JP7228204B2 - Recording/playback device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing apparatus, and more particularly to a recording/reproducing apparatus that provides desired information to a user when reproducing recorded program data.

Conventionally, the following technology has been disclosed as means for recording and viewing TV programs such as terrestrial and satellite broadcasting (Patent Document 1). The technique described in Patent Literature 1 proposes a technique for recording all television broadcasts for one day.

JP-A-10-234007

However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 only reproduces the recorded program data (television program) as it is when reproducing the recorded program data. If all the program data for one day is recorded, it is possible to perform various processing on the program data. The effect of recording all program data is limited to a large amount of reproducible program data.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording/reproducing apparatus, system, and server that are beneficial to users, CM clients, etc., by focusing attention on CM data contained in program data, searching for a unique reproduction method thereof. do.

In order to solve the above problems, the recording/reproducing device of the present invention includes:
recording means for recording program data on a recording medium;
a reproduction means for reproducing program data recorded on the recording medium;
detection means for detecting the power ON/OFF state of a display medium for video data of program data reproduced by said reproduction means;
output means for outputting content to be notified to a user when the detection means detects that the display medium is powered on and the reproduction means is not reproducing program data;
Prepare.

Further, means for displaying a menu screen for allowing the user to select program data to be reproduced by the reproducing means may be provided. In this case, the output means can output the content when there is no instruction from the user for a predetermined period of time from the start of display of the menu screen, and the content is displayed by the output means. The display state of the menu screen may be restored when the user gives an arbitrary instruction in .

Further, the output means can output the contents when an arbitrary instruction other than an instruction to stop reproducing the program data is given while the program data is being displayed by the reproducing means. The arbitrary instructions in this case are instructions to pause reproduction of the program data, instructions to turn on the power of the display medium, instructions to fast-forward the program data, instructions to rewind the program data, and skips of the program data. Further, when the user gives an arbitrary instruction while the content is being displayed by the output means, the display processing by the reproduction means may be returned.

Furthermore, at least one of video data and audio data of CM data is output as the content, or at least one of video data and audio data of CM data for which an advertisement is explicitly requested from an advertiser is output as the content. Alternatively, at least one of video data and audio data of CM data determined based on the reproduction history can be output as the content.

In addition, the present invention provides a recording medium on which content including program data having program corner data and CM data is recorded,
a reproduction means for reproducing content recorded on the recording medium;
a database storing information indicating other content that can be interrupted by the content reproduced by the reproducing means;
An interrupt control means for interrupting the content being reproduced with the other content when it is determined that the other content exists by referring to the database.

Also, in order to solve the above problems, a recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
a recording medium on which content including program data having program corner data and CM data is recorded;
a reproduction means for reproducing content recorded on the recording medium;
a database storing information indicating other content that can be interrupted by the content reproduced by the reproducing means;
and interrupt control means for interrupting the content being reproduced with the other content when it is determined that the other content exists by referring to the database.

Further, information indicating whether or not the CM data recorded on the recording medium is to be reproduced is stored in the database,
determining whether or not the CM data recorded on the recording medium is to be reproduced by referring to the database prior to reproducing the CM data;
When it is determined that the CM data is not to be reproduced, the CM data may not be reproduced and may be reproduced by replacing it with the other content.

Further, the present invention further comprises storage means for storing position data indicating a recording destination of the content to be reproduced when the other content is reproduced by the reproducing means and there is no interruption of the other content. You may prepare.

Further, the content can be moving images, still images, voices, or character information captured from the outside of the recording/reproducing device itself.

Furthermore, the information stored in the database can be determined based on CM data attributes, user attributes, and other content attributes.

The present invention also includes setting means connected to the recording/reproducing apparatus via a network and setting information to be stored in the database.

Further, a recording/reproducing system of the present invention includes the recording/reproducing device and the server.

Also, a recording/reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes:
a recording medium on which received program data is recorded;
a storage medium storing metadata indicating an appearance target of video data of the program data;
a reproduction means for reproducing program data recorded on the recording medium;
an output means for outputting, when the program data is reproduced by the reproduction means, the information regarding the appearance target corresponding to the metadata corresponding to the program data in a manner of displaying a ticker on a television receiver;
Prepare.

The metadata includes period data indicating an appearance period of an appearance target in the program data,
The output means can output information about the appearance target when the video data of the appearance target is displayed on the television receiver based on the period data.

Setting means may be provided for setting a display position of the information on the appearance target when the output means outputs the information on the appearance target. In this case, the display position can be a peripheral portion including the lower portion of the television receiver, or can be a portion generated by displaying the program data in a reduced size instead of displaying the program data in its entirety.

Further, the information on the appearance object may be provided with control means for controlling the speed or the number of characters at which the ticker is displayed according to the genre of the program data and the genre of the program section forming the program data.

The control means can also determine the display type, display frequency, display interval, display timing, and display content of the ticker display based on the genre of the program data, the broadcast time of the program data, and the like.

Further, the present system may include the recording/reproducing device described above and a remote controller for remotely controlling the operation of the recording/reproducing device, and the remote controller may be provided with a button for instructing the start of the ticker display. .

In the case of a recording/reproducing apparatus having a ticker display function, program data includes information about performers, such as commentators' names, birth years, careers, etc., displayed as telops. For university professors, when their names, affiliated universities, research themes, etc. are displayed as telops, it is possible to effectively display the information to be reported to the user.

Also, a recording/reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes:
a recording medium on which received program data is recorded in a file format;
a reproduction means for reproducing program data recorded on the recording medium;
an addition means for adding a flag to a file for which reproduction of program data by the reproduction means is restricted;
and storage means for storing newly received program data for the file to which the flag has been added by the adding means.

As a result, it is possible to realize a recording/reproducing apparatus having a recording medium with a relatively small capacity by restricting the reproduction of program data that may not need to be recorded.

However, if there is no file to which the flag is added, the storage means can store the newly received program data in the file in which the oldest program data is stored. Further, the storage means may simultaneously store each program data transmitted from a plurality of TV program broadcasting stations in a plurality of different files.

Further, if specifying means for specifying a file to which the flag is assigned by the assigning means is provided, the specifying means can determine the user's behavior with respect to the recording/reproducing apparatus main body and the viewer's behavior with respect to the program data acquired via the network. , the audience rating of the program data, the type and broadcast time of the program data, and the elapsed time since the program data was broadcast.

In addition to program data, CM data is recorded on the recording medium.

Moreover, it is also possible to provide a designation means for designating program data to which the flag is not applied. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the user's favorite program data from being overwritten in a short period of time by a television program that is subsequently broadcast due to the flagging.

Additionally, the mobile terminal of some embodiments of the present invention includes:
means for receiving at least part of program data transmitted from the recording/reproducing device through a wireless line;
means for outputting at least part of the program data;
can be provided.

In this case, the recording/playback system may include the mobile terminal. and a playback device.

Embodiment of the invention

A digital recording/reproducing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the case of so-called digital broadcasting will be mainly described as an example, but it should be noted that the present invention can also be applied to the case of so-called analog broadcasting.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the digital recording/reproducing system of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation of the digital recording/playback system shown in FIG. First, an outline of the digital recording/reproducing system of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a digital recording/reproducing device 10 for recording program data and the like transmitted from a television signal transmission station, and a time index used when reproducing program data and the like recorded in the digital recording/reproducing device 10. A time index server 50 to be recorded, a network such as the Internet connecting them, and a database attached to the time index server 50 (hereinafter referred to as "DB") are shown.

"Program data" includes program corner data and commercial data (hereinafter referred to as "CM data") divided into program data, and includes video data and audio data, digital or analog Broadcast waves consisting of signals or data available through networks such as the Internet.

The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk for recording program data and the like, and as an example, constantly records program data and the like. The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 also has a plurality of tuners and an A/D converter so that it can process analog broadcast program data.

In the drawings, for the sake of notation, "always recording process start" is indicated, but in reality, as long as the power of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is on, as an example, program data can be recorded endlessly. done. (Step S1).

The object to be recorded is program data, so CM data is included in addition to program corner data. In addition to the program data, the digital recording/reproducing device 10 can also record metadata attached to the CM data, and moving images, still images, voices, or character information captured from outside the recording/reproducing device itself. . In addition, at the time of recording program data, for example, "time data" for each second including "recording start time" when recording the program data etc., and physical or logical recording destination of program data etc. are indicated. "Position data" is recorded on the recording medium together with the program data.

On the other hand, typically, the administrator of the time index server 50 creates title data and time indexes as follows (step S2).

Title data indicates titles assigned to program data, program corner data, and CM data. A time index is an index for specifying the broadcast start time and broadcast end time of program corner data.

As an example of the program corner data, the program corner data corresponding to the first table, the first table, the second table, the second table, etc. for the program data of the baseball broadcast are the program corner data. For program data, top news, today's special feature, weather forecast, today's fortune-telling, economic news, etc. are program corner data.

The administrator of the time index server 50 classifies the program data while watching the TV programs that have already been broadcasted, and specifies from what time to what minute each program corner data and each piece of CM data was broadcast. By doing so, a time index or the like is created and recorded in a DB attached to the time index server 50 .

The time index and the like created by the administrator of the time index server 50 are recorded in the time index server 50 regularly or irregularly (step S3).

The digital recording/playback device 10 actively or passively receives the title data and time index recorded in the time index server 50 (step S4).

As a result, when the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 receives the title data and the like, it becomes possible to associate the title data with the already recorded program data. This linking may be performed, for example, immediately after execution of step S4, or may be performed when step S7, which will be described later, is executed.

When the user of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 attempts to reproduce program data in this state, the user first operates a remote controller or the like to instruct the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 to reproduce the title data. Execute the display command. Specifically, as an example, when the user designates specific program data through the remote controller and then presses the play button on the remote controller, a signal indicating the display command is transmitted to the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10. (step S5).

In practice, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is provided with a table memory or the like in which, as is well known, an identifier corresponding to each button of the remote controller and a command content corresponding to the identifier are recorded in pairs. When the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 receives a signal transmitted from the remote controller, it identifies the corresponding command by referring to the table memory or the like.

Then, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 outputs a list of received title data and the like to a television (hereinafter referred to as "TV") according to the above command (step S6).

As a result, the user can select the title data of the program data to be reproduced while browsing the TV display. After that, when the user finishes selecting the program data to be reproduced, the user can transmit the result to the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 by operating the remote controller or the like (step S7).

When the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 receives the user's selection result transmitted from the remote controller, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 refers to the "time index" of the program corner data corresponding to the "title data", and Specify the “broadcast start time” of Next, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 refers to the recording medium based on the specified broadcast start time, and searches for "position data" corresponding to the broadcast start time (step S8).

Then, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 reproduces the program corner data, etc. according to the searched "position data" (step S7).

The above is the outline of the digital recording/reproducing system of the present embodiment.

(Digital recording/playback device)
Next, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described. In the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10, the digital TV signal received by each tuner is decompressed and recompressed as necessary by a converter, and converted into a digital signal. The program data of the converted digital signal is compressed and recorded in the hard disk drive. The compressed program data is decompressed and reproduced by the output device based on the reception of the input signal related to the reproduction. The "output device" corresponds to, for example, a TV to which the digital recording/reproducing device 10 of this embodiment is electrically connected and a mobile terminal described later.

As an example, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 constantly records television programs of broadcasting stations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, according to the tuning details of the tuner 12 . However, it is not intended to record TV programs during the hours when late-night TV programs are not broadcast, or to record TV programs for which recording is prohibited by the user.

This "constant recording" is a function of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 recording television programs even when the user does not set the recording operation. Each function of each part of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the digital recording/reproducing device 10. As shown in FIG. The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 selects an antenna 11 for receiving radio waves of a television signal, and radio waves of a channel designated by a user from among radio waves received by the antenna 11 and distributed by an antenna distributor (not shown), and performs digital television. A plurality of tuners 12 that demodulate the tuner 12 to a version signal, a converter (recompressor/converter) 14 that converts, for example, an MPEG stream output from the plurality of tuners 12 to an appropriate bit rate, resolution, and compression method, and program data is recorded. It also has a plurality of randomly accessible hard disk drives (hereinafter referred to as HDDs) 17 (17a, 17b) and an HDD control unit 18 that writes data to and reads data from the HDDs 17 and performs various controls.

The tuner 12 can be tuned so that it can receive a plurality of broadcast waves. A plurality of tuners may be physically provided, or one tuner 12 may be capable of tuning corresponding to a plurality of broadcast waves. The tuner 12 is composed of eight tuners, for example, and is capable of viewing and recording television for eight channels. Therefore, for example, in addition to seven terrestrial channels in the Tokyo area, one channel of a satellite broadcasting station such as BS or CS can be received. However, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to watching TV in Japan, and can also watch TV overseas by adjusting the tuner 12 . In this embodiment, as an example of the configuration of the tuner 12, one tuner board containing eight tuners and two encoder boards equipped with encoders capable of simultaneously processing four video signals are configured. there is It should be noted that the use of an encoder, multiplexer, etc. is not essential, and the program data received through the tuner 12 may be recorded without being encoded or separated.

