JP4580895B2 - Television apparatus and recording reservation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for efficiently receiving a reservation command related to a recording process executed by a recording device in other devices such as a television apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a broadcast program recording device such as a video / HDD / DVD recorder is provided with a reservation function related to the recording process. In recent years, for example, in an AV (audio / visual) system in which a television device, which is a video output device, and a recording device are connected, a technology for receiving a recording reservation command in the television device is also provided. This is a recording reservation system in which, for example, an HDMI (registered trademark) cable capable of transmitting and receiving control signals in addition to video / audio signals is used, and a recording device is controlled according to a command received by the television apparatus. With this system or the like, in an AV system to which various devices are connected, for example, it is possible to control other devices centrally, for example, a television device in a living room. In addition, compared to recording equipment that requires mechanical drive after energization, basically it is possible to make a recording reservation quickly in a television apparatus that is instantly activated simply by energizing the electronic circuit. Become.

In Patent Document 1, for example, recording reservation channel information and broadcast date / time information input on a mobile terminal or the like while moving is stored in a portable recording medium as a reservation information file, and the portable recording medium is stored at home or on the go. A reservation recording system is disclosed in which a recording reservation is performed by causing the device to read.
JP 2004-221707 A

  However, the above conventional technique has the following problems including the technique of Patent Document 1. That is, a television set or a portable terminal accepts a recording reservation without knowing what kind of broadcast or channel can be recorded by a recording device, for example. For this reason, there is a problem in that a user inputs to a recording device having only a terrestrial analog tuner to make a reservation recording of a CS digital broadcast program, and eventually cannot be recorded. In addition to the broadcast types that can be recorded, for example, “recording medium (HDD, DVD, VHS, etc.)” and “recording format (MPEG1 / 2/4, H264, etc.)” supported by the recording device. ”Or“ recording quality (restriction of bit rate, frame rate, resolution, etc.) ”, etc., since the television apparatus does not know, there is a problem that it is not possible to specify them.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention relates to broadcast types such as terrestrial analog broadcast waves, digital terrestrial broadcast waves, BS / CS broadcast waves, cable television, and the like that can be received by a recording device. Provided is a television device that acquires information, a “recording profile” that is information such as a recordable medium and a recordable format, and accepts scheduled recording according to the recording profile. Specifically, a recording profile acquisition unit that acquires a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded by the recording device, a recording reservation information input unit that allows a user to input recording reservation information using the acquired recording profile, and The display device includes a command generation unit that generates a recording reservation control command for the recording device based on input recording reservation information, and an external output unit that outputs the generated recording reservation control command to the outside.

  The present invention also provides a recording device and a set-top box device that are connected to the television device to form a recording reservation system.

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to accept a recording reservation in a television device in consideration of a broadcast type and a recording format that can be recorded by a recording device. Therefore, it is possible to avoid such a situation that recording cannot be performed by a recording reservation that designates a broadcast type that cannot be recorded by the recording device by mistake. Further, the recording medium, the recording format, the recording quality, etc. can be specified in detail as in the case of the recording reservation in the recording device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, claims 1, 2, and 8 will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, claims 3 and 9 will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, claims 4 and 5 will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, claim 6 will be mainly described. In the fifth embodiment, claim 7 will be mainly described.

Example 1
<Overview>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of accepting a recording reservation in the television apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, a “television device” (0100) and a “recording device” (0110) are connected. Here, a user who wishes to make a recording reservation activates the television apparatus in order to make a recording reservation on the television apparatus that is activated quickly. Then, on the display of the television apparatus, a screen that allows the user to select the broadcast type desired to be recorded is “terrestrial analog” or “BS digital” in accordance with the tuner provided in the connected recording device. Is displayed. The user inputs a recording reservation while looking at the reservation screen displayed in this way.

  In this way, in the television apparatus, by allowing the recording reservation to be input according to the recording device, for example, the user performs the recording reservation of the CS digital program, and in this recording device not equipped with the CS digital tuner, It is possible to avoid situations such as failure to record after all.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the display apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “display device” (0200) of this embodiment includes a “recording profile acquisition unit” (0201), a “recording reservation information input unit” (0202), and a “command generation unit” (0203). ) And “external output unit” (0204).

  Note that functional blocks such as the television apparatus, recording device, and set-top box device described below can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU, a main memory, a bus, or a secondary storage device (a storage medium such as a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and a reading drive for these media) Etc.), hardware components such as printing devices, display devices, other external peripheral devices, I / O ports for the external peripheral devices, driver programs for controlling the hardware, other application programs, and information input Examples include user interfaces that are used. In addition, these hardware and software process the program developed on the main memory with the CPU, and process, store, and output data stored on the memory and hard disk, and data input via the interface. It is used for processing or controlling each hardware component. The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software and a recording medium in which the product is fixed to a recording medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification). Is).

