JP4896161B2 - Information recording / reproducing apparatus, information recording / reproducing method, information recording / reproducing program, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus, an information recording / reproducing method, an information recording / reproducing program, and a computer-readable recording medium. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described information recording / reproducing apparatus, information recording / reproducing method, information recording / reproducing program, and computer-readable recording medium.

  Conventionally, when broadcasting content transmitted from a broadcasting station is recorded by a recorder, it is recorded in a format suitable for the recorder. When the recorded broadcast content is transferred or copied and transmitted to a playback device, it is converted into a format that can be played back by the playback device, and then transferred or copied and transmitted.

  In recent years, in order to achieve both user convenience and copyright holder rights protection for content that can only be copied by one generation, the received content can be moved to any recording medium. It has been proposed to store a file and a moving storage file that can be moved only to a specific recording medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2006-244603 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, if the format of the broadcast content recorded by the recorder is different from the format that can be played back by the playback device, the format conversion processing performed when transferring or copying the playback to the playback device takes a lot of time. An example of this is the problem.

  On the other hand, when a high-performance device is introduced so as to perform the format conversion process in a short time, there is a problem that the user is forced to cost a lot. Furthermore, when the processing load is reduced in a short time, such as by low-resolution format conversion processing, the quality of the broadcast content is impaired, and the user cannot comfortably view the broadcast content. Is given as an example.

  In the above-described technique of Patent Document 1, the format of the device to be played back is not taken into consideration. Therefore, if the format of the storage file or the move storage file is not a format that can be played back by the playback device, the format conversion process must be performed. An example is the problem that must be done.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 relates to an input means for accepting input of content and a format that can be reproduced by a reproducing apparatus connectable to the apparatus. When receiving the input of one content by the acquisition means for acquiring format information and the input means, the format for the one content is converted into a plurality of different formats based on the format information acquired by the acquisition means. The conversion unit and the one content of one format that can be played back by the own device among the plurality of different formats converted by the conversion unit are set to active to enable playback, duplication, or transfer, and The one content of another format different from the one format Is set to be inactive so as not to be reproduced, duplicated or transferred, and recording means for recording the one content set by the setting means and converted into the plurality of different formats. The setting means, when the format that can be played back by the playback device is the other format in response to a transfer or copy request of the content by the playback device, the one of the other formats The content is changed to active, and the one content in the one format is changed to inactive.

  An information recording / reproducing method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes an input step of accepting input of content, an acquisition step of acquiring format information relating to a format that can be reproduced by a reproduction device connectable to the device, and the input A conversion step of converting the format for the one content into a plurality of different formats based on the format information acquired by the acquisition step when the input of the one content is received by the step, and the conversion by the conversion step Among the plurality of different formats, the one content in one format that can be played back by the own device is set to active so that playback, duplication, or transfer can be performed, and the other format different from the one format One content cannot be played, copied or transferred A setting step for setting to inactive, and a recording step for recording the one content set in the setting step and converted into the plurality of different formats. When the format that can be played back by the playback device is the other format in response to a transfer request or copy request of the content, the one content of the other format is changed to active, and the format The one content is changed to inactive.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an information recording / reproducing program causes a computer to execute the information recording / reproducing method according to the eighth aspect.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium records the information recording / reproducing program according to the ninth aspect.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the information recording device concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the information recording device concerning this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the content recording system using the recording device concerning Example 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the recording of the content by the video recording apparatus concerning Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the transfer request | requirement from the reproduction | regeneration terminal in the recording device concerning Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of reception of the format information from the reproduction | regeneration terminal in the video recording apparatus concerning Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the transfer of the content in the video recording apparatus concerning Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the return of the content in the video recording apparatus concerning Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary after the return of the content in the recording device concerning Example 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a content recording processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a content transfer processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a content reproduction processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of transmission of the copy of the content by the video recording apparatus concerning Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary after transmission of the copy of the content in the video recording apparatus concerning the present Example 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a content copy transmission processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment;

  Exemplary embodiments of an information recording / reproducing apparatus, an information recording / reproducing method, an information recording / reproducing program, and a computer-readable recording medium will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of information recording device)
The functional configuration of the information recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the information recording apparatus 100 includes an input unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a conversion unit 103, a setting unit 104, a recording unit 105, a determination unit 106, and an output unit 107. .

  The input unit 101 receives content input. The input unit 101 receives, for example, input of broadcast content by digital broadcast waves and analog broadcast waves distributed from a broadcast station (not shown), and video / audio content from other recording media.

