JP2007059978A - Video information processor and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video information processor capable of concealing video recording processing information and a video recording processing execution state from many unspecified users. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving a video recording reservation instruction from a user, the video information processor allows the user to select whether or not conceal video recording (video recording whose video recording operations are executed in a way that its operating state cannot be recognized by other users) is to be executed. When a video recording reservation designated for the conceal video recording is executed, various information items (video recording channel and a video recording time or the like) denoting an executing state of the video recording are not displayed on a display section or the like so as to maintain a state similar to an ordinary standby state (or a video recording stop state or the like), and video recording processing is performed while maintaining an outward appearance as if no video recording processing were executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a video information processing apparatus and a video information processing method, and more particularly to a method for concealing a recording processing operation in a reserved recording process.

In recent years, video information processing such as a video tape recorder, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) recorder, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorder as a device for recording and reproducing video and audio processed in a video device such as a television. The device is widespread. These video information processing apparatuses usually have a function (scheduled recording function) for automatically recording (recording) video and audio at a specific date and time.

Normally, during recording using the reserved recording function, various information for indicating that recording is in progress is displayed on the front panel or the like so that other users can confirm that the recording operation is in progress. For this reason, other users, for example, give an instruction to stop the power supply to the HDD recorder that is recording to prevent an operation error such as affecting the currently ongoing recording process (stopping the current recording process). Is possible. However, since the recording information is continuously displayed during the recording operation, there is a problem that the recording information leaks to an unspecified number of users.

In relation to the above problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a timer recording apparatus that can reduce the power consumption during the timer recording operation as much as possible.

The scheduled recording apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a timer circuit that can perform a predetermined recording operation at a preset time and a display circuit that can display various operation states. When the recording operation is executed by the timer circuit, the display based on the display circuit is controlled to a non-display state. An additional function display provided in addition to the display controlled by the display circuit is controlled to a non-display state when a recording operation is being performed by the timer circuit.

Further, in the timer recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, a display controlled by the display circuit is formed by a liquid crystal display element and an auxiliary illumination member, and light emission by the auxiliary illumination member is performed when a recording operation is being executed by the timer circuit. To stop. In addition, it has a function of controlling the display based on the display circuit to the non-display state in the standby state before the recording operation based on the timer circuit is executed. Further, when a recording operation is being executed by the timer circuit,
The operation for controlling the display based on the display circuit to the non-display state is arbitrarily canceled.

According to the invention of Patent Document 1, since the power supply to the display unit that the user hardly sees is actually stopped during the reserved recording operation, wasteful power consumption can be reduced as much as possible, and significant energy saving is achieved. In particular, when the power supply to the device circuit is performed using a power battery, the battery life can be remarkably increased.

In relation to the above problem, Patent Document 2 arbitrarily switches between display and non-display of the video by the display unit while continuing to output the display signal in a state where the reserved program is recorded or viewed. There is disclosed a television device capable of this.

The television device of Patent Document 2 is an operation for starting the operation of the display unit when an operation start operation is performed in a state where the display signal is output to the external recording device and the operation of the display unit is stopped. Start control and stop the operation of the display unit while continuing the output of the display signal when an operation stop operation is performed in a state where the display signal is output to the external recording device and the display unit is operating Either one of the stop control is executed. In addition, when viewing and recording a reserved program at the same time, even if the display unit is activated and the video is displayed, output of the display signal is continued by performing the operation stop operation. The display of the video is stopped.

According to the invention of Patent Document 2, for example, when a reserved program is reserved, even if the operation of the display unit is stopped and the video display is stopped, the operation start operation is performed. By doing so, it is possible to display an image. Further, for example, in a state where a reserved program is being recorded or viewed, it is possible to arbitrarily switch between displaying and hiding a video while continuing to output the display signal.

However, the recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above is
Although functions related to power saving and video non-display during scheduled recording processing are provided, there is no disclosure or suggestion of a function for concealing the scheduled recording operation itself. In the scheduled recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, even though the recording processing content is not displayed in the power saving mode, it is clear to other users that the scheduled recording process is being performed. Is incomplete. Further, in the television device of Patent Document 2, although the video display during the recording process can be hidden, the recording information (channel of the recorded program, recording mode, etc.) displayed on the front panel etc. is clearly shown. It has not been. As described above, in the conventional video information processing apparatus, it is impossible to hide the execution status of the scheduled recording process and the recording information from an unspecified number of users during the scheduled recording process.
JP 2004-253076 A JP 2005-033422 A

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to specify an unspecified number of recording contents and operation statuses of recording execution for a recording process automatically performed by a recording reservation setting. An object of the present invention is to provide a video information processing apparatus having a recording concealment function for concealing from a user and protecting personal information.

