PL172141B1 - Method of and apparatus for programmably recording of television signals - Google Patents

Abstract

1. The method of programmed recording of television signals consists in carrying out the following steps: A compressed code of at least one digit is introduced. The compressed code is decoded into the commands of the channel, date, time and length. The commands of the date and time are compared to the clock output data as a time function with respect to the first determined relation. The start-recording commands are sent to the recording system, once the first determined relation is identified to obtain. The memory system records at least one number of a local channel for at least one channel in the channel command. The channel commands are transmitted, according to the local channel numbers recorded in the memory system, to the channel selection system, once the first determined relation is identified to obtain. The time from the moment of sending the start-recording command sent to the remote control system is measured. The length command is compared to the measured time of recording, which constitutes the second determined relation. The stop-recording commands are sent to the recording system, once the second determined relation is identified. Characterized in that: Signals carrying information on the local channel numbers, corresponding to the channel numbers in the channel command and their interdependencies are introduced into the memory system from a source, external with respect to the remote control system.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for programmed television recording, in particular intended for pre-programming a cassette recorder.

A cassette recorder (VCR) has many uses, including playing back tapes shot with a video camera, playing back tapes previously recorded, and recording and playing broadcast and cable programs.

A two-phase procedure is often used to save a TV program before watching it. In the first phase, you need to get the correct channel, date, time and length (CDTL) information from a press TV program, and in the second phase - program this CDTL information into a cassette recorder. Depending on the model, year and type of VCR, the CDTL information can be programmed in various ways, including: pressing the appropriate key sequence on the console according to the user's manual, pressing the appropriate key sequence on the handheld remote control according to the user's manual ( remote programming), executing a series of keystrokes on the handheld remote control unit in response to menus shown on the television screen (on-screen programming). Other pre-timer programming techniques are known, such as reading certain information from bar codes with a light pen (light pen programming), and inputting instructions via a computer or telephone modem. These different solutions only differ in the physical means of specifying information, the CDTL data and certain power / clock / timer on / off commands are generally common, although the detailed protocol may vary with different VCR models. Known methods of pressing the appropriate sequence of keys may require up to 100 key presses, which inhibits the free use of pre-programming of the VCR. To overcome this, the new VCR models incorporate an on-screen programming feature that allows CDTL information to be input remotely in response to a menu displayed on a television screen. In general, on-screen programming of CDTL information requires an average of about 18 keystrokes, which is a lower number than the previous methods but still quite significant. Some of these techniques, such as reading information from bar codes, require special equipment, such as a bar code reader.

A television programmer with program functions of the on-screen menu type is known from US Patent No. 4,6412,05. This programmer uses one soft key to start and end programming operations and a number of number keys to select channels. The character generator responds to the activation of a soft key by generating a character representing the encoded signals to display the menu or

172 141 the list of timer programming modes (such as setting the clock, saving a program once, daily or weekly) on the TV screen. In response to pressing the number keys, the appropriate programming modes are started.

a television programmer is disclosed in US Patent No. 4,706,121. The programmer controls the television receiver, allowing the user to select programs based on the programmer data. It comprises a data processor for receiving programmer data from a frequency modulated receiver, a decoder, and a data demodulator. The data processor selects the programs to be stored based on the usable input signals from the transmitter of the remote control apparatus. The programmer data is stored in a memory accessible to the data processor by controlling the programmable television tuner to set the telecommunications channel carrying the selected program at the desired time.

In turn, U.S. Patent No. 4,841,132 discloses a remote optical reader for searching and temporarily storing TV program data represented as a bar code on a program carrier. After the program data is searched, it transmits infrared signals to the cassette recorder so that the cassette recorder can be programmed to store the program selected by the program data.

The known solutions have a number of disadvantages. First, the procedure for setting up a VCR to write ahead can be complicated, confusing, and difficult to learn since many VCR users avoid having to program pre-record using a timer. Second, the transcription of CDTL information to the VCR is error prone, in fact, many users of VCR pre-programming using a timer find a high degree of programming error. Third, even for experienced users, the input process having long sequences of channel, date, time and length information for the desired program can become cumbersome. Fourth, techniques such as the use of bar code information or to make use of computer you ^have Gaia special equipment. These drawbacks create a serious obstacle when using a video recorder as a recording device for television programs. Hence, a need has arisen to simplify the pre-programming of the VCR using a timer, which would allow the user to benefit from the possibility of the VCR being able to record more fully and freely.

The essence of the method of programmed recording of a television signal according to the invention, in which a compressed code having at least one digit is entered, the compressed code is decoded into channel commands, given the time of day and length, the commands of the date and daytime are compared with the output of the clock as a function of time because of the first defined dependency, the recorder is commanded to write to the recorder after determining the presence of the first defined relationship, at least one local channel number for at least one channel in the channel command is stored in the memory device, the channel command is transmitted according to the local channel numbers, stored in the memory system, to the channel selection system after the first specific relationship has been found, the length of time from sending the write enable command to the remote control is measured, the length command is compared with the measured length of the recording time, form c the second defined dependency and the command to disable writing to the recording system is given after finding the presence of the second defined relationship, is that signals with information about the local channel numbers corresponding to the channel numbers in the channel command are input from a source external to the remote control into the memory chip and their interdependencies.

Preferably, according to the invention, signals with the information on local channel numbers are downloaded directly or via a telephone line from a computer.

The essence of the inventive programmable recording device consisting of a compressed code input circuit having at least one digit, an output clock as a function of time and compressed code decoding circuits for channel commands, date, time of day and length, comparing the commands of the date and time of day with the data timers due to the first specified dependency, store initial setting data including at least one local channel number for at least one channel number in the channel command, measure the length of time from sending the write enable command, and compare the length command with the measured write time length for the second specified dependencies, which are implemented in the form of a microcomputer, to which are connected a compressed code input system, an output data clock and a remote control system, and a transmission channel selection system to the command recording system after determining the presence of the first specified relationship and the command to disable the recording after finding the presence of the second specified relationship, is that it includes a signal receiving module representing the initial setting data, built of an amplifier and a microphone receiving acoustic signals from the telephone receiver, the signal receiving module representing the initial setting data is connected to the initial setting data storage circuit in the microcomputer. Preferably, the module of signals representing the initial setting data is able to receive signals with information on local channel numbers corresponding to the channel numbers in the channel command and their correlation.

Further advantages of the invention are achieved when the remote control system comprises a universal remote control that is capable of transmitting commands according to a selected one of a plurality of protocols to at least one of televisions, cassette recorders, cable distributors or satellite television receivers. Preferably, the receiving module for signals representing the initial setup data is also capable of receiving signals representing the protocol selection for broadcasting broadcast commands to televisions, cassette recorders, cable splitters and satellite television receivers.

Moreover, it is advantageous if, according to the invention, the microphone is arranged on the outer surface of the device and the receiving module for signals representing the setting data has a modular telephone line socket or an electrical connection.

The subject of the invention is illustrated in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a diagram of a device with a code decoder integrated in a cassette recorder, Fig. 2 - a diagram of processors built into a VCR for command control and code decoding, Fig. 3 - a diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the device with a code decoder embedded in the remote controller, Fig. 4 - a diagram of a processor embedded in a remote controller, Fig. 5 - a diagram of a universal remote controller with a decoder embedded in a universal remote controller, Fig. 6 - a flowchart of the G code decoding technique, Fig. 7 - A flowchart of the G code coding technique, Fig. 8 - Extract from a press TV program, Fig. 9 - A flowchart for cable channel decoding, Fig. 10 - A flowchart for cable channel coding, Fig. 11 - A flowchart for G code decoding for channels cables containing the conversion from the assigned cable channel number to the cable channel number of the local carrier, Fig. 12 - sch Fig. 13 is a flowchart for loading programs into a stack memory, Fig. 14 is a workflow for sending programs from a remote controller to a main VCR unit, Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a pre-write programming device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 16 - a view of the device of fig. 15 showing the diode in the forward direction, fig. 17 - perspective view of the device of fig. 15 placed in a mounting stand, fig. 17A - front view of the device of fig. 15 placed in the mounting stand shown in Fig. 17, Fig. 18 - LCD display of the apparatus of Fig. 15, Fig. 19 - perspective view showing how the apparatus of Fig. 15 is positioned in relation to a cable splitter and VCR, Fig. 20 - perspective view showing how to arrange the mounting stand with the device of Fig. 15 mounted thereon near the cable splitter and the VCR,

Fig. 17: 2141 Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus using compensated codes for pre-programming according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 22 is a detailed diagram showing a preferred embodiment of an apparatus implementing the diagram of Fig. 21, Fig. 22 is a flowchart for a program loaded into the apparatus. Fig. 15, Fig. 24 is a flowchart for viewing and canceling programs from among the programs loaded into the apparatus of Fig. 15, Fig. 25 is a flowchart for pre-programming a recording using compressed codes according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 26- flowchart for coding channel information, gave time and program length into decimal compressed codes, Fig. 27 - flowchart for decoding compressed decimal codes into channel information, date, time and program length, Fig. 28 - associated number responsibility table channel / local channel number, Fig. 29 is a block diagram of the device Fig. 30 is a diagram of a television equipment having a G code decoder, Fig. 31 is a diagram showing an apparatus for a G code decoder in a television having a G code decoder, Fig. 32 is a block diagram of a television equipment containing a G code decoder , VCR, cable splitter and satellite receiver, Fig. 33 - block diagram of a device including a VCR with G code decoder, TV, cable splitter and satellite receiver, Fig. 34 - block diagram of a device including a cable splitter with G code decoder, TV, VCR and satellite receiver, Fig. 35 - block diagram of a device including a satellite receiver with a G code decoder, TV set, VCR and cable splitter, Fig. 36 perspective view showing a cable splitter located on a VCR with an IR emitter behind the faceplate which communicates with the splitter's infrared receiver cable on the reflection principle and, Fig. 37 is a perspective view showing a cable splitter disposed on a VCR having an IR emitter inside an IR dome on the VCR that communicates with the IR receiver of the cable splitter, Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a VCR having an IR emitter in a mouse coupled to the VCR by a cable, where the mouse is placed near the infrared emitter of the cable splitter, Fig. 39 - perspective view of a VCR having an infrared emitter in a miniature mouse coupled by a cable to a VCR with a miniature mouse stick on the cable splitter near the infrared emitter, Fig. 40 - perspective view of another pre-stage device Fig. 41 is a bottom view of the device of Fig. 40 showing the microphone opening and two openings for electrical contacts, Fig. 42 is the device of Fig. 40 connected to a telephone, Fig. 43 is a diagram of a Fig. 44 - alternative diagram of a further write pre-programming device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 45 - perspective view of a device for programming a memory remote controller according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 46 - perspective view of the device of fig. 45 with the hinged cover in the open position, fig. 47 - rear view of the device of fig. 45 showing input / output ports for telephone and computer, fig. 48 - bottom view of the device of fig. 45 showing access openings for electrical contacts, fig. 49 - perspective view of the device of fig. 45 coupled to the device of fig. 15, fig. 50 - perspective view of the device of fig. 45 coupled to the device of fig. 40, fig. 51 - diagram of a programming device remote with memories according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 52 is a schematic diagram of an electronic connection po between a remote control programming device with memories according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and a personal computer.

1 shows a timer pre-programming device 10 in a video recorder / player. Its main components are a remote controller 12 and a G14 code decoder play / record cassette recorder, which can be controlled by the remote controller 12 by a command signal 16. The remote controller 12 may have multiple keys, including numeric keys, a G-code switch, function keys 24, program key 26, and power key 27. In the remote controller 12 there are circuits that interpret each key when pressed and send the correct command signal 16 to the cassette recorder (VCR) through an infrared emitting diode 28- Except for code switch 22 G on the remote controller 12 in Figure 1, the remote controller 12 is substantially the same as all other controllers running. The G code switch 22 is given only to allow the user to switch remote controller 12 to G code when using G code, which is the name given to the compressed code being CDTL coded information to perform initial timer programming.

The G code consists of 1 to 7 digits, although more can be used and is associated with a specific program. The user finds the G-code in a news broadcast and enters the G-code on the remote controller 12, instead of entering actual channel, date, time and length (CDTL) commands as in the prior art.

