U.S. patent application number 09/827029 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for multimedia time warping system.
Invention is credited to Barton, James M., Chow, Ching Tong, Goodman, Andrew Martin, Kao, Jean Swey, McInnis, Roderick James, Moskowitz, Alan S..
Application Number | 20010019658 09/827029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22422840 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010019658 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barton, James M. ; et
al. |
September 6, 2001 |
Multimedia time warping system
Abstract
A multimedia time warping system. The invention allows the user
to store selected television broadcast programs while the user is
simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. A preferred
embodiment of the invention accepts television (TV) input streams
in a multitude of forms, for example, National Television Standards
Committee (NTSC) or PAL broadcast, and digital forms such as
Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS),
or Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC). The TV streams
are converted to an Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) formatted
stream for internal transfer and manipulation and are parsed and
separated it into video and audio components. The components are
stored in temporary buffers. Events are recorded that indicate the
type of component that has been found, where it is located, and
when it occurred. The program logic is notified that an event has
occurred and the data is extracted from the buffers. The parser and
event buffer decouple the CPU from having to parse the MPEG stream
and from the real time nature of the data streams which allows for
slower CPU and bus speeds and translate to lower system costs. The
video and audio components are stored on a storage device and when
the program is requested for display, the video and audio
components are extracted from the storage device and reassembled
into an MPEG stream which is sent to a decoder. The decoder
converts the MPEG stream into TV output signals and delivers the TV
output signals to a TV receiver. User control commands are accepted
and sent through the system. These commands affect the flow of said
MPEG stream and allow the user to view stored programs with at
least the following functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause,
index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play.
Inventors: |
Barton, James M.; (Los
Gatos, CA) ; McInnis, Roderick James; (Milpitas,
CA) ; Moskowitz, Alan S.; (San Francisco, CA)
; Goodman, Andrew Martin; (Menlo Park, CA) ; Chow,
Ching Tong; (Fremont, CA) ; Kao, Jean Swey;
(Cupertino, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLENN PATENT GROUP
3475 EDISON WAY
SUITE L
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
22422840 |
Appl. No.: |
09/827029 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09827029 |
Apr 5, 2001 |
|
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|
09126071 |
Jul 30, 1998 |
|
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6233389 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/213 ;
348/E5.007; 348/E5.108; 386/235; 386/246; 386/299; 386/327;
386/338; 386/E5.043; 386/E5.07; G9B/27.01; G9B/27.012; G9B/27.019;
G9B/27.033; G9B/27.036 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/8456 20130101;
H04N 21/4334 20130101; G11B 2220/2562 20130101; H04N 21/43072
20200801; H04N 21/42615 20130101; H04N 21/4345 20130101; H04N 5/783
20130101; G11B 27/002 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101; G11B 27/032
20130101; H04N 21/4402 20130101; H04N 5/76 20130101; H04N 9/8063
20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 9/8042 20130101; H04N
21/43076 20200801; H04N 21/454 20130101; G11B 27/105 20130101; H04N
21/472 20130101; H04N 21/4147 20130101; H04N 5/782 20130101; H04N
21/4532 20130101; H04N 5/781 20130101; G06V 20/52 20220101; H04N
5/775 20130101; G11B 2220/216 20130101; H04N 21/8547 20130101; H04N
21/4344 20130101; G11B 27/031 20130101; H04N 9/7921 20130101; H04N
21/426 20130101; G11B 27/024 20130101; G11B 27/3027 20130101; G11B
2220/455 20130101; H04N 21/440281 20130101; G11B 27/034 20130101;
G11B 2220/2575 20130101; G11B 2220/90 20130101; H04N 21/4341
20130101; H04N 21/4263 20130101; H04N 21/432 20130101; H04N 21/4884
20130101; G11B 27/3054 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/46 ; 386/96;
386/125 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/76; H04N
005/781 |
Claims
1. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: providing
a plurality of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept
analog and digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of
said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast
signal into its video and audio components; storing said video and
audio components on a storage device; providing an output device;
wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio
component from said storage device; decoding said specific video
and audio components into a television output signal; and sending
said television output signal to a television monitor.
2. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
3. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
4. The process of claim 3, wherein the user selects an individual
tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual
tuner.
5. The process of claim 3, wherein the user selects a specific
video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device
and decoded.
6. The process of claim 3, wherein the user controls the decoding
rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate
fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on
said television output signal.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the
current date and time.
8. The process of claim 1, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
9. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said
digital television broadcast signal; wherein said storage step
stores said other signal components on said storage device; wherein
said output device extracts the associated signal components of
said specific video and audio components from said storage device;
and reproducing said associated signal components into their proper
location in said television output signal.
10. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: a plurality
of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept analog and
digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of said tuners
is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal; a module for
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; a module for separating a digital signal or digital
television broadcast signal into its video and audio components; a
module for storing said video and audio components on a storage
device; an output device; wherein said output device extracts a
specific video and audio component from said storage device; a
module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a
television output signal; and a module for sending said television
output signal to a television monitor.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a module for
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the user selects an
individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said
individual tuner.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the user selects a specific
video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device
and decoded.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on
the current date and time.
17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a module for
extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said
digital television broadcast signal; wherein said storage module
stores said other signal components on said storage device; wherein
said output device extracts the associated signal components of
said specific video and audio components from said storage device;
and a module for reproducing said associated signal components into
their proper location into said television output signal.
19. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: providing
a plurality of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept
analog and digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of
said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; storing said digital signals and digital television
broadcast signals on a storage device; providing a plurality of
output devices; wherein each of said output devices extracts a
specific digital signal from said storage device; decoding said
specific digital signals into a television output signal; sending
said television output signal to a television monitor; and wherein
said plurality of output devices allows for a picture in a picture
display on said television monitor.
20. The process of claim 19, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
21. The process of claim 20, wherein the user selects the picture
in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.
22. The process of claim 20, wherein the user selects which of said
output devices displays in said picture in a picture display.
23. The process of claim 20, wherein the user selects the display
position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.
24. The process of claim 20, wherein the user selects an individual
tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual
tuner.
25. The process of claim 20, wherein the user selects a specific
digital signal to be extracted from said storage device and
decoded.