  The “recording profile acquisition unit” (0201) has a function of acquiring a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded in the recording device. The “broadcast type information” refers to a type classified according to a broadcast wave transmission type, a type classified according to a digital broadcast wave, and an analog broadcast wave. For example, analog or digital terrestrial broadcast, BS Broadcast, CS broadcast, cable TV broadcast, mobile digital satellite broadcast, and the like.

  In addition, “broadcast types that can be recorded on the recording device” means that the corresponding tuner circuit is provided in the recording device, or that the corresponding external tuner is connected to the recording device, so that the recording type can be recorded. If the broadcast wave is encrypted, it means a broadcast type that can be recorded by having a corresponding decoder or having a decoding function enabled by a viewing contract or the like. In other words, a recording device equipped with a CS tuner, for example, can receive a CS broadcast, but if it does not have a viewing contract and the decoding function is disabled, the broadcast cannot be recorded as a program and cannot be recorded. It will be a kind of broadcasting.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the recording profile. As shown in this figure, the recording profile acquired by the recording profile acquisition unit is, for example, data described in the XML format. From this data, the recording device uses “1ch”, “3ch” and “3ch” of “terrestrial analog broadcasting”. It can be seen that “101ch”... “181ch” of “BS digital broadcasting” can be recorded.

  Further, the recording profile may be information including any one or a combination of two or more of viewing contracted channel information, recording medium information, recording format information, and recording quality information in addition to the recordable broadcast types. good. The “viewing contracted channel information” refers to identification information of a channel for which a contract is made with respect to a channel that requires a contract for viewing such as a paid channel. “Recording medium information” refers to identification information indicating a recording destination medium in a recording device, such as a phase change recording disk including a DVD of each standard, a next-generation DVD, an HDD (hard disk drive), or a flash memory. Can be mentioned. “Recording format information” refers to an encoding format of data for recording, such as an uncompressed or lossless compression encoding format, MPEG1 / 2/4 or H264, or other lossy encoding formats conforming thereto, Or, each company has its own lossy encoding format. “Recording quality information” refers to information relating to the quality of a recorded moving image. For example, numerical values indicating upper and lower limits such as a bit rate, a frame rate, and a resolution, a quantization coefficient, an appearance frequency of an I frame or a P frame, B The presence / absence of a frame, the presence / absence of noise reduction processing, the presence / absence of Y / C separation processing in the 2D and 3D directions, the presence / absence of various correction processing such as luminance, gamma value, and hue, and parameters thereof.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the recording profile. As shown in this figure, the recording profile is described in, for example, the XML format as described above. In addition to the broadcast type such as “terrestrial analog broadcast” that can be recorded by the recording device from this data, the recording destination in the recording device is recorded. “DVD” and “HDD” indicating the medium (item A in the figure), “MPEG2” and “H264” (item B in the figure) indicating the recording format of the recording device, and recording that can be specified by the recording device The “frame rate” and “resolution” (item C in the figure) indicating the quality can be specified.

  Note that the recording profile acquisition by the recording profile acquisition unit includes a method of acquiring directly from a recording device that actually performs recording processing via a cable or a method of acquiring via a portable recording medium such as a flash memory. Can be mentioned. Alternatively, a method of acquiring a recording profile input by a user using an input interface such as an operation panel of a television apparatus or a remote control, or a server connected to a network of a recording apparatus manufacturing / sales company from a recording apparatus manufacturing / sales company There is also a method of downloading the recording profile using the identification information as a key.

  Then, by using such a recording profile, it is possible to make a recording reservation by indicating to the user the broadcast type and viewing contracted channel that can be recorded by the recording device in the television device, the recording medium and the recording encoding format, etc. Can be entered.

  The “recording reservation information input unit” (0202) has a function for allowing the user to input recording reservation information using the acquired recording profile. “Recording reservation information” refers to information necessary for recording reservation, and includes, for example, identification information of a broadcast station or broadcast channel of a program, broadcast date and time of a program, start time and broadcast end time, broadcast time, and the like. Alternatively, the recording reservation information to be input may be only the identification information of the recorded program, and information necessary for actual recording processing such as a broadcast channel and a broadcast time may be obtained from an electronic program guide server device on the network.