In order to achieve the above object, the video information processing apparatus of the present invention provides:
A recording reservation function that automatically performs storage processing of video information at a specified date and time based on an instruction from the user,
A display unit for displaying the details of the recording process during the recording process using the recording reservation function;
In a video information processing apparatus comprising
Whether or not to conceal the processing operation of the recording process performed by the recording reservation instruction from an unspecified number of users when the control unit receives a recording reservation instruction for video information from the user Recording concealment setting means for enabling selection,
When the control unit performs a recording process according to the reservation recording instruction, a concealment setting confirmation unit that confirms whether or not concealment setting is performed by the recording concealment setting unit with respect to the recording reservation instruction;
When the concealment setting confirmation unit determines that the concealment setting is made, the information indicating that the recording process is being performed is not displayed on the display unit when the recording process is performed, and is the same as during normal standby. Recording concealment means for maintaining the operational appearance of
It is characterized by having.

According to this configuration
When a recording reservation instruction is received from the user, the user is allowed to select whether to perform secret recording (recording that is performed so that the operation status of the recording operation is not recognized by other users). When the recording reservation specified for the secret recording is executed, various information (recording channel, recording time, etc.) indicating that the recording is being executed is not displayed on the display unit or the like, and the normal standby state (or the recording stopped state) is displayed. Etc.) and the recording process is performed while maintaining the appearance as if the recording process has not been performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the video information processing apparatus of the present invention
An interrupt instruction occurrence response method that determines what action should be taken when an interrupt instruction that affects the recording process is received from an unspecified number of users during implementation of the recording concealment means. A response setting means that can be set;
An interrupt time response means for performing a response process using the response method determined by the response method setting means when the interrupt instruction is generated;
It is characterized by having.

According to this configuration
The user specifies in advance at the time of recording reservation setting what kind of response will be taken when an interrupt instruction (for example, video recording instruction or playback instruction) is received from another user during the execution of the secret recording. It is possible to keep. Examples of the handling method include, for example, interruption, temporary suspension, forced continuation, etc. of secret recording.

In order to achieve the above object, the video information processing apparatus of the present invention
During recording processing using the recording concealment means, it is possible to confirm whether or not the recording processing is being executed normally by performing a predetermined operation by the user. It is characterized by having means.

According to this configuration
The user can determine whether or not the secret recording is normally executed by performing a predetermined operation (for example, long press of a specific button using the operation unit, button press in a specific order, etc.) during the execution of the secret recording. It is possible to confirm.

According to the first configuration of the present invention,
The user can select in advance whether or not to perform secret recording in the reserved recording process.
In the recording reservation designated as the secret recording, various information indicating that the recording is being executed is not displayed at the time of the recording. For this reason, since it has the same appearance as that in the standby state, even if an unspecified number of users visually recognize it, it is not recognized that the recording process is being performed. For this reason,
It is possible to prevent leakage of user's personal information (what program is being recorded, etc.) during recording.

According to the second configuration of the present invention,
It is possible for the user to specify at the time of recording reservation setting what kind of processing is to be performed when an interrupt instruction from another user is received during the execution of the secret recording. This makes it possible to use different handling methods for recording that is absolutely confidential (recording with high confidentiality) and recording with relatively low confidentiality. For this reason, the secret recording function can be flexibly operated, and convenience for the user is improved.

According to the third configuration of the present invention,
Normally, since the appearance is the same as the standby state during execution of the secret recording, it is not possible to visually check whether the secret recording is normally performed, and confirm the recording contents after the secret recording is finished. Only then can the status of recording be confirmed. However, according to this configuration, it is possible to confirm at any time whether or not the secret recording is normally performed even during the secret recording. For this reason, even when the secret recording is not normally performed due to a setting mistake in the recording reservation or the like, it can be detected early.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment]
<1. About internal structure of HDD recorder>
Here, the main configuration of the electric circuit system of the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the HDD recorder 1 of the present invention includes at least a control unit 1.
1, memory 12, HDD 13, data input unit 14, encoder unit 15, decoder unit 16,
A data output unit 17, a timer 18, an operation button group 21, and a front panel 22 are included.

