JPH0721619A - Video recording management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to deal with the case where two pieces of video recording reservation information overlap on each other in time and to check the video recording reservation information which is already video-recorded by the video recording management device which executes video recording reservation of at least one unit of video tape recorders (hereafter described as VTRs). CONSTITUTION:A schedule management section 11 functions to cancel at least either of the video recording reservation informations in accordance with an instruction from the outside when the video recording reservation information inputted by a reservation input section 12 and the video recording reservation information stored in a schedule storage section 16 overlap on each other in time. The video recording reservation information inputted by the reservation input section 12 is so handled as the information subjected to video recording reservation by another VTR at the time of executing video-recording reservation to 2 units or more of the VTRs. All of the video recording reservation information stored in the schedule storage section 16 or only the video recording reservation which is already video-recorded is displayed on a display device or is printed by a printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording management apparatus for making a recording reservation for a video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as VTR).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a TV program is reserved for recording on a VTR, a remote controller attached to the VTR is conventionally used to input recording reservation information (date, channel, etc.) necessary for recording reservation. By this, recording reservation is made.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional remote controller.

In the figure, 9 is a remote controller, 91 is an input section,
Reference numeral 92 is a control unit, 93 is a transmission unit, and 94 is a display unit.

In the remote controller 9, when the recording reservation information is input through the input unit 91, the display unit 94 displays the recording reservation information input through the input unit 91. Further, the control unit 92 converts the recording reservation information input by the input unit 91 into a remote control signal, and the transmission unit 93 transmits the remote control signal to the VTR. The recording reservation information is not stored in the remote control device 9 but is stored in the VTR after the remote control signal is transmitted, so that the user confirms the recording reservation information on the display screen of the VTR.

However, the conventional recording reservation method has complicated procedures, it is difficult to correct an input error, and the recording may fail due to an incorrect operation. Moreover, since the display screen of the VTR is generally small and difficult to see, it is difficult to confirm the recording reservation information.

In order to solve the above problem, the recording reservation information is recorded by directly touching the display screen of the reservation input device with a finger, a pen or the like, as described in JP-A-1-125199. There is a way to simplify the operation by inputting.

Also, like the so-called "G code", recording reservation information is coded and published in newspapers, etc., and when recording reservation is made, simply input the code of the program to be recorded into the VTR or remote control device. There is also a method for making a recording reservation.

As a method of easily confirming the recording reservation information, there is a method of displaying the recording reservation information on the television screen.

[0010]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the conventional method including the method disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 25199, when two pieces of recording reservation information overlap in time,
The VTR does not give any particular warning and gives priority to the recording reservation information having the earlier recording start time to record the program, so that there is a problem that the desired program cannot be recorded.

In order to solve this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-
As described in Japanese Patent No. 3079, the reservation date and time of the newly input recording reservation information is compared with the reservation date and time of the recording reservation information that has already been input, and a warning is issued if the both overlap as much as possible. There is a way to do it. However, this technique only issues a warning, and the user must then perform some operation. For example, if you want to respect the already entered recording reservation information, you only have to cancel the newly entered recording reservation information, but if you want to respect the newly entered recording reservation information, once, After performing the operation of canceling the recording reservation information that has already been input, the operation of inputting the recording reservation information must be performed again, which causes a problem that the operation becomes complicated and error-prone.

Further, conventionally, the recording reservation information is stored in the VTR and is erased at the same time as the recording is executed. Therefore, there is a problem that the recording reservation information cannot be confirmed after the recording is completed. there were.

Further, as another problem in recording by the VTR, there is a problem of management of the video cassette tape after the recording is completed. Generally, it is managed by attaching a label with the name of the program recorded on the video cassette tape, but when many programs are recorded on one video cassette tape or frequently on one video cassette tape. When repeated overwriting, the program name and the like must be added and rewritten frequently. In addition, when the number of video cassette tapes increases, it becomes difficult to know which video cassette tape the desired program is recorded on.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a recording management device capable of coping with the case where two pieces of recording reservation information overlap in time.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a recording management apparatus capable of confirming recording reservation information that has already been recorded even after recording is completed.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a recording management device capable of managing a video cassette tape after recording is completed.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above first object, the present invention provides recording reservation information necessary for recording reservation in a recording management device which makes a recording reservation for at least one VTR. Recording reservation information input means for inputting, recording reservation information storage means for storing recording reservation information,
The signal generation means for generating a signal indicating the recording reservation information, the transmission means for transmitting the signal generated by the signal generation means to the VTR, and the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means are the recording reservation information. And a management unit that manages the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage unit and output to the information storage unit and the signal generation unit. The management unit is input by the recording reservation information input unit. When the recorded recording reservation information and the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means temporally overlap with each other, one of the recording reservation information is canceled based on an instruction from the outside. There is.

