JPH10108146A - Digital information receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] While maintaining an average information search speed at a high level, it is possible to record more service additional information in a storage medium, and to increase opportunities for information users to search for information. A digital information receiver is provided. SOLUTION: Receiving means 1 for receiving service additional information
Storage means 2a for storing the received service additional information or the service additional information whose data capacity has been reduced,
Means 3 for holding the time at which the received additional information was recorded in the storage means 2a for each additional information; capacity reducing means 5 for reducing the data capacity of the additional information; A capacity changing means for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity of the additional information whose absolute value of the time difference is larger than the reference value; and a capacity reducing means for reading out the additional information stored in the storage means in accordance with the command from the means. 5 and a write / read control unit 4 for rewriting the additional information whose capacity has been reduced to the storage unit 2a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a digital information receiver provided with storage means for storing service additional information distributed along with television broadcasting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In digital television broadcasting, information related to a program such as a program guide and a program guide, and service additional information such as news by text broadcasting are distributed along with the program broadcasting. In a digital information receiver that receives the service additional information distributed along with the television broadcast, the service additional information is recorded on a storage medium in the receiver, and the recorded service additional information is used as needed by the user. It is essential to have a configuration for searching and reproducing.

As a method of storing such additional service information, if all the additional service information to be digitally broadcast is recorded on a storage medium in the receiver as it is, the storage capacity of the storage medium is limited, so that the service that can be recorded is limited. The number of additional information is limited. As a method of recording more service additional information, it is conceivable to record all the service additional information by compressing the data capacity. However, if the data capacity is compressed and recorded, the data is recorded without compressing the capacity. Since it takes longer to reproduce than in the case, quick search and display cannot be performed.

[0004] As a medium for storing such additional service information, there are a semiconductor RAM, an HDD (hard disk drive) and the like. The RAM has a higher processing speed than the HDD, but has a higher price per unit storage capacity. Therefore, the storage means is constituted only by the RAM without increasing the price of the digital information receiver. If you try to do so, you can't increase the storage
A lot of service additional information cannot be recorded.

On the other hand, HDDs are less expensive per unit storage capacity than RAMs, so that the storage capacity can be increased without making the device price too expensive.
Since DD has a lower processing speed than RAM,
In the case where the storage means is constituted only by the DD, inconvenience occurs when the frequency of use of the recorded service additional information is high.
As described above, as storage media for recording the service additional information, the RAM and the HDD have advantages and disadvantages, and when they are used alone, both large capacity and high-speed processing cannot be realized. However, service additional information distributed by digital broadcasting tends to increase more and more in the future, and it is desired to provide a digital information receiver capable of recording more such service additional information and efficiently searching for and displaying it.

[0006]

As described above, a digital information receiver provided with a storage medium for recording additional service information can record more additional service information and can efficiently retrieve and display the additional information. However, there has been no digital information receiver that can sufficiently satisfy such requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has been made in view of the average processing (information search).
It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital information receiver capable of recording more service additional information on a storage medium while maintaining the speed at a high level, and increasing information retrieval opportunities for information users.

According to the present invention, more service additional information can be recorded without increasing the price of the apparatus, so that the number of opportunities for information retrieval by information users can be increased, and the apparatus is easy to use. It is intended to provide a digital information receiver.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, a digital information receiver according to the present invention (claim 1) comprises: broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information distributed by television broadcasting; Information storage means for storing received broadcast information or broadcast information whose data capacity has been reduced; time management means for holding the time at which the received broadcast information was recorded in the information storage means for each broadcast information; Capacity reduction means for reducing the data capacity of the broadcast information, and a capacity change for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity of broadcast information having an absolute value of a time difference between a recording time and a current time held by the time management means larger than a reference value. Means, according to a command of the capacity changing means, read out the broadcast information stored in the information storage means from the information storage means and send it to the capacity reduction means, Broadcast information data volume is reduced by the capacity reduction means is that a writing and reading control means to rearrange the information storage means.

Further, the digital information receiver according to the present invention (claim 2) is distributed by television broadcasting.
Broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information including information on the time at which the information becomes valid; information storage means for storing the received broadcast information or broadcast information having a reduced data capacity; Valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid, and a command for reducing the data capacity of broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means and the current time is larger than a reference value And a capacity reducing means for reducing the data capacity of the broadcast information in accordance with a command from the capacity changing means.

The digital information receiver according to the present invention (claim 3) is the digital information receiver according to claim 2, wherein the broadcast information stored in the information storage means has a reduced data capacity. Valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid; and a command for extending the data capacity of the broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means and the current time is smaller than a reference value. A capacity changing means for outputting the broadcast information stored in the information storage means, reading the broadcast information stored in the information storage means, expanding the data capacity thereof, and outputting the broadcast information having the expanded data capacity in accordance with a command from the capacity changing means. The information storage means further includes capacity expansion means for rewriting.

Further, a digital information receiver according to the present invention (claim 4) is constituted by broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information distributed by television broadcasting, and a plurality of storage devices having different processing speeds, Information storage means for storing the broadcast information; time management means for holding the time at which the received broadcast information was recorded in the information storage means for each broadcast information; and a recording time and current time held by the time management means. An information arrangement changing unit for arranging broadcast information having an absolute value of the time difference larger than the reference value in a storage device having a lower processing speed among the plurality of storage devices.

