JP4909126B2 - Storage processing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a storage apparatus and a control method thereof accumulates turn sets.

  In recent years, digital broadcasting such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcasting, and CS (Communication Satellite) digital broadcasting has become widespread. In digital broadcasting, various program information related to a broadcast program, such as the broadcast time of the program, the title and genre of the broadcast program, is transmitted by being superimposed on the broadcast signal.

  By using program information superimposed on a broadcast signal, for example, a technique has been proposed in which, for example, a series program having continuous program content is reserved for batch recording or a series of recorded series programs is played back together. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, with the widespread use of digital broadcasting, broadcast programs are being improved in image quality and sound quality. In recent years, a technique for converting low image quality (or low sound quality) data into high image quality (or high sound quality) data has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-11-252494 JP 2003-323612 A

  However, in the conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a broadcast program is newly reserved for recording, even if there is a related program that has already been recorded, the recording setting contents of the related program can be taken over. There wasn't. For this reason, there has been a problem that a broadcast program is recorded with different image quality and sound quality from the recorded related program.

  When a plurality of related programs recorded with different image quality and sound quality are played continuously, the image quality and sound quality are switched, which makes the user feel uncomfortable. Therefore, using the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to perform conversion processing so that the image quality and sound quality of a plurality of recorded related programs are the same level.

  However, in order to perform conversion processing so that the image quality or sound quality of a plurality of related programs are all at the same level, it is necessary to individually perform conversion processing for each program, and the procedure is complicated. there were.

The present invention has been made in view of the prior art problems as described above, by a simple operation, which can be managed by aligning a plurality of programs in a certain image quality storage processing apparatus and its control It aims to provide a method.

To solve the problems described above, the storage processing apparatus according to the present invention are each a storage processing apparatus having a plurality of program data, and a storage unit for the program information is accumulated for each program data including video data The selection means for selecting arbitrary program data from the plurality of program data stored in the storage section, and the image quality of the first program data selected by the selection means is improved to the image quality designated by the user. Conversion processing means for converting the image quality and converting setting information indicating the setting contents of the conversion processing to be stored in the storage section as conversion setting information of the first program data; when a new second program data is selected, the program information of the first program data that has already been converted processed by the conversion processing means, program information of the second program data newly selected from And determining means for determining whether or not the first program data and the second program data are related to each other, and the conversion processing means uses the determining means to determine whether the first program data and the second program data are related to each other. When it is determined that the program data is related, the image quality after the conversion process of the first program data and the image quality after the conversion process of the second program data are determined based on the conversion setting information of the first program data. There so that the same, and performs the conversion processing for image quality enhancement the image quality of the second program data.

According to the storage processing apparatus according to the present invention, by performing the conversion processing suitable image quality, by a simple operation, it is possible to manage align the plurality of programs in a certain image quality.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an accumulation processing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the storage processing apparatus 101 includes an input terminal 102, a tuner unit 103, a DEMUX (demultiplexer) unit 104, a video processing unit 105, an audio processing unit 106, a remote control receiving unit 107, and a control unit 108. Further, the storage processing apparatus 101 includes a memory unit (storage unit) 109, a hard disk (storage unit) 110, an external I / F unit 111, an internal bus 112, a video output terminal 113, an audio output terminal 114, and an external I / F terminal 115. And a presentation processing unit 116. However, the storage processing device 101 and the display device may be integrated as in a hard disk built-in television, for example.

  A broadcast signal received by an antenna is input to the input terminal 102. The tuner unit 103 receives a broadcast signal from the input terminal 102, performs demodulation processing and error correction processing on the signal of the designated channel, and outputs a TS (transport stream) signal to the DEMUX unit 104.

  The DEMUX unit 104 separates a video signal, an audio signal, and additional data (data for broadcasting data, program information, etc.) multiplexed on the TS signal from the tuner unit 103. Then, the video signal is output to the video processing unit 105, the audio signal is output to the audio processing unit 106, and the additional data is output to the internal bus 112.

  The video processing unit 105 decodes the video signal from the DEMUX unit 104 and outputs the decoded video signal to the presentation processing unit 116. The video processing unit 105 also has a function of outputting a video signal received from the hard disk 110 or the external I / F unit 111 via the internal bus 112 to the presentation processing unit 116. The audio processing unit 106 decodes the audio signal from the DEMUX unit 104 and outputs it to the audio output terminal 114. The audio processing unit 106 also has a function of outputting an audio signal received from the hard disk 110 or the external I / F unit 111 via the internal bus 112 to the audio output terminal 114. The audio output terminal 114 is connected to an audio output device (speaker).

  The remote control receiving unit 107 receives a remote control signal (key code data) from the remote control and transfers it to the control unit 108. The memory unit (storage unit) 109 has character (font) data and image data (icons, etc.) used on an electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as “EPG”) screen, a reservation setting screen, a menu screen, and the like. Are stored in advance. The memory unit (storage unit) 109 has additional data (program information, etc.) output from the DEMUX unit 104, various setting data set by remote control operation, and data input via the external I / F unit 111 Etc. are stored (accumulated).

