JP4679232B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a function for automatically recording a user's favorite video or a recommended video via the Internet, and a video recording apparatus having the function.

  A video recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recorder with a hard disk) in which a hard disk (HDD) or the like, which is a recording apparatus having a recordable time exceeding 100 hours, is widely used.

  A hard disk recorder differs from a conventional VTR (Video Tape Recorder) in that it compresses and records a digital signal. Therefore, in addition to the conventional public broadcasting (television broadcasting), the video supply source is a user. There is also an option of purchasing (downloading) a favorite program (title) from a distribution destination connected via a network.

  In such a video recording apparatus, recording of an arbitrary program is automatically reserved by using electronic program information (Electronic Program Guide) provided separately from a program from a broadcast station or a distribution destination, or actually recorded. You can record.

Note that in a program information search system that is used when a program (program) distributed as a broadcast is reserved and recorded for the public, television column (broadcast) data captured by a receiver (television) from broadcast is, for example, There has already been proposed a system that can be searched by a personal computer, sorted (edited), and reserved in a receiver (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-160732

  However, Patent Document 1 does not describe anything about a function for automatically reserving a program that the user likes, and a video recording apparatus that enables it.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a video recording apparatus capable of automatically recording a user's favorite video, minimizing the user's operation for the automatic recording, and further consuming no unnecessary recording capacity. It is.

The present invention includes a recording unit for recording a program,
A recording list holding unit for holding a list of programs to be recorded by the recording unit by automatic recording;
A recording management unit that updates the list held by the recording list holding unit according to information received from the information holding unit via a network;
A condition input unit for instructing a determination condition for adding a program to be recorded to the list to the recording list holding unit;
A setting unit for setting a recording time per day by the automatic recording in the recording management unit;
Comprising
The recording management unit should use recording time per day as one of the determination conditions, and record according to the determination conditions by the automatic recording so as to be within the recording time per day. A recording apparatus is provided for controlling to add a program to the list.

  According to the present invention, in the video recording apparatus of the present invention, an arbitrary (determined that the user prefers) assumed as his / her preference without “requiring a complicated operation for automatic recording” to the user. The program (title) can be automatically recorded.

  In addition, unintentional consumption of the remaining recording capacity of the recording unit can be suppressed by automatic recording, and it is possible to prevent the user from checking the recorded program.

  In addition, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems that cannot satisfy the user's request such as the fact that the conditions are too severe and there is no automatic recording.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a video recording apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  The video recording apparatus 1 will be described in detail later, but the recording / reproducing unit 10, the data processing unit 20, the video input unit 30, the video output unit 40, the recording control unit 60, the display control unit 70, and the main control. Part 50 and the like.

  The recording / reproducing unit 10 includes, for example, a hard disk recording device, and is provided with a hard disk drive unit (hereinafter, referred to as a hard disk drive unit) having a capacity capable of recording a video (program) transmitted from a broadcasting station as a television broadcast for about 100 hours. 12 (denoted as HDD), data (program) compressed according to the same standard as HDD 12 can be recorded, and data (program) can be taken out to the outside and brought into the recording medium such as an optical disc Compressed data (video signal = program) between the optical disk drive unit 13 and the HDD 12 and / or the optical disk drive unit 13 used for data recording and reproduction and the data processing unit 20 described in detail below. A data transfer control unit 11 used for transfer is included.

  In the recording / reproducing unit 10, the digital signal compressed in the data processing unit 20 is sent to a predetermined recording area in the HDD 12 or the optical disc drive unit 13 via the data transfer control unit 11 according to an instruction from the user, for example. It is recorded on the set optical disc D. Of course, when there is a reproduction request, the data reproduced in response to the request is output to the data processing unit 20.

  The data processing unit 20 includes a data editing unit 21, an encoder 22, a decoder 23, an audio / video processing unit 24, and the like, and after compressing data (program) supplied from the video input unit 30 described later to a predetermined format. The data is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 10, and the data output from the recording / reproducing unit 10 is decoded according to the reproduction request, and is output to the video output unit 40 at the subsequent stage.

