JP2006246158A - Contents output device, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contents output device which enables the user to efficiently view contents out of broadcast system and accumulation system contents, within a restricted period of time. <P>SOLUTION: A program guide formation 14 is provided with a contents information acquisition means, a viewing period setting means, an output contents determination means, and a schedule-for-viewing recording means. The contents information acquisition means acquires the contents information including time information, with respect to contents capable of being acquired by the contents acquisition means. The viewing period setting means allows the user to set information on a period for the user to desire to view the content. The output contents determination means determines an object and sequence of output of contents for viewing so that they can be viewed within the set viewing period, on the basis of contents information acquired by the contents information acquisition means and an input sources of an acquisition origin. The schedule-for-viewing recording means records information on the object and the sequence determined by the output contents determination means as information on schedules for viewing for the user, along with the information on the viewing period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content output device, a program, and a recording medium.

  In recent years, with the start of digital broadcasting and the widespread use of recording devices equipped with large-capacity recording media, it has become possible for users to view programs they want to watch from a huge amount of programs within a limited time. .

There has been proposed a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that presents program information related to the stored program to a viewer when the digital broadcast program is stored (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a user views a program, the program information of the program stored on the TV monitor, the program information of the program currently being broadcast, and the program of the program scheduled to be broadcast in the future is displayed. The electronic program guide is displayed and the user selects the program, and the stored program, the program currently being broadcast, or the program scheduled to be broadcast in the future is selected.
JP 2001-333345 A

  However, if there are too many channels, it will be difficult for the user to determine what content should be viewed within a limited time or what content can be viewed within a limited time, As a result, only the recorded content increases. As a result, when a user tries to view content within a limited time, it becomes more difficult to determine which content to select from a vast number of viewable content including recorded content. . Further, even when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is adopted, only the currently viewable content is presented, so that it is difficult to select the viewing content as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and allows a user to efficiently view content within a limited time from among a variety of viewing content including broadcast content and stored content. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content output device, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium that records the program.

  The present invention is constituted by the following technical means in order to solve the above-described problems.

  The first technical means includes content acquisition means for acquiring content from a plurality of input sources including a broadcast input source and a storage input source, and content output for viewing the content acquired by the content acquisition means A content information acquisition means for acquiring content information including information relating to time for content that can be acquired by the content acquisition means, and a period during which the user desires to view the content Viewing period setting means for setting the information for the viewing period, and for viewing so as to fall within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means and the input source of the acquisition source Output content determining means for determining the output target and output order of the content, and the output Viewing schedule recording means for recording the output target and output order information determined by the content determination means as the viewing schedule information for the user together with the viewing period information, and the content output means includes the viewing schedule Based on the viewing schedule information for the user recorded by the recording unit, the content acquisition unit sequentially acquires and outputs the content to be output in accordance with the output order together with the start of the viewing period. It is a feature.

  The second technical means outputs the viewing schedule information for the user recorded by the viewing schedule recording means in the first technical means as a user viewing schedule table to the same output destination as the output destination of the content output means. And a schedule table output means.

  According to a third technical means, in the second technical means, the output content determining means temporarily determines a plurality of output targets and output order information for the viewing period, and the schedule table output means includes: The plurality of sets of output targets and output schedule information for a plurality of users based on the output order are output so as to be selectable by the user, and the viewing schedule recording means is the output target and output temporarily determined by the output content determination means Of the order information, only the information of the output target and the output order selected by the user based on the output from the schedule table output means are recorded as the final viewing schedule information for the user together with the viewing period information. It is characterized by that.

  A fourth technical means is the broadcast viewing reservation means according to any one of the first to third technical means, wherein the content output device allows the user to make a viewing reservation for the content acquired from the broadcast input source. The content information acquisition means also acquires the information reserved for viewing by the broadcast viewing reservation means as the content information, and the output content determination means includes a broadcast time indicated by the information reserved for viewing, When the content exists within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means, the content reserved for viewing is determined as an output target.

  A fifth technical means is the fourth technical means, wherein the content output device comprises broadcast recording means for recording content acquired from the broadcast-type input source, and the output content determination means is the broadcast viewing reservation If the broadcast time indicated by the information reserved for viewing by the means is within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means, or if it starts before a predetermined time of the viewing period, the content reserved for viewing Characterized in that it has means for determining the output order so as to shift the time to be output as an output target backward from the broadcast time and instructing the broadcast recording means to record the content reserved for viewing. It is.

