JPH04254935A - Timer device for vtr - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To periodically record a same TV program by magnetically recording reservation information in a cassette tape with the information encoded and starting the recording when the current time coincides with a preset recording start time. CONSTITUTION:At the time of first timer setting, designated channel information is inputted to a VTR control means 7 via a switch 21 and recording day & time zone information is inputted to a comparator circuit 5. When the current time detected by a clock circuit 3 coincides with the recording start time, the circuit 5 starts and stops the recording via the means 7. At the time of first timer recording, reservation information is converted into a recording signal by a signal processing circuit 9 and inputted to a recording and reproducing circuit 15. Video and sound signals are inputted to the circuit 15 via a processing circuit 13, the two signals are mixed and recorded on a cassette tape 17 by a rotary head 19 and the program recording and the recording reservation information are recorded on the tape 17. Thus, because the timer setting contents corresponds to the tape 17, the same program is timer-recorded next day or at the same time zone of the same day of the next week.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Purpose of the invention]

0002

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a video tape recorder (VTR) for recording and reproducing video and audio signals, etc.
The present invention relates to a timer device that can automatically repeat recording of a program based on preset recording reservation information.

0003

2. Description of the Related Art A VTR is generally equipped with a timer device that automatically records a program based on preset recording reservation information. A VTR is often used as a so-called time shift machine that records a predetermined program while the user is away and then plays the program as needed. Therefore, there is a strong desire to record the same program regularly every week or every day.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional timer device, once timer recording is performed, when the VTR is turned on and the program is played back, the timer reservation mode is canceled. Therefore, even for the simple purpose of periodically recording the same program every week or every day, a timer must be set each time. Generally, setting the timer is troublesome for the user, and the user may forget to set the timer or set the timer incorrectly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned inconveniences of the prior art.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a timer device for R.

[0006]

[Structure of the invention]

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In one aspect of the present invention, a timer device of the present invention includes a timer setting means for setting recording reservation information consisting of a day of the week, a recording time period, a channel, etc.; A recording/reproducing means for encoding recording reservation information set by the setting means, recording it in a predetermined recording area of a cassette tape, and reproducing the information; a clock circuit; a comparison circuit that receives reservation information from the recording/playback means and compares the recording start time and recording end time with the current time; and when the recording start time and the current time match, recording of the specified channel is started and recording is ended. It consists of a VTR control means that stops recording when the time and the current time match.

In another aspect of the present invention, instead of recording the recording reservation information in a predetermined area of the cassette tape,
recorded in memory. That is, in the other aspect, the timer device of the present invention includes a timer setting means for setting recording reservation information, a cassette tape identification means for identifying individual cassette tapes, and a timer device configured by the timer setting means. a memory means for storing recorded recording reservation information for each individual cassette tape; a clock circuit;
a comparison circuit that receives the reservation information from the memory means according to the user's selection when loading each cassette tape into the VTR and compares the recording start time and recording end time with the current time; VT that starts recording the specified channel when the time matches, and stops recording when the recording end time matches the current time.
It consists of R control means.

[0009]

[Operation] According to this configuration, once the cassette tape is loaded into the VTR, the timer reservation information that has been set is read out, so that the same timer reservation information on the next day of the week or the next day can be used from now on without setting the timer. It becomes possible to automatically record the same program at the same time. Since whether to record weekly or daily varies depending on the program, if a selection means is provided, it is possible to select between them.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a VTR timer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This timer device includes a timer setting means 1, a clock circuit 3, a comparator circuit 5, a VTR control means 7, and a timer reservation information signal. A processing circuit 9 is provided. The VTR includes a VTR main body 11, a circuit 13 for processing video or audio signals, a recording/reproducing circuit 15, and a rotary head 19 for recording and reproducing signals on a cassette tape 17. In FIG. 1, solid line arrows indicate signal transmission and reception, and dashed line arrows indicate control.

[0011] The timer setting means 1 is of a conventional type, and recording reservation information including the day of the week, recording time period (recording start time and recording end time), designated channel, etc. can be set by this timer setting means 1. . The timer setting means 1 can select whether to set recording reservation information regarding only the time and designated channel, or whether to set recording reservation information regarding the day of the week. When setting the timer for the first time, among the reservation information, information regarding the designated channel is input to the VTR control means via the switch 21 located at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. and recording end time) is input to the comparison circuit 5. The comparison circuit 5 is
Day of the week and time zone set by timer and clock circuit 3
When the recording start time and the current time match, the VTR control means 7 is made to start recording the designated channel, and when the recording end time and the current time match, Stop recording.

During the first timer recording of a program, the reservation information is also sent to the timer reservation information signal processing circuit 9, converted into a signal suitable for recording, and input to the recording/reproducing circuit 15. On the other hand, the video or audio signal is processed by the processing circuit 13.
The signal is input to the recording/reproducing circuit 15 via. These two types of signals are mixed and recorded on the cassette tape 17 by the rotary head 19, so that recording reservation information is recorded on the cassette tape at the same time as the program is being recorded.

[0013] Recording reservation information can be recorded using a digital modulation method such as phase shift keying (PSK) using an empty band of the video signal or audio signal, or it can be recorded using a control track or a free band of the audio signal. It is also possible to record on a linear audio track. As a variation, the recording reservation information can also be recorded on a magnetic sticker or magnetic strip attached to the case of the cassette tape.

[0014] After the first timer recording of the program is completed,
As long as the cassette tape is not removed from the VTR, the timer settings and the cassette tape correspond to each other, so the same program will be recorded on the same cassette tape at the same time the next day or next week.