In addition, one tuner board with eight tuners in one and four encoder boards that process two video signals simultaneously, two tuner boards with four tuners in one, and two video A configuration of four encoder boards that process signals simultaneously, or a configuration of two tuner boards each containing four tuners and two encoder boards that simultaneously process four video signals may be used. Although eight tuners 12 are mounted in this embodiment, the number is not particularly limited, and the number can be increased or decreased as necessary.

The converter 14 is an A/D converter that converts analog signals to digital signals and/or a D/A converter that converts digital signals to analog signals. The converter 14 is a converter provided with translating means for bit rate conversion and resolution conversion and transcoding means for compressing the MPEG stream of digital broadcasting.

In this embodiment, the translating means adopts a system for converting an MPEG-2 stream, but is not limited to this. For example, MPEG-4, AVI, DivX, XVD, H. 264, XVid. The transcoding means is, for example, H.264. 264, which has higher compression efficiency than MPEG-2, but conversion is not always required. The translating means and transcoding means internally once decode the MPEG stream and re-encode it. Providing a transcoder means is preferable because it increases the variation of the compression method.

Moreover, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is not limited to this, but may be configured as follows. That is, when program data is received by a tuner, analog signals are converted into digital signals by A/D conversion and demodulation by a demodulator. In the case of so-called digital broadcasting, it becomes an MPEG stream through modulator processing. Note that the tuner and the modulator may be configured with respective hardware, or may be configured with a single piece of hardware capable of realizing these operations. Next, the transcoder re-encodes the program data in digital form. As an example, in the case of digital broadcasting, the transcoder decodes the encrypted program data in order to prevent unauthorized viewing, and decodes the MPEG/MPEG-2 format compressed by the MPEG decoder. The program data is decoded and expanded, and MPEG/H.264 with a higher compression rate is converted by an MPEG encoder. The program data can be recompressed into H.264 format, the MPEG stream optionally re-encrypted by an encryptor, and selectively multiplexed into multiple channels of MPEG streams by a multiplexer. Note that if the program data has not been decrypted, the encryption and decryption processes are not required, and the multiplexing process is not essential. It is also possible to combine all these functions into one board and prepare it for each channel.

The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 also includes a demultiplexer 19 that separates the MPEG stream read from the HDD 17 into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream, an MPEG decoder 20 that receives the video signal stream, and an audio signal stream. a second converter 22a for receiving the stream of the video signal decoded by the MPEG decoder 20, converting the received video signal into a digital signal or analog signal and outputting it to the TV, and an audio decoder A third converter 22b receives the audio signal stream decoded by 21, converts the received audio signal into a digital signal or an analog signal, and outputs the converted signal to a speaker or the like.

The second converter 22a and the third converter 22b perform conversion processing according to the input format of the TV or speaker. That is, when the TV can only input analog signals, digital-to-analog conversion processing is performed.

Further, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 23 that controls the entire digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10, and a memory 24 that temporarily records the work area of the CPU 23 and the system stream and is used as a work area for recording to the HDD 17. , a signal receiving unit 25 that receives various input signals from a remote controller or an input unit 28 of the main body of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 and transmits them to the CPU 23; and a network controller that is connected to a LAN or WAN and capable of Internet communication. 26.

According to the program stored in the memory 24, the CPU 23 executes the time index reception command in step S4, the title data output command in step S5, and the program corner data reproduction command in step S7, which have been described with reference to FIG. conduct. In other words, the memory 24 is provided with programs necessary for the CPU 23 to execute these instructions.

In addition to a real-time clock 26b that indicates time data and an OSD (On Screen Display) function that displays menus, program information, etc., overlaid on the image during program data playback, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 also includes: An image processing unit 27 for performing various image processing and a DVD drive 29 for recording recorded program data on an optical disk (recording means) such as a DVD are provided. As the optical disc, not only a DVD disc but also a Blu-ray disc can be used. In this case, the DVD drive 29 can be replaced with a Blu-ray drive. Further, the digital recording/reproducing device 10 may be configured without the DVD drive 29 .

The main functions of the network controller 26 are to access the server according to the NTP (Network Time Protocol), inquire about the current time, adjust the real-time clock 26b, receive EPG data, and program corner data (to be described later). and time index, and transmit viewing data related to the user.

The HDD 17 includes a constant recording HDD 17a provided for constant recording, and a storage HDD (storage dedicated recording means) 17b for storing (transferring) part of the recorded program data. The constant recording HDD 17a is capable of recording for eight days, for example. In general, the HDD 17 stores data that has undergone data compression processing, and this data is decompressed (uncompressed) at the time of reproduction.

The storage HDD 17b is for storing program data that the user wants to keep, avoiding overwriting due to constant recording. The user selects the program data that he/she desires to store, and also selects the bit rate of the video data and audio data of the program data, the resolution (size) of the video data, and the compression format (for example, converting MPEG-2 to MPEG-4). and save) to save.

Since the constant recording HDD 17a is connected to the DVD drive 29, instead of the storage HDD 17b, a DVD (not shown) can be used as the storage destination of the program data through the DVD drive 29. FIG.

Note that the recording medium is not limited to the HDD, and a data recording medium such as a random-access hard disk drive, DVD, flash memory, or the like can also be used.

Although the HDD 17 of this embodiment is physically equipped with two HDDs, it is not limited to this. For example, one HDD may be divided into partitions (separate areas). Further, the HDD 17 can be expanded as required. For example, the additional HDD may be used as a storage HDD, an editing HDD for program data, and a working HDD when recording to an optical disc such as a DVD.

Next, the recording format of program data will be explained. Program data broadcast on each channel is, for example, endlessly recorded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the constant recording HDD 17a. Here, recording is performed by a ring buffer method. A ring buffer is a data structure that manages a data area of an HDD or the like in a loop and treats a finite-length area as an apparently infinite-length area. record as a long endless file. At this time, the program data of multiple channels may be recorded as an endless file for each channel. In this embodiment, the time index distributed from the server is recorded in a medium physically separate from the program data recorded by the ring buffer system or in a different area of the same medium, as described below. , the time index is used to reproduce desired program data.

(time index)
A "time index" is an index including broadcast start times and broadcast end times of program data, program corner data, and CM data. The time index for each program data is, for example, created by a server administrator or the like based on a TV program guide (including newspapers, magazines, etc.) created by each TV station, or a TV program transmitted by broadcast waves. The table can be used as is. For example, the time index for each corner of the program corner data or for each CM is created by the administrator of the time index server 50 or the like based on the contents of the program data after broadcasting. Each time index is recorded in the time index server 50 . Note that the time index creator is not limited to the server administrator. For example, the user of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 may be the entity creating the time index, solicit the created time index to be transmitted via the Internet, etc., and record it in the server.

(Figures 2 and 3)
The relationship between program data, program corner data, CM data, title data and time index will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of program data of a cooking program. It is assumed that this program data consists of program corner data of three corners "A to C" and CM data "CM1 to CM3" positioned between the corners. In this example, a cooking program corresponds to program data, and corners A to C correspond to program corner data.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, "A corner" is broadcast from 11:00 to 11:15, "CM1" for two minutes is broadcast from 11:15, and "B corner" is broadcast from 11:17 to 11:32. Corner" will be broadcast. From 11:32, "CM2" was broadcast for 2 minutes, "C Corner" was broadcast from 11:34 to 11:54, and "CM3" was broadcast for 6 minutes from 11:54. Furthermore, in the "A corner", recipes of French cuisine were released, in "B corner", recipes of Chinese food were released, and in "C corner", recipes of Indian food were released. In addition, "CM1" and "CM2" broadcast food-related sponsor CMs, and "CM3" broadcast magazine-related sponsor CMs.

The server administrator or the like browses this cooking program and specifies that the cooking program consists of corners "A to C" and "CM1 to CM3." Then, the server administrator or the like creates a time index or the like for each of these. The title data allows the program title and corner title to be recognized at a glance. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the title data is [Cooking program--French recipe] for "A corner" and [Cooking program--Chinese recipe] for "B corner". Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3B, titles such as [XX Confectionery - XX Chocolate] and [XX Shop - X XX Senbei] are provided. However, the division into the formats shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is merely an example, and in the case of CM data, for example, a CM name may be assigned to each title. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 3B, one piece of CM data [XX confectionery - XX chocolate] is assigned the CM name CM1, and one piece of CM data [XX shop - X XX rice cracker] is assigned the CM name CM2. The CM name is assigned.

As described with reference to FIG. 11, the time index and the like created by the server administrator or the like are uploaded to the time index server 50 on the Internet. On the other hand, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 periodically accesses the time index server 50 via the network controller 26, and changes the time index and the like uploaded to the time index server 50 from the time of the previous access. Determine whether it has been changed.

As a result of determination, if there is a change in the time index or the like, the time index receiving means downloads the time index or the like, and the time index recording means stores the time index or the like in the HDD 17 .

Although the case where the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 obtains the time index or the like by a so-called pull-type method has been described as an example, the time index or the like is actively and regularly distributed from the time index server 50. A push-type method may be employed.

In this state, when the user of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 attempts to reproduce program data, the user operates a remote controller (not shown) to issue a title data display command to the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10. Send to The subsequent operation is as described with reference to FIG.

As described above, in the digital recording/reproducing system of the present embodiment, not only can the program data itself be cue-reproduced, but also program corner data and CM data can be cue-reproduced.

(bit rate conversion function)
In this embodiment, a bit rate conversion function is used for recording program data. This discriminates whether program data for eight days of all channels (eight tuners) can be recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a. This function changes the compression rate of the program data to be recorded for each program genre when it is determined that the data cannot be recorded. Note that the bit rate conversion itself is not essential, and it is possible to record without this type of compression.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of bit rate conversion processing. As shown in FIG. 6, first, when the time set in step S14 last time arrives, the CPU 23 follows a program stored in the memory 24 or the like to perform processing different from the operation shown in FIG. 6 via the Internet or the like. A process of reading the latest acquired EPG data is executed (step S11).

Next, the CPU 23 calculates the volume of program data scheduled to be broadcast for the next eight days from the acquired EPG data (step S12).

Specifically, (1) the average capacity of program data is stored in advance in a memory (not shown) for each program genre such as sports, drama, news, variety, and movies; Based on this, the memory is referred to, and the total amount of program data for eight days from the present is calculated.

The compression rate should be high for news and variety shows because there is relatively little movement, and low for sports and movies because they often have a lot of movement. do it.

Incidentally, for the digital recording/reproducing device 10, means for performing morphological analysis on EPG data and highly related words and genres such as the word "major league" and the genre "sports" are linked. By preparing a synonym dictionary, the processing of step S12 can be executed efficiently.

Next, the CPU 23 determines whether or not the storage capacity of the constant recording HDD 17a is larger than the calculated total capacity of program data for eight days (step S13).

As a result of the determination, if the storage capacity of the constant recording HDD 17a is not large with respect to the calculated total capacity of program data for 8 days, 8 days' worth of program data will be recorded at a specified compression rate stored in a memory (not shown). In order to record the program data, the processing shown in FIG. 6 ends.

On the other hand, if the storage capacity of the constant recording HDD 17a is larger than the calculated total capacity of the program data for eight days, the specified compression rate is changed (step S14).

Specifically, the prescribed compression rate is multiplied by [calculated total capacity of program data for eight days/storage capacity of constant recording HDD 17a] to increase the compression rate.

However, instead of uniformly changing the compression rate of program data in this way, the user can set the priority of changing the compression rate for each program genre, and the compression rate can be changed according to the priority. good. That is, for example, a user who does not want the compression rate of movies to be changed sets the change priority of program data for movies to "low" and sets the change priority of program data such as news to "high." keep it possible. Prior to the compression rate changing process, the CPU 23 refers to the change priority of the user and changes the compression rate of the program data set to "high". If the storage capacity of the constant recording HDD 17a is not large with respect to the capacity, the compression rate of the program data whose change priority is set to "medium" or "low" is not changed.

Next, the CPU 23 refers to the latest EPG data and sets the read time of the EPG data in the next step S11 (step S15).

The read time of the EPG data can be set, for example, two or three minutes before the broadcast start time of the program data. For example, if the program data for about 1 hour is broadcast from 13:00 and then the program data for about 1 hour is broadcast from 14:00, the read times are set to 12:58 and 13:58, respectively. do. This set time is determined based on the clocked time of the real-time clock 26b and the scheduled broadcast time of the program data indicated by the EPG data.

Note that the bit rate conversion process shown in FIG. 6 is actually executed for each channel set in the tuner 12 . Therefore, as a result of executing the bit rate conversion process shown in FIG. 6, the compression rate for the first channel and the compression rate for the second channel may differ.

A modification of the processing of the bit rate conversion function will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the next EPG data read time is set in step S15 of FIG. At 23:55, the genre of the program data related to the broadcasting station set in the tuner 12 is identified from the EPG data scheduled to be broadcast the next day (step S101).

