Method and apparatus for recording and reproduction of contents

The invention relates to a method for recording and reproducing content and a device for carrying out the said method.

Known are devices for recording of broadcasts from television programs according to an assessment made by the user preselection, For example, analog and digital video recorders. The Selection of the recorded program is determined from directly made a television program and manually programmed. The user need not be present for the recording itself, but must insert time videocassettes and manually register on which videotape which recorded broadcast has been. To record programs from radio programs, the user must be present at the beginning of the program in time start and end and the recording manually.

Furthermore, it is known, is content - mainly music programs<ul><li>together on a computer and that content automatically to a portable device, as for example, by Apple Inc. is marketed under the name I-Pod, to load once it is connected to the computer. Such a device has a sufficiently large hard disk, to it, large amounts of audio and video broadcasts or to save text files, the mobile user with can wear. For example, can be on a hard drive different having a storage capacity of 5 GB about 1000 Save music.</li></ul>

It is already possible, hard drives with a capacity of produce 100 GB, with this capacity in the foreseeable future may be increased time several orders of magnitude. dealing with storage media of this size is certainly no longer possible in the usual way. For example, a few thousand or ten thousand songs manually recorded on a disk and the disk is not be searched for a particular piece of music. furthermore The question arises, how can be avoided that the Memory filled with useless or unwanted information is, or as information that is not needed anymore are unnecessary and take up space, from memory can be deleted. For example it is impossible manually browse thousands of songs in such a way whether the user is no longer desired title under are them.

Object of the invention is that problems shown in Recording and playback of content on a very large Memory to solve.

This object is achieved by a method for recording and reproducing content according to claim 1 and by an apparatus for recording and reproducing content according to claim 23rd

Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are given in the subclaims.

If a very large memory automatically filled with content be, this can be in a very large range of data only take place based on rules. An explicit manual labeling of programs that should be saved by the user is no longer sufficient. Therefore, there is according to the invention A method of recording and reproducing content therein, at least one recording / storage unit and at least to use a memory / reproducing unit, wherein the allocated at least one recording / storage unit according to their first rule set records content, caches, managed and, optionally, erased, and at least one Part of the contents in each case for a second set of rules in the at least one storage / playback unit is transferred, and stored by the associated second set of rules, is managed and possibly deleted. The place where the two sets of rules are stored, is of the assignment usually sets independently, so that both sets of rules on the recording / storage unit or the first set of rules on the recording / storage unit and the second set of rules on the Storage / playback unit can be saved.

The at least one recording / storage unit is used by the first rule set as a filter from a wide range save record worthy content locally while the storage / playback unit via the second set of rules as access additional filters to the preselected content can. The rules specify content recorded kind should be such that a manual selection of content or even the presence of the user in time for Recording deleted.

Preferably, the content of broadcast programs, in particular from generally accessible radio and television programs, recorded. The daily broadcast radio programs as radio and television have an almost inexhaustible Amount of content, from the first to the ruleset content selected and buffered on the recording / storage unit will. Here, the recording / storage unit at any time to all broadcasts access. The first rule set contains the information which recorded program which station at what time to be. To avoid overlapping, if z. B. several shipments interesting for the user at the same time are transmitted, it is advantageous for several radio receiver parallel to connect the recording / storage unit.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least a storage / reproduction unit of the at least an acquisition / storage unit are separated, said Unit preferably designed with respect to their dimensions so is that they can be worn by the user without any effort. The user can thus a selected amount of content mobile carry with them during the recording / storage unit continues to record local content.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention included the first rule sets defined by the user preferences respect from the desired broadcasting program to be recorded Content. The first set of rules is thus a user individually defined filter that out of the broadcast program only such content is recorded, the Users interested. Preferably, the preferences are only on the associated recording / storage unit and the associated Storage / playback unit accessible, so that the privacy the user is guaranteed. The information about the Preferences of the user should therefore not outwardly be issued so that the user no undesirable Advertising that could be tailored to meet him replaced.

