EP1290880A2 - Systeme de television ameliore - Google Patents
Systeme de television amelioreInfo
- Publication number
- EP1290880A2 EP1290880A2 EP01940710A EP01940710A EP1290880A2 EP 1290880 A2 EP1290880 A2 EP 1290880A2 EP 01940710 A EP01940710 A EP 01940710A EP 01940710 A EP01940710 A EP 01940710A EP 1290880 A2 EP1290880 A2 EP 1290880A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- television
- label
- program
- controller
- channel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/08—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division
- H04N7/087—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only
- H04N7/088—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital
- H04N7/0887—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
- H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
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- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
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- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
- H04N21/4334—Recording operations
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- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
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- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
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- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
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- H04N21/47—End-user applications
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- H04N21/47214—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market
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- H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
- H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders
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- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
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- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/76—Television signal recording
- H04N5/78—Television signal recording using magnetic recording
- H04N5/782—Television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/08—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division
- H04N7/087—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only
- H04N7/088—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital
- H04N7/0882—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division with signal insertion during the vertical blanking interval only the inserted signal being digital for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/42225—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
- H04N21/4821—End-user interface for program selection using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a television system, in particular a system for allowing enhanced control of a television and peripheral devices such as video recorders and/or set top boxes.
- televisions include a tuner for receiving television signals from terrestrial broadcast sources.
- viewers have access to additional television channels beyond those that can be received by the tuner in their television, using for example set top boxes.
- video source devices such as digital video discs (DVDs).
- DVRs digital video discs
- VBI vertical blanking interval
- set-top-boxes that receive digital and/or pay cable, satellite and terrestrial TV channels has resulted in further problems.
- set top boxes and video-recorders are frequently left switched on unnecessarily when not in use.
- viewers cannot be bothered with the inconvenience of having to switch on a set-top box each time they view a channel from it and having to remember to switch it off afterwards.
- they cannot easily determine visually which power mode a set-top box or video recorder is in because the segment display is either too small, or because the set-top box or video recorder is hidden in a cabinet. Because of this, set-top box and video recorder owners frequently face unnecessarily high electricity costs, with the consequential damage to the environment that results.
- EPG electronic program guide
- EPG data such as TV listings data, news information, advertising and control parameters
- VBI vertical blanking interval
- EPG host channels.
- Yet another object of this invention is to provide a television system that enables the viewer to receive up to date information, whilst viewing the television.
- a method for controlling a television system comprising: storing in a memory information relating to a selected television program, including a channel on which it is to be transmitted and a scheduled start time; storing in a label memory information on a plurality of channels on which are transmitted labels that are indicative of real start times of television programs; determining from the label memory whether a label indicative of the real start time of the selected program is to be transmitted, using the channel information; allowing receipt of the label, in the event it is determined that a label is to be transmitted, and enabling a control function in response to receipt of the label or, in the event that a label is not to be transmitted, at substantially the scheduled start time stored in memory, as measured by a real time clock.
- this method it is automatically determined, from a label memory, whether or not the channel on which the selected television program is to be broadcast transmits labels that are indicative of the start times of television programs. If it is determined that labels are transmitted on the selected channel, the system responds accordingly. If, however, it is determined that labels are not to be transmitted on that channel, the system relies on the real time clock and the scheduled time of transmission to determine when action has to be taken. This means that the viewer does not have to be concerned with checking which channels support labels such as VPS or PDC and reduces the likelihood of errors. This is advantageous and solves a long term problem in the industry of how to simplify and improve the accuracy of such systems.
- the details of the selected program include a stop time.
- the method further involves using the start time of the selected program to calculate the labels.
- the labels may be PDC or VPS recording control command signals (as described in public standard ETS 300 231) or an event ID (such as described in public standard ETS 300 468) whose broadcasts are synchronised to mark the actual beginning, duration or end of a TV program's broadcast.
- the step of enabling may involve generating an interactive prompt.
- the method may then further involve receiving a response from a viewer indicative of whether the viewer wants to view the program, whereby on receipt of a positive response to the prompt the method may further involving causing the television system automatically to switch to the selected program.
- the method further involves selectively connecting one of the television sources devices to an on screen display generator and selectively connecting another of the television sources devices to a data decoder.
- the data decoder is a teletext or P.31 decoder and/or a PDC/VPS decoder.
- a controller for a television system comprising: a memory for storing information relating to a selected television program, including a channel on which it is to be transmitted and a scheduled start time; a label memory for storing information on channels on which are transmitted labels that are indicative of a real start of a television program; means for determining from the label memory whether a label indicative of the real start time of the selected program is to be transmitted; means for allowing receipt of the label, in the event it is determined that a label is to be broadcast, and enabling means for enabling a control function relating to the selected television program in response to receipt of the label or, in the event that a label is not to be transmitted, at substantially the scheduled start time stored in memory, as measured by a real time clock.
- Means are provided for calculating the label using the original announced start date and time of the selected program if it is a PDC or a VPS label.
- the means for enabling may be operable to generate an interactive prompt.
