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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which is adjustable to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
a programme identification/page number memory device for storing programme
identifications and page numbers,
a text page memory device for storing decoded text page data, and
an updating device (CPU),
for the automatic driving of the tuner depending on programme
identifications which are retrieved in a specified sequence from the
programme identification/page number memory device,
for the automatic driving of the text decoder depending on page numbers
which are retrieved in the specified sequence from the programme
identification/page number memory device,
for the automatic retrieval of text page data from a TV signal, according
to the settings of the tuner and text decoder, and
for the automatic storage of such text page data in the text page memory
device.
2. Video receiver, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the
updating device (CPU) further functions as a test device (CPU) for testing
the plausibility of the decoded text page data for a text page and for
storing the text page data in the text page memory device, but only if the
plausibility condition is fulfilled.
3. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which is adjustable to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
a page selector device for selecting a text page by setting the tuner and
text decoder, depending on a specific programme identification and a
specific page number,
a programme slot selection device for updating one of several programme
slots at a time,
a page identification memory device for storing page identifications, each
of which comprises a programme identification and a page number, and
a page identification retrieval device (CPU)
for retrieving page identifications, irrespective of the programme slot,
and
for outputting each page identification retrieved to the tuner and decoder,
whereby, depending on each programme identification retrieved at the same
time as the page identification, such pages can also be selected, but
whose programme identification is not identical with the programme
identification of the activated programme slot.
4. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which is adjustable to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
and
a programme identification/page identification table, which stores at least
one page identification, assigned to one of several programme
identifications in each case, whereby each page identification comprises
one programme identification and one page number.
5. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which is adjustable to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
a picture generator for producing cursor symbol data for a cursor and
picture page data from the decoded text page data and for outputting
decoded picture data, either from a text page memory device or direct from
the text decoder, to a screen whereby the picture data to be displayed is
such that every text page is surrounded by a margin on all four edges when
displayed,
a cursor control device for positioning the cursor within the field of the
picture to be displayed and for triggering specific procedures when a
preset key is pressed, and
a page switchover device,
for switching over to a page of a higher number when the cursor is
positioned in the first of the four picture margins and then the preset
key is pressed,
for switching over to a page of a lower number when the cursor is
positioned in the second of the four picture margins and then the preset
key is pressed, whereby the second picture margin runs parallel to the
first picture margin,
for switching over to a programme of a higher number and from there to a
specified page number when the cursor is positioned in the third of the
four page margins and then the preset key is pressed, whereby the third
picture margin runs at a right-angle to the first picture margin, and
for switching over to a programme of a lower number and from there to a
specified page number when the cursor is positioned in the fourth of the
four picture margins and then the preset key is pressed, whereby the
fourth picture margin runs parallel to the third picture margin.
6. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which can be set to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
a picture generator for producing cursor symbol data for a cursor and
picture page data from the decoded text page data and for outputting
decoded picture data, either from a text page memory device or direct from
the text decoder, to a screen,
a cursor control device for positioning the cursor within the field of the
picture to be displayed and for triggering specific procedures when a
preset key is pressed, and
a page switchover device,
for switching over text pages from one programme to text pages from another
programme,
whereby, if broadcast pages are present as text pages containing time
information, the first broadcast page selected in a programme attained by
switching over is that which contains the information in the period in
which that time occurs corresponding to respective time information at
which the cursor is displayed in the broadcast page before switchover to
text pages from another programme.
7. Video receiver, in accordance with claim 6, characterised by the fact
that the page switchover device is designed so that, when it first
switches over to a page, it selects the broadcast page which contains the
information in the time domain in which that time occurs.
8. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which is adjustable to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a tape device for recording TV signals received via the tuner,
a broadcast memory device to store recorded broadcasts,
a flagging device to place flags in the broadcast memory device at the data
for recorded broadcasts, and
a broadcast data retrieval device to retrieve either only flagged or only
unflagged broadcast data and to display the relevant broadcast data on a
screen.
9. Video receiver, in accordance with claim 8, characterised by the fact
that
a cassette identification input device is available for entering a cassette
code for every cassette in the broadcast memory device, assigned to each
broadcast which is recorded whilst the cassette is in the tape device,
the broadcast memory device permanently stores the broadcast data which is
provided with a cassette code, and
the broadcast data retrieval device retrieves the flagged broadcast data
which refers to an entered cassette code.
10. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which can be set to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
a tape device for recording TV signals received via the tuner,
a broadcast memory device to store recorded broadcasts, and
a search device
for checking whether broadcast information relating to a recorded broadcast
is already stored in the broadcast memory device and if this is not the
case,
for searching for a text page which contains broadcast information for that
time span applying to the recorded broadcast,
for searching for the time-based broadcast information relating to the
recorded broadcast within a located text page, and
for storing the located broadcast information in the broadcast memory
device.
11. Video receiver, characterised by
a tuner which is adjustable to a preset TV programme by means of programme
identification signals,
a text decoder which can be driven by page number signals for decoding text
data when it is transmitted in TV signals, arranged according to pages,
a programme identification/page number memory device for storing programme
identifications and page numbers,
a text page memory device for storing decoded text page data,
a preview day memory device for storing a preset number of previewing days
for text pages for at least one programme, and
a page search device
for the automatic driving of the tuner depending on programme
identifications which are retrieved in a specified sequence from the
programme identification/page number memory device,
for the automatic driving of the text decoder depending on page numbers
which are retrieved in a specified sequence from the programme
identification/page number memory device,
for the automatic retrieval of text page data from a TV signal, according
to the settings of the tuner and text decoder, and
for the automatic storage of such text page data in the text page memory
device if the date of each page that is located falls within the period of
the previewing days.
12. Video receiver, in accordance with claim 11, characterised by the fact
that
a sequence code memory device is available which stores a page number
depending on the code laid down for each preview day,
the page search device only accesses those pages which comply with the
sequence code.
13. Video receiver, in accordance with claim 12, characterised by a
learning device which attempts to locate a preview page depending on one
of several specified sequence codes and which, if it fails to locate
preview pages depending on a selected sequence code then, switches to a
new sequence code and performs this operation until such time as it
locates preview pages depending on the specified sequence codes at the
first attempt. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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The invention relates to a video receiver, i.e. specifically a television
receiver or a video cassette recorder. Such devices can receive TV signals
in several programmes. Different programmes are generally broadcast on
different channels (different frequency bands). Every programme generally
transmits a large number of broadcasts daily.
The TV signals do not only contain picture signals for broadcasts, but also
frequently text signals for a data service which is called teletext or
videotext. The broadcast text pages may contain data relating to
broadcasts. In the following, such pages are called broadcast pages. Other
pages are called data pages; these include, for example, pages containing
information on the weather, stock market prices, special offers relating
to certain articles, etc. In the following, the term "page" basically
means the amount of text information which is shown each time on a screen
page. In practice, screen frames are sometimes broadcast which extend over
several pages. Every page carries the same number. If such a page number
is called up repeatedly, the various pages of the multipage frame are
displayed consecutively.
Each different programme often uses the same pages, but this does not
necessarily mean that pages with the same numbering contain identical
information. For example, a page numbered 300 in a programme may give an
overview of the broadcasts during one day whereas another programme with
the same page number transmits information on the weather.
It is therefore necessary, whenever specific information is required, to
stipulate both the page number and the programme from which the required
page is to be received.
STATE OF THE ART
If a specific text page is to be displayed by a video receiver on a screen,
a programme slot according to the state of the art must first be selected,
i.e. the slot which applies to the programme from which the page to be
displayed is to be received. Two options are available for the subsequent
process. The first option is that the desired page for each display is
entered manually. The second option is that the video receiver notes
several page numbers which a user enters in a programme slot. If the same
programme slot is then used again later, the desired page numbers first
appear in a footer. The user can then select one of the entered numbers. A
video receiver of the last-mentioned type is described in "Funkschau"
6/1985, pages 53 to 56. This unit does not only store page numbers, but
also the contents of several text pages. As soon as a programme slot is
selected, the unit tuner is tuned by the control device itself to the
frequency assigned to this programme. Information regarding the desired
page numbers is supplied to a text decoder. This separates the desired
pages from the received TV signal and transfers them to the page memory.