Preferably, the content of the at least one recording / storage unit on the at least one memory / reproducing unit transferred as soon as the at least one recording / storage unit and the at least one memory / reproducing unit contact each other. Of course Multiple recording / storage devices and more Storage / playback units on the method for recording and reproducing content be involved. The content are respectively in contact of any pairs from each a recording / storing unit and a respective storage / reproducing unit converted as described. This ensures, that the new from the recording / storage unit recorded contents to the storage / playback unit are available as soon as possible. Advantageously, the Contact between the at least one receiving / storage unit and the at least one memory / reproducing unit via a cable connection, a radio or a data network connection is established.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is in at least one recording / storage unit each a first set of rules and in the at least one storage / playback unit respectively, a second set of rules is stored. This is advantageous because the first rule set the contact between Broadcasting and recording / storage unit controls the however, second set of rules for the exchange between the receiving / storage unit and storage / playback unit responsible is. Because multiple storage / playback units on a recording / storage unit may be connected with the various Storage / playback units of different Users can be used with different preferences, may vary the second rule sets. Especially be it special than what's in the record / storage unit assigned first rule set, so that it is advantageous, depending on a second set of rules on the respective Storage / playback unit assigned to a particular user. From memory reasons it may be necessary be that the second set of rules, the selection of the Storage / playback unit stored data determines special than the first set of rules. Thus, the recording / storage unit a larger memory - and possibly additional resources - as the memory / Wiedergabeeinbeit have what there to store larger amounts of data to a general first ruleset allowed. Especially for a local processing of the second set of rules on the storage / playback unit is a storage of the second set of rules directly to the associated storage / playback unit advantageous. The second set of rules may are hereby also be processed if the Portable is not is connected to the intermediates.

Preferably, the recorded from the broadcast program Content of the at least one recording / storage unit based on the associated first set of rules with certain Additional information provided. The additional information allows on the one hand easier retrieval of recorded Content on the memory. On the other hand, they may also provide the user appear to him briefly informed about the contents. With the additional information may be program-related trade data, such. as the date, time and duration of the Recording, the station name and mission.

Particularly suitable as additional information for both the user for information about the contents as well as for organized Storage and retrieval of content on the memory specific keywords that characterize the content of the recording. Particularly advantageous as additional information Tags that are associated with the user's preferences stand, which led to the recording of the content. The additional information and / or the keywords can also a source other than the broadcast, for example, an available via a data network Description Broadcasting content, are removed. Course can also the entire text of this description of the broadcast content as additional information to the recorded content be linked.

If there is no additional information, it is possible, the broadcast content with a speech recognition program check from the recovered text tags as Additional Information refer to. Advantageously, the Broadcast content of a speech recognition program to predetermined Tags from a dictionary checked, in which the compiled by the user frequently used Tags are. This method is both less complex than the entire broadcast content of a speech recognition program to convert them into text and delivers also meaningful Additional information. On the other hand can be characterized, that the broadcast content is checked for tags, used even often by the user, the content easily classify the recording / storage unit and the Users can quickly identify whether the content of interest to them is.

Preferably, the second set of rules of the associated storage / re-encoder unit be modified by the user. Thereby the user of the storage / reproduction unit, the content, of a recording / storing unit to its storage / reproducing unit be converted, according to his preferences shape. For example, he may at a meeting with other users Information obtained about exciting content immediately note in the second set of rules.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention calls for the at least one storage / playback unit by means of the associated second rule set content of the at least one Recording / storage unit on. Thus, the user of a Storage / playback unit active on the second set of rules to decide which content to its storage / playback unit to be loaded. Preferably upon contact of the at least one recording / storage unit and the at least one storage / reproducing unit based on the second set of rules of storage / playback unit, the additional information the information recorded in the recording / storing unit Content for content that the memory / reproducing unit are to be transferred, searches. Of the Search operation is performed, for example, using an index the content and its additional information. This ensures, that the user of the memory / display unit which Content gets that match their preferences.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention acts upon contact of the at least one receiving / storage unit and the at least one memory / reproducing unit the second set of rules on the first set of rules back. are all variations of the second set of rules thus automatically taken from the first set of rules, so that the recording behavior of the receiving / storage unit in accordance with the change in preferences of the user of the storage / playback unit is adjusted.

