JP2008219567A - Hard disk device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hard disk device in which the remaining vacant amount of a hard disk is automatically and periodically increased. <P>SOLUTION: When a title name of recording reservation disappears, whether or not there is the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation in a title list is judged and when it is judged that there is the same title name, the same title name in the title list is specified after elapse of setting period (for example, one month). Next, when the title is recorded again by lowering a recording rate by one step, the recording rate is set to the one lowered by one step than a recording rate when a title of the same title name is recorded, when it is judged that the remaining vacant amount is equal to or more than the desired remaining amount, the tile of the same title name specified by the recording rate lowered by one step is re-encoded and dubbing is executed. When termination of playback of the tile is detected, a title of a dubbing source is deleted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hard disk device that records television programs and other information as titles on a hard disk and plays back titles recorded on the hard disk, and more particularly to processing for increasing the remaining free space on a hard disk.

  In recent years, with the remarkable development of video and audio information digitization and data compression technology, optical discs have been replaced with VCRs (video cassette recorders) that record / reproduce video / audio information on video cassette tapes, which are magnetic tapes. An optical disk device (DVD recorder) for recording / reproducing video / audio information on a DVD (digital versatile disk) and a hard disk device (hard disk recorder) for recording / reproducing video / audio information on a hard disk are widely used. .

  By the way, a DVD has a capacity of about 4.7 GB per disk, for example, but since a hard disk has a capacity of 80 GB to several hundred GB, the hard disk can store information for a long time like a TV program. Suitable for recording. Therefore, hard disk devices are often used to record television programs.

  A television program is recorded using a hard disk device. Examples of the television program include a drama program, a talk program, and a news program. There are drama programs that are cut once or broadcast on a fixed day of the week, with broadcast periods of one to twelve months. Some talk programs are cut once and others are broadcast on a fixed day of the week, and the broadcast period is undecided and continues for many years. In addition, there are news programs that are broadcast at the same time zone from Monday to Friday, those that are broadcast at the same time zone on Saturday, and programs that are broadcast at the same time zone on Sunday.

When recording reservations are made to the hard disk device in order to record such a TV program, for a once-cut program, the channel and the broadcast date and time are designated, and the recording starts when the current recording start time comes. When the recording end time is reached, a recording reservation is made so that the recording is ended. For a program broadcast every week, a channel, a broadcast day, a recording start time, and a recording end time are designated. Thus, the periodic recording reservation is performed so that the recording is started when the recording start time comes on the designated day of the week, and the recording is ended when the recording end time comes.
JP 2006-217049 A JP 2005-190600 A JP 2004-328608 A

  However, in the conventional hard disk device, when a program broadcast every week as described above is recorded, a desired program is often collected on the hard disk by periodic recording reservation, and the program recorded on the hard disk is often recorded. It is often said that the remaining capacity of the hard disk has been shortaged even though it is not being watched. In such a case, a program recorded on the hard disk on another recording medium, such as a DVD, is dubbed. After this, the original program recorded on the hard disk is deleted to increase the remaining free space on the hard disk, and when there is no other recording medium, or a program that can be viewed until dubbing If not, there is a problem that unnecessary programs are deleted and the remaining free space on the hard disk is increased. Was Tsu.

  Therefore, in the prior art of Patent Document 1, the recording capacity of the hard disk is increased by creating a file in which the same program is re-recorded in a low recording image quality mode (recording rate; recording bit rate) that requires a small recording capacity of the hard disk. When it is full, a recording file with a large recording capacity is deleted, and a file recorded in the low image quality mode is left to create a free space on the hard disk.

  However, this conventional technology does not automatically reserve free space on a regular basis, and creates free space after the recording capacity of the hard disk is full. In order to delete, there is a problem that it takes a lot of work and time to search for a program having a large recording capacity or to select a program to be recorded again in the low image quality mode. Also, because the remaining capacity of the hard disk is not automatically secured regularly, if the recording capacity of the program you want to record exceeds the remaining capacity of the current hard disk, The program to be recorded can be recorded only after the work for securing is performed, for example, when the program cannot be recorded from the beginning, and when there is insufficient free space during recording, the program There arises a problem that it is not possible to record all.

  In the prior art of Patent Document 2, the content recorded at a high recording rate (high recording rate) is played back at the same time when the other reserved recording is started, and the content is recorded at a low rate (low recording rate). After the change, the remaining capacity of the hard disk can be secured by recording again on the hard disk.

