JP2008103833A - Television broadcast video recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent CM data from being deleted by displaying the CM data together with EPG data when a viewer calls EPG display onto a TV screen. <P>SOLUTION: In an HDD recorder, an MPU 4 which performs entire control to separate TV broadcast data into TV broadcast main body data and CM data when a CM editing function is selected. The HDD recorder has an HDD having a first recording area where the TV broadcast main body data are recorded and a second recording area where the CM data are recorded. The HDD recorder further has an EPG memory for storing EPG data and a composition unit which puts the CM data recorded in the second recording area together with the EPG data read out of the EPG memory when an EPG screen call key is operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a television broadcast recording apparatus capable of recording and reproducing TV broadcast programs by high-speed random access, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorder.

  Some HDD recorders are provided with a CM editing function for extracting and editing a CM portion from a TV broadcast program. For example, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, TV broadcast data is separated into TV broadcast main body data and CM data without CM data, each is recorded in a separate area in the HDD, and these are selectively deleted. I do. In addition, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 inserts and reproduces spot / CM content that suits the viewer's preference instead of general-purpose spot / CM content in program content.

As described above, in the device to which the CM editing function is added, the CM portion can be operated in accordance with the intention of the viewer side. Therefore, the viewer can watch only the TV broadcast program by skipping the CM portion, It is possible to view only CMs that meet the taste.
JP 2001-283501 A JP 2002-271736 A

  However, since the CM is provided by the sponsor of the TV broadcast program, if only the TV broadcast program whose CM has been deleted or changed is viewed, the sponsor will be damaged. In particular, if the recorded CM is completely deleted, there is no possibility of playback after that, and there is a problem that the loss amount cannot be ignored if there are many viewers using the CM editing function. .

  In the present invention, when the viewer calls the EPG display on the TV screen by synthesizing and outputting the CM data to the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data broadcast separately from the TV broadcast data. Another object of the present invention is to provide a television broadcast recording apparatus that prevents CM data from being deleted by displaying CM data together with EPG data.

The television broadcast recording apparatus of the present invention comprises a TV broadcast data write control means for writing TV broadcast data to a recording unit during a recording operation, an EPG memory for receiving and storing EPG data broadcast separately from the TV broadcast data, In a television broadcast recording apparatus comprising EPG data output means for reading out and outputting EPG data stored in the EPG memory during a predetermined operation,
The recording unit includes a TV broadcast body data recording unit that records TV broadcast body data without CM data, and a CM data recording unit that records the CM data.
The TV broadcast data write control means separates the TV broadcast data into TV broadcast body data without CM data and CM data, writes the TV broadcast body data into the TV broadcast body data recording unit, and sends CM data to the CM data. Write to the recording section,
The EPG data output means includes combining means for reading out CM data from the CM data recording unit, combining the data into a portion corresponding to a free screen area of the EPG data, and outputting the combined data.

  The recording unit is typically composed of an HDD and has two recording areas in advance. TV broadcast body data without CM data is recorded in the first storage area (TV broadcast body data recording unit). CM data is recorded in the second recording area (CM data recording unit). The TV broadcast data writing control means has a function of separating TV broadcast data into TV broadcast main body data and CM data without CM data. Separation of these data is performed using, for example, the fact that there is a voice blank period at the separation of both data, the fact that there is a volume difference between the two data, or whether there is voice multiplexing. Or The TV broadcast data writing control means separates the TV broadcast data in this way, and then writes it into the corresponding storage areas.

  The EPG data output means synthesizes and outputs CM data read from the recording unit with EPG data that is regularly broadcast separately from TV broadcast data. At this time, the composition position on the screen of the CM data is set to a portion (position) corresponding to the screen free area of the EPG data. Accordingly, CM data is displayed in the empty area on the EPG screen.

  Thus, when the viewer reads the EPG screen, the EPG screen is called and the CM data is also displayed superimposed on the screen.

  The CM data displayed on the EPG screen as described above may be deleted from the recording unit. The CM data can also be displayed in the fast forward mode. Furthermore, CM data that is not displayed even after a predetermined period of time since it was recorded in the recording unit can be automatically deleted.

  According to the present invention, CM data separated from TV broadcast data is stored in the recording unit, and when the viewer calls the EPG screen, the CM data is displayed in an empty area of the screen. It is possible to allow viewers to watch the data without deleting the data completely.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an HDD recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The TV tuner 1 receives a TV broadcast signal received by an antenna (not shown) or received by a cable, and outputs TV broadcast data of a channel selected by a viewer (hereinafter referred to as a user).

