JP4691811B2 - Portable information device, reservation control method, reservation control program, and reservation control program storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information device that performs reservation control such as program recording reservation and content download from a portable information device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a mobile phone (mobile-phone), a reservation control method, and a reservation The present invention relates to a control program and a reservation control program storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic program guides (EPG) and the like can be viewed via a portable information device (mobile device) such as a PDA or a mobile phone via the Internet. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, usually, the program information is merely confirmed, and the current situation is that the recording device is not linked.
[0003]
In addition, a personal computer (PC) having a recording function as shown in FIG. 2 is used to view an electronic program guide via the Internet, and from this, a recording system possessed by the PC itself is used to perform scheduled recording. There is something to do. However, this system is not integrated with PDAs or mobile devices.
[0004]
Independent recording devices such as VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorders are also used in some devices, such as terrestrial VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval), BS (Broadcast Satellite), and CS (Communication Satellite). There is a program that performs scheduled recording in conjunction with an electronic program guide that uses an empty portion of the data. As a method for instructing reservation recording from the outside to these devices, there is a method in which a modem of the recording device is controlled from the outside using a tone signal (DTMF signal) of a telephone. However, this is not linked with the electronic program guide.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Further, there is a method in which an instruction is directly given on demand to a target device from a mobile device such as a PDA via a mobile phone by combining these. However, depending on the location, communication becomes impossible and there is a problem of communication costs. For example, a desired instruction cannot be given on demand from places where communication is prohibited or impossible, such as in trains or tunnels.
[0006]
In addition, when downloading downloadable content provided by an application service provider (ASP), such as video content, music content, an electronic book, or an application service provider (ASP) on-demand in combination with a mobile phone like the PDA shown in FIG. Similarly, the intended purpose may not be achieved depending on the communication status, and the devices are usually not linked. The same applies to a high-function mobile phone that also has a PDA function as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the same applies to the silicon audio device (or solid audio device) shown in FIG. 3C when downloading on-demand music content from this device via a mobile phone or the like. There's a problem. In addition, there are cases where it is desired to download the data from a non-portable device at home due to restrictions such as the communication speed and storage data capacity of the mobile device.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention is a portable type in which the user can transfer the instruction content after the user has accumulated only the instruction content in the portable information device and can directly communicate with the instruction target device after returning home. An object is to provide an information device, a reservation control method, a reservation control program, and a reservation control program storage medium.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a portable information device according to the present invention includes a first communication unit for acquiring reservation information for instructing an instruction target device from a server via the Internet, and the reservation information. Temporary storage means, second communication means for communicating with an instruction target device located at a relatively short distance, and the second communication means can communicate with the instruction target device Control means for transferring the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information to the instruction target device when the state is reached, and reception means for receiving the content acquired based on the instruction content from the instruction target device. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
The reservation information can be acquired from the outside by a user of the portable information device, for example, from the outside, for example, from a network connected by the first communication means. When the instruction target device is a recording device, the reservation information may be program recording reservation information. When the instruction target device is an information processing apparatus connected to a network, the reservation information may be reservation information for downloading content via the network. The instruction target device is normally a non-portable device at the user's home or the like, and when the second communication means becomes communicable with the instruction target device when the user returns home or the like In addition, when the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information is transferred to the instruction target device, the reservation control is executed. For example, if the reservation control is a program recording reservation, the reservation is inherited by the instruction target device. If the content is to be downloaded, the download is executed in the instruction target device according to the instruction content.
[0010]
The control unit determines the on-demand property of the reservation information reservation, and when determining that the reservation information is on-demand property, transmits the instruction content to the instruction target device by the first communication unit. You may do it. In the present invention, in principle, it is assumed that reservation information is simply stored in a portable information device when going out and the like, and instructions to the instruction target device are made later by the second communication means. However, depending on the reservation contents, the instruction target device can be instructed by the first communication means even when the user is away from home.
