JP2008118469A - Discontinued program viewing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To immediately view a program from a discontinued point by transmitting the discontinued point of viewing specified by a portable television receiver during reproducing the prerecorded program in a video recording and reproducing device. <P>SOLUTION: This discontinued program viewing system comprises: the portable television receiver for transmitting a broadcast program judged to have viewing discontinuation and program discontinuation point specification information for specifying the discontinuation point to the video recording and reproducing device when its own operating state coincides with a predetermined prescribed condition for judging that there has been discontinuation action of television broadcast viewing, and the video recording and reproducing device for reproducing the program from the vicinity of the discontinuation point when the program specified by the received program discontinuation point specification information and the discontinuation point are recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for re-viewing a program for which viewing has been interrupted.

Conventionally, a technique for generating recording instruction information and automatically transmitting it to a remote recording device when broadcasting viewing is interrupted by a mobile communication device capable of receiving television broadcasting has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). At this time, it is possible to record a program after the viewing interruption point by the recording device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-199393

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a certain time lag occurs between the time when the user interrupts viewing and the time when the recording apparatus starts recording. Further, when the recording device records the program in advance, the information on the viewing interruption point in the mobile communication device cannot be reflected in the reproduction execution. In this case, when the program is reproduced, a very complicated operation for manually searching for the viewing interruption point is indispensable.

  In view of such a situation, the present invention is based on a broadcast program that has been determined to have been interrupted when the operation status of the apparatus matches a predetermined condition for determining that the TV broadcast has been interrupted. A portable television receiver for transmitting to the recording / playback device, a program specified by the received program interruption point identification information, and its interruption When a point is recorded in a recording unit, an interrupted program viewing system comprising a recording / reproducing apparatus for reproducing the program from the vicinity of the interrupted point is proposed.

  Also, from a portable television receiver, a broadcast program determined to have resumed viewing of a program that has been determined to have been an act of interrupting viewing, program resume point identifying information for identifying the resume point, In the recording / playback apparatus, when the program specified by the received program restart point specifying information and its restart point are recorded in the recording unit, playback of the program is performed near the restart point. You can also end playback.

  As described above, the interrupted program viewing system according to the present invention immediately transmits the interrupt point of viewing specified by the portable television receiving device when reproducing the program recorded in advance by the recording / reproducing device. Therefore, viewing from the point of interruption is possible, which is convenient. At this time, since the recording of the program is executed in advance by the recording / reproducing apparatus, there is no time lag between the interruption of viewing and the start of recording, and therefore the risk that a part where the program cannot be reproduced can be avoided.

  The best mode for carrying out each invention will be described below. The relationship between each embodiment and the claims is as follows. The first embodiment will mainly describe claims 1, 3, 4, and 5. The second embodiment will mainly describe claims 2 and 6. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In addition, each functional block described below can be realized as hardware, software that is developed on a memory and controlled by controlling the hardware, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, hardware such as a CPU, a memory, a hard disk drive, a reading drive such as a CD-ROM / DVD-ROM, a transmission / reception port / interface for various communications, and other peripheral devices Examples include a configuration unit, a driver program for controlling the hardware, and other application programs.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus or a system but also as a method. A part of such an invention can be configured as software. Further, a software product used to cause a computer to execute such software and a recording medium on which the product is fixed are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification).

  << Embodiment 1 >>

  <Embodiment 1: Overview> An overview of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a broadcast program that is determined to have been interrupted when the operation status of the user matches a predetermined condition for determining that the TV broadcast has been interrupted, and Program interruption point specifying information for specifying an interruption point, a portable television receiver for transmitting to a recording / playback device, a program specified by the received program interruption point specifying information, and its interruption point When the program is recorded in the recording unit, the program is a suspended program viewing system including a recording / playback apparatus that plays back the program from the vicinity of the breakpoint.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an interrupted program viewing system according to this embodiment. In the figure, a scene is shown in which a user receives a television broadcast by a portable television receiver when he / she goes out and views the television broadcast. Now, suppose that a user interrupts viewing of a television broadcast, for example, by operating a switch of the portable television receiver. At this time, the portable television receiving device generates and acquires interruption point specifying information including a broadcast program determined to have been interrupted and information for specifying the interruption (interruption time, etc.), and stores the generated information. Keep it. In the example shown in the figure, the interruption time is 21:18. The user can watch the program from the vicinity of the interruption point (after 18 minutes from the beginning) by transmitting the interruption point specifying information to the recording device after returning home. The recording device is premised on recording / recording a TV broadcast program in advance, but the user can immediately view the program without having to fast-forward the part that has already been viewed.

  <Embodiment 1: Configuration 1> FIG. 2 shows an example of functional blocks of the present embodiment. The “suspended program viewing system” (0200) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a “portable television receiver” (0210) and a “recording / playback device” (0220). Furthermore, the portable television receiver (0210) includes a “television broadcast receiving unit” (0211), an “interruption determination unit” (0212), a “program interruption point specifying information acquisition unit” (0213), Transmitting section ”(0214). The recording / playback apparatus (0220) includes a “recording unit” (0221), an “interruption point receiving unit” (0222), and a “playing unit” (0223).

