JPH10269754A - Electronic equipment and its controlling method, information-providing device and method, and informationproviding system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To positively record a program by reservation even when a broadcasting time is changed. SOLUTION: When the recording of a program is reserved by a video deck 2, reservation information is transferred to a server 11. The video deck 2 stores it in a builtin memory. At 10 minutes before starting broadcasting, the video deck 2 checks to see if the broadcasting start time of the program is the same or not by the server 11. When the broadcasting time changes, the video deck 2 receives new program reservation information from the server 11 and stores it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, an electronic apparatus control method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and an information providing system, and more particularly, to an apparatus for receiving desired information more reliably. The present invention relates to an electronic device and an electronic device control method, an information providing device and method, and an information providing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, television broadcasting has been digitized, and with this digitization, it has become possible to view programs of 100 channels or more. As a result, it becomes difficult to select a desired program from many programs, and information (electronic program guide) for selecting a program is transmitted from the information provider side, and the information is received by the receiving side. This electronic program guide (Electrical Pr
In order to select a desired program while viewing an EPG (EPG), see, for example, JP-A-3-22770.
No. 6,086,045.

[0003] Thus, for example, even when a video cassette recorder makes a reservation for recording, the reservation can be made with reference to the EPG.

[0004]

However, in the invention described in the above publication, when a broadcast time is changed after a recording reservation is once made using the EPG,
There has been a problem that the recording process is started at an incorrect time and a desired program cannot be recorded.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reliably record a desired program even when a broadcast schedule is changed.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus, comprising: receiving means for receiving selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information from an external device; Storage means for storing a first time corresponding to the selection information; detection means for detecting a second time that is a predetermined time earlier than the first time stored in the storage means; When detecting the change of the selection information with respect to the external device, and updating means for updating the selection information stored in the storage means when the change of the selection information is confirmed by the confirmation means. It is characterized by having.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus control method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information from an external device; A first time stored in the storage step, a second time detected a predetermined time before the first time stored in the first storage step, and a second time detected in the detection step A confirmation step for confirming the change of the selection information for the external device, and when the change of the selection information is confirmed in the confirmation step,
An updating step of updating the selection information stored in the storing step.

[0008] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information; and storing the selection information when the selection information is changed. Updating means for updating the selected information, and transmitting means for transmitting the selected information updated by the updating means in response to a request from an external device.

[0009] In the information providing method according to the present invention, a storage step of storing selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of information, and a storage step when the selection information is changed is stored. And a transmitting step of transmitting the selection information updated in the updating step in response to a request from an external device.

[0010] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system, the electronic device receives, from the information providing apparatus, selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information;
A first storage unit that stores a first time corresponding to the selection information received by the reception unit, and a second time that is a predetermined time earlier than the first time that is stored in the first storage unit. Detecting means, when the detecting means detects the second time, a confirming means for confirming the change of the selection information to the information providing device, and when the change of the selection information is confirmed by the confirming means, the first A first updating unit for updating the selection information stored in the storage unit, wherein the information providing apparatus includes a second storage unit for storing the selection information, and a second storage unit for storing the selection information when the selection information is changed. Second updating means for updating the selection information stored in the means, and in response to a request from the electronic device,
Transmitting means for transmitting the selection information updated by the second updating means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing method, the electronic device receives the selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information from the information providing device, and the electronic device receives the selection information in the receiving step. A first storing step of storing a first time corresponding to the selection information; and a second storing step which is a predetermined time earlier than the first time stored in the first storing step.
Detecting step of detecting the time of
When the time is detected, the information providing device checks the change of the selection information with the information providing device. When the change of the selection information is confirmed in the confirmation step, the selection information stored in the first storage step is transmitted to the information providing device. The information providing apparatus includes a first update step of updating, and the information providing apparatus updates the selection information stored in the second storage step when the selection information is changed, and when the selection information is changed. It is characterized by comprising a second updating step and a transmitting step of transmitting the selection information updated in the second updating step in response to a request from the electronic device.

[0012] The electronic device according to the first aspect and the sixth aspect.
In the electronic device control method described in (1), the change of the selection information is confirmed to the external device at the second time.
When the change of the selection information is confirmed, the stored selection information is updated.

In the information providing apparatus according to the seventh aspect and the information providing method according to the eighth aspect, when the stored selection information is changed, the selection information is updated. Then, the updated selection information is transmitted to the external device.