  The hard disk (storage unit) 110 receives and stores the video signal, audio signal, and additional data output from the DEMUX unit 104 via the internal bus 112. The external I / F unit 111 is an interface for connecting to a network such as the Internet, or an interface for connecting to an external device conforming to a standard such as USB or IEEE1394. The external I / F unit 111 exchanges various data with various AV devices, personal computers, routers, and other external devices connected via the external I / F terminal 115. The external I / F unit 111 can also exchange various data with a network such as the Internet via the external I / F terminal 115.

  The presentation processing unit 161 generates various presentation screens such as a data broadcast screen, an EPG screen, a reservation setting screen, and a menu screen using various data received via the internal bus 112. Then, the generated screen and the video signal from the video processing unit 105 are switched or combined and output to the video output terminal 113. The video output terminal 113 is connected to a display device (display).

  The control unit 108 is connected to the internal bus 112 and comprehensively controls each unit in the storage processing device 101. For example, the tuner unit 103 is controlled to switch channels, or accumulation control for accumulating broadcast programs and additional data in the hard disk 110 is performed. In addition, the video processing unit 105 is controlled to switch or combine videos. Further, the control unit 108 controls the voice processing unit 106 to switch and synthesize voice. In addition, the control unit 108 analyzes the remote control signal received by the remote control receiving unit 107 and performs a process corresponding thereto. The control unit 108 has a clock function capable of measuring the date, day of the week, time, etc., and can manage the day of the week, time, etc., and output the video via the video processing unit 105. The internal bus 112 is a bus that connects each unit in the storage processing device, and is used for transferring various signals and data.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a TS signal output from the tuner unit 103 illustrated in FIG. TS signals are defined by IEC (International Electro-technical Commission, International Electrotechnical Commission), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Institute of Electrical Engineers, etc.), ARIB (Association of Radio Industries, etc.). Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of TS packets are time-division multiplexed to form a TS signal. The Video portion corresponding to the video signal, the audio portion that is an audio signal, and the data portion corresponding to the additional data are each transmitted in units of TS packets.

  A management information table that is reconstructed by collecting a plurality of data parts is composed of a PAT (Program Association Table), a PMT (Program Map Table), an EIT (Event Information Table), an NIT (Network Information Table), and the like. In the first part of the EIT, a table ID, a service ID, an event ID, a broadcast start time of a program, a broadcast duration time, and the like are described. After these, there are several descriptors. The EPG screen is created mainly using this EIT information. Here, only descriptors related to EPG and recording reservation will be described.

  The short format event descriptor describes the program name and the simple contents of the program. In the extended event descriptor, the names of performers, screenwriters, moderators, etc., detailed contents of the program, and the like are described. The content descriptor describes the genre and characteristics of the program. Here, the genre of the broadcast program is defined by a large genre such as "report", "sports", "drama", "movie", "variety", "education", etc., and a medium genre that subdivides the large genre. . For example, “soccer”, “baseball”, “Olympic” and the like are defined as medium genres obtained by subdividing the large genre “sports”. In the series descriptor, information on a series program, a rebroadcast program, and the like is described.

  Program information such as EIT is temporarily stored (accumulated) in the memory unit 109 from the DEMUX unit 104 via the internal bus 112. When the EPG screen is called by a remote control operation by the user, the presentation processing unit 116 reads out necessary data from the memory unit 109 and generates an EPG screen. When the program recording reservation setting screen is called by a user's remote control operation, the presentation control unit 116 reads necessary data from the memory unit 109 and generates a reservation setting screen.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reservation setting screen. In FIG. 3, a recording channel (BS101), a recording start time (10:00) and an end time (12:00), a recording image quality mode (XP: high image quality), a recording sound quality mode (LPCM: high sound quality), and a program name (Continuous Drama A Episode 2) is displayed as a setting item. The user can operate the remote controller to change the contents of these setting items and execute reservation settings.

  Here, in the first embodiment, when there is a related program that has already been recorded on the reservation setting screen for recording a new broadcast program, the recording setting contents (image quality, sound quality, etc.) of the related program can be taken over. It is characterized by that.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a recording reservation setting processing procedure. Hereinafter, a recording reservation setting processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. Here, it is assumed that several recorded programs are already stored in the hard disk 110. The hard disk 110 also stores program information relating to recorded programs and information relating to recording settings (recording setting information). It is assumed that program information of broadcast programs to be recorded and default recording setting information are stored (accumulated) in the memory unit 109 in advance.

  When an EPG screen is called by a user's remote control operation, a broadcast program to be recorded is selected on the EPG screen, and a program recording reservation setting screen is called, the presentation processing unit 116 makes a recording reservation for the program. A reservation setting screen is generated. At this time, the control unit 108 executes processing for taking over the recording setting contents (image quality, sound quality, etc.) of the related program that has already been recorded.

