Abstract:
A method and system are provided which, in a program recording apparatus which performs recording of television programs, enable even those users who are inexperienced in operating machines to simply, directly and flexibly perform a program recording reservation operation and a recorded program viewing operation. An association is first made between position information on a paper or sheet with program information, and the user inputs a program specification using a program schedule and a digital pen. The information input by the pen is converted to program information, and a program recording reservation is made. If the recorded program list is printed out or various content lists are used, program playback and content management can be performed with greater ease.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application P2005-11039 filed on Jan. 19, 2005, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording a broadcasting signal of a television program to a recording medium, and in particular, a recording apparatus and recording method which designate a program to be reserved for recording and to be viewed by using a digital pen.  
         [0003]     Program recording apparatus for recording a television program on a hard disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or videotape are widely used. To specify recording of a specific program beforehand, it is required to make a recording reservation. Various means are used to make a complicated recording reservation simpler.  
         [0004]     One of these methods, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,222 B2, is to use a number sequence known as a G code. The G code replaces the four elements of recording date, channel, program start time and program length by a number of up to eight digits, and permits recording reservation to be performed. When the user inputs this number sequence by remote control or other means and it is transmitted to the recording apparatus, it is decoded in the recording apparatus, and the desired program is reserved.  
         [0005]     Another example of a technique that simplifies recording reservation has been put to practical use recently by the EPG (Electric Program Guide), as disclosed in JP 2,838,892 B2 and JP H1-307944 A1. EPG is a system that displays a program schedule on a television screen. Program schedule data may be sent out using the gaps between radio waves and received by a special terminal, or a network terminal connected to the television is used. A videocassette recorder which can make a recording reservation based on the EPG data has also been put into practical use.  
         [0006]     Due to multi-tuner installations which can record plural stations simultaneously, and increased capacities of recording media for recording programs, it is now possible to record many programs simultaneously. Consequently, it is now becoming increasingly popular, instead of selecting a program which it is desired to record, to record a large number of programs by first inputting keywords and other conditions, and then select the desired program later from among these. In other words, instead of watching television at the program broadcast time as before, the user can now freely decide how to watch programs and in what sequence.  
         [0007]     In WO 01/71473A1, a pen type input apparatus known as a digital pen is described which has come into practical use. This acquires the trace of a pen nib electronically and inputs it to an electronic computer, such as the “Anoto pen” developed by the Swedish company Anoto. A digital pen has the advantage that it can easily be used even by a user unfamiliar with the use of a keyboard or mouse, and it is expected to be useful when making applications to electronic governments or for other purposes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In the related art method of using a G code to reserve recordings, the user needs to input a line of up to eight digits manually by an input means, such as remote control. It is very troublesome to input a seemingly meaningless sequence of numbers so that they can be converted to program data, input errors occur frequently and often lead to recording reservation errors. In a recording reservation method using EPG, a program schedule is displayed on a screen of a television (or, a personal computer or cellular phone connected to a network) and a desired program is selected from the schedule. Although the program schedule display on the screen is easy to search, there is however a limit to viewing a screen display, and it is difficult to operate successfully by a user who is inexperienced in operating machines.  
         [0009]     Moreover, along with the progress made in recording apparatus described above, it is difficult to search desired programs from a large number of recorded programs, and when too many have been recorded, to know which ones are desired.  
         [0010]     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and system which permit the scheduling of program recording and the viewing of recorded programs to be performed simply, intuitively and flexibly even by a user who is inexperienced in operating machines.  
         [0011]     Television program guides found in newspapers and magazines are widely employed to give information about television programs. These television program guides on paper media are convenient and portable, and since they permit the user to view and consult information at any time, in any location and in any occupation, they are extremely useful.  
         [0012]     The aforesaid digital pen makes it possible, while retaining the advantages of these paper media, to provide a means of simply, intuitively and flexibly scheduling recording and viewing programs.  
         [0013]     Specifically, an association is first established between a position on paper (or sheet, hereafter “paper”) and program information, and correspondence information is stored on a server via a recording apparatus or network. The user inputs a program specification using this paper with associations and a digital pen. Information about the trace of the pen is converted into program information according to the previously established associations, thus completing specification of the programs it is designed to record or view. By arranging the program sequence specified by the pen to be the desired viewing sequence, the user can view programs in a preferred sequence regardless of the sequence in which they were broadcast. Further, by first making an association between the pattern of motion of the pen and the recording/viewing method, it is also possible to specify the recording method, and the playback sequence/playback speed when the programs are viewed.  
         [0014]     These operations, in addition to the viewing of programs, may also be used as tools for managing various content, i.e., not only recorded television programs, but also music files and image/movie data acquired from digital cameras or video cameras, content data stored on media such as DVD/video, CD and the like, or streaming data received from outside via a network. An association is established between the content and position information on paper, and the playback or management of this content is performed using a digital pen.  