[0014] In the information providing system according to the ninth aspect and the information providing method according to the tenth aspect, when the electronic device detects the second time, the information providing device is provided with
It is confirmed whether or not the selection information has been changed. In the information providing apparatus, when the stored selection information is changed, an update process is performed. When requested by the electronic device, the updated selection information is transmitted to the electronic device, and the electronic device stores the updated selection information.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described.

The electronic device according to the first aspect includes a receiving unit (for example, a communication control unit 63 in FIG. 16) for receiving selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of information from an external device; A first corresponding to the selection information received by the receiving means;
24 (for example, the reservation only memory 65 in FIG. 16) and a detecting means (for example, FIG. 24) for detecting a second time that is a predetermined time earlier than the first time stored in the storing means. Step S171), and a confirmation unit (for example, step S1 in FIG. 24) for confirming the change of the selection information to the external device when the detection unit detects the second time.
72) and updating means (for example, step S174 in FIG. 24) for updating the selection information stored in the storage means when the change of the selection information is confirmed by the confirmation means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus, comprising: storage means (for example, a program information database 83 in FIG. 16) for storing selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of information; Is changed, the updating unit (for example, the CPU 81 in FIG. 16) that updates the selection information stored in the storage unit, and the selection information updated by the updating unit is transmitted in response to a request from an external device. (For example, the communication control unit 84 in FIG. 16).

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system, the electronic device receives a selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information from the information providing device (for example, a communication unit shown in FIG. A control unit 63), a first storage unit that stores a first time corresponding to the selection information received by the receiving unit (for example, the reservation-only memory 65 in FIG. 16),
A detecting means (for example, step S171 in FIG. 24) for detecting a second time that is a predetermined time earlier than the first time stored in the storing means, and information when the detecting means detects the second time. A checking unit (for example, step S172 in FIG. 24) for checking the change of the selection information with respect to the providing device;
When the change of the selection information is confirmed by the confirmation means, the first
A first update unit (for example, step S174 in FIG. 24) for updating the selection information stored in the storage unit, and the information providing apparatus stores the second storage unit (for example, FIG. 16 program information databases 83),
When the selection information is changed, a second updating unit (for example, the CPU 81 in FIG. 16) that updates the selection information stored in the second storage unit and a second updating unit that responds to a request from the electronic device. Transmitting means for transmitting the selection information updated by the updating means (for example, the communication control unit 84 in FIG. 16).

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information providing system according to the present invention. In this specification, the term “system” refers to an entire device including a plurality of devices.

In this information providing system, a server 11 is connected to electronic equipment in each home via a telephone line 12 as a communication line. In this configuration example,
Electronic devices such as an analog video deck 2, a digital video tape deck 3, a television receiver 4, and a home gateway 1 are interconnected via a home bus 5.

The home gateway 1 appropriately controls the analog video deck 2, the digital video deck 3, the television receiver 4, and the like via a home bus 5.

FIG. 2 shows a home gateway (HGW).
1, a more detailed configuration example of the digital video tape deck 3 and the television receiver 4 is shown. The home gateway 1 has a built-in CPU 21, and the CPU 21 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 22. The RAM 23 has C
Data and the like necessary for the PU 21 to execute various processes are appropriately stored. A hard disk drive (HDD) 24 is controlled by the CPU 21 and appropriately stores various data and the like.

The communication control unit 25 communicates with the server 11 and other external devices via the telephone line 12. The communication control unit 26 also controls the home bus 5
The communication with the digital video tape deck 3, the television receiver 4 and the like is performed via the. The input unit 27 is operated by a user when inputting various commands.

The digital video tape deck 3 has an RO
It has a memory 32 composed of M, RAM and the like. The CPU 31 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM of the memory 32, and stores data necessary for the process in the RAM of the memory 32. The communication control unit 33 communicates with the home gateway 1 and the television receiver 4 via the home bus 5. Data recording / reproducing unit 34
Is designed to record and reproduce video data on a mounted cassette tape.

The television receiver 4 has a CPU 41 for executing various processes according to a program stored in a ROM built in a memory 42. C
Data and the like necessary for the PU 41 to execute various processes are stored in the RAM of the memory 42 as appropriate. The display unit 43 includes an LCD, a CRT, and the like, and displays an image. The communication control unit 44 communicates with the home gateway 1, the digital video tape deck 3, and the like via the home bus 5. The input unit 45 is controlled by the user when inputting various commands.