  The MPEG encoder 2 MPEG-encodes TV broadcast data (AV data) input from the TV tuner 2 or the line input terminal. The MPEG encoded data is transferred to the data processor 3 and recorded on the HDD 5 under the control of the MPU (Central Processing Unit) 4. The MPU 4 can execute a CM editing function by a user's selection operation in an input operation unit described later. The CM editing function is a function for separating TV broadcast data into TV broadcast body data without CM data and CM data. When the CM editing function is executed in the MPU 4, the data processor 3 separates the TV broadcast data into the TV broadcast main data without CM data and the CM data, and transmits the TV broadcast main data to the first data in the HDD 5 via the HDD interface. Are sequentially recorded in the storage area (TV broadcast main body data recording section) 50 and CM data is sequentially recorded in the second storage area (CM data recording section) 51.

  The TV tuner 1 periodically receives an EPG signal separately from the TV broadcast signal. The EPG signal is A / D converted by the TV tuner 1 and stored in the EPG memory 6 as EPG data. The EPG data stored in the EPG memory 6 is updated each time the TV tuner 1 receives an EPG signal, and is arbitrarily called by the user and output.

  When the reproduction mode is set, the TV broadcast main body data recorded in the HDD 5 is read out by the data processor 3 and transferred to the MPEG decoder 7 for MPEG decoding. Furthermore, the audio data and the video data are separated, the former is D / A converted by the D / A conversion chip 8 and output to the audio output terminal, and the latter is passed through the synthesizing unit 9 described later and the video encoder 9 to NTSC / PAL. To a composite signal or an S video signal and output to a video output terminal. The audio output terminal and the video output terminal are connected to an external apparatus such as a TV apparatus, the audio output is input to a speaker via an amplifier or the like, and the video output is output to the display 11 via a display circuit.

  An input operation unit 12, a display unit 13, and a memory 14 are connected to the MPU 4. The input operation unit 12 includes keys for performing various operations on the HDD recorder. For example, a channel selection operation key by the TV tuner 1, a power on / off key, an EPG screen calling key, and various mode setting keys are provided. The various mode setting keys include selection keys for a recording mode, a playback mode, and a CM editing function mode. The input operation unit is configured by a remote controller that can communicate with infrared rays, but is also provided in the main body of the TV broadcast recording apparatus.

  The display unit 13 displays the contents operated by the input operation unit 12 and displays the state of the TV broadcast recording device. The memory 41 stores a program for the operation of the MPU 4, fixed data, and the like, and further includes a storage unit that serves as a work area when the MPU 4 operates.

  When the recording mode is selected in the input operation unit 12, the recording format to the HDD 5 changes depending on whether or not the CM editing function mode is selected at that time. When the CM editing function mode is not selected, the MPU 4 writes the TV broadcast data of the channel selected by the TV tuner 1 into the first storage area (TV broadcast main body data recording unit) 50 of the HDD 5. Control. When the CM editing function mode is selected, the MPU 4 separates the TV broadcast data into TV broadcast main data without CM data and CM data, and stores the TV broadcast main data in the first storage area (TV broadcast main data recording). Section) 50 and control for writing the CM data to the second storage area (CM data recording section) 51 is performed. For example, the separation of data is performed by using a voice blank period between the two data, using the difference in volume between the two data, or by the presence / absence of voice multiplexing. .

  When the input operation unit 12 selects the playback mode, the MPU 4 reads out the data recorded in the first storage area 50 of the HDD 5 and passes it to the MPEG7 decoder.

  When the EPG screen call key is operated in the input operation unit 12, the MPU 4 reads out the EPG data stored in the EPG memory 6 and outputs it to the synthesis unit 9. At this time, the MPU 4 performs read control of the CM data stored in the second storage area 51 of the HDD 5. That is, the CM data stored in the second storage area 51 is read and output to the MPEG decoder 7. As a result, the synthesizing unit 9 synthesizes the EPG data and the CM data and outputs them to the video encoder 10.

  The synthesizing unit 9 operates to synthesize the read CM data into a portion corresponding to the screen free area of the EPG data.

  FIG. 2 shows an EPG screen. This EPG screen is displayed on the display 11.

