 |
Claims  |
|
|
What is claimed is:
1. An audio/video transceiver apparatus comprising:
input means for receiving audio/visual source information;
compression means, coupled to said input means, for compressing said
audio/video source information into a time compressed representation
thereof having an associated time period that is shorter than a time
period associated with a real time representation of said audio/video
source information;
random access storage means, coupled to said compression means, for storing
the time compressed representation of said audio/video source information;
and
output means, coupled to said random access storage means, for receiving
the time compressed audio/video source information stored in said random
access storage means for transmission away from said audio/video
transceiver apparatus.
2. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising
editing means, coupled to said random access storage means, for editing
the time compressed representation of said audio/video source information
stored in said random access storage means and for restoring the edited
time compressed representation of said audio/video source information in
said random access storage means; and wherein said output means is
operative for receiving the edited time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means
for transmission away from said audio/video transceiver apparatus.
3. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising
monitor means for enabling the user to selectively identify the time
compressed representation of said audio/video source information stored in
said random access storage means during editing.
4. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said output
means comprises a fiber optic output port for coupling said audio/video
transceiver apparatus to a fiber optic transmission line.
5. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said output
means comprises a modem for coupling said audio/video transceiver
apparatus to a telephone transmission line.
6. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said random
access storage means comprises an optical disc.
7. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said random
access storage means comprises a semiconductor memory.
8. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:
said audio/video source information comprises analog audio/video source
information;
said audio/video transceiver apparatus further comprises analog to digital
converter means for converting said analog audio/video source information
to corresponding digital audio/video source information;
said compression means is operative for compressing said corresponding
digital audio/video source information into a digital time compressed
representation thereof having an associated time period that is shorter
than a time period associated with a real time representation of said
digital audio/video source information; and
said random access storage means is operative for storing said digital time
compressed representation of said corresponding digital audio/video source
information.
9. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:
said audio/video source information comprises digital audio/video source
information;
said compression means is operative for compressing said digital
audio/video source information into a digital time compressed
representation thereof having an associated time period that is shorter
than a time period associated with a real time representation of said
digital audio/video source information; and
said random access storage means is operative for storing said digital time
compressed representation of said digital audio/video source information;
10. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said input
means is coupled to an external television camera and said analog
audio/video source information comprises information received from said
external television camera.
11. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said input
means is coupled to an external analog video tape recorder and said analog
audio/video source information comprises information received from said
external analog video tape recorder.
12. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said input
means is coupled to an external television RF tuner and said analog
audio/video source information comprises information received from said
external television RF tuner.
13. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said input
means comprises television RF tuner means coupled to an external
television antenna and said analog audio/video source information
comprises information transmitted by a remotely located television
transmitter.
14. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said input
means comprises television RF tuner means coupled to an external cable
television system and said analog audio/video source information comprises
information received from said external cable television system.
15. An audio/video transceiver apparats is in claim 9 wherein said input
means is coupled to an external computer and said digital audio/video
source information comprises computer-generated audio/video information.
16. An audio/video transevier apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said input
means comprises a fiber optic input port coupled to a fiber optic
transmission line and said digital audio/video source information
comprises information received over said fiber optic transmission line.
17. An audio/video transceiver apparatus comprising:
input means for receiving audio/video source information as a time
compressed representation thereof, said time compressed representation of
said audio/video source information being received over an associated
burst time period that is shorter than a real time period associated with
said audio/video source information;
random access storage means, coupled to said input means, for storing the
time compressed representation of said audio/video source information
received by said input means; and
output means, coupled to said random access storage means, for receiving
the time compressed representation of said audio/video source information
stored in said random access storage means for transmission away from said
audio/video transceiver apparatus.
18. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 17 wherein:
said input means comprises a fiber optic input port;
said input means is coupled, via a fiber optic transmission line, to a
video library, said video library storing a multiplicity of items of
audio/video source information in said time compressed representation for
selective retrieval, in said associated burst time period over said fiber
optic transmission line, by the user.
19. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 17 in combination with
a video library, coupled via a communication link with said audio/video
transceiver apparatus, said video library storing a multiplicity of items
of audio/video source information in said time compressed representation
for selective retrieval, in said associated burst time period over said
communication link.
20. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing said time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means;
and
editing means, coupled to said random access storage means and
decompression means, for editing said selectively decompressed time
compressed representation of said audio/video source information, and for
storing said edited selectively decompressed time compressed
representation of said audio/video source information in said random
access storage means.
21. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing said time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means;
and
editing means, coupled to said random access storage means an decompression
means, for editing said selectively decompressed time compressed
representation of said audio/video source information;
wherein said compression means is operative for recompressing the edited
selectively decompressed time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information; and
wherein said random access storage means is operative for storing the
recompressed selectively decompressed time compressed representation of
said audio/video source information.
22. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means;
and
monitor means for enabling the user to view the selectively decompressed
time compressed representation of said audio/video source information.
23. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the digital time compressed representation of
said corresponding digital audio/video source information stored in said
random access storage means; and
editing means, coupled to said random access storage means and
decompression means, for editing the decompressed digital time compressed
representation of said corresponding digital audio/video source
information and for then storing the edited decompressed digital time
compressed representation of said corresponding digital audio/video source
information in said random access storage means.
24. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 23 further comprising
monitor means for enabling the user to selectively view the decompressed
digital time compressed representation of said corresponding digital
audio/video source information during editing.
25. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the digital time compressed representation of
said corresponding digital audio/video source information stored in said
random access storage means; and
monitor means, coupled to said decompression means, for enabling the user
to selectively view the decompressed digital time compressed
representation of said corresponding digital audio/video source
information.
26. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the digital time compressed representation of
said digital audio/video source information stored in said random access
memory means; and
editing means, coupled to said random access storage means and
decompression means, for editing the decompressed digital time compressed
representation of said digital audio/video source information;
said random access storage means thereafter being operative for storing the
edited decompressed digital time compressed representation of said digital
audio/video source information in said random access storage means.
27. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 26 further comprising
monitor means for enabling the user to selectively view the decompressed
digital time compressed representation of said digital audio/video source
information during editing.
28. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the digital time compressed representation of
said digital audio/video source information stored in said random access
memory means; and
monitor means, coupled to said decompression means, for enabling the user
to selectively view the decompressed digital time compressed
representation of said digital audio/video source information.
29. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 8 further comprising a
video tape recorder for providing said analog audio/video source
information.
30. An audio/video information transfer network comprising:
a plurality of audio/video transceivers, coupled via one or more
communication links, each of said audio/video transceivers comprising;
input means for receiving audio/video source information;
compression means, coupled to said input means, for compressing said
audio/video source information into a time compressed representation
thereof having an associated burst time period that is shorter than a time
period associated with a real time representation of said audio/video
source information;
random access storage means, coupled to said compression means, for storing
the time compressed representation of said audio/video source information;
and
output means, coupled to said random access storage means and to one of
said one or more communications links, for receiving the time compressed
format representation of said audio/video source information stored in
said random access storage means for transmission in said burst time
period to another one of said plurality of audio/video transceivers.
31. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein said
input means of one of said plurality of audio/video transceivers comprises
a fiber optic input port, said output means of another one of said
plurality of audio/video transceivers comprises a fiber optic output port,
and one of said one or more communications links comprises a fiber optic
transmission line coupled between said fiber optic input port and said
fiber optic output port.
32. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein said
output means of one of said plurality of audio/video transceivers
comprises a modem and one of said one or more communications links
comprises a telephone transmission line.
33. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein said
random access storage means comprises an optical disc memory.
34. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein said
random access storage means comprises a semiconductor memory.
35. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein said
random access storage means of one of said plurality of audio/video
transceivers stores a library comprising a multiplicity of items of
audio/video source information in said time compressed representation for
selective transmission in said associated burst time period to another on
of said audio/video transceivers.
36. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein at
least one of said audio/video transceivers further comprises recording
means, including a removable recording medium, coupled to said random
access storage means, for storing the time compressed representation of
said audio/video source information stored in said random access storage
means onto said removable recording medium.
37. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 30 wherein at
least one of said audio/video transceivers further comprises:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
decompressing the time compressed representation of said audio/video
source information stored in said random access storage means; and
recording means, including a removable recording medium coupled to said
decompression means, for storing the decompressed time compressed format
representation of said audio/video source information onto said removable
recording medium.
38. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 36 wherein said
recording means comprises a video tape recorder and said removable
recording medium comprises magnetic tape.
39. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 37 wherein said
recording means comprises a video tape recorder and said removable
recording medium comprises magnetic tape.
40. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 36 wherein said
recording means comprises a write once read many (WORM) optical disc drive
and said removable recording medium comprises one or more WORM discs.
41. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 37 wherein said
recording means comprises a write once read many (WORM) optical disc drive
and said removable recording medium comprises one or more WORM discs.
42. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 36 wherein said
recording means comprises an erasable optical disc drive and said hard
copy storage medium comprises one or more erasable optical discs.
43. An audio/video information transfer network as in claim 37 wherein said
recording means comprises an erasable optical disc drive and said hard
copy storage medium comprises one or more erasable optical discs.
44. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising
recording means, including a removable recording medium coupled to said
random access storage means, for storing the time compressed
representation of said audio/video source information stored in said
random access storage means onto said removable recording medium.
45. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising
recording means, including a removable recording medium, coupled to said
random access storage means, for storing the edited time compressed
representation of said audio/video source information stored in said
random access storage means onto said removable recording medium.
46. An audio/video transceiver apparats as in claim 45 further comprising
monitor means for enabling the user to selectively view the time
compressed representation of said audio/video source information stored on
said removable recording medium.
47. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 17 further comprising
recording means, including a removable recording medium, coupled to said
random access storage means, for storing the time compressed
representation of said audio/video source information stored in said
random access storage means onto said removable recording medium.
48. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising
recording means, including a removable recording medium, coupled to said
random access storage means, for storing the edited decompressed time
compressed representation of said audio/video source information stored in
said random access storage means.
49. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means;
and
recording means, including a removable recording medium, coupled to said
decompression means, for storing the selectively decompressed tome
compressed representation of said audio/video source information stored in
said random access storage means.
50. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 22 further comprising:
recording means, including a removable recording medium, coupled to said
decompression means, for storing the selectively decompressed tome
compressed representation of said audio/video source information on said
hard copy storage medium; and
wherein said monitor means is operative for enabling the user to view the
selectively decompressed time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored on said removable recording medium.
51. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising
CD-ROM means for providing said digital audio/video source information.
52. An audio/video transceiver apparats as in claim 9 further comprising
erasable optical disc means for providing said digital audio/video source
information.
53. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 17 wherein:
said input means comprises television RF tuner means; and
said audio/video source information comprises a time compressed
representation thereof transmitted by a remotely located television
transmitter.
54. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising
external video tape recorder means, coupled to said output means, for
storing the time compressed representation of said audio/video source
information stored in said random access storage means onto magnetic tape.
55. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising
external video tape recorder means, coupled to said output means, for
storing the edited time compressed representation of said audio/video
source information stored in said random access storage means onto
magnetic tape.
56. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 17 further comprising
external video tape recorder means, coupled to said output means, for
storing the time compressed representation of said audio/video source
information stored in said random access storage means onto magnetic tape.
57. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 52 further comprising
external video tape recorder means, coupled to said output means, for
storing the edited decompressed time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means
onto magnetic tape.
58. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
decompression means, coupled to said random access storage means, for
selectively decompressing the time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information stored in said random access storage means;
and
external video tape recorder means, coupled to said output means, for
storing the selectively decompressed time compressed representation of
said audio/video source information stored in said random access storage
means.
59. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 22 further comprising
external video tape recorder means, coupled to said output means, for
storing the selectively decompressed time compressed representation of
said audio/video source information onto magnetic tape.
60. An audio/video transceiver apparatus comprising:
input means for receiving analog and/or digital audio/video source
information;
analog to digital converter means for converting analog audio/video source
information received at said input means to corresponding digital
audio/video source information;
digital to analog converter means for converting digital audio/video source
information received at said input means to corresponding analog
audio/video information;
compressor/decompressor means for compressing digital audio/video source
information received at said input means or said corresponding digital
audio/video source information received from said analog to digital
converter means into a time compressed representation of said digital or
corresponding digital audio/video source information, said time compressed
representation having an associated time period that is shorter than a
time period associated with a real time representation of said digital or
corresponding digital audio/video source information, said
compressor/decompressor means being further operative for decompressing
said time compressed representation into a decompressed real time
representation of said digital or corresponding digital audio/video source
information;
central processing unit means for controlling operation of said
compressor/decompressor means;
random access storage means for storing said time compressed representation
of said digital or corresponding digital audio/video source information
and for storing said decompressed real time representation of said digital
or corresponding digital audio/video source information;
controller means for enabling communication between said
compressor/decompressor means, said central processing unit means, and
said random access memory means; and
output means for receiving said time compressed representation of said
digital or corresponding digital audio/video source information stored in
said random access storage means for transmission away from said
audio/video transceiver apparatus.
61. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
time bas generator means for supplying timing information for association
with said time compressed representation of said digital or corresponding
digital audio/video source information.
62. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
audio/video recording means, including a recording medium, for recording
said analog or corresponding analog audio/video source information onto
said recording medium.
63. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
audio/video recording means, including a recording medium, for recording
said digital or corresponding digital audio/video source information onto
said recording medium.
64. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 62 wherein said
recording medium comprises magnetic tape.
65. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 63 wherein said
recording medium comprises magnetic tape.
66. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 63 wherein said
recording medium comprises a CD-ROM.
67. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 63 wherein said
recording medium comprises a WORM optical disc.
68. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 63 wherein said
recording medium comprises an erasable optical disc.
69. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
audio/video recording and playback means coupled to said input means for
providing said analog and/or digital audio/video source information.
70. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
high speed bus means coupled to said input means, and wherein said input
means comprises auxiliary digital input means for receiving said digital
audio/video source information.
71. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 70 wherein said high
speed bus means comprises an optical bus.
72. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
high speed bus means coupled to said input means, and wherein said input
means comprises fiber optic input means for receiving said digital
audio/video source information.
73. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising
high speed bus means, and wherein said analog to digital converter means,
digital to analog converter means, compressor/decompressor means, central
processing unit means, and controller means are coupled to said random
access storage means via said high speed bus means.
74. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 60 further comprising:
digital control unit means, said digital control unit means comprising:
additional central processing unit means;
read-only memory means coupled to said additional central processing unit
means for storing microinstructions defining a plurality of selected
editing functions; and
additional controller means for enabling communication between said
additional central processing unit means and said read-only memory means;
said additional central processing unit means being operative for
selectively executing the microinstructions stored in said read-only
memory means to perform one or more of said plurality of selected editing
functions.
75. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 74 wherein said
digital control unit means is coupled to said random access storage means.
76. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 73 further comprising
RGB converter means for converting information stored in said random
access storage means to an RGB format, and wherein said output means
comprises RGB output means for receiving RGB format information from said
RGB converter means.
77. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 73 wherein said output
means comprises audio/video transmitter/receiver means coupled to said
high speed bus for receiving said time compressed representation of said
digital or corresponding digital audio/video source information stored in
said random access storage means for transmission away from said
audio/video transceiver apparatus.
78. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 77 wherein said
audio/video transmitter/receiver means comprises a modem for coupling to a
telephone transmission line.
79. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 77 wherein said
audio/video transmitter/receiver means comprises a fiber optic transceiver
for coupling to a fiber optic transmission line.
