JPH07193778A - Video tape recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prepare and record an index which does not disappear even when a power supply is turned off by recording a still picture and its position information in a disk-like recording medium. CONSTITUTION:At the time of receiving a control signal indicating still picture processing from a still picture controller 5, a frame buffer 6 stores a picture output from a VTR mechanism and a controller 4 as a still picture for one frame and supplies picture data indicating the still picture to the controller 5. During the reception of a data write control signal from a control part 1, the controller 5 supplies the still picture data from the buffer 6, date and time information from a timer 1T and a header including a counter value from a counter 4C to a magneto-optical recording/reproducing device 8 to record the data in a magneto-optical disk.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video tape recorder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional video tape recorder records TV programs and the like on a magnetic tape sequentially and reproduces them sequentially.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional video tape recorder, in order to know where and what is recorded on the magnetic tape, the user relies on index marks or a tape counter to fast forward or rewind the tape. There was no choice but to play it back and confirm.

Further, even if the index of the recorded contents of the tape is recorded by using a small capacity storage device such as an IC card, it is possible to record only a simple classification by the value of the counter or the character. It was Therefore, it is difficult to create an index that accurately indicates the recorded contents of the tape.

Further, when the video tape recorder is provided with a frame buffer, it can hold one still image, but cannot hold more still images, and the stored still images will be stored when the power is turned off. There is a problem of disappearing.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video tape recorder capable of accurately indicating the recording contents of a tape and creating and recording an index that does not disappear when the power is turned off. And

[0007]

A video tape recorder according to the present invention comprises a video tape recorder body (for example, VTR mechanism 4 in FIG. 1), a frame buffer (for example, frame buffer 6 in FIG. 1), and a video tape recorder. An image recorded by the main body is temporarily stored in the frame buffer as a still image, and the still image control means (for example, the still image controller 5 in FIG. 1) that outputs the still image together with its position information, and from this still image control means A recording unit (for example, the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 in FIG. 1) for recording the output still image and its position information on a disc-shaped recording medium is provided.

[0008]

In the video tape recorder of the present invention, the image recorded by the video tape recorder main body is temporarily stored in the frame buffer as a still image, and the still image and its position information are recorded on the disc-shaped recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to accurately indicate the recorded contents of the tape, and to create and record an index that does not disappear when the power is turned off.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a video tape recorder (hereinafter abbreviated as VTR) of the present invention. VT
The R control unit 1 switches the channel of the tuner 2 in response to a user's operation of a remote controller (not shown) or the like, and instructs the switch 3 to select either an external input or an output of the tuner 2. , A control signal indicating a recording instruction or a reproduction instruction to the VTR mechanism and the controller 4, and a data read / write control signal to the still image controller 5 and the magneto-optical recording / reproducing device 8 to output a still image to the still image controller 5. A display instruction signal is given, and date and time information is given from the timer 1T to the still image controller 5.

The VTR mechanism and controller 4 are
When receiving a control signal for recording from the R control unit 1, the tuner 2 supplied via the switch 3
The image signal from the recording medium or the image signal from the external input is recorded on the magnetic tape, and the recorded image is output to the frame buffer 6. The frame buffer 6 stores the image signal from the VTR mechanism and the controller 4 when receiving the control signal instructing the writing from the still image controller 5, and when receiving the control signal instructing the reading out from the still image controller 5, The stored image signal is output to the monitor (that is, the television receiver) 7, and the monitor 7 displays the image showing the received signal.

When the frame buffer 6 receives a control signal indicating still image processing from the still image controller 5, the frame buffer 6 stores the image output from the VTR mechanism and the controller 4 as a still image, and indicates the still image. The image data is supplied to the still image controller 5. On the other hand, the counter value of the counter 4C that operates in synchronization with the tape recording operation of the VTR mechanism and the controller 4 is also supplied to the still image controller 5.

When the still image controller 5 receives the data write control signal from the control section 1, the still image controller 5 outputs the still image data from the frame buffer 6, the date and time information from the timer 1T, and the counter. The header including the counter value from 4C is supplied to the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 and recorded on the magneto-optical disk of the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8.

When the control unit 1 gives a data read control signal to the still image controller 5 and the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8, the still image data with header reproduced from the magneto-optical disk of the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 is supplied. Is supplied to the still image controller 5. The still image controller 5 stores the header portion in its storage unit and supplies the still image data to the frame buffer 6. The frame buffer 6 temporarily stores the still image data supplied from the still image controller 5. The image represented by the data stored in the frame buffer 6 is displayed on the monitor 7.

