JP2006333490A - Broadcast recording/reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a trouble that a user misses program contents to be viewed since a downloaded application cannot store a program displayed by itself when an emergency broadcast like an emergency alert is generated and the emergency broadcast is forcibly reproduced. <P>SOLUTION: Even if an emergency broadcast of priority higher than an ordinary program is reproduced by forcible tuning while a downloaded application reproduces the ordinary program, an application built in a television receiver preferentially records the original program in a time-shift buffer that is automatically created, and automatically reproduce the original program after the end of the forcible emergency broadcast. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a video receiving terminal device for recording and playing back a program,
In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that issues an emergency warning to a user using video, audio, graphics, or the like. For example, it corresponds to a television receiver capable of recording a program having an emergency alert function.

  Some television receivers, such as televisions and set-top boxes, can be connected to the outside or provided inside the television receiver for recording received video and audio. An example of a typical recording device is a video tape recorder or a DVD recorder. By connecting these recorder devices to the video output terminal of the television receiver, video and audio displayed or output by the television receiver can be recorded as they are on an external video tape or DVD media. These recording devices can also be incorporated in a television receiver. In that case, the video and audio displayed by the television receiver are recorded as they are. However, when it is built in, graphics that are generated by the television receiver and superimposed on the original video of the program, such as the current channel number display, are not recorded by the built-in recording device. Usually, the television receiver causes the recording device to record only the original program video and audio. The recording apparatus described above is of a type in which the recording medium can be removed from the main body of the apparatus. The digital video recorder is also called DVR as an abbreviation. This reads and writes video and audio to and from a fixed hard disk drive built in the recorder device. Although media cannot be exchanged, special playback called chasing playback that uses the fast random access function of the hard disk to play back tricks such as arbitrary fast-forwarding or cueing, or to play another part of the program while recording it The feature is that it is possible. There are also products that combine these multiple recording devices. For example, there is a DVD recorder with a built-in hard disk that temporarily records on a hard disk and then creates a permanent copy by dubbing on a DVD.

  There are several methods of recording with these recorder devices. In the so-called timer reservation recording, the start and end times and the channel are designated in advance, and the recording is automatically started and finished when the designated time is reached. On the other hand, as another method, there is a function that always records a program on a hard disk or the like as a temporary video buffer, and plays or skips from an arbitrary position of the recorded program according to a user instruction. is there. This is called a time-shift playback function because the program is recorded during the time when the program is originally broadcast, and the user plays back the program by shifting the time by an arbitrary time. A video buffer that temporarily records a program is called a time shift buffer.

  The advantage of time shift playback for the user is that a scene that the user missed for some reason can be played back later. Alternatively, if the user is likely to miss a certain scene, program playback can be paused there, and playback can be resumed from the point where the pause was made later.

One technique that applies the time shift reproduction function is Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, even if the user switches channels, it is a technique for preventing the user from overlooking the contents of the program that the user has watched so far. When the user switches to another channel B while viewing a certain channel A, the television receiver displays the channel B and automatically records the channel A that has been viewed up to the internal video buffer. After that, when the user switches the channel and happens to return to the previously viewed channel A, the contents of channel A that have been recorded in the internal video buffer are automatically played back to the point of channel switching. To do. That is, although the user has switched to channel B, the user can view channel A continuously without omission. As a result, the user can freely switch channels without missing the contents of the program that was being viewed in the past.
JP 2004-349745 A

  Conventionally, television broadcasts have been broadcast only with video and audio, but in recent years, with the development of digital technology, a technology for simultaneously broadcasting data in addition to video and audio has been introduced. For example, in addition to normal broadcasting using MPEG video and audio, data created in the MPEG private section format is broadcast simultaneously.

  The data content may be text, bitmap, or application. In particular, several attempts have been made to multiplex and transmit an application for controlling the functions of a television receiver such as program tuning, recording, and reproduction to a broadcast wave and download and execute the application on the receiving terminal side. As typical examples, there are DVB-MHP specifications (ETSI-TS-101-812V1.31) and OCAP specifications (OC-SP-OCAP1.0-I14-050119). In the DVB-MHP specification and the OCAP specification, a Java (registered trademark) virtual machine is built in the television receiver. A Java application is multiplexed on the broadcast wave, and the television receiver downloads it and executes it on the Java virtual machine. The television receiver also incorporates a Java API for controlling functions of the television receiver itself, and the Java application can perform desired device control by calling this API. In addition, OCAP has an OCAP DVR extension specification (OC-SP-OCAP-DVR-I01-040524) that provides an API for controlling the built-in recording apparatus as described above. Thereby, the Java application can call the OCAP DVR API to control recording of the program and control of the time shift buffer.

  By using these technologies, it is possible to freely download and update software for processing functions such as program tuning, recording, playback, and special playback that were previously built in a television receiver and could not be changed. it can. Therefore, function processing details can be customized according to the broadcaster's request and user's preference. For example, if the function of Document 1 described above is directly implemented as a Java application and multiplexed on a broadcast wave, the television receiver has the function of Document 1.

  By the way, the technique of Document 1 is a technique that can be realized because the application itself grasps all channel changes. Now, suppose that the function of Document 1 is realized as a downloadable Java application using the above-mentioned OCAP specification or OCAP DVR specification. In this case, if the Java application itself performs channel switching, all channel switching can be grasped, so that the function of Document 1 can be realized. That is, assume that the user switches to another channel B through the user interface of the Java application while viewing a certain channel A. The Java application uses the OCAP API to instruct the television receiver to play channel B and to automatically record the channel A that has been viewed up to the internal video buffer. After that, when the user switches channels through the user interface of the Java application and happens to return to the channel A that was being watched before, the Java application can record the contents of the channel A that has been recorded in the internal video buffer. It can be instructed to automatically play back to the switching point.

  However, the Java application cannot completely grasp all channel changes and recording operations that occur in the television receiver. For example, when an emergency broadcast such as an emergency alert occurs, an application built in the television receiver forcibly reproduces the emergency alert broadcast while ignoring channel selection or program reproduction instruction by the Java application.

  Here, the emergency alert defined in SCTE 18 2002 (Formerly DVS 208), Emergency Alert Message for Cabre, approved as a joint standard with CEA as ANSI-042-2002 standard will be briefly described. This is a technique used for data multiplex broadcasting on cable television, and is a technique for presenting an emergency warning instantly to a user by various methods in addition to broadcasting a normal program. In this technique, when an event requiring immediacy such as a weather disaster occurs while a user is viewing a general program, the transmission side transmits a broadcast wave in which emergency information is multiplexed. For example, the transmitting side embeds emergency information as a character string in an MPEG private section data structure called cable_emergency_alert and broadcasts it. The receiver extracts the emergency information character string from the received broadcast wave and displays the character string so as to be superimposed on the currently viewed program screen. A voice to be presented together with a character string may be specified. In this case, an indicator for designating MPEG audio is embedded in the cable_emergency_alert data format. The receiver can appeal the content of the warning to the user more strongly by displaying the emergency information character string on the screen and reproducing the designated voice. Alternatively, if necessary, the channel can be forcibly switched to the emergency broadcast dedicated channel for a certain period of time. That is, when broadcasting is performed by embedding an identifier for designating an emergency broadcast dedicated channel in the cable_emergency_alert data format, the receiver reproduces the designated emergency broadcast dedicated channel. This method is also called alias tuning. By selectively using these methods, it is a technology that forcibly provides information in graphics, video, and audio, and reliably conveys critical situations, no matter what program the user is watching. is there.

  This technology is an effective means for forcibly presenting emergency information to the user at an immediate timing, but on the other hand, it forcibly prevents the user from watching the program that the user originally wanted to view. There's a problem. That is, while presenting urgent information, a program that the user originally wanted to watch is missed.

  When the emergency alert described above is reproduced by an application built in the television receiver, information on the force tuning channel by the emergency alert is not transmitted to the Java application. That is, the Java application recognizes that the normal program up to that time is being reproduced even during force tuning. Usually, the recorder device records the video and audio displayed or output by the television receiver as they are. That is, when emergency information is presented during recording, the emergency information character string displayed on the screen is recorded as it is.

  Therefore, even though the emergency alert channel is being played back, the Java application intends to play the normal program, and the video of the emergency alert is recorded on the recording device, so that the user can You will surely miss the scene that is playing the emergency alert of the program.

  The present invention provides a time shift automatically created even when an emergency broadcast having a higher priority than such a normal program is forcibly tuned and played while the downloaded application is being played. A TV receiver that pre-records the original program in the buffer and automatically plays it after the compulsory emergency broadcast ends, so that the viewer does not miss part of the program content that the viewer originally wanted to watch Is to provide.

  Further, in the prior art, it is impossible to distinguish between a forced channel selection request and a user's intentional channel selection request, and automatic recording is always started at the time of channel selection. There was a problem that increased.

  The present invention, when receiving a channel selection request, compares the priority of the channel selection request, and performs the channel selection process only when the received channel selection request has a high priority. Distinguish forced tuning. In addition, when forcible program switching is performed at the time of recording processing and request reception, recording of the program that the user was watching automatically starts, and after the presentation of the warning broadcast for a certain period of time, the downloaded application is displayed. An object is to provide a terminal having flexibility in the control program of the playback unit and the recording unit by making a notification and determining whether or not to play back the program that was being watched previously recorded.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention stores two receiving units for receiving broadcast waves, a reproducing unit for reproducing program content received by the receiving unit, and program data received by the receiving unit. When the reproduction means reproduces the program data received by the first of the storage unit and the reception unit, the reproduction unit reproduces the program data received by the second of the reception unit. When the playback unit is playing back the program data received by the switching request detection unit for detecting the switching request and the first of the receiving unit, the second of the receiving unit receives the playback unit. A forced switching detection unit that detects a forced switching request based on alarm information that is different from the switching request that reproduces the program data that is being played back, and the reception that is performed after switching the program that is played back by the playback means based on the forced switching request The first part is A return request detecting means for detecting a return request for returning to the reproduction of the received program data, and when the forcible switching request detecting means detects a switching request, program data received by the first of the receiving sections is stored in the storage section. And the recording control unit for storing the position information of the program data in the position information storage unit and the program data stored in the storage unit are reproduced from the position indicated by the position information stored in the position information storage unit. Storing and reproducing means for downloading, control program downloading means for downloading the control program for outputting the switching request, program storage for storing the control program downloaded by the control program downloading means, and program execution means for executing the control program It is going to be equipped with.

  As described above, according to the present invention, two receiving units that receive broadcast waves, a reproducing unit that reproduces program content received by the receiving unit, and program data received by the receiving unit are stored. When the reproducing unit reproduces the program data received by the first storage unit and the first receiving unit, the reproducing unit reproduces the program data received by the second receiving unit. When the playback unit is playing back the program data received by the switching request detecting unit for detecting the switching request to be received and the first of the receiving unit, the second of the receiving unit receives the playback unit. A forced switching detection unit that detects a forced switching request based on alarm information, separate from the switching request for reproducing the program data that is being reproduced, and after switching the program that is played back by the playback means according to the forced switching request, The first receiver When the return request detecting means for detecting the return request for returning to the reproduction of the program data and the forcible switching request detecting means detect the switching request, the program data received by the first receiving section is stored in the storage section. The recording control unit that stores and stores the position information of the program data in the position information storage unit and the program data stored in the storage unit are reproduced from the position indicated by the position information stored in the position information storage unit A storage program reproduction unit; a control program download unit that downloads a control program that outputs the switching request; a program storage unit that stores the control program downloaded by the control program download unit; and a program execution unit that executes the control program. By providing, the downloaded application can be Even when an emergency broadcast with high frequency is forcibly tuned and played, the original program is preferentially recorded in the automatically created time-shift buffer, and then it is recorded after the forced emergency broadcast ends. By automatically reproducing, it is possible to provide a television receiver that does not miss a part of the program content that the viewer originally wanted to see.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
An embodiment of a terminal device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the devices constituting the cable system, and includes a head end 101, three terminal devices A111, a terminal device B112, and a terminal device C113. In this embodiment, three terminal devices are coupled to one head end. However, the present invention can be implemented even if an arbitrary number of terminal devices are coupled to the head end.

  The head end 101 transmits broadcast signals such as video / audio / data and emergency information to a plurality of terminal devices and receives data transmissions from the terminal devices. In order to realize this, the frequency band used for transmission between the head end 101 and the terminal device A111, the terminal device B112, and the terminal device C113 is divided and used. FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of frequency band division. Frequency bands are roughly classified into two types, Out Of Band (abbreviated as OOB) and In-Band. 5 to 130 MHz is allocated to the OOB, and is mainly used for data exchange between the head end 101 and the terminal device A111, the terminal device B112, and the terminal device C113. 130 MHz to 864 MHz is assigned to In-Band and is mainly used for broadcast channels including video and audio. QPSK modulation is used for OOB, and QAM64 modulation is used for In-Band. The modulation technique is a well-known technique that is not very related to the present invention, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 3 is an example of a more detailed use of the OOB frequency band. 70 MHz to 74 MHz are used for data transmission from the head end 101, and all the terminal devices A111, B112, and C113 receive the same data from the headend 101. On the other hand, 10.0 MHz to 10.1 MHz is used for data transmission from the terminal device A 111 to the head end 101, and 10.1 MHz to 10.2 MHz is used for data transmission from the terminal device B 112 to the head end 101. 2 MHz to 10.3 MHz is used for data transmission from the terminal device C 113 to the head end 101. Thereby, data specific to each terminal device can be transmitted from each terminal device A111, terminal device B112, and terminal device C113 to the head end 101. FIG. 4 is an example of use for the In-Band frequency band. 150 to 156 MHz and 156 to 162 MHz are assigned to TV channel 1 and TV channel 2, respectively, and thereafter, TV channels are assigned at intervals of 6 MHz. After 310 MHz, radio channels are allocated in 1 MHz units. Each of these channels may be used as an analog broadcast or a digital broadcast. In the case of digital broadcasting, it is transmitted in a transport packet format based on the MPEG2 specification, and various data broadcasting data can be transmitted in addition to audio and video.

