(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0057892 A1
`MANO et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May 16, 2002
`
`US 20020057892A1
`
`(54) VIDEO RECORDING DEVICE INCLUDING
`THE ABILITY TO CONCURRENTLY
`RECORD AND PLAYBACK
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: YOSHIZUMI MANO, CUPERTINO,
`CA (US); CHENCHU
`CHILAMAKURI, FREMONT, CA
`(US); HISATO SHIMA, SARATOGA,
`CA (Us)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`HAVERSTOCK & OWENS LLP
`162 NORTH WOLFE ROAD
`SUNNYVALE, CA 94086 (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`This is a publication of a continued pros-
`ecution application (CPA) filed under 37
`CFR 1.53(d).
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`08/941,584
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 30, 1997
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................... .. H04N 5/76; H04N 5/781
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`............................................ .. 386/46; 386/125
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A video recording device includes the ability to record a
`video broadcast or video program While concurrently replay-
`ing a previously recorded video broadcast. This previously
`recorded video broadcast can be the same video broadcast
`
`that is recording or a different video broadcast. The record
`and playback operations are preferably triggered and con-
`trolled through a television on which the user can watch the
`playback of the recorded program. The viewer enters the
`data and commands for recording and playback preferably
`using a remote control device. Video programs are prefer-
`ably recorded on a mass storage device. Preferably, the mass
`storage device is a hard disk drive coupled to the television
`through an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. Alternatively, any
`other appropriately configured memory device can be used
`to store the video programs. The television uses Write
`commands to transmit to and record the program onto the
`mass storage device and read commands to retrieve previ-
`ously recorded portions of a program to be replayed from the
`mass storage device. When playing back a previously
`recorded program or the recorded portions of a program
`which is still being recorded, the television will retrieve the
`packets of data from the mass storage device in sequence,
`using read commands to read from the appropriate locations
`where the appropriate packets have been stored. Each packet
`is then retrieved in sequence from the beginning of the
`program, even if the end portion of the program is still being
`recorded.
`
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`Patent Application Publication May 16, 2002 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2002/0057892 A1
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`FIGURE 1
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`2
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`Patent Application Publication May 16, 2002 Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2002/0057892 A1
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`3
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`Patent Application Publication May 16, 2002 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2002/0057892 A1
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`FIGURE 3
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`4
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`Patent Application Publication May 16, 2002 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2002/0057892 A1
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`ma:
`F“ A, rwmal
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`5
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`US 2002/0057892 A1
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`May 16, 2002
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`VIDEO RECORDING DEVICE INCLUDING THE
`ABILITY TO CONCURRENTLY RECORD AND
`PLAYBACK
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the field of record-
`ing and replaying video broadcasts. More particularly, the
`present invention relates to the field of recording a video
`program while concurrently replaying a previously recorded
`video program.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The IEEE 1394 standard, “P1394 Standard For A
`High Performance Serial Bus,” Draft 8.0v2, Jul. 7, 1995, is
`an international standard for implementing an inexpensive
`high-speed serial bus architecture which supports both asyn-
`chronous and isochronous format data transfers. Isochro-
`nous data transfers are real-time transfers which take place
`such that the time intervals between significant instances
`have the same duration at both the transmitting and receiv-
`ing applications. Each packet of data transferred isochro-
`nously is transferred in its own time period. An example of
`an ideal application for the transfer of data isochronously
`wo11ld be from a video recorder to a television set. The video
`
`recorder records images and sounds and saves the data in
`discrete chunks or packets. The video recorder then transfers
`each packet, representing the image and sound recorded over
`a limited time period, during that time period, for display by
`the television set. The IEEE 1394 standard bus architecture
`
`provides multiple channels for isochronous data transfer
`between applications. Asix bit channel number is broadcast
`with the data to ensure reception by the appropriate appli-
`cation. This allows multiple applications to concurrently
`transmit isochronous data across the bus structure. Asyn-
`chronous transfers are traditional data transfer operations
`which take place as soon as possible and transfer an amount
`of data from a source to a destination.
`
`[0003] The IEEE 1394 standard provides a high-speed
`serial bus for interconnecting digital devices thereby pro-
`viding a universal I/O connection. The IEEE 1394 standard
`defines a digital interface for the applications thereby elimi-
`nating the need for an application to convert digital data to
`analog data before it is transmitted across the bus. Corre-
`spondingly, a receiving application will receive digital data
`from the bus, not analog data, and will therefore not be
`required to convert analog data to digital data. The cable
`required by the IEEE 1394 standard is very thin in size
`compared to other bulkier cables used to connect such
`devices. Devices can be added and removed from an IEEE
`1394 bus while the bus is active. If a device is so added or
`removed the bus will then automatically reconfigure itself
`for transmitting data between the then existing nodes. A
`node is considered a logical entity with a unique address on
`the bus structure. Each node provides an identification
`ROM, a standardized set of control registers and its own
`address space.
