JP2012120078A - Zapping video recording program viewing system and recorder device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a service in which program search can be efficiently and manually done by a user with smaller resource and limited viewing time is effectively used.SOLUTION: A zapping video recording program viewing system includes: a recorder device 101 that sequentially switches a plurality of channels to be broadcast by predetermined time and records the program of each channel; and a server that distributes the broadcast programs by an on-demand method after broadcasting. The recorder device 101 replays the recorded program of each channel, and transmits a distribution request including the identification information of the program selected by a user to the server. The server reads out program data corresponding to the identification information of the program included in the distribution request in response to the distribution request received from the recorder device 101, and transmits the data to the recorder device 101. The recorder device 101 displays the program data received from the server on a display section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a zapping recorded program viewing system and a recorder apparatus, and more particularly to a system for viewing content such as video, particularly a zapping recorded program viewing system in which a plurality of apparatuses cooperate to view content via a network (mainly an IP network). And a recorder apparatus.

  If there is a TV program that you want to watch, you can either be in front of the TV at the broadcast time, or you can record on the recorder and watch it at the time you want to watch, but users who do not record select the programs you like at the top and bottom of the TV channel If there is no program that you like at that time, you will often give up or compromise. Also, if the program has already begun while turning the channel, it cannot be traced unless it is recorded.

JP 2010-187390 A JP 2010-11208 A

Already, there are products that record all channels for one week, but the demand for equipment specifications is high, and programs longer than one week are deleted. At this time, the audience rating for the recorded program is low, and the utilization efficiency is very low despite high specifications (number of tuners, recorder capacity, processing CPU, memory amount, heat generation, etc.).
For this reason, we thought that a service that can efficiently search for programs with less resources and that can be efficiently used by humans is essential.
For terrestrial digital broadcasts, BS digital broadcasts, and other broadcast forms of TV programs that exist, a program or programs designated by an operator who performs recording and programs designated by the program software, for example, an electronic program guide (EPG) Programs specified by category, programs specified by program name or program content that includes a specific vocabulary, or programs specified by program software in the recording device are recorded, but specified by the operator or program software Programs that are not recorded are not recorded. Programs that are not recorded are browsed by video-on-demand programs provided by broadcasting stations, or by selling package software such as DVD and Blu-ray.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a zapping recorded program viewing system and a recorder apparatus that can implement a service that can efficiently search for a program with fewer resources and that can use a limited viewing time effectively. The purpose is to do.

Provided is a viewing time-independent program search and viewing system in cooperation with a program recorder with a home TV tuner and a network-over-recording function.
All programs are periodically and partially recorded using a less frequently used tuner or a zapping recording dedicated tuner without significant expansion from existing consumer hard disk recorders. By recording once a few minutes per program for about 1 minute, even if there is no program to watch specially, the viewer can record the act of watching while changing the channel of the program being broadcast for the time being And make it approximate.
The present invention is based on the premise that network streaming of a program with a recording device can be performed for a program that is not recorded by a home recording device, and the operation of the recording device is performed for a channel that is being broadcast in real time. Using a tuner that has not been used, the available channels are sequentially switched, and the specified time is continuously recorded (for example, from 1 minute to a maximum of 3 minutes).
For programs after the current time, select a program by EPG, or select a program being broadcast on the top and bottom of the remote control channel, and continue watching it if you like it.
In the present invention, when a user wants to watch a recorded program from the beginning or continuously by performing a scene playback of the recorded scene only (for example, from 1 minute to 3 minutes) by tracing a past program using EPG and switching channels. When VOD is performed from the top by remote control operation or when it is desired to continue, a portion not recorded by remote control operation is viewed by VOD.
There are two actions when a viewer is watching a TV screen. One is watching a favorite program, and the other is switching scenes and searching for a program. Focusing on the latter behavior, we will consider a mechanism for increasing viewing opportunities for viewers' programs. This is because the user switching the program is not interested in the screen just shown. In order to make viewers not bored with recent TV programs, there may be a scene that viewers will like after a few minutes, but there is luck if the user can switch channels in that scene.

According to the first solution of the present invention,
A recorder device that sequentially switches a plurality of channels to be broadcast at predetermined times and records each channel program in a fragmentary manner;
A server that broadcasts broadcasted programs on demand after broadcasting,
The recorder device reproduces a program of each channel recorded in pieces, and transmits a distribution request including identification information of the program selected by the user to the server,
In response to a distribution request received from the recorder device, the server reads program data corresponding to program identification information included in the distribution request and transmits the program data to the recorder device.
The recorder device is provided with a zapping recorded program viewing system for displaying program data received from the server on a display unit.