  In the data editing unit 21, when the compressed data is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 10, a recording target, for example, a specified folder of an arbitrary number of folders (directories) is recorded. The program (data) is recorded, and “data identification item” such as “program name”, “movie”, “music”, etc., “genre identifier”, “artist (performer) name”, etc. ] Can be added. Of course, the already added “data specific item” can be edited or deleted. Note that the data editing unit 21 is not related to the embodiment of the present application and therefore will not be described in detail. For example, a part of a program that has already been recorded or a part of the program that has already been recorded may be arbitrarily selected. It is also possible to divide the program (data) into a plurality of chapters (subsections), set the playback order of the divided chapters (subsections), and the like.

  The encoder 22 is a well-known compressor, and data (program) supplied via the video input unit 30 is compressed (by the encoder 22) with a compression method (standard) and a compression rate specified in advance. Needless to say, the encoder 22 may incorporate a known multiplexing unit.

  The decoder 23 is a known decoder (decompressor), and decodes (decompresses) data (program) supplied from the recording / playback unit 10 by a decoding method (standard) corresponding to the compression method (standard) by the encoder 22. And output to the video output unit 40 in the subsequent stage. Needless to say, the decoder 23 may incorporate a known separation unit.

  In the audio / video processing unit 24, the video data decoded by the decoder 23 and the audio data (usually decoded independently of the video signal) are synthesized (output timings are matched). The audio video processing unit 24 synthesizes the OSD display (the operation screen display generated by the OSD 54) with the data output to the video output unit 40 as necessary.

  The video input unit 30 is, for example, an external input unit 31 that receives an input of an external video signal / input signal, for example, a BS / for receiving a program (data) provided through a broadcasting satellite (BS) or a communication satellite (CS). CS tuner unit 32, for example, a terrestrial tuner unit 33 for accepting public broadcasting from a broadcasting station, a network controller 34 for accepting (viewable) data (program) supplied from a distribution source via a network Have The network controller 34 can be connected to, for example, a public communication network (telephone line), and can arbitrarily exchange data with the outside via the communication network.

  The external input unit 31, the BS / CS tuner unit 32, the terrestrial tuner unit 33, the network controller 34, and the like are connected to the selector unit 35 and are supplied to the encoder 22 (data processing unit 20) described above (data processing unit 20). (Program) is defined (by the selector unit 35) based on the number of titles (programs) that can be processed simultaneously by the encoder 22 or the capacity or transfer rate. For example, when the terrestrial tuner unit 33 includes two or more tuner units and the encoder 22 can encode at least two series of signals (data) at the same time, two or more programs (data) provided as terrestrial waves. ) Can be recorded (accepted) at the same time. Further, depending on the processing capability of the encoder 22, one program (title) input via the terrestrial tuner 33 unit, one of the external input unit 31, the BS / CS tuner unit 32, or the network controller 34 is added. It is also possible to record one program (title) supplied via the network at the same time.

  The video output unit 40 receives the decoded signal (reproduced video and audio) output from the audio / video processing unit 24 (data processing unit 20) via the selector 41, the external output unit 42, and the I / F (interface 43). In addition, it includes a video / audio output terminal 44 for outputting to a television (monitor) M that is widely used in general, and the output of the l / F 43 is popular in, for example, personal computers (PCs), homes, companies, and the like. It can be used as a data transfer system that conforms to a specific protocol typified by a small-scale network and IEEE1394.

  The main control unit 50 includes a video recording unit 60 and a display control unit 70 described below in addition to the recording / reproducing unit 10, the data processing unit 20, the video input unit 30, and the video output unit 40 described above. Controls the operation of the recording apparatus 1, and includes a control bus 51 used for transmission of control signals between individual elements, an MPU (Main Processing Unit) 52 as a main control apparatus, and a work (cache) memory (RAM) 53. , An OSD (On Screen Display) unit 54, and MPU 52 firmware (or independently, although not shown), an initial program for operating the video recording apparatus 1 and operations corresponding to individual control commands And a ROM in which signal processing methods, communication procedures, and the like are recorded.

  The recording control unit 60 includes, for example, a recording information control unit 61, a program guide generation unit 62, a recording reservation control unit 63, and the like.

  The recording information control unit 61 will be described in detail later, for example, but, for example, an external server (information supply source) 101 (described later) connected through a network or a video distribution destination (a video providing organization accessible by the network) Electronic program information (Electronic Program Guide, hereinafter referred to as EPG) provided by the information source (may be independent of the information supply source 101) or the like, or stored in the program information storage unit in the server 101 [ [Reservation Ranking Information] or [Recommendation Information] is accepted and used for setting (input / cancellation (deletion)) of recording reservation by the user, changing reservation information, and the like.

