JP5566947B2 - Information transmitter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for transmitting information such as content.

  In recent years, recording / reproducing apparatuses capable of recording and reproducing digital television broadcasts have become widespread. This recording / reproducing apparatus records a digital television broadcast using a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The storage capacity of information storage media such as hard disks and optical disks is increasing year by year. For this reason, a recording / reproducing apparatus using these information storage media and a television receiver with a recording function using these information storage media can record a large number of programs.

  Nevertheless, since the storage capacity of the information storage medium is finite, there may be a shortage of storage capacity as the program is recorded. In view of this, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of adding an external storage device and a television receiver with a recording function capable of adding an external storage device have appeared.

  Under such circumstances, a recording / reproducing apparatus for easily performing content copying between apparatuses with good operability has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). This recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to another recording / reproducing apparatus via a network, and based on information on recording media held by the other recording / reproducing apparatus and information on statuses of other recording / reproducing apparatuses, It is determined whether or not the playback apparatus is established as a dubbing destination.

JP 2006-18871 A

  The recording / reproducing apparatus described above determines whether or not the dubbing destination is established based on the state of the connected counterpart device. However, in recent years, encrypted content (copyright protected content) has been provided from the viewpoint of copyright protection. Such copyright-protected content cannot be reproduced by any recording / reproducing apparatus. That is, an external storage device that can handle the content is determined according to the state of the content. The recording / reproducing apparatus described above does not detect what state the connected counterpart device can handle. Therefore, if the connected counterpart device receives content that cannot be handled, the counterpart device cannot properly reproduce the received content.

  For example, it is assumed that a plurality of external storage devices are connected to one recording / reproducing device. In this case, a general user cannot easily know which external storage device is compatible with the content stored in the recording / reproducing device. For this reason, the user may select an external storage device that cannot properly reproduce the content as a transmission destination. As described above, it is difficult to select an appropriate transmission destination according to the state of the content.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information transmission technique capable of supporting an appropriate selection of a content transmission destination in accordance with a content state.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, connection information connected to one or more servers for storing content, and device information indicating the content type, content configuration, and copyright protection status from the connected server. obtaining means for obtaining, among the connected server, can receive and reproduce the content copyright protection state selected, the selected copyright protection is further transmitted to the reception possible content Based on the device information, a server with a matching content type can be determined and output means for outputting first display information for display , and content in a selected copyright protection state can be received and played back in and a selection means for selecting a server that the content is matched, co copyright protection state where the selected for the selection to server And transmitting means for transmitting the Ceiling.

  An information transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to one or more external devices, detects a state of content that can be supported by the connected external devices, and is a predetermined one of the connected external devices. Display information for displaying a connection state with an external device capable of handling the content in the state is output, and the selected content is transmitted to the external device whose connection is displayed by the display information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information transmission technique which can support suitable selection of the transmission destination of a content according to the state of a content can be provided.

It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the narrowing-down display of the storage apparatus suitable as a transmission destination of a content. It is a figure for demonstrating the confirmation process of ProfileName before content transfer. It is a figure for demonstrating the guarantee of a copy / move apparatus selection. The flowchart for demonstrating an example of storage apparatus list creation. The flowchart for demonstrating the selection process of suitable storage apparatus. The flowchart for demonstrating the case where the content is selected after selecting the storage device. The flowchart for demonstrating the case where the storage apparatus is selected after selecting content. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the video recording / reproducing apparatus (information transmitter) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating ProfileName.

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

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video recording / reproducing apparatus (information transmitting apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 (FTP / DLNA transmission device) includes a user operation input unit 101, a signal light receiving unit 102, a communication unit 103, a control module 104, a tuner unit 105, a memory unit 106, and OSD control. A module 107, a recording / playback signal processing module 108, a composition processing module 109, a disk drive unit 111, and a hard disk drive unit 112 are provided.

  Further, the control module 104 includes a network connection device information acquisition module 1041, a connection device ProfileName detection module 1042, a transmittable ProfileName-equipped device narrowing module 1043, a dubbing video file selection display screen generation module 1044, and a profile name setting module 1045 for the selected video file. , A refined device list display & selection screen generation module 1046, and a ProfileName comparison / determination module 1047 of the video file and the selected transmission device.

  The communication unit 103 is connected to one or more external devices via a network, and can transmit information to the external devices and receive information transmitted from the external devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication unit 103 can be connected to a video recording / playback apparatus 21 (FTP receiving device), a video recording / playback apparatus 22 (DLNA receiving device), or the like via a network.

