JPH01177782A - Fast forward/rewinding/stop-detecting circuit for video tape recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately detect the fast forward/rewinding/stop operation of a video tape recorder by providing a synchronizing separator circuit that takes out a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal from a reproduced video signal, a video signal discriminator circuit, a counter, etc. CONSTITUTION:The synchronizing separator circuit 20 takes out a horizontal synchronizing signal S37 and a vertical synchronizing signal S38 from a video signal reproduced by a video tape recorder VTR, and the signal S37 is supplied to the video signal discriminator circuit 26. The circuit 26, upon judging the signal to be normal, supplies an output S45 to the clock input terminal of a preset counter 27, and at the same time, supplies the signal S38 to the reset terminal of the counter 27. In case the operation is normal reproduction, the circuit 26 lets the signal S27 pass through itself as it is, but in case either one of fast forward, rewinding and stop operations, the signal S37 comes disordered, hence the signal is inhibited to pass through and thus the execution of either one of said operations can be detected. At the time of detecting disorder in the signal S37 by the counter 27, an operation discriminating circuit 28 can detect which one of said three operations the operation actually is.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention detects data regarding when and on which channel a program played by a video tape recorder was recorded in audience rating measurement. The present invention relates to a circuit that is applied to a system that detects fast forwarding, rewinding, and stopping of a video tape recorder from a playback signal.

(Prior Art) In recent years, video tape recorders have become widespread in general households, and the collection of data regarding the use of video tape recorders has become increasingly important in accurately measuring television viewership. .

However, the present inventors have already applied for patent application No. 60-196487.
In the application of No. 3, in order to understand the viewing situation when a video tape or recorder is used in combination with a television, there is a function to detect the operating state of a video tape recorder, and when a recorded program is later played back. , a video tape system with a function to detect information such as when and on which channel the program was recorded.
We are proposing a method for detecting recorded/played data for recorders.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the technique according to the above-mentioned application has the drawback that detection of fast-forwarding, rewinding, and stopping during playback of a video tape recorder is insufficient. That is, in the above method, calendar data and channel data are inserted into the blanking period of the video signal during recording and recorded on the video tape, and the data is retrieved during playback. During the stop operation, the synchronization signal detected from the playback signal becomes unstable (noise and stripes appear on the screen), and the change state of the calendar data (in the case of fast forwarding, the calendar data changes more than usual). This is because it is difficult to distinguish between fast forwarding and rewinding/stopping because seconds change quickly, the direction of change is reversed when rewinding, and no change when stopping.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to accurately detect fast forward/backward/stop of a video tape recorder. An object of the present invention is to provide a fast forward/7 rewind/stop detection circuit for a video tape recorder that can perform the following functions.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adds calendar data and channel data to a video signal of a tuner receiving the same channel as the receiving channel of a video tape recorder or a video signal input from the outside. It is applied to a system that applies to the external input terminal of a video tape recorder and extracts the calendar data and channel data from the playback signal of the video tape recorder. A sync separation circuit that takes out the sync signal and the vertical sync signal, a video signal discrimination circuit that inputs the horizontal sync signal from this sync separation circuit and passes the horizontal sync signal only when the signal is normal, and a video signal discrimination circuit that passes through the video signal discrimination circuit. a counter that counts the horizontal synchronization signal that has been generated and is reset by the vertical synchronization signal, and when the counted frequency of this counter is less than a predetermined value, the valid values before and after the abnormality of the calendar data are compared, and fast forward seven rewinds are performed. The gist of this paper is a fast-forward, 7-rewind, and stop detection circuit for a video tape recorder, which is characterized by the ability to detect /stop.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail along with drawings showing examples. In order to clarify the positioning of the present invention, the patent application 1986-
The technology described in No. 196487 will also be explained again.

