JP2007207364A - Data recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data recording and reproducing device in which reproduction can be performed easily from a reproduction start position desired by a user, also recording capacity can be saved by erasing efficiently data having low possibility of reproducing and viewing. <P>SOLUTION: In the data recording and reproducing device 100, the reproduction start position is recorded by a reproduction start position specifying means (CPU112, reproduction start position specifying program 115b), and reproduction is performed from the reproduction start position desired by the user by a first reproduction control means (CPU112, a first reproduction control program 115c). Also, when the reproduction start position is specified by the reproduction start position specifying means at the point of time at which data recording operation for a hard disk 71 is finished by a first erasing means (CPU112, a first erasing program 115d), video/voice data recorded in the hard disk 71 is erased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data recording / reproducing apparatus.

  In recent years, hard disk video recorders (hereinafter also simply referred to as recording / reproducing devices) equipped with fixed disk drive devices (hereinafter simply referred to as HDDs) have come to be used.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, the same program as the program being viewed by the television receiver is automatically recorded on the hard disk video recorder without performing any special operation other than the channel selection operation by the TV remote controller. There is an apparatus that allows a program that is currently being viewed to be viewed back in time (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, for example, when recording and reproducing digital information, it is possible to automatically secure a free area that is larger than a predetermined recording capacity set in advance in a storage area of the fixed disk drive device, and within the predetermined recording capacity. There is an apparatus that enables digital information to be managed for each file (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-234988 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-093119

  However, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when reproducing the recorded and stored data, it is not possible to reproduce from the reproduction start position desired by the user.