  The tuner unit 105 selects a broadcast signal of a designated channel and inputs the selected broadcast signal to the recording / playback signal processing module 108. When the recording process is designated, the recording / playback signal processing module 108 inputs a video signal and an audio signal corresponding to the broadcast signal to the disk drive unit 111 or the hard disk drive unit 112. The disk drive unit 111 records the input video signal and audio signal on the optical disk. Alternatively, the hard disk drive unit 112 records the input video signal and audio signal on the hard disk. When playback processing is designated, the recording / playback signal processing module 108 outputs a video signal and an audio signal corresponding to the broadcast signal to the monitor M (with a speaker) via the synthesis processing module 109.

  Next, an example of content list display by the remote controller 102a will be described. The signal light receiving unit 102 receives a signal from the remote controller 102a and notifies the control module 104 of information corresponding to the received signal. For example, the signal light receiving unit 102 receives a content list display instruction from the remote controller 102 a and notifies the control module 104 of this instruction. Correspondingly, the control module 104 acquires a list of contents recorded on the optical disk accessible by the disk drive unit 111 or a list of contents recorded on the hard disk accessible by the hard disk drive unit 112, and the contents The contents list display information for displaying the list information is output to the OSD control module 107. The OSD control module 107 outputs the content list display information to the composition processing module 109. Thereby, the video corresponding to the content list display information is displayed on the monitor M.

  Next, the support process at the time of content transmission will be described. There are various states of content to be transmitted. As information indicating the state of content, there is ProfileName shown in FIG. The ProfileName indicates the content type (MPEG2 / MPEG4 AVC, etc.), the content configuration (continuous content / discontinuous content), and the copyright protection state (DTCP) during content transfer as definition names. By using this ProfileName, the content to be handled can be easily specified. “DTCP_MPEG_TS_SD_JP_MPEG1_L2_T”, “MPEG_TTS_CP”, etc. are examples of ProfileName.

  The storage device connected to the video recording / playback apparatus 1 cannot always handle content in any state. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the video recording / playback apparatus 1 is connected to storage devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 via a network. In addition, the storage devices 21 and 24 can cope with the state of the first content stored in the video recording / playback device 1, and the storage devices 22 and 23 store the first content stored in the video recording / playback device 1. It is assumed that it is impossible to cope with the state of In this case, when the video recording / reproducing apparatus 1 displays the connection state with the storage devices 21, 22, 23, 24 on the monitor M without distinction, the user records the storage device 21, 22, 23, 24 are connected, and the first content stored in the video recording / playback apparatus 1 can be transmitted to any of the storage devices 21, 22, 23, 24. It will be understood that any of 23 and 24 can be reproduced. Therefore, the video recording / reproducing apparatus 1 prevents such misunderstanding of the user by the support processing at the time of content transmission described below.

  For example, the network connection device information acquisition module 1041 and the connection device ProfileName detection module 1042 of the video recording / playback apparatus 1 can correspond to the storage devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 from the storage devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 (receivable). ) Content status (content type, content configuration, copyright protection status, etc.). That is, ProfileName supported by the storage devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 is detected. Furthermore, the ProfileName-equipped device narrowing module 1043 and the narrowed device list display & selection screen generation module 1046 that can be transmitted display only the connection state with the storage devices 21 and 24 that can handle the first content (content in a predetermined state). Display information to output. As a result, the monitor M displays only the connection state with the storage devices 21 and 24 that can handle the first content. Alternatively, the ProfileName-equipped device narrowing module 1043 and the narrowed device list display & selection screen generation module 1046 that can transmit the connection state with the storage devices 21 and 24 that can handle the first content in the first display format (for example, high The first display information for display in the display format of brightness is output, and the connection state with the storage devices 22 and 23 that cannot handle the first content (content in a predetermined state) is displayed in the second display format (for example, Second display information for display in a low brightness display format) is output. As a result, the monitor M displays the connection state with the storage devices 21 and 24 that can handle the first content in the first display format, and the connection with the storage devices 22 and 23 that cannot handle the first content. The connection status is displayed in the second display format. The user can easily and reliably select a storage device that can handle the content in the predetermined state while viewing the display on the monitor M, and the control module 104 can transmit the content in the predetermined state to the selected storage device. Can do.