- Means may be provided for receiving a response from a viewer indicative of whether the viewer wants to view the program.
- means are provided for automatically causing the selected program to be displayed on receipt of a positive response to the prompt.
- the television system may include a plurality of different television signal source devices.
- the controller has means, for example a switch, for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to an on screen display generator. This is advantageous as it means that the controller can automatically connect a selected one of the television sources to the display.
- the controller has means, for example a switch, for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to a data decoder.
- the data decoder is a teletext or P.31 decoder and a PDC/VPS decoder. This is advantageous because it means that whilst a viewer is watching one channel received from one source, the controller can monitor data, such as start labels, that are transmitted on channels from other source devices.
- the controller has means, for example a switch, for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to a video recorder.
- the video recorder is a video cassette recorder, PVR or a DVD recorder or any like device. This is advantageous because it means that whilst a viewer is watching one channel received from one source, the recorder can record signals transmitted on channels from other source devices.
- an emulator responsive to a single universal remote control is provided for controlling the television system, whereby signals sent to the emulator from the remote control are converted to signals that are recognisable by all source devices of the system.
- signals sent to the emulator from the remote control are converted to signals that are recognisable by all source devices of the system.
- means are provided for generating an electronic program guide for displaying television program listings.
- the guide may be presented in a grid format. In this way, the viewer can make program selections merely by highlighting a selected box in the grid.
- Means are preferably provided in the guide for activating a remind facility. For example, receipt of a pre-determined signal from a remote control, preferably, a universal remote control, may indicate that a viewer wishes to be reminded when a program is to be broadcast. Receipt of this signal preferably causes the details of the selected program, including a channel on which it is to be broadcast and start and stop times, to be stored in memory.
- a remote control preferably, a universal remote control
- a computer program preferably on a data carrier or some other computer readable medium, comprising instructions for storing in a memory information relating to a selected television program, including a channel on which it is to be transmitted and a scheduled start time; storing in a label memory information on channels on which are transmitted labels that are indicative of a real start of a television program; determining from the label memory whether a label indicative of the real start time of the selected program is to be transmitted; generating control signals to enable receipt of the label, in the event it is determined that a label is to be broadcast, and enabling a control function relating to the selected television program in response to receipt of the label or, in the event that a label is not to be transmitted, at substantially the scheduled start time stored in memory, as measured by a real time clock.
- a method of controlling a television system that includes a television tuner and a video recorder comprising storing details of a selected program, including a channel on which it is to be broadcast and a start time; monitoring time using a real time clock; checking the stored program details to identify which channel number the selected program is to be broadcast on; determining whether labels indicative of the start of the selected program are to be broadcast prior to the broadcast of the selected program; if it is determined that start labels are to be broadcast, switching to the relevant channel and waiting until these labels are received or if it is determined that labels are not to be broadcast, waiting until just before the stored time, and causing the video recorder to record the desired program.
- the details of the selected program additionally include a stop time.
- the labels may be PDC or VPS labels, or some other real time data label that accurately signifies when the program is actually being broadcast.
- the method further involves using the start time of the selected program to calculate the PDC or VPS labels.
- the method may further involve generating a prompt to advise the viewer if the tuning device for the program to be recorded is in use.
- the prompt may be interactive.
- the method may then further involve receiving a response from a viewer indicative of whether the viewer wants to proceed with the recording, whereby on receipt of a positive response to the prompt the video recorder is caused to record the program.
- the method may further involve powering up pre-determined components at a predetermined time prior to the stored start time.
- the method may also involve determining whether the video recorder is already being used and if so generating and displaying a warning message and prompt, e.g. "Recording is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel". If the viewer responds with STOP, the record process is aborted. If the viewer responds with OK, the method proceeds to the step of causing the video recorder to record.
- a warning message and prompt e.g. "Recording is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel". If the viewer responds with STOP, the record process is aborted. If the viewer responds with OK, the method proceeds to the step of causing the video recorder to record.
- the method further involves connecting the video recorder to the desired source device and selecting the desired channel on that source device.
- the method further involves checking to determine whether the desired channel can be accessed from an alternative source device. If an alternative device is not found then a warning message (e.g. "Record failure: ⁇ RecordedDevice> in use") is displayed. If an alternative P T B01 02500
- the video recorder is connected to that alternative device.
- the method may also involve stopping the video recorder recording at the end of the program. This can be done either by stopping the video recorder at the scheduled time or waiting until a stop label is broadcast at the end of the selected program. At the end of the selected program, the method preferably involves powering down the video recorder.
- attempts by the viewer to change channel on source device for the program that is being recorded cause a warning to be displayed, e.g.: "Recording in progress - OK to continue, STOP to cancel". If the viewer selects STOP, the recording is interrupted.