  The head end 101 includes a QPSK modulation unit, a QAM modulation unit, and the like in order to transmit appropriate broadcast signals in these frequency bands. In addition, a QPSK demodulator is provided to receive data from the terminal device. The head end 101 is considered to have various devices related to the modulation unit and the demodulation unit. However, since the present invention mainly relates to the terminal device, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The terminal device A111, the terminal device B112, and the terminal device C113 receive and reproduce the broadcast signal from the head end 101. In addition, data specific to each terminal device is transmitted to the head end 101. The three terminal devices have the same configuration in this embodiment.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device in the present embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration of the terminal device is shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal device and the connection for transmitting the control signal. FIG. 54 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a terminal device and a connection for transmitting data transmitted from the head end 101 such as video / audio data / alarm information.

  A terminal device 500 includes a first tuner unit 501, a second tuner unit 502, a time shift buffer 503, an AV decoder 504, an audio output 505, a video output 506, a TS decoder 507, a primary storage unit 508, and a secondary. A storage unit 509, a ROM 510, a CPU 511, an input unit 512, and an adapter 513.

  Next, the configuration of the first tuner 501 and the second tuner 502 will be described. Since the first tuner 501 and the second tuner 502 have the same configuration, only the configuration of the first tuner 501 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the first tuner 501. The first tuner 501 includes a QAM demodulator 601, a QPSK demodulator 602, and a QPSK modulator 603.

  The QAM demodulator 601 demodulates a signal that has been QAM modulated and transmitted by the head end 101 using tuning information including a frequency designated by the CPU 511 and passes it to the time shift buffer 503 or the adapter 513.

  The QPSK demodulator 602 demodulates a signal that has been QPSK-modulated and transmitted by the head end 101 using tuning information including a frequency designated by the CPU 511 and passes it to the adapter 513.

  Demodulation information including a frequency designated by the CPU 513 is input to the QPSK modulation unit 603. In addition, transmission data is input from the adapter 513 to the QPSK modulation unit 603. The QPSK modulation unit 603 performs QPSK modulation on the input transmission data using the input demodulation information, and transmits it to the head end 101.

  The time shift buffer 503 is a video buffer for temporarily recording a program. Specifically, the time shift buffer 503 includes a RAM, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. Under the control of the CPU 511, the time shift buffer 503 stores the MPEG2 transport stream that is the output of the adapter 513. Alternatively, the MPEG2 transport stream that is the output of the first tuner 501 or the second tuner 502 is stored in the time shift buffer 503 under the control of the CPU 511. The CPU 511 controls the output of the time shift buffer 503. The MPEG2 transport stream stored in the time shift buffer 503 is output to the TS decoder 507.

  The AV decoder 504 is a device having a function of decoding video and audio encoded in the MPEG2 format. The AV decoder 504 receives video and audio encoded in the MPEG2 format from the TS decoder. The details of the MPEG2 format are described in the MPEG standard document ISO / IEC138181-1, and the details are omitted in this embodiment. The audio signal and video signal obtained by decoding by the AV decoder 504 are output to the audio output 505 and the video output 506. The audio output 505 and the video output 506 are devices having a function of outputting the audio and video transmitted from the AV decoder 504, respectively. Specifically, the audio output 505 is constituted by a speaker or the like. The video output 505 is composed of a cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal, or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 54, TS decoder 507 performs filtering of the MPEG2 transport stream. Filtering is a process of extracting specific data in the MPEG2 transport, and details will be described later. The TS decoder 507 receives an MPEG2 transport stream from the adapter 513, the first tuner 501, the second tuner 502, and the time shift buffer 503. The TS decoder 507 performs filtering on the input MPEG2 transport stream. The TS decoder 507 outputs the AV data extracted by filtering to the AV decoder 504. The TS decoder 507 outputs the MPEG2 private section data extracted by filtering to the first storage unit 508 and the CPU 511. Details of the MPEG2 private section and AV data are described in the MPEG standard document ISO / IEC13881-1. The MPEG2 transport stream is composed of a plurality of fixed-length packets, and a packet ID is assigned to each packet. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a packet. A packet 700 is composed of 188 bytes having a fixed length. The first 4 bytes are a header 701 and packet identification information is stored. The remaining 184 bytes are a payload 702 and contain information to be transmitted. Reference numeral 703 denotes a breakdown of the header 701. The packet ID is included in 13 bits from the 12th bit to the 24th bit from the top. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram expressing a plurality of sent packets. The packet 801 has a packet ID “1” in the header, and the payload contains the first information of the video A. The packet 802 has a packet ID “2” in the header, and the payload contains the first information of the voice A. The packet 803 has a packet ID “3” in the header, and the payload includes the first information of the alarm information A. Details of the alarm information will be described later.

  The packet 804 has a packet ID “1” in the header, and the payload contains the second information of the video A. This is a continuation of the packet 801. Similarly, packets 805, 826, and 827 also store subsequent data of other packets. In this way, if the payload contents of packets having the same packet ID are connected, continuous video, audio, and emergency information can be reproduced.

  Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 54, when the CPU 511 instructs the TS decoder 505 to specify the packet ID “1”, “adapter 513” as the input source, and “AV decoder 504” as the output destination, the TS decoder 505 starts from the adapter 513. The packet with the packet ID “1” is extracted from the received MPEG2 transport stream and delivered to the AV decoder 504. In FIG. 54, only video data is delivered to the AV decoder 504. At the same time, when the CPU 511 instructs the TS decoder 505 to specify the packet ID “2”, “adapter 513” as the input source, and “AV decoder 504” as the output destination, the TS decoder 505 transmits the packet from the MPEG2 transport stream received from the adapter 513. The packet with ID “2” is extracted and delivered to the AV decoder 504. 5 and 54, only audio data is delivered to the AV decoder 504. At the same time, when the CPU 511 instructs the TS decoder 505 to specify the packet ID “3”, “first tuner 501” as an input source, and “first storage unit 508” as an output destination, the TS decoder 505 starts from the first tuner 501. The packet with the packet ID “3” is extracted from the received MPEG2 transport stream and stored in the “first storage unit 508”. In FIG. 5, only the alarm information data is stored in the first storage unit 508. Further, the TS decoder 505 can simultaneously execute a plurality of filtering instructions from the CPU 511.

  The primary storage unit 508 is specifically composed of a RAM or the like, and temporarily stores or deletes data and programs instructed from the CPU 511. The stored data and programs are referred to by the CPU 511. The stored data and programs are deleted when the terminal device 500 is powered off.

  The secondary storage unit 509 erases information even when the terminal device 500 is turned off, such as non-volatile memory such as FLASH-ROM, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), rewritable media such as CD-R and DVD-R The information is stored according to an instruction from the CPU 511. This is used for storing data that is not needed to be deleted when the terminal device 500 is powered off.

  The ROM 510 is a non-rewritable memory device, and specifically includes a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD, and the like. The ROM 510 stores a program executed by the CPU 511.

  The CPU 511 executes a program stored in the ROM 510. According to the instructions of the program to be executed, the first tuner 501, the second tuner 502, the time shift buffer 503, the AV decoder 504, the TS decoder 507, the primary storage unit 508, the secondary storage unit 509, the ROM 510, the input unit 512, and the adapter 513 To control. Further, the CPU 511 can communicate or control not only the devices existing in the terminal device 500 but also devices in the adapter 513.

  Specifically, the input unit 512 includes a front panel and a remote controller, and receives input from the user. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the input unit 512 is configured with a front panel. The front panel 900 includes one button 901, two buttons 902, and three buttons 903. When the user presses the button, the CPU 511 is notified of the identifier of the pressed button.

  The adapter 513 decrypts the encrypted MPEG2 transport stream. Further, the adapter 513 receives alarm information sent from the head end via OutOfBand. Specifically, the adapter 513 has a function of extracting a private section from the output of the QPSK demodulator 602. Data that has been QAM demodulated or QPSK demodulated is input to the adapter 513 from the first tuner 501 and the second tuner 502. The adapter 513 decrypts the input QAM demodulated data if it has been encrypted. The adapter 513 extracts a private section from the input QPSK demodulated data. The adapter 513 outputs the decoded data to the time shift buffer 503 and the TS decoder. The adapter 513 outputs the private section to the CPU 511. The adapter 513 is detachable from the terminal device main body 500. As an example of the adapter, a CableCARD (old name POD (Point Of Deployment)) used in the US cable system will be described. The specification of CableCARD is shown in the “OC-SP-CC-IF” specification. Here, CableCARD will be briefly described. CableCARD is also in the form of a card, similar to DVB-CI, and is connected to a terminal device using a PCMCIA interface.

  Next, the configuration of a program that realizes the automatic recording and automatic playback functions in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 or the primary storage unit 508 and executed by the CPU 511. Boil programs stored in RAM and ROM.

  The program 1000 is a program executed by the CPU 511 and includes a ROM program 1060 stored in the ROM 510 and a RAM program 1050 stored in the first storage unit 508. Further, the ROM program 1060 includes an OS 1001, JavaVM 1003, and embedded middleware 1020. The RAM program 1050 is composed of a download Java program 1002.

  The OS 1001 is an abbreviation for an operating system, and Linux or the like is an example. The OS 1001 is a subprogram that is activated by the CPU 511 when the terminal device 500 is powered on. The OS 1001 includes a kernel 1001a that executes other subprograms in parallel, a library 1001b, and an EAS module 1001c. The kernel 1001a is a program that provides basic functions of the operating system, and executes other subprograms. The description provided by the kernel 1001a is constituted by a known technique and is not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the kernel 1001a of the OS 1001 executes the Java VM 1003 as a subprogram.

  The library 1001b is a program group having a function of controlling each hardware component held by the terminal device 500. The library 1001b includes a driver program that controls hardware. Referring to FIG. 11, the library 1001b includes a tuning library 1101, a recording library 1102, a playback library 1103, and a section library 1104.

  The tuner library 1101 has a function of causing the tuner to tune at a specified frequency. Tuner information including a frequency and a tuner identifier are input to the tuner library 1101 from the tuner 1008c of the embedded middleware 1020. The tuner library 1101 specifies a tuner corresponding to the input tuner identifier, and outputs tuning information input to the specified tuner. The processing for specifying the tuner performed by the tuner library 1101 is performed with reference to the tuner information stored in the second storage unit 508. The tuner information is information that associates a tuner identifier with tuner hardware. FIG. 12 is an example of tuner information stored in the second storage unit 509. A column 1201 lists tuner identifiers, and a column 1202 describes tuners corresponding to the tuner identifiers. For example, when the tuner identifier “1” is input to the tuner library 12001, the tuner library 1201 specifies the first tuner 501 as the corresponding tuner. When the tuner identifier “2” is input to the tuner library 1101, the tuner library 1101 identifies the second tuner 502 as the corresponding tuner.

  The recording library 1102 has a function of storing the MPEG2 transport stream output from the tuner in the time shift buffer 503. A tuner identifier, volume ID, volume size, and recording image quality are input from the recording manager 1005 to the recording library 1103. A volume is a recording data storage area in the time shift buffer, and a plurality of volumes exist in the time shift buffer 503. The volume ID is an identifier that identifies the volume. The volume size is the size of the recording data storage area, and details will be described later. The recording library 11002 identifies the tuner corresponding to the inputted tuner identifier with reference to the tuner information shown in FIG. The recording library 1102 creates a recording data storage area corresponding to the input volume ID in the time shift buffer 503. The recording library 1102 stores the MPEG2 transport stream output by the tuner corresponding to the input tuner identifier in the volume indicated by the input volume ID. FIG. 13 shows the structure of data stored in the time shift buffer 503. A column 1301 indicates the volume ID. A column 1302 indicates the volume size. The volume size is the size of the recording area of each volume. Reference numerals 1321, 1322, and 1323 denote recording areas corresponding to the respective volume IDs. When the data structure of the time shift buffer 503 is in the state shown in FIG. 13, the volume indicated by the volume ID “1” has a size of 512 MB and the corresponding recording area is 1321. The volume indicated by the volume ID “2” has a size of 2048 MB, and the corresponding recording area is 1322. The volume indicated by the volume ID “3” has a size of 1024 MB, and the corresponding recording area is 1323.

  When a tuner identifier, volume ID, volume size, and recording image quality are input, the recording library 1102 checks whether a volume corresponding to the input volume ID exists in the time shift buffer 503. If the input volume ID does not exist in the time shift buffer 503, a new volume is created. If the volume with the input volume ID exists in the time shift buffer 503, the volume size of the existing volume is reset to the input volume size, and the size of the recording area is changed. Thereafter, the recording library 1102 identifies a tuner corresponding to the input tuner identifier. The tuner identification method performed by the recording library 1102 is the same as the identification method performed by the tuner library 1101, and thus description thereof is omitted. The recording library 1102 stores the MPEG2 transport stream output from the specified tuner in the volume corresponding to the input volume ID with the input recording image quality.