  Further, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a problem that data is uniformly recorded and stored regardless of whether or not the user may reproduce and view the data.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a data recording / reproducing apparatus capable of efficiently erasing data that is easily reproducible from a user-desired reproduction start position and having a low possibility of being reproduced and viewed, thereby saving recording capacity. Is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a data recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video / audio data to be sequentially acquired and reproducing the data by display means.
Data storage means for recording the acquired video / audio data;
Reproduction start position designating means for designating an input time as a reproduction start position by inputting an instruction at a user desired time during recording of the video / audio data;
Reproduction start position storage means for recording the reproduction start position;
First display control for causing the display means to display a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means and a pointer for designating a reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge. Means,
Thumbnail image generation means for generating thumbnail image data at the time of the reproduction start position designated by the reproduction start position designation means;
Second display control means for displaying a thumbnail image on the display means based on the thumbnail image data;
Designation means for designating a thumbnail image displayed on the display means by the second display control means;
First reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from the reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image designated by the designation means;
Pointer position input means for operating the position of the pointer;
Second reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from a reproduction start position based on the position of the pointer by operation of the pointer position input means;
When the reproduction start position is not designated by the reproduction start position designation means when the data recording operation to the data storage means is completed, the first video / audio data recorded by the data storage means is erased. Erasing means,
When the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds a set time, the recording of the video / audio data is erased in order from the start of recording in a predetermined time unit, and the reproduction by the reproduction start position designation means Second erasure means for stopping erasure of the video / audio data when a start position is designated;
Display control selection means for selecting which of the first display control means and the second display control means to execute;
It is characterized by providing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video / audio data to be sequentially acquired and reproducing the data by display means.
Data storage means for recording the acquired video / audio data;
Reproduction start position designating means for designating an input time as a reproduction start position by inputting an instruction at a user desired time during recording of the video / audio data;
Reproduction start position storage means for recording the reproduction start position;
First reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from the reproduction start position in response to an input of a reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position;
When the reproduction start position is not designated by the reproduction start position designation means when the data recording operation to the data storage means is completed, the first video / audio data recorded by the data storage means is erased. Erasing means,
It is characterized by providing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second aspect, a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means and the vicinity of the gauge are reproduced. First display control means for causing the display means to display a pointer for designating a start position;
Pointer position input means for operating the position of the pointer;
Second reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from a reproduction start position based on the position of the pointer by operation of the pointer position input means;
It is characterized by providing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the thumbnail image generating means generates thumbnail image data at the time of the reproduction start position designated by the reproduction start position designation means. When,
Second display control means for displaying a thumbnail image on the display means based on the thumbnail image data;
Designating means for designating a thumbnail image displayed on the display means by the second display control means,
The first reproduction control means reproduces the video / audio data from a reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image designated by the designation means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the display control selecting means for selecting which of the first display control means and the second display control means is to be executed. It is characterized by providing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds a set time. Secondly, the recording of the video / audio data is erased in order from the start of recording in units of a predetermined time, and the erasure of the video / audio data is stopped when the reproduction start position is designated by the reproduction start position designation means. An erasing unit is provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the video / audio data to be sequentially acquired can be recorded by the data storage means, and at the time desired by the user during the recording of the video / audio data by the reproduction start position specifying means. By performing the instruction input, the input time can be designated as the reproduction start position, the reproduction start position can be recorded by the reproduction start position storage means, and the recorded video / video can be recorded by the first display control means. A gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the audio data and a pointer for designating the reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge can be displayed on the display means. The thumbnail image generating means can be used by the reproduction start position designation means. Thumbnail image data at the specified playback start position can be generated, and the second display control means converts the thumbnail image data into thumbnail image data. Thus, the thumbnail image can be displayed, the thumbnail image displayed by the second display control unit can be specified by the specifying unit, and the thumbnail image corresponding to the specified thumbnail image can be specified by the first reproduction control unit. The video / audio data can be reproduced from the reproduction start position, the pointer position can be operated by the pointer position input means, and the reproduction start based on the pointer position by the operation can be performed by the second reproduction control means. The video / audio data can be reproduced from the position, and when the first erasure unit finishes the data recording operation to the data storage unit by the recording / reproducing apparatus, the reproduction start position designation unit determines the reproduction start position. If not specified, the video / audio data recorded by the data storage means can be deleted. When the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds the set time by the erasing means, the recording of the video / audio data is erased in order from the recording start in a predetermined time unit, and the reproduction start position designation means When the playback start position is designated, the erasure of video / audio data can be stopped, and the display control selection means selects which of the first display control means and the second display control means is executed. can do.
That is, since the reproduction start position can be designated by the reproduction start position designation means, the recorded video / audio data can be easily reproduced from the user desired reproduction start position, and by the reproduction start position designation means. If the playback start position is not specified, the video / audio data recorded by the data storage means can be automatically deleted, so data that is unlikely to be played back and viewed is efficiently deleted and recorded. Capacity can be saved.
Further, when the position of the pointer displayed on the display means is operated by the user and the position of the pointer is input, the recorded video / audio data can be reproduced from the reproduction start position based on the position of the pointer. it can. Furthermore, when a thumbnail image based on a desired reproduction start position displayed on the display unit is designated by the user, video / audio data recorded from the reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image can be reproduced. . Therefore, it is possible to easily reproduce from the reproduction start position desired by the user, which is convenient for the user.
Further, since the first display control means and the second display control means can be selected by the display control selection means, it is more convenient for the user.
If the playback start position is not specified by the user, the recording of video / audio data is deleted in order from the start of recording in predetermined time units when the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds the set time. To do. Therefore, even when the data recording operation continues for a long time, the video / audio data data can be efficiently deleted to save the recording capacity.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the reproduction start position designation means can designate the input time as the reproduction start position by performing an instruction input at a user-desired time during recording of the video / audio data. The reproduction start position storage means can record the reproduction start position, and the first reproduction control means receives the reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position and reproduces the video / audio data from the reproduction start position. It can be carried out. In addition, when the reproduction start position is not designated by the reproduction start position designating unit when the data recording operation to the data storage unit is completed by the first erasing unit, the video / Audio data can be deleted.
That is, since the user can designate the reproduction start position by the reproduction start position designation means, the recorded video / audio data can be easily reproduced from the user desired reproduction start position, and the reproduction start position can be reproduced. If the playback start position is not specified by the specifying means, the video / audio data recorded by the data storage means can be automatically deleted, so that data that is unlikely to be played back and viewed is efficiently deleted. Thus, the recording capacity can be saved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second aspect, the length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means by the first display control means. And a pointer for designating the reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge can be displayed on the display means, and the pointer position can be operated by the pointer position input means, and the second reproduction control means. Thus, the video / audio data can be reproduced from the reproduction start position based on the pointer position by the operation of the pointer position input means.
That is, when the position of the pointer displayed on the display means is operated by the user and the position of the pointer is input, the recorded video / audio data is reproduced from the reproduction start position based on the position of the pointer. it can. Therefore, it is possible to easily reproduce from the reproduction start position desired by the user, which is convenient for the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the thumbnail image data at the time point of the reproduction start position designated by the reproduction start position designation unit is obtained by the thumbnail image generation unit. The second display control means can display the thumbnail image on the display means based on the thumbnail image data, and the designation means displays the thumbnail displayed on the display means by the second display control means. An image can be designated, and the first reproduction control means can reproduce the video / audio data from the reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image designated by the designation means.
That is, when a thumbnail image based on a desired reproduction start position displayed on the display unit is designated by the user, video / audio data recorded from the reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image can be reproduced. . Therefore, it is possible to easily reproduce from the reproduction start position desired by the user, which is convenient for the user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the display control selection unit is further provided to execute either the first display control unit or the second display control unit. You can choose what to do.
That is, since the display control means can be selected, it is more convenient for the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the video / recorded data recorded in the data storage unit is further provided with a second erasing unit. When the recording time of the audio data exceeds the set time, the recording of the video / audio data is erased in order from the recording start in a predetermined time unit, and at the time when the reproduction start position is designated by the reproduction start position designation means, Erasing can be stopped.
That is, when the playback start position is not designated by the user, the recording of the video / audio data is deleted in order from the recording start in a predetermined time unit when the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds the set time To do. Therefore, even when the data recording operation continues for a long time, the video / audio data data can be efficiently deleted to save the recording capacity.