Figure 1 shows fast forwarding 7 of the video tape recorder of the present invention.
This figure shows the connection relationship between a meter 100 to which a rewind/stop detection circuit is applied, a television, and a video tape recorder (VTR). Note that since the audience rating measurement device is attached to equipment in ordinary homes, it is required that the inside of the equipment be left untouched as much as possible, and various measures have been taken to achieve this goal. For example, the pickup coils PC, PC2 are connected to a video tape recorder VTR.
All other units can be installed by connecting each unit with a connecting cable. Also, pickup coil PC.

The PC is also only provided close to the circuit,
Processing such as soldering is not performed.

To explain the configuration in FIG. 1, the antenna ANT is directly connected to the meter 100, boosts and supplies the air wave a to the internal tuner, and sends the branched air wave to the antenna of the video tape recorder VTR. The antenna output terminal of the video tape recorder VTR is connected to the antenna terminal of the television. Note that the signal C output from the antenna output terminal of the video tape recorder VTR includes, in addition to air waves, a signal modulated into an empty channel such as channel 2.

On the other hand, the video tape recorder VTR includes a pickup coil PC1 for detecting an audio intermediate frequency signal (SIF) and a pickup coil PC2 for detecting an erase signal generated during recording. The detected signals d and e are taken into the meter 100, and the audio intermediate frequency signal d detected by the pickup coil PC1 is used to determine the reception channel of the tuner in the video tape recorder VTR. The erase signal e detected by the pickup coil PC2 is sent to the video tape recorder V.
It is used to determine whether the TR is in the recording state. Note that the recording status can be determined using other methods, such as video recording.
This can also be done by detecting the FM luminance signal (FM-modulated video signal for writing the signal on the video tape) generated from the recording circuit of the tape recorder VTR, and can be replaced by any suitable means.

Next, the video/audio signal f output from the meter 100
is applied to the external input terminal of the video tape recorder VTR (in general video tape recorders, when using the external input terminal, the signal is switched using a slide switch on the set, etc.), and the video・
Video and audio signals g output from a tape recorder VTR are input to a meter 100. That is, a video tape recorder V is used as a signal to be recorded.
Meter 1 without using the signal received by the tuner inside the TR.
Demodulates the signal received by the chiny in 00 into a video signal and an audio signal, and adds calendar data representing the date, time, etc. and channel data representing how many channels are being recorded to the video signal. Video tape recorder V
Recording is performed by applying a signal to the external input terminal of the TR. Generally, it is very difficult to mix data into the tuner signal in a video tape recorder VTR without touching the hardware of the video tape recorder VTR, but this method makes it easier. It is possible to insert data.

Note that the tuner inside the meter 100 is always tuned to the same channel as the tuner inside the video tape recorder VTR based on the audio intermediate frequency signal d detected by the pickup coil PC.
The operation can be performed in the same manner as in normal recording using the channel selection button on the panel of the tape recorder VTR, and the operation can be performed without being aware of the presence of the meter 100.

In addition, the video/audio signal g output from the video tape recorder (VTR) extracts the written calendar data and channel data at the time of playback, and determines when and for which channel the recorded program was recorded. The data is extracted and decoded inside the meter 100.

Note that since this signal g has already been demodulated into a video signal and an audio signal, it is returned to the television TV as a signal from the meter 100 and applied to the AV terminal of the television TV to view the reproduced image.

However, when viewing is performed using a signal modulated into an empty channel from a video tape recorder VTR via an antenna terminal, a signal path is not necessary.

On the other hand, the signal i input to the meter 10G is
This indicates a signal from a tape recorder, television camera, etc., and is not normally used.

In other words, the video/audio signal input terminal (external input terminal) of the video tape recorder VTR is occupied to supply the recording signal from the meter 10G, so when dubbing or using a television camera, There is no terminal to plug it in, but in that case, use the meter 1 instead of the video/audio signal input terminal of the video tape recorder VTR.
The terminal is connected to the terminal provided at 00. Note that when dubbing is performed using another video tape recorder or when recording is performed using a television camera, a signal indicating this is replaced with the channel data.

