MXPA00007128A - Videotape indexing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system creates an index of video stored on a videotape. It includes a video recorder which generates a video signal that corresponds to the video stored on the videotape, and which adds an index marker to the videotape in response to a command. A computing device receives the video signal from the video recorder, detects a predetermined feature based on the video signal, issues the command tothe video recorder to add the index marker to the videotape at a location of the predetermined feature, and stores the index marker. The computing device also issues a second command to the video recorder to forward the videotape to a particular location, which command includes an index marker which specifies the location. The video recorder receives this second command and, in response, searches through the videotape for the index marker included in the second command, and forwards the videotape to the location of the index marker.

Description

SYSTEM OF INDEXATION OF MAGNETIC TAPE VIDEO BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to a system which maintains an Index of information stored on a magnetic video tape or other recordable medium, which uses that Index to locate information on the magnetic video tape automatically. The system includes a video recorder which adds index markers (for example, AVASS = pulses) to specify places on the video magnetic tape, and a computing device (for example, a personal computer) which stores those markers from Index in the memory, together with the identification information that correspond to them. The personal computer is used to retrieve one of those memory index markers based on, for example, identifying information, and to command the video recorder to forward the magnetic video tape to a specific location identified by the index marker.

Description of Related Art Information stored on digital storage media, such as digital video discs (ADVDs) and compact discs (ACDs), can be easily accessed due to direct addressing. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the information stored on analog storage media, and in particular the VHS video magnetic tapes which comprise the majority of video libraries and other non-indexed domestic material. More specifically, to access information stored on a magnetic video tape, it is necessary to scroll through the video magnetic tape until the desired information is reached. When the magnetic video tape was introduced for the first time, this process was especially tedious, since there was no way to differentiate the information stored on the video magnetic tape. In addition, it was necessary to watch the video magnetic tape, and scroll through the tape manually (for example, in the mode = fast forward to forward) to reach the desired information. By recognizing the inefficiency of this process, engineers developed better ways to access information stored on magnetic video tapes. For example, the Search System by VHS index (AVISS =) places an electronic scoreboard at the start of each new registration session (for example, television programs, home movie, short video, or similar) on a magnetic video tape- A video recorder that recognizes these electronic markers can thus move from the beginning of a short to the start of another short with relative ease. Although VISS markers are a breakthrough in the art, they have their disadvantages. For example, VISS markers do not identify the information stored in each marker. As a result, they are of limited value, particularly if a user is unsure of what is stored on the magnetic video tape. In addition, it is inconvenient to use VISS markers to access intermediate portions of a short video, since VISS markers must be inserted manually in the intermediate portions (as opposed to the beginning, where they are inserted automatically). For these reasons, the conventional video magnetic tape indexing systems that depend on VISS markers have not proven to be completely satisfactory. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved video magnetic tape indexing system. In particular, there is a need for a video magnetic tape indexing system that can identify video segments stored on a video magnetic tape and that can access video clips, or intermediate portions thereof, automatically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention deals with the above needs. In particular, the invention is a system comprised of a computational device, such as a personal computer, and a video recorder. In operation, the video recorder adds index markers, preferably VASS pulses, in places on the video magnetic tape in response to orders from the personal computer. The personal computer stores those index markers, along with information which identifies portions of video (eg, video clips) on the magnetic video tape that correspond to the index markers. To access a selected portion of video, the personal computer retrieves an index marker from it based on, for example, its identification information, and sends an order to the video recorder that instructs the video recorder to send magnetic video tape to the location of the index marker. The video recorder then responds accordingly, giving the user access to the selected portion of the video. Consequently, unlike conventional counterparts, the present invention is capable of identifying video (eg, video clips) on a video magnetic tape and, once a video portion has been selected, has access to that portion. automatically. In addition, by using VASS pulses, which can be added to a video magnetic tape at each video scene change, the invention provides a way to