Next, the CPU 23 refers to the compression rate stored in the memory (not shown), which has undergone the compression rate change processing shown in FIG. 5 as necessary (step S102), and sets the compression rate of each program data. (Step S103).

This eliminates the need to read the EPG data shown in step S11, which is performed every hour, for example, and also eliminates the need for the process of step S15 as described above.

(Deletion of program data)
Program data for the latest eight days, for example, are recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a. For example, when viewing the program data recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a with Sunday as the reference, the program data for eight days from the current Sunday to the previous Sunday are recorded. Then, new program data is sequentially recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a in such a manner that the oldest program data is overwritten.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of image processing after an instruction to display title data. As shown in FIG. 12, when a title data display command is issued, the CPU 23 refers to the DB and acquires the time index of the program data recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a (step S21).

Next, the CPU 23 identifies, for example, the oldest title data for 48 hours from the acquired time index (step S22).

Then, the CPU 23 performs image processing such as, for example, displaying title data other than the specified title data in color and displaying the specified title data in black and white (step S23).

Note that the image processing itself is not limited to this, and distinguishes character fonts related to title data of program data that takes a relatively short time to be overwritten from program data that takes a relatively long time to overwrite. It should be possible.

(No signal detection function)
As described above, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can stop recording program data in the constant recording HDD 17a when there is no broadcast such as late at night, that is, when no video signal is received. be.

Here, some tuners 12 have means for outputting the strength of the received television signal. When this type of tuner 12 is used, the CPU 23 can detect the presence or absence of a video signal by reading data output from the output means. Also, some A/D converters (video decoders) have means for determining whether or not a valid video signal is input by using the presence or absence of a synchronizing signal. The CPU 23 can detect whether or not a valid video signal is input by acquiring the determination result of the A/D converter. Alternatively, the CPU 23 can detect that it is time for no broadcast based on the EPG data and the real-time clock 26b.

Therefore, the CPU 23 instructs the HDD control section 18 to stop recording the program data in the HDD 17 when detecting that no valid video signal is received by any of the above methods. The HDD control unit 18 stops recording the program data to the HDD 17 according to the command from the CPU 23 .

Further, when the CPU 23 detects that a valid video signal has been received, the CPU 23 commands the HDD control section 18 to resume recording the program data. The HDD control unit 18 resumes recording the program data to the HDD 17 according to the command from the CPU 23 .

As a result, since recording is stopped in a no-signal state in which no program is being broadcast, the capacity of the HDD can be saved, which contributes to a longer recording time of the HDD.

(personal identification function)
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the operation of assigning each user to, for example, four "individualized buttons" provided on the remote controller. Create a user menu for each of the multiple users.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, for example, when the user presses "individualized button 1", a signal corresponding to "individualized button 1" is transmitted from the remote controller to the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10. (Step S301).

In the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10, the signal is received by the signal receiving section 25, and the CPU 23 specifies that the "individual button 1" has been pressed. When the CPU 23 identifies that the "individual button 1" has been pressed, the CPU 23 confirms whether or not the user information for the "individual button 1" is registered in the personal information management memory. If the user information is not registered in the personal information management memory, an image processing unit (not shown) is instructed to display a personal information setting menu.

The image processing section reads the image data of the personal information setting menu stored in the image memory according to the command from the CPU 23 and outputs the image data to the TV. As a result, a personal information setting menu is displayed on the display (step S302).

When the user sets information such as his/her name, age, gender, etc. in the digital recording/reproducing device 10 by operating a remote controller or the like while referring to the displayed contents of the personal information setting menu (step S303), digital recording is performed. The playback device 10 associates the transmitted setting information with the "individual button 1" and registers them in the personal information management memory (step S304).

However, the user's own name is an example, and the user can also select one of "father", "mother", "sister", and "younger brother".

Similarly, when the user selects the "individual button 2" and the setting is transmitted, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 associates the transmitted setting information with the "individual button 2".

However, the same user may set his/her own personal information for a plurality of "personal buttons". In this way, the user can manage program data by, for example, setting information in the "individual button" for each user's preference.

Next, after the user information is registered in the personal information management memory, "individual button 1" is pressed (step S305). After confirming that the user information has been registered in the personal information management memory, the personal information related to the "personal button 1" is read out and sent to the image processing unit "Mr. A user menu display command such as "user name associated with button 1" is issued (step S306).

Next, it is assumed that the user reproduces desired program data by, for example, pressing the reproduction button of the remote controller. After that, it is assumed that the user instructs to save the program data in the saving HDD 17b by, for example, pressing the save button of the remote controller (step S307).

The detailed operation of saving itself will be described later, but the CPU 23 associates the "individual button 1" with the program data at the time of saving. That is, the program data and the flag indicating the individual button 1 are associated with each other and stored in the storage HDD 17b (step S308).

As a result, for example, the next day, the user presses the "personal button 1" (step S309), and in response to this, the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 displays a menu related to the individual button 1 (step S310). Assume that the user instructs to reproduce the program data stored in the storage HDD 17b (step S311).

In such a case, the CPU 23 specifies the program data to which the flag indicating the individual button 1 is attached to the HDD control section 18 and outputs the specified result to the CPU 23 . The CPU 23 refers to the DB based on the identification result output from the HDD control section 18, reads the title data of the corresponding program data, and outputs it to the image processing section. As a result, the title data of the stored program data related to the "personalized button 1" is displayed on the TV display (step S312).

In this way, the user can avoid the trouble of selecting the title data of the program data that he or she has instructed to save from among the title data of the program data saved by all the users. The operability of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is improved.

Also, the "individual button" can also serve as an ON/OFF function for the power of the TV. This is realized by transmitting a signal for switching the power ON/OFF to the TV and a signal indicating the individual button to the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 with respect to the individual button. Note that the TV power ON/OFF function uses a preset function that enables operation of TVs of different manufacturers, and is configured to be compatible with a plurality of TV manufacturers.

Further, the CPU 23 collects the program data viewed by each user every month or the like, compares the program data with the program genres described above, finds the preferences of the user, and records the data in association with the user menu. You can also keep it. When the user selects the omakase menu, the CPU 23 extracts unviewed program data of a program genre that matches the user's preference, and instructs the HDD control unit 18 to reproduce the data by the output device. is also possible.

The user can reproduce and enjoy program data that matches his or her taste without specifying the program to be reproduced. If there are a plurality of pieces of program data associated with preference flags, they may be reproduced in a predetermined order or in random order.

A more specific description will be given. The "preference flag" is a function of randomly reproducing a predetermined group of programs grouped by a specific genre or similar type. For example, in a mode specifying a "kids flag", only children's programs are played in a predetermined order or randomly. In the "BGV (background video) mode", only quiet programs with little conversation and clear images are reproduced in a predetermined order or at random.

(Top menu screen interface)
The top menu screen displays a time and day determination menu, a program data saving menu, and a recommendation menu. The recommendation menu is for transmitting title data and the like from the user 1 to the user 2 described above.

The time and day of the week determination menu includes a time selection menu in which the time from 1:00 to 24:00 can be selected in a pull-down or scroll format, a day of the week selection menu in which the days of the week from Sunday to Saturday can be selected in a pull-down or scroll format, and a determination button that is selected when the time and day of the week are determined and has a function as a program data reproduction signal. By operating the remote controller or inputting an instruction from the input unit 28, a predetermined time is selected from the time selection menu, a predetermined day of the week is selected from the day of the week selection menu, and the decision button is selected, and the time and day of the week selection signal is received. Means receive the time and day selection signal. Then, program data corresponding to the time/day selection signal is extracted from the constant recording HDD 17a and reproduced. In other words, if the time and day of the week are set in the time and day of the week determination menu displayed on the top menu screen, it is possible to reproduce the target program data from the beginning at high speed.

When the user operates the remote controller or inputs an instruction from the input unit 28 during playback of the program data desired to be saved or after designating the program data desired to be saved, the program data is saved. When the menu is selected, the program data storage signal receiving means refers to the DB based on the program data, and outputs the position data of the program data to be stored to the HDD control unit 18 from the corresponding position data and time index.

When receiving the position data from the program data storage signal receiving means, the HDD control section 18 duplicates the program data recorded in the position data and records it in the storage HDD 17b. That is, the user can save the program data in the saving HDD 17b by specifying the program data to be saved and selecting the program data save menu. The storage area in the storage HDD 17b can be a virtual area as well as a physical HDD. That is, the area may be a part of one HDD, or may be a part of two HDDs treated as one area. Also, the program data saving menu may be provided with items prompting the user to make various settings such as a compression ratio so that program data can be saved with a compression ratio selected by the user.

(next program corner data/previous program corner data)
The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can switch program data to be reproduced. This is a so-called skip function that reproduces program data recorded before or after the program corner data while the program corner data is being reproduced. On the remote controller, prepare buttons labeled "next program", "previous program", etc.

FIG. 8 shows the processing procedure when the "next program" button is pressed. Assume that the user presses the "next program" button or the like on the remote controller while the program corner data is being reproduced.

The signal receiving unit 25 receives a signal assigned to the "next program" button or the like of the remote controller (step S401). Then, the DB is referenced to find the time index of the next program corner data, etc. for the program corner data being reproduced, and search the position data of the next program corner data, etc., recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a. HDD controller 18 is instructed to do so (step S402).

As a result, the CPU 23 can determine whether there is program corner data or the like temporally next to the program data being reproduced (step S403). As a result of determination, if there is no next program corner data or the like, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the next program corner data or the like exists, the CPU 23 outputs a command to stop the program data being reproduced to the HDD control unit 18 (step S404), and instructs the HDD control unit 18 to An instruction to reproduce program corner data or the like is issued (step S405).

When the HDD control section 18 inputs the search result output from the CPU 23, it reads out the next program corner data and the like from the constant recording HDD 17a according to the search result. The read next program corner data and the like are decoded by the MPEG decoder 20 via the demultiplexer 19 . As a result, the video data and the like output to the TV are switched to video data and the like such as the next program corner data.

On the other hand, typically, when the program data being reproduced is the program data being broadcast in real time, the result is that there is no position data corresponding to the next program corner data or the like. In such a case, the CPU 23 instructs the image processing section to output an error display, and after that, the "next program" button is displayed on the HDD control section 18 before the "next program" button is pressed. command to display the program data obtained (S406).

Further, when the user presses the "next program" button or the like for a long time, the HDD control unit 18 may be controlled to skip program data units.

The "next program function" will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing how program data is transferred when the next program button is pressed. As shown in FIG. 9, an anime program broadcast from 19:00 is currently being viewed.

When the user presses the "next program" button on the remote controller, the animation program recorded from 19:00 to 20:00 moves to drama 1 recorded from 20:00 to 21:00. This movement is performed in units of program data such as animation and drama 1, or in units of corners, and is reproduced without moving to a menu screen for selecting program data.

Further, as described above, since the time index identifier is associated with each program data, the program is reproduced along with the time index identifier. In other words, if the "next program" button is pressed twice during the animation program at 19:00, drama 2 from 21:00 to 22:00 will be reproduced.

In addition, the "previous program" function allows the user to press the "previous program" button on the remote controller, and the program data will be recorded at a time earlier than the program data currently being played back while the program data is being displayed on the TV. Program data is played back. As shown in FIG. 10, when a user who has been watching an anime program broadcast from 19:00 presses the "previous program" button, the animation program recorded from 19:00 to 20:00 is played back at 18:00. It will move to the news recorded at ~19:00.

(Program data of another station that was broadcast at the same time as the program data being played)
In the above example, the example of switching the reproduction target to the program data temporally preceding or following the program data being reproduced has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, since the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment receives program data broadcasted from a plurality of broadcasting stations, the program data being reproduced is received at the same time from another broadcasting station. It is also possible to reproduce the program data instead of the program data being reproduced.

When the user presses the "next channel" button on the remote controller during reproduction of the program data, the CPU 23 instructs the HDD control unit 18 to select the program data of the channel next to the program data being reproduced, An instruction is given to reproduce from the same "time data" portion as the "time data" of the reproduction portion of the program data being reproduced.

According to this command, the HDD control unit 18 specifies the "time data" relating to the program data being reproduced from the constant recording HDD 17a, and sets the program data of the next channel to the position data corresponding to the "time data". Based on this, program data to be reproduced is output.

By the above operation, for example, when viewing a news program broadcast on "10th, 18:00, channel 4", when reproducing the part corresponding to "10th, 18:16:03", "next When the "channel" button is pressed, the playback target is switched to the cooking program broadcasted on "10th, 6th channel, 18:16:03".

(Switching the display of program data in the ranking list)
The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has display switching means for program data in the ranking list. A ranking list is a general term for ranking data and data posted on a predetermined list, such as audience rating rankings and popular lists by specific audience groups. That is, a ranking list DB that stores a ranking list of popular programs received from the time index server 50 or the like and a time index related to the program data in the ranking list, and the "next program" of the remote controller. A time index of program data positioned one rank higher or lower than the program data being reproduced by referring to the ranking list DB when reception of a signal corresponding to the button or "previous program" is detected; and means for switching display of program data based on corresponding location data. In this way, it is possible to switch the program data to be displayed in the same manner as when a button such as the "next program" is pressed.