Hereinafter, the best mode of a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

<Configuration of data recording / reproducing apparatus>
First, the configuration of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is a so-called hard disk recorder, and includes a remote control device (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 2 for a user to input various instructions by remote operation, an antenna 3 for receiving broadcast signals, and an antenna 3. A tuner 4 that selects a broadcast signal of a predetermined broadcast channel from received broadcast signals, an input interface unit 5 that performs predetermined signal processing on video / audio data output from the tuner 4, and an output from the input interface unit 5 Output from the HDD 6, an encoder 6 that performs compression processing on the recorded video / audio data, an HDD unit 7 that records and reproduces video / audio data to and from a hard disk 71 built in the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 The decoder 8 performs the decompression process on the video / audio data and outputs from the decoder 8 An output interface unit 9 that performs predetermined signal processing on the received video / audio data, a remote control signal light receiving unit 10 that receives an input operation signal from the remote controller 2 and outputs the input operation signal to the control unit 11; A control unit 11 that performs overall control of the entire data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and a control bus 12 that connects the respective units are configured.

  The remote controller 2 is provided with keys corresponding to various operations of the remote controller 2 and transmits an input operation signal to the remote control signal light receiving unit 10 by pressing the key. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a reproduction position designation key 21 for inputting a reproduction start position at a user-desired time point and a reproduction key for inputting a reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position. 22, a direction key 23 for moving a pointer displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 200, and a determination key 24 for determining various operations.

  The antenna 3 is arranged outdoors in a predetermined direction. In the recording mode, the antenna 3 receives a high-frequency broadcast signal (RF signal) transmitted from a television broadcast station (not shown) and sends the broadcast signal to the tuner 4. Output to.

  The tuner 4 receives a broadcast signal of a specific frequency band by the antenna 3 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 11 for selecting the frequency of the broadcast signal. Then, the received broadcast signal is converted to an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal having a predetermined intermediate frequency and output to the input interface unit 5.

  For example, the input interface unit 5 performs various input interface processes such as A / D conversion and error correction on the IF signal output from the tuner 4, converts the IF signal into predetermined video / audio data, and outputs the data to the encoder 6. .

For example, the encoder 6 compresses the video data output from the input interface unit 5 or the HDD unit 7 according to the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system and compresses the audio data according to the MPEG audio system. 71 is converted into predetermined video / audio data writable in 71.
The video / audio data generated by the encoder 6 is output to the HDD unit 7.

  The HDD unit 7 adopts, for example, the ATA (AT Attachment) standard, and includes a built-in hard disk 71, a magnetic head 72 that records data on the hard disk 71 or reads data recorded on the hard disk 71, and a hard disk The drive unit 73 is configured to rotate the 71 and move the magnetic head 72 in the radial direction of the hard disk 71. The hard disk 71 includes a non-magnetic disk substrate (not shown) and a magnetic layer (not shown) provided thereon, and supplies a current between the magnetic head 72 and the hard disk 71. Therefore, it has a minute gap that generates a magnetic field.