immediately access portions or segments of video clips on the video magnetic tape. For at least those reasons, the invention constitutes an advance over its conventional counterparts. Thus, according to one aspect, the present invention is a system (e.g., a method, apparatus, and process steps executable on a computer) to create a video index stored on a video magnetic tape. In operation, the system detects a predetermined characteristic in the video, and then adds a unique index marker, preferably a VASS pulse, to the magnetic video tape at a location of the predetermined characteristic. The index marker is then stored in the memory. In preferred embodiments, the invention also stores identification information along with this index marker. In this way, the invention is able to associate each index marker, and thus each portion of video on the video magnetic tape, with the corresponding identification information. As a result, index markers can be recovered from memory using this identification information. In the particularly preferred embodiments, the previously predetermined feature of the video comprises a scene change. In these modalities, scene changes are detected by determining the difference between adjacent frames in the video, and comparing the difference with a predetermined threshold. When the difference meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, a scene change is detected. On the other hand, when the difference is below the predetermined threshold, a scene change is not detected. Adding index markers in scene changes provides the invention with greater indexing flexibility than its conventional counterparts. That is, unlike their conventional counterparts which rely on VISS pulses, the present invention can add index markers in intermediate portions of the video. According to another aspect, the present invention is a system for accessing portions of video stored on a video magnetic tape, wherein the video magnetic tape includes a plurality of pre-set index markers, preferably VASS pulses. In operation, the system feeds an index marker corresponding to one of the plurality of pre-established index markers on the magnetic video tape., and then searches through the video magnetic tape for a pre-set index marker corresponding to the fed index marker. The magnetic video tape is then advanced to a place in the preset index marker corresponding to the fed index marker. According to another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus, such as a personal computer, for creating a video index stored on a magnetic video tape. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory which stores the process steps executable in computer. The processor executes the steps of the process to (i) detecting a predetermined characteristic in the video, (ii) issuing an order to a video recorder to add a unique index marker, preferably a VASS pulse, to the magnetic video tape at a location of the predetermined characteristic , and (iii) store the index marker in memory. According to yet another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus, such as a video recorder, for accessing portions of video stored on a magnetic video tape, magnetic video tape which includes a plurality of pre-set index markers. . The apparatus includes a connection of the control signal on which an index marker corresponding to one of the plurality is received. of pre-established index markers on the magnetic video tape. Also included in the apparatus is a circuit which searches through the video magnetic tape for a pre-set index marker that corresponds to the received index marker, and which controls the magnetic video tape to advance it to a place in the pre-set index marker. which corresponds to the received index marker. According to another aspect, the present invention is a system for creating a video index stored on a magnetic video tape. The system includes a video recorder which generates a video signal corresponding to the video stored on the magnetic video tape, and which adds a unique index marker to the video magnetic tape in response to an order. Also included in the system is a computing device which receives the video signal from the video recorder, which detects a predetermined characteristic based on the video signal, which issues the order to the video recorder to add the marker to the video recorder. index to the magnetic tape - video in a place of the predetermined characteristic and that stores the index marker. This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention can be quickly understood. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in relation to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a system on which the present invention can be implemented, which includes a personal computer, a video recorder, and a television. Figure 2 shows the architecture of the personal computer. Figure 3 shows the architecture of the video recorder. Figure 4 shows the steps of the process of the present invention to generate an index for a video magnetic tape in the video recorder. Figure 5 shows the steps of the process of the present invention to access the video on a magnetic video tape using an index of the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY Figure 1 shows a system upon which the present invention can be implemented. As shown, the system 1 includes a computing device, a video recorder and a visual representation device. In the preferred embodiments, the computing device comprises a personal computer (APCs) and the visual display device comprises a visual display device / video monitor, such as a television; although other types of devices can be used in both