Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing – Local trick play processing – With randomly accessible medium
Utility Patent
1997-08-27
2001-01-02
Garber, Wendy (Department: 2715)
Motion video signal processing for recording or reproducing
Local trick play processing
With randomly accessible medium
C386S349000, C386S349000, C386S349000
Utility Patent
active
06169842
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of information recording and playing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a recording and reproducing system for recording a first information flow on an information carrier and simultaneously processing a further information flow via the information carrier, the system comprising a reading/writing unit for scanning the information carrier with the scanning velocity either for writing or reading information on the information carrier, and buffer means for buffering information during recording and/or reproduction.
Such a recording and reproducing system is disclosed in EP 0594241 (PHN 14.217). The system comprises a random-access main memory for storing information, such as a disc memory. Via an input buffer memory the input of the main memory is coupled to an input for receiving an information flow. The information flow represents a continuous-time signal, for example, a video signal after digitization and compression. The output of the main memory is coupled to an output via an output buffer memory. In the example the information flow is reproduced on the output and can be reconverted into the video signal by decompression. The system comprises a read/write head for reading information from the disc memory and writing the information in the disc memory, and a system control for alternately reading and writing, so that, in operation, the input buffer is kept substantially empty and the output buffer is kept substantially full. With such a system for video signals, a video program can be reproduced with a short or long delay, while the program itself has not terminated yet. A user may start watching a partly recorded program, while at the same time a remaining part of the program is being recorded. Alternatively, if the user's direct viewing of a video program is interrupted, for example, due to a telephone call, with the system may start the recording and later continue viewing without any loss after the interruption.
The above citations are hereby incorporated in whole by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A problem of the above system is that it is arranged for a fixed recording process.
It is an object of the invention to provide a recording and reproducing system in which the recording and/or the reproduction is provided more efficiently. For this purpose, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the system comprises control means for controlling the recording of the first information flow depending on a required data rate for processing the further information flow. This provides the advantage that the recording may be adapted depending on the circumstances, such as current or expected future simultaneous recording and reproduction. As a result, the largest possible part of the transmission capacity of the system is utilized, so that the transmission capacity of the system is spread over writing and reading in a well balanced manner. In order to have sufficient writing capacity available for future simultaneous recording/reproduction, the current recording is adapted for current simultaneous recording/reproduction, and the transmission capacity is optimally utilized. This is all the more an advantage compared to a higher tranmission capacity less efficiently used, because the higher transmission capacity would make a system more complex and sensitive to wear and defects. A higher and/or more stable quality of the reproduced signal is provided with the available transmission capacity.
An embodiment of the recording and reproducing system according to the invention is characterized in that the system includes compression means for controllably compressing the first information flow during recording, and in that the control means are arranged for controlling the compression means depending on the required data rate. This is advantageous because the degree of compression is adapted to the required data rate and, consequently, as much as possible the available bits are used, so that the signal is compressed the least possible and provides high quality reproduction. This is particularly advantageous for information flows that have a variable bit rate, such as MPEG-2 digital video. Further embodiments of the recording and reproducing system according to the invention and advantages hereof are described in dependent claims and the explanation that follows.
Those skilled in the art will understand the invention and additional objects and advantages of the invention by studying the description of preferred embodiments below with reference to the following drawings which illustrate the features of the appended claims:
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Frimout Emmanuel D.L.
Pijnenburg Josephus A.
Belk Michael E.
Boccio Vincent F.
Garber Wendy
U.S. Philips Corporation
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