JP2006311118A - Character data input system and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology capable of improving operability and convenience for character input by simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: A character data input system is provided with a recording/reproducing apparatus (10) capable of recording/reproducing program data, a server (50) connected to the recording/reproducing apparatus (10) through a network and capable of transmitting/receiving character data and a terminal apparatus (80) capable of transmitting/receiving e-mails to/from the server (50). When the recording/reproducing apparatus (10) receives a signal concerned with the input of character data, the recording/reproducing apparatus (10) is connected to the server (50), the server (50) transmits an input mail to which a user can input character data to the terminal apparatus (80), the terminal apparatus (80) receiving the input mail inputs prescribed character data to the input mail and transmits a reply mail to the server (50). The server (50) receiving the reply mail stores the character data of the reply mail in a recording medium (52). The recording/reproducing apparatus (10) accesses the recording means (52) and detects and acquires updated character data to reflect the acquired character data to the recording/reproducing apparatus (10). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a character data input technique, and more particularly to a character data information processing technique that can be used when character data is input to a digital recording / reproducing apparatus.

  In recent years, many digital recording / playback apparatuses capable of recording and playing back TV programs are equipped with EPG (electronic program guide), which is a function for displaying a program guide on a TV screen, as standard. The program title is automatically given to the recorded video data. For this reason, it is less necessary for the user himself / herself to input a program title by performing a character input operation. On the other hand, when a model not equipped with an EPG, recorded video data is edited as original data for storage, and an arbitrary program title is added to the edited video data, or when a TV program is recorded. In certain situations, character input operations are still required depending on the user's usage, such as keyword registration for keyword recording that automatically sets and records video that hits the keyword. It is.

Note that Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-23930 was extracted as a technique related to the present invention. According to the present invention, “ya”, “yu”, and “yo” rows having fewer character keys than the others are arranged in the center of the key list displayed on the display. Each time the remote controller is operated once, the cursor moves on the character key one frame at a time. For example, to move the cursor from the “I” position to the “B” position, first move the cursor down to the “Y” position, then move it horizontally to the “Y” position. And move it down to the “ba” position.

JP 2002-23930 A

  In the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, a device is devised in which the target character key can be selected with a smaller number of remote control operations by moving the cursor to the target character key after moving within the line. However, the input method of selecting characters one by one while looking at the characters on the display takes a very long time. In addition, since it takes time to get used to the operation, problems remain in terms of operability and convenience in character input.

Here, considering the operability when inputting characters while looking at the display, it is conceivable to use a keyboard that is representative of input means. Since the keyboard is widely used in the PC, there are many users who are relatively used to it, and it is known that its operability is sufficiently good. However, many existing digital recording / reproducing apparatuses do not have a port for connecting a keyboard. Also, even with some port-equipped models, the keyboard itself is an obstacle in the usage pattern in which the keyboard is always connected. However, it is troublesome in the usage pattern in which a character is connected each time a character is input. For users who do not have a PC, it is necessary to purchase a new keyboard dedicated to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus, which increases costs.

  In consideration of convenience when inputting characters, a means capable of inputting characters from a position physically separated from the digital recording / reproducing apparatus has been desired. For example, when the above-mentioned keyword registration is performed, if a recording keyword that has come up on the go can be registered from the outside, there is no need to directly operate from the home where the digital recording / reproducing device is located. Convenience improves. The same applies not only to keywords but also to the assignment of program titles. However, there is no technique corresponding to character input from a physically distant position.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of improving the operability and convenience of character input with a simple configuration.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of improving the operability and convenience of character input with a simple configuration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a program capable of improving the operability and convenience of character input with a simple configuration.

(Claim 1)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing program data, a server connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus via a network and capable of transmitting / receiving character data, and the server and data There is provided a character data input system including a terminal device related to a user of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving.
That is, when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives an input signal related to the input of character data, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus connects to a server via a network, and the character data by the user to the terminal device The terminal device that has received the character data prompt notification inputs predetermined character data into the character data prompt notification and transmits it as a reply notification to the server. A reply notice receiving means for receiving the reply notice; and a character data recording means for storing the character data of the reply notice received by the reply notice receiving means in the recording means, wherein the digital recording / reproducing apparatus is the recording means. Update data detecting means for detecting the updated character data by accessing at predetermined intervals, and the update data When the output means detects the updated character data, the updated character data acquisition means for acquiring the updated character data and the updated character data acquired by the updated character data acquisition means are reflected in the digital recording / reproducing apparatus. And a character data input system.

(Glossary)
“Character data” refers to characters input by a user using a predetermined input means, such as hiragana, katakana, kanji, and romaji. Specifically, a program title, a reservation keyword, and a search keyword.
A “terminal device” is a terminal device having at least an e-mail transmission / reception function. Typically, it is a mobile phone provided with a telephone call function, and there are other cases such as a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, and a PDA.
The “input signal” is a signal that serves as a trigger for the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to connect to the server. For example, it may be input by a remote controller of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus.
The “character data prompt notification” is notification means for notifying the user of a format (style) for prompting the user to input character data. For example, the user is notified by e-mail or the like provided with a blank for inputting character data by the user.
“Recording means” refers to a hard disk or the like that stores an OS, applications, various data, and the like. Various data may be constructed as a database capable of storing character data.
The “update data detecting means” is a form in which the digital recording / reproducing apparatus detects character data updated by accessing the server.
The “updated character data acquisition means” is means for acquiring updated character data by accessing the server when the updated character data is detected. In addition, the updated character data may be distributed to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus from the server side.
“Character data reflecting means” is to display updated character data such as keywords and titles acquired from the server on a display or the like connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus.

