JP2004088281A - Recording/reproducing apparatus, digital data storing device, and data storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein programs desired not to be erased are stored during using of a recording/reproducing apparatus and an area available to newly record contents is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The recording/reproducing apparatus includes contents recording means for recording digital data input from an external unit, an external storage data selecting means for selecting part of the digital data recorded in the recording means is stored in a digital data storage unit, and a communication means for communicating with the digital data storage unit. The digital data selected by the data selecting means is output toward the digital data storage unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to recording and playback of content such as video and audio using a high-speed network, and more particularly to storage of content.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the dramatic progress of video compression technology and a large increase in the recording capacity of a hard disk (hereinafter abbreviated as HDD), a recording / reproducing apparatus called a hard disk recorder / player for recording and reproducing TV broadcasts on the HDD has appeared. ing.
[0003]
As a similar device, a recording / reproducing apparatus called a DVD video recorder / player for recording and reproducing TV broadcasts on a DVD video recorder using a recording medium such as a rewritable DVD-RAM (DVD video recorder) has appeared. are doing.
[0004]
Further, a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with both a hard disk recorder / player and a DVD video recorder / player has appeared.
[0005]
In recent years, those recording / reproducing apparatuses having a built-in TV tuner function, and those having a built-in recording / reproducing apparatus in a receiving device such as a TV or an STB (set-top box) are also appearing.
[0006]
Conventionally, as a document describing a hard disk recorder, JP-A-2001-197413 is disclosed. As a document describing a hard disk recorder system using a telephone line, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-140487 is disclosed.
[0007]
In the documents disclosed in the above documents, for analog TV broadcasting, a program received by a tuner is A / D (analog / digital) converted, compressed by MPEG or the like, and recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD. I have.
[0008]
In digital TV broadcasting such as BS digital broadcasting, a program received by a tuner is recorded on a recording medium such as an HDD as it is, or in a form of processed digital data added with error correction or the like.
[0009]
Analog input signals from the outside are A / D converted and processed in the same manner as analog TV broadcasting.
[0010]
On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the data is read from a recording medium such as an HDD, decompressed, D / A (digital / analog) converted, and returned to an analog signal.
[0011]
Tuner selection and recording / reproduction control, communication using a modem (telephone line), and the like are controlled by a CPU (central processing unit).
[0012]
In a system that records TV broadcasts on such a recording / reproducing apparatus, programs that the user does not want to delete gradually accumulate while recording / reproducing the content is continued. Then, there is a problem that the area usable for recording is reduced. In addition, there is a concern that a crash or the like may occur during a long period of use, and the recorded contents recorded in the recording / reproducing apparatus may be lost.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the related art, the recording capacity of the recording medium of the recording / reproducing apparatus is fixed. In the case of a recent general-purpose hard disk recorder, when a program (content) for 100 to 200 hours is recorded, all the recording area of the recording / reproducing apparatus is used up. Content) cannot be recorded.
[0014]
Further, even when not all the recording areas of the recording / reproducing apparatus are used up, there is a problem that the area which can be used for new recording of content becomes smaller as programs to be deleted gradually accumulate. .
[0015]
Then, this invention makes it a subject to solve the said problem.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a content recording unit that records the digital data input from the outside; and a selection for storing a part of the digital data recorded in the content recording unit in a digital data storage device. External storage data selecting means for performing, and communication means for communicating with the digital data storage device, so that the digital data selected by the external storage data selecting means is output to the digital data storage device. Make up.
[0017]
Further, a digital data storage device according to the present invention includes a second communication unit for communicating with the recording / reproducing device, and a second content recording unit for recording digital data received via the second communication unit. And the same stream determining means for receiving stream information of digital data output from the recording / reproducing apparatus and determining whether or not the same stream is recorded in the second content recording means. When it is determined that the same stream is recorded in the content recording means, information for identifying the content of the same stream and the location where the same stream is stored is determined when the same stream is not recorded Are configured to store the received digital data streams in the second storage means.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
Reference numeral 41 denotes a recording / reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces digital data related to content such as video and audio (a recording / reproducing device: an example incorporated in an STB (set-top box) will be described below). It may be built-in.
