JP2007096790A - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a recording apparatus incorporating a tuner, another program cannot be recorded simultaneously while recording a certain program. In addition, the recording process is not accepted due to a lack of capacity of the hard disk built in the recording apparatus, and it is stopped halfway.
If a recording request for another channel is requested in the same time zone as the recording time of a program in a recording device incorporating a tuner 11, a command is issued to another device connected by an IEEE1394 cable. It is possible to simultaneously record by specifying a device having a tuner that can be used in advance, transmitting the program data requested to be recorded from the device to the device itself, and recording the received program data in the HDD 20 incorporated in the device. To do. When the HDD of its own device is insufficient, issue a command to another device, identify the device with an HDD with free space, send program data to be recorded, and record it in the HDD of that device Enable recording.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus connected to a bus, and more particularly to a recording apparatus connected to an IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 1394 bus which is a high-speed serial interface.

  FIG. 23 shows a configuration related to a conventional recording apparatus. In FIG. 23, B1, B2 and B3 are DVD recorders, 1 is an antenna, and 2 is an IEEE 1394 cable. The DVD recorders B1, B2, and B3 are connected to the antenna 1 for receiving broadcast signals, and are further connected to each other via an IEEE 1394 cable 2. 71 is a tuner that extracts a desired broadcast signal, 72 is a demodulator that demodulates the received broadcast signal, 73 is a TS decoder that separates and decodes video data and audio data from the demodulated broadcast signal, and 74 is connected to the cable 2. Port 75 for IEEE 1394 interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from an apparatus conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, and 76 for a video / audio data separated and decoded by TS decoder 73 to HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 80. 1 is an input line, 77 is a second input line for flowing data from the interface 75 to the HDD 80, 78 is an input switching unit for switching input between the first input line 76 and the second input line 77, and 79 is Write video data and audio data to the HDD 80, and video from the HDD 80 A recording / playback unit for reading data and audio data; 80, an HDD for recording and storing video data and audio data; 81, an output line for sending data from the recording / playback unit 79 to the interface 75; Is a video / audio output terminal for outputting video and audio to the outside, 83 is an internal bus for connecting each part of the DVD recorder B1, 84 is an operation input unit for selecting a desired channel, 85 is a memory, 86 is a DVD A control part 87 for controlling each part of the recorder B1 is a display part. DVD recorders B2 and B3 have the same configuration as DVD recorder B1.

  When the operation input unit 84 requests playback of video data and audio data stored in the HDD 80, the control unit 86 instructs the recording / playback unit 79 to read out desired video data and audio data from the HDD 80. They are output from the video / audio output terminal 82 or from the port 74 via the interface 75. During this time, the display unit 87 displays that the program is being played back.

  When recording of the currently received program is requested from the operation input unit 84, the control unit 86 causes the input switching unit 78 to input video data and audio data from the first input line 76. At this time, data input from the second input line 77 is invalidated. Next, the recording / playback unit 79 is controlled to record the video data and audio data from the first input line 76 to the HDD 80. During this time, the display unit 87 displays that the program is being recorded.

  When scheduled recording of a program is requested from the operation input unit 84, the information is once recorded in the memory 85. In accordance with the reservation information stored in the memory 85, the control unit 86 extracts a desired program from the recording start time to the recording end time by the tuner 71, demodulates it by the demodulation unit 72, and uses the TS decoder 73 for video data. And the audio data is separated and decoded, and the video data and audio data from the first input line 76 are input to the input switching unit 78 (in this case, the data input from the second input line 77 is invalidated), The recording / playback unit 79 is controlled to record the video data and audio data from the first input line 76 to the HDD 80. During this time, the display unit 87 displays that the program is being recorded. If the reservation information is not repeated every day or every week, unnecessary reservation information is deleted from the memory 85 after the recording ends.

  If there are a plurality of programs to be recorded and their broadcast times overlap, a program recording reservation operation is performed for each of the DVD recorders B1 and B2, and recording is simultaneously performed using a plurality of devices.

In contrast to this configuration, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for recording a program using a plurality of devices.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-26984 (page 5-7, Fig. 1-4)

  However, in the configuration as described above, since only one tuner is built in the device itself, another program cannot be recorded at the same time during program recording. Also in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, recording using a tuner built in its own device and recording of program data received from another device connected to the serial bus cannot be performed simultaneously.

  When recording a program, if the remaining capacity of the recording medium (HDD) built in the apparatus is small, recording is performed when the remaining capacity of the recording medium becomes zero even if the program is halfway. There is a problem of stopping the program or not accepting the program reservation.

  Further, as the number of devices increases, the number of remote controllers that control the devices increases accordingly, which confuses which remote controller corresponds to which device. In other words, the reservation recording operation is troublesome and it cannot be said that it is convenient.

  The present invention was created in view of such circumstances, and enables recording of a plurality of programs at the same time even if only one tuner is incorporated, and allows recording even if the remaining capacity of the recording medium is small. It is an object of the present invention to allow a program to be recorded to the end without causing a stop or a recording error, and to easily perform operations of other devices connected thereto only by operations on a predetermined device.

