JP2007096998A - Video recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video recording apparatus capable of automatically recording a video image preferred by a user and applying a video recording reservation for automatic video recording to a program least affecting the video recording reservation of a time band having already been reserved when a newly designated video recording reservation is overlapped with a time band having already been reserved for the video recording. <P>SOLUTION: The video recording apparatus 1 includes a video recording control section 60 that registers a re-broadcast program or a simultaneous broadcast program as an automatic reservation program by searching and storing a date and time of a re-broadcast program or a simultaneous broadcast program as a selection candidate existing in whole information supply sources such as electronic program guide information or a site designated by a server or the like when video recording reservation is newly registered in the case of video recording reservation by automatic reservation registration in a state that an optional number of programs has been already subjected to video recording reservation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video recording apparatus and a reservation registration control method having a function of reserving and registering video provided by a video supplier for recording reservation.

  A video recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recorder with a hard disk) incorporating a hard disk (HDD), which is a recording apparatus having a large recording capacity, is widely used.

  A hard disk recorder is different from a conventional VTR (Video Tape Recorder) in that it compresses and records a digital signal, and can record up to 1000 hours in a single device.

  In addition, due to the diversification of video supply sources today, terrestrial analog broadcasts, terrestrial digital broadcasts, satellite analog broadcasts, satellite digital broadcasts, or purchases from distribution destinations connected to network networks, etc. Program). With such diversification of video supply sources, programs with the same content in the environment may be broadcast in different broadcasting systems. Of course, re-broadcasting of programs with the same content in different time zones (rebroadcasting programs exist) has been widely used by some video suppliers.

  On the other hand, in the above-mentioned video recording apparatus with a large recording capacity, electronic program information (Electronic Program Guide) provided separately from the program is acquired from the broadcasting station or distribution destination, and recording of an arbitrary program is automatically reserved. Or you can actually record.

  On the other hand, when many programs are scheduled to be recorded by recording reservation, it is inevitable that the programs scheduled to be recorded overlap in the same time period or part of the time period. It is necessary to set the ranking.

In the program table, when there are duplicate programs in the same time zone, a program that has been rebroadcast is searched for in the duplicate program. Have already been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-30692 A

  However, Patent Document 1 describes an automatic recording reservation function for automatically recording a user's favorite program input by the user, a program reserved for recording by the automatic recording reservation function, and a program newly reserved for recording. There is no description of video recording devices that avoid or enable duplication.

  An object of the present invention is to automatically record a user's preferred video, and when a newly designated recording reservation overlaps with a time slot that has already been reserved for recording, a recording reservation for a time slot that has already been reserved for recording It is an object of the present invention to provide a video recording apparatus capable of making a recording reservation for automatic recording of a program that has the least effect on the video recording.

  According to the present invention, a recording unit that records a program (title or program) in units of the program, a recording list holding unit that holds a list of programs to be recorded by the recording unit, and the recording list holding unit When a program is newly added to the list of programs to be recorded held in the recording list holding unit by automatic reservation registration, and a recording management unit for specifying programs to be recorded according to the list of programs to be recorded When a program to be newly registered for automatic reservation overlaps with a program already stored in the record list holding unit, the program to be newly registered for automatic reservation is broadcast in another date and time or in a different broadcasting form. If it is detected that the broadcast is broadcast at another date and time or in a different broadcast format, the date and time or the broadcast format is recorded in the record list holding unit. There is provided a video recording apparatus comprising: the automatic recording information control unit.

  In the video recording apparatus according to the present invention, when a video preferred by the user can be automatically recorded, and the newly designated recording reservation overlaps with a time slot already reserved for recording, the time slot already reserved for recording It is possible to make a recording reservation for automatic recording of a program that has the least influence on the recording reservation. That is, in automatic recording, it is possible to prevent a user's favorite program from being missed (failed to record) and to reliably record the program desired by the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a video recording apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  The video recording apparatus 1 will be described in detail later, but the recording / reproducing unit 10, the data processing unit 20, the video input unit 30, the video output unit 40, the recording control unit 60, the display control unit 70, and the main control. Part 50 and the like.

  The recording / reproducing unit 10 includes, for example, a hard disk recording device, and is provided with a hard disk drive unit (hereinafter, referred to as a hard disk drive unit) having a capacity capable of recording a video (program) transmitted from a broadcasting station as a television broadcast for about 100 hours. 12 (denoted as HDD), data (program) compressed according to the same standard as HDD 12 can be recorded, and data (program) can be taken out to the outside and brought into the recording medium such as an optical disc Compressed data (video signal = program) between the optical disk drive unit 13 and the HDD 12 and / or the optical disk drive unit 13 used for data recording and reproduction and the data processing unit 20 described in detail below. A data transfer control unit 11 used for transfer is included.

