JP2008027486A - Recording system, recording method, and transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speed up decision of congruence/incongruency of content data recorded on each system, and avoid useless transfer operation/recording operation during data transfer between each system. <P>SOLUTION: A recording system calculates hash value of the content data and records the Hash value by associating with the content data. Herewith the comparison of the content data can be made based on the result of comparison between the Hash values, thereby speeding up the decision than by a conventional way of comparison of the content data. Moreover, data transfer of the content data is carried out only when there is not the same content data in a destination system as a result of the comparison. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method for recording content data. The present invention also relates to a data transfer system that includes a plurality of recording devices and transfers content data between them.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, recording devices that record broadcast content such as terrestrial digital broadcasting using a relatively large capacity recording medium such as a hard disk have been widely used.
There are cases where such recording devices are owned by a plurality of units in one home due to diversification of broadcasting channels such as terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting. In recent years, a data communication standard between electronic devices via Ethernet, represented by DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), has been established, and a plurality of recording devices are connected via a network to move content. It is also realized.

Here, when it is assumed that the recording device is connected via the network, it is assumed that an instruction to transfer the content recorded in one recording device to the other recording device is given.
In this case, the transfer-source recording device that has received the instruction transfers the instructed content to the transfer-destination recording device, and then deletes the content recorded on itself. Further, the transferred recording device records the transferred content.

  In this case, the content that is transferred by the transfer source recording device as described above is deleted in consideration of the copy one generation restriction that is performed in digital broadcasting, for example. This is because. That is, copyright protection information for such copy-once is added to the broadcast content of digital broadcasting, and when the broadcast content is recorded, no more copies are made to the content. Attribute information is added. Therefore, when transferring recorded content to another recording device as described above, only the so-called move of the content is permitted, and the transfer-target recording device must erase the content to be transferred. It's a good thing.

In addition, about the related prior art, the following patent documents can be mentioned.
JP 2003-250123 A

  By the way, according to the above description, when a conventional recording device is instructed to transfer content to an external device, it simply transfers the instructed content to the instructed external device and erases the content. It can be seen that only the operation is performed. Also, the transfer destination recording device performs only the operation of recording the transferred content.

  Here, it is assumed that broadcast contents of the same broadcast channel are recorded in the same recording time in each recording device. In other words, it is assumed that content with exactly the same content is recorded on each recording device. Then, it is assumed that the transfer instruction is made for the same content recorded in one recording device in this way.

In such a situation, when the operation between the conventional recording devices as described above is performed, the transfer source is configured to transfer the same content even though the same content exists at the transfer destination. Become. Also, at the transfer destination, although the same content has already been recorded, the recording operation for the content is performed again.
For this reason, depending on the operation of the conventional recording device, there is a possibility that a useless data transfer operation and a useless data recording operation are performed.

  On the other hand, in order to prevent such a useless data recording / data transfer operation, it is conceivable to determine whether or not there is content having the same content as the content instructed to be transferred at the transfer destination.

Here, for example, in determining whether or not the contents in the respective devices are the same as described above, it is desirable to determine whether or not the data contents themselves match. That is, content matching / mismatching can be performed based on additional information such as a program title acquired based on EPG (Electric Program Guide) data, for example. It is not necessarily guaranteed. Specifically, for example, when the same content (broadcast program) is recorded by both recording devices, when recording is performed for 60 minutes with one device and 58 minutes with the other device, information on the program title attached to them. May be the same, but the actual data content may not match completely.
In consideration of this, it is desirable to determine whether or not each content is the same based on the actual data content as described above.

However, at present, there is no effective method other than actually checking the data content of each content in order to determine whether or not each content content matches. For this reason, a problem arises that a considerable amount of time is wasted in order to determine whether or not the data contents match at present.
In particular, content that has a relatively large data size, such as broadcast content (video / audio data), requires much time to collate the data content. .

Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above problems, the recording apparatus is configured as follows.
That is, it comprises recording means for recording content data on a recording medium and hash value calculation means for calculating a hash value based on the content data.
The content data recorded on the recording medium is provided with association control means for controlling the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation means to be recorded in association with the content data. .

In the present invention, the data transfer system is configured as follows.
That is, the data transfer system of the present invention includes a recording unit that records content data on a recording medium, a hash value calculation unit that calculates a hash value based on the content data, and the content data recorded on the recording medium. A recording apparatus comprising: association control means for controlling the hash values calculated by the hash value calculation means to be recorded in association with each other; and data communication means for performing data communication with an external device. A data transfer system comprising a plurality of data transfer systems,
First, when an instruction to transfer the content data from the first recording device to the second recording device is made, the content data is associated with the content data instructed to be transferred recorded in the first recording device. Collation means for collating the hash value with the hash value associated with the content data recorded in the second recording device is provided.
Further, only when it is determined that there is no content data having the same hash value on the second recording apparatus side based on the collation result by the collation means, the content data is transferred from the first recording apparatus to the second recording apparatus. Transfer control means for controlling to be transferred to the recording apparatus.

According to the recording apparatus (and recording method) of the present invention as described above, a hash value calculated based on content data can be recorded in association with the content data. Thus, as the hash value calculated based on the content data, a numerical value having a one-to-one relationship with the data content of the content data is obtained. That is, such a hash value can function as an identifier representing the data content of the content data. Thus, according to the recording apparatus (and recording method) of the present invention, an identifier representing the data content can be recorded in association with the content data.
If the content data recorded in the recording device in this way can be associated with a hash value as an identifier representing the data content, one recording can be performed, for example, as in the data transfer system of the present invention. When transferring content data from one device to the other recording device, a hash value associated with the content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source and a hash value associated with the content data recorded on the transfer destination side The value can be collated, and thereby it can be determined whether or not content data whose data content matches the content data instructed to be transferred is also recorded at the transfer destination.

  In addition, according to the data transfer system of the present invention, the content data is transferred only when it is determined that there is no content data having the same data content at the transfer destination based on the hash value collation result as described above. It is supposed to be. That is, when there is the same content data in the data content at the transfer destination, it is possible to prevent the transfer of the content data, and duplication when there is the same content data in the data content It is also possible to avoid recording.

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention, the hash value calculated based on the content data is recorded in association with the content data, thereby representing the data content in association with the content data. An identifier can be recorded. According to this, it is possible to determine whether or not the data contents of a plurality of content data are coincident with each other by collating such hash values. There is no need to collate the content data itself. As a result, the processing time required to determine whether the contents of each content data match or not can be greatly reduced.

Further, according to the data transfer system of the present invention, the content data is transferred only when it is determined that there is no content data having the same data content at the transfer destination based on the result of collation by the hash value as described above. Therefore, if there is content data that is the same as the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination, the content data can be prevented from being transferred, and the data content is the same. Duplicate recording when there is content data can also be avoided.
Since unnecessary data transfer operations and unnecessary recording operations can be omitted in this way, it is possible to reduce the processing load during transfer and to shorten the time required to complete the transfer. In addition, recording capacity can be saved by preventing duplicate recording.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a data transfer system (transfer system 1 of the first embodiment, transfer system 20 of the second embodiment) as an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the transfer system (1, 20) of the embodiment is configured to include a plurality of recording apparatuses 2 (in this case, two). The plurality of recording devices 2 are connected to each other via a network 4 such as Ethernet.

The recording device 2 is, for example, a tuner unit 3 that performs reception demodulation processing on a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) that records (records) broadcast content obtained based on the processing of the tuner unit 3. 14 as a recording device with a tuner.
In the case of the present embodiment, the recording apparatus 2 can perform a reserved recording operation using EPG (Electric Program Guide) data. That is, for example, a list of broadcast programs is displayed on an external display device (not shown) based on EPG data, and the user is allowed to designate a desired broadcast program from this list. Then, the program information of the designated broadcast program is acquired from the EPG data and added to the recording reservation list. Based on the contents of the recording reservation list, the broadcast program is received and selected and recorded in the HDD 14. To be done.
Furthermore, the recording device 2 is configured to be able to perform data communication via the network 4 and transfers the content recorded on the HDD 14 to the external recording device 2 connected via the network 4. Have been able to.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the recording apparatus 2 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only demodulation, channel selection, and recording operations for video data included in a broadcast signal will be described, and description of audio data will be omitted.

First, in FIG. 2, the tuner unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 is shown.
As shown in the figure, the tuner 3 receives a broadcast signal by digital terrestrial broadcasting that is received by an antenna 15 provided outside and converted into a predetermined high-frequency signal.
The tuner unit 3 receives a predetermined carrier determined based on an instruction of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 to be described later from the received signal thus converted to a predetermined frequency, and for example, Viterbi A TS (Transport Stream) is obtained by performing a demodulation process such as a demodulation process or an error correction process.

  The tuner unit 3, the demultiplexer 4, the encryption / decryption device 5, the access unit detector 6, the hash value calculator 7, the network controller 9, and the HDD 14 described below are shown in the figure. The CPU 10 is connected to the CPU 10 via the bus 8, and the CPU 10 can perform data communication with each unit via the bus 8.

Here, as is well known, a TS according to a standard of digital television broadcasting such as terrestrial digital broadcasting includes a plurality of programs (programs) according to an encoding method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) -2 method. Compressed data obtained by compressing the video signal and various kinds of additional information are multiplexed. The compressed data obtained by compressing the video signal is multiplexed as an ES (Elementary Stream). Further, as additional information inserted by the broadcast side, PSI (Program Specific Information) for storing tables such as PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), and SI (Service Information: Program Sequence Information) ).
The information is multiplexed by forming a TS with a transport stream packet (TS packet) having a predetermined data size and storing the ES and various additional information in the TS packet. .

  The demultiplexer 4 acquires a PSI (Program Specific Information) packet from the TS output from the tuner unit 3 and updates the channel selection information, and at the same time, the component PID (Program ID) of each channel in the TS. Is obtained and supplied to the CPU 10. In the CPU 10, the acquired PID is used for reception signal processing.

Further, the demultiplexer 4 separates necessary TS packets from the TS supplied from the tuner unit 3 in accordance with the filter condition set by the CPU 10. As a result, the demultiplexer 4 obtains TS packets of video data compressed by a predetermined encoding method (for example, MPEG-2 method) as TS packets for one target program. That is, a substantial channel selection operation is performed.
Note that the compressed video data obtained by such a channel selection operation is content (broadcast content) broadcast by a required broadcast station, and is hereinafter also referred to as content data.
Also, depending on the broadcasting system, CA (Conditional Access) is applied to the content, and it is necessary to decrypt the encryption for that purpose, but the description thereof is omitted here.

  The demultiplexer 4 also performs an operation of extracting EPG data from the TS as necessary. The extracted EPG data is transferred to the CPU 10 and used, for example, for display processing of on-screen display image data as an electronic program guide table, generation of a recording reservation list, and the like.

