JP2007173918A

JP2007173918A - Recording reservation system

Info

Publication number: JP2007173918A
Application number: JP2005364589A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Eiji Kato; 栄治加藤
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2005-12-19
Filing date: 2005-12-19
Publication date: 2007-07-05

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein such futilities that a plurality of video recording/reproducing devices record the same program redundantly, or the like occur since each user reserves recording individually to the plurality of video recording/reproducing devices installed in a house. <P>SOLUTION: A recording reservation system has at least one of recording/reproducing devices 101-104, and a recording reservation device 100 for managing the recording reservation of each recording/reproducing device. The recording reservation device 100 monitors the spare capacity of each recording and reproducing device and the operation situation of the recording reservation, or the like, for managing as recording/reproduction device information. An optimum recording/reproducing device is selected for instructing recording reservation to user input or a recording reservation request from each recording/reproducing device. The recording and reproducing devices 102-104 execute reserved picture recording, reproduction processing, and deletion processing, based on recording management information managed by the recording reservation device 100 unitarily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、番組録画を行う録画再生装置と録画再生装置への録画予約を一括管理する録画予約装置からなる録画予約システムに関するものである。 The present invention relates to a recording reservation system comprising a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording a program and a recording reservation apparatus for collectively managing recording reservations to the recording / reproducing apparatus.

現在、大容量の記録媒体を持つＤＶＤ／ＨＤＤレコーダ等の録画再生装置が普及し、複数台所有する家庭も珍しくない。これらの録画再生装置へは、個々にＥＰＧ（電子番組ガイド）やＧコード、或いはマニュアル設定により番組が予約録画される。録画された番組は装置間で共有するためのガイドラインもＤＬＮＡ（Digital Living Network Alliance）等で検討され、このガイドラインに準拠した商品も発売されつつある。また、各録画再生装置に録画された番組から必要な番組を検索して、録画再生装置間で受け渡しを可能にする先行技術もある（特許文献１）。
特開２００４−３２０４５５号公報 Currently, recording / playback apparatuses such as DVD / HDD recorders having a large-capacity recording medium are widespread, and homes having a plurality of kitchens are not uncommon. In these recording / playback apparatuses, programs are reserved and recorded individually by EPG (electronic program guide), G code, or manual setting. Guidelines for sharing recorded programs between devices are also being considered by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), etc., and products compliant with these guidelines are being released. There is also a prior art that enables a necessary program to be searched from programs recorded in each recording / playback apparatus and transferred between the recording / playback apparatuses (Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-320455 A

しかしながら、録画再生装置には、そのユーザが個々に録画予約するため、他の録画再生装置にどの番組が録画予約されたかが分からず、同じ番組を複数の録画再生装置に重複して録画され、無駄に録画再生装置のＨＤＤ等の記録媒体を消費していた。 However, since the user individually reserves recording in the recording / playback apparatus, it is not known which program has been reserved for recording in other recording / playback apparatuses, and the same program is recorded in duplicate in a plurality of recording / playback apparatuses. In addition, a recording medium such as an HDD of the recording / reproducing apparatus is consumed.

上述した課題を解決するために本発明は、少なくとも１つ以上の録画再生装置と前記録画再生装置の録画予約を管理する録画予約装置とからなる録画予約システムであって、前記録画予約装置は、前記録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量や録画予約等の動作状況を監視し、録画再生装置情報として管理する録画再生装置管理手段と、前記録画再生装置との通信を行うネットワーク通信手段と、ユーザからの入力を受け付ける入力手段と、ユーザ入力又は前記録画再生装置からの録画予約要求に対し、前記録画再生装置情報を基に録画可能な録画再生装置を選定し、当該録画再生装置に録画予約を指示し、録画管理情報として管理する録画管理手段と、を備え、前記録画再生装置は、録画のための映像信号を受信する受信手段と、前記録画予約装置との通信を行うネットワーク通信手段と、ユーザ入力を受け付ける入力手段と、番組情報を収集する番組情報収集手段と、ユーザに前記番組情報を開示し、ユーザからの録画予約を受付け、当該録画予約情報を前記録画予約装置に通知する録画予約通知手段と、前記録画予約装置からの機器状態の問い合わせに応答する機器状態問合せ応答手段と、前記録画予約装置からの録画予約指示により、当該録画予約情報を保存し、録画予約を行うリモート録画予約受付手段と、録画予約された番組を指定時間に録画モード等の指定条件で録画する番組録画手段と、録画された番組を再生する番組再生手段と、を備える。 In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is a recording reservation system including at least one recording / reproducing apparatus and a recording reservation apparatus that manages recording reservations of the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the recording reservation apparatus includes: A recording / playback device management means for monitoring the operating status of the recording medium of the recording / playback device, such as a recording capacity and recording reservation, and managing it as recording / playback device information, a network communication means for communicating with the recording / playback device, and a user In response to a user input or a recording reservation request from the recording / reproducing apparatus, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording is selected based on the recording / reproducing apparatus information, and a recording reservation is made to the recording / reproducing apparatus. Recording management means for instructing and managing as recording management information, wherein the recording / playback apparatus receives a video signal for recording, and the recording reservation Network communication means for communicating with the device, input means for receiving user input, program information collecting means for collecting program information, disclosing the program information to the user, accepting a recording reservation from the user, and recording reservation Recording reservation notification means for notifying the recording reservation apparatus of information, apparatus status inquiry response means for responding to an inquiry of the apparatus status from the recording reservation apparatus, and recording reservation information according to the recording reservation instruction from the recording reservation apparatus Remote recording reservation accepting means for performing recording reservation, program recording means for recording the reserved recording program at a specified time under a specified condition such as a recording mode, and program reproducing means for reproducing the recorded program, Is provided.

また、前記録画再生装置は、番組情報を自ら取得せず前記録画予約装置に問い合わせ、ユーザに開示する番組情報収集手段を備え、前記録画予約装置は、インターネットやテレビ放送波等から番組情報を収集し、前記録画再生装置からの番組情報取得要求に応答する番組情報収集手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording / playback apparatus includes a program information collecting unit that makes an inquiry to the recording reservation apparatus without acquiring program information by itself and discloses the information to a user, and the recording reservation apparatus collects program information from the Internet, a television broadcast wave, or the like. And a program information collecting means for responding to a program information acquisition request from the recording / reproducing apparatus.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画予約されたすべての番組情報の取得を前記録画予約装置に要求する録画番組リスト取得手段を備えてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may further include a recorded program list acquisition unit that requests the recording reservation apparatus to acquire all program information reserved for recording by the recording / playback apparatus in the recording reservation system.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画されたすべての番組情報の取得を前記録画予約装置に要求する録画番組リスト取得手段を備えてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may further include a recorded program list acquisition unit that requests the recording reservation apparatus to acquire all program information recorded by the recording / playback apparatus in the recording reservation system.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画予約されたすべての番組情報を管理し、前記録画再生装置からの録画予約された番組情報取得要求に対して当該番組情報を送信する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 The recording reservation device manages all program information reserved for recording by the recording / playback device in the recording reservation system, and in response to a request for acquiring program information reserved for recording from the recording / playback device, You may provide the video recording management means to transmit.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画済みの番組リストを管理し、録画再生装置からの録画済み番組情報取得要求に対して当該録画済み番組情報を送信する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 The recording reservation device manages a recorded program list by the recording / playback device in the recording reservation system, and transmits the recorded program information in response to a recorded program information acquisition request from the recording / playback device. Means may be provided.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約装置から取得した録画済み番組情報からユーザが視聴を所望する番組が当該録画再生装置で録画されている場合に、当該録画番組を再生する番組再生手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes program reproducing means for reproducing the recorded program when a program that the user desires to view is recorded by the recording / reproducing apparatus from the recorded program information acquired from the recording reservation apparatus. May be.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約装置から取得した録画済み番組情報からユーザが所望する番組が他の録画再生装置で録画されている場合、録画を行った録画再生装置に対してストリーミング再生のために番組データ取得を要求するストリーミングデータ要求手段と、当該要求に応答し、番組データを送信するストリーミングデータ応答手段と、を備えてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may perform streaming playback on the recording / playback apparatus that has performed the recording when the program desired by the user is recorded by another recording / playback apparatus from the recorded program information acquired from the recording reservation apparatus. Therefore, a streaming data requesting unit that requests acquisition of program data and a streaming data response unit that transmits program data in response to the request may be provided.