Next, FIG. 2 shows in detail the internal configuration of the meter 100 in FIG. 1. Fast forward 7 rewind of the present invention/
The stop detection circuit mainly corresponds to the synchronous separation circuit 20. Video signal discrimination circuit 26. Preset counter 27. This is an operation determination circuit 28. Note that, slightly different from Figure 1, the antennas are shown separately for VHF and UHF, and the fX-tuned audio signal is divided into two systems, left and right, to support stereo or bilingual broadcasting. It shows. In addition, T1. Tgl is the antenna input terminal of the meter 100, T3. T is a terminal connected to the antenna input terminal of the video tape recorder VTR;
s is the terminal to which the pickup coil PCI is connected, T
, ,T, ,T, are terminals to which other video tape recorders and television cameras are connected. , T11
T12 is a terminal connected to the external input terminal of the video tape recorder VTR, T12 is a terminal connected to the pickup coil PC2, T I 3 #T, 4. T, , is a terminal connected to the video/audio output terminal of the video tape recorder VTR; T, 6. T, 7°T, 6 is TV T
This is a terminal connected to the AV terminal of V.

In Fig. 2, the antenna ANT, , ANT, is connected to the terminal T! , T2G via rVHF/UHF-/-star 1 (7
) connected to the input terminal, V HF/U HF booster 1
One output S2 is connected to terminal T3. Video via T4
It is connected to the antenna terminal of the tape recorder VTR, and the other output S3 is connected to the VHF terminal inside the meter.
/Connected to the antenna terminal of UHF tuner 2.

The V HF/U HF tuner 2 is controlled to tune to the same channel as the tuner in the video tape recorder VTR by a tuner scanning control circuit 11, as will be described later.

Next, the output s6 of VHF/UHF-F-,-S2 is.
Connected to the input terminal of VfF detection AGC @ circuit (video intermediate frequency/detection/automatic gain adjustment circuit) 3, and VIF detection A of
The video output S6 obtained by detection by the GC@$3 is connected to both the analog switch 4 and the input terminal of the SIF amplified audio tx modulation circuit (audio intermediate frequency amplification/audio demodulation circuit) 6. . Here, analog switch 4
is paired with another analog switch 8 in the audio signal path, and when dubbing or using a TV camera, the video and audio signals sent to the subsequent circuit are connected to terminal T6.
．． T7. This is for switching to the signal input from T8, and the terminals T,, T,, T.

The dubbing etc. detection switch SW provided at one of the terminals T6. It detects that a plug is connected to T, Ta, and switches the signal path at that time.

Next, the output S of the analog switch 4 is added to the calendar data and channel data given from the data multiplex generator 12 at the video signal addition port $5, and the output of the video signal addition circuit 5 is S1□
is connected to an external input terminal of a video tape recorder VTR via a terminal T9. On the other hand, S
The output SL3 of the IF amplification and audio demodulation circuit 6 is demodulated into two systems of left and right audio signals via the audio multiplexing demodulation circuit 7, and then sent to the video signal addition circuit 5 via the analog switch 8 and terminals T1° and T11. - is connected to the external input terminal of the video tape recorder VTR together with the video signal S12. In addition, S! F amplification/audio t
The demodulated audio signal 81 starts from $6 of the X modulation time! 1 can be taken out to the outside via the earphone terminal EP2, so that the operating state of the circuit can be tested. Further, block 15 is an audio control panel,
In the case of audio multiplex broadcasting, there is one device that performs operations such as switching and selecting left and right stereo signals and selecting two languages.

FIG. 3 shows details of the video signal addition circuit 5 and the data multiplex generator 12 in FIG.
207") 5m, and the video signal S9ζ is applied to the terminal ■, [phase] via the capacitor C1, C,
ζ, Character offset check terminal ■2 Signal S11'SL1' given to character control terminal @ PCM
It has the function of adding as a signal. In addition, terminal ■,
■.