For understanding the advantages of using a G code, it is useful to describe the prior art which is screen programming with direct numeric elements. This technique introduces about 18 keystrokes and the user has to look back and forth between the TV screen and the remote controller when entering CDTL information. The situation can be compared to that of a user dialing an 18-digit telephone number from a directory. The high number of keys involved and the glancing back and forth cause errors. A typical key input sequence for a timer for writing using the CDTL on-screen programming is as follows:

PROG 2 115 07 30 2 08 00 2 04 PROG

The first key (PROG) 26 enters the programming mode. Then the sequence of numeric keys 20 is pressed. In this command, the number 2 means that it is a timer recording, not a time setting; 1 means the user is now entering the setting for program 1; 15 is a date; 07 is the start time; 30 shows the minutes of the start; 2 means afternoon. The next sequence 08 002 is the stop time; 04 is the channel number. Finally, THRESHOLD is pressed again to exit the programming mode.

Conversely, this command can be coded and entered in a typical G-code sequence as follows: PROG 1138 PROG. To distinguish that the command is a coded G-code, G-code switch 22 should be toggled to the on position. A separate G-key may be used in place of the switch. The key sequence for programming the G-code should be as follows: G 1138 PROG.

Use of a G-code does not preclude on-screen confirmation that software information has been entered. When PROG 1138 PROG keys are entered with the G code switch in the on position, the G code will be decoded and the television will display the following:

PROGRAM DATE START TIME STOP TIME CHANNEL

1138 15 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 4

For a G-code to be useful, it must be decoded, and there must be a device for it. Fig. 1 shows a cassette VCR with a G-code decoder 14 for use with a remote controller 12. The command signal 16 sent from the remote controller is detected by a photo diode 32 and converted into electrical signals by the command signal receiver 30. The electrical signals are sent to the command controller. 36, which interprets these commands and determines how to respond to them. As shown in Fig. 1, it is also possible that the command controller 36 receives commands from hand controls 34 that are normally built into the VCR. If the command driver determines that a G code has been received, then the G code will be sent to the G code decoder 38 for decoding. The G-code decoder 38 converts the G-code into CDTL information which is used by the command controller 36 to set time / channel programming 40. Timer 42 is built into the VCR. This is normally used in a VCR to keep track of the date and time. Timer 42 is mainly used for time / channel 40 programming and functions

17 (2 141 G code decoder 38. Time / channel programming function 40 is set with CDTL information by command controller 36. When correct date and time are read from clock 42, then time / channel programming function 40 toggles save / playback function 44 ON At the same time, the tuner 46 is tuned to the corresponding channel in the television signal 18. Later, the user may command the recording / playback function 44 to be switched to the playback mode to control the program by the television monitor 48.

An alternative way to control the VCR is for the command controller 36 to hold all CDTL information instead of sending it to time / channel programming 40. The command controller would maintain time tracking by periodically reading clock 42. The command controller would then send commands to time / channel programming 40 for writing ON and OFF, and to tuner 46 to cause tuning to the correct channel at the right time according to CDTL information.

Clock 42 is also an input to the G code decoder 38 which allows the G code decoding to be a function of the clock state, thus providing a security measure for tAchnilri and Ti + rnrlrno and

Cl "umu λ encoding utl uciliiU J was also a function of the clock state.

A possible implementation of command driver 36 and G code decoder 38 is shown in Fig. 2. The command driver function 36 may be implemented with the microprocessor 50, RAM 52 and ROM 54 which are used to store the program. The input / output function 56 is adapted to receive commands from the command signal receiver 30, hand controls 34 and clock 42, and to output the signals to display 35, clock 42 and the time / channel programming function 40. If microprocessor 50 interprets that a G code has been received, then the G code is sent to microcontroller 60 for decoding. The microcontroller 60 has an on-board RAM 62 and an on-board ROM 64 for storing the program and table. Clock 42 may be read by both microprocessor 50 and microcontroller 60.

An alternative to having a microcontroller 60 to perform G-code decoding is to embed the G-code decoding directly into the program stored in non-volatile memory 54. This should eliminate the need for microcontroller 60. Of course, other hardware solutions are also used to perform G-code decoding. The choice of implementation is mostly on the plane. economic.

Figure 3 shows an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3, a remote controller with an embedded G 80 decoder is given. A remote controller with an embedded G 80 decoder is very similar to remote I2, except that a G code decoder 82 is added. Note that it is also possible to include a display 84 in each remote controller. A remote controller with a built-in G-code decoder 80 would be used together with a normal cassette VCR 70 that would not need to have a built-in G-code decoder. References denoting the components of the VCR 70 are the same as described above for a VCR with a G-code decoder 14 and have the same function, except that the G-code decoder 38 is absent. The preferred embodiment has the advantage that it can be used with currently used VCRs. They cannot decode G-code. Replacing their remote controllers with ones that have this built-in capability can greatly increase the ability of the timer to pre-program at moderate cost.

Figure 4 shows a possible implementation of a G-code decoder 82 embedded in a remote controller with an integrated G-code decoder 80. The microcontroller 60 may be used as before to decode the G-code as well as interface with the display 84, clock 85, keyboard 88 and luminescent diode 28. Alternatively, other hardware implementations may be used to perform G-code decoding. Clock 85 is given in the remote controller 80 such that the G-code decoder 82 can be made to have a clock 85 on one of its inputs. This allows G-code decoding to succeed in copying it. Of course, this requires that the technique rn 141 be a function of the G clock indication, which gives security measures for the decoding technique and makes copying difficult.

7, dalnv driver 7 whndetwanvm deknderani kndn G nnicmn nnnwżpi un / rob channel, date, time and length information to the cassette VCR 70 which applies CDTL information to tune to the correct channel and start and stop recording functions. The remote controller may need to be unique to each of the other VCRs, since each make or model has different infrared pulses for each type of information being sent such as channel number keys and recording start and stop keys. The particular infrared pulses used for each type and key may be called up by the dictionary of the particular remote controller. Each model may also have a different protocol or order of keys that must be pressed in order to perform such a function as pre-programming. The protocol or order of keys performing this function may be called a sentence structure. If the built-in remote is unique for each type of model, then the correct dictionary and sentence structure can be built directly into the remote controller.

As an alternative to the remote controller with built-in G-code decoder sending channel, date, time and length information to the cassette recorder 70, the remote controller with built-in G-code decoder performs more operations to simplify the connection problem with existing VCRs. Specifically, if the remote controller not only performs G-code decoding on CDTL but also keeps track of the time through the clock 85, then it is possible for the remote controller to send the correct channel, start recording, and stop commands to the cassette recorder. Channel, start, and stop are usually basic one- or two-key commands, meaning no complicated protocols or sentence structures are involved. Thus, in order to communicate with a diverse set of VCR models, it is only necessary to have a memory in the remote controller, such as ROM 64 of Fig. 4, to store the protocol for all models or at least a large subset thereof. A G code would be entered into the remote controller as before and decoded into channel, date, time and length information to be stored in the remote controller. The time would be checked by clock 85, and upon arrival of the appropriate time, the remote controller would automatically send commands to the VCR to tune to the correct channel and to start or stop recording. It is estimated that only two bytes per key for about 15 keys need to be written to the dictionary for each VCR model. Thus, to cover 50 models, only about 30 * 50 = 1500 bytes of memory in the remote controller would be needed. It would be necessary to locate a remote controller suitable for the VCR unit such that infrared signals sent by the remote controller are received by the unit.

In another preferred embodiment, a universal remote controller 90 with an embedded G-code decoder is provided. The universal remote controllers have the ability to mimic a variety of remote controllers. This reduces the number of remote controllers a user should have. This is accomplished by having a learn function on a key 94 on the universal remote controller as shown in Fig. 5. If a learn function key 94 is pressed together with another key, the unit will be put into learn mode. Incoming IR pulses from the remote controller to be learned are detected by IR diode 96, filtered and waveformed into recognizable bit patterns before being stored by the microcontroller into static battery backed memory as a particular IR pulse pattern for that particular key. This is done for all individual keys.

Here is a more complicated science example. If the learn function key 94 is depressed in conjunction with the program key 26 when the G code switch is in the on position, the unit will recognize whether or not it is to record a keystroke sequence of a predetermined specific example of timer pre-programming for the particular VCR under consideration. The user will then enter the sequence

172 141 keys, from which the universal remote controller 90 can then deduce a timer programming sequence protocol. This is necessary because different VCRs may have different timer preset programming command formats.

If the keys are pressed without engaging the learn function key 94, the microcontroller should recognize in runtime mode. If the key is one of the direct command keys, the microcontroller will read the stored pulse sequence from the static RAM and send the command words through the parallel I / O output causing the LED 28 to flash.If the key is a PROG key and the G-code switch is in the off position, then the microcontroller will recognize the successive keys up to the next PROG key as a CDTL pre-programming command and send them via LED 28. If the G-code switch 22 is set to on and program key 26 is pressed, the microcontroller should recognize the next keys until the next key PROG as a G-code command for timer pre-programming. It will decode the G-code into channel, date, start time and length (CDTL) and the microcontroller will then check in its actuator contained in static RAM for the appropriate infrared pulse patterns and daisy-chained them before sending them over the parallel I / O output to cause a glow. of the LED 28 to send all the information in a continuous stream to the VCR.

Figure 4 shows a possible implementation of a G-code decoder 92 which may be embedded in a universal remote controller with an integrated G-code decoder 90. The microcontroller 60 may be used as before to decode the G-code as well as to create an interface with input / output functions including photodiode 96. Alternatively, the G code decoding may be performed with a different hardware implementation.

The universal remote controller can also be used in other ways to simplify the problem of interfacing with existing VCRs. Specifically, if the universal remote controller not only performs G-code decoding on CDTL but also keeps track of clock 85 in time in Fig. 4, then it is possible for the universal remote transmitter to only send channel, start and stop commands to the VCR which, like outlined previously, they are usually basic single-sentence commands, meaning there is no complicated protocol or sentence structure involved. Therefore, in order to communicate with the various set of VCR models, it is only necessary for the universal remote controller to learn each key of the remote controller it replaces. The G-code will be entered into the universal remote controller as before and decoded into channel, date, time and length information that will be stored in the universal remote controller. Timer 85 will check the time and when the appropriate time has come, the universal remote controller will automatically send commands to the VCR unit to tune the appropriate channel and start and stop recording. It is necessary to locate the universal remote controller corresponding to the VCR such that the signals sent by the universal remote controller are received by the VCR unit.

There are many ways to decode the G code. The most obvious one is to use a large transform table. The G code would be an index. However, this method is very inefficient and would result in a decoder very expensive due to the size of the memory involved. The total memory size involved is a function of the sum of the combinations. If we take 128 channels, 31 days a month, 48 start times in equal halves an hour a day, and 16 length choices in half-hour increments, then the total number of combinations would be 128x31x48x16 = 3,047,424. This number of combinations can be represented by the number 7 digital. The address of the array should be a 7-digit number. In the worst case, this requires a transform table that has 4,000,000 rows by 15 to 16 columns, depending on the particular protocol. These digital columns would correspond to the CDTL information required for on-screen programming. Each digit can be represented by a 4-bit binary number. Thus, total memory space

The 172,141 required for this reference table would be approximately 4,000,000 x 16 x 4 = 256,000,000. In the current art, approximately 1 million bits are used per chip. Thus, decoding a G code using the transform table directly would require an unacceptably costly amount of chips.

Fortunately, there are many more inventive ways to perform G code decoding. To understand G code decoding, it is easiest to first explain the G code coding technique for which Fig. 7 is a flowchart. Next, the G code decoding technique which is the reverse of the G code coding technique will be explained.

The G-code encoding may be performed on any computer and is performed prior to the preparation of each press television program containing G-codes. For each program to be printed on a press program, a Date, Time and Length Channel Code (CDTL) 144 is entered at step 142 In step 146, the priority for the date, time and length channel is read separately in priority vector memory 122, which may be stored in permanent memory 64. Priority vector memory 122 includes four tables: priority vector table C 124, vector table D pfi / ^. iOir + Ti uWv »2 ru / plttnro lMnnnrt · 1O £ i T wppnra Π jw ι · ύ uuuiiv ^ v W UAwi c * j tvi. * -i a A-y »» Ci ju> A ic / i j Iw i ci x./v·

The channel priority table is organized in such a way that the most frequently used channels have a low priority. An example of the data in the priority vector table C is given below:

channel 4 7 2 3 5 6 11 11 ...

priority 012345 6 7 ...

In general, the dates of the month have the same priority so that the low numbered days in the month and the low priority values correspond to the priority vector table D as in the example below:

date 12345678 ... priority 01234567 ...

The start times priority will be set up so that the early hours will have a low priority number and late night programs will have a high priority number. For example, the priority vector T array would contain:

time 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm ... priority 0 1 2 3 ...

Examples of data in the priority vector table L are: program length (hours) 0.5 1.0 2.0 1.5 3.0 ...

priority 0 1 2 3 4 ...