The demultiplexer 4 supplies the compressed video data acquired from the TS as described above to the encryption / decryption device 5.
The encryption / decryption device 5 performs encryption processing on the compressed video data as necessary. When recording broadcast content obtained via the tuner unit 3 → demultiplexer 4, the compressed video data subjected to encryption processing as necessary by the encryption / decryption device 5 is transmitted via the bus 8. Are supplied to the HDD 14 and recorded.
When the broadcast content recorded on the HDD 14 is reproduced, the encryption / decryption device 5 performs encryption / decryption processing on the compressed video data supplied from the HDD 14 via the bus 8 as necessary. .

  The demultiplexer 4 also supplies the compressed video data acquired from the TS as described above to the access unit detector 6 and the hash value calculator 7 as shown in the figure.

The access unit detector 6 is configured to detect the timing of each access unit of the supplied compressed video data. Then, the hash value calculator 7 is instructed for the timing of each access unit detected in this way.
Further, the access unit detector 6 obtains identification information for identifying each access unit in the process of timing detection for each access unit. Such identification information for each access unit is supplied to the CPU 10 via the bus 8.

  For the compressed video data supplied from the demultiplexer 4, the hash value calculator 7 calculates a hash value based on the data value for each data portion divided at the timing indicated by the access unit detector 6. Is done. That is, the hash value calculator 7 thereby calculates the hash value for each access unit of compressed video data as schematically shown in FIG.

  Here, the “access unit” referred to in the embodiment refers to a minimum data unit in which meaningful data can be obtained by decoding (decompressing) the compressed data. Specifically, in this case, the compressed video data according to the MPEG-2 system is a unit of GOP (Group Of Picture).

  Returning to FIG. 2, the hash value calculator 7 supplies the calculated hash value to the CPU 10 via the bus 8.

The CPU 10 performs overall control and calculation processing of the recording apparatus 2 based on the activated program. For example, input / output operations for the user, recording of various data in the HDD 14, creation / update of management information, and the like are performed.
In particular, the CPU 10 in this case is configured to perform processing for the reserved recording operation based on the EPG data extracted by the demultiplexer 4 described above. Specifically, first, based on the EPG data, for example, image data as an electronic program guide table is displayed on an external display device (not shown). The program guide table functions as a GUI (Graphic User Interface) image for browsing program information, selecting a program, and the like.
Then, in response to the designation of the program on the electronic program guide table as such GUI, the program title, recording time (recording start time, recording end time), and broadcast channel information designated from the EPG data are displayed. Acquire and add the information to the recording reservation list. Then, necessary units are controlled so that the broadcast content of the designated broadcast channel is recorded in the HDD 14 during the recording time registered in the recording reservation list.
Note that such a scheduled recording operation based on the EPG data is already known and will not be described in detail here. Further, the reserved recording operation based on the EPG data is not limited to that performed based on the program designation from such an electronic program guide table, and for example, a program including an input keyword as it has already been performed or designated. It is assumed that programs belonging to different genres can be automatically recorded.

  In addition to the scheduled recording operation based on such EPG data, a scheduled recording operation according to the designation of the recording time and the broadcast channel is also possible. In this case, the user instructs the recording time and broadcast channel information by an operation input via the user interface 11 described later. Note that when recording reservations are performed by specifying the recording time / broadcast channel, information on the title of the recorded content can also be input through operation input via the user interface 11. Alternatively, it may be configured to automatically acquire the information of the corresponding title from the EPG data based on the information of the recording time and the broadcast channel input by the operation.

Here, when a reservation recording operation based on the EPG data as described above is performed, content data (in this case, compressed video data) in units of programs is recorded on the HDD 14.
In addition, when the recording operation is performed based on the designation of the recording time / broadcast channel as described above, not based on the EPG data, a series of contents from the designated recording start time to the recording end time. Data is recorded.
In any case, when a recording operation is performed, a series of content data from the start of recording to the end of recording is recorded on the HDD 14. Hereinafter, a unit of a series of content data recorded from the start of recording to the end of recording will be referred to as a “program unit”.

In addition, during the reservation recording operation as described above, the CPU 10 is based on the information of the recording time (recording start time / recording end time) registered in the recording reservation list generated based on the EPG data and the information of the broadcast channel. The tuner unit 3 and the demultiplexer 4 are controlled so that the broadcast channel is received and selected at the recording start time. Further, during the recording operation based on the recording time and the designation of the broadcast channel, the tuner unit 3 and the demultiplexer 4 are controlled so that the designated broadcast channel is selected at the designated recording start time.
Here, according to the above description, the content data (compressed video data) obtained by the demultiplexer 4 by such a channel selection operation is supplied to the encryption / decryption device 5 and encrypted as necessary. However, the CPU 10 performs control so that the content data that has passed through the encryption / decryption device 5 is recorded in the HDD 14 in this way.
In FIG. 2, the content data recorded in the HDD 14 by the recording operation in this way is shown as content 14a.

Particularly in the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 10 has a hash value for each access unit of the compressed video data output from the encryption / decryption device 5 and recorded in the HDD 14 during the recording of such broadcast content. Control is performed so that the hash values calculated by the calculator 7 are associated with each other.
In this way, the CPU 10 is configured to generate and update the content management information 14b in the HDD 14 so that the hash value is associated with each access unit.

FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram showing the data structure of the content management information 14b stored in the HDD 14.
In FIG. 4, as the content management information 14b, information of all access units recorded in the HDD 14 is stored as an “access unit” shown in the figure. As this “access unit” information, for example, information on the recording address of each access unit on the HDD 14 is stored.
For these “access units”, “title”, “recording time”, “ch”, “other attribute information”, as shown in FIG. Information of “valid / invalid flag” is associated.

  The “title” information is, for example, information on the title of a program, and is specified in the electronic program guide table when the content data for each program is recorded by a scheduled recording operation based on EPG data. The information of the program title name associated with the selected program is stored. Alternatively, when the content data of the program unit is recorded by the recording operation performed based on the designation of the recording time / broadcast channel, the title information or the recording time input together with the recording time / broadcast channel information Stores information on the titles of programs automatically acquired from EPG data based on broadcast channel information.

  The “recording time” information indicates the recording start time and the recording end time for the content data in the program unit, and the “ch” indicates the broadcast channel that broadcasts the content data in the program unit. It becomes information to show. These “recording time” and “ch” information also correspond to the program specified in the electronic program guide table when the content data of the program unit is recorded by the reserved recording operation based on the EPG data. The recorded recording time and broadcast channel information are stored. When the content data of the program unit is recorded by the recording operation performed based on the designation of the recording time / broadcast channel, information on the designated recording time / broadcast channel is stored.

The “other attribute information” is attached particularly when the content data of the program unit is recorded by the reserved recording operation based on the EPG data. For example, the name of the program performer and the program content are added. This information comprehensively shows information included in the EPG data other than the title, recording time (broadcast time), and ch, such as commentary information.
In the following, the title, recording time, and channel information added to each piece of content data in units of programs including such “other attribute information” will be collectively referred to as “additional information”.

  Further, in this case, the valid / invalid flag information shown in the figure is associated with each content data segment of each program unit. The information of the valid / invalid flag is information added to perform an operation corresponding to the copy-once restriction defined in digital broadcasting, which will be described later.

In the content management information 14b, each “access unit” is associated with the hash value information as illustrated.
The hash value information stores hash value information supplied from the hash value calculator 7 via the bus 8 during the recording operation.

  Here, as described above, at the time of a recording operation, the hash value information calculated for each access unit by the hash value calculator 7 is supplied to the CPU 10. According to the above description, during the recording operation, the identification information for each access unit acquired by the access unit detector 6 is sequentially supplied to the CPU 10 in parallel with this. Thus, the CPU 10 can grasp the correspondence between each access unit recorded in the HDD 14 and the hash value calculated by the hash value calculator 7 based on the access unit.

The CPU 10 associates the “access unit” information and the hash value information according to the correspondence relationship grasped in this way, for example, when the content management information 14b is updated in response to the end of the recording operation. The update processing of the content management information 14b is executed so as to be stored.
Thus, the hash value can be associated with each access unit recorded in the HDD 14.

Returning to FIG.
As described above, the CPU 10 associates the additional information with the valid / invalid flag for the content data in the program unit by the content management information 14b, and for each access unit constituting the content data in the program unit, Hash values are associated with each other.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 10 is configured to manage the content data by using the content management information 14b, and for each access unit according to the numerical value management information 14c in the HDD 14 shown in the figure. The number of recorded files is also managed.

FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the present value management information 14c.
As the numerical value management information 14c, for each access unit (for example, the recording address in this case) recorded in the HDD 14 as shown, the hash value and the numerical value information are associated with each other. It has become.
It should be noted that such information on the present value is information used in the operation corresponding to the copy-once restriction together with the information on the valid / invalid flag. The operation corresponding to the copy-once restriction performed by using the valid / invalid flag and the information on the existing value will be described later.

The description returns to FIG. 2 again.
The CPU 10 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 shown in the figure.
The ROM 12 stores an operation program for the CPU 10, a program loader, and the like. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 12 performs processing operations (FIG. 12 or FIG. 17) for realizing the operations of the ROM 12 as the first embodiment or the second embodiment described later. A program 12a for execution is also stored.

  The RAM 13 temporarily secures a data area and a task area for the CPU 10 to execute the program.

The CPU 10 is also provided with a user interface 11 for the user to input various instructions and information to the recording apparatus 2.
The user interface 11 comprehensively shows various operators provided for the recording apparatus 2 and a light receiving unit for receiving an operation signal from a remote commander (not shown).
The user interface 11 is configured to supply the CPU 10 with operation information (operation signal) for each operation element or operation information for each operation element on the remote commander. The CPU 10 executes a processing operation according to the operation information from the user interface 11, thereby realizing an operation and information input according to a user instruction.

The recording device 2 is provided with a network controller 9 shown in the figure. The network controller 9 is connected to the network 4 shown in FIG. 1 via a network terminal Tnt shown in the figure, and performs data communication with an external device connected via the network 4.
The network controller 9 performs transmission data encoding processing and reception data decoding processing based on the control of the CPU 10. The encoded transmission data is transmitted to a predetermined external device (in particular, the external recording device 2 in this case) via the network 4. In addition, a signal transmitted from an external device such as an external recording device 2 is received via the network 4 and transferred to the CPU 10.

Here, according to the description so far, the recording device 2 of the present embodiment calculates the hash value when recording the content data, and records the hash value in association with the content data. Yes.
The hash value calculated based on the content data in this way is a numerical value having a one-to-one relationship with the data content of the content data. That is, such a hash value can be used as an identifier representing the data content of the content data. Therefore, according to the present embodiment in which the hash value is recorded in association with the content data as described above, the identifier representing the data content can be recorded in association with the content data. .

If it is possible to record the hash value that functions as an identifier representing the data content in association with the content data in this way, for example, determination as to whether or not the content of the plurality of content data matches. Can be performed based on the result of matching hash values associated with them.
According to this, for example, it is possible to save the trouble of collating the data contents of the content data as in the prior art, and to greatly reduce the time required for the process of determining whether the contents of each content data match or do not match. it can.

