Abstract:
A support method for helping the user find a desired program from a collection of recorded television programs easily and quickly, and a recording/reproducing apparatus using this method. The recorded program viewing support system, when recording a television program, records electronic program information on the program, classifies the electronic program information according to predefined program category criteria, and successfully assigns predefined category numbers (recording channels) to the program to be recorded. Before the user views a recorded program, the user specifies the number of the recorded channel. A recorded channel number is allocated with a category item and hence the user can easily know the contents of the recorded programs. The user can change the channel number successively or directly specify it by using a remote controller to find a desired program easily and quickly. When disk media such as HDD and DVD-RAM are used as a storage in particular, the recorded programs can be randomly accessed allowing the user to zap through recorded programs.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for supporting a user to see a video in an apparatus for recording and playing TV programs. Particularly, it relates to a system for supporting a user to search for his/her desired program from a group of recorded TV programs easily and quickly and an apparatus using the system. This apparatus includes a video player/recorder, recorder and player. 
     In the prior art, there are roughly the following two methods of searching for TV programs recorded by a user. 
     Firstly, one of them is a method of searching while actually looking at a video by fast forwarding or rewinding a recorded program. In recent years, a video recorder has come into existence which facilitates searching for a TV program while listening to sound by doubling the image speed and maintaining the sound speed at a normal level. To increase the efficiency of retrieval, great efforts have recently been made to increase the fast forward speed and the rewind speed. 
     Secondly, the other is a method of indexing programs at the time of recording and searching for a desired program by displaying a list of the indices on the screen. Generally speaking, recording date and time are used as indices. It is considered that information which can be acquired as the attributes of a program by a video recorder are currently only recording date and time. In the video recorder, a list of the recording times and dates of TV programs is displayed on the screen so that a user can search for his/her desired program from the list while recollecting his/her recording date and time. 
     Along with the digitization of TV broadcasting, electronic information on TV programs is multiplexed in broadcasting and aired. This electronic program information is generally called EPG (Electronic Program Guide). EPG includes key words such as the title, category and performers of each program. Current digital satellite broadcasting enables a user to select his/her desired channel by displaying this EPG on the screen. As for terrestrial broadcasting, a service for broadcasting electronic program information embedded in VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) which is an unused area will be shortly started. 
     When progress is made in this broadcasting service, the third method that information contained in EPG is used as retrieval indices is easily conceivable. In this case, when a program is recorded, EPG is also stored. To see a recorded program, the titles of recorded programs are listed on the screen ad a user selects his/her desired program from this list. 
     A description is subsequently given of the function of a video recorder related to the present invention. This function is not always necessary to carry out the present invention. 
     Along with the spread of digital broadcasting, apparatuses for recording a digital video will come into existence. Since the high compression of a digital video can be expected from the digital video recorders, a large number of video programs can be recorded. Also, with the appearance of a DVD-RAM changer and an increase in the capacity of a hard disk, a larger number of video programs will be able to be recorded. 
     Further, the program recording function will be improved by using the above mentioned EPG. For example, it will be possible to record a program by directly specifying the title of the program or to automatically record a program having a keyword by specifying the keyword included in program information such as the category or performer of the program. Particularly, the user&#39;s history of viewing is analyzed to automatically record a program which seems to be the favorite of the user. 
     The present invention is particularly effective for a video recorder which has the above automatic recording function and can store a large number of video programs. 
     Subsequently, problems which are seen in the prior art will be reviewed. 
     In the first method, a user must always look at the screen until he/she finds out his/her desired program and fast forwarding and rewinding operations are complicated and troublesome. Since this method depends on user&#39;s intuition and memory, a user&#39;s burden is large. Particularly when a program is automatically recorded, user&#39;s intuition and memory cannot be relied upon any longer. As more and more video images are stored, the user&#39;s burden increases. 
     Since a video program is searched for with an index in the second method, the user&#39;s burden is slightly lightened. However, since index information is only recording date and time, it can be said that this method also depends on the intuition and memory of a user. Particularly, when a program is automatically recorded, it is difficult to recall the contents of the recorded program from its recording date and time. 
     Since EPG indicative of the contents of a program such as the title of a program is used as an index in the third method, the burden of user&#39;s intuition and memory is greatly lightened. That is, the user searches for his/her desired program while looking at the titles of programs. However, when a large number of recorded programs can be stored, the titles of all the recorded programs cannot be displayed on the screen and the retrieval of indices becomes complicated. Further, it is difficult to recall the contents of automatically recorded programs from program information alone. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus for searching for a recorded video program easily and quickly. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus for searching for a user&#39;s desired program from a large number of automatically recorded video programs easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To attain the above objects, the present invention is constituted as described below. In a video recorder for recording a video, electronic video information related to videos and corresponding to each unit video is classified according to predetermined criteria of video classification and a class number based on the result of classification is assigned to each unit video to be recorded. 
