GB2262419A

GB2262419A - Cable television receiving apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2262419A
Application number: GB9220456A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Do Kyu Park
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1991-11-28
Filing date: 1992-09-29
Publication date: 1993-06-16
Also published as: KR930012199B1; GB9220456D0; DE4234156B4; DE4234156A1; JP2595172B2; KR930010964A; CN1074323A; CN1040605C; JPH0652665A

Description

2262419 1 - CARLE TELEVISION RECEIVING:r APPARATUS

DESCRIPTION

The iDresent invention relates to a cable television receiving apparatus.

In cable television broadcast systems, and in particular those employing scrambled television signals, a cable box, also called a decoder box, is commonly required to provide an interface between the cable network and a subscriber's television or video cassette recorder. In the case of scrambled transmissions, the cable box descrambles the received television signals.

disclosed in US Patent No. 4527194.

A cable broadcast system is In the system described in US Patent No. 4527194 tuning is carried out by a microcomputer which is installed within a tuner of a television set. This microcomputer controls a local oscillator in response to commands input by means of controls mounted on the television set or a remote controller. However, a separate remote controller is required by the cable box.

1 In another conventional technique as shown in Figure 1, a cable box 30 descrambles scrambled cable broadcasting signals. The cable box 30 is controlled by means of a remote controller 35 to supply unscrambled television signals to a video cassette recorder 10. The video cassette recorder 10 is controlled by means of keys mounted on the front thereof or another remote controller 15 to carry out recording of a cable broadcast or to display it by means of a television set 20.

Thus, there are two remote controllers 15 and 35 which is inconvenient. Moreover, the television set 20 is used only as a means for displaying the cable broadcast, the programme played back. by the video cassette recorder and on-screen display (OSD) pictures.

Further, when unattended recording of a cable programme is to be carried out, the cable box cannot be controlled, and therefore, it is impossible to carry out unattended recording of different programmes on different channels of the cable broadcast system.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome the 1 above described disadvantages of the conventional techniques.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cable television receiving appartus, comprising: a video recording/playback means; and a cable box including control data receiving means, wherein the video recording/playback means includes means for generating and transmitting cable box control data to the data receiving means of the cable box.

Preferably, the video recording/playback means is a video cassette recorder.

Preferably, the cable box control data is transmitted in a wireless manner. However, transmission of the cable box control data via a cable or an optical fibre may also be employed.

Preferably, the means for generating and transmitting cable box control data includes memory means programmed with cable box control codes. The cable box contror codes may include cable box control codes for various cable boxes.

Conveniently, the apparatus includes a remote controller for inputting user commands into the video recording/playback means for controlling the video recording/playback means and the cable box.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the installation relationship between a video cassette recorder and a cable box according to a conventional technique; Figure 2 illustrates the installation relationship between a video cassette recorder and a cable box according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a method of operation of an apparatus according to the present invention.

- 5 Referring to Figure 2, an apparatus for receiving cable television according to the present invention includes a video cassette recorder 100 controlled by a remotd controller 150, a cable box 300 for descrambling received broadcasting signals and providing RF television signals to the video cassette recorder 100, remote transmitting part 400 for transmitting control data generated by a microcomputer 110 in the video cassette recorder 100 to the cable box 300, and a television set 200 for displaying the signals output from the video cassette recorder 100. The control data may be transmitted to the cable box by any suitable means, e. g. wires, optical fibres, IR radiation, ultrasound.

is The microcomputer 100 includes a storing part such as a ROM, and the storing part stores remote data forthe cable box 300. Cable boxes produced by different manufacturers require different remote codes. The storing part may be programmed with remote codes for a single brand of cable box or for a variety thereof In the video cassette recorder apparatus of the present invention constituted as described above, the remote controller 150 is detached from the microcomputer 110,and the microcomputer 110 of the video cassette recorder 100 controls the operation of the cable box 300. Further, the video cassette recorder 100 can display cable box control information on the television set 200 using its OSD function.

