Reservation codes to automatically control a TV and VCR when set to either a TV mode or a VCR mode

• US 5,517,256 A
• Filed: 04/28/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hashimoto Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hashimoto Corporation
• Inventors: Hashimoto, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Cheryl
• Application Number:
  US08/233,915
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 348/731, 348/725, 348/906
• US Class Current: 725/58
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/023 remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Abstract

In a combination television and videocassette recorder device which is automatically controlled by TV program reservation codes, when the selector switch is set to the TV mode side, it is possible to automatically control the television by the reservation codes. On the other hand, when the selector switch is set to the VCR mode side, it is possible to automatically control the videocassette recorder by the reservation codes.

Claims

1. A combination television and videocassette recorder device comprising:

a television monitor;

a videocassette recorder controlled by a remote control box for receiving and recording TV programs defined by TV program reservation codes generated by said remote control box;

selector means for switching between television mode and videocassette recorder mode;

means for applying video output from said videocassette recorder to said television monitor;

means for controlling power supply to said television monitor via said videocassette recorder in accordance with said reservation codes when said selector means is set to the television mode to activate said television monitor and said videocassette recorder simultaneously for monitoring on said television monitor said TV programs received through said videocassette recorder regardless of presence of a videotape in said videocassette recorder, and

means for activating said videocassette recorder in recording mode in accordance with said reservation codes when said selector means is set to the videocassette recorder mode.

2. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said device includes means for controlling said videocassette recorder to prevent a videotape loaded therein from traveling in accordance with reservation codes when said selector means is set to the television mode.

3. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selector means is switched in response to encoded infrared rays emitted from said remote control box.

4. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said selector means is switched in response to encoded infrared rays emitted from said remote control box.

5. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said videocassette recorder, having built-in control means responsive to reservation codes and being united to said television monitor, is controlled in accordance with said reservation codes whether or not a videotape has been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

6. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said videocassette recorder, having built-in control means responsive to reservation codes and being united to said television monitor, is controlled in accordance with said reservation codes whether or not a videotape has been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

7. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said videocassette recorder, having built-in control means responsive to reservation codes and being united to said television monitor, is controlled in accordance with said reservation codes whether or not a videotape has been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

8. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said videocassette recorder, having built-in control means responsive to reservation codes and being united to said television monitor, is controlled in accordance with said reservation codes whether or not a videotape has been loaded into sad videocassette recorder.

9. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selector means is automatically switched to the television mode when no videotapes have been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

10. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said selector means is automatically switched to the television mode when no videotapes have been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

11. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said selector means is automatically switched to the television mode when no videotapes have been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

12. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said selector means s automatically switched to the television mode when no videotapes have been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

13. A combination television and videocassette recorder device as set forth in claim 8, wherein said selector means is automatically switched to the television mode when no videotapes have been loaded into said videocassette recorder.

14. A system for combining a TV set with a VCR responsive to a TV program reservation code comprising:

first means responsive to a first control signal for controlling said TV set to display an incoming video signal in accordance with said TV program reservation code, and

second means responsive to a second control signal for controlling said VCR to record said incoming video signal on a video record medium of said VCR in accordance with said TV program reservation code, said TV set being united to said VCR and being activated by the same infrared signal as said VCR in accordance with said TV program reservation code to allow said incoming video signal received through a selected receiving channel of said VCR to be monitored on said TV set regardless of presence of a videotape in said VCR.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said first and second control signals are supplied by a mode selector for selecting either a mode of displaying said incoming video signal on said TV set or a mode of recording said incoming video signal on said video record medium of said VCR.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said incoming video signal is displayed on said TV set automatically when said video record medium is not loaded into said VCR.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said incoming video signal is recorded on said VCR automatically when said video record medium is loaded into said VCR.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein said first control signal is supplied to prevent said video record medium in said VCR from travelling in response to said TV program reservation code.

19. A method of controlling a system combining a TV set with a VCR responsive to a TV program reservation code comprising the steps of:

activating said TV set and said VCR by the same infrared signal, in response to said TV program reservation code,

displaying an incoming video signal received through said VCR on said TV set in response to said TV program reservation code regardless of presence of a videotape in said VCR when the system is set into a TV mode, and

recording an incoming video signal on a video record medium of said VCR in response to said TV program reservation code when the system is set into a VCR mode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said incoming video signal is displayed automatically on said TV set when said video record medium is not loaded into said VCR.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said incoming video signal is recorded on said VCR automatically when said video record medium is loaded into said VCR.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said video record medium in said VCR is prevented from travelling in response to said TV program reservation code when the system is set into said TV mode.