  First, in step S401, the control unit 108 searches the recorded programs in the hard disk 110 for related programs that are related to the broadcast program to be recorded. Specifically, the control unit 108 reads program information of recorded programs from the hard disk 110, reads program information of broadcast programs to be recorded from the memory unit 109, and compares them. Then, based on the comparison result, it is determined whether the program names are similar, whether the genres match, whether it is a series program, or the like, thereby specifying a related program related to the broadcast program to be recorded.

  In step S402, the control unit 108 determines whether a related program is found. If a related program is found (Yes), the process proceeds to step S403, and the recording setting information of the found related program is read from the hard disk 110. On the other hand, if the related program is not found in step S402 (No), the process proceeds to step S404, and default recording setting information is read from the memory unit 109.

  In step S405, the presentation processing unit 161 generates a recording reservation program reservation setting screen using the read recording setting information.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where “Continuous Drama A Episode 1” has already been recorded in the image quality mode “XP” and the sound quality mode “LPCM”. In this case, the image quality mode “XP” and the sound quality mode “LPCM” are read, and a message “The recording setting information of a related program that has already been recorded has been called” is displayed.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to manage a plurality of related programs in a uniform image quality or sound quality by a simple operation. That is, unlike the prior art, the user does not need to memorize what settings the related program that has already been recorded is recorded. In addition, since the recording setting contents of the recorded related program can be automatically taken over, it is possible to save the user from manually setting the recording setting contents of the recorded related program.

  In this way, by managing a plurality of related programs so as to have a constant image quality or sound quality, for example, even when a plurality of recorded related programs are continuously played back and viewed, the image quality and sound quality do not change suddenly. Therefore, you don't have to feel uncomfortable. It is also effective when a plurality of related programs are stored together on an optical disc such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

  Note that the recording setting information of the recorded program may be stored in the hard disk 110 together with the recorded program, or may be stored in the memory unit 109 separately from the recorded program. When the recording setting information of the recorded program is stored in the memory unit 109, the recording setting information of the recorded program is left in the memory unit 109 even if the data of the recorded program in the hard disk 110 is deleted. be able to. In addition, recording setting information of a program recorded by an external AV device may be taken over by storing recording setting information of a program recorded by an external AV device or the like in the memory unit 109 via the external I / F unit 111. Is possible.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, a plurality of related programs are arranged to have a constant image quality or sound quality by performing conversion processing such as improving the image quality / sound quality of the recorded program or reducing the image quality / sound quality. A form to be managed will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage processing apparatus 201 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the storage processing device 201 includes an input terminal 102, a tuner unit 103, a DEMUX (demultiplexer) unit 104, a video processing unit 105, an audio processing unit 106, a remote control receiving unit 107, and a control unit 108. Further, the storage processing apparatus 101 includes a memory unit (storage unit) 109, a hard disk (storage unit) 110, an external I / F unit 111, an internal bus 112, a video output terminal 113, an audio output terminal 114, and an external I / F terminal 115. And a presentation processing unit 116. The storage processing apparatus 201 further includes an image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202. Note that the storage processing device 101 and the display device may be integrated, for example, as in a hard disk built-in television.

  A broadcast signal received by an antenna is input to the input terminal 102. The tuner unit 103 receives a broadcast signal from the input terminal 102, performs demodulation processing and error correction processing on the signal of the designated channel, and outputs a TS (transport stream) signal to the DEMUX unit 104.

  The DEMUX unit 104 separates a video signal, an audio signal, and additional data (data for broadcasting data, program information, etc.) multiplexed on the TS signal from the tuner unit 103. Then, the video signal is output to the video processing unit 105, the audio signal is output to the audio processing unit 106, and the additional data is output to the internal bus 112.

  The video processing unit 105 decodes the video signal from the DEMUX unit 104 and outputs the decoded video signal to the presentation processing unit 116. The video processing unit 105 also has a function of outputting a video signal received from the hard disk 110 or the external I / F unit 111 via the internal bus 112 to the presentation processing unit 116. The audio processing unit 106 decodes the audio signal from the DEMUX unit 104 and outputs it to the audio output terminal 114. The audio processing unit 106 also has a function of outputting an audio signal received from the hard disk 110 or the external I / F unit 111 via the internal bus 112 to the audio output terminal 114. The audio output terminal 114 is connected to an audio output device (speaker).

  The remote control receiving unit 107 receives a remote control signal (key code data) from the remote control and transfers it to the control unit 108. The memory unit (storage unit) 109 has character (font) data and image data (icons, etc.) used on an electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as “EPG”) screen, a reservation setting screen, a menu screen, and the like. Are stored in advance. The memory unit (storage unit) 109 has additional data (program information, etc.) output from the DEMUX unit 104, various setting data set by remote control operation, and data input via the external I / F unit 111 Etc. are stored (accumulated).

