GB2400508A

GB2400508A - An automatic recording device for use with set-top boxes

Info

Publication number: GB2400508A
Application number: GB0229438A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Skelton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-18
Filing date: 2002-12-18
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-18
Also published as: GB0229438D0; GB2400508B

Abstract

A device 4 that includes or is attached to a connector or adaptor 3 that can be fitted to a video source 2 or recording device 1 or both, or integrated within either, that is able to respond to signals from said video source 1 and on the basis of these signals is able to control a recording device by means of infra red control signals 5.

Description

An automatic recording device for use with Set-ToP boxes History Hitherto

the process of seHing up a timed recording for a tcicvision program has been time consuming and too complex for many people It requires the video recorder's clock to be set correctly (a complex and confusing process in Itself, then the start time, stop time, and channel to be set on the VCR's internal timer for each program required. This may well be a simple process for the more technically able, (though even then many will simply not bother) but the very complexity Lightens many people so much that they are never able to become familiar with the process.

Add to this the confusion produced when a satellite, cable, or digital tcrrcstrinl TV receiver (STB) is used; confusion over which channel number to use on the video recorder, the requirement to preselect the correct channel on the receiver and leave it switched on, etc. The upshot of which is that it is very rarely done at all.

In the past various makers of STB have included an internal timer for this purpose, though the user then has to set two timers of course, but this has not been very sucessful. Onc majour limitation of the above methods is of course that, if the viewer is unable to view a program they expected to see, due to an unpredictable delay of some sort (late train, traffic, forgetting) the equipment will not record it. More recently many digital STBs have included an electronic program guide; allowing the user to select programs in advance and enabling the STB to turn on automatically when the program Is due.

Impost recently digital STOs have appeared with an Internal digital recording medium, abic to record preselected programs automatically Unfortunately the equipment cost is necessarily high, making this technology inaccessible to most viewers.

Description of the invention

Virtually every viewer of any digital service wilt already have a perfectly servicable video caseHe recorder (VOR) located with their main TV and STB. The invention relates to a device that can identify by some means or another when the STB turns on automatically at the bc'inning of a preselected program and/or off at the end of A, and acting on the basis if that information can control a video recorder by means of infra-red (JR) commands in immitation of its own remote control handset.

Claims of important features The device could have any or all of the following features; 1 Connects in specs with one of the video outpuVinput connectors (SCART) at the rear of the STB, or at the VCR, or at the TV 2 Includes one or more plugthrough adaptor(s) which attach is series with any existing connectors at the rear of the STB, VGR, or TV, and a separate section connected to it (them) which is positioned such that it can emit IR into the VCR 3 The plug-through adaptor(s) have some or all pins broken' (i e. not connected straight through) so it is possible to determine which side of the adaptor a certain signal has originated from, and respond to signals either from one side only, or to respond differently to signals from different sides.

4 The plu3-through adaptor(s) have some or all pins 'broken' (i e not connected straight through) so it is possible to 'break' the connection and insert a different signal on any or all pins.

Attaches to the case of the STB, VCR, or any other device by means of a magnet or magnetic pad.

6 Responds to a signal on STB SCART pn-8, to detemmine whether the STB has become active at the start of a preselected program, to control the VCR 7 Detects the presence of a video or audio signal from the STB, to determine whether the STB has become active at the start of a preselected program, to control the VCR.

8 Responds to a signal of some sort sent through" the LNB connector in the event of its being used with a satellite STB to determine whether the STB has become active at the start of a preselected program, to control the VCR 9 Responds to a signal of some sort sent through" any other connector on a STB to determine whether the STB has become adive at the start of a preselected program, to control the

VCR

Responds to a signal of some sort sent through" any other connector either as a steady state signal or as a data word superimposed on the signal originally intended to be present at that connector.

11 The unit is fumed on by the user by some means when the user is not actually watching TV, SD it can interpret any event where the STB becomes active as the start of a preselected program.

12 The unit is able to detect the presence of remote control signals in its vecinity to determine whether the STB has become active as a result of someone taming it on by means of a remote control handset (to watch a program, therefore not to record It), or at the start of a preselected program when the user is not present (in which case there would be no remote control signal present).