     As an example, in the recorded video viewing support system of the present invention, when a video program is to be recorded, electronic program information on the program is recorded and classified according to predetermined criteria of program classification and a predetermined class number (record channel) is assigned to a recorded program. 
     The recording of electronic program information may be carried out at a time different from the time of recording a video program. 
     Further, the present invention includes the recording of not only a video program but also a sound program such as a radio program. 
     To see a recorded program, the recorded program corresponding to a record channel specified by a user (viewer) may be played. At this point, when an ordinary TV program is displayed during the playing of the recorded program at this point, the playing of the recorded program may be interrupted. Since program class items are assigned to record channel numbers, a user can easily recall the contents of a recorded program from a channel number. Further, the user can change the channel number sequentially or directly specify a channel number using a remote controller to search for a program that he/she likes to see easily and quickly. Particularly when a disk medium such as HDD or DVD-RAM is used as a recording medium, it is possible to zap through recorded programs because random access to the recorded program becomes possible. The present invention also provides a recording medium in which a class number (record channel) is recorded together with a movie. The present invention further includes a video camera and a sound recorder which record a class number. 
     The present invention provides a recorded video viewing support apparatus for supporting a TV program player/recorder to record programs, which can be connected to the TV program player/recorder capable of recording TV programs and playing recorded TV programs, which apparatus comprises means of classifying broadcast TV programs and electronic program information corresponding to the broadcast TV programs according to specified criteria of video classification and means of assigning class numbers according to classification results to recorded TV programs. The recorded video viewing support apparatus encompasses a recorded video viewing support apparatus comprising means of outputting the assigned class numbers to the TV program player/recorder. The recorded video viewing support apparatus further encompasses a recorded video viewing support apparatus which comprises means of storing the assigned class numbers and allows the TV program player/recorder to play a TV program recorded by the TV program player/recorder based on the stored class number and a number related to the class number and input from a viewer. 
     Further, the present invention provides a video recording medium which is capable of recording video information and can be played by a video player, wherein class numbers related to recorded video information and corresponding to classification results of electronic video information on videos based on the predetermined criteria of video classification are assigned to recorded video information and stored, and the video information is played when the channel selection button of a remote controller of a video player or a TV receiver used in conjunction with the video player is selected if the selected number is a stored class number. The number may be input from a device other than the remote controller. The remote controller is not the remote controller of the video player or TV receiver. Further, the number related to a class number does not need to be equal to the class number. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of a system according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the whole procedure of a recorded video viewing supporting program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel definition program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel assignment program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel reservation program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel selection program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel direct selection program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel sequential selection program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a record channel playback program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a monitoring program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a channel management program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of a program information database in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of a channel definition table in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of a channel assignment table in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a diagram for showing the appearance of a remote controller used by a user in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a diagram for showing the display of channel definition in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the display of a recorded program in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the concept of disk access in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of an apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of an apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of an apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of an apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the constitution of an apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     (The First Embodiment) 
     The first embodiment will be first described. The first embodiment is a video player/recorder  120  which the present invention is applied to. 
     Firstly, FIG. 19 shows the constitution of the apparatus of this embodiment. The video player/recorder  120  records a TV program received from an antenna  107  and plays the recorded program (recorded TV program, may be simply referred to as “video”) on a TV display device  109 . As understood from FIG. 19, recorded video viewing supporting means  110  is incorporated in the video player/recorder  120 . 
     TV broadcasting is terrestrial broadcasting (analog), CATV (analog) or satellite broadcasting (analog, digital) all of which are currently available. As for digital terrestrial broadcasting and CATV which will be made available in the future, their broadcasting systems are expected to be the same as digital satellite broadcasting. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to these services as well. Particularly, EPG (Electronic Program Guide which will be detailed hereinafter) to be handled in the present invention will be multiplexed with a video and broadcast. 
     The TV display device  109  which conforms to the current TV broadcasting system such as NTSC, PAL or SECAM is imagined. In this case, the TV display device  109  and the video player/recorder  120  are connected by an analog AV cable  140 . When the TV display device incorporates a digital video decoder, a cable capable of digital transmission such as a plastic optical fiber cable is used. 
     FIG. 1 shows the constitution of the system of this embodiment. The video player/recorder  120  comprises EPG receiving means  101 , TV program receiving means  102 , external video input means  103 , recording means  104 , playing means  105 , video storage device  106  and recorded video viewing supporting means  110 . The video player/recorder  120  is connected to the antenna  107 , the external video archive  108  and TV display device  109 . In FIG. 1, the TV display device  109  and the video player/recorder  120  are separate units but they may be integrated into a single unit (see FIG.  20 ). The video player/recorder  120  may be a recorder without a playback function. The video player/recorder  120  may be a video player, having no recording function, for playing a program recorded by a recorder (or a player/recorder) to which the present invention is applied. In the current digital satellite broadcasting, images, sound and data are multiplexed and broadcast. The EPG receiving means  101  extracts EPG data from a signal received by the antenna  107 . The TV program receiving means  102  extracts the images and sound of a specific program. The processing of receiving this digital satellite broadcasting is detailed in the Video Information Media Society&#39;s bulletin Vol. 51, No. 9, 1997, pp. 1364(30)-1369(35). 