- a controller for controlling a television system that includes a television tuner and a video recorder the controller preferably being integral with a television and comprising: means for storing details of a selected program, including a channel on which it is to be broadcast and a start time; means for checking the stored program details to identify which channel number the selected program is to be broadcast on; means for determining whether a start label indicative of the start of the selected program is to be broadcast prior to the broadcast of the selected program; means for switching to the relevant channel and waiting until the start label is received, if it is determined that labels are to be broadcast; means for causing the video recorder to record the desired program either on receipt of the start label or at the time stored in memory as measured on the real time clock and means for determining whether or not a label indicative of the start of the selected program is to be broadcast preferably comprising a list of television channels that provide such start labels and means for searching the table for the channel on which the selected program is to be broadcast.
- means are provided for calculating the label using the announced start date and time of the selected program.
- the label may be a PDC or a VPS label, or some other real time broadcast data label that accurately signifies when the program is actually being broadcast.
- Means may be provided for generating a prompt notifying the viewer of the imminent broadcast of the selected program.
- the means for generating may be operable to generate an interactive prompt.
- the interactive prompt may be operable to receive a response from a viewer indicative of whether the viewer wants to record the program.
- means are provided for causing the selected program to be recorded automatically on receipt of a positive response to the prompt.
- the television system may include a plurality of different television signal source devices.
- the controller has a means, for example a switch, for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to the video recorder. This is advantageous as it means that the controller can automatically connect a selected one of the television sources to the recorder.
- the controller has means, for example a switch, for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to a data decoder.
- the data decoder is a teletext or P.31 decoder and/or a PDC/VPS decoder. This is advantageous because it means that whilst a viewer is recording a program on one channel received from one source, the controller can monitor data, such as start labels, that are transmitted by channels from other source devices.
- the controller has means, for example a switch, for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to the television display.
- a switch for selectively connecting each of the television sources devices to the television display.
- the controller can simultaneously monitor data, such as start labels, that are transmitted on channels from another source device and the viewer can watch simultaneously, programs on channels from yet another source device.
- Each of the switches is controlled automatically by the controller so that the viewer does not have to set any of the external devices. This simplifies use of the television system.
- an emulator responsive to a single universal remote control is provided for controlling the television system, whereby signals sent to the emulator from the remote control are converted to signals that are recognisable by all components of the system.
- signals sent to the emulator from the remote control are converted to signals that are recognisable by all components of the system.
- means are provided for generating an electronic program guide for displaying television program listings on the television screen.
- the guide may be presented in a grid format. In this way, the viewer can make program selections merely by highlighting a selected box in the grid.
- Means are preferably provided in the guide for activating a record facility. For example, receipt of a pre-determined signal from a remote control, preferably, the universal remote control, may indicate that viewer wishes to record a selected program.
- Means are provided for automatically storing in memory the details of the program selected for recording.
- Using the guide in this way means that a user merely has to select a program for recording, all other functionality, such as selecting the channel, checking whether a label designating the start of program exists, monitoring the time and starting and stopping the video recorder, is provided by the controller. Hence, from the user's perspective the overall system is greatly simplified.
- Means may be provided for powering up pre-determined components a predetermined time prior to the stored start time. This is advantageous for unattended recording.
- means are provided for determining whether the video recorder is already being used and if so generating and displaying a warning message and prompt, e.g. "Recording is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel". If the viewer responds with STOP, the record process is aborted. If the viewer responds with OK, the means for causing the video recorder to record are activated and the recording begins.
- Means may be provided for stopping the video recorder at the end of the program. This can be done either by stopping the video recorder at the scheduled time or waiting until the status or absence of a broadcast label designates the end of the selected program. Means are also preferably provided for powering down the video recorder and/or any other device used at the end of the selected program.
- means are provided for causing a warning to be displayed when attempts are made to change channel on the source device for the program that is being recorded, e.g.: "Recording in progress - OK to continue, STOP to cancel".
- a method of controlling a system that has a television (or PC TV or the like) and a plurality of external video signal source devices, the method comprising: switching the television into a standby mode on receipt of a standby command signal and automatically switching each of the video signal source devices into a standby mode on receipt of the television standby signal.
- a controller for a system that has a television (or PC TV or the like) and a plurality of external video signal source devices, the controller comprising: means for sending control signals to each of the external source devices and the television; means for switching the television into a standby mode on receipt of a standby command signal and means for automatically switching each of the video signal source devices into a standby mode on receipt of the television standby signal.
- a computer program preferably on a data carrier for controlling a system that has a television (or PC TV or the like) and a plurality of external video signal source devices, the program comprising means for automatically generating signals for switching each of the video signal source devices into a standby mode on receipt of a signal that is operable to switch the television into a standby mode.
- a controller for a television system that has a television or PC TV or the like and a plurality of external television signal source devices, the controller comprising means for sensing when each external device is being used and means for automatically switching any external device not being currently used into a standby mode.
- a method for controlling a television system that has a television or PC TV or the like and a plurality of external television signal source devices, the method comprising means for sensing when each external device is being used and means for generating a signal for causing any external device not being currently used to be automatically switched into a standby mode.
- the controller is provided in a television. In this way, by sensing when devices are not being used and then switching them into a standby mode, the overall power consumption of the system is reduced. This is advantageous.
