JP2017163274A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently process conversion of recorded content to be used for reproduction in an external apparatus such as a portable apparatus until a reproduction time of a user in a recording device configured to distribute the recorded content to the portable apparatus of each user.SOLUTION: In a recording device 10, use patterns of multiple external apparatuses are stored in a life rhythm database (database) 12 for each user. When performing conversion processing of multiple recorded contents in a conversion part 164, a task schedule management part 165 adjusts a processing order of multiple conversions based on the use patterns of the external apparatuses, thereby improving a possibility to complete the conversions until a time in which it is predicted that the user reproduces the recorded contents in the external apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an improvement of a recording apparatus that distributes recorded content to a portable device so that the recorded content can be reproduced on the portable device.

  Conventionally, as this type of recording apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1, when a broadcast content is requested to be recorded from a portable device while a broadcast program is always recorded in a temporary storage unit for 24 hours, the recorded content is stored from the temporary storage unit. While automatically moving to a storage area such as a hard disk, the recorded content is converted so that it can be played back on the mobile device and distributed to the mobile device.

  In addition, Patent Document 2 is not a technology that enables playback on a mobile device, but it can extract information that can be provided to the user by extracting programs adapted to the user's preference and lifestyle from among a large number of broadcast programs. In addition, the user's action content information and action time information is acquired and stored in advance, and the program information such as EPG (Electric Program Guide) data and the like is used to broadcast programs that match the user's preferences. A technique for recommending the reproduction and recording of an image is extracted.

JP 2007-251280 A JP 2008-118408 A

  By the way, in recent years, in addition to a usage mode in which content recorded on a recording device is transferred to a TV or the like and played and viewed at home, recorded content can be transmitted from various mobile devices owned by many users through various networks. The usage modes for requesting distribution to a recording apparatus are rapidly increasing.

  In such a situation, when there is a distribution request from the mobile device, the recording device converts the recorded content so that it can be played back on the mobile device as described above, but this conversion can be handled by the mobile device. Since the process involves encoding into a data format, for example, conversion of a broadcast program for 3 hours actually requires approximately 3 hours of conversion time at the same time.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, although it is possible to reliably convert and distribute one distribution request from a mobile device, each distribution request is issued when each distribution request is issued from a plurality of portable devices. Because of the time required for conversion, if a plurality of distribution requests are processed in the order in which they are normally processed, when the user tries to play back or view the recorded content on the mobile device, the conversion and distribution are still complete. Not likely to be.

  Similarly, in the technique of Patent Document 2, although viewing and recording of a broadcast program that matches the user's preferences and the like can be recommended, when the recommended program is to be distributed to a mobile device, a distribution request from another user has already been received. If it has been issued, it will be necessary to wait for a long time to complete the processing (save and conversion) of the distribution request from other users, and then perform the conversion of the recommended program to distribute, so the user recommends When trying to play a program, there is a high possibility that distribution to a mobile device has not yet been completed.

  For example, even if a distribution request has been issued first, if there is a long time until the recorded content is subsequently played back, another user can request distribution later and view the recorded content in a relatively short time. At the beginning, if the recorded content conversion process is performed in the order of the normal distribution request, even if the user who made the subsequent distribution request during the conversion process of the recorded content based on the previous distribution request tries to play it on the mobile device This causes a disadvantage that cannot be reproduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that distributes recorded content to an external device such as a portable device, and when the user (user) of the external device starts playing the recorded content. Focusing on different points for each user according to the usage pattern of the external device of the user, for example, when multiple conversions of recorded content are requested from multiple users, the conversion processing is usually performed. Do not follow the order of the street request, by changing and adjusting the order appropriately according to the usage pattern of the external devices, to complete the conversion process as much as possible before the user's playback time, The purpose is to adaptively respond to the viewing request of the user.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores recorded content, a database that stores usage patterns of external devices, and a predetermined recording content that is converted into the storage unit. A conversion unit that stores data, and a processing order adjustment unit that adjusts the conversion order of a plurality of recorded contents in the conversion unit based on a usage pattern of an external device stored in the database. .

  In the first aspect of the present invention, when the conversion unit requests conversion processing of a plurality of recorded contents, the processing order adjustment unit is based on the usage pattern of the external device to which the plurality of recorded contents are distributed. To adjust the order of the conversion processes. Here, based on the usage pattern of each external device, the period from the distribution request until the user actually reproduces the recorded content on the external device can be grasped and predicted. In the distribution request, when the period until the recorded content is actually played back is long, the processing order of the two distribution requests is changed, and the conversion process of the distribution request after the short period until the playback is prioritized first Therefore, it is possible to satisfy the viewing request of the user who made the subsequent distribution request.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the processing order adjustment unit acquires a conversion allowable period of each recorded content from a usage pattern of the plurality of external devices, and the conversion allowable The conversion order of the plurality of recorded contents is adjusted based on a period.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the conversion allowable period is a period in which communication with the external device is possible indoors.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the processing order adjustment unit causes the user to use the conversion allowable period of the recorded content requested for distribution, that is, the period from the distribution request until the user reproduces the recorded content. Since it can be obtained and predicted from the usage pattern of the device, it is possible to preferentially process a distribution request having a short conversion allowable period, that is, a distribution request that requires conversion processing at an early stage.

  In particular, in the invention according to claim 3, since the conversion allowable period is a period during which communication with the external device can be performed indoors, when the user goes out immediately and plays the recorded content on the external device, It is possible to reliably complete the conversion process.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the second or third aspect, when the processing order adjustment unit can determine that the conversion of the recorded content is completed within the conversion allowable period, the conversion order It is characterized by not changing.

  In the invention according to the fourth aspect, when the conversion process can be completed within the conversion allowable period, the process may be performed in the conversion request order, and the burden on the processing order adjustment unit is reduced.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the processing order adjustment unit prioritizes conversion of recorded content in which the conversion allowable period ends first. It is characterized by processing.

