The present invention generally relates to video recording devices, and more particularly to systems and methods for managing storage space of video, storage devices based on recording modes.
Conventional Digital Versatile Disks (DVD), and other digital video recorders provide user-selectable recording modes. Each recording mode corresponds to a recording quality. For example, in one type of conventional system High Quality (XP) mode typically provides the highest quality recording with the shortest recording time. Standard Play (SP) mode provides the next highest quality recording but a longer recording time. Long Play (LP) and Extra Long Play (EP) recording mode yields more recording time than SP mode but lower quality. It should be noted that different manufacturers use different acronyms to describe different modes, i.e., various combinations of play time and quality. Not all of these definitions are consistent. Regardless of a particular terminology, managing the trade off between recording quality and play time (storage space) is important to many users.
To that end, some conventional systems further include a flexible Recording (FR) mode. A FR mode records with the best picture quality possible for the recording time and remaining space on the disc. Table 1 illustrates one example of a conventional relationship between recording mode, recording times (duration), and recording data rate.
Conventional recorders include recording timers. Recording timers of both the manual and automatic types are available. A recording timer is manually set, for example, by a user depressing a “record” button at the time recording is desired. Likewise, a recording timer is manually terminated by a user depressing a “stop”, or like, button on the recording device or via remote control. Typical recording timers further allow a user to start recording and stop recording automatically based upon the occurrence of an “event”. As used herein the term “event” refers to any cue suitable for initiating or terminating recording. For example, conventional timers are set by a user to start recording at a particular time of day and to stop recording at another time of day. In another typical example, timers are settable to start recording at the start of a particular program. The following are further examples of events upon which recording actions are typically based: time of day, tuning to a particular channel, start and stop of a particular program. The term “session”, as defined herein, refers to the time between a recording start event and a subsequent recording stop event. The term session is applied herein to both manual and automatic recording timers.
A number of existing systems enable a user to define a recording mode specific to a corresponding recording timer. However, in the case of a user failing to select a recording mode corresponding to a timer, a system-defined default recording mode is typically applied to the recording session for that timer. As used herein the term “default recording mode” refers to a recording mode applied by a recording device in the absence of a timer-specific recording mode. Thus, a system defined default mode may not match a user's preferences for programming quality for those timers lacking timer specific recording modes. This mismatch is more likely to occur as the number of timers set by a user increases. Many users find it burdensome to set a recording mode each time the user sets a timer.
Some recording devices have FR (Flexible Recording) modes that automatically vary the recording quality to get the best available picture based upon the total amount of recording in that session. A user typically cannot interact with the quality settings of such devices while in the FR mode. Therefore, a user has little control over recording modes selected on the basis of total recording time remaining. The modes selected may not match a user's preferences.
From a user perspective, existing systems and methods have a common drawback. That is, user options for controlling recording mode, i.e., quality, of recordings of received programs are limited. The first option is to set a desired recording mode for each corresponding individual recording timer. This is often burdensome and time consuming to the user. The second option is to select a recording mode for at least one individual timer, but not to set recording modes for other timers. In that case a system default recording mode is typically applied to the other timers. The third option is to accept the default recording mode for all timers. Some conventional systems allow a user to set a single default recording mode. However, that user selected default mode is the same for all timers without timer specific recording modes. Accordingly, all sessions recorded by system defaults use the same system default recording mode.