    (Interrupted Program Viewing System 0200) The “interrupted program viewing system” (0200) is a system including a portable television receiver and a recording / playback device. In addition, it is not limited to the case where it is comprised from a pair of apparatus, It may be comprised from a one-to-many or many-to-many apparatus.

    (Portable TV Receiving Device 0210) “Portable TV receiving device” (0210) includes a wide variety of portable devices having a TV broadcast receiving function, and specifically includes mobile phones, PHS, PDAs, and the like. Can be enumerated.

    (Television Broadcast Receiving Unit 0211) The “Television Broadcast Receiving Unit” (0211) receives a television broadcast. In addition to terrestrial analog broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting, television broadcasting may include BS and CS.

    (Interruption determination unit 0212) The “interruption determination unit” (0212) determines whether or not its own operating condition matches a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an act of interrupting viewing of a television broadcast. The “operation status” may include not only predetermined key operations by the user but also radio wave reception status, incoming calls, and the like. The “predetermined condition” means a restriction item corresponding to the operation status. At the stage of acquiring the operation status, the comparison processing of both the operation status and the condition is executed, and the determination result is calculated. Specifically, when the condition of “deterioration of radio wave reception status” is provided, when the user acquires an operating status indicating that the radio wave reception status has deteriorated, such as by getting on a train The determination result that the condition is satisfied can be calculated. Details will be described later.

    (Program interruption point identification information acquisition unit 0213) The “program interruption point identification information acquisition unit” (0213) determines that there has been an interruption in viewing when the determination result is a determination result that matches a predetermined condition. A broadcast program and program interruption point specifying information for specifying the interruption point are acquired. “Program interruption point identification information” is information for identifying the interruption point of a broadcast program determined to have been interrupted. Specifically, the broadcast program title, broadcast station, broadcast time (broadcast start) Time / end time).

    (Interruption point transmission unit 0214) The “interruption point transmission unit” (0214) stores the acquired program interruption point specifying information and performs a process for transmitting it to the recording / playback apparatus (0220). The transmission may be executed using a close communication means such as infrared communication, or may be executed using a communication means via the Internet network such as mail. Further, transmission may be executed using a wired communication means.

    (Recording / reproducing apparatus 0220) The “recording / reproducing apparatus” (0220) includes a wide range of apparatuses that have a television broadcast receiving function, record and store this, and can execute reproduction. Specifically, an HDD recorder or the like is applicable.

    (Recording unit 0221) The “recording unit” (0221) records a television broadcast program. It is assumed that the recording has already been performed based on the recording reservation information set in advance by the user.

    (Interrupt Point Receiving Unit 0222) The “interrupt point receiving unit” (0222) receives the program interrupt point specifying information transmitted from the interrupt point transmitting unit (0214) of the portable television receiver (0210).

    (Playback unit 0223) The “playback unit” (0223), when the program specified by the received program interruption point specification information and its interruption point are recorded in the recording unit (0221), displays the program. , Playback from near the interruption point. In addition to the interruption point itself, “near the interruption point” may include about several seconds to several minutes (preferably before) of the interruption point.

  <Embodiment 1: Configuration 2> FIG. 3 shows another example of functional blocks of the present embodiment. The “suspended program viewing system” (0300) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 includes a “portable television receiver” (0310) and a “recording / playback device” (0320). Further, the portable television receiver (0310) includes a “television broadcast receiving unit” (0311), an “interruption determination unit” (0312), a “program interruption point specifying information acquisition unit” (0313), The television broadcast receiving unit (0311) further includes “low quality broadcast receiving means” (0315). The recording / playback apparatus (0320) includes a “recording unit” (0321), an “interruption point receiving unit” (0322), and a “playing unit” (0323), and further a recording unit (0321). Has “high quality recording means” (0324). This functional block is based on the first embodiment. However, when the second functional block is based on the second embodiment to be described later, in addition to the above, other structural requirements (resumption determining unit, program resume point specifying information) An acquisition unit, a resumption point transmission unit, a resumption point reception unit, and a reproduction end unit).

    (Low Quality Broadcast Receiving Unit 0315) The “low quality broadcast receiving unit” (0315) receives a relatively low quality broadcast such as a so-called one-segment broadcast. If the broadcast has a low resolution, it can be played back and viewed with a portable television receiver.

    (High Quality Broadcast Receiving Unit 0324) The “High Quality Broadcast Receiving Unit” (0324) records relatively high quality broadcasts such as SD image quality broadcasts and HD image quality broadcasts. When watching the continuation of the interrupted program, it is possible to reproduce the recorded high-resolution video on a high-definition large monitor.

    The processing of each other part is the same as that of the configuration 1.

