server after UPnP event subscription registration may be used.

  In addition, only five cases are displayed this time, but the number of cases to be displayed may be other than five.

  In addition, when the index data is created, the number of recorded programs with matching titles is acquired. However, the titles may be completely matched or partially matched.

  In this example, the number of recorded programs with the same title is stored as index data, but this may be a ratio to the total number of recorded programs.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (A) and (B), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 shows the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes a DTV corresponding to the network used by the user, 1202 denotes the DTV network interface a, and 1203 denotes the HDD using the network interface a1202. -Obtaining index data from the DVD recorder 1205 and passing the obtained data to the display processing unit 1204. The DTV network processing unit 1204 is a display processing unit that displays the data coming from the network processing unit 1203 on the DTV monitor. is there.

  Further, reference numeral 1205 denotes an HDD-DVD recorder capable of scheduled recording that is operated by the user through the DTV, 1206 is a network interface b 1207 of the HDD-DVD recorder 1205, and the network interface b 1206 is recorded from the DTV. HDD as an example of a server stored data acquisition request processing unit of the present invention that receives a request for acquisition of completed program information, acquires index data from the recorded program database 1209 as a recorded program, and transmits a response from the network interface b 1206 -Recorded program acquisition request processing unit of the DVD recorder, 1209 is a recorded program database in which title information of the recorded program shown in FIG. 2 is recorded, and 1210 has genre information in advance and has been recorded An index data processing unit that creates index data by acquiring recorded information from the group database 1209, converts the index data into a recorded program using the index data conversion unit 1211, and stores the recorded data in the recorded program database 1209; Reference numeral 1211 denotes an index data converter for converting index data into the data format of a recorded program.

  Reference numeral 1212 denotes a home LAN to which the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 and the DTV 1201 are connected.

  Next, the movement when index data is created will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13a.

  When the recorded program database 1209 is updated, it notifies the index data processing unit 1210 of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 1210 acquires the number of recorded programs of each genre held in the recorded program database 1209 for the genre information shown in FIG. In this case, it is assumed that a table as shown in FIG. 5a is obtained (step 1302).

  Next, the ratio of each genre to the total number of data is calculated as a percentage. In this case, assuming that the total number of recordings is 200, the ratio to that is as shown in FIG. 6 (step 1303).

  Next, sort by the genre with the largest proportion. In this case, it becomes as shown in FIG. 7a (step 1304).

  Finally, when the top five of FIG. 7a are passed to the index data conversion unit 1211, the index data conversion unit 1211 converts it into a recorded program and stores it in the index data storage unit 1212 (step 1305).

  Next, the acquisition of index data and the operation of the device selection support apparatus when the user selects a recording reservation destination will be described.

  Here, it is assumed that the DTV 1201 knows in advance that an ID necessary for acquiring index data from the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 using CDS :: Browse is a character string “Genre_data”.

  Further, unlike Embodiment 1, it is assumed that index data is acquired when a user selects a recording reservation destination. Hereinafter, a description will be given using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the user uses the remote control to instruct the DTV 1201 to display a screen for selecting a recording reservation destination device, the network processing unit 1203 uses the network interface a1202 to record a recorded video that exists in the ID “Genre_data” of the recorded program database 1209. A request for CDS :: Browse as 1501 in FIG. 15 is sent to the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 to acquire program information (step 1401).

  The recorded program acquisition request processing unit 1207 receives the request through the network interface b 1206 (step 1405), and acquires the recorded program information with the ID “Genre_data”, that is, index data from the recorded program database (step 1406).

  Next, the recorded program acquisition request processing unit 1207 returns this data as a CDS :: Browse response to the DTV 1201 using the network interface b 1206 in the form of 1502 in FIG. 15 (step 1407).

  The network processing unit 1203 that has received the request response through the network interface a1202 (step 1402) indicates that the information is “object.item.selectInformation” indicating index data from the value of the class tag included in the recorded program information. Recognize and take out index data (step 1403) and pass it to the display processing unit 1204 (step 1404).

