JP3070635B2 - Table of contents image recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to, to create a table of contents of recordings due to the timer reservation of the video tape recorder (VTR) relates to an improvement of the table of contents recording equipment to be recorded on video tape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become possible to perform recording and reproduction with sufficiently high image quality even in a so-called triple mode in which recording is performed for 6 hours on a video tape for recording for 2 hours. In response to this, it is considered that a plurality of programs (programs) are often recorded on one video tape cassette. In such a case, to check the recorded contents of the video tape, the tape may be played back once (or fast-forwarded), but it takes time and is troublesome. For this reason, there has been a demand for a table of contents function that allows the user to easily check the recorded contents.

[0003] As a conventional table of contents recording device of a video tape recorder, there is a reservation recording / reproduction system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-241082. According to FIG.
As shown in (A), the reservation content 10 entered at the time of reservation
0 indicates the recording (including audio,
At the start, the data is written at the beginning of the video tape VT. Subsequently, the reserved programs or programs 102, 104, and 106 are sequentially recorded. Then, at the time of reproduction, the reservation content 100 is reproduced and displayed first. As a result, it is possible to instantly confirm the program that has been reserved for recording.

Another prior art is disclosed in JP-A-63-15 / 1988.
There is a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in JP-A-8984.
FIG. 7B shows the outline of the program 200, 202, 204,...
A desired one-field image (still image) indicated by a dotted line is thinned out, and these are assigned to sub-screen information obtained by dividing one screen into nine, for example (see arrow FA). Then, the multi-screen information 212 is recorded at an arbitrary position on the video tape VT, for example, at the beginning for 5 seconds (see arrow FB). At the time of reproduction, since the multi-screen is reproduced and displayed first, the recorded contents can be accurately and instantly grasped.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the table of contents is videotape VT.
At the beginning of the tape, the table of contents cannot be referenced unless the tape is rewound to the beginning. In particular, there are times when it is desired to check the recorded program after the timer recording has been performed. However, since the video tape VT is at the recording end position, rewind the video tape VT to the beginning and refer to the table of contents or It is necessary to perform operations such as confirming the contents in reverse playback.

The present invention focuses on these points.
That even in the middle tape to provide a table of contents recording equipment that can be confirmed easily recorded content, and an object of the present invention.

[0007]

One object of the present invention is to provide a table-of-contents image recording apparatus for recording a table of contents image showing the contents of a program together with the program on a video tape at a preset timing during the recording of the program. A table-of-contents image creating unit that captures an image in the program and creates a table of contents image using the image, and converts the created table of contents image in the same signal form as the image of the program.
Certain period plurality tiger after recording portion of the corresponding program
A first table of contents recording means for recording data over the entire disk . Another invention is a table-of-contents image recording apparatus that records a table of contents image showing the contents of a program together with the program on a video tape, and captures the image in the program at a preset timing during the recording of the program and uses the image. A table of contents image generating means for generating a table of contents, and converting the generated table of contents image in the same signal form as the image of the program, after the recorded portion of the corresponding program, and
A second table of contents recording means for recording a plurality of tracks for a certain period of time together with the image is provided.

According to one of the main aspects of the present invention, in any one of the above-mentioned table of contents image recording apparatuses, a mute section for a predetermined period is provided at the start of recording of each program, and the first or second mute section is provided in the mute section. And a third table of contents recording means for insert-recording the table of contents image after the end of recording by the table of contents recording means.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the table of contents of a program is automatically created by the table of contents creating means. Then, it is recorded after the corresponding program. Therefore, if you want to know the contents of the recorded program at the end of the recording of the program, simply rewind and play back the contents corresponding to the table of contents.
The contents can be easily confirmed without returning to the beginning of the tape.