When the user sees the still image displayed on the monitor 7 and selects this still image with a remote controller or the like (not shown), the VTR control section 1 stores the still image controller 5 in the controller 5. The VTR mechanism and controller 4 are instructed to transfer the corresponding headers, and a control signal for instructing the VTR mechanism and controller 4 to reproduce is given. As a result, the VTR mechanism and the controller 4 start playing the tape from the count value included in the header sent from the still image controller 5.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 shown in FIG. Magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus (MDXD) of FIG.
8 is a system originally developed for use in personal audio equipment (portable type, stationary type, in-vehicle type). It is a read (playback) type optical disc having a diameter of 64 mm, and a rewritable MO (optical) type. Either a magnetic) disk or a partial ROM (hybrid) disk having a read / write (that is, rewritable) area and a read-only area is used as a recording medium in a cartridge. In the case of a read-only type optical disc that records data by the magnetic field modulation overwrite recording method, the read signal is detected by utilizing the diffraction phenomenon of light in the pit row of the target track, and in the case of a read / write type magneto-optical disc , The polarization angle of the reflected light from the target track (car rotation angle In the case of a partial ROM disk, the read signal is detected by utilizing the diffraction phenomenon of light in the pit row of the target track, and the read / write area is detected. On the other hand, the reproduction signal is detected by detecting the difference in the polarization angle (Kerr rotation angle) of the reflected light from the target track.

In the magneto-optical recording / reproducing device 8 as described above, in the course of development as a personal audio device, each circuit element is integrated and each mechanical component is optimized, and the size and weight of the entire device are reduced. In addition, low power consumption enables battery operation. Furthermore, it has almost the same storage capacity (120 Mbytes) as the existing 3.5-inch MO disk drive, and the recording medium can be exchanged. It is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the device body and recording media,
From the track record of use as a personal audio device,
Reliability is also well proven.

In this embodiment, the magneto-optical recording / reproducing device 8 is used.
Is a read / write type rewritable magneto-optical (M
O) Use a disc. The magneto-optical recording / reproducing device 8 has a V
When controlled by the TR control unit 1 and instructed by the CPU 14 to read out, the image and header recorded on the magneto-optical disk are read out and sent to the still image controller 5, and when instructed to write by the VTR control unit 1, Performs the operation of writing images and headers on the magneto-optical disk.

In the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the magneto-optical disk 8 rotated by a spindle motor 802 is used.
04, a magnetic field corresponding to the recording data is applied by the magnetic head 808 in a state where the optical pickup 806 irradiates the laser beam to perform the magnetic field modulation overwrite recording along the recording track of the magneto-optical disk. Data is reproduced magneto-optically by tracing a target track of the magnetic disk 804 with a laser beam by an optical pickup 806.

The optical pickup 806 is composed of a laser light source such as a laser diode, optical components such as a collimator lens, an objective lens, a polarization beam splitter, a cylindrical lens, and a photodetector divided into a predetermined arrangement. Magnetic disk 804
It is positioned by a feed motor 810 at a position facing the magnetic head 808 with the pinch in between.

In the optical pickup 806, when recording data on the magneto-optical disk 804, the magnetic head drive circuit 809 drives the magnetic head 808, and a modulation magnetic field according to the recording data is applied to the magneto-optical disk 804.
Data is recorded by thermomagnetic recording by irradiating the target track of.

Further, the optical pickup 806 detects the focus error by, for example, the astigmatism method by detecting the laser light applied to the target track, and also detects the tracking error by, for example, the push-pull method, and at the same time, the magneto-optical characteristic. When reproducing data from the disk 804, a difference in polarization angle (Kerr rotation angle) of the reflected light from the target track is detected to generate a reproduction signal.

The output of the optical pickup 806 is supplied to the RF circuit 812. The RF circuit 812 extracts the focus error signal and the tracking error signal from the output of the optical pickup 806, and the servo control circuit 814.
And the reproduced signal is binarized and supplied to the address decoder 816. Address decoder 816
Decodes the address from the supplied binarized reproduction signal and outputs it to the EFM / CIRC encoder / decoder 818, and also outputs the binarized reproduction data other than the binarized reproduction data related to the address to the EFM / CIRC. It is supplied to the encoder / decoder 818.