  However, this conventional technology does not automatically ensure the remaining capacity (free space) of the hard disk periodically, so if the recording capacity of the program you want to record exceeds the remaining capacity of the current hard disk If there is a hard disk, you will not be able to record all the programs you want to record until you have done the work to secure free space on the hard disk, for example, you cannot record the program from the beginning, When a shortage occurs, there arises a problem that all the programs cannot be recorded.

  Further, in the prior art of Patent Document 3, in order to secure the free space so that the user can easily determine the program to be deleted when the free space (empty remaining amount) of the recording medium is insufficient. Searching for program candidates to be deleted, but the free space is not automatically increased regularly, so it is troublesome to search for program candidates to be deleted, and programs to be recorded If there is a case where the recording capacity of the recording medium exceeds the current recording medium free capacity (remaining remaining capacity), all the programs to be recorded must be performed after performing the above-described operation for increasing the free capacity of the recording medium. If the program cannot be recorded, for example, the program cannot be recorded from the beginning, and if there is a shortage of free space (remaining remaining amount) during recording, there arises a problem that the program cannot be recorded entirely.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hard disk device that can automatically increase the remaining free space of a hard disk automatically.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the title is already recorded and the title name of the recording reservation for the title disappears, the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation is displayed in the title list. A title name presence / absence determination means for determining whether or not the recording reservation has the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation in the title list; When it is determined that the same title name specifying means for specifying the same title name in the title list and the title name same as the title name of the recording reservation does not exist in the title list, Means for determining whether or not there is a title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period in the same period; When it is determined that there is a title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list, the title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list is set after the set period has elapsed. When it is determined that there is no title name of a title recorded with the same period recording title designation means and the title list recorded with the same period recording reservation, the title name of the title recorded by one recording reservation is One-time reservation recording title presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not there is present, and a one-time reservation recording title for designating a title name of a title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when the passage of a set period is detected Recording reservation of the same period after the name designation means and the same title name in the title list are designated or in the title list When the title name of the recorded title is specified, or after the title name of the title recorded by one recording reservation is specified, the recording rate is lowered by one step and the title is recorded again. First recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate one step lower than the recording rate at the time of recording the title, and re-encoding the title at the recording rate lowered by one step and performing dubbing. For example, when it is determined that the available remaining capacity of the hard disk is not the desired remaining capacity, the second recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate lowered by one step to the recording rate further lowered by one step, and the first Re-encoding the title at the recording rate set by the recording rate setting means or the second recording rate setting means and executing dubbing. There is provided a hard disk device comprising: a system controller having an encoding dubbing execution means and a title deletion means for deleting a dubbing source title when the end of the dubbing is detected.

  In this configuration, when the title is recorded and the title name of the recording reservation for the title disappears, the title name presence / absence determining means determines whether the title list has the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation. Determine whether. When it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list, the same title name designating unit detects the passage of a set period after the title name of the recording reservation disappears. Specify the same title name in the list.

  Next, when the recording rate is lowered by one step and the title with the same title name is recorded again, the first recording rate setting means is one step higher than the recording rate when the title with the same title name is recorded. Set to a lower recording rate. After the recording rate is set one step lower than the recording rate when the title of the same title was recorded, the recording rate is lowered by one step. When it is determined that the remaining amount is equal to or greater than the desired remaining amount, the re-encode dubbing execution unit re-encodes the title with the same title name at the recording rate lowered by one step and executes dubbing.

  Also, if the dubbing is executed by re-encoding the title with the same title name at the recording rate lowered by one step, the second recording rate setting means may determine that the remaining hard disk space is not the desired remaining capacity. When the determination is made, the recording rate lowered by one step is set to a recording rate further lowered by one step. Then, the re-encode dubbing execution means re-encodes the title having the same title name at the recording rate lowered by two steps and executes the dubbing.

  In this way, the re-encoding dubbing is performed on the title of the same title by the recording rate set by the first recording rate setting means or the second recording rate setting means, and the title deletion means By detecting the end of the reproduction of the title with the same title name, when the end of the dubbing is detected, the titles with the same title name of the dubbing source are collectively deleted.

  Next, when it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation does not exist in the title list, the same period recording title name presence / absence determination means determines the title recorded with the recording reservation of the same period in the title list. It is determined whether or not there is a title name. When it is determined that there is a title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period in the title list, the same period recording title designating means, the title of the title recorded with the recording reservation of the same period in the title list Specify the title name.