Therefore, a need exists for systems and methods that allow a user to define rules for applying a default recording mode across a plurality of timers in accordance with a rule. Such systems would free the user from the task of setting a recording mode each time the user sets a timer.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a default recording mode comprising the step of defining at least one default recording mode rule to be applied across a plurality of video recording sessions.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention relates to a video recording system for applying a default recording mode in accordance with at least one user-defined default recording mode rule. A user-defined default recording mode rule is also referred to herein as a “default rule”. The user-defined default rule is applied across a plurality of recording timers without user intervention for each timer. Thus a default rule accounts for recording mode preferences of a user in determining present and future recording modes to apply to recording sessions in the absence of specific instructions for a timer.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a recording mode associated with a timer programming to be recorded is selected based upon at least one “program parameter”. As used herein the term “program parameter” refers to any program characteristic suitable for identifying a program. A processor accepts attribute information from a user.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a user selects at least one program parameter upon which to base a user defined default rule. The user assigns a corresponding recording mode to be applied to programs having at least one parameter matching the selected parameter. When multimedia matching the attribute is recorded, if a corresponding session recording mode has not been defined, the default recording mode corresponding to the attribute is applied. Therefore, the default recording mode actually applied can differ from session to session in accordance with the rule.
Advantageously, this feature enables the optimization of storage space usage without need for the user to assign a recording mode each time the user sets a recording timer.
Upon detection of user action to define a default rule, the recording device proceeds to carry out step 114. Thereby, the recording device receives at least one user selected programming parameter via the UI. In an embodiment of the invention, an example UI displays a menu to a user. The displayed menu includes user-selectable programming parameters. The user selects at least one parameter from the menu via the UI. One example of a suitable parameter is a time of day. Other suitable parameters include, but are not limited to, a day of week, a multimedia content type, a television or movie rating associated with the multimedia content, a channel number, a channel type (e.g. a premium channel, a local channel, etc.) and any other identifier that can be used to characterize multimedia programming.
Continuing at step 116, the recording device receives from the user an indication of a recording quality, i.e., a user-selected default recording mode. In an embodiment of the invention, step 116 is carried out by a UI providing a menu to a user. The menu includes user-selectable recording modes. The user selects at least one of the recording modes from the menu via a user interface. It will be appreciated that any number of recording mode selections are suitable in keeping with the recording quality capabilities of a given recording device. According to one embodiment of the invention, recording mode selections range from low quality to high (or best) quality, having a plurality of levels in between. According to one embodiment of the invention, the number of levels is three, namely: lowest, average, and highest quality.
Next at step 118, the recording device associates the user-selected default recording mode as described above, with the at least one parameter selected as described above. In that manner, a default recording rule is defined by a user. According to an embodiment of the invention, means for a user to select a label, e.g., a name, an icon, or the like, for a rule is provided. Thus, rules are visually identifiable by a user during display, facilitating rule management. In one embodiment of the invention, rules are saved in a memory of the device, as per step 132. In one embodiment of the invention, rules saved in memory are applied in situations wherein the user did not set a corresponding recording mode when setting a timer. However, other embodiments of the invention include at least one user selectable option for at least one rule to override timer recording mode settings as indicated at 122. In that case, for received programs having matching rule parameters, recording modes set at the time of setting corresponding timers are ignored. Instead the recording rule mode is applied in this case.
Further embodiments of the invention include a step of compiling existing rules in order to eliminated rule redundancies and conflicts as indicated at step 128. One example of a rule conflict is the existence of a first rule applying a first recording mode based on start and stop time of day. At the same time, a second rule exists applying a second recording mode for timers based on rating. In that case it is possible for a single received program to satisfy both rules. In one embodiment of the invention step 128 includes steps of identifying such conflicts to a user and prompting a user for action to resolve rule conflicts. In one embodiment of the invention, rule compiler 128 accounts for rules identified as overriding timer set recording modes as indicated at 130 and 132 of
In one embodiment of the invention, a user is prompted to resolve conflicts, for example, by selecting a conflict-resolving scheme. An example of one suitable conflict-resolving scheme is a precedence scheme. For example, a higher quality recording mode takes precedence over lower quality recording mode, and vice versa. Other conflict resolving schemes are suitable for use in accordance with the principals of the invention.