Further, the digital information receiver according to the present invention (claim 5) is distributed by television broadcasting.
Broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information including information on the time at which the information becomes valid, a plurality of storage devices having different processing speeds, and an information storage means for storing the broadcast information; Valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid, and broadcast information having an absolute value of a time difference between the valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means and the current time greater than a reference value, and And an information arranging unit arranged in a storage device having a low processing speed.

The digital information receiver according to the present invention (claim 6) is the digital information receiver according to claim 5, wherein the digital information receiver has a lower processing speed among the plurality of storage devices of the information storage means. Valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from the stored broadcast information,
Information arrangement changing means for arranging broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time extracted by the effective time extracting means and the current time is smaller than a reference value in a storage device having a higher processing speed among the plurality of storage devices; Are further provided.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital information receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes service additional information receiving means for receiving service additional information from digital broadcasting. Reference numeral 2a denotes a service additional information storage unit that records the service additional information received by the service additional information receiving unit 1 and the service additional information whose data capacity has been reduced by the capacity reducing unit described below. Reference numeral 3 denotes a time management unit that records and manages the time at which the service additional information received by the service additional information receiving unit 1 is recorded in the service additional information storage unit 2a for each service additional information. Reference numeral 4 denotes a write / read control unit which is controlled by a capacity changing unit, which will be described later, and reads and writes the service additional information recorded in the service additional information storage unit 2a. Reference numeral 5 denotes a capacity reducing unit which is controlled by a capacity changing unit to be described later and reduces the data capacity of the service additional information read from the service additional information storage unit 2a by the write / read control unit. Reference numeral 6 denotes a service additional information in which the recording time of each service additional information recorded in the time management means 3 is compared with the current time 7 output from the clock means and the like, and the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the recording time is large. That is, with respect to the old service additional information for which a long time has passed since the reception, the service additional information is read from the service additional information storage means 2a by the writing and reading control means 4,
A capacity changing unit that controls the data capacity of the read service additional information by the capacity reducing unit 5 and then controls the writing and reading control unit 4 to write the service additional information with the reduced data capacity into the service additional information storage unit 2a. .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the digital information receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes a digital broadcast radio wave by selecting a frequency. The tuner unit 12 is a digital demodulation unit that digitally demodulates the analog signal received by the tuner unit 1 and converts it into a digital signal. Reference numeral 13 denotes an error correction circuit for correcting an error of a signal generated on the transmission line. Reference numeral 14 denotes a descrambler for descrambling the broadcast signal. 15 is output from a descrambler, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts G).
roup), the transport stream digitally compressed by the program, audio information of the program, video information of the program, and an EPG (Electronic Program Gui)
This is a transport decoder that separates and outputs service additional information such as de). 16 reproduces audio information of a program output from the transport decoder 15 and
, A video decoder for reproducing video information of a program output from the transport decoder 15, and a video signal 19 reproduced by the video decoder in an NTSC (National Television System Committe).
e) Display 2
This is an NTSC encoder that outputs 0. Reference numeral 21 denotes a service additional information processing unit that processes service additional information output from the transport decoder 15, and includes a CPU 22, a semiconductor RAM (work RAM) 23, a hard disk drive (HDD) 24a, and a remote control receiving unit that receives a control input from the outside. 25, and clock means 28. CP
U22 controls the operations of the work RAM 23, the HDD 24a, and the remote control receiving unit 25, and
The processing of the service additional information input to (1) is performed. Here, the HDD 24a constitutes the service additional information storage means 2a shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. 2, the tuner unit 11, digital demodulation unit 12, error correction circuit 13, descrambler 14, and transport decoder 15 constitute the service additional information receiving unit 1 shown in FIG. The transport decoder 15
The service additional information is extracted from the PEG transport stream and sent to the CPU bus. CPU 22
Records the service additional information sent from the transport decoder unit in the HDD 24a. Also, the CPU 22
Indicates the time at which the service additional information was recorded in the HDD 24a,
R is paired with information for identifying the recorded service additional information.
This is recorded in a partial area of the AM 23 or a partial area of the HDD 24a and managed. Thereafter, the CPU 22 compares the recording time of each service additional information with the current time output by the clock means 28 at regular time intervals or in response to an external control signal input via the remote control receiving unit 25, and Is the absolute value of the time difference from the current time
OM or service additional information larger than a reference value held in advance in an external ROM (not shown)
A process of reading from the DD 24a, reducing the data capacity of the read service additional information using a predetermined capacity reduction method, and writing the service additional information with the reduced data capacity to the HDD 24a again is performed. By such processing, the HDD 2
The service additional information for which a predetermined time has elapsed from the first recording time on the 4a is re-recorded with its data capacity reduced, and as a result, the storage medium can be stored without reducing the number of recorded service additional information. (HDD) can be used, and more service additional information can be recorded on a storage medium (HDD). This gives the information user (viewer) the possibility of searching for more service additional information.

