Program information providing apparatus and method, program recording preset system and method, and program recording system and method

• US 20020042916A1
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Mineyama, Toru
• Granted Patent: US 7,143,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The invention is intended to facilitate the recording presetting of programs from a remote site. A program information providing apparatus having a storage section for storing program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart, the program information and the program chart being sent via a network in response to a request from a portable terminal apparatus, the program information providing apparatus comprising: a search section for searching the storage section for the program information in response to a program recording preset request from the portable terminal apparatus to which the program table has been sent; a program recording preset script generating section for generating a program recording preset script, which is a control command for causing a recording apparatus to record a user-specified program listed in the program chart to a recording medium, and a sending section for sending the generated script.

Claims

1. A program information providing apparatus having storage means for storing program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart, the program information and the program chart being sent to a first terminal apparatus in response to a request from said first terminal apparatus for sending the program information and the program chart via a network, the program information providing apparatus comprising:

searching means for searching said storage means for the program information in response to a program recording preset request from said first terminal apparatus to which the program chart has been sent;

program recording preset script generating means for generating, on the basis of the program information retrieved by said searching means, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for controlling a recording apparatus to record a specified program listed in the program chart to a recording medium; and

sending means for sending the program recording preset script generated by said program recording preset script generating means to a second terminal apparatus.

2. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in response to a recording apparatus change request for changing recording apparatuses which record the program to the recording medium, said program recording preset script generating means modifies the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus is changed to another.

3. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

program recording preset cancel script generating means for generating a program recording preset cancel script, in response to a program recording preset cancel script generating request, the cancel script being a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script.

4. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said sending means sends the program recording preset cancel script generated by the program recording preset cancel script generating means to said second terminal apparatus.

168. The program recording preset method according to claim 1-66, wherein said program information providing apparatus searches for the stored program recording preset script log of the user in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel mode address.

5. A program information providing method for storing in storage means program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart and, in response to a request from a first terminal apparatus, sending the program information and the program chart to said first terminal apparatus via a network, said program information providing method comprising the steps of:

searching said storage means for the program information in response to a program recording preset request from said first terminal apparatus to which the program chart has been sent;

generating, on the basis of the program information retrieved in said searching step, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for controlling a recording apparatus to record a specified program listed in the program chart to a recording medium; and

sending the program recording preset script generated in said program recording preset script generating step to a second terminal apparatus.

6. The program information providing method according to claim 5, wherein, in response to a recording apparatus change request for changing recording apparatuses which record the program to the recording medium, the program recording preset script is modified such that said recording apparatus is changed to another.

7. The program information providing method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of:

generating a program recording preset cancel script, in response to a program recording preset cancel script generating request, the cancel script being a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script, after the program recording preset script has been sent.

8. The program information providing method according to claim 7, wherein the generated program recording preset cancel script is sent to said second terminal apparatus.

9. A program recording preset system comprising a first terminal apparatus for requesting to send program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart, a program information providing apparatus having storage means for storing the program information and the program chart and sending the program information and the program chart to said first terminal apparatus upon request therefrom, and a second terminal apparatus for presetting recording of a specified program listed in the program chart sent to said first terminal apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, said program information providing apparatus, and said second terminal apparatus being interconnected by a network, wherein:

said first terminal apparatus includes;

display means for displaying the received program information and program chart;

input means for inputting a program recording preset request; and

first sending means for sending the program recording preset request inputted through said input means;

said program information providing apparatus includes;

first receiving means for receiving the program recording preset request from said first terminal apparatus;

searching means for searching, in response to the program recording preset request received by said first receiving means, said storage means for the program information;

second sending means for sending the program information retrieved by said searching means to said first terminal apparatus;

program recording preset script generating means for generating, on the basis of the program information retrieved by said searching means, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for recording the program listed in the program chart to a recording medium; and

third sending means for sending the program recording preset script generated by said program recording preset script generating means; and

said second terminal apparatus includes;

second receiving means for receiving the program recording preset script supplied from said third sending means of said program information providing apparatus; and

signal converting means for converting the program recording preset script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset control signal.

10. The program recording preset system according to claim 9, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises third receiving means for receiving the program listed in the program chart.

11. The program recording preset system according to claim 10, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises at least one recording means by which the program received by said third receiving means is recorded on a recording medium.

12. The program recording preset system according to claim 11, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises control means for drivingly controlling said at least one recording means in accordance with the program recording preset control signal converted by said signal converting means to record the program received by said third receiving means onto said recording medium.

13. The program recording preset system according to claim 11, wherein said program recording preset script generating means of said program information providing apparatus modifies, in response to a recording means change request, the program recording preset script such that said recording means by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

14. The program recording preset system according to claim 9, wherein said program information providing apparatus further comprises program recording preset cancel script generating means for generating, in response to a program recording preset cancel request, a program recording preset cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script.

15. The program recording preset system according to claim 14, wherein said second sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the program recording preset cancel script generated by said program recording preset cancel script generating means to said second terminal apparatus.

16. The program recording preset system according to claim 15, wherein said second receiving means of said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script sent from said second sending means.

17. The program recording preset system according to claim 16, wherein said signal converting means of said second terminal apparatus converts the program recording preset cancel script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

18. The program recording preset system according to claim 17, wherein said control means of said second terminal apparatus invalidates the program recording preset control signal in accordance with the program recording preset cancel control signal converted by said signal converting means.

19. The program recording preset system according to claim 16, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises script reception information sending means for sending, upon receiving one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script by said second receiving means, script reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

20. The program recording preset system according to claim 19, wherein said program providing apparatus comprises script reception information receiving means for receiving the script reception information from said script reception information sending means of said second terminal apparatus.

21. The program recording preset system according to claim 20, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises electronic mail generating means for generating an electronic mail message indicating the reception of one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script by said second terminal apparatus upon reception of the script reception information by said script reception information receiving means.

22. The program recording preset system according to claim 21, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises fourth sending means for sending the electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

23. The program recording preset system according to claim 22, wherein said first terminal apparatus comprises third receiving means for receiving the electronic mail message sent from said fourth sending means of said program information providing apparatus.

