Patent Publication Number: US-2012027377-A1

Title: Playback apparatus and program content transmitting and receiving system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a playback apparatus and a program content transmitting and receiving system, which are suitable for application to, for example, a television apparatus that has a plurality of program content storage locations and can display an electronic program guide. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the related art, television apparatuses configured to receive a television broadcast, and video record program content included in the television broadcast are in widespread use. 
     Among such television apparatuses, there has been proposed one in which a video recordings list screen listing the title of each video-recorded program content is displayed upon an operation by the user, and the program content to play back is selected and played back from the video recordings list screen (see, for example, PTL 1) 
     CITATION LIST 
     
         
         PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-177682 (FIG. 8) 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Incidentally, some television apparatuses are configured to not only play back program content recorded in the television apparatuses, but also receive and play back program content recorded on predetermined servers that exist on the Internet. 
     In the case of such televisions having a plurality of program content acquisition locations, there is a problem in that when the user is to play back desired program content, a cumbersome operation is required such that the user first selects the recording location of the desired program content and then selects the program. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned point, and proposes a playback apparatus and a program content transmitting and receiving system which make it possible to easily select program content, on a playback apparatus having a plurality of program content recording locations. 
     To solve the above problem, a playback apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving section that receives program information from an outside, a program information storage section in which the program information received by the receiving section is recorded and accumulated, a program guide data generating section that generates program guide data on a basis of past program information accumulated in the program information storage section, the program guide data serving as an electronic program guide in which the past program information is arranged in time series, a display section that displays the electronic program guide on a basis of the program guide data, a selecting section that causes program content to play back to be selected via the program information, from the electronic program guide displayed on the display section, a communication section that communicates data via a network with an external device having the program content, a program content storage section to which the program content is recorded, the program content storage section being provided separately from the external device, a recording management section that manages a recording location of the program content, and in response to an acquisition request for the program content, supplies recording location information indicating the program content storage section if the program content is stored in the program content storage section, and supplies recording location information indicating the external device if the program content is not stored in the program content storage section, and a playback control section that sends, when program content to play back is selected from the electronic program guide, an acquisition request for the program content to the recording management section, acquires recording location information for the program content to play back from the recording management section, and acquires and plays back the program content from the program content storage section or the external device indicated by the recording location information. 
     Thus, in the playback apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to perform video recording and playback of program content desired by the user by means of the electronic program guide, without making the user specify a program content recording location. 
     Also, a program content transmitting and receiving system according to the present invention includes a broadcast station server, and a playback apparatus, the broadcast station server including a storage section that stores program content that has been broadcast, and a broadcast station control section that communicates data via a network with the playback apparatus that plays back program content, and transmits the program content to the playback apparatus, the playback apparatus including a receiving section that receives program information from an outside, a program information storage section in which the program information received by the receiving section is recorded and accumulated, a program guide data generating section that generates program guide data on a basis of past program information accumulated in the program information storage section, the program guide data serving as an electronic program guide in which the past program information is arranged in time series, a display section that displays the electronic program guide on a basis of the program guide data, a selecting section that causes program content to play back to be selected via the program information, from the electronic program guide displayed on the display section, a communication section that communicates data via a network with the broadcast station server having the program content, a program content storage section to which the program content is recorded, the program content storage section being provided separately from the broadcast station server, a recording management section that manages a recording location of the program content, and in response to an acquisition request for the program content, supplies recording location information indicating the program content storage section if the program content is stored in the program content storage section, and supplies recording location information indicating the broadcast station server if the program content is not stored in the program content storage section, and a playback control section that sends, when program content to play back is selected from the electronic program guide, an acquisition request for the program content to the recording management section, acquires recording location information for the program content to play back from the recording management section, and acquires and plays back the program content from the program content storage section or the broadcast station server indicated by the recording location information. 
     Thus, in the program content transmitting and receiving system according to the present invention, it is possible to perform video recording and playback of program content desired by the user by means of the electronic program guide, without making the user specify a program content recording location. 
     According to the present invention, the playback apparatus and the program content transmitting and receiving system make it possible to perform video recording and playback of program content desired by the user by means of the electronic program guide, without making the user specify a program content recording location. In this way, the present invention can realize a playback apparatus and a program content transmitting and receiving system which make it possible to easily select program content, on a playback apparatus having a plurality of program content recording locations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a program content transmitting and receiving system. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a television apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing an electronic program guide. 
         FIG. 4  is a sequence chart showing a program recording procedure by a program content transmitting and receiving system. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a program playback procedure by a television apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing an URL transmitting procedure by a video recording management server. 
         FIG. 7  is a sequence chart showing a program playback procedure by a program content transmitting and receiving system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinbelow, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described. It should be noted that the description will be given in the following order. 
     1. Embodiment 
     2. Other embodiments 
     1. Embodiment 
     1-1. Overall Configuration of Program Content Transmitting and Receiving System 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a program content transmitting and receiving system  1  as an embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a television apparatus  10 , a video recording management server  11 , a broadcast station content server  12 , and a user content server  13 . 
     The video recording management server  11 , the broadcast station content server  12 , and the user content server  13  are each assigned its own unique URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and configured to be accessible from an externally provided device via the Internet NT. 
     A control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  causes a storage section  15  to store, for each program content, program management information in which a program ID, recording location information, and a video recording condition are associated with each other, thereby managing the program management information. The program ID is an ID uniquely assigned to every program content. 