  In this recording reservation information input unit, by allowing the user to input recording reservation information using a recording profile, for example, reservation recording of a CS digital program that cannot be recorded by a recording device is not performed. It is a state of doing.

  Note that “input recording reservation information using a recording profile” refers to, for example, a GUI (graphical user interface) for inputting recording reservation information based on a recording profile, and a television with an OSD (on-screen display) function. A method realized by displaying on the display of the apparatus is mentioned. The “GUI based on the recording profile” refers to a GUI that can specify the above-described various information indicated by the recording profile. Specifically, for example, when the broadcast types that can be recorded by the recording device indicated by the recording profile are “terrestrial analog” and “BS digital”, the two parties can be displayed in a selectable manner as shown in FIG. For example, “CS digital” or the like can be selected.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording reservation information input other than the broadcast type in the recording reservation information input unit. The image as shown in this figure is OSD-displayed on the display of the television apparatus, so that the broadcast channel, broadcast date and time, and broadcast time of the program desired to be recorded can be designated. For example, the user may input “recording destination”, “(recording) format”, “(recording) image quality”, and the like.

  The “command generation unit” (0203) has a function of generating a recording reservation control command for the recording device based on the input recording reservation information. The “recording reservation control command” is a control command for recording reservation acquired by the recording device.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the recording reservation control command. As shown in this figure, the recording reservation control command is data described in XML format, for example, and is specified by the broadcast type, broadcast channel, and broadcast start time specified from the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input unit. And data indicating the broadcast end time, recording medium, recording format, and the like. Note that the recording reservation control command generated here may be generated as a command for directly controlling the recording device, or after being acquired by the recording device, the recording reservation control command is converted into a control command for the recording device. It may be a pre-recording reservation control command that becomes a control command.

  The “external output unit” (0204) has a function of externally outputting the generated recording reservation control command. As an external output method, for example, a method of outputting to a directly connected recording device using a control command cable different from the video / audio cable, such as an IEEE cable, or wireless communication such as infrared communication. There is a method of outputting to a recording device by communication. In addition, as described in Example 3 to be described later, there are a method of external output using a portable recording medium such as a flash memory, a method of external output using an HDMI (registered trademark) cable, and the like.

  Then, the recording device acquires the recording reservation control command externally output from the television device in this way, directly or indirectly, so that the recording device can receive the recording reservation command according to the recording reservation information input by the television device. Thus, the recording process of the desired program is executed.

  Note that the output timing of the recording reservation control command in the external output unit may be configured to be output immediately after the command is generated if it is directly connected to the recording device via a cable or the like. In addition, when the recording device is not activated, a recording device power supply activation control command is transmitted from the television device, and after the activation, a recording reservation control command is transmitted, or the generated command is transmitted to the flash memory in the television device. It is also possible to configure such that, for example, the recording device is activated and output at that timing. Further, when the recording start time indicated by the recording reservation information approaches, the same power control may be performed, or a message for prompting the recording device to input power may be displayed on the display of the television apparatus.

  In addition, the recording reservation control command generated according to the recording profile may be output to two recording devices to perform backup recording. This has the effect of making it possible to easily perform backup recording of programs for which recording control is performed by so-called “copy once”, for example.

  In addition, by configuring the external output of the recording reservation control command to be output to a remote recording device via the Internet by performing transmission control by TCP / IP, for example, recording on behalf of a machine-once grandpa or grandma You will be able to make a reservation. Alternatively, if the recording profile is written and carried on a portable recording medium, remote recording reservation at a travel destination or the like is possible.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a television device when the functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the output processing of the recording reservation control command using the recording profile in the television apparatus will be described with reference to this figure. As shown in this figure, the television apparatus includes a “CPU (central processing unit)” (0701) that performs arithmetic processing for various processes, and a “main memory” (0702). The function of the instruction generation unit is realized by the arithmetic processing of the “CPU” and “main memory”. The display device also includes a recording profile acquisition unit, an external output unit “I / O (input / output)” (0703), and a recording reservation information input unit “input device” (0704). Yes.

  In addition, “EEPROM” (0705) for holding various setting information such as the acquired recording profile and “video processing circuit” (0706) for inputting recording reservation information using the recording profile. ), “OSD circuit” (0707), “display” (0708), and the like. These are connected to each other through a data communication path such as a “system bus” (0709) to transmit / receive information and process information.

  The “main memory” provides a work area that is a work area of the program at the same time it is read to execute the recording reservation receiving program. A plurality of memory addresses are assigned to each of the “main memory” and “EEPROM”, and programs executed by the “CPU” exchange data with each other by specifying and accessing the memory addresses. It is possible to perform processing.