The advantage of this is that, while the first received page is being
viewed, other pages are already being searched with the result that a
subsequent page is normally available immediately after switchover to a
subsequent page. It is only then, when a switchover is made to a new
programme, that a waiting period occurs until a first page with a preset
number is extracted again from the TV signal.
It is also known that requests for broadcasts to be recorded can be taken
over directly from a broadcast page when it is displayed on a screen. In
this case, the line containing the desired broadcast is moved by means of
a cursor and the information in the line is then transmitted to a
broadcast memory by pressing a specified key. The information includes the
date and the starting time of the broadcast. The device has another
operation in which a timer monitors whether the starting time of the
broadcast has been reached. As soon as this occurs, the device, in this
case a video cassette recorder, is switched to the record mode. The
starting time of the broadcast is therefore the moment at which a VPS
(Video Programming System) signal is transmitted which corresponds to the
predetermined start time of the broadcast. Recording finishes as soon as
the corresponding VPS signal is no longer transmitted. The unit then
switches back to a stand-by mode.
A broadcast request can also be input manually in the broadcast memory. If
this involves a broadcast which is not transmitted with VPS signals, both
the starting time and the finishing time of the broadcast must be entered.
If there are no VPS signals, recording begins at the programmed starting
time, even if the desired broadcast has not yet actually begun. Recording
ends at the preset finishing time, even if the broadcast is still running.
The contents of the broadcast memory are displayed on a screen. The
majority of video receivers ensure that a memory input for a broadcast is
erased as soon as it has been recorded. Other video receivers provide
broadcast data for recorded broadcasts by means of a flag.
The input of flagged broadcast data can be erased by operating the unit
accordingly.
There are numerous operating difficulties relating to the abovementioned
functions of video receivers which is why efforts are continually being
made to improve the user friendliness of such video receivers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This application contains a group of inventions which are connected to one
another in that they realise the idea of improving the user friendliness
of video receivers. Overall, it involves eight inventions independent of
each other as regards their concepts which can be used in any combination,
or all together. Each invention includes extensions which stipulate the
compulsory use of at least one of the other inventions. A first subgroup
of inventions is concerned with finding text pages, a second with
displaying text pages and a third with handling recorded broadcasts.
Broadcast data relating to a recorded broadcast can always then be stored
very easily if text pages are available in accordance with an invention
from the first subgroup. The particularly advantageous display of text
pages, according to the second subgroup of inventions, is also dependent
on the fact that text pages have been acquired in accordance with an
invention from the first subgroup.
There now follows a brief description of the effects of all eight
inventions. The function groups, as listed in the claims, are not repeated
in detail in this brief account as they are explained in full in the
subsequent description of working examples.
The video receiver corresponding to the first invention updates text pages
independently, e.g. by the fact that an updating programme run is started
either at predetermined intervals or at predetermined times. The
identification of the updated pages, i.e. a relevant programme
identification and a relevant page number, was first stored in a memory
device. The updating programme processes one page identification after
another, drives the unit tuner according to the programme identification
and the text decoder according to the page number, and stores each text
page retrieved from the received TV signal in a page memory. Line-by-line
processing is the preferred method because then several lines are
retrieved consecutively, but the text decoder is updated at the same time
with several page numbers relating to each programme. The advantage of
this invention lies in the fact that quite up-to-date video text
information is accessible at any time of the day, even if no TV signals or
at least no TV signals containing text information are being transmitted.
A further advantage is that text information can also be called up when
the unit is operating in a mode for which the tuner has been set to a
fixed frequency. A broadcast can thus be viewed on the screen of a TV,
while at the same time video text can be called up in a section of the
screen, i.e. programmes which are being broadcast at a frequency different
to the tuner frequency during viewing. In the case of VCRs, a broadcast
can be recorded and videotext viewed at the same time on a screen. The
user can transmit broadcast data from the displayed broadcast page
information to his broadcast memory. With known devices of this type, only
manual input into the broadcast memory was possible in the record mode,
since videotext was not freely accessible as the tuner has to be kept at a
preset frequency during recording.
