JP2002271727A - Digital video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital video recorder that automatically dubs only a video image of a location designated by a user from a tape loaded on an opposite unit to which the digital video recorder is connected through a bus and a network. SOLUTION: Its own unit and an opposite unit are connected via an IEEE 1394 cable and the beginning of a tape of the opposite unit is automatically found out (#8) based on a reproduction start/end time registered by a user. A reproduction command is outputted to the opposite unit and dubbing of video recording of its own unit is started (#9). When the reproduction end time comes, its own unit outputs a stop command to the opposite unit (#11) and the video recording of its own unit is terminated (#12).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video recording device that plays back a tape loaded in a video playback device connected by a serial bus cable and dubs the tape loaded in its own device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of communication devices are connected to IEEE1.
There is a network system which is connected to each other using a 394 standard serial bus cable and performs bidirectional communication. Communication devices applied to this system have been devised in various ways to improve usability. For example, in order to efficiently debug a device compatible with the IEEE 1394 serial bus and to design a system, the IEEE 1394 serial bus is used.
There is known a signal generator which generates a signal corresponding to a response returned from a device corresponding to an E1394 serial bus in response to a command for the device (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-187479). Further, there is known a communication device that performs packet format conversion between a home bus for controlling home appliances and an IEEE 1394 serial bus, thereby enabling transmission of digital data such as video, audio, and control commands. (See, for example, JP-A-10-178438). Also, when any device in the system receives a notification command requesting notification of a status change of the partner device based on the command and its response, the notification command is received from a number of devices exceeding the number of executable notification commands. Even in such a case, a communication device that enables the notification service is known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 145401).

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Such an IEEE
Even when a communication device having a 1394 serial bus is applied to a VCR and the VCRs are connected to each other, the operation state of the connected device can be detected, but the operation status of the connection destination device can be adjusted. There is no function to control the operation of the other machine. Therefore, for example, when the user wants to dub the recorded content of the tape loaded in the partner machine to the tape loaded in the own machine, the user presses a play key of a remote controller or the like of the partner machine to start the reproducing operation of the partner machine. After that, the user has to depress the recording key of his own remote controller or the like to shift his own apparatus to the recording operation, and the operation is complicated. In particular, when each device is installed in a separate room, for example, when the own device is installed in a living room and the other device is installed in a bedroom, the user performs the above operation while moving each room. Must be done, which is inconvenient.

Further, when there are several places to be dubbed in a single tape, and these are scattered, after dubbing of a certain place is completed, the user wants to perform the next dubbing while watching the image reproduced by the partner machine. It is necessary to search for a location and shift the own device to the recording operation at a desired timing, and the user cannot leave the own device during dubbing, which is inconvenient. If the user separates from his or her own device during dubbing, there is a possibility that dubbing may be performed even at a useless part where there is no intention to dub.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and automatically reproduces a tape of a partner device connected to a network via an interface bus, and plays back a desired portion designated by a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video recording device capable of dubbing video without waste.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of digital devices are connected to a network via an interface bus so that bidirectional communication between the digital devices can be achieved. Is possible,
Communication means for automatically recognizing the connection state of each digital device at the time of network connection; storage means for storing ID information assigned to each digital device; and operation commands for operating each device itself (called own device) And output control means for outputting an operation command for operating the corresponding device with ID information of another device attached thereto, and a tape loaded in a video reproducing device (referred to as a partner device) connected via an interface bus. In a digital video playback / recording apparatus compatible with a network system for playing back and dubbing to a tape loaded in its own apparatus, the apparatus is network-connected to a partner apparatus, and the interface bus for the connection is an IEEE
An E1394 serial bus, input means for inputting a reproduction start / end time of a tape loaded in a partner machine, and recording time calculation means for calculating a recording time from the reproduction start / end time inputted from the input means. The output control means stores the reproduction start / end time input by the input means in the storage means, and the recording time calculated by the recording time calculation means is within the free time of the tape loaded in the own device. At this time, based on the playback start time stored in the storage means, a cueing command is output to the partner machine to cause the cue of the playback position of the tape loaded in the counterpart machine to be executed, and then the playback command is output And playback, and automatically starts dubbing the tape loaded in its own device by acquiring the video signal, based on the playback end time stored in the storage means,
A stop command is output to the other device to stop the reproduction, and the dubbing of the own device is ended.