  Further, in the recording apparatus according to claim 5, the processing order adjustment unit postpones priority processing for converting recorded content in which the conversion allowable period ends first by the priority processing. The recording content conversion is performed only when it can be determined that the conversion of the recorded content is completed within the conversion allowable period of the recorded content.

  Furthermore, in the recording device according to claim 5 or 6, priority is added to the recorded content to be converted, and the processing order adjustment unit performs the post-recording. When it cannot be determined that the conversion of the content is completed within the conversion allowable period of the recorded content, the conversion of the recorded content with a high priority is preferentially processed.

  In the invention according to claim 5, priority is given to the conversion process for a distribution request whose conversion permissible period ends first, that is, a distribution request that is about to be played back by the user's external device. Therefore, the user's viewing request can be satisfactorily satisfied.

  In particular, in the invention according to claim 6, in the case where priority is given to the conversion processing of the distribution request whose conversion allowable period ends first among the two distribution requests, the distribution request postponed by the priority processing It is a condition that this conversion process is completed within the conversion allowable period. Therefore, even if the processing order of a plurality of distribution requests is changed, the plurality of distribution requests can be completed within the conversion permissible period and all the distribution requests can be satisfied.

  On the other hand, in the invention according to claim 7, when the conversion process of the distribution request postponed by the priority process does not end within the conversion allowable period, the distribution request to be preferentially processed is postponed. Among the two recorded contents requested to be distributed, the recorded contents with higher priority are converted first with the distribution request. Therefore, even if one of the two distribution requests does not end within the conversion permissible period, the conversion processing of the recorded content with high priority is preferentially processed first, so that the user's viewing request is satisfied as much as possible. It is possible.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a priority is added to the recorded content to be converted, and the processing order adjusting unit is an external device stored in the database. The conversion order of the plurality of recorded contents in the conversion unit is adjusted based on the usage pattern and the priority added to the recorded contents.

  In the invention according to the eighth aspect, since the conversion processing order is adjusted based on the usage pattern of the external device and the priority of the recorded content, all of the requested conversion processes receive distribution of the recorded content. Even if it cannot be completed by the next predicted playback time of the external device, the conversion processing can be performed in order from the recorded content with the highest priority, and the viewing request of the user can be met as much as possible.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the recording device according to the eighth aspect, the processing order adjustment unit is configured to store the plurality of recorded contents based on a usage pattern of each external device to which the plurality of recorded contents are distributed. The conversion allowable period is acquired, and the conversion order of the plurality of recorded contents is adjusted based on the acquired conversion allowable periods and the priority added to the recorded content.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the processing order adjustment unit converts a plurality of recorded contents to be converted within a conversion allowable period, and a priority order of the plurality of recorded contents. The conversion order is adjusted so that the conversion is performed in (1).

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to preferentially process the conversion process for a delivery request having a short conversion allowable period and the conversion process for a recorded content with a high priority.

  In that case, in the invention according to claim 10, even when the conversion of a plurality of recorded contents can be completed within the conversion allowable period, the plurality of recorded contents are converted in the order of high priority. It is possible to prioritize conversion of high-quality recorded content.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to any one of the first, second, and eighth aspects, the processing order adjustment unit can notify an external device regarding adjustment of a recording content conversion order. It is characterized by being.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the recording device according to the eleventh aspect, when the conversion order of the recorded content is changed, the processing order adjustment unit notifies the external device of the changed conversion order. It is characterized by.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, when the processing order adjustment unit receives an instruction to reject the conversion change from the external device, the conversion change is restored. It is characterized by that.

  In the invention according to the eleventh aspect, since it is possible to notify the external device about the adjustment of the conversion order of the recorded content, the user of the external device can know the conversion of the recorded content and the status of the conversion order. .

  In that case, in the invention described in claim 12, since the order of conversion after the change of the requested recorded content is notified to the external device, the user of the external device can change the order of conversion of the recorded content that he / she plays. Can know.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 13, when it is determined that the order of conversion of the recorded content to be reproduced is slow, if the change of the delayed conversion order is rejected, the processing order adjustment unit receives the rejection. Since the conversion order is restored, the user can surely view the recorded content requested by the user.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording device according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, the processing order adjustment unit determines that the conversion of the recorded content is not completed within the conversion allowable period. , Notifying the external device that the conversion of the recorded content is not completed.

  In the invention described in claim 14, since the external device is notified that conversion of the recorded content to be reproduced is not in time for the reproduction, the user of the external device gives up reproduction of the recorded content, It is possible to take measures such as canceling the conversion request.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the usage pattern of an external device such as a portable terminal is stored, and the processing order of the recorded content conversion is adjusted based on the usage pattern of the external device, so that a plurality of conversion processes can be performed. Since it is possible to prioritize the conversion process that is shorter to the time predicted to be played back by the external device, it is possible to increase the possibility that the conversion process has already been completed when playback is desired on the external device, Satisfaction with the viewing request for the recorded content can be increased while maximizing the resources of the recording device.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of main schematic structures inside the video recording apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic flowchart figure explaining adjustment of the processing order of the conversion, when there is a conversion request of recorded content from a plurality of users in the same recording apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example which analyzed the life rhythm for every user in a video recording apparatus. It is a figure which shows the time which converts the recording content within the home period in the life rhythm of the user. It is a figure which shows the time which converts the recording content within the home period in the life rhythm of the user. It is a figure which shows the conventional processing order of conversion of the recording content which the user 1 and the user 2 requested | required. It is a figure which shows the processing order in this embodiment of conversion of the recording content which the user 1 and the user 2 requested | required. It is a main flowchart figure explaining adjustment of the processing order of the conversion, when there is a conversion request of recording contents from a plurality of users in the recording device. It is a sub-flowchart figure which changes a processing order so that it may be called in the main flowchart, and the conversion processing requested previously may be postponed. It is a main flowchart figure explaining adjustment of the processing order of the conversion, when a recording content conversion request is made from a plurality of users in the recording device concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a sub-flowchart figure which is called in the main flowchart and adjusts a processing order so that conversion processing may be performed in order of priority of recorded content. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority for every user of a program (recording content). It is a figure which shows an example of the notification screen of the processing order to the portable terminal after adjusting the processing order of recorded content conversion.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a main schematic configuration inside a recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