26. The process of claim 20, wherein the user controls the decoding
rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate
fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on
said television output signal.
27. The process of claim 19, further comprising the step of:
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
28. The process of claim 19, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the
current date and time.
29. The process of claim 19, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
30. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: a plurality
of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept analog and
digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of said tuners
is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal; a module for
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; a module for storing said digital signals and digital
television broadcast signals on a storage device; a plurality of
output devices; wherein each of said output devices extracts a
specific digital signal from said storage device; a module for
decoding said specific digital signals into a television output
signal; a module for sending said television output signal to a
television monitor; and wherein said plurality of output devices
allows for a picture in a picture display on said television
monitor.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the user selects the picture
in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the user selects which of
said output devices displays in said picture in a picture
display.
34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the user selects the display
position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.
35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the user selects an
individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said
individual tuner.
36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the user selects a specific
digital signal to be extracted from said storage device and
decoded.
37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
38. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising: a module for
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
39. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on
the current date and time.
40. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
41. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: providing
a plurality of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept
analog and digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of
said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast
signal into its video and audio components; storing said video and
audio components on a storage device; providing a plurality of
output devices; wherein each of said output devices extracts a
specific video and audio component from said storage device;
decoding said specific video and audio components into a television
output signal; sending said television output signal to a
television monitor; and wherein said plurality of output devices
allows for a picture in a picture display on said television
monitor.
42. The process of claim 41, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
43. The process of claim 42, wherein the user selects the picture
in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.
44. The process of claim 42, wherein the user selects which of said
output devices displays in said picture in a picture display.
45. The process of claim 42, wherein the user selects the display
position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.
46. The process of claim 42, wherein the user selects an individual
tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual
tuner.
47. The process of claim 42, wherein the user selects a specific
video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device
and decoded.
48. The process of claim 42, wherein the user controls the decoding
rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate
fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on
said television output signal.
49. The process of claim 41, further comprising the step of:
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
50. The process of claim 41, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the
current date and time.
51. The process of claim 41, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
52. The process of claim 41, further comprising the steps of:
extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said
digital television broadcast signal; wherein said storage step
stores said other signal components on said storage device; wherein
each of said output devices extracts the associated signal
components of said specific video and audio components from said
storage device; and reproducing said associated signal components
into their proper location in said television output signal.
53. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: a plurality
of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept analog and
digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of said tuners
is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal; a module for
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; a module for separating a digital signal or digital
television broadcast signal into its video and audio components; a
module for storing said video and audio components on a storage
device; a plurality of output devices; wherein each of said output
devices extracts a specific video and audio component from said
storage device; a module for decoding said specific video and audio
components into a television output signal; a module for sending
said television output signal to a television monitor; and wherein
said plurality of output devices allows for a picture in a picture
display on said television monitor.
54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the user selects the picture
in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.
56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the user selects which of
said output devices displays in said picture in a picture
display.
57. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the user selects the display
position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.
58. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the user selects an
individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said
individual tuner.
59. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the user selects a specific
video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device
and decoded.
60. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
61. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: a module for
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
62. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on
the current date and time.
63. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
64. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising: a module for
extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said
digital television broadcast signal; wherein said storage module
stores said other signal components on said storage device; wherein
each of said output devices extracts the associated signal
components of said specific video and audio components from said
storage device; and a module for reproducing said associated signal
components into their proper location in said television output
signal.
65. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
audio data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of:
providing at least one input signal tuner; wherein said tuner
accepts streaming audio signals, said streaming audio signals are
in digital and analog form; wherein said tuner is tuned to a
specific streaming audio signal; converting said streaming audio
signals that are analog signals into a digital stream; storing said
digital stream and digital streaming audio signals on a storage
device; providing an output device; wherein said output device
extracts a specific digital stream from said storage device;
decoding said specific digital stream into an analog or digital
audio output signal; and playing back said analog or digital audio
output signal.
66. The process of claim 65, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
67. The process of claim 66, wherein the user selects an individual
tuner and the specific streaming audio signal for said individual
tuner.
68. The process of claim 66, wherein the user selects a specific
digital stream to be extracted from said storage device and played
back.
69. The process of claim 66, wherein the user controls the decoding
rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate
fast forward and rewind, pause, and play functions on said analog
or digital audio output signal.
70. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia audio data in a computer environment, comprising the
steps of: at least one input signal tuner; wherein said tuner
accepts streaming audio signals, said streaming audio signals are
in digital and analog form; wherein said tuner is tuned to a
specific streaming audio signal; a module for converting said
streaming audio signals that are analog signals into a digital
stream; a module for storing said digital stream and digital
streaming audio signals on a storage device; an output device;
wherein said output device extracts a specific digital stream from
said storage device; a module for decoding said specific digital
stream into an analog or digital audio output signal; and a module
for playing back said analog or digital audio output signal.
71. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the user selects an
individual tuner and the specific streaming audio signal for said
individual tuner.
73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the user selects a specific
digital stream to be extracted from said storage device and played
back.
74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, pause, and play functions on
said analog or digital audio output signal.
75. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: providing
a plurality of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept
analog and digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of
said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; storing said digital signals and digital television
broadcast signals on a storage device; providing an output device;
wherein said output device extracts a specific digital signal from
said storage device; decoding said specific digital signals into a
television output signal; and sending said television output signal
to a television monitor.
76. The process of claim 75, further comprising the step of:
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
77. The process of claim 75, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
78. The process of claim 77, wherein the user selects an individual
tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual
tuner.
79. The process of claim 77, wherein the user selects a specific
digital signal to be extracted from said storage device and
decoded.
80. The process of claim 77, wherein the user controls the decoding
rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate
fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on
said television output signal.
81. The process of claim 75, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the
current date and time.
82. The process of claim 75, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
83. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: a plurality
of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept analog and
digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of said tuners
is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal; a module for
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; a module for storing said digital signals and digital
television broadcast signals on a storage device; an output device;
wherein said output device extracts a specific digital signal from
said storage device; a module for decoding said specific digital
signals into a television output signal; and a module for sending
said television output signal to a television monitor.
84. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising: a module for
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
85. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user selects an
individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said
individual tuner.
87. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user selects a specific
digital signal to b e extracted from said storage device and
decoded.
