CN101194508A - recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Conventionally, in a broadcast recording and reproduction apparatus that executes an application program in synchronization with service reproduction, only a single service is recorded even if the application program can be synchronized with a new service and continuously executed after a service switch. Therefore, when the service is switched during reproduction of an already-recorded service, the application program cannot perform its original operation. The present invention maintains normal operation of the application program by referring to synchronization information of the application program when the service that includes the application program is recorded, and simultaneously recording a service to which it is possible to switch.

Description

recording and reproducing device

technical field

The present invention relates to a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus which collects contents and reproduces the collected contents. Specifically, the present invention relates to a setup for receiving contents consisting of data such as video, audio, and programs that are synchronized with each other, multiplexed into broadcast waves, and transmitted, wherein the broadcast waves are received And video, audio, and data are collected; and a setting for reproducing content while maintaining synchronization between video/audio and data such as programs.

Background technique

Various contents are included in broadcast waves sent from broadcast stations. In addition to video and audio used in general TV programs, data is included in the content in some cases. There are several methods for transmitting data, which can be roughly classified into a method of transmitting data chronologically and a method of repeatedly transmitting data every set interval (per set interval). In the former method of transmitting data in order of occurrence, for example, data that is continuous in time progression is transmitted in sequential order. This method is suitable for sending large amounts of data over a long period of time, but has the disadvantage that data that cannot be received due to the timing of the transmission cannot be received again.

On the other hand, in the latter method of repeatedly transmitting data at set intervals, the same data is repeatedly transmitted any number of times within a fixed period of time. The advantage of this method is that any piece of data that is repeatedly sent can be received during the time period when the same data is sent, so the receiving opportunity is not limited. Data broadcasting represented by BML and file transmission by DSM-CC data carousel are examples of this method. It is not known when a receiver will select a channel and start receiving, especially in broadcasting. In the method of sending data in order of occurrence, when the start of reception falls behind the time of sending and data fails to be obtained, the data cannot be retrieved. Therefore, when data such as an application is transmitted together with video and audio in a broadcast wave, a method of repeatedly transmitting data at every set interval is suitable.

Currently, a specification for receiving a broadcast wave including video, audio, and an application program and executing the application program in synchronization with the video and audio, as used in the above method, has been developed and implemented. It is possible to receive the transmitted application program, load the application program to the terminal, and realize various additional functions by executing the application program instead of just watching video and audio. This method of sending the application and loading the application to the terminal is also called "downloading".

For example, a specification called Digital Video Broadcasting-Multimedia Home Platform (DVD-MHP) ETSI ES 201812 vl.1.1 (2003-12) has been developed in Europe, and operation has been started according to the specification. In addition, the United States is developing Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) OC-SP-OCAP1.0-I14-050119, which provides the same solution in the cable broadcasting environment, and will also start actual operation. In these specifications, applications are written in the Java language. Various application programming interfaces (APIs) for tuning, graphic display, etc. are provided in the terminal, and by calling these APIs, Java applications can control these functions.

In addition, the OCAP-DVROC-SP-OCAP-DVR-I01-040524 specification is being developed in North America for the purpose of adding functions for recording and reproducing content to the OCAP specification. With this specification, video, audio, and Java applications synchronized with and executed as cable TV broadcasting are recorded as content, and reproduction is performed in the same manner as recorded content is reproduced directly from broadcast waves. In the same way as reproducing directly from broadcast waves, this application reproduces in synchronization with video and audio.

Furthermore, with the OCAP-DVR, trick play of content is realized by recording broadcast content into a high-speed random-access storage medium such as a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Here, trick play refers to a function for reproducing content at an arbitrary speed, from an arbitrary position, etc., such as fast forward, rewind, slow motion, pause, skip, and the like. With OCAP-DVR, an application loaded to the terminal from the broadcast wave can control the recording and trick-play of content. In other words, APIs for recording and trick-play are provided in the terminal, and Java applications control each function by calling these APIs.

In OCAP-DVR, video, audio, and applications synchronized and executed together are defined as a service. The application is executed in synchronization with the reproduction of video and audio when the broadcast receiving terminal reproduces the service. Usually, in the case of service switching, the service to be switched to contains a different application, so the application executed until then is terminated. However, when the same application is included in a plurality of services, even if the service is switched, the application in the new service may continue to be executed.

For example, service A includes video A, audio A, and application A, and a different service B includes video B, audio B, and application A. Program code for switching between service A and service B is written in application A. When service A is reproduced, application A is executed; thereafter, the aforementioned program code is executed, and application A continues to execute even if the service is switched and service B is reproduced. Note that with OCAP-DVR, application A can be terminated in case of service switching by properly setting the flag bit in the synchronization information of the application.

Using the recording function of OCAP-DVR, broadcast services can be recorded. However, with OCAP-DVR, a single service or channel identifier is specified when a service to be recorded is specified; therefore, in the case of one application reproducing two or more services, a malfunction occurs. In other words, to use the above instructions, where Service A is specified to be documented, Service B will not be documented. Thus, when the program code written in the application program A for switching from service A to service B is executed during reproduction of service A, service B cannot be reproduced and an abnormal situation occurs.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording and reproducing apparatus and a recording and reproducing method in which, by referring to synchronization information of an application when recording a service including the application and simultaneously recording a service that may be switched to service, even when a service switchover actually occurs, there will be no abnormal conditions.

Contents of the invention

To achieve the above objects, the recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes: a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of services, each service including video information, audio information, a program, a synchronization device for synchronizing the video information and audio information with the program Information, and service element identification information used to identify the video information, audio information, program, and synchronization information; a recording unit, configured to record a predetermined service specified in a plurality of services received in a recording medium; a reproducing unit, using for reproducing video information and audio information included in the received predetermined service or the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium; and a program executing unit for executing the received predetermined service or the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium The program in the predetermined service, and the recording and reproducing apparatus: reproduces the program included in the predetermined service in synchronization with the program included in the predetermined service by executing the program included in the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium according to the synchronization information the video information and audio information; when the synchronization information or service element identification information is updated when the recording unit is recording the scheduled service, reacquire the service element identification information corresponding to the predetermined service specified in the received multiple services; And separate the specified predetermined service based on the acquired service element identification information, and cause the recording unit to record the separated service.

Therefore, by referring to the synchronization information of the application program when recording the service including the application program, and simultaneously recording the service that may be switched to, even when the service switching actually occurs, an abnormal situation can be prevented from occurring.

In addition, in a case where the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording, the recording and reproducing apparatus may reacquire the service element identification corresponding to a predetermined service specified among the received plurality of services. information, and may separate a designated predetermined service based on the acquired service element identification information, and cause the recording unit to record video information, audio information, programs, synchronization information, and service element identification information included in the separated service .

In addition, in a case where the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording, the recording and reproducing apparatus may reacquire the service element identification corresponding to a predetermined service specified among the received plurality of services. information, and may separate a specified predetermined service based on the acquired service element identification information, and cause the recording unit to record a transport stream corresponding to the separated service.

In addition, the program included in the first service specified to be recorded may also be included in the second service; the synchronization information may include resume information indicating that the first service is switched to the second service during reproduction and the second service is reproduced. Whether it is possible to continue executing the program included in the first service during the service; and, the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that even after switching to the second service and reproducing the second In the case where the program can be continuously executed during the service, the recording and reproducing apparatus may separate the second service into predetermined services in addition to the specified first service based on the acquired service element identification information, and make the recording unit Document the separated services.

Therefore, in the case where the program belongs to the type of program that can continue to be executed even if service switching occurs, the second service can also be recorded in the recording medium so that the program does not fall into a program that cannot continue to be executed at the time of service switching. state.

Furthermore, the recording and reproducing apparatus may separate the second service into The service is reserved, and the recording unit is made to record the separated service.

Furthermore, the recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of services each including video information, audio information, a program, synchronization information for synchronizing the video information and audio information with the program, and service element identification information for identifying the video information, audio information, program, and synchronous information; the recording unit is used to record the first service specified in the received multiple services in the recording medium; the reproducing unit is used for reproducing video information and audio information included in the received first service or the first service recorded in the recording medium; and a program execution unit for executing the received first service or recorded in the recording medium the program included in the first service in the recording medium, and the recording and reproducing apparatus reproduces the program included in the first service in synchronization with the program included in the first service by executing the program included in the first service recorded in the recording medium according to the synchronization information Video information and audio information in the first service; the program included in the first service designated to be recorded is also included in the second service; the synchronization information includes resume information indicating that the first service is switched during reproduction When reaching the second service and reproducing the second service, whether it is possible to continue executing the program included in the first service; and, the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that even after switching In a case where the program can continue to be executed when the second service is reached and the second service is reproduced, the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the second service into The service is subscribed, and the recording unit records the separated service.

Therefore, by referring to the synchronization information of the application program when recording the service including the application program, and simultaneously recording the service that may be switched to, even when the service switching actually occurs, an abnormal situation can be prevented from occurring.

In addition, the program included in the first service specified to be recorded may also be included in the second service; the synchronization information may include resume information indicating that the first service is switched to the second service during reproduction and the second service is reproduced. Whether it is possible to continue executing the program included in the first service during the service; and, the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that even after switching to the second service and reproducing the second In the case where the program can be continuously executed during the service, the recording and reproducing apparatus may separate the second service into predetermined services in addition to the specified first service based on the acquired service element identification information, and make the recording unit Transport streams corresponding to the separated services are recorded.

Furthermore, the recording and reproducing apparatus may separate the second service into A service is reserved, and the recording unit is caused to record a transport stream corresponding to the separated service.

Furthermore, in the case of recording the service into the recording medium, the recording unit may convert the file format of the service into another format, and record the validity period of the file together with the service.

Therefore, for example, the program and synchronization information can be recorded as a file; thus, space in the recording medium can be saved, and the program does not fall into a state where execution cannot be continued at the time of service switching.

In addition, the recording unit may restart the recording service every time the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated.

Note that the present invention can be realized not only as the recording and reproducing apparatus described above but also as a recording and reproducing method, a program for the method, and a storage medium storing the program.

Further information on the technical background of this application

The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/687624, filed June 6, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/751,374, filed December 19, 2005, including specification, drawings, and claims, are incorporated by reference All incorporated here.

Description of drawings

These and other objects, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing specific embodiments of the invention. In the attached picture:

Fig. 1 is a structural diagram of a broadcasting system according to the present invention;

2 is an example of how to use a frequency band used in communication between a broadcasting system end system and a terminal device in a cable TV system according to the present invention;

3 is an example of how to use a frequency band used in communication between a broadcasting system end system and a terminal device in a cable TV system according to the present invention;

4 is an example of how to use a frequency band used in communication between a broadcasting system end system and a terminal device in a cable television system according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a structural diagram of TS packets predefined by the MPEG-2 specification;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an MPEG-2 transport stream;

Figure 7 is an example of a division (division) when carrying a PES packet predefined by the MPEG-2 specification in a TS packet;

FIG. 8 is an example of partitioning when MPEG-2 segments predefined by the MPEG-2 specification are transmitted with one TS packet;

Figure 9 is a structural diagram of the MPEG-2 segment predefined by the MPEG-2 specification;

Figure 10 is an example of using MPEG-2 segments predefined by the MPEG-2 specification;

Figure 11 is an example using the PMT predefined by the MPEG-2 specification;

Figure 12 is an example using the PAT predefined by the MPEG-2 specification;

13 is a structural example of a hardware structure of a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an example of a panel of an input unit 1310 in a hardware structure of a terminal device 1200 according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an example of equipment connection at the time of recording in the recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an example of device connection at the time of reproduction in the recording and reproduction apparatus according to the present invention;

17 is a diagram showing the structure of a program stored in a terminal device according to the present invention;

18 is an example of an EPG executed by a terminal device according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an example of an EPG executed by a terminal device according to the present invention;

20 is an example of information stored in a second storage unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an example of a record information management table according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing details of AIT specified by DVB-MHP according to the present invention;

Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a file system transmitted in DSMCC format according to the present invention;

24 is a diagram showing the structure of a program stored in a terminal device according to the present invention;

FIG. 25 is an example of equipment connection at the time of recording in the recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

26 is a structural example of a hardware structure of a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 27 is an example of device connection at the time of recording in the recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 28 is an example of device connection at the time of reproduction in the recording and reproduction apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 29 is an example of a record information management table according to the present invention;

FIG. 30 is an exemplary diagram showing details of expansion of the AIT according to the present invention;

Figure 31 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 32 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 33 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 34 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 35 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 36 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 37 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention;

Figure 38 is a flowchart of a recording process according to the present invention; and

Fig. 39 is a flow chart of the recording process according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

The recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention records content composed of video, audio, program, and synchronization information for synchronizing the video, audio, and program, the synchronization information including continue execution information indicating that even when the content is switched to another content The program may also continue to be executed; the device includes: a storage medium for storing content and a content storage unit, wherein the content storage unit, in the case where the continuation of execution information indicates that the program can continue to be executed, stores the content in the storage medium All content included in the content transmission medium is stored, while in other cases only specified content is stored in the storage medium.

Therefore, when the program is of a type that can be continuously executed even when the content is switched to another content, all the content in the content transmission medium is stored in the storage medium, so that the program does not fall into A state where execution cannot continue when switching to another content.

In addition, the content recording and reproducing apparatus includes a storage permission unit holding unit that holds a detachable storage permission unit that allows storage of a plurality of contents in the storage medium; in a case where the continuation information indicates that the program can be continuously executed, the content storage The unit inquires whether it is permitted to store all the contents included in the content transmission medium, stores all the contents included in the content transmission medium in the storage medium if permitted, and stores only specified contents in the storage medium in other cases.

Therefore, the actual storage takes place after allowing all content in the content transmission medium to be stored in the storage medium; therefore, the recording is made taking into account the capacity of the storage medium, and the procedure does not fall into switching to another content A state in which execution cannot continue.

Also, the content recording and reproducing apparatus includes a content selection unit holding unit that holds a detachable content selection unit for selecting which content is to be stored in the storage medium, and the content storage unit transfers only the content selection unit based on the content capable of specifying the content. Those contents judged to be recorded are recorded in the storage medium based on the information of all the contents included in the medium.

Thus, instead of storing all the content in the content delivery stream, only selected content is stored on the storage medium; thus, space in the storage medium can be reserved and the program does not fall into the A state in which execution cannot continue.

In addition, the content recording and reproducing apparatus includes a content selection unit holding unit that holds a detachable content selection unit for selecting which content is to be stored in the storage medium; In the case where the content to be recorded is designated by the information of all the contents, the content storage unit inquires whether to allow the storage of all the contents included in the content transmission medium in the case where the continuation information indicates that the program can be continued, and if permitted, sends the All content included in the content transmission medium is stored in the storage medium, and in other cases only specified content is stored in the storage medium.

