JP2010021809A - Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, program and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing functions associated with a plurality of reservation information under desirable conditions when the pieces of reservation information compete. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus stores the plurality of reservation information each including information on starting period, when a starting period included in any of the plurality of reservation information comes, starts execution of the functions associated with the reservation information, and restricts execution of other functions which are already under execution when execution of any of the plurality of functions is started according to priority among the plurality of reservation information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that executes various functions based on reservation information, a control method thereof, a program, and an information storage medium.

Various information processing apparatuses such as portable game machines are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an information processing device, reservation information including information on the start time is stored in advance, and when this start time arrives, various functions subject to reservation, such as recording of television broadcasts, for example. There is something that can be performed.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0202956

  When the information processing apparatus as described above stores a plurality of pieces of reservation information in order to execute a plurality of types of functions, there is a possibility that a plurality of pieces of reservation information may conflict with each other (execution time overlap). For such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to determine in advance whether or not the reservation information competes and to limit the setting registration of the reservation information whose execution times overlap. However, depending on the type of function executed in accordance with the reservation information, it may not always be possible to determine in advance whether there is a conflict in the reservation information. In this case, the execution of the function intended by the user may be performed by other reservations. There is a possibility that the function corresponding to the reservation information may not be executed under desirable conditions, such as being hindered by the function corresponding to the information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its purposes is to realize execution of functions according to reservation information under desirable conditions when a plurality of reservation information compete with each other. It is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, a program, and an information storage medium.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a reservation information storage unit that stores a plurality of reservation information each including information on a start time, and a start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information. One of the plurality of functions according to the priority between the function execution means for starting the execution of the function associated with the reservation information among the plurality of functions and the plurality of reservation information when it arrives And a function execution restricting means for restricting the execution of other functions that are already being executed.

  The information processing apparatus further includes priority storage means for storing information indicating the priority of the reservation information in association with each of the plurality of reservation information, and the function execution restriction means includes the plurality of reservation information. When the start time included in any of the information has arrived, in accordance with the information indicating the priority associated with the reservation information, the execution of the function associated with the reservation information is started, and The execution of other functions may be interrupted.

  Further, the plurality of reservation information may include reservation information related to a function whose end time is not predetermined.

  Furthermore, the priority order of the reservation information related to the function whose end time is not predetermined may be lower than the priority order of other reservation information.

  In the information processing apparatus, the reservation information storage unit includes information about an execution period in which a function is executed in accordance with the reservation information together with the start time, and reservation information about a function for which the end time is not predetermined. On the other hand, a predetermined value may be stored as information on the execution period.

  Further, the information processing apparatus executes, for each of the plurality of reservation information, a function whose execution time associated with the reservation information determined according to the start time and the execution period is related to other reservation information. It further includes duplication judgment means for judging whether or not it overlaps with the timing, and the duplication judgment means, for the reservation information in which the predetermined value is stored as the execution period, with other reservation information based on a predetermined condition It may be determined whether or not the execution times overlap between the two.

  The control method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a step of storing a plurality of reservation information each including information on a start time in a reservation information storage unit, and a start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information. When it arrives, the step of starting execution of the function associated with the reservation information among the plurality of functions, and execution of any of the plurality of functions according to the priority order between the plurality of reservation information And a step of restricting execution of other functions that are already being executed.

  Further, the program according to the present invention includes a unit for storing a plurality of pieces of reservation information each including information on a start time in a reservation information storage unit, and a plurality of reservation information when a start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information has arrived. Among the functions, function execution means for starting execution of the function associated with the reservation information, and when starting execution of any of the plurality of functions according to the priority between the plurality of reservation information And a program for causing a computer to function as function execution restriction means for restricting execution of other functions that are already being executed. This program may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, and television broadcast reception. The unit 16 and the power supply control module 17 are included.

  The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU, and executes various types of information processing according to programs stored in the storage unit 12. A specific example of processing executed by the control unit 11 in the present embodiment will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 11 and various data. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 includes at least a nonvolatile memory 12a and a DRAM 12b. Moreover, you may be comprised including other computer-readable information storage media, such as a hard disk. The information stored in the nonvolatile memory 12a is retained even when the power source of the information processing apparatus 1 is turned off, and the information stored in the DRAM 12b is completely disconnected from the power source of the information processing apparatus 1 Will be erased when it is not supplied. The DRAM 12b also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

  The operation unit 13 is, for example, various operation buttons, and receives operation input from the user and outputs the operation content to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and displays various types of information on the screen according to instructions from the control unit 11.

  The communication unit 15 is a communication interface such as a wireless LAN, and transmits / receives information to / from other communication devices via a communication network. The television broadcast receiving unit 16 is, for example, a one-segment tuner, and receives a television broadcast video signal and outputs it to the control unit 11.

  The power supply control module 17 includes a timekeeping unit 17a such as a real time clock that measures the current date and time, a date and time register 17b that holds date and time information, and a control signal output unit 17c. When the date and time set in the date and time register 17b arrive, the power supply control module 17 outputs a control signal for switching the operation mode from a standby mode to be described later to the normal mode. Specifically, the date / time register 17b stores alarm date / time information input from the control unit 11. Then, the control signal output unit 17c compares the date and time that the time measuring unit 17a keeps with the alarm date and time set in the date and time register 17b, and the date and time that the time keeping unit 17a keeps time becomes the alarm date and time. At the determined timing, a predetermined control signal for controlling power supply to each part of the information processing apparatus 1 is output. Note that the alarm date / time information stored in the date / time register 17b is retained even when the information processing apparatus 1 is powered off.

