JP2008287785A - Recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a recording and reproducing device, which displays auxiliary information of operation in accordance with a skill level, to enhance the processing accuracy of altering processing of a skill value showing the skill level. <P>SOLUTION: In initial power source starting and the like of the recording and reproducing device, a reference value calculating part calculates a reference value of user's reading speed. When an operation auxiliary image is displayed, estimated reading time is calculated and a displaying time of the operation auxiliary image is measured. Altering processing of the skill value of the user is performed by comparing the measured result and the estimated reading time. Calculation of the reference value of the use's reading speed is performed by dividing the measured reading time of a reference value calculation image by the number of characters of character images included in the reference value calculation image. Calculation of the estimated reading time is performed by multiplying the obtained reference value by the number of characters of the character images included in the operation auxiliary image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus that outputs operation assistance information of a device to a display device, and more particularly, to a recording / reproducing apparatus that can display operation assistance information according to a user's operation proficiency level.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various new functions have been added to recording / playback apparatuses such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) players and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorders by improving digital technology and the like. For example, many functions such as an automatic recording function and a simultaneous reproduction function that cannot be realized by a conventional recording / reproducing apparatus have appeared.

  However, the multi-functionalization of such a recording / reproducing apparatus involves a problem that the amount of operation assistance information for assisting operation of each function becomes enormous. For this reason, when the user wants to know the operation method of the function he / she uses, he / she has to search for operation assistance information according to his / her proficiency level (= operation proficiency level) from a huge amount of operation assistance information. As a result, there is a problem that the user feels bothered. In addition, the increase in the operation assistance information has a problem of pressing the capacity of the recording device built in the recording / reproducing device.

  In relation to the above, Patent Literature 1 discloses an operation assistance device that can perform comfortable operation assistance for a user. The operation assisting device of Patent Document 1 is characterized in that the user's proficiency level is determined according to the status of the operation input by the operation means, and whether or not the operation assist is performed is determined.

  Further, in relation to the above, Patent Document 2 discloses a screen display program classified by skill level that can automatically collect user operation history and provide a screen according to the user's skill level based on the collected operation history. Has been. The screen display program classified by proficiency in Patent Document 2 includes an operation history acquisition unit that acquires an operation history using an input unit, and a proficiency level determination unit that determines a user's proficiency level based on the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition unit. It has. Then, based on the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination means, a screen according to the proficiency level corresponding to the proficiency level is generated.

  Further, in relation to the above, Patent Document 3 discloses an interactive computer system aimed at improving the processing speed per user without causing the process progress to be slow for a user who is familiar with the system. Has been. The interactive computer system disclosed in Patent Literature 3 includes a determination unit that determines an operator's system proficiency based on information input from the interactive input / output device, and the interactive input / output device according to the determination by the determination unit. The message display form of the interactive process is selected.

In relation to the above, Patent Document 4 discloses an image forming system capable of performing maintenance easily and efficiently. The image forming system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 has different levels of guidance on a recording unit in the image forming apparatus in stages so that a user's proficiency level can be determined and guidance (= operation assistance information) suitable for the level can be displayed. Information is being recorded. Furthermore, when it is determined that the content of the guidance is insufficient, more detailed guidance information is downloaded from an external information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus.
JP 2006-139332 A JP 2003-177854 A JP 11-259202 A JP 2005-172902 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 4, the user's proficiency level is determined based on the content of the operation performed by the user, and various processes such as display of operation assistance information are performed based on the proficiency level. However, these inventions have a problem that it is necessary to add an operation history recording function for determining the user's proficiency level, a complicated process for determining the proficiency level, or a new device unit. Moreover, it cannot be said that the processing accuracy of the proficiency level determination process is necessarily high.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a recording / reproducing apparatus that displays operation assistance information according to a user's proficiency level, and determines the user's proficiency level with a simple configuration and processing method. A further object is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of improving the processing accuracy of the processing for changing the proficiency value indicating the proficiency level.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention generates an image signal and recording means for recording operation assistance information for assisting an operator's operation, and a proficiency value indicating an operator's operation proficiency level An image signal generation means for outputting, an image signal output means for outputting an image signal to a display device, and when a predetermined image signal is output by the image signal output means, a time from the start of output to the stop of output is set as a display time. Using the display time measuring means to measure, the image signal generating means and the image signal output means, an operation auxiliary display means for generating an operation auxiliary image corresponding to the learning value from the operation auxiliary information and displaying it on the display device. A reference value calculation image for calculating a reference value of the reading speed of the operator is displayed using the image signal generation means and the image signal output means. The display time of the reference value calculation image is measured as the first display time using the display time measuring means, and the reference value is calculated from the first display time and the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculation image. Then, when the operation auxiliary image is displayed by the reference value calculation unit and the operation auxiliary display unit recorded in the recording unit, the display time of the operation auxiliary image is calculated using the display time measurement unit. Measuring the second display time, and calculating an estimated reading time estimated to be necessary for an operator to read the operation auxiliary image from the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image and the reference value, A learning value changing unit that increases the learning value when a display time is less than the estimated reading time, and decreases the learning value when the second display time exceeds the estimated reading time; To have.

  According to this, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a recording unit (= recording means) such as a memory or a ROM in which a proficiency value indicating the proficiency level of the user (= operator) and operation auxiliary information are recorded. Further, an operation assistance display unit (= operation assistance display means) that generates an operation assistance image corresponding to the proficiency value and displays it on the display device is provided. Also, a reference value calculation unit (= reference value calculation means) for calculating the reading speed of the user is provided.

  The reference value calculation unit displays a reference value calculation image for calculating the reference value of the reading speed of the user on a display device such as a monitor when the recording / reproducing apparatus is powered on for the first time. Then, the user reads information included in the reference value calculation image, and measures the time (= first display time) until the reference value calculation image is deleted. Then, based on the measured time and the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculation image, a reference value for the reading speed of the user is calculated and recorded in a memory or the like.

  The recorded reference value is used for calculating an estimated reading time when an operation assistance image is displayed, for example, when a help button is pressed. The estimated reading time is a time estimated to take for the user to read information included in the operation assistance image. The estimated reading time is calculated based on the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image and the reference value calculated by the reference value calculation unit.

  Then, the proficiency value changing unit (= proficiency value changing means) measures the time until the display ends (= second display time) when the display of the operation auxiliary image is started, and compares the measurement result with the estimated reading time. To do. If the measurement result is less than the estimated reading time, the proficiency value recorded in the memory or the like is increased by a predetermined value. Conversely, if the measurement result exceeds the estimated reading time, the proficiency value is decreased by a predetermined value. This utilizes the tendency that the user who has a high level of proficiency reads the operation assistance explanation for a short time, and conversely, the user who has a low proficiency level takes a long time to read the operation assistance explanation.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reference value calculation unit divides the reference value by dividing the first display time by the number of characters of a character image included in the reference value calculation image. And the learning value changing means calculates the estimated reading time by multiplying the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image by the reference value.

  According to this, as a method for calculating the reference value of the reading speed of the user, the reference value calculation unit divides the measurement result of the display time of the reference value calculation image by the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculation image. The value thus obtained is recorded in a memory or the like as a reference value. Further, as a method for calculating the estimated reading time, the learning value changing unit multiplies the reference value of the reading speed of the user by the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image. The value obtained in this way is used for the proficiency value changing process as the estimated reading time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the reference value calculation means is when the first display time is less than a predetermined lower limit value or exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. Further, the reference value is determined to be a predetermined value.