The recording device according to the present invention comprises:
A tuner that extracts a broadcast signal of a channel selected from broadcast signals received by an antenna;
A demodulator that demodulates the broadcast signal extracted by the tuner;
A decoder that separates and decodes the broadcast signal demodulated by the demodulator into a video signal, an audio signal, and the like;
Recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing data such as the video signal and the audio signal separated and decoded by the decoder;
A communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices having a tuner capable of communicating in accordance with a predetermined standard and capable of extracting a broadcast signal;
Switching between a first input line for signals from the tuner to the recording / reproducing means via the decoder and a second input line for signals reaching the recording / reproducing means from the other device via the serial bus and the communication interface Input switching means for performing
By controlling the input switching means and the recording / reproducing means, the data such as the video signal and the audio signal input from the tuner via the demodulator / decoder and the serial bus extracted by the other device And a control unit having simultaneous recording means for simultaneously recording data such as a video signal and an audio signal received via the communication interface on the recording medium.

  In this configuration, the broadcast signal is extracted by the tuner in the recording apparatus, demodulated by the demodulator, separated and decoded into a video signal and an audio signal by the decoder, and the data is transferred from the input switching means to the recording medium via the recording / reproducing means. Record. On the other hand, a broadcast signal is extracted by a tuner of another device, a video signal and an audio signal are taken in via a serial bus and a communication interface, and data is recorded on a recording medium from an input switching unit through a recording / reproducing unit. Here, if an instruction for recording a broadcast signal by the tuner of the recording apparatus and an instruction for recording a broadcast signal by a tuner of another apparatus are generated at the same time, the control unit activates the simultaneous recording means. Then, the input switching means and the recording / reproducing means are controlled to store the data of both broadcast signals alternately in time on the recording medium.

  Therefore, even if multiple tuners are not installed in the recording device, multiple broadcast programs can be recorded at the same time using the tuners of other devices connected to the recording device. The user-friendliness of being able to do so can be improved. Moreover, since only one tuner is required, an increase in the price of the product can be suppressed.

  In the above, the control unit transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus, acquires information on the usage status of the tuner of the other device, and determines the usage status There is an aspect in which other tuner usage status determining means is provided.

  According to this, by knowing the usage status of a tuner of another device connected to the recording device, it is inadvertent of other devices during operation (eg, recording using the tuner). Avoid use and ensure the stability of other devices.

  Further, in the above, there is an aspect in which the control unit includes another tuner information recording unit that records information obtained by the other tuner usage status determination unit in a memory. Furthermore, there is an aspect in which display means for displaying information obtained by the other tuner usage status determination means is provided. This ensures a user interface and improves usability.

  Further, in the above, there is an aspect in which the control unit includes a data capacity calculating unit that calculates the data capacity of the received program. In addition, the control unit transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus, and obtains information on a usage status of the recording medium provided in the other device. There is an aspect of having usage status determination means. Thereby, the usage status of the recording medium of another apparatus connected to the recording apparatus is grasped.

  Further, in the above, there is an aspect in which the control unit includes another recording medium information recording unit that records information obtained by the other recording medium use state determination unit in a memory. Furthermore, there is an aspect in which display means for displaying the information obtained by the other recording medium usage status determination means is provided. Thus, the convenience of the user is improved by displaying the remaining capacity of the recording medium of an unused tuner or another device.

  In the above, when the data capacity of the program to be recorded on the recording medium is larger than the remaining capacity of the recording medium, the control unit is built in itself by the other recording medium use state determining means. In addition to the recording medium, another recording medium recording / reproducing means for specifying another device including a usable recording medium and transmitting the program data to the specified other device via the serial bus for recording. There is an aspect of having. As a result, the usage status of the recording medium of the other device is grasped, and when the remaining capacity of the recording medium of the recording device is small, the other device that owns the recording medium that can handle the capacity of program data to be recorded Selection and transfer of recording media can be performed, and program data recording failure can be prevented.

  Further, in the above, there is an aspect in which the control unit includes a data dividing unit that divides program data to be recorded on the recording medium into an arbitrary capacity. Thereby, a part of the program data is recorded in the recording apparatus, and the remaining part is recorded in another apparatus.

  Also, in the above, the control unit includes another device recording reservation unit that transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus and performs recording reservation control of the other device. There is. This makes it possible to remotely control the recording reservation of another device from the recording device.

  Further, in the above, the control unit includes recording reservation information acquisition means for transmitting a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus and acquiring recording reservation information in the other device. There are aspects. Further, there is a mode in which the control unit includes recording reservation information recording means for recording information obtained by the recording reservation information acquisition means in a memory. Further, there is an aspect in which the control unit has display means for displaying information obtained by the recording reservation information acquisition means. This makes it possible to easily know the recording reservation status of other devices.

  Further, in the above, the control unit determines whether or not the recording reservation time overlaps from the recording reservation information of the other device acquired by the recording reservation information acquisition unit and the recording reservation information of itself. There is an aspect in which a determination unit is provided. In addition, the control unit includes a recording reservation transfer determination unit that determines whether or not the recording reservation process can be transferred between the arbitrary devices including itself based on the result acquired by the recording reservation duplication determination unit. There is. Further, the control unit transmits a predetermined control command for requesting to change the recording reservation to the other device based on the result obtained by the recording reservation transfer determination unit, and the recording reservation processing of the other device There is a mode in which recording reservation transfer means for performing control is provided. Thereby, when a recording reservation overlaps, the recording reservation is transferred.

  Also, in the above, the control unit transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus, and transmits the usage status of the tuner built in itself and information on the recording medium. There is a mode of having a self-situation transmission means. This makes it possible to always grasp the latest recording reservation status.