<First Embodiment>
[Operation as First Embodiment]

Next, the operation of the transfer system 1 as the first embodiment that can be configured by using the recording apparatus 2 as the embodiment described above will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain.
6 to 11, the network 4 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted, but in reality, the two recording devices 2 and 2 are connected via the network 4. Assume that data communication with each other is possible.
In these drawings, it is assumed that the recording device 2 shown on the left side in the drawing is the transfer source recording device 2 in which the content data to be transferred is recorded, and the recording device 2 shown on the right side in FIG. It is assumed that the recording apparatus 2 is a transfer destination that should be a transfer destination of content data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment, particularly from the specification of the content to be transferred to the operation for determining the presence or absence of matching content.
First, FIG. 6 shows a case where only one piece of content data is recorded in the transfer source recording device 2 for the sake of simplicity. The content data in units of programs in this case is illustrated as comprising four access units ACU as shown. Each access unit ACU is associated with a hash value HS (H1 to H4) and an associated value EXA. Here, the numerical value EXA represents the number by the numerical value shown after the character “A”. Specifically, each access unit ACU in this case is associated with information indicating “1” (“present 1”) as the existing value EXA.
In addition, the contents of the four access units ACU correspond to the information of the title I1, the recording time I2, the chI3, and the valid / invalid flag I5 so as to be surrounded by the broken line in the figure by the content management information 14b. In addition, the content data is managed as one program unit.
In this case, the title I1 is “7 o'clock news”, the recording time is “5/29 7:00 to 7:50”, chI3 is “ch4”, and the valid / invalid flag I4 is “valid”. Assume that they are associated.

Here, for convenience of illustration, only the title I1, the recording time I2, and chI3 are shown as described above as additional information associated with each piece of content data in units of programs by the content management information 14b. As shown in FIG. 4, “other additional information” is also associated.
The same applies to FIGS. 7 to 11 described below, including FIG. 6, and FIGS. 13 to 16 in the second embodiment.

Assuming that content data is recorded in the transfer source recording apparatus 2 as described above, the actual transfer operation will be described below.
First, when the transfer operation is performed, as indicated by <1> in FIG. 6, in the transfer source recording device 2, the recording device 2 external to the content recorded on the HDD 14 (transfer destination recording device 2). The transfer instruction to is performed.
In this case, since the recording of the content data in the HDD 14 is performed in units of programs, the content data in units of programs is also specified as such an instruction to transfer content to the external recording device 2.
Specifically, as the designation of the content data to be transferred, for example, a list of content data in units of programs recorded on the HDD 14 is displayed as an GUI on an external display device (for example, a title and recording time associated with each) , Ch are displayed), and the reception is performed on this GUI.

In response to the instruction to transfer the content data to the external recording device 2, the transfer source recording device 2 indicates the additional information of the content indicated as <2> in the figure. The hash values of all access units are transmitted to the transfer destination recording device 2.
That is, based on the content management information 14b described above, additional information (“title”, “recording time”, “ch”, “other additional information”) associated with the content data (program unit) instructed to be transferred, The hash values of all access units constituting the content data are acquired, and are transmitted to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 via the network 4 by the network controller 9 shown in FIG.

In response to the reception of the additional information and the hash value from the transfer source recording apparatus 2, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 determines whether or not there is a matching content as shown in <3> in the figure. To be discriminated.
That is, first, by collating the additional information received from the transfer source recording device 2 with all the additional information managed by the content management information 14b held by itself, content data that matches in units of programs can be obtained. It is determined whether or not it is recorded in the HDD 14.

  In the following FIGS. 7 to 11, there is content data that matches the case where there is no content data identical to the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination recording device 2 by the determination of FIG. 6 <3>. The operations that are performed corresponding to each of the case where the content data is identical (when the content is exactly the same) and the case where there is matching content data (when the content data is not perfect) are schematically shown. .

FIG. 7 shows an operation that should be performed when there is no content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination.
Specifically, for the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 (right side in the figure) in this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the title I1 is “monthly 9 drama” and the recording time I2 is “5/29”. 21:00 to 22:00 ", and only one piece of content data of a program unit specified by the additional information of chI3" ch8 "is illustrated. There are four access units ACU constituting the content data of the program unit as “Month 9 Drama”, and each hash value HS is “H8 to H11” as shown, This is different from the hash value HS (H1 to H4) of the access unit ACU constituting the program by “7 o'clock news” recorded in the recording device 2.
In this case, the value of each numerical value EXA associated with each access unit ACU is all “1”, indicating that only one piece of content data is recorded as the “monthly 9 drama”. ing. Further, according to the fact that the content data is managed as recorded in this way, a value indicating “valid” is associated with the value of the valid / invalid flag I4.

  In this way, in the transfer destination recording apparatus 2, when it is determined that there is no content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source in units of programs, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 starts with FIG. As shown in <4> in a), the transmission request of all the access units of the transfer instruction content is made to the transfer source recording apparatus 2.

  In response to this transmission request, the transfer source recording apparatus 2 transmits all the access units of the transfer instruction content to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 as shown in <5> in FIG. The That is, of the access units ACU recorded in the HDD 14, all requested access units are transmitted to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2.

  In this way, in response to the reception of the access unit transmitted from the transfer source in response to the previous transmission request, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 indicates <6> in FIG. The received access unit is recorded in association with its hash value / additional information. That is, first, the received access unit is recorded in the HDD 14. The recorded access units are associated with the hash values received from the transfer source recording device 2 by the operation shown in FIG. 6 <2>, and the entire recorded access unit is also the same. The information content of the content management information 14b is updated so that the additional information received from the transfer source recording device 2 is associated with the operation of FIG. 6 <2>.

By performing the operation <6>, the content data management state in the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 is as shown in FIG.
In other words, as shown in the figure, from the state where only the program with the title “Monthly 9 Drama” has been recorded so far, the program having the title of “7 o'clock news” at the transfer source has been newly recorded. It becomes a state. In other words, the program having the title “7 o'clock news” at the transfer source has moved to the transfer destination as it is.
When content data is transferred to the transfer destination in this way, the content data should be treated as existing, and therefore, as shown in the figure, each numerical value EXA is “1”. Make sure that the values are mapped. The valid / invalid flag I4 is also associated with a value indicating “valid”.

On the other hand, in the transfer source recording device 2, when all the access units of the transfer instruction content are transmitted according to FIG. 7A <5>, all the transmitted units are transmitted as shown in <7> of FIG. "-1" is decremented (decremented).
In addition, if the present value is all “0”, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”.

  Here, the recording apparatus 2 of the embodiment is configured to perform recording for terrestrial digital broadcasting. However, as described above, copy-once restrictions are imposed on digital broadcasting. If there is a copy-once restriction, once broadcast content is recorded on the HDD 14, only a so-called move is permitted for the content. For this reason, the transfer source recording apparatus 2 must handle the content that is the transfer target as deleted.

In consideration of this, in the present embodiment, the content data transmitted to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 as described above is decremented by the transfer source at its transfer value EXA, and each access is made accordingly. If all the numerical values of the units are “0”, the valid / invalid flag I4 is updated to “invalid”.
In this way, the numerical value of each access unit constituting the content data of the program unit is managed, and when it becomes “0”, the valid / invalid flag is set to “invalid” so that the designated content is transferred to the transfer destination. Is transferred (move in this case), and the content can be treated as deleted in response to the content being lost at the transfer source.

For confirmation, in the transfer system of the embodiment, it can be assumed that a plurality of pieces of content data of the same program unit are recorded in the recording device 2. For example, this is the case where each recording device 2 records the same broadcast content and the content data is transferred from one recording device 2 to the other recording device 2.
When a plurality of the same programs are recorded in one recording device 2 as described above, when one of them is transferred to the other recording device 2, the transfer source recording device 2 configures the program in the same manner as described above. It is made to decrement the numerical value of the access unit. The content data instructed in this way is decremented by the present value of all access units constituting it, so that the number of access units recorded in the HDD 14 corresponding to the copy-once restriction. Can be managed properly.

Next, FIG. 8 shows an operation that should be performed when there is content data matching the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination (when there is exactly the same content).
That is, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 also records content data in the same program unit as that recorded in the transfer source.

  When exactly the same content data is recorded in this way, the transfer destination recording device 2 sends an all-match notification to the transfer source recording device 2 as shown by <8> in FIG. To be done.

The transfer source recording apparatus 2 that has received this all-match notification decrements ("-1") the numerical values of all access units of the content instructed to be transferred, as shown by <9>. The In this case as well, if all the present values are “0”, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”.
The state of the transfer source recording apparatus 2 corresponding to such an operation is as shown on the left side of FIG.

  Further, in the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 that has made the all-match notification, as shown by <10> in FIG. 8A, the presence values of all access units of the corresponding content are incremented by “+1” (increment). To be. That is, the numerical value EXA of all access units constituting the content data of the program unit determined to match the transfer instruction content according to the determination of <3> in FIG. 6 is incremented.

In this case, the valid / invalid flag of the content data that is recorded in the transfer destination recording device 2 and that matches the content data instructed to be transferred is “valid” as shown in the figure. . In response to this, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 updates the management information so that the content data instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded data.
That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, the same content is obtained with respect to content data in units of programs (access units with hash values HS = H1, H2, H3, and H4) that match the transfer instruction content. The content management information 14b is updated so that the additional information is managed as if there are two pieces of content data in the same program unit.
By performing such update processing of the content management information 14b, for example, when a list of content data in units of programs recorded in the HDD 14 is presented to the user, it is assumed that two identical contents exist. Be able to present.

  Although FIG. 8 illustrates the case where the content data that matches the content data instructed at the transfer source at the transfer destination is recorded as “valid”, the content instructed to be transferred at the transfer destination It may be assumed that the content data matching the data is “invalid”. For example, as described above, after recording the same broadcast content in each recording device 2, it is assumed that one recording device 2 has transferred the content data to the other recording device 2. The state of the transfer source recording apparatus 2 corresponds to this.

In this way, when the content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred is set to “invalid” in the transfer destination recording device 2, the transfer destination recording device 2 uses the previous <8> to notify all matches. Then, after incrementing the present values of all the access units as shown by <10> in FIG. 9A, only the operation of updating the valid / invalid flag to “valid” is performed. .
In other words, the corresponding content managed as “0” and “invalid” is updated so that “1” existing “valid” content data is managed. .

