JP2007194729A - Recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and reproducing device that refers to history of broadcast programs, automatically records the broadcast program even when video recording setting is not carried out, and automatically erases broadcast programs not viewed for a prescribed period so as to prevent a broadcast program really and desirably viewed from being left unrecorded. <P>SOLUTION: An MPU 105 refers to history data in a history information table 111b (s2) and discriminates whether a date is a prescribed date at present (s3). This discrimination is carried out by comparing the video recording date of the history data with the present time of a timer microcomputer 109. When the MPU 105 discriminates that video recording of a broadcast program whose date is the prescribed date in the step s3 can be reserved, the MPU 105 registers (records) the broadcast program to a video recording reservation information table 111a. The video recording is carried out on the basis of the video recording reservation information table 111a to carry out history video recording. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a reproducing function for reproducing AV data recorded on an information storage medium and a recording function for recording AV data on an information storage medium in a single casing.

  Conventionally, AV (Audio Visual) data recorded on an information storage medium (hereinafter, data relating to video and audio is referred to as AV data, but unless otherwise distinguished, AV data includes control data and the like. Various recording / playback apparatuses have been devised that include a playback function for recording the AV data on an information storage medium and a recording function for recording AV data on an information storage medium. The recording / reproducing apparatus is, for example, a DVD recorder, a hard disk (HD) recorder, a DVD recorder with HD, or a personal computer. The information storage medium is, for example, an optical disk such as a DVD or a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk.

In the program organization by the current television broadcast, for example, a broadcast program with the same title (for example, a drama or the like) is broadcast at the same time zone of the day of the week with a cycle of one week, for example. Therefore, the user views the television for each day of the week at a predetermined time of the day.
At this time, when the television cannot be viewed during the time period, the user makes a recording reservation by using the timer recording function of the recording / reproducing apparatus and records the broadcast program to be viewed on the information storage medium. When a recording reservation is made, the setting of the broadcast program channel and broadcast time is performed by the user himself / herself. The broadcast time is a broadcast start time and a broadcast end time.
In recent years, services such as EPG (Electlic Program Guide) have been provided. The user can check the EPG, select a broadcast program, make a reservation, and view or record.

On the other hand, a viewing recording processing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.
The viewing / recording processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores history data relating to a recording history, and a recording unit that automatically records a broadcast program based on the history data stored in the storage unit. The history data is a broadcast program channel and broadcast time.
JP 2002-112126 A

However, in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus, recording cannot be performed unless the user recognizes the presence of the target broadcast program. In other words, the user had to keep an eye on what kind of broadcast program is always broadcast. Therefore, there is a problem that if the user forgets to record, the broadcast program that the user wants to watch is missed.
This problem is the same in the recording / reproducing apparatus having an excellent user interface such as the above EPG.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, the recording means automatically records a broadcast program based on the history data, but does not automatically delete it. For this reason, a broadcast program that has been recorded in the past but has not been recorded this time is recorded on the information storage medium, and unnecessary data remains recorded on the information storage medium. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has a problem that the capacity of the information storage medium is wasted.

  The present invention is intended to solve such a conventional problem, and automatically records a broadcast program history with reference to the history of the broadcast program and automatically deletes the broadcast program that is not viewed for a certain period of time, even if the recording setting is not performed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus that prevents forgetting to record a broadcast program that the user really wanted to watch.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

(1) In a recording / reproducing apparatus comprising recording / reproducing means for recording a broadcast program inputted from an input source onto an information storage medium or reproducing the broadcast program recorded on the information storage medium,
When the recording / reproducing means records or reproduces the broadcast program, it comprises a history information table for storing history data relating to the recording / reproduction history of the broadcast program,
If the program name of the broadcast program input from the input source is the same as the program name of the broadcast program stored in the history information table, the recording / playback means sets the broadcast program as the specific broadcast program as the information program. Automatically record on storage media,
The recording / reproducing means refers to the history data stored in the history information table, determines whether or not the specific broadcast program is reproduced during a certain period, and the specific broadcast program is reproduced during the certain period. If not, the specific broadcast program is deleted from the information storage medium.