When the user replaces the cassette tape, it is necessary to test play the newly loaded cassette tape in the VTR, read out recorded recording reservation information, and input it to the comparison circuit 5. The switching of the new cassette tape reservation information is performed by the switch 21 according to the user's selection. That is, if the timer recording reservation information has already been recorded on the newly loaded cassette tape, if the switch 21 is switched to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the same program will be recorded on the cassette tape at the same time the next day or next week. This operation is executed regardless of whether the power is turned on or off. However, if a recording reservation using the original timer function is set, priority is given to that. Unlike conventional timer recording, cassette tapes that already have timer recording reservation information cannot be forced to turn on the power by setting the recording reservation.
Since no FF operation is involved, after a cassette tape having timer recording reservation information is loaded into a VTR, playback can be performed freely.

When the user replaces the cassette tape and the newly loaded cassette tape does not have timer recording reservation information, the switch 21 is switched to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 1 to set the timer.

The timer setting procedure using the timer device of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. According to the present invention, once the timer is set, the same program can be repeatedly timed-recorded on a regular basis. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, according to the conventional timer device, it is necessary to set the timer every time timer recording is performed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the difference between the recording start time and the current time reaches a predetermined value,
First, the beginning of the cassette tape is found, and then, when the recording start time and the current time match, recording of a designated channel can be started. The beginning of a cassette tape can be found in two modes. In the first mode, the cassette tape is rewound when the difference between the recording start time and the current time reaches a predetermined value. It is possible to prevent a situation where recording becomes impossible. In the second mode, the recorded area of the cassette tape is detected, and the cassette tape is stopped at the end of the recorded area to prepare for recording. In this way, you can keep all the recordings of each program. In order to switch between the two types of modes as described above, the mode may be selected when setting the timer for the first time when the cassette tape is used. This type of cue can also be achieved with normal timer recording, by making sure that the VTR is not forcibly turned off after setting the timer, and then loading the cassette tape and turning off the power. ,
Appropriate cueing is performed immediately before timer recording.

The case where the timer recording reservation information is recorded on the cassette tape itself has been described above, but a magnetic seal or magnetic strip is attached to a part of the cassette tape case, and the recording reservation information is recorded and played back on this. You can also do that.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, instead of recording the recording reservation information on the cassette tape side, it is recorded in the memory of the timer device in correspondence with the unique identification number of the cassette tape.

That is, the timer device of this second embodiment is as follows:
A timer setting means 31 for setting recording reservation information, a cassette tape identification means 33 for identifying individual cassette tapes, a memory means 35 for storing recording reservation information for each individual cassette tape, and a clock circuit 37.
, a comparison circuit 39 , and a VTR control means 41 . The switch 43 is for switching between the recording reservation information from the timer setting means 31 and the recording reservation information from the memory means 35 according to the user's selection. The cassette tape identification means 33 can be composed of a barcode containing information regarding the identification number of the cassette tape, and a barcode reading means for reading this barcode.
Barcodes can be affixed to cassette tape cases. However, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cassette tape can also be identified by recording an identification number on the cassette tape itself or on a magnetic sticker attached to the case, and reproducing this recording.

As shown in FIG. 3, recording reservation information is recorded in the memory means 35 in correspondence with the identification number of the cassette tape. When a certain cassette tape is loaded into the VTR, the identification means 33 identifies the identification number of the cassette tape, and the corresponding recording reservation information is read out from the memory 35 and input to the comparison circuit 39. Comparison circuit 39
As in the first embodiment, the program on the designated channel is recorded on a predetermined day and/or time.

[0023]

As described above, according to the timer device of the present invention, a cassette tape on which timer recording has been performed can be
Just by loading it into the TR, you can automatically record programs on the same channel repeatedly on the same day of the week or at the same time.

[0024]Therefore, there is no risk of mistakes such as forgetting to set the timer or erroneously setting the timer, and there is an advantage that simple and reliable recording when the user is away is possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a VTR timer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a timer setting procedure by the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a VTR timer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a timer setting procedure using a conventional timer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 31: Timer setting means 3, 37: Clock circuit 5, 39: Comparison circuit 7, 41: VTR control means 9: Signal processing circuit for timer reservation information 11: VTR body 13: Video or audio signal processing circuit 15: Recording and reproducing circuit 17: Cassette tape 19: Rotating head 21: Switch 33: Cassette tape identification means 33 35: Memory means 35

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A timer setting means for setting recording reservation information including at least a recording start time, a recording end time, and a designated channel of a desired recording program, and encoding the recording reservation information set by the timer setting means. a reservation information recording/reproducing means for magnetically recording in a predetermined recording area of a cassette tape and reproducing the recorded reservation information; a clock circuit for measuring the current time; a comparison circuit that receives the reservation information from the reservation information recording/reproducing means and compares the recording start time and recording end time with the current time, and records the specified channel when the recording start time and the current time match. 1. A timer device for a VTR, comprising: VTR control means for starting recording and stopping recording when a recording end time and a current time match. 2. A timer setting means for setting recording reservation information including at least a recording start time, a recording end time, and a designated channel of a desired recording program; and a cassette tape identification means for identifying individual cassette tapes. ,
a memory means for storing recording reservation information set by the timer setting means for each individual cassette tape; a clock circuit for measuring the current time; a comparison circuit that receives the reservation information from the memory means and compares a recording start time and a recording end time with a current time, and starts recording of a designated channel when the recording start time and the current time match; A timer device for a VTR, comprising: a VTR control means for stopping recording when the recording end time and the current time match.