JP2008172618A - Chapter usage tabulation server, and recording/reproduction apparatus used for it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To tabulate usage of chapters, which are units that a user specifies as interested parts, so that the user can accurately specify the parts to be viewed and compactly reproduce only the parts to be viewed using a recording/reproduction apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A chapter usage tabulation server 50 has a receiving means 52a for receiving chapter usage original data x selected by a chapter configuration means 54 of the recording/reproduction apparatus through a network A, an operation processing means 52b for operating the received chapter usage original data x to generate chapter usage data y, and a transmission means 52a for transmitting the generated chapter usage data y. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, when viewing a recorded program, the playback location is limited to the location where the interest of other users is concentrated, so that the playback can be performed with a shorter length than the actual program length. The present invention relates to a degree counting server and a recording / reproducing apparatus used for this server.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of recorded video usage totaling server and the recording / reproducing apparatus used in this server are recorded video in which video and audio are recorded on a recording medium such as video, CD, DVD, etc. When watching something you like or watching it for a limited time, you can use your own device or use a system provided by another person (other company) to meet your needs.

  That is, video data is exchanged between a video provider equipped with a video distribution server and a user equipped with a video display device, and the data is analyzed by a viewing analysis server held on either side. Some of the analysis results are transmitted to a user who is an operator of the video display device so that the user can view a program video with a high audience rating.

  As this type of recorded video usage totaling server and the recording / reproducing device used in this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a television video distributed from a video distribution server 1 handled by a video distribution company, for example, It is received by the video display device 2 (see Patent Document 1).

  The video distribution server 1 receives the desired television video from the viewing analysis server 3 that analyzes the video stored in, for example, a DVD that is a storage medium for storing the television video in the viewing analysis server 3 handled by the video distribution company, for example. The video is distributed from the video distribution server 1 of the video distribution company to the video display device 2 via the Internet 4.

  The video display device 2 includes a receiving unit 21, a transmitting unit 22, an index reading unit 23, a display unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a comparison unit 26.

  The receiving unit 21 receives the program video transmitted from the video distribution server 1 and the concentration information transmitted from the viewing analysis server 3. The transmission unit 22 transmits information related to operations such as playback, pause, and fast playback when viewed on the video display device 2 to the viewing analysis server 3 as user information of the user. The index reading unit 23 reads the received concentration level information and associates it with the corresponding video program. The index reading unit 23 reads a general index related to video and transmits it to the display unit 24. That is, the viewing concentration level representing the degree to which the program video is viewed in a concentrated manner is handled.

  The display unit 24 displays a program video according to the viewing concentration level read by the index reading unit 23. For example, the viewing concentration is compared with a predetermined threshold by the comparison unit 26, and when it is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, a program video is displayed, and when it is below, the program video is not displayed. Or when it determines with it being between the predetermined threshold value a and the threshold value b, early play is selected and displayed.

  The storage unit 25 stores the received program video and viewing concentration information. The comparison unit 26 compares the viewing importance level read by the index reading unit 23 with a predetermined threshold value.

  The video display device 2 is provided with an operation unit 27 so that a user (not shown) can operate each unit such as the reception unit 21. The viewing analysis server 3 includes a reception unit 31, a transmission unit 32, and a concentration analysis unit 33. The viewing analysis server 3 transmits data to the storage unit 34.

The receiving unit 31 of the centralized analyzing unit 33 is configured to receive viewing information that is information related to an operation performed by the user operating the video display device 2 transmitted from the video display device 2. Therefore, for example, in the case of a television program, the user on the video display device 2 side can generally view the recorded video of a program having a high audience rating.
JP 2005-260578 A

