GB2239551A

GB2239551A - Tape playing device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2239551A
Application number: GB9026047A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Young Dueg Ko
Original assignee: Gold Star Co Ltd
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1989-11-30
Filing date: 1990-11-30
Publication date: 1991-07-03
Also published as: KR910010447A; GB9026047D0; DE4037178A1; KR0129206B1; JPH03269891A

Abstract

A VCR capable of selective playback, and a corresponding method, are disclosed. The device includes a picture selecting switch 13, a start memory switch 14, a stop memory switch 15, and a microcomputer 1. During a first play-through of the tape the start and stop switches 14 and 15 are used to set the beginning and end respectively of any number of tape sections to be watched. On subsequent playback the intermediate parts of the tape are automatically skipped by the F/F function, and only the selected segments are played, thereby saving watching time. A video display device for facilitating selective playback includes two microcomputers for storing and reading data and processing the operational control aspects, in which the first microcomputer is used for storing and reading out data whilst the second is used for operating the control systems.

Description

1 1 4 Tape Playing Device and Method The present invention relates to a

tape playing device, in particular a VCR.

In a conventional VCR, the search of pictures is carried out manually by manipulating the CUE, REV (review) and PLAY keys in order to start the tape from a particular position. That is, in the conventional VCR, when the user wants to play a particular section of the tape, he has to manipulate the CUE or REV key from the play mode. Under this condition, the tape is loaded on the drum, so that the searching speed is slow and severe wear is caused to the tape. As an alternative method, searching can be carried out by means of F/F (fast forward) or REW (rewind) after setting the VCR to the stop mode, but in this method also it is difficult to find the exact position, and the keys have to be operated again and again before the correct position is found.

In other words, according to conventional methods, search of a picture in play mode takes too much time, and if the search is carried out by manipulating the REW or F/F key after stopping the VCR, then the precision of the search is reduced, and the repeated manipulation of the PLAY, STOP, F/F and REV keys is troublesome.

It is therefore desirable to provide a picture searching method for VCRs, enabling fast and precise searching.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of replaying a recorded tape, including the steps of: storing data corresponding to one or more particular sections of the tape, and automatically playing only the said section or sections of the tape, skipping the intermediate portions, by reference to the stored data.

According to another aspect the invention provides 1 1 1 an apparatus for playing a recorded tape, comprising: means for storing data corresponding to one or more particular sections of tape, and control means for playing the tape if it is detected that it is at a position corresponding to one of the sections, and for fast-forwarding the tape in the intermediate sections.

For a better understanding of the present invention, an embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the constitution of a picture searching device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the operating sequence of the device; and Figure 2A illustrates picture segments selected in operation of the device.

The VCR device schematically shown in Figure 1 includes: a power supply section 2 for supplying power to a microcomputer 1, the microcomputer being capable of reading/writing data; a reference frequency generating section 3 for deciding the data time and frequency to be given to and taken from the microcomputer 1; a power failure compensating circuit 4 for being ready for a power failure; a phosphorescent display section 5 capable of displaying all kinds of operating states; a reel pulse generator 6 for sensing the running state of the tape; a general key matrix input section 7; a picture selecting switch 13 for selecting the normal function or the selective function; a start memory switch 14 for setting the initial point of the picture section to be watched under a state with the picture selecting switch turned on; and a stop memory switch 15 for setting the end point of the picture section in a state with the picture selecting switch turned on. The above switches 4 k 1 13-15 are controlled by the output of the microcomputer 1, and exchange data with a second microcomputer 11.

The microcomputer 1' is further connected to a reference frequency generating unit 3' which is for deciding the data time and the frequency to be exchanged with the microcomputer 1, a power supply section 2', a deck state judging section 11 and a video tape state judging section 12.

The microcomputer 1' communicates with a motor control section 61, which is connected to; a capstan motor 71 for driving the tape; a power supply section 21; a drum motor 8 for detecting the magnetized video signals on the tape; an elevation motor 9 for inserting and ejecting the tape and a control head 10 for driving the motors.

Operation of the device constituted as above will now be described referring to the flow chart of Figure 2.

Let it be assumed that it is desired to play back sections A and B, as shown in the example of Figure 2A. First, a check is made as to whether the VCR is in play mode, and if it is a further check is made as to whether the picture selecting function is turned on. If it is found that the picture selecting function switch 13 is turned on, then a check is made as to whether the start memory is turned on, and if this test is positive; then a check is made as to whether the current counter value corresponds to the initial point A-1 of the segment A to be watched. If the current counter value does not correspond to the initial point A-1 then F/F (fast forward) is carried out, continually checking as to whether the count value corresponds to the initial point A-1.

When it is found that the initial point A-1 has been reached, the VCR switches to the play function, so as to play the section A defined by the data 1 corresponding to the initial and final counter values stored. Meanwhile, a check is made as to whether the counter value corresponds to the end point A-2 of the segment A to be watched. Play continues as long as it is found that it is not the end point A-2 of the segment A, and when the check indicates that the count value corresponds to the end point A-2 of the segment A the VCR is stopped, and F/F is carried out.

Similarly, a check is made as to whether the counter value corresponds to the point B-1 of another segment B to be watched, and as long as it is found that this point has not been reached, an F/F is performed. A check is made again as to whether the initial point B-1 of the segment B is reached, and once the initial point B-1 has been reached then playing is carried out.

