Method for reserving recording, and device and system therefor

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a recording reservation technique. The present invention particularly relates to a recording reservation method, a recording reservation device and a recording reservation system for remotely reserving recording.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

The fusion of broadcasting media such as televisions and radios with computer technology is progressing, and computers with a television reception function and video devices that can be connected to computers are on sale. Using these devices, it is possible to record TV programs in MPEG and songs played on the radio in MP3 for playback and editing on a computer. There is also a service that distributes recorded programs and songs on the Internet.

【0003】

On the other hand, there is a service that allows you to search and browse the schedule of broadcast programs on the Internet, check the program schedule on TV using the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and make recording reservations, and assign each program to program guides such as newspapers and magazines. A system for making a recording reservation by entering the code provided has come to be used. In addition, mobile devices such as mobile phones and mobile terminals that can be connected to the Internet have become widespread, and it has become possible to easily browse program guides from the Internet wherever they are.

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

Recording operations are actually performed on computers and video devices that have a broadcast reception function installed at home, etc., but you can search for and browse broadcast programs by using the Internet or mobile phones. You can now do it wherever you are. Therefore, it is expected that there will be an increasing need among users to make recording reservations for programs even when they are away from home or at work.

【0005】

Under such circumstances, the applicant has come to recognize the following issues on the assumption that a remote recording reservation is made from a remote location. That is, if the user cannot confirm the reservation status already made in the recording device at a remote location, there will be inconveniences such as erroneously duplicating or inconsistent reservation settings. For example, there arises a problem that the recording device forgets to make a manual reservation and makes a reservation for another program in the time zone in which the recording reservation has already been made.

【0006】

The applicant has made the present invention based on such recognition, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording reservation system, a recording reservation device, and a recording reservation method capable of reliably making a recording reservation remotely. And.

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

One aspect of the present invention is a recording reservation method, in which a process of receiving a notification of a recording reservation status made by a recording device, a process of receiving a request for setting a reservation made remotely from a terminal, and the recording. The process includes a process of confirming the consistency between the reservation status in the device and the reservation setting request by the terminal, and a process of notifying the terminal of a warning when the consistency is not achieved.

【0008】

Another aspect of the present invention is the recording reservation method, in which the process of updating the reference reservation data in response to the notification of the recording reservation status made by the recording device and the setting of the reservation made remotely from the terminal. The process of receiving the request and reflecting it in the reference reservation data and the process of transmitting the reference reservation data reflecting the reservation setting request to the recording device are included. Prior to the reflection process, a process of determining the consistency between the reservation setting request and the reservation status in the reference reservation data, and a process of notifying the terminal of a warning when there is no consistency are further performed. It may be included.

【0009】

Another aspect of the present invention is a recording reservation device. This device receives the reservation status made by the recording device as reference reservation data, and updates the reservation data as appropriate in the storage unit. The synchronization processing unit and the reservation setting receiving unit that receives the reservation setting request made remotely from the terminal. A reservation acceptance determination unit for determining the consistency between the reservation setting request and the reservation status in the reference reservation data, and a warning unit for notifying the terminal of a warning when there is no consistency.

【0010】

The terminal is a device other than the recording device, and "reserving remotely from the terminal" means requesting the recording device for reservation setting from outside the recording device, and is mainly connected to the network on the go. The purpose of "remote" is not limited to that, but includes the case of making a reservation by connecting to a network at home. The "reservation setting" is a setting related to a recording reservation, and includes a recording reservation, a cancellation of the recording reservation, a change of the recording reservation, and the like.

【0011】

The recording reservation device is provided as a server, and processing related to recording reservation may be performed individually for each of a plurality of users. Reference reservation data is stored in the storage unit for each user, and when the recording device and terminal connect to the server and start communication, information that identifies the user is transmitted and the user is authenticated. May be good.

【0012】

The reservation acceptance determination unit creates update data by reflecting the reservation setting request in the reference reservation data when there is consistency, and the synchronization processing unit transfers the update data to the recording device. You may send it. The reservation acceptance determination unit may determine that the reservation status in the reference reservation data is inconsistent when there is another reservation that overlaps with the reservation time zone of the setting request.

