Apparatus and method for tracking the playing of VCR programs

What is claimed is:

1. A video tape player for monitoring user selection habits of a plurality of video tapes, each video tape containing a plurality of programs, a first type of video tapes having a title information symbol on a predetermined interval of the tape for each program on the tape, the video tape player comprising:

a clock for providing a time;

means for moving the video tape;

a magnetic head for detecting the plurality of programs recorded on the video tape and the title information symbols on the first type of video tape and a plurality of programs recorded on a second type of video tape;

a detector for receiving user inputted commands for controlling the movement of the video tape, the user inputted commands comprising a start play command to start moving, in a longitudinal direction, the video tape proximate to the magnetic head so that the magnetic head can detect said programs on the video tape and a stop play command to stop moving the tape;

a controller coupled to said detector for commanding the moving means in response to said detected user inputted commands and reading the time of occurrence of said detected user inputted commands;

a first memory for storing a title information symbol for each program on the second type of video tape;

a second memory for storing the title information symbol and the time of occurrence of said detected user inputted commands; and

means for providing the contents of the second memory to an external analyzer in response to a download command.

2. The video tape player of claim 1 wherein said predetermined interval of said video tape signals comprises a vertical blanking interval of said broadcast video tape.

3. The video tape player of claim 1 further comprising:

a receiver capable of receiving broadcast video signals;

a decoder coupled to said receiver for decoding signals contained in a predetermined interval of said broadcast video signals to produce information signals;

means for displaying on a TV receiver an icon to alert a user to the presence of information signals and for displaying a code to be entered by a user for storing the information signals;

a third memory;

means, responsive to the user entered code, for storing in the third memory the information signals; and,

means responsive to a user input for displaying for review the stored information from the information signal; and

means for storing in the second memory the time of occurrence of any of said user inputs.

4. The video tape player of claim 1 further comprising a controller for providing the download command upon a match between the clock time and a predetermined time.

5. The video tape player of claim 1, wherein the providing means is a telephone interface.

6. The video tape player of claim 1, wherein the title information symbol on the first type of tape is a UPC number.

7. A method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing programs recorded on video tape, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring for record or play commands from either user inputted commands or a microprocessor controller in an indexing VCR;

(b) if a play command is detected,

(1) reading from a directory, a title of a program retrieved from the video tape;

(2) reading the time of the receipt of the play command;

(c) if a record command is detected,

(1) reading from a video signal a title of a program being broadcasted that is to be recorded on the tape;

(2) reading the time of the receipt of the record command;

(d) monitoring for a stop play or stop record command from either user inputted commands or the microprocessor controller;

(e) reading the time of the receipt of the stop play or stop record command;

(f) storing in a memory the title, start time, stop time, and either a play flag or a record flag corresponding to whether a play or record command was received; and

(g) providing to an information analyzer the stored information contents of the memory.

8. A method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing a program on a plurality of video tapes played on a VCR having stored in a memory a directory of the programs corresponding to the plurality of video tapes, the method comprising the steps of,

(a) monitoring for record or play commands from either user inputted commands or a microprocessor controller in an indexing VCR;

(b) if a play command is detected, flagging in the directory the time that the program was played;

(c) if a record command is detected, flagging in the directory the time that the program was recorded;

(d) providing the contents of the memory to an information analyzer; and

(e) determining user selection habits from the contents of the memory.

9. A method for monitoring user habits of viewing an electronic television guide with video clips, the television guide comprising a list of broadcasted programs as a video picture in the form of a grid recorded in repeating frames on the video track of a tape at selected intervals, a plurality of full motion picture video clips, single video clips associated with one of the listed programs recorded in an interval between frames of listed programs, and information recorded in the VBI of the video picture of the list of programs on the video track, the information recorded in the VBI including information for locating on a display a cursor for highlighting a listed program, an address on the tape of the video clip associated with the highlighted program, and a code associated with the highlighted program for preprogramming a VCR for recording the highlighted program, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a user selection command;

if the user selection command is a preprogramming command, storing in a memory the code and the time of the user selection command; and

if the user selection command is a play command, storing in the memory the address associated with the highlighted program and the time of the user selection command.

