WO2006072909A2

WO2006072909A2 - Method of operating time shift buffers

Info

Publication number: WO2006072909A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/050026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willem Van Der Brug
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-01-07
Filing date: 2006-01-04
Publication date: 2006-07-13
Also published as: KR20070099641A; CN101103621A; WO2006072909A3; JP2008527828A

Abstract

There is described an audiovisual data object storage device (200), said device (200) comprising a storage memory (100) with a part thereof designate for storing audiovisual data objects, said device (200) comprising: (a) an input for receiving audiovisual data at the device (200); (b) a buffer (30) for storing said audiovisual data received at the device (200); and (c) a table of contents (110) for user-presentation, said table (110) comprising references to data objects stored in the device (200), said table of contents (110) including identifiers relating to the data objects and indicative of whether the objects are stored in the buffer (20) or the storage memory (100).

Description

Method of operating time shift buffers

The present invention relates to methods of operating time shift buffers, for example in relation to television wherein the buffers are employed to temporarily store television program content, namely audiovisual data. Moreover, the invention also relates to devices including such buffers and arranged to operate pursuant to such methods.

Television viewers contemporarily employ devices such as video recorders and DVD recorders for storing program content for later viewing, namely for viewing at a different time to which the program content was transmitted to the viewers. With a relatively limited user- interface provided on such recorders, it is found in practice to be difficult to organise appropriate schedules for recording specific programs, especially when several programs are to be recorded.

In a published United States patent application no. US2002/0168178, there is described a system for receiving media content. The system includes a memory with logic, a tuner for receiving media content, a buffer for buffering the media content, a display for displaying the media content, and a processor configured with the logic to determine when the system is unavailable to receive the media content of a newly requested display channel. In response to a determination of insufficient resources being available within the system, the processor is further configured with the logic to determine the lowest priority display channel using at least one user configurable rule. Moreover, the processor is further configured with the logic to discontinue reception of media content of a display channel designated as having the lowest priority among a plurality of receiving display channels.

The inventor has appreciated that such a system, in a similar manner to the aforementioned video and DVD recorders, is difficult to use in practice and therefore disliked by many users, such difficulty being a technical problem concerning user-machine interlacing. In devising the present invention, the inventor has sought to address this technical problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of operating time shift buffers. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of processing audiovisual data in a device, said audiovisual data comprising audiovisual data objects, said device comprising a storage memory with a part thereof designated for storing audiovisual data objects, said method comprising steps of: (a) receiving audiovisual data at the device;

(b) storing said audiovisual data in a buffer of the device; and

(c) providing a user of the device with a table of contents, said table comprising references to data objects stored in the device, said table of contents including identifiers relating to the data objects and indicative of whether the objects are stored in the buffer or the storage memory.

The invention is of advantage in that it is capable of providing a user- interface which is more intuitive and simple to use.

Optionally, the method comprises a further step of overwriting data objects stored in the buffer unless the data objects in response to user instructions are transferred from the buffer to the storage memory. Such a step enables the buffer to be automatically cleared of audiovisual data so as to render the buffer capable of continuously storing newly received audiovisual data.

Optionally, the method is implemented such that the buffer is a circular buffer. Optionally, in the method, the buffer and the storage memory are implemented together in a storage memory. More optionally, the buffer and the storage memory are implemented as a hard-disk drive.

Optionally, the method includes further steps of:

(d) storing audiovisual data objects in the buffer for up to a time limit after receipt at the device of said data objects; and then (e) overwriting the data objects in the buffer unless the device is user-instructed to copy or transfer said data objects from the buffer to the storage memory.

Such a step enables the buffer to be automatically cleared of program content so as to render the buffer capable of continuously storing newly received audiovisual data. Beneficially, as long as the buffer is not using all available storage capacity in the device, received audiovisual data is optionally stored for longer than said time limit.

More optionally, in the method, the time limit is substantially 6 hours. Such a time limit is found in practice to be a satisfactory compromise between the cost of providing a sufficiently large storage capacity for the buffer and being able to store complete items of audiovisual data therein. However, other values for this time limit are also possible, for example substantially 3 hours, 9 hours, and 24 hours.