With the second invention, text pages for each programme slot can be
displayed even though they are not being transmitted by the programme
which is assigned to the respective programme slot. This is made possible
by the fact that for a programme slot, not only one page number is stored
or several page numbers are stored, but also by the fact that for each
page number the programme identification for the programme transmitting
the desired page is stored simultaneously. This invention is of benefit,
e.g. in the following cases. Various programmes do not transmit any text
data and thus no broadcast pages relating to the programme either;
however, other programmes transmit broadcast pages relating to such a
programme. With previous video receivers, it was not possible to receive
broadcast pages relating to such a programme in the programme slot for
such a programme. On the contrary, it was necessary to switch over to the
programme which was transmitting broadcast pages relating to the programme
in question and search for the pages there relating to the actual
programme. In the second invention, however, it is now possible to display
for every programme slot all broadcast pages relating to the programme in
question, even if the broadcast pages are being transmitted by other
programmes. As already mentioned, this is made possible by the fact that
for each programme slot not only page numbers are stored but also page
numbers with programme identifications. Another advantage of the second
invention is that subjects can be assigned to programme slots. Thus, for
example, text pages can be placed in programme slots which are each
assigned to a specific subject, e.g. the weather or stockmarket
information. The page information assigned to these programme slots
comprises all programme identifications and page numbers which relate to
the individual subject.
Instead of selecting a programme slot, a subject list of this type can also
be created and read by selecting a specific menu item.
The third invention refers to a programme identification/page
identification table which stores at least one page identification
allocated to one of several programme identifications in each case whereby
every page identification consists of a programme identification and a
page number. This table can then be used, for example, when it has to be
stipulated what pages are to be inserted into the current updating table
or a programme slot. The table is then displayed on a screen and the
desired pages are selected from the table by means of a cursor. A table of
this type can list hundreds of pages. The pages which can be input do not
then have to be laboriously picked out from text overview frames and
entered by hand. Such a table is also of assistance when, in the case of
programme runs, allocations have to be made between page identifications
and programme slots. As already mentioned, information in a specific
programme with a specific page number may contain exclusively broadcast
information relating to another programme. The above-mentioned table
checks directly what page belongs to what programme. If the table is
supplemented by times which show what time spans cover specific pages, it
is also possible to ascertain retrospectively the identification of
broadcasts, and in particular their title, if such a broadcast was
recorded without having first been identified and stored in a broadcast
memory.
The fourth invention refers to a specific type of page control using a
cursor. A cursor can normally be moved from line to line on a page. If a
switch is to be made to a following or previous page or to a following or
previous programme, specific commands must be entered.
The video receiver corresponding to the invention now ensures that every
text page is surrounded by a margin on all four pages. If the cursor is
moved down to the lower margin and a key is then pressed which is also
used to jump from line to line, a switchover is made to the following page
of the same programme. Accordingly, when the upper margin is reached, a
switchover is made to the previous page; when the right margin is reached,
a switchover is made to the next programme and when the left margin is
reached to the previous programme. A change in the margin allocation can
also be selected differently.
The fifth invention refers to a video receiver which displays a page
stipulated in a specific way as the first page during switchover from one
programme to another in text page display. In original devices, the first
page stipulated for the relevant programme was always displayed as the
first page. The video receiver corresponding to the invention, however,
shows as the first page the one which relates temporarily to the time at
which the cursor was positioned in the previous page. Thus, if a user
views for example a page for the evening programme in a first programme,
and then switches the display of broadcast pages to another programme, the
page for the evening programme will also be displayed as the first page. A
user can thus page through all programmes within a desired time period. If
he comes across a programme which does not contain a page with the desired
time span, this page will be displayed as the first one covering the
following time span. If no such page exists, the first page of the list
relating to the corresponding programme is displayed. However, these
latter variations do not make any changes to the set period. This is only
changed if the cursor is moved from one line to the next within a page.
Every time a new line is reached, the clock time relating to the broadcast
in this line is fixed as the clock time which determines the search for
pages in other programmes.
This invention then has specially beneficial uses when a continually
updated page memory is available. In this case, an individual programme or
several programmes can be paged without any waiting time in the pages.
The sixth invention relates to a video receiver designed as a VCR which is
capable of processing flags in a specific way, such flags being placed in
a conventional way at broadcast data belonging to recorded broadcasts in a
broadcast memory. Conventional video receivers display the entire contents
of the broadcast memory on a screen. The actual display is very unclear.