88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
89. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on
the current date and time.
90. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
91. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: providing
a plurality of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept
analog and digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of
said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast
signal into its video and audio components; decoding said specific
video and audio components into a television output signal; and
sending said television output signal to a television monitor.
92. The process of claim 91, further comprising the step of:
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
93. The process of claim 91, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
94. The process of claim 93, wherein the user selects an individual
tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual
tuner.
95. The process of claim 93, wherein the user controls the decoding
rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate
fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on
said television output signal.
96. The process of claim 91, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the
current date and time.
97. The process of claim 91, wherein the specific broadcast signal
for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
98. The process of claim 91, further comprising the steps of:
extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said
digital television broadcast signal; and reproducing said
associated signal components into their proper location in said
television output signal.
99. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: a plurality
of input signal tuners; wherein said tuners accept analog and
digital television broadcast signals; wherein each of said tuners
is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal; a module for
converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital
signal; a module for separating a digital signal or digital
television broadcast signal into its video and audio components; a
module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a
television output signal; and a module for sending said television
output signal to a television monitor.
100. The apparatus of claim 99, further comprising: a module for
inserting on screen displays into said television output
signal.
101. The apparatus of claim 99, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
102. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the user selects an
individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said
individual tuner.
103. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
104. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on
the current date and time.
105. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the specific broadcast
signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a
particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.
106. The apparatus of claim 99, further comprising: a module for
extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said
digital television broadcast signal; and a module for reproducing
said associated signal components into their proper location in
said television output signal.
107. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: accepting
analog and digital video streams; converting analog video streams
into a digital video stream; separating a digital video stream into
its video and audio components; storing said video and audio
components on a storage device; providing an output device; wherein
said output device extracts a specific video and audio component
from said storage device; and decoding said specific video and
audio components into a television output signal.
108. The process of claim 107, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
109. The process of claim 108, wherein the user selects a specific
video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device
and decoded.
110. The process of claim 108, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
111. The process of claim 107, further comprising the steps of:
extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;
wherein said storage step stores said other signal components on
said storage device; wherein said output device extracts the
associated signal components of said specific video and audio
components from said storage device; and reproducing said
associated signal components into their proper location in said
television output signal.
112. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of:
a module for accepting analog and digital video streams; a module
for converting analog video streams into a digital video stream; a
module for separating a digital video stream into its video and
audio components; a module for storing said video and audio
components on a storage device; an output device; wherein said
output device extracts a specific video and audio component from
said storage device; and a module for decoding said specific video
and audio components into a television output signal.
113. The apparatus of claim 112, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
114. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the user selects a
specific video and audio component to be extracted from said
storage device and decoded.
115. The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said television output signal.
116. The apparatus of claim 112, further comprising: a module for
extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;
wherein said storage module stores said other signal components on
said storage device; wherein said output device extracts the
associated signal components of said specific video and audio
components from said storage device; and a module for reproducing
said associated signal components into their proper location in
said television output signal.
117. A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia
data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: accepting
analog and digital video streams; converting analog video streams
into a digital video stream; separating a digital video stream into
its video and audio components; storing said video and audio
components on a storage device; providing an output device; wherein
said output device extracts a specific video and audio component
from said storage device; and decoding said specific video and
audio components into a digital video output stream.
118. The process of claim 117, further comprising the step of:
delivering said digital video output stream to a receiver.
119. The process of claim 117, further comprising the step of:
displaying said digital video output stream.
120. The process of claim 117, further comprising the step of:
accepting control commands from a user.
121. The process of claim 120, wherein the user selects a specific
video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device
and decoded.
122. The process of claim 120, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said digital video output stream.
123. The process of claim 117, further comprising the steps of:
extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;
wherein said storage step stores said other signal components on
said storage device; wherein said output device extracts the
associated signal components of said specific video and audio
components from said storage device; and reproducing said
associated signal components into their proper location in said
digital video output stream.
124. An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of
multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of:
a module for accepting analog and digital video streams; a module
for converting analog video streams into a digital video stream; a
module for separating a digital video stream into its video and
audio components; a module for storing said video and audio
components on a storage device; an output device; wherein said
output device extracts a specific video and audio component from
said storage device; a module for decoding said specific video and
audio components into a digital video output stream; and a module
for displaying said digital video output stream.
125. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising: a module for
delivering said digital video output stream to a receiver.
126. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising: a module for
displaying said digital video output stream.
127. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising: a module for
accepting control commands from a user.
128. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the user selects a
specific video and audio component to be extracted from said
storage device and decoded.
129. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the user controls the
decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform
variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play
functions on said digital video output stream.
130. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising: a module for
extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;
wherein said storage module stores said other signal components on
said storage device; wherein said output device extracts the
associated signal components of said specific video and audio
components from said storage device; and a module for reproducing
said associated signal components into their proper location in
said digital video output stream.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to the time shifting of television
broadcast signals. More particularly, the invention relates to the
real time capture, storage, and display of television broadcast
signals.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) has changed the lives of
television (TV) viewers throughout the world. The VCR has offered
viewers the flexibility to time-shift TV programs to match their
lifestyles.
[0005] The viewer stores TV programs onto magnetic tape using the
VCR. The VC R gives the viewer the ability to play, rewind, fast
forward and pause the stored program material. These functions
enable the viewer to pause the program playback whenever he
desires, fast forward through unwanted program material or
commercials, and to replay favorite scenes. However, a VCR cannot
both capture and play back information at the same time.
[0006] One approach to solving this problem is to use several VCRs.
For example, if two video tape recorders are available, it might be
possible to Ping-Pong between the two. In this case, the first
recorder is started at the beginning of the program of interest. If
the viewer wishes to rewind the broadcast, the second recorder
begins recording, while the first recorder is halted, rewound to
the appropriate place, and playback initiated. However, at least a
third video tape recorder is required if the viewer wishes to fast
forward to some point in time after the initial rewind was
requested. In this case, the third recorder starts recording the
broadcast stream while the second is halted and rewound to the
appropriate position. Continuing this exercise, one can quickly see
that the equipment becomes unwieldy, unreliable, expensive, and
hard to operate, while never supporting all desired functions. In
addition, tapes are of finite length, and may potentially end at
inconvenient times, drastically lowering the value of the solution.