13 Powers itself from the SCART signalling line on pane for its normal operation andlor programming 14 Powors itself from any other power or signalling output on the STB fonts normal operation and/or programming 1!; Powers itself from the LNB connector in the event of its being used with a satellite STB for as normal operation and/or programming 16 Powers itself from the STB's power supply by means of a plug-through adaptor in the event that the STB has a separate power supply 1, Can he powered from an internal or external power supply.

18 Contains can optimal battery or batteries so it can JO programmed while disconnected from the STB 19 Contains an ntemai reservoir, ether a capacitor or rechargeable battery, which can charge slowly from a power source, and/or from a signal not intended as a power source, and discharge rapidly to supply sufficient current for high power IR emitters and other internal circuitry.

Contains a voltage regulator circuit such that, though the voltage available from the internal reservoir changes as it charges and discharges, the voltage available to the IR emitter circuit remains constant 21 It is programmed with the commands required for the VCR by learning from the VCR's handset 22 Can use the pre-programmed commands in any sequence necessary, not only the sequence in which they were entered, or any single fixed sequence.

23 Works out whether the VCR is turned on or off at the beginning by detecting the VCR's video output, and issuing the standby command one or more times as necessary to turn the VCR on prior to recording 24 Works out whether the VCR has a timer event set up at the beginning by detecting the VCR's video output, and issuing the Timer command as necessary to disable the timer function prior to recording. If it has had to do so, it reissues the timer command once recording Is completed to reset the timer function.

Has the ability to alter the time delays allowed between IR commands so it can work with recording equipment that requires, for example, a long time to Make up' after turn-on, without making the delays annoyingly long for users of other equipment.

26 Has the ability to emit IR of sufficiently high power to guarantee reflection into the YCR from other objects located in the same room from a location not facing or attached to the VCR IR sensor.

27 Has stick-on emitters, possibly fed via fore optics, which attach adjacent to the VCR IR sensor.

28 A STB not originally intended to control such a device could be 'modified' by means of a transmitted software change to control the device through one of its existing connectors not originally intended for the purpose.

29 A STB Gould be 'modified' by adding such a device internally to control an external VCR.

A STB or other video source could be bunt to incorporate such a device internally, either discretely or built into its circuitry, to control an external VCR.

3 t Can be used with Any or Hil of the above features with any recorcting device not limited to Video Rosette Recorder, but including a OYD recorder, a digital hard-disc (or solid-state) recorder, a computer, or any other video or audio recording device not refered to here.

3:2 Can be used with any or all of the above features with any video source not limited to a Set Top-90x, but including a receiver integrated into a television, a digital hard-disc (or solid state) recorder, a computer, a DVD player, or any other video or audio source not refercd to here.

Claims

Amended claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A device that can be

connected in series with one or more of the video output or input connectors fitted to a video source or recorder or display device that has the ability to control a recording device by means of infra red command signals upon receipt of a signal of some sort from a video source such as but not limited to a digital television receiver.

2 A device substantially as in claim 1 that includes one or more plugthrough adaptor(s) which attach is series as described in claim 1, and a separate section connected to it (them) which can be positioned conveniently such that it can emit infra red command signals directly into the command receiving device fitted to the recorder.

3 A device substantially as in claim 2 in which the plug-through adaptor(s) have some or all pins 'broken' (i.e. not connected straight through) so it is possible to determine which side of the adaptor a certain signal has originated from, and respond to signals either from one side only, or to respond differently to signals from different sides.

4 A device substantially as in claim 2 in which the plug-through adaptor(s) have some or all pins 'broken' (i.e. not connected straight through) so it is possible to 'break' the connection and/or to insert a different signal on any or all pins.

A device substantially as in claim 1 that is fitted with a magnet or flexible magnetic pad such that it can be attached to the case of the video source or recorder magnetically.

6 A device substantially as in claim 1 that is able to respond to a signal sent via pin-8 of a SCART connector fitted to a video source which is intended to control a recording device and on the basis of this to control the recording device as described above.