  When the title is recorded again with the recording rate lowered by one step, the first recording rate setting means records the recording rate one step lower than the recording rate when the title with the same period recording title name is recorded. Set to rate. When it is determined that the remaining remaining amount is greater than or equal to the desired remaining amount, the re-encode dubbing execution means re-encodes the title with the same period recording title name at the recording rate lowered by one step and executes dubbing.

  Also, if the dubbing is executed by re-encoding the title with the same period recording title name at the recording rate lowered by one step, the determination is made that when it is determined that the remaining remaining capacity of the hard disk is not the desired remaining capacity. The second recording rate setting means sets the recording rate lowered by one step to a recording rate further lowered by one step. Then, the re-encoding dubbing execution means re-encodes the title having the same period recording title name at the recording rate lowered by two levels and executes the dubbing.

  In this way, the re-encoding dubbing is performed on the title with the same period recording title name by the recording rate set by the first recording rate setting means or the second recording rate setting means, and the title deletion means When the end of the dubbing is detected by detecting the end of the reproduction of the title with the same period recording title name, the titles with the same period recording title name of the dubbing source are collectively deleted.

  Next, when it is determined that there is no title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same cycle in the title list, the once-recorded recording title presence / absence determining means determines whether the title recorded by one-time recording reservation It is determined whether or not there is a title name. Then, after it is determined that there is a title name, the once-reserved recording title name designating unit designates the title name of the title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when detecting the elapse of the set period. . Thereafter, the same processing is performed thereafter.

  According to this configuration, the recording rate of titles recorded on the hard disk can be automatically reduced periodically and re-encoded dubbing can be performed to increase the remaining free space on the hard disk. Even if there is no other recording medium such as a DVD that moves titles recorded on the hard disk to increase the amount, the remaining amount of hard disk can be increased regularly without deleting the hard disk program as much as possible, As a result, the hard disk can always ensure a sufficient remaining space, and a desired program can be recorded at any time, improving usability.

  The invention of claim 2 determines whether or not the title list has the same title name as the title of the recording reservation when the title has been recorded and the title name of the recording reservation of the title disappears When it is determined that there is a title name in the title list that is the same as the title name of the recording reservation, the title list The same title name designating means for designating the same title name in the title list, and when it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation does not exist in the title list, recording with the recording reservation of the same period in the title list Same-period recorded title name presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not there is a title name of the selected title, The same period recording title that specifies the title name of the title recorded with the same period recording reservation in the title list when it is determined that there is a title name recorded with the period recording reservation. When it is determined that there is no title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same cycle in the title list, it is determined whether there is a title name of a title recorded by one recording reservation A once-recorded recording title presence / absence determining unit, a one-time reserved recording title name designating unit for designating a title name of a title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when the passage of a set period is detected, a title Title type recorded after the same title name in the list is specified, or in the same period recording reservation in the title list When the title is recorded, or after re-recording the title at a lower recording rate after the title name of the title recorded by one recording reservation is specified, A recording rate setting means for setting a recording rate lower than the recording rate by a predetermined level, a re-encoding dubbing execution means for executing dubbing by re-encoding the title at a recording rate set by the recording rate setting means, and Provided is a hard disk device comprising a system controller having title deletion means for deleting a dubbing source title when the end of dubbing is detected.

  In this configuration, when the title is recorded and the title name of the recording reservation for the title disappears, the title name presence / absence determining means determines whether the title list has the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation. Determine whether. When it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list, the same title name designating unit detects the passage of a set period after the title name of the recording reservation disappears. Specify the same title name in the list.

  Next, in the case where the recording rate is lowered by a predetermined level and the title with the same title name is recorded again, the recording rate setting means records the recording rate lower by a predetermined level than the recording rate when the title with the same title name is recorded. Set to rate. After being set to a recording rate that is lower by a predetermined level than the recording rate at which the title with the same title name was recorded, the re-encoding dubbing execution means re-renders the title with the same title name at the lower recording rate. Encode and execute dubbing.

  In this way, re-encoding dubbing is performed on the title with the same title name at the recording rate set by the recording rate setting means, and the title deletion means detects the end of reproduction of the title with the same title name. Thus, when the end of the dubbing is detected, the title having the same title name as the dubbing source is deleted.

