GB2295714A

GB2295714A - Controlling video recorders to record and playback a preset schedule of broadcast programmes

Info

Publication number: GB2295714A
Application number: GB9523834A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazuo Hashimoto
Original assignee: Hashimoto Corp
Current assignee: Hashimoto Corp
Priority date: 1994-11-22
Filing date: 1995-11-22
Publication date: 1996-06-05
Also published as: GB9523834D0; JPH08149406A

Abstract

The present invention reads in TV program reservation codes and the corresponding programs associated data such as title or the like which are listed in newspapers or magazines by utilizing optical character recognition. They are stored in memory and then displayed on a display unit at user's request. Therefore, the user can confirm what TV programs have been reserved or already recorded on a VCR. Furthermore, if the user selects a desired one among the already recorded programs by referring to the above display, the VCR automatically brings up the tape position corresponding to the starting position of the desired program and plays back the requested TV program. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING RECORDING AND PLAYBACK OF VCR UTILIZING RESERVATION CODES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for controlling the recording and playback of a videocassette recorder (VCR) which utilizes G Codes (a registered trademark, known as "PlusCode" in the United States) or other reservation codes such as bar codes.

Recently, VCRs capable of making TV program reservations using the aforementioned reservation codes have become widespread. Although recording several TV programs on such VCRs is no problem, choosing which program to view first is a matter of some difficulty.

SZTMARY OF THE INVENTIQN The present invention is directed to enable a user to easily select TV programs to be played back by displaying the aforementioned reservation codes and corresponding programs' associated data such as title or the like.

The present invention is constituted so that an image scanner (optical character reader) reads in TV program reservation codes and a portion or all of the corresponding programs' associated data such as title, both of which are listed in newspapers and magazines. The aforementioned reservation codes and associated data are stored in memory and then displayed on a display unit. This facilitates user's eelection of which TV program to play back first among the programs which have already been recorded in accordance with the reservation codes. Furthermore, the tape position corresponding to the starting position of a selected TV program is automatically brought up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating operations which are performed during a reservation procedure. The procedure includes reading in by means of OCR of TV program reservation codes which are listed in newspapers and the like by means of OCR; display of the codes; printing the codes: and VCR recording reservation of TV programs corresponding to the codes.

Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations which are performed for reading out the data concerning cassette tape number and tape position.

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations which are performed when VCR recording is performed.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations which are performed when a videotape is played back.

Figure 6 is a table illustrating an example of TV program reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data which are read in from newspapers or magazines and stored in memory.

Figure 7 is a table illustrating an example of decoded reservation codes such as channel as well as the corresponding programs' data which are arranged in chronological order in memory.

Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a second example of the present invention.

Leeend 1 Personal computer 2 Newspaper 3 OCR (optical character reader) 3-1 READ button 4 Interface board 5 Hard disk drive 6 Printer 7 Display unit 8 Remote controller & Infrared rays 8-2 OCR 9 Interface board 9-1 FSK modulator/demodulator 9-2 RS232C interface 9-3 Cable 10 VCR 10-1 Photoreceptor unit 10-2 Audio input terminal 10-3 RS232C terminal 10-4 Flash memory 10-5 Videocassette tape 11 Television set 12 Keyboard DESCRIr1 10N OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following is a description of the structure and operation of the present invention. In Figure 1, numeral 1 is a personal computer which contains a microprocessor (CPU) and RAM.The RAM stores TV program data (the reservation codes and the corresponding programs associated data such as title) which is read in by an optical character reader (to be described hereinafter). Separate areas in the RAM are allocated for each videocassette. There is capacity enough for data corresponding to 100 videocassettes.

Although the RAM is backed up in event of power failure, it is also possible to use flash memory so that data will not be lost during a power failure. The program for carrying out the procedures to be described hereinafter is loaded into RAM.

Numeral 2 is a newspaper, upon which program reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data are printed Numeral 3 is an optical character reader (OCR) which is for reading in by optical means the aforementioned printed reservation codes and associated data. Numeral 4 is an interface board to connect the aforementioned OCR 3 to personal computer 1. Numeral 5 is a hard disk drive to store the software for the aforementioned OCR 3 as well as software for the operating system and other programs.

Numeral 6 is a printer for printing full data, such as reservation codes, the corresponding programs' associated data, and encoded data (to be described shortly after), in the format of a personal program schedule. Numeral 7 is a display unit.

Numeral 8 is a remote controller which contains a code converting IC (not shown in the diagrams) for converting the aforementioned reservation codes into data that can be entered in VCR 10 (for example, channel and recording start time).