- a controller for a television system comprising a plurality of inputs each operable to receive signals from one of a plurality of video signal source devices; means operable to selectively connect each of the plurality of inputs to a first television device, and means for selectively connecting one of the plurality of inputs to a second television device simultaneously with connection of another one of the inputs to the first device.
- An advantage of this system is that a viewer can view a channel supplied by one source device whilst the decoder can simultaneously decode information from a signal from another source device. This means that the television system can be provided with up to date information even when it is being used to view television programs.
- a further advantage is that a viewer can view a channel supplied by one source device whilst the video recorder can simultaneously record a signal from another source device.
- the controller is provided in a television.
- the means for selectively connecting are a switch.
- a method for controlling a television system comprising receiving signals from a plurality of video signal source devices, providing a selected one of the signals to an on-screen display generator, and simultaneously providing another of the signals to a data decoder and/or a video recorder.
- a computer program for controlling a television system comprising means for controlling the selective provision of one of the signals to an onscreen display generator, and means for controlling the selective provision of another of the signals to a data decoder and/or a video recorder simultaneously with the signal provided to the on-screen display.
- Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the connectivity between elements of a television system
- Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the IR connection between various components of the television system of Figure 3;
- FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of the television system of Figure 4.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the connectivity between elements of television system containing a personal video recorder (PVR);
- PVR personal video recorder
- Figure 7 shows an example of an electronic program guide.
- Figure 8 shows a PDC table, which lists whether PDC labels are broadcast by a given channel
- Figure 9 shows a channel source table containing information concerning from which device a channel is to be received and on what channel number;
- Figure 10 shows a device control table identifying each device and by what method and physical input it is connected to the system
- Figure 11 is a flow chart describing the control process for a user to select a TV program reminder and later be prompted by the system to view the program.
- FIG. 3 shows a television 10 that is connected via SCART links to three external devices, these devices being a first set top box STB1 for decoding satellite television signals, a second set top box STB2 for decoding cable television signals and a video recorder 11.
- Each device has an infra red eye window 12 for receiving commands from a universal remote control 14 that is operable to generate and send IR control commands.
- an emulator included in the television 10 is an emulator (not shown) that is arranged to receive command signals from the universal remote and emulate the command signals of each of the television 10, the set top boxes STB1 and STB2 and the video recorder 11. Signals are sent from the emulator to the external devices using an IR "mouse tail" 16, i.e a wire-LED combination or optical lead that distributes IR signals to the IR eye windows 12 of the external devices, as shown in Figure 4.
- IR "mouse tail" i.e a wire-LED combination or optical lead that distributes IR signals to the IR eye windows 12 of the external devices, as shown in Figure 4.
- different command interfaces may be employed to control external devices in addition to or instead of the IR mouse- tail 16.
- control commands intended for the set top boxes STB1, STB2 and the video recorder 11 are interpreted inside the television 10, converted to the appropriate format and retransmitted as IR signals to the selected device.
- the viewer points the universal remote 14 directly at the TV infra-red eye 12. All other signals are generated and transmitted to the appropriate device via the mouse-tail 16.
- Figure 5 shows the internal layout of the television 10 of Figure 3. This has a programmable tuner 17 that is connected to an internal port AVO and three external audio video input ports, AVI, AV2 and AV3. Connected to AVI is the first set top box STB 1 ; connected to AV2 is the second set top box STB2 and connected to AV3 is the video recorder 11.
- Each input port AVO, AVI, AV2 and AV3 is connected to three programmable video switches SI, S2 and S3.
- the first switch SI is a four way composite or RGB video switch that is selectively operable to connect each of the first and second set-top boxes, the programmable tuner 17 and an output 19 of the video recorder 11 to an on-screen display generator, which is in turn connected to a display device 20, such as a CRT.
- the on-screen display generator may contain a PAL/SECAM or other picture decoding function.
- the second switch S2 is also a four way switch and this is selectively operable to connect each of the first and second set-top boxes, the programmable tuner 17 and the video recorder output 19 to a VBI data slicer that is connected to each of a teletext or P.31 decoder 24 and a PDC or VPS decoder 26. By sampling the signals at switch S2 it is possible to determine whether video is present and thereby sense whether an external source device is in active mode.
- the third switch S3 is a three way switch and this is selectively operable to connect the first and second set-top boxes and the programmable tuner 17 to a "video-in" port 28 on the video recorder 11.
- Provision of the switches SI and S2 allows each of the programmable tuner 17, the first and second set top boxes STB1, STB2 and the video recorder 11 to be selectively connected to the on screen display and the data decoder. This is advantageous as it means that a signal from one of the sources can be processed so that the viewer can watch the selected television program, whilst the decoder is simultaneously able to process information from a signal received from another of the sources.
- Provision of the switch S3 allows each of the tuner 17 and the first and second set top boxes STB1, STB2 to be selectively connected to the video recorder so that a signal from one of the sources can be used to allow a television program to be viewed and/or processed by the decoder, whilst the video recorder is simultaneously recording a program on a channel received from another of the sources.
