JP2008108051A - Video recording and reproducing device, and character input system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video recording and reproducing device for facilitating character input. <P>SOLUTION: Processing executed by a CPU with which a video recording and reproducing device is provided so as to receive inputs of characters includes: a step (S510) for sensing reception of a signal representing start of title input; a step (S514) for sensing the reception of a signal representing start of track input; a step (S520) for deciding whether or not a signal representing completion of the track input is received; a step (S522) for enquiring whether or not character input is to be completed; a step (S530) for deciding whether or not a signal representing the completion of character input is received; a step (S540) for deciding whether or not a signal representing an instruction to convert characters into Chinese characters is received; and a step (S550) for deciding whether or not a signal representing completion of the title input is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interface technique for inputting characters. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for recognizing a character on the basis of a result of photographing the movement constituting the character.

  A video recording / reproducing apparatus such as a hard disk recorder or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder can accept input of characters and associate a title intended by the user of the apparatus with recorded data. In this case, character input is performed, for example, by operating the remote control terminal while watching a television that displays a character input screen.

  However, it is complicated and time-consuming to operate the remote control terminal to input characters.

Regarding character input, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-259046 (Patent Document 1) discloses a character / symbol input system handwritten in the air. According to this system, an operation for drawing a character or the like in the air with a finger or a gesture is photographed by a video camera. The sound during shooting is picked up by a microphone. The captured video and the collected audio are transmitted to the computer. The computer recognizes a character pattern drawn by image analysis and voice analysis by comparing it with a pattern in a database. The recognition result is displayed on the display.
JP 2002-259046 A

  However, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-259046, an image is acquired by shooting a moving image. For this reason, the operation may be recognized erroneously, and the character input may not be performed with high accuracy.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video recording / reproducing apparatus that can easily input characters.

  Another object is to provide a video recording / reproducing apparatus capable of inputting characters with high accuracy.

  Another object is to provide a character input system capable of easily realizing character input.

  Still another object is to provide a character input system capable of accurately inputting characters.

  In order to achieve the above object, a video recording / reproducing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention receives a signal transmitted from a camera that shoots a subject and outputs a video signal, and a remote control terminal that controls the video recording / reproducing apparatus. Receiving means, receiving means for receiving the signal from the remote control terminal, receiving the signal indicating the start of inputting the title, waiting means for waiting the camera in a state of accepting shooting, and receiving the signal indicating the start of input of the trajectory Based on the fact that the means has received from the remote control terminal, the acquisition means for starting imaging by the camera and acquiring the video signal representing the subject, and the reception means having received the signal indicating the end of the input of the trajectory from the remote control terminal Based on this, the receiving means remotely receives the stop means for stopping the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means and the first end signal indicating the end of the character input. A first control unit for acquiring trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the camera by repeating acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition unit and stop of acquisition by the stop unit until reception from the remote terminal; A first output control means for outputting data for displaying an image based on the image recording / reproducing apparatus, a storage means for storing a dictionary for converting a line drawing into characters, and a receiving means. Based on receiving the end signal, referring to the dictionary, character recognition means for recognizing the character from the locus based on the locus data, and data for displaying the character recognized by the character recognition means as a video recording / reproducing device Until the receiving means receives from the remote control terminal the second output control means for outputting to the outside and the second end signal indicating the end of the input of the title. Is recognized by the character recognition means, the second control means repeating the acquisition of the video signal by the stop, the acquisition stop by the stop means, the acquisition of the trajectory data by the first control means, and the character recognition by the character recognition means. Title storage means for storing the characters.

  A video recording / reproducing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention represents a photographing means for photographing a subject and outputting a video signal, an input means for receiving an operation input for inputting a video title, and a start of input of a trajectory. Based on the operation input, acquisition means for starting imaging by the imaging means and acquiring a video signal representing the subject, and stop for stopping acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on the operation input indicating the end of the input of the trajectory And a first control means for acquiring trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the photographing means by repeating the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means and the acquisition stop by the stop means, and converts the line drawing into characters. Storage means for storing a dictionary for the purpose, character recognition means for recognizing characters from the trajectory with reference to the dictionary, acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means, and stop means Second control means that repeats acquisition stop, acquisition of trajectory data by the first control means, and character recognition by the character recognition means, and title storage means for storing the characters recognized by the character recognition means; Is provided.

  Preferably, the input means includes receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from a remote control terminal that controls the video recording / reproducing apparatus.