[0021]
Both preferably have a high-speed interface (I / F)), reference numeral 42 denotes an antenna for receiving digital broadcasts to which contents such as video and audio are transmitted, and reference numeral 43 denotes digital data transmitted from a recording / reproducing device. Is a storage center provided outside the recording / reproducing device 41 for storing a part of the information.
[0022]
Content such as video and audio received by the antenna 42 is input to the recording / reproducing device 41 in the form of digital data and recorded.
[0023]
Further, contents input by an external input or the like are also converted into desired digital data and recorded.
[0024]
When content such as video and audio recorded on the recording / reproducing device 41 is reproduced, predetermined encoding is performed and the content is output as a video output or an audio output. Hereinafter, both the video output and the audio output are collectively referred to as a video output.
[0025]
The storage center 43 is connected to the recording / reproducing device 41 via a high-speed communication line such as ADSL. Part of digital data relating to content such as video and audio recorded on the recording / reproducing device 41 is transmitted to the storage center 43 via this communication line and stored.
[0026]
In the above description, an example in which one recording / reproducing device is connected to one storage center has been described. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of recording / reproducing devices are provided for one storage center. It is assumed that they will be connected.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
Reference numeral 35 denotes an A / D converter, reference numeral 36 denotes a compression block (compression unit), reference numeral 31 denotes a content recording device such as an HDD or DVD, reference numeral 32 denotes an expansion block (expansion unit), reference numeral 37 denotes a D / A converter, and reference numeral 38 Is a tuner for receiving digital broadcasting, reference numeral 39 is a transmission / reception data processing unit, reference numeral 34 is communication means for performing communication with the outside, and reference numeral 33 is an overall control unit for controlling the above configuration.
[0029]
When content such as video and audio is input to the A / D converter 35 by an external input, if the content is an analog signal, the content is converted into a digital signal and output.
[0030]
The digital signal output from the A / D converter 35 is input to a compression block 36, where the digital signal is subjected to a compression process such as an MPEG process, and the amount of information is compressed to output compressed data. The compression block 36 may be configured by software or hardware. The compressed data output from the compression block 36 is input to the content recording device 31.
[0031]
In the digital broadcast received by the tuner 38, compressed data subjected to MPEG processing is transmitted, and this compressed data is also input to the content recording device 31.
[0032]
The content recording device 31 records the compressed data relating to the input content.
[0033]
When reproducing the content recorded in the content recording device 31, the compressed data recorded from the content recording device 31 is output and input to the decompression block 32.
[0034]
The decompression block 32 decompresses the input compressed data and outputs decompressed data. Similarly to the compression block 36, the decompression block 32 may be configured by software or may be configured by hardware.
[0035]
The decompressed data output from the compression block 36 is input to the D / A converter 37, converted into an analog signal, and output as a video output.
[0036]
The transmission / reception data processing unit 39 transmits a part of the content (digital data) recorded in the content recording device 31 (may be a part of the recorded content or may be all of it) to the instruction of the overall control unit 33. , A selection process for storing in the storage center 43 provided outside is performed.
[0037]
The instruction of the general control unit 33 may be performed based on a user's instruction (not shown) (not shown) or may be configured to be automatically processed by the general control unit 33.
[0038]
The content (digital data) recorded in the content recording device 31 and selected by the content transmission / reception data processing unit 39 is connected to an external storage center 43 via a high-speed communication means 34 such as ADSL, and transmitted. You.
[0039]
The overall control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer (central processing unit) and controls each component in the recording / reproducing apparatus described above.
[0040]
In the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the recording / reproducing device 41 and the storage center 43 are connected by a high-speed communication line such as ADSL, FTTH, or Ethernet (R).