また、前記録画予約装置は、番組情報等を基に番組放送の時間延長等の放送時間変更を検出する番組情収集手段と、当該番組の録画予約された録画再生装置に対して、時間変更を指示し、録画予約情報を更新する録画管理手段と、を備えてもよい。さらに、前記録画予約装置は、番組情報等を基に番組放送の時間延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、当該番組の録画予約された録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少ない場合、あるいは延長時間に既に録画予約がある場合は、当該録画再生装置の録画予約をキャンセルし、当該番組を録画するに必要な空き容量を持つ録画再生装置を前記録画再生機器情報から選定し、当該録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報を更新する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device changes the time for program information collecting means for detecting a broadcast time change such as a program broadcast time extension based on program information or the like, and a recording / playback device reserved for recording the program. Recording management means for instructing and updating recording reservation information. Further, the recording reservation device detects a change in broadcast time such as program broadcast time extension based on program information or the like, and when the recording medium of the recording / playback device reserved for recording the program has a small free space or an extension If there is already a recording reservation in time, the recording reservation of the recording / playback apparatus is canceled, a recording / playback apparatus having a free capacity necessary for recording the program is selected from the recording / playback apparatus information, and the recording / playback apparatus Recording management means for making a recording reservation and updating the recording management information may be provided.

また、前記録画予約装置は、番組情報等を基に延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、当該番組の録画予約を行う録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少なく、更に他の録画再生装置においても当該番組を録画する空き容量がない場合、前記録画再生装置情報を基に複数の録画再生装置の空き容量を合算し、当該番組の録画に必要な空き容量を確保できた場合、複数の録画再生装置でリレー録画を行うために複数の録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報を更新する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。あるいは、前記録画予約装置は、録画予約を行う際、当該番組を録画するに必要な容量と比較して個々の録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少ない場合、前記録画再生装置情報を基に複数の録画再生装置の空き容量を合算し、当該番組の録画に必要な空き容量を確保できた場合、複数の録画再生装置でリレー録画を行うために複数の録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報を更新する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。さらに、前記録画再生装置は、リレー録画された番組を再生する際、録画予約装置から取得した録画管理情報を基に、番組録画した録画再生装置を録画順にアクセスする番組再生手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device detects a change in broadcast time such as extension based on program information and the like, and the recording medium of the recording / playback device for making a recording reservation for the program has little free space. If there is no free space for recording the program, the free capacity of the plurality of recording / playback devices is added up based on the recording / playback device information, and if the free space necessary for recording the program can be secured, In order to perform relay recording in the playback device, a recording management unit may be provided that reserves recording in a plurality of recording and playback devices and updates the recording management information. Alternatively, when making a recording reservation, the recording reservation device, based on the recording / reproducing device information, if the recording medium of each recording / reproducing device has less free space than the capacity required for recording the program, Summing up the free space of multiple recording / playback devices, if the free space required to record the program can be secured, make a recording reservation for multiple recording / playback devices to perform relay recording with multiple recording / playback devices, Recording management means for updating the recording management information may be provided. Furthermore, the recording / playback apparatus may include program playback means for accessing the recording / playback apparatuses that have recorded the programs in the order of recording based on the recording management information acquired from the recording reservation apparatus when the relay recorded program is played back. .

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画予約を制御する録画再生装置を識別するため、録画再生装置のＭＡＣアドレス等を登録し、当該録画再生装置識別情報を管理する機器登録認証手段を備えてもよい。 The recording reservation device may further include device registration authentication means for registering the MAC address of the recording / playback device and managing the recording / playback device identification information in order to identify the recording / playback device that controls the recording reservation. .

また、前記録画予約装置は、ＬＡＮ等の通信手手段を介した録画再生装置からアクセスに対し、当該録画再生装置のＭＡＣアドレス等の識別情報が録画再生装置識別情報に含まれているか調べ、含まれていればアクセスを許可する機器登録認証手段を備えてもよい。さらに、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約を指示する録画予約装置を識別するため、録画予約装置のＭＡＣアドレス等を登録し、当該録画予約装置識別情報を管理する録画予約装置登録認証手段を備えてもよい。さらに、前記録画予約装置登録識別手段は、ＬＡＮ等の通信手手段を介した録画予約装置からアクセスに対し、当該録画予約装置のＭＡＣアドレス等の識別情報が録画予約装置識別情報に含まれているか調べ、含まれていればアクセスを許可してもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device checks whether the recording / playback device identification information includes identification information such as the MAC address of the recording / playback device for access from the recording / playback device via a communication means such as a LAN. If so, a device registration authentication means for permitting access may be provided. Furthermore, the recording / playback apparatus includes a recording reservation apparatus registration authentication unit for registering a MAC address of the recording reservation apparatus and managing the recording reservation apparatus identification information in order to identify the recording reservation apparatus that instructs the recording reservation. Also good. Further, when the recording reservation device registration identifying means is accessed from a recording reservation device via a communication means such as a LAN, does the recording reservation device identification information include identification information such as the MAC address of the recording reservation device? Check and allow access if included.

また、前記録画予約装置は、少なくともユーザＩＤを含むユーザに関する情報の登録を促し、ユーザ情報をして管理するユーザ登録認証手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation apparatus may include a user registration authentication unit that prompts registration of information related to a user including at least a user ID and manages the user information.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画再生装置からの録画予約を行う際、管理されているユーザ情報を基に、当該操作の可否を判断するユーザ登録認証手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device may include user registration authentication means for determining whether or not the operation is possible based on managed user information when making a recording reservation from the recording / playback device.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約システムを利用するユーザ登録を行い、当該ユーザ情報を録画予約装置に送信し、ユーザ登録を行うユーザ登録認証手段を備えてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may further include user registration authentication means for performing user registration using the recording reservation system, transmitting the user information to the recording reservation apparatus, and performing user registration.