`
`[0004] The IEEE 1394 cable environment is a network of
`nodes connected by point-to-point links, including a port on
`each node’s physical connection and the cable between
`them. The physical topology for the cable environment of an
`IEEE 1394 serial bus is a non-cyclic network of multiple
`ports, with finite branches. The primary restriction on the
`
`cable environment is that nodes must be connected together
`without forming any closed loops.
`
`[0005] The IEEE 1394 cables connect ports together on
`different nodes. Each port includes terminators, transceivers
`and simple logic. A node can have multiple ports at its
`physical connection. The cable and ports act as bus repeaters
`between the nodes to simulate a single logical bus. The cable
`physical connection at each node includes one or more ports,
`arbitration logic, a resynchronizer and an encoder. Each of
`the ports provide the cable media interface into which the
`cable connector is connected. The arbitration logic provides
`access to the bus for the node. The resynchronizer takes
`received data-strobe encoded data bits and generates data
`bits synchronized to a local clock for use by the applications
`within the node. The encoder takes either data being trans-
`mitted by the node or data received by the resynchronizer,
`which is addressed to another node, and encodes it
`in
`data-strobe format for transmission across the IEEE 1394
`serial bus. Using these components,
`the cable physical
`connection translates the physical point-to-point topology of
`the cable environment into a virtual broadcast bus, which is
`expected by higher layers of the system. This is accom-
`plished by taking all data received on one port of the
`physical connection, resynchronizing the data to a local
`clock and repeating the data out of all ofthe other ports from
`the physical connection.
`
`(VCR)
`[0006] A conventional video cassette recorder
`allows a user to record video broadcasts from a television
`
`broadcast signal or other video signal input to the VCR.
`When recording a video broadcast on a conventional VCR
`a user must wait until the VCR is finished recording the
`broadcast before viewing the beginning of the broadcast. For
`example, a user who comes home during the middle of the
`recording of a television broadcast cannot start watching the
`recording of the television broadcast from the beginning
`until that recording is finished. In order to start watching the
`beginning of the recording, the user would have to stop the
`recording and would then lose the ability to record and
`watch the end of the broadcast. Aconventional VCR will not
`
`allow a viewer to watch the beginning of a recorded tele-
`vision broadcast while concurrently recording the ending of
`the television broadcast. Correspondingly, a conventional
`VCR will not allow one program to be recorded while
`concurrently playing back a previously recorded program.
`
`[0007] What is needed is an apparatus which will allow a
`user to time—shift a recording of a video broadcast in order
`to view the broadcast from the beginning while concurrently
`recording the remainder of the video broadcast. What is
`further needed is an apparatus which will also allow a user
`to record one video program while concurrently playing
`back a second video program.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
`
`[0008] A video recording device includes the ability to
`record a video broadcast or video program while concur-
`rently replaying a previously recorded video broadcast. This
`previously recorded video broadcast can be the same video
`broadcast that is recording or a different video broadcast.
`The record and playback operations are preferably triggered
`and controlled through a television on which the user can
`watch the playback of the recorded program. The viewer
`enters the data and commands for recording and playback
`
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`preferably using a remote control device. Video programs
`are preferably recorded on a mass storage device. Preferably,
`the mass storage device is a hard disk drive coupled to the
`television through an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. Alter-
`natively, any other appropriately configured memory device
`can be used to store the video programs. The television uses
`write commands to transmit to and record the program onto
`the mass storage device and read commands to retrieve
`previously recorded portions of a program to be replayed
`from the mass storage device. When playing back a previ-
`ously recorded program or the recorded portions of a pro-
`gram which is still being recorded,
`the television will
`retrieve the packets of data from the mass storage device ir1
`sequence, using read commands to read from the appropriate
`locations where the appropriate packets have been stored.
`Each packet is then retrieved in sequence from the beginning
`of the program, even if the end portion of the program is still
`being recorded.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
`
`[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an IEEE 1394
`serial bus network including a computer system, a video
`cassette recorder (VCR), a video camera and a television.
`
`[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the internal
`components of the computer system 14.
