Video signal output apparatus having near video-on-demand function

• US 5,793,971 A
• Filed: 12/22/1995
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Fujita, Hiroyuki, Kojima, Yuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, John W.
• Application Number:
  US08/569,243
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 455/3.1, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/5.1, 455/6.1, 395/200.47, 395/200.48, 395/200.49
• US Class Current: 725/101
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

In this invention, it is possible to realize a video signal output apparatus having so called Near Video On Demand function such that, in respective reproducers of a plurality of reproduction blocks within a video reproduction section, with respect to a plurality of divided image sources obtained by dividing an image source into image sources of a plurality of time zones, divided image sources of the same time zone are simultaneously repeatedly reproduced in the state where they are respectively shifted by a predetermined time to carry out switching between a plurality of video signals delivered from the plurality of reproducers by a video select switch to thereby provide successive image sources, without being conscious of time and switching operation of image sources reproduced in accordance with selection of a desired image source by the viewer also with respect to image source of data quantity corresponding to time longer than the memory capacity of each of media of the reproducers.

Claims

1. A video signal output apparatus comprising:

first reproducing means, with respect to first and second divided image sources obtained by dividing an image source into image sources of two time zones, for simultaneously repeatedly reproducing the first divided image source of a first time zone as a plurality of outputs from timings respectively shifted by a predetermined time;

second reproducing means for simultaneously repeatedly reproducing the second divided image source as a plurality of outputs from timings respectively shifted by the predetermined time;

switching means including a plurality of input terminals respectively supplied with outputs of the first and second reproducing means, and a plurality of output terminals of which number is the same as that of the input terminals; and

control means for controlling the switching means so as to carry out, every said predetermined time, switching of connection of the input terminals with respect to the respective output terminals so that the first divided image source and the second divided image source are alternately outputted from the respective output terminals of the switching means.

2. A video signal output apparatus as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the first reproducing means, the second reproducing means, the switching means and the control means are provided with respect to respective different plural image sources.

3. A video signal output apparatus comprising:

a reproduction block including a plurality of reproducing means respectively provided with respect to a plurality of divided image sources obtained by dividing an image source into image sources of a plurality of time zones, the plurality of reproducing means being provided by the number determined in accordance with a total time of the divided image sources and a predetermined time for simultaneously repeatedly reproducing the divided image sources as a plurality of outputs in which reproduction timings are respectively shifted by the predetermined time, and adapted to simultaneously repeatedly reproduce the divided image sources as a plurality of outputs in the state where the reproduction timings thereof are respectively shifted by the predetermined time;

switching means including a plurality of input terminals respectively supplied with outputs of the plurality of reproducing means, and a plurality of output terminals of which number is the same as that of the input terminals; and

control means for controlling the switching means so as to carry out, every said predetermined time, switching of connection of the input terminals with respect to the respective output terminals so that the plurality of divided image sources are sequentially outputted in accordance with the number of divisions from the respective output terminals of the switching means.

4. A video signal output apparatus as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the image source includes different plural image sources,

the apparatus includes the plural reproduction blocks corresponding to the number of the plural image sources,

the switching means includes a plurality of input terminals of which number is the same as that of the reproducing means that the plural reproduction blocks have and output terminals of which number is the same as that of the input terminals with respect to the respective plural reproduction blocks, and

the control means controls the switching means so as to carry out, every said predetermined time, switching of connection of the input terminals with respect to the output terminals, with respect to the plural output terminals and the plural input terminals corresponding to the respective reproduction blocks so that the plurality of divided image sources corresponding to the respective reproduction blocks are sequentially outputted in accordance with the number of divisions from the respective plural output terminals corresponding to the respective reproduction blocks of the switching means.