JPH02121143A - Video tape recorder device with timer function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically record the desired programs with a VTR device containing a timer function by registering the title and end screens into a registering picture memory circuit. CONSTITUTION:The picture signals undergone the A/D conversion are stored via a work picture memory circuit 5 for each filed or each frame. At the same time, these picture signals are outputted to a register indication circuit 9 and a comparator 11 as well as to a video amplifier circuit 7 after undergoing a prescribed high picture quality signal process. The circuit 9 adds the corresponding control code to the picture signal of a title screen received from the circuit 5 based on a video recording start command given from a control panel 15 and, stores and registers the control code into a registering picture memory circuit 13 as a picture pattern. Then the picture signals of the received pictures are always inputted to the circuit 11 as the picture patterns and compared with the picture patterns registered in the circuit 5. Thus it is possible to automatically record the desired programs with the title and end screens, etc., used as the timer functions.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a VTR device with a timer function.

In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in a VTR device with a timer function that allows automatic recording without the operator directly operating the device, such as when recording when the user is away.

[Problems to be solved by conventional techniques and inventions] Conventionally,
A VTR device with a timer function sets the recording start date and time of the program you want to record when you are away from home, and the recording time in the built-in memory. To automatically load a video cassette tape. A so-called time setting method was adopted.

However, when it comes to TV programs, for example, the broadcast time of the program you want to record may change due to extended broadcast times, such as baseball broadcasts, or sudden insertion of special programs. There are cases where recording fails.

Furthermore, it is virtually impossible to set the time of a desired program to be recorded, taking into consideration the extension of a sports program or a change in broadcast time zone due to a special program.

If you try to almost completely record the program you want to record, you will have to be prepared to record unnecessary broadcast parts, which will result in a large amount of video cassette tape being wasted, which will be costly and difficult to use later. They are being forced to bear a heavy burden.

Therefore, there is a strong desire for a configuration that can accurately record desired programs without wasting video tape.

As a result of careful observation of many broadcast screens, the present inventor found that in regular programs, drama programs, sports programs, educational programs, etc. that are broadcast regularly, a certain program start title screen and a certain program end screen are displayed at the beginning and end of one program. Focusing on the fact that screens are broadcast, we discovered that it is possible to provide a timer function to certain title screens and end screens.

The present invention was developed under these circumstances, and it is possible to automatically control the loading of a video cassette tape without setting the image start date and time or recording time of the desired program to be recorded, making it possible to easily and accurately record while you are away. The purpose of this invention is to provide a VTR device with a timer function.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a VTR device with a timer function that allows recording of unwanted broadcast portions.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve such problems, the present invention provides a work image storage circuit that temporarily stores an A/D converted image signal at a predetermined timing. is connected to a registration image storage circuit that stores and registers it as an image pattern via a registration instruction circuit that instructs its registration, and the image signals from the work image storage circuit and the registration image pattern of the registration image storage circuit are connected. A comparison circuit is provided which outputs a control signal when there is a registered image back that substantially matches the image signal from the workpiece image storage circuit, and the comparison circuit controls the operation of the loading device based on the content of the control signal. It is configured by connecting a loading control circuit.

The comparison circuit can be configured to output a control signal based on the control content added to the registered image pattern.

Further, the registration instruction circuit is configured to add control contents to the image signal from the work image storage circuit, and furthermore, it is configured to add control contents for starting, stopping, and ending the operation of the loading device, or a combination thereof. It can be configured as follows.

[For production]

In the present invention equipped with such a means, the A/D converted image signal is sequentially stored in the workpiece image storage circuit for image signal processing, and outputted to the image signal amplification circuit or the like at a predetermined timing. The image signal stored in the work image storage circuit is stored and registered in the registration image storage circuit by the registration instruction circuit.

The image signal of the image storage circuit for work is input to the comparison circuit and compared with the registered image pattern of the image storage circuit for registration, and if there is a registered image pattern that substantially matches the image signal from the image storage circuit for work.