  Preferably, the video recording / playback apparatus further includes standby means for causing the camera to wait for a state of accepting shooting based on the reception means receiving from the remote control terminal a signal indicating the start of title input. The obtaining means starts photographing by the camera and obtains a video signal representing the subject based on the reception means receiving the signal representing the start of the input of the trajectory from the remote control terminal. The stop means stops the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on the reception means receiving the signal indicating the end of the input of the trajectory from the remote control terminal. The first control means repeats the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means and the stop of the acquisition by the stop means until the reception means receives from the remote control terminal the first end signal indicating the end of character input, Trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the imaging means is acquired. The character recognizing unit recognizes the character from the locus based on the locus data by referring to the dictionary based on the reception unit receiving the first end signal. The second control means acquires the video signal by the acquisition means, stops the acquisition by the stop means, and receives the second end signal indicating the end of the input of the title from the remote control terminal. The acquisition of trajectory data by the control means and the recognition of characters by the character recognition means are repeated.

  Preferably, the video recording / reproducing apparatus further includes first output control means for outputting data for displaying an image based on the trajectory data to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus.

  Preferably, the video recording / reproducing apparatus further includes second output control means for outputting data for displaying the character recognized by the character recognizing means to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a character input system is provided. This system includes a video recording / reproducing apparatus and a remote control terminal that transmits a signal for controlling the video recording / reproducing apparatus. The video recording / playback apparatus includes a camera that shoots a subject and outputs a video signal, a receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from a remote control terminal, and a signal that indicates the start of title input is received by the receiving unit. Based on the waiting means for waiting the camera in a state of accepting shooting and the signal indicating the start of the input of the trajectory received by the receiving means, the camera starts shooting and obtains a video signal representing the subject And a stop means for stopping the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on the fact that the signal indicating the end of the input of the trajectory is received by the receiving means, and a first end indicating the end of the character input By repeating the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition unit and the stop of the acquisition by the stop unit until the signal is received by the reception unit, Accordingly, first control means for acquiring trajectory data representing the acquired trajectory, first output control means for outputting data for displaying an image based on the trajectory data to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus, Storage means for storing a dictionary for converting a line drawing into characters, and character recognition for recognizing characters from a trajectory based on trajectory data by referring to the dictionary based on the reception means receiving the first end signal Means, second output control means for outputting data for displaying the character recognized by the character recognition means to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus, and a second end signal indicating the end of the input of the title. Until the reception means receives from the remote control terminal, the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means, the stop of acquisition by the stop means, the acquisition of trajectory data by the first control means, and the character recognition means Comprising a second control means for repeating the recognition of characters, and a title storage means for storing the recognized characters by the character recognition means.

  The video recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention can easily and accurately input characters.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  <First Embodiment>

  A video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating how the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is used. The video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is installed in the room 10. The video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is connected to the television 200 via a cable 190. A chair 20 is installed in the room 10. A viewer 30 sits on the chair 20. The viewer 30 holds the remote control terminal 50 for controlling the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 with the left hand. The viewer 30 uses the index finger 40 on the right hand to perform an operation for inputting the title of the recorded program toward the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functions realized by video recording / reproducing apparatus 100. The video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 includes an input unit 210, a photographing unit 220, a processing unit 230, a temporary storage unit 240, a dictionary storage unit 250, a title storage unit 260, and an output unit 270. The processing unit 230 includes an imaging control unit 232, a character recognition unit 234, and a display control unit 236.

  The input unit 210 receives an operation input for inputting a title of a video recorded in the video recording / playback apparatus 100. In one aspect, input unit 210 is realized as a light receiving element that receives a signal transmitted from remote control terminal 50. In another aspect, the input unit 210 may be realized as a touch panel or other input interface provided on the front surface of the casing of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100.

  The photographing unit 220 photographs a subject and outputs a video signal corresponding to the subject. The photographing unit 220 is realized as a camera having, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor).

  The processing unit 230 controls the operation of each component included in the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100. The processing unit 230 is connected to each component so as to operate based on the output from the input unit 210 and each data stored in the temporary storage unit 240, the dictionary storage unit 250, or the title storage unit 260. Yes.

  In a certain aspect, the processing unit 230, as the imaging control unit 232, starts imaging by the imaging unit 220 based on an operation input indicating the start of input of a trajectory, and acquires a video signal representing the subject. The video signal is stored in the temporary storage unit 240.

  The input unit 210 accepts an operation input indicating the start of the locus input. For example, the input unit 210 receives a signal transmitted as an infrared signal as an operation input.

  In another aspect, when the input unit 210 receives an operation input indicating the end of the input of the trajectory, the processing unit 230 stops the acquisition of the video signal by the imaging unit 220 as the imaging control unit 232.

  Furthermore, the imaging control unit 232 acquires trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the imaging unit 220 by repeating the acquisition of the video signal and the stop of the acquisition. The trajectory data is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 240.

