JP2003101913A - Recording service system and recording media providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To easily and surely collect broadcasted recorded programs without making advance reservations. SOLUTION: A recording device & recording device 9 continuously and continuously records programs of all channels broadcasted in the area for 24 hours, and backs up the programs for storage for a predetermined period. Users 1-1 to 1-n
After the broadcast, the user designates the broadcast time, the channel, the form of the media, and the like of the program to be viewed, and places an order with the center. Recording
The dubbing control unit 8 supplies a recorded program according to the user's order from the backup recorded programs to the file transmitting unit 10 or the media dubbing unit 11. The recorded program is transmitted to the user via the Internet by the file transmission unit 10 or is dubbed to a medium by the media dubbing unit 11 and delivered to the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording service system and a recording medium providing method which can easily and reliably provide a program after broadcasting without requiring advance reservation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a user cannot record a program because he / she is busy or programs to be watched overlap each other,
When the recording center is requested to record, the program requested by the recording center is recorded and the designated media (VHS, CD-
There is a service where you can dive to ROM and deliver it to customers by mail.

There is also a video-on-demand system in which contents desired to be viewed can be selected. This is a system that allows a user to select and watch a program from various channels. This is established as a content such as a movie even in the past. In addition, a system such as sports broadcasting is provided as content only for popular events that are expected to be viewed by an unspecified large number of people.

[0004]

By the way, as described above,
The conventional recording agent service is a system that requires advance reservation to apply for the service before recording. Therefore, for example, even if a person reserves a video recording for a sports broadcast in advance, if the information that a favorite team loses is found later by news or the like, it is often unnecessary to look back at the recording tape. In addition, it is often smaller after recording than expected before recording. In such a case, the recording service is wasted. That is, there is a problem that a fee is paid for a service that is no longer needed.

[0005] In addition, just in case (for insurance), it is sometimes necessary to make a reservation in advance and keep the recording tape at hand. In such a case, there is a problem that such recording tapes, that is, recording tapes that are not always seen or not, are increasing and it becomes difficult to organize them.

On the contrary, casually watching TV,
It seems that everyone has the experience of wanting to see the current information again and having missed it. However, in such a case, it is not possible to use the above-mentioned service that requires prior reservation.

[0007] Further, if popular contents are expected to be watched by an unspecified number of people, they can be viewed later by a service such as video-on-demand, but important information for oneself is always provided as popular contents. It is not always done.

[0008] For example, in the case of casually watching TV and changing channels, an acquaintance was on the program, if I knew in advance, I would make a recording reservation, but I do not know in advance. In some cases, there's no way to see it, even if you wanted to see it later. Also, I think that the program I am watching is denser than I expected, and even if I judge that this is a preserved version, there is no way to save it after broadcasting if it is not recorded.

[0009] Then, at a later date, a lot of friends will be asked to ask, "Did you not record that program during this time?", And if you are lucky enough to find it, you will be dubbed. However, there is no guarantee that the person recording the desired program can be found, and in most cases, it cannot be found.

That is, since the conventional recording agent service requires advance reservation, the recording reservation must be made before the program is broadcast. However, as described above, even if a user wants to obtain a recording tape for a program during or after watching the program, there is a problem in that the conventional proxy recording service cannot handle it. . Further, even if such information is personally desired to be known, a program that is hardly important to others is rarely made into content on the video-on-demand server side. Therefore, the conventional video-on-demand cannot be supported.

As described above, conventionally, there has not been a service for recording a video when it is desired to record the video after broadcasting. Moreover, it is considered that such demand is greater than the demand for advance reservation because the video having the function of making a reservation recording by a simple operation is widespread.

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording service system and a recording medium providing method capable of easily and surely collecting recorded programs broadcasted without making advance reservation.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, a recording service system according to the invention of claim 1 is a recording means for recording programs of a plurality of channels to be broadcast,
Receiving means for receiving a user request including at least a channel number and broadcast date and time, and a recorded program requested by the user from among recorded programs recorded by the recording means based on the channel number and broadcast date and time accepted by the receiving means And a dubbing unit for dubbing the recorded program to a predetermined medium, and the medium to which the recorded program is dubbed by the dubbing unit is distributed to the user.

As a preferred mode, for example, in the recording service system according to claim 1 as described in claim 2, the dubbing means may copy the recorded program to a medium designated by the user. .

As a preferred mode, for example, in the recording service system according to claim 1 as described in claim 3, the dubbing means dubbs the recorded program to the medium at the image quality level designated by the user. May be.