`
`[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an IEEE 1394
`serial bus network including a computer system, a VCR, a
`video camera, a television and an external hard disk drive.
`
`[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of components
`within a television of an alternate embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
`
`[0013] Avideo recording device of the present invention
`includes the ability to record a video broadcast while con-
`currently replaying a previously recorded portion of a video
`broadcast. This video broadcast being replayed can be the
`same video broadcast that is recording or a different video
`broadcast which has been previously recorded. When
`recording a video broadcast or program, the recording of the
`program is completed in sequence, each recorded packet of
`data representing the video broadcast during a specific
`portion of time. As described above, when recording on a
`conventional VCR the user cannot watch the recording from
`the beginning, while still recording the end portion of the
`program. Both the recording and replaying operations take
`place at real time speeds.
`
`[0014] The apparatus of the present invention will allow a
`user to watch a previously recorded portion of a program
`while still recording the remaining portion of the program.
`For example, for a user desiring to watch the beginning of
`a thirty minute program which is being recorded and is only
`half complete, the video recording device of the present
`invention will continue to record the program for the second
`fifteen minutes while allowing the user to watch the program
`from the beginning. When the user begins watching the
`program, the apparatus will continue to record the program
`in sequence, so that there will be a constant time difference
`between the portion of the program being viewed by the user
`and the portion of the program being recorded. Once the
`
`program is finished recording, the user can continue to view
`the program in sequence until the user has viewed the entire
`program. The user also has the ability to fast forward and
`rewind through the already recorded portion of the program
`while the remainder of the program is recorded. The user can
`also record one video broadcast while concurrently watching
`another previously recorded video broadcast. The concur-
`rency of these operations is aided by the IEEE 1394 serial
`bus network. This bus protocol operates sufficiently fast that
`both the record and playback operations can occur concur-
`rently, for example within a same video time period, and
`appear real time to a user. Thus, no data or signal is lost.
`
`[0015] The record and playback operations are preferably
`triggered and controlled through a television on which the
`user can watch the playback of a recorded program. The
`viewer enters the data and commands for recording a
`television broadcast or other program preferably using a
`remote control device. The viewer also enters the playback
`command preferably using the remote control device. The
`video program is recorded on a mass storage device or other
`appropriately configured memory device. Preferably,
`the
`mass storage device is a hard disk drive coupled to the
`television through an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. This
`hard disk drive is either resident within a computer system
`coupled to the television or the hard disk drive is an external
`hard disk drive coupled to the television. Alternatively, the
`mass storage device is included within the television for
`recording the program.
`
`[0016] The record operation is programmed by a viewer
`using a remote control device to enter the relevant control
`data such as the program starting time, ending time and the
`channel or source of the program. Beginning at the starting
`time, the television then sends the video data for the program
`to the n1ass storage device for storing. The television will use
`write operations to send the program to the mass storage
`device in packets for storing the data at a known location
`within the mass storage device. Each packet of data repre-
`sents the program during a specific portion of time. The
`viewer can then replay recorded programs and recorded
`portions of programs using the remote control device to
`instruct the television to replay the specified program. When
`playing back a previously recorded program or the recorded
`portions of a program which is still being recorded,
`the
`television will retrieve the packets of data from the mass
`storage device in sequence, using read commands to read
`from the appropriate locations where the appropriate packets
`have been stored. Each packet is then retrieved in sequence
`from the beginning of the program, even if the end portion
`of the program is still being recorded. If the end portion of
`the program is still being recorded, the television will send
`the packets of data representing the video program to the
`mass storage device, while also reading the appropriate
`packets for playback from the mass storage device. Accord-
`ingly, the apparatus of the present invention will record a
`video program while also allowing a user to replay a
`previously recorded program or the previously recorded
`portions of the same video program.
`
`[0017] A block diagram of an IEEE 1394 serial bus
`network including a computer system,
`a VCR, a video
`camera and a television,
`is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
`computer system 14 includes an associated display 36 and is
`coupled to the television 10, by an IEEE 1394 serial bus
`cable 12. A settop box 11 is coupled to the television 10 by
`
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`an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable 13. A VCR 17 is coupled to
`the computer system 14 by an IEEE 1394 serial bus cable 15.
`A video camera 18 is coupled to the VCR 17 by an IEEE
`1394 serial bus cable 19. Together, the settop box 11, the
`television 10, the computer system 14, the VCR 17 and the
`video camera 18 form an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. A
`
`second VCR 21 is coupled to the television through a
`traditional VCR interface circuit and is not part of the IEEE
`1394 serial bus network.