Referring to Figure 3, suitable remote data is read from the storing part and displayed with the serial number of the cable box 300 in the form of an OSD picture. The cable box 300 is operated by means of the remote controller 150 of the video cassette recorder 100 to set an operating code. The video cassette recorder 100 and the cable box 300 are simultaneously operated, after a time for unattended recording s set by inputting a programmed recording program into the video cassette recorder 100. Then the required channel of the cable box 300 is selected, and descrambled RF television signals are provided to the video cassette recorder 100.

2.5 7 - That is, the control method according to the present invention includes a step 410 for inputting control signals using a video cassette recorder mounted key oi the remote controller 150, a step 420 for displaying the control mode in the form of an OSD on the screen of the television set 200 after carrying out the step 410, a step 430 for displaying the serial number of the selected cable box 300 in the form of an OSD after the selection of a cable box 300 to be controlled, a step 440 for determining whether there is input a set command for setting the cable box 300 to be controlled by the system or not, a step 450 for discriminating whether the set key has initiated a programmed recording setting mode when the set command is input at the step 440, and a step 460 for turning on or off the power of the cable box 300 upon finding no programmed recording setting mode at the step 450.

Meanwhile, if the programmed recording setting mode is encountered at the step 450, the subsequent steps include a step 470 for carrying out a programmed recording setting on the video cassette recorder 100, a step 480 for determining whether the unattended 8 recording time has arrived after carrying out the step 470, a step 490 for driving the set cable box 300 and the video cassette recorder 100 upon arriving at theunattended recording time, a step 500 for selecting a required channel of the cable broadcast after carrying out the step 490, a step 510 of selecting an RF output channel after carrying out the step 500, and a step 520 for carrying out the general function of unattended recording after carrying out the step 510.

Based on the above described flow sequence, the operation and effect of the exemplary apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, will be described. The video cassette recorder 100 is first controlled by means of a key (not shown) mounted thereon or the remote controller 150, and the microcomputer 110 receives input command key data and reads out data from the storing means, at the same time, and displays the control mode on the screen of the television set 200 in the form of an OSD (steps 410 and 420).

Thereafter, the serial number of the cable box 300 (the portion indicated by "01" in Figure 2) is displayed on the screen of the television set 200 in the form of arf OSD, so that the user is able to select a cable box 300 through the front key or the remote controller 150 and to drive it (step 430).

In the above mentioned 0SD picture, there is displayed data by which the user can select a cable box 300.

Thereafter, if the number displayed in the OSD picture is set (step 440), the code of the set cable box 300 is searched for in the memory of the video cassette recorder.

Then a determination is made as to whether a programmed recording is to be set (step 4-1550) and if it is not a programmed recording setting mode, the cable box 300 which is set by the searched code is turned on (step 460). Under this condition, the microcomputer 110 of the video cassette recorder 100 reads OUt the remote data from the storage means, and the signal are - 10 transmitted through the remote transmitting part 400 to the cable box 300.

The transmission of the remote transmitting part 400 can be realized either through a cable in transmitting the output of the microcomputer 110 to the cable box 300, or can be realized in the form of an optical wireless transmission (using infrared rays generally) by providing a remote controlled transmission function in transmitting the data to the receiving part of the cable box 300.

Meanwhile, in the case where the system is under a programmed recording setting mode at step 450, that is, in the case where the user wants to carry out unattended recording of a cable broadcasting programme, the programmed recording function can be set through a key on the video cassette recorder 100 or the remote controller 150 (step 470).

That is, at the step 470, settings are made for the cable broadcasting programme and the recording time. Thereafter, the video cassette recorder 100 operates in 1 the normal manner. That is, the current time is checked until the set time arrives (step 480), and, when the set time arrives, the microcomputer 110 turnson the video cassette recorder 100. Further, the microcomputer 110 transmits remote control signals through the remote transmitting part 400 to the cable box 300 to turn on the cable box 300 (step 490). Then the required channel is selected (step.00, and the cable broadcasting signals, which are input in a scrambled state, are descrambled by the cable box 300, before providing RF television signals to the video cassette recorder 100 (step 510).