  Specifically, for example, the input unit 101 may be configured to accept input of content in which restrictions on content duplication are set. The limitation on copying may be a limitation such as the number of times content is copied, for example. Further, the input unit 101 may be configured to accept input of content in which restrictions on content transfer are set, for example. The restriction regarding transfer may be, for example, a restriction that permits only the transfer of content and does not permit the generation of a copy.

  The acquisition unit 102 acquires format information related to the format conversion of the content input by the input unit 101. The format information is, for example, information on a format in which the content can be reproduced by the information recording device 100 or a reproduction device that reproduces the content, and may include information on a plurality of formats.

  The conversion unit 103 converts the format of the content into a plurality of different formats from the format information acquired by the acquisition unit 102. In other words, for example, the conversion unit 103 generates a plurality of contents in a plurality of different formats. Here, the different formats are, for example, formats with different content compression methods. For example, even if the same format is used, if the resolution and compression rate are different, the formats are different.

  Specifically, for example, the conversion unit 103 may convert the content format according to a format that can be played back by a content playback device that makes a content acquisition request. Here, the playback device may be the device that plays back the content by acquiring the transfer or copy of the content from the information recording device 100, and may be the information recording device 100 itself.

  In other words, for example, the conversion unit 103 converts the format of the content into a format in which the information recording apparatus 100 can reproduce the content, a format in which a playback device that can play back the content can play back the content, or the like.

  In addition, the conversion unit 103 may convert the content format in accordance with, for example, history information related to the history of acquisition requests from playback devices. The history information may be, for example, information related to the frequency and date / time when the playback device makes a content acquisition request to the information recording apparatus 100 in order to play back the content.

  Specifically, for example, the conversion unit 103 preferentially converts the format of the content according to the history information into a format of a playback device that is highly likely to be played and a playback device suitable for playback, Appropriate format conversion can be performed in order to improve processing time efficiency.

  In the description of FIG. 1, the conversion unit 103 converts broadcast content from the acquired format information, but the acquisition unit 102 acquires only the format information of the format that the conversion unit 103 performs format conversion. It is good as well. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire the format information in accordance with a format that can be played back by the playback device of the content, history information regarding an acquisition request history from the playback device, and the like.

  Further, when converting into a plurality of different formats, the conversion unit 103 may convert the content into a plurality of formats at the same time by double speed processing, or sequentially convert according to the format and history information that can be played back by the playback device. . In this way, it is possible to realize format conversion in the order of frequent format conversion, content reproduction possibility and frequency, and optimization of format conversion processing can be achieved.

  The setting unit 104 sets the content of one format among a plurality of different formats converted by the conversion unit 103 so as to be reproducible, and sets the content of another format different from the one format so as not to be reproducible. By doing so, a plurality of contents can be reproduced in a disorderly manner, and copyright can be protected.

  For example, when the determination unit 106 described later includes a format that can be played back by a playback device, the setting unit 104 can play back content in a format that can be played back by the playback device among other formats. It may be set so that content in one format cannot be reproduced.

  The setting unit 104 resets one format to be replayable after the output unit 107 described below outputs a copy of the content in a format that can be played back by the playback device, and sets the format that can be played back by the playback device. It is good also as resetting so that reproduction is impossible.

  The recording unit 105 records the content set by the setting unit 104. Specifically, for example, the recording unit 105 records a plurality of contents of a plurality of different formats on a recording medium (not shown).

  When there is a content acquisition request from a playback device that plays back content, the determination unit 106 determines whether there are formats that can be played back by the playback device in a plurality of different formats. Specifically, for example, the acquisition request is a request for content replication or a request for content transfer from a playback device that plays back the content, a user operation input by an operation unit (not shown), or the information recording apparatus 100. The configuration may be performed by detecting the connection of a playback device to.

  The output unit 107 performs the reproduction of the content that can be played back by the playback device in response to the acquisition request for requesting the copy of the content from the playback device that plays back the content, in accordance with restrictions on the copy input by the input unit 101. Output to playback equipment.

  The output unit 107 also reproduces content that can be played back by the playback device in response to an acquisition request for requesting transfer of content from the playback device that plays back the content, in accordance with restrictions on transfer input by the input unit 101. It is also possible to forward and output to.

  Furthermore, after the content is transferred by the output unit 107, the information recording apparatus 100 makes a content return request to the playback device when there is a content acquisition request from another playback device different from the playback device. Also good.

  In this case, when the content is returned as a result of the return request, the determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a format that can be played back by another playback device, and the setting unit 104 plays back the playback device. If there is a format that can be played, the content in a format that can be played back by another playback device is set to be playable, and content other than a format that can be played back by another playback device is set to be unplayable. Then, the output unit 107 transfers the content that can be played back by the other playback device to the other playback device in response to the content acquisition request from the other playback device in accordance with the restriction on the transfer input by the input unit 101. It is good also as a structure to output.