Here, when the data volume is compressed and recorded, the reproduction when using the service additional information requires data decompression processing, so that it is compared with the data recorded without compressing the data volume. For example, if the service-added information is news such as stock price information, the fresher the information, the higher the value and the more frequently it is used, and the more frequently it is used over time. Therefore, even if the reproduction speed of the service additional information after the elapse of a predetermined time is low, no great inconvenience occurs. On the other hand, fresh information that has just been received is recorded as it is without reducing the data capacity, so that high-speed reproduction is possible. As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the file state is managed according to the freshness of the information, the average processing (information search) speed can be maintained at a high level.

As described above, in the digital information receiver according to the first embodiment, the service additional information receiving means 1 for receiving the service additional information distributed along with the television broadcast, and the received service additional information or the received service additional information. Service additional information storage means 2a for storing service additional information with reduced data capacity; time management means 3 for holding the time at which the received service additional information was recorded in the service additional information storage means 2a for each service additional information; Capacity reducing means 5 for reducing the data capacity of service additional information
Capacity changing means 6 for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity of the service additional information having an absolute value of the time difference between the recording time and the current time 7 held by the time management means 3 larger than the reference value; In accordance with a command from the means 6, the service additional information stored in the service additional information storage means 2a is read out from the service additional information storage means 2a and sent to the capacity reduction means 5, and the service addition whose data capacity has been reduced by the capacity reduction means 5 is provided. Since the configuration includes the read / write control means 4 for rewriting information in the service additional information storage means 2a, a larger number of service additional information can be stored in a storage medium while maintaining an average processing (information search) speed at a high level. (HDD), thereby increasing the opportunity for information users to search for information.

Embodiment 2 FIG. FIG. 3 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital information receiver according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and reference numeral 8a denotes first valid time extracting means for extracting the time when the service information becomes valid from the received service additional information. Further, the capacity changing means 6 includes a first
The valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means 8a is compared with the current time 7 output from the clock means and the like. If the absolute value of the time difference between the valid time and the current time is large, ie, the received service additional information If the time at which the is valid is in the distant future, a command to reduce the data capacity of the received service additional information is output. Also, the capacity reducing means 5
When a command to reduce the data capacity of the received service additional information is received from the capacity changing means 6, the data capacity of the service additional information received from the service additional information receiving means is reduced and stored in the service additional information storage means 2a. It is to be recorded.

Next, the operation will be described. An example of a specific configuration of the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment is as follows.
The digital information receiver of the first embodiment is realized by the same configuration as that of the digital information receiver of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Are different.

That is, when the service additional information is received from the transport decoder 15, the CPU 22 transfers the service additional information to the semiconductor RAM (work RAM) 23.
Once. Then, a time at which the service additional information becomes valid is extracted from the stored service additional information,
This is compared with the current time output by the clock means 28, and the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the recording time is calculated by R
If the value is larger than the reference value stored in advance in the OM or an external ROM (not shown), the data capacity of the service additional information is reduced by using a predetermined capacity reduction method, and the service additional information having the reduced data capacity is stored. HDD2
4a is written. On the other hand, if the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time of the received service additional information and the current time is equal to or smaller than the reference value, the CPU 22 stores the service additional information in the HDD 24a without reducing the data size of the received service additional information. Perform the process of writing to.
By such processing, if the effective time of the service additional information is in the distant future, the service additional information is recorded with its data capacity reduced, and the storage medium based on the service additional information whose effective time is in the distant future (HD
D), the used capacity can be reduced, and more service additional information can be recorded on a storage medium (HDD). This gives the information user (viewer) the possibility of searching for more service additional information.

Here, when the data volume is compressed and recorded, the reproduction when using the service additional information requires data decompression processing, so that it is compared with the data recorded without compressing the data volume. For example, if the service additional information is a program guide linked to a program, such information is generally the most frequently used on the day, and can be used for a week or a month. If the time when the effective time is in the future is included, as in the case of the program table, the frequency of use will decrease as the time when the included information becomes effective is farther in the future. Therefore, even if the reproduction speed of the service additional information such as a program table for one week or one month is low, no significant inconvenience occurs. On the other hand, the effective time close to the current time, such as a program guide for the current day, and the service additional information already effective are recorded as they are without reducing the data capacity. Reproduction is possible. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the file status is managed according to the time at which the information becomes valid, the average processing (information search) speed can be maintained at a high level.

As described above, in the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment, the service additional information for receiving the service additional information including the information of the time when the information becomes valid, which is distributed along with the television broadcast. Receiving means 1;
Service additional information storage means 2a for storing the received service additional information or the service additional information whose data capacity has been reduced, and valid time extracting means 8a for extracting the time at which the information becomes valid from the received service additional information.
Capacity changing means 6 for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity of the service additional information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time extracted by the effective time extracting means 8a and the current time 7 is larger than the reference value; In accordance with the command from the means 6, the apparatus is provided with the capacity reducing means 5 for reducing the data capacity of the received service additional information, so that the average processing (information search) speed can be maintained at a high level and a larger number of services can be maintained. The service additional information can be recorded on a storage medium (HDD), so that opportunities for information retrieval by information users can be increased.

Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. The second effective time extracting means extracts the time at which the information becomes valid from the service additional information whose data capacity has been reduced and stored in the service additional information storage means 2a. Further, the capacity changing unit 6 compares the valid time extracted by the first valid time extracting unit 8a with the current time 7 output from the clock unit and the like, and determines that the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the valid time is If it is large, that is, if the time when the received service additional information becomes valid is in the distant future, a command to reduce the data capacity of the received service additional information is output, while the second valid time extracting means 8b extracts the data. Effective time and current time 7 output from clock means etc.
When the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time and the current time is equal to or smaller than the reference value, a command to expand the data capacity of the service additional information stored in the service additional information storage unit 2a is issued. Output. Also, when the command 30 for expanding the data capacity of the service additional information is received from the capacity changing means 6, the service additional information 30 for which the data capacity is to be expanded is read from the service additional information storage means 2a. This is capacity expansion means for expanding the service additional information having expanded its data capacity and recording it in the service additional information storage means 2a.

In the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment, when the time at which the received service additional information becomes valid is in the distant future, the data capacity of the received service additional information is reduced, and the service additional information storage means is reduced. However, as the time elapses, the data capacity is reduced and the effective time of the recorded service additional information approaches the current time, and the frequency of use of such service additional information increases, so the data capacity is reduced. If left untouched, inconvenience will occur due to the time required for reproduction. According to a modification of the second embodiment, the valid time of the service additional information recorded with the data capacity reduced at regular time intervals or in response to an external control signal is determined by the second valid time extracting means 8b.
The effective time is compared with the current time 7, and the service additional information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the two is equal to or smaller than the reference value is expanded by the capacity expansion unit 30 and recorded in the storage unit 2a. This is to be corrected. As a result, the service additional information whose effective time is approaching the current time with the passage of time can be in a state in which the data capacity is not reduced, so that the service additional information whose use frequency has increased as described above can be reproduced. It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that it takes time.

As described above, in the modification of the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment, the data capacity stored in the service additional information storage means 2a Second effective time extracting means 8b for extracting the time when the information becomes valid from the reduced service additional information, and the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time extracted by the second valid time extracting means 8b and the current time 7 For service additional information where is smaller than the reference value,
A capacity changing means 6 for outputting a command to extend the data capacity, and according to the command from the capacity changing means 6, the service additional information stored in the service additional information storage means 2a is read out from the service additional information storage means 2a to read the data capacity. And the capacity extension means for rewriting the service additional information with the increased data capacity to the service additional information storage means 2a, so that the effective time approaches the current time as time elapses, and the frequency of use increases. The disadvantage that it takes time to reproduce the added service additional information can be avoided.

In the first and second embodiments,
As a data reduction method, a lossless compression method such as a modified Huffman code compression can be used when the service additional information is a text file, and a wavelet compression or the like can be used when the received service additional information is data including an image. . Further, instead of reducing the data capacity by data compression, the data capacity may be reduced by thinning out the data.

In the first and second embodiments,
For certain service additional information, whether or not this service additional information should reduce the data capacity is determined based on the absolute value of the time difference between the recording time or the effective time from the current time, as described above. Depending on whether the value is larger than the reference value, a plurality of these reference values are set, and when the reference value is smaller than the reference value, the data capacity is reduced at a low reduction rate, and If the data amount exceeds the value, if the data capacity is reduced at a high reduction rate, the longer the elapsed time from the first recording time is, the higher the reduction rate is recorded on the HDD 24a. Thereby, the storage medium can be used more effectively. Also, the first and second embodiments are described.
In the above description, the reference value is a fixed value set in advance in a ROM or the like. However, a configuration may be provided including means for setting the reference value in response to a user's external input or the like.

In the first and second embodiments, the service additional information storage means for recording the service additional information is H
Although the configuration including the DD has been described, the service additional information storage unit may include a semiconductor RAM. In this case, a part of one semiconductor RAM is allocated to the work RA.
M may be used, and the remaining area may be used as additional service information storage means. Further, the semiconductor RAM used as the service additional information storage means may be detachable in the form of an IC card.

Also, in the first and second embodiments, among the information to be digitally broadcast, the one in which the service additional information distributed along with the program is recorded has been described. However, the present invention records the program main body. The present invention can also be applied to an information receiver, and has the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

In the first and second embodiments, regardless of the type of the service additional information, the data capacity of the service additional information is reduced according to the absolute value of the time difference between the recording time or the effective time and the current time. Although it is configured to determine whether or not the processing is performed, the processing content may be different depending on the type of the service additional information. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a case in which the processing content differs depending on the type of the service additional information.

In FIG. 4, Case 1 shows an example of processing when the service additional information is information about a hobby. For example, when a person who likes tennis stores service additional information on tennis on the receiver side, there is a strong demand for instant search and display even if the current time and effective time are far apart. The attribute of the service additional information related to such a hobby is registered in advance on the receiver side, and if the attribute matches the attribute in the received service additional information, the processing of Case 1 is selected. Or fast search, regardless of the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time and the current time.
Display can be realized.

Case 2 has the highest value when the service additional information is received, such as news or weather forecast, and its value decreases with the passage of time, but is not necessarily used at all in the future. An example of the process in the case will be described. The processing of Case 2 is exactly the same as the processing in the first embodiment.

[0037] Case 3 shows an example of processing when the service additional information is a program guide. As described above, the frequency of use of the program guide is the highest on the day, and the frequency of use decreases in the order of one week of program guide, one month of program guide, and one year of program guide. is there. When such additional service information is received, when the additional service information is received, the data capacity is reduced (reversible compression) and recorded. For example, only the additional service information corresponding to the broadcast of the day is not reduced (not compressed). That is, the same processing as that described in the second embodiment is performed. Then, such program information is considered to have no useful value as additional service information at the end of the broadcast of the program. Therefore, in the processing of Case 3, the additional service information is discarded after the end of the broadcast of the program. Like that. This makes it possible to use the storage medium more effectively.

