JPH11232727A - Av equipment and video-recording system of av equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform program video-recording and program reserved video-recording by allowing a 1st AV device to inquire information on the operation state and a video-recording medium of other VC devices connected through a bus when program video-recording is indicated and shows answer contents to the operator. SOLUTION: When the operator inputs program video-recording and video- recording contents to a tuner 102 through a user interface part 121, the control part 128 of the tuner 102 inquires whether or not the video-recording is possible of recorders 101a to 101e through the bus 100. In response to this inquiry, the control parts 119 of the recorders 101a to 101e send device types, maker's names, product names, types, operation state of the devices, whether or not a video- recording medium is loaded that video-recording medium detection parts 113 hold, and medium video-recording rest capacities to the tuner 102. The control part 128 of the tuner 102 receives the transmission contents from the recorders 101a to 101e and displays them on a monitor 103.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the technology of audio and video equipment (hereinafter referred to as "AV equipment") in which at least two audio and video equipment such as audio equipment and video equipment are connected by a bus. The present invention relates to a device use technique for securing use of a related AV device when the device is operated in a related manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, video tape recorders (hereinafter, referred to as video tape recorders)
VTR), AV equipment such as a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as TV) and information processing devices are connected by a control bus capable of communicating data and control signals in a mixed manner, and communication for transmitting and receiving data and control signals between the devices. IEEE13 as a system
A communication system using a 94 serial bus or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) has been proposed.

[0003] The IEEE 1394 serial bus uses an isochronous transfer for continuously transmitting data such as digital AV signals at a constant transfer rate, and an asynchronous (As) for transmitting control signals such as connection control commands as needed.
asynchronous) transfer can be performed.

The USB includes the synchronous transfer, control transfer used for transmitting and receiving messages, and bulk transfer used for transferring a large amount of data, although the transfer rate is not guaranteed.

[0005] In a system using an IEEE 1394 serial bus or USB, a node ID is automatically assigned according to the connection form of each device. Further, when a new device is added to the system or a device is removed from the system, a bus reset is performed, and a node ID is automatically assigned again according to a new connection mode.

Further, standardization of a control signal "AV / C Digital Interface Command Set" for externally controlling various AV devices on an IEEE 1394 serial bus is being advanced.

[0007] Under such circumstances, various types of AV equipment are connected by I
When a system for connecting data and control signals by connecting with an IEEE 1394 serial bus or USB is constructed, it is conceivable that an arbitrary AV device controls another AV device. As one of the representative functions, a function for securing use of the device, for example, a program recording function or a program reservation recording function can be considered.

[0008]

However, for example, in the conventional program recording function, before the recording operation, the operator himself / herself has a recording medium for each device, the recordable time of the recording medium, and the current operation. It was necessary to check if it was inside. Further, in the program reservation recording function, the operator performs timer reservation operation for each of the AV devices related to the reservation, and each AV device does not participate in the operation of other AV devices at all, and when the set time comes. On the other hand, one AV device only outputs AV data such as image information and audio information or executes an operation such as recording start regardless of the use state of the partner AV device. Therefore, conventionally, when performing program reservation recording, it has been necessary to check whether or not the operator himself can operate each device at the reservation time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technology for using an AV device in which a plurality of devices can easily perform program recording and program reservation recording in cooperation with each other in order to solve such problems. .

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an AV device according to the present invention is an AV device that realizes a method described below.

When program recording is instructed to the first AV device, at least one or more other AV devices connected via the bus are inquired about the operation status of the other AV device and information on the recording medium. .

In the other AV device, the held information is returned to the first AV device in response to the inquiry via the bus.

The first AV device presents the contents of the response to the operator, determines an AV device to be operated in association with the first AV device when the bus is used, and causes the determined AV device to record video data. Send and record.

[0014] When a program reservation recording is instructed to the first AV device, at least one or more other AV devices connected via the bus, information on the recording medium of the other AV device, An inquiry is made as to whether or not the second AV device can be used from the start time to the end time when the other AV device is to be used.

[0015] In response to the inquiry, the other AV device determines whether or not the device can be used in response to the inquiry through the bus, and replies to the first AV device. I do.

The first AV device presents the contents of the reply to the operator, determines the device to be operated in association with the first AV device when using the bus, and determines the program of the first AV device. The program reservation information is stored in the reservation recording information storage means, and the program reservation information is also stored in the program reservation recording information storage means of the determined AV device.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which AV devices of the present invention are connected to a bus.