     The recording location information includes the URL of the broadcast station content server  12  or the user content server  13 , and indicates on which of the servers program content corresponding to the program ID is recorded. 
     The video recording condition indicates whether a control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  is on standby for video recording of program content to the user content server  13 , video recording is in progress, or video recording is complete. When video recording is in progress, the video recording condition also includes the completed video recording time with respect to the total video recording time of the program content to be video recorded. 
     In response to an access from the television apparatus  10 , the video recording management server  11  returns the video recording condition, and the URL of the broadcast station content server  12  or the user content server  13  as the recording location information. 
     The user content server  13  is provided as an external storage medium for the television apparatus  10 , and under control of a control section  18 , receives program content from the television apparatus  10  via the Internet NT, and records the program content to a storage section  19 . 
     The television apparatus  10  is connected to the Internet NT via a router  31 , and retains the URL of the video recording management server  11  in the inside. 
     Also, since the television apparatus  10  uses the externally provided user content server  13  as the storage medium for program content, the television apparatus  10  does not have a large capacity storage section for recording program content in the inside. 
     Further, by accessing the video recording management server  11 , without retaining the URLs of the broadcast station content server  12  and the user content server  13 , and without managing the video recording condition of program content or the like, either, the television apparatus  10  acquires the URLs and the video recording condition or the like. 
     Here, when an operation to video record a program is made by the user to record program content, the television apparatus  10  receives a television broadcast signal from a broadcast station (not shown) by an antenna  23 . Subsequently, the television apparatus  10  applies various kinds of signal processing or the like to the television broadcast signal, accesses the video recording management server  11  to acquire the URL of the user content server  13 , and transmits and records the resulting data to the user content server  13  as an external storage medium. 
     The broadcast station content server  12  has, in a storage section  17 , all of program content on all broadcast channels which has been broadcast by television in the past. Further, when, for example, the user wants to view a program the user forgot to video record, under control by a control section  16 , the broadcast station content server  12  distributes the program content by streaming in response to a request from the television apparatus  10 . 
     On the other hand, when playing back program content, the television apparatus  10  accesses the video recording management server  11 , and acquires the URL of the server on which desired program content is recorded. Further, the television apparatus  10  receives the program content desired by the user by accessing the server (the broadcast station content server  12  or the user content server  13 ) having the server URL. 
     Incidentally, in the program content transmitting and receiving system  1 , when program content previously recorded to the user content server  13  by the user is later received and played back on the television apparatus  10  by the user, no program content viewing fee is charged to the user. 
     However, for example, when a program the user forgot to video record is later received by the user from the broadcast station content server  12 , the user needs to pay a program content viewing fee. 
     In this way, as a client to various servers, the television apparatus  10  is configured to transmit and receive information and program content with the various servers via the Internet NT. 
     1-2. Configuration of Television Apparatus 
     [1-2-1. Transmission of Program Content to Server] 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the television apparatus  10  has the control section  20  formed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control section  20  is configured to execute various kinds of processing in accordance with various application programs such as a basic program and a program content transmitting and receiving program stored in a non-volatile memory  21 . 
     The television apparatus  10  accepts an operation made by the user via an operating section  22 . When an operation is made by the user, the operating section  22  supplies a predetermined operation signal to the control section  20 . At this time, the control section  20  is configured to execute various kinds of processing in response to the operation signal. 
     Hereinafter, a description will be given of the case in which the television apparatus  10  receives a television broadcast signal via the antenna  23 , and transmits and records program content based on the television broadcast signal to the user content server  13  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     When instructed to video record a program by a user operation, on the basis of control by the control section  20 , the television apparatus  10  supplies a digital television broadcast signal received via the antenna  23  from the broadcast station (not shown) of the television broadcast, to a tuner  24 . 
     In the digital television broadcast signal, broadcast signals on all broadcast channels are time division multiplexed, and transmitted as a single multiplexed television broadcast signal. Hereinafter, this digital television broadcast signal will be referred to as television broadcast signal. 
     On the basis of control by the control section  20 , the tuner  24  extracts a broadcast signal for a broadcast channel specified by a user operation, from the time division multiplexed television broadcast signal, further applies a demodulation process to the extracted broadcast channel signal to generate a transport stream TS 1 , and supplies the transport stream TS 1  to a descrambler  25 . 
     The descrambler  25  reads scramble key data for descrambling from an IC (Integrated Circuit) card inserted in a card slot (not shown) provided in the television apparatus  10 , and applies descrambling to the transport stream TS 1 . The descrambler  25  thus generates a decoded transport stream TS 2 , and supplies the transport stream TS 2  to a demultiplexer  26 . 
     The demultiplexer  26  separates video data DV, audio data DA, metadata DM, and EPG data DE from the transport stream TS 2 . Subsequently, the demultiplexer  26  supplies the video data DV and the audio data DA to a selector switch  27 , and supplies the metadata DM and the EPG data DE to the control section  20  as program information. 
     The EPG data DE includes, for example, as information about each program planned to be broadcast, a program ID, a broadcast station name, a channel number, a broadcast date and time (including the broadcast start time instant and the broadcast end time instant), a broadcasting time (the broadcasting time from the broadcast start time instant to the broadcast end time instant), a genre, a program overview, program details, cast, and so on. 
     Also, the metadata DM includes a logo image of a broadcast station, a thumbnail image of a program, bit rate information, resolution information, and the like related to each program planned to be broadcast. 
