JP4154280B2 - Recorded program management apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a title management apparatus and method for a recorded program of a television broadcast.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technique in the management method of recorded contents of a TV broadcast program, a video recorder accesses an information file having a program guide via a line, displays the program guide on a monitor, executes a recording reservation operation, and records after the recording is completed. It is known that detailed management information of a program is stored in a heading area of a recording medium and this management information is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-308561
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The recorded program management method disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above automatically connects to an information file or a database in order to use management information at the time of recording reservation or when manual recording of a broadcast program is started.
[0005]
In such a case, if the database information is not available at the time of recording reservation or manual recording due to a network line failure or manual connection network environment, etc., the date and time, channel, recording time etc. An information title was given at the time of recording, and the user had to manually change the program title after the recording was completed.
[0006]
In addition, when recording a program being viewed, if a sufficiently long recording setting is made with respect to the broadcast time of the target program in anticipation of fluctuations in the broadcast time, a plurality of programs are recorded as one program. Therefore, it is necessary to manually divide the program after recording and input the program title manually. In addition, when there is an unnecessary program among the recorded programs, it is necessary to delete it manually. As described above, in the prior art, when trying to manage a recorded program using a recorded program title, there is a problem in usability because it takes a lot of time and effort.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a recorded program management method capable of easily managing a program on a recorded program list even in an environment that does not have an automatic connection function to an external database holding program information. It is in.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention mainly adopts the following configuration.
Means for recording a broadcast program; means for managing a recorded program by a recording time information title specified by a recording date and time, a broadcast channel and a recording time; means for accessing an external broadcast program information database; and accessing the database Means for determining whether or not the recording state is present, means for extracting a broadcast program whose title is managed by the recording time information title from the recorded program list, and corresponding to the recording time information title from the database A recorded program management apparatus comprising means for reading broadcast program information to be recorded and means for designating a genre of a broadcast program that does not require recording,
At the start of recording, the recorded program is managed by the recording time information title specified by the recording date and time, broadcast channel and recording time,
When the database is accessible, the broadcast program information corresponding to the recording information title is read from the database,
Replacing the recording-time information title in the recorded program list with the program title and / or detailed information of the program in the broadcast program information ,
When the broadcast program information is read out, if one recorded program over a series of time periods spans a plurality of broadcast programs, the recorded programs are independent from each other based on the read broadcast program information. The program is divided into one broadcast program, the program title and / or detailed information of the program is given to each of the divided broadcast programs, and the broadcast program that has been designated as genre by the means for designating the genre is deleted. The configuration.
[0009]
In the recorded program management apparatus, means for adding a title management flag indicating that a recorded program is managed by the recording-time information title, and the title management flag in the recorded program list are added. Means for extracting a broadcast program, and when the database becomes accessible, the broadcast program information corresponding to the recording-time information title of the recorded program to which the extracted title management flag is added. It is configured to read from the database .
[0010]
By adopting such a configuration, the present invention automatically records program titles recorded with the title “date and time + channel + recording time” even in an environment that does not have an automatic connection function to an external database via a network. Since it is set to a regular program title, management on the recorded program list can be facilitated.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A recorded program management apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the overall configuration of a recorded program management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one procedure of a recorded program management method according to the present embodiment, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other procedure of the recorded program management method concerning this embodiment.
[0012]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a recorded program list managed by “date and time + channel + recording time” relating to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a recorded program replaced with a regular program title relating to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a recorded program list managed by “date and time + channel + recording time” including title management flag information according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing one management aspect in the recorded program management according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view showing another management aspect in the recorded program management according to the present embodiment.
[0013]
1, the overall configuration of the recorded program management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a tuner 101 that receives a broadcast program, a controller 102, an interface circuit 103 that communicates with an external database 104, and operation of the apparatus. An input device 105 that performs recording, a medium 106 that records and reproduces a program, and a monitor 107 that outputs a program are connected to an external database 104 that stores program information.
[0014]
Next, one procedure of the recorded program management method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. When the recording is performed by the user, the recording management apparatus gives a title based on the “date and time + channel + recording time” information at the time of recording, so that a recorded program list shown in FIG. A title in the list includes a recording date and time, a channel, and a recording time (step S1). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a program having the recording time information title in the recorded program list (step S2). If there is a program (step S3), the apparatus stores the program information via the interface circuit 103. It is detected whether or not the external database 104 held can be accessed (step S4). If accessible (step S5), a title or the like, which is information corresponding to the recorded program, is read from the database 104 (step S6). , Project χ) (step S7). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the program can be managed with a regular program title. Here, in addition to the regular program title, detailed information such as performers may be read from the database and added to the title column of FIG.