  In yet another aspect, the processing unit 230 repeats acquisition of a video signal, stop of the acquisition, acquisition of the trajectory data, and character recognition by the character recognition unit 234. The dictionary storage unit 250 stores a dictionary for converting line drawings into characters (for example, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) dictionary).

  The character recognition unit 234 refers to the dictionary stored in the dictionary storage unit 250 and recognizes a character from the locus specified by the locus data stored in the temporary storage unit 240.

  The title storage unit 260 stores characters recognized by the character recognition unit 234. Preferably, the title storage unit 260 stores the character while maintaining the relationship between the character and the recorded data associated with the character.

  Preferably, processing unit 230 causes photographing unit 220 to be in a state of accepting photographing based on the fact that input unit 210 has received a signal indicating the start of title input from remote control terminal 50. When the input unit 210 receives a signal indicating the end of the input of the trajectory, the shooting control unit 232 stops the acquisition of the video signal shot by the shooting unit 220.

  The output unit 270 outputs data for displaying an image based on the trajectory data to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100. The output unit 270 is realized as an output interface to which the cable 190 is connected, for example. In another aspect, output unit 270 outputs data for displaying the character recognized by character recognition unit 234 to the outside of video recording / reproducing apparatus 100.

  With reference to FIG. 3, a specific configuration of video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of hard disk recorder 300 realized as one aspect of video recording / reproducing apparatus 100.

  The hard disk recorder 300 is connected to the antenna 302. The hard disk recorder 300 is connected to the television 390 via the cable 392. The main configuration of the hard disk recorder 300 includes a tuner 304, an external input unit 306, an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) encoder 308, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a light receiving unit 320, an operation unit 322, A camera 324, an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion unit 326, a timing circuit 328, a display unit 330, a hard disk device 340, an MPEG decoder 350, an OSD (On Screen Display) image generation circuit 352, and a composition A circuit 354, a D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion unit 356, an output unit 358, and a DVD drive device 370 are provided.

  CPU 310 includes a memory 312 for storing data generated during arithmetic processing or data input to CPU 310. A DVD 372 can be attached to the DVD drive device 370. Hard disk device 340 includes a pickup 342 for writing and reading data and a hard disk 344.

  Tuner 304 receives an input of a signal received by antenna 302. The tuner 304 selects a channel for which channel selection is instructed based on a channel selection command from the CPU 310. The channel signal is sent to the MPEG encoder 308.

  The external input unit 306 receives an input of a video / audio signal from the outside of the hard disk recorder 300. The input video / audio signal is sent to the MPEG encoder 308. The external input unit 306 is realized as a terminal to which a cable for transmitting a signal can be attached, or as an element for receiving an infrared signal or a radio signal.

  The MPEG encoder 308 encodes a signal sent from the tuner 304 or the external input unit 306 based on an instruction from the CPU 310. The signal encoded by the MPEG encoder 308 is sent to the hard disk device 340 or the DVD drive device 370 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 310.

  The CPU 310 functions as the processing unit 230 shown in FIG. Specifically, the CPU 310 controls the shooting operation by the camera 324 as the shooting control unit 232. In another aspect, CPU 310 recognizes characters from an image photographed by camera 324 as character recognition unit 234. In yet another aspect, CPU 310 controls display of an image on television 390 connected to hard disk recorder 300 as display control unit 236. Each process by the CPU 310 is realized by executing each program prepared in advance for realizing the process. Details of each process will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart (FIG. 5).

  The light receiving unit 320 receives a control signal (for example, an infrared signal) transmitted from a remote control terminal (for example, the remote control terminal 50 shown in FIG. 1) for controlling the operation of the hard disk recorder 300, and a control signal corresponding to the signal. Is output. The control signal is input to the CPU 310, and the CPU 310 sends a command for realizing an operation corresponding to the signal to each component of the hard disk recorder 300.

  The operation unit 322 is realized as a touch panel on the front surface of the housing of the hard disk recorder 300, for example. The operation unit 322 receives an operation by a user of the hard disk recorder 300. The operation unit 322 sends an electrical signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU 310. Similar to the control signal output from the light receiving unit 320, the CPU 310 outputs a command for realizing an operation corresponding to the signal output from the operation unit 322 to each component.

  The camera 324 is realized by an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor). The camera 324 performs a shooting operation in a mode set in advance based on a shooting instruction from the CPU 310. The conditions for defining the shooting may be changeable. Image data generated by the camera 324 is sent to the A / D converter 326.

  The A / D conversion unit 326 converts the image data from the camera 324 into digital data, and sends the converted data to the CPU 310. The CPU 310 tracks the movement of the viewer's finger taken by the camera 324 using the data.