In this configuration, the broadcast program is a drama, for example. The recording / reproducing apparatus is, for example, a DVD recorder, a hard disk (HD) recorder, a DVD recorder with HD, or a personal computer. From the viewpoint of being able to transfer data by DVD and storing a large amount of data. A DVD recorder with HD is preferred. The information storage medium is, for example, an optical disk such as a DVD or a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk. Further, the certain period may be set to a time during which it is possible to assume that the recorded broadcast program is unnecessary for the user, for example, 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days.
Here, recording is a concept including recording and recording.
The recording / playback means automatically records with reference to the history of the broadcast program without setting the recording.
Further, the recording / reproducing means automatically deletes a specific broadcast program that has not been viewed for a certain period of time by assuming that it is unnecessary data.
As described above, even if recording settings are not set, automatic recording is performed with reference to the history of broadcast programs, and broadcast programs that have not been viewed for a certain period of time are automatically deleted, thereby preventing forgetting to record broadcast programs that you really wanted to view is doing.
Therefore, even if the user forgets to record or make a recording reservation, the broadcast program that the user wants to watch is not missed.
In addition, since a broadcast program that is not viewed for a certain period is automatically deleted, there is an effect that an empty area of the information storage medium can be secured.
The following configuration may be added to the above configuration.
A recording reservation information table for storing recording reservation information is provided. The recording reservation information includes the broadcast program name reserved for recording, the channel of the broadcast program reserved for recording (recording reservation channel), the recording start date / time and the recording end date / time (recording reservation time), broadcast station ID, recording / recording image quality, etc. Is also included.
If the program name of the broadcast program input from the input source is the same as the program name of the broadcast program stored in the history information table, the recording / playback means is configured to record the input broadcast program and recording reservation. It is determined whether or not the broadcast time zone with the broadcast program stored in the information table overlaps. If it is determined that they do not overlap, the broadcast program is automatically recorded on the information storage medium as a specific broadcast program. On the other hand, if it is determined that they overlap, the recording / reproducing means prohibits the automatic recording of the broadcast program as a specific broadcast program on the information storage medium.
As described above, the normal recording is prioritized over the history recording, so that the recording setting reserved by the user's will is not disturbed.

(2) comprising an operating means for setting the predetermined period in advance;
When the predetermined period is preset by the operation means, the recording / reproducing means determines whether or not the specific broadcast program stored in the history information table has been reproduced during the set constant period. To do.

  In this configuration, the user can adjust the period for imitating the specific broadcast program as unnecessary data.

(3) Provided with program information acquisition means for acquiring electronic program information from an input source,
The recording / playback means refers to the electronic program information acquired by the program information acquisition means, acquires a program name of a broadcast program input from the input source,
If the program name of the broadcast program input from the input source is the same as the program name of the broadcast program stored in the history information table, the recording / playback unit may acquire the electronic information acquired by the program information acquisition unit. Based on the program information, the broadcast program is automatically recorded in the information storage medium as a specific broadcast program.

  In this configuration, the electronic program information is information with which it is possible to grasp in which broadcast time zone of which channel each broadcast program is broadcast, for example, an EPG (Electlic Program Guide).

According to the present invention, even if the user forgets to record or make a recording reservation, the broadcast program that the user wants to watch is not missed.
In addition, since a broadcast program that is not viewed for a certain period is automatically deleted, there is an effect that an empty area of the information storage medium can be secured.

  Hereinafter, a DVD recorder with HD which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a DVD recorder with HD according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The DVD recorder with HD 1 records input data on a predetermined information storage medium, and reproduces data that has already been recorded in response to a reproduction instruction, and a recording / reproduction unit 104 based on recording reservation information. And a microcomputer (MPU, ie, main control unit) 105 for controlling the recording and reproduction from the recording / reproducing unit 104 and the operation of each unit described below.