According to the second solution of the present invention,
A tuner for receiving broadcast programs;
A storage unit for recording the program of each channel;
A network interface for communicating via a network with a server that distributes the broadcasted program on demand after broadcasting;
A processing unit that switches the tuner and sequentially records a plurality of broadcast channels in increments of predetermined time in the storage unit;
The processor is
Playing back the program of each channel recorded in a fragmentary manner, sending a distribution request including identification information of the program selected by the user to the server,
Receiving from the server program data corresponding to the program identification information included in the distribution request;
A recorder device is provided that displays received program data on a display unit.

According to the third solution of the present invention,
A distribution system for sequentially switching a plurality of broadcast channels by a predetermined time and distributing a broadcasted program on demand after broadcasting in accordance with a distribution request from a recorder that records a program of each channel in a fragmentary manner Because
One or a plurality of distribution servers for storing program data of broadcasted programs and distributing them on demand after broadcasting;
Corresponding to the identification information of the program, it includes a portal server in which address information of the distribution server that distributes program data of the program or address information assigned to each program is stored in advance.
The portal server receives an address request including program identification information from the recorder device, and transmits address information corresponding to the program identification information to the recorder device;
When the distribution server receives a distribution request transmitted from the recorder device according to the address information transmitted from the portal server, the distribution system is provided that transmits program data corresponding to the distribution request to the recorder device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a zapping recorded program viewing system and a recorder apparatus that can efficiently search for programs with fewer resources and that can use a limited viewing time effectively.

FIG. Overall flow of the recording process. The overall flow of the content playback process. Explanatory drawing of the relationship between zapping recording and recorded content. Explanatory drawing of the relationship between the recorded zapping recording content and a broadcast program. Explanatory drawing of a home recorder. Explanatory drawing of the relationship between the content preserve | saved at home recorder, and a program, and remote control operation. Explanatory drawing of the relationship between the home recorder and the center server. Sequence until content viewing starts. Video / audio trick play sequence by remote control. Sequence of video / audio distribution stop by remote control operation. Explanatory drawing of content delivery. Explanatory drawing of the table of a portal server.

(System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a zapping recorded program viewing system.
The zapping recorded program viewing system includes a recorder device 101 and a recording center facility including a streaming server (server) 303. Further, a display unit 203 such as a TV for displaying program data from the recorder device 101 and a remote controller 201 are further provided.
The recorder device 101 sequentially switches a plurality of broadcast channels by a predetermined time and records a program of each channel. The recorder apparatus 101 reproduces the recorded program of each channel, and transmits a distribution request including identification information of the program selected by the user to the server 303. The server 303 distributes the broadcast program on demand after the broadcast. In response to the distribution request received from the recorder device 101, the server 303 reads program data corresponding to the program identification information included in the distribution request and transmits the program data to the recorder device 101. The recorder apparatus 101 displays the program data received from the server 303 on the display unit 203. The recorder apparatus 101 may include the reproduction start request time in the distribution request to be transmitted. In this case, the server 303 reads out the program data corresponding to the program identification information included in the distribution request, and transmits the program data after the reproduction start request time to the recorder device 101.

The recorder apparatus 101 is equipped with a plurality of digital television tuners 102 and 103 and an external storage device 104 for recording (101, 102, 103, 104). Further, the recorder apparatus 101 has a function of making a recording reservation by EPG and recording by a user operation using an input unit such as the remote controller 201 (102, 105).
In the present embodiment, one tuner is always in a recording state, and sequential recording is performed on all channels capable of receiving 1 to 3 minute recordings, and the time and channel are selected from the past electronic program guide (EPG). One type of time-shifted reproduction is realized in which the recorded short recorded programs are reproduced in order, and when the channel is switched, the short recorded programs recorded in that channel are also reproduced in order. Not all channels are recorded in full, for example, viewers with no programs to watch, using the TV remote control with the channel up and down buttons, one after another at short intervals (1 to 3 minutes) Record while switching channels. In order to perform continuous recording, for example, a dedicated tuner is prepared (103), or a recording operation is performed using a tuner (102 or 103) that is not recording. The recording time may be a predetermined time other than 1 to 3 minutes.
The recorded program can be handled as a moving image file (106) of 1 to 3 minutes, and the program name, unique ID, recording start time, etc. are recorded as additional information (107). The unique ID is an ID associated with the program. It is assumed that the program data of the program can be searched because the program is recorded in a skipped manner. For this reason, there are separate tables for managing program names and recorded short recorded programs.