The use of digital computer systems to solve this problem has been
suggested. U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,551 issued to Logan et al., on Dec.
6, 1994, teaches a method for concurrent video recording and
playback. It presents a microprocessor controlled broadcast and
playback device. Said device compresses and stores video data onto
a hard disk. However, this approach is difficult to implement
because the processor requirements for keeping up with the high
video rates makes the device expensive and problematic. The
microprocessor must be extremely fast to keep up with the incoming
and outgoing video data.
[0007] It would be advantageous to provide a multimedia time
warping system that gives the user the ability to simultaneously
record and play back TV broadcast programs. It would further be
advantageous to provide a multimedia time warping system that
utilizes an approach that decouples the microprocessor from the
high video data rates, thereby reducing the microprocessor and
system requirements which are at a premium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a multimedia time warping system. The
invention utilizes an easily manipulated, low cost multimedia
storage and display system that allows the user to view a
television broadcast program with the option of instantly reviewing
previous scenes within the program. In addition, the invention
allows the user to store selected television broadcast programs
while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another
program.
[0009] A preferred embodiment of the invention accepts television
(TV) input streams in a multitude of forms, for example, analog
forms such as National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) or PAL
broadcast, and digital forms such as Digital Satellite System
(DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), or Advanced Television
Standards Committee (ATSC). Analog TV streams are converted to an
Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) formatted stream for internal
transfer and manipulation, while pre-formatted MPEG streams are
extracted from the digital TV signal and presented in a similar
format to encoded analog streams.
[0010] The invention parses the resulting MPEG stream and separates
it into its video and audio components. It then stores the
components into temporary buffers. Events are recorded that
indicate the type of component that has been found, where it is
located, and when it occurred. The program logic is notified that
an event has occurred and the data is extracted from the
buffers.
[0011] The parser and event buffer decouple the CPU from having to
parse the MPEG stream and from the real time nature of the data
streams. This decoupling allows for slower CPU and bus speeds which
translate to lower system costs.
[0012] The video and audio components are stored on a storage
device. When the program is requested for display, the video and
audio components are extracted from the storage device and
reassembled into an MPEG stream. The MPEG stream is sent to a
decoder. The decoder converts the MPEG stream into TV output
signals and delivers the TV output signals to a TV receiver.
[0013] User control commands are accepted and sent through the
system. These commands affect the flow of said MPEG stream and
allow the user to view stored programs with at least the following
functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow
reverse play, and fast/slow play.
[0014] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description in combination
with the accompanying drawings, illustrating, by way of example,
the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a high level view of
a preferred embodiment of the invention according to the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the invention using multiple input and output modules
according to the invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an Moving Pictures Experts
Group (MPEG) data stream and its video and audio components
according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of a parser and four
direct memory access (DMA) input engines contained in the Media
Switch according to the invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the components of a
packetized elementary stream (PES) buffer according to the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the construction of a PES
buffer from the parsed components in the Media Switch output
circular buffers;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a block schematic diagram of the Media Switch and
the various components that it communicates with according to the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a block schematic diagram of a high level view of
the program logic according to the invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a block schematic diagram of a class hierarchy of
the program logic according to the invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a block schematic diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the clip cache component of the invention according
to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a block schematic diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the invention that emulates a broadcast studio video
mixer according to the invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a block schematic diagram of a closed caption
parser according to the invention; and
[0027] FIG. 13 is a block schematic diagram of a high level view of
a preferred embodiment of the invention utilizing a VCR as an
integral component of the invention according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The invention is embodied in a multimedia time warping
system. A system according to the invention provides a multimedia
storage and display system that allows the user to view a
television broadcast program with the option of instantly reviewing
previous scenes within the program. The invention additionally
provides the user with the ability to store selected television
broadcast programs while simultaneously watching or reviewing
another program and to view stored programs with at least the
following functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index,
fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention
has an Input Section 101, Media Switch 102, and an Output Section
103. The Input Section 101 takes television (TV) input streams in a
multitude of forms, for example, National Television Standards
Committee (NTSC) or PAL broadcast, and digital forms such as
Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS),
or Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC). DBS, DSS and
ATSC are based on standards called Moving Pictures Experts Group 2
(MPEG2) and MPEG2 Transport. MPEG2 Transport is a standard for
formatting the digital data stream from the TV source transmitter
so that a TV receiver can disassemble the input stream to find
programs in the multiplexed signal. The Input Section 101 produces
MPEG streams. An MPEG2 transport multiplex supports multiple
programs in the same broadcast channel, with multiple video and
audio feeds and private data. The Input Section 101 tunes the
channel to a particular program, extracts a specific MPEG program
out of it, and feeds it to the rest of the system. Analog TV
signals are encoded into a similar MPEG format using separate video
and audio encoders, such that the remainder of the system is
unaware of how the signal was obtained. Information may be
modulated into the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) of the analog
TV signal in a number of standard ways; for example, the North
American Broadcast Teletext Standard (NABTS) may be used to
modulate information onto lines 10 through 20 of an NTSC signal,
while the FCC mandates the use of line 21 for Closed Caption (CC)
and Extended Data Services (EDS). Such signals are decoded by the
input section and passed to the other sections as if they were
delivered via an MPEG2 private data channel.
[0030] The Media Switch 102 mediates between a microprocessor CPU
106, hard disk or storage device 105, and memory 104. Input streams
are converted to an MPEG stream and sent to the Media Switch 102.
The Media Switch 102 buffers the MPEG stream into memory. It then
performs two operations if the user is watching real time TV: the
stream is sent to the Output Section 103 and it is written
simultaneously to the hard disk or storage device 105.
[0031] The Output Section 103 takes MPEG streams as input and
produces an analog TV signal according to the NTSC, PAL, or other
required TV standards. The Output Section 103 contains an MPEG
decoder, On-Screen Display (OSD) generator, analog TV encoder and
audio logic. The OSD generator allows the program logic to supply
images which will be overlayed on top of the resulting analog TV
signal. Additionally, the Output Section can modulate information
supplied by the program logic onto the VBI of the output signal in
a number of standard formats, including NABTS, CC and EDS.
