JPH03268589A - Character broadcasting corresponding type video tape recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily retrieve a recorded program by inserting information relating to a program to be recorded into the head of the program as a character image by a program information inserting means at the time of recording the program and reproducing the image. CONSTITUTION:A system microcomputer 17, a retrieving operation part 18, the program information inserting means 19, and a recorded program retrieving means 20 are added to a conventional VTR. A superimposing microcomputer 22 inserts dates and time at the start and end of a program to be recorded, a program name, etc., into the head of the program as an information image. In the case of retrieving a recorded program, a video tape 27 is traveled and an index signal is searched by a control head 26. At the time of detecting the index signal, the VTR executes image reproducing for 10 seconds. Since the character image reproduced during the period is the information image inserted at the time of recording, a user can check which program is recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a teletext compatible video tape recorder capable of receiving, recording and reproducing teletext.

[Conventional technology]

Teletext broadcasting, which is already in full swing commercial broadcasting, is
It is becoming increasingly popular because it has the advantage of being able to instantly obtain information that is not available in conventional television broadcasts. Additionally, along with this, development of television receivers, video tape recorders, etc. that can receive teletext is also progressing.

For example, a teletext compatible videotape recorder is
As shown in the figure, 1. A receiving circuit 1 that receives the RF multiplied signal and demodulates it into a television broadcast signal (video signal), a recording/playback section 2 that records and reproduces the television broadcast signal, and a system that controls the entire video tape recorder. In addition to control microcomputer C (hereinafter referred to as system microcomputer) 3,
A teletext signal processing section 4 is provided. The teletext signal processing unit 4 includes a teletext signal separation circuit 5, a decoder 6, a memory 7, a signal conversion circuit 8, and a teletext microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a text microcomputer) 9.

The teletext signal separation circuit 5 is a circuit that uses a gate pulse to separate the teletext signal superimposed in the vertical blanking period from the television broadcast signal output from the receiving circuit 1. The decoder 6 corrects errors in the digital teletext signal, decodes the error-corrected teletext signal according to instructions from the character microcomputer 9, and further generates pattern data corresponding to decoded character and graphic information. This is a circuit that does this. Further, the decoder 6 has a changeover switch 10 provided between the receiving circuit 1 and the recording/reproducing section 2.
This circuit outputs a switching signal to be connected to the output of the teletext signal processing section 4. The memory 7 is a RAM that temporarily stores pattern data output from the decoder 6. The signal conversion circuit 8 is a circuit that converts the pattern data output from the decoder 6 into a television broadcast signal. The character microcomputer 9 is connected to the system microcomputer 3 and the decoder 6 via a serial data bus, and controls the teletext signal processing section 4 based on commands from the system microcomputer 3.

A teletext operation section 11 is connected to the system microcomputer 3 in order to control the teletext signal processing section 4 . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the teletext operation unit 11 has a TV/text switching key 12, a cursor movement key 13, a reservation key 14, a timer recording set key 15, and a numeric keypad 16. Keys are connected in a matrix.

The television/text switching key 12 is an operation key that alternately switches between normal television broadcasting and text broadcasting each time it is turned on. The cursor movement key 13 is an operation key for moving a cursor for selecting a program on a program information page, which will be described later, on which a list of programs is displayed. The reservation entry key 14 is an operation key used when reserving a program. The timer recording set key 15 is an operation key for setting timer recording. The numeric keypad 16 is a key for entering numbers from 0 to 9, and is used to input page numbers and the like.