  According to this, when the reference value calculation unit calculates the reference value, it is determined whether the display time measurement result of the reference value calculation screen is below a predetermined lower limit value or exceeds an upper limit value. When the above condition is satisfied, the reference value calculation process is not performed, and a predetermined default value is determined as the reference value and recorded in the memory or the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the reference value calculation unit multiplies the number of still images by a predetermined time when the reference value calculation image includes a still image. A third display time is calculated by subtracting the calculated time from the first display time, and the reference value is calculated by dividing the third display time by the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculation image. It is characterized by.

  According to this, when a still image is included in the reference value calculation image displayed by the reference value calculation unit, a time obtained by multiplying the predetermined time by the number of still images is calculated. Then, the time is subtracted from the display time of the measured reference value calculation image. A reference value for the reading speed of the user is calculated by dividing the time (= third display time) obtained as a result by the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculation image.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention provides a recording / playback apparatus according to the present invention, wherein when the learning value changing means includes a still image in the operation auxiliary image displayed by the operation auxiliary display means. The time obtained by multiplying the number by a predetermined time is added to the estimated reading time.

  According to this, in the case where a still image is included in the operation auxiliary image displayed by the operation auxiliary display unit, the learning value changing unit calculates a time obtained by multiplying the predetermined time by the number of still images. When the estimated reading time is calculated, the learning value changing means adds the time (= predetermined time × number of still images) to the calculated estimated reading time to perform the learning value changing process.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention provides a learning value changing means in which the second display time is within a predetermined range above and below the estimated reading time and the estimated reading time. The learning value is not changed in a case where the second display time exceeds a time obtained by adding a predetermined time and a case where the second display time is less than a time obtained by subtracting the predetermined time from the estimated reading time. It is a feature.

  According to this, the learning value changing unit does not perform the learning value changing process when the following condition is satisfied. (1) The display time of the measured operation assistance image is within a predetermined range above and below the estimated reading time. (2) The display time of the measured operation auxiliary image exceeds the time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the estimated reading time. (3) When the display time of the measured operation auxiliary image is less than the time obtained by subtracting the predetermined time from the estimated reading time.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the operation auxiliary information includes character information, still image information, and moving image information, and the operation auxiliary display means determines the character information according to the learning value. Generating and displaying any one of the operation auxiliary image including only the operation auxiliary image including character information and still image information, and the operation auxiliary image including character information, still image information, and moving image information. It is a feature.

  According to this, the operation assistance information includes character information, still image information, and moving image information. Therefore, the operation assistance display unit generates and displays one of the following operation assistance images according to the proficiency value. (1) An auxiliary operation image with only character information. (2) An operation auxiliary image including character information and still image information. (3) An auxiliary operation image including character information, still image information, and moving image information.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the recording unit records an operation auxiliary image management table including management information of the operation auxiliary image, and the operation auxiliary display unit stores the operation auxiliary image. When an instruction to display an auxiliary image is received, the operation auxiliary image to be displayed is determined and displayed based on the learning value read from the recording unit and the operation auxiliary image management table.

  According to this, a recording unit such as a memory holds an operation auxiliary image management table in which management information for managing each operation auxiliary image is recorded. When the operation auxiliary display unit receives an instruction to display the operation auxiliary image, the operation auxiliary image to be displayed is uniquely specified and displayed based on the learning value read from the memory and the operation auxiliary image management table. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the learning value changing unit refers to the operation auxiliary image management table when the estimated reading time is calculated, thereby determining the operation auxiliary display. The number of characters and the number of still images included in the operation auxiliary image displayed by the means are acquired.

  According to this, when the learning value changing means calculates the estimated reading time, the management information for each operation auxiliary screen included in the operation auxiliary image management table is referred to. Then, from the management information, the number of characters of the character image included in the corresponding operation auxiliary image and the number of still images included in the operation auxiliary image are acquired and used to calculate the estimated reading time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises communication means for connecting the recording / reproducing apparatus to a communication network, and when the operation auxiliary display means receives a display instruction for the operation auxiliary image. Determining whether or not the operation assistance information necessary for generating the instructed operation assistance image is recorded in the recording unit, and connecting to a communication network using the communication unit when it is determined that the operation assistance information does not exist The operation assistance information is acquired from the information processing apparatus.

  According to this, a communication unit (= communication means) for connecting the recording / reproducing apparatus to a communication network such as the Internet is provided. When the operation auxiliary display unit receives an instruction to display the operation auxiliary image, it is determined whether or not the operation auxiliary information necessary for generating the instructed operation auxiliary image is recorded in an internal recording medium such as a memory or a ROM. To do. If not recorded, necessary operation assistance information is acquired from an information processing apparatus such as an external information distribution server using the communication unit.

  According to the present invention, the reference value calculation unit calculates the reference value of the reading speed of the user when the recording / reproducing apparatus is powered on for the first time. When the operation auxiliary image is displayed, the estimated reading time is calculated and the display time of the operation auxiliary image is measured. Then, the user's proficiency value is changed by comparing the measurement result with the estimated reading time. For this reason, it is possible to realize a more accurate proficiency level determination process based on the reading speed of the user. Further, since it is not necessary to record the user's operation history or the like as in the conventional proficiency level determination process, the recording medium can be used effectively.

  According to the present invention, as a method for calculating the reference value of the user's reading speed, the display time of the reference value calculation image is divided by the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculation image. Further, the estimated reading time is calculated by multiplying the reference value obtained by the above by the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image. Thus, since the estimated reading time is calculated using the reading speed per character of the user as a reference value, it is possible to calculate the estimated reading time with higher accuracy.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the reference value calculation unit calculates the reference value, it is determined in advance when the display time measurement result of the reference value calculation screen is lower than the predetermined lower limit value or exceeds the upper limit value. The default value is determined as the reference value. For this reason, for example, when the display time is extremely long because the user leaves the seat while the reference value calculation screen is displayed, or when the user skips the reference value calculation screen, the display time is extremely short. In some cases, it is possible to prevent an erroneous reference value from being calculated.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the reference value calculation image includes a still image, the time obtained by the predetermined time × the number of still images is subtracted from the measured display time of the reference value calculation image. Then, by dividing this result by the number of characters in the character image included in the reference value calculation image, a reference value for the reading speed is calculated. For this reason, even when the reading time is increased by the user viewing a still image included in the reference value calculation image, the increased reading time can be corrected. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a reference value for reading speed with higher accuracy.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the displayed operation assistance image includes a still image, the time obtained by the predetermined time × the number of still images is added to the estimated reading time calculated by the learning value changing unit. For this reason, even when the reading time is increased by the user browsing the still image included in the operation assistance image, the reading time corresponding to the increased reading time can be corrected. For this reason, a more accurate estimated reading time can be obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, the learning value changing process is not performed when the following condition is satisfied. (1) The display time of the measured operation assistance image is within a predetermined range above and below the estimated reading time. (2) The display time of the measured operation auxiliary image exceeds the time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the estimated reading time. (3) When the display time of the measured operation auxiliary image is less than the time obtained by subtracting the predetermined time from the estimated reading time. For (1) above, the display time is an approximate value of the estimated reading time, so it is not necessary to change the learning value. Further, the above (2) and (3) are because the display time is remarkably long or remarkably short, so that the reliability is judged to be low. As described above, according to (1) to (3), it is possible to carry out a more accurate learning value change process.