The control unit 11 is a central processing unit for performing overall control of video information processing (content recording or playback, etc.) by organically controlling the drive of each member of the HDD recorder 1.
The control unit 11 is a central part that controls each device (for example, the HDD 13), calculates data, processes, and the like.

The memory 12 is a medium for temporarily storing various data held by the HDD recorder 1 and is configured by, for example, a writable RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 1
2 has a role as a buffer memory for temporarily storing processing data when various kinds of information processing are performed by the control unit 11, instruction commands received from a user, and the like.

The HDD 13 is a magnetic storage medium for recording various data (video data, management data, etc.) held by the HDD recorder 1. The HDD 13 is physically divided into a plurality of areas (partitions), and it is more desirable to store the areas according to the type of data to be stored (video data, management data, etc.).

The data input unit 14 receives digital data (for example, from an external device such as a digital tuner).
This is an input interface for inputting (video information). For example, when analog data is input, analog video data and audio data can be converted into digital data and input using an A / D converter (Analog Digital Converter).

The encoder unit 15 is a processing circuit for compressing (encoding) video data using a moving image compression method such as MPEG2, and compressing audio data using a sound compression method such as Dolby AC-3 or LPCM. Note that the data to be compressed is, for example, video data and audio data input from the data input unit 14.

The decoder unit 16 is a processing circuit for decompressing (decoding) the video data and the audio data compressed by the encoder unit 15 and the like. The decompressed data is output to an external device using, for example, a data output unit 17 described later.

The data output unit 17 is an output interface for outputting video data and audio data to an external device such as a monitor. For example, if the output device has only an analog interface, a D / A converter (Digital Analog Converter)
) Can be used to convert digital video data and audio data into analog data for output.

The timer 18 is a clock circuit for constantly counting the current time, and is used, for example, as a notification of the current time to the user, a trigger for starting the recording process in the recording reservation function, or the like.

The operation button group 21 is an input interface for the user to make various instructions such as program recording and recording reservation to the HDD recorder 1. Front panel 22 is HD
It is a user interface for displaying various information of D recorder 1 to a user.
<2. Recording reservation process>
Here, the processing steps of the recording reservation process in the HDD recorder 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1 and the block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the control unit 11 detects a recording reservation command from the user,
This process is started (S110). The recording reservation command is issued, for example, when the user performs a reservation operation using the operation button group 21.

Upon receiving the recording reservation command from the user, the control unit 11 confirms the received reservation content, and HD
Store in D13 (S120). Then, it is confirmed whether the received recording reservation is designated as secret recording (recording that does not allow other users to recognize that the recording process is being performed during the recording process) (S130). For example, as shown in FIG.
o. It is assumed that the secret recording designation is ON only for the second content (drama B). In this case, the drama B is secretly recorded, but the recording processing of the contents for which the designation of the secret recording is OFF (in the figure, the animation A of the content No. 1 and the variety C of the content No. 3) This is done as usual.

As a result of S130, if the content to be recorded is designated as secret recording, the next S1
40. If the recording is not designated as secret recording, normal reserved recording processing is performed, and this processing ends. In addition, since the normal reservation recording process has the same contents as the prior art, the description is omitted here.

If it is determined in S <b> 130 that confidential recording is instructed, the user is set what kind of response is to be taken when an interruption process (such as an operation instruction by another user) occurs during the recording confidential process. The options for the selection are displayed and the selection is requested (S140).

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the user can select several types of response methods (interrupt response methods) when an interrupt process is entered on the recording reservation setting screen. In the example of FIG. 5, “continuation”, “pause”, and “interrupt” are three selection targets as interrupt response methods that can be selected. The interrupt response method selected by the user is
It is stored in the HDD 13 together with the recording reservation information. The details of the interrupt handling method will be described later.
<3. Scheduled recording process>
Here, the process steps of the scheduled recording process in the HDD recorder 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 uses the timer 18 to detect that the reservation start time of the reservation recording information stored in the HDD 13 has come, and this processing is started (S
210).

The control unit 11 that has detected that the recording start time has come by the timer 18 reads the recording reservation information stored in the HDD 13. Then, the recording method (target content, recording time, etc.) is specified from the recording reservation information, and it is confirmed whether the reserved recording is designated as secret recording (S220). If it is designated as secret recording, the process proceeds to the next S230. When the secret recording is not designated, a normal recording process is performed (S270), and this process is terminated.