10. An interconnected video tape player system for monitoring user selection habits of a plurality of video tapes, each video tape containing a plurality of programs, a first type of video tapes having for each program on the tape a title information symbol on a predetermined interval of the tape, the system comprising:

a bus;

a plurality of video tape players, each being coupled to the bus for receiving and sending data and commands between players, one of the players being designated as a master player and the other players being designated as slave players, each player being identified by a unique player identifier, each player comprising:

a clock for providing a time;

means for moving the video tape;

a magnetic head for detecting the plurality of programs recorded on the video tape and the title information symbols on the first type of video tape and a plurality of programs recorded on a second type of video tape;

a detector for receiving user inputted commands for controlling the movement of the video tape, the user inputted commands comprising a start play command to start moving, in a longitudinal direction, the video tape proximate to the magnetic head so that the magnetic head can detect said programs on the video tape and a stop play command to stop moving the tape;

a controller coupled to said detector for commanding the moving means in response to said detected user inputted commands and for reading the time of occurrence of said detected user inputted commands;

a first memory for storing a title information symbol for each program on the second type of video tape; and

a second memory for storing the title information symbol and the time of occurrence of said detected user inputted commands;

the master player further comprising:

means for providing the contents of the second memory to an external analyzer in response to a download command, and

a second controller for providing bus commands to the bus, the bus commands including a memory transfer command and a player identifier, and for storing in the second memory of the master player data received on the bus in response to the memory transfer command;

each slave player further comprising means for providing to the bus the contents of the second memory in response to said memory transfer command and said player identifier when said identifier matches the unique identifier of the player.

11. A method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing programs recorded on a video tape comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring user inputted commands;

b) when a play command is detected;

1) storing an identifier of the program being retrieved from the video tape; and

2) storing the time of the play command;

c) when a stop command is detected after a start command is detected storing the time of the stop command; and

d) providing to an information analyzer the stored information.

12. A method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing programs recorded on a video tape comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring for play and stop commands a microprocessor controller in a VCR;

b) when a play command is detected;

1) storing an identifier of the program being retrieved from the video tape; and

2) storing the time of the play command;

c) when a stop command is detected after a start command is detected storing the time of the stop command; and

d) providing to an information analyzer the stored information.

13. A method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing programs recorded on a video tape comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring user inputted commands;

b) when a record command is detected;

1) storing an identifier of the program being broadcasted that is being recorded on the tape;

2) storing the time of the record command;

c) when a stop command is detected after a start command is detected storing the time of the stop command; and

d) providing to an information analyzer the stored information.

14. A method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing programs recorded on a video tape comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring for record and stop commands a microprocessor controller in a VCR;

b) when a record command is detected;

1) storing an identifier of the program being broadcasted that is being recorded on the tape;

2) storing the time of the record command;

c) when a stop command is detected after a start command is detected storing the time of the stop command; and

d) providing to an information analyzer the stored information.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for facilitating and monitoring the management, storage and retrieval of programs on a cassette of magnetic tape, and, more particularly, for the automatic monitoring of the operation of a video cassette recorder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advertising rates for commercials of television programs are determined by the expected size of viewer audience for television programs. These expectations are usually determined from the estimated audience sizes of previously broadcast shows. For example, a weekly television series will estimate its audience size for upcoming episodes based on the estimated size of previously broadcasted episodes. In addition, advertising rates may be adjusted based on an after the fact estimation of the market share for the televised program. The present systems for estimating market share involve survey evidence such as the Nielsen ratings. Previous market data was taken by selecting households to record their viewing habits. For example, a selected household might record in a written journal or diary when members of the household turn on and turn off the television, what channels are selected, and the number of viewers in the room. This data may alternatively be collected by providing the user with an electronic device where he pushes a button that indicates the turning on or off of the television and the channel selected. Other systems are connected directly to the television that will monitor power on and off and the channel and time of the selected programs. These monitoring systems are typically wired to a dedicated telephone line, and when instructed, they dump their memory over a phone line to a central computer for analysis.