  <Embodiment 1: Configuration 3> FIG. 4 shows another example of functional blocks of the present embodiment. The “suspended program viewing system” (0400) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4 includes a “portable television receiver” (0410) and a “recording / playback device” (0420). Furthermore, the portable television receiver (0410) includes a “television broadcast receiving unit” (0411), an “interruption determination unit” (0412), a “program interruption point specifying information acquisition unit” (0413), and an “interrupt point”. The transmission determination unit (0412) further includes a “detection unit” (0415). The recording / playback apparatus (0420) includes a “recording unit” (0421), an “interruption point receiving unit” (0422), and a “playing unit” (0423). This functional block is based on the first embodiment. However, when the second functional block is based on the second embodiment to be described later, in addition to the above, other structural requirements (resumption determining unit, program resume point specifying information) An acquisition unit, a resumption point transmission unit, a resumption point reception unit, and a reproduction end unit).

    (Detection unit 0415) The “detection unit” (0415) is configured to accept a switching operation from the television broadcast program display mode to another mode, or to receive an incoming call during the television broadcast program display mode when the mobile unit has a mobile phone function. Detection of outgoing calls, reception of power-off operation during TV broadcast program display mode, detection of folding operation during TV broadcast program display mode when the display screen is on a foldable and overlapping surface, own TV When there is an illuminance sensor in the vicinity of the display screen, the determination is made based on a match with one or more of the following conditions: detection of a rapid decrease in illuminance of the illuminance sensor.

    “Accepting a switching operation from the television broadcast program display mode to another mode” corresponds to a predetermined key operation for mode switching. As other modes, a mail transmission / reception mode, a camera shooting mode, an Internet connection mode, and the like can be listed. Therefore, when switching from the television broadcast program display mode to another mode is performed, viewing of the television broadcast is considered to be interrupted.

    At this time, information indicating which key is operated is acquired via the input interface as the operation status of the portable television receiver. Here, information indicating a specific key to be operated for mode switching is stored in advance as a predetermined condition in the storage device of the portable television receiver. In the detection means, whether or not there is an interruption action is determined by executing a comparison process of whether or not the operation status and the condition are met.

    “Detection of incoming or outgoing calls in the TV broadcast program display mode when the mobile phone itself has a mobile phone function” corresponds to call detection, connection request, and the like. When the incoming or outgoing call is made, the television broadcast program display mode is switched to the incoming call response mode or the outgoing call request mode, so that viewing of the television broadcast is considered to be interrupted.

    At this time, information indicating whether a call incoming or outgoing call has been detected is acquired via the input interface as the operation status of the portable television receiver. Here, information indicating the operating status of the antenna for detecting incoming or outgoing calls is stored in advance in the storage device of the portable television receiver as a predetermined condition. In the detection means, whether or not there is an interruption action is determined by executing a comparison process of whether or not the operation status and the condition are met.

    “Accepting a power OFF operation during the TV broadcast program display mode” corresponds to an operation of a power button or the like. When the power is turned off, the display of the television broadcast is terminated, so that the viewing of the television broadcast is considered to be interrupted.

    At this time, information indicating whether the power-off operation has been detected is acquired via the input interface as the operation status of the portable television receiver. Here, information indicating the state of the power source is stored in advance as a predetermined condition in the storage device of the portable television receiver. In the detection means, whether or not there is an interruption action is determined by executing a comparison process of whether or not the operation status and the condition are met.

    “Detection of the folding operation in the television broadcast program display mode when the screen itself is a folding type and has a television display screen on the overlapping surface” is determined by the degree of the folding angle at the folding portion. When the television display screen and the main body approach each other at a certain angle or more, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the television display screen, so that the viewing of the television broadcast is considered to be interrupted.

    At this time, information indicating whether the folding operation has been performed is acquired via the input interface as the operation status of the portable television receiver. Here, in advance, information indicating the threshold value of the folding angle is stored in the storage device of the portable television receiver as a predetermined condition. In the detection means, whether or not there is an interruption action is determined by executing a comparison process of whether or not the operation status and the condition are met.

    “Detection of a rapid decrease in illuminance when the illuminance sensor is in the vicinity of its own television display screen” is determined by the degree of decrease in the value indicating illuminance in the illuminance sensor. In addition to a form that is folded up so that the illuminance sensor is covered, a form in which light does not reach the illuminance sensor when stored in a bag or the like is assumed. Since it is difficult to visually recognize the television display screen in the folded state or the housed state, it is considered that the viewing of the television broadcast is interrupted.

    At this time, information indicating the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor is acquired via the input interface as the operation status of the portable television receiver. Here, information indicating an illuminance threshold value is stored in advance in the storage device of the portable television receiver as a predetermined condition. In the detection means, whether or not there is an interruption action is determined by executing a comparison process of whether or not the operation status and the condition are met.

    The processing of each other part is the same as that of the configuration 1.

