JP4641983B2 - Content recording / playback device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content recording / reproducing apparatus for automatically erasing recorded content in accordance with the passage of time after recording, wherein the thumbnail image displaying a recorded title that is approaching erasure is deteriorated.

In recent years, there has been a recording / playback apparatus that automatically records a TV program or the like (hereinafter referred to as “recording title”) by specifying a genre or learning user's preference in a DVD recorder or HDD recorder. Many of them have a function of automatically erasing a recorded title from a recording medium after a certain period of time has elapsed since recording to ensure the free space of the medium. In such a recording / reproducing apparatus, there is an apparatus which displays an icon for a recording title scheduled to be automatically deleted in the near future and informs the user as in Non-Patent Document 1, for example.
Sony Corporation, "<Cocoon> Home Page", [online], Sony Corporation, [Search July 10, 2006], Internet <URL: http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/cocoon/ index.html>

  However, the genre of the recording title and the recording image quality are often displayed as icons on the recording list, and further displaying the icon indicating the erasure schedule further complicates the recording list screen. There is a drawback that it is difficult to recognize.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a content recording / playback apparatus for automatically erasing a predetermined recording title as time elapses after recording, the recording approaching erasure according to the erasing time until the recording title is erased. A content recording / playback apparatus is proposed in which a thumbnail image displaying a title is deteriorated. The deterioration process may be a process of fading the thumbnail image. Further, the thumbnail image that has been subjected to deterioration processing may be returned to the state before the deterioration processing. In addition, it is possible to change the stored thumbnail image to another thumbnail image, and when the thumbnail image is changed, the modified thumbnail image is subjected to the same level of deterioration processing as the thumbnail image before the change. It may be. In addition, a recording title that is a target of automatic deletion and a recording title that is not a target of automatic deletion may be identified. Further, it may be possible to determine whether or not it is necessary to perform degradation processing of the thumbnail image. Further, it may be possible to set parameters regarding the degradation processing of thumbnail images. Furthermore, a content recording / playback apparatus is also proposed in which a thumbnail image that displays a recorded title is deteriorated according to the time elapsed since the recorded title was recorded.

  According to the content recording / playback apparatus of the present invention, in a content recording / playback apparatus capable of automatically erasing a recorded title, a thumbnail image is deteriorated and processed instead of a conventional icon to indicate that automatic deletion of a predetermined recorded title is approaching. Therefore, the recording list is not complicated, and the user can grasp a recording title that is close to automatic deletion at a glance. The same effect can be expected in a content recording / playback apparatus that degrades thumbnail images according to the time elapsed since the recording title was recorded.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail 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. The second embodiment will mainly describe claims 6, 11, 16 and the like. The third embodiment will mainly describe claims 1 and 10. In the fourth embodiment, claims 2 and 12 will be mainly described. The fifth embodiment will mainly describe claims 3, 4, 5 and the like. In the sixth embodiment, claims 7 and 13 will be mainly described. In the seventh embodiment, claims 8 and 14 will be mainly described. In the eighth embodiment, claims 9 and 15 will be mainly described. Prior to these, Embodiment 1 is not included in the scope of the claims of the present invention, but the invention including these will be described.

  (Embodiment 1: Overview) This embodiment is a content recording / playback apparatus for automatically erasing a predetermined recorded title in accordance with the passage of time after recording, and erasing in accordance with the erasing time until the recorded title is erased. A content recording / reproducing apparatus characterized by deteriorating a thumbnail image that displays a recording title that is approaching will be described.

  (Embodiment 1: Configuration) FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (0100) includes an “automatic erasing unit” (0101), an “erasing time information management unit” (0102), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (0103), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (0104). And having. The content recording / playback device (0100) may be any device capable of recording and playing back content, and includes, for example, a DVD recorder, HDD recorder, personal computer, mobile phone, and the like. Note that “content” includes video, audio, music, and the like, and further includes text information, application programs, or information expressed in a composite form thereof. Specifically, for example, television program information such as television programs and EPG, data broadcasting, moving image content and still image content distributed over a network, and the like are applicable.

  Note that each unit, which is a component of the present invention described in detail below, is configured by either hardware, software, or both hardware and software. For example, as an example for realizing these, when a computer is used, there are hardware constituted by a CPU, a bus, a memory, an interface, a peripheral device, and the like, and software that can be executed on the hardware. As software, the functions of each unit are realized by sequentially executing a program developed on the memory, and processing, storing, and outputting data on the memory and data input via the interface. More specifically, FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a general computer. The computer mainly includes a CPU (2510), an input / output interface (I / O) (2520), a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”). ) (2530), temporary storage memory (RAM) (2540), ROM (2550), etc., the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by the same configuration as in FIG. is there. (The same applies throughout the specification.)