7 A device substantially as in claim 1 that is able to detect the presence of a video or audio signal from a video source and use this to determine whether the video source has become active at the start of a preselected program, and on the basis ofthis to control the recording device as described above.

8 A device substantially as in claim 1 that is able to recognise a signal of some sort sent through" the signal input connector of a video source to determine whether the video source has become active at the start of a preselected program, and on the basis of this to control the recording device as described above.

9 A device substantially as in claim 1 that is able to recognise a signal of some sort sent through" through" any connector of a video source, either as a steady-state signal or as a data word superimposed on the signal originally intended to be present at that connector, to determine whether the video source has become active at the start of a preselected program, and on the basis of this to control the recording device as described above A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims that can be turned on by some means when the user wishes it to be active so it can interpret any event where the video source becomes active as the start of a preselected program, and on the basis of this can control the recording device as described above, and that can be turned off at other times to prevent this operation.

11 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims that is able to detect the presence of remote control signals in its vecinity to determine whether the video source it is attached to has become active as a result of user operation by means of a remote control handset, (to watch a program therefore not to record it), or at the start of a preselected program when the user is not present, (in which case there would be no remote control signal present), and on the basis of this can control the recording device as described above.

12 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which is able to be powered from the pin-8 signalling line of a SCART connector for its normal operation and/or programming 13 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which is able to be powered from any other power or signalling output on a video source for its normal operation and/or programming 14 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which is able to be powered from 3 the video source's power supply by means of a plug- through adaptor in the event that the video source has a non-integral power supply.

A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which is able to be powered from an internal or external power supply. a 16 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which contains an internal battery 3 or batteries so it can be programmed while disconnected from any other equipment.

17 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which contains an internal reservoir, either a capacitor or rechargeable battery, which can charge slowly from a power source, and/or from a signal not intended as a power source, and discharge rapidly to supply sufficient current for high power infra red emitters and other internal circuitry.

18 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which contains a voltage regulator circuit such that, though the voltage available from a signal line or internal reservoir changes as it charges and discharges, the voltage available to the infra red emitter circuit remains constant.

19 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which is programmed with the commands required for the recording device by reaming from the recording device's own remote control handset.

A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can use the pro- 3 programmed commands in any sequence necessary and not only the sequence in which a they were entered, or any single fixed sequence.

21 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can ensure the recording device is turned on at the beginning of its operation by detecting the presence or absence or a video or audio output signal, and issuing the necessary command to turn the recording device on if required prior to recording.

22 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can ensure the recording device does not have an internal timer event selected at the beginning of its operation by detecting the presence or absence or a video or audio output signal, and issuing the necessary command to turn the timer event off if required prior to recording, and if it has had to do so, it reissues the timer command once recording is completed to reset the timer function.

23 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which has the ability to alter the time delays allowed between infra red commands so it can work with recording equipment that requires, for example, a long time to 'wake up' after turn-on, without making the delays annoyingly long for users of other equipment.

24 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which has the ability to emit infra red of sufficiently high power to ensure reflection from adjacent objects into the recording device if it is located in a position not actually facing the recording device.

A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can be fitted to a video source that was not originally intended to control such a device, but which can be modified by means of a transmitted software change to control the device through one of its existing connectors not originally intended for the purpose.

26 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can be fitted internally to a video source that was not originally intended to control such a device.

27 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can be fitted internally to a recording device that was not originally intended to be so equipped.

29 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which comprises part of a video source.

A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which comprises part of a recording device.

31 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can be used with any or all of the above features with any recording device not limited to a Video Casette Recorder, but including a DVD recorder, a digital hard-disc (or solid-state) recorder, a computer, or any other video or audio recording device not refered to here.

32 A device substantially as in any of the preceding claims which can be used with any or all of the above features with any video source not limited to a Set-Top-Box, but including a receiver integrated into a television, a digital hard-disc (or solid-state) recorder, a computer, a DVD player, or any other video or audio source not refered to here.

33 A device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. _(