  The playback library 1103 controls the output of the time shift buffer 503 and the AV decoder so that the MPEG2 transport stream recorded in the time shift buffer 503 is played back at a specified speed. A volume ID and a playback speed are input from the playback manager 1006 to the playback library 1103. The playback library 1103 outputs the MPEG2 stream data stored in the volume corresponding to the input volume ID to the TS decoder 507 from the beginning of the recording area. The playback library 1103 sends a command to play back the AV at the playback speed input to the AV decoder. The program display using the output of the TS decoder 507 and the JMF 1008a that receives a command from the service manager 1004 perform the program display.

  Note that the recording library 1101 and the playback library 1103 can simultaneously process the same volume. With this simultaneous processing, it is possible to realize “chase playback” in which playback is performed from the beginning of the recorded data using the playback library 1103 while a certain program is recorded using the recording library 1102. By chasing playback, the user can view the recorded program without waiting for the recording to be completed.

  The section library 11004 outputs the data extracted by the filter processing performed by the TS decoder 507 to other subprograms. A packet ID corresponding to alarm information is input to the section library 1104 from the EAS module 1001c. The section library 1104 outputs the input packet ID to the TS decoder 507. The section library 1104 outputs the input packet ID to the TS decoder 507. Thereafter, the data output by the TS decoder after filtering is input to the section library 1104. Thereafter, the section library 1104 outputs the data input to the EAS module 1001c. For example, when packet IDs in the MPEG2 transport stream are associated in the state shown in FIG. 8, when the packet ID “3” is input from the EAS module 1001c to the section library 1104, the section library 1104 Alarm information is output to 1001c.

  The EAS module 1001c has a function of interpreting the content of alarm information transmitted by the head end 101. The EAS module 1001c outputs a packet ID corresponding to the alarm information to the section library 11004. Alarm information is input from the section library 1104 to the EAS module 1001c. The alarm information may be, for example, cable_emergency_alert defined in SCTE 18 2002 (Formerly DVS 208), Emergency Alert Message for Cabre, approved as a joint standard with CEA as ANSI-042-2002 standard. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of alarm information. The alarm information 1400 includes a header part 1401 and a data part 1402. The data part includes values such as Alert_priority indicating the priority of the alarm, Audio_OOB_source_ID indicating the source ID of the forced tuning destination, and Alert_message_time_remainin indicating the effective time of the forced tuning. The source ID will be described later.

  The EAS module 1001c interprets the content of the alarm information input from the section library 1004, and determines whether forced tuning is necessary. As a result of the determination, if forced tuning is necessary, the EAS module 1001c outputs the source ID of the forced tuning destination and the effective time of forced tuning to the service manager 1004.

  The download Java program 1002 is a Java program that is downloaded and executed by the AM 1008b of the embedded middleware 1020. The downloading and activation of the Java program by the AM 1008b will be described later. After downloading, the download Java program 1002 is stored in the primary storage unit 508. The download Java program 1002 includes a channel selection unit 1002a, an EAS setting unit 1002b, and an EAS playback handler 1002c.

  The channel selection unit 1002a receives an input from the user through the front panel 900 and selects a program. A button identifier is input from the front panel 900 to the channel selection unit 1002a. The channel selection unit 1002a outputs a source ID corresponding to the input button identifier to the service manager 1004. The source ID will be described later. The relationship between the button identifier and the source ID is stored in advance in the secondary storage unit 509 as channel information. FIG. 15 is an example of channel information stored in the secondary storage unit 509. Channel information is stored in tabular form. Column 1500 is a button identifier. A column 1501 is a source ID. The source ID is a numerical value having a one-to-one relationship with the program number in the column 1504. A column 1502 is a channel name. A column 1503 is tuning information. Here, the tuning information includes a frequency, a transfer rate, a coding rate, and the like, and is a value given to the QAM demodulator 601. A column 1504 is a program number. The program number is a number for identifying a PMT defined in the MPEG2 standard. The PMT will be described later. Each of the rows 1511 to 1514 is a set of a button identifier, a source ID, a channel name, tuning information, and a program number. A row 1511 includes a button identifier “1”, a source ID “1”, a channel name “channel 1”, a frequency in tuning information “150 MHz”, and a program number “101”. The channel selection unit 1002a refers to the channel information and outputs a source ID corresponding to the input button identifier to the service manager 1004.

  Also, the channel selection unit 1002a changes the channel when the user presses the numerical buttons 901 to 904 on the front panel 900 during channel reproduction. First, the channel selection unit 1002a stores the source ID currently being reproduced in the primary storage unit 508. 16 (1), (2), and (3) are examples of source IDs stored in the primary storage unit 508. FIG. In FIG. 16 (1), the identifier “3” is stored, and referring to FIG. 15, it is shown that the channel with the channel name “TV 3” is being played back. When the user presses the button 902 in the state of FIG. 16A, the channel selection unit 1002a refers to the channel information of FIG. In order to change, the source ID “2” is output to the service manager 1004. At the same time, the source ID stored in the primary storage unit 508 is rewritten to “2”. FIG. 16B shows a state where the source ID is rewritten. In addition, when the user presses the button 904 in the state of FIG. 16A, the channel selection unit 1002a refers to the channel information of FIG. In order to switch the reproduction, the source ID “4” of the channel name “TV Japan” is output to the service manager 1004. At the same time, the source ID stored in the primary storage unit 508 is rewritten to “4”. FIG. 16 (3) shows a state where the source ID is rewritten.

  The EAS setting unit 1002b performs settings related to the recording process when forced tuning occurs. The EAS setting unit 1002b outputs setting data related to automatic recording at the time of forced tuning occurrence to the parameter setting unit 1009 after starting the download Java program. Specifically, the Java method SetRecordSetting (int rec_on_off, double quality) possessed by the parameter setting unit is executed, and the setting value is delivered to the argument. FIG. 17 is an example of the automatic recording setting that the EAS setting unit 1002b outputs to the parameter setting unit. Reference numeral 1701 denotes a setting regarding whether or not automatic recording is performed when forced channel selection occurs. The meanings of the numerical values set in 1701 are shown in FIG. A numerical value “0” means that when forced channel selection occurs, recording of a program that is currently selected and output as video / audio is started. The numerical value “1” means that, when forced channel selection occurs, recording of the channel that is currently selected and is output as video / audio is not performed. A column 1802 describes settings relating to the image quality of automatic recording performed when forced channel selection occurs. The image quality is “1.0” as the normal image quality. When a numerical value other than 1.0 is set, it means that recording is performed with an image quality corresponding to the ratio between the set numerical value and 1.0. For example, when “0.5” is set in 1802, it means that recording is performed with half the image quality as compared with the case where 1.0 is set.

  In addition, the EAS setting unit 1002b performs settings related to the reproduction process when forced tuning occurs. The EAS setting unit 1002b outputs the setting related to the automatic reproduction processing of the recorded data recorded at the time of forced tuning to the parameter setting unit 1009 after starting the download Java program. Specifically, the Java method SetPlaySetting (int play_on_off, double speed) of the parameter setting unit is executed, and the setting value is delivered to the argument. FIG. 19 is an example of automatic reproduction setting data output from the EAS setting unit 1002b to the parameter setting unit. 1901 is a setting as to whether or not automatic reproduction is performed. The meaning of the numerical values is shown in FIG. The numerical value “0” means that the recording data automatically recorded when the forced tuning occurs is reproduced from the recording start time. The numerical value “1” means that the channel that has been output to the video / audio before the forced tuning is selected and the program content flowing at the current time is reproduced. In this case, the recorded data automatically recorded when forced tuning occurs should not be played back. The numerical value “2” means processing for calling the EAS playback handler 1002c by the EAS setting unit 1002b. Reference numeral 1902 denotes a reproduction speed at the time of reproduction. The numerical value “1.0” is set as the normal reproduction speed. When a numerical value other than 1.0 is set, it means that reproduction is performed at a speed corresponding to the ratio between the set numerical value and 1.0. For example, when “2.0” is set, it means that reproduction is performed at a double speed.

  Further, the EAS setting unit 1002b outputs the position on the first storage unit 508 in which the EAS playback handler 1002c is stored to the handler registration unit 1010 after the download Java program 1002 is activated.

  The EAS playback handler 1002c determines whether to play back the program recorded by the recording manager 1005. In the present embodiment, specifically, Boolean PlayHandler. It is realized as a resume () method. The EAS playback handler 1002c is executed by the recording manager 1005. The EAS playback handler 1002c determines whether to play the recorded program, and outputs the determination result to the recording manager 1005.

  The Java VM 1003 is a Java virtual machine that sequentially analyzes and executes a program written in the Java (TM) language. A program written in the Java language is compiled into an intermediate code called byte code that does not depend on hardware. The Java virtual machine is an interpreter that executes this bytecode. Some Java virtual machines also translate the bytecode into an execution format that can be understood by the CPU 511, and then deliver it to the CPU 511 for execution. The Java VM 1003 is activated by designating a Java program to be executed by the kernel 1001a. In the present embodiment, the kernel 1001a designates the embedded middleware 1020 as a Java program to be executed. Details of the Java language are described in many books such as the book “Java Language Specification (ISBN 0-201-63451-1)”. The details are omitted here. The detailed operation of JavaVM itself is described in many books such as “Java Virtual Machine Specification (ISBN 0-201-6451-X)”. The details are omitted here.

  The embedded middleware 1020 is a program that downloads and activates the download Java program 1002. The embedded middleware 1020 provides the download Java program with an API for channel selection and an API for making settings when forced tuning occurs. The embedded middleware 1020 outputs a signal for controlling the hardware of the terminal 500 to the OS 1001 or the JavaVM 1003, and indirectly controls the hardware of the terminal 500.

  The embedded middleware 1020 includes a service manager 1004, a recording manager 1005, a playback manager 1006, a channel selection priority manager 1007, a JMF 1008a, an AM 1008b, a Tuner 1008c, a DSM-CC 1008d, a parameter setting unit 1009, and a handler registration unit 1010. Each component of the embedded middleware 1020 is a Java program written in the Java language, and is sequentially executed by the Java VM 1003. In addition, each component of the embedded middleware 1020 can call or be called another subprogram not described in the Java language through JNI (Java Native Interface). JNI is also described in many books such as the book “Java Native Interface”. The details are omitted here.

  The service manager 1004 provides an API for channel selection to the download Java program 1002 and the EAS module 1001c. The service manager 1004 may receive a pair of source ID and valid time, or may receive a tuner identifier and source ID, and the operations are different.

  First, a case where a set of source ID and valid time is input to the service manager 1004 will be described.

  When the source ID and the valid time are input, the service manager 1004 determines the channel selection cause number corresponding to the source ID input source. The possible value of the channel selection cause number is written in the channel selection request information stored in the first storage unit 508 or the second storage unit 509. FIG. 21 is an example of channel selection request information stored in the first storage unit 508 or the second storage unit 509 in the present embodiment. A column 2101 describes the channel selection cause. “Normal viewing” means channel selection by the user pressing buttons 901 to 904. “Recording priority high” and “recording priority low” mean channel selection used in the recording process performed by the recording manager 1005. “Chase playback” means time shift buffer playback by the playback manager 1006 during the chase playback process. Specifically, when the source ID and the valid time are input from the reproduction manager 1006, the service manager 1004 determines that the channel selection cause is “chase reproduction”. “Channel selection for emergency program” means channel selection for an emergency program performed when alarm information is received. A column 2102 is a channel selection cause number corresponding to the channel selection cause. A column 2103 is a priority for each channel selection cause. The higher this number, the higher the priority of the channel selection request. When the source ID is input from the channel selection unit 1002a of the download Java program 1002, the service manager 1004 specifies “1” as the channel selection cause number. When the source ID is input from the EAS module 1001c, the service manager 1004 specifies “5” as the channel selection cause number. When the source ID is input from the reproduction manager 1006, the service manager 1004 determines “4” as the channel selection cause number.

  Thereafter, the service manager 1004 outputs the input source ID, the specified channel selection cause number, and the valid time to the channel selection priority manager 1007. Based on these values, the tuner priority manager 1007 returns a tuner identifier.

  Next, the service manager 1007 acquires tuning information corresponding to the input source ID. The tuning information corresponding to the source ID is acquired with reference to the channel information shown in FIG. The service manager 1007 outputs the tuner identifier input by the selection priority manager 1007 and the tuning information acquired by referring to the channel information to the Tuner 1008c. Thereafter, the service manager 1004 identifies a program number corresponding to the input source ID. The program number corresponding to the source ID is specified with reference to the channel information shown in FIG. Thereafter, the service manager 1004 outputs the program number specified earlier to the JMF 1008a. Thereafter, the service manager 1004 outputs the program number specified earlier to the AM 1008b. However, as an exception, the service manager 1007 does not output to the Tuner 1008c only when the input destination of the source ID is the playback manager 1006.

  This completes the description of the case where a set of source ID and valid time is input to the service manager 1004.

  Next, an operation when a tuner identifier and a source ID are input to the service manager 1004 will be described.

