Ulllted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,930,444
`
`Camhi et al.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`US005930444A
`
`[54]
`
`SIMULTANEOUS RECORDING AND
`PLAYBACK APPARATUS
`
`4,706,121
`4,856,081
`4,908,713
`
`11/1987 Young ................................... .. 358/142
`8/1989 Smith .................................... .. 348/734
`3/1990 Levine
`358/335
`
`[76]
`
`Inventors: Elie Camhi, 131 Counry Ridge Rd.,
`Scarsdale’ N.Y. 10583; Lawrence S_
`Kamhi, 30 Saddle View Ct., Fairfield,
`C°nn~06430
`
`5:257:142 10/1993
`
`7/1992 Sam ct 91-
`5:134/199
`5,170,388 12/1992 Endoh .... ..
`g.hj1‘°vd“~ tel~~~~
`...................
`
`-
`
`
`
`358/335
`386/104
`
`358/335
`
`~~~~
`
`[21] APPL N0-3 08/2349727
`[22]
`Filed,
`Apt 28, 1994
`
`Primary Examiner—Thai Tran
`Assistant Examiner—Huy Nguyen
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Natter & Natter
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[631 Continuation Of nPP1i°nn0n N0~ 07/872,435; Apn 23, 1992,
`abandoned‘
`[51]
`Int. Cl.5 ....................................................... H04N 5/76
`
`[52]
`. 336/46; 386/125
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 358/335, 342,
`358/341’ 343; 360/331’ 14.1’ 13’ 361’
`27; 369/32’ 54; 348/734; 386/46’ 125’ 126’
`92 68. H04N 5/76
`’
`’
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U~S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`12/1984 Kruger et al.
`........................ .. 348/734
`4,488,179
`4,626,847 12/1986 Zato ...................................... .. 348/734
`
`A keyboard equipped audiovisial recording and playback
`device is provided having an input and an output adapted for
`coneection between a users signal s01}ree.and display
`device, respectively, and a memory unit with a. storage
`medlum enabhng random access to proglammlng lnfqrmaf
`tion stored therein. A keyboard responsive control circuit
`enables manipulation and transfer of programming informa-
`tion between the input, output and memory. Because of the
`relative high speed of the control circuitry and memory
`access, substantially. simultaneous recording and playback
`of television type signals is achieved, thus enabling user
`controlled programming delay.
`
`14 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`22m 34v 34a
`
`28
`
`22a
`
`22v
`
`1 2
`
`24a
`
`24v
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 1
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`
`5,930,444
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 2
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 2
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f5
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`5,930,444
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`34v 34a 34m
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`P LAY
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 3
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 3
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f5
`
`5,930,444
`
`Fig. 3
`34m
`22m 34v 34a
`
`42
`
`14
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 4
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 4
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`
`5,930,444
`
` I MEMORY
`
`h CONTROL
`
`14
`
`24
`
`Fig. 8
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 5
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 5
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f5
`
`5,930,444
`
`RECEIVER
`
`
`
` I
`
`
`CONTROL
`
`14
`
`Fig. 9
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 6
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 6
`
`

`
`5,930,444
`
`1
`SIMULTANEOUS RECORDING AND
`PLAYBACK APPARATUS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a Continuation of applicant’s applica-
`tion Ser. No. 07/872,435 filed Apr. 23, 1992, now aban-
`doned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to information and enter-
`tainment systems, and more particularly, to a keyboard and
`memory equipped interface apparatus for the storage and
`processing of signals associated with such information and
`entertainment systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Audio and audiovisual type information and entertain-
`ment systems have become well known in recent years.
`These systems include not only well known broadcast radio
`and television media, but a plethora of systems and acces-
`sories that are intended to enhance and expand the use of
`television media, such as recorders, cable television
`networks, pay per view custom programming systems, and
`addressable receivers. Audiovisual recorders, commonly
`known as video cassette recorders, (VCR’s) have become
`perhaps the most commonplace addition to all of these
`systems, enabling greater user control of the received audio
`and video programming.
`VCR’s are helpful for the storage of broadcast informa-
`tion so that it will not be missed by a user who is unavailable
`for its reception, by enabling the selective recording, often
`unattended, of audio and video information on a reel to reel
`style magnetic tape housed within a casesette. Furthermore,
`the features of many VCR’s include control variations which
`aesthetically enhance the stored information during play-
`back. While the programmability and enhanced features of
`many VCR’s allow great user flexibility in the playback of
`recorded information, the construction of these reel to reel
`recorders and their media limit the flexibility of their usage
`in the accumulation of information to situations where an
`
`entire desired program of information or the terminal portion
`thereof is to be recorded because the user is absent or
`
`indisposed.