         [0015]     According to the present invention, there are therefore provided a method and system which permit information to be viewed and consulted in a convenient and portable format at any time, in any location and in any occupation, and which permit the simple, intuitive and flexible scheduling of program recording, viewing of recorded programs and management of various contents. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The present invention can be appreciated by the description which follows in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a system according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagram describing the principle of the digital pen used according to this embodiment;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a method ( 1 ) of specifying a program with the pen;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a method ( 2 ) of specifying a program with the pen;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a procedure for creating program information conversion data;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a procedure for converting pen input data to program information;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows the system configuration of the first embodiment;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  shows the construction of a video recorder according to the first embodiment;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  shows the construction of a server according to the first embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a television program guide issue procedure according to the first embodiment;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a recording reservation procedure according to the first embodiment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a system configuration of a second embodiment;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  shows a program schedule making procedure according to the second embodiment;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  shows a recording reservation procedure according to the second embodiment;  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  shows an example of a screen for program schedule customization;  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  shows a system configuration according to a third embodiment;  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  shows an example of a program advertising card;  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  shows a system configuration according to a fourth embodiment;  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  shows a system configuration according to a fifth embodiment;  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  shows a system configuration according to a sixth embodiment; and  
         [0037]      FIG. 21  shows a system configuration according to a seventh embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]      FIG. 1  shows the flow of a system outline implemented by the present invention and rough processing. A user  1  checks a program schedule  40  related to program information by using a digital pen  10 , and selects a program to be recorded ( 101 ). The relation between the position of the program schedule  40  specified by the pen  10  and program information are stored in a memory beforehand as program information conversion data  50 . The trace of the pen used by the user  1 , and pen input information such as the nib pressure and input time, are transmitted ( 102 ), analyzed ( 103 ), and converted to corresponding program information using the program information conversion data  50  ( 104 ). This information is used for reserving recordings and specifying the viewing method in a program recording apparatus  20  ( 105 ). A display unit  30  is used to display images recorded by reservation according to the aforesaid specification procedure, or display movies selected for viewing by the aforesaid specification procedure.  
         [0039]     Here, referring to  FIG. 2 , as one example of the digital pen  10  used in this embodiment of the invention, the digital pen  10  disclosed in WO 01/71473A1 Patent Document 3 will be described.  
         [0040]     The digital pen  10  is used with a form  60  that has a mark for detecting a position corresponding to this method. The digital pen  10  comprises a communication module  11 , memory  12 , processor  13 , camera  14 , battery  15  and nib pressure sensor  16 . Since the digital pen  10  also has an ordinary nib with ink, when something is filled in on paper with this digital pen  10 , the information visually remains on the paper.  
         [0041]     In the digital pen  10 , the image of a pattern for detecting position which is printed on the paper is acquired by the camera  14 . Looking at the form  60  in more detail ( 61 ), small dots  62  are scattered and printed non-uniformly on the form. These dots are all printed offset to the top, bottom, left or right at a certain distance from the intersections of virtual grid lines  63 . Taking a combination of these dots (for example, an area of 6×6), a combination of values of the top, bottom, left and right offsets of these 36 dots gives absolute position information over an expansive plane region.  
         [0042]     Positions in a space formed by a combination of offsets can be specified by acquiring an image within a range including the aforesaid plural dot pattern at a constant time interval by the camera  14  with which the digital pen  10  is provided. Details of this principle are clarified by WO00/73983 A1.  
         [0043]     The digital pen  10  has a communication interface  11  such as Bluetooth or Universal Serial Bus (USB), and information such as pen the trace and nib pressure is transmitted to a forwarding apparatus  64  such as a personal computer or cellular phone.  
         [0044]     The forwarding apparatus  64  communicates with a Paper Look-up Service (PLS) server  65  via a network  5  (e.g., the Internet). When the use of the digital pen  10  starts, the PLS server is associated to the input pen, paper and application. The PLS server receives a pen ID and paper ID, and authenticates the pen. Subsequently, matching is achieved with an application corresponding to the paper, and the URL of an application server  612  is returned.  
         [0045]     Due to this processing, an application corresponding to the filled form is launched, and pen input data is correctly sent to the corresponding server. The PLS can also specify coordinates on paper from the dot pattern acquired by the camera  14 , and output specified coordinates for the purpose of the application.  
         [0046]     The aforesaid coordinate position on paper is specified by the PLS server which is a exclusive server that manages the dot pattern. Further, if information required to specify the paper ID, pen ID, input coordinates and the application is stored beforehand in another apparatus such as a server of a program information center (application server) or a video recorder, the digital pen  10  can be used for the application without accessing the PLS server every time.  
