JP2008072200A - Recording and reproducing device and display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and reproducing device and a display method with which contents can be easily arranged through a menu picture. <P>SOLUTION: The recording and reproducing device 10 includes a recording unit 26 which records input contents together with recording time and part of video information of the contents, an image processing unit 20 which generates a selection menu picture where part of the video information on the contents recorded in the recording unit 26 is displayed, and a control unit 34 which controls an image processing unit 18 to process and display a part of the video information to lightness corresponding to the difference between the recording time recorded in the recording unit 26 and current time as for the respective contents recorded in the recording unit 26 when the image processing unit 20 generates the selection menu picture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a menu screen display technique in a recording / playback apparatus for recording and playing back broadcast content.

  In recent years, the video signal recording method has shifted from an analog format to a digital format, and the recording medium has also shifted from a magnetic tape to an optical disc. Under such circumstances, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorders, HD (Hard Disc) recorders, Blu-ray disc recorders, HD-DVD (High Definition DVD) recorders, and the like are on the market as recording / playback apparatuses.

  In the recording / playback apparatus, when recording content on a recording medium, the date and genre when the content is recorded and the genre are usually added as accompanying information. For this reason, the user can easily confirm the recording date and time and the genre of the recorded content via the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the apparatus. Normally, on such a GUI screen, the recorded content can display an image (thumbnail) constituting a part thereof.

  In recent years, the capacity of recording media has increased, and many contents can be stored in the recording / reproducing apparatus. For this reason, a viewing style has emerged in which content that is not so interesting and is not necessarily viewed is recorded for the time being. However, in this case, unviewed recorded contents gradually increase on the recording medium. Some contents remain on the recording medium and are viewed many times.

  Since the capacity of the recording medium is also limited, it is necessary to manage the content recorded on the recording medium (moving or deleting to another recording medium). A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of automatically managing recorded content has been considered (see Patent Document 1). This recording / reproducing apparatus manages the recorded content based on the content age calculated from the elapsed time from the date and time when the recorded video signal was recorded. The content is automatically deleted from the recording medium in order from the content having the highest age (the elapsed time from the recording date and time). In order to prevent a specific recorded content from being automatically deleted, the user sets the content to be out of deletion.

JP 2004-86288 A

  However, in many cases, the content that has been elapsed since the recording date and time is recorded with the intention of “storing” by the user, and therefore it is often difficult to delete the content automatically. In order to avoid automatic deletion, it is necessary to perform a process for setting all such recorded contents to be excluded from deletion. On the other hand, if the automatic deletion is not performed, the user must confirm the recording date and time for each content in order to delete the unnecessary recorded content. Such an operation is very troublesome when there are many recorded contents. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention records input content together with a recording date and time and a part of video information of the content, and recorded in the recording unit. An image processing unit that generates a selection menu screen on which a part of video information of the content is displayed, and the recording unit for each content recorded in the recording unit when the selection menu screen is generated by the image processing unit A control unit that controls the image processing unit to process and display a part of the video information to a brightness according to the difference between the recorded date and time and the current date and time.

In order to achieve the above object, a display method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: a recording unit that records input content together with a recording date and time and a part of video information of the content; An image processing unit for generating a selection menu screen on which a part of the video information of the content is displayed, and a display method in a recording / reproducing apparatus,
When the selection menu screen is generated by the image processing unit, for each content recorded in the recording unit, one of the video information is set to a brightness according to the difference between the recording date and time recorded on the recording medium and the current date and time. The image processing unit is controlled to display the processed part.

  According to the present invention, a recording / reproducing apparatus and a display method that can easily organize contents via a menu screen are provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment shown below is only an example and this invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A recording / reproducing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a receiving unit 12, a demodulating unit 14, a decoder unit 16, an image processing unit 18, a D / A (Digital to Analog) converting unit 20, an amplifying unit 22, and an encoder. Unit 24, recording / reproducing unit 26, display unit 28, input unit 30, timer 32, and control unit 34.

  The receiving unit 12 extracts broadcast waves from a predetermined broadcast station (channel) from broadcast waves received via the antenna 13. The broadcast wave extracted by the receiving unit 12 is selected and set by the user.

  The demodulator 14 extracts a video signal and an audio signal (content) configured in a prescribed format from the broadcast wave extracted by the receiver 12. The broadcast wave may include broadcast data related to the content.

  The decoder unit 16 converts the video signal and audio signal extracted by the demodulation unit 14 into an arbitrary compressed / uncompressed digital format. The decoder unit 16 converts the audio signal into a digital audio signal in PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) format.

  The image processing unit 18 generates an arbitrary image, for example, a menu (GUI) screen.

  The D / A converter 20 converts, for example, a PCM format digital audio signal output from the decoder unit 16 into an analog audio signal.