In this system, for example, when the digital video tape deck 3 cannot store all data because the capacity of the built-in video tape is insufficient, the home gateway 1 is Thus, the data to be recorded can be transferred, and the data can be recorded on another electronic device via the home gateway 1. Home gateway 1
When such a request is made, it is determined whether or not the data transferred from the digital video tape deck 3 can be recorded in another electronic device connected to the home bus 5, and the recording is performed. If possible, the data is transferred to the electronic device and recorded.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the home gateway 1 in such a case. The CPU 21 of the home gateway 1 first performs an initialization process in step S1, and then proceeds to step S2.
It is determined whether or not data has been received from the communication control unit 26 via the home bus 5. If the data has not been received, the process proceeds to step S7, and other operations are performed.

If it is determined in step S2 that the data has been received, the CPU 21 temporarily stores the data in the HDD 24, and then proceeds to step S3.
A process for selecting a storage destination of the received data is executed. Details of the data storage destination selection processing are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S11
, The type and number of electronic devices connected to the home gateway 1 via the home bus 5 are checked. In step S12, a currently usable electronic device is searched from the checked electronic devices.
Further, the process proceeds to step S13, where the size of the data (file) to be stored is checked, and in step S14, an electronic device capable of recording a file (data) of that size is selected.

Next, the process proceeds to step S15, where it is determined whether or not the selected electronic device has a sufficient storage capacity. If there is no sufficient storage capacity, the process proceeds to step S16. It is determined whether there is any other electronic device that has not been checked yet. If there is another electronic device, the process proceeds to step S17, another electronic device is selected, and the process returns to step S15 to check the capacity of the electronic device.

As a result of checking all the electronic devices in this way, when it is determined that there is no electronic device having a sufficient capacity, steps S16 to S1 are performed.
Proceed to 8 to determine that storage is not possible.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that there is a sufficient recording capacity in the predetermined electronic device, the process proceeds to step S19 to determine whether data can be written to the electronic device. Is determined. If data cannot be written to the electronic device, the process proceeds to step S16, and a process of selecting another electronic device is executed in the same manner as described above.

If it is determined in step S19 that the selected electronic device is writable, the process proceeds to step S20, where it is determined that data can be saved.

After the data storage destination selection process is performed as described above, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4 in FIG. 3 to determine whether data can be stored. This determination is made according to the determination result of step S18 or S20 in FIG. If it is determined in step S4 that the data cannot be saved, the process proceeds to step S5, and a process when the data cannot be saved is executed. The details of the processing when storage is not possible are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S41
Generates a message indicating that the transferred data could not be stored, and
6 to the television receiver 4 via the home bus 5. When receiving this message via the communication control unit 44, the CPU 41 of the television receiver 4 outputs this message to the display unit 43 to display it.

Alternatively, in the home gateway 1, the transferred data may be stored in the hard disk drive 24, and when space becomes available, the data may be transferred to the electronic device and stored.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 in FIG. 3 that the data can be stored, the process proceeds to step S6, and the processing of the storage operation is executed. Details of this storage operation are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, in step S31, the CPU 21 sets the data storage destination to an HTML (Hyper Tex
t Perform processing to convert to Markup Language). The details of the HTML conversion process of the data storage destination are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In step S51 of FIG.
1 judges whether or not the data to be stored is a digital signal. If the data is not a digital signal, the process proceeds to step S52, in which the A / D conversion is performed to convert the analog signal into a digital signal. If it is determined that the data to be stored is a digital signal, the process of step S52 is skipped.

Next, the process proceeds to step S53, where the CPU 21
Determines whether a file name has been added to the data to be saved, and if no file name has been added,
Proceeding to step S54, a process for adding a file name is executed. This file name is input by the user operating the input unit 27 of the home gateway 1, for example. If the file name has already been added, the process of step S54 is skipped.

Next, the operation proceeds to step S55, where the CPU 21
Creates HTML. Then, in step S56, the created HTML is stored in the HDD 24.

FIG. 8 shows that the CPU 21
This shows an example of the HTML created in step S55.
In this example, for example, the file swiss.com transferred from the digital video tape deck 3 to the VTR 1 (analog video deck 2 in FIG. 1). The example in the case of saving mpg is shown. data_97010
1_001_swiss. mpg indicates the title of the file, and http: // VTR1 indicates the storage location.

In addition, for example, when a file as shown in FIG. 9 is recorded in any one of the electronic devices connected to the home bus 5, an HTML as shown in FIG. Is done.

Returning to the description of FIG. 6, as described above,
After the process of converting the data storage destination into HTML is performed in step S31, the process proceeds to step S32, and the CPU 21 of the home gateway 1 outputs a file write request to the electronic device that stores the data. The output request is transferred from the communication control unit 26 to the data storage destination electronic device, for example, the analog video deck 2 via the home bus 5.