In the video tape recorder described above, when the TV/character switching key 12 is turned on, the system microcomputer 3 sends a command to the character microcomputer 9 to output a character image. In response to this, the teletext signal separation circuit 5 selects the receiving circuit 1.
The teletext signal separated from the decoder 6 is converted into character image data and written into the memory 7. The character image data written to the memory 7 is sent to the character microcomputer 9.
The signal is called by the decoder 6 as necessary under the control of , and is converted into a character image signal (television broadcast signal) by the signal conversion circuit 8 and output. At this time, from decoder 6,
A switching signal for switching the changeover switch 10 to the teletext signal processing unit 4 side is output, and thereby the signal conversion circuit 8
The character image signal outputted from is sent to the recording/reproducing section 2.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned video tape recorder is also capable of timer recording, and the timer recording setting is performed, for example, according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the TV/text switching key 12 is operated to switch to text broadcasting (S1), the program information page is called up using the numeric keypad 16 (S2). For example, as shown in Figure 8, on the called program information page, the page number, the date and time each program is broadcast, the program name, etc. are displayed as program information. 14
is turned on to make the cursor (not shown) blink, and the desired program is selected by moving the cursor by operating the cursor movement key 13 (S3). Then, by turning on the reservation key 14 again, the program is reserved (S4). Then, information regarding the selected program (date and time, program name, etc.) is transferred from the character microcomputer 9 to the system microcomputer 3, and information necessary for timer recording is set in the system microcomputer 3. Set the timer recording at (35)
).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional teletext video tape recorder described above, the information transferred from the text microcomputer 9 to the system microcomputer 3 is only used as information necessary for timer recording and is not retained after recording. The only way to check if a program was recorded was to actually play and watch the recorded program. For this reason, when many programs are recorded using timer recording, it becomes very difficult to search for programs, which is troublesome.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned current situation, and an object of the present invention is to make it easier to search for recorded programs without actually continuing to play the programs.

[Means to solve the problem]

The teletext compatible video tape recorder according to the present invention includes:
In order to solve the above problems, we have developed a recording/reproducing means for recording or reproducing a television broadcast signal, a teletext signal that is superimposed on the television broadcast signal, and a teletext signal that is separated by predetermined processing. In a teletext compatible video tape recorder equipped with teletext signal processing means for converting a signal into a television broadcast signal, information about the program obtained from an image displaying a list of programs is displayed as a text image at the beginning of the program to be recorded. A program information insertion means for inserting program information as an index signal for detecting the position where a character image of the program information is recorded on the videotape during recording, while recording an index signal for detecting the position where the character image of the program information is recorded on the videotape, and when the videotape is running other than recording, The present invention is characterized by comprising a recorded program search means that searches for recorded programs by detecting an index signal.

(Function) In the above configuration, the program information insertion means inserts information about the program as a character image at the beginning of the program being recorded during recording, so by playing back this image, you can tell what kind of program You can check whether the program has been recorded without having to continue playing the recorded program.In addition, the recorded program search means detects the index signal and detects the position of the image. You can easily search for recorded programs.

For example, V I S S (VHS Index 5e
arch System), when searching, the video tape is run by rewinding or fast forwarding to search for an index signal, and if an index signal is detected by this search, playback is performed for a predetermined period of time. , the operation of calling up information images of recorded programs becomes extremely simple.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. It should be noted that circuit blocks having the same functions as the configuration shown in the conventional example will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. Further, the details of the teletext signal processing section 4 shown in FIG. 1 and the teletext operation section 11 shown in FIG. 2 have already been described in the conventional example, so their explanation will be omitted for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 1, the teletext compatible video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as VTR) according to the present invention, like the conventional VTR, includes a receiving circuit 1 and a recording/playback unit 2 as a recording/playback means. , a teletext signal processing unit 4 as a teletext signal processing means, a changeover switch 10, and a teletext operation unit 11, and further includes a system microcomputer 17, a search operation unit 18, and a program information insertion unit. means 19;
It also has a recorded program search means 20 and a VISS function.

The program information insertion means 19 includes a synchronization separation circuit 21, a superimpose microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as superimpose microcomputer) 22, a changeover switch 23, and a voltage source 24.