24. The program recording preset system according to claim 20, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises charging processing means for executing a charging process on the recording preset of the program upon reception of the script reception information by said script reception information receiving means.

26. The program recording preset method according to claim 25, wherein said second terminal apparatus receives the program listed in the program chart.

27. The program recording preset method according to claim 26, wherein said second terminal apparatus records received program to a recording medium in accordance with the program recording preset control signal.

28. The program recording preset method according to claim 23, wherein said program information providing apparatus modifies, in response to a recording means change request, the program recording preset script such that said recording means by which the program is to be recorded to a recording medium is changed to another.

29. The program recording preset method according to claim 25, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates, in response to a program recording preset cancel request, a program recording preset cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script.

30. The program recording preset method according to claim 29, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated program recording preset cancel script to said second terminal apparatus.

31. The program recording preset method according to claim 30, wherein said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script sent from said program information providing apparatus.

32. The program recording preset method according to claim 31, wherein said second terminal apparatus converts the received program recording preset cancel script into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

33. The program recording preset method according to claim 32, wherein said second terminal apparatus invalidates the program recording preset control signal in accordance with the converted program recording preset cancel control signal.

34. The program recording preset method according to claim 31, wherein said second terminal apparatus sends, upon receiving one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script, script reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

35. The program recording preset method according to claim 34, wherein said program information providing apparatus receives the script reception information sent from said second terminal apparatus.

36. The program recording preset method according to claim 35, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates an electronic mail message indicating the reception of one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script by the second terminal apparatus upon reception of the script reception information.

37. The program recording preset method according to claim 36, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

38. The program recording preset method according to claim 37, wherein said first terminal apparatus receives the electronic mail message sent from said program information providing apparatus.

39. The program recording preset method according to claim 34, wherein said program information providing apparatus executes a charging process on the recording preset of the program upon reception of the script reception information.

25. A program recording preset method for a program recording preset system having a first terminal apparatus for requesting to send program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart, a program information providing apparatus having storage means for storing the program information and the program chart and sending the program information and the program chart to said first terminal apparatus upon request therefrom, and a second terminal apparatus for presetting recording of a specified program listed in the program chart sent to said first terminal apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, said program information providing apparatus, and said second terminal apparatus being interconnected by a network:

said program recording preset method in said first terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

displaying the received program chart,

inputting a program recording preset request for a program shown in the program chart, and

sending the inputted program recording preset request to the program information providing apparatus;

said program recording preset method in said program information providing apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset request from said first terminal apparatus,

searching, in response to the received program recording preset request, said storage means for the program information,

sending the retrieved program information to said first terminal apparatus,

generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for recording the program listed in the program chart to a recording medium by recording means, and

sending the generated program recording preset script; and

said program recording preset method in said second terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset script sent from said program information providing apparatus, and

converting the received program recording preset script into a program recording preset control signal.

40. A program recording system comprising a first terminal apparatus for requesting to send program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart, a program information providing apparatus having storage means for storing the program information and the program chart and sending the program information and the program chart to said first terminal apparatus upon request therefrom, a second terminal apparatus for presetting recording of a specified program listed in the program chart sent to said first terminal apparatus, and a recording apparatus for recording the program to a recording medium in response to the program recording preset to said second terminal apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, said program information providing apparatus, said second terminal apparatus, and said recording apparatus being interconnected by a network, wherein:

said first terminal apparatus includes;

display means for displaying the received program information and program chart;

input means for inputting a program recording preset request; and

first sending means for sending the program recording preset request inputted through said input means;

said program information providing apparatus includes;

first receiving means for receiving the program recording preset request from said first terminal apparatus;

searching means for searching, in response to the program recording preset request received by said first receiving means, said storage means for the program information;

second sending means for sending the program information retrieved by said searching means to said first terminal apparatus;

program recording preset script generating means for generating, on the basis of the program information retrieved by said searching means, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for recording the program listed in the program chart to a recording medium; and

third sending means for sending the program recording preset script generated by said program recording preset script generating means;

said second terminal apparatus includes;

second receiving means for receiving the program recording preset script supplied from said third sending means of said program information providing apparatus;

signal converting means for converting the program recording preset script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset control signal; and

fourth sending means for sending the program recording preset control signal converted by said signal converting means; and

said recording apparatus includes;

third receiving means for receiving the program recording preset control signal sent from said third sending means of said second terminal apparatus;

fourth receiving means for receiving the program listed in the program chart,

recording means for recording the program received by said fourth receiving means to said recording medium; and

control means for drivingly controlling, in response to the program recording preset control signal received by said third receiving means, said recording means to record the program received by said fourth receiving means to said recording medium.

41. The program recording system according to claim 40, wherein said program recording preset script generating means of said program information providing apparatus modifies, in response to a recording apparatus change request, the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

42. The program recording system according to claim 40, wherein said program information providing apparatus further comprises program recording preset cancel script generating means for generating, in response to a program recording preset cancel request, a program recording preset cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script.

43. The program recording system according to claim 42, wherein said second sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the program recording preset cancel script generated by said program recording preset cancel script generating means to said second terminal apparatus.

44. The program recording system according to claim 43, wherein said second receiving means of said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script sent from said second sending means.

45. The program recording system according to claim 44, wherein said signal converting means of said second terminal apparatus converts the program recording preset cancel script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

46. The program recording system according to claim 45, wherein said third sending means of said second terminal apparatus sends the program recording preset cancel control signal converted by said signal converting means to said recording apparatus.

47. The program recording system according to claim 46, wherein said third receiving means of said recording apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel control signal from said third sending means.

48. The program recording system according to claim 47, wherein said control means of said recording apparatus invalidates a corresponding program recording preset control signal in response to the program recording preset cancel control signal received by said third receiving means.

49. The program recording system according to claim 47, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises control signal reception information sending means for sending, upon reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the program recording preset cancel control signal from said third sending means by said third receiving means of the recording apparatus, control signal reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

50. The program recording system according to claim 49, wherein said program information providing apparatus further comprises control signal reception information receiving means for receiving the control signal reception information from said control signal reception information sending means of said second terminal apparatus.