`
`[0018] A wireless cursor control/input device 16 provides
`input and control signals to the television 10. The wireless
`cursor control/input device 16 includes a record button 88
`and a playback button 90. The wireless cursor control/input
`device 16 also includes other input and control buttons
`typically associated with such devices, including but not
`limited to pause, fast forward and rewind buttons. The
`wireless cursor control/input device 16 preferably commu-
`nicates with the television 10 using infrared signals. Alter-
`natively, any other suitable cursor control/input device can
`be substituted for the device 16, including but not limited to
`a wired input device, a radio frequency input device and a
`wired or wireless keyboard with integral cursor control
`device.
`
`[0019] Ablock diagram of the internal components of the
`computer system 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The computer
`system 14 includes a central processor unit (CPU) 20, a main
`memory 30, a video memory 22, a mass storage device 32
`and an IEEE 1394 interface circuit 28, all coupled together
`by a conventional bidirectional system bus 34. The interface
`circuit 28 includes the physical
`interface circuit 42 for
`sending and receiving communications on the IEEE 1394
`serial bus. The physical interface circuit 42 is coupled to the
`television 10 and to the VCR 17, over the IEEE 1394 serial
`bus cables 12 and 15, respectively. In the preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention, the interface circuit 28 is
`implemented on an IEEE interface card within the computer
`system 14. However, it should be apparent to those skilled
`in the art that the interface circuit 28 can be implemented
`within the computer system 14 in any other appropriate
`manner,
`including building the interface circuit onto the
`motherboard itself. The mass storage device 32 may include
`both fixed and removable media using any one or more of
`magnetic, optical or magneto-optical storage technology or
`any other available mass storage technology. The system bus
`34 contains an address bus for addressing any portion of the
`memory 22 and 30. The system bus 34 also includes a data
`bus for transferring data between and among the CPU 20,
`the main memory 30, the video memory 22, the mass storage
`device 32 and the interface circuit 28.
`
`[0020] The computer system 14 is also coupled to a
`number of peripheral input and output devices including the
`keyboard 38, the mouse 40 and the associated display 36.
`The keyboard 38 is coupled to the CPU 20 for allowing a
`user to input data and control commands into the computer
`system 14. A conventional mouse 40 is coupled to the
`keyboard 38 for manipulating graphic images on the display
`36 as a cursor control device.
`
`[0021] A port of the video memory 22 is coupled to a
`video multiplex and shifter circuit 24, which in turn is
`coupled to a video amplifier 26. The video amplifier 26
`drives the display 36. The video multiplex and shifter
`
`circuitry 24 and the video amplifier 26 convert pixel data
`stored in the video memory 22 to raster signals suitable for
`use by the display 36.
`
`[0022] Arecord operation is programmed using the remote
`control device 16 (FIG. 1) to enter the relevant control data
`such as the program starting time, ending time and the
`channel or source of the program. This information is stored
`within a memory in the television 10 (FIG. 1). At
`the
`program starting time, the television 10 (FIG. 1) will begin
`transmitting packets of data representing the program, to the
`mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2) within the computer 14
`(FIG. 2). These packets of data are transmitted over the
`IEEE 1394 serial bus network and then stored on the mass
`
`storage device 32 (FIG. 2). Preferably, an isochronous
`recording channel is established over the IEEE 1394 serial
`bus network between the television 10 (FIG. 1) and the
`computer system 14 (FIG. 2) for the transmission of the
`packets to be stored.
`
`[0023] Aviewer can playback a stored program, using the
`playback button 90 (FIG. 1) on the remote control device 16
`(FIG. 1) to instruct the television 10 (FIG. 1) to begin
`playing the program. When receiving a playback command,
`the television 10 (FIG. 1) will retrieve the packets of data,
`in sequence, from the beginning of the program from the
`mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2), using read commands to
`read the packets of data from the appropriate locations on the
`mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2). The packets of data are
`then transmitted from the mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2)
`to the television 10 (FIG. 1). Preferably, an isochronous
`channel is established over the IEEE 1394 serial bus net-
`
`work, between the computer system 14 (FIG. 2) and the
`television 10 (FIG. 1) for the transmission of the packets
`from the mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2) to the television
`10 (FIG. 1).