Thus, it is possible to specify whether to store all content in the content delivery stream on the storage medium or only selected content; thus, space in the storage medium is preserved and the program does not fall into the A state in which execution cannot continue.

In addition, the synchronization information includes continuation information indicating that the program can be continuously executed even when the content is switched to another content; and content specifying information for specifying another content necessary for the program, and the recording and reproduction The apparatus includes a content storage unit that stores, in a storage medium, the content specified by the content specifying information in a case where the continuation of execution information indicates that the program can be continued to be executed, and stores only the specified content in a storage medium in other cases. in the storage medium.

Therefore, it is possible to specify another content required by the program; therefore, the space of the storage medium can be reserved, and the program does not fall into a state where execution cannot be continued when switching to another content.

Furthermore, in a case where the continuation information indicates that the program can be continuously executed, the content storage unit inquires whether to allow storage of the content specified by the content specifying information, and stores the content specified by the content specifying information in the storage medium in the case of permission. , and in other cases only the specified content is stored in the storage medium.

Therefore, another content required by the program can be specified; therefore, recording can be performed in consideration of reserving space in the storage medium, and the program does not fall into a state where execution cannot be continued when switching to another content.

In addition, in addition to specifying another content required by the program, it is also possible to select the content to be actually stored; therefore, the space of the storage medium can be reserved, and the program does not fall into a place where execution cannot continue when switching to another content. state.

In addition, in a case where the content selection unit has not specified the content to be recorded based on the content specification information, the content storage unit inquires whether to allow storage of the content specified by the content specification information if the continuation information indicates that the program can be continuously executed, And the content designated by the content designation information is stored in the storage medium in the case of permission, and only the designated content is stored in the storage medium in other cases.

Therefore, when another content required by the program is specified, the content to be actually stored can also be selected, and even in the case of not selecting the content, recording can be performed in consideration of reserving a space in the storage medium, and the program does not will fall into a state where execution cannot continue when switching to another content.

Furthermore, when the content storage unit stores all the content included in the content transmission medium in the storage medium, the content transmission medium is directly stored.

Therefore, when all the contents included in the content transport stream are stored, the content transport stream itself is stored; therefore, the structure can be simplified, and the program does not fall into a state where execution cannot be continued when switching to another content.

Furthermore, the content storage unit stores in the storage medium all content satisfying the condition that such content includes as a constituent element synchronization information having a value in which at least one piece of continuation information indicates that the program can be continued.

Therefore, when such a program that can continue to be executed even when the content is changed to a different content is specified, the content considered necessary in the content delivery stream is stored in the storage medium; A state in which execution cannot continue.

Furthermore, in the case where the continuation information in the synchronization information having specified content as a constituent element indicates that the program can be continued, the content storage unit inquires whether to allow storage in the storage medium of all content satisfying the condition that such content includes Synchronization information having a value as a constituent element in which at least one piece of continuation information indicates that the program can be continued; and, where permitted, storing in the storage medium all contents satisfying the following conditions: such The content includes, as a constituent element, synchronization information having a value in which at least one piece of continuation information indicates that the program can be continued; and in other cases only specified content is stored in the storage medium.

Therefore, the actual storage takes place after permission is obtained as to whether to store the content deemed necessary in the content delivery stream in the storage medium; therefore, it can be recorded in consideration of reserving the space in the storage medium, and the procedure does not will fall into a state where execution cannot continue when switching to another content.

Furthermore, the content storage unit stores in the storage medium only the content that the content selection unit judges to be recorded based on information capable of specifying content including, as a constituent element, synchronous information having a value in which at least A continuation message indicates that the program can continue.

Therefore, instead of storing all the content considered necessary in the content delivery stream, only selected content is stored on the storage medium, so space in the storage medium can be reserved and the program does not fall into the trap of switching to Another content is a state where execution cannot continue.

In addition, in the content selection unit, the content to be recorded has not been specified based on the specific information that can specify, as a constituent element, content including synchronous information having a value in which at least one piece of continuation information indicates that the program can be continued. In the case of the content of the content, the content storage unit inquires whether to allow the inclusion of synchronization information having a certain value (wherein at least one piece of continuation information indicates that the program can be continued) as a component if the continuation information indicates that the program can be continued. All the contents of the elements are stored in the storage medium, and if permitted, all the contents including synchronization information having a value (wherein at least one piece of continuation information indicates that the program can be continued) are stored in the storage medium as constituent elements. storage medium, and in other cases only the specified content is stored on that storage medium.

Thus, it is possible to specify whether to store in the storage medium all content considered necessary in the content delivery stream, or only selected content, so that space in the storage medium can be reserved and the program does not fall into the trap of switching to Another content is a state where execution cannot continue.

Also, when the content storage unit stores in the storage medium, video and audio are stored in a stream format, and program and synchronization information are stored in a file format extracted from the stream.

Therefore, the program and synchronization information are stored as files, so space in the storage medium can be reserved, and the program does not fall into a state where execution cannot be continued when switching to another content.

(first embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is intended to record and reproduce content transmitted and received in an arbitrary medium; however, in this embodiment, a cable TV broadcasting system is explained as an example. In a cable TV broadcasting system, as described in the present invention, a broadcast recording and reproducing device (recording and reproducing device) is generally called a terminal device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between devices constituting a broadcast system; the broadcast system is composed of a broadcast station side system (head end) 101, a terminal device A111, a terminal device B112, and a terminal device C113. In a wired system, the connection 121 between the broadcast station end system and each terminal device is a wired connection, such as a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or the like. In FIG. 1, one broadcast station side system is connected to three terminal devices, but the number of terminal devices is arbitrary.

The broadcast station side system 101 transmits information such as video/audio/data for data broadcasting to a plurality of terminal devices in the form of broadcast signals. The broadcast signal is transmitted using a frequency in a frequency band set by the operating specification of the broadcast system, the law of the country/region in which the broadcast system operates, or the like.

With the cable system in this embodiment, the frequency band used in broadcast signal transmission will be divided by data details and transmission direction (inbound, outbound) and applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of frequency band division. The frequency band is roughly divided into two categories: out-of-band (abbreviated as OOB) and in-band. 5 MHz to 130 MHz are allocated as OOB, which is mainly used for inbound/outbound data exchange between the broadcast station side system 101 and the terminal device A111, the terminal device B112, and the terminal device C113. 130MHz to 864MHz are allocated in-band, which is mainly used for outbound-only broadcast channels, including video/audio. Use QPSK modulation type for OOB, and QAM64 or QAM256 modulation type for in-band. Modulation type techniques are generally known and not relevant to the present invention, so a detailed description is omitted.

Figure 3 is an example of using the OOB band in more detail. Using 70 MHz to 74 MHz for outbound data transmitted from the broadcast station side system 101 , all the terminal device A 111 , terminal device B 112 , and terminal device C 113 receive the same data from the broadcast station side system 101 . On the other hand, 10.0 MHz to 10.1 MHz are used for sending inbound data from the terminal device A111 to the broadcast station side system 101; 10.1 MHz to 10.2 MHz are used for sending inbound data from the terminal device B112 to the broadcast station side system 101; 10.2MHz to 10.3MHz are used for sending inbound data from the terminal device C113 to the broadcast station end system 101 . Thus, data unique to each terminal device can be independently transmitted from each terminal device A111, B112, and C113 to the broadcasting station side system 101.

Figure 4 is an example using an in-band frequency band. 150MHz to 156MHz and 156MHz to 162MHz are allocated to TV channel 1 and TV channel 2, respectively, and then TV channels are allocated at intervals of 6MHz. Radio channels are allocated in units of 1MHz starting from 310MHz. Each of these channels can be used as an analog broadcast or as a digital broadcast. Digital broadcasting is transmitted in the TS packet format under the MPEG-2 specification, and in addition to audio and video, data for various digital broadcasting and television program organization information for constructing an EPG can be transmitted.

The broadcast station side system 101 transmits appropriate broadcast signals to terminal devices using the above-mentioned frequency band, so it has a QPSK modulation unit, a QAM modulation unit, and the like. In addition, the broadcast station side system 101 has a QPSK demodulator for receiving data from a terminal device. Furthermore, this broadcasting station side system 101 can be considered to have various devices related to a modulation unit and a demodulation unit. However, the present invention mainly relates to terminal devices, so detailed description is omitted.

In order to receive and reproduce broadcast signals from the broadcast station side system 101, the terminal devices A111, B112, and C113 have a QAM demodulation unit and a QPSK demodulation unit. In addition, in order to transmit data unique to each terminal device to the broadcast station side system 101, each terminal device has a QPSK demodulation unit. In the present invention, the terminal device is a broadcast recording and reproducing device, the detailed structure of which will be described later.

The broadcast station side system 101 modulates an MPEG-2 transport stream and transmits the stream in a broadcast signal. A terminal device receives a broadcast signal, demodulates and reproduces an MPEG-2 transport stream, and extracts and uses necessary information from the stream. In order to explain the equipment functions and connection structure appearing in the terminal device, first, the structure of the MPEG-2 transport stream will be explained in a simplified manner.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a TS packet structure. One TS packet 500 has a length of 188 bytes, and is composed of a header 501 , an adaptation field 502 , and a payload (payload) 503 . The header 501 holds control information of the TS packet, has a length of 4 bytes, and its structure is shown in 504 . In the header 501, there is a field represented as "Packet ID (packet ID)" (hereinafter referred to as PID), and the TS packet is identified by the value of the PID. Adaptation field 502 holds additional information such as time information. The adaptation field 502 is not mandatory, and there are cases where the adaptation field 502 does not appear. The payload 503 holds information carried in TS packets, such as video, audio, and data broadcast data.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an MPEG-2 transport stream. TS packets hold various information such as video, audio, data for data broadcasting, etc. in the payload. TS packet 601 and TS packet 603 hold PID 100 in the header, and hold information on Video 1 in the payload. The TS packet 602 and the TS packet 605 hold the PID 200 in the header, and hold information on Data 1 in the payload. The TS packet 604 holds the PID 300 in the header, and holds information on Audio 1 in the payload. Mixing TS packets holding different types of data in payloads and sending them consecutively as a sequence is called multiplexing. An MPEG-2 transport stream 600 is a configuration example in which TS packets 601 to 605 are multiplexed.

TS packets with the same PID hold the same type of information. Therefore, by receiving the multiplexed TS packets and extracting information held by the TS packets for each PID, the terminal device reproduces video and audio, and reproduces data such as television program organization information. In FIG. 6 , TS packet 601 and TS packet 603 each carry information on Video 1 , and TS packet 602 and TS packet 605 each carry information on Data 1 .

Here, a description is given regarding the format of each data type contained in the payload.

Video and audio are represented in a format called Packetized Elementary Stream (PES) packets. The PES packet includes video information or audio information of a certain time period, and by receiving the PES packet, the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus can output the video and audio information contained in the PES packet to a screen and a speaker. A broadcasting station transmits PES packets without stopping, so for a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus, video and audio can be continuously reproduced without stopping. When the PES packet is actually transmitted, in the case where the size of the PES packet is larger than the payload of one TS packet, the PES packet is divided and stored in the payload of a plurality of TS packets.

Fig. 7 shows an example of partitioning when transmitting PES packets. PES packet 701 is too large to be stored and carried in the payload of a single TS packet, so this PES packet 701 is divided into PES packet partition A 702a, PES packet partition B 702b, and PES packet partition C 702c, and is carried in the payload with Three TS packets 703 to 705 of the same PID. In practice, video and audio are obtained as elementary streams (ES), which are obtained by concatenating data contained in multiple payloads of multiple PES packets. The format of the elementary stream is digitized video and audio, such as defined by the MPEG-2 video standard, the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 audio standards, and the like.

On the other hand, information such as television program organization information and data for data broadcasting are expressed in a format called MPEG-2 segment. When the MPEG-2 segment is actually transmitted, in the case where the MPEG-2 segment has a size larger than the payload of one TS packet, the MPEG-2 segment is divided and stored in the payload of a plurality of TS packets. within the load.

Fig. 8 shows an example of partitioning when MPEG-2 segments are transmitted. Since the MPEG-2 segment 801 is too large to be stored or carried in the payload of a single TS packet. The MPEG-2 segment 801 is divided into segment partition A 802a, segment partition B 802b, and segment partition C 802c, and is carried in three TS packets 803 to 805 having the same PID.

Fig. 9 shows the structure of this MPEG-2 section. An MPEG-2 segment is structured as a header 901 and a payload 902 . The header 901 holds control information of the MPEG-2 section. This structure is represented by header structure 903 . Payload 902 holds the data carried in MPEG-2 section 900 . The table_id appearing in the header structure 903 indicates the type of MPEG-2 section, and table_id_extension is an extension identifier used when it is necessary to further distinguish MPEG-2 sections with the same table_id.

A case of transmitting television program organization information as shown in FIG. 10 can be given as an example using MPEG-2 segmentation. In this example, as written in line 1004, the information necessary to demodulate the broadcast signal is written into the MPEG-2 segment whose table_id is 64 in the header structure 903, which is also carried in The assigned PID is 16 in the TS group.

There is no PES format in the case of MPEG-2 segments. For this reason, an elementary stream (ES) is a concatenation of the payloads of TS packets identified by the same PID in an MPEG-2 transport stream. For example, in FIG. 8 , TS packets 803 to 805 in which MPEG-2 segments are divided and carried are all identified by the same PID 200. This can be thought of as an ES carrying MPEG-2 segment 801 .

In the MPEG-2 transport stream there is also a concept called a program. The program is represented as a collection of ESs, which is used in cases where multiple ESs need to be processed together. When using programs, video/audio and accompanying data broadcast data can be processed together. For example, in the case of simultaneously processing video/audio to be reproduced, by composing a video ES and an audio ES into one program, it can be seen that a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus should reproduce both ESs simultaneously as one television program.

To represent programs, two tables called Program Mapping Table (PMT) and Program Association Table (PAT) are used in MPEG-2. A detailed description can be found in the ISO/IEC 13818-1, "MPEG-2 Systems" specification. The PMT and PAT are briefly described below.

PMT is a table including program numbers in the MPEG-2 transport stream. Construct the PMT as an MPEG-2 segment, and table_id is 2. The PMT holds a program number for identifying a program and additional information for the program, and information about ESs belonging to the program.

Figure 11 shows an example of a PMT. 1100 is the program number. This program number is uniquely assigned to a program within the same transport stream and is used to identify a PMT. Rows 1111 to 1114 represent information on a single ES. Column 1101 is the type of ES in which "video", "audio", "data" and the like are specified. Column 1102 is the PID of the TS packets making up this ES. Column 1103 is additional information about ES. For example, the ES shown in row 1111 is an audio ES, and is carried by a TS packet with a PID of 5011.

The PAT is a table that exists only one in the MPEG-2 transport stream. The PAT is constructed as an MPEG-2 segment, the table_id is 0, and is carried by a TS packet with a PID of 0. The PAT holds transport_stream_id for identifying an MPEG-2 transport stream, and information on all PMTs representing programs present in the MPEG-2 transport stream.