  Here, the operation mode of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 1 operates in at least two types of operation modes: a standby mode and a normal mode. In the normal mode, power is supplied to each unit of the information processing apparatus 1, and each operation is not particularly limited. When the normal mode is shifted to the standby mode by an instruction operation on the operation unit 13 by the user, data stored in a register such as a program counter in the control unit 11 is saved in the DRAM 12b. During the standby mode, power necessary for the refresh operation is supplied to the DRAM 12b so that the data stored therein is not erased, but power supply to the control unit 11 is limited. As a result, the power consumption of the information processing apparatus 1 in the standby mode can be kept low compared to the case of the normal mode.

  The power supply control module 17 is operating even in the standby mode, and when the control signal output unit 17c detects the arrival of the alarm date set in the date / time register 17b, a control signal for shifting from the standby mode to the normal mode. Is output. By this control signal, power supply to the control unit 11 and the like is resumed, and data saved in the DRAM 12b is restored to the register in the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 returns to the state at the time of transition to the standby mode. To resume operation. Further, the control signal output unit 17c outputs a control signal for notifying the controller 11 that has resumed operation that the alarm date has arrived.

  Hereinafter, functions realized by the information processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 functionally includes a first function execution unit 21, a second function execution unit 22, a reservation information storage unit 23, a priority storage unit 24, and a function control unit. 25. The function control unit 25 includes a reservation information management unit 25a and a function start / end processing unit 25b. Among these functions, the first function execution unit 21, the second function execution unit 22, and the function control unit 25 are realized by the control unit 11 executing corresponding application programs and system programs. These programs may be provided by being stored in various computer-readable information storage media such as an optical disk and a memory card, or may be provided via a communication network such as the Internet. The reservation information storage unit 23 and the priority storage unit 24 are realized by the storage unit 12.

  The first function execution unit 21 and the second function execution unit 22 each execute a predetermined function. All of these functions are started not only when the user performs an instruction operation, but also when a predetermined start time arrives. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first function execution unit 21 receives the television set received by the television broadcast reception unit 16 until a predetermined execution period elapses when a predetermined start date and time arrives. A broadcast recording function for recording John broadcast video data on an information storage medium such as a hard disk or a memory card is executed.

  Further, when the predetermined start date and time arrives, the second function execution unit 22 accesses the distribution server designated in advance via the communication unit 15 and is added to the distribution server after the previous access. If there is content newly added or updated after the previous access, a download function for downloading the content data is executed. The end time of the function executed by the second function execution unit 22 is not determined at the start of function execution, and the second function execution unit 22 ends the execution of the function by completing a predetermined process. To do.

  The reservation information storage unit 23 stores a plurality of pieces of reservation information each including start time information. Each of the reservation information is information indicating an execution schedule for causing the information processing apparatus 1 to execute a function associated with the reservation information from the start time included in the reservation information. In addition, this reservation information storage part 23 may be comprised by the non-volatile memory 12a. In this way, the contents of each reservation information are retained even when the information processing apparatus 1 is powered off.

  Each of the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 is associated with one of a plurality of functions that can be executed by the information processing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the reservation information storage unit 23 is configured to include a predetermined number of fields for storing a predetermined number of reservation information in advance, and each of these fields is either a broadcast recording function or a download function. Associated. Specifically, for example, the reservation information storage unit 23 stores a maximum of nine pieces of reservation information P0 to P8, of which the reservation information P0 is associated with the download function executed by the second function execution unit 22, Other reservation information P <b> 1 to P <b> 8 is associated with the broadcast recording function executed by the first function execution unit 21.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23. In the example shown in the figure, each of the plurality of reservation information is information including a set date and time, an execution period, an execution day flag, and a valid flag. Here, the valid flag is a flag indicating whether the reservation information is valid or invalid, and when this flag is off, the reservation information is temporarily invalidated. In other words, reservation information for which the validity flag is off is excluded from processing by the function control unit 25 described later.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the start time of processing according to each reservation information is defined by the set date and time and the execution day flag. Specifically, the execution day flag is composed of a total of seven bits, and is associated with any day of the week from Sunday to Saturday. Then, after the date indicated by the set date and time, the time indicated by the set date and time of the day of the week associated with the bit that is turned on among the seven bits is the start time. For example, in the reservation information P0 of FIG. 3, the set date is January 1, 2008 6:50, and five bits corresponding to Monday through Friday are turned on. In this case, 6:50 from Monday to Friday after January 1, 2008 is the start time. Further, when all of the seven bits are off, it indicates that the processing according to the reservation information is executed only once with the set date as the start time. For example, in the reservation information P2 of FIG. 3, the setting date is January 10, 2008, 19:00, and all the bits of the execution day flag are off. In this case, the process corresponding to the reservation information P2 is executed only once, starting at 19:00 on January 10, 2008.