     The bit rate information is information about the bit rate indicating the required bandwidth after video data DV and audio data DA are compressed. The resolution information indicates information about the resolution of video based on video data DA. Examples of the resolution include HD (High Definition) and SD (Standard Definition). 
     In response to this, the control section  20  records and accumulates the acquired EPG data DE and metadata DM into the non-volatile memory  21 . Also, the control section  20  is configured to save the EPG data DE and the metadata DM even after the end of broadcast of a program. 
     On the basis of control by the control section  20 , the selector switch  27  switches the transmission location of the supplied data to a multiplexer  28 , and supplies the video data DV and the audio data DA supplied from the demultiplexer  26  to the multiplexer  28 . 
     The multiplexer  28  time division multiplexes the video data DV and the audio data DA, thereby converting these pieces of data into a transport stream TS 3  in a predetermined multiplexed container format, and supplies the transport stream TS 3  to a network processing section  29 . 
     The network processing section  29  converts the transport stream TS 3  into AV data DAV by applying protocol processing such as TCP/IP, and supplies the AV data DAV to a buffer  30 . The AV data DAV supplied to the buffer  30  is transmitted via the router  31  to the user content server  13  connected to the Internet NT. 
     Incidentally, in the case where, due to a limit on the bandwidth when transmitting to the Internet NT, or the like, it is necessary to reduce the bandwidth of the AV data DAV transmitted to the user content server  13 , the selector switch  27  switches the transmission location of the data supplied from the demultiplexer  26  to an AV decoder  32  on the basis of control by the control section  20 . 
     Subsequently, the selector switch  27  supplies the video data DV and the audio data DA supplied from the demultiplexer  26  to the AV decoder  32 . 
     The AV decoder  32  generates a video signal SV and an audio signal SA by decoding the video data DV and the audio data DA, and supplies the video signal SV and the audio signal SA to an AV encoder  33 . 
     The AV encoder  33  applies compression encoding while making the compression efficiency of the video signal SV and the audio signal SA higher, or applies compression encoding while limiting the bit rate, thereby generating video data DV and audio data DA, and supplies the video data DV and the audio data DA to the multiplexer  28 . 
     The multiplexer  28  generates a transport stream TS 3  in a predetermined multiplexed container format from the video data DV and the audio data DA, and supplies the transport stream TS 3  to the network processing section  29 . 
     The network processing section  29  converts the transport stream TS 3  into AV data DAV by applying protocol processing such as TCP/IP, and transmits the AV data DAV to the user content server  13  ( FIG. 1 ) connected to the Internet NT, via the buffer  30  and the router  31 . 
     In this way, when video recording program content, the television apparatus  10  receives a television broadcast signal via the antenna  23 . Subsequently, the television apparatus  10  records and accumulates EPG data DE and metadata DM included in the television broadcast signal into the non-volatile memory  21 . At the same time, the television apparatus  10  is configured to transmit and record program content based on the television broadcast signal to the user content server  13 . 
     [1-2-2. Playback of Program Content] 
     On the other hand, when instructed to play back program content by a user operation, the television apparatus  10  acquires program content recorded on the external broadcast station content server  12  or user content server  13 , and performs various kinds of processing before displaying the video of the program content on a display  35 . 
     The television apparatus  10  is configured to receive and acquire program content from the broadcast station content server  12  or the user content server  13 . Hereinafter, a description will be given of a case in which program content is received from the user content server  13  and played back by streaming. 
     On the basis of control by the control section  20 , the television apparatus  10  supplies the AV data DAV of program content, which is received via the router  31  from the user content server  13  connected to the Internet NT, to the buffer  30 . 
     The buffer  30  supplies the supplied AV data DAV to the network processing section  29 . The network processing section  29  converts the AV data DAV into a transport stream TS 4 , and supplies the transport stream TS 4  to a demultiplexer  37 . 
     The demultiplexer  37  separates video data DV and audio data DA from the transport stream TS 4 , and supplies those pieces of data to the selector switch  27 . 
     On the basis of control by the control section  20 , the selector switch  27  switches the transmission location of the supplied data to the AV decoder  32 , and supplies the video data DV and the audio data DA supplied from the demultiplexer  37  to the AV decoder  32 . 
     The AV decoder  32  generates a video signal SV and an audio signal SA by decoding the video data DV and the audio data DA, and supplies the video signal SV and the audio signal SA to a display control section  34  and a speaker (not shown), respectively. 
     The display control section  34  generates a screen signal on the basis of the supplied video signal SV and outputs the screen signal to the display  35 , thereby displaying program video based on the video signal SV on the display  35 . 
     In the foregoing, a description has been given of the case in which the television apparatus  10  receives program content from the user content server  13  and plays back the program content by streaming. On the other hand, in the case of receiving program content from the broadcast station content server  12  as well, the television apparatus  10  performs the processing described above for streaming playback of the program content. 
     In this connection, when instructed to receive a television broadcast signal by a user operation, on the basis of control by the control section  20 , the television apparatus  10  receives the television broadcast signal via the antenna  23 , and switches the selector switch  27  to the AV decoder  32  to thereby play back program content based on the television broadcast signal and display the program content on the display  35 . At this time as well, the control section  25  records and accumulates the acquired EPG data DE and metadata DM into the non-volatile memory  21 . 
     In this way, the television apparatus  10  is configured to receive the AV data DAV of program content via the router  31  from a predetermined server and display the AV data DAV on the display  35  to thereby perform streaming playback. 