Figure 12 shows an example of PAT. 1200 is transport_stream_id. Use transport_stream_id to identify an MPEG-2 transport stream. Rows 1211 to 1213 represent information about programs. Column 1201 is the program number. Column 1202 is the PID of the TS packet that transmits the PMT corresponding to the program. For example, the program number of the PMT of the program shown in row 1211 is 101, and the corresponding PMT is carried in the TS packet whose PID is 501.

In the case where a terminal device reproduces a certain program, the terminal device uses PAT and PMT, and specifies video and audio constituting the program, and reproduces the video and audio. For example, for an MPEG-2 transport stream carrying PAT in FIG. 12 and PMT in FIG. 11, in the case of reproducing video and audio belonging to a program whose program number is 101, there is the following processing. First, the PAT transmitted as the MPEG-2 segment whose table_id is "0" is obtained from the TS packet whose PID is "0". The PAT is searched for program number "101" and row 1211 is obtained. The PID "501" of the TS packet carrying the PMT of the program whose program number is "101" is obtained from row 1211. Next, the PMT transmitted as the MPEG-2 segment with table_id "2" is obtained from the TS packet with the PID "501". Audio ES information (line 1111) and video ES information (line 1112) are obtained from the PMT. The PID "5011" of the TS packet carrying the audio ES is obtained from row 1111. Also, the PID "5012" of the TS packet carrying the video ES is obtained from row 1112 . Next, the audio PES packet is obtained from the TS packet with the PID "5011", and the video PES packet is obtained from the TS packet with the PID "5012". Through this, the video and audio ES packets to be reproduced can be acquired, and the video and audio making up the program number 101 can be reproduced.

Note that in some cases MPEG-2 transport streams are scrambled. This is a setup called a conditional access system. For example, by scrambling a PES packet carrying a certain video/audio, only specific viewers who can descramble it can watch the video and audio. In order to descramble and watch the video and audio, the viewer must use a device called a descrambler to descramble the video and audio. For example, in an OCAP-compatible terminal device, a card-type adapter with an internal descrambler is used. The cable operator assigns each viewer an adapter configured to descramble a particular program, which the viewer plugs into the terminal device. Once this is done, the adapter descrambles the specified program based on the descrambling information such as the descrambling key and each contract holder's contract information. The method of descrambling, the method of obtaining the descrambling key, etc. depend on the adapter and have no influence on the realization of the present invention.

So far, a brief description of the MPEG-2 specification has been made; below, a detailed definition of terms is given. In the present invention, there are two types of term "program". One is a "program" that appears in the MPEG-2 specification, and the other refers to a "program" that is a collection of codes executed by the CPU. Because the former is a synonym for the term "service" used in the operating specification, in order to avoid confusion, the former will be referred to as "service" and the latter will simply be referred to as "program". Also, regarding the latter, a "program" written exclusively in the Java language is referred to as a "Java program".

According to the present invention, explanations have been given about several kinds of general information specified in the MPEG-2 specification. Next, the broadcast recording and reproducing terminal used in the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the general hardware structure of the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment; 1300 is a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus, which is configured as: a tuner 1301; a TS decoder (TS demultiplexer) 1302; an AV decoder 1303; a speaker 1304; a display 1305; a CPU 1306; storage unit 1308; ROM 1309; input unit 1310; adapter 1311; AV encoder 1312; Note that this embodiment is obtained by extending the broadcast recording and reproducing terminal realized by the OCAP-DVR specification, and its specific hardware structure is almost equivalent to that required by the OCAP-DVR specification.

The tuner 1301 is a device that demodulates a modulated broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station side system 101 based on tuning information such as a frequency specified by the CPU 1306. The tuner 1301 includes: a QAM demodulator 1301a that internally demodulates an in-band signal; a QPSK demodulator 1301b that demodulates an out-of-band signal; and a QPSK modulator 1301c that performs modulation. An MPEG-2 transport stream obtained as a result when the QAM demodulator 1301 a of the tuner 1301 demodulates an in-band signal passes through an adapter having a descrambling function, and is sent to the TS decoder 1302 .

The TS decoder 1302 is a device that has a function of separating PES packets and MPEG-2 segments that meet specific conditions from the MPEG-2 transport stream based on the PID, segment filter conditions, etc. specified by the CPU 1306 . This separation function is called packet filtering. There are two types of filtering devices in the TS decoder, namely PID filter and segment filter. A detailed description on filtering will be given later. The input of the MPEG-2 transport stream to the TS decoder is performed by various types of constituent elements. In a case where a broadcast is received and the service is reproduced without recording, the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the adapter 1311 is input into the TS decoder 1302 . On the other hand, in the case of reproducing the service recorded in the second storage unit 1307 , the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the second storage unit 1307 is input into this TS decoder 1302 . Which input is received is controlled by CPU 1306 which receives instructions from software.

The video and audio PES packets separated by the TS decoder 1302 are output to the AV decoder 1303 . In addition, the MPEG-2 segments separated by the TS decoder 1302 are transferred to the main storage unit 1308 by direct memory access (DMA), and are used by programs executed by the CPU 1306 and the like.

The AV decoder 1303 is a device having a function of decoding encoded video ES and audio ES. The AV decoder acquires ESs from the PES packets carrying audio and video information transmitted from the TS decoder, and decodes the ESs. The audio signal and video signal obtained by decoding by the AV decoder 1303 are sent to the speaker 1304 and the display 1305 at the time of service reproduction, but are sent to the AV encoder 1312 at the time of service recording. Which output path is taken is controlled by the CPU 1306 which receives instructions from software.

The speaker 1304 reproduces the audio output from the AV decoder 1303 .

The display 1305 reproduces the video output from the AV decoder 1303 .

The CPU 1306 executes programs running in the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus. The CPU 1306 executes programs contained in the ROM 1309. Alternatively, the CPU 1306 executes a program stored in the main storage unit 1308 downloaded from a broadcast signal or the network. Alternatively, the CPU executes a program stored in the second storage unit 1307 downloaded from a broadcast signal or a network. The tuner 1301, TS decoder 1302, AV decoder 1303, speaker 1304, display 1305, second storage unit 1307, main storage unit 1308, ROM 1309, and input unit 1310 are controlled according to the instructions of the executed program. In addition, the CPU 1306 can control the adapter 1311 by communicating not only with devices existing in the terminal device 1300 but also with devices in the adapter 1311.

The second storage unit 1307 is a memory device whose storage contents are not erased even if the power supply to the device is interrupted; for example, a nonvolatile memory such as FLASH-ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), such as a CD -R and DVD-R such rewritable media. The second storage unit 1307 stores information based on instructions from the CPU 1306.

The main storage unit 1308 is a device that has a function of temporarily saving information according to an instruction from the CPU 1306, a device supporting DMA transfer, or the like, and is configured as a RAM or the like.

The ROM 1309 is a non-rewritable storage device, and more specifically, it is configured as a ROM, CD-ROM, DVD, or the like. Programs executed by the CPU 1306 are stored in the ROM 1309.

The input unit 1310 is more specifically configured as a panel or a remote control receiver, accepting an input from a user. FIG. 14 is an example of a case where the input unit 1310 is configured as a panel. Panel 1400 has seven buttons: cursor up button 1401 , cursor down button 1402 , cursor left button 1403 , cursor right button 1404 , OK button 1405 , cancel button 1406 , EPG button 1407 and mode switch button 1408 . When the user presses a button, the identifier of the pressed button is notified to the CPU 1306.

Adapter 1311 is a device for descrambling an MPEG-2 transport stream sent in the in-band frequency range, which includes one or more descramblers. The MPEG-2 transport stream output from the tuner 1301a is input into the adapter 1311, and the TS packets with the PID specified by the CPU 1306 are descrambled. The adapter 1311 outputs the descrambled MPEG-2 transport stream to the TS decoder 1302 .

In addition, the adapter 1311 also converts the format of the data transmitted in the OOB frequency range. The information sent in OOB is modulated into a QPSK modulation format. For outbound transmission, the QPSK demodulator 1301b demodulates the output signal transmitted from the broadcast station end system 101, and inputs the resulting bit stream into the adapter 1311. The adapter 1311 extracts information specified by the CPU 1306 from various information contained in the bit stream, converts the information into a format that can be interpreted by a program running in the CPU 1306, and supplies it to the CPU 1306. On the other hand, in terms of inbound transmission, the CPU 1306 inputs information to be sent to the broadcast station end system 101 into the adapter 1311. The adapter 1311 converts the information input from the CPU 1306 into a format that can be interpreted by the broadcast station side system 101, and inputs it into the QPSK modulator 1301c. The QPSK modulator 1301c performs QPSK-modulation on the information input from the adapter 1311, and transmits it to the broadcast station side system 101.

A CableCARD used in the US Cable system, formerly known as a Point of Deployment (POD), can be given as a specific example of adapter 1311 .

The AV encoder 1312 encodes the audio signal decoded by the AV decoder 1303 into audio in the MPEG audio format, and encodes the video signal into video in the MPEG video format. The AV encoder 1312 outputs encoded video and audio to the multiplexer 1313 . The AV encoder 1312 can be realized by a well-known technique.

The multiplexer 1313 is a device that has a function of multiplexing video and audio input from the AV encoder 1312 and private segment data filtered and separated by the TS decoder into an MPEG-2 transport stream. Multiplexer 1313 can be implemented using known techniques.

Next, the above-mentioned broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus records the service contained in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 in detail, and the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus continuously reads and reproduces the service from the second storage unit 1307. The processing of the service.

First, a processing procedure for recording a service included in a broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 will be described.

FIG. 15 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during recording of the service. 1500 is a terminal device having: a tuner 1301; an adapter 1311; a descrambler 1501; a TS decoder 1302; a PID filter 1502; a segment filter 1503; ; multiplexer 1313; and recording area 1504. The constituent units in FIG. 15 having the same numbers as those in FIG. 13 have the same functions, and therefore explanations are omitted.

First, the tuner 1301 tunes broadcast waves according to a tuning instruction provided by the CPU 1306. The tuner 1301 demodulates the broadcast wave and inputs the MPEG-2 transport stream to the adapter 1311 .

The descrambler 1501 located inside the adapter 1311 descrambles the MPEG-2 transport stream based on the conditional access information of each viewer. Input the descrambled MPEG-2 transport stream into the TS decoder.

In the TS decoder 1302 there are two types of means for processing an MPEG-2 transport stream: a PID filter 1502 and a segmentation filter 1503 .

The PID filter 1502 extracts the TS packets containing the PID specified by the CPU 1306 from the input MPEG-2 transport stream, and then extracts the PES packets and MPEG-2 fragments present in the payload. For example, when the MPEG-2 transport stream of FIG. 6 is input when the CPU 1306 issues an instruction to control the extraction of the PID filter of the TS packets with PID=100, the packets 601 and 603 are extracted and then concatenated, thus reconstructing The PES grouping of Video 1 was added. Alternatively, when the MPEG-2 transport stream of FIG. 6 is input under the condition that the CPU 1306 issues an instruction to control the PID filtering to extract TS packets with PID=200, the packets 602 and 605 are extracted and then concatenated, thus reconstructing MPEG-2 segment of data 1.

The segment filter 1503 extracts the MPEG-2 segment that matches the segment filter condition specified by the CPU 1306 from the input MPEG-2 segment, and transfers the MPEG-2 segment to the main storage unit 1308 by DMA. A PID value can be specified as a segmentation filter condition, and a table_id can be specified as an auxiliary condition. For example, the CPU 1306 specifies PID filtering to extract TS packets with PID=200, and segment filtering to extract segments whose table_id is 64. As mentioned before, to reconstruct the MPEG-2 segment of data 1, the segment filter 1503 extracts only the segment whose table_id is 64 from these MPEG-2 segments, and transfers it to the buffer by DMA main storage unit 1308 .

The MPEG-2 segments input into the main memory unit 1308 are input into the multiplexer 1313 .

The video PES packets and audio PES packets extracted by the TS decoder 1302 are input into the AV decoder 1303 .

The AV decoder decodes video PES packets and converts video, which is input to the AV encoder 1312 . The AV decoder also decodes audio PES packets and converts audio, which is input to the AV encoder 1312 .

The AV encoder 1312 converts the video into MPEG video, and inputs it into the multiplexer 1313 . The AV encoder 1312 also converts audio into MPEG audio, and inputs it into the multiplexer 1313 .

The multiplexer 1313 multiplexes the MPEG video and MPEG audio input from the AV encoder onto the MPEG-2 segment input from the main storage unit 1308, thereby generating an MPEG-2 transport stream. The generated MPEG-2 transport stream is recorded into the recording area 1504 .

The recording area 1504 is composed of the whole or part of the second storage unit 1307 or other recording area, which records the MPEG-2 transport stream constituting the service.

Next, the procedure for continuously reading and reproducing services from the second storage unit 1307 will be described.

FIG. 16 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during reproduction of the service. 1600 is a terminal device having: a recording area 1504; a TS decoder 1302; a PID filter 1502; a section filter 1503; an AV decoder 1303; The constituent units in FIG. 16 having the same numbers as those in FIG. 13 have the same functions, and therefore descriptions thereof are omitted.

The MPEG-2 transport stream recorded in the recording area 1504 is input into the TS decoder 1302 in the order illustrated in FIG. 15 .

Then, the PID filter 1502 inside the TS decoder 1302 extracts the video PES and audio PES with the PID specified by the CPU 1306. The extracted PES packets are input to the AV decoder 1303 . Alternatively, the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 within the TS decoder 1302 extract MPEG-2 segments having the PID and table_id specified by the CPU 1306. The extracted MPEG-2 segments are transferred to the main storage unit 1308 by DMA.

The video PES and audio PES input into the AV decoder 1303 are decoded, and output as audio signals and video signals. Thereafter, the audio and video signals are input into the display 1305 and the speaker 1304, thereby reproducing the audio and video.

The MPEG-2 segments input into the main storage unit 1308 are input into the CPU 1306 and used by software as appropriate.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been explained. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

Service recording in the present invention refers to recording video, audio, Java programs, synchronization information of Java programs, etc. included in the service to hard disks, Blu-ray Discs (BD), Digital Versatile Discs (DVD), and secure digital discs. (SD) memory card and other arbitrary storage media. In the configuration diagram shown in FIG. 13 , these storage media are represented as a second storage unit 1307 . Service reproduction refers to executing and reproducing video, audio, and Java programs recorded in recording media based on synchronization information of Java programs. The reproduction result of the recorded service is required to be almost equivalent to the result of directly reproducing the service as soon as the broadcast wave is received.

FIG. 17 is a structural diagram of a program required for recording and reproducing the service, which is software recorded in the ROM 1309.

Program 1700 consists of subroutine OS 1701, EPG 1702, Java VM 1703 and Java library 1704.