  Embodiment 1 Hardware Configuration FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in the processing execution of each device of the interrupted program viewing system will be described with reference to this figure. As shown in this figure, the portable television receiver (0210) includes a “CPU (Central Processing Unit) for realizing processing in the interruption determination unit (0212) and the program interruption point identification information acquisition unit (0213). ) ”(0511),“ Main memory ”(0512),“ Storage device (or storage medium) ”(0513), and“ Input interface ”(0514). In addition to the above hardware configuration unit, an “output interface” (0515) is used to implement the processing in the interruption point transmission unit (0214), and a “tuner” is used to implement the processing in the television broadcast reception unit (0211). (0516). These are connected to each other through a data communication path such as a “system bus” (0517), and perform transmission / reception and processing of information.

  Similarly, the recording / playback apparatus (0220) includes a “CPU (central processing unit)” (0521) and a “main memory” in order to implement processing in the recording unit (0221) and the playback unit (0223). (0522) and “storage device (or storage medium)” (0523). In addition to the hardware configuration unit, an “input interface” (0524) is provided in order to realize the processing in the interruption point receiving unit (0222). In addition, a “tuner”, “output interface”, “monitor”, and the like may be provided. These are connected to each other through a data communication path such as a “system bus” (0525), and perform transmission / reception and processing of information.

  The storage device (0513) of the portable television receiver is a program (for example, an interruption determination program (interruption determination unit), a program interruption point identification information acquisition program (program interruption point identification information) executed by the CPU (0511). Acquisition unit), interruption point transmission program (interruption point transmission unit, etc.). Similarly, the storage device (0523) of the recording / playback apparatus stores various programs (for example, a program for interruption point reception (interrupt point reception unit), a program for reproduction (reproduction unit), etc.) executed by the CPU (0521). is doing. The main memory (0512, 0522) provides a work area that is an area in which the program is read and expanded in order to execute the program stored in each storage device. Furthermore, a plurality of memory addresses are assigned to the main memory and the storage device, respectively, and programs executed by the CPU exchange and process data by specifying and accessing the memory addresses. Is possible. The above is the function of each hardware configuration.

  First, when the portable television receiver is turned on, the program stored in the storage device (0513) (interrupt determination program (address 01), program interruption point specific information acquisition program (address 02), interruption point transmission) The trusted program (address 03)) is expanded in the work area (addresses 11, 12, 13) of the main memory (0512). In a state where the power is turned on, the portable television receiver receives television broadcasts via the tuner (0516) as needed. As a result, the user can view the television broadcast. On the other hand, the interruption determination program developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU (0511). As a result, information indicating the operation status of the portable television receiver is acquired via the input interface (0514), and is temporarily held in a data area of the main memory. It is assumed that a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an act of interrupting the viewing of a television broadcast is stored in advance in the storage device. The predetermined condition corresponds to, for example, deterioration of radio wave conditions (noise threshold, etc.), detection of a predetermined key operation, or the like.

  The interruption determination program reads information indicating a predetermined condition stored in the storage device in advance, and executes a comparison process with information indicating the operation status of the portable television receiver once held in the main memory. When the operation status matches a predetermined condition, the processing result that satisfies the predetermined condition is stored in a data area of the main memory.

  Next, storage of a processing result that satisfies a predetermined condition in the comparison processing is a trigger, and the program for acquiring program interruption point specifying information developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU. The program interruption point specifying information acquisition program acquires program interruption point specifying information. The program interruption point identification information is information for identifying a broadcast program whose viewing has been interrupted and its interruption point. The former can be obtained by extracting program identification information (and start time) from program information included in a broadcast wave header of a data broadcast or program information obtained from an Internet program guide. The latter can be obtained by measuring the current time with a built-in timer and comparing it with the start time. The acquired program interruption point specifying information is stored in a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory.

  Next, an operation by the user or the like becomes a trigger, and the interruption point transmission program developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU. The interruption point transmission program reads program interruption point identification information stored in the storage device, and transmits it to the recording / reproducing apparatus via the output interface (0515).

  Similarly, when the recording / playback apparatus is turned on, the programs stored in the storage device (0523) (interrupt point reception program (address 01), playback program (address 02)) are stored in the main memory (0522). Each is expanded in the work area (addresses 11 and 12). First, the interruption point receiving program is executed by the CPU (0521), and the program interruption point specifying information is received from the portable television receiver via the input interface (0524). The received program interruption point specifying information is temporarily held in a data area of the main memory.

  The storage of the program interruption point specifying information is a trigger, and the reproduction program developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU. The reproduction program first reads the program interruption point specifying information held in the main memory, and determines whether the program specified by the program interruption point specifying information and the interruption point are recorded in the storage device. Specifically, information indicating the broadcast program whose viewing is interrupted included in the program interruption point specifying information is extracted, and a comparison process with the broadcast program recorded in the storage device is executed. If there is a matching program, a value (viewing time) indicating the vicinity of the point at which viewing is interrupted is set in a counter indicating the playback location held in the main memory or the like. As a result, the reproduction program can reproduce the program from the vicinity of the point where viewing was interrupted.