The analog video deck 2 notifies the home gateway 1 when receiving the transfer of the request and when the preparation for recording the data is completed. Therefore,
In step S33, the CP of the home gateway 1
U21 waits until receiving a notification of the completion of preparation from the electronic device of the data transfer destination, and upon receiving the notification, proceeds to step S34 to transmit a file to the electronic device.
That is, the CPU 21 controls the communication control unit 26 to transfer the data transferred from the digital video tape deck 3 to the analog video deck 2 via the home bus 5. When the recording of the transferred data is completed, the analog video deck 2 notifies the home gateway 1 to that effect. CPU 21 of home gateway 1
In step S35, the analog video deck 2
And waits until a notification of the end of reception is made. When the notification is received, the data storage operation is terminated.

As described above, each electronic device performs a predetermined process in response to a command from home gateway 1. For example, when the digital video tape deck 3 receives an instruction to write a file or read a file from the home gateway 1, the digital video tape deck 3 executes processing as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. Become.

That is, in the file writing process shown in FIG. 11, first, in step S61, the CPU 31 of the digital video tape deck 3 executes an initialization process. Next, in step S62, it is determined whether or not a file write request has been received from the home gateway 1, and if not, the process proceeds to step S63.
To execute other processing.

If it is determined in step S62 that a file write request has been received from the home gateway 1, the process proceeds to step S64, in which the CPU 31 determines whether or not the file can be currently written. If the current file is not writable, the process proceeds to step S65, where the CPU 31 controls the communication control unit 33 to notify the home gateway 1 that writing is impossible.

If it is determined in step S64 that the file can be currently written, the process proceeds to step S66, in which the CPU 31
4 to execute a preparation process for writing a file. Next, proceeding to step S67, the CPU 31 notifies the home gateway 1 of preparation completion.

When such a notification is received, the CPU 21 of the home gateway 1 transmits the file in step S34 of FIG. 6 described above, so that the CPU 31 of the digital video tape deck 3 proceeds to step S6.
At step 8, this file is received.

Next, in step S69, it is determined whether or not the file reception processing has been completed. If not, the flow returns to step S68 to execute the file reception processing.

If it is determined in step S69 that the file receiving process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S70,
The CPU 31 controls the data recording / reproducing unit 34 to record the file body and the file name on the attached cassette tape. Next, in step S71, the CPU
31 notifies the home gateway 1 that the file reception has been completed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S63 to execute other processing.

On the other hand, when a file read command is issued from the home gateway 1, the CPU 31
The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is executed.
First, after performing initialization processing in step S81, it is determined in step S82 whether a file read request has been received from the home gateway 1. If a file read request has not been received, the process proceeds to step S83, and a process other than the file read process is executed.

If it is determined in step S82 that a file read request has been received, the process proceeds to step S84, where the CPU 31 determines whether the file can be read at present. If the file cannot be read at present, step S8
Proceeding to 5, the CPU 31 controls the communication control unit 33 to notify the home gateway 1 that reading is impossible.

If it is determined in step S84 that the file can be currently read,
Proceeding to step S86, the CPU 31 controls the data recording / reproducing unit 34 to execute preparation for reading a file. Then, in step S87, the communication control unit 33
Informs the home gateway 1 of the completion of preparation.

Next, the operation proceeds to step S88, in which the CPU 31
Controls the data recording / reproducing unit 34 to reproduce the file recorded on the attached cassette tape, and causes the communication control unit 33 to transfer the file to the home gateway 1 via the home bus 5. The data thus transferred is transferred to and stored in, for example, the analog video deck 2 as described above.

Next, the operation proceeds to step S89, in which the CPU 31
Determines whether the file transmission has been completed, and if not completed, the process proceeds to step S88 to continue the file transmission process.

If it is determined in step S89 that the file transmission has been completed, the process proceeds to step S90, where C
The PU 31 notifies the home gateway 1 that the file transmission has been completed. Then, the process proceeds to step S83,
Perform other processing.

Next, the operation when the television receiver 4 instructs the digital video tape deck 3 to reproduce a video file will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 14 illustrates processing in the television receiver 4, and FIG.
FIG. 15 shows a process in the home gateway 1.
This shows the processing of the digital video tape deck 3.

In step S91 of FIG. 13, when the user operates the input unit 45 of the television receiver 4 which is constituted by, for example, a remote commander, and instructs the digital video tape deck 3 to reproduce, the CPU 4
1 outputs a request corresponding to this command to the home gateway 1 via the communication control unit 44 in step S92.