     1-3. Configuration of Electronic Program Guide 
     In this connection, when it is instructed by a user operation to display an electronic program guide on the display  35 , the control section  20  generates electronic program guide data on the basis of EPG data DE and metadata DM accumulated in the non-volatile memory  21 , and supplies the electronic program guide data to the display control section  34 . 
     The display control section  34  generates a screen signal on the basis of the supplied electronic program guide data and outputs the screen signal to the display  35 , thereby displaying an electronic program guide  100  shown in  FIG. 3  on the display  35 . 
     In the electronic program guide  100 , program information display fields SPG showing information related to program content are arranged in tabular form, in time series for each broadcast channel. In each of the program information display fields SPG, a logo image or thumbnail image included in the metadata DM is displayed as a program image PP, and a program overview included in the EPG data DE is displayed as a program details description PD. 
     Here, in the electronic program guide  100 , an electronic program guide  100 Y for yesterday included in the past EPG data DE accumulated in the non-volatile memory  21 , and an electronic program guide  100 T for today included in the latest EPG data DE indicating a future broadcast schedule are combined together and displayed integrally. 
     In the electronic program guide  100 , information related to program content is displayed as program information display fields SPG 1  and SPG 2 , and information is displayed in the same manner for other program content as well. Hereinafter, programs indicated by the program information display fields SPG 1  and SPG 2  will be referred to as programs PG 1  and PG 2 . 
     Also, the electronic program guide  100  is configured to not only show a broadcast schedule or the like, but also allow selection of a program to play back and a program to be scheduled for video recording as the electronic program guide  100  is operated by the user. 
     Here, when a predetermined program information display field SPG is selected from the electronic program guide  100  by a user operation, the control section  20  recognizes that the program PG indicated by this program information display field SPG has been specified. When the predetermined program information display field SPG is selected from the electronic program guide  100  and, further, a scheduled video recording is made, the control section  20  stands by for video recording until the broadcast start time instant of the program scheduled for video recording. In this connection, when making a scheduled video recording, the user can specify the bit rate, resolution, and the like. Those pieces of information are recorded to the non-volatile memory  21  in association with a program ID. 
     Further, to display the electronic program guide  100 , the control section  20  accesses the video recording management server  11 , and acquires the video recording condition of program content to be displayed on the electronic program guide  100 . 
     Subsequently, on the basis of the acquired video recording condition, the control section  20  generates electronic program guide data in such a way that a video recording status RS indicating the video recording condition of program content to the user content server  13  is displayed in the program information display field SPG of each of programs scheduled for video recording in the electronic program guide  100 . Subsequently, the control section  20  supplies the electronic program guide data to the display control section  34 . 
     The display control section  34  generates a screen signal on the basis of the supplied electronic program guide data and outputs the screen signal to the display  35 , thereby displaying the electronic program guide  100  shown in  FIG. 3  on the display  35 . 
     Here, letting the current time instant be current time instant CT, the current time instant CT has not yet reached the broadcast start time instant of the program PG 1 . Therefore, in the video recording status RS displayed below the program image PP and program details description PD of the program information display field SPG 1 , as a recording standby mark, the letters Video Recording Standby indicating a state in which the start of video recording is being put on standby until the broadcast start time instant, and a video recording status bar RB whose inside is not filled in with black are displayed. 
     1-4. Procedure of Program Content Recording to Server 
     Next, a description will be given of a program recording procedure RT 1  when the television apparatus  10  records program content to the user content server  13  in the program content transmitting and receiving system  1 , by using the sequence flowchart shown in  FIG. 4  with the program PG 2  taken as an example. 
     When the broadcast start time instant of the program PG 2  indicated by the program information display field SPG 2  ( FIG. 3 ) arrives, the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  transfers to step SP 1  in the program recording procedure RT 1 . 
     In step SP 1 , the control section  20  reads the broadcasting time from the broadcast start time instant to the broadcast end time instant, resolution information, and bit rate information of the program PG 2  from the non-volatile memory  21 . Subsequently, the control section  20  transmits the broadcasting time as video recording time information, and also the resolution information and the bit rate information to the video recording management server  11 . At the same time, the control section  20  transmits a video recording request to the video recording management server  11 . 
     On the other hand, in step SP 2 , the control section  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the video recording management server  11  receives the video recording time information, the resolution information, the bit rate information, and the video recording request, reads the URL of the user content server  13  from the storage section  15 , and transmits the URL to the television apparatus  10 . Subsequently, the control section  14  updates the program recording location of the program PG 2  to the user content server  13  in program management information. 
     In step SP 3 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  receives the URL of the user content server  13 , and transfers to step SP 4 . 
     In step SP 4 , the control section  20  references the received URL of the user content server  13 , and transmits settings information for establishing a session with the user content server  13  to the user content server  13 . 
     In step SP 5 , the control section  18  ( FIG. 1 ) of the user content server  13  receives the settings information, and transmits an acknowledgment Ack to the television apparatus  10 . 
     In step SP 6 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  transmits video recording time information, resolution information, and bit rate information to the user content server  13 , as information about the program content to record. 
     In step SP 7 , the control section  18  of the user content server  13  receives the video recording time information, the resolution information, and the bit rate information, and transmits an acknowledgement Ack to the television apparatus  10 . 
     In step SP 8 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  transmits the AV data DAV of the program to record to the user content server  13 . In response to this, the control section  18  of the user content server  13  receives the AV data DAV and records the AV data DAV to the storage section  19 . 
     Here, the control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  constantly monitors the video recording condition of program content from the television apparatus  10  to the user content server  13 . The television apparatus  11  receives the video recording condition of program content from the video recording management server  11  whenever necessary (not shown). 
