JPH11136615A - Recording reservation management device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] The conventional recording reservation management apparatus has a problem that reservation information input to the main body of the recording reservation management apparatus and reservation information directly reserved in the VTR are not collectively managed. Was. A reservation information management unit inputs program reservation information from an EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) or a VTR as a video storage unit (501), and stores the input program reservation information and the already stored program reservation information in the reservation information storage unit. Then, it is determined whether or not the programs of the two pieces of program reservation information overlap in time (502). If there is a duplication, the duplication status is displayed to the user (503), and according to the user's instruction, the reservation information management unit deletes one of the program reservation information (504 to 507) and reserves the other program reservation information. The information is stored in the information storage unit (508). If there is no overlap, the reservation information management unit converts the input program reservation information into
It is stored in the reservation information storage unit (508).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording reservation management device for managing reservation information when a video recording device records a television program from a television broadcasting station by recording reservation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a VTR or the like, in order to record a program to be watched, recording can be performed by making a timer reservation without a user performing a recording operation at the start time of the program. Timer reservation is performed by setting the date and time, channel, start time, end time, recording mode, and the like of a program to be recorded, and setting the VTR to the timer reservation mode.

[0003] By the way, besides making a direct reservation to the VTR,
It is also possible to make a timer reservation for the recording reservation management device connected to the VTR, and make the VTR perform recording reservation based on an instruction from the recording reservation management device.

The configuration of such a conventional recording reservation management apparatus will be described together with its operation with reference to FIG. FIG.
1 is a block diagram of a conventional recording reservation management device.

[0005] First, a program information input unit 701 outputs reservation information to a reservation information management unit 702. The reservation information,
The information is input to the reservation information management unit 702 and stored in the reservation information storage unit 703. At this time, if there is a temporal overlap between the input reservation information and the reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 703, the reservation information management unit 703
Notifies the user of this and deletes one of the reservation information according to the user's instruction.

[0006] Thereafter, the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage section 703 is output to the signal transmission section 705 via the reservation information management section 702, and the signal transmission section 705 transmits a signal to the VTR to perform the scheduled recording. Generate and output to VTR, V
Let the TR make a scheduled recording.

[0007] The reservation information management unit 702 causes the reservation information display unit 704 to display the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 703 in accordance with a user's instruction.

[0008] In addition, two or more VTs
If R is connected and the reservation information input to the reservation information storage unit 703 and the reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 703 overlap in time, a plurality of VTs
If any of the Rs is in a state where the scheduled recording can be performed, the reserved information storage unit 703 stores the reserved information so that any one of the plurality of VTRs performs the scheduled recording.

[0009]

However, the conventional recording reservation management apparatus described above does not manage reservation information directly reserved in the VTR. Although the recording reservation management device is convenient, some users who are accustomed to making a recording reservation directly to a VTR think that it is troublesome to start up the device and wait for the start-up, and make a reservation directly to the VTR. It is believed that you may choose to do so. In addition, when making a recording reservation using an EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) or the like,
Usually, since program information is announced in units of two weeks, there arises a problem that a recording reservation cannot be made beyond two weeks. 1
Some VTRs can be reserved for recording for months, so if you want to make a recording reservation beyond two weeks because of a long absence, you must make a reservation directly on the VTR.

[0010] In this case, when the reservation information directly reserved in the VTR and the reservation information already registered in the recording reservation management device temporally overlap, the reservation information directly reserved in the VTR is used. If the reservation information newly input to the recording reservation management device overlaps in time, the VTR
In this case, recording is performed with priority given to the recording reservation information with the earlier recording start time without notifying the user in particular, so that there is a problem that a desired program cannot be recorded.

[0011] In addition, two or more VTs
When R is connected, one VTR may be used exclusively for recording a program of a particular genre. In this case, each time a program of a specific genre is reserved, the user
It is necessary to designate a VTR to be programmed for recording to the recording reservation management device.

In addition, most VTRs use a Stand
Since a by-power supply is employed and the VTR main body is always powered on, a considerable amount of power is used.

The present invention has a problem that such a conventional recording reservation management apparatus does not collectively manage reservation information input to the recording reservation management apparatus main body and reservation information directly reserved in a VTR. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording reservation management apparatus that collectively manages reservation information input to a recording reservation management apparatus main body and reservation information directly reserved in a VTR.

Further, according to the present invention, the conventional recording reservation management device requires a VTR for recording a program of a specific genre to reserve and record a program of the genre without receiving a VTR designation from the user each time. VTR that records programs of a particular genre in consideration of the problem
In addition, when a program of the genre is scheduled to be recorded, a recording reservation management device that preferentially schedules recording of a program of a specific genre to a specific VTR without receiving an instruction from a user is provided. It is the purpose.