     Like an ordinary video player/recorder, a video which can be recorded in this embodiment is not limited to a broadcast program. The video player/recorder  120  comprises external video input means  103  to record a video input from the external video archive  108 . Stated more specifically, a video taken by a user can be handled. 
     The external video archive  108  may record a class number (record channel) like the video player/recorder  120 . In this case, means of recording information indicating the contents of a recorded program is provided in place of the EPG receiving means. This means may be means of inputting information when (or before or after) a cameraman shoots in the external video archive  108 . Information may be a class number or record channel in addition to shooting contents (shot person, scenery or object, shooting time and date, etc.). The shooting contents may be analyzed to create information. Further, the recorded video viewing supporting means  110  may be separate from the video player/recorder. 
     This embodiment is based on condition that a video is recorded as digital signals. To record an analog broadcast program, the recording means  104  comprises an AD converter, digital video compression CODEC (encoder) and means of writing data to a storage device. To record a digital broadcast program, the recording means  104  comprises only writing means. As a matter of course, digital recording is not an absolute condition in the present invention and analog recording is also possible. The effect of the present invention is expected more for digital recording than analog recording. 
     Since this embodiment is based on condition that analog signals are output to the TV display device  109 , the playing means  105  comprises means of reading data from the storage device, digital video extension CODEC (decoder), DA converter and TV signal converter. As a matter of course, analog playback is not an absolute condition in the present invention but digital playback is also possible. However, as a TV display device into which digital signals can be input is not yet to be available on the market, analog playback which is expected to be more popular will be described in this embodiment. 
     The video storage device  106  is a random accessible disk medium such as hard disk (HDD) or DVD-RAM, or a tape medium which enables sequential access. Particularly HDD is a storage medium appropriate in this embodiment because the density of HDD is increasing more and more. Meanwhile, as DVD-RAM has a too small memory capacity to be used in this embodiment, a disk changer must be provided to enable a plurality of DVD-RAM disks to be used at the same time. A tape may be used as a storage medium in this embodiment. Since a tape is a relatively inexpensive medium, it is advantageously used to reduce the costs of the apparatus. The video storage device  106  may not be one of the constituent elements of the video player/recorder  120  and may be detachable. 
     The recorded video viewing support means  110  comprises operating means  111 , control means  112  and storage means  113 . Generally speaking, a remote controller is used as the operating means in the video player/recorder. A micro-controller is used as the control means  112 . A random accessible memory is used as the storage means  113 . Programs and data which the control means  112  refers to are temporarily stored in the storage means  113 . As a matter of course, the recorded video viewing support means  110  also comprises storage means of storing programs and data constantly. 
     The programs stored in the storage means  113  include a channel definition program  200 , a channel assignment program  300 , channel selection program  400  and channel management program  500 . The storage means  113  manages a channel definition table  700  and a channel assignment table  800  as data tables. Electronic program information  600  received from the EPG receiving means  101  is also managed by the storage means  113 . Although only programs and data characteristic to the present invention are specified in this embodiment, programs and data such as a program for controlling various devices are required for a whole system. 
     The programs and data are executed by the control means  112 . Input from the operating means  111  is used for a program which requires the operation of a user. The constitutions of data tables and the processing flows of programs will be described hereinafter. 
     The processing flow in FIG. 1 will be explained briefly, focusing on the characteristic part of the present invention. 
     To record a TV program, the TV program to be recorded is received by the program receiving means  102  and recorded in the video storage device  106  by the recording means  104 . In the present invention, the following processing is executed in addition to this processing. 
     A TV program and EPG on this TV program are first received by the EPG receiving means  101 . EPG means electronic program information. That is, EPG includes information on a recorded TV program. A service for broadcasting a TV program and EPG multiplexed with the TV program has already been offered though it will be detailed hereinafter. 
     EPG and a TV program may not be received at the same time. For example, EPG for several programs is first received at the beginning of each day and the TV programs are received later. 
     Thereafter, the recorded video viewing support means  110  judges the contents of a recorded TV program (to be simply referred to as “recorded program” or “video” hereinafter) from EPG and assigns an appropriate number to the recorded program based on the result of judgment. The contents of EPG may contain a number itself. Since the contents of EPG and the number are correlated with each other based on a certain rule, some significant number is assigned to the recorded program. That is, like the channels of the current TV broadcasting receiver (to be referred to as “TV” hereinafter), videos can be handled integrally using numbers. Then, in the present invention, the numbers are called “channel numbers” and the numbered recorded programs are called “channels” (or “record channels” to distinguish them from TV broadcast programs). The relationship between the contents of EPG and the assigned number may be changed by a user. Alternatively, this relationship may be sent from the broadcasting station. 