  In the figure, the screen area A displays the main part of the EPG data, and the screen area B displays the still image part of the EPG data (for example, the information provided to the viewer and the still image CM). C displays CM data. Further, the screen area D displays a bar indicating the free capacity of the second storage area. In this bar, the hatched area corresponds to the used capacity, and the white area corresponds to the free capacity. The EPG data stored in the EPG memory 6 has a size that occupies the screen area A and the screen area B, and an upper area of the entire screen is an empty area. The combining unit 9 arranges the screen area C in this empty area. That is, the synthesizing unit 9 synthesizes the CM data into a portion corresponding to the screen area C. Further, the combining unit 9 combines the data of the display bar with the portion corresponding to the screen area D so that the screen area D is arranged beside the screen area C.

  When the synthesizing unit 9 performs such a synthesizing process, when the user operates the EPG screen call key, EPG data is displayed on the screen of the display 11, and the upper left screen area C includes the EPG data. Sometimes the CM data stored in the second storage area 51 of the HDD 5 is displayed as a moving image. In the area D, a display bar is also displayed. Instead of the display bar, a numerical value including “%” indicating the free space may be used, or a code such as A, B, or C rank may be used.

  Next, the operation of the MPU 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operations of part of the MPU 4 and the data processor 3.

  When the user performs an operation on the input operation unit 12, the operated content is determined in ST1 to ST5.

  If the recording operation is determined in ST1, the recording mode is set, and in ST10, it is determined whether or not the CM edit flag is on. As will be described later, the CM edit flag is turned on when the CM edit function mode is selected. If the CM editing function mode is selected (the CM editing flag is on), in ST11, the CM data and the TV broadcast body data are separated from the TV broadcast data of the currently selected channel. These are recorded in the HDD 5. That is, the TV broadcast body data is recorded in the first storage area (TV broadcast body data recording unit) 50 of the HDD 5, and the CM data is recorded in the second storage area (CM data recording unit) 51 of the HDD 5. I will do it. If the CM editing function mode is not selected (the CM editing flag is off), the TV broadcast data (TV broadcast main body data and CM data) is recorded in the first storage area 50 as it is in ST12.

  If an EPG display operation (operation of an EPG screen call key by the user) is determined in ST2, the process proceeds to ST15, and EPG data is read from the EPG memory 6 and output to the combining unit 9. In ST 16, CM data is read from the second storage area 51 of the HDD 5, output to the combining unit 9, and the read CM data is deleted from the second storage area 51. At this time, it is assumed that the reading order of the CM data read from the second storage area 51 is the oldest recording date and time. With this operation, the synthesizing unit 9 synthesizes EPG data in order from the old CM data. As for the synthesis method, as described above, the EPG data is displayed in the screen areas A and B, and the CM data is displayed in the screen area C. Therefore, CM data is reproduced together with EPG data on the EPG screen. The user can view the CM data while viewing the EPG data. At this time, the MPU 4 detects the free capacity of the second storage area 51 and displays a bar indicating the free capacity in the area D.

  If channel operation is determined in ST3, the channel (TV program) selection command is sent to tuner 1 in ST20.

  If the CM editing function operation (selection of CM editing function mode) is determined in ST4 of FIG. 4, the CM editing flag is turned on in ST30. When the CM edit flag is turned on, as described above, when the recording mode is selected, the TV broadcast data is separated into the TV broadcast main body data and the CM data by the CM edit function, and each is recorded in a separate area of the HDD 5. It will be done.

  If a reproduction operation is determined in ST5, a reproduction mode is set, and data recorded in the first recording area 50 of the HDD 5 is read out and output (reproduced) in ST40. At this time, the CM data recorded in the second recording area 51 is not read out. Therefore, if the CM editing function mode has been selected and only the TV broadcast main body data is recorded in the first recording area 50, the user views only the TV broadcast main body data from which the CM data has been removed. Can do.

  By the above operation, when the CM editing function mode is selected, only the TV broadcast main body data without CM data is reproduced at the time of reproduction, but the CM data is displayed on the EPG screen when an EPG screen calling operation is performed. Played on.

  In addition, since a bar indicating the free space of CM data is displayed in the screen area D of the EPG screen, when there is not enough free space, the user indirectly increases the display time of the EPG screen. I can inform you.

  In the present embodiment, CM data is read at a normal speed, but it can be read at a fast-forward playback speed. In order to read at the fast-forward playback speed, control is performed to read only the I picture of the CM data stored in the second storage area 51 of the HDD 5. MPEG-encoded data is composed of a stream that combines I-pictures, P-pictures, and B-pictures. By reading only I-pictures, CM data can be played back in the screen area C of the EPG screen. Is done. By controlling in this way, the reproduction time of the CM data can be shortened.

