WO2014102326A1

WO2014102326A1 - A video recording device comprising a time shifting unit

Info

Publication number: WO2014102326A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/078054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ayhan Ak; Tugberk KORKMAZ; Engin MERCAN; Ali Haktan ISILAK; Mustafa Ozgur BAYDAROL
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2012-12-31
Filing date: 2013-12-27
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Also published as: EP2939418A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a video recording device (1) comprising a receiver (2) which receives digital broadcast signals belonging to more than one channel, a recording unit (3) which provides the recording of a program received with the broadcast signal (B), a main memory (4) wherein the programs recorded by means of the recording unit (3) are stored, a time shifting unit (5) which temporarily records the real time broadcast signal (B) when the displayed real time video signal (B) is stopped by the user, allowing it to be resumed later, and a volatile memory (6) wherein the time-shifted content (TS) recorded by the time shifting unit (5) is stored; and wherein the time-shifted content (TS) is enabled to be utilized efficiently.

Description

A VIDEO RECORDING DEVICE COMPRISING A TIME SHIFTING UNIT

The present invention relates to a video recording device comprising a time shifting unit.

In video recording devices, the broadcast signal received by means of a receiver is stored on a main memory by being recorded by user command and can be watched again whenever desired. In some of the state of the art video recording devices, broadcast signal recording feature as well as time shifting feature are present. By means of this feature, the real time video signal can be stopped and resumed later. The time shifting unit enabling the realization of the time shifting process records the real time broadcast signal into a volatile memory by the broadcast stop command of the user and enables the user to watch the time-shifted content on the volatile memory when the user desires to resume the program. Since the volatile memory capacity is limited, the data on the volatile memory is deleted when the user returns to the real time broadcast signal. Furthermore, in the state of the art, video recording devices having a time shifting unit that is continuously active are also present. In these devices, the broadcast signal is continuously recorded in the background. Since the volatile memory is limited once again, the time-shifted content that can be recorded retrospectively is limited to an amount determined by the manufacturer.

In these embodiments, the time-shifted content recorded by means of the time shifting unit is deleted from the volatile memory after a certain time or by the command of the user to shift to the real time broadcast signal, and this content cannot be accessed when desired to be watched later.

In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No. US20050117892, a video playing and recording apparatus having time shift function is described. In this embodiment, the time shift means records continuously. When the user presses the record button to record a program, the recording of data in the time shift recording region is stopped, and the recording of data in the permanent recording region is started. When the user desires to watch the whole program, switching between the head and end addresses of the images in two different recording regions is performed and thus, recordings in two different regions are displayed in a single video.

In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No. JP2003134464, a video recording device having time shift function is described. When the user sends a record command while the time shift unit is active, the recording beginning from the moment of the record command is stored in the permanent storage and the recording between the start of the program and the moment the record command is sent is transferred from the time shift storage to the permanent storage.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a video recording device wherein the recording made by the time shifting unit can be stored permanently.

The video recording device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a main memory wherein the content that starts being recorded by the record command of the user is stored and a volatile memory wherein the content recorded by the time shifting unit is stored. In the video recording device, the content that starts being recorded as the user stops the real time broadcast signal can be transferred from the volatile memory to the main memory when the user desires to return to the real time broadcast signal. Thus; the user can afterwards watch the parts of the program he/she missed during live broadcast whenever desired.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the user desires to return to the real time broadcast signal from the time-shifted content, the user is warned that the time-shifted content on the volatile memory be deleted if the user returns to the real time broadcast signal. In this embodiment, the user is asked whether or not he/she desires to transfer the content in the volatile memory to the main memory.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the user stops the real time broadcast signal and then desires to return to the real time broadcast signal without using the created time-shifted content, the said time-shifted content is transferred onto the main memory. Thus, the user is allowed to watch the part he/she could not watch later.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the time shifting unit starts recording as the user stops the real time broadcast signal. Thus, the time shifting unit is prevented from making unnecessary recordings. Consequently, the volatile memory is enabled to be used more efficiently.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the time shifting unit records continuously. In this embodiment, the time shifting unit is active as long as the receiver receives broadcast signal. Thus, even if the user misses the beginning of a program he/she desires to watch, the user can watch the related part since the retrospective time-shifted content is available on the volatile memory. Even if the user does not send a command to stop the real time broadcast signal, the user can transfer the part of the broadcast starting at a point a predetermined time ago by the manufacturer from the volatile memory to the main memory.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the time-shifted content is recorded in fragments onto the volatile memory. Each video fragment comprises images of a certain period of time of the broadcast signal. In a version of this embodiment, the user can transfer the video fragments on the volatile memory to the main memory. The user can see all of the video fragments on the volatile memory together with the periods of time covered, and transfer the video fragments onto the main memory by selecting one or more of them as desired. Thus, only the desired part of the time-shifted content is enabled to be stored and the unnecessary occupation of the main memory is prevented.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user can name the files he/she transfers from the volatile memory to the main memory. Thus, the files on the main memory are enabled to be stored in an ordered manner and the files transferred from the volatile memory can be found easily.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit informs the user of the period of time passed from the moment the real time broadcast signal is stopped. Thus, it is possible to understand for how long the time-shifted content is behind the real time broadcast signal. This helps the user decide whether to return to the real time broadcast signal especially during time-based live sports competitions.