More specifically, when canceling the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means, the management means outputs recording reservation cancellation information indicating that the recording reservation information is canceled to the signal generating means. At the same time, the recording reservation information is deleted from the recording reservation information storage means,
The signal generation means generates a signal indicating the recording reservation cancellation information.

Since the recording management device of the present invention is a device different from the VTR, it is possible to make a recording reservation for a plurality of VTRs. Therefore, the management means stores the number of VTRs for which recording reservations are made, and sets the number of VTs of two or more units.
When making a recording reservation for R, the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means and the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means are temporally set for one VTR. In the case of duplication, the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means is reserved for the VTR different from the VTR for which the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means is reserved. May be treated as having been performed.

Further, the management means makes a V for making a recording reservation.
When recording reservations are made for two or more VTRs by storing the number of TRs that can be reserved for recording, the total number of reserved recordings by making new recording reservations for one VTR is the number of recordings that can be reserved. If the number exceeds 5, the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means may be treated as if the recording reservation was made for a VTR other than the VTRs exceeding the number of recordable reservations.

Further, the management means makes a recording reservation V.
When the total number of recording reservations by recording a new recording reservation exceeds the number of recording reservations that can be made, the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means is stored. Save and save the above VT
The saved recording reservation information may be output to the recording reservation information storage means and the signal generating means when the total number of R recording reservations is less than the number of recordable reservations.

The conventional remote control device can make a recording reservation for two VTRs if they are manufactured by the same manufacturer, but the recording management device of the present invention is the same because of the convenience of the VTRs. Up to two VTRs made by a manufacturer cannot make recording reservations, but VTRs made by other manufacturers
In this case, it is possible to make a recording reservation for two more devices.

Further, in order to achieve the above second object,
According to the present invention, the recording reservation information storage means keeps the recording reservation information stored even after the recording is completed. Then, all of the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means or only the recording reservation information already recorded therein is displayed, and / or the recording reservation information storage means stores the recording reservation information. The recording reservation information printing means for printing all the recording reservation information or only the recording reservation information that has already been recorded is provided.

In order to achieve the third object,
According to the present invention, the recording content information of the video cassette tape is stored and the recording content information is printed as a label. That is, in addition to the above configuration, the recording management device of the present invention further comprises an identification information input means for inputting identification information of the video cassette tape, and a video cassette tape to which the identification information is input by the identification information input means. Recording content information input means for inputting recording content information indicating the recording content of, and the recording content information input by the recording content information input means is stored for each identification information input by the identification information input means. The recording content information storage means, the identification information input by the identification information input means, and the recording content information display means for displaying the recording content information corresponding to the identification information are provided.

Further, the recording content information input means inputs the keyword for searching the recording content information together with the recording content information, and the recording content information storage means stores the keyword together with the recording content information. Further, a keyword input means for inputting a keyword, and a search means for searching the recording content information stored in the recording content information storage means based on the keyword input by the keyword input means. The recording content information display means may display the recording content information retrieved by the retrieval means and the identification information corresponding to the recording content information.

The recording content information input means can input, as the recording content information, the recorded recording reservation information of the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means.

In addition to the above configuration, the recording management apparatus of the present invention further comprises setting means for setting the format of the label attached to the video cassette tape, and a format for storing the format set by the setting means. Storage means, editing means for editing the content to be printed on the label based on the format stored in the format storage means, and label printing means for printing the label whose print content is edited by the editing means The editing means edits the recording content information instructed from the outside of the recording content information displayed by the recording content information display means as the print content.

[0028]

In the recording management device of the present invention, the management means temporally stores the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means and the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means. In the case of duplication, either one of the recording reservation information is canceled based on an instruction from the outside, or when the recording reservation is made for two or more VTRs, the recording reservation information input means is used. The recording reservation information input by means of the recording reservation information storage means may be treated as if the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means is reserved for a VTR different from the VTR for which the recording reservation has been made. Therefore, the user can easily deal with the case where the two pieces of recording reservation information are temporally overlapped with each other, and the recording reservation is prevented from being mistakenly made.

In the recording management device of the present invention,
The recording reservation information storage means can be used even after recording is finished.
Since the recorded recording reservation information is still stored, the user can record the recorded recording reservation information displayed by the recording reservation information display means or the recorded recording reservation information printed by the recording reservation information printing means. You can check the recording reservation information that has already been recorded.

Further, in the recording management device of the present invention,
Since the recording content information storage means stores the identification information of the video cassette tape and the recording content information corresponding to the identification information, the user sees the recording content information displayed by the recording content information display means. The recorded contents of the video cassette tape can be confirmed, and the recorded contents information display means further includes the recorded contents information searched by the searching means based on the keyword input by the keyword input means and the recorded contents information. Since the identification information corresponding to is displayed, it is possible to search for the recorded content desired to be viewed.

