JP2008042811A - Recording and reproducing apparatus, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control recording contents by means of program content identification data (parental level). <P>SOLUTION: When starting a recording reservation using a recording reserving means 15, a parental level (PL) of a recording reservation program is detected by a PL detecting means 11 and compared with a PL registered in a PL registering means 13 by a PL comparing means 12 and when the PL of the recording reservation program is lower than the registered PL, the recording reservation program is recorded. When the PL of the recording reservation program is equal with or higher than the registered PL and automatic recording is set, an explicit picture during a parental lock indicating a summary of program contents is recorded within a reservation time. When a PL of a program being viewed becomes equal with or higher than the registered PL while the TV program is being viewed on a recording and reproducing apparatus 100, recording of the program being viewed is started and when the same password (PW) as a PW registered in a PW registering means 11 is inputted, reproduction is started from the top of the program where recording is started. If no password is inputted, reproduction of the recorded program is inhibited and contents are erased after the PL of the program being viewed changes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention receives a television (TV) signal to which program content identification data indicating a viewing / recording restriction level (parental level) according to the content of a television program is received and performs program reservation recording. The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus and a method for determining the contents of recording, recording time, etc. according to the parental level of identification data and giving convenience to a program viewer.

  When playing or watching DVD software that contains extreme violent scenes or scenes that children do not want to watch, “parental lock” may be applied so that viewing is restricted for those who do not want to see it. An increasing number of DVD players and recorders (including HDDs) (hereinafter referred to as DVD devices) are available. In the DVD device, when the DVD software is reproduced, the “parental lock” is released by inputting the password set and registered in advance by the customer so that the software can be viewed.

  The reproduction signal of the DVD software includes software content identification data indicating the viewing restriction level (parental level) of the program content as a data signal together with the audio and video signals. In the DVD device, if the customer previously registers the parental level and password, when the DVD software is played back, the parental level of the software content identification data included in the playback signal is higher than the registered parental level. If it is determined that the software is present, the software cannot be viewed by the “parental lock”. Since the password (PW) is asked at that time, if only a person who knows the registered PW inputs the PW, the software can be viewed.

  On the other hand, a program content identification data signal indicating a viewing restriction level (parental level) for restricting viewing / recording is added to the broadcast television signal according to the program content. Since terrestrial digital broadcasting was started last year, HDD equipped with a tuner that can receive and tune all broadcasts such as terrestrial digital, BS digital, 110 ° CS digital, BS analog, terrestrial analog, etc. DVD recorders have been released. A user of a DVD with a tuner for all broadcasts can use a terrestrial digital, BS digital, 110 mounted on the DVD even when a conventional terrestrial analog / BS analog broadcast TV receiver is used as a receiver. ° You can watch digital broadcasts using the CS digital tuner. Of course, you can also see the playback signal from the DVD recorder. Such a viewing method combining the DVD with all-broadcast tuner and a conventional analog tuner TV receiver is expected to be used in the future. According to the present invention, in the above viewing method, when the reserved recording starts, if the recorded program is higher than the registered parental level, the viewer is informed that the recorded program is in the parental lock state. Then, the present invention relates to a method for releasing the program lock and recording. In the case of an answering machine, the present invention relates to a system that allows the user to know later that it is locked.

There is already a video deck that restricts recording / playback by the program content identification data signal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the program to be recorded is a program higher than the registered parental level with respect to the parental level registered in advance in the video deck, the video deck temporarily stops recording the program. On the other hand, as a setting, it is possible to record only the program above the registered parental level and temporarily stop recording the program below the registered parental level. Even when a recorded program is played, fast-forward playback can be performed if the program to be played is at or above the registered parental level. If it is above the rental level, only that program is normally played back, and programs below the registered parental level are fast-forwarded.
JP 2000-115680 A

  In the present invention, in the case of reserved recording of a television broadcast program in a DVD device, if it can be determined that the program is a pre-registered parental level or higher, simply pause (record stop) like a video deck, There are cases where the customer does not know the reason why the program that the reserved recording was recorded is not recorded. This is a problem that occurs when the customer forgets to set the parental level on the DVD device and does not know that the reserved program is higher than the registered parental level.

  In addition, if it can be determined that the program is higher than the parental level registered in advance during viewing, simply prohibiting viewing will allow the customer who has viewing rights to change the level even while viewing. You cannot watch the contents of.

  The present invention solves such problems, and when watching an on-air TV program or watching playback of DVD software with a combination of a DVD recorder equipped with an all-broadcast tuner and a conventional TV receiver. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use recording / playback apparatus that prevents the failure of scheduled recording by the parental level setting and the oversight of a part of the program by the viewing prohibition function.