  The recording reservation information includes the broadcast program name reserved for recording, the channel of the broadcast program reserved for recording (recording reservation channel), the recording start date / time and the recording end date / time (recording reservation time), broadcast station ID, recording / recording image quality, etc. Is also included.

  The recording / reproducing unit 104 is set in an optical disc drive 104a capable of recording and reproducing data (such as a broadcast program) and an optical disc drive 104a on an optical disc D manufactured in conformity with, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) standard. A temporary recording unit 104b that functions as a buffering memory capable of temporarily storing a certain amount of data recorded on the optical disk D or data reproduced from the optical disk D, and an HD (hard disk, non-recording medium) capable of recording a large amount of data. An HDD (hard disk drive) 104d and a data processor 104c.

  The data processor 104 c supplies the recording data output from the encoder unit 103 to the disk drive 104 a or receives the reproduction signal of the optical disk D from the disk drive 104 a and supplies it to the decoder unit 106 according to the control of the MPU 105.

Further, the data processor 104c supplies the recording data output from the encoder unit 103 to the HDD 104a and supplies the reproduction signal from the HDD 104a to the decoder unit under the control of the MPU 105.
Further, the data processor 104c rewrites the data recorded on the optical disc D or the HDD 104a and deletes the recorded data according to the control of the MPU 105.

  Specifically, the temporary recording unit 104b is a recording target until the optical disk D is replaced with an optical disk having a remaining recording capacity when the recording capacity of the optical disk is used up during recording. Data can be used for temporary storage. The optical disk D is a rewritable type, for example, a DVD-RW, a DVD-RAM, or the like.

The AV input terminal 101 inputs a video signal, an audio signal or the like to be recorded from the outside of the apparatus body 1 and outputs it to the connected encoder unit 103.
The tuner 102 is connected to an antenna (not shown) that receives a television broadcast signal distributed from an information distributor such as a broadcaster. Then, tuner 102 extracts the TV broadcast signal of the selected channel from the TV broadcast signal received by the antenna, and outputs it to encoder section 103. The television broadcast signal is a signal compressed by MPEG2, for example. In addition, in this signal, data of a program guide indicating a broadcast start time for a broadcast program scheduled to be broadcast, so-called electronic program guide (EPG), is multiplexed.

  The encoder unit 103 encodes and compresses the video signal and audio signal input from the AV input terminal 101, and outputs the encoded signal to the data processor 104c as recording data.

  The encoder unit 103 separates a video signal, an audio signal, and an EPG signal from the television broadcast signal input from the tuner 102. The encoder unit 103 outputs the EPG signal to the MPU 105, encodes and compresses the video signal and the audio signal, and outputs the encoded signal to the data processor 104c as recording data.

  The decoder unit 106 decodes and expands the reproduction signal output from the recording / reproducing unit 104. Connected to the decoder unit 106 is an AV output terminal 107 for supplying a reproduction signal decoded by the decoder unit 106 to a reproduction device such as a television.

When the MPU 105 receives the EPG signal, the MPU 105 decodes it to obtain the EPG. This EPG acquisition may be set in advance to be performed at a predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, when recording of a reserved broadcast program is started, every time 30 minutes have elapsed from the start of recording of the broadcast program, immediately before the end of recording of the broadcast program (for example, 5 minutes before the end).
The EPG includes information such as a broadcast program name of each broadcast program, a channel corresponding to the broadcast program, a broadcast start time and a broadcast end time of the broadcast program.

Then, the MPU 105 updates and records the acquired EPG in the memory 111. That is, if there is already an EPG, that is, if there is a previous EPG, the MPU 105 deletes the previous EPG and records the acquired EPG in the memory 111.
In addition, even if there is a change in the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time of a broadcast program, there is no problem if the EPG acquires an EPG corresponding to the change.