<Schematic configuration of recording device>
The recording device 10 in FIG. 1 is a TV receiver having a recording function, for example. The recording apparatus 10 includes a TV tuner unit 100 that demodulates TV broadcast waves, a remote control device 110 that receives an instruction from a user (user), a light receiving unit 120 that receives an infrared signal from the remote control device 110, and a plurality of users. (E.g., a father, mother, brother, sister, grandparent, etc. of one family) a wireless communication unit 130 that communicates with each mobile terminal (external device) 20 used by the device, and a display unit 140 that displays content video A storage unit 150 including a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk for storing necessary data, and a control unit 160 for controlling the operation of these blocks.

  Each of the plurality of mobile terminals 20 can be played back and viewed by the dedicated user receiving the distribution of the recorded content from the recording device 10, and the recorded content can be distributed by manual operation for viewing. Can be requested to the recording apparatus 10.

  The storage unit 150 includes a content storage unit (storage unit) 11, a daily rhythm database (database) 12 for each user, and a magnetic disk unit 13. The content storage unit 11 temporarily stores and stores a large number of contents that are broadcast programs under the control of the control unit 160.

  The life rhythm database 12 for each user acquires the usage pattern of the mobile terminal 20 used by each user from the life rhythm of each of the plurality of users of the plurality of mobile terminals 20, as will be described in detail later. A collection of data. In addition, the magnetic disk unit 13 receives the requested recording when, for example, the user operates the portable terminal 20 to request that the recorded content temporarily stored in the content storage unit 11 be viewed on the portable terminal 20. The content is saved.

  The control unit 160 is a processor that realizes the functions of the video / audio data processing unit 161, the communication processing unit 162, the recording processing unit 163, the conversion unit 164, and the task schedule management unit 165 by software control. is there. The video / audio data processing unit 161 executes a decoding process on video / audio data that is broadcast program content received from the TV tuner unit 100. The communication processing unit 162 executes communication processing with the mobile terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 130. The recording processing unit 163 executes a process of converting a series of broadcast program content into a predetermined format and temporarily storing it in the content storage unit 11.

  In addition, the conversion unit 164 stores the recorded content specified by the user of the mobile terminal 20 among the recorded content temporarily stored in the content storage unit 11 and the specified broadcast program in a different area from the content storage unit 11. In addition to being stored in the magnetic disk unit 13, conversion with encoding is performed so that the stored recorded content can be reproduced and viewed on the mobile terminal 20. The recorded content 1 converted by the conversion unit 164 is distributed to the portable terminal 20 that is requested to reproduce the recorded content 1 via the wireless communication unit 130. In the present embodiment, the conversion unit 164 is not capable of converting a plurality of recorded contents at the same time, and will be described below assuming that it has the processing capability to convert only one recorded content at the same time.

  Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the task schedule management unit 165 receives a request for distribution of recorded content based on, for example, an operation of the user's mobile terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 130 and there are a plurality of distribution requests. The conversion unit 164 adjusts and manages the order of conversion between a plurality of recorded contents based on the usage pattern of each portable terminal 20 corresponding to the user's life rhythm in the user-specific life rhythm database 12. It functions as a processing order adjustment unit.

<Overview of operation>
Next, a schematic operation of the recording apparatus 10 when there is a request for distribution of recorded contents from a plurality of portable terminals 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, in step S <b> 1, a specific user operates the mobile terminal 20 to request distribution of predetermined recorded content among the recorded content temporarily stored in the content storage unit 11. The distribution request is input to the task schedule management unit 165 via the wireless communication unit 130, and the conversion of the recorded content by the conversion unit 164 is executed after step S2.

  First, in step S2, whether or not there is a distribution request from a user (hereinafter referred to as another user) other than the user who made the distribution request (hereinafter referred to as own user) is investigated, and a distribution request from another user is determined. Are already compared, the two distribution requests are compared with each other. This comparison is the time (conversion time) required for the conversion of the recording content to be converted and the final times at which the conversion should be completed. The final time is determined based on the life rhythms (life patterns) of the own user and other users stored in the daily rhythm database for each user, details of which will be described later.

  Next, in step S3, if it is necessary to prioritize the distribution request of the own user over the distribution request of other users based on the comparison result of the two distribution requests, the order of converting the recorded content is changed. As a result, the conversion of the recorded content of the user is processed before the conversion of the recorded content of other users.

  After that, in step S4, the changed processing order of the recorded contents of the own user and other users is notified to the respective mobile terminals 20 of the own user and other users, and then in step S5, the change is made. The recorded contents of the user and other users are converted in a later processing order.

  In step S4, after notifying each mobile terminal 20 of the changed conversion processing order, the other user who has received the notification operates the mobile terminal 20 and outputs a signal for rejecting the change. The task schedule management unit 165 has a function of receiving the rejection signal and restoring the changed conversion processing order. Therefore, the other user can surely view the recorded content that he / she views by refusing the change.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the processing order of the distribution request of the own user and other users based on the life rhythms of the own user and other users stored in the daily rhythm database for each user, that is, conversion It is important to change the order. Hereinafter, first, the daily rhythms of the own user and other users stored in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user will be described.