  In the program guide generation unit 62, the [reserved program list] defined by the EPG and the recording information control unit 61 (obtained from the server 101) and the display corresponding to the EPG, that is, the program guide is connected to the video output unit 40. The screen display is designed (generated) so that it can be displayed as a screen of a monitor device (television).

  In the recording reservation control unit 63, for example, recording conditions such as the name of a program (data) to be recorded, its source, and date and time are held, and time (date and time) information is managed for actual recording. . Note that the recording reservation control unit 63 may include a timer (clock) controller (timer microcomputer) that can be shared with the display control unit 70 described below.

  The display control unit 70 displays, for example, the time and date on a clock unit provided on a display panel (not described in detail) of the video recording apparatus 1, the operation state of the apparatus, whether or not there is a recording reservation, and the recording mode at the time of recording. The display unit 72 to be displayed, the operation unit 73 provided on the display panel (or a predetermined position of the apparatus 1), the display on the display unit 72, and the control command or input input by the user via the operation unit 73 A panel control unit 71 and the like for exchanging information are included.

  For example, the control command and input information input by the remote control terminal R are provided at a predetermined position (not shown) of the unit 73 or the display unit 72 in the video recording apparatus 1 of the present case shown in FIG. And is input to the main control unit 50 through the panel control unit 71. Of course, it goes without saying that a signal (command) from the remote controller (terminal) R may be supplied to the main control unit 50 as it is via a dedicated receiving unit (not shown).

  When the video recording apparatus 1 records a video, the remote control terminal R specifies a recording destination, for example, the HDD 12 or the optical disc D (optical disc drive unit 19), an already recorded video (program), its title, or “data specifying item”. This is used for inputting various control commands and information to be inputted, such as editing of video sources, switching of video sources and setting of reserved recording.

  For example, a program information registration unit 111, a program information storage unit 112, and a server (information supply source) 101 connected via a network controller 34 via the network controller 34, for example, the widely used Internet, A communication unit (communication control unit) 113 and the like are prepared. Note that the server 101 is connected to a broadcast station T that is a video supply source and a recommended information source 1001 so as to be able to provide information, for example, directly (dedicated line) or through the Internet.

  For example, the server 101 can be accessed mainly from the video recording apparatus 1 described in this case, and can access the program information storage unit 112 when accessed by the video recording apparatus 1 described in this case. Thus, communication (data transfer) with the recording information control unit 61 (recording control unit 60) described above is permitted (access right is given). Note that access to the program information registration unit 111 in the server 101 is from a third party (an organization / person who can configure a “recommended information source” 1001 described below) that does not depend on the video recording apparatus 1 described in this case. Is also possible. In addition, the server 101 includes various functions supplied from a “recommended information source” 1001 described below, for example, a function for summing up and ranking the “reservation status (by other users)”, A function (favorite estimation function) "that learns the user's preference from the recording performance is provided as an application (firmware), for example.

  First, the “recommended information source” 1001 that can be connected to the video recording apparatus 1 of the present case will be described.

  “Recommended information source” 1001 relates to program information stored in the server 101 for reference by the video recording apparatus 1 of this case (acquisition of “recommended information”), [Reserved ranking information] and [Recommended ranking (for example, crown). For example, “a user having the same video recording apparatus” as the video recording apparatus 1 of the present case, “an information input person in charge of inputting information to the server 101” ”,“ Editor in charge of commercially available or free-distributed information magazines (paper) ”,“ Evaluator in charge ”of“ Recommendation ”etc. on (for example) TV column of newspapers) ”Or“ Mr. K (Mr. K) ”that can be found (searched) by using a search on the Internet, etc. It is. The information supplied from the “recommended information source” 1001 from “the user having the same video recording device” as the video recording device 1 of the present case includes, for example, “channel”, as an example of information for reservation ranking, “Program start date / time”, “Production number (information such as device or user identification)”, and the like. Further, this information is supplied from the network controller 34 to the server 101 under the control of the MPU 52 (in the example of the video recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1) (when viewed from other users, this video recording apparatus The user becomes “recommended information source” 1001).