A timer microcomputer 109 is connected to the MPU 105.
The timer microcomputer 109 has a timer circuit (clock unit) 109a used for time management of the DVD recorder 1 with HD. A user operation input unit 110 that receives an operation (instruction) from a user is connected to the timer microcomputer 109.

The MPU 105 is connected to a display unit 108 that displays recording reservation information or the operation state of the apparatus 1 main body, and a memory 111 that stores the EPG, the control program, and the like.
The memory 111 is divided into three partitions, and includes a recording reservation information table 111a for storing recording reservation information, a history information table 111b for storing history data, and an area for recording the EPG and the control program. I know. The memory 111 is, for example, an EEPROM.
The control program has a multitask function for processing a plurality of routines in parallel.

First, the recording reservation information table 111a will be described.
The recording reservation information is input by a user operation input unit 110 described later, and if recording is possible, it is registered in the recording reservation information table 111a. This recording reservation information includes a broadcast program name reserved for recording, a channel of the broadcast program reserved for recording (recording reservation channel), a recording start date / time and a recording end date / time (recording reservation time), a broadcasting station ID, and a recording / recording image quality. Etc. are also included.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording reservation information is registered in the recording reservation information table 111a.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the recording reservation information table 111a.
The history recording reservation flag is a flag indicating whether or not recording has been reserved based on history data. ○ indicates that recording has been reserved based on history data, and × indicates that recording has been reserved by normal recording reservation. Indicates. Normal recording reservation means recording other than historical recording, and is recording reservation or timer recording reservation (recording reservation) by direct input by the user. Other broadcast program names, recording reservation channels, and recording reservation times are the same as those registered in the conventional recording / playback apparatus.

Next, the history information table 111b will be described.
The history data is data relating to the recording history or reproduction history of the broadcast program. The history data is registered in the history information table 111b by the MPU 105 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Here, recording is a concept including recording and recording.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of the history information table 111b.
When the MPU 105 records a broadcast program, the history information table 111b stores history data relating to the recording history of the broadcast program. In FIG. 3, the history data relating to the recording history includes recording date and time (recording date and time), recorded day of the week (recording day), recorded channel (recording CH), and broadcast program name (broadcast program name).

On the other hand, when the MPU 105 reproduces a broadcast program, the history information table 111b stores history data relating to the recording / reproduction history of the broadcast program. In FIG. 3, the history data relating to the playback history is a playback execution flag. Here, the history recording is recording based on history data.
The history recording flag is a flag indicating whether or not the recording has been performed by the history recording, and ◯ indicates that the recording has been performed by the history recording, and x indicates that the recording has been performed by the normal recording. Normal recording means recording other than history recording, and is recording by direct input by a user or timer recording (reserved recording).
The reproduction execution flag is a flag indicating whether or not the history-recorded broadcast program has been reproduced. The circle indicates that it has been reproduced, and x indicates that it has not been reproduced. If it is played back, it switches from x to ○. For example, when “happy news” on November 15 in FIG. 3 is reproduced, the state changes from “X” to “◯”.

  The MPU 105 has a built-in RAM, and in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 111, recording, reproduction, and deletion of data with respect to the optical disc D, and a recording operation corresponding to the recording reservation information input via the user operation input unit 110 And display operation using the display unit 108, and the like.

  The MPU 105 acquires the management information of the optical disk D or the hard disk from the temporary recording unit 104b, the optical disk drive 104a or the HDD 104d, the recording reservation information from the recording reservation information table 111a, and the history data from the history information table 111b.

  The timer microcomputer 109 manages the recording reservation information set by the user while monitoring the timer circuit (clock unit) 109a and the recording reservation information table 111a, and instructs the MPU 105 to start recording when the recording start time is reached. When the recording end time is reached, a recording end instruction is output to the MPU 105.

The user operation input unit 110 has a recording key, a reproduction key, a stop key for stopping recording or reproduction, and other operation keys. By these key operations, the user can record, reproduce, and record reservation information. Input and recording reservation information can be changed.
The user operation input unit 110 is a data receiving unit 110b that accepts a control signal transmitted from a remote controller (remote control terminal) (not shown), and an operation that can accept a direct input from the user and output the control signal to the timer microcomputer 109. A panel 110a.