     Upon transmitting all of the AV data DAV of the program content to be video recorded to the user content server  13 , in step SP 9 , the control section  20  transmits a transmit end notification STOP to the user content server  13 . 
     In step SP 10 , the control section  18  of the user content server  13  receives the transmit end notification STOP and transmits an acknowledgment Ack to the television apparatus  10 , thereby completing reception of the AV data DAV of program content. 
     In this way, in the program content transmitting and receiving system  1 , the control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  is configured to transmit the URL of the user content server  13  on which to record program content, to the television apparatus  10 . 
     In response to this, the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  is configured to access the user content server  13  specified by the above-mentioned URL, and transmit the AV data DAV of program content, thereby recording the program content to the user content server  13 . 
     Incidentally, as described above, the control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  constantly monitors the video recording condition of program content from the television apparatus  10  to the user content server  13 . 
     When it is instructed by a user operation to display the electronic program guide  100 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  accesses the video recording management server  11 , and acquires the video recording condition of the program content to be displayed in the electronic program guide  100 . 
     In step SP 8  described above, the control section  20  presents the user with the ratio of a completed video recording time with respect to the total video recording time of the program PG 2 , by varying the display of the video recording status RS in the program information display field SPG 2  of the electronic program guide  100  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Specifically, the control section  20  displays the letters Video Recording in Progress as a recording-in-progress mark, and updates the display of the video recording status RS in the program information display field SPG 2  of the program PG 2  in such a way that as the currently recorded ratio of the video recording time of the program PG 2  increases, the area inside the video recording status bar RB which is filled in with black is extended to the right side. 
     Also, programs PG 3  and PG 4  indicated by program information display fields SPG 3  and SPG 4  of the electronic program guide  100  ( FIG. 3 ) are programs that were broadcast yesterday. In the control section  20 , by making a scheduled video recording by a user operation in advance, and executing the program recording procedure RT 1  described above, recording of the programs PG 3  and PG 4  to the user content server  13  have been completed. 
     For such programs whose video recording has been completed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the control section  20  displays a video recording complete mark RM as a recording complete mark below the program image PP and program details description PD of each of the program information display fields SPG 3  and SPG 4 . 
     1-5. Procedure of Program Content Playback from Server 
     Next, a description will be given of a program playback procedure RT 2  when the television apparatus  10  receives and plays back program content from a predetermined server, by using the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In step SP 20 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  determines whether or not an instruction to play back a program PG has been made after a predetermined program information display field SPG is selected from the electronic program guide  100  by a user operation. If a negative result is obtained here, the control section  20  returns to step SP 20 , and waits for an instruction to play back a program PG from the user again. 
     If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP 20 , the control section  20  transfers to the next step SP 21 , reads from the non-volatile memory  21  a program ID assigned to the program specified by the user and transmits the program ID to the video recording management server  11 , and transfers to step SP 22 . 
     The control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  has, in association with each program ID, the URL of a server on which program content corresponding to the program ID is stored, as recording location information. In step SP 22 , the control section  20  determines whether or not the URL of a server on which the program content of the program corresponding to the program ID transmitted in step SP 22  is recorded has been received from the video recording management server  11 . If a negative result is obtained here, the control section  20  returns to step SP 22 , and waits for the URL to be transmitted from the video recording management server  11  again. 
     If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP 22 , the control section  20  transfers to the next step SP 23 , accesses the server indicated by the URL received in step SP 22  (will be described later in detail), and performs streaming playback while receiving the program content. Thereafter, the control section  20  transfers to step SP 24 , and ends the program playback procedure RT 2 . 
     In this way, when playing back a program, the television apparatus  10  is configured to acquire the URL of a server that stores the program content from the video recording management server  11  that manages program content, and receive and play back the program content from the server indicated by the URL. 
     Next, a description will be given of an URL transmitting procedure RT 3  when the video recording management server  11  receives a program ID from the television apparatus  10 , and transmits to the television apparatus  10  the URL of a server on which program content corresponding to the program ID is recorded, by using the flowchart shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In step SP 30 , the control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  determines whether or not a program ID has been received from the television apparatus  10 . If a negative result is obtained here, the control section  14  returns to step SP 30 , and waits for transmission of a program ID from the television apparatus  10  again. 
     If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP 30 , the control section  14  transfers to the next step SP 31 , and determines whether or not program content corresponding to the program ID received in step SP 30  is recorded on the user content server  13 . 
     At this time, for programs that have already been television broadcast and recorded on the user content server  13 , the video recording complete mark RM is displayed as shown in the program information display fields SPG 3  and SPG 4  of the electronic program guide  100  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     If an affirmative result is obtained here, the control section  14  transfers to step SP 32 , transmits to the television apparatus  10  the URL of the user content server  13  on which the program content of a program corresponding to the program ID is recorded, and transfers to step SP 34  to end the URL transmitting procedure RT 3 . 
     On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP 31 , the control section  14  transfers to step SP 33 , transmits to the television apparatus  10  the URL of the broadcast station content server  12  on which the program content of a program corresponding to the program ID is recorded, and transfers to step SP 34  to end the URL transmitting procedure RT 3 . 
     As described above, in the program content transmitting and receiving system  1 , a program content viewing fee is charged when receiving program content from the broadcast station content server  12 . 
     At this time, in the URL transmitting procedure RT 3 , the control section  14  determines whether or not program content desired by the user is recorded on the user content server  13 . 