  According to the invention, the operation assistance information includes character information, still image information, and moving image information. Then, according to the proficiency value, it is determined which character information is used to generate the operation assistance image. Therefore, for example, when the proficiency value is large (= high proficiency level), a simple operation auxiliary image with only character information, for example, when the proficiency value is small (= low proficiency level), details using all the above information A simple operation assistance image is generated. For this reason, it is possible to implement operation assistance more suitable for the user's proficiency level.

  According to the invention, the recording unit such as the memory holds the operation auxiliary image management table. When the operation auxiliary display unit receives an instruction to display the operation auxiliary image, the operation auxiliary image to be displayed is specified based on the learning value read from the memory and the operation auxiliary image management table. For this reason, even if a plurality of operation assistance images for performing operation assistance of the same content are prepared for each proficiency level, the operation assistance image to be displayed can be easily and reliably specified.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the learning value changing unit calculates the estimated reading time, the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image to be displayed and the number of still images are acquired from the operation auxiliary image management table. For this reason, each value used for calculation of estimated reading time can be acquired easily and reliably.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the operation assistance display unit receives an instruction to display the operation assistance image, the operation assistance information necessary for generating the designated operation assistance image does not exist in the internal recording medium. Operation assistance information is acquired from the outside using the communication unit. For this reason, it is only necessary to record a minimum amount of operation assistance information on the internal recording medium. Therefore, the capacity of the internal recording medium can be effectively utilized.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment shown here is an example and this invention is not limited to embodiment shown here.

<1-1. Internal configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the HDD recorder 1 (= recording / reproducing apparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The HDD recorder 1 includes at least a control unit 11, a memory 12 (= recording unit), an HDD 13 (= recording unit), a data input unit 14, a signal processing unit 15 (= part of an image signal output unit), and a color reproduction circuit 16. , OSD processing unit 17 (= image signal generating unit), data output unit 18 (= part of image signal output unit), ROM 19 (= recording unit), operation unit 20, display unit 21, and communication unit 22 (= communication) Means).

  The control unit 11 is a central processing unit for controlling the respective units of the HDD recorder 1 to perform overall control of recording / playback processing, for example, recording of TV programs and output / playback to a monitor. The control unit 11 includes a plurality of arithmetic processing devices such as a microprocessor. The control unit 11 is a central part that controls each device, for example, the color reproduction circuit 16 and the like, calculates data, processes, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes an operation auxiliary display unit 11a (= operation auxiliary display means) and a display time measurement unit 11b (= display) as functional units realized by executing a program on the arithmetic processing device included in the control unit 11. Time measurement means), a reference value calculation unit 11c (= reference value calculation means), and a master value change unit 11d (= skill value change means). Details of each functional unit included in the control unit 11 will be described later.

  The memory 12 is a medium for temporarily recording various data held by the HDD recorder 1, and is composed of, for example, a writable RAM (Random Access Memory). For example, the memory 12 serves as a buffer memory for temporarily recording processing data when recording / reproduction processing is performed by the control unit 11, instruction commands received from a user (= operator), and the like. .

  The HDD 13 is a magnetic recording medium for recording image information and audio information such as recording data held by the HDD recorder 1 and management information of the HDD recorder 1. The HDD 13 can also record operation assistance information to be described later. The HDD 13 is divided into a plurality of areas (= partitions), and it is more desirable to record by area according to the type of data to be recorded.

  The data input unit 14 is an input interface for inputting image signals and audio signals from an external device such as an antenna device. It also has a role of inputting digital information obtained by compressing image signals and audio signals by a specific compression method. The data input unit 14 is configured to include external connection terminals such as an RCA terminal, an S terminal, and a D terminal, for example.

  The signal processing unit 15 generates digital information by compressing an image signal by a moving image compression method such as MPEG2 or compressing an audio signal by an audio compression method such as Dolby AC-3 or LPCM. As a signal to be compressed, for example, an image signal or an audio signal input from the data input unit 14 is a compression target. Conversely, it also has a function of decoding compressed digital information into an image signal and an audio signal.

  The color reproduction circuit 16 converts the image signal given from the signal processing unit 15 into a primary color signal. The primary color signal obtained by the conversion is given to the OSD processing unit 17. The OSD processing unit 17 generates an image signal for displaying a character image, a still image, and a moving image and superimposes the image signal on the primary color signal. Specifically, for example, an image signal for displaying a recording reservation screen for a user to make a recording reservation, an icon indicating an operation state such as fast-forwarding, and the like is generated. The signal superimposed by the OSD processing unit 17 is given to the signal processing unit 15 and output to a monitor or the like via a data output unit 18 described later.

  The data output unit 18 is an output interface for outputting an image signal and an audio signal to a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor connected to the HDD recorder 1 and an audio device such as a speaker. The ROM 19 is a recording medium that can only read information. For example, program data for performing image reproduction processing using the control unit 11, initial setting information of the HDD recorder 1 at the time of factory shipment, and the like are recorded in the ROM 19.

  The operation unit 20 is for a user to perform various instructions for the HDD recorder 1 such as a reproduction instruction and a recording instruction. The operation unit 20 is usually composed of a plurality of buttons such as numeric buttons and cursor buttons. The display unit 21 is for displaying various types of information held by the HDD recorder 1, for example, an operation state and a playback time of a moving image to the user. For example, a small display device with low power consumption such as a liquid crystal panel is often used as the display unit 21.

  The communication unit 22 connects the HDD recorder 1 to a communication network and communicates with an external information distribution server (not shown). As a specific communication network to which the communication unit 22 is connected, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) using 10BASE-T (standardized as IEEE802.3i) using a twisted pair cable, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber) Line) or FTTH (Fiber To The Home) or the like. The communication unit 22 is configured to include a communication interface for connecting to these communication networks and a communication control unit for performing communication control.

<1-2. About the functional configuration>
Here, the relationship between the functional units for carrying out the auxiliary operation display process and the proficiency level determination process in the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation assistance display process and the proficiency level determination process of the present invention are at least an operation assistance display unit 11a, a display time measurement unit 11b, a reference value calculation unit 11c, and a proficiency value change unit provided in the control unit 11. 11d, the memory 12, the signal processing unit 15, the OSD processing unit 17, and the data output unit 18.

  The operation auxiliary display unit 11a generates an operation auxiliary image using the OSD processing unit 17 when an instruction to output operation auxiliary information is generated by a user operation or a screen transition. Then, the generated operation assistance image is output to a display device (not shown) such as a monitor using the signal processing unit 15 and the data output unit 18. At this time, the operation auxiliary display unit 11 a determines the type of the operation auxiliary image to be generated based on the learning value read from the memory 12.

  Specifically, for example, the type of operation auxiliary image to be generated is determined using the proficiency level determination table shown in FIG. 3 and the operation auxiliary image management table shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the user's proficiency value read from the memory 12 is “20” and the operation assistance ID of the operation assistance information that has received the output instruction is “2”. In this case, it is determined from the proficiency level determination table of FIG. 3 that the proficiency level is “low”. Then, according to the operation auxiliary image management table shown in FIG. Is an operation auxiliary image (= character number is “300”, number of still images is “2”, and moving image reproduction time is “1:30”). Details of the proficiency level determination table and the operation auxiliary image management table will be described later.