  In the above, it is preferable that the communication interface is an IEEE 1394 interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to record a plurality of broadcast programs at the same time using a tuner of another device connected to the recording device without installing a plurality of tuners in the recording device. The user-friendliness can be improved such that recording can be performed even when time is overlapped. Moreover, since only one tuner is required, an increase in the price of the product can be suppressed.

  In addition, by knowing the usage status of the tuners of other devices connected to the recording device, the inadvertent use of other devices that are in operation (such as during recording using the tuner) can be avoided. It can be avoided and the stability of other devices can be guaranteed.

  Furthermore, by grasping the usage status of the recording medium of the other device connected to the recording device, when the remaining capacity of the recording medium of the recording device is small, the capacity of the program data to be recorded is reduced. Selection of another device having a compatible recording medium and transfer of the recording medium can be performed, and failure of recording program data can be prevented.

  Furthermore, since information obtained from other devices can be owned and retrieved immediately when necessary, there is no need to issue control commands to other devices every time, and the transfer efficiency of the entire serial bus such as IEEE 1394 is eliminated. Degradation can be avoided.

  Further, the convenience of the user can be improved by displaying the remaining capacity of the recording media of the unused tuner and other devices.

  Furthermore, a plurality of devices can also be controlled by a predetermined device, and user convenience can be improved.

  Furthermore, even if the program reservation is duplicated, the resetting operation by the user is not necessary, and usability can be improved.

  Furthermore, sharing efficiency of the recording medium can be improved by sharing the remaining capacity of the recording medium of the recording apparatus with another apparatus.

  Embodiments of a recording apparatus (DVD recorder) according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
In FIG. 1, A1, A2 and A3 are DVD recorders, 1 is an antenna, and 2 is an IEEE 1394 cable. Each DVD recorder A 1, A 2, A 3 is connected to the antenna 1 in order to receive a broadcast signal, and further connected to each other via a cable 2. 11 is a tuner that extracts a desired broadcast signal, 12 is a demodulator that demodulates the received broadcast signal, 13 is a TS decoder that separates and decodes video data and audio data from the demodulated broadcast signal, and 14 is connected to the cable 2. 15 is an IEEE 1394 interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from a device conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, and 16 is a first for flowing video data and audio data separated and decoded by the TS decoder 13 to an HDD (hard disk drive) 20. 1 is an input line, 17 is a second input line for flowing data from the interface 15 to the HDD 20, 18 is an input switching unit for switching input between the first input line 16 and the second input line 17, and 19 is Write video data and audio data to HDD 20 and A recording / playback unit serving as a recording / playback unit for reading data and audio data, 20 an HDD for recording and storing video data and audio data, and 21 for sending data from the recording / playback unit 19 to the interface 15. , 22 is a video / audio output terminal for outputting video and audio to the outside, 23 is an internal bus for connecting each part of the DVD recorder A1, 24 is an operation input unit for selecting a desired channel, and 25 is A memory 26 is a control unit that controls each unit of the DVD recorder A1, and 27 is a display unit.

  The memory 25 stores a register space defined by IEEE. This register space includes a CSR (Control and Status Register) core used for node control, a serial bus dependent register that is a register for bus management, a configuration ROM that stores information on the performance of the own device, and the like. It consists of a unit register that is a register unique to each device. The memory 25 is configured to organize and store its own device information and device information obtained from other devices via the cable 2 as a device information table 25a (see FIG. 3).

  The control unit 26 controls each device in the DVD recorder A1 connected by the internal bus 23, each device control means 31, simultaneous recording means 32, other tuner usage status determining means 33, other tuner information recording means 34, data capacity. Calculation means 35, other recording medium usage status judging means 36, other recording medium information recording means 37, other recording medium recording / reproducing means 38, data dividing means 39, other apparatus recording reservation means 40, recording reservation information acquisition means 41, recording reservation An information recording unit 42, a recording reservation duplication determination unit 43, a recording reservation transfer determination unit 44, a recording reservation transfer unit 45, and a self status transmission unit 46 are provided.

  The DVD recorders A2 and A3 have the same configuration as the DVD recorder A1.

  2 and FIG. 1 are the same as the whole system, and each device inside the DVD recorder A1 in FIG. 2 and each device inside the DVD recorder A1 in FIG. 1 are also the same. Therefore, the antenna 1 in FIG. The description of each part of the IEEE1394 cable 2, DVD recorder A1, and 11-27 is omitted.

  In the DVD recorder A2 of FIG. 2, 51 is a tuner that extracts a desired broadcast signal, 52 is a demodulator that demodulates the received broadcast signal, and 53 is a TS decoder that separates and decodes video data and audio data from the demodulated broadcast signal. , 54 is a port for connecting the IEEE 1394 cable 2, 55 is an IEEE 1394 interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from an apparatus conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard, and 56 is a video data and audio data separated and decoded by the TS decoder 53 to the HDD 60. A first input line for flowing, 57 a second input line for flowing data from the interface 55 to the HDD 60, and 58 an input switching for switching input between the first input line 56 and the second input line 57 And 59, when video data and audio data are written to the HDD 60, In addition, a recording / reproducing unit serving as a recording / reproducing unit that reads out video data and audio data from the HDD 60, an HDD for recording and storing video data and audio data, and 61, an interface for data from the recording / reproducing unit 59. An output line for flowing to 55, 62 is a video / audio output terminal for outputting video and audio to the outside, 63 is an internal bus for connecting each part of the DVD recorder A2, 64 is an operation input for selecting a desired channel, etc. , 65 is a memory, 66 is a control unit for controlling each part of the DVD recorder A2, and 67 is a display unit. The DVD recorder A3 has the same configuration as the DVD recorders A1 and A2.