(2) is for extracting the synchronization signal from the video signal. On the other hand, data multiplex generation w12 is provided from a calendar data generation circuit 12a that generates calendar data consisting of year, month, day, and time, and a channel data signal S24 from the tuner scanning control circuit 11.
and a shift register 12b that serially converts the calendar data signal given from the calendar data generation circuit 12m and sends it to the video signal addition integrated circuit 5a, and inserts PCM data from the synchronization signal obtained from the video signal addition integrated circuit 5a. Flip-flop 12 determines the position of
C and a register 12d.

Figure 4 shows a part of the video signal after the data has been added, and the equivalent period β in the vertical blanking period Q, the vertical synchronization period γ2, and the subsequent few pulses P
CM data DATA.

Insert DATA2. Further, FIG. 5 shows an example of the data format, in which calendar data and channel data are appropriately arranged. It goes without saying that there are no particular limitations on the position at which data is inserted and the format of the data.

Returning to FIG. 2 and explaining the other configuration, the signal S2° of the pickup coil PC1 applied to the terminal TS is SIF
Amplification/Audio IX! 11 circuit 9 to one input terminal of the 31F-CH comparison circuit (audio intermediate frequency/channel comparison circuit) 10, and is compared with the audio intermediate frequency signal S14 provided from the aforementioned SIF amplification/audio demodulation port #6. is performed, and the tuner and V in the videotape recorder VTR are
The identity of the broadcast being received by the HF/UHF tuner 2 is determined. Also, from the SIF amplification/audio demodulation circuit 9, 11rl! The audio signal S22 is sent to the earphone terminal EP,
It can be taken out to the outside via the circuit, and the operating status of the circuit can be tested.

Note that since the audio intermediate frequency signal is an FM signal and has a constant amplitude, it is easy to compare and it has been confirmed that sufficiently accurate determination can be made. Further, the identity of the receiving channels can be determined by using other determining means, such as one using a video intermediate frequency signal or a demodulated audio signal, and can be changed as appropriate.

Next, the SIF/CH comparison circuit 10 outputs a signal 523 indicating match/mismatch based on the comparison result of both signals to the tuner scanning control circuit 11, and the tuning voltage of the V HF/U HF tuner 2 is increased until both signals match. change periodically. However, due to this operation, VHF/
The reception channels of UHF tuner 2 are video, tape,
This follows the reception channel of the tuner inside the recorder VTR, and both receive the same channel when the operation is steady. Also,
A channel data signal S24 corresponding to the channel selection state is output from the tuner scanning control circuit 11 and is applied to the data multiplex generator 12. The tuner scanning control circuit 11 is supplied with the signal of the dubbing detection switch SW described above, so that it can be used when dubbing from another video tape recorder or when recording using a television camera. When doing so, data indicating that recording is being performed, such as dubbing, is output instead of channel data indicating the tuner channel.

On the other hand, the erase signal of the video tape recorder VTR detected by the pickup coil PC2 is sent to the terminal T1□
From the erase signal amplification circuit 16. ! 1st stream @ $17° Voltage comparator circuit 18. A signal S33 indicating the recording state is generated through the recording state detection circuit 19.

On the other hand, terminal T, 3. T, 4. 'T1s is given a signal from the video/audio output terminal of the video tape recorder VTR, but the recorded video and audio are output to this terminal during recording, and of course during playback. The video and audio being played back will be output. Therefore, the video signal S36 obtained from the terminal T13 is sent to the vertical blanking PCM signal extracting circuit 21 by the synchronization separation circuit 2.
Only the PCM signal is extracted at the timing obtained by 0, and is restored to the original data by the PCM decoder 22. The output S4 of the PCM decoder 22 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 23, and the output "28" of the buffer and memory 23 is compared with the output S4 of the data memory 24 in the data comparison diagram $25, and the two have different values. When the contents of buffer memory 23 are data memory 24
I try to write to . In other words, PCM data appears at the same frequency as the vertical synchronization signal, so 60
Each time a set arrives, the data memory 24
Since it is meaningless to write the data, the data comparison circuit 25 detects a change in the data, and at that time, the signal S44 is applied to the data memory 24 to read the data.