51. The program recording system according to claim 50, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises electronic mail generating means for generating an electronic mail message indicating the reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the program recording preset cancel control signal upon reception of the control signal reception information by said control signal reception information receiving means.

52. The program recording system according to claim 51, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises fifth sending means for sending the electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

53. The program recording system according to claim 52, wherein said first terminal apparatus comprises fourth receiving means for receiving the electronic mail message sent from said fifth sending means of said program information providing apparatus.

54. The program recording system according to claim 50, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises charging processing means for executing a charging process on the recording preset of the program upon reception of the control signal reception information by said control signal reception information receiving means.

55. A program recording method for a program recording system having a first terminal apparatus for requesting to send program information, which is attribute information about a program, and a program chart, a program information providing apparatus having storage means for storing the program information and the program chart and sending the program information and the program chart to said first terminal apparatus upon request therefrom, a second terminal apparatus for presetting recording of a specified program listed in the program chart sent to said first terminal apparatus, and a recording apparatus for recording the program to a recording medium in response to the program recording preset to said second terminal apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, said program information providing apparatus, said second terminal apparatus, and said recording apparatus being interconnected by a network:

said program recording method in said first terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

displaying the received program chart;

inputting a program recording preset request for a program shown in the program chart; and

sending the inputted program recording preset request to the program information providing apparatus;

said program recording method in said program information providing apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset request from said first terminal apparatus;

searching, in response to the received program recording preset request, said storage means for the program information;

sending the retrieved program information to said first terminal apparatus;

generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for recording the program listed in the program chart to a recording medium; and

sending the generated program recording preset script;

said program recording method in said second terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset script supplied from said program information providing apparatus;

converting the received program recording preset script into a program recording preset control signal; and

sending the converted program recording preset control signal; and

said program recording method in said recording apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset control signal sent from said second terminal apparatus;

receiving the program listed in the program chart; and

recording the received program to said recording medium, in response to the program recording preset control signal.

56. The program recording method according to claim 55, wherein said program information providing apparatus modifies, in response to a recording apparatus change request, the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

57. The program recording method according to claim 55, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates, in response to a program recording preset cancel request, a program recording preset cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script.

58. The program recording method according to claim 57, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated program recording preset cancel script to said second terminal apparatus.

59. The program recording method according to claim 58, wherein said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script sent from said program information providing apparatus.

60. The program recording method according to claim 59, wherein said second terminal apparatus converts the received program recording preset cancel script into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

61. The program recording method according to claim 60, wherein said second terminal apparatus sends said converted program recording preset cancel control signal to said recording apparatus.

62. The program recording method according to claim 61, wherein said recording apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel control signal.

63. The program recording method according to claim 62, wherein said recording apparatus invalidates a corresponding program recording preset control signal in response to the received program recording preset cancel control signal.

64. The program recording method according to claim 62, wherein said second terminal apparatus sends, upon reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the program recording preset cancel control signal by said recording apparatus, control signal reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

65. The program recording method according to claim 64, wherein said program information providing apparatus receives the control signal reception information from said second terminal apparatus.

66. The program recording method according to claim 65, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates an electronic mail message indicating the reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the program recording preset cancel control signal by said recording apparatus upon reception of the control signal reception information.

67. The program recording method according to claim 66, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

68. The program recording method according to claim 67, wherein said first terminal apparatus receives the electronic mail message sent from said program information providing apparatus.

69. The program recording method according to claim 65, wherein said program information providing apparatus executes a charging process on the recording preset of the program upon reception of the control signal reception information.

70. A program information providing apparatus having first storage means for storing a plurality of items of program information, which is attribute information about a program and sending said plurality of items of program information to a first terminal apparatus via a network, said program information providing apparatus comprising:

electronic mail generating means for generating a program introducing electronic mail message attached with at least one item of program introducing information for introducing the program of said plurality of items of program information stored in said first storage means;

address generating and attaching means for generating a program recording preset address to be linked with any one of said plurality of items of program information stored in said first storage means and attaching the generated program recording preset address to the program introducing electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means for each item of the program introducing information;

first sending means for sending the program introducing electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset address by said address generating and attaching means to said first terminal apparatus at a predetermined time;

searching means for searching said first storage means for specified one of said plurality of items of program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset address;

program recording preset script generating means for generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for causing a recording apparatus to record the program to a recording medium; and

second sending means for sending the program recording preset script generated by said program recording preset script generating means to a second terminal apparatus.

71. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said first sending means sends the program information retrieved by said searching means to said first terminal apparatus in response to a request from said first terminal apparatus.

72. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the program recording preset address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for presetting recording of the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who presets recording of program and information about the program which is preset for recording.

73. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 70, further comprising:

second storage means for storing, for each user, a program recording preset script generation log generated by said program recording preset script generating means.

74. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 72, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said address generating and attaching means generates a recording apparatus change mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the program recording preset script generation logs stored in said second storage means and attaches the generated recording apparatus change mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

75. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 74, wherein the recording apparatus change mode address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for shifting to a mode in which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who performs a recording apparatus change operation.

76. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said searching means searches said second storage means for the program recording preset script generation log of the corresponding user in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change mode address.

77. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 76, wherein said electronic mail generating means generates a recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log retrieved by said searching means.

78. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said address generating and attaching means attaches a recording apparatus change program selecting address linked with the program information stored in said first storage means to each log of the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

79. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 78, wherein the recording apparatus change program selecting address generated by said addressing generating and attaching means is an address for selecting the program for which said recording apparatus is to be changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who selects the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and information about the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another.

80. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said first sending means sends the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

81. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 78, wherein said program recording preset script generating means modifies, in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change program selecting address, the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

82. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 73, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said address generating and attaching means generates a program recording preset cancel mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the program recording preset script generation logs stored in said second storage means and attaches the generated program recording preset cancel mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

83. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the program recording preset cancel mode address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for shifting to a mode in which the program recording preset of the program is canceled and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset of the program.

84. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 82, wherein said searching means searches said second storage means for the program recording preset script log of the user in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel mode address.

85. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 84, wherein said electronic mail generating means generates a cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log retrieved by said searching means.

86. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said address generating and attaching means attaches the program recording preset cancel address linked with the program information stored in said first storage means to each log of the cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

87. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the program recording preset cancel address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for canceling the program recording preset for the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset and information about the program of which program recording preset is canceled.

88. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 85, wherein said first sending means sends the cancel electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

89. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 86, wherein said searching means searches said first storage means for the program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel address.

90. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 89, further comprising:

cancel script generating means for generating a cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script on the basis of the program information retrieved by said searching means.

91. The program information providing apparatus according to claim 90, wherein said second sending means sends the program recording preset cancel script generated by said program recording preset cancel script generating means to said second terminal apparatus.

92. A program information providing method for storing a plurality of items of program information, which is attribute information about a program and sending the stored program information to a first terminal apparatus via a network, said program information providing method comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic mail message attached with at least one item of program introducing information for introducing the program of the stored plurality of items of program information;

generating a program recording preset address to be linked with any one of the stored plurality of items of program information, attaching the generated program recording preset address to the generated program introducing electronic mail message for each item of the program introducing information;

sending the program introducing electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset address to said first terminal apparatus;

searching for specified one of said plurality of items of program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset address;

generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for causing a recording apparatus to record the program to a recording medium; and

sending the generated program recording preset script to a second terminal apparatus.

93. The program information providing method according to claim 92, wherein the retrieved program information is sent to said first terminal apparatus in response to a request.

94. The program information providing method according to claim 92, wherein the generated program recording preset address is an address for presetting recording of the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who recording presets the program and information about the program which is preset for recording.

95. The program information providing method according to claim 92, further comprising the step of:

storing, for each user, a program recording preset script generation log.

96. The program information providing method according to claim 95, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated, a recording apparatus change mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the stored program recording preset script generation logs is generated and the generated recording apparatus change mode address is attached to the program introducing electronic mail message.

97. The program information providing method according to claim 96, wherein the generated recording apparatus change mode address is an address for shifting to a mode in which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who performs a recording apparatus change operation.

98. The program information providing method according to claim 96, wherein the program recording preset script generation log of the corresponding user stored in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change mode address is searched for.

99. The program information providing method according to claim 97, wherein a recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the retrieved program recording preset script generation log is generated.

100. The program information providing method according to claim 99, wherein a recording apparatus change program selecting address linked with the stored program information to each log of the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log is attached.

101. The program information providing method according to claim 99, wherein the recording apparatus change program selecting address is an address for selecting the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who selects the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and information about the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another.

102. The program information providing method according to claim 99, wherein the generated recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message is sent to said first terminal apparatus.

103. The program information providing method according to claim 100, wherein the program recording preset script is modified, in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change program selecting address, such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

104. The program information providing method according to claim 92, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated, a program recording preset cancel mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the stored program recording preset script generation logs is generated and the generated program recording preset cancel mode address is attached to the program introducing electronic mail message.

105. The program information providing method according to claim 104, wherein the program recording preset cancel mode address generated is an address for shifting to a mode in which the program recording preset of the program is canceled and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset of the program.

106. The program information providing method according to claim 104, wherein the stored program recording preset script log of the user is searched for in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel mode address.

107. The program information providing method according to claim 106, wherein a cancel electronic mail message attached with the retrieved program recording preset script generation log is generated.

108. The program information providing method according to claim 107, wherein the program recording preset cancel address linked with the stored program information to each log of the cancel electronic mail message attached with said program recording preset script generation log is attached.

109. The program information providing method according to claim 107, wherein the program recording preset cancel address is an address for canceling the recording preset for the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset and information about the program of which recording preset is canceled.

110. The program information providing method according to claim 107, wherein the generated cancel electronic mail message is sent to said first terminal apparatus.

111. The program information providing method according to claim 108, wherein the stored program information is searched for in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel address.

112. The program information providing method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of:

generating a cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script on the basis of the retrieved program information.

113. The program information providing method according to claim 112, wherein the generated program recording preset cancel script is sent to said second terminal apparatus.

115. The program recording preset system according to claim 114, wherein the program recording preset address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for recording presetting of the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who recording presets the program and information about the program which is preset for recording.

116. The program recording preset system according to claim 114, wherein said first terminal apparatus comprises control means for requesting to send the program information retrieved by said searching means of said program information providing apparatus.

117. The program recording preset system according to claim 116, wherein said program information providing apparatus further comprises fourth sending means for sending the program information retrieved by said searching means from said first storage means to said first terminal apparatus in response to the request therefrom.

118. The program recording preset system according to claim 117, wherein said first terminal apparatus further comprises second display means for displaying the program information received from said program information providing apparatus.

119. The program recording preset system according to claim 114, wherein said second terminal apparatus further comprises third receiving means for receiving the program.

120. The program recording preset system according to claim 119, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises at least one recording means by which the program received by said third receiving means is recorded to a recording medium.

121. The program recording preset system according to claim 120, wherein said second terminal apparatus further comprises control means for drivingly controlling said at least one recording means so as to record the program received by said third receiving means onto said recording medium in accordance with the program recording preset control signal converted by said signal converting means.

122. The program recording preset system according to claim 114, wherein said program information providing apparatus further comprises second storage means for storing, for each user, a program recording preset script generation log generated by said program recording preset script generating means.

123. The program recording preset system according to claim 122, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus generates a recording means change mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the program recording preset script generation logs stored in said second storage means and attaches the generated recording means change mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

124. The program recording preset system according to claim 123, wherein the recording means change mode address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for shifting to a mode in which said recording means is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who performs a recording apparatus change operation.

125. The program recording preset system according to claim 124, wherein said searching means of said program information providing apparatus searches said second storage means for the program recording preset script generation log of the corresponding user in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording means change mode address.

126. The program recording preset system according to claim 125, wherein said electronic mail generating means of said program information providing apparatus generates a recording means change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log retrieved by said searching means.