[0011]
A reservation control method and a reservation control program according to the present invention are reservation control methods for performing reservation control of instructions to an instruction target device in a portable information device, wherein reservation information for reserving an instruction of the instruction target device is stored. Acquiring from a server via the Internet, temporarily storing the reservation information, monitoring whether the instruction target device is in a state capable of short-range communication from the portable information device, When the short distance communication is enabled, the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information is transferred to the instruction target device by short distance communication, and the content acquired based on the instruction content is transferred to the instruction target device. And a step of receiving from .
[0012]
The present invention can also be understood as a reservation control program storage medium storing such a reservation control program. As a program storage medium used for installing such a computer program in a portable information device and making it executable, not only package media such as floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc., but also programs May be a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk in which is temporarily or permanently stored.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to other drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 4 shows configuration examples of various systems to which the present invention is applied. This figure shows the state of cooperation between various portable information devices and non-portable information devices in the present embodiment. In the present specification, the “system” refers to a logical collection of a plurality of devices, and it does not matter whether the devices of each configuration are in the same housing. In the present invention, a communication or broadcast infrastructure for receiving an electronic program guide, download target content, broadcast program, etc. via a network such as the Internet or a broadcast, a server, etc. are used. The illustration is omitted.
[0015]
4A shows a PDA 20 as a portable information device, a disk (DVD) recorder 61, a HDD (Hard Disc Drive) recorder 62, and a video cassette recorder as video recording (recording) as a non-portable information device. A combination with (VCR) 63 or the like is shown. The communication interface 31 between devices is an interface that performs short-distance communication at a relatively short distance (for example, about several meters to several tens of meters). If wireless, Bluetooth (trademark), IEEE802.11 system, IrDA is used. (Infrared Data Association) etc., i. LlNK (trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus), serial modem, etc. are conceivable. From the viewpoint of convenience, a wireless interface is preferable. In this combination, the user connects to a server on the network using an external communication device such as a mobile phone (or communication means if the PDA 20 has a built-in communication means) and obtains an electronic program guide when going outside. Based on this, a reservation act is performed. By this reservation act, program recording reservation information is temporarily stored in the PDA 20. After returning home, the user performs control such as a reservation instruction for a non-portable device from the PDA 20 via the communication interface 31 based on the stored information.
[0016]
FIG. 4B shows a combination of a silicon audio device 50 as a portable information device and a digital television device 65 (or set-top box (STB)) as an information processing device having a satellite broadcast reception function. The silicon audio device 50 is a recording / playback device for music content (music data) using a static storage device such as a semiconductor memory, and the communication interface between devices is the same as in FIG. 4A. . In this case, the user connects to a music distribution server or the like on the network by using an external communication device such as a mobile phone (or communication means in the case where communication means are built in), etc. The information for specifying the download target is obtained, and the download instruction is temporarily stored in the silicon audio apparatus 50 as reservation information. After returning home, the user gives a download instruction from the silicon audio apparatus 50 to the digital television apparatus 65 via the communication interface 31 based on the stored information. Of course, the music data downloaded by the digital TV device 65 is transferred to the silicon audio device 50 via the communication interface 31 and stored in an internal storage device, for example, a portable memory 51 such as a memory stick (trademark of Sony Corporation). can do. The music data stored in the memory 51 can be reproduced and listened to by the headphones 52.
[0017]
FIG. 4C shows a combination of the high-function mobile phone 40 as a portable information device and an information processing apparatus (PC) as the home gateway 10. The home gateway 10 is connected to the various recorders 61, 62, 63, the digital television 65, and the like described above, and can communicate with and control them.
[0018]
The combination of the portable information device and the non-portable information device shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and various other combinations are possible. For example, the PDA 20 and the silicon audio device 50 can be combined with the home gateway 10. It is also possible to control the various recorders 61, 62, 63 from the mobile phone 40 via the communication interface 31.
[0019]
As the recording reservation information, for example, a broadcast channel, a broadcast start time, a broadcast end time, a program name, etc. are used as information for specifying a broadcast program. The content of the broadcast program that is the target of video recording can be acquired from terrestrial broadcast, satellite broadcast, cable TV, Internet broadcast, and the like. As the content download reservation information, information for specifying the content such as the location (for example, URL) to be downloaded and the content name is used. Such download reservation information can be transferred from the server side to the portable information device by using a tag-based mechanism such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to improve the user interface. it can.