Numeral 9 is an interface board for connecting the aforementioned remote controller 8 to the aforementioned personal computer. It contains a FSK modulatorldemodulator 9-1 and a RS232C interface 9-2. As will be described later, numeral 9-1 stores as well as detects a FSK modulated videocassette number on the voice track of a videocassette. Numeral 9-2 transmits and receives serial data (tape position, for example) to and from VCR 10. which will be described later.

As opposed to the above method of using the voice track of a videocassette to store a videocassette number, it should be noted that a videocassette number may be stored using the closed caption or "CC" method, wherein data can be stored between video signals.

Numeral 10 is a videocassette recorder (VCR). It has a photoreceptor unit 10-1 for receiving infrared rays from the aforementioned remote controller 8. Also provided are an audio input terminal 10-2 for the aforementioned voice track and an RS232C terminal 10-3.

A VCR which has an RS232C interface is known art. For example, the Model PV-D828 manufactured by NEC is an example of such a VCR.

The RS232C cable 9-3 must not be too long, otherwise noise will become a problem. Therefore, as long as an RS232 C interface is used, the location of VCR 10 will be restricted. However, it should be noted that the above remote controller 8 can be made into a two-way device so that it can transmit and receive RS232C signals.

Numeral 11 is a TV set. Numeral 12 is a keyboard which contains a variety of function keys.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of Figure 2, the following is a description of the operations which relate to the scanning in of desired reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data and the entering of reservations in VCR 10 in accordance with the reservation codes.

When a user inserts a videotape (not shown in the diagrams) into VCR 10, CPU will detect the insertion of the videotape via the RS232C interface 9-2 and will invoke the subroutine "CASSE?TE~NO" shown in the flowchart of Figure 3. First, an amount of videotape corresponding to three seconds of playing time (an arbitrary figure) is rewound at Step 50. Then the videotape is played for three seconds at Step 51.

At Step 52 a test is performed to determine whether a cassette number has been stored on the voice track of the videotape. Assuming that an unused videotape has been inserted, Step 52 will be negative. At Step 53, a command from RS232C 92 causes the three second portion of videotape, which was played back at Step 51, to be rewound.

A prescribed area of RAM is allocated to a variable called "CASSETTE,NO," which represents the highest cassette number ever used by the device. At Step 54, the current value of "CASSETTE~NO" is increased by 1 and stored as the new "CASSETTE~NO." If a new videocassette tape is inserted into a new VCR system, the value of "CASSETTE~NO" will be "1." On the other hand, if the videotape had been already used in recording and a "CASSETTE~NO" stored thereupon, Step 52 will be affirmative. Steps 63 and 54 are then skipped. and the cassette number which has been read at Step 52 is used.

Later at Step 55, the current position of the videotape is read via RS232C interface 9-2 and stored in a prescribed area of RAM. With regard to the aforementioned videotape position data, means for detecting the movement of a spindle (not shown in the drawings) for the purpose of rewinding and replaying videotape and means for recording addresses on videotape are known art.

Next, the subroutine is exited. If function key F1, which is located on keyboard 12, is then pressed, the subroutine shown in the flowchart of Figure 2 is invoked.

At Step 20, the RAM address which has been allocated to the aforementioned "CASSETTEN' is designated. The area corresponding to the RAM addresses contains the reservation data. If there is no data in this area, the first address in this area is loaded into the main register.

When the READ button 3-1 of OCR 3 is pressed, Step 21 will be affirmative.

While holding the READ button 3-1 down, the user moves OCR 3 over a desired TV program reservation code which is printed on newspaper 2 in order that it may be read in If the character read in by OCR 3 is a number, Step 22 will be affirmative and at Step 25 a single digit of the reservation code will be stored in the memory designated in Step 20. Then at Step 26 that single digit of the reservation code will be displayed on display unit 7.

Steps 25 and 26 are repeated, and the digit read in one by one, until the release of the READ button is detected at Step 27. Let it be assumed that the reservation code "824898" shown in Figure 6 is stored in a prescribed area of RAM.

After a reservation code is completely read in and the READ button is released, Step 27 will become affirmative. Next, at Step 28 a memory area is designated for storing associated data of the program corresponding to the reservation code.

At this point, if READ button 3-1 is held down again and OCR 3 is moved in order to read in the associated data which is printed on newspaper 2, the data will be displayed on display 7 and stored in the prescribed area of RAM. The present embodiment allows up to 20 characters to be read in if READ button 3 is not released before 20 characters are read in. Figure 6 shows a program entitled "SUPERWIDE" which corresponds to reservation code "824898" stored in the prescribed area of RAM.

