JP3234912B2 - Regular program record management terminal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a viewer terminal in a broadcasting system for supplying and receiving a large number of program channels composed of a plurality of broadcast programs. About the terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the increase in the capacity of recording media such as magnetic disks, optical disks, and digital video disks and the increase in the number of channels of broadcast programs, general broadcast videos can always be recorded on a 24-hour multi-channel broadcast. It is being put to practical use as a program recording terminal.

[0003] With this constant program recording terminal, a user can reproduce a previously broadcasted broadcast at any time without having to reserve a program to be recorded in advance, thereby greatly improving the convenience.

However, according to the conventional continuous program recording terminal, since the capacity of the above-mentioned recording medium is limited, if the continuous recording of the program is continued, the recording medium is physically moved at a certain recording time. It is necessary to make it possible to continuously record programs, for example, by exchanging programs or by explicitly deleting programs that have already been recorded. There is such a problem.

[0004] In particular, when erasing a program that has already been recorded for the above-described reason, according to the conventional constant program recording terminal, it is not possible to distinguish a program that has been reproduced by a viewer from a program that has not been reproduced among already recorded programs. In addition, a program that has already been reproduced cannot be selectively excluded from the target of automatic deletion. Therefore, if a program that has already been played is a program that you want to record and save for a long time, or a program that you want to play again in the future, it is necessary to duplicate (dubbing) the already played program on another medium. There is a problem that it takes time for the viewer.

[0005] In addition, even when a program that has already been reproduced is selectively excluded from the subject of automatic erasure, a program that is easily associated with a program that has already been recorded, that is, a broadcast that is continuous every day or week that is seen in a continuous program or the like. Since it is easy to imagine that a program that has not been reproduced will be reproduced in the future, it is necessary to explicitly exclude these programs from the subject of automatic erasure.

[0006] Therefore, the feature of the regular program recording terminal is:
It has been difficult to "enjoy viewers of a desired broadcast program while effectively using a large-capacity recording medium without previously specifying a program to be recorded".

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a continuous program recording management terminal capable of constantly recording a broadcast program on a media unit, wherein when the media unit is short of available media, the broadcast program is already recorded on the media unit. The above-mentioned problem is solved as an always-on program recording management terminal characterized by automatically deleting a broadcast program and securing a free medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a continuous program recording management terminal capable of constantly recording a broadcast program in a media section, a broadcast program reproduced among broadcast programs recorded in the media section is recorded and stored in the media section. The above-mentioned problem is solved as a continuous program recording management terminal characterized in that a broadcast program whose recording time is not reproduced and whose recording time is old can be selectively erased from the media unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a continuous program recording management terminal capable of constantly recording a broadcast program on a media unit, wherein the broadcast program having a predetermined title recorded on the media unit has not been reproduced. When a broadcast program of the same title is reproduced in the past, the above-mentioned problem is solved as a constant program record management terminal characterized in that the broadcast program is selectively and automatically saved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The continuous program recording management terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention is a continuous program recording terminal capable of constantly recording a program on a media unit.
In the set record management terminal,
Among the programs that have been played more than a predetermined number of times
Record and save it in the
Selected from the media section in the order according to the recording time.
Regular program recording tube characterized by being selectively erasable
Of the already recorded program
The program played by the listener is saved, so it was played once
Selectively erase only old recorded programs that have never been seen
Viewers can automatically select programs of interest
Can be saved. Also, viewers can play once
Deleting programs that you want to save for a long time or play again in the future
High-capacity recording media without the need for troublesome prevention
Providing a mechanism for a regular program record management terminal that can effectively use
it can.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the continuous program record management terminal, wherein the record to be deleted is an unreproduced record and
The time to perform is the oldest time.
By adopting the constant program record management terminal described in 1,
In addition to the functions and effects of claim 1, the viewer is free
The oldest recording time to secure the media area.
Because it can be erased, it is safe and the convenience of use is further enhanced
You.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a continuous program recording management terminal having at least an extended program management unit and a media management unit.
The extended program management section is recorded on the media section.
Extended recorded program information indicating whether the program being played has been played
And the media management unit outputs a media recording instruction.
Automatically responds to input and notifies you of lack of free media space.
Output deletion signal output management and recording / deletion to the media section.
Deletion and playback management, and in the case of playback management, the media section
When outputting recorded programs for playback and recording
Delete one or more of the oldest and unplayed broadcast programs
Always numbering according to claim 7, characterized that you perform that administration
The function and effect of claim 7 can be obtained by using the group record management terminal.
In addition to the results, the simple structure makes the viewer free
The one with the oldest recording time to secure the media area
Can be erased, so it is safe and convenient to use.
Can be further enhanced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a continuous program recording management terminal which requires at least a space on a medium capable of recording a program.
Requests free media request and media operation instruction
And at least the media responding to the free media request.
Enter the free media information that is the free space information on
At least the recorded program information and the recorded media information
At least from the set of information indicating whether the viewer has played
Extended program management that inputs and outputs extended recorded program information
Unit and an extended recorded program information holding the extended recorded program information.
Information storage unit and media unit that can record broadcast programs electronically
And a program that plays the recorded broadcast program and presents it to the viewer
A playback output unit, at least the free media request and the
Enter the media operation instruction and run out of free media space
Output an automatic deletion signal notifying that
Recording, deletion, or playback to the media
In the case of a playback operation, write the media to the program playback output section.
A media management unit for outputting recorded programs;
Input to the extended recording program information holding unit.
Of the extended recording program information obtained,
Old and unreproduced or regenerated below specified
The extended automatic deletion stamping section that deletes and stamps as a deletion target
And recorded program information stored in the recorded program information holding unit.
To automatically delete those that are targeted for deletion
An automatic deletion execution unit that outputs the media operation instruction.
A constant program record management terminal
Is the number that the viewer played in the already recorded program.
The pair is saved, so it has never been played
You can selectively erase only old recorded programs,
Viewers can automatically save the programs they are interested in selectively.
Wear.