(Contents of information recording device processing)
Next, the contents of processing of the information recording apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the information recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the input unit 101 determines whether or not content input is accepted (step S201).

  In step S201, the process waits for the input of content, and if received (step S201: Yes), the acquisition unit 102 acquires format information related to the conversion of the format of the content input in step S201 (step S202). ).

  Next, the conversion unit 103 converts the format of the content from the format information acquired in step S202 (step S203). Specifically, for example, the content input in step S201 is converted by the conversion unit 103 into a plurality of contents having a plurality of different formats.

  Then, the setting unit 104 performs settings related to reproduction for the content whose format has been converted in step S203 (step S204). As for the settings relating to reproduction, for example, one of the plurality of different formats converted in step S203 is set to be reproducible, and the content of another format different from the one format is set to be non-reproducible. .

  Then, the recording unit 105 records the content set in step S204 on a recording medium (not shown) (step S205), and the series of processing ends.

  The information recording apparatus, the information recording method, the information recording program, and the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention are realized by the information recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The apparatus is not limited to 100, and a plurality of apparatuses may be used as long as the function unit illustrated in FIG. When each functional unit is connected as a different device, the connection between the devices may be established by performing communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, regardless of wired or wireless.

  As described above, according to the information recording apparatus, the information recording method, the information recording program, and the computer-readable recording medium according to the present embodiment, the recording of the content in the format corresponding to the format that can be played back by the playback device Can be speeded up and optimized, and the output of the content to be reproduced can be made more efficient.

  Example 1 of the present invention will be described below. In the first embodiment, for example, an example in which the information recording apparatus of the present invention is implemented by a recording apparatus installed at a user's home or the like and having a recording function and a playback function of content transmitted from outside will be described. .

(Overview of recording content)
First, an outline of a content recording system using the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a content recording system using the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the content recording system 300 includes a recording device 301, a content distribution device 302, and playback terminals 303 (303a and 303b). The recording device 301 and the content distribution device 302 are connected by a network 310.

  The content distribution device 302 is installed in a broadcasting station (not shown) and distributes content to the user's recording device 301 via the network 310. Specifically, for example, the content distribution device 302 distributes content by broadcast waves such as terrestrial digital broadcast, analog television broadcast, and FM radio.

  Further, the content distributed by the content distribution device 302 may be set with restrictions on viewing at the distribution destination. Specifically, for example, a limit on the number of times that a copy of the content is generated and a limit on whether or not the content can be transferred are set, and the copyright of the content is protected by these restrictions.

  The recording device 301 records content received from the content distribution device 302. Specifically, for example, the recording device 301 records content in response to a user operation input. More specifically, for example, when receiving a terrestrial digital television broadcast, the user performs a recording operation by designating a time zone, a channel, or the like in which the program is distributed.

  In addition, the recording device 301 converts the format of the received content into a plurality of different formats for recording. The details will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, 14, and 15. Specifically, for example, the recording device 301 has a received content format that is not shown in the recording device 301. Convert content into multiple different formats, including playable formats.

  More specifically, for example, a plurality of different formats are converted by different codecs or different resolutions and compression rates of the same codec. Further, the plurality of different formats may be, for example, formats according to the performance of the playback terminal 303 described later or a history regarding a request for content from the playback terminal 303. In other words, the format conversion may be performed by converting the format of the received content into a format suitable for normal playback on the recording device 301, a format that may be played back on the playback terminal 303, or the like.

  Here, the content format conversion process may be performed simultaneously with the recording of the received content, for example. That is, the format of the received content may be converted into a format suitable for the recording device 301 and recorded, and another format may be converted. In this way, by performing format conversion processing by double speed processing for two formats and triple speed processing for three formats, it is possible to quickly record (record) content in a plurality of different formats.

  Further, instead of performing a plurality of format conversion processes at the same time, when recording received content, it may be converted sequentially into contents of different formats using a buffer memory or the like. At this time, the order of the format conversion process may be based on, for example, the performance of the playback terminal 303 to be described later or a history regarding the content request from the playback terminal 303.

  By such format conversion processing, content in a format necessary for reproduction by the recording device 301 or the reproduction terminal 303 can be quickly and optimally recorded. Here, with respect to the content distributed by the content distribution apparatus 302, there may be a recording restriction such as a restriction on the number of times to generate a copy or a restriction on whether transfer is possible.

  Details will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, 14, and 15, but when a recording restriction is set, a content suitable for playback on the recording device 301 is selected from a plurality of contents in different formats. The content may be set as active, and the content of other formats may be set as inactive.