  An embodiment in which another program currently being broadcast is recorded while the program is being recorded by the DVD recorder A1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Further, description will be made with reference to FIG. 6 showing a sequence of packets transmitted and received between the apparatuses via the cable 2.

  When the user sets a channel or time to be recorded in the DVD recorder A1 (step S1), the DVD recorder A1 receives the recording information (channel, usage time, recording mode, etc.) by the operation input unit 24 and records it in the memory 25. The device information table 25a being checked is checked to determine whether recording is currently being performed (step S2). When recording is not in progress (No in step S2), the broadcast signal from the broadcast station is received by the antenna 1, and the program data of the channel (channel C) selected by the tuner 11 is extracted from the received broadcast signal and demodulated. The program data extracted by the unit 12 is demodulated, and the demodulated program data is separated into a video signal, an audio signal, and the like by the TS decoder 13 and decoded. The decoded program data is recorded in the HDD 20 by the recording / playback unit 19 through the first input line 16 selected by the input switching unit 18 using the simultaneous recording means 32 in the control unit 26 (step S3).

  The simultaneous recording means 32 in the control unit 26 will be described. Each device control means 31 determines whether or not the tuner 11 of the DVD recorder A1, which is the recording device, is used. If it is used, the first input line 16 is turned on. If it is not used, the first input line 16 is turned on. The input line 16 is turned off. Also, each device control means 31 determines whether or not there is data reception from another device connected to the interface 15 by the cable 2, and if there is reception, the second input line 17 is turned on and no reception is made. For example, the second input line 17 is turned OFF. If both the first input line 16 and the second input line 17 are ON, the input data is switched at regular intervals so that the program data received from the built-in tuner 11 is connected to the cable 2. Program data received from other devices are alternately received at regular intervals and recorded in the HDD 20, and a plurality of programs are simultaneously recorded.

  In the case of the process of step S3, the tuner 11 of the DVD recorder A1 which is the recording apparatus is used, and there is no reception data in the interface 15, so recording is performed using only the first input line 16.

  In step S2, when recording is being performed (recording is being performed on channel A) (Yes in step S2), the other tuner usage status determination unit 33 can currently use the other apparatus connected via the cable 2. To determine whether there is another device with a built-in tuner.

  The other tuner usage status determination means 33 will be described. IEEE 1394 including the code number (operand = 0x1) indicating the device information acquisition request shown in FIG. 7 for all devices (DVD recorder A2 and DVD recorder A3 in FIG. 1) connected to DVD recorder A1 and cable 2. A command set (hereinafter referred to as AV / C command) for controlling the AV device connected in step S4 is transmitted (step S4, P1 and P3 in FIG. 6). Receiving this packet, the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 each have their own recording reservation information (remaining HDD capacity, used channel, use start time, use end time) as a reply packet (hereinafter referred to as AV / C response) shown in FIG. And return to the DVD recorder A1 (P2 and P4 in FIG. 6). The DVD recorder A1 stores information from the AV / C response received from the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 in the device information table 25a shown in FIG. 5 using the other tuner information recording means 34 (step S5). A determination is made as to whether or not there is a device that can be used by incorporating a tuner among the connected devices (step S6). As a method of determining a device, it is determined whether it can be used by determining whether it can be used in ascending order of node numbers (numbers identifying devices in the topology in the IEEE 1394 standard) among connected devices. When it is determined, the apparatus is treated as a second tuner used for performing desired recording.

  If any connected device (both DVD recorders A2 and A3) cannot be used as the second tuner, it notifies the display unit 27 that the requested program cannot be recorded and displays it, and the process ends. (Step S7).

  If the device that can be used as the second tuner is the DVD recorder A2 (Yes in step S6), the DVD recorder A1 switches the reception channel to channel C and the program data of channel C to the DVD recorder A2. An AV / C command (format in FIG. 9) including a code number (operand = 0x2) for requesting transmission to the recorder A1 is transmitted (step S8, P5 in FIG. 6). Upon receiving this AV / C command, the DVD recorder A2 transmits an AV / C response (format in FIG. 10) of request acceptance OK to the DVD recorder A1 (P6 in FIG. 6). The DVD recorder A2 designates channel C and starts receiving broadcast signals. The program data decoded through the tuner 51, the demodulation unit 52, and the TS decoder 53 is converted into the first input line 56, the input switching unit 58, The data is output from the port 54 to the DVD recorder A1 via the recording / playback unit 59, the output line 61, and the interface 55 (P7 to P10 in FIG. 6). The program data transmitted to the DVD recorder A1 via the cable 2 is received by the port 14 of the DVD recorder A1 (step S9), and the program data is transmitted to the recording / playback unit 19 via the interface 15 and the second input line 17. Sent to and recorded in the HDD 20 (step S10).

  The DVD recorder A1 that has received the packet containing the program data uses the simultaneous recording means 32 to alternate the first input line 16 and the second input line 17 through which the input switching unit 18 inputs the program data at regular intervals. By switching to, the program data received from the tuner 11 built in the DVD recorder A1 and the program data received from the DVD recorder A2 are alternately received at regular intervals and recorded in the HDD 20, and a plurality of programs are recorded simultaneously. .