  The timer circuit 328 sends information representing the internal time of the hard disk recorder 300 to the CPU 310. Display unit 330 performs display representing the operating state of hard disk recorder 300 based on the command output by CPU 310. Here, the operating state is, for example, an operation realized based on whether the hard disk recorder 300 is reproducing video and audio, whether or not a recording operation is being performed, and other functions of the hard disk recorder 300. State.

  The hard disk device 340 records the digital data output from the MPEG encoder 308 based on an instruction from the CPU 310. Alternatively, the hard disk device 340 reads out data (for example, a recorded program or other content data) already stored in the hard disk 344 based on the playback command transmitted by the CPU 310, and reads the read data into the MPEG decoder 350. Is sent to.

  The MPEG decoder 350 decodes the data read from the hard disk device 340 or the data read from the DVD 372 attached to the DVD drive device 370 and sends the decoded data to the synthesis circuit 354.

  The OSD image generation circuit 352 generates image data representing the internal state of the hard disk recorder 300 based on a signal output from the CPU 310. The image data includes data for displaying, for example, the display of the channel selected by the tuner 304, the time acquired by the time counting circuit 328, the volume of the sound output from the hard disk recorder 300, and the like. The OSD image generation circuit 352 sends the generated data to the synthesis circuit 354.

  The combining circuit 354 combines the video data output from the MPEG decoder 350 and the image data output from the OSD image generation circuit 352, and sends the combined data to the D / A conversion unit 356. When image data is not output from the OSD image generation circuit 352, the synthesis circuit 354 sends only the data output from the MPEG decoder 350 to the D / A conversion unit 356. Conversely, when the data from the MPEG decoder 350 is not input to the combining circuit 354, the combining circuit 354 sends only the image data output from the OSD image generation circuit 352 to the D / A conversion unit 356.

  The D / A conversion unit 356 converts the digital data output from the synthesis circuit 354 into an analog signal, and outputs the converted signal to the output unit 358.

  The output unit 358 accepts connection of the cable 392. The output unit 358 outputs the analog signal output from the D / A conversion unit 356 to the cable 392.

  Note that if the television 390 or other video display device connected to the hard disk recorder 300 can directly accept input of digital data, the D / A conversion unit 356 is not necessary. In this case, the digital data output from the synthesizing circuit 354 is output to the outside of the hard disk recorder 300 as the digital data after a predetermined output process is performed.

  Note that one aspect of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 is the hard disk recorder 300, but the present invention can also be applied to other video recording / reproducing apparatuses 100. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a DVD recorder or other optical disk recording device or a recording device using a flash memory or other memory.

  Here, the data structure of the hard disk recorder 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing one mode of data storage in memory 312 of hard disk recorder 300. The memory 312 stores an OCR dictionary used for recognizing characters and a conversion dictionary for converting hiragana or katakana into kanji.

  Specifically, the memory 312 includes a table 410 that stores a standard pattern for each character of hiragana, a table 420 that stores a standard pattern for each character of katakana, a table 430 that stores a standard pattern of uppercase letters in English, A table 440 storing a lowercase standard pattern, a table 450 storing a number standard pattern, and a conversion dictionary 460 are stored. Other standard patterns may be further stored. For example, the standard pattern of each character may be stored for each full-width character or half-width character. Alternatively, in addition to characters, a standard pattern of symbols used for inputting a punctuation mark, a punctuation mark, and other titles may be prepared.

  When the CPU 310 recognizes a character based on the video signal acquired by the camera 324, the CPU 310 refers to each table 410 to 450 and the conversion dictionary 460 stored in the memory 312 to specify a specific character from the acquired character image. Recognize characters.

  Next, the control structure of the hard disk recorder 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of operations executed by CPU 310 of hard disk recorder 300.

  In step S510, CPU 310 detects that a signal indicating the start of inputting a title has been received based on the output from light receiving unit 320. In step S512, CPU 310 sets camera 324 to active based on detection of reception of the signal. Specifically, CPU 310 sends a command for switching to a state in which shooting by camera 324 is enabled to camera 324. In response to the command, the camera 324 switches to a state in which an incoming optical signal is received through the lens.

  In step S514, based on the output from light receiving unit 320, CPU 310 detects that a signal transmitted by the remote control terminal (that is, a signal indicating the start of the input of the trajectory) has been received. The signal is transmitted, for example, by pressing a specific button provided on the remote control terminal.

  In step S516, CPU 310 sends a command to camera 324 to cause camera 324 to capture the movement of the finger of the viewer (operator of the remote control terminal) located in front of hard disk recorder 300.