127. The program recording preset system according to claim 126, wherein said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus attaches a recording means change program selecting address linked with the program information stored in said first storage means to each log of the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

128. The program recording preset system according to claim 127, wherein the recording apparatus change program selecting address generated by said addressing generating and attaching means is an address for selecting the program for which said recording means is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who selects the program for which said recording means is changed to another and information about the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another.

129. The program recording preset system according to claim 126, wherein said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the recording means change program selecting electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

130. The program recording preset system according to claim 127, wherein said program recording preset script generating means of said program information providing apparatus modifies, in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording means change program selecting address, the program recording preset script such that said recording means by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

131. The program recording preset system according to claim 122, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus generates a program recording preset cancel mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the program recording preset script generation logs stored in said second storage means and attaches the generated program recording preset cancel mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

132. The program recording preset system according to claim 131, wherein the program recording preset cancel mode address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for shifting to a mode in which the program recording preset of the program is canceled and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the recording preset of the program.

133. The program recording preset system according to claim 132, wherein said searching means of said program information providing apparatus searches said second storage means for the program recording preset script generation log of the user in accordance with access input information inputted to said program recording preset cancel mode address.

134. The program recording preset system according to claim 133, wherein said electronic mail generating means of said program information providing apparatus generates a cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log retrieved by said searching means.

135. The program recording preset system according to claim 134, wherein said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus attaches the program recording preset cancel address linked with the program information stored in said first storage means to each log of the cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

136. The program recording preset system according to claim 135, wherein the program recording preset cancel address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for canceling the program recording preset for the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset and information about the program of which program recording preset is canceled.

137. The program recording preset system according to claim 134, wherein said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the cancel electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

138. The program recording preset system according to claim 136, wherein said searching means of said program information providing apparatus searches said first storage means for said program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel address.

139. The program recording preset system according to claim 138, further comprising program recording preset cancel script generating means for generating a program recording preset cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script on the basis of the program information retrieved by said searching means.

140. The program recording preset system according to claim 139, wherein said second sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the program recording preset cancel script generated by said program recording preset cancel script generating means to said second terminal apparatus.

141. The program recording preset system according to claim 140, wherein said second receiving means of said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script from the second sending means.

142. The program recording preset system according to claim 141, wherein said signal converting means of said second terminal apparatus converts the program recording preset cancel script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

143. The program recording preset system according to claim 142, wherein said control means of said second terminal apparatus invalidates the program recording preset control signal in accordance with the program recording preset cancel control signal converted by said signal converting means.

144. The program recording preset system according to claim 141, wherein said second terminal apparatus further comprises script reception information sending means for sending, upon receiving one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script by said second receiving means, script reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

145. The program recording preset system according to claim 144, wherein said program providing apparatus further comprises script reception information receiving means for receiving the script reception information sent from said script reception information sending means of said second terminal apparatus.

146. The program recording preset system according to claim 145, wherein said electronic mail generating means of said program information providing apparatus generates a script reception result report electronic mail message indicative of the reception of one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script by said second terminal apparatus upon reception of the script reception information by said script reception information receiving means.

147. The program recording preset system according to claim 146, wherein said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the script reception result report electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

148. The program recording preset system according to claim 147, wherein said first receiving means of said first terminal apparatus receives the script reception result report electronic mail message sent from said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus.

149. The program recording preset system according to claim 145, wherein said program information providing apparatus further comprises charging processing means for executing a charging process on the program recording preset of the program upon reception of the script reception information by said script reception information receiving means.

151. The program recording preset method according to claim 150, wherein the generated program recording preset address is an address for recording presetting of the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who recording presets the program and information about the program which is preset for recording.

152. The program recording preset method according to claim 150, wherein said second terminal apparatus receives the program.

153. The program recording preset method according to claim 152, wherein said second terminal apparatus records the received program to said recording medium in accordance with the program recording preset control signal.

154. The program recording preset method according to claim 150, wherein said program information providing apparatus stores a program recording preset script generation log.

155. The program recording preset method according to claim 150, wherein said first terminal apparatus requests to send the retrieved program information.

156. The program recording preset method according to claim 155, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the retrieved program information to said first terminal apparatus in response to the request therefrom.

157. The program recording preset method according to claim 156, wherein said first terminal apparatus displays the program information received from said program information providing apparatus.

158. The program recording preset method according to claim 154, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated, said program information providing apparatus generates a recording means change mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the stored program recording preset script generation logs and attaches the generated recording means change mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

159. The program recording preset method according to claim 158, wherein the generated recording apparatus change mode address is an address for shifting to a mode in which said recording means is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who performs a recording means change operation.

160. The program recording preset method according to claim 158, wherein said program information providing apparatus searches for the stored program recording preset script generation log of the corresponding user in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording means change mode address.

161. The program recording preset method according to claim 160, said program information providing apparatus generates a recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the retrieved program recording preset script generation log.

162. The program recording preset method according to claim 161, wherein said program information providing apparatus attaches a recording means change program selecting address linked with the stored program information to each log of the recording means change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

163. The program recording preset method according to claim 162, wherein the generated recording means change program selecting address is an address for selecting the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who selects the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and information about the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another.

164. The program recording preset method according to claim 161, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated recording means change program selecting electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

165. The program recording preset method according to claim 162, wherein said program information providing apparatus modifies, in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording means change program selecting address, the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

166. The program recording preset method according to claim 154, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated, said program information providing apparatus generates a program recording preset cancel mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the stored program recording preset script generation logs and attaches the generated program recording preset cancel mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

167. The program recording preset method according to claim 166, wherein the generated program recording preset cancel mode address is an address for shifting to a mode in which the recording preset of the program is canceled and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the recording preset of the program.

169. The program recording preset method according to claim 168, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates a cancel electronic mail message attached with the retrieved program recording preset script generation log.

170. The program recording preset method according to claim 169, wherein said program information providing apparatus attaches the program recording preset cancel address linked with the stored program information to each log of the cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

171. The program recording preset method according to claim 170, wherein said generated program recording preset cancel address is an address for canceling the recording preset for the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset and information about the program of which recording preset is canceled.

172. The program recording preset method according to claim 169, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated cancel electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

173. The program recording preset method according to claim 170, wherein said program information providing apparatus searches for the stored program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel address.

