VCR programmer - Patent Review 4963994

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1. Technical Field

This invention relates to automatic control systems for video recorders of the type used with television receivers and more particularly to a system for using the television receiver as a display device for an operator interactive system for programming future automatic operation of the recorder.

2. Background Art

Magnetic video recorders are commonly used as accessories for television receivers to record broadcast television programs for later replay over the receiver or to record the output of a TV camera so the users may produce their own programs.

Frequently it is desirable to make recordings of broadcast or cablecast video programs which originate at times when the operator is not available to control the recorder and many commercially available video recorders are equipped with programming devices that enable the video recorder at a predetermined future time. Some of these video recorders include built-in tuners and a program can be established that specifies the time at which a recording is to start and stop as well as the channel to be recorded. U.S. Pat. 4,193,120 discloses a video recorder with this capability.

The programming of these devices is usually accomplished through use by the operator of a series of pushbuttons and multiple selector switches with, the aid of a numerical display incorporated in the video recorder In systems in which a plurality of recording instructions relating to a number of programs on different channels at different times can be recorded, the programming sequence is complex and difficult to remember and achieve. The process is susceptible to error and it is difficult or impossible to determine the sequence of programming commands that have already been recorded Moreover, the control panels of these programmable recorders are complicated, including a number of separate input devices and displays and are accordingly expensive to manufacture and susceptible to failure in use.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is accordingly directed toward a programming control for video recorders that is easier to use and less complicated and expensive than existing systems. This simplification is achieved by using the television receiver associated with the video recorder as a display device and providing the video recorder with a digital memory that stores an interactive programming routine for directing the operator through the programming sequence on a simple-to-follow, step-by-step basis. The operator initiates the routine by actuating a control that places the system in its programming mode. Programming instructions are then displayed to the operator on the TV receiver picture tube in alphanumeric and/or graphic form. The instructions direct the operator in the use of the controls to record a desired programming sequence on a step-by-step basis and display the sequence to insure proper programming.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which will subsequently be disclosed in detail, the operator input device consists of a simple keypad for the decimal numerals and several mode selection keys. This keypad supplants all of the pushbuttons, selector switches and digital displays employed in prior art video recorders, lowering the cost of the system and simplifying its maintenance

The programming control of the present invention employs a random access memory for storing alphanumeric statements to be displayed on the TV receiver and future programming, responses entered into the system by the operator. A character generator forming part of the system receives the stored command statements in digitally encoded form and generates luminance control signals for the television receiver. These signals are generated in timed relation to horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals generated by a digital clock that also provides an output indicative of real time as opposed to machine time. The synchronizing signals and the outputs of the character generator are fed to the same RF modulator which is designed to switchably receive video signals played back from the tape. a The modulator produces a signal that is provided to the antenna terminals of the TV receiver.

The system operates under the supervision of a controller which preferably takes the form of a microcomputer and includes a read-only memory storing the operating program for the system. The controller receives the output of the keypad and uses it to control the display of messages on the TV receiver, the storage of operator-entered control signals into the random access memory and the automatic, unattended operation of the video recorder under control of the future programming commands stored in the random access memory for use in the system. The controller preferably produces a series of menus on the television receiver screen which are selected via decimal keys on the keypad. The controller also preferably displays the desired future recording time and channel for verification.

The character generator can also be used to generate a display of alphanumeric information stored on the magnetic tape of the video recorder. Alphanumeric information can be stored on the magnetic tape with a much higher density when it is digitally encoded rather than in video form.

The present invention also incorporates means for recording a future program schedule which may either be provided via airwave or cable broadcast or alternatively may be inserted into the device in the form of a throw-away read-only memory. These schedules may be displayed as an assist to the programming of the video recorder.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the controller transmits control signals for separate control of the television receiver from control inputs received at the operator input device.

Other objectives, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video recorder forming a preferred embodiment of the present invention connected to an associated TV receiver;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system; and

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the keypad used with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The programming control device of the present invention may be embodied in a separate unit adapted to be connected to a conventional video recorder and to a television receiver, but in the preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, the programming control is incorporated within a video cassette recorder system, generally indicated at 10. Video recorder system 10 is illustrated as being connected to a conventional television receiver 12 through cable 14 that preferably connects to the antenna terminals of the receiver 12. The video recorder system 10 is powered through a conventional alternating current line cord 16.