[0032] With respect to FIG. 2, the invention easily expands to
accommodate multiple Input Sections (tuners) 201, 202, 203, 204,
each can be tuned to different types of input. Multiple Output
Modules (decoders) 206, 207, 208, 209 are added as well. Special
effects such as picture in a picture can be implemented with
multiple decoders. The Media Switch 205 records one program while
the user is watching another. This means that a stream can be
extracted off the disk while another stream is being stored onto
the disk.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the incoming MPEG stream 301 has
interleaved video 302, 305, 306 and audio 303, 304, 307 segments.
These elements must be separated and recombined to create separate
video 308 and audio 309 streams or buffers. This is necessary
because separate decoders are used to convert MPEG elements back
into audio or video analog components. Such separate delivery
requires that time sequence information be generated so that the
decoders may be properly synchronized for accurate playback of the
signal.
[0034] The Media Switch enables the program logic to associate
proper time sequence information with each segment, possibly
embedding it directly into the stream. The time sequence
information for each segment is called a time stamp. These time
stamps are monotonically increasing and start at zero each time the
system boots up. This allows the invention to find any particular
spot in any particular video segment. For example, if the system
needs to read five seconds into an incoming contiguous video stream
that is being cached, the system simply has to start reading
forward into the stream and look for the appropriate time
stamp.
[0035] A binary search can be performed on a stored file to index
into a stream. Each stream is stored as a sequence of fixed-size
segments enabling fast binary searches because of the uniform time
stamping. If the user wants to start in the middle of the program,
the system performs a binary search of the stored segments until it
finds the appropriate spot, obtaining the desired results with a
minimal amount of information. If the signal were instead stored as
an MPEG stream, it would be necessary to linearly parse the stream
from the beginning to find the desired location.
[0036] With respect to FIG. 4, the Media Switch contains four input
Direct Memory Access (DMA) engines 402, 403, 404, 405 each DMA
engine has an associated buffer 410, 411, 412, 413. Conceptually,
each DMA engine has a pointer 406, a limit for that pointer 407, a
next pointer 408, and a limit for the next pointer 409. Each DMA
engine is dedicated to a particular type of information, for
example, video 402, audio 403, and parsed events 405. The buffers
410, 411, 412, 413 are circular and collect the specific
information. The DMA engine increments the pointer 406 into the
associated buffer until it reaches the limit 407 and then loads the
next pointer 408 and limit 409. Setting the pointer 406 and next
pointer 408 to the same value, along with the corresponding limit
value creates a circular buffer. The next pointer 408 can be set to
a different address to provide vector DMA.
[0037] The input stream flows through a parser 401. The parser 401
parses the stream looking for MPEG distinguished events indicating
the start of video, audio or private data segments. For example,
when the parser 401 finds a video event, it directs the stream to
the video DMA engine 402. The parser 401 buffers up data and DMAs
it into the video buffer 410 through the video DMA engine 402. At
the same time, the parser 401 directs an event to the event DMA
engine 405 which generates an event into the event buffer 413. When
the parser 401 sees an audio event, it redirects the byte stream to
the audio DMA engine 403 and generates an event into the event
buffer 413. Similarly, when the parser 401 sees a private data
event, it directs the byte stream to the private data DMA engine
404 and directs an event to the event buffer 413. The Media Switch
notifies the program logic via an interrupt mechanism when events
are placed in the event buffer.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the event buffer 413 is filled
by the parser 401 with events. Each event 501 in the event buffer
has an offset 502, event type 503, and time stamp field 504. The
parser 401 provides the type and offset of each event as it is
placed into the buffer. For example, when an audio event occurs,
the event type field is set to an audio event and the offset
indicates the location in the audio buffer 411. The program logic
knows where the audio buffer 411 starts and adds the offset to find
the event in the stream. The address offset 502 tells the program
logic where the next event occurred, but not where it ended. The
previous event is cached so the end of the current event can be
found as well as the length of the segment.
[0039] With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the program logic reads
accumulated events in the event buffer 602 when it is interrupted
by the Media Switch 601. From these events the program logic
generates a sequence of logical segments 603 which correspond to
the parsed MPEG segments 615. The program logic converts the offset
502 into the actual address 610 of each segment, and records the
event length 609 using the last cached event. If the stream was
produced by encoding an analog signal, it will not contain Program
Time Stamp (PTS) values, which are used by the decoders to properly
present the resulting output. Thus, the program logic uses the
generated time stamp 504 to calculate a simulated PTS for each
segment and places that into the logical segment time stamp 607. In
the case of a digital TV stream, PTS values are already encoded in
the stream. The program logic extracts this information and places
it in the logical segment time stamp 607.
[0040] The program logic continues collecting logical segments 603
until it reaches the fixed buffer size. When this occurs, the
program logic generates a new buffer, called a Packetized
Elementary Stream (PES) 605 buffer containing these logical
segments 603 in order, plus ancillary control information. Each
logical segment points 604 directly to the circular buffer, e.g.,
the video buffer 613, filled by the Media Switch 601. This new
buffer is then passed to other logic components, which may further
process the stream in the buffer in some way, such as presenting it
for decoding or writing it to the storage media. Thus, the MPEG
data is not copied from one location in memory to another by the
processor. This results in a more cost effective design since lower
memory bandwidth and processor bandwidth is required.
[0041] A unique feature of the MPEG stream transformation into PES
buffers is that the data associated with logical segments need not
be present in the buffer itself, as presented above. When a PES
buffer is written to storage, these logical segments are written to
the storage medium in the logical order in which they appear. This
has the effect of gathering components of the stream, whether they
be in the video, audio or private data circular buffers, into a
single linear buffer of stream data on the storage medium. The
buffer is read back from the storage medium with a single transfer
from the storage media, and the logical segment information is
updated to correspond with the actual locations in the buffer 606.
Higher level program logic is unaware of this transformation, since
it handles only the logical segments, thus stream data is easily
managed without requiring that the data ever be copied between
locations in DRAM by the CPU.