  A tuner identifier and a source ID are input to the service manager 1004 from the channel selection priority manager 1007. In this case, the service manager 1004 specifies tuning information corresponding to the input source ID. Thereafter, the service manager 1004 outputs the input tuner identifier and the specified tuning information to the Tuner 1008c. Thereafter, the service manager 1004 identifies the program number corresponding to the input source ID, and outputs the identified program number to the JMF 1008a and the AM 1008b.

  The above is the operation when the tuner identifier and the source ID are input to the service manager 1004.

  The JMF 1008a is a Java library that operates AV. A program number is input from the service manager 1004 to the JMF 1008a. The JMF 1008a acquires packet IDs for specifying video and audio to be reproduced from the PAT and PMT. PAT and PMT are tables defined in the MPEG2 standard that express the program structure in an MPEG2 transport stream, and are embedded in the payload of a packet included in the MPEG2 transport stream and transmitted together with audio and video. It is. For details, refer to the specifications. Here, only an outline will be described. PAT is an abbreviation of Program Association Table, and is stored in a packet with a packet ID “0” and transmitted. The JMF 1008a designates the packet ID “0” to the TS decoder 507 through the CPU 511 in order to obtain the PAT. The TS decoder 507 performs filtering with the packet ID “0” and passes it to the CPU 511, whereby the JMF 1008a collects PAT packets. FIG. 22 is a table schematically illustrating an example of collected PAT information. A column 2201 is a program number. A column 2202 is a packet ID. The packet ID in the column 2202 is used to acquire the PMT. Lines 2211 to 2213 are a set of channel program numbers and corresponding packet IDs. Here, three channels are defined. A row 2211 defines a set of a program number “101” and a packet ID “501”. Now, assuming that the program number “102” is input to the JMF 1008a, the JMF 1008a refers to the PAT column 2212 in FIG. 22 and acquires the packet ID “502” corresponding to the program number “102”. PMT is an abbreviation of Program Map Table, and is stored and transmitted in a packet with a packet ID defined by PAT. The JMF 1008a outputs the packet ID to the section library 1104 in order to acquire the PMT. Here, the designated packet ID is “502”. The output when the TS decoder 507 performs filtering with the packet ID “502” is input to the section library 1104. The section library 1104 outputs the input filtering result to the JMF 1008a. As a result, the JMF 1008a collects PMT packets. FIG. 23 is a table schematically illustrating an example of collected PMT information. A column 2301 is a stream type. A column 2302 is a packet ID. In the packet with the packet ID specified in the column 2302, information specified by the stream type is stored in the payload and transmitted. A column 2303 is supplementary information. Columns 2311 to 2314 are combinations of packet IDs and types of information being transmitted, which are called elementary streams. A column 2311 is a set of a stream type “voice” and a packet ID “5011”, and represents that voice is stored in the payload of the packet ID “5011”. The JMF 1008a acquires video and audio packet IDs to be reproduced from the PMT. Referring to FIG. 23, JMF 1008 a obtains audio packet ID “5011” from row 2311 and video packet ID “5012” from row 2312.

  After that, the JMF 1008 a outputs the acquired audio packet ID and video packet ID to the TS decoder 507. The TS decoder 507 performs filtering based on the given packet ID. The TS decoder 507 delivers the packet with the packet ID “5011” and the packet with the packet ID “5012” to the AV decoder 504. Thereafter, the AV decoder 504 performs digital-analog conversion of the given packet and reproduces audio and video through the audio output 505 and the video output 506.

  The AM 1008b extracts the Java program included in the MPEG2 transport stream and causes the Java VM 1003 to execute it. As a method for embedding a Java program in an MPEG2 transport stream, a method called DSMCC described in the MPEG standard document ISO / IEC138181-6 is used. Here, detailed description of DSMCC is omitted. The DSMCC method defines a method for encoding a file system composed of directories and files used in a computer in a packet of an MPEG2 transport stream. The information of the Java program to be executed is embedded in a private section in the packet of the MPEG2 transport stream and transmitted in a format called AIT. AIT is an abbreviation of Application Information Table defined in Chapter 10 of the DVB-MHP standard (formally, ETSI TS 101 812 DVB-MHP specification V1.0.2).

  The program number is input from the service manager 1007 to the AM 1008b. Thereafter, the AM 1008b obtains the AIT, and thus obtains the PAT and the PMT as in the JMF 1008a, and obtains the packet ID of the packet in which the AIT is stored. If the input source ID is “102” and the PAT of FIG. 22 and the PMT of FIG. 23 are transmitted, the PMT of FIG. 23 is acquired in the same procedure as the JMF 1008a. The AM 1008b extracts the packet ID from the elementary stream having the stream type “data” and the supplementary information “AIT” from the PMT. Referring to FIG. 23, the elementary stream in row 2313 corresponds to the packet ID “5013”.

  The AM 1008b outputs the AIT packet ID to the section library 1104. The section library 1104 causes the TS decoder 507 to perform filtering based on the input packet ID, and receives the filtering result. Thereafter, the section library 1104 outputs the filtering result to the AM 1008b. As a result, the AM 1008b can collect AIT packets. FIG. 24 is a table schematically showing an example of collected AIT information. A column 2401 is an identifier of the Java program. A column 2402 is Java program control information. The control information includes “autostart”, “present”, “kill”, etc. “autostart” means that the terminal device 500 automatically executes this program immediately, and “present” means that it is not automatically executed. “Kill” means to stop the program. A column 2403 is a DSMCC identifier for extracting a packet ID including a Java program in the DSMCC format. A column 2404 is a program name of the Java program. A column 2411 and a column 2412 are a set of Java program information. The Java program defined in the column 2411 is a set of an identifier “301”, control information “autostart”, a DSMCC identifier “1”, and a program name “a / TopXlet”. The Java program defined in the column 2412 is a set of an identifier “302”, control information “present”, a DSMCC identifier “1”, and a program name “b / GameXlet”. Here, the two Java programs have the same DSMCC identifier, which indicates that two Java programs are included in a file system encoded in one DSMCC format. Here, only four pieces of information are defined for the Java program, but more information is actually defined. For details, refer to the DVB-MHP standard.

  The AM 1008b finds the “autostart” Java program from the AIT, and extracts the corresponding DSMCC identifier and Java program name. Referring to FIG. 24, AM008b extracts the Java program on line 2411 and obtains the DSMCC identifier “1” and the Java program name “a / TopXlet”.

  Next, the AM 1008b acquires, from the PMT, the packet ID of the packet storing the Java program in the DSMCC format using the DSMCC identifier acquired from the AIT. Specifically, the packet ID of the elementary stream in which the stream type is “data” in the PMT and the DSMCC identifier of the supplementary information matches is acquired.

  Now, assuming that the DSMCC identifier is “1” and the PMT is FIG. 23, the elementary streams in the row 2314 match, and the packet ID “5014” is extracted.

  The AM 1008b designates the packet ID of a packet in which data is embedded in the TS decoder 507 through the section library 1104 by the DSMCC method. Here, the packet ID “5014” is given. The TS decoder 507 performs filtering based on the packet ID input through the section library 1104, and outputs the filtering result to the section library 1104. Thereafter, the section library 1104 outputs the input filtering result to the AM 11008b. As a result, the AM 1008b can collect necessary packets. The AM 1008b restores the file system from the collected packet according to the DSMCC method, and stores it in the primary storage unit 508. The extraction of data such as a file system from a packet in the MPEG2 transport and saving it in storage means such as the primary storage unit 508 is hereinafter referred to as download.

  FIG. 25 is an example of a downloaded file system. In the drawing, a circle represents a directory, a square represents a file, 2501 represents a root directory, 2502 represents a directory “a”, 2503 represents a directory “b”, 2504 represents a file “TopXlet.class”, 2505 represents a file “PlayHandler.class”, Reference numeral 2507 denotes a file “GameXlet.class”.

  Next, the AM 1008b delivers the Java program to be executed from the file system downloaded to the primary storage unit 508 to the Java VM 1003. If the Java class name to be executed is “a / TopXlet”, the file “a / TopXlet.class” with “.class” added to the end of the Java program name is the file to be executed. “/” Is a delimiter between directories and file names, and is a Java program to be executed by the file 2404 with reference to FIG. Next, the AM 1008b delivers the file 2404 to the Java VM 1003. The Java VM 1003 executes the delivered Java program. In this embodiment, the program name of the download Java program 1002 is “a / TopXlet”. The program name of the EAS playback handler 1002c of the download Java program 1002 is PlayHandler. In addition, PlayHandler has a resume () method.

  The tuner 1008c has a function of controlling the first tuner 501 or the second tuner 502 through the tuning library 11001. A tuner identifier and tuning information are input from the service manager 1004 to the Tuner 1008c. The Tuner 1008c outputs the input tuning information and the tuner identifier to the tuning library 11001.

  The recording manager 1005 has a function of recording a program to the time shift buffer 503 through the recording library 1102. A tuner identifier, a source ID, and an effective time are input from the channel selection priority manager 1007 to the recording manager 1005. The recording manager 1005 determines whether or not to record the MPEG2 transport stream output by the tuner with the input tuner identifier, with reference to 1701 shown in FIG. The meaning of the value written in the automatic recording setting 1701 is shown in FIG. When the value of the automatic recording setting 1701 is “0”, the recording manager 1005 determines to perform recording. Thereafter, the recording manager 1005 determines the volume ID and volume size of the volume of the time shift buffer 503 that stores the program to be recorded. Thereafter, the recording manager 1005 creates volume ID information by associating the input tuner identifier, volume ID, and source ID, and stores the volume ID information in the first storage unit 508 or the second storage unit 509. FIG. 26 is an example of volume ID information created by the recording manager 1005. A column 2601 lists volume IDs, and a column 2602 describes tuner identifiers corresponding to the volume IDs in the column 2601. A column 2603 describes a source ID corresponding to the volume ID in the column 2601. When the volume ID information is in the state of FIG. 26, it means that the MPEG2 transport stream output by the tuner indicated by the tuner identifier “1” is stored in the recording area 1321 of the volume ID “1” in the time shift buffer. To do. This means that the source ID of the program stored in the recording area 1321 of the volume ID “1” in the time shift buffer is “102”. Further, it means that the MPEG2 transport stream output by the tuner indicated by the tuner identifier “2” is stored in the recording area 1322 of the volume ID “2” in the time shift buffer. This means that the source ID of the channel stored in the recording area 1322 of the volume ID “2” in the time shift buffer is “101”. Thereafter, the recording manager 1005 outputs the input tuner identifier, the previously determined volume ID, volume size, and recording image quality to the recording library 1102.

  The reproduction manager 1006 reproduces the recorded data stored in the time shift buffer. A tuner identifier is input from the tuning priority manager 1007 to the reproduction manager 1006. The playback manager 1006 refers to the automatic playback setting 1901 stored in the primary storage 508 and determines whether to start playback. The meaning of the value written in the automatic reproduction setting 1901 is shown in FIG. When the automatic playback setting 1901 is set to “1”, the playback manager 1006 determines that the recorded data is not played back. In this case, the reproduction manager 1006 sends a command for reproducing the current time program to the channel selection priority manager 1007. When the automatic playback setting 1901 is set to “0”, the playback manager 1006 determines to play back the recorded data. When the automatic reproduction setting 1901 is set to “2”, the reproduction manager 1006 calls a registered reproduction handler and determines whether or not to perform a reproduction process using the return value. Specifically, Boolean PlayHandler. Execute the resume () method and get the return value. The reproduction manager 1006 refers to the reproduction handler information 2701 stored in the first storage unit 508 to identify a reproduction handler, and identifies a program to be executed. The reproduction handler information is information created by the handler registration unit 1010. The creation of the reproduction handler information by the handler registration unit 1010 will be described later. When the playback handler in this embodiment is registered, the handler information is as shown in FIG. 27B, which indicates that the EAS playback handler is the EAS playback handler 1002c of the download Java program 1002. . The playback manager 1006 executes the EAS playback handler 1002c specified as the playback handler. The EAS playback handler 1002c returns “TRUE” or “FALSE” as a return value. Here, the EAS playback handler 1002c may inquire the user whether or not to start playback, and determine the return value based on the result. When the return value of the EAS playback handler 1002c is “TRUE”, the playback manager 1006 performs playback processing from the recording start time. If the return value of the EAS playback handler 1002c is “FALSE”, playback processing is not performed, and a playback command for the current time program is sent to the service manager.

  Note that the playback manager 1006 may pass to the EAS playback handler 1002c a tuner identifier, source ID, channel information, reference to the service manager, and the like necessary for playback of recorded data. Note that the playback manager 1006 may pass values indicating the recording start time and the position information of the recording data to the EAS playback handler 1002c. Note that the playback manager 1006 may deliver a NULL reference or a negative value to the EAS playback handler 1002c when the recording process is not executed or fails due to lack of resources.

  When the value 1901 of the automatic playback setting is “0” or when the return value of the EAS playback handler 1002 c is “TRUE”, the playback manager 1006 specifies the volume ID corresponding to the input tuner identifier. The volume ID corresponding to the tuner identifier is specified with reference to the volume ID information shown in FIG. The playback manager 1006 sends the specified volume ID and playback speed 1902 value to the playback library 1103. The reproduction manager 1006 specifies a source ID corresponding to the input tuner identifier. The source ID corresponding to the tuner identifier is specified with reference to the volume ID information shown in FIG. After that, the reproduction manager 1006 outputs the source ID specified earlier to the service manager 1004.