When the CPU 21 of the home gateway 1 receives the request transferred from the television receiver 4 via the home bus 5 from the communication control unit 26 in step S101 in FIG. Requests file transfer to the tape deck 3.

This request is taken into the CPU 31 of the digital video tape deck 3 via the home bus 5 via the communication control unit 33 in step S111 of FIG. Then, in response to this request, the CPU 31
In step S112, the data recording / reproducing unit 34 is controlled to reproduce the file, and the file is transmitted from the communication control unit 33 to the home gateway 1 via the home bus 5.

When the home gateway 1 receives the file transmitted by the digital video tape deck 3 in step S103 in FIG. 14, the home gateway 1 converts the file into a file that can be directly reproduced by the television receiver 4 in step S104. Is determined. If the file is not a file that can be directly reproduced on the television receiver 4, the process proceeds to step S105, where the CP
U21 converts the format of the file to the television receiver 4
Then, a process of converting to a format that can be directly reproduced is executed. If the file can be directly reproduced on the television receiver 4, the process of step S105 is skipped.

Next, the process proceeds to step S106, where the CPU 2
1 transfers the file transferred from the digital video tape deck 3 to the television receiver 4 via the home bus 5 from the communication control unit 26.

The CPU 41 of the television receiver 4 receives the file via the communication control unit 44 in step S93 in FIG. 13, and outputs the file to the display unit 43 for display in step S94.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration example of the video deck 2 and the server 11. The video deck 2 has a CPU 61 that executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM in a memory 62. Memory 62
In the RAM, various data necessary for the CPU 61 to execute various processes are stored as appropriate. The input unit 60 outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation to the CPU 61. The communication control unit 63 communicates with the server 11 via the telephone line 12.

The recording reservation section 64 is controlled by the CPU 61 to execute a recording reservation process and store reservation data in the reservation dedicated memory 65. Tuner 66
Is configured to receive a broadcast radio wave via an antenna (not shown) and output the received signal to the recording / reproducing unit 67 or the video output unit 68. The communication control unit 69 communicates with other AV devices via the home bus 5.

The server 11 has a CPU 8 for performing various processes.
One. According to the program stored in the ROM of the memory 82, the CPU 81 executes various processes, and causes the RAM of the memory 82 to appropriately store data necessary for executing the various processes. The program information database 83 stores an EPG. This EPG is appropriately updated by the CPU 81 to the latest EPG when the broadcast time is changed. Communication control unit 8
Numeral 4 communicates with electronic devices in each home (the video deck 2 in the example of FIG. 16) via the telephone line 12. Note that communication via the telephone line 12 may be performed by the home gateway 1 instead of being performed independently by individual electronic devices.

Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18, a description will be given of the processing in the case where the video deck 2 is operated to make a recording reservation. FIG. 17 illustrates the processing of the video deck 2, and FIG. 18 illustrates the processing of the server 11.

Step S12 in the flowchart of FIG.
In step S1, the CPU 61 of the video deck 2 executes the initialization process, and then in step S122, the input unit 6
From 0, it waits until the user makes some input.

When the user operates the input unit 60 to instruct, for example, a recording reservation, the process proceeds to step S123, where C
The PU 61 requests the server 11 to transfer a program guide (EPG). That is, the CPU 61 controls the communication control unit 6.
3 to output an EPG transfer request signal to the server 11 via the telephone line 12.

When the CPU 81 of the server 11 executes the initialization process in step S141 of FIG. 18 and receives an EPG transfer request from the video deck 2 in step S142, it controls the program information database 83 in step S143. Then, the EPG stored therein is reproduced and transmitted from the communication control unit 84 to the video deck 2 via the telephone line 12.

In step S124 of FIG. 17, the CPU 61 of the video deck 2
Receive this EPG. Next, in step S125, the CPU 61 transfers the EPG to the recording reservation unit 64, stores the EPG in the reservation dedicated memory 65, and stores the EPG in the communication control unit 6.
9 to output the EPG data to the television receiver 4 via the home bus 5.

When the CPU 41 of the television receiver 4 receives the supply of the EPG data via the control unit 44,
This is output to the display unit 43 and displayed. This allows
For example, a program reservation screen as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed.

FIG. 19 shows a display example of a program table relating to travel information. It is difficult to randomly select a desired program from programs near 100 channels. Therefore, the user registers the genre of the program desired to be received in advance in the recording reservation section 64 by operating the input section 60, for example. If such registration has been performed, the CPU 61 determines in step S123 that the server 1
When requesting the transfer of the program guide to the recording scheduler 6,
4 requests the transfer of a program table relating to programs of a genre registered in advance. This makes it easy to select a desired program.