In the recording management device of the present invention,
The editing means edits the recording content information instructed from the outside of the recording content information displayed by the recording content information display means as the printing content of the label to be stuck on the video cassette tape, and the label printing means Since the label whose print content is edited by the editing means is printed, the user can manage the video cassette tape after the recording is completed.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the recording management apparatus of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording management apparatus of the present embodiment has a reservation manager 1 for making a recording reservation for the first VTR 5 and the second VTR 6, and a cassette library 2 for managing the recording results. It is composed of a label editor 3 for editing a label having an arbitrary shape, and an input / output device can be connected / mounted. In the example of FIG. 1, the display device 7 and the printing device 8 are connected, but a key input device, a coordinate input device, etc. can also be connected / mounted.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reservation manager 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reservation manager 1
A schedule management unit 11, a reservation input unit 12, a simple label creation unit 13, a signal generation unit 14, a transmission unit 15,
The schedule storage unit 16 is configured to input and store the recording reservation information, change / cancel the stored recording reservation information, print the stored recording reservation information, and store the recording reservation information. Of the recorded recording reservation information, the one for which recording is completed (hereinafter referred to as recorded reservation information) is printed, or a simple label relating to arbitrary recorded reservation information is printed. Also, the stored recording reservation information is transferred to the cassette library 2.

The operation of the reservation manager 1 when inputting the recording reservation information will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the reservation manager 1, the reservation input unit 12 displays the operation panel on the display device 7, and when the user instructs the operation panel, the recording is performed based on the instruction content. Reservation information is input (step 201).

In this embodiment, in order to prevent an input error, all the items necessary for inputting the recording reservation information are displayed on the operation panel at the same time, and the input order of each item is arbitrary. . Also, the recording date can be entered by either the date or the day of the week, the recording time can be entered by either the 24-hour system or the 12-hour system, and the recording end can be entered by either the ending time or the recording time. I am trying. In addition, in the present embodiment, the reservation input unit 12 can input a program title and a program genre in addition to the above items.

The schedule management unit 11 is the reservation input unit 1
When the video recording reservation information is input from 2, the input video recording reservation information is compared with all the video recording reservation information already stored in the schedule storage unit 16 and if there is no trouble as described later (step 202). The input recording reservation information is stored in the schedule storage unit 16 (step 20).
7).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the storage contents of the schedule storage unit 16.

In FIG. 4A, 401 is a reservation number,
Reference numeral 402 denotes status information of individual recording reservation information, 403
Are items such as date, day of the week, channel, time, title and the like. As shown in FIG. 4B, the status information 402 includes a recording condition 404 indicating whether it is a recording reservation for one day, a recording reservation for every day, or a recording reservation for Monday to Friday. VTR number 405 used for recording,
A current state 406 indicating whether the recording is not recorded, being recorded, or already recorded, and transmission information 407 indicating whether recording reservation information has been transmitted to the VTR are stored.

There are two obstacles when the input recording reservation information is stored in the schedule storage unit 16. The first obstacle is that the recording reservation information that overlaps with the reservation date and time of the input recording reservation information has already been recorded. The second obstacle is the case in which the schedule is stored in the schedule storage unit 16, and the number of reservable cases of the first VTR 5 exceeds the number of reservable cases by making the recording reservation according to the inputted recording reservation information.

Therefore, the schedule management unit 11 determines whether or not the second VTR 6 is available if any failure occurs (step 203), and if it is determined to be available, the input is made. The recorded reservation information is the second VT.
Assuming that the recording reservation is made for R6 (step 204), the inputted recording reservation information is stored in the schedule storage section 16 (step 207). Also, the second V
If it is determined that TR6 is unusable, the process returns to step 201 to change / cancel the inputted recording reservation information according to the user's instruction (step 205), or the schedule storage unit 16 has already been operated. After changing / cancelling the recording reservation information having the same reservation date and time among the recording reservation information stored in (step 206), the input recording reservation information is stored in the schedule storage unit 16 (step 207). .

Note that the process of step 206 is specifically performed by the schedule management unit when canceling the recording reservation information of the recording reservation information already stored in the schedule storage unit 16 that has the same reservation date and time. 11 deletes the recording reservation information from the schedule storage unit 16 and
The signal generation unit 14 and the transmission unit 15 are configured to transmit a remote control signal indicating cancellation of the recording reservation information to the first VTR 5. Also, if you make changes,
The user is made to perform an operation of inputting new recording reservation information after the change, the input recording reservation information is stored in the schedule storage unit 16, and the signal generation unit 14 and the transmission unit 1 are also included.
5, the remote control signal indicating the recording reservation information is transmitted to the first VTR 5.

Next, the schedule management section 11 displays all the recording reservation information stored in the schedule storage section 16 on the display device 7 as a schedule table (step 208), and at this time, prints the schedule table. If there is an instruction (step 209), the schedule table is printed by the printer 8 (step 210).

