JP4539445B2 - Data transfer system, data transfer processing device, and data transfer processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a data transfer system for transferring a video data file from a first device to a second device, a data transfer processing device as a first device or a second device constituting the data transfer system, The present invention relates to a data transfer processing method executed by a data transfer processing device.

JP 2004-254143 A

Today, with the widespread use of video recorders that record television broadcast programs on videotapes, the so-called "time shift" in which a television broadcast program is recorded and viewed at a time convenient to you rather than its broadcast time. A viewing style based on the concept is well established. In such a situation, many broadcast programs are recorded and watched after a while.
In particular, in recent years, a hard disk is often used as a recording medium, as is known in a recording device such as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) having a built-in HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The fact that data files can be stored more easily increases the opportunity for time-shift viewing.

  The video data recorded on the hard disk is more portable than video signals stored on video tapes so far, and can be easily copied and played back on another recording / playback apparatus. In addition, by handling video data files as digital data, it is easy to reduce the size of the playback device. For example, when realizing a device as a portable video player (MDVP: Mobile Digital Video Player). It also has the advantage of. Then, for example, the user can copy a video data file recorded by DVR installed at home or the like to MDVP and view a program recorded by MDVP on the go. In particular, the number of users who can accumulate a large number of broadcast programs and the like with DVR and who cannot take time to watch at home increases.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transferring content data such as video stored in a device such as a DVR or a personal computer to a portable terminal device such as MDVP.

By the way, the usage style of copying content data as audio data or video data held in a home personal computer or AV device to the portable player side and reproducing it on the go is generally generalized in the use of music content. Yes.
For example, music data ripped by a personal computer or the like is transferred from a personal computer to a portable music player with a built-in HDD, copied, and enjoyed by a portable music player.
Here, for example, various copy processing methods have been developed as an operation for copying music data in a state where a personal computer and a portable music player are connected, but a copy processing method that can be considered as the simplest for the user As one of them, there is a processing method in which music data not stored in the portable music player is automatically selected and copied. That is, when the personal computer and the portable music player are connected, for example, a copy processing application installed in the personal computer is stored in the music content stored in the personal computer and the portable music player. Compare with music content. Music content that exists on the personal computer side but does not exist on the portable music player side is selected and transferred to the portable music player for recording.
According to this processing method, the user can play back the music content possessed by the personal computer on the portable music player without performing the selection operation of the music content.

Here, a video data file (video content) such as a recorded broadcast program is considered.
For example, as a process for copying a video data file recorded on a personal computer or DVR to the MDVP side for viewing on a portable video player (MDVP), it exists on the MDVP side as in the case of the music content described above. A processing method of automatically selecting and copying a video data file not to be processed is also possible.

However, in the case of music content and video content, there are the following differences in the general usage situation of the user.
In general, music content is often heard many times if it is a favorite song. However, once a video content has been viewed, it is rare to view it again unless it is a favorite one.
As a result, there is a case where it is not appropriate to automatically select and copy video content that exists in a personal computer or DVR but does not exist on the MDVP side. For example, video content that has been played back on the DVR side and once viewed at home or the like is rarely played by the user on the MDVP side thereafter. Even if such video content is not recorded on the MDVP side, there is actually no opportunity to view it and copy processing is often wasted.
In addition, such a useless copy causes a problem that the recording capacity on the MDVP side is compressed. In particular, video content is larger in data file size than music content, so the problem of compression of recording capacity should be avoided.

  Therefore, at present, when copying video content to the MDVP side, a processing method in which the user selects what he / she wants to view from among a large amount of video content held on the DVR side, and copies it. In other words, a processing method that requires a troublesome operation from the user must be employed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when a video data file as video content such as a broadcast program is copied from, for example, DVR to MDVP or the like, an appropriate video data file is selected and copied without burden on the user. An object is to realize such data transfer processing.

The data transfer system of the present invention is a data transfer system for transferring a video data file from a first device to a second device, and shows the viewing status of each video data file that can be played back by the first device. First viewing data management means for managing one viewing data, and second viewing data management for managing second viewing data indicating viewing status for each video data file reproducible in the second device. And second viewing data indicating viewing status of each video data file that can be played back on the second device from the second device in the first device, and the second viewing data And the contents of the first viewing data are compared, and according to the comparison result, the video data file that has been viewed in the second viewing data is The first viewing data is updated by the first viewing data management means so that the first viewing data is managed as viewing completion, and the partial viewing information of the video data file in the second viewing data Is updated in the first viewing data by the first viewing data management means, and the first device updates the first viewing data to be reflected in the first viewing data. With reference to the first viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, a video data file that has not been viewed is selected, and the selected one or more video data files are a transfer control means for transferring from the first device to the second device comprises, said transfer control means, based on an instruction of the viewing data synchronization means updates With reference to the first viewing data, the video data file that has not been viewed and the video data file that has been partially viewed are selected as the video data file that has not been viewed completely. The video data file that is partially viewed is selected as a video data file to be preferentially transferred from among the video data files that are not completely viewed .

The data transfer processing device of the present invention includes a viewing data management means for managing internal viewing data indicating viewing status of each reproducible video data file, and an external device connected so as to be capable of data communication. Acquire external viewing data indicating the viewing status of each reproducible video data file, compare the content of the external viewing data with the internal viewing data, and complete the viewing with the external viewing data according to the comparison result. The internal viewing data is updated by the viewing data management means so that the video data file to be managed as the viewing completion even in the internal viewing data, and the partial viewing of the video data file in the external viewing data is performed. Update the internal viewing data so that the information is reflected in the internal viewing data. And view data synchronization means Ru is executed viewing data management unit, by referring to the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, and selects the video data file that is not the viewing completion , and a transfer control means for transferring the output to the external device for which selection has been one or more of video data files, the transfer control means, the internal view which is updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means With reference to the data, as a video data file that has not been viewed completely, select a video data file that has not been viewed and a video data file that has been partially viewed, and transfer and output to the external device, Of video data files that have not been viewed, video data files that have been partially viewed are preferentially transferred. Selected as the datafile.
In this case, when the data transfer processing device is the first device, the external device corresponds to the second device. When the data transfer processing device is the second device, the external device corresponds to the first device.
The viewing data management means updates the internal viewing data so that the video data file designated by the operation is managed as viewing completion in response to a predetermined operation input. In other words, the user can arbitrarily select the video data file and complete the viewing even if the user has not finished watching.

In addition, the transfer control means, for a plurality of video data files that are not viewed in the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, in the order of the last viewing date or the order of the recording date The priority order of the video data file to be transferred is determined. In addition, the user can determine the priority condition by executing the priority setting by the operation input.
The transfer control means includes a video data file selected on the basis of the instruction from the viewing data synchronization means that is selected as not being viewed in the internal viewing data and is not present on the external device side. Transfer and output the data file to the external device.
In addition, the transfer control means includes information on the internal viewing data regarding the video data file selected to be transferred and output to the external device, that is, the video data file that has not been viewed in the updated internal viewing data. Is transmitted to the external device.