  The content set to active can be processed such as reproduction, copy, and transfer, and the content set to inactive cannot be processed such as reproduction, copy, and transfer. Specifically, for example, the setting that disables playback processing is to set a flag indicating that playback cannot be performed, or to encrypt using a key that can only be opened by an active / inactive setting function unit (not shown). Etc. Thus, the presence of content set to inactive may not be handled by the user on the user interface.

  With the active / inactive setting process, for example, the process of generating a plurality of contents by converting to a plurality of different formats becomes the target of the number of times due to the limitation of the number of times of copying, and the number of times of copying is wasted. You can avoid digestion. That is, only one content is active (valid), and the other content is inactive (invalid) so that the restriction is not applied.

  Then, when a request for acquisition (for example, copy or transfer) is received from the playback terminal 303 to be described later, content in a format suitable for the playback terminal 303 in accordance with a limit on the number of times to generate a copy or a limit on whether transfer is possible It is good also as a structure which sets this to active and responds to a request | requirement. In this way, the recording apparatus 301 can appropriately protect the copyright of the copyright holder of the content and can prepare in advance a content in a format suitable for the playback terminal 303. Output can be performed.

  In the first embodiment, the number of contents set to be active is set to one as a format having a format suitable for the recording apparatus 301. However, a plurality of contents may be set according to recording restrictions. If there is a limit on the number of times of copying, not only the content in any one format is made active, but the inactive content of the original recording device 301 is increased by the number of times of actual copying (the active content is (Decrease) may be used.

  The playback terminal 303 is connected to the recording device 301 and acquires the recorded content. Then, the acquired content is reproduced. For example, the content is acquired by a content that can be played back by the playback terminal 303. In the first embodiment, the content is acquired by transfer output from the recording device 301, and in the second embodiment described later by copy output from the recording device. To do.

  Specifically, for example, the content acquisition may be configured such that a request for content acquisition (for example, copy or transfer) is made to the recording apparatus 301 or a request for acquisition is made by connection. The connection with the recording apparatus 301 is not limited to wired or wireless, but may be a network such as the Internet.

  The network 310 is a communication network such as the Internet, and is not limited to wired or wireless. Specifically, for example, these communication networks include a LAN, a WAN, a public line network, a mobile phone network, and the like, and can receive terrestrial digital broadcasting, analog television broadcasting, FM radio, and the like.

  In the first embodiment, the content recorded by the recording device 301 is content distributed by the content distribution device 302, but is content such as video and audio output from other recording media or external devices. May be.

(Hardware configuration of recording device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  4, the recording apparatus 301 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, an optical disk drive 406, an optical disk 407, an audio I / F (interface) 408, and a speaker 409. An input device 410, a video I / F 411, a display 412, and a communication I / F 413. Each component 401 to 413 is connected by a bus 420.

  First, the CPU 401 controls the entire recording apparatus 301. The ROM 402 records various programs such as a boot program, a recording program, an audio output program, and a display control program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401.

  The recording program, for example, causes the content to be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk 405 or an optical disk 407, which will be described later, in response to a content recording instruction input by the input device 410.

  More specifically, for example, content recording may be performed by a user operating the input device 410 to input program information such as the start time, end time, and channel of a television program to be recorded. Alternatively, the EPG program table displayed on the display 412 may be selected by the user using an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) recorded in the ROM 402 or the RAM 403 so as to be rewritable.

  Further, as will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, 14, and 15, the recording program may be configured to record a plurality of contents converted into a plurality of different formats, for example, according to the control of the CPU 401. Active / inactive settings may be set.

  The audio output program outputs audio information included in the content. Specifically, for example, the audio information is output to the audio I / F 408 via the CPU 401. Also, the display control program determines the display format of the content displayed on the display 412 by the video I / F 411 and displays the content on the display 412 according to the determined display format.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 406 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 407 according to control of CPU401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 407, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  Specifically, for example, the writing of data by the magnetic disk drive 404 or the optical disk drive 406 is the recording of the content described above. The reading of data is, for example, video display on the display 412 via the video I / F 411 or audio output from the speaker 409 via the audio I / F 408 for the recorded content. Further, the speaker 409 and the display 412 may be configured to output various types of information generated by the CPU 401 or input from the communication I / F 413.

  The audio I / F 408 is connected to an audio output speaker 409, and audio is output from the speaker 409. Examples of the input device 410 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

  The video I / F 411 is connected to the display 412. Specifically, the video I / F 411 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 412, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 412 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 412 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As this display 412, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The communication I / F 413 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the recording device 301 and the CPU 401. The communication I / F 413 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 401.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 413 includes, for example, a tuner that can receive terrestrial digital broadcasting, analog television broadcasting, FM radio, and the like, and acquires content distributed from a broadcasting station.