In order to subsequently read in another reservation code from newspaper 2.

the user presses function key F2 on keyboard 12. As a result Step 42 will become affirmative after having passed through Steps 33 and 41. At Step 43. an area of RAM is designated for storing that reservation code. The program returns to Step 21.

Then, the next reservation code and the corresponding program's associated data can be read in, stored in memory and displayed on display 7 by means of the aforementioned operations.

It should be noted that scanning of television program reservation codes does not have to be carried out in chronological order of the recording start times.

Furthermore, a user may select recorded TV programs not in chronological order, but in any desired order.

Assuming that function key F10, which is located on keyboard 12, is pressed after all the reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data (titles) shown in Figure 6 have been read in by repeating the aforementioned operations, Step 33 will become affirmative. Next, at Step 34, several reservation codes already in RAM are transmitted one at a time to a code conversion IC (not shown in the diagrams) which is contained in remote controller 8. Using the functions of the code conversion IC, each reservation code is converted into data such as channel, recording start time, recording length or the like before being sent back to RAM.

Next, the data corresponding to each TV program which was sent back to RAM is sorted in chronological order of the recording start times. Figure 7 is a table illustrating an example of how the contents of RAM would be arranged after sorting.

The data shown in Figure 7 may also be displayed on display 7 and stored on hard disk drive 5.

If function key F5 is pressed at this point, Step 36 will become affirmative and a report with a prescribed format similar to that shown in Figure 7 will be printed at Step 37.

If function key F4 is pressed, Step 38 will become affirmative. Then, the reservation codes which have been stored in RAM will be transmitted one at a time to remote controller 8, where they will be converted into channel, recording start time, recording length data as described earlier and entered in the VCR by means of infrared rays.

Finally, if function key F10 is pressed, the subroutine is exited and operations will be concluded.

Thereafter, recordings will be carried out in accordance with the aforementioned reservation codes. In other words. if the recording start time of a television program reservation. which had been transferred into VCR 10. arrives. Step 60 of Figure 4 will become affirmative. The VCR will then turn on at Step 61 and be set to the appropriate channel at Step 62. At Step 63, recording will begin.

When recording on VCR 10 starts in the above manner. the FSK modulated.

encoded cassette number will be recorded on voice track of the videotape at Step 64.

In the present embodiment. the cassette number is recorded on the voice track by a fixed recording head. On the other hand, the audio portion of a TV program being broadcast will be recorded on the high-fidelity track by a rotary head.

It is preferable that a circuit for recording the above cassette number be built into VCR 10. However. in the present embodiment when CPU detects a recording start signal transmitted from VCR 10 via RS232C interface 9-2. the cassette number signal will be output from FSK modulator/demodulator 9-1 and recorded continuously on the voice track during the VCR recording.

When the recording end time is reached, Step 65 will become affirmative and the recording will stop at Step 66. The cessation of recording will be reported to CPU via RS232C interface 9-2, for example. Data for the recorded TV program will be marked. For example. an asterisk mark ("f") is attached to the reservation code of each recorded program in the list of Figure 7. The asterisk mark is displayed on display unit 7 together with the reservation code and the program data for the corresponding recorded program while the aforementioned list is displayed.

When the power to the VCR is cut off at Step 68, the program returns to a standby condition at Step 60.

In order to view the programs which have been recorded on VCR 10 in the above manner, the user presses the function key F6 which is located on keyboard 12, and which invokes the "PLAY" subroutine shown in the flowchart of Figure 5.

During the "PLAY" routine, it will frequently be the case that VCR 10 will contain a videocassette other than the one most recently used in recording. To meet such contingency, the videotape's position and the cassette number will be first read in by means of RS232C interface 9-2 at Steps 80 and 81, respectively.

Next at Step 82. display 7 will show the program reservation codes (as well as the corresponding programs associated data) which have been stored in the RAM area allocated to the current value of "CASSETTE~NO." If display 7 is provided with sufficiently high resolution, it will be possible to provide a display schedule similar to that of Figure 7, which shows reservation codes, associated data (in this Figure. program titles), encoded data (channels, recording start times and recording lengths) and other data such as videotape positions and dates (not shown). On the other hand. if a low resolution television set is used as a display unit. for example TV 11, it is possible to display only reservation codes and associated data: or only associated data and dates.

In Figure 7. because two reservations codes are shown with asterisks in front of them, it is possible for a user to know that 4 hours of television programs have already been recorded on that particular videocassette.

Then a desired program to be viewed is selected among the recorded TV programs by using the cursor and enter key (not shown) of keyboard 12 at Step 83.