また、前記録画再生装置は、ユーザが録画予約システムを利用する際、ユーザＩＤ入力を促し、録画予約等の操作時に録画予約装置に当該ユーザＩＤ情報を送信し、ユーザ認証を行うユーザ登録認証手段を備えてもよい。 Further, the recording / playback apparatus prompts the user ID input when the user uses the recording reservation system, and transmits the user ID information to the recording reservation apparatus at the time of an operation such as recording reservation, thereby performing user authentication. May be provided.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画された番組の予約ユーザが当該番組を視聴した際、未視聴ユーザ数を１つ減らす録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device may include recording management means for reducing the number of unviewed users by one when a reserved user of a recorded program views the program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画された番組の予約ユーザが当該番組を視聴した際、未視聴のユーザＩＤ等のユーザを識別する情報を削除する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device may include a recording management unit that deletes information identifying a user such as an unviewed user ID when a reserved user of a recorded program views the program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザ数を表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 Further, the recording reservation device may include a recording management means for displaying a program reserved for recording and the number of reserved users of the recording reservation program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device may include recording management means for displaying information specifying a user such as a recording reservation program and a reservation user ID of the recording reservation program.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザ数を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording / playback apparatus may include a recording management unit that inquires the recording reservation apparatus and displays the recording reservation program and the number of reserved users of the recording reservation program.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 The recording / reproducing apparatus may include a recording management unit that inquires and displays information specifying a user such as a program reserved for recording and a reserved user ID of the recording reserved program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画済み番組及び当該番組の未視聴ユーザ数を表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device may include a recording management means for displaying a recorded program and the number of unviewed users of the program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、録画済み番組及び当該番組の未視聴のユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation device may include recording management means for displaying information specifying a user such as a recorded program and an unviewed user ID of the program.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画された番組及び当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザ数を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may further comprise recording management means for inquiring the recording reservation apparatus and displaying the recorded program and the number of unviewed users of the recorded program.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画された番組及び当該録画済み番組の未視聴のユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may further include a recording management unit that inquires and displays information specifying a user such as a recorded program and an unviewed user ID of the recorded program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該ユーザが録画予約を行ったユーザであり、且つ未視聴である場合は、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザ数を１つ減らす録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, when the recording reservation device is instructed to delete a recorded program via the user or the recording / playback device, the recording reservation device is the user who made the recording reservation and has not been viewed. Recording management means for reducing the number of unviewed users of the program by one may be provided.

また、前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該ユーザが録画予約を行ったユーザであり、且つ未視聴である場合は、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザＩＤ等ユーザを特定する情報を削除する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, when the recording reservation device is instructed to delete a recorded program via the user or the recording / playback device, the recording reservation device is the user who made the recording reservation and has not been viewed. You may provide the recording management means to delete the information which identifies users, such as unviewed user ID of a program.

また、前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザ数が０である場合、当該録画済み番組を削除する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, when the recording reservation device is instructed to delete a recorded program via a user or a recording / playback device, the recording reservation device deletes the recorded program when the number of unviewed users of the recorded program is zero. Management means may be provided.

また、前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザＩＤ等ユーザを特定する情報がすべて削除されている場合、当該録画済み番組を削除する録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, when the recording reservation device is instructed to delete the recorded program via the user or the recording / playback device, when all the information specifying the user such as the unviewed user ID of the recorded program is deleted, Recording management means for deleting the recorded program may be provided.

また、前記録画予約装置は、他のユーザに対して録画予約情報及び録画済み番組情報を開示せずに録画予約を行う録画管理手段を備えてもよい。 In addition, the recording reservation apparatus may include a recording management unit that makes a recording reservation without disclosing recording reservation information and recorded program information to other users.

また、前記録画再生装置は、録画予約装置が持つ機能を含めてもよい。 The recording / playback apparatus may include a function of the recording reservation apparatus.

本発明の録画予約システムは、個々の録画再生装置に録画予約される録画予約情報をＬＡＮ等の通信手段を介して録画予約装置に通知し、録画予約装置はすべての録画再生装置のＨＤＤや光ディスク等の記録媒体の空き容量や録画予約情報を管理し、重複した録画予約要求に対しても最適な一台の録画再生装置を選択し、録画予約を行うことで録画再生装置全体の記録容量を有効に利用できるという利点がある。また、複数の録画再生装置への録画予約が必要な録画時間が重なる録画予約であっても、一つの録画再生装置から録画予約ができるという利点がある。 The recording reservation system of the present invention notifies recording reservation information to be reserved for recording to individual recording / playback apparatuses to the recording reservation apparatus via communication means such as a LAN, and the recording reservation apparatus includes HDDs and optical disks of all recording / playback apparatuses. Manage the free space of recording media and recording reservation information, select one recording and playback device that is optimal for duplicate recording reservation requests, and make recording reservations to reduce the recording capacity of the entire recording and playback device. There is an advantage that it can be used effectively. In addition, there is an advantage that a recording reservation can be made from a single recording / reproducing apparatus even if the recording reservations require overlapping recording times for a plurality of recording / reproducing apparatuses.

以下に本発明の実施の形態にかかる録画予約システムについて、図面を参照して説明する。 A recording reservation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

（実施の形態）
図１は、本発明の実施の形態による録画予約システムの構成を示すブロック図である。同図において、１０１は録画予約装置、１０２、１０３、１０４は録画再生装置で、１０５のローカルエリアネットワーク（ＬＡＮ）であり、それぞれの装置はＬＡＮに接続されている。ここで、録画再生装置は、１つ以上接続されるものとする。 (Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording reservation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 101 is a recording reservation device, 102, 103 and 104 are recording / playback devices, and 105 is a local area network (LAN), and each device is connected to the LAN. Here, it is assumed that one or more recording / playback apparatuses are connected.

図２は、本実施の形態の録画予約システムにおける録画予約装置（図１中の録画予約装置１００）の構成を示す機能ブロック図である。同図において、２０１は録画予約装置、２０２は記憶媒体中に記憶される録画再生装置情報、２０３は録画再生装置管理手段、２０４は記憶媒体中に記憶される録画管理情報、２０５は録画管理手段、２０６は機器登録認証手段、２０７はユーザ登録認証手段、２０８は入力手段、２０９は番組情報収集手段、２１０はネットワーク通信手段である。 FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a recording reservation device (recording reservation device 100 in FIG. 1) in the recording reservation system of the present embodiment. In the figure, 201 is a recording reservation apparatus, 202 is recording / playback apparatus information stored in a storage medium, 203 is recording / playback apparatus management means, 204 is recording management information stored in the storage medium, and 205 is recording management means. 206, device registration authentication means, 207, user registration authentication means, 208, input means, 209, program information collection means, and 210, network communication means.

ここで、録画移再生装置管理手段２０３は、各録画再生装置の記録媒体（ＨＤＤ、光ディスク、半導体メモリなど）の空き容量や録画予約などの動作状況を管理し、録画再生装置情報２０２として管理する。また、録画管理手段２０５は、入力手段２０８または録画再生装置からの録画予約要求に対し、録画再生装置情報２０２を基に録画可能な録画再生装置を選定して録画予約を指示し、録画管理情報２０４として管理する。 Here, the recording transfer / playback device management means 203 manages the operating status of the recording medium (HDD, optical disc, semiconductor memory, etc.) of each recording / playback device and the operation status such as recording reservation, and manages it as the recording / playback device information 202. . In response to a recording reservation request from the input unit 208 or the recording / playback device, the recording management unit 205 selects a recordable recording / playback device based on the recording / playback device information 202 and instructs the recording reservation, and the recording management information 204 is managed.