     To play a recorded program, a user specifies a channel number to search for a desired recorded program unlike an ordinary video player/recorder. The recorded video viewing supporting means  110  searches for a recorded program corresponding to the channel number. The playing means  105  plays and displays the recorded program on the TV display device  109 . 
     As for how a user specifies a channel, the user directly inputs a channel number with the remote controller or changes the channel sequentially. These operation methods are the same as when viewing TV programs. That is, the present invention can provide user comprehensible and friendly “Look &amp; Feel” when a user sees a video. The number input by the user and the number assigned by the apparatus may the same or different. When they are different, they may be correlated with each other. 
     When the number is contained in EPG, the number may be a user selection number as it is. A number input by the user may be assigned from information other than the number contained in EPG. 
     A predetermined specific program information is assigned to each channel and each recorded program is assigned to the channel using EPG. Therefore, the user can estimate the contents of the recorded program from the channel number easily and search for his/her desired recorded program easily. 
     When a random accessible disk medium such as HDD or DVD-RAM is used in the video storage device  106 , data can be sought quickly, thereby making it possible to switch recorded programs to be played on a real time basis. The operation (called “zapping”) of changing the channel to search for a desired program is carried out by a user very often with the current TV. According to the present invention, the video player/recorder  120  also allows for the zapping operation of changing the record channel at random to search for a desired recorded program. 
     The previously assigned numbers (channel numbers) and the video storage device  106  for storing a video are an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Further, when a special channel number is assigned to a video input from the external video archive  108 , the video can be handled in the same manner as a broadcast program. As a result, the uniform video operation using channels is made possible with the whole video player/recorder. 
     FIG. 2 shows the total procedure of a recorded video viewing support program in the present invention. 
     First, in a configuration mode  150 , the processing of setting the video player/recorder is carried out. The present invention is characterized in that the channel definition program  200  is provided in this configuration mode. The channel definition program  200  creates and edits a channel definition table  700  for correlating channel numbers with the contents of programs. 
     In the subsequent scheduling mode  151 , a program to be recorded is recorded with a timer. Conventionally, the user recorded a program by specifying a time or a broadcasting station by himself/herself. In recent years, there have been proposed a method of specifying a program directly from an electronic program table prepared based on EPG and a method of automatically recording a program corresponding to a specified keyword indicative of the category or performer of the program. Particularly, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.10-179992 proposes a method of automatically recording a program which seems to be a user&#39;s favorite by analyzing the user&#39;s history of viewing. 
     In the subsequent program recording mode  152 , a TV program is recorded. Without scheduling, the user might specify direct recording. The present invention is characterized in that the channel assignment program  300  is provided in the program recording mode. With the channel assignment program  300 , program information on a program to be recorded is acquired from EPG  600 . A channel set to which the recorded program is assigned is obtained by checking the program information with the channel definition table  700 . Further, an unused channel of the group of channels is secured from the channel assignment table  800  and assigned to the recorded program. This assigned channel number is managed by the channel assignment table together with information on the recorded program. In the subsequent recorded program view mode  153 , the user sees the recorded program. The present invention is characterized in that the channel selection program  400  is provided in the recorded program view mode  153 . With the channel selection program  400 , a corresponding recorded program is retrieved from the channel assignment table  800  based on the channel number input by the user. The recorded program is then played. 
     Finally, in the recorded program management mode  154 , such operation as the deletion or save of the recorded program is carried out. The present invention is characterized in that channel management program  500  is provided in the recorded program management mode  154 . With the program, the channel number of the recorded program deleted by the user is released from the channel assignment table. The saving mark of a recorded program specified by the user to be saved is changed to ON with the channel assignment table to ensure that the program does not release the channel number automatically. The program automatically releases the channel number when there is a shortage of channel numbers. 
     FIG. 15 shows the appearance of the remote controller  900  operated by the user. Like an ordinary video remote controller, it comprises a power button, numeric button  903 , channel button  904 , volume button  905 , play button  910 , fast forward button  911 , rewind button  912 , stop button  913 , pause button  914 , timer record button  915  and record button  916 . To allow the user to make settings, the remote controller  900  further comprises a menu button  902  and a group  920  of select buttons (upper button  921 , lower button  922 , left button  923 , right button  924  and OK button  925 ). 
     When the user presses the menu button  902 , a menu for setting the video player/recorder is displayed. The user sets parameters by moving from one candidate to another in each menu with the select buttons. The record channel is selected with the numeric button  903  or the channel button  904 . 
     Each recorded program can be rewound, fast forwarded, paused or stopped as in an ordinary video recorder. When the user presses the play button  910 , the program automatically starts from its final stop position. 
     The timer record button  915  is a button for the user to record a program with a timer. As for timer recording, please refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.10-179992. The record button  916  is a button for recording a program now on the air. 
     A description is subsequently given of the constitutions of data tables. 