  The display processing unit 1204 displays a recording reservation destination device list screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the monitor of the DTV. When the device name indicating the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 is focused, the selection acquired earlier is displayed. Is displayed on the screen.

  In this way, when this method is adopted, the user can know which device has what recorded program at what ratio when selecting the scheduled recording destination, and can easily determine the recording destination. Will be able to. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, since DIGA 4 has a high percentage of languages, it can be seen that the language program should be stored in DIGA 4.

  If this method is adopted, the index data is created by the DTV 1201 as the client, that is, the DTV 1201 obtains the data of all the recorded programs of the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 and then checks the number of recorded programs for each genre. Compared to the display on the monitor, the memory required for the DTV 1201 can be reduced, and the time from when the user presses the remote control of the DTV 1201 until the list of recording reservation destination devices is displayed on the monitor of the DTV 1201 is also shortened.

  Instead of CSV data as index data, the survey result of the number of recorded programs by genre may be converted into an image file such as a pie chart, and binary data of the image file may be added to the recorded program information. The URI where the image file is placed may be described.

  In addition, this time, information of five genres is packed into one recorded program information as index data. However, five recorded program information is prepared for each genre and the data is obtained five times. good. Further, if a folder containing index data is prepared and accessed, distribution information of all genres may be obtained.

  In this example, the index is acquired for the first time when the screen for selecting a recording reservation destination device is displayed, but it may be acquired in advance.

  In this example, it is assumed that the DTV knows in advance the ID in which the index data exists. However, the DTV 1201 obtains the ID from the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 and holds it in advance. Also good.

  In this example, the ratio of the number of recorded programs with the same genre to the total number of recorded programs is stored as the index data, but this may be the number of recorded programs itself.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (B) and (B), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, but the processing for creating index data is different.

  Therefore, only the operation when index data is created using the same diagram will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13b.

  When the recorded program database 1209 is updated, it notifies the index data processing unit 1210 of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 1210 acquires the program ID, title name, channel, genre, recording start time, and recording end time of the latest five recorded programs from the recorded program database 1209. In this case, it is assumed that information as shown in FIG. 5b is obtained (step 1301a).

  Finally, when these five are passed to the index data converter 1211, the index data converter 1211 converts them into recorded programs and stores them in the recorded program database 1209 (step 1302a).

  As described above, when this method is adopted, the user can know what recording has been performed on which device recently when the scheduled recording destination is selected.

  Compared with the case where the DTV 101 performs CDS :: Browse from all the folders from the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 to find the five latest recorded programs and displays them on the monitor of the DTV 1201, the DTV 1201 requires less memory. And display speed will be faster.

  In addition, only five cases are displayed this time, but the number of cases to be displayed may be other than five.

  In this example, it is assumed that the DTV knows in advance the ID in which the index data exists. However, the DTV 1201 obtains the ID from the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 and holds it in advance. Also good.

(Embodiment 6)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (C) and (B), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, but the processing for creating index data is different.

  Therefore, only the operation when index data is created using the same figure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13c.

  When the recorded program database 1209 is updated, it notifies the index data processing unit 1210 of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 1210 acquires the title names of all recorded programs from the recorded program database 1209. In this case, it is assumed that a table as shown in FIG. 5c is obtained (step 1301b).

Next, it checks how many programs each contain the same title. In this case, it becomes like FIG. (Step 1302b)
Next, it sorts in the order of titles with the largest number of recorded programs. In this case, it becomes as shown in FIG. 7c (step 1303b).

  Finally, the five pieces of data from the top of FIG. 7c are stored as index data in the index data storage unit 1212 (step 1304b).

  As described above, when this method is adopted, the user can know which device has what kind of recorded program and what proportion when the reserved recording destination is selected.

  In addition, the DTV 1201 requires less memory than the case where the DTV 1201 acquires the data of all the recorded programs of the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 and then checks the number of recorded programs for each title and displays it on the monitor of the DTV 1201. , Display speed will also be faster.

  Instead of CSV data as index data, the survey result of the number of recorded programs by title may be converted into an image file such as a pie chart, and binary data of the image file may be added to the recorded program information. The URI where the image file is placed may be described.