[0042] A unique aspect of the Media Switch is the ability to handle
high data rates effectively and inexpensively. It performs the
functions of taking video and audio data in, sending video and
audio data out, sending video and audio data to disk, and
extracting video and audio data from the disk on a low cost
platform. Generally, the Media Switch runs asynchronously and
autonomously with the microprocessor CPU, using its DMA
capabilities to move large quantities of information with minimal
intervention by the CPU.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, the input side of the Media Switch 701
is connected to an MPEG encoder 703. There are also circuits
specific to MPEG audio 704 and vertical blanking interval (VBI)
data 702 feeding into the Media Switch 701. If a digital TV signal
is being processed instead, the MPEG encoder 703 is replaced with
an MPEG2 Transport Demultiplexor, and the MPEG audio encoder 704
and VBI decoder 702 are deleted. The demultiplexor multiplexes the
extracted audio, video and private data channel streams through the
video input Media Switch port.
[0044] The parser 705 parses the input data stream from the MPEG
encoder 703, audio encoder 704 and VBI decoder 702, or from the
transport demultiplexor in the case of a digital TV stream. The
parser 705 detects the beginning of all of the important events in
a video or audio stream, the start of all of the frames, the start
of sequence headers--all of the pieces of information that the
program logic needs to know about in order to both properly play
back and perform special effects on the stream, e.g. fast forward,
reverse, play, pause, fast/slow play, indexing, and fast/slow
reverse play.
[0045] The parser 705 places tags 707 into the FIFO 706 when it
identifies video or audio segments, or is given private data. The
DMA 709 controls when these tags are taken out. The tags 707 and
the DMA addresses of the segments are placed into the event queue
708. The frame type information, whether it is a start of a video
I-frame, video B-frame, video P-frame, video PES, audio PES, a
sequence header, an audio frame, or private data packet, is placed
into the event queue 708 along with the offset in the related
circular buffer where the piece of information was placed. The
program logic operating in the CPU 713 examines events in the
circular buffer after it is transferred to the DRAM 714.
[0046] The Media Switch 701 has a data bus 711 that connects to the
CPU 713 and DRAM 714. An address bus 712 is also shared between the
Media Switch 701, CPU 713, and DRAM 714. A hard disk or storage
device 710 is connected to one of the ports of the Media Switch
701. The Media Switch 701 outputs streams to an MPEG video decoder
715 and a separate audio decoder 717. The audio decoder 717 signals
contain audio cues generated by the system in response to the
user's commands on a remote control or other internal events. The
decoded audio output from the MPEG decoder is digitally mixed 718
with the separate audio signal. The resulting signals contain
video, audio, and on-screen displays and are sent to the TV
716.
[0047] The Media Switch 701 takes in 8-bit data and sends it to the
disk, while at the same time extracts another stream of data off of
the disk and sends It to the MPEG decoder 715. All of the DMA
engines described above can be working at the same time. The Media
Switch 701 can be implemented in hardware using a Field
Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), ASIC, or discrete logic.
[0048] Rather than having to parse through an immense data stream
looking for the start of where each frame would be, the program
logic only has to look at the circular event buffer in DRAM 714 and
it can tell where the start of each frame is and the frame type.
This approach saves a large amount of CPU power, keeping the real
time requirements of the CPU 713 small. The CPU 713 does not have
to be very fast at any point in time. The Media Switch 701 gives
the CPU 713 as much time as possible to complete tasks. The parsing
mechanism 705 and event queue 708 decouple the CPU 713 from parsing
the audio, video, and buffers and the real time nature of the
streams, which allows for lower costs. It also allows the use of a
bus structure in a CPU environment that operates at a much lower
clock rate with much cheaper memory than would be required
otherwise.
[0049] The CPU 713 has the ability to queue up one DMA transfer and
can set up the next DMA transfer at its leisure. This gives the CPU
713 large time intervals within which it can service the DMA
controller 709. The CPU 713 may respond to a DMA interrupt within a
larger time window because of the large latency allowed. MPEG
streams, whether extracted from an MPEG2 Transport or encoded from
an analog TV signal, are typically encoded using a technique called
Variable Bit Rate encoding (VBR). This technique varies the amount
of data required to represent a sequence of images by the amount of
movement between those images. This technique can greatly reduce
the required bandwidth for a signal, however sequences with rapid
movement (such as a basketball game) may be encoded with much
greater bandwidth requirements. For example, the Hughes DirecTV
satellite system encodes signals with anywhere from 1 to 10 Mb/s of
required bandwidth, varying from frame to frame. It would be
difficult for any computer system to keep up with such rapidly
varying data rates without this structure.
[0050] With respect to FIG. 8, the program logic within the CPU has
three conceptual components: sources 801, transforms 802, and sinks
803. The sources 801 produce buffers of data. Transforms 802
process buffers of data and sinks 803 consume buffers of data. A
transform is responsible for allocating and queuing the buffers of
data on which it will operate. Buffers are allocated as if "empty"
to sources of data, which give them back "full". The buffers are
then queued and given to sinks as "full", and the sink will return
the buffer "empty".
[0051] A source 801 accepts data from encoders, e.g., a digital
satellite receiver. It acquires buffers for this data from the
downstream transform, packages the data into a buffer, then pushes
the buffer down the pipeline as described above. The source object
801 does not know anything about the rest of the system. The sink
803 consumes buffers, taking a buffer from the upstream transform,
sending the data to the decoder, and then releasing the buffer for
reuse.
[0052] There are two types of transforms 802 used: spatial and
temporal. Spatial transforms are transforms that perform, for
example, an image convolution or compression/decompression on the
buffered data that is passing through. Temporal transforms are used
when there is no time relation that is expressible between buffers
going in and buffers coming out of a system. Such a transform
writes the buffer to a file 804 on the storage medium. The buffer
is pulled out at a later time, sent down the pipeline, and properly
sequenced within the stream.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 9, a C++ class hierarchy derivation of the
program logic is shown. The TiVo Media Kernel (Tmk) 904, 908, 913
mediates with the operating system kernel. The kernel provides
operations such as: memory allocation, synchronization, and
threading. The TmkCore 904, 908, 913 structures memory taken from
the media kernel as an object. It provides operators, new and
delete, for constructing and deconstructing the object. Each object
(source 901, transform 902, and sink 903) is multi-threaded by
definition and can run in parallel.