As a preferred aspect, for example, as described in claim 4, in the recording service system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, editing for cutting a specific portion included in a recorded program dubbed to the medium is edited. Means may be provided.

Further, as a preferred mode, for example, as described in claim 5, in the recording service system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an editing means for adding additional information to the recorded program dubbed to the medium is provided. It may be provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the method for providing a recording medium according to the invention of claim 6 records programs of all channels to be broadcast endlessly, and receives a user request including at least a channel number and a broadcast date and time. Characterized in that the recorded program requested by the user is specified from the recorded recorded programs based on the channel number and the broadcast date and time, the recorded program is dubbed to a predetermined medium, and the medium is distributed to the user. And

As a preferred mode, for example, as described in claim 7, in the recording medium providing method according to claim 6, the type of the medium may be designated by the user.

As a preferred aspect, for example, as in claim 8, in the recording medium providing method according to claim 6, the image quality level of the recorded program dubbed to the medium can be designated by the user. Good.

As a preferred mode, for example, as in claim 9, in the recording medium providing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, a specific portion included in a recorded program to be dubbed to the medium is cut. Then, the medium may be dubbed.

As a preferred aspect, for example, as in claim 10, in the recording medium providing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, only a specific portion included in the recorded program to be dubbed to the medium is provided. The media may be dubbed.

As a preferred mode, for example, as in claim 11, in the recording medium providing method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, additional information is added to a recorded program to be dubbed to the medium. The media may be dubbed.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A. Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the users (members) 1-1 to 1-n need not prepare anything,
All you have to do is watch TV. Users 1-1 to 1-n
When you think that you want to watch it again after it is aired without having to record it as an insurance, or if you need to hear it after listening to its reputation, you can watch the broadcast time of that program (from what time to what time). , Channel, media type, etc.
Make an order to the center side using communication means such as telephone, FAX, and internet.

As the designation conditions, it is possible to designate the image quality (digital or analog), in the case of digital, the type of standard such as MPEG2 and the compression rate. The medium is a tape, a disc such as a DVD, or VHS or S-VHS in the case of a tape.
It is possible to specify whether or not it is D-VHS.

The center 3 has a recording service server 2. The recording service server 2 constantly records a certain channel range broadcast in a certain area for a certain time zone. A certain area is, for example, the Kanto region, a certain channel is, for example, channels 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, and a certain time zone is, for example, conditions such as 5 am to 23:00 pm. 2 on all channels nationwide
4 hours is desirable. The recording service server 2 has a capacity to store the recorded program (image data) for a certain period, for example, one week or one month.

The recording service server 2 is a user 1-1.
~ 1-n accepts orders by communication means such as telephone, FAX, Internet, etc., and users 1-1 to 1-n
From the recorded programs, the programs desired by the users 1-1 to 1-n are dubbed to the media of the specified form according to the order from the users 1-1 to 1-n. Send by method. When sending to the user via the Internet or downloading by the user, *. avi, *. Video files such as mpg are used. In that case, the user can download (view the file) by password authentication and scrambling by encryption. In addition, center 3
Collects service charges from users 1-1 to 1-n according to recording time, time zone, length, media, image quality, and the like.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the recording service server. The reception unit 5 includes users 1-1 to
Orders from 1-n are accepted by telephone, FAX, Internet, etc. Dubbing schedule management unit 6
Manages the dubbing order of recorded programs to media according to the order contents (date, time, channel, media) from a plurality of users 1-1 to 1-n. The dubbing order is
It is retained as Schedule 7.

The recording / dubbing control unit 8 is managed by the dubbing schedule management unit 6 as well as the recording operation of a broadcast by the recording device and the dubbing (playback) operation from the recording device to the recording device in the recording device & recording device 9 described later. According to the schedule 7, the supply operation of the recorded program to the file transmission unit 10 or the media dubbing unit 11 is controlled. The recording device & recording device 9 records endlessly a certain channel range for 24 hours continuously, and, under the control of the recording / dubbing control unit 8, selects a program desired by the user from the recorded programs. , File transmission unit 10 or media dubbing unit 1
Supply to 1.

The file transmission unit 10 transmits the recorded program from the recording device & recording device 9 to the user terminal (not shown) of the user via the Internet as a predetermined moving image file. The media dubbing unit 11 dubbs the recorded program from the recording device & recording device 9 to the medium 12 in the specified form of the program desired by the user. The media 1
2 is sent to the user by a method specified by the user (mailing, courier, etc.). The media dubbing unit 11
If there are a plurality of dubbing devices, a plurality of media 12
Parallel processing is possible. In addition, when a high-speed dubbing function such as double speed is provided, efficient dubbing to the medium 12 can be performed by serial processing.