Suppose the channel, date, time, and length (CDTL) data 144 take the form 5 10 19.00

1.5, which means channel 5.10 day of the month, 7:00 pm and length 1.5 hours, so for the above case the data Cp, Dp, Tp Lp 148, which is the result of determining the priority for the channel, date, time and length in the priority tables 124 , 126, 128, and 130 of Fig. 7, will be 4-13. Step 150 converts the data Cp, Dp, Tp, Lp to binary numbers. The number of binary bits in each conversion is determined by the number of combinations involved. The seven bits for Cp that can be denoted as C7 Ce C5 C4 C3 C2 Ci will correspond to d1a 1 of 28 channels. The five bits per Dp that can be denoted as D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 will be appropriate for 31 days in a month. The six bits for Tp that may be denoted T? T5 T4 T3 T2 T1 will give 48 start times for every half hour of the day. Four bits of length which may be denoted L4 L3 L2 L1 will give a program length of up to eight hours in half-hour increments. Total is 7 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 22 bits of information, which corresponds to 2 ** 22 = 4,194,304 combinations.

The next step is to use a bit hierarchy key 120 which can be stored in the non-volatile memory 64 to re-dig 22 bits. The bit hierarchy key 120 may be any 22 bit ordering. For example, the bit hierarchy key might be:

Ls C3 ... T2 C 2 T1 C1 L1 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1

21 ... 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

172 141

Ideally, the bit hierarchy key is ordered such that the programs most likely to be pre-programmed by the timer will have a low-value binary number, thus eliminating key presses for timer pre-programming for the most common programs. Since all date information has equal priority, bits D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 come first. Then T1 C1 L1 is used because for any date it is necessary to have channel, time and length, and T1 C1 L1 are most likely in each case due to the ordering of the priority vectors in the priority vector memory 122. The next bit in the hierarchy key is determined by differential the probabilities of different combinations. You need to know the probabilities of all channels, times and lengths in order to do this calculation.

For example, the probability for channels might be: channel 4 7 2 3 5 6 11 13 ...

priority 01 234 5 67 ...

probability (%) 5 4..3 4 3 2.9 2.1 2 1.8 ...

The probability for times could be: time 6:30 pm 7: ϋ 0 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm ...

priority 0 1 2 3 ...

probability (%) 8 7.8 6 5 ...

The probabilities for the length may be:

Program length (hours) 0.5 1.0 2.0 1.5 3.0 ...

priority 0 1 2 3 4 ...

probability (%) 50 20 15 5 4 ...

The probabilities corresponding to each channel, time and length as outlined above are used to determine proper ordering. Since the priority vector tables are already ordered by the most common channel, time and length, the order of selecting different bits for one table, for example choosing between C7 C5 C5 C4 C3 C2 Cj is already known. Bit C1 will be selected first because it will choose as the least weight bit between the first two items in the channel priority table. Then C2 will be selected and so on. Similarly, the T1 and L1 bits will be used before all other time and length bits. The combination of bits C1T1L1 and D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 should be used first so that all channel, date, time and length information is available. All bits D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 are used because the date bits have identical priority and are all necessary to determine the date, even if some of the bits are binary zero.

At this point, the bit hierarchy key can be as follows:

T1 C1 Lj D5 D4 D3 D2 D1

The first bit channel C1 is able to select between 2 ¹ = 2 channels, and the first two channels have a probability of 5 and 4.3%, therefore, the differential probability of C1 is 9.3. Similarly, the difference probability T1 is 8 + 7.8 - 15.8 and the difference probability L1 is 50 + 20 = 70. If the bit hierarchy key ordering rules are strictly followed, then the next 8 bits of the bit hierarchy key should be ordered as follows:

C1 T1 L1 D5 D4 D3 D2 Di because L1 has the highest differential priority so that it can be the most significant bit after D5, followed by T1 as the next most significant bit, and then C1 as the next most significant bit. Note that the bit hierarchy key starts with the most weighted bit D1 and then is filled with the maximum differential probability bits. This is used to construct the most compact codes for popular programs.

At this point in the encoding process, the problem arises of what should be the next most significant bit in the key of the T2 C2 or L2 bit hierarchy. This is again determined by the differential probabilities that can be computed from the above tables for each bit. Since we are dealing with binary bits, C2 in combination with Ci chooses between 2 ² = 4 channels or 2 more channels for Ci alone. This difference probability for C2 is then the additional probability of these two additional channels and for this example it is 4 + 3 = 7. Similarly, C3 in combination with Ci and C2 selects between 2 ^ = 8 channels or 4 = 2 ^ '1 more channels over the combination of Ci and C2. Thus, the differential probability of C3 is the additional probability of these four additional channels and for this example it is: 2.9 + 2.1 + 2 + 1.8 = 8.8. In a similar manner, the difference probabilities of T2 and L2 can be computed as 6 = 5 = 11 and 15 + 5 = 20, respectively. Once all of the difference probabilities have been computed, the next step is to determine which bit combinations are more likely.

Now, for the example above, the combination that is more likely: T2 with Ci Li or C2 with Ti Li or L2 with Ti Ci will determine the next bit in the key. So, which is bigger: 11x9.3x70 = 7161; 7x15.8x70 = 7742; or 20x15.8x9.3 = 2938.8? In this case, the combination with the highest probability is 7x15.8x70 = 7742, which corresponds to C2 with Ti Li. Thus, C2 is selected as the next bit in the bit hierarchy key.

The next bit is selected in the same way. Which combination is more likely: C2 with Ti Li or T2 with Ci or C2 and Li, or L2 with Ci or C2 and Ti. For the example shown, which has the highest probability: 8.8x15.8x70 = 9732.8; 11x (9.3 + 7) x70 = 12551 or 20x (9.3 + 7) x15.8? In this case, the combination with the highest probability is 11x (9.3 + 7) x70 = 12551 which corresponds to T2 with Ci or C2 and Li. Thus, T2 is selected as the next bit in the bit hierarchy key. This procedure is repeated for all differential probabilities until the entire key is found.

Alternatively, the bit hierarchy key may be any sequence of bits. It is also possible that the priority vectors are interdependent, e.g. the length priority vector is interdependent on different channel groups. Another technique is to make the bit hierarchy key 120 and the priority vector table a function of the clock 42 as shown in Fig. 7. As a result, the key and thus the encoding technique becomes very difficult to duplicate or copy.

For example, it is possible to encrypt these data bits in a key of the bit hierarchy 120 as a clock function. Changing the bit order as a clock function will not change the effectiveness of the bit hierarchy key in reducing the number of binary bits for the most popular programs, since all data bits have equal priority. This should be as simple as switching Di and D5 bits periodically, e.g. daily or weekly. Thus, a bit hierarchy key 120 would switch between

... Ci Ti Li D5 D4 D3 D2 Di i

... Ci Ti Li Di D2 D3 D4 D5

Of course, other bit hierarchy key permutations in the clock function are possible.

Priority vector tables may also be encrypted as a function of clock indications. For example, the first two channels in the priority channel table may be browsed periodically. If this technique is used then Cp 148 in Fig. 7 varies as a function of clock 42. For example:

channel 4 7 2 3 5 6 1 1 13 ...

priority 01234567 ...

will be changed periodically to: channel 7 4 2 3 5 6 11 13 ...

priority 0123456 7 ...

This would be quite a subtle security technique as a decoder that is otherwise working properly would fail if these two channels were used. Other clock dependencies are also possible to ensure the security of the encoding technique.

Regardless of how it is performed, the bit hierarchy key 120 is determined and stored. In step 154, the binary bits Cp Dp Tp Lp are rearranged according to a key of the bit hierarchy 120 to form one 22-bit binary number. Then, TV viewers, it is expected that the resulting 22-bit binary number is converted to decimal in step 156 of binary-to-decimal conversion in G code. The result is G code 158.

If the Priority vector and the bit hierarchy key match well. for the habits of a large population, t will require no more than 3 or 4 digits for the G-code.

After the coding technique is explained, the decoding technique is just a reverse of the coding technique. This follows the flowchart of Fig. 6. This is a preferred G code decoding, which may be embedded in the G code decoder 38 in the VCR or the G code decoders 82, 92 of the remote controller in Figs. 3 and 5.

The first step 102 is to enter the G code 104. Then the G code 104 is converted to a 22-bit binary number in step 106. Thereafter, the bit order is changed in step 108 according to the bit hierarchy key 120 to obtain the bits reordered 110. The bits are then grouped together. together and converted to decimal in step 112. At this point, we get data Cp, Dp, Tp 114 which are pointers of priority vector tables. For the above example, in this step we get the vector 4 9 13. The data Cp, Dp Tp 114 is then used in step 116 to browse the channel, time and length in the priority vector 122 memory. CDTL 118 for the above example is 10019.00 1.5, which is means channel 5.10 of the month, 7:00 p.m. and length 1.5 hours.

If the encoding technique is a clock indication function, it also becomes necessary to make the decoding technique a function of the clock indication. It is possible to make the key of the bit hierarchy 120 and the priority vector tables 122 functions of the clock indication 42 as shown in Fig. 6. This again makes duplication or duplication of the key and thus the coding technique difficult. It is also possible to make the coding and decoding techniques dependent on a specific or pre-programmed certain algorithm.

While the G code encoding and decoding techniques described above are the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that there are many ways to implement the idea of the invention that is to reduce the number of key presses required to program the timer pre-programming. There are many ways to do G-code encoding and decoding to achieve this goal. There are also many ways to make the encoding and decoding techniques more secure, besides making the encoding and decoding a function of the clock display. This safety may be the result of a specific or pre-programmed algorithm.

It is possible to use the G-code encoding and decoding technique in mixed base numerical systems, not in binary. For example, suppose that there are only 35 channels, which would require them to represent 6 bits binary, however, 6 binary bits can represent 64 channels, because 2 ⁶ - 64. The result of this is that in a binary sys Tema is 29 unnecessary positions. This may have the effect that a particular G-code will be longer than is actually necessary. A mixed-base number system can avoid this result. For example, for the case of 35 channels, a mixed-base numbering system with the factors 7 ¹ and 5 ¹ represents 35 combinations with no blank code. Valid numbers for the 5 ° factor are 0,1,2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. For example, 0 is represented as 00 in a mixed-base number system. 34 is represented as 46 in a mixed-base number system. because 4 7 ¹ +6 5 = 34. The main advantage of a mixed-base number system is the prioritization of the hierarchy key. If the first 5 channels have approximately the same priority and the next 30 are also approximately the same, then the mixed-base number system allows these two rows to be accurately represented. This does not mean that a mixed-base number system is necessarily preferred. Binary numbers are easier to represent in a computer and the use of a fixed base numeric system has a simple representation of a prioritization pyramid in the hierarchy key.

Another desirable feature in all embodiments is the ability to enter the G code for the program once, and then have the resulting CDTL information to be applied during the day or week. Typically, CDTL information is removed after it

172 141 in use. In the event of a daily or weekly record of the same program, the CDTL information is recorded and used until it is invalidated. The required repetition of the program recording daily or weekly can be done with

.............. \ Τ '»about nfzHnl and .lici z ^ lłcł;

r> r7VPic _ ck ^ i 308 WEEKS (weekly) or 312 DZTEŃ (cod uAu w / OWAXV? UJF j IUU O, Μ tit / tw jI 1 VUU in my controller or built into manual VCR controls (fig. 15). Another way is to use a key such as the PROG key and press it repeatedly over a period of time, e.g. twice for a daily record and three times for a weekly record.For example, if the G code switch is in the on position and the G code for the desired program is 99, then the daily program save can be selected with the following key sequence:

'PROG 99 DAY PROG or

PROG 99 PROG PROG.

The G 99 code will be replaced with CDTL information which will be stored and used daily in this case. Recording will start on the specified date and continue daily with the same channel, time and length information. A slight shift in this daily save can be automatically suspended during the weekends as most daily programs are different on Saturday and Sunday.

Once a daily or weekly program has been set, it can be used an unlimited number of times. If a program deletion is required, and if there is a 304 CANCEL button (fig.15) on the remote controller or handset for the VCR, then the only way to cancel the program (whether it is a normal CDTL position, daily or weekly) is to load with keys as follows:

PROG xx CANCEL where xx is a G code.

As before, there are two alternative implementation methods.

If on-screen programming is available, then the programs that have been selected for pre-programming the timer can be viewed on the screen. The daily and weekly programs will be indicated by their type. Also, G codes may be displayed along with the corresponding CDTL information. This may give you the ability to browse the menu easily or add other programs or cancel them as desired.