Further, FIG. 10 below shows an operation to be performed in response to a case where there is a matching content (a case where the content is not a perfect match).
Specifically, in this case, as the content data recorded in the transfer destination recording device 2 (right side in the figure), the title I1 is “7 o'clock news” and the chI3 is “ch4” as shown in FIG. The title I1 and chI3 match the content data recorded at the transfer source, but the recording time I2 is “5/29 7: 00-7: 30” Compared with the recording time I2 “5/29 7:00 to 7:50” of the content data originally recorded, it is shorter by 20 minutes.
Accordingly, as an access unit recorded in the transfer destination recording device 2, there is no access unit with the hash value HS = H4 recorded in the transfer source.
For example, the recording state of the content in each of the recording devices 2 is as follows. The transfer source recording device 2 performs recording by designating the “7 o'clock news” program from the electronic program guide table, and the transfer destination recording device 2 performs the recording. For example, a case where recording is performed by designating recording times “7:00 to 7:30” and “ch4” is assumed.

  Here, the description is made as if the number of access units corresponding to a time length of 20 minutes is one, but this does not indicate the actual time length of one access unit.

  In this way, if there is content data that matches in program units, but the data contents do not completely match, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 shows <11> in FIG. First, a transmission request for an access unit that does not match is made to the transfer source recording apparatus 2.

  Upon receiving this transmission request, the transfer source recording apparatus 2 transmits the requested access unit to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 as shown in <12>.

  The transfer destination recording apparatus 2 first records the access unit received from the transfer source, as indicated by <13>. Then, as shown in the next <14>, the numerical value of the matching access unit is incremented (“+1”). That is, in this case, since the access units ACU with the hash values HS = H1, H2, and H3 coincide with those recorded in the transfer source, the presence value EXA of these access units ACU is incremented.

Then, as indicated by <15>, the management information is updated so that the content instructed to be transferred is managed as being newly recorded. That is, in this case, in addition to the access unit based on the hash values HS = H1, H2, and H3 originally recorded at the transfer destination as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. Then, the content data added with the access unit with the hash value HS = H4 recorded is associated with the additional information (see <2> in FIG. 6) of the content data instructed to be transferred from the transfer source. The contents of the management information 14b are updated.
Thus, the content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source can be managed as newly recorded at the transfer destination.

  Note that when the access unit requested by the previous <12> is transmitted to the transfer destination on the recording device 2 side of the transfer source, all the access units of the transfer instruction content are shown as <16> in FIG. 10B. It is made to decrement the numerical value of. In this case as well, if all the present values are “0”, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”.

  Here, FIG. 10 also illustrates the case where the content data matching the content data instructed at the transfer source is recorded as “valid” at the transfer destination, but the content data at the transfer destination is recorded as “valid”. Even when the transfer source does not completely match, it may be considered that the corresponding content data at the transfer destination is “invalid”.

FIG. 11 shows the operation corresponding to the case where the content data corresponding to the transfer destination is “invalid” in the case where such a match is not complete, but FIG. 11 is compared with FIG. As can be seen, even when the content data corresponding to the transfer destination is “invalid” in this way, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 performs the same operation as when it is “valid”. Has been.
That is, in this case as well, in the transfer destination recording apparatus 2, when the access unit requested to transfer from the transfer source is received and recorded as indicated by <13> in FIG. 11A, the existing value of the matching access unit is incremented. The management information is updated (<15>) so that the content instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded (<14>).

By performing such an operation, the state of the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 is as shown in FIG.
That is, also in this case, the additional information of the transfer instruction content is newly associated with the access unit ACU with the hash values HS = H1, H2, and H3 and the access unit ACU with the hash value HS = H4 received and recorded from the transfer source. It is managed as if the content data was recorded.
Then, only such an operation is performed, and as shown in the figure, additional information is associated with content data (recording time “7:00 to 7:30”) originally recorded in one transfer destination. However, the valid / invalid flag I4 remains “invalid”. As a result, in this case, the access units having the hash values HS = H1, H2, and H3, which are parts common to the two contents, are managed as belonging substantially only to the newly generated (transferred) contents side. Will be.

As can be understood from the above description, in the transfer system 1 of the first embodiment, when the content data recorded in one recording device 2 is transferred to the other recording device 2, a transfer instruction is given. The hash value associated with the content data and the hash value associated with the content data recorded at the transfer destination are collated, and the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination recording device 2 based on the collation result It is determined whether there is content data that matches the data content. In addition, the content data is transferred to the transfer destination only when there is no content data having the same data content in the transfer destination recording device 2.
As a result, when there is the same content data in terms of data content, it is possible to prevent the transfer of the content data, and it is also possible to avoid duplicate recording when there is the same content data. That is, as a result, useless data transfer operations and useless recording operations can be omitted.
Since unnecessary data transfer operations and unnecessary recording operations can be omitted in this way, it is possible to reduce the processing load during transfer and to shorten the time required to complete the transfer. Further, the recording capacity can be saved by preventing duplicate recording.

Further, in the transfer system 1 according to the present embodiment, content data is managed in units of programs, and further, content data in units of programs is managed separately for each access unit as a unit of GOP, for example. It is said. In addition, the hash value is associated with each access unit.
In this way, if content data in program units is divided for each access unit and the hash value is associated with each access unit, for example, content in program units as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 above. Although the data matches, it is possible to appropriately prevent useless data transfer operation / recording operation even when one content has a shorter recording time than the other content.

Here, for example, assuming that one hash value is associated with the entire content data in units of programs without dividing each access unit as in this embodiment, in the example of FIG. It is determined that the content data at the transfer destination does not match the content data instructed to be transferred. In other words, in practice, it is determined that the content data composed of substantially the same data portion does not match the data content.
As described above, when it is determined that the content data do not match, the content data recorded in the transfer source recording device 2 is transferred to the transfer destination recording device 2 as can be understood with reference to the operation of FIG. Will be recorded and newly recorded. That is, although the content data is actually composed of substantially the same data portion, the data transfer and recording operations are performed as content data of different contents (specifically in the example of FIG. 10). Access units with HS = H1, H2, and H3 become useless transfer / recording portions).
In consideration of this, content data in units of programs is divided into access units as in the embodiment, and a hash value is associated with each access unit. Can be more reliably prevented.

In the embodiment, in response to an instruction to transfer content data from one recording device 2 to the other recording device 2, first, in units of programs based on additional information added in units of programs. It is determined whether or not matching content data exists on the recording device 2 side of the transfer destination.
Thus, for example, compared to the case where the hash value is collated from the beginning in units of access units to determine whether there is content that matches the transfer instruction content in program units, the transfer instruction content is transferred to the transfer destination. It is possible to further speed up the process of determining whether there is content data that matches in program units.

Further, in the transfer system 1 of the present embodiment, the recording device 2 that is the transfer source does not delete the content data transferred to the transfer destination, but makes it “invalid” by the valid / invalid flag. They are treated as deleted.
Thus, when the content data is transferred again from the external recording device 2, it is only necessary to increment the numerical value associated with the content data and update the valid / invalid flag to “valid”. The content data can be substantially transferred and recorded, and the actual content data transfer operation and recording operation can be omitted.

[Processing operation]

The following flowchart of FIG. 12 shows processing operations to be executed in the recording apparatus 2 in order to realize the operation as the first embodiment described above.
The processing operation shown in FIG. 12 is executed by the CPU 10 shown in FIG. 2 based on a program 12 a stored in the ROM 12.

When the processing operation shown in this figure is performed, it is assumed that each recording apparatus 2 is already connected to be capable of data communication via the network 4 as shown in FIG. . Also in this case, the recording device 2 to be the transfer source is shown on the left side in the figure, and the recording device 2 to be the transfer destination is shown on the right side in the figure.
In particular, in the recording apparatus 2 to be a transfer source, for example, a GUI screen for accepting designation of content data to be transferred to the external recording apparatus 2 is displayed on an external display apparatus or the like. And In other words, in other words, the recording device 2 in the transfer content designation acceptance state in this way is the recording device 2 to be the transfer source.

  In FIG. 12, first, in the transfer source recording apparatus 2 that is in the screen display state for accepting transfer content designation as described above, in step S101, it waits for a content transfer instruction to the external recording apparatus. To be done. That is, for example, on the GUI displayed on the external display device or the like as described above, an operation for specifying content data to be transferred to the external recording device 2 (transfer destination recording device 2) is performed. To wait.

If, for example, an operation for designating content data is performed on the GUI, and a transfer instruction to the external recording device 2 is performed, in step S102, additional information on the transfer instruction content and all the information The hash value of the access unit is transmitted.
That is, first, based on the content management information 14b stored in the HDD 14, the additional information associated with the content data instructed to transfer and the hash values of all access units constituting the content data are acquired. Then, the network controller 9 is controlled so that they are transmitted to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 via the network 4.

  When the process of step S102 is executed, the process proceeds to step S103 described later.

On the other hand, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 waits in step S201 in the figure for the reception of the additional information and the hash value from the transfer source recording apparatus 2.
When the additional information and the hash value are received by the network controller 9, a matching content is searched for in step S202. That is, based on the result of collating the received additional information with the additional information of all content data managed by the content management information 14b recorded on the recording device 2 side of the transfer destination, a transfer instruction is first given. Content data that matches the content data in program units is searched.

Here, in the search process of step S202, it is determined whether or not the respective content data match in units of programs using only “title”, “recording time”, and “ch” in the additional information. It is supposed to be.
Specifically, in this case, the determination as to whether or not the respective content data matches in units of programs is made on the condition that the information on the above-mentioned “title” and “ch” is completely matched. On the other hand, with regard to the “recording time” information, it is determined whether or not at least the time zones indicated by them overlap.
By using such a discriminant criterion, the content by “7 o'clock news” “5/29 7: 00-7: 50” “ch4” instructed by the transfer source illustrated in FIG. 10 above. The contents of the “7 o'clock news”, “5/29 7:00 to 7:30”, and “ch4” of the transfer destination are determined to be contents that match in units of programs.

In the subsequent step S203, a determination process is performed as to whether or not there is a matching content.
As a result of the search in step S202, if it is determined that there is no matching content data in units of programs, and a negative result is obtained in step S203, the process proceeds to step S204, and a transfer request is made for all access units. Is done. That is, the network controller 9 is controlled so that transfer requests for all access units constituting the content data instructed to be transferred are made to the transfer source recording apparatus 2.
When the process of step S204 is executed, the process proceeds to step S209 described later.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step S203 that there is matching content data in units of programs, the process proceeds to step S205, where the hash value is collated for each access unit. In other words, the hash values of all the access units constituting the content data determined to match in the program unit are compared with the hash values received in the previous step S201.

  Then, in the subsequent step S206, a determination process is performed as to whether or not all match. That is, based on the collation result in step S205, by determining whether or not all hash values match, the access unit that constitutes the content data determined to match in the program unit and the transfer source It is determined whether or not all the access units constituting the content data instructed to transfer match.

  If a negative result is obtained in step S206 that all hash values do not match, a transfer request for access units that do not match is made in step S207. That is, of the received hash values, a transfer request specifying a hash value that is determined not to match as a result of the verification is made to the transfer source recording apparatus 2.