As the recording device & recording device 9, it is necessary to secure a recording medium having a capacity necessary for endlessly recording a time corresponding to a certain storage period. Further, during that time, in response to a request from the user side, copying (dubbing) has to be performed from a recording device which is a master medium, so that at least double use can be made of a medium for real-time recording and a medium for copying. It must have two types of media.
In addition, it is necessary to record programs on all channels that are broadcast in a certain area.

Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the recording device & recording device. The recording device & recording device 9 shown in FIG. 2 is actually a recording device & recording device 9-1 provided for each channel broadcast in the area.
~ 9-n. In addition, the recording device for each channel &
The recording devices 9-1 to 9-n are each a recording device 2 of two systems.
0A-1, 20B-1, 20A-2, 20B-2, 20
An, 20B-n, and recording devices 21-1 to 21-
have n. Recording devices 20A-i, 20B-i (i = 1
~ N) are the same, and the program of the corresponding channel is alternately recorded every predetermined period. When one is a recording operation, the other is a reproducing operation of reproducing a program recorded before a predetermined period. Then, the recorded program reproduced on the reproducing operation side is recorded in the recording device 21-i. That is, the recording device 21-i alternately records the programs recorded by the recording devices 20A-i and 20B-i. Finally, the recording device 21-
In i, recorded programs are continuously recorded.

B. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described. First, on the center 3 side, the recording / dubbing control unit 8 of the recording service server 2 causes the recording device & recording device 9 to record a program by the recording devices 20A-i, 20B-i, and the recording device 20A-i, The dubbing (playback) operation from 20B-i to the recording device 21-i is alternately performed. Here, FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of a recording device & recording device of a certain channel. In the recording device & recording device 9, the recording device 20A-i, 20B-i alternately records a broadcast for a predetermined time (A1 to An,
B1-Bn). At this time, it is possible to record without interruption by providing an appropriate overlap period.

More specifically, the recording device 20A-i is
After recording operation to record the broadcast for a predetermined time (A1-
An), a reproduction operation is performed to dubb the recorded broadcast to the recording device 21-i (A1 ′ to An ′). The recording device 20B-i is provided during the playback operation of the recording device 20A-i (A
1'-An '), a recording operation is performed to continuously record programs (B1-Bn), and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the recording device 20A
When -i becomes the recording operation again, the reproduction operation is performed to dubb the recorded broadcast to the recording device 21-i (B1 'to Bn'). In this way, the recording devices 20A-i and 20B-i having the capacity for the recording period are turned endlessly, and the video of a certain recording period is always backed up to the recording device 21-i. The work time interval does not necessarily have to end in one interval period before the next writing (recording) is performed.

Hereinafter, the broadcasts are recorded alternately by the recording devices 20A-i and 20B-i at predetermined intervals, and the broadcasts are continuously recorded by dubbing (reproducing) to the recording device 21-i. At the same time, the broadcast can be backed up to the recording device 21-i in parallel with this. Then, depending on the recording capacities of the recording devices 20A-i and 20B-i, after recording for a certain period of time, overwrite recording is performed one after another (An + 1, Bn + 1).

If the users (members) 1-1 to 1-n feel that "this program (information) is necessary (preserved version)" during or after watching television, the broadcast time of the program is displayed. (From what time to what time), the channel, the form of the media, etc. are designated, and the order is made to the center 2 side using a communication means such as a telephone, FAX, or the Internet. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the user 1-1 is 19:00 on September 6, 2000.
~ 20: 30, the program broadcast on 1ch in the Kanto area,
I'm ordering by phone.

Similarly, the user 1-2 has ordered by FAX the program broadcast on 3ch in the Kanto area from 20:00 to 21:56 on September 6, 2000, and the user 1-2
3 is September 6th, 2000, 19:00 to 19:30,
I'm ordering a program broadcast on channel 1 in the Kanto region via the Internet. Further, the user 1-n has a date of yyyy mm, dd, h1: m1 to h2: m2, Yc of the area X.
I am ordering a program that was broadcast on the Internet through the Internet.