  Needless to say, the “information input person in charge of information input to the server 101” can input recommended information directly to the server 101 regardless of the network. In this case, the information to be input is not limited to being acquired from the “recommended information source” 1001, for example, from the “editor” or “evaluator” in writing or via telephone (public communication). It is also possible to receive

  Hereinafter, features of the operation of the video recording apparatus 1 described in this case will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 shows a display example of a “menu screen” of “recommended information” displayed on a monitor (generally a television receiver) connected to the video output unit in the video recording apparatus shown in FIG. Each “display” described below is a display example displayed on the screen of a television receiver (monitor) connected to the video output unit 40 in the video recording apparatus. The pattern is superimposed on the video signal (which can be displayed by the receiver) by the audio / video processing unit 24 via the OSD 54 of the main control unit 50, for example. The pattern generated in the OSD 54 is stored in advance in, for example, a program table generation unit 62 of the recording control unit 60, firmware of the MPU 52, or a ROM (not shown) prepared in the main control unit 50.

  The display pattern can be updated at a predetermined timing by simultaneous delivery from the server side to registered users. In addition, an update pattern can be downloaded at an arbitrary timing by access from the user.

  In FIG. 2, “display” 501 includes “title display” 502 indicating that “recommended information” is displayed. For example, “date and time (“ month / day ”,“ (day of the week) ”,“ time ”)” is displayed as “time display” 503 at a predetermined position in or near “title display” 502. The “title display” 502 includes, for example, a “menu list” display that displays a plurality of “recommended information” and a list thereof.

  In “Display” 501, “Message Display” 511 for notifying the user that it is a “Recommended Menu Screen” in the vicinity of “Title Display” 502 or at a predetermined position, the presence of a plurality of menus, and optional A plurality of “bar (item) display” groups 512 indicating that the menu is selectable are displayed. Further, a “recommended setting” used for inputting a control command for editing (content setting) a “menu” displayed as a “bar (item) display” group 512, for example, at a predetermined position of “display” 501. Display "513 is also displayed. The “bar (item) display” group 512 includes, for example, [reservation ranking], [drama ranking], [music ranking], [“Mr. "Recommended for K (Mr. K)", "Recommended for everyone", [Comprehensive ranking], [Movie ranking], [Anime / Special effects ranking], and [PC / mobile phone linkage information] Bar (item) display ”.

  In the “display” 501, a selection instruction by the user, for example, a remote control terminal R, is provided at a position (a predetermined position associated with the “bar (item) display” group 512) that substantially makes a pair with the “title display” 502 on the screen. By selecting the “Bar (item) display” group 512, an arbitrary “bar (item) display” is selected, and a control command used to enter the selected “bar (item) display” is entered. "Determination display" 504 is displayed.

  In “Display” 504, “Item (Bar) Selection Display” 505 for selecting any “Bar (Item) Display” in “Bar (Item) Display” group 512, and the selected item (bar) is confirmed. A “decision display” 506 for performing a display, a “return display” 507 for displaying a display (screen) corresponding to the previous operation (action), and the like are displayed. Each of the “displays” 505 to 507 is a guide display that prompts input of a control command from the remote control terminal R, for example, and although not described in detail, “name” assigned to an input key provided on the remote control terminal R (Button name) ”is displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example when “reservation ranking” is selected from the “menu screen” of “recommended information” shown in FIG. Each “display” described below is a display example displayed on the screen of a television receiver connected to the video output unit in the video recording apparatus, as already described with reference to FIG. Needless to say, the display pattern of “” is superimposed on the video signal by the audio / video processing unit via the OSD. The pattern generated in the OSD is stored in advance in, for example, a program table generation unit of the recording control unit, a ROM (not shown) prepared in the firmware of the MPU or the main control unit, and the like.

  In FIG. 3, “display” 601 includes “title display” 602 indicating that one page of the “recommended program” display is displayed. Predetermined positions in or near “title display” 602 include “time display” 603 and “display indicating the number of recommended program pages” 610 currently displayed.

  In “Display” 601, “Item Name Display” 611 for notifying the user of “Item Name” in the “Recommended Program” display, or a plurality of “Recommended Programs” in the vicinity of “Title Display” 602 or a predetermined position. Are displayed, and a plurality of “bar (item) display” groups 612 indicating that any “recommended program” can be selected are displayed. In addition, a “recommended evaluation display” column 613 is also displayed in the “item name display” 611 and the “bar (item) display” group 612. The “recommended evaluation” in the “recommended evaluation display” column 613 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the “display” 601, a selection instruction by the user, for example, a remote control terminal R, is provided at a position (a predetermined position associated with the “bar (item) display” group 612) that is generally paired with the “title display” 602 on the screen. With the above operation, an arbitrary “bar (item) display” in the “bar (item) display” group 612 is selected, and a control command used to input the selected “bar (item) display” is selected. "Determination display" 604 is displayed.