Then, in the subsequent step S208, a process for incrementing the existing value of the matching access unit by “+1” is performed. That is, the hash value determined to match the received hash value is identified from the result of the collation, and the numerical value associated with the specified hash value in the numerical value management information 14c is incremented. The information content of the existing value management information 14c is updated.
As a result, among the access units constituting the content data determined to match in the unit of program in the previous step S203, the presence value of the access unit matching the content data side instructed to be transferred is incremented ( (See FIG. 10 <14> above).
When the process of step S208 is performed, the process proceeds to step S209.

  Here, for convenience of illustration, it is shown that the process of incrementing the numerical value of the matching access unit (step S208 above) is performed prior to the recording process of the mismatching access unit (later step S210). However, even if the process of incrementing the numerical values of the matching access units is performed first, the operation described with reference to FIG. 10 can be realized as a result.

  If an affirmative result is obtained in step S206 that all hash values match, the process advances to step S212 to notify the transfer source recording apparatus 2 of all matches.

Here, in the transfer source recording device 2, any of the transfer request (S204) of all access units from the transfer destination recording device 2, the transfer request of non-matching access units (S207), or the all match notification (S212). This is waited for by loop processing of step S103 and step S104 in the figure.
That is, on the recording device 2 side of the transfer source, in step S103, a determination process is performed as to whether there is any transfer request for all the access units or transfer request for the non-matching access units. Then, if a negative result is obtained because there is no transfer request, in step S104, it is determined whether or not there is an all-match notification. If there is no all-match notification and a negative result is obtained, the process returns to step S103 to determine again whether or not there is any transfer request.

In the loop processing of step S103 and step S104, if an affirmative result is obtained as a result of any of the above transfer requests in step S103, the process proceeds to step S105 as shown, and the requested access unit Execute the transmission process.
That is, if a transfer request for all access units is made from the transfer destination recording apparatus 2, all access units constituting the content data instructed to transfer are transferred via the network 4 in response to the request. The HDD 14 and the network controller 9 are controlled so as to be transmitted to the recording device 2. If a transfer request for a mismatched access unit is made from the transfer destination, the access unit specified by the hash value specified by the transfer request for the mismatched access unit is transferred via the network 4 to the transfer destination. The HDD 14 and the network controller 9 are controlled so as to be transmitted to the recording apparatus 2.

  In the subsequent step S106, a process for decrementing (-1) the decrement values of all access units of the content instructed to be transferred is executed. In other words, the information content of the numerical value management information 14c is updated so that the numerical values associated with the access units constituting the content data instructed to be transferred are all decremented.

  Further, in the next step S107, if the numerical value is “0”, processing for updating the valid / invalid flag to “invalid” is performed. That is, first, based on the information content of the present value management information 14c updated as described above, it is determined whether or not the present values of all the access units constituting the content data instructed to transfer are “0”. In the above, only when they are “0”, the information contents of the content management information 14b are set so that the value of the valid / invalid flag associated with the content data instructed to transfer becomes a value indicating “invalid”. To be updated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step S104 described above that there is an all-match notification from the transfer destination, the process proceeds to step S106 as it is. Decrement processing of the present value of all access units of the content data instructed to transfer (S106), and updating the valid / invalid flag of the content data instructed to “invalid” if the present value is “0” Only the process (S107) is executed.

The description is returned to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 side.
The transfer destination recording apparatus 2 waits in step S209 for the access unit transmitted by the process of step S105 at the transfer source described above to be received.
When an access unit from the transfer source is received, first, in step S210, a recording process for the received access unit is executed. That is, control is performed so that the received access unit is recorded on the HDD 14.

In step S211, the management information is updated so that the content instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded content.
If step S211 is executed after it is determined in step S203 that there is no matching content data in units of programs, a transfer request for all access units is made in step S204. Will be. Further, in response to the transfer request of all the access units, all the access units of the content data instructed to be transferred are newly recorded in the HDD 14 in the recording process in step S210. Therefore, in this case, in step S211, the content management information 14b is set so that the additional information received from the transfer source in the previous step S201 is associated with all the access units recorded in the HDD 14 in this way. The information content is updated.
Accordingly, in response to the case where there is no content that matches the transfer instruction content in the program unit, all the access units newly recorded in the HDD 14 are targeted for the content data in the program unit in which they are newly recorded. (See FIG. 7 above).

On the other hand, when the step S211 is executed after the step S203 is determined to match the program unit but not all the access units match in the step S206, In step S207, a transfer request for an unmatched access unit is made. In response to this transfer request, only the access unit that does not match the content data side instructed to be transferred is newly recorded in the HDD 14 in the recording process in step S210. Further, at the same time, an access unit that matches the content data side instructed to be transferred is identified by the process of step S208 described above.
Accordingly, in step S211 in this case, the access unit newly recorded in step S210 and the content data side instructed to be transferred in step S208 as described above are identified as matching. The information content of the content management information 14b is updated so that the additional information received in the previous step S201 is associated with the access unit.
As a result, in response to a case where all the access units do not coincide with each other in the program unit, the access unit that is supposed to coincide with the transfer instruction content side originally in the transfer destination and the transfer instruction content side And the access unit newly recorded in the transfer destination HDD 14 can be managed as content data in the newly recorded program unit (see FIGS. 10 and 10). 11).

Further, on the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 side, after performing the all-match notification to the transfer source in step S212 described above, the process proceeds to step S213 as shown in the figure.
In step S213, first, a process of incrementing ("+1") the present value of all access units of the corresponding content is executed. That is, the information content of the numerical value management information 14c is updated so that the numerical values of all the access units determined to match from the processing result of the previous step S205 are incremented.

  Then, in the subsequent step S214, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the valid / invalid flag of the corresponding content is “valid”. That is, with reference to the content management information 14b, the value of the valid / invalid flag associated with the content data that is determined to match the content data instructed to transfer from the processing result of the previous step S203 indicates “valid”. Whether or not is determined is determined.

  If a positive result is obtained in step S214 that the valid / invalid flag is “valid”, the process proceeds to step S215 so that the content data instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded. A process for updating the management information is executed. In other words, when the flag of the corresponding content is “valid” in this way, the content data for which transfer is instructed and the access unit are all regarded as having already been recorded. Yes. Therefore, in this step S215, if it is coincident with the content side instructed to be transferred from the processing result of the previous step S205 so that it is handled that two identical contents exist as illustrated in FIG. The information content of the content management information 14b is updated so that the additional information received in the previous step S201 is associated with all the access units that have been made.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S214 because the valid / invalid flag is not “valid”, processing for updating the valid / invalid flag of the corresponding content to “valid” is performed in step S216. To be executed. That is, the information content of the content management information 14b is updated so that the value of the valid / invalid flag associated with the content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred is updated to a value indicating “valid”. To be done.
For confirmation, according to the present embodiment, content data having an existing value of “0” is treated as being erased with the valid / invalid flag = “invalid”, and the data itself is not erased. As shown in FIG. 9 above, there is a case where all the matching content data exists due to “invalid”. Step S216 is processing performed in response to such a case.

<Second Embodiment>
[Operation as Second Embodiment]

Next, the transfer system 20 according to the second embodiment will be described.
In the transfer system 20 according to the second embodiment, the determination process for determining whether or not there is content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred is performed on the transfer source recording device 2 side. That is, in the transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment, the transfer destination recording device 2 uses the additional information / hash value of the transfer instruction content transmitted by the transfer source to match the content data on the transfer instruction content side. In the second embodiment, the transfer source recording device 2 acquires the additional information / hash value of the content data recorded in the transfer destination and performs this. It is what I did.

  In the transfer system 20 according to the second embodiment, the configuration of the recording apparatus 2 is the same as that shown in FIG. However, as will become apparent later, the recording device 2 of the second embodiment has different processing contents that the CPU 10 should perform during the transfer operation, and accordingly, the program 12a stored in the ROM 12 accordingly. Is different from that of the first embodiment.

13 to 16 schematically show operations performed in the transfer system 20 as the second embodiment. 13 to 16, the network 4 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted as in FIGS. 6 to 11, but in reality, the two recording devices 2 and 2 in the figure are omitted. Are connected via the network 4 and can communicate with each other.
Also in this case, in these drawings, it is assumed that the recording device 2 shown on the left side in the drawing is the transfer source recording device 2, and the recording device 2 shown on the right side in the drawing is the transfer destination recording device 2. To do.

  13 to 16, the transition to the storage state of the content data in the transfer source recording device 2 and the storage state and the transition of the content data in the transfer destination recording device 2 shown in each figure are respectively FIG. 13 is the same as FIG. 6, FIG. 14 is the same as FIG. 7, FIG. 15 is the same as FIG. 8, and FIG.

FIG. 14 schematically shows the operation of the transfer system 20 according to the second embodiment, particularly from the specification of the content to be transferred to the operation for determining the presence or absence of matching content.
First, in this case as well, when the transfer operation is performed, as shown by <1> in the figure, the transfer source recording device 2 has an external recording device 2 (transfer destination recording device 2) for content data in units of programs. ) Will be instructed.
Also in this case, the content data to be transferred is specified by displaying a list of program-unit content data recorded on the HDD 14 on an external display device as a GUI screen, for example.

In response to the instruction to transfer the content data to the external recording device 2, the transfer source recording device 2 in this case starts with the additional information and as shown in <2> in the figure. A hash value transmission request is made to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2.
That is, a transmission request for additional information and a hash value associated with each piece of content data recorded in the transfer destination recording device 2 is made.

In response to such a transfer request from the transfer source recording apparatus 2, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 sends the additional information / hash value to the transfer source recording apparatus 2 as shown in <3> in the figure. Send. That is, all of the additional information and the hash value managed for each content data by the content management information 14b are acquired and transmitted to the transfer source recording device 2.
As will be described later, in this case, the additional information transmitted from the transfer destination recording device 2 is used to determine the presence or absence of matching content data in units of programs at the transfer source. As the additional information to be transmitted by the transfer destination recording apparatus 2, it is sufficient that at least only the information of “title”, “recording time”, and “ch” is transmitted.

When the transfer source recording device 2 receives the additional information and the hash value for all the content data transmitted from the transfer destination in this way, the presence / absence of matching content data is determined as shown in <4>. To be done.
That is, by collating all additional information received from the transfer destination recording device 2 with the additional information associated with the content data instructed to be transferred, it is stored in the HDD 14 on the transfer destination recording device 2 side. Then, it is determined whether or not content data that matches the transfer-instructed content data in units of programs is recorded.
Also in this case, as a determination of whether or not each content data is matched in units of programs, “title” and “ch” in the additional information are subject to complete matching, and “recording time” is a time zone indicated by each. As a condition that they overlap.

  Next, FIGS. 14 to 16 show the case where there is no content data identical to the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 by the determination of <4> in FIG. The operations performed corresponding to each case are schematically shown when there is a case (when the content is exactly the same) and when there is matching content data (when the content data is not complete).

FIG. 14 shows an operation to be performed when there is no content data matching the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination.
As described above, when it is determined that there is no content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source in the transfer source in the transfer destination recording device 2, the transfer source recording device 2 first starts in FIG. As shown in <5>, a matching content absence notification is sent to the recording apparatus 2 as the transfer destination.