  In the first embodiment, an example using the recording apparatus 301 will be described. However, the information recording apparatus of the present invention may be implemented by a user's portable terminal or a PC (personal computer).

  Note that the input unit 101, the acquisition unit 102, the conversion unit 103, the setting unit 104, the recording unit 105, the determination unit 106, and the output unit 107 included in the information recording apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are the same as those in the recording apparatus 301 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 401 executes a predetermined program using programs and data recorded in the ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk 405, optical disk 407, and the like, and realizes its function by controlling each unit in the recording apparatus 301.

  That is, the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment executes the program recorded in the ROM 402 as a recording medium in the recording apparatus 301, thereby providing the functions provided in the information recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. It can be executed according to the procedure shown.

(Overview of recording and transferring content)
Next, an outline of content recording and transfer by the recording apparatus 301 and the reproduction terminal 303 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of content recording by the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, when receiving a content to be recorded by a broadcast wave 501, the recording device 301 converts the recording into a plurality of formats and records. Then, content in a format suitable for the recording device 301 is set to active, and content in other formats is set to inactive.

  Specifically, for example, the recording apparatus 301 converts content A, content B, and content C to be recorded into format 1 and format 2, respectively. Then, the contents converted into the format 1 are set as active, the contents converted into the format 2 are set as inactive, and each is recorded.

  More specifically, for example, in FIG. 5, content A, content B, and content C converted to format 1 are A-1, B-1, and C-1, respectively, and content A and content B converted to format 2 are used. , Contents C are A-2, B-2, and C-2, respectively. Further, the content set to active is indicated by a solid line, and the content set to inactive is indicated by a broken line.

  Next, an outline of a transfer request from the playback terminal 303 in the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a transfer request from the playback terminal in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, a recording device 301 is connected to a reproduction terminal 303 and receives an input of a transfer request 610 for content recorded in the recording device 301 from a user. The transfer request 610 is made, for example, via the playback terminal 303. In FIG. 6, the transfer request for content A and content B is requested.

  Next, the outline of the format information of the playback terminal 303 in the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of receiving format information from the playback terminal in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the recording apparatus 301 receives format information 710 suitable for the playback terminal 303 from the playback terminal 303. For example, the format information 710 may be received together with the transfer request 610 illustrated in FIG. 6, or the recording apparatus 301 may inquire the playback terminal 303 in response to the transfer request 610. In FIG. 7, for example, the recording apparatus 301 receives format information 710 indicating that the format of content suitable for (reproducible) the playback terminal 303 is format 2.

  When the recording device 301 receives the format information 710, the recording device 301 sets active / inactive based on the format information 710. Specifically, for example, the active / inactive setting activates A-2 and B-2 converted into format 2 suitable for the playback terminal 303 for the content A and the content B for which the transfer request 610 has been made. And A-1 and B-1 are set inactive.

  Next, an outline of content transfer in the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of content transfer in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, the recording apparatus 301 transfers and outputs 810 A-2 and B-2 to the playback terminal 303. Specifically, for example, A-2 and B-2 of format 2 suitable for the playback terminal 303 set to be active are transferred to the playback terminal 303 and output 810. Thereafter, A-2 and B-2 can be reproduced by the reproduction terminal 303.

  In this way, in the recording device 301 and the playback terminal 303, only one is set to active for each content (content A, content B, content C), and copyright protection is achieved. Can be planned.

  Here, an outline of content return in the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of content return in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 9, when the playback terminal 303 finishes playback of A-2 and B-2, the playback terminal 303 performs a return output 910 to the recording device 301. The return output 910 is, for example, a request to return the recording apparatus 301 when a playback instruction to the recording apparatus 301 or a transfer request for A-2 or B-2 is received from another playback terminal 303 to the recording apparatus 301. It may be done in response.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an outline after the content is returned in the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an outline after the content is returned in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, when A-2 and B-2 are returned from the playback terminal 303, the recording apparatus 301 resets the format 1 suitable for the recording apparatus 301 to active and resets the format 2 to inactive. Then, the connection with the playback terminal 303 is disconnected 1010. That is, A-1 and B-1 are set to active and A-2 and B-2 are set to inactive to prepare for a playback instruction to the recording device 301 or a transfer request from another playback terminal 303. It will be.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, the format types to be subjected to format conversion in the recording apparatus 301 have been described as the format 1 suitable for the recording apparatus 301 and the format 2 suitable for the playback terminal 303. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that can convert

  Specifically, for example, the format may be converted into a format suitable for a device (such as the playback terminal 303) connected by the user, or the format may be converted based on the past history of connection. More specifically, for example, a format suitable for a device that becomes a recent connection history or a history of frequent connection may be selected.