  In the above description, each unit has been described as being configured by software, but may be configured by hardware.

  <Embodiment 1: Process Flow> FIG. 6 shows an example of a process flow in each device of the interrupted program viewing system of the present embodiment. Note that the processing flow shown below can be executed by a method and a program for causing a computer to execute the program, and this program can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer. (The same applies to other processing flows in this specification.)

  First, the portable television receiver receives a television broadcast (television broadcast reception step S0601). Next, it is determined whether or not its own operating condition meets a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an act of interrupting viewing of television broadcast (interruption determination step S0602). If the determination result is a determination result that matches a predetermined condition, a broadcast program determined to have been interrupted for viewing and program interruption point specifying information for specifying the interruption point are acquired ( Program interruption point specific information acquisition step S0603). Note that the value obtained by subtracting the program start time from the current time is information for specifying the interruption point. If it is determined that the predetermined condition is not met, the interruption determination step (S0602) is repeated. The acquired program interruption point specifying information is stored and transmitted to the recording / playback apparatus (interruption point transmission step S0604). The transmission process is executed based on an operation such as a user pressing a button.

  On the other hand, the recording / playback apparatus (assuming that a TV broadcast program has been recorded in advance) receives the program interruption point identification information transmitted from the portable television receiver (interruption point reception step S0605). It is searched whether the program specified by the received program interruption point specifying information and the interruption point are recorded in the recording unit (search execution step S0606). If already recorded, the program is reproduced from the vicinity of the interruption point (reproduction step S0607). If not recorded, the process is terminated.

  <Embodiment 1: Effect> In the present embodiment, it is determined that the viewing has been interrupted when the operation status of the device matches a predetermined condition for determining that the television broadcasting viewing has been interrupted. Specified by the portable television receiver for transmitting the broadcast program, the program interruption point specifying information for specifying the interruption point to the recording / playback apparatus, and the received program interruption point specifying information. When the program and its interruption point are recorded in the recording unit, the interruption program viewing system includes a recording / playback apparatus that reproduces the program from the vicinity of the interruption point. When a program recorded in advance by the recording / playback apparatus is played, the viewing interruption point specified by the portable television receiving apparatus is transmitted, so that viewing from the point after the interruption is immediately possible, which is convenient.

  << Embodiment 2 >>

  <Embodiment 2: Overview> An overview of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a broadcast program determined to have resumed viewing of a program determined to have been interrupted by the portable television receiver, and program restart point specification for specifying the restart point When the program specified by the received program restart point specifying information and the restart point are recorded in the recording unit in the recording / playback apparatus, the playback of the program is restarted. This is an interrupted program viewing system characterized in that playback ends near a point.

  <Embodiment 2: Configuration> FIG. 7 shows an example of functional blocks of the present embodiment. The “interrupt program viewing system” (0700) of this embodiment shown in FIG. 7 includes a “portable television receiver” (0710) and a “recording / playback device” (0720). Furthermore, the portable television receiver (0710) includes a “television broadcast receiving unit” (0711), a “break determination unit” (0712), a “program break point specifying information acquisition unit” (0713), and a “break point”. It has a “transmission unit” (0714), a “resumption determination unit” (0715), a “program resumption point specifying information acquisition unit” (0716), and a “resumption point transmission unit” (0717). The recording / playback apparatus (0720) includes a “recording unit” (0721), an “interruption point receiving unit” (0722), a “playing unit” (0723), and a “resumption point receiving unit” (0724). And “reproduction end section” (0725).

    (Resume Determination Unit 0715) The “Resume Determination Unit” (0715) determines whether or not the program that has been determined to have been interrupted by the interruption determination unit (0712) has been resumed. It can be determined that viewing has been resumed when the operation status of the device does not meet a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an act of interrupting viewing of the television broadcast. At the stage of acquiring the operation status, the comparison processing of both the operation status and the condition is executed, and the determination result is calculated. Specifically, when the condition of “deterioration of radio wave reception status” is provided, when the user acquires an operational status indicating that the radio wave reception status has recovered, such as when the user gets off the train Therefore, a determination result that the condition is not satisfied is calculated.

    (Program resumption point specifying information acquiring unit 0716) The “program resuming point specifying information acquiring unit” (0716) is a broadcast program determined to have resumed viewing of the program and a program resumption for specifying the resumption point. And point identification information. “Program resume point identification information” is information for identifying the resume point of a broadcast program that has been determined to have been resumed. Specifically, the broadcast program title, broadcast station, broadcast time (broadcast start) Time / end time).

    (Resume Point Transmitter 0717) The “Resume Point Transmitter” (0717) stores the acquired program resume point specifying information and performs a process for transmitting it to the recording / playback apparatus (0720). The transmission may be executed using close communication means such as infrared communication, or may be executed using communication means via the Internet network such as e-mail, similarly to the transmission at the interruption point. Further, transmission may be executed using a wired communication means.