Optionally, the method includes a further step of:

(f) automatically copying or transferring in said device to data objects from the buffer to the storage memory in response to user- viewing the data objects within the time limit after receipt of the data objects at the device.

Such an option enables the user to refer back to audiovisual data which is likely to be of interest to the user without the user needing to invoke specifically via the table of contents storage of audiovisual data from the buffer into the data memory. Optionally, the method includes a further step of:

(g) rendering in the device the table of contents user-interactive for enabling user- modification of identifiers associated with data objects stored in a least one of the buffer and the storage memory.

Optionally, the method further includes a step of displaying a buffer screen pertaining to data objects stored collectively in the buffer and the storage memory.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an audiovisual data object storage device, said device comprising a storage memory with a part thereof designate for storing audiovisual data objects, said device comprising: (a) an input for receiving audiovisual data at the device; (b) a buffer for storing said audiovisual data received at the device; and

(c) a table of contents for user-presentation, said table comprising references to data objects stored in the device, said table of contents including identifiers relating to the data objects and indicative of whether the objects are stored in the buffer or the storage memory. Optionally, the device is implemented to be a retrofit to a television.

Optionally, the device is combinable with a television to provide a combi- television-recorder.

Optionally, the device is operable to function as an audio system for storing and replaying audiovisual data, for example program content.. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided software for executing in the processor of the device according to the second aspect of the invention for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a table of contents including at least one title corresponding to recorded audiovisual data objects, said at least one title being provided with an associated identifier indicative of whether the data objects are stored in a temporary buffer or in memory storage.

It will be appreciated that features of the invention are susceptible to being combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a contemporary program-content recording device, for example akin to a proprietary Philips HDRW 720 recording device including a Time Shift Buffer; and

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a program-content recording device according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a contemporary recording device such as proprietary Philips HDRW 720 indicated generally by 10 includes a buffer known as a "Time Shift Buffer" 20 abbreviated to TSB BUF 20. This buffer 20 is beneficially implemented using a hard-disk memory. The device 10 is operable to receive program content, namely audio visual data, from one or more television broadcast channels 30, for example via an optical fibre link, via a satellite link and/or by way of radio transmission. Moreover, the device 10 is also operable to display program content of these one or more television broadcast channels 30 on a remote display device, for example a display screen 40, in response to user 50 choice. Optionally, the display screen 40 is integrated into the device 10. The buffer 20 is configurable to record automatically TV watching occurring in a time period of up to 6 hours preceding any given time; optionally, this time period is longer than 6 hours when memory storage within the device 10 has not yet been filled with data. In order to provide for the device 10 to be user-configurable, the device 10 is operable to present to its user 50 a series of graphical symbols 60 on the aforementioned display screen 40, for example icons or word labels. The user 50 is capable of using a control device 70, for example a remote hand-held television control, to select amongst the graphical symbols 60 to implement a preferred selection of program content, namely preferred selection of audiovisual data, from said one or more channels 30. These graphical symbols 60 are conveniently implemented as a TSB horizontal bar 80 arranged within a TSB screen (TSB SCR) 90. The graphical symbols 60 can represent various functions, for example archiving a title or entry from the TSB screen 90 to a hard disc memory device (HDD) 100 also included as part of the device 10. Program content stored on the hard disc device (HDD) 100 in response to user-selection made within the TSB screen 90 subsequently appears in a Table of Contents (TOC) 110, namely a list of files recorded on the HDD 100, pertaining to the HDD 100; the recorded files are optionally identified by a contents list 120 including one or more titles or entries. In the device 10, the TSB screen 90 is concerned with contents of the TSB BUF 20, whereas the TOC 110 is concerned with file entries corresponding to program content available and stored on the HDD 100. Optionally, the TSB BUF 20 and the HDD 100 are one and the same storage memory.

The inventor has appreciated that although the aforesaid TSB BUF 20 with its associated user- interface implemented by way of the aforementioned graphical symbols 60 can provide the user 50 with useful functions, the TSB BUF 20 and its associated user- interface 60, 80, 90 are found to exhibit idiosyncrasies to which the user 50 needs to become accustomed. These idiosyncrasies are susceptible to giving rise to a problematical user- interface in the device 10.