  Note that recording of a broadcast program can be started when the DVD recorder 1 with HD is turned on or in a standby state. In the standby state, power is supplied only to the timer microcomputer 109, the MPU 105, and the memory 111.

  Here, the optical disks D and HD correspond to the “information storage medium” of the present invention. The AV input terminal 101 and the tuner 102 correspond to the “input source” of the present invention. The EPG corresponds to “electronic program information” of the present invention. The user operation input unit 110 corresponds to the “operation unit” of the present invention. The encoder unit 103 and the MPU 105 correspond to the “program information acquisition unit” of the present invention. The encoder unit 103, the temporary recording unit 104b, the optical disk drive 104a, the data processor 104c, the HDD 104d, the decoder unit 106, the timer microcomputer 109, and the MPU 105 correspond to the “recording / reproducing means” of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation that is always performed by the MPU of the HD-equipped DVD recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention. This operation is an operation that is always executed on the back end side in the power-on state or the standby state separately from the front end side processing such as reproduction or recording performed by the MPU 105. This operation is executed, for example, triggered by a transition to a power-on state or a standby state. The history recording routine shown in FIG. 4 is a routine related to the control program, and is called from the control program, for example, when the power-on state or the standby state is entered.

The MPU 105 determines whether recording or playback on the front end side is currently being performed (s1).
If recording or playback is being performed, the MPU 105 waits for a predetermined time (s4), returns to s1, and continues the processing. The certain time is, for example, 5 minutes.

On the other hand, if recording or playback is not performed, the MPU 105 refers to the history data in the history information table 111b (s2, see FIG. 3), and determines whether or not it is the current predetermined date (s3). This determination is made by comparing the recording date of the history data with the current time of the timer microcomputer 109.
In the program organization by the current television broadcast, for example, a broadcast program with the same title (for example, a drama or the like) is broadcast at the same time zone of the day of the week with a cycle of one week, for example. Therefore, the predetermined date is, for example, a day one week after the recording date or a day one day after the recording date. For example, the predetermined date of the broadcast program name “Happy News” in FIG. 3 is November 22. The predetermined date of the broadcast program name “Observation of Flowers” is November 28.
In this embodiment, the predetermined date is determined for both “happy news” and “flower observation” regardless of the number of histories in s3. However, the number of histories may be limited. Limiting the number of histories is performed, for example, by determining a predetermined date in s3 only for a broadcast program having a history number of two or more. When the restriction on the number of histories is added, “observation of flowers” with one history number is not judged at s3, and s3 is negative.

If it is determined at s3 that the current day is not the predetermined day, the MPU 105 waits for a predetermined time (s4), returns to s1, and continues the processing.
On the other hand, if it is determined in s3 that the current day is the predetermined day, the MPU 105 determines whether or not it is currently in a standby state (s5).

  If it is determined that it is currently in the standby state, the MPU 105 turns on the power of the apparatus main body 1, proceeds to s 6, and continues the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the current state is not the standby state, that is, if the power is on, the MPU 105 accesses the memory 111 and refers to the EPG (s6).
The EPG includes information such as a broadcast program name of each broadcast program, a channel corresponding to the broadcast program, a broadcast start time and a broadcast end time of the broadcast program.
That is, by referring to this EPG, it is possible to grasp which channel and in which time zone each broadcast program is broadcast. Also, if you refer to the latest EPG, you can respond to changes in broadcast time.

  The MPU 105 determines whether or not the broadcast program determined to be the predetermined day in s3 exists in the EPG (s7). This determination is based on whether the same program name exists in the EPG. Further, the determination may be made based on specific information for uniquely specifying a broadcast program. The specific information is, for example, Source ID.