174. The program recording preset method according to claim 173, said program information providing apparatus generates a cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script on the basis of the retrieved program information.

175. The program recording preset method according to claim 174, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated program recording preset cancel script to said second terminal apparatus.

176. The program recording preset method according to claim 175, wherein said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script.

177. The program recording preset method according to claim 176, wherein said second terminal apparatus converts the received program recording preset cancel script into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

178. The program recording preset method according to claim 177, wherein said second terminal apparatus invalidates the program recording preset control signal in accordance with the program recording preset cancel control signal.

179. The program recording preset method according to claim 176, wherein said second terminal apparatus sends, upon receiving one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script, script reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

180. The program recording preset method according to claim 179, wherein said program providing apparatus receives the script reception information from said second terminal apparatus.

181. The program recording preset method according to claim 180, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates an electronic mail message indicative of the reception of one of the program recording preset script and the program recording preset cancel script by said second terminal apparatus upon reception of the script reception information.

182. The program recording preset method according to claim 181, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the generated electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

183. The program recording preset method according to claim 182, wherein said first terminal apparatus receives the electronic mail message from the program information providing apparatus.

184. The program recording preset method according to claim 180, wherein said program information providing apparatus executes a charging process on the recording preset of the program upon reception of the script reception information.

186. The program recording system according to claim 185, wherein the program recording preset address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for recording presetting of the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who recording presets the program and information about the program which is preset for recording.

187. The program recording system according to claim 185, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises second storage means for storing, for each user, a program recording preset script generation log generated by said program recording preset script generating means.

188. The program recording system according to claim 185, wherein said first terminal apparatus comprises control means for requesting to send the program information retrieved by said searching means of said program information providing apparatus.

189. The program recording according to claim 188, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises fifth sending means for sending the program information retrieved by said searching means from said first storage means to said first terminal apparatus in response to the request therefrom.

190. The program recording system according to claim 189, wherein said first terminal apparatus comprises second display means for displaying the program information received from said program information providing apparatus.

191. The program recording system according to claim 187, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus generates a recording apparatus change mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the program recording preset script generation logs stored in said second storage means and attaches the generated recording apparatus change mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

192. The program recording system according to claim 191, wherein the recording apparatus change mode address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for shifting to a mode in which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who performs a recording apparatus change operation.

193. The program recording system according to claim 191, wherein said searching means of said program information providing apparatus searches said second storage means for the program recording preset script generation log of the corresponding user in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change mode address.

194. The program recording system according to claim 193, wherein said electronic mail generating means of said program information providing apparatus generates a recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log retrieved by said searching means.

195. The program recording system according to claim 194, wherein said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus attaches a recording apparatus change program selecting address linked with the program information stored in said first storage means to each log of the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

196. The program recording system according to claim 195, wherein the recording apparatus change program selecting address generated by said addressing generating and attaching means is an address for selecting the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who selects the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and information about the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another.

197. The program recording system according to claim 195, wherein said program recording preset script generating means of said program information providing apparatus modifies, in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change program selecting address, the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

198. The program recording system according to claim 187, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus generates a program recording preset cancel mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the program recording preset script generation logs stored in said second storage means and attaches the generated program recording preset cancel mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

199. The program recording system according to claim 198, wherein the program recording preset cancel mode address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for shifting to a mode in which the program recording preset of the program is canceled and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset of the program.

200. The program recording system according to claim 198, wherein said searching means of said program information providing apparatus searches said second storage means for the program recording preset script log of the user in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel mode address.

201. The program recording system according to claim 200, wherein said electronic mail generating means of said program information providing apparatus generates a cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log retrieved by said searching means.

202. The program recording system according to claim 185, wherein said address generating and attaching means of said program information providing apparatus attaches the program recording preset cancel address linked with the program information stored in said first storage means to each log of the cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

203. The program recording system according to claim 202, wherein the program recording preset cancel address generated by said address generating and attaching means is an address for canceling the program recording preset for the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset and information about the program of which program recording preset is canceled.

204. The program recording system according to claim 201, wherein said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the cancel electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

205. The program recording system according to claim 202, wherein said searching means of said program information providing apparatus searches said first storage means for the program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel address.

206. The program recording system according to claim 205, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises program recording preset cancel script generating means for generating a cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script on the basis of the program information retrieved by said searching means.

207. The program recording system according to claim 206, wherein said second sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the program recording preset cancel script generated by said program recording preset cancel script generating means to said second terminal apparatus.

208. The program recording system according to claim 207, wherein said second receiving means of said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script from the second sending means.

209. The program recording system according to claim 208, wherein said signal converting means of said second terminal apparatus converts the program recording preset cancel script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

210. The program recording system according to claim 209, wherein said third sending means of said second terminal apparatus sends the cancel control signal converted by said signal converting means to said recording apparatus.

211. The program recording system according to claim 210, wherein said third receiving means of said recording apparatus receives the cancel control signal from said fourth sending means.

212. The program recording system according to claim 211, wherein said control means of said recording apparatus invalidates the corresponding program recording preset control signal in response to the program recording preset cancel control signal received by said third receiving means.

213. The program recording system according to claim 211, wherein said second terminal apparatus comprises control signal reception information sending means for sending, upon reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the program recording preset cancel control signal from said fourth sending means by said third receiving means of said recording apparatus, control signal reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

214. The program recording system according to claim 213, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises control signal reception information receiving means for receiving the control signal reception information from said control signal reception information sending means of said'"'"'second terminal apparatus.

215. The program recording system according to claim 214, wherein said electronic mail generating means of said program information providing apparatus generates a control signal reception report electronic mail message indicative of the reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the cancel control signal by said recording apparatus upon reception of the control signal reception information by said control signal reception information receiving means.

216. The program recording system according to claim 215, wherein said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus sends the control signal reception report electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to said first terminal apparatus.

217. The program recording system according to claim 216, wherein said first receiving means of said first terminal apparatus receives the control signal reception report electronic mail message from said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus.

218. The program recording system according to claim 214, wherein said program information providing apparatus comprises charging processing means for executing a charging process on the program recording preset of the program upon reception of the control signal reception information by said control signal reception information receiving means.