  Further, the format may be selected according to the time required for the formatting process, for example. That is, a format that requires a predetermined time or more for format conversion may be converted, and a format that can be converted in a short time may be converted at the time of transfer. As described above, by optimizing the format selection, it is possible to effectively use the recording capacity while achieving efficient operation.

(Contents of recording device processing)
Next, the contents of processing of the recording apparatus 301 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the content recording processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, content is received by the communication I / F 413 (step S1101). The content may be received, for example, by receiving content distributed by the content distribution device 302 shown in FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction for recording content has been received by the input device 410 (step S1102). The instruction for recording the content may be, for example, accepting a reservation such as a time zone or a channel in which the content is distributed by the user.

  If the recording instruction is not accepted in step S1102 (step S1102: No), the process returns to step S1101 to repeat the process. If the recording instruction is accepted in step S1102 (step S1102: Yes), the CPU 401 records the recording format. Information is acquired (step S1103). The recording format information may be acquired based on the history information of the playback terminal 303 connected to the recording device 301, for example.

  Next, the content is recorded on the recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407 according to the recording format information (step S1104). Specifically, for example, the content recording is performed by converting the content received in step S1101 into a format in the recording format information when recording the content in accordance with the recording instruction received in step S1102. But you can.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the video recording executed in step S1104 by the CPU 401 has ended (step S1105). In step S1105, when the recording is not completed (step S1105: No), the process returns to step S1104 and the recording is continued.

  In step S1105, when the recording is completed (step S1105: Yes), the CPU 401 sets active / inactive for the content recorded in step S1104 (step S1106), and a series of recording processes. Exit.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the content transfer processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 12, first, it is determined by the communication I / F 413 whether or not a transfer request has been received from the playback terminal 303 (step S1201).

  In step S1201, after waiting for the transfer request to be received (step S1201: Yes), the communication I / F 413 obtains format information related to the format suitable for the playback terminal 303 that is the request source of the transfer request. (Step S1202).

  Then, the CPU 401 determines whether there is a content to be transferred according to the transfer request received in step S1201 (step S1203). Specifically, for example, it is searched whether there is a transfer target content in the content recorded in step S1104 shown in FIG.

  If there is content to be transferred in step S1203 (step S1203: Yes), the CPU 401 sets active / inactive for the format of the content to be transferred (step S1204).

  Specifically, for example, the active / inactive setting is maintained as it is if the format suitable for the playback terminal 303 that requested the transfer request is set to active. If the format suitable for the playback terminal 303 that requested the transfer request is set to inactive, the active content set to active is set to inactive, and the inactive content set to inactive Inactive content in a format suitable for the playback terminal 303 is set as active content.

  If there is no content in a format suitable for the playback terminal 303 when setting active / inactive, the content set to active is set to inactive and converted to a format suitable for the playback terminal 303. The content may be generated and set to be active.

  Then, the active content set to be active in step S1204 is transferred to the playback terminal 303 by the communication I / F 413 (step S1205), and the series of transfer processes is ended.

  In step S1203, when there is no content to be transferred (step S1203: No), the communication I / F 413 notifies the reproduction terminal 303 of transfer impossibility (step S1206), and the series of transfer processing ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the content reproduction processing procedure of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, first, it is determined whether or not a content reproduction instruction has been received by the input device 410 (step S1301). The playback instruction is, for example, a playback instruction for content recorded in the recording device 301, which is input by the user.

  In step S1301, the process waits for the reception of a playback instruction, and if it is received (step S1301: Yes), the CPU 401 determines whether the content for which the playback instruction has been received is active content (step S1302).

  In step S1302, if the content is active content (step S1302: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1305, where the active content is played back by the speaker 409 or the display 412 (step S1305), and a series of playback processing ends. To do.

  If the content is not active content in step S1302 (step S1302: No), the CPU 401 determines whether there is active content in the playback terminal 303 that can be connected to the recording device 301 (step S1303). That is, if the content for which the playback instruction has been accepted in step S1301 is inactive content, it is after the active content has been transferred to another playback terminal, so that the active content is searched from the connectable playback terminal 303. .

  In step S1303, when there is no active content in the playback terminal 303 that can be connected to the recording device 301 (step S1303: No), the user is notified of playback disabled by the speaker 409 or the display 412 (step S1306). This completes the transfer process.

  If there is active content in the playback terminal 303 that can be connected to the recording device 301 in step S1303 (step S1303: Yes), the communication I / F 413 accepts return of the active content (step S1304). The active content may be returned by making a return request to the playback terminal 303, for example.