【0013】

The synchronization processing unit appropriately communicates with the recording device, the reservation acceptance determination unit determines whether the reservation setting request includes reservation contents that are not in time for the next communication timing, and the warning unit determines whether or not the reservation content is included. When such a reservation content is included, a warning may be notified to the terminal. The reservation acceptance determination unit determines whether or not the reservation setting request includes a recording reservation content that exceeds the storage capacity of the recording device, and the warning unit warns the terminal if such a reservation content is included. You may notify. When the reservation setting request is received by the recording device and the recording is completed, the terminal may be notified to that effect. E-mail may be used as a means of these notifications.

【0014】

Another aspect of the present invention is a recording reservation system in which a server and a recording device are connected by a network. The server includes a server-side synchronization processing unit that appropriately updates reservation data in the recording device in a storage unit, and a reservation setting receiving unit that receives a reservation setting request made remotely from a user's terminal. The synchronization processing unit transmits the reservation setting request to the recording device. The recording device includes a recording device-side synchronization processing unit that receives the reservation setting request from the server and updates the reservation data as appropriate, and a reservation setting input unit that receives a reservation setting request from the user, and the recording device side. The synchronization processing unit transmits the reservation setting contents of the user made by the recording device to the server. The synchronization processing unit on the recording device side may transmit only the update data of the reservation setting contents to the server.

【0015】

It should be noted that any combination of the above components, the present invention expressed as a system including a recording device, a recording reservation device, and a terminal, or a recording medium storing a program installed in the recording device or the recording reservation device. The representation is also valid as an aspect of the present invention.

【0016】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the recording reservation system of the present embodiment. The recording reservation system includes a mobile phone 10, a server 12, a program database 14, a recording reservation database 16, a user PC 18A, and a video device 18B. The user PC 18A and the video device 18B are connected to the server 12 and communicate with each other via the Internet (not shown). The mobile phone 10 connects to the server 12 via a wireless communication network (not shown) to perform data communication.

【0017】

The user PC 18A is an example of a recording device, and has a TV reception function and an image compression coding function such as an MPEG encoder in addition to the function as a normal personal computer, and receives a TV broadcast and encodes it into MPEG or the like. And record it on a hard disk or DVD. The user can access the WWW service provided by the server 12 to search for and browse TV programs from the program database 14. The user PC 18A reserves the recording of the TV program specified by the user, and automatically starts receiving the TV broadcast at the reserved time and records the program. Further, the user PC 18A uploads the recording reservation status including the code of the program reserved for recording, the date and time when the recording reservation is set, the recording time zone, and the like to the server 12. In addition, the reservation setting request including the recording reservation and the cancellation of the reservation made remotely is downloaded from the server 12, the reservation status managed in the user PC 18A is updated, and the reservation operation including the reservation and the reservation cancellation is executed.

【0018】

The video device 18B is also an example of a recording device, and has a network connection function in addition to normal video functions such as recording, playback, and recording reservation, communicates with the server 12, uploads the recording reservation status, and at the same time. Download the reservation setting request made remotely, update the reservation status managed in the video device 18B, and execute the reservation operation.

【0019】

The recording reservation or cancellation of the reservation made to the device by the user using the recording reservation function of the user PC 18A or the video device 18B is called "local reservation". As a recording reservation function of the video device 18B, for example, a reservation method for inputting a G code published in a program guide such as a newspaper or a magazine, and a program guide displayed on a TV screen like an EPG (Electronic Program Guide). A reservation method using a system is used. The user PC 18A is installed with dedicated recording reservation software that automatically receives and records TV broadcasts to be recorded based on the program code obtained from the program guide on the Internet.

【0020】

In addition, as another form of recording device, with the user PC 18A and the video device 18B connected by LAN, a network server that can integrate the two and cooperate with the Internet service is used to make a recording reservation with the server 12. It may be configured to exchange information about. In that case, the program guide may be viewed and the recording reservation may be made on the user PC 18A, and the actual recording may be recorded on the video device 18B.

