JP4547998B2 - Recording information management apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording information management apparatus that manages the recording information by setting thumbnails in the recording information and a program that constructs the recording information management apparatus when executed by a computer.

Conventionally, when a TV program or the like is recorded, various recording information management apparatuses have been developed for managing the recorded recording information (see Patent Documents 1 to 8).
Previously, the list of recording date / time, recording channel number, recording time, etc. was displayed in text, but recently, it has become common to arrange the recording results in an easy-to-understand manner by arranging a list of thumbnail images. For example, when a television program or the like is recorded on a hard disk drive (HDD) or DVD-RAM as in the recording information management device described in Patent Document 1, the recording information is used for managing the recording result. The recording information is managed by setting thumbnails. Here, the thumbnail refers to a still image obtained by cutting out a part of the recorded video when displaying the recorded content.

However, as to which image is used as a thumbnail, the following three methods are mainly performed.
(1) A video at a position after a predetermined time (system fixed) from the start position is used as a thumbnail image.
(2) A video at a position that has elapsed from the start position for a time specified by the user is used as a thumbnail image.
(3) A thumbnail image manually designated by the user is used based on the recorded video.

In the case of (1) and (2), since the use position of the thumbnail is fixed, a video unrelated to the recorded program itself is often used as the thumbnail. For this reason, even when thumbnails are displayed, it is not possible to immediately recognize what program was recorded. In (3), in the method of manually setting the thumbnail for each program recorded by the user, it takes time and effort because the user determines the thumbnail while checking the video.
By the way, Patent Document 2 describes an invention in which recording information such as a recording start time and a channel number of a program is stored and the recording information of the corresponding program is extracted at the time of use. Even when trying to solve the problem by combining the inventions described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is difficult to set thumbnails expected by the user in a short time.

JP 2003-274361 A JP 2004-62921 A JP 2000-138886 A JP 2000-215648 A JP 2001-352506 A JP 2003-333487 A JP-A-8-124363 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-93925

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to set a thumbnail expected by a user in a short time for recorded recording information.

According to the present invention, in the recording information management apparatus for managing the recording information by setting a thumbnail in the recording information, the existing recording information including the setting of the thumbnail and at least the recording start time and the recording channel number is stored. Recording information storage means for storing, recording start time and recording channel number are extracted from the new recording information, stored in the recording information storage means and coincident with the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information There is provided a recording information management device comprising thumbnail setting means for setting a thumbnail for the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information.
The thumbnail setting means extracts the recording start time and the recording channel number from the new recording information, and is stored in the recording information storage means and the existing recording information that matches the recording start time and the recording channel number of the new recording information. On the basis of the thumbnail information set to, a thumbnail is set for the new recording information.

Here, it has a thumbnail position storage means for storing a predetermined thumbnail position,
When there is no existing recording information having the same recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information, the thumbnail setting unit determines the new recording based on the thumbnail position information stored in the thumbnail position storage unit. You may comprise so that the thumbnail of information may be set.
Further, the existing recording information stored in the recording information storage means further includes a thumbnail, and the thumbnail setting means includes an existing recording information corresponding to the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information. If the thumbnail set in the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the recording information is not similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information, the image from among the images of the new recording information An image similar to the thumbnail of the existing recording information may be set as the thumbnail of the new recording information.

Further, according to the present invention, the computer extracts the recording start time and the recording channel number from the new recording information, and stores the recording start time and the recording channel number in the recording information storage means and the recording start time and the recording channel number of the new recording information. A program is provided that functions as thumbnail setting means for setting a thumbnail in the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information that matches the above.
By executing the program, the computer extracts the recording start time and the recording channel number from the new recording information, and is stored in the recording information storage means and coincides with the recording start time and the recording channel number of the new recording information. It functions as thumbnail setting means for setting a thumbnail in the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information.

Here, when there is no existing recording information in which the recording start time and the recording channel number of the new recording information match, the thumbnail setting unit, based on the thumbnail position information stored in the thumbnail position storage unit, The program may be configured to cause the computer to function to set a thumbnail of new recording information.
Further, the thumbnail setting means, the thumbnail to be set in the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information that matches the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information, When the thumbnail is not similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information, the image similar to the thumbnail of the existing recording information is set as the thumbnail of the new recording information from among the images of the new recording information. The program may be configured to make the computer function.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically set a thumbnail image expected by a user in setting a thumbnail after recording a program. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for the user to set the thumbnail while searching for the video by himself, and the thumbnail of the recording information can be determined in a short time.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The outline of the best mode of the present invention will be described. In the best mode, thumbnails are set for recording information recorded on a medium that can be edited after recording, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a DVD-RAM. In the recording information management apparatus having the function of managing the recording, it is possible to automatically set thumbnails frequently used by the user for the recording information satisfying a predetermined condition.