  In step S 518, CPU 310 outputs image data for displaying the movement of the finger to MPEG decoder 350. The MPEG decoder 350 transfers the data to the synthesis circuit 354. At this time, CPU 310 causes OSD image generation circuit 352 to generate a message image indicating that the operation mode of hard disk recorder 300 is the title input mode. The OSD image generation circuit 352 outputs the message image to the synthesis circuit 354. The synthesis circuit 354 synthesizes the image message from the OSD image generation circuit 352 and the image data representing the trajectory of the finger from the MPEG decoder 350 and transmits them to the D / A conversion unit 356. When the image data converted into the analog signal is output to the outside of the hard disk recorder 300, the signal is sent to the television 390 via the cable 392. Television 390 displays an image representing the trajectory of the finger based on the signal.

  In step S520, CPU 310 determines based on the output from light receiving unit 320 whether or not a signal indicating the end of the input of the locus has been received from the remote control terminal. If CPU 310 determines that the signal has been received (YES in step S520), control proceeds to step S522. If not (NO in step S520), control is returned to step S516.

  In step S522, CPU 310 outputs a signal for displaying a message for inquiring whether or not to end character input, via OSD image generation circuit 352. When this signal is input from the hard disk recorder 300 to the television 390, the television 390 displays the message. CPU 310 further recognizes characters based on the data stored in memory 312. That is, the CPU 310 recognizes the standard pattern with reference to the tables 410 to 450 in the memory 312 while waiting for an answer to the output signal. The recognition result is stored in an area newly secured in the memory 312.

  In step S530, CPU 310 determines whether or not a signal indicating the end of character input has been received based on the output from light receiving unit 320. If CPU 310 determines that the signal has been received (YES in step S530), control proceeds to step S540. If not (NO in step S530), control is transferred to step S560.

  In step S540, CPU 310 determines whether or not a signal representing an instruction to convert characters into kanji has been received based on the output from light receiving unit 320. If CPU 310 determines that such a signal has been received (YES in step S540), control proceeds to step S542. If not (NO in step S540), control is transferred to step S544.

  In step S542, CPU 310 refers to conversion dictionary 460 stored in memory 312 and converts the recognized character into a kanji. The converted kanji is written in the memory 312.

  In step S544, CPU 310 outputs a message asking whether or not to end the input of the title via OSD image generation circuit 352. When this message is input to the television 390, the television 390 displays the message on the screen.

  In step S550, CPU 310 determines whether or not a signal indicating the end of the input of the title has been received based on the output from light receiving unit 320. If CPU 310 determines that such a signal has been received (YES in step S550), control proceeds to step S570. If not (NO in step S550), control is transferred to step S560.

  In step S560, CPU 310 outputs a signal for displaying a message prompting the user to input a trajectory due to the movement of the finger via OSD image generation circuit 352. When this signal is input from the hard disk recorder 300 to the television 390, the television 390 displays a message for prompting the input of the locus on the screen. The viewer can see the message and determine whether to continue further input. Thereafter, control is returned to step S514.

  In step S570, CPU 310 associates the input title with the recording data and stores it in memory 312. Thereby, the character information input by the operation of the viewer's finger is stored in the hard disk recorder 300.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, character recognition by the hard disk recorder 300 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display on the television 390 of characters recognized by the hard disk recorder 300.

  Here, a case where the viewer inputs “movie” as a title will be described. For example, after inputting a hiragana character, the character may be converted into another character such as a kanji character, but may be converted into a kanji character after inputting another character, for example, katakana. When the hard disk recorder 300 starts photographing with the camera 324, an image recognized by the hard disk recorder 300 is displayed on the screen of the television 390.

  When the viewer first draws the upper point of hiragana “e” with a finger, the movement of the finger is recognized by the hard disk recorder 300. The movement of the finger is displayed on the television 390 (screen A in FIG. 6).

  Next, when the viewer draws the remaining part of “E” by one stroke, the image of Hiragana “E” is displayed as shown in the screen B.

  After the viewer performs an operation for continuing to input characters on the remote control terminal, an operation for drawing the next hiragana “I” is performed. When the left part of Hiragana “I” is first traced with a finger, the locus is displayed on the television 390 (screen C). The left part and the right part of Hiragana "I" are separated. Therefore, the viewer operates the remote control terminal to cause the remote control terminal to transmit a signal indicating that a new locus is input. When the hard disk recorder 300 detects reception of the signal, the hard disk recorder 300 acquires the right part in the same area in addition to the left part of the already recognized hiragana “I”. As a result, hiragana “I” is displayed on the television 390 (screen D).

  Next, when the viewer causes the camera 324 to capture a finger movement for inputting hiragana “ga”, images corresponding to the movement are sequentially displayed as shown in screens E to I.