[0041]
Although not specifically described above, the storage center 43 is connected to a plurality of recording / reproducing devices 41 (not shown) via a communication line, and operates in accordance with the content transmitted from each recording / reproducing device 41, as described above. It is configured to store data.
[0042]
Further, it is desirable that the storage center 43 has, as a library, the actual state of contents (that is, digital data and streams) of a plurality of programs broadcasted by digital broadcasting or analog broadcasting.
[0043]
As an example, the storage center 43 may be a form established by a broadcasting station, a program production company, a movie company, or the like, or a form in which a large amount of content is stored by entrustment or permission from the content owner.
[0044]
The recording / reproducing apparatus 41 according to the present invention transmits the selected content to the storage center 43 or receives the content from the storage center 43, so that the high-speed ADSL modem, the FTTH modem, the Ethernet (R) / F or the like. The content (program, recorded content) selected from the content recording device 31 can be sent to a storage center using the communication line, or a program deposited in the storage center can be downloaded to the content recording device 31. It has become.
[0045]
The data (stream) read from the content recording device 31 is appropriately processed by the transmission / reception data processing unit 39 and transmitted to the storage center 43 via the communication unit 34. At this time, information relating to a program such as a broadcast date, what channel, what time program is transmitted to the storage center 43 as content management information in advance by the communication.
[0046]
This management information may be explicit information such as the broadcast date, what channel, what time to what time program. Alternatively, for example, a program that can be finally converted to information such as broadcast date, what channel, what time, and what time, such as G code reserved recording, may be used. The storage center 43 uses the management information to check whether a library is provided.
[0047]
The recording / reproducing device 41 and the storage center 43 perform various exchanges (negotiations) such as determining whether to transmit a stream depending on the presence or absence of the library in the storage center 43, in addition to the exchange of the content management information. Further, the storage center 43 stores the transmitted stream together with information for specifying from which recording / reproducing apparatus 43 the content is stored.
[0048]
When the recording / reproducing device 41 downloads the deposited stream from the storage center 43, the stream to be downloaded is designated from the recording / reproducing device 41 using a communication line such as an ADSL line, and the stream is transmitted from the storage center 43 via the communication line. I will send you. It goes without saying that the storage center 43 does not allow a stream deposited by another user to be selected.
[0049]
Also, the recording / reproducing apparatus 41 does not download the data in consideration of the amount of free space of its own recording medium, and presents a message to the user to the extent that the data cannot be downloaded. Needless to say, do so.
[0050]
After the above determination is made, the stream transmitted from the storage center 43 via the communication line is received by the communication means (ADSL modem or the like) 34, and is appropriately processed by the transmission / reception data processing unit 39, and It is recorded on the recording device 31.
[0051]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0052]
Reference numeral 101 is a start. Subsequently, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 102.
[0053]
Step 102 is a step of selecting data (stream) to be stored in the storage center 43 from the content data recorded in the recording / reproducing device 41. Subsequently, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 103.
[0054]
In step 103, the recording / reproducing device 41 and the storage center 43 communicate with each other. The storage center 43 transmits the content management information of the data (stream) to be transferred from the recording / reproducing device (recording / reproducing device) 41 to the storage center 43. get. Subsequently, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 104.
[0055]
In step 104, using the acquired content management information, the same data (stream) to be transferred from the recording / reproducing device (recording / reproducing device) 41 to the storage center 43 is already stored in the storage center 43. This is a step of determining whether or not there is. If the same data (stream) to be transferred is stored in the storage center 43, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 106 (Yes). If the same data (stream) to be transferred is not stored in the storage center 43, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 105 (No).
[0056]
Step 105 is a step of transmitting data (stream) from the recording / reproducing device (recording / reproducing device) 41 to the storage center 43. Subsequently, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 107.