  In addition, the execution period of the reservation information indicates a period during which processing according to the reservation information is executed, for example, by a numerical value in units of minutes. By adding this execution period to the above-described start time, the end time at which the execution of the function corresponding to each reservation information is completed is calculated.

  Note that some reservation information may not have a predetermined execution period. In the present embodiment, as described above, the end time of the function executed by the second function execution unit 22 is not predetermined. Therefore, such reservation information with an indefinite end time is also managed centrally together with the reservation information for which the end time is determined in advance, and it is possible to determine whether or not they compete with each other. For the reservation information, a predetermined value may be set as the execution period. In the present embodiment, the predetermined value is “0”. That is, the reservation information P0 whose execution period value is “0” in FIG. 3 indicates that the end time is indefinite.

  The priority storage unit 24 stores information indicating the priority of the reservation information (priority information) in association with each of the plurality of reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23. In the present embodiment, a priority order regarding which reservation information is preferentially executed among a plurality of reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 is determined, and the priority storage unit 24 , Information defining the priority order is stored. The priority storage unit 24 may be configured by the nonvolatile memory 12a, or may be configured by a non-rewritable ROM (not shown). As described above, when the reservation information storage unit 23 includes a predetermined number of fields, the priority storage unit 24 stores the priority information in association with each of the fields. The priority information stored in is not necessarily rewritten every time reservation information is added or deleted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority information stored in the priority storage unit 24. In the example of this figure, priority 1 is associated with the reservation information P0, and priority 0 is associated with the other reservation information P1 to P8. Therefore, the priority levels of the reservation information P1 to P8 are the same as each other and higher than the priority level of the reservation information P0. In the example of this figure, the priority order is determined corresponding to the type of function associated with each reservation information. That is, the priorities of the reservation information associated with the same type of function are the same.

  The function control unit 25 manages the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, and controls the execution of functions by the first function execution unit 21 and the second function execution unit 22 according to the reservation information. The function control unit 25 may be always executed while the information processing apparatus 1 is operating in the normal mode, for example, by executing a system-resident program by the control unit 11.

  The reservation information management unit 25 a accepts reservation information input by the user and stores the contents in the reservation information storage unit 23. As a specific example, each of the first function execution unit 21 and the second function execution unit 22 receives and inputs reservation information related to a function to be executed by itself in response to an instruction operation performed by the user on the operation unit 13. The reservation information is output to the reservation information management unit 25a. The reservation information management unit 25a determines whether or not the newly input reservation information and the reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 conflict with each other, and inputs the determination result as the determination information. The received function execution unit (the first function execution unit 21 or the second function execution unit 22) is notified. If it is determined that the reservation information does not conflict, the reservation information is newly registered in the reservation information storage unit 23. A specific example of the reservation information conflict determination process will be described later.

  Furthermore, the reservation information management unit 25a stores the reservation information newly in the reservation information storage unit 23 or in the reservation information storage unit 23 in response to a request from the first function execution unit 21 or the second function execution unit 22. When the stored reservation information is changed or deleted, out of the start times included in each of the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, information on the latest future date and time with respect to the current date and time is displayed. The alarm date / time information is input to the date / time register 17b of the power supply control module 17. Further, when the arrival of the alarm date set in the date / time register 17b is notified from the control signal output unit 17c of the power supply control module 17, the reservation information management unit 25a further displays the information of the next start time as an alarm. The date / time information is input to the date / time register 17b. Under such control of the reservation information management unit 25a, the date and time register 17b always arrives in the nearest future among a plurality of start times included in the plurality of reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23. The start time will be set as the alarm date.

  When the function start / end processing unit 25b is notified of the arrival of the alarm date / time from the control signal output unit 17c of the power supply control module 17, the function start / end processing unit 25b determines which of the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 Specify whether it is due to the arrival of the start time included in the reservation information. Specifically, the function start / end processing unit 25b refers to each piece of reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, and displays reservation information including the past start time closest to the current date and time. The reservation information (hereinafter referred to as alarm target reservation information) including the alarm date and time that is the target of notification from the control signal output unit 17c is specified. Then, the first function execution unit 21 or the second function execution unit 22 starts to execute the function associated with the specified alarm target reservation information. For example, when the function associated with the alarm target reservation information is a broadcast recording function, the function start / end processing unit 25b activates an application program corresponding to the first function execution unit 21 to thereby cause the first function execution unit 21 to Start the broadcast recording function. As a result of the processing of the function start / end processing unit 25b, the first function execution unit 21 and the second function execution unit 22 receive the start time included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23. Then, the execution of the function associated with the reservation information is started.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the function start / end processing unit 25b, when starting the execution of any of the plurality of functions, according to the priority order between the plurality of reservation information, Restrict execution. Specifically, when the arrival of the alarm date / time is notified from the control signal output unit 17c, the function start / end processing unit 25b responds to reservation information other than the alarm target reservation information that is the target of the notification. When another function is being executed, the function currently being executed is executed according to the priority of the alarm target reservation information and the reservation information associated with the function currently being executed, which is stored in the priority storage unit 24. Interrupt.