In this configuration, the own device and the other device are connected by an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable capable of bidirectional communication, and an operation command is output from the own device to the other device to remotely control the other device. Can be. It is assumed that ID information of the partner device is attached to the operation command, and even when a plurality of digital devices are connected to a network, the partner device to be controlled can be specified. The recording time calculation means calculates the recording time by subtracting the reproduction start time from the reproduction end time, and compares the recording time with the free time of the tape loaded in its own device, that is, the remaining amount of the tape, and performs the recording. Verify that it is possible. The remaining tape amount can be detected from a change in the rotation speed of the take-up reel. As a result of the above verification, if there is a sufficient tape remaining amount and recording is possible, a heading command of a reproduction portion is output to the partner device. In response to this cueing command, the partner machine runs the tape, detects the time counter value of the tape from the change in the rotation speed of the take-up reel, and rewinds or fast-forwards the tape so that the time counter value matches the reproduction start time. And cueing is performed. When the cueing is completed, the reproduction of the partner device is started, and the video signal acquired thereby is automatically dubbed to the tape of the own device. When the time counter value of the partner machine reaches the playback end time, the playback of the partner machine is stopped and the dubbing of the player itself is terminated. When there are a plurality of inputs of the reproduction start / end time, a cueing command is further output to the partner device, the cue is automatically performed by fast-forwarding to the next reproduction start time, and dubbing is performed in the same manner as described above. . As a result, it is possible to play back the tape of the partner device, acquire the video only at the location specified by the user, and automatically dub the tape of the own device without waste.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of digital devices are connected via an interface bus, two-way communication between the digital devices is enabled, and each digital device is connected at the time of connection. Communication means for automatically recognizing the connection state of the
Storage means for storing the D information; and output control means for outputting an operation command to operate each device by attaching an operation command to operate each device itself (referred to as own device) and ID information of another device. In a digital video playback / recording apparatus for playing back a tape loaded in a video playback device (referred to as a partner device) connected via an interface bus and dubbing the tape loaded in the own device, the partner device and the interface bus are connected to each other. Input means for inputting the playback start / end time of the tape loaded in the partner device, and recording time calculation means for calculating the recording time from the playback start / end time input from the input means. The output control means stores the reproduction start / end time inputted by the input means in the storage means, and the recording time calculated by the recording time calculation means. When it is within the idle time of the tape loaded in the own machine, a playback command is output to the other machine based on the playback start time stored in the storage means to play back the tape loaded in the other machine. The dubbing is automatically started on the tape loaded in the own apparatus by acquiring the video signal, and a stop command is output to the other apparatus based on the reproduction end time stored in the storage means to perform the reproduction. This stops the dubbing of the own device as well as stopping.