In this example, a video tape recorder that records AV data such as video and audio on a magnetic tape, or a recorder 101 that is a recording device that records AV data on a magnetic disk or optical disk such as a DVD, HD, or MO.
a, 101b, 101c, 101d, and 101e, a tuner 102 which is a satellite broadcast receiver for receiving a broadcast program using a communication satellite, and a monitor 103 such as a television receiver or a display for a personal computer. The configuration is such that they are connected by a bus 100 such as USB.

Hereinafter, a method of recording a program in the tuner 102 and the recorder 101a or 101b when the operator instructs "program recording" or "program reservation recording" to the tuner 102 will be described. I do.

First, the recorder 101a and the tuner 1
02 will be described. Note that the recorder 100
b, 101c, 101d, and 101e are recorders 101
It has the same configuration as a.

The recorder 101a includes a user interface unit 111 for exchanging recording and playback, timer reservation, display, and the like from the operator using an input instruction device such as a remote controller and a tablet, and other devices (in this case, Is a communication interface unit 11 for communicating data and control signals with the tuner 102 and the monitor 103).
2. A recording medium detection unit 113 that manages data relating to a recording medium such as a tape or a disc to be set in the recorder 101a, a timer reservation unit 114 that performs processing related to reserved recording of a program, and AV data such as a program is recorded on a recording medium. Recording unit 117 for recording, A
Playback unit 118 for playing back V data, recorder 10
The recording apparatus control section 119 controls the operation of the recording apparatus 1a.

The timer reservation section 114 is composed of a reservation data management section 115 for managing data relating to reservation recording and a timer 116 for notifying by an alarm or the like when the reservation time comes.

The tuner 102 uses a user interface unit 121 for exchanging program reception, timer reservation setting, display, recording, and the like from an operator using an input instruction device such as a remote controller or a tablet. In this case, the recorders 101a and 101b and the monitor 1
03), a communication interface unit 122 for communicating AV data and control signals, a broadcast receiving unit 123 for receiving a program, a timer reservation unit 124 for performing program reservation processing, and reproducing and displaying the received program on the monitor 103. And a control unit 128 for controlling the operation of each unit in the tuner 102.

The timer reservation section 124 includes a reservation data management section 125 for managing data relating to program reservation, and a timer 126 for notifying by an alarm or the like when the reservation time has come.

Next, a configuration of the reservation data managed by the reservation data management unit 115 of the recorder 101a and the reservation data management unit 125 of the tuner 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, in the recorder 101a which operates in cooperation with the tuner 102 at the time of executing the reservation, the reservation ID 201,
Target ID 202, reservation time (start / end time) 2
03, one reservation is managed using various setting information 204 as one record unit.

The reservation ID 201 is an identifier for identifying reservation data managed in the recorder 101a.
Assign a unique number in the order of reservation settings or date and time.
The target ID 202 is an identifier unique to a device that accepts a reservation and operates in cooperation at the time of execution. In the case of the present embodiment, the ID is a unique ID of the tuner 102. If you do not need a device that accepts reservations and works in cooperation,
The ID of the recorder 101a and a value not used as the ID are set. The reservation time 202 is a requested reservation time (start / end time). The various setting information 204 includes information necessary for the recorder 101a to set and execute scheduled recording of a program, such as a recording speed mode such as SP, LP, and EP, and a recording mode such as analog or digital.

Next, in this embodiment, in the tuner 102 in which the operator instructs the program reservation, the reservation ID 30
1, target ID 302, channel 303, reservation time (start / end time) 304, and various setting information 305
One reservation is managed as a record unit.

The reservation ID 301 is an identifier for identifying reservation data managed in the tuner 102, and is assigned a unique number in the order of setting the reservation or the date and time. The target ID 302 is an identifier unique to a device that operates in cooperation with execution of a reservation. In the case of the present embodiment, the recorder 101a or the recorder 101b and the monitor 10
3 is a unique ID. When a device that operates in cooperation is not required, the own ID (the ID of the tuner 102) and a value that is not used as the ID are set. Channel 303 is
This is the channel of the reserved program. Reservation time 304
Is the requested reservation time (start / end time). Various kinds of setting information 305 include information necessary for setting and executing program reservation, a mode of analog output or digital output, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the recorder 101 will be described.
a, a tape managed by the recording medium detection unit 113 of FIG.
One configuration of data 400 relating to a recording medium such as a disk will be described.