     Thus, the control section  14  can preferentially specify program content stored on the user content server  13  for which no program content viewing fee will be charged even when the user receives the program content. 
     Next, a description will be given of a program playback procedure RT 4  when the television apparatus  10  receives program content from a server specified by the video recording management server  11  in the program content transmitting and receiving system  1 , by using the sequence chart shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In this connection, the television apparatus  10  is configured to receive program content from the broadcast station content server  12  or the user content server  13 . Hereinafter, the case of receiving program content from the user content server  13  will be described. 
     The program playback procedure RT 4  illustrates in detail the process sequence between the television apparatus  10  and each of the video recording management server  11  and the user content server  13 , at the time of executing the program playback procedure RT 2  by the television apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     When, for example, the program PG 3  indicated by the program information display field SPG 3  is selected and then its playback is instructed by the user in the electronic program guide  100  ( FIG. 3 ), the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  transfers to step SP 41  in the program playback procedure RT 4 . 
     In step SP 41 , the control section  20  reads the program ID of the program PG 3  from the non-volatile memory  21  and transmits the program ID to the video recording management server  11 . At the same time, the control section  20  transmits a playback request to the video recording management server  11 . 
     On the other hand, in step SP 42 , the control section  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the video recording management server  11  receives the program ID and the playback request, reads the URL of the user content server  13  from the storage section  15 , and transmits the URL to the television apparatus  10 . 
     In step SP 43 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  receives the URL of the user content server  13 , and transfers to step SP 44 . 
     In step SP 44 , the control section  20  references the received URL of the user content server  13 , and transmits settings information for establishing a session with the user content server  13  to the user content server  13 . 
     In step SP 45 , the control section  18  ( FIG. 1 ) of the user content server  13  receives the settings information, and transmits an acknowledgment Ack to the television apparatus  10 . 
     In step SP 46 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  transmits playback operation information indicating an operation such as playback, pause, fast forward, and rewind of program content to the user content server  13 . 
     In step SP 47 , the control section  18  of the user content server  13  receives the playback operation information, and transmits an acknowledgment Ack to the television apparatus  10 . 
     In step SP 48 , the control section  18  starts transmission of the AV data DAV of program content to the television apparatus  10 . Here, for example, when fast forward has been instructed by the above-mentioned playback operation information, the control section  18  transmits AV data DAV that is being fast forwarded to the television apparatus  10 . 
     When playback of program content is stopped upon an instruction by a user operation, or when all of the AV data DAV of the program content to play back has been received, in step SP 49 , the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  transmits a receive end notification STOP to the user content server  13 . 
     In step SP 50 , the control section  18  of the user content server  13  receives the receive end notification STOP and transmits an acknowledgment Ack to the television apparatus  10 , thereby completing transmission of the AV data DAV of program content. 
     In this way, in the program content transmitting and receiving system  1 , the control section  14  of the video recording management server  11  transmits to the television apparatus  10  the URL of the user content server  13  on which program content selected for playback by a user operation is recorded. 
     In response to this, the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  is configured to access the user content server  13  specified by the above-mentioned URL and receive AV data DAV, thereby performing streaming playback of program content based on the AV data DAV. 
     On the other hand, for example, in a program information display field SPG 5  of the electronic program guide  100  ( FIG. 3 ), the video recording complete mark RM is not displayed, and program content desired by the user is not recorded on the user content server  13 . 
     Here, when a program PG 5  indicated by the program information display field SPG 5  is selected and then its playback is instructed by a user operation, the television apparatus  10  receives the program content from the broadcast station content server  12 . At this time, the program content transmitting and receiving system  1  executes processing similar to the program playback procedure RT 4  by the television apparatus  10 , the video recording management server  11 , and the broadcast station content server  12 . 
     In step SP 42 , the video recording management server  11  transmits the URL of the broadcast station content server  12  having the program content desired by the user to the television apparatus  10 . Also, the video recording management server  11  executes a process sequence in the same manner as the user content server  13 . 
     As a result, the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  is configured to access the broadcast station content server  12  and receive AV data DAV, thereby performing streaming playback of the program content based on the AV data DAV. 
     1-6. Operation and Effect 
     According to the configuration mentioned above, the television apparatus  10  is configured to receive a television broadcast signal via the antenna  23 , and record program content to the user content server  13  that is externally provided. 
     Therefore, in the television apparatus  10 , a large-capacity storage section to be internally provided such as a hard disk can be omitted, thereby enabling a reduction in the cost of the television apparatus  10 . Also, although the storage capacity of a hard disk or the like that can be installed in the television apparatus  10  is limited, if, for example, a plurality of user content servers  13  are made available, it is possible for the television apparatus  10  to use a very large capacity storage section without having such a storage section internally installed. 
     Also, the television apparatus  10  is configured to display the electronic program guide  100  on the display  35 , and when video recording of a desired program is instructed by the user in the electronic program guide  100 , record the program to the user content server  13  indicated by an URL acquired from the video recording management server  11 . 
     Further, when playback of a desired program is instructed by the user in the electronic program guide  100 , the television apparatus  10  is configured to receive the program from a server indicated by an URL acquired from the video recording management server  11 . 
     Therefore, the user can instruct a record/playback process by simply selecting a desired program in the electronic program guide  100 . 
     Further, the television apparatus  10  is configured to record and accumulate EPG data DE and metadata DM included in a television broadcast signal into the non-volatile memory  21 , and save those pieces of data even after the end of broadcast of a program. 