  Next, when it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation does not exist in the title list, the same period recording title name presence / absence determination means determines the title recorded with the recording reservation of the same period in the title list. It is determined whether or not there is a title name. When it is determined that there is a title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period in the title list, the same period recording title designating means, the title of the title recorded with the recording reservation of the same period in the title list Specify the title name.

  When the recording rate is lowered by a predetermined level and the title of the same periodic recording title name is re-recorded, the recording rate setting means has a predetermined step from the recording rate when the title of the same periodic recording title name is recorded. Set to a lower recording rate. The re-encoding dubbing execution unit re-encodes the title having the same period recording title name at the recording rate lowered by the predetermined level to execute dubbing.

  In this way, the re-encoding dubbing is executed for the title of the same period recording title name at the recording rate lowered by the predetermined level, and the title deletion unit detects the end of the reproduction of the title of the same period recording title name. Thus, when the end of the dubbing is detected, the title of the same period recording title name of the dubbing source is deleted.

  Next, when it is determined that there is no title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same cycle in the title list, the once-recorded recording title presence / absence determining means determines whether the title recorded by one-time recording reservation It is determined whether or not there is a title name. Then, after it is determined that there is a title name, the once-reserved recording title name designating unit designates the title name of the title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when detecting the elapse of the set period. . Thereafter, the same processing is performed thereafter.

  According to this configuration, the recording rate of titles recorded on the hard disk can be automatically reduced periodically and re-encoded dubbing can be performed to increase the remaining free space on the hard disk. Even if there is no other recording medium such as a DVD that moves titles recorded on the hard disk to increase the amount, the remaining amount of hard disk can be increased regularly without deleting the hard disk program as much as possible, As a result, the hard disk can always ensure a sufficient remaining space, and a desired program can be recorded at any time, improving usability.

  In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the recording rate setting means is recorded after the same title name in the title list is designated or in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list When the title name of the title is specified or the title name of the title recorded by one recording reservation is specified and the title is recorded again at a lower recording rate, First recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate one step lower than the recording rate at the time of recording, and recoding the title at the recording rate lowered by one step and executing dubbing, When it is determined that the remaining remaining amount is not the desired remaining amount, the recording rate lowered by one step is set to a recording rate further lowered by one step. And having a recording rate setting means.

  In this configuration, since the recording rate setting means includes the first recording rate setting means and the second recording rate setting means, it is not possible to secure a desired remaining hard disk space even if the recording rate is lowered by one step. In this case, the remaining free space of the desired hard disk can be secured by further reducing the recording rate by one step.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the recording rate of the title recorded on the hard disk is automatically decreased periodically, and re-encoding dubbing is performed so that the remaining free space of the hard disk can be increased. Even if there is no other recording medium such as a DVD that moves titles recorded on the hard disk to increase the remaining capacity of the hard disk, the remaining capacity of the hard disk is increased regularly without deleting the hard disk programs as much as possible. Thus, the hard disk can always ensure a sufficient remaining space, and a desired program can be recorded at any time, thereby improving usability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hard disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The hard disk device A includes a tuner 1 that receives a television broadcast signal via an antenna 1a and selects a television broadcast signal of a desired broadcast station, a demodulator 2 that demodulates a video / audio signal from the tuner 1, and an external device. The demodulating unit 3 that demodulates the input video / audio signal, the compression processing unit 4 that compresses the video / audio signal demodulated by the demodulating unit 2 or the demodulating unit 3 using the MPEG method, and the compressed video / audio data that is HD An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 5 that writes to (hard disk) 5a or reads video / audio data recorded on HD 5a, and an expansion processing unit 6 that restores the video / audio data read from HD 5a by HDD 5 to the original video / audio data. I have.

  The hard disk device A also includes video data (the title list screen data and message data from the system controller 10 if there is video data or message data) of the restored video and audio data. Data) is converted into a displayable video signal and supplied to the display device 81 of the television receiver 8. The OSD (on-screen display) unit 7 and the video / audio data restored by the decompression processing unit 6 are converted from the digital signal. A D / A converter 9 that converts the signal into an analog signal and supplies the audio signal to the audio output device 82 connected to the speaker 83 of the television receiver 8. The compression processing by the compression processing unit 4 and the expansion processing by the expansion processing unit 6 RAM 15 for temporarily storing video and audio data, sometimes controlling the operation of the entire device Necessary for processing of the system controller 10, the key input unit 11 of the main body for inputting various key operation signals to the system controller 10, the key receiving unit 12 for receiving various infrared key operation signals from the remote controller 13, and the system controller 10. A flash ROM 14 in which programs and data are recorded is provided.