The configuration of the HDD unit 7 will be described in more detail.
Although not shown, the hard disk 71 includes a system management area, a time shift area, and a recording file area, and the recording file area includes a header area and a content area. In the header area, data such as a title of a broadcast program and recording time is stored, and content data such as video / audio data to be recorded is stored in the content area. In the recording area, video / audio data is recorded based on a recording instruction to the hard disk 71.

The decoder 8 expands the video data output from the HDD unit 7 according to the MPEG system and expands the audio data according to the MPEG audio system and converts it into predetermined video / audio data.
The video / audio data generated in the decoder 8 is output to the output interface unit 9.

  The output interface unit 9 performs various output interface processes such as D / A conversion on the video / audio data output from the decoder 8 to generate video / audio data conforming to the NTSC standard. The generated video / audio data is output to a display, a speaker, etc. (not shown) of the television receiver 200 connected to the device main body 1.

  The remote control signal light receiving unit 10 receives an input operation signal such as infrared rays that is output when various keys provided on the remote control 2 are pressed by the user, and outputs the input operation signal to the control unit 11.

The control unit 11 includes an I / O port 111, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112, a timing unit 113, a memory unit 114, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 115, and the like.

  The CPU 112 is input via the remote control signal light receiving unit 10 and the I / O port 111 by the input signals input from the respective units of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 via the I / O port 111 and by pressing various keys of the remote control 2. In response to the input operation signal, etc., various programs stored in the ROM 115 are executed, and output signals are output to the respective units via the I / O port 111, thereby controlling the overall operation of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1. To do.

  For example, the timer 113 measures the current time, and outputs the measured current time data to the CPU 112 in response to an instruction output from the CPU 112.

  The memory unit 114 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), and stores processing results generated when various programs are executed by the CPU 112, input data, and the like in the RAM.

  The ROM 115 includes, for example, a recording control program 115a, a reproduction start position specifying program 115b, a first reproduction control program 115c, a first erasing program 115d, a second erasing program 115e, a first display control program 115f, a second A playback control program 115g, a thumbnail image generation program 115h, a second display control program 115i, and the like are provided.

The recording control program 115a is, for example, a program that causes the CPU 112 to realize a function of issuing a recording start command in order to start a recording operation of a currently selected program.
Specifically, when the CPU 112 receives the broadcast signal by the antenna 3 when the main power of the apparatus is turned on by executing the recording control program 115a, the tuner 4 and the input interface unit 5. Signal processing is performed by the encoder 6 or the like, and the HDD unit 7 controls each unit so as to record video / audio data on the hard disk 71.

The reproduction start position designation program 115b has a function of issuing a recording start command to start the recording operation of the reproduction start position data input by the instruction when the reproduction start position designation input is made to the CPU 112 at a time desired by the user. This is a program to be realized.
Specifically, the CPU 112 executes the reproduction start position designation program 115b, thereby reproducing through the remote control signal light receiving unit 10 by operating the reproduction start position designation key 21 of the remote controller 2 as a user reproduction start position designation means. When the designation of the start position is performed, the HDD unit 7 is controlled so that the reproduction start position data is recorded on the hard disk 71 as the reproduction start position storage means.
For example, the CPU 112 prepares a storage area separately from the video / audio data in the hard disk 71 and records the recording instruction time by the remote control as the reproduction start position data in the area, or the video / audio data The recording instruction time is recorded in the index information.
A plurality of reproduction start position data can be recorded for one video / audio data. That is, during the recording of the video / audio data, the reproduction start position may be designated multiple times by the remote controller 2 at different times.