`Frequently, programming is missed by the user due to
`interruptions of a more temporary nature, such as telephone
`calls, ringing doorbells, bathroom trips, etc.
`While VCR’s, as they are presently known, can be used
`to capture the missed programming segment under these
`circumstances of interruptions having a duration of less than
`the entire terminal portion of the desired programming, the
`user typically wishes to resume watching the programming
`immediately upon conclusion of the temporary interruption.
`In such a situation, the user will watch the recorded inter-
`rupted portion of the programming after having watched the
`end of the programming. This results in a substantial loss of
`continuity in so far as there may have been a significant
`event during the interrupted portion, thus making the post
`interruption segment difficult to understand or appreciate
`due to its reliance upon the information during the inter-
`rupted segment. This kind of situation is likely to occur in
`the case where the desired programming is a movie, or more
`so in the case of educational programming, where earlier
`presented information provides a foundation for the under-
`standing of later presented information. Conversely,
`the
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`opposite is also possible, where after having seen the end of
`the desired programming, the recorded interrupted interme-
`diate segment suffers such diminution in value so as to be of
`little or no value for watching, thus making the recording
`thereof gratuitous.
`Alternatively, the user is faced with recording the entire
`terminal portion of the desired programming so that upon
`completion of recording, the user may then resume watching
`the programming from the point at which the programming
`was interrupted. In this sort of situation, the user may end up
`waiting idly for completion of terminal segment recording.
`This can be undesirable, especially if the interruption occurs
`at an early point during the desired programming, and where
`the desired programming is lengthy.
`Furthermore, another deficiency associated with prior art
`recorders and VCR’s relates to the linear nature of access to
`
`information stored on the reel to reel media employed by
`these devices. Very often VCR users wish to watch pro-
`gramming stored at one location on the media while at the
`same time storing new programming information at a dif-
`ferent location on the same media. Even though the rate at
`which modern electronic circuits and microprocessors is
`sufficiently fast to process both the storage of information
`from one received program and retrieval of stored program
`information so as to be effectively simultaneous from the
`user’s perspective, because the magnetic heads can only
`access the small portion of media between the reels, and
`because the overwhelming majority of the storage media is
`wound onto the reels at any given moment, it is virtually
`impossible to access the media for information storage and
`retrieval at more than one location in substantially simulta-
`neous fashion.
`
`Consequently, a need exists for an improved recorder for
`audio or video signals or both.
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an audio video recorder and play back apparatus having
`structure which enables the user to accommodate an inter-
`
`ruption having lesser duration than the terminal portion of
`the desired programming, while minimizing the impact of
`the interruption on the viewer.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`recorder and play back apparatus for audio or audiovisual
`signals which is adapted to record and play substantially
`simultaneously.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
`recorder and play back apparatus for audio or audiovisual
`signals adapted to enable random access to the storage
`media in a non linear manner.
`
`Still another object of the present invention to provide a
`recorder and play back apparatus for audio or audiovisual
`signals which enables a user who is temporarily interrupted
`to resume reviewing the desired programming from the
`point of interruption immediately upon conclusion of the
`interruption.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`audiovisual recorder and play back apparatus which enables
`a viewer who is temporarily interrupted to resume watching
`the desired programming so that
`the portion of desired
`programming beginning at the point of interruption can be
`viewed in proper sequence to the end, with the resumed
`viewing beginning at the time of conclusion of the interrup-
`tion.
`
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
`audiovisual recorder and play back apparatus which is
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 7
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 7
`
`

`
`5,930,444
`
`3
`adapted to accept input signals carrying programming infor-
`mation for storage or retransmission or both in a plurality of
`formats, or from a plurality of sources.
`Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
`become obvious to those of skill in the art upon contempla-
`tion of the disclosure herein in conjunction with the draw-
`ings.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to the instant invention, a keyboard equipped
`recorder is provided which achieves the aforementioned
`objectives. A key element of the apparatus is memory
`storage media which has structure adapted to enable sub-
`stantially random access to information storage locations of
`the media. The apparatus has at least one input and at least
`one output so that it may be interposed between the user’s
`signal source and display device. The apparatus further has
`a user operated keyboard and control circuitry responsively
`coupled thereto for user selective initiation and termination
`of recording, as well as buffering type simultaneous record-
`ing and playback.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the drawings, wherein the same numbers are used to
`designate the same elements throughout the several views:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the
`audiovisual recorder of the instant invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
`audiovisual recorder of the instant invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the
`audiovisual recorder of the instant invention as contem-
`
`plated for use with a remote control keyboard;
`FIG. 4 is an diagrammatic representation of a remote
`control keyboard as contemplated for use in conjunction
`with the audiovisual recorder of FIG. 3; and
`FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an enhanced
`function remote control keyboard as contemplated for use in
`conjunction with the audiovisual recorder of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a programmable timer
`equipped variation of the instant invention.
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present
`invention having multiple programmable input channels.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of yet another embodiment of
`the present
`invention, having singular input and output
`channels.
`
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a filter equipped embodiment
`of the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Turning now to the drawing of FIG. 1, a basic block
`diagram of the audiovisual recorder of the instant invention
`is shown, indicated generally by the numeral 10. While the
`device will be referred to herein as a recorder, it should be
`kept
`in mind that
`the device necessarily performs as a
`playback unit as well for the stored information accumulated
`during the recording function of the instant invention. Akey
`element of recorder 10 is memory unit 12, which is respon-
`sively coupled to control circuit 14 for the selective storage
`or retrieval of information or both, to and from memory unit
`12 as the case may be. Control circuit 12 is in turn respon-
`sively coupled to keyboard 16 which has at least one record
`key 18, and at least one playback key 20, for user control of
`the instant invention.
`
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`Memory unit 12 includes storage media having structure
`adapted to enable substantially immediate access to stored
`information at any point thereon. The storage media con-
`templated for memory unit 12 would include solid state
`memory, magnetic disk, or read/write optical disk, but not
`reel to reel magnetic tape as used by heretofore known video
`recorders, due to the aforementioned linear nature of media
`access dictated by the structure of the reel to reel media.
`Each of the aforementioned media contemplated has
`distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared to the
`others. Solid state memory, offering speed as its primary
`advantage, would provide the best performance when
`applied to the present invention, however, at the present time
`such memory is relatively expensive, with pricing beginning
`at about $40 per megabyte (70 ns). Read/write optical disks
`offer the advantage of gigabyte range storage capacity, but
`their availability is limited and their cost high because
`industry standardization is still in the negotiation stages,
`although price and availability are expected to improve in
`the near future. Magnetic disk media, while not offering the
`speed of solid state nor the capacity of optical disks, have
`made dramatic improvements recently in terms of speed,
`capacity, and most notably, price, current pricing being
`about $400 for 180 megabyte units (19 ms). Another advan-
`tage of the optical and magnetic disk media is their structural
`adaptability for easy removal and replacement in the host
`recorder, thus approximating the removable feature of cas-
`settes of presently known VCR’s. Such removable cassette
`type media structure can also be achieved with solid state
`memory by the use of non volatile ram, or alternatively, low
`power memory such as CMOS in conjunction with a battery
`or capacitor or similar power source to maintain stored
`information, albeit at even higher cost
`than previously
`mentioned.
`
`Recorder 10 also has one or more information inputs, 22,
`adapted to be connected to the user’s information source,
`and one or more information outputs, 24, adapted to be
`coupled to the user’s display devices such as television sets
`or video monitors and audio systems. Inputs 22a and 22v, as
`shown, are intended for connection to raw audio and video
`signal types, respectively, where such is the nature of the
`user’s information sources. These inputs are coupled to
`memory unit 12, and the audio and video signals are stored
`therein upon user actuation of record key 18. Input 22111 is
`adapted to be coupled to an information source where the
`audio and video signals are modulated onto a carrier
`frequency, such as is the case in conventional television
`signals received via antenna or cable TV type information
`sources. Accordingly, input 22111 is first coupled to tuner 26
`which converts the modulated signal into raw audio and
`video signals, whereupon the audio and video signals are
`then coupled to memory unit 12 and stored therein upon user
`actuation of record key 18. Ideally, tuner 26 is like the tuner
`of a radio, television or VCR, enabling the user to select one
`from a number of carrier frequencies for demodulation. Thus
`keyboard 16 is equipped with channel up key 28 and channel
`down key 30, coupled to tuner 26 via control circuit 14 to
`achieve this channel selection function.