For example, the recorder device 101 communicates with tuners 102 and 103 that receive programs broadcast by radio waves, an external storage device (storage unit) 104 that records programs of each channel, and a server 303 via a network. The network interface 115 and the tuners 102 and 103 are switched to record the program of each channel in the storage unit 102, and a distribution request including the identification information of the program selected by the user and the reproduction start request time is sent to the server 303 via the network interface. CPU (first processing unit) 111 for transmitting to the computer. The recorder device 101 further includes a memory 112, an A / V decoder 113 that outputs video / audio data to a display unit 203 such as a TV, and an infrared wireless interface 114 that receives infrared rays from the remote controller 201.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the home recorder device and the center server.
The recording center facility (center server facility) includes, for example, a portal server 308, a streaming server 303, a user management information database 309, and a program information database 310.
The streaming server 303, for example, a network interface 321 for communicating with the recorder device 101, a distribution database 320 that stores program data of a broadcasted program corresponding to program identification information and time, and responding to a distribution request The CPU (second processing unit) 322 reads program data from the distribution database 320 and transmits the program data to the recorder apparatus 101 via the network interface 321.
The portal server 308 transmits the URL of the streaming server 303 that distributes the program data to the recorder device 101 in accordance with the request from the recorder device 101. A plurality of streaming servers 303 may be provided.
The user management information database 309 stores information for authenticating a user, for example. The program information database 310 stores, for example, EPG. The portal server 308 and the streaming server 303 can refer to the user management information database 309 and the program information database 310 as appropriate.
FIG. 6 shows only the in-home recorder device portion.

(Zapping recording)
FIG. 2 is an overall flow of the recording process. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between zapping recording and recorded content. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the recorded zapping recording content and the broadcast program.
For example, in the case of Kanto wide area / Tokyo, there are 1ch NHK general, 2ch NHK education, 4ch NTV, 5ch tele Asa, 6ch TBS, 7ch tele east, 8ch Fuji TV, 9ch Tokyo MX, 12ch University of Broadcasting.
The recorder apparatus 101 performs zapping recording with the dedicated tuner 103 (S101). For example, the tuner (103) for repeated recording records a short time from 1 minute to 3 minutes, tunes to the next channel when the recording is over, and performs a short recording from 1 minute to 3 minutes (FIG. 4: 109). For example, as shown in the lower side of FIG. 4, the external storage device 104 stores program data in time series for each channel. The recorded scenes are listed (S103), and the old recorded scenes are deleted at an appropriate timing (S105). The list of recording scenes may be a still image such as a thumbnail using recorded video.
When the above operation is repeated, a plurality of thin recorded files exist for all channels. For example, when there are 10 broadcasting stations, if one recording time is 1 minute, it takes about 10 minutes to complete the recording of all stations. Assuming a program for one hour at a certain time, all-station recording is performed six times, and one hour program is recorded for six scenes per minute per channel (FIG. 4: 110).

  Since the recorder switches channels every 1 to 3 minutes and repeats recording for 1 to 3 minutes, it is necessary to link the recorded partially recorded program with the program. Since the recorded program file (106) manages the program name and recording order, the past EPG is saved, or the past EPG is searched and downloaded (111), and the program name / broadcast station ( Channel)-Broadcast date and time can be linked. Of the recorded files recorded in the recorder from the past EPG, it is possible to link the broadcasted program and the partially recorded file group from the recorded information (106) (115).

(Content playback)
FIG. 3 is an overall flow of the content reproduction process. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the content stored in the home recorder and the program, and the remote control operation. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of content distribution.
The recorder apparatus 101 displays a list of recorded scenes on the screen of the display unit 203 (S201). Here, the past program EPG information is used as a part of a menu for operating the recorder. For example, an EPG of a general recorder displays a future program for about one week from the present, but a recorder in which the function of the present embodiment is operated can also display a past EPG (111).
In the user's remote control operation, the EPG channel is changed with the up and down buttons (205, 206), the time is moved with the left and right buttons (207, 208), and the decision button (209) is pressed when playing the program. The recorder apparatus 101 receives a signal resulting from this operation from the remote controller via the infrared wireless interface 114, and a program is specified (S203).
When a past program is selected while the past program is displayed on the EPG display screen, the partially recorded content recorded in the present embodiment is reproduced (S205, 112, 113). In the case of a partially recorded program, playback is performed in the recorded order (113). Note that a program recorded by a viewer or software may be reproduced as it is from the beginning to the end.
In a partially recorded program, if one recording is one minute, the next partially recorded moving image file is reproduced after one minute (113). If the partially recorded program has been played to the end, the partial recording is terminated and the screen returns to the EPG screen (S207).