When a reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position is input through the reproduction key 22 of the remote controller 2, the first reproduction control program 115c stores the video / audio data from the reproduction start position recorded as the reproduction start position data in the CPU 112. It is a program that realizes a function for performing playback.
Specifically, when the CPU 112 receives the reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position via the remote control signal light receiving unit 10 by executing the first reproduction control program 115c, it is recorded as reproduction start position data from the hard disk 71. The time at which the designation of the reproduction start position is input is read out, and from which position of the video / audio data recorded on the hard disk 71 is to be reproduced based on the time, and reproduction is performed from that position. Thus, the HDD unit 7 is controlled.
The video / audio data index information and the time information recorded everywhere in the video / audio data indicate from which position of the video / audio data the reproduction is to be performed based on the time when the reproduction start position is designated. Or by calculating the position where reproduction should start based on the bit rate of the video / audio data.
The input of the playback instruction from the playback start position by the remote controller 2 is performed using a thumbnail image, which will be described later, which will be described in detail after the thumbnail image generation program 115h is described.

The first erasure program 115d causes the hard disk 71 if the CPU 112 has not designated the reproduction start position by the reproduction start position designation key 21 of the remote controller 2 as the reproduction start position designation means when the data recording operation is completed. Is a program that realizes a function of erasing the video / audio data recorded by.
That is, the CPU 112 functions as a first erasing unit by executing the first erasing program 115d.
Specifically, the CPU 112 records the history in the memory unit 114 when the playback start position is designated during recording of the video / audio data based on the received broadcast signal by executing the first erasing program 115d. For example, when the currently selected program ends, when the broadcast channel is changed, or when the main power supply of the apparatus is turned off, the reproduction start position designation history in the memory unit 114 is referred to, and the reproduction start position is designated. If not, the HDD unit 7 is controlled so that the video / audio data is automatically deleted from the hard disk 71.

The second deletion program 115e deletes the recording of the video / audio data in order from the start of recording in predetermined time units when the recording time of the video / audio data recorded on the hard disk 71 exceeds the set time in the CPU 112 and plays back This is a program for realizing a function of stopping the erasure of video / audio data when the reproduction start position is designated by the start position designation means.
That is, the CPU 112 functions as the second erasing unit by executing the second erasing program 115e.
Specifically, the CPU 112 executes the second erasing program 115e to periodically measure the recording time during recording of the video / audio data, and set the recording limit time of the video / audio data set in advance. If this is exceeded, the HDD unit 7 is controlled so that the recorded video / audio data is erased every predetermined unit time in order from the start of recording. In addition, the CPU 112 monitors the presence / absence of designation of the reproduction start position by the reproduction start position designation key 21 of the remote controller 2 during recording of the video / audio data by executing the second erasure program 115e, and the designation is performed. When it is interrupted, the HDD unit 7 is controlled to stop erasing data every predetermined unit time thereafter and record video / audio data exceeding the recording limit time.

The first display control program 115f provides the CPU 112 with a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded on the hard disk 71 and a pointer for designating a reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge. This is a program for realizing a function to be displayed on the John receiver 200.
That is, the CPU 112 functions as first display control means by executing the first display control program 115f.
Specifically, for example, the horizontal bar-shaped image data of the gauge a and the image data of the pointer b indicating the recording time of the video / audio data as shown in FIG. 3 are prepared in the hard disk 71 in advance. By executing the first display control program 115f, after recording the video / audio data, the horizontal gauge bar a and the pointer b are displayed on the television receiver 200 so as to be positioned beside the gauge a. To control.
In addition, the CPU 112 executes the first display control program 115f to perform display control so that the pointer b is moved along the gauge a to one end side or the other end side in accordance with an operation input from the remote controller 2. Do.

The second reproduction control program 115g is a program that causes the CPU 112 to realize a function of reproducing video / audio data from a reproduction start position based on a pointer position by a remote control operation.
That is, the CPU 112 functions as second reproduction control means by executing the second reproduction control program 115g.
Specifically, the CPU 112 executes the second reproduction control program 115g, so that after recording the video / audio data, the CPU 112 responds to the operation input by the reproduction key 22, the direction key 23, and the decision key 24 of the remote controller 2. From the current position of the pointer b moved and positioned along the gauge a, the time indicated by the current position of the pointer b in the case where the entire length of the gauge a is the entire recording time is obtained, and playback is performed using this as the playback start position. The HDD unit 7 is controlled.
Whether the video / audio data is reproduced based on the time indicated by the pointer b refers to the index information of the video / audio data or the time information recorded everywhere in the video / audio data, / It can be obtained by calculating the position where reproduction should start based on the bit rate of the audio data.