  The channel selection priority manager 1007 has a function of comparing priorities of channel selection requests and assigning a tuner to a channel selection request having a high priority. Further, the priority manager 1007 has a function of automatically starting recording of a program that is currently selected and viewed by the user when forced tuning occurs, and automatically reproducing the recorded program when forced tuning ends. . The channel selection priority number 1007 is input from the service manager 1004 to the channel selection priority manager 1007. The channel selection priority manager 1007 compares the priority of the input channel selection request number with the priority of the currently selected channel. The priority comparison is performed with reference to channel selection state information stored in the first storage unit 508 by the channel selection priority manager 1007. FIGS. 28A and 28B are examples of channel selection state information stored in the first storage unit 508. The channel selection status information is expressed in a table format. A column 2801 indicates a tuner identifier. A column 2802 shows the source ID. A column 2803 indicates the priority. A column 2804 indicates whether or not the service shown in the column 2803 is output as audio / video. In a column 2805, a channel selection cause number of a channel selection request to the source ID in the column 2803 is entered. In a column 2806, the effective time of channel selection is recorded in seconds. When the value is negative, it means that the effective time of channel selection is infinite. Referring to FIG. 28, each row of columns 2811 and 2812 summarizes channel selection information using each tuner. For example, a column 2811 in FIG. 28A shows the channel selection processing of the source ID 2 using the first tuner, the channel selection priority is “2”, and indicates that audio / video is currently being output. Yes. The channel selection cause of this process is “normal viewing”, and the channel selection effective time is infinite. A column 2812 indicates the channel selection processing of the source ID 3 using the second tuner, and the priority is “2”, indicating that no audio / video is currently output. The channel selection cause of this process is “normal viewing”, and the channel expiration date is infinite. When the channel selection priority manager receives the channel selection cause number and the channel selection valid time from the service manager 1004, the channel selection priority manager refers to the channel selection request information shown in FIG. 21, and the priority corresponding to the input channel selection cause number. Get the degree. For example, when the channel selection cause number “5” is input from the service manager 1004, the channel selection priority manager acquires the priority “10”. This indicates the priority of the channel selection cause input from the service manager. Thereafter, the channel selection priority manager searches for a row in which the value in the column 2804 of the channel selection state information in FIG. 28 is “1”. This line is the line of the channel that is currently outputting video / audio. Next, the channel selection priority manager outputs the values in the columns 2801, 2802, and 2806 of the channel that has been searched for the video / audio output, to the recording manager 1005. That is, the channel selection priority manager outputs the tuner identifier, source ID, and valid time to the recording manager 1005. Next, the channel selection priority manager rewrites the value in the column 2804 of the channel selection channel from which the video / audio output searched earlier is “0”. Next, the channel selection priority manager obtains the priority in the previously searched row, that is, the value in column 2803. Next, the channel selection priority manager compares the priority of the channel selection cause number input from the service manager with the priority of the channel selection that is currently performing video / output. If the channel number input from the service manager has a higher priority as a result of the comparison, the channel selection priority manager 1007 selects a row whose value in the column 2804 is “0” as a row to be rewritten. To do. The channel selection priority manager 1007 writes the source ID input from the service manager 1004 to the column 2802 of the row selected as the row to be rewritten. The channel selection priority manager A07 writes the priority of the input channel selection cause number in the column 2803 of the row selected as the row to be rewritten. The channel selection priority manager 1007 writes “1” to the column 2804 of the row selected as the row to be rewritten. The channel selection priority manager 1007 writes the input channel selection cause number in the column 2805 of the row selected as the row to be rewritten. The channel selection priority manager 1007 writes the input valid time in the column 2806 of the row selected as the row to be rewritten. For example, when the channel selection state information is in the state of FIG. 28A, the service manager selects the channel selection cause number “5”, the source ID “5”, and the valid time “120” for channel selection for the emergency program. When input, the channel selection priority manager 1004 rewrites the channel selection state information to the state of the diagram string 28 (b).

  Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs the value in the column 2801 of the row rewritten earlier, that is, the tuner identifier, to the service manager 1004.

  Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 determines whether or not the valid time of the column 2806 of the row to be rewritten has elapsed from the time when the tuner identifier is output to the service manager 1004. If it has elapsed, the channel selection priority manager 1007 searches for a row whose column 2804 is “0”. The channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs the tuner identifier of the row whose column 2804 is “0” found earlier to the reproduction manager 1006. Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 rewrites the column 2804 of the row in which the column 2804 is “0” to “1”.

  In addition to the operation of the channel selection priority manager 1007 described above, the channel selection priority manager 1007 receives a request for reproduction of a currently broadcast program from the reproduction manager 1006. A command for reproducing the current time program is input from the reproduction manager 1006 to the channel selection priority manager 1007. When the current time program playback command is input, the channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs the tuner identifier and source ID of the row whose column 2804 is “0” to the service manager 1004 and is broadcast at the current time. Play the program.

  The parameter setting unit 1009 stores in the first storage unit 508 settings related to recording processing when forced tuning occurs. The parameter setting unit 1009 receives setting data related to the recording process when forced tuning occurs from the EAS setting unit 1002b. An example of the input setting data is shown in FIG. The parameter setting unit 1009 stores the input setting data in the first storage unit 508. Specifically, the setting input by the Java method SetRecordSetting (int rec_on_off, double quality) of the parameter setting unit is stored in the first storage unit 508.

  In addition, the parameter setting unit 1009 stores settings related to automatic regeneration processing at the end of forced tuning in the first storage unit 508. To the parameter setting unit 1009, setting data related to the reproduction process at the end of forced tuning is input from the EAS setting unit 1002b. An example of the input setting data is shown in FIG. The parameter setting unit 1009 stores the input setting data in the first storage unit 508. Specifically, the input setting is stored in the first storage unit 508 by the Java method SetPlaySetting (int play_on_off, double speed) of the parameter setting unit.

  The handler registration unit 1010 registers a playback handler to be called when forced tuning ends. The position on the first storage unit 508 where the EAS playback handler 1002c is stored is input from the EAS setting unit 1002b to the handler registration unit 1010. Specifically, an API called RegisterHander (Handler h) is provided. Here, Handler means a specific class name of the EAS playback handler 1002c. The handler registration unit 1010 stores the position on the first storage unit 508 where the input EAS playback handler 1002c is stored in the 1 storage unit 508 as playback handler information. FIGS. 27A and 27B are examples of playback handler information stored in the one storage unit 508. First, when there is no registered program, the handler information is in the state shown in FIG. 2701 “NULL” means that there is no registered playback handler. Next, when the EAS playback handler 1002c is registered, the handler information becomes the state shown in FIG. “A / PlayHander” 2701 indicates a program described in the program file 2505 which is the actual state of the EAS playback handler 1002c with reference to FIG. When the forced channel selection time has elapsed, the playback manager 1006 executes the program registered in 2701.

  Next, the flow of normal tuning processing in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 29 is a follow chart summarizing the operation of normal channel selection. First, the user presses a button 900 (2901). Next, the identifier of the pressed button is input to the channel selection unit 1002a of the download application 1002 (2902). Next, the channel selection unit 1002a outputs a source ID corresponding to the input button identifier to the service manager 1004 (2903). Next, the service manager 1004 outputs “1” representing normal channel selection as the source ID and channel selection cause number of the program selected by the user to the channel selection priority manager 1007 and “−1” as the valid time ( 2904). Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs the tuner identifier of the tuner that is not currently outputting video / audio to the service manager 1004 (2905). Next, the service manager 1004 outputs to the Tuner 1008c the tuner identifier of the tuner that is not currently outputting video / audio and the tuning information of the program selected by the user (2906). Next, the service manager 1004 outputs the program number of the program selected by the user to the JMF 1008a and the AM 1008b (2907).

The above is the flow of normal tuning processing in the present embodiment.
Next, setting processing relating to automatic recording and automatic reproduction according to the present invention will be described. First, the download Java program 1002 is downloaded and stored in the terminal device 500 and activated. The started download Java program 1002 executes the EAS setting unit 1002b, and performs setting processing related to automatic recording and automatic reproduction when forced tuning occurs.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart summarizing setting processing related to automatic recording and automatic playback of a recorded program by the setting unit 1002b for recording a program that the user was watching at the time of forced channel selection.

  First, the download Java program 1002 is activated (step S3001). Next, the setting unit 1002b stores settings related to automatic recording at the time of forced tuning in the primary storage unit 508 (step S3002). Next, the setting unit 1002b stores, in the primary storage unit 508, settings related to automatic reproduction of recorded data recorded by automatic recording at the time of forced channel selection (step S3003). Next, the EAS setting unit 1002b registers the EAS playback handler 1002c in the handler registration unit 1010 (step S3004). The registered EAS playback handler 1002c is stored in the 1 storage unit 508 as playback handler information.

  The above is the setting process related to automatic recording and automatic reproduction at the time of forced channel selection performed by the EAS setting unit 1002b.

  Next, automatic recording for recording a program that the user was watching at the time of forced channel selection in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the terminal 500 receives the alarm information, the emergency program source ID and valid time are input to the EAS module 1001c (step S3101). Next, the EAS module 1001c outputs the source ID and valid time of the emergency broadcast program to the service manager 1004 (step S3102). Next, the service manager 1004 outputs the emergency broadcast program source ID, channel selection cause number, and valid time to the channel selection priority manager 1007 (step S3103). Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs to the recording manager 1005 the tuner identifier, the source ID, and the valid time used for viewing the user's program (step S3104). Next, the recording manager 1005 determines whether to perform recording. (Step S3105). If it is determined that recording is to be performed, the recording manager 1005 creates a volume in the time shift buffer 503, and saves the MPEG2 transport stream output by the tuner that has tuned the program that the user was watching to the created volume. (Step S3106). Here, the recording manager 1005 may secure resources necessary for recording. Further, the recording manager 1005 determines whether or not the volume size for storing the MPEG2 transport stream is sufficient for recording for the recording time received from the channel selection priority manager 1007. If the volume size is insufficient, the volume size is reset to a capacity sufficient for recording during the received recording time. If the volume size is insufficient, recording may be performed with the currently set volume size without resetting the volume size. It should be noted that when the volume size is insufficient, a setting may be made to lower the recording image quality and bit rate. This makes it possible to record for a longer time to a limited volume size. If the volume size is insufficient, the recording process need not be started. If recording has already started for the volume ID, the time shift buffer capacity need not be reset. Note that the recording manager 1005 may create a dedicated volume in the time shift buffer 503 for use when receiving alarm information.

  Next, the service manager 1004 outputs a tuner identifier and tuning information to the Tuner 1008c for displaying an emergency broadcast program (Step S3107). Next, the service manager 1004 outputs the emergency broadcast channel program number to the JMF 1008b (step S3108). Here, the download Java program is not notified that the emergency broadcast channel has been selected and video output / audio output has been performed. That is, the download Java program continues the process without knowing that the channel selected in the normal channel selection process (FIG. 29) is automatically recorded.

  Through the above processing, the channel selected by the download Java program is automatically recorded in the time shift buffer by the processing of the channel selection priority manager and the recording manager.

  The above is the operation related to the automatic recording for recording the program that the user was watching at the time of forced channel selection.

  Next, automatic reproduction for a program automatically recorded at the time of forced channel selection will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the channel selection priority manager 1007 detects that the forced channel selection time has elapsed (step S3201). Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs the tuner identifier used for recording the program that the user was viewing to the reproduction manager 1006 (step S3202). Next, the playback manager 1006 executes the EAS playback handler 1002c and determines whether playback is to be performed (step S3203). When playback is performed, the playback manager 1006 sends the volume ID and playback speed at which the program that the user was watching to is recorded to the playback library 11003. The playback library 1103 plays the recorded data from the beginning of the input volume ID at the input playback speed. (Step S3204). Next, the playback manager 1006 outputs the source ID of the program that the user was viewing to the service manager 1006. The service manager outputs the input source ID to the JMF, and the video / audio of the recorded program is played back (step S3205). It is an example.

  When forced tuning occurs when alarm information is received by the automatic recording function and automatic playback function of this embodiment, a recording volume is automatically created in the time shift buffer, and the program that the user was watching was created. Recorded to volume. Further, after the forced tuning is completed, the recorded program is automatically chased and reproduced from the beginning position of the recording volume, so that the user does not miss the contents of the program being viewed.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, when a channel selection request is input from the user during chasing playback performed after the forced tuning ends, the recording process performed in chasing playback is automatically stopped. Further, after the recording process is stopped, the resources used for the recording process are automatically released. In other words, since the program selected by the download Java program is recorded when forced tuning occurs, the recording resources automatically secured by the embedded middleware are automatically recorded by the embedded middleware at the end of the chasing playback performed after the forced tuning ends. Opened.

  The functions of the channel selection priority manager 1007, the recording manager 1005, and the recording library 1102 are different between the present embodiment and the first embodiment. The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, description will be made focusing on components having different functions and automatic resource release processing.

  The channel selection priority manager 1007 in this embodiment outputs a tuner identifier and a recording stop command to the recording manager 1005.