However, these monitoring systems are inadequate for monitoring when a viewer records a program on a video tape using a video cassette recorder. For recording programs, the VCR may be operated independently of turning the television set on, and thus the systems will not detect the fact that the program was recorded. When the recorded program is subsequently viewed, the systems will note that the television is turned on but the selected channel is typically an uncommon television channel, such as channel 3 or 4, which is selected every time the VCR is operated. Even knowing that the television has been turned on, the monitoring system cannot determine the program that is being played. In addition, an individual may watch a recorded program several times over periods of years. The diary entry system is also erroneous because a viewer may not be inclined to record his entries or may make false entries.

Publishers of video tapes presently have no method for determining the frequency of viewing of their video tapes. In particular, one type of video tape contains a plurality of different video programs. For example, a Jane Fonda workout tape may contain ten different exercises ranging from an initial warmup to segments exercising leg muscles, segments for exercising upper body muscles, and a final cool down segment. While exercising viewers may skip certain strenuous segments on a regular basis. However, the video publisher does not know that such skipping occurs, By knowing that one video segment is not being watched, the publisher can either modify the segment or eliminate it completely. For example, in the Jane Fonda workout video example, the strenuous exercise segment may be reduced to being less strenuous or a separate tape could be generated without the strenuous segment and marketed as a low impact exercise tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A video tape player monitors the selection habits of a viewer selecting from a plurality of video tapes. Each video tape contains a plurality of programs. A first type of video tape has a title information symbol contained in a predetermined interval of the tape, e.g. the vertical blanking interval, for each program on the tape. A clock provides the time of occurrence of commands. A detector receives user inputted commands for controlling the movement of the video tape. The user inputted commands comprise a start play command to start moving, in a longitudinal direction, the video tape proximate to a magnetic head so that the magnetic head can detect said programs on the video tape and a stop command to stop moving the tape.

A controller is coupled to said detector for commanding the motor in response to said detected user inputted commands and for reading the time of occurrence of said detected user inputted commands. A first memory stores a title information symbol for each program on a second type of video tape. A second memory stores the title information symbol and the time of occurrence of said detected user inputted commands. A circuit provides the contents of the second memory to an external analyzer.

In another embodiment, an indexing video tape system has a video tape recorder. A VBI decoder decodes information from the vertical blanking interval of a video signal provided by either a remote broadcaster, the video tape recorder, or another video tape recorder. A VBI encoder encodes information on the vertical blanking interval of a video signal that is provided to the video tape recorder. A first memory stores directory information of a video tape. A display shows the directory information or the decoded information. A circuit receives user selected commands. A controller of the tape system receives the user selected commands and the information and uses the commands and the directory and decoded information to operate the indexing video tape system. A circuit monitors the operations from the controller. A second memory stores the monitored operations.

In one embodiment, the circuit that monitors the operations from the controller also determines the time of the occurrence of the user selected commands.

The system periodically provides the monitoring data to an information analyzer.

In a method for monitoring information for analyzing user selection habits of viewing a plurality of programs recorded on a video tape, record or play commands for either user inputted commands or a microprocessor controller in an indexing VCR are detected. If a play command is detected, a title of one of the plurality of programs recorded on the video tape is read from a directory. The start time of the receipt of the play command is also read.

If a record command is detected, a title of a program being broadcasted that is to be recorded on the tape is read from a video signal. The start time of the receipt of the record command is read. A stop play or stop record command is monitored and detected. The stop time of the receipt of the stop command is read The title, start time, stop time, and either a play flag or a record flag corresponding to whether a play or record command was received are stored in a memory. The contents of the memory are provided to an information analyzer. User selections habits are determined from the contents of the memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will be better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an indexing video cassette recorder, using a hybrid indexing system that provides indexing of recorded programs for home recorded tapes, prerecorded tapes, and retroactively indexed tapes, and a standard video cassette format, and that has a directory controller, a bus interface, and an output interface and embodies the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic conceptually illustrating a structure of data stored in the RAM of the directory controller of FIG. 1 according to a specific implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a conceptual structure of an in-use directory in the data structure of FIG. 2 according to a specific implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the format of the information recorded on the magnetic tape in the cassette of FIG. 1 with markers and directories in the control track;

