Auto title frames generation method and apparatus

• US 7,415,189 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2005
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nishikawa, Yuko S., Mingo, Kim
• Primary Examiner(s): Boccio; Vincent F.
• Application Number:
  US11/054,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20050158030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 386/83, 386/46, 386/52, 386/95, 725/58
• US Class Current: 386/239
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/032 on tapes G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• 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 21/47214 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 21/84 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 5/782 on tape

Abstract

A method and apparatus that provides a user a capability to create a title frame for recording when the user records a broadcasted program onto a recording device, using program data received from the broadcasted television transmission. The transmitted program data contains data on the genre or category and subcategory of the program. In one embodiment, the system recognizes the program data and selects the appropriate graphic treatment for the title frame based on the genre information of the program. The information extracted from the program data and placed in the title frame may include the program title, the program description, rating, time length, and program logo or image.

Claims

1. A method for recording program content of a transmission, comprising:

receiving program data for a program;

extracting program information from the program data;

selecting a graphic treatment for a title frame, the graphics treatment being a background of the title frame;

generating a title frame for the program using the program information after the graphic treatment has been selected; and

recording the title frame prior to recording the program.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein prior to generating the title frame, the method further comprising selecting a title frame recording option by the user such that if the title frame recording option is not selected, the title frame is not generated and recorded.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein receiving program data includes receiving one of a program title, a program start time, a program time length, and receiving program description.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein receiving program data includes receiving one of a program genre, a program subcategory, a program rating, and one or more names of actors and actresses featured in the program.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the selecting the graphic treatment is automatic and based on genre information of the program.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the selecting of the graphic treatment is customized for selection by the user.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the generating of the title frame uses the selected graphic treatment.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the generating of the title frame comprises placing the extracted program information over the selected graphic treatment.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the generating of the title frame occurs prior to receiving the program.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store a graphic treatment;

an input device configured to receive transmissions of program content and program information associated with a program to be recorded; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the input device, the processor configured to (i) control selection of a graphic treatment for a title frame, the graphics treatment being a background of the title frame, (ii) control generation of the title frame after selection of the graphic treatment, and (iii) record the title frame prior to recording of the program content.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor to generate the title frame prior to receipt of the program content.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to select the graphic treatment to use in the title frame in accordance with the program content.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to select the graphic treatment based upon the program information being data from a portion of an electronic program guide.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor to generate the title frame prior to receipt of the program content.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor to control selection of the graphic treatment automatically based on genre information of the program to be recorded.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the processor to control selection of the graphic treatment based on a customized selection by the user.