The ranking list is created by an administrator or the like of the time index server 50 who searches blogs on the Internet, aggregates the search results, and reflects them as program rankings. Specifically, it is conceivable to calculate the aggregated result of program data to be introduced to other users and to create the program based on the aggregated result. If you select a program based on these rankings and start watching it, you can press the next program button or previous program button to return to the ranking screen again, saving you the trouble of reselecting the program you just selected. Based on the ranking of the same program data obtained, it is possible to start reproducing a program that is next in ranking to the currently viewed program or a program that is preceding in ranking.

For example, if the program data ranking the programs with the highest ratings for eight days is playing the fifth place, pressing the next program button will play the program ranked fourth without switching the screen. Also, by pressing the previous program button, the sixth ranked program can be played back without screen switching. In other words, the ranked-listed program data can be viewed one after another without going through the ranking-list screen.

When a plurality of time indexes are associated with one program data, only the program corner data desired to be viewed is selected and reproduced, or a plurality of program corner data are selected and continuously reproduced. You can also For example, when trying to see the program corner data of a sumo wrestling match, the user selects the title data related to the yokozuna A, ozeki B, and komusubi C matches displayed on the display, for example.

When the CPU 23 acquires the user's selection result, the CPU 23 stores the selection result in a memory or the like. Subsequently, the CPU 23 refers to the DB based on the first title data (for example, the title data related to Yokozuna A) of the selection result stored in the memory, reads out the corresponding position data, and outputs it to the HDD control unit 18 . do.

Based on the position data output from the CPU 23, the HDD control unit 18 reads program corner data corresponding to Yokozuna A's fight and outputs it to the TV. When the reproduction of the program corner data is completed, the HDD control section 18 notifies the CPU 23 to that effect.

Upon receiving the notification from the HDD control unit 18, the CPU 23 refers to the DB based on the second title data (for example, the title data related to Ozeki B) of the selection result stored in the memory, and reads out the corresponding position data. and output to the HDD control unit 18 . Subsequent operations are the same as in the above case.

It should be noted that, for example, when the user presses the "next program" button while the program corner data corresponding to Yokozuna A's efforts is being reproduced, and the CPU 23 detects this, the CPU 23 receives the above notification. Similarly, the DB is referenced based on the second title data (for example, the title data related to Ozeki B) of the selection result stored in the memory, the corresponding position data is read out, and the HDD control unit 18 output to Subsequent operations are the same as in the above case.

(Save function)
The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a function of storing program data in addition to recording program data. Although the program data recorded by the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is recorded for eight days, it is automatically deleted thereafter. Therefore, the program data desired to be saved is saved in the saving HDD 17b. The storage area in the storage HDD 17b can be a virtual area as well as a physical HDD. That is, the area may be a part of one HDD, or may be a part of two HDDs treated as one area. Program data is saved by the input unit 28 and the "program data save button" of the remote controller. The program data stored in the storage HDD 17b will not be erased unless a deletion command such as formatting is issued.

Also, by inserting a DVD-R, Blu-ray, etc., which is an external storage medium, into the DVD drive 29 and writing, it is possible to view the contents for long-term storage and on an external digital playback device.

In addition, the saving function can be executed not only on the hardware processing but also on the TV screen which is the output device. This has a program data save menu for saving program data on the top menu displayed on the TV. This program data save menu receives a program data save signal transmitted when the signal receiving section 25 of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 selects the program data save menu with the remote controller and the input section 28 . Then, the HDD control unit 18 as a control device records the program data corresponding to the received program data saving signal in the saving HDD 17b.

(fault handling function)
In the digital recording/reproducing device 10, the CPU 23 refers to the real-time clock 26b and the like, and backs up the position data recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a to the DB every 10 seconds, for example. To prevent loss of recording position data of program data recorded so far when a recording/reproducing device 10 performs recovery processing.
Specifically, a backup DB is created in the constant recording HDD 17a or the storage HDD 17b, and in a state in which program data is being recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a, when the CPU 23 detects that the backup execution time has arrived, the HDD control unit 18, execute the backup command.

Upon receiving the command, the HDD control unit 18 duplicates the position data recorded in the constant recording HDD 17 a at that timing, and records it in the constant recording HDD 17 a or the backup DB prepared in the storage HDD 17 .

In fact, when the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is restored after a power failure or the like, the recording position data of the program data is read from the backup DB prepared in the constant recording HDD 17a or the storage HDD 17, and the recording position data is read from that position. Resume recording of program data.

(Response to rebroadcast programs)
The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a function of replacing rebroadcast program data. This is realized by searching old program data before rebroadcast based on rebroadcast information added to the time index and replacing it with rebroadcast program data. Therefore, programs that have been rebroadcast within 8 days are stored for another 8 days since the new broadcast becomes the recording date. Therefore, it is possible to extend the storage period.

The video data compression method used in the MPEG encoder 14 and MPEG decoder 20 may be either MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. Also, it is possible to use a compression method other than MPEG for the video data compression method. For example, AVI, DivX, XVD, H. H.264, XVi, etc. may be used.

(viewing management function)
The digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 has a viewing management function that allows the administrator to set viewing restrictions for a specific user, thereby restricting the reproduction of the program corresponding to the set viewing restrictions.

For convenience of explanation, the administrator is assumed to be parents and the specific user is assumed to be a child, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

(Watchable time limit function)
The viewable time limit function allows parents to set in advance a "viewable total time" for their child as the viewing time of the program, and when the "viewable total time" is reached, the program is stopped. This is a function that disables playback. The total viewable time can be set in units of days, weeks, and months. For example, the total viewable time can be set to 1 day/2 hours, 1 week/14 hours, 1 month/50 hours, or the like. According to the viewable time limit function, parents can give their children a viewing time frame, which contributes to preventing excessive TV viewing. When the "viewable total time" is exceeded, viewing is automatically disabled. For example, even when the parent is out of the house, there is no need to check the child's viewing time, which improves management.

(Point setting function)
The point setting function is a function for managing programs by points, and requires "viewable points" in order to view the programs. This "viewable point" is set in advance by the parents for the child. In other words, while the reproducible time limit function limits by time, the point setting function limits viewing by points. For example, if a child is given 20 viewing points, and one program is required to watch a program, the child can watch up to 20 programs, but viewing beyond that is restricted. It hangs and becomes unviewable. In addition, when determining whether or not the program has been viewed, it is counted if it is viewed for one minute or more, and if it is less than one minute, it is not counted, or if it is viewed for a certain percentage of the total program time, it is counted. It is conceivable that

Also, it is possible to change the points required for viewing according to the program. For example, a program that the parents want their children to actively watch may be worth 1 point, but a program that the parents do not want to watch very much may be set to require 2 points. In addition, it is possible to set not only to subtract points but also to increase them. As an example of a setting that increases or decreases points, for example, it is possible to set points for each genre, and for program genres that parents want to actively recommend, such as educational programs, educational programs, documentaries, etc., one point is awarded for each viewing. For example, genres such as animation and variety shows that should be controlled from over-watching by children are set to require 2 viewing points. Of course, it is also possible to set an arbitrary viewable point increase or decrease not only for each genre but also for each individual program. In other words, by restricting viewing based on points, it is possible to manage viewing in more detail in addition to the time limit. Therefore, it is possible to set more detailed viewing restrictions according to the age of the child and the family environment.

In the point setting function described above, the points are set by the parents who are the administrators, but it is also possible to change the set points during the process. For example, if the child's grades or test scores were good, or the homework was done as promised, the "viewable points" would be increased. For example, the "viewable points" are reduced when the user quarrels with others or behaves badly. In other words, TV viewing can be managed according to whether the child's usual behavior is good or bad.

(Rating data setting restriction function)
The rating data setting restriction function is a function in which rating data representing a high or low rating is given to a program in advance, and viewing is restricted according to this rating data. For example, it is assumed that programs are classified into three categories: pine, bamboo, and plum (A, B, and C). In this case, one “viewable point” is required to view “Rated Pine (A)”, and two “viewable points” are required to view “Rated Bamboo (B)”. , and 3 "viewable points" are required to view "Rating Ume (C)". It should be noted that "Rating Plum (C)" corresponds to so-called vulgar programs. In other words, parents can restrict programs that they believe have a negative impact on education.

Moreover, it is conceivable that the rating data assigned to the program is determined in advance by the program distribution server that manages the rating data. In addition, the program distribution server may receive provisional data on ratings that serve as criteria for judging whether there is a positive or negative effect on children by program producers, sponsors, etc., and set "ratings" based on the provisional data. can. If rating data is set, children will not be able to watch only programs that require high points such as "Rating Plum (C)". Parents can easily restrict viewing because the rating data serves as a criterion for judging whether or not the child should be shown the program.

(Quiz function)
The quiz function permits the child to view the program data only when the child, who is a specific user, answers a given quiz and obtains a predetermined correct answer. The quizzes are questions that can be solved by doing school homework. is created by an administrator of the time index and stored in the time index server 50 .

When the user (parent) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 instructs a download command for an educational quiz or the like, and the CPU 23 obtains this, the CPU 23 instructs the network controller 26 to access the time index server 50 and perform an educational program. command to download quizzes, etc. As a result, when the digital recording/reproducing device 10 acquires an educational quiz or the like, it stores it in the DB. An image indicating whether or not the program data can be viewed is also downloaded and stored in the image memory.

The user (parent) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 presses the "individualized button" on which the user's own information is set on the remote controller, and then transmits an educational quiz display command. In the digital recording/reproducing device 10, when the CPU 23 receives the command, it reads the educational quiz from the DB and outputs it to the TV.

The user (parent) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 refers to the educational quizzes displayed on the display, appropriately selects the quizzes to be asked, and determines how many questions the child must answer correctly before viewing the program data. , by operating a remote controller, etc. These selection results and setting items are transmitted to the digital recording/reproducing device 10 and stored in association with the data of the user (child) in the personal information management memory. However, the quiz acquisition method of the digital recording/reproducing device 10 is not limited to the above example. That is, for example, a "viewing restriction with quiz" flag that can be switched ON and OFF by the user is prepared in the digital recording and reproducing apparatus 10, and the user (parent) switches the "viewing restriction with quiz" flag to ON, When the CPU 23 detects that the flag is ON, the CPU 23 may read the child's age information and issue a download command to the time index server 50 . At this time, if age-specific quizzes are prepared in the time index server 50, the time index server 50 can send the quizzes to the digital recording/reproducing device 10 based on the age information transmitted from the digital recording/reproducing device 10. can be sent.

In this state, when the user (child) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 presses the "individual button" in which his/her own information is set on the remote controller, the CPU 23 retrieves the personal information of the user (child) from the personal information management memory. Then, the quiz to be set is read out, and a user menu display command is issued to the image processing unit.

When the user (child) operates the remote controller to transmit an answer to the quiz to the digital recording/reproducing device 10, the CPU 23 refers to the DB based on the transmitted answer to determine whether the answer is correct or not. Also, the decision result and setting information for permitting viewing of the program data are collated to determine whether or not the viewing of the program data is permitted.

The CPU 23 reads the image from the image memory and outputs it to the TV in accordance with the result of determination as to whether or not the program data can be viewed. As a result, it is possible to give children the incentive of being able to watch the program data if they answer the quiz correctly by studying and doing their homework. You can expect to study naturally at

Also, a quiz content creator who creates and provides quizzes for questions may systematically distribute each subject as an educational program that is systematically constructed. In this case, an effect can be expected in promoting sales of learning materials such as correspondence courses separately provided by quiz content producers.

(Program data forced viewing function)
The recommended program function is a function that allows the child to view other programs on the condition that the child views the "recommended program" sent from the parents. For example, parents want their children to watch a program called "Big Space Travel". In this case, if you recommend "Grand Universe Travelogue" to the child and set forced viewing, the child can activate the digital recording/reproducing device 10 or display the top menu (screen) by pressing the "individual button". When you do so, a screen prompting you to watch "Grand Universe Travelogue" will be displayed. Then, only when viewing "Grand Space Travelogue", it becomes possible to select and view other programs. In this way, it becomes possible for the parents to semi-forcibly show the programs they want their children to see, so that the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can be used as educational aids.

Specifically, the following operations should be performed. That is, it is assumed that the user (parent) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 presses the "individualized button" in which the user's own information is set on the remote controller, and then reproduces the program data of "Grand Space Travel".

In such a case, the user (parent) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 designates the program data as a forced viewing target by operating the remote controller. In the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10, upon receiving the designation, the CPU 23 refers to the DB, reads out the time index of the designated program data, and associates it with the data of the user (child) in the personal information management memory. memorize. Alternatively, the forced viewing target may be designated by transmitting the time index of the program data, the broadcasting station name, etc., and the child's terminal ID+user identifier to the time index server 50 .

