Patent Publication Number: US-2009220209-A1

Title: Reproduction Apparatus and Reproduction Method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2008/064678, filed Aug. 12, 2008, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in Japanese. 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-255741, filed Sep. 28, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One embodiment of the present invention relates to a reproduction apparatus and a reproduction method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Jpn. PCT National Publication No. 2004-533745 discloses a virtual personal TV channel technique. According to the technique, a personal channel is set in accordance with a user, and content information corresponding to the user is continuously reproduced as if the information is provided from a conventional TV or radio channel. 
     According to the foregoing technique, programs stored in a storage device can be used as a resource of a virtual personal channel. 
     However, in a broadcasting receiver which includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), the storage capacity of the storage device may be short when much broadcast contents are stored in the storage device. Therefore, the contents stored in the storage device should be properly managed. 
     According to the foregoing virtual personal TV channel, stored content is automatically reproduced in accordance with the user. However, the storage capacity of the storage device is not managed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary view showing schematically an appearance of a digital television broadcast receiver to which the present invention is applied and illustrating an example of a network system in which the digital television broadcast receiver is configured as a main apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary view showing a main signal processing system of the digital television broadcast receiver; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary flowchart of favorite channel reproducing processing according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing an example of reproduction schedule of favorite channel; and 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary flowchart of favorite channel reproducing processing according to a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, a reproduction apparatus comprises a determination module configured to determine whether a content stored in storage has been reproduced or not; a scheduling module configured to creates a reproduction schedule of a content which is determined as not having been reproduced by the determination module; a reading module configured to read the content determined as not having been reproduced from the storage in accordance with the reproduction schedule; a channel selection module configured to select a channel; and a reproduction module configured to reproduce the content which the reading module is reading when the channel selection module selects a first channel. 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing schematically an appearance of a digital television broadcast receiver  111  to which the present invention is applied and illustrating an example of a network system in which the digital television broadcast receiver  111  is configured as a main apparatus. 
     Specifically, the digital television broadcast receiver  111  mainly includes a thin cabinet  112  and a support base  113  which supports the cabinet  112  standing. The cabinet  112  is provided with a thin panel video display  114  including, for example, a surface-conduction electron-emission display (SED) panel or a liquid crystal display panel, a speaker  115 , an operation unit  116  and an optical receiver  118 . The optical receiver  118  receives control information sent from a remote controller  117 . 
     The operation unit  116  is provided with a channel up/down key for channel selection. The remote controller  117  is also provided with a direct channel selection key and a channel up/down key for channel selection. 
     A first memory card  119  can be attached to and detached from the digital television broadcast receiver  111 . The first memory card  119  includes, for example, a Secure Digital (SD) memory card, a Multimedia Card (MMC) or a Memory Stick. The first memory card  119  can store information such as programs and images, and the stored information may be reproduced. 
     Further, a second memory card  120  (IC card), which stores contract information for example, can be attached to and detached from the digital television broadcast receiver  111 . It is possible to store information in the second memory card  120  and to reproduce information stored in the second memory card  120 . 
     The digital television broadcast receiver  111  includes a first local area network (LAN) terminal  121 , a second LAN terminal  122 , a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal  123  and an i.LINK terminal  124 . 
     The first LAN terminal  121  is used as a port dedicated to a LAN-compatible HDD. A LAN-compatible HDD  125  can be connected to the first LAN terminal  121  as a network attached storage (NAS). The first LAN terminal  121  is used to store information in the HDD  125  and to reproduce information stored in the HDD  125  by means of the Ethernet (registered trademark). 
     The first LAN terminal  121  is provided as the port dedicated to the LAN-compatible HDD; therefore, storing information of a program into the HDD  125  in high definition quality is available without being affected by network environment and network utilization condition. 
     The second LAN terminal  122  is used as a general LAN-compatible port using the Ethernet (registered trademark). The second LAN terminal  122  is connected via a hub  126  to devices such as a LAN-compatible HDD  127 , a content server  128  and a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) recorder  129  having a built-in HDD. The second LAN terminal  122  is used for information transmission with such devices. 
     The content server  128  has a function of operating as a server apparatus of contents in home networking. Further, the content server  128  is configured as an apparatus which is compatible to Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) offering services of providing uniform resource identifier (URI) information required for accessing a content. 