  As an example, the arrival of the alarm date and time is notified while the function corresponding to the reservation information P0 of priority 1 is being executed by the second function execution unit 22, and the alarm target reservation information that is the target of the notification is When the reservation information is priority level 0, the function start / end processing unit 25b outputs an instruction to interrupt the function already being executed to the second function execution unit 22. And the 1st function execution part 21 is made to start execution of the function according to alarm object reservation information.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the function associated with the priority 1 reservation information P0 is a content download function, and this function is a function in which processing of the same content is repeated many times. Therefore, it does not necessarily have to be executed at a designated time. For example, even if it is interrupted once, if it is executed again after that, there is a high possibility that the content desired by the user can be downloaded. On the other hand, the function associated with the reservation information with priority 0 is a broadcast recording function, and it is considered that this function needs to be executed in real time at a specified time. Therefore, when the information processing apparatus 1 starts executing the function associated with the reservation information with high priority in this way, the information processing apparatus 1 limits the execution of other functions with low priority that are already being executed. When the information competes, it is possible to give priority to the execution of the function according to the reservation information with higher priority.

  Note that, in order to determine whether or not to interrupt a function that is already being executed, the function start / end processing unit 25b provides reservation information to either the first function execution unit 21 or the second function execution unit 22. When the execution of the corresponding function is started, information regarding which reservation information the execution of the function is started is stored. When the first function execution unit 21 and the second function execution unit 22 execute a function reserved under the control of the function start / end processing unit 25b, the execution of the function ends normally or a user instruction For example, information indicating the end of the execution of the function is notified to the function start / end processing unit 25b. Note that the first function execution unit 21 and the second function execution unit 22 may notify the function start / end processing unit 25b of information indicating whether the function execution has been normally completed or has been interrupted. Thereby, when the arrival of the alarm date / time is notified from the control signal output unit 17c of the power supply control module 17, the function start / end processing unit 25b has a function being executed at that time, or a plurality of functions. It is possible to identify which function is being executed and determine whether to interrupt the currently executing function.

  Next, a specific example of the reservation information conflict determination process executed by the reservation information management unit 25a will be described.

  The determination of the conflict between the newly entered reservation information and the reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 is based on whether or not the execution times of the functions associated with the respective reservation information overlap each other. Is done by. That is, for newly entered reservation information, it is determined whether or not the execution time determined according to the start time and execution period of the reservation information overlaps with the execution time of the function associated with the other reservation information. Specifically, the condition that the start time of newly entered reservation information is after the start time of another reservation information that has already been registered and before the end time of the other reservation information (condition) If 1) is satisfied, it is determined that the newly input reservation information competes with already registered reservation information. In addition, the start time of newly entered reservation information is before the start time of another already registered reservation information, and the end time of newly entered reservation information is earlier than the start time of the other reservation information. Even when the later condition (condition 2) is satisfied, it is determined that the newly input reservation information competes with already registered reservation information.

  However, as described above, in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, there is a case where the execution period is not predetermined and therefore the end time is indefinite. For such reservation information with an indefinite end time, it is determined whether or not the execution time overlaps with other reservation information based on a predetermined condition. For example, the reservation information management unit 25a may perform the conflict determination process for reservation information with an indefinite end time on the assumption that the function is continuously executed without ending after the start time. However, if the determination is made under such conditions, the reservation information with the start time set after the start time of the reservation information with indefinite end time competes with the reservation information with indefinite end time. Become. Therefore, the reservation information management unit 25a may allow registration of reservation information with an indefinite end time even when it conflicts with other reservation information according to the priority order between the reservation information described above. .

  As a specific example, when the second function execution unit 22 newly receives an input of reservation information with an indefinite end time, this reservation information has an execution period value of “if there is no conflict with other reservation information”. The reservation information P0 of “0” is stored in the reservation information storage unit 24. The date and time specified by the user as the start time of the reservation information P0 is included between the start time and the end time in any reservation information among the reservation information already stored in association with the first function execution unit 21. If this is the case (that is, when the above-described condition 1 is satisfied), the priority of the reservation information P1 to P8 associated with the first function execution unit 21 is higher than the priority of the reservation information P0. Is registered, the function associated with the reservation information P0 is not executed. Therefore, the reservation information management unit 25a determines that the reservation information P0 is not acceptable because it completely competes with other reservation information. As described above, one reservation information may include a plurality of start times, for example, every Monday at 7:00, every Tuesday at 7:00, and so on. In such a case, when all of the plurality of start times included in the reservation information P0 are included between any start time and end time of the other reservation information, the newly input reservation information It is determined that P0 cannot be accepted.

  FIG. 5A shows an example in which such complete conflict occurs and the input of the reservation information P0 is not accepted. In the example of this figure, the start time specified in the newly input reservation information P0 is 7:10 from Monday to Friday every week. On the other hand, in the reservation information P1, the start time is specified as 7:00 every day (that is, every day of the week), the execution period is specified as 60 minutes, and the end time is calculated as 8:00 every day. That is, all the start times of the reservation information P0 are included between the start time and the end time of the reservation information P1 having a higher priority than the reservation information P0. Therefore, it is determined that the registration of the reservation information P0 is not accepted.