Preferably, the second set of rules, by observing the be user behavior automatically adapted to the user. It offers an alternative there is to manually change the second rule set by the user. By the User Content, which a given preferential correspond, particularly often needed, this preference will receive a higher priority. On the other hand receive preferences of content over long were currently not retrieved or deleted by the user immediately, a lower priority. Does the second set of rules a Memory recording / reproducing unit upon contact of the storing / reproducing unit with the recording / storage unit on the first rule set back, so can the recording / storage unit be notified, the content that is now a preference with higher priority which is preferably recorded and according to the content of a preference with now lower according to priority, to a lesser extent from the broadcast programs select. Thus, already ipso facto, that the user programs which match their interests, preferred listening, ensuring that it continues such consignments from the recording / storage unit Will be provided.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, upon contact of two storage / playback unit content be used interchangeably. This means that the user of a Storage / reproduction unit not only the contents of its own Recording / storage units accessible. Rather, by Users with similar preferences contents of the storage / playback unit on their storage / playback unit be dubbed, which may be different despite similar preferences. Advantageously, may occur in contact of two storage / playback units also at least parts of their associated second rule sets among themselves be replaced. This results in the possibility of if interested in the contents of a storage / playback unit another user in future similar find topics with his own recording / storage unit, after the revised own second set of rules to the recording / storage unit and returned the associated first ruleset has been.

Preferably, the converted at least one receiving / storage unit the recorded content automatically in a format compatible with the at least one storage / reproducing unit Format. Thus, a conversion program has only the recording / storage unit and not on possibly numerous storage / playback units are installed. This reduces costs and enables rapid change, if the need of storage / playback units Format changed.

In a further embodiment of the invention engages at least a recording / storage unit via a digital or analog wired or wireless interface to a Device to, which in turn accesses the broadcast programs. Thus z. B. allowing even from speakers resounding music or lectures on a recording / storage unit can be recorded.

Below, an embodiment is described in detail, the accompanying drawings, the correlations show graphically. Show it:<dl tsize="7"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>Access methods between broadcast resources, a Recording / storage unit and two storage / playback units,</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>the different information in a first and second set of rules to be considered and</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>an example of a tree diagram of preferences of a User.</dd></dl>

At the illustrated exemplary method for recording and reproducing content is a recording / storage unit involved, for example, as a computer is trained. The computer is connected via a USB bus with three Broadcast receivers connected. The computer records according to a first rule set program from the broadcast program the three radio receiver on. On the computer, two portable storage / playback devices, such. as MP3 players, However, hereinafter referred to as general Portable, are connected, each via a second Ruleset communicate with the computer.

The recording of broadcasts of the radio program is as follows. First, the preferences of a user are determined. The user's preferences are in the present Example in the "Research", "market" and "travel", in particular "Black Forest" (see. FIG. 3). Based on these preferences and optionally suitable synonyms is a tree diagram the preferences created in which the preferential terms be given a priority. Here have given Preferences "research", "market" and "Black Forest" very high priority. Synonyms as "science" are also assigned high priority. Terms, the individual the Fields can be assigned only removed such. As the single phrase "New York" in the "stock exchange" are, has lower priority.

The computer has access to a complete radio program and a list of radio stations with associated frequencies. Based on the preference information, the broadcast information, ie the radio program and possibly Also in a data network existing descriptions of each Consignments checked to see which programs the under the user's preferences fall. It will draw up a list, which shows at what time in which the transmitter to be recorded. If several shipments overlap, multiple radio receivers to record be used. to overlap more broadcasts are connected as a radio receiver to the computer, can either solve the user the conflict manually if he from System has been alerted or the computer accesses the preference information back and draws the Broadcasts on higher priority.

A timer controls when a program for recording pending. The computer selects a time, the radio receiver out, sets the correct frequency and starts Recording. Optionally, the broadcast signal is digitized and compressed, and then, the data on the memory of the computer is stored. It is the same an entry in a list of recorded programs generates, on which the user can access.

The recorded broadcasts are from the computer Additional information provided. The additional information may initially consist of broadcast-related data, such. as the date, time and duration of the program, the station name and mission. furthermore , the terms of the preference information to led record, are added. For example, a program has been selected on the basis of the concept of "Freiburg" be, so that the term listed in the Additional Information should be to this shipment of consignments of Additional Information "Glottertal" to distinguish. furthermore can be used as additional information, the data network Description Broadcast contents have been wholly or partially. The additional information may also be a broadcast data service such as RDS, be removed.

If for whatever reasons, no such additional information be present, it is possible that recorded Sending to detect with a speech recognition program.

It can then in the text obtained most frequently occurring Terms are selected as additional information. As a complete recording of the text by a speech recognition program is very difficult and often inaccurate (can the Broadcast content only to specific terms by means of Speech recognition program to be checked. These terms z can. B. frequently used by the user Tags his or preferences compiled in a dictionary are. The computer is now a large amount recorded programs with an added extra Information Available.