  The hard disk (storage unit) 110 receives and stores the video signal, audio signal, and additional data output from the DEMUX unit 104 via the internal bus 112. The external I / F unit 111 is an interface for connecting to a network such as the Internet, or an interface for connecting to an external device conforming to a standard such as USB or IEEE1394. The external I / F unit 111 exchanges various data with various AV devices, personal computers, routers, and other external devices connected via the external I / F terminal 115. The external I / F unit 111 can also exchange various data with a network such as the Internet via the external I / F terminal 115.

  The presentation processing unit 161 generates various presentation screens such as a data broadcast screen, an EPG screen, a reservation setting screen, and a menu screen using various data received via the internal bus 112. Then, the generated screen and the video signal from the video processing unit 105 are switched or combined and output to the video output terminal 113. The video output terminal 113 is connected to a display device (display).

  The control unit 108 is connected to the internal bus 112 and comprehensively controls each unit in the storage processing device 101. For example, the tuner unit 103 is controlled to switch channels, or accumulation control for accumulating broadcast programs and additional data in the hard disk 110 is performed. In addition, the video processing unit 105 is controlled to switch or combine videos. Further, the control unit 108 controls the voice processing unit 106 to switch and synthesize voice. In addition, the control unit 108 analyzes the remote control signal received by the remote control receiving unit 107 and performs a process corresponding thereto. The control unit 108 has a clock function capable of measuring the date, day of the week, time, etc., and can manage the day of the week, time, etc., and output the video via the video processing unit 105. The internal bus 112 is a bus that connects each unit in the storage processing device, and is used for transferring various signals and data.

  The image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 acquires recorded program data stored in the hard disk 110 via the internal bus 112, and performs conversion such as higher image quality / higher sound quality, lower image quality / lower sound quality, and the like. Execute the process. The program subjected to the conversion processing by the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 is stored again in the hard disk 110 via the internal bus 112.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining image quality conversion processing by the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 shown in FIG. The image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 analyzes an image of a recorded program to be converted, and performs classification according to what features are present in many images. For example, the images are classified into an image having a large luminance difference and an image having a small luminance difference. Then, an appropriate image quality conversion process is performed according to the feature of the image. For example, in an image quality enhancement process that increases the number of pixels of image data, for an image with a large luminance difference, an interpolated pixel of the same color is inserted between each pixel so that a sharp edge portion is not blurred (before the conversion process). Image (a), converted image (c)). On the other hand, for an image with a small luminance difference, an intermediate interpolation pixel between adjacent pixels is inserted between each pixel in consideration of a gradation effect or the like (image (b) before conversion processing, image after conversion processing). (D)). As described above, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 determines which type of image is prepared in advance and performs an appropriate conversion process according to the type.

  As a method of image quality conversion processing, for example, a method of converting image quality by class classification adaptive processing as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-321626 may be adopted, or image quality conversion is performed by removing noise. A method may be adopted. Further, any process that can convert image quality, such as a method of converting image quality by inserting an interpolated frame and increasing the frame rate, may be used.

  Further, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 analyzes the sound information of the recorded program to be converted, performs classification according to the feature amount, and performs appropriate sound quality conversion processing according to the sound feature. As a sound quality conversion processing method, for example, a method of improving the sound quality by interpolating frequency components, or a method of converting from monaural sound to stereo sound as described in JP-A-2006-101310 is adopted. May be. Further, a conversion processing method that converts stereo sound into 5.1ch surround sound or gives a 3D sound effect as described in JP-A-2005-300578 may be employed. Any process can be used as long as the sound quality can be converted, and a specific description of the sound quality conversion process will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a conversion table used by the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 to perform image quality conversion processing and sound quality conversion processing. This conversion table is stored (accumulated) in advance in the memory unit 109 or the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202, and is read when the conversion process is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this conversion table includes an image quality conversion processing method corresponding to each of image types 1, 2, 3,... Before conversion, and audio types 1, 2, 3,. A sound quality conversion processing method corresponding to each of the above is predetermined. When performing the conversion process, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 analyzes and classifies the image and sound of the recorded program to be converted, and based on the conversion table, the optimum image quality conversion processing method and sound quality conversion Determine the processing method.

  Next, the setting procedure of the image quality conversion process and the sound quality conversion process in the second embodiment will be described. When the recorded program list is called by the user's remote control operation, the presentation processing unit 116 generates a display screen of the recorded program list.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a recorded program list display screen. In FIG. 8, the channel (CH), recording start time and end time, image quality and sound quality, and program name of each recorded program are displayed. Here, it is assumed that the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 can convert the image quality and the sound quality in five levels from level 1 to level 5, respectively. “Continuous Drama A Episode 1” has image quality and sound quality converted to level 5, and “Variety C” has image quality converted to level 3 and sound quality converted to level 2. The image quality and sound quality can be individually specified for levels. “Continuous Drama A Episode 1”, “Continuous Drama A Episode 2”, and “Continuous Drama A Episode 3” are series programs (related programs). The user can select an arbitrary program and perform image quality conversion and sound quality conversion. For example, when “Continuous Drama A Episode 2” is selected, a conversion setting screen for converting the image quality and sound quality of “Continuous Drama A Episode 2” is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion setting screen for converting image quality and sound quality. In FIG. 9, the image quality before conversion (XP), the image quality after conversion (level 5), the sound quality before conversion (LPCM), and the sound quality after conversion (level 5) of “Continuous Drama A Episode 2” are displayed. Note that the user can operate the remote controller to change the settings of the converted image quality and sound quality.