     FIG. 13 shows the constitution of the channel definition table  700 . In the channel definition table  700 , program attributes and program information  704  are specified for each channel set. The expression “channel set” means a group of record channels having the same program attributes and defined by the first number  701  and last number  702  of a channel set. Channel sets  711  to  718  are taken as examples. Channel sets  711  to  716  are classified, for example, by the category of recorded programs. In the channel set  711 , programs categorized into a group of dramas are allocated to channel numbers  001  to  020 . In the channel set  716 , programs which are not categorized into groups of dramas, movies, sports, local and world news and variety shows are allocated to channel numbers  091  to  100 . In the channel set  717 , programs where “Miss So-and-so” plays are allocated to channel numbers  101  to  110 . The programs of “Miss So-and-so” who is a user&#39;s favorite can be always seen on the record channels  101  to  110 . Similarly, in the channel set  718 , programs on sports meetings are allocated to channel numbers  111  to  120 . In the channel sets  717  and  718 , channels already allocated in the channels groups  711  to  716  are allocated again and double definition or allocation is not prevented because it is considered that the user wanted to carry out further classification. 
     In the definition table, a record channel number is assigned to each program. One record channel number may be assigned to a plurality of programs. For example, one record channel number may be assigned to each program information on dramas or movies. One record channel number may be assigned to each broadcasting station. In this case, the broadcast channel number (channel number for selecting a TV broadcasting station) and the record channel number may be correlated to each other. For example, when the broadcast channel number is 4, the record channel number may be 14 (the first digit number is the same as that of the broadcast channel number). In this case, the broadcast channel number (channel number for selecting a TV broadcasting station) and the record channel number may be the same. In this case, to distinguish a recorded program from a program now on the air, a TV/video mode switching button is provided to display that the program now on the air is displayed if the button is set to a TV mode. A number other than broadcast channel number may be used as a record channel number. 
     FIG. 12 shows the constitution of EPG (Electronic Program Guide)  600 . Program information ( 601  to  612 ) is stored for each program. The program information consists of channel ( 601 ), the name of a program ( 602 ), broadcasting time and date ( 603 ), duration ( 604 ), category ( 605 ), purchase price ( 606 ), sound, language ( 607 ), others ( 608 ), program information ( 609 ), the name of a person such as a performer ( 610 ), keyword ( 611 ) and series ( 612 ). Since the specifications of EPG are not standardized now, the constituent elements of program information transmitted from broadcasting stations as EPG differ from one another. Therefore, to actually operate the present invention, a program information creation program for establishing compatibility between different EPG specifications is required. EPG may contain a record channel. 
     EPG is also called “program guide” in digital satellite broadcasting and used to support a user to see a broadcast program. EPG in digital satellite broadcasting is detailed in the Video Information Media Academic Society&#39;s bulletin Vol. 51, No. 9, 1997, pp. 1364(30)-1369(35). A terrestrial broadcasting service for distributing EPG buried in a VBI area is expected to be available soon. 
     FIG. 14 shows the constitution of the channel assignment table  800 . The channel assignment table  800  consists of a channel (CH) number  801 , the name of a program  802 , recording date and time (year  803 , month  804 , day  805 , time  806 ), the length of recording  807 , the length of viewing  808 , saving mark  809  and location in storage (playback point  810 , stop point  811 ). The channel number of the received broadcasting station and the name of the broadcasting station may be added to these. The recording date and time are year, month, day and time when the program is recorded. The length of recording  807  is a time length during which the program is recorded. As the user does not always record one program, the recording time length is not always the same as the broadcasting time of the program. The length of viewing  808  indicates the total time length during which the user has seen programs up till now. Based on the assumption that the user always sees a recorded program from the beginning, only the length of viewing is recorded. The viewing start time and the time length may be recorded. The saving mark  809  is used to indicate that the program will be seen by the user later. If this mark is not ON (in the figure), the system may automatically cancel channel settings. The location in storage is a location where the recorded program is actually stored. The playback program is used to load a recorded program from this location and play it. 
     The lines  821  to  830  in the figure show examples for respective channels. For example, the line  821  shows that a program titled “First Love” recorded at 20:00 on Feb. 9, 1998 is stored in the channel number  001  for 60 minutes. It is understood that the user saw that recorded program for 20 minutes and the saving mark is not ON. 
     When the channel assignment table  800  is compared with the channel definition table  700  (FIG.  13 ), recorded programs having channel numbers  001  to  003  are dramas, recorded programs having channel numbers  021  to  022  are movies, recorded programs having channel numbers  041  to  042  are sports, a recorded program having a channel number  081  is a variety show, and a recorded program having channel number  091  is another program. Although the channel number  111  has the same contents as the channel number  041 , that channel number is assigned owing to the keyword “sports meeting”. The user can see the “Sports Meeting Opening Ceremony” from both categories “sports” and “sports meeting”. 
     A description is subsequently given of the processing flow of a program and examples of the screen. 