[0014] In addition, the viewer reproduces once and saves it for a long time.
Or troublesome to prevent erasure of programs that you want to play again in the future
No need to apply high-capacity recording media
It is possible to provide a mechanism of a regular program record management terminal that can be used.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an always-on program recording management terminal capable of constantly recording a program on a media unit.
In the physical terminal, the predetermined information recorded in the media unit
Unplayed or played below the specified program
If a program with the same title as the one that was
Automatically saves the program selectively
By using the program record management terminal at all times,
Even if you don't have it,
The broadcast date and time as it can prevent erasure.
Of course, programs with the same title as programs that viewers are interested in
Can be automatically saved. Also, every day
Shows that are not being played on a continuous broadcast every week
It is easy to imagine that it will be played back.
These programs need to be explicitly excluded from automatic deletion
Without the need for efficient use of large-capacity recording media
A program record management terminal mechanism can be provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a constant-time program recording management terminal which requests a space on a medium on which a program can be recorded.
A media request and a media operation instruction are output, and the
Free space information on the media corresponding to the media request
Enter the available media information and record the recorded program information and
Media information and information indicating whether the viewer has played
Input / output extended recorded program information composed of at least
Extended program management unit to hold the extended recorded program information
The extended record program information storage unit that
Media section and program playback for playing recorded programs
An output unit, the empty media request and the media operation finger;
To notify that there is not enough free media space
Output a delete signal, and according to the media operation instruction,
Performs recording, deletion, and playback on the media section, and
Output the program recorded in the media section to the program playback output section.
Input a media management unit and the automatic deletion signal,
The extended recording stored in the extended recording program information holding unit
Of the program information, the time related to the recording is old and unplayed.
Or less than or equal to the specified program and the same as the previously played program
Mark one or more non-program titles for deletion
The associative automatic deletion stamping part and the recorded program information holding part
Recorded program information that has been deleted and that is to be deleted
Output the media operation instruction to automatically delete
Always-on program writer, characterized by comprising an automatic deletion execution unit
By using a recording management terminal
Also deleted if a program with the same program title was played in the past
Can be watched regardless of broadcast date and time.
Select programs with the same title as programs of interest
Can be saved automatically. Also, daily or weekly
Programs that have not been played in the broadcast
It is easy to imagine that these programs are separate
Need not be explicitly excluded from automatic erasure,
Always-on program recording tube that can effectively use high-capacity recording media
It can provide the mechanism of the management terminal.

Hereinafter, a constant program record management terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 7 relate to a constant program recording management terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of the configuration of the constant program record management terminal according to the first embodiment.
Reference numeral 01 denotes an instruction input unit. This instruction input unit 101 is used for a “program deletion instruction” for the viewer to manually instruct the already recorded program to delete the program or a “program deletion” for reproducing the already recorded program. A "reproduction instruction" is input using a remote controller, a keypad, or other input means.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a program signal input unit. The program signal input unit 102 inputs a broadcast-related program signal supplied from a broadcast distribution side via a terrestrial wave, a satellite, a cable, or the like. As the program signal, at least an individual broadcast program and a "program table" indicating the configuration of the entire program are input as needed.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a program management unit. The program management unit 103 calculates the time required to record each program for each program based on the program table input from the program signal input unit 102. In order to obtain free media for the calculated recording time, “free media request” is output to the media management unit 107, and “free media information” satisfying the “free media request” is output from the media management unit 107.
Is input, and a “media recording instruction” is configured and output to the media management unit 107 as a media operation instruction.

The program management unit 107 also has an instruction input unit 10
When a “program reproduction instruction” is input from the “1”, the desired “recorded program information” to be reproduced is stored in the recorded program information holding unit 104.
Then, “recording media information” is extracted from the input “recorded program information”, and a “media playback instruction” is configured and output to the media management unit 107 as a media operation instruction.

Further, when a “program deletion instruction” is input from the instruction input unit 101, the program management unit 107 inputs the desired “recorded program information” to be deleted from the recorded program information holding unit 104 and deletes it. , "Recorded program information" input
"Media information" is extracted as a media operation instruction to the media management unit 107.
I do.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a recorded program information holding unit. The recorded program information holding unit 104 adds or deletes “recorded program information” from the program management unit 103 and the automatic deletion execution unit 108, and determines whether the information has already been stored. Perform a response to a query.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a media unit. The media unit 105 is instructed to execute recording, reproduction, or deletion of video, audio, and data information constituting a program signal, and executes the recording. , An optical disk, digital media such as a digital video disk, and the like.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a program reproduction output unit. The program reproduction output unit 106 receives video, audio, and data information to be reproduced from the media management unit 107 as a result of input of a “program reproduction instruction” from the instruction input unit 101. And outputs it through a digital decoder or an output display device.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a media management unit. When a “media recording instruction” is input from the program management unit 103, the media management unit 107
, A program signal including the corresponding channel is input and recorded in the media unit 105.

When a “media playback instruction” is input from the program management unit 103, the media management unit 107
According to the media information included in the “media playback instruction”, video / audio / data information is input from the media unit 105 and output to the program playback output unit 106.