  Then, the active content returned in step S1304 is played back by the speaker 409 or the display 412 (step S1305), and the series of playback processing ends.

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment, for example, the content to be distributed (one content to be distributed) is recorded in a plurality of different formats. When a playback terminal that plays back content in a format different from the format suitable for the content requests the content, the content in a format suitable for the playback terminal is prepared in advance. Format content can be transferred. That is, it is not necessary to perform the format conversion process after the playback terminal requests the content, and the content can be transferred efficiently.

  Also, since the different formats are selected according to the performance of the playback device connected to the recording device and the history of the connected playback device, the format of the content to be recorded can be optimized. it can.

  In addition, when recording content in multiple formats, active / inactive can be set according to the limit on the number of times to generate duplicates and the limit on whether transfer is possible. It is possible to improve the convenience for the user without wastefully consuming the restriction on the number of times while protecting the user. In addition, the copyright can be appropriately protected by setting active / inactive when transferring the content.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a copy of content recorded by the recording device 301 described in the first embodiment is transmitted to the playback terminal 303. The outline of the content recording system 300 using the recording apparatus 301 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 3, and the hardware configuration of the recording apparatus 301 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

(Overview of sending a copy of content)
Here, an outline of transmission of a copy of content by the recording apparatus 301 and the playback terminal 303 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the outline of content recording is almost the same as that shown in FIG. 5, and the content copy transmission request is realized by using the transfer request in FIG. 6 as a copy transmission request. However, the outline of the reception of the format information is almost the same as that in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of content copy transmission by the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 14, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 are described with the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 14, the recording apparatus 301 outputs 1410 A-2 (1) and B-2 (1), which are copies of A-2 and B-2, to the playback terminal 303. Specifically, for example, A-2 (1) and B-2 (1) which are copies of A-2 and B-2 in format 2 suitable for the playback terminal 303 set to active are generated and played back. Output 1410 to the terminal 303. Thereafter, the playback terminal 303 can play back A-2 (1) and B-2 (1).

  As described above, in the recording device 301 and the playback terminal 303, the respective contents (content A, content B, and content C) are set to be active according to the limit on the number of copies, and the copyright is protected. Can do.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 15, an outline after transmission of a copy of the content in the recording apparatus 301 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an outline after the content copy is transmitted in the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 15, when the recording device 301 transmits A-2 (1) and B-2 (1) to the playback terminal 303, the format 1 suitable for the recording device 301 is reset to active and the format 2 is inactive. Reset to. That is, A-1 and B-1 are set to active, A-2 and B-2 are set to inactive, a playback instruction to the recording device 301, and a copy transmission request from another playback terminal 303 Will be prepared.

(Contents of recording device processing)
Next, the contents of processing of the recording apparatus 301 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The content recording process is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a content copy transmission processing procedure performed by the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 16, first, it is determined by the communication I / F 413 whether a copy request has been received from the playback terminal 303 (step S1601).

  In step S1601, after waiting for a copy request to be received (step S1601: Yes), the communication I / F 413 obtains format information relating to a format suitable for the playback terminal 303 that has requested the copy request. (Step S1602).

  Then, the CPU 401 determines whether there is content that can be copied by the copy request received in step S1601 (step S1603). Specifically, for example, a search is made as to whether or not there is a content that can be copied in accordance with the limit of the number of copies set in the content recorded in step S1104 shown in FIG.

  If there is content that can be copied in step S1603 (step S1603: Yes), the CPU 401 sets active / inactive for the format of the content that can be copied (step S1604).

  Specifically, for example, the active / inactive setting is maintained as it is if the format suitable for the reproduction terminal 303 that requested the copy request is set to active. If the format suitable for the playback terminal 303 that requested the copy request is set to inactive, the active content set to active is set to inactive, and the inactive content set to inactive Inactive content in a format suitable for the playback terminal 303 is set as active content.

  If there is no content in a format suitable for the playback terminal 303 when setting active / inactive, the content set to active is set to inactive and converted to a format suitable for the playback terminal 303. The content may be generated and set to be active.

  The communication I / F 413 transmits a copy of the active content set to active in step S1604 to the playback terminal 303 (step S1605).

  Thereafter, the active / inactive state set in step S1604 is reset (step S1606), and the series of copy transmission processing ends. In the active / inactive resetting, for example, content in a format suitable for the recording apparatus 301 is set active and content in another format is set inactive.

  In step S1603, if there is no content that can be copied (step S1603: No), the communication I / F 413 notifies the reproduction terminal 303 that copying is not possible (step S1607), and the series of copy transmission processing ends. .