  When the viewer operates the remote control terminal to instruct the end of character input (YES in step S530), CPU 310 of hard disk recorder 300 starts hiragana “e”, “i”, “ga” from the work area of memory 312. And the characters are displayed on the television 390 via the OSD image generation circuit 352 (screen J).

  When the viewer operates the remote control terminal to transmit an instruction to convert characters into kanji (YES in step S540), CPU 310 refers to conversion dictionary 460 and stores it in the work area of memory 312. The hiragana character “Eiga” is converted into the kanji “movie”. CPU 310 outputs the converted data to television 390 via OSD image generation circuit 352. Television 390 displays an image indicating that the input title is “movie” (screen K).

  Here, the data structure of the hard disk recorder 300 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of data storage in hard disk 344. The hard disk 344 includes an area 710 for storing recorded data (content) management information, areas 720 and 730 for storing each content, and the like.

  For example, data “movie” representing the title of the first content is stored in area 710. Other content titles are also stored in this area. The video / audio data representing the entity of the first content is stored in area 720. Similarly, the video / audio data of the second content is stored in area 730. Data stored in area 710 can be rewritten. Therefore, when the user of hard disk recorder 300 operates the remote control terminal and re-enters the title, the title already input (for example, “movie”) is changed to another title.

  As described above, hard disk recorder 300 according to the present embodiment captures the movement of the finger and identifies the trajectory that constitutes the character from the captured result. The hard disk recorder 300 refers to the OCR dictionary and recognizes a line drawing from the locus. Further, the hard disk recorder 300 recognizes a standard character based on the recognized line drawing and a character standard pattern table. The hard disk recorder 300 executes necessary conversion processing (for example, conversion from hiragana to kanji, conversion from hiragana to katakana, conversion from katakana to kanji, etc.) using the standard characters and the conversion dictionary 460.

  In this way, the viewer can input the title of the recorded audio-video data using the movement of the finger, so that it is easy to input characters. In addition, the time required for character input is shortened. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user who is not good at operating the buttons of the remote control terminal.

  In addition, according to hard disk recorder 300 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to input a unit of trajectory that constitutes a character, so that accurate input is possible. As a result, input unintended by the operator can be prevented.

  <Second Embodiment>

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The video recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that it receives a title input based on an externally input video signal. In other words, the video recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment does not have a shooting function like a camera, but has an interface function for receiving input of a video signal.

  First, the configuration of a hard disk recorder 800 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of hard disk recorder 800.

  The same components as those of the hard disk recorder 300 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Their functions are the same. Therefore, description of such configuration and function will not be repeated.

  The hard disk recorder 800 includes an interface 810 instead of the camera 324. The interface 810 accepts connection of the camera unit 820. The interface 810 receives an image signal transmitted from the camera unit 820 and transfers the signal to the CPU 310.

  The interface 810 outputs a signal for driving the camera unit 820 based on the control signal transmitted by the CPU 310. The camera unit 820 is realized by, for example, a CCD or a CMOS element.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the camera unit 820 connected to the hard disk recorder 800 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the camera unit 820. The camera unit 820 includes a CPU 910, an input interface 920, a lens 930, a CCD element 940, a signal processing circuit 950, a memory 960, and an output interface 980.

  The CPU 410 controls each element constituting the camera unit 820. Specifically, the CPU 910 drives the CCD element 940 and the signal processing circuit 950 based on the control signal input via the input interface 920.

  Input interface 920 accepts connection of cable 830. The input interface 920 receives the signal transmitted from the hard disk recorder 800 and transmits the signal to the CPU 910. The signal transmitted from the hard disk recorder 800 includes a control signal for causing the camera unit 820 to perform a predetermined photographing operation, or a signal for ending photographing by the camera unit 820.

  The lens 930 is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the camera unit 820. The optical signal collected by the lens 830 is transmitted to the CCD element 940. The CCD element 940 is driven based on a command from the CPU 910, converts an optical signal into an electric signal, and sends the generated electric signal to the signal processing circuit 950.

  The signal processing circuit 950 performs predetermined signal processing on the charge output from the CCD element 940 based on an instruction output from the CPU 910. Data output from the signal processing circuit 950 is stored in an area secured in advance in the memory 960.

  The output interface 980 transmits the data stored in the memory 960 to the hard disk recorder 800. As a result, a signal representing the movement of the viewer's finger taken by the camera unit 820 is input to the hard disk recorder 800.

