JP2000082247A - Control device and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a device that does not require a display device to wait until desired data is sent. A control means for performing timer reservation control, an input means for inputting a command to the control means, a display means for displaying a processing result of the control means, and a control means for communicating with the outside. An interface, displaying program information input to the control means from the external device via the interface on the display means, selecting program information from the program information by the input means to make timer reservation information, and the control means This is achieved by sending a timer setting command including information to an external device via the interface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control device and a recording / reproducing device for receiving a digital data broadcast, and more particularly to a control device for recording a digital data broadcast by timer recording, reproducing and displaying information, and It relates to a recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital data broadcasting for distributing information using broadcast waves has been put to practical use. For example, it distributes information such as photographs, voices, and characters, and transmits programs for personal computers. In such a service, a display device such as a personal computer is generally used to display a video, reproduce a sound, and execute a program.

[0003] For example, as a device for receiving and displaying a digital broadcast, there is a device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-149386. Further, an apparatus for receiving and recording / reproducing a digital broadcast is described in JP-A-8-273305.

[0004]

In data broadcasting, the amount of data that can be transmitted using one channel is 6 Mbps.
And the amount of data that can be transmitted simultaneously is limited. Therefore, data must be transmitted in a time-division manner. In addition, since the broadcast format is used, desired data cannot always be obtained, and it is necessary to capture data at a time when necessary data is being transmitted.

In order to capture data at a predetermined time,
It is necessary to make the device wait until the time comes.
However, a device such as a personal computer consumes a large amount of power even when it is not performing a process. In addition, the use of the device for other work while waiting is not considered, which is a problem.

On the other hand, by using a recording / reproducing apparatus that performs bit stream recording, information provided by digital broadcasting can be recorded. A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording a bit stream includes, for example, a digital VTR.
There is. These devices have a built-in timer, which can automatically record information at a predetermined time.

However, a method of recording a digital data broadcast by a timer is not disclosed, and in particular, a method of connecting a display device to a recording / reproducing device and setting a timer via the display device is not disclosed at all.

[0008]

The object of the present invention is to provide a control means for performing timer reservation control, an input means for inputting a command to the control means, a display means for displaying a processing result of the control means, and the control means. Has an interface for communicating with the outside, displays program information input to the control means from the external device via the interface on the display means, selects program information from the program information by the input means, and sets timer reservation information. A control device for transmitting a timer setting command including the timer reservation information to an external device via an interface, a recording device for recording a digital signal, and controlling the recording device. Storage means for storing timer reservation information and an interface for the control means to communicate with an external device The control unit receives a timer reservation command via an interface, compares the recording time included in the timer reservation command with the recording time included in the timer reservation information stored in the storage unit, and determines that there is no overlap. Otherwise, the timer reservation information included in the timer reservation command is stored in the storage means, and the problem can be solved by the recording apparatus.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a data broadcast receiving and displaying apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an antenna for receiving broadcast waves, 2 is a receiver for receiving broadcasts and outputting digital data, 3 is a digital VTR for recording and reproducing data,
4 is a computer for processing data, 5 is a display device for displaying the processing results of the computer, and 6 is a keyboard for giving instructions to the computer. 201 is a tuner that receives digital data by detecting, demodulating, and error correcting a signal of a predetermined frequency from a broadcast wave, 202 is a selection circuit that extracts only packets corresponding to a desired channel from digital data, 203 is a tuner and A control circuit for controlling the selection circuit 204 is an interface circuit for inputting and outputting data and control signals. Reference numeral 301 denotes a recording unit for recording data; 302, a control circuit for controlling the digital VTR; 303, a memory for storing timer reservation contents; and 304, a clock circuit. Reference numeral 401 denotes a CPU for controlling a computer; 402, an interface circuit through which the CPU inputs and outputs data to and from the outside; 403, a memory;
Is an external storage device, and 405 is a display circuit for screen display.