In this state, when the user (child) of the digital recording/reproducing apparatus 10 presses the "individual button" in which his/her own information is set on the remote controller, the CPU 23 retrieves the personal information of the user (child) from the personal information management memory. is read out, and a user menu display command is issued. Subsequently, the time index stored in correspondence is output to the HDD control unit 18, and the reproduction command of the program data attached with the time index is issued. The HDD control unit 18 notifies the CPU 23 of the completion of the reproduction of the program data of "Grand Space Trip".

When the CPU 23 issues a reproduction command, even if it receives a signal from the remote controller, it discards the signal and does not follow the signal until it receives a notification from the HDD control unit 18. . As a result, the user (child) has to forcibly view the program data of "Grand Space Travel" in order to reproduce the program data that the user (child) wants to view.

In addition, the digital recording/playback device 10 aggregates viewing records such as program names and times watched by children as logs that can be output on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, and associates them with the parent's user menu. , When the parents press the "individual button" in which their information is set, it is better to be able to see the total results.

(server)
The server according to this embodiment has at least the following functions.

Time matching means for periodically transmitting time data in order to adjust the time of the clock associated with the digital recording/reproducing device 10, time index transmitting means for transmitting the time index to the digital recording/reproducing device 10, and program data for specifying program data. Program data transmitting means for transmitting the program specifying data and the corner specifying data for specifying the program corner data to the digital recording/reproducing device 10; user information receiving means; processed information generating means for processing the received time index and viewing information to generate processed information; and a delivery means.

Viewing information includes playback channel, playback date and time, playback status (normal playback, fast playback, fast forward, rewind, etc.), playback user identifier, terminal identifier, program status (whether it is My Menu, whether it is saved, whether it is specified in the time index, etc.). or not), program evaluation data (◯×), program data that the user wants to introduce, etc. are recorded in units of seconds.

The program identification data is, for example, data for identifying program data in broadcast waves composed of digital signals, and includes video data, audio data, and the like. In addition, for example, the broadcast channel and broadcast start time of the program, or data related to the broadcast start time of the broadcast channel of the program.

The corner specifying data is data for specifying each corner unit and CM unit data of the program data. In addition, data for specifying a predetermined corner in a certain program, for example, the broadcast channel and broadcast start time of the program plus the time until the corner starts, or the broadcast channel of the program and its corner This is data related to the broadcast start time of

Processed information includes viewing information, time index, topical index of programs and performers generated by statistically processing data such as blogs and bulletin boards on the Internet, evaluation data, audience quality, audience rating, It's about the number of viewers.

By using the personal identification function and the two-way communication function by the network, the following uses are also possible. In other words, when you give a high evaluation to a given program (using ○× buttons, etc.), or when you press the “recommend button”, you can associate a group with yourself (you can set your friends in advance). Alternatively, the system can group people who are close to each other based on their viewing history, etc.) and recommend it as a highly rated program.

(Example 1)
Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present invention, a method for reproducing recorded program data (including CM data) in the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 will be described.

In this embodiment, during playback of the program data, tickers are displayed on the lower side of the television display to display information on all proper nouns, such as performers, filming locations, and buildings appearing in the program data.

It is conceivable that a plurality of performers, etc., appear in program data in many cases, and in such cases, information regarding each performer, etc. may be displayed with a ticker. For example, if the program data is the program data of a news program, there may be a case where there is a sports segment. In the case of an interview scene with an athlete held at baseball stadium A in Tokyo, at this time, the athlete's date of birth, hometown, career, etc., as well as the year of establishment of baseball stadium A, Information such as the designer should be displayed as a ticker.

In order not to interfere with the viewing of the video data of the program data, for example, the ticker display area is set to an area that is about 15% or less of the height of the display from the lower end of the display, or the video data is displayed on the entire surface. It is also possible to reduce the display area instead of the display area, thereby creating an area around the reduced display area.

In particular, in the latter case, an L-shaped ticker display area can be secured around the display area of the video data. It is conceivable that the characters are displayed one after another in the area adjacent to the lower side along the long side of the video data, while the other information is displayed in the area adjacent to the lower side.

The information to be displayed as a ticker is embedded in the program data with metadata indicating performers and the like. The metadata is read out while the program data is being played back on the recording/reproducing device 10, and an online encyclopedia is provided through a network such as the Internet. It can be obtained from encyclopedias, viewer's impressions, etc., and it is conceivable that the administrator of this system or the like prepares in advance the text data to be displayed.

Also, the speed at which characters flow during ticker display may be constant or variable. Especially in the former case, the number of characters to be displayed can be kept within a predetermined threshold, and in the latter case, the speed may be determined according to the number of characters to be displayed. If the speed at which characters flow during ticker display is to be constant, the constant speed should be maintained even if the user fast-forwards/rewinds or skips the program data, for example.

Furthermore, one method is to prepare a plurality of patterns of characters to be displayed, such as two types of long and short patterns. The recording/reproducing apparatus 10 also determines the length (minutes and seconds) of the program section to be ticker-displayed, the number of performers in that length, and the appearance time of each performer based on the time stamp. It is also possible to dynamically determine the characters to be displayed based on this information.

Also, the speed or the number of characters can be determined according to the genre of the program data and the genre of the program section, and the characters to be displayed can be set in small portions. For example, although not limited to the following examples, program data tends to show one performer on the display for a relatively long time, a program corner where a singer sings in a song program, a sports broadcast In the case of a scene of a baseball pitcher pitching in a program, or in the case of commercial data, for example, the speed can be slowed down and the number of characters can be increased. Also, if the program data is a drama or a movie in which one performer is displayed many times on the display, the speed can be faster and the characters can be displayed more frequently.

It should be noted that, for example, if the information about the performer is repeatedly displayed in the program data as a ticker many times, there is an advantage that the information about the performer can be impressed on the viewer. The ticker display may have the disadvantage of annoying viewers. Therefore, for example, the number of ticker display times, display interval, display timing, and display content for one performer in one piece of program data may be less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. This threshold can also be determined based on, for example, the genre of the program data, the broadcast time of the program data, and the like.

To give another example of displaying information about performers in tickers, for example, if the program data is a broadcast of a baseball game, the display interval should be 30 minutes or more, and the display content should be changed each time (for example, the first time It would be possible to display the results of the past several years, and display the contents of pitching of the day for the second time). In addition, when a singer is singing in a song program, the name of the song and the name of the singer are often displayed as tickers at the beginning of the song. About 10 seconds before the end of the song, the download start date, number of downloads, etc. of the song can be displayed.

In addition, in the case of variety shows, tickers are displayed for regular performers only when they first appear, and for guest performers, tickers are displayed with an appropriate number of characters in the program section that the guest performer is in charge of. Such is the case.

Also, the type of ticker display may be either a push type or a pull type. The explanation so far has mainly been made with the push type in mind. It is also possible to display the profile, program titles of other program data in which the user appears, and the like.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the user can select whether the ticker display is to be performed only in the push type, only the pull type, or both. In this case, for example, it may be possible to set for each genre of program data. For example, in the case of movies, dramas, etc., if the ticker is constantly displayed in a push-type manner, the user may find it disturbing. . . ”, in which case the pull type is considered to be more suitable. Further, it is preferable to attach a flag to program data that has not been reproduced so that it is possible to select the push type and the pull type only at the first reproduction, and the pull type only when there is no flag from the second time onwards.

Part of the contents of this embodiment can be summarized as follows. That is, the recording/reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment includes a recording medium for recording received program data, a storage medium for storing metadata indicating an appearance target of video data of the program data, and a and an output for outputting, when the program data is reproduced by the reproducing means, the information regarding the appearance object corresponding to the metadata corresponding to the program data in a manner of displaying a ticker on a television receiver. a means; For example, the recording medium can be realized by the HDD 17a, the storage medium by the DB, the reproduction means by the HDD control section 18, and the output means by the CPU 23 and a program for performing desired operations.

The metadata includes period data indicating an appearance period of an appearance target in the program data, and the output means outputs the video data of the appearance target based on the period data when the video data of the appearance target is displayed on the television receiver. Information about the appearance target can be output.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide setting means for setting a display position of the information on the appearance target when the output means outputs the information on the appearance target. In this case, the display position can be a peripheral portion including the lower portion of the television receiver, or can be a portion generated by displaying the program data in a reduced size without displaying the entire program data. Note that the setting means can be realized by the image processing section 27, for example.

Further, the information on the appearance object may be provided with control means for controlling the speed or the number of characters at which the ticker is displayed according to the genre of the program data and the genre of the program section forming the program data. Note that the control means can be realized by the image processing section 27, for example.

The control means can also determine the display type, display frequency, display interval, display timing, and display content of the ticker display based on the genre of the program data, the broadcast time of the program data, and the like.

Further, the present system may include the recording/reproducing device described above and a remote controller for remotely controlling the operation of the recording/reproducing device, and the remote controller may be provided with a button for instructing the start of the ticker display. .

(Example 2)
First, the outline of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The recording/reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment typically reproduces program data having program corner data and CM data, and when no operation is performed on the menu screen, between CM data, It realizes operations such as inserting other CM data or replacing specific CM data with other CM data. In the present embodiment, mainly the contents of the latter will be explained.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the DB existing in the HDD 17 shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the "CM information table" shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 13 shows, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 3B, ID information assigned to CM data, information such as the date of broadcast of the CM data, and information such as the CM data that the user intentionally reproduces for each CM data. Information indicating the frequency of reproduction based on the number of times the CM data has been displayed, and information indicating a flag indicating whether or not the CM data is the object of an explicit advertisement request from an advertiser.

Specifically, here, information such as "0"/"1" is shown as the "flag". For example, CM data with a flag of "1" is always to be played back, and CM data with a flag of "0" is determined whether to be played back based on the "playback frequency". It is conceivable to make arrangements such as The "flag" can be transmitted from the program distribution server to the recording/playback device 10 via the Internet. Therefore, for example, CM clients, advertising agencies, etc. can arbitrarily increase the number of reproductions of a specific CM.

Also, information ranked by three ranks of A, B, and C is shown as "playback frequency". For example, an arrangement is made such that A-rank CM data is always to be reproduced, B-rank CM data is always not to be reproduced, and C-rank CM data is to be reproduced, for example, with a probability of 50%. can be considered.

For CM data, the number of reproductions can be increased or decreased in the order of A rank, C rank, and B rank. Increasing the number of reproductions in the order of A rank, C rank, and B rank has the advantage of increasing the chances of contacting the user with CM data skipped by the user. When the number of times of reproduction is decreased in the order of A rank, C rank, and B rank, there is an advantage that the user's satisfaction with the use of the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can be enhanced by reproducing more CM data that matches the user's preference. be.

To summarize the above, CM data with a flag of "1" is unconditionally to be played back. One of the times is reproduced, and the remaining time is replaced with other CM data whose flag is "1", for example. The probability-based replacement of CM data may be performed based on, for example, a random number table.

It should be noted that the number of times the CM data has been reproduced by the user is not essential as a determining factor for determining whether or not to replace the CM data, and the determining factor is not limited to this. Whether or not to replace the CM data may be set according to, for example, a consideration from the advertiser. In this case, the flag of the CM data that is desired to be played back arbitrarily from the program distribution server should be set to "1".

Also, the information stored in the database can be determined based on the attributes of the CM data, the attributes of the user, and the attributes of the other content. Here, the "attribute of the CM data" means, for example, whether the CM data announces special sale information of the products handled, whether the products handled are of a specific genre such as automobiles, or whether the products of a specific advertiser are advertised. or whether a specific performer is appointed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to centrally reproduce only CM data related to bargain sale information, or to centrally reproduce only CM data of automobile manufacturers.

In addition, the “attribute of the user” means whether the user information such as sex, age, and address of the user of the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 is acquired in advance, and whether it is a specific group that can be grasped from there, or whether the viewing history of the user's program data It means something like whether it matches Therefore, for example, it is possible to intensively reproduce only commercial data of automobile manufacturers targeting women in their twenties living in Kanto, or only commercial data announcing special sale information of products handled according to user's taste. It is also possible to intensively reproduce the

Furthermore, "attributes of other contents" refer to things such as reproduction for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period. Therefore, for example, in the case of commercial data announcing a special sale period for products handled, it is not possible to play it after that period, or commercial data in which a specific actress appears is played intensively only on a specific day. It is also possible to allow

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of the reproduction target CM data switching process based on the information shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows program data A to C. FIG. Each program data A includes a plurality of program corner data A-1 and the like and CM data A-1 and the like. Note that CM data A-1 relates to information to which "A-1" is assigned as "ID" in FIG. Program data B and C also include a plurality of program corner data B-1, C-1, etc., and CM data B-1, C-1, etc., similarly.