cases. Accordingly, although the invention will be described herein with respect to a personal computer 2 and a television 4, the invention is not limited to use with these physical components or particular equipment. In summary, the television 4 comprises a standard television capable of receiving analog video signals from the video recorder 3 and generating a video presentation based on those signals. The video recorder 3 comprises any device, such as a video cassette recorder (AVCR =) or a video magnetic tape player, which generates such video signals from the video magnetic tape and which sends those signals, in this case, to the television 4 and the PC 2. As described in detail below, the video recorder 3 is also capable of adding, recognizing, and deleting index markers on the video magnetic tape and controlling the operation thereof in response to commands from the PC 2. In this regard, the PC 2 may comprise any type of device, such as a computer compatible IBM7, an Apple7 computer, or similar, which can exchange signals with the video recorder in the manner described below. As shown in Figure 1, the PC 2 includes a control signal connection 5 (for example, a data line, such as a parallel, serial or I2C port) and a baseband analog connection 6, both of which are interconnected with video recorder 3. PC 2 also includes a display screen 7 for presenting information (including images / video) to a user, a keyboard 9 for feeding text and user commands, a mouse 8 for placing a cursor on the display screen 7 and for feeding user commands, a disk drive 10 for reading from and writing to a flexible disk installed therein and a CD-ROM drive 11 for accessing data stored on a CD -ROM Of course, PC 2 is not limited to use with those digital recording media; others can also be used too. Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the PC 2. As shown, the PC 2 also includes a memory 2, a display interface 14, a keyboard interface 15, a mouse interface 16, a disk drive interface 17, a CD-ROM drive interface 19, a computer collective driver 20, a random access memory (ARAMs) 21, an analog-to-digital converter (AA / Ds) 22, a frame drive circuit 24 and a processor 25. The processor 25 comprises a microprocessor, or the like , to execute applications 26 out of RAM 21. Memory 12 comprises a computer readable medium, such as a computer hard disk and / or RAID (Redundant Arrangement of these cheap disks =), to store those applications. Among the applications stored in the memory 12 is an indexer of video magnetic tapes 27. The video magnetic tape indexer 27 is used to implement the present invention, as described below. In addition to the applications 26, the memory 12 also stores data 29 and the operating system 30. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the operating system 30 is a window operating system; although other operating systems can be used. The applications stored in the memory 12, including the video magnetic tape indexer 27, can be stored alternatively in a floppy disk in the disk drive 10 or a CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive 11. In this In this case, the processor 25 uses the interface of the disk drive 17 to access the applications stored on the floppy disk, and the interface of the CD-ROM drive 19 to access applications stored on the CD-ROM. Wherever the applications are stored, their execution can be initiated using a keyboard 9 or the mouse 8, the commands of which are transmitted to the processor 25 via the keyboard interface 15 and the mouse interface 16, respectively. The outputs resulting from the applications running on the PC 2 can be processed by the display interface 14 and then presented to a user on a visual display device 7, or in the case of the outputs resulting from the video indexer 27, sent to the user. video recorder 3 via the connection of control signals 5. In this regard, the display interface 14 preferably comprises a display processor which forms images based on the image data provided by the processor 25, and which sends those images to the visual representation device 7. With respect to the remaining components of the PC 2, the A / D converter 22 is an analog-to-digital converter which digitizes an analog video signal received 'on analog baseband connection 6 to produce a digital video signal of the same. The frame dragging circuit 24 feeds this digital video signal, generates digital video frames based on this, and provides its frames to the processor 25 via the collective conductor 20 for processing by means of the video magnetic tape indexer 27 as described later. In summary, the video magnetic tape indexer 27 comprises a computer executable code (i.e. the steps of the process) to create a video index stored on a magnetic video tape. Up to this point, the video magnetic tape indexer 27 includes the code to detect one or more predetermined characteristics in the video, to issue a first order to a video recorder to add a unique index marker to the video magnetic tape in a place of the predetermined characteristic and store the index marker in a memory, such as the memory 12. The video magnetic tape indexer 27 also comprises a computer executable code to use the above index to select a portion of the video over the magnetic video tape. Up to this point the video magnetic tape indexer 27 includes the code for retrieving an index marker, and for issuing a second command to the video recorder to instruct the video recorder to locate the index marker on the magnetic video tape. to advance the magnetic tape of the video to the place of the index marker. A more detailed description of the video magnetic tape indexer 27 is provided below.