     First, FIG. 3 shows the processing flow of the channel definition program  200 . The program is executed when the user presses the menu button  902  by the remote controller and selects the menu “Channel definition” from a group of menus displayed. When the program is executed in step  201 , the current channel definition table  700  is first displayed for the user. When the user do not define the channel definition table as right after the user has purchased the apparatus, the system displays a predetermined default value. This default value is set to cover as many general users as possible so that they do not have to change much. 
     FIG. 16 shows the display of channel definition  1000 . The channel definition table of FIG. 13 is displayed as it is. The user uses the select button  920  on the remote controller to select a channel set. On the screen, the selected area  1001  is lighted up according to the selection of the user. When the OK button  925  on the remote controller is pressed (step  203 ) with the illuminated channel set to be modified by the user, the screen changes to display for editing the channel set (step  204 ). On this editing display, the value of each item of the channel definition table is modified. In this case, program attributes and information are selected from replaceable candidates (step  205 ). The modified contents are reflected on the channel definition table  700  and the channel definition display  1000  immediately (step  206 ). 
     Operation buttons are displayed on a lower part of the channel definition display. The previous display button  1002  and the following display button  1003  are used when the whole of channel definition table cannot be displayed on the screen. The shapes (hatching, solid line) of the buttons show that there is nothing on the previous display and a channel set is still shown on the following display. The channel definition display is canceled with the end button  1004  and the screen returns to the original display. In other words, until the end button is selected, the user repeats the channel definition. 
     FIG. 4 shows the processing flow of the channel assignment program  300 . The program is executed when a program is recorded. When the program is executed (step  301 ), electronic program information on the recorded program is acquired in step  302 . In the following step  303 , a channel set corresponding to the electronic program information is acquired with reference to the channel definition table. When a plurality of channel sets are acquired at this point, the steps  305  to  309  are repeated (step  304 ). In step  305 , it is confirmed from the channel assignment table if there are any unused channels in the channel set. When there are unused channels, the routine proceeds to step  307  and when there aren&#39;t, the channel reservation program  350  is started (step  306 ). The channel reservation program will be detailed hereinafter. Stated briefly, the program is for the processing of reserving a channel which seems to be unnecessary for a program to be newly registered. In step  307 , an unused channel number in the channel set is allocated to a recorded program. Channel numbers are allocated in the sequential order from a smaller number to a larger number. One channel number is allocated to each program in this embodiment. However, a channel set may have one channel number as described above. In this case, when a channel is selected by the user, (1) a list of corresponding programs (the names, broadcasting times and broadcasting channels of programs) are displayed, (2) the display screen is divided into some parts and the corresponding programs are displayed in the divided parts, and (3) predetermined parts such as initial parts of programs are displayed sequentially. In step  308 , information on recorded programs (the titles and storage locations of programs) are input into the channel number line of the channel assignment table  800 . In the step  309 , it is checked if there are any other channel sets. When there are, the routine returns to the step  304  to repeat the processing and when there aren&#39;t, the routine proceeds to step  310  to end the program. 
     The concept of channel sets is used in FIG. 4 but may not be used. For example, it is confirmed if there is an unused channel number for each program and the channel number is allocated to a recorded program when there is any. Channel number sets are not judged whether or not there is an used channel number but may be allocated according to programs. For example, channel numbers  11  to  20  are allocated to drama programs and channel numbers  21  to  30  are allocated to “Miss So-and-so”, performer, according to the program information of FIG.  13 . Further, they may be allocated based on the broadcasting station, time and date and the contents of programs (key words). Each channel number may be correlated with each channel set. For example, a certain channel set may have the same first digit number or may be multiples of 3. Channel numbers may be allocated according to programs and not in the sequential order from a smaller number. This is applied whether the concept of channel sets is used or not. Further, channel numbers may be characters (words) other than numerals. The characters include symbols, alphabets and the like. 
     FIG. 5 shows the processing flow of the channel reservation program  350 . The program is called from the channel assignment program  300 . In the first step  351 , when the program is started, channels which belong to the channel set, have already been seen by the user and have no saving mark are retrieved from the channel assignment table. It is judged based on the history of viewing of the channel assignment table whether the channels have already been seen by the user. That is, if the time length of viewing is almost the same as the time length of recording (it is necessary to determine a range in actual operation), it is considered that the program has been seen. For example, in the example of FIG. 14, since the time length of recording of a channel number  081  and the time length of viewing are the same, it is judged that the program “Wakuwaku Dobutsumura” (Exciting Animal Village) has already been seen by the user. 
     In the following step  353 , the number of retrieved channels is counted. When the number of the channels is zero, the routine proceeds to step  354 , when the number of the channels is 1, the routine proceeds to step  356 , and when the number is 2 or more, the routine jumps to step  355 . Since there is no retrieved channel number in step  354 , a record channel having the oldest recording date and time is secured from the channel set as a channel candidate. In the step  355 , channel having the oldest recording data and time from retrieved channels is specified. In the subsequent step  356 , the contents of the candidate channel number are transferred to a temporary channel set. The temporary channel set has a sufficient number of channels to prevent a shortage of channels. Since the user does not erase the recorded programs, only their channel numbers are changed while the recorded programs remain as they are. In the final step  357 , the program ends and the routine returns to the channel assignment program of FIG.  4 . 