In one embodiment of the invention, rules are established to determine recording mode, wherein recording mode relates to recording quality. Other embodiments of the invention include rules applicable to determine other storage device management related operations. For example, rules pertaining to deleting multimedia content from a storage device are definable by a user according to some embodiments of the invention. Alternatively, new rules are established for such a purpose. For example, in one embodiment, rules are established to delete multimedia content from a specific genre after a first time period. Multimedia content from another genre is deleted after a second time period. Alternatively, the multimedia content remains on the storage device until manually deleted. Rules are definable in accordance with the principles of the invention for these other system operations as well.
Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention provides means for varying device operation, for example, recording mode, according to a users general preferences in relation to program parameters, and in accordance with at least one user defined rule.
For example, if a recording mode is based upon a time of day parameter, the recording device provides a time of day the multimedia is received. This information is used for recording mode decision-making. In that case, a recording mode decision is based upon a comparing step 220, comparing received time of day to the time of day specified by a rule parameter.
Step 212 governs manual timers. When a user sets a manual timer, some recording devices simultaneously provide an option for selecting recording mode with the manual timer as indicated at step 242. If a user sets a recording mode with a manual timer, that recording mode is used to record the selected programming as indicated at step 240. The case of a user declining to set a recording mode is illustrated at step 243. Step 243 determines if a user defined default recording mode exists that is applicable to the programming subject to the manual timer. If a user default recording mode is applicable, the user default recording mode is applied as indicated at step 244. In the absence of an applicable user defined default recording mode, a system default recording mode is applied to the programming subject to the timer. This is illustrated at step 245.
Proceeding to step 214, the system detects an occurrence of an automatic timer start event. Such events are those typically available on conventional recording systems for setting recording timers. Examples of such events include, time of day, tuning to a channel, program name, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, in the event no automatic timers are set, and no manual timers are initiated, no recording takes place. According to other embodiments of the invention, user defined default rules are applied to received programming so as to initiate recording in accordance with the rule even in the absence of automatic timers.
Referring to step 216, when an automatic timer is set, and a timer start event occurs as in step 214, the system determines an applicable recording mode in accordance with the invention. In the embodiment illustrated in
However, if no recording mode was set with the timer, the system proceeds to step 236 to determine at least one user-defined default recording mode rule is presently activated. In one embodiment of the invention, a default recording mode rule flag is set when user-defined default recording modes are stored and activated. This is further illustrated in
Regardless of the determining means employed, when it is determined at step 218 that at least one user defined default rule is active, a comparison step is carried out as per step 220. The parameters for presently received programming are compared to rule parameters (indicated at tab B) to determine if matches exist as indicated by step 222. If no match exists, a system default recording mode is used to record the incoming programming as per step 224.
If a match exists, a user defined default recording rule corresponding to the matching parameter governs the recording mode for the received programming as per step 230. In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in
As noted, the present invention is not limited in application to the determination of recording mode, but also is applicable to defining rules governing other device functions, for example, to establish rules that determine when to remove multimedia content from a storage device.
In one arrangement, user defined default recording mode menu selections are provided to a user. Embodiments of the invention include various user operable controls to enable a user to define and manage rules. As used herein, the term “control” includes, but is not limited to, an icon, a button, a radio button, a knob, a text entry field, and any other means representing functions and actions to a user. A variety of controls are known and suitable for use in the invention in accordance with the teachings herein.
In one embodiment, the menu 300 includes at least one of the following user selectable menu portions on an area of a display. A portion 310 enables a user to add at least one default recording mode rule to existing rules list 305. A portion 315 enables a user to edit existing rules list 305. A portion 320 enables a user to delete at least one rule from existing rules list 305. Other embodiments of the invention include a portion for enabling a user to activate and deactivate at least one rule from existing rules list 305.
