JP2005269671A - Information device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information device that can allow a viewer to view an interrupted program without part of missing immediately after the end of an interruption cause even when viewing of a television program by the viewer is interrupted due to a phone call or a visitor. <P>SOLUTION: The information device is provided with a means that records/reproduces a received video signal, a recording medium for video recording, a means that detects a video recording start signal when a video image of the received video signal is directly displayed so as to automatically start video recording of the displayed video signal, and a means that reproduces the video recording information in video recording when detecting the video recording/reproduction start signal in the video recording and records a succeeding video signal in the video recording in parallel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  When watching TV, it often happens that viewing must be interrupted by telephone, visitors, meals, and the like. In such a case, you can wait for a call or a visitor to record a program using a video device. There is a problem that it can only be played after the video is finished.

  The present invention relates to an information device that outputs a received moving image as a video, such as a television receiver or a multimedia information device, and more particularly to a television receiver that can reproduce and output while receiving and recording.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, can respond without waiting for various interruption factors such as telephone calls and visitors, and can watch the program being watched without any loss immediately after the interruption factor ends. It aims to provide a television receiver and multimedia information equipment that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an information device provided with means for recording and reproducing a received video signal, and is recorded when a recording medium for recording and a video based on the received video signal are directly projected. Means for automatically starting recording of a video signal being projected by detecting a start signal, and playback of recording information during recording and continuation of the video signal being recorded when a recording / playback start signal is detected during recording The information device further has a function of transmitting and receiving a telephone call, the recording start signal is a telephone reception detection signal, and the recording reproduction start signal is a call disconnection detection signal. The video recording start signal is used as a visitor detection signal, the video recording start signal and the video recording playback start signal are used as key press signals, and image information received from the other party is output as a video signal during a call. Output to a display device, the information device includes a visitor imaging camera, outputs a video of a visitor to a display device that outputs a video based on a video signal, and includes means for recording and reproducing the received video signal An information device comprising: means for performing, in parallel with recording information reproduction during recording and subsequent recording of the video signal being recorded, when a recording / reproduction start signal is detected during recording; Has a disk-type recording medium, a reception buffer memory, and a reproduction buffer memory. After recording an arbitrary amount of reception information on the disk-type recording medium, the reception information is always stored in the reception buffer memory, and the reproduction output information is always reproduced. In parallel with reading from the memory, storing in the reception buffer memory and reading from the reproduction buffer memory, a predetermined amount of reception information is read from the recording medium in the order of recording. And the process of recording the information in the reception buffer memory on the recording medium in the order of reception is alternately repeated, and the information device records and reproduces each recording medium independently. Recording that records two or more video tapes, records the received information on one video tape in accordance with the recording order, and records the received information following the other video tape. When the above reception information is played back by the video tape being played back in parallel, the following received information is recorded on the video tape being played and played back from the video tape that was being recorded. It is characterized in that it is configured repeatedly, and the information recorded on the recording medium is compressed information.

  A recording medium for recording, a means for automatically detecting recording of a video signal being displayed by detecting a recording start signal when directly displaying a video based on the received video signal, and recording / playback during the recording When the start signal is detected, the recording information reproduction during the recording and the recording of the video signal being recorded are provided in parallel. Is automatically started, and a recording / reproduction start signal is given during the recording, so that the recording information being recorded can be reproduced in parallel with the recording of the video signal being recorded.

  With the function to send and receive calls, the recording start signal is used as a telephone reception detection signal, and the recording / playback start signal is used as a call disconnection detection signal. By the disconnection detection signal, it is possible to reproduce the recording information being recorded and to record the subsequent video signal being recorded in parallel.

  In the configuration in which the recording start signal is used as a visitor detection signal, recording during projection is automatically started by the visitor detection signal. In the configuration in which the recording start signal and the recording / reproduction start signal are used as a key press signal, the recording that is being projected is automatically started by the key press signal, and the recording information that is being recorded is reproduced and the video signal that is being recorded is continued. Can be recorded in parallel. Since the image information received from the other party during the call is output to the display device that outputs the video based on the video signal, the face of the other party can be displayed during the call.