In this best mode, for example, when setting a thumbnail for new recording information in which a TV program is recorded, at least the recording start time and the recording channel number are selected from the existing recording information in which the thumbnail has already been set. It narrows down the existing recording information that matches the recording information, and as a result, the thumbnail set in the recorded recording information is used. In the case of a program that regularly records every day, images that are desired to be used as thumbnails (for example, images that include program titles) are often displayed at almost a fixed time from the start of the program, and the user can also use them as thumbnails. The program title is often used. By setting the thumbnail of the new recording information using the recording information that has been previously set for the newly recorded recording information, the user's intended thumbnail can be automatically set. It is composed.
In the best mode, the recording information includes at least information indicating the recording start time and information indicating the recording channel number. Further, the content (video) of the recorded program may be included.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording information management apparatus according to the best mode. The recording information management device includes input devices 1 and 4, data processing devices 2 and 5 that operate under program control, a storage device 6 that stores information, and an output device 3 that outputs information. Here, the input devices 1 and 4 constitute input means, the data processing devices 2 and 5 constitute thumbnail setting means, the output device 3 constitutes output means, and the storage device 6 constitutes recording information storage means. ing.
Note that the recording information management apparatus can be constituted by a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and storage means for storing a program executed by the CPU.

The input device 1 is a part for inputting recording information obtained by recording a TV program or the like to the recording information management device, and has a recording information input device 11 for inputting the recorded recording information to the data processing device 2. ing. The input device 4 is a portion for inputting a result selected by the user from the thumbnail candidates displayed on the output device 3.
The storage device 6 includes a recording information storage unit 61, a plurality of recording information 1 storage units 62 to a recording information n storage unit 65, a thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66, and a thumbnail default value storage unit 67. The plurality of recording information 1 storage sections 62 to recording information n storage section 65 store a plurality of existing recording information whose thumbnails have been determined previously. That is, in the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65, the recording start time, the recording channel, the content (video) of the recorded program, and the position of the image used as the thumbnail in the content of the recorded program, respectively. (Thumbnail position) is stored.

When the thumbnail is determined for the first time, the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65 do not exist, and each time a thumbnail is determined for new recording information, the storage unit is added. Further, it is assumed that a predetermined (default) thumbnail position is stored in the thumbnail default value storage unit 67 in advance. Here, the thumbnail default value storage unit 67 constitutes thumbnail position storage means for storing a default thumbnail position in advance.
The output device 3 includes a thumbnail candidate output unit 31. In this case, when there are a plurality of thumbnail candidates, in order to ask the user to determine which thumbnail to use, information on the candidate thumbnail is output.
The data processing apparatus 2 includes a recording information storage processing unit 21, a recording time narrowing processing unit 22, a recording channel narrowing processing unit 23, and a thumbnail candidate processing unit 24. The recording information storage processing unit 21 stores the recording information input from the input device 1 in the recording information storage unit 61.

The recording time narrowing-down processing unit 22 retrieves the recording start time from the recording information storage unit 61, compares it with the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65, and searches for a matching start time. As a result, if there is a match, it is stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66.
The recording channel narrowing processing unit 23 extracts the recording channel number from the recording information storage unit 61, searches the information in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66, and picks up the one with the matching channel number. The result is stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66.
The thumbnail candidate processing unit 24 passes the thumbnail candidates stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66 to the thumbnail candidate output unit 31 and outputs them to the outside.

The data processing device 5 includes a thumbnail determination processing unit 51. The thumbnail determination processing unit 51 determines the thumbnails of the recording information storage unit 61 based on the thumbnails that have been narrowed down to one, and the information is recorded next to the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65. One recording information storage unit is added, and the recording information stored in the recording information storage unit 61 and the thumbnail determined as described above are stored in the new recording information storage unit.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operations of the input devices 1, 4 and the data processing devices 2, 5 and the output device 3 of the recording information management device according to the best mode shown in FIG. 1, and stored in the storage means. It shows the processing of the recording information management apparatus performed by executing the program by the CPU.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording information management apparatus according to the best mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
First, recording information (including at least recording start time, recording channel number, and recorded program content (video)) is input from the recording information input device 11 of the input device 1 (step S1).
Next, the recording information storage processing unit 21 extracts the recording start time and the channel number from the recording information input from the recording information input device 11. The two pieces of information and the original recording information are stored in the recording information storage unit 61 (step S2).