    (Resume Point Receiving Unit 0524) The “Resume Point Receiving Unit” (0724) receives the program resume point specifying information transmitted from the resume point transmitting unit (0717) of the portable television receiver (0710).

    (Reproduction Ending Unit 0725) “Reproduction Ending Unit” (0725), when the program specified by the received program resumption point specifying information and its resumption point are recorded in the recording unit (0721), The reproduction of the program ends near the restart point. The “near the restart point” may include about several seconds to several minutes (preferably after) the restart point in addition to the restart point itself.

    FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the interruption point and the restart point. Here, it is assumed that the viewing is interrupted 18 minutes after the program starts and the viewing is resumed after 42 minutes. In the recording / playback apparatus, the playback is started from 18 minutes (including the vicinity) as the interruption point, and the playback ends at 42 minutes (including the vicinity) as the restart point.

    The processing of each other part is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Second Embodiment Hardware Configuration FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to the present embodiment. With reference to this figure, the operation of each hardware component in the processing execution of each device of the interrupted program viewing system will be described mainly focusing on differences from the first embodiment. As shown in this figure, the portable television receiving device (0710) includes an interruption determination unit (0712), a program interruption point specifying information acquisition unit (0713), a resumption determining unit (0715), and program resumption point specifying information. “CPU (Central Processing Unit)” (0911), “Main Memory” (0912), “Storage Device (or Storage Medium)” (0913), “Input” to realize the processing in the acquisition unit (0716) Interface "(0914). In addition to the above hardware configuration unit, an “output interface” (0915) is provided in the television broadcast receiving unit (0711) in order to implement processing in the interruption point transmission unit (0714) and the resumption point transmission unit (0717). In order to realize the processing, a “tuner” (0916) is provided. These are connected to each other by a data communication path such as a “system bus” (0917), and perform transmission / reception and processing of information.

  Similarly, the video recording / playback apparatus (0720) includes a “CPU (central processing unit)” in order to realize processing in the recording unit (0721), the playback unit (0723), and the playback end unit (0725). 0921), “main memory” (0922), and “storage device (or storage medium)” (0923). In addition to the above hardware configuration unit, an “input interface” (0924) is provided in order to realize processing in the interruption point reception unit (0722) and the resumption point reception unit (0724). In addition, a “tuner”, “output interface”, “monitor”, and the like may be provided. These are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” (0925), and perform transmission / reception and processing of information.

  The storage device (0913) of the portable television receiving device has various programs executed by the CPU (0911) (for example, a program for restart determination (restart determination unit), a program restart point specifying information acquisition program (program restart point specifying information). Acquisition unit), resumption point transmission program (resumption point transmission unit, etc.). Similarly, the storage device (0923) of the recording / playback apparatus has various programs executed by the CPU (0921) (for example, a restart point reception program (restart point reception unit), a playback end program (playback end unit), etc.). Is remembered. The main memory (0912, 0922) provides a work area that is an area in which the program is read and expanded in order to execute the program stored in each storage device. Furthermore, a plurality of memory addresses are assigned to the main memory and the storage device, respectively, and programs executed by the CPU exchange and process data by specifying and accessing the memory addresses. Is possible. The above is the function of each hardware configuration.

  First, when the portable television receiver is turned on, the programs stored in the storage device (0913) (resuming judgment program (address 04), program resuming point specifying information acquisition program (address 05), resuming point sending) are stored. The trusted program (address 06) is expanded in the work area (addresses 14, 15, 16) of the main memory (0612). In a state where the power is turned on, the portable television receiver receives a television broadcast at any time via the tuner (0916), and the user can view the television broadcast. Here, a description will be given of a process of executing the resumption after the user temporarily stops viewing. When it is determined that viewing has been interrupted, the CPU (0911) executes the restart determination program developed in the work area of the main memory. As a result, information indicating the operation status of the portable television receiver is acquired via the input interface (0914), and is temporarily held in a data area of the main memory or the like. It is assumed that a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an act of interrupting the viewing of a television broadcast is stored in advance in the storage device. The predetermined condition corresponds to, for example, deterioration of radio wave conditions (noise threshold, etc.), detection of a predetermined key operation, or the like. When these conditions are not satisfied or when an operation for starting viewing is performed, it can be determined that viewing has been resumed.

  The restart determination program reads information indicating a predetermined condition stored in advance in the storage device, and executes a comparison process with information indicating the operation status of the portable television receiver once held in the main memory. When the operation status does not match the predetermined condition, the determination result that the viewing is resumed is stored in the data area of the main memory. If the operation status of the portable television receiver indicates that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, it can be determined that the program that has been determined to have been interrupted is restarted. On the other hand, when the operation status of the portable television receiver indicates that the predetermined condition is satisfied, it can be determined that the program determined to have been interrupted is still being interrupted. In addition, the determination result that the viewing is resumed even when the viewing start operation is performed is stored in the data area of the main memory or the like.