Now, looking at FIG. 13, CM data A-1 with "ID=A-1" has a "flag" of "0" and a "playback frequency" of "B". Therefore, CM data A-1 is not always subject to reproduction according to the above agreement. In the example shown in FIG. 14, CM data A-1 is replaced with CM data C-1 in program data C whose "flag" is "1".

Similarly, CM data A-2 to which "ID=A-2" is assigned has a "flag" of "0" and a "playback frequency" of "C". Therefore, CM data A-2 is also not subject to reproduction with a probability of 50%, for example, according to the above agreement. In the example shown in FIG. 14, CM data B-4 in program data B is replaced with CM data A-2 and reproduced.

On the other hand, CM data A-3 with "ID=A-3" has a "flag" of "1". Therefore, according to the above agreement, CM data A-3 is always subject to reproduction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, CM data A-3 is never replaced with other CM data.

CM data A-4 with "ID=A-4" has a "flag" of "0" and a "playback frequency" of "B". Therefore, CM data A-4 is also not always subject to reproduction according to the above convention. In the example shown in FIG. 14, CM data C-6 in program data C is replaced with CM data A-4 to be reproduced.

15 is a flow chart showing a procedure executed by the CPU to execute the CM data switching process shown in FIG. 14. FIG.

The CPU 23 determines whether or not a reproduction instruction has been received from the user through the remote control of the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 (step S41).

If the result of determination is that no reproduction instruction has been received from the user, step S41 is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, when receiving a reproduction instruction from the user, the CPU 23 specifies program data to be reproduced from the reproduction instruction (here, this program data is referred to as "program data A"), and reproduces the program data. , the DB in the HDD 17 is referenced through the HDD control unit 18 (step S42).

As shown in FIG. 4, since the DB stores the recording position information on the HDD 17 of the program data to be reproduced, the CPU 23 can specify the recording position on the HDD 17 of the program data to be reproduced. .

After identifying the recording position of the program data to be reproduced on the HDD 17, the CPU 23 instructs the HDD control unit 18 to start reading the program data A from that recording position (step S43). ).

As a result, the HDD control section 18 reads the program data A from the HDD 17 and outputs it to the demultiplexer 19 . However, the CPU 23 may request the HDD control section 18 to output the program data A read from the HDD 17 to the CPU 23 , and the CPU 23 may output the program data A to the demultiplexer 19 . In any case, when the program data A is processed by the demultiplexer 19, its video data and audio data are output to the TV and speakers, respectively.

Further, the CPU 23 calls a subroutine by starting the above-described readout process, and executes the following process. Since this point is important, I will outline the operation once again.

First, the CPU 23 refers to the DB in the HDD 17 through the HDD control unit 18 to determine the recording position of the start or end of the program corner data A-1 in the program data A, as well as the positions included in all recorded images. It is possible to specify the recording position of the CM data to be recorded. Further, the CPU 23 can also acquire each information of "flag" and "reproduction frequency" for each CM data in the program data A by referring to the DB shown in FIG.

Therefore, based on the information in the DB, the CPU 23 determines that the CM data A-1 is to be reproduced prior to the reproduction of the CM data A-1 while the HDD control unit 18 reads out the program data A from the HDD 17 and reproduces it. Determine whether or not there is Specifically, for example, at the timing when the program corner data A-1 ends, it is determined whether or not the data of the CM data A-1 is to be reproduced. Since the CM data A-1 is not to be reproduced here, instead of reading the CM data A-1, instead of reading the CM data A-1 from the recording position of the CM data C-1 whose "flag" is "1" in the DB, , the CM data C-1 is instructed to be read.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 23 first determines whether it is the reproduction end timing of a reproduction target such as program corner data or CM data in the program data. It is determined whether or not it is time for the reading position by the HDD control unit 18 to reach the recording position where the corner data A-1 ends. (Step S51).

As a result of the determination, if it is not the reproduction end timing of the program corner data A-1, step S51 is repeatedly executed.

After that, when the playback end timing of the program corner data A-1 is reached, the CPU 23 determines whether or not the next scheduled playback target is CM data (step S52).

In this case, the program to be reproduced following the program corner data A-1 being reproduced is the CM data A-1, so the process proceeds to step S53. Note that the processing of step S51 is not essential, and therefore the processing of step S42 may be executed even when the reproduction of the program corner data A-1 being reproduced is not finished. In step S51, even if the processing of step S42 is executed too early, the CM data A-1 following the program corner data A-1 being reproduced and the subsequent CM data A-2 are reproduced. In addition, it is conceivable that the reproduction of the program data may be stopped or switched to the reproduction of other program data, so that the processing is prevented from being wasted.

Next, the CPU 23 refers to the "flag" of the CM data A-1, which is scheduled to be reproduced next following the program corner data A-1 being reproduced, and determines whether or not it is "1". (Step S53).

In this example, since the "flag" of the CM data A-1 is "0", the CPU 23 refers to the "reproduction frequency" and determines whether or not the CM data is to be reproduced. Here, the CM data A-1 has a "reproduction frequency" of "B" instead of "A" and should always be replaced, so it is determined not to be reproduced (step S54).

In this case, CM data A-1 is replaced. That is, in this case, the recording position of the start of CM data A-2 next to CM data A-1 is stored (step 55).

Then, the CPU 23 instructs reproduction of the CM data with "flag=1" (here, CM data C-1, for example), and proceeds to step S51 (step S56).

If, in step S54, the "reproduction frequency" of the CM data to be determined is "A", then the CM data is to be reproduced. It will shift (step S58).

On the other hand, as will be discussed later, when step S53 is executed at the timing when the reproduction of the program corner data A-2 ends, the CM data A-3 scheduled to be reproduced next is set to "flag". is "1", it is determined that the object is to be reproduced, and after the reproduction instruction is given, the process proceeds to step S51 (step S57).

If the next reproduction target is not CM data as a result of the determination in step S52, the CPU 23 reproduces the program corner data, and proceeds to step S51 (step S59). ).

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the transition to step S59 means that steps S51 and S52 are executed at the timing when the reproduction of CM data B-4 that replaces CM data A-2 ends. case. Incidentally, if CM data is located immediately before the program corner data reproduced in step S59 and the CM data has been replaced, the reproduction of the program corner data performed in step S59 is performed in step S59. This is done based on the position information stored in S55.

The above operation will be outlined in chronological order. First, in this embodiment, when the subroutine of the program data A reading process (step S43) is called, the program corner data A-1 is reproduced, so step S51 is repeatedly executed several times. . After that, at the timing when the program corner data A-1 ends, the process proceeds to step S52.

In this embodiment, since the program corner data A-1 is followed by the CM data A-1, the process proceeds to step S53. will be migrated.

Next, step S51 is similarly repeatedly executed until the reproduction end timing of the CM data C-1 replaced by the CM data A-1. After that, when the reproduction end timing of the CM data C-1 comes, the process moves to step S52. In this embodiment, CM data A-2 follows the CM data A-1 before replacement, so the process moves to step S53. become.

CM data A-2 also has "flag=0" as in CM data A-1, and here "reproduction frequency=C", so CM data A-2 is replaced with a probability of 50%, for example. is determined based on a random number table or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 14, since CM data A-2 is to be replaced, it is determined that CM data A-2 is not to be reproduced, and the process proceeds to step S51 through steps S54 to S56. become.

Next, step S51 is similarly repeatedly executed until the reproduction end timing of the CM data B-4 replaced by the CM data A-2. After that, when the reproduction end timing of CM data B-4 comes, the process proceeds to step S52. Here, since the CM data A-2 before replacement is followed by the program corner data A-2, the process proceeds to step S59, and the program corner data A-2 is reproduced.

In this embodiment, in step S52 shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the data to be reproduced is CM data based on the position information stored in the DB. Since it is possible to distinguish between CM data and program corner data based on such audio data, it may be determined whether or not data to be reproduced is CM data based on the identification result.

That is, like the boundary between the program corner data and the CM data, there is a silent area in the audio data before and after the CM data. Therefore, when a silent area is detected during playback of program data, it is determined whether or not the audio data at the corresponding position 30 seconds later is silent. A section can be regarded as CM data. On the other hand, if the audio data at the position corresponding to 30 seconds or the like is not silent, it means that it was a silent area that also exists in the program corner data, and that section was the program corner data. .

By executing such a determination, it is possible to specify whether the silent area is at the start position of the CM data or simply at the position of the silent area within the program corner data. If it is determined to be the position, the process of step S53 may be executed.

By the way, although it has been explained that commercial data usually has fixed lengths such as a 30-second version and a 60-second version, according to the method shown in FIG. It is permissible to replace the CM data of the version with the CM data of the 60 second version, and vice versa. In other words, if the process of step S55 is not executed, even if the 30-second version of the CM data is replaced with the 60-second version of the CM data, the first 30 seconds of the subsequent program corner data will be eroded by the replaced CM data. Therefore, in order to prevent this, the CM data to be replaced is restricted.

In addition, the fact that even if the length of the CM data is different, it can be replaced means that the CM data can be replaced with content other than the CM data, especially content without a fixed length. be. That is, CM data can be replaced not only with content related to the CM data, but also with program corner data. Supplementing the content related to the CM data, if the CM data is CM data about a car, replace it with the content describing the ride quality of the car tweeted on the network by the purchaser of the car. can also

Furthermore, it is also possible to replace the information with moving images, still images, voices, or character information fetched from the outside of the recording/reproducing apparatus itself. Specifically, the recording/reproducing device 10 can be connected to a network such as the Internet, and replaced with commercial data, moving images, still images, audio, or text information downloaded into the recording/reproducing device 10 via the Internet. A moving image or a still image captured by the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 from the camera itself or a memory card attached thereto through a connection medium such as a USB cable can also be used. Note that the CM data downloaded into the recording/reproducing device 10 may be replaced in real time after being stored in the HDD 17 once, or without being stored.

Also, since the CM data can be replaced even if the length of the CM data is different, it is possible to insert desired contents between the CM data and reproduce them instead of replacing the CM data. That is, for example, it is possible to reproduce a moving image captured from a digital camera between reproduction of CM data A-1 and CM data A-2.

Also, the CM data recorded on the DVD or Blu-ray or the like by the DVD drive 29, the CM data recorded on the HDD 17a, and the CM data recorded on the HDD 17b may be replaced with each other. That is, the CM data recorded on the HDD 17b may be reproduced instead of the CM data in the program data read from the HDD 17a.

In addition, in the "playback frequency", for example, "playback frequency=D" is set for CM data skipped by the user, and whether or not "playback frequency=D" is determined as an option in step S54. By doing so, the user may be able to reach CMs skipped by the user. This has the advantage that the advertiser's advertising expenses are not wasted.

Furthermore, considering the convenience of the advertiser, since there are multiple versions of CM, version information (for example, CM broadcast date information) is added to the CM data in the DB, and the latest version is selected. It is also possible to replace them.

For example, automobile sales companies aired commercials for so-called eco-car tax exemption measures, but each day the commercials were aired, they included information to the effect that ``the eco-car tax exemption will no longer apply in X days.'' was Therefore, when reproducing program data that was broadcast several days ago, instead of reproducing this type of CM data included in the program data, the latest version of the CM data that was broadcast on the day of reproduction is reproduced. It makes sense to play.

Therefore, if the version information is added to the CM data in the DB as described above, the latest CM can be provided to the user by checking the version information with the CPU 23 . Specifically, prior to step S57 in FIG. 15, a version information confirmation step is executed. If the version information is the latest, the process proceeds to step S57. playback instruction.

In this embodiment, the procedure for recording the program data in the recording/reproducing device and reproducing the program data replaced with the CM data recorded in the recording/reproducing device has been described. If the device is connected to the Internet, for example, the program data reproduced by the remote resident including the overseas resident operating the recording/reproducing device via the Internet can be transferred to the recording/reproducing device. You can also receive and listen to it via To give a specific example, it is assumed that a recording/reproducing apparatus is installed at the parent's house in a rural area, and one of the family members living alone lives far away.

In such a case, if the CM data included in the program data to be reproduced is, for example, a CM for a product that can only be purchased in the locality where the parent's home is located and is broadcast only by a local broadcasting station, the Even if the CM data is reproduced and viewed by a distant resident, the CM effect is limited.

Therefore, by embedding tag information indicating the broadcast area in each CM data, and obtaining the IP address of the distant resident, for example, the access source area can be specified based on the IP address. For example, the CM data can be used as a replacement target. It should be noted that it is not essential to use an IP address in order to identify the region of the access source. Regions may be specified.

A typical example is a person living overseas. There is not much point in letting people watch commercial data for Japanese residents such as "It will disappear." Therefore, one method is to replace the CM data with the CM data of the country of residence of the overseas resident for the CM sponsor's product.

(Example 3)
First, the outline of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The recording/reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment typically reproduces program data having program corner data and CM data, and when no operation is performed on the menu screen, between CM data, It realizes operations such as inserting other CM data or replacing specific CM data with other CM data. In this embodiment, the former content will be mainly described.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen realized by a typical operation of this embodiment. When the user instructs the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 to reproduce through the remote controller 200 or the like, program data is output from the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 to the television 100, and a video signal is displayed on the display of the television 100 (FIG. 16A). .