  A sixth technical means is the fifth technical means, wherein the broadcast viewing reservation means has setting means for selecting and setting a viewing method when the user makes a viewing reservation, and the viewing method is set during broadcasting. When viewing is possible, viewing is performed, and when viewing is not possible, recording is performed, and the viewing / recording step to be determined by the output content determination unit is determined, and the output target and output order are determined by the output content determination unit However, if it is included in the viewing period, the viewing step for viewing as an output target determined by the output content determining means, and even if it is viewable, the viewer can watch while recording and cannot view If there is, the recording is selected and set from any of the viewing / recording steps to be output and determined by the output content determination means, and the output Content determination means, based on the set viewing method by the setting means, as fall within the viewing period is obtained by said determining the output target and output order of the content for viewing.

  The seventh technical means outputs the content output by the content output means based on the viewing record information for the user recorded by the viewing schedule recording means in any one of the first to sixth technical means. The content output means is capable of outputting the content whose output has been stopped by the stop means, the position where the output is stopped, or a position before a predetermined time from the position. And a means for rewriting content information.

  According to an eighth technical means, in the seventh technical means, the output content determining means has means for determining content related to the rewritten content information as a next output target. .

  The ninth technical means includes content acquisition means for acquiring content from a plurality of input sources including a broadcast input source and a storage input source, and content output for outputting the content acquired by the content acquisition means for viewing A content information acquisition step for acquiring content information including information relating to time with respect to content that can be acquired by the content acquisition unit; Within the viewing period set in the viewing period setting step based on the viewing period setting step for setting information of a desired period of viewing and the content information acquired in the content information acquisition step and the input source of the acquisition source Output target and output order of content for viewing An output content determination step to be determined; and a viewing schedule recording step for recording the output target and output order information determined in the output content determination step together with the viewing period information as the viewing schedule information for the user. It is characterized by being executed by an arithmetic processing device in the content output device.

  The tenth technical means is a computer-readable recording medium recording the program in the ninth technical means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible for a user to efficiently view content within a limited time from among a number of viewing content including broadcast content and stored content.

  A content output apparatus according to the present invention is a content acquisition unit that acquires content from a plurality of (plural types) input sources including a broadcast input source and a storage input source, and for viewing the content acquired by the content acquisition unit Content output means for outputting to the network. In practice, the content acquisition means corresponds to a plurality of types of acquisition forms. For example, broadcast reception means for receiving broadcast content, a storage device such as a hard disk (HDD), and a removable recording medium such as a DVD A plurality of acquisition means such as a content reading means for reading the content stored in the storage. Hereinafter, a content output apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking a content display apparatus including the apparatus and a display unit serving as an output destination as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content display device including a content output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a content display device, 11 is a receiving unit, 12 is an input unit, Is a storage unit, 14 is a program table generation unit, and 15 is a display unit.

  The content output apparatus according to the present invention includes, for example, a receiving unit 11, an input unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a program guide generation unit 14, and more specifically, such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, and the like. A hard disk recorder that can store content such as received broadcast content with a digital broadcast reception tuner, in other words, a digital broadcast reception device with a large-capacity storage device can be mentioned. The content output apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to any device including a tuner and content storage means, such as a general-purpose computer with a tuner.

  The receiving unit 11 receives broadcasts and electronic program guide (EPG) data. The input unit 12 allows the user to input and receive the viewing time, the program desired to be viewed, and the set time for the viewing portion of the program. The storage unit 13 stores and stores recorded content (recorded program data) and viewing analysis data. The viewing analysis data is information that records facts and the like viewed last time.

  Then, the program guide generation unit 14 which is the main feature of the present invention preferably generates a user program guide (hereinafter referred to as a user program guide) preferably dynamically. The program guide generation unit 14 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a program guide generation program is read by the RAM and recorded so as to be executable by the CPU. May be. The display unit 15 is a display device such as a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The display unit 15 displays content and is generated by the program table generation unit 14. The user program table is displayed.

  The program guide generation unit 14 includes the following content information acquisition means, viewing period setting means, output content determination means, and viewing reservation recording means, and a huge group of programs already recorded on the HDD or the like and currently being broadcast or broadcast from now on The program group can be efficiently viewed within a limited time.