Further, the present invention takes into consideration the problem that the conventional VTR is always turned on, and the VTR is used only when necessary.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording reservation management device for turning on power to a TR.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for inputting reservation information of a video recording apparatus having a recording section and a recording reservation section, and reservation information for a recording reservation management apparatus main body. And comparing means for comparing the two pieces of reservation information, and when the two pieces of reservation information overlap, determine the priority reservation information according to a predetermined rule or an instruction of an operator of the main unit of the recording reservation management apparatus. And control means for controlling not to use the non-priority reservation information based on the determination, and controlling to utilize both of the reservation information when the two pieces of reservation information do not overlap. This is a recording reservation management device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a video recording apparatus having a recording section and a recording reservation section, including a predetermined video recording apparatus adapted to record only a program of a predetermined genre. Input means for inputting reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body, comparison means for comparing both reservation information, and reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body input by the input means, wherein the predetermined In the case of the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the video recording device, according to a predetermined rule, or according to the instruction of the operator of the main body of the recording reservation management device, determine the priority reservation information, Based on the determination, the non-priority reservation information is discarded or deleted, and control is performed to utilize the reservation information. When the reservation information for the main body is not the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the predetermined video recording device, control means for controlling both of the reservation information is utilized. This is a recording reservation management device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of reservation information of a plurality of video recording devices having a recording portion and a recording reservation portion, including a predetermined video recording device adapted to record only a program of a predetermined genre. Input means for inputting reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body, comparison means for comparing both reservation information, and reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body input by the input means, wherein the predetermined In the case of the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the video recording device, according to a predetermined rule, or according to the instruction of the operator of the main body of the recording reservation management device, determine the priority reservation information, Based on the determination, the non-priority reservation information is transferred to another video recording device that does not overlap with the reservation information, and the recording When the reservation information for the management device main body is not the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the predetermined video recording device, control means for controlling both of the reservation information is provided. This is a recording reservation management device.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of reservation information of a plurality of video recording devices having a recording portion and a recording reservation portion, including a predetermined video recording device adapted to record only a program of a predetermined genre. Input means for inputting reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body, comparison means for comparing both reservation information, and reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body input by the input means, wherein the predetermined In the case of the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the video recording device, according to a predetermined rule, or according to the instruction of the operator of the main body of the recording reservation management device, determine the priority reservation information, Based on the determination, the non-priority reservation information is transferred to another video recording device overlapping with the reservation information, and then compared with the non-priority reservation information. One of the reservation information is selected in accordance with a predetermined rule or an instruction of an operator of the recording reservation management apparatus main body, and based on the selection, control is performed so as to utilize the selected reservation information, and the input means If the reservation information input to the recording reservation management device main body is not the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the predetermined video recording device, the control means controls to utilize both of the reservation information. And a recording reservation management device.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) The configuration of a recording reservation management apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described together with its operation.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a program information input unit 101, a program information storage unit 102
, An EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 103, a display control unit 104, a reservation information management unit 105, and a reservation information storage unit 106. The reservation information management unit 105
Has input means 1051, comparison means 1052, and control means 1053, as shown in FIG. Also,
Reference numeral 107 in FIG. 1 denotes a video storage unit connected to the recording reservation management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the video storage unit 107
The case of a VTR will be described as an example.

When the user makes a VTR serving as the video storage unit 107 to make a recording reservation for a program from a TV broadcasting station, the user makes a recording reservation in the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and uses the recording reservation. The program can be recorded in the video storage unit 107, and the video storage unit 107 connected to the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In this case, a recording reservation can be made directly and the video storage unit 107 can record the program. Therefore, the case where the user makes a recording reservation in the recording reservation management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the case where the user makes a direct recording reservation in the VTR as the video storage unit 107 are divided into two embodiments of the present invention. The operation of the recording reservation management device 1 will be described.

First, the user is asked to enter the first embodiment of the present invention.
The operation of the recording reservation management apparatus when making a recording reservation to the recording reservation management apparatus will be described.

First, a program information input unit 101 inputs program information transmitted using a vertical blanking period of a television signal from a TV broadcast station, and outputs the program information to an EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 103. .

Next, the EPG 103 is connected to the program information input unit 1.
01 to the program information storage unit 102,
The program information storage unit 102 inputs and stores the program information.

After that, the EPG 103 operates the display control unit 10.
4 displays the program information stored in the program information storage unit 102 on a monitor or the like.

When the program information is displayed on the monitor or the like, the user instructs the EPG 103 on the program information to be recorded in the displayed program information using a remote controller or the like.

Then, the EPG 103 inputs the program information of the program specified by the user from the program information storage unit 102, outputs the program information to the input unit 1051 of the reservation information management unit 105 as program reservation information, and outputs the program information to the reservation information storage unit 106. Stores the program reservation information from the reservation information management unit 105. Thus, the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention has made a recording reservation for that apparatus.