  The signal is subjected to the same processing as the internal processing of the hard disk recorder 300 according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the hard disk recorder 800 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the camera unit 820 for photographing the movement of the finger of the viewer is increased. Therefore, for example, the camera unit 820 can be installed in the vicinity of the television connected to the hard disk recorder 800. As a result, it is possible to adjust the position for shooting the viewer, for example, shooting from a direction close to the front of the viewer. In this way, since the viewer's finger can be photographed with high accuracy, the accuracy of character input by finger movement can be improved.

  <Modification>

  Hereinafter, modified examples of other aspects of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, the viewer inputs the title by moving the finger. However, the input means is not limited to the finger. For example, the input may be performed using a remote control terminal for controlling the video recording / reproducing apparatus. In this case, in order to surely perform shooting by a camera included in the hard disk recorder (for example, the camera 324 in the hard disk recorder 300), in this modification, the remote control terminal is configured to include an element that emits light or an element that reflects light. Also good.

  A remote control terminal 1000 according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the appearance of remote control terminal 1000. The remote control terminal 1000 includes a transmission unit 1010 for transmitting a control signal to the hard disk recorder 300, a display 1002, and an operation unit 1040 for receiving an instruction input from the outside and outputting a signal corresponding to the input. . For example, the operation unit 1040 is realized by a button or a dial. More specifically, the operation unit 1040 includes cursor buttons 1004a, 1004b, 1004c, and 1004d for designating the vertical and horizontal directions of the cursor displayed on the display 1002, and data input by the user of the remote control terminal 1000. An enter button 1014 for receiving an instruction for confirming the sound, and an up / down for increasing or decreasing the value of the output control signal (for example, channel up or down channel selection, volume up or down, etc.) A button 1008 and a numeric button 1006 are included. The up / down button 1008 includes a first up button 1018a, a first down button 1018b, a second up button 1028a, and a second down button 1028b.

  In remote control terminal 1000, transmitter 1010 is made of a material that can be clearly recognized by camera 324. For example, the transmitter 1010 is formed of a hemispherical resin. This resin is displayed in a color different from the front surface of the casing of the remote control terminal 1000. In this case, since the camera 324 can particularly recognize the transmitting unit 1010 among the movements of the remote control (for example, when binarization processing is executed), it is possible to prevent a reduction in erroneous recognition of the input title. it can.

  Alternatively, the surface of the transmitter 1010 may be subjected to a process of reflecting external light while transmitting a control signal. Even in this case, since the recognizability by the camera 324 is improved, the trajectory is accurately recognized, and as a result, the character input accuracy is improved.

  As described above, according to remote control terminal 1000 according to the present modification, the surface of the top portion of the housing (for example, transmission unit 1010) is subjected to processing that can be recognized by camera 324. Therefore, the user of the remote control terminal 1000 can input characters by drawing a trajectory constituting the characters by moving the remote control terminal 1000. Also, an instruction to start or end the input of the trajectory or to start or end the input of characters is given via the remote control terminal 1000.

  Therefore, the user can operate the operation unit 1040 while moving the remote control terminal 1000 to input a locus (move the remote control terminal 1000) and input an instruction (button operation) with one hand.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The present invention is applicable to hard disk recorders, DVD recorders, VTRs (Video Tape Recorders) and other data recording / reproducing apparatuses.

It is a figure showing the usage condition of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functions realized by video recording / reproducing apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a hard disk recorder 300 implemented as one aspect of the video recording / reproducing apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing one mode of data storage in a memory 312 of a hard disk recorder 300. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of operations executed by CPU 310 of hard disk recorder 300. 4 is a diagram showing a display on a television 390 of characters recognized by a hard disk recorder 300. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of data storage in a hard disk 344. FIG. It is a block diagram showing the hardware constitutions of the hard-disk recorder 800 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a camera unit 820 connected to a hard disk recorder 800. FIG. It is a figure showing the external appearance of the remote control terminal 1000 in the other situation of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 rooms, 20 chairs, 30 viewers, 40 forefinger, 50 remote control terminal, 100 video recording / playback device, 190 cable, 200 TV, 302 antenna, 342 pickup, 344 hard disk, 372 DVD, 392 cable, 390 TV, 820 camera unit , 1000 Remote control terminal, 1002 Display, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c, 1004d Cursor button, 1006 Numeric button, 1008 Up button, 1010 Caller, 1014 Enter button, 1018a First up button, 1018b First down button, 1028a First 2 up button, 1028b second down button, 1040 operation unit.