The data transfer processing method of the present invention is, for example, a data transfer processing method executed by the first device. That is, as a data transfer processing method of a data transfer processing device that transfers and outputs a video data file to an external device that is connected so that data communication is possible, the viewing status of each video data file that can be played on the external device from the external device The external viewing data acquisition step for acquiring the external viewing data indicating the content of the external viewing data and the internal viewing data indicating the viewing status of each video data file that can be reproduced by the data transfer processing device are compared. Then, according to the comparison result, the internal viewing data is updated so that the video data file that has been viewed in the external viewing data is managed as the viewing completion in the internal viewing data , and the external viewing data is updated. Information of partial viewing of video data file in is reflected in the above internal viewing data And view data synchronization step for updating the internal view data as, with reference to the internal viewing data updated by the viewing data synchronization step, selects the video data file that is not the viewing completion, selected A transfer step of transferring and outputting the one or more video data files to the external device, wherein the transfer step refers to the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization step. As a video data file that has not been viewed, a video data file that has not been viewed and a video data file that has been partially viewed are selected, transferred and output to the external device, and the viewing is completed. Of video data files that have been partially viewed among the video data files that are not Selected as the image data file.

The present invention described above can be employed as a data transfer technique between devices such as the above-described DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and MDVP (Mobile Digital Video Player). For example, assuming that a video data file of DVR is transferred to MDVP and copied, DVR corresponds to the first device and MDVP corresponds to the second device.
The viewing data is data indicating the viewing status of a video data file that can be recorded and played back on an internal recording medium or the like in the first device, the second device, or a data transfer processing device equivalent thereto. . For example, the information includes whether the viewing has been completed or whether a part has been viewed (partial viewing). Information such as recording date / time and last viewing date / time may also be included.
By managing such viewing data in the first device that is the data transfer source and the second device that is the data transfer destination, both of the first and second devices of the user are compared. The user can grasp the viewing status of the video data file and appropriately select the video data file to be transferred to the second device. The video data file to be transferred is, for example, a video data file that has not been viewed by the user or a partially viewed video data file. That is, it is a video data file that has not been viewed.

According to the present invention, an appropriate video data file is automatically selected from the first device to the second without the user's troublesome operation of selecting a video data file to be transferred for copying or the like. Can be transferred to other devices. Therefore, for example, since it is possible to copy and transfer a video data file that is likely to be viewed by the user on the MDVP side, thereby reducing unnecessary copying and resulting capacity compression, for example, video data between DVR and MDVP. It is very suitable as a file copy transfer processing method.
Also, in selecting video data files to be transferred, the priority can be set according to the difference between partial viewing and non-viewing, the last viewing date and time, the recording date and time, and the user can set conditions for determining those priorities. By doing so, selection of the video data file to be copied and transferred can be made more appropriate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
[1. System configuration example]
[2. Example of DVR (Tuner / Recorder Device) Configuration]
[3. Configuration example of MDVP (portable player)]
[4. Configuration and viewing data for transfer processing]
[5. Processing related to video data file]
[6. Video data file copy transfer processing]

[1. System configuration example]

FIG. 1 shows a tuner / recorder device 1, a portable player 2, a television receiver 3, and a remote commander 4.
The television receiver 3 includes, for example, a terrestrial broadcast or satellite broadcast tuner, receives and demodulates a broadcast program stream signal, and displays it on a screen such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal panel, or a plasma display panel. indicate.

Further, a tuner / recorder device 1 (hereinafter referred to as DVR: Digital Video Recorder) is connected to the television receiver 3. The structure of the DVR 1 will be described in FIG. 2, but it is equipped with a tuner for terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting, receives and demodulates the stream signal of the broadcast program, and can record the demodulated broadcast program on a recording medium as a video data file. As a recording medium, for example, an HDD is incorporated. When a video data file such as a broadcast program is reproduced from the HDD by the DVR 1, the reproduced video is displayed and output on the display screen of the television receiver 3.
User operations on the DVR 1 are performed using operation keys, dials, and the remote commander 4 on the housing.

In this example, the tuner function is provided in the DVR 1, but the DVR 1 may be configured to record the broadcast program received by the tuner of the television receiver 3 on the HDD.
The recording medium in the DVR 1 is not limited to a hard disk, and the DVR 1 has a built-in disk drive device. For example, a disk recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a Blu-ray Disc (Blu-Ray Disc) can be used as a recording medium for video data files. Good. It is also possible to use a memory card with a built-in flash memory or a built-in solid-state memory as a recording medium.
In FIG. 1, the DVR 1 is a separate device from the television receiver 3, but the function as a tuner / recorder device is built in the television receiver 3 or other device such as a personal computer. A configuration is also conceivable.

A portable player 2 (hereinafter referred to as MDVP: Mobile Digital Video Player) is a small and lightweight video recording / playback device, and is a device used by a user to play video data files on the go.
The MDVP 2 includes, for example, an HDD and stores a video data file in the HDD. By playing the video data file from the HDD, the playback video is displayed on the display unit 37. Of course, in this case as well, it is possible to provide a disk drive or memory interface in addition to the HDD, and use the optical disk or memory card as a recording medium for video data files.
MDVP2 is connected to DVR1 so as to be communicable with each other as shown in the figure by a predetermined interface method. For example, it is connected by an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394. Further, not limited to a wired connection using a connection cable, a wireless communication connection may be used.
By connecting the MDVP2 so as to be communicable with the DVR1, the video data file stored in the DVR1 can be copied to the MDVP2.
As will be described later, in the case of this embodiment, when the MDVP2 is connected to the DVR1, a video data file to be automatically copied and transferred is selected, transferred to the MDVP2, and copied and recorded. By performing copy recording in this way, the user can view the video content recorded by DVR1 using MDVP2.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, DVR1 corresponds to the first device in claim 1 of the data transfer system of the present invention, and MDVP2 corresponds to the second device.
In addition, the data transfer processing device according to claim 2 can be realized in either DVR1 or MDVP2, and the data transfer processing device after claim 3 can be realized in DVR1.

[2. Example of DVR (Tuner / Recorder Device) Configuration]

A configuration example of the DVR 1 is shown in FIG. As described above, the DVR 1 is connected to the television receiver 3 and supplies video signals (and audio signals) to the television receiver 3 to display broadcast video and playback video.

The DVR 1 is provided with a terrestrial tuner unit 12 and a satellite broadcast tuner unit 16 as broadcast receiving functions. The terrestrial tuner unit 12 performs reception demodulation processing on the broadcast wave received by the antenna 13 to obtain a stream video signal of a broadcast program by terrestrial digital broadcast or terrestrial analog broadcast.
The satellite broadcast tuner unit 16 performs reception demodulation processing on the broadcast wave received by the antenna 17 to obtain a stream video signal of a broadcast program such as a digital or analog satellite broadcast such as BS or CS.
Note that the reception function is not necessarily a mode of demodulating broadcast waves received by the antennas 13 and 17, but may be a tuner or decoder corresponding to so-called cable television broadcasting or streaming broadcasting supplied via a network such as the Internet. Good.

The terminal 19 is a video signal input terminal from an external device, and a video signal from the connected external device is captured by the external input unit 18 via the terminal 19.
Video signals (and audio signals) output from the terrestrial tuner unit 12, the satellite broadcast tuner unit 16, and the external input unit 18 are selected by the input selection unit 14 and supplied to the video / audio processing unit 15.

The recording / playback unit 20 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 20a, and records (records) and plays back broadcast programs and the like. That is, when recording, the stream video signal and audio signal output from the input selection unit 14 are subjected to predetermined recording compression processing and encoding processing, and recorded by the HDD 20a. For example, one program is recorded as one video data file.
At the time of reproduction, the video data and audio data read from the HDD 20a are subjected to decoding processing and decompression processing for compression processing, and output to the input selection unit 14 in the form of the original stream video signal and audio signal. During reproduction, the input selection unit 14 selects a signal from the recording / reproduction unit 20 and supplies it to the video / audio processing unit 15.