80. An audio/video transceiver apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising
editing means, coupled to said random access storage means, for editing
said time compressed representation of said audio/video source information
and for then storing the edited time compressed representation of said
audio/video source information in said random access storage means. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The video cassette recorder (VCR) has added significantly to the usefulness
of the home television set. Important or exceptionally good programs may
be recorded to be viewed again. Programs appearing at times that are
inconvenient for viewing may be recorded for playback at a better time.
Recorded movies or other materials, educational or entertaining, may be
rented or borrowed for viewing at home. (As used in the remainder of this
specification, the term "program" encompasses movies and other types of
video materials, whether broadcast from a TV station or another source.)
The typical VCR has its own tuner-receiver and a video-recorder. It can
receive and record a program from one channel while the television set is
being employed to view a program on another channel. Programs are recorded
on magnetic tape. The tape is then played back and viewed on the
television set. Features commonly included in the VCR are capabilities for
advancing the tape forward or backward at a high speed, stopping motion at
any frame to hold the image, or simply playing back the recording at
normal speed.
Desirable features that are not normally available in a VCR are
capabilities for copying recorded programs from one tape or alternative
storage medium to a similar or dissimilar storage medium, editing recorded
programs and high speed recording. Another desirable but currently
unavailable feature is the capability for high speed, high quality
transmission and reception by optical fiber using the VCR.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,110 incorporated herein by reference, describes a VCR
having two tape decks included therein. The purpose for the inclusion of
two decks rather than the usual single tape deck is to permit the
simultaneous viewing of a live RF-modulated TV signal or prerecorded
material while recording another live RF-modulated TV signal and to also
allow the copying of material from a first magnetic cassette tape onto a
second magnetic cassette tape without the use of a second VCR. Viewing of
the recorded material during the copying process is also possible in this
arrangement. A major disadvantage is that the incorporation of the second
tape deck is expensive and limited to magnetic tape, and furthermore, this
prior art does not allow for the transmission or reception of recorded
material over optical fibers or the high speed reception or transmission
of audio/video material in a digital format. An additional disadvantge is
the inability for random access editing of the audio/video signal.
Furthermore, the additional mechanical structure adds significantly to the
overall dimension of the equipment and increases the prospects of
mechanical failures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, an improved audio/video recorder is
provided with added features and functions which significantly enhance its
usefulness and functionality.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved
audio/video recorder for use in conjunction with an ordinary home
television set.
Another object of the invention is to provide in such an improved
audio/video recorder a capability for transferring a previously recorded
program from one magnetic tape or other storage medium to another.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a capability for
transferring a recorded audio/video program without resort to the use of
two magnetic tape decks, this being a cumbersome, limited, and expensive
approach already proposed in the prior art.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an effective and
efficient means for intermediate storage of the audio/video program in
digital memory as a means for achieving the transfer of the audio/video
program from one tape or storage medium to another.
A still further object of the invention is to provide in such an improved
audio/video recorder a capability for accepting various forms of analog or
digital audio and video input signals and for converting the analog input
signals to digital form when appropriate.
A still further object of the invention is to provide in such an improved
audio/video recorder a capability for editing the video input signals
without the necessity of using multiple cassettes or recording media.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved
audio/video recorder for connection to various signal sources including a
TV RF tuner, video camera, video line input, and direct audio/video
digital input from sources as diverse as a fiber optic input line or a
computer.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved
audio/video recorder having a capability for mixing live audio/video
programs with either analog or digital audio/video input signals from
another source.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved
audio/video recorder for simultaneously playing, viewing, recording and/or
mixing digital and analog audio/video programs from different digital and
analog audio/video sources or storage media.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved
audio/video recorder which maximizes a given storage capacity, through the
use of a data compression technique.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an audio/video
recorder utilizing a data compression technique for efficient storage,
transmission, and reception of a digitized audio/video program over
telephone lines or by other external digital means such as satellite
transmission or reception.
| | |