[0054] The TmkPipeline class 905, 909, 914 is responsible for flow
control through the system. The pipelines point to the next
pipeline in the flow from source 901 to sink 903. To pause the
pipeline, for example, an event called "pause" is sent to the first
object in the pipeline. The event is relayed on to the next object
and so on down the pipeline. This all happens asynchronously to the
data going through the pipeline. Thus, similar to applications such
as telephony, control of the flow of MPEG streams is asynchronous
and separate from the streams themselves. This allows for a simple
logic design that is at the same time powerful enough to support
the features described previously, including pause, rewind, fast
forward and others. In addition, this structure allows fast and
efficient switching between stream sources, since buffered data can
be simply discarded and decoders reset using a single event, after
which data from the new stream will pass down the pipeline. Such a
capability is needed, for example, when switching the channel being
captured by the input section, or when switching between a live
signal from the input section and a stored stream.
[0055] The source object 901 is a TmkSource 906 and the transform
object 902 is a TmkXform 910. These are intermediate classes that
define standard behaviors for the classes in the pipeline.
Conceptually, they handshake buffers down the pipeline. The source
object 901 takes data out of a physical data source, such as the
Media Switch, and places it into a PES buffer. To obtain the
buffer, the source object 901 asks the down stream object in his
pipeline for a buffer (allocEmptyBuf). The source object 901 is
blocked until there is sufficient memory. This means that the
pipeline is self-regulating; it has automatic flow control. When
the source object 901 has filled up the buffer, it hands it back to
the transform 902 through the pushFullBuf function.
[0056] The sink 903 is flow controlled as well. It calls
nextFullBuf which tells the transform 902 that it is ready for the
next filled buffer. This operation can block the sink 903 until a
buffer is ready. When the sink 903 is finished with a buffer (i.e.,
it has consumed the data in the buffer) it calls releaseEmptyBuf.
ReleaseEmptyBuf gives the buffer back to the transform 902. The
transform 902 can then hand that buffer, for example, back to the
source object 901 to fill up again. In addition to the automatic
flow-control benefit of this method, it also provides for limiting
the amount of memory dedicated to buffers by allowing enforcement
of a fixed allocation of buffers by a transform. This is an
important feature in achieving a cost-effective limited DRAM
environment.
[0057] The MediaSwitch class 909 calls the allocEmptyBuf method of
the TmkClipCache 912 object and receives a PES buffer from it. It
then goes out to the circular buffers in the Media Switch hardware
and generates PES buffers. The MediaSwitch class 909 fills the
buffer up and pushes it back to the TmkClipCache 912 object.
[0058] The TmkClipCache 912 maintains a cache file 918 on a storage
medium. It also maintains two pointers into this cache: a push
pointer 919 that shows where the next buffer coming from the source
901 is inserted; and a current pointer 920 which points to the
current buffer used.
[0059] The buffer that is pointed to by the current pointer is
handed to the Vela decoder class 916. The Vela decoder class 916
talks to the decoder 921 in the hardware. The decoder 921 produces
a decoded TV signal that is subsequently encoded into an analog TV
signal in NTSC, PAL or other analog format. When the Vela decoder
class 916 is finished with the buffer it calls releaseEmptyBuf.
[0060] The structure of the classes makes the system easy to test
and debug. Each level can be tested separately to make sure it
performs in the appropriate manner, and the classes may be
gradually aggregated to achieve the desired functionality while
retaining the ability to effectively test each object.
[0061] The control object 917 accepts commands from the user and
sends events into the pipeline to control what the pipeline is
doing. For example, if the user has a remote control and is
watching TV, the user presses pause and the control object 917
sends an event to the sink 903, that tells it pause. The sink 903
stops asking for new buffers. The current pointer 920 stays where
it is at. The sink 903 starts taking buffers out again when it
receives another event that tells It to play. The system is in
perfect synchronization; it starts from the frame that it stopped
at.
[0062] The remote control may also have a fast forward key. When
the fast forward key is pressed, the control object 917 sends an
event to the transform 902, that tells it to move forward two
seconds. The transform 902 finds that the two second time span
requires it to move forward three buffers. It then issues a reset
event to the downstream pipeline, so that any queued data or state
that may be present in the hardware decoders is flushed. This is a
critical step, since the structure of MPEG streams requires
maintenance of state across multiple frames of data, and that state
will be rendered invalid by repositioning the pointer. It then
moves the current pointer 920 forward three buffers. The next time
the sink 903 calls nextFullBuf it gets the new current buffer. The
same method works for fast reverse in that the transform 902 moves
the current pointer 920 backwards.
[0063] A system clock reference resides in the decoder. The system
clock reference is sped up for fast play or slowed down for slow
play. The sink simply asks for full buffers faster or slower,
depending on the clock speed.
[0064] With respect to FIG. 10, two other objects derived from the
TmkXform class are placed in the pipeline for disk access. One is
called TmkClipReader 1003 and the other is called TmkClipWriter
1001. Buffers come into the TmkClipWriter 1001 and are pushed to a
file on a storage medium 1004. TmkClipReader 1003 asks for buffers
which are taken off of a file on a storage medium 1005. A
TmkClipReader 1003 provides only the allocEmptyBuf and pushFullBuf
methods, while a TmkClipWriter 1001 provides only the nextFullBuf
and releaseEmptyBuf methods. A TmkClipReader 1003 therefore
performs the same function as the input, or "push" side of a
TmkClipCache 1002, while a TmkClipWriter 1001 therefore performs
the same function as the output, or "pull" side of a TmkClipCache
1002.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 11, a preferred embodiment that
accomplishes multiple functions is shown. A source 1101 has a TV
signal input. The source sends data to a PushSwitch 1102 which is a
transform derived from TmkXform. The PushSwitch 1102 has multiple
outputs that can be switched by the control object 1114. This means
that one part of the pipeline can be stopped and another can be
started at the users whim. The user can switch to different storage
devices. The PushSwitch 1102 could output to a TmkClipWriter 1106,
which goes onto a storage device 1107 or write to the cache
transform 1103.
[0066] An important feature of this apparatus is the ease with
which it can selectively capture portions of an incoming signal
under the control of program logic. Based on information such as
the current time, or perhaps a specific time span, or perhaps via a
remote control button press by the viewer, a TmkClipWriter 1106 may
be switched on to record a portion of the signal, and switched off
at some later time. This switching is typically caused by sending a
"switch" event to the PushSwitch 1102 object.