  Even when the device that can be used as the second tuner in the determination processing in step S6 is the DVD recorder A3, the same processing as in the case of the DVD recorder A2 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, opcode = 0x30 is set as an example in order to specify the AV / C command / response (FIGS. 7 to 10), but any value other than the value defined in the IEEE 1394 standard may be used. Any value may be set.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of program data can be recorded at the same time even if only one tuner is incorporated in the DVD recorder, and even when the time of programs to be recorded overlaps, it can be recorded. User convenience can be improved. Moreover, since only one tuner is required, an increase in the price of the product can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
In the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used. Each device described in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the same as the device described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The operation when the remaining capacity of the HDD 20 is smaller than the capacity of the program data to be recorded when the program data is recorded in the HDD 20 built in the DVD recorder A1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Further, description will be made with reference to FIG. 12 showing a sequence of packets transmitted and received between the apparatuses via the cable 2.

  When the user sets the recording of a program (channel C) currently being broadcast on the DVD recorder A1 (step S21), the DVD recorder A1 sets the recording information (channel, usage time, recording mode, etc.) to the operation input unit 24. The device information table 25a recorded in the memory 25 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not recording is currently being performed (step S22). If recording is in progress (Yes in step S22), the other tuner use status determination means 33 is used to search for other devices connected to the cable 2 whether there is a device with a built-in tuner. This is performed (step S23). Since the other tuner usage status determination means 33 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As a result of the other tuner usage status determination means 33, if recording is not in progress (No in step S22), it is necessary for recording from the information (channel, usage time, recording mode, etc.) of the program that the user wants to record set by the data capacity calculation means 35 The program data capacity. The calculated program data capacity is compared with the remaining capacity of the HDD 20 (step S24), and if the remaining capacity of the HDD 20 is larger (No in step S24), the antenna 1 receives the broadcast signal from the broadcasting station and receives it. The program data of the channel (channel C) selected by the tuner 11 is extracted from the broadcast signal, the program data extracted by the demodulator 12 is demodulated, and the demodulated program data is converted into a video signal or audio signal by the TS decoder 13. And so on. The decoded program data is recorded on the HDD 20 by the recording / reproducing unit 19 through the first input line 16 selected by the input switching unit 18 using the simultaneous recording means 32 (step S25).

  If the remaining capacity of the HDD 20 is smaller (Yes in step S24), the other recording medium usage status determining means 36 is used. The other recording medium usage status determination means 36 includes an AV including the code number (operand = 0x1) of the recording status acquisition request for all the devices connected to the cable 2 (DVD recorder A2 and DVD recorder A3 in FIG. 1). The / C command (format shown in FIG. 7) is transmitted (step S26, P21 / P23 in FIG. 12). Receiving this AV / C command, the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 each store their own information (HDD remaining capacity, channel, use start time, use end time, etc.) AV / C response (format shown in FIG. 8). ) Is returned to the DVD recorder A1 (P22 and P24 in FIG. 12). The DVD recorder A1 that has received the AV / C response acquires information from each packet received by the other recording medium information recording means 37 and stores it in the device information table 25a stored in the memory 25 (step S27). It is determined whether or not there is a device having an HDD that satisfies the necessary capacity (step S28), and a device that satisfies the capacity (here, DVD recorder A2) is specified (Yes in step S28).

  If there is no device that has a built-in HDD satisfying the required capacity among the connected devices (No in step S28), it is displayed that the requested recording cannot be performed, and the process is terminated (step S29).

  As a device specifying method, among the devices connected by the cable 2, the remaining HDD capacity is compared with the capacity of the program data to be recorded in order from the smallest node number to determine whether the remaining HDD capacity is greater. Determine. If there is a device with more remaining HDD, that device is a device having the second recording medium.

  Using the other recording medium recording / reproducing means 38, the DVD recorder A1 sends an AV / C command (format in FIG. 13) including the code number (operand = 0x3) of the program data recording request to the HDD 60 to the DVD recorder A2. Transmit (step S30, P25 in FIG. 12). The DVD recorder A2, which has received this AV / C command, switches the input to the second input line 57 and prepares for the reception of the program data sent from the DVD recorder A1, in response to the AV / C command transmitted in step S30. The AV / C response (format shown in FIG. 14) is returned (step S31, P26 in FIG. 12). When the DVD recorder A1 receives this AV / C response (Yes in step S31), it outputs the channel C program data from the port 14 to the cable 2 via the output line 21 and the interface 15, and sends it to the DVD recorder A2. (Step S33, P27 to P30 in FIG. 12). DVD recorder A2 records the program data received via cable 2, port 54, and interface 55 in HDD 60 (step S34). If the AV / C response to the AV / C command transmitted in step S30 is an NG notification (No in step S31), it is displayed that the requested recording cannot be performed, and the process ends (step S32).

  Further, by using the data dividing means 39, the program data is divided into the remaining capacity of the HDD 20 and the remaining capacity, the remaining capacity is recorded in the HDD 20, and the remaining program data is recorded in the HDD 60 built in the DVD recorder A2 via the cable 2. You may let them.

  Alternatively, it is also useful to use a method in which the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 are divided and recorded, or a method in which the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 are divided and recorded.

  In addition, by using the recording reservation means 40 of another apparatus, a program reservation request is made to the DVD recorder A2 (method using AV / C command and response shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) and recorded on the HDD 60. Also good.