  That is, when copying or moving the content stored in the video recording / playback apparatus 1 to a storage device connected to the video recording / playback apparatus 1, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 is suitable as a transmission destination of the content. The connection of this storage device is displayed so that the storage device can be identified. For example, it may be displayed that only a storage device suitable for the content transmission destination is connected, or that the storage device suitable for the content transmission destination is connected in the first display format. It is also possible to display in the second display format that a storage device that is not suitable as the transmission destination of this content is connected. As a result, the user can easily select a storage device suitable as a content transmission destination. That is, it is possible to prevent selection of a storage device that is not suitable as a transmission destination of this content.

  Hereinafter, some examples of the support processing at the time of content transmission will be described.

  For example, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs display information for displaying a connection state with a storage device that can handle at least one content among a plurality of transmission candidate contents. Alternatively, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs first display information for displaying, in a first display format, a connection state with a storage device that can handle at least one of the plurality of transmission candidate contents, Second display information for displaying in a second display format a connection state with a storage device that cannot handle at least one content is output.

  A specific description will be given with reference to FIG. For example, it is assumed that the video recording / playback apparatus 1 is connected to the storage devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 via a network. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the network connection device information acquisition module 1041 acquires storage device information from the storage devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 (ST401), and extended reception function information that can be selected as a dubbing destination If there is extended reception function information (ST402, YES), the extended reception function information is acquired (ST403), the acquired extended reception function information is added as device information, and the stored device list Is created (ST405).

  Extended reception function information is transferred using other protocols besides the information (ProfileName) indicating that content transfer is permitted in the device definition information for device detection on the network as stored device information. This is information indicating that ProfileName for supporting can be exchanged.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ProfileName-equipped device narrowing module 1043 that can be transmitted acquires the storage device list (ST501), and checks whether there is content corresponding to the type of receivable content of the storage device ( ST502). If there is content corresponding to the type of receivable content of the storage device (YES in ST502), the narrowed device list display & selection screen generation module 1046 outputs display information for displaying this storage device as a transmission target. (ST503). The processing of ST502 and ST503 is applied to all the storage devices in the device list (ST504, NO) (ST505). As a result, the monitor 2 displays only storage devices that can handle at least one content type of the plurality of contents stored in the video recording / playback apparatus 1. The user can complete selection of an appropriate storage device only by selecting a storage device to be set as a transmission destination from the displayed storage devices (ST506). In this way, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 can display only storage devices that can be selected as a dubbing destination from a plurality of storage devices connected via a network on the user interface.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, a case will be described in which whether or not the transmission destination storage device supports ProfileName that allows the transmission target content before content transmission is described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the support confirmation process when the transmission target content is selected after the storage device is selected. When a storage device as a content transmission destination is selected (ST601) and a transmission target content is selected (ST602), before actually transmitting the transmission target content, a ProfileName comparison determination module between the video file and the selected transmission device. 1047 confirms whether or not the type of receivable content of the selected storage device matches the type of content to be transmitted (ST603). If they match (ST603, YES), control module 104 transmits the transmission target content to the storage device selected as the transmission destination (ST604). If they do not match (NO in ST603), the control module 104 interrupts transmission of the content to be transmitted (ST605).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, a case will be described in which it is confirmed whether the transmission destination storage device supports ProfileName that allows the transmission target content before transmitting the content. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the support confirmation process when the storage device is selected after the transmission target content is selected. When a transmission target content is selected (ST701) and a storage device as a content transmission destination is selected (ST702), before actually transmitting the transmission target content, the ProfileName comparison determination module between the video file and the selected transmission device 1047 confirms whether or not the type of receivable content of the selected storage device matches the type of content to be transmitted (ST703). If they match (ST703, YES), control module 104 transmits the content to be transmitted to the storage device selected as the transmission destination (ST704). If they do not match (NO in ST703), the control module 104 interrupts transmission of the content to be transmitted (ST705).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when a content is dubbed from a DLNA client (video recording / playback apparatus 1) connected to the network to a DLNA server (video recording / playback apparatus 22), the DLNA client supports the DLNA server. The state of possible (receivable) content is detected, and when the DLNA server can handle content in a predetermined state, the connection state of this DLNA server is displayed. Accordingly, the user can surely select a DLNA server that can handle content in a predetermined state, and can transmit content in a predetermined state to the DLNA server.