  The amplifying unit 22 amplifies the analog audio signal output from the D / A converter to an arbitrary volume and outputs it to the speaker 23. If the speaker 23 can process a digital audio signal, the D / A conversion unit 20 may not be provided.

  The encoder unit 24 synthesizes the video signal output from the decoder unit 16 and the video signal output from the image processing unit 18 and converts them into an analog video signal format such as NTSC (National Television Standards Committee). The video signal from the encoder unit 24 is output to the monitor 25. Of course, if the monitor 25 can process a digital video signal, the digital video signal may be sent to the monitor 25 as an arbitrary digital video signal.

  The recording / reproducing unit 26 records the video signal and the audio signal output from the decoder unit 16 on a recording medium, and reads the recorded video signal and the like from the recording medium. The recording / reproducing unit 26 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) and uses HD as a recording medium. The recording / reproducing unit 26 may use a portable recording medium such as a DVD as a recording medium. The video signal and the audio signal are recorded on a recording medium together with accompanying information (management information) such as recording date and time for each content.

  The display unit 28 includes a liquid crystal display and the like, and displays an operation state of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

  The input unit 30 receives instructions regarding recording to the recording / playback unit 26, playback and deletion of content recorded in the recording / playback unit 26, and the like. An instruction signal may be input to the input unit 30 from a panel provided with buttons or the like, or an instruction signal may be input from a remote controller.

  The timer 32 holds the current date (when operating) and the time.

  The control unit 34 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit.

Hereinafter, the recording operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
When recording to the recording / reproducing apparatus 10, first, the operator looks at the menu screen and selects content to be recorded via the input unit 30. The content to be recorded may be automatically selected by the control unit 34 based on preset conditions. The content is transmitted as a video signal and an audio signal superimposed on the broadcast wave from a broadcast station to which a predetermined frequency is assigned. Accompanying information (metadata) indicating the content genre and the like is also superimposed on the broadcast wave. The control unit 34 controls the receiving unit 12 to select a broadcast station (channel) that transmits the content set as a recording target.

  The receiving unit 12 determines whether a broadcast wave is received from the selected broadcast station with respect to the broadcast wave input from the antenna 13. When the selected broadcast wave is received, the broadcast wave received from the antenna 13 is output to the demodulator 14. When the selected broadcast wave is not received, the broadcast wave received from the antenna 13 is not output to the demodulator 14.

  The demodulating unit 14 extracts a video signal, an audio signal, and the like from the broadcast wave output from the receiving unit 12, and outputs them to the decoder unit 16.

  The decoder unit 16 converts the video signal and the audio signal input from the demodulation unit 14 from analog signals to digital data, respectively, and further converts them into compressed digital data of a predetermined format. The decoder unit 16 converts the video signal and the video signal into compressed digital data in, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format, and outputs the compressed digital data to the recording / reproducing unit 26.

The recording / playback unit 26 receives a request to start recording of a digital video signal, audio signal, or the like (content) output from the decoder unit 16 and records it on a recording medium.
At the time of recording, the recording / reproducing unit 26 attaches the date and time (date / time information) for recording and the video signal (image information) first input to the recording / reproducing unit 26 at the start of recording to the content to be recorded. Is recorded on the recording medium as management information. Note that this image recorded as management information does not have to be the first input video.

  When stopping recording on the recording medium, the control unit 34 requests the recording / reproducing unit 26 to stop recording in response to a stop instruction from the input unit 30. The recording / reproducing unit 26 stops recording on the recording medium, and records date and time information (recording end date and time) as management information associated with the content that has been recorded.

Hereinafter, a menu screen display operation at the time of deletion of the recorded content of the recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.
When playing back, deleting, or the like the content recorded in the recording / playback apparatus 10, first, the control unit 34 generates a menu screen that constitutes the selection input screen, and outputs and displays it on the monitor 25. The selection is accepted from the operator via the input unit 30.

  When the menu screen is displayed, the control unit 34 requests the recording / reproducing unit 26 to read out video information recorded as content management information on the recording medium. The recording / reproducing unit 26 reads management information for all contents recorded on the recording medium. Management information from the recording / reproducing unit 26 is sent to the image processing unit 18 via the decoder unit 16. The control unit 34 requests the image processing unit 18 to draw management information (start image, title, etc.) as a viewable image.

  Here, the control unit 34 performs image processing so that images of each content displayed on the menu screen generate images having different brightness depending on the difference between the recording time and the display time (elapsed time from the recording time). Request to section 18. Specifically, when the menu screen is displayed, the control unit 34 determines which of a plurality of preset stages corresponds to the difference between the recording time and the current (display time), and the video according to the level. The image processing unit 18 is controlled to generate an image with reduced brightness.