         [0047]     There is an advantage that if this digital pen  10  is applied to the present invention, a program printed on the program schedule can be freely specified by the trace that the user traces with the pen. An embodiment using this digital pen  10  will now be described. It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to this type of digital pen  10 , and another input means may be used provided that a position on paper can be specified by user input, and a program can be specified corresponding to the specified position.  
         [0048]     Next, referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a method of specifying a program by a pen in the system and service of this embodiment will be described.  
         [0049]      FIG. 3  shows an example of methods of (commands for) selecting a program from a program schedule  70 .  
         [0050]     Method (A) is a method wherein, check boxes  71  are printed for each program, and check marks  72  are respectively made in check boxes for the programs it is desired to select. According to method (A), the program to be selected can be selected surely. However, when the program guide is printed, the check boxes must also be printed and the previous layout of the program schedule on paper must be changed.  
         [0051]     Method (B) is a method wherein a large check mark  73  is made on program information to be selected. According to method (B), the program can be specified relatively easily. However, there is a problem that when there are many programs of short duration arranged crowdedly, it is difficult to ascertain which program was specified.  
         [0052]     Method (C) is a method wherein a program column of the program information to be selected frame is enclosed by a line  74 . Method (C) has the advantage that it is easy to ascertain which program was selected, and programs in the same time zone and on the same channel can be specified together ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0053]     Method (D) is a method of marking a circle  75  on the program information to be selected. According to method (D), the user can select the program naturally. This is convenient when specifying plural programs together.  
         [0054]     Method (E) is a method of marking an arrow  76  in the time zone of the selected program. This is convenient when selecting consecutive programs together, and the viewing sequence of plural programs is specified ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0055]     To cancel a program selection, the program selection is cancelled by marking a large cross  82  with the pen to cancel the original program selection  75 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 4  shows an example of a method of selecting plural programs from the program schedule  70 .  
         [0057]     Method (F) is a method of enclosing program information to be selected by a circle  77 . According to method (F), programs in a specific time zone can be specified together. Likewise, programs on the same channel can be specified one after the other.  
         [0058]     Method (G) is a method whereby, in addition to reserving a recording, the viewing method is specified. For example, if arrows are marked in the sequence  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  on one program schedule, program playback and the viewing sequence can be specified by the sequence of the arrows.  
         [0059]     Further, by making an association between a command specifying the recording method and the viewing method with a pen gesture in advance, not only program recording but also the viewing method can be set according to the user&#39;s preferences. For example, the spiral arrow  80  may define fast forward, and the arrow  81  may define recording to the end even though a program was extended.  
         [0060]     Next, referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , examples of the format of the program information conversion data  50  in  FIG. 1 , the means for creating data and the means for acquiring program information, will be described  
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is one example of a method of creating data for program information conversion. Program data  57  (e.g., EPG data) acquired via a network  5  is a set of individual program information  310 . The individual program information  310  includes a program ID  311 , channel  312 , start time and date  313 , end time and date  314  and additional program information  315 . The additional program information  315  is information such as the title, genre and performer, etc.  
         [0062]     The program information  310  is arranged on the program schedule according to the layout  241 . Alternatively, it may be laid out beforehand like a current television program guide. Arranged program arrangement information  320  has a paper ID  321  to distinguish the issue number and page of the program guide, and individual program information  323 ,  324  is disposed on corresponding X axis and Y axis ( 322 ).  
         [0063]     From the program layout information, information is acquired as to which program is located at which position on the program schedule and with which paper ID (paper ID and coordinate data set  325 ) ( 242 ), and stored in a database together with the original program information ( 243 ).  
         [0064]     Information  330 , which is a combination of the original program information, paper ID  316  and corner position  317 , is stored as the program information conversion data  50 . If plural types of command can be used by the pen input shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , data  334  showing associations between pen gestures and commands may be stored beforehand, and used for program specification processing described later. The association data comprising the gestures and commands may be updated by learning the user&#39;s habits.  
         [0065]     Next, referring to  FIG. 6 , an example of a method for converting pen input data into program information using the created program information conversion data, will be described.  
         [0066]     The pen data input by the methods shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  is stroke data wherein the paper ID  326 , pen position  327  and nib pressure  328  arranged in a time series, are collated in a time sequence.  
         [0067]     A database is searched by comparing with the coordinates of the program data  320  of the program information conversion data  50  based on the obtained coordinates information ( 253 ), and corresponding program information is acquired ( 254 ). For example, when pen input data  74  enclosed by a square is obtained for the program frame  324 , coordinate information for the region enclosed by the pen (e.g., X axis minimum value: Xmin, X axis maximum value: Xmax, X axis center value: Xcenter, Y axis minimum value: Ymin, Y axis maximum value: Ymax, Y axis center value: Ycenter)  332  is compared with coordinate information for the program frame (upper left coordinates: (Xs,Ys), upper right coordinates: (Xe,Ye))  333 . The data contained within the enclosed region is then searched.  