As shown in Figure 1, the video recorder 3 includes the connection of control signals 5 and the analog baseband connection 6 for interconnecting to the PC 2, and a television connection 34 for interconnecting with the television 4. The television connection 34 is used to transmit analog video signals from the video recorder 3 to the television 4. The analog baseband connection 6 comprises an interface on which analog video signals are transmitted to the PC 2, and a connection of control signals 5 comprising a bidirectional interface on which orders are received from, other information is exchanged with, the PC 2. The video recorder 3 also includes several control buttons 35. Those control buttons include a play button, a fast forward button, a rewind button, a stop button, a program button, among others. Since the functions of the buttons are well known, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Figure 3 shows an architecture of the video recorder 3. As shown, the video recorder 3 includes, among other things, the baseband analog interface 36, the control signal interface 37, the baseband analog interface 38 , a VASS pulse circuit 39, the video processor circuit 40, and the tape drive 41. The baseband analog interface 36 sends signals to the analog baseband connection 6, and the analog baseband interface 38 feeds signals (for example, video information to be recorded) of the television 4. The control signal interface 37 receives and processes orders from the PC 2, as well as commands received from an external device, such as a remote control. The tape unit 41 includes a mechanical portion which controls the movement of the video magnetic tape and circuits that read the information of the different tracks on a magnetic video tape. In particular, the tape unit 41 includes an audio head which reads audio information from the audio tracks of the video magnetic tape and writes information thereon, a control tracking head which reads and writes information from control (for example, VASS pulses - VSH Direction Search System - described below) on a control track of the video magnetic tape, and a video head which reads and writes video information on a track video of the magnetic video tape. The video processor circuits 40 generate an analog video signal of the video information read by the video head in the tape unit 41, and provide that analog video signal to the PC 2 via the baseband analog connection 6. The video processor circuit 40 also writes video information to magnetic video tapes a in the tape drive 41. The VASS 39 pulse circuit writes and reads VASS pulses on the control track of a video magnetic tape installed in response to commands received from the PC 2. Those VASS pulses comprise the index markers = of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Using current technology, up to 10,000 VASS pulses, numbered 0 to 9999, can be written on a single control track of a single video magnetic tape. A detailed description of the technical aspects of the VASS pulses is provided in the ANSI / SMTPE Standard 12M-1995, the content of which is incorporated herein as a reference in the object request as if fully set forth herein. "Figures 4 and 5 are flow diagrams showing the steps of the process for implementing the present invention on the system of Figure 1. Specifically, Figure 4 shows the creation of a video magnetic tape index, and Figure 5 shows the access to portions of video on the magnetic video tape using the index of the magnetic video tape, any of the steps is carried out in the PC 2 (for example, by the video magnetic tape indexer 27) or on the video recorder as indicated in Figures 4 and 5 by A (PC) = or A (VTR) =, respectively. Beginning with Figure 4, in step S401 1 video recorder 3 generates an analog video signal from an installed video magnetic tape and provides that analog video signal to the PC 2. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a video head in the tape unit 41 reads the video information of a video track from the video magnetic tape, and then provides that video information to the video processor circuit 40. Using this video information , the video processor circuit 40 generates the analog video signal, and then sends that analog video signal to the PC 2 via the analog baseband connection 6. In step S402, the PC 2 receives the analog video signal via the analog baseband connection 6 and process the analog video signal to generate video data frames from it. In particular, the A / D converter 22 receives and digitizes the analog video signal, and the frame dragging circuit 24 generates video data frames using the digitized video signal. These video data frames are then stored temporarily in a memory, such as memory 12 or RAM 21, from which the processor 25 can access them or, more particularly, by the indexer of video magnetic tapes. 27 which is running on the processor 25. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, alternating frames may be stored in different memory banks (eg, in different areas of a single memory or in different memory devices). For example, the first table can be stored in bank 1, the second table in bank 2, the third table in bank 1, or fourth table in bank 2, etc. Storing alternating video frames in this way facilitates access to these by the processor 25, and therefore increases the speed and efficiency of the total system. In this regard in step S403, the video magnetic tape indexer 27 recovers two adjacent frames of video from the memory to detect predetermined characteristics thereof. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, those predetermined characteristics comprise scene changes; although it should be noted that the invention is not limited to detecting scene changes. Step S403 detects a scene change in the video 'by determining the differences between adjacent frames of the video, and comparing the differences with a predetermined threshold. For example, step S403 can detect differences, such as differences in luminance, chromaticity, etc., in the corresponding pixels of precedent or successive frames in time, and then compare those differences with a predetermined stored numerical value, for example in memory 12. A particular method that can be used to detect scene changes in step S403 is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 867,140, filed on June 2, 1997, entitled A Detection of Significant Scenes and Filtration. From Table for a Visual Indexing System =, the content of which is incorporated herein as a reference in the object request as if it were fully disclosed here. Next, in step S404, the video magnetic tape indexer 27 issues an order to the video recorder 3 on the control signal connection 5, which instructs the video recorder 3 to add a VASS pulse to the track control of the magnetic video tape in a place corresponding to a detected scene change. This is preferably done automatically, ie without user intervention; although it can also be done in response to a user input as well. In addition, step S404 preferably instructs the video recorder to add pulses VASS that are numbered, so that the different impulses in the magnetic video tape can be distinguished from each other. In step S405, the following commands are received by the video recorder 3 via the connection of control signals 5, and provided to the pulse circuit VASS 39. In response to this command, the pulse circuit VASS 39 describes a pulse VASS listed to the control track of the video magnetic tape. Which means that, in step S406, (which can be performed concurrently with step S405) the PC 2 stores the memory of the number of VASS pulses described in step S405, together with the video frames corresponding thereto. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the individual index markers but in a buffer, such as RAM 21 and, where a list of index markers has been established, is ready is stored in a more permanent memory, such as the memory 12. The processing then proceeds to step S407, which determines whether there are any remaining video frames to be processed. If so, the processing returns to step S403, after which the above is repeated to generate, and store in memory, an index for the video on the magnetic tape of the video, which index includes a list of VASS pulses for All scene changes detected in the video. On the other hand, if no frames are subtracted, then processing proceeds to step S408. Step S408 determines the removal of similar scenes and single color scenes = from the index of the video magnetic tape generated above. In this respect, the scenes of a single color are detected based on Signatures = from several parts of the box. This step is optional and is performed by the magnetic tape indexer of video 27 in response, for example, to a user input or predetermined parameter. Thus, if step S408 determines that similar or single-color scenes are not to be eliminated, processing proceeds to step S410. Otherwise, the processing proceeds to step S409, in which the VASS pulses corresponding to similar or single-color scenes are removed from the video magnetic tape and the index. Up to this point, step S409 retrieves frames from memory 12, and determines the differences between adjacent frames retrieved, and compares those differences with a second threshold, which is less than the first threshold previously used in step S403. If the differences between the two adjacent frames satisfy or exceed the threshold, it is determined that the two frames do not commit similar scenes, in which case the VASS pulses corresponding to it are not eliminated. On the other hand, if the differences are below this second threshold, it is determined that the two frames comprise similar scenes. In this case, an order is sent from PC 2 to register 3 via the connection of the control signal 5. This command instructs the control head in the tape unit 41 to search through the control track the magnetic video tape and the pulse circuit VASS 39 to erase the VASS pulses, by means of a number, which corresponds to similar scenes or of a single color. For example, if step S409 determines that the pulse number VASS 570 is at the point of a similar or single color box, an order is sent to the control head to search through the magnetic video tape for the number of impulse VASS 570, and a VASS impulse circuit to erase that impulse. Although the VASS pulses are being erased from the video magnetic tape, the processor 25 also suppresses, from the index of the video magnetic tape (ie, the memory), those VASS pulses that were determined to correspond to similar scenes or a only color. The VASS pulses and the index thereof can also be renumbered during this process of elimination, if desired, to maintain the continuity of them. Once all the undesirable VASS pulses have been eliminated, and their numbers erased from the index of the video magnetic tape, the processing proceeds to step S410. In step S410, a user can add identification information to the index, which is then stored together with each respective VASS pulse. Specifically, the user can retrieve the index of the video magnetic tape from the memory, and then add this information to it. The identification information may include, for example, a description of the video on the magnetic video tape corresponding to each VASS