A control signal is output from the comparator circuit to the loading control circuit, and the loading control circuit controls the loading device according to the control content, thereby performing a loading operation of the video tape.

By variously changing the configuration of the registration instruction circuit and the configuration of the comparison circuit, detailed loading control is performed individually for each image pattern registered in the registration image storage circuit.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a tuner circuit 1 to which an antenna is connected has a conventionally known configuration and receives a received VHF television signal or
HF TV signal frequency conversion and amplification circuit (not shown)
The signal is output to the A/D conversion circuit 3 via the A/D conversion circuit 3.

The A/D conversion circuit 3 converts the video signal from the tuner circuit 1 into, for example, one field (1/60 seconds) or one frame (1/60 seconds).
The digital signal is A/D converted into an 8-bit digital signal and quantized every 30 seconds, and is connected to the work image storage circuit 5.

The work image storage circuit 5 is formed of a large-capacity image storage RAM of, for example, 1 Mbyte, stores an A/D converted image signal, and is connected to a registration instruction circuit 9 and a comparison circuit 11 to be described later. ing.

The work image storage circuit 5 records the image signal of one field and performs predetermined signal processing, for example, and has a line memory for two fields, and sequentially records the image signal of one line, which is the same as the previous line. It has a function of performing high quality image signal processing by line interpolating the image signal to the next line, and outputs the processed signal to the video amplification circuit 7.

The configuration of the recording system and playback system after the video amplification circuit 7 is the same as that of a conventional VTR device or television receiver.

The registration instruction circuit 9 instructs whether or not to capture the image signal stored in the work image storage circuit 5 in units of one field or one frame.

A control code is added to the beginning of the captured image signal and output to the registration image storage circuit 13.

Instructions for capturing the image signal and inputting the control code are provided on the operation panel 1 located on the front panel of the VTR device.
5 by the operator's selection operation.

The control code indicates, for example, the start, stop, and end of a video cassette tape loading operation, which will be described later, or a combination thereof using several bits.

The registration image storage circuit 13 stores and registers the image signal with a control code from the registration th display circuit 9 as an image pattern for each field or frame. , a control code is added to the image pattern corresponding to the start title screen of a drama program and registered, and multiple fields (frames) A, B, C, etc. can be registered as shown in Figure 3. .

The registration image storage circuit 13 is formed of a large-capacity image RAM of, for example, 2 Mbytes, and is maintained by a backup power source E so that the registered contents are retained even when the power of the VTR device is turned off.

The storage capacity of the registration image storage circuit 13 is selected depending on the number of image patterns to be registered, and should be at least 300 bytes or more.

The registration image storage circuit 13 is connected to the above-mentioned comparison circuit 11, and manually inputs the image signal from the work image storage circuit 5 as an image pattern while synchronizing with the work image storage circuit 5 for each field or l frame. It is constantly compared with the registered image pattern in the registration image storage circuit 13, and if there is a registered image pattern that substantially matches the input image signal, a control signal is sent to the loading control circuit 17 according to the comparison result. This is what is output.

These comparisons are carried out in the following manner: 1. For example, the image pattern of the image signal from the work image storage circuit 5 and the registered image pattern are each made to correspond to a bitmap, and the difference between the values of the two is determined from the cumulative total of each bit content of each image pattern, even if the difference is less than the standard. For example, a control signal is output based on the assumption that there is a substantial match.

When one image pattern substantially matches, the comparison circuit 11 determines the control code added to the matching registered image pattern and generates a control signal indicating the corresponding control content, that is, loading start, stop, end, or a combination thereof. This is what is output.

However, it is preferable that the comparator circuit 11 be configured to be able to output a control signal indicating control content other than the current operating state of the loading device 19.