Further, when a “media deletion instruction” is input from the automatic deletion execution unit 109, the media management unit 107 further stores the video / video data stored in the media unit 105 according to the media information included in the “media deletion instruction”. Delete sound and data information.

Further, when the media management unit 107 receives an “empty media request” from the program management unit 103, the media unit 105 finds an area where no program is recorded, and sets the program as “empty media information”. Management unit 10
Output to 3.

Further, when a shortage of free space occurs in the media unit 105, the media management unit 107 outputs an "automatic deletion signal" to the automatic deletion marking unit 108.

Reference numeral 108 denotes an automatic deletion stamping unit. The automatic deletion stamping unit 108 receives an “automatic deletion signal” from the media management unit 107 and outputs the recorded program information holding unit 104.
For programs that automatically delete one or more from the oldest recording time among the recorded program information held in
Mark it for deletion.

Reference numeral 109 denotes an automatic deletion execution unit. The automatic deletion execution unit 109 deletes the recorded program, if any of the recorded program information stored in the recorded program information holding unit 104 is stamped and deleted. .

Here, the program signal input unit 102 inputs a program table having the structure shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 2, and the recorded program information holding unit 104 stores the recorded program information having the structure shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. Shall be held.

In FIG. 2, the item represented by <program ID> stores the identifier of the program such as the program title of the program, and the item represented by <program sub ID> stores the program title such as the program title of the program. The additional information associated with the identifier, such as the subtitle and the number of the broadcast, is stored. The item represented by <channel> contains the broadcast channel identifier on which the program is broadcasted. The term represented includes the date and time and the time at which the program starts broadcasting, and the term represented by <period> describes the time from the start of the program to the end thereof. For example, the program table 201 indicates a program whose program title is P1, whose topic is S1, which is broadcast on channel C1, and which starts at 13:00 on March 1, 1997 and ends in 60 minutes.

In FIG. 3, the term represented by <program ID> is the same as that in FIG. 2, and the term represented by <program sub ID> is the same as in FIG. 2, and is represented by <channel D>. The term to be performed is the same as that in FIG. 2, and the term represented by <start time> is
The term represented by <period> is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the term represented by <recorded media information> is position information of the medium on which the program is recorded, for example, In the section indicated by <deletion stamp>, information such as blocks and sectors is stored, and information “〇” is stored when the program is to be deleted, and information “×” is stored when the program is not to be deleted. 'Is stored. For example, program information 301
Indicates that the program title is P3, the topic this time is S3, and the program that is broadcast on channel C3 and starts at 9:00 on February 21, 1997 and ends at 120 minutes is stored in the L3 position on the media. , Indicates that the file is not to be deleted. The continuous program record management terminal according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below for each step with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step 401): The program management section 103 proceeds to step 402 if the program signal input section 102 has input the "program guide" of FIG. 2, but returns to the start if it has not.

(Step 402): The program management section 103 obtains a broadcast channel number and a broadcast time for each program information included in the “program table” in FIG.
Proceed to (Step 403).

(Step 403): The program management unit 103 sends a “free media request” to the media management unit 107 in order to obtain sufficient unrecorded free media for the broadcast time, and returns the media management unit 1 as a response.
Waiting for input of “free media information” from 07. on the other hand,
When the “free media request” is input from the program management unit 103, the media management unit 107 attempts to acquire the corresponding free media. If the corresponding free media can be obtained, the “free media information” storing the obtained media position is stored. Is returned to the program management unit 103. If it cannot be obtained, an "automatic deletion signal" is output to the automatic deletion engraving unit 108 in order to expand the usable area of the media unit (step 408).
Proceed to.

(Step 404): The program management section 103 checks whether or not the broadcast start time of the program of the program information has come.
Go to 05), otherwise wait until the broadcast start time.

(Step 405): When the broadcast start time is reached in (Step 404), the program management section 103 forms a “media recording instruction” including a program channel to be recorded, a program time, and recording media information, and performs media management. The result is transmitted to the unit 107 (step 406).

(Step 406): The program management section 103 composes “recorded program information” from the program information to be recorded and the free media information, stores it in the recorded program information holding section 104, and proceeds to (step 407). .

(Step 407): The media management unit 107 inputs the “media recording instruction” from the program management unit 103, and places the recording selected from the input program signal at the position of the media unit 105 indicated by the recording media information. The program channel to be recorded is recorded until the end time of the program to be recorded, and the process returns to the start.

(Step 408): When the automatic deletion marking unit 108 receives the “automatic deletion signal” from the media management unit 107, the recorded program information holding unit 1
One or more of the recorded program information stored in the program information 04 with the oldest recording time are selected, stamped, deleted, and stored again in the recorded program information holding unit 104 (step 403).

(Step 411): If a “program reproduction instruction” has been input from the instruction input unit 101, the program management unit 103 proceeds to (Step 412), and if not, returns to the start.

(Step 412): The program management section 103 holds the “recorded program information” of FIG. 3 corresponding to the “program reproduction instruction” input from the instruction input section 101 in the recorded program information storage section 104. For example, the “recorded program information” is formed from the “recorded program information” and output to the media management unit 107, and the process proceeds to (Step 413), where the “recorded program information” corresponding to the inputted “program reproduced instruction” is obtained. If it is not stored in the recorded program information storage unit 104, the process returns to the start. (Step 413): The program management section 103 composes a “media reproduction instruction” from the recording medium information to be reproduced contained in the input “recorded program information” and transmits the “media reproduction instruction” to the media management section 107 (step 414). Proceed to.