(Processing of recording profile acquisition unit)
Here, a recording profile relating to a recordable broadcast type, recording medium, recording format, recording quality, and the like is recorded in advance from “I / O” (0703) from “I / O” (0703) from “Recording device” (0710). And stored in address 1 of “main memory” (0702). Then, “CPU” (0701) executes the program expanded in the main memory, and stores and holds the recording profile stored in address 1 of “main memory” in address 1 of “EEPROM” (0705). The command is output. As a result, the recording profile is written in “EEPROM” and held at its address 1.

  Thereafter, the user operates the “input device” (0704) such as a remote control of the television apparatus to input a command for executing the recording reservation input mode in order to make a recording reservation of the recording device on the television apparatus. Then, the recording reservation program held in “EEPROM” or the like is read into the work area of “main memory”, and the following processing for accepting the recording reservation or the like is executed.

(Processing of recording reservation information input part)
First, the “CPU” designates the address 1 of “EEPROM”, and reads the recording profile held therein to the address 1 of “main memory”. When a plurality of recording profiles are stored in “EEPROM”, the recording device identification information and the recording profile are stored in association with each other, and the recording profile is selected and acquired using the recording device identification information as a key. Good.

  Then, from the recording profile shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 stored at the address 1 of the “main memory” as described above, the “broadcast type”, “recording medium”, and “recording format” are calculated by the calculation processing of the “CPU”. , Data of each item such as “recording quality” is extracted. The extracted data of each item is output to the “video processing circuit” (0706). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the “video processing circuit” generates screen information so that a recording reservation item can be selected according to the extracted data, and the “OSD circuit” (0707) processes the screen information as “ The OSD is displayed on the “display” (0708).

  The user operates the “input device” such as the remote controller while viewing the screen as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 displayed on the display of the television device in this way, and the “broadcast type” indicated by the recording profile. Etc., and by selecting the broadcast channel and broadcast date and time of the scheduled recording program, the scheduled recording information relating to the desired program is input.

(Processing of instruction generator and external output unit)
In the “CPU”, the recording reservation information input from the “input device” or the like is generated as a recording reservation control command described in the XML format as shown in FIG. Store. Then, in accordance with the “CPU” command, the recording reservation control command stored in the address 2 of the “main memory” is output from “I / O” to the “recording device” via the connection cable, and the actual recording is performed by the recording device. The reservation process is executed.

<Process flow>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, a recording profile is acquired by the television device (step S0801). Then, by using the acquired recording profile, for example, a screen display as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 is performed to receive the recording reservation information input from the user (step S0802). Subsequently, a recording reservation control command for the recording device is generated based on the input recording reservation information (step S0803), and finally, the generated recording reservation control command is output to the outside (step S0804).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, it is possible to input a recording reservation corresponding to a recording device, such as a broadcast type that can be recorded, by the television apparatus of the present embodiment using a recording profile. Therefore, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a user makes a recording reservation for a CS digital program using a recording device that does not include a CS digital tuner, and the recording cannot be performed after all. Also, by including various information related to the recording settings on the recording device such as the recording medium, recording format, and recording quality in the recording profile, it is possible to make a recording reservation that has been specified in the same manner as the recording reservation on the recording device. It becomes like this.

<< Example 2 >>
<Overview>
The present embodiment is a television apparatus characterized in that an electronic program guide is used for inputting recording reservation information on the basis of the first embodiment. Of course, the electronic program guide displayed here is generated so that the recording reservation information can be input using the recording profile, such as the electronic program guide only for the latte column of the viewing contracted channel according to the recording profile. It is an electronic program guide. By using such an electronic program guide, the user can easily input recording reservation information.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “display device” (0900) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment, “recording profile acquisition unit” (0901), “recording reservation information input unit” (0902), “Instruction generation unit” (0903) and “External output unit” (0904). Since these “recording profile acquisition unit”, “recording reservation information input unit”, “command generation unit”, and “external output unit” have already been described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be given. Is omitted. A feature of the television apparatus of this embodiment is that the “recording reservation information input unit” includes “electronic program guide display means” (0905).