In this configuration, as in the first aspect,
The own device and the partner device are connected via an interface bus capable of two-way communication, and can remotely control the partner device. It is assumed that the ID information of the partner device is attached to the operation command, and the partner device to be controlled can be specified even when a plurality of digital devices are connected to the network. The recording time calculation means calculates the recording time by subtracting the reproduction start time from the reproduction end time, compares the recording time with the free time of the tape loaded in the own device, that is, the remaining tape amount, and performs the recording. Verify that it is possible. The remaining amount of the tape can be detected from a change in the rotation speed of the take-up reel. As a result of the above verification, if there is sufficient tape remaining and recording is possible, playback of the partner machine is started based on the playback start time, and the video signal obtained thereby is automatically dubbed to the tape of the machine itself. I do.
When the time counter value of the partner machine reaches the playback end time, the playback of the partner machine is stopped and the dubbing of the player itself is terminated. This has the same effect as the first aspect, except that the reproduction position is automatically located.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital video recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the output control means comprises:
By outputting a rewind or fast-forward operation command based on the playback start time stored in the storage means when outputting a playback command to the partner machine, the playback position of the tape loaded in the partner machine is output. The cue is executed. In this configuration, since the tape of the partner machine is rewound or fast-forwarded to the reproduction start time and the cue is automatically performed, even when a tape that has not been rewound to the front end is loaded in the partner machine, it is easy and Dubbing can be performed quickly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital video recorder according to the second or third aspect, the interface bus is an IEEE1394 serial bus. In this configuration, the connection between the digital video recorder and the partner device can be easily made.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A network system using a video recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network system according to the present invention. The network system 1 connects the DVHS video decks 10 and 20 to the IEEE13
It is constructed by connecting via a 94 serial bus cable (hereinafter referred to as IEEE 1394 cable) 2. Here, the DVHS video deck 10 is a video recording device, and the DVHS video deck 20 is a video playback device. In addition, TV monitors 19 and 29 are connected to the DVHS video decks 10 and 20, respectively.

Each of the DVHS video decks 10 and 20 is an IE
Information signals and control signals can be transmitted bidirectionally through the EE1394 cable 2 for communication. If control signals are transmitted to other devices in the network system 1,
Other devices can be controlled remotely. For example, DVH
The S video deck 10 reproduces the tape loaded in the DVHS video deck 20 by transmitting a reproduction command to the DVHS video deck 20 via the IEEE 1394 cable 2, and converts the video signal into an IEEE 1394 video signal.
94, dubbed to a tape loaded in the DVHS VCR 10 or a TV monitor 1
9 can be displayed.

In the present system 1, the DVHS video decks 10 and 20 are connected via an IEEE 1394 serial bus. However, various digital devices corresponding to the bus may be connected to perform communication between them. it can. In a case where a plurality of digital devices are connected as described above, different node IDs are assigned to the devices in order to distinguish and recognize the devices. This node ID
Is given as a new ID at the time of power-on of each device and a bus reset such as addition / deletion of a device. The communication between the devices is distinguished by a carrier in a different frequency band for each node ID corresponding to each device.

FIG. 2 shows a DVHS applied to the present system 1.
1 shows a block diagram of video decks 10 and 20. DVHS
The video deck 10 includes ports 11a and 11b for connecting the IEEE 1394 cable 2, a PHY chip 12 for encoding / decoding a digital signal such as a video signal, and a LINK chip (for discriminating data such as a node ID described later). Communication means, output control means) 13;
A CPU (output control means, recording time calculation means) 14 for controlling the entire DVHS video deck 10;
The apparatus includes a memory (storage means) 15 for storing a reproduction target device and a reproduction start / end time and the like, and an input key 16 for inputting a reproduction target device and a reproduction start / end time and the like.
Similarly, the DVHS VCR 20 has ports 21a,
21b, PHY chip 22, LINK chip 23, CP
U24, a memory 25 and an input key 26 are provided. I
Both ends of the IEEE 1394 cable 2a are connected to the port 11a of the DVHS video deck 10 and the DVHS video deck 20.
Are connected respectively to the ports 21. Note that input key 1
Normally, the devices 6 and 26 are provided on an input device such as a remote controller, but may be provided on an exterior panel of the DVHS video deck 10 or 20.