  The “display” 604 includes an “item (bar) selection display” 605 for selecting an arbitrary “bar (item) display” in the “bar (item) display” group 612. In order to input a “reserve display” 607 for displaying a corresponding display (screen) and a “reservation” command for reserving recording of a program (title) guided in an arbitrary “bar (item) display” The display includes “reservation display” 608 used, “program description display” 609 for displaying a detailed description of the program (title) guided in an arbitrary “bar (item) display”, and the like. Each of the “displays” 605, 607 to 609 is a guide display that prompts input of a control command from the remote control terminal R, for example, and is assigned to an input key provided on the remote control terminal R although not described in detail. “Name (button name)” is displayed.

  In the “display” 601, in the vicinity of the “item name display” 611 and the “bar (item) display” group 612, the “bar (item) that is currently (temporarily) selected by the“ item selection display ”605, for example. ) Display ”612“ Program name (title) display ”614 in which the program name (title) is displayed and“ Program data display ”615 in which data related to the program are displayed are displayed. The “program data display” 615 includes, for example, [broadcast (distribution) source], [genre], [audio mode], [screen size information], and the like.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example in which the “recommended program” shown in FIG. 3 is displayed with an evaluation different from the “recommended evaluation” shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, “display” 401 includes “title display” 702 indicating that one page of the “recommended program” display is displayed. Predetermined positions in or near “title display” 702 include “time display” 703 and “display indicating the number of recommended program pages” 710 currently displayed.

  In “Display” 701, “Item Name Display” 711 for notifying the user of “Item Name” in the “Recommended Program” display, or a plurality of “Recommended Programs” in the vicinity of “Title Display” 702 or a predetermined position. Are displayed and a plurality of “bar (item) display” groups 712 indicating that any “recommended program” can be selected are displayed. The “rank display” column 713 is also displayed in the “item name display” 711 and the “bar (item) display” group 712. The “rank” displayed in the “rank display” column 713 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the “display” 701, a position that makes a pair with the “title display” 702 on the screen (a predetermined position associated with the “bar (item) display” group 712) is selected by the user, for example, a remote control terminal R By selecting the “Bar (item) display” group 712, an arbitrary “bar (item) display” is selected, and a control command used to enter the selected “bar (item) display” is entered. "Determination display" 704 is displayed.

  The “display” 704 includes an “item (bar) selection display” 705 for selecting an arbitrary “bar (item) display” in the “bar (item) display” group 712. In order to input a “return display” 707 for displaying a corresponding display (screen) and a “reservation” command for reserving recording of a program (title) guided in an arbitrary “bar (item) display” Display of “reservation display” 708 to be used, “program description display” 709 for displaying a detailed description of a program (title) guided in an arbitrary “bar (item) display”, and the like are included. Each “display” 705, 707 to 709 is a guide display that prompts input of a control command from the remote control terminal R, for example, and is assigned to an input key provided on the remote control terminal R although not described in detail. “Name (button name)” is displayed.

  In the “display” 701, in the vicinity of the “item name display” 711 and the “bar (item) display” group 712, “bar (item) currently selected (temporarily) by“ item selection display ”705, for example. ) Display ”712“ Program name (title) display ”714 in which the program name (title) is displayed, and for example, [broadcast (distribution) source], [genre], [audio mode], [ A “program data display” 715 in which data such as “screen size information” is displayed is displayed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of “structure of“ recommended program data ”” displayed on the monitor connected to the video output unit described with reference to FIG. 3 or 4 in the video recording apparatus shown in FIG.

  The “structure of“ recommended program data ”” 801 shown in FIG. 5 includes, for example, an “item column” 811, a “content column” 812, a “content“ example ”column” 813, and the like.

  The “item field” 811 includes, for example, [channel [ch] (program supply source)], [start date / time], [end date / time], [program title], [program subtitle], [performer name], [genre ( Category) name], [program description], [ranking point (ranking)], [recommended evaluation], and so on.

  For example, it goes without saying that [genre (category) name] is defined depending on the EPG predetermined on the server 101 side.