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of the format of the information recorded on the magnetic tape in the cassette of FIG. 1 with markers in the control track and the directories in the fields of the video frames;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a remote control unit for operating the indexing VCR of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment for storing tape identification numbers and program numbers using a VISS PLUS TP data packet address system;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 where a program has been overwritten on the tape;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a multiple VCR system for transferring directory data between the VCRs over a communication bus;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the format for an embodiment of the directory packet recorded in the VBI for prerecorded tapes;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the format for an embodiment of the directory packet D(0) for the tape title recorded in the VBI for prerecorded tapes;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the format for an embodiment of a TP packet recorded on the VBI for HR tapes and PR tapes;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the format for an embodiment of a TID for an HR tape;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the format for an embodiment of a TID for a PR tape;

FIGS. 15a-15b are flow charts showing the steps employed in the operation of the indexing VCR, using the VISS PLUS TP addressing system, when a tape is inserted therein;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of an indexing VCR using a VISS PLUS TP addressing system of writing a tape identification and a program number to a home recorded tape (HR tape) during recording;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the search for a program on an indexed tape using a VISS PLUS TP addressing system;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the search for a program on an indexed tape using a VISS PLUS TP addressing system and an absolute addressing system;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the processing of program related information;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the display of the program related information stored in the buffers;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of the indexing VCR 10 for video magazines;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of recording an electronic program guide;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of the index functions for an electronic guide using the indexing VCR;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of the display of the directory selected in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of the display of the directory including the electronic guide selected in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electronic program guide with a video grid and video clips with an exploded view of a movie guide portion of the guide;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of the indexing VCR for an electronic program guide using a video grid and video clips

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of temporarily indexing portions of a video tape between VISS marks;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the steps employed in the operation of playing temporarily indexed portions of a video tape between VISS marks;

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the format for the pointer packet data broadcasted in the VBI for auxiliary information;

FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing the format for the CSPG/PRI packet data recorded in the VBI as pointed to by the pointer in line 21 of the VBI;

FIG. 32 is a schematic view showing the video magazine (VM) packet used for video magazines;

FIG. 33a is a flow chart showing the steps performed by the controller when an enhanced tape is inserted into the VCR embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 33b-33n are flow charts showing the steps performed by the controller when different keys are pressed;

FIGS. 34a-34p illustrates the different screens displayed by the VCR embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 35a-35c illustrate the steps of different procedures performed by the VCR embodying the present invention;

FIG. 36 illustrate how instant information is decoded from the VBI and used in the VCR embodying the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the steps for extending the recording of a broadcasted program;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the steps employed in the operation of the parental control feature of the indexing VCR;

FIG. 39a is a flowchart showing the steps employed in the monitoring of signals representative of user selections of program viewing from the remote controller; and

FIG. 39b is a flowchart showing the steps employed in the monitoring of signals representative of user selections of viewing or recording auxiliary information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Indexing VCR

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an indexing VCR system 10 including a video cassette reader/recorder (VCR) 1 with a conventional video tape cassette 40, a video display 50, and a directory controller 30. The VCR 1 is a video reader/recorder device and uses any one of many different recording technologies such as BETA, VHS, super VHS, 8 mm, VHS-C or any other popular technologies. In particular, VHS-C indexed tapes can be played directly on a VHS indexing VCR with full index functioning. The cassette 40 is a conventional video cassette having a magnetic tape 42 packaged in a cartridge 40a or cassette housing (hereafter called cassette) and transported between a feeding spindle 40b and a takeup spindle 40c. Even though the size and design of the housing is different for different types of recording technology, the basic information that goes on the tape itself is similar. The technology and operation of a VCR are well understood in the art.

The VCR 1 has a button control panel 3 with control buttons, including LOAD 3a, PLAY 3b, STOP 3c, RECORD 3d, and EJECT 3e, for controlling the operation of the VCR 1. The LOAD button 3a is optional and is not used on machines which load automatically. The VCR control logic circuit 21 receives control signals from the button control panel 3 and controls the overall operation of the VCR 1 by sending control signals to a motor and mechanical control logic circuit 5, a video logic circuit 7, a position logic and counter circuit 9, and a control and audio track head logic circuit 11 of the VCR 1, as well as to the video display 50 and the microprocessor controller 31 of the directory controller 30.