The thumbnail image generation program 115h is, for example, a program that realizes control so that the CPU 112 causes the HDD unit 7 to record still image data at the time when the reproduction start position is designated as thumbnail image data.
That is, the CPU 112 functions as thumbnail image generation means by executing the thumbnail image generation program 115h.
Specifically, the CPU 112 monitors the presence / absence of a reproduction start position designation during recording of video / audio data by executing the thumbnail image generation program 115h, and if there is a reproduction start position designation input. Then, the still image data at the time of input is extracted from the video / audio data, and the HDD unit 7 is controlled so as to record the still image data as thumbnail image data in a different area from the video / audio data of the hard disk 71.

For example, the second display control program 115i is a program that causes the CPU 112 to realize a function of causing the television receiver 200 to display an image based on the thumbnail image data generated by the thumbnail image data generation program 115h.
The CPU 112 functions as a display control unit by executing the second display control program 115i.
Specifically, the CPU 112 executes the second display control program 115i to read out the thumbnail image data acquired during the recording of the video / audio data and reduce the thumbnail image data to a predetermined size. For example, control is performed so that a thumbnail image G as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the television receiver. In addition, when a plurality of playback start positions are specified for one video / audio data and a plurality of thumbnail image data are generated, these are all displayed side by side.

  As described above, the input of the playback instruction from the playback start position by the remote controller 2 is performed using the thumbnail image G. That is, in the display state of a plurality of thumbnail images G..., The CPU 112 can select any one thumbnail image G in accordance with the input of the direction key 23 of the remote controller 2 as shown in FIG. To do. At this time, the remote controller 2 functions as designation means for designating the displayed thumbnail image G. In this case, for example, the border of only one thumbnail image G is displayed in a fluorescent color, and the border fluorescent display is switched to another adjacent thumbnail image G in accordance with the input of the direction key 23 of the remote controller 2. Then, the HDD unit 7 is controlled so that the reproduction is executed at the reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image for which the bordered fluorescent display has been performed when the enter key is input.

  In addition, the CPU 112 performs processing for designating the reproduction start position using the gauge a and the pointer b displayed by the execution of the first display control program 115f, and the thumbnail displayed by the execution of the second display control program 115i. A selection key for selecting which of the processes for specifying the reproduction start position using the image G is to be executed may be provided on the remote controller 2. Thus, the user of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 can arbitrarily designate the reproduction start position by any desired method.

<Processing by recording / reproducing apparatus>
Next, various processes performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described.

(Recording and erasing)
First, processing relating to recording / erasing of video / audio data by the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when user-desired video / audio data is designated by designating a channel by a remote control operation by the user (step S1), the CPU 112 issues an instruction to the tuner 4 to the antenna 3 and the tuner 4. At the same time as the acquisition of the designated video / audio data is started (step S1), the recording operation is started (step S2).

  Next, the CPU 112 determines whether or not a reproduction start position designation input has been performed (step S3).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the reproduction start position designation input has been performed (step S3; Yes), the CPU 112 causes the hard disk 71 to record the reproduction start position data input in step S3 (step S4).

  Further, the CPU 112 generates thumbnail image data by the thumbnail image data generation program 115h, and causes the hard disk 71 to record thumbnail image data corresponding to the reproduction start position input in step S3 (step S5).

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in step S3 that the reproduction start position designation input has not been made (step S3; No), it skips steps S4 and S5 and proceeds directly to step S6.

  Next, in step S6, the CPU 112 determines whether or not the video / audio data recording set time has been exceeded (step S6).

  In step S6, if the CPU 112 determines that the recording set time has been exceeded (step S6; Yes), it further determines whether or not a reproduction start position has been designated (step S7), and the reproduction start position has not been designated. (Step S7; No), video / audio data is erased in order from the start of recording in predetermined time units (Step S8). If the CPU 112 determines that the reproduction start position has been designated (step S7; Yes), it skips step S8 and proceeds directly to step S9.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in step S6 that the recording set time has not been exceeded (step S6; No), it skips steps S7 and S8 and proceeds directly to step S9.

  Next, the CPU 112 determines whether or not the acquisition of the video / audio data is finished by the operation by the user (step S9).

  If the CPU 112 determines in step S9 that the acquisition of the video / audio data has been completed (step S9; Yes), the acquisition of the video / audio data is ended (step S10).