Further, the schedule management section 11 outputs the inputted recording reservation information to the signal generating section 14, and the signal generating section 14 generates a remote control signal indicating the recording reservation information (step 211), and the transmitting section. 15 transmits the generated remote control signal to the first VTR 5 (or the second VTR 6) (step 212).

In this embodiment, as the remote control signal transmitted to the first VTR 5 (or the second VTR 6),
The same remote control signal as the conventional remote control device is used. Since the remote control signal is different for each manufacturer, the schedule management unit 11 determines whether the VTR to be used is
Are stored in advance, and the signal generation unit 14 stores a conversion table for converting the recording reservation information into the remote control signal of each manufacturer. By generating the remote control signal based on the manufacturer of the VTR and the conversion table, the VTR of any manufacturer can be used.

If there is a second fault in step 202, that is, if the number of reservations that can be reserved in the first VTR 5 is exceeded, then in step 203, the second VTR 6 is added.
Is determined to be unusable, step 2
Until the recording reservation information already stored in the schedule storage unit 16 is executed and the recording reservation can be made for the first VTR 5 without returning to 01, the first recording reservation information of It is also possible to wait for the transmission to the VTR 5 of the above, and for that purpose, a timer may be built in as shown in FIG.

Also, the schedule management unit 11 uses it in order to determine in step 202 that there is a second fault and in step 203 to determine whether or not the second VTR 6 is available. Number of VTRs to play and each VT
The number of R reservations that can be reserved is stored in advance. Figure 1
In the above example, the first VTR 5 and the second VTR 6 are used, but the number of VTRs that can be registered in the schedule management unit 11 is not limited to two, and three or more VTRs are registered. It is also possible to do so. In the conventional remote control device, normally, only two VTRs of the same maker can be used at the same time, and when using three or more VTRs of the same maker, the remote control signal becomes an incorrect VTR. In order to prevent reception, in addition to the conventional wireless method using infrared rays or radio waves, part or all of the route of the remote control signal is wired, but also in the recording management device of this embodiment , That point is the same.

Even if the number of reservable cases of the first VTR 5 is not exceeded, the second VTR is instructed by the user.
It goes without saying that it is possible to make a recording reservation using 6.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transmitter 15
Only transmits a remote control signal to the first VTR 5 (or the second VTR 6), but if it is possible to perform bidirectional communication between the VTR and the recording management device,
It is possible to check whether or not the VTR has received a remote control signal from the recording management device, and to directly inquire of the VTR as to whether or not actual recording has been performed, and more reliable recording is possible.

Next, the operation of the reservation manager 1 when changing / cancelling the recording reservation information will be described.

In the reservation manager 1, when the recording reservation information is changed / cancelled, the schedule management section 11
Displays all the recording reservation information stored in the schedule storage unit 16 which has not been recorded yet on the display device 7 as a reservation schedule table, and reserves the recording reservation information to be changed / cancelled by the user. By instructing from the table, in the case of cancellation, the instructed recording reservation information is canceled, and in the case of change, the same operation panel as when recording reservation information is input is displayed and the item to be changed can be input. State.

Next, the operation of the reservation manager 1 when printing the recorded reservation information and the simple label will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the reservation manager 1, when the power of the recording management device is turned on, the schedule management unit 11 has recorded the recording reservation information from the recording reservation information stored in the schedule storage unit 16. The reservation information is selected (step 501), and the selected recorded reservation information is displayed on the display device 7 as a recorded reservation information list (step 502). Then, according to the user's instruction (step 503), the schedule management unit 11 prints the recorded reservation information list on the printing device 8 (step 504),
Alternatively, the simple label creating unit 13 prints the simple label on the printing device 8. Specifically, the simple label creating unit 13 prints a simple label on the recording reservation information designated by the user from the recorded reservation information list (step 505) based on a predetermined label format. (Step 506).

The simple label printed by the printing device 8 by the simple label creating unit 13 is used as a temporary label until the label editor 3 prints a full-scale label by the printing device 8, or is frequently used. It can be used as a label for videocassette tapes that are repeatedly used for overwriting.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of the cassette library 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cassette library 2
Is a database management unit 21, a data input unit 22,
It comprises a search input unit 23 and a database storage unit 24.

The database management unit 21 is for managing the database storage unit 24 that stores the recording content information indicating the recording content of the video cassette tape, and stores / deletes the recording content information and the video cassette. It displays and prints a recording information list of tapes, registers / deletes the video cassette tapes in the database storage unit 24, and transfers the recording content information of the video cassette tapes to the label editor 3.

In this embodiment, by attaching a bar code label on which the ID number of the video cassette tape is printed in advance to the video cassette tape and reading the bar code with the bar code reader 25 connected to the recording management device. , The ID number is acquired, and the acquired ID number is stored in the database storage unit 24, so that the video cassette tape is newly registered in the cassette library 2. Once the video cassette tape is registered in the cassette library 2, thereafter, the video cassette tape can be identified by the ID number.