- a data bus 30 is provided in the television 10.
- the onscreen display generator 18 Connected to this are the onscreen display generator 18, the VBI data slicer 22, the teletext or P.31 decoder 24, the PDC/VPS decoder 26, a real time clock 32, a flash RAM 34, a DRAM, an IR transceiver 38 and a microprocessor (CPU) 40 that is additionally connected to the programmable tuner 17.
- the CPU 40 has access to both volatile DRAM 36 and non-volatile FLASH memory across the data bus 30 and controls the on-screen display generator to write directly to the display device.
- the on-screen display generator mixes or overlays CPU generated text and graphics with baseband video, which may be scaled, cropped and moved within the display area.
- Hard coded in an embedded ROM within the television is control software, which shall be referred to herein as "firmware", that co-operates with the CPU to control the overall system functionality.
- the CPU and firmware are operable to control the position of the programmable switches SI, S2 and S3.
- the CPU and firmware are operable to decode data that is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI), including teletext and EPG data, by using the baseband programmable video switch S2 to select input from either the tuner 17 or from an external source device, such as the first or second set-top boxes or the video recorder 11.
- the CPU and firmware may sense whether an external source device is in active mode by sampling its signal to determine whether video is present.
- the CPU and firmware which is operable also while the TV display is in standby, may be powered by a split power supply that does not power up other TV sub-systems while the display is not in use.
- the CPU and firmware maintains in the DRAM memory the following status information for each external device according to the last re-interpreted command sent to it: powered state (PowerStatus), i.e. whether it is in Standby, Active or (if a video recorder) Timer mode; last channel number (DeviceChannelNumber) if set; operating mode (PlayStatus) of the video recorder: whether it is in Stop, Pause, Play or Record mode.
- powered state PowerStatus
- last channel number DeviceChannelNumber
- Operating mode PlayerStatus of the video recorder: whether it is in Stop, Pause, Play or Record mode.
- FIG. 6 shows a PVR that is connected via SCART links to three external devices, these devices being a first set top box STB1 for decoding satellite television signals, a second set top box STB2 for decoding cable television signals and output to a television.
- Each device has an infra red eye window 12 for receiving commands from a universal remote control 14 that is operable to generate and send IR control commands.
- the arrangement of internal components of the PVR necessary to implement the present invention is similar to that shown in Figure 5 and so will not be described in detail.
- EPG electronic program guide
- this software is maintained by the firmware in non-volatile memory 34.
- the EPG software is operable to create a grid into which television program listings information can be added. An example of this is shown in Figure 7.
- the television listings include details of all programs available from each of the programmable tuner 17, the first set-top box and the second set-top box.
- the first switch SI is automatically switched to the desired source device for the selected program.
- Maintained in the flash RAM 34 is a PDCChannel table.
- Figure 7 illustrates an excerpt from a PDCChannel table. In this, a logical true/false flag is used to indicate whether PDC is supported, with true indicating that it is supported and false indicating that it is not. From Figure 7 it can be seen that PDC is supported on BBC 1, Carlton, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Nickelodeon.
- the PDC Channel information is downloaded to the system, preferably by being broadcast as a P.31 or teletext signal in the VBI alongside other channel related information such as the TV listings data. This information can be received either via the TV tuner or via one of the source devices.
- the PDCChannel information does not have to be broadcast with the TV channels, but may be received by other means such as via a built-in pager broadcast receiver or via a built-in modem over the internet.
- PDCChannel information may be either broadcast continuously, or preferably, broadcast once or a small number of times per day along with other EPG data.
- ChannelSource table Stored in the non-volatile memory 34 is a ChannelSource table.
- Figure 8 is an example of an excerpt from such a table. This describes which channel is obtained from which source device together with the channel number (DeviceChannelNumber) the device needs to be tuned to, and whether it can be tuned to to in order to receive EPG data.
- the ChannelSource table is created by the CPU and modified each time a new external source device is installed or removed from the TV. When a new device is installed, the CPU+firmware scans through its available channel numbers to identify its Channel ID by decoding the teletext CNI labels. Later viewers may manually edit ChannelSource via an interactive display to the TV 10 to edit identities of channels on which erroneous CNI data is broadcast or no identifying data was broadcast at all. Simultaneously, the CPU+firmware tests whether EPG data packets are received by the teletext/P.31 decoder. If these are received, the flag EPGHost is set to .true, in ChannelSource.
- the ChannelSource table may have multiple entries per channel ID when more than one device receives the same channel.
- the Figure 8 lists the "Carlton" channel ID twice because it can be received on both the TV's internal tuner (TV) and also on the internal tuner in the video-recorder 11.
- a DeviceControl table is stored in the non-volatile memory 34.
- An example of this is shown in Figure 9.
- This table contains user adjustable settings to identify which input a device is connected to and details of the type of control interface (e.g. IR or SCART AV-Link) to be used to control it, together with related parameters such as type of IR code to be used.