The video / audio processing unit 15 performs processing related to video signals and audio signals to be output by the television receiver 3.
For example, the stream video signal supplied via the input selection unit 14 is subjected to necessary signal processing by the video / audio processing unit 215, converted into a video signal of a predetermined format such as the NTSC format, for example, and the television receiver 3. Is output. Of course, there are also cases such as the PAL system and the SECAM system. Further, there are various output signal forms such as composite video signals, Y / C signals, and RGB signals in the signal forms in each system.

An OSD (On Screen Display) processing unit 21 generates display image data based on the control of the controller 11. When image data such as various characters, icons, menu images, and the like is generated by the OSD processing unit 21, the image data is superimposed on the video signal by the video / audio processing unit 15 or switched to the video signal, so that the television The image data is displayed by being supplied to the John receiver 3.
The image data generated by the OSD processing unit 21 is, for example, GUI images such as various operation menus and icons, messages, channel and volume display, reservation registration images, reservation registration confirmation images, and the like. Examples of the operation image include a list image for reproducing a video data file described later.

The controller 11 is formed by a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire DVR 1. For the sake of explanation, the controller 11 is referred to as “DVR controller 11” in order to distinguish it from the MDVP2 controller described later.
The DVR controller 11 selects a channel in the terrestrial tuner unit 12 and the satellite broadcast tuner unit 16, instructs a recording or playback process in the recording / playback unit 20, controls switching of the input selection unit 14, and video / audio. The signal processing in the processing unit 15 and the OSD image generation instruction in the OSD processing unit 21 are performed according to the user's operation and operation program.
The RAM 22, ROM 23, and flash memory 24 are shown as memory areas accessed by the DVR controller 11.
The ROM 23 stores a platform software module, an activation module, and the like that operate the DVR controller 11 (CPU).
The RAM 22 temporarily stores a start-up module stored in the ROM 23, a platform software program such as an OS, an application program, or parameters that change as appropriate during the execution. Further, it is used as a work area for various arithmetic processes of the DVR controller 11.
The flash memory 24 is used for storing information that is not lost even when the power is turned off, such as various processing coefficients and history information.

As the operation input means for user operation, the panel operation unit 25, the remote commander 4, and the like are assumed.
The panel operation unit 25 is an operation element such as an operation key or an operation dial provided on the casing of the DVR 1. The user can operate the operation element in the panel operation unit 25 to perform various instructions and inputs. . The DVR controller 11 detects operation input information from the panel operation unit 25, performs predetermined control, and causes the DVR 1 to execute an operation instructed by the user.
A similar operation can be performed by the remote commander 4. When the user operates the remote commander 4, for example, an operation signal is output as an infrared signal. The infrared operation signal is received by the light receiving unit 27, converted into an electric signal, and transmitted to the DVR controller 11. Of course, the remote commander 4 may use not only the infrared method but also a radio wave, for example.
Examples of user operations performed by the panel operation unit 25 and the remote commander 4 include channel selection, recording, recording reservation, playback, search, playback stop, and pause. Further, the operation of an instruction such as designation of a video data file, deletion of the video data file, and completion of viewing, which will be described later, is also performed.
Note that a connection terminal for an external input device such as a keyboard or a mouse may be provided, and the operation information from the external input device may be transmitted to the DVR controller 11 by connecting the external input device to the terminal.

The interface unit 26 performs, for example, a USB communication interface process. For example, when the MDVP 2 is connected to the terminal 28 formed as a USB terminal or the like via, for example, a USB cable, various information and video data files are transmitted / received to / from the MDVP 2.
The DVR controller 11 performs various communications with the controller 31 of MDVP 2 described later via the interface unit 26.
The video data file reproduced from the HDD 20a by the recording / reproducing unit 20 can be transferred from the interface unit 26 to the MDVP2.

The DVR 1 in FIG. 2 has the above configuration, but this configuration example is only an example of a configuration for performing the operation of the present embodiment described below.

[3. Configuration example of MDVP (portable player)]

Next, a configuration example of MDVP2 is shown in FIG. The MDVP 2 is a small and light device, and is a device that allows a user to enjoy playing a video data file even when away from home.
The recording / reproducing unit 33 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 33a, and records and reproduces a video data file such as a broadcast program. The recording in this case is an operation of copying and recording a video data file transferred from the DVR 1 when the DVR 1 is connected, for example.
For example, when connected to the DVR 1 via a USB cable connected to the terminal 43, the video data file is transferred from the DVR 1 by a process described later. The transferred video data file is subjected to a reception process, for example, as a USB interface process in the interface unit 32 and supplied to the recording / reproducing unit 33. The recording / reproducing unit 33 performs predetermined recording compression processing and encoding processing on the video data and audio data as the video data file supplied from the interface unit 32, and records them on the HDD 33a.
At the time of reproduction, the video data and audio data read from the HDD 33a are subjected to decoding processing and decompression processing for compression processing so as to be in the form of the original stream video signal and audio signal. The audio signal is supplied to the audio processing unit 34, and the video signal is supplied to the video processing unit 36.

  The audio processing unit 34 performs predetermined output signal processing such as digital audio processing, D / A conversion, analog audio processing, volume control, and output amplification processing on the reproduced audio signal, and supplies the processed audio signal to the audio output unit 35. The audio output unit 35 is configured as a speaker unit, a headphone output unit, or the like, and outputs reproduced audio by a speaker built in the MDVP 2 or a connected headphone.

The video processing unit 36 performs necessary signal processing for displaying the reproduced video signal on the display unit 37.
That is, the reproduced video signal is subjected to luminance signal processing, color signal processing, image quality adjustment, and the like, and is supplied to the display unit 37. In order to display an image on a display screen such as a liquid crystal panel, the display unit 37 generates a liquid crystal drive signal from the supplied video signal, and displays the reproduced video by driving the liquid crystal panel.

An OSD (On Screen Display) processing unit 38 generates image data for display based on the control of the controller 31. When image data such as various characters, icons, and menu images is generated by the OSD processing unit 38, the image data is superimposed on the video signal by the video processing unit 36 or switched to the video signal, and the display unit 37 is switched. The image data is displayed.
The image data generated by the OSD processing unit 38 is, for example, a GUI image such as various operation menus and icons, a message, a volume display, and a playback operation state display image. The operation image includes a list image for reproducing a video data file.

The controller 31 is formed by a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire MDVP 2. For the sake of explanation, the controller 31 is referred to as “MDVP controller 31” in order to distinguish it from the DVR controller 11.
The MDVP controller 31 gives instructions for processing for recording or playback in the recording / playback unit 33, signal processing in the video processing unit 36 and audio processing unit 34, and instructions for generating OSD images in the OSD processing unit 38, etc. Follow the operation and operation program.
The RAM 39, ROM 40, and flash memory 41 are shown as memory areas accessed by the MDVP controller 31.
The ROM 40 stores a platform software module, an activation module, and the like that operate the MDVP controller 31 (CPU).
The RAM 39 temporarily stores platform software programs such as an activation module and OS stored in the ROM 40, application programs, or parameters that change as appropriate during the execution. Further, it is used as a work area for various arithmetic processes of the MDVP controller 31.
The flash memory 41 is used for storing information that is not lost even when the power is turned off, such as various processing coefficients and history information.

A panel operation unit 42 is assumed as an operation input means for a user operation.
The panel operation unit 42 is an operation key such as an operation key or an operation dial provided on the housing of the MDVP 2. The user can operate the operation unit in the panel operation unit 42 to give various instructions and inputs. . The MDVP controller 31 detects operation input information from the panel operation unit 42, performs predetermined control, and causes the MDVP 2 to execute an operation instructed by the user.
The user operation by the panel operation unit 42 includes, for example, operations such as playback, search, playback stop, pause, designation of a video data file, deletion of a video data file, and completion of viewing.
Although not shown in the figure, the same operation can be performed by, for example, a remote commander unit provided in the connected headphones.