By means of the present invention, the content recorded by the time shifting unit is enabled to be transferred to the main memory so as to be watched later. Thus, even if the user does not use the record command, the time-shifted content is enabled to be stored permanently.

The video recording device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of the video recording device.

Figure 2 – is the schematic view of the relation between the recording unit, the time shifting unit, the main memory and the volatile memory.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Video recording device
Receiver
Recording unit
Main memory
Time shifting unit
Volatile memory
Control unit

The video recording device (1) comprises a receiver (2) which receives digital broadcast signals belonging to more than one channel, a recording unit (3) which provides the recording of a program received with the broadcast signal (B), a main memory (4) wherein the programs recorded by means of the recording unit (3) are stored, a time shifting unit (5) which temporarily records the real time broadcast signal (B) when the displayed real time video signal (B) is stopped by the user, allowing it to be resumed later, and a volatile memory (6) wherein the time-shifted content (TS) recorded by the time shifting unit (5) is stored. When the user desires to stop the program while watching the real time broadcast signal (B), he/she sends a stop command to the video recording device (1). After the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, the user sees the image at the moment the stop command is sent on the screen. Meanwhile, the time shifting unit (5) records the real broadcast signal onto the volatile memory (6) in the background. When the user sends a play command to the video recording device (1), the time-shifted content (TS) recorded by the time shifting unit (5) is displayed beginning from the moment the user sent the stop command. There is a time difference between the real time broadcast signal (B) and the time-shifted content (TS) as much as the duration between the stop command and the play command of the user. The user can fast-forward or rewind the time-shifted content (TS) or play it faster. The user can return to the real time broadcast signal (B) from the time-shifted content (TS) at any desired moment. By returning to the real time broadcast signal (B), the time-shifted content (TS) on the volatile memory (6) is deleted. By means of the time shifting unit (5), even the live programs received with the broadcast signal (B) are enabled to be watched with functions such as stopping, fast-forwarding and rewinding, and fast-playing (Figure 1).

The video recording device (1) of the present invention comprises a control unit (7) which enables the transfer of the content on the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4) when it is desired to switch to the real time broadcast signal (B) again after the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped. Thus, the time-shifted content (TS) is not deleted after the user returns to the real time broadcast signal (B) and is enabled to be watched whenever desired (Figure 2).