  Here, in the second embodiment, when there is a related program that has already been converted on the conversion setting screen for converting the image quality and the sound quality, the conversion processing content (image quality, sound quality, etc.) of the related program is taken over. It is characterized by doing so.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for image quality and sound quality conversion settings. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of image quality and sound quality conversion setting will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10. Here, the hard disk 110 also stores information (conversion setting information) related to the setting contents of conversion processing related to the converted program, and the memory unit 109 stores program information of the broadcast program to be recorded and default conversion settings. It is assumed that information is stored (accumulated) in advance.

  When a conversion setting screen for an arbitrary recorded program is called by a user's remote control operation, the presentation processing unit 116 generates a conversion setting screen for converting the image quality and sound quality of the program. At this time, the control unit 108 executes processing for taking over the conversion setting contents (image quality, sound quality, etc.) of the related program that has already been converted.

  First, in step S1001, the control unit 108 searches the recorded programs in the hard disk 110 for related programs that are related to the conversion target program. Specifically, the control unit 108 reads out program information of the program to be converted and program information of other recorded programs from the hard disk 110. Then, by determining whether the program name of the program to be converted and the other recorded programs are similar, whether the genre matches, whether it is a series program, etc., it is related to the program to be converted. Identify the program.

  In step S <b> 1002, the control unit 108 determines whether there is a related program that has undergone image quality / sound quality conversion processing. If there is a related program that has undergone image quality / sound quality conversion processing (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1003, and the conversion setting information of the related program is read from the hard disk 110. On the other hand, if there is no related program that has undergone image quality / sound quality conversion processing (No), the process proceeds to step S1004, and default conversion setting information is read from the memory unit 109. If no related program is found, the process advances from step S1002 to step S1004.

  Next, in step S1005, the presentation processing unit 161 generates a conversion setting screen for the conversion target program using the read conversion setting information.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where “Continuous Drama A Episode 1” has already been converted into image quality “level5” and sound quality “level5”. In this case, the image quality “level5” and the sound quality “level5” are read, and a message “Called conversion setting information of related program after conversion” is displayed. Here, when the user presses the determination button on the remote controller, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 executes a conversion process to the set image quality level and sound quality level.

  Note that the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 sets the analysis result (image type and sound type) to be converted in addition to the pre-conversion and post-conversion image and sound quality settings, and the conversion processing method employed (see FIG. 7). Are also stored in the hard disk 110 as conversion setting information. The image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 reads the conversion setting information of the converted related program, and performs the same image quality / sound quality conversion processing as that of the converted related program.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to manage a plurality of related programs in a uniform image quality or sound quality with a simple operation. That is, unlike the prior art, the user does not need to memorize what setting the related program that has already been converted is converted. In addition, since the conversion setting contents of the converted related program can be automatically taken over, it is possible to save the user from setting manually to match the conversion setting contents of the converted related program.

  Furthermore, since the conversion setting content of the converted related program is reused, it is not necessary for the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 to analyze the image and sound of the recorded program to be converted again. Specifically, it is not necessary to analyze and classify again the image and audio information, and it is not necessary to determine the conversion processing method again according to the classification. For this reason, the conversion process can be performed more efficiently and in a short time.

  Note that the conversion setting information of the image / audio quality converted program may be stored in the hard disk 110 together with the converted program, or may be stored in the memory unit 109 separately from the converted program. . When the conversion setting information of the converted program is stored in the memory unit 109, the conversion setting information of the converted program remains in the memory unit 109 even if the data of the converted program in the hard disk 110 is deleted. be able to. Further, the conversion setting information of the converted program of the external AV device is stored in the memory unit 109 via the external I / F unit 111 by storing the conversion setting information of the program subjected to the image quality / sound quality conversion processing by the external AV device or the like. It is also possible to take over.

(Modification of Embodiment 2)
In the modification of the second embodiment, when there is another related program that has not been subjected to the conversion process when the image quality / sound quality conversion process is executed, the image quality / sound quality conversion process is collectively performed. Will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image quality and sound quality conversion setting according to the modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the conversion setting process procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 11.