  On the other hand, if any start time included in the reservation information P0 does not satisfy the above-described condition 1, the execution of the function corresponding to the reservation information P0 is started at least once a week. Therefore, in such a case, the reservation information management unit 25a determines that the newly input reservation information P0 does not completely compete with other reservation information. However, when at least one start time included in the reservation information P0 satisfies the condition 2 described above, it may compete with other reservation information depending on the time required to execute the function corresponding to the reservation information P0. . In this case, as described above, the function start / end processing unit 25b has not yet finished executing the function according to the reservation information P0 when the start time set in the competing other reservation information arrives. In this case, the execution of this function is interrupted. Therefore, the reservation information management unit 25a outputs a determination result indicating that there is a possibility of a conflict to the second function execution unit 22 when the input of reservation information corresponding to such a condition is newly received. . In this way, the second function execution unit 22 outputs a message different from the case where the newly input reservation information does not compete with other reservation information at all, for example, a predetermined warning message is displayed on the display unit 14. Thus, it is possible to inform the user that there is a possibility of competition.

  FIG. 5B shows an example in which there is a possibility of conflict in this way, and registration of the input reservation information P0 is allowed, but a warning to the user should be performed. In the example of this figure, the reservation information P1 is the content that designates that the broadcast recording function is executed from 7:00 to 8:00 every day, as in FIG. On the other hand, the newly entered reservation information P0 has a start time of 6:50 from Monday to Friday every week. Therefore, when the second function execution unit 22 actually executes the process according to the reservation information P0, if it does not end within 10 minutes, a conflict occurs with the reservation information P1, and this process is not completed. Although it will be interrupted, if it ends within 10 minutes, this process ends normally without conflicting with the reservation information P1. Therefore, the second function execution unit 22 presents a warning message notifying the user that execution may be interrupted according to the determination result by the reservation information management unit 25a. On the other hand, if the user still performs an operation to instruct that the reservation information P0 should be registered, the reservation information management unit 25a stores the reservation information P0 in the reservation information storage unit 23.

  In addition, when the first function execution unit 21 receives an input of new reservation information, the reservation information management unit 25a is newly input only for other reservation information having the same rank as the newly input reservation information. It may be determined whether or not it conflicts with the reservation information. Further, it also determines a conflict with the reservation information P0 associated with the second function execution unit 22, and if it is completely conflicted or there is a possibility of a conflict as described above, the determination result is displayed. It is good also as outputting and presenting a warning message with respect to a user.

  Hereinafter, some specific examples of the flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, an example of the flow of processing when receiving input of a plurality of reservation information will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the example of this figure, first, the first function execution unit 21 receives input of new reservation information from the user (S1), and whether or not the input reservation information conflicts with other reservation information already registered. To the reservation information management unit 25a (S2). Here, as a specific example, it is assumed that reservation information having the contents shown as reservation information P1 in FIG. 3 is input. The reservation information management unit 25a refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, determines whether there is a conflict of reservation information (S3), and notifies the first function execution unit 21 of the result.

  When it is determined that the reservation information input in S1 conflicts with other reservation information having the same priority or higher priority, the first function execution unit 21 cancels the conflicting other reservation information. Then, the user is inquired whether or not to register newly inputted reservation information. FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 14 in such a case. The display screen shown in the example of this figure includes other reservation information determined to compete in S3. Furthermore, in the example of this figure, the 1st function execution part 21 respond | corresponds not only the content of the reservation information memorize | stored in the reservation information storage part 23 but each reservation information separately recorded by the 1st function execution part 21 The parameter information (for example, the channel to be recorded) related to the function to be executed is also displayed on the display unit 14. In a state where this display screen is displayed, when the user instructs cancellation of registration of reservation information by an instruction operation on the operation unit 13, the first function execution unit 21 stops registration of reservation information. When the user instructs registration of reservation information, the first function execution unit 21 notifies the reservation information management unit 25a to that effect. In response to this, the reservation information management unit 25a invalidates or deletes other reservation information determined to compete in S3, and newly registers the reservation information input in S1 in the reservation information storage unit 24.

  If it is determined that there is a possibility that the reservation information input in S1 may conflict with other reservation information having a lower priority, the first function execution unit 21 sets the other reservation information that conflicts. Outputs a warning message indicating that execution may be interrupted. FIG. 8 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 14 in such a case. Also in the example of this figure, when the user gives an instruction to cancel the registration of the reservation information, the first function execution unit 21 stops the registration of the reservation information. On the other hand, when the user instructs registration of reservation information, the reservation information management unit 25a reserves the reservation information input in S1 without invalidating or deleting other reservation information in response to the instruction. Register in the information storage unit 24. If it is determined in S3 that other reservation information with a low priority is completely in conflict with the newly input reservation information, the reservation information management unit 25a determines whether other reservation information that conflicts with the registration of the new reservation information. The reservation information may be invalidated or deleted.

  If it is determined in S3 that the reservation information input in S1 does not conflict with other reservation information, the first function execution unit 21 executes a reservation process (S4). FIG. 6 shows a flow in this case. Specifically, the first function execution unit 21 stores parameter information related to the broadcast recording function to be executed in accordance with the reservation information designated by the user in the nonvolatile memory 12a and also reserves the reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 23. The reservation information management unit 25a is instructed to register information. In response, the reservation information management unit 25a registers reservation information (S5).