  The “electronic program guide display means” (0905) has a function of displaying an electronic program guide based on the recordable broadcast types and / or viewing contracted channel information indicated in the acquired recording profile. Thus, in the electronic program guide display means, items such as broadcast type and channel shown in the electronic program guide are edited, generated and displayed so as to become “broadcast type” and “viewing contracted channel” shown in the recording profile. It is characterized by doing.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic program guide displayed by the electronic program guide display unit. As shown in FIG. 10 (a), when the paid channel “181ch” of BS digital broadcasting is included in the viewing-contracted channel indicated by the acquired recording profile, this electronic program guide includes “181ch”. It is displayed in a form that includes a program column. The user can easily make a recording reservation by moving the cursor α and selecting a program for which a recording reservation is desired. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, when “181ch” is not included in the viewing-contracted channel indicated by the acquired recording profile, the electronic program is not included in the program column of “181ch”. The program guide is displayed. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid a situation such as designating a channel that cannot be recorded.

  Note that the electronic program guide display means specifically receives, for example, an electronic program guide included in a broadcast wave by a tuner, acquires an electronic program guide from a server device on the Internet, and video. This can be realized by displaying the electronic program guide on the display through the processing of the processing circuit.

<Hardware configuration>
Further, when the functional configuration of the television apparatus of the present embodiment is realized as a hardware configuration, an example thereof is the “Internet line connection circuit” in addition to the configuration described with reference to FIG. ”,“ Tuner ”, and“ secondary storage device (flash memory, HDD, etc.) ”. As for the acquisition of the electronic program guide, as described above, the electronic program guide is acquired from the electronic program guide server device on the Internet by the control of the “Internet line connection circuit”, or the electronic program guide included in the broadcast wave received by the tuner. It is good to get a program guide. In addition, the telegram program table acquired in the same manner by the recording device may be acquired via “I / O”. The electronic program guide acquired in this way is stored at a predetermined address of the “secondary storage device”.

  After that, when a recording reservation input mode selection signal is acquired from the “input device” operated by the user, the electronic program guide is displayed on the “display” by processing such as “video processing circuit”.

<Process flow>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing in the television apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, a recording profile including a recordable broadcast type and / or viewing contracted channel information is acquired by the television device (step S1101). Next, based on the recordable broadcast types and / or viewing-contracted channel information indicated by the acquired recording profile, for example, an electronic program guide as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on a display or the like (step S1102).

  Then, recording reservation information input from the user is received using the displayed electronic program guide (step S1103). Subsequently, a recording reservation control command for the recording device is generated based on the input recording reservation information (step S1104). Finally, the generated recording reservation control command is output to the outside (step S1105).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, it becomes possible to easily input the recording reservation information using the electronic program guide by the television apparatus of the present embodiment. In addition, since the electronic program guide is an electronic program guide that has been edited according to the broadcast type and viewing contracted channel indicated in the recording profile, it prevents input of incorrect recording reservation information such as recording in the recording device not being possible. Can do.

Example 3
<Overview>
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining feature points in the television apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the present embodiment has a function of writing a recording reservation control command generated using a recording profile to a portable recording medium such as a flash memory on the basis of the first and second embodiments. A television device (1200) is provided. Thus, by providing a function for writing a recording reservation control command to a portable recording medium and outputting it to the outside, a control command transmission / reception cable or the like can be connected to the video / audio signal between the television apparatus and the recording device (1210). In addition, the recording reservation control command can be delivered without connection. Accordingly, the number of cables that need to be connected between the television device and the recording device can be reduced, and thus the wiring around the device can be cleared.

  If a recording profile is stored in advance in a portable recording medium in which the recording reservation control command is written, for example, the recording reservation of the recording device in the second floor bedroom is connected to the recording device by a cable or wireless communication. It is possible to make a recording reservation at a favorite place at any time, such as by using a television device in the living room on the first floor, or making a recording reservation for a television device at home using a television device at a friend's house.

  FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example of feature points in the television apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, another example of the present embodiment is based on the first and second embodiments, and records a recording reservation control command generated using a recording profile using an HDMI (registered trademark) cable. A television device (1300) is provided with a function of outputting to an external device (1310) or the like. In the HDMI (registered trademark) standard, in addition to video / audio signals, control signals can be transmitted and received with a single cable. Therefore, even when this HDMI cable is used, the wiring around the device can be cleared. . In addition to the recording reservation control command, the television device can output a power control command for the recording device. For example, the user can use the television device without turning on the recording device in the future. It is also possible to make a recording reservation only by an operation. Therefore, an energy saving effect can be expected.