  As a characteristic element of the present embodiment, the system controller 10 has the same title name as the title of the recording reservation when the title has been recorded and the recording reservation title name of the title disappears. A title name presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the title is in the title list, and when it is judged that the title name same as the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list When the passage of the period is detected, it is determined that the same title name specifying means for specifying the same title name in the title list and the title list having the same title name as the recording reservation title name are not present in the title list. The same period recording type that determines whether there is a title name of a title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period within Title name recording means and title title recorded with the same period recording reservation in the title list when it is determined that there is a title name recorded with the same period recording reservation in the title list And the same period recording title designation means for designating a name after the set period has elapsed.

  Further, when the system controller 10 determines that there is no title name of the title recorded with the recording reservation of the same period in the title list, there is a title name of the title recorded by one recording reservation. A one-time reserved recording title presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not a preset recording title name specifying means for specifying a title name of a title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when the elapse of a set period is detected Are recorded after the same title name in the title list is specified, or after the title name of the title recorded in the title list with the same period recording reservation is specified, or by one recording reservation. After specifying the title name of the title, if you want to rerecord the title at a lower recording rate by one step, record the title. If the first recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate one step lower than the recording rate at the time of recording and the dubbing is executed by re-encoding the title at the recording rate lowered by one step, the HD5a A second recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate lowered by one step to a recording rate further lowered by one step when it is determined that the remaining remaining amount is not a desired remaining amount; and the first recording rate setting means Alternatively, the re-encoding dubbing execution means for executing dubbing by re-encoding the title at the recording rate set by the second recording rate setting means, and deleting the dubbing source title when the end of the dubbing is detected. Title deletion means.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the key arrangement of the remote controller in this embodiment. 2, the operation panel 200 of the remote controller 13 includes a TV power key 211, an input switching key 212, an HDD power key 213, a volume key 214, a plurality of numeric keys 215, a play list key 216, a function display key 217, and an upward direction. -218, Down key 219, Left key 220, Right key 221, Enter key 222, Program guide key 223, Record key 224, Pause key 225, Rewind key 226, Stop key 227, Play key 228, Fast forward A key 229 and the like are arranged. Note that the arrangement and the number of keys here are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 3 is a display screen diagram showing an example of a recording reservation screen displayed on the display device in the present embodiment. The recording reservation screen 81a includes broadcast date data 31 indicating a broadcast date, channel data 32 indicating a channel of a television broadcast station, recording start time data 33 indicating a recording start time, recording end time data 34 indicating a recording end time, Continuous program data 35 indicating whether the program to be recorded is a continuous program and recording mode data 36 indicating a recording mode (recording bit rate) for recording the program are input by a user's remote control operation, and these data are displayed. The If EPG (electronic program guide) data can be used, data relating to recording reservation may be input by selecting a broadcast program from the EPG screen instead of the recording reservation screen 81a shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a display screen diagram showing an example of a title list screen displayed on the display device in the present embodiment. In the title list screen 81b, the title name (program name) of the title (program) recorded on the hard disk, the recording date of each title, the title number (No,), and the recording mode are SP. The remaining recordable time is displayed. In addition, among the title names, a thumbnail image 41 of the title name designated by the cursor 42 is displayed. According to the title list screen 81b, it can be seen that the title name “Thursday drama”, which is a continuous drama, is recorded every Thursday from August 3, 2006. When recording reservations for such a continuous drama, if the continuous program data, channel, day of the week, recording start time, recording end time, and recording mode are set in the hard disk device, the continuous drama is automatically stored on the hard disk. To be recorded.

  For example, in such a weekly recording reservation for “Thursday Drama”, if there is no reservation for the title name “Thursday Drama”, a program of the same title recorded on the hard disk one month later, in this example, Re-encode dubbing for “Drama on Thursday”. In addition, when there is no title name for recording reservation (when recording is started by time such as recording start time or recording end time), for example, in the first week of January, April, July, October, automatic Thus, the same program recorded with weekly recording reservations is re-encoded dubbing at a lower recording rate for the previous three months. In the case of a title recorded with one recording reservation, a period such as 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, etc. can be selected, and when the title has been recorded, Re-encode dubbing. In addition, it is possible to set for each individual title when dubbing is performed again at which recording rate or when it is not desired to lower the recording rate.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing when the title name of the recording reservation disappears in the hard disk device of this embodiment. With reference to this flowchart and FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, processing when the title name of the recording reservation disappears in the hard disk device will be described.