  The “automatic erasure unit” (0101) has a function of automatically erasing a predetermined recording title as time passes after recording. “Recording title” is synonymous with “content”. That is, the “recording title” means video, audio, music, and the like, and further includes information expressed in character information, application programs, or a composite form thereof. Specifically, for example, television program information such as television programs and EPG, data broadcasting, moving image content and still image content distributed over a network, and the like are applicable. The recorded title is assumed to be recorded on a recording device such as a DVD or an HDD. “Automatically delete after recording after the recording” refers to, for example, a predetermined time after recording the recorded title When the time elapses, it corresponds to automatically erasing the recorded title from the DVD or HDD. The “predetermined time” at this time may be variable or invariable. For example, it may be set in advance in the content recording / playback apparatus and cannot be changed, or may be changed by the user of the content recording / playback apparatus. Also, it is convenient to be able to set for each recording title. The elapsed time of the recorded title is managed by an erasure time information management unit (0102) described later, and will be described in detail later. As specific processing of the automatic erasure unit, for example, a recording title is input via an input interface and stored in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD, and is managed by the erasure time information management unit (0102). When a predetermined recording title is to be deleted according to the deletion time information, the corresponding recording title is deleted from a predetermined storage area such as an HDD. Further, the automatic erasure unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  The “erase time information management unit” (0102) has a function of managing erase time information, which is information related to the time until the recorded title is erased. “Management” means holding, changing, deleting, and adding. “Erase time information” may be information indicating the time itself until the recording title is deleted, but is information indicating the time elapsed since the recording title was recorded, the date and time when the recording title was recorded, and the like. There may be. In other words, it may be information for knowing when the recorded title should be deleted. For example, when the recording title is deleted after a certain time has elapsed since the recording title was recorded, the recorded title is recorded. If the time elapsed since then and the date and time when the recorded title was recorded are known, the time until the recorded title is deleted can be calculated. FIG. 2 shows an example of the erase time information. In FIG. 2, a “recording title name” representing a recorded recording title and a “recording date and time” that is the date and time when each recording title was recorded are held. Here, if the recorded title is recorded 14 days after being recorded, and the current time is 14:00 on June 14, 2006, 'Drama A' It can be calculated that the time until erasure will be 2 days and 1 hour. The erasure time information management unit can be realized by storing such erasure time information in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD.

  The “thumbnail image holding unit” (0103) has a function of holding a thumbnail image for displaying a recorded title on the GUI. The “thumbnail image” may be such that a scene with a recorded title (still image) is automatically acquired as a thumbnail image, or the user of the content recording / playback apparatus designates a scene as a thumbnail image. A predetermined image may be set as a thumbnail image. FIG. 3 shows a specific example of information held in the thumbnail image holding unit. In FIG. 3, a “recording title name” representing a recorded recording title and a “thumbnail image” for displaying the recording title on the GUI are held. Note that the “thumbnail image” actually stores image data constituting the thumbnail image in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD, but FIG. 3 shows a thumbnail image conceptually realized by image data. Show. On the recording list, for example, by displaying the recording title name and the thumbnail image using information as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to display a list of currently recorded recording titles. The thumbnail image holding unit can be realized, for example, by associating the recording title and the image data of the thumbnail image in this manner and storing them in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD.

  The “thumbnail processing unit” (0104) has a function of deteriorating a thumbnail image that displays a recording title that is about to be deleted in accordance with the deletion time information. “Deterioration processing” refers to, for example, processing by fading the thumbnail image by fading and fading it, processing a part of the thumbnail image to be torn by trimming, etc. This is the case when processing is performed as if it has been smudged. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of deterioration processing. Assume that the thumbnail image 0401 is the original thumbnail image. (A) illustrates a case where deterioration processing is performed as faded, (b) illustrates a case where deterioration processing is performed so as to be torn, and (c) illustrates a case where deterioration processing is performed as if dirty. Moreover, you may combine these deterioration processes. For example, it may be processed so as to fade, and further processed so as to be torn by trimming or the like. Further, “erasing is approaching according to the erasing time information” means that automatic erasing by the automatic erasing unit (0101) is approaching. Further, when the thumbnail image is subjected to deterioration processing according to the erasure time information, the deterioration processing may be divided into several stages. For this purpose, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a time until erasing (hereinafter referred to as “erasing time”) and a deterioration processing method corresponding to the erasing time may be held in association with each other. In FIG. 5, when the erasing time is less than 10 days, the color is faded by 30% as degradation processing, and when the erasing time is less than 7 days, it is faded by 70% as degradation processing and the erasing time is 5 days. If it is less than 70%, the color is faded by 70% and trimmed further by 30%. If the erasing time is less than 7 days, the color is degraded by 70% and further trimmed by 70%. ing. The thumbnail image 0501 is a specific example when each deterioration process is performed. Displaying thumbnail images in a staged manner in this way is convenient because the user can intuitively grasp which recorded title is closer to being erased. Note that when thumbnail images are degraded, the thumbnail images held in the thumbnail image holding unit (0103) are directly processed, and the held thumbnail images are held as original images and degraded. It is assumed that the thumbnail image is stored separately in a predetermined storage area such as a RAM. Further, for example, in the case of performing 70% fading and further 30% trimming, the thumbnail image that has been 70% faded may be stored in a RAM or the like, and the retained thumbnail image may be further trimmed by 30%. The thumbnail image held in the thumbnail image holding unit may be used as an original image, and the original image may be faded by 70% and further trimmed by 30%.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific example in the case where the recording list is displayed by thumbnail images that have been deteriorated according to the settings in FIG. Further, the recording date and time of each recording title is the recording date and time illustrated in FIG. 2, and the thumbnail image corresponding to each recording title is the thumbnail image illustrated in FIG. It is assumed that the current time is 14:00 on June 14, 2006, and the recording title is set to be deleted when 14 days have passed since recording. Since 'Drama A' has a recording date and time of Friday, June 2, 13:00, it will be automatically deleted at 13:00 on June 16, and the deletion time is 2 days and 1 hour. Therefore, since the erasing time is less than 3 days, 70% color fading and 70% trimming are displayed. In addition, since the recording date and time of “baseball broadcast Y” is 16:00 on June 6th (Tue), it will be automatically deleted at 18:00 on June 20th, and the deletion time is 6 days and 6 hours. Therefore, since the erasure time is 5 days or more and less than 7 days, 70% of the color is faded and displayed. Note that the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 6 is shown for convenience of explanation, and may not actually be displayed on the recording list. As a specific process of the thumbnail processing unit, for example, it is determined whether or not deterioration processing should be performed using a change in the erase time information held in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD as a trigger. If the determination result indicates that the deterioration processing should be performed, the image data of the thumbnail image held in a predetermined storage area such as the HDD is read out, and the predetermined deterioration processing is performed and the RAM or HDD Store in a predetermined storage area. Further, the thumbnail processing section may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  (Embodiment 1: Process Flow) FIG. 7 exemplifies a flowchart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, erase time information is acquired in step S0701. This process is mainly executed by the erase time information management unit. Next, in step S0702, the thumbnail image is degraded according to the erase time information. This process is mainly executed by the thumbnail image processing unit. In step S0703, it is determined whether the recorded title should be deleted. If the determination here is a determination result that it should be erased, then the flow shifts to step S0704. If the determination here is that it should not be deleted, the process is terminated. In step S0704, the recorded title is automatically deleted. This process is mainly executed by the automatic erasure unit.