  Then, the transfer source recording apparatus 2 transmits all access units and additional information of the transfer instruction content to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 as shown by <6> in FIG. To be. That is, all the access units constituting the content data instructed to be transferred and the additional information associated with the content data are transmitted to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2.

With the transfer source <5> and <6> operations, the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 that has received the matching content absence notification and the all access units / additional information receives <7> in FIG. As shown, the received access unit and the additional information are recorded in association with each other.
That is, as shown on the right side of FIG. 14B, the access unit received from the transfer source (in this case, the access unit ACU with the hash values HS = H1 to H4) and the additional information received from the transfer source ( In this case, “7 o'clock news” “5/29 7: 00-7: 50” “ch4”) is associated with each other and recorded as new content. Specifically, after the received access unit is recorded in the HDD 14, the content management information 14b is updated so that the received additional information is associated with the access unit.
With this operation, in this case as well, when there is no matching content data in the transfer destination recording device 2, the content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source and the additional information are actually transferred. These are newly recorded additionally.

  Even in this case, when the content data is transferred to the transfer destination as described above, the content data should be treated as existing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The value “1” is made to correspond. The valid / invalid flag I4 is also associated with a value indicating “valid”.

On the other hand, as the transfer source recording apparatus 2, when all access units and additional information are transmitted according to FIG. 14A <6>, as shown in <8> of FIG. , It is made to decrement the numerical value of all transmitted access units.
In addition, if the present value is all “0”, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”.

Further, FIG. 15 shows an operation to be performed in response to content data that matches content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination (when there is exactly the same content).
When exactly the same content data is recorded in this way, the transfer source recording apparatus 2 notifies the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 of all coincidence as shown by <9> in FIG. To be done.
In the case of the second embodiment, since the transfer source recording device 2 determines the presence / absence of matching content based on the additional information of the content data recorded at the transfer destination, the transfer source recording device 2 in this way. As the all-match notification to the transfer destination, notification of all the matching contents is also performed. Specifically, in this case, the transfer source recording device 2 is configured to send an all-match notification including the additional information of the content data determined to match the transfer instruction content to the transfer destination recording device 2. Is done.

In this case as well, the transfer source recording apparatus 2 decrements the resident values of all access units of the content instructed for transfer as shown in <10> after giving such all-match notification. Is done. In this case as well, if all the present values are “0”, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”.
The state of the transfer source recording apparatus 2 corresponding to such an operation is as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 that has received the all-match notification, as shown in <11> of FIG. 15A, the existing values of all access units of the corresponding content are incremented. That is, first, based on the additional information obtained by receiving the all-match notification, content data determined to match the transfer instruction content in units of programs is specified. In addition, the present values of all the access units constituting the specified content data are incremented.

Even in this case, if there is a completely matching content at the transfer destination, the validity / invalidity flag of the content data that was originally recorded at the transfer destination and is determined to match is “valid” or “invalid”. Accordingly, the operation to be performed at the transfer destination differs.
Specifically, if the validity / invalidity flag of the content data that is determined to match is “valid”, the content data instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded as shown in the figure. Management information is updated. That is, as shown in FIG. 15B, the same addition is applied to the content data in units of programs (access units with hash values HS = H1, H2, H3, and H4) that match the transfer instruction content. The contents of the content management information 14b are updated so that the information is doubly associated and managed as if there are two pieces of content data in the same program unit.

Although illustration explanation is omitted, when the valid / invalid flag of the content data that is matched is “invalid”, only the operation of updating the valid / invalid flag to “valid” is performed in this case as well. To be.
In other words, the corresponding content data managed as “0” and “invalid” can be updated so that “1” existing “valid” content data is managed. .

FIG. 16 shows an operation to be performed in correspondence with a case where there is a matching content (when there is no complete matching).
First, in the case where there is content data that matches in units of programs as described above, but the data contents are not completely matched, the transfer source recording device 2 sends a partial match notification to the transfer destination recording device 2. To be done.
As the partial match notification, a match content / match access unit is also notified as shown in the figure. That is, as the partial match notification, information for indicating content data that is determined to match in units of programs and a hash value of an access unit that is determined to match among the access units constituting the content data that is determined to match. The notification including it is done.

Further, the transfer source recording device 2 transmits the access unit and additional information that do not match the transfer destination recording device 2 as shown in <13> below.
For confirmation, the non-matching access unit is the transfer instruction recorded in the transfer destination among the access units constituting the transfer-instructed content data recorded in the transfer source recording device 2. It is an access unit that was not found on the content data side that is determined to match the content and the program unit. Specifically, in the example of the figure, this is an access unit ACU with a hash value HS = H4.
The additional information is additional information associated with content data instructed to be transferred.

In the recording apparatus 2 of the transfer destination that has received the partial match notification from the transfer source by <12><13> and the access unit and additional information that do not match, as shown in <14> in FIG. First, the access unit received from the transfer source is recorded. Then, as shown in the next <15>, the presence value of the matching access unit in the notification content is incremented (“+1”). That is, of the content data determined to match in the program unit notified by the partial match notification, the numerical value of the matching access unit notified by the partial match notification is incremented.
Specifically, in this example, since the access units ACU with the hash values HS = H1, H2, and H3 also match those recorded in the transfer source in this case, the present value EXA of these access units ACU is incremented. It is to be made.

Then, the transfer destination recording device 2 is configured to update the management information so that the content instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded, as indicated by <16> below. The That is, in this case as well, in addition to the access unit ACU with the hash values HS = H1, H2, and H3 originally recorded at the transfer destination as surrounded by the one-dot chain line in FIG. The content management information 14b is set so that the additional information of the transfer instruction content transferred from the transfer source is associated with the content data including the access unit ACU with the hash value HS = H4 transferred and recorded from To be updated.
As a result, the content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source can be managed as being newly recorded at the transfer destination.

Here, FIG. 16 also illustrates a case where content data that matches content data instructed to be transferred at the transfer source is recorded as “valid” at the transfer destination. However, when the content data of the transfer destination is recorded as “invalid”, the same operation as that in the case of “valid” shown in FIG.
That is, even when it is “invalid” in this way, the management information is updated so that the content data simply instructed to transfer by <16> is managed as newly recorded. Thus, the “invalid” content data originally recorded in the transfer destination can be handled as “invalid” as it is.

  After the access unit that does not match the previous <13> is transmitted to the transfer destination on the one transfer source recording apparatus 2 side, as shown in <17> in FIG. Decrement the value of all access units. Also in this case, if the present value is all “0”, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”.

As described above, the transfer system 20 according to the second embodiment determines whether or not content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred is recorded in the transfer destination recording device 2. This is not performed on the recording device 2 side, but on the recording device 2 side of the transfer source.
The transfer system 20 according to the second embodiment is different from the transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment only in this point, and thus obtained by the transfer system 1 according to the first embodiment described above. The same effect can be obtained by the transfer system 20 of the second embodiment.

[Processing operation]

The flowchart in FIG. 17 illustrates processing operations to be executed in the recording apparatus 2 in order to realize the operation as the transfer system 20 of the second embodiment described above.
Note that the processing operation shown in this figure is also executed by the CPU 10 shown in FIG. 2 based on the program 12 a stored in the ROM 12. As described above, in the case of the second embodiment, the contents of the program 12a are different from those in the case of the first embodiment.
Further, when the processing operation shown in FIG. 17 is performed, it is assumed that each recording apparatus 2 is already connected to be able to perform data communication via the network 4 as shown in FIG. To do. Also in this case, the recording apparatus 2 to be the transfer source is shown on the left side in the figure, and the recording apparatus 2 to be the transfer destination is shown on the right side in the figure.
Even in this case, the recording device 2 to be the transfer source displays, for example, a GUI screen for accepting designation of content data to be transferred to the external recording device 2 on an external display device or the like. Suppose you are in a state.

  In FIG. 17, first, in the transfer source recording apparatus 2 that is in the screen display state for receiving the designation of the transfer content as described above, in step S301, it waits for a content transfer instruction to the external recording apparatus. To be done. That is, for example, on the GUI displayed on the external display device or the like as described above, waiting for an operation to specify content data to be transferred to the external recording device 2 (transfer destination recording device 2) is performed. To be done.

For example, if an operation for designating content data as described above has been performed and a transfer instruction to the external recording device 2 has been performed, a transmission request for additional information / hash value is made in step S302. Execute the process for
That is, the network controller 9 is controlled so that a transmission request for the additional information and the hash value associated with each content data recorded in the transfer destination recording device 2 is sent to the transfer destination recording device 2. Do.
When the process of step S302 is executed, the process proceeds to the subsequent step S303.

The transfer destination recording apparatus 2 side waits for reception of the transfer request from the transfer source recording apparatus 2 in step S401 in the figure. If a transfer request is received from the transfer source, processing for transmitting the additional information / hash value is executed in step S402. That is, after all the additional information and the hash value managed for each content data are acquired by the content management information 14b, the information is transmitted to the transfer source recording device 2 via the network 4. Thus, the network controller 9 is controlled.
When the process of step S402 is executed, the process proceeds to step S403 to be described later.

In this step S402, when the additional information / hash value for all the content data is transmitted to the transfer source recording apparatus 2 side as described above, the correspondence relationship between the additional information / hash value in units of programs. Are controlled so that they are transmitted to the transfer source in a state where they are maintained.
For example, content data associated with additional information “A” is transmitted in a state in which the additional information “A” is associated with the hash value of each access unit constituting the content data. It is.

The transfer source recording apparatus 2 waits in step S303 in the figure for receiving the additional information and the hash value for all the content data transmitted from the transfer destination in this way.
When the additional information and the hash value are received, a matching content search process is executed in step S304. The search processing in this step S304 is based on the result of collating all the additional information received as described above with the additional information associated with the content data instructed to transfer in the previous step S301. The content data recorded in the HDD 14 on the transfer destination recording device 2 side is searched for content data that matches the instructed content data in units of programs.

In subsequent step S305, a determination process is performed as to whether or not there is a matching content. That is, based on the result of the search process in step S304, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not there is content data that matches the instructed content data in the HDD 14 on the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 side in program units. .
If there is no matching content data in the program unit in the HDD 14 on the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 side and a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S306, where a matching content absence notification is performed. That is, as this matching content absence notification, a notification indicating that there is no matching content data for each program is sent to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2.

  Then, in the subsequent step S307, a process for transmitting all the access units and additional information of the transfer instruction content is executed. That is, based on the content management information 14b, all access units constituting the content data instructed in the previous step S301 and additional information associated with the content data are acquired, and these are transferred to the transfer destination. The network controller 9 is controlled so as to be transmitted to the recording device 2.