【0021】

The mobile phone 10 is an example of a terminal, and a TV program can be searched and browsed from the program database 14 by using the WWW service provided by the server 12. The mobile phone 10 sets a reservation for recording a TV program that has been viewed. The reservation setting request is sent to the server 12 and managed by the recording reservation database 16. The user PC 18A or the video device 18B downloads the reservation setting request from the server 12 and performs the reservation operation. Recording reservations and reservation cancellations that the user makes remotely from a remote location using the mobile phone 10 in this way are called "remote reservations". In addition, the mobile phone 10 can view the "local reservation" uploaded from the user PC 18A or the video device 18B to the server 12 and make changes such as canceling the reservation. Such a change of "local reservation" is also transmitted from the server 12 to the user PC 18A or the video device 18B as a reservation setting request, and the corresponding reservation operation is performed.

【0022】

As another example of the terminal, it may be a portable device such as a PDA having a communication function. Further, since portability is not an essential requirement for the remote reservation function described in the present embodiment, the terminal is a communication device capable of communicating with the server 12, such as a computer connected to the Internet or a public telephone capable of data communication. If so, the form does not matter.

【0023】

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the recording reservation system. The mobile phone 10 has a reservation setting input unit 22 and a display unit 24. The server 12 includes a reservation setting reception unit 26, a reservation acceptance judgment unit 28, a warning unit 30, a reservation list transmission unit 32, a program list transmission unit 34, a synchronization processing unit 36, a program database 14, and a recording reservation. It has a database 16. The user PC 18A or the video device 18B (hereinafter, simply referred to as "recording device 18") has a synchronization processing unit 38, a reservation status storage unit 40, and a reservation setting input unit 42.

【0024】

The program database 14 of the server 12 stores the broadcast schedule of the television program. The recording reservation database 16 stores the recording reservation status for each user. This recording reservation status is synchronized with the recording reservation status managed in the recording device 18 at regular time intervals, and reflects the purpose of viewing by the user on the mobile phone 10 and the remote reservation made by the user from the mobile phone 10. Mainly used for purposes. The recording reservation status in the recording reservation database 16 is also called "reference reservation data", and the recording reservation status managed in the recording device 18 is also called "main reservation data" to distinguish between the two. The recording device 18 downloads a new reservation entry from the "reference reservation data" from the server 12 and updates the "main reservation data". Further, the recording device 18 uploads a new reservation entry of the "main reservation data" to the server 12, and causes the server 12 to update the "reference reservation data". Downloads and uploads are done at regular time intervals. The operation of synchronizing the "reference reservation data" and the "main reservation data" is called "reservation synchronization". The reservation entry refers to the contents of the reservation setting including both the recording reservation and the cancellation of the reservation.

【0025】

The program list transmission unit 34 of the server 12 extracts the TV program list from the program database 14 according to the search and viewing requests from the mobile phone 10, and transmits the TV program list to the mobile phone 10. The display unit 24 of the mobile phone 10 displays the program list, and the reservation setting input unit 22 transmits the reservation setting request for recording the program to the server 12 according to the instruction from the user.

【0026】

The reservation setting receiving unit 26 receives the reservation setting request from the mobile phone 10, and the reservation acceptance determination unit 28 determines whether or not the reservation setting request can be accepted. If it cannot be accepted, the warning unit 30 sends a message to the mobile phone 10 to warn that fact. If it can be accepted, the content of the reservation setting request is reflected in the reference reservation data in the recording reservation database 16.

【0027】

The reservation list transmission unit 32 extracts the reservation status of the user stored in the recording reservation database 16 and transmits it to the mobile phone 10 according to the viewing request from the mobile phone 10. The reservation setting input unit 22 makes settings such as changing the reservation status, for example, canceling the reservation, according to the instruction from the user, and sends the reservation setting request to the server 12.