  Note that the flowchart of FIG. 7 can also be regarded as a processing flowchart of a program executed by a computer. Further, such a program can be recorded on a medium such as a flexible disk. (The same applies throughout the specification.)

(Embodiment 1: Effect) The content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment can indicate a recording title that is about to be erased by displaying the thumbnail image after degrading the thumbnail image, so that the recording list is complicated. In addition, it is possible for the user to grasp a recorded title that is almost deleted at a glance. In addition, by performing deterioration processing on the thumbnail image, there is an advantage that it is easy to grasp that the recording date / time is an old recording title.
(Embodiment 2)

  (Embodiment 2: Overview) This embodiment describes a content recording / playback apparatus that executes a process for fading thumbnail images as a thumbnail image degradation process.

  (Embodiment 2: Configuration) FIG. 8 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (0800) includes an “automatic erasure unit” (0801), an “erase time information management unit” (0802), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (0803), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (0804). And having. The thumbnail processing unit (0804) includes a “color fading unit” (0805).

  The “color fading unit” (0805) has a function of executing a process of fading the thumbnail image as a thumbnail image degradation process. “Decolorizing the thumbnail image” corresponds to, for example, a case of making the color dull by lowering the saturation. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the color may be faded in stages according to the erasing time. If this is the case, it is likely that users with a high degree of fading tend to feel older as a general sensation. Therefore, it seems that the user can easily grasp a recorded title with an older recording date and time.

  (Embodiment 2: Process Flow) FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, erase time information is acquired in step S0901. This process is mainly executed by the erase time information management unit. Next, in step S0902, a process for fading the thumbnail image according to the erase time information is executed. This process is mainly executed by the fading means. Next, in step S0903, it is determined whether the recorded title should be deleted. If the determination here is a determination result that it should be erased, the flow shifts to step S0904. If the determination here is that it should not be deleted, the process is terminated. In step S0904, the recorded title is automatically deleted. This process is mainly executed by the automatic erasure unit.

(Embodiment 2: Effect) Since the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment can perform a fading process as a degradation processing of a thumbnail image, the user can grasp at a glance a recorded title with an old recording date and time. it can.
(Embodiment 3)

  (Embodiment 3: Overview) In this embodiment, a content recording / playback apparatus capable of returning a thumbnail image subjected to deterioration processing to a state before deterioration processing will be described.

  (Embodiment 3: Configuration) FIG. 10 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (1000) includes an “automatic erasing unit” (1001), an “erasing time information management unit” (1002), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (1003), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (1004). And having. The thumbnail processing unit (1004) includes a “thumbnail processing canceling unit” (1006). Further, the thumbnail processing unit (1004) may further include a fading means. That is, the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which “thumbnail processing canceling unit” is added to the configuration of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the first or second embodiment.