Further, the control of the reproduction operation of the DVHS video deck 20 from the DVHS video deck 10 in the present invention is performed as follows. First, a control signal is transmitted from the CPU 14 to the port 11 a via the LINK chip 13 and the PHY chip 12. This control signal includes D
The node ID assigned to the VHS video deck 20 is attached, and the DVID is output via the IEEE 1394 bus cable 2.
The data is transmitted to the port 21a of the HS video deck 20. The DVHS video deck 20 that has received the control signal through the port 21 a further transmits the signal to the LINK chip 23 via the PHY chip 22. Then, the LINK chip 23 recognizes that the node ID attached to the control signal is its own, and transmits this signal to the CPU 24.
To be transmitted. The CPU 24 starts the reproduction operation of the DVHS video deck 20 based on the transmitted control signal, and transmits the obtained video signal to the CPU 14 of the DVHS video deck 10 via the reverse path. The CPU 14 records the received video signal on the loaded tape or displays it on the TV monitor 19. LIN
K chip 23, if the node ID is not its own,
The control signal is returned to the PHY chip 22 and the port 2
1b to another device (not shown) connected via an IEEE 1394 cable. As described above, the DVHS video deck (the other device) that reproduces the data by the node ID
Is designated and controlled, even when three or more DVHS video decks are connected by an IEEE 1394 cable, the other party can be designated and controlled.

Next, an automatic dubbing function using the DVHS video deck 10 will be described. As described above, the automatic dubbing function controls the DVHS video deck 20 to remotely control the DVHS video deck 20, thereby playing back the tape loaded in the DVHS video deck 20, and converting the video signal obtained thereby to the DVHS video deck. This is for automatically dubbing the tape loaded in the deck 10. The user of the DVHS VCR 10 operates the input key 16 of the remote controller to display a menu screen on the TV monitor 19, and selects "automatic dubbing setting" from this menu screen, thereby setting the automatic dubbing setting shown in FIG. Is displayed on the TV monitor 19, and the same function can be set.

On the screen of the same setting, a device to be played back (other device), a playback start time, a playback end time, and a recording time are displayed. The user operates the input keys 16 of a remote controller or the like while referring to this screen. To select a playback target device, specify playback start / end times, and register them in the memory 15. The playback start / end time is based on DVHS VCR 2.
0 is the time counter value of the dubbing point to be counted and must be known by the user in advance. If the time counter value of the dubbing point is unknown, the tape is played back and the corresponding time counter value is investigated. And register. Here, the DVHS video deck 20 (DVHS-
As for B), 10 minutes from 00:00 to 00:10 and 15 minutes from 00:30 to 00:45 are registered. Also, as described above, the opponent machine as a playback target deck may select a plurality of VCRs,
In this case, the content recorded on the tape loaded in each deck can be dubbed in a desired order, and there is no need to change the playback tape during dubbing.

When the above-mentioned registration is made, the CPU calculates each recording time by subtracting the reproduction start time from the reproduction end time stored in the memory, and calculates the total of the recording times and the amount of the tape loaded in its own device. The free time, that is, the remaining tape amount is compared to verify that the recording is possible. The remaining amount of the tape can be detected from a change in the rotation speed of the take-up reel. As a result of the verification, if video recording is possible, the operation state of the partner device is checked. If not, automatic dubbing is started. When a plurality of partner devices are connected via an IEEE 1394 cable and are registered as the above-described playback target devices, the operation states of all of the partner devices are checked.

Next, the operation of the automatic dubbing executed by the DVHS video deck 10 will be described. First, CP
U14 outputs a cueing command to the other party's machine, and causes the tape of the other party's machine to find the playback position. In particular,
Upon receiving the cueing command, the CPU 24 of the partner machine runs the tape, detects a change in the rotation speed of the take-up reel at that time, and calculates a time counter value of the tape accordingly,
The own device (DVHS VCR 2) is set so that the time counter value matches the playback start time registered in the memory 15.
For 0), a rewind command or a fast-forward command is output. In addition, the cueing is performed by the CPU 14 by receiving the time counter value calculated by the partner machine and by issuing a rewind command to the partner machine so that the time counter value matches the reproduction start time registered in the memory 15. Alternatively, it may be performed by outputting a fast-forward command.

When the cueing of the tape of the partner machine is completed, a playback command is output to the partner machine to play back the tape of the partner machine, and the video signal obtained via the IEEE1394 cable is recorded on the tape of the machine itself. I do. Then, when the time counter value of the tape of the partner machine reaches the playback end time, a stop command is output to the partner machine to stop the playback of the partner machine and end the dubbing of the own machine. If there are a plurality of registrations of the reproduction start / end time, a cueing command is further output to the partner device, and the cue is performed by fast-forwarding to the next reproduction start time, and dubbing is performed in the same manner as described above.