OS 1701 is an operating system; Linux, Windows, etc. are examples. The OS 1701 is composed of: a kernel 1701a for executing other subprograms such as the EPG 1702 and the Java VM 1703; The kernel 1701a is a well-known technology, so detailed description is omitted.

For example, library 1701b provides a tuning function for controlling a tuner. The library 1701b accepts tuning information including frequency from another subroutine and provides it to the tuner 1301. The tuner 1301 performs demodulation processing based on the supplied tuning information, and can deliver the demodulated MPEG-2 transport stream to the TS decoder 1302 . As a result, other subroutines can control the tuner 1301 through the library 1701b.

In addition, the library 1701b provides channel information for uniquely identifying a channel. FIG. 20 shows an example of channel information. Channel information is transmitted using OOB or in-band frequency range, which is converted to a chart format by the adapter 1311 and stored in a temporary storage unit that can be accessed by the library. Row 2001 is a channel identifier that is equivalent to source_ID defined by, for example, SCTE65 Service Information for Out-of-Band Delivery of Digital Cable TV. Line 2002 is the channel name, which is equivalent to source_name in the same SCTE65 standard. Row 2003 is tuning information, which is information such as frequency, transmission rate, modulation format, and the like supplied to the tuner 1301 . Line 2004 is a program number for designating a PMT. For example, column 2011 is a set of service information including channel identifier "1", channel name "channel 1", frequency "150MHz..." in tuning information, and program number "101".

On this basis, the library 1701b can also set parameters for controlling the hardware constituent units shown in FIG. 13 . Each function will be described in detail later.

The Java VM 1701 is a Java virtual machine that sequentially analyzes and executes programs written in the Java(TM) language. Programs written in the Java language are compiled into hardware-independent intermediate code called bytecode. The Java Virtual Machine is an interpreter that executes this bytecode. The JavaVM 1703 executes a Java library 1704 written in the Java language. Details of the Java language are described in publications such as "Java Language Specification" (ISBN 0-201-63451-1) and "Java Virtual Machine Specification" (ISBN 0-201-63451-X). In addition, other subroutines not written in the Java language can be called through the Java Native Interface (JNI), or called by such subroutines. Details about JNI can be found in books such as "Java Native Interface".

The Java library 1704 is a library written in the Java language, which is called by a Java program in order to control the functions of the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus. However, there are also situations where it is necessary to use subroutines written in languages other than Java such as the library 1701b of the OS 1701. The Java program can use the functions provided by the Java library 1740 by calling the Java Application Programming Interface (API) owned by the Java library 1704 .

The tuner 1704c is a Java library for controlling the in-band reception tuner 1301a in the broadcast recording and reproducing terminal. When the Java program transmits tuning information including frequency to the tuner 1704c, the tuner 1704c uses the information to call the tuning function of the library 1701b, and as a result, the operation of the in-band receiving tuner 1301a of the broadcast recording and reproducing terminal can be controlled.

The SF 1704e is a Java library for controlling the functions of the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the broadcast recording and reproducing terminal. When the Java program passes filter conditions such as PID, table_id, etc. to SF 1704e, SF 1704e uses the function of library 1701b based on these conditions, sets the filter conditions and controls the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503, and obtains the desired filter. Conditional MPEG-2 segment, and the MPEG-2 segment is passed to the Java program that sets the filter condition.

DSM-CC 1704d is a Java library for accessing the file system of the DSM-CC object carousel. The DSM-CC object carousel is included in the MPEG-2 section obtained by SF 1704e. DSM-CC is defined by the ISO/IEC 13818-6 standard and is a mechanism for transmitting arbitrary files using MPEG-2 segments. By using this, it is possible to send a file from a broadcasting station to a terminal. DSM-CC 1704d uses SF 1704e and acquires MPEG-2 segments based on the DSM-CC identifier and file identifier specified by a Java program, etc., acquires a file based on the ISO/IEC 13818-6 standard, and outputs the file to The main storage unit 1308, the second storage unit 1307, and so on. The detailed method of implementing DSM-CC is irrelevant to the present invention, so the details are omitted.

AM 1704b is an application manager that provides a function for managing execution and termination of Java programs included in the service. The AM 1704b extracts the Java program multiplexed into the channel specified by the specified MPEG-2 transport stream, and causes the extracted Java program to be executed or terminated according to the individually multiplexed synchronization information. The Java class file of the Java program is multiplexed into the MPEG-2 transport stream in the aforementioned DSM-CC format. Also, the synchronization information of the Java program is in a format called AIT, and is multiplexed into the MPEG-2 transport stream. AIT is an acronym for Application Information Table, which is an MPEG-2 section whose table_id is "0x74", as defined in subsection 10 of the DVB-MHP specification (ETSITS101812 DVB-MHP specification V1.0.2). In the description of this embodiment, the AIT used is a modified version of the version defined by the DVB-MHP specification.

Figure 24 shows the internal structure of AM 1704b. The AM 1704b is structured as an AIT monitoring unit 2402 and an application state management unit 2401.

The AIT monitoring unit 2402 monitors the update state of the AIT, taking as input the private segment and channel identifier of the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the TS decoder at the time of service reproduction and recording. First, the AIT monitoring unit 2402 searches for channel information in the library 1701b with a designated channel identifier as a key, and obtains a program number of a corresponding service. Next, obtain the PAT from the MPEG-2 transport stream using SF 1704e, etc. Then, the PID of the PMT corresponding to the obtained program number is obtained from the information of the PMT. Use SF1704e again to get the actual PMT. The acquired PMT is in the format shown in FIG. 11, and has written the PID of the elementary stream with "data" as the stream identifier and "AIT" as supplementary information. Furthermore, when the now obtained PID and table_ID "0x74" of the AIT are supplied to the SF 1701e as filter conditions, the actual AIT is obtained.

FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing an example of AIT information. The AIT version number 2200 indicates the version of the AIT. The higher the version of the AIT, the newer the AIT. AITs of the same AIT version are repeatedly received, but since one AIT has already been acquired, the AIT monitoring unit 2402 ignores and no longer acquires an AIT of the same AIT version, and only acquires an AIT newer than the already acquired AIT. Note that at this point, version upgrades of PAT and PMT may occur. Therefore, it is constantly monitored whether there is a version upgrade in the PAT and PMT. If there is actually a version upgrade in the PAT or PMT, the actual AIT must be reacquired based on the version upgrade PAT and PMT through the aforementioned method. The AIT monitoring unit 2402 outputs the acquired new AIT of each AIT to the application state management unit 2401 and the recorded service selection unit 2404 . Column 2201 is the identifier of the Java program. According to the MHP standard, this identifier is defined as an application ID.

Column 2202 is control information of the Java program. In the control information, there are "autostart", "present", "kill" and so on; "autostart" means that the terminal device 1300 automatically executes the Java program immediately, and "present" means is not to perform automatic execution, and "shut down" means to stop the Java program. Column 2203 is the DSM-CC identifier used to extract the PID of the Java program including the DSM-CC format. Column 2204 is the program name of the Java program. Column 2205 is service_bound_flag (service binding flag), where 1 means that the Java program will end without doubt when a different service is selected. 0 indicates that when another service is selected, if the Java program still corresponds to the AIT of that service, the execution of the Java program is continued without termination. However, even in the case of 0, the control information of the Java program in the newly selected service is given priority. Also in the case of 0, when the newly selected service is not registered, continue to execute the current Java program as it is now.

Note that in this case, one configuration can be the case where the Java program is terminated. Here, an EPG application capable of selective reproduction of only a specified service can be given as an example of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0. In other words, by including the same EPG application with service_bound_flag=0 in all the services to be selectively reproduced, in the case where each service is selectively reproduced according to the EPG application, the execution can be continuously executed without termination. EPG application. Lines 2211, 2212, 2213, and 2214 are sets of information of the Java program. The Java program defined by the line 2211 is a combination of the Java program identifier "0x3221", the control information "autostart", the DSM-CC identifier "1", and the program name "a/TopXlet".

The Java program defined in line 2212 is a set including a Java program identifier "0x3222", control information "presentation", a DSM-CC identifier "1", and a program name "b/GameXlet". Here, the three Java programs defined by lines 2211, 2212, and 2214 have the same DSM-CC identifier. This means that the three Java programs are included in a file system encoded in the DSM-CC format. Here, four types of information are specified for Java programs, but in fact, more types of information are defined. For details, please refer to the DVB-MHP specification.

Application state management unit 2401 analyzes the details of the updated AIT output from AIT monitoring unit 2402, and manages the execution state of the Java program based on the details of the AIT.

First, the application state management unit 2401 finds the Java program whose control information is "autostart" from inside the AIT, and extracts the corresponding DSM-CC identifier and Java program name. Referring to FIG. 22, the AM 1704b extracts the Java program from row 2211, and acquires the DSM-CC identifier "1" and the Java program name "a/TopXlet". Next, the application state management unit 2401 uses the DSM-CC identifier obtained from the AIT in order to access the DSM-CC 1704d, and can acquire the file of the Java program stored in the DSM-CC file system. This file is stored in the main storage unit 1308, the second storage unit 1307, and the like. Thereafter, fetching data such as a file system from the TS packets of the MPEG-2 transport stream and saving the data in storage devices such as the main storage unit 1308 and the second storage unit 1307 is referred to as downloading.

Fig. 23 is an example of a downloaded file system. In this diagram, circles represent directories and squares represent files. 2301 is the root directory, 2302 is the directory "a", 2303 is the directory "b", 2304 is the file "TopXlet.class", 2305 is the file "GameXlet.class", 2306 is the directory "z", 2307 is the file "MusicXlet. class", and 2308 is the file "StudyXlet.class".

Next, the application state management unit 2401 transfers the Java program to be executed from the file system downloaded to the main storage unit 1308 to the Java VM 1703. Here, when the name of the Java program to be executed is "A/TopXlet", the file "a/TopXlet.class" is the file to be executed, wherein ".class" is added to the end of the name of the Java program. "/" is a separator between a path and a file name, and referring to FIG. 23, a file 2304 is a Java program that should be executed. Execute the file as a Java program in the Java VM.

Every time an AIT with a new AIT version is output from the AIT monitoring unit 2402, the application state management unit 2401 analyzes the AIT, and changes the execution state of the new Java program.

JMF 1704a controls the reproduction of video and audio contained in the service. Specifically, when reproducing the service, the JMF 1704a causes specified video ES and audio ES from the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the TS decoder to be input to the AV decoder.

One input to JMF 1704a is the channel identifier of the channel to be reproduced. First, JMF 1704a searches channel information in library 1701b using the specified channel identifier as a key, and obtains a program number. Next, using SF 1704e etc., the PAT was obtained from the MPEG-2 transport stream. Then, the PID of the PMT corresponding to the obtained program number is obtained from the information of the PMT. Using SF 1704 again, get the actual PMT. The acquired PMT is in the format shown in FIG. 11, and the PID of the elementary stream is written with "video" and "audio" as stream identifiers. When the JMF 1704a sets these PIDs in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder 1302 through the library 1701b, the video ES and the audio ES on which these PIDs are multiplexed are decoded by the AV decoder 1303, as shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16. The decoded audio and video are reproduced through speaker 1304 and display 1305 .

The recorded service selection handler (handler) manager 1704g handles registration and execution of a recorded service selection handler for determining whether to simultaneously record other services in addition to the specified service at the time of recording. One serving. FIG. 24 shows the internal structure of the recorded service selection handler manager 1704g. The recorded service selection handler manager 1704g includes: a recorded service selection handler registration unit 2406; a recorded service selection handler call unit 2405; a multi-service record permission handler registration unit 2408; and a multi-service record permission handler call unit 2407.

Recorded service selection handler registration unit 2406 provides a Java API for registering recorded service selection handlers. The Java API is of the form registerHandler(Handler h), and the recorded service selection handler is specified in h. When this API is called, the designated recorded service selection handler is stored in the main storage unit 1308 .

The recorded service selection handler is a part of the downloaded Java program, which is a program code written in the Java language. It is documented that service selection handlers have a return value of a Handler.notify method that has an array PMT[](AIT ait, PMTpmt, PMT pmt[]). The parameter ait is the AIT including the service to be recorded; the parameter pmt is the PMT representing the service to be recorded; the parameter pmt[] is the PMT group to be recorded at the same time. These parameters are transferred from the recorded service selection unit 2404 to the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405 . The downloaded Java program refers to the information of these parameters, selects the service to be recorded simultaneously with the original service, and returns it as the return value PMT[]. Note that a return value of null indicates that the recorded service selection handler did not specifically specify a service to be recorded, and leaves the selection of services to be recorded to the recording manager 1704h.

The recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 receives from the recorded service selection unit 2404 the AIT including the service to be recorded, the PMT indicating the service to be recorded, and all the PMTs corresponding to the services to be recorded simultaneously. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 calls the notify method of the recorded service selection handler registered in the main storage unit with those pieces of information. Thereafter, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 notifies the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the return value PMT[] of the recorded service selection handler.

The multi-service record allowing handler registration unit 2408 provides a Java API for registering a multi-service record allowing handler. This Java API is in the form of registerHandler(AllowHandler h), and the multi-service record allow handler is specified as h. When this API is called, the specified multi-service record permission handler is stored in the main storage unit 1308 .

The multi-service record enabling handler is part of the downloaded Java program and is program code written in the Java language. A multi-service record allows handlers to have a method Handler.allowMultiServicRec() with a boolean value as return value. When this method is called, the downloaded Java program judges whether it is allowed to simultaneously record multiple services together with the original service, and returns it as a return value. When the return value is true, it means that multiple services are allowed to record at the same time. When the return value is false, it means that multiple services are not allowed to be recorded at the same time, and only the specified service can be recorded separately.

Upon receiving the multi-service recording permission judgment request from the recorded service selection unit 2404, the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 calls the allowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record permission handler registered in the main memory unit. Thereafter, the multi-service record permission handler calling unit 2407 notifies the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the return value of the multi-service record permission handler.

The recording manager 1704h records the MPEG-2 transport stream including the specified service in the second storage unit. Fig. 24 shows the internal structure of the recording manager 1704h. The record manager 1704h includes a record registration unit 2403 and a recorded service selection unit 2404 . The record registration unit 2403 takes the channel identifier, start time and end time as input, and only records the interval between the start time and end time of the specified service in the second storage unit 1307 . The record registration unit 2403 is a Java API for record registration, which has record(int source_id, Time start, Time end). source_id specifies the channel identifier, start specifies the start time of the recording, and end specifies the end time of the recording. In addition, the record registration unit 2403 also accepts a record registration request from a non-Java program. For example, a channel identifier, start time, and end time may be specified from EPG 1702. When the record registration is performed, the record registration unit 2403 waits.

Thereafter, upon reaching a specific time before the recording start time, the EPG 1702 provides the specified channel identifier, recording start time, and recording end time to the recorded service selection unit 2404, and requests recording of the service. Here, the specific time may be any time, but desirably it is the amount of time that the recorded service selection unit 2404 can complete recording preprocessing, as described below. The recorded service selection unit 2404 records the service into the second storage unit based on the specified channel identifier, recording start time, and recording end time.