  When the reservation information is registered, the reservation information management unit 25a subsequently sets the alarm date and time (S6). That is, the latest future start time is selected from the start times included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 including the reservation information newly registered in S5, and the alarm date / time information is selected. To the date register 17b. As a specific example, if the time point when the process of S6 is executed is before 7:00 and there is no reservation information other than the reservation information P1 registered in S5, the reservation information management unit 25a displays the reservation information P1. 7:00 of the current day, which is the next start time specified in, is set as the alarm date.

  In the example of the flow of FIG. 6, thereafter, the second function execution unit 22 receives input of new reservation information (S7). Here, as a specific example, it is assumed that reservation information having the contents shown as reservation information P0 in FIG. 3 is input. In response to this, the second function execution unit 22 inquires of the reservation information management unit 25a whether or not the input reservation information conflicts with other reservation information already registered (S8). The reservation information management unit 25a refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23, determines whether or not there is a conflict in the reservation information (S9), and notifies the second function execution unit 22 of the result. Here, the reservation information input in S7 may conflict with the reservation information P1, but is not completely in conflict. Therefore, the second function execution unit 22 is notified of the determination result to that effect.

  In response to this, the second function execution unit 22 displays a warning that the reservation information input in S7 may be interrupted (S10). FIG. 9 shows an example of such a warning display screen. In response to this display, when the user gives an instruction to execute registration of reservation information, the second function execution unit 22 executes a reservation process (S11). Specifically, the second function execution unit 21 stores, in the nonvolatile memory 12a, parameter information (for example, a download target distribution server) that is specified by the user and that is to be executed according to the reservation information. The reservation information management unit 25a is instructed to register the reservation information. In response to this, the reservation information management unit 25a registers reservation information (S12). When the user gives an instruction to interrupt the registration of the reservation information, the second function execution unit 22 interrupts the registration of the reservation information.

  Further, the reservation information management unit 25a sets the alarm date and time as in S6 (S13). For example, when this process is performed before 6:50 from Monday to Friday, the reservation information management unit 25a sets 6:50 on the current day as a new alarm date and time.

  Thereafter, when the information processing apparatus 1 shifts to the standby mode and becomes 6:50 set as the alarm date and time during the standby mode, the execution of the function according to the reservation information P0 is started. The process at this time will be described later.

  Next, another example of the flow of processing when the information processing apparatus 1 accepts input of a plurality of reservation information will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the flow of this figure, S21 to S26 are the same as the processes from S1 to S6 in the flow of FIG. 6 described above. As a result, the reservation information having the contents shown as reservation information P1 in FIG. 3 is registered in the reservation information storage unit 23, and 7:00 of the current day is set as the alarm date in the date / time register 17.

  Thereafter, as in the example of the flow of FIG. 6, the second function execution unit 22 receives input of new reservation information (S27). However, the reservation information input here is different from the reservation information P0 of FIG. 3, and the start time is assumed to be 7:10 instead of 6:50. In this case, in response to the inquiry (S28) of the second function execution unit 22, the reservation information management unit 25a can be executed by completely competing with the reservation information P1 already registered in S27. It is determined that there is no sex (S29). In response to this determination result, the second function execution unit 22 displays an error display screen indicating that reservation information registration cannot be accepted as exemplified in FIG. 11 (S30), and registers the reservation information. Cancel. As a result, the alarm date and time of 7:00 of the current day set in S26 remains in the date and time register 17b.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus 1 has shifted to the standby mode (S31). In the standby mode, when the time measured by the timer 17a reaches 7:00, which is set as the alarm date, the control signal output unit 17c of the power control module 17 outputs a control signal for shifting from the standby mode to the normal mode. Furthermore, the arrival of the alarm date is notified to the function control unit 25 (S32). Upon receiving this notification, the function start / end processing unit 25b specifies the alarm target reservation information that is the target of the notification in S32 (S33). Here, the reservation information P1 is specified as the alarm target reservation information. Therefore, the function start / end processing unit 25b instructs the first function execution unit 21 associated with the specified reservation information P1 to start executing the broadcast recording function (S34), and in response thereto, the first function The execution unit 21 starts the broadcast recording function (S35).

  Next, a specific example of processing executed when the alarm date / time has arrived in a state where two pieces of reservation information P0 and P1 are registered by the processing shown in the flow of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, an example in the case where the reservation information P0 and the reservation information P1 compete at the time of execution will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In the example of this figure, after the processing in the flow of FIG. 6 is executed, the information processing apparatus 1 has shifted to the standby mode. In this state, when 6:50 is set as the alarm date and time, the control signal output unit 17c outputs a control signal for shifting from the standby mode to the normal mode, as in the example of the flow of FIG. The arrival of the alarm date is notified to the unit 25 (S41). Receiving this notification, the function start / end processing unit 25b identifies the alarm target reservation information that is the target of notification (S42). Here, the reservation information P0 is specified as the alarm target reservation information. Therefore, the function start / end processing unit 25b causes the second function execution unit 22 associated with the specified reservation information P0 to start executing the download function (S43). As a result, the second function execution unit 22 starts executing a download function for downloading newly registered content from a preset server (S44). On the other hand, the reservation information management unit 25a selects a future start time closest to the current date from the start times included in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 23 following the processing of S43, The start time is set in the date / time register 17b as the alarm date / time (S45). Here, 7:00 of the current day included in the reservation information P1 is set as the alarm date.