The loading control circuit 17 outputs a signal to the loading device 19 to start, stop, or end the loading operation of the video cassette tape according to the control content of the control signal from the comparison circuit 11.
starts, stops, and finishes loading the video cassette on the basis of instructions from the loading control circuit 17.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the television broadcast program received from the antenna is recorded, but there is also a configuration in which the A/D conversion circuit 3 or the work image storage circuit 5 is connected to a video camera or a reproduction circuit of the VTR device itself. It is possible.

Next, the above-mentioned invention will be explained in detail.

The TV reception signal received by the antenna is tuned and frequency-converted by the tuner circuit 1, and A/D converted by the A/D conversion circuit 3.
It is converted and added to the Q circuit 5 which records the work image.

The work image storage circuit 5 stores the A/D-converted image signal for each field or frame, and outputs the image signal to the registration instruction circuit 9 and comparison circuit 11, while maintaining a predetermined high image quality. The signal is processed and output to the video amplification circuit 7.

The subsequent recording operation is similar to that of a general VTR device.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the operator sees the title screen of the program desired to be recorded while viewing the image projected on the color cathode ray tube of the television receiver, the operator operates the operation panel 15 to start recording.

The registration instruction circuit 9 issues a control code (start code) corresponding to the instruction to start recording from the operation panel 15.
is added to the image signal of the title screen from the work image storage circuit 5 and registered as an image pattern in the image storage circuit 1 for registration.
3. Memory registration.

Furthermore, when the desired program to be recorded ends and the end screen appears, if you operate the operation panel 15 to indicate the end of recording, a control code (end code) corresponding to the end of recording is added to the registration instruction circuit 9. The end screen is registered and stored in the registration image storage circuit 13 as an image pattern.

The image signal of the received image is constantly input to the comparison circuit 11 as an image pattern, and is compared with the registered image pattern in the work image storage circuit 5.

Now, when the title screen of the program desired to be recorded is input, it matches the registered image pattern of the title screen in the registration image storage circuit 13, so the comparison circuit 11 outputs a control signal to start recording to the loading control circuit 17. The loading control circuit 17 controls the loading device 19, and the video cassette tape starts to be loaded, runs, and automatically starts recording.

When the image signal of the end screen is input as an image pattern from the work image storage circuit 5 to the comparison circuit 11, it matches the image pattern corresponding to the end screen, so the comparison circuit 11
A control signal for ending recording is output to the loading control circuit 17, and the loading operation of the video cassette tape is ended, thereby ending the recording.

In this way, in the VTR device with a timer function of the present invention,
If you register the title screen and end screen of the program you want to record in the registration image storage circuit 13 without setting the recording date and time in advance for the program you want to record, you can use the timer to record the title screen and end screen of the program you want to record. This function allows you to automatically record the program you want to record while you are away.

Therefore, even if the time slot of the broadcast program is changed, it is possible to accurately and easily record the program while the user is away, and video cassette tapes are not wasted.

Then, by registering and storing both the title screen and the end of a plurality of desired recording programs in the registration image storage circuit 13, it is possible to record a plurality of desired recording programs while the user is away.

Moreover, for commercial broadcasts that are regularly inserted in the middle of commercial broadcast programs, control codes for stopping and starting the operation are added to the screens at the beginning and end of the commercial broadcasts and are registered as image patterns in the registration image storage circuit 13. This will allow you to reduce the commercial broadcast time and record it.

In particular, when anime songs, etc. are broadcast, a special standard screen called "eye catch" is inserted before and after the commercial, so if this is registered in the registration image storage circuit 13, it is possible to It is possible to stop loading only and record with commercials cut.

Incidentally, in the above-described configuration, control codes corresponding to the start, stop, and end of loading are selectively added and registered in the registration instruction circuit 9 to the image signal from the work image storage circuit 5.

However, the object of the present invention can be achieved if the registration instruction circuit 9 simply instructs the image signal from the work image storage circuit 5 to be registered as an image pattern in the registration image storage circuit 13.

It does not necessarily have to be a configuration in which a control code is added.