  Next, storage of the determination result that the viewing has been resumed in the determination process is a trigger, and the program resumption point specifying information acquisition program developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU to specify the program resumption point. Get information. The program resumption point specifying information is information for specifying a broadcast program whose viewing has been resumed and its resumption point. The former can be obtained by extracting program identification information from program information included in a broadcast wave header of a data broadcast or program information obtained from an Internet program guide. The latter can be obtained by measuring the current time with a built-in timer and comparing it with the interruption time. The acquired program resumption point specifying information is stored in a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory.

  Next, an operation by the user becomes a trigger, and the restart point transmission program developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU. The resume point transmission program reads the program resume point specifying information stored in the storage device and transmits it to the recording / reproducing apparatus via the output interface (0915).

  On the other hand, when the recording / playback apparatus is turned on, the programs stored in the storage device (0923) (restart point reception program (address 03), playback end program (address 04)) are stored in the main memory (0922). In the work area (addresses 13 and 14). First, a restart point receiving program is executed by the CPU (0921), and program restart point specifying information is received from the portable television receiver via the input interface (0924). The received program restart point specifying information is temporarily held in a data area of the main memory.

  The storage of program resumption point identification information is a trigger, and the reproduction end program developed in the work area of the main memory is executed by the CPU. The reproduction end program first reads the program restart point specifying information stored in the main memory, and determines whether the program specified by the program restart point specifying information and the restart point are recorded in the storage device. . Specifically, information indicating a broadcast program that has been resumed in viewing included in the program resumption point specifying information is extracted, and a comparison process with the broadcast program recorded in the storage device is executed. If there is a matching program, a comparison process is executed to determine whether the counter indicating the playback location held in the main memory or the like has reached a value (viewing time) indicating the vicinity of the point where viewing is resumed. According to the comparison result, the reproduction process is executed until the vicinity of the viewing resumption point is reached, and when it reaches, the reproduction is terminated.

  In the above description, each unit has been described as being configured by software, but may be configured by hardware.

  <Second Embodiment: Process Flow> FIG. 10 shows an example of a flow of a reproduction end process in response to resumption of viewing in each apparatus of the interrupted program viewing system of the present embodiment. Here, it is determined that the operation status of the device already matches a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an act of interrupting viewing of a television broadcast, and a broadcast program that has been determined to have been interrupted. It is assumed that program interruption point specifying information for specifying the interruption point is transmitted to the recording / playback apparatus.

  First, the portable television receiver receives a television broadcast (television broadcast receiving step S1001). Next, it is determined whether or not the program that has been determined to have been interrupted is restarted (resumption determination step S1002). If the determination result is a determination result that viewing has been resumed, a broadcast program that has been determined to have been resumed viewing and program resumption point specifying information for identifying the resumption point are acquired ( Program resumption point specifying information acquisition step S1003). If it is determined that the viewing is not resumed, the restart judgment step (S1002) is repeated. The acquired program resumption point specifying information is stored and transmitted to the recording / playback apparatus (resumption point transmission step S1004).

  On the other hand, the recording / playback apparatus (assuming that a TV broadcast program has been recorded in advance) receives the program resumption point specifying information transmitted from the portable television receiver (resumption point reception step S1005). A search is performed to determine whether the program specified by the received program restart point specifying information and its restart point are recorded in the recording unit (search execution step S1006). If it has been recorded, playback of the program ends near the restart point (reproduction end step S1007). If not recorded, the process is terminated.

  <Embodiment 2: Effect> In this embodiment, a broadcast program determined to have resumed viewing of a program determined to have been interrupted by the portable television receiver and a restart point thereof are identified. If the program specified by the received program resumption point identification information and its resumption point are recorded in the recording unit in the recording / playback apparatus, This is an interrupted program viewing system characterized by terminating the reproduction of a program near the resumption point. When the program recorded in advance by the recording / playback apparatus is transmitted, the resumption point of viewing specified by the portable television receiving apparatus is transmitted, so that only the unviewed part can be accurately viewed, which is convenient.

Conceptual diagram for explaining the first embodiment The figure which showed an example (structure 1) of the functional block of Embodiment 1. The figure which showed another example (structure 2) of the functional block of Embodiment 1. The figure which showed another example (structure 3) of the functional block of Embodiment 1. The figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions of Embodiment 1. The figure which showed the flow of the process of Embodiment 1. The figure which showed an example of the functional block of Embodiment 2. Illustration showing the concept of suspending and resuming viewing The figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions of Embodiment 2. The figure which showed the flow of the process of Embodiment 2.