     Regarding the DVD recorder  129 , digital information communicated via the second LAN terminal  122  is only information of a control system; therefore, it is required to provide an exclusive analog transmission line  130  for transmitting analog video and audio information with the digital television broadcast receiver  111 . 
     The second LAN terminal  122  makes a connection with a network  132  such as the Internet through a broad band rooter  131  which is connected to the hub  126 , and is utilized for information transmission with a content server  133  and a mobile phone  134  via the network  132 . 
     The content server  133  has a function of operating as a server apparatus of contents, and is configured as an apparatus which is compatible to the UPnP offering services of providing URI information required to access a content. 
     The USB terminal  123  is used as a general USB-compatible port. The USB terminal  123  is connected via a hub  135 , for example, with USB apparatuses such as a mobile phone  136 , a digital camera  137 , a card reader/writer  138  for a memory card, an HDD  139  and a keyboard  140 . The USB terminal  123  is used for making information transmission with the USB apparatuses. 
     The i.LINK terminal  124  is used for serial-connection with an AV-HDD  141  and a Digital Video Home System (D-VHS)  142 , for example, and used for making information transmission with such apparatuses. 
       FIG. 2  is a view showing a main signal processing system of the digital television broadcast receiver  111 . 
     An antenna  243  for broadcasting satellite (BS) and commercial satellite (CS) digital broadcasting receives a satellite digital television broadcasting signal and the received signal is supplied via an input terminal  244  to a tuner  245   a  for satellite digital broadcasting. 
     The tuner  245   a  selects a broadcasting signal of a desired channel in accordance with a control signal from a controller  261 , and outputs the selected broadcasting signal to a phase-shift keying (PSK) demodulator  245   b.    
     The PSK demodulator  245   b  demodulates the broadcasting signal selected by the tuner  245   a  in accordance with the control signal from the controller  261 , obtains a transport stream (TS) including a desired program, and outputs the TS to a TS decoder  245   c.    
     The TS decoder  245   c  performs TS-decoding on a transport-stream-multiplexed signal in accordance with a control signal from the controller  261 . The TS decoder  245   c  de-packets digital video and audio signals of the desired program to obtain a packetized elementary stream (PES), and then, outputs the PES to a signal processor  247 . 
     Further, the TS decoder  245   c  outputs section information sent by digital broadcasting to the signal processor  247 . 
     An antenna  248  for terrestrial broadcasting receives a terrestrial digital television broadcasting signal and the received signal is supplied via an input terminal  249  to a tuner  250   a  for terrestrial digital broadcasting. 
     The tuner  250   a  selects a broadcasting signal of a desired channel in accordance with a control signal from the controller  261 , and outputs the selected broadcasting signal to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) demodulator  250   b.    
     The OFDM demodulator  250   b  demodulates the broadcasting signal selected by the tuner  250   a  in accordance with the control signal from the controller  261 , obtains a transport stream including a desired program, and outputs the transport stream to a TS decoder  250   c.    
     The TS decoder  250   c  performs TS-decoding on a transport-stream-multiplexed signal in accordance with a control signal from the controller  261 . Then, the TS decoder  250   c  outputs a packetized elementary stream (PES) obtained by de-packing digital video and audio signals of the desired program to the signal processor  247 . 
     Further, the TS decoder  250   c  outputs section information sent by digital broadcasting to the signal processor  247 . 
     To view and listen to a television program, the signal processor  247  selectively performs predetermined digital signal processing on the digital video and audio signals supplied from the TS decoders  245   c  and  250   c , and outputs the digital video and audio signals to a graphic processor  254  and an audio processor  255 , respectively. When reproducing a content, the signal processor  247  selects a content reproduction signal input from the controller  261 , performs predetermined digital signal processing, and outputs the processed signal to the graphic processor  254  and the audio processor  255 . 
     To the controller  261 , various data for acquiring a program, electronic program guide (EPG) information, program attribute information (e.g., genre of program) and caption information (service information, e.g., SI and PSI) are input from the signal processor  247 . 
     The controller  261  performs image generation for displaying the electronic program guide (EPG) and the caption based on the above input information, and outputs the generated image information to the graphic processor  254 . 