In this case, the comparator circuit 11 may be configured to load the video cassette tape for a predetermined period of time, such as 30 minutes or 1 hour, based on the match of the image patterns, and the configuration shown in FIG. It has a function.

Additionally, if the broadcasting station adds a control code related to loading start, stop, end, etc. to the beginning of each program and transmits it,
Similarly, the registration instruction circuit 9 simply uses the registration task image storage circuit 1.
It is sufficient to simply instruct whether or not to register an image pattern in 3.

In addition, in the present invention, the playback signal of the recorded video cassette tape is input to the A/D conversion circuit 3 and the work image storage circuit 5, and the image pattern registered in the registration image storage circuit 13 is used to perform fast forwarding. It is also possible to provide a playback cue function, which improves playback efficiency.

In particular, the cueing function according to the present invention is particularly useful since video cameras have recently been provided with a function to add a title screen and record the video.

Note that when a broadcast program is changed, it is common that the time slot is shifted from the regular time slot, so the structure of the present invention may be configured in combination with a conventional time setting mechanism, and the structure of the present invention may start operating when the set time arrives. This will save power consumption.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention includes a work image storage circuit that stores an image signal to be recorded displayed on a color cathode ray tube, and a registration image storage circuit that stores the image signal from the work image storage circuit as an image pattern. and
When the image signals from the work image storage circuit substantially match the registered image pattern of the registration image storage circuit, the comparator circuit is configured to output a predetermined control signal to the loading control circuit, so that the desired program can be recorded. If a predetermined image pattern is registered, loading of the video cassette tape is automatically controlled.

Therefore, 1. For example, by registering the title screen, end screen, etc. of the program you want to record in the registration image storage circuit, when the title screen or end screen of the program you want to record is input to the comparison circuit, the program you want to record will be automatically recorded. The operation of the VTR device is automatically controlled without setting the recording start date and time or the recording time of the desired program to avoid wasteful recording of the video cassette tape, and the operation is simple.

By appropriately selecting the registered image pattern, it becomes possible to record unnecessary broadcast portions.

Further, in a configuration in which the comparison circuit determines the loading control content added to the registered image pattern and outputs a corresponding control signal, various loading controls such as operation start, stop, and end are possible.

This method can be immediately applied when a control code is added on the broadcasting station side for broadcasting.

Furthermore, control contents 3, for example, start loading.

In a configuration including a registration instruction circuit that registers an image pattern in a registration image storage circuit by adding a control code indicating stop or end, the operator of the VTR device can issue various detailed loading operation instructions.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a VTR device with a timer function according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a registered image pattern on a color cathode ray tube of a television receiver, and FIG.
The figure is a diagram schematically showing the storage contents of the registration image storage circuit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A work image storage circuit that temporarily stores an A/D converted image signal at a predetermined timing, and a registration image that stores and registers the image signal stored in the work image storage circuit as an image pattern. a storage circuit; a registration instructing circuit for instructing registration of the temporarily stored image signals in the registration image storage circuit; and an image signal from the work image storage circuit and the registration image storage circuit. Compare the pattern with the registered image pattern of
a comparison circuit that outputs a control signal when the registered image pattern substantially matches the image signal from the workpiece image storage circuit; A VTR device with a timer function, comprising: a loading control circuit that controls the operation of a video cassette tape loading device based on the content of the control signal. (2) The VTR device with a timer function according to claim 1, wherein the comparison circuit determines control content added to the registered image pattern to control the loading device and outputs a control signal. (3) The VTR device with a timer function according to claim 2, wherein the registration instruction circuit adds the control content to the image signal from the work image storage circuit. (4) The V with a timer function according to claim 3, wherein the registration instruction circuit adds control details for starting, stopping, and ending the operation of the loading device, or a combination thereof.
TR device. (5) The VTR device with a timer function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the registration image storage circuit registers at least a program start title screen to which control details for starting loading are added as an image pattern. .