[0010]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, examples of contents recording equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a recording / reproducing control unit 12 constituted by a microcomputer is connected to a tape recording / reproducing unit 10 (including a drum / head and a video tape driving unit) for recording / reproducing a signal to / from a video tape. I have. The recording / reproducing control unit 12 includes, in addition to a general operation control function of the tape recording / reproducing unit 10, a table of contents preparation control unit 14, a previous table of contents recording control unit 16, a rear table of contents recording control unit 18, an entire table of contents preparation and recording control. And a playback search control unit 22. The tuner unit 26 is connected to the tape recording / reproducing unit 10.

The recording / reproduction control unit 12 has a memory
A reservation data storage unit 28 and a table of contents creation data storage unit 30 are provided, respectively.
4 is also provided. Further, a reservation input unit 36, an entire table of contents creation button 38, and a search button 40 are connected to the recording / reproduction control unit 12 for external operation instructions.

Of these sections, the tape recording / reproducing section 1
0 has a function of recording or reproducing an image / audio signal transmitted from the tuner unit 26 of the television on the video tape VT (see FIG. 3) based on an instruction of the recording / reproduction control unit 12. . At this time, a required control signal is simultaneously recorded and reproduced.

Next, in the recording / reproducing control unit 12, in addition to general signal recording / reproducing operation control, table of contents recording control by the following units is performed. First, the table-of-contents creation control unit 14 uses the table-of-contents creation data storage unit 30 to generate a multi-screen obtained by sampling a part of an image recorded on the video tape VT at a predetermined interval. It has a function of reading out and adding the contents of timer reservation such as the type of program and the type of program from the reservation data storage unit 28 to create a table of contents image. The created table of contents image is stored in the table of contents preparing data storage unit 30.

The previous table of contents recording control section 16 controls the insert recording of the created table of contents at a position before the start of recording of the program. Rear table of contents recording control unit 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes a control for recording the created table of contents after recording of the program is completed.

When the overall table of contents creation button 38 is operated, the entire table of contents creation recording control section 20 stores the entire table of contents of the individual programs recorded on the video tape VT in the table of contents creation data storage section 30. And to control recording at the beginning of the video tape VT. When the search button 40 is operated at the time of referring to the entire table of contents, the reproduction search control unit 22 searches for the program of the display table of contents using the control signal and reproduces the program.

The reservation data storage unit 28 includes a reservation input unit 36
This is for storing the timer reservation data input from. Further, the calendar / timer section 34 has a built-in calendar and clock, whereby the reservation time is measured.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the operation.
FIG. 3 shows a state of signal recording on the video tape VT.

In order to make a timer reservation, first, the video tape VT is set in the apparatus (step SA in FIG. 2), and then a desired timer reservation input is made (step SB).
That is, the user inputs necessary information such as the channel to be recorded, the start time of the program, the recording time, the end time, and the type of program (type of news, sports, movie, etc.) from the reservation input unit 36 for a plurality of programs. input. These reservation data are stored in the reservation data storage 2
8 is stored.

Next, when the user instructs the start of timer recording by the reservation input section 36 (step S).
C), the recording / reproduction control unit 12 controls the start of timer recording. The recording / reproduction control unit 12 drives the tape recording / reproduction unit 10 to form a blank portion 50 of, for example, about 15 seconds at the head of the video tape VT (step SD, see FIG. 3). Next, the recording / reproduction control unit 12 refers to the reservation data stored in the reservation data storage unit 28 and the time measurement in the calendar timer unit 34.

When the reservation time of the first program comes (step SE), the head index signal C11 is recorded as a control signal according to the operation control instruction of the previous table recording control unit 16 (step SF). Subsequently, a head mute section 52 in which no signal is recorded is formed (step SG), and a start index signal C1 is further provided.
2 is recorded as a control signal (step S
H). On the other hand, in the tuner section 26, the recording / reproduction control section 12
Is selected, and the video and audio signals of that channel are input to the tape recording / reproducing unit 10. These signals are started to be recorded on the video tape VT at the timing of the start index signal C12 according to the instruction of the recording / reproduction control unit 12 (step SI).