  The present invention receives a television (TV) signal to which program content identification data indicating a viewing / recording restriction level (hereinafter referred to as a parental level) is added according to the content of a television program, and obtains a multi-tone TV signal. Processing means, recording means for recording a TV signal obtained from the signal processing means as an audio / video (AV) signal, parental level registration means for registering a parental level of predetermined program content identification data, and program content The parental level discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the parental level of the identification data is equal to or higher than the parental level registered by the parental level registration means, and the recording start time and end time of the program to be viewed are memorized. Recording reservation means for controlling the start and stop of the recording operation of the recording means at the time, and the program reserved for recording are registered. There is an explicit screen generating means for generating an explicit screen indicating that the parental level or higher, and a controller for controlling all the means. In the parental level determining means, the program content identification data of the reserved program is The controller is configured to record the explicit screen of the explicit screen generating means when it is determined that the rental level is equal to or higher than the registered parental level.

  Further, the controller is configured to control the recording means so as to record in the longest recording mode as a recording mode during recording of the explicit screen.

  Further, the controller is configured to control the recording means so as to reduce the recording time by recording the explicit screen for a short time from the start of recording and then stopping until the reservation end time at which the program ends. is there.

  Furthermore, a PW registration means for setting a recording permission password (PW) for a program having a registered parental level or higher and registering, a PW screen generating means for setting and inputting PW, and a recorded AV signal. A playback means for playing back and outputting a playback video, and while viewing the on-air double-tone TV signal obtained from the signal processing means on the display means or during playback / viewing of the recorded AV signal, When the parental level determining means determines that the program reserved for recording by the recording reservation means is equal to or higher than the registered parental level, the controller starts recording recorded in the recording reservation means If the PW input screen from the PW screen generating means is output to the display means via the signal processing means at the time, and the PW is input on the PW input screen, the scheduled recording program Is obtained also configured to be recorded in said recording unit.

  Furthermore, while viewing the on-air double-tone TV signal obtained from the signal processing means on the display means, the parental level determining means determines that the program being viewed is equal to or higher than the registered parental level. In this case, the PW input screen from the PW screen generating means is output to the display means via the signal processing means, and at the same time, recording is started with the TV signal obtained from the signal processing means as an AV signal. It is a thing.

  Further, the controller is configured to control the reproducing means to start reproduction from the head of the AV signal being recorded after erasing the PW input screen.

  Further, the controller determines that the parental level determination means determines that the program being viewed is at or above the registered parental level, and prohibits playback of the AV signal being recorded when no PW is input. The video recording is configured to stop when it is determined that the level is below the parental level.

  Further, the controller adds an erasing means for erasing the recorded AV signal, and the controller records the program being viewed at a parental level or higher, and when the recorded content is reproduced, the recorded content is stopped after the reproduction is stopped. When not being reproduced, the reproducing means, the recording means and the erasing means are controlled so that the recorded AV signal is immediately erased.

  The present invention also includes a signal processing step of receiving a television (TV) signal to which program content identification data indicating a viewing / recording restriction level is added according to the content of the television program and obtaining a multi-tone TV signal; A recording step for recording a TV signal obtained from the signal processing step as an audio / video (AV) signal, a parental level registration step for registering a parental level (PL) of predetermined program content identification data, and program content identification data Parental level determination step for determining whether or not the parental level of the parental is higher than or equal to the parental level registered in the parental level registration step, and recording permission is permitted for a recorded program of the registered parental level or higher PW registration step for setting and registering password (PW) for registration, P for setting and inputting PW Control the screen generation step, the playback step of playing back the recorded AV signal and outputting the playback video, the screen composition step of superimposing the video of the signal processing step and the video of the PW screen generation step, and all the steps A step of displaying the on-air double-tone TV signal obtained from the signal processing step in the display step, and the parental level determination step is equal to or higher than the parental level at which the program being viewed is registered. If it is determined that there is, the PW input screen from the PW screen generation step is output to the display step via the signal processing step, and at the same time, recording is started using the TV signal obtained from the signal processing step as an AV signal. It is comprised as follows.

  As described above, the TV broadcast signal includes a program content identification data signal indicating a viewing restriction level (parental level) for restricting viewing / recording. The present invention is a recording / playback apparatus that restricts viewing / recording / playback of programs or DVD software that are higher than the registered level by registering the parental level. Some programs are not recorded depending on the registration level. In this case, if the user of the device recognizes the registered parental level well, the user can know that the recording has not been performed, but if not, it is a failure because nothing is played back by the existing playback procedure. You might think. As the first effect of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate such misunderstanding in use in the present apparatus for the user.