  Similarly, when a content is dubbed from an FTP client (video recording / playback apparatus 1) connected to the network to an FTP server (video recording / playback apparatus 22), the FTP client is compatible (receivable) with the FTP server. When the status of the content is detected and the FTP server can handle the content in a predetermined state, the connection status of the FTP server is displayed. Accordingly, the user can surely select an FTP server that can handle the content in the predetermined state, and can transmit the content in the predetermined state to the FTP server.

  The video recording / playback apparatus 1 can also output display information for displaying only storage devices that support the ProfileName of one or more contents selected as transmission targets. Alternatively, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs the first display information for displaying the storage device that supports the ProfileName of one or more contents selected as the transmission target in the first display format, and selects it as the transmission target. The second display information for displaying the storage device that does not support the ProfileName of the one or more pieces of content that has been displayed in the second display format may be output.

  Thereby, operations other than the current time operation can be guaranteed. That is, since the storage device that can handle the selected content is displayed, if the displayed storage device is selected, transmission of the selected content is guaranteed. Therefore, even when the user does not directly operate the video recording / reproducing apparatus 1 during the transfer operation as in the reserved transfer, the selected content can be reliably transmitted to the selected storage device.

  The video recording / playback apparatus 1 can also output display information for displaying only the content corresponding to ProfileName supported by the storage device selected as the transmission destination. Alternatively, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs the first display information for displaying the content corresponding to the ProfileName supported by the storage device selected as the transmission destination in the first display format, and is selected as the transmission destination. It is also possible to output second display information for displaying content that does not support ProfileName supported by the storage device in the second display format.

  Thereby, operations other than the current time operation can be guaranteed. In other words, content that can be handled by the selected storage device is displayed, so that if the displayed content is selected, transmission of the selected content is guaranteed. Therefore, even when the user does not directly operate the video recording / reproducing apparatus 1 during the transfer operation as in the reserved transfer, the selected content can be reliably transmitted to the selected storage device.

  The video recording / playback apparatus 1 can also guarantee continuous transfer of a plurality of selected contents. The video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs display information for displaying only storage devices that can handle any of a plurality of selected contents. Alternatively, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs the first display information for displaying the storage device that can handle any of the selected plurality of contents in the first display format, and the storage device that cannot handle the first content is displayed. 2nd display information for displaying in 2 display formats is output. Thereby, if the displayed storage device is selected or if the storage device displayed in the first display format is selected, it is possible to reliably transmit all of the selected plurality of contents. It is possible to prevent a transfer error or the like from occurring during continuous transfer of a plurality of selected contents.

  The video recording / playback apparatus 1 can also guarantee continuous transfer of a plurality of selected contents after selecting a storage device. The video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs display information for displaying only the content that can be supported by the selected storage device. Alternatively, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 outputs the first display information for displaying the content that can be handled by the selected storage device in the first display format, and the content that cannot be handled in the second display format. Second display information for display is output. Thus, if a plurality of displayed contents are selected or a plurality of contents displayed in the first display format are selected, all of the selected plurality of contents can be transmitted reliably. It is possible to prevent a transfer error or the like from occurring during continuous transfer of a plurality of selected contents.

  According to the video recording / reproducing apparatus described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Time reduction of copy / move destination selection operation Since the video recording / playback apparatus 1 displays only selectable storage devices or displays selectable storage devices, a large number of storage devices on the network. Even if there is, the user can easily and reliably select a storage device suitable as a content transmission destination.

(2) Reduction of copy / move transfer error detection time If a storage device that has not been narrowed down to a storage device that can handle the content to be copied / moved, the content is sent to the storage device. An error may occur. In such a case, content transmission is interrupted. However, this is inefficient. Therefore, the video recording / playback apparatus 1 checks in advance the ProfileName supported by the storage device, and checks whether or not the storage device is suitable as a content transmission destination. Thereby, the transmission error as described above can be avoided.

(3) Can guarantee copy / move device selection for continuous and reserved operations The video recording / playback device 1 checks the type of content to be copied / moved before copying / moving, and the storage device supports it. The interruption of the transfer operation due to a mismatch between the type of possible content and the type of content to be copied / moved can be excluded in advance. Therefore, it is possible to guarantee the operation at the time of continuous transfer or reserved transfer that the user does not operate in real time.

(4) Content Loss Prevention When a storage device that is not suitable as a content transfer destination is selected and content transfer is started, the content to be moved may be lost or unplayable. Since the video recording / reproducing apparatus 1 displays only storage devices suitable as content destinations or displays storage devices suitable as content destinations, storage devices that are not suitable as content destinations are selected. Can be prevented in advance. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the content to be moved is lost or cannot be reproduced.