Next, the operation of the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the user makes a recording reservation directly to the VTR as the video storage unit 107 will be described.

When a video recording reservation is made directly to the VTR as the video storage unit 107, the video storage unit 107 notifies the reservation information management unit 105 that the video recording reservation has been made, and the program reservation information is transmitted to the reservation information management unit. Output to 105. The video storage unit 107 also stores the program reservation information for which recording reservation has been made.

Then, the input means 1051 of the reservation information management unit 105 inputs the program reservation information from the VTR as the video storage unit 107. By the way, the program reservation information from the video storage unit 107 includes a channel, a date, a recording start time, a recording end time, a recording mode (standard / 3 times), and the like, but includes information such as a program name. Not. Then, the reservation information management unit 105 causes the EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 103 to search for the program information of the program of the input program reservation information, and stores the program reservation information from the video storage unit 107 in the program reservation information obtained from the EPG 103. The information is added and stored in the reservation information storage unit 106. This means that the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention has reserved a recording reservation directly in the VTR as the video storage unit 107.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the program reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 106. The program reservation information includes a reservation number,
It consists of date, channel, recording start time, recording end time, program name, and the like. Note that the reservation numbers are assigned in ascending order of program start time. The program reservation information also includes the recording status, and the reservation information storage unit 106 manages the recording status of the program reserved by the user. The recording status indicates whether the program reserved for recording has not been recorded, is being recorded,
This indicates one of the four states of “recorded” or “error”, and “not recorded”, “recorded”, “completed”, and “error” are displayed for each of “unrecorded”, “recorded”, “recorded”, and “error”. The error indicates that recording could not be performed for some reason. In the case of an error, the reason is also managed. One example of the reason for the error is that the video tape has not been inserted or the video tape has no remaining capacity. In response to a request from the user, the EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 103 sends the reservation status managed in the reservation information storage unit 106 to the reservation information management unit 105 and the display control unit 104 to the monitor or the like. Instruct to display.

Up to this point, the case where the user makes a recording reservation in the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the case where the user makes a recording reservation in the VTR serving as the video storage unit 107 are separated from each other. The operation of the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment has been described.

Next, the reservation information management unit 105 of the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided via the EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 103 of the recording reservation management apparatus or as the video storage unit 107. Embodiment 1 of the present invention after one or more recording reservations have been made via the VTR
The operation of the recording reservation management device will be described. In this case, the operation of the recording reservation management apparatus until the input unit 1051 of the reservation information management unit 105 inputs the program reservation information from the EPG 103, and the input unit 1051 of the reservation information management unit 105
Since the operation of the recording reservation management apparatus until the user inputs the program reservation information from the video storage unit 107 is the same as that described above, the description is omitted.

Therefore, hereinafter, the input means 1051 of the reservation information management unit 105 of the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the EPG 103 or the video storage unit 107.
The operation of the recording reservation management apparatus after inputting the program reservation information from, that is, the operation of the reservation information management unit 105 will be described. Here, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the operation of the reservation information management unit 105. The numbers in parentheses in the following text are
It is a step of the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the input unit 1 of the reservation information management unit 105
051 inputs program reservation information from the EPG 103 or the video storage unit 107 (501).

Then, the comparing means 1052 of the reservation information management unit 105 compares the program reservation information input from the EPG 103 or the video storage unit 107 with the reservation information storage unit 106
Is compared with the program reservation information stored in the program start time and program end time of each program reservation information,
It is determined whether there is a temporal overlap (502). If there is an overlap, the reservation information management unit 105 determines in step 503
Then, if there is no overlap, the reservation information management unit 105 proceeds to step 508, and the control unit 1053 of the reservation information management unit 105 stores the input program reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 106. (508).

Now, the reservation information management unit 105 executes step 5
03, the reservation information management unit 105 notifies the display control unit 104 of the situation where the input program reservation information and the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 overlap. It is displayed on a monitor or the like (503).

Next, the user confirms the overlapping status of the program reservation information displayed on the monitor or the like, and uses a remote controller or the like to input the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 or the input. One of the program reservation information is deleted (504). When receiving an instruction to delete the program reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 106, the control unit 1053 of the reservation information management unit 105 proceeds to step 505, and the program stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 The reservation information is deleted (505), and the inputted program reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 (50).
8). On the other hand, when receiving an instruction to delete the input program reservation information, the reservation information management unit 105 proceeds to step 506.