  In the example of the flow of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the execution of the download function in S44 is continued without ending even at the time of 7:00 set as the alarm date and time thereafter. In this case, the control signal output unit 17c notifies the arrival of the alarm date and time set in S45 (S46). In response to this, the function start / end processing unit 25b identifies the alarm target reservation information (S47). Here, the reservation information P1 is specified as the alarm target reservation information. The priority stored in the priority storage unit 24 in association with the reservation information P1 is higher than the priority of the reservation information P0 for which the execution of the function is started in S43. Therefore, the function start / end processing unit 25b determines to prioritize the execution of the broadcast recording function corresponding to the reservation information P1 over the download function by the second execution function unit 22 currently being executed. That is, the function start / end processing unit 25b instructs the second function execution unit 22 to interrupt the execution of the function currently being executed (S48). In response to this, the second function execution unit 22 interrupts the function being executed (S49). Thereafter, the function start / end processing unit 25b instructs the first function executing unit 21 to execute the function corresponding to the reservation information P1 specified in S47 (S50). Thereby, the 1st function execution part 21 starts execution of the function according to the reservation information P1 (S51).

  Next, an example of processing when execution of a function corresponding to reservation information is interrupted by a user operation will be described based on a flowchart of FIG.

  In the flow of this figure, S61 to S65 are the same as the processes from S41 to S45 in the flow of FIG. As a result, the second function execution unit 22 starts executing the download function according to the reservation information P0, and 7:00 of the current day is set as the alarm date in the date register 17.

  Thereafter, in the example of the flow of FIG. 13, it is assumed that the user performs an operation for interrupting the execution of the function to the second function execution unit 22 that is executing the download function (S66). In response to this operation, the second function execution unit 22 interrupts the function being executed, and notifies the function start / end processing unit 25b that the execution of the function is interrupted by the user operation (S67). The function start / end processing unit 25b that has received this notification determines that it has shifted from the state in which the process according to the reservation information is executed to the state in which the process according to the user operation is executed.

  Thereafter, when the current date and time counted by the timer unit 17a becomes 7:00, the control signal output unit 17c notifies the function controller 25 that the alarm date and time has arrived (S68). However, at this time, the function start / end processing unit 25b determines that it is not in the standby mode when the alarm date and time has arrived, and the processing according to the user's operation is continued after the notification in S67. Restrict the execution of functions according to the alarm target reservation information. That is, it is determined that the first function execution unit 21 is not instructed to start execution of the function according to the reservation information P1 (S69). Then, the reservation information management unit 25a only sets a new alarm date and time (S70).

  As a result, the function start / end processing unit 25b estimates that an interactive process involving the exchange of information with the user is being executed, not a process that is automatically executed in response to the arrival of the alarm date and time. In such a state, it is possible to restrict the execution of the function according to the reservation information and to prevent the interactive processing from being interrupted due to the arrival of the alarm date. Note that the function start / end processing unit 25b may perform the function according to the reservation information forcibly when the alarm date / time arrives without performing such control.

  According to the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, when the execution of the function associated with the reservation information is started, the other functions that are already being executed according to the priority between the reservation information. By limiting the execution, it is possible to control the execution of the function according to the reservation information according to a predetermined priority order, and it is possible to execute the function associated with the reservation information under desirable conditions.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above description, when a plurality of pieces of reservation information compete with each other, the function control unit 25 interrupts the function being executed according to the priority information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When each function execution unit starts executing a function according to the reservation information associated with itself, other function being executed is interrupted according to its own priority. It is also possible to start execution of its own function. In the above description, the priority is determined in advance for each type of function, and the reservation information associated with the same type of function has the same priority. However, the priorities may be different between the reservation information associated with the same type of function. In this case, the information processing apparatus 1 accepts the registration even if the execution times of the reservation information associated with the same type of function overlap, and according to the priority of the reservation information at the time of execution. It may be determined which reservation information is prioritized for processing. Moreover, the priority information associated with each reservation information may be changeable according to a user designation or the like.

  In the above description, the information processing apparatus 1 executes two types of functions, that is, a broadcast recording function and a download function. However, the function is automatically performed when the start time included in the predetermined reservation information arrives. Other types of functions that should be executed at the same time may be subject to control according to priority. For example, the information processing apparatus 1 may execute an alarm notification function that outputs a sound from a speaker (not shown) when an alarm date and time arrives to notify the arrival of the alarm date and time. Note that, when such an alarm notification function is ended by a user's stop operation, for example, the end time is not determined in advance, but it is still executed in preference to other functions such as the broadcast recording function. It is good. Furthermore, in this case, as with the download function, assuming that the execution of the alarm notification function is continued without ending, and it is determined that there is a conflict between the reservation information, the other reservation information with a lower priority is completely different from the alarm notification function. It may be determined that they will compete with each other and registration may not be possible. Therefore, for example, when the reservation information related to the alarm notification function conflicts with other reservation information, the type of function associated with the reservation information and the priority, such as allowing registration of other reservation information only by outputting a warning message. The competition determination condition may be changed according to the degree information.

