System and process for control of recording and reproducing apparatus

• US 5,949,954 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Starsight Telecast Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, David, Young, Patrick, Ebright, Alan R., Faber, Michael W., Roop, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/480,205
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 358/335, 360/33.1, 360/72.1, 360/72.2, 360/32, 386/46, 386/83, 386/92, 386/1, 386/124
• US Class Current: 386/291
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 30/00 Supersonic type aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/023 remotely controlled
• 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 2220/80 Indexing information stored in optical or magnetic or other strip attached to cassette or disc, e.g. barcodes attached to a recording medium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• 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 27/324 Duty cycle modulation of control pulses, e.g. VHS-CTL-coding systems, RAPID-time code, VASS- or VISS-cue signals
• 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: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/10 Indicating arrangements; Warning arrangements G11B15/04, G11B19/04, G11B27/34, G11B27/36 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43622 : Interfacing an external recording device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4583 : Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4858 : for modifying screen layout parameters, e.g. fonts, size of the windows
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 : Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/025 : Systems for the transmission of digital non-picture data, e.g. of text during the active part of a television frame transmission of digital non-picture data during the vertical blanking interval only H04N7/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 : for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 : for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0888 : Subscription systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided. With the cursor (32), the entire cell (26) is 3-D highlighted, using a conventional offset shadow (34). The offset shadow (34) is a black bar that underlines the entire cell and wraps around the right edge of the cell. To tag the underlying position--which defines where the cursor (32) is and thus, where it will move next--portions (36) of the black bar outside the current underlying position are segmented, while the current position is painted solid.

Claims

1. A process for controlling a video recording machine, which comprises generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media with a program title displayed in each segment and graduated linearly within a segment in which said position indicator is located, and displaying the recording media position indicator by both segment and position within the segment as position of a selected one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed.

2. The process for controlling a video recording machine of claim 1 additionally comprising storing indexes, in a form suitable for generation of the recording media position indicator, of video material recorded on the recording media in a system memory separate from the recording media.

3. The process for controlling a video recording machine of claim 2 additionally comprising including a title of a program recorded on one of the recording media and a time of recording the program in a data channel on the one of the recording media and comparing the title of the program and the time of recording with the indexes in the system memory and displaying an index for the one of the recording media based on a match between the program title and recording time on the one of the recording media with the indexes in said system memory.

4. A process for controlling a video recording machine, which comprises generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media with a program title displayed in each segment and graduated linearly within a segment in which said position indicator is located, and displaying the recording media position indicator by both segment and position within the segment as position of a selected one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed,

storing indexes, in a form suitable for generation of the recording media position indicator, of video material recorded on the recording media in a system memory separate from the recording media,

including a title of a program recorded on one of the recording media and a time of recording the program in a data channel on the one of the recording media and comparing the title of the program and the time of recording with the indexes in the system memory and displaying an index for the one of the recording media based on a match between the program title and recording time on the one of the recording media with the indexes in said system memory, and

generating an index during playback or recording with the one of the recording media and storing the generated index in the system memory in the absence of a match between a title and recording time on the one of the recording media with the indexes in the system memory.

5. A control system for a video recording machine, which comprises a controller for starting and stopping the video recording machine, for recording video information on recording media, and for playing recorded video information on recording media, a system memory separate from the recording media and coupled to said controller, a means coupled to said system memory for storing indexes of video material recorded on the recording media in said system memory, the recording media each including a data channel and said control system having a means, coupled to said controller and to said system memory, for including a title of a program recorded on one of the recording media in the video recording machine in the data channel, said control system including a means, coupled to said system memory and adapted for coupling to the video recorder, for comparing the title of the program with indexes in said system memory and displaying an index for the one of the recording media in the video recording machine based on a match between the program title on the one of the recording media in the video recording machine with the indexes in said system memory.

6. The control system for a video recording machine of claim 5 in which the video recording machine is a video cassette recorder and the recording media are video tape.

7. A system comprising the control system for a video recording machine of claim 5 connected to a video recording machine.

8. A control system for a video recording machine, which comprises a controller for starting and stopping the video recording machine, for recording video information on recording media, and for playing recorded video information on recording media,

a system memory separate from the recording media and coupled to said controller,

a means coupled to said system memory for storing indexes of video material recorded on the recording media in said system memory, the recording media each including a data channel and said control system having a means, coupled to said controller and to said system memory, for including a title of a program recorded on one of the recording media in the video recording machine in the data channel, said control system including a means, coupled to said system memory and adapted for coupling to the video recorder, for comparing the title of the program with indexes in said system memory and displaying an index for the one of the recording media in the video recording machine based on a match between the program title on the one of the recording media in the video recording machine with the indexes in said system memory,

wherein said system includes a means for generating an index during playback or recording with the one of the recording media in the video recording machine and to store the generated index in said system memory in the absence of a match between a title on the one of the recording media with the indexes in said system memory.