The data input section 22 is for inputting recording content information of the video cassette tape. To input the recording content information, first, read the bar code of the video cassette tape with the bar code reader 25, and in accordance with the instruction displayed on the display device 7, input the same items as the items input when the recording reservation information is input. It is done by going.

However, the recording content information about the program recorded according to the recording reservation information is the reservation manager 1
Since it is stored in the schedule storage unit 16 of the above, the recording content information can be acquired by calling the schedule management unit 11 of the reservation manager 1 from the data input unit 22 and transferring the recorded reservation information. In addition, the recording content information input from 22 to the data input is
Only for programs manually recorded on videocassette tape.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in the database storage unit 24.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 is recorded content information of one video cassette tape, and recorded content information 701.
The volume data 702, which is data unique to the video cassette tape, and the program data 703 relating to the programs recorded on the video cassette tape are stored in the storage area. As shown in FIG. 7, the program data 703 is sequentially assigned a program ID number, and the volume data 702 includes the program I of all the program data 703.
A list of D numbers is stored.

The search input section 23 is for inputting a program title, a broadcast date and time, a cast name, etc., which are keywords for searching the database storage section 24 for desired recording content information. In searching, a logical expression with a plurality of keywords can be defined, and it is possible to search for recorded content information having a keyword group that applies to the logical expression.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of the label editor 3.

As shown in FIG. 8, the label editor 3 is
The format definition unit 31, the label storage unit 32, and the format editing unit 33 are included.

The format definition section 31 is for defining a plurality of formats for the size of the label to be printed and the arrangement of items, and the defined formats are stored in the format storage section 32.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the format definition screen.

When defining the label format, the user first instructs the shape selection button 901 to determine the shape and size of the label, and the image of the label is displayed. Next, the user presses the item button 902, selects a necessary item such as title, date, performer, etc. from the item menu that is displayed subsequently, and then defines an area for printing the item. Finally, when the enter button 903 is instructed,
The defined format is stored in the format storage unit 32.

For example, a case of defining a format as shown in FIG. 9A will be briefly described. Figure 9
In (a), 904 is a title print area, 905 is a date print area, and 906 is a performer print area.

After determining the shape and size of the label, the user instructs the item button 902, selects the title item from the item menu shown in FIG. 9B, and then inputs coordinates on the label image. The device draws a rectangle as shown at 904. Similarly, after selecting the date item from the item menu, on the image of the label, with the coordinate input device,
Draw a rectangle as shown at 905, select the performer item from the item menu, and then draw a rectangle at 906 on the image of the label with the coordinate input device. As a result, 904 is defined as the title print area, and 905
Is defined as a date print area, and 906 is defined as a performer print area.

In addition, in the item menu, not only items for recording content information but also items for illustration are provided.
The label printing unit 3 is designed to define the illustration print area.
The illustration may be input in step 3.

The defined format is stored in the format storage section 32 and can be referred to when another format is defined by instructing the call button 907.

The label editing unit 33 is an editor for creating a label. Specifically, the label editing unit 33 calls the database management unit 21 of the cassette library 2 and transfers the recording content information stored in the database storage unit 24 to acquire the recording content information, and the acquired recording information. The content information is displayed on the display device 7.
Then, of the displayed recording content information, the content corresponding to each print area of the defined format is selected from the program data instructed by the user, placed in each print area, and displayed as a label image on the display device. 7 and the label is printed by the printing device 8.

The user can edit the contents of each print area with the key input device or the coordinate input device while looking at the image of the label displayed on the display device 7.

Further, the label editing unit 33 can automatically adjust the character size, the character spacing, and the line spacing when the selected content does not fit in the defined print area.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can input the recording reservation information by directly pointing the instruction button displayed on the display device while looking at the screen of the display device. it can. Also, if the number of VTRs that can be reserved is exceeded by making recording reservations according to the input recording reservation information, or if recording reservation information that overlaps with the reservation date and time of the input recording reservation information is already stored. , Use a different VTR, change / cancel the input recording reservation information, change / cancel recording reservation information that overlaps the reservation date / time of the input recording reservation information, etc. Can be dealt with. Also, since the recorded reservation information is stored even after the recording is completed, the recorded reservation information can be confirmed. Further, since the recorded content information is stored for each video cassette tape, the program recorded on the video cassette tape can be known. Further, it is possible to create a label and search for recording reservation information.

As described above, the recording management apparatus of this embodiment is
It is possible to provide various functions that cannot be realized by the conventional VTR or remote control device.