During play of section B a check is made as to whether the count value corresponds to the end point B2 of the segment B, and play continues as long as the end point B-2 has not yet been reached. Checking is again made as to whether the count value corresponds to the end point B-2, and once it is found that the end point B-2 has been reached then F/F is performed, after stopping the VCR. If there is another picture segment to be watched, the above procedure is repeated, and the repetition is continued until there is no further picture segment to be watched, i.e. no further start and finish data are found in memory.

Start and finish points for the sections to be viewed are stored as follows. If the starting memory key is not turned on, then a check is made as to whether there is a memory start key input for a segment A to be watched. If it is found that there is such a start key input, then the current counter value is input into the memory so as to store the initial point A-1 of the segment A to be watched when the tape is 1 f i next played. Then a check is made for a memory stop key input and once this is detected the current counter value is input as the end A-2 of the segment A to be watched.

Thus only the segment A (A-1 to A-2) is memorised, and therefore, when a subsequent playing is performed in the selective mode, only this segment A is displayed.

Then a check is made as to whether there is a further memory start key input for a segment B to be watched, and if it is found that there is a start key input then the current counter value is stored into the starting point B-1 of the segment B to be watched in the next playback. Then a check is made as to whether there is a memory stop key input, and if it is found that there is a stop key input, the current counter value is stored as the end point B-2 of the segment B to be watched. Thus, the start and finish of segment B (B-1 to B-2) to be watched are memorised, and only this segment B is displayed in the next playing.

Likewise many further segments can be set as required. When playing the tape in which the above described segments are set with the selecting function switch turned on, the segments A and B are played back while the rest of the segments are skipped by the F/F function.

As described above., only the desired portions are selected from the contents of a video tape which may have a long playing time, and only the selected segments are played. Therefore, watching the desired segments can be effectively carried out, and accordingly watching time is saved.

Further, the present invention can be incorporated in an existing VCR without excessive modification, and the functions can be selected by means of the existing selecting switches; conceivably the device could be 1 employed in an existing VCR just by adding some modifications to the program of the microcomputer.

Further, the device of the present invention can be applied not only to VCR tape, but to any magnetized recording/regenerating tapes including audio tapes.

Embodiments of the invention could be envisaged in which start and finish locations for the sections are stored on the tape itself, e.g. at the beginning or end of the tape, for subsequent reference after the data in 10 the VCR device itself have been erased.

1

Claims

1. A method of replaying a recorded tape including the steps of: storing data corresponding to one or more particular sections of the tape, and automatically playing only the said section or sections of the tape, skipping the intermediate portions, by reference to the stored data.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the data are stored by the following operations:

a) winding the tape to the start of a section to be played; b) operating a start memory input means to store start memory data; c) winding the tape to the end of the section; and d) operating an end memory input means to store end memory data; and repeating steps a) to d), if necessary, for each section to be played.

3. A method according to claim 2, including the step of testing whether a selecting function is in a turned-on state as the tape is played; wherein if the selection function is on, a check is continually made as to whether the start memory input means has been turned on and the current count value at the time when the start memory key is operated is stored as the initial point of the section to be watched; then the current count value at the time when the end memory input means is operated is stored as the end point of the section to be watched; and the start and end memory input checks are repeated as necessary.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, in which the automatic playing of the selected sections includes the following steps: checking whether a start memory is set; if so, checking as to whether the current count value corresponds to the initial point of the preset section to be watched; if it is found that the initial point has not been reached, performing a fast forward; as soon as it is found that the initial point has been reached, playing the tape so as to display the selected section; then checking whether the count value corresponds to the endpoint of the present section; if it is found that it is not the end point, continuing playing, and if it is found that it is the end point, stopping playing and performing a fast forward in search of another desired section.

5. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. An apparatus for playing a recorded tape, comprising: means for storing data corresponding to one or more particular sections of tape, and control means for playing the tape if it is detected that it is at a position corresponding to one of the sections, and for fast forwarding the tape in the intermediate sections.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, in which the data storing means includes a start memory input switch and a stop memory input switch for input of the start and finish points respectively of each section.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further including a selection switch for switching between a normal play mode and a selective mode where the control means plays only the selected sections as aforesaid.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8, further including a counter whose output corresponds to the position of the tape, and the control means includes a microcomputer for comparing the stored data with the current counter output.

10. A video display device for selective playback I of tape sections, comprising: a first microcomputer for storing and reading out data; a power unit for driving the microcomputer; a reference frequency generating unit for deciding the data time and frequency handled by said microcomputer; a power failure compensating circuit; a phosphorescent display 5 for displaying states of the device; a reel pulse generator for sensing the running state of the tape; a reel matrix input unit; a picture selecting switch for selecting either the normal function or the selective function; a start memory switch for setting the initial point of a desired section under when the picture selecting switch is turned on; stop memory switch for similarly setting the end point of the desired section; a second microcomputer operationally connected with the first microcomputer, a motor control unit, a second reference frequency generating unit, a deck state judging unit and a video tape state judging unit, in such a manner as to perform control functions; a power unit for driving the second microcomputer; a capstan motor for driving the tape by using the data received from the second microcomputer; a drum motor for detecting the magnetised video signals on the tape; anelevation motor for withdrawing and inserting the tape and the motor control section, and a control head for driving the said motors.

11. A video display device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at lie Patent Office, State House. 66171 High Holbom, London WC I R 47P. Further copies may be obtained frorn Sales Branch, Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, Cwrnfelinfach. Cross Keys, Newport, NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques lid, St Mary Cray, Kent.