The servo control circuit 814 is composed of, for example, a focus servo control circuit, a tracking servo control circuit, a spindle motor servo control circuit, a sled servo control circuit, and the like.

The focus servo control circuit controls the optical pickup 806 so that the focus error signal becomes zero.
The focus control of the optical system is performed. The tracking servo control circuit controls the feed motor 810 of the optical pickup 806 so that the tracking error signal becomes zero.

Further, the spindle motor servo control circuit controls the spindle motor 802 so as to rotate the disk 804 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, a constant linear speed). Further, the sled servo control circuit moves the magnetic head 808 and the optical pickup 806 to the target track position of the disk 804 designated by the system controller 820 by the feed motor 810.

EFM / CIRC encoder / decoder 8
Reference numeral 18 denotes an encoding process for error correction, that is, a CI for the data supplied via the interface 800.
RC (Cross Interleave Reed-
In addition to performing the encoding process of Solomon code, the modulation process suitable for recording, that is, EFM (Eight)
to Fourteen Modulation) encoding processing is performed.

EFM / CIRC encoder / decoder 8
The encoded data output from 18 is supplied to the magnetic head drive circuit 809 as recording data. The magnetic head drive circuit 809 drives the magnetic head 808 so as to apply a modulation magnetic field according to the recording data to the disk 804.

When the system controller 820 receives a write command from the CPU 14 via the interface 800, the system controller 820 controls the recording position on the disk 804 so that the recording data is recorded on the recording track of the disk 804. This recording position is controlled by EFM
The system controller 804 manages the recording position on the disk 804 of the encoded data output from the CIRC encoder / decoder 818, and the system controller 820 outputs a control signal for designating the recording position of the recording track of the disk 804 to the servo control circuit. 814.

At the time of reproduction, the EFM / CIRC encoder / decoder 818 performs EFM demodulation processing and CIRC decoding processing for error correction on the input binarized reproduction data, and then the interface 800 receives the same. Output.

Further, when the system controller 820 receives a read command from the CPU 14 via the interface 800, the system controller 820 controls the reproduction position with respect to the recording track of the disk 804 so that reproduction data can be continuously obtained. The control of the reproduction position is performed by managing the position of the reproduction data on the disc by the system controller 820 and supplying a control signal designating the reproduction position on the recording track of the disc 804 to the servo control circuit 814. .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this example, the VTR 1000 is configured by accommodating all the components shown in FIG. 1 in one case. A cassette storage slot 30 is formed on the front surface of the VTR 1000, and a video tape cassette 34 is loaded therein. The magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 has a VT
The magneto-optical disk accommodated in the cartridge 804C is loaded from the slot 40 provided on the left side of the R1000 and provided on the front side.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a still image file format used in the embodiment of FIG. In this example,
The still image file includes a still image file header, followed by a plurality of still image data headers and still image data pairs.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the format of the still image file header of FIG. In this example, the still image file header is a still image data format ID, version number, file header size, still image data total size, attribute, channel, date, start time, end time, pointer to representative screen, and classification code. including. FIG. 6 shows an example of items included in the still image file header of FIG. 4, and sizes and contents of each item.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the format of the still image data header of FIG. In this example, the still image data header includes still image data size, image width, image height, compression mode, and relative time from the start time. FIG. 8 shows an example of items included in the still image data header of FIG. 4, and sizes and contents of each item.

FIG. 9 shows an example of still image data used in the embodiment of FIG. The still image data is digital data read from the frame buffer 6 and is obtained by arranging the data line by line from the upper left corner to the right, and each pixel data has 5 bits of red data, green data, and It consists of blue data.

In the above-described embodiment, when recording a program such as a TV, the frames of the video to be recorded are recorded as still images on the magneto-optical disk 804 of the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 at appropriate intervals. , Can hold the index of the still image on the videotape. That is, when a still image is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 804 of the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the recorded date, time, channel, etc. are recorded as a still image header file, Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, as a still image data header, a relative time from the start time which is the recording mode and the tape position information (the counter 4C in FIG. 1 is used.
(Corresponding to the output value of) is recorded. When a still image is read from the magneto-optical disk 804, stored in the frame buffer 6 via the still image controller 5 and displayed on the monitor 7, the tape position information corresponding to the still image is displayed in the still image controller. 5 is stored in the storage unit. The user looks at the still image displayed on the monitor 7,
When this still image is selected by an input from a remote controller (not shown), the VTR control unit 1 causes the still image controller 5 to
The tape position information stored in the controller 5 is VT
The R mechanism and the controller 4 are instructed to transfer, and the VTR mechanism and the controller 4 are given a control signal for instructing reproduction. This gives V
The TR mechanism and the controller 4 start playing the tape from the position indicated by the tape position information sent from the still image controller 5.