The synchronization separation circuit 21 is a circuit that separates a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal of the composite synchronization signal obtained from the reproducing/recording section 2. The superimpose microcomputer 22 is connected to the system microcomputer 17 via a serial data bus, and displays information such as month/day, hour/minute, program name, etc. at the start/end of the program to be recorded (character image signal). (
This is a control circuit for inserting the information image signal (information image signal) at the beginning of the program. This super inboze microcontroller 22
determines the position to insert the information image signal based on the vertical synchronization signal (■ synchronization in the figure) and the horizontal synchronization signal (H synchronization in the figure) obtained from the synchronization separation circuit 21, and also determines the position where the information image signal is inserted. A character insertion pulse is sent to the changeover switch 23 at the above-mentioned position based on the program information data outputted from the program information data. The program information data is obtained from the program information page (see FIG. 8) and is transferred from the character microcomputer 9 to the system microcomputer 17 via the serial data bus.

In addition, the changeover switch 23 is connected to the changeover switch 10 and the recording/recording switch 23.
It is a switch that is provided between the playback section 2 and connects the output signal from the changeover switch 10 or the voltage of the voltage source 24 to the recording/playback section 2, and is normally connected to the changeover switch 10 side. When the character insertion pulse from the superimpose microcomputer 22 is input, the voltage source 24 is recorded and
It is connected to the playback section 2. The voltage source 24 outputs a voltage that sets the brightness of the character image of the information image to be inserted. Therefore, each time a character insertion pulse is inserted, the connection of the changeover switch 23 is switched, and the voltage of the voltage source 24 is applied to the character image signal, thereby inserting the information image signal.

On the other hand, the recorded program search means 20 is composed of a servo circuit 25 and a control head 26. The servo circuit 25 is a circuit that performs servo control of the rotation drive system of the VTR, and is connected to the system microcomputer 17 via a serial data path. It has a function of outputting an index signal to the control head 26, as well as amplifying and shaping the index signal reproduced by the control head 26 and sending it to the system microcomputer 17. The control head 26 records the index signal from the servo circuit 25 on the control track of the video tape 27, and also reproduces the already recorded index signal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the search operation section 18 is connected to the system microcomputer 17 together with the teletext operation section 11. This search operation unit 18 has a search key 28 for instructing the start of a search, a fast forward key 29, a rewind key 30, a playback key 31, and a stop key 32 in order to operate the recorded program search means 20.

In the above configuration, when performing timer recording, for example, the VTR shifts to recording mode at the recording start time when timer recording is set in the same procedure as in the prior art (see FIG. 7). At this time, the servo circuit 25 outputs an index signal by reversing the duty of the control signal for 2 seconds in response to a command from the system microcomputer 17, while the system microcomputer 17 outputs the program information transferred from the character microcomputer 9. The data is transferred to the superimpose microcomputer 22. When this transfer is completed, the superimpose microcomputer 22 transfers the system microcomputer 1 to the system microcomputer 1.
Upon receiving the command from 7, a character insertion pulse is sent to the changeover switch 23 for 20 seconds.

The changeover switch 23 switches the connection to the voltage source 24 side every time a character insertion pulse is input, and inserts the information signal into the character image signal sent from the teletext signal processing unit 4 via the changeover switch 10. When this character image signal is input to the recording/reproducing section 2, it is subjected to predetermined processing and recorded on the videotape 27 until the recording end time.

On the other hand, if you want to search for recorded programs, use the search key 28
When the fast forward key 29 or the rewind key 30 is turned on depending on the search position while the search mode is set by turning on the video key 127, the control head 26 searches for the index signal. When an index signal is detected by this search, VT
R shifts to playback mode and performs playback for 10 seconds. Since the character image played during this time is an information image inserted at the time of recording, the user can confirm what kind of program has been recorded. Also, during this time, playback key 3
By turning on 1, it is possible to continue playing even after 10 seconds have passed, and by turning on stop key 32.
By doing so, it is also possible to stop the running of the videotape 27 at that position. After the above playback mode ends, fast forwarding or rewinding is performed again.
Similar operations are repeated to sequentially search for recorded programs.