pulse. Of course, the invention is not limited to adding descriptive information. In effect, a user can add any information that the user wants. Once all the identification information has been added, the processing ends. The index of the magnetic tape of the video generated by the steps of Figure 4 can be used to automatically access the video stored on the magnetic tape of the video in the video recorder. Figure 5 shows the steps to carry out this process. To begin, a video magnetic tape is inserted that has an index stored in the video recorder. In step S501, the magnetic tape indexer of the video 27 retrieves the index of that video magnetic tape from the memory in response to a user input via, for example, the keypad 9. This can be done simply by requesting the memory ID of index / particular tape (for example, tape #XYZ), or by retrieving all the indexes stored in the memory, presenting the indexes on the visual representation device 7, and then selecting the index for the installed magnetic tape in response at the user's entrance. The user can then select a VASS pulse of the selected index. To facilitate the selection, 1_ >; Identification information that responds to each VASS impulse in the index is also presented. In this way, the user can select a corresponding VASS pulse, for example to a particular television program, home movie, etc. In any case, once the appropriate VASS pulse has been selected, processing proceeds to step S502. In step S502, the magnetic tape indexer of the video 27 issues a second command to the video recorder 3 on the control signal connection 5. This second order includes the numbered pulse VASS selected in step S501, together with the instructions of the video recorder to advance the magnetic impulse tape VASS on the magnetic video tape. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, this second order may alternatively be fed to the video recorder 3 via a remote control device or the like. This second order is received by the video recorder in step S503. Next, in response to the second command, in step S504, the tape unit 41 (in particular the control head) searches through the magnetic video tape for a VASS pulse corresponding to the VASS pulse received with the "second" order, and controls 3rd magnetic video tape to advance to a location of that VASS pulse In particular, the control head knows the current position of the video magnetic tape and then starts to rewind or fast forward the tape, depending on the If the first number of the VASS pulse detected is greater than the VASS pulse number in the second order, the video recorder changes to, or, as appropriate, while reading the control head of the magnetic video tape to detect the first VASS pulse. On the other hand, if the first number of the detected VASS pulse is smaller than the VASS pulse number of the second order, the video recorder changes to, or continues to a, in fast forward mode. Subsequently, the video recorder continues, in the appropriate mode, with the control head reading the VASS pulses until it reaches the VASS pulse of the second order. Once it reaches this momentum, the video recorder stops the tape at the impulse location. If, for some reason, that particular impulse is lost, the video recorder stops at the place of the next impulse. Subsequently, in step S505, the user can play the tape starting at the appropriate place. The process ends then. At this point, it should be noted that although the invention was described here using several circuits of physical components or equipment in addition to the computer code, the functions of many of these circuits can be effected alternatively by the computer code. For example, the A / D converter 22 of the frame drive circuit 24 in PC 2 could be implemented, in part, as a computer code; although physical components or equipment are preferred. Similarly, the video processor circuit 40 and the VASS 39 pulse circuit could also be implemented in a device, such as in a single discrete circuit or even in a microprocessor (not shown) that executes the appropriate computer code. Furthermore, it should be noted that certain of the functions described above that are executed by the computer code could likewise be implemented using circuits of discrete physical components or equipment. For example, the previous steps related to the detection of scene changes could be implemented by physical components or appropriate equipment. Furthermore, it should be noted that although the preferred embodiment of the invention uses VASS pulses as index markers, the invention is not necessarily limited to using VASS pulses. That is, the invention can use any type of unique index markers (for example, numbered) that can be written to an analog tape and subsequently followed on that tape. Since this is the case, the invention is not necessarily limited to the sphere of video magnetic tapes. That is, it could be used on any type of analog tape, such as an audio tape, to which index markers can be written on which such markers can be followed. Finally it should be noted that the steps of the process shown in Figures 4 and 5 do not necessarily need to be executed in the exact order shown, and that the order shown is simply a way for the invention to operate. In this way, other execution orders are permissible, as long as the functionality of the invention is maintained substantially. The present invention has been described with respect to a particular illustrative embodiment. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment and modifications thereof described above, and that those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (43)