  However, in general, there are cases where the playback operation is not necessarily viewing all the playback locations, and even when viewing, there are cases where the playback location is not necessarily interested. According to the above, it is not always possible to accurately specify the portion to be viewed, which is not suitable for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and totalizes the usage of chapters, which are units in which the user's interests are explicitly specified, and accurately specifies the locations to be viewed and recorded. It is an object of the present invention to provide a chapter usage totaling server capable of shortening and reproducing only a portion to be viewed using a reproducing apparatus.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the chapter usage source data is transmitted to the chapter usage totaling server, while the chapter usage data that has been totaled is received from the chapter usage totaling server, and only the portion to be viewed is shortened and reproduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus which can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, receiving means for receiving chapter utilization source data set and selected by the chapter setting means in the recording / reproducing apparatus via a network, and received chapter utilization source There is provided a chapter usage totaling server characterized by comprising arithmetic processing means for calculating data to generate chapter usage data and transmission means for transmitting the generated chapter usage data.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, setting means for setting a chapter from an arbitrary recorded program and chapter utilization source data based on one or more chapters set by the setting means are obtained. A data transmitting means for transmitting to the usage totaling server on the network, a data receiving means for receiving the usage data from the usage totaling server, and a display for displaying the usage data received by the data receiving means Means, a display means for displaying a threshold for shortened reproduction on the usage data displayed on the display means, and a chapter reproduction means for reproducing only a portion exceeding the threshold displayed by the display means. A recording / reproducing apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, when a user of a recording / playback apparatus views a recorded program, only a portion where other users' interests are concentrated is preferentially shortened from the actual program length and played back. it can.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments relating to a chapter usage totaling server of the present invention and a recording / reproducing apparatus used for the server will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a chapter usage totaling server of the present invention and a recording / reproducing apparatus used in this server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

  A chapter usage totaling server (hereinafter referred to as a totaling server) 50 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n of a plurality of users (Ms. A to N) via the Internet C. .

  The aggregation server 50 is owned by, for example, an electronic program guide distributor, and includes a usage aggregation server main body 52 and a display device 53.

  The usage totaling server main body 52 includes transmission / reception means 52a for receiving the chapter usage original data selected by the chapter selection means in the recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n via the network, and the received chapter usage original data. Arithmetic processing means 52b having a computer function for calculating and generating chapter usage data is provided, and transmission / reception means 52a for transmitting the generated chapter usage data to the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  The chapter utilization source data x transmitted from the recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n is received by the transmission / reception unit 52a, and is arithmetically processed by the arithmetic processing unit 52b to calculate the chapter usage. That is, the chapter utilization source data x based on the use of chapters input on the recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n side is output by an input operation to a remote controller or a screen (not shown) of the recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n, and the aggregation server On the 50th side, chapter usage data y is calculated. Then, a transmission / reception unit 52a for transmitting the calculated chapter usage data y to the recording / reproducing apparatuses 51a to 51n is provided.

  Here, the chapter utilization source data x selected (input) by the users A to N is a playlist registration signal x1 in the case of playlist registration, a dubbing signal x2 in the case of dubbing, and a deletion signal x3 in the case of batch deletion. The data is classified into the following types.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n have a recording device M for recording a program video, and a desired controller by an input operation from a recorded arbitrary program to a remote controller (not shown) or a screen. The setting means 54 such as a key operation input unit for setting a chapter and the chapter utilization source data x based on one or more chapters set by the setting means 54 are transmitted to the utilization aggregation server side on the network. The network I / F 56 as data transmission means, the network I / F 56 as data reception means for receiving the usage data y from the usage totaling server, and the usage data y received by the data reception means are popular. Monitor 57 displayed as scene information Z2, and shortened playback for usage data y displayed on monitor 57 And it includes a threshold calculating means for calculating a threshold value α for the shortening playback control unit 85 to reproduce only the part exceeding the threshold value α calculated by the arithmetic processing means.

  In addition, as a recording medium used as a recording apparatus, for example, a recording apparatus having two types of disk drive units is provided.

  That is, a disk drive unit 61 that rotates and drives an optical disk (DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, or DVD-R) 60 as a first medium, which is an information recording medium that can construct a video file, and executes reading and writing of information. Have.

  In addition, an HDD unit 62 that drives a hard disk (HDD) as a second medium is included. The data processor unit 63 can supply recording data to the disk drive unit 61 and the HDD unit 62 and can receive a reproduced signal. The disk drive unit 61 includes a rotation control system, a laser drive system, an optical system, and the like for the optical disk 60. The data processor unit 63 handles data in recording or reproduction units, and includes a buffer circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, an error correction unit, and the like.

  Furthermore, the recording / reproducing apparatuses 51a to 51n are, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, an encoder unit 65 constituting the recording side, a decoder part 66 constituting the reproducing side, and a computer having a computer function for controlling the operation of the apparatus main body. Block C is the main component.

  The encoder unit 65 includes a video and audio analog-to-digital converter that digitizes an input analog video signal or analog audio signal, a video encoder, and an audio encoder.