When the reserved recording to be executed is designated as the secret recording, the recording process is started and the recording information (program name, recording time, etc.) is not displayed on the display unit such as the front panel 22 at all. At the same time, no external output of recording information using the data output unit 17 is performed, and a state where recording is not performed (for example, a standby state) is maintained.

If an interrupt instruction (instruction for video reproduction or the like) is received from the user during the secret recording, the process proceeds to the next S250 (S240). When the secret recording is finished without receiving the interruption instruction, the present process is finished.

When an interrupt instruction is received from the user in S240, the interrupt response method stored in the HDD 13 (or memory 12) is read (S250). Control unit 1
1 performs a response process for an interrupt instruction according to the read interrupt response method (
S260). Specific examples of the handling method include “continuation”, “pause”, “interruption” and the like as shown in FIG.

When “Continue” is selected, the confidential recording process is continuously performed even when there is an interrupt process. In this case, the interrupt process is invalidated. When “pause” is selected, the interrupt process is prioritized and the secret recording process is paused. When the interruption process from another user is completed, the secret recording process becomes valid again. In this case, the concealment process of recording is interrupted by the interrupt process (for example, the recording information is not displayed on the front panel).
However, the recording process itself is continued (however, this is not the case when the stop of the recording or the stop of the recording is instructed by the interruption instruction). In addition, when “Suspend” is selected,
The interrupt process is prioritized and the secret recording process is stopped. The stopped concealment process is not resumed even after the interruption process ends (however, the recording process itself is continuously executed as usual).
<3. Various features of the present invention>
According to the present embodiment, the user can select whether or not to hide the recording process without displaying the recording information or the like on the front panel 22 or the like during the reserved recording. This prevents recording information from being leaked to an unspecified number of users,
It is possible to protect personal information.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to specify in advance what kind of response processing is to be performed when an interrupt instruction is received from the user during execution of secret recording. This
Depending on the level of secrecy in secrecy recording, flexible secrecy recording settings can be performed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the secret recording is normally performed by performing a certain operation during the execution of the secret recording. For this reason, it is possible to check the secret recording status without waiting for the end of the secret recording, and the convenience for the user is improved.
[Other embodiments]
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and examples. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments and examples, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the technical idea. Can be implemented.

For example, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the HDD recorder 1, and a computer (for example, CPU) in the HDD recorder 1 reads the program codes stored in the storage medium. Also by running
Needless to say, this is achieved.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. it can.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even when the video information processing method of the present invention is used in a video processing apparatus other than the HDD recorder. Examples of the video information processing apparatus include a DVD recorder, a video tape recorder (VTR), a DV recorder, a personal computer, and a digital video camera.

It is a processing flowchart of the secret recording setting process by the HDD recorder of the present invention. It is a processing flowchart of the secret recording execution process by the HDD recorder of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the principal part structure inside the HDD recorder of this invention. It is a screen figure of the recording reservation setting screen by the HDD recorder of this invention. It is a screen figure of the selection screen of the interruption instruction | indication response method in the recording reservation setting screen by the HDD recorder of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 HDD recorder (video information processing device)
11 Control unit 12 Memory 13 Hard disk (storage unit)
14 Data Input Unit 15 Encoder Unit 16 Decoder Unit 17 Data Output Unit 18 Timer 22 Front Panel (Display Unit)

Claims (8)