         [0068]     When the pen input data is analyzed, gestures are recognized together with the coordinates ( 252 ). A viewing method  318  (e.g., playback speed setting and extended processing, etc.) corresponding to a rule  334  of a predetermined gesture, can be specified. Program data (program ID, channel, start time and date, end time and date, additional program information and recording method (or, viewing method))  331  converted from the pen input data is then transmitted in a time series to the program recording apparatus.  
       FIRST EMBODIMENT  
       [0069]     Hereafter, referring to  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 11 , a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.  
         [0070]      FIG. 7  is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment.  
         [0071]     The system of the first embodiment comprises a digital pen  10 , a video recorder  21  corresponding to this system, an video display apparatus  30  such as a television or monitor, a television program guide  41  corresponding to this system, a server  51  for providing the whole service and program information conversion data  50 .  
         [0072]     The video recorder  21  is a program recording apparatus for storing program data on media such as a hard disk drive or DVD. The server  51  and program information conversion data  50  in a program information center  4 .  
         [0073]     Next, the processing of the service provided by the first embodiment will be described.  
         [0074]     (A) In the program information center  4 , television program guide information is first printed on a form corresponding to the digital pen  10  used with this system, and associations are made between coordinates and program information on each page of the television program guide  41 . The association information is stored in the program information server  51  as program information conversion data  50  ( 111 ).  
         [0075]     (B) A printed program guide is distributed ( 112 ).  
         [0076]     (C) The user  1  obtains the television program guide  41 , and peruses the obtained television program guide  41  at his home  2  or another location  3 . When he finds a program he desires to record, he makes a mark in the relevant program column using the digital pen  10 . The program is selected by this mark with the digital pen  10  ( 113 ). An example of the program selection method is as described above in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  
         [0077]     (D) In the program selection operation, data acquired by the digital pen is stored by the digital pen  10 , and forwarded to the video recorder  21  corresponding to this system with a suitable timing ( 114 ). The communication method used at this time is a wireless communication method such as Bluetooth, or a wired communication method such as USB connected by a wire or the like.  
         [0078]     (E) The video recorder  21  accesses the server  51  of the program information center  4  via the network  5 , and transmits the information acquired by the digital pen  10  ( 115 ).  
         [0079]     (F) The server  51  analyzes the information acquired by the digital pen  10  ( 116 ), looks up the program information conversion data  50 , and converts the information acquired by the digital pen  10  to corresponding program information. Also, if required, pen gesture/command correspondence data  334  is looked up, and pen gestures are converted to commands.  
         [0080]     (G) The converted program information is transmitted to the video recorder  21  ( 117 ).  
         [0081]     (H) The video recorder  21  completes the recording reservation based on the obtained program information ( 118 ).  
         [0082]     Due to this processing, the user  1  can complete the reservation of a desired program recording simply by selecting the program from the printed program guide and transmitting it to the video recorder. The reservation method of this embodiment differs from the reservation method using a G code since it can select a program by a natural operation. Further, the user can select and reserve plural programs in which he is interested at the same time.  
         [0083]      FIG. 8  is the configuration of the video recorder used with this system.  
         [0084]     The video recorder  21  comprises a recording medium including a hard disk drive  22 , DVD disk  23 , DVD disk drive  24 , control unit  25 , tuner  26 , video display unit  27  and communication interface  28 .  
         [0085]     The hard disk drive  22  stores video, audio and control data for reserving recordings or selecting programs to view. The tuner  26  receives a video signal stored on the storage medium. The video display unit  27  controls an video display apparatus such as a television or monitor. The communication interface  28  is connected with an input device such as the digital pen  10  and with the server  51 .  
         [0086]     The video display unit may be integrated with the video recorder  21 , or it may be another apparatus.  
         [0087]      FIG. 9  shows the configuration of the server in the first embodiment.  
         [0088]     The connection between the video recorder  21  and server  51  is established by the PLS server  65  described in  FIG. 2 , and information acquired by the digital pen  10  is sent to the server  51 . The server  51  comprises a processing module  52 , storage unit  54  and communication interface  55 .  
         [0089]     The processing unit  52  includes a program information conversion processing module  53  and a pen input analysis unit  56 . The storage unit  54  stores the data  50 , user data and log data for program information conversion. The communication interface  55  communicates with the video recorder via the network  5 .  
         [0090]     Next, referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , an outline of the processing performed by this system will be described.  
         [0091]      FIG. 10  is a flow diagram of a television program guide issue procedure in this system. The processing shown in  FIG. 10  is processing executed by the server  51  of the program information center  4 .  