  When the apparatus that can be used as the apparatus having the second recording medium in the determination process in step S28 is the DVD recorder A3, the same process as in the case of the DVD recorder A2 is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the capacity of the HDD built in the apparatus is small, it is possible to record without deleting the currently stored program data, which is convenient for the user. Can be improved.

  By grasping the usage status of the recording medium of another apparatus connected to itself, it is possible to select another apparatus having a recording medium that can handle the capacity of program data to be recorded. An appropriate device can be selected based on the obtained other device information to prevent a recording failure. Even if the program reservation is duplicated, the resetting work by the user is not necessary, and the usability can be improved.

(Embodiment 3)
In the recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used. Each device described in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the same as the device described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Each device connected by cable 2 has a recording reservation in advance, and when trying to make a recording reservation for another program, the time of the program reserved in advance overlaps and a new reservation cannot be made. In this case, a process for enabling this will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Further, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 19 showing a sequence of packets transmitted and received between the apparatuses via the cable 2.

  As an example, as shown in the apparatus information table 25a of FIG. 5, in a state where recording reservations are made in the DVD recorder A1 and the DVD recorder A2, respectively, the user newly adds another program (channel C) to the DVD recorder A1. (1: 00 to 6:00 program).

  When the user sets recording reservation for the program of channel C at 1:00 to 6:00 for the DVD recorder A1 (step S40), the DVD recorder A1 records the recording information (channel, usage time, recording mode, etc.). The device information table 25a received by the operation input unit 24 and recorded in the memory 25 is confirmed, and whether or not a reservation from 1:00 to 6:00 (hereinafter referred to as recording reservation Z) is possible on the channel C. A determination is made (step S41). As a result of the determination, if possible (No in step S41), the recording reservation process is performed as it is (step S42). If, as a result of the determination, it overlaps with the already reserved time zone and reservation is impossible (Yes in step S41), it is connected to the DVD recorder A1 by the cable 2 using the recording reservation information acquisition means 41. Reservation information is obtained from all devices.

  The recording reservation information acquisition means 41 transmits an AV / C command (format shown in FIG. 7) for acquiring recording reservation information to the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 connected to the DVD recorder A1 by the cable 2. (Step S43, P41 and P43 in FIG. 19). The DVD recorder A2 and DVD recorder A3 that have received the AV / C command transmit an AV / C response (format shown in FIG. 8) storing information of the set recording reservation to the DVD recorder A1 (FIG. 8). 19 P42 / P44). The DVD recorder A1 acquires each recording reservation information from the received AV / C response, and stores it in the device information table 25a stored in its own memory 25 using the recording reservation information recording means 42 (step S44). .

  The information in the device information table 25a created by the recording reservation information acquisition unit 41 is confirmed, and a device capable of recording reservation Z is searched and specified (step S45). If there is a device that can make a recording reservation (Yes in step S45), the recording reservation request AV / C command (format shown in FIG. 15) is issued to the device using the other device recording reservation means 40. Transmitting (step S46, P47 in FIG. 19), the apparatus that has received this AV / C command performs recording reservation setting, and transmits an AV / C response of recording reservation OK to the DVD recorder A1 (FIG. 19). P48). The DVD recorder A1 receives the AV / C response (Yes in step S47) and completes the recording reservation (step S48). If the AV / C response of the recording reservation OK cannot be received (No in step S47), it is determined that the recording reservation has failed and another determination is made as to whether or not there is an apparatus that has no recording reservation in another apparatus connected by the cable 2. (Step S45). If there is no device capable of recording reservation Z (No in step S45), it is determined using the recording reservation transfer discriminating means 44 whether the recording reservation can be transferred (step S49). If the transfer is not possible (No in step S49), it is set as recording reservation NG and the display unit 27 displays that it is reservation NG (step S50).

  The recording reservation transfer discriminating means 44 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a recording reservation is made by the DVD recorder A1, the recording reservation overlap determination means 43 is used to determine whether there is a reservation that can be transferred by the DVD recorder A2 and the DVD recorder A3 connected to the DVD recorder A1 by the cable 2.

  First, the recording reservation duplication determination unit 43 searches for a device having a recording reservation that does not overlap with the recording time reserved by the DVD recorder A1 in ascending order of the node number (step S60).

  If there is (Yes in step S60), the transfer source device and the transfer destination device are set (step S61), and after the transfer, it is determined whether or not the transfer source device further has a recording reservation overlapping with the recording reservation Z. This is performed (step S65). If there is no overlapping recording reservation (Yes in step S65), the recording reservation transfer means 45 performs a transfer process (step S66). If there is still an overlapping recording reservation (No in step S65), it is determined again whether there is an apparatus having a recording reservation that does not overlap (step S60).

  If there is no device having a recording reservation that does not overlap the recording reservation (No in step S60), the recording of the recording reserved by the DVD recorder A2 in the devices (DVD recorder A2 and DVD recorder A3) except for the DVD recorder A1. A search is performed in ascending order of node numbers for devices having a recording reservation that does not overlap with the time (step S62). If there is a device that does not have an overlapping recording reservation (Yes in step S62), the transfer source device and the transfer destination device are set (step S63), and the same processing as the DVD recorder A2 is performed. If not (No in step S62), since all the devices connected by the cable 2 have been searched, the recording reservation is judged as NG (step S64), and the recording reservation duplication determination means 43 is terminated.