When the reservation information management unit 105 proceeds to step 506, the reservation information management unit 105 determines whether the input program reservation information is from the EPG 103 or not.
(506). Reservation information management unit 1
If the program reservation information inputted in the program reservation information 05 is from the EPG 103, the reservation information management unit 10
5 ends the operation. On the other hand, the reservation information management unit 1
If the program reservation information inputted in step 05 is from the video storage unit 107, the reservation information management unit 105 proceeds to step 50.
Then, the VTR as the video storage unit 107 is controlled so that the program reservation information reserved and reserved in the VTR as the video storage unit 107 is deleted.

As described above, the reservation information storage unit 10
Reference numeral 6 stores program reservation information so that there is no overlap in time. The reservation information management unit 105 stores the reservation information storage unit 1
For example, five seconds before the recording start time, a recording start command is output to the VTR as the video storage unit 107 based on the program reservation information stored in the storage unit 06, and the video storage unit 107 is output.
Starts recording based on an instruction from the reservation information management unit 105. Similarly, the reservation information management unit 105, based on the program reservation information, for example, 5 seconds before the recording end time,
The video recording end command is output to the VTR as the video storage unit 107, and the video storage unit 107 ends the recording based on the instruction from the reservation information management unit 105.

By the way, in the current VTR, only a maximum of, for example, eight recording reservations can be made. However, as described above, the program reservation information is practically ultimately stored only in the reservation information storage unit 106. The information can be registered in the reservation information storage unit 106. Therefore, the number of program reservation information does not depend on the number of reservable VTRs as the video storage unit 107.

It should be noted that the reservation information management unit 105 can cause the display control unit 104 to display the reservation status stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 on a monitor or the like when instructed by the user. The reservation status is for each genre,
It is possible to display each date.

The program information input by the program information input unit 101 may be transmitted several times a day from a TV broadcast station, and includes information whose broadcast time has been changed due to the extension of sports broadcasting. As described above, when the broadcast time is changed, the EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 103 changes the program information in the program information storage unit 102 based on the program information from the program information input unit 101, and makes a reservation. The information management unit 105 is notified of the program whose broadcast time has been changed. The reservation information management unit 105 checks whether or not the program whose broadcast time has been changed is stored in the video storage unit 106, and if it is stored, the recording start time of the program reservation information stored in the video storage unit 106 , Change the end time. As described above, the program information input unit 101 inputs program information several times a day, so that it is possible to cope with a change in the broadcast time of a program.

In the first embodiment, the video storage unit 10
When the video recording reservation is made directly to the VTR as No. 7, the video storage unit 107 outputs the program reservation information to the reservation information management unit 105 and stores the program reservation information. When the recording reservation is made directly, the program reservation information may only be output to the reservation information management unit 105, and the output program reservation information may not be stored. That is, the reservation information management unit 105 may move the program reservation information when a video recording reservation is made directly in the VTR as the video storage unit 107.

Further, in the first embodiment, the program information input section 101 inputs the program information transmitted using the vertical blanking period of the television signal from the TV broadcasting station. The unit 101 may input program information transmitted using FM multiplex broadcasting or a public line network. Further, the program information input unit 101 may input program information from a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a memory card, or a CD-ROM in which program information for several weeks is stored, or may be transmitted from a pager base station. Coming program information may be input.

(Embodiment 2) The configuration of a recording reservation management apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described together with its operation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a recording reservation management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The recording reservation management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises the same components as those of the recording reservation management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. That is, the recording reservation management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a program information input unit 201, a program information storage unit 202, an EPG (electronic program information guide) 203, a display control unit 204, a reservation information management unit 205 and a reservation information storage unit 206. As shown in FIG. 9, the reservation information management unit 205 includes an input unit 2051, a comparison unit 2052, and a control unit 2053. Reference numerals 207 and 208 in FIG. 2 denote video storage units connected to the recording reservation management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, a case will be described as an example where both video storage units 207 and 208 are VTRs.

The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is as follows.
This is the number of video storage units. That is, while the number of video storage units connected to the recording reservation management device of the first embodiment is one, the number of video storage units connected to the recording reservation management device of the second embodiment is one. It is two.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the reservation information management unit 20 of the recording reservation management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an EPG 203, a video storage unit 2
Operation of the recording reservation management apparatus after inputting the program reservation information from 07 or 208, that is, the reservation information management unit 205
The operation of is described. The operation of the recording reservation management apparatus when the user makes a recording reservation to the recording reservation management apparatus and when the user makes a recording reservation directly to the video storage unit 207 or 208 is the same as that described in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

Here, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation of the reservation information management unit 205. The numbers in parentheses in the following text are the steps in the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the input unit 2 of the reservation information management unit 205
051 is the EPG 203, the video storage unit 207 or 20
The program reservation information is input from step 8 (601). To simplify the following description, the reservation information management unit 205
It is assumed that program reservation information is input from the EPG 203 or the video storage unit 207.