On the side of the center 3, the acceptance section 5 of the recording service server 2 accepts orders from the users 1-1 to 1-n.
Accept via telephone, fax, internet, etc.
Then, the dubbing schedule management unit 6 manages the order of the orders, that is, the dubbing order of the recorded programs to the media, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with the orders from the plurality of users 1-1 to 1-n. That is, September 6, 2000
Sunday, 19:00 to 19:30, dubbing a program broadcast on 1ch in the Kanto region to the media of user 1-1 and user 1-2, September 6, 2000, 19:30 to 2
Schedule at 0:30 to dubb the program broadcast on 1ch in the Kanto area to the media of the user 1-1. Also, September 6th, 2000, 20:00 to 21: 5
6. The program broadcast on 3ch in the Kanto area is available to the user 1-
Schedule for dubbing to 3 media. The dubbing order is held as a schedule.

In the recording / dubbing control section 8, the recording device &
From the broadcasts backed up in the recording device 21-i in the recording device 9, the users 1-1 to 1- 1 according to the schedule managed by the dubbing schedule management unit 6.
The recording for the time period specified by n is taken out and the user 1
It is supplied to either the file transmission unit 10 or the media dubbing unit 11 according to the media designated by -1 to 1-n. When the user specifies a medium such as a video tape or a CD-ROM, it is supplied to the media dubbing unit 11, and when the user specifies the Internet, it is supplied to the file transmission unit 10.

The file transmitting section 10 transmits the recorded program from the recording device & recording device 9 to the user terminal of the user via the Internet as a predetermined moving image file.
The media dubbing unit 11 dubbs the recorded program from the recording device & recording device 9 to the medium 12 of the specified form with the program desired by the user. The media 12 is
It is sent to the user by the method specified by the user (mail, courier, etc.). Then, on the side of the center 3, a service charge according to recording time, time zone, length, media, image quality, etc. is collected from the users 1-1 to 1-n.

In the above embodiment, when the recorded program is supplied to the user as an electronic file, a digital watermark or the like may be incorporated to prevent the secondary copy. It is also possible to manage permission or disapproval of copying depending on the generation of copying.

In the above-described embodiment, since dubbing is performed on the side of the center 3, it is easy to select an option such as whether or not to cut the CM. On the contrary, it is also possible to order the recording of only the commercial, not the program itself. It is also possible to collect advertisement charges and reduce service costs by adding CMs or the like in between. Therefore, it is possible to provide services not only to the program itself but also to users who are interested in commercials, and it is possible to provide an advantage that the price is reduced.

Further, the center 3 makes a capital investment and distributes these recorded contents to an unspecified number of users, so that the initial cost of the equipment can be absorbed and the service cost can be reduced. Further, it is expected that the number of orders after broadcasting will be much larger than the number of orders before broadcasting, and it is considered that the service according to the present embodiment is completed at a service charge appropriate for a business.

In addition, when a charge for copyright (broadcasting right, publishing right) is incurred, the center 3 side collects on behalf of
Try to distribute to copyright holders. It is expected that such services will become a useful business system for copyright holders. Then, the center 3 side can also receive the agency fee at that time.

C. Modifications Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example of the television broadcast is given as an example of the moving image file, but as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to realize it in almost the same system in the case of radio broadcast as the audio medium. It is possible. By requesting the center to listen to music, interviews, etc. that were casually listened to, the user can efficiently obtain information such as missed listening or wanting to listen better. Also in this case, it is possible to introduce technologies such as CM cutting and copy prevention as in the above-described embodiment.

According to the above-described embodiment, the user can decide and order the recording for a program other than the one he / she really wants to watch, so that it is not necessary to perform any recording other than insurance and save time. It can be used effectively and the information can be collected efficiently.

When a fee associated with a copyright (broadcasting right, publishing right) is incurred, the center side collects the fee on behalf of the copyright holder so that the frequency of collection of the copyright fee is now Since it is more and more rational, it will be a useful business system for the copyright holder and the center side.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the programs of a plurality of channels to be broadcast are recorded by the recording means, the user request including at least the channel number and the broadcast date and time is received by the receiving means, and the dubbing means is used. Based on the channel number and the broadcast date and time, the recorded program requested by the user is specified from the recorded programs recorded by the recording means, dubbed to a predetermined medium, and the medium is distributed to the user. Therefore, there is an advantage that the recorded programs broadcasted can be easily and surely collected without making advance reservation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the recorded program is dubbed to the medium designated by the user by the dubbing means, the broadcasted recorded program can be recorded without advance reservation. The advantage is that it can be collected easily and reliably.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the dubbing means dubbs the recorded program to the medium at the image quality level designated by the user, the program is broadcast without advance reservation. The advantage is that the recorded programs can be collected easily and surely.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the editing means cuts a specific portion included in the recorded program to be dubbed to the medium, the recorded recording is broadcast without making advance reservation. The advantage is that the programs can be collected easily and reliably.