     Therefore, the television apparatus  10  can display not only a future electronic program guide but also a past electronic program guide, and can present the user with an indication of whether or not a program has been video recorded in the past. 
     Further, the television apparatus  10  allows the user to select and play back desired program content in the electronic program guide  100 , without going through the procedure of selecting the recording location of previously video-recorded program content and then selecting the previously video-recorded program content. 
     Therefore, the user can select all of program content that has been broadcast from the electronic program guide  100 , irrespective of whether the corresponding program content is previously video-recorded content or not. Also, for example, even in the case of program content the user forgot to video record, since the program content is displayed in the electronic program guide  100 , by selecting and instructing playback of the program content, the program content received from a server can be viewed. 
     Also, the video recording management server  11  is configured to manage, in association with the program ID of each program content, recording location information indicating on which server each program content is stored, and a video recording condition as the recording condition of program content on the television apparatus  10 , as program management information. Further, the video recording management server  11  is configured to return the URL of a predetermined server, video recording condition, and the like in response to an access from the television apparatus  10 . 
     Therefore, the television apparatus  10  does not need to manage the recording location and video recording condition of program content but can acquire those pieces of information by simply accessing the video recording management server  11  when those pieces of information become necessary. 
     Thus, the user does not need to remember the recording location of desired program content, nor does the user need to do a search even if the user no longer knows the recording location. 
     Further, the television apparatus  10  is configured to display the electronic program guide  100  in substantially the same manner as so-called TV listings, so that the user can instruct a record/playback process by means of the electronic program guide  100 . 
     Conventionally, the user interface used in a television apparatus when selecting program content differs for each manufacturer that designed the television apparatus or each model, causing the user the trouble of learning how to operate the user interface. 
     In contrast, according to the present invention, by means of the electronic program guide  100  having substantially the same display form as TV listings, the user can make an operation to select a desired program as if looking at the familiar TV listings, irrespective of the manufacturer that designed the television apparatus  10 . 
     Also, when the television apparatus  10  plays back program content, the video recording management server  11  is configured to determine the recording location of desired program content, and preferentially specify the user content server  13 . 
     Thus, even when the same program content is recorded on the broadcast station content server  12  and the user content server  13 , the television apparatus  10  can receive the program content from the user content server  13  for which no program content viewing fee needs to be paid. 
     Further, the television apparatus  10  is configured to display the video recording complete mark RM in the electronic program guide  100  for programs previously recorded on the user content server  13 , and not to display the video recording complete mark RM for programs that have not been recorded. 
     Thus, on the basis of the presence/absence of display of the video recording complete mark RM, the television apparatus  10  allows the user who is looking at the electronic program guide  100  to preferentially select program content that is free of charge, or to decide whether or not to view program content even if the user is charged for the program content. 
     Further, the television apparatus  10  is configured to display the video recording status RS indicating the video recording condition of program content to the user content server  13 , in the program information display field SPG of each of programs scheduled for video recording in the electronic program guide  100 . 
     Thus, the television apparatus  10  enables the user to recognize the video recording conditions of a plurality of programs at a glance by means of the electronic program guide  100 . 
     According to the configuration mentioned above, the video recording management server  11  manages program IDs, the video recording condition of program content on the television apparatus  10 , and recording location information indicating on which server (the broadcast station content server  12  or the user content server  13 ) each program content is recorded, in association with each other as program management information. The television apparatus  10  displays the electronic program guide  100  in which past and future programs are displayed integrally, and displays the video recording complete mark RM for programs previously recorded on the user content server  13 . On the other hand, when an instruction to play back program content is made in the electronic program guide  100 , the television apparatus  10  receives from the video recording management server  11  the URL of a server that has the program content to play back, and receives the program content from the server indicated by the URL to perform streaming playback. 
     Thus, the television apparatus  10  can perform video recording and playback of program content desired by the user by means of the electronic program guide  100 , without making the user specify a program content recording location. 
     2. Other Embodiments 
     It should be noted that the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which when a scheduled video recording time instant arrives, the television apparatus  10  transmits and records program content to the user content server  13 , and also when an instruction to play back program content is made by a user operation, the television apparatus  10  receives and plays back the program content from a predetermined server. 
     The present invention is not limited to this. The television apparatus  10  may be configured to transmit and record program content to the user content server  13  while receiving a television broadcast signal and letting the user view the television broadcast signal, or while receiving program content from a predetermined server and letting the user view the program content. 
     In this case, if the television apparatus  10  is configured to constantly transmit and record program content to the user content server  13  even while letting the user view a program, all of program content on a predetermined broadcast channel can be recorded to the user content server  13 . 
     Further, in this case, if the television apparatus  10  has a plurality of tuners, all of program content on a plurality of broadcast channels can be recorded to the user content server  13 . 
     Also, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which, without changing the bit rate, resolution, or the like of a received television broadcast signal, the television apparatus  10  transmits and records program content based on the television broadcast signal to the user content server  13  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The present invention is not limited to this. The television apparatus  10  may change the bit rate, resolution, or the like of a television broadcast signal, and record the resulting television broadcast signal to the user content server  13 . In short, it suffices for the television apparatus  10  to convert a television broadcast signal into a desired format to be later viewed by the user, and record the television broadcast signal to the user content server  13 . 
     Also, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the video recording management server  11  manages the video recording condition of program content on the television apparatus  10 . 
     The present invention is not limited to this. The control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  may be configured to manage the video recording condition of program content or the like. 