`
`information
`Upon user actuation of playback key 20,
`stored in memory unit 12 is retrieved and coupled to outputs
`24a and 24v, as audio and video signals, respectively.
`Outputs 24a and 24v, as shown, provide for user connection
`of raw audio and video signal types, respectively,
`to the
`user’s display devices where those devices are adapted for
`input signals in such a format, such as video monitors or
`audio systems, or even VCR’s. Modulator 32 is connected to
`the audio and video signals retrieved from memory unit 12,
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 8
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 8
`
`

`
`5,930,444
`
`5
`and remodulates these signals onto a carrier frequency, and
`couples this signal to output 24111 for instances where the
`user’s display device is a television, which requires a
`modulated input signal.
`Each input 22a, 22v, and 22111 is coupled to a correspond-
`ing output 24a, 24v, and 24m, respectively, by a bypass line
`34a, 34v, and 34m. Furthermore, each bypass line has a
`serially oriented bypass switch 36a, 36v, and 36m, each
`switch being coupled responsively to control circuit 14,
`which is adapted to selectively open the circuit between
`those corresponding inputs and outputs during playback
`operation of recorder 10. Thus upon user actuation of the
`play key 20 of keyboard 16, the coupling of signals between
`the inputs 22 and their corresponding outputs 24, via bypass
`lines 34, is disabled by switches 36, which assume the states
`shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. This insures that information
`present on the inputs 22 is prevented from interfering with
`the information retrieved from memory unit 12 and coupled
`to outputs 24.
`Basic operation of the instant invention begins with the
`user watching or listening to desired programming, and
`recorder 10 off. Then comes a temporary information such
`as a telephone call, whereupon the user actuates record key
`18. Control circuit 14 initiates storing information present
`on input 22 in a recording within memory unit 12. Upon
`conclusion of the telephone call, the user actuates playback
`key 20, and control circuit 14 initiates sequential retrieval
`from memory unit 12 of the stored information from the
`beginning of the recording, while storage of information
`present at
`the input 22 continues substantially simulta-
`neously. The user resumes the desired programming from
`the point at which the interruption occurred,
`the desired
`programming information being presented to the user with a
`time delay effect, the time delay being the length of the
`interruption so that the user has missed no information as a
`result of the interruption.
`Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a second
`embodiment of the instant invention is shown, having a data
`compression circuit, 38, interposed between inputs 22 and
`memory unit 12. Aplethora of data compression algorithms
`exists today, and the number grows daily with increasing
`efficiency related to development of those algorithms and
`hardware developed for their implementation. Indeed, com-
`pression rates of 90% and more have been achieved,
`although the efficiency of such systems depends upon the
`format and content of the information to be stored. Com-
`
`pression is performed upon the information present on
`inputs 22 before the information is passed to memory for
`storage. Since the compressed stored information is no
`longer in its original format,
`it must again be processed
`before it can be transmitted to the output 24. Accordingly,
`the embodiment of FIG. 2 also includes a data decompres-
`sion circuit 40 interposed between memory unit 12 and
`outputs 24.
`As mentioned above, recent advances in the field of data
`compression have resulted in greater degrees of size reduc-
`tion for stored programs, and that such compression is
`achieved at throughput rates higher than ever before due to
`improved hardware and software, the fact remains that data
`compression and decompression still
`takes time. This
`decompression necessarily affects the rate at which infor-
`mation retrieved from memory unit 12 can be transferred to
`outputs 24. On the other hand, since the application of data
`compression techniques can reduce the memory necessary to
`store information, the impact of high cost per unit of solid
`state memory can be substantially reduced, thus adding to
`the commercial practicality of application of otherwise
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`expensive solid state memory to memory unit 12. When this
`is considered in light of the fact that solid state memory
`offers data access time more than a million times faster than
`
`that of more affordable magnetic disk media, the additional
`time necessary for retrieval, decompression and output
`becomes insignificant as compared to alternative media.
`Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a further embodiment of
`the instant invention is shown. Therein, receiver 42 and
`transmitter 44 are interposed between control circuit 14 and
`keyboard 16 for communication therebetween so as to
`enable keyboard 16 to be placed within a discrete remote
`control housing 46. Although a wide variety of remote
`control systems may be applied to the present invention
`without departure from the spirit or scope thereof,
`the
`preferred arrangement applies infra red light emitting diode
`48 to transmitter 44 and infra red photo detector 50 to
`receiver 42 to achieve wireless communication between the
`two.