  First, when the title name presence / absence determining means of the system controller 10 detects that the title data of the recording reservation input by the user's remote control operation disappears from the recording reservation area of the flash ROM 14 (step S1), the HDD 5 is reproduced. The title list recorded in the HD 5a is read out, and it is determined from the title management information whether the title name identical to the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list (step S2).

  That is, the data of the title name of the recording reservation stored in the recording reservation area of the flash ROM 14 is not the title name data for the recording reservation after the title of the title name is recorded on the HD 5a. It is moved to the reservation history area and held until it becomes unnecessary. Therefore, after the recording of the title is completed, the title name presence / absence determining unit of the system controller 10 detects that the title name data of the recording reservation stored in the recording reservation area of the flash ROM 14 is lost. (Step S1). Further, since the title name of the title recorded by the recording reservation is present in the title list after the recording of the title is completed, the title name presence / absence determining means stores the recording reservation stored in the reservation history area of the flash ROM 14. It is detected that the same title name as the title name corresponding to the title name is present in the title list (step S2).

  When it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list, the same title name designating unit of the system controller 10 sets a period of time (for example, 1) after the title name of the recording reservation disappears. When the elapse of (month)) is detected by a timer (not shown) (step S3), the same title name in the title list is searched and specified by the management information of the title (step S4). For example, in the title list screen 81b shown in FIG. 4, the title name “Thursday drama” is designated.

  Next, when rerecording the title by lowering the recording rate by one step (step S5), the first recording rate setting means of the system controller 10 records the title with the same title name recorded. For example, the recording rate (recording mode) LP is set one step lower than the recording rate (recording mode) SP (step S6). In the case of recording with the recording rate lowered by one step, the function display key 217 of the remote controller 13 is pressed to display the function menu screen on the display device 81, and a selection item for reducing the recording rate by one step is selected. It is set by selecting and determining.

  After the recording rate is set one step lower than the recording rate when the title with the same title name is recorded, the recording rate is lowered by one step, so that the remaining free space of the HD 5a increases. If the recording rate of the title with the same title name is recorded at a recording rate that is lowered by one step, the amount of remaining free space in the HD 5a will be increased according to the playback time (recording time) of the title with the same title name. It can be obtained based on the recording rate at the time of recording and the recording rate lowered by one step. For example, if the playback time (recording time) of the title with the same title name is 300 minutes, the recording rate at the first recording is 1 and the recording rate lowered by one level is 0.5, the same If the title of the title name is recorded again at a recording rate lowered by one level, the recordable time becomes 600 minutes, and the record time of 300 minutes is used for recording the title of the same title name within the recordable time of 600 minutes. Therefore, the remaining free space will increase by an extra 300 minutes.

  When it is determined that the remaining remaining amount is greater than or equal to the desired remaining amount (step S7), the re-encode dubbing execution unit of the system controller 10 controls the HDD 5 to perform the same recording at the recording rate lowered by one step. The title of the title name is re-encoded and dubbing is executed (step S9). That is, the re-encode dubbing execution means changes the recording rate (recording mode) from SP to LP, and assigns the title of the same title recorded in a certain area of the HD 5a at the recording rate SP by controlling the HDD 5. A fixed amount is read, and titles with the same title name are recorded in different areas of the HD 5a at a recording rate LP.

  If it is assumed that the dubbing is executed by re-encoding the title having the same title name at the recording rate lowered by one step, the second recording rate setting means of the system controller 10 is required to have a free HD 5a remaining amount. When it is determined that it is not the remaining amount (step S7), the recording rate lowered by one step is set to the recording rate further lowered by one step (step S8). Then, the re-encode dubbing execution means of the system controller 10 controls the HDD 5 to re-encode the title with the same title name at the recording rate lowered by two levels and execute the dubbing (step S9).

  In this way, the title of the same title is re-encoded and the title of the system controller 10 is deleted by the recording rate set by the first recording rate setting means or the second recording rate setting means. When the means detects the end of the re-encoding dubbing by detecting the end of the reproduction of the title with the same title name (step S10), the dubbing source title (recorded on the HD 5a at the initial recording rate) The titles having the same title name) are collectively deleted (step S11). As a result, the remaining free space of the HD 5a increases.