         [0092]     First, when processing starts ( 121 ), the server  51  synchronizes with a server (e.g., EPG server) which is the source of the program information obtained via the network  5 , and acquires program information ( 122 ). Based on the acquired program information, the program information conversion data  50  to associate a position in the program schedule  40 - with program information is created ( 123 ). This program information conversion data  50  can be created by for example the aforesaid procedure described in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0093]     The server  51  then stores the program information conversion data  50  ( 124 ), and prints it as a television program guide ( 125 ). The printed television program guide may be sold in bookstores together with ordinary program guide magazines, or distributed to users as a flier in newspapers.  
         [0094]      FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of the recording reservation procedure after the television program guide of the first embodiment has been distributed to users.  
         [0095]     The recording reservation processing of the first embodiment may be broadly divided into processing  130  by the user, processing  140  by the video recorder and processing  150  by the server.  
         [0096]     The user  1  peruses the television program guide  41  in the user&#39;s home  2  or another location  3  ( 132 ), and selects the programs in which he is interested using the digital pen  10  ( 133 ). This program selection may employ the aforesaid method in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  
         [0097]     When selection of the required programs by the user  1  is complete, the digital pen  10  is connected with the video recorder  21  by a means such as Bluetooth, and information acquired by the digital pen is forwarded to the video recorder  21  ( 135 ).  
         [0098]     When the video recorder  21  receives the information from the pen ( 144 ), the server which is the connection destination is firstly determined by communication with the PLS server  65 . Subsequently, information acquired by the digital pen  10  is transmitted to the determined server (the server  51  placed in the program information center  4 ) via the network  5  ( 145 ).  
         [0099]     The server  51  receives information acquired by the digital pen  10  ( 154 ), analyzes digital pen trace data ( 155 ), converts pen gestures into commands if required, and acquires corresponding program information ( 156 ). The processing sequence of this server  51  may be the aforesaid processing of  FIG. 6 . Subsequently, the server  51  transmits the acquired program information to the video recorder  21  ( 157 ).  
         [0100]     When the program information is received from the server  51  ( 146 ), the video recorder  21  completes the recording reservation based on the received program information ( 147 ). The processing result is output via the video display unit  27 , and presented to the user  1  by the video display apparatus  30  ( 148 ).  
         [0101]     Subsequently, when the user  1  confirms the processing result ( 136 ), the processing sequence is terminated ( 137 ).  
       SECOND EMBODIMENT  
       [0102]     Referring to  FIG. 12 -  FIG. 15 , a second embodiment of this invention will now be described.  
         [0103]     In the second embodiment, program data is downloaded to the video recorder beforehand, so there is no need to access the server of the program information center every time recordings are reserved or viewing programs are selected. Also, in the video recorder, a customized program schedule according to each user&#39;s preference and a recorded program list, can be output.  
         [0104]     In the second embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to the same constructional elements as in the aforesaid first embodiment, and their detailed description is therefore omitted.  
         [0105]      FIG. 12  is a system configuration diagram of the second embodiment.  
         [0106]     The system of the second embodiment comprises a digital pen  10 , a video recorder  21  corresponding to this system, an video display apparatus  30  such as a television or monitor, a storage device for storing the program information conversion data  50  connected to the video recorder  21 , a printer  29 , and a television program schedule  42  printed by the printer  29 .  
         [0107]     The program information conversion data  50  may be built into the video recorder  21  and kept in the home  2  of the user  1 . Alternatively, it may be kept outside the home  2  and accessed via the network  5 .  
         [0108]     The printer  29  may be built into the video recorder  21 , or externally connected to the video recorder  21 . The video recorder  21  need not be a stand-alone product, but may be a personal computer connected to a tuner and connected to a recording medium (e.g., a hard disk drive and DVD disk drive).  
         [0109]     Next, the processing of the service provided in the second embodiment will be described.  
         [0110]     (A) The video recorder  21  acquires program information from a server (e.g., EPG server) which is the source of the program information via the network  5 , and associates programs with the program information.  
         [0111]     (B) The video recorder  21  prints a position detecting mark of the digital pen  10  and program schedule on a blank paper  45  by the printer  29  ( 162 ). The program schedule may also be printed on paper on which the position detecting mark has already been printed.  
         [0112]     (C) The user  1  selects a program by marking it on the printed program schedule  42  using the digital pen  10 . This program selection may be made by a method identical to that of the aforesaid first embodiment ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0113]     (D) In the program selection operation, data acquired by the digital pen is stored in the digital pen  10 , and forwarded to the video recorder  21  corresponding to this system with a suitable timing ( 164 ).  
         [0114]     (E) The video recorder  21  analyzes the data acquired by the digital pen  10  ( 165 ), and converts the data acquired by the digital pen  10  into corresponding program information referring to the program information conversion data  50 . Also, if required, pen gestures are converted into commands referring to the data  334  for pen gestures/commands.  