  If it is determined that the broadcast program determined to be the predetermined day in s3 does not exist in the EPG, the MPU 105 waits for a certain time (s11), and returns to s1 to continue the processing. The fixed time is the same time as s4, for example, 5 minutes. In s11, the broadcast program determined to be a predetermined day in s3 is not a broadcast program that broadcasts the same title broadcast program in the same time zone of the day of the week, for example, in a cycle of one week, that is, a one-time broadcast. A scene that was a program is assumed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the broadcast program determined to be the predetermined day in s3 exists in the EPG, the MPU 105 determines whether or not the broadcast time zone of the broadcast program and the broadcast program registered in the recording reservation information table 111a overlap. (See s8, FIG. 2). The purpose of s8 is to record with priority given to normal recording over history recording.

If it is determined that the broadcast program determined to be a predetermined day in s3 exists in the recording reservation information table 111a, the MPU 105 waits for a predetermined time (s11), and returns to s1 to continue the processing. For example, in FIG. 3, “Bird Observation” is recorded as November 7th and 14th, but when “Flower Observation” is scheduled to be recorded by the user on November 21, recording on November 21 is , "Flower observation" is given priority. The history recording of “Bird Observation” on November 21 has given up.
As described above, the normal recording is prioritized over the history recording, so that the recording setting reserved by the user's will is not disturbed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the broadcast program determined to be the predetermined date in s3 does not exist in the recording reservation information table 111a, the MPU 105 displays on the display unit 108 that the broadcast program determined to be the predetermined date in s3 is reserved for recording (s9). ). The display indicating that the broadcast program is scheduled to be recorded is, for example, “Reserve recording of the next broadcast program recorded last time. Are you sure?”.

  The MPU 105 determines whether or not the broadcast program determined to be a predetermined day in s3 may be reserved for recording (s10). This determination is made based on a user instruction from the user operation input unit 110. At this time, if no instruction is given within a few seconds, it is treated as affirmative. The several seconds are, for example, 5 to 60 seconds.

  If it is determined in s3 that the broadcast program determined to be a predetermined day should not be reserved for recording, the MPU 105 waits for a predetermined time (s11), returns to s1, and continues the processing.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the broadcast program determined to be a predetermined day in s3 may be reserved for recording, the MPU 105 registers (records) the broadcast program in the recording reservation information table 111a (s12, see FIG. 2). At this time, the recording reservation information table 111a sets a history recording reservation flag for the broadcast program. The history recording reservation flag is information indicating that the recording reservation is based on history data.
Later, by recording based on the recording reservation information table 111a (see FIG. 5 s101 described later), history recording is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the MPU of the HD-equipped DVD recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention when a recording start instruction is given. This operation is an operation that is started by pressing a recording key or a recording start instruction of the timer microcomputer 109 as a trigger. The recording start instruction routine shown in FIG. 5 is a routine related to the control program, and is called from the control program when the recording key is pressed or the recording start instruction of the timer microcomputer 109 is issued.

  When the recording key is pressed or the timer microcomputer 109 receives a recording start instruction, the MPU 105 instructs each part of the apparatus main body 1 to perform an operation for recording (s101). For example, the MPU 105 designates a channel to the TV tuner 102.

  The MPU 105 determines whether or not the recording in s101 is history recording (s102). This determination is made by referring to the history recording reservation flag in the recording reservation information table 111a.

  If it is determined that it is history recording, the MPU 105 displays on the display unit 108 that history recording is being executed (s103), and proceeds to s104.

  On the other hand, when determining that the recording is not history recording, the MPU 105 determines whether or not a stop key is pressed or a recording end instruction is issued from the timer microcomputer 109 (s104).

  The MPU 105 waits for pressing of the stop key or the recording end instruction of the timer microcomputer 109, and the recording ends (s105).

  Then, the MPU 105 records history data relating to the current recording history in the history information table 111b (s106, see FIG. 3). For example, if the current recording history is “observation of flowers” on the recording date and time of November 21, the MPU 105 records the history data in the history information table 111b (see FIG. 3). If the current recording history is “happy news” on the recording date November 15th, the MPU 105 records the history data in the history information table 111b (see FIG. 3).