  The second effect of the present invention is that when the apparatus is used to watch a program on the air, the parental lock described above is released at the reserved time, and the desired program can be recorded. become able to.

  The third effect of the present invention is that when the on-air program is viewed using this apparatus, the parental lock described above is released when the program exceeds the registered parental level. Thus, a desired program can be viewed.

  The fourth effect of the present invention is that when the on-air program is viewed using this apparatus, the parental lock is released when the program exceeds the registered parental level. As a result, the program can be reproduced and viewed from the beginning of the desired program.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire recording / playback apparatus system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an antenna which receives TV radio waves on the air. Reference numeral 2 denotes a tuner, which tunes to a channel with a desired program among radio waves transmitted from many broadcasting stations. Recently, tuners that can receive all broadcasts such as terrestrial digital, BS digital, 110 ° CS digital, BS analog, terrestrial analog, etc. Reference numeral 3 denotes signal processing means, which decodes the TV signal of a desired program selected by the tuner 2 in the case of analog, and decodes the video signal, audio signal, and program content identification data signal in the case of digital. Are converted into data signals. (In the case of digital, the digital stream is output as it is, but for convenience of explanation, the output of the signal processing means 3 is a data signal including a video signal, an audio signal, and the program content identification data signal.)
4 is an HDD recorder, and 5 is a DVD recorder, which records a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal including the program content identification data signal that are output from the signal processing means 3, and reproduces the recorded signal. It is a device that can do and erase. In the present invention, it is assumed that the HDD recorder 4 and the DVD recorder 5 have recording means, reproducing means, and erasing means. When the HDD recorder 4 is provided as in the recording / reproducing apparatus 100, it is generally performed that reserved recording is performed by the HDD recorder 4 and a program to be retained is dubbed by the DVD recorder 5 after the recording is completed. Of course, the broadcast program can also be recorded directly on the DVD disc by the DVD recorder 5. The DVD recorder 5 can also reproduce recorded DVD media such as commercially available movies.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a selector, which outputs the signal processing means 3 (connected to the c terminal of the selector 6), the output of the HDD recorder 4 (connected to the b terminal of the selector 6), and the output of the DVD recorder 5 (to the a terminal of the selector 6). One of the connections) is selected and supplied to the display means 7 via the screen composition means 18 described later. Since the connection shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the c terminal of the selector 6, the output of the signal processing means 3 is applied to the display means 7 by a monitor TV or the like. That is, in the case of this connection, a desired program selected by the tuner 2 is being viewed. The currently viewed program can be recorded by the HDD recorder 4 or the DVD recorder 5.

  A controller 8 controls each block of the apparatus. Control of the start / end of recording / reproduction of the HDD recorder 4 and DVD recorder 5, and control of the selector 6 and the like are performed.

  9 is a remote control receiving means, and 10 is a remote control. The remote controller 10 is provided with several buttons for operating the present apparatus. The remote control receiving means 9 receives infrared rays emitted by pressing a button on the remote control 10, converts it into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion, and supplies an operation command signal from the remote control to the controller 8. The controller 8 controls, for example, the start / end of recording / reproduction of the HDD recorder 4 and the tuning of the tuner 2 by the operation command signal from the remote controller. The above is the basic explanation of viewing / recording / playback of the recording / playback apparatus. The present invention relates to a method for controlling viewing / recording / reproduction and controlling recorded contents when a program of a registered parental level or higher is received by registering the parental level setting. A method for detecting the parental level of the program content identification data will be described.

First, the parental level of the program content identification data will be described briefly.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the viewing / recording restriction level (parental level) in the program content identification data signal sent from the broadcasting station. From the broadcast station side, according to the content of the broadcast program, program content identification data indicating what parental level the program is in is transmitted in Hex Code (16 steps).

  First, as shown in 21 of FIG. 2, in the “program for children”, the Hex Code is 0 to 5, and the parental level (PL) is 0 to 1. [Programs for Children] includes Hex Code 0 and 1 (Not Classified) programs, Hex Code 2 and 3 preschool children programs and Hex Code 4 and 5 children (Children). ) Is included. A graph 20 showing the parental level range is shown on the right side of FIG. “Program for children” is a range indicated by a solid line 28.