     The signal processor  247  outputs various data for acquiring a program, electronic program guide (EPG) information, program attribute information (e.g., genre of program) and caption information (service information, e.g., SI and PSI) to the controller  261  based on the section information input from the TS decoder  245   c  ( 250   c ). 
     The graphic processor  254  has a function of synthesizing (1) digital video signal supplied from the signal processor  247 , (2) on-screen display (OSD) signal generated by an OSD signal generator  257 , (3) image data from data broadcasting and (4) EPG and caption signal generated by the controller  261 , and a function of outputting the synthesized signal to a video processor  258 . 
     When displaying the caption corresponding to caption broadcasting, the graphic processor  254  overlaps caption information in compliance with the control of the controller  261  on a video signal. 
     The digital video signal output from the graphic processor  254  is supplied to the video processor  258 . The video processor  258  converts the input digital video signal to an analog video signal having a format displayable by the video display  114 . Thereafter, the video processor  258  outputs the analog video signal to the video display  114  to be displayed, and outputs the analog video signal outside via an output terminal  259 . 
     The audio processor  255  converts the input digital audio signal to an analog audio signal having a format reproducible by the speaker  115 . Thereafter, the audio processor  255  outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker  115  to be reproduced, and outputs the analog audio signal outside via an output terminal  260 . 
     The controller  261  collectively controls the entire operations in the digital television broadcast receiver  111  including the foregoing various receiving operations. The controller  261  includes a central processing unit (CPU) and others therein. The controller  261  receives operation information from the operation unit  116  or receives operation information sent from the remote controller  117  via the optical receiver  118 , and controls respective portions in accordance with the operation. 
     The controller  261  mainly uses a read-only memory (ROM)  261   a , a random access memory (RAM)  261   b  and a nonvolatile memory  261   c . The ROM  261   a  stores control programs to be executed by the CPU. The RAM  261   b  provides a work area to the CPU. The nonvolatile memory  261   c  stores various setting information and control information. 
     The controller  261  is connected via a card interface  265  to a card holder  266  to which the first memory card  119  can be attached. Thus, the controller  261  makes information transmission via the card interface  265  with the first memory card  119  attached to the card holder  266 . 
     Further, the controller  261  is connected via a card interface  267  to a card holder  268  to which the second memory card  120  can be attached. Thus, the controller  261  makes information transmission via the card interface  267  with the second memory card  120  attached to the card holder  268 . 
     The controller  261  is connected to the first LAN terminal  121  via a communication interface  269 . Thus, the controller  261  can make information transmission via the communication interface  269  with the LAN-compatible HDD  125  connected to the first LAN terminal  121 . In this case, the controller  261  has a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server function, and allocates an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the LAN-compatible HDD  125  connected to the first LAN terminal  121  in order to control the HDD  125 . 
     Further, the controller  261  is connected to the second LAN terminal  122  via a communication interface  270 . Thus, the controller  261  can make information transmission via the communication interface  270  with various devices (see  FIG. 1 ) connected to the second LAN terminal  122 . 
     The controller  261  is connected to the USB terminal  123  via a USB interface  271 . Thus, the controller  261  can make information transmission via the USB interface  271  with various devices (see  FIG. 1 ) connected to the USB terminal  123 . 
     Further, the controller  261  is connected to the i.LINK terminal  124  via an i.LINK interface  272 . Thus, the controller  261  can make information transmission via the i.LINK interface  272  with various devices (see  FIG. 1 ) connected to the i.LINK terminal  124 . 
     According to the present embodiment, the HDD  125  stores a registration file in which a storage IDs (including IP addresses and names of devices) allocated at the time of initial registration to the HDD  125 , HDD  127 , content server  128  and DVD recorder  129  are described. 
     The nonvolatile memory  261   c  stores storage IDs of the HDD  125 , HDD  127 , content server  128  and DVD recorder  129 . 
     The controller  261  has functions related to the present invention using UPnP, that is, (1) server discovery function  261   d , (2) content information acquisition function  261   e  using UPnP, and (3) content access control function  261   f.    
     (1) The controller  261  utilizes the server discovery function  261   d  to detect an UPnP-compatible device on a network by means of a discovery function of the UPnP. For example, the server discovery function  261   d  detects the content server  128  using the discovery function of the UPnP. 