During playback of a partial recording, the chapter button (210) makes each partial recording file look like a chapter, and the recorder device 101 plays back the files recorded at the previous and next times when the previous and next times are selected on the same channel. (S213). When a different channel is selected, a scene closest to the currently reproduced scene may be automatically selected and reproduced from the scenes recorded on the designated channel (S211 and S205).
In partial recording, since there are about six scenes per minute in a one-hour program, streaming is performed from the recorded server 303 when the viewer wants to see everything.
During playback of partial recording, for example, when a menu button (211) is pressed, a program streaming menu is displayed and streaming is performed from an external server. The external streaming server 303 also has EPG information (FIG. 12: 301) of the recorded content and is connected to the Internet (302). There is target content (304) on the streaming server (303), and streaming of the target content is started by a request from the recorder device (202).
As for the start timing, when a program displayed on the EPG of the recorder apparatus 101 is selected by operating the remote controller (201) of the recorder (202) (S209, 305), the recorder apparatus 101 transmits a streaming start request (distribution request). (S217, 306). The distribution request includes, for example, identification information of the program selected by the user's remote control operation. When viewing from the middle of a program, the distribution request may further include a reproduction start request time. For example, it may be possible to view from a location that the viewer is interested in, including the time corresponding to the reproduced fragmented program data.

In addition, you may make it pass through the portal server 308 as follows. First, the authentication request (306) and the URL request (address request) (306) of the content on the streaming server are transmitted from the recorder apparatus 101 to the portal server (308) (S215). The completion status of authentication and the URL of the requested content are returned from the portal server 308 (307). For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the portal server stores in advance the URL of the streaming server that distributes the program data of the program or the URL assigned to each program in correspondence with the program identification information. In response to the URL request including the URL, the corresponding URL is read and transmitted. The recorder apparatus 101 issues a streaming start request (306-01) to the streaming server (303) using the URL of the content returned from the portal server 308, and the streaming server (303) requests the requested content (304 ) Is transmitted via the network (S219, 307-01). The recorder apparatus 101 reproduces the received content 304 (S221). FIG. 9 shows a sequence up to the start of content viewing.
When the fast forward, rewind, or playback from the beginning is instructed by a remote control operation during playback of the content (S223, S225), the recorder device 101 includes the content playback position (playback start request time) in the streaming server 303. A reproduction position change request is transmitted (S227), and the content at the designated reproduction position is received and reproduced (FIG. 10).
When the distribution is stopped during the reproduction, the recorder apparatus 101 transmits a stop request to the streaming server 303 (FIG. 11).

NHK on-demand is a mechanism that shows past programs, but each station provides services, but it is more real-time and regular with fewer TV tuners in order to increase the opportunity to view scenes that the user likes in a time-shifted manner CH is changed and the scene is continuously recorded every 1 to 3 minutes. Since the corner time of the program is about 15 to 30 minutes, the user can watch several scenes for each program. Moreover, since recording is performed while switching all channels in a time series, the disk capacity can be traced back to the past, and recording for 1 channel is performed for 24 hours or 1 week, so that the recording capacity is about 1/8 of that for all channels. It becomes. For the user, the choices of the program increase, and when the user wants to watch the program from the beginning, the user's satisfaction can be increased by guiding to the net streaming.
In addition, fast-forwarding is not possible for programs broadcast in real time, and viewing is not possible unless the entire program is recorded. When all the channels are recorded, it is impossible to view all the recorded content even when considering the greatest common factor such as viewing time and wake-up time per person, and most contents are automatically deleted without being seen. Is done.
In this embodiment, a recording operation that is close to a human operation is performed by changing the channel with one tuner and always recording in a short time, thereby reducing the disk usage rate and reducing the recording time per program. Viewing in pieces can contribute to shorter time. You can watch all your favorite programs by switching to streaming over the network. Users' viewing opportunities are expected to increase.