The MPU 105 determines whether or not the recording of s1 is history recording (s107). This determination is made by referring to the history recording reservation flag in the recording reservation information table 111a as in s102.
If it is determined that the recording is not history recording, the MPU 105 ends this processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the recording is history recording, the MPU 105 displays the history recording completion on the display unit 108 (s108), and also sets a history recording flag in the history information table 111b (s109). FIG. 3 shows a state in which “happy news” among “observation of flowers” and “happy news” is recorded in history and a history recording flag is set.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the MPU of the DVD recorder with HD according to the embodiment of the present invention. This operation is, for example, an operation that is triggered by a transition to the power-on state or when the current time reaches a predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, a night time when the user does not use the HD DVD recorder 1 so much. The history recording data deletion routine shown in FIG. 6 is a routine related to the control program. For example, when the current time reaches a predetermined time due to the transition to the power-on state, Called.
First, the MPU 105 refers to history data stored in the history information table 111b (s201, see FIG. 3). Specifically, the MPU 105 refers to history data with a history recording flag in the history information table 111b.
Next, the MPU 105 acquires management information on the optical disc D or the hard disk from the temporary recording unit 104b, the optical disc drive 104a, or the HDD 104d (s202).

  The MPU 105 determines whether there is a history-recorded broadcast program on the optical disc D or HD (s203). This determination is made, for example, by comparing management information and history data with reference to the broadcast program name. If the history-recorded broadcast program name is in both the optical disc D or HD and the history information table 111b, the determination is affirmative. In the history information table 111b, information indicating whether or not history recording has been performed is a history recording flag.

If there is no broadcast program recorded in history on the optical disc D or HD, the MPU 105 ends this processing.
On the other hand, if there is a history-recorded broadcast program on the optical disc D or HD, the MPU 105 determines whether or not the history-recorded broadcast program has passed the storage period (s204). The storage period may be a time that allows the user to assume that a broadcast program that has been recorded in history is not necessary for the user, and is, for example, 5 days or 10 days. This determination is made by comparing the recording date of the history data for which the history recording flag is set with the current time of the timer microcomputer 109 (see FIG. 3).
As a modified example of the configuration of the above embodiment, the user operation input unit 110 may be provided with a retention period setting key for presetting the retention period. In this case, when the storage period is set in advance by the storage period setting key, in s204, the MPU 105 determines whether or not the history recording video program has passed the set storage period. As a result, the user can adjust the period during which the history-recorded broadcast program (specific broadcast program) is assumed to be unnecessary data.

If the MPU 105 determines in s204 that the broadcast program recorded in the history record on the optical disc D or HD has not passed the storage period, the MPU 105 ends this processing.
On the other hand, if it is determined in s204 that the broadcast program recorded on the optical disc D or HD has been stored, the MPU 105 determines whether or not the broadcast program has been reproduced (s205). This determination is made based on whether or not the broadcast execution flag of the broadcast program is set. The reproduction execution flag is a flag indicating whether or not the history-recorded broadcast program has been reproduced. The circle indicates that it has been reproduced, and the symbol x indicates that it has not been reproduced. From FIG. 3, “happy news” on November 8 is affirmative because the reproduction execution flag is set. On the other hand, “happy news” on November 15 is negative because the reproduction execution flag is not set.

If the MPU 105 determines that the history-recorded broadcast program has been played, the MPU 105 ends this process.
On the other hand, if the MPU 105 determines that the history-recorded broadcast program has not been reproduced, the MPU 105 deletes the broadcast program from the optical disc D or HD to the optical disc drive 104a or HDD 104d (s206), and ends this processing. Here, broadcast programs that are not viewed during the storage period are automatically deleted by assuming that they are unnecessary data.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, even if the recording setting is not performed, the broadcast program history is automatically recorded with reference to the history of the broadcast program, and the broadcast program that is not viewed for a certain period of time is automatically deleted. This prevents forgetting to record.
Therefore, even if the user forgets to record or make a recording reservation, the broadcast program that the user wants to watch is not missed.
In addition, since broadcast programs that are not viewed during the storage period are automatically deleted, there is an effect that an empty area of the optical disc D or HD can be secured.