(Function)
When the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives the input signal, the server connection means connects to the server via the network. The server transmits to the terminal device a character data prompt notification that allows character data to be input. The terminal device that has received the character data prompt notification inputs predetermined character data in the character data prompt notification and transmits it to the server as a reply notification. The reply notification receiving unit receives the reply notification, and accumulates the character data of the received reply notification in the recording unit. When the update data detection unit accesses the recording unit at predetermined intervals and detects updated character data, the updated character data acquisition unit acquires the updated character data. The character data reflecting means reflects the updated character data on the digital recording / reproducing apparatus.
That is, by inputting the character data to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus from the terminal device, the character data can be input using the input means familiar to the user, so that the operability is improved. In addition, by using a character data prompt notification that allows data to be exchanged via a network, the character data can be input to the digital recording / reproducing device even from a location physically separated from the digital recording / reproducing device. Can be performed, and convenience is improved.

(Claim 2)
The invention according to claim 2 is a digital recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing program data, a server connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus via a network and capable of transmitting / receiving character data, and the server and electronic mail A character data input system comprising: a terminal device related to a user of a digital recording / reproducing device that can select whether to input by text notification input by character data or voice notification input by voice data provide.
That is, when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives an input signal related to input of character data, server connecting means for connecting the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to a server via a network;
The character data prompt notification transmitting means for transmitting the character data prompt notification capable of inputting character data by the user and the terminal device receiving the character data prompt notification are input to the terminal device as either text notification or voice notification. Reply notification receiving means for inputting predetermined character data to the character data prompt notification by a method and transmitting it as a reply notification to the server, and receiving the reply notification;
A character data conversion means for converting received voice data into character data when the reply notification is transmitted by voice notification;
Character data recording means for storing the character data in the recording means.
In addition, when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus accesses the recording means at predetermined intervals and detects updated character data, and when the updated data detecting means detects updated character data , Updated character data acquiring means for acquiring the updated character data, and character data reflecting means for reflecting the updated character data acquired by the updated character data acquiring means to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus.

(Glossary)
“Voice data” is voice data input by a user using a microphone function mounted on a mobile phone or the like. This audio data may be converted into digital audio by a converter or the like and compressed by a prescribed digital audio compression method (for example, MP3).
“Selectable” is an option that allows the user to select whether to input by text notification or voice notification. In addition, an option “switch to operator” may be prepared as an optional function, and a voice call to be input may be transmitted by directly talking to a human or robot operator.
“Text notification” is a format in which desired character data is input and notified as character data. For example, the mail function of a mobile phone is used.
“Voice notification” is a format in which desired character data is input as voice data and notified. For example, voice data is transmitted as an attached file using a microphone function of a mobile phone.
“Character data conversion means” is a function for converting voice data into character data.

(Function)
In the invention of claim 2, when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives the input signal, the server connection means connects to the server via the network. The server transmits to the terminal device a character data prompt notification that allows character data to be input. When inputting predetermined character data in the character data prompt notification, the terminal device selects a desired input format from text notification or voice notification and transmits it to the server as a reply notification. The reply notification receiving means receives the reply notification.
When the reply notification is transmitted by voice notification, the character data conversion means converts the received voice data into character data. Character data received by the character data recording means or character data converted from voice data is stored in the recording means.
Further, when the update data detection unit accesses the recording unit at predetermined intervals and detects updated character data, the updated character data acquisition unit acquires the updated character data. The character data reflecting means reflects the updated character data on the digital recording / reproducing apparatus.
In the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the user can select the input format of the character data. That is, in addition to inputting by text notification using a mail function of a mobile phone or the like, it can also be input by voice notification using a microphone function. Even when character data is input by voice notification, voice data can be stored as character data, which is preferable because the range of options for the user is widened. In addition, when the user gives up the input without remembering the kanji related to the character data that the user wants to input, it is possible to switch to voice notification.
Therefore, the character data input method can be appropriately selected according to the place and situation of use, and convenience is improved. For example, it is possible to input by text notification in a train and input by voice notification in other places.
In addition, for example, for users who have difficulty in operating buttons when inputting text notifications such as persons with disabilities, and users who are not good at mail input, character data can be input quickly by using voice notification.

(Claim 3)
The invention according to claim 3 limits the character data input system according to claim 1 or claim 2, and the character data stored in the recording means is reserved for program data by the digital recording / reproducing apparatus. A character string set for storing and searching, wherein the server has a character string identifying means for identifying the character string received from the terminal device, and a character string identified by the character string identifying means. When the identification is impossible, a display device connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus and a correction confirmation notification transmission means for notifying the terminal device of correction and confirmation of the character string are provided.