`
`[0024] Once the television receives the packets of data
`from the mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2), the video and
`audio information represented by the packet of data is
`displayed by the television 10 (FIG. 1). When the television
`10 (FIG. 1) is recording and playing back portions of the
`same program or portions of two different programs, a
`packet of data is transmitted to and from the mass storage
`device 32 (FIG. 2) during each time period. In this manner,
`one packet of data is stored from the program being recorded
`and one packet of data is retrieved for the program being
`replayed during each time period.
`
`[0025] Any type of video information which can be dis-
`played on the television 10 (FIG. 1) can be stored and
`played back in this manner. The television 10 (FIG. 1) will
`display video information from a number of sources includ-
`ing the settop box 11 (FIG. 1), the VCR 17 (FIG. 1) and the
`video camera 18 (FIG. 1), over the IEEE 1394 serial bus
`network, and also the VCR 21 (FIG. 1). Video information
`from any of these sources, which is displayed on the
`television 10 (FIG. 1) can be stored within the mass storage
`memory device 32 (FIG. 2).
`
`[0026] Once a video program or portions of a video
`program are stored, the viewer can then retrieve the infor-
`mation by depressing the playback button 90 (FIG. 1).
`When the playback button 90 (FIG. 1) is depressed, the
`television 10 (FIG. 1) will retrieve the appropriate packets
`from the mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2). This retrieval is
`accomplished by a read operation to the address within the
`
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`mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2) where the information was
`stored. The mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2) will
`then
`retrieve that information and the computer system 14 (FIG.
`2) will transmit the information to the television 10 (FIG. 1)
`over the IEEE 1394 serial bus network. The television 10
`
`(FIG. 1) then displays the information for the viewer. The
`viewer can also use the pause, next frame, previous frame,
`fast forward and rewind functions when viewing and editing
`prerecorded packets of video information.
`
`[0027] The viewer can also save a program or portions of
`a program by recording the program on a tape in another
`available recording device, such as the video camera 18
`(FIG. 1) or the VCR 17 (FIG. 1). To record a program saved
`on the mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2) on a tape,
`the
`appropriate packets of information to be recorded are trans-
`mitted from the memory storage device 32 (FIG. 2) to the
`selected recording device over the IEEE 1394 serial bus
`network.
`
`[0028] Within the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, the packets of data to be recorded are transmitted
`from the television 10 (FIG. 1) to a mass storage device, as
`described above. While the mass storage device 32 (FIG. 2)
`within the computer system 14 (FIG. 2) can be used to store
`this information,
`it is also possible to use another mass
`storage device coupled to the television 10 (FIG. 1). Ablock
`diagram of an IEEE 1394 serial bus network including an
`external hard disk drive is illustrated in FIG. 3. This IEEE
`1394 serial bus network includes the devices of FIG. 1 and
`the external hard disk drive 94 which is coupled to the
`computer system 14 by the IEEE 1394 serial bus cable 92.
`
`In the network illustrated in FIG. 3, packets of data
`[0029]
`within a program to be recorded are transmitted from the
`television 10 to the external hard disk drive 94 over the IEEE
`1394 serial bus network. The external hard disk drive 94 will
`then store that video information for later retrieval and
`
`playback, as described above.
`
`In still a further alternate embodiment, the televi-
`[0030]
`sion 10 includes a memory device which will store video
`information to bc instantaneously rccordcd. Ablock diagram
`of components within this embodiment of the television 10
`is illustrated in FIG. 4. An IEEE 1394 interface circuit 50
`
`includes a physical interface circuit 64. The physical inter-
`face circuit 64 is coupled to the PC 14 and to the settop box
`11, over the IEEE 1394 serial bus cables 12 and 13,
`respectively. The IEEE 1394 interface circuit 50 is coupled
`to a CPU 56 for controlling communications between the
`CPU 56 and devices coupled to the IEEE 1394 serial bus
`network. The IEEE 1394 interface circuit 50 is also coupled
`to an audio/video switch 55 for providing video signals from
`the devices coupled to the IEEE 1394 serial bus network. A
`cable/antenna interface circuit 52 is coupled to receive input
`signals from a coaxial cable or an antenna and to pass those
`signals through a tuner 53 to an audio/video switch 55. A
`traditional VCR interface circuit 54 is coupled to receive
`input signals from the VCR 21 and to output signals to the
`VCR 21. The VCR interface circuit 54 is also coupled to the
`audio/video switch 55 for directing audio/video signals to
`and from the VCR 21.