<Specific examples of life rhythm>
FIG. 3 shows an analysis example of the life rhythm between the user 1 of the mobile terminal 20 and the user 2 of the other mobile terminal 20. The daily life rhythms of these two users 1 and 2 are information on whether or not the recorded content is reproduced on the mobile terminal 20 dedicated to the users, and are divided into four time zones, that is, (1) Absence, (2) at home, (3) use at home, and (4) use by whereabouts. (1) Absence is a time zone when the user is not at home and the recorded content is not played back on the mobile terminal 20, (2) Home time is a time zone when the user is at home and the mobile terminal 20 is not playing back the recorded content (3) The time when the user uses the device at home and plays the recorded content on the portable terminal 20 and (4) the time when the user uses the device on the go (ie, not at home (= not at home)) and the mobile device 20 It is the time zone when the recorded content was played. When the daily rhythm of the day is totaled for, for example, one week, the daily rhythm for one week shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. This life rhythm is updated and stored in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user, for example, every predetermined period such as every week.

  In the present embodiment, the life rhythm is automatically acquired and stored in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user. This automatic acquisition is performed as follows.

  That is, each mobile terminal 20 is set to a state in which it can be connected to a home network at home in an indoor wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network). The task schedule management unit 165 investigates whether each mobile terminal 20 can be recognized within the home network at predetermined time intervals such as 30 minutes or 1 hour, and whether each user is at home (2) Then, it is determined whether the portable terminal 20 of the user has been taken out of the house and taken out (that is, (1) absence).

  Further, the task schedule management unit 165 investigates whether the access from each mobile terminal 20 is received via a home home network or an external network, and (3) is used at home, or (4) It is determined whether or not the user is going to go out, and the history of when and where the converted recorded content was played back is obtained from each mobile terminal 20 and either (3) used at home or (4) used on the go Determine whether.

  The task schedule management unit 165 also provides information such as a reproduction history of the recorded content from the portable terminal 20 when the portable terminal 20 needs to be paired with the recording device 10 such as when the recorded content is taken out of the house. To get.

  As described above, the task schedule management unit 165 functions as an information acquisition unit that automatically acquires information forming a life rhythm related to reproduction using the user's mobile terminal 20. Therefore, each user of the portable terminal 20 does not have to manually input his / her life rhythm into the user-specific life rhythm database 12.

  Note that, since the four periods are distinguished based on whether or not the mobile terminal 20 plays back, the CPU occupancy rate of the user of the mobile terminal 20 when there is playback on the mobile terminal 20. Can be predicted.

  On the other hand, the task schedule management unit (information acquisition unit) 165 changes the automatically acquired life rhythm for each user when each user instructs the change using the remote control device 110 or the portable terminal 20. The user's life rhythm is changed based on the instruction. Therefore, if the user's life rhythm acquired automatically includes, for example, the user's extraordinary playback and viewing, the information related to the extraordinary playback is deleted and the user's habitual rhythm is accurately Life rhythms can be re-stored in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user.

  The task schedule management unit 165 acquires network information such as a serial number, a MAC address, and an IP address of the mobile terminal 20 dedicated to each of a plurality of users from each mobile terminal 20 via the wireless communication unit 130, The mobile terminals 20 are individually identified, and users who use the mobile terminals 20 are individually recognized. For the individual recognition of the user, an external device such as a face recognition sensor, a motion sensor, or a GPS may be used.

  As described above, the task schedule management unit 165 acquires the life rhythm (life pattern) shown in FIG. 3 for each user who uses the mobile terminal 20 and uses the life rhythm for each user for each user. Are stored in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user.

<Change of order of multiple conversions based on user's life rhythm>
Next, a description will be given of the characteristic points of the order in which the task schedule management unit 165 processes the conversion of the recorded content when a plurality of portable terminal 20 requests distribution of the recorded content.

  The task schedule management unit 165 basically instructs the conversion processing of the recorded content in the order in which the recorded content distribution request is received from the mobile terminal 20, but the distribution request issued later is given priority. In some cases, the processing order of the conversion is changed so that the processing is performed. The conversion processing order is changed based on the user's life rhythm (use pattern of the portable terminal 20) of FIG. 3 stored in the user's life rhythm database 12 for each user.

  Specifically, using the life rhythms of the users 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a request for conversion of a program being broadcast is automatically issued, or the user 1 or the user is converted. When the mobile terminal 20 manually operates the portable terminal 20 to request distribution of a predetermined recorded content, the timing at which the recorded content may be reproduced is (1) absence or (4) going out after the distribution request. It is determined that it is within the usage period. The reason is that, within each period of (2) at home and (3) at home use, the user 1 and the user 2 use the recording device 10 that is the parent device to reproduce the recorded content on the display unit 140. In view of this, it can be determined that there are few opportunities to take out and play back recorded content such as broadcast programs on the mobile terminal 20 while at home, and in order to distribute the recorded content to the mobile terminal 20, the mobile terminal 20 is included in the home network. This is because there are many cases where it is a condition that exists.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the request for distributing the recorded content is generated, the user 1 and the user 2 return home from the outside and return to the home network. (2) At home and (3) Each period of use at home In the following description, the recorded content requested to be distributed is converted.

  In the life rhythms of the users 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 3, the period during which the recorded content can be distributed after conversion, that is, the period during which the conversion operation of the recorded content can be permitted by the conversion unit 164 (conversion allowable period). The user 1 has both periods (2) at home and (3) at home, that is, a period in which the user 1 can communicate with the mobile terminal 20 indoors through the home network with the mobile terminal 20. Specifically, FIG. As shown also in the period from 21:00 to 8:00 the next morning. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the user 2 has a period from 19:00 to 15:00 on the next day. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, consider a case where a distribution request requiring, for example, 3 hours for conversion of recorded content occurs at midnight (this distribution request is indicated by right-down hatching in the figure). As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of the user 2, if a distribution request that requires 8 hours from midnight to 8:00 am has already occurred before the user 1 distribution request, the user 2 As shown in FIG. 6, the distribution request 1 is normally converted to recorded content until 11 o'clock following the time when the user 2 distribution request is completed at 8 am. Therefore, in this normal case, the distribution request of the user 1 cannot be completed by the end of the user 1 (1) being at home (8:00 am). As a result, for example, the user 1 starts from 10 am Even if it tries to reproduce the recorded content requested to be distributed, it cannot be reproduced, and it becomes impossible to respond to the distribution request of the user 1.