[0057]
In step 106, for the same part as the data (stream) stored in the storage center 43, the position information in the stream is transmitted without transferring the data (stream), and the data stored in the storage center 43 is transmitted. This is a step of transferring the remaining data (stream) different from the (stream). Subsequently, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 107.
[0058]
Step 107 is a step in which the storage center 41 stores a method of restoring the data (stream) to be stored (whether the stream itself is stored or the stream is restored based on the position information). Subsequently, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 108.
[0059]
Step 108 is a step to end the processing. The series of processing here ends.
[0060]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the merits of the storage center according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0061]
FIG. 4A is a comparative example with respect to the embodiment of the present invention. In the storage center 43, for example, the same digital data (program D) of 2G Byte is stored as it is.
[0062]
The diagram on the left shows the storage status of the storage center before storing the 2G Byte digital data. The diagram on the right side is a diagram illustrating a storage state of the storage center 43 after 100 digital data of 2 Gbytes are stored. Here, the storage center 43 requires a capacity of 202 Gbytes including the stream (program D) for the library.
[0063]
FIG. 4B is an example showing the merits according to the embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the storage center 43 stores and manages the stream (program D) using the content management information.
[0064]
The diagram on the left shows the storage status of the storage center before storing the 2G Byte digital data. The diagram on the right side is a diagram illustrating a storage state of the storage center 43 after 100 digital data of 2 Gbytes are stored.
[0065]
The part where the same stream as the program D is stored in the storage center 43 stores the position identification information of the stream. The position specifying information is provided to each of the first to 100th recording / reproducing devices 41.
[0066]
In this example, since the total capacity of the position identification information is expected to be 1 M Byte or less, the storage center 43 transmits 2G including the stream (program D) for the library.
It is sufficient to use a capacity of less than Byte + 1M Byte.
[0067]
As described above, for a program in which the storage center 43 can include digital data relating to the actual state of the content, such as a BS digital broadcast (digital data) recording, the entire content of video and audio is recorded and reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus. By transmitting information (program information and time stamp, GOP specifying information, etc.) that can specify the contents of recording instead of transmitting from 41, the amount of transmitted data can be significantly reduced.
[0068]
Also, in the storage center 43, instead of duplicating and storing all digital data of video and audio of the same content sent from a plurality of recording / reproducing devices, it is also necessary to store information for specifying the recorded content and stream position. Accordingly, the recording capacity used for storing the content can be significantly reduced.
[0069]
When the stream stored in the storage center 43 is downloaded from the storage center 43 to the recording / reproducing device 41, the corresponding stream may be downloaded based on the stream position specifying information of the storage center 43.
[0070]
According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to increase the recordable area of the recording / reproducing device by storing the content (stream) recorded in the recording / reproducing device in the storage center using the communication line. effective.
[0071]
In addition, when the content (stream) is deposited in the storage center, the amount of information is reduced and transferred, so that there is an effect that the communication time can be reduced.
[0072]
Further, since the storage center does not store the same digital data in duplicate, there is also an effect that the recording capacity required for storage can be reduced.
[0073]
In the above description, an HDD or a rewritable DVD is mainly used as an example of a content recording device. However, a rewritable disk such as an MO or a rewritable card such as a semiconductor memory card (PCMCIA card, SD It is also possible to apply the present invention to a card or the like.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the recordable area of the recording / reproducing device is stored by storing the content (stream) recorded in the recording / reproducing device at the storage center using the communication line. There is an effect that it can be increased.
[0075]
In addition, when the content (stream) is deposited in the storage center, the amount of information is reduced and transferred, so that there is an effect that the communication time can be reduced.