  In the recording / reproducing unit 10, the digital signal compressed in the data processing unit 20 is sent to a predetermined recording area in the HDD 12 or the optical disc drive unit 13 via the data transfer control unit 11 according to an instruction from the user, for example. It is recorded on the set optical disc D. Of course, when there is a reproduction request, the data reproduced in response to the request is output to the data processing unit 20.

  The data processing unit 20 includes a data editing unit 21, an encoder 22, a decoder 23, an audio / video processing unit 24, and the like, and after compressing data (program) supplied from the video input unit 30 described later to a predetermined format. The data is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 10, and the data output from the recording / reproducing unit 10 is decoded according to the reproduction request, and is output to the video output unit 40 at the subsequent stage.

  In the data editing unit 21, when the compressed data is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 10, a recording target, for example, a specified folder of an arbitrary number of folders (directories) is recorded. The program (data) is recorded, and “data identification item” such as “program name”, “movie”, “music”, etc., “genre identifier”, “artist (performer) name”, etc. ] Can be added. Of course, the already added “data specific item” can be edited or deleted. Note that the data editing unit 21 is not related to the embodiment of the present application and therefore will not be described in detail. For example, a part of a program that has already been recorded or a part of the program that has already been recorded may be arbitrarily selected. It is also possible to divide the program (data) into a plurality of chapters (subsections), set the playback order of the divided chapters (subsections), and the like.

  The encoder 22 is a well-known compressor, and data (program) supplied via the video input unit 30 is compressed (by the encoder 22) with a compression method (standard) and a compression rate specified in advance. Needless to say, the encoder 22 may incorporate a known multiplexing unit.

  The decoder 23 is a known decoder (decompressor), and decodes (decompresses) data (program) supplied from the recording / playback unit 10 by a decoding method (standard) corresponding to the compression method (standard) by the encoder 22. And output to the video output unit 40 in the subsequent stage. Needless to say, the decoder 23 may incorporate a known separation unit.

  In the audio / video processing unit 24, the video data decoded by the decoder 23 and the audio data (usually decoded independently of the video signal) are synthesized (output timings are matched). The audio video processing unit 24 synthesizes the OSD display (the operation screen display generated by the OSD 54) with the data output to the video output unit 40 as necessary.

  The video input unit 30 is, for example, an external input unit 31 that receives an input of an external video signal / input signal, for example, a BS / for receiving a program (data) provided through a broadcasting satellite (BS) or a communication satellite (CS). CS tuner unit 32, for example, a terrestrial tuner unit 33 for accepting public broadcasting from a broadcasting station, a network controller 34 for accepting (viewable) data (program) supplied from a distribution source via a network Have The network controller 34 can be connected to, for example, a public communication network (telephone line), and can arbitrarily exchange data with the outside via the communication network.

  The external input unit 31, the BS / CS tuner unit 32, the terrestrial tuner unit 33, the network controller 34, and the like are connected to the selector unit 35 and are supplied to the encoder 22 (data processing unit 20) described above (data processing unit 20). (Program) is defined (by the selector unit 35) based on the number of titles (programs) that can be processed simultaneously by the encoder 22 or the capacity or transfer rate.

  The video output unit 40 receives the decoded signal (reproduced video and audio) output from the audio / video processing unit 24 (data processing unit 20) via the selector 41, the external output unit 42, and the I / F (interface 43). In addition, it includes a video / audio output terminal 44 for outputting to a television (monitor) M that is widely used in general, and the output of the l / F 43 is popular in, for example, personal computers (PCs), homes, companies, and the like. It can be used as a data transfer system that conforms to a specific protocol typified by a small-scale network and IEEE1394.

  The main control unit 50 includes a video recording unit 60 and a display control unit 70 described below in addition to the recording / reproducing unit 10, the data processing unit 20, the video input unit 30, and the video output unit 40 described above. Controls the operation of the recording apparatus 1, and includes a control bus 51 used for transmission of control signals between individual elements, an MPU (Main Processing Unit) 52 as a main control apparatus, and a work (cache) memory (RAM) 53. , An OSD (On Screen Display) unit 54, and MPU 52 firmware (or independently, although not shown), an initial program for operating the video recording apparatus 1 and operations corresponding to individual control commands And a ROM in which signal processing methods, communication procedures, and the like are recorded.

  The recording control unit 60 includes, for example, a recording information control unit 61, a program guide generation unit 62, a recording reservation control unit 63, and the like.