  Further, the output of the encoder unit 65 is converted into a predetermined DVD-RAM format by a formatter including a buffer memory, and is supplied to the data processor unit 63.

  When a directly compressed digital video signal or digital audio signal is directly input, the encoder unit 65 can also supply the compressed digital video signal or digital audio signal directly to the formatter. The encoder unit 65 can also directly supply a digital video signal or audio signal that has been subjected to analog-digital conversion to the video mixing unit 68 or the audio selector 69. In the video encoder included in the encoder unit 65, the digital video signal is converted into a digital video signal compressed at a variable bit rate (predetermined transmission speed) based on the MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) or MPEG1 standard. The digital audio signal is converted into a digital audio signal compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 (Digital Audio Compression-Audio Compression System) standard, or a digital audio signal of linear PCM (pulsu code modulation). .

  When a video signal is input from the AV input unit 70 (for example, a signal from a DVD video player with an independent output terminal of a sub-video signal), or a DVD video signal having such a data structure is broadcast and illustrated in FIG. When received by the TV tuner unit 71 that does not, the video signal in the DVD video signal is encoded (run-length encoded) by the video encoder to become a video bit map.

  The encoded digital video signal, digital audio signal, and video data are packed by the formatter 73 to become a video pack, an audio pack, and a sub-picture pack, and these are assembled into a format defined by the DVD-video standard. (DVD video format) or a format defined in the DVD-recording standard (DVD-VR format).

  Information formatted by the formatter 73 (pack of video, audio, video data, etc.) and the created management information are supplied to the disk drive unit 61 via the data processor unit 63 and recorded on the HDD unit 62 or the optical disk 76. can do.

  Further, it is possible to perform an editing process in which a part of the video object recorded on the HDD unit 62 or the optical disc 76 is deleted or objects of different programs are connected.

  The computer block C includes an MPU (micro processor unit) or CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory) in which a control program and the like are written, and a RAM for providing a work area necessary for program execution. Contains. The computer block C can be connected to an external network via a network I / F (interface) 56.

  Further, the MPU of the microcomputer uses a RAM as a work area according to a control program stored in the ROM, detects a defect location, detects an unrecorded area, sets a recording information recording position, records a UDF (universal disk format), AV Execute address setting.

  Further, the computer block C has various information processing units necessary to control and control each block of the recording / reproducing apparatus. As the information processing unit, in addition to the work RAM 80 and the directory detection unit 81, VMG (video manager) information (total video management information) creation unit, copy related information detection unit, copy and scrambling information (RDI) (not shown) A processing unit, a packet header processing unit, an aspect ratio information processing unit, an editing time management information control unit 82 when executing recording, and a recording time management information control unit 83 when executing editing are provided.

  In addition, the computer block C is provided with a shortened playback control unit 85 that is a processing unit that performs processing of sections, a chapter information management unit 86 that performs history information search, and a GUI (graphical user interface) screen control unit 87.

  Among the execution results of the computer block C, contents to be notified to the user are displayed on the monitor 57 of the recording / reproducing apparatus. The computer block C also has a key operation input unit 90 that gives an operation signal to operate the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  The timing at which the computer block C controls the disk drive unit 61, the HDD unit 62, the data processor unit 63, the encoder unit 65, and / or the decoder unit 66 is based on time data from an STC (system time clock) 77. However, other processes may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 77.

  The decoder unit 66 separates and extracts each pack from a DVD format signal having a pack structure, a memory used when pack separation or other signal processing is performed, and main video data (video packs) separated by the separator. A V decoder that decodes the content), an SP decoder that decodes the sub-video data (sub-picture pack content) separated by the separator, and a decoder that decodes the audio data (audio pack content) separated by the separator. Good.

  The output video signal of the decoder unit 66 is input to the video mixing unit 68.

  In the video mixing unit 68, text data is synthesized. The video mixing unit 68 is also connected to a line that directly takes in signals from the TV tuner 71 and the A / V input unit 70. A frame memory used as a buffer is connected to the video mixing unit 68.

  When the output of the video mixing unit 68 is an analog output, it is externally output via a network I / F (interface) 56.

  The output audio signal of the decoder unit 66 is analog-converted by the digital-analog converter 67 via the selector 69 and output to the outside.