図３は、本実施の形態の録画予約システムにおける録画再生装置（図１中の録画再生装置１０２〜１０４）の構成を示す機能ブロック図である。同図において、３０１は録画再生装置、３０２は入力手段、３０３は番組情報収集手段、３０４は録画予約通知手段、３０５は記憶媒体中に記憶される録画予約情報、３０６は機器状態問合せ応答手段、３０７はリモート録画予約受付手段、３０８は受信手段としてのチューナ、３０９は番組録画手段、３１０は録画番組リスト取得手段、３１１は記憶媒体中に記憶される録画済み番組データ、３１２はストリーミングデータ要求手段、３１３はストリーミングデータ応答手段、３１４はネットワーク通信手段、３１５は番組再生手段、３１６はＡＶ出力手段、３１７は録画予約装置登録認証手段、３１８はユーザ登録認証手段である。 FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the recording / playback apparatus (recording / playback apparatuses 102 to 104 in FIG. 1) in the recording reservation system of the present embodiment. In the figure, 301 is a recording / playback apparatus, 302 is input means, 303 is program information collection means, 304 is recording reservation notification means, 305 is recording reservation information stored in a storage medium, 306 is equipment status inquiry response means, 307 is a remote recording reservation receiving unit, 308 is a tuner as a receiving unit, 309 is a program recording unit, 310 is a recorded program list acquisition unit, 311 is recorded program data stored in a storage medium, and 312 is a streaming data request unit. 313 is a streaming data response means, 314 is a network communication means, 315 is a program reproduction means, 316 is an AV output means, 317 is a recording reservation apparatus registration authentication means, and 318 is a user registration authentication means.

ここで、録画予約通知手段３０４は、ユーザに番組情報を開示し、ユーザからの録画予約を受付け、録画予約情報２０５を録画予約装置２０１に通知する。また、機器状態問合せ応答手段３０６は、録画予約装置２０１からの機器状態の問合せに応答する。また、リモート録画予約受付手段３０７は、録画予約装置２０１からの録画予約指示により、録画予約情報３０５を保存し、録画予約を行なう。 Here, the recording reservation notifying unit 304 discloses the program information to the user, receives the recording reservation from the user, and notifies the recording reservation information 201 to the recording reservation information 201. The device status inquiry response unit 306 responds to the device status inquiry from the recording reservation device 201. Further, the remote recording reservation receiving means 307 stores the recording reservation information 305 in accordance with the recording reservation instruction from the recording reservation device 201 and performs the recording reservation.

録画予約システムにおいて、機器登録・認証、ユーザ登録・認証を行う手順を図２、図３を用いて説明する。 The procedure for device registration / authentication and user registration / authentication in the recording reservation system will be described with reference to FIGS.

（機器登録・認証処理）
まず、機器登録、認証に関しては、録画予約装置２０１はユーザにより入力手段２０８を介して、機器登録を指示されると、機器登録認証手段２０６はユーザに登録機器の情報入力を促す。ユーザは、登録する録画再生装置のＭＡＣアドレス（メディア・アクセス・コントロール・アドレス）等の識別情報を、入力手段２０８を介して入力し、機器登録認証手段２０６は当該機器情報を登録、管理する。機器登録認証手段２０６は以後の録画再生装置からのアクセスがある場合には、登録した機器情報が存在するかを調べ、有ればアクセスを許可し、無ければアクセスを許可しない。 (Device registration / authentication process)
First, regarding device registration and authentication, when the recording reservation apparatus 201 is instructed to register a device via the input unit 208 by the user, the device registration authentication unit 206 prompts the user to input information on the registered device. The user inputs identification information such as the MAC address (media access control address) of the recording / playback apparatus to be registered through the input unit 208, and the device registration authentication unit 206 registers and manages the device information. The device registration authentication unit 206 checks whether the registered device information exists when there is a subsequent access from the recording / playback apparatus, and permits the access if there is, and does not permit the access if there is not.

また、録画再生装置３０１の録画予約装置登録認証手段３１７で、録画予約を指示する録画予約装置２０１を識別するために、そのＭＡＣアドレス等を登録し、録画予約装置識別情報を管理する。そして、録画予約装置２０１からのアクセスに対して、ＭＡＣアドレス等の識別情報が録画予約装置識別情報に含まれているかを調べ、含まれていればアクセスを許可する。 In addition, the recording reservation device registration / authentication unit 317 of the recording / playback device 301 registers the MAC address and the like to manage the recording reservation device identification information in order to identify the recording reservation device 201 instructing the recording reservation. Then, for access from the recording reservation device 201, it is checked whether identification information such as a MAC address is included in the recording reservation device identification information, and if it is included, access is permitted.

また、ユーザ登録・認証に関しては、録画予約装置２０１はユーザにより入力手段２０８を介して、ユーザ登録を指示されると、ユーザ登録認証手段２０７はユーザにユーザＩＤ等のユーザ識別情報の入力を促す。ユーザは登録するユーザの識別情報を、入力手段２０８を介して入力し、ユーザ登録認証手段２０７は当該ユーザ情報を登録、管理する。ユーザ登録認証手段２０７は以後の入力手段２０８や録画再生装置３０１からの操作を行う場合、ユーザを識別する情報の入力を促し、入力された情報が登録されたユーザ情報に存在するかどうかを調べ、無ければ操作を拒否する。 As for user registration / authentication, when the recording reservation apparatus 201 is instructed to perform user registration via the input means 208 by the user, the user registration authentication means 207 prompts the user to input user identification information such as a user ID. . The user inputs identification information of the user to be registered through the input unit 208, and the user registration authentication unit 207 registers and manages the user information. The user registration authentication unit 207 prompts for input of information for identifying the user when performing an operation from the input unit 208 or the recording / playback apparatus 301 thereafter, and checks whether the input information exists in the registered user information. If not, the operation is rejected.

ユーザ登録は録画再生装置３０１のユーザ登録認証手段３１８を介して同様に行うことができる。ユーザ登録認証手段３１８は入力されたユーザ情報を録画予約装置２０１のユーザ登録認証手段２０７に通知し、ユーザ登録認証手段２０７はそのユーザ情報を管理する。 User registration can be similarly performed via the user registration authentication means 318 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 301. The user registration authentication unit 318 notifies the input user information to the user registration authentication unit 207 of the recording reservation apparatus 201, and the user registration authentication unit 207 manages the user information.

（録画予約処理）
次に録画予約の処理手順に関して、図２、図３を用いて説明する。 (Recording reservation processing)
Next, the recording reservation processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

録画再生装置３０１の番組情報収集手段３０３は、インターネットの番組情報サイト或いはテレビ放送波から番組情報を収集する。ユーザは番組情報表示を入力手段３０２から指示し、番組情報収集手段３０３は番組表を表示するためにＡＶ出力手段３１６にデータを出力する。ユーザは、表示された番組表から録画したい番組を選択し、入力手段３０２からの指示に基づき録画予約通知手段３０４は、ネットワーク通信手段３１４を介して録画予約装置２０１に録画予約要求を通知する。 The program information collecting means 303 of the recording / reproducing apparatus 301 collects program information from a program information site on the Internet or a television broadcast wave. The user instructs display of program information from the input means 302, and the program information collection means 303 outputs data to the AV output means 316 in order to display the program guide. The user selects a program to be recorded from the displayed program guide, and based on an instruction from the input unit 302, the recording reservation notification unit 304 notifies the recording reservation device 201 of the recording reservation request via the network communication unit 314.

番組情報収集手段３０３は番組情報を自ら取得せず、録画予約装置２０１に問い合わせて、得た情報をユーザに開示してもよい。また、録画番組リスト取得手段３１０は、各録画再生装置で録画予約された全ての番組情報を録画予約装置２０１に要求してもよい。 The program information collection means 303 may not acquire the program information itself, but inquire the recording reservation device 201 and disclose the obtained information to the user. The recorded program list acquisition means 310 may request the recording reservation device 201 for all program information reserved for recording by each recording / playback device.