  The “thumbnail processing canceling means” (1006) has a function of returning a thumbnail image that has undergone degradation processing to a state before degradation processing. “Returning to the state before deterioration processing” may be a case of returning to a state that has not been subjected to deterioration processing at all, and as described above, deterioration processing is performed in stages according to the erasing time. In some cases, it may be possible to return to some previous stage. When returning to the state before deterioration processing, the thumbnail image held in the thumbnail image holding unit is held as an original image, and the thumbnail image that is the original image is obtained from the thumbnail image holding unit. The case where it returns to the previous state is assumed. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 11, for example, when the thumbnail processing / cancellation unit returns the thumbnail image (1101) subjected to deterioration processing of “soccer relay X” to the state before the deterioration processing (1102), the deletion time information management unit The erasure time information (1103) managed in this way may be changed at the same time. For example, when the time from when a recorded title is recorded until it is deleted is 14 days, the deletion time of 'football relay X' may be changed from the current deletion time to 14 days. Good. The recorded title returned to the state before the deterioration processing may be set so as not to execute automatic erasure. Further, when the erasure time information managed by the erasure time information management unit is changed, it may be automatically returned to the state before the deterioration processing by the thumbnail processing cancellation means.

  (Third Embodiment: Process Flow) FIG. 12 exemplifies a flowchart showing a process flow in a content recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, in step S1201, it is determined whether to cancel the degradation processing of the thumbnail image. If the determination here is a determination result of canceling, the process proceeds to step S1202. If the determination here is that the determination is not canceled, this step is repeated. In step S1202, the original thumbnail image of the deteriorated thumbnail image is acquired. In step S1203, the original thumbnail image is deteriorated according to the cancellation content. This process is mainly executed by the thumbnail processing cancellation means. In step S1204, the thumbnail image that has been deteriorated and processed again is displayed in place of the thumbnail image before cancellation.

(Embodiment 3: Effect) The content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment can return a deteriorated thumbnail image to the state before the deterioration processing. For example, when the erasure time can be changed. It is possible to change the erase time and return the thumbnail image to the original state.
(Embodiment 4)

  (Embodiment 4: Overview) In this embodiment, a stored thumbnail image can be changed to another thumbnail image. When the thumbnail image is changed, the thumbnail image before the change is changed with respect to the changed thumbnail image. A content recording / playback apparatus that is subjected to deterioration processing similar to that described above will be described.

  (Embodiment 4: Configuration) FIG. 13 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (1300) includes an “automatic erasure unit” (1301), an “erase time information management unit” (1302), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (1303), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (1304). And a “thumbnail image changing unit” (1307). Further, the thumbnail processing unit (1304) includes “change thumbnail processing means” (1308). The thumbnail processing unit (1304) may further include a color fading unit. The thumbnail processing unit (1304) may further include thumbnail processing canceling means. That is, the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which “thumbnail image changing unit” and “changed thumbnail processing means” are added to the configuration of the content recording / playback apparatus according to any one of the first to third embodiments. ing.

  The “thumbnail image changing unit” (1307) has a function of changing a stored thumbnail image to another thumbnail image. “Holded thumbnail image” refers to a thumbnail image held in the thumbnail image holding unit (1303). The case where the thumbnail image is changed by the thumbnail image changing unit is assumed to be used, for example, when the user wants to arbitrarily change the thumbnail image representing the recorded title to another thumbnail image. For example, when the thumbnail image changing unit double-clicks a thumbnail image on the recording list, a setting screen for setting the thumbnail image is displayed, and it is convenient that the user can set it by specifying another thumbnail image. It is. For example, when the user designates another thumbnail image on such a thumbnail image setting screen, the thumbnail image changing unit is associated with the recording title and stored in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD as illustrated in FIG. The image data of the current thumbnail image is changed to the image data of the designated thumbnail image. Further, the thumbnail image changing unit may include a program for causing the CPU to execute such processing.

  The “changed thumbnail processing means” (1308) has a function of subjecting the thumbnail image changed by the thumbnail image changing unit (1307) to deterioration processing similar to that of the thumbnail image before the change. “The thumbnail image changed by the thumbnail image changing unit is subjected to degradation processing similar to that of the thumbnail image before the change”, for example, by performing the deterioration processing for fading the thumbnail image before the change by 30%. In the case where the thumbnail image is changed by the thumbnail image changing unit (1307), the deterioration processing is performed such that 30% color fading is performed similarly. Therefore, it is assumed that information on how deterioration processing has been performed on the thumbnail image before the change is held in a storage area such as a RAM, and that the thumbnail image after the change is subjected to the deterioration processing using the information. The FIG. 14 shows a specific example of processing in the modified thumbnail processing means. First, it is assumed that the thumbnail image 1404 of 'Drama A' is changed to another thumbnail image 1405 by the thumbnail image changing unit (1401). Then, in the thumbnail image holding unit (1402), the thumbnail image 1404 associated with 'drama A' and held in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD is changed to a thumbnail image 1405. Here, for example, in the thumbnail processing unit (1403), the deterioration processing for 70% fading and trimming by 70% is performed on the thumbnail image 1404 before the change of “Drama A” as illustrated in FIG. Assuming that (1406), the changed thumbnail image 1405 is faded by 70% and further trimmed by 70% in the changed thumbnail processing means (1408), triggered by the change of the thumbnail image of 'Drama A'. Deterioration processing is performed (1407).