  The present invention can be used, for example, in a system for viewing content such as video.

101 Recorder device 102 Digital TV tuner (a tuner that a user or software tries to record)
103 Digital TV tuner (dedicated tuner used in the present invention)
104 External storage device 105 Program recorded by user or recorder preference function 106 Partially recorded program (1 to 3 minutes)
107 Recording Information 108 of Recorded File 108 Relationship between Broadcast Channel and Partial Recording Time Transition 109 Recorded Program (1 to 3 minutes)
110 Relationship between partial recording file, channel and time 111 Past EPG
112 Broadcasted program 113 Partially recorded file group 205 corresponding to the broadcasted program 205 Up button 206 Down button 207 Left button 208 Right button 209 Enter button 210 Chapter button 301 Recorded content information 302 on remote server Between recorder and streaming server Network 303 Streaming server 304 Streaming target content 305 Streaming request from viewer 306 Authentication from recorder to portal server and playback request 306-01 Streaming request from recorder to distribution server 307 Authentication confirmation and URL of distribution content from portal server
307-01 Distribution server Streamed content 308 Portal server 309 User management information 310 Center side program information

Claims (9)

A recorder device that sequentially switches a plurality of channels to be broadcast at predetermined times and records each channel program in a fragmentary manner;
A server that broadcasts broadcasted programs on demand after broadcasting,
The recorder device reproduces a program of each channel recorded in pieces, and transmits a distribution request including identification information of the program selected by the user to the server,
In response to a distribution request received from the recorder device, the server reads program data corresponding to program identification information included in the distribution request and transmits the program data to the recorder device.
The recorder device is a zapping recorded program viewing system for displaying program data received from the server on a display unit. The distribution request further includes a reproduction start request time,
2. The zapping recording program according to claim 1, wherein the server reads program data corresponding to program identification information included in the distribution request and transmits the program data after the reproduction start request time to the recorder device. Viewing system. The recorder device
A tuner for receiving broadcast programs;
A storage unit for recording the program of each channel;
A first network interface for communicating with the server via a network;
A first processing unit that switches the tuner, records a program of each channel in the storage unit, and transmits the distribution request including identification information of the program selected by the user to the server via the first network interface. The zapping recorded program viewing system according to claim 1. The server
A second network interface for communicating with the recorder device;
A distribution database for storing program data of the broadcasted program corresponding to the program identification information;
2. The zapping recorded program viewing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second processing unit that reads program data from the distribution database in response to a distribution request and transmits the program data to the recorder device via the second network interface.   The zapping recorded program viewing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays program data from the recorder device. The recorder device stores a past electronic program guide,
Display the stored past electronic program guide on the display unit,
The zapping recorded program viewing system according to claim 1, wherein a program selected from the electronic program guide is reproduced in a piecewise manner. Corresponding to the identification information of the program, it further comprises a portal server in which address information of the distribution server that distributes program data of the program or address information assigned to each program is stored in advance.
The portal server receives an address request including program identification information from the recorder device, and transmits address information corresponding to the program identification information to the recorder device;
The zapping recorded program viewing system according to claim 1, wherein the recorder device transmits the distribution request to the server according to address information transmitted from the portal server. A tuner for receiving broadcast programs;
A storage unit for recording the program of each channel;
A network interface for communicating via a network with a server that distributes the broadcasted program on demand after broadcasting;
A processing unit that switches the tuner and sequentially records a plurality of broadcast channels in increments of predetermined time in the storage unit;
The processor is
Playing back the program of each channel recorded in a fragmentary manner, sending a distribution request including identification information of the program selected by the user to the server,
Receiving from the server program data corresponding to the program identification information included in the distribution request;
A recorder device that displays received program data on a display unit. A distribution system for sequentially switching a plurality of broadcast channels by a predetermined time and distributing a broadcasted program on demand after broadcasting in accordance with a distribution request from a recorder that records a program of each channel in a fragmentary manner Because
One or a plurality of distribution servers for storing program data of broadcasted programs and distributing them on demand after broadcasting;
Corresponding to the identification information of the program, it includes a portal server in which address information of the distribution server that distributes program data of the program or address information assigned to each program is stored in advance.
The portal server receives an address request including program identification information from the recorder device, and transmits address information corresponding to the program identification information to the recorder device;
When the distribution server receives a distribution request transmitted from the recorder device according to the address information transmitted from the portal server, the distribution system transmits program data corresponding to the distribution request to the recorder device.

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