The receiver 2, digital VTR 3, and computer 4 are connected via a serial digital interface. The serial digital interface is, for example, an IEEE (The Insti
Tute of Electric and El
(Electronics Engineers) 1394 standard.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show flowcharts of the operation of the digital VTR according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the operation of the control circuit in the digital VTR when the timer operates. FIG. 3 shows a subroutine at the time of recording start processing, and FIG. 4 shows a subroutine at the time of recording end processing.

First, the operation at the time of normal data broadcast reception will be described.

To receive a data broadcast, the user turns on the power of the computer 4. The CPU 401 reads a program from the external storage device 404, performs a predetermined initial setting operation, and displays an initial screen on the display device 5 through the display circuit 405. The user instructs the computer 4 to perform a data broadcast reception using the keyboard 6 or a mouse (not shown). CPU
Reference numeral 405 transmits a power-on command and a channel designation command to the receiver 2 through the interface circuit 402 in order to perform data broadcast reception. The channel number specified here is a channel that is performing data broadcasting.

At this time, the digital VTR 3 does not need to be powered on, and the interface circuit 305 simply transmits the data sent from the computer 4 to the receiver 2.

A control circuit 203 in the receiver 2 receives an instruction from the computer 4 through an interface circuit 204, turns on the power of a circuit necessary for reception in accordance with the instruction, and outputs data of a designated channel. , The detection frequency of the tuner 201 is specified, and the selection circuit 202 is instructed on the channel number to be selected.

A broadcast wave transmitted from a broadcast satellite is received by an antenna 1, converted into a signal of a predetermined frequency, and transmitted to a receiver 2. Tuner 20 in receiver 2
1 detects a signal of a designated frequency, performs predetermined signal processing such as decoding and error correction, and outputs data of a predetermined channel as a digital signal. From the digital data, only the packet corresponding to the predetermined channel is selected by the selection circuit 202, and the interface circuit 2
04 to the digital VTR 3.

In this manner, the data of the designated channel is received. The received data is in the form of a packet, and a digital V
Sent to TR3. Since the digital VTR 3 does not operate, this packet is sent to the interface circuit 305.
Is sent to the computer 4 as it is.

The computer 4 receives the packet data through the interface circuit 402. CP
The U 401 processes these data and stores them in the memory 403 or the external storage device 404 as necessary. In addition, processing is performed according to a user's instruction. The processing result is displayed on the display device 5 through the display circuit 405. These data include information such as voices and moving images in addition to information such as characters and photographs. In addition, a program or the like operated by the computer 4 is also distributed as data.

Next, the operation when timer recording of data is performed using the digital VTR 3 will be described.

In the data broadcasting, in addition to the display data, information about a broadcasting schedule of each data to be broadcasted in the future is also transmitted. This information includes the title of each data,
It includes data capacity, broadcast channel number, broadcast start time, and broadcast end time. The computer 4 displays the broadcast schedule information on the display device 5. The user selects desired data from the broadcast schedule list and instructs the computer 4 using the keyboard 6 or a mouse (not shown). Information such as the channel number, broadcast start time, and broadcast end time of the selected data is immediately transmitted to the interface circuit 402 as a timer reservation command.
Is transmitted to the digital VTR 3 through

In the digital VTR 3, the control circuit 302 receives the timer reservation command through the interface circuit 305. Digital VTR 3 control circuit 3
02 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The control circuit determines whether a timer reservation setting command has been input (S1), and upon receiving a timer reservation command, receives the timer reservation information included in the timer reservation command (S2). Subsequently, the reserved timer reservation information stored in the memory 303 is read (S3), and it is determined whether or not the timer reservation information has a temporal overlap (S4).

If the timer reservation information is duplicated, a timer reservation cannot be made, and a response to the effect that the reservation is duplicated is sent back to the computer (S5).
Specifically, the control circuit outputs the timer reservation overlap response to the computer through the interface circuit 305, and the interface circuit 402
The CPU receives the timer reservation overlap response through the command. C
When receiving the timer reservation overlap response, the PU displays a message on the screen indicating that the timer reservation could not be made. The user changes the timer reservation time or cancels the timer reservation. With the above control, it is possible to prevent the timer reservation from being duplicated.