【0028】

The reservation setting input unit 42 of the recording device 18 inputs the reservation setting and performs the reservation operation according to the instruction of the user, and the reservation status storage unit 40 stores the reservation status. The synchronization processing unit 38 extracts a new reservation entry stored in the reservation status storage unit 40 and uploads it to the server 12 (44A). The synchronization processing unit 36 of the server 12 reflects the uploaded reservation entry in the reference reservation data already stored in the recording reservation database 16 and updates it (46A). On the other hand, the synchronization processing unit 36 of the server 12 extracts a new reservation setting request from the recording reservation database 16 (46B), and the synchronization processing unit 38 of the recording device 18 downloads it (44B). Based on the downloaded reservation setting request, the reservation or reservation cancellation operation is performed, and the main reservation data stored in the reservation status storage unit 40 is updated.

【0029】

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of reference reservation data stored in the recording reservation database 16. The identification code, start time, end time, reservation method, reservation setting date and time, and reservation status of the program reserved for recording are recorded for each user. For example, entry 50 is a remote reservation, and the reservation status is "reservation completed", that is, the reservation setting contents have already been sent to the recording device 18, and the reservation operation is completed. Entry 52 is locally reserved and the reservation status is "Reservation Complete". Since the locally reserved one has already been reserved by the recording device 18, the reservation status is "reservation completed" from the beginning. When recording is completed on the recording device 18, the status may be changed from "reservation completed" to "recording reservation".

【0030】

Entry 54 indicates that the reservation has been made remotely, and the reservation status is waiting for the reservation setting, that is, the reservation setting content has not yet been sent to the recording device 18, and the reservation operation has not been completed. Entry 56 is an example in which the recording device 18 makes a local reservation and the reservation is canceled remotely from the mobile phone 10. The reservation status indicates "waiting for reservation cancellation". The entry of the reservation setting content whose reservation status is "waiting for reservation setting" or "waiting for reservation cancellation" is transmitted to the recording device 18, and the reservation operation for reservation or reservation cancellation is performed. When the reservation operation is completed, the status of "Waiting for reservation setting" is changed to "Reservation completed" and the status of "Waiting for reservation cancellation setting" is changed to "Reservation cancellation completed" by the notification from the recording device 18. The "Reservation Cancellation Complete" entry may be deleted from the reservation status file.

【0031】

The reservation status storage unit 40 of the recording device 18 holds the current reserved program list and the recorded program list. These lists include both locally-booked and remotely-booked programs. In order to upload the updated reservation setting contents and the recording status to the server 12, the reservation status storage unit 40 further stores the reserved program list and the recorded program list at the time of the previous reservation synchronization.

【0032】

The synchronization processing unit 38 of the recording device 18 detects the program whose status has been updated by the following determination. (1) A program that is in the reserved program list at the time of the previous reservation synchronization, is not in the current reserved program list, and is in the current recorded list is a newly recorded program. (2) A program that is in the reserved program list at the time of the previous reservation synchronization, is not in the current reserved program list, and is not in the current recorded list is a newly reserved program. (3) A program that is not in the reserved program list at the time of the previous reservation synchronization but is in the current reserved program list is a newly reserved program.

【0033】

Based on these determinations, the synchronization processing unit 38 uploads the reservation setting contents of the newly reserved or canceled program and the information of the newly recorded program to the server 12 at the time of reservation synchronization. The notification of the completion of recording may not be performed at the time of reservation synchronization, but may be performed at the time when recording is completed.

【0034】

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the recording reservation method of the present embodiment. The recording reservation sequence will be described with reference to the display screens of the mobile phones 10 shown in FIGS. 7 (A) to 7 (C), 8 (A), (B), and 9 (A) to 9 (C). The user operates the recording device 18 at home or the like to make a local reservation (S10). The contents of the local reservation are stored in the reservation status storage unit 40. The synchronization processing unit 38 of the recording device 18 periodically communicates with the server 12 to upload a new local reservation entry (S12). The synchronization processing unit 36 of the server 12 registers the uploaded reservation entry in the reference reservation data of the recording reservation database 16 with the reservation completed status (S14).