`
`It should be noted that the power source contemplated for
`remote control unit 46 is batteries, as opposed to AC power
`source contemplated for recorder 10, however alternative
`power sources may be applied to the instant
`invention
`without departure from the spirit or scope thereof.
`Turning now to FIG. 5, a more elaborate variation of
`remote control unit 46 is shown, which like the remote
`control of FIG. 4, is contemplated for use in conjunction
`with a receiver equipped recorder as shown in FIG. 3. The
`enhanced remote control has additional function keys
`intended for use during time delay playback by recorder 10,
`as described above and initiated by user actuation of play-
`back key 20. These additional function keys include fast
`forward 52 and reverse 54, pause 56, and frame advance 58.
`Control circuit 14 is adapted to respond to user actuation of
`these keys by controlling the rate and sequence with which
`stored information retrieved from memory unit 12 is trans-
`ferred to outputs 24 for display. This enables the recorder of
`the instant invention to approximate the enhanced playback
`features which have become well known from their presence
`on all but the least expensive VCR’s presently known and
`marketed.
`It should be noted that control circuit 14 is
`
`adapted to respond to the forward and reverse keys in
`momentary fashion, implementing the appropriate rate and
`sequence of transfer of information from memory 12 to
`output 24 only while actuation of those keys is maintained.
`This is unlike the on and off toggling type function perfor-
`mance control circuit 14 is intended to execute in response
`to actuation of record key 18, playback key 20, and pause
`key 56.
`The operation of frame advance key 58, which is used in
`conjunction with the pause function,
`is contemplated to
`advance one frame each time the key is actuated by the user,
`although ideally, maintained actuation of the frame advance
`key for more than a period of one or two seconds would
`result in the successive advance of stored frames in slow
`
`motion stop action fashion.
`An additional use is contemplated for pause key 56 and
`frame advance key 58, which enables the user to check for
`the presence of subliminal or other unwanted information
`included within the stored programming. This function is
`achieved by initiating playback of the stored programming
`information, and the using pause key 56 in conjunction with
`frame advance key 58 to individually step through and
`review each of the frames within the stored program or a
`portion thereof.
`Also shown on the keyboard of the remote control of FIG.
`5 is terminate key 60, the actuation of which is responded to
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 9
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 9
`
`

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`5,930,444
`
`7
`by control circuit 14 by cessation of storage of information
`present on input 22 and ending the storage of program
`information, but continuing the sequential play back of the
`stored information until
`the end of the stored program
`segment is reached. When the end of the stored program
`segment is reached, play back of the stored information is
`stopped, and recorder 10 reverts to a passive state, with
`information present at input 22 being coupled directly to
`output 24.
`In FIG. 6, another embodiment of the instant invention is
`shown, having programmable timer 62,
`to which control
`circuit 14 is responsively coupled for unattended beginning
`and ending of the recording function. So equipped,
`the
`instant invention may be used in circumstances where the
`user may not be available for manual execution of these
`functions. For example, if the user anticipates the possibility
`that there may be some delay in arriving in time for the
`beginning of desired programming, recording may be initi-
`ated by timer 62 after appropriate setting by the user. Timer
`62 may also be applied to unattendedly cease the recording
`at a preselected time, and thereby conserve memory, for
`example in instances where the interruption or delayed
`arrival could possibly extend beyond the end of the desired
`programming.
`There are also occasions where it may be desirable to
`record audio in conjunction with video where the signals
`have differing origins. Perhaps the most common example of
`such an application is the ‘simulcast’, where a concert gets
`video coverage on a television channel, while a radio station
`broadcasts high(er) fidelity audio coverage of the concert.
`Another such application includes sporting or news events
`which are broadcast on a television channel, while the same
`event
`is being covered by a radio station having an
`announcer preferable to the user. Accordingly, FIG. 7 shows
`yet another embodiment of the present invention having
`multiple programmable input switches 64, which allow for
`connection and coupling of inputs 22 to a plurality of signal
`sources, so as to enable the selection and recording of audio
`and video signals of differing origins. Should a user wish to
`record the separate audio and video coverages of the same
`event, the switches coupled to the desired signal sources
`would be closed. Switches 64 may be of the type requiring
`manual actuation, but could also be of the automatic pro-
`gramming type, which would add to the complexity and cost
`of the unit. In either arrangement, audio frame AM, FM,
`shortwave, or other origins may be selected, and likewise,
`video signals from broadcast, cable, microwave or other
`varying origins may also be selected.