         [0115]     (F) The video recorder  21  reserves the recording based on the obtained program information ( 166 ).  
         [0116]     According to the second embodiment, since the user prints the program schedule, the latest program information can be acquired at any time. In addition, a customized program schedule according to user preferences can be made, so a program schedule which is easy to read and easy to select can be created. For example, a program in which a favorite actor appears can be printed out on the program schedule. The program schedule can be printed such that programs it is desired not to miss have been preselected. Conversely, the program schedule can be printed without printing genres and channel information which it is desired to avoid.  
         [0117]     When the same video recorder is used by plural persons, by printing program schedules and selecting programs according to individual preferences, it is possible to identify who has reserved which programs, which is useful for looking up and retrieving recorded programs. To print program schedules according to individual preferences, user preferences and user histories can be stored in the database  54 , different programs extracted for each user, and the program information conversion data  50  created for each user.  
         [0118]      FIG. 13  is a flow diagram of the program schedule creation procedure of the second embodiment.  
         [0119]     When the user  1  starts program schedule creation ( 172 ), the program data is installed in the video recorder  21  via the network  5  ( 185 ), and presents a program schedule customizing screen ( 186 ). The user  1  customizes the program schedule by using the displayed program schedule customizing screen ( 173 ), and transmits customization information to the video recorder ( 174 ).  
         [0120]     The video recorder  21  creates the program schedule  42  and program information conversion data  50  based on the received customization information ( 187 ). This program schedule  42  and program information conversion data  50  can be created for example by an identical method to that of the first embodiment ( FIG. 5 ). The created program information is stored ( 188 ), and the program schedule is printed on the paper  45  based on the created program information ( 189 ).  
         [0121]     The user  1  obtains the printed program schedule  42  ( 175 ), and continues to perform program reservation processes. However, customized processing ( 186 ,  173 ,  174 ) is not indispensable to this system, and an ordinary usual program schedule which is not customized may also be printed.  
         [0122]      FIG. 14  is a flow diagram of the recording reservation process according to the second embodiment.  
         [0123]     The recording reservation process of the second embodiment is almost identical to that of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , but the step for conversion to program information on the video recorder  21  side is different. The program information conversion data  50 , which is created in the program schedule generation procedure shown in  FIG. 13 , can also be transmitted to the server, and program information conversion performed by the server.  
         [0124]      FIG. 15  is an example of a screen for program schedule customization displayed in step  173  of the program schedule creation procedure of the second embodiment.  
         [0125]     A screen  90  for program schedule customization is output via the video display unit  27 , and displayed on a display apparatus such as a television or the monitor of a personal computer.  
         [0126]     The screen  90  for program schedule customization includes a column  91  where the user sets fields in which he is interested, and a column  92  where the user sets fields in which he is not interested. The content set by these procedures is saved in a memory  22  of the video recorder  21  as user data  54 . The saved user data can be modified by edit buttons  93  and  94 .  
         [0127]     The screen  90  for program schedule customization includes a column  95  where the date (range) for printing the program schedule is set. By specifying this date column  95 , today&#39;s program schedule, tomorrow&#39;s program schedule and one week of program schedules can be selected for printing. When an execution button  96  is pushed, print is executed. Programs in fields marked as interesting which were set in column  91 , can be printed to stand out. Also, programs in fields marked as uninteresting which were set in column  92 , can be excluded from the print-out.  
       THIRD EMBODIMENT  
       [0128]     Next, referring to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.  FIG. 16  is a system configuration diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0129]     In the system of the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the program schedule is supplied from outside, but instead of-distributing it in the form of a magazine, it is distributed as a card or flier advertising the programs. Of course, it can also be distributed as a supplement to a magazine.  
         [0130]     In the third embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to the same constructional elements as in the aforesaid first and second embodiments, and their detailed description is therefore omitted.  
         [0131]      FIG. 17  shows an example of a program advertising card according to the third embodiment.  
         [0132]     This card  300  contains program information  301 , for example outline, actors and broadcasting time, a column  302  which sets the reservation specification method, a member registration column  303 , a link column  304  and a mail column  305 . The reservation specification method setting column  302  permits selection of whether the recording of the first episode is to be reserved, or whether all episodes from first to last are to be reserved together simply by checking the card. The storage destination of the program can also be specified, or creation of a series of DVD can also be set.  
         [0133]     The member registration column  303  is a column where member registration in the nature of a program fan club can be performed. If a server  451  gathers logs of which programs were recorded, a service can be provided to send presents to viewers who have seen all episodes. In this way, audience rating can be improved. Moreover, program producers and sponsors can understand the viewer layer, easily collect opinions from viewers and-do interactive program-making.  