In an embodiment of the present invention, when it is desired to switch to the real time broadcast signal (B) again after the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, the control unit (7) enables the transfer of the time-shifted content (TS), which is recorded beginning from the moment the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4) according to the user preference. In this embodiment, when the user sends a command to return to the real time broadcast signal (B) from the time-shifted content (TS), the control unit (7) warns the user that the time-shifted content (TS) in the volatile memory (6) be lost if the process is continued and asks the user his/her preference about keeping or deleting the time-shifted content (TS). In the case the user wants to keep the time-shifted content (TS), the time-shifted content (TS) is transferred from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4). Thus, the time-shifted content (TS) is enabled to be stored efficiently according to the user preferences.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when it is desired to switch to the real time broadcast signal (B) again after the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, the control unit (7) enables the transfer of the time-shifted content (TS), which is recorded beginning from the moment the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4) if the time-shifted content is never played. In this embodiment, if there are no other commands between the command to stop the real time broadcast signal (B) and the command to return to the real time broadcast signal (B), in other words, if no playback function such as playing, fast-forwarding and rewinding is performed on the time-shifted content (TS), the control unit (7) enables the time-shifted content (TS) to be transferred to the main memory (4) and to be watched later. Thus, in the case that the user stops a live program and returns to the real time broadcast signal (B) without being able to watch the missed part therebetween, the user is enabled to watch the missed part later.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the time shifting unit (5) is activated as the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped. In this embodiment, the time shifting unit (5) starts the recording process by the stop command. Thanks to the time shifting unit (5) not being activated during the playback of the real time broadcast signal (B), the video recording device (1) is enabled to consume less energy and to operate with a low process power processor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the time shifting unit (5) is active as long as the receiver (2) receives broadcast signal. Thus, the time-shifted content (TS) starting from a time before the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped can be obtained. Consequently, even if the user could not watch a program from the beginning, the user can access the parts he/she could not watch by means of the time-shifted content (TS).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the time shifting unit (5) records onto the volatile memory (6) in video fragments (V) with a size predetermined by the manufacturer. Thus, it is possible to access the time-shifted content (TS) as periods of time.

In a version of this embodiment, the control unit (7) allows the user to transfer any video fragment (V) stored on the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4). Thus, it is possible to keep only the desired part of the time-shifted content (TS). Consequently, the main memory (4) is prevented from being occupied unnecessarily.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (7) allows the user to name the files he/she transfers from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4). In this embodiment, the files recorded by the time shifting unit (5) to the volatile memory (6) do not include program names. By being able to change the file name during the process of transferring to the main memory (4), the files in the main memory (4) are enabled to be archived in an ordered manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (7) provides the displaying of a message which shows the user the period of time passed from the moment the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped. Thus, the user can easily know the time difference between the time-shifted content (TS) and the real time broadcast signal (B).

In different embodiments of the present invention, the video recording device (1) is a digital television or a set-top box (STB).

By means of the present invention, the content recorded by means of the time shifting unit (5) is enabled to be stored permanently. This provides flexibility of utilization and enables the time shifting function to be used efficiently.

Claims

A video recording device (1) comprising a receiver (2) which receives digital broadcast signals belonging to more than one channel, a recording unit (3) which provides the recording of a program received with the broadcast signal (B), a main memory (4) wherein the programs recorded by means of the recording unit (3) are stored, a time shifting unit (5) which temporarily records the real time broadcast signal (B) when the displayed real time video signal (B) is stopped by the user, allowing it to be resumed later, and a volatile memory (6) wherein the time-shifted content (TS) recorded by the time shifting unit (5) is stored, characterized by a control unit (7) which enables the transfer of the content on the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4) when it is desired to switch to the real time broadcast signal (B) again after the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped.
A video recording device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the control unit (7) that enables the transfer of the time-shifted content (TS), which is recorded beginning from the moment the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4) according to the user preference, when it is desired to switch to the real time broadcast signal (B) again after the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped.
A video recording device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the control unit (7) that enables the transfer of the time-shifted content (TS), which is recorded beginning from the moment the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped, from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4) if the time-shifted content (TS) is never played, when it is desired to switch to the real time broadcast signal (B) again after the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped.
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the time shifting unit (5) that is activated as the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped.
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the time shifting unit (5) that is active as long as the receiver (2) receives broadcast signal.
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the time shifting unit (5) that records onto the volatile memory (6) in video fragments (V) with a size predetermined by the manufacturer.
A video recording device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the control unit (7) that allows the user to transfer any video fragment (V) stored on the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4).
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the control unit (7) that allows the user to name the files he/she transfers from the volatile memory (6) to the main memory (4).
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the control unit (7) that provides the displaying of a message which shows the user the period of time passed from the moment the real time broadcast signal (B) is stopped.
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the above claims, which is a digital television.
A video recording device (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 9, which is a set-top box (STB).