First, in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 secures a recording area 1504 for recording an MPEG-2 transport stream from a designated start time to a designated end time. A media identifier is provided to the secured recording area. Next, using the channel identifier as a key, the recorded service selection unit 2404 obtains the tuning information corresponding to the channel identifier from the channel information owned by the library 1701b. Thereafter, when the recorded service selection unit 2404 provides the tuner 1704c with the tuning information, the tuner 1704c starts tuning. Here, the tuning information is information that can specify such as frequency, modulation method, and the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15 , the input and output of the hardware constituent units are set so that the MPEG-2 transport stream is input into the TS decoder through the adapter 1311 .

Next, using the SF 1704e, the recorded service selection unit 2404 acquires the PAT from the MPEG-2 transport stream obtained by tuning. Thereafter, PIDs of PMTs are obtained from this PAT, and using SF 1704e, all PMTs in the MPEG-2 Transport Stream are obtained. Also, the recorded service selection unit 2404 searches the library 1701b for a program number corresponding to the specified channel identifier, and checks the corresponding PMT. Note that in the MPEG standard, versions of PAT and PMT can be upgraded. Therefore, recorded service selection unit 2404 constantly filters and monitors PAT and PMT; after the version of PAT or PMT is upgraded, repeat the above-mentioned process, and obtain all PMTs in this MPEG-2 transport stream and to record PMT of the service.

During the recording process, once a notification about a new AIT with an upgraded version is received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402, or once a version upgrade of PAT or PMT is detected, the recorded service selection unit 2404 calls the recorded service selection handler The unit 2405 notifies the latest AIT, the PMT of the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier (which in turn is specified by the recording registration unit 2403), and all the PMTs in the MPEG-2 transport stream as the simultaneously recorded service, and The request invokes the documented service selection handler. Then, as mentioned earlier, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404.

If a PMT array is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, the service indicated by the specified PMT is simultaneously recorded. All ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT array, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs, are set in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder and the segment filtering device 1503. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 . Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if "null" is returned from the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection unit 2404 first requests multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. When the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bournd_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. When multi-service recording allow handler calling unit 2407 returns "true", recorded service selecting unit 2404 records all services in the MPEG-2 transport stream. In other words, all ESs (in other words, audio, video) expressed in all PMTs in the MPEG-2 transport stream, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs are set in TS PID filter 1502 and segmentation filter 1503 of the decoder. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so as to only record into the remaining space The audio/video ES and the segment are recorded into the second storage unit 1307. Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. The service may be recorded into recording area 1504 after a specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 21 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream.

FIG. 21 is an example of a recording information management table for managing information such as recording information recorded in the recording area 1504 of the second storage unit 1307. Record this record information in a graph format. Column 2101 is the record identifier. Column 2102 is to specify the channel identifier to be recorded. Column 2103 is the corresponding program number. Column 2104 is the recording start time of the service, and column 2105 is the recording end time of the service. Column 2106 is a media identifier identifying the MPEG-2 transport stream recorded as a service. Each of rows 2111 to 2112 is a set of each record identifier, channel identifier, program number, start time, end time, and media identifier. For example, row 2111 shows record identifier "000", channel identifier "2", program number "102", start time "2005/03/30 11:00", end time "2005/03/3012:00 , and the media identifier "TS_001".

The service manager 1704f manages the reproduction of the service in the MPEG-2 transport stream that has been recorded in the second storage unit 1307, or manages the reproduction of the service in the MPEG-2 transport stream input from the adapter 1311.

Next, the processing procedure in the case of managing the reproduction of the service contained in the MPEG-2 transport stream recorded in the second storage unit 1307 will be described. This is equivalent to reproducing the recorded service. In this case, the service manager 1704f takes the record identifier as input. Only the service that has been recorded in the second storage unit 1307 and specified by the recording identifier will be reproduced. First, referring to the recording information management table created by the recording manager 1704h, the service manager 1704f obtains the channel identifier and the media identifier of the service to be reproduced by specifying the recording identifier. Then, the service manager 1704f instructs the second storage unit 1307 to output the MPEG-2 transport stream specified by the obtained media identifier to the TS decoder 1302 through the library 1701b. In addition, the service manager 1704f sets the output destination of each hardware constituent unit through the library 1701b so as to flow through the route shown in FIG. 16 . Thereafter, the second storage unit 1307 is provided to the JMF 1704a as the location of the MPEG-2 transport stream, and the channel identifier to be reproduced is provided. Then, through the above process, the JMF 1704a starts to reproduce the audio and video multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream output by the second storage unit 1307. In addition, the channel identifier to be reproduced is provided to the AIT monitoring unit 2402 of the AM 1704b. Then, according to the AIT multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the second storage unit 1307 by the TS decoder 1302, the AM 1704b starts executing and terminates the Java program multiplexed in the same MPEG-2 transport stream. Thereafter, reproduction of the service continues until the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the second storage unit 1307 ends.

On the other hand, a case where a service in an MPEG-2 transport stream input from the adapter 1311 is played back will be described below. This corresponds to directly reproducing services from broadcast waves. In this case, the service manager 1704f takes as input the channel identifier of the service to be reproduced. The service manager 1704f instructs the output of the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the adapter 1311 of FIG. 15 to the TS decoder 1302 through the library 1701 . In addition, through the library 1701b, the service manager 1704f sets the output destination of each constituent unit so as to flow through the route shown in FIG. 16 . Thereafter, the adapter 1311 is provided to the JMF 1704a as the location of the MPEG-2 transport stream, and the channel identifier to be reproduced is provided. Then, through the above processing procedure, the JMF 1704a starts to reproduce the audio and video multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the adapter 1311. In addition, the adapter 1311 is provided to the AM 1704b as the location of the MPEG-2 transport stream, and a channel identifier to be reproduced is provided. Then, the AM 1704b starts executing and terminates the Java program multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the second storage unit 1307 according to the AIT multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the adapter 1311. Thereafter, reproduction of the service continues until the MPEG-2 transport stream output from the second storage unit 1307 ends.

EPG 1702 is an electronic program guide whose function is to enable users to select television programs to be recorded and reproduced. Conventional reproduction by receiving broadcast waves deviates from the field of the present invention, so description is omitted.

In the case of recording TV programs, the EPG 1702 displays a list of broadcasted TV programs and lets the user select a desired TV program. Figure 19 is an example of a screen display for a user to select a television program to record. Time 1901 and channels 1902 and 1903 are displayed in one grid, and TV programs of each recordable channel at each time can be checked. For the user, the focus 1911 in the screen can be moved by using cursor up, down, right and left buttons 1401 to 1404 included in the input unit 1310 of the terminal device 1300 . Additionally, when the OK button 1405 is pressed, the television program currently in focus will be selected for recording. The EPG 1702 obtains the channel identifier of the TV program from the library, and when the user selects the TV program to be recorded, the channel identifier, start time and end time of the TV program are notified to the recording manager 1704h Registration unit 2403.

On the other hand, in the case of reproducing recorded TV programs, the EPG 1702 displays a list of recorded TV programs and allows the user to select a desired TV program. Figure 18 is an example of a screen display enabling selection of recorded television programs. All television programs stored in the second storage unit 1307 at that moment are listed. For the user, the focus 1801 can be moved within the screen using the cursor up and down buttons 1401 and 1402 included in the input unit 1310 of the terminal device 1300 . In addition, when the OK button is pressed, the TV program currently in focus will be selected for reproduction. The EPG 1702 obtains the record identifier of the TV program from the record manager 1704h, and when the user selects a TV program to be reproduced, notifies the service manager 1704f of the record identifier of the TV program. Based on this information, the service manager 1704f reads out the television program from the second storage unit 1307 and reproduces it.

Next, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307 in this embodiment.

In S3101, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3102, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the specified recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3103, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or a PMT update due to a version upgrade of PAT occurs, the process proceeds to S3104, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 acquires all the PMTs within the transport stream containing the service to be recorded , the service is specified by a channel identifier. The recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 is requested to specify all PMTs and call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case that the return value is a PMT array, the process proceeds to S3105, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 will include all audio/video ESs and segments in the PMT array recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

In case the return value is null, the process proceeds to S3106, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. When service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3107, and only the audio/video ES and segments of the service specified by the channel identifier (which again is specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded at S3107. In the second storage unit 1307.

On the other hand, in S3106, in the case where the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3108. Here, the multi-service record allowing handler calling unit 2407 is requested to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service recording allowing handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3107. On the other hand, if the result is true, the process proceeds to S3109, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) will be included. Audio/video ES and segments of all PMTs within the MPEG-2 transport stream are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 . When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing procedure returns to S3103, and the processing is repeated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when recording a service, it is possible to determine whether to simultaneously record other services together with the service by referring to the number of ESs to be recorded, the available space in the storage unit, etc., through the downloaded Java program. In addition, it is possible to automatically detect whether the Java program included in the service is of a type that can be executed by two or more services, and if the Java program is of such an executable type, it is possible to record all recordable services . By doing so, even if the Java program actually performs service switching during service reproduction, the Java program can continue executing without abnormal termination.

(second embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a second embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . Since this is the same structure and function as in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 15 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection order of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 25 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection order of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording all MPEG-2 transport streams of the delivery service. 2500 is a terminal device including a tuner 1301 , an adapter 1311 , a descrambler 1501 and a recording area 1504 . The constituent elements in FIG. 15 having the same numbers as those in FIG. 13 have the same functions, so explanations are omitted. First, the tuner 1301 tunes broadcast waves according to a tuning instruction provided by the CPU 1306. The tuner 1301 demodulates broadcast waves and inputs the MPEG-2 transport stream into the adapter 1311 . The descrambler 1501 located in the adapter 1311 descrambles the MPEG-2 transport stream based on the conditional access information of each viewer. The descrambled MPEG-2 transport stream is recorded into the second storage unit.

Finally, FIG. 16 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during reproduction of services from the second storage unit. Since this is the same structure explained in the first embodiment, explanation is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

The software structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . In addition, FIG. 18 to FIG. 23 for the first embodiment are used again here to explain the structure of each data type and the screen configuration.

17 and 24, except for the recorded service selection unit 2404 and the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, other constituent units are equivalent to those explained in the first embodiment, and therefore explanations are omitted.

The recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 of the first embodiment, and its output value is different from that of the first embodiment. In addition, corresponding to this, the notify method of the recorded service selection handler is also in a different format. The Handler.notify(AIT ait, PMT pmt, PMT pmt[]) method of this embodiment uses an integer value as a return value. A return value of 0 indicates that the service selection handler is documented and is a selection that wants to determine which services to record. A return value of 1 indicates that only the specified service to be logged is logged. A return value of 2 indicates that the entire MPEG-2 Transport Stream transporting the service to be recorded is recorded. The recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the notify method to the recorded service selection unit 2404 .

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of this embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment, and the processing procedure after the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 invokes the notify method is different from that of the first embodiment example.

If a return value of 1 is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segments that make up the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder. All PIDs and table_ids of segment ES. Thereafter, through the library 1701b, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504 according to the flow shown in FIG. 15 .

If the return value returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 is 2, the entire MPEG-2 transport stream delivering the service to be recorded is recorded. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25, the recorded service selection unit 2404 sets each hardware constituent unit via the library 1701b according to the input and output operations that occur when the entire MPEG-2 transport stream delivering the service is recorded. output destination. Then, according to the flow described in FIG. 25, the entire MPEG-2 transport stream delivering the service to be recorded is recorded in the secured recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if the return value returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 is 0, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection section 2404 requests multi-service recording permission handler calling section 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. When the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bound_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. When the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "true", the recorded service selecting unit 2404 records the entire MPEG-2 transport stream delivering the service to be recorded. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25, the recorded service selection unit 2404 sets each hardware constituent unit through the library 1701b according to the input/output operation that occurs when the entire MPEG-2 transport stream delivering the service is recorded. output destination. Then, according to the flow described in FIG. 25, the entire MPEG-2 transport stream delivering the service to be recorded is recorded in the secured recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. Actual recording in recording area 1504 occurs after the specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 21 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream.

Processing procedures other than the above are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3201, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3202, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the specified recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3203, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or a PMT update due to a version upgrade of PAT occurs, the process proceeds to S3204, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 acquires all the PMTs within the transport stream containing the service to be recorded , the service is specified by a channel identifier. The recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 is requested to specify all PMTs and call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case where the return value is 2, the process proceeds to S3207, and all MPEG-2 transport streams including the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are all recorded in the second storage Unit 1307.

In the case that the return value is 1, the process proceeds to S3208, and only the video/audio ES and segment of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded in the second storage Unit 1307.

In case the return value is 0, the process proceeds to S3205, and for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier, the value of service_bound_flag is checked. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3208, which was explained earlier. On the other hand, when the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3206, and the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is requested to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3208. However, if the result is true, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3207.

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing returns to S3203, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, when recording a service, by referring to the remaining free space in the storage unit by the downloaded Java program, it can be determined whether to record only the service or the entire MPEG-2 transport stream conveying the service. In addition, it is possible to automatically detect whether the Java program included in the service is of a type that can be executed by two or more services, and if the Java program is of such an executable type, it is possible to record the entire MPEG-2 Transport Stream. By doing so, even if the Java program actually performs service switching during service reproduction, the Java program can continue executing without abnormal termination.

(third embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a general hardware structure of a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention; in other words, shows a specific internal structure of terminal devices 111, 112, and 113 shown in FIG. 1300 is a broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus, which is configured as: a tuner 1301; a TS decoder (TS demultiplexer) 1302; an AV decoder 1303; a speaker 1304; a display 1305; a CPU 1306; storage unit 1308; ROM 1309; input unit 1310; adapter 1311; AV encoder 11312; multiplexer (MPEG-2 transport stream multiplexer, etc.) 1313; segment conversion unit 2601; Except for the multiplexer 1313, the segment conversion unit 2601, and the segment readout unit 2602, elements having the same names and numbers as those described in FIG. 13 in the first embodiment are equivalent to those described in the first embodiment. Those elements are therefore omitted from description.

The multiplexer 1313 differs from that of the first embodiment in that it does not multiplex the AIT segment and the DSM-CC segment. Otherwise, the multiplexer 1313 is the same.

The segment converting unit 2401 converts the segment not multiplexed by the multiplexer into a file, and records the file into the recording area 1504 of the second storage unit 1307 . After passing through the main storage unit 1308, the AIT segment and the DSM-CC segment filtered out by the TS decoder 1302 pass through the segment conversion unit 2401 and are recorded in the recording area 1504 without passing through the multiplexer. Here, the recording method when recording the segment in the recording area 1504 differs depending on the format of the segment.