  The selector 69 is controlled by a select signal from the computer block C. Accordingly, the selector 69 can directly select a signal that has passed through the encoder unit 65 when directly monitoring a digital signal from the TV tuner 71 or the A / V input unit 70.

  Note that the formatter 73 of the encoder unit 65 creates each segmentation information during recording and periodically sends it to the MPU of the computer block C (information at the time of GOP head interrupt, etc.). The segmentation information includes the number of VOBU packs, the end address of the I picture from the beginning of the VOBU, and the playback time of the VOBU. At the same time, information from the aspect information processing unit is sent to the MPU at the start of recording, and the MPU creates VOB stream information (STI). Here, the STI stores resolution data, aspect data, and the like, and at the time of reproduction, each decoder unit is initialized based on this information.

  Further, the data processor unit 63 receives VOBU unit data from the formatter 73 of the encoder unit 65 and supplies the CDA unit data to the disk drive unit 61 or the HDD unit 62.

  The MPU of the computer block C creates management information necessary for reproducing the recorded data and, upon recognizing a data recording end command, transmits the created management information data to the data processor unit 63.

  As a result, the management information is recorded on the optical disc 76 or the HDD unit 62. Therefore, when the encoder unit 65 is being performed, the MPU of the computer block C recognizes the management information (file system) read from the optical disc 76 and the HDD unit 62 at the start of recording and recognizes the unrecorded area of each disc. , The data recording area is set on the disc via the data processor 63.

  The monitor 57 can display a “thumbnail / chapter edit” field as shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a chapter editing screen displayed on the display of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a screen for registering the chapter displayed on the display of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention as a playlist. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a screen for collectively deleting chapters displayed on the display of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the chapters displayed on the display of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the example of a screen to dubb.

  In the chapter edit screen example shown in FIG. 5, for example, thumbnail screens s11 to s16 representing each chapter are displayed on the first page.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the user's favorite chapters, for example, s22, s24, s25, s27, and s30 are selected from the thumbnail screens s21 to s32, and the display screen is moved to, for example, the lower registration column. Move it to edit the playlist.

  Further, when a user wants to delete a chapter because it is no longer necessary, as shown in FIG. 7, if a plurality of chapters (not shown), for example, s31 to s35 are to be deleted at once, move from the upper column to the lower column. Can do.

  On the other hand, when one or more chapters are to be dubbed, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, dubbing can be performed by moving s41 to s46 from the upper column to the lower column and performing a dubbing operation.

  Next, the cooperative operation of the aggregation server 50 and the recording / reproducing devices 51a to 51n will be described.

  The recording / playback devices 51a to 51n of the users A to N and the tabulation server 50 are connected via the Internet A, and the recording / playback devices 51a to 51n and the tabulation server 50 can communicate with each other. Yes. The recording / playback apparatuses 51a to 51n and the aggregation server 50 may be connected via a plurality of means such as wired communication or wireless communication (including optical communication and infrared communication).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the chapter usage totaling processing procedure in the chapter usage totaling server of the present invention. The flowchart will be specifically described.

  A first step of receiving the chapter usage original data x and searching for and specifying a program from the program table held in the storage device of the chapter usage totaling server based on the program channel code and the program start time included in the chapter usage original data x; Second step of starting addition / subtraction processing of chapter usage for a specific program that can be searched, third step of setting a chapter start time as an initial value of a reference location, and when the reference location reaches the end of the chapter The fourth step of checking whether or not, and the fifth step of ending the chapter usage addition / subtraction if it has been reached.

  If the reference location does not reach the end of the chapter in the fourth step, the chapter usage is added in the case of playlist registration or dubbing according to the operation type for the chapter in the recording / playback apparatus. The 6 ′ step and the 7 ′ step for advancing the reference location in time units are added, and the process returns to the fourth step. On the other hand, when the chapter is deleted, a sixth "step for subtracting the chapter usage and a seventh 'step for advancing the reference location in time units are added, and the process returns to the fourth step.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, each time the users A to N perform playlist registration, dubbing, or deletion operations on any chapter of the program 1 or the program 2, the chapters are used in the recording / playback apparatuses 51a to 51n. The original data x (x1 to x3) is generated and transmitted to the aggregation server 50. The tabulation server executes the tabulation processing procedure of the above steps every time it receives the chapter usage original data x. As a result, the chapter usage data y is aggregated in the aggregation server 50 every moment.