A medium presence / absence 401 is a flag for determining whether a recording medium is set in the recorder 101a, and a medium total capacity 402 is a capacity (time) that can be recorded when nothing is recorded on the recording medium. And the medium recording remaining capacity 403 is data indicating a recordable capacity (time) when the recording medium is set.

Next, a procedure for performing a program recording process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the operator causes the tuner 102 to input a program recording instruction and recording contents via the user interface unit 121 using an input instruction device such as a remote controller or an input tablet (step 501). Recording, when recording a currently received program, besides the method of instructing by pressing the recording instruction button of the input instruction device, for example, using the input instruction device,
As shown in a screen 701 of FIG. 7, there is a method of making a selection from the program guide, and the like.

Next, the control unit 128 of the tuner 102
Via the communication interface unit 122 and the bus 100,
Recorders 101a, 102b, 101c, 101d, 1
01e as to whether or not recording is possible (step 50).
2). At this time, an inquiry is made by transmitting the use start time to be used.

In response to the above inquiry, the recorder 101
The control unit 119 of a, 102b, 101c, 101d, and 101e receives the contents of the inquiry via the communication interface unit 112, and stores the device type, maker name, product name, model, operating status of the nuclear device, A medium presence / absence 401 of data 400 relating to a recording medium such as a disc held in a recording medium detection unit;
2 via the communication interface unit 112 to the tuner 1
02.

The control unit 128 of the tuner 102 receives the above transmission contents via the communication interface unit 122 and the bus 100, and causes the operator to input a recording device via the user interface unit 121 using the input instruction device. (Step 503). FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a screen 801 displayed on the monitor 103 in step 503. On the screen 801, the recorders 101a, 102b, 101c, 101d, 1 connected to the tuner 102 via the bus 100 are displayed.
01e is displayed. The information includes
Displays the type of device such as VTR or DVD, the manufacturer name and model, and information about recording, such as the recordable time, or no recording media if there is no recording media, or a message such as in use if recording is not being performed while other operations are in progress. Then, the operator selects a recording device via the user interface unit 121 using the input instruction device.

After the selection, the control unit 128 of the tuner 102
Transmits the program specified in step 501 to the broadcast receiving unit 12
3. Reception and reproduction via the reproduction unit 127, and transmission to the recorder selected in step 503 via the communication interface unit 122. On the other hand, the control unit 119 of the recorder
Receives the recording data via the communication interface unit and causes the recording unit 117 to record the data on a recording medium.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a procedure for performing a program reservation recording process will be described.

First, the operator inputs a program reservation recording instruction and recording reservation contents to the tuner 102 via the user interface unit 121 using an input instruction device such as a remote controller or an input tablet (step 60).
1). As a recording reservation instruction, for example, there is a method of using the input instruction device to make a selection from a program guide as shown on a screen 701 in FIG.

Next, the control unit 128 of the tuner 102
Via the communication interface unit 122 and the bus 100,
Recorders 101a, 102b, 101c, 101d, 1
It inquires of 01e about whether or not reserved recording is possible (step 602). At this time, the inquiry is made by transmitting at least the information of the recording start time and the recording end time, but the content of the reservation data itself may be transmitted at the same time as the inquiry about the use schedule.

In response to the above inquiry, the recorder 101
The control unit 119 of a, 102b, 101c, 101d, and 101e receives the contents of the inquiry via the communication interface unit 112, and instructs the reservation data management unit 114 to determine whether recording is possible in the recording time zone of the inquiry.
00 is read and determined, and the determination result relates to the device type, maker name, product name, model, operation status of the nuclear device, and the recording medium such as a disk stored in the recording medium detection unit, which are held by each device. Medium 400 of data 400
1. The medium recording remaining capacity 402 is transferred to the communication interface unit 11
2 to the tuner 102.

The control unit 128 of the tuner 102 receives the above transmission contents via the communication interface unit 122 and the bus 100, and causes the operator to input a recording device via the user interface unit 121 using the input instruction device. (Step 603). An example of a screen displayed on the monitor 103 in the step 503 is indicated by 802 in FIG. On the screen 801, the recorders 101a, 102b, 101c, 101d, 1 connected to the tuner 102 via the bus 100 are displayed.
01e is displayed.