  A tuner identifier and a recording stop command are input from the channel selection priority manager 1007 to the recording manager 1005 in this embodiment. When a recording stop command is input to the recording manager 1005, the volume ID corresponding to the input tuner identifier and the recording stop command are output to the recording library. The volume ID corresponding to the input tuner identifier is determined with reference to the volume ID information shown in FIG. In addition, when a recording stop command is input, the recording manager 1005 releases resources used for the recording process.

  A volume ID and a recording stop command are input from the recording manager 1005 to the recording library 1102 in this embodiment. When a volume ID and a recording stop command are input, the recording library 1102 stops saving the MPEG2 stream to the input volume ID. Also, the volume corresponding to the input volume ID is deleted.

  Next, a recording resource automatic release process performed after chasing playback after the end of forced tuning in the present embodiment will be described. The resource to be released by the recording resource automatic release process is specifically the recording resource secured in step S3106 in FIG. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording resource automatic release processing in the present embodiment.

  First, the user presses any one of buttons 901 to 904 to select a new channel in order to watch a program different from the current one. Then, the button identifier is input to the download Java program 1002. Thereafter, the download Java program 1002 outputs to the service manager 1004 the source ID of the program that the user is newly selecting (step S3301). Next, the service manager 1004 outputs the channel selection cause number and valid time of normal channel selection to the channel selection priority manager 1007 (step S3302). Next, the channel selection priority manager 1007 outputs to the recording manager 1005 the tuner identifier used for recording processing and the recording stop command (step S3303). Next, the recording manager 1005 outputs the volume ID and recording stop command used for the recording process to the recording library 1102. The recording library 1102 releases the volume of the volume ID where the program data is currently recorded. (Step S3304). Next, the recording manager 1005 releases the resources used for the recording process (step S3305).

  Note that the recording manager 1005 resets the time shift buffer capacity in step S3106 when the recording resource is released in step SS3305, and resets it to the original capacity. In step S3106, if the recording image quality or bit rate has been changed, the original setting may be restored. If a new time shift buffer volume has been created in step S3106, the created volume may be deleted. In addition, resources such as a memory necessary for the chasing playback process may be released.

  The above is an example of the recording resource automatic release processing in the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, after the forced tuning is finished, in the process of automatically playing the program that the user was watching, the playback position of the recorded program can be designated and played back at any time between before and after the forced tuning occurs. .

  In the present embodiment, the built-in middleware has time recording means for recording time when forced channel selection occurs and when it ends. Also, the functions of the service manager, recording manager, EAS playback handler, and playback manager are different from those of the first embodiment. Since the other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description will focus on the constituent elements having different functions from those in the first embodiment and the reproduction processing of the recorded data from an arbitrary position.

First, the current time recording in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 34 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 or the first storage unit 508 and executed by the CPU 511.

  The embedded middleware 3420 is composed of a plurality of subprograms. Specifically, it includes a service manager 3404, a recording manager 3405, a playback manager 3406, a channel selection priority manager 3407, a parameter setting unit 3409, a handler registration unit 3410, a JMF 3408a, an AM 34008b, a Tuner 3408c, and a time storage unit 3411.

  The EAS playback handler 3402c is executed by the playback manager 3406. The EAS playback handler 3402c receives from the playback manager 3406 the start time of the recording process that starts after the forced tuning occurs and the time after the end of forced tuning. The EAS playback handler 3402c outputs, to the playback manager 3406, the playback start time of the recorded data in the playback processing performed after the forced tuning ends based on the two input times. Specifically, the EAS playback handler 3402c is a double PlayHandler. This is realized by a Java method called resume (double start, double end).

  The recording manager 3405 has a function of determining whether the tuner output indicated by the inputted tuner identifier has already been recorded, in addition to the function of the recording manager 1005 in the first embodiment. When a tuner identifier, a source ID, and an effective time are input from the channel selection priority manager 3407, the recording manager 3405 refers to the volume ID information shown in FIG. 26 to record the input tuner identifier or source ID. Find out if it has already been done. If recording has already started, the recording manager 3405 does nothing and ends the process.

  The channel selection priority manager 3407 outputs the current time storage command 1 to the time storage unit 3411 when outputting the recording command to the recording manager 3405. In addition, the channel selection priority manager 3407 outputs the current time storage command 2 to the time storage unit 3411 when the valid time indicated by 1506 has elapsed since the recording command was output to the recording manager 3405.

  The playback manager 3406 has a function of outputting the playback start time, volume ID, and playback speed to the playback library 1103 in addition to the functions of the playback manager 1006 in the first embodiment. The reproduction start time output to the reproduction library 1103 uses time information 3501 shown in FIG. When executing the EAS playback handler 3402c, the playback manager 3406 outputs the times 3501 and 3502 to the EAS playback handler 3402c. Specifically, a double PlayHandler. Of the EAS playback handler 3502c. The start time is passed to start and the end time is passed to end of the resume (double start, double end) method. Note that the return value output as a result of executing the EAS playback handler 3402c may be used as the playback start time output to the playback library 1103. In addition, the reproduction manager 3406 has the same function as the reproduction manager 1006 of the first embodiment.

  The time storage unit 3411 performs processing for recording the current time in the first storage unit 508. The current time storage command 1 or the current time storage command 2 is input from the channel selection priority manager 3407 to the time storage unit 3411. FIG. 35 is an example of time data stored in the first storage unit 508. The time is expressed by numerical values separated by “:”, and is expressed in the order of month, day, year, hour, minute, and second from the top. 3501 “1: 31: 2005: 12: 34: 23” in FIG. 35A represents January 31, 2005, 12:34:23. When the time storage unit 3411 receives a current time storage command 1 from the channel selection priority manager 3407 when forced channel selection occurs, the time storage unit 3411 stores the current time in 3501. When the current time recording command 2 is received at the end of forced channel selection from the channel selection priority manager 3407, the current time is stored in 3502.

  In addition to the processing performed by the playback library 1103 in the first embodiment, the playback library 1103 in the present embodiment has a function of playing back recorded data stored in a volume in the time shift buffer from an arbitrary position. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing one of the volumes of the time shift buffer in the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 3600 denotes the entire volume. 3601 is a volume ID, 3602 is a volume size, 3603 is a recording area, 3621 is a reproduction position, and 3622 is a recording position. Recording has started on this volume, and the recording data is the hatched portion of the recording area 3603. The recording start time is recorded at 3501 in FIG.

  The playback library 1103 receives the volume ID, playback start time, and playback speed from the playback manager 3406. Next, the playback library 1103 determines a playback position 3621 corresponding to the input playback start time in the input volume ID. For example, the playback position 3621 is determined by determining the file size of the recorded data between the recording start time and the input playback start time using the bit rate of the stored MPEG2 transport stream. There is a method of determining 3621. The method for determining the playback position 3621 is a known technique realized by a hard disk recorder or the like, and the description thereof is omitted here. Next, the playback library 1103 sends 3600 and the playback position 36S21 to the TS decoder 507 through the CPU. The TS decoder 507 reads data from the designated reproduction position 3621 and performs decoding processing. Through the above processing, the playback library 1101 can play back recorded data from an arbitrary time (position). In addition, the reproduction library 1103 of the present embodiment is the same as the reproduction library 1103 of the first embodiment.

  Next, FIG. 37 shows an example of operation when forced tuning occurs in this embodiment. First, when the warning information is received by the terminal 500, the EAS module 1001c receives the warning information (step S3701). Next, the EAS module 1001c determines whether there is a request for forced channel selection in the received warning information (step S3702). If there is no request for forced channel selection, the process is terminated. If there is a request for forced channel selection, the EAS module 1001c outputs to the service manager 3404 the service ID and valid time of the emergency broadcast program of the forced channel selection destination. The service manager 3404 outputs the channel selection request cause indicating the forced channel selection based on the alarm information, the service ID of the emergency broadcast program, and the valid time to the channel selection priority manager 3407. The channel selection priority manager 3407 compares the priority of the normal channel selection currently being performed with the priority of the forced channel selection request for the emergency broadcast program. If the priority of the channel selection request by forced channel selection is lower, the process ends. If the forced channel selection destination video has a higher priority, the process advances to step S3704. If the forced channel selection request has the highest priority, the process may proceed to step S3704 without performing the comparison in step S3703. Next, the channel selection priority manager 3407 determines whether or not the currently selected program is being chased and reproduced (step S3704). The channel selection priority manager 3407 searches for a row in which the priority information column 1504 shown in FIG. 15 is “1”, and identifies the channel selection process that is currently outputting audio / video. Next, the channel selection priority manager 3407 refers to the column 1505 of the identified row, and determines whether or not the channel selection process that is currently being output for audio / video is used for chasing playback. If the chase is being played back, the process proceeds to step S3706. Next, when the chasing playback is not being performed, the program currently being output as video / audio is recorded (step S3705). Next, the channel selection priority manager 3407 sends the current time recording command 1 to the time storage unit 3411. The time storage unit 3411 stores the current time in the first storage unit 508 (step S3704). Here, the information that the time storage unit 3411 writes in the first storage unit may be an offset from the beginning of the recording data area of the volume ID used in recording. Here, the information that the time storage unit 3411 writes in the first storage unit may be other information that can identify the position where forced channel selection has occurred in the recording data area of the volume ID being used for recording. Next, the channel selection priority manager 3406 outputs the source ID and tuner identifier of forced channel selection to the service manager 3404 (step S3707).

  The above is an example of processing when forced selection occurs in the present embodiment.

Next, the operation at the end of forced selection in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation at the end of forced selection in the present embodiment. First, the channel selection priority manager 3407 detects that the forced channel selection time has elapsed (step S3801). The detection method is the same as step S3201 in the first embodiment. Next, the channel selection priority manager 3407 outputs the current time recording command 2 to the current time storage unit 3411. The current time storage unit 3411 stores the current time in the first storage unit (step S3802). FIG. 35B shows the contents of recording the current time in the process of step S3802. In FIG. 35 (b), 3502 indicates the time when the forced channel selection is completed. The form of entry is the same as 3501. Next, the channel selection priority manager 3407 sends the source ID used for channel selection of the recording data to be reproduced to the reproduction manager (step S3803). Next, the reproduction manager 3406 refers to the automatic reproduction setting 1901 stored in the primary storage 508, and determines whether to notify the download Java program 3402 (step S3804). If the automatic reproduction setting 1901 is set to “1”, the process proceeds to step S3807 without notification. When the automatic playback setting 1901 is set to “0”, the playback manager refers to 3501 stored in the first storage unit, and acquires the time when forced channel selection occurred. The playback manager 3406 designates the acquired time or a time after the acquired time, and sends a playback command to the recording module 11002 of the library. If the automatic playback setting 1901 is set to “2”, the registered playback handler is called, and the playback start position is determined based on the return value (step S3805). The reproduction manager 1006 refers to the reproduction handler information 2701 stored in the first storage unit 508 to identify a reproduction handler, and identifies a program to be executed. In this embodiment, the handler information is as shown in FIG. 27B, which indicates that the playback handler is the EAS playback handler 3402c. The playback manager 3406 executes the EAS playback handler 3402c specified as the playback handler and passes the values of 3501 and 3502 to the EAS playback handler 3402c. That is, it notifies the EAS playback unit 3402c of the time when forced channel selection has occurred and the time when it has ended. By this notification, the EAS playback handler 3402c can know the time when forced channel selection occurred and the time when it ended. The EAS playback handler 3402c returns a value indicating whether playback is to be performed and the number of seconds. This number of seconds means a time based on the time of 3501. For example, when the return value of the EAS playback handler 3402c is “60”, it means 12:35:23 on January 31, 2005, 60 seconds after the time indicated by 3501. If the return value is “−60”, it means 12:33:23 on January 31, 2005, 60 seconds before the time indicated by 3501. The playback manager 3406 calculates the playback start time from the number of seconds indicated by the return value of the EAS playback handler 3402c. The playback manager 3406 outputs the playback start time to the playback library 1102. (Step S3806). Thus, the download Java program 3402 can start playback of recorded data by designating an intermittent playback start time from the forced channel selection time.

  Note that the information notified to the application by the playback manager 3406 in step S3805 may be a volume ID in which the program that the user was watching is recorded. Further, the information notified to the application by the reproduction manager 3406 in step S3805 may be information necessary for processing data recorded during forced channel selection, reference, and the like. In this case, the EAS playback handler 3402c can directly operate the recorded data through the volume ID and perform playback processing. In addition, the information notified to the application by the reproduction manager 3406 in step S3805 may be other information that can specify the position where the forced channel selection has occurred and the position where it ended in the recorded data.

  According to the present embodiment, the download Java program 3402 that is a download application can play back data recorded by the recording manager at an arbitrary time.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the download Java program 3402 that is a download application can perform processing on the data recorded by the recording manager 3405.

(Embodiment 4)
In the present embodiment, the download Java program can change the priority of various channel selection requests. As a result, if forced tuning occurs while the user is watching a normal program and recording another program at the same time, either the normal program viewing or recording process is stopped, and the forced tuning destination program is tuned. Can be set by the download Java program.

  In the present embodiment, the download Java program has a priority setting unit as a component. Further, the function of the channel selection priority manager is different from that of the first embodiment. Since the other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the present embodiment will focus on priority setting by a download Java program, automatic recording processing after automatic priority setting, and automatic reproduction processing.

  FIG. 39 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 or the primary storage unit 508 and executed by the CPU 511.

