Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing – Local trick play processing – With randomly accessible medium
Patent
1997-08-22
2000-05-16
Garber, Wendy
Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing
Local trick play processing
With randomly accessible medium
386111, H04N 591
Patent
active
060647949
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to digitally compressed video material and in particular to the provision this material at speeds other than at normal play speed.
The implementation of trick-play modes within digital video systems is a problem which is becoming more important as digital video-based systems enter the marketplace. Emerging consumer video products such as video on demand (VOD), video CDs, and other similar systems may compete with the VHS tape market as providers of feature-length movies. However, unlike analog-based replay methods, digital video systems represent a challenge in the reproduction of video images at speeds other than normal play speed. Such "off speed" reproductions being known as trick-play which may provide images at various speeds, for example, fast-forward, fast-reverse, freeze-frame etc.
Published European Patent application EP A 0625857 teaches the design of a video server for transmitting video signals to a plurality of user stations in response to commands therefrom. The reference is specifically directed to a server memory control means which is supplemented by a plurality of program control modules. EP A 0625857 teaches the use of a real time signal and special signals to facilitate visual fast forward or visual rewind operation. Memory allocation tables link the real time signal and special signals. In addition EP A 0625857 discloses link points in the linked signal to permit selection therebetween without program discontinuity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An inventive arrangement for reproducing a video program advantageously determines replay addresses by calculation in real time responsive to user selection, thereby avoiding a requirement to pre-process or pre-form memory allocation tables with linking, as disclosed in EP A 0625857.
An inventive method for reproducing video programs, comprises the steps of:
identifying a digitally encoded set of signals in a storage medium for each one of a plurality of video programs for reproduction of each one of the plurality of programs at a plurality of reproduction speeds;
reproducing one of the encoded signals from the store responsive to a program selection and a reproduction speed;
responding to a new reproduction speed request by calculating to determine an address for initiating reproduction of a different one of the encoded signals corresponding to the new reproduction speed;
reproducing the different one of the encoded signals from the address in the store; and,
decoding the reproduced signals for display of the selected program at the selected new reproduction speed.
An apparatus for reproducing video programs at a plurality of speeds and selecting therebetween responsive to a user command, comprises a storing means for storing a digitally encoded set of signals for each one of a plurality of video programs. A reproducing means reproduces one of the digitally encoded signals from a selected one of the sets in response to a program and speed selection for decoding and display. A calculating means for calculates an address to initiate reproduction of a signal from the selected set in response to a user selection of a different reproduction speed. One signal of each set of signals stored by the storing means, facilitates reproduction at a normal play speed and other signals of the set facilitate reproduction at other speeds. The normal play speed signal occupies a specific memory size within the storage means, and the other speed signals occupy memory sizes less than the specific memory size.
FIG. 1 shows table 1 which indicates advantageous bit rate and resolution differences for both normal and trick-play modes.
FIG. 2 illustrates compressed video data streams representing normal play speed, twice play speed and ten times play speed.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the formulation of table groups for use in an inventive method for selecting between bit streams representing normal and trick-play reproduction speeds.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system employing inventive features for selection and control of co
REFERENCES:
patent: 5576902 (1996-11-01), Lane et al.
patent: 5596594 (1997-01-01), Fukushima et al.
patent: 5684917 (1997-11-01), Yanahihara et al.
patent: 5717816 (1998-02-01), Boyce et al.
patent: 5751893 (1998-05-01), Shimoda et al.
Boccon-Gibod Gilles
McLaren David Lionel
Boccio Vincent F.
Fried Harvey D.
Garber Wendy
Laks Joseph J.
Thomson Licensing S.A.
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