  In addition, this time, information of five genres is packed into one recorded program information as index data. However, five recorded program information is prepared for each genre and the data is obtained five times. good. Further, if a folder containing index data is prepared and accessed, distribution information of all genres may be obtained.

  In addition, only five cases are displayed this time, but the number of cases to be displayed may be other than five.

  If the title information has not been entered, the title may be acquired from the EPG or title database using the recording start time as a keyword.

  In this example, it is assumed that the DTV knows in advance the ID in which the index data exists. However, the DTV 1201 obtains the ID from the HDD-DVD recorder 1205 and holds it in advance. Also good.

  In addition, when the index data is created, the number of recorded programs with matching titles is acquired. However, the titles may be completely matched or partially matched.

  In this example, the number of recorded programs with the same title is stored as index data, but this may be a ratio to the total number of recorded programs.

(Embodiment 7)
Next, of the types of selection metrics and how to create them,
As an example using (A) and (c), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 shows the seventh embodiment.
In the figure, 1801 is a network compatible DTV used by the user, 1802 is a DTV network interface a, and 1803 is a network interface a 1802 to acquire index data from the HDD-DVD recorder 1805, and display processing unit A DTV network processing unit 1804 transfers the acquired data to 1804, and a display processing unit 1804 displays the data received from the network processing unit 1803 on the DTV monitor.

  Reference numeral 1805 denotes an HDD-DVD recorder which is a network-compatible recording device operated by the user through the DTV, 1806 denotes a network interface b of the HDD-DVD recorder, and 1807 denotes a recording destination from the DTV via the network interface b 1806. An index data request processing unit 1809 of the HDD-DVD recorder that receives an index data acquisition request serving as an index for selecting a device, acquires index data from the index data storage unit 1811, and transmits a response from the network interface b 1806. The recorded program database 1810 in which the title information of the recorded program shown in FIG. 2 is recorded has genre information in advance, and index data is created by obtaining the recorded information from the recorded program database 1809. Index data processing unit 1811 to be stored in the index data storage unit 1811, index data is stored, which is an index data storage unit.

  Reference numeral 1812 denotes a home LAN to which an HDD-DVD recorder 1805 and a DTV 1801 are connected.

  Next, the algorithm for the movement when the index data is created is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Next, the acquisition of DTV index data and the operation of the device selection support apparatus when the user selects a recording reservation destination will be described.

  Here, unlike Embodiment 1, it is assumed that index data is acquired when a user selects a recording reservation destination. Further, it is assumed that the DTV 1801 can use an index data acquisition command “CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo” that is mounted on the HDD-DVD recorder 1805 and is not included in the CDS standard. Hereinafter, a description will be given using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the HDD-DVD recorder 1805 is connected to the home LAN 1815, the network processing unit 1803 sends a CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo request such as 1601 in FIG. 16 using the network interface a1802 (step 1901).

  The index data request processing unit 1807 that has received the request through the network interface b 1806 displays index data, here, the top five information of the genres with the highest number of recordings among the recorded programs stored in the recording device, and the index data storage unit 1811. Get from. Next, the index data request processing unit 1807 returns a response such as 1602 to the DTV 1801 using the network interface b 1806.

Upon receiving the request response through the network interface a 1802, the network processing unit 1803 extracts the index data and passes it to the display processing unit 1804.
The display processing unit 1804 displays a recording reservation destination device list screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the monitor of the DTV. When the device name indicating the HDD-DVD recorder 1805 is focused, the selection acquired earlier is displayed. Is displayed on the screen.

  In this way, when this method is adopted, the user can know which device has what recorded program at what ratio when selecting the scheduled recording destination, and can easily determine the recording destination. Will be able to. For example, in the example of FIG. 11, since DIGA 4 has a high percentage of languages, it can be seen that the language program should be stored in DIGA 4.