In Case 4, the service additional information is Case
As in the case of No. 3, a program guide is shown, and an example of processing when a recording process of a program is performed on the receiver side based on the program guide is shown. When the recording process is performed, there is also a request to save program information related to the recorded broadcast. Therefore, in Case 4, in order to respond to such a request, the data capacity of the corresponding service additional information is reduced (compressed) when the main broadcast of the program is recorded.

By further providing a process selection means for performing different processes depending on the type of information as described above, a storage medium for storing the service additional information can be utilized in accordance with the purpose of use of the user. Such a process selection means may be configured to perform selection using attribute information such as genre information included in the service additional information and a classification reference table provided on the receiver side.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital information receiver according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts. Reference numeral 2b denotes a plurality of storage devices (RAM and HDD) having different processing speeds. Is a service additional information storage means for recording the information. Reference numeral 9 denotes a service in which the recording time of each service additional information recorded in the time management means 3 is compared with the current time 7 output from the clock means and the like, and the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the recording time is large. When the additional information, that is, the old additional service information that has been passed for a long time since being received, is recorded in the RAM, which is a storage device having a high processing speed, the additional service information is stored at a higher processing speed. This is an information arrangement changing unit that re-records information on the HDD, which is a slow storage device, that is, changes the arrangement of information in the storage unit 2b.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the digital information receiver according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Is a storage device with high processing speed, RA
M26 and H which is a storage device whose processing speed is slower than RAM
The storage means includes the DD 27 and the service additional information storage means 2b shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. 6, the tuner unit 11, digital demodulation unit 12, error correction circuit 13, descrambler 14, and transport decoder 15 constitute the service additional information receiving unit 1 shown in FIG. The transport decoder 15
The service additional information is extracted from the PEG transport stream and sent to the CPU bus. CPU 22
Records the service additional information transmitted from the transport decoder unit in the RAM 26. The CPU 22 compares the time at which the service additional information is recorded in the RAM 26 with the information for identifying the recorded service additional information, and
This is recorded and managed in a partial area of the storage unit 23 or a partial area of the storage unit 24b. Thereafter, the CPU 22 compares the recording time of each service additional information with the current time output by the clock means 28 at regular time intervals or in response to an external control signal input via the remote control receiving unit 25, and The absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the
M, or additional service information larger than a reference value held in advance in an external ROM (not shown) or the like.
M26 and the read service additional information is H
The process of re-recording in the DD 27 is performed.

As described above, in the digital information receiver according to the third embodiment, the service additional information storage means is
M26 and the HDD 27. Fresh information that has just been received is recorded in the RAM 26, and the service additional information whose use frequency has been reduced after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first recording time in the RAM 26 is stored in the RAM 26. H
It is recorded on DD27 again. Here, RAM is HDD
Although the processing speed is faster than that, the price per unit storage capacity is expensive, so if the price of the digital information receiver is not so expensive, and if the storage means is composed of only RAM, Although the storage capacity cannot be increased so much and a great deal of service additional information cannot be recorded, the digital information receiver according to the third embodiment is less expensive per unit storage capacity than the RAM. The HDD compensates for the insufficient storage capacity of the RAM, so that the storage capacity of the service additional information storage means can be increased without increasing the apparatus price, and a larger number of service additional information can be recorded. Is what you can do. Also, since the HDD has a lower processing speed than the RAM, if the storage means is constituted only by the HDD, inconvenience occurs when the recorded service additional information is frequently used. In the digital information receiver according to the third embodiment, a RAM is additionally provided as storage means, and fresh information just received is stored in the RA.
Since the information is recorded in M, the above inconvenience can be avoided.

As described above, in the digital information receiver according to the third embodiment, the service additional information receiving means 1 for receiving the service additional information distributed along with the television broadcast and a plurality of storages having different processing speeds are provided. An information storage unit 2b configured by a device, that is, a RAM and an HDD, and storing service additional information; and a time management for storing a time at which the received service additional information is recorded in the service additional information storage unit for each service additional information. Means 3, recording time and current time 7 held by time management means 3
The information arrangement changing means 9 for arranging the service additional information in which the absolute value of the time difference is larger than the reference value in a storage device (HDD) having a low processing speed among the plurality of storage devices is provided. It is possible to record a large number of additional service information without making the device price very expensive, and it is possible to increase opportunities for information users to search for information,
In addition, an easy-to-use digital information receiver can be realized.

In the third embodiment, of the digitally broadcast information, the service additional information distributed along with the program has been described. However, the present invention relates to the information reception for recording the program main body. The present invention can also be applied to a machine, and has the same effects as in the third embodiment.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 7 (a) is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital information receiver according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 denote the same or corresponding parts, and reference numeral 8a denotes first valid time extracting means for extracting the time when the service information becomes valid from the received service additional information. 10a compares the valid time extracted by the first valid time extracting means 8a with the current time 7 output from the clock means and the like, and when the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the valid time is large, If the time at which the received service additional information becomes valid is in the distant future, the received service additional information is stored in a storage device having a lower processing speed among a plurality of storage devices constituting the service additional information storage means. This is an information arranging means to be recorded on the HDD.