The information includes a device type such as a VTR or a DVD, a maker name and a model, and information on recording, such as a recordable time, a recordable medium if there is no recordable medium, and a recordable state during another operation. If it is in use, if there is another recording reservation during the reserved recording time zone, there is another reservation,
Is displayed, and the operator is caused to select a recording device via the user interface unit 121 using the input instruction device.

After the selection, the control unit 128 of the tuner 102
Causes the reservation data management unit 124 to generate and store the reservation data 300 from the reservation contents designated by 601 and 602 (step 604). Further, a request for setting the reservation data 200 is transmitted together with the reservation data 300 to the recorder selected in step 503 via the communication interface unit 122 (step 605).

On the other hand, the control unit 119 of the recorder receives the reservation data 300 via the communication interface unit, and causes the reservation data management unit 114 to generate and store the reservation data 200.

When a recording device in which a recording medium is not set is selected in steps 503 and 603 of the program recording and program reservation recording processes, for example, a screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Alternatively, a message may be displayed to set the recording medium, and after detecting that the recording medium has been set, the process may proceed to the next processing step.

Next, step 502, step 504, step 602,
In step 605, the tuner 10
2 and recorders 101a, 101b, 101c, 101
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a packet structure of a control signal for transmission / reception regarding an inquiry or the like between d and 101e.

In the transmission / reception, the command packet 1001
Use

The command packet 1001 includes a command transmission destination address 1001 and a command transmission source address 1
002 and command contents 1003.

The command transmission destination address 1001 is the only address on the bus 100 of the device that receives the transmission command.

The command source address 1002 is the only address on the bus 100 of the device transmitting the command.

A command content 1003 indicates a control code for inquiry, recording, writing of reservation data, and the like, and the content thereof.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when there is a program recording or program reservation recording instruction, the bus 1
It is possible to grasp all the statuses of the recorders existing on the 00.

[0055]

According to the present invention, each AV device can grasp all information relating to its own device from all device use information existing on the bus, so that the operator can record each device. There is no need to check for the presence or absence of a medium, the recordable time of a recording medium, whether it is currently operating, or whether it is operable at the reserved time. Program recording and program reservation recording can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which AV devices of the present invention are connected to a bus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of reservation data managed in a recorder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of reservation data managed in a tuner;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of data relating to a recording medium managed in the recorder.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a program recording process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a program reservation recording process.

FIG. 7 is a screen showing a screen example when a program is selected during program recording or program reservation recording.

FIG. 8 is a screen showing an example of a screen when a recording device is selected during program recording or program reservation recording.

FIG. 9 is a message screen for setting a recording medium during program recording or program reservation recording.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a command packet for communicating between AV devices connected to a bus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Bus, 101 ... Recorder, 102 ... Tuner, 103 ... Monitor, 111 ... User interface part, 112 ... Communication interface part, 113 ... Recording medium detection part, 114 ... Timer reservation part, 115 ... Reserved data management part, 116 ... Timer 117 Recording unit 118 Reproducing unit 119 Control unit 121 User interface unit 122 Communication interface unit 123 Broadcast receiving unit 124 Timer reservation unit 125 Reserved data management unit 126 Timer 127 Playback unit 128 Control unit 200 Reserved data 300 Reserved data 400 Recording medium data 1001 Command packet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tamotsu Ito 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Yokohama, Japan Multimedia Systems Development Division, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An AV device capable of transmitting or receiving information to and from another AV device via a bus, wherein at least one other AV device connected via the bus is provided with the AV device. An AV device comprising means for transmitting information for requesting transmission of information on the operation status of another AV device and recording media. 2. An operation status transmitted from the other AV device,
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for receiving information of the recording medium and presenting the information to an operator via a display means.
V equipment. 3. The recording medium information includes at least information indicating whether or not the recording medium is mounted on the AV device and information indicating the amount of information that can be recorded on the mounted recording medium. The AV device according to claim 1. 4. A recording method for an AV device which transmits or receives information to or from another AV device via a bus and records an image and audio information in the other AV device. According to the instruction of the scheduled recording, at least one or more other AV devices connected via the bus are
Requesting to transmit the operation status of the other AV device and the information of the recording medium; receiving the operation status and the information of the recording medium transmitted from the other AV device and presenting them to the operator via the display means A recording method for an AV device, comprising a step and a step of allowing the operator to select an AV device to be recorded.