A television press program 200 is shown in Fig. 8. As shown, a television program has multiple day of the year sections 202, multiple day sections 204, multiple day time sections 206, channel identifiers 208, and identifier describing the program 210, including the program name, arranged in common. for television programs featured in magazines. Relative to each channel identifier is a compressed code indication 212 or a G code including channel, date, time and length information for that position on the television calendar. Fig. 8 shows how easy it is to program the timer. All it takes is to find the program you want to watch and enter the compressed code shown in the compressed code indication. This is in contrast to dealing with all channel, date, time and length positions separately. At least the date, channel and time are mentioned directly on the TV program in the magazine. The length is typically only available by finding in the television program the time of day section 206 when a new program starts, and then performing arithmetic to find the program length. Using a compressed G-code avoids these complications.

For a cable TV program, there is an extra item that must be addressed in order for the compressed G-code to be useful. In a normal television news program, CDTL information is available for all normal broadcast channels in the form of numbers including a channel number, such as channel 4 or 7. However, for cable channels such as HBO, ESPN, etc., most television news broadcasts are provided with data. only channel names. This is because in many metropolitan regions, such as Los Angeles, there may be only one issue of a press release, but there may be several

172,141 cable carriers that can assign different cable channel numbers to HBO or ESPN. In order for compressed code such as G-code to be applicable to cable channels published in press television programs for large areas, the following approach can be used.

First, all cable channels will be assigned a unique number that will be valid for the entire country. For example, we can assign ESPN to cable channel 1, HBO to cable channel 2, SHO to cable channel 3, and so on. This assignment may be published by press broadcasts.

A cassette recorder device, such as a remote controller, a VCR unit, or both, may be provided with two additional operating modes: setup and conduit. One way to specify the user interface for these modes is to give two additional buttons, one called SET and the other called CABLE CHANNEL. The buttons may be located on the VCR unit itself or on the remote controller as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, with SET being item 168 and CABLE CHANNEL being item 170. Of course, other user interfaces are possible.

Subsequently, the viewer will have to go through a one-time procedure to set up all cable channels on his VCR that he may wish to watch. The setting procedure will refer to each of the assigned numbers for each cable channel to a channel number of the local cable information carrier. For example, suppose the local cable bearer uses Channel 6 for ESPN, therefore Cable Channel Number 1 can be assigned to ESPN as shown in the table below:

Cable channel name Assigned cable channel number Channel number on the local cable TV carrier ESPN 1 6 HBO 2 24 SHO 3 23 DIS 8 25

The user can follow the setup procedure by pressing the following keys on his remote controller:

SET 06 CABLE CHANMEL 1 PROGRAM

SET 24 CABLE (^ ICHANI ^ Ie 1 PRROGRAPH

SET 23 CABLE CHANNEL 1 PROGRAM!

SET 25 CABLE CHANNEL 1 PRRORRA1

This setup routine will create a cable channel address table 162 that will be loaded into RAM 52 of command controller 36. For the example above, cable channel address table 162 will contain the following information:

CABLE CHANNEL ADDRESS BOARD 162

6

24

23

25

After carrying out the 'setup procedure, the viewer can now select the cable channels to watch in the old way: eg by pressing key 24 on the keyboard, which will select HBO. It can also do it in a new way: e.g. by pressing CABLE CHANNEL 2 (channel

172 141 cable 2), which also selects HBO. The advantage of the new method is that the press TV program will publish [C2] next to the program description so that the viewer will only find the associated channel number identifier instead of nrzynominar himself, ^ VX ^ XV ^^ x - ~ J χ ------ --- ¹ - ----->

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NEL, the command controller 36 is notified that it finds the local cable channel number in the cable channel address table 162 to tune the VCR to the correct channel.

In order to program the pre-timer and adapt the compressed G-code, the way to distinguish between broadcast channels and cable channels is to add an eighth channel bit which would be set to zero for normal broadcast channels and to 1 for cable channels such as HBO. The eighth channel bit may be one of the low weight bits such as the third C3 bit outside the eighth channel bits such that the number of bits defining popular channels is minimized whether they are broadcast or cable channels. For a normal broadcast channel, 7 other bits may be decoded according to a separate cable channel priority vector table 160, which may be stored in the ROM 54 of microcontroller 36. The cable channel priority vector table may be preset for the entire country or at least for the area covered by a particular press release. TV program.

A press broadcast that broadcasts a compressed code known as a G-code will now print cable channel information as follows:

6:30 pm [C2] HBO xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? Xxxxxxxxxxa (4679) xxxxxxx (program description) xx? Xoixxx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The [C2] message in front of HBO reminds viewers that they only need to press CABLE CHANNEL 2 to select HBO. (4679) is an indication in the G code of a particular program.

Figure 8 shows an excerpt from a press television program. All cable channels are assigned a cable number 188 in front of the cable channel mnemonic. Information other than the cable channel is placed the same as for broadcast channels with compressed G-code 212 associated with the channel.

To pre-program the timer, the viewer only needs to enter the number 4679 according to the G-code input procedure into the unit, eg PROG 4679 PROG. The G code decoder will decode the G code to cable channel 2 and will also feed the command driver signal 36 with the cable channel signal 164 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, since the extra channel bit will be 1, it distinguishes that the G code is is intended for cable channel, then, since the cable channel 2 association with channel 24 has been established earlier in the setup procedure, the command controller, if it has received a cable channel signal, will immediately check 2 in the cable channel address table 162 to translate to cable channel 24, which will be used as recording channel at the appropriate time. By associating a G code with an assigned cable channel number rather than a local cable channel number, the G code for that program will be valid throughout a local area where there may be many different cable carriers, each of which may have different local cable channel numbers.

In order to obtain the compressed G-code properties for the cable channel, the coding and decoding algorithms are as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, respectively. The coding should be clarified before decoding. The major change in Fig. 10 compared to Fig. 7 is that a cable channel priority vector table 160 is added and a priority determination step 180 is used if the cable channel is coded. Also, if the cable channel is scrambled, the cable channel bit is added at the correct bit position in the step of converting Cp Dp Tp Lp to binary numbers. This may be the C3 bit, discussed earlier. The bit hierarchy key may be specified as

Previously, to compress a certain number of bits in the most popular programs, however, it must then be 23 bits long to accommodate the cable channel bit. The length of the maximum compressed G-code can be

S ηηηίαιι · ού ^ 23 - Q QQQ AOQ j νυχνχν i ν · y j ρν / ίιιν »ταχ - ό uuu.

Decoding is shown in Fig. 9, and is the inverse of the process of encoding. After step 108, a cable channel test bit is added that effectively tests the cable channel bit for whether it is 1. If so, the command controller 36 is notified by cable channel 164 in Figs. 1 and 2 that CDTL information is 118 that will be sent to it from the G-code decoder 38 relates to the cable channel. The command driver is therefore notified to check the local cable carrier channel number based on the assigned cable channel number. In step 176 of FIG. 9, priority vector tables including cable channel priority vector tables 160 are used to view CDTL 118 information.

An alternative to the controller receiving the cable channel signal 164 commands is for the G code decoder to perform all decodings including converting the assigned cable channel number to a local cable carrier number. This is the case of the remote controller of Fig. 3 implementation. Fig. 11 shows the implementation of the entire decoding algorithm if this step is enabled. A step for converting the channel assigned to a local cable carrier channel 166 must be added that checks the cable channel addresses table 162 if the cable channel bit indicates that a cable channel is involved. Step 166 effectively replaces step 174 of Fig. 9.

Another item that requires addressing is the number of programs that can be pre-programmed. Since the G-code greatly simplifies the program entry process, it is likely that the user will learn quickly and wish to enter a significant number of programs, however, some existing VCRs can only remember up to four programs, while some may only remember up to eight. Hence, the user can easily be put off by the limitations of VCR programming.

One approach to this problem is to perform decoding of a compressed G-code in the remote controller and give enough memory to store multiple programs, e.g. 20 or 40. The remote controller will be able to periodically transfer several of these stored programs to the main VCR unit at once. To achieve this possibility, an additional memory is required called stack memory 76 in the remote control unit as shown in Fig. 12, the remainder of which is identical to Fig. 4. Stack memory 76 may be implemented using RAM, which may in fact house. in the microcontroller itself, such as the RAM 62.

The input, insertion and deletion of timer programming information is now performed in stack memory 76. Editing also takes place there. The peak memory positions on the stack, e.g., the first four positions, correspond exactly to the memory available for pre-programming at the VCR main unit. As soon as the top of the stack is changed, new information is sent to the main VCR unit to be updated.

Figure 13 shows the sequence of events as a user enters a G-code program onto the keyboard of the remote controller. For illustrative purposes, assume that the main VCR unit can only operate four programs. Also, assume that the capacity of the stack memory 76 is 20 timer presets. Referring to the flowchart of Fig. 13, when a user enters a G code in step 230, microcontroller 60 decodes it into CDTL information in step 234 and displays it on the display assembly with the additional word entered. The microcontroller 'then inputs the encoded program into the stack memory at step 236.

If this is the first program entered, it is placed on top of the stack. If there are already programs at the top of the stack, the newly entered program will first be provisionally placed at the bottom of the stack memory. The stack memory will then be sorted in the correct time order in step 240 such that the earliest program arrives at the top position and the latest program is at the bottom. Note that the nature of the time-sorted stack is such that if the position in the stack is changed, all positions below will be changed.

X V N V 'p J.

No norwiaA c + ^ ę η τλλοιο / Ίο ^ γορρ ńw i ir \ r \ rr »n <41 / - / -> τττη r \, .aL u £ ju..tt.szrii.Łjr £ -> o Jujj ^ ty > cju ^ / Vvatiyvil temporarily, and a new position is introduced which its temporal alignment places in petition 3 (1 is the top position). If this element is placed in position 3, the information that was in positions 3,4,5,6 will be shifted to positions 4,5,6 and 7. Items 1 and 2 will remain unchanged.

Microcontroller 60, after performing the time ordering, checks in step 242 if the first n items have changed from the previous state, where n is 4 for the current example. In this case, since the new program was entered at position 3, what was at position 3 now moves to position 4. Since the 4-item master VCR program menu should correspond exactly to positions 1 to 4 of the stack memory, items 3 and 4 of the main VCR assembly must now be revised. The microcontroller therefore sends new items 3 and 4 to the main unit, in step 244 of Fig. 13. If the last program entered, after a time ordering, is entered at position 5, then items 1 to 4 do not change from the previous state and the microcontroller it will send no message to the main VCR unit and it will complete tracking of clock 85 and keypad 88 as in step 246. It is assumed that when the user enters a G code at step 230, the remote controller is directed to the main VCR unit. The other steps in Fig. 13 occur so quickly that changes are sent in step 244 while the remote controller is still directed to the main VCR unit.

If the user chooses to delete the program in step 232, the deletion is first performed in the stack memory. If the first 4 items are affected, the microcontroller will send revised information to the main VCR unit. If 4 items are not affected then the remote controller will not resend anything. Deleting will only change the bottom of the stack (less weight items 5 to 20). New information will be sent to the main VCR team in due course.

In the meantime, the main unit of the VCR will execute the timer programming function, executing its pre-programming items one by one. After all 4 write elements are completed, the stack in the remote controller has to send some new elements to complete the main VCR (if the stack has more than 4 elements).

The real time clock 85 in the remote controller is tracked by the microcontroller to determine when the programs in the host unit have been applied. Referring to the flowchart of Fig. 14, the microcontroller periodically checks the clock and times for the programs at the top of the stack at step 250 (say the first 4 items) that are identical to the main menu of the VCR unit. If, on one of the periodic checks, it is determined that the main menu entry of the unit is complete, then if there are more items in the stack which is tested in step 252, the display unit will either be put into flickering mode or display a flashing message in step 258 to alert the user. to send more programs. The next time the user takes the remote unit, the blinking will remind him that the VCR unit main program menu is complete and it is time to fill the main VCR unit with program items stored in the remote controller. The user simply picks up the remote control and points it towards the main VCR unit and presses ENTER. This will be taken from the top of the stack in step 260, i.e. all items in the stack will move up four positions. The microcontroller will then send the new top of the stack (ie, the top 4 elements) to the main VCR unit in step 262. This process will repeat until the entire stack is empty.

Another preferred embodiment of a device for using compressed codes for pre-programming is instant programmer 300 of Figure 15. Instant programmer 300 includes numeric keys 302 numbered from 0 to 9.