A recording reservation function that automatically performs storage processing of video information at a specified date and time based on an instruction from the user,
A display unit for displaying the details of the recording process during the recording process using the recording reservation function;
In a video information processing apparatus comprising
Whether or not to conceal the processing operation of the recording process performed by the recording reservation instruction from an unspecified number of users when the control unit receives a recording reservation instruction for video information from the user Recording concealment setting means for enabling selection,
When the control unit performs a recording process according to the reservation recording instruction, a concealment setting confirmation unit that confirms whether or not concealment setting is performed by the recording concealment setting unit with respect to the recording reservation instruction;
When the concealment setting confirmation unit determines that the concealment setting is made, the information indicating that the recording process is being performed is not displayed on the display unit when the recording process is performed, and is the same as during normal standby. Recording concealment means for maintaining the operational appearance of
An interrupt instruction occurrence response method that determines what action should be taken when an interrupt instruction that affects the recording process is received from an unspecified number of users during implementation of the recording concealment means. A response setting means that can be set;
An interrupt time response means for performing a response process using the response method determined by the response method setting means when the interrupt instruction is generated;
During recording processing using the recording concealment means, it is possible to confirm whether or not the recording processing is being executed normally by performing a predetermined operation by the user. Means,
A video information processing apparatus comprising: A recording reservation function that automatically performs storage processing of video information at a specified date and time based on an instruction from the user,
A display unit for displaying the details of the recording process during the recording process using the recording reservation function;
In a video information processing apparatus comprising
Whether or not to conceal the processing operation of the recording process performed by the recording reservation instruction from an unspecified number of users when the control unit receives a recording reservation instruction for video information from the user Recording concealment setting means for enabling selection,
When the control unit performs a recording process according to the reservation recording instruction, a concealment setting confirmation unit that confirms whether or not concealment setting is performed by the recording concealment setting unit with respect to the recording reservation instruction;
When the concealment setting confirmation unit determines that the concealment setting is made, the information indicating that the recording process is being performed is not displayed on the display unit when the recording process is performed, and is the same as during normal standby. Recording concealment means for maintaining the operational appearance of
A video information processing apparatus comprising: An interrupt instruction occurrence response method that determines what action should be taken when an interrupt instruction that affects the recording process is received from an unspecified number of users during implementation of the recording concealment means. A response setting means that can be set;
An interrupt time response means for performing a response process using the response method determined by the response method setting means when the interrupt instruction is generated;
The video information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: During recording processing using the recording concealment means, it is possible to confirm whether or not the recording processing is being executed normally by performing a predetermined operation by the user. 4. The video information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means. A recording reservation process for automatically storing video information at a designated date and time based on an instruction from the user;
A display step of displaying the recording processing content during the recording processing in the recording reservation step;
In a video information processing method having
Whether or not to conceal the processing operation of the recording process performed by the recording reservation instruction from an unspecified number of users when the control unit receives a recording reservation instruction for video information from the user A recording concealment setting process that enables selection,
When the control unit performs a recording process according to the reservation recording instruction, a secret setting confirmation step for confirming whether or not a secret setting is made in the recording secret setting step with respect to the recording reservation instruction;
When it is determined in the concealment setting confirmation step that the concealment setting has been made, information indicating that the recording process is being performed is not displayed by the display step when performing the recording process, and is the same as during normal standby Recording concealment process to maintain the operation appearance of
When the interrupting instruction occurs when the interrupting instruction that affects the recording process is received from an unspecified number of users during the recording concealment process, a method for responding to an interrupt instruction occurrence that determines how to respond is determined in advance by the user. A response setting process that can be set;
When the interrupt instruction is generated, an interrupt time response step of performing a response process using the response method determined by the response method setting step;
During the recording process using the recording concealment step, it is possible to confirm whether or not the recording process is being executed normally by performing a predetermined operation by the user. Process,
A video information processing method comprising: A recording reservation process for automatically storing video information at a designated date and time based on an instruction from the user;
A display step of displaying the recording processing content during the recording processing in the recording reservation step;
In a video information processing method having
Whether or not to conceal the processing operation of the recording process performed by the recording reservation instruction from an unspecified number of users when the control unit receives a recording reservation instruction for video information from the user A recording concealment setting process that enables selection,
When the control unit performs a recording process according to the reservation recording instruction, a secret setting confirmation step for confirming whether or not a secret setting is made in the recording secret setting step with respect to the recording reservation instruction;
When it is determined in the concealment setting confirmation step that the concealment setting has been made, information indicating that the recording process is being performed is not displayed by the display step when performing the recording process, and is the same as during normal standby Recording concealment process to maintain the operation appearance of
A video information processing method comprising: When the interrupting instruction occurs when the interrupting instruction that affects the recording process is received from an unspecified number of users during the recording concealment process, a method for responding to an interrupt instruction occurrence that determines how to respond is determined in advance by the user. A response setting process that can be set;
When the interrupt instruction is generated, an interrupt time response step of performing a response process using the response method determined by the response method setting step;
The video information processing method according to claim 6, further comprising: During the recording process using the recording concealment step, it is possible to confirm whether or not the recording process is being executed normally by performing a predetermined operation by the user. The video information processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a step.

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