  Next, the recording time narrowing processing unit 22 is already stored in each recording information 1 storage unit from the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65 in order based on the recording start time of the recording information storage unit 61. Of the recording start times included in the recorded information, a recording start time that matches the recording start time of the recording information storage unit 61 is searched. When the search is hit, that is, when existing recording information whose recording start time matches the new recording information is detected, the number of recording information (each recording information 1 storage unit) is stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66. 62 to the recording information n, a unique number representing each recording information stored in the storage unit 65) and the position of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information are stored (step S3).

Next, the recording channel narrowing processing unit 23 extracts the channel number of the recording information from the recording information of the recording information storage unit 61, and among the candidates stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66, the channel number is the new recording information. Those that match the channel number are extracted and stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66 again, and those that do not match are deleted (step S4).
Next, the thumbnail candidate processing unit 24 extracts thumbnail position candidates stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66 (step S5), and determines whether or not there are a plurality of thumbnail position candidates (step S6).

  At this stage, the thumbnail candidate processing unit 24 picks up a thumbnail when a program of the same series as the input recording information is recorded. The default thumbnail position is extracted from the default value storage unit 67, and the image at the thumbnail position in the input recording information (video) is set as a thumbnail candidate (step S8). If there is only one thumbnail candidate, it is created as a thumbnail candidate (step S8).

In step S6, when the thumbnail candidate processing unit 24 determines that there are two or more thumbnail candidates, the thumbnail candidate output unit 31 of the output device 3 outputs the contents of the thumbnail candidates and is configured by, for example, a display unit. The contents of the plurality of thumbnail candidates (for example, thumbnail candidate images and their numbers) are displayed on the thumbnail candidate output unit 31 to prompt the user to select thumbnail candidates (step S7). When the candidate number input device 41 inputs the number of a thumbnail candidate expected by the user by the user's operation (step S9), the thumbnail determination processing unit 51 stores the thumbnail specified there in the recording information storage unit 61. The thumbnail of the recorded information is determined (step S10). Thereby, the thumbnail position is determined.
Here, the thumbnail candidate processing unit 24 constitutes a determination unit that determines that there are a plurality of thumbnail candidates, and the thumbnail candidate output unit 31 displays the contents of the plurality of thumbnail candidates when the determination unit determines that there are a plurality of thumbnail candidates. The candidate number input device 41 constitutes selection means for selecting a thumbnail expected by the user from among a plurality of thumbnail candidates, and the thumbnail determination processing unit 51 of the data processing unit 5 determines a thumbnail. It constitutes a determination means.

  Further, in order to make the determined thumbnail and recording information one of the existing recording information, addition to the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65 is performed (step S10). When performing the addition, if any of the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65 stores no information, the new recording information is stored in the empty storage unit. If there is no free storage unit, a new recording information (n + 1) storage unit is created next to the recording information n storage unit 65, and the new recording information is stored in the recording information (n + 1) storage unit. To manage the recording information. In the new recording information (n + 1) storage unit, as in the existing recording information 1 storage unit 62 to recording information n storage unit 65, the recording start time, recording channel, recorded program content (video), thumbnail position Is stored.

As described above, according to this best mode, it is possible to automatically set a thumbnail image expected by the user in setting a thumbnail after recording a program. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for the user to set the thumbnail while searching for the video by himself, and the thumbnail of the recording information can be determined in a short time.
In the best mode, each recording information 1 storage unit 62 to recording information n storage unit 65 is configured to store the thumbnail position, and the thumbnail position of the existing recording information having the same recording start time is set as the new recording information. Although the thumbnail is determined by determining the position of the thumbnail in the recording information, the thumbnail of the existing recording information may be used as it is as the thumbnail of the new recording information.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a recording information management apparatus according to another best mode. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only differences will be described.
First, the outline of the best mode will be described. In the best mode, the recording start time and the channel number are used as narrowing elements. However, in the case of a program that regularly records every week, only the time is used. Since there are insufficient filtering elements, it is necessary to add filtering elements based on the day of the week. In this case, since it cannot be determined whether the recorded program is weekly recording (weekly recording) or daily recording (daily recording), it is necessary to input it to the user. The weekly and daily input device 12 provided in the input device 1 responds to the operation of the user by providing information on whether the recorded program is weekly or daily recording (weekly and daily information). Input to the data processing device 2.