The interface unit 32 performs, for example, a USB communication interface process. For example, when the DVR 1 is connected to the terminal 43 formed as a USB terminal or the like via, for example, a USB cable, various information and video data files are transmitted / received to / from the DVR 1.
The MDVP controller 31 executes various communications with the DVR controller 11 via the interface unit 26.
The interface unit 32 supplies the video data file transferred from the DVR 1 to the recording / reproducing unit 33.
The MDVP 2 in FIG. 3 has the above configuration, but this configuration example is just an example of a configuration for performing the operation of the present embodiment.

[4. Configuration and viewing data for transfer processing]

MDVP2 is a portable player whose main function is to play back video data files (hereinafter abbreviated as video files) stored in the recording / playback unit 33 (HDD 33a). For this purpose, a copy of a video file from DVR1 is used. I do.
For example, when the user connects DVR1 and MDVP2, the video file stored in the HDD 20a of the DVR1 is transferred to the MDVP2 and copied and recorded on the HDD 33a. Although this copy transfer operation will be described later, a configuration relating to the copy transfer operation and viewing data used for the copy transfer operation will be described here.

  FIG. 4 shows only the configuration related to copy transfer in DVR1 and MDVP2. In particular, DVR 1 shows the DVR controller 11, recording / playback unit 20, and interface unit 26, and MDVP 2 shows the MDVP controller 31, recording / playback unit 33, and interface unit 32.

In DVR1, a large number of video files VF1 are stored in the HDD 20a of the recording / playback unit 20 by recording a broadcast program or the like. In addition, viewing data D1 indicating viewing status for each video file VF1 is stored.
In MDVP2, a large number of video files VF2 are stored in the HDD 33a of the recording / playback unit 33 by copying and recording video files from the DVR1. In addition, viewing data D2 indicating viewing status for each video file VF2 is stored.

The DVR controller 11 is provided with functions as a recording / playback control unit 41, a synchronization unit 42, a viewing data management unit 43, and a copy transfer control unit 44 as shown in the figure as functions for processing related to video files.
These are functions that the DVR controller 11 has for the operation of the present embodiment, that is, functions that are realized by arithmetic processing based on a program stored in the ROM 12 or the like. Each of these functions may be realized by individual program modules, and a program for executing a plurality of functions may be mixed in one program.

The recording / playback control unit 41 controls the recording and playback operations of the recording / playback unit 20. Specifically, it performs control of recording operations such as broadcast programs according to user operations and recording reservations, control of playback operations according to user operations, etc., and control regarding encoding / decoding processing at these times. Also, management of the recorded video file VF1 and processing for displaying a list are performed.
The viewing data management unit 43 manages viewing data stored in the HDD 20a. For example, according to the recording of the video file, the recording / playback unit 20 is controlled to execute additional registration of the content of the viewing data, update of the content of the viewing data, deletion of the content of the viewing data, and the like.
The synchronization unit 42 synchronizes, ie, merges, the viewing data D1 on the DVR1 side and the viewing data D2 on the MDVP2 side. Further, the viewing data management unit 43 is requested to update the viewing data D1 according to the merge processing result.
The copy transfer control unit 44 selects a video file to be copied to the MDVP2 side from the video file D1 of the HDD 20a when the DVR1 and the MDVP2 are connected via the interface units 26 and 32, and transfers the selected video file to the MDVP2 side. Process. Selection of a video file to be copied is performed with reference to a merge processing result in the synchronization unit 42.

On the other hand, the MDVP controller 31 is also provided with functions as a recording / playback control unit 51, a synchronization unit 52, a viewing data management unit 53, and a copy transfer control unit 54, as shown in the figure, as functions for processing related to video files.
These are functions that the MDVP controller 31 has for the operation of the present embodiment, that is, functions that are realized by arithmetic processing based on a program stored in the ROM 12 or the like. Each of these functions may be realized by individual program modules, and a program for executing a plurality of functions may be mixed in one program.

The recording / playback control unit 51 controls the recording and playback operations of the recording / playback unit 33. Specifically, the control of the video file recording operation for copy transfer, the control of the reproduction operation according to the user operation, and the control regarding the encoding / decoding process at these times are performed. Also, management of the recorded video file VF2 and processing for list display are performed.
The viewing data management unit 53 manages viewing data stored in the HDD 33a. For example, according to the copy recording of the video file, the recording / playback unit 33 is controlled to execute additional registration of the viewing data content, update of the viewing data content, deletion of the viewing data content, and the like regarding the video file.
The synchronization unit 52 performs necessary processing such as transfer processing of the viewing data D2 for merging processing of the viewing data D1 and D2 in the synchronization unit 42 on the DVR1 side.
The copy transfer control unit 54 performs reception processing control for the video file to be copied, transferred from the DVR 1 side, delivery operation control to the recording / playback unit 33, and recording instruction to the HDD 33a.

An example of the viewing data D1 and D2 is shown in FIG.
The viewing data manages viewing information for each video file VF1 (or VF2) recorded in the HDD 20a (or HDD 33a).
As shown in FIG. 5, together with the file name of each video file, the data size, the year / month / date / time as the recording time (date / time), and the year / month / date / time as the last viewing time (date / time) are managed. Furthermore, a viewing completion flag and partial viewing information are managed for each video file.
The file name of each video file may be a file name given at the time of recording for management in the HDD 20a (or HDD 33a). For example, in order to make it easy for the user to use when displaying a list of video files, It is also possible to store EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) data and G code indicating the recording contents of the video file.

  The viewing completion flag is a flag indicating that viewing (that is, reproduction) of one video file is finished. The viewing completion flag is turned on in any of the following cases (1), (2), and (3).

(1) When playback of a video file reaches the end of the video file in DVR1 (or MDVP2). That is, when the video file has been played to the end at least once. For example, when a video file is reproduced to the end in DVR1, the viewing completion flag of the video file is turned on in the viewing data D1. When a certain video file is reproduced to the end in MDVP2, the viewing completion flag of the video file is turned on in the viewing data D2.

(2) When a video file is deleted with DVR1 (or MDVP2). For example, when a certain video file is deleted in DVR1, the viewing completion flag of the video file is turned on in the viewing data D1. In this case, the content corresponding to the deleted video file may be deleted from the viewing data D1.
When a certain video file is deleted in MDVP2, the viewing completion flag of the video file is turned on in the viewing data D2. In MDVP2, even if a certain video file is deleted from HDD 33a, information regarding the deleted video file is not deleted in viewing data D2, and the viewing completion flag is left on. Keep it. This is because when the content of the viewing data is deleted, the MDVP 2 side loses information regarding the deleted video file, that is, information indicating that the user has finished viewing the video file or thought that the video file is unnecessary.

(3) When the user performs an operation to complete viewing of a certain video file with DVR1 (or MDVP2). The user may view part of a video file and not intend to see the rest. Also, there are cases where the ending telop or the like is not seen even though the program content is seen. In these cases, the video file is “finished” for the user, but does not fall under (1) above. Therefore, a video file that the user does not intend to reproduce in the future, that is, a video file that can be deleted, can be designated as a viewing completion operation. When the user performs a “viewing completion” operation with the panel operation unit 25 or the remote commander 4 for a certain video file stored in the HDD 20a, the viewing completion flag of the video file is turned on in the viewing data D1. When the user performs “viewing completion” operation on the panel operation unit 42 for a certain video file stored in the HDD 33a, the viewing completion flag of the video file is turned on in the viewing data D2.