  (Embodiment 4: Process Flow) FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, in step S1501, it is determined whether to change the thumbnail image. If the determination here is a determination to change, the process proceeds to step S1502. If the determination here is that the change is not to be made, this step is repeated. In step S1502, deterioration information that is information regarding deterioration processing of the current thumbnail image is acquired. In step S1503, image data of the changed thumbnail image is acquired. Next, in step S1504, the modified thumbnail image is subjected to degradation processing similar to that of the thumbnail image before the change based on the degradation information. This process is mainly executed by the modified thumbnail processing means.

(Embodiment 4: Effect) The content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment changes the stored thumbnail image, and applies the same degradation processing to the changed thumbnail image as the thumbnail image before the change. Therefore, for example, even when the user wants to arbitrarily change to another thumbnail image, it can be displayed on the recording list or the like after being subjected to deterioration processing according to the erasure time information as before the change.
(Embodiment 5)

  (Embodiment 5: Overview) This embodiment relates to a content recording / reproducing apparatus capable of holding a recording title to be automatically erased and a recording title not to be automatically erased so as to be distinguishable from the automatic erasure unit. explain.

  (Embodiment 5: Configuration) FIG. 16 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (1600) includes an “automatic erasure unit” (1601), an “erase time information management unit” (1602), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (1603), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (1604). And “recorded title holding unit” (1609). Further, the thumbnail processing unit (1604) may further include a fading means. The thumbnail processing unit (1604) may further include thumbnail processing canceling means. The content recording / playback apparatus (1600) may further include a thumbnail image changing unit, and the thumbnail processing unit (1604) may include a changed thumbnail processing unit. That is, the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a “recording title holding unit” is added to the configuration of the content recording / playback apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments.

  The “recording title holding unit” (1609) has a function of holding a recording title that is an automatic deletion target and a recording title that is not an automatic deletion target in an identifiable manner from the automatic deletion unit (1601). FIG. 17 shows an example of information held in the recorded title holding unit. In FIG. 17, “recording title name” is associated with “automatic erasure target” indicating whether or not the recording title indicated by the recording title name is the target of automatic erasure. Here, when “N” is “automatic erasure target”, it indicates that it is not subject to automatic erasure, and when it is “Y”, it is subject to automatic erasure. . That is, in the example of FIG. 17, 'Drama A' and 'Drama B' are not automatically deleted, and 'Soccer Relay X' and 'Baseball Relay Y' are automatically deleted. The recorded title holding unit can be realized, for example, by associating the recorded title with information indicating whether or not to be automatically erased in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD. Further, it is convenient that the information held in the recording title holding unit can be changed by the user. This is because there may be a recording title that the user does not want to be automatically deleted depending on the content of the recording title. In such a case, it is set whether or not to be automatically deleted for each recording title. It is preferable that the user makes settings via a simple setting screen or the like, and the value of “automatic erasure target” in FIG. 17 is changed accordingly. In addition, when a recording title that was the target of automatic erasure at the beginning of recording is changed so that it is no longer subject to automatic erasure later, the degraded thumbnail image may be restored. In addition, when a recording title that was not subject to automatic erasure at the beginning of recording is changed to be subject to automatic erasure later, the thumbnail image will be degraded when it becomes eligible. Also good. The automatic erasure unit (1601) erases the recorded title according to the erasure time information managed by the erasure time information management unit (1602). Based on this, recorded titles not subject to automatic deletion are not deleted.

  (Embodiment 5: Process Flow) FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, it is determined in step S1801 whether or not it is a target for automatic erasure. If it is determined that the determination here is a target, the process proceeds to step S1802. If it is determined that the determination here is out of scope, this step is repeated. Next, erase time information is acquired in step S1802. This process is mainly executed by the erase time information management unit. In step S1803, the thumbnail image is degraded according to the erase time information. This process is mainly executed by the thumbnail image processing unit.

(Embodiment 5: Effect) The content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment can hold a recording title that is subject to automatic erasure and a recording title that is not subject to automatic erasure from the automatic erasure unit. Therefore, for example, when there is a recording title that the user does not want to be automatically deleted, the corresponding recording title can be designated so that it is not automatically deleted.
(Embodiment 6)

  (Embodiment 6: Overview) In this embodiment, a content recording / playback apparatus capable of determining whether or not to perform thumbnail image degradation processing will be described.

  (Embodiment 6: Configuration) FIG. 19 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (1900) includes an “automatic erasure unit” (1901), an “erase time information management unit” (1902), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (1903), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (1904). And a “thumbnail degradation processing execution determination unit” (1910). Further, the thumbnail processing unit (1904) may further include a fading means. The thumbnail processing unit (1904) may further include thumbnail processing cancellation means. The content recording / playback apparatus (1900) may further include a thumbnail image changing unit, and the thumbnail processing unit (1904) may include a changed thumbnail processing unit. The content recording / playback apparatus (1900) may further include a recorded title holding unit. That is, the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the “thumbnail degradation processing execution determination unit” is added to the configuration of the content recording / playback apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments.