  More specifically, the control unit 34 acquires date / time information recorded along with the recorded content from the recording medium via the recording / reproducing unit 26 (step S1 in FIG. 2). Further, the control unit 34 acquires date / time information at the present time (display time) from the timer 32 and extracts a difference between the date / time information attached to the video signal and the date / time information acquired from the timer 32 (steps S2 and S3). . The control unit 34 determines which of the predetermined categories the difference information for the extracted date / time information corresponds to, and requests the image processing unit 18 to process the image according to the categories (steps S4 and S5). The image processing unit 18 edits and processes the requested image.

  Note that the difference in date and time information can be selected and set arbitrarily in units of minutes, hours, days, months, etc., so that it is easy for the user to use. Hereinafter, a case where the difference is determined in units of time will be described as an example.

For example, when the difference is 0 to 6 hours, the control unit 34 displays the original brightness image (section 1), and when the difference is 6 to 12 hours, the control section 34 displays the image obtained by subtracting 10% from the original brightness (section). 2) When the difference is 12 to 18 hours, an image obtained by subtracting 25% from the original brightness (Category 3), and when the difference is 18 hours or more, an image obtained by reducing 50% from the original brightness (Category 4) ), The image processing unit 18 is controlled to generate.
In other words, the image processing unit 18 performs a brightness reduction process according to the determined category for each content image, and generates an image with reduced brightness for the original image, for example, as shown in FIG. To do.

  When determining the brightness processing category for each recorded content, the control unit 34 preferably stores the content management information including the category. For the content of the oldest category, the category does not change at any time thereafter, so by keeping the category for each content, the process of always determining the category when displaying the menu screen is eliminated. It is possible.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which six different contents at the time of recording are recorded on the recording medium. The control unit 34 reads the management information when the menu screen is displayed, calculates the difference between the recording time and the current time (23:00) for each content as described above, and determines which of the predetermined categories is applicable. . In the example shown in FIG. 4, content A is determined as category 4, content B and C as category 3, content D and E as category 2, and content F as category 1.

  The image processing unit 18 generates an image (thumbnail) representing the content according to the category in accordance with a request from the control unit 34, and the content is displayed on the menu screen as shown in FIG. 4, for example. With the menu screen displayed in this way, the user can easily grasp the image showing the content from the brightness, at a glance, the newness and oldness at the time of recording. For this reason, for example, when an operator wants to sort out (delete) old contents, the operator can easily determine the necessity of deletion by judging the contents of only the contents represented by dark images from the images. it can.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image (thumbnail) displayed on the menu screen is displayed with its brightness changed according to the difference between the current time and the content recording time. Thereby, the operator can easily grasp the elapsed time (content age) from the recording time for the recorded contents displayed as a list on the menu screen.

  For example, when the operator wants to organize the contents by looking at the list of contents displayed on the menu screen in chronological order, for example, even if the contents displayed at the top are not so old or vice versa There is also. In such a case, the operator must originally confirm the recording time of each content. However, according to the present embodiment, the operator can easily grasp the approximate age of the content based on the brightness of the image. Can easily organize content in a short time.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made.

  For example, when a dark image is originally stored as a thumbnail and it is difficult to understand the change in brightness due to the age of the content, a mark indicating the brightness level may be superimposed on the image and displayed. . For example, a symbol indicating a brightness level (a circle, a level gauge, or the like) may be displayed superimposed on the corner of the image.

  Also, if it is darkened by the brightness reduction process and it is difficult to determine the screen contents, only the partial area (for example, the green part) is processed instead of the entire image, and the original image contents are processed. May be confirmed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the production | generation flow of the menu screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the image process in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a division of the recording content in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the menu screen in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: Playback device, 12: Receiver, 14: Demodulator, 16: Decoder, 18: Image processor, 20: D / A converter, 22: Amplifier, 24: Encoder, 26: Recording / playback 28: Display unit, 30: Input unit, 32: Timer, 34: Control unit

Claims (2)

A recording unit for recording the input content together with a recording date and time and a part of video information of the content;
An image processing unit that generates a selection menu screen on which a part of video information of the content recorded in the recording unit is displayed;
When the selection menu screen is generated by the image processing unit, for each content recorded in the recording unit, one of the video information is set to a brightness according to the difference between the recording date and time recorded in the recording unit and the current date and time. A control unit that controls the image processing unit to process and display the unit;
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: An image for generating a recording unit for recording the input content together with a recording date and time and a part of video information of the content, and a selection menu screen on which a part of the video information of the content recorded in the recording unit is displayed. A display method in a recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a processing unit,
When the selection menu screen is generated by the image processing unit, for each content recorded in the recording unit, one of the video information is set to a brightness according to the difference between the recording date and time recorded on the recording medium and the current date and time. A display method comprising: controlling the image processing unit so as to process and display the unit.

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