Next, the operation will be described. An example of a specific configuration of the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment is as follows.
The digital information receiver of the third embodiment is realized by the same configuration as that of the digital information receiver of the third embodiment shown in FIG.
Are different.

That is, when the service additional information is received from the transport decoder 15, the CPU 22 transfers the service additional information to the semiconductor RAM (work RAM) 23.
Once. Then, a time at which the service additional information becomes valid is extracted from the stored service additional information,
This is compared with the current time output by the clock means 28, and the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the recording time is calculated by R
If it is larger than the reference value stored in advance in the OM or an external ROM (not shown), the service additional information is stored in the RAM 26 and the HD constituting the storage unit 2b.
D27, which is a storage device with a lower processing speed
A process for recording in D27 is performed. On the other hand, if the absolute value of the time difference from the current time of the valid time of the received service additional information is equal to or smaller than the reference value, the CPU 22 stores the received service additional information in the RAM 26 and the HDD 27 included in the storage unit 2b. A process for recording in the RAM 26 which is a storage device having a high processing speed is performed.

As described above, in the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment, the service additional information storage means has the RA
M26 and the HDD 27, the effective time of the service additional information is far in the future, and the service additional information whose usage frequency is low is recorded in the HDD 27 which is a storage device with a low processing speed, and the effective time is The service additional information that is close to the time and that is frequently used is recorded in the RAM 26, which is a storage device with a high processing speed. Where R
The AM has a higher processing speed than the HDD, but has a higher price per unit storage capacity, so that the price of the digital information receiver is not so expensive and the storage means is constituted only by the RAM. In this case, the storage capacity cannot be increased so much that a large amount of additional service information cannot be recorded. However, the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment has a larger capacity per unit storage capacity than the RAM. The inexpensive HDD compensates for the insufficient storage capacity of the RAM, thereby making it possible to increase the storage capacity of the service additional information storage means without increasing the apparatus price, and to increase the number of additional services. Information can be recorded. Also, since the HDD has a lower processing speed than the RAM, if the storage means is constituted only by the HDD, inconvenience occurs when the recorded service additional information is frequently used. Form 4
Digital information receiver uses RA as a storage means.
M is provided, and the effective time is close to the current time, and frequently used information is recorded in the RAM, so that the above-mentioned inconvenience can be avoided.

As described above, in the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment, the service additional information for receiving the service additional information including the information of the time when the information becomes valid, which is distributed along with the television broadcast. Receiving means 1;
An information storage unit 2b configured by a plurality of storage devices having different processing speeds, that is, a RAM and an HDD, and storing service additional information, and a valid time extracting unit 8a extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from the received service additional information. And the service additional information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time extracted by the effective time extracting means 8a and the current time 7 is larger than the reference value, to the storage device (HDD) having a lower processing speed among the plurality of storage devices. Information arrangement means 10a to arrange
With this configuration, it is possible to record a greater number of additional service information without making the apparatus price too expensive, to increase the chances of information retrieval by information users, and to be easy to use. A digital information receiver can be realized.

Next, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 (b) is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the digital information receiver according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. This is a second effective time extracting means for extracting the time at which the information becomes valid from the service additional information stored in the HDD of the service additional information storage means 2b. Also, 1
0b is a comparison between the valid time extracted by the second valid time extracting means 8b and the current time 7 output from the clock means and the like.
When the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time and the current time is equal to or smaller than the reference value, the service additional information stored in the HDD of the service additional information storage unit 2b is recorded in the RAM of the service additional information storage unit 2b. This is an information arrangement changing unit.

In the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment, when the time when the received service additional information becomes effective is in the distant future, the received service additional information is recorded on the HDD having a low processing speed. As the time elapses, the effective time of the service additional information recorded on the HDD approaches the current time, and the frequency of use of such service additional information increases. Therefore, if the service additional information is recorded on the HDD having a low processing speed, Problems arise due to the time required for reproduction. According to a modification of the fourth embodiment, the valid time of the service additional information recorded in the HDD is extracted by the second valid time extracting means 8b at regular time intervals or in response to an external control signal, and the valid time is extracted. Current time 7
The arrangement of the service additional information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the two is equal to or smaller than the reference value is changed from the HDD to the RAM. As a result, the service additional information whose effective time is approaching the current time with the passage of time can be stored in the RAM having a high processing speed, and thus the service additional information whose use frequency has increased as described above can be obtained. It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that it takes time to reproduce.

As described above, in the modification of the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment, of the plurality of storage devices of the service additional information storage means 2b. Second effective time extracting means 8b for extracting the time at which the information becomes valid from the service additional information stored in the storage device having a low processing speed.
And the service additional information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time extracted by the second effective time extracting means 8b and the current time 7 is smaller than the reference value, the storage device having the faster processing speed among the plurality of storage devices. Since the configuration further includes the information arrangement changing means 10b arranged in the (RAM), the effective time approaches the current time as time elapses, and it takes time to reproduce the service additional information that has been used frequently. Can be avoided.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the reference value for determining whether the service additional information is to be stored in the RAM or the HDD constituting the storage means is determined in advance by the ROM.
Although a fixed value set as the above is shown, a configuration including a means for setting a reference value according to an external input by a user or the like may be provided.