The motor and mechanical control logic circuit 5 controls loading and ejecting of the cassette 40 and also controls movement of the video tape 42 within the video cassette 40 during recording, reading (playback), fast forward, and rewind. The video logic circuit 7 controls the operation of a video read/write head drum 13 in reading from or recording video signals to the tape 42. The electrical signals are magnetically coupled between the video logic circuit 7 and the video head drum 13 using a winding 14. The position logic and counter circuit 9 monitors tape movement through a cassette tape movement sensor 22 and generates signals that represent tape position. The control and audio track head logic circuit 11 controls writing, reading, and erasing of signals on the control or audio track of the tape 42 through the write head 19, the read head 17, and the erase head 15.

The directory controller 30 includes a microprocessor controller 31, a random access memory (RAM) 33 and a directory input/output display and control panel 32. Preferably the microprocessor controller 31 comprises an integrated circuit microprocessor, a program store, such as a read-only-memory (ROM), for storing a control program to implement methods of the invention, and a clock 31a for generating a clock signal for timing functions and providing the time. The time may be set using the directory input/output display and control panel 32 in a manner known in the art. The microprocessor controller 31 controls the sequence and operation of the directory controller 30 and interfaces with the VCR control logic circuit 21 to implement the necessary functional capabilities for reading, updating and recording the directory. The microprocessor controller 31 in the indexing VCR 10 performs all indexing functions and human interface, interprets (e.g. tab, indent, screen format, attributes) and processes the auxiliary information display. An exemplary implementation of the microprocessor controller 31 is illustrated in the parent patent application Ser. No. 08/066,666. Alternatively, the VCR 1 may maintain the time. The RAM 33 is a conventional random access semiconductor memory which interfaces directly with the microprocessor controller 31. The RAM 33 is preferably non-volatile. Alternatively, the RAM 33 is battery backed up. A portion of the RAM 33 shown as system data 33b, is also used for storing the system software of the microprocessor controller 31. The RAM 33 is also used for storing the program directory 33a and the monitoring data 33c. The size of the RAM 33 is at the discretion of the manufacturer. However, the RAM 33 preferably can store the directory of at least 100 tapes. Accordingly, the RAM 33 is preferably at least 128k bits. Effective memory size of the RAM 33 may be increased by using well known data compression techniques. Data recorded in the RAM 33 may be encoded or scrambled. An exemplary method of encoding is the secret key data encryption standard (DES) proposed by IBM and adopted by NBS in 1978. An exemplary scrambling method is disclosed in the parent patent application Ser. No. 08/066,666. The encoding and decoding programs are stored in the ROM. The directory input/output display and control panel 32 has an alphanumeric keyboard 32a and special function keys, such as a SEARCH key 32b for commanding searches for data in the directory 33a and on the tape 42, a MODIFY key 32c for modifying or deleting directory information in the RAM 33, and an ENTER key 32d for entering program directory information. Instead of providing special function keys, functions can also be initiated by entering predefined sequences of conventional keys on the alphanumeric keyboard 32a.

A display 32e is a conventional liquid crystal or other type of display for displaying data being entered on the keyboard 32a, and to display the directory or other information stored in the RAM 33. Alternately, as discussed below, an on-screen display 50a can be used. The directory information stored in the RAM 33 is processed by the microprocessor controller 31.

The VCR 1 additionally comprises a character generator circuit 23 coupled to the VCR control logic circuit 21 and to a character generator read-only memory (ROM) 25. Character generators are well-known in the art. Typically, the character generator ROM 25 stores a data table representing pixel or bit patterns of a plurality of alphanumeric characters, such as the Roman alphabet and the Arabic numerals. Upon command by the VCR control logic circuit 21 and the character generator circuit 23, the data in the character generator ROM 25 is read and placed in an output signal to the video display at a position on the display determined by coordinates generated by the microprocessor controller 31. The end result is visual display of a alphanumeric character on the display screen. Character generators are well-known for channel display in television receivers, and for use in professional titling equipment.

The screen 50a is preferably 36 characters.times.15 rows. As will be described below, a broadcaster preferably broadcasts auxiliary information in this format. For displays with a different format, the indexing VCR 10 reformats the information. For example, a VCR with a higher screen display density, such as 36 characters.times.15 rows, may center the information in the 24 characters.times.10 rows format. Alternatively, for a higher screen display density, the data may be broadcasted at the higher density. When there are more rows than can be displayed on one page, the indexing VCR 10 displays a message, such as "(MORE)," to inform the user that there is another page of information.