- This describes the overall connectivity of the system of Figure 5, where all external baseband video sources such as the video recorder and source devices (such as STBl and STB2) are connected directly to the television.
- the television controlled by the microprocessor (CPU) and real-time-clock (RTC), powers up the tuner periodically at certain times to receive EPG data.
- CPU microprocessor
- RTC real-time-clock
- This data typically includes: PDCChannel table; TimeOfDay data packets for fine time adjustment of the RTC; Programme titles, start and stop times and channel description identities (Channel IDs).
- the CPU uses the time of day information to update the real time clock in real time.
- the other data are written to non-volatile memory for later reference.
- a viewer may select programs he/she wants to be reminded to view but does not actually want to record. In such cases a viewer highlights the program on the EPG display and selects a "Remind" control option. Just before the programme is due to start, a prompt is displayed on the on-screen display inviting the viewer to change channel to view the programme.
- the remind process of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 11.
- FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen display, where a viewer has already highlighted the program "Hollywood Wives".
- the CPU then writes the Remind programme's details (including Channel ID and start and stop times) to non-volatile memory and sets the realtime clock to trigger an alarm for the start of the programme.
- the CPU+firmware looks up the ChannelSource against Channel ID to identify which source device to power up for Reminding from (RemindedDevice) and which device channel number (RemindedChannel) to set the RemindedDevice to.
- the system chooses the first valid entry in the ChannelSource table for Channel ID.
- the CPU accesses the DeviceControl table to identify which TV video input the RemindedDevice is connected to and which control interface (e.g. IR) and related control parameters (e.g. IR code ID) to use.
- the PDCChannel table is also consulted to determine whether PDC is supported for the RemindedChannel.
- the CPU determines that PDC is supported by the reminded channel, then it calculates bit maps for one or more PDC labels for the Reminded program according to its broadcast announced time(s) and date(s). This is a known process and so will not be described here in detail.
- the CPU then monitors the status of Switch SI to determine whether it is switched to the RemindedChannel source. If so, the viewer is watching from the same source and therefore the RemindedChannel cannot be selected if the source is external. If the source is internal the CPU checks whether the viewed channel is the same as Reminded Channel. If the CPU however cannot use the RemindedChannel source , it attempts then to use the non-PDC method. This will be described in more detail later.
- the CPU looks up the ChannelSource, the value of DeviceChannelNumber for the RemindedDevice, and Channel ID. It then checks the selected video output to determine the selected device power status and transmits an IR sequence to control the selected device according to its power status, and sends a command to change to channel DeviceChannelNumber. The CPU then waits until the PDC labels are received from the RemindedDevice and decoded by the PDC decoder, and displays a prompt on the television screen giving the viewer the opportunity to change channel: e.g. " ⁇ Remind programme title" is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel". If the viewer selects STOP, the Remind process is aborted. If, however, the viewer selects OK, a signal is sent to the CPU, which interprets the response and switches the first video switch SI to the RemindedDevice. The selected program is then displayed to the viewer.
- the CPU determines that PDC is not supported, then it waits until the program's announced start time, as measured by the real time clock 32, and generates a prompt on the television display giving the viewer the opportunity to change channel: e.g. " ⁇ Remind programme title" is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel". If the viewer selects STOP, the Remind process is aborted. If the viewer selects OK, the CPU looks up in the ChannelSource table, the value of DeviceChannelNumber for the
- the CPU then checks the selected video output to determine the selected device power status and transmits the IR sequence to control the selected device according to its power status, then sends a channel change to DeviceChannelNumber (i.e. a power up command to the RemindedDevice followed a few seconds later by a GotoChannel command). The CPU then switches the first video switch SI to the RemindedDevice and the selected program is displayed to the viewer.
- DeviceChannelNumber i.e. a power up command to the RemindedDevice followed a few seconds later by a GotoChannel command.
- the viewer selects a program for automatic record from among other programs listed or displayed by the EPG.
- a program for automatic record from among other programs listed or displayed by the EPG.
- button "1", “Hollywood Wives” can be selected for recording.
- the CPU then writes the record program's details (including Channel ID, start and stop time) to non-volatile memory and sets the real time clock 32 to trigger power-up of essential components necessary for the recording process just before the program is scheduled to be broadcast.
- These components include the CPU itself, the DRAM, the Flash RAM, the PDC decoder, the VBI data slicer, the IR transceiver and the second and third switches S2 and S3.
- the real time clock triggers power up of the essential TV components if the TV is not in active mode (display device powered up).
- the CPU+firmware looks up the ChannelSource table to identify which device to power up for recording from (RecordedDevice) and which device channel number (RecordedChannel) to set the RecordedDevice to. By default it chooses the first valid entry in the ChannelSource table for the Channel ID.
- the CPU then consults the DeviceControl table to identify which TV video input the RecordedDevice is connected to, and via which control interface (e.g. IR) and related control parameters (e.g. IR code ID) to use.