  2 in FIG. 2 is a “general program” (General). Hex Code 6-7, PL1-2. This is the range indicated by the solid line 29 in the graph 20. 2 in FIG. 2 is [Parental Guidance Recommended]. Hex Code 8-9, PL 2-3. This is the range indicated by the solid line 30 in the graph 20. 2 in FIG. 2 is [Program 15+] (Mature Audience 15+). Hex Code A to B, PL 3 to 4. This is the range indicated by the solid line 31 in the graph 20. 2 in FIG. 2 is [Program for Adults over 15 years old] (Mature Account Audience 15+). Hex Code C to D, PL4 to 5. This is the range indicated by the solid line 32 in the graph 20. 26 in FIG. 2 is [A program for adults with a violence scene and over 15 years old] (Mature Audience, Strong violence 15+). Hex Code E, PL5-6. This is the range indicated by the solid line 33 in the graph 20. Reference numeral 27 in FIG. 2 denotes a [program over 18 years old] (Restricted). Hex Code F, PL3-4. This is the range indicated by the solid line 34 in the graph 20. The above is the description of the program content identification data signal sent from the broadcasting station.

  In the recording / playback apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, as described above, the signal processing means 3 obtains a data signal including a video signal, an audio signal and the program content identification data signal. These signals are applied to PL (parental level) detection means 11. Here, since the program content indicated by the Hex Code in the program content identification data signal can be detected, the parental level (PL) of the program is detected from the relationship.

  Next, a method for setting and registering a PL for which viewing / recording / reproduction is restricted will be described. Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 1 denotes PL (parental level) registration means for setting and registering a PL. Reference numeral 17 denotes a PL screen for generating a PL screen, a PW (password) screen described later, and a recording reservation screen, a PW screen, and a recording reservation screen generating means. Reference numeral 18 denotes screen composition means for superimposing or switching the PL screen, the PW screen and the recording reservation screen generating means 17 on the video signal selected by the selector 6.

  The PL setting registration is input by the remote controller 10. The remote controller 10 has a PL setting registration button. When the button is pressed, a command is input to the controller 8 via the remote control receiving means 9, and the controller 8 displays the PL setting registration screen on the display means 7. The screen, PW screen and recording reservation screen generating means 17 are activated. On the screen of the display means 7, as shown in 35 to 42 in FIG. 3, setting registration items are [No Block], [Block All], [Block G], [Block PG], [Block M], [Block MA]. , [Block AV], and [Block R] are displayed. On the screen of the display means 7, if shown as an example, a screen 90 in FIG. 4 is obtained. This is the English display itself shown on the left in FIG. The number of each item is the number in FIG. 3 plus 100. The meaning of this display will be described with reference to FIG.

  [No Block] of 35 means that the viewing / recording is not blocked for all programs, that is, the viewing / recording is possible for all programs. As shown by the dotted line 43 in the right graph 60 of FIG.

  [Block All] of 36 means to prevent viewing / recording of all programs, that is, to restrict viewing / recording of all programs including the programs for children PL0 to PL1. (Although the viewing / recording is disabled, it is limited because it can be viewed by inputting a password, which will be described later.) The viewing / recording of the entire range indicated by the solid line 44 in the graph 60 is limited. A state where viewing / recording is restricted is parental lock.

  [Block G] of 37 means that the viewing / recording of the program is limited to [general program] (general) described in FIG. The range indicated by the dotted line 46 of the graph 60, that is, a program less than PL1 (program for children) can be recorded, but viewing / recording of the range indicated by the solid line 45, that is, a program greater than PL1 is restricted.

  [Block PG] of 38 means that the viewing / recording of programs higher than [Parental Guidance Recommended] described in FIG. 2 is restricted. The range indicated by the dotted line 48 in the graph 60, that is, a program less than PL2, can be recorded, but viewing / recording of the range indicated by the solid line 47, that is, a program above PL2 is restricted.

  [Block M] of 39 means that viewing / recording of a program of [Program 15+] (Mature Audience 15+) or more described in FIG. 2 is restricted. The range indicated by the dotted line 50 in the graph 60, that is, a program less than PL3 can be recorded, but the range indicated by the solid line 49, that is, viewing / recording of a program above PL3 is restricted.

  [Block MA] of 40 means that viewing / recording of the program described above with reference to FIG. 2 [Program for adults 15 years old and over] (Mature Account Audience 15+) or more is restricted. The range indicated by the dotted line 52 in the graph 60, that is, a program less than PL4 can be recorded, but viewing / recording of the range indicated by the solid line 51, that is, a program above PL4 is restricted.

  41 [Block AV] means that the viewing / recording of the program described above with reference to FIG. 2 [program for adults over 15 years old] (Mature Audience, Strong violence 15+) is restricted. The range indicated by the dotted line 54 in the graph 60, that is, a program less than PL5 can be recorded, but the range indicated by the solid line 53, that is, the program of PL5 or higher is restricted.