The cassette library 2 and the label editor 3 in this embodiment are used not only for management of video cassette tapes and label printing, but also for management of other media such as audio cassette tapes, floppy disks, video disks and label printing. Can also be used.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of a recording management apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the recording management apparatus of this embodiment is provided with a reservation manager 1, a cassette library 2, and a label editor 3 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. , And is provided with a program guide manager 4 for acquiring TV program guide data from the outside.

In this embodiment, the information of all programs broadcast by the broadcasting station is transmitted as program guide data, and the program manager 4 receives and manages this program guide data so that the user can The recording reservation information can be input based on the program guide data managed by the manager 4.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the reservation manager 1 and the program guide manager 4.

As shown in FIG. 11, the program guide manager 4
Is a program guide management unit 41, a reception unit 42, and a program selection unit 4
3 and a program guide storage unit 44.

The receiving unit 42 receives the broadcast from the broadcasting station 45, takes out the program guide data transmitted using the vertical blanking period of the television signal, and transfers it to the program guide management unit 41. .

In the NTSC system, there are 21 scanning lines for the vertical blanking period, and among them, except for those used for character multiplex broadcasting, the period for 4 scanning lines is unused. It is possible to use this period to transmit the program guide data. If the same frequency band of 4 MHz as the luminance signal is used for transmitting the program guide data, theoretically, it is possible to transmit 4 megabits per second, but for reliable reception, the transmission rate should be about 2 megabits per second. Then, since the number of scanning lines in the NTSC system is 525, the period that can be used to transmit the program guide data is 7.61 milliseconds per second, and as a whole, a transmission rate of 1.9 kilobytes per second can be obtained. You can

In addition to the method of transmitting the program guide data at the same time as the data of the general program at the normal broadcast time,
A method of transmitting after the end of broadcasting can be considered. Each broadcasting station may transmit the program table data of its own station or may broadcast the program table data of another station. Since each broadcasting station transmits the program table data of all channels to each, the receiving unit 42 does not need to scan all channels in order to receive the program table data of all channels. Also, a method of providing a channel dedicated to program guide data transmission can be considered. In this case, it is not necessary to consider the vertical blanking period of the television signal and all the periods can be used for transmitting the program guide data, so that the transmission can be performed at a high transmission rate.

Now, in the program guide management unit 41, the reception unit 42
A program guide is constructed based on the program guide data received by and stored in the program guide storage unit 44. Further, the program guide management unit 41 displays the program guide stored in the program guide storage unit 44 on the display device 7. At this time, in addition to the general format such as that published in newspapers, The genre can be displayed by genre as a keyword, or can be displayed by performer and performer according to a keyword. You can also combine multiple keywords, for example:
It is also possible to search and display only the movies in which an actor appears in the program guide.

The program selection section 43 transfers information of the program instructed by the user from the program guide displayed on the display device 7 to the reservation entry section 12 of the reservation manager 1.

As a result, the user can input the recording reservation information by directly instructing the program to be reserved for recording from the program guide displayed on the display device 7.

FIG. 12A shows a display example of the program guide.

In FIG. 12A, the program guide 1200
Can be scrolled up, down, left and right by scroll bars 1201 and 1202.
3. By pressing the next day button 1204, it is possible to switch to the program guide of the previous day and the program table of the next day, or it is possible to directly input the date.

When the user designates the program displayed on the program table 1200, the designated program 1205 is highlighted, and when the detail button 1206 is further designated, FIG.
As shown in (b), information 1208 of the instructed program is displayed. Also, after instructing the program, the reservation button 40
When 7 is instructed, the program selecting section 43 transfers information on the instructed program to the reservation input section 12 of the reservation manager 1, and the reservation manager 1 makes a recording reservation.

The information obtained from the program guide can be utilized not only for recording reservation information but also for creating a database in the cassette library 2.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of program table data transmitted from the broadcasting station 45.

In FIG. 13, there is a header 1301 at the beginning of the program guide data for notifying the program guide manager 4 that the data transmission will start, and at the end of the program guide data, the data transmission is performed. There is a footer 1303 for notifying the program guide manager 4 of the end.
The broadcasting station 45 first transmits the header 1301, then the program data 1202, and finally, the footer 12
Send 03.

The header 1301 has a size of 128 bytes, and includes a code indicating the type of program guide, a channel number, a broadcast period of the program guide to be transmitted, a message from the broadcast station 45, and the like. The size of the footer 1303 is 64.
It is a byte and contains a code indicating the end of transmission of the program guide.

Needless to say, the number and size of the program data 1302 are not constant, such as when transmitting program data for only one program or when transmitting program data for several weeks worth of programs. is there.

The program data 1302 is the program header 130.
4, detailed data 1305, and a program footer 1306. The program header 1304 is a 256-byte program containing information necessary for creating a program guide and recording reservation information, such as serial numbers at the time of transmission, broadcast date, broadcast start time, broadcast end time, channel, title, and code for genre classification. The data.