  The content information acquisition unit acquires content information including information related to time for content that can be acquired by the content acquisition unit (content input / stored or content scheduled to be input). Here, by acquiring information on the input source of the content as well, it is possible to distinguish whether the content can be reproduced at any time in the storage system or the content that can only be reproduced after the broadcast time of the broadcasting system. The viewing period setting means allows the user to set information on a period during which content is desired to be viewed.

  Based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means and the input source of the acquisition source, the output content determination means outputs and outputs the content for viewing so as to be within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means Determine the order. Since the output content determination unit extracts the content for output, it can be said that the output content determination unit is a content extraction unit.

  The viewing schedule recording unit records the information on the output target and the output order determined by the output content determination unit, together with the viewing period information, as viewing schedule information for the user (information that is the basis of the user program guide). The viewing schedule recording means can be said to be an entry means because the user enters contents for viewing and records the viewing schedule. Actually, as the data input by the user, in addition to the viewing period, information specifying the content to be viewed in the form of viewing reservation and / or recording reservation is input, so that a user schedule table more user-preferred is recorded. it can. Of course, when there is no such designation information, entries are extracted (extracted) from the stored contents in the oldest order, for example.

  With the configuration as described above, the content output means obtains content that is to be output in accordance with the output order together with the start of the viewing period based on the viewing schedule information for the user recorded by the viewing schedule recording means. Are obtained in sequence and output. Accordingly, it is possible to view content efficiently (with the time not being wasted) within a time set by the user from a number of viewing content including broadcast content and stored content. In particular, viewing efficiency can be increased by setting the viewing time by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of a user program guide in a content output apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The content output apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes the following schedule table output means as another embodiment. The schedule table output means outputs the user viewing schedule information recorded by the viewing schedule recording means to the same output destination as the content output means (that is, the display unit 15) as a user viewing schedule table (user program guide).

  For example, the user makes a viewing reservation by using an EPG for “report news” broadcasted from 21:00 to 22:00 and “weather forecast” broadcasted from 23:00 to 23:10, and the viewing period. Assuming that the user sets 21: 0 to 23:10. At this time, the output content determination means extracts “recorded content A” for one hour from the accumulated content to fill the blank time between “report news” and “weather forecast”, and plans to view it The recording unit records the order of “report news”, “recorded content A”, “weather forecast” and the acquisition destination thereof as viewing schedule information for the user. The schedule table output means displays the user program table 21 on the display unit 15 from the user viewing schedule information. For example, the user program guide 21 is time-sequential with the viewing time, such as “report news” 21a, “recorded content A” 21b, “weather forecast” 21c, and the like, for example, as in the normal electronic program guide notation. It is sufficient to list the following contents. When the created program guide is selected and confirmed by the user, broadcast reception and recorded content playback may be automatically performed when the viewing period comes based on the schedule of the program guide.

  In addition, the user program guide (or the user viewing schedule information that is the source) is created again when the user makes a viewing reservation or recording reservation, or when the user inputs a viewing period. It is preferable to be configured as described above. The relationship between the viewing reservation and the recording reservation and the present invention will be described later, but the viewing may include those that perform time-shifted broadcasting with recording. If time shift is used, for example, in the above example, the time of “report news” 21a is extended due to the occurrence of special news or the like, but it was desired to watch until 22:00 in advance. When the user's will changes during the extension to 22:20 (when the extended broadcast content 22a is added), the user program guide (and the user viewing schedule information that is the source) is again displayed. Is re-created, 22:20 to 23:20 is set as the viewing time of “recorded content A”, and “weather forecast” 21c broadcasted from 23:00 to 23:10 is time-shifted to 23:20 The recorded content 22c can be viewed at ˜23: 30. When the viewing period set by the user is 21:00:00 to 23:10, it is possible to incorporate recorded content (content that can be played back from 22:20 to 23:00) suitable for it, or time shift in this way. In this case, the user may determine whether or not the user actually views the “weather forecast” 22c recorded in the time-shifted manner at that time.

  The recorded content can also be played back with fast forward, rewind, skip, etc. When such an operation is performed, the user program guide (and the user program that is the source) is displayed according to the extended / shortened time. (Viewing schedule information) may be recreated, or may be simply shifted by the extension / reduction time depending on the input source of the content scheduled after the recorded content. That is, when an operation that changes the output end time is performed on the content output by the content output unit based on the viewing record information for the user, the viewing record information is again displayed according to the change of the output end time. Is preferably rewritten. However, the output order may only be maintained in some cases without rewriting.