  [Block R] of 42 means that viewing / recording of a program of [18 years or older] (Restricted) or more described in FIG. 2 is restricted. The range indicated by the dotted line 54 of the graph 60, that is, a program less than PL6 can be recorded, but the range indicated by the solid line 53, that is, the program of PL6 or higher is restricted.

  As described above, the setting registration items [No Block], [Block All], [Block G], [Block PG], [Block M], [Block MA], [Block AV], and [Block R] are as described above. When the PL setting registration button on the remote controller 10 is pressed, the screen is displayed on the screen of the display means 7 as shown in the screen 90 of FIG. Next, since the remote controller 10 has a selection button for selecting the setting registration item, the setting registration item to be specified is selected while viewing the screen, and for example, [Block MA] on the screen 90 in FIG. 4 is selected and determined. Presses the enter button. Then, the color of this item changes, and PL setting registration is now made.

  Reference numeral 13 in FIG. 1 denotes PL (parental level) registration means for storing the determined setting registration items. The PL registration means 13 is connected to the controller 8 and registers the designated items of the setting registration items by designation from the remote controller 10. For example, if [Block AV] is registered, a program of PL5 or higher is blocked. As described above, the PL detection means 11 detects the program content identification data from the broadcast station, that is, the PL of the program being broadcast. In comparison, if the broadcast program is larger than the registered PL, viewing / recording is restricted. Reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1 denotes PL comparison means for comparing the registered PL with the program PL. The result obtained from the PL comparison means 12 is sent to the controller 8. The above is description of setting registration of PL, detection of PL of a broadcast program, comparison of registered PL, and the like.

  Next, release of viewing / recording restriction (parental lock) will be described. The viewing / recording restriction (parental lock) can be released when there is no person who does not want to watch but has registered in the PL but wants to watch / record personally. Reference numeral 14 in FIG. 1 denotes PW (password) registration means. The remote controller 10 has a PW registration button. When this button is pressed, a command is sent to the controller 8 via the remote control receiving means 9, so that the controller 8 activates the PL screen, PW screen and recording reservation screen generating means 17. Then, a video signal of a password input screen as shown in the TV screen schematic diagram of FIG. 5 is generated. This signal is added to the screen synthesizing unit 18, and the video signal of the password input screen shown in FIG. 5 is output in place of the video signal of the TV broadcast program output from the screen synthesizing unit 18 until now. Therefore, the password input screen of FIG. 5 appears on the TV screen. In the password input screen 80 of FIG. 5, “Enter password” is displayed in 81, and therefore, a four-digit number unique to the user is input using the numeric keypad on the remote controller 10. Then, the number input to the PW (password) registration means 14 is stored in memory. And the viewing restriction cancellation is performed as follows. When the controller 8 receives an instruction from the above-mentioned PL comparison means 12 that the PL of the TV program being viewed is larger than the registered PL, the controller 8 activates the PL screen, the PW screen and the recording reservation screen generation means 17 and performs the above-described process. Then, the password input screen 80 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the TV screen. If you are informed that the program you are trying to watch is a program that is higher than the registered PL registered by the user, and you do not want to show this program in the surroundings, you can view the program personally It becomes possible. If the same number as the registered password is input to the password input screen 80 in FIG. 5 on the TV screen, the password input screen 80 in FIG. 5 disappears immediately, the parental lock is released, and the program you want to watch Will appear on the TV screen.

  Next, recording reservation will be described. As is well known, recording reservation is an essential function of a recorder that automatically records a program when the channel and start / end date / time of the program to be recorded are set in advance. There are various ways to make a reservation, but recently, there is a method in which a program to be reserved can be selected from a TV program guide and can be reserved immediately. The basic recording reservation is to set a channel and start / end date and time. Reference numeral 15 in FIG. 1 denotes recording reservation means for storing the channel and start / end date and time and transmitting the contents to the controller 8. First, as a recording reservation method, the remote control 10 is used to input the channel number of the program to be recorded and the recording start / end time to the recording reservation means 15. The remote controller 10 has a recording reservation button. When this button is pressed, the PL screen, PW screen and recording reservation screen generating means 17 are activated via the controller 8. As a result, a screen for inputting a channel number and a recording start / end time appears on the screen of the display means 7. When the channel number of the program to be recorded and the recording start / end date and time are input with the remote controller 10 while viewing the screen, they are stored in the recording reservation means 15 via the controller 8.

  Next, the recorded contents recorded when the recording reservation is executed will be described.