According to an embodiment of the invention, upon user selection of at least one parameter from menu 400, a menu 500 is provided. Menu 500 comprises at least one user selectable parameter detail portion 505, 510. At least one parameter detail portion 505, 510 enables a user to select specific criteria for applying a rule in accordance with a parameter. For example, for a user-selected parameter “Time of Day,” as shown at 405 of
Another example relates to a user-selected parameter “Day of Week” (405 of
The system associates a recording quality selected from menu 600 with at least one parameter selected, for example via menu's 4 and 5. In one embodiment, the UI presents the recording quality menu 600 after an input parameter has been entered via the input parameter menu 500. In another embodiment, the UI presents the recording quality menu 600 after a control is selected on the rule menu 300. The recording mode menu 600 includes a list of user selectable recording quality levels 605. For instance, the recording quality levels 605 range from low to best. A user selected recording mode 605 is then associated with the parameter selected in the immediately preceding steps, thereby defining a default recording mode rule.
According to one embodiment of the invention, default recording mode rules are named by the user, in order to facilitate subsequent rule management. For instance, in one arrangement, default recording rules are assigned editable rule titles. In one embodiment, a rule title editing menu 700 for adding or editing rule titles is shown in
Importantly, the preceding menu systems provide but one example of selecting means by which a user defines default recording mode rules in accordance with the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art there are a myriad of display screens and menu systems suitable for use in various embodiments of the invention, once the principles of the invention described herein are appreciated.
A block diagram of a recording device 800 according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Processor 802 also includes a storage device interface 810 for controlling storage of programming to storage device 848 in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention. For example, processor 802 communicates with storage device 848 such that received programs are recorded at a mode determined by applying at least one user defined default recording mode rule.
According to an embodiment of the invention, device 800 comprises a Personal Video Recording device 800. Device 800 includes a processor for example digital signal processor (DSP) 802, a key and display board 820, a tuner 840, an A/V input selector 838, a USB input 846, a storage device 848 and a program information module 850. Additionally, the PVR 800 includes first and second infra-red (IR) links 830 and 832, a video overlay encoder 852, a video switch 860, a headphone jack 834, a standard A/V component connector block 870, a YPbPr component connector block 880, and a digital interface (SPDIF) connector 890. In one embodiment of the invention, SPDIF 890 is a commercially available Sony/Phillips connector.
The component connectors 870, 880 and 890 provide audio/video signals, including user menus to be displayed, in a variety of output formats. For example, the standard A/V component connector block 870 comprises an S-video connector 872 for outputting to a video display video that has been separated into chrominance and luminance video signals and a composite video connector 874 for providing a standard composite video signal. Further, the standard A/V component connector block 870 includes left and right audio output connectors, 876 and 878, respectively.
The YPbPr component connector block 880 is typically used for displaying high definition television (HDTV), including user menus according to various embodiments of the invention. The YPbPr component connector block 880 comprises a video luminance (Y) output connector 882 for providing an analog video luminance component, a Pb output connector 884 for providing an analog blue color difference (B-Y), and a Pr output connector 886 for providing an analog red color difference (R-Y). Lastly, the SPDIF component connector block 890 comprises a coaxial output 892 and an optical output 894 for outputting digital audio signals via a coaxial cable or fiber optic cable, respectively.
The key and display board 820 is provided as a user interface (UI) for the PVR 800. The embodiment illustrated in
First and second IR links 830 and 832 form a set of communication links between satellite and non-satellite embodiments of the invention to simplify the interface between the audio, video, and data streams. The first IR link 830 is a communication interface between the DSP 802 and other devices having an IR communication link. Notably, the first IR link 830 is useful for controlling other devices designed specifically for aired or cable television broadcasts or radio broadcasts using standard program guide information. The first IR link 830 also enables features to simplify the consumer's interaction between devices. For example, the first IR link 830 enables one touch program recording, as well as other user conveniences. The second IR link 832 provides an interface between the program information module 850 and other devices having IR communication links. Significantly, the second IR link 832 is useful for communicating with devices not requiring a direct connection to DSP 802, for example with a cable reception device, a VCR, etc.
The DSP 802 executes functions in accordance with, for example, the flowcharts provided in
Audio/Video (A/V) input selector 838 includes a plurality of A/V inputs. The A/V input selector 838 forwards the received A/V signals to DSP 802. The DSP's A/D converter 804 is used to convert A/V signals received in an analog format to a digital format. A/V signals already in digital format, for example, digital signals received via a universal serial bus (USB) interface 846, need not undergo the analog to digital conversion.