Compared with the case where the DTV 1801 acquires data of all recorded programs of all HDD-DVD recorders 1805 and then checks the number of recorded programs for each title and displays it on the monitor of the DTV 1801, the DTV 1801 requires less memory. And display speed will be faster.
Instead of CSV data as index data, the survey result of the number of recorded programs by title may be converted into an image file such as a pie chart, and binary data of the image file may be sent as it is, or an image file is placed. You may send a URI.

  In this example, the index is acquired for the first time when the screen for selecting a recording reservation destination device is displayed, but it may be acquired in advance.

Also, in this example, CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo was Aciton without an In argument,
By specifying the IN argument, it may be specified how much of the information in the ranking of each recorded program genre is desired.

  In this example, the ratio of the number of recorded programs with the same genre to the total number of recorded programs is stored as the index data, but this may be the number of recorded programs itself.

(Embodiment 8)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (B) and (C), the solution procedure of the model case according to the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 18 as an eighth embodiment.

  The configuration of the eighth embodiment is the same as that of the seventh embodiment, but the processing when creating index data is different.

  Therefore, only the operation when the index data is created using the same diagram will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 19b.

  When the recorded program database 1809 is updated, it notifies the index data processing unit 1810 of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 1810 acquires the program ID, title name, channel, genre, recording start time, and recording end time of the latest five recorded programs from the recorded program database processing unit 1808. In this case, it is assumed that information as shown in FIG. 5b is obtained (step 1901a).

  Finally, these five are stored as index data in the index data storage unit 1811 (step 1902a).

  As described above, when this method is adopted, the user can know what recording has been performed on which device recently when the scheduled recording destination is selected.

  Also, the DTV 1801 requires less memory than the case where the DTV 1801 performs CDS :: Browse from all the folders from the HDD-DVD recorder 1805 to search for the five latest recorded programs and display them on the monitor of the DTV 1801. And display speed will be faster.

The latest 5 recorded programs are displayed as index data.
The latest five recording reservation data of the HDD-DVD recorder 1805 may be used.
In addition, only five programs are displayed this time, but the number of recorded programs may be larger or smaller.

Also, in this example, CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo was Aciton without an In argument,
By specifying the IN argument, it may be specified how much of the information in the ranking of each recorded program genre is desired.

(Embodiment 9)
Next, of the types of metrics for selection and data transmission methods,
As an example using (C) and (c), the model case solution procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The configuration of the ninth embodiment is the same as that of the seventh embodiment, but the processing for creating index data is different.

  Therefore, only the operation when index data is created using the same diagram will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 19c.

  When the recorded program database 1809 is updated, it notifies the index data processing unit 1810 of the updated data. Next, the index data processing unit 1810 acquires the title names of all recorded programs from the recorded program database 1809. In this case, it is assumed that a table as shown in FIG. 5c is obtained (step 1901b).

Next, it checks how many programs each contain the same title. In this case, it becomes as shown in FIG. (Step 1902b)
Next, it sorts in the order of titles with the largest number of recorded programs. In this case, it becomes as shown in FIG. 7c (step 1903b).

  Finally, the five pieces of data from the top in FIG. 7c are stored as index data in the index data storage unit 1811 (step 1904b).

  As described above, when this method is adopted, the user can know which device has what kind of recorded program and what proportion when the reserved recording destination is selected.

  Also, the DTV 1801 requires less memory than the DTV 1801 in comparison with the case where the DTV 1801 acquires the data of the recorded programs of all HDD-DVD recorders 1805 and then checks the number of recorded programs for each title and displays them on the monitor of the DTV 1801. , Display speed will also be faster.

  Instead of CSV data as index data, the survey result of the number of recorded programs by title may be converted into an image file such as a pie chart, and binary data of the image file may be added to the recorded program information. The URI where the image file is placed may be described.

  In addition, this time, information of five genres is packed into one recorded program information as index data. However, five recorded program information is prepared for each genre and the data is obtained five times. good. Further, if a folder containing index data is prepared and accessed, distribution information of all genres may be obtained.

In addition, only five cases are displayed this time, but the number of cases to be displayed may be other than five.
If the title information has not been entered, the title may be acquired from the EPG or title database using the recording start time as a keyword.