The comparison means 2052 of the reservation information management unit 205 compares the program reservation information input from the EPG 203 or the video storage unit 207 with the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 206 for each program. The program start time and the program end time in the reservation information are compared to determine whether they overlap in time (602). If there is an overlap, the reservation information management unit 205 proceeds to step 603, whereas if there is no overlap, the reservation information management unit 205 proceeds to step 608, and the control unit 2053 of the reservation information management unit 205 Then, the input program reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 206 (608).

The reservation information management unit 205 determines in step 6
03, the control unit 2 of the reservation information management unit 205
053 compares the program reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 206 with the input program reservation information, and the video storage unit 208 stores the program at the recording time of the input program reservation information. It is determined whether there is room for recording (603). If there is enough time, the reservation information management unit 205 proceeds to step 604, and allocates the input program reservation information so that the program included in the input program reservation information is recorded in the video storage unit 208 (6).
04), the program reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 206 (608). On the other hand, the reservation information management unit 20
If there is not enough time for the video storage unit 208 to record a program at the recording time of the program reservation information input to No. 5, the reservation information management unit 205 proceeds to step 605, and stores the input program reservation information and the already stored reservation information. The display control unit 204 causes the monitor or the like to display the state where the program reservation information stored in the unit 206 is duplicated (605).

Next, the user checks the overlapping status of the program reservation information displayed on the monitor or the like, and uses the remote controller or the like to input the program reservation information or store the program reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 206. One of the program reservation information is deleted (606). When receiving an instruction to delete the input program reservation information, the reservation information management unit 205
Proceeding to step 609, the input program reservation information is deleted (609), and the operation ends. When receiving an instruction not to delete the inputted program reservation information, the reservation information management unit 20
In step S607, the control unit 2053 of the reservation information management unit 205 outputs, to the reservation information storage unit 206, information for recording the input program reservation information in one of the video storage units 207 and 208. Yes (60
7). After that, the control unit 205 of the reservation information management unit 205
Reference numeral 3 denotes a recording in the video storage unit which has already been reserved so that the one of the above-mentioned video storage units in the reservation information storage unit 206 records the program of the program reservation information input by the reservation information management unit 205. The program reservation information having the instruction to cause it to be deleted is deleted (610). Finally, the control means 2053 of the reservation information management unit 205 converts the program of the inputted program reservation information into
The input program reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 206 so as to be recorded in the one video storage unit described above (608).

In the second embodiment, for the sake of explanation,
Although the reservation information management unit 205 inputs the program reservation information from the EPG 203 or the video storage unit 207, the reservation information management unit 205 can also input the program reservation information from the video storage unit 208. In this case, the reservation information management unit 205 handles the program reservation information from the video storage unit 208 in the same manner as when the program reservation information from the video storage unit 207 is handled.

When there are a plurality of pieces of program reservation information, the reservation numbers of the program reservation information stored in the reservation information storage section 206 are allocated to the video storage sections 207 or 208 starting from the earliest program start time. .

When the program reservation information newly input by the reservation information management unit 205 includes information for designating the program of the program reservation information to be recorded in the designated video storage unit, Control means 205 of information management unit 205
3 makes the designated video storage unit record the program of the program reservation information based on the newly input program reservation information. Furthermore, if the program reservation information of the program to be recorded in the designated video storage unit is already stored in the reservation information storage unit 206, the unspecified video storage unit records the program at the recording time of the program. If there is enough time to do so, the control means 2053 of the reservation information management unit 205 causes the reservation information storage unit 206 to change the program reservation information so that the program is recorded in the unspecified video storage unit.

In addition, the program of the program reservation information is added to the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 206.
If the designated video storage unit includes information designating recording, the reservation information management unit 205 stores the program of the program reservation information newly input, and the undesignated video storage unit records the program of that program. At time, if there is room to record the program, the control means 2053 of the reservation information management unit 205 causes the newly input program reservation information to record the program in the unspecified video storage unit. To change.

If both of the two pieces of program reservation information having overlapping time zones are specified by specifying a specific video storage section, the reservation information management section 205 sets the display control section 2
04, the user is notified of the duplication status, and the instruction is followed.

(Embodiment 3) The configuration of a recording reservation management apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described along with its operation.

The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is as follows.
The VTR as the video storage unit 207 is registered to preferentially record programs of the genre “music”. Therefore, in the third embodiment, only the operation of the recording reservation management device when the video storage unit 207 is registered as a genre, that is, the operation of the reservation information management unit 205 will be described.

Input means 2051 of reservation information management unit 205
Inputs the program reservation information, the comparing means 2052 checks the genre of the program reservation information, and if the genre is “music”, the control means 20 of the reservation information management unit 205
53, the program of the input program reservation information is stored in the video storage unit 20;
7, so that the program reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 206.