  In this embodiment, the DVD recorders A1, A2, and A3 are described in the system connected by the cable 2. However, in the system in which more devices are connected, the recording reservation duplication determination unit 43 has reserved the recording. Overlap determination processing and transfer determination processing are performed between all devices connected to the device by the cable 2.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the channel A set in the DVD recorder A1 has a reservation from 0:00 to 2:00 (hereinafter referred to as recording reservation X) and the channel B set in the DVD recorder A2 has a 4: Reservation from 00 to 6:00 (hereinafter referred to as recording reservation Y) overlaps with the time slot of recording reservation Z, but by changing the recording reservation Y to be performed by the DVD recorder A1, the DVD recorder A2 Since the recording reservation Z is possible, it can be determined that the recording is possible. Therefore, the recording reservation transfer means 45 is used to transfer the recording reservation Y of the DVD recorder A2 to the DVD recorder A1 (step S66).

  In the recording reservation transfer means 45, the recording reservation of the DVD recorder A2, which is a device having a recording reservation that does not overlap with the recording reservation time in the DVD recorder A1, is set as the transfer target, the transfer source is the DVD recorder A2, and the transfer destination is the DVD. Recorder A1. In order to cancel the recording reservation Y of the DVD recorder A2 from the DVD recorder A2 and add it to the DVD recorder A1, the AV / C command (format shown in FIG. 20) of the reservation transfer request is transmitted from the DVD recorder A1 to the DVD recorder A2. (P45 in FIG. 19). Receiving this command, the DVD recorder A2 cancels the set recording reservation Y, sets the information “transfer recording reservation Y to DVD recorder A1”, and transfers the AV / C response (shown in FIG. 21). Format) is transmitted to the DVD recorder A1 (P46 in FIG. 19). The DVD recorder A1 that has received this AV / C response sets the recording reservation Y for itself.

  As a result, the recording reservation Z input from the operation input unit 24 is accepted, and the reservation recording processing is performed in each DVD recorder according to the designated reservation. Further, the updated device information table 25a is displayed on the display unit 27 as shown in FIG. 22 so that the user can know which DVD recorder has been recorded after the reserved recording. In FIG. 22, as a display example, switching by button operation displays the connection status of DVD recorders, the reservation status of each DVD recorder, and reservation transfer information.

  When the transfer of the recording reservation is completed, the recording reservation AV 40 (format shown in FIG. 15) of the recording reservation Z is transmitted to the DVD recorder A2 using the recording reservation means 40 of the other apparatus, and the recording reservation is set. (Step S51, P47 in FIG. 19). Receiving this command, the DVD recorder A2 sets the recording reservation Z, and transmits an AV / C response (format shown in FIG. 16) of the recording reservation OK to the DVD recorder A1 (P48 in FIG. 19). When the DVD recorder A1 receives the response (Yes in step S52), the recording reservation process for the recording reservation Z is completed (step S54). If a response to the recording reservation OK cannot be received (No in step S52), the recording reservation is NG (step S53), and the display unit 27 displays that the reservation is NG.

  Also, each device uses its own status transmission means (self-status transmission means 46 in the case of DVD recorder A1) to enter a standby state such as when recording processing is not being performed, and to record information on the recording device (HDD remaining information) at regular intervals. The AV / C command packet in which the capacity, reservation status, etc.) are set is transmitted to all other devices connected to the cable 2 so that the latest device information table 25a can always be owned.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if program reservations are overlapped, resetting work by the user is unnecessary, and usability can be improved.

  Furthermore, the use efficiency of the recording medium can be improved by sharing the recording medium with another apparatus.

  Further, since each device can transmit the self-information each other in the standby state where any processing is not being performed, the latest status of the other device can be owned at all times. The / C command does not need to be transmitted, thereby improving the processing speed at the time of reservation setting, improving the convenience for the user, and further improving the communication efficiency of the cable 2.

  In the embodiment in which the broadcast signal is received from the tuner of another device connected to the cable 2 and recorded, the counterpart device (DVD recorder A2) is described as a DVD recorder, but the DTV (digital broadcast receiver) It may be a device that does not have a recording function.

  In the embodiment in which recording is performed in the HDD of another device connected to the cable 2, the recording device is a recording device (DVD recorder), but this is not restrictive.

  In the above-described embodiment, the bus is described as an IEEE 1394 serial bus. However, a recording device connected to a bus (for example, a LAN) having a command set in place of the IEEE 1394 AV / C command may be used.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention is useful as a recording apparatus connected to a high-speed communication bus such as IEEE1394.

Configuration diagram of a system including a recording apparatus according to Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a system including a recording apparatus according to Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the information stored in memory in the recording system of Embodiment 1 of this invention In the recording system of Embodiment 1 of this invention, the flowchart of the process which records simultaneously using the tuner of another apparatus connected to the bus | bath. Device information table stored in memory in recording system of embodiment 1 of the present invention In the recording system of Embodiment 1 of this invention, the sequence diagram of the packet transmitted / received by the process which records simultaneously using the tuner of another apparatus connected to the bus | bath Device information acquisition request AV / C command format in the recording system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Device information acquisition request AV / C response format in the recording system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Channel switching / transmission request AV / C command format in the recording system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Channel switching / transmission request AV / C response format in the recording system of Embodiment 1 of the present invention In the recording system of Embodiment 2 of this invention, the flowchart of the process which records program data with respect to the recording medium of another apparatus connected to the bus | bath. In the recording system of Embodiment 2 of this invention, the sequence diagram of the packet transmitted / received by the process which records program data with respect to the recording medium of another apparatus connected to the bus | bath HDD recording request AV / C command format in the recording system of the second embodiment of the present invention HDD recording request AV / C response format in recording system of embodiment 2 of the present invention Program reservation request AV / C command format in recording system of embodiment 2 of the present invention Program reservation request AV / C response format in recording system of embodiment 2 of the present invention The flowchart of the process which performs program reservation transfer in the recording system of Embodiment 3 of this invention Flowchart of program reservation transfer source device determination processing in the recording system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention In the recording system of Embodiment 3 of this invention, the sequence diagram of the packet transmitted / received by the process which performs program reservation transfer Recording reservation transfer request AV / C command format in the recording system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention Recording reservation transfer request AV / C response format in the recording system of Embodiment 3 of the present invention Reservation status / transfer status display example in recording system of embodiment 3 of the present invention Configuration diagram of a system including a recording device in the prior art