  Since the camera is provided with an imaging camera for visitors and the image of the visitor is output to a display device that outputs an image based on the video signal, the face of the visitor can be confirmed without opening the door. When a recording / reproduction start signal is detected during recording, the recording / reproduction start signal is given because the recording information reproduction during recording and the recording of the video signal being recorded are provided in parallel. As a result, the recording information being recorded can be reproduced and the recording of the video signal being recorded can be performed in parallel. A disk-type recording medium, a reception buffer memory, and a reproduction buffer memory are provided. After receiving an arbitrary amount of reception information on the disk-type recording medium, the reception information is always stored in the reception buffer memory, and the reproduction output information is always read from the reproduction buffer memory. In parallel with reading, storing in the reception buffer memory and reading from the reproduction buffer memory, a predetermined amount of reception information is read from the recording medium in the recording order and stored in the reproduction buffer memory, and the information in the reception buffer memory is received. Since the process of recording on the recording medium in order is repeated, recording and playback can be performed in parallel with one head.

  Two recording tapes that can be recorded and reproduced independently as recording media, recording an arbitrary amount of received information on the video tape, and then reproducing from one video tape according to the recording order, and the other video tape In parallel with the recording operation to record the received information following the above, when playback of the received information on the video tape being played is completed, the subsequent received information is recorded on the video tape being played and recorded. Since it was configured to repeat the operation of playing back from the videotape, the videotape was used to automatically start the recording during the projection and give the recording playback start signal during the recording. It is possible to realize an operation in which the reproduction of information and the subsequent recording of the video signal being recorded are performed in parallel. Since the information to be recorded on the recording medium is compressed information, the recording time that can be recorded on the recording medium becomes long, and the parallel operation of recording and reproduction by one head is facilitated.

    As described above, according to the present invention, recording that is being projected is automatically started by giving a recording start signal, and recording information that is being recorded is played back by giving a recording and playback start signal during the recording. And the recording of the video signal being recorded can be performed in parallel, so even if various factors such as a call or a visitor interrupting the viewing of the TV occur, the program being viewed immediately after the interruption You can see it without losing sight of the department. If the cause of interruption is a telephone call, the other party's face can be displayed on a display device such as a TV during a call. In the case of a visitor, the face of the visitor can be confirmed on a display device such as a TV without opening the door. Equipment can be used effectively.

  In addition, by providing a recording / reproduction start signal, it is possible to simultaneously reproduce the recording information being recorded and the subsequent recording of the video signal being recorded, so that at the end of the program being viewed, the program being recorded Even if is not finished, the program being recorded can be immediately played and the program can be viewed to the end. Moreover, since the recording and the reproduction can be performed in parallel with one head, the above-described effect can be realized at a low cost.

  Furthermore, by using a videotape, recording during projection is automatically started and a recording / playback start signal is given during the recording to reproduce the recorded information during recording and to continue recording of the video signal during recording. Therefore, the scope of application of the present invention is expanded. Furthermore, the recording time that can be recorded on the recording medium can be increased by configuring the information to be recorded on the recording medium as compressed information, so that it is possible to cope with long interruptions and frequent interruptions.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an information device according to the present invention. In the figure, 6 is a recording medium, 5 is a recording control unit for recording received information such as image information and audio information on the recording medium 6, 7 is a reproducing unit for reproducing the received information recorded from the recording medium 6, and 21 is a control unit. Which is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 shows only the positioning unit 20 and the selector 22 as the operation destination of the control unit 21. However, the control unit 21 also acts on various components shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, this action is shown by one action line, but in actuality, they are connected by a system bus including a data bus, an address bus, a control line, and the like. The telephone device 23 includes line connection means including a tone generator, a tone detector and the like, a microphone, a speaker, a transmission / reception circuit, and the like.

  Now, a video signal such as a television reception signal is input to the selector 22 as reception information digitized by a portion not shown, and the output is directly selected by the control portion 21, and the image information is output to the output signal processing circuit 19. And the audio information is directly output to the speaker 18. At this time, if an incoming call comes in via a line and enters a talking state by, for example, off-hooking, the telephone unit records a telephone reception detection signal such as a signal indicating the off-hook state to the control unit 21. As a start signal. In response to this, the control unit 21 controls the selector 22 to select the recording medium 6 as the output destination of the received information. Thus, the reception information of the television broadcast that has been projected until now is recorded on the recording medium 6 as described later via the recording control unit and the like. Thereafter, this recording is continued until the end of the recording is instructed by the operator's key operation or the like.

  When the telephone call is finally on-hooked, the telephone 23 sends a call disconnection detection signal such as a signal indicating an on-hook state to the control unit 21 as a recording / playback start signal. In response to this, the control unit 21 issues a reproduction request to the positioning unit 20. When receiving the reproduction request from the control unit 21, the positioning unit 20 positions the reproduction head at the reproduction position (recording start position) by the reproduction positioning unit that constitutes the positioning unit 20, for example, and performs reproduction. Since the positioning unit 20 remains instructed by the control unit 21 that recording is in progress, the recording head is positioned at the recording position as before, and recording continues.