[0015]
Next, another procedure of the recorded program management method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. When recording is performed by the user, the recording management device gives a title based on the “date and time + channel + recording time” information at the start of recording and a title management flag in the f column as shown at the left end of FIG. For management, a recorded program list shown in FIG. 6 is created (step S1). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a program having the title management flag in the recorded program list (step S2), and if it exists (step S3), the apparatus obtains program information via the communication interface circuit 103. It is detected whether or not the external database 104 held can be accessed (step S4). If accessible (step S5), a title or the like, which is information corresponding to the recorded program, is read from the database 104 (step S6). , And the title management flag is erased (step S7). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the program can be managed with a regular program title.
[0016]
Next, one management mode in recorded program management according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, as indicated by reference numeral 701, when the user records 8ch for 2 hours from 18:36 to 20:36, a recorded program list 702 is created.
[0017]
At this time, if the program table on the external database 104 has the content 703, it can be seen that the recorded two-hour program is composed of three programs, so that 18:36 to 19:00, 19 : Divided into three programs of 00: 00-20: 00, 20: 00-20: 36, from 18: 36 to 19: 00 “quiz abundantly”, from 19: 00 to 20:00 “PC Sunday” , The title of “Project χ” is re-assigned from 20: 00 to 20: 36. With the above operation, it is possible to manage the programs recorded as one 2-hour program by the user as three independent programs.
[0018]
Next, another management mode in the recorded program management according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The user uses the input device 105 to specify a program genre that does not require recording in advance to the controller 102. In the example of FIG. 8, “weather forecast” and “news” are designated as programs that do not require recording. Thereafter, as indicated by reference numeral 801, when the user records 8ch for 2 hours from 18:36 to 20:36, a recorded program list 802 is created.
[0019]
At this time, if the program table on the external database 104 has the contents of 803, it can be seen that the recorded 2-hour program is composed of five programs, so that 18:36 to 18:54, 18 : 54-19: 00, 19: 00-19: 54, 19: 54-20: 00, 20: 00-20: 36 divided into five programs, 18: 36 to 18: 54 "quiz "Sustainly", 18:54 to 19:00 "weather forecast", 19:00 to 19:54 "PC Sunday", 19:54 to 20:00 "news", 20: 00 to 20: By re-assigning the title up to 36 as “project χ”, the program recorded by the user as one 2-hour program can be divided into five independent programs.
[0020]
After that, “weather forecast” and “news” are deleted according to the program genre that does not require recording. With the above operation, it becomes possible to manage the contents recorded as one 2-hour program as three independent programs, and to remove 12 unnecessary programs for 12 minutes. It is possible to secure a recordable area.
[0021]
As described above, the embodiment of the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is, when a program is recorded, the recorded program is given and recorded with a recording time information title of “recording date and time, broadcast channel, recording time”, and a program having the recording time information title in the recorded program list is extracted, The apparatus detects that the apparatus can access an external database, reads program information corresponding to the information from the database, and replaces it with detailed information such as a regular program title and performers.
[0022]
When recording a program, a title management flag indicating that the title is managed by the recording time information title is added to each recorded program, and a program having the title management flag in the recorded program list is added. In this configuration, it is detected that the apparatus is accessible to an external database, program information corresponding to this is read from the database, and is replaced with detailed information such as a regular program title and performers.
[0023]
Further, when the program information corresponding to the recording-time information title is read from the database, if the recorded program covers a plurality of programs, the recorded program is divided into independent programs based on the program information acquired from the database. In this configuration, the program is divided and managed by replacing with a plurality of regular program titles. Furthermore, after a regular title is assigned, a program of a preset genre is automatically deleted.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, even in an environment that does not have an automatic connection function to an external database via a network, a program title recorded with a title of “date and time + channel + recording time” is automatically set as a regular program title. Therefore, management on the recorded program list becomes easy.
[0025]
Even in an environment with an automatic connection function to an external database, database access is not possible at the time of reservation or manual recording due to some trouble, and even if the recorded program title is "date + channel + recording time" Since the regular title is automatically set after the database access environment is restored, the management on the recorded program list becomes easy.