  The simple shift described above can be easily realized because the viewing schedule information for the user is information including the output target and the output order. As a simple example, the content output device is provided with stop means for stopping output in the middle of content output (which can be said to be skip means from the meaning of skipping the content), and is created and recorded according to the priority as described above. When a stop operation is performed on the content output to the display unit by the content output means based on the viewing record information, the content that is scheduled to continue may be output. Here, if the stopped content has an attribute of viewing only, it may be confirmed whether to record. In this way, when the user determines that he / she no longer wants to watch the program while playing the content according to the user program guide, the user can skip to viewing the next content, and further, the user can fill in the free time created by the skip. The program guide may be automatically reconfigured.

  In addition, when the content whose output has been stopped by the stopping unit is a recorded content, the content output unit is configured to output the content from the stopped position or a predetermined time before the position. It is preferable to provide means for rewriting information. The output content determination means preferably determines the content related to the rewritten content information as the next output target. In other words, if viewing is interrupted while the content is being viewed (except when it is skipped), the continuation of the recorded content being viewed during the next program schedule creation will be preferentially incorporated as a program schedule creation entry. Good.

  Further, as another embodiment on the premise that the schedule table output means is provided, a plurality of temporarily scheduled output targets and output schedule viewing schedule information are displayed as a user program guide so that the user can select them. Also good. In this form, the output content determining means temporarily determines a plurality of output targets and output order information for the viewing period, and the schedule table output means has a plurality of output targets and output orders based on a plurality of sets. The viewing schedule information for the user is output so as to be selectable by the user. The viewing schedule recording means only outputs the output target and output order information selected by the user based on the output from the schedule output means among the output target and output order information temporarily determined by the output content determination means. Is recorded together with information on the viewing period as final viewing schedule information for the user. The schedule table output means may output the final user program table.

  Here, the viewing reservation and the recording reservation will be described in relation to the present invention. In order to allow the user to make a viewing reservation, the content output apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes broadcast viewing reservation means for allowing the user to make a viewing reservation for content acquired from a broadcast-type input source. The content output means executes the viewing reserved by the broadcast viewing reservation means and outputs the received broadcast content. Further, the content information acquisition means also acquires the information reserved for viewing by the broadcast viewing reservation means as content information. The output content determination means determines (entries) the content reserved for viewing as an output target when the broadcast time indicated by the information reserved for viewing exists within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means. .

  In order to make a user make a recording reservation, the content output apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes broadcast recording means for recording content acquired from a broadcast-type input source. Furthermore, the broadcast viewing reservation means may be configured to have means for reserving recording by the broadcast recording means as well as viewing the content reserved for viewing. The broadcast recording means itself may be provided with a recording reservation means, and the function of recording reservation in the broadcast viewing reservation means is exactly the same.

  The output content determination means starts when the broadcast time indicated by the information reserved for viewing by the broadcast viewing reservation means is within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means or before a predetermined time of the viewing period. In this case, the output order is determined so that the time for outputting the content reserved for viewing as the output target is shifted backward from the broadcast time, and the broadcast recording means is instructed to record the content reserved for viewing. In this way, by providing the content output device with a function to time-shift the output order of the content reserved for viewing when it does not match the broadcasting time, it is possible to view other programs by time-shifting and viewing even programs currently being broadcast. It is also possible to automatically shift the viewing time so that it can be viewed immediately after viewing the recorded content.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to generate a user program guide (or user viewing schedule information as a source) reflecting the feeling that the user wants to view when making a viewing reservation (or recording reservation). For this reason, it is preferable that the broadcast viewing reservation unit has a setting unit for selecting and setting a viewing method when the user makes a viewing reservation.

  As a viewing method, at the time of reservation, it is preferable that the user can select and set from any of the following viewing / recording steps, viewing steps, viewing / recording steps. In the viewing / recording step, the content is viewed if it can be viewed at the time of broadcasting, and is recorded if it cannot be viewed, and is determined as an output target determined by the output content determination means. Hereinafter, the content viewed in this step is referred to as viewing or recorded content. The viewing step is determined by the output content determining means when the output content determining means determines the output target and the output order (when creating the user program guide) and the content is included in the viewing period. Watch as an output target. Hereinafter, the content viewed in this step is referred to as viewing-only content. In the viewing / recording step, even if the content is viewable, the content is viewed while being recorded. If the content is not viewable, the content is recorded and determined as an output target determined by the output content determination means. Hereinafter, the content viewed in this step is referred to as viewing and recording content.