     (2) The controller  261  utilizes the content information acquisition function  261   e  to control the UPnP-compatible device by means of a control function of the UPnP and acquires URI information required to access a content which is in the UPnP-compatible device. For example, the content information acquisition function  261   e  controls the content server  128 , and from the content server  128 , acquires URI information which is required to access a content stored in the HDD in the content server  128 . 
     (3) The controller  261  utilizes the content access control function  261   f  to determine whether or not accessing the content is possible based on IP address information acquired by the server discovery function  261   d , IP address information obtained from the URI information acquired by the content information acquisition function  261   e , IP address allocated to the LAN terminal  122  of the digital television broadcast receiver  111 , and netmask. When it is determined that accessing is possible, the controller  261  permits accessing the content. Conversely, when it is determined that accessing is not possible, the controller  261  causes the video display  114  to display the fact utilizing the OSD. 
     Subsequently, processing of reproducing “favorite channel” according to the present embodiment will be described below. 
     When a user operates the operation unit  116  or the remote controller  117  to give an instruction to store a received broadcast program (broadcast content), the controller  261  stores data of the broadcast program in the HDD  125 . 
     When much broadcast programs are stored in the HDD  125 , the storage capacity of the HDD  125  may be short. Therefore, proper management of contents stored in the HDD  125  is desired. Generally, an attribute indicating whether deletion of the content is permitted or inhibited is affixed to header information of a content stored in the HDD  125 . The controller  261  manages data of broadcast programs stored in the HDD  125  with reference to the deletion permission attribute or the deletion inhibition attribute. The controller  261  can delete a content which is allowed to delete from the HDD  125  as required. 
     According to the present embodiment, when the user merely selects the “favorite channel”, an unviewed content is automatically reproduced. In addition, after the user views the unviewed content by selecting the “favorite channel”, the deletion permission attribute is automatically given to the viewed content. Thus, regarding the content which the user has already viewed, it becomes possible that the controller  261  deletes the data of the content from the HDD  125  if necessary, and thereby, shortage of the storage capacity of the HDD  125  can be prevented from occurring. 
     Next, the “favorite channel” in the present embodiment will be described. 
     Usually, the user selects a broadcast channel by operating the channel up/down key of the operation unit  116  or the channel up/down key or direct channel selection key of the remote controller  117 . In the present embodiment, “favorite channel” is also selectable in addition to broadcast channels by operating the keys. When the user selects the favorite channel, not a broadcast content received by antenna  243  or  248  but an unviewed content stored in the HDD  125  is reproduced as though it is a broadcast content being currently on the air. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of favorite channel reproducing processing according to the present embodiment. 
     When the power of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  turns on, the favorite channel reproducing processing is started. When the favorite channel reproducing processing is started, the controller  261  of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  determines whether or not a content which has not been viewed remains in the HDD  125  (block S 1 ). 
     When an unviewed content is not stored in the HDD  125  (NO in block S 1 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated. Then, ordinary reception of a broadcast content will be executed. 
     Conversely, when it is determined that an unviewed content remains in the HDD  125  (YES in block S 1 ), the controller  261  determines whether or not setting of favorite channel reproduction is on (block S 2 ). The user can set in advance whether or not to execute the favorite channel reproduction by operating the operation unit  116  or the remote controller  117 . 
     When the setting of favorite channel reproduction is not on (NO in block S 2 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated. Then, ordinary reception of a broadcast content will be executed. 
     Conversely, when the setting of favorite channel reproduction is on (YES in block S 2 ), the controller  261  executes scheduling of contents to be reproduced in the favorite channel and creates a reproduction schedule of the favorite channel (block S 3 ). 
     The scheduling is, for example, carried out in the following manner. 
     The scheduling is executed so that the unviewed content will be reproduced in the same time zone as a time zone in which the content has been stored (broadcast time zone of the content). For example, in the case where a news program broadcast from 19:00 has been stored and still not viewed, it is scheduled so that the news program will be reproduced from 19:00 in the favorite channel. In the case where a plurality of contents recorded in the same time zone remains not viewed, scheduling is made so that the contents will be reproduced in order of date and time of storage. Alternatively, in the case where the user previously has given priorities to genres of broadcast contents including “news,” “drama,” “sports,” and so on, the reproduction order of contents stored in the same time zone may be determined corresponding to the priorities. In the case where history of broadcast contents which the user has viewed is stored, scheduling may be executed in such a manner that reproduction will be started from a content of a genre which the user has viewed most. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing an example of the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel obtained from the processing of block S 3 . 