When the program reservation information input by the reservation information management unit 205 overlaps with the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 206, that is, when the reservation information management unit 205 When the reservation information storage unit 206 stores the program reservation information for causing the video storage unit 207 to record another program in the time zone of the program of the program reservation information, the control unit of the reservation information management unit 205 2
In step 053, the program reservation information is changed so that the video storage unit 208 makes a video recording reservation of the program of the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 206. However, when the genre of the program of the program reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 206 is also “music”, the user's instruction is followed.

In the third embodiment, the video storage unit 20
7, the “music” genre is registered. However, even when the “music” genre is registered in the video storage unit 208, the operation of the recording reservation management apparatus,
That is, the operation of the reservation information management unit 205 performs the same operation as the above-described operation.

In the third embodiment, the video storage unit 20
7, the “music” genre is registered, but the VT as the video storage unit 207 or 208 is
A genre other than the "music" genre, for example, "movie"
Or a genre such as “news” may be registered. Also in this case, the operation of the recording reservation management apparatus, that is, the operation of the reservation information management unit 205 performs the same operation as the above-described operation.

As described above, the genre registration to the VTR is performed when the user registers a program of a specific genre to a specific VTR.
This is convenient when you want to record on. When two VTRs are connected, one VTR is always set to a videotape for programs that are recorded daily, such as news, morning and noon drama, and the other VTR is irregular. It is also possible to use different VTRs, such as dedicated to recording a program to be recorded on a VTR.

(Embodiment 4) The configuration of a recording reservation management apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described along with its operation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a recording reservation management apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The recording reservation management apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises the same components as those of the recording reservation management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. That is, the recording reservation management device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a program information input unit 301, a program information storage unit 302, an EPG (electronic program information guide) 303, a display control unit 304, a reservation information management unit 305, a reservation information storage unit 306, and a power management unit 307. Note that 308 and 3 in FIG.
Reference numeral 09 denotes a video storage unit connected to the recording reservation management device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which video storage units 308 and 309 are both VTRs.

The difference between the fourth embodiment and the second embodiment is that
The difference is that the recording reservation management device of the second embodiment does not include a power management unit, whereas the recording reservation management device of the fourth embodiment includes a power management unit 307. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, only the operation of the recording reservation management device regarding the power management unit 307 will be described.

The reservation information management unit 305 extracts the program reservation information having the recording start time closest to the current time from the program reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 306. Then, the retrieved program reservation information is stored in the video storage unit 30.
8, if the information is to be recorded, the reservation information management unit 305
Instructs the power management unit 307 to turn on the power of the video storage unit 308 when N seconds before the recording start time. The power management unit 307 turns on the power of the video storage unit 308 according to the instruction of the reservation information management unit 305.

Thereafter, the reservation information management unit 305 sends the power management unit 307 to the power management unit 307 at the time point N seconds after the recording end time.
An instruction is given to turn off the power of the video storage unit 308. The power management unit 307 turns off the power of the video storage unit 308 according to the instruction of the reservation information management unit 305.

Similarly, if the program reservation information extracted from the reservation information storage unit 306 by the reservation information management unit 305 is information to be recorded in the video storage unit 309, the reservation information management unit 3
05 operates as described above to cause the video storage unit 309 to record.

The user operates the video storage unit 308 or 3
If the user wants to directly operate the power management module 09, the user
7, the power of the video storage unit 308 or 309 is turned on / off.

When the power of the video storage unit 308 or 309 is turned off, it is necessary to set a timer for each video storage unit at the next use.
When the power of each video storage unit is turned on, each video storage unit issues a timer setting request to the reservation information management unit 305, and the reservation information management unit 305 sets a timer setting for each video storage unit. Do.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, two video storage units are connected to the recording reservation management device. However, similar to the first embodiment, the recording reservation management device of the present invention has one Only one video storage unit may be connected, and the power supply management unit 307 may be provided. Again,
As described above, the recording reservation management device of the present invention may turn on / off the power of the VTR as the video storage unit.

In the present invention, the reservation information storage units 106, 206 and 306 as reservation memories, the display control units 104, 204 and 304 as information display means, the power supply management unit 307 as power supply management means, and the program information input means as program information input means The program information input units 101, 201 and 301 were used.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the video storage unit is a VTR, but the video storage unit may be a storage medium such as AVHD.

In the first to third embodiments, the program reservation information input by the reservation information management unit 105 or 205 is
When the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 or 206 overlaps, the user sets the program reservation information input by the reservation information management unit 105 or 205,
Although one of the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 or 206 is deleted, for example, the reservation information management unit 105 or 205 gives priority to the program reservation information input later. The program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 or 206 may be automatically deleted. in this way,
Program reservation information input by the reservation information management unit 105 or 205 according to a predetermined rule, or
Either one of the program reservation information already stored in the reservation information storage unit 106 or 206 may be deleted.