According to the invention of claim 5, the additional information is added to the recorded program to be dubbed onto the medium by the editing means, so that the recorded program which has been broadcasted can be recorded without advance reservation. The advantage is that it can be collected easily and reliably.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, when the programs of all channels to be broadcast are recorded endlessly and a user request including at least a channel number and a broadcast date and time is accepted, the program is based on the channel number and the broadcast date and time. Then, the recorded program requested by the user is specified from the recorded recorded programs, the recorded program is dubbed to a predetermined medium, and the medium is distributed to the user.
The advantage is that the recorded programs broadcasted can be easily and surely collected without making advance reservation.

According to the invention of claim 7, since the type of the media can be designated by the user, the recorded programs broadcasted can be easily and surely collected without making a reservation in advance. The advantage of being able to do is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 8, the image quality level of the recorded program dubbed onto the medium can be designated by the user, so that the recorded program broadcast can be easily performed without making a reservation. In addition, the advantage that it can be collected reliably is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 9, since a specific portion included in the recorded program to be dubbed to the medium is cut and dubbed to the medium, advance reservation is not required. The advantage is that the broadcast recorded programs can be collected easily and surely.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since only the specific portion included in the recorded program to be dubbed to the medium is dubbed to the medium, it is broadcast without advance reservation. It is possible to collect recorded programs easily and surely.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, since additional information is added to the recorded program to be dubbed to the medium and dubbed to the medium, it is broadcast without advance reservation. It is possible to collect recorded programs easily and surely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording service server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a recording device & recording device.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of a recording device & recording device of a certain channel.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining dubbing scheduling.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a service for recording a voice medium and providing it to a user according to a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-n users 2 Recording service server 3 centers 5 Reception Unit (Reception Means) 6 Dubbing schedule management department 7 schedule 8 Recording / dubbing control unit (dubbing means, editing means) 9, 9-1 to 9-n Recording device & recording device (recording means) 10 File transmission section 11 Media dubbing section (dubbing means) 12 media 20A-1 to 20A-n Recording device 20B-1 to 20B-n recording device 21-1 to 21-n recording device

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 P G11B 27/02 A F term (reference) 5C052 AA20 AB04 DD04 5C053 FA14 FA15 FA21 FA23 GB38 LA15 5D044 HL07 HL14 5D110 CA05 CA06 CA17 CA33 CA53 CB01 CB02 CB03 CB04 CB07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A recording means for recording a program of a plurality of channels to be broadcast, an acceptance means for accepting a user request including at least a channel number and a broadcast date and time, and a channel number and a broadcast date and time accepted by the acceptance means. A dubbing unit for identifying a recorded program requested by the user from the recorded programs recorded by the recording unit and dubbing the recorded program to a predetermined medium, wherein the medium dubbed by the dubbing unit is recorded by the user. Recording service system characterized by being distributed to. 2. The recording service system according to claim 1, wherein the dubbing means dubbs a recorded program to a medium designated by a user. 3. The recording service system according to claim 1, wherein the dubbing means dubbs a recorded program onto a medium at an image quality level designated by a user. 4. The recording service system according to claim 1, further comprising an editing unit that cuts a specific portion included in the recorded program dubbed to the medium. 5. The recording service system according to claim 1, further comprising an editing unit for adding additional information to a recorded program dubbed on the medium. 6. A program of all channels to be broadcast is recorded endlessly, and when a user request including at least a channel number and a broadcast date and time is accepted, among the recorded programs recorded based on the channel number and the broadcast date and time. A recording media providing method, characterized in that a recorded program requested by a user is specified, the recorded program is dubbed to a predetermined medium, and the medium is distributed to the user. 7. The recording media providing method according to claim 6, wherein the type of the media can be designated by a user. 8. The recording medium providing method according to claim 6, wherein an image quality level of a recorded program dubbed onto the medium can be designated by a user. 9. The recording medium providing method according to claim 6, wherein a specific portion included in a recorded program to be dubbed to the medium is cut and dubbed to the medium. 10. The recording medium providing method according to claim 6, wherein only a specific portion included in a recorded program to be dubbed to the medium is dubbed to the medium. 11. The recording medium providing method according to claim 6, wherein additional information is added to a recorded program to be dubbed to the medium, and the medium is dubbed to the medium.