`Turning now to FIG. 8, the most basic block diagram of
`the instant invention is shown, having a singular input 22
`and output 24, which would enable the simultaneous buff-
`ering type recording and time delay play back of an audio
`only input signal. Such an embodiment of the instant inven-
`tion would be useful for a visually impaired person or for
`instances where the desired programming information is
`audio only.
`Furthermore, if the sample rate, speed and capacity of
`memory unit 12 is sufficiently high, the singular input 22 of
`FIG. 8 may be coupled to an antenna or cable TV source, and
`singular output 24 coupled to a television, VCR, or other
`tuner equipped device, thereby enabling the recording of a
`multiplicity of channels of programming information
`together, for separation and channel selection via the exter-
`nal tuner equipped device during playback.
`Hardware may also be added to the instant invention to
`implement automatic checking for subliminal or otherwise
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`unwanted or unsolicited transmissions, as illustrated in FIG.
`9. Therein, filter 66 is interposed between memory unit 12
`and output 24, and is programmed to screen information
`retrieved from memory according to a predetermined pat-
`tern. One example of such a pattern which would typify
`subliminal information would be two sequential substan-
`tially similar frames of information which are bordered by a
`multiplicity of frames of information, the bordering frames
`being substantially similar to each other, while differing
`substantially from the bordered frames. Such a pattern
`would indicate the transmission includes information brief
`enough to escape conscious detection by the user, although
`of sufficient duration to be detected sub consciously. Upon
`detecting information meeting the predetermined parameters
`of filter 66, a variety of scenarios may then be implemented,
`the simplest of which is merely refraining from outputting
`the suspect information to output 24. Alternatively or in
`addition, filter 66 may illuminate a lamp or actuate some
`other indicator, such as an audible alert or an on screen
`display, to call the user’s attention to the presence of such
`information, whereupon the user may then act accordingly.
`While the above specification contains many specificities,
`these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
`the instant invention, but rather as an exemplification of the
`preferred embodiments thereof. Accordingly, the scope of
`the instant
`invention should not be determined by the
`embodiments shown, but rather by the claims appended
`hereto and their legal equivalents.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A recording and playback apparatus for the substan-
`tially immediate and seamless resumption of interrupted
`perception of program information based upon audio or
`video signals, or both, without missing the program infor-
`mation presented during the interruption, comprising:
`means for powering the apparatus;
`a keyboard having a record key and a playback key;
`a control circuit coupled responsively to said keyboard;
`a memory unit coupled responsively to said control
`circuit, said memory unit having a medium for storage
`of information, said storage medium having structure
`which enables substantially random access to informa-
`tion stored in said medium for retrieval of the stored
`
`information from said storage medium;
`at least one input, said input being connected to a user’s
`audio/video program signal source and also being
`coupled to said memory unit so as to enable program
`information presented by the signal source to be trans-
`ferred to and stored in said memory unit; and
`at least one output, said output being connected to a user’s
`audio or video display device or both, said output
`further being connected to said memory unit so as to
`enable the transfer of program information from said
`memory unit to the user’s display device, said control
`circuit being configured so that substantially simulta-
`neous recording and playback of program information
`is achieved when said record key is first actuated to
`begin a recording by initiating storage of the broadcast
`program information in said memory unit, and said
`playback key is subsequently and solely actuated to
`begin time delay playback of the recording from the
`beginning thereof by initiating retrieval of the stored
`program information in said memory unit, with the
`interval of the time delay being the same as the time
`elapsed between the actuation of said record key and
`the subsequent actuation of said playback key.
`2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising
`a remote control unit, and wherein said keyboard is housed
`in said remote control unit.
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 10
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1001, p. 10
`
`

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`5,930,444
`
`9
`3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further comprising
`means for wireless communication between said remote
`control unit and said control circuit.
`
`4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said
`means for wireless communication is infra red.
`
`5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
`storage medium is removable from the apparatus by the user.
`6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said
`storage medium comprises magnetic or optical disk
`memory.
`7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
`storage medium comprises solid state random access
`memory.
`8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
`keyboard further includes key means for enabling user
`control of the rate or sequence or both of transfer of program
`information from said memory unit to the user’s display
`device, and such variation of rate or sequence results in a
`corresponding variation of