         [0134]     By using the web link function and mail sending function of the digital pen  10 , inducements can be given to visit an official site ( 304 ), or send mail to tell a friend about the program ( 305 ).  
       FOURTH EMBODIMENT  
       [0135]     Next, referring to  FIG. 18 , a fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described.  
         [0136]      FIG. 18  is a system configuration diagram of the fourth embodiment.  
         [0137]     The fourth embodiment is similar to the aforesaid second embodiment, but instead of the digital pen  10 , programs are specified by a terminal (e.g., a camphone or bar-code reader) having a picture-taking module. A mark to specify a position is placed on a printed program schedule. This mark is used to recognize a position on paper with the camera regardless of whether it is a shape which can or cannot be recognized by the human eye.  
         [0138]     In the fourth embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to the same constructional elements as in the aforesaid first to third embodiments, and their detailed description is therefore omitted.  
         [0139]     Next, the processing of the service provided by the fourth embodiment will be described.  
         [0140]     (A) The video recorder  21  acquires program information from a server (e.g., EPG server) which is the source of the program information via the network  5 , and associates a program with program information( 231 ).  
         [0141]     (B) The video recorder  21  prints the program schedule on blank paper, or the paper  45  on which the position specifying mark has been printed beforehand by the printer  29  ( 232 ).  
         [0142]     (C) The user  1  selects a program by taking a picture of the printed program schedule  42  with the camera terminal  17  ( 233 ).  
         [0143]     (D) The terminal  17  forwards the acquired information to the video recorder  21  ( 234 ).  
         [0144]     (E) The video recorder  21  analyzes the forwarded information ( 235 ), looks up the program information conversion data  50 , and converts information acquired by the terminal  17  to corresponding program information.  
         [0145]     (F) The video recorder  21  reserves the recording based on the obtained program information.  
         [0146]     The same processing can be performed by a personal computer connected to a tuner and the printer  29  instead of the video recorder  21 .  
         [0147]     According to the fourth embodiment, programs can be recorded and the viewing method set by a device familiar to the user instead of a special device like the digital pen  10 .  
       FIFTH EMBODIMENT  
       [0148]     Next, referring to  FIG. 19 , a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described.  
         [0149]      FIG. 19  is a system configuration diagram of the fifth embodiment.  
         [0150]     The construction of the fifth embodiment is almost identical to that of the second aforesaid embodiment, but in the fifth embodiment, instead of specifying a program to be recorded, a list of programs which have already been recorded by the video recorder  21  is output, and the programs to be viewed among the programs recorded by the video recorder  21  and the viewing method, are specified.  
         [0151]     In the fifth embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to the same constructional elements as in the aforesaid first to fourth embodiments, and their detailed description is therefore omitted.  
         [0152]     Next, the processing of the service provided by the fifth embodiment will be described.  
         [0153]     (A) The video recorder  21  selects program information in the list from among the recorded programs stored in the storage unit  22 . An association is made between the selected program information and a printed position on the program schedule ( 221 ), the program information conversion data  50  is created, and stored in the storage unit  22 .  
         [0154]     (B) The video recorder  21  prints a position detection mark and program schedule on the paper  45  by the printer  29  ( 222 ). As in the second embodiment, the paper used for the digital pen  10  on which the position detection mark has already been printed, may also be used.  
         [0155]     (C) The user  1  selects the program by marking it using the digital pen  10  on a printed program list  44 . This program can be selected by an identical method to that of the aforesaid first embodiment ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). The method of viewing the program is also set ( 223 ).  
         [0156]     (D) In the program selection operation, the data acquired by the digital pen is stored by the digital pen  10 , and transferred to the video recorder  21  corresponding to the system with a suitable timing ( 224 ).  
         [0157]     (E) The video recorder  21  analyzes the data acquired by the digital pen  10  ( 225 ), looks up the program information conversion data  50 , and converts the data acquired by the digital pen  10  into corresponding program information.  
         [0158]     (F) The video recorder  21  plays back the program ( 226 ) based on the obtained program information.  
         [0159]     At this time, a detailed setting can be performed, i.e., the program list can be printed according to the date or genre, or only programs which have not yet been seen can be selected and printed.  
         [0160]     According to the fifth embodiment, the problem of the user losing sight of many recorded programs and not knowing which to view, is solved, and programs can be viewed easily.  
       SIXTH EMBODIMENT  
       [0161]     Next, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a sixth embodiment of the invention will be described.  
         [0162]     The sixth embodiment further expands on the fifth embodiment, permitting selection of other material in addition to television programs. In the sixth embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to the same constructional elements as in the aforesaid first to fifth embodiments, and their detailed description is therefore omitted.  
         [0163]      FIG. 20  is a system configuration diagram of the sixth embodiment.  