     Then, FIG. 6 shows the processing flow of the channel selection program  400 . The program is started when the user sees a recorded program. That is, the program is always executed while the user sees a recorded program. 
     Firstly, in the recorded program view mode, the program is executed (step  401 ). The input of the remote controller is then detected. When it is the channel button, the channel sequential selection program  420  is started. When the input of the remote controller is the numeric button, the channel direct selection program  440  is started. When the input of the remote controller is the volume button or others, the volume control program or other program carries out processing. Then, the input of the remote controller is awaited again (step  402 ). When the routine returns from the channel sequential selection program  420  and the channel direct selection program  440  in step  403 , it is checked if the view mode continues. If it continues, the routine returns to step  402  again to wait for the input of the remote controller. If it does not, the routine proceeds to step  404  to terminate the channel selection program. 
     FIG. 7 shows the processing flow of the channel direct selection program  420 . The program is started when the input of the numeric button is detected by the channel selection program  400  (step  421 ). After the program is started, a numeral input by the user is acquired (step  422 ). The numeral in this case is a channel number. In the following step  423 , it is checked if the channel number exists in the channel assignment table. In step  424 , when the channel number exists, the routine proceeds to step  460 . When the channel number does not exist, the routine proceeds to step  425  to inform the user of it and leave the program. To inform the user of the absence of the channel number, it is conceivable that a message or icon is displayed. Alternatively, like the current TV receiver, it is conceivable that the screen displays nothing. Subsequently, the record channel playback program  460  is called to play a recorded program corresponding to the channel number input by the user. In the final step  427 , the routine returns to the channel selection program  400 . 
     FIG. 8 shows the processing flow of the channel sequential selection program  440 . The program is started when the input of a channel button is detected by the channel selection program  400  (step  441 ). After the start of the program, the button (“+” or “−”) input by the user is acquired (step  422 ). The button “+” means the increment of the channel number. The button “−” means the decrement of the channel number. In the following step  443 , when the input is the button “+”, the routine proceeds to step  444  and when the input is button “−”, the routine proceeds to step  445 . In step  444 , a channel number right after the current channel is acquired from the channel assignment table. In step  445 , a channel number right before the current channel is acquired from the channel assignment table. Subsequently, the record channel playback program  460  is called and an appropriate recorded program is played. In the final step  447 , the routine returns to the channel selection program  400 . 
     FIG. 9 shows the processing flow of the record channel playback program  460 . The program is called from the channel sequential selection program  420  or the channel direct selection program  440  (step  461 ). A channel number to be played next is delivered (step  462 ). In the following step  463 , a record channel corresponding to the channel number is retrieved from the channel assignment table. In the following step  464 , the storage location and the history of viewing of a recorded program are acquired from the record channel. The history of viewing indicates the stop position of a recorded program previously seen by the user. In step  465 , the video at the storage location is played from the above stop position. For example, when the user has never seen the record channel, the recorded program is played from the start point. The channel number and the title of the program are displayed using OSD (On Screen Display) to support the user to see the program. In step  466 , the stop position is recorded on the channel assignment table because the recorded program which is being played is stopped. In the step  467 , newly played channel number to monitoring program is informed. In step  468 , the routine returns to the called program. Take into consideration the stop position. Supposing that the video is saved in MPEG, the stop position is existent with a group of pictures as the minimum unit. This is because the GOP is the random accessible minimum unit in MPEG. Therefore, the sequence header provided at the head of GOP is recorded as the stop position. 
     FIG. 10 shows a diagram for explaining the processing flow of a monitoring program  480  in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. In the step  481 , the monitoring program  480  is started. In the step  482 , playback position of record channel is detected. In the step  483 , it is checked if playback is ended. In the step  484 , next record channel is automatically played. (The same processing as when “+” is input with remote controller is executed with channel sequential selection program  440 .) In the step  485 , it is checked if viewing mode is continued. 
     FIG. 17 shows the display of recorded program playback  1100 . On the screen, a recorded video  1101  to be played, the channel number and the title of the program  1102  and an icon  1103  indicating the feature of the recorded program are displayed. The channel number is displayed such that the user can understand which record channel is now displayed. The title of the program is displayed such that the user can understand the contents of the recorded program which is now played. The icon is used to tell the user the attributes of the recorded program. For example, when an icon “NEW” is displayed for a recorded program which the user sees for the first time, the user can know that he/she has never seen the program. It is also conceivable that the attributes of a record channel which is recorded in the channel assignment table are displayed. 