  As another embodiment, there can be considered an apparatus that records a commercial data with a time stamp added thereto and automatically deletes the commercial data after a certain time has elapsed since the recording.

  FIG. 5 shows a CM data string recorded in the second storage area 51 of the HDD 5 in this apparatus. As shown in the figure, a time stamp at the time of recording is added to one CM data. As shown in FIG. 6, all CM data recorded in the area 51 is checked by a timer interrupt at regular intervals, and the time at that time is compared with the time stamp of each CM data (ST50). Next, CM data for which one month or more has elapsed from the time stamp is deleted from the area 51. In this way, by automatically deleting CM data after a certain time has elapsed since recording, it is possible to control so that unviewed CM data does not accumulate in the HDD 5 too much.

It is a schematic block diagram of the HDD recorder which is embodiment of this invention It is a figure which shows an EPG screen. It is a flowchart which shows the principal part operation | movement of a HDD recorder. It is a flowchart which shows the principal part operation | movement of a HDD recorder. It is a figure which shows CM data sequence of other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the principal part operation | movement of other Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

5-HDD
50-first storage area (TV broadcast body data recording unit)
52-second storage area (CM data recording unit)
9-Composition

Claims (6)

TV broadcast data writing control means for writing TV broadcast data to the recording unit during recording operation, an EPG memory for receiving and storing EPG data broadcast separately from the TV broadcast data, and storing in the EPG memory at a predetermined operation In a television broadcast recording apparatus provided with EPG data output means for reading out and outputting EPG data being
The recording unit is configured by an HDD including a TV broadcast main body data recording unit that records TV broadcast main body data without CM data, and a CM data recording unit that records the CM data.
The TV broadcast data write control means separates the TV broadcast data into TV broadcast body data without CM data and CM data, writes the TV broadcast body data into the TV broadcast body data recording unit, and sends CM data to the CM data. Write to the recording section,
The EPG data output means comprises synthesis means for reading out CM data from the CM data recording unit and synthesizing it into a portion corresponding to the screen free area of the EPG data,
When the synthesizing unit reads the CM data from the CM data recording unit, the synthesizing unit reads the readout at a fast-forward playback speed, deletes the read CM data from the CM data recording unit, and further, the CM data recording unit When the CM data is read from, the free space of the CM data recording unit is detected, and the free space display data indicating the free space, such as a display bar, a numerical value, and a sign, is displayed in a portion corresponding to the free screen area of the EPG data Synthesize and output,
The EPG data output means outputs only the CM data for which a predetermined period has not elapsed from the time of writing to the synthesizing means when the CM data is read from the CM data recording unit in the synthesizing means, and the other CM data A television broadcast recording apparatus, wherein data is deleted. TV broadcast data writing control means for writing TV broadcast data to the recording unit during recording operation, an EPG memory for receiving and storing EPG data broadcast separately from the TV broadcast data, and storing in the EPG memory at a predetermined operation In a television broadcast recording apparatus provided with EPG data output means for reading out and outputting EPG data being
The recording unit includes a TV broadcast body data recording unit that records TV broadcast body data without CM data, and a CM data recording unit that records the CM data.
The TV broadcast data write control means separates the TV broadcast data into TV broadcast body data without CM data and CM data, writes the TV broadcast body data into the TV broadcast body data recording unit, and sends CM data to the CM data. Write to the recording section,
The EPG data output means comprises a synthesizing means for reading out CM data from the CM data recording unit and synthesizing it into a portion corresponding to a screen free area of the EPG data and outputting it.   3. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the synthesizing unit deletes the read CM data from the CM data recording unit when reading the CM data from the CM data recording unit.   4. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the synthesizing unit reads out the CM data from the CM data recording unit at a fast-forward playback speed.   When reading the CM data from the CM data recording unit, the EPG data output means outputs only the CM data that has not passed a predetermined period from the time of writing to the combining means, and deletes the other CM data. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 2.   The EPG data output means detects the free space of the CM data recording unit when reading the CM data from the CM data recording unit, and displays the free space display data such as a display bar, a numerical value, and a sign indicating the free space. 6. The television broadcast recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the EPG data is combined with a portion corresponding to an empty screen area of the EPG data and output.

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