Under this condition, the video cassette recorder 100 is placed in a recording mode to execute the programmed recording program, and thus a programme is is recorded (step 520).

cable broadcasting As the storing part for storing the remote data of the cable box 300, a non-volatile memory other than a ROPI can be used.

According to the present invention as described above, the cable box can be controlled within the video cassette recorder, and therefore, all the controls suchas the selection of a cable box to be driven, the selection of a channel and the like can be performed by means of a video cassette recorder remote controller, as well as carrying out programmed recordings of cable broadcasting programmes, thereby simplifying the procedure of controlling the cable box connected to the video cassette recorder.

In the foregoing description reference has been made to a video cassette recorder. However, the skilled man will appreciate that the present invention is applicable to other forms of video recording and reproducing apparatus.

Claims

1. A cable television receiving apparatus, 1 comprising: video recording/playback means; and cable box including control data receiving means, wherein the video recording/playback means includes means for generating and transmitting cable box control data to the data receiving means of the cable box.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video recording/playback means is avideo cassette recorder.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable box control data is transmitted via a cable.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable box control data is transmitted via an optical fibre.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cable box control data is transmitted in a wireless manner.

6. An apparatus according to any p3:eceding claim, wherein the means for generating and transmitting cable box control data includes a memory means programmed with cable box control codes.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cable box control codes include cable box control codes for various cable boxes.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a remote controller for inputting user commands into the video recording/playback means for controlling the video recording/playback means and the cable box.

9. A video cassette recorder apparatus having a cable box control function, including a video cassette recorder with a microcomputer installed therein, a cable box for supplying RF signals to said video - is - cassette recorder after descrambling the scrambled cable broadcasting signals, and a remote controller for controlling the driving of said video cassettd recorder, said video comprising: storing means installed within said microcomputer of said video cassette recorder in order to store remote codes relevant to different kinds of cable boxes; and cabled or wireless remote transmitting means installed between said video cassette recorder and said cable box in order to transmit control signals of said cable box, said control signals being output from said microcomputer upon manipulating a remote controller.

cassette recorder aplaratus further

10. A method of controlling a cable box of video cassette recorder, said video cassette recorder including storing means installed within a microcomputer in order to store remote codes suitable for different kinds of cable boxes and cabled or wireless remote transmitting means installed between said video cassette recorder and said cable box in order to transmit control signals of said cable box, said control said microcomputer controller, said control method comprising steps of: inputting a control key through said remote controller; reading out remote data relevant to said cable box by said microcomputer after carrying out the previous step, and displaying said remote data on the screen of a television in the form of an OSD picture; displaying the serial number of said cable box on said television in the form of an OSD after carrying out the previous step, so as for the user to select one of said cable boxes through a front key or a remote controller to drive it; determining whether the selected cable box number selected from the OSD picture is to be set or not, after carrying out the previous step; determining as to whether the system is under a programmed recording setting mode, after encountering an inputting of a setting key at the prqvious step; turning on or off said cable box after encountering no programmed recording setting mode at the previous step; setting the programmed recording function, after 16 - signals being output from upon manipulating a remote - 17 encountering a programmed recording setting mode; determining as to whether the programmed recording time has arrived, by checking the current time after carrying out the previous step; turning on said video cassette recorder through said microcomputer upon finding the arrival of the programmed recording time at the previous step, and turning on said cable box by sending a remote control signal from said remote transmitting means to said cable box; selecting a booked channel for a cable broadcast after carrying out the previous step; descrambling the input scrambled cable broadcasting signals after carrying out the previous step, in order output RF signals to said video cassette recorder; and placing the system under a recording mode by executing the programmed recording program in said video cassette recorder, in order to record the cable broadcasting program.

11. A cable television receiving apparatus substantially as hereinbefore, described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

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