  For example, the [ranking point (ranking)] is defined based on various evaluation viewpoints in the “recommended information source” 1001 connected to the server 101 via the network. Similarly, for example, “recommended evaluation” is defined based on various evaluation viewpoints in a “recommended information source” 1001 connected to the server 101 via the network. Here, an example is shown in which [Ranking] and “Recommendation Evaluation” are created (edited) and stored in the “Recommended Information Source” 1001, but similar processing (aggregation, evaluation, storage) is performed in the server 101. Needless to say, this is possible.

  Note that the “recommended program data” illustrated in FIG. 5 is N pieces of data held in the program information storage unit 112 of the server 101 at, for example, the timing of downloading the EPG from the server 101 at a predetermined time. It is arbitrarily defined according to the evaluation of the recommended program (reservation ranking, evaluator, evaluation organization or “recommendation from everyone” and “recommendation from“ Mr.K ””) and the conditions set by the user.

  Further, “recommended program data” is prepared for, for example, about the top 30 (ranking or evaluation score), and is stored in, for example, the program table creation unit 62 (see FIG. 1) or a predetermined recording area not described in detail.

  FIG. 6 shows information input (recommendation setting change) to [Recommendation Settings] in “Automatic Recording from Recommended Services” which enables automatic program recording from “Recommendation Information” shown in FIGS. An example of the display used is shown. Note that the automatic recording reservation narrowing by “recommended menu selection display” described below with reference to FIG. 6 is actually accumulated in the “recommended information source” and / or the server by referring to various recommendations. All the program information is stored (recorded) in a predetermined storage (recording) area of the video recording apparatus 1 within a range that is referred to (close to the user), and then the above-described recording reservation registration unit It is narrowed down according to the conditions when importing.

  FIG. 6 shows a display example when “recommended setting” is selected from the “menu screen” of “recommended information” shown in FIG. Each “display” described below is a display example displayed on the screen of a television receiver connected to the video output unit in the video recording apparatus, as already described with reference to FIG. Needless to say, the display pattern of “” is superimposed on the video signal by the audio / video processing unit via the OSD. The pattern generated in the OSD is stored in advance in, for example, a program table generation unit of the recording control unit, a ROM (not shown) prepared in the firmware of the MPU or the main control unit, and the like.

  In FIG. 6, “display” 901 includes “title display” 902 indicating that “automatic recording from recommended service” is displayed. In the “title display” 902 or in the vicinity thereof, for example, a “time display” 903 is included.

  “Recommended program” to allow the user to arbitrarily set (squeeze) a “recommended program” to be actually recorded in “automatic recording from recommended service” in the vicinity of “title display” 902 or in a predetermined position. “Menu selection display” 911, “Automatic recording range selection display” 912 that can specify the range for automatically recording the “recommended program” specified in “Recommended menu selection display”, for example, specifying the maximum recording time per day "Maximum recording time selection display" 913, etc., which are used for inputting the conditions for the display, are displayed. Each “display” shown in FIG. 6 is a widely used [check box] type so that a specific one can be specified (specified) from a plurality of selection target items.

  Further, at a predetermined position on the screen that is generally paired with “title display” 902, a user can select a “check box” displayed in “selection display” by a selection instruction, for example, an operation of the remote control terminal R. A “selection / determination display” 904 that is used to input a control command that can input / delete a “check mark” is displayed.

  In “Display” 904, “Item (Bar) selection display” 905 for selecting any “Selection display” 911 to 913, and “Check mark” input to [Check box] of the selected “Display” “Decision display” 906 used for erasing / displaying “return display” 907 for displaying a display (screen) corresponding to the previous operation (operation) is displayed.

  In “Display” 901, “Recommended menu selection display” 911 includes a condition for loading program information stored in the program information registration unit 111 of the server 101 from the “recommended information source” 1001 into the recording reservation registration unit 63. An item for setting a range used for narrowing is displayed.

  For example, among “recommended programs” with [reservation ranking] and [recommended rank (for example, crown mark)], “recommended to you”, “recommended by everyone”, “recommended Mr.K”, etc. Thus, the user can set the automatic recording range by “automatic recording range selection display” under arbitrary conditions. In this case, a plurality of conditions can be selected.