Explanation of symbols

0200 Interrupted program viewing system 0210 Portable television receiver 0211 Television broadcast receiver 0212 Interruption determination unit 0213 Program interruption point identification information acquisition unit 0214 Interruption point transmission unit 0220 Recording / playback device 0221 Recording unit 0222 Interruption point receiver 0223 Playback unit

Claims (6)

An interrupted program viewing system comprising a portable television receiver and a recording / playback device,
The portable TV receiver is
A TV broadcast receiver,
An interruption determination unit for determining whether or not its own operating condition meets a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an interruption of viewing of a television broadcast;
If the judgment result is a judgment result that matches a predetermined condition, a program that acquires a broadcast program for which viewing has been interrupted and program interruption point specifying information for specifying the interruption point An interruption point identification information acquisition unit;
An interruption point transmission unit for storing the acquired program interruption point identification information and transmitting the information to the recording / playback apparatus;
Have
The recording / playback device
A recording unit for recording TV broadcast programs;
An interruption point receiving unit for receiving program interruption point specifying information transmitted from the interruption point transmission unit of the portable television receiver;
When the program specified by the received program interruption point specifying information and the interruption point are recorded in the recording unit, a reproduction unit that reproduces the program from the vicinity of the interruption point;
An interrupted program viewing system. A resumption determination unit for determining whether or not the program has been resumed for which the interruption determination unit has determined that the viewing has been interrupted;
A program restart point specifying information acquisition unit for acquiring a broadcast program determined to have resumed viewing of the program, and a program restart point specifying information for specifying the restart point;
A resumption point transmission unit for storing the acquired program resumption point specifying information and transmitting it to the recording / reproducing apparatus;
Further comprising
The recording / playback device
A resumption point receiving unit for receiving program resumption point specifying information transmitted from the resumption point transmission unit of the portable television receiver;
When the program specified by the received program restart point specifying information and its restart point are recorded in the recording unit, a playback end unit that ends playback of the program near the restart point; and
The interrupted program viewing system according to claim 1, further comprising: The television broadcast receiver of the portable television receiver has a low quality broadcast receiving means for receiving a relatively low quality broadcast such as a so-called one-segment broadcast,
3. The interrupted program viewing system according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit of the recording / playback apparatus includes high quality recording means for recording a relatively high quality broadcast such as an SD quality broadcast or an HD quality broadcast. The interruption determination unit of the portable television receiver is
Acceptance of switching operation from TV broadcast program display mode to other modes, detection of incoming or outgoing calls during TV broadcast program display mode when the mobile phone has a mobile phone function, power-off operation during TV broadcast program display mode Reception, detection of folding operation during TV broadcast program display mode when the screen is folded and the TV display screen is on the overlapping surface, and the illuminance sensor is suddenly detected when there is an illuminance sensor near the TV display screen. 3. The interrupted program viewing system according to claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit configured to make the determination based on a match with one or more of the following conditions: An interrupted program viewing method in an interrupted program viewing system comprising a portable television receiver and a recording / playback device,
The portable TV receiver is
A television broadcast receiving step for receiving a television broadcast;
An interruption determination step for determining whether or not its own operating condition meets a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an interruption of viewing of a television broadcast;
If the judgment result is a judgment result that matches a predetermined condition, a program that acquires a broadcast program for which viewing has been interrupted and program interruption point specifying information for identifying the interruption point An interruption point identification information acquisition step;
An interruption point transmission step of storing the acquired program interruption point identification information and transmitting it to the recording / playback apparatus;
Have
The recording / playback device
An interruption point receiving step of receiving program interruption point identification information transmitted from the portable television receiver;
A search execution step for searching whether the program specified by the received program interruption point identification information and the interruption point are recorded in the recording unit;
If already recorded, a playback step for playing the program from the vicinity of the interruption point;
A method for viewing an interrupted program. An interrupted program viewing method in an interrupted program viewing system comprising a portable television receiver and a recording / playback device,
The portable TV receiver is
A television broadcast receiving step for receiving a television broadcast;
An interruption determination step for determining whether or not its own operating condition meets a predetermined condition for determining that there has been an interruption of viewing of a television broadcast;
If the judgment result is a judgment result that matches a predetermined condition, a program that acquires a broadcast program for which viewing has been interrupted and program interruption point specifying information for identifying the interruption point An interruption point identification information acquisition step;
An interruption point transmission step of storing the acquired program interruption point identification information and transmitting it to the recording / playback apparatus;
Resumption determination step for determining whether resumption of viewing of the program determined to have been interrupted,
If the judgment result is that the viewing has been resumed, the program that acquires the broadcast program that has been judged to have been resumed and the program resume point identification information for identifying the resume point Resumption point identification information acquisition step;
A resumption point transmission step of storing the acquired program resumption point specifying information and transmitting it to the recording / playback apparatus;
Have
The recording / playback device
An interruption point receiving step of receiving program interruption point identification information transmitted from the portable television receiver;
An interruption point search execution step for searching whether the program specified by the received program interruption point identification information and the interruption point are recorded in the recording unit;
If already recorded, a playback step for playing the program from the vicinity of the interruption point;
A resumption point receiving step of receiving program resumption point specifying information transmitted from the portable television receiver;
A restart point search execution step for searching whether the program specified by the received program restart point specifying information and its restart point are recorded in the recording unit;
If recorded, a playback end step for ending playback of the program near the restart point; and
A method for viewing an interrupted program.

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