  The display time measurement unit 11b receives instructions from a reference value calculation unit 11c and a proficiency value change unit 11d, which will be described later, and displays a reference value calculation image display time (= first display time) and an operation auxiliary image display time (= Measure the second display time). The measurement result measured by the display time measurement unit 11b is given to the reference value calculation unit 11c and the learning value change unit 11d.

  The reference value calculation unit 11c calculates a reference value for the reading speed of the user by generating a reference value calculation screen 70 (to be described later) using the OSD processing unit 17 and outputting it to the display device. The calculated reference value is recorded in the memory 12 and is referred to by the learning value changing unit 11d. Details of the reference value calculation process will be described later.

  When an operation auxiliary image is displayed by the learning value changing unit 11d and the operation auxiliary display unit 11a, the display time of the operation auxiliary image is measured using the display time measuring unit 11b. Then, based on the measurement result, the user's proficiency value recorded in the memory 12 is changed. Details of the proficiency value changing process will be described later.

<1-3. About proficiency level judgment table>
Here, the proficiency level determination table provided in the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the table diagram of FIG. FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of the proficiency level determination table recorded in the ROM 19 or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the proficiency level determination table is composed of four columns of “skill level”, “skill level”, “operation assistance information”, and “necessary additional data”.

  The “skilled value” column is a column that indicates a range of learned values for classifying the user's skill level in stages based on the learned values recorded in the memory 12. The operation auxiliary display unit 11a compares the proficiency value read from the memory 12 with the range of values indicated in the “learning value” column, and “proficiency”, “explanatory information”, and “necessary” described later. "Additional data" is determined. In addition, the range of the “skilled value” shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and a form using a range of values other than those shown here may be used.

  The “skill level” column is a column that indicates the user's level of proficiency determined in stages according to the proficiency value. In the example of FIG. 3, four levels of proficiency from “low” to “highest” are shown. Note that the level of proficiency is not limited to this, and, for example, an eight-level or ten-level proficiency level may be set.

  The “operation assistance information” column is a column indicating the type of operation assistance information used when the operation assistance display unit 11a generates an operation assistance image according to the proficiency level. Specifically, character image information, still image information, and moving image information are used. For example, when the proficiency level is “low”, since the proficiency level of the user is low, it is indicated that operation assistance images are generated using all types of information. On the other hand, when the proficiency level is “highest”, the user's proficiency level is the highest, so that a simple operation auxiliary image using only character image information is generated.

  The “necessary additional data” column is a column indicating information that needs to be acquired through the network when the operation auxiliary display unit 11a generates an operation auxiliary image according to the proficiency level. In the HDD recorder 1, character image information is recorded in advance as operation assistance information. However, still image information and moving image information are not recorded. Therefore, when the information is the required proficiency level, the operation auxiliary display unit 11a needs to acquire additional data through the network. The type of information that needs additional acquisition in this way is shown in this column.

<1-4. Operation auxiliary image management table>
Here, the operation auxiliary image management table for the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention to manage each operation auxiliary image will be described with reference to the table of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation auxiliary image management table includes six columns of “skill level”, “operation auxiliary ID”, “number of characters”, “number of still images”, “moving image reproduction time”, and “serial number”. It is configured.

  The “skill level” field is a field corresponding to the skill level of the user determined based on the skill level recorded in the memory 12 and the skill level determination table of FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, it is divided into three stages from “low” to “high or highest”. The “operation assistance ID” column is a column indicating an ID (identification) assigned to a function for which operation assistance is performed using the operation assistance information, for example, a recording function or a reproduction menu display capability. In the example of FIG. 4, n IDs (n is an arbitrary natural number) from “1” to “n” are shown.

  As described above, the operation assistance image displayed by the operation assistance display unit 11a is uniquely specified by two of “skill level” and “operation assistance ID”. Therefore, even if the operation assistance ID is the same, operation assistance using different operation assistance images is performed if the proficiency level is different.

  The “number of characters” column is a column indicating the number of characters indicated by the character image included in the operation assistance image. The “number of still images” column is a column indicating the number of still images included in the operation auxiliary image. The “moving image reproduction time” column is a column indicating the reproduction time of the moving image included in the operation auxiliary image. The “Serial No.” column is a column indicating a serial number assigned to uniquely identify the operation assistance image.

<1-5. Reference value calculation screen>
Here, the reference value calculation screen 70 output to the display device by the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the screen diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a reference value calculation screen 70 for displaying a reference value calculation image for measuring the reference value of the reading speed of the user when the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is turned on for the first time. It is an example. Note that this screen may be displayed at an arbitrary timing by a user operation other than when the power is first turned on. As shown in FIG. 5, the reference value calculation screen 70 is configured to include at least a text area 71, a still image 72, and an operation instruction area 73.

  The text area 71 is an area where a character image is displayed. Specifically, for example, a setting that must be made by the user when the power is turned on for the first time, for example, a note about channel setting, network setting, or the like is displayed in the text area 71. The still image 72 is an explanatory image for visually assisting information displayed in the text area 71. However, the still image 72 is not necessarily an essential component for the reference value calculation screen 70, and may be in a form in which the still image 72 is not used.

  The operation instruction area 73 is an area for displaying a character image for indicating what kind of screen transition is performed when the user performs what kind of operation on the currently displayed screen. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the reference value calculation screen 70 transitions to the next page by pressing a determination button included in the operation unit 20.

  Next, a reference value calculation screen management table for managing the reference value calculation screen 70 will be described with reference to the table of FIG. The reference value calculation screen management table is recorded in a recording device such as the ROM 19. FIG. 6 is an example of a reference value calculation screen management table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, this table is composed of three fields of “screen ID”, “number of still images”, and “number of characters”.

  The “screen ID” column is a column indicating IDs for individually identifying a plurality of screens constituting the reference value calculation screen 70, and one screen and one screen ID are associated with each other. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, four screen IDs “X1” to “X4” exist in the reference value calculation screen management table. For this reason, it is shown that the reference value calculation screen 70 is configured to display four screens while sequentially switching them.

  The “number of still images” column is a column indicating the number of still images included in the screen corresponding to the screen ID indicated in the “screen ID” column. For example, assume that the screen ID of the screen shown in FIG. 5 is “X1”. In this case, as shown in the first row of the table, it is indicated that this screen includes two still images.

  The “number of characters” column is a column indicating the number of characters indicated by the character image included in the screen corresponding to the screen ID indicated in the “screen ID” column. For example, it is indicated that a character image included in a screen having a screen ID “X1” includes 200 characters.

<1-6. Reference value calculation process>
Here, regarding the reference value calculation processing of the user reading speed in the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the block diagram of FIGS. 1 and 2, the screen diagram of FIG. 5, the table diagram of FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the reference value calculation process for the user reading speed according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This process is started when the HDD recorder 1 is powered on.

  After the start of this process, in step S110, the reference value calculation unit 11c refers to the information recorded in the memory 12, for example, the initial power supply start flag, and determines whether or not it is the first power supply start time. The initial power-on state indicates a state in which a user who has purchased the HDD recorder 1 in the factory default state has turned on the HDD recorder 1 for the first time. Similarly, when the power is turned on immediately after the setting information of the HDD recorder 1 is initialized, the power is turned on for the first time.