  When the end of recording / playback is instructed by the operator and the control unit 21 receives it, the control unit 21 controls the selector 22 to switch the output destination from the recording medium 6 to direct output. At this time, the received information remaining in the recording medium without being recorded and reproduced is ignored. It should be noted that a section for separately instructing the end of recording and the end of playback is provided, and when the operator instructs the end of recording, the control section 21 receives it and the selector 22 selects the recording medium and the recording control section 5 To stop the recording and perform only the reproduction, and when the operator instructs the end of the reproduction, the reproduction is stopped and the selector 22 directly selects the output.

  Also, when a telephone call or a recording start signal (to be described later) is received again during recording / playback, only recording is performed.

  Further, the image information received from the other party during the call can be output to the display device 13. This is realized by outputting the image information sent via the line to the display device 13 via the control unit 21, the selector 22, and the output signal processing circuit 19. At this time, the control unit 21 performs conversion to make the same data format as, for example, the television reception information, or transfers it in this data format on the transmission side. In the above description, the telephone 23 can be used as an ISDN interface to transmit and receive voice and images.

  An instruction to enter the recording mode can be given by a visitor detection signal. For example, a television camera and a doorbell are provided at the entrance, and a signal for ringing the doorbell is input to the control unit 21 as a recording start signal instead of the off-hook signal. Further, the image information input from the television camera can be processed like the image information input via the line and displayed on the display device 13.

  Furthermore, it is possible to receive a recording start signal for entering the recording mode as a signal generated by, for example, operating the operation key of the remote controller, and to provide it to the control unit 21. Similarly, a recording / reproducing start signal for entering the recording / reproducing parallel mode Also, it can be given by operating the operation keys of the remote controller. A receiver circuit on the side of information equipment such as a signal generator of a remote controller and a television receiver is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described.

  Next, a method for simultaneously performing recording and reproduction with one head will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the main part of the information apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 and 2 are reception buffer memories for storing digitized reception information, 3 is a compression unit for compressing the amount of data, 4 is a compression information buffer for temporarily storing information compressed by the compression unit 3, Reference numeral 5a denotes a recording control unit for recording the compressed information on the disk type recording medium 6a. In the above description, the disk type recording medium 6a is a recording medium having concentric or spiral recording tracks, such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk. 7a is a reproduction unit that reproduces information recorded from the recording medium 6a in the order of recording, 8 is a compression information buffer that temporarily stores the compressed information that is reproduced, 9 is an expansion unit that decompresses the compressed information to the original information, 10 and 11 are playback buffer memories for storing the decompressed image information, and 12 is a frame memory for reading out the frame units from the playback buffer 10 or 11 in the playback order and holding output image information for one frame in the layout of the output screen. .

  The recording / playback unit having the above-described configuration normally performs recording exclusively. At this time, the digitized reception information is first stored in the reception buffer memory 1 in a continuous area in the order of reception, and after storing a predetermined number of frames (for a predetermined time), the reception information is stored in the reception buffer memory 2 in the same manner. Is done. On the other hand, when the storage in the reception buffer memory 1 is finished, the received information is read from the reception buffer memory 1 in the order of reception by a control unit (not shown), and is input to the compression unit 3 composed of a dedicated compression circuit. Compressed image information compressed to a degree is obtained. The compressed information output from the compression unit 3 is temporarily stored in the compression information buffer 4 and then recorded on the recording medium 6a by the recording control unit 5a together with audio information given in pairs with image information by a unit not shown. To be recorded. This recording is performed on the continuous areas in the order of reception. In the above, the output speed from the reception buffer memory is set to be several times faster than the storage speed in the reception buffer memory, and the recording speed by the recording control unit 5a is the output speed from the reception buffer memory because the information is compressed. About 30 times less than the output throughput of the compression unit 3.

  Reading from the reception buffer memory 1 is completed before the reception to the reception buffer memory 2 is completed. When the storage in the reception buffer memory 2 reaches a predetermined number of frames, the reception information is stored in the reception buffer memory 1. The process of reading from the reception buffer memory 2 and recording in a continuous area of the recording medium 6a is performed. Hereinafter, this repetition is performed.