(Step 414): The media management unit 107 receives a “media playback instruction” from the program management unit 103, plays back and outputs the position indicated by the recording media information of the media unit 105, and Then, the program specified by the viewer is reproduced and displayed, and the process returns to the start.

(Step 421) If the “program deletion instruction” has been input from the instruction input unit 101, the program management unit 103 proceeds to (step 422), and if not, returns to the start.

(Step 422) If the recorded program information corresponding to the “program deletion instruction” input from the instruction input unit 101 is stored in the recorded program information storage unit 104, the program management unit 103 (step 42).
The process proceeds to 3), and if the recorded program information corresponding to the input “program deletion instruction” is not stored in the recorded program information storage unit 104, the process returns to the start.

(Step 423): The program management section 103 stamps the recorded program information corresponding to the deletion and stores it in the recorded program information holding section 104, and returns to the start.

(Step 431): If there is any of the recorded program information stored in the recorded program information holding unit 104 that has been deleted and stamped, the automatic deletion execution unit 109 proceeds to (Step 432). If not, return to start.

(Step 432): The automatic deletion executing unit 109 composes a “media deletion instruction” from the recorded program information stamped and deleted, and executes the media management unit 1
07, and proceeds to (Step 433).

(Step 433): The media management unit 107 follows the “media deletion instruction” input from the automatic deletion execution unit 109 and sets the media unit 105
Invalidates the video / audio / data information stored in the file and makes it reusable (step 434).

(Step 434): The automatic deletion execution unit 108 stores the recorded program information whose deletion has been completed by the “media deletion instruction” in the recorded program information holding unit 10.
4 and return to start.

A part of a specific operation example of the constant program recording management terminal according to the first embodiment, which operates as described above, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. The program signal input section 102 inputs the program table shown in FIG. 2 and the video / audio data signal of the program contents shown in the program table shown in FIG. 2, and the recorded program information holding section 104 is shown in FIG. Recorded program information to be stored.

(Operation 1-1): The program signal input unit 102 transmits the program guide shown in FIG. 2 and the video / audio / data signals from the broadcast transmitting side via ground waves, satellite waves, cable signals, and the like. input.

(Operation 1-2): The program management section 103 extracts the program table 201 from the “program table” shown in FIG.
The media management unit 10 sends a “free media request” requesting the media management unit 107 to acquire an unused free media area of '60 minutes' stored in the <period> section of the program table 201.
7 is output.

(Operation 1-3): The media management unit 107 receives the “empty media request” output in (operation 1-2), and acquires a free media area 'L1' for 60 minutes from the media unit 105. And 'L1'
Is returned to the program management unit 103 as “free media information” that has been acquired as a free media area of 60 minutes.

(Operation 1-4): The program management section 103 inputs the “free media information” output in (operation 1-3), and stores 03 in the <start time> section of the program table 201. / 01/97 Wait for 13:00.

(Operation 1-5): The program management section 103 sets the information 'C1' stored in the <channel> section of the program table 201 as the <channel> section.
Empty media information input in (Operation 1-4), 'L1'
Is configured as a <recording media information> item in FIG. 5 and output to the media management unit 107.

(Operation 1-6): The program management section 103 stores all items stored in the program table 201 and the free media information 'L1' input in (Operation 1-4) in the <recording media information>. A “recorded program information” represented by reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6 is generated, in which an item and “x” indicating that the item is not to be deleted are stored as <delete stamp>, respectively, and additionally stored in the recorded program information holding unit 104. .

(Operation 1-7): The media management unit 107 inputs the media recording instruction 501 output in (Operation 1-5), and stores the media of the media unit 105 stored in the section <recording media information>. At the position 'LI', the 'C1' channel stored in the <channel> term of the video / audio / data signal input from the program signal input unit 102 is replaced with the information '60 stored in the <period> term. Record for minutes.

(Operation 1-8): The program management section 103 extracts the program table 202 from the program table shown in FIG. 2 input by the program signal input section 102, and sends the program table 202 of the program table 202 to the media management section 107. The “free media request” requesting acquisition of an unused free media area of “180 minutes” stored in the item “period>” is sent to the media management unit 107.
Output to

(Operation 1-9): The media management unit 107 receives the “empty media request” output in (operation 1-2) and attempts to acquire a 180-minute free media area from the media unit 105. Since an error has occurred due to a shortage of the area, an “automatic deletion signal” is output to the automatic deletion engraving unit 108 in order to expand the available area of the media unit.

(Operation 1-10): The automatic deletion marking unit 108 inputs the “automatic deletion signal” output in (operation 1-9), and the recorded program information holding unit 104
Of the “recorded program information” of FIGS. 3 and 6 stored in
Select the one with the oldest recording end time. 3 and 6
, Recorded program information 301 and recorded program information 303
Since the recording end time is the oldest, the items of <deletion stamp> stored in these pieces of recorded program information are each stored with “〇” indicating a deletion target, and the recorded program information holding unit 1 is again stored.
04. At this point, the recorded program information holding unit 104
Stores "recorded program information" shown in FIG.

(Operation 1-11): The automatic deletion executing section 109 stores the recorded program information 701 and 703 stored in the recorded program information holding section 104 and stamped for deletion.
Is extracted, and the “L” stored in the section <recording media information> is extracted.
A “media deletion instruction” for instructing the deletion of the 3 ′ and “L5” media is output to the media management unit 107.