The recording information storage unit 61 includes at least a recording start time, a recording channel number, and a type for each day of the week as new recording information. The recorded information may include the contents (video) of the recorded program.
Each of the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to recording information n storage unit 65 includes, as existing recording information, a recording start time, a recording channel number, a weekly day type, a thumbnail position in the recorded content, and a thumbnail image. It is. The recorded information may include the contents (video) of the recorded program.

The recording information storage processing unit 21 uses the information input from the recording information input device 11 and the weekly day input device 12 of the input device 1 to record information (recording start time, recording channel number, week day bell type, The content (video) of the recorded program is included) and extracted and stored in the recording information storage unit 61.
The recording time narrowing processing unit 22 is configured to record each recording information 1 storage unit from the recording information 1 storage unit 62 to the recording information n storage unit 65 in order from the recording start time of the recording information storage unit 61 and the type of each weekly day. The video recording start time that matches the video recording start time of the video recording information storage unit 61 among the video recording start times included in the video recording information that has already been stored is searched.

When the search is hit, that is, when existing recording information whose recording start time matches the new recording information is detected, the number of recording information (each recording information 1 storage unit) is stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66. 62 to recording information n, a unique number representing each recording information stored in the storage unit 65) and the position of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information.
Next, the recording channel narrowing processing unit 23 extracts the channel number of the recording information from the recording information of the recording information storage unit 61, and among the candidates stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66, the channel number is the new recording information. Those that match the channel number are extracted and stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66 again, and those that do not match are deleted.

Next, the thumbnail image narrowing-down processing unit 25 extracts a plurality of still images (thumbnail candidate images) at predetermined positions from the recorded program content (video) from the recording information of the recording information storage unit 61, and the thumbnail position candidate storage unit Among the candidates stored in 66, thumbnail images whose thumbnail image matches the thumbnail candidate image of the new recording information or have at least a predetermined range of similarity are extracted and stored in the thumbnail position candidate storage unit 66 again. Things are deleted. That is, the data processing devices 2 and 5 extract an image similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information from the new recording information, and set the image as a thumbnail.
In this way, thumbnails are set for new recording information, and thereafter, the same processing as in the best mode is performed.

Depending on the accuracy of the device clock and the convenience of editing the broadcast program, the time to display the program title may be shifted. In that case, even if it is narrowed down based on the day of the week, time, and channel number, the user However, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the thumbnail image by adding the thumbnail image itself to the narrowing-down element as in the best mode.
That is, search for existing recording information based on the recording start time and the recording channel, select a thumbnail position, and based on the thumbnail image and the thumbnail position set in the recording information of the same recording start time and the same channel number in the past. The newly selected thumbnail image candidates to be set are compared with each other, and if they do not match at all (there is no similarity within a predetermined range), they are excluded from the thumbnail candidates and are included in the recording information. By searching for an image close to the existing thumbnail image, it is possible to configure to complement the determination of the thumbnail image.

In this case, for the new recording information for which the thumbnail image has been determined, a new recording information storage unit is added after the recording information n storage unit 65, and the recording information storage unit stores the recording start time, recording channel number, The thumbnail position, the type of each day of the week, the thumbnail position, and the recorded content (video) are stored.
According to this best mode, it is possible to automatically set a thumbnail image expected by the user with extremely high accuracy in setting a thumbnail after recording a program. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for the user to set the thumbnail while searching for the video by himself, and the thumbnail of the recording information can be determined in a short time. In addition, since the thumbnail of new recording information is set using the thumbnail image set in the existing recording information, an appropriate thumbnail can be set.

  In the best mode, each recording information 1 storage unit 62 to recording information n storage unit 65 is configured to store the thumbnail position, and the thumbnail position of the existing recording information having the same recording start time is set as the new recording information. Although the thumbnail is determined by determining the position of the thumbnail in the recording information, the thumbnail of the existing recording information may be used as it is as the thumbnail of the new recording information.

  As described above, according to the best mode, in the recording information management apparatus that manages the recording information by setting the thumbnail in the recording information, the thumbnail is set and at least the recording start time and the recording channel number are set. And a storage device 6 for storing a plurality of existing recording information, including a recording start time and a recording channel number extracted from the new recording information, stored in the recording information storage means, and stored in the new recording information Data processing devices 2, 5 for setting thumbnails in the new recording information based on the information on the thumbnails set in the existing recording information that matches the recording start time and the recording channel number (for example, information on the position of the thumbnails). And.

  Further, it has a thumbnail default value storage unit 67 for storing a predetermined thumbnail position, and the data processing devices 2 and 5 have existing recording information whose recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information match. If not, the thumbnail of the new recording information is set based on the thumbnail position information stored in the thumbnail default value storage unit 67. For example, in the new recording information, an image in the same position as the thumbnail position stored in the thumbnail default value storage unit 67 in the video is determined as a thumbnail.