[0067] An additional method for triggering selective capture is
through information modulated into the VBI or placed into an MPEG
private data channel. Data decoded from the VBI or private data
channel is passed to the program logic. The program logic examines
this data to determine if the data indicates that capture of the TV
signal into which it was modulated should begin. Similarly, this
information may also indicate when recording should end, or another
data item may be modulated into the signal indicating when the
capture should end. The starting and ending indicators may be
explicitly modulated into the signal or other information that is
placed into the signal in a standard fashion may be used to encode
this information.
[0068] With respect to FIG. 12, an example is shown which
demonstrates how the program logic scans the words contained within
the closed caption (CC) fields to determine starting and ending
times, using particular words or phrases to trigger the capture. A
stream of NTSC or PAL fields 1201 is presented. CC bytes are
extracted from each odd field 1202, and entered in a circular
buffer 1203 for processing by the Word Parser 1204. The Word Parser
1204 collects characters until it encounters a word boundary,
usually a space, period or other delineating character. Recall from
above, that the MPEG audio and video segments are collected into a
series of fixed-size PES buffers. A special segment is added to
each PES buffer to hold the words extracted from the C C field
1205. Thus, the CC information is preserved in time synchronization
with the audio and video, and can be correctly presented to the
viewer when the stream is displayed. This also allows the stored
stream to be processed for C C information at the leisure of the
program logic, which spreads out load, reducing cost and improving
efficiency. In such a case, the words stored in the special segment
are simply passed to the state table logic 1206.
[0069] During stream capture, each word is looked up in a table
1206 which indicates the action to take on recognizing that word.
This action may simply change the state of the recognizer state
machine 1207, or may cause the state machine 1207 to issue an
action request, such as "start capture", "stop capture", "phrase
seen", or other similar requests. Indeed, a recognized word or
phrase may cause the pipeline to be switched; for example, to
overlay a different audio track if undesirable language is used in
the program.
[0070] Note that the parsing state table 1206 and recognizer state
machine 1207 may be modified or changed at any time. For example, a
different table and state machine may be provided for each input
channel. Alternatively, these elements may be switched depending on
the time of day, or because of other events.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 11, a PullSwitch is added 1104 which
outputs to the sink 1105. The sink 1105 calls nextFullBuf and
releaseEmptyBuf to get or return buffers from the PullSwitch 1104.
The PullSwitch 1104 can have any number of inputs. One input could
be an ActionClip 1113. The remote control can switch between input
sources. The control object 1114 sends an event to the PullSwitch
1104, telling it to switch. It will switch from the current input
source to whatever input source the control object selects.
[0072] An ActionClip class provides for sequencing a number of
different stored signals in a predictable and controllable manner,
possibly with the added control of viewer selection via a remote
control. Thus, it appears as a derivative of a TmkXform object that
accepts a "switch" event for switching to the next stored
signal.
[0073] This allows the program logic or user to create custom
sequences of video output. Any number of video segments can be
lined up and combined as if the program logic or user were using a
broadcast studio video mixer. TmkClipReaders 1108, 1109, 1110 are
allocated and each is hooked into the PullSwitch 1104. The
PullSwitch 1104 switches between the TmkClipReaders 1108, 1109,
1110 to combine video and audio clips. Flow control is automatic
because of the way the pipeline is constructed. The Push and Pull
Switches are the same as video switches in a broadcast studio.
[0074] The derived class and resulting objects described here may
be combined in an arbitrary way to create a number of different
useful configurations for storing, retrieving, switching and
viewing of TV streams. For example, if multiple input and output
sections are available, one input is viewed while another is
stored, and a picture-in-picture window generated by the second
output is used to preview previously stored streams. Such
configurations represent a unique and novel application of software
transformations to achieve the functionality expected of expensive,
sophisticated hardware solutions within a single cost-effective
device.
[0075] With respect to FIG. 13, a high-level system view is shown
which implements a VCR backup. The Output Module 1303 sends TV
signals to the VCR 1307. This allows the user to record TV programs
directly on to video tape. The invention allows the user to queue
up programs from disk to be recorded on to video tape and to
schedule the time that the programs are sent to the VCR 1307. Title
pages (EPG data) can be sent to the VCR 1307 before a program is
sent. Longer programs can be scaled to fit onto smaller video tapes
by speeding up the play speed or dropping frames.
[0076] The VCR 1307 output can also be routed back into the Input
Module 1301. In this configuration the VCR acts as a backup system
for the Media Switch 1302. Any overflow storage or lower priority
programming is sent to the VCR 1307 for later retrieval.
[0077] The Input Module 1301 can decode and pass to the remainder
of the system information encoded on the Vertical Blanking Interval
(VBI). The Output Module 1303 can encode into the output VBI data
provided by the remainder of the system. The program logic may
arrange to encode identifying information of various kinds into the
output signal, which will be recorded onto tape using the VCR 1307.
Playing this tape back into the input allows the program logic to
read back this identifying information, such that the TV signal
recorded on the tape is properly handled. For example, a particular
program may be recorded to tape along with information about when
it was recorded, the source network, etc. When this program is
played back into the Input Module, this information can be used to
control storage of the signal, presentation to the viewer, etc.
[0078] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that such a
mechanism may be used to introduce various data items to the
program logic which are not properly conceived of as television
signals. For instance, software updates or other data may be passed
to the system. The program logic receiving this data from the
television stream may impose controls on how the data is handled,
such as requiring certain authentication sequences and/or
decrypting the embedded information according to some previously
acquired key. Such a method works for normal broadcast signals as
well, leading to an efficient means of providing non-TV control
information and data to the program logic.
[0079] Additionally, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that although a VCR is specifically mentioned above, any multimedia
recording device (e.g., a Digital Video Disk-Random Access Memory
(DVD-RAM) recorder) is easily substituted in its place.
[0080] Although the invention is described herein with reference to
the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set
forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. For example, the invention can be used in the
detection of gambling casino crime. The input section of the
invention is connected to the casino's video surveillance system.
Recorded video is cached and simultaneously output to external
VCRs. The user can switch to any video feed and examine (i.e.,
rewind, play, slow play, fast forward, etc.) a specific segment of
the recorded video while the external VCRs are being loaded with
the real-time input video. Accordingly, the invention should only
be limited by the claims included below.
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