Operator input to the video recorder system 10 is provided through a keypad 18 connected to the recorder by a flexible cable 20. In alternative embodiments of the invention, keypad 18, or its equivalent, could be built into the chassis of the video recorder system 10 or could be connected to the video recorder system 10 by a conventional communication link such as telephone, radio or an infrared transmitter incorporated in the remote unit and a corresponding receiver disposed in the video recorder system 10. These wireless links may be of the same type used for the remote control of television receivers.

Video recorder system 10 includes an access panel 22 which may be manually opened to permit insertion or removal,.,of standard video tape cassettes and a socket (not shown) for receipt of program schedule disposable memories. The video receiver system 10 will typically include a record-playback head, spindles for transporting the tape between take-up and supply reels of the cassette, and other hardware typically associated with such a machine, which are not shown.

The broad electrical arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in block form in FIG. 2.

The system includes a digital, random access memory 24. The memory 24 is supervised by a digital controller 26. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the controller takes the form of a microprocessor such as Zilog Z-80 or Intel 8080. In alternative embodiments of the invention the controller could be implemented with discrete components. A readonly memory 28 is connected to the controller and provides the operating program for the video recorder system 10. In alternative embodiments of the invention the operating program could be stored in part of the digital memory 24 so that only, a single memory chip would be required for the video recorder system 10.

A clock 30 driven by pulses from a high frequency Quartz oscillator 32 is used to generate real time signals for use in programming the video recorder system 10 as well as synchronizing signals which are used to control the generation of display signals and the raster of the television receiver 12. The oscillator 32 preferably has a frequency of about 15.75 MHz and includes conventional dividers used to generate dot, character and row signals for provision to a character generator 34, forming part of the system, as well as horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals which are provided to a radio frequency modulator 36. The modulator operates on the output of a radio frequency generator 35. The video recorder system 10 further includes an electronically adjustable TV antenna tuner 38 connected to the TV antenna 60 through cable 62, to the video record/playback unit 60, and to the modulator 36.

The arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the keypad 18 is illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be recognized that other manual input control devices could be used and other keypad configurations could be employed in alternative embodiments of the invention. The preferred embodiment of the keypad 18 incorporates fourteen keys. Ten of the keys designate the decimal numerals and also have legends representing alternate functions. For example, the key that represents numeral 0 also has a designation "play" and is, used to control energization of the video record/playback unit 40 (FIG. 2) when the system is in the proper mode.

The keypad also includes four mode keys 42, 44, 46 and 48. The key 42 is labeled "off" and allows the operator to de-energize the system. The key 44 is labeled "operate recorder". Depression of this key enters the video recorder system 10 into a mode in which the video record/playback unit 40 may be controlled through energization of the numeric keys of the pad. For example, key 0 is designated "play" and enables forward operation of the video record/playback unit 40 at normal speed. Numeric key 1 is labeled "reverse" and depression of this key causes reversal of the tape. Similarly, numeric key 2 is designated "fast forward"; numeric key 3 is designated "pause"; numeric key 4 is designated "frame freeze"; and numeric key 5 is designated "slow". Each of these keys implements the designated operation of the recorder. These operations are achieved by control signals provided to the video record/playback unit 40 from the controller 26 over line 50 (FIG. 2). These operating modes are part of the normal complement of modes of operation of conventional, commercially available, video recorders and any new modes of operation incorporated in recorders in the future could be similarly controlled.

Keypad button 46, when depressed, enters the video recorder system 10 into an "operate TV" mode wherein the channel selection of the TV may be controlled by depression of pairs of numeric keys. For example, to tune channel 7 the keys 07 would be depressed. This key sequence causes the controller 26 (FIG. 2) to provide signals to the tuner causing it to tune channel 7. The output of the tuner 38 is then provided to the modulator 36. The modulator uses these signals to modulate a radio frequency signal produced by the generator 35 and having the wavelength of an unused channel on the television receiver 12. For example, if there is no local television station broadcasting on channel 5, the frequency of that channel may be produced by generator 35. The television receiver 12 may be used in the normal manner by operator actuation of its controls 52. When operation of the TV receiver 12 in connection with the video recorder system 10 and its programming system is desired, the