[0020]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a schematic internal configuration of the PDA 20 as an example of the portable information device used in the present embodiment. In the PDA 20, a ROM 102, a graphic controller 103, a touch panel controller 106, a RAM 108, a communication interface 109, and a short-range communication device 110 are connected to a CPU 101 that controls the entire apparatus via a bus 111. The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 101 and fixed data in a nonvolatile manner. This may be a writable memory such as a flash ROM. The RAM 108 is a generally volatile readable / writable memory used as a temporary data storage area and work area by the CPU 101. Under the control of the CPU 101, the graphic controller 103 writes externally obtained display data into the VRAM 105, reads it, and displays it on a display device 104 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The touch panel controller 106 controls the touch panel 107 under the control of the CPU 101, detects a user operation on the touch panel 107, and transmits the input information to the CPU 101. In addition to the touch panel 107, an input device such as a keyboard may be separately provided. Here, the communication interface 109 is a communication interface that can communicate with a server that provides reservation information for program recording and content download. For example, PDC (Peronal Digital Cellular), PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum) Standard), WCDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000, HDR (High Data Rate), and the like. In the case of a portable information device such as a PDA, the communication interface 109 may be an interface for temporarily connecting to an external communication device and using its communication function. The short-range communication device 110 corresponds to the communication interface 31 described with reference to FIG. 4. As described above, in the case of wireless, Bluetooth (trademark), IEEE802.11 system, IrDA, etc. are wired. I. LlNK (trademark), USB, serial modem, etc. can be considered. Although not shown, it is assumed that the CPU 101 has a clock function for generating current date and time information.
[0021]
FIG. 6 shows an example of a schematic internal configuration of a recording device 200 as an instruction target device in the present embodiment. The recording device 200 may be any one of the recorders 61, 62, 63 and the like described above. The recording device 200 includes a ROM 202, a TV broadcast receiving circuit 203, a video recording device 205, a display device 206, a RAM 209, a communication interface 210, a short-range communication device 211, and an ID ROM 212 with respect to the CPU 201 that controls the entire device. They are connected via a bus 220. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 201 and fixed data in a nonvolatile manner, and may be a writable memory such as a flash ROM as described above. The RAM 209 is a generally volatile readable / writable memory that is used as a temporary data storage area and work area by the CPU 201. The TV broadcast receiving circuit 203 receives terrestrial and satellite broadcast waves from the antenna 204, performs processing such as demodulation, decoding, (decompression for digitally compressed signals) and the like, and outputs video and audio signals. Perform playback. The video recording device 205 records the reproduced video and audio signals on a recording medium such as a disk, HDD, or magnetic tape. The display device 206 is a display such as a CRT or LCD. The communication interface 210 is for receiving an on-demand reservation instruction from a portable information device, and is configured by an analog modem, a cable modem, or the like, for example. The ID ROM 212 is a ROM that stores information that can identify what the apparatus 200 is.
[0022]
As an example, FIG. 7 shows a data format in the ID ROM 212. In this example, the ID ROM 212 stores a device type 212a, a vendor ID 212b, a unique ID 212c, a software version 212d, standard data 212e, and a vendor specific data 212f. Such information is useful when the contents of control differ depending on the counterpart device to be accessed when accessing from a portable information device, and is also useful for selecting and identifying a connection partner.
[0023]
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of reservation control by the portable information device and processing related thereto in the present embodiment. In this example, processing of a portable information device such as a PDA is assumed.
[0024]
First, the user obtains an electronic program guide from a portable information device using an external communication device (or communication means if communication means are incorporated) via a network such as the Internet (S10). A reservation instruction is accepted based on the contents (S11). As described above, this reservation information includes, for example, a recording reservation channel, a program name, start and end times, and is stored locally in the portable information device (S12). In the case of downloading contents such as music contents, a download target list or the like is used instead of the electronic program guide.