  If it is determined in step S305 that there is no matching content data in units of programs and a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S308, where hash values are collated for each access unit. That is, first, based on the content management information 14b, a hash value (referred to as a transfer source side hash value) of an access unit constituting content data instructed to be transferred is acquired. Further, among the hash values associated with the additional information of each program received from the transfer destination in the previous step S303, it corresponds to the additional information determined to match the additional information of the transfer instruction content in the step S305. The attached hash value (referred to as the hash value on the transfer destination side) is specified. After that, the specified transfer destination side hash value and the transfer source side hash value are collated respectively.

Then, in the subsequent step S309, determination processing is performed as to whether or not all hash values match as a result of the collation.
If a negative result is obtained in step S309 that all hash values do not match, the process proceeds to step S310 to perform partial match notification.
As described above with reference to FIG. 16, as the partial match notification, notification of the matched content and the matched access unit is also performed. That is, as the partial match notification in step S310, the information (for example, the additional information) indicating the content data determined to match in the program unit in the previous step S305 matches the collation result in the previous step S308. The notification including the hash value determined to be sent to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 is performed.

Then, in the next step S311, a process for transmitting the mismatched access unit and transfer instruction content additional information to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2 is performed.
As described above, the non-matching access unit is not on the content data side of the transfer destination that is determined to match the transfer instruction content in the program unit among the access units constituting the transfer-instructed content data. Access unit.
In order to identify the inconsistent access unit, first, in step S311, based on the result of the collation processing in the previous step S308, among the transfer source side hash values described above, any of the transfer destination side hash values described above matches. Identify the hash value that did not exist. The access unit specified by this hash value is the access unit that does not match.
In step S311, additional information associated with the content data instructed to be transferred in previous step S301 is acquired, and the mismatched access unit identified as described above and the additional information are obtained. The network controller 9 is controlled so as to be transmitted to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2.

  If a positive result is obtained in step S309 that all hash values match, the process advances to step S312 to notify all matches. That is, as the all-match notification, the network controller 9 is configured so that a notification including the additional information associated with the content data instructed in the previous step S301 is sent to the transfer destination recording apparatus 2. To be controlled.

  Here, in the transfer source recording device 2, all-match notification in step S 312, transmission processing for all access units / additional information in step S 307 described above, or transmission of non-matching access units / additional information in step S 311 described above. After the process is executed, the process proceeds to step S106 in FIG. 12 as shown in the figure. That is, after executing the process of decrementing the presence values of all the access units of the content instructed in step S106, if the presence value is “0” in subsequent step S107, the valid / invalid flag is updated to “invalid”. It is made to perform the process for doing.

Subsequently, the explanation is transferred to the recording apparatus 2 side as the transfer destination.
The transfer destination recording device 2 receives any of the matching content absence notification at the previous step S301 at the transfer source, the partial match notification at step S310, and the full match notification at step S312. Waiting is performed by loop processing in step S405.

First, if it is determined in step S403 that the coincidence content absence notification is received, the process proceeds to step S406, and additional information on all access units and transfer instruction content transmitted from the transfer source is received in step S307. Will be waiting for.
If all the access units and the additional information are received in step S406, the process proceeds to step S210 in FIG. 12 as shown in the figure, followed by the recording process in step S210. The management information update process in step S211 is executed.
Specifically, in step S210, a process for recording all the access units (all access units for the transfer instruction content) received in step S406 on the HDD 14 is executed.
In addition, depending on the step S211, processing for updating the content management information 14b is executed so that the content instructed to be transferred is managed as newly recorded.

Here, as step S211 in this case, it is assumed that there is no content data that matches in units of programs, and is executed after the notification of absence of the matching content in the previous step S403. Step S211 executed in response to reception of the absence notification is received in the previous step S406 for all access units received in the previous step S406 and newly recorded in the HDD 14 in the step S210. The information content of the content management information 14b is updated so that the additional information is associated.
As a result, the content data instructed by the transfer source is managed as newly recorded at the transfer destination.

Subsequently, returning to FIG. 17, if it is determined in step S404 described above that a partial match notification from the transfer source has been received, the process proceeds to step S407, and processing for incrementing the presence value of the matching access unit is executed.
That is, for the access unit specified by the hash value of the matching access unit included in the partial match notification received from the transfer source in this way, the present value management information is incremented so that the present value associated with the access unit is incremented. The information content of 14c is updated.

In the subsequent step S408, the process waits for reception of the mismatched access unit and transfer instruction content additional information from the transfer source. If these mismatching access units and additional information are received, the process proceeds to step S210 in FIG. 12 as shown.
Depending on the processing in step S210 in this case, the non-matching access unit received from the transfer source as described above is recorded on the HDD.
In the subsequent step S211, processing for updating the content management information 14b is performed so that the content instructed to be transferred is managed as being newly recorded.

Here, when the partial match notification is received in step S404 as described above, the access unit that matches the content data side instructed to be transferred has been specified by the process of the previous step S407. . In this case, in the recording process in step S210, only the non-matching access units received from the transfer source as described above are newly recorded.
For these reasons, the process in step S211 after the partial match notification is received in step S404 as described above includes the access unit newly recorded in step S210 and the process described above. The information content of the content management information 14b is updated so that the additional information received in the previous step S404 is associated with the access unit that matches the content data side that has already been specified for transfer. The

  Here, for convenience of illustration, it is shown that the process of incrementing the numerical value of the matching access unit (step S407) is performed prior to the recording process of the mismatching access unit (step S210). As described above, even if the resident value increment processing of the matching access units is performed first, the operation described with reference to FIG. 16 can still be realized as a result.

Returning to FIG. 17, if it is determined in step S405 in the previous loop processing that an all-match notification has been received, the process proceeds to step S409 to execute processing for incrementing the existing values of all access units of the corresponding content. To be done.
That is, based on the additional information included in the received all-match notification, the content data determined to match the content data instructed to transfer is specified from the content data recorded at the transfer destination, and the content data is configured The information content of the registered value management information 14c is updated so that all registered values associated with the access unit are incremented.

  When the process of step S409 is executed, the process proceeds to step S214 in FIG. That is, also in this case, when there is content data that completely matches the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination, it is determined whether or not the valid / invalid flag of the content data is “valid” ( In step S214), in the case of “valid”, the management information updating process (step S215), and in the case of “invalid”, the valid / invalid flag of the content data is updated to “valid” (step S216). Will be done.

  The transfer system (1, 20) of each embodiment has been described above. In the description so far, the broadcast content is assumed to be only video data for the sake of simplicity. Includes audio data as well as video data. That is, in practice, the operation should be performed in consideration of such audio data.

Here, as a case where such broadcast content including video data and audio data is recorded on the HDD 14, there is a case where video data and audio data are separately recorded as independent data. It is done.
First, the operation corresponding to the case where the video data and the audio data are separately recorded as described above will be described. In this case, the audio data side is divided by the same time length as the access unit on the video data side. Each data unit is managed separately. At this time, as a matter of course, it is necessary to maintain the synchronization relationship between the video data side and the audio data side. However, as in the embodiment, recording is performed on the broadcast content of the digital television broadcast. In this case, the compressed video data and the compressed audio data are attached with synchronization information such as PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) for synchronizing them. In such a case, it is not necessary to make a special correspondence.

As an operation of the transfer system (1, 20), first, whether or not the content instructed to be transferred matches in the unit of program and whether or not the match / inconsistency in the unit of access unit is determined is the case of the embodiment. It may be performed in the same manner as above. In other words, the match / mismatch determination for each access unit is performed only on the video data side as a reference.
Further, when the video data access unit that is actually to be transferred is determined based on such determination processing, the audio data that is synchronized with the video data access unit to be transferred is specified. (In this case, it can be specified based on the above-described PTS), and the specified audio data is also transferred to the transfer destination.
For example, with this operation, audio data as well as video data can be properly transferred to the transfer destination.

  In this case, the hash value is also calculated and recorded on the audio data side, and matching / non-matching discrimination for each access unit is determined based on the hash value associated with such audio data. You can also do it.

  Further, in this case, it is only necessary to manage in common that the existing value on the audio data side is the same as the existing value on the video data side. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide the present value management information for audio data and manage the present value.

On the other hand, there may be a case where video data and audio data are recorded as integral data without being separated.
In this case, for content data in which such video data and audio data are integrated, a hash value for each predetermined data unit is calculated and recorded in association with each data portion.
Then, as the subsequent transfer operation, the video data and audio data are properly transferred by performing the same operation as that described in the above embodiments for the content data by video / audio. It can be forwarded first.

<Modification>

The present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above.
For example, in the embodiment, a hash value of content data is calculated for each predetermined data unit such as a GOP, and the hash value is recorded in association with each predetermined data unit. May be calculated for each piece of program content data and recorded in association with each piece of program content data.

  In the embodiment, the case where the content data to be associated with the hash value is the video data / audio data based on the broadcast content of the television broadcast is exemplified. However, the data may be audio data based on the radio broadcast, for example. Alternatively, in addition to broadcast content, for example, video data and audio data downloaded from a predetermined server device on the network, or video data and audio data reproduced from a recording medium can be used.

  Here, the recording device 2 calculates hash values for audio data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) and audio data downloaded from the server device, and records the hash values in association with each other. Assuming the case, in that case, it is expected that the audio data is managed separately for each music unit called a track. Therefore, the hash value for such audio data may be calculated based on the data for each track unit and recorded in association with each track unit. Alternatively, the audio data in units of tracks is further divided into predetermined data units corresponding to the access units of the embodiment, and a hash value is calculated for each predetermined data unit and recorded in association with it. You can also.

  Further, in the present invention, the content data is not limited to the video data and audio data exemplified above, but may be, for example, image data or text data, and the data type is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the embodiment, the case where the operation corresponding to the case where there is a copy-once restriction is exemplified, but for example, it is not necessary to consider such copy-once restriction, and the transfer source needs to handle the transferred content data as erasure If there is no, there is no need to perform the decrement processing of the existing value at the transfer source. Also, the valid / invalid flag is unnecessary.

Further, when the operation corresponding to the copy-once restriction is performed as in the embodiment, the content management information 14b (particularly the valid / invalid flag) and the present value management information 14c are generated / required as information necessary for the realization. For example, if the information is falsified, there is a possibility that an appropriate operation corresponding to the copy-once restriction cannot be performed.
Therefore, the content management information 14b and the present value management information 14c may be encrypted and recorded in the HDD 14 by the CPU 14, for example, in order to make such information tampering difficult.

In the embodiment, the determination processing as to whether there is content data that matches in units of programs is performed only on the additional information on the content data side instructed to be transferred and the content data side recorded in the transfer destination. However, instead of this, it may be performed by collating hash values.
Here, for example, when the same content data is recorded in units of programs in both the transfer source and transfer destination recording devices 2, one recording device 2 records the program broadcast for the first time, and the other Assume that the recording apparatus 2 records the rebroadcast program. In this case, when the discrimination processing based only on the additional information is performed as in the embodiment, the respective “title” and “ch” are the same, but are discriminated as different contents because the recording time zones do not overlap. There is a fear. That is, the two pieces of content data in this case are determined to be inconsistent in program units even though the data contents are substantially the same.
For example, in consideration of this, the determination of whether or not the contents match in program units is performed by checking the hash value of the access unit that constitutes the content data in each program unit. It can also be done. Specifically, the hash value on the content data side instructed to be transferred is compared with the hash value of each access unit constituting the content data of the program unit to be compared. For example, the number of access units having the same hash value Is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the respective content data match in units of programs.
According to this, it is possible to determine whether or not each content data matches in units of programs based on the data content, and more reliably prevent unnecessary transfer operations and duplicate recording operations for content data having the same content. can do.