  For example, when “check mark” is input to “check box” of “first place” as “recommended rank”, “display” 701 as shown in FIG. The program assigned “1st place” is reserved. [Recommended ranking] is, for example, from “recommended information source” 1001 to “user having the same video recording device as the video recording device 1 of the present case” or the like (the server 101 includes “the video recording device 1 of the present case”). (Users other than “users having the same video recording device” can also access)), and can be easily specified by the number of recordings of an arbitrary program reserved.

  For example, when a “check mark” is entered in three “check boxes” for “recommended evaluation” as “recommended evaluation”, “recommended evaluation” in “display” 601 as shown in FIG. In the “display” column 613, the program assigned with “three hosi (crown) marks” is reserved. Note that “Recommended Evaluation” is “an information input person in charge of information input to the server 101”, “an editor in charge of a commercially available or free-distributed information magazine (paper)”, “(for example) newspaper” Various evaluations such as “Evaluation staff” of the evaluation organization that announces (publishes) “Recommendation” etc. on the TV column, etc. or “Mr. K” that can be found (searched) by using the Internet search etc. Easily identified by “Recommended” information.

  In FIG. 6, a state in which either “rank display” or “recommended evaluation display” is given priority is displayed, but it goes without saying that the respective items can be multiplied. Also, which title (program) of the programs (titles) reserved by the program information holding unit 111 or the recording reservation control unit 63 of the server 101 is reserved using “rank display” or “recommended evaluation display”. Is defined by the acquisition of recommended points, for example, according to the estimated probability calculation.

  Incidentally, in the video recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the HDD 12 having a large recording capacity is prepared, but recording (recording) all “recommended programs” requires the user to check the recorded programs. Not only is this complicated, but the capacity of the HDD 12 is unintentionally consumed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of programs (titles) to be “automatically recorded from recommendation” can be set to “automatic recording” time per day in “display” 913.

  FIG. 7 shows the setting of a recording reservation in the video recording apparatus in “automatic recording from recommended service” that allows the program to be automatically recorded from the “recommended program (recommended information)” shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of creating an “automatic recording list” from the recommended information held in FIG. In the video recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, an “automatic recording list” is generated in the recording reservation control unit (or a predetermined recording area) of the recording control unit, and broadcast (video) is automatically transmitted according to the list. Recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S11, variable [S] = “number of recommended information” and variable [I] = “0” are set.

  Next, the next program indicated by the “recommended information [S]” is specified by the variable [I] = “I ← I + 1” (S12).

  Subsequently, “I> S” is determined, and it is determined whether or not the check for all programs indicated by “recommended information [S]” is completed (S13).

  If it is checked in step S13 that all programs have not been checked (S13-No), it is checked whether or not the item “Recommended to Automatic Recording” is set (S14).

  In step S14, when it is checked that the item is set as “automatic recording from recommendation” (S14-Yes), it is checked whether or not the “automatic recording range specified by the user” is met. (S15).

  In step S15, when it is checked that the “automatic recording range specified by the user” is met (S15-Yes), the program (the program specified by “recommended information [S]”) is “ “Add to automatic recording list” ”(S16).

  In this way, the various recommended functions (“Recommended for you”, “Recommended for everyone”, “Various rankings”, “Mr. K” of the program information registration unit 111 and the program information storage unit 112 of the server 101 are described. In accordance with program information obtained from “Recommendation” or the like, automatic recording of an arbitrary number of programs (titles) according to the user's preference (determined that the user likes) is reserved.

  FIG. 8 shows recording reservations set in the video recording device in “automatic recording from recommended service” that enables automatic recording of programs from “recommended programs (recommended information)” shown in FIG. 7 (“automatic recording list”). This is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for making it possible to remove duplicate recording (duplicate reservation setting) unique to automatic recording.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in step S21, variable [N] = “number of candidates to be added to the automatic recording list” and variable [I] = “0” are set.

  Next, the variable [I] = “I ← I + 1” identifies the “program (title) that is a candidate to be added to the automatic recording list” that is currently referenced (S22).

Subsequently, it is checked that the same program as the currently referred “program that is a candidate to be added to the automatic recording list (title)” does not already exist (not registered) in the automatic recording list (S23). . Whether or not the same program B as the “program (title) that is a candidate to be added to the automatic recording list” A exists is determined as follows:
A) Channels match
B) Including the start time and end time of program A
That is, the start time of program A is “Tas”, the end time is “Tae”,
When the start time of program B is “Tbs” and the end time is “Tbe”,
“Tbs” ≦ “Tas” and “Tbe” ≧ “Tae”
(Small value = early time)
Whether program B exists (including equal cases, starts early and ends late) according to
Specified by.