  The “thumbnail degradation processing execution determination unit” (1910) has a function of determining whether or not it is necessary to execute thumbnail image degradation processing in the thumbnail processing unit (1904). “Necessity of execution of deterioration processing of thumbnail images” may indicate whether or not deterioration processing is executed for all thumbnail images, or whether deterioration processing is executed for each thumbnail image. It may indicate whether or not. FIG. 20 is an example of information indicating whether or not deterioration processing is necessary for each thumbnail image. In FIG. 20, “recording title name” is associated with “degradation processing necessity” indicating whether or not the recording title indicated by the recording title name is to be subjected to deterioration processing. Here, when “Necessity of degradation processing” is “N”, it indicates that the degradation processing is not executed, and when “Y” is indicated, it indicates that the degradation processing is performed. And That is, in the example of FIG. 20, only “baseball relay Y” is set not to execute deterioration processing, and other recorded titles are set to execute deterioration processing. For example, it is assumed that the thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit stores the recorded title and information indicating whether or not to execute the deterioration processing in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD in association with each other. In addition, the thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit may be configured to change these settings. Further, for example, as described in the fifth embodiment, when it is possible to set whether or not to be automatically erased for each recording title, recording titles that are not automatically erased are automatically selected. In other words, the setting may be such that deterioration processing is not performed. This is because degradation processing of thumbnail images indicates that automatic deletion of recorded titles is approaching, so it is meaningless and wasteful to perform degradation processing for recorded titles that are not automatically deleted. Because.

  (Sixth Embodiment: Process Flow) FIG. 21 exemplifies a flowchart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, in step S2101, an input for determining whether or not to execute thumbnail image deterioration processing is accepted. This process is mainly executed by the thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit. Next, in step S2102, it is determined whether thumbnail image deterioration processing is necessary. If it is determined that this determination is necessary, the process proceeds to step S2103. If it is determined that this determination is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S2104. In step S2103, the thumbnail image is degraded. This process is mainly executed by the thumbnail image processing unit. Next, in step S2104, it is determined whether the recorded title should be deleted. If the determination here is a determination result that it should be deleted, the process proceeds to step S2105. If the determination here is that it should not be deleted, the process proceeds to step S2101. In step S2105, the recorded title is automatically deleted. This process is mainly executed by the automatic erasure unit.

(Embodiment 6: Effect) The content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment can determine whether or not to perform thumbnail image degradation processing, so that, for example, a recorded title that is not of interest to the user is close to automatic erasure. For a recorded title that does not need to be notified of, it is possible to set such that deterioration processing is not performed. Thereby, unnecessary processing can be omitted.
(Embodiment 7)

  (Embodiment 7: Overview) In this embodiment, a content recording / playback apparatus that can set parameters for degradation processing of thumbnail images will be described.

  (Embodiment 7: Configuration) FIG. 22 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (2200) includes an “automatic erasing unit” (2201), an “erasing time information management unit” (2202), a “thumbnail image holding unit” (2203), and a “thumbnail processing unit” (2204). And having. The thumbnail processing unit (2204) includes “deterioration processing parameter setting means” (2211). Further, the thumbnail processing unit (2204) may further include a fading means. The thumbnail processing unit (2204) may further include thumbnail processing canceling means. The content recording / playback apparatus (2200) may further include a thumbnail image changing unit, and the thumbnail processing unit (2204) may include a changed thumbnail processing unit. The content recording / playback apparatus (2200) may further include a recorded title holding unit. The content recording / playback apparatus (2200) may further include a thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit. That is, the content recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which “deterioration parameter setting means” is added to the configuration of the content recording / playback apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments.

  The “deterioration processing parameter setting means” (2211) has a function of setting parameters related to deterioration processing of thumbnail images. FIG. 23 shows an example of information held by the deteriorated machining parameter setting means. FIG. 23 shows a case where there are four deterioration processing methods as illustrated in FIG. 5, and various parameters are set for each deterioration processing method indicated by “deterioration processing”. For example, in the deterioration processing for fading 30%, it is set that the saturation of the thumbnail image is lowered by 30% and the brightness is lowered by 10%. For example, in the case of 70% trimming, saturation and lightness are not changed, and 70% is trimmed from the upper left as a method of deforming the image. It is assumed that the deterioration processing parameter setting means holds such information in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD. Further, these parameters may be changeable by a user or the like. In that case, the user makes settings via a setting screen for setting various parameters for each deterioration processing method, and the value of “parameter” in FIG. 23 is changed accordingly. Good.

  (Embodiment 7: Process Flow) FIG. 24 exemplifies a flow chart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, in step S2401, parameters relating to thumbnail image degradation processing are set. This process is mainly executed by the deteriorated machining parameter setting means. In step S2402, erase time information is acquired. This process is mainly executed by the erase time information management unit. In step S2403, the thumbnail image is subjected to deterioration processing based on the set parameters regarding deterioration processing in accordance with the erasure time information. This process is mainly executed by the thumbnail image processing unit. Next, in step S2404, it is determined whether the recorded title should be deleted. If the determination here is a determination result that it should be deleted, the process proceeds to step S2405. If it is determined that the determination here should not be deleted, the process proceeds to step S2401. In step S2405, the recorded title is automatically deleted. This process is mainly executed by the automatic erasure unit.