     For a time zone in which no corresponding unviewed content is present, such setting can be made in advance that a broadcast content which will be broadcast in the time zone is inserted to the reproduction schedule. In  FIG. 4 , an empty time having no corresponding unviewed content continues from power activation of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  until 18:30. An ordinary broadcast content is inserted into the empty time. 
     The reproduction schedule of the favorite channel may be created so that all unviewed contents are included therein. Alternatively, a schedule merely for predetermined time period (e.g., six hours) may be created. The created reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is stored in the ROM  261   a.    
     After scheduling, the controller  261  determines whether or not the favorite channel reproduction is possible (block S 4 ). As a result of the scheduling processing in block S 3 , when the schedule is not filled enough, it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is not possible. For example, when there is no unviewed content and the user previously sets the schedule so that viewing an ordinary broadcast content is not to be inserted to the empty time, the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is not filled enough. Therefore, it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is not possible (NO in block S 4 ). 
     When it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is not possible (NO in block S 4 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated, and then, ordinary reception of a broadcast content will be executed. 
     Conversely, when it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is possible (YES in block S 4 ), the controller  261  starts reading content data from the HDD  125  based on the created reproduction schedule of the favorite channel (block S 5 ). Thereafter, the controller  261  continues reading a content from the HDD  125  based on the created reproduction schedule of the favorite channel. If not reading a content stored in the HDD  125  but receiving a broadcast content which is on the air is scheduled, the broadcast content may be received based on the schedule; however, receiving the broadcast content may be started when the favorite channel is selected. 
     When the user selects the favorite channel by operating the channel up/down key of the operation unit  116  or the channel up/down key or the direct channel selection key of the remote controller  117  (YES in block S 6 ), reproduction (decoding) of content data read from the HDD  125  is started (block S 7 ). That is, the video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  execute predetermined decoding processing on the content data read from the HDD  125  under the control of the controller  261 . The video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  output the decoded content data to the video display  114  and the speaker  115 . 
     Therefore, when the user merely selects the favorite channel in the same manner as normal channel selection, a content which has been stored but not viewed can be reproduced and viewed. In the case where not reading data from the HDD  125  but receiving a broadcast content is being executed based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel, the video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  execute predetermined decoding processing on the broadcast content being received under the control of the controller  261 . Then, the video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  output the broadcast content to the video display  114  and the speaker  115 . 
     The controller  261  determines whether or not a content which is being currently reproduced can be considered as already viewed content (block S 8 ). In the case where the user has viewed the content more than a predetermined ratio (e.g., 20% of the content), the controller  261  determines that the content is already viewed. When it is determined that the content which is being currently reproduced is already viewed (YES in block S 8 ), the controller  261  writes a deletion permission attribute to the header of the content (block S 9 ). 
     The controller  261  determines whether or not reproduction of the contents scheduled based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is completed (block S 12 ). When reproduction of the contents included in the reproduction schedule is not completed (NO in block S 12 ), content reproduction is continued based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel until a channel is changed in block S 6 . 
     When the user selects a channel other than the favorite channel (NO in block S 6 ), the controller  261  stops reproducing content data read from the HDD  125  (block S 10 ). In the case where not reading data from the HDD  125  but reproducing a broadcast content which is currently broadcast is being executed, the reproduction of the broadcast content is stopped. 
     Thereafter, a broadcast content corresponding to the channel selection made by the user is received and reproduced (block S 11 ). That is, the video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  execute predetermined decoding processing on the broadcast content being currently received under the control of the controller  261 . The video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  output the decoded broadcast content to the video display  114  and the speaker  115 . 
     Subsequently, the controller  261  determines whether or not reproducing the contents scheduled based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is completed (block S 12 ). When reproduction of the contents included in the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is not completed (NO in block S 12 ), reception and reproduction of a broadcast content in accordance with channel selection made by the user is continued until a channel is changed in block S 6 . 