CHAPTER CLAIMING Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, what is claimed is contained in the following CLAIMS:

1. A method for creating a video index stored on a video magnetic tape, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: detecting a predetermined characteristic in the video; add an index marker to the video magnetic tape at a location in the default feature; and store the index marker in memory.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined characteristic comprises a scene change in the video.

The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the detection step detects a scene change in the video (i) determining the difference between adjacent frames of the video, and (ii) comparing the difference with the predetermined threshold, where the detection step detects a scene change in the event that the difference meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, and where the detection step does not detect a scene change in the event that the difference is less than the predetermined threshold.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the index marker comprises a VASS pulse.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the addition step is performed in responses to a user input.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage step further comprises storing identification information together with the index marker.

The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the identification information comprises a video description on the video magnetic tape corresponding to the index marker.

The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection and storage steps are carried out in a personal computer and the addition step is carried out in a video recorder.

9. A method for accessing portions of video stored on a magnetic video tape, where the video magnetic tape includes a plurality of pre-set index markers, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: feeding an index marker that corresponds to one of the plurality of preset indices on the video magnetic tape; search through the video magnetic tape a pre-set index marker that corresponds to the index index fed; and advance the magnetic video tape to a place in the marker of the preset index corresponding to the index marker.

10. The method of compliance with the claim 9, characterized in that the index marker fed and the plurality of pre-established index markers comprise VASS pulses.

The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the feeding step comprises: retrieving a list of preset index markers from the memory and selecting the index marker from the list.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the feeding step is carried out in a personal computer and the search and advance steps are carried out by means of a video record- 13.

An apparatus for creating a video index stored in a magnetic video tape, the device is characterized in that it comprises: a memory which stores the process passes executable in computer; and a processor which executes the steps of the process for (i) to detect a predetermined characteristic in the video, (ii) to issue an order in a video recorder to add an index marker to the magnetic video tape in one place of the default characteristic, and (iii) to store the index marker in memory.

The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: an interface over which an analog signal corresponding to the video on the magnetic video tape is received from the video recorder; an analog-to-digital converter which digitizes the analog signal to produce a digital video signal; and a frame dragging circuit which generates video frames based on the digital video signal, and which sends the video frames to the processor; where the processor detects the default feature in the video based on the video frames.

The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the processor detects the predetermined characteristic (i) by determining a difference between adjacent frames of the video, and (ii) comparing the difference with a predetermined threshold; wherein the predetermined characteristic is detected in the event that the difference meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, and the predetermined characteristic is not detected in case the difference is less than the predetermined threshold.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the predetermined characteristic comprises a scene change in the video.

The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the index marker comprises a VASS pulse.

The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor issues the command in response to a user input.

The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor executes the steps of the process for storing identification information together with the index marker.

The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the identification information comprises a description of the video on the magnetic tape of the video corresponding to the index marker.

21. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor executes the steps of the process to (i) recover the index marker from the memory, and (ii) issue a second command to the video recorder to instruct the video recorder to locate the index marker on the magnetic video tape and to advance the magnetic video tape to the place where the index marker is located.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the processor retrieves the index marker (i) by retrieving a list comprised of a plurality of memory index markers, (ii) presenting the list, and (iii) recovering the index marker in response to a selection of the user from the list.

23. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the apparatus is a personal computer.