The detailed data 1305 is composed of a 2-byte classification code 1307 for classifying the content of the data and a 126-byte data 1308.
It contains detailed information about the program such as director's name, screenwriter's name, performer's name, summary, etc. The number is not constant and may not be transmitted.

For example, when the broadcasting station 45 broadcasts 48 programs for 24 hours as one day's broadcasting, the amount of program guide data for one day by the above configuration is 8 detailed data 1305 for one program. Is added, the program data 13
The size of 02 is about 1.3 kilobytes, which makes a total of about 64 kilobytes. Therefore, the transmission time of the program guide data for one day is about 34 seconds, and the transmission of the program guide data for one week is completed in about 4 minutes. In addition, data having the same content may be repeatedly transmitted several times in consideration of a reception failure.

The program table data may be temporarily transmitted, for example, when the broadcast time is changed due to extension of sports relay. In this case, when the program guide manager 4 receives the program display data temporarily transmitted, the program guide is corrected and the reservation manager 1 is notified at the same time that the broadcast time is changed. When the reservation manager 1 receives the notification of the change of the broadcast time, the reservation manager 1 checks whether or not the program of which the broadcast time is changed is reserved for recording, and if the program is reserved for recording, the program is recorded in accordance with the changed broadcast time. Make a reservation again. The header 130 is used to identify normal program guide data and temporary program guide data.
This can be done by the code contained in 1.

Further, as a part of the program table data, one scene in the program is audio data and still image data, or
It may be considered that the data is transmitted as audio data and moving image data, and when the user instructs a program from the program guide displayed on the display device 7, one scene of the instructed program can be viewed.

In order to receive the latest program guide data transmitted from the broadcasting station 45 at any time and to be able to cope with the temporary transmission of the program guide data, the power source of the receiving unit 42 and the power source of the recording management device are separately provided. Incidentally, the power of the receiving unit 42 may be always turned on, and the power of the recording management device may be turned on when the header 1301 of the program guide data is received.

The transmission of the program guide data is performed by the N shown in the embodiment.
It goes without saying that not only the TSC method but also other methods can be used, and the same method can be used for transmission in high-definition (HDTV). Further, not only from the terrestrial broadcasting station, but also in cable television and satellite broadcasting, it is possible to similarly transmit.

Further, as a method of supplying the program guide data to the recording management device, it is possible to supply the program guide data by a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a memory card, a CD-ROM, etc. in addition to the method shown in the embodiment. Program guide data for several weeks can be stored in these storage media.
A method of transmitting program guide data using a public line network is also conceivable. For example, when the H channel of ISDN is used, a large amount of still image data or moving image data is transmitted using a high transmission rate. It is also possible.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, a recording management apparatus having a reservation manager 1 and a cassette library 2, a recording management apparatus having a reservation manager 1 and a program guide manager 4, a reservation manager 1 and a cassette library. 2. A recording management apparatus having a program guide manager 4 is also conceivable.

Furthermore, the recording management device of this embodiment can be incorporated as one function of an information processing device such as a personal computer and a word processor.

[0112]

As described above, according to the recording management apparatus of the present invention, when the input recording reservation information and the already stored recording reservation information temporally overlap with each other, an instruction from the outside is given. Based on the above, when either one of the recording reservation information is canceled or when the recording reservation is made for two or more VTRs, the inputted recording reservation information is changed to the already stored recording reservation information. Regarding the information, since the VTR different from the VTR for which the recording reservation is made is treated as the recording reservation is made, the user can easily deal with the case where the two pieces of recording reservation information overlap in time. You can do it, and you can avoid making a recording reservation by mistake.

Since the recorded recording reservation information is stored, the user can confirm the recorded recording reservation information.

Since the video cassette tape identification information and the recording content information are stored, the user can confirm the recording content of the video cassette tape.

Since the recording content information is printed on the label attached to the video cassette tape, the user can manage the video cassette tape after the recording is completed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a reservation manager in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart when a recording manager inputs recording reservation information according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing stored contents of a schedule storage unit in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the reservation manager during printing of recorded reservation information and simple label printing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cassette library in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing storage contents of a database storage unit in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a label editor in this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format definition screen in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording management device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing configurations of a reservation manager and a program guide manager in another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a program guide in another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of program table data.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional remote control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Reservation manager, 2 ... Cassette library, 3 ... Label editor, 4 ... Program guide manager, 5 ... First VT
R, 6 ... Second VTR, 7 ... Display device, 8 ... Printing device,
9 ... Remote control device, 11 ... Schedule management unit, 12 ...
Reservation input unit, 13 ... Simple label creation unit, 14 ... Signal generation unit, 15 ... Transmission unit, 16 ... Schedule storage unit, 21 ...
Database management unit, 22 ... Data input unit, 23 ... Search input unit, 24 ... Database storage unit, 25 ... Bar code reader, 31 ... Format definition unit, 32 ... Format storage unit, 33 ... Label editing unit, 41 ... Program guide Management Department,
42 ... Receiving unit, 43 ... Program selecting unit, 44 ... Program guide storing unit, 45 ... Broadcasting station.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Kunimori 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi, Ltd. Microelectronics Equipment Development Laboratory