(Glossary)
The “character string” includes not only a character string constituting a word such as hiragana, kana, kanji, numbers, romaji but also punctuation marks such as “,” and “.”. These are used for a reservation keyword used when reserving program data, a search keyword used for searching recorded program data, a program title for adding arbitrary title data to recorded program data, and the like.
The “character string identifying means” is an identification engine or an identification program for identifying an input character string with reference to various databases. Examples of the database include a language database, a person name database, and a program database. In addition, the character string identification means may have an intelligence function for converting an erroneously input keyword into an appropriate keyword that would be expected. For example, when the user misunderstands the actor name with the same surname, the function corrects the actor name and converts it to the correct actor name.

(Function)
In the invention of claim 3, the character string identifying means identifies the character string received from the terminal device. If the character string can be identified, it is stored in the recording means. If the character string cannot be identified, the correction confirmation notification transmitting means notifies the display screen or terminal device connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus of the correction and confirmation of the character string. .
In other words, even if the character string (for example, characters, spelling, program name, etc.) entered by the user is incorrect, a correction confirmation notification is sent from the server to the display screen or terminal device, thereby preventing recording reservation failure. Can do.

(Claim 4)
The invention according to claim 4 limits the character data input system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
That is, the character data prompt notification is an e-mail, and a sender address for transmitting the e-mail is transmitted as a different e-mail address for each recorded character input opportunity.

(Glossary)
“Character entry opportunities” can be broadly classified as a program reservation (reservation keyword), a search for recorded program data (search keyword), and a title assignment by editing / saving recorded program data (title data). There are four input opportunities when registering attribute information such as name and e-mail address.
(Function)
In the invention of claim 4, the character data prompt notification is limited to an electronic mail, and the sender address is a different mail address for each character input opportunity. In other words, for the user, there are assumed opportunities for inputting characters in various scenes when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus is used. However, in the present invention, a mail address is changed for each character input opportunity, and a unique mail address is assigned and managed for each character input opportunity. For this reason, even if there are a plurality of character input opportunities, it is possible to avoid confusion between both the server and the user, and the convenience in terms of management is improved.

(Claim 5)
The invention according to claim 5 limits the character data input system according to claim 5,
The electronic mail is provided with date data that can identify the date of recorded program data.

(Function)
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the character data input system according to the fourth aspect is limited, and by providing date data in the e-mail, the user can recognize when it is recorded or stored program data. Becomes easy. In addition, it is preferable because the date data can be determined when correcting title data, reservation or search keywords, and the like.

(Claim 6)
The invention according to claim 6 limits the character data input system according to claim 4 or claim 5,
The electronic mail is provided with program identification data capable of identifying recorded program data.

(Glossary)
“Program identification data” is, for example, a program title attached to program data.
(Function)
In the invention of claim 6, since the program identification data is given to the transmitted e-mail, the user can easily determine which program data the character data is input to. In addition, it is preferable that the program identification data can be used to determine the title data, the reservation or search keyword, and the like.

(Claim 7)
The invention described in claim 7 limits the character data input system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the character database includes a plurality of user-specific areas classified for each user. And different character data can be recorded for each user in the plurality of user-specific areas.

(Function)
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the character database includes a user-specific area in which character data for each user can be recorded. Since the character data recorded in the character database of the server is composed of a plurality of users, the management aspect can be improved by providing a user-specific area. Also, it is convenient because you can register your own “My Keywords” and the like that are different for each individual.

(Claim 8)
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for a digital recording / reproducing apparatus for transmitting / receiving data via a network to a server capable of transmitting / receiving character data transmitted from a terminal device.
The program includes a server connection procedure for connecting the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to a server via a network when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives an input signal related to input of character data, and
An update data detection procedure for accessing the recording means that records the character data input by the terminal device at predetermined intervals and detecting updated character data;
If the updated data detection procedure detects updated character data, an updated character data acquisition procedure for acquiring the updated character data;
Character data reflection procedure for reflecting the updated character data acquired by the updated character data acquisition procedure to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus,
The present invention relates to a computer program that causes a computer to execute.

The computer program according to claim 8 can be provided by being stored in a recording medium. Here, the “recording medium” is a medium that can carry a program that cannot occupy space by itself, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-R, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a DVD- R and the like.
It is also possible to transmit from a computer storing a program according to the present invention to another computer through a communication line.

According to the first to seventh aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a system capable of improving the operability and convenience of character input with a simple configuration.
According to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to provide a program capable of improving the operability and convenience of character input with a simple configuration.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a character data input system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing internal data forms of the keyword DB 60 and the title DB 61, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the character data input system. .
The character data input system records a television program (hereinafter referred to as program data) and is connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 capable of reproducing the recorded program data and the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 via the Internet (network). The server 50 and a mobile phone (terminal device) 80 capable of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail (character data prompt notice) with the server 50. Note that description will be made on the assumption that the users who own the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the mobile phone 80 are the same user.