In this case, the table-of-contents creation control unit 14 takes in images in field units (still images) at predetermined intervals, and creates a table of contents for the first program P1 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, first, the table-of-contents creation control unit 14 refers to the reservation data storage unit 28, and the first program P1
Is added as a character information at an appropriate position on the table of contents screen, for example, at the upper left. On the other hand, the image captured from the tape recording / reproducing section 10 is stored in the table of contents creating data storage section 30 (step SJ). Although there are various ways to capture an image, in this embodiment, an image is captured at each time interval obtained by dividing the length of the program time by nine. For example, in the case of a program having a length of 90 minutes, an image is captured every 10 minutes.

The table-of-contents creation control unit 14 creates a table-of-contents image M1 by dividing one image into nine parts and reducing and assigning the divided images to each divided image of the table-of-contents screen displayed as a multi-screen. (See FIG. 3).

Next, when the recording of the first program P1 is completed (step SK), the end index signal C13 is recorded as a control signal in accordance with an operation control instruction of the rear table recording control unit 18 (step SL). Thereafter, the table of contents image M1 stored in the table of contents creating data storage unit 30 is recorded on the video tape VT for, for example, 5 seconds in accordance with an operation instruction of the rear table of contents recording control unit 18 (step S).
M), and then the termination index signal C14 is recorded as a control signal (step SN).

Next, at this point in time, the previous table recording control unit 16 refers to the reservation data in the reservation data storage unit 28 and the time in the calendar timer unit 34, and the recording start date and time, time, and current It is determined from the date and time whether there is enough time to insert and record the previous table of contents (step SO). As a result, if there is room, the video tape VT is rewound to the head mute unit 52 with reference to the head index signal C11 by the tape recording / reproducing unit 10 (step SP). Then, the table-of-contents image M1 of the first program P1 stored in the table-of-contents creation data storage unit 30 is insert-recorded in the head mute unit 52 (step SP).

As described above, the index image M1 of the first program P1 is recorded before and after the first program P1, respectively, as shown by the arrow F1 in FIG. These recording positions are represented by index signals C11 to C14, respectively. After the insert recording, the video tape VT is fast-forwarded to the end of the recording by the tape recording / reproducing unit 10 (step SU), and if there is another reservation, it is in a state of waiting for the arrival of the time (steps SV and SE).

If there is no room for the insert recording of the preceding table of contents, the recording of the next second program P2 is performed subsequently (steps SO and SE). The same applies to the third program, the fourth program,.... Then, at the end of the table of contents recording after any program or at the end of the table of contents recording after the last n-th program,
In steps SQ to ST, the insert recording of the previous table of contents image is performed. That is, the post-contents image of the program for which insert recording has not been performed by the previous contents recording control unit 16 is first reproduced from the video tape VT and once read into the table-of-contents creation data storage unit 30 (step SR), and thereafter the video tape VT And the table of contents image is written to the head mute section (step S
S).

As described above, the table of contents images of the multi-screen display are recorded before and after the corresponding program, and the timer recording process ends (see FIG. 3). Note that the index signal Cmn (m = 1, 2, 3,..., N = 1, 2, 2,
3, 4) is given an appropriate code or address by the method disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-223859. For example, the head index signal Cm1 has B
001 to B009, the start index signal Cm2 includes B021 to B029, and the end index signal Cm3
B031 to B039, the end index signal Cm4
Are assigned B011-B019 in the order of recording. B000 is assigned to the head of the tape. Thus, the head of the tape and each index signal are detected.

Next, the operation of creating and recording the entire table of contents will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the user operates the entire table of contents creation button 38 after the end of the above-mentioned reserved recording. Then, the entire table of contents is created by the operation control of the entire table of contents creation / recording control unit 20 of the recording and reproduction control unit 12. First, the video tape VT is rewound (step S1 in FIG. 4), and a search for the leading index signal Cm1 is performed (step S1).
2). And, from this head index signal Cm1 to 5
The previous table of contents images recorded for seconds are sequentially captured and stored in the table of contents creating data storage unit 30 (step S).
3). This operation is executed for all programs (step S4). Note that a post-contents image may be captured.