  In the recording information control unit 61, for example, an external server (information supply source) 101 (described later) and a video distribution destination (video supply organization accessible via the network (information supply source 101) are connected through a network. Recording reservation setting (input) by the user based on electronic program guide information (Dynamic Electronic Program Guide, hereinafter referred to as “DEPG”, or simply referred to as “EPG”). / Cancel (delete)) and change reservation information.

  In the program guide generating unit 62, a [reserved program list] defined by the EPG and the recording information control unit 61 acquired from the server 101 via a network or a communication line, or from an EPG display signal superimposed on a broadcast wave. In addition, the screen display is designed (generated) so that the display corresponding to the EPG, that is, the program guide can be displayed as the screen of the monitor device (television) connected to the video output unit 40.

  In the recording reservation control unit 63, for example, recording conditions such as the name of a program (data) to be recorded, its source, and date and time are held, and time (date and time) information is managed for actual recording. . Note that the recording reservation control unit 63 may include a timer (clock) controller (timer microcomputer) that can be shared with the display control unit 70 described below.

  The display control unit 70 displays, for example, the time and date on a clock unit provided on a display panel (not described in detail) of the video recording apparatus 1, the operating state of the apparatus, the presence or absence of recording reservation, the recording mode at the time of recording, and the like. The display unit 72 to be displayed, the operation unit 73 provided on the display panel (or a predetermined position of the apparatus 1), the display on the display unit 72, and the control command or input input by the user via the operation unit 73 A panel control unit 71 and the like for exchanging information are included.

  For example, the control command and input information input by the remote control terminal R are provided at a predetermined position (not shown) of the unit 73 or the display unit 72 in the video recording apparatus 1 of the present case shown in FIG. And is input to the main control unit 50 through the panel control unit 71. Of course, it goes without saying that a signal (command) from the remote controller (terminal) R may be supplied to the main control unit 50 as it is via a dedicated receiving unit (not shown).

  When the video recording apparatus 1 records a video, the remote control terminal R specifies a recording destination, for example, the HDD 12 or the optical disc D (optical disc drive unit 19), an already recorded video (program), its title, or “data specifying item”. This is used for inputting various control commands and information to be inputted, such as editing of video sources, switching of video sources and setting of reserved recording.

  For example, a program information registration unit 111, a program information storage unit 112, and a server (information supply source) 101 connected via a network controller 34 via the network controller 34, for example, the widely used Internet, A communication unit (communication control unit) 113 and the like are prepared. Note that the server 101 is connected to a broadcast station T or the like as a video supply source so as to be able to provide information, for example, directly (dedicated line) or through the Internet. Of course, as information for the EPG, a signal superimposed on the broadcast wave itself can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of reservation registration (recording reservation) processing when a new recording reservation is registered in a state where an arbitrary number of programs are already reserved for recording in the video recording apparatus shown in FIG. is there. Note that the processing described below is executed by, for example, the recording reservation control unit 63 and the recording information control unit 61 of the recording control unit 60.

  First, a program title (program) name (hereinafter referred to as an existing reservation) to be automatically reserved and registered is set as electronic program guide information (DEPG or EPG) or a designated site of the server 101 (update data of EPG information, etc. If there is a rebroadcast or simulcast, the date and time is stored as a selection candidate. At this time, the selection candidate number “n” is used. In addition, since there is at least main broadcasting other than rebroadcasting and simulcasting, “n” is “n ≧ 1” (S1-10). Note that simulcasting refers to, for example, satellite digital broadcasting and terrestrial analog broadcasting when the same program is broadcast on the same date and time, or simultaneously on multiple channels with different rates (image quality and video signal bandwidth) in digital broadcasting. This is the name used when the same program is broadcast. Further, rebroadcasting is a name for a case where the same program is broadcast again after changing the broadcast date and time (repeated broadcasting).

  Next, the degree of influence D “n” on the existing reservation registered by the user (recording reservation) for the broadcast “n” (the degree to which the broadcast “n” overlaps with the existing reservation) is calculated (S1-11). ). Note that the influence degree D indicates, for example, the time when reservations overlap each other in units of “minutes”. Of course, it is needless to say that the influence degree D may be, for example, a unit of 15 minutes, a unit of 10 minutes, or a unit of 5 minutes. Further, the degree of influence D may be simply an identification of whether or not recording reservation times overlap.

  Subsequently, whether or not there is a remaining broadcast “n” is calculated (S1-12, S1-13), and if it exists (S1-13-N), an existing reservation for the broadcast “n” is added. The degree of influence D “n” is obtained in order.

  When the degree of influence D “n” on the existing reservation is calculated for all the broadcasts “n” (S1-13-Y), the broadcast with the smallest influence D “n” is reserved and registered (recording reservation). (S1-14).

