Video recorder

• US 20010001022A1
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Published: 05/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kinghorn, John R.
• Application Number:
  US09/730,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20010001022A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/46
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/087 by sensing recorded signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0305 Semiconductor memories
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3054 Vertical Interval Time code [VITC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/328 on a tape [TTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9206 the additional signal being a character code signal

Abstract

A tape indexing arrangement for video recorders records the index on the tape using standard broadcast teletext codes. When a tape is inserted the contents list it contains is written onto an index RAM in the recorder (200). When a new programme is recorded a programme identification is generated from PDC or EPG data (202). At a suitable later time the contents of the index RAM are recorded on the tape (204).

Claims

1. A method of controlling a video recorder according to the VHS standard, the video recorder including means for decoding data defining displayable text and/or control functions recorded on a tape as a multilevel code at a data rate lower than that of the original data and within the bandwidth of the recorder, wherein the data includes row and column address codes for defining cursor positions on a display screen of an associated television receiver and function codes defining tasks to be performed on initiation of a command instruction when the cursor is displayed at a given location, the method comprising the steps of reading data from the tape, positioning the cursor at a desired one of the defined positions on the display screen, and initiating the task to be performed using the function codes associated with the cursor location.

2. A method as claimed in

claim 1

in which the data is teletext data.

3. A method as claimed in

claim 2

in which the teletext data is as defined in the World System Teletext Standard.

4. A method as claimed in

claim 3

in which the row and column address codes and the associated function codes are contained in teletext packets X/26.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the function codes are arranged to cause one or more of the following actions:

selecting a teletext page number;

selecting the audio status;

selecting audio description channel;

selecting the video status;

causing a video tape to wind to a defined position;

causing a command to be sent to associated equipment;

selecting a data channel or service.

6. A video recorder according to the VHS standard including means for reading and decoding data defining displayable text and/or control functions recorded on a tape as a multilevel code at a data rate lower than that of the original data and within the bandwidth of the recorder, the teletext data including row and column address information for defining cursor positions on a screen of associated display apparatus and function codes associated with the cursor positions, means for enabling a user to position the cursor at a desired position on the display screen, means for receiving command instructions from a user, and means for performing the commands using the function codes associated with the cursor position.

7. A video recorder as claimed in

claim 6

in which the data is teletext data.

8. A video recorder as claimed in

claim 7

in which the teletext data is as defined in the World System Teletext Standard.

9. A video recorder as claimed in

claim 8

in which the row and column address information and associated function codes are contained in teletext packets X/26 read from the tape.

10. A video recorder as claimed in any of

claims 6

to

9

in which the function codes are arranged to cause one or more of the following actions to be performed:

selecting a teletext page number;

selecting the audio status;

selecting audio description channel;

selecting the video status;

causing a video tape to wind to a defined position;

causing a command to be sent to associated equipment;

selecting a data channel or service.