Here, the operation of the VTR during recording under the control of the system microcomputer 17 will be briefly explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when recording starts (Sll), an index signal is recorded (312), and the superimpose microcomputer 2
Program information data is transferred to step 2 (S13). Next, it is determined whether the transfer has been completed (514), and if the transfer has been completed, a character insertion pulse is output from the superimpose microcomputer 22 (315). Then, it is determined whether 20 seconds have passed since the output of the character insertion pulse started (516), and if 20 seconds have passed, the output of the character insertion pulse is stopped (S17), and recording continues until the recording end time. (318). If the transfer is not completed in 314, the process in S13 is continued until the transfer is completed, while if 20 seconds have not elapsed since the output of the character insertion pulse was started in S16, the process in S13 is continued until 20 seconds have elapsed. Continue processing.

Next, the operation when searching for a recorded program of a VTR under the control of the system microcomputer 17 will be briefly explained based on the flowchart of FIG.

Start searching for the index signal by fast forwarding or rewinding with the search mode set.52
1) It is determined whether an index signal is detected in this search (S22). At this time, if an index signal is detected, the mode shifts to playback mode (S2
3) If no index signal is detected, continue searching until an index signal is detected. Then, it is determined whether the playback key 31 is turned on during the playback mode (S24), and if the playback key 31 is not turned on,
Next, it is determined whether the stop key 32 is turned on (S
25). At this time, if the stop key 32 is not turned on,
It is determined whether 10 seconds have passed since the transition to the playback mode (526), and if 10 seconds have passed, the playback mode is ended and the processes from S22 onwards are repeated.

Furthermore, if the playback key 31 is turned on in S24,
While playback continues even after 10 seconds have passed (S27L S25
If the stop key 32 is turned on in step S28, the search operation is stopped (S28). Furthermore, if 10 seconds have not elapsed since the transition to playback mode in S26, the process is
Return to 4.

In this way, in this embodiment, the information image of the program is inserted at the beginning of the program to be recorded, and an index signal for detecting the position of this information image at the time of recording is recorded on the video tape 27. , videotape 27
By detecting the index signal while running in fast forward or rewind, the information image of the program can be easily called up, and it is possible to easily confirm what kind of program has been recorded.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The teletext compatible video tape recorder according to the present invention includes:
As described above, there is provided a program information insertion means for inserting information about the program obtained from an image displaying a list of programs as a character image at the beginning of the program to be recorded, and a character image of the program information on the videotape during recording. Recorded program search means records an index signal for detecting a recorded position, and searches for a recorded program by detecting an already recorded index signal when the videotape is running for purposes other than recording. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm what kind of program has been recorded by playing back the text image of information regarding the recorded program. Furthermore, since the position of the character image can be determined by detecting the index signal, it is possible to easily search for recorded programs.

Therefore, the present invention has the effect that search operations can be simplified, and programs can be easily searched and confirmed even when many programs are recorded by timer recording or the like. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 show one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a teletext compatible video tape recorder. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing each key provided on the search operation section. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the recording operation of the teletext compatible video tape recorder. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the search operation of the teletext compatible video tape recorder. 5 and 6 show conventional examples. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a video tape recorder compatible with teletext broadcasting. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing each key provided on the teletext operation section. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the general procedure for setting timer recording. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a program information page. 2 is a recording/playback section (recording/playback means); 4 is a teletext signal processing section (texttext signal processing means); 17 is a system control microcomputer; 19 is program information insertion means;
20 is a recorded program search means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Recording/reproducing means for recording or reproducing a television broadcast signal, separating the teletext signal superimposed on the television broadcast signal, and converting the separated teletext signal into a television broadcast signal by performing predetermined processing. In a video tape recorder compatible with teletext broadcasting, the program information insertion means inserts information regarding the program obtained from an image displaying a list of programs as a character image at the beginning of the program to be recorded. At the time of recording, an index signal is recorded to detect the position where the character image of the program information is recorded on the videotape, while an index signal that has already been recorded is detected when the videotape is running other than recording. 1. A video tape recorder compatible with teletext broadcasting, comprising a recorded program search means for searching recorded programs.