The partial viewing information in the viewing data of FIG. 5 indicates a situation in which partial viewing is performed along with viewing time when each video file is partially viewed (reproduced). The viewing time may be the actual playback time of the portion where the video file has been played back, or may be time code information of the point at which the partial playback has ended. The time code information is information added in units of frames, for example, with the top point of the video file being 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds, and 0 frames.
Further, as the last viewing time in the viewing data, the date and time when the last partial viewing was performed, that is, the most recent partial viewing is recorded. For example, the date and time when partial viewing ends is stored.

  The viewing data is configured as described above, but the content of each video file VF1 is described in the viewing data D1 stored in the HDD 20a, and is managed and updated by the viewing data management unit 43. The contents of the video file VF2 are described in the viewing data D2 stored in the HDD 33a, and are managed and updated by the viewing data management unit 53.

Note that the terms “internal viewing data” and “external viewing data” are used in the claims of the present invention, but viewing from the DVR 1, the viewing data D1 is “internal viewing data” and the viewing data D2 is “external viewing data”. Equivalent to. Conversely, when viewed from MDVP2, viewing data D2 corresponds to “internal viewing data” and viewing data D1 corresponds to “external viewing data”.

[5. Processing related to video data file]

Before describing the copy transfer operation, the processing relating to the recorded video files VF1 and VF2 executed in the DVR1 and MDVP2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The process of FIG. 6 is a process that the DVR controller 11 mainly executes as a function of the recording / playback control unit 41 with respect to the video file VF1 stored in the HDD 20a in the DVR1. Also in MDVP2, the processing of FIG. 6 is executed by the MDVP controller 31 (mainly the recording / playback control unit 51) as processing relating to the video file VF2 stored in the HDD 33a.

FIG. 6 will be described as processing of the DVR controller 11.
For example, at home, when a user plays a program (video file VF1) recorded using DVR1 and wants to view it with the television receiver 3, or when a user wants to delete a video file, the user is the target first. Select the video file to be used. Therefore, the user performs an operation for requesting a list display of video files. Then, the process of the DVR controller 11 proceeds from step F10 to F11, and displays a list of video files on the screen of the television receiver 3. In step F11, the DVR controller 11 refers to the file management information and viewing data D1 in the HDD 20a, generates list data, controls the OSD processing unit 21 to generate list images, and displays them on the television receiver 3. Let
Instead of the user's list display request operation, the DVR controller 11 may automatically display the list of video files by, for example, setting the DVR 1 to the playback mode.

  The user looks at the displayed video file list, selects a desired video file, and performs an arbitrary operation. The DVR controller 11 monitors user operations in steps F12, F13, F14, F15, and F16 while performing list display control in step F11.

When the user performs an operation of selecting a certain video file on the list display, the process of the DVR controller 11 proceeds from step F12 to F17, and performs a process of selecting the selected video file.
If the user performs a playback operation after the selection operation, the process of the DVR controller 11 proceeds from step F13 to F18, and the playback process of the video file selected at that time is performed. The reproduction process in step F18 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the user performs a delete operation, the process of the DVR controller 11 proceeds from step F14 to step F19, and the process of deleting the video file selected at that time from the HDD 20a is performed. At this time, in the viewing data D1, the viewing completion flag is turned on for the video file to be deleted. As a process of the DVR controller 11, the content of the video file related to the deletion may be deleted from the viewing data D1.

When the user performs the viewing completion operation, the processing of the DVR controller 11 proceeds from step F15 to F20, and the viewing completion flag is turned on on the viewing data D1 for the video file selected at that time.
When the user performs an operation to end the list display, the processing of the DVR controller 11 proceeds from step F16 to F21, ends the list display, and ends the processing of FIG.

The reproduction process of the video file in step F18 is shown in detail in FIG.
First, in step F31, the DVR controller 11 refers to the viewing data D1 for the video file to be reproduced, that is, the currently selected video file, and determines whether the video file is a partial viewing video file.
If it is an unviewed video file, the process proceeds to step F32, and the top of the video file is set as a playback start point. On the other hand, if the video file is a partial viewing video file, the process proceeds to step F33, and the playback end point of all times is set as the playback start point. For example, the current playback start point is set by time code information.

In step F34, the DVR controller 11 executes playback from the set playback start point. That is, the recording / playback unit 20 is instructed to start playback from the playback start point. As a result, the recording / playback unit 20 executes playback processing from the HDD 20 a, and the playback video is output from the television receiver 3. It should be noted that processes such as fast-forward, fast-rewind, temporary stop, and search according to user operations are not shown because they are processes in step F34.
The reproduction is performed until it is determined in step F35 that the reproduction has been completed. In step F35, it is determined that the reproduction is finished when the user performs an operation for finishing the reproduction or when the reproduction reaches the end of the video file.
When the DVR controller 11 determines that the reproduction is finished in step F35, the DVR controller 11 performs the reproduction termination control in step F36. That is, the recording / playback unit 20 finishes the playback process.

In step F37, the DVR controller 11 determines whether the reproduction operation has been terminated by reaching the end of the video file, or has been terminated by a user operation before reaching the end of the file, and branches the processing. When the end of the video file is reached and the reproduction is finished, the process proceeds to step F38, and processing for turning on the viewing completion flag on the viewing data D1 is performed for the video file.
If the reproduction is finished before the end of the video file is reached, the process proceeds to step F39, and the partial viewing information and the last viewing time are recorded on the viewing data D1 for the video file. As partial viewing, viewing time or time code information of the viewing end point is also recorded.
After the above processing is completed, the process returns to Step F11 in FIG.

  The DVR controller 11 performs the above-described processing of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, so that the video file recorded in the HDD 20a is reproduced, and the viewing data D1 is updated according to the reproduction, deletion operation, and viewing completion operation. The viewing data D1 appropriately indicates the viewing status of each video file VF1 recorded in the HDD 20a.

6 and 7 have been described as the processing of the DVR controller 11, the same processing is also performed in the MDVP controller 31. That is, the video file recorded in the HDD 33a is reproduced and output by the display unit 37 and the audio output unit 35, and the viewing data D2 is updated according to the reproduction operation, the user's deletion operation, and the viewing completion operation. As a result, the viewing data D2 appropriately indicates the viewing status of each video file VF2 recorded in the HDD 33a. As the processing of the MDVP controller 31, in step F19 in FIG. 6, the viewing completion flag is turned on on the viewing data D2 when the video file is deleted, and the viewing data content for the deleted video file is deleted. Do not do.

[6. Video data file copy transfer processing]

A video file copy transfer process which is a characteristic operation of the present embodiment will be described. In this example, when the user connects the MDVP 2 to the DVR 1 with, for example, a USB cable, the following copy transfer operation is automatically performed by the DVR controller 11 and the MDVP controller 31.
FIG. 8 shows the overall flow of the copy transfer process. The process of FIG. 8 is started when DVR1 and MDVP2 are connected.

First, as step F101 in FIG. 8, viewing data D1 of DVR1 and viewing data D2 of MDVP2 are acquired. For example, the synchronization unit 42 of the DVR controller 11 acquires both viewing data D1 and D2. In step F102, both viewing data D1 and D2 are merged.
The process of step F101 is described in detail in FIG. 9, and the process of step F102 is described in detail in FIG. In this example, it is assumed that the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is preferential information and the viewing data D1 and D2 are merged.