As described above, if the still image of the contents recorded on the magnetic tape and the index which is the tape position information are recorded on the randomly accessible disk 804, the still image can be reproduced very much. The recorded contents of the tape can be visually confirmed in a short time, and when the user instructs a still image, the tape can be automatically fast-forwarded or rewound to that position to reproduce the tape.

Since the image stored in the frame buffer 6 can be recorded on the disk 804 as a still image at any time, it can be used as a still camera for TV images.

In the case of timer reservation, the scheduled start time and scheduled end time should also be recorded.

The time interval for recording a still image is short at the start of recording on the tape and a little longer after that so that the user can easily understand what was recorded. The time interval for recording a still image may be automatically set by the VTR control unit 1 or may be selected by the user.

Further, in order to identify a plurality of video tapes, a bar code sticker or the like having a serial number recorded thereon is attached in advance to a specific position (for example, the back portion) of the tape cassette, and when the tape cassette is inserted, the VTR is inserted. The tape may be identified by reading the portion with an internal sensor.

If the user operates the freeze frame with a remote controller or the like when he or she wants to record only the scenes such as application requirements such as presents and quizzes of TV programs, ingredients of cooking programs, etc. 1, a still image display command is given to the still image controller 5, the still image controller 5 gives a control signal for instructing the still image processing to the frame buffer 6, and the frame buffer 6 temporarily stores the TV image as a still image. The still image is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 804 of the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 via the still image controller 5. Disk 80
Since the capacity of No. 4 is large as described above, any number of freeze frames can be freeze-framed and recorded on the disk 804 for peace of mind so that they can be viewed slowly later.

The above embodiment relates to the case where the magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus 8 uses the read / write disk, but the following advantages can be obtained even when the read-only disk is used. That is, the TV program information sheet is provided with a schedule table of TV programs for several days and explanations of the contents thereof, which are recorded on a read-only optical disc. For example, when the user selects a day or time on the screen of the monitor 7, a schedule table of TV programs corresponding to the selected day or time is displayed on the monitor 7, and when the user wants to know more about a specific program, a remote controller, etc. By specifying the program by, the explanation of the content of the program and a part of the program are displayed as a still image, and the user performs the recording reservation operation,
By setting the date, time and channel and enabling recording, the program selection and recording operation by the user becomes very easy.

By making it possible to display anything such as characters and pictures on the screen of the monitor 7, it is possible to record the entire contents of the TV program information paper on the optical disc.
Further, the production cost can be reduced by using the read-only optical disc. Further, the so-called mini disc (MD) as shown in FIG. 2 is small in size, and is therefore advantageous for transportation.

[0045]

According to the video tape recorder of the present invention, the image recorded by the video tape recorder main body is temporarily stored in the frame buffer as a still image, and the still image and its position information are recorded on the disc-shaped recording medium. Since this is done, it is possible to accurately indicate the recorded contents of the tape and to create and record an index that does not disappear when the power is turned off.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a video tape recorder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a magneto-optical recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a still image file format used in the embodiment of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a still image file header in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of items included in the still image file header of FIG. 4, and sizes and contents of each item.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a still image data header of FIG.

8 includes items included in the still image data header of FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the size and content of each item.

9 is a diagram showing an example of still image data used in the embodiment of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 VTR control unit 5 Still image controller 6 Frame buffer 7 Monitor (TV) 8 Magneto-optical recording / reproducing device 804 Magneto-optical disk 1000 VTR

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display area H04N 5/937

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A still image control for temporarily storing a video tape recorder main body, a frame buffer, an image recorded by the video tape recorder main body as a still image in the frame buffer, and outputting the still image together with position information thereof. A video tape recorder comprising: means for recording a still image output from the still image control means; and recording means for recording position information thereof on a disk-shaped recording medium. 2. The video tape recorder according to claim 1, further comprising display means, wherein the still image reproduced from the recording means is temporarily stored in the frame buffer and displayed on the display means.