  In step S <b> 1101, the control unit 108 determines whether there is a related program that has not been subjected to image quality / sound quality conversion processing among related programs related to the conversion target program. If there is a related program that has not been subjected to image quality / sound quality conversion processing (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1102, and the recording setting information of the related program is read from the storage unit 110. In step S1005, the presentation processing unit 161 generates a conversion setting screen for all related programs that have not been subjected to image quality / sound quality conversion processing.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the image quality and sound quality conversion setting screen according to the modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when “Continuous Drama A Episode 2” and “Continuous Drama A Episode 3” have not yet been converted, the user can convert “Continuous Drama A Episode 2”. When trying to execute, a screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In FIG. 12, “Continuous Drama A Episode 2” and “Continuous Drama A Episode 3” image quality before conversion (XP) and image quality after conversion (level 5), sound quality before conversion (LPCM), and sound quality after conversion (Level5) is displayed.

  Here, when the user presses the determination button on the remote controller, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing to the set image quality level and sound quality level is performed for “continuous drama A episode 2” and “continuous drama A episode 3”. It is executed in a batch. Note that the user can operate the remote controller to change the settings of the converted image quality and sound quality.

  Therefore, in the modified example of the second embodiment, related programs that have not yet been subjected to image quality / sound quality conversion processing are automatically detected, and conversion processing can be executed on these related programs all at once. Therefore, the operability of the image quality / sound quality conversion process is improved.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, when there are a plurality of programs having different image quality or sound quality, a description will be given of a mode in which these programs are managed with uniform image quality or sound quality by a simple operation. Note that the configuration of the storage processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image quality and sound quality conversion setting according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Hereinafter, the conversion setting processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 13.

  In step S1201, the control unit 108 searches (selects) related programs that are related to each other in the recorded programs in the hard disk 110 at an arbitrary timing. Specifically, the control unit 108 reads program information of each program from the hard disk 110. Then, a related program is searched for (selected) by determining whether the program names are similar to each other, whether the genre matches, whether the program name is a series program, or the like. The control unit 108 may search for related programs every predetermined period, or may search for related programs when a predetermined time comes. In addition, immediately after the image quality / sound quality conversion process of a certain program is executed, a search for related programs related to the program may be executed.

  In step S <b> 1202, the control unit 108 reads out the recording setting information and conversion setting information of the found related program from the hard disk 110. In step S1203, the control unit 108 compares the recording setting information and conversion setting information of the found related program. Then, based on the comparison result, it is determined whether there is a related program having different image quality or sound quality. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, “continuous drama A episode 1” has undergone image quality / sound quality conversion processing, and “continuous drama A episode 2” and “continuous drama A episode 3” If the image quality / sound quality conversion processing has not yet been performed, it is determined that there are related programs having different image quality or sound quality. Even if the image quality / sound quality conversion processing is not performed on all related programs, if the recording setting image quality or the recording setting sound quality is different, it is determined that there are related programs having different image quality or sound quality. Even if the image quality / sound quality conversion processing is performed on all the related programs, if the conversion setting image quality or the conversion setting sound quality is different, it is determined that there are related programs having different image quality or sound quality.

  If it is determined that there are related programs having different image quality or sound quality (Yes), the process proceeds to step S1204, and the presentation processing unit 116 displays a conversion setting screen for converting the image quality and sound quality of the related programs. Generate.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the image quality and sound quality conversion setting screen according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the converted image quality (level 5) and sound quality (level 5) of “Continuous Drama A Episode 1” to “Continuous Drama A Episode 3” are displayed. Here, when the user presses the determination button on the remote controller, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing to the set image quality level and sound quality level is performed for “continuous drama A episode 1” to “continuous drama A episode 3”. It is executed in a batch. The user can operate the remote controller to change the converted image quality and sound quality settings. In this conversion setting screen, as described in Embodiment 2, when there is a related program that has already been converted, the conversion setting contents (image quality, sound quality, etc.) of the program may be taken over.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, related programs having different image quality or sound quality can be automatically detected, and conversion processing can be executed on these related programs at the same time. Operability is improved.

  Here, a case has been described where, in step S1201 of FIG. 13, related programs that are related to each other are recorded (selected) in the recorded programs in the hard disk 110, but this step may be omitted. There is also. For example, when a plurality of programs are selected from recorded programs in the hard disk 110 and stored together on a DVD, image quality / sound quality conversion processing is performed so that the image quality or sound quality of the selected programs is at a certain level. May be executed. In this case, the plurality of programs do not necessarily have to be related to each other. In addition, a program having the same file format may be searched (selected), and the image quality / sound quality conversion process may be executed so that the image quality or sound quality of a plurality of programs having the same file format becomes a certain level.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, when the highest image quality or the highest sound quality after execution of the image quality / sound quality conversion process differs according to the recording setting image quality or sound quality, a plurality of programs are aligned with a certain image quality or sound quality by a simple operation. A form to be managed will be described. The configuration of the storage processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the highest image quality and the highest sound quality after executing the conversion process corresponding to each recording setting image quality and sound quality. In FIG. 15, the recorded setting image quality of the recorded “Continuous Drama A Episode 1” is SP, the recording setting sound quality is AAC (SP), the highest image quality after the entrance process is executed is level 5, and the highest sound quality is level 5. In addition, the recorded setting image quality of the recorded “Continuous Drama A Episode 2” is LP, the recording setting sound quality is AAC (LP), the highest image quality after the entrance process is executed is level 4, and the highest sound quality is level 4. The recorded setting image quality of the recorded “Continuous Drama A Episode 3” is EP, the recording setting sound quality is AAC (EP), the highest image quality after conversion processing is level 3, and the highest sound quality is level 3.