In the case that the file system is recorded in the MPEG-2 transport stream in the DSM-CC file system format, the segment conversion unit 2401 converts the file system into the file system format unique to the recording area 1504 (which is unique to the terminal again). ), and record the file system into the recording area 1504.

Also, in the case of the AIT, the segment conversion unit 2401 converts the AIT into the extended recording information management table format as shown in FIG. 29 , and records the AIT into the recording area 1504. The record information management table shown in Figure 26 is an extended version of the record information management table shown in Figure 21; the meanings of the items marked with the same number in the two tables are the same as those in the record information management table shown in Figure 21 same. The segment conversion unit 2401 creates the AIT information management table part, and when the recorded service selection unit 2404 creates the record information management table, merges this part with the record information management table.

Each of rows 2911 and 2912 shows record information of one service. Each of the rows 2911, 2912 has a record identifier 2101, a channel identifier 2102, a program number 2103, a service record start time 2104, a service record end time 2105, a media identifier 2106, and a reference 2907 to the AIT information management table. The AIT information management table has a media time 2921 and an AIT version 2922 corresponding thereto.

The media time 2921 is the time when the corresponding MPEG-2 transport stream is played back, and is a time stamp indicating the position in the corresponding MPEG-2 transport stream. AIT version number 2922 corresponds to AIT version 2200 in FIG. 22 . For example, the record information of the service whose record identifier 2101 is "001" has the media identifier 2106 as "TS_002", and when the media time 2921 in the referenced AIT information management table is "00:00:00", the corresponding AIT version 2922 is "1". In the same way, the AIT version 2922 corresponding to the media time 2921 of "00:05:00" is "2", and the AIT version 2922 corresponding to the media time 2921 of "00:20:00" is "3".

For example, when reproducing the service whose channel identifier 2901 is "001", refer to the recording information management table, and reproduce the MPEG-2 transport stream multiplexed with video and audio specified by the media identifier 2902 "TS_002"; Information management table, when the media time 2921 reaches "00:00:00", according to the AIT whose AIT version 2922 is "1", control is performed so that the Java program is started or terminated. In a similar manner, an AIT of "2" according to AIT version 2922 when the media time 2921 reaches "00:05:00" and "3" according to the AIT version 2922 when the media time 2921 reaches "00:20:00" The AIT of "executes control so that the Java program starts or terminates. The actual AIT, which is a binary file in a private segment format, is converted into a file system format unique to the recording area 1504 (which in turn is unique to the terminal), and recorded in the recording area 1504. A unique file name (by which the file can be uniquely identified) is assigned to the recorded file, and is recorded as the AIT file name 2923 in the recording information management table.

In actual broadcast waves, AITs of the same AIT version are repeatedly transmitted any number of times, but in this embodiment, only the first AIT updated at that moment is recorded to the recording area by detecting a change in the received AIT version In 1504.

Segment readout unit 2602 searches for the media time corresponding to the current reproduction time of the MPEG-2 transport stream read from the recording area, and reads out the AIT and DSM-CC file system corresponding to the media time from the file, and sets It is passed to the software AIT monitoring unit 2402 . In other words, the AIT monitoring unit 2402 does not refer to the filtering result of the TS decoder as in the first embodiment, but obtains the AIT binary file and the DSM-CC file system from the segment readout unit 2602 .

FIG. 14 is a structural example of the input unit 310 in this embodiment. Since this is the same as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

The following describes in detail the above-mentioned broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus to record the service included in the broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307, and the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus continuously reads out and reproduces the information of the service from the second storage unit 1307. process.

First, the processing procedure for recording the service included in the broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307 will be described.

FIG. 27 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during a recording service. Component units in this figure having the same numbers as those shown in FIG. 15 have already been described in the first embodiment, and thus explanations are omitted. Contrary to FIG. 15, with the hardware structure shown in FIG. 27, after passing through the main storage unit 1308, the AIT segment and the DSM-CC segment filtered by the TS decoder 1302 pass through the segment conversion unit 2601 and are recorded to the record area 1504 without going through the multiplexer.

Next, a description is given about sequentially reading out the recorded MPEG-2 transport stream from the second storage unit 1307 and reproducing the service.

FIG. 28 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during recording of the service. Component units in this figure having the same numbers as those shown in FIG. 16 have already been described in the first embodiment, and thus explanations are omitted.

The difference between the hardware structure in FIG. 28 and the hardware structure in FIG. 16 is that the segments recorded in the recording area 1504 are read into the main storage unit through the segment readout unit 2901 without passing through the TS decoder.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been explained. Hereinafter, the main functions of the present invention, ie, the control of service recording and the control of trick play by a Java program, will be described.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . In addition, FIG. 18 to FIG. 23 used for the first embodiment are used here again to explain the structure and screen configuration of each data type.

17 and 24, except for the application state management unit 2401, the AIT management unit 2402, and the recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore explanations are omitted.

In this embodiment, the AIT monitoring unit 2402 is a partially modified version of the AIT monitoring unit 2402 in the first embodiment, the difference is that the AIT monitoring unit 2402 reads out the AIT files that have been respectively recorded in the second storage unit , instead of filtering and fetching the AIT multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream read from the second storage unit 1307 . The AIT monitoring unit 2402 verifies the AIT corresponding to the current media time according to the progress of service reproduction or recording using the media time 2921 in the AIT information management table, acquires the AIT file name corresponding to the current media time, and reads out the actual AIT document. The media time continues to move forward, and when the time reaches the time when a different AIT should be referred to, a new AIT is obtained. In other words, this is equivalent to a version upgrade of AIT. Therefore, the valid time of the AIT of the current version continues from the valid start media time of the AIT to the valid start media time of another AIT.

Other processing procedures are the same as those of the AIT monitoring unit 3231 in the first embodiment.

The application state management unit 2401 of this embodiment is a partially modified version of the application state management unit 2401 of the first embodiment, which reads out Java class files recorded in the original file system format from the second storage unit 1307 instead of The Java program is read out in the DSM-CC section multiplexed in the MPEG-2 transport stream. Other processing procedures are the same as those of the application state management unit in the first embodiment.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment, and the return of the notify method of the recording and reproduction processing program returned from the recorded service selection processing program call unit 2405 The processing after the value is different from the first embodiment.

If the PMT array is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, the service group indicated by the specified PMT is recorded at the same time. All ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT array, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs, are set in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder and the segment filtering device 1503. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 .

Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 27 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if "null" is returned from the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure shown in FIG. 27 for recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection section 2404 requests multi-service recording permission handler calling section 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. In the case where the multi-service record permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bound_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. In a case where the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "true", the recorded service selecting unit 2404 records all services in the MPEG-2 transport stream. In other words, all ESs (in other words, audio, video) expressed in all PMTs in the MPEG-2 transport stream, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs are set in TS PID filter 1502 and segmentation filter 1503 of the decoder.

However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 . Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 27 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. Actual recording in recording area 1504 occurs after the specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 29 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream. Note that the AIT information management table part is merged with the table created by the segment conversion unit 2401. Other processing procedures are the same as those of the application state management unit in the first embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3301, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3302, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the designated recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the specified recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3303, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or a PMT update due to a version upgrade of PAT occurs, the process proceeds to S3304, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 acquires all the PMTs within the transport stream containing the service to be recorded , the service is specified by a channel identifier. The recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 is requested to specify all PMTs and call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case that the return value is a PMT array, the process proceeds to S3305, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 will include all audio/video ESs and segments in the PMT array Files are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 .

In case the return value is null, the process proceeds to S3306, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3307, and only the video/audio ES and segment file of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

On the other hand, in S3306, in the case where the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3308. Here, the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is required to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3307. On the other hand, if the result is true, the process proceeds to S3309, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) will be included. Audio/video ES and segments of all PMTs within the MPEG-2 transport stream are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 . When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing returns to S3303, and the processing is repeated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a service is recorded, by referring to the available space in the storage unit or the like by the downloaded Java program, it can be determined whether to record other services simultaneously with the service. In addition, it is possible to automatically detect whether the Java program included in the service is of a type executable on two or more services, and if the Java program is of such an executable type, it is possible to record all recordable Serve. By doing so, even if the Java program actually performs service switching during service reproduction, the Java program can continue executing without abnormal termination. In addition, since private segments such as AIT and DSM-CC that repeatedly transmit the same data are converted into a file format and recorded only when there is an update, space in the storage unit can be saved.

(fourth embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . Since this is the same structure and function as in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 15 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection order of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 16 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during reproduction of services from the second storage unit. Since this is the same structure explained in the first embodiment, explanation is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

In addition, FIG. 18 to FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 used in the first embodiment are used again here in order to explain the structure of each data type and the screen configuration used in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the AIT in the format shown in FIG. 30 is used instead of the AIT in the format shown in FIG. 22 . Regarding the AIT shown in FIG. 30, elements whose names or numbers are the same as those shown in FIG. 22 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so explanations are omitted. In FIG. 30, a recording target channel identifier 3001 is newly added. Fig. 30 lists the channel identifiers of the services to be simultaneously recorded so that each Java program is normally executed. For example, this means that, for the Java program in line 2211 to work normally, services with channel identifiers 1 and 2 must be recorded at the same time.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . 17 and 24, except for the recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so explanations are omitted.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment, and the processing procedure after the following steps is different from the first embodiment: i) monitoring from the AIT during the recording operation The unit receives a notification about a new AIT whose version has been upgraded, or ii) detects a version upgrade of PAT or PMT. At this time, the recorded service selection unit 2404 first checks the simultaneous recording target channel identifier 3001 in the new AIT whose version has been upgraded received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402 . Redundancy is removed, and simultaneous recording target channel identifiers 3001 written in all Java programs indicated in this AIT are listed.

In the AIT example shown in FIG. 30, redundancy is removed while recording target channel identifiers are 1, 2, and 4. Thereafter, the recorded service selection unit 2404 notifies the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 of the latest AIT, the PMT corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier while removing redundancy, and the PMT of the service to be recorded, and requests to call Documented service selection handler. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404 as described above.

If the PMT array is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, the service group indicated by the specified PMT is recorded at the same time. All ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT array, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs, are set in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder and the segment filtering device 1503. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 .

Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if "null" is returned from the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection section 2404 requests multi-service recording permission handler calling section 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. In the case where the multi-service record permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bound_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. In a case where the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "true", the recorded service selecting unit 2404 records all services specified by the redundant simultaneous recording target channel identifier. In other words, all ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT group corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting the service on said PMT , are set in the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder.

However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 . Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. Actual recording in recording area 1504 occurs after the specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 21 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream.

Processing procedures other than the above are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3401, a Java program or other program supplies a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time to the recording registration unit 2403. Then proceeding to S3402, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the designated recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3403, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or when a PMT update occurs due to a version upgrade of PAT, the process proceeds to S3404, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks that the service to be recorded is specified by the channel identifier. The AIT simultaneously records the target channel identifier, and determines the services to be simultaneously recorded. The recorded service selection unit 2404 specifies services to be simultaneously recorded, and requests the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 to call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case that the return value is a PMT array, the process proceeds to S3405, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 will include all audio/video ESs and segments in the PMT array recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

In case the return value is null, the process proceeds to S3406, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier.

In the case of service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3407, and only the video/audio ES and segment of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded In the second storage unit 1307 .

On the other hand, in S3406, in the case where the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3408. Here, the multi-service record allowing handler calling unit 2407 is requested to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service recording allowing handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3407. On the other hand, if the result is true, then the process proceeds to S3409, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the video/audio ES and segment recording of all PMTs corresponding to the service to be simultaneously recorded In the second storage unit 1307 .

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing procedure returns to S3403, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, on the basis of the effect of the first embodiment, only the services necessary for normal execution of the Java program are selectively recorded, so that the Java program can be normally executed without wasting space in the storage unit.

(fifth embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . Since this is the same structure and function as in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 15 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection order of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted. Next, FIG. 25 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording the MPEG-2 transport stream of the delivery service. Since this is the same structure as described in the second embodiment, description is omitted

Finally, FIG. 16 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during recording services. Since this is the same structure as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

In addition, FIG. 18 to FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 used in the first embodiment are used here again in order to explain the structure and screen configuration of each data type used in this embodiment; The AIT format shown in Figure 30. Since these figures are the same as those described in the first and fourth embodiments, explanations are omitted.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . 17 and 24, except for the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 and the recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so explanations are omitted. In addition, the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 is the same as that described in the second embodiment, so the description is omitted.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the second embodiment, and when the recorded service selection process is called from the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 during the recording operation The method of providing PMT during programming is different from that of the second embodiment. Upon receiving a notification about the upgraded new AIT from the AIT monitoring unit 2405, or detecting a PAT or PMT version upgrade, the recorded service selection unit 2404 first checks the new AIT received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402, whose version has been upgraded. Simultaneous recording target channel identifier 3001 in . Redundancy is removed, and simultaneous recording target channel identifiers 3001 written in all Java programs indicated in this AIT are listed.

In the AIT example shown in FIG. 30 , redundancy is removed while recording target channel identifiers are 1, 2, and 4. Thereafter, the recorded service selection unit 2404 notifies the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 of the latest AIT, the PMT corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier while removing redundancy, and the PMT of the service to be recorded, and requests to call Documented service selection handler. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404 as described above. Processing procedures thereafter are the same as those described in the second embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3501, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3502, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the specified recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3503, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or when a PMT update occurs due to a version upgrade of PAT, the process proceeds to S3504, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks that the service to be recorded is specified by the channel identifier. The AIT simultaneously records the target channel identifier, and determines the services to be simultaneously recorded. The recorded service selection unit 2404 specifies services to be simultaneously recorded, and requests the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 to call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

If the return value is 2, the process proceeds to S3507, and all MPEG-2 transport streams including services specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 middle.

If the return value is 1, the process proceeds to S3508, and only the video/audio ES and segment of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 middle.

If the return value is 0, the process proceeds to S3505, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3508, which was explained earlier. On the other hand, in the case where service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3506, and the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is required to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3508. However, if the result is true, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3507.

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing procedure returns to S3503, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, on the basis of the effect of the second embodiment, only services necessary for normal execution of the Java program can be selectively recorded, so that the Java program can be normally executed without wasting space in the storage unit.

(sixth embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 14 . Since FIG. 26 has the same structure and function as those of the third embodiment, description is omitted. Also, since FIG. 14 has the same structure and function as those of the first embodiment, description is omitted.