The process of step F101 for collecting the viewing data D1 and D2 is executed by the process of the DVR controller 11 and the MDVP controller 31 as shown in FIG.
First, at the timing when MDVP2 is connected to DVR1, in step F201, the synchronization unit 52 of the MDVP controller 31 transmits a sync request to the DVR1 side.
In step F202, the synchronization unit 42 of the DVR 1 receives the sync request. When the synchronization unit 42 receives the sync request, it sends the viewing data D2 to the MDVP2 in step F203.
On the MDVP2 side, the synchronization unit 52 accepts the transfer request in step F204, and the synchronization unit 52 requests the viewing data management unit 53 for viewing data D2 in step F205.
In response to the request from the synchronization unit 52, the viewing data management unit 53 controls the recording / playback unit 33 in step F206 to read the viewing data D2 from the HDD 33a and receive it. Then, the viewing data D2 is transferred to the synchronization unit 52.

In step F207, the synchronization unit 52 that has received the viewing data D2 transmits the viewing data D2 to DVR1.
Upon receiving the viewing data D2 in step F208, the synchronization unit 42 of DVR1 subsequently requests the viewing data management unit 43 for viewing data D1 on the DVR1 side in step F209.
In response to this, the viewing data management unit 43 controls the recording / reproducing unit 20 to read the viewing data D1 from the HDD 20a and receive it. Then, the viewing data D1 is delivered to the synchronization unit 42.
Through the above processing, a copy of the viewing data D1 held by the DVR1 and a copy of the viewing data D2 stored in the MDVP2 are collected in the synchronization unit 42 of the DVR1. This is the process of step F101 in FIG.

In FIG. 9, the synchronization request is issued from the synchronization unit 52 of the MDVP2 to the synchronization unit 42 of the DVR1, but the synchronization unit 42 of the DVR1 may first issue a synchronization request to the MDVP2 side. Also, a process in which the synchronization unit 52 of the MDVP 2 acquires the viewing data D2 from the viewing data management unit 53 in advance and sends the viewing data D2 simultaneously when issuing a sync request to the DVR1 side is also conceivable. In any case, any processing procedure may be used as long as the viewing data D1 and D2 are collected in the synchronization unit 42 in preparation for the merge processing in the subsequent step F102.
In step F102, the synchronization unit 42 performs merge processing. However, the synchronization unit 52 of MDVP2 may perform merge processing. In this case, viewing data D1 and D2 are collected on the synchronization unit 52 side. That's fine.

Next, the merge process as step F102 in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.
The synchronization unit 42 of the DVR controller 11 performs the process of FIG. 10 using the viewing data D1 and D2 collected in step F101.
First, in step F301, the synchronization unit 42 extracts the file name of one video file from the top of the MDVP2 viewing data D2.
Next, in step F302, it is checked whether or not the extracted file name is in the viewing data D1 on the DVR1 side.
If the same file name does not exist in the viewing data D1, the process proceeds to step F310, and it is confirmed whether or not the file name of another video file exists in the viewing data D2 of MDVP2. That is, it is confirmed whether or not all file names in the viewing data D2 have been processed. If there is an unprocessed file name, the process returns to step F301 to extract an unprocessed file name.

  If the same file name as the file name extracted from the viewing data D2 exists in the viewing data D1 in step F302, the process proceeds to step F303, and the viewing completion flag is set in the viewing data D2 of MDVP2 for the file name. Check if it is. If the viewing is completed, the process proceeds to step F304, and the data content of the file name in the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is viewed. That is, the viewing completion flag is turned on. This is a process of reflecting in the viewing data D1 of DVR1 that the user has already viewed the video file with the file name using MDVP2. Then, the process proceeds to Step F310.

If it is determined in step F303 that the file name to be processed has not been viewed on the viewing data D2 side, the process proceeds to step F305, where the viewing completion flag is turned on for the file name in the viewing data D1 of DVR1. Check whether it is done.
If viewing is completed in the viewing data D1, the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is given priority, so the process proceeds to step F310 without any particular processing.

  If it is determined in step F305 that the file name to be processed has not been viewed on the viewing data D1 side, that is, if the viewing completion flag has not been turned on for both viewing data D1 and D2, the process proceeds to step F306. . Then, it is confirmed whether or not the file name to be processed is partially viewed in the viewing data D2 of MDVP2. If partial viewing information is not recorded in the viewing data D2 for the file name, that is, if it is treated as unviewed on the MDVP2 side, the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is given priority and no processing is performed. Proceed to step F310.

If it is determined in step F306 that the file name to be processed is partial viewing, the process proceeds to step F307 to check whether partial viewing is performed in the viewing data D1 of DVR1.
If the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is not partial viewing, that is, managed as unviewed, the process proceeds to step F309. In this case, the user has partially viewed the video file with the file name using MDVP2, and the partial viewing information is copied as partial viewing information for the file name in the viewing data D1 of DVR1. That is, the viewing situation that the user has viewed a part of the video file with the file name with MDVP2 is reflected in the viewing data D1 of DVR1. Then, the process proceeds to Step F310.

If it is determined in step F307 that the file name to be processed is partial viewing even in the viewing data D1 of DVR1, the process proceeds to step F308 to check which viewing time is longer on the DVR1 side and the MDVP2 side. For example, time code information as viewing time is compared. That is, in this case, the user has played a part of the video file with DVR1 and a part with MDVP2, and determines in step F308 which information should be prioritized. For example, it is assumed that a user first watches a program as a video file halfway through DVR1 and then plays the rest through MDVP2 and halfway through. In this case, the time code value of the partial viewing information of the viewing data D2 of MDVP2 is larger than the time code value of the partial viewing information of the viewing data D1 of DVR1. In other words, it is close to the end of the program. In this case, the partial viewing information of the MDVP2 viewing data D2 is the partial viewing information that is currently valid.
On the other hand, if it is first played back by MDVP2 and played back by DVR1 from the middle, the time code value in the partial viewing information of the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is larger. In this case, the partial viewing information of the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is partial viewing information that is currently valid.
Therefore, if it is determined that the partial viewing information of the viewing data D2 of MDVP2 is valid, the process proceeds to step F309, where the partial viewing information of the viewing data D2 is copied to the viewing data D1, and the process proceeds to step F310.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the partial viewing information of the viewing data D1 of DVR1 is valid, the viewing data D1 may be left as it is, and the process proceeds to step F310 without performing any particular processing.

The merged viewing data D1 is obtained by performing the above processing for all file names in the viewing data D2 of MDVP2. That is, it is the time when it is determined in step F310 that the processing has been completed for all the file names.
Therefore, the processing of the synchronization unit 42 proceeds to step F311 to transfer the merged viewing data D1 to the viewing data management unit 43 and request update of the viewing data D1 in the HDD 20a. The viewing data management unit 43 transfers the merged viewing data D1 to the recording / playback unit 20, and causes the HDD 20a to update and record the viewing data D1.
10 completes the merge processing in step F102 of FIG. 8. At this time, the viewing data D1 stored in the HDD 20a is added to the situation that each user has viewed each video file using DVR1. Thus, the latest information reflecting the situation viewed by the user on MDVP2 is also obtained.

Subsequently, as step F103 in FIG. 8, the DVR controller 11 selects a video file to be copied and transferred to the MDVP2. At this time, selection is performed based on a predetermined priority condition. The process of step F103 is shown in detail in FIG. This is executed by the function of the DVR controller 11 as the copy transfer control unit 44.
First, in step F401 in FIG. 11, the DVR controller 11 extracts viewing data contents (information below the file name) of video files other than those that have been viewed from the viewing data D1 merged as described above.