The inventor has thus devised the present invention which, in one embodiment, represents a considerable modification of the device 10 illustrated in Figure 1; the embodiment of the invention is presented as a device indicated generally by 200 in Figure 2. In the device 200, TSB functionality is provided without there being a need to present the TSB screen 90 and associated graphical symbols 60 to the user 50.

In contradistinction to the device 10, the device 200 employs only the TOC 110 to present program content temporarily stored in a temporary manner in the TSB BUF 20 as well in a more permanent manner within the HDD 100. In the TOC 110 of Figure 2, entries in the contents list 120 have associated markers 210 indicative of how temporary associated program content is stored. A white circle symbol of the contents list 120 entry is used, for example, to indicate to the user 50 that program content associated with said circle symbol is permanent, namely stored permanently on the HDD 100. Moreover, a white square symbol of the contents list 120 is, for example, indicative of associated program content stored on the HDD 100 which a processor included within the device 200 will deleted from the HDD 100 unless the user 50 takes action to instruct the device 200 to resave the program content in the HDD 100. When the HDD 100 is full, which nearly always pertains after extensive use of the device 10, oldest recordings stored in the HDD 100 will automatically be deleted when new content is added to the HDD 100. Furthermore, a black square in the content list 120 is, for example, indicative of a program content entry stored in a temporary manner in the time buffer store TSB BUF 20, this program content being automatically deleted at the end of the aforementioned 6 hour period by the aforementioned processor unless the user 50 takes steps to transfer and thereby store in a permanent manner the program content onto the HDD 100. Lastly, a black circle in the content list 120 is, for example, indicative of program content presently being received via the channels 30 and being recorded onto the TSB buffer 20. By adopting such an approach, the user 50 is presented with memory of the device 200, whether temporary or permanent, being depicted as a single TOC 110 wherein characteristics of the degree of temporary storage within the TSB BUF 20 and the hard disk drive (HDD) 100 are presented to the user by way of the associated temporary-storage indicative markers 210. Such a manner of depicting internal working of the device 200 to the user 50 is more easily and intuitively understood by the user 50 in comparison to the TOC 110 and the TSB SCR 90 of the device 10, thereby giving rise to a more manageable interface for the user 50. Thus, in the device 10, contents of the TSB BUF 20 are presented to the user 50 by way of the TSB SCR 90 as the symbols 60; a directory of recorded program content stored on the HDD 100 is presented to the user 50 via the TOC 110 as the catalogue entries 120. However, in the device 200, the entries 120 are distinguished from those of Figure 1 in that they are presented on the display screen 40 together with associated markers 210 indicative of various degrees of data volatility.

Optionally, entries in the TOC 110 of the device 200, namely titles of program content, can have mutually different degrees of permanency. The titles can be protected against erasing, for example "locked" to prevent accidental erasure, or alternatively not protected. Optionally, a minimum, for example 6 hours storage duration, portion of the HDD 100 is reserved for TSB 20 entries, namely titles. The processor of the device 200 is capable of being configured so that, if the user 50 watches incoming program content from the channels 30, the program content is buffered into the TSB BUF 20 and therefrom automatically recorded onto the HDD 100. If the user 50 is desirous to watch a TSB title, either temporarily recorded in the TSB BUF 20 or stored in the HDD 100, the user 50 is able to select the title from the TOC 110. Moreover, if the user 50 wants to prevent a title, namely program content entity, presented in the TOC 110 from being erased by the processor, the user 50 is able to employ, for example, the control device 70 to change the volatility properties of a given title from temporary memory, namely stored in the TSB BUF 20, to normal or even protected, namely stored on the HDD 100. If required, the TSB BUF 20 can, at least in part, utilize storage space available on the HDD 100 organised such that those parts of the HDD 100 are arranged to function in a volatile random-access manner. The TSB BUF 20 is beneficially arranged such that a newly received TSB title automatically overwrites an oldest TSB title. Optionally, where memory capacity of the TSB BUF 20 memory devices and/or the HDD 100 is not exceeded, the device 200 can store TSB titles for more than the aforementioned 6 hours.