24. The apparatus for accessing portions of video stored on a video magnetic tape, where the video magnetic tape includes a plurality of pre-set index markers, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: an interface over which a marker is received of the index corresponding to one of the plurality of index markers pre-set on the video magnetic tape; and circuits which search through the video magnetic tape a pre-established index marker that corresponds to the received index marker, and that controls the magnetic video tape to advance it to the place where the pre-established index marker that corresponds to the marker is located of received index.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises circuits which, before receiving the index marker, add the plurality of pre-established index markers to the magnetic video tape in response to commands received from an external device. .

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the received index marker and the plurality of pre-set index markers comprise VASS pulses.

27. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the index marker is received on a data line of a personal computer.

28. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the apparatus is a video recorder.

29. Process steps executable on computer stored in a computer readable medium, the process steps executable on computer to create a video index stored on a magnetic video tape, the executable process steps on computer are characterized because they comprise: the code to detect a predetermined characteristic in the video; the code for issuing an order to the video recorder to add the index marker to the video magnetic tape at the location of the predetermined characteristic; and the code to store the index marker in memory.

30. The steps of the process executable in computer according to claim 29, characterized in that the detection code determines the predetermined characteristic (i) determining the difference between adjacent frames of the video, and (ii) comparing the difference with a predetermined number; wherein the predetermined characteristic is detected in the event that the difference meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, and the predetermined characteristic is not detected in the event that the difference is less than the predetermined threshold.

31. The computer executable process steps according to claim 29, characterized in that the predetermined characteristic comprises a scene change in the video.

32. The computer executable process steps according to claim 29, characterized in that the index marker comprises a VASS pulse.

33. Process steps executable in computer according to claim 29, characterized in that the issuing code issues the order in response to a user input.

34. The computer executable process steps according to claim 29, characterized in that the storage code stores identification information in the memory together with the index marker.

35. The steps of the process executable in computer according to claim 29, characterized in that the identification information comprises a video description on the video magnetic tape corresponding to the index marker.

36. The steps of the process executable in computer according to claim 29, characterized in that they also comprise: the code to recover the index marker of the memory; and the code for issuing a second order to the video recorder instructing the video recorder to locate the index marker on the magnetic video tape and to advance the magnetic video tape to the place where the index marker is located.

37. The computer executable process steps according to claim 36, characterized in that the recovery code comprises: the code for_ retrieving a list comprised of a plurality of index markers of the memory; the code to present the list, and the code to retrieve the index marker in response to a selection of the user from the list.

38. The system for creating a video index stored on a magnetic video tape, the system is characterized in that it comprises: a video recorder which generates a video signal corresponding to the video stored on the video magnetic tape, and add an index marker to the video magnetic tape in response to an order; and a computing device which receives the video signal from the video recorder, which detects a predetermined characteristic based on the video signal, which issues the command to the video recorder to add the index marker to the magnetic tape of the video recorder. video in the place where the default feature is located, and which stores the index marker.

39. The system according to claim 38, characterized in that the computing device issues a second order to the video recorder to advance the videotape to a particular location, the order includes an index marker which specifies the location; and where the video recorder receives the second order of the computing device, and in response, (i) searches through the magnetic video tape for the index marker included in the second order, and (ii) advances the magnetic tape of video to the place where the index marker is located.

40. The system according to claim 38, characterized in that the predetermined characteristic comprises a scene change in the video.

41. The system according to claim 38, characterized in that the index marker comprises a VASS pulse.

42. The system according to claim 38, characterized in that the video magnetic tape includes a plurality of tracks, one of which comprises a control track; and where the VASS pulse is added to the control track by means of the video recorder.

43. An apparatus for accessing portions of video stored on a magnetic video tape, where the video magnetic tape includes a plurality of pre-set index markers, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: means for receiving a corresponding index marker to one of the plurality of index markers pre-set on the video magnetic tape; means for searching through the magnetic video tape a pre-set index marker corresponding to the marker of the received index; and means for controlling the magnetic video tape to advance it to the place where the marker of the preset index corresponding to the marker of the received index is located.