“Situation 1” When a recording reservation is made as described above, and a broadcast program is not viewed on the recording / reproducing apparatus, generally, there is an answering record. In this case, the power is not turned on until the reservation time. (Normal display means 7 is also powered off)
The reserved program is recorded when the power is automatically turned on before the reservation time and the reservation start time is reached. In the present invention, the PL detection means 11 detects the PL (parental level) of the program to be recorded as described above. And the registered PL registered in the PL registration means 13 are compared by the PL comparison means 12 and the result is transmitted to the controller 8. The controller 8 receives this result and controls necessary circuit blocks as follows.
When the PL of the reserved program is less than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), if the reserved program is [Program of parent instruction] of PL2, the controller 8 From the result from the comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the dotted line 52 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3), a recording command is issued to the HDD recorder 4 or the DVD recorder 5, and the video signal and audio signal of the reserved program obtained from the signal processing means 3 In addition, a data signal including a program content identification data signal is recorded in a recorder (usually an HDD recorder) designated by both recorders.
When the PL of the reserved program is equal to or higher than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), if the reserved program is PL4 [program for adults 15 years or older], the controller 8 Is a program that should not be recorded based on the result from the PL comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the solid line 51 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3). In this case, the video signal of the reserved program as in (1) above. Instead of recording a data signal including an audio signal and a program content identification data signal, a video signal of a screen clearly showing the outline content of the reserved program as shown in the TV screen 70 of FIG. 6 is recorded.

Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1 denotes an explicit screen generating means for generating an explicit screen of the TV screen 70 that clearly indicates that the parental lock is applied and the reserved program is not recorded. When the controller 8 is notified from the PL comparison means 12 that the reserved program is equal to or higher than the registered PL, the controller 8 starts the explicit screen generation means 16 and generates an explicit screen video signal shown in FIG. 6 from the explicit screen generation means 16. . In FIG. 6, 71 on the screen 70 indicates the name of the broadcasting station and the title of the program, and 72 indicates that the reserved program is not recorded in the parental lock. 73 indicates the parental level of this program. This screen is recorded from the recording start time to the end time. The sound is silent. At this time, recording is performed at the recording speed set when the recording reservation is set. The recorded content is the explicit screen (still image) shown in FIG. This screen within the scheduled recording time,
There is no need to record at the speed of high image quality mode. When the setting is the high image quality mode, if the setting is forcibly changed to the long time mode and recording is performed, consumption of the recording medium can be prevented. In order to prevent consumption, the recording is started, and not all the reserved time is recorded, but the same effect can be obtained even if recording is performed for a short time from the start and the recording is stopped for the remaining time.
“Situation 2” A recording reservation has already been made. In the present recording / playback apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a video signal and an audio signal are added from the signal processing means 3 to the display means 7 via the c terminal of the selector 6, and a TV broadcast program is being viewed. In this situation, the recording method according to the present invention when the recording reservation is executed will be described. Also in this case, as described above, the PL (parental level) of the program to be recorded is detected by the PL detection means 11, and the registered PL registered in the PL registration means 13 is compared by the PL comparison means 12, and the result Is transmitted to the controller 8. The controller 8 receives this result and controls necessary circuit blocks as follows.
(1) When the PL of the reserved program is less than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), if the reserved program is [Program of parental guidance] of PL2, the controller 8 shows a video signal of the reserved program obtained from the signal processing means 3 by issuing a recording command to the HDD recorder 4 or the DVD recorder 5 from the result from the PL comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the dotted line 52 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3). Then, a data signal including an audio signal and a program content identification data signal is recorded on a recorder (usually an HDD recorder) designated by both recorders. This is the same as in “Situation 1”, but the user is viewing a program that is the same as or different from the recorded program. In the case of another program, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is difficult, and another individual tuner and signal processing means are required. The present invention includes such a configuration.
When the PL of the reserved program is equal to or higher than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), if the reserved program is PL4 [program for adults 15 years or older], the controller 8 Is a program that should not be recorded based on the result from the PL comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the solid line 51 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3). In this case, the video signal of the reserved program as in (1) above. The video signal of the explicit screen shown in FIG. 6 is recorded from the start of recording as in (2) of “Situation 1” without recording the audio signal and the data signal including the program content identification data signal. However, at the same time, if the password input screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display means 7 by the above process and the password registered by the user is input with the remote controller 10, the parental lock is displayed. Is released, the immediate screen returns to the currently viewed screen, and the recording is changed from the explicit screen shown in FIG. 5 to the data signal including the video signal, audio signal, and program content identification data signal of the reserved program. Become.
"Situation 3" In the present recording / playback apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a video signal and an audio signal are added to the display means 7 from the signal processing means 3 via the c terminal of the selector 6, and a TV broadcast program is viewed. Is in the situation. In this situation, a recording method according to the present invention when the PL (parental level) of a program being viewed changes will be described. Also in this case, as described above, the PL of the program to be recorded is detected by the PL detection means 11, the registered PL registered in the PL registration means 13 is compared by the PL comparison means 12, and the result is transmitted to the controller 8. To do. The controller 8 receives this result and controls necessary circuit blocks as follows.
(1) When the changed PL of the program being viewed is less than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), the program being viewed is the program of [Parental guidance required by PL2]. ], The controller 8 determines from the result from the PL comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the dotted line 52 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3) the video signal, audio signal and program of the program being viewed obtained from the signal processing means 3. A data signal including the content identification data signal is output to the display means 7 in the same manner as before the PL is changed.
(2) When the changed PL of the program being viewed is equal to or higher than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), the program being viewed is PL4 [for adults over 15 years old , The controller 8 is a program that should not be viewed from the result from the PL comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the solid line 51 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3). In this case, the controller (1) In the same way as before the change of PL, the display means 7 is not output, but the password input screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display means 7 by the process, and at the same time, the HDD recorder 4 or the DVD recorder The recording command is issued to the signal processing means 3, and the data signal including the video signal, audio signal and program content identification data signal of the program being viewed obtained from the signal processing means 3 is designated by both recorders. Coder (usually HDD recorder) to record in, if the input password that the user has registered in the remote controller 10, the parental lock is released, immediately on the screen changes to a reproduced image from the beginning that initiated the recording. Note that the controller 8 prohibits the reproduction operation until a password is input.
(3) When the changed PL of the program being viewed from the state of (2) is equal to or less than the registered PL For example, if the registered PL is [Block MA] (PL4 or higher), the program being viewed is PL2 [Parent instruction required program], the controller 8 uses the result from the PL comparison means 12 (in the range indicated by the dotted line 52 in the graph 60 in FIG. 3) to the recording stop command to the designated recorders of both recorders. Put out. Thereafter, when the reproduction of (2) is completed and the reproduction is stopped, the data signal including the video signal, audio signal and program content identification data signal of the program being viewed obtained from the signal processing means 3 is displayed on the display means 7. And an erasure command for erasing the contents recorded on the designated recorders of both recorders.
(4) When the changed PL of the program being viewed from the state of (2) is equal to or higher than the registered PL, the same process as in (2) is executed again. Regarding the timing of erasing after stopping playback, there are various methods such as erasing immediately, erasing after a certain time, or erasing at another operation timing, and the present invention has such a configuration. Including cases.