  Here, the storage period corresponds to the “certain period” of the present invention. A broadcast program recorded in history corresponds to a “specific broadcast program” of the present invention.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the DVD recorder with HD which is embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the format of the video recording reservation information table 111a The figure which shows an example of the format of the log | history information table 111b The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which MPU of the DVD recorder with HD which is embodiment of this invention always performs The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which MPU of the DVD recorder with HD which is embodiment of this invention performs at the time of a recording start instruction | indication The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which MPU of the DVD recorder with HD which is embodiment of this invention performs

Explanation of symbols

1-DVD recorder with HD 101-video signal input terminal 102-TV tuner 103-encoder unit 104-recording / reproducing unit 104a-optical disk drive 104b-temporary recording unit 104c-data processor 104d-HDD
105-microprocessor unit 106-decoder unit 107-video output terminal 108-display unit 109-timer microcomputer 109a-timer circuit (clock unit)
110-User operation input unit 110a-Operation panel 110b-Data reception unit 111-Memory 111a-Recording reservation information table 111b-History information table

Claims (4)

In an HD DVD recorder provided with recording / reproducing means for recording a broadcast program inputted from an input source onto an information storage medium or reproducing the broadcast program recorded on the information storage medium,
When the recording / playback means records or plays back the broadcast program, a history information table that stores history data relating to the recording / playback history of the broadcast program;
Program information acquisition means for acquiring electronic program information from an input source,
If the program name of the broadcast program input from the input source is the same as the program name of the broadcast program stored in the history information table, the recording / playback unit may acquire the electronic information acquired by the program information acquisition unit. Based on the program information, the broadcast program is automatically recorded in the information storage medium as a specific broadcast program,
The recording / reproducing means refers to the history data stored in the history information table, determines whether or not the specific broadcast program is reproduced during a certain period, and the specific broadcast program is reproduced during the certain period. If not, the specific broadcast program is deleted from the information storage medium,
An operation means for presetting the predetermined period;
When the predetermined period is preset by the operation means, the recording / reproducing means determines whether or not the specific broadcast program stored in the history information table has been reproduced during the set constant period. DVD recorder with HD. In a recording / reproducing apparatus comprising recording / reproducing means for recording a broadcast program inputted from an input source onto an information storage medium or reproducing the broadcast program recorded on the information storage medium,
When the recording / reproducing means records or reproduces the broadcast program, it comprises a history information table for storing history data relating to the recording / reproduction history of the broadcast program,
If the program name of the broadcast program input from the input source is the same as the program name of the broadcast program stored in the history information table, the recording / playback means sets the broadcast program as the specific broadcast program as the information program. Automatically record on storage media,
The recording / reproducing means refers to the history data stored in the history information table, determines whether or not the specific broadcast program is reproduced during a certain period, and the specific broadcast program is reproduced during the certain period. A recording / reproducing apparatus for deleting the specific broadcast program from the information storage medium if it is not reproduced. An operation means for presetting the predetermined period;
When the predetermined period is preset by the operation means, the recording / reproducing means determines whether or not the specific broadcast program stored in the history information table has been reproduced during the set constant period. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2. Comprising program information acquisition means for acquiring electronic program information from an input source;
The recording / playback means refers to the electronic program information acquired by the program information acquisition means, acquires a program name of a broadcast program input from the input source,
If the program name of the broadcast program input from the input source is the same as the program name of the broadcast program stored in the history information table, the recording / playback unit may acquire the electronic information acquired by the program information acquisition unit. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the broadcast program is automatically recorded on the information storage medium as a specific broadcast program based on the program information.

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