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, for example, in order to record the distributed content (distributed one content) in a plurality of different formats, among the plurality of formats, the recording apparatus When a playback terminal that plays back content in a format different from the format suitable for is requested to copy the content, the content in a format suitable for the playback terminal is prepared in advance, so it is suitable for the playback terminal quickly. You can send copies of content in different formats. That is, it is not necessary to perform the format conversion process after the playback terminal requests the content copy, and the content copy can be transmitted efficiently.

  Also, since the different formats are selected according to the performance of the playback device connected to the recording device and the history of the connected playback device, the format of the content to be recorded can be optimized. it can.

  In addition, when recording content in multiple formats, active / inactive can be set according to the limit on the number of times to generate duplicates and the limit on whether transfer is possible. It is possible to improve the convenience for the user without wastefully consuming the restriction on the number of times while protecting the user. In addition, the copyright can be appropriately protected by setting active / inactive when transferring the content.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the transfer of the content recorded in the recording device and the transmission of the copy have been described separately. However, the configuration having the functions of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be used. Good. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately respond to a transfer request or a copy transmission request for recorded content, and it is possible to improve user convenience. In addition, it is possible to handle both content set with restrictions on copying and content set with restrictions on transfer in a single recording apparatus.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the information recording apparatus of the present invention is implemented by the recording apparatus has been described. However, the information recording apparatus may be implemented by a user's portable terminal or a PC (personal computer). It is possible to improve the performance.

  The information recording / reproducing method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information recording apparatus 101 Input part 102 Acquisition part 103 Conversion part 104 Setting part 105 Recording part 106 Determination part 107 Output part

Claims (10)

Input means for receiving input of content;
An acquisition means for acquiring format information relating to a format that can be played back by a playback device connectable to the own device;
A conversion unit that converts the format for the one content into a plurality of different formats based on the format information acquired by the acquisition unit when receiving input of the one content by the input unit;
Among the plurality of different formats converted by the conversion means, the one content in one format that can be played back by the own device is set to active so that playback, duplication, or transfer is possible, and the one format Setting means for setting the one content of another format different from inactive so that the content cannot be reproduced, copied or transferred;
A recording unit configured to record the one content set by the setting unit and converted into the plurality of different formats;
With
If the format that can be played back by the playback device is the other format in response to a transfer request or copy request of the content by the playback device, the setting means may have the other content in the other format. An information recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the one content in the one format is changed to inactive.   2. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the converting unit converts the format of the content in accordance with a format that can be played back by the playback device of the content that makes the acquisition request of the content. .   The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conversion unit converts the format of the content in accordance with history information relating to a history of an acquisition request from the reproduction device. The input means accepts input of the content in which restrictions on copying of the content are set;
The reproduction of the content that can be played back by the playback device in response to the acquisition request that requests the copy of the content from the playback device that plays back the content, in accordance with restrictions on the copy input by the input means. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting to a device.   The setting means, after the output means outputs a copy of the content in a format that can be played back by the playback device, resets the one format to be active and deactivates the format that the playback device can play back 5. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information recording / reproducing apparatus is reset. The input means accepts input of the content in which restrictions on transfer of the content are set;
In response to the acquisition request for requesting transfer of the content from the playback device that plays back the content, the content that can be played back by the playback device is sent to the playback device in accordance with restrictions on transfer input by the input unit. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for transferring and outputting. After the content is transferred by the output unit, when there is an acquisition request for the content from another playback device different from the playback device, the requesting device further requests the playback device to return the content. ,
When there is a format that can be played back by the other playback device, the setting means sets the content in a format that can be played back by the other playback device, and the content other than the format that can be played back by the other playback device. Set to inactive,
The output means, in accordance with restrictions on transfer input by the input means, in response to the content acquisition request from the other playback device, the content that can be played back by the other playback device. 7. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information recording / reproducing apparatus transfers to a device. An input process for receiving content input;
An acquisition step of acquiring format information relating to a format that can be played back by a playback device that can be connected to the device;
A conversion step of converting the format for the one content into a plurality of different formats based on the format information acquired by the acquisition step when receiving the input of the one content by the input step;
Among the plurality of different formats converted by the conversion step, the one content in one format that can be played back by the own device is set to active so that playback, duplication, or transfer is possible, and the one format A setting step for setting the one content in another format different from inactive so that the content cannot be played, copied or transferred;
A recording step of recording the one content set in the setting step and converted into the plurality of different formats;
Including
In the setting step, when the format that can be played back by the playback device is the other format in response to the transfer or copy request of the content by the playback device, the one content of the other format The information recording / reproducing method is characterized in that the one content in the one format is changed to inactive.   An information recording / reproducing program for causing a computer to execute the information recording / reproducing method according to claim 8.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the information recording / reproducing program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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