     FIG. 11 shows the processing flow of the channel management program  500 . The program is started in a video management mode (step  501 ). In step  502 , an editing command is acquired. In the following step  503 , only a deletion command and a saving command are detected and the routine returns to step  502  for stand-by in case of other commands. In this embodiment, only deletion and saving commands are detected. All the commands which have an influence upon the channel assignment table are detected here and appropriate processing for maintaining the fitness of the channel assignment table is carried out. For example, when the editing command is to save a recorded program, the routine proceeds to step  504  to retrieve a record channel corresponding to the recorded program to be saved from the channel assignment table. In step  505 , the saving mark of the record channel is set ON. The saving mark is OFF initially. Similarly, when the deletion of a recorded program is detected as the editing command, the routine proceeds to step  506  to retrieve a record channel corresponding to the recorded program to be deleted from the channel assignment table. In step  507 , the contents of the record channel are cleared. After the steps  505  and  507 , it is checked if the editing mode still continues in step  508 . When the mode still continues, the routine returns to step  502  for stand-by and when the mode does not continue, the program ends together with the editing mode (step  509 ). 
     FIG. 18 shows the concept of disk access. In the disk access method, only seek is carried out without wait for rotation. At the time of switching the channel, the channel is jumped to the closest portion of the channel and a video is started on the way, which is accepted because the user is searching for an appropriate program. 
     (The Second Embodiment) 
     In the second embodiment, the recorded video viewing support system of the present invention is applied to a TV display device  121  having a video playing and recording function. 
     FIG. 20 shows the constitution of the apparatus of this embodiment. The TV display device  121  incorporates a video player/recorder  120 . The video player/recorder  120  has recorded video viewing support means  110 . The constitution of the video player/recorder  120  is almost identical to that of Embodiment 1. However, the video player/recorder  120  must be reduced in size and incorporate countermeasures against the noise and vibration of a storage device and a countermeasure against heat for control means to incorporate it in the TV display device  121 . The constitutions of data tables and the processing flows of the programs in the recorded video viewing supporting means  110  are as described in the first embodiment. 
     (The Third Embodiment) 
     In the third embodiment, the recorded video viewing support system of the present invention is carried out as computer software. 
     FIG. 21 shows the constitution of the apparatus of this embodiment. A personal computer  123  which is now widespread to households is used as a computer. The personal computer  123 , has hardware which is connected to an antenna  107  to receive TV broadcasting. The personal computer  123  also has a DA converter  124  to output a video to a TV display device  109 . The DA converter serves to convert the VGA output of the personal computer into NTSC signals. Therefore, the personal computer  123  and the TV display device  109  can be connected to each other by an ordinary AV cable  140 . 
     The constitutions of data tables and the processing flows of the programs in the recorded video viewing support means  110  are as described in the first embodiment. The control means  112  is a microprocessor. 
     As a variation of the third embodiment, it is conceivable that the personal computer is connected to a display for personal computers and not the TV display device  109 . In this case, the output of the personal computer may be ordinary VGA as the constitution is ordinary. 
     It is further conceivable that EPG receiving means  101  is used as a network connector. In this constitution, program information such as EPG can be acquired from a server on the network. The internet or the like is used as the network. In Embodiments 1, 2, 4 and 5, EPG may be acquired through the network. 
     (The Fourth Embodiment) 
     In the fourth embodiment, the recorded video viewing support system of the present invention is applied to a video server  125 . The video server  125  is a device for distributing a video to a plurality of terminals connected by the network. 
     FIG. 22 shows the constitution of the apparatus of this embodiment. The video server  125  comprises the recorded video viewing support means  110  described in Embodiment 1, network access means  126  and server management software. The server management software is a group of programs for processing service requests from terminals and processes the storage and distribution of a video. The network  141  is a LAN, IEEE1394 or the like. 
     The terminal is a TV display device  109  having an adapter  130  as an external unit or a TV display device  127  incorporating an adapter  130 . The adapter  130  consists of network access means  126  and a video decoder  128 . The video decoder  128  converts a video signal from the server into a signal to be transmitted to the TV display device. For example, when a video signal is MPEG stream data, the video decoder  128  is a MPEG decoder. 
     (The Fifth Embodiment) 
     In the fifth embodiment, the recorded sound selection support system of the present invention is applied to a radio sound player/recorder  130 . 
     FIG. 23 shows the constitution of the apparatus of this embodiment. The radio player/recorder  130  records a radio program received from the antenna  131  and plays the recorded program (recorded radio program) to output it from a speaker  133 . Recorded sound selection supporting means  132  is incorporated in the radio player/recorder  120 . The constitutions of data tables and the processing flows of programs in the recorded sound selection supporting means  132  are the same as those of the first embodiment except that video recording-related portions are replaced by sound recording-related portions. 
     Since the recorded video viewing support system of the present invention is to select a recorded program based on a channel like conventional TV broadcasting, operation is easy. As the contents of a program can be selected by specifying a channel number, it is easy to find a desired recorded program. Further, zapping processing for searching for a desired recorded program by changing the channel at random is possible with the video player/recorder like an ordinary TV.