Next, the processing of the CPU 14 when dubbing the DVHS video deck 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user is caused to select a reproduction partner device (# 1),
The reproduction start / end time is registered (# 2). Then, the recording time is calculated from the registered playback start / end times (#
3) Comparing the calculated recording time with the free time (remaining tape) of the tape loaded in the own device, and checking whether or not recording is possible (# 4). Recording is possible (YES in # 4), and if the user inputs the next registration (YES in # 5), the process returns to # 1. If there is no next registration (NO in # 5), the state of the registered partner device for reproduction is checked (# 6). If the partner device is not operating (NO in # 7), the device is loaded into the partner device. The cue of the tape is performed (# 8). Thereafter, the other device is played back, and dubbing recording by itself is started (# 9), and recording until the registered playback end time is checked (# 1).
0). Then, when the playback end time registered in the memory comes, a playback stop command is transmitted to the partner device to stop the partner device (# 11) and stop dubbing recording of the own device (# 12). Thereafter, if there is a next registration (YES in # 13), the process returns to # 8, and if there is no next registration (NO in # 13), the process is terminated. In # 4,
If recording is not possible (NO in # 4), the process returns to # 1, and the reproduction start / end time is registered again. Also,#
7, if the partner machine is operating (Y in # 7)
ES), returning to # 6, and waiting for the end of the operation of the partner machine.

As described above, the operation of the reproduction partner device connected by the IEEE1394 cable can be remotely controlled in synchronization with the recording operation of the own device. Moreover,
The setting of the reproduction operation of the partner device is based on the TV connected to the own device.
Since dubbing can be performed easily by operating the own device while referring to the setting screen displayed on the monitor. In addition, even when the points to be dubbed are scattered on one tape, the dubbing is executed sequentially for each point, so that the necessary recorded contents can be recorded without dubbing unnecessary recording contents. You can edit and dub. Further, since the portion where no dubbing is performed can be fast-forwarded, dubbing can be performed quickly. Further, since the above control is performed automatically, there is no problem even if the user moves away from the place during dubbing.

The present invention can be modified in various ways without being limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, the start of the tape of the partner machine is performed after the time counter value is set to zero after rewinding to the tape front end. , And fast-forward to the registered playback start time. This operation may be manually performed by the user.

Some of the DVHS VCRs 10 have a function of associating time counter values with contents at the time of recording and recording them on a tape as TOC (Table Of Contents) information. In doing so, the recorded TOC information may be displayed on the TV monitor 19, and the user may select a portion to be dubbed. Also, DVHS VCR 1
0 and 20 may be integrated with the TV monitors 19 and 29.