  The existing recording information stored in the recording information storage means further includes a thumbnail, and the data processing devices 2 and 5 match at least the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information. If the thumbnail set in the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information is not similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information, the image of the new recording information Among them, an image similar to the thumbnail of the existing recording information is set as the thumbnail of the new recording information.

  Further, the existing recording information stored in the recording information storage means further includes a thumbnail, and the data processing devices 2 and 5 can record the recording start time, recording channel number and recording of the new recording information. When the thumbnail set in the new recording information based on the information of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information that matches the type of weekly day is not similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information, An image similar to the thumbnail of the existing recording information is set as the thumbnail of the new recording information from the images of the new recording information.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically set a thumbnail image expected by the user in setting a thumbnail after recording a program. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for the user to set the thumbnail while searching for the video by himself, and the thumbnail of the recording information can be determined in a short time.
In addition, it is possible to provide a program capable of constructing the recording information management apparatus by being executed by a computer.

  The present invention can be applied to a function for displaying a list of recording results as an image list in a recording information management apparatus that periodically performs recording.

1 is a block diagram of a recording information management apparatus according to the best mode of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the video recording information management apparatus which concerns on the best form of this invention. It is a block diagram of the video recording information management apparatus which concerns on the other best form of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 4 ... Input device 2 which comprises input means 5, 5 ... Data processing device 3 which comprises thumbnail setting means 3 ... Output device 6 ... Storage device 11 which comprises recording information storage means ... Recording information input device 12 ... weekly and daily input device 21 ... recording information storage processing unit 22 ... recording time narrowing processing unit 23 ... recording channel narrowing processing unit 24 ... thumbnail candidate processing unit 25 ... Thumbnail image narrowing candidate processing unit 31 ... Thumbnail candidate output unit 41 ... Candidate number input device 51 ... Thumbnail determination processing unit 61 ... Recording information storage unit 62 ... Recording information 1 storage 63: Recording information 2 storage unit 64 ... Recording information 3 storage unit 65 ... Recording information n storage unit 66 ... Thumbnail position candidate storage unit 67 ... Thumbnail existing memory constituting thumbnail position storage means Value storage unit

Claims (4)

In a recording information management apparatus for managing the recording information by setting a thumbnail in recording information for recording a TV program ,
Recording information storage means for storing existing recording information in which a television program including a position of a thumbnail and at least a recording start time and a recording channel number is recorded ;
Extracting a new recording from the recording information and the recording start time channel number of a recorded TV program, the recording information storage means the existing matching the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information while being stored in Thumbnail setting means for setting the position of the thumbnail set in the recording information as the position of the thumbnail in the new recording information ,
The existing recording information stored in the recording information storage means further includes a thumbnail,
The thumbnail setting means sets the position of the thumbnail set in the existing recording information that matches the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information as the thumbnail position to be set in the new recording information. In this case, if the thumbnail at the position in the new image information is not similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information, it is similar to the thumbnail of the existing recording information from among the images of the new recording information. A recording information management apparatus , wherein an image is set as a thumbnail of the new recording information . A thumbnail position storage means for storing a predetermined thumbnail position;
The thumbnail setting means, when the existing recording information in which the new recording start time and recording channel number of the recorded information matches does not exist, the position of the thumbnail stored in the thumbnail position storage means, the new recording information The recording information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording information management apparatus is set as a position of a thumbnail . Computer
The recording start time and the recording channel number are extracted from the new recording information for recording the TV program, stored in the recording information storage means, and the existing recording information that matches the recording start time and the recording channel number of the new recording information Function as thumbnail setting means for setting the position of the thumbnail set to as the position of the thumbnail in the new recording information ,
Further, the thumbnail setting means sets the thumbnail position set in the existing recording information that matches the recording start time and recording channel number of the new recording information as the thumbnail position to be set in the new recording information. In this case, if the thumbnail at the position in the new image information is not similar to the thumbnail set in the existing recording information, it is similar to the thumbnail of the existing recording information from among the images of the new recording information. A program that causes a function to set an image to be set as a thumbnail of the new recording information . The thumbnail setting means, when the existing recording information in which the new recording start time and recording channel number of the recorded information matches does not exist, the position of the thumbnail stored in the thumbnail position storing means, in the new recording information 4. The program according to claim 3 , wherein the computer is caused to function so as to be set as a thumbnail position .

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