When it is checked in step S23 that the currently referred “program that is a candidate to be added to the automatic recording list (title)” is a program that is not registered in the “automatic recording list” (S23-N). o ) The “program A” whose check has been completed is “added to the“ automatic recording list ”” (S24).

  Thereafter, it is sequentially checked whether or not all “programs (titles) to be added to the automatic recording list” are programs not registered in the “automatic recording list” (S25).

  In this way, by checking that “program (title) that is a candidate to be added to the automatic recording list” is a program that is not already registered in the “automatic recording list”, for example, the encoder 22 In the case where at least two series of signals (data) can be encoded at the same time, for example, the loss that simultaneously records (accepts) the same two or more programs provided as terrestrial waves is eliminated.

  As described above, in the video recording apparatus of the present invention, an arbitrary (determined that the user prefers) assumed as his / her preference without “requiring a complicated work for automatic recording” to the user. The program (title) can be automatically recorded. In addition, unintentional consumption of the remaining recording capacity of the recording unit can be suppressed by automatic recording, and it is possible to prevent the user from checking the recorded program. In addition, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems that cannot satisfy the user's request such as the fact that the conditions are too severe and there is no automatic recording.

  Therefore, an automatic recording function that matches the user's style is provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention when it is implemented. In addition, the embodiments may be implemented by appropriately combining them as much as possible, or by deleting a part thereof, and in that case, various effects resulting from the combination or deletion can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Schematic which shows an example of a structure of the video recording device which can apply embodiment of this invention. Schematic which shows the example of a display of "menu screen" of "recommended information" displayed on the display apparatus connected with the video recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a display example when, for example, “reservation ranking” is selected from the “menu screen” of “recommended information” shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example in which the “recommended program” illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed with an evaluation different from the “recommended evaluation” illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of “structure of“ recommended program data ”” used for displaying the display example described with reference to FIG. 3 or 4 in the video recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example used for inputting information (changing recommended settings) to [recommended settings] in “automatic recording from recommended services” illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5; In “automatic recording from recommended service”, which can automatically record a program from “recommended program (recommended information)” shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of “creating an“ automatic recording list ”from recommended information”. In “Automatic Recording from Recommended Service”, which can automatically record programs from “Recommended Programs (Recommended Information)” shown in FIG. ) Is a flow chart for explaining an example of a process that makes it possible to remove duplicate recording (duplicate reservation setting) unique to automatic recording.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video recording apparatus, 10 ... Recording / reproducing part, 20 ... Data processing part, 24 ... Audio | video video processing part, 30 ... Video input part, 40 ... Video output part, 44 ... Video / audio output terminal, 50 ... Main control , 52 ... MPU, 54 ... OSD, 60 ... recording control unit, 61 ... recording information control unit, 62 ... program guide generation unit, 63 ... recording reservation control unit, 70 ... display control unit, 73 ... operation unit, R ... Remote control terminal.

Claims (8)

A recording unit for recording a program;
A recording list holding unit for holding a list of programs to be recorded by the recording unit by automatic recording;
A recording management unit that updates the list held by the recording list holding unit according to information received from the information holding unit via a network;
A condition input unit for instructing a determination condition for adding a program to be recorded to the list to the recording list holding unit;
A setting unit for setting a recording time per day by the automatic recording in the recording management unit;
Comprising
The recording management unit should use recording time per day as one of the determination conditions, and record according to the determination conditions by the automatic recording so as to be within the recording time per day. A recording device that controls to add a program to the list.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination condition is displayed on the screen of the video display device by a display control unit that controls display on a screen of the connected video display device. Wherein-size determination condition, the information holding portion is a recommended information for each program by the service / server on the Internet holding claim 1 or 2 Symbol mounting of the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the recommendation information is a reservation ranking held by the information holding unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the recommended information is defined by recommended points according to an estimated probability calculation calculated by the information holding unit or the recording list holding unit based on a user's usage history. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the recommendation information is arbitrarily provided to the information holding unit from a third party or a predetermined organization. The recording apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the recommendation information is an evaluation score that is arbitrarily provided to the information holding unit.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording management unit checks that the reservations overlap when the recording unit can simultaneously record two or more of the same programs.

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