  If playback is started before the recording is completed, the following operation is performed. First, the head of the recording medium 6a is controlled by the positioning unit 20 and moved to the reading position. This position is the head position of the recorded area at that time. Subsequently, a predetermined amount of reproduction is performed by the reproduction unit 7a. The compressed information read in the order of recording is temporarily stored in the compressed information buffer memory 8, decompressed to the state before compression by the decompression unit 9, and stored in the reproduction buffer memory 10. In the meantime, the continuous reception information is continuously input and stored in the reception buffer memory 1 or 2 as described above.

  When the storage of the predetermined amount in the reproduction buffer memory 10 is finished, reading from the reproduction buffer memory 10 is started and the image is displayed on the display device 13 via the frame memory 12 at a rate of, for example, 30 frames / second. Further, the head on the recording medium 6a is moved to the recording position again, the subsequent reception information is read from the reception buffer memory 1 or 2 as described above, and the compressed information is recorded on the recording medium 6a as described above. When the recording of the predetermined amount of received information is completed, the head on the recording medium 6a is again moved to the reproduction position, and the image information expanded from the expansion unit 9 is output as described above. Stored in the reproduction buffer memory 12.

In the above, the time required to output a predetermined amount of information from the playback buffer memory is the same as the time for recording the received information on the recording medium in the same amount as the time for reciprocating between the recording and playback positions. Is set so as to be longer than the sum of the time for storing the decompression information in the playback buffer memory, so that the other playback of the image information that is subsequently output before the output from one playback buffer memory is completed The storage to the buffer memory is completed. In the same manner, recording (recording) and reproduction are repeated alternately. During this time, the operation of storing received information in the reception buffer memory and the operation of reading out from the reproduction buffer memory and projecting it are continued.

  In the above description, the compression / decompression unit is provided for the purpose of reducing the amount of information to be recorded and for the purpose of shortening the recording / reproduction time. If the sum of the round trip time between the recording / reproducing time and the recording / reproducing position can be made shorter than the receiving time and the output time as described above, it is not always necessary.

  The reception information is composed of image information and audio information. Digitized audio information corresponding to an image of a predetermined frame is stored in a specific area in the reception buffer memory 1 or 2, for example, a predetermined amount (predetermined amount) When a frame image is recorded on a recording medium, it is recorded in an area continuous with image information. When the recorded audio information is reproduced by the reproduction unit 7, it is first stored in the reproduction audio buffer memory 14, and when the corresponding image information is output from the reproduction buffer memory, the reproduction audio buffer memory 14 is synchronized with it. Is decoded and DA converted by the decoder 15 and the DA converter 16, amplified by the amplifier 17, and output to the speaker 18. From the relationship of the required time, it is desirable to make the moving time of the head negligible compared to the recording / reproducing time. For this purpose, the capacity of the reception buffer memory and the reproducing buffer memory is increased and the predetermined amount is increased. There is a need to.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the flow during the parallel recording / reproducing operation. The numbers in circles in FIG. 3 are numbers indicating the order of processing. Also, the block shown in FIG. 3 is a recording / reproduction unit per time, that is, a predetermined amount of reception information. The first recording target block is block 1, and the nth recording target block is block n. It is. That is, the flow in FIG. 3 starts from recording block n. Until this time, recording from block 1 to block n-1 has been performed without reproduction.

  As a recording medium, two video tapes that can be recorded and played back independently are provided, and the recorded part can be played and projected as described above while recording the television signal being received. It is. In this method, after an arbitrary amount of reception information is recorded on the video tape, a reproduction operation for reproducing from one video tape in accordance with the recording order and a recording operation for recording reception information subsequent to the other video tape are performed in parallel. When the reproduction of the reception information by the video tape being reproduced is completed, the subsequent reception information is recorded on the video tape, and the operation of reproducing from the video tape being recorded is repeated.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main part of the present embodiment. When the control unit 25 receives a recording start signal from a unit (not shown), for example, the control unit 25 first controls the selector 26 to pass the received information to the first tape recording control unit 28. At the same time, the control unit 25 gives an instruction from the first tape drive unit 28, drives the tape, and records it on the first video tape 31. Eventually, when the control unit 25 receives the recording / playback signal, the control unit 25 controls the selector 26 to transfer the reception information that is being continuously received to the second tape recording control unit 30, and at the same time, the second tape drive unit 29. Is driven and recorded on the second video tape 32. The control unit 25 further instructs the first tape drive unit 27 to return the first video tape 31 to the recording start position, and the first tape reproduction unit 33 reproduces the reception information recorded on the first video tape 31. Let

  The first tape drive unit 27 stores the recording end position, and when it reaches that position, notifies the control unit 25 to that effect. In response to this, the control unit 25 ends the reproduction of the first tape, and controls the selector 26 to transfer the received information to the first tape recording control unit 28. During this time, the first tape drive unit 27 continues to drive the first tape 31. At the same time, the control unit 25 instructs the second tape drive unit 29 to return the second tape 32 to the recording start position, and causes the second tape reproduction unit 34 to reproduce the reception information recorded on the second tape 32. This is repeated below.