Next, in step F402, among the video files from which the contents of the viewing data are extracted, those that are partially viewed are extracted and sorted according to the designated condition. In this example, since the partially viewed video file is preferentially copied over the unviewed video file, first, in step F402, sort processing is performed on the partially viewed video file. The specified condition at the time of sorting is a condition for assigning priorities to video files that are partially viewed, and may be a predetermined fixed condition. In this example, the screen shown in FIG. The user can input settings for the above display.
When determining the priority order for a partially viewed video file from the viewing data D1, two elements, the last viewing time and the viewing time, can be used.

For example, when the user performs a priority setting operation at an arbitrary time, the DVR controller 11 instructs the OSD processing unit 21 to display a setting screen as shown in FIG. The user can set his / her desired setting by performing an operation of checking any of the check boxes 71 to 78 on the setting screen.
First, with respect to the final viewing time, whether to give priority to the new one or the old one is set by selecting the check boxes 71 and 72.
When priority is given to viewing time, check boxes 73 and 76 are used to select whether priority is given to a longer viewing time or a shorter viewing time.
When the check box 73 is selected, the check boxes 74 and 75 are used to select whether the one with the same viewing time is given priority over the newest or the oldest.
Even when the check box 76 is selected, the check boxes 77 and 78 are used to select whether to give priority to a new one with the last viewing time or an old one with the same viewing time.

  The DVR controller 11 captures such user settings and stores them in, for example, the flash memory 24 or the like, and refers to them in the process of step F402 in FIG. Then, the partially viewed video files are sorted according to the conditions set by the user.

  Next, in step F403, the DVR controller 11 sorts unviewed video files in order of recording date and time. At this time, whether the recording date is newest or oldest may be fixed, or may be set by the user in the same manner as the partial viewing video file condition.

In step F401, F402, and F403, the partially viewed video file and the unviewed video file are sorted under a predetermined condition. In step F404, the priority is determined based on the sorting result.
FIG. 12 shows an example of the priority determination state. This is an example determined based on the viewing data D1 of FIG. In step F401, a video other than the video C that has been viewed is extracted. Next, in step F402, video B, video D, and video F are extracted as video files for partial viewing, and sorted, for example, from the newest viewing time, so that the order of video F, video B, and video D is given. It is done.
In step F403, the video A and the video E, which are unviewed video files, are taken out, and the order of the video A and the video E is given in order from the oldest recording date.
As a result, priority is set in the order of video F, video B, video D, video A, and video E in step F404.
That is, video F, video B, video D, video A, and video E are selected as video files to be copied and transferred, and it is determined to be copied in this order.

  Various sort conditions can be considered. For example, the order of steps F402 and F403 may be reversed to give priority to an unviewed video file over a partially viewed video file. Also, partially viewed video files may be sorted in order of recording date and time. Furthermore, it is possible to sort in order of recording date and time without distinguishing between partial viewing and non-viewing. These conditions may be set by the user, or may be fixedly determined in advance.

In step F104 of FIG. 8, the DVR controller 11 deletes other video files while leaving the video files to be copied already recorded in the HDD 33a of the MDVP2. That is, the DVR controller 11 transmits the file name of the video file to be copied and transferred to the MDVP controller 31 and requests the arrangement of the files in the HDD 33a by the function of the copy transfer control unit 54 of the MDVP controller 31. The MDVP controller 31 deletes other than the video file corresponding to the transferred file name from the HDD 33a.
An example will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14A, video A, video B, video C, video D, video E, and video F are recorded in the HDD 20a of the DVR 1 as shown in FIG. 14A. It is assumed that the information is merged in F102.
On the other hand, assume that video A, video C, video D, and video G are recorded in the HDD 33a of the MDVP2 at the time of step F104 as shown in FIG. At this time, the viewing data D2 is not updated by the merge process.
Here, it is assumed that video F, video B, video D, video A, and video E are selected as video files to be copied and transferred from DVR 1 as described above. FIG. 14C shows the selected video file.
In this case, when the MDVP controller 31 receives information on the selected video file from the DVR 1, it can be seen that the video A and the video D are included in the selected video file. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 14D, the MDVP controller 31 leaves the video A and video D and deletes the other video C and video G in the HDD 33a. The video C to be deleted is a video file that has been viewed as shown in FIG. 5, for example, and has been viewed by the user with either DVR1 or MDVP2. The video G does not appear in the viewing data in FIG. 5. This is the case when the video has been viewed, or is a video file that has already been deleted on the DVR 1 side as an unnecessary file.

Next, in step F105 of FIG. 8, the DVR controller 11 determines which video files can be copied to the MDVP2 together with the contents of the viewing data in the order of the priority determined as described above. Calculate from capacity. However, video files that have already been recorded in the HDD 33a of the MDVP2 (copied in the past) may be calculated as excluded.
In the above example, video A and video D have already been copied to the MDVP 2 side, so the video files to be copied and transferred this time are video F, video B, and video E in order of priority. The DVR controller 11 communicates with the MDVP controller 31 to check the recordable capacity of the HDD 33a, and determines whether video F, video B, and video E can be copied.
Although not shown in FIG. 8, if one video file cannot be copied due to capacity, error processing is performed and an error message is displayed to the user.

In Step F106, the DVR controller 11 sequentially copies and transfers the video files not recorded on the MDVP2 among the video files selected as the copy transfer target within the capacity possible range in the HDD 33a.
At this time, copy transfer of the video file already recorded on the HDD 33a is not necessary. The MDVP controller 31 delivers the transferred video file to the recording / reproducing unit 33 and records it in the HDD 33a.
As in the above example, when video F, video B, video D, video A, and video E are selected as video files to be copied and transferred, video D and video A are already recorded in HDD 33a. As shown in 14 (e) and (f), copying of video F, video B, and video E is executed at the time of step F106.
The DVR controller 11 acquires the MDVP2 viewing data D2 in step F101 for the merge process, and can grasp the video file VF2 stored on the MDVP2 side, so that the video A and the video D do not require copy transfer. Can be judged.

  In step F107, the DVR controller 11 transfers the contents of the viewing data D1 regarding all the video files selected as the video files to be copied and transferred to the MDVP controller 31, and updates the contents of the viewing data D2 recorded in the HDD 33a. Let it run. That is, as shown in FIGS. 14G and 14H, the contents of the viewing data D1 for the video F, the video B, the video D, the video A, and the video E are all transferred, and the contents are copied as the viewing data D2. Eventually, the viewing data D2 is updated as viewing data for the video F, video B, video D, video A, and video E recorded at this time, and the viewing data D2 is also the result of the merge processing in step F102. It will be reflected.

As described above, when MDVP2 is connected to DVR1, video file copy processing is performed. In this case, since it is not necessary for the user to select a video file to be copied manually, it is very simple for the user.
Moreover, in the copying of the video file, the video file that has already been viewed is not copied. Since a partially viewed video file and an unviewed video file are selected and copied, the usability for the user is improved. That is, it is possible to respond to a request that the user wants to watch a program or the like that has not been watched at an arbitrary time by using both DVR1 and MDVP2. For example, it is possible to respond to a desire to view a certain program by playback using DVR1 at home and the like and to watch the continuation with MDVP2 or to watch with MDVP2 when recording is done with DVR1 but it is not possible to watch at home.
Furthermore, not copying a video file that has been viewed completely reduces the copy processing time and reduces the capacity burden on the HDD 33a, and thereby provides more copyability for partially viewed and unviewed video files. There is.