[0025]
Next, it is determined whether or not the instruction content is on-demand (S13). The following criteria and methods can be considered for this judgment.
(1) Based on the time from the current time to the reservation execution start time.
This is a case in which the user waits for an instruction, i.e., waits until the time for giving an instruction arrives, without giving an instruction immediately, in anticipation of the reservation execution start time input by the user. If it is not in time to make a reservation immediately, it is determined that the instruction content has on-demand characteristics.
(2) By checking with the user's schedule in the PIM (Personal Information Manager) database.
When a user's schedule is obtained as information stored in the device like a portable information device such as a PDA or a mobile phone, whether the reservation is on-demand by judging the information according to the current date and time Can be judged. For example, based on the contents of the schedule (location and time), it can be determined whether or not the user is at home at that time. The schedule information is stored in the RAM 108 (FIG. 5) described above.
[0026]
If the reservation instruction content is on-demand, it is determined whether or not there is a device capable of external communication such as a mobile phone outside (personal) (S15). External communication here refers to transmitting instruction data to an instruction target device by connecting to the instruction target device or connecting to a home gateway through a telephone network or the like. Such a device capable of external communication may be used when a communication means is built in the portable information device. Next, it is checked whether the externally communicable device is in a communicable state with the communication partner (S16). If communication is impossible due to out of service area or communication status, the system waits until communication is possible. However, this processing may be terminated if communication is not possible after a plurality of trials. In that case, a message to that effect is notified to the user. If it is in a communicable state (if it becomes), communication is started (S17). Then, it progresses to step S19 mentioned later.
[0027]
If it is determined in step S13 that the instruction content is not on-demand, the instruction target device appears around (in other words, until the user enters a predetermined distance range with respect to the instruction target device) ( S14), monitoring the availability of communication by the short-range communication device 110 (S18). However, in the meantime, it is monitored in step S13 whether or not the instruction content changes to one having on-demand characteristics over time. A network connection is established between the portable information device and the instruction target device such as a recording device when the instruction target device is present in a state where communication with the device is possible (S19). . It should be noted that the type of network to be established differs depending on whether the process proceeds from step S17 to step S19 or the process proceeds from step S18. The former is a network using a telephone network or the like by the first communication interface 109, and the latter is a network using a short-range communication device 110.
[0028]
Thereafter, the instruction content is transmitted to the instruction target device (S20). This instruction content may be the reservation information itself stored in the portable information device or may be a processed version thereof. When the instruction content has been transferred (S21, Yes), a response from the instruction target device is received (S22), the network is disconnected (S23), and this process is terminated.
[0029]
According to the present embodiment, the user can record a program when he / she notices on the go, such as in a train, or does not care about the state of the communication infrastructure, or happens to browse the electronic program guide. It becomes possible to reserve reservations and downloads of content such as music and video. At this time, unless there is an urgent need, the above-described adverse effect on the use of the communication carrier can be avoided by not giving an on-demand type instruction. Also, there is no need to worry about billing for communication.
[0030]
Under the condition where the communication speed in the mobile environment using the portable information device is not sufficient, it is considered that the device in the home often has a sufficient communication speed. In such a case, for example, it is conceivable to use broadcasting streaming such as BS (Broadcasting Satellite), CS (Communication Satellite) digital. Also, according to the instructed reservation via the set-top box or digital TV device using high-speed transfer by optical fiber such as xDSL (x Digital Subscriber Line), cable modem, FTTH (Fiber To The Home), etc. It is possible to download.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, the explanation was focused on PDAs and mobile phones, but the Intelligent Universal Commander as a multi-function learning remote controller that can access data such as electronic program guides on a network such as the Internet is also described in this embodiment. The invention is applicable. This intelligent universal commander can be shared by a plurality of different vendors as instruction target devices. In this specification, the term “portable information device” is used in a broad sense including such a device.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible not only to make a reservation for instruction control of an instruction target device at any desired time, but also to make a reservation in cooperation with the instruction target device using the reservation information after returning home. It becomes possible to control. By minimizing the instruction to the instruction target device as soon as possible at the time of reservation as much as possible, there is no need to worry about the communication state and billing for the instruction to the instruction target device using the communication network.