(Embodiment 7: Effect) Since the content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment can set parameters for thumbnail image deterioration processing, it is possible to adjust the deterioration processing according to the user's preference, for example.
(Embodiment 8)

  (Embodiment 8: Overview) In this embodiment, a content recording / playback apparatus characterized by deteriorating a thumbnail image that displays a recorded title according to the time elapsed since the recorded title was recorded will be described.

  (Embodiment 8: Configuration) FIG. 26 illustrates a functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus (2600) includes a “post-recording elapsed time information management unit” (2601), a “second thumbnail image holding unit” (2602), and a “second thumbnail processing unit” (2603). . The second thumbnail processing unit (2603) may further include a second color fading unit. The second thumbnail processing unit (2603) may further include a second thumbnail processing cancellation unit. The content recording / playback apparatus (2600) may further include a second thumbnail image changing unit, and the second thumbnail processing unit (2603) may include a second changed thumbnail processing unit. The content recording / playback apparatus (2600) may further include a second thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit. The second thumbnail processing unit (2603) may further include a second deterioration processing parameter setting unit. The second fading means is the fading means described in the second embodiment, the second thumbnail processing canceling means is the thumbnail processing canceling means described in the third embodiment, and the second thumbnail image changing unit is the fourth thumbnail image changing section. The described thumbnail image changing unit, the second changed thumbnail processing unit are the changed thumbnail processing unit described in the fourth embodiment, and the second thumbnail deterioration processing execution determining unit is the thumbnail deterioration processing execution determining unit described in the sixth embodiment. Since the second degraded machining parameter setting unit has the same function as the degraded machining parameter setting unit described in the seventh embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The “post-recording elapsed time information management unit” (2601) has a function of managing post-recording elapsed time information that is information related to the time that has elapsed since the recording title was recorded. “Management” means holding, changing, deleting, and adding. The “elapsed time information after recording” may be information indicating the time itself that has elapsed since the recording title was recorded, or may be information indicating the date and time when the recording title was recorded. This is because if the date and time when the recording title was recorded is known, the time elapsed since the recording title was recorded can be calculated. FIG. 27 shows an example of post-recording elapsed time information. In FIG. 27, a “recording title name” representing a recorded recording title and an “elapsed time” that is a time elapsed since each recording title was recorded are held. The post-recording elapsed time information management unit can be realized, for example, by storing such post-recording elapsed time information in a predetermined storage area such as an HDD.

  The “second thumbnail image holding unit” (2602) has a function of holding a thumbnail image for displaying a recorded title on the GUI. Since the function of the second thumbnail image holding unit is the same as the function of the thumbnail image holding unit described in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  The “second thumbnail processing unit” (2603) has a function of degrading and processing a thumbnail image that displays a recorded title as the post-recording elapsed time becomes longer according to the post-recording elapsed time information. The function of the second thumbnail image is the same as the function of the thumbnail processing unit described in the first embodiment, whereas the thumbnail processing unit deteriorates the thumbnail image according to the erase time information, whereas the second thumbnail processing unit Is different only in that the thumbnail image is degraded according to the elapsed time information after recording.

  (Embodiment 8: Process Flow) FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment. The content recording / playback apparatus executes the following processing for each recorded title.

  First, post-recording elapsed time information is acquired in step S2801. This process is mainly executed by the post-recording elapsed time information management unit. In step S2802, the thumbnail image is degraded according to the post-recording elapsed time information. This process is mainly executed by the second thumbnail image processing unit.

  (Embodiment 8: Effect) Since the content recording / playback apparatus according to this embodiment can indicate the time elapsed since the recording title was recorded by displaying the thumbnail image after degrading it, Is not complicated, and the user can grasp a recorded title that is out of date at first glance. In addition, by performing deterioration processing on the thumbnail image, there is an advantage that it is easy to grasp that the recording date / time is an old recording title.

Functional block diagram of the content recording / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 1 Example of erase time information An example of information held in the thumbnail image holding unit Specific examples of thumbnail image degradation processing An example of information held in the thumbnail processing section Specific example when the recording list is displayed with degraded thumbnail images FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment. Functional block diagram of content recording / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the second embodiment. Functional block diagram of content recording / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 3 Specific example of processing in thumbnail processing cancellation means FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the third embodiment. Functional Block Diagram of Content Recording / Playback Device According to Embodiment 4 Specific example of processing in modified thumbnail processing means FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. Functional block diagram of content recording / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 5 An example of information held in the recording title holding unit FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. Functional block diagram of a content recording / playback apparatus according to Embodiment 6 An example of information held in the thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. Functional Block Diagram of Content Recording / Playback Device According to Embodiment 7 An example of information held in the deteriorated machining parameter setting means FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a content recording / playback apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. The figure which illustrates the composition of a general computer Functional Block Diagram of Content Recording / Playback Device According to Embodiment 8 Example of elapsed time information after recording FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the content recording / playback apparatus according to the eighth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

0100 Content recording / playback apparatus 0101 Automatic erasure unit 0102 Erasure time information management unit 0103 Thumbnail image holding unit 0104 Thumbnail processing unit 0805 Fading means