  Conversely, a control command for the television apparatus of this embodiment can be output from the recording device. Therefore, for example, when the recording profile such as the upper limit of the recordable bit rate is changed due to the firmware update of the recording device, the recording profile held in the EEPROM on the television device side is automatically changed, etc. Control can be performed. Also, the electronic program guide information received by the tuner of the recording device can be transmitted to the television apparatus, and the electronic program guide can be used for inputting the recording reservation information as described in the second embodiment.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “display device” (1400) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment and includes a “recording profile acquisition unit” (1401), a “recording reservation information input unit” (1402), It has an “instruction generation unit” (1403) and an “external output unit” (1404). Although not shown, the electronic program guide display means may be further provided on the basis of the second embodiment. The “recording profile acquisition unit”, “recording reservation information input unit”, “command generation unit”, “external output unit”, and “electronic program guide display unit” are described in the first embodiment. Since it has already been described in Example 2, the description thereof is omitted. The feature of the television apparatus of this embodiment is that the “external output section” includes “medium writing means” (1405) or “HDMI output means” (1405).

  The “medium writing means” (1405) has a function of writing a recording reservation control command to a portable recording medium. “Portable recording medium” refers to a recording medium that can be carried by the user. For example, flash memory, magnetic recording medium, phase change recording disk such as DVD, removable disk such as iVDR standard, or rewriting of stored data IC card mounted cards that can be used. Then, by writing a recording reservation control command to these portable recording media, the wiring around the apparatus can be made clear as described above. In addition, if a recording profile is stored in a portable recording medium in which the recording reservation control command is written, a recording reservation can be made at a favorite place at any time.

  This medium writing means can be realized by, for example, a writing drive corresponding to each recording medium or its control chip.

  The “HDMI output means” (1405) has a function of outputting the recording reservation control command to the outside via an HDMI (registered trademark) cable. This HDMI output means can be realized by, for example, an HDMI connection terminal or a control chip thereof, and outputs a recording reservation control command by connecting an HDMI cable to the HDMI terminal on the recording device (1410) side. And good. Then, by outputting the recording reservation control command via the HDMI cable, the wiring around the apparatus can be cleared as described above. It is also possible to control the power on / off of the recording device from the television device, make a recording reservation only by an operation from the television device side, and expect an energy saving effect. Further, when the recording profile is changed due to firmware update of the recording device or the like, it is possible to perform control such as automatically changing the recording profile held on the television apparatus side.

<Hardware configuration>
Further, when the functional configuration of the television apparatus of the present embodiment is realized as a hardware configuration, an example thereof is for the portable recording medium in addition to the configuration described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. "Media write drive", "HDMI (registered trademark) control circuit" that controls "I / O", and "HDMI (registered trademark) cable" connected to the "I / O" The structure which has been mentioned. As for writing to the portable recording medium, a process for writing a recording reservation control command stored at a predetermined address in the “main memory” is performed on the portable recording medium set in the “medium writing drive”. As for output via an HDMI (registered trademark) cable, a recording reservation control command stored at a predetermined address of the “main memory” is transmitted to the “HDMI (registered trademark) control circuit” according to the HDMI transmission standard. The format is converted into a format and the like, and is output to the “recording device” via the “HDMI (registered trademark) cable”.

<Process flow>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, a recording profile is acquired by the television device (step S1501). Then, by using the acquired recording profile, for example, screen display as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 is performed to receive the recording reservation information input from the user (step S1502). Subsequently, a recording reservation control command for the recording device is generated based on the input recording reservation information (step S1503).

  Finally, the generated recording reservation control command is written to a portable recording medium or output to the outside via an HDMI cable (step S1504).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, according to the television apparatus of this embodiment, it is not necessary to separately connect a cable for transmitting / receiving control commands, so that the wiring around the apparatus can be cleaned. Further, when a portable recording medium is used for the external output of the recording reservation control command, if a recording profile is stored in the portable recording medium, it is possible to make a recording reservation at any place as desired.

  In addition, when a recording reservation control command is output externally via an HDMI cable, the power of the recording device is controlled from the television device, and the recording reservation is performed only by the operation from the television device side, so that an energy saving effect is expected. You can also In addition, when the recording profile is changed due to firmware update of the recording device or the like, control such as automatically changing the recording profile on the television device side can be performed.

Example 4
<Overview>
The present embodiment has a function of performing a recording process of a recording profile and a recording reservation control command with the television apparatuses of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment and recording a program that is actually reserved for recording. It is an Example regarding the video recording apparatus provided with.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the recording device of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording device” (1610) of this embodiment has a “first recording profile holding unit” (1611) and a “first recording profile output unit” (1612). The “recording device” refers to a device having a recording function, and the recording / recording destination medium may be various, such as an HDD, a DVD, a next-generation DVD, or a flash memory.