[0076]
Further, since the storage center does not store the same digital data in duplicate, there is also an effect that the recording capacity required for storage can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating advantages of the storage center according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 Content recording device 32 Decompression block 33 Overall control unit 34 Communication means 35 A / D converter 36 Compression block 37 D / A converter 38 Tuner 39 Transmission / reception data processing unit 41 Recording / reproducing device 42 Antenna 43… storage center

Claims (8)

In a recording and reproducing apparatus for storing a part of digital data relating to contents such as video and audio input from the outside in a digital data storage apparatus provided outside,
Content recording means for recording the digital data input from the outside,
External storage data selection means for selecting to store a part of the digital data recorded in the content recording means in the digital data storage device,
Communication means for communicating with the digital data storage device, wherein the communication means outputs the digital data selected by the external storage data selection means to the digital data storage device. Playback device. The external storage data selection means, when performing a selection for storing a part of the digital data in the digital data storage device, outputs stream information of the selected digital data, received the stream information Receiving a request related to the transmission form of the digital data from the digital data storage device, and directing the selected digital data to the digital data storage device via the communication means in the form of either a stream or specific information. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is output. A digital data storage device that communicates with the recording / reproducing device according to claim 1 or 2 and stores received digital data.
Second communication means for communicating with the recording / reproducing device;
Second content recording means for recording digital data received via the second communication means,
An identical stream determining unit that receives stream information of digital data output from the recording / reproducing apparatus and determines whether or not the same stream is recorded in the second content recording unit; If it is determined that the same stream is recorded in the recording means, information for identifying the contents of the same stream and the location where the same stream is stored is provided.If it is determined that the same stream is not recorded, A digital data storage device, wherein each of the received digital data streams is stored in the second storage means. A recording / reproducing apparatus for receiving digital data relating to content such as video and audio input from the outside and recording the digital data in a content recording means provided therein; and the content recording means connected via communication with the recording / reproducing apparatus In a data storage system comprising a digital data storage device provided outside the recording and reproduction device in which a part of the digital data recorded is stored,
The recording and playback device,
Content recording means for recording digital data related to content such as video and audio input from outside,
A selection is made for storing a part of the digital data recorded in the content recording means in the digital data storage device, and in this selection, stream information of the selected digital data is directed to the digital data storage device. Receiving the request for the transmission form of digital data from the digital data storage device that has received the stream information, and in the form of either stream or specific information, External storage data selection means for outputting to the data storage device;
Communication means for communicating with the digital data storage device,
The digital data storage device,
Second communication means for communicating with the recording / reproducing device;
Second content recording means for recording digital data received via the second communication means,
An identical stream determination unit that receives stream information of digital data output from the recording / reproducing apparatus and determines whether the same stream is recorded in the second content recording unit; If it is determined that the same stream is recorded in the second content recording means, the information for specifying the content of the same stream and the location where the same stream is stored is determined to be the same stream. If it is determined, the data storage system stores the received digital data stream in the second storage unit. 5. The data storage system according to claim 4, wherein in the data storage system, at least a plurality of the recording / reproducing devices are provided for one digital data storage device. In a recording and reproducing method for storing a part of digital data related to content such as video and audio input from the outside in a digital data storage device provided outside,
A recording step of recording the digital data input from the outside,
An external storage data selection step of selecting to store a part of the recorded digital data in the digital data storage device,
A communication step for communicating with the digital data storage device and outputting the selected digital data to the digital data storage device. In the externally stored data selecting step, when a part of the digital data is selected to be stored in the digital data storage device, the stream information of the selected digital data is output, and the stream information is received. Receiving a request related to a transmission form of digital data from the digital data storage device, and outputting the selected digital data to the digital data storage device in either a stream or specific information form. The recording / reproducing method according to claim 6, wherein: A digital data storage method for communicating with the recording / reproducing device according to claim 1 or 2 and storing received digital data,
A second communication step for communicating with the recording / reproducing device;
A second recording step of recording the digital data received in the second communication step;
An identical stream determination step of receiving stream information of digital data output from the recording / reproducing device and determining whether or not the same stream is recorded in the second recording step;
When it is determined that the same stream is recorded, information for identifying the contents of the same stream and the position where the same stream is stored is received. When it is determined that the same stream is not recorded, the reception is performed. Storing the stream of digital data obtained.

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