  On the other hand, in step S9, if the CPU 112 determines that the acquisition of the video / audio data has not ended (step S9; No), the process from step S3 is repeated.

  Next, the CPU 112 determines whether or not a reproduction start position has been designated after completion of the video / audio data acquisition (step S11).

  If the CPU 112 determines in step S11 that the reproduction start position has been designated (step S11; Yes), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in step S11 that the reproduction start position is not designated (step S12; No), the recorded video / audio data is deleted (step S12), and this process is terminated.

(Reproduction processing)
Processing related to reproduction of video / audio data by the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, a playback start position setting instruction screen is displayed by a user's operation of the remote controller 2, etc., and the playback start position is input with a pointer or thumbnail image data is displayed, and playback is performed by specifying the displayed thumbnail image. Is selected (step S21).

  When the reproduction start position input display by the pointer is selected in step S21, the CPU 112, according to the selection, has a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the recorded video / audio data and a reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge. Is displayed on the television receiver 200 (step S22).

  Next, the CPU 112 determines whether or not the pointer position is input by operating the pointer (step S23).

  If the CPU 112 determines in step S23 that the pointer position has been input (step s23; Yes), it reproduces the video / audio data recorded from the predetermined reproduction start position (step S24), and ends this process.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in step S23 that the pointer position has not been input (step s23; No), the process of step S23 is repeated.

  When the reproduction start position instruction display by the thumbnail image is selected in step S21, the CPU 112 displays the thumbnail image based on the thumbnail image data according to the selection (step S25).

  Next, the CPU 112 determines whether or not a thumbnail image is designated by displaying the thumbnail image (step S26).

  If the CPU 112 determines in step S26 that a thumbnail image has been designated (step s26; Yes), the video / audio data recorded from the predetermined reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image is reproduced (step S27). End the process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that no thumbnail image is specified (step s26; No), the CPU 112 repeats the process of step S26.

  According to the data recording / reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention described above, the recording operation of the currently selected program is started by the execution of the recording control program 115a by the CPU 112, and the user is executed by executing the reproduction start position specifying program 115b. A reproduction start position is designated and input at a desired time, recording operation of the reproduction start position data input by the instruction is started, and a reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position is performed through the remote controller 2 by executing the first reproduction control program 115c. Is input, it is possible to cause the CPU 112 to reproduce the video / audio data from the reproduction start position recorded as the reproduction start position data, and the data recording operation is completed by executing the first erasing program 115d. At this point, the reproduction start position is not designated by the remote controller 2 as the reproduction start position designation means. Otherwise, the video / audio data recorded by the hard disk 71 can be erased, and if the recording time of the video / audio data recorded on the hard disk 71 exceeds the set time by executing the second erasure program 115e. The recording of video / audio data can be erased in order from the start of recording in predetermined time units, and the erasure of video / audio data can be stopped when the reproduction start position is designated by the reproduction start position designation means. Also, by executing the first display control program 115f, a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded on the hard disk 71 and a pointer for designating the reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge are provided. By displaying on the television receiver 200 and executing the second reproduction control program 115g, the video / audio data can be reproduced from the reproduction start position based on the pointer position by the remote control operation. In addition, the thumbnail image generation program 115h causes the HDD unit 7 to record the still image data at the time when the reproduction start position is designated as thumbnail image data, and the second display control program 115i executes the thumbnail image data generation program. An image based on the thumbnail image data generated by 115h is displayed on the television receiver 200, and playback from the playback start position corresponding to the desired thumbnail image data is performed through the remote controller 2 by executing the first playback control program 115c. When an instruction is input, the video / audio data can be played back from the playback start position recorded as the playback start position data. Therefore, data that can be easily reproduced from the reproduction start position desired by the user and that is unlikely to be reproduced and viewed can be efficiently erased to save the recording capacity.

  The video / audio data is played back from the playback start position desired by the user. However, from these positions, the user can watch the data played back from these positions with a margin. Alternatively, playback may be performed from the previous position.