  The module described above may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software using a CPU or the like.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

  The invention described in the claims at the beginning of the filing of the original application is appended below.

[1]
Connection means for connecting to one or more external devices;
Detecting means for detecting the state of the content that can be supported by the external device connected by the connecting means;
An output unit that outputs display information for displaying a connection state with an external device capable of handling content in a predetermined state among the external devices connected by the connection unit;
Transmitting means for transmitting the selected content to the external device whose connection is displayed according to the display information;
An information transmission device comprising:

[2]
The information transmission apparatus according to [1], wherein the output unit outputs display information for displaying a connection state with an external device capable of handling a state of at least one content among a plurality of transmission candidate contents.

[3]
The output means outputs first display information for displaying a connection state with an external device capable of handling at least one content state among a plurality of transmission candidate contents, and cannot cope with at least one content state The information transmitting apparatus according to [1], wherein the second display information for displaying a connection state with an external device is output.

[4]
The said output means outputs the display information for displaying the connection state with the external apparatus which can respond to the state of the 1 or more content selected as transmission object from the some content of transmission candidates [1]. Information transmission device.

[5]
The output means outputs and displays first display information for displaying a connection state with an external device that can cope with a state of one or more contents selected as a transmission target from a plurality of contents as transmission candidates. The information transmission apparatus according to [1], wherein the second display information for displaying a connection state with an external device that is incapable of responding to the state of the one or more content items is output.

[6]
The information transmission apparatus according to [1], wherein the output unit outputs content display information for displaying content that can be handled by a selected external device among a plurality of content candidates for transmission.

[7]
The output means outputs first content display information for displaying content that can be handled by the selected external device from among a plurality of content candidates for transmission, and the content that cannot be handled by the selected external device. The information transmitting apparatus according to [1], wherein second content display information for display is output.

[8]
The detection means is a content that can be supported by the connected external device from at least one of content type, content configuration, and copyright protection status of the content that can be supported by the connected external device. The information transmission device according to [1], wherein the state is detected.

[9]
Connect with one or more external devices,
Detecting the status of content that can be supported by the connected external device,
Output display information for displaying a connection state with an external device capable of handling content in a predetermined state among the connected external devices,
An information transmission method for transmitting selected content to an external device whose connection is displayed by the display information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video recording / reproducing apparatus, 101 ... User operation input part, 102 ... Signal light-receiving part, 103 ... Communication part, 104 ... Control module, 105 ... Tuner part, 106 ... Memory part, 107 ... OSD control module, 108 ... Recording / playback Signal processing module 109 ... Synthesis processing module 111 ... Disk drive unit 112 ... Hard disk drive unit 1041 ... Network connection device information acquisition module 1042 ... Connection device ProfileName detection module 1043 ... ProfileName-equipped device narrowing module that can be transmitted 1044 ... Dubbing video file selection display screen generation module, 1045 ... ProfileName setting module for selected video file, 1046 ... Filtered device list display & selection screen generation module, 1047 ... ProfileName comparison format of video file and selected transmission device Module

Claims (7)

Connection means for connecting to one or more servers for storing content ;
An acquisition means for acquiring device information indicating a content type, a content configuration, and a copyright protection status from a connected server ;
Among the connected server, the type of content selected can receive and reproduce the content of the copyright protection state, copyright protection state said selected it is further transmitted to the content that can be the receiver Output means for determining a matching server based on the device information and outputting first display information for display;
A selection means for selecting a server that can receive and reproduce the selected copyright-protected content and matches the content from the display status;
Transmitting means for transmitting the contents of the copyright protection state where the selected for the selection to Server,
An information transmission device comprising:   2. The information transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output means outputs second display information for displaying an external device that is incompatible with the selected copyright-protected content among the connected external devices.   3. The output unit according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs first display information for displaying an external device capable of supporting a plurality of selected copyright-protected contents among the connected external devices. One information transmission device.   4. Information according to claim 1, wherein in response to selection of an external device corresponding to the first display information, a plurality of contents in a selected copyright protection state are transmitted to the selected external device. Transmitter device.   The information transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs content display information for displaying content that can be supported by a selected external device among a plurality of content candidates for transmission.   The information transmission apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit transmits a selected content among the contents displayed by the content display information.   The information transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit moves the selected copyright-protected content to the selected external device.

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