  The “first recording profile holding unit” (1611) has a function of holding a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded. The “recording profile” is as described above, and includes, for example, viewing-contracted channel information, recording medium information, recording format information, recording quality information, and the like in addition to broadcast type information that can be recorded. The first recording profile holding unit can be realized by, for example, EEOROM, other flash memory, HDD, or the like.

  The “first recording profile output unit” (1612) has a function of outputting a stored recording profile. In this way, by outputting the recording profile held in the recording device and causing the television apparatus to acquire it, an electronic program guide or the like using the recording profile is displayed on the television apparatus (1600) such as the first embodiment. can do. Therefore, it becomes possible to input a recording reservation for the recording device of the present embodiment with these television devices.

  Note that the recording profile may be output directly to the television device via a cable connected to the television device. Alternatively, it may be configured to output to a portable recording medium or the Internet network so that a recording reservation can be performed in a remote television device as described above.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the recording device when the functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the recording profile output processing in the recording device will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the recording device includes a “CPU” (1711) that performs arithmetic processing for various processes, and a “main memory” (1712). The recording device also includes “EEPROM” (1713) as a first recording profile holding unit and “I / O” (1714) as a first recording profile output unit.

  In addition, a “tuner” (1715) for receiving program broadcast waves, a “decoder” (not shown), or an “input interface” for editing a recording profile and operating other recording devices. (1716) and a “built-in clock” (1717) for knowing the reservation time, a “recording circuit” (1718) for performing actual recording processing in response to a recording reservation control command from the television device, and the like. . They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Recording profile holding unit processing)
Here, the recordable broadcast type, recording medium, and recording format related to this recording device at a predetermined address of “EEPROM” (1713) in advance at the factory shipment stage or after the button operation of “input interface” (1716) or the like. Recording profiles indicating recording quality and the like are recorded and held.

(Recording profile output part processing)
Then, for example, upon automatically detecting the connection between the recording device and the television apparatus or receiving a recording profile output command from the “input interface”, the “CPU” (1711) The recording profile stored in the “EEPROM” is stored in the address 1 of the “main memory” (1712). Then, the recording profile is output from “I / O” (1714) to, for example, the television apparatus (1700) via a cable.

(Reserved recording processing using a recording profile)
The television apparatus acquires the recording profile output in this way, inputs recording reservation information as described above, and generates a recording reservation control command. When the recording reservation control command is acquired by this recording device at “I / O”, first, the recording reservation control command is stored at address 2 of “main memory”. Subsequently, the “CPU” adjusts the “tuner” according to information such as the broadcast channel of the reserved recording program indicated by the recording reservation control command, the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time determined from the “built-in clock” (1717). ”(1715) and“ Recording circuit ”(1718), and the scheduled recording program is recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD or a DVD.

<Process flow>
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording device of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, recording is performed in order to hold a recording profile in the recording device (step S1801). The stored recording profile is output (step S1802).

  Then, the recording profile output in this way is acquired by the television device, and recording reservation information is acquired and a recording reservation control command is generated as described in the first embodiment. Then, the recording process is executed in accordance with the recording reservation control command output from the television apparatus.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording device of this embodiment can output its own recording profile to the television apparatus. Therefore, the recording reservation system can be constructed by linking the television apparatus of the above embodiment and the recording device of the present embodiment.

Example 5
<Overview>
The present embodiment is a set-top box device having a function of outputting a recording profile including recordable broadcast type information to a television apparatus such as the first embodiment, similar to the recording device of the fourth embodiment. Note that the “set-top box device” in this specification is a device that includes a tuner (eg, cable TV, satellite TV, etc.) that is separate from the recording device or television device, and is an external tuner for the television device or recording device. A device that plays the role of However, as of 2006, a device called a set-top box with a built-in recording function is provided. In this specification, all devices having a recording function are recording devices.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the set-top box device of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “set top box device” (1920) of the present embodiment includes a “second recording profile holding unit” (1921) and a “second recording profile output unit” (1922). . In addition, the “set top box device” includes a tuner function and a decoding function as an external tuner of the recording device (1910), and outputs the received broadcast signal to the recording device.

  The “second recording profile holding unit” (1921) has a function of holding a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded. The “recording profile” includes broadcast type information received by the set top box device so that recording can be performed by the recording device as described above. In addition, viewing contracted channel information and the like may be included. Note that recording profiles such as recording medium information, recording format information, recording quality information, etc. are information related to recording settings in normal recording devices, so they must be included in the recording profiles held in this set-top box device. There is no.

  The “second recording profile output unit” (1922) has a function of outputting a stored recording profile. In this way, the set-top box device may be configured to hold and output the recording profile, and the set-top box device, the display device, and the recording device may constitute a recording reservation system.