  Here, depending on the type of function associated with the reservation information and the priority information, the judgment condition as to whether or not the reservation information competes, and other functions that are already being executed when the alarm date arrives are interrupted Another example of changing the condition for determining whether or not to make the change will be described. For example, when the information processing apparatus 1 can execute three or more types of functions, for each type of function, whether or not it conflicts with other types of functions, and functions according to the reservation information for other types of functions It may be determined whether or not execution of is prioritized. As a specific example, when the information processing apparatus 1 can execute three types of functions A, B, and C, and the function C can be executed at the same time as other types of functions, a reservation for the function C is made. The information may be determined not to conflict with other reservation information at all times, and only the presence or absence of conflict between the reservation information related to function A and the reservation information related to function B may be determined. In addition, for example, when it is allowed to execute up to two types of functions among a plurality of types of functions at the same time, or when two-channel broadcasting can be recorded simultaneously, there is an upper limit on the number of functions that can be executed at the same time. In the case where it is determined, the function may be executed or the reservation information may be registered for a predetermined number of reservation information in descending order according to the priority of each reservation information. In this case, if the reservation information exceeding the predetermined number overlaps with each other, the registration of the reservation information with a low priority is rejected, or it is already being executed when the alarm date and time arrives, and the priority The function associated with the low reservation information is interrupted.

  In the present embodiment, reservation information and priority information are stored independently of each other. However, these pieces of information may be stored as one table, for example. These pieces of information are not limited to the nonvolatile memory 12a, and may be stored in another information storage medium such as a hard disk.

  Further, in the above description, the information processing apparatus 1 starts executing the function according to the reservation information when the alarm date / time comes during the standby mode or during the execution of the function according to the other reservation information. However, in addition to such a case, the execution of the function corresponding to the reservation information may be started. For example, the power supply control module 17 can operate by supplying power from the backup power supply even when the main power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 is cut off, and the main power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 is cut off in addition to the standby mode. Even in such a state, the main power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 may be turned on at the timing when the alarm date and time arrives, and the execution of the function corresponding to the reservation information may be started.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation information which a reservation information storage part memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority information which a priority memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is a figure explaining the competition of reservation information. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process which the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed when reservation information competes. It is a figure which shows another example of the display screen displayed when reservation information competes. It is a figure which shows another example of the display screen displayed when reservation information competes. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the process which the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows another example of the display screen displayed when reservation information competes. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the process which the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of the process which the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus, 11 Control part, 12 Storage part, 12a Non-volatile memory, 12b DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Display part, 15 Communication part, 16 Television broadcast receiving part, 17 Power supply control module, 17a Time measuring part, 17b Date / time register, 17c control signal output unit, 21 first function execution unit, 22 second function execution unit, 23 reservation information storage unit, 24 priority storage unit, 25 function control unit, 25a reservation information management unit, 25b function start / End processing part.

Claims (9)

Reservation information storage means for storing a plurality of reservation information each including information on the start time;
A function execution means for starting execution of a function associated with the reservation information among a plurality of functions when a start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information has arrived;
Function execution restriction means for restricting execution of another function that is already being executed when starting execution of any of the plurality of functions according to the priority order among the plurality of reservation information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A priority storage means for storing information indicating the priority of the reservation information in association with each of the plurality of reservation information;
When the start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information has arrived, the function execution restriction unit has a function associated with the reservation information according to information indicating a priority associated with the reservation information. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the execution of the function is started and the execution of other functions already being executed is interrupted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the plurality of reservation information includes reservation information related to a function whose end time is not predetermined. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a priority of reservation information related to a function whose end time is not predetermined is lower than a priority of other reservation information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The reservation information storage means includes information on an execution period in which a function is executed according to the reservation information together with the start time,
A predetermined value is stored as information relating to the execution period for reservation information relating to a function whose end time is not predetermined. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,
For each of the plurality of reservation information, whether or not the execution time of the function associated with the reservation information determined according to the start time and the execution period overlaps with the execution time of the function associated with other reservation information It further includes duplication judgment means for judging,
The overlap determination means determines whether or not the execution time overlaps with other reservation information based on a predetermined condition for reservation information in which the predetermined value is stored as the execution period. Information processing apparatus. Storing a plurality of reservation information each including information on the start time in the reservation information storage means;
A step of starting execution of a function associated with the reservation information among a plurality of functions when a start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information has arrived;
Limiting execution of other functions that are already being executed when starting execution of any of the plurality of functions according to a priority order among the plurality of reservation information;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: Means for storing in a reservation information storage means a plurality of reservation information each including information on the start time;
Among the plurality of functions, when the start time included in any of the plurality of reservation information has arrived, function execution means for starting execution of the function associated with the reservation information, and between the plurality of reservation information A function execution restriction unit that restricts execution of another function that is already being executed when starting execution of any of the plurality of functions according to the priority of
As a program to make the computer function.   A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program according to claim 8.

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