[0026]
In addition, when a program being viewed is manually recorded and recorded over a plurality of programs, the recording start unit is a program intended for recording by the user, but there is a possibility that it is unnecessary after the next program. Further, at the time of reserved recording, if the set time is sufficiently longer than the broadcast time of the target program in anticipation of changes in the broadcast time, unnecessary programs are recorded before and after. However, according to the present invention, since a plurality of programs recorded as one program is divided into a plurality of independent programs and then a regular title is set, management becomes easy and free space of the recording medium is obtained. Even when an unnecessary program is deleted in order to secure the program, only the unnecessary program can be selected and deleted.
[0027]
In addition, if the recorded program includes weather forecasts, news, etc., these programs are automatically deleted after recording by setting these programs as programs that do not require recording. Since unnecessary programs are not displayed on the screen, management is facilitated, and a free space in the recording medium can be secured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the overall configuration of a recorded program management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one procedure of a recorded program management method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the recorded program management method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a recorded program list managed by “date and time + channel + recording time” according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a recorded program list that is replaced with a regular program title according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a recorded program list managed by “date and time + channel + recording time” including title management flag information according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram showing one management mode in recorded program management according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram showing another management mode in recorded program management according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Tuner 102 which receives broadcast program Controller 103 Interface circuit which performs communication with external database 104 External database which holds program information 105 Input device which operates apparatus 106 Media which performs recording and reproduction of program 107 Outputs program Monitor 701 Time relationship diagram recorded by user 702 Recorded program list 703 created as a result of user recording operation Program list 704 held in external database during user recording operation Recorded program replaced with regular program title List 801 Time relationship diagram recorded by user 802 Recorded program list created as a result of user recording operation 803 Program list held in external database during user recording operation 804 Replaced with regular program title Recorded program list recorded program list 805 unnecessary program has been deleted

Claims (3)

Means for recording a broadcast program; means for managing a recorded program by a recording time information title specified by a recording date and time, a broadcast channel and a recording time; means for accessing an external broadcast program information database; and accessing the database Means for determining whether or not the recording state is present, means for extracting a broadcast program whose title is managed by the recording time information title from the recorded program list, and corresponding to the recording time information title from the database A recorded program management apparatus comprising means for reading broadcast program information to be recorded and means for designating a genre of a broadcast program that does not require recording,
At the start of recording, the recorded program is managed by the recording time information title specified by the recording date and time, broadcast channel and recording time,
When the database is accessible, the broadcast program information corresponding to the recording information title is read from the database,
Replacing the recording-time information title in the recorded program list with the program title and / or detailed information of the program in the broadcast program information ,
When reading out the broadcast program information, if a single recorded program over a series of time slots spans a plurality of broadcast programs, the recorded programs are made independent based on the read-out broadcast program information. The program is divided into one broadcast program, the program title and / or detailed information of the program is given to each of the divided broadcast programs, and the broadcast program that has been designated as genre by the means for designating the genre is deleted The recorded program management apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In claim 1,
Means for adding a title management flag indicating that a recorded program is managed by the recording-time information title; means for extracting a broadcast program to which the title management flag is added from the recorded program list; With
When the database becomes accessible, the broadcast program information corresponding to the recording-time information title of the recorded program to which the extracted title management flag is added is read from the database. Management device. Means for recording a broadcast program; means for managing a recorded program by a recording time information title specified by a recording date and time, a broadcast channel and a recording time; means for accessing an external broadcast program information database; and accessing the database Means for determining whether or not the recording state is present, means for extracting a broadcast program whose title is managed by the recording time information title from the recorded program list, and corresponding to the recording time information title from the database A method for managing a recorded program comprising means for reading broadcast program information to be performed and means for designating a genre of a broadcast program that does not require recording,
At the start of recording, managing recorded programs by recording time information title specified by recording date and time, broadcast channel and recording time; and
When the database becomes accessible, reading the broadcast program information corresponding to the recording information title from the database;
Replacing the recorded information title in the recorded program list with the program title and / or detailed information of the program in the broadcast program information,
In the step of reading out the broadcast program information, when one recorded program over a series of time periods spans a plurality of broadcast programs, the recorded programs are individually set based on the read out broadcast program information. The program is divided into one broadcast program, the program title and / or detailed information of the program is given to each of the divided broadcast programs, and the broadcast program that has been designated as genre by the means for designating the genre is deleted A recorded program management method comprising: steps.

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