Method and apparatus for capturing and recording audio and video data on optical storage media

• US 20010021307A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 09/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Serial System Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Serial System Ltd.
• Inventors: Tan, Kay Hing, Lim, Kim Seng, Tung, David Y.S., Low, Gim Eng, Wu, Honggang, Wang, Zhihong
• Application Number:
  US09/753,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021307A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/96
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals

Abstract

The present invention is a digital audio and video recorder that captures audio and video data in real time, replays and records on Compact Disc CD Read or Read Write optical storage media on the fly, The system architecture of isolating high frequency video components minimizes noise and outputs MPEG compliant signals. By interfacing the present invention with an audio drive that accepts streaming data, the present invention not only captures and replays video in real time without a host processor, but also records audio and video streams on optical storage media without the need for buffer management overhead. As such, a consumer digital audio and video recorder is realized.

Claims

1. A system for capturing and recording audio and video signals in real time, said system comprising:

at least one video decoding means for receiving video signals;

at least one video encoding means coupled to said video decoding means for receiving therefrom said video signals, said video signals being encoded into a predetermined format;

at least one audio converting means for receiving audio signals;

at least one signal processing means coupled to said video encoding means and said audio converting means for receiving therefrom formatted video signals and audio signals;

at least one controller means coupled to said signal processing means for receiving therefrom composite audio and video signals, said controller means further receiving audio and video signals;

at least one optical recording means coupled to said signal processing means and said controller means for receiving and recording said composite audio and video signals on optical storage media, said optical recording means communicating with said signal processing means over said controller means,

whereby said system records audio and video signals in real time and without a host processor and memory overhead.

2. A method for capturing and recording audio and video signals in real time, said method comprising the steps of:

capturing video signals with at least one video decoding means;

formatting said video signals with at least one video encoding means coupled to said video decoding means, said video signals being encoded into a predetermined format;

capturing audio signals with at least one audio converting means;

receiving formatted video signals and audio signals from at least one signal processing means coupled to said video encoding means and said audio converting means;

receiving composite audio and video signals from at least one controller means, said controller means further receiving audio and video signals;

receiving and recording said composite audio and video signals on optical storage media with at least one optical recording means coupled to said signal processing means and said controller means, said optical recording means communicating with said signal processing means over said processing means,

whereby said method records audio and video signals in real time and without a host processor and memory overhead.

3. A method for coordinating the transmission and recording of compressed audio and video data on optical storage media with an audio optical recording means in a system for capturing and recording of audio and video data in real time, said system comprising at least one video encoding means, an audio encoding means, and a controller means, said method comprising the steps of:

preparing said audio optical recording means for recording b y requesting with said controller means for a synchronization signal therefrom;

configuring said audio encoding means and said video encoding means with said controller means by inserting variable ink and pregap length, front and back margins in formatting MPEG tracks;

monitoring said audio optical recording means with said controller means for the return of said synchronization signal before activating the recording function of said audio optical recording means after a first predetermined delay;

releasing said audio encoding means and said video encoding means to transfer compressed audio and video data to said audio optical recording means after a second predetermined delay,

whereby said method actualizes the real time recording of compressed audio and video data on optical storage media with an audio optical recording means without memory overhead and synchronization of data transfer being controlled intelligently by the adjustment of variable ink and pregap length in MPEG tracks.