The device 200 is capable of being implemented as a stand-alone unit which can be connected to existing display screens 40, for example as an add-on unit to existing televisions. Alternatively, a display screen 40 and the device 200 can be combined within a single housing to provide a television with enhanced recording capabilities which are simple and intuitive for users to invoke; such an implementation thereby provides a combi- television-recorder. The display screen 40 is susceptible to being implemented in several different manners, for example as a wide-screen cathode ray tube, as a plasma display, as a liquid crystal pixel display, as a liquid crystal pixel projection display, and as a poly-LED display or any other type of contemporary pixel display.

Although use of the hard disc drive (HDD) 100 for permanent data storage in the device 200 is described, it will be appreciated that alternative types of data storage can be employed, for example optical data storage such as small format optical discs (SFFO) data storage, or solid state FLASH ROM. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are susceptible to being modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing with regard to television program content, the invention is equally applicable to audio, for example to personal MP-3 audio players equipped with time shift buffers (TSB). Such players are beneficially provided not only with audio transducers but also with a miniature display, for example a miniature pixel liquid crystal display (LCD) akin to those included in mobile telephones of cell phones. The miniature display is susceptible to being used to presenting the Table of Contents (TOC ) 110 in a manner as described in the foregoing. In the accompanying claims, numerals and other symbols included within brackets are included to assist understanding of the claims and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way.

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to be a reference to the plural and vice versa.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of processing audiovisual data in a device (200), said audiovisual data comprising audiovisual data objects, said device (200) comprising a storage memory (100) with a part thereof designated for storing audiovisual data objects, said method comprising steps of: (a) receiving audiovisual data at the device (200);

(b) storing said audiovisual data in a buffer (20) of the device (200); and

(c) providing a user (50) of the device (200) with a table of contents (110), said table (110) comprising references to data objects stored in the device (200), said table of contents (110) including identifiers relating to the data objects and indicative of whether the objects are stored in the buffer (20) or the storage memory (100).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising a further step of overwriting data objects stored in the buffer (20) unless the data objects in response to user instructions are transferred from the buffer (20) to the storage memory (100).

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer (20) is a circular buffer.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer (20) and the storage memory (100) are implemented in one and the same physical memory module.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the physical memory is implemented as a hard-disk drive.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, including further steps of: (d) storing audiovisual data objects (30) in the buffer (20) for up to a time limit after receipt at the device (200) of said data objects (30); and then

(e) overwriting the data objects (30) in the buffer (20) unless the device (200) is user-instructed to copy or transfer said data objects from the buffer (20) to the storage memory (100).

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the time limit is substantially 6 hours.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, including a further step of:

(f) automatically copying or transferring in said device (200) to data objects from the buffer (20) to the storage memory (100) in response to user- viewing the data objects within the time limit after receipt of the data objects at the device (200).

9. A method as claimed in the claim 1, including a further step of:

(g) rendering in the device (200) the table of contents (110) user-interactive for enabling user-modification of identifiers associated with data objects stored in a least one of the buffer (20) and the storage memory (100).

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further including a step of displaying a buffer screen pertaining to data objects stored collectively in the buffer and the storage memory.

11. An audiovisual data object storage device (200), said device (200) comprising a storage memory (100) with a part thereof designate for storing audiovisual data objects, said device (200) comprising:

(a) an input for receiving audiovisual data at the device (200);

(b) a buffer (30) for storing said audiovisual data received at the device (200); and

(c) a table of contents (110) for user-presentation, said table (110) comprising references to data objects stored in the device (200), said table of contents (110) including identifiers relating to the data objects and indicative of whether the objects are stored in the buffer (20) or the storage memory (100).

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the device (20) is implemented to be a retrofit to a television (40).

13. A device (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the device (20) is combinable with a television to provide a combi-television-recorder.

14. A device (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the device (200) is operable to function as an audio system for storing and replaying audio program content.

15. Software for executing in the processor of the device (200) as claimed in claim 11 for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1.

16. A table of contents (110) including at least one title (120) corresponding to recorded audiovisual data objects, said at least one title (120) being provided with an associated identifier (210) indicative of whether the data objects are stored in a temporary buffer or in memory storage.