  However, when the life rhythms of the user 1 and the user 2 shown in FIG. 3 are examined, in the life rhythm of the user 2 shown in FIG. There is a period of 7 hours until the end (15:00 noon). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the conversion process of the user 1 that requires 3 hours is performed prior to the conversion process of the user 2, the conversion process of the user 2 is performed from 4 o'clock at midnight to 12:00 noon. And completed with sufficient margin by the end of the user 2 conversion permissible period (15:00 noon).

  In consideration of the above, the task schedule management unit 165 compares the conversion allowable period of the user 1 with the conversion allowable period of the user 2 and gives priority to the distribution request of the user 1 whose conversion allowable period ends first. First, it is used so that the conversion of the recorded content based on the distribution request of the user 1 is preferentially processed and then the conversion based on the distribution request of the user 2 is performed. The conversion processing order based on the distribution request between the user 1 and the user 2 is changed and adjusted.

  Therefore, in the specific examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the conversion processing of the user 1 that is not in time for the processing in the order of the normal distribution request is performed first by changing the conversion processing order by the task schedule management unit 165. In addition to being able to be completed within the allowable conversion period, even if conversion of the delivery request of the user 2 is postponed by the priority processing, the conversion by the user 2 can be completed within the allowable conversion period. Conversion processing based on both the distribution requests 1 and 2 can be reliably completed within the allowable conversion period.

  In the specific example, the case where the conversion process according to the distribution request of the user 1 can be completed within the conversion allowable period even though the conversion process according to the distribution request of the user 1 is prioritized is illustrated. Depending on the user 1 distribution request priority process, the conversion process according to the user 2 distribution request may not be completed within the conversion allowable period. In this case, although the distribution request of the user 2 is made before the user 1, the conversion of the recorded content cannot be completed and cannot be reproduced. For this reason, if a priority is given to the recorded content requested to be distributed in advance, and the recorded content with the higher priority is prioritized and converted, the reproduction request of the recorded content having a strong user's preference is met. Is possible.

<Specific operation>
Next, a specific operation for changing the conversion processing sequence shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This operation is performed by the task schedule management unit 165.

  First, in FIG. 8, in step S1, a distribution request for a broadcast program (recorded content) to be processed by the user 1 is generated. This distribution request is generated at 1 o'clock at midnight in FIG. Thereafter, in step S2, the total processing time of the conversion time of the recorded content that the user 2 has already requested for distribution and the processing time required for conversion of the recorded content based on the distribution request to the user 1 is calculated. This calculated total processing time is A. The calculation of the total processing time is a total value (11 hours) of the conversion processing time (8 hours) in FIG. 5 and the conversion processing time (3 hours) in FIG.

  Next, in step S3, with reference to the life rhythm of the user 1 in FIG. 3 stored in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user, (2) at home and (3) at home in the life rhythm of the user 1 from the current time The time until the end time of the total usage period is calculated and acquired as the conversion allowable period. Let this acquired conversion permissible period be B. This permissible conversion period B is 7 hours from 1:00 to 8:00 in the morning in the life rhythm of the user 1 shown in FIGS.

  In the next step S4, the total processing time A obtained by adding the calculated processing times of both the user 1 and the user 2 is compared with the conversion allowable period B, and whether A <B is satisfied, that is, Even if the conversion based on the distribution request of the user 1 that has been made after the completion of the conversion based on the distribution request of the user 2 is performed in the order of the distribution request, the conversion by the user 1 is converted. It is determined whether or not it is completed by the end of the allowable period. In the specific examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, A (11 hours)> B (7 hours), and it is determined that the distribution request of the user 1 cannot be satisfied in the distribution request order. As a result, if A <B, that is, if the distribution request of the user 1 is satisfied in the order of the distribution request as usual, the process immediately ends. If A> B, the process proceeds to step S5. The sub-flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is executed to try to change the order of distribution requests based on the life rhythm of the user of the mobile terminal 20.

  Specifically, the sub-flowchart of FIG. 9 shows what can be applied to a general case where a plurality of (n = 1, 2, 3...) Users request distribution, and first, step S1. Then, one set value n is updated. Here, the initial value of the set value n is zero (n = 0).

  Next, in step S2, (2) at home and (3) at-home usage period (conversion allowable period) of the user who made the n-th delivery request before the latest delivery request from the scheduled conversion completion time. The surplus time C until the end time is calculated. In the specific examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, an allowance time (7 hours from 8:00 am to 15:00 pm) is calculated for the user 2 who has made a distribution request one time before the distribution request of the user 1.

  Thereafter, in step S3, from the calculated margin time C, the total value of the conversion processing time based on the distribution request up to n−1 previous times and the conversion processing time based on the latest (n = 0) distribution request is calculated. Subtract, and let D be the result of the subtraction. 4 and FIG. 5, the conversion processing time (3 hours) based on the latest distribution request of the user 1 is subtracted from the margin time C (= 7 hours), and the subtraction result D (= 4 hours) is obtained. obtain. That is, in this step S3, as explained in the specific examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, even if the distribution request of the user 1 is processed prior to the distribution request of the previous user 2, the distribution of the user 2 is performed. It is determined whether or not the conversion process based on the request can be completed within the period of use (conversion allowable period) of the user 2 at (2) at home and (3) at home.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the subtraction result D is a positive value (0 <D). If 0> D, that is, if conversion based on the latest distribution request cannot be preferentially processed, step S1 is performed. Returning to FIG. 5, n is incremented by 1 (n = n + 1), and it is determined whether or not the latest distribution request can be processed in preference to the conversion based on the previous distribution request. Specifically, for example, when the set value n is n = 2, for example, 2 (= n) previous distribution requests are postponed, and 1 (= n−1) previous distribution requests and the latest (= It is determined whether or not the distribution request of (n−2 = 0) can be preferentially processed.