  As described above, the highest image quality or highest sound quality after execution of the image quality / sound quality conversion process may be limited depending on the recording setting image quality or sound quality. In such a case, if a plurality of recorded programs are individually subjected to image quality / sound quality conversion processing, a plurality of related programs may be converted to different image quality or sound quality.

  Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when the image quality / sound quality conversion process is executed, the highest image quality and the highest sound quality after the execution of the conversion process of all the related programs are determined, whereby a plurality of related programs are set to a certain image quality or sound quality. It is characterized by being able to be managed according to the sound quality.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image quality and sound quality conversion setting according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Hereinafter, the processing procedure for conversion setting will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 16.

  In step S1301, when a conversion setting screen for an arbitrary recorded program is called by a user's remote control operation, the control unit 108 selects a related program related to the conversion target program as a recorded program in the hard disk 110. Search (select) from inside. Specifically, the control unit 108 reads out program information of the program to be converted and program information of other recorded programs from the hard disk 110. Then, by determining whether the program name of the program to be converted and the other recorded programs are similar, whether the genre matches, whether it is a series program, etc., it is related to the program to be converted. Search (select) a program.

  In step S1302, the control unit 108 determines whether there is a related program of the conversion target program. If there is a related program (Yes), the process advances to step S1303 to determine the highest image quality and highest sound quality after execution of conversion processing for all related programs. On the other hand, if there is no related program (No), the process proceeds to step S1304, and the highest image quality and highest sound quality after executing the conversion process of the conversion target program are determined.

  Next, in step S1305, the presentation processing unit 161 generates a conversion setting screen based on the determination result. Specifically, if there is a related program, the lowest image quality and sound quality level among the highest image quality and highest sound quality of the plurality of related programs determined in step S1303 is specified. Then, a conversion setting screen is generated for performing related image quality / sound quality conversion processing for related programs in a manner that enables selection of a level lower than the specified image quality and sound quality. If there is no related program, a conversion setting screen for the conversion target program is generated that enables selection of a level equal to or lower than the highest image quality and highest sound quality determined in step S1304.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when there are “continuous drama A episode 1” to “continuous drama A episode 3” recorded related programs with different recording setting image quality and sound quality, image quality level 3 or lower Only the range of can be selected.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, by restricting the range that can be selected by the user, it is possible to prevent a plurality of programs from being converted into different image quality or sound quality, and to achieve a certain image quality or sound with a simple operation. It becomes possible to manage the sound quality.

(Embodiment 5)
In the fifth embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the image quality or sound quality of all scenes in a program are managed with a certain level by a simple operation. The configuration of the storage processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which the image quality of scenes in a program is different. In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the user switches the image quality mode so that the user records the program in the image quality mode SP during the period from time t0 to t1, and records the same program in the image quality mode XP after time t1. Similarly, the sound quality mode may be switched during the program, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an image quality (or sound quality) conversion processing procedure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the image quality (or sound quality) conversion processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 18.

  In step S1401, the control unit 108 analyzes the image quality (or sound quality) mode in the program for the recorded program stored in the hard disk 110 at an arbitrary timing. In step S1402, it is determined whether or not the image quality (or sound quality) mode in the program has a certain change. If it is determined that there is a certain change in the image quality (or sound quality) mode, the process advances to step S1403. In step S1403, the image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit 202 performs a conversion process for improving the image quality (or improving the sound quality) so that the low image quality (or low sound quality) scene matches the image quality (or sound quality) of another scene. Execute.

  Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, even when there are scenes with different image quality or sound quality in a recorded program, it is possible to manage the image quality or sound quality in the program at a certain level with a simple operation.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the accumulation | storage processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a TS signal output from a tuner unit illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of a reservation setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a recording reservation setting. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the accumulation | storage processing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing image quality conversion processing by an image quality / sound quality conversion processing unit illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the conversion table used in order that an image quality / sound quality conversion process part performs an image quality conversion process and a sound quality conversion process. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a recorded program list. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion setting screen for converting image quality and sound quality. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the conversion setting of image quality and sound quality. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the conversion setting of image quality and sound quality which concerns on the example of a change of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion setting screen of the image quality and sound quality which concern on the example of a change of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the conversion setting of image quality and sound quality which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image quality and sound quality conversion setting screen which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the highest image quality and highest sound quality after execution of the conversion process corresponding to each video recording setting image quality and sound quality. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the conversion setting of image quality and sound quality which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the image quality of the scene in a program differs. It is a flowchart which shows the conversion processing procedure of the image quality (or sound quality) which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Storage processing apparatus 102 Input terminal 103 Tuner part 104 DEMUX (demultiplexer) part 105 Video processing part 106 Audio | voice processing part 107 Remote control receiving part 108 Control part 109 Memory part (accumulation part)
110 Hard disk (storage unit)
111 External I / F Unit 112 Internal Bus 113 Video Output Terminal 114 Audio Output Terminal 115 External I / F Terminal 116 Presentation Processing Unit