(Operation 1-12): The media management unit 107 receives the “media deletion instruction” output in (operation 1-11), and enters the “L3” and “L5” positions on the media unit 105. Invalidate the stored information and make it reusable.

(Operation 1-13): The automatic deletion executing section 108 deletes the recorded program information 701 and the recorded program information 703 stored in the recorded program information holding section 104 to be deleted.

(Operation 1-14): The media management unit 107 has obtained the free media area 'L3 L5' for 180 minutes after the completion of (Operation 1-13). The acquisition of the free media area is returned to the program management unit 103 as “free media information”.

(Operation 1-15): The program management unit 103 inputs the “free media information” output in (Operation 1-14), and stores 03 in the <start time> section of the program table 202. / 01/97 14:00
Wait for.

(Operation 1-16): The program management section 103 replaces the information 'C1' stored in the <channel> section of the program table 202 with the information stored in the <channel> section and the <period> section. FIG. 5 shows that “180 minutes” is a term of <period> and free media information “L3 L5” input in (operation 1-13) is a term of <recording media information>.
Of the media management unit 1
07.

(Operation 1-17): The program management section 103 stores all items stored in the program table 202 and the free media information 'L3 L5' input in (Operation 1-15) as <recording media information>. The record program information represented by reference numeral 602 in FIG. 6 is stored, and the record program information is additionally stored in the record program information holding unit 104.

(Operation 1-18): The media management section 107 records a desired video / audio / data signal on the media section 105 in accordance with the media recording instruction 502 output in (Operation 1-17). As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when the program is continuously recorded and the area of the recording medium becomes insufficient, the recording time which is considered to be less likely to be already recorded and reproduced is old. By providing a mechanism for automatically erasing a recorded program, continuous recording of the program is enabled continuously, so that the viewer does not have to maintain and manage the recording.

Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a constant program recording management terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 8, 801;
Reference numerals 802, 805, 806, 807, and 809 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 803 denotes an extended program management unit.
Based on the program table input from 02, a time required for recording is calculated for each program, and a “free media request” is output to the media management unit 807 in order to obtain free media for the calculated time. Then, “free media information” satisfying the free media request is input from the media management unit 807, and a “media recording instruction” is configured and output to the media management unit 807 as a media operation instruction.

When the extended program management unit 803 inputs a “program reproduction instruction” from the instruction input unit 801,
The desired "recorded program information" to be reproduced is input from the extended recorded program information holding unit 804, and the input extended recorded program information is marked with a reproduction mark indicating that the reproduction has been completed. It stores again and constructs and outputs a “media playback instruction” as a media operation instruction. When the “program deletion instruction” is input from the instruction input unit 801, the extended program management unit 803 also inputs the desired “recorded program information” to be deleted from the extended recorded program information holding unit 804 and deletes it. The recording media information is extracted from the input extended recording program information, and a “media deletion instruction” is constructed and output as a media operation instruction.

Reference numeral 804 denotes an extended recording program information holding unit.
The extended recorded program information holding unit 804 is provided with the extended program management unit 8
03 and the extended automatic deletion executing unit 808 add or delete the extended recorded program information, respond to an inquiry as to whether or not the information has already been retained, and record that the viewer has reproduced.

Reference numeral 808 denotes an extended automatic deletion and marking unit. The extended automatic deletion and marking unit 808 includes the media management unit 807.
And automatically deletes one or more of the extended recorded program information stored in the extended recorded program information retaining unit 804 from the oldest recorded time and not reproduced by the viewer. Is marked as a target of the program to be deleted.

Here, the extended recording program information holding unit 804
Holds extended recording program information having the structure shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 9, a term represented by <program ID>, a term represented by <program sub ID>, a term represented by <channel>, a term represented by <start time>, <period>
Are the same as those in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, and the item represented by <playback stamp> contains information “〇” if the program has been played back by the viewer once. If the program is not a reproduced program, information 'x' is stored. For example, 901 indicates that the program title is P3, the topic of this time is S3, and is broadcast on channel C3.
The program that starts at 9:00 on March 21 and ends in 120 minutes,
It is stored at the L3 position on the media, and is not a deletion target because it is "x", and it is that the viewer has reproduced it because it is "$".

The continuous program recording management terminal according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below for each step with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the flowchart of FIG. In addition, start, (Step 4
01), (Step 402), (Step 404)-
(Step 407), (Step 411) to (Step 414), (Step 421) to (Step 423),
(Step 431) to (Step 434) replace the recorded program information with the extended recorded program information in the first embodiment, replace the recorded program information holding unit with the extended program information holding unit, and extend the program management unit. The following description is based on the assumption that (Step 404) advances to (Step 1001) instead of (Step 408) and (Step 414) advances to (Step 1002) instead of (Step 408).

(Step 1001): When the “automatic deletion signal” is input from the media management unit 807, the extended automatic deletion marking unit 808 sets the recording time in the extended recorded program information stored in the extended recorded program information holding unit 804. , One or more of the oldest ones that have never been reproduced by the viewer are selected, stamped for deletion, re-stored in the extended recording program information holding unit 804, and proceed to (Step 403).

(Step 1002): The extended program management unit 803 puts a reproduction mark indicating that the reproduction has been completed on the extended recording program information input in (Step 413) to be reproduced, and performs the extended recording. The program information is stored again in the program information holding unit 804, and the process returns to the start.