The starting position of the desired program is compared to the actual tape position which was read in at Step 80. By means of the RS232C interface 9-2, CPU will read the current tape position and either rewind or fast forward the tape to the starting position of the selected program at Step 84. Let it be assumed that the selected program is "Superwide," whose starting position as shown in Figure 7 is the 120 minute portion from the beginning of the tape.

After the starting position arrives, since the VCR will switch to playback mode in response to a command arriving via the RS232C interface 9-2 at Step 85, the selected program can be viewed on TV 11.

After viewing the selected single program, if the user presses the F10 function key at Step 86, the playback will stop in response to a command arriving via the RS232C interface 9-2 at Step 87.

It is also possible to have a structure in which the tape stops automatically when the selected program ends.

It is also possible to replay multiple programs one after the other after having selected them in advance.

Although the foregoing embodiment has been shown and described, it should be noted that many variations and modifications may be made thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, if the use of a personal computer is not desired, it is possible to house the CPU of Figure 1 in VCR 10.

Furthermore, TV 11 may be used in place of display unit 7.

Accordingly, the block diagram of Figure 1 can be modified to that shown in Figure 8. In other words, the CPU of Figure 1 may be housed in VCR 10 of Figure 8.

Therefore, the RS232C circuitry of Figure 1 may be done away with.

Also, OCR 8-2 may be installed in a corner of remote controller 8. The reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data printed in the newspaper may be read in as shown earlier and the reservations can be made on VCR 10 bv means of infrared raves 8-1.

Card type non-volatile flash memory 10-4 stores the reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data which were read in by the OCR. the channel data or the like which was decoded from the reservation codes, cassette numbers, and tape position data. For example, such a flash memory can hold data which can be utilized by up to approximately 100 videocassettes. Alternatively, a floppy diskette may be used in place of flash memory.

If the "Display" button (not shown in drawings) is pressed, remote controller 8 transmits a command which causes data concerning already reserved TV programs (titles. etc.) to be read from flash memory 10-4 and displayed on TV 11.

A user can confirm which programs have already been recorded by referring to the above display on TV 11. Then he or she can select a desired program among the recorded programs by operating remote controller 8. As described earlier, a built-in CPU of VCR 10 brings up the tape position corresponding to the starting position of the selected TV program prior to the playback. Therefore, the user can view the desired program on TV 11.

The present invention is constituted so that an optical character reader reads in desired TV program reservation codes and the corresponding programs' associated data such as title, both of which are listed in newspapers and magazines.

Also, the aforementioned data are stored in memory, and then displayed on a display unit whenever a user wants to see them.

Accordingly, the user can confirm what TV programs have been reserved on the VCR or already recorded on each videocassette tape. Furthermore. if the user selects a desired one among the already recorded programs by referring to the above display, the VCR automatically brings up the tape position corresponding to the starting position of a desired TV program and plays back the program. Therefore, the present invention is a practical, user friendly TV program recording reservation and view system.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for controlling recording and playback of VCR utilizing reservation codes, said device comprising: means for reading in TV program reservation codes and corresponding TV program data, both of which are printed on an item; means for storing said read reservation codes and corresponding TV program data; means for recording a TV program on a videocassette in accordance with said store reservation codes; means for displaying said stored reservation codes and corresponding TV program data; and means for setting a start position corresponding to the beginning of the TV program recorded on said videocassette in accordance with one of said reservation codes and for playing a portion of the videocassette having the TV program recorded thereon by selecting the reservation code corresponding to the TV program from among said displayed reservation codes.

2. A system for controlling the recording of programming on a videocassette and the playback of recorded programming from the videocassette, comprising: an optical reader for reading television program reservation codes and associated television program data, corresponding to at least one television program; memory for storing said television program reservation codes and associated television program data; a display for displaying at least one of said stored television program reservation codes and associated television program data; a video recorder for recording on said videocassette the at least one television program in accordance with said stored television program reservation codes; and an input device for selecting one of said recorded at least one television program for playback in accordance with said displayed information.

3. A system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for recording identification data on the videocassette to identify the videocassette; and means for reading said identification data from said videocassette; wherein said identification data recorded is on a voice track of said videocassette, said recording of said identification data is performed at the time of recording television programming, and said read identification data is stored on said memory.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the read identification data is stored in association with said read television program reservation codes and associated television program data.

5. A system according to claim 2, wherein said input device is for inputting user commands responsive to which said optical reader and said video recorder are selectively activated.

6. A system according to claim 2, further comprising means for converting said stored television program reservation codes into corresponding data, said corresponding data including at least one of a channel on which said at least one television program will be televised, a start time at which said at least one television program will be televised and a length of time over which said at least one television program will be televised and means for storing said corresponding data.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said display is adapted to display said corresponding data.