On the other hand, if the timer reservation information does not overlap, the timer reservation information is stored in the memory (S
At the same time, the computer informs the computer that the timer reservation has been completed (S7). Specifically, the control circuit transmits the timer reservation completion information to the interface circuit 305.
Through the interface circuit 402, the CPU receives the timer reservation completion information through the interface circuit 402. Upon receiving the timer reservation completion information, the CPU displays a message indicating that the timer reservation has been completed on the screen. In this way, the timer reservation for the data broadcast is performed.

When the timer reservation is completed, the user may turn off the power of the computer 4 or perform another operation using the computer. If there is no need to continue receiving the data broadcast, the computer 4
A power-off command is transmitted to the receiver 2 through the interface circuit 402. This command is a digital VTR
3 is sent to the receiver 2 via the interface circuit 305, and is received by the control circuit 203 in the receiver 2 to turn off the power of the receiver 2.

Control circuit 302 in digital VTR 3
Determines, as shown in FIG. 2, that the timer recording start time has come, except when the processing of the reservation setting command is being performed (S8). Specifically, the clock circuit 30
4 may be constantly monitored and compared with the recording start time of the timer reservation information stored in the memory 303. When the time of the clock circuit 304 coincides with the recording start time, the control circuit performs a recording start process (S9).

As shown in FIG. 3, the recording start process (S9) includes turning on the power of the receiver 2 and setting the channel, and turning on the power of the recording unit 301 and setting the recording operation.

First, in order to perform recording, the control circuit 302
Controls the receiver 2. The control circuit 302 transmits a power-on command (S1) and a channel designation command (S2) to the receiver 2 through the digital interface. The channel number specified for the receiver 2 is stored in the memory 303 as timer reservation information.

The control circuit 203 in the receiver 2 receives the power-on command and the channel designation command through the interface circuit 204, and according to the commands,
The tuner 20 is turned on so that the circuit necessary for the reception is turned on and the data of the designated channel is received.
1, the detection frequency is specified, and the selection circuit 202 specifies the packet to be selected.

The tuner 201 detects a signal of a designated frequency according to an instruction of the control circuit 203, performs processing such as demodulation and error correction, and outputs digital data. The selection circuit 202 extracts only the packet of the designated channel from the digital data. This received data is sent to the digital VTR 3 as serial data through the interface circuit 204.

On the other hand, the digital VTR 3 is turned on according to the instruction of the control circuit 302 (S3).
Thereafter, the recording unit 301 starts a recording operation (S4).
The packet data transmitted from the receiver 2 through the digital interface is transmitted to the interface circuit 3
The recording medium 301 is sent to the recording unit 301 through the magnetic tape 05 and recorded on a magnetic tape. A specific example of the digital VTR is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-273305.

When the recording start process is completed, as shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 302 inside the digital VTR 3 waits until the recording end time comes (S10). When the recording end time comes, the control circuit 302 performs a recording end process (S11). Specifically, the recording end time stored in the memory 303 is compared with the time of the clock circuit 304, and when the recording end time comes, the control of the recording end is performed.

The recording end control includes, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the end of the recording operation of the digital VTR 3, the power-off, and the power-off of the receiver 2.

First, the control circuit 302 instructs the recording unit 301 to stop recording (S1). Specifically, the rotation of the capstan roller and the drum is stopped, and the running of the magnetic tape is stopped. Further, the supply of the signal to the magnetic head is stopped. These processes are the same as the recording stop process of a general VTR. Further, the control circuit 302 includes a digital VTR
The power supply to the circuits necessary for recording and reproduction is also stopped, and the digital VTR 3 enters a standby state (S2). This process is the same as a general VTR power-off process.

At the same time, the control circuit 302 in the digital VTR 3 issues a power-off command to the receiver 2 for the recording end process on the receiver 2 side.
(S3). In the receiver 2, a power-off command is transmitted through the interface circuit 204 to the control circuit 2.
03 receives. The control circuit 203 stops supplying power to circuits necessary for reception, such as the tuner 201 and the selection circuit 202, and places the receiver 2 in a standby state. This is the same as a general receiver power-off process.