  In this way, the content is reserved for viewing with the three attributes of viewing or recording content, viewing only content, viewing and recording content, and is entered as viewing schedule information for the user. These attributes also determine the priority for determining that content as an output target. Then, the output content determination unit determines the output target and output order of the content for viewing so as to be within the viewing period based on the viewing method (attribute) set by the setting unit. In this setting means, of course, any step may be set by default setting.

  The content selected in the setting of viewing / recording content is viewed if it can be viewed by chance when broadcasting, and is recorded if it cannot be viewed, and is entered as the recorded content at the next television viewing. If the content selected in the setting of viewing only content happens to be broadcast when the user program is created, the content is entered in the program table creation. Here, viewing is prioritized because there is a guarantee that the recorded content can be viewed later. However, recording is not performed even if it is broadcast when not being viewed. The content selected in the setting of viewing and recording content is viewed while recording even if it can be viewed during broadcasting, and is recorded even if it cannot be viewed. When recorded while viewing, the content is viewed, but when it is recorded without viewing, it is set as an entry target when the next user program guide is created as unviewed content. As for the recording operation, the viewing and recording content recording operation is preferentially performed. That is, when the number of tuners is insufficient, at least the recording function is used with the highest priority by this content during the time zone of this content when the user program guide is created.

  Here, an example of setting the priority of content to be output in the output content determination means (what content is to be preferentially output) will be described. The viewing-only content is content that has no possibility of being viewed unless it is viewed at that time. Therefore, if it is broadcast, it should be included in the viewing content. Furthermore, since the recorded content that was being viewed last time should be watched as early as possible, the priority is set higher after watching only. When viewing of the recorded content that is being viewed last time is covered by the viewing-only content broadcast, the viewing-only content may be recorded. That is, when the viewing-only content can be viewed within the user program guide creation time by time-shifting, the setting may be such that entry as viewing or recorded content is performed.

  Subsequently, the priority content may be set as viewing or recording content. As described above, the viewing or recorded content is included in the content to be output as the viewing schedule information for the user when viewing is possible in real time or when time viewing is possible when the user program guide is assembled. When viewing with time shift, the content is automatically deleted after viewing.

  The content to be prioritized may be set as viewing and recording content. When viewing is possible in real time and time shift, this content is prioritized after viewing or recording content. As for the recording operation, the operation is secured as the highest priority, and therefore, among the above-mentioned contents, the content of the viewing only content, the content that is being viewed last time, the content of the viewing or recording content (when viewing in real time or time shift) is not overlapped Priority is given to viewing this content. Of course, since it is viewing and recording content, the content after viewing is not deleted.

  In addition, when there is content that should be viewed in order from the oldest broadcast date and time, such as a drama, and there is content that has not been viewed yet in the past, it may be handled as viewing or recording content or viewing and recording content. (Alternatively, even if time shift) viewing is possible, the content is recorded and the content is not viewed. In other words, when this reservation content is reserved every week or every day, if a past unviewed program can be searched, the content is recorded without being viewed and the past unviewed according to the time. It is good to allocate the program. That is, it is preferable to prioritize the entry of the oldest content that has not been viewed in the program and record the content being broadcast in real time.

  In addition, when the reservation setting date and time of viewing and recording content overlaps with the reservation setting date and time of viewing or recording content, and when the user cannot watch during the broadcast of those programs, the recording reservation of viewing and recording content has priority. However, in this case, it is preferable to obtain an understanding from the user at the time of reservation. When there are a plurality of tuners and recording is possible at the same time, it is preferable to accept simultaneous reservations as much as possible. Furthermore, when the reservation setting date and time of viewing and recording content overlap, the reservation of the person who made the reservation later may not be accepted. Also in this case, if there are a plurality of tuners and recording is possible at the same time, it is preferable to accept simultaneous reservations as much as possible. In addition, when the reservation setting date and time of viewing or recording content overlap, it is preferable to notify the user that there is a possibility that recording will not be performed depending on the viewing status of the user at that time, and obtain permission in advance. Also in this case, if there are a plurality of tuners and recording is possible at the same time, it is preferable to accept simultaneous reservations as much as possible.

  The content to be prioritized may be set to the recorded content. Of course, content acquired not by recording but by copying or the like or content recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or BD may be handled in the same manner, but the latter may slightly increase the priority in consideration of rental content. . Basically, it is only necessary to pick up in order from the oldest recorded content that has not been viewed yet. If it cannot be successfully incorporated into the user program guide, it will try to fill in the next oldest content, but if the content is a drama or other content that should be viewed in chronological order, the content will be reversed. Do not select.