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a procedure for obtaining “the degree of influence D“ n ”” on the existing reservation shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, when there is an existing reservation for 1 hour from 10:00 to 11:00, for example, a program to be newly registered for reservation, that is, a program on which the main broadcast (n = 1) is broadcast, for example, Rebroadcast 1 (n = 2) is 1 hour from 11:00 to 12:00, Rebroadcast 2 (n = 3) is 1 hour from 13:00 to 14:00, Rebroadcast 3 (n = 4) can be acquired from the DEPG or the server 111 that each broadcast is performed in 1 hour from 14:00 to 15:00,
The impact D of the main broadcast (n = 1) is D = 60,
The influence D of rebroadcast 1 (n = 2) is D = 0,
Re-broadcasting 2 (n = 3) influence degree D is D = 30 (there is an existing reservation in one hour from 13:30 to 14:00),
The influence degree D of the rebroadcast 3 (n = 4) is D = 0,
It is.

  Therefore, for example, it is recognized that “rebroadcast 1” and “rebroadcast 3” can be newly registered for reservation. In this case, for example, “rebroadcast 1” can be reserved and registered along the time axis.

  By the way, in the case where the existing reservation R is a program (shown as R (x) for identification) including a case where the existing reservation R is “extended” due to a progress situation such as a sports broadcast, for example, in addition to the influence degree D, an extension mark The presence / absence of (category (x)) can also be used for determining the influence level. Therefore, in this example, if re-broadcast 3 (n = 4) is reserved and registered, even if the existing reservation R (x) is extended, the target program can be reliably recorded.

  Further, when there is a simultaneous broadcast (n = 5) with respect to the main broadcast (n = 1), the video recording apparatus of the present embodiment supports both satellite broadcast and terrestrial broadcast, and by using the HDD 12, Since simultaneous recording is possible, if simultaneous broadcasting can be searched, it is possible to preferentially register simultaneous broadcasting. In this case, there is an advantage that the degree of influence on another existing reservation (received using the same tuner) is small.

  The influence degree D mentioned above is given priority in a program in which a priority (a parameter indicating an expectation degree to a program that the user wants to automatically record) specified in advance (input) by the user is specified. Needless to say. In particular, it can be presumed that the importance of programs that have been reserved by the user directly (manually) is generally high. Therefore, at the time of reservation registration for recording reservation by automatic recording, if it is predicted that the program will directly affect the program that the user has reserved for recording directly (reservation registration), the reservation registration from at least re-broadcasting or simulcasting It shall be. In addition, as a result of searching for a program without rebroadcast, rebroadcast or simulcast, the influence degree D is “0” in all rebroadcasts and simulcasts, that is, a condition that does not overlap with existing reservations cannot be found. However, automatic recording of the program is not scheduled for recording (reservation registration).

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the recording reservation (reservation registration) process when registering a new recording reservation shown in FIG.

For example, at the time of “automatic recording” that automatically records a program including a keyword specified by the user, recording reservation for a plurality of programs is executed according to the program guide acquired from the DEPG or the server. In this case, it is necessary to consider the degree of influence between all the programs to be scheduled for recording. In particular, it can be presumed that the importance of programs that have been reserved by the user directly (manually) is generally high. Therefore, in the reservation registration for the recording reservation by automatic recording, as shown in FIG. 4 with the program directly reserved for recording (reservation registration) by the user, the program A (re-scheduled) is scheduled at least once. In the case of recording reservation (reservation registration) for program B (only once rebroadcast), program B (only once rebroadcast), and program C (twice rebroadcast), as shown in FIG. Based on this broadcast,
"Program A (Book)"-"Program B (Book)"-"Program C (Book)"-"Existing Reservation R"
"Program A (Book)"-"Program B (Re)"-"Program C (Book)"-"Existing Reservation R"
"Program A (Book)"-"Program B (Book)"-"Program C (Re 1)"-"Existing Reservation R"
"Program A (Book)"-"Program B (Re)"-"Program C (Re 1)"-"Existing Reservation R"
“Program A (Book)”-“Program B (Book)”-“Program C (2)”-“Existing Reservation R”
"Program A (Book)"-"Program B (Re)"-"Program C (Re 2)"-"Existing Reservation R"
There are combinations indicated by.

  A similar combination also exists in rebroadcast 1 of program A and rebroadcast 2 of program A.

  Accordingly, for example, between “re-broadcast program A”, “re-broadcast program B” and “re-broadcast program B” shown in FIG. As for the influence degree D, a combination having the smallest influence degree D (D = 0) among the 18 kinds is registered for reservation.