172 141 CANCEL key (cancel) 304, REVIEW key (browse) 306, WEEK key (weekly) 308, ONE key (once) 310 and DAY key (M-F) (daily) 312, which are used to program the instant timer

............. _ - ... ".... .. o 1 TArr» y> i rirly, t »ta phion <4 m + <» r ~ zrt μ. » with λ. _ ./uo. axiaiv_z .pŁiwkAr pijJujiu uvuuumxv | / ^ vu punjjwj biunj Lm-doiaina piU ^ KtHMLUld instant 300. When the lid 314 is raised, the following keys appear: SAVE key (save) 316, ENTER key (enter) 318, CLOCK key (clock) 320, CH 322 key. ADD TIME key 324, VCR key 326, CABLE key 328, and TEST 330 key. Other features of instant programmer 300 shown in Fig. 15 are: liquid crystal display 350 and red warning light emitting diode 332. The front view (FIG. 16) of the instant programmer 300 shows the front of the IR diode 340 mounted on the front side 338. By placing the instant programmer 300 in front of the programmable device such as a cassette recorder 370, cable splitter 372 and television 374 as shown in Fig. 19, the front infrared (IR) diode 340 can send signals to control program writing. An infrared transparent cover 336 covers the additional infrared LEDs described below.

Figure 18 shows a detail of the liquid crystal display 350. Certain text 354 is visible at different times on the display which includes the entry position area 356. Time bars 352 are displayed on the bottom of the display and their operation is described below.

The associated component of the instant programmer 300 is a mounting rack 360 shown in FIG. 17 that is designed to hold the instant programmer 300 between the left raised side 362 and the right raised side 364. The instant programmer 300 is inserted between the left raised side 362 and the right raised side 364. until it rests against the front positioning flange 365, which is on the front of the mounting stand 360, is connected across the left raised side 362 and the right raised side 364 as shown in FIG. 17A. Elements 362, 364 and 365 together provide a positioning for the instant programmer 300 such that the transparent cover IR 336 and the IR LEDs 342, 344, 346, and 348 shown in FIG. 17 are aligned for transmission purposes when using the instant programmer as shown in FIG. 20 The assembly station 360 has a positioning collar 366 for positioning the trailing edge of the assembly stand 360, which is defined as the edge along which the positioning collar 366 is disposed, along the face of a cable splitter or VCR, or the like, as shown in FIG. 20, the mounting rack 360 positions the instant programmer 300 such that the left IR 342, bottom IR 344, two rear IR LEDs 346, and right IR 348 LEDs are shown in FIG. 17 are in a position to output signals to the cassette recorder 370 and cable splitter 372 as needed. If the functions of the VCR and / or cable splitter are located within the television 374 itself, then the instant programmer 300 may be positioned to transmit to television 374 either according to the method of Fig. 19 or by placing a mounting stand in the manner of Fig. 20.

By using the mounting stand 360, the user only needs to align the mounting stand 360 and instant programmer 360 with respect to the hardware being programmed at one time, and need not remember to keep the instant programmer 300 in the correct position for transmitting through the front infrared (IR) diode 340 as shown in Fig. 19. Current experience with various remote controllers has shown that it is difficult to hold the remote controller in a fixed position, for example on a coffee table. The mounting stand 360 solves this problem by aligning the instant programmer 300 with the equipment being controlled. The left IR LED 342, the bottom IR LED 344, the two rear IR LEDs 346, and the right IR LED 348 are positioned to transmit in the left, down, back and right directions. For the transmitter downstream, it is assumed that the mounting rack 360 will be placed on top of the programming unit. Nada172 141 in the left and right direction allows you to program the assembly to the left or right. The reverse emitting infrared diodes 346 are arranged so that the signals can reflect off the walls and other objects in the room. Front IR LED 340. Left IR LED 342. nrawa. diode

J and J> / i

T Ui Ί i rł / - \ 1 V * <»xr ~ \ ζχ ΤΌ“ * 1 A Λ γλπρι nrłnm Vn + inn O ΤΛτϊπλ 4- »rl -» - »r» z-4x / - »κ4χ r T LJ r> rło-ίη tJA JTU 1 UUliia U1UUC1 il \ -J “T“ T pvj0iu.via.jcj XVCjt V / 1111OJ1. urvtv νγΐΐΐν V11VJV1 ^ 1_LV pVJ01UViajcj WJ.ę.Ł.aZxj energy emitted in this direction and have an emission angle of 5 ° which focuses energy and gives greater reflection of infrared energy from walls or objects in the room.

Most VCRs and cable splitters can be controlled by an infrared remote control, however different VCRs and cable splitters have different infrared codes. While there are literally hundreds of different VCR models and cable splitters, luckily there are only dozen of infrared code sets. Each set can have several dozen words that represent the different keys required, e.g. power, write, channel up, channel down, stop, 0, 1, 2 etc. For the purpose of controlling the VCR and cable splitter, only the following words are required when writing: 0 , 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, power, save, stop. The infrared codes for these words for all sets are stored in the timer of the timer, the user interactively enters the type and model of his VCR and cable splitter into timer 300. Correct setting of the infrared codes will be taken from the memory during the actual control process. In the event that the user has a VCR and a cable splitter, the infrared codes power, write, stop will be called from the set corresponding to the VCR, while the infrared codes 0 to 9 will be called from the set corresponding to the cable splitter. In this case, the reason is that the splitter controls the channel switching. Therefore, the switch signals of channels 0 to 9 must be sent to the cable splitter instead of the VCR.

Initially, the user carries out the setup sequence. First, the user finds the number corresponding to the model / brand of the programmed VCR in a table that lists the brands and two-digit code. Then, with the VCR tuned to channel 3 or channel 4, whichever is normally used. The user turns the VCR off (off). The user then presses the VCR 326 key. When the display shows VCR, the user presses the two / digit code found in the model table, '' brand VCR (e.g. 01 for RCA). The user sets the instant programmer 300 to the VCR and then presses the ENTER key 318. The luminescent diode 332 cutting out the red warning light will flash while sending a test signal to the VCR. If the VCR is up and changed to channel 09, the user presses the SAVE 316 key and creates a timing step for the setting. If the VCR has not switched to on or has switched to on but has not changed to channel 09, the user presses the ENTER key 318 again and waits for the red warning light 332 to stop flashing. Instant programmer 300 transmits the next possible VCR code while red luminescent alert LED 332 flashes. If the VCR switches to the on state and changes to channel 09, the user presses the key ^ AyE ¹ (ζ3Ρ3π ^ 13)) 316, otherwise the user presses the ENTER key again 318 until it is determined that the VCR code is working for VCR. The display shows END if all possible VCR codes for the brand have been tried. If so, the user presses the VCR key 236 with the code 00 and then the ENTER key 318 to try out all possible codes, for all brands, one at a time.

When the correct VCR code is found and stored, the next step for setting the (invalid) is to set the clock on the instant timer 300. First, the user presses CLOCK 320. When the display shows YR :, then the user presses the year (for example 90) then presses the ENTER 318. The display then shows MO :, and the user presses the month (e.g. 07 for July), and then presses the ENTER 318 key. This is repeated for DA: date (e.g. 01 for 1st), Hr: hours (e.g. 02 for 2 hours), Mn: minutes (e.g. 05 for 5 minutes) and AM / pM: 1 for AM or 2 for PM. After this sequence, the display will show SAVE for a few seconds and then go ^^ and ^ tCD will show the current time and date,

172 141 which were introduced. The user no longer needs to set the clock on his VCR.

Then, if the instant programmer 300 is also to be used as a cable splitter controller, then the presetting is as follows. First, the number corresponding to the model / brand of the controllable cable splitter (converter) is found in the cable splitter brand table which lists the converter brands and the corresponding two-digit codes. The VCR is tuned to channel 03 or 04 and turned off. The cable splitter is then tuned to channel 02 or 03 whichever is normal and left on. The CABLE 328 key is then pressed. When the display shows CA B-:, the user enters the two-digit code entered in the brand table / models of cable box splitters, directs the instant programmer 300 to the cable splitter (converter) and presses the ENTER key 318. The red luminescence warning light 332 will flash while sending a test signal to the cable splitter. If the cable splitter is changed to channel 09, then the user presses the SAVE key 316, however, if the cable splitter has not changed to channel 09, the user presses the ENTER key 318 again and waits until the warning red luminescent LED 332 stops flashing while when the next possible code is sent. This is repeated until the cable splitter changes to channel 09 and when this happens the user presses the SAVE 316 key. If the display shows ENd, the user has tried all possible cable splitter codes. If so, the user presses the cable code 00 and then the ENTER key 318 to try out all possible brand codes one at a time.

For some people (possibly cable or satellite TV), the channels listed in their press program or calendar are different from the channels on their TV or cable network. If they are different, the user proceeds as follows: First, the user presses the CH 322 key. The display is as follows Program CH TV CH. The user then presses a channel printed in a press show or calendar, e.g. presses 02 for channel 20, and then the user presses the number of the channel on which the printed channel is received by his local cable television. The user then presses ENTER 318. This is repeated for each channel listing that is on a different channel than the printed channel. Upon completion of this procedure, the user presses the SAVE 316 key.

Typically a television program or calendar in the region will have a card indicating the channel number that has been assigned for each cable and broadcast channel, e.g., HBO, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. This card corresponds to e.g. the two left columns of Fig. 28. For example, suppose a TV program or calendar assigned a TV channel to HBO, but the user's cable company supplies HBO on channel 18. Since the channel numbers are different, the user must use the CH 322 key. The user will press the CH key (two blank spaces). under the displayed Guide CH will flash). The user then presses 14 (now the two blank spaces below the displayed text TV CH will flash). The user then presses 18 and the ENTER key 318. This is repeated for each channel, which is different. When finished, the user presses the SAVE 316 key.

After the channel setting has been stored, the user can review the settings by pressing the CH 22 key and the REVIEW 306 key. By repeating the REVIEW 306 key, all set channels will scroll one at a time on the screen.

Then the user may perform a test to ensure that the position of the instant programmer 300 is correct. First, the user makes sure that the VCR is in the off position but with the plug inserted, and that the cable splitter (if any) is in the ON state. The user can then press the TEST 330 key. If there is only a VCR, when the VCR is on, set to channel 09 and recording started and then off, then the VCR controller is set in the right place.

If there is also a cable splitter, then if the VCR is on, the cable splitter is switched to channel 09 and the VCR starts recording, and then the VCR is stopped and off, then the instant programmer 300 is positioned in a good position.

To use the instant programmer 300, the VCR should be left off and the cable splitter on. The user finds in the press program the compressed code for the program he is going to record. Compressed code 212 is listed in a press program as shown in Fig. 8. The program / television calendar to be used with this embodiment has the same items as shown in Fig. 8 except that item 188 of Fig. 8 is not required. The compressed code 212 for the user-selected program is entered into the instant programmer 300 using the numeric keys 302, and the user then selects the program save frequency. User presses the ONCe key (once) 310 to save the program once at the scheduled time, or the user presses the WEEKLY key (weekly) to save the program every week at the same scheduled time until canceled by the user, or the user presses the DZTEN (MF) key (daily ) 312 to save the program every day from Monday to Friday at the same scheduled time until canceled. This is most useful for daily soap opera programs, but not over the weekend. To confirm the position, instant programmer 300 will immediately decode the compressed code and display the date, channel-and start time of the user-entered program. The length of the program entered is also displayed by the time bars 352 which are at the bottom of the display. Each bar represents the time (or less) of the program.

Then the user only needs to leave the instant programmer 300 near the VCR and the cable splitter such that commands can be transmitted in good time, the instant programmer will switch on to the VCR, change the correct channel and record a program, and then turn the VCR off. The user must put the blank tape in its place.

The REVTEW 306 key allows the user to view the entered programs. They are displayed in chronological order based on date and time. Each time the REVIEW 306 key is pressed, the next program is displayed until 'END' is displayed when all entered programs have been displayed. If the REVIEW 306 key is pressed again, the display will revert to the current date and time.

If the user wishes to cancel the program, he then presses the REVIEW 306 key until the program to be canceled is displayed, then the user presses the CANCEL key 304. The display shows CANCELED. Also, each time the user presses a wrong number, pressing the CANCEL key 304 will allow the user to restart.

Certain TV programs, such as live sports, may run beyond the scheduled time period. To ensure that the entire program is recorded, the user may press the ADD TIME key 324 to increase the length of the recording, even during program recording. The user presses the REVIEW 306 key to display the program, then presses the ADD TIME 324 key. Each time the ADD TIME 324 key is pressed, 15 minutes are added to the recording length.

While the current time and date are displayed, the amount of blank tape needed for the next 24 hours is also displayed by the 352 time bars that appear at the bottom of the display. Each strip represents one hour or less of the tape. The user should check this before leaving the VCR unattended to ensure that there is sufficient clean tape.