After that, assume that the user presses the pause button of remote controller 200 for some reason. Upon receiving the signal transmitted from the remote controller 200, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 determines the contents of the signal. Here, since the signal transmitted from the remote control 200 is "pause", when this is detected, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 pauses the output of the program data to the television 100, as is known. becomes (FIG. 16B).

Here, normally, the display of the television 100 stops reproducing the program data as if a still image were being displayed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, a new display area 110 is secured in part (here, the upper left of the display) or the entirety of the display, and the video data of the CM data is output there. Therefore, in this embodiment, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 reads the CM data to be displayed in the display area 110 of the television 100 from the HDD 17 and outputs the video data to the television 100. is a very unique point (Fig. 16C).

Regarding the display area 110, the transition from the "playback screen" to the "contents display screen" and the transition from the "menu screen" to the "contents display screen", which will be described later, are handled in the same way, and the display area 110 is uniformly displayed. For example, in the former case, it may be treated as part of the display, and in the latter case, it may be treated as the whole display.

As a modification of this, typically when there is an instruction to pause and the screen transitions to the "contents display screen", and when the "menu screen" transitions to the "contents display screen", the display area 110 is displayed relative to the screen. It is also possible to make the display area 110 relatively small when transitioning to the "content display screen" due to an instruction to fast-forward or skip, or the like.

It should be noted that, in the case of this modified example, it is thought that users will want to reproduce the CM data on the full screen if they are interested in the CM data viewed through the small display area 110. In order to realize this, the remote controller 200 should be provided with a "SELECT button" as a trigger.

Here, among the CM data, at least only the video data, or at least only the audio data, may be reproduced.

This is because, in the former case, for example, when the user selects a pause and the user receives a phone call, if the voice data of the CM data is output, it may interfere with the call. . However, even if the audio data is output, the user can simply issue a pause instruction and then an instruction to mute the sound. Not only data but also voice data may be output.

On the other hand, in the latter case, for example, in a situation where the user selects a pause, when the user, a housewife who is cooking, turns off the heat of the simmered dish when the cooking timer rings, moving away from the front of the TV sets the CM data. It is also useful to reproduce only the audio data of the CM data, since there are cases where the audio data can be heard even though the video data of the CM data is not viewed. It should be noted that the CM data reproduced here is a typical example of content, so it should be noted that video content and/or audio content on a network such as the Internet can also be output. want to be

Assume that the user then presses the play button on the remote controller 200 . Upon receiving the signal transmitted from the remote controller 200, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 determines the contents of the signal. Here, since the signal transmitted from the remote control 200 is "play", when this is detected, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 resumes outputting the program data to the television 100, as is known. . In addition to this, in the present embodiment, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 ends the display of the display area 110 and also ends the output of CM data and the like to the television 100 (FIG. 16D).

As a result, the program data is continuously output to the television 100, and the image of the program data is displayed on the display of the television 100 (FIG. 16E).

Here, the case where the CM data is displayed in the display area 110 is instructed to "pause" has been described as an example. an instruction to stop the program data or CM data, such as an instruction to fast forward the program data or CM data, an instruction to rewind the program data or CM data, or an instruction to skip the program data or CM data for a predetermined period. Except for cases, even when an instruction is given, it can be included as a trigger for displaying CM data in the display area 110 .

That is, when the user presses the fast-forward button on the remote controller 200, for example, the program data is reproduced while being fast-forwarded at double speed, as is well known. It is also possible to secure a display area 110 and display the CM data there.

As described above, if the "SELECT button" is provided on the remote controller 200, the "SELECT button" should be used effectively. When reproducing CM data, (1) reproduce only video data, (2) reproduce only audio data, or (3) reproduce both video data and audio data. For example, when the "play/determine button" is pressed, "video data only" is played back, and when this button is long pressed, "audio data only" is played back, and "SELECT button" is pressed, it may be useful to make a selection to reproduce with "video data + audio data".

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a DB for selecting CM data to be displayed in the display area 110 of FIG. 16C. FIG. 17 corresponds to the "CM information table" in FIG. 4B. This DB may be stored in the HDD 17 shown in FIG. 1, for example. Alternatively, the DB may be stored in a server on a network such as the Internet, and the DB may be accessible from the recording/reproducing device 10 .

FIG. 17 shows, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 4B, for each CM, information indicating the reproduction frequency based on the number of times the user has intentionally reproduced the CM, and information indicating a flag indicating whether or not there is.

Specifically, here, information ranked by three ranks of A, B, and C is shown as "reproduction frequency". For example, it is conceivable to make an arrangement that A-rank CMs are to be played back, while B-rank and C-rank CMs are not to be played back.

Also, as a "flag", information such as "0"/"1" is shown. For example, it is conceivable to make an agreement that CMs with a flag of "1" are to be played back and CMs with a flag of "0" are not to be played back. As an example of determining the flag "0/1", if it is a CM for which an advertisement is explicitly requested from an advertiser, it is set to "1". For example, it may be set to "1" until it is reached, or set to "1" only on that day when reproduction is to be performed only on a specific day.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, typically, CM data with "reproduction frequency=A" and "flag=1" are sequentially reproduced. Of course, CM data related to "reproduction frequency=B" may also be reproduced, and CM data with "reproduction frequency=A" or "flag=1" may be reproduced. Further, in the "playback frequency", for example, "playback frequency=D" may be set for CM data skipped by the user, and CM data with "playback frequency=D" may be set as the target of playback. In this way, although some users may skip CMs during program reproduction, it is possible to reach CMs skipped by users, so there is an advantage for advertisers that advertising costs are not wasted.

To sum up the above, in short, it is possible to determine the reproduction target based on the CM data reproduction history, and to determine the reproduction target based on the advertiser's request. Regarding the former, when reproducing CM data with a high frequency of reproduction, there is a high possibility that it is the user's favorite CM data, which is advantageous for the user. , there is an advantage for the advertiser because the advertising expenses incurred are not wasted. As for the latter, there is an advantage for the advertiser in that it is possible to achieve concentrated exposure of CM data for products that the advertiser particularly wants to focus on.

Moreover, the display target of the display area 110 is not limited to CM data stored in the HDD 17 . In the following, CM data will be mainly described as an example. After being stored in the HDD 17, or in real time without being stored, the content may be output.

Alternatively, the recording/reproducing device can be connected to a digital camera or a memory card attached to it through a connection medium such as a USB cable, thereby importing moving images, still images, or audio data shot with a digital camera or the like, and reproducing content. can be output as When this type of content is temporarily stored in the HDD 17, it may be stored in the DB with a "flag" attached to it so that the output target can be selected.

FIG. 18 is a state transition diagram according to the display screen example described using FIG. First, when there is an instruction to turn on the power of the television 100 from the user through the recording/reproducing apparatus 10, that is, when a signal for turning on the power button of the television 100 is received from the remote control 200, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 2, the television 100 transits to the "menu screen" display state in order to display a predetermined menu screen including the user's selection of the program data to be reproduced. Alternatively, the screen transitions to a "contents display screen" display state, which will be described later. However, only when there is an instruction to turn on the power of the television 100, the time until timeout is set to 0 seconds or the like (otherwise, it is set to 1 to 3 minutes), and the "menu screen" is displayed. You may transition to a "contents display screen" display state via.

Although not directly related to the operation of the remote control 200 of this embodiment, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 turns on the power of the television 100 when an instruction to turn on the power of the television 100 is given through the remote control 200. After giving an instruction, an instruction is given to transition to the "menu screen" display state or the "contents display screen" display state.

In the case of transition to the "menu screen" display state, it is usually possible to select program data to be reproduced through the "menu screen" in the "menu screen" display state. not always make this choice. Therefore, if an instruction through the remote controller 200 cannot be received during a period from when the "menu screen" is output to the television 100 until a timer (not shown) counts a predetermined time, a time-out occurs (S11), and the display is displayed. The area 110 is secured, and a transition is made to a "contents display screen" display state in which CM data is output there.

Therefore, it is possible to effectively display CM data and the like during the time from when the power of the television 100 itself is turned on until the program data can actually be displayed on the display.

After that, when the user presses any button including the menu selection button on the remote controller 200 and the television 100 receives the instruction (S12), the display state is changed to the "menu screen" display state again.

When the program data to be reproduced is selected through the "menu screen", specifically, when an instruction for selecting the program data is transmitted from the remote control 200 to the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 (S13), recording is performed. The playback device 10 transitions to the "playback screen" display state.

Here, first, the CPU 23 refers to the DB in the HDD 17 through the HDD control unit 18, identifies the recording position information on the HDD 17 of the program data to be reproduced stored therein, and reproduces the program data from the recording position. It instructs the HDD control unit 18 to start the read processing.

As a result, the HDD control section 18 reads the program data from the HDD 17 and outputs it to the demultiplexer 19 . However, the CPU 23 may request the HDD control section 18 to output the program data read from the HDD 17 to the CPU 23 and then output the program data A to the demultiplexer 19 . In any case, when the program data is processed by the demultiplexer 19, its video data and audio data are output to the television 100 and speakers, respectively.

When the user transmits a stop instruction from the remote controller 200 to the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 during reproduction of the program data (S17), the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 transitions to the "menu screen" display state.

On the other hand, when the user typically transmits a pause instruction from the remote controller 200 to the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 during reproduction of the program data (S14), the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 displays a "content display screen". state.

Here, first, in order for the CPU 23 to select content to be displayed in the display area 110, the DB stored in the HDD 17 or the like is referred to. In addition to the recording position information of the CM data on the HDD 17, the DB stores the CM data to be reproduced with a flag. Therefore, the CPU 23 specifies the CM data to be reproduced, , the recording position of the CM data on the HDD 17 can be specified.

After identifying the recording position of the CM data to be reproduced on the HDD 17, the CPU 23 instructs the HDD control unit 18 to start reading the CM data from that recording position. As a result, the HDD control unit 18 reads out the CM data with flags and the like from the HDD 17 and outputs it to the demultiplexer 19 .

In addition, the CPU 23 instructs the demultiplexer 19 to synthesize the output CM data with the video data such as during pause. Note that the technique itself of the image synthesis processing is not particularly limited, and known processing may be used.

After that, from the time stamp of the CM data, the CPU 23 grasps the time (for example, 15 seconds) corresponding to the start time and the end time of the CM data. In order to select the next content to be displayed, the DB stored in the HDD 17 or the like is referenced, and the series of operations described above is repeated.

Therefore, typically, when the reproduction of the first CM data is started, when the reproduction of the CM data is finished, the reproduction of the second CM data is started, and in the same way, the reproduction of the remote controller 200 is started. The CM data will be reproduced sequentially until the button is pressed.

CM data has several times from its start time to its end time, such as 15 seconds, 30 seconds, and 60 seconds. Alternatively, the CM data may be reproduced after changing the CM time, for example, by compressing the CM data of 60 seconds and playing it in 30 seconds.

On the other hand, when the user presses the play button of the remote controller 200 during the reproduction of the CM data to issue a play instruction (S16), the display state changes again to the "playback screen" display state, and then to the "content display screen" display state. Resume the playback of the program data that was displayed before transitioning to .

Further, when the user selects the displayed CM data in the "content display screen" display state, specifically, for example, when the "SELECT button" of the remote controller 200 is pressed (S15), the A transition is made to a “playback screen” display state in which CM data is displayed on the full screen.

It should be noted that the display area of the CM data may be a dynamic area that moves within the display of the television 100 instead of a static area that is fixed within the display of the television 100 . In addition, even if a static object is fixed in the display of the television 100, the fixed position may be the upper right, the lower right, or the center of the screen in the display of the television 100. The display position may be changed randomly, or may be displayed on the entire screen.

Also, during the reproduction of program data in the "reproduction screen" display state, CM data broadcasted between program data may be reproduced. For the convenience of the user, known remote controllers skip CM data during playback (30 seconds after the button is pressed, or until the next CM data following the CM data, or until the program corner data immediately after the CM data). Some have a skip button for moving the playback position. This type of button can also be provided in the remote controller 200 of this embodiment.

When the button is pressed by the user, the same processing as when the skip button of the known remote control is pressed may be performed, but instead of this, the CM data being reproduced is skipped. Instead of playing the next CM data with
・The remaining part of the CM data is mechanically continued to be reproduced, for example, for about 3 seconds,
・ Compress the CM data and play it back, for example, in about 3 seconds,
・For example, you can watch the CM data by fast-forwarding in about 3 seconds,
・For example, the commercial data is fast forwarded in about 3 seconds, but the speed is variable to make the message and logo easier to see,
・For example, the administrator of this system creates a digest version of each CM data in about 3 seconds in advance, or obtains a digest version of voice data such as "Now, 298 yen!" from the advertiser side. These are linked to the corresponding CM data, and when the corresponding button is pressed, the digest version corresponding to the CM data being reproduced is reproduced,
・Calculate the compression rate necessary to reproduce the unreproduced portion of the CM data in, for example, 3 seconds, and perform fast-forward reproduction so that the unreproduced portion of the CM data can be reproduced in 3 seconds,
can be considered.