In the third and fourth embodiments, regardless of the type of the service additional information, whether the service additional information is recorded in the RAM in accordance with the absolute value of the time difference between the recording time or the effective time and the current time. Although it is configured to determine whether to record in the HDD, the processing content may be different depending on the type of the service additional information. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a case in which the processing content differs depending on the type of the service additional information.

In FIG. 8, Case 5 shows an example of processing when the service additional information is information about a hobby. For example, when a person who likes tennis stores service additional information on tennis on the receiver side, there is a strong demand for instant search and display even if the current time and effective time are far apart. The attribute of the service additional information related to such a hobby is registered in advance on the receiver side, and if the attribute matches the attribute in the received service additional information, the processing of Case 1 is selected. Or fast search, regardless of the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time and the current time.
Display can be realized.

Case 6 has the highest value when the service additional information is received, such as news or weather forecast, and the value decreases with time, but is not necessarily used at all in the future. An example of the process in the case will be described. The processing in Case 6 is exactly the same as the processing in the third embodiment.

[0060] Case 7 shows an example of processing when the service additional information is a program guide. As described above, the frequency of use of the program guide is the highest on the day, and the frequency of use decreases in the order of one week of program guide, one month of program guide, and one year of program guide. is there. Such service additional information is recorded on the HDD when the service additional information is received, and for example, only the service additional information corresponding to the broadcast of the day is recorded in the RAM, that is, the processing described in the fourth embodiment is performed. Exactly the same processing is performed. Then, it is considered that such program information has no utility value as additional service information at the end of the broadcast of the program. Therefore, in the processing of Case 7, the additional service information is discarded after the end of the broadcast of the program. Like that. This makes it possible to use the storage medium more effectively.

In case 8, the service additional information is Case
7 shows an example of a program guide, which is a program guide, and a process of recording a program on the receiver side based on the program guide. When the recording process is performed, there is also a request to save program information related to the recorded broadcast. Therefore, in Case 8, in order to respond to such a request, the corresponding service additional information is recorded in the HDD when the main broadcast of the program is recorded.

By additionally providing the processing selection means for performing different processing depending on the type of information as described above, the storage medium for storing the service additional information can be utilized in accordance with the purpose of use of the user. Such a process selection means may be configured to perform selection using attribute information such as genre information included in the service additional information and a classification reference table provided on the receiver side.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention (claim 1), the broadcast information receiving means for receiving the broadcast information distributed by the television broadcast, and the received broadcast information or its data capacity are reduced. Information storage means for storing broadcast information, time management means for holding the time at which the received broadcast information was recorded in the information storage means for each broadcast information, capacity reduction means for reducing the data capacity of the broadcast information, For broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the recording time and the current time held by the time management means is greater than a reference value, a capacity changing means for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity, and according to the command of the capacity changing means, The broadcast information stored in the information storage means is read from the information storage means and sent to the capacity reduction means, and the broadcast whose data capacity has been reduced by the capacity reduction means is read. Because the distribution has a structure in which a writing and reading control means to rearrange the information storage means, the average processing (information retrieval) while maintaining the speed at a high level,
More broadcast information can be recorded on the storage medium,
This has the effect of realizing a digital information receiver that can increase opportunities for information retrieval by information users.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 2), a broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information including information on a time at which the information is valid, which is distributed by television broadcasting, Or information storage means for storing broadcast information whose data capacity has been reduced, valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from received broadcast information, and valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means. Capacity change means for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity of broadcast information having an absolute value of the time difference of the current time larger than the reference value, and capacity reduction for reducing the data capacity of the broadcast information in accordance with the command of the capacity change means Means, it is possible to record a larger number of broadcast information on a storage medium while maintaining an average processing (information search) speed at a high level, There is an effect that can realize a digital information receiver can be increased opportunities for information retrieval by multicast user.

According to the present invention (claim 3), in the digital information receiver according to claim 2, the information is effective from the broadcast information whose data capacity is reduced stored in the information storage means. Valid time extracting means for extracting a time, and a capacity for outputting a command to extend the data capacity of broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the valid time and the current time extracted by the valid time extracting means is smaller than a reference value. Changing means for reading the broadcast information stored in the information storage means from the information storage means in accordance with a command from the capacity changing means, expanding the data capacity, and storing the broadcast information having the expanded data capacity in the information storage means. And a capacity extending means for rewriting the data.
In addition to the effects of the invention, there is an effect that it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the effective time approaches the current time as time elapses and it takes time to reproduce the frequently used broadcast information.

According to the present invention (claim 4), the broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information distributed by television broadcasting is constituted by a plurality of storage devices having different processing speeds. Information storage means for storing, time management means for holding the time at which the received broadcast information was recorded in the information storage means for each broadcast information, and the absolute value of the time difference between the recording time held by the time management means and the current time And information arrangement changing means for arranging broadcast information larger than the reference value in a storage device having a lower processing speed among the plurality of storage devices. And can record a larger number of broadcast information, increase the chances of information retrieval by information users, and provide an easy-to-use digital information receiver.