Also, the output S2 of the buffer memory 23. is always compared with the data of the data multiplex generator 12 in the data comparison diagram 413, and if the two do not match, it is assumed that reproduction is being performed and a signal S27 indicating the reproduction status is output. I have to. That is, when the video tape recorder VTR is in the recording or standby state, the terminals T, . . . 14. T1. meter 10
Since a signal with data mixed in from the 0 side should be obtained at the same time, if the two do not match, it can be determined that it is a reproduction. Naomi video tape recorder VTR
from terminal T13. T, 4. If no data is present in the signal obtained via T,s, other video tape
It can be determined that the tape was recorded with a recorder or a commercially available tape.

Soshite, chinysu scanning control circuit 1
The channel data Sg1.1 determined in Sg1. and a signal 5117 indicating the reproduction state detected by the data comparison circuit 13.
, a signal S33 indicating the recording state detected by the recording state detection circuit 19, playback data S43 output from the data memory 24, and fast forward #)7 output from the operation determination circuit 28 of the present invention to be described later. Signal S indicating rewind/stop
47 are collectively input to the transmitter 14, processed as appropriate, and sent to a data transmission device (not shown). In addition to these data, actual audience rating surveys require data such as TV channel data, on/off data, and survey time, but these are not available in conventional devices. Can be applied.

Next, the configuration and operation of a portion corresponding to the fast forward 7 rewind/stop detection circuit of the present invention will be explained. In FIG. 2, the horizontal synchronization signal S3 extracted in the synchronization separation diagram s20
? is applied to the video signal discrimination port 'R12B. The video signal discrimination circuit 26 is constituted by, for example, an integration port II (for example, "NJM2220") as shown in FIG.
7 is normal or not, and if it is normal, it is output as a signal "47" from the terminal (2) via the analog switch 28i. That is, the mono-multi vibrator 26a and the low-pass filter 26b.

Comparators 26c, 26d, inverter 26e, NAND game) 28f and buffer 26g detect the disturbance in horizontal synchronizing signal S37, and control analog switch 2 old with the output of buffer 26g to change terminal ■ to terminal ■ or terminal ■. It is something that allows you to connect.

Next, in FIG. 2, the output S0 of the video signal discrimination circuit 2B is applied to the clock input terminal of the preset counter 27. Also, the vertical synchronization signal S3. taken out in the synchronization separation diagram $20. is applied to the reset terminal of the preset counter 27. Therefore, when the video tape recorder VTR is in the playback state, the terminal T2. If the reproduced video signals S and s are given and the reproduction is normal (in a state where fast-forwarding, rewinding, and stopping are not performed), the horizontal synchronization signal S37 extracted by the synchronization separation circuit 20 is normal. In this case, the video signal discrimination port FI! 128 passes the horizontal synchronization signal S37 as it is, and
The counter 27 counts this. Here, the preset counter 27 has a preset value of 250, for example,
If the horizontal synchronization signal S37 is set to count down, if the horizontal synchronization signal S37 is normal, the pulse of the horizontal synchronization signal will arrive 262.5 times while being reset by the vertical synchronization signal 5351. becomes zero.

Also, when the video tape recorder VTR performs fast forwarding, rewinding, or stopping, the horizontal synchronizing signal S37 is disturbed and there is a long period in which it cannot pass through the video signal discrimination circuit 2B. The count value never becomes zero immediately before the counter 27 is reset.

Therefore, if it is assumed that a signal is output to the output s46 when the count value of the preset counter 27 reaches zero immediately before resetting, the presence or absence of that signal will determine the disturbance of the horizontal synchronization signal, that is, the fast forward 7 rewind/stop. It will be possible to detect that either of these is occurring.