The unclearness is also not improved very much when attempts are made with
the aid of flags and highlights to catch the eye of the user. The video
receiver, corresponding to the invention, makes it possible to display
either flagged or unflagged broadcast data on a screen. If a menu item
"broadcasts to be recorded" is selected, the user sees on screen
immediately a complete and final overview of all broadcasts still to be
recorded without any distracting additional information on broadcasts
already recorded also being displayed. The same is true of the display of
data in a menu item "display recorded broadcasts". It is particularly
advantageous to make the output of flagged broadcasts dependent on a
cassette code. This permits very clear cassette management. If a cassette
is inserted into the tape device, either a cassette code is read
automatically or one, e.g. a cassette number, is entered manually. The
video receiver then searches in the broadcast memory device for flagged
broadcast data relating to this cassette code and only displays this data.
The broadcast data for recorded broadcasts is stored permanently in the
broadcast memory device. As a result of this, the user can recognise
immediately the contents of all coded cassettes as soon as the user puts
the cassette in the tape device, enters the code and calls up the
corresponding menu item for displaying the contents of the cassette. If
this cassette code is not stored, flagged broadcast data is erased
preferably, i.e. data relating to recorded broadcasts as soon as a new
cassette in inserted into the tape device. When the previous cassette is
removed, its contents and therefore the display are retained on screen, so
that a user can note on the cassette broadcast data regarding recorded
broadcasts from the screen.
The seventh invention ensures that broadcast data relating to a recorded
broadcast is transferred automatically to the broadcast memory device if
such information has not already been entered before the recording of a
broadcast. This happens when a user records a broadcast without
preprogramming, e.g. if, in the course of a current broadcast, he realises
that he would like to record it and presses the record button accordingly.
As soon as the recording has ended, the video receiver searches for an
entry in the broadcast memory device on which a flag is now to be placed.
If no such entry exists, the device traces the relevant broadcast data
from broadcast pages with the aid of the VPS signal transmitted and stored
during the broadcast and transfers this data with a flag to the broadcast
memory device. If the broadcast does not transmit any VPS signals, the
device searches in text pages for broadcast data which relate to the
programme in question for the beginning of the recording. If this data is
found, it is transferred to the broadcast memory device.
The location of broadcast pages with relevant information is then
particularly simple if text pages can be accessed such as those updated,
according to invention 1. However, a broadcast may have been recorded
without the relevant data being contained in an updated page. In this
case, a table containing additional time information, as per invention 3,
provides further assistance. With this table, the related page
identification can be traced by means of the recording time. The
corresponding page is then searched, read and analysed by setting the
tuner and text decoder accordingly.
The eighth invention ensures that preview pages can also be found when they
are not permanently numbered, i.e., for example, when a page for the
programme tomorrow cannot always be found under the number 301, but under
a number which changes daily, e.g., under the number when the following
day is the first day of a month, under the number 302, when the following
day is the second day of the month, etc. According to this invention, not
only page numbers are stored, but a preview memory device also stores the
number of preview days for which pages are to be read in. The entry,
therefore, is, for example, that preview pages are to be found under pages
301 to 331 and that from these 31 pages two are to be searched which
contain the preview for tomorrow or the day after. In order to avoid a
daily search of all pages available for selection, it is an advantage if
the device recognises the sequence code according to which preview pages
can be found, i.e. for example the above-mentioned monthly sequence code
or a weekly sequence code or a fixed allocation in which the page for
tomorrow or the day after is always found under a permanent number.