On the other hand, the recording time from the head of the tape of the head index signal Cm1 detected by the above operation, in other words, the time data indicating the time position of each program from the head of the tape is fetched. The entire table of contents is created by adding each of the table of contents images thus obtained (step S5). Then, the tape is rewound again, and the entire table of contents is recorded, for example, three seconds for each table of contents in the blank portion 50 (see FIG. 3) at the head of the tape (step S6, arrow F1 in FIG. 3).
0).

Therefore, the entire table of contents can be referred to by reproducing the head of the tape. The reservation data is represented by characters, and the contents of each program can be referred to on a multi-screen, so that the user can easily and quickly check the recorded contents. At this time, since time data indicating the recording time from the head of the tape is also added, it can be used as a guide for searching by fast-forwarding the tape.

Next, an operation of automatically searching for a program using the entire table of contents will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. If necessary, the user rewinds the video tape VT, and then plays back from the beginning of the tape to display and display the entire table of contents (step S10,
S11). Then, when the multi-screen of the desired program is displayed, the search button 40 (see FIG. 1) is pressed (step S12). Then, the reproduction search control unit 22 of the recording / reproduction control unit 12 determines which program has been selected from the reproduction time from the beginning of the tape of the table of contents image reproduced and displayed at the time of button operation, for example. For example, the code or address of the head index signal or start index signal is obtained.

Next, when the video tape VT is fast-forwarded and a control signal of a corresponding code or address is detected, a normal reproduction operation is started from that point (steps S14 and S15). In this way, a desired program is easily selected from the entire table of contents, and its reproduction is executed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the table of contents is recorded even after the recording of each program is completed. Therefore, even if the tape is not rewound at the end of the scheduled recording, if the video tape VT is slightly rewound and played back, the contents of the program recorded immediately before can be easily known.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. It is to be noted that the same reference numerals are used for portions similar to or corresponding to the first embodiment described above.

The configuration of the second embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, except for the recording control in the rear table recording control unit 18 and the data storage processing in the table storage unit 30. In the second embodiment, the table of contents of the previously recorded program is also recorded when the rear table of contents image is recorded. As shown in FIG. 6, a table of contents M1 is recorded before and after the first program P1. This operation is as described above. However, although the table of contents M2 is recorded before the second program P2, the tables of contents M1 and M2 are subsequently recorded. That is, in the present embodiment, the table of contents of each program created in the table-of-contents creation data storage unit 30 by the subsequent table-of-contents recording control unit 18 is held. Then, each time the subsequent table of contents is recorded, it is added to the newly created table of contents and recorded on the video tape VT.

For example, the table of contents after the first program P1 is as follows:
As shown by an arrow F20, the program is added to the table of contents of the subsequent program and recorded. Therefore, after the fourth program, the contents M1 to M4 of the first to fourth programs are sequentially recorded. The same applies to other programs.

For this reason, for example, when it is desired to check the recorded contents in a state where the scheduled recording has been completed in the fourth program and the tape has not been rewound, the tape is rewound as indicated by an arrow F21, and as indicated by an arrow F22. If you play back, the table of contents M1
To M4 are displayed in order. By such a simple operation, the digest version of the entire recorded content can be promptly reproduced without returning to the head of the tape and referring to the entire table of contents. Further, even when the recording is at an intermediate recording end position, if rewinding and reproducing are performed as shown by arrows F23 and F24, for example,
The table of contents of the program recorded before the position and the table of contents of the next program can be referred to quickly.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes, for example, the following. (1) In the above embodiment, the tuner unit 2 is used as a recording source.
6 is directed to a television broadcast program, but there are various other programs, and any of them may be applied.