  In “situation 2”, the explicit screen is recorded by reserved recording. However, as in “situation 3”, recording may be performed as usual, and reproduction after PW input may be permitted.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention detects a program content identification data signal of a reserved program in a recording reservation, knows the PL (parental level) of the program, and compares it with the registered PL, thereby making the program more than the registered PL. , Record an explicit screen that shows that the program is restricted, give evidence to the user that the reserved program cannot be recorded, use the existing playback means, and show the TV program on this device When watching a program, even if the program reserved for recording is higher than the registered PL, the parental lock can be released and recording can be performed, and when watching a TV program, the program being viewed is registered Even if it is higher than PL, the parental lock can be released, and playback and viewing can be started from the beginning of the desired program, so the usage range is wide. It can be used not only for HDD recorders and DVD recorders, but also for magnetic tape recorders, and for semiconductor memory recorders.

Block diagram of the entire recording / playback apparatus system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Explanatory drawing about the parental level (PL) in the present invention Explanatory drawing about viewing / recording possible and restricted range in the present invention Schematic diagram of password entry screen in the present invention Schematic of explicit screen recorded during parental lock in the present invention Schematic diagram of the screen showing the outline of the reserved program

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Antenna 2 Tuner 3 Signal processing means 4 HDD recorder 5 DVD recorder 6 Selector 7 Display means 8 Controller 9 Remote control receiving means 10 Remote control 11 PL (parental level) detection means 12 PL comparison means 13 PL registration means 14 PW (password) registration Means 15 Recording reservation means 16 Explicit screen generation means 17 PL screen, PW screen and recording reservation screen generation means 100 Recording / playback apparatus

Claims (9)