  In addition, the viewing data D1 and D2 are also reflected in the viewing status of each other device by the merge process, and an appropriate viewing status management state for the user can be obtained. Then, for example, when trying to view a continuation of a video file partially viewed with DVR1 with MDVP2, an appropriate playback start point is determined from the viewing time (time code or the like) on the DVR1 side reflected in the viewing data D2 during the copy process. Can be automatically reproduced from the subsequent position (see step F33 in FIG. 7). Of course, the reverse is also possible. For video files partially viewed with MDVP2, the viewing status is reflected in the viewing data D1 by the merge process. Can be played.

  If the user can set the priority order condition for the video file to be copied, the video file is appropriately copied according to the user's usability, preference and idea. For example, a user who wants to see a new video file with MDVP2 as much as possible, a user who wants to see an old video file with MDVP2 because he has no opportunity to see it, or wants to see a partially viewed video file with MDVP2 first Since individual thoughts such as the user who thinks are diverse, it is effective to improve the convenience that the user can set the priority condition.

  In addition, for a video file that the user has finished watching or considered unnecessary, it is possible to perform useless copy processing by enabling the operation to complete viewing as described with reference to FIG. 6 regardless of whether the video file is DVR1 or MDVP2. It can be reduced as much as possible, and the above effect can be exhibited more effectively.

Although the embodiments have been described above, various modifications can be considered as the present invention.
In the embodiment, the example of DVR1 and MDVP2 has been described, but video file copy processing between various AV (Audio-Visual) devices, personal computers, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phones and other various devices In the present invention, the present invention can be applied.
In addition, although DVR1 and MDVP2 are connected by USB, it is only necessary to be able to perform data communication between the two devices. Therefore, an IEEE1394 interface, Ethernet (registered trademark), wireless LAN, Bluetooth connection, or the like may be used. .

In the description of the embodiment, the MDVP controller 31 side mainly executes the process of FIG. 8 described above, but may be a process led by the MDVP controller 31 side. That is, in that case, the processing of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 is also performed on the MDVP controller 31 side. The MDVP controller 31 side holds the viewing data D1 on the DVR1 side as a merge result, and issues various requests to the DVR controller 11 in the processing process, whereby each process of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 is performed. Is possible.
In step F106 in FIG. 8, the DVR controller 11 may be requested to transmit the selected video file, and the video file transferred in response to the request may be copied and recorded in the HDD 33a.

It is explanatory drawing of the system configuration | structure of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of DVR of an embodiment. It is a block diagram of MDVP of an embodiment. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration for DVR and MDVP copy processing according to the embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the viewing-and-listening data of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process regarding the video file of DVR and MDVP of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the video file reproduction | regeneration processing of DVR and MDVP of embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of copy processing according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart of viewing data acquisition processing of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the merge process of viewing-and-listening data of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the selection process of the video file which should be copied of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the priority of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the setting screen of the priority condition of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the copy transfer operation | movement of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 DVR, 2 MDVP, 3 Television receiver, 4 Remote commander, 11 DVR controller, 20, 33 Recording / playback unit, 20a, 33a HDD, 41, 51 Recording / playback control unit, 42, 52 Synchronization unit, 43, 53 Viewing Data management unit, 44, 54 Copy transfer control unit

Claims (9)

In a data transfer system for transferring a video data file from a first device to a second device,
First viewing data management means for managing first viewing data indicating viewing status for each video data file that can be played back by the first device;
Second viewing data management means for managing second viewing data indicating viewing status for each video data file reproducible in the second device;
In the first device, second viewing data indicating the viewing status of each video data file reproducible in the second device is acquired from the second device, and the second viewing data and the second viewing data are obtained. The contents of one viewing data are compared, and the video data file that has been viewed in the second viewing data is managed as being viewed in the first viewing data according to the comparison result. The first viewing data is updated by the first viewing data management means, and the partial viewing information of the video data file in the second viewing data is reflected in the first viewing data. Viewing data synchronization means for causing the first viewing data management means to update the first viewing data;
The first device refers to the first viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, selects a video data file that has not been viewed, and selects one or more selected Transfer control means for transferring the video data file from the first device to the second device;
Equipped with a,
The transfer control means refers to the first viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, and the video data that has not been viewed as a video data file that has not been viewed completely Select a file and a video data file that is partially viewed, transfer it to the second device, and give priority to the video data file that is partially viewed from among the video data files that are not completely viewed Data transfer system selected as a video data file to be transferred automatically. Viewing data management means for managing internal viewing data indicating viewing status of each playable video data file;
External viewing data indicating the viewing status of each video data file that can be played back on the external device is acquired from an external device that is connected so that data communication is possible, and the contents of the external viewing data and the internal viewing data are compared. Depending on the result of comparison, the viewing data management means updates the internal viewing data so that the video data file that has been viewed in the external viewing data is managed as the viewing completion in the internal viewing data. together is, information of the partial viewing of the video data file in the external viewing data, the internal view updates the internal viewing data to be reflected in the data, view data synchronization Ru is performed on the viewing data management unit Means,
With reference to the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, a video data file that has not been viewed is selected, and the external device is selected for the selected one or more video data files Transfer control means for transferring output to
Equipped with a,
The transfer control means refers to the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, and a video data file that has not been viewed as a video data file that has not been viewed completely, The video data file that is partially viewed is selected, transferred and output to the external device, and the video data file that is partially viewed among the video data files that are not completely viewed is preferentially transferred. A data transfer processing device selected as a video data file . The transfer control means includes a plurality of video data files that have not been viewed in the internal viewing data updated based on an instruction from the viewing data synchronization means, in the order of the last viewing date and time of video data files to be transferred. 3. The data transfer processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the priority order is determined. The transfer control means is configured to prioritize video data files to be transferred in order of recording date and time for a plurality of video data files that have not been viewed in the internal viewing data updated based on an instruction from the viewing data synchronization means. The data transfer processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the order is determined. The transfer control means, based on the priority setting set by the operation input, for a plurality of video data files that have not been viewed in the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means. 3. The data transfer processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the priority order of the video data file to be transferred is determined. The transfer control means includes video data that does not exist on the external device side among video data files selected as not being viewed in the internal viewing data updated based on an instruction from the viewing data synchronization means. 3. The data transfer processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the file is transferred and output to the external device. The transfer control means includes the information of the internal viewing data for the video data file selected as not being viewed in the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization means, The data transfer processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the data transfer processing device transmits the output to an external device.   The said viewing data management means updates the said internal viewing data so that the video data file designated by operation is managed as viewing completion according to predetermined operation input. Data transfer processing device. As a data transfer processing method of a data transfer processing device that transfers and outputs a video data file to an external device connected so that data communication is possible,
An external viewing data acquisition step for acquiring external viewing data indicating the viewing status of each video data file that can be played back on the external device from the external device;
Comparing the content of the external viewing data with the internal viewing data indicating the viewing status of each video data file that can be played back by the data transfer processing device, and depending on the comparison result, the viewing of the external viewing data is completed. The internal viewing data is updated so that the internal video data file is managed as the viewing completion even in the internal viewing data, and the partial viewing information of the video data file in the external viewing data is included in the internal viewing data. A viewing data synchronization step for updating the internal viewing data to be reflected ;
With reference to the internal viewing data updated in the viewing data synchronization step, a video data file that has not been viewed is selected, and the selected one or more video data files are transferred and output to the external device. A transfer step;
Equipped with a,
The transfer step refers to the internal viewing data updated based on the instruction of the viewing data synchronization step, a video data file that has not been viewed as a video data file that has not been viewed, and A video data file selected for partial viewing is selected, transferred and output to the external device, and a video data file that is partially viewed among video data files that have not been viewed is preferentially transferred. Data transfer processing method selected as a data file .

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