Whenever a program code is entered, the instant programmer 300 automatically checks all items to ensure that the program positions do not coincide in time. If the user tries to enter a program that overlaps

172 141 in time with the program entered previously, then a CLASH (conflict) message appears. Then, as summarized by step 432 of Fig. 23, the user has the following options: 1) if the user wishes to leave the previously entered program and forget the new one, he does nothing and after a short delay the display shows the current time and date again; 2) if the user wishes to save a program that started earlier at the end of it and then save the rest of the second program, then the user presses the OnCe key 310, DAY (MF) 312 again, or the WEEK key 308 (the one pressed by the user to enter the code) . If the programs have the same start time, then the program entered last will be stored first. If, upon notification of CLASH (conflict), the user decides that the new program is more important than the previously entered program, then the user may cancel the previously entered program and then enter the new one.

In some places, such as parts of Colorado, the cable system broadcasts certain channels three hours later / earlier than the times listed on the local TV program. This is due to the time differences depending on whether the channel is received in the east or west of the satellite link. For a user saving a program 3 hours later than the time listed in the TV program, the procedure is as follows: First the user enters the code for the program and then presses the SAVE 316 key (for +) and then presses the ONCE 310 key. DAY (MF) 312 or WEEK key 308 as required. For a user saving a program 3 hours earlier than the time listed in the TV program, the procedure is as follows: First, the user enters the code for the program and then presses the ENtEr 318 key (for -) and then presses the OnCe 310 key. DAY (MF) 312 or the WEEK key 308 as required. Instant timer 300 will display the time for which the program will be recorded, not the time shown in the television program.

Certain display messages exist to make the instant programmer 300 more user-friendly. The LO BATT display indicates that the batteries need replacing. Err: ENTRY indicates incorrect input during initial setup. Err: CODE indicates that the program code number entered is not a valid number. If it is displayed, the user should check the press program and re-enter the number. Err DATE indicates that the user may have tried to select daily (Monday to Friday) for the Saturday or Sunday program, try to select weekly or daily recording for the program more than 7 days in advance, because the instant timer 300 allows the weekly or daily option to be used for the program. programs of the current week (+ -7 days), or try entering a program that has already ended. FULL indicates that the memory of the stack of programs to be recorded, implemented in RAM in instant programmer 300, has been full. The user may then cancel one or more programs before introducing new programs. EMPTY (empty) indicates that no programs to save have been entered. The number of programs that can be written to the programmer 300 varies with the density of the available RAM and can vary from 10 to more.

Figure 21 is a schematic representation of the circuitry required to implement an instant programmer 300. The circuit consists of a microcomputer 380, a generator 382, a liquid crystal display 384, a keyboard 386, a five-channel IR emitters 390, and a red LED warning light 332. The microcomputer 380 consists of a CPU, ROM RAM. I / O ports, timers, counters and clock. The ROM is used for storing programs and the RAM is used, inter alia, as a stack of recorded programs. The liquid crystal display 384 is the display 350 of FIGS. 15 and FIG. 18. Keyboard 386 implements all of the previously discussed keys. The five-channel 390 IR emitters include a front IR 340 LED, a left IR 342 LED, a lower IR 344 LED, two rear LEDs

172 141

IR 346 and right IR LED 348. Figure 22 shows a detailed schematic diagram of an instantaneous programmer 300 circuit and the elements previously identified with the same reference numerals. The microcomputer can be realized by / zPD7530x which can be coupled directly to the display keyboard, luminenscencvinvmi diodes and eenerator. 25 step IR LEDs can be realized using NEC 313AC component and 5 step IR LEDs can be realized using Litton 2871C IR LEDs.

Flowcharts for a program that are stored in the permanent memory (ROM) of the microcomputer 380 that executes program steps, performs program review, and performs recording are shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and FIG. 25, respectively. Figure 23 for the program step that was described above consists of the following steps: step 402 of displaying the current date, time and time bars, which is the idle state of instant programmer 300, step 404 of searching the keyboard to determine if a numeric compressed decimal code has been entered, step 406 of displaying the code after it has been entered, step 408 of the user checking that the correct code has been entered, and step 428 of the user pressing the key 304 CANCEL, step 410 of the user speeding up or delaying the start time by three hours by pressing the SAVE key 316 or the ENTER key 318. step 412 of user pressing ONCE key 310, key WEEKN 308 or key DAY 312, step 414 of microcomputer decoding compressed code on CDTL, step 416 of testing for a conflict with stored programs, if so, step 420 of displaying CLASH message, step 422 of pressing by user the key a ONCE 310, WEEK key 308 or DAY 312, then step 432 of reconciling the conflicting items as described above in discussing the CLASH options, and step 424 of remembering the position, step 418 setting the display to date, channel, start time and duration (time bars) for ONCE or DA, channel, start time and duration for DAY or day of the week, channel, start time and duration for WEEKN, step 324 user presses ADD TIME key that adds 15 to the recording time (step 426), step 430 user checking the display, step 434 of putting the program onto the stack in chronological order, the stack being part of the RAM and microcontroller, and step 436 of calculating the length of the tape required and updating the time bars.

The flowchart of Fig. 24 browse and cancel, which processes have been described above, consists of the following steps: step 402 of displaying current date, time and time bars 402, step 442 of checking for REVIEW 306, step 444 of checking if the stack is broken , step 446 for displaying EMPTY, and step 448 for displaying current date and time, step 450 for displaying top position of stack, step 452 for user pressing ADD TIME key 324 and step 460 for updating time bars, step 454 for pressing REVIEW 306, and step 462 scroll the stack one position up, step 456 of the user pressing the CANCEL key 304 and step 464 of displaying CANCELED and canceling the program, step 458 of doing nothing by the user and step 466 of waiting 30 sec, while the 30 second waiting time may be performed by the controllers time in a microcomputer.

The flowchart of Fig. 25 for performing a recording which is an automatic program write process and which has been described above consists of the following steps: step 472 compare the program start time with the top of the stack against the current time, step 474 for checking if there are three minutes. before the program start time, step 476 of the start of the flashing of the red warning LED 332 for 30 sec, the step of displaying the channel message, the start time and the text START flashing, step 480 of checking if the correct time has passed, and step 482 of sending the power-up signal to VCR and displaying REC message; step 484 of checking that the cable box is giving input to the VCR, step 486 of sending channel switching signals to the VCR and step 488 of sending channel switching signals to the cable splitter, step 490 of sending write signals to the VCR, step 492 of comparing the write time with the current time, step 494 checking if the stop time has been reached, and step 496 display the END message,

172 141 step 498 of sending stop signals to the VCR, step 500 of sending off, power off signals to the VCR, and step 502 of placing the program on top of the stack.

Figure 26 is a flowchart of a Channel, Date, Time, and Length (CDTL) Coding Method to Compressed Decimal Code 510. This process is performed off-line and may be implemented on a general purpose computer and is performed to obtain compressed codes 212 that are included in the press program or calendar of Fig. 8. The first step of the coding method is a channel, date, time and length (CDTL) input step 512 in which specific channel, date, start time and CDTL length data 514 of the program are entered. The next step is step 516 of finding an assigned channel number which substitutes the assigned channel number 522 for each channel 518. Often, e.g., for broadcast channels like channel 2, the assigned channel number is the same, however, for a cable channel like HBO. a channel number is assigned and found in the cable assignment table 520, which is essentially the same as the first two columns of the table in Fig. 28. Next, step 524 of checking channel priority, date and time / length in the priority vector tables performs finding in C table 526 channel priority vector, date priority vector table D 528 and time / length priority vector table TL 530 using the channel, date and time / length pointers respectively to produce the vector Cp, Dp, TLp 532. Use of the combined time / length priority vector table TL to prioritize recognizes that there is a direct link between these combinations and the popularity of the program amu. For example, at 6:30 p.m. a short program is more likely than that

2 hours as it may be dinner time.

The channel priority table is arranged so that the most frequently used channels have a low priority. An example of the data in the channel priority vector C table 526 is given below:

channel 4 7 2 3 5 6 11 13 ... priority 012345 6 7 ...

In general, all dates of the month have equal priority and equal use, so that the low number of days in the month and the low priority values will correspond in table D 528 of the date priority vectors as in the following example:

date 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... priority 01235567 ...

A priority for start time and program length can be placed in a matrix that will assign priority to each combination of start times and program lengths such that the most common combinations of start times and priority will have a low priority value and the least common combinations of start times and priority will have a high priority. priority value. For example, the time / length partial priority vector table TL 530 might look like this:

TL priority table Time 6:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm Debt (hour) .5 8 4 7 10 1.0 12 15 13 18 1.5 twenty 19 17 thirty

Suppose the channel, date, time and length (CDTL) 514 data is as follows: channel 5, February 10, 1990, 7:00 p.m. and 1.5 hr length, so the data Cp, Dp, TLp 352 for the example above is 4 9 19 The next step is step 534 to convert Cp, Dp, TLp to binary numbers and string them into binary numbers resulting in the data word .. .TL2TL1 ... C2C1 ... D2D1 536. For the example given above, replace the word .. TL2TL1 ... C2C1 ... D2D1 for a binary would give three binary numbers: ... 00010011, ... 01000, ... 01001. The number of binary bits used in each conversion is determined by the number of combinations involved. This may vary depending on the implementation, however one preferred embodiment will use eight bits per Cp denoted as Cs C7 Có C5 C4 C3 by 256 channels, five bits for Dp which may be denoted m 141

D5 D4 D3 D2 D1, which would give 31 days of the month and fourteen bits for TLp marked as TL14 ... TL3 TL2 TL1, which give start times every five minutes per day and program lengths in 5-minute increments for programs up to 3 hours and gram length in increments of up to 15 minutes for programs from 3 to 8 hours

ΆΙ7, .......

It requires a pro of about 288 * (36 + 20) = 16128 combinations, which are given by 2 ** 14 = 16384 binary combinations. Total is 8 + 5 + 14 = 27 bits of information

TL14 ... TL2TL1C8 ... C2C1D5 ... D2D1. For the example above, padding each number with zeros and then chaining it together would yield a 27-bit number: 000000000100110000010001001.

The next step is to use the bit hierarchy key 540, which may be stored in non-volatile memory 64 to perform a binary bit reordering according to step 538 of the bit hierarchy key. As described previously, the bit hierarchy key 540 may be any order of 536 bits ... TL2TL1 ... C2C1 ... D2D1 and in general will be chosen such that programs most likely to be pre-programmed with the timer will have a low compressed code value 212 that will minimize the number of key presses. The order of the key of the bit hierarchy may be determined by the differential probabilities of the different bit combinations as determined previously. The details of obtaining the bit hierarchy key 540 have been described in connection with the bit hierarchy key 120, and the same method may be applied to the bit hierarchy key 540. For example, the bit hierarchy key could be as follows:

TL C3 ... n.L0 C2 TL, Cl L, D _s D ₄ Ul D2 Di

26 ... 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The next step is step 542 of combining the bit groups and converting each group to decimal numbers and stringing them into one decimal number. For example, after reordering according to a bit hierarchy, the code may be 000000001010010000010001001, it may be grouped as 00000000001000000.0010000001. If these bit groups are converted to decimal numbers as 328, 137 and chained into one decimal number, then the resulting decimal number is 328137. The final encoding step is the decimal permutation step 546 which permutes the decimal according to the permutation function 544 which is dependent from the date 548, especially the month and year, and gives the codes some security. After the step 546 of permuting a decimal number, the compressed decimal code G8 ... G2G1 550 may e.g. be 238731. These encoding codes are then included in the press program as the compress code indicator 212 of Fig. 8.

Figure 27 is a flowchart of a method for decoding compressed decimal code per channel, date, time and length 560 which is step 414 of Fig. 23. When decimal compressed code G8 ... G2G1 is input in step 562, it is necessary to invert the step permutation function 544 and 546 of Fig. 26. The first step is step 566 of extracting the day code which extracts the day code for the program in compressed decimal code and feeds the day code to step 568 which also receives the current day 574 from clock 576 which is executed by the microcomputer 380 in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22. Clock 576 also sends the current month and year to the permutation function 570, which depends on the month and year. Then step 568 performs this function: if the day code is the same or greater than the current day obtained from the clock, then use the month / year permutation function on the clock, otherwise use the permutation function for the next month after the month given by the clock and use the next year if the clock is in December. In other words, since it is possible to program the pre-save for a month or 31 days in advance, if the day for the program is equal to or greater than the current day of the month, then it refers to the day of the current month, otherwise, if the day for the program is less than on the current day of the month, it must refer to the program of the following month. Step 566 of extracting the day code which must be performed before the inverse permutation of the compressed decimal code in step 580 is done with prior knowledge like step 546

A decimal permutation of Fig. 26 is performed with respect to the day code information.