Claims (16)

An automatic erasure unit for automatically erasing a predetermined recording title as time passes after recording;
An erasure time information management unit for managing erasure time information, which is information about the time until the recorded title is erased,
A thumbnail image holding unit for holding a thumbnail image for displaying a recorded title on the GUI;
A thumbnail processing unit that degrades a thumbnail image that displays a recording title that is about to be deleted according to the deletion time information;
Have
The thumbnail processing unit includes a thumbnail processing canceling unit that returns a thumbnail image that has been subjected to deterioration processing to a state before deterioration processing by acquiring a thumbnail image that is an original image before deterioration processing that is held in the thumbnail image holding unit. Recording / playback device. A thumbnail image changing unit for changing the stored thumbnail image to another thumbnail image;
The thumbnail processing unit includes a changed thumbnail processing unit that performs a deterioration process equivalent to the thumbnail image before the change on the thumbnail image changed by the thumbnail image change unit, instead of the thumbnail processing cancellation unit. The content recording / playback apparatus described.   3. The content recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording title holding unit that holds a recording title that is an automatic erasure target and a recording title that is not an automatic erasure target from the automatic erasure unit. The thumbnail processing section
Having a first judging means for judging whether or not the recording title that was subject to automatic erasure at the beginning of recording has been changed so that it is not subject to automatic erasure later;
4. The thumbnail processing canceling unit according to claim 3, wherein the thumbnail processing canceling unit is configured to restore the degraded thumbnail image when the determination result of the first determination unit is affirmative. Content recording / playback apparatus. The thumbnail processing section
In addition to having a second determination means for determining whether or not a recording title that was not subject to automatic erasure at the beginning of recording has been changed to be subject to automatic erasure later,
4. The content recording / reproducing according to claim 3, which is configured to perform degradation processing of a thumbnail image when it becomes a target when the determination result of the second determination means is affirmative. apparatus.   The content recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail processing unit includes a color fading unit that performs a process of fading the thumbnail image as a degradation processing of the thumbnail image.   7. The content recording / playback apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit that determines whether or not the thumbnail image deterioration processing needs to be performed in the thumbnail processing unit.   The content recording / playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail processing unit includes a deterioration processing parameter setting unit that sets parameters related to deterioration processing of a thumbnail image. An operation method of a content recording / playback apparatus for holding a thumbnail image for displaying a recorded title on a GUI,
An automatic erasure step for automatically erasing a predetermined recording title as time elapses after recording;
An erasure time information acquisition step for acquiring erasure time information, which is information relating to the time until the recorded title is erased,
A thumbnail processing step that degrades a thumbnail image that displays a recording title that is approaching deletion according to the deletion time information;
Have
The thumbnail processing step is an operation of the content recording / reproducing apparatus having a thumbnail processing cancellation sub-step for returning the deteriorated thumbnail image to the state before the deterioration processing by acquiring the thumbnail image which is the original image before the deterioration processing being held. Method. A post-recording elapsed time information management unit that manages post-recording elapsed time information that is information related to the time elapsed since the recording title was recorded;
A second thumbnail image holding unit for holding a thumbnail image for displaying a recorded title on the GUI;
A second thumbnail processing unit that degrades a thumbnail image that displays a recorded title as the elapsed time after recording becomes longer according to the elapsed time information after recording;
Have
The second thumbnail processing unit obtains a thumbnail image that is an original image before deterioration processing that is held in the second thumbnail image holding unit, and thereby returns the thumbnail image that has been subjected to deterioration processing to the state before the deterioration processing. A content recording / reproducing apparatus having processing cancellation means . 11. The content recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the second thumbnail processing unit includes a second color fading unit that executes a process for fading the thumbnail image as a thumbnail image degradation processing. A second thumbnail image changing unit for changing a held thumbnail image to another thumbnail image;
The second thumbnail processing unit includes a second changed thumbnail processing unit that performs degradation processing on the thumbnail image changed by the second thumbnail image changing unit to the same degree as the thumbnail image before the change.
The content recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 . The content recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a second thumbnail deterioration processing execution determination unit that determines whether or not the thumbnail image deterioration processing needs to be performed in the second thumbnail processing unit. The content recording / playback apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the second thumbnail processing section includes second deterioration processing parameter setting means for setting parameters relating to thumbnail image deterioration processing. An operation method of a content recording / playback apparatus for holding a thumbnail image for displaying a recorded title on a GUI,
A post-recording elapsed time information acquisition step for acquiring post-recording elapsed time information that is information relating to a time elapsed since the recording title was recorded;
A second thumbnail processing step for degrading the thumbnail image for displaying the recorded title as the elapsed time after recording becomes longer according to the elapsed time information after recording;
Have
The second thumbnail processing step includes a second thumbnail processing cancellation sub-step that returns the thumbnail image that has been deteriorated and processed to a state before deterioration processing by acquiring the thumbnail image that is the original image that has been stored and is not yet deteriorated. Operation method of the playback device. 16. The operation method of the content recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the second thumbnail processing step includes a second fading substep for executing a fading process of the thumbnail image as a degradation processing of the thumbnail image.

Images