         [0164]     In the system of the sixth embodiment, the viewing (playback) object is not only television programs, but various kinds of content inside and outside the home. For example, in addition to recorded television programs, various other content including accumulated data  33  such as stored music files, picture data taken by digital cameras or video and image data, content stored on media  37  such as DVD, video and CD, and streaming data received from an external server  35  via the Internet, are managed by a home server  31 .  
         [0165]     Next, the processing of the service provided by the sixth embodiment will be described.  
         [0166]     (A) The home server  31 , after customization and filtering of the accumulated local data  33 , content data  37  in media and accumulated data stored externally as required, creates a content list. At this time, associations are created between the content and position information on paper ( 261 ).  
         [0167]     (B) The home server  31  prints the content list on the paper  45  by the printer  29  ( 262 ).  
         [0168]     (C) The user  1  sets the playback content, the content playback sequence and the content playback method by marking with the digital pen  10  on a printed content list  46  ( 263 ). This playback content can be selected by an identical method to that of the aforesaid first embodiment ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0169]     (D) The data acquired by the digital pen is stored by the digital pen  10 , and forwarded to the home server  31  with a suitable timing ( 264 ).  
         [0170]     (E) The home server  31  analyzes the data acquired by the digital pen  10  ( 265 ), looks up the program information conversion data  50 , and acquires the content corresponding to the data acquired by the digital pen  10 . Also, if required, it looks up the pen gesture/command correspondence data  334 , and converts pen gestures to commands.  
         [0171]     (F) The home server  31  plays back the acquired content using the display unit  30  and acoustic output apparatus  32  ( 266 ).  
         [0172]     According to the sixth embodiment, even if the management of a large amount of varied content is a complex affair, this content can be treated in bulk. Moreover, even a user who is inexperienced in manipulating devices can easily enjoy the content.  
       SEVENTH EMBODIMENT  
       [0173]     Next, referring to  FIG. 21 , a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.  
         [0174]     In the seventh embodiment, an ordering function such as mail order is added to the function of television program reservation. In the seventh embodiment, the same symbols are assigned to the same constructional elements as in the aforesaid first to sixth embodiments, and their detailed description is therefore omitted.  
         [0175]      FIG. 21  shows the system of the seventh embodiment.  
         [0176]     In the system of the seventh embodiment, the television program guide  41  is used as in the aforesaid first embodiment, but it can be applied also to the example where the user prints the program schedule as in the second embodiment.  
         [0177]     Next, the processing of the service provided by the seventh embodiment will be described.  
         [0178]     (A) When an association is made with program information that uses the program information conversion data  50 , the server  51  makes associations for position information not only with program information, but also with advertising information or mail order product information printed on each page ( 271 ).  
         [0179]     (B) After these associations are created, the server  51  prints the program guide and distributes it to the user ( 272 ).  
         [0180]     (C) The user  1  checks the program, products and advertisements using the television program guide  41  and digital pen  10  as in the aforesaid embodiment ( 273 ).  
         [0181]     (D) The data acquired by the digital pen is stored by the digital pen  10 , and forwarded to the video recorder  21  with a suitable timing ( 274 ).  
         [0182]     (E) The video recorder  21  transmits the data acquired by the digital pen  10  to the server  51  via the network  5  ( 275 ).  
         [0183]     (F) The server  51  analyzes the data acquired by the digital pen  10 , looks up predetermined input rules and the program information conversion data  50 , and the program to be recorded or products to be ordered are determined corresponding to the input.  
         [0184]     (G) If the data acquired by the digital pen  10  is an order for a product, the ordering information is transmitted to a mail order business person&#39;s server  38  ( 277 ).  
         [0185]     (H) If the data acquired by the digital pen  10  is a program reservation, program information is transmitted the to video recorder  21  ( 278 ).  
         [0186]     (J) The video recorder  21  reserves the recording based on the received data ( 279 ).  
         [0187]     According to the seventh embodiment, the user can readily order a product by mail order by a simple procedure on the same platform as that used for checking television programs. Therefore, user convenience is improved.  
         [0188]     From a sponsor&#39;s viewpoint, advertising impact can be increased by targeting a range of customers interested in a certain specific program.  
         [0189]     Also, by gathering log data for the program information conversion server  51 , customers can be managed by making associations between buying behavior and viewing behavior, which has a wide range of application.  
         [0190]     According to the present invention, a video recorder that offers improved convenience can be provided. Further, a system which simplifies the viewing of a large amount of recorded programs and content management can be provided, and by means of this system, these services are provided to the user.  
         [0191]     For a television program producer or sponsor, a platform for business development such as advertising and mail order can be provided. Studies can be made of how a television program is viewed by the general public, and an understanding gained of the viewers. Further, interactive program-making which takes viewers&#39; opinions into account, can be performed.  
         [0192]     While the present invention has been described in detail and pictorially in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such detail but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.