By the above processing, the power of the digital VTR 3 and the receiver 2 is automatically turned off at the end of the data recording, so that unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

After the recording is completed, the user can reproduce the data recorded on the digital VTR 3 and take it into the computer 4 as necessary.

In order to take in the recorded data, the user turns on the power of the computer 4 and instructs to take in the data using the keyboard 6 or a mouse (not shown). When a data capture command is issued, the CPU
Reference numeral 401 first instructs the digital VTR 3 to turn on the power and search for data. These commands are input from the interface circuit 402 of the computer 4 to the interface circuit 305 of the digital VTR 3 via the serial digital interface, and the control circuit 30
Interpreted by 2. First, the power of the digital VTR 3 is turned on by a power-on process to prepare for recording and reproduction. Subsequently, the magnetic tape is rewound to the beginning of the recorded data in accordance with the data cueing command. This processing may be performed using, for example, a tape counter (not shown) in the digital VTR 3, or a so-called VISS (Video Index) that writes a predetermined signal to a control track and uses it as an index signal.
x Search System). By using VISS, even when a plurality of data are recorded, it is possible to easily find the beginning of the data. The cueing process is a technique used in a conventional VTR, and a detailed description is omitted here.

Next, the computer 4 executes the digital VT
Instruct R3 to reproduce data. This instruction is input to the control circuit 302 via the interface circuit 305 in the digital VTR 3. The control circuit 302 instructs the recording unit 301 to reproduce data. In data reproduction, the recording unit drives a capstan roller, a drum, and the like at a predetermined speed to reproduce data from a magnetic tape. The reproduced data is transmitted to the computer 4 through the interface circuit 305 after predetermined processing. This transmission signal is in the form of a packet, and has exactly the same shape as the data packet output from the receiver 2.

The computer 4 can handle the packet reproduced from the digital VTR 3 in the same manner as when a data broadcast is received using the receiver 2. That is,
The data is stored in the memory 403 or the external storage device 404, processed as needed, and the result is displayed.

In this manner, the data recorded on the digital VTR using the timer reservation can be reproduced and displayed.

With the above processing, even when the user turns off the computer or performs other work on the computer, the data can be stored in the digital VTR. It is possible to reproduce data when necessary.

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a data broadcast receiving and displaying apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5, each symbol is the same as that shown in FIG. The receiver 2, the digital VTR 3, and the computer 4 are connected by a serial digital interface.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a timer function is realized by the control circuit 203 in the receiver 2.

The operation at the time of normal data broadcast reception is exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

When a timer reservation is made using the apparatus of this embodiment, the user can use the keyboard 6 or a mouse (not shown) to select a desired item from the broadcast schedule list as in the first embodiment. Select data. Information such as the channel number, broadcast start time, and broadcast end time of the selected data is sent to the receiver 2 through the interface circuit 402 as a timer reservation command. At this time, the digital VTR 3 sends the timer reservation information sent from the computer to the receiver 2 through the interface circuit 305.

The control circuit 203 in the receiver 2 receives the timer reservation command through the interface circuit 204 and stores the timer reservation information in the memory 303.
After the timer reservation is completed, the user may turn off the power of the computer 4.

The control circuit 203 in the receiver 2 constantly monitors the clock circuit 304 and compares it with the data broadcast recording start time of the timer reservation information stored in the memory 303. When the time of the clock circuit 304 coincides with the data broadcast recording start time, the control circuit 302 performs recording start control.

The recording start control includes turning on the power of the receiver 2 and setting the channel, and turning on the power of the digital VTR 3 and setting the recording operation.

First, in order to receive a broadcast, the control circuit 2
03 supplies power to a circuit in the receiver 2 necessary for receiving data broadcasting. Further, the control circuit 203 controls the tuner 2 to receive the data broadcast of the designated channel.
01 designates detection of a signal of a predetermined frequency, and designates the selection circuit 202 to extract a packet corresponding to the reception channel. As a result, a data broadcast of a predetermined channel is received, and a desired packet is sent to the digital VTR 3 through the interface circuit 204. The channel received here is stored in the memory 303 as timer reservation information.

