Selectable view video record/playback system

• US 4,567,532 A
• Filed: 09/16/1983
• Issued: 01/28/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanders Associates, INC. (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Baer, Ralph H., Allen, David
• Primary Examiner(s): MCELHENY JR, DONALD E
• Application Number:
  US06/532,874
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 360/33.1, 360/10.1, 360/10.2, 360/10.3, 360/11.1, 360/35.1, 358/108, 358/181, 358/335, 358/342, 358/907, 369/32, 434/323, 434/43, 273/DIG. 28, 364/521, 364/410
• US Class Current: 386/223
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7605 on discs or drums H04N5/781, H04N5/805, H04N5/83, H04N5/85 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/907 Track skippers, i.e. "groove skippers"

Abstract

A video recorder and playback system adapted to provide the viewer with selectable views of the action in progress. During recording, a plurality of cameras simultaneously record the action in progress on addressable subtracks of a multi-track loop recording medium such as a laser disk or magnetic surfaced disk. At playback time, the playback and display portion of the system is adapted to read from the same subtract on sequential tracks beginning at a selected starting point. Means are provided for the viewer to change on demand the one of the subtracks being read whereby the view can be instantaneously changed by selecting the one of the subtracks containing the desired view.

Claims

1. A video record and playback system comprising:

(a) a plurality of video cameras positioned to view a particular scene from different vantage points for simultaneously receiving images and generating electrical video signals at respective outputs thereof at standard television frame rates representing the received images from the multiple vantage points;

(b) a recording medium having a plurality of recording tracks thereon for recording video signals;

(c) interleaving writing means connected to respective ones of said outputs of said cameras for receiving and writing said electrical video signals onto said recording tracks in a pre-established interleaved addressing pattern so that each addressable "track" is comprised of a plurality of "subtracks" equal to the number of vantage points which are respective ones of said recording tracks with one said subtrack for each said video signal from each said camera;

(d) reading means for subsequently reading the recorded signal on ones of said subtracks corresponding to a particular one of said vantage points sequentially from respective ones of said tracks and for generating an output video signal at standard television frame rates from said read signal;

(e) video display means operably connected to receive said output video signal for displaying a visual representation thereof; and

,

(f) vantage point changing means for selectively changing said ones of said subtracks being read by said reading means to enable viewing of another of said vantage points.

2. A method for providing a selectable view video record and playback system comprising the steps of:

(a) simultaneously operating a plurality of video cameras positioned to view a particular scene from different vantage points to receive images thereto of a plurality of the vantage points to be recorded and to produce electrical video signals at respective outputs of the cameras at standard television frame rates reflecting the received images from the vantage points;

(b) receiving and writing the electrical video signals onto the recording tracks of a video recording medium having a plurality of recording tracks thereon for recording video signals in a pre-established addressing pattern wherein each addressable "track" is comprised of a plurality of "subtracks" with one subtrack for the video signal from each camera;

(c) subsequently reading the recorded signal on ones of the subtracks corresponding to a particular one of said vantage points sequentially from respective ones of the tracks to generate an output electrical video signal at standard television frame rates reflecting the contents of the read signal;

(d) operably connecting the received output video signal to a video display to drive the video display in a visual representation thereof; and

,

(e) selectively changing the ones of the subtracks being read to change the vantage point being observed.

3. A video record and playback system comprising:

(a) recording means for recording video signals of simultaneous multiple vantage points of a scene at standard television frame rates onto a recording medium having a plurality of recording tracks thereon for recording video signals, said recording means being adapted for recording said video signals in a pre-established interleaved addressing pattern so that each addressable "track" is comprised of a plurality of "subtracks" which are respective ones of said recording tracks with one said subtrack for each of said vantage points;

(b) reading means for subsequently reading the recorded signal on ones of said subtracks sequentially from respective ones of said tracks and for generating an output video signal at standard television frame rates reflecting said read signal;

(c) video display means operably connected to receive said output video signal for displaying a visual representation thereof; and

,

(d) view changing means for selectively changing said one of said subtracks being read by said reading means to change the displayed vantage point.