録画予約装置２０１は、ネットワーク通信手段２１０を介して、録画再生装置３０１からの録画予約要求を受け取る。録画予約装置２０１は、録画再生装置管理手順２０３により録画予約システム内の録画再生装置のＨＤＤ等の記録媒体の空き容量や録画再生の状況を監視し、常に録画再生装置の状況を録画再生機器情報２０２として保持している。録画予約装置２０１は、録画再生装置３０１から受け取った録画予約要求に対し、録画管理手段２０５で録画再生装置情報２０２を基に当該録画に最適な録画再生装置を選定し、当該録画再生装置に録画予約指示を出し、少なくとも、録画番組名、時間、録画品質、予約ユーザ名、録画予約した録画再生装置等を含む録画管理情報２０４として管理する。 The recording reservation device 201 receives a recording reservation request from the recording / playback device 301 via the network communication unit 210. The recording reservation device 201 monitors the free capacity of the recording medium such as the HDD of the recording / reproducing device in the recording reservation system and the recording / reproducing status by the recording / reproducing device management procedure 203, and always records the recording / reproducing device status in the recording / reproducing device information. 202 is held. In response to the recording reservation request received from the recording / reproducing apparatus 301, the recording reservation apparatus 201 selects the optimum recording / reproducing apparatus for the recording based on the recording / reproducing apparatus information 202 by the recording management unit 205, and records the recording / reproducing apparatus in the recording / reproducing apparatus. A reservation instruction is issued and managed as recording management information 204 including at least a recorded program name, time, recording quality, reserved user name, recording / playback apparatus reserved for recording, and the like.

また、録画管理手段２０５は、各録画再生装置で録画予約された全ての番組情報及び録画済みの番組リストを管理し、録画再生装置３０１からの録画予約された番組情報取得要求または録画済み番組情報取得要求に対して、該当する番組情報を送信してもよい。 In addition, the recording management unit 205 manages all the program information reserved for recording and the list of recorded programs in each recording / playback device, and requests for acquiring program information reserved for recording from the recording / playback device 301 or recorded program information. The corresponding program information may be transmitted in response to the acquisition request.

録画予約装置２０１により録画予約指示された録画再生装置３０１は、リモート録画予約受付手段３０７により、指示された内容を録画予約情報３０５として管理する。番組録画手段３０９は、録画予約された時間にチューナ３０８を介して受信して番組の録画を開始し、録画済み番組データ３１１に記録する。また、録画完了を録画予約装置２０１に通知し、録画管理手段２０５は録画完了したことを録画管理情報２０４に保存する。 The recording / playback apparatus 301 instructed by the recording reservation apparatus 201 to manage the instructed content as the recording reservation information 305 by the remote recording reservation receiving means 307. The program recording means 309 receives the recording reservation time via the tuner 308, starts recording the program, and records it in the recorded program data 311. Further, the recording reservation unit 201 is notified of the completion of recording, and the recording management unit 205 stores the completion of recording in the recording management information 204.

録画予約は録画再生装置３０１からだけでなく、録画予約装置２０１からもできる。番組情報収集手段２０９はインターネットの番組情報サイト等から番組情報を収集する。ユーザは番組情報表示を入力手段２０８から指示し、番組情報収集手段２０９は番組表を所定の表示手段（図示せず）に表示する。ユーザは録画したい番組を選択し、録画管理手段２０５に通知する。このとき、他のユーザの情報は表示されないので、ユーザ間のプライベートを守ることもできる。 The recording reservation can be made not only from the recording / reproducing apparatus 301 but also from the recording reservation apparatus 201. The program information collecting means 209 collects program information from a program information site on the Internet. The user instructs display of program information from the input unit 208, and the program information collection unit 209 displays the program table on a predetermined display unit (not shown). The user selects a program to be recorded and notifies the recording management means 205 of the program. At this time, since the information of other users is not displayed, it is possible to protect the privateness between the users.

（再生処理）
次に録画済み番組の再生手順に関して、図２、図３を用いて説明する。 (Reproduction processing)
Next, the playback procedure of the recorded program will be described with reference to FIGS.

録画再生装置３０１はユーザからの録画済み番組リストの取得のため、録画番組リスト取得手段３１０によりネットワークを介して、録画予約装置２０１の録画管理手段２０５に録画済み番組のリストを要求する。録画管理手段２０５は録画管理情報２０４に基づき録画済み番組リストを返信する。録画番組リスト取得手段３１０はユーザに録画済み番組リストを開示し、選択を促す。ユーザは所望の番組を入力手段３０２により選択する。番組再生手段３１５は、指定された録画番組の所在を録画予約装置２０１から得た録画済み番組リストから調べ、自録画再生装置内に記録されている場合は、その録画済み番組データ３１１から読み出し、ＡＶ出力３１６に出力する。他の録画再生装置に録画されている場合は、ストリーミングデータ要求手段３１２を介して、録画されている録画再生装置のストリーミングデータ応答手段３１３から番組データを取得する。番組再生手段３１５は取得したデータから逐次再生し、ＡＶ出力３１６に出力する。 In order to acquire a recorded program list from the user, the recording / reproducing apparatus 301 requests the recorded program list from the recording management unit 205 of the recording reservation apparatus 201 via the network by the recorded program list acquisition unit 310. The recording management unit 205 returns a recorded program list based on the recording management information 204. The recorded program list acquisition means 310 discloses the recorded program list to the user and prompts the user to select it. The user selects a desired program using the input unit 302. The program playback means 315 checks the location of the designated recorded program from the recorded program list obtained from the recording reservation device 201, and if it is recorded in the self-recording / playback device, reads it from the recorded program data 311, Output to AV output 316. When the video is recorded in another recording / playback apparatus, the program data is acquired from the streaming data response means 313 of the recorded recording / playback apparatus via the streaming data request means 312. The program reproducing means 315 sequentially reproduces the acquired data and outputs it to the AV output 316.

（番組削除処理）
次に録画済み番組の削除手順に関して、図２、図３を用いて説明する。 (Program deletion process)
Next, a procedure for deleting a recorded program will be described with reference to FIGS.

録画予約装置２０１の録画管理手段２０５は、番組毎に録画予約を要求したユーザ数、ユーザ識別情報を管理する。録画再生装置３０１は番組再生手段３１５を介して録画済み番組視聴済み情報や削除要求を録画予約装置２０１の録画管理手段２０５に通知する。録画管理手段２０５は削除要求がある毎に録画済み番組のユーザ数を１つ減らし、０になった際に削除する。録画管理手段２０５はユーザ識別情報を管理しているため、どのユーザが未視聴か、削除要求を出していないかをユーザからの要求で表示する。 The recording management unit 205 of the recording reservation apparatus 201 manages the number of users who requested recording reservation for each program and user identification information. The recording / playback device 301 notifies the recorded management device 205 of the recording reservation device 201 of the recorded program viewing / listening information and the deletion request via the program playback unit 315. The recording management unit 205 decrements the number of recorded program users by one each time there is a deletion request, and deletes the recorded program when it reaches zero. Since the recording management unit 205 manages user identification information, it displays which user has not been viewed and whether a deletion request has been issued in response to a request from the user.

以上のように本実施の形態による録画予約システムによれば、録画予約装置１００で複数の録画再生装置における録画予約を一括管理し、複数の録画再生装置で同じ番組を重複して録画することを排除し、各録画再生装置の記録媒体を有効に利用することができる。 As described above, according to the recording reservation system according to the present embodiment, the recording reservation device 100 collectively manages recording reservations in a plurality of recording / playback devices, and the plurality of recording / playback devices record the same program in duplicate. Therefore, the recording medium of each recording / playback apparatus can be used effectively.