Signal processing means for receiving a television (TV) signal to which program content identification data indicating a viewing / recording restriction level (hereinafter referred to as a parental level) is added according to the content of the television program, and obtaining a multi-tone TV signal; Recording means for recording a TV signal obtained from the signal processing means as an audio / video (AV) signal, parental level registration means for registering a parental level (PL) of predetermined program content identification data, and program content The parental level discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the parental level of the identification data is equal to or higher than the parental level registered by the parental level registration means, and the recording start time and end time of the program to be viewed are memorized. Recording reservation means for controlling the start and stop of the recording operation of the recording means at the time, and the program reserved for recording are registered. There is an explicit screen generating means for generating an explicit screen indicating that the parental level or higher, and a controller for controlling all the means. In the parental level determining means, the program content identification data of the reserved program is The recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein when the rental level is determined to be equal to or higher than the registered parental level, the controller performs control to record the explicit screen of the explicit screen generating means. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the recording unit to record in the longest recording mode as a recording mode during recording of the explicit screen. The controller controls the recording unit to record the explicit screen for a short time from the start of recording, and then stop until a reservation end time at which the program ends to reduce the recording time. Item 2. The recording / playback apparatus according to Item 1. A PW registration means for setting and registering a password (PW) for permitting recording for a recorded program of the parental level or higher, a PW screen generating means for setting and inputting the PW, and a recorded AV signal Is further provided with a playback means for playing back and outputting the playback video, while viewing the on-air bi-tonal TV signal obtained from the signal processing means on the display means or during playback viewing of the recorded AV signal, When the parental level determining means determines that the program reserved for recording by the recording reservation means is higher than the registered parental level, the controller starts the recording start time stored in the recording reservation means. In addition, the PW input screen from the PW screen generating means is output to the display means via the signal processing means, and if the PW is input, the scheduled recording program is output by the recording means. Characterized by recording, video recording and playback apparatus according to any one of claims of claims 1 to 3. Signal processing means for receiving a television (TV) signal to which program content identification data indicating a viewing / recording restriction level (hereinafter referred to as a parental level) is added according to the content of the television program, and obtaining a multi-tone TV signal; Recording means for recording a TV signal obtained from the signal processing means as an audio / video (AV) signal, parental level registration means for registering a parental level (PL) of predetermined program content identification data, and program content For parental level discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the parental level of the identification data is equal to or higher than the parental level registered by the parental level registration means, and for a recorded program of the registered parental level or higher PW registration means for setting and registering a password (PW) for permitting recording, and PW screen generating means for setting and inputting PW Reproduction means for reproducing recorded AV signals and outputting reproduced video, screen composition means for superimposing the video of the signal processing means and the video of the PW screen generation means, and a controller for controlling all the means. When the on-air double-tone TV signal obtained from the signal processing means is being viewed on the display means, and when the parental level determination means determines that the program being viewed is equal to or higher than the registered parental level Is characterized in that, through the signal processing means, the PW input screen from the PW screen generation means is output to the display means, and at the same time, recording is started with the TV signal obtained from the signal processing means as an AV signal. Recording / playback device. 6. The recording / playback apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller controls the playback means to start playback from the beginning of the AV signal being recorded after erasing the PW input screen. The controller determines that the parental level determination means determines that the program being viewed is equal to or higher than the registered parental level, and prohibits playback of the AV signal being recorded when no PW is input, 7. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reproducing unit and the recording unit are controlled so as to stop recording when it is determined that the level is equal to or lower than the parental level. The controller further includes an erasing unit for erasing the recorded AV signal, and the controller records the program being viewed at or above the parental level, and when the recorded content is being reproduced, the recorded content is reproduced after the reproduction is stopped. 8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reproducing unit, the recording unit, and the erasing unit are controlled so that the recorded AV signal is erased immediately if not. A signal processing step of receiving a television (TV) signal to which program content identification data indicating a viewing / recording restriction level (hereinafter referred to as a parental level) is added according to the content of the television program and obtaining a multi-tone TV signal; A recording step for recording the TV signal obtained from the signal processing step as an audio / video (AV) signal, a parental level registration step for registering a parental level (PL) of predetermined program content identification data, and a program content For the parental level determination step for determining whether the parental level of the identification data is equal to or higher than the parental level registered in the parental level registration step, and for a recorded program of the registered parental level or higher A PW registration step for setting and registering a password (PW) for permitting recording, PW setting and A PW screen generation step for inputting, a reproduction step for reproducing a recorded AV signal and outputting a reproduction image, a screen composition step for superimposing the signal processing step image and the PW screen generation step image, A control step for controlling the step, and while viewing the on-air double-tone TV signal obtained from the signal processing step in the display step, the parental level determination step is a parameter in which the program being viewed is registered. When it is determined that the level is higher than the rental level, the PW input screen from the PW screen generation step is output to the display step through the signal processing step, and at the same time, the TV signal obtained from the signal processing step is used as an AV signal. A recording / reproducing method characterized by starting recording.

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