[0026]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to automatically dub an image of only a desired portion specified by the user to a tape of the own device without waste. In particular, if the user already knows the recorded contents of the tape loaded in the partner machine and the time counter value in which they are recorded, automatic dubbing can be performed only by inputting the reproduction start / end time by the input means of the machine itself. It is convenient. In addition, since the tape of the partner machine is rewound or fast-forwarded to the playback start time and cueing is automatically performed, dubbing can be performed easily and quickly even when a tape that has not been rewound to the front end is loaded in the partner machine. It can be performed. In addition, even when the points to be dubbed are scattered on one tape, dubbing is performed sequentially for each point, so that the necessary recorded contents can be recorded without dubbing unnecessary recording contents. You can edit and dub. Since the control of the own machine and the other machine is automatically performed, there is no problem even if the user leaves the place during dubbing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to automatically dub an image of only a desired portion specified by the user on a tape of the own device without waste. In particular, if the user already knows the recorded contents of the tape loaded in the partner device and the time counter value in which they are recorded, automatic dubbing can be performed only by inputting the reproduction start / end time by the input means of the own device. So convenient.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the tape of the partner machine is rewound or fast-forwarded until the reproduction start time and the cue is automatically performed. However, dubbing can be performed easily and quickly. In addition, even when the points to be dubbed are scattered on one tape, dubbing is performed sequentially for each point, so that the necessary recorded contents can be recorded without dubbing unnecessary recording contents. You can edit and dub. Since the control of the own machine and the other machine is automatically performed, there is no problem even if the user leaves the place during dubbing.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily connect the own device to another device. With this, the IEEE
The so-called Hot Plug In and Plug & Play (Plug & Pla) of the E1394 cable
The function of y) can be supported, and user convenience can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a connection state of each DVHS VCR in a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a screen display when automatic dubbing is set.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a DVHS video deck used in the system as its own device and a partner device.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart showing an operation procedure of a CPU of the DVHS VCR at the time of automatic dubbing;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network system 2 IEEE1394 cable 10 DVHS video deck (video recording device: own device) 13 LINK chip (communication means, output control means) 14 CPU (output control means, recording time calculation means) 15 Memory (storage means) 20 DVHS video Deck (video playback device: partner device)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of digital devices are connected to a network via an interface bus, thereby enabling bidirectional communication between the digital devices. When the network is connected, the connection status of each digital device is changed. A communication means for automatically recognizing, a storage means for storing ID information assigned to each digital device, and an operation command for operating each device itself (referred to as the own device) and ID information of other devices attached thereto. Output control means for outputting an operation command for operating a device to be operated, and reproduces a tape loaded in a video reproducing device (referred to as a partner device) connected via the interface bus, and In a network-compatible digital video playback / recording device for dubbing to tape, a network connection is established The interface bus is an IEEE 1394 serial bus, and an input unit for inputting a reproduction start / end time of a tape loaded in a partner device, and a recording time is calculated from the reproduction start / end time input from the input unit. Recording time calculation means, wherein the output control means stores the reproduction start / end time inputted by the input means in the storage means, and loads the recording time calculated by the recording time calculation means into its own device. When the time is within the free time of the tape, the cueing command is output to the partner device based on the playback start time stored in the storage means, and the cueing of the playback position of the tape loaded in the partner device is performed. Is executed, a playback command is output and playback is performed, the video signal is obtained, dubbing is automatically started on a tape loaded in the own device, and the storage is performed. A digital video playback / recording apparatus compatible with a network system, which outputs a stop command to a partner apparatus to stop playback and ends dubbing of the own apparatus based on the playback end time stored in the means. . 2. When a plurality of digital devices are connected via an interface bus, bi-directional communication between the digital devices is enabled, and the connection status of each digital device is automatically set during the connection. , A storage unit for storing ID information allocated to each digital device, and an operation command for operating each device itself (referred to as the own device) and ID information of another device attached to the corresponding device. And output control means for outputting an operation command for operating the device, and reproduces a tape loaded in a video reproduction device (referred to as a partner device) connected via the interface bus,
In a digital video recording device for dubbing a tape loaded in its own device, input means connected to the other device via the interface bus for inputting a reproduction start / end time of the tape loaded in the other device, Recording time calculating means for calculating a recording time from the reproduction start / end time inputted from the input means, wherein the output control means stores the reproduction start / end time inputted by the input means in the storage means. When the recording time calculated by the recording time calculation means is within the free time of the tape loaded in the own apparatus, a reproduction command is issued to the other apparatus based on the reproduction start time stored in the storage means. To play the tape loaded in the other machine, acquire the video signal and automatically start dubbing on the tape loaded in the machine. A digital video recorder characterized by outputting a stop command to a partner device to stop playback and ending dubbing of its own device based on the playback end time stored in the storage means. 3. The output control means outputs a rewind or fast-forward operation command based on a reproduction start time stored in the storage means when outputting the reproduction command to a partner device. 3. The digital video recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cueing of the reproduction position of the tape loaded in the partner machine is executed by the following. 4. The interface bus according to claim 1, wherein:
3. A 1394 serial bus.
Or the digital video recorder according to claim 3.