In the above-described embodiment, when the reservation information management section of the recording reservation management apparatus compares the program reservation information of the video storage section with the program reservation information for the recording reservation management apparatus body, one of the program reservation Information is input and stored, and the stored program reservation information is compared with newly input program reservation information. However, the reservation information management unit of the recording reservation management device inputs the program reservation information of one or more video storage units and the program reservation information for the recording reservation management device main body at the same time or with a time interval, For example, the program reservation information may be compared at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, for all pieces of program reservation information, a plurality of pieces of program reservation information may be compared immediately before the start of the program of the program reservation information.

Further, in Embodiments 2 to 4, it is assumed that two video storage units are connected to each recording reservation management device, but the recording reservation management device of the present invention has three or more video storage units. A storage unit may be connected, and in that case, the recording reservation management device of the present invention performs the same operation as when two video storage units are connected.

[0089]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a recording reservation management apparatus which collectively manages reservation information input to a recording reservation management apparatus main body and reservation information directly reserved in a VTR. can do.

Further, according to the present invention, when a VTR for recording a program of a particular genre is programmed to record the program of the genre, the program of the particular genre can be designated each time without receiving an instruction from the user each time. It is possible to provide a recording reservation management device that preferentially reserves a recording for a VTR.

Further, the present invention can provide a recording reservation management device for turning on the power to the VTR only when necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording reservation management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a recording reservation management device according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a recording reservation management device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an example of program reservation information stored in a reservation information storage unit of the recording reservation management device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation of a reservation information management unit of the recording reservation management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation of a reservation information management unit of the recording reservation management device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional recording reservation management device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a reservation information management unit of the recording reservation management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a reservation information management unit of the recording reservation management device according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 201, 301 Program information input unit 102, 202, 302 Program information storage unit 103, 203, 303 EPG (Electronic Program Information Guide) 104, 204, 304 Display control unit 105, 205, 305 Reservation information management unit 1051, 2051 Input means 1052, 2052 Comparison means 1053, 2053 Control means 106, 206, 306 Reservation information storage unit 107, 207, 208, 308, 309 Video storage unit 307 Power management unit 701 Program information input unit 702 Reservation information management unit 703 Reservation information Storage unit 704 Reservation information display unit 705 Signal transmission unit