(Digital recording and playback device)
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 selects an antenna 11 that receives a radio wave of a television signal, and selects the radio wave received by the antenna 11 as a radio wave of a channel specified by the user, and converts it into an analog television signal. A plurality of tuners 12 to be demodulated, A / D converters 13a and 13b for converting analog signals from the plurality of tuners 12 into digital signals for video and audio, and A / D converters 13a and 13b, respectively. Among the digital signals, an MPEG encoder 14 that receives a video signal, an audio encoder 15 that receives an audio signal, and a video signal and an audio signal that are compression-encoded by the MPEG encoder 14 and the audio encoder 15 are received and compressed and encoded. Multiplexed streams A multiplexer 16 for converting to a PEG system stream, a plurality of hard disk drives (hereinafter referred to as HDDs) 17 (17a, 17b) that can record program data and are randomly accessible, and data writing to the HDD 17, An HDD control unit 18 that performs reading and various controls, a demultiplexer 19 that separates an MPEG stream read from the HDD 17 into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream, and an MPEG decoder 20 that receives the video signal stream. An audio decoder 21 that receives a stream of audio signals, and a digital analog (D / A) converter that receives a stream of video signals decoded by the MPEG decoder 20, converts the received video signals into analog signals, and outputs them to a TV. 2 And a, to receive a stream of audio signals by the audio decoder 21 decodes the received audio signal into an analog signal and a D / A converter 22b to be output to the speaker.

  In addition, the CPU 23 that controls the entire digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the work area of the CPU 23 and the system stream are temporarily stored, and the memory 24 that is used as a work area for recording in the HDD 17, the remote controller, the digital A signal receiving unit 25 that receives various input signals from the input unit 28 of the recording / reproducing apparatus main body and transmits the input signals to the CPU 23, a network controller 26 that is connected to the LAN and WAN, and is capable of Internet communication, and a network A real-time clock 26b that accesses the server 50 using NTP (Network Time Protocol) of the controller 26, inquires about the current time and synchronizes the time data, and reproduces the program data, edits the program data, and displays the menu screen during menu display. Depends on display command Even when an input signal is sent, the OSD (On Screen Display) displays the menu screen while continuing playback and editing during playback and editing, and displays the menu screen while covering the menu during menu display. 27) and a DVD drive 29 for recording the recorded program data on an optical disk such as a DVD.

  In addition to the function of receiving EPG and time data and the function of transmitting viewing data related to the user, the network controller 26 updates information by periodically accessing the server 50 and checks for the latest data. (Update data detection means). Here, when the existence of the latest data is confirmed in the server 50, the latest data is acquired (updated character data acquisition means). The latest data to be acquired includes a keyword in the keyword DB 60 and title data in the title DB 61, which will be described later. The HDD 17 is an HDD provided for recording, but also records a database of metadata such as title data and keyword data.

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 has a keyword automatic recording function for extracting and automatically recording a program that hits a keyword registered by the user. The keyword used in the keyword automatic recording function is recorded in the HDD 17 and the keyword is rewritten according to the user's overwriting input or the like.

(keyword)
Here, the keywords will be described.
First, keyword input is broadly classified into “reservation”, “search”, and “edit / save” which are character input scenes (character input opportunities) when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is used. In the present embodiment, a keyword used in “reservation” of a character input scene is “reservation keyword”, and a keyword used in “search” is “search keyword”. The “reservation keyword” refers to the name of the program or the name of the talent that the user desires to reserve recording, and the “search keyword” refers to the desired program from the program data already recorded in the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. It is a keyword for searching by entering a name or a talent name. In “Edit / Save”, the title name when the recorded program data is edited is input.

(server)
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory, and the like, and includes an arithmetic processing unit 51 that performs character data conversion processing, character string identification processing, and the like, and an operating system. (OS), application software, various keywords, title data, recording data 52 including a plurality of databases in which various data such as language data are recorded, and an input / output port 53 that is an input / output unit for various data. Yes. Peripheral devices such as a keyboard 54, a mouse 55, a communication unit 56 connectable to the Internet, a display unit 57 such as a monitor, and an output unit 58 such as a printer are connected to the input / output port 53. The communication unit 56 is connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the mobile phone 80 via the Internet, and transmits and receives various data. The arithmetic processing unit 51 is equipped with a character string identification engine (character string identification means) 59 for identifying a keyword received from the mobile phone 80. As will be described in detail later, the recording unit 52 includes an identification DB 62 in which language data and the like referred to by the character string identification engine 59 is stored in order to identify the character string received from the mobile phone 80. .

(Database)
FIG. 4 shows the forms of the keyword DB 60 and the title DB 61 among the databases (recording means) stored in the recording unit 52 of the server 50. These databases are divided into areas for each user who uses this system, and a keyword DB 60 and a title DB 61 are provided in an area unique to each user.
The keyword DB 60 is a data group in which a keyword for reservation required for the keyword automatic recording function and a search keyword necessary for searching for a recorded program are stored. As shown in FIG. Reservation or search keywords “martial arts” and “US tennis” are registered, and user B registers reservation or search keywords “tax increase” and “music ranking”, respectively. That is, since the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 has a keyword automatic recording function for recording in accordance with a reservation keyword desired by the user, if the user registers a reservation keyword in advance, it corresponds to the reservation keyword. The program data to be recorded is automatically recorded. Also, since the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 has a powerful program search function, if a keyword frequently searched by a user is registered, a program that matches the keyword from a recorded program in one shot from the search keyword. Is convenient to play.

The title DB 61 is a data group in which title data when a title desired by a user is given to recorded program data is stored. This title data is mainly used when the recorded program data is edited as original data for storage and the title is given to the program data after the editing work. In addition, the EPG function is installed. It can also be used for other models.
Note that the cellular phone 80 owned by the user is used to register the above-described reservation or search keyword and title data. The mobile phone 80 may be a general mobile phone having a call function and a mail transmission / reception function.