(2) In the above embodiment, nine screens are fetched for one program and are displayed in a multi-screen. However, images are fetched at fixed time intervals regardless of the length of the program. Is also good. This has the advantage that the approximate length of the program can be determined by the number of divided screens in the table of contents. Alternatively, for example, three images may be captured per program and displayed on a nine-split screen. In this way, the contents of three programs can be grasped per multi-screen.

Further, the time may be appropriately set as required, such as adding a time for taking in each divided screen from the beginning of the program, or taking in an image while avoiding CM. Also,
The number of screen divisions may be set as needed.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case of timer recording was described, but the present invention is also applicable to normal recording operation. In this case, steps SF to SN, SP, and SV in the flowchart of FIG. 2 may be executed.

(4) In the automatic search operation of the program of the above-described embodiment, the fact that each table of contents of the entire table of contents is displayed for 3 seconds per program is used, from the start of reproduction of the whole table of contents to the time when the search button is pressed. It is determined which program was selected from the time. However, since the address is set in the index signal corresponding to the recording order of the program on the video tape, the same search operation can be performed even if the desired program is directly designated in which order the program is recorded. it can.

[0043]

As described in the foregoing, according to the table of contents recording equipment according to the present invention, the following effects. (1) Since the table of contents is recorded at the end position of the program to be recorded, the recorded contents can be easily confirmed even at the middle position of the video tape. (2) Since the table of contents of the program recorded before that is added to the table of contents of the program end position, the recorded contents can be confirmed more easily even in the middle position of the video tape. (3) Since the table of contents is added before the start position of the program, the approximate contents of the program to be reproduced can be easily grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a table of contents recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of timer recording in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a video tape on which recording has been performed in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an entire table of contents creating operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a search operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a video tape on which recording has been performed in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording example of a video tape according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: tape recording / reproducing unit, 12: recording / reproducing control unit, 14
... table of contents creation control unit (table of contents creation means), 16 ... previous table of contents recording control unit (third table of contents recording means), 18 ... rear table of contents recording control unit (first and second table of contents recording means), 20 ... overall table of contents Creation / recording control unit, 22: playback search control unit, 26: tuner unit, 28: reserved data storage unit, 30: table of contents creation data storage unit, 34: calendar timer unit, 36: reservation input unit, 38: overall table of contents Create button, 40 ... search button, 5
0: blank part, 52: head mute part, C11, C21 ...
Start index signal, C12, C22 ... start index signal, C13, C23 ... end index signal, C14, C24 ... end index signal, F1, F
2, Fn-1, Fn, F10, F20 to F24 ... arrow, M
1, M2, Mn-1, Mn ... table of contents, P1, P2, Pn-1,
Pn: Program, SA to SV, S1 to S6, S10
S15: Step, VT: Video tape.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-4-1981 (JP, A) JP-A-63-58690 (JP, A) JP-A-2-44589 (JP, A) 75385 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A table of contents image recording apparatus for recording a table of contents image indicating the contents of a program together with the program on a video tape, wherein an image in the program is fetched at a preset timing during recording of the program. Using this image to create a table of contents
And Tables image forming means for forming an image, a table of contents image created thereby, in the same signal form the image of the program, a certain period plurality After recording portion of the corresponding program
A table-of-contents image recording apparatus comprising first table of contents recording means for recording over a track . 2. A table-of-contents image recording apparatus for recording a table of contents image indicating the contents of a program together with the program on a videotape, wherein the image in the program is fetched at a preset timing during recording of the program, and the image is used. A table of contents image generating means for generating a table of contents, and a table of contents image of a previously recorded program after a recording portion of the corresponding program in the same signal form as the image of the program. with each predetermined period plurality
A table-of-contents image recording apparatus comprising a second table of contents recording means for recording over a track . 3. A third TOC recording in which a mute section for a certain period is provided at the start of recording of each program, and the TOC image is insert-recorded in the mute section after the end of recording by the first or second TOC recording means. 3. The table-of-contents image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means.