Unless known that, for example, program specific to a Daytime interesting according to the preference list might be, there is the possibility precisely such radio or TV broadcasts on the frequency of occurrence of to examine key words from the preference list and optionally yet subsequently save.

The user can now connect his portable to the computer. The Portable, a second set of rules is stored, the "research" includes, inter alia, the preference information. Thus, by connecting the portable automatically the additional information the program stored on the computer linked to the term "research" and that concept Terms searched. These programs are automatically transferred to the portable. In the first set of rules could now be stored in addition to the command, this program retrieved delete on the computer, provided that no other users as an interested party for this program comes into question. So ensures that only current program on the memory are available on the computer and the memory using superfluous shipments will be charged. The user can now decouple its portable and mobile use.

Program, which has already heard the user of the portable, the user can delete immediately. Programs that user the have not agreed to stated by him in the second set of rules will. If the user like a show especially well has, it can be noted in the second set of rules, that these recorded broadcast in future high priority and similar Shipments are selected from the broadcast program should. In addition to the manual changes of the second Ruleset by the user is the user from the second Ruleset "observed". If a particular program by the user immediately or during a specified period at all not heard, is the second rule set the corresponding preference information provided with a lower priority. Becomes however, heard a certain program several times, increasing the Priority of the corresponding preference information. Also the Shipments hear from without user will be deleted immediately, be registered. Further, the second set of rules Shipments that are not accessed by the user after a longer period were automatically delete to the space for interesting program release.

Does the user of a portable a second user, can get in touch with each other, the two portables. By means of the second set of rules may also from the second Portable for the user of the first portable interesting content be transferred to the portable. Instead of concrete Programmes can also parts of preferences or second Rulesets are exchanged between the portables. So is allows the user of the first portable, in future - After the next contact his Portables with his Computer - to be recorded interesting programs for him, he did not get the own second ruleset would have. Furthermore, it is possible, the contents of which in a Portable were taken over by another Portable, on dub the Intermediate to the content by the to other users of the intermediates available. This dubbing of data from the portable to the Intermediate is preferably carried out based on rules. Thus, the Portable for example preferences of other users that this Intermediate access be known, so that only those for the other users transmit interesting information be retrieved from these other users later can.

The returned from the portable to the Intermediate Data can be used in the intermediate to the first changing set of rules, so that in future content after amended are received and stored preferences.

For communication between two portable one another can in each the Portable respectively implemented a third ruleset be, indicating which data of the Portable another user to be exchanged.

The second set of rules also makes it possible to Portable to also connect to an unknown computer and this for interesting for the user content and program on search. It can possibly be more interesting find programs that match the first own ruleset were not found. It is possible, parts to convert this first rule set to your own Portable, thus changing the own second set of rules and this react on their own first set of rules allow.

If the user closes his Portable now back in its Computer, it first receives the program newly stored from broadcasting programs. Furthermore, are the second set of rules its changes from the first rule set. The amended Priorities of preference information or new preferential terms cause soon other programs from record the broadcast program. In addition, the changed first rule set directly by the user at the computer will. It is also possible, and the second set of rules to change the computer, as this existing with the computer keyboard easily possible as the Portable itself. Communication of the two sets of rules, manually changing the Rule sets by the user and "observing user behavior" enabling an optimized recording of for the user interesting program from the broadcast program.

If multiple Portable access to a computer that has the Computer comprehensive of different second consider rule sets in the first set of rules in order for each user recorded the broadcasts of interest to him will. Furthermore, it must in the first set of rules, the information be included as to which a shipment Portable has already accessed and for which other Portable this Mission is still of interest. It may delete any consignment be, for even by a single portable demand there, not even if they broadcast for other Portable longer of interest. If for recording more Broadcasts simultaneously not enough resources available be, must continue in the first set of rules prioritizing the different portables and their users yet be. This prioritization can also turn a made weighting of different preference information will. Will continue to be a "foreign Portable" to the connected computer, it must also be recognized, thus its second set of rules is not the first set of rules of Computer altered, which could lead to the for not recorded actual user interesting program will. Through a variety of influences on the first and second set of rules and the interaction of the first and second sets of rules is thus an optimization with respect achieved on the recorded programs.