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A recording reservation information input means for inputting recording reservation information necessary for recording reservation in a recording management device for recording reservation for at least one video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as VTR). Recording reservation information storage means for storing recording reservation information, signal generation means for generating a signal indicating recording reservation information, transmission means for transmitting the signal generated by the signal generation means to the VTR, and the recording operation. The recording reservation information input by the reservation information input means is output to the recording reservation information storage means and the signal generation means, and the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means is managed by the recording means. The management means stores the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means and the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means. If you between non-overlapping,
A recording management device characterized in that either recording reservation information is canceled based on an instruction from the outside. 2. The recording management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management means, when canceling the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means, indicates that the recording reservation information is to be canceled. The cancellation information is output to the signal generation means, the recording reservation information is deleted from the recording reservation information storage means, and the signal generation means generates a signal indicating the recording reservation cancellation information. Management device. 3. The recording management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said management means stores the number of VTRs for which recording reservations are made, and when recording reservations are made for two or more VTRs, For one VTR, when the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means and the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means temporally overlap with each other,
The recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means is different from the VTR for which the recording reservation is made for the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means.
A recording management device characterized in that TR is treated as if a recording reservation was made. 4. The recording management device according to claim 3, wherein the management unit stores the number of recordable reservations of VTRs for which recording reservations are made, and when recording reservations are made for two or more VTRs. When the total number of recording reservations for one VTR due to new recording reservation exceeds the number of recordable reservations, the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means is
A recording management device characterized in that a recording reservation is made for a VTR other than the above-mentioned number of recording reservations possible. 5. The recording management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management means stores the number of recordable reservations of a VTR which makes a recording reservation, and the total number of recording reservations by making a new recording reservation. When the number of recording reservations exceeds the number of recording reservations, the recording reservation information input by the recording reservation information input means is saved, and when the total number of recording reservations of the VTR becomes less than the number of recording reservations, the saving is performed. A recording management device, characterized in that the recording reservation information stored in advance is output to the recording reservation information storage means and the signal generating means. 6. The recording management device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein all the recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage means or only the recorded recording reservation information thereof is recorded. A recording reservation information display unit for displaying and / or a recording reservation information printing unit for printing only all recording reservation information stored in the recording reservation information storage unit or only the recorded recording reservation information among them. Characteristic recording management device. 7. The recording management device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein an acquisition means for acquiring program information indicating a television program scheduled to be broadcast by a broadcasting station, and the acquisition means. Program information storage means for storing the program information acquired by the program information display means for displaying the program information stored in the program information storage means in a tabular form, and the recording reservation information input means, A recording management device, characterized in that program information instructed from the outside of the program information displayed by the program information display means is inputted as recording reservation information. 8. The recording management device according to claim 7, wherein said acquisition means receives program information transmitted from a broadcasting station using a vertical blanking period of a television signal. Management device. 9. The recording management device according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition means reads the program information from a storage medium in which the program information is stored in advance. 10. The recording management device according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition means receives program information transmitted from a public line network. 11. Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
In the recording management device described in 8, 9, or 10, the identification information input means for inputting the identification information of the video cassette tape, and the recording showing the recording contents of the video cassette tape to which the identification information is input by the identification information input means Recording content information input means for inputting content information,
Recording content information storage means for storing the recording content information input by the recording content information input means for each identification information input by the identification information input means, identification information input by the identification information input means, and A recording content information display means for displaying recording content information corresponding to the identification information. 12. The recording management device according to claim 11, wherein the recording content information input means inputs a keyword for searching the recording content information together with the recording content information, and the recording content information storage means, The keyword content is stored together with the recording content information, and the recording content information stored in the recording content information storage means based on the keyword input means for inputting the keyword and the keyword input by the keyword input means. A recording management device, wherein the recording content information display means displays the recording content information searched by the searching means and identification information corresponding to the recording content information. 13. The recording management device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the identification information input means reads a bar code printed with the identification information of the video cassette tape. 14. The recording management apparatus according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein said recording content information input means is recording reservation information which has already been recorded among recording reservation information stored in said recording reservation information storage means. Is input as the recorded content information. 15. A recording management apparatus according to claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein setting means for setting a format of a label attached to a video cassette tape, and a format for storing the format set by said setting means. Storage means, editing means for editing the content to be printed on the label based on the format stored in the format storage means, and label printing means for printing the label whose print content is edited by the editing means The recording management device, wherein the editing means edits the recording content information instructed from the outside of the recording content information displayed by the recording content information display means as print content.