On the other hand, the operation determination time $28 is to specifically detect which of the fast forwarding, rewinding, and stopping operations is performed when the preset counter 27 detects a disturbance in the horizontal synchronizing signal S37. The valid calendar data obtained is held and compared with the newly obtained valid calendar data to determine whether to fast forward, rewind, or stop from the same time. Note that these circuit blocks can be configured by a CPU.

(Effects of the Invention) As expected, in the fast forward 7 rewind/stop detection circuit of the video tape recorder of the present invention, the video signal of the tuner receiving the same channel as the receiving channel of the video tape recorder is Alternatively, the calendar data and channel data are added to the video signal input from the outside and applied to the external input terminal of the video tape recorder, and the calendar data and channel data are extracted from the playback signal of the video tape recorder. It is applied to systems that extract horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the video signal played back from a video tape recorder, and a synchronization separation circuit that extracts the horizontal synchronization signal and vertical synchronization signal from the video signal played back from the video tape recorder. A video signal discrimination circuit that only passes a horizontal synchronization signal, and a counter that counts the horizontal synchronization signal that has passed through this video signal discrimination circuit and is reset by the vertical synchronization signal, and the counting frequency of this counter is less than or equal to a predetermined value. When the calendar is
Compare the valid values before and after the data abnormality and fast forward 7 rewind /
Since the stop is determined, you can fast forward 7 rewinds/
Accurate data on stops can also be obtained, which has the effect of making it possible to conduct more accurate surveys of viewer ratings in households where a combination of television and videotape recorder is used.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a meter and a television to which the present invention is applied. Video tape recorder block diagram showing this connection,
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the meter in Figure 1;
FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram showing details of the data multiplex generator and video signal addition circuit shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the insertion position of data in the video signal, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an integrated circuit used in a video signal discrimination circuit. TV...Television, VTR...Video...
Tape recorder, 100...meter, l...
...VHF/UHF booster, 2...VH
F/UHF tuner, 3...VIF detection AGC
Circuit, 4... Analog switch, 5...
...Video signal addition @ path, 6...SrF amplification/audio demodulation circuit, 7...audio multiplexing demodulation circuit, 8...
...Analog switch, 9...SIF amplification/audio demodulation circuit, 10...5IF-CH comparison circuit, 11...Tuner scanning, control@ro , 12...data multiplex generator,
13...Data comparison circuit, 14...Transmitter, 15...Audio control panel! 6... Erasing signal amplification circuit, I7...
... Rectifier circuit, 18 ... Voltage comparison circuit, 19
... Recording state detection circuit, 20 ... Synchronization separation circuit, 21 ... Vertical blanking PCM signal extraction circuit, 22 ... PCM decoder, 2
3. Old... Buffer memory, 24... Data memory, 25... Data comparison circuit, 26...
...Video signal discrimination circuit, 27...Preset counter, 28...Operation discrimination circuit, AN
T, ANTl, ANT2...Antenna, P
C,, PC2...Pickup coil, T,
~T! ,...Terminal, EP, , EP2...
... Earphone terminal, SW ... Dubbing etc. detection switch - or 11 people Figure 4 Figure 5 537S&?

Claims (1)

[Claims] Calendar data and channel data are added to the video signal of a tuner that receives the same channel as the video tape recorder's receiving channel, or to the video signal input from an external source, and then applied to the external input terminal of the video tape recorder. , a synchronization separation circuit applied to a system for extracting the calendar data and channel data from a playback signal of a video tape recorder, and extracting a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal from a video signal played back from the video tape recorder; A video signal discrimination circuit inputs a horizontal synchronization signal from this synchronization separation circuit and passes the horizontal synchronization signal only when the signal is normal; and a video signal discrimination circuit that counts the horizontal synchronization signal that has passed through this video signal discrimination circuit, and and a counter that is reset, and when the counted frequency of this counter is less than a predetermined value, the valid values of the calendar data before and after the abnormality are compared to perform fast forwarding/
A video feature that distinguishes between rewinding and stopping.
Fast forward/rewind/stop detection circuit for tape recorders.