     Reading a stored content from the HDD  125  is carried out based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel. Thus, when the user changes the channel to the favorite channel from a channel other than the favorite channel (YES in block S 6 ), the content reproduction in the favorite channel is started again from a point which is advanced by a time corresponding to the time for which the user has viewed another channel (block S 7 ). That is, in the favorite channel, the stored content is reproduced as though it is a usual broadcast content. 
     When the reproduction of the contents included in the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is completed as described above (YES in block S 12 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated. 
     According to the present embodiment, when the power of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  turns on, scheduling of a stored but unviewed content is carried out. When the user selects the favorite channel, the unviewed content is reproduced according to the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel. Thus, the user only selects the favorite channel in the same manner as normal channel selection, and thereby, the unviewed content can be reproduced and viewed. That is, the user can view the unviewed content by similar operation to zapping and is not required to give specific instructions to view the unviewed content. 
     A deletion permission attribute is automatically affixed to a content which has been viewed to some extent in the favorite channel. The controller  261  deletes the content if necessary by reference to the deletion permission attribute. Therefore, shortage of the storage capacity of the HDD  125  can be prevented. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate portions corresponding to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted. The configuration of the second embodiment is as shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 . 
     In the first embodiment, reading content data from the HDD  125  is always carried out during the favorite channel reproduction processing. However, if accessing the HDD  125  is continued, the HDD  125  easily becomes breakable. Reading content data from the HDD  125  may be carried out according to need. In the second embodiment, when the favorite channel is selected, a seek position is calculated to reproduce a stored content. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of favorite channel reproducing processing according to the second embodiment. 
     When the power of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  turns on, the favorite channel reproducing processing is started. When the favorite channel reproducing processing is started, the controller  261  of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  determines whether or not a content which has not been viewed remains in the HDD  125  (block T 1 ). 
     When an unviewed content is not stored in the HDD  125  (NO in block T 1 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated. Then, ordinary reception of a broadcast content will be executed. 
     Conversely, when it is determined that an unviewed content remains in the HDD  125  (YES in block T 1 ), the controller  261  determines whether or not setting of favorite channel reproduction is on (block T 2 ). 
     When the setting of favorite channel reproduction is not on (NO in block T 2 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated. Then, ordinary reception of a broadcast content will be executed. 
     Conversely, when the setting of favorite channel reproduction is on (YES in block T 2 ), the controller  261  executes scheduling of contents to be reproduced in the favorite channel and creates a reproduction schedule of the favorite channel (block T 3 ). 
     The scheduling is carried out in the similar manner to the first embodiment. For example, a reproduction schedule of the favorite channel shown in  FIG. 4  is created. The created reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is stored in the ROM  261   a.    
     After scheduling, the controller  261  determines whether or not the favorite channel reproduction is possible (block T 4 ). As a result of the scheduling processing, when the schedule is not filled enough, it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is not possible. For example, when there is no unviewed content and the user previously sets the schedule so that viewing an ordinary broadcast content is not to be inserted to the empty time, the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is not filled enough. Therefore, it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is not possible (NO in block T 4 ). 
     When it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is not possible (NO in block T 4 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated, and then, ordinary reception of a broadcast content will be executed. 
     Conversely, when it is determined that the favorite channel reproduction is possible (YES in block T 4 ), the controller  261  starts up a built-in timer to start time measurement (block T 5 ). 
     When the user selects the favorite channel by operating the channel up/down key of the operation unit  116  or the channel up/down key or the direct channel selection key of the remote controller  117  (YES in block T 6 ), the controller  261  calculates a seek position to start reproduction of a stored content (block T 7 ). 
     That is, a position (seek position) to start reproduction (decoding processing) of the stored content, which enables reproduction in compliance with the reproduction schedule, is calculated based on the time measured by the timer and a bit rate of the stored content scheduled in the reproduction schedule. 
     When the seek position is calculated, content data stored in the HDD  125  is read from the calculated seek position, and reproduction of the read data is started (block T 8 ). That is, the video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  execute predetermined decoding processing on the content data read from the calculated seek position under the control of the controller  261 . The video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  output the decoded content data to the video display  114  and the speaker  115 . 
     The controller  261  determines whether or not a content which is being currently reproduced can be considered as already viewed content (block T 9 ). In the case where the user has viewed the content more than a predetermined ratio (e.g., 20% of the content), the controller  261  determines that the content is already viewed. When it is determined that the content which is being currently reproduced is already viewed (YES in block T 9 ), the controller  261  writes a deletion permission attribute to the header of the content (block T 10 ). 