8. A system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for converting said stored television program reservation codes into start time data corresponding to a time at which said at least one television program will be televised; and means for storing said start time data.

9. A system according to claim 8, further comprising a remote control operative with said video recorder, and wherein said means for converting is disposed in the remote control separate and apart from said memory and said start time data is stored in chronological order in said memory.

10. A system according to claim 8, further comprising: a personal computing device; wherein said memory is disposed within said personal computing device and said means for storing said start time data is a second memory disposed within said video recorder.

11. A system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for identifying end data representing an end of recording of each of said at least one television program, wherein said end data is stored in said memory in association with said stored television program reservation codes; and wherein said display is adapted to display said stored end data.

12. A system according to claim 2, wherein said display is adapted to display at least one of a program title, recorded length and program start position on the videocassette for each of said recorded at least one television program.

13. A system according to claim 2, further comprising: means for identifying a program start position on the videocassette for each of said recorded at least one television program; means for automatically determining if a current position of said videocassette is different than the program start position of the selected one of said recorded at least one television program; and if said current position and said program start position are different, means for automatically moving the position of said videocassette from said current position to said program start position prior to beginning said playback

14. A system according to claim 2, further comprising means for automatically stopping playback after completing playback of said selected one of the recorded at least one television program

15.A system according to claim 2, wherein: said at least one television program is a first television program and a second television program; said television program reservation codes and said associated television program data include first television program reservation codes and first associated television program data, corresponding to the first television program, and second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data, corresponding to the second television program; said display is adapted to display at least one of said stored first television program reservation codes, first associated television program data, second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data;; said recorder is adapted to record on said videocassette the first television program in accordance with said stored first television program reservation codes and the second television program in accordance with said stored second television program reservation codes; said input device is adapted to select one or both of said recorded first and second television programs for playback in accordance with said displayed information; and if both of said recorded first and second television programs are selected for playback in accordance with said displayed information, playback of one of said selected recorded television programs is automatically started after completing playback of the other of said selected recorded television programs.

16. A method for controlling the recording of programming on a videocassette and the playback of recorded programming from the videocassette, comprising the steps of: optically reading television program reservation codes and associated television program data, corresponding to one or more television programs; recording on said videocassette the one or more television programs in accordance with said read television program reservation codes; and selecting one of said recorded one or more television programs for playback in accordance with said read television program reservatic!n codes and associated television program data.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein: said one or more television programs are a first television program and a second television program; said television program reservation codes and associated television program data are first television program reservation codes and first associated television program data, corresponding to the first television program and second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data, corresponding to the second television program; said recording includes recording the first television program in accordance with said read first television program reservation codes and the second television program in accordance with said read second television program reservation codes;; said selecting includes selecting one of said recorded first and second television programs for playback in accordance with, in the case of said recorded first television program, said read first television program reservation codes and first associated television program data and, in the case of said recorded second television program, said read second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data; and the sequence in which the optical reading of said first television program reservation codes and first associated television program data and of said second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data is performed is unrelated to the sequence in which said first television program and said second television program are scheduled to be televised.

18. A method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: converting said read television program reservation codes into corresponding data, said corresponding data including at least one of a channel on which each of said one or more television programs will be televised, a start time at which each of said one or more television programs will be televised and a length of time over which each of said one or more television programs will be televised.

19. A method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: identifying a program start position on the videocassette for each of said recorded one or more television programs; automatically determining if a current position of said videocassette is different than the program start position of one of the selected one of said recorded one or more television programs; and if said current position and said program start position are different, automatically moving the position of said videocassette from said current position to said program start position prior to beginning said playback.

20. A method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of automatically stopping playback after completing playback of said selected one of the recorded one or more television programs.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein: said one or more television programs are a first television program and a second television program; said television program reservation codes and associated television program data are first television program reservation codes and first associated television program data, corresponding to the first television program and second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data, corresponding to the second television program; said recording includes recording the first television program in accordance with said read first television program reservation codes and the second television program in accordance with said read second television program reservation codes;; said selecting includes selecting both of said recorded first and second television programs for playback in accordance with, in the case of said recorded first television program, said read first television program reservation codes and first associated television program data and, in the case of said recorded second television program, said read second television program reservation codes and second associated television program data; and said playback of one of said selected recorded television programs is automatically started after completing playback of the other of said selected recorded television programs.

22. A device for controlling recording and playback of VCR utilizing reservation codes substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

23. A system for controlling the recording of programming on a videocassette and the playback of recorded programming from the videocassette substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

24. A method for controlling the recording of programming on a videocassette and the playback of recorded programming from the videocassette, the method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.