【0035】

The user operates the mobile phone 10 on the go, logs in to the recording reservation system provided by the server 12 (S16), and browses the program list as shown in FIG. 7 (A) (S18). As shown in Fig. 7 (B), the user selects the program he / she wants to reserve from the program list and sets the remote reservation (S20). The remote reservation shall be made at a time later than the earlier local reservation. The remote reservation data is sent to the server 12 (S22). The reservation acceptance determination unit 28 of the server 12 collates the reference reservation data stored in the recording reservation database 16 and checks whether there are other reservations in the already duplicated time zone (S24). The time zone of this remote reservation may overlap with the local reservation already made by the user, or the time zone may overlap with the remote reservation already set.

【0036】

In the process S24, if there is duplication (Y in S24), the warning unit 30 sends a message to that effect to the mobile phone 10 as shown in FIG. 9 (C) (S26). If there is no duplication (N in S24), the reservation acceptance determination unit 28 confirms whether the reservation setting request for the remote reservation is in time for the next reservation synchronization time (S28). Since the reservation synchronization is performed at predetermined time intervals, for example, at intervals of several hours, it may happen that the program to be reserved is not recorded in time. If the time of the next reservation synchronization is not in time (N in S28), the warning unit 30 sends a message to the mobile phone 10 to that effect (S30) as shown in FIG. 9 (A). If it is in time (Y in S28), proceed to process S32.

【0037】

Register the remote reservation as a new entry in the status of waiting for reservation setting in the reservation status of the recording reservation database 16 (S32). As shown in Fig. 7 (C), a message confirming that the reservation setting has been registered is sent to the mobile phone 10 (S33). The synchronization processing unit 36 of the server 12 extracts the updated reservation entry from the recording reservation database 16, and the synchronization processing unit 38 of the recording device 18 downloads the data of the entry (S34). The recording device 18 performs a reservation operation and updates the main reservation data of the reservation content storage unit 40 (S36). The synchronization processing unit 38 notifies the server 12 that the reservation operation is completed (S38). The reservation status of the corresponding reservation entry in the reference reservation data of the recording reservation database 16 is changed to reservation complete (S40). The server 12 notifies by e-mail or the like that the reservation operation is completed (S42). Instead of notifying by e-mail, the reservation status may be displayed on the mobile phone 10 when the user instructs the server 12 to confirm the reservation operation result from the mobile phone 10.

【0038】

The remote reserved program is recorded in the recording device 18 (S44). A recording completion notification is sent to the server 12 (S46), and an e-mail notifying the recording completion is sent to the mobile phone 10 as shown in FIG. 8 (B) (S48).

【0039】

In addition to the above acceptance determination, the reservation acceptance determination unit 28 determines that the free space for recording the reserved program in the recording device 18 is insufficient, and the warning unit 30 determines that the warning unit 30 is as shown in FIG. 9 (B). May warn you to that effect. Therefore, the recording device 18 may be configured to notify the server 12 of the free space at the time of reservation synchronization.

【0040】

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of reservation cancellation. The reservation cancellation sequence will be described with reference to the display screens of the mobile phones 10 shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C. The mobile phone 10 displays the reference reservation data of the recording reservation database 16 of the server 12 according to the user's request (S50). FIG. 10 (A) is an example of the displayed reservation status. For each reservation entry, the reserved program information and reservation status are displayed. The user selects, for example, entry 60 and sets the reservation cancellation (S52). The status of entry 60 is already reserved, but the reservation can be canceled by remote operation.

【0041】

The mobile phone 10 transmits the reservation cancellation data to the server 12 (S54). The screen shown in FIG. 10 (B) is displayed on the mobile phone 10. The time when the next reservation will be synchronized is displayed. The reservation acceptance determination unit 28 may check whether the reservation cancellation is in time for the next reservation synchronization time, and if it is not in time, the warning unit 30 may notify the mobile phone 10 of a warning. The server 12 stores the reservation cancellation entry in the reference reservation data of the recording reservation database 16 in the status of waiting for the reservation cancellation setting. As shown in FIG. 10 (C), a message confirming that the reservation cancellation setting has been registered is sent to the mobile phone 10 (S57).