  The content that should be prioritized last, that is, the content that need not be prioritized is a broadcast program picked up by genre. If there is no content that has been recorded and not viewed, or content that has been reserved for viewing, a broadcast program of the user's favorite genre from the currently broadcasted program may be entered as viewing content. As described above, when there is no recorded content that has not been viewed or content that has been reserved for viewing, a broadcast program of a user's favorite genre from the currently broadcasted program may be entered as the viewing content.

  Then, when there is no content corresponding to any of these, it is sufficient that the user program guide cannot be created. In addition, when the user program guide is completed and there is a time during which the user program guide creation routine has not been able to fill the content, it is good to inform the user that it is a free time when entering the time slot. . In addition, it is preferable to provide a function for transmitting to the user so that the user program can be recognized when viewing of the content by the user program guide is resumed.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the user program guide generation process in the content display device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a recorded content entry process in the user program guide generation process of FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the viewing content entry process A in the user program guide generation process of FIGS. 3 and 4, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the viewing content entry process B in the user program guide production | generation process of.

  With reference to FIG. 3, an example of a user program guide generation process will be described. First, the user's viewing start time (viewing start time) and viewing end time (viewing end time) are received by the input unit 12 (step S1). The input unit 12 may include a graphical user interface (GUI) for user input, and may be configured to visually assist the user input. Note that this GUI is actually stored in the above-described ROM so as to be executable. In addition to the start time and end time of viewing, the user input items here may be start time and total viewing time, or end time and total viewing time, and the input method is selection of time and time. You may employ | adopt the form which arranges an item and makes a user select.

  Next, it is determined whether the viewing and recording reservation before the entry determination is within the set time (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that it is within the set time, the viewing and recording reservation program is entered as recording (step S3). Here, entry is always possible by not allowing duplicates at the time of reservation. Next, it is determined from the entry in step S3 whether or not all the set time is filled with the viewing content (step S4). If not filled, the process returns to step S2, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  When it is determined NO in step S2, the process proceeds to step S5, and it is determined whether or not the viewing only reservation before the entry determination is within the set time. If it is determined in step S5 that it is within the set time, the viewing only reserved program is entered as viewing (step S6). Here, entry is always possible by not allowing duplicates at the time of reservation. Next, it is determined from the entry in step S6 whether or not all the set time is filled with the viewing content (step S7). If not filled, the process returns to step S5, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  When it is determined NO in step S5, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined whether there is recorded content that is being viewed last time before the entry determination. If it is determined in step S8 that there is recorded content that is being viewed last time, a recorded content entry process is executed (step S9). Details of step S9 will be described later. Next, it is determined whether or not all the set time is filled with the viewing content based on the entry in step S9 (step S10). If not filled, the process returns to step S8, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the recorded content entry processing in step S9 will be described. In the recorded content entry process, first, it is determined whether there is a previous content that has not yet been viewed in the series (step S31). If YES in step S31, the recorded content entry process is terminated. If NO, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, it is determined whether or not there is a space for the content in the viewing entry of the current user program guide. If YES in step S32, the content is entered into the empty space (step S35), and the recorded content entry process is terminated. In the case of NO in step S32, it is determined whether there is content that can be time-shifted in the viewing entry (step S33). If NO in step S33, the recorded content entry process is terminated, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, it is determined whether or not it is possible to make a free time for playing back the content by time shifting the content and adjusting the playback time of the recorded content that has already been registered. If YES in step S34, the content is entered into the empty space (step S35), and the recorded content entry process is terminated. On the other hand, if NO in step S34, the recorded content entry process is terminated as it is.

  The continuation of the user program guide creation process will be described with reference to FIG. When it is determined NO in step S8, it is determined whether the viewing or recorded content before the entry determination is within the set time (step S11). If YES in step S11, viewing content entry processing A is executed (step S12). Details of step S12 will be described later. Next, it is determined from the entry in step S12 whether or not all the set time is filled with viewing content (step S13). If not filled, the process returns to step S11, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  Here, the viewing content entry process A in step S12 will be described with reference to FIG. In the viewing content entry process A, first, it is determined whether there is a series content that has not yet been viewed (step S41).