なお、録画予約装置２０１の番組情収集手段２０９は、番組情報等を基に番組放送の時間延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、録画管理手段２０５は、その番組の録画予約された録画再生装置に対して、時間変更を指示し、録画予約情報を更新するようにしてもよい。また、録画管理手段２０５は、番組情報等を基に番組放送の時間延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、当該番組の録画予約された録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少ない場合、あるいは延長時間に既に録画予約がある場合は、その録画再生装置の録画予約をキャンセルし、当該番組を録画するに必要な空き容量を持つ録画再生装置を録画再生機器情報２０２から選定し、当該録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報２０４を更新してもよい。または、録画管理手段２０５は、番組情報等を基に延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、当該番組の録画予約を行う録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少なく、更に他の録画再生装置においても当該番組を録画する空き容量がない場合、録画再生装置情報２０２を基に複数の録画再生装置の空き容量を合算し、当該番組の録画に必要な空き容量を確保できた場合、複数の録画再生装置でリレー録画を行うために複数の録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報２０４を更新するようにしてもよい。この場合、所定時間の重なりが生じるように録画予約するとよい。 Note that the program information collecting means 209 of the recording reservation device 201 detects a broadcast time change such as an extension of the program broadcast time based on the program information and the like, and the recording management means 205 is a recording / playback device in which the recording of the program is reserved. On the other hand, a time change may be instructed to update the recording reservation information. The recording management means 205 detects a change in broadcast time such as program broadcast time extension based on program information or the like, and if the recording medium of the recording / playback apparatus reserved for recording the program has a small free space, or the extension If there is already a recording reservation at the time, the recording reservation of the recording / playback apparatus is canceled, a recording / playback apparatus having a free capacity necessary for recording the program is selected from the recording / playback apparatus information 202, and the recording / playback apparatus The recording management information 204 may be updated by making a recording reservation. Alternatively, the recording management unit 205 detects a change in the broadcast time such as extension based on the program information and the like, and the recording medium of the recording / playback apparatus that reserves recording of the program has a small free space. If there is no free space for recording the program, the free space of the plurality of recording / playback devices is added up based on the recording / playback device information 202, and when the free space necessary for recording the program can be secured, a plurality of recordings are recorded. In order to perform relay recording in the playback device, recording reservation may be made to a plurality of recording and playback devices, and the recording management information 204 may be updated. In this case, it is preferable to make a recording reservation so that a predetermined time overlap occurs.

また、録画管理手段２０５は、録画予約を行う際、当該番組を録画するに必要な容量と比較して個々の録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少ない場合、録画再生装置情報２０２を基に複数の録画再生装置の空き容量を合算し、当該番組の録画に必要な空き容量を確保できた場合、複数の録画再生装置でリレー録画を行うために複数の録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報２０４を更新してもよい。 In addition, when recording reservation is made, the recording management unit 205 uses the recording / reproducing apparatus information 202 when the recording medium of each recording / reproducing apparatus has less free space than the capacity necessary for recording the program. Summing up the free space of multiple recording / playback devices, if the free space required to record the program can be secured, make a recording reservation for multiple recording / playback devices to perform relay recording with multiple recording / playback devices, The recording management information 204 may be updated.

また、番組再生手段３１５は、リレー録画された番組を再生する際、録画予約装置２０１から取得した録画管理情報２０４を基に、番組録画した録画再生装置を録画順にアクセスする。 Further, when playing back a program that has been relay-recorded, the program playback means 315 accesses the recording / playback devices that have recorded the program in the order of recording based on the recording management information 204 acquired from the recording reservation device 201.

本発明にかかる録画予約システムは、複数の録画再生装置に対する録画予約を一元的に録画予約装置で管理し調停するので各記録媒体の有効利用と重複動作を回避することがきるという効果を有し、ネットワークを利用した録画予約サービスにおいて、家庭内に設置される記録再生機器、サーバー機器、映像再生装置の種々の機器等として有用である。 The recording reservation system according to the present invention has an effect that the recording reservation for a plurality of recording / playback apparatuses is centrally managed and adjusted by the recording reservation apparatus, so that the effective use of each recording medium and the overlapping operation can be avoided. In a recording reservation service using a network, it is useful as various devices such as a recording / playback device, a server device, and a video playback device installed in a home.

本発明の実施の形態による録画予約システムの構成を示すブロック図The block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording reservation system by embodiment of this invention 同録画予約システムの録画予約装置の構成を示す機能ブロック図Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the recording reservation device of the recording reservation system 同録画予約システムの録画再生装置の構成を示す機能ブロック図Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the recording / playback apparatus of the recording reservation system

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０１、２０１録画予約装置
１０２〜１０４、３０１録画再生装置
１０５ＬＡＮ
２０２録画再生装置情報
２０３録画再生装置管理手段
２０４録画管理情報
２０５録画管理手段
２０６機器登録認証手段
２０７ユーザ登録認証手段
２０８入力手段
２０９番組情報収集手段
２１０ネットワーク通信手段
３０２入力手段
３０３番組情報収集手段
３０４録画予約通知手段
３０５録画予約情報
３０６機器状態問合せ応答手段
３０７リモート録画予約受付手段
３０８チューナ
３０９番組録画手段
３１０録画番組リスト取得手段
３１１録画済み番組データ
３１２ストリーミングデータ要求手段
３１３ストリーミングデータ応答手段
３１４ネットワーク通信手段
３１５番組再生手段
３１６ＡＶ出力手段
３１７録画予約装置登録認証手段
３１８ユーザ登録認証手段 101, 201 Recording reservation device 102-104, 301 Recording / playback device 105 LAN
202 Recording / playback apparatus information 203 Recording / playback apparatus management means 204 Recording management information 205 Recording management means 206 Device registration authentication means 207 User registration authentication means 208 Input means 209 Program information collection means 210 Network communication means 302 Input means 303 Program information collection means 304 Recording reservation notification means 305 Recording reservation information 306 Device status inquiry response means 307 Remote recording reservation reception means 308 Tuner 309 Program recording means 310 Recorded program list acquisition means 311 Recorded program data 312 Streaming data request means 313 Streaming data response means 314 Network communication Means 315 Program playback means 316 AV output means 317 Recording reservation apparatus registration authentication means 318 User registration authentication means