  Next, when it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation is not present in the title list (step S2), the same period recording title name presence / absence determining means of the system controller 10 includes the same period in the title list. Whether or not there is a title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation is determined based on the management information of the title (step S13). When it is determined that there is a title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period in the title list, the same period recording title designation unit of the system controller 10 determines the title after a set period (for example, 3 months) has elapsed. The title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same cycle in the list is searched and specified by the management information of the title (step S14).

  Next, when the recording rate is lowered by one step and the title is recorded again (step S5), the first recording rate setting means of the system controller 10 records the title with the same periodic recording title name. The recording rate is set one step lower than the recording rate (step S6). Although the recording rate is set one step lower than the recording rate when the title with the same periodic recording title name is recorded and then the recording rate is lowered by one step, the remaining free space on the HD 5a increases. Assuming that the recording rate of the title of the same periodic recording title name is recorded at a recording rate that is lowered by one step, how much the remaining free space of the HD 5a is increased is the reproduction time of the title of the same periodic recording title name ( Recording time), the recording rate at the time of the first recording, and the recording rate lowered by one step.

  When it is determined that the remaining remaining amount is greater than or equal to the desired remaining amount (step S7), the re-encoding dubbing execution unit of the system controller 10 controls the HDD 5 to re-record the title at the recording rate lowered by one level. Encoding and dubbing are executed (step S9). That is, the re-encoding dubbing execution means changes the recording rate (recording mode) from SP to LP, and assigns the title of the same periodic recording title name recorded in a certain area of the HD 5a at the recording rate SP by the HDD 5. A fixed amount is read and a title with the same period recording title name is recorded in different areas of the HD 5a at a recording rate LP.

  If the title is re-encoded with the recording rate lowered by one level and dubbing is executed, the second recording rate setting means of the system controller 10 determines that the remaining amount of HD 5a is not the desired amount. When the determination is made (step S7), the recording rate lowered by one step is set to a recording rate further lowered by one step (step S8). Then, the re-encoding dubbing execution unit of the system controller 10 controls the HDD 5 to re-encode the title with the same period recording title name at the recording rate lowered by two stages and execute the dubbing (step S9).

  In this manner, the re-encoding dubbing is performed on the title of the same period recording title name according to the recording rate set by the first recording rate setting means or the second recording rate setting means, and the system controller 10 When the title deletion means detects the end of the re-encoding dubbing by detecting the end of the reproduction of the title with the same period recording title name (step S10), the title of the dubbing source (in the HD5a at the initial recording rate) The recorded titles having the same periodic recording title name) are deleted together (step S11). As a result, the remaining free space of the HD 5a increases.

  Next, when it is determined that there is no title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list (step S13), the once reserved recording title presence / absence determining means of the system controller 10 It is determined from the title management information whether the title name of the title recorded by the recording reservation is in the title list (step S15). When the once reserved recording title name designating unit of the system controller 10 detects the elapse of a set period (for example, 3 months) (step S16), the title name of the title recorded by the one recording reservation is set. Is searched and specified by the management information of the title (step S17). Thereafter, the process returns to step S5, and the same processing is performed thereafter.

  If it is not desired to lower the recording rate (step S5), or if dubbing is performed again at any of the plurality of recording rates, the recording rate can be set for each individual title (step S12). Similarly, execution of re-encoding dubbing (step S9), determination of dubbing completion (step S10), and deletion of the original title of re-encoding dubbing (step S11) are performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the recording rate of the titles recorded on the hard disk can be automatically reduced periodically and re-encoded dubbing can be performed to increase the remaining free space on the hard disk. Therefore, even if there is no other recording medium such as a DVD that moves titles recorded on the hard disk in order to increase the remaining capacity of the hard disk, the remaining capacity of the hard disk is periodically checked without deleting the title of the hard disk as much as possible. As a result, the hard disk can always ensure a sufficient remaining space, and a desired title can be recorded at any time, improving usability.

  In the case of a combined recording / playback device of a hard disk device and a DVD recorder, if the title recorded on the hard disk is dubbed on a DVD and then the title of the hard disk is deleted, the remaining amount of the hard disk can be increased. Even in the case of a single hard disk device, even if there is no DVD recorder or another hard disk device at hand, the remaining free space on the hard disk is automatically increased periodically without deleting the titles recorded on the hard disk. Therefore, the hard disk can be used effectively, which is convenient for the user.