  In the above case, viewing during the rewinding period is interrupted. This problem can be solved if the television signal is digitized as described above and a reception buffer memory or a reproduction buffer memory is provided. For example, when the driving unit being played back gives an instruction to the control unit 25 just before the playback end position, the control unit 25 immediately stops recording on the other tape and starts rewinding. However, since it is still too early to pass the received information to the tape being played back at that time, the received information during that time is stored in the receiving buffer memory, and the receiving buffer is used for the first predetermined period when the playing side switches to the recording side. When the recording speed is faster than the storage speed in the memory and the reception information in the reception buffer memory becomes empty, the reception speed and the recording speed are made the same. In the above description, the first tape drive unit 27 and the second tape drive unit 29 constitute a positioning unit 20a. In the above description, the reception information to be recorded / reproduced is not limited to the television signal, and it is needless to say that it can be applied to all video signals transmitted wirelessly or by wire.

  By the way, in the conventional recording / playback, when a program on another channel that is being broadcast at the same time is recorded and played back while watching a certain program, the recorded program ends even if the program being watched ends. If you don't play it, you won't be able to record the entire program. On the other hand, if a part of the present invention is implemented, when the program being viewed ends, even if the program being recorded does not end, the program being recorded can be played back immediately by recording and playback at the same time. Start and play to the end of the program. The above-mentioned part of the present invention is configured to include a unit that, when a recording / reproduction start signal is detected during recording, reproduces the recording information during the recording and continuously records the video being recorded. That is. It is apparent from the above description that the above functions can be achieved by the configuration as described above, without needing to be described newly.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the principal part of the information equipment by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other Example of the principal part of the information equipment by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement of the Example shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other Example of the principal part of the information equipment by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Reception buffer memory 5 Recording control part 6 Recording medium 7 Playback part 10, 11 Playback buffer memory 12 Frame memory 13 Display apparatus 20 Positioning part 21 Control part 22 Selector 23 Telephone

Claims (10)

  An information device equipped with a means for recording and playing back a received video signal, and when a video based on the received video signal is directly projected and a recording start signal is detected and being projected. Means for automatically starting recording of a video signal; and means for simultaneously reproducing the recording information during recording and continuing recording of the video signal being recorded when a recording / reproducing start signal is detected during recording. Information equipment characterized by comprising.   2. The information apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function for transmitting and receiving a telephone call, wherein the recording start signal is a telephone reception detection signal, and the recording / playback start signal is a call disconnection detection signal.   2. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the recording start signal is a visitor detection signal.   2. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the recording start signal and the recording / reproduction start signal are used as key press signals.   3. The information device according to claim 2, wherein the image information received from the other party during a call is output to a display device that outputs an image based on a video signal.   4. The information device according to claim 3, wherein the information device includes a visitor imaging camera and outputs a visitor's image to a display device that outputs an image based on an image signal.   An information device having means for recording and playing back a received video signal. When a recording / playback start signal is detected during recording, playback of the recorded information during recording and subsequent recording of the recorded video signal are performed. An information device comprising means for performing in parallel.   The information device includes a disk-type recording medium, a reception buffer memory, and a reproduction buffer memory. After recording an arbitrary amount of reception information on the disk-type recording medium, the reception information is always stored in the reception buffer memory, and reproduction output information is stored. A predetermined amount of received information is read from the recording medium in the recording order and stored in the reproduction buffer memory in parallel with reading from the constant reproduction buffer memory, storage in the reception buffer memory, and reading from the reproduction buffer memory. The information device according to claim 1 or 7, wherein the processing for recording the information in the recording medium in the order of reception is repeated alternately.   The information device comprises two video tapes that can be independently recorded and reproduced as recording media, and after recording an arbitrary amount of received information on the video tape, a reproduction operation for reproducing from one video tape according to the recording order The recording operation for recording the received information on the other videotape is performed in parallel, and when the playback of the received information on the currently playing videotape is completed, the succeeding received information is recorded on the videotape being played up to that time. 8. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is configured to repeat the operation of recording and reproducing from the video tape that was being recorded. 8. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the information to be recorded on the recording medium is compressed information.

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