  On the other hand, in the case of 0 <D, that is, even when the latest distribution request is preferentially processed, up to n previous distribution requests can be completed within the conversion allowable period, in step S5, the process shown in FIG. As in step S4, whether A <B is satisfied, that is, whether the conversion based on the distribution request can be completed within the conversion allowable period B by the priority processing of the latest distribution request, and can be completed. For (A <B), in step S6, the conversion processing order is changed so that the conversion processing based on the previous n distribution requests is postponed to the latest distribution request, and the process returns. In the specific examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the conversion process based on the distribution request of the user 2 is postponed to the distribution request of the user 1.

  On the other hand, if A> B in step S5, that is, if the conversion process based on the distribution request cannot be completed within the conversion allowable period even by the priority process of the latest distribution request, the set value is set in step S7. The value of n is compared with a predetermined maximum value nMAX (for example, 4). If n = nMAX, the process returns to step S1 to determine whether or not priority processing of the latest distribution request is possible by changing the processing order of the distribution requests. Continue to make the decision. However, in the case of n = nMAX, it is concluded that the latest distribution request cannot be preferentially processed, for example, the conversion request time of a program being broadcast is near the end of the conversion allowable period. The processing order is maintained in the order of the distribution request as basic, and the process returns.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, if the latest delivery request priority process is possible by executing the sub-flowchart of FIG. 9 in step S6, the latest delivery request priority process is executed.

  After that, in step S7, when the priority processing of the latest distribution request is executed, the changed conversion processing order is notified to the associated portable terminal 20 by OSD or mail, while the conversion cannot be processed within the conversion allowable period. In that case, the fact is notified and the process is terminated.

  Therefore, according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9, even if the conversion process based on the user's distribution request cannot be completed within the conversion allowable period based on the user's life rhythm, the maximum number nMAX is reached. Attempting to change the processing order of conversion between the delivery requests of the previous, for example, postponing the previous three delivery requests, preferentially processing the previous and second delivery requests and the latest delivery request, It is possible to increase the possibility that the four distribution requests can be completed within the respective conversion allowable periods based on the life rhythms of the individual users who have made the distribution requests. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently digest the playback request of the recorded content of a plurality of users using the mobile terminal 20 and increase the probability of meeting those playback requests.

  Furthermore, even if the number of mobile terminals 20 is large, distribution requests from them are accepted and the order of distribution requests is changed retroactively to the maximum number nMAX (= 4, for example). Even if the apparatus 10 is arranged, it is possible to respond to the reproduction request from the portable terminal 20 as much as possible.

  In the present embodiment, (2) at home and (3) the total usage period at home are calculated as the conversion allowable period in the automatically acquired life rhythm of each user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, (2) only the home period may be calculated as the conversion allowable period, or another period may be calculated. Furthermore, without calculating the conversion permissible period, for example, the times when it is estimated that the mobile terminal 20 will be reproduced next in the life rhythms of a plurality of users who requested distribution are compared, and the use of which time comes early The conversion of the recorded content based on the distribution request of the user may be prioritized.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, even when the processing capability of the recording apparatus 10 for a plurality of distribution requests is not large, the distribution request from the mobile terminal 20 can be satisfactorily handled.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the number of conversion requests in each mobile terminal 20 is limited to a predetermined value set in advance, and a priority is given to the distribution request for the recorded content, and the user's life rhythm (use of the mobile terminal 20 is used). The processing order of conversion of a plurality of distribution requests is changed and adjusted based on the pattern) and priority. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 10 shows a main flowchart of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the process from step S1 to S4 in the main flowchart of FIG. 8 shown in the first embodiment, that is, the conversion request conversion processing completion time A that occurred is the user who requested the distribution. This process is the same as the process until it is determined whether or not to end within the conversion allowable period B in the life rhythm.

  In the main flowchart of FIG. 10, in step S4, if A <B, that is, if the conversion processing of the generated distribution request does not end within the conversion allowable period B, in step S5, the sub-flowchart of FIG. Attempts to change the conversion processing order based on

  In the sub-flowchart of FIG. 11, in step S1, the conversion processing order based on a plurality of distribution requests that are currently generated is sorted according to the priority of the recorded content that has requested the distribution. For example, there are three distribution requests for recorded contents (television programs) from user 1 and user 2, and the priority of the three programs from user 1 is program 1 = priority: 75, program 2 = Priority: 90, program 3 = priority: 50, and the priorities of the three programs from user 2 are program 4 = priority: 70, program 5 = priority: 65, program 6 = priority: In the case of 95, the order of program 6, program 2, program 1, program 4, program 5, program 3 is obtained as the sorting result.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the priority of the recorded content requested for distribution is “keyword” as an attribute of the recorded content requested for distribution for each user, such as father, mother, me, and grandfather. ”,“ Genre ”,“ play more than once ”, etc., and their attributes match, 50 for“ keyword ”match, 30 for“ genre ”match, 30 for“ play more than once ”match The point weight values are weighted, and the total point of the matching attribute weight values is calculated as the priority. In the same figure, when the broadcast program (recorded content) is “Olympic name scene men ’s super revolution final” (between 15: 00-16: 00) and the four users are requesting distribution, The user “Father” has the same priority (total score) at 110 points for all attributes, the user “Grandfather” has the highest priority, and then the user “I” has the priority. A state in which the priority of the user “mother” is the lowest is illustrated. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 12, the conversion processing order is rearranged in the order of the users “Father”, “Grandfather”, “I”, and “Mother”.