(Title data registration procedure)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the title data registration process of the character input system. Note that the title data registered by the user will be described by applying the user A shown in FIG. 4, and the user A has already set the e-mail address of the mobile phone 80 used by the user to the digital recording / playback apparatus 10. Assume that you have already registered.
The user A performs editing such as scene editing and CM cut on a martial arts program called [Fighting Kingdom] recorded on the HDD 17 of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. When the editing end button is pressed using a remote controller or the like after completion of editing, the screen shifts to a title input screen for inputting the title of program data.
If EPG recording is used, the title [Fighting Kingdom] has already been assigned, but since a new editing operation has occurred here, a new title input screen is displayed. When the title input determination key is pressed on this title input screen (input signal), the network controller 26 transmits a connection request for connecting to the server 50 via the Internet (server connection means).

Upon receipt of the connection request, the server 50 transmits a title input mail for inputting title data to the mail address of the mobile phone 80 registered by the user A (reminder notification transmission means). The mobile phone 80 receives the title input mail from the server 50. A form when the mobile phone 80 receives the title input mail is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the title input mail is composed of a mail information display area and a program title input area. The mail information display area includes a reception time (date data), a sender address, a title ( Each piece of information (program identification data) is displayed. In FIG. 6A, [Reception time: 2005/11/10 12:55], [Sender: 051110-001-user_a@moji.jp], [Title: Fighting kingdom]. The sender address [051110-001-user_a@moji.jp] is assigned a different e-mail address for each program data (character input opportunity). [051110-001-user_a] Number-user name] is easily identifiable even when viewed later. Also, since the program title before editing is displayed in the title, it is possible to easily identify when and what program data was recorded by the sender address and the title.

The program title input area is an area for the user A to input desired title data using the mail reply function of the mobile phone 80. Here, “Please enter the program title in the body of the reply email to this email” is displayed. FIG. 6B shows a reply mail that is returned in response to the title input mail. In FIG. 6B, the [Reply] button is pressed with respect to the input mail received from the server 50, and [05.11 Best Video 1] is input as the title data. Then, the input reply mail is transmitted to the server 50 (reply notification transmission means).

When receiving the reply mail, the server 50 determines whether the reply mail address is a registered mail address. If the e-mail address is not registered, it will be rejected as an error process. If the mail address is already registered, a reply mail is received and the input title data is recorded in the title DB 61. The title data to be recorded here is stored in an area unique to user A (character data recording means). At this time, the title DB 61 records only the latest title data in the difference DB 66 as difference data.

When the network controller 26 of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 accesses the difference DB 66 of the server 50 and there is updated updated title data (updated data detection means), the updated title data is acquired (updated). Character data acquisition means).
The acquired updated title data [05.11 best video 1] is stored in the memory 24 or the HDD 17 and displayed as [05.11 best video 1] in the title input field of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 (character data reflecting means).

As shown in FIG. 6C, the sender address transmitted when registering the title data for another program data is [051110-002-user_a@moji.jp] and the program reference number. has been edited. Therefore, in combination with [title: US Open Tennis], it is possible to easily identify which title data is assigned to the recorded program.

(Keyword registration procedure)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the keyword registration process of this system. The keyword registered by the user is a keyword for reservation or search, and will be described by applying user B shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the user B has already registered the e-mail address of the mobile phone 80 used by the user B in the digital recording / playback apparatus 10.
When the user B presses the keyword input determination key on the keyword registration screen of the digital recording / playback apparatus 10, the network controller 26 transmits a connection request for connecting to the server 50 via the Internet (server connection means).

Upon receiving the connection request, the server 50 transmits a keyword input mail for inputting a reservation or search keyword to the mail address of the mobile phone 80 registered by the user B (reminder notification transmission means). The mobile phone 80 receives the keyword input mail from the server 50. FIG. 8A shows a form when the mobile phone 80 receives the keyword input mail.
As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the keyword input mail is composed of a mail information display area and a keyword input area, and information on reception time, sender address, and title is displayed in the mail information display area. ing. In FIG. 8A, [Reception time: 2005/11/10 19:00], [Sender: keyword-user_b@moji.jp], [Title: Keyword registration]. The sender address [keyword-user_b@moji.jp] is given a user name to facilitate identification of the user.

The keyword input area is an area for the user B to input a desired reservation or search keyword using the mail reply function of the mobile phone 80. Here, “Please enter a keyword in the body of the reply mail for this mail” is displayed. FIG. 8B shows a reply mail that is returned in response to the keyword input mail. In FIG. 8B, the [reply] button is pressed with respect to the keyword input mail received from the server 50, and [income tax reduction / music ranking] is input as a reservation or search keyword. Then, the input reply mail is transmitted to the server 50 (reply notification transmission means).

  When receiving the reply mail, the server 50 determines whether the reply mail address is a registered mail address. If the e-mail address is not registered, it will be rejected as an error process. If the e-mail address has already been registered, a reply e-mail is received and the input reservation or search keyword is recorded in the keyword DB 60. The reservation or search keyword to be recorded here is stored in an area unique to user B (character data recording means). At this time, the keyword DB 60 records only the latest reservation or search keyword in the difference DB 66 as difference data.