  Also in this case, it is needless to say that priority is given priority in a program in which a priority (a parameter indicating a degree of expectation for a program that the user wants to automatically record) specified (input) by the user is specified. Absent. In particular, it can be presumed that the importance of programs that have been reserved by the user directly (manually) is generally high. Therefore, in the case of reservation registration for recording reservation by automatic recording, if it is predicted that the program directly affects the recording reservation (reservation registration) by the user, the reservation registration is performed from re-broadcasting or simultaneous broadcasting. Shall.

  As described above, in the video recording apparatus of the present invention, when an arbitrary number of programs (programs or titles) are automatically reserved and registered as “targets of automatic recording”, the electronic program guide information or the site designated by the server Search for programs with rebroadcasts or simulcasts from the entire information supply source, etc., and if a program that has already been registered for registration overlaps with a program that is subject to “automatic recording,” rebroadcast or simulcast Prioritize automatic reservation registration.

  As a result, it can be estimated that the importance of a program that has been reserved for recording directly (manually) by a user (manually reserved) is generally high, but when recording a reservation for recording reservation by automatic recording, the user directly records the recording. It has no effect on the reserved program.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the recording of the program preferred by the user from being excluded by the automatically recorded program or to miss the program preferred by the user (missing recording).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation or change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary in the stage of the implementation. In addition, the embodiments may be implemented by appropriately combining them as much as possible, or by deleting a part thereof, and in that case, various effects resulting from the combination or deletion can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic which shows an example of a structure of the video recording device which can apply embodiment of this invention. The flowchart explaining an example of the reservation registration process at the time of registering a recording reservation newly in the video recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for obtaining “influence D on an existing reservation” illustrated in FIG. 2. Schematic explaining another example of a reservation registration process when registering a new recording reservation shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for obtaining “degree D of influence on existing reservation” shown in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video recording apparatus, 10 ... Recording / reproducing part, 20 ... Data processing part, 24 ... Audio | video video processing part, 30 ... Video input part, 40 ... Video output part, 44 ... Video / audio output terminal, 50 ... Main control , 52 ... MPU, 54 ... OSD, 60 ... recording control unit, 61 ... recording information control unit, 62 ... program guide generation unit, 63 ... recording reservation control unit, 70 ... display control unit, 73 ... operation unit, 101 ... server.

Claims (8)

A recording unit for recording a program (title or program) in units of the program;
A recording list holding unit for holding a list of programs to be recorded by the recording unit;
A recording management unit for specifying a program to be recorded according to the list of programs to be recorded held by the recording list holding unit;
When a new program is added by automatic reservation registration to the list of programs to be recorded held in the recording list holding unit, the program to be newly automatically reserved and registered is already held in the recording list holding unit. If a program that is to be automatically reserved and registered is detected, it is detected whether it is broadcast on another date and time or a different broadcast format, and may be broadcast on another date or a different broadcast format. If it can be detected, the automatic recording information control unit for recording the date and time or the broadcast form in the recording list holding unit,
A video recording apparatus comprising:   The automatic recording information control unit sets reservation registration so that the number of overlapping programs is minimized as a result of comparing the detection result with the reservation registration of all programs already held in the recording list holding unit. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The automatic recording information control unit holds the detection result in the recording list holding unit when there is an overlapping program as a result of comparing the detection result with the reservation registration of all programs already held in the recording list holding unit. 2. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a priority is given to the program being recorded.   The automatic recording information control unit reserves and registers a program that is broadcast in a different broadcasting form when it is detected that a duplicate program is broadcast at another date and time as a result of the detection. The video recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.   The automatic recording information control unit, when it is detected as a result of the detection that a duplicate program is broadcast in a different broadcast form, reserves and registers a program broadcast in the different broadcast form. The video recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. Based on the automatic recording reservation registration function, in the reservation registration method of the video recording device capable of recording video under arbitrary conditions,
Search for the broadcast schedule of the program to be added to the reservation list already registered from the information provided by the program information supplier,
A reservation registration method for a video recording apparatus, wherein a broadcast schedule having the least influence on a program already registered in a reservation list is extracted from the searched broadcast schedule and registered for reservation. 7. The program already registered in the reservation list is given priority when the broadcast schedule of the program to be added to the reservation list overlaps with the broadcast schedule of a program already held in the reservation list. Reservation registration method for video recording devices. If the broadcast schedule of a program to be added to the reservation list overlaps with the broadcast schedule of a program already held in the reservation list, the broadcast schedule to be broadcast on another date / time or in a different broadcast format is reserved based on the search result 7. The reservation registration method for a video recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the registration is performed.

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