  Note that the weighting in FIG. 12 is an example. In addition, as the attributes of the recorded content, the number of accesses to the broadcast program (recorded content), the number of times of reproduction, preset priority keywords (for example, favorite program names and talent names), Pre-set genres (sports, news, anime, etc.), audience rating, frequently used search words and text input history (for example, dictionary registration terms, web browser history on smartphones, etc.), already another mobile terminal Using multiple attributes such as information from a program (recorded content) converted to 20 and distributed, direct instructions in stage evaluation (for example, marking by star rating “★★★★★”, etc.) Also good.

  Next, in step S2, referring to the daily rhythm database 12 for each user, from the current time in each user's life rhythm to (2) at home and (3) the end time of the total period of use at home, These are calculated as conversion allowable periods X1, X2, X3.

  After that, in step S3, the total processing time Yn of conversion of all recorded contents from the user is converted in order from the distribution request of the user of the life rhythm whose calculated conversion allowable period X1, X2,. These distribution requests are rearranged in order of priority while determining whether or not they fall within the allowable period Xn (n = 1, 2,...). In the above example, for example, when the conversion allowable period X1 for the user 1 ends earlier than the conversion allowable period X2 for the user 2, the program of the user 1 is first set to the program 2, in order of priority. The programs 1 and 3 are rearranged, and the total processing time Y1 is determined to be within the conversion allowable period X1, and then the program of the user 2 is re-ordered as programs 6, 4, and 5 in order of priority. It is determined that the total processing time Y2 does not fall within the conversion allowable period X2.

  Next, in step S4, the total processing time Yn of conversion based on the delivery request from each user is compared with the conversion allowable period Xn for the user n, and if Yn <Xn, that is, When all the conversion processes of the distribution request can be processed within the conversion allowable period Xn, the process proceeds to step S5, the conversion process order sorted in the priority order in step S1 is changed, The order of conversion is determined in order of priority from the user who requested the distribution, and the process returns. In the above example, the program of user 1 is first converted in the order of program 2, program 1 and program 3 in order of priority, and then the program of user 2 is converted to program 6, program 4 and program in order of priority. Conversion processing is performed in the order of 5.

  On the other hand, if Yn> Xn in step S4, that is, if conversion based on any user's distribution request cannot be processed within the conversion allowable period X, step S6 is processed in order of priority. In step S1, the conversion processing order is determined in the priority order sorted in step S1, and the process returns. In the above example, since the three distribution requests of the user 2 are not completed within the conversion allowable period X2, the conversion processing order starts with the program 6 of the user 2, and then the program 2, the program 1, the user 1, The program 4 and the program 5 of the user 2 are continued, and the program 3 of the user 1 is finally arranged.

  Returning from the sub-flowchart of FIG. 11 to the main flowchart of FIG. 10, in step S6 of FIG. 11, distribution requests from a plurality of users in the processing order determined in step S5 or S6 of the sub-flowchart of FIG. Process conversion based on.

  Thereafter, in step S7, the OSD or e-mail is notified to each user n of the order of the conversion to be determined and executed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a notification screen for the conversion processing order to be notified to the user. This figure illustrates the case where the conversion processing order is determined based on the priority of the recorded content (program) requested for distribution. On this notification screen, a text display for notifying the order of conversion processing in priority order and the order of conversion processing are described in order of priority. In the first to fifth distribution requests that can be processed within the conversion processing period, the program name based on the distribution request, the user who made the distribution request, and the priority of the program are described. In the sixth to eighth distribution requests determined to be unable to be processed within the conversion processing period, the program name based on the distribution request, the user who requested the distribution, and the fact that the processing cannot be performed within the conversion processing period are described in “Next time”. I am not in time to go out, ”and is notified in red, for example (this display is hatched).

  In the notification screen for the user shown in FIG. 13, the completion time of the conversion process is not notified, but this may be notified.

<Effect of this embodiment>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the maximum number of recording content conversion requests in each mobile terminal 20 is limited to a predetermined value (three in the present embodiment). Even if the processing capability is not so high, the processing capability of the control unit 160 has a margin for preferentially processing conversion requests that occur later based on the life rhythm of the user, so that some conversion requests The possibility of being unable to respond can be reduced, and the resources of the recording apparatus 10 can be utilized to the maximum extent.

  Further, for example, even in a situation where a plurality of users are simultaneously making a plurality of conversion requests, the life rhythms (use patterns of the portable terminal 20) of the users and the priority of the recording content requested for conversion are used. Therefore, since the conversion processing order based on these distribution requests is determined, it is possible to respond to each user's distribution request even more than in the first embodiment, and the user can view the recorded content. More reliable. Specifically, in the above example, the conversion allowable period Xn of the recorded content is calculated from the user's life rhythm, and conversion of programs 1 to 3 of the distribution request of the user 1 whose conversion allowable period X1 ends first. Are first processed in the order of priority, program 2, program 1, and program 3, and then conversion of programs 4 to 6 of the distribution request of user 2 whose conversion allowable period X2 ends later is given priority. Since the program 6, the program 4, and the program 5 are processed in the descending order, the conversion of the programs 1 to 3 that the user 1 will play and watch earlier than the user 2 can be reliably processed.

  In addition, if the conversion of the program 4 to the program 6 requested by the user 2 cannot be completed within the conversion allowable period X2 based on the life rhythm of the user 2, the program 6 includes the two users 1 and 2 as a whole. However, since the priority is the highest among these programs, the program 6 is first converted preferentially. Therefore, the program 3 with the lowest priority requested by the user 1 and the program 5 with the next lowest priority are not converted within the conversion allowable period. Therefore, even if all of the three programs 4 to 6 requested by the user 2 cannot be converted, the program 6 having the highest priority is surely converted, so that the user 2 views the recorded content. High satisfaction can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the conversion of the programs 4 to 6 is not completed within the conversion allowable period X2 of the user 2 is illustrated, but the programs 1 to 3 are included within the conversion allowable period X1 of the user 1. In the case where the conversion is not completed, the conversion processing order is the program 2 of the user 2, the program 2 of the user 1, the program 1, and then the program of the user 2 in the order of the priority of the program as described above. 4, the program 5, and the program 3 of the user 1.