When the network controller 26 of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 accesses the difference DB 66 of the server 50 and there is an updated updated keyword (updated data detection means), the updated keyword is acquired (updated character data). Acquisition means).
The acquired updated keyword [income tax reduction / music ranking] is stored in the memory 24 or HDD 17 as a keyword for user B's reservation or search, and is displayed in the keyword registration column for reservation or search (reflect character data reflection). means).

The reservation or search keywords to be registered in the keyword input mail may be entered as a plurality of reservation or search keywords as in the present embodiment. It is also possible to register one reservation or search keyword for one keyword input e-mail.

  Therefore, the operability associated with the input of character data is improved by inputting character data to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 by an input means familiar to the user, such as the mail function of the mobile phone 80 owned by the user Can be made. In addition, if electronic mail is used, it is possible to easily input character data even from a location physically separated from the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. For example, registration of a program title, a reservation keyword, or a search keyword can be easily realized even when the user is away from home, and the convenience is greatly improved.

Moreover, although this system inputs character data using the Internet and electronic mail, it is an excellent system in terms of security. This is because the e-mail address of the mobile phone 80 necessary for inputting character data can be used only after it is registered in the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. Therefore, even if a third party tries to “spoof”, the input of character data is not accepted unless the reply is from the registered mail address.
Further, the sender address transmitted from the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 to the mobile phone 80 is a unique e-mail address that differs depending on each user and each program data. Only the mobile phone registered by the user can reply to this unique email address, so even if the unique email address is known, only the user's own mobile phone can accept input of character data. It has become a system that is strong in security.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The character data input system according to the second embodiment includes a digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 capable of recording / reproducing program data, and a server 50 connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 via the Internet and capable of transmitting / receiving character data. And the server 50 and a mobile phone 80 relating to the user of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 capable of sending and receiving e-mails, and when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 receives an input signal related to input of character data, The point that the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 connects to the server 50 via the Internet and transmits a keyword input mail that allows the user to input character data to the mobile phone 80 is exactly the same as in the first embodiment described above. .
However, in the present embodiment, when the mobile phone 80 receiving the keyword input mail inputs predetermined character data in the keyword input mail, it is input as text mail (text notification) or voice data input as character data. It is different in that it has an option that allows selection of voice mail (voice notification) to be entered.

Here, the “text mail” is a format in which a user inputs characters desired to be input as character data and notifies them, and uses the mail function of the mobile phone 80 as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, “voice mail” is a format in which character data desired by the user is input and notified as voice data, and uses the microphone function of the mobile phone 80. Here, even when voice mail is used, the file transmitted to the server 50 is transmitted with voice data attached to text mail. Note that an option “switch to operator” may be prepared as an optional function, and a voice call to be input may be transmitted by directly talking with a human or robot operator.

(Character data conversion function)
Although illustration is omitted, the server 50 is provided with a character data conversion function (character data conversion means) for converting voice data into character data. When character data is input by voice mail, voice data is attached as an example of a reply mail to the server 50. In the server 50 that has received the voice data, the character data conversion function converts the voice data into character data, and the converted character data is stored in the title DB 61 and the keyword DB 60.

(String identification engine)
Next, a description will be given of a character string identification engine (character string identification means) 59 that can identify the character or spelling of the reservation or search keyword when the input character data is a reservation or search keyword. To do.
Here, the “character string” includes not only character strings constituting words such as hiragana, kana kana, kanji, numbers, and romaji but also punctuation marks such as “,” and “.”. The “character string identification engine” is an engine in which a program for identifying an input reservation or search keyword with reference to the identification DB 62 is stored.

The identification DB 62 stores various data necessary for identifying reservation or search keywords such as a language database, a person name database, and a program database. For example, if the kanji or spelling of a reservation or search keyword input by the user is incorrect, the character string identification engine 59 determines that the keyword cannot be identified, and the display screen or mobile phone connected to the digital recording / playback device A correction confirmation mail (correction confirmation notification transmitting means) for prompting correction and confirmation of the keyword is transmitted to 80.
Note that the character string identification engine may have an intelligence function for converting an erroneously entered reservation or search keyword into an appropriate keyword that would be expected. For example, when the user misunderstands the actor name with the same surname, the function corrects the actor name and converts it to the correct actor name.

Next, an example when the user registers a reservation or search keyword will be described with reference to FIGS.
The user who received the keyword input mail from the server 50 tried to register the program related to the warrior general “Nobunaga Oda” as a reservation or search keyword, but mistakenly converted Kanji during the mail input to “Noda Nagata”. Suppose that you send it. In this case, the character string identification engine 59 of the server 50 refers to the personal name database of the identification DB 62 when registering a reservation or search keyword “Noda Nobunaga” to determine whether there is similar personal name data. Determine. As a result, there is no personal name data of “Oda Nobunaga”, but “Oda Nobunaga” is present in the personal name database, so this fact is transmitted to the user.

FIG. 10 shows a form in which a correction confirmation screen is displayed on a display screen connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. In this modification confirmation screen, “The keyword“ Noda Nagata ”is assumed to be the following keyword. Use the up and down keys on the remote control to select and press Enter. Is displayed. Here, four correction candidates “Noda Oda”, “Yuji Oda”, “Register with Oda Nobunaga”, and “Cancel” are displayed, and the user selects an arbitrary correction candidate from the correction candidates, and the remote control A correction notification is sent to the server by pressing the enter button.