     The controller  261  determines whether or not reproduction of the contents scheduled based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is completed (block T 13 ). When reproduction of the contents included in the reproduction schedule is not completed (NO in block T 13 ), content reproduction is continued based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel until a channel is changed in block T 6 . 
     When the user selects a channel other than the favorite channel (NO in block T 6 ), the controller  261  stops reproducing content data read from the HDD  125  (block T 11 ). In the case where not reading data from the HDD  125  but reproducing a broadcast content which is currently on the air is being executed, the reproduction of the broadcasting content is stopped. 
     Thereafter, a broadcast content corresponding to the channel selection made by the user is received and reproduced (block T 12 ). That is, the video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  execute predetermined decoding processing on the broadcast content being currently received under the control of the controller  261 . The video processor  258  and the audio processor  255  output the decoded broadcast content to the video display  114  and the speaker  115 . 
     Subsequently, the controller  261  determines whether or not reproducing the content scheduled based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is completed (block T 13 ). When reproduction of the contents included in the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is not completed (NO in block T 13 ), reception and reproduction of broadcast content in accordance with channel selection made by the user is continued until a channel is changed in block T 6 . 
     When the reproduction of the contents included in the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel is completed as described above (YES in block T 13 ), the favorite channel reproducing processing is terminated. 
     According to the present embodiment, when the favorite channel is selected, a seek position is calculated based on the time measured by the timer and the bit rate of a stored content. Reading the stored content data is started from the calculated seek position. Thus, there is no need to continue accessing the HDD  125 , and therefore, degradation of the HDD  125  can be prevented. 
     Reading a stored content from the HDD  125  is carried out from a seek position calculated based on the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel. When the user selects the favorite channel from a channel other than the favorite channel, the content reproduction in the favorite channel is started again from a point advanced by a time corresponding to the time for which the user has viewed another channel. That is, in the favorite channel, the stored content is reproduced as though it is a usual broadcast content. 
     According to the present embodiment, when the power of the digital television broadcast receiver  111  turns on, scheduling of a stored but unviewed content is carried out. When the user selects the favorite channel, the unviewed content is reproduced according to the reproduction schedule of the favorite channel. Thus, the user only selects the favorite channel in the same manner as normal channel selection, and thereby, the unviewed content can be reproduced and viewed. That is, the user can view the unviewed content by similar operation to zapping and is not required to give specific instructions to view the unviewed content. 
     A deletion permission attribute is automatically affixed to a content which has been viewed to some extent in the favorite channel. The controller  261  deletes the content if necessary by reference to the deletion permission attribute. Therefore, shortage of the storage capacity of the HDD  125  can be prevented. 
     In the foregoing first and second embodiments, when the user selects the favorite channel, a stored content can be viewed. When the selected channel changes to the favorite channel from a channel other than the favorite channel, the content is advanced by a time for which user has viewed the channel other than the favorite channel, and the content is reproduced. Thus, the user can view the stored content as though it is a usual broadcasting program. However, when the channel is changed from the favorite channel to another channel, a position at which the reproduction (decoding) is stopped in the reproduction schedule may be stored in the RAM  261   b ; and when the channel returns to the favorite channel again, the reproduction may be started again from the position at which the reproduction is stopped stored in the RAM  261   b . That is, when a change from the favorite channel to another channel is made, a resume position is stored in the RAM  261   b ; and when a change to the favorite channel is made, reproduction is started from the resume position. In this way, the user can view entirely the stored content in the favorite channel. 
     According to the foregoing first and second embodiments, a broadcast content is stored in the HDD  125 . However, the storage device is not limited to the HDD  125 . For example, the present invention is applicable to the case where the broadcast content is stored in the DVD recorder  129  having a built-in HDD via the second LAN terminal  122 . 
     In addition, the present invention is not limited to storage of broadcast content but also applicable to management of viewing a content acquired (downloaded) via a network. 
     While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The various modules of the systems described herein can be implemented as software applications, hardware and/or software modules, or components on one or more computers, such as servers. While the various modules are illustrated separately, they may share some or all of the same underlying logic or code. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.