FIG. 20 shows an example of registration of an EPG registered in the program information database 83. This registration example shows an example of an EPG with a program name of “Travel on a World Heritage Site” among the travel information programs in the display example of FIG. In the information shown in FIG. 20, "travel, overseas, history" is used as genre data, and when the user specifies any of these genres, the EPG of this program is transmitted to the user. Will come.

In addition, the first 10-digit number (1234)
567890) represents the ID of the program, and the next 20-digit number (19997010111200131000105) is
The broadcast date (January 1, 1997), start time (12:00), end time (13:00), channel number (01), and broadcast form (05) of the program are shown.

Next, in step S126 in FIG. 17, the CPU 61 of the video deck 2 waits until a program is selected. For example, in a display state as shown in FIG. 19, the user operates the input unit 60 to move a cursor (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 19) and operates a confirm button to select a desired program. can do.

If it is determined in step S126 that a predetermined program has been selected, the process proceeds to step S127, and the CPU 61 of the video deck 2 requests the server 11 for reservation information of the selected program. That is, when transmitting the program guide in step S143, the server 11 has not transferred the information necessary for the reservation, which is indicated by a 20-digit number in the EPG data shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 61 of the video deck 2 requests the server 11 to transfer the reservation information represented by the 20-digit number shown in FIG. 20 in step S127 of FIG. Of course,
If the reservation information has already been transmitted from the server 11 in step S143, the processing in step S127 becomes unnecessary.

Upon receiving the reservation information request in step S144 of FIG. 18, the CPU 81 of the server 11 reads out the reservation information from the program information database 83 in step S145, and sends this through the communication control unit 84. Transfer to video deck 2.

The CPU 61 of the video deck 2 receives the reservation information transferred from the server 11 in step S128 in FIG. Then, in step S129, the CPU 61 determines whether or not there is an empty space in the reservation-only memory 65.
In step 30, the reservation-only memory 65 is stored in step S128.
The reservation information received in is stored. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S129 that there is no free space in the reservation only memory 65, the process proceeds to step S131, and the CP
U61 executes a process of insufficient reserved memory. The details of the processing of the reserved memory shortage are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S151, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the already reserved information has been set in step S128.
2. Sort the new reservation information received in the order of time. Then, in step S152, the temporally last reservation information is transferred to the server 11. When receiving this transfer, the server 11 stores the transfer in the RAM of the memory 82 or the program information database 83.

That is, the reservation after the time is not executed yet for the time being, so that the urgency is low. Therefore,
If the reserved memory 65 has insufficient capacity, it may be transferred to the server 11 and stored, and no problem occurs for the time being.

Next, the process proceeds to step S153, where the CPU 6
1 sets a flag indicating that a part of the reservation information has been stored in the server 11 in the reservation-only memory 65. And
Proceeding to step S154, the CPU 61
7 and checks the remaining amount of the magnetic tape mounted thereon. See Fig. 2
2 is shown in the flowchart.

That is, the CPU 61 determines in step S16
In step 1, the remaining time of the attached video cassette tape is checked. Then, in step S162,
The sum of the total broadcast time of the already reserved program and the broadcast time of the newly reserved program is calculated, and it is determined whether this sum is greater than the remaining tape amount checked in step S161. If it is determined that the remaining amount of tape is smaller, the process proceeds to step S163, where the CPU 61 generates a message for replacing the tape, outputs the message to the television receiver 4, and displays the message on the display unit 43 thereof. Let it. The user exchanges the magnetic tape mounted on the video deck 2 as necessary according to this message. If it is determined in step S162 that the remaining amount of the tape is sufficient, the processing in step S163 is skipped.

When the reservation processing is performed as described above, the information of the program reserved up to that time is stored in the reservation dedicated memory 65. When the reservation confirmation is commanded by operating the input unit 60, the CPU 61 reads the reservation information stored in the reservation-only memory 65, outputs this to the television receiver 4, and displays it. Thereby, for example, FIG.
As shown in 3, the title of the program reserved so far,
The introduction article of the simple program is displayed.