In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 27 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure as described in the third embodiment, description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 28 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during the recording service. Since this is the same structure as described in the third embodiment, description is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

In addition, FIG. 18 to FIG. 20 and FIG. 23 used in the first embodiment are used here again in order to explain the structure and screen configuration of each data type used in this embodiment; The recording information management table shown in FIG. 29 and the AIT format shown in FIG. 30 of the fourth embodiment. Since these figures are the same as those described in the first, third and fourth embodiments, explanations are omitted.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . 17 and 24, except for the application state management unit 2401, AIT management unit 2402, and recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so explanations are omitted. In addition, since the application state management unit 2401 and the AIT management unit 2402 are the same as those described in the third embodiment, explanations are omitted.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment. The processing after the following steps is different from the first embodiment: i) receiving a notification from the AIT monitoring unit about a new AIT whose version has been upgraded during the recording operation, or ii) detecting a version upgrade of PAT or PMT. At this time, the recorded service selection unit 2404 first checks the simultaneous recording target channel identifier 3001 in the new AIT whose version has been upgraded received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402 . Redundancy is removed, and simultaneous recording target channel identifiers 3001 written in all Java programs indicated in this AIT are listed. In the AIT example shown in FIG. 30, redundancy is removed while recording target channel identifiers are 1, 2, and 4. Thereafter, the recorded service selection unit 2404 notifies the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 of the latest AIT, the PMT corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier while removing redundancy, and the PMT of the service to be recorded, and requests to call Documented service selection handler. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404 as described above.

If the PMT array is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, the service group indicated by the specified PMT is recorded at the same time. All ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT array, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs, are set in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder and the segment filtering device 1503. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and the section are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 .

Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 27 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if "null" is returned from the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure shown in FIG. 27 for recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection section 2404 requests multi-service recording permission handler calling section 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. In the case where the multi-service record permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bound_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. In a case where the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "true", the recorded service selecting unit 2404 records the service group specified by the redundant simultaneous recording target channel identifier. In other words, all ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT group corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting the service on said PMT , are set in the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder.

However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 . Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 27 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. Actual recording in recording area 1504 occurs after the specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 29 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream. Note that the AIT information management table part is merged with the table created by the segment conversion unit 2401.

The processing procedure other than this is the same as that of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3601, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3602, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the specified recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3603, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or when a PMT update occurs due to a version upgrade of PAT, the process proceeds to S3604, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks that the service to be recorded is specified by the channel identifier. The AIT simultaneously records the target channel identifier, and determines the services to be simultaneously recorded. The recorded service selection unit 2404 specifies services to be simultaneously recorded, and requests the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 to call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case that the return value is a PMT array, the process proceeds to S3605, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 will include all audio/video ESs and segments in the PMT array Files are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 .

In case the return value is null, the process proceeds to S3606, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3607, and only the video/audio ES and segment file of the service specified by the channel identifier (which again is specified by the record registration unit 2403) recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

On the other hand, in S3606, in the case where the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3608. Here, the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is required to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3607. On the other hand, if the result is true, then the process proceeds to S3609, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the video/audio ES and segment files of all PMTs corresponding to the services to be simultaneously recorded recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing returns to S3603, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, on the basis of the effect of the third embodiment, only services necessary for normal execution of the Java program are selectively recorded, so that the Java program can be normally executed without wasting space in the storage unit.

(seventh embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . Since this is the same structure and function as in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 15 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection order of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 16 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during the recording service. Since this is the same structure as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

18 to 23 used in the first embodiment are used here again in order to explain the structure of each data type and the screen configuration used in this embodiment. Since the constituent elements are the same as those described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . 17 and 24, except for the AIT monitoring unit 2402 and the recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so explanations are omitted.

In addition to the function of the AIT monitoring unit 2402 of the first embodiment, the AIT monitoring unit 2402 of the present embodiment monitors version upgrades of all AITs included in the MPEG-2 transport stream. In other words, the version upgrade of AIT is also monitored for channels other than the specified channel identifier. This procedure is almost the same as the case of acquiring the AIT of the service corresponding to the designated channel identifier. First, using the library 1701b, tuning information corresponding to the specified channel identifier is acquired. Next, use SF 1704e to obtain PAT. Obtain the actual PMT referenced by this PAT among all PMTs, and refer to the details written in the actual PMT, search for the PID of the elementary stream whose stream type is "data" and has "AIT" as additional information; analyze the PID Segment filtering, and get all actual AITs. The AIT monitoring unit 2402 outputs the entire latest AITs of all services in the MPEG-2 transport stream to the recorded service selection unit 2404 whenever any AIT version upgrade occurs. Note that since there is a possibility of version upgrade for PAT and PMT, in the case of version upgrade of PAT or PMT, it is necessary to reacquire AIT and check the version upgrade of AIT.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment. The processing after the following steps is different from the first embodiment: i) receiving a notification from the AIT monitoring unit about a new AIT whose version has been upgraded during the recording operation, or ii) detecting a version upgrade of PAT or PMT. At this point, the recorded service selection unit 2404 first checks the service_bound_flag 2205 of a group of new AITs whose versions have been upgraded received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402.

First, if there is no Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT of the service specified by the recording channel identifier (which in turn is specified by the recording registration unit 2403), it is determined that there is no service to be simultaneously recorded.

On the other hand, even if there is a Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT of the service specified by the recording channel identifier, a specific operation for the service to be simultaneously recorded is started. In other words, all group AITs output from the AIT monitoring unit 2402 are checked, even if there is a Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT, then the service that owns the AIT is the service to be recorded at the same time.

Thereafter, the recorded service selection unit 2404 notifies the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 of the latest AIT, the PMT group corresponding to the services judged to be simultaneously recorded, and the PMT of the service to be recorded, and requests to call the recorded service. Records the service selection handler. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404 as described above.

If the PMT array is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, the service group indicated by the specified PMT is recorded at the same time. All ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT array, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs, are set in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder and the segment filtering device 1503. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 .

Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if "null" is returned from the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT of the service to be recorded specified by the recording registration unit 2403, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection section 2404 requests multi-service recording permission handler calling section 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. In the case where the multi-service record permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bound_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. In the case where the multi-service record allowing handler call unit 2407 returns "true", all the previously described services to be recorded simultaneously are recorded. In other words, all ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT group corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier, and all PIDs and table_ids of the segmented ESs constituting the service related to the PMT, Set in the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder.

However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 . Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 15 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 15, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. Actual recording in recording area 1504 occurs after the specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 21 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream.

Processing procedures other than the above are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3701, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3702, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the specified recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3703, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or when a PMT update occurs due to a version upgrade of PAT, the process proceeds to S3704, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 is based on the AIT's service_bound_flag, which determines the services to be recorded at the same time. The recorded service selection unit 2404 specifies services to be simultaneously recorded, and requests the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 to call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case that the return value is a PMT array, the process proceeds to S3705, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 will include all audio/video ESs and segments in the PMT array recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

In case the return value is null, the process proceeds to S3706, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3707, and only the video/audio ES and segment of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded In the second storage unit 1307 .

On the other hand, in S3706, in the case where the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3708. Here, the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is required to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3707. On the other hand, if the result is true, the process proceeds to S3709, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the video/audio ES and segment recording of all PMTs corresponding to the service to be simultaneously recorded In the second storage unit 1307 .

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing procedure returns to S3703, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, on the basis of the effect of the first embodiment, only the services necessary for the normal execution of the Java program can be selectively recorded, so that the Java program can be normally executed without wasting space in the storage unit.

(eighth embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . Since this is the same structure and function as in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 15 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection order of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 25 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording the MPEG-2 transport stream of the delivery service. Since this is the same structure as described in the second embodiment, description is omitted

Finally, FIG. 16 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during recording services. Since this is the same structure as described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

18 to 23 used in the first embodiment are used here again in order to explain the structure of each data type and the screen configuration used in this embodiment. Since the constituent elements are the same as those described in the first embodiment, description is omitted.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . 17 and 24, except for the AIT monitoring unit 2402, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, and the recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so the illustrate. In addition, the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 is the same as that described in the second embodiment, so the description is omitted. The AIT monitoring unit 2402 is the same as that described in the seventh embodiment, so description is omitted.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the second embodiment, and when the recorded service selection process is called from the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 during the recording operation The method of providing PMT during programming is different from that of the second embodiment. At this time, the recorded service selection unit 2404 first checks the service_bound_flag 2205 of a group of new AITs whose versions have been upgraded received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402.

If there is no Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT of the service specified by the recording channel identifier (which in turn is specified by the recording registration unit 2403), it is determined that there is no service to be simultaneously recorded.

On the other hand, even if there is a Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT of the service specified by the recording channel identifier, a specific operation for the service to be simultaneously recorded is started. In other words, all group AITs output from the AIT monitoring unit 2402 are checked, even if there is a Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT, then the service that owns the AIT is the service to be recorded at the same time.

Thereafter, the recorded service selection unit 2404 notifies the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 of the latest AIT, the PMT group corresponding to the services judged to be simultaneously recorded, and the PMT of the service to be recorded, and requests to call the recorded service. Records the service selection handler. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404 as described above. The processing thereafter is the same as that described in the second embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave in the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3801, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with the channel identifier, the recording start time, and the recording end time. Then proceeding to S3802, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the designated recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3803, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or when a PMT update occurs due to a version upgrade of PAT, the process proceeds to S3804, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 is based on the AIT's service_bound_flag, which determines the services to be recorded at the same time. The recorded service selection unit 2404 specifies services to be simultaneously recorded, and requests the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 to call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

If the return value is 2, the process proceeds to S3807, and all MPEG-2 transport streams including services specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 middle.

If the return value is 1, the process proceeds to S3808, and only the video/audio ES and segment of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded in the second storage unit 1307 middle.

If the return value is 0, the process proceeds to S3805, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 for all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3808, which was explained earlier. On the other hand, in the case where service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3806, and the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is required to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3808. However, if the result is true, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3807.

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing procedure returns to S3803, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, on the basis of the effect of the second embodiment, only services assumed to be necessary for normal execution of a Java program can be selectively recorded, so that the Java program can be normally executed without wasting space in the storage unit.

(ninth embodiment)

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The hardware structure used in this embodiment is constructed as shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 14 . Since FIG. 26 has the same structure and function as those of the third embodiment, description is omitted. Since FIG. 14 has the same structure and function as those of the first embodiment, description is omitted. In this embodiment, each hardware constituent unit has the following input and output settings.

First, FIG. 27 shows a conceptual expression representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data format in the case of recording only ES specified within a service. Since this is the same structure as described in the third embodiment, description is omitted.

Next, FIG. 28 shows a conceptual representation representing the physical connection sequence of each device, processing details, and input/output data formats during the recording service. Since this is the same structure as described in the third embodiment, description is omitted.

So far, an example of the hardware configuration related to the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, the main function of the present invention, that is, recording and reproduction of services controlled by a Java program, will be described.

Figure 18 to Figure 21 and Figure 23 used in the first embodiment are used here again in order to illustrate the structure and screen configuration of each data type used in this embodiment; Figure 30 of the fourth embodiment is also used here AIT format shown. Since these figures are the same as those described in the first and fourth embodiments, explanations are omitted.

The software structure used in this embodiment is structured as shown in FIGS. 17 and 24 . 17 and 24, except for the AIT monitoring unit 2402, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, and the recorded service selection unit 2404, other constituent units are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so the illustrate. In addition, the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 is the same as that described in the second embodiment, so the description is omitted. The AIT monitoring unit 2402 is the same as that described in the seventh embodiment, so description is omitted.

The recorded service selection unit 2404 of the present embodiment is a partially modified version of the recorded service selection unit 2404 of the first embodiment, and calls the recorded service selection process when a request is made from the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 during the recording operation The method of providing PMT during programming is different from that of the first embodiment. At this time, the recorded service selection unit 2404 first checks the service_bound_flag 2205 of a set of new AITs whose version has been upgraded received from the AIT monitoring unit 2402 .

If there is no Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT of the service specified by the recording channel identifier (which in turn is specified by the recording registration unit 2403), it is determined that there is no service to be simultaneously recorded.

On the other hand, even if there is a Java program with service_bound_flag=0 in the AIT of the service specified by the recording channel identifier, a specific operation for the service to be simultaneously recorded is started. In other words, check all group AITs output from the AIT monitoring unit 2402, even if there is a Java program with service bound_flag=0 in the AIT, then the service that owns the AIT is the service to be recorded at the same time.

Thereafter, the recorded service selection unit 2404 notifies the recorded service selection processing program calling unit 2405 of the latest AIT, the PMT group corresponding to the services judged to be simultaneously recorded, and the PMT of the service to be recorded, and requests to call the recorded service. Records the service selection handler. Then, the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 returns the return value of the recording and reproduction handler notification method to the recorded service selecting unit 2404 as described above.

If the PMT array is returned from the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405, the service group indicated by the specified PMT is recorded at the same time. All ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT array, and all PIDs and table_ids of segment ESs constituting services related to all PMTs, are set in the PID filter 1502 of the TS decoder and the segment filtering device 1503. However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 .

Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 27 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, if "null" is returned from the recorded service selection handler call unit 2405, the recorded service selection unit 2404 determines services to be simultaneously recorded through the following steps.

First, the recorded service selection unit 2404 refers to the AIT, and checks the service_bound_flags of all the Java programs included in the service.

If service_boudnd_flag=1 for all Java programs, the recorded service selection unit 2404 records only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier. In other words, all the ESs indicated in the PMT of the service to be recorded (in other words, audio, video), and the segment ESs constituting the service are set in the PID filter 1502 and the segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder All PIDs and table_ids. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure shown in FIG. 27 for recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307. Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

On the other hand, in the case of a Java program with service_bound_flag=0, recorded service selection section 2404 requests multi-service recording permission handler calling section 2407 to judge whether recording of multiple services is permitted. In the case where the multi-service record permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "false", the processing described in the case of service_bound_flag=1 is performed, and only the service to be recorded specified by the channel identifier is recorded. In a case where the multi-service recording permission handler calling unit 2407 returns "true", all services specified by the channel identifier of the recording target channel while removing redundancy are recorded. In other words, all ESs (in other words, audio, video) represented in the PMT group corresponding to the simultaneous recording target channel identifier, and all PIDs and table_ids of the segmented ESs constituting the service related to the PMT, Set in the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder.

However, in the case where there is little remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, only a part of the audio/video ES and sections are recorded according to the remaining space. In other words, the recorded service selection unit 2404 checks the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307 through the library 1701b, and sets the PID filter 1502 and segment filter 1503 of the TS decoder so that only the service that can be recorded in the remaining space is recorded. Audio/video ES and segments are recorded into the second storage unit 1307 . Any algorithm may be used to determine the required space. For example, the bit rate of the audio/video ES is written in the transport stream, and can be acquired by the library 1701b. There is a way to calculate the amount of space required for recording based on the bitrate and recording time, and not record services that at least can't record audio/video ES. Thereafter, the output destination of each hardware constituent unit is set by the library 1701b so as to follow the processing procedure of recording the service included in the broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 shown in FIG. 27 . Then, according to the flow shown in FIG. 27, all the ESs constituting the desired channel are recorded in the reserved recording area 1504.