Next, the control circuit 203 controls the digital VT
In order to control R3, a power-on command and a recording start command to digital VTR 3 are output via interface circuit 204.

Control circuit 302 in digital VTR 3
Receives the power-on command and the recording start command through the interface circuit 305. Control circuit 302
Supplies power to circuits necessary for recording and reproduction in response to a power-on command. Subsequently, a recording start command causes the recording unit 30
1 is instructed to record data. At this time, the data of the predetermined channel received by the receiver is stored in the recording unit 301.
Input through the interface circuit 305,
This received data is recorded on a magnetic tape.

The control circuit 203 in the receiver 2 has a memory 3
03 is compared with the time of the clock circuit, and when the recording end time is reached, a recording end process is performed.

The recording end processing includes the end of the recording operation of the digital VTR 3 and the power-off, and the power-off of the receiver 2.

In the recording end processing, first, the control circuit 203
Sends a recording stop command and power-off command to the digital VTR3
Send to These commands are sent to the interface circuit 20
4 to the control circuit 302 in the digital VTR 3 via the digital interface and the interface circuit 305. The control circuit 302 includes a recording unit 301
, An instruction to end recording is given, and the running of the magnetic tape is stopped. Further, in response to the power-off command, the supply of power to circuits other than those required for the standby state is stopped.

On the other hand, inside the receiver 2, the control circuit 20
3 stops the power supply to the receiving circuits such as the tuner 201 and the selecting circuit 202, and enters a standby state.

With the above operation, the recording end processing is performed, the digital VTR 3 and the receiver 2 are in a standby state, and it is possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

After recording is completed, a method of reproducing the recorded data can be realized by exactly the same operation as the apparatus described in the first embodiment.

In the above embodiment, a computer is used as a device for displaying received data, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, data can be displayed using a control circuit built in the receiver.

An embodiment in this case will be described below as a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a data broadcast receiving and displaying apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 6, symbols 1 to 405 correspond to those in FIG.
Are equivalent to those shown in FIG. Reference numeral 406 denotes a remote controller by which a user inputs a command to the receiver 2, and reference numeral 407 denotes a remote controller 4.
It is a remote control receiving unit that receives a command from the controller 06.

First, the operation at the time of receiving a data broadcast will be described.

To receive a data broadcast, the user inputs a power-on command to the receiver 2 using the remote controller 406. When the user presses the power-on command button of the remote controller 406, the light emitting diode in the remote controller blinks in a pattern corresponding to the command and emits infrared rays. This infrared light is received by the remote control receiving unit 407 and the control circuit 203
Is input to The control unit 203 determines from the light emission pattern that the command is a power-on command, and turns on the power of the receiver 2.

Subsequently, the user uses the remote controller 406 to input a channel designation command to receive a channel on which data broadcasting is being performed. The channel designation command is input to the control circuit 203 through the remote control receiving unit 407, and the control circuit 203 sets the reception frequency of the tuner 201 and the selected channel of the selection circuit 202 so that the designated channel can be received. As a result, a packet of a predetermined channel performing data broadcasting is received. The selected packet is temporarily input to the control circuit 203 through the interface circuit 204. The control circuit 203 extracts data from the packet during data broadcasting and outputs the data to the display circuit 405. Display circuit 405
Converts the display information into a predetermined video signal and outputs it, and the information is displayed on the external display device 5.

Next, the operation for making a timer reservation will be described.

The user uses the remote controller 406 to select a desired program from programs to be broadcast, and inputs a timer reservation command. The control circuit 203 transmits to the digital VTR 3 a timer reservation command including information such as the broadcast start time, broadcast end time, and broadcast channel of the program for which timer reservation has been instructed. This timer reservation command is input to the digital VTR 3 through the interface circuit 204, and is input to the control circuit 302 through the interface circuit 305 in the digital VTR 3. The control circuit 302 extracts the broadcast start time, broadcast end time, and broadcast channel information from the timer reservation command,
3 is stored. Through the above processing, timer reservation is performed. The digital VTR performs timer recording by the same operation as the digital VTR shown in the first embodiment.