- control interface e.g. IR
- related control parameters e.g. IR code ID
- the CPU+firmware checks the state of the first switch SI or the second switch S2 to detect a video signal, in order to determine whether the viewer is using the video recorder 11. If so, a warning message and prompt (e.g. "Recording is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel") is displayed via the OSD. If the viewer responds with STOP, the record process is aborted. If the viewer responds with OK, the CPU 40 checks to determine from the state of SI whether the actively viewed source device (if any) is the same as the RecordedDevice.
- a warning message and prompt e.g. "Recording is about to start - press OK to continue, STOP to cancel"
- the CPU+firmware checks to determine whether RecordedChannel is listed against an alternative device in ChannelSource. If an alternative device is not found then a warning message (e.g. "Record failure: ⁇ RecordedDevice> in use") is displayed on the on-screen display 20 of the television 10. If an alternative device is found, then RecordedDevice takes on the identity of that alternative device.
- the Channel Source table of Figure 9 shows a case for the channel "Carlton" where the video recorder can be set up to record via the video recorder's own tuner if the TV's tuner is in use.
- a warning message (e.g. " ⁇ RecordedDevice name> is in use - press OK to allow record, STOP to cancel") is displayed via the OSD. If the viewer selects STOP, the process is aborted. If the viewer selects OK, the CPU looks up in the ChannelSource table the value of the DeviceChannelNumber for the RecordedDevice and the Channel ID. The CPU then transmits a power up command to the RecordedDevice and the video recorder 11, followed a few seconds later by a GotoChannel command to the RecordedDevice to set it to
- the CPU then causes the third video switch S3 to switch to the input to which the RecordedDevice is connected.
- the CPU looks up the PDCChannel table to determine whether PDC is supported for the RecordedChannel. If PDC is supported, the CPU calculates the bit maps for one or more PDC labels for the recorded program according to its broadcast announced time(s) and date(s) and waits until these are received and decoded by the PDC decoder from the RecordedDevice. The CPU then prepares the video recorder to record and initiates recording according to whether the PDC prepare to record flag is set and the type of video recorder device. Finally, the CPU stops the video recorder recording at the end of the programme according to how and when the broadcast PDC labels require and powers down the RecordedDevice and video recorder.
- the CPU waits until approximately 10s before the programme's announced start time, as measured by the real time clock, and prepares the video recorder 11 to record depending on the type of video recorder device (e.g by setting it into record-pause and then record-play at the start of recording when video recorder is a video-cassette-recorder).
- the CPU stops the video recorder recording and powers down the RecordedDevice and video recorder.
- the video recorder and other source devices are controlled via the CPU.
- the viewer's IR command sent from the universal remote 14 is intercepted, translated and re-transmitted down the mouse tail using the IR code sequence specific to the external device under control.
- the CPU+firmware maintains in non-volatile memory the last channel viewed immediately before the TV was powered down into standby. Upon TV power up into active mode, the CPU+firmware automatically sets the first switch SI to the source device used to receive the last channel. The CPU then powers up the device if it is external (e.g. not the TV tuner) and sets it to the last channel. When a viewer selects a channel that requires an external device to be powered up, then the CPU+firmware powers up that device. In order to reduce channel change delays, the same device is typically not powered off when a viewer changes to a channel that does not originate from the external device, although, this is possible.
- the data for use in constructing the EPG is typically downloaded via the VBI to the CPU. At present, this is done via signals that can be received using the programmable tuner in the television. This involves sending the data at predetermined times on a pre-determined channel and causing the tuner to switch to that channel at the appropriate time in order to receive the data and sent it to an appropriate decoder. This, however, has the disadvantage that if the programmable tuner 17 is being used, the EPG data cannot be decoded.
- the data is transmitted to a plurality of different source devices.
- the data may be downloaded in the VBI of a host channel that is transmitted to the programmable tuner and additionally a host channel that is transmitted to the first set top box STB 1.
- Stored in the DRAM are the time and channel details of the download for each source device.
- the CPU can then control the programmable switches to cause an unused source device to be connected to the decoder so that even if the television is being viewed, it is still possible to receive and decode EPG data.
- EPG data may be processed, suppose that a data download is scheduled for 10pm each evening on channel 3, i.e. Carlton, via the programmable tuner 17 and channel 79, i.e. Sky News, via the second set top box STB2.
- the CPU checks the ChannelSource table to determine the sources on which the information is to be provided. This is done by checking the EPGHost flags. If the television is not being used at the time, the CPU causes either one of the programmable tuner 17 or the second set top box STB2 to be set to the correct channel. Once the channel is set, the CPU then causes the second switch S2 to connect the selected one of the programmable tuner 17 or the second set top box STB2 to the VBI data slicer 22, so that the incoming EPG data can be received and decoded.
- the CPU checks the channel source table to determine the status of the EPG host flag of the viewed channel. If the viewed channel is a host channel, say, Carlton, the CPU causes the second switch S2 to switch to connect the programmable tuner 17 to the VBI data slicer 22. In this way, the EPG data transmitted on channel 3 can be processed.
- the CPU searches for another source device that has a host channel.