Claims (7)

A video recording / reproducing apparatus,
A camera that shoots the subject and outputs a video signal;
Receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from a remote control terminal for controlling the video recording / reproducing apparatus;
Standby means for waiting the camera in a state of accepting shooting based on the reception means receiving from the remote control terminal a signal indicating the start of input of a title;
An acquisition means for acquiring a video signal representing a subject by starting photographing with the camera based on the reception means receiving from the remote control terminal a signal representing the start of input of a trajectory;
Stop means for stopping the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on the reception means receiving from the remote control terminal a signal indicating the end of the input of the locus;
By repeating the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means and the stop of the acquisition by the stop means until the reception means receives from the remote control terminal a first end signal representing the end of character input, First control means for acquiring trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the camera;
First output control means for outputting data for displaying an image based on the locus data to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus;
Storage means for storing a dictionary for converting line drawings into characters;
Character recognition means for recognizing a character from a trajectory based on the trajectory data with reference to the dictionary based on the reception means receiving the first end signal;
Second output control means for outputting data for displaying the character recognized by the character recognition means to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus;
Until the receiving means receives from the remote control terminal a second end signal indicating the end of input of the title, acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means, stop of the acquisition by the stop means, and the first A second control unit that repeats the acquisition of trajectory data by the control unit and the character recognition by the character recognition unit;
A video recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a title storage unit that stores a character recognized by the character recognition unit. Photographing means for photographing a subject and outputting a video signal;
An input means for receiving an operation input for inputting a video title;
An acquisition unit configured to start imaging by the imaging unit and acquire a video signal representing a subject based on an operation input indicating start of input of a locus;
Stop means for stopping the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on an operation input representing the end of the input of the locus;
First control means for acquiring trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the imaging means by repeating acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means and stop of the acquisition by the stop means;
Storage means for storing a dictionary for converting line drawings into characters;
Character recognition means for recognizing characters from the trajectory with reference to the dictionary;
Second control means for repeating the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means, the stop of the acquisition by the stop means, the acquisition of trajectory data by the first control means, and the recognition of characters by the character recognition means; ,
A video recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a title storage unit that stores a character recognized by the character recognition unit.   The video recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input unit includes a receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted from a remote control terminal that controls the video recording / reproducing apparatus. Based on the fact that the receiving means has received a signal representing the start of input of a title from the remote control terminal, it further comprises standby means for waiting the camera in a state of accepting shooting,
The acquisition means acquires a video signal representing a subject by starting photographing with the camera based on the reception means receiving from the remote control terminal a signal representing the start of input of a trajectory,
The stop means stops acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on the reception means receiving from the remote control terminal a signal indicating the end of the input of the trajectory,
The first control means acquires the video signal by the acquisition means and the acquisition by the stop means until the reception means receives from the remote control terminal a first end signal indicating the end of character input. The trajectory data representing the trajectory acquired by the imaging means is acquired by repeating the stop and
The character recognition means recognizes a character from a trajectory based on the trajectory data with reference to the dictionary based on the reception means receiving the first end signal,
The second control means acquires the video signal by the acquisition means and the acquisition by the stop means until the reception means receives from the remote control terminal a second end signal indicating the end of input of the title. 4. The video recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stop, the acquisition of trajectory data by the first control unit, and the character recognition by the character recognition unit are repeated.   The video recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising first output control means for outputting data for displaying an image based on the trajectory data to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus.   The video recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising second output control means for outputting data for displaying the character recognized by the character recognizing means to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus. A video recording and playback device;
A remote control terminal for transmitting a signal for controlling the video recording / reproducing apparatus,
The video recording / reproducing apparatus comprises:
A camera that shoots the subject and outputs a video signal;
Receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from the remote control terminal;
Standby means for waiting the camera in a state of accepting shooting based on the reception means receiving a signal indicating the start of input of a title;
An acquisition unit configured to start imaging by the camera and acquire a video signal representing a subject based on the reception unit receiving a signal indicating the start of an input of a trajectory;
Stop means for stopping the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means based on the reception of the signal representing the end of the input of the locus by the reception means;
Acquired by the camera by repeating the acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means and the stop of the acquisition by the stop means until a first end signal representing the end of character input is received by the receiving means. First control means for acquiring trajectory data representing the trajectory performed,
First output control means for outputting data for displaying an image based on the locus data to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus;
Storage means for storing a dictionary for converting line drawings into characters;
Character recognition means for recognizing a character from a trajectory based on the trajectory data with reference to the dictionary based on the reception means receiving the first end signal;
Second output control means for outputting data for displaying the character recognized by the character recognition means to the outside of the video recording / reproducing apparatus;
Until the receiving means receives from the remote control terminal a second end signal indicating the end of input of the title, acquisition of the video signal by the acquisition means, stop of the acquisition by the stop means, and the first A second control unit that repeats the acquisition of trajectory data by the control unit and the character recognition by the character recognition unit;
A character input system comprising: a title storage unit that stores a character recognized by the character recognition unit.

Images