  The present invention is applicable to a hard disk recorder (hard disk device), and can increase the remaining free space of the hard disk.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hard disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of key arrangement | positioning of a remote control in the said embodiment. It is a display screen figure which shows an example of the recording reservation screen displayed on a display apparatus in the said embodiment. It is a display screen figure which shows an example of the title list screen displayed on a display apparatus in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a process when the title name of a recording reservation runs out in the hard-disk apparatus of the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

A Hard disk device 5a Hard disk 10 System controller

Claims (3)

In a hard disk device that records a TV program or other information as a title on a hard disk or plays a title recorded on a hard disk,
Title name presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the title name same as the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list when the title has been recorded and the title name of the recording reservation of the title is lost,
When it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation is present in the title list, if it is detected that a set period has elapsed since the title name of the recording reservation is lost, the same title name in the title list is selected. Same title name designation means to be designated,
The same period for determining whether or not there is a title name of a title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list when it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation is not in the title list A recording title name presence / absence judging means;
When it is determined that there is a title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list, the title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list is set after the set period has elapsed. Same period recording title designation means to be designated,
When it is determined in the title list that there is no title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period, a one-time reservation for determining whether there is a title name of a title recorded by one recording reservation Recording title presence / absence judging means;
One-time reserved recording title name designating means for designating the title name of the title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when the elapse of the set period is detected;
Titles recorded after the same title name in the title list is specified, or after the title name of a title recorded in the title list with the same period recording reservation is specified, or by one recording reservation When the title is designated and the recording rate is lowered by one step and the title is re-recorded, the first recording is set to a recording rate one step lower than the recording rate at the time of recording the title. Rate setting means;
Assuming that the title is re-encoded with the recording rate lowered by one step and dubbing is executed, when it is determined that the remaining free space of the hard disk is not the desired remaining amount, the recording rate lowered by one step is further increased by one. A second recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate to a lower level;
Re-encode dubbing execution means for re-encoding the title at a recording rate set by the first recording rate setting means or the second recording rate setting means and executing dubbing;
A hard disk apparatus comprising: a system controller having title deletion means for deleting a dubbing source title when the end of the dubbing is detected. In a hard disk device that records a TV program or other information as a title on a hard disk or plays a title recorded on a hard disk,
Title name presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the title name same as the title name of the recording reservation exists in the title list when the title has been recorded and the title name of the recording reservation of the title is lost,
When it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation is present in the title list, if it is detected that a set period has elapsed since the title name of the recording reservation is lost, the same title name in the title list is selected. Same title name designation means to be designated,
The same period for determining whether or not there is a title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period in the title list when it is determined that the same title name as the title name of the recording reservation is not in the title list A recording title name presence / absence judging means;
When it is determined that there is a title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list, the title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list is set after the set period has elapsed. Same period recording title designation means to be designated,
When it is determined in the title list that there is no title name of a title recorded with a recording reservation of the same period, a one-time reservation for determining whether there is a title name of a title recorded by one recording reservation Recording title presence / absence judging means;
One-time reserved recording title name designating means for designating the title name of the title recorded by the one-time recording reservation when the elapse of the set period is detected;
Titles recorded in the title list after the same title name is specified, or after title names of titles recorded in the title list that are recorded with the same period recording reservation are specified, or by one recording reservation Recording rate setting means for setting a recording rate lower by a predetermined level than the recording rate at the time of recording the title, when re-recording the title at a lower recording rate after the title name is designated,
Re-encode dubbing execution means for re-encoding the title at the recording rate set by the recording rate setting means and executing dubbing;
A hard disk apparatus comprising: a system controller having title deletion means for deleting a dubbing source title when the end of the dubbing is detected.   The recording rate setting means is configured such that after the same title name in the title list is designated, or after the title name of the title recorded in the recording reservation of the same period in the title list is designated, or once After the title name of the title recorded by the recording reservation is specified, when the recording rate is lowered by one step and the title is re-recorded, the recording rate is lowered by one step from the recording rate at the time of recording the title. If it is determined that the remaining recording capacity of the hard disk is not the desired remaining capacity, and if the title is re-encoded and the dubbing is executed at the recording rate lowered by one level, And a second recording rate setting means for setting the recording rate lowered by one step to a recording rate further lowered by one step. Hard disk drive of claim 2.

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