114. A program recording preset system comprising a program information providing apparatus having first storage means for storing a plurality of items of program information, which is attribute information about a program and sending said plurality of items of program information stored in said first storing means, a first terminal apparatus for receiving the program information sent from said program information providing apparatus, and a second terminal apparatus for recording presetting of a program having the program information sent to said first terminal apparatus as the attribute information, said program information providing apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, and said second terminal apparatus being interconnected by a network, wherein

said program information providing apparatus comprising:

electronic mail generating means for generating an electronic mail message attached with at least one item of program introducing information for introducing the program of said plurality of items of program information stored in said storage means;

address generating and attaching means for generating a program recording preset address to be linked with any one of said plurality of items of program information stored in said first storage means and attaching the generated program recording preset address to the program introducing electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means for each item of the program introducing information;

first sending means for sending the program introducing electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset address by said address generating and attaching means to said first terminal apparatus;

searching means for searching said storage means for specified one of said plurality of items of program information in accordance with access input information inputted for accessing said address;

program recording preset script generating means for generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for causing a recording apparatus to record the program to a recording medium; and

second sending means for sending the program recording preset script generated by said program recording preset script generating means;

said first terminal apparatus comprising;

first receiving means for receiving the program introducing electronic mail message sent from said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus;

first display means for displaying the program introducing electronic mail message received by said first receiving means;

input means for inputting access input information for accessing the program recording preset address attached to the program introducing electronic mail message received by said first receiving means; and

third sending means for sending the access input information inputted from said input means; and

said second terminal apparatus comprising;

second receiving means for receiving the program recording preset script sent from said second sending means of said program information providing apparatus; and

signal converting means for converting the program recording preset script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset control signal.

150. A program recording preset method for a program recording preset system comprising a program information providing apparatus storing a plurality of items of program information, which is attribute information about a program and sending said plurality of items of program information, a first terminal apparatus for receiving the program information sent from the program information providing apparatus, and a second terminal apparatus for recording presetting of the program having the program information sent to said first terminal apparatus as the attribute information, said program information providing apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, and said second terminal apparatus being interconnected by a network, wherein

said program recording preset method in said program information providing apparatus comprising the steps of:

generating an electronic mail message attached with at least one item of program introducing information for introducing the program of the stored plurality of items of program information;

generating a program recording preset address to be linked with any one of the stored plurality of items of program information;

attaching the generated program recording preset address to the program introducing electronic mail message for each item of program introducing information to said program information providing apparatus; and

sending the program introducing electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset address to said first terminal apparatus at a predetermined time;

said program recording preset method in said first terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program introducing electronic mail message;

displaying the received program introducing electronic mail message;

inputting access input information for accessing the program recording preset address attached to the received program introducing electronic mail message; and

sending the inputted access input information to said program information providing apparatus;

said program recording preset method in said program information providing apparatus comprising the steps of;

searching for specified one of the stored plurality of items of program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset address;

generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for causing a recording apparatus to record the program to a recording medium; and

sending the generated program recording preset script to said second terminal apparatus; and

said program recording preset method in said second terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset script; and

converting the received program recording preset script into a program recording preset control signal.

185. A program recording system having a program information providing apparatus storing a plurality of items of program information, which is attribute information about a program and sending said plurality of items of program information, a first terminal apparatus for receiving the program information from said program information providing apparatus, a second terminal apparatus for recording presetting of the program having the program information sent to said first terminal apparatus as the attribute information, and a recording apparatus for recording the program to a recording medium in accordance with the program recording preset to said second terminal apparatus, said program information providing apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, said second terminal apparatus, and said recording apparatus being interconnected by a network,

said program information providing apparatus comprising:

electronic mail generating means for generating an electronic mail message attached with at least one item of program introducing information for introducing the program of said plurality of items of program information stored in said storage means;

address generating and attaching means for generating a program recording preset address to be linked with any one of said plurality of times of program information stored in said storage means and attaching the generated program recording preset address to the program introducing electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means for each item of the program introducing information;

first sending means for sending the program introducing electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset address by said address generating and attaching means to said first terminal apparatus;

searching means for searching said storage means for specified one of said plurality of items of program information in accordance with access input information inputted in order to make an access to the program recording preset address;

program recording preset script generating means for generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for causing a recording apparatus to record said program to a recording medium; and

second sending means for sending the program recording preset script generated by said program recording preset script generating means to said second terminal apparatus;

said first terminal apparatus comprising;

first receiving means for receiving an electronic mail message from said first sending means of said program information providing apparatus;

first display means for displaying the electronic mail message received by said first receiving means;

input means for inputting access input information for accessing the program recording preset address attached to the electronic mail message received by said first receiving means; and

third sending means for sending the access input information inputted through said input means;

said second terminal apparatus comprising;

second receiving means for receiving the program recording preset script supplied from said second sending means of said program information providing apparatus;

signal converting means for converting the program recording preset script received by said second receiving means into a program recording preset control signal; and

fourth sending means for sending the program recording preset control signal converted by said signal converting means; and

said recording apparatus comprising;

third receiving means for receiving the program recording preset control signal sent from said fourth sending means of said second terminal apparatus;

fourth receiving means for receiving the program listed in the program chart;

recording means for recording the program received by said fourth receiving means to said recording medium;

and control means for drivingly controlling, in response to the program recording preset control signal received by said third receiving means, said recording means to record the program received by said fourth receiving means to said recording medium.