  Further, in the embodiment, the case where the transfer system (1, 20) is configured by only two recording devices 2 is exemplified, but three or more recording devices 2 are connected via the network 4. You can also Even in the case of three or more recording devices 2 as described above, the transfer operation is realized only by the operations of the two recording devices 2 of the transfer source and the transfer destination. If the operations as the transfer source and transfer destination described in the embodiments are executed, the same effects as those described in each embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the embodiment, the case where the recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention are applied to a recording apparatus is illustrated, but the recording apparatus and the recording method of the present invention are configured to be capable of recording data on at least a recording medium. If it is, it can apply suitably with respect to various electronic devices.

  Also, as the data transfer system of the present invention, the recording device constituting the data transfer system is not limited to the recording device 2 as the recording device exemplified in the embodiment, and at least recording means capable of recording data on a recording medium, Any other electronic device can be used as long as it includes a communication means capable of data communication with an external device.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the data transfer system as embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated the relationship between content data and the hash value calculated based on it. It is a data structure figure which shows the data structure of content management information. It is a data structure figure which shows the data structure of presence value management information. As a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the first embodiment, it is a diagram particularly showing from the designation of the content to be transferred to the operation for determining the presence or absence of matching content. As a diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the first embodiment, a diagram showing an operation to be performed particularly when there is no content data matching the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination It is. The schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the first embodiment corresponds to the case where there is content data that matches the content data instructed to transfer to the transfer destination (when there is exactly the same content). It is the figure shown about the operation | movement which should be performed. Similarly, as a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the first embodiment, particularly when there is content data matching the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination (when there is exactly the same content). It is the figure shown about the operation | movement which should be performed correspondingly. As a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the first embodiment, it is a diagram showing an operation to be performed corresponding to a case where there is a particularly matching content (when it is not a perfect match). Similarly, as a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the first embodiment, it is a diagram showing an operation to be performed in a case where there is a particularly matching content (when it is not a perfect match). is there. It is the flowchart shown about the processing operation for implement | achieving operation | movement as a data transfer system of 1st Embodiment. As a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the second embodiment, it is a diagram particularly showing from the designation of the content to be transferred to the operation for determining the presence or absence of matching content. As a diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the second embodiment, a diagram showing an operation to be performed particularly when there is no content data matching the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination It is. As a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the second embodiment, it corresponds particularly to the case where there is content data that matches the content data instructed to be transferred to the transfer destination (when there is exactly the same content). It is the figure shown about the operation | movement which should be performed. As a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the data transfer system according to the second embodiment, it is a diagram showing an operation that should be performed in a case where there is a particularly matching content (when it is not a perfect match). It is the flowchart shown about the processing operation for implement | achieving operation | movement as a data transfer system of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1,20 transfer system, 2 recording device, 3 tuner unit, 4 network, 5 encryption / decryption device, 6 access unit detector, 7 hash value calculator, 8 bus, 9 network controller, 10 CPU, 11 user interface , 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 14 HDD, 14 a content, 14 b content management information, 14 c existing value management information, 15 antenna

Claims (10)

Recording means for recording content data on a recording medium;
A hash value calculating means for calculating a hash value based on the content data;
Association control means for controlling the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation means to be recorded in association with the content data recorded on the recording medium;
A recording apparatus comprising: further,
Data communication means for performing data communication with an external device;
Corresponding to the hash value transmitted from an external recording device comprising the recording means, the hash value calculating means, the association control means, and the data communication means, and the content data recorded on the recording medium Computing means for collating with the attached hash value,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1. The computing means is
A hash value associated with the content data instructed to be transferred, transmitted from the external recording device in response to a transfer instruction performed on the content data recorded on the recording medium in the external recording device; While collating the hash value associated with the content data recorded on the recording medium,
Based on the result of the collation, control is performed so that a transfer request to the external recording device for the content data is made only when there is no content data having the same hash value on the recording medium.
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The content data is associated with additional information for each required program unit and managed separately for each program unit.
The hash value calculation means
The hash value is calculated for each data part in the predetermined data unit of the content data,
The association control means is
Control is performed so that the hash values calculated by the hash value calculation means are associated with each data portion of the content data recorded on the recording medium and recorded.
The computing means is
Additional information of the content data in the program unit instructed to be transferred and the content transmitted from the external recording device in response to the transfer instruction for the content data in the program unit performed in the external recording device When the data communication means receives the hash value for each of the data parts constituting the data, the received additional information and the additional information associated with the content data recorded on the recording medium A process for determining whether or not there is content data that matches the content data instructed to transfer in units of programs;
If there is no matching content data in program units, a process of making a transfer request for all the data portions of the content data instructed to transfer to the external recording device;
If there is content data that matches in program units, the hash value of the data portion constituting the content data determined to match is compared with the received hash value, and each data portion is matched. Processing to determine whether or not,
Only when it is determined that there is a data portion that does not match the hash value, a process of performing a transfer request for the data portion that does not match the external recording device is executed.
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The content data is associated with additional information for each required program unit and managed separately for each program unit.
The hash value calculation means
The hash value is calculated for each data part in the predetermined data unit of the content data,
The association control means is
Control is performed so that the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation means is associated with each data portion of the content data recorded on the recording medium and recorded.
Each data portion of the content data is associated with information on a numerical value indicating the number of the data portions,
The computing means is
Additional information of the content data in the program unit instructed to be transferred and the content transmitted from the external recording device in response to the transfer instruction for the content data in the program unit performed in the external recording device When the data communication means receives the hash value for each of the data parts constituting the data, the received additional information and the additional information associated with the content data recorded on the recording medium A process for determining whether or not there is content data that matches the content data instructed to transfer in units of programs;
If there is no matching content data in program units, a process of making a transfer request for all the data portions of the content data instructed to transfer to the external recording device;
If there is content data that matches in program units, the hash value of the data portion constituting the content data determined to match is compared with the received hash value, and each data portion is matched. Processing to determine whether or not,
When all the data parts are matched, a process for incrementing the above existing value associated with the data parts;
If there is a data part that does not match the hash value, a transfer request for the data part that does not match is made to the external recording device and corresponds to the data part that the hash value matches. Executing the process of causing the above-mentioned existing value to be incremented.
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The computing means is
In response to a hash value associated with content data for which transfer instruction to the external recording device has been performed among content data recorded on the recording medium, and a transmission request made to the external recording device While collating with the hash value transmitted from the external recording device,
Based on the result of the collation, control is performed so that the content data is transmitted to the external recording device only when it is determined that there is no content data having the same hash value in the external recording device.
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The content data is associated with additional information for each required program unit and managed separately for each program unit.
The hash value calculation means
The hash value is calculated for each data part in the predetermined data unit of the content data,
The association control means is
Control is performed so that the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation means is associated with each data portion of the content data recorded on the recording medium and recorded.
The computing means is
In response to an instruction to transfer the content data of the program unit recorded on the recording medium to the external recording device, a transmission request is made for additional information and hash value of the content data recorded on the external recording device. When the additional information and the hash value transmitted from the external recording device in response to the transmission request are received by the data communication unit, the received additional information and the hash value are recorded on the recording medium. Processing for determining whether content data that matches the content data instructed in the transfer unit is on the external recording device side based on the additional information associated with the content data instructed in transfer When,
If there is no matching content data in the unit of program on the external recording device side, all the data portions of the content data instructed to be transferred are transmitted to the external recording device by the data communication means. Processing to control
If there is content data that matches in units of programs on the external recording device side, among the received hash values, the hash value of the data portion that constitutes the content data in the unit of programs determined to match , A process of collating each hash value of the data part constituting the content data instructed to transfer to determine whether or not each data part matches,
Only when it is determined that there is a data portion that does not match the hash value, a process for controlling the data portion that is determined not to match is transmitted to the external recording device.
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The content data is associated with additional information for each required program unit and managed separately for each program unit.
The hash value calculation means
The hash value is calculated for each data part in the predetermined data unit of the content data,
The association control means is
While controlling so that the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation means is associated with each data portion of the content data recorded on the recording medium,
Each data portion of the content data is associated with information on a numerical value indicating the number of the data portions,
The computing means is
In response to an instruction to transfer the content data of the program unit recorded on the recording medium to the external recording device, a transmission request is made for additional information and hash value of the content data recorded on the external recording device. When the additional information and the hash value transmitted from the external recording device in response to the transmission request are received by the data communication unit, the received additional information and the hash value are recorded on the recording medium. Processing for determining whether content data that matches the content data instructed in the transfer unit is on the external recording device side based on the additional information associated with the content data instructed in transfer When,
If there is no matching content data in the unit of program on the external recording device side, all the data portions of the content data instructed to be transferred are transmitted to the external recording device by the data communication means. Processing to control
If there is content data that matches in units of programs on the external recording device side, among the received hash values, the hash value of the data portion that constitutes the content data in the unit of programs determined to match , A process of collating each hash value of the data part constituting the content data instructed to transfer to determine whether or not each data part matches,
If all the data portions are matched, the external recording device is notified of that fact, and is associated with all the data portions determined to be matched in the external recording device. A process for incrementing the present value,
When it is determined that there is a data portion that does not match the hash value, the data portion that is determined not to match is controlled to be transmitted to the external recording device, and the data portion that is determined to match the hash value For the data portion is notified to the external recording device, so that the existing value associated with the data portion matched with the external recording device is incremented. Execute,
The recording apparatus according to claim 2. A recording procedure for recording content data on a recording medium;
A hash value calculation procedure for calculating a hash value based on the content data;
An association control procedure for controlling the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation procedure to be recorded in association with the content data recorded on the recording medium;
A recording method comprising: Recording means for recording content data on a recording medium;
A hash value calculating means for calculating a hash value based on the content data;
Association control means for controlling the hash value calculated by the hash value calculation means to be recorded in association with the content data recorded on the recording medium;
A data transfer system configured to include a plurality of recording devices including data communication means for performing data communication with an external device,
A hash value associated with the transfer-instructed content data recorded in the first recording device when the transfer instruction of the content data from the first recording device to the second recording device is performed. And collating means for collating the hash value associated with the content data recorded in the second recording device,
Only when it is determined that there is no content data having the same hash value on the second recording device side based on the collation result by the collating means, the content data is transferred from the first recording device to the second recording device. Transfer control means for controlling to be transferred to the device,
A transfer system characterized by that.

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