  In the above embodiment, when conversion of recorded content is not completed within any conversion allowable period Xn, all the distribution requests that have been issued are processed in order of priority. If the programs 4 to 6 cannot be completed in the conversion allowable period X2, the three programs of the user 2 are rearranged in the order of priority, and the conversion process is performed in the order of the program 6, the program 4, and the program 5. good.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the order of conversion processing of recorded contents is notified to the user's portable terminal 20, and the user who has received the notification knows the order of his / her conversion processing. If it is determined that the playback time is not in time for that order, or if notification is received that the conversion process is not in time (cannot be processed within the allowable conversion period) Since it is possible to perform an operation of rejecting the processing order using the portable terminal 20, it is possible to increase the possibility of viewing the recorded content requested to be converted.

<Other configurations>
In the first and second embodiments, the task schedule management unit 165 automatically acquires the life pattern of each user of the mobile terminal 20 (use pattern of the mobile terminal 20) and stores it in the daily rhythm database 12 for each user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each user may manually input his / her life pattern using the remote controller 110 when the recording apparatus 10 is activated for the first time.

  In each of the above embodiments, the life rhythm of each user acquired by the task schedule management unit 165 may be configured so that each user later modifies his / her life rhythm. In this case, the user can delete the playback time zone from the life rhythm when the viewing performed by the user is not a daily custom but a temporary viewing. Can be more accurate according to customs.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the conversion unit 165 has the ability to process conversion of one recorded content at the same time is exemplified. However, for example, when the conversion unit 165 has a processing function capable of converting two or more recorded content simultaneously. The present invention can be similarly applied.

  In addition, when the free storage capacity of the content storage unit 11 is reduced, the display unit 140 is used to notify each user for a response, or deletion of old programs and programs with few viewers is hindered. The program may be deleted from the program that is determined not to be received.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where each user of the mobile terminal 20 requests the conversion of the recorded content in order to desire to reproduce the recorded content by himself using the mobile terminal 20 is exemplified. The conversion of the recorded content is requested without limitation, such as when the number of times of playback of the recorded content reaches a set value, or when a program matching a predetermined keyword is broadcast and recording is requested, etc. In such cases, the task schedule management unit 165 may automatically adjust the order of conversion of recorded content. Therefore, in this case, recorded contents and broadcast programs according to the preference of the user of the mobile terminal 20 can be automatically set as targets for adjustment of the conversion processing order.

  As described above, the present invention adjusts the processing order of conversion of a plurality of recorded contents based on the usage pattern of an external device such as a portable terminal, and prioritizes conversion of recorded contents predicted to be played back early. Since it can be processed, it can respond adaptively to the reproduction requests of a plurality of users who use the portable device, and is useful for a recording apparatus that distributes recorded contents to each user of the portable device.

10 Recording Device 11 Content Storage Unit (Storage Unit)
12 Rhythm database for each user
(Database)
13 Magnetic disk unit 20 Portable terminal (external device)
100 TV tuner unit 130 Wireless communication unit 150 Storage unit 160 Control unit 163 Recording processing unit 164 Conversion unit 165 Task schedule management unit
(Processing order adjustment unit, information acquisition unit)

Claims (14)

A storage unit for storing recorded content;
A database for storing usage patterns of external devices;
A conversion unit that converts predetermined recording content and stores the content in the storage unit;
A recording apparatus comprising: a processing order adjustment unit that adjusts the order of conversion of a plurality of recorded contents in the conversion unit based on a usage pattern of an external device stored in the database. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus that obtains a conversion allowable period for each recorded content from a usage pattern of the plurality of external devices, and adjusts the order of conversion of the plurality of recorded contents based on the conversion allowable period. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The conversion allowable period is a period during which communication with the external device is possible indoors. In the recording device according to claim 2 or 3,
The processing order adjustment unit
When it is determined that the conversion of the recorded content is completed within the conversion allowable period, the order of conversion is not changed. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus characterized by preferentially processing conversion of recorded content whose conversion allowable period ends first. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The processing order adjustment unit
The priority process for converting the recorded content whose conversion allowable period ends first is performed only when it can be determined that the conversion of the recorded content postponed by the priority process ends within the conversion allowable period of the recorded content. A recording device characterized. In the recording device according to claim 5 or 6,
Priorities are added to the recorded content to be converted,
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus characterized in that when it is impossible to determine that the conversion of the recorded content to be postponed is completed within the conversion allowable period of the recorded content, the conversion of the recorded content with a high priority is processed with priority. In the recording device according to claim 1 or 2,
Priorities are added to the recorded content to be converted,
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus for adjusting a conversion order of a plurality of recorded contents in the conversion unit based on a usage pattern of an external device stored in the database and a priority added to the recorded contents . The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The processing order adjustment unit
Based on the usage pattern of each external device to which a plurality of recorded contents are distributed, the conversion allowable periods of the plurality of recorded contents are acquired, and the plurality of acquired conversion allowable periods and the priority added to the recorded contents A recording apparatus, wherein the order of conversion of the plurality of recorded contents is adjusted based on the degree. In the recording device according to claim 8 or 9,
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus, wherein a conversion order is adjusted so that a plurality of recorded contents to be converted within a conversion allowable period are converted in a priority order of the plurality of recorded contents. In the recording device according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 8,
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus characterized by being able to notify an external device of adjustment of the order of conversion of recorded content. 12. The recording device according to claim 11, wherein
The processing order adjustment unit
A recording apparatus characterized by notifying an external device of the conversion order after the change when the conversion order of the recorded content is changed. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
The processing order adjustment unit
The recording apparatus, wherein when receiving an instruction to reject the conversion change from the external device, the conversion change is restored. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein
The processing order adjustment unit
When determining that conversion of recorded content is not completed within the conversion allowable period, the recording apparatus notifies the external device that conversion of the recorded content is not completed.

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