It should be noted that the digest version does not necessarily have to be composed of the video data and audio data of the CM data, and can be composed only of the audio data of the points to be advertised in the CM data, or it can be composed only of the video data. can also Also, when the CM data is fast-forwarded or the compressed digest version is reproduced, the company name and performer name of the CM data can be displayed on the screen to call the user's attention.

Also, when a known skip button is pressed, there are devices that mechanically skip, for example, 30 seconds. Therefore, when this type of button is pressed, the next CM data can be cueed even if the CM data is fast-forwarded.

In addition to the description using the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 18, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can also perform the following operations. That is, in FIG. 18, an operation example in which the state transitions among the respective states of "menu screen", "content display screen", and "playback screen" has been described. In addition to the screen to be selected, when the power of the television receiver (display medium) is on (in other words, the recording/reproducing device 10 has means for detecting the on/off state of this power), the above-mentioned It includes a screen called a top menu screen that displays recommended menus and the like. Therefore, it is possible to display content even in the "menu screen" display state.

Then, in short, the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 can be broadly divided into a state of displaying the "playback screen" and a state of displaying the rest. Therefore, there is also a mode in which program data is reproduced in the "playback screen" display state, and content is displayed in other states.

Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present invention, a method of excluding program data (including CM data) that has been recorded in the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 but is unnecessary to continue recording will be described.

(Example 4)
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of program data storage areas in the HDD 17 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The left side of FIG. 19 shows an overview of the storage area of the HDD 17 . As shown in FIG. 19, the HDD 17 is roughly divided into a boot sector area 17-1 and a program data storage area 17-2.

The right side of FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the program data storage area for a specific channel in the area 17-2. In FIG. 19, the program data A and the program data B that was subsequently broadcast have already been recorded, and the program data C that is currently being broadcast is being recorded. indicates that there is

Specifically, the square matrix shown on the right side of FIG. 19 schematically shows each block file, and the block files marked with a solid line x indicate that they have been recorded. A block file marked with a dashed line x means that it is being recorded, and a block file not marked with an x means that it has not been recorded yet. That is, in this embodiment, the program data is recorded in the HDD 17 in a file format, unlike in the above-described embodiments. That is, by dividing one long endless file into small files by blocking them, a plurality of files virtually constitute one long endless file.

Here, it is assumed that program data B has never been viewed by the user, and there is not much reaction to viewing it on a network such as the Internet. In this case, it is not advisable to continue recording the program data B in the DBB 17 in consideration of the finite recording capacity of the DBB 17. , program data B are excluded.

However, as parameters for specifying program data to be excluded, not only the user's behavior such as whether or not the user can view the program data, the viewer's evaluation of the program data acquired via the network, but also the audience rating of the program data. Alternatively, the type and broadcast time of the program data, the elapsed time since the program data was broadcast, and any combination thereof can be considered.

In addition, as a method for eliminating program data B, in this embodiment, block files related to program data B are overwritten with newly received program data D for elimination.

In order to realize this, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that program data B is subject to playback restriction, a flag is added to the block file in which program data B has been recorded. ing. In this way, the newly received program data D can be stored in the flagged block file.

Ultimately, this also makes it possible to change the HDD 17 to one with a relatively small capacity, and it also becomes possible to reduce the cost of the recording/reproducing apparatus 10 .

Also, if there is no program data whose playback is to be restricted, it means that there is no file with the above flag. Thus, the block file storing the oldest program data is given the above flag and the program data D is stored.

Note that the explanation using FIG. 19 does not prevent the program data transmitted from a plurality of TV program broadcasting stations to be stored simultaneously in a plurality of different block files.

Also, the user can specify program data to which flags are not applied. This prevents the user from having their favorite program data flagged and overwritten by subsequently broadcast television programs in a short period of time. It should be noted that the designated program data is recorded in the constant recording HDD 17a for a relatively long period of time, macroscopically, when compared with other program data.

In summary, the recording/reproducing apparatus of this embodiment includes a recording medium for recording received program data in a file format, reproducing means for reproducing the program data recorded on the recording medium, and reproduction of the program data by the reproducing means. The present invention comprises an adding means for adding a flag to a file whose reproduction is restricted, and a storing means for storing newly received program data for the file to which the flag is added by the adding means. For example, the recording medium can be realized by the HDD 17a, the reproduction means and the storage means can be realized by the HDD control section 18, and the provision means can be realized by the CPU 23 and a desired program.

Further, the storage means can store newly received program data in a file in which the oldest program data is stored when the file to which the flag is added does not exist, Each program data transmitted from a program broadcasting station can be stored in a plurality of different files at the same time.

Further, a specifying means for specifying a file to which the flag is assigned by the assigning means is provided, and by the specifying means, the behavior of the user with respect to the recording system main body, the viewer's evaluation of the program data acquired via the network, and the The audience rating of program data, the type and broadcast time of the program data,
It can also be specified based on either the elapsed time since the program data was broadcast. Moreover, it is also possible to provide a designation means for designating program data to which the flag is not applied.

Furthermore, in recent years, mobile terminals such as smartphones, tablets, and PDAs (hereinafter simply referred to as "smartphones") and application programs installed therein have been increasingly used, so the display of smartphones has been replaced with the display of televisions. It is also a method to utilize instead of or together with .

For example, although an example of ticker display has been described in the first embodiment, this ticker display may be performed on a smart phone display instead of or together with a television display. In the second embodiment, an example in which CM data is replaced has been described. Data C may be displayed, or CM data A to be replaced may be displayed.

In order to realize this, connection to communication networks such as the Internet and wireless communication means compatible with wireless standards used in wireless communication means installed in smartphones, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark) and means are provided in the recording/reproducing device. Whether or not the user carrying the smart phone is near the television is determined using wireless communication means, and whether or not the recorded program data is being reproduced is determined by the CPU 23 of the recording/reproducing apparatus. is used to discriminate.

Then, when it is determined that the user carrying the smartphone is near the television and the program data is being reproduced by the recording/reproducing device, recording is performed using wireless communication means or connection means. Video data to be displayed on the display of the smartphone from the playback device and audio data to be output from the speaker of the smartphone are transmitted through a wireless line, received by the smartphone, and known processing for video playback, etc. should be executed on the smartphone. In addition, when wireless communication means is used, video data is transmitted and received using a wireless line related to Bluetooth or ZigBee. On the other hand, when the connection means is used, the video data is transmitted and received using a mobile communication system such as 4G/5G and a wireless line related to Wi-Fi.

For this reason, an application program installed on a smartphone, for example,
a step of storing pairing information executed for wireless communication with the recording/reproducing device;
a step of reading pairing information and wirelessly connecting to the recording/reproducing device when wirelessly communicating with the recording/reproducing device;
a step of receiving video data or the like transmitted from the recording/reproducing device through a wireless line while being wirelessly connected to the recording/reproducing device;
a step of performing data processing such as decoding on the received video data, etc.;
a step of outputting the decoded video data, etc.;
should be executed by the processing means provided in the smartphone. In other words, the smart phone can implement means for performing operations corresponding to each step by installing a program for executing each step.

On the other hand, the recording/reproducing device, for example,
means for storing pairing information executed for wireless communication with a smartphone;
means for reading pairing information and wirelessly connecting to the smartphone when performing wireless communication with the smartphone;
a means for performing processing such as encoding on video data to be played back on a smartphone;
a means for transmitting encoded video data, etc. to a smartphone via a wireless line;
should be provided. A program that causes the processing means of the recording/reproducing apparatus to execute the operations of these means may be used. In addition, transmission and reception of video data and the like between the smartphone and the recording/reproducing device may be performed in a so-called pull type or in a push type.

In addition, in order to perform the ticker display on the display of the smartphone as in the first embodiment, the program data itself being reproduced on the display of the television may also be displayed on the display of the smartphone. Only ticker display may be performed without displaying.

Furthermore, in order to display CM data on a smartphone as in Example 2, it is possible to achieve a natural feeling by synchronizing with the program data being played back on the TV display. are being played back, it is not necessary to synchronize them. In the event of synchronization, the smartphone should complete receiving the CM data to be displayed on the smartphone a few seconds before the replaced CM data is displayed on the TV display, taking into account the communication status. . In addition, CM data to be displayed on smartphones should be accompanied by CM playback time information on the TV based on a real-time clock. Then, the smartphone should reproduce the received CM data according to this time information.

The present invention can be used in industries such as the manufacturing industry of digital recording/reproducing devices, the sales business of digital recording/reproducing devices, the data service industry related to digital recording/reproducing devices, the service industry of providing program data, and the data processing industry related to program data. There is

2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a digital recording/reproducing device; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the identifier of the time index; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating time indexes related to program corner data; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram explaining a time index related to CM information; FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing data transmission/reception between a digital recording/reproducing device and a time index server; 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of a bit rate conversion function; 10 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of a bit rate conversion function (compression ratio change); 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of a personal identification function; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of the next program function; FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing how recorded program data is transferred when a next program button is pressed. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing how recorded program data is transferred when a previous program button is pressed. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the digital recording/reproducing system shown in FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of image processing after a title data display command is issued; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen realized by a typical operation of Example 1 of the present invention; 13D is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a DB for selecting CM data to be displayed in the display area 110 of FIG. 13C; FIG. 14 is a flowchart relating to the example of the display screen described using FIG. 13; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen on which a video signal being reproduced is displayed on the display of the television 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen when the pause button of the remote controller is pressed in the state of FIG. 16A; FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen on which CM data is displayed in the state of FIG. 16B; 16C is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen when the play button of the remote controller is pressed in the state of FIG. 16C; FIG. FIG. 16D is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen that returns from the state of FIG. 16D to a state in which a video signal being reproduced is displayed on the display of the television 100; 16D is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a DB for selecting CM data to be displayed in the display area 110 of FIG. 16C; FIG. FIG. 17 is a state transition diagram according to the display screen example described with reference to FIG. 16; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a program data storage area in an HDD 17 according to Example 4 of the present invention;

10 Digital Recording/Reproducing Device 11 Antenna 12 Tuner 14 Converter 17 HDD (Hard Disk)
17a Always recording HDD
17b Storage HDD
18 hard disk control unit (HDD control unit)
19 Demultiplexer 20 MPEG decoder 21 Audio decoder 22a Second converter 22b Third converter 23 CPU
24 memory 25 signal receiver 26 network controller 26b real-time clock 27 image processor 28 input unit 29 DVD drive 50 time index server

Claims (12)

recording means for recording program data on a recording medium;
a reproduction means for reproducing program data recorded on the recording medium;
detection means for detecting the power ON/OFF state of a display medium for video data of program data reproduced by said reproduction means;
CM data included in the program data to be notified to the user when the detecting means detects that the display medium is powered on and the reproducing means does not reproduce the program data. or at least one of the video data and audio data of the program data, or a moving image, still image, voice, or character information that is not included in the program data and is captured from the outside of the information recording/reproducing apparatus itself. means and
with
The content output means provides an instruction to pause reproduction of the program data, an instruction to turn on the power of the display medium, excluding an instruction to stop reproduction of the program data while the program data is being displayed by the reproduction means. , an information recording/reproducing apparatus for outputting a content when an arbitrary instruction of any of an instruction to fast-forward the program data, an instruction to rewind the program data, and an instruction to skip the program data is given. 2. An information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a menu screen for allowing a user to select program data to be reproduced by said reproducing means. means for displaying a menu screen for allowing a user to select program data to be reproduced by said reproducing means;
2. The information recording/ reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said content output means outputs said content when there is no instruction from the user within a predetermined time from the start of display of said menu screen. 4. The information recording/ reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display state of the menu screen is restored when the user issues an arbitrary instruction while the content is being displayed by the content output means. 2. The information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of video data and audio data of CM data for which an advertisement is explicitly requested from an advertiser is output as said content. 2. The information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of video data and audio data of CM data determined based on a reproduction history is output as said content. a database storing information indicating content that can be interrupted in the program data being reproduced by the reproduction means;
2. The information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising interrupt control means for interrupting program data being reproduced with said content when it is determined that said content exists by referring to said database. storing in the database information indicating whether or not CM data included in the program data recorded on the recording medium is to be reproduced;
determining whether or not the CM data recorded on the recording medium is to be reproduced by referring to the database prior to reproducing the CM data;
8. The information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein, when it is determined that the CM data is not to be reproduced, the content that can be interrupted into the program data is reproduced without reproducing the CM data. 8. The information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising storage means for storing position data indicating a recording destination of program data reproduced by said reproducing means. 8. The information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the information stored in said database is determined based on CM data attributes, user attributes and content attributes. 8. A server connected to the information recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 via a network and comprising setting means for setting information to be stored in said database. An information recording/reproducing system comprising the information recording/reproducing device according to claim 7 and the server according to claim 11 .

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