It is desirable to complete the preprocessing described above, which occurs before recording is actually performed, before the specified recording start time. Actual recording in recording area 1504 occurs after the specified start time.

Thereafter, when the specified recording end time is reached, the recorded service selection unit 2404 stops the tuning process of the tuner 1704c, and causes the writing of the MPEG-2 transport stream into the recording area 1504 to end. In addition, a recording information management table as shown in FIG. 29 is created as the management information of the previously recorded MPEG-2 transport stream. Note that the AIT information management table part is merged with the table created by the segment selection unit 2401.

Other processing procedures are the same as those performed by the application state management unit in the first embodiment.

In the following, a typical operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above is shown.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing procedure when recording a service included in a broadcast wave into the second storage unit 1307 in the present embodiment.

In S3901, the Java program or other programs provide the record registration unit 2403 with a channel identifier, a recording start time, and a recording end time. Then proceeding to S3902, the recording registration unit 2403 waits until a fixed period of time before the specified recording start time. Thereafter, when the fixed period of time before the designated recording start time is reached, the processing proceeds to S3903, and the recording registration unit 2403 requests the recorded service selection unit 2404 to start recording processing. The recorded service selection unit 2404 repeats the following processing until the specified recording end time is reached.

When a version upgrade of AIT or PMT occurs, or when a PMT update occurs due to a version upgrade of PAT, the process proceeds to S3904, and the recorded service selection unit 2404 is based on the AIT's service_bound_flag, which determines the services to be recorded at the same time. The recorded service selection unit 2404 specifies services to be simultaneously recorded, and requests the recorded service selection handler calling unit 2405 to call the notify method of the recorded service selection handler. Depending on the return value, the processing branches in the following manner.

In the case that the return value is a PMT array, the process proceeds to S3905, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the recorded service selection unit 2404 will include all audio/video ESs and segments in the PMT array recorded in the second storage unit 1307.

In case the return value is null, the process proceeds to S3906, and the value of service_bound_flag is checked for all Java programs of the AIT of the service specified by the specified channel identifier. In the case of service_bound_flag=1 of all Java programs, the process proceeds to S3907, and only the video/audio ES and segment of the service specified by the channel identifier (which is again specified by the record registration unit 2403) are recorded In the second storage unit 1307 .

On the other hand, in S3906, in the case where the service_bound_flags of not all Java programs are 1, the process proceeds to S3908. Here, the multi-service record allow handler calling unit 2407 is required to call the AllowMultiServiceRec method of the multi-service record allow handler. If the result is false, the process proceeds to the aforementioned S3907. On the other hand, if the result is true, the process proceeds to S3909, and according to the remaining space in the second storage unit 1307, the video/audio ES and segment recording of all PMTs corresponding to the service to be simultaneously recorded In the second storage unit 1307 .

When the processing after each of the above branches ends, the processing returns to S3903, and the processing is repeated.

According to this embodiment, on the basis of the effects of the third embodiment, only the services necessary for the normal execution of the Java program can be selectively recorded, so that the Java program can be normally executed without wasting space in the storage unit.

The above-described embodiments briefly illustrate embodiments of the invention, but other embodiments can also be considered without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, a configuration may be in which the main processing procedures of each embodiment are selected and combined. Parts implemented by software in the above description may be replaced by hardware, and vice versa.

In the description of these embodiments, the simultaneous recording channel identifier is written for each Java program, but the simultaneous recording channel identifier may also be written as a list in the AIT as the simultaneous recording channel identification necessary for the reproduction service list of symbols, with redundant content removed.

The method Handler.allowMultiServiceRec() of the multi-service record allow handler may have a configuration that provides the same parameters as the method Handler.notify(AIT ait, PMT pmt, PMT pmt[]) of the recorded service selection handler parameter, as a parameter; or in other words, a configuration that provides the AIT, the PMT of the service to be recorded, the PMT of the service to be recorded at the same time, etc. In this case, more appropriate case-by-case decisions can be made because the multi-service record allows the handler to obtain information about the services scheduled to be recorded. In addition, these method parameters are not limited to AIT and PMT, but may be arbitrary as long as information on services to be recorded and services to be simultaneously recorded can be obtained.

In these embodiments, configurations for cable systems are shown, but the present invention can be applied independently of the type of broadcasting system. For example, the present invention can be easily applied to a satellite system, a terrestrial wave system, or a television program distribution system using an IP network. Furthermore, since the present invention is not directly related to differences between respective broadcasting systems, the present invention can be applied to any transmission medium regardless of broadcasting systems. The present invention can be applied regardless of whether the system is a wired or wireless system.

An AV decoder does not have to decode video and audio at the same time. The present invention can be implemented even if the AV decoder is constructed as separate video and audio decoders. Also, the AV decoder can have a decoding function for data such as closed captioning without any intervention. The audio signal and video signal decoded by the AV decoder may be scrambled at any stage before being stored in the recording area 1504 .

In these embodiments, an example is given in which an adapter for controlling conditional access is introduced, but this adapter is not essential to the implementation of the present invention. The adapter can be in any format, and structures without the adapter are also possible. In this case, in Fig. 15, the MPEG-2 transport stream from the tuner is directly input into the TS decoder. The present invention can also be applied to this case. Furthermore, the clearance of conditional access performed by the adapter does not have to be performed before the TS decoder. One configuration that can easily be implemented is that the adapter is in an arbitrary position and is used to allow conditional access, and the invention is applicable in this case as well.

The encoding format into which the AV encoder encodes audio and video signals may be any format. The present invention can be applied regardless of the encoding format.

The multiplexing format of the multiplexer may also be in any format. The present invention is applicable regardless of the multiplexing format.

A display and a speaker may be included in the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus, or an external display and speaker may be connected to the broadcast recording and reproducing apparatus. The present invention is applicable regardless of the positions and numbers of displays and speakers.

The present invention can be implemented even if the CPU itself is a system that performs multiprocessing, which is all or some of TS decoding, AV decoding, AV encoding, and multiplexing.

As a format for recording services, MPEG-2 transport stream can also be recorded directly into the recording area after output from the tuner without passing through a TS decoder; or, by installing a conversion for converting the format of the MPEG-2 transport stream converter to convert the format of the MPEG-2 transport stream from the tuner and record it in the recording area. The present invention can be implemented regardless of the service recording method.

Some Java virtual machines convert the bytecode into an executable form that can be interpreted by the CPU, and pass the result to the CPU for execution by the CPU; the present invention can also be applied in this case.

The above embodiments describe an implementation method with respect to the AIT in which the transport stream is obtained in-band; however, the method for querying the Java program that the AM should execute does not depend solely on the AIT. In OCAP, which is supposed to be used by the American cable system, XAIT is used, which is the same as AIT and transmits synchronization data in OOB. Furthermore, methods such as starting execution of a program pre-recorded in the ROM, starting execution of a program downloaded and recorded in the second storage unit, etc. may be considered.

The method for recording the DSM-CC file system and AIT file may be any method.

The present invention can be realized even if the method of filtering and obtaining the AIT segment from the MPEG-2 transport stream is combined with the method of recording the DSM-CC segment into a file in a unique format. In addition, the present invention can be realized even if a method of filtering and acquiring DSM-CC segments from an MPEG-2 transport stream and a method of recording AIT segments in a file in a unique format are combined.

Although only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that many of the exemplary embodiments may be incorporated without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. transform. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.

Industrial Applicability

The recording and reproducing apparatus and recording and reproducing method according to the present invention can be used in the consumer electronics industry as an apparatus for recording and reproducing broadcasting. For example, the present invention is applicable to cable STBs, digital televisions, and the like. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to devices having a broadcast receiving function, for example, mobile phone devices and the like.

Claims (20)

1. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: A receiving unit, configured to receive multiple services, each of which includes video information, audio information, programs, synchronization information, and service element identification information, wherein the synchronization information is used to combine the video information and the audio information with the The program synchronization, the service element identification information is used to identify the video information, audio information, program and synchronization information; a recording unit, configured to record a specified predetermined service among the received multiple services into a recording medium; a reproducing unit for reproducing video information and audio information included in the received predetermined service or the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium; and a program execution unit for executing a program included in the received predetermined service or the predetermined service recorded in said recording medium, Wherein, the recording and reproducing device: reproducing video information and audio information included in the predetermined service in synchronization with the program included in the predetermined service by executing the program included in the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium according to the synchronization information; reacquiring a service element corresponding to the predetermined service in a case where the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording a specified predetermined service among the received plurality of services identifying information; and The specified predetermined service is separated based on the acquired service element identification information, and the recording unit is caused to record the separated service. 2. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, Wherein, the recording and reproducing device: When the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording, reacquire the service element identification information corresponding to the specified predetermined service among the received multiple services; as well as The specified predetermined service is separated based on the acquired service element identification information, and the recording unit is caused to record video information, audio information, program, synchronization information, and service element identification information included in the separated service. 3. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, Wherein, the recording and reproducing device: When the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording, reacquire the service element identification information corresponding to the specified predetermined service among the received multiple services; as well as The specified predetermined service is separated based on the acquired service element identification information, and the recording unit is caused to record a transport stream corresponding to the separated service. 4. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program included in the specified first service to be recorded is also included in the second service; The synchronization information includes continuation information indicating whether the program included in the first service can be continuously executed when the first service is switched to the second service during reproduction and the second service is reproduced. ;as well as In a case where the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that execution of the program can be continued even when switching to the second service and reproducing the second service , the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the second service into predetermined services in addition to the specified first service based on the acquired service element identification information, and causes the recording unit to record the separated services. 5. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, Wherein, the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the second service in addition to the specified first service based on the acquired service element identification information only in a case where simultaneous recording of the first service and the second service is permitted. To subscribe to a service, and cause the recording unit to record the separated service. 6. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: A receiving unit, configured to receive multiple services, each of which includes video information, audio information, programs, synchronization information, and service element identification information, wherein the synchronization information is used to combine the video information and the audio information with the The program synchronization, the service element identification information is used to identify the video information, audio information, program and synchronization information; a recording unit, configured to record a specified first service among the received multiple services into a recording medium; a reproducing unit for reproducing video information and audio information included in the received first service or the first service recorded in the recording medium; and a program execution unit for executing a program included in the received first service or the first service recorded in the recording medium, Wherein, by executing the program included in the first service recorded in the recording medium based on the synchronization information, the recording and reproducing means reproduces the program included in the first service in synchronization with the program included in the first service. Video information and audio information included in the Services; a program included in said first service designated to be recorded is also included in a second service; The synchronization information includes continuation information indicating whether the program included in the first service can be continuously executed when the first service is switched to the second service during reproduction and the second service is reproduced. ;as well as In a case where the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that execution of the program can be continued even when switching to the second service and reproducing the second service , the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the second service into predetermined services in addition to the specified first service based on the acquired service element identification information, and causes the recording unit to record the separated services. 7. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, Wherein, the program included in said first service designated to be recorded is also included in the second service; The synchronization information includes continuation information indicating whether the program included in the first service can be continuously executed when the first service is switched to the second service during reproduction and the second service is reproduced. ;as well as In a case where the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that execution of the program can be continued even when switching to the second service and reproducing the second service , the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the second service into a predetermined service in addition to the specified first service based on the acquired service element identification information, and causes the recording unit to record the corresponding transport stream. 8. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 7, Wherein, only in the case where the simultaneous recording of the first service and the second service is permitted, the recording and reproducing apparatus, based on the acquired service element identification information, adds the specified first service to the The second service is separated into predetermined services, and the recording unit is caused to record transport streams corresponding to the separated services. 9. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 6, Wherein, in the case of recording the service into the recording medium, the recording unit converts the file format of the service into another format, and records the validity period of the file together with the service. 10. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 6, Wherein, the recording unit restarts recording the service every time the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated. 11. A recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: A receiving unit, configured to receive multiple services, each of which includes video information, audio information, programs, synchronization information, and service element identification information, wherein the synchronization information is used to combine the video information and the audio information with the The program synchronization, the service element identification information is used to identify the video information, audio information, program and synchronization information; a recording unit, configured to record a specified predetermined service among the received multiple services into a recording medium; a reproducing unit for reproducing video information and audio information included in the received predetermined service or the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium; and a program execution unit for executing a program included in the received predetermined service or the predetermined service recorded in said recording medium, Wherein, the recording and reproducing device: reproducing video information and audio information included in the predetermined service in synchronization with the program included in the predetermined service by executing the program included in the predetermined service recorded in the recording medium according to the synchronization information; In a case where the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording the predetermined service, reacquiring the synchronization information corresponding to the specified predetermined service among the received plurality of services ;as well as The specified predetermined service is separated based on the acquired synchronization information, and the recording unit is caused to record the separated service. 12. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, the synchronization information includes simultaneous recording information and continuation execution information, wherein the simultaneous recording information indicates the second service to be simultaneously recorded when recording the first service specified to be recorded, and the continuation information indicates when whether it is possible to continue executing the program included in the first service when switching the first service to the second service during reproduction and reproducing the second service; and In a case where the continuation information included in the synchronization information corresponding to the program included in the first service indicates that execution of the program can be continued even when switching to the second service and reproducing the second service , the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the second service into predetermined services in addition to the specified first service based on simultaneous recording information included in the acquired synchronous information, and causes the recording unit to record the separate services. 13. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, Wherein, only in the case where the simultaneous recording of the first service and the second service is permitted, the recording and reproducing apparatus, based on the simultaneous recording information included in the acquired synchronous information, other than the specified first service In addition, the second service is separated into predetermined services, and the recording unit records the separated services. 14. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, the recording and reproducing means separates specified predetermined services based on simultaneous recording information included in the acquired synchronous information, and causes the recording unit to record video information, audio information, programs included in the separated services , synchronization information, and service element identification information. 15. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the specified predetermined service based on the acquired synchronization information, and causes the recording unit to record the transport stream corresponding to the separated service. 16. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, in the case of recording the service into the recording medium, the recording unit converts the file format of the service into another format, and records the validity period of the file together with the service. 17. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, the recording unit restarts recording the service every time the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated. 18. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, the synchronization information includes continuation information indicating whether it is possible to continue execution of the program included in the first service when the first service is switched to the second service during reproduction and the second service is reproduced. program, and The recording and reproducing device: reacquiring synchronization information corresponding to the predetermined service in a case where the synchronization information or the service element identification information is updated while the recording unit is recording a specified predetermined service among the received plurality of services ;as well as The specified predetermined service is separated based on the continuation information included in the acquired synchronization information, and the recording unit is caused to record the separated service. 19. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, Wherein, the recording and reproducing means separates specified predetermined services based on simultaneous recording information included in the acquired synchronous information, and causes the recording unit to record video information, audio information, programs included in the separated services , synchronization information, and service element identification information. 20. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, Wherein, the recording and reproducing apparatus separates the specified predetermined service based on the acquired synchronization information, and causes the recording unit to record the transport stream corresponding to the separated service.

Images