The selected permutation method 578 is applied to the compressed decimal code inverse permutation step 580. For the example given above, the output of step 580 is 328137. The next step is step 584 to convert the groups of decimal numbers into binary groups and combine the binary groups into one binary number 584, which is the inverse of step 542 of Fig. 26 and will yield the code for the above example. binary 000000001010010000010001001. Then, bit hierarchy key 588 is used in step 586 to reorder binary bits according to bit hierarchy key, which is inverse to step 538 of Fig. 26, yielding 000000000100110000010001001 for the example above which is ... TL2TL1 ... C2C1 ... D2D1 582 corresponding to 536 of Fig. 26. The next step is bit grouping step 590 to form three binary numbers TLb, Cb, Db and convert to decimal numbers to give Cp, Dp, TLp 592, which for the above example it is 4, 9.19 and representing priority vectors for channel, day and time / length, which in turn are used to check the channel, day , time and length 604 in channel priority vector table C 598, date priority vector table D 600, and time / length priority vector table TL 602, respectively.

In a local channel number finding step 606, a local channel check 612 of the given assigned channel number 608 is performed, in the reference table assigned / local 610, which is preset by the user via key CH 322 as explained above. For example, an Assigned / Local Channel Reference Table 610 forms the right two columns of the Assigned / Local Channel Reference Table 620 of Fig. 28. A correspondence between assigned channel numbers, such as 624 and 628, and local channel numbers such as 626 and 630, is determined in user preset phase. For example, Fig. 28 shows the exact correspondence between assigned channel number 5 and local channel number 5. The last step is to join month and year to day to form the date forming step 614. The correct month and year are obtained from step 568 and are again dependent thereon. whether the day code is equal to or greater than the day obtained from the clock or less than the day obtained from the clock. If the day code is equal to or greater than the day obtained from the clock, the month and year as shown on the clock are used, otherwise the next month and the following year are used if the clock month is December. The result is channel, date, time, and length (CDTL) 618, which for the example above is Feb 5, 1990, 7:00 pm by 1.5 hour length.

Another preferred embodiment is to incorporate the decoder into a television with a G-code decoder 950 as shown in Fig. 29, which is a block diagram of a system including a television with a G-code decoder. The user will use the television's remote controller 956 on the television to input a code that is indicates the program to be recorded. The same remote controls and controls located on the television will be used to perform normal television control functions such as channel selection. After entering the G-code, the remote control will send the G-code to the TV with G-code 950 through the IR emitter 958. The IR receiver 960 on the TV 950 will receive this transmission and send the code to the G-code decoder 954, which will decode the code on CDTL and apply this information together with a clock which will also be built into the television set 950 to send the correct commands to the VCR 964 and cable splitter 966 at the right time so that the selected program is recorded at the right time. Broadcasting from the 950 TV set will be via the 962 IR emitters, which can be placed at the most important points of the TV case, such as corners. The transmission is then received by the VCR 964 by the IR emitter 968 and the cable splitter 966 by the IR receiver 969.

Figure 30 is a diagram of a television with a G-code decoder. A television with a G-code decoder 950 receives signals from a remote controller 956 through an infrared receiver 960 which sends signals either to command controller 974 or directly to a G-code decoder 954. A command controller 974 may be present on the television to control other items on the television including on-screen functions such as displaying a channel number when changing, VnHn Deknder channel;

· * J X J - 17 - J ------------------— ν / νν.

O / 1 <4o ra tin hand! <«-» · »» · <i (~~ 5 «n + 4o + r, - <-»> - »-» n - «- C \ ^ Z __ _____t_____1 _ i. _ i___1 _ _ i

JU-T vłv / rkVUŁLijv, w ^ biciuj auu vj i 3tkjoujćj.v νιαίΛ ^ i νζ, α »z. Z, tgcUcl / U wy & yid. Wlćt ^ ClWC KUUlCIIGy to the VCR 964 and 966 cable splitter via the 962 IR emitters. G-codes and other commands can also be sent to the command controller via the 975 hand controls. After the G-code has been decoded, the G-code and decoded CDTL information can be displayed on the screen as is shown on the on-screen display 978 of the television screen / monitor 952. The on-screen display is not necessary and the format is selectable.

Figure 31 is a schematic representation of a G-code decoder device in a G-code decoding television set. The circuit is very similar to that described in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, but connected to the IR receiver 960 and command controller 974 and not to LCD 384 and keyboard 386. The key components are the 980 microcontroller and 982 generator. The 974 command driver interface is the preferred embodiment, another embodiment may have direct interfaces between the 975 hand control, the 960 infrared receiver, the 952 TV screen monitor, and the 954 G-code decoder without going through the 974 intermediate command driver. The system of the television set is capable of memorizing or learning infrared code protocols for the VCR and the cable splitter. A warning light 984 is mounted on the TV case to alert that recording is about to begin so that the user can prepare the VCR and the recording tape.

In the case of a screen display on a TV screen / monitor 952, the operation of the television with the G code decoder 950 may be substantially identical to that reproduced in Figures 23, 24 and 25 for program entry, review and cancellation, and execution, respectively. pre-programming the recording with compressed codes. Everything displayed on the LCD 384 will now be displayed on the 952 TV monitor. The only difference will be that only step 402 (displaying the current time, time and time bars) will be executed on the screen when the user sets the remote 956 TV controller to type job for entering and transmitting a G-code, program review or canceling. The method of encoding the program channel, date, time and length information in compressed decimal codes of Fig. 26, the method of decoding compressed decimal codes into program channel, date, time and length information of Fig. 27, and the method of assigning channel numbers to channel numbers the local ones according to Fig. 28 remain the same.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is to integrate the decoding circuit into various television-related devices, such as a cassette recorder, cable splitter or satellite receiver. In any system, the decoding circuit needs to be present in only one of these devices, e.g. a cable splitter, which allows the appropriate commands to be properly distributed in time to other devices such as the VCR and the satellite receiver in order to save the required program.

Figure 32 is a block diagram of a system comprising a television with a G code decoder 950, VCR 964, cable splitter 966, and satellite receiver 986. The system operates identically to that shown in Figure 29, except that a satellite receiver is attached that can receive commands via infrared receiver 988 from infrared transmitters mounted on a television set with a G-code 950 decoder. The commands received by the satellite receiver include on / off commands. and channel selection commands. The satellite receiver 986 can feed a television signal to a VCR 964 which stores the program and / or transmits it to a television screen / monitor 952.

Figure 33 is a block diagram of a system including a VCR with a G code decoder 991, a television set 952, a cable splitter 996, and a satellite receiver 986. The user uses the television remote controller 956 or the controls on the VCR 991 to input a code denoting a program to be recorded. When a G-code is entered, the TV remote control sends the G-code to VCR 991 with the G-code decoder 992

172 141 via IR emitter 958. An IR receiver 990 on the VCR 991 receives the transmission and transmits a code to a G-code decoder 992, which decodes this code into a CDTL and uses this information along with the clock, which is also built into the VCR 991, to send the correct commands. to cable splitter 966 and satellite receiver 986 at the right time, so that the selected program will be stored at the right time. Transmission from the VCR 991 is from infrared transmitters 994, which can be located at key points in the VCR. The transmission is then received by the cable box 966 by the IR receiver 969 and the satellite receiver 986 by the IR receiver 988.

Another preferred embodiment of the method and device for transmission between devices is shown in Fig. 36, which is a perspective view showing a cable splitter 372 positioned on top of a VCR 370 having an IR emitter 1008 behind a rear panel 1009 that communicates with the cable splitter's IR receiver 1010 via the cable splitter. through reflections from surrounding reflective surfaces, e.g. walls.

Another preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus for transmission between devices is shown in Figure 37, which is a perspective view showing a cable splitter 372 positioned on top of a VCR 370 having an IR emitter 1014 inside an IR dome 1012 at the top of the VCR that communicates with the splitter's IR receiver. cable 1010 by direct coupling or reflection depending on the positioning of the infrared receiver 1010 relative to the infrared dome 1012.

Another preferred embodiment of a method and apparatus for transmission between devices is shown in Fig. 38, which is a perspective view showing a VCR 370 having an IR emitter 1022 inside a mouse 1020 coupled by a cable 1018 that is powered by a plug 1017 in a socket 1016 on the VCR. The mouse 1020 is disposed adjacent to the infrared receiver of the cable splitter 1010. This embodiment is more useful when the cable splitter is separated from the VCR by housing walls, for example, which would prevent direct and reflected infrared transmission.

Another preferred embodiment of a method and apparatus for transmission between devices is shown in Fig. 39, which is a perspective view showing a VCR 370 having an IR emitter 1062 inside a pin on a miniature mouse 1024 coupled by a cable 1018 that is plugged, via a plug 1017, into a socket 1016. in the VCR. The pin on the miniature mouse 1024 is located on the cable splitter very close to the IR receiver 1010. This embodiment is also very useful when the cable splitter is separated from the VCR by housing walls, for example, to prevent direct and reflected infrared transmission.

The transmission methods and apparatus of Figs. 36, Fig. 37, Fig. 38 and Fig. 39 may also be used in the system of Fig. 32 to transmit information from a television set with a G code decoder to a VCR 964, a cable splitter 966, and a receiver. satellite 986.

Figure 34 is a block diagram of a system comprising a cable splitter with a G code decoder 997, a television set 952, a VCR 964, and a television set 986. The user uses the television remote control 956 or the controls on the cable splitter 997 to input a code denoting a program to be recorded. When a G-code is entered, the TV remote controller sends the G-code to the cable splitter 997 with a G-code decoder 998 through the IR emitter 958. An infrared receiver on the cable splitter 997 receives the transmission and transmits the code to the G-code decoder 998 which decodes the code into CDTL and uses this information together with a clock, which is also built into the cable splitter 997, for sending the correct commands to the VCR 964 and the satellite receiver 986 at the right time so that the selected program will be stored at the right time. The transmission from the cable splitter 997 is from the infrared transmitters 1000, which can be placed at important points in the cable splitter. The transmission is then received by the VCR 964 by the infrared receiver 968 and the satellite receiver 986 by the infrared receiver 988. The transmission methods and apparatus of Figs. 36, 37, and 39 may also be used with the system of Fig. 34 to transmit information. from the cable splitter to the VCR 964 and the satellite receiver npnnOS /.

Figure 35 is a block diagram of a system comprising a satellite receiver 1005 with a G-code decoder 997, a television 952, a VCR 964, and a cable splitter 966. The user uses the TV remote controller 956 or the controls in the satellite receiver 1005 to input a code denoting the program to be recorded. When the G code is entered, the remote control sends the G code to the television 1005 with the G1004 code decoder through the IR emitter 958. The IR receiver 1002 on the satellite receiver 1005 receives the transmission and transmits the code to the G code decoder 1004 which decodes the code into CDTL and uses this information together with a clock, which is also built into the satellite receiver 1005, for sending the correct commands to the VCR 964 and cable splitter 966 at the right time so that the selected program will be stored at the right time. The transmission from the satellite receiver 1005 is from the infrared transmitters 1006, which can Dyc be placed at significant points of the satellite receiver. The transmission is then received by the VCR 964 by the infrared receiver 968 and the cable splitter 966 by the infrared receiver 969. The transmission methods and apparatus of Figs. 36, Fig. 37, Fig. 38, and Fig. 39 may also be used with the system of Fig. 35 to transmit information from the satellite receiver 1005 to the VCR 964 and cable splitter 966.

Another preferred embodiment of an apparatus employing compressed codes for pre-programming a record is the custom programmer 1100 according to Fig. 40 and Fig. 41. The custom programmer 1100 is similar to the instant programmer 300 and has numerical keys 1102, numbered 0-9, a CANCEL key ( cancel) 1104, REVIEW key (view) 1106, WEEK key (weekly) 1108, ONCE key (once) 1110 and DAY key (MF) (daily) 1112, which corresponds directly to the instant programmer 300 keys 302, 312, and which are used to program the programmer on order 1100. As with the instant programmer 300, the lid normally covers the other keys that are used to set the instant programmer on order 1100. When the lid 1114 is raised, the following keys appear, not shown in the figures: key SAVE key, ENTER key, CLOCK key, CH key, ADD TIME key, key with VCR, CABLE key and TEST key. These keys on the CUSTOM programmer 1100 correspond to and function in substantially the same way as the corresponding keys 316-330 of the instant programmer 300. The CUSTOM programmer 1100 shown in FIG. 40 also houses: a liquid crystal display 1134, a red warning luminous diode. 1132 and IR LEDs 1134, which correspond to the liquid crystal display 350, red warning LEDs 332, and IR LEDs 342-348 shown in FIG. 15.