  If YES in step S41, it is determined whether or not the own content can be recorded (step S42). If the recording is impossible, the viewing content entry processing A is terminated. If YES in step S42, content is entered in the recording empty space (step S43), and viewing content entry processing A is terminated.

  On the other hand, if NO in step S41, it is determined whether or not there is a vacant broadcast time for the content in the viewing entry of the current user program guide (step S44). If YES in step S44, the content is entered in the viewing space (step S50), and the viewing content entry process A is terminated. In the case of NO in step S44, it is determined whether or not the content can be viewed by moving or time shifting the content in the viewing entry (step S45).

  If YES in step S45, the content in the viewing entry is moved or time-shifted registered (step S49), the content is entered in the viewing available space (step S50), and the viewing content entry process A is terminated. If NO in step S45, it is determined whether or not the own content can be recorded (step S46). If the recording is impossible, the viewing content entry process A is terminated. If YES in step S46, content is entered in the recording free space (step S47), and after the broadcast of the recorded own content starts, the content in the viewing entry is moved or time-shifted to view the own content. It is determined whether or not an available space can be created (step S48). If NO in step S48, the viewing content entry process A is terminated. If YES, the viewing content entry process A is terminated after the processes of steps S49 and S50.

  The continuation of the user program guide creation process will be described with reference to FIG. 4 again. If NO in step S11, it is determined whether the viewing and recording content before entry determination is within the set time (step S14). If YES in step S14, the viewing content entry process B is executed (step S15). Details of step S15 will be described later. Next, it is determined whether or not all the set time is filled with the viewing content based on the entry in step S15 (step S16). If not, the process returns to step S14, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  Here, the viewing content entry process B in step S15 will be described with reference to FIG. In the viewing content entry process B, first, it is determined whether there is a previous content that has not yet been viewed in the series (step S61). In the case of NO at step S61, it is determined whether or not there is a vacancy in the broadcast time of the own content in the viewing entry of the current user program guide (step S62). If YES in step S61, the viewing content entry process B is terminated. If YES in step S62, the content is entered into the viewing space (step S63), and the viewing content entry process B is terminated. In the case of NO in step S62, whether or not a space that allows viewing of the content can be created by moving or time shifting the content in the viewing entry after the broadcast of the recorded content is started. Is determined (step S64). If NO in step S64, the viewing content entry process B is terminated. If YES, the content in the viewing entry is moved or time-shifted registered (step S65), and the content is entered in the viewing space (step S65). S63), the viewing content entry process B is terminated.

  The continuation of the user program guide creation process will be described with reference to FIG. 4 again. If NO in step S14, it is determined whether there is recorded content before entry determination (step S17). If YES in step S17, the recorded content entry process described above is executed (step S18). Next, it is determined whether or not all the set time is filled with the viewing content based on the entry in step S18 (step S19). If not filled, the process returns to step S17, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  If NO in step S17, it is determined whether there is user-preferred content before entry determination (step S20). If YES in step S20, the above-described viewing content entry process A is executed (step S21). Next, it is determined whether or not all the set time is filled with the viewing content based on the entry in step S21 (step S22). If not filled, the process returns to step S21, and if it is filled, the process is terminated.

  The present invention can also adopt a form as a computer readable program for executing the processing procedure described in each of the above embodiments. Actually, a preferable method for mounting the function according to the present invention is stored as a program in a ROM or the like in the content output apparatus, and is executed by the CPU using the RAM as an execution area.

  A program (content output program) to be incorporated in the content output device is a program for causing the CPU to execute the above-described processing procedure. The above-described means (content information acquisition means, viewing period setting means, output content determination means, This is a program for causing the CPU to function as a viewing schedule recording unit or the like.

  Further, the present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium in which such a program is recorded. An embodiment of a recording medium storing a content output program and data for realizing the functions of the present invention will be described. As the recording medium, specifically, various CDs, MOs (magneto-optical disks), DVDs, FDs, flash memories, and other various ROMs and RAMs can be assumed. This function can be easily realized by recording and distributing on a recording medium. Then, a recording medium as described above is mounted on an information processing apparatus such as a computer and the content recording program is read by the information processing apparatus, or a recording provided in a content output apparatus such as the information processing apparatus or a transfer destination recorder By storing a content recording program in a medium and reading it out as necessary, the content output function according to the present invention can be executed.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the content display apparatus provided with the content output device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a user program guide in the content output device which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the user program schedule production | generation process in the content display apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the user program schedule production | generation process in the content display apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a recorded content entry process in the user program guide generation process of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of viewing content entry processing A in the user program guide generation processing of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a viewing content entry process B in the user program guide generation process of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content display apparatus, 11 ... Reception part, 12 ... Input part, 13 ... Accumulation part, 14 ... Program guide production | generation part, 15 ... Display part.