`
`[0031] A memory device 58 is coupled to the CPU 56 for
`storing information. The audio/video switch 55 and the CPU
`56 are coupled to the video random access memory
`(VRAM) circuit 61 for providing video input signals to the
`
`VRAM circuit 61 from the multiple sources. The VRAM
`circuit 61 provides the video signals to the display 62. If a
`compressed video stream of data is received by the televi-
`sion 10, that stream of data is decompressed before being
`sent to the VRAM circuit 61 by a coder/decoder circuit
`(CODEC) or other appropriate decompression engine,
`within the television 10.
`
`illustrated in FIG. 4,
`[0032] Using the television 10,
`packets of data within a program to be recorded are trans-
`mitted to and stored within the memory device 58. When the
`playback button 90 is then pressed, the television 10 will
`read the information from the memory device 58 and display
`it on the display 62 for the viewer.
`
`[0033] The video recording device of the present invention
`records video programs on a mass storage device for later
`retrieval and playback. Preferably, the mass storage device
`is a hard disk drive coupled to the television through an
`IEEE 1394 serial bus network. This hard disk drive is either
`
`resident within a computer system coupled to the television
`or the hard disk drive is an external hard disk drive coupled
`to the television. Alternatively, the mass storage device is
`included within the television for storing the video pro-
`grams. In a further alternate embodiment, any appropriate
`memory device is used to store the video programs, includ-
`ing a flash device.
`
`[0034] The record operation is initiated or programmed by
`a viewer using a remote control device. The viewer pushes
`a record button on the remote control device to instruct the
`
`television to initiate recording of the video program cur-
`rently displayed on the television or the viewer will enter the
`relevant control data for recording a program, such as the
`program starting time, ending time and the channel or source
`of the program. The television then routes the packets of data
`within the program to be recorded to the mass storage
`device. After storing the information, the viewer can then
`subsequently replay the information, by pressing a playback
`button. When the viewer presses the editing playback but-
`ton, the television will retrieve the stored information from
`the mass storage device and display it for the viewer. A
`previously recorded program or the recorded portions of the
`program being recorded can be retrieved and displayed
`while the same or a different program is being recorded.
`Once stored within the mass storage device, the viewer can
`also save the recorded program onto a video tape by trans-
`ferring the program from the mass storage device to a VCR,
`video camera or other appropriate recording device coupled
`to the mass storage device, for recording.
`
`[0035] The present invention has been described in terms
`of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate
`the understanding of principles of construction and opera-
`tion of the invention. Such reference herein to specific
`embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the
`
`scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to
`those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the
`embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from
`the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be
`apparent to those skilled in the art that while the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention is used with an IEEE
`1394 serial bus structure, the present invention could also be
`implemented on any other appropriate bus structures.
`
`9
`
`

`
`US 2002/0057892 A1
`
`May 16, 2002
`
`We claim:
`1. Avideo recording apparatus for recording and replay-
`ing video programs comprising:
`
`a. a memory device for receiving and storing a video
`stream of data;
`
`b. a transmitting circuit coupled to the memory device and
`to receive a video stream of data to be recorded for
`transmitting the video stream of data to the memory
`device when a record command is received;
`
`c. a receiving circuit coupled to the memory device, to the
`display and to the transmitting circuit for retrieving the
`video stream of data from the memory device when a
`playback coi11n1and is received, wherein the memory
`device is configured for concurrently recording and
`retrieving video data.
`2. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1
`further comprising a display for displaying the video stream
`of data when the video stream of data is retrieved by the
`receiving circuit.
`3. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1
`wherein the transmitting circuit is an IEEE 1394 serial bus
`interface circuit.
`
`4. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1
`wherein the record and playback commands are received
`from an input device.
`5. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 4
`wherein the input device is a wireless remote control device.
`6. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1
`wherein the memory device is a hard disk drive.
`7. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 6
`wherein the transmitting circuit is an IEEE 1394 serial bus
`interface circuit.
`8. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 7
`wherein an isochronous channel is used to transmit the video
`
`stream of data between the transmitting circuit and the
`memory device.
`9. The video recording apparatus as claimed in claim 1
`wherein the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are
`included within a transceiver circuit.
`10. A television for recording and playing video streams
`of data comprising:
`
`a. a display for displaying video information; and
`
`b. a communications circuit coupled to receive a video
`stream of data and configured for coupling to a memory
`device for transmitting the video stream of data to the
`
`memory device for storing the video stream of data
`within the memory device and receiving a stored video
`stream of data from the memory device when a play-
`back command is received, wherein the communica-
`tions circuit is configured for concurrently of transmit-
`ting and receiving video dat