FPGA 808 provides processing instructions for data received from the A/V input selector 838 or the USB interface 846, depending on the type of data received. For example, if A/V data is received in an uncompressed form, FPGA 808 forwards the A/V data to MPEG encoder/decoder 806 for MPEG compression prior to being sent to the record/playback interface 810. However, if A/V data is received in an MPEG compressed format, FPGA 808 forwards the A/V data straight to the receive/playback interface 810. In either case the FPGA 808 provides read/write instructions to the record/playback interface 810, which then stores the A/V data onto storage 848.
MPEG encoder/decoder 806 performs MPEG compression and decompression on digital A/V signals. For example, MPEG encoder/decoder 806 receives digital A/V signals from A/D converter 804 or USB interface 846, compresses the digital A/V signals using an MPEG format, and forwards the compressed digital A/V signals to the receive/playback interface 810. The receive/playback interface 810 then stores the compressed digital A/V signals to storage 848.
Storage 848 includes at least one data storage device. Suitable storage devices include a magnetic storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical storage medium, such as a digital video disc (DVD), an electronic storage medium, such as random access memory (RAM), a magneto/optical storage medium, and any combination of storage devices.
For embodiments of the invention including playback capabilities, during playback the receive/playback interface 810 reads A/V data from storage 848. The A/V data then is forwarded to MPEG encoder/decoder 806 for decompression. After decompression the A/V data is separated into video and audio signals. The audio signal is forwarded to SPDIF 816 to be output digitally via coaxial output 892 or optical output 894. The audio signal also is forwarded to audio D/A converter 814 for D/A conversion. After D/A conversion the audio signal is provided to headphone jack 834 and left and right audio outputs 876 and 878.
The video signal is processed by video digital encoder 812, which performs D/A conversion on the video signal as well as encodes the video signal into a variety formats. In one arrangement, the video signal is encoded into an RGB format, separated into luminance and chrominance (Y+C) signals, or encoded into a composite video signal having a National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) format. The composite video and the Y+C video signals are forwarded to video switch 860, while the RGB video signal is forwarded to the video overlay encoder 852.
The video overlay encoder 852 includes overlay module 854, NTSC video encoder 856, and YPbPr matrix encoder 858. The overlay module 854 receives program information from a program information module 850 and graphically overlays the program information onto the video signal. The program information module 850 extracts the program information from a program guide. The program guide is available from a myriad of sources. Suitable providers of the program guide include, but are not limited to, an on-line source, a modem dialup connection, a pager network, etc. In one embodiment the program guide also is contained in incoming A/V signals received by the A/V input selector 838 and communicated to the program information module 850 by the DSP 802.
The program information includes available programs for each channel as well as program scheduling. Further, for each individual program the program information includes a program identifier, channel information, recording time, program duration, scene data, program credits, etc. Other information and graphics are overlayed onto the video signal as well. Typically, information is overlayed on to the video signal when requested by a user or upon some pre-defined event. However, some information, such as a channel identifier, will be continually overlayed over the video signal.
The NTSC encoder outputs the video signal as an NTSC formatted composite video signal, as well as video separated into separate luminance and chrominance signals. The video signals then are forwarded to the video switch 860. The video switch 860 is used to select for display either the NTSC encoded video signal or the video signal generated by the video digital encoder 812. Composite video signals from either source are output via composite video output connector 874, while chrominance and luminance video signals from either source are output via the S-video output connector 872.
The YPbPr matrix encoder 858 generates a YPbPr formatted analog video signal. As previously noted, the YPbPr video signal includes a video luminance (Y) component, an analog blue color difference (B−Y), and an analog red color difference (R−Y). The Y component is output to the Y output connector 882, the (B−Y) difference are output to the Pb output connector 884 and the (R−Y) difference is output to the Pr output connector 886.
While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.