Commercially available decoder circuits well known in the art for decoding the closed caption broadcasting system for the deaf can be optionally connected to the directory controller 30 for automatic generation of the program title for the directory of the program being recorded. Television broadcasts include titles and subtitles transmitted during the Vertical blanking interval (VBI) portion (described below) of the broadcast video signal, which can be decoded and displayed as text subtitles along with the video image by means of special decoding circuitry. Regular TV receivers do not decode nor process the signal, but with special decoder circuitry, the encoded text can be extracted and fed to the directory controller 30 for automatic generation of the title of the program being recorded. The extracted, decoded program title can be edited by a user or saved in the directory. Thus, the extracted program title can serve as an alternate data input source for the program directory, reducing the needed amount of user input. Other auxiliary information described below may also be broadcast during the VBI.

As shown in FIG. 1, caption decoding can be implemented by coupling an input of a VBI signal decoder 60a to the output of a tuner 61 which is generally included in the majority of consumer VCR's for off-the-air recording. The tuner 61 receives a broadcast TV signal from an antenna 63 or a cable TV signal source 64. Both the decoder, the tuner, and the interaction of both, are conventional in the art. Examples of commercially available VBI caption decoders include the TeleCaption 4000 Adaptor, commercially available from National Caption Institute, Falls Church, Va., and Teletext Decoder, available from Norpak Corporation, Ottawa, Canada. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the VBI decoder 60a is a circuit from ITT with part number of CCD3000. The CCD3000 decoder may be set to decode a selected field and line of the VBI by setting a control and status register. Field selection is accomplished by selectively setting bit 4 of the IM BUS control register with a RAM address of 02H. Line selection is accomplished by selectively setting the IM Bus control register a with RAM address of 04H. (See "CCD 3000 Closed-Caption Decoder preliminary", table 4.2, page 31, Edition Apr. 22, 1991, ITT Semiconductors.) A decoder signal line 65 is coupled from the decoder to the VCR control logic circuit 21 to carry decoded caption data to the control logic circuit. The VCR control logic circuit 21 is commanded by the microprocessor controller 31 to pass the decoded data to the directory 33a under control of a stored program in the RAM 33. The program then causes the caption information to be stored as a program title in the directory and displayed on the display 50. The VBI data is sent to the RAM 33 during or immediately before the display of an on-screen directory at step 1408 described below for FIG. 35a, so that when the directory is displayed, the caption data immediately appears in the directory display. A user then can edit the caption to adjust it as desired.

Caption data is placed in a broadcast TV signal by a broadcast TV station in a continuous stream; a user of the VCR 1 cannot stop or slow down the stream without additional hardware. Thus, it is possible that the first caption data received by the antenna 63 is not the program title. This problem can be overcome by coupling a data buffer memory 62 to the decoder. Under control of the decoder, all caption data received by the VBI decoder 60a is stored in the caption buffer and serially output to the VCR control logic circuit 21. Each caption data word is displayed in the directory, and the user presses the ENTER button to accept the word and store it as a program title. For a period of time dependent on the size of the buffer and the rate of data received by the VBI decoder 60a, received data remains in the buffer from which it can be recalled by a user and saved as a program title. When the buffer 62 fills, any additional data words received will cause overflow, resulting in loss of the earliest received word. If a large enough buffer 62 is used, this overflow effect will not be a problem. The functions of reviewing buffered data and storing saved titles can be controlled by a stored computer program or subroutine in the RAM 33.

Not only can the information (e.g. title, subtitle, program identification) transmitted during the VBI portion be displayed in real time or used to generate program title for the directory, it can be utilized to further facilitate operation of the VCR. For example, by monitoring the transmitted title, the VCR can automatically detect the end of a program and stop recording thereto. Also by monitoring the VBI portion used for transmitting the title, the VCR can filter out (in recording a program) segments that are unrelated to the program (e.g. commercials), by temporarily stopping the VCR if changes in the title portion are detected.

It is disclosed in the preceding paragraphs that the VBI data may be broadcast at a relatively