  The priority setting unit 3902d sends a channel selection cause number and a numerical value indicating the priority to the channel selection priority manager 3907 at an arbitrary timing after the download Java program 3902 is activated. The channel selection cause number in the present embodiment is defined by the channel selection request information shown in FIGS. The channel selection request information illustrated in FIGS. 40A and 40B is the same as the channel selection request information illustrated in FIG. 21, and columns 4001 to 4003 correspond to columns 2101 to 2103.

  The channel selection priority manager 3907 has the following functions in addition to the functions in the first embodiment.

  The channel selection priority manager 3907 receives the channel selection cause number and the priority from the priority setting unit 3902d. Next, the channel selection priority manager 3907 searches the channel selection request information column 4002 shown in FIG. 40 for the received channel selection cause number. Next, the value in the column 4003 of the searched row is rewritten to the received priority. For example, when the current channel selection priority is in the state shown in FIG. 40A, the setting unit 3902b passes the channel selection cause number “1” and the priority “4” to the channel selection manager 3907. The request information changes to the state shown in FIG. That is, the channel selection priority for “normal viewing” is set to “4”.

  Next, recording processing in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording process in the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that a certain program has already been recorded.

  First, when receiving the warning information, the EAS module outputs the source ID of the emergency broadcast program that is the forced channel selection destination to the service manager 3904 (step S4101). Next, the service manager 3404 outputs a channel selection cause number indicating forced channel selection to the emergency broadcast program and a source ID of the emergency broadcast program to the channel selection priority manager 3907. The channel selection priority manager 3907 obtains the channel selection priority of the recording processing that has already been performed and the channel selection priority of the channel selection that the user normally watches. (Step S4102). Next, the channel selection priority manager 3907 compares the two priorities acquired in step S4102 (step S4103). If the priority of the recording process is higher, the process proceeds to step S4106. In this case, since the tuner used in the recording process already performed continues to be used as it is, the program being viewed by the user is not automatically recorded. If the priority of the channel selection that the user is currently viewing is higher, the process proceeds to step S4104. In this case, the tuner used in the recording process that has already been performed is used to record the program that the user is currently viewing. In step S4104, the tuning priority manager 3907 sends the tuner identifier used for viewing the user's program to the recording manager 3905. The recording manager 3905 secures the time shift buffer resource of the tuner indicated by the received tuner identifier (S4104). Next, the recording manager 3905 outputs the input tuner identifier, volume ID, volume size, and valid time to the recording library 1102. As a result, the program that the user was watching is recorded in the time shift buffer. (Step 4105). Next, as a result of the comparison in step S4103, the tuning priority manager AA07 passes the tuner identifier and the tuning information of the emergency program used in the process having the lower priority to the Tuner 3408c to perform tuning (step S4106). ).

  The above is the processing at the start of recording in the present embodiment.

  Next, in this embodiment. A process when the forced channel selection time has elapsed will be described. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing an example of the switching process in the present embodiment. First, the channel selection priority manager 3907 detects that the forced channel selection time has elapsed (step S4201). Next, the channel selection priority manager 3907 determines whether or not the recording process is stopped by forced channel selection (step S4202). If the recording process is not stopped, the process ends. When the recording process is stopped, the channel selection priority manager 3907 notifies the recording manager 3905 of the start of the recording process. The recording manager 3905 executes the EAS recording handler 3902d and notifies the start time and end time of forced channel selection. (Step S4203). The above is the processing at the time of reproduction in the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 5)
In the present embodiment, it is possible for the download Java program itself to determine whether or not to record a program selected by the download Java program when forced tuning occurs.

  FIG. 43 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 or the primary storage unit 508 and executed by the CPU 511.

  The program 4300 includes a plurality of subprograms. Specifically, the OS 4301, download Java program 4302, JavaVM 4303, service manager 4304, recording manager 4305, playback manager 4306, channel selection priority manager 4307, JMF4308a, AM4308b, Tuner 4308c, A parameter setting unit 4309 and a handler registration unit 4310 are configured.

  The download Java program 4302 includes a channel selection unit 4302a that receives input from the user and performs channel selection, an EAS setting unit 4302b, an EAS playback unit handler 4302c, and an EAS recording handler 4302d. In the present embodiment, the download Java program 4302d has an EAS recording handler 4302d as a component. In the present embodiment, the functions of the EAS setting unit 4302b and the recording manager 4305 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore, in the present embodiment, the description will focus on components having different functions, recording handler registration processing, and automatic recording processing when forced channel selection occurs.

  The EAS setting unit 4302b registers the EAS playback handler 4302c and the EAS recording handler 4302d in the handler registration unit 4310.

  The EAS recording handler 4302b is called from the recording manager 4305 when forced channel selection occurs. In addition, the source ID and / or the tuner identifier are input from the recording manager 4305 to the EAS recording handler 4302b. The EAS recording handler 4302d determines whether to record based on the input tuner identifier, source ID, and valid time. Specifically, the EAS recording handler 4302b is a Boolean RecordHandler. It is implemented by a Java method called resume (Tuner t, Source_id i, Time t).

  The recording manager 4305 receives the tuner identifier, valid time, and source ID from the channel selection priority manager 4307. The recording manager 4305 refers to the automatic recording setting 1701 stored in the primary storage 508 and determines whether to call the recording handler. When the automatic recording setting 1701 is set to “2”, the recording manager 4305 calls the recording handler information. Specifically, the Java method Boolean RecordHandler. The tuner identifier, the source ID, and the valid time input to the argument of resume (Tuner t, Source_id i, Time t) are set and executed.

Next, the EAS recording handler registration process in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 44 is a flowchart summarizing the setting operation related to automatic recording at the time of forced channel selection by the EAS setting unit 4302b in the present embodiment.

  First, the download Java program 4302 is activated (step S4401). Next, the EAS setting unit 4302b stores settings related to automatic recording at the time of forced channel selection in the primary storage unit 508 (step S4402). Since the setting content stored in the primary storage unit 508 by the EAS setting unit 4302b is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the EAS setting unit 4302b stores, in the primary storage unit 508, settings related to automatic reproduction of recorded data recorded by automatic recording at the time of forced channel selection (step S4403). Since the setting content stored in the primary storage unit 508 by the setting unit 4302b is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the EAS setting unit 4302b outputs the EAS playback handler 4302c to the handler registration unit 4310 (step S4404). The registered EAS playback handler 4302c is stored in the 1 storage unit 508 as playback handler information. Since the reproduction handler information stored in the first storage unit 508 is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the EAS setting unit 4302b outputs the EAS recording handler 4302d to the handler registration unit 4310 (step S4405). The EAS recording handler 4302d input and recorded in the registration unit 4310 is stored in the one storage unit 508 as recording handler information. 45A and 45B are examples of recording handler information stored in the one storage unit 508. FIG. First, when there is no registered program, the recording handler information is in the state shown in FIG. 4501 “NULL” means that there is no registered program. Next, when the recording unit 4302c is registered, the recording handler information becomes the state shown in FIG. “A / RecordHander” 4501 indicates a program described in the program file which is the actual state of the EAS recording handler 4302c. The above is the setting process related to automatic recording and automatic playback when forced channel selection occurs, which is performed by the setting unit 4302b. Note that the order of executing step S4402, step S4403, step S4404, and step S4405 may be in any order.

  Next, an automatic recording process for recording a program that the user was watching at the time of forced channel selection in this embodiment will be described. In this description, it is a process of calling a registered recording handler when forced channel selection occurs.

  FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation at the time of forced channel selection in this embodiment. First, when a source ID is input from the EAS module 4301c to the service manager 4304, the service manager 4304 inputs a channel selection cause number and an effective time indicating forced channel selection to the emergency broadcast program to the channel selection priority manager 4307. . Therefore, the channel selection priority manager 4307 acquires the effective time of channel selection by forced tuning (step S4601). Next, the channel selection priority manager 4307 sends the tuner identifier, valid time, and source ID of the tuner used in the reproduction of the program that the user is currently viewing to the recording manager 4305 (step S4602). Next, the recording manager 4305 refers to the automatic recording setting 1701 stored in the primary storage 508 and determines whether to call the recording handler (step 4603). If the automatic recording setting 1701 is set to “0” or “1”, the process proceeds to step S4605 without calling the recording handler. When the automatic recording setting 1701 is set to “2”, the recording manager 4305 calls the recording handler information. The recording handler to be called is acquired from the recording handler information shown in FIG. The recording manager 4305 delivers the tuner identifier and source ID used in the program that the user was watching to the recording handler. The EAS recording handler 4302d determines whether to record the channel of the passed source ID. Here, the EAS recording handler 4302d may inquire the user whether or not to start recording, and may determine whether to start recording based on the result. Next, the channel selection priority manager 4307 executes channel selection based on a forced channel selection request. (Step S4605).

  In step S4603, the recording manager may determine whether or not to record based on the return value of the EAS recording handler 4302d. For example, if the channel selection priority manager 4307 calls the EAS recording handler 4302d and the return value of the EAS recording handler 4302d is “TRUE”, the recording manager 4305 is viewing the EAS recording handler 4302d by the user in step S4603. Send the tuner identifier used in the program. When the return value of the EAS recording handler 4302d is “FALSE”, recording is not performed.

  The above is the description of the operation when forced tuning occurs in the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 6)
In the present embodiment, it is possible for the download Java program itself at the time of forced tuning to determine whether or not to record the program selected by the download Java program when the forced tuning occurs. Further, when the recorded data is reproduced, it can be reproduced from the recorded data at an arbitrary time from the recording start time.

  FIG. 47 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 or the primary storage unit 508 and executed by the CPU 511. This embodiment is different from Embodiments 3 and 5 in that the download Java program 4702 has an EAS recording handler 4702d as a component, and the embedded middleware 4720 has a time recording unit 4711 as a component. Since the other parts are the same as those in the third and fifth embodiments, this embodiment will focus on the recording handler registration process and the operation at the time of forced channel selection.

  The EAS setting unit 4702b outputs an EAS playback handler 4702c and an EAS recording handler 4702d to the handler registration unit 4710.

  The EAS recording handler 4702b is called from the recording manager 4705. Further, the source ID and / or tuner identifier are input from the recording manager 4705 to the EAS recording handler 4702b. The EAS recording handler 4702d determines whether to perform recording based on the received tuner identifier or source ID.

  When receiving a command from the channel selection priority manager 4707, the time recording unit 4711 stores the current time in the first storage unit 509, similarly to the time recording unit in the third embodiment.

Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.
Since the recording handler registration process in the present embodiment is the same as that in the fifth embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, FIG. 48 shows an example of operation when forced tuning occurs in this embodiment. First, when the terminal 500 receives the warning information, the EAS module 4701c receives the warning information (step S4801). Next, the EAS module 4701c determines whether there is a request for forced channel selection in the received warning information (step S4802). If there is no request for forced channel selection, the process is terminated. If there is a request for forced channel selection, the EAS module 4701c outputs the source ID to the service manager 4704. The service manager 4704 outputs the channel selection cause number to the channel selection priority manager 4707. The channel selection priority manager 4707 compares the channel selection priority currently being performed with the priority priority of the input channel selection number. If the priority of the channel selection request by forced channel selection is lower, the process ends. If the forced channel selection destination video has a higher priority, the process advances to step S4804. When the forced channel selection request has the highest priority, the process may proceed to step S4804 without performing the comparison in step S4803. Next, the channel selection priority manager 4707 determines whether or not the currently selected program is being chased and reproduced (step S4804). The channel selection priority manager 4707 searches for a row in which the priority information column 1504 shown in FIG. Next, the channel selection priority manager 4707 refers to the column 1505 of the specified row, and determines whether or not the channel selection process that is currently being output for audio / video is used for chasing playback. When the follow-up reproduction is being performed, the value in the column 1505 should be “4”. If the chase is being played back, the process proceeds to step S4806. Next, when the chasing playback is not being performed, the recording manager is caused to call the EAS recording handler 4702d (step S4805). The calling of the EAS recording handler 4702d is the same as that in the fifth embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Next, the channel selection priority manager 4707 sends a recording instruction of the current time to the time storage unit 4711. The time storage unit 4711 stores the current time in the first storage unit 508 (step S3704). Here, the information that the time storage unit 4711 writes in the first storage unit 508 may be an offset from the beginning of the recording data area of the volume ID used in recording. Here, the information that the time storage unit 4711 writes in the first storage unit 508 may be other information that can identify the position where forced channel selection has occurred in the recording data area of the volume ID being used for recording. . Note that the EAS recording handler 4702c may send the recording command to the time information unit 4711. Next, the channel selection priority manager 4706 sends the emergency broadcast program source ID and tuner identifier to the service manager 4704 to select a channel (step S3707).
The above is an example of processing when forced selection occurs in the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 7)
In the present embodiment, it is possible for the download Java program itself to determine whether or not to record a program selected by the download Java program when forced tuning occurs. Moreover, in this Embodiment, the download Java program can change the priority of each channel selection.

  FIG. 49 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 or the first storage unit 508 and executed by the CPU 511.

  The download Java program 4902 includes a channel selection unit 49002a that receives input from the user and performs channel selection, an EAS setting unit 4902b that performs settings related to handler registration and forced channel selection in the handler registration unit 4910, and an EAS playback handler. 4902c, an EAS recording handler 4902d, and a priority setting unit 4902e.