Claims (22)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting reservation information of a video recording apparatus having a recording unit and a recording reservation unit, and reservation information for a main unit of a recording reservation management device; a comparison unit for comparing both reservation information; In the case where the two pieces of reservation information overlap, priority reservation information is determined according to a predetermined rule or an instruction of an operator of the recording reservation management apparatus main body, and based on the determination, non-priority reservation information is determined. And a control means for controlling so as not to make use of the two pieces of reservation information, and when the two pieces of reservation information do not overlap with each other, so as to make use of both pieces of reservation information. 2. A reservation memory for storing predetermined reservation information, wherein the comparing means inputs reservation information newly input to the recording reservation management apparatus main body without storing the reservation information in the reservation memory. The control means compares the newly input reservation information with the reservation information stored in the reservation memory, and stores the newly input reservation information in the reservation memory. At the same time, the stored reservation information is deleted, and the stored reservation information is controlled so as not to take priority. If the newly inputted reservation information does not take priority, the reservation information is stored in the reservation memory. 2. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reserved reservation information is stored as it is, and the newly inputted reservation information is controlled so as not to be prioritized. 3. A reservation memory for storing reservation information from the video recording apparatus and reservation information for the recording reservation management apparatus main body, and deletes non-priority reservation information from the reservation memory. 2. The recording reservation management device according to claim 1, wherein if the reservation information is on the video recording device side, it is also deleted. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of video recording devices are plural, and all of the video recording devices and the recording reservation management device have a recording reservation.
If a specific video recording device is not selected,
4. The recording reservation management device according to claim 1, wherein the reservation information of the recording reservation management device overlaps with the reservation information in all of the video recording devices. 5. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the video recording apparatuses are provided, and all of the video recording apparatuses and the recording reservation management apparatus have recording reservations.
The method according to claim 1, wherein when selecting a specific video recording device, the duplication means a case where the reservation information of the recording reservation management device overlaps the reservation information of the selected video recording device. A recording reservation management device according to any one of the above. 6. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of video recording apparatuses include a plurality of the video recording apparatuses, and when the recording reservation of the specific video recording apparatus and the recording reservation management apparatus selects the specific video recording apparatus, 4. The recording reservation management device according to claim 1, wherein the overlapping means that the reservation information of the recording reservation management device overlaps with the reservation information of the specific video recording device. 5. 7. A plurality of video recording devices, wherein only a recording reservation of a recording reservation management device selects a specific video recording device, and recording reservations of all the video recording devices do not select a specific video recording device. In this case, the overlap means that the reservation information of the video recording device selected by the recording reservation management device overlaps with the reservation information of the video recording device, and that the reservation information overlaps with the reservation information of all other video recording devices. The recording reservation management device according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation management device means a case. 8. A plurality of video recording devices, wherein the recording reservations of all the video recording devices respectively select the video recording device of the recording reservation, and the recording reservation of the recording reservation management device specifies a specific video recording device. 4. The recording according to claim 1, wherein when not selected, the duplication means that the reservation information of the recording reservation management device overlaps with the reservation information of all the video recording devices. Reservation management device. 9. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when reservation information is set in said video recording apparatus, said recording reservation management apparatus body automatically moves said reservation information. 10. When the reservation information is set in the video recording apparatus, the main unit of the recording reservation management apparatus automatically copies the reservation information and sets the reservation information set in the video recording apparatus. 2. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the set reservation information is deleted. 11. Reservation information for a plurality of video recording apparatuses having a recording section and a recording reservation section, including a predetermined video recording apparatus adapted to record only a program of a predetermined genre, and a recording reservation management apparatus. Input means for respectively inputting the reservation information for the main body; comparing means for comparing both the reservation information; and the reservation information for the main body of the recording reservation management device, which is inputted by the input means, for the predetermined video recording device. In the case of the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre, in accordance with a predetermined rule or an instruction of an operator of the recording reservation management device main body, priority reservation information is determined, and based on the determination, Discard or delete non-priority reservation information, control to make use of reservation information,
If the reservation information for the main body of the recording reservation management device input by the input unit is not the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the predetermined video recording device, control is performed to utilize both of the reservation information. A recording reservation management device, comprising: 12. Reservation information for a plurality of video recording apparatuses having a recording section and a recording reservation section, including a predetermined video recording apparatus adapted to record only a program of a predetermined genre, and a recording reservation management apparatus. Input means for respectively inputting the reservation information for the main body; comparing means for comparing both the reservation information; and the reservation information for the main body of the recording reservation management device input by the input means, for the predetermined video recording device. In the case of the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre, according to a predetermined rule or an instruction of an operator of the recording reservation management apparatus main body, priority reservation information is determined, and based on the determination, The non-priority reservation information is transferred to another video recording apparatus that does not overlap with the reservation information, and the non-priority reservation information is transferred to the recording reservation management apparatus main body input by the input means. The reservation information is not the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre to the predetermined video recording device, and control means for controlling both of the reservation information is utilized. Reservation management device. 13. A plurality of pieces of reservation information of a plurality of video recording apparatuses having a recording section and a recording reservation section, including a predetermined video recording apparatus adapted to record only a program of a predetermined genre, and a recording reservation management apparatus. Input means for respectively inputting the reservation information for the main body; comparing means for comparing both the reservation information; and the reservation information for the main body of the recording reservation management device, which is inputted by the input means, for the predetermined video recording device. In the case of the reservation information for recording the program of the predetermined genre, according to a predetermined rule or an instruction of an operator of the recording reservation management apparatus main body, priority reservation information is determined, and based on the determination, After transferring the non-priority reservation information to another video recording device that overlaps the reservation information, the non-priority reservation information is compared with the non-priority reservation information, and the predetermined information is determined in advance. Rules or, in accordance with an instruction of the operator of the recording reservation management unit main body, and select one of the reservation information,
Based on the selection, control is performed so that the selected reservation information is utilized, and the reservation information for the main body of the recording reservation management device input by the input means is a program of the predetermined genre for the predetermined video recording device. A recording schedule management device, comprising: a control unit that performs control so as to utilize both of the schedule information when the schedule information is not the schedule information to be recorded. 14. When two pieces of reservation information are overlapped, information display means for displaying the two pieces of reservation information is provided, and an instruction to select one of the two pieces of reservation information is provided by using the information display means. 14. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation management apparatus receives an instruction from an operator of the recording reservation management apparatus main body. 15. The recording reservation management device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply management means for switching on and off a power supply of said video recording device. 16. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising program information input means for inputting program information, wherein said program information is added to said reservation information. 17. The program information according to claim 16, wherein said program information has information on a change of a time zone of a program of said reservation information, and contents of said reservation information are changed according to the change of said time zone. The recording reservation management device described in the above. 18. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said program information is information transmitted using a vertical blanking period of a television signal from a broadcasting station. 19. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said program information is information transmitted using FM multiplex broadcasting from a broadcasting station. 20. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the program information is information transmitted from a broadcasting station using a public line. 21. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said program information is information from a storage medium storing program information in advance. 22. The recording reservation management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said program information is information transmitted from a pager base station.