Also, FIG. 11 shows a form in the case where a correction confirmation mail is transmitted to the mobile phone related to the user. In the correction confirmation mail shown at the bottom of FIG. 11, the title is “correction confirmation—keyword registration”, and the text The following two confirmation sentences are displayed.
・ There is no keyword “Nobunaga Oda”. For new registration, send mail to: keyword-new@moji.jp to the following email address.
・ “Oda Nobunaga” is a similar word. If you want to change it, please send mail to: keyword-change@moji.jp

When the mail address “mail to: keyword-change@moji.jp” to be changed to “Oda Nobunaga” extracted as a similar word is selected and transmitted, the server 50 reserves or searches for “Oda Nobunaga”. The keyword is recorded in the keyword DB 60 as a keyword for use, and the difference data is recorded in the difference DB 66.

The reservation or search keyword recorded in the difference DB 66 is accessed by the digital recording / reproducing apparatus at a predetermined interval from the difference DB 66, and the updated reservation or search keyword is detected, and the updated characters are detected. When data is detected, the updated character data is acquired. The acquired updated character data is displayed in the reservation or search keyword registration field of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

A series of processing procedures will be described with reference to FIG.
When the user presses the keyword input determination key on the keyword registration screen of the digital recording / playback apparatus 10, the network controller 26 transmits a connection request for connecting to the server 50 via the Internet (server connection means).

Upon receiving the connection request, the server 50 transmits a keyword input mail for inputting a reservation or search keyword to the mail address of the mobile phone 80 registered by the user (reminder notification transmission means). The mobile phone 80 receives the keyword input mail from the server 50 (reminder notification receiving means). In this keyword input mail, the user can select whether to input by text notification or voice notification.

  The mobile phone 80 inputs predetermined character data into the keyword input mail, selects a desired input format from text notification or voice notification, and transmits it to the server 50 as a reply mail (reply notification).

  When receiving the reply mail, the server 50 determines whether the reply mail address is a registered mail address. If the e-mail address is not registered, reception is rejected as an error process. When the reply mail is transmitted by voice notification, the character data conversion means converts the received voice data into character data. The character string identification engine 59 identifies character data (character string). If the identification of the character string cannot be specified, correction candidates are displayed on the display screen connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to prompt correction, or a correction confirmation mail is transmitted to the mobile phone 80 (correction confirmation notification transmission). means). When the correction candidate is displayed on the screen display, the user selects with the remote controller whether or not the correction candidate is corrected according to the candidate. Further, when the correction is made by the mobile phone, the mobile phone 80, when receiving the correction confirmation mail, performs either of the correction or not and transmits it as a corrected mail. The server 50 receives the corrected keyword selected from the screen by the digital recording / reproducing apparatus, or, in the case of a mobile phone, receives the corrected mail and selects it on the screen or for the correct reservation or search entered by the mail. The keyword for use is recorded in the keyword DB 60. The reservation or search keywords to be recorded here are stored in a user-specific area (character data recording means). At this time, the keyword DB 60 records only the latest reservation or search keyword in the difference DB 66 as difference data.

When the network controller 26 of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 accesses the keyword DB 60 of the server 50 and there is an updated updated keyword (updated data detection means), the updated keyword is acquired (updated character data). Acquisition means).
The acquired updated keyword is stored in the memory 24 or the HDD 17 as a user reservation or search keyword, and is displayed in the reservation or search keyword registration field (character data reflecting means).

That is, in the character input system of the second embodiment, the user can select an input format of character data. For this reason, the input method of character data can be suitably selected according to the place and situation to be used, and convenience can be improved. For example, it is possible to input by text mail in a train and by voice mail in other places.
In addition, when inputting character data, even when the correct kanji, personal name, spelling, etc. are not known, voice mail can be used, so that it can be easily handled. In addition, for example, for users who have difficulty in operating buttons when inputting text mail such as persons with disabilities, and users who are not good at mail input, character data can be input quickly by using voice mail.

Further, the character string identification engine 59 has an intelligence function for converting an erroneously entered reservation or search keyword into an appropriate reservation or search keyword that is expected. For this reason, even if the reservation keyword or search keyword input by the user is incorrect, the correction confirmation candidate is transmitted from the server 50 to the display screen or the mobile phone 80, so that the recording reservation failure can be prevented. Note that the function of the keyword identification engine 59 can also be used for character data input by voice mail because the character data conversion means converts voice data to character data.

In the present embodiment, a mobile phone is adopted as an input means for registering a reservation or search keyword and title data. However, a terminal equipped with a function capable of inputting characters into a received mail and transmitting it. What is necessary is not limited to mobile phones. For example, a mobile terminal such as a PDA or a notebook personal computer may be used, or a desktop personal computer may be used. However, using a mobile phone has the following advantages.