9. A process for controlling a video recording machine, which comprises storing indexes of video material recorded on recording media in a system memory separate from the recording media, each of the recording media including a data channel, including titles of programs recorded on the recording media in the video recording machine in the data channel, comparing the title of a program on one of the recording media in the video recording machine with the titles of programs in the stored indexes in the system memory and displaying the index for the one of the recording media in the video recording machine based on a match between the program title on the one of the recording media in the video recording machine with one of the titles in the stored indexes in said system memory.

10. A process for controlling a video recording machine, which comprises storing indexes of video material recorded on recording media in a system memory separate from the recording media, each of the recording media including a data channel, including titles of programs recorded on the recording media in the video recording machine in the data channel, comparing the title of a program on one of the recording media in the video recording machine with the titles of programs in the stored indexes in the system memory and displaying the index for the one of the recording media in the video recording machine based on a match between the program title on the one of the recording media in the video recording machine with one of the titles in the stored indexes in said system memory, and

generating an index during playback or recording with the one of the recording media in the video recording machine and storing the generated index in the system memory in the absence of a match between a title on the one of the recorded media in the video recording machine with one of the titles in the stored indexes in the memory.

11. A control system for a video recording machine coupled to a television, which comprises a controller adapted for coupling to the video recording machine for starting and stopping the video recording machine, for recording video information on recording media, and for playing recorded video information on recording media, a display generator adapted to provide display image generation signals to the television, means coupled to said display generator for supplying information to said display generator for generation of display images relating to operation of the video recording machine for display on the television, said means for supplying information including means for generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media with a program title displayed in each segment and graduated linearly within a segment in which said position indicator is located, said display generator and said means for supplying information being configured to display the recording media position indicator by both segment and position within the segment on the television as position of one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed.

12. The control system for a video recording machine of claim 11 in which said control system includes a system memory separate from the recording media, said system memory being coupled to said controller and to said means for supplying information, and a means for storing indexes, in a form suitable for generation of the recording media position indicator, of video material recorded on the recording media in said system memory.

13. The control system for a video recording machine of claim 12 in which each of the recording media include a data channel and said control system has a means adapted for coupling to the video recording machine for including a title of a program recorded on one of the recording media in the video recording machine and a time of recording the program in the data channel of the one of the recording media, said control system including a means, coupled to said system memory and adapted for coupling to the video recording machine, for comparing the title of the program and the time of recording with indexes in said system memory and displaying an index for the one of the recording media on the television based on a match between the program title and recording time on the one of the recording media with the indexes in said system memory.

14. The control system for a video recording machine of claim 11 in which the video recording machine is a video cassette recorder and the recording media are video tape.

15. A system comprising the control system for a video recording machine of claim 11 coupled to a video recording machine and to a television.

16. A control system for a video recording machine coupled to a television, which comprises a controller adapted for coupling the video recording machine for starting and stopping the video recording machine, for recording video information on recording media, and for playing recorded video information on recording media, a display generator adapted to provide display image generation signals to the television, means coupled to said display generator for supplying information to said display generator for generation of display images relating to operation of the video recording machine for display on the television, said means for supplying information including means for generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media with a program title displayed in each segment and graduated linearly within a segment in which said position indicator is located, said display generator and said means for supplying information being configured to display the recording media position indicator by both segment and position within the segment on the television as position of one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed,

wherein said control system includes a system memory separate from the recording media, said system memory being coupled to said controller and to said means for supplying information, and a means for storing indexes, in a form suitable for generation of the recording media position indicator, of video material recorded on the recording media in said system memory,

wherein each of the recording media includes a data channel and said control system has a means adapted for coupling to the video recording machine for including a title of a program recorded on one of the recording media in the video recording machine and a time of recording the program in the data channel of the one of the recording media, said control system including means, coupled to said system memory and adapted for coupling to the video recording machine, for comparing the title of the program and the time of recording with indexes in said system memory and displaying an index for the one of the recording media on the television based on a match between the program title and recording time on the one of the recording media with the indexes in said system memory,

wherein said system includes a means coupled to said system memory and adapted for coupling to the video recording machine for generating an index during playback or recording with the selected one of the recording media and to store the generated index in said system memory in the absence of a match between a title and recording time on the selected one of the recording media with the indexes in said system memory.

17. A process for controlling a video recording machine, which comprises generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media with a program title displayed in each segment and graduated linearly within a segment in which said position indicator is located, and displaying the recording media position indicator by both segment and position within the segment as position of a selected one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed,

wherein a segment within which the recording media is located in the recording machine is indicated by a different appearance than other segments in the recording media.

18. The process for controlling a video recording machine of claim 17 in which the different appearance is provided by a movable cursor that highlights the segment in which the recording media is located.

19. The process for controlling a video recording machine of claim 17 in which each segment is displayed with the title extending horizontally along the segment and the position indicator placed along a height of the segment to indicate position of the tape within the segment.