  If it is determined in step S110 that the power is not activated for the first time, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power supply is being activated for the first time, the reference value calculation unit 11c instructs the display time measurement unit 11b to start the measurement timer in step S120. Upon receiving the instruction, the display time measuring unit 11b starts measurement by the measurement timer.

  Next, in step S <b> 130, the reference value calculation unit 11 c generates a reference value calculation screen 70 using the OSD processing unit 17 and outputs the reference value calculation screen 70 to the monitor using the signal processing unit 15 and the data output unit 18. Thereby, for example, a reference value calculation screen 70 including a reference value calculation image as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor screen.

  Next, in step S140, the reference value calculation unit 11c detects a display end instruction on the reference value calculation screen 70, and determines whether or not a normal user operation standby state has been entered. The display end instruction on the reference value calculation screen 70 is performed by pressing the enter button a predetermined number of times, for example, as shown in the operation instruction area 73 of FIG. Each time the enter button is pressed, the reference value calculation screen 70 changes to the next page. In the example of FIG. 6, four screens with screen IDs “X1” to “X4” shown in the table are displayed in order. Further, when the determination button is pressed while the last screen, in this case, the screen with the screen ID “X4” is displayed, the display of the reference value calculation screen 70 ends.

  When it is determined in step S140 that the display end instruction on the reference value calculation screen 70 has not been detected, the reference value calculation unit 11c proceeds to step S130 again. Conversely, if it is determined that the display end instruction on the reference value calculation screen 70 has been detected, the reference value calculation unit 11c instructs the display time measurement unit 11b to stop the display time measurement timer in step S150. Upon receiving the instruction, the display time measurement unit 11b ends the measurement by the measurement timer.

  Next, in step S160, the reference value calculation unit 11c uses the display time (= first display time) measured by the display time measurement unit 11b and the reference value calculation screen management table as a reference value for the reading speed of the user. A reference value A is calculated. As a calculation direction method of the reference value A, for example, first, the estimated time that the user has spent viewing the still image 72 is subtracted from the measurement result measured by the display time measuring unit 11b. Then, the time obtained by the subtraction is divided by the number of characters included in all images on the reference value calculation screen 70. Thus, the time required for the user to read per character is calculated as the reference value A.

Specifically, the reference value A (unit: msec / number of characters) is calculated using the following calculation formula.
Reference value A = (ts− (ti × P1)) / L1
In addition, the content of the symbol used for the said numerical formula is as follows.
ts: Measurement result by the display time measurement unit 11b (unit: msec)
ti: Estimated time that a user spends browsing a single still image (fixed value, unit is msec)
P1: Number of still images included in all images on the reference value calculation screen 70 L1: Number of characters included in all images on the reference value calculation screen 70

For example, it is assumed that ts obtained by the display time measuring unit 11b is 200 seconds, that is, 200000 msec. Assume that L1 is 900 (= 200 + 300 + 300 + 100) and P1 is 4 (= 2 + 1 + 1 + 0) as shown in the reference value calculation screen management table of FIG. In addition, it is assumed that ti is set to 5000 msec as a fixed value in advance. In this case, substituting each value into the above formula yields the following.
Reference value A = (200000− (5000 × 4)) / 900 = 200

  In the above example, the reference value A is 200 (msec / number of characters). That is, it is determined that the average time required for the user to read one character is 200 msec. The reference value calculation unit 11c records the calculated reference value A in the memory 12, and then ends this process.

<1-7. About the auxiliary display area>
Here, the auxiliary operation display area 80 displayed by the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the screen diagram of FIG. The operation auxiliary display area 80 displays an operation auxiliary image for performing user operation assistance on a user operation screen that can accept user operations such as a setting screen, a recording reservation screen, or a content management screen of the HDD recorder 1. This is a partial area on the screen for

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a moving image playback menu screen 90 that is one of user operation screens generated by the HDD recorder 1 using the OSD function unit 17 and an operation auxiliary display area 80 that is displayed so as to be superimposed on a part thereof. It is the screen figure shown. First, the moving image playback menu screen 90 will be described. The moving image reproduction menu screen 90 is configured to include at least a title display area 91, an instruction area 92, a cursor 93, and a guide display area 94.

  The title display area 91 is a display area for displaying the title of content selected by a cursor 93 described later, for example, the title of moving image data recorded in the HDD 13. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the cursor 93 is indicated on “Item 1”, and the character string “Professional Baseball Broadcasting (2007/10/10)” that is the title of “Item 1” is displayed in the title display area 91. .

  The instruction area 92 is an area indicating information for the user to make various operation instructions using the operation unit 20. Specifically, selection or determination of content to be played back or deleted is performed in this area. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, eight moving images “Item 1” to “Item 8” are recorded in the HDD 13. Note that “Item 7” and “Item 8” are temporarily hidden by the pop-up display in the operation auxiliary display area 80. The user can instruct reproduction of these eight contents by operating the operation unit 20 while referring to the instruction area 92.

  The cursor 93 is for selecting an operation target in the instruction area 92. The cursor 93 can be operated by the user with a cross button or the like included in the operation unit 20. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the cursor 93 is indicated on “Item 1”, and “Item 1” is highlighted (indicated by a thick frame).

  The guide display area 94 is an area that displays operation buttons that can be operated on the currently displayed screen and processing that is performed when the operation buttons are operated. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a “cross button” and a “decision button” are displayed in the guide display area 94. Further, it is shown that the item selection process is executed when the “cross button” is operated, and the reproduction process is executed when the “decision button” is operated.

  The operation assistance display area 80 is an area for displaying an operation assistance image for assisting the user's operation, and is displayed in a pop-up on a part of the screen. There are two types of triggers for displaying the auxiliary operation display area 80. One is a screen transition type trigger in which a display instruction is issued when a transition is made to a screen that is previously determined to require display of the operation auxiliary display area 80. The other is a button press type trigger in which a display instruction is issued when a help button or the like provided in the operation unit 20 is pressed.

  However, when the display instructions by the two triggers are issued in parallel, it is desirable to prioritize only one of them and not to display the plurality of operation auxiliary display areas 80 simultaneously. In this case, it is desirable that the auxiliary operation display area 80 displayed by the screen transition type trigger can be erased by a cancel button or the like. After erasing, the operation auxiliary display area 80 can be displayed by a button press type trigger by pressing a help button.

  The operation auxiliary display area 80 is configured to include at least a text area 81, an image display area 82, and an operation instruction unit 83. Depending on the proficiency value recorded in the memory 12, some of these may not be displayed in the operation auxiliary display area 80.

  The text area 81 is an area for displaying a character image for assisting the user's operation. The image display area 82 is an area for displaying still images and moving images for visually assisting user operations. The operation instruction area 83 is an area that indicates a user operation that can be instructed to the auxiliary operation display area 80 and a result obtained by the operation. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, it is shown that when the help button included in the operation unit 20 is pressed, the operation auxiliary display area 80 is not displayed.

  Note that the contents of the information displayed in the operation auxiliary display area 80, the text area 81, and the image display area 82 described above vary depending on the proficiency value recorded in the memory 12. A specific example of how the displayed operation assistance information changes corresponding to the proficiency value will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a table showing the operation assistance contents included in the operation assistance display area 80 displayed on the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 for each learning value. Even if the learning values are the same, the operation assistance contents are shown separately for each trigger because the operation assistance contents are partially different if the display trigger in the operation assistance display area 80 is different.