[0033]
In addition, the reservation information is created based on an electronic program guide acquired from the outside, a download target list, and the like, and thereafter, the instruction control can be performed on the instruction target device using the reservation information. The user can perform accurate reservation control without having to store the reservation information itself.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an electronic program guide is displayed on a display screen of a PDA.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an electronic program guide is displayed on a display screen of a personal computer (PC) having a recording function.
FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams (a), (b), and (c) for explaining a communication function of a portable information device.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams (a), (b), and (c) showing a state of cooperation between various portable information devices and non-portable information devices in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a PDA as an example of a portable information device used in an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a PDA as an example of a portable information device used in an embodiment according to the present invention.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a data format in the ID ROM shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of reservation by the portable information device and processing related thereto in the embodiment according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Home gateway, 20 ... PDA, 31 ... Communication interface, 40 ... Mobile phone, 50 ... Silicon (solid) audio device, 61 ... Disk recorder, 62 ... HDD recorder, 63 ... VCR, 65 ... Digital television apparatus (DTV)

Claims (10)

First communication means for acquiring reservation information for instructing an instruction target device from a server via the Internet ;
Storage means for temporarily storing the reservation information;
A second communication means for communicating with the instruction target device located at a relatively short distance;
Control means for transferring the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information to the instruction target device when the second communication means becomes communicable with the instruction target device;
A portable information device comprising receiving means for receiving content acquired based on the instruction content from the instruction target device. The instruction target device is a recording device, and the reservation information is program recording reservation information.
The portable information device according to claim 1. The instruction target device is an information processing apparatus connected to the Internet , and the reservation information is reservation information for downloading contents via the Internet.
The portable information device according to claim 1. The receiving means receives the content downloaded based on the instruction content from the instruction target device.
The portable information device according to claim 3. The control unit determines the on-demand property of the reservation information reservation, and if it is determined that the reservation information is on-demand property, the first communication unit transmits the instruction target device to the instruction target device via the Internet. Send instructions
The portable information device according to claim 1. Clock means for outputting current date and time information is further provided, and the control means determines whether or not there is on-demand property based on a time from a current time to a reservation execution start time.
The portable information device according to claim 5 . Clock means for outputting current date and time information;
Means for storing user schedule information; and
The control means determines the presence or absence of the on-demand property based on the current date information and schedule information.
The portable information device according to claim 5 . In a portable information device, a reservation control method for performing reservation control of an instruction to an instruction target device,
Acquiring reservation information for reserving an instruction of the instruction target device from a server via the Internet ;
Temporarily storing the reservation information;
Monitoring whether the instruction target device is in a state capable of short-range communication from the portable information device;
Transferring the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information to the instruction target device by short-range communication when the short-range communication is enabled; and
Receiving content acquired based on the instruction content from the instruction target device;
Reservation control method with. In a portable information device, a reservation control program that performs reservation control of an instruction to an instruction target device,
Acquiring reservation information for reserving an instruction of the instruction target device from a server via the Internet ;
Temporarily storing the reservation information;
Monitoring whether the instruction target device is in a state capable of short-range communication from the portable information device;
Transferring the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information to the instruction target device by short-range communication when the short-range communication is enabled; and
A reservation control program that executes a step of receiving content acquired based on the instruction content from the instruction target device . In a portable information device, a program storage medium storing a reservation control program for performing reservation control of an instruction to an instruction target device,
Acquiring reservation information for reserving an instruction of the instruction target device from a server via the Internet ;
Temporarily storing the reservation information;
Monitoring whether the instruction target device is in a state capable of short-range communication from the portable information device;
Transferring the instruction content corresponding to the reservation information to the instruction target device by short-range communication when the short-range communication is enabled; and
A program storage medium storing a reservation control program for executing a step of receiving content acquired based on the instruction content from the instruction target device .

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