Also, in this example, CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo was Aciton without an In argument,
By specifying the IN argument, it may be specified how much of the information in the ranking of each recorded program genre is desired.

In addition, when the index data is created, the number of recorded programs with matching titles is acquired. However, the titles may be completely matched or partially matched.
In this example, the number of recorded programs with the same title is stored as index data, but this may be a ratio to the total number of recorded programs.

Up to this point, we have seen the first to ninth embodiments.
Among them, a recorded program is used as a material for creating index data, but recording reservation data may be used as a material for creating index data.

  In addition, the problem to be solved in the model cases of the first to ninth embodiments is determining the recording reservation destination device at the time of recording reservation. However, this system can also be applied to the selection of devices when playing back recorded programs.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of all or part of the above-described device selection support method of the present invention, and is a program that operates in cooperation with the computer.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the steps of the above-described apparatus selection support method of the present invention. The recording medium is readable and the read program executes the operation in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be an aspect in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operated in cooperation with the computer.

  Further, the recording medium includes a semiconductor element, a ROM, and the like.

  Furthermore, the computer of the present invention described above is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, and may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

  As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

  In the present invention, for example, a server transmits index data for device selection in advance by adding it to other information, the client holds the data, and the client stores the data of the selection candidate device on the device selection screen. As information, a selection index is displayed. Also, for example, the server holds the index data in the form of recorded program information, and the client acquires the index data in the form of recorded program information using an existing command immediately before displaying the device selection screen. Is. Further, for example, the server holds the index data in a unique form and acquires it with a unique API.

  Further, for example, the index data is a ratio of the data amount of each genre when the recorded program information stored in the device is classified by genre. Further, for example, the index data is the latest recorded program information of the recorded program information stored in the device. Further, for example, the index data is a ratio of the data amount of each genre when the recorded program information stored in the device is classified by title.

1 is a configuration diagram of a DTV or DVD recorder equipped with a device selection support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Example of data stored in recorded program database in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention The figure showing the genre information in the embodiment of the present invention The figure showing the investigation result of the number of recorded programs in embodiment of this invention Examples of the latest five data in the recorded program database in the embodiment of the present invention Examples of the latest five data in the recorded program database in the embodiment of the present invention The figure showing the result of having converted the investigation result of the number of recorded programs in the embodiment of the present invention into a percentage The figure showing the result of having sorted the genre names according to the embodiment of the present invention from those with a large ratio of the number of recordings The figure showing the number of the programs in which the same title is contained in embodiment of this invention The figure showing the result which sorted the title in embodiment of this invention from the thing with the large ratio of the number of recordings Flowchart of DTV and DVD processing when obtaining selection index in the embodiment of the present invention The figure showing the example of the data which added the parameter | index of selection using the original tag to DDD in embodiment of this invention Data format of device information and index data held in the network processing unit in the embodiment of the present invention Example of display of selection index on GUI of DTV in the embodiment of the present invention Detailed diagram of a DTV and DVD recorder equipped with a device selection support system according to an embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of DTV and DVD processing when obtaining selection index in the embodiment of the present invention The figure showing the content of the data exchanged by CDS :: BROWSE in embodiment of this invention The figure showing the content of the data exchanged by CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo in embodiment of this invention Example of communication with devices equipped with UPnP-AV Detailed diagram of a DTV and DVD recorder equipped with a device selection support system according to an embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of DTV and DVD processing when obtaining selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Flowchart when creating a selection index in the embodiment of the present invention Model case diagram of problem to be solved by the embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