  9 shows the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination table of FIG. In the “auxiliary explanation content” column, the content of the operation assistance image generated according to each proficiency level is shown. The “auxiliary explanation content” field is further divided into a “screen transition type trigger” field and a “button press type trigger” field.

  For example, it is assumed that the “skill level” is “low” and the display trigger is “button press type trigger”, that is, a help button or the like is pressed. In this case, a character image indicating “to change the reproduction target with the direction button” and “to confirm the reproduction target with the enter button and start reproduction” is displayed in the text area 81, and further, the still image indicating the above contents And a moving image are displayed in the image display area 82.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the “skill level” is “high” and the trigger is “screen transition type trigger”, that is, a transition to the moving image reproduction menu screen 90. In this case, in this case, immediately after the screen transition is performed, a character image indicating “change the reproduction target with the direction button” and “determine the reproduction target with the enter button and start reproduction” is displayed in the text area 81. Note that the image display area 82 is not displayed.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the “skill level” is “highest” and the trigger is “screen transition type trigger”. In this case, even if the screen transition to the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 is performed, the operation assistance display area 80 is not displayed, and therefore the operation assistance explanation is not performed.

<1-8. About proficiency value change processing>
Here, with respect to the proficiency value changing process by the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the block diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2, the table diagrams of FIGS. 3 to 4, the screen diagram of FIG. Description will be made with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the time-series diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the proficiency value changing process according to the present invention. This process is started when the operation auxiliary display unit 11a of the HDD recorder 1 detects a display instruction of the operation auxiliary display area 80 caused by a user operation or the like. The trigger for issuing the display instruction may be any of the “screen transition type trigger” and “button press type trigger” described above.

  After the start of this process, the operation auxiliary display unit 11a reads the proficiency value recorded in the memory 12 in step S210. The memory 12 records the previous learning value change processing result. However, since the learning value changing process has not been performed once when the HDD recorder 1 is powered on for the first time, the factory default value is read.

  Next, the operation assistance display part 11a determines the proficiency level based on the proficiency value in step S220. Specifically, the proficiency level determination table shown in FIG. 3 is used. The operation auxiliary display unit 11a checks whether the proficiency value read from the memory 12 corresponds to each of the ranges indicated in the “skilled value” column of FIG. 3, and sets the proficiency level corresponding to the corresponding range to “ Judged from the "Proficiency" column. For example, when the read proficiency value is 25, it corresponds to “0 to 30” in the “learning value” column, so that the proficiency level is determined to be “low”.

  Next, in step S230, the operation auxiliary display unit 11a determines whether additional data is necessary when generating an operation auxiliary image corresponding to the determined proficiency level. Specifically, the determination is performed using the proficiency level determination table shown in FIG. The operation auxiliary display unit 11a determines the type of necessary additional data by referring to the “necessary additional data” column corresponding to the proficiency level determined in step S220. For example, when the proficiency level is “low”, it is determined that still image data and moving image data are necessary as additional data.

  If it is determined in step S230 that additional data is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S250 described later. Conversely, if it is determined that additional data is necessary, the operation assistance display unit 11a uses the communication unit 12 to acquire necessary additional data from a server on the network, such as an information distribution server, in step S240.

  Next, in step S250, the learned value changing unit 11d reads the reference value A calculated in advance by the reference value calculating process shown in FIG. Then, using the reference value A and the operation auxiliary image management table shown in FIG. 4, the estimated reading time t (unit is estimated to be necessary for the user to read each information displayed in the operation auxiliary display area 80. msec). As a specific calculation method, when the information displayed in the operation auxiliary display area 80 is only (α) characters, (β) characters and still images, (γ) characters, still images, and moving images, This will be described in three patterns.

In the case of (α), the estimated reading time t is a value obtained by multiplying the number of characters included in the operation assistance image displayed in the text area 81 by the reference value A.
t = L2 × reference value A
In addition, the content of the symbol used for the said numerical formula is as follows.
t: Estimated reading time (unit: msec)
L2: Number of characters included in the operation assistance image displayed in the text area 81

  For example, it is assumed that the estimated reading time t of the operation auxiliary image whose “serial No.” column in the operation auxiliary image management table of FIG. 4 is “2n + 2” is calculated. Since this image includes a character image of 150 characters, 150 × 200 = 30000 (msec). That is, 30 seconds is the estimated reading time t.

In the case of (β), a value obtained by multiplying the number of characters included in the auxiliary operation image displayed in the text area 81 by the reference value A and the estimated browsing time of the still image displayed in the image display area 82 is estimated. The reading time t is reached.
t = (L2 × reference value A) + (ti × P2)
In addition, the content of the symbol used for the said numerical formula is as follows.
t: Estimated reading time (unit: msec)
ti: Estimated time that a user spends browsing a single still image (fixed value, unit is msec)
L2: the number of characters included in the operation auxiliary image displayed in the text area 81 P2: the number of still images included in the operation auxiliary image displayed in the image display area 82 where ti is the same fixed value as ti used in the reference value calculation process That is, in this embodiment, it is necessary to use 5000 msec.

  For example, it is assumed that the estimated reading time t of the operation auxiliary image whose “serial No.” column in the operation auxiliary image management table is “n + 2” is calculated. Since this image includes a character image for 200 characters and two still images, (150 × 200) + (5000 × 2) = 40000 (msec). That is, 40 seconds is the estimated reading time t.

  In the case of (γ), the estimated reading time t calculated by the same method as in the above (β) is compared with the moving image reproduction time, and the longer time is set as the estimated reading time t.

  For example, it is assumed that the estimated reading time t of the operation auxiliary image whose “serial No.” column in the operation auxiliary image management table is “1” is calculated. Since this image includes a character image for 200 characters and one still image, (150 × 200) + (5000 × 1) = 35000 (msec). That is, 35 seconds is the estimated reading time t calculated by the same method as (β). On the other hand, the playback time of the moving image included in the operation assistance image is “10:00”, that is, 60 seconds, so the moving image playback time is longer. Therefore, 60 seconds is the estimated reading time t.

  Next, in step S260, the operation assistance display unit 11a displays the operation assistance display area shown in FIG. 8 from the operation assistance information recorded in the memory 12, the HDD 13, or the ROM 19 and the operation assistance information acquired from the network as necessary. The OSD processing unit 17 generates an image signal for displaying an operation auxiliary image at 80.

  Next, in step S270, the operation auxiliary display unit 11a outputs the image signal generated using the OSD processing unit 17 to the monitor using the signal processing unit 15 and the data output unit 18. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation auxiliary display area 80 is popped up.

  Next, in step S280, the learning value change unit 11d instructs the display time measurement unit 11b to start a display time measurement timer. Upon receiving the instruction, the display time measuring unit 11b starts measuring the display time (= second display time) by the measurement timer.

  Next, in step S290, the control unit 11 shifts to a state of waiting for a user operation. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 and the operation auxiliary display area 80 are displayed on the monitor, a state in which a moving image reproduction instruction using a cross button or a determination button is awaited. Become.