When the above reservation is made, the CPU 61 of the video deck 2 executes a reservation recording process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. In other words, the CPU 61 is always performing a timekeeping operation, and determines whether or not the broadcast start time of the program stored in the reservation-only memory 65 has reached 10 minutes before the earliest broadcast start time. , In step S171. This time (10 minutes) can be arbitrarily set by the user operating the input unit 60. If it is determined in step S171 that the current time is 10 minutes before the broadcast start time, the process proceeds to step S172, where the CPU
61 inquires of the server 11 whether or not the broadcast date and time relating to the program has been changed. The server 11
As described above, the program information database 83 is constantly updated with the latest program information. CPU 81 of server 11
Outputs to the VCR 2 a signal indicating whether or not the information in the program information database 83 has been updated in response to the inquiry from the VCR 2.

The CPU 61 of the video deck 2
1, when this signal is received, the process proceeds to step S173.
In, it is determined whether or not the broadcast time of the program has been changed, and if there has been a change, the process proceeds to step S174 to execute a reservation update process. The details of this reservation update process are shown in FIG.

That is, the CPU 61 determines in step S19
In step 1, the server 11 requests the server 11 to transmit updated reservation information on the program. When receiving this request, the server 11 reads out the reservation information from the program information database 83 and outputs it to the video deck 2. In step S192, the CPU 61 of the video deck 2 receives the reservation information. Then, step S19
In 3, the reservation information is updated in the reservation-only memory 65.

If it is determined in step S173 that there is no change in the reservation information, the process returns to step S171.

If it is determined in step S171 that the recording start time has not been reached 10 minutes before the recording start time, the flow advances to step S175 to determine whether or not the recording start time has been reached. If it is determined that the recording start time has not been reached, the process returns to step S171 again, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S175 that the recording start time has been reached, the process proceeds to step S176,
The CPU 61 controls the recording / playback unit 67 to start a recording operation. At this time, the recording reservation unit 64 controls the tuner 66 in response to this control, receives the reserved channel, and outputs the received signal to the recording / reproduction unit 67 for recording. Then, in step S177,
When the broadcast end time arrives, the recording operation ends.

Next, in step S178, the CPU
61 determines whether or not a flag indicating that the reservation information has been transferred and stored to the server 11 is stored in the reservation-only memory 65. If it is determined that the information of the program reserved for recording is transferred and stored in the server 11, the process proceeds to step S179, and the CPU 61 executes a reservation update process. That is, also in this case, the CPU 61 requests the server 11 to transfer the reservation information on the program. Then, the received reservation information is received and stored in the reservation-only memory 65. As a result, the reservation information of the program once saved in the server 11 is stored in the reservation-only memory 65 again.

If it is determined in step S178 that the reservation information has not been transferred to the server 11, the processing in step S179 is skipped.

FIG. 26 collectively shows the timings of the above program reservation procedure. At time t1, when the video deck 2 requests the server 11 to transmit the program guide, at time t2, the server 11 transmits the program guide to the server 11.
, The program guide data is transmitted. As mentioned above,
In this case, only data of a specific genre such as travel or history can be transferred.

On the VCR 2 side, the transferred program guide is displayed on the television receiver 4 as described above, and the program to be reserved for recording is selected at time t3. When the selection is completed, the reservation information is stored in the video deck 2 at time t4. However, as described above, the reservation information is stored in the reservation-only memory 65.
If no more data can be stored, the time t5
In this case, this can be transferred to the server 11 and stored.

At time t6, the broadcast start time 10
When the time comes a minute before, the video deck 2 checks with the server 11 whether or not the reservation information of the program has been changed. At time t7, the server 11 notifies the presence / absence of the change in response to the request from the video deck 2. If there is no change, when the broadcast start time comes, the video deck 2 starts the recording operation.

On the other hand, when the server 11 notifies the video deck 2 of the change of the reservation information at the time t8, the video deck 2 requests the server 11 to retransmit the reservation information, and Upon receiving the transfer, the reservation information is updated. Then, when the broadcast start time comes, the recording operation is started.

[0099]

As described above, according to the electronic device of the first aspect and the electronic device control method of the sixth aspect, when the second time comes, the change of the selection information is confirmed and the selection is made. When the change of the information is confirmed, the stored selection information is updated, so that even if the transmission time of the information is changed, the desired information can be reliably received. Becomes

According to the information providing apparatus and the information providing method of the present invention, when the selection information is changed, the selection information is updated, and the selection information is updated in response to a request from an external device. Since the selected information is transmitted, it is possible for the external device to reliably select the desired selection information.