  The hardware configuration of this set-top box device is the same as the hardware configuration of the recording device of the fourth embodiment. The main difference is that a “recording circuit” that realizes a recording function is provided in the set-top box device. It is a point that does not have.

<Process flow>
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the set-top box device of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, recording is performed in order to hold a recording profile in the set-top box device (step S2001). Then, the stored recording profile is output (step S2002).

  Then, the recording profile output in this way is acquired by the television device, and recording reservation information is acquired and a recording reservation control command is generated as described in the first embodiment. Then, in accordance with the recording reservation control command output from the television apparatus, the set-top box device performs broadcast signal reception processing, and the recording device executes broadcast signal recording processing.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the set-top box device of the present embodiment can output a recording profile including broadcast types that can be recorded by the recording device and channel information that has been subscribed to the television apparatus. Therefore, a recording reservation system can be constructed by linking the television apparatus of the above embodiment with the set top box device or the recording device of this embodiment.

The figure for demonstrating an example of acceptance of the recording reservation in the television apparatus of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the television apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the recording profile acquired in the recording profile acquisition part of the television apparatus of Example 1. The figure showing another example of the recording profile acquired in the recording profile acquisition part of the television apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The figure showing an example of recording reservation information input other than a broadcast type in the recording reservation information input part of the television apparatus of Example 1. The figure showing an example of the video recording reservation control command produced | generated by the command production | generation part of the television apparatus of Example 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in a television device according to a first embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television apparatus according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the television apparatus of Example 2. FIG. The figure showing an example of the electronic program guide displayed with the electronic program guide display means of the television apparatus of Example 2. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television apparatus according to the second embodiment. Conceptual diagram for explaining an example of feature points in the television apparatus according to the third embodiment. Conceptual diagram for explaining another example of feature points in the television apparatus according to the third embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the television apparatus of Example 3. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the television apparatus according to the third embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the video recording apparatus of Example 4. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the video recording apparatus of Example 4. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in a recording device according to the fourth embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the set top box apparatus of Example 5 A flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing in the set top box device of the fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

0200 Television device 0201 Recording profile acquisition unit 0202 Recording reservation information input unit 0203 Command generation unit 0204 External output unit 1610 Recording device 1611 First recording profile holding unit 1612 First recording profile output unit 1920 Set top box device 1921 Second recording profile Holding unit 1922 Second recording profile output unit

Claims (9)

A recording profile acquisition unit that acquires a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded on a recording device;
A recording reservation information input unit for allowing a user to input recording reservation information using the acquired recording profile;
A command generation unit that generates a recording reservation control command of the recording device based on the input recording reservation information;
An external output unit for outputting the generated recording reservation control command externally;
A display device.   The recording profile includes, in addition to broadcast type information that can be recorded on a recording device, one or more combinations of viewing-contracted channel information, recording medium information, recording format information, and recording quality information. The display device described.   The recording reservation information input unit has electronic program guide display means for displaying an electronic program guide based on broadcast types or / and viewing contracted channel information indicated in the acquired recording profile. The display device described.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the external output unit includes a medium writing unit that writes a recording reservation control command to a portable recording medium.   4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the external output unit includes HDMI (registered trademark) output means for externally outputting the recording reservation control command via an HDMI (registered trademark) cable. 5. A first recording profile holding unit that holds a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded;
A recording device having a first recording profile output unit for outputting the recorded recording profile;
A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
Recording reservation system consisting of A second recording profile holding unit that holds a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded;
A second recording profile output unit for outputting the stored recording profile;
A set top box device having:
A display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
Recording reservation system consisting of Recording profile acquisition step for acquiring a recording profile including broadcast type information that can be recorded in a recording device on a display device;
Recording reservation information input step for allowing the user to input recording reservation information using the acquired recording profile;
A command generation step of generating a recording reservation control command of the recording device based on the input recording reservation information;
An external output step for externally outputting the generated recording reservation control command;
A control method for a display device having A recording profile acquisition step of acquiring a recording profile including broadcast type information or / and viewing contracted channel information that can be recorded in a recording device on a display device;
An electronic program guide display step for displaying an electronic program guide based on broadcast type or / and viewing contracted channel information indicated in the acquired recording profile;
Recording reservation information input step for allowing the user to input recording reservation information using the displayed electronic program guide,
A command generation step of generating a recording reservation control command of the recording device based on the input recording reservation information;
An external output step for externally outputting the generated recording reservation control command;
A control method for a display device having

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