Explanation of symbols

A1-A3 DVD recorder 1 Antenna 2 IEEE 1394 cable 11, 51 Tuner 12, 52 Demodulator 13, 53 TS decoder 14, 54 IEEE 1394 port 15, 55 IEEE 1394 interface (communication interface)
16, 56 First input line 17, 57 Second input line 18, 58 Input switching unit 19, 59 Recording / reproducing unit (recording / reproducing means)
20, 60 HDD (recording medium)
21, 61 Output line 22, 62 Video / audio output terminal 23, 63 Internal bus 24, 64 Operation input unit 25, 65 Memory 26, 66 Control unit 27, 67 Display unit (display means)
31 Device control means 32 Simultaneous recording means 33 Other tuner usage status determining means 34 Other tuner information recording means 35 Data capacity calculating means 36 Other recording medium usage status determining means 37 Other recording medium information recording means 38 Other recording medium recording / reproducing means 39 Data division means 40 Other apparatus recording reservation means 41 Recording reservation information acquisition means 42 Recording reservation information recording means 43 Recording reservation duplication determination means 44 Recording reservation transfer determination means 45 Recording reservation transfer means 46 Self-situation transmission means

Claims (19)

A tuner that extracts a broadcast signal of a channel selected from broadcast signals received by an antenna;
A demodulator that demodulates the broadcast signal extracted by the tuner;
A decoder that separates and decodes the broadcast signal demodulated by the demodulator into a video signal, an audio signal, and the like;
Recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing data such as the video signal and the audio signal separated and decoded by the decoder;
A communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices having a tuner capable of communicating in accordance with a predetermined standard and capable of extracting a broadcast signal;
Switching between a first input line for signals from the tuner to the recording / reproducing means via the decoder and a second input line for signals reaching the recording / reproducing means from the other device via the serial bus and the communication interface Input switching means for performing
By controlling the input switching means and the recording / reproducing means, the data such as the video signal and the audio signal input from the tuner via the demodulator / decoder and the serial bus extracted by the other device A recording apparatus comprising: a control unit having simultaneous recording means for simultaneously recording data such as a video signal and an audio signal received via the communication interface on the recording medium.   The control unit transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus, acquires information on the usage status of the tuner of the other device, and determines use status of the other tuner The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a situation determination unit.   The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit includes another tuner information recording unit that records information obtained by the other tuner usage status determination unit in a memory.   4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying information obtained by the other tuner usage status determination means.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a data capacity calculation unit that calculates a data capacity of a received program.   The control unit transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus, and acquires information on the use status of the recording medium provided in the other device. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a determination unit.   The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit includes another recording medium information recording unit that records information obtained by the other recording medium use state determination unit in a memory.   The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying information obtained by the other recording medium usage status determination means.   When the data capacity of a program to be recorded on the recording medium is larger than the remaining capacity of the recording medium, the control unit uses the other recording medium usage status determination means to record the program other than the recording medium built in itself. And another recording medium recording / reproducing means for specifying another device having a usable recording medium and transmitting the program data to the specified other device via the serial bus for recording. The recording device according to any one of claims 5 to 8.   The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit includes a data dividing unit that divides program data to be recorded on the recording medium into an arbitrary capacity.   The control unit includes other device recording reservation means for transmitting a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus and performing recording reservation control of the other device. The recording device according to claim 4.   The control unit includes recording reservation information acquisition means for transmitting a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus and acquiring recording reservation information in the other device. The recording device described in 1.   The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control unit includes recording reservation information recording means for recording information obtained by the recording reservation information acquisition means in a memory.   The recording apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control unit includes display means for displaying information obtained by the recording reservation information acquisition means.   The control unit includes a recording reservation duplication determination unit that determines whether or not the recording reservation time overlaps from the recording reservation information of the other device acquired by the recording reservation information acquisition unit and the recording reservation information of itself. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus.   The control unit includes a recording reservation transfer determination unit that determines whether or not the recording reservation process can be transferred between the arbitrary devices including itself based on a result obtained by the recording reservation duplication determination unit. Item 16. The recording device according to Item 15.   The control unit transmits a predetermined control command for requesting to change the recording reservation to the other device based on the result obtained by the recording reservation transfer determining unit, and controls the recording reservation processing of the other device. The recording apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a recording reservation transfer unit for performing.   The control unit transmits a predetermined control command to the other device via the serial bus, and transmits a usage status of the tuner built in the device and information on the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface is an IEEE 1394 interface conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.

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