Further, according to the present invention (claim 5), the processing speed is different from that of the broadcast information receiving means for receiving the broadcast information including the information of the time when the information becomes valid, which is distributed by television broadcasting. An information storage unit configured by a plurality of storage devices and storing the broadcast information; a valid time extractor that extracts a time at which the information becomes valid from the received broadcast information; and a valid time extracted by the valid time extractor And information arrangement means for arranging broadcast information whose absolute value of the time difference between the current time is larger than the reference value in a storage device having a low processing speed among the plurality of storage devices. An easy-to-use digital information receiver that can record a large number of broadcast information without increasing the cost and can increase information retrieval opportunities for information users. There is an effect that can be achieved.

According to the present invention (claim 6), in the digital information receiver according to claim 5, a broadcast stored in a storage device having a slow processing speed among a plurality of storage devices of the information storage means. Valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from the information; and storing the broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means and the current time is smaller than a reference value in the plurality of storages. Since the information processing apparatus further includes information arrangement changing means arranged in a storage device having a higher processing speed among the apparatuses, the effective time approaches the current time as time elapses, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5 described above. This has the effect of avoiding the inconvenience that it takes time to reproduce broadcast information that has been used more frequently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital information receiver according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a digital information receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a digital information receiver according to a second embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 3A) and a configuration of a modification of the digital information receiver according to the second embodiment (FIG. 3B). FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a case in which processing is performed according to the type of service additional information in the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital information receiver according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a digital information receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a digital information receiver according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 7 (a)) and a configuration of a modification of the digital information receiver according to the fourth embodiment (FIG. 7 (b)). FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a case in which processing is performed according to the type of service additional information according to the third or fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Service additional information receiving means 2a, 2b Service additional information storage means 3 Time management means 4 Write / read control means 5 Capacity reduction means 6 Capacity change means 7 Current time 8a First valid time extracting means 8b Second valid time extracting means 9 information arrangement changing means 10a information arrangement means 10b information arrangement changing means 11 tuner section 12 digital demodulation section 13 error correction circuit 14 descrambler 15 transport decoder 16 audio decoder 17 speaker 18 video decoder 19 NTSC encoder 20 display 21 service additional information processing Unit 22 CPU 23 Semiconductor RAM (Work RAM) 24a HDD 24b Storage unit 25 Remote control receiving unit 26 RAM 27 HDD 30 Capacity expansion unit

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Machida 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information distributed by television broadcasting, information storage means for storing received broadcast information or broadcast information having a reduced data capacity, and receiving the broadcast information. Time management means for holding the time recorded in the information storage means for each broadcast information; capacity reduction means for reducing the data capacity of the broadcast information; absolute time difference between the recording time held by the time management means and the current time For broadcast information having a value greater than the reference value, a capacity changing means for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity; and in accordance with the command from the capacity changing means, the broadcast information stored in the information storage means is transmitted from the information storage means to Read and send to the capacity reducing means, and write the broadcast information whose data capacity has been reduced by the capacity reducing means to the information storage means. Digital information receiver is characterized in that a saw out control means. 2. A broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information including information on a time at which the information becomes valid, distributed by television broadcasting, and receiving the broadcast information or the broadcast information having a reduced data capacity. Information storing means for storing, valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from received broadcast information, and an absolute value of a time difference between the valid time extracted by the valid time extracting means and the current time is larger than a reference value. For big broadcast information,
A digital information receiver, comprising: a capacity changing means for outputting a command to reduce the data capacity; and a capacity reducing means for reducing the data capacity of broadcast information in accordance with the command from the capacity changing means. 3. The digital information receiver according to claim 2, wherein valid time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from the broadcast information having a reduced data capacity stored in said information storage means. For broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the effective time extracted by the effective time extraction means and the current time is smaller than a reference value,
Capacity changing means for outputting a command for expanding the data capacity; and reading the broadcast information stored in the information storage means from the information storage means in accordance with the command from the capacity changing means, expanding the data capacity, and expanding the data capacity. And a capacity extending means for rewriting the expanded broadcast information into the information storage means. 4. A broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information distributed by television broadcasting, an information storage means comprising a plurality of storage devices having different processing speeds and storing said broadcast information, Time management means for holding the time recorded in the information storage means for each broadcast information, and broadcast information in which the absolute value of the time difference between the recording time held by the time management means and the current time is larger than a reference value, A digital information receiver, comprising: information arrangement changing means arranged in a storage device having a low processing speed among a plurality of storage devices. 5. Broadcast information receiving means for receiving broadcast information including information on a time at which the information is valid, which is distributed by television broadcasting, and a plurality of storage devices having different processing speeds, An effective time extracting means for extracting a time at which the information becomes valid from received broadcast information; and an absolute value of a time difference between the effective time extracted by the effective time extracting means and the current time is a reference value. An information arranging means for arranging larger broadcast information in a storage device having a lower processing speed among the plurality of storage devices. 6. The digital information receiver according to claim 5, wherein a time at which the information becomes valid is extracted from broadcast information stored in a storage device having a low processing speed among the plurality of storage devices of the information storage means. A valid time extracting means for storing broadcast information whose absolute value of a time difference between the valid time and the current time extracted by the valid time extracting means is smaller than a reference value, a storage device having a higher processing speed among the plurality of storage devices A digital information receiver, comprising: an information arrangement changing means arranged in the digital information receiver.