  Next, the proficiency value changing unit 11d determines in step S300 whether or not the display of the operation assistance image displayed in the operation assistance area 80 has ended. Note that the display of the operation auxiliary image is regarded as the end when, for example, the operation auxiliary display area 80 is deleted by a user operation or when the operation auxiliary display area 80 is forcibly deleted by screen transition.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 8, it is indicated that the operation auxiliary display area 80 is not displayed in the operation instruction area 83 when the help button is pressed. For this reason, when the help button is pressed by a user operation, it is considered that the display of the operation auxiliary image is completed. Alternatively, when the screen transition from the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 to the normal moving image reproduction screen is performed, similarly, it is considered that the display of the operation auxiliary image is completed.

  If it is determined in step S300 that the display of the operation auxiliary image has not ended, the process proceeds to step S290, and the user operation is continuously waited. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display of the operation assistance image has been completed, the learning value change unit 11d next instructs the display time measurement unit 11b to stop the display time measurement timer in step S310. Upon receiving the instruction, the display time measurement unit 11b ends the measurement by the measurement timer.

  Next, the proficiency value changing unit 11d compares the display time measurement result obtained by the display time measuring unit 11b with the estimated reading time t calculated in step S250. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the proficiency value needs to be changed.

The specific determination method will be described with reference to the time series diagram of FIG. FIG. 11 is a time-series diagram showing the relationship between the display time of the auxiliary operation image and the estimated reading time t. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of display (= display time), and the left end point indicates the display start time (that is, the point at which display time = 0). As you move to the right from here, the display time increases. In FIG. 11, the point T indicates the estimated reading time t. Then, points T _-1 and T _-2 exist on the left side of the point T, and points T ₁ and T ₂ exist on the right side of the point T.

Each point is determined by the following method.
T ₋₁ = t−t × m1
T ₋₂ = t−t × m2
T ₁ = t + t × m3
T ₂ = t + t × m4
In addition, the content of the symbol used for the said numerical formula is as follows.
t: Estimated reading time (unit: msec)
m1 to m4: predetermined fixed values. However, all the following conditions must be satisfied. 0 ≦ m1 ≦ 1, 0 ≦ m2 ≦ 1, 0 ≦ m3 ≦ 1, 0 ≦ m4 ≦ 1, m1 <m2, m3 <m4.

The display time is divided into five sections from section (A) to section (E) by the above four points. The definition of each section and whether or not the learning value is changed when the measurement result obtained by the display time measurement unit 11b corresponds to each section will be described below.
Section (A): A section where the display time is 0 or more and less than T- ₂ . Do not change the proficiency value.
Section (B): A section where the display time is T- ₂ or more and less than T- ₁ . Increase the proficiency value by a predetermined value.
Section (C): display time T _-1 or more, T ₁ less than the section. Do not change the proficiency value.
Section (D): display time above T _1, T ₂ less than the interval. Decrease the proficiency value by a predetermined value.
Section (E): A section whose display time is T ₂ or more. Do not change the proficiency value.

  The reason why the learning value is not changed in the section (A) and the section (E) is that the reliability of the measurement result is considered to be low because the display time is extremely short or extremely long. For example, the section (E) assumes a case where the user removes his / her seat while the operation assistance image is displayed in the operation assistance display area 80.

  Using the time series data, the learning value changing unit 11d determines whether or not the display time measurement result is within the range of the section (B) in step S320. If it is within the range of the section (B), the proficiency value is reduced by a predetermined value, for example, 1 in step S330, and then recorded in the memory 12. On the contrary, if it is not within the range of the section (B), in step S321, it is determined whether or not the display time measurement result is within the section (D).

  If it is within the range of section (D), the proficiency value is increased by a predetermined value, for example, 1 in step S322, and then recorded in the memory 12. Conversely, if it is not within the range of the section (D), the learning value is not changed. Next, in step S340, the control unit 11 shifts to a normal user operation standby state, for example, the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 in the operation auxiliary display area 80, and then ends the present process.

Next, a second embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 2]
<2-1. Internal configuration>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<2-2. About the functional configuration>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<2-3. About proficiency level judgment table>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<2-4. Operation auxiliary image management table>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<2-5. Reference value calculation screen>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<2-6. Reference value calculation process>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

<2-7. About the auxiliary display area>
Here, the auxiliary operation display area 80 displayed by the HDD recorder 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the screen diagram of FIG. In addition, about the part of the same content as Embodiment 1, description shall be abbreviate | omitted by adding the same code | symbol.

  FIG. 12 is a screen showing an example of a moving image playback menu screen 90 that is one of user operation screens generated by the HDD recorder 1 using the OSD function unit 17 and an operation auxiliary display area 80 displayed on a part thereof. FIG. The moving image playback menu screen 90 has the same contents as those of the first embodiment except that a part of the moving image playback menu screen 90 has a layout including the operation auxiliary display area 80, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  The operation assistance display area 80 is an area for displaying an operation assistance image for assisting the user's operation, and is included in advance in a part of the moving image reproduction menu screen 90. The text area 81, the image display area 82, and the operation instruction unit 83 included in the operation auxiliary display area 80 have the same contents as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Since the auxiliary operation display area 80 of the present embodiment is always displayed, there is no display trigger as in the first embodiment. Instead, there is a content change trigger for changing the content displayed in the operation auxiliary display area 80. The content change trigger is activated, for example, when the user moves the cursor 93 using the operation unit 20 and the operation assistance target is changed. When the content change trigger is activated, the currently displayed operation assistance image is switched to another operation assistance image with a different operation assistance ID.

  In the present embodiment, a specific example of the operation assistance information displayed according to the proficiency level will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a table showing the operation assistance contents included in the operation assistance display area 80 displayed on the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 for each learning value.

  13 shows the proficiency level determined by the proficiency level determination table of FIG. In the “auxiliary explanation content” column, the content of the operation assistance image generated according to each proficiency level is shown. For example, when “skill level” is “low”, a text image indicating “change playback target with direction button” and “confirm playback target with start button and start playback” is displayed in text area 81. Further, a still image and a moving image showing the above contents are displayed in the image display area 82.

  Also, for example, when the “skill level” is “high”, “change the playback target with the direction button” and “determine the playback target with the decision button and start playback” immediately after the screen transition is performed. Is displayed in the text area 81. The image display area 82 is not displayed.

<2-8. About proficiency value change processing>
Although the processing contents are the same as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 according to the first embodiment, the processing start trigger and the specific method for realizing the processing in step S300 are partially different.

  In the first embodiment, this processing is started when an instruction to display the operation auxiliary display area 80 by a “screen transition type trigger” or a “button press type trigger” is generated. However, in the present embodiment, the operation auxiliary display area 80 is always displayed. Therefore, this processing is started when an instruction to display an operation auxiliary image in the operation auxiliary display area 80 is generated. The operation auxiliary image display instruction is generated, for example, when the cursor 93 is moved to a predetermined position in the instruction area 92.

  In relation to the above, in step S300, it is determined whether or not the display of the operation assistance image displayed in the operation assistance area 80 is finished. However, as in the first embodiment, erasing the operation auxiliary display area 80 cannot be regarded as the end of display.

  Therefore, for example, when the moving image reproduction menu screen 90 including the operation assistance display area 80 is deleted due to the screen transition, when the operation assistance ID of the operation assistance image displayed in the operation assistance area 80 is changed, or operation assistance When the scroll display of the information included in the area 80 is completed by the button indicated on the operation instruction unit 83, the display is considered to be finished. It should be noted that which method is used can be appropriately changed according to the embodiment.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and examples. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea. be able to.

Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to the following embodiments.
(A) In this embodiment, the reference value calculation process of the user's reading speed is performed when the HDD recorder 1 is powered on for the first time. However, when a specific user operation is received, the reference value calculation screen 70 is displayed. The reference value A may be calculated by executing the processing in steps S120 to S160 in FIG.

  (B) In this embodiment, operation assistance according to the proficiency level is performed by combining character images, still images, and moving images as operation assistance information, but in addition to this, operation assistance is performed by combining audio information. There may be.

  (C) In this embodiment, the HDD recorder 1 is taken as an example of the recording / reproducing device. However, the operation assisting process and the proficiency value changing process of the present invention are performed in other recording devices, reproducing devices, or recording / reproducing devices. The form to do may be sufficient. For example, the present invention may be implemented in a DVD player, a BD-R recorder, a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), a digital tuner built-in television, or the like.

  (D) In this embodiment, various function units related to the proficiency value changing process are realized by executing a program on an arithmetic processing unit such as a microprocessor, but the various function units are realized by a plurality of circuits. It may be a form.

  (E) In this embodiment, there is only one learning value recorded in the memory 12, but this is a mode in which a learning value is provided for each user and the reference value calculation process and the learning value change process are performed for each user. May be. In this case, for example, by performing user authentication for a user who uses the HDD recorder 1 in advance, the user who is operating is specified. Then, the learning value changing process is performed using the specified reference value and learning value of the user. Thereby, even when a plurality of users use the HDD recorder 1 alternately, it is possible to realize a highly accurate proficiency level determination process.

  (F) In the present embodiment, only one learning value is recorded in the memory 12, but a learning value is provided for each operation assistance ID, and the learning value changing process is performed for each operation assistance ID. Also good. In this case, for example, by providing a table in which the operation assistance ID and the learning value are associated with each other, the learning value for each operation assistance ID is managed. When the operation assistance screen is displayed and the learning value changing process is performed, the learning value corresponding to the operation assistance ID on the operation assistance screen is updated. As a result, operation assistance images that users frequently view are simple screens that contain only character information, and on the other hand, screens that they have rarely seen are detailed screens that use video, etc., and operation assistance that is more suitable for the user's proficiency level. The screen can be displayed.

These are functional block diagrams which show the structure of the function part with which the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention is provided. These are the block diagrams which show the internal structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. These are table figures which show the proficiency level determination table of the present invention. These are the table figures which show the operation auxiliary image management table of this invention. These are screen figures which show the reference value calculation screen of this invention. These are the table figures which show the reference value calculation screen management table of this invention. These are the flowcharts which showed the processing flow of the reference value calculation process of this invention. These are the screen figures which showed an example of the user operation screen and operation assistance display area which concern on 1st embodiment of this invention. These are the table figures which showed an example of the operation assistance content for every proficiency level which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. These are the flowcharts which showed the processing flow of the proficiency level change process of this invention. These are the time-sequential charts which showed the relationship between the display time in the skill value change process of this invention, and the skill value change presence or absence. These are the screen figures which showed an example of the user operation screen and operation assistance display area which concern on 2nd embodiment of this invention. These are the table figures which showed an example of the operation assistance content for every proficiency level which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 HDD recorder (recording and playback device)
11 Control section 11a Operation auxiliary display section (operation auxiliary display means)
11b Display time measuring unit (display time measuring means)
11c Reference value calculation unit (reference value calculation means)
11d Proficiency value changing unit (learning value changing means)
12 Memory (Recording means)
13 HDD (recording means)
15 Signal processor (image signal output means)
17 OSD processing unit (image signal generating means)
18 Data output unit (image signal output means)
19 ROM (recording means)
22 Communication unit (communication means)

Claims (10)

Recording means for recording operation assistance information for performing operation assistance for the operator, and a proficiency value indicating the operation proficiency level of the operator,
Image signal generating means for generating an image signal;
Image signal output means for outputting an image signal to a display device;
A display time measuring means for measuring a time from an output start to an output stop as a display time when a predetermined image signal is output by the image signal output means;
Using the image signal generation means and the image signal output means, an operation auxiliary display means for generating an operation auxiliary image corresponding to the proficiency value from the operation auxiliary information and displaying it on a display device;
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising:
A reference value calculation image for calculating a reference value of the reading speed of the operator is displayed using the image signal generation means and the image signal output means, and the reference value calculation image is displayed using the display time measurement means. A reference value calculating means for measuring the display time as a first display time, calculating the reference value from the first display time and the number of characters of the character image included in the reference value calculating image, and recording the reference value in the recording means;
When the operation auxiliary image is displayed by the operation auxiliary display unit, the display time of the operation auxiliary image is measured as the second display time by using the display time measuring unit, and is included in the operation auxiliary image. An estimated reading time estimated to be necessary for an operator to read the operation auxiliary image from the number of characters of the character image and the reference value is calculated, and the learning value when the second display time is less than the estimated reading time And learning value changing means for decreasing the learning value when the second display time exceeds the estimated reading time;
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: The reference value calculation means calculates the reference value by dividing the first display time by the number of characters of a character image included in the reference value calculation image,
The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the learning value changing unit calculates the estimated reading time by multiplying the number of characters of a character image included in the operation assistance image by the reference value. The reference value calculation means determines the reference value to be a predetermined value when the first display time is less than a predetermined lower limit value or exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus is a recording apparatus. When the reference value calculation means includes a still image in the reference value calculation image, a third display time is obtained by subtracting a time obtained by multiplying the number of the still images by a predetermined time from the first display time. The reference value is calculated by calculating the third display time by dividing the third display time by the number of characters in the character image included in the reference value calculation image. Recording / playback device. The learning value changing means adds a time obtained by multiplying the number of the still pictures by a predetermined time to the estimated reading time when the operation auxiliary image displayed by the operation auxiliary display means includes a still image. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The learning value changing means, when the second display time is within a predetermined range up and down from the estimated reading time, and when the second display time exceeds the time obtained by adding the predetermined time to the estimated reading time, The recording according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the learning value is not changed when the second display time is less than a time obtained by subtracting a predetermined time from the estimated reading time. Playback device. The operation assistance information includes character information, still image information, and moving image information,
The operation auxiliary display means includes the operation auxiliary image including only character information, the operation auxiliary image including character information and still image information, and character information, still image information, and moving image information according to the learning value. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the operation auxiliary images is generated and displayed. The recording means records an operation auxiliary image management table including management information of the operation auxiliary image;
When the operation auxiliary display means receives an instruction to display the operation auxiliary image, the operation auxiliary image to be displayed is determined and displayed based on the learning value read from the recording means and the operation auxiliary image management table. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the proficiency value changing unit calculates the estimated reading time, by referring to the operation auxiliary image management table, the number of characters of the character image included in the operation auxiliary image displayed by the operation auxiliary display unit, and The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the number of still images is acquired. Comprising communication means for connecting the recording / reproducing apparatus to a communication network;
When the operation assistance display means receives an instruction to display the operation assistance image, it is determined whether or not the operation assistance information necessary for generating the instructed operation assistance image is recorded in the recording means. The recording according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the operation assistance information is acquired from an information processing apparatus connected to a communication network using the communication means when it is determined that the information is not to be recorded. Playback device.

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