  Next, a mechanism in which, for example, the user U (not shown) shortens and reproduces the program 1 that has been recorded on the recording / reproducing apparatus and has not been viewed will be described. When the user U selects the program 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus acquires the latest chapter usage data y related to the program 1 from the aggregation server. As shown in FIG. 9, the recording / playback apparatus displays chapter usage data on the monitor 57 as, for example, popular scene information. On the monitor 57, a time bar z1 expressing the length of the program time, popular scene information z2 substantially in the shape of a wave in the direction of the time bar z1, and a desired so as to cross the wave of the popular scene information z2 A threshold value α is provided at the height position. Then, by operating the icon z3, for example, the threshold value α displayed in a bar can be arbitrarily moved up and down by the user. Also, reproduction is possible only during the portion of the time when the wave of the popular scene information z2 exceeds the threshold α.

  Therefore, when the viewing time is limited for the user U, it is possible to reduce the actual program length by simply moving the bar of the threshold value α up and down while watching the monitor 57. It can be played back at a desired time.

  In this way, the usage status of each chapter by each user is aggregated from time to time as chapter usage, and while this usage is reflected, playback can be shortened according to the user's limited viewing time and should be viewed by the user. It will be very convenient to watch only the scene in a short time.

The block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the chapter utilization degree totaling server of this invention, and the recording / reproducing apparatus used for this server. The block block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The flowchart which shows the chapter utilization degree totaling process procedure in the chapter utilization degree totaling server of this invention. The figure explaining various operation to arbitrary chapters by a plurality of users, and the total result of these utilization. The top view which shows the example of a chapter edit screen displayed on the display of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The top view which shows the example of a play list edit screen displayed on the indicator of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The top view which shows the example of a screen which deletes the chapter displayed on the indicator of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention collectively. The top view which shows the example of a screen which dubs the chapter displayed on the indicator of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The top view for demonstrating performing shortened reproduction | regeneration using chapter utilization data with the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. The block block diagram which shows the conventional video delivery server, a video display apparatus, and an audience analysis server.

Explanation of symbols

50 Chapter Usage Count Servers 51a to 51n Recording / Reproducing Device 52 Total Server Body 52a Send / Receive Unit 52b Arithmetic Processing Unit 52c Image Creation Unit 53 Display Unit 54 Setting Unit (Key Operation Input Unit)
56 Network I / F
57 Display device (monitor)
60 Optical disk 61 Disk drive unit 62 HDD unit 63 Data processor unit 65 Encoder unit 66 Decoder unit 67 Digital-analog converter 68 Video mixing unit 69 Audio selector 70 AV input unit 71 TV tuner unit 73 Formatter 77 STC
80 Work RAM
81 Directory detection unit 82 Editing management information control unit 83 Recording management information control unit 85 Short playback control unit 86 Chapter information management unit 87 GUI screen control unit A Internet C Computer block M Recording device x Chapter usage source data x1 Playlist registration Signal x2 dubbing signal x3 deletion signal y chapter usage data α threshold

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving the chapter utilization source data set and selected by the chapter setting means in the recording / reproducing apparatus via the network;
An arithmetic processing means for calculating the chapter usage data by calculating the received chapter usage original data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated chapter usage data, and a chapter usage totaling server. 2. The chapter usage totaling server according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means performs a calculation to add, subtract, multiply, and divide the usage data according to an operation type for the chapter. A setting means for setting a chapter from an arbitrary recorded program;
Data transmission means for transmitting chapter utilization source data based on one or more chapters set by the setting means to the utilization aggregation server side on the network;
Data receiving means for receiving the usage data from the usage totaling server;
Display means for displaying the utilization data received by the data receiving means;
Display means for displaying a threshold for shortened reproduction on the usage data displayed on the display means;
And a chapter reproducing means for reproducing only a portion exceeding the threshold value displayed by the display means. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data transmission means includes a transmitter for transmitting selection type information for the chapter start point, end point, program, and chapter to the utilization totaling server side. 4. The data transmission means transmits the chapter data to the usage totaling server when selection data having a certain degree of interest or more is obtained for a specific chapter. Recording and playback device. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data transmitting means transmits chapter data obtained by registering a specific chapter to a playlist to the usage totaling server side. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data transmission means transmits chapter data obtained by dubbing a specific chapter to the usage totaling server side. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data transmission means transmits chapter data obtained by deleting a specific chapter to the usage totaling server side.