As discussed above when using the instant programmer 300, the consumer performs an initial preset sequence including selecting a protocol for a VCR model / brand, setting the actual current time, selecting a protocol for the model / brand of cable splitter, and entering a series of channel number assignments. While the instant programmer 300 performs storing television programs in an extremely simple manner, the initial timer 300 initial setting sequence is more complicated and limits the use of an instant programmer by some consumers. The custom programmer 1100 includes a microphone opening 1140 through which at least one microphone within the custom programmer 1100 can receive electronically encoded audio signals containing the information necessary to pre-set the custom programmer and commands to store information in the custom programmer 1100.

172 141

In order to receive these acoustic signals, the user may call a special telephone number which may be a toll-free 800 number, a 900 per minute number or a standard telephone number with standard charges. A consumer may speak to an operator who obtains orally from the consumer information regarding the consumer's VCR model and brand, zip code, cable splitter model and brand, and a magazine or other publication that the consumer uses to obtain compressed codes. All this information is necessary to make an initial preset for the custom programmer 1100. From the postcode information, the operator can determine which cable system the consumer is connected to and can combine this data with the knowledge of what publication the consumer is using to select. the appropriate local channel mapping table for the user.

The operator then instructs the consumer to press the indicated programming key, in the preferred embodiment, the CH key located under cover 1114. When the CH key is pressed, display 1134 will show rl IGNe! KEY / 1. Pressing numeric key 2 sets the programmer to the local channel table manual programming mode which is performed by programmer 300 with the CH 322 key pressed. Pressing numeric key 1 initiates remote programming mode. The custom programmer 1100 is then ready to receive the audio signal and display the message WAIT on the display 1134.

The operator then instructs the consumer to place the receiver 1142 of the telephone receiver 1144 over the microphone opening 1140 of the custom programmer 1100 as shown generally in Figure 42. The handset must be positioned directly opposite the custom programmer 1100, but may be held more than an inch from the microphone port. with overall satisfactory results. After a pause sufficient for the user to place the telephone receiver in its proper position, the operator initiates the loading of the initial preset data and initial preset programming commands transmitted over the telephone line 1146 applying acoustic signals to the programmer 'upon the consumer's request 1100.

If the initial preset data is sent to the programmer on order 1100, the display 1134 on the programmer on order 1100 will show the message DONE (done). If reception of the start-up data is not successful within a predetermined time interval, red warning light 1132 will flash to instruct the consumer to adjust the position of the telephone handset before attempting to otherwise download the information. After a waiting period for correction, the initial setup data and commands are transmitted over the telephone line again. If, after a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts to load the preset information, the liquid crystal display 1134 displays FAIL, the operator reconnects with the consumer so that he can speak to the consumer and assist him in putting the handset in place.

Alternatively, a live operator may be hired over the local cable television and initial setup information may be downloaded to the custom programmer 1100 over the telephone line, over an existing cable system cable, or any other transmission system via electrical connector 1136. If local cable television employs live operators, the only one the information they would need to get from the user is the brand and model of the VCR and the publication containing the compressed codes that the user intends to use, as the local cable TV network knows the models and brands of cable distributors installed at the consumer and the necessary data for local cable and cable system markings.

Figures 43 and 44 are schematic diagrams of the circuit required to implement alternative implementations of the custom programmer 1100. The circuit comprises a microcomputer 1150, a generator 1152, a liquid crystal display 1154, a keyboard 1156, a five-channel 172141 IR transmitters 1158, and a red warning LED 1160. These components correspond to directly to microcomputer 380, generator 382, liquid crystal display 384, keypad 386, five-channel IR transmitters 388 and red warning luminescent diode 332 in instant programmer jjjjj ~ · "J * * * * J * - *" *

300 and work the same way. Referring to Figures 43 and 44, handset 1142 produces serial audio signals picked up by microphone 1162.

As shown in Fig. 43, the audio signals received by microphone 1162 are routed through an amplifier 1164 and fed through the DTMF decoder circuitry to the serial port of microcomputer 1150. In the alternate circuit shown in Fig. 44, the audio signals received by microphone 1162 are routed through the amplifier. 1166, through a highpass filter 1168 with a cutoff at about 1-5 kHz, and through a second amplifier 1170 to the serial port of microcomputer 1i50.

Alternatively, a remote telephone system (not shown) may be used to increase reliability, especially when the custom programmer 1100 is to be programmed in an environment with a high level of background noise which may interfere with the transmissions of Homzcb nr7h7 npnctA nribrnMn / pwp hrm c ^ ctArniA ιρΗρπ uj ^ xy ^> xx »-» »» V yAkUu »j» »iii J the microphone is placed near the telephone receiver and the other one is placed at a distance from the receiver to catch background noise. The audio signal cancellation circuitry is then applied to subtract background noise captured by the second microphone from the audio data signals combined with background noise that is captured from the first microphone resulting in pure audio data signals.

Another perforated embodiment includes a separate preset programmer 1200, as shown in FIG. 45. The preset programmer 1200 performs the same basic functions as programming with the telephone effect signal of the custom programmer 1100, namely allowing the instant programmer 300 or the custom programmer to be completely set. 1100 with minimum effort on the part of the consumer. Normally, the preset timers 1200 will be led by the vendors of the instant timer 300 or the custom timer 1100. The preset timer may be programmed with local channel tables for cable systems and press TV broadcasts publishing G-codes in the vicinity of the dealer. When a customer purchases an instant programmer 300 or a custom programmer 1i00, the vendor may inquire where the buyer lives and what press television program he is using and use the preset timer 1200 to download the appropriate local channel table for the customer. Then, the start timer 1200 can also set the clock, the VCR make and model and the brand and model of the cable splitter for the customer instant programmer 300 and the custom programmer 1100.

The initial programmer 1200 includes a keypad 1202, display 1204, housing 1206, and cover 1208, with hinges 1209 on top to allow the cover to be opened to reveal a recess 1210 in which instant programmer 300 resides and the programmer has an order 1100 and two electrical contact terminals. 1212, shown in Fig. 46. A reset programmer 1200 includes a modular audio jack 1230 and a serial port 1232 as shown in Fig. 47 for transmitting data to and from computers, either directly or over a telephone line.

Figure 48 shows two openings 1213 accessing the bottom of the instant programmer 300 that access two contact points for a circuit board (not shown) within the instant programmer 300. Figure 49 shows an initial preset programmer 1200 with an instant programmer fitted to recess 1210. which has two contact pins 1212 extending upward through holes 1213 in the bottom of the instant programmer 300. Figure 50 shows an initial preset timer 1200 with a custom programmer 1100 mating with a recess 1210, with two contact pins 1212 extending upward through holes 1136 in the bottom of the timer instant 300.

1725141

Figure 51 is a diagram showing the circuitry contained in a seed timer 1200. The seed timer includes a microcontroller (NEC «PD7530x) 1214, a liquid crystal display 1216, a keyboard 1218, a static RAMf 1220, a computer port 12 ^^, and programming terminals 1224. channels can be transferred from the computer to the programmer 1200 and stored in static RAM 1220.

Figure 52 is a schematic representation of a data link between personal computer 1226 and a seed programmer 1200. Local channel table data is output from the personal computer 1226 via an RS-232 serial port with the +12 and -12V signals. The +12 - -12 V signals are transformed to 0 and 5 V TTL compliant signals by the level shifter 1228, giving input to the microcontroller 1214. The level shifter 1228 may be external or internal to the preset timer 1200.

Alternatively, local channel table data may be sent to the preset programmer 1200 via acoustic signals on the telephone lines. Thereafter, local channel tables may be entered into a pre-set programmer via the keypad 1202 in the same manner used to program this information into instant programmers 300 or custom programmers 1100.

There are SEND CLK, SEND CH, SEND CAB, and SEND VCR buttons on the 1202 keyboard that set the clock, load the local channel table, select the protocol for the brand and model of the cable splitter, and select the protocol for the brand and model of the VCR when pressed appropriately. If the information is successfully transmitted to the instant programmer 300 or the custom programmer 1100 connected to the preset timer 1200, display 1204 shows Tr OK, otherwise display 1204 shows Tr Err.

Data is sent to an instantaneous timer 300 and a custom timer 1100 via two contact pins 1212. The first of these pins is grounded. The second pin is connected to a test point 392 shown in Fig. 22. Test point 392 is connected to an interrupt terminal and one of the input / output (I / O) terminals of the microcomputer 380. The two terminals are connected to each other in an open collector arrangement. that both input and output can be realized with one pin. The two contact pins 1212 connect to the same functional terminals of the custom programmer microcomputer 1150 1150. Data is serially transferred through these terminals at a baud rate of 4800 at the TTL level. The instant programmer 300 and the custom timer 1100 provide low level pulses of a predetermined length to the initial preset timer 1200 which has received all transmitted data.

The invention shown in the preferred embodiments of the custom programmer 1100 and the programmer 1200 can be easily incorporated into televisions, cassette VCRs, cable distributors or satellite receivers. It is not complicated to incorporate a custom programmer 1100 or a preset programmer 1200 into televisions, cassette VCRs, cable splitters and satellite receivers by adding appropriate cabling or other transmission systems between the various video equipment used.

It is believed that an apparatus and method using compressed codes to schedule a television program recording according to the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is apparent that it can make various changes to the shape, structure and arrangement of parts thereof without departing from the idea and within the scope of the invention or the sacrifice of all its material merits, the form described above is merely a preferred and exemplary embodiment thereof.

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Publishing Department of the UP RP. Circulation of 90 copies. Price PLN 6.00

Claims (10)

Patent claims 1. A method of programmed recording of a television signal in which a compressed code having at least one digit is entered, the compressed code is decoded into channel, date, daytime and length commands, the date and daytime commands are compared with the clock output as a function of time due to on the first defined relationship, the recorder is commanded to write to the recorder after determining the presence of the first defined relationship, at least one local channel number is stored in the memory device for at least one channel in the channel command, channel commands are transmitted according to the local channel numbers stored in measure the length of time from the transmission of the write enable command provided to the remote control to the channel select circuitry to the channel select circuit, measure the length of time from the transmission of the write enable command provided to the remote control, compare the length command with the measured write duration, forming a second specified relationship and transmits the command to disable writing to the recording system after finding the presence of a second specific relationship, characterized in that signals with information about the local channel numbers corresponding to the channel numbers in the channel command and theirs are introduced from a source external to the remote control into the memory system. interdependencies. 2. The method according to p. The method of claim 1, characterized in that signals with information about local channel numbers are downloaded from a computer. 3. The method according to p. The method of claim 1, characterized in that signals with information about local channel numbers are taken via a telephone line from a computer. 4. A programmed television signal recorder comprising a compressed code output circuit having at least one digit, an output clock as a function of time and compressed code decoding circuits for channel, date, time and length commands, comparing the date and time of day commands with the output data. clock time _ because of the first specified dependency, store the initial setup data including at least one local channel number for at least one channel number in the channel command, measure the length of time from sending the write on command, and compare the length command with the measured write time length for the second specified relationship, which are implemented in the form of a microcomputer, to which are connected a compressed code input system, an output data clock and a remote control system, and a system for selecting transmission channels to the system recording the commands to enable writing the core of the occurrence of the first defined dependency and the write-off command after finding the presence of the second defined dependency, characterized in that it comprises a signal receiving module representing the initial setting data, built of an amplifier (1164 or 1166) and a microphone (1162) receiving acoustic signals from the telephone receiver (1142) , wherein the receiving unit for signals representing the initial setting data is connected to the initial setting data storage circuitry in the microcomputer (1150). 5. The device according to claim 1 4. The method of claim 4, characterized in that the module of signals representing the initial setting data is capable of receiving signals with information on local channel numbers corresponding to channel numbers in the channel command and their correlation. 6. The device according to claim 1 4. The method of claim 4, characterized in that the remote control system (80) comprises a universal remote control (1100) that is capable of transmitting Π! 141 commands according to one of the plurality of protocols selected for at least one of televisions (950), cassette recorders (964), cable splitters (966) or satellite television receivers (986). The device according to claim 1 6. The method of claim 6, characterized in that the receiving module for signals representing the initial set data is also capable of receiving signals representing the protocol selection for transmitting transmit commands to TVs (950), cassette VCRs (964), cable splitters (966) and satellite television receivers (986). . 8. The device according to claim 1 The device of claim 4, wherein the microphone (1162) is disposed on an outer surface of the device. 9. The device according to claim 1 The method of claim 4, characterized in that the receiving module for signals representing the setup data has a modular telephone line jack (1230). 10. The device according to claim 1 4. The apparatus of claim 4, characterized in that the receiving unit for signals representing the setup data has an electrical connector (1136).