First, since character data can be input in the same manner as a mail input operation of a cellular phone, the operability associated with character input is greatly improved. In particular, for a heavy user of a mobile phone, an input operation by blind touch is possible, so that more speedy character input is possible.
In addition, since a widely used mobile phone is used, it is highly versatile and does not require additional purchase of a keyboard or the like. In addition, since it is possible to avoid having to worry about the packet cost required for mail transmission / reception since the introduction of the packet flat-rate system in recent years, it is excellent in cost merit.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the character data input system which concerns on this invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the hardware constitutions of the server. It is the schematic which showed the form of the internal data of keyword DB and title DB. It is the flowchart which showed the process of the title registration of a character input system. It is the schematic which showed the display form when a mobile telephone receives the mail for title input. It is the flowchart which showed the keyword registration process of a character input system. It is the schematic which showed the display form when a mobile telephone receives the mail for keyword input. It is the flowchart which showed the process of the character data input system in 2nd embodiment. It is the figure explaining the keyword identification engine, and is the schematic which showed the form for correcting a registration keyword on a display. It is the figure explaining the keyword identification engine, and is the schematic which showed the form for correcting a registration keyword with a mobile telephone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital recording / reproducing apparatus 11 Antenna 12 Tuner 13a, 13b Analog digital (A / D) converter 14 MPEG encoder 15 Audio encoder 16 Multiplexer 17 HDD (hard disk) 17a Continuous recording HDD
17b Storage HDD
18 Hard disk controller (HDD controller)
19 Demultiplexer 20 MPEG Decoder 21 Audio Decoder 22 Digital Analog (D / A) Converter 23 CPU 24 Memory 25 Signal Receiver 26 Network Controller 26b Real Time Clock 27 OSD
28 Input unit 29 DVD drive 50 Server 51 Arithmetic processing unit 52 Storage unit 53 Input / output port 54 Keyboard 55 Mouse 56 Communication unit 57 Display unit 58 Output unit 59 Keyword identification engine 60 Keyword database 61 Title database 62 Identification database 66 Difference database 80 mobile phone

Claims (8)

A digital recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing program data, a server connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus via a network and capable of transmitting / receiving character data, and a digital recording / reproducing capable of transmitting / receiving data to / from the server A character data input system comprising a terminal device according to a user of the device,
Server connection means for connecting the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to a server via a network when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives an input signal related to input of character data;
To the terminal device, a reminder notification transmitting means for transmitting a character data reminder notification capable of inputting character data by a user;
The terminal device that has received the character data prompt notification inputs predetermined character data into the character data prompt notification, transmits it as a reply notification to the server, and receives a reply notification.
Character data recording means for storing the character data of the reply notification received by the reply notification receiving means in the recording means,
An update data detection means for accessing the recording means at predetermined intervals by the digital recording / reproducing apparatus and detecting updated character data;
If the updated data detection means detects updated character data, an updated character data acquisition means for acquiring the updated character data;
Character data reflecting means for reflecting the updated character data acquired by the updated character data acquiring means to the digital recording / reproducing device,
A character data input system comprising: A digital recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording and reproducing program data, a server connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus via a network, and capable of transmitting / receiving character data, and transmitting / receiving e-mail to / from the server, character data A character data input system comprising a terminal device related to a user of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus capable of selecting whether to input by text notification input by voice or voice notification input by voice data.
Server connection means for connecting the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to a server via a network when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives an input signal related to input of character data;
The character data prompt notification transmitting means for transmitting the character data prompt notification capable of inputting character data by the user and the terminal device receiving the character data prompt notification are input to the terminal device as either text notification or voice notification. Reply notification receiving means for inputting predetermined character data to the character data prompt notification by a method and transmitting it as a reply notification to the server, and receiving the reply notification;
A character data conversion means for converting received voice data into character data when the reply notification is transmitted by voice notification;
Character data recording means for storing the character data in the recording means;
When the digital recording / reproducing apparatus accesses the recording means at predetermined intervals and detects updated character data, and when the updated data detecting means detects updated character data, Updated character data acquisition means for acquiring updated character data, character data reflection means for reflecting the updated character data acquired by the updated character data acquisition means to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus,
A character data input system comprising: The character data stored in the recording means is a character string set for the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to reserve, store and search program data,
The server is connected to the digital recording / reproducing device when the character string identifying means for identifying the character string received from the terminal device and the character string identified by the character string identifying means cannot be specified. The character data input system according to claim 1, further comprising a correction confirmation notification transmitting unit that notifies the display screen and the terminal device of correction and confirmation of the character string. The character data prompt notification is an email,
4. The character data input system according to claim 1, wherein the sender address for transmitting the electronic mail is transmitted as a different mail address for each character input opportunity.   5. The character data input system according to claim 4, wherein the e-mail is provided with date data capable of identifying a date of recorded program data.   6. The character data input system according to claim 4, wherein program identification data capable of identifying recorded program data is given to the e-mail.   7. The character database includes a plurality of user-specific areas separated for each user, and different character data can be recorded for each user in the plurality of user-specific areas. The character data input system according to any one of the above. A control program for a digital recording / reproducing apparatus that transmits / receives data via a network to a server capable of transmitting / receiving character data transmitted from a terminal device,
The program includes a server connection procedure for connecting the digital recording / reproducing apparatus to a server via a network when the digital recording / reproducing apparatus receives an input signal related to input of character data, and
An update data detection procedure for accessing the character database recorded character data input by the terminal device at predetermined intervals and detecting updated character data;
If the updated data detection procedure detects updated character data, an updated character data acquisition procedure for acquiring the updated character data;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute a character data reflection procedure for reflecting updated character data acquired by the updated character data acquisition procedure to a digital recording / reproducing apparatus.

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