FIG. 11 shows a specific operation example of the constant program record management terminal of the second embodiment operating as described above.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The program signal input unit 802 inputs the program table shown in FIG. 2 and the video / audio data signal of the program contents shown in the program table shown in FIG. 2, and the extended recording program information holding unit 804 is shown in FIG. Extended recorded program information to be stored.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a program reproduction instruction. The term contained in <program ID> represents the title of the program to be reproduced, and the term contained in <program sub ID> represents the reproduction. Indicates the subtitle of the target program. For example, the program playback instruction 1301 indicates that the program title is' P
7 'indicates that the subtitle is an instruction to reproduce the program of' P13 '.

(Operation 2-1): The extended program management unit 803 extracts the program table 202 from the program table shown in FIG.
The media management unit 807 issues a free media request requesting the media management unit 807 to acquire an unused free media area of “180 minutes” stored in the <period> section of the program table 202.
Output to

(Operation 2-2): The media management unit 807 inputs the empty media request output in (Operation 2-1), and
An attempt is made to acquire a free media area of 0 minutes, but this failed because of an insufficient area. Therefore, an “automatic deletion signal” is output to the extended automatic deletion marking section 808 in order to expand the usable area of the media section 805.

(Operation 2-3): The extended automatic deletion marking unit 808 receives the “automatic deletion signal” output in (operation 2-2) and stores the signal in the extended recorded program information holding unit 804 in FIG. Of the extended recorded program information,
The one whose recording end time is the oldest and has not been reproduced is selected. In FIG. 9, since the extended recorded program information 902 and the extended recorded program information 903 correspond,
The item of <deletion inscription> stored in these extended recording program information is stored with “@” indicating a deletion target and stored in the extended recording program information holding unit 804 again.

(Operation 2-4): The extended automatic deletion program execution unit 809 stores the extended recorded program information 90 stored in the extended recorded program information holding unit 804 and stamped for deletion.
2 and 903 are extracted, and a “media deletion instruction” for instructing to delete the media of “L4” and “L5” stored in the item of “recording media information” is output to the media management unit 807.

(Operation 2-5): The media management unit 807 inputs the “media deletion instruction” output in (operation 2-4), and enters the “L4” and “L5” positions on the media unit 805. Invalidate the stored information and make it reusable.

(Operation 2-6): Upon completion of (Operation 2-5), the media management unit 807 has acquired a free media area 'L4 L5' of 180 minutes. A response to the extended program management unit 803 is sent to the extended program management unit 803 as "free media information", indicating that it has been acquired as a free media area.

(Operation 2-7): The extended program management unit 808 receives the “free media information” output in (Operation 2-6) and stores the information in the <start time> section of the program table 202. 03/01/97 14:00
Wait for.

(Operation 2-8): The extended program management unit 803 stores the <channel> in the program table 202.
And the information "180 minutes" stored in the item of <period> as the item of <period> (Operation 2-7). The information "L4" L4 L5 "is used as a <recording media information> item to form the media recording instruction 1101 in FIG.
Output to the media management unit 807.

(Operation 2-9): The extended program management unit 803 stores all items stored in the program table 202 and the free media information 'L4 L5' input in (Operation 2-7) as <recording media information. <> And <x> to indicate that the item is not to be deleted
'X' indicates that the content has never been reproduced
The extended recorded program information represented by reference numeral 1201 in FIG. 12 is generated and stored in the extended recorded program information holding unit 804.

(Operation 2-10): The media management unit 807 records a desired video / audio / data signal on the media unit 805 in accordance with the media recording instruction 1101 output in (Operation 2-8).

(Operation 2-11): The instruction input unit 801 inputs a program reproduction instruction 1301 shown in FIG. 13 from a viewer using a remote controller or the like.

(Operation 2-12): The extended program management unit 803 is
4 confirms that the extended recorded program information 905 of FIG. 9 that matches the program reproduction instruction 1301 is retained in the extended recorded program information retaining unit 804, and is stored in the <recorded media information> section of the extended recorded program information 905. Media position 'L
7 'outputs a media playback instruction for playback to the media management unit 807.

(Operation 2-13): The media management unit 807 receives the “media reproduction instruction” output in (operation 2-12), starts reproduction from the position “L7” of the media unit 805, Reproduction output unit 806
Output video / audio / data information to

(Operation 2-14): The extended program management unit 803 stores the <
The information stored in the item “reproduction inscription> is rewritten as“ 〇 ”indicating that the information has been reproduced, and is stored in the extended recording program information holding unit 804 again. By this operation, the extended recording program information to be automatically deleted next time becomes the extended recording program information 904 in FIG. As described above, according to the second embodiment, among the programs already recorded, the programs reproduced by the viewer are stored, so that only the recorded programs which have been reproduced once but are not frequently used can be selectively selected. The program can be selectively saved automatically by the viewer. Also, it is not necessary for the viewer to play back once and save it for a long time or to prevent erasure of a program to be played back again in the future, and it is possible to provide a mechanism of a continuous program recording management terminal that can effectively use a large-capacity recording medium. .

In the second embodiment, the program reproduced by the viewer among the already recorded programs is stored.
Although only an old recorded program that has never been reproduced is selectively deleted, the number of reproductions may be set to a predetermined number or more, and the number of reproductions may be set to a predetermined number of times or less.

Third Embodiment FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a constant program recording management terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, 14
01 to 1407 and 1409 are the same as those in the second embodiment. Reference numeral 1408 denotes an associative automatic deletion marking unit, which inputs an "automatic deletion signal" from the media management unit 1407,
One of the extended recorded program information held in the extended recorded program information holding unit 1404 that has the oldest recording time, has not been reproduced by the viewer, and does not have the same program name as a program that has been reproduced in the past. The above is marked as a target of the program to be automatically deleted.