Claims

少なくとも１つ以上の録画再生装置と前記録画再生装置の録画予約を管理する録画予約装置とからなる録画予約システムであって、
前記録画予約装置は、
前記録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量や録画予約等の動作状況を監視し、録画再生装置情報として管理する録画再生装置管理手段と、
前記録画再生装置との通信を行うネットワーク通信手段と、
ユーザからの入力を受け付ける入力手段と、
ユーザ入力又は前記録画再生装置からの録画予約要求に対し、前記録画再生装置情報を基に録画可能な録画再生装置を選定し、当該録画再生装置に録画予約を指示し、録画管理情報として管理する録画管理手段と、を備え、
前記録画再生装置は、
録画のための映像信号を受信する受信手段と、
前記録画予約装置との通信を行うネットワーク通信手段と、
ユーザ入力を受け付ける入力手段と、
番組情報を収集する番組情報収集手段と、
ユーザに前記番組情報を開示し、ユーザからの録画予約を受付け、当該録画予約情報を前記録画予約装置に通知する録画予約通知手段と、
前記録画予約装置からの機器状態の問い合わせに応答する機器状態問合せ応答手段と、
前記録画予約装置からの録画予約指示により、当該録画予約情報を保存し、録画予約を行うリモート録画予約受付手段と、
録画予約された番組を指定時間に録画モード等の指定条件で録画する番組録画手段と、
録画された番組を再生する番組再生手段と、を備えることを特徴とする録画予約システム。 A recording reservation system comprising at least one recording / reproducing device and a recording reservation device for managing a recording reservation of the recording / reproducing device,
The recording reservation device
Recording / playback device management means for monitoring the operating status of the recording medium of the recording / playback device, such as a free space and recording reservation, and managing it as recording / playback device information;
Network communication means for communicating with the recording / playback apparatus;
Input means for receiving input from the user;
In response to a user input or a recording reservation request from the recording / reproducing apparatus, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording is selected based on the recording / reproducing apparatus information, and a recording reservation is instructed to the recording / reproducing apparatus and managed as recording management information. Recording management means,
The recording / playback apparatus comprises:
Receiving means for receiving a video signal for recording;
Network communication means for communicating with the recording reservation device;
Input means for accepting user input;
Program information collecting means for collecting program information;
A recording reservation notification means for disclosing the program information to the user, receiving a recording reservation from the user, and notifying the recording reservation device of the recording reservation information;
A device status inquiry response means for responding to a device status inquiry from the recording reservation device;
Remote recording reservation accepting means for storing the recording reservation information according to the recording reservation instruction from the recording reservation device and performing recording reservation;
Program recording means for recording a program reserved for recording at a specified time under a specified condition such as a recording mode;
A recording reservation system, comprising: a program reproducing means for reproducing a recorded program.

前記録画再生装置は、番組情報を自ら取得せず前記録画予約装置に問い合わせ、ユーザに開示する番組情報収集手段を備え、
前記録画予約装置は、インターネットやテレビ放送波等から番組情報を収集し、前記録画再生装置からの番組情報取得要求に応答する番組情報収集手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording / reproducing apparatus includes a program information collecting means for inquiring of the recording reservation apparatus without acquiring program information by itself and disclosing to a user,
2. The recording reservation according to claim 1, further comprising program information collection means for collecting program information from the Internet, a television broadcast wave, etc., and responding to a program information acquisition request from the recording / playback apparatus. system.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画予約されたすべての番組情報の取得を前記録画予約装置に要求する録画番組リスト取得手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording / playback apparatus includes a recorded program list acquisition unit that requests the recording reservation apparatus to acquire all program information reserved for recording by the recording / playback apparatus in the recording reservation system. Recording reservation system.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画されたすべての番組情報の取得を前記録画予約装置に要求する録画番組リスト取得手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording according to claim 1, wherein the recording / playback apparatus comprises a recorded program list acquisition means for requesting the recording reservation apparatus to acquire all program information recorded by the recording / playback apparatus in the recording reservation system. Reservation system.

前記録画予約装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画予約されたすべての番組情報を管理し、前記録画再生装置からの録画予約された番組情報取得要求に対して当該番組情報を送信する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device manages all program information reserved for recording by a recording / playback device in the recording reservation system, and transmits the program information in response to a recording reservation program information acquisition request from the recording / playback device. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising recording management means.

前記録画予約装置は、録画予約システム内の録画再生装置で録画済みの番組リストを管理し、録画再生装置からの録画済み番組情報取得要求に対して当該録画済み番組情報を送信する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device includes a recording management means for managing a recorded program list by a recording / reproducing device in a recording reservation system and transmitting the recorded program information in response to a recorded program information acquisition request from the recording / reproducing device. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising:

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約装置から取得した録画済み番組情報からユーザが視聴を所望する番組が当該録画再生装置で録画されている場合に、当該録画番組を再生する番組再生手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording / reproducing apparatus includes a program reproducing unit that reproduces the recorded program when a program that the user desires to view is recorded from the recorded program information acquired from the recording reservation apparatus. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein:

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約装置から取得した録画済み番組情報からユーザが所望する番組が他の録画再生装置で録画されている場合、録画を行った録画再生装置に対してストリーミング再生のために番組データ取得を要求するストリーミングデータ要求手段と、当該要求に応答し、番組データを送信するストリーミングデータ応答手段と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 When the program desired by the user is recorded in another recording / playback device from the recorded program information acquired from the recording reservation device, the recording / playback device is used for streaming playback with respect to the recorded recording / playback device. 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising: streaming data requesting means for requesting acquisition of program data; and streaming data response means for transmitting program data in response to the request.

前記録画予約装置は、番組情報等を基に番組放送の時間延長等の放送時間変更を検出する番組情収集手段と、当該番組の録画予約された録画再生装置に対して、時間変更を指示し、録画予約情報を更新する録画管理手段と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項２記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation apparatus instructs program information collecting means for detecting a broadcast time change such as a program broadcast time extension based on program information and the like, and a recording / playback apparatus reserved for recording the program to instruct the time change. 3. A recording reservation system according to claim 2, further comprising recording management means for updating recording reservation information.

前記録画予約装置は、番組情報等を基に番組放送の時間延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、当該番組の録画予約された録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少ない場合、あるいは延長時間に既に録画予約がある場合は、当該録画再生装置の録画予約をキャンセルし、当該番組を録画するに必要な空き容量を持つ録画再生装置を前記録画再生機器情報から選定し、当該録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報を更新する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項９記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device detects a broadcast time change such as an extension of the program broadcast time based on program information or the like, and when the recording medium of the recording / playback device reserved for recording the program has a small free space, or at an extended time If there is already a recording reservation, cancel the recording reservation of the recording / playback device, select a recording / playback device having a free space necessary for recording the program from the recording / playback device information, and record the recording / playback device to the recording / playback device. 10. A recording reservation system according to claim 9, further comprising recording management means for making a reservation and updating the recording management information.

前記録画予約装置は、番組情報等を基に延長等の放送時間変更を検出し、当該番組の録画予約を行う録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少なく、更に他の録画再生装置においても当該番組を録画する空き容量がない場合、前記録画再生装置情報を基に複数の録画再生装置の空き容量を合算し、当該番組の録画に必要な空き容量を確保できた場合、複数の録画再生装置でリレー録画を行うために複数の録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報を更新する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項９記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device detects a change in broadcast time such as extension based on program information, etc., and the recording medium of the recording / playback device that reserves recording of the program has little free space, and also in other recording / playback devices When there is no free space for recording a program, based on the recording / playback device information, the free space of a plurality of recording / playback devices is added up, and when the free space necessary for recording the program can be secured, a plurality of recording / playback devices 10. The recording reservation system according to claim 9, further comprising recording management means for reserving recording in a plurality of recording and reproducing devices for performing relay recording and updating recording management information.

前記録画予約装置は、録画予約を行う際、当該番組を録画するに必要な容量と比較して個々の録画再生装置の記録媒体の空き容量が少ない場合、前記録画再生装置情報を基に複数の録画再生装置の空き容量を合算し、当該番組の録画に必要な空き容量を確保できた場合、複数の録画再生装置でリレー録画を行うために複数の録画再生装置に録画予約を行い、録画管理情報を更新する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device, when making a recording reservation, if the recording medium of each recording / playback device has a small free space compared to the capacity required to record the program, a plurality of recording reservation devices based on the recording / playback device information. When the free space of the recording / playback device is added up and the free space necessary for recording the program is secured, the recording reservation is made to the multiple recording / playback devices in order to perform relay recording with the multiple recording / playback devices, and the recording management is performed. 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising recording management means for updating information.