  In addition, when a user specifies a playback start position at a desired time, when a playback instruction is input from the playback start position, or when a pointer displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 200 is moved, etc. A configuration may be employed in which a dedicated key is not provided to determine various operations, and the existing operation keys are used together.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the data recording / reproducing apparatus in this invention. It is an image figure of the remote control 2 which is a component of the data recording device in this invention. It is a figure of the example of a display by the 1st display control means of the data recording / reproducing apparatus in this invention. It is a figure of the example of a display by the 2nd display control means of the data recording / reproducing apparatus in this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing relating to recording / erasure of video / audio data by the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process regarding reproduction | regeneration of the video / audio data by the data recording / reproducing apparatus in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 Device body 2 Remote control (designating means, pointer position input means, display control selection means)
71 Hard disk (data storage means, reproduction start position storage means)
112 CPU (recording control means, reproduction start position designation means, first reproduction control means, first erasure means, second erasure means, first display control means, second reproduction control means, thumbnail image generation means , Second display control means)
115a Recording control program (recording control means)
115b Reproduction start position designation program (reproduction start position designation means)
115c First reproduction control program (first reproduction control means)
115d First erase program (first erase means)
115e Second erase program (second erase means)
115f 1st display control program (1st display control means)
115g Second reproduction control program (second reproduction control means)
115h Thumbnail image generation program (thumbnail image generation means)
115i Second display control program (second display control means)
200 Television receiver (display means)

Claims (6)

In a data recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video / audio data to be sequentially acquired and reproducing the data by display means,
Data storage means for recording the acquired video / audio data;
Reproduction start position designating means for designating an input time as a reproduction start position by inputting an instruction at a user desired time during recording of the video / audio data;
Reproduction start position storage means for recording the reproduction start position;
First display control for causing the display means to display a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means and a pointer for designating a reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge. Means,
Thumbnail image generation means for generating thumbnail image data at the time of the reproduction start position designated by the reproduction start position designation means;
Second display control means for displaying a thumbnail image on the display means based on the thumbnail image data;
Designation means for designating a thumbnail image displayed on the display means by the second display control means;
First reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from the reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image designated by the designation means;
Pointer position input means for operating the position of the pointer;
Second reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from a reproduction start position based on the position of the pointer by operation of the pointer position input means;
When the reproduction start position is not designated by the reproduction start position designation means when the data recording operation to the data storage means is completed, the first video / audio data recorded by the data storage means is erased. Erasing means,
When the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds a set time, the recording of the video / audio data is erased in order from the start of recording in a predetermined time unit, and the reproduction by the reproduction start position designation means Second erasure means for stopping erasure of the video / audio data when a start position is designated;
Display control selection means for selecting which of the first display control means and the second display control means to execute;
A data recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: In a data recording / reproducing apparatus for recording video / audio data to be sequentially acquired and reproducing the data by display means,
Data storage means for recording the acquired video / audio data;
Reproduction start position designating means for designating an input time as a reproduction start position by inputting an instruction at a user desired time during recording of the video / audio data;
Reproduction start position storage means for recording the reproduction start position;
First reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from the reproduction start position in response to an input of a reproduction instruction from the reproduction start position;
When the reproduction start position is not designated by the reproduction start position designation means when the data recording operation to the data storage means is completed, the first video / audio data recorded by the data storage means is erased. Erasing means,
A data recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: First display control for causing the display means to display a gauge having a length corresponding to the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means and a pointer for designating a reproduction start position in the vicinity of the gauge. Means,
Pointer position input means for operating the position of the pointer;
Second reproduction control means for reproducing the video / audio data from a reproduction start position based on the position of the pointer by operation of the pointer position input means;
The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: Thumbnail image generation means for generating thumbnail image data at the time of the reproduction start position designated by the reproduction start position designation means;
Second display control means for displaying a thumbnail image on the display means based on the thumbnail image data;
Designating means for designating a thumbnail image displayed on the display means by the second display control means,
4. The data according to claim 2, wherein the first reproduction control means reproduces the video / audio data from a reproduction start position corresponding to the thumbnail image designated by the designation means. Recording / playback device.   5. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising display control selection means for selecting which of the first display control means and the second display control means is to be executed.   When the recording time of the video / audio data recorded in the data storage means exceeds a set time, the recording of the video / audio data is erased in order from the start of recording in a predetermined time unit, and the reproduction by the reproduction start position designation means 6. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second erasing unit that stops erasing the video / audio data when a start position is designated.

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