- channel 79 of the second set top box STB2 is a host channel and so the CPU sets the second set top box STB2 to channel 79 and causes the second switch S2 to connect the second set top box STB2 to the VBI data slicer 22.
- the CPU would set the programmable tuner 17 to the host channel, i.e. 3, and cause the second switch S2 to connect the programmable tuner to the data decoder. In this way, downloaded EPG data can always be received and decoded to provide up to date EPG information, regardless of whether or not the television is being used.
- the processes for selecting a device from which to receive EPG data may be disabled by a number of higher priority processes that may require alternative settings for S2.
- the higher priority processes may include the following:
- the CPU+firmware is in the Remind or Record feature processes respectively for a PDC enabled channel
- the TV is in teletext display mode
- the television system and methods described herein provide a simple way for users to record or be reminded of television programs that are received from more than one television signal source device. This is done by providing software for determining from a label memory whether a label, such as a VPS or PDC label, indicative of the real start time of a selected program is to be transmitted. If it is determined that labels are to be transmitted, the controller is primed to receive those labels at a pre-determined time. In response to receipt of the label, a prompt reminding the viewer of the transmission of the selected television program is generated.
- a label such as a VPS or PDC label
- a real time clock is monitored and a short time before the scheduled time for transmission, a prompt reminding the viewer of the television program is generated.
- the functionality of this system considerably reduces the complexity of trying to record television programs, which is attractive to consumers.
- the television system and methods described herein are also advantageously arranged to reduce power consumption of unused external video source devices. Furthermore, the television system enables viewers to receive up to date information, whilst viewing the television. Again this provides advantages for the viewer.
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Abstract
Contrôleur pour système de télévision qui comprend un logiciel servant à déterminer à partir d'une mémoire d'étiquettes si une étiquette telle que VPS ou PDC, qui indique le temps de début réel d'un programme sélection, doit être transmise. S'il est établi que les étiquettes doivent être transmises, le contrôleur est amorcé pour recevoir ces étiquettes à une heure prédéterminée. En réponse à la réception de l'étiquette, une invite est générée, qui rappelle au spectateur la prochaine transmission du programme télévisé sélectionné. S'il est établi que VPS ou PDC ou similaire n'est pas pris en charge par la chaîne sur laquelle doit être transmis le programme sélectionné, une horloge en temps réel est générée et, à un bref moment avant le temps prévu pour l'émission, une invite rappelant au spectateur la prochaine transmission du programme télévisé est générée.
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CN111277891B (zh) * | 2020-03-05 | 2022-12-27 | 海信视像科技股份有限公司 | 一种节目录制提示方法及显示设备 |
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JP3026686B2 (ja) * | 1992-09-22 | 2000-03-27 | 三洋電機株式会社 | ビデオテープレコーダ |
KR940017376A (ko) * | 1992-12-21 | 1994-07-26 | 오오가 노리오 | 송신 방법, 수신 방법, 통신 방법 및 쌍방향 버스 시스템 |
US5852478A (en) * | 1995-05-12 | 1998-12-22 | Gemstar Development Corporation | Vps compatible apparatus and method for selection of correct IR code sets |
JPH09134154A (ja) * | 1995-11-07 | 1997-05-20 | Sony Corp | 映像表示装置 |
DE19602535C1 (de) * | 1996-01-25 | 1996-09-12 | Grundig Emv | Energiesparbetrieb bei einem Kommunikationsgerät |
KR100209677B1 (ko) * | 1996-02-27 | 1999-07-15 | 구자홍 | 티브이를 이용하여 브이씨알에 녹화예약용 데이터를 제공하는 방법, 이 방법 등에 적응된 티브이 및 브이씨알 |
AU3294997A (en) * | 1996-06-13 | 1998-01-07 | Starsight Telecast Incorporated | Method and apparatus for searching a guide using program characteristics |
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CA2297039C (fr) * | 1997-07-21 | 2002-02-12 | Ronald Alexander | Systemes et procedes permettant d'afficher et d'enregistrer des interfaces de commande avec des programmes televises, videos, affichage d'information, et pour la programmation de programme d'information |
US6003041A (en) * | 1998-01-05 | 1999-12-14 | Gateway 2000, Inc. | Method and managing multiple channel maps from multiple input devices in a multimedia system |
WO1999062257A2 (fr) * | 1998-05-22 | 1999-12-02 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Dispositif de traitement de signaux televisuels, possedant une memoire d'adresses de blocs de donnees permettant la determination autonome d'informations relatives a des emissions televisees |
-
2000
- 2000-06-07 GB GBGB0013922.0A patent/GB0013922D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2001
- 2001-06-07 AU AU2001274214A patent/AU2001274214A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-06-07 WO PCT/GB2001/002500 patent/WO2001095616A2/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-06-07 EP EP01940710A patent/EP1290880A2/fr not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See references of WO0195616A2 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2001095616A2 (fr) | 2001-12-13 |
GB0013922D0 (en) | 2000-08-02 |
AU2001274214A1 (en) | 2001-12-17 |
WO2001095616A3 (fr) | 2002-03-28 |
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