前記録画再生装置は、リレー録画された番組を再生する際、録画予約装置から取得した録画管理情報を基に、番組録画した録画再生装置を録画順にアクセスする番組再生手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１１または１２に記載の録画予約システム。 The recording / reproducing apparatus includes program reproducing means for accessing the recording / reproducing apparatuses that have recorded the programs in the order of recording based on the recording management information acquired from the recording reservation apparatus when the relay-recorded program is reproduced. The recording reservation system according to claim 11 or 12.

前記録画予約装置は、録画予約を制御する録画再生装置を識別するため、録画再生装置のＭＡＣアドレス等を登録し、当該録画再生装置識別情報を管理する機器登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device includes device registration authentication means for registering the MAC address of the recording / playback device and managing the recording / playback device identification information in order to identify the recording / playback device that controls the recording reservation. The recording reservation system according to claim 1.

前記録画予約装置は、ＬＡＮ等の通信手手段を介した録画再生装置からアクセスに対し、当該録画再生装置のＭＡＣアドレス等の識別情報が録画再生装置識別情報に含まれているか調べ、含まれていればアクセスを許可する機器登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device checks whether or not identification information such as the MAC address of the recording / playback device is included in the recording / playback device identification information for access from the recording / playback device via a communication means such as a LAN. 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising device registration authentication means for permitting access.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約を指示する録画予約装置を識別するため、録画予約装置のＭＡＣアドレス等を登録し、当該録画予約装置識別情報を管理する録画予約装置登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１５記載の録画予約システム。 The recording / playback apparatus includes a recording reservation apparatus registration authentication unit that registers a MAC address of the recording reservation apparatus and manages the recording reservation apparatus identification information in order to identify the recording reservation apparatus that instructs the recording reservation. The recording reservation system according to claim 15.

前記録画予約装置登録認証手段は、ＬＡＮ等の通信手手段を介した録画予約装置からアクセスに対し、当該録画予約装置のＭＡＣアドレス等の識別情報が録画予約装置識別情報に含まれているか調べ、含まれていればアクセスを許可することを特徴とする請求項１６記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device registration authentication means checks whether the recording reservation device identification information includes identification information such as a MAC address of the recording reservation device for access from the recording reservation device via a communication means such as a LAN, 17. The recording reservation system according to claim 16, wherein access is permitted if it is included.

前記録画予約装置は、少なくともユーザＩＤを含むユーザに関する情報の登録を促し、ユーザ情報をして管理するユーザ登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation apparatus includes a user registration authentication unit that prompts registration of information about a user including at least a user ID and manages the user information.

前記録画予約装置は、録画再生装置からの録画予約を行う際、管理されているユーザ情報を基に、当該操作の可否を判断するユーザ登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The said recording reservation apparatus is provided with the user registration authentication means which judges the propriety of the said operation based on the managed user information, when performing the recording reservation from a recording / reproducing apparatus. Recording reservation system.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約システムを利用するユーザ登録を行い、当該ユーザ情報を録画予約装置に送信し、ユーザ登録を行うユーザ登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation according to claim 1, further comprising user registration authenticating means for performing user registration using the recording reservation system, transmitting the user information to the recording reservation apparatus, and performing user registration. system.

前記録画再生装置は、ユーザが録画予約システムを利用する際、ユーザＩＤ入力を促し、録画予約等の操作時に録画予約装置に当該ユーザＩＤ情報を送信し、ユーザ認証を行うユーザ登録認証手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording / playback apparatus includes user registration authentication means for prompting a user ID input when a user uses the recording reservation system, transmitting the user ID information to the recording reservation apparatus during an operation such as recording reservation, and performing user authentication. The recording reservation system according to claim 1.

前記録画予約装置は、録画された番組の予約ユーザが当該番組を視聴した際、未視聴ユーザ数を１つ減らす録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation device comprises recording management means for reducing the number of unviewed users by one when a reserved user of a recorded program views the program.

前記録画予約装置は、録画された番組の予約ユーザが当該番組を視聴した際、未視聴のユーザＩＤ等のユーザを識別する情報を削除する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising recording management means for deleting information for identifying a user such as an unviewed user ID when a reserved user of a recorded program views the program. Recording reservation system.

前記録画予約装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザ数を表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation apparatus includes a recording management means for displaying a recording reservation program and the number of reserved users of the recording reservation program.

前記録画予約装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation device comprises a recording management means for displaying information specifying a user such as a reserved program and a reserved user ID of the reserved recording program.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザ数を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus comprises recording management means for inquiring and displaying a recording reservation program and the number of reserved users of the recording reservation program to the recording reservation apparatus.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約された番組及び当該録画予約番組の予約ユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus comprises recording management means for inquiring and displaying information specifying a user such as a recording reservation program and a reserved user ID of the recording reservation program to the recording reservation apparatus. Recording reservation system.

前記録画予約装置は、録画済み番組及び当該番組の未視聴ユーザ数を表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation apparatus comprises a recording management means for displaying a recorded program and the number of unviewed users of the program.

前記録画予約装置は、録画済み番組及び当該番組の未視聴のユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation apparatus comprises recording management means for displaying information specifying a user such as a recorded program and an unviewed user ID of the program.

前記録画再生装置は、録画された番組及び当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザ数を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus comprises recording management means for inquiring and displaying the recorded program and the number of unviewed users of the recorded program from the recording reservation apparatus.

前記録画再生装置は、録画された番組及び当該録画済み番組の未視聴のユーザＩＤ等のユーザを特定する情報を録画予約装置に問い合わせ、表示する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus comprises recording management means for inquiring and displaying information specifying a user such as a recorded program and an unviewed user ID of the recorded program from the recording reservation apparatus. The recording reservation system described.

前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該ユーザが録画予約を行ったユーザであり、且つ未視聴である場合は、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザ数を１つ減らす録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 When the recording reservation device is instructed to delete the recorded program via the user or the recording / playback device, the recording reservation device is the user who made the recording reservation and has not yet viewed it. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising recording management means for reducing the number of unviewed users by one.

前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該ユーザが録画予約を行ったユーザであり、且つ未視聴である場合は、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザＩＤ等ユーザを特定する情報を削除する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 When the recording reservation device is instructed to delete the recorded program via the user or the recording / playback device, the recording reservation device is the user who made the recording reservation and has not yet viewed it. 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising recording management means for deleting information identifying a user such as an unviewed user ID.

前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザ数が０である場合、当該録画済み番組を削除する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation device deletes the recorded program when the number of unviewed users of the recorded program is 0 when an instruction to delete the recorded program is given via the user or the recording / playback device. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising:

前記録画予約装置は、ユーザ又は録画再生装置を介して録画済み番組の削除を指示された際、当該録画済み番組の未視聴ユーザＩＤ等ユーザを特定する情報がすべて削除されている場合、当該録画済み番組を削除する録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 When the recording reservation device is instructed to delete a recorded program via a user or a recording / playback device, if all information specifying the user such as an unviewed user ID of the recorded program has been deleted, 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, further comprising recording management means for deleting a completed program.

前記録画予約装置は、他のユーザに対して録画予約情報及び録画済み番組情報を開示せずに録画予約を行う録画管理手段を備えることを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 2. The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording reservation apparatus comprises recording management means for making a recording reservation without disclosing recording reservation information and recorded program information to other users.

前記録画再生装置は、録画予約装置が持つ機能を含むことを特徴とする請求項１記載の録画予約システム。 The recording reservation system according to claim 1, wherein the recording / playback apparatus includes a function of a recording reservation apparatus.