It is particularly beneficial to develop the unit so that it has a learning
device which tries to find a preview page according to one of several
sequence codes and which varies the sequence code as long as it always
finds preview pages immediately under a located sequence code. This
invention is very useful in updating an extensive page memory. However,
the invention can also be used independently of all other inventions
described here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1--Block diagram of a video receiver which works in conjunction with a
screen and/or a tape device;
FIG. 2--Main flowchart for a video receiver corresponding to FIG. 1, when
it is designed as a VCR;
FIG. 3--Flowchart relating to the subprogram "basic programming" in the
flowchart referred to in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4--Display of the contents of a programme slot memory which stores
page numbers allocated to programme slots;
FIG. 5--Display of the contents of a programme slot memory which stores
page identifications (page numbers and programme identifications)
allocated to programme slots;
FIG. 6--Display of the contents of a separate programme identification/page
identification memory device;
FIG. 7--Display of the contents of a special list or a page identification
list;
FIG. 8--Display of the content of a programme identification/page
identification table;
FIG. 9--Variant of steps 3.10 and 3.11 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 10--Variant of steps 3.10" of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11--Flowchart of an updating program for text pages;
FIG. 12--Flowchart of a program for displaying text pages and for
transferring broadcast data to a broadcast memory device;
FIG. 13--Flowchart of a variant of the section of the flowchart in FIG. 12
which is connected to the flag BT with the option of transferring
broadcast assigned to cassette codes to a broadcast memory device;
FIG. 14--Flowchart relating to the change of pages during the program run
corresponding to FIG. 12;
FIG. 15--Flowchart relating to the definition of page numbers when paging
through text pages in accordance with the program run in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16--Flowchart relating to a VCR program with which it is possible to
record broadcasts and then enter broadcast data automatically in a
broadcast memory device;
FIG. 17--Display of the contents of a screen which displays the contents of
a broadcast memory device for an individual cassette;
FIG. 18--Flowchart relating to a variant of the basic programming program
corresponding to FIG. 3, i.e. for entering data relating to preview pages;
FIG. 19--Flowchart of an addition to the program run corresponding to FIG.
18, for entering a sequence code;
FIG. 20--Variants of an updating program run, in which only those pages are
updated whose date is between today and today plus a specified number of
days in the future;
FIGS. 21 and 22--Flowcharts which supplement the program run corresponding
to FIG. 11 in order to find preview pages with the aid of a learnt
sequence code;
FIG. 23--Display of the contents of a programme slot memory area
corresponding to the contents of the programme slot memory as per FIG. 5
with the additional indication of a sequence code behind each page
identification.
METHODS OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION
The block diagram in FIG. 1 is split by a horizontal dotted line. The
blocks above the dotted line form a video receiver. However, the block
marked "Command input" does not necessarily belong to this receiver. The
command input can be produced by a keyboard on the video receiver in which
case it is part of the receiver, or it can be designed as a remote control
unit, i.e. as a separate device. Underneath the dotted line, there is a
block for a tape device and a block for a picture generator/screen. A
video receiver, which is housed in a casing together with a tape device,
forms a VCR. A video receiver, which is housed in a casing together with a
screen, forms a television set.
The video receiver in FIG. 1 features a tuner, a text decoder, a ROM, an
EEPROM, a RAM, a real-time clock and a control device (CPU), which
controls the operational cycle of all these function groups through the
exchange of control, address and data signals.
In the three memory blocks shown in FIG. 1, memory areas are highlighted,
i.e. a programme identification/page identification table in the ROM, a
programme page memory and a page identification memory in the EEPROM and a
page memory in the RAM. With the exception of the programme page memory,
these memory areas are involved in the storage of text pages.
If the video receiver does not have a text decoder, all memory capacities
relating to text information access and storage are deleted. In the
following description, special reference is made to this fact through
working examples which function without a text decoder.
FIG. 2 shows the main program run for a VCR. As soon as voltage is applied
to the unit, either by connecting the mains plug to the power supply or by
connecting a supply battery, a start program commences. As soon as it
finishes, processing of an updating program begins which ensures that text
pages, as they are received via the text decoder, are continually updated.
How this actually works, is explained below in more detail on the basis of
FIG. 11. The updating program runs continually in the background apart
from when the tuner and/or the text decoder are otherwise occupied. If
there is a separate tuner for updating, updating can also be carried out
when, with the aid of a main tuner, a TV programme is received for viewing
or recording. Apart from the updating program, a timer monitoring program
runs continually in the background. This program checks whether a time has
been reached from which a broadcast is to be recorded. If this is the
.case, the device switches automatically, provided it is not being
operated right at that moment by the user, to a VCR mode in which
recording is carried out. If the user is just operating the unit in
another capacity, a message is displayed to indicate that the starting
time of a broadcast to be recorded has been reached.
Finally, a continuous background check monitors whether a switch for basic
programming has been switched on. If this is the case, a basic programming
menu is displayed whose function is explained in more detail below on the
basis of FIGS. 3 to 10.