Here, the extended recording program information holding unit 1404
Holds extended recording program information having the structure shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. FIG. 9 is the same as that used in the second embodiment.

The continuous program recording management terminal according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described below for each step with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 15, the flowchart in FIG. 10, and the flowchart in FIG. It should be noted that start, (step 401), (step 40)
2), (Step 404) to (Step 407), (Step 411) to (Step 414), (Step 42)
1) to (Step 423), (Step 431) to (Step 434), and (Step 1002) are the same as those in the second embodiment, and (Step 404) is replaced with (Step 1501) instead of (Step 1001). ) Will be described below.

(Step 1501): When the automatic deletion signal is input, the associative automatic deletion marking unit 1408 selects the oldest recording time information among the extended recording class information stored in the extended recording program information holding unit 1404. And at least one program which has not been reproduced by the viewer and which does not have the same title as a program reproduced in the past, is selected, stamped for deletion, and stored in the extended recording program information holding unit 1404. Then, the process proceeds to (Step 403).

FIG. 1 shows a part of a specific operation example of the constant program recording management terminal of the third embodiment which operates as described above.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The program signal input section 1402 inputs the program table shown in FIG. 2 and the video / audio data signal of the program contents shown in the program table shown in FIG. It is assumed that the extended recorded program information 16 is stored.

(Operation 3-1): Same as (Operation 2-1).

(Operation 2-2): Same as (Operation 2-1).

(Operation 3-3): The associative automatic deletion engraving unit 1408 receives the “automatic deletion signal” output in (operation 3-2) and stores it in the extended recorded program information holding unit 1404 as shown in FIG. Of the extended recorded program information, the one whose recording end time is the oldest, has never been reproduced, and does not have the same program ID as the program reproduced in the past is selected. In FIG. 16, since the extended recorded program information 1602 and the extended recorded program information 1604 correspond to each other, the <deletion stamp> items stored in these extended recorded program information are each stored with “〇” indicating a deletion target. Then, it is stored in the extended recording program information holding unit 1404 again. The extended recorded program information 1603 is not marked for reproduction or has the same program ID as the extended recorded program information 1601.
Is stored and the extended recorded program information 1601 is not stamped for reproduction, so that the extended recorded program information 1603 is not to be deleted.

(Operation 3-4): The extended automatic deletion executing section 1409 extracts the extended recorded program information 1602 and 1604 stored in the extended recorded program information holding section 1404 and deleted and stamped, and <recording media information>
"Media deletion instruction" for instructing to delete the media of 'L4' and 'L6' stored in
407.

(Operation 3-5): The media management unit 1407 inputs the “media deletion instruction” output in (operation 3-4), and
The information stored in the positions of “L4” and “L6” above is invalidated and can be reused.

(Operation 3-6): Upon completion of (Operation 3-5), the media management unit 1407 has acquired a free media area 'L4 L6' of 180 minutes. The extended program management unit 1403 is replied to the extended program management unit 1403 that it has been acquired as a free media area as “free media information”.

(Operation 3-7): The extended program management unit 1403 inputs the “free media information” output in (Operation 8-6), and stores it in the <start time> section of the program table 202. 03/01/9714: 00
Wait for.

(Operation 3-8): The extended program management section 1403 stores the information 'C1' stored in the item <channel> of the program table 202 as the item <channel> and stores it in the item <period>. Information "180 minutes"<
The term “period> constitutes a media recording instruction using the free media information 'L4L6' input in (operation 2-7) as the term <recording media information>, and the media management unit 1407
Output to

(Operation 3-9): The extended program management unit 1403 stores all items stored in the program table 202 and the free media information 'L4 L6' input in (Operation 3-7) as <recording media information. Extended recording program information, in which <x> indicating that the item is not to be deleted is stored as a <deletion stamp> item, and 'x' indicating that it has not been reproduced is stored as a <reproduction stamp> item. Is generated and additionally stored in the extended recorded program information holding unit 1404.

(Operation 3-10): The media management unit 1407 records a desired video / audio / data signal in the media unit 1405 in accordance with the media recording instruction output in (Operation 3-8).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, erasure can be prevented if a program having the same program title has been reproduced in the past, even if the program has not been reproduced. Instead, a program with the same title as a program of interest to the viewer can be selectively and automatically saved. Also, programs that are not played back on a continuous broadcast every day or every week are easily conceived to be played back in the future. Therefore, it is not necessary to explicitly exclude these programs from the subject of automatic deletion. It is possible to provide a mechanism of a constant program recording management terminal that can effectively use a recording medium having a large capacity.

[0116]

As described above, according to the present invention, a viewer-side terminal in a broadcast system for supplying and receiving a large number of program channels composed of a plurality of broadcast programs,
In a continuous program recording management terminal capable of constantly recording one or more program channels for 24 hours, even when a program is continuously recorded and the recording medium area is insufficient, it is difficult to record and reproduce the program channel. By providing a mechanism for automatically erasing a recorded program whose recording time is supposed to be old, it is not necessary for the viewer to maintain and manage the program so that the program can be continuously recorded.

[0117] Also, among the programs already recorded, the programs reproduced by the viewer are preserved, so that only the old recorded programs which have never been reproduced can be selectively deleted. An interesting program can be automatically saved selectively.

Further, there is no need for the viewer to play back once and save it for a long period of time or to prevent erasure of a program to be played back again in the future, and a mechanism for a continuous program recording management terminal that can effectively use a large-capacity recording medium. Can be provided.