101 Network compatible DTV
102 DTV network interface a
103 DTV Network Processing Unit 104 Display Processing Unit 105 HDD-DVD Recorder 106 Network Interface b
107 Request processing unit 109 Recorded program database 110 Index data processing unit 111 Index data storage unit 112 Home LAN to which HDD-DVD recorder 105 and DTV 101 are connected
301: Creating index data 302: Creating index data 303: Creating index data Step 304: Creating index data Step 801: Creating index data in advance 802: Obtaining index data in advance 802: Obtaining index data in advance 803: Obtaining index data in advance Step 804: Obtaining index data in advance 805: Obtaining index data in advance 806: Obtaining index data in advance 807: Obtaining index data in advance 808: Producing index data in advance 302a Creating index data 304b Step 1201 for creating index data DTV corresponding to the network used by the user
1202 DTV Network Interface a
1203 DTV Network Processing Unit 1204 Display Processing Unit 1205 HDD-DVD Recorder 1206 HDD-DVD Recorder Network Interface b
1207 Recorded Program Acquisition Request Processing Unit 1209 of HDD-DVD Recorder Recorded Program Database 1210 Index Data Processing Unit 1211 Index Data Conversion Unit 1212 Home LAN
1301 Step of creating index data 1302 Step of creating index data 1303 Step of creating index data 1304 Step of creating index data 1401 Step of obtaining index data 1402 Step of obtaining index data 1403 Step of obtaining index data 1404 Step 1405 for obtaining the index data Step 1406 for obtaining the index data Step 1407 for obtaining the index data Step 1304a for obtaining the index data Step 1304b for creating the index data Step 1801 for creating the index data 1801 DTV for network
1802 DTV Network Interface a
1803 DTV network processing unit 1804 Display processing unit 1805 HDD-DVD recorder 1806 Network interface b
1807 Index data request processing unit 1809 of HDD-DVD recorder Recorded program database 1810 Index data processing unit 1811 Index data storage unit 1812 Home LAN
1901 Index data acquisition step 1902 Index data acquisition step 1903 Index data acquisition step 1904 Index data acquisition step 1905 Index data acquisition step 1906 Index data acquisition step 1907 Index data acquisition step 1902a Index data acquisition step 1904b Index data acquisition step 1601 Sequence 1602 when CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo is executed Sequence 1601 when CDS :: X_GetSelectInfo is executed 1701 When a server corresponding to UPnP-AV sends a network participation notification, the client records. Sequence 1702 until Acquired Program Information is Acquired After the server corresponding to UPnP-AV sends a network participation notification, the client records Sequence 1703 until Acquired Program Information is Acquired After a server corresponding to UPnP-AV sends a network participation notification until a client acquires recorded program information, a server corresponding to sequence 1704 UPnP-AV sends a network participation notification Sequence 1705 from transmission until client acquires recorded program information Sequence corresponding to sequence 1706 UPnP-AV from server corresponding to UPnP-AV sending notification of network participation until client acquires recorded program information Sequence from transmission of network participation notification to client acquiring recorded program information Sequence 1707 Sequence from transmission of network participation notification by server corresponding to UPnP-AV to acquisition of recorded program information by client Scan 2001 DTV
2002 Recording device 2003 Recording device 2004 Recording device 2005 Recording device 2006 DTV GUI
2007 DTV GUI

Claims (17)