According to the information providing system of the ninth aspect and the information providing method of the tenth aspect, in the electronic device, when the second time comes, the change of the selection information to the information providing apparatus is performed. When the change of the selection information is confirmed, the information providing apparatus transmits the updated selection information to the electronic device and stores it in the electronic device, so that the transmission time is changed. Even in such a case, it is possible to realize a system that allows the electronic device to reliably select predetermined information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a home gateway 1, a digital video tape deck 3, and a television receiver 4 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the home gateway 1 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of a data storage destination selection process in step S3 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a storage impossible process in step S5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a save operation in step S6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of processing for converting a data storage destination into HTML in step S31 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of HTML.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of stored data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the stored data of FIG. 9 is described in HTML.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital video tape deck at the time of writing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of reading of the digital video tape deck.

13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the television receiver 4. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the home gateway 1.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the video deck 2.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the video deck 2 and the server 11.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the video deck 2 during a reservation process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the server 11 during a reservation operation.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of a program reservation screen.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of program reservation information.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of a process of a shortage of reserved memory in step S131 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of a tape remaining amount check process in step S154 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example when a reservation is confirmed.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating processing during a video recording operation of the video deck.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of a reservation update process in step S174 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing a recording reservation operation of the video deck.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 home gateway, 2 video deck, 3
Digital video tape deck, 4 television receiver, 5 home bus, 11 server, 12 telephone line, 21 CPU, 24 HDD, 31 CP
U, 34 data recording / reproducing unit, 41 CPU, 43
Display unit, 61 CPU, 63 communication control unit, 64
Recording reservation unit, 65 recording-only memory, 66 tuner, 81 CPU, 83 program information database, 84 communication control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Fig 11B 27/10 Z

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of information from an external device, and a storage for storing a first time corresponding to the selection information received by the receiving means. Means, detecting means for detecting a second time earlier by a predetermined time than the first time stored in the storage means, and when the detecting means detects the second time, On the other hand, there is provided a confirmation unit for confirming the change of the selection information, and an update unit for updating the selection information stored in the storage unit when the confirmation unit confirms the change of the selection information. Electronic equipment characterized by the following. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first time is a time at which acquisition of the selected information is started. 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first time is a time at which recording of information transmitted from the external device is started. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the selection information is information on a program table. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the selection information is information in a range registered in advance. 6. A receiving step of receiving selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information from an external device, and storing a first time corresponding to the selection information received in the receiving step. A detecting step of detecting a second time that is a predetermined time earlier than the first time stored in the storing step; and detecting the second time in the detecting step. A confirmation step of confirming a change in the selection information, and an update step of updating the selection information stored in the storage step when a change in the selection information is confirmed in the confirmation step. Characteristic electronic device control method. 7. A storage unit for storing selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of information, and when the selection information is changed, updating the selection information stored in the storage unit An information providing apparatus, comprising: an updating unit that performs an update process; and a transmitting unit that transmits selection information updated by the updating unit in response to a request from an external device. 8. A storage step of storing selection information for selecting predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information, and when the selection information is changed, updating the selection information stored in the storage step. An information providing method, comprising: an updating step; and a transmitting step of transmitting selection information updated in the updating step in response to a request from an external device. 9. An information providing system comprising an electronic device and an information providing device connected to each other via a communication line, wherein the electronic device transmits predetermined information from a plurality of pieces of information from the information providing device. Receiving means for receiving selection information for selection; first storage means for storing a first time corresponding to the selection information received by the receiving means; and the first storage means stored in the first storage means Detecting means for detecting a second time that is a predetermined time earlier than the time, and when the detecting means detects the second time, the information providing apparatus confirms a change in the selection information. Confirmation means; and first updating means for updating the selection information stored in the first storage means when a change in the selection information is confirmed by the confirmation means. The selection A second storage unit for storing information; a second updating unit for updating the selection information stored in the second storage unit when the selection information is changed; and a request from the electronic device. Transmitting means for transmitting the selection information updated by the second updating means. 10. An information providing method of an information providing system including an electronic device and an information providing device connected to each other via a communication line, wherein the electronic device is selected from a plurality of pieces of information by the information providing device. A reception step of receiving selection information for selecting predetermined information; a first storage step of storing a first time corresponding to the selection information received in the reception step; and a storage of the first storage step A detecting step of detecting a second time that is a predetermined time before the first time, and detecting the second time in the detecting step, the information providing apparatus transmits the selected information to the information providing apparatus. A confirmation step of confirming a change; and a first updating step of updating the selection information stored in the first storage step when the change of the selection information is confirmed in the confirmation step. A second step of storing the selection information, and updating the selection information stored in the second storage step when the selection information is changed. An information providing method, comprising: a second updating step; and a transmitting step of transmitting the selection information updated in the second updating step in response to a request from the electronic device.