20. A control system for a video recording machine coupled to a television, which comprises a controller adapted for coupling the video recording machine for starting and stopping the video recording machine, for recording video information on recording media, and for playing recorded video information on recording media, a display generator adapted to provide display image generation signals to the television, means coupled to said display generator for supplying information to said display generator for generation of display images relating to operation of the video recording machine for display on the television, said means for supplying information including means for generating a recording media position indicator graduated as segments corresponding to programs recorded on the recording media with a program title displayed in each segment and graduated linearly within a segment in which said position indicator is located, said display generator and said means for supplying information being configured to display the recording media position indicator by both segment and position within the segment on the television as position of one of the recording media in the video recording machine is changed,

wherein said means for supplying information is further configured to display a segment within which the recording media is located in the recording media with a different appearance than other segments in the recording media.

21. The control system for a video recording machine of claim 20 in which said means for supplying information is further configured to display the different appearance as a movable cursor that highlights the segment in which the recording media is located.

22. The control system for a video recording machine of claim 20 in which said means for supplying information is further configured to display each segment with the title extending horizontally along the segment and the position indicator placed along a height of the segment to indicate position of the tape within the segment.

23. A method for representing the relative position of programs recorded on a tape loaded in a video cassette recorder, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying on the screen of a monitor segments corresponding to the programs recorded on the tape, titles of the programs in the respective segments, and a tape position indicator; and

moving the indicator on the screen to dynamically track the relative tape position, both within a segment and between segments, during tape transport.

24. The method of claim 23, in which the displaying step displays the segments non-linearly relative to tape position.

25. The method of claim 24, in which the displaying step displays the indicator linearly within a segment relative to tape position.

26. The method of claim 25, additionally comprising the step of transporting the tape toward a desired program, observing the indicator during the transporting step, and stopping the tape when the indicator is at the desired program.

27. A method for displaying an index of programs recorded on a tape loaded into a video cassette recorder (VCR), the index including titles of the recorded programs, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in an off tape memory a virtual directory of programs recorded on a plurality of tapes including the title and location of each program on the tape;

storing on each tape the titles of the programs recorded on that tape;

loading a tape into the VCR;

reading a title from the tape in the VCR;

comparing the read title with the titles of the virtual directory stored in the off tape memory; and

if the read title matches a title of the virtual directory, displaying on a monitor the titles of the programs stored on the same tape as the matched title.

29. The method of claim 27, additionally comprising the step of loading an unindexed tape into the VCR;

recording a video program on the loaded tape;

storing the title of the recorded program on the tape during recording; and

storing the title and the tape location of the program in the off tape memory.

30. The method of claim 27, additionally comprising the steps of:

selecting one of the titles displayed on the monitor with a cursor;

advancing the tape in the VCR to the location stored in the off tape memory for the selected title; and

playing back the program for the selected title.

28. A method for displaying an index of programs recorded on a tape loaded into a video cassette recorder (VCR), the index including titles of the recorded programs, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in an off tape memory a virtual directory of programs recorded on a plurality of tapes including the title and location of each program on the tape;

storing on each tape the titles of the programs recorded on that tape;

loading a tape into the VCR;

reading a title from the tape in the VCR;

comparing the read title with the titles of the virtual directory stored in the off tape memory;

if the read title matches a title of the virtual directory, displaying on a monitor the titles of the programs stored on the same tape as the matched title; and

creating a new directory for the tape in the VCR during play back and recording if the read title does not match a title in the virtual directory.

31. A method for displaying an index of programs recorded on a tape loaded into a video cassette recorder (VCR), the index including titles of the recorded programs, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in an off tape memory a virtual directory of programs recorded on a plurality of tapes including the title and location of each program on the tape;

loading a tape into the VCR;

inputting a title of a recorded program on the tape in the VCR;

comparing the inputted title with the titles of the virtual directory stored in the off tape memory; and

if the inputted title matches a title of the virtual directory, displaying on a monitor the titles of the programs stored on the same tape as the matched title.

32. The method of claim 31, additionally comprising the step of creating a new directory for the tape in the VCR during play back and recording if the inputted title does not match a title in the virtual directory.

33. The method of claim 32, additionally comprising the step of loading an unindexed tape into the VCR;

recording a video program on the loaded tape;

storing the title of the recorded program on the tape during recording; and

storing the title and the tape location of the program in the off tape memory.

34. The method of claim 32 additionally comprising the steps of:

selecting one of the titles displayed on the monitor with a cursor;

advancing the tape in the VCR to the location stored in the off tape memory for the selected title; and

playing back the program for the selected title.

35. A method for displaying an index of programs recorded on a tape for use in a video cassette recorder (VCR), the index including program identifiers of the recorded programs, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in an off tape memory a virtual directory of programs recorded on a plurality of tapes including the program identifier and location of each program on the tape;

inputting into the VCR a program identifier of a recorded program on a tape;

comparing the inputted program identifier with the program identifiers of the virtual directory stored in the off tape memory; and

if the inputted program identifier matches a program identifier of the virtual directory, displaying on a monitor the program identifier of the programs stored on the same tape as the matched program identifier.

36. The method according to claim 35 wherein the program identifiers comprise the titles of the recorded programs.

37. The method according to claim 36 additionally comprising the step of creating a new directory for the tape in the VCR during play back and recording if the inputted title does not match a title in the virtual directory.