The data broadcast recorded by the timer reservation is reproduced later by the instruction of the user. The user
The remote controller 406 is used to instruct cueing and reproduction of the recorded video tape. These commands are received by the remote control receiving unit 407 and interpreted by the control circuit 203.
This is transmitted to the digital VTR 3. Digital VTR3
Performs the cueing of the video tape according to the command and reproduces the recorded data broadcast. The reproduced data is
Input to the receiver 2 via the interface 305,
The control circuit 203 converts the data into display data, and
And displayed on the display device 5.

By the above processing, even when the broadcast receiver also serves as the data broadcast display device, the timer reservation of the data broadcast can be made and reproduced.

As described above, specific examples according to the present invention are described below.
This has been described using a digital VTR. However, the invention is not limited to digital VTRs. For example, the present invention can be realized without being limited to a recording medium such as a recording device such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk, or a recording device using a semiconductor memory.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a timer is reserved by receiving a data broadcast. However, the present invention is not limited to this case.
The present invention can also be realized for a cable broadcast such as V or an apparatus using an optical fiber, and can be realized irrespective of the broadcast form and the type of the receiver.

[0075]

According to the present invention, a device for receiving and displaying a data broadcast is provided with a recording / reproducing means having a timer function, so that it is necessary to keep the display device on standby until desired data is transmitted. There is no. Therefore, during that time, the display device can be used for other work. Alternatively, since the power of the receiver, the display device, and the like can be turned off during standby, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a data broadcast receiving and displaying device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the digital VTR when a timer is reserved.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a recording start processing subroutine of the digital VTR.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a recording end processing subroutine of the digital VTR.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a data broadcast receiving and displaying device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a data broadcast receiving and displaying device according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna, 2 ... Receiver, 3 ... Digital VTR, 4
... computer, 5 ... display device, 6 ... keyboard, 20
1: Tuner, 202: Selection circuit, 203: Control circuit,
204 interface circuit, 301... Recording unit, 302
... Control circuit, 303, memory, 304, clock circuit, 40
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 402 ... Interface, 403 ... Memory, 404 ... External storage device, 405 ... Display circuit, 406
... Remote control, 407 ... Remote control receiving unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Chiyo Akamatsu 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Multimedia System Development Division

Claims (7)

[Claims] A control unit for performing timer reservation control; an input unit for inputting a command to the control unit; a display unit for displaying a processing result of the control unit; and a control unit for communicating with an external device. Displaying program information input to the control means from the external device via the interface on a display means, selecting program information from the program information by the input means to make timer reservation information, A control device, wherein the control means sends a timer setting command including the timer reservation information to the external device via the interface. A control means for performing timer reservation control; an input means for inputting a command to the control means; a display means for displaying a processing result of the control means; and a control means for communicating with an external device. Displaying program information input to the control means from the external device via the interface on a display means, selecting program information from the program information by the input means to make timer reservation information, The control unit sends a timer setting command including the timer reservation information to the external device via the interface, receives a response of the external device to the timer command, and displays the response on the display unit in response to the response. A control device characterized by changing the contents to be performed. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the interface is a serial digital interface. 4. Recording means for recording digital signals, control means for controlling the recording means, an interface for the control means to communicate with an external device, and storage means for storing timer reservation information. Means for receiving a timer reservation command via the interface, comparing the recording time included in the timer reservation command with the recording time included in the timer reservation information stored in the storage means, and if there is no overlap, And recording the timer reservation information included in the timer reservation command in the storage means. 5. Recording means for recording digital signals, control means for controlling the recording means, an interface for the control means to communicate with an external device, and storage means for storing timer reservation information, The control means receives a timer reservation command via the interface, compares the recording time included in the timer reservation command with the recording time included in the timer reservation information stored in the storage means, and compares the comparison result with the recording time. A recording device for sending to the external device via an interface, and when the comparison result in the previous period is not duplicated, storing timer reservation information included in the timer reservation command in the storage means. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein input / output of data is performed using the interface. 7. The recording device according to claim 4, wherein the interface is a serial digital interface.