Claims (10)

  Content output means comprising content acquisition means for acquiring content from a plurality of input sources including a broadcast input source and a storage input source, and a content output means for outputting the content acquired by the content acquisition means for viewing A content information acquisition unit that acquires content information including information about time for content that can be acquired by the content acquisition unit, and a viewing period that allows a user to set information for a period during which the user wants to view the content Based on the setting means and the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means and the input source of the acquisition source, the output target and output of the content for viewing so as to be within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means Output content determining means for determining order, and output content determining means Viewing schedule recording means for recording the determined output target and output order information together with the viewing period information as the viewing schedule information for the user, and the content output means is recorded by the viewing schedule recording means Based on the viewing schedule information for the user, the content acquisition means causes the content acquisition means to sequentially acquire and output the content to be output in accordance with the output order together with the start of the viewing period. Output device.   A schedule table output means for outputting the user's viewing schedule information recorded by the viewing schedule recording means as a user viewing schedule table to the same output destination as the output destination of the content output means. Item 2. The content output device according to Item 1.   The output content determination means temporarily determines a plurality of output targets and output order information for the viewing period, and the schedule table output means includes a plurality of users based on the plurality of sets of output targets and output orders. The viewing schedule information for the user to select, and the viewing schedule recording means outputs the information on the output target and the output order temporarily determined by the output content determination means, by the schedule table output means. 3. The content output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein only the information on the output target and the output order selected by the user is recorded together with the viewing period information as final viewing schedule information for the user. .   The content output device includes a broadcast viewing reservation unit that allows a user to make a viewing reservation for content acquired from a broadcast input source, and the content information acquisition unit is reserved for viewing by the broadcast viewing reservation unit. Information is also acquired as the content information, and the output content determination means, when the broadcast time indicated by the information reserved for viewing exists within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means, The content output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determined content is determined as an output target.   The content output device includes broadcast recording means for recording content acquired from the broadcast-related input source, and the output content determination means includes a broadcast time indicated by information reserved for viewing by the broadcast viewing reservation means, When it exists within the viewing period set by the viewing period setting means, or when it starts before the predetermined time of the viewing period, the time for outputting the content reserved for viewing as the output target is set backward from the broadcast time. 5. The content output apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for determining an output order to shift and instructing the broadcast recording means to record the content reserved for viewing.   The broadcast viewing reservation means includes setting means for selecting and setting a viewing method when the user makes a viewing reservation, and the viewing method is viewed when viewing is possible during broadcasting, and is not possible when viewing is possible. When recording / viewing / recording as an output target determined by the output content determination means and when determining the output target and output order by the output content determination means, if included in the viewing period, A viewing step of viewing as an output target determined by the output content determining means, and viewing while recording even if it is viewable, and recording if recording is not possible, recording the output content determining means The output content determination means is set by the setting means. Was based on the viewing method, to fit within said viewing period, the content output device according to claim 5, characterized in that to determine the output target and output order of the content for viewing.   The content output unit includes a stop unit that stops outputting the content output by the content output unit based on the viewing record information for a user recorded by the viewing schedule recording unit, and the content output unit includes the stop unit 7. The content that has been stopped by the output, and means for rewriting the content information so that the content can be output from the stop position or a position before the position for a predetermined time. The content output device according to claim 1.   8. The content output apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the output content determination means includes means for determining content related to the rewritten content information as a next output target.   Content output means comprising content acquisition means for acquiring content from a plurality of input sources including a broadcast input source and a storage input source, and a content output means for outputting the content acquired by the content acquisition means for viewing A content information acquisition step for acquiring content information including information related to time for content that can be acquired by the content acquisition means, and information on a period during which the user wants to view the content Content for viewing so as to be within the viewing period set in the viewing period setting step based on the content information acquired in the content information acquisition step and the input source of the acquisition source Output controller that determines the output target and output order of The content output step, and the output schedule recording step for recording the output target and output order information determined in the output content determination step together with the viewing period information as the viewing schedule information for the user. A program that is executed by an arithmetic processing unit in an apparatus.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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