The EAS setting unit 4902a performs the same operation as the EAS setting unit in the fifth embodiment.
The priority setting unit 4902e performs the same operation as the priority setting unit in the fourth embodiment.

  The EAS recording handler 4902e performs the same operation as the EAS recording handler 4902d in the fifth embodiment.

  Next, recording processing in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing an example of the recording process in the present embodiment. First, when the warning information is received by the terminal 500, the EAS module 4901c receives the warning information (step S5001). Next, the EAS module 4901c determines whether or not there is a request for forced channel selection in the received warning information. If there is a request for forced channel selection, the EAS module 4901c outputs the source ID of the emergency broadcast program to the service manager 4904. The service manager 4904 outputs a channel selection cause number indicating channel selection to the emergency broadcast program to the channel selection priority manager 4907. The channel selection priority manager 4907 acquires the channel selection priority of the process currently being recorded and the channel selection priority based on the user currently viewing the program. (Step S5002). Next, the channel selection priority manager 4907 compares the two priorities acquired in step S5002. (Step S5003) If the priority of the recording process is higher, the process proceeds to Step S5006. In this case, the channel that the user was watching is forcibly selected, but is not recorded. If the normal viewing priority is higher, the process advances to step S5004. In step S5004, the channel selection priority manager 4907 sends to the recording manager 4905 a tuner identifier used in the reproduction of the program currently being viewed by the user. The recording manager 4905 secures the time shift buffer resource of the tuner indicated by the received tuner identifier (S5004). Next, the recording manager 4905 calls an EAS recording handler registered as a recording handler. (Step S5005). Note that the recording manager 4905 may pass the reference to the time shift buffer resource secured in step S5004 to the EAS recording handler 4902d. Note that the recording manager 4905 may pass the tuner identifier and channel information to be recorded to the EAS recording handler 4902d. Next, as a result of the comparison in step S5003, the channel selection priority manager 4907 passes the tuner identifier and the tuning information of the emergency program used in the process with the lower priority to the Tuner 4908c to perform channel selection (step S5003). S5006).

  The above is the processing at the start of recording in the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 8)
In this embodiment, when the terminal is in a power saving state called “suspend state” in which no video / audio output is performed, when the alarm information is received, the emergency channel designated by the alarm information is automatically recorded. . When the user terminal operation returns to the normal power state from the suspended state, the recorded data is automatically played back from the recording start time.

  FIG. 51 is an example of a configuration diagram of a program stored in the ROM 510 and executed by the CPU 511 in the present embodiment. As for the program structure, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The library 5101b of the OS 5101 provides a suspend detection function held by the terminal device 500 in addition to the function equivalent to the OSAA01 of the first embodiment.

  The suspend detection function receives registration from another program, and notifies the registered program when the terminal 500 enters a power saving state called “suspend”. There are many known techniques for realizing the power saving state of the terminal, and since it is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. When the terminal 500 returns from the suspended state to the normal power mode, it is registered and notified to the program.

  The suspend detection unit 5112 receives a suspend state change notification through the library 5101b. The suspend detection unit 5112 registers itself with the suspend detection unit of the library 5101b at the time of activation.

  Further, the channel selection priority manager receives an inquiry as to whether or not it is currently suspended, and returns whether or not it is currently suspended. Further, when the suspend detection unit 5109 returns from the suspend state to the normal power mode, the suspend detection unit 5109 performs channel selection priority manager notification.

  Next, an automatic recording function at the time of receiving an emergency alert in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the EAS module 5101c receives alarm information (step S5201). Next, the EAS module 1001c outputs the source ID and the valid time to the service manager 5104. Next, the service manager 5104 outputs the channel selection cause and valid time to the channel selection priority manager 5107. Next, the channel selection priority manager 5107 outputs a suspend inquiry to the suspend detection unit 5112. Next, the suspend detection unit 5112 confirms whether or not the terminal 500 is suspended (step S5202). When it is suspended, the suspend detection unit 5112 outputs the value of TRUE to the channel selection priority manager 5107. If not suspended, the suspend detection unit 5112 outputs the FASLE value to the channel selection priority manager 5107. The channel selection priority manager 5107 outputs the tuner identifier, source ID, and valid time to the recording manager 5104 when TRUE is input from the suspend detection unit 5112 (step S5203).

  The above is the description of the automatic recording function at the time of emergency alert reception in the embodiment.

  Next, the automatic regeneration function at the time of receiving an emergency alert in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the terminal 500 returns from the suspend mode to the normal power mode, the suspend detection unit 5112 detects the return from the suspend mode. (S5301). Next, the suspend detection unit 5112 notifies the channel selection priority manager 5107 that the normal mode has been restored (S5302). When the channel selection priority manager is notified of the return to the normal mode from the suspend detection unit, the channel selection priority manager outputs a tuner identifier to the reproduction manager 5106. Further, the program number is output to the JMF 5108a (step S533).

The automatic regeneration function at the time of emergency alert reception in the present embodiment has been described above.
By using this embodiment, even when alarm information is received during suspend without video / audio output, the user does not miss the alarm information.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the time shift buffer 503 may be configured by a flash memory, a nonvolatile memory such as an SD card, a rewritable medium such as a CD-R or a DVD-R, or the like.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the AV decoder 504 may not always be able to decode video and audio at the same time, and may exist as a single video decoder and audio decoder. The AV decoder 504 may have a decoding function for subtitle data.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, adapter 513 may be a DVB-CI (Common Interface) card used in Europe. The specification of DVB-CI is shown in “ETSI EN50221”. Here, the DVB-CI specification will be briefly described. The DVB-CI specification is an interface specification for attaching an adapter to a terminal device, and the terminal device and the adapter are connected using a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) interface. The DVB-CI card contains a descrambler inside.

  Note that the recording manager and the recording library in the first to eighth embodiments, when storing the MPEG2 stream in the time shift buffer volume, if the program to be stored is scrambled, the tuner QAM indicated by the input tuner identifier. The MPEG2 transport stream output by descrambling the adapter 513 for the data demodulated by the demodulator 601 may be stored in a volume corresponding to the input volume ID.

  The download Java program in the first to eighth embodiments may be a native program that can be directly executed by the CPU 511 or a program written in another program language.

  When the alarm information in the first to eighth embodiments is an emergency alert defined by the SCTE 18 standard, a tuning request by force tuning of emergency alert may be handled as a request with the highest priority. The comparison of the channel selection priority performed by the channel selection priority manager may be determined based on whether or not the channel selection cause is alarm information. That is, the determination may be made based on whether the alarm information is an emergency alert defined by the SCTE 18 standard or whether the channel selection cause is force tuning. If channel selection based on alarm information has the highest priority, it is obvious that the channel selection priority request based on alarm information has a higher priority without executing priority comparison processing. There is an effect that the processing can be omitted.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, when the priority information shown in 1503 and 2103 is the priority of the video / audio / data of the channel selection destination, the priority comparison performed by the channel selection priority manager is currently displayed. The priority of the video / audio / data that has been set may be compared with the priority of the video / audio / data of a specific channel specified in the alarm information.

  In the first to eighth embodiments, the priority information shown in 1503 and 2103 is the priority of the video / audio / data of the channel selection destination, and the alarm information is an emergency alert defined in the SCTE 18 standard. In this case, the video / audio / data of the channel selected by emergency alert force tuning is handled as the highest priority video / audio / data. The priority comparison performed by the channel selection priority manager may be determined based on whether the video / audio / data of the channel selection request destination has the highest priority.

  The recording manager in the first to eighth embodiments inquires of the user whether or not to perform recording when determining whether or not to perform recording, and determines whether to start recording based on the result. Also good.

  The present invention is based on a broadcast receiving apparatus, but can be applied as long as it has a function of receiving a broadcast in another information device such as a mobile phone.

It is a block diagram of Embodiment 1 of the cable television system which concerns on this invention. It is an example of the usage of the frequency band used for communication between a head end and a terminal device in the cable television system according to the present invention. It is an example of the usage of the frequency band used for communication between a head end and a terminal device in the cable television system according to the present invention. It is an example of the usage of the frequency band used for communication between a head end and a terminal device in the cable television system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a terminal device in the cable television system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a tuner in the cable television system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a packet defined in the MPEG standard. It is an example of an MPEG2 transport stream. It is an example of the external appearance at the time of comprising the input part 513 with a front panel. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is a block diagram of the library which the terminal device 500 concerning this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the secondary memory | storage part 509 concerning this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information preserve | saved in the time shift buffer 503 concerning this invention. It is an example of the data structure of the alarm information which concerns on this invention. It is an example of the information which the secondary memory | storage part 509 concerning this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the secondary memory | storage part 509 concerning this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the secondary memory | storage part 509 concerning this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the secondary memory | storage part 509 concerning this invention preserve | saves. It is a schematic diagram showing the content of PAT prescribed | regulated by the MPEG2 specification which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the content of PMT prescribed | regulated by the MPEG2 specification which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the content of AIT prescribed | regulated by the DVB-MHP specification which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the file system transmitted by the DSMCC system based on this invention. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. 3 is a flowchart showing a channel selection operation according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of automatic recording / playback setting according to the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement of the automatic recording in connection with this invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement of the automatic reproduction | regeneration regarding this invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement of recording resource release in connection with this invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the structure of the time shift buffer 503 which concerns on this invention. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic recording operation according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an automatic reproduction operation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. It is an example of the information which the secondary memory | storage part 509 concerning this invention preserve | saves. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic recording operation according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an automatic reproduction operation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of automatic recording / playback setting according to the present invention. It is an example of the information which the primary storage part 508 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic recording operation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic recording operation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic recording operation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves. 4 is a flowchart showing an automatic recording operation according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an automatic reproduction operation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the program structure which the terminal device 500 which concerns on this invention preserve | saves.

Explanation of symbols

1000 Program 1001 OS
1001a Kernel 1001b Library 1001c EAS module 1002 Download Java program 1002a Channel selection unit 1002b EAS setting unit 1002c EAS playback handler 1003 JavaVM
1004 Service manager 1005 Recording manager 1006 Playback manager 1007 Tuning priority manager 1008a JMF
1008b AM
1008c Tuner
1009 Parameter setting unit 1010 Handler registration unit 1020 Embedded program 1050 RAM program 1060 ROM program

Claims (8)

A broadcast wave recording apparatus for recording / reproducing a broadcast wave composed of a plurality of data,
Two receivers for receiving broadcast waves;
Playback means for playing back the program content received by the receiving means;
A storage unit for storing program data received by the receiving unit; and when the reproducing unit is reproducing program data received by the first of the receiving units, the receiving unit includes two receiving units. A switching request detecting means for detecting a switching request for reproducing the program data received by the eyes, and the reproducing means when the reproducing means is reproducing the program data received by the first of the receiving unit. A forced switching detection unit for detecting a forced switching request based on alarm information different from the switching request for reproducing the program data received by the second of the receiving unit;
A return request detecting means for detecting a return request to return to the reproduction of the program data received by the first of the receiving unit after switching the program to be played back by the playback means by the forced switching request;
When the forcible switching request detection means detects a switching request, program data received by the first receiving unit is stored in the storage unit, and position information of the program data is stored in the position information storage unit. A recording control unit, a storage program for reproducing program data stored in the storage unit from a position indicated by the position information stored in the position information storage unit, and a control program for downloading a control program for outputting the switching request Download means,
A program storage unit for storing the control program downloaded by the control program download means;
And a program execution means for executing the control program, and when the return request is detected, from the position indicated by the position information of the program data stored in the storage section by the recording control section, the recording control section in the storage section. A broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the stored program data is reproduced by the reproducing means.   When storing the program data in the storage unit, the recording control unit newly creates a data storage area for storing the program data in the storage unit. The broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. When the storage / reproduction means reproduces the program data stored in the storage unit, a switching request for reproducing the program data received by the reception unit 1 or the reception unit 2 by the reproduction unit is detected again. Comprising a switching request detection means,
3. The broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the switching request detecting unit detects the switching request again, the data storage area created in the storage unit is deleted. The broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising current time storage means for storing a current time in the storage unit,
When the recording control unit stores the program data in the storage unit, the current time storage unit records the current time in the storage unit, and the storage / playback unit records the time recorded by the current time storage unit. A broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing from data. 2. The broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage / reproducing means inquires of the control program whether or not to reproduce the recorded data before reproducing the recorded data, and receives an input to reproduce from the control program. In addition, a broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing recorded data. 2. The broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage / reproducing means inquires of the control program whether or not to reproduce the recorded data before reproducing the recorded data, and there is an input from the control program for reproducing. In addition, a broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing recorded data. 2. A priority is given to the switching request in the broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, and the priority of the switching request when switching to the program being reproduced by the reproducing means is compared with the priority of the switching request currently detected. . Broadcast recording / reproduction comprising a priority comparison unit, wherein a program according to a switching request having a high priority is reproduced by the reproduction unit, and a program according to a switching request having a low priority is stored in the storage unit by the recording control unit apparatus. The broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control program is input to execute a Java (registered trademark) method SetPlaySetting (int play_on_off, double speed) possessed by the parameter setting unit, and to pass a setting value to an argument. Specifically, an API called RegisterHander (Handler h) is provided to store the setting in the first storage unit 508. Here, Handler means a specific class name of the EAS playback handler 1002c. A broadcast recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that a priority level of a switching request can be set.

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