As soon as the start program has ended and the background program has also
started, the unit switches to a stand-by mode. Before the corresponding
block in FIG. 2 there is a flag AH via which the stand-by mode is always
reached from other modes. In the case of the device corresponding to the
preferred working example, three different modes can be selected by
pressing one of three keys which are marked "TV", "T" or "VCR". With these
keys, either a TV mode, a text mode or the previously mentioned VCR mode
is set. If the TV mode is selected, a TV programme can be viewed. If the
TV is switched off, while the VCR to which the sequence in FIG. 2 applies,
is in the TV mode, the recorder returns to the stand-by mode. However, if
one of the two other mode keys is pressed, a corresponding switchover is
made. In the text mode, a text mode program starts which is explained in
more detail below on the basis of FIGS. 12 to 15. In the VCR mode, a VCR
mode program starts which is illustrated by means of FIGS. 16 and 17. If
at least 5 minutes have elapsed in the text mode program or the VCR
program since the last command processed, the recorder returns to the
stand-by mode. A switchover to another mode can also be made at any time
by pressing one of the mode keys.
A flowchart for a TV set is very similar to that for a VCR corresponding to
FIG. 2. The only feature missing is in fact the VCR mode.
Basic programming is required for every video receiver irrespective of
whether it is designed with a built-in tape device as a VCR or with a
built-in screen as a TV set. Video receivers are therefore capable of
receiving a large number of preset programmes with the aid of an
adjustable tuner.
It is defined in the basic programming what programmes can be received with
each device without the need for manual adjustment of the tuner. A
programme slot memory stores the receive frequency for each programme.
The basic programming program in FIG. 3 starts whenever the previously
mentioned basic programming switch is switched on. It ends at any position
in the program run as soon as the above-mentioned switch is switched off.
A step 3.1, in which a basic programming menu is displayed, is attained
via a flag AG which is reverted to at the end of subsequences. A menu
option is selected in a step 3.2.
The selection of menu options is described below. As already mentioned, the
three basic modes are selected by means of three special keys. Other menu
options are normally selected on video receivers by entering a number in a
keyboard which is allocated to a desired menu option in the menu display
on screen. However, menu options can also be selected by a special remote
control unit described in a parallel patent application. This remote
control unit establishes whether it was inclining forwards, backwards, to
the left or to the right, or whether it is in a horizontal position. If a
universal key is pressed, one of five codes, irrespective of the position
of the unit, is emitted. Thus, a simple selection can be made between five
different menu options by merely positioning the remote control unit
accordingly and pressing the universal key. It is also possible to select
a menu option due to the fact that, with the aid of two cursor keys for
"Up" and "Down", the line can be moved which shows the desired menu option
and then a selector key is pressed. The actual method of menu selection is
irrelevant as far as the following remarks are concerned. The actual
method of menu selection will therefore not be mentioned again.
As soon as a menu option is selected in the basic programming, a check is
made (Step 3.3) whether a programme slot or a special list is to be
programmed. If the program slot programming option is selected, a
corresponding display on screen prompts the user to enter a programme slot
number. It can now be established (Step 3.5) for which programme slot data
can be entered. In modern video receivers, up to a few dozen programme
slots can be entered. As soon as a number is defined, the user is prompted
(Step 3.8) to enter a programme slot identification. A programme slot
identification is not actually essential to operate a video receiver, but
such identifications make it easier for the user to see what programmes he
can switch over to by merely switching from one programme slot to another,
without adjusting the tuner manually. The user can therefore display in a
corresponding menu option the programme slot identifications for all
programme slots. One advantage of the video receiver corresponding to the
working example is that programme slots can not only be allocated to
programmes as broadcast by stations, but also that broadcasts on a
specific subject can be stored in programme slots irrespective of what
programme is being broadcast. A program slot can therefore be designated,
for example, as "ARD", "BBC", "NBC", but also, for example, as "Weather"
or "Stock market". A program slot identification can be entered or
selected and taken over from a proposed list. The latter option is
explained below in further detail on the basis of FIGS. 8 to 10. As soon
as the programme slot identification is entered or selected (Step 3.7) a
request is made to enter a | | |