Even if the program has not been played back, if the program with the same program title has been played back in the past, erasure can be prevented. Programs can be automatically saved selectively. Also, programs that are not played back on a continuous broadcast every day or every week are easily conceived to be played back in the future. Therefore, it is not necessary to explicitly exclude these programs from the subject of automatic deletion. It is possible to provide a mechanism of a constant program recording management terminal that can effectively use a recording medium having a large capacity.

Therefore, the viewer can enjoy a desired broadcast program without prior designation of a program to be recorded, while effectively using a large-capacity recording medium. Therefore, the effect of the present invention is great.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a constant program recording terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of a program table of a constant program recording terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of recorded program information of a constant program recording terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the constant program recording terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a content of a media recording instruction of a constant program recording terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of recorded program information of a constant program recording terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of recorded program information of a constant program recording terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a constant program recording terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of extended recording program information of a constant program recording terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the constant program recording terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of a media recording instruction of a constant program recording terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of extended recording program information of a constant program recording terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of a program reproduction instruction of a constant program recording terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a regular program recording terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of a constant program recording terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing contents of extended recording program information of a constant program recording terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 instruction input unit 102 program signal input unit 103 program management unit 104 recorded program information holding unit 105 media unit 106 program reproduction output unit 107 media management unit 108 automatic deletion and marking unit 109 automatic deletion execution unit 801 instruction input unit 802 program signal input unit 803 Extended program management unit 804 Extended recorded program information holding unit 805 Media unit 806 Program playback output unit 807 Media management unit 808 Extended automatic deletion and marking unit 809 Automatic deletion execution unit 1401 Instruction input unit 1402 Program signal input unit 1403 Extended program management unit 1404 Extended recorded program information holding unit 1405 Media unit 1406 Program playback output unit 1407 Media management unit 1408 Associative automatic deletion stamping unit 1409 Automatic deletion execution unit

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Ide 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-8-237592 (JP, A) JP-A-10-188533 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/76-5 / 956 G11B 20/10-20/12

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A constant number capable of constantly recording a program on a media unit.
In the set record management terminal,
Among the programs that have been played more than a predetermined number of times
Record and save it in the
Selected from the media section in the order according to the recording time.
Regular program recording tube characterized by being selectively erasable
Terminal. 2. The recording to be erased is an unrecorded one and
The time associated with the record is the oldest
2. The continuous program record management terminal according to claim 1, wherein 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the extended program management unit and the media management unit are provided in a small number.
The extended program management unit has a number recorded in the media unit.
The media management unit outputs extended recording program information indicating whether or not the set has been reproduced , and responds to the input of the media recording instruction.
The automatic deletion signal to notify the lack of free media area.
Output management and management of recording, deletion and playback on the media section
In the case of playback management, the number recorded in the media
Output the pair for playback, and the time related to the recording is the oldest
And manage the deletion of one or more unplayed broadcast programs
2. The continuous program record management terminal according to claim 1, wherein
End. 4. On a medium capable of recording at least a program
Free media request and media operation instruction requesting space
And at least respond to the free media request
Enter the free media information that is the free space information on the media.
At least recorded program information and recorded media
Information and a set of information indicating whether the viewer has played
Extension number for inputting and outputting extended recorded program information
A group management unit, and extended record program information storage for retaining the extended record program information
Unit, a media unit capable of electronically recording a broadcast program, and a program reproduction for reproducing the recorded broadcast program and presenting it to a viewer.
An output unit for inputting at least the empty media request and the media operation instruction, outputting an automatic deletion signal for notifying the lack of free media area, and performing recording, deletion, or reproduction on the media unit according to the media operation instruction. In the case of a reproduction operation, a media management unit for outputting a program recorded in the media unit to a program reproduction output unit, and the automatic deletion signal is input, and the extended recorded program information is held.
Of the extended recording program information stored in the
Time is old and has not been played or has been played below the specified time
Extended automatic deletion that deletes and stamps one or more objects as deletion targets
An engraving section and a recorded program information stored in the recorded program information holding section.
In order to automatically delete items that are subject to deletion,
An automatic program recording management terminal , comprising: an automatic deletion execution unit that outputs a media operation instruction . 5. A constant number capable of constantly recording a program in a media section.
In the set record management terminal,
Unplayed or less than the specified title
A program with the same title as that played in
Feature, the program automatically saves the program selectively.
A regular program record management terminal. 6. A space on a medium on which a program can be recorded is required.
And output a free media request and a media operation instruction.
Free space on the media corresponding to the free media request
Enter the free media information that is the information
Information and the recorded media information and whether the viewer has
Extended recorded program information at least consisting of a set of information
Extended program management unit for inputting and outputting information, and extended recorded program information holding for holding the extended recorded program information
Unit, a media unit capable of electronically recording a program, a program reproduction output unit for reproducing the recorded program, and input of the free media request and the media operation instruction.
Automatically deletes the free media space
Output the media unit according to the media operation instruction.
Recorded, deleted, or played back to the
Media that outputs programs recorded on the media section to the raw output section
(A) The management unit and the automatic deletion signal are input and the extended recording program information is held.
Of the extended recording program information stored in the
The playback time is old and unplayed
One or more programs that do not have the same program name as a program played in the past
And associative automatic deletion marking unit for deleting stamped as above deletion, the recording program information stored in the recorded program information storage unit
It said shall not become a Chi deleted in order to automatic deletion
An automatic program recording management terminal , comprising: an automatic deletion execution unit that outputs a media operation instruction .