【0042】

The recording device 18 downloads the reservation cancellation entry data from the server 12 at the time of reservation synchronization (S58). Cancel the reservation contents of the reservation data of the reservation contents storage unit 40 (S60). Notify the server 12 that the reservation cancellation operation is completed (S62). The server 12 deletes the corresponding reservation entry from the reference reservation data of the recording reservation database 16 (S64). Notify the mobile phone 10 that the reservation cancellation has been completed by e-mail or the like (S66).

【0043】

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of recording reservation when the reservation synchronization is performed after the reservation setting is registered. In Figure 4, reservation synchronization was performed after the local reservation and before the remote reservation, so it was possible to warn the user before registration for remote reservations that overlap with the previously locally reserved time zone. .. However, since the reservation synchronization is performed at a predetermined time interval, the reservation entry of the remote reservation is registered in the reference reservation data without being reflected in the reference reservation data of the recording reservation database 16 of the server 12. Can happen. FIG. 6 shows a processing sequence in such a case, when the upload of the local reservation entry (S86) is performed after the reservation setting waiting registration (S84) of the remote reservation. Other points are the same as in Fig. 4, so only the differences will be explained. When the local reservation entry is uploaded (S86), the server 12 registers the local reservation as a new reservation entry in the reservation status of the recording reservation database 16 (S88). The reservation acceptance determination unit 28 determines whether or not there is an entry for a remote reservation that has already been registered and the time zone overlaps with that of the newly registered local reservation (S90). In case of duplication (Y of S90), the duplicate remote reservation entry is deleted (S92), and the mobile phone 10 is notified by e-mail or the like that the reservation setting is invalid (S94). If there is no duplication (N in S90), the remote reservation waiting for the reservation setting is valid, and the following processing is the same as in FIG.

【0044】

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the contents locally reserved by the recording device 18 are uploaded to the server 12, and the reservation status registered in the server 12 is updated. In addition, the contents of the remote reservation made by the mobile phone 10 are transmitted to the server 12, and the reservation status registered in the server 12 is updated. The recording device 18 downloads the latest reservation status from the server 12, performs a reservation operation, and updates the reservation status of the recording device 18. In this way, the recording device 18 periodically communicates with the server 12 to synchronize the reservation status, so that it is possible to prevent a contradiction between the local reservation and the remote reservation and the occurrence of duplicate reservations. .. In addition, the contents of the local reservation can be known and corrected from a remote location using a mobile phone.

【0045】

The present invention has been described above based on some embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are exemplary and that various modifications are possible for each of these components and combinations of processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. By the way.

【0046】

As such a modification, in the above description, when the remote reservation request overlaps with the recording time zone of the reservation already made, the terminal is warned, but the recording device has a plurality of television reception channels. If it is possible to record a program having overlapping time zones in a storage area such as a hard disk at the same time, it may be configured to warn when the limit of the simultaneous recording processing capacity of the recording device is reached.

【0047】

[Effect of the invention]

According to the present invention, it is possible to remotely make a reliable recording reservation and maintain the consistency of the reservation status of the recording device.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is an overall block diagram of the system which concerns on embodiment.

[Figure 2]

It is a functional block diagram of a recording reservation system.

[Fig. 3]

It is explanatory drawing of the reference reservation data stored in the recording reservation database.

[Fig. 4]

It is a sequence diagram of the recording reservation method which concerns on embodiment.

[Fig. 5]

It is a sequence diagram of reservation cancellation.

[Fig. 6]

It is a sequence diagram of the recording reservation when the reservation synchronization is performed after the reservation setting registration.

[Fig. 7]

It is explanatory drawing of the reservation setting screen in a mobile phone.

[Fig. 8]

It is explanatory drawing of the notification screen of the reservation completion and the recording completion in the mobile phone.

[Fig. 9]

It is explanatory drawing of the warning screen in a mobile phone.

[Fig. 10]

It is explanatory drawing of the reservation cancellation setting screen in a mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 mobile phone, 12 server, 14 program database, 16 recording reservation database, 18 recording device, 26 reservation setting receiver, 28 reservation acceptance judgment unit, 30 warning unit, 32 reservation list transmitter, 34 program list transmitter, 36 synchronization Processing unit.