A device selection support device mounted on a server that provides a service via a network,
A network interface for network communication with a client using the service;
A server storage data storage unit for storing predetermined server storage data;
An index data storage unit that stores index data that is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data;
An index data request processing unit that processes an acquisition request for the index data from the client;
An index data processing unit that creates the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storage unit and stores the index data in the index data storage unit;
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface,
The apparatus for supporting device selection, wherein the index data request processing unit acquires the index data from the index data storage unit and transmits the index data from the network interface. A device selection support device mounted on a server that provides a service via a network,
A network interface for network communication with a client using the service;
A server accumulated data acquisition request processing unit for processing an acquisition request for predetermined server accumulated data from the client;
An index data converter that converts index data, which is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data, into a data format of the server accumulated data;
A server storage data storage unit for storing the server storage data and the index data;
Index data that creates the index data from the data stored in the server stored data storage unit, converts the index data into a data format of the server stored data using the index data conversion unit, and stores the index data in the server stored data storage unit A processing unit,
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface,
The server accumulation data request processing unit acquires the index data as the server accumulation data from the server accumulation data storage unit, and transmits it from the network interface. A device selection support device mounted on a server that provides a service via a network,
A network interface for network communication with a client using the service;
A server storage data storage unit for storing predetermined server storage data;
An index data storage unit that stores index data that is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data;
A request processing unit for processing an acquisition request for data other than the index data from the client;
A response data creation unit for creating a response to the request;
An index data processing unit that creates the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storage unit and stores the index data in the index data storage unit;
When an acquisition request for data other than the index data arrives at the network interface,
The request processing unit acquires the index data from the index data storage unit, acquires the response data from the response data creation unit, adds the index data to the response data, and transmits the response data using the network interface. A device selection support device. When creating the index data, the index data processing unit holds the genre information of the program in advance, and the server accumulated data storage unit stores the number of server accumulated data or the number of all server accumulated data for each genre of the genre information. Data number information that is a ratio is acquired, sorted in order from the genre with the largest number of data information, and one or more genres and the number-of-data information are stored in the index data as the index data in order from the largest data number information. The device selection support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device selection support device is stored in a storage unit. When creating the index data, the index data processing unit acquires one or more server accumulation data items from the server accumulation data storage unit in the newest order, and stores the server data as the index data in the index data storage unit. Item 4. The device selection support apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3. When creating the index data, the index data processing unit obtains the titles of all server stored data stored in the server stored data storage unit, and the server stored data number for each title or all server stored data Data number information that is a ratio to the number is calculated, the titles are sorted in descending order of the data number information, and one or more titles and data number information are used as the index data in the descending order of the data number information. The apparatus selection assistance apparatus in any one of Claim 1 to 3 preserve | saved in a preservation | save part.   The device selection support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server accumulated data is a recorded program.   The device selection support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server accumulated data is a recording reservation.   The device selection support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service is server stored data reproduction.   The device selection support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service is a recording reservation. A device selection support method executed by a server that provides a service via a network,
A server stored data storage step for storing predetermined server stored data;
An index data storage step for storing index data which is information representing the characteristics of the server accumulated data;
An index data request processing step for processing an acquisition request for the index data from the client;
An index data processing step of creating the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data and storing the index data;
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface for performing network communication with the client using the service,
In the index data request processing step, a device selection support method for acquiring the index data and transmitting the index data from the network interface. A device selection support method installed in a server that provides a service via a network,
A server accumulated data acquisition request processing step for processing an acquisition request for predetermined server accumulated data from the client;
An index data conversion step of converting index data, which is information representing characteristics of the server accumulated data, into a data format of the server accumulated data;
A server storage data storage step for storing the server storage data and the index data;
Creating index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storing step, converting the index data into a data format of the server accumulated data using the index data converting step, and storing the index data processing step; Prepared,
When the index data acquisition request arrives at the network interface for network communication with the client using the service,
In the server storage data request processing step, a device selection support method for acquiring the index data as the server storage data and transmitting the data from the network interface. A device selection support method installed in a server that provides a service via a network,
A server stored data storage step for storing predetermined server stored data;
An index data storage step for storing index data which is information representing the characteristics of the server accumulated data;
A request processing step for processing an acquisition request for data other than the index data from the client;
A response data creation step for creating a response to the request;
Creating the index data from the data stored in the server accumulated data storage step, and the index data processing step of storing the index data,
When a data acquisition request other than the index data arrives at the network interface for performing network communication with the client using the service,
In the request processing step, a device selection support method, wherein the index data is acquired, the response data is acquired, the index data is added to the response data, and transmitted using the network interface.   12. A program for causing a computer to execute the server accumulated data storing step, the index data storing step, the index data request processing step, and the index data processing step of the device selection support method according to claim 11.   13. A program for causing a computer to execute the server accumulated data acquisition request processing step, the index data conversion step, the server accumulated data storage step, and the index data processing step of the device selection support method according to claim 12. .   14. The apparatus selection support method according to claim 13, wherein a computer executes the server accumulated data storage step, the index data storage step, the request processing step, the response data creation step, and the index data processing step. Program for.   17. A recording medium carrying the program according to claim 14, 15 or 16, which can be processed by a computer.

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