Claims (8)

Each A storage apparatus comprising a plurality of program data, and a storage unit for the program information is accumulated for each program data including video data,
Selection means for selecting arbitrary program data from the plurality of program data stored in the storage unit;
A conversion process for improving the image quality of the first program data selected by the selection means to an image quality designated by the user is performed, and conversion setting information indicating the setting contents of the conversion process is used as the first program data. Conversion processing means for storing in the storage unit as data conversion setting information ;
When the second program data is newly selected from the plurality of program data by the selection means, the program information of the first program data already converted by the conversion processing means and the new selection are newly selected. It has been by comparing the program information of the second program data, and a determining means for determining whether the first program data to be relevant for the second program data,
When the determination unit determines that the first program data and the second program data are related, the conversion processing unit is configured to convert the first program data based on the conversion setting information of the first program data . as the image quality after the conversion process of the image quality and the second program data after the conversion process of the first program data are the same, to perform the conversion processing for image quality enhancement the image quality of the second program data A storage processing device that is characterized.   The determination means compares the program information of the first program data with the program information of the second program data, and as a result, if the genres match or is a series program, the first program data The storage processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that there is a relationship between the second program data and the second program data. The conversion processing means includes
The first analyzes the image quality of the program data and classification, by referring to the conversion table conversion method is predetermined for each classification, conversion processing according to the first program data classification A conversion process for improving the image quality of the first program data using the method,
If relevance of the second program data with said first program data is determined to be by the determining means, without image quality analysis of the second program data, said first program data The accumulation processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a conversion process for improving an image quality of the second program data is performed using the same conversion process method as that used. The conversion processing means includes
When performing conversion processing to increase the number of pixels of the first program data and improve the image quality,
When the first program data includes many images having a large luminance difference, a conversion processing method for generating an interpolation pixel having the same color as any of a plurality of pixels adjacent to the interpolation pixel is used.
The method according to claim 3, wherein when the first program data includes many images having a small luminance difference, a conversion processing method for generating an intermediate color interpolation pixel of a plurality of pixels adjacent to the interpolation pixel is used. Accumulation processing device. Each A method of controlling a storage apparatus comprising a plurality of program data, and a storage unit for the program information is accumulated for each program data including video data,
A selection step of selecting arbitrary program data from the plurality of program data stored in the storage unit;
A conversion process for improving the image quality of the first program data selected in the selection step to an image quality designated by the user is performed, and conversion setting information indicating the setting contents of the conversion process is used as the first program data. A conversion processing step for storing in the storage unit as data conversion setting information ;
When the second program data is newly selected from the plurality of program data in the selection step, the program information of the first program data already converted in the conversion processing step is newly selected. A determination step of determining whether or not there is a relevance between the first program data and the second program data by comparing the program information of the second program data,
In the conversion processing step, when it is determined in the determination step that the first program data and the second program data are related, the conversion processing step is performed based on the conversion setting information of the first program data . as the image quality after the conversion process of the image quality and the second program data after the conversion process of the first program data are the same, to perform the conversion processing for image quality enhancement the image quality of the second program data A method for controlling a storage processing apparatus, which is characterized. In the determination step, when the program information of the first program data and the program information of the second program data are compared with each other, if the genres match or the program information is a series program, the first program data 6. The storage processing apparatus control method according to claim 5, wherein it is determined that there is a relationship between the second program data and the second program data. The conversion processing step includes
A conversion processing method according to the classification of the first program data by analyzing and classifying the image quality of the first program data, referring to a conversion table in which a conversion processing method corresponding to each classification is predetermined. Is used to perform conversion processing to improve the image quality of the first program data,
When the determination means determines that the first program data and the second program data are related, the image quality of the second program data is not analyzed and used for the first program data. 7. The control of the storage processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein conversion processing for improving the image quality of the second program data is performed using the same conversion processing method as that of the conversion processing method. Method. The conversion processing step includes
When performing conversion processing to increase the number of pixels of the first program data and improve the image quality,
When the first program data includes many images having a large luminance difference, a conversion processing method for generating an interpolation pixel having the same color as any of a plurality of pixels adjacent to the interpolation pixel is used.
The method according to claim 7, wherein when the first program data includes many images having a small luminance difference, a conversion processing method for generating an intermediate interpolation pixel of a plurality of pixels adjacent to the interpolation pixel is used. Control method of storage processing device.

Images