     Also, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the television apparatus  10  transmits and records program content to the user content server  13  on the Internet NT, without having an internal storage section such as a hard disk. 
     The present invention is not limited to this. The television apparatus  10  may be configured to be installed with a storage section such as a hard disk, and record program content to the storage section. In this case, the control section  20  of the television apparatus  10  may manage the video recording condition of program content or the like. 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the television apparatus  10  receives a television broadcast signal via the antenna  23 , and transmits and records the AV data DAV of program content to the user content server  13 . 
     The present invention is not limited to this. The television apparatus  10  may receive an Internet broadcast signal via a router from a broadcast distribution server connected to the Internet which stores the same program content as program content based on a television broadcast signal. Further, in this case, the television apparatus  10  may be configured such that program content included in the Internet broadcast signal is transmitted and recorded to the user content server  13  via the Internet NT from the broadcast distribution server without going through the television apparatus  10 . 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the television apparatus  10  receives a television broadcast signal in digital broadcast. 
     The present invention is not limited to this, and an analog television broadcast signal may be received. In analog television broadcast, in a broadcast signal for a predetermined broadcast channel of an analog television broadcast signal, pieces of EPG data for all broadcast channels are collectively included and transmitted regularly. 
     In this case, the television apparatus may extract the pieces of EPG data for all the broadcast channels by means of a tuner that is set to select this broadcast channel. 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which a single broadcast station content server  12  and a single user content server  13  are provided on the Internet NT. 
     The present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of broadcast stations may each be independently provided with a broadcast station content server connected to the Internet NT. Also, there may be provided a plurality of user content servers connected to the Internet NT. In that case as well, the video recording management server  11  may manage the URLs of those servers. 
     In this case, upon receiving a video recording request from the television apparatus  10 , the video recording management server  11  decides on which of the plurality of user content servers program content is to be recorded, on the basis of video recording time information, resolution information, and bit rate information. 
     For example, the user content server on which to record program content is decided on the basis of whether or not the program content can be recorded relative to the remaining recording capacity of the storage section of the user content server, or the state of the network (traffic or the like), and the URL indicating the user content server is transmitted to the television apparatus  10 . 
     Even in the case where a plurality of user content servers are provided in this way, the user does not need to decide on which user content server program content is to be stored. 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the television apparatus  10  constantly displays the video recording status RS in the electronic program guide  100 . 
     The present invention is not limited to this. The television apparatus  10  may display the video recording status RS when, for example, a predetermined program is selected (focused on) by a user operation, only in the program information display field SPG of the selected program. 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which in the electronic program guide  100 , the television apparatus  10  simultaneously displays a future electronic program guide and a past electronic program guide on the display  35  in an integral fashion. 
     The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the television apparatus  10  may first display a future electronic program guide when it is instructed by a user operation to display the electronic program guide  100 , and display a past electronic program guide when a scroll operation or the like is made on the electronic program guide by the user. Also, while in  FIG. 3  the television apparatus  10  displays only yesterday&#39;s programs in the past electronic program guide  100 Y, the television apparatus  10  may be configured to display programs farther back in the past. Also, the television apparatus  10  may be configured to display not only the electronic program guide  100 T for today as a future electronic program guide but also the electronic program guide for tomorrow onward. 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the television apparatus  10  as a playback apparatus includes the antenna  23  serving as a receiving section, the non-volatile memory  21  serving as a program information storage section, the control section  20  serving as a program guide data generating section, the display control section  34  and the display  35  each serving as a display section, the control section  20  and the operating section  22  each serving as a selecting section, the router  31  serving as a communication section, the user content server  13  serving as a program content storage section, the video recording management server  11  serving as a recording management section, and the control section  20  serving as a playback control section. 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this. The playback apparatus may include a receiving section, a program information storage section, a program guide data generating section, a display section, a selecting section, a communication section, a program content storage section, a recording management section, and a playback control section according to various other circuit configurations. 
     Further, the embodiment described above is directed to the case in which the program content transmitting and receiving system  1  as a program content transmitting and receiving system includes the storage section  15  serving as a storage section, the control section  14  serving as a broadcast station control section, the antenna  23  serving as a receiving section, the non-volatile memory  21  serving as a program information storage section, the control section  20  serving as a program guide data generating section, the display control section  34  and the display  35  each serving as a display section, the control section  20  and the operating section  22  each serving as a selecting section, the router  31  serving as a communication section, the user content server  13  serving as a program content storage section, the video recording management server  11  serving as a recording management section, and the control section  20  serving as a playback control section. 
     However, the present invention is not limited to this. The program content transmitting and receiving system may include a storage section, a broadcast station control section, a receiving section, a program information storage section, a program guide data generating section, a display section, a selecting section, a communication section, a program content storage section, a recording management section, and a playback control section according to various other circuit configurations. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention can be used also for television apparatuses having a plurality of program content recording locations. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  program content transmitting and receiving system 
               10  television apparatus 
               11  video recording management server 
               12  broadcast station content server 
               13  user content server 
               20  control section 
               21  non-volatile memory 
               22  operating section 
               23  antenna 
               24  tuner 
               25  descrambler 
               26  demultiplexer 
               27  selector switch 
               28  multiplexer 
               29  network processing section 
               30  buffer 
               31  router 
               32  AV decoder 
               33  AV encoder 
               34  display control section 
               35  display 
               100  electronic program guide 
             SPG program information display field 
             PP program image 
             PD program details description 
             RM video recording complete mark 
             RB video recording status bar 
             RS video recording status