219. A program recording method for a program recording system having a program information providing apparatus storing a plurality of items of program information, which is attribute information about a program and sending said plurality of items of program information, a first terminal apparatus for receiving the program information from said program information providing apparatus, a second terminal apparatus for recording presetting of the program having the program information sent to said first terminal apparatus as the attribute information, and a recording apparatus for recording the program to a recording medium in accordance with the program recording preset to said second terminal apparatus, said program information providing apparatus, said first terminal apparatus, said second terminal apparatus, and said recording apparatus being interconnected by a network,

said program recording method in said program information providing apparatus comprising the steps of:

generating a program introducing electronic mail message attached with at least one item of program introducing information for introducing the program of the stored plurality of items of program information;

generating a program recording preset address to be linked with any one of the stored plurality of items of program information;

attaching the generated program recording preset address to the program introducing electronic mail message for each item of the program introducing information; and

sending the program introducing electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset address to said first terminal apparatus at the predetermined time;

said program recording method in said first terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program introducing electronic mail message from said program information providing apparatus;

displaying the received program introducing electronic mail message;

inputting access input information for accessing the program recording preset address attached to the received program introducing electronic mail message; and

sending the access input information to said program information providing apparatus;

said program recording method in said program information providing apparatus comprising the steps of;

searching for specified one of the stored plurality of items of program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset address;

generating, on the basis of the retrieved program information, a program recording preset script, which is a control command for recording the program to a recording medium; and

sending the program recording preset script to said second terminal apparatus;

said program recording method in said second terminal apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset script; and

converting the received program recording preset script into a program recording preset control signal; and

sending the program recording preset control signal to said recording apparatus;

said program recording method in said recording apparatus comprising the steps of;

receiving the program recording preset control signal;

receiving the program; and

recording the received program to a recording medium in accordance with the program recording preset control signal.

220. The program recording method according to claim 219, wherein the program recording preset address is an address for recording presetting of the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who recording presets the program and information about the program which is preset for recording.

221. The program recording method according to claim 219, wherein said program information providing apparatus stores, for each user, a generated program recording preset script generation log.

222. The program recording method according to claim 219, wherein said first terminal apparatus requests to send the retrieved program information.

223. The program recording method according to claim 222, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the retrieved program information to said first terminal apparatus in response to the request therefrom.

224. The program recording method according to claim 223, wherein said first terminal apparatus displays the program information received from said program information providing apparatus.

225. The program recording method according to claim 221, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated by said program recording preset script generating means, said program information providing apparatus generates a recording apparatus change mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the stored program recording preset script generation logs and attaches the generated recording apparatus change mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

226. The program recording method according to claim 225, wherein the recording apparatus change mode address is an address for shifting to a mode in which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who performs a recording apparatus change operation and the information about the program which is preset for recording.

227. The program recording method according to claim 225, wherein said program information providing apparatus searches for the stored program recording preset script generation log of the corresponding user in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change mode address.

228. The program recording method according to claim 227, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates a recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the retrieved program recording preset script generation log.

229. The program recording method according to claim 228, wherein said program information providing apparatus attaches a recording apparatus change program selecting address linked with the stored program information to each log of the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

230. The program recording method according to claim 229, wherein the recording apparatus change program selecting address is an address for selecting the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and visually displays information for identifying a user who selects the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another and information about the program for which said recording apparatus is changed to another.

231. The program recording method according to claim 228, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the recording apparatus change program selecting electronic mail message generated by said electronic mail generating means to the first terminal apparatus.

232. The program recording method according to claim 229, wherein said program information providing apparatus modifies, in accordance with access input information inputted to the recording apparatus change program selecting address, the program recording preset script such that said recording apparatus by which the program is to be recorded is changed to another.

233. The program recording method according to claim 221, wherein, if at least one program recording preset script has already been generated, said program information providing apparatus generates a program recording preset cancel mode address which links with the program recording preset script generation log of a corresponding user of the stored program recording preset script generation logs and attaches the generated program recording preset cancel mode address to the program introducing electronic mail message.

234. The program recording method according to claim 233, wherein the program recording preset cancel mode address is an address for shifting to a mode in which the program recording preset of the program is canceled and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset of the program.

235. The program recording method according to claim 233, wherein said program information providing apparatus searches for the stored program recording preset script log of the user in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel mode address.

236. The program recording method according to claim 235, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates a cancel electronic mail message attached with the retrieved program recording preset script generation log.

237. The program recording method according to claim 219, wherein said program information providing apparatus attaches the program recording preset cancel address linked with the stored program information to each log of the cancel electronic mail message attached with the program recording preset script generation log.

238. The program recording method according to claim 237, wherein the program recording preset cancel address is an address for canceling the program recording preset for the program and visually displays information for identifying a user who cancels the program recording preset and information about the program of which program recording preset is canceled.

239. The program recording method according to claim 236, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the cancel electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

240. The program recording method according to claim 237, wherein said program information providing apparatus searches for the stored program information in accordance with access input information inputted to the program recording preset cancel address.

241. The program recording method according to claim 240, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates a cancel script, which is a control command for invalidating the program recording preset script on the basis of the retrieved program information.

242. The program recording method according to claim 241, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the program recording preset cancel script to said second terminal apparatus.

243. The program recording method according to claim 242, wherein said second terminal apparatus receives the program recording preset cancel script.

244. The program recording method according to claim 243, wherein said second terminal apparatus converts the received program recording preset cancel script into a program recording preset cancel control signal.

245. The program recording method according to claim 244, wherein said second terminal apparatus sends the cancel control signal to said recording apparatus.

246. The program recording method according to claim 245, wherein said recording apparatus receives the cancel control signal.

247. The program recording method according to claim 246, wherein said recording apparatus invalidates the corresponding program recording preset control signal in response to the received program recording preset cancel control signal.

248. The program recording method according to claim 246, wherein said second terminal apparatus sends, upon reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the program recording preset cancel control signal by said recording apparatus, control signal reception information thereof to said program information providing apparatus.

249. The program recording method according to claim 248, wherein said program providing apparatus receives the control signal reception information from said second terminal apparatus.

250. The program recording method according to claim 249, wherein said program information providing apparatus generates a control signal reception report electronic mail message indicative of the reception of one of the program recording preset control signal and the cancel control signal by said recording apparatus upon reception of the control signal reception information.

251. The program recording method according to claim 250, wherein said program information providing apparatus sends the control signal reception report electronic mail message to said first terminal apparatus.

252. The program recording method according to claim 251, wherein said first terminal apparatus receives the control signal reception report electronic mail message from said program information providing apparatus.

253. The program recording method according to claim 249, wherein said program information providing apparatus executes a charging process on the program recording preset of the program upon reception of the control signal reception information.