Time Programmable Control System for a Converter/VCR System

This invention relates generally to video cassette recorders (VCRs) and, specifically, to VCRs used in conjunction with television signal converters.

Most VCRs include user programmable ON/OFF and channel selection means for initiating and stopping recording of television signals on different television channel frequencies according to a user determined time schedule. Conventional VCRs may be programmed to record a plurality of television programs (events) extending over a substantial time period, generally limited by the number of events to be recorded and the length of the recording tape. Thus a user may program the VCR to automatically record one or more desired television programs on a number of different channels while the viewer is away from home or otherwise occupied for later, more convenient, viewing.

A large number of VCR users receive television signals over a cable in which the cable operator supplies his subscribers with locally receivable over-the-air television transmissions, in addition to other program signals, on a single cable installation. The subscriber receives a converter unit for translating the cable channel television signals to a single VHF channel frequency for viewing on the subscriber's television receiver. The converter unit may also incorporate a decoder for unscrambling selected channel signals which are available for an additional charge.

The converter unit is usually controllable from a remote point. Thus the subscriber is provided with a portable command signal transmitter for controlling operation of the converter unit. Generally the user may remotely turn the converter unit on and off, change the cable channel to which it is tuned and, in baseband systems, adjust and mute the volume in the audio of the received signal. The converter unit includes a command signal control unit for receiving the command signals and for performing the indicated functions.

A cable subscriber with a programmable VCR suffers a disadvantage in recording flexibility because the converter unit is not programmable to change channel tuning and only delivers a single cable channel to the input of the VCR. This cable channel is normally provided on VHF channel 3/4 and appears at the output of the converter unit. While the VCR has programmable channel selection means, enabling it to tune to any channel frequency, in practice it is always turned to VHF channel 3/4 because that is the only input signal available from the converter unit. Consequently, because the converter unit has no channel programming capability and only provides a single VHF channel output, the VCR has only that single channel frequency for an input and its programming capabilities, in terms of channel selection, are nullified.

The prior art as exemplified by German Pat. No. DT 26 12 260 A1 discloses a programmable command signal transmitter for a television receiver to turn the receiver on at a selected time, tune it to a desired channel and to turn the television receiver off at another time. The transmitter includes clock-controlled means for producing the appropriate command signals at the selected times. The art suggests nothing in the way of a solution to the dilemma of the cable subscriber with a VCR.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a novel television signal receiving system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel converter VCR arrangement.

In accordance with the invention a converter including channel selection means is coupled to the input of a VCR that is user programmable for establishing a multi-event recording time schedule. A user programmable command signal generator, which may be in the form of a remote control transmitter, supplies command signals on a user determined time schedule, for controlling the converter time and channel selection operation to correspond to the recording time schedule established for the VCR.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent by reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing, the single FIGURE of which is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a source of television signals is supplied to a converter/decoder 10 which is indicated as including a command signal receiver and processor 12. Command signal receiver and processor 12 is well known in the art and generally comprises means for receiving command signals consisting of coded bursts of infra-red energy, decoding means for determining the command function and means for carrying out the command function, such as turning the converter unit ON or OFF, changing the cable channel frequency to which the converter unit is tuned and adjusting or muting the signal volume level. The output of converter/decoder 10 is supplied to the input of a programmable VCR 14 which includes a control section 16 containing Time/Function and Channel Programming means. The VCR control section also includes a clock 17 used in programming. The output of the VCR is generally supplied to a conventional television receiver (not shown), for viewing of either recorded material or input signals from the converter unit output.

In this invention the "playback" feature of the VCR is of no concern. Similarly the television receiver is not of interest. The VCR control section enables user programming of the VCR operation to turn ON on a given day and record at a selected time, a given channel frequency for a predetermined duration. The VCR may be capable of operating thusly for a number of different events on different days, times, channels and of different durations. With the converter connection illustrated, the channel selection ability of the VCR is not usable since it must be tuned to the channel frequency in the output of the converter/decoder, namely VHF channel 3/4.

A user programmable command signal transmitter 18, illustrated in dashed lines, has a first group of command selection keys 20 for generating appropriate command signals for controlling the cable channel frequency to which the converter unit is tuned; adjusting or muting the volume of the program audio; and for turning the converter unit ON/OFF. Another group of keys 22 are used for programming a command signal time schedule for the transmitter. The programming is clock based and effects automatic transmission of appropriate command signals at dates and times programmed by the user. Thus, the transmitter includes a liquid crystal display 24 for indicating the correct time, the selected signal time, the command signal to be transmitted, the program cycle, etc. A microcomputer 30, with on-board ROM storing the program code and on-board RAM for recording the desired program recording schedule is coupled to the keyboard and supplies display 24. A transistor switch 32 is operated by the microcomputer and energizes an infra-red light emitting diode (LED) 34 connected in its output circuit. The LED thus transmits the coded signals to converter unit 10. The transmitter is battery powered and uses a Matshushita MN 15821 microcomputer. An exemplary program code for the microcomputer is attached hereto as an appendix.

With the invention, a user first establishes a desired program and time schedule on transmitter 18, including turn ON time, cable channel desired and the duration of the event. The converter unit may either be turned OFF between events or left operating and switched to a different cable channel at the next selected event recording time. The transmitter is capable of being programmed for a number of separate events at different times. The user would then program the VCR with time and duration information corresponding to the events programmed into the transmitter. The VCR would remain tuned to channel 3/4 since that is the only channel frequency appearing in the output of the converter/decoder.

Obviously, the user must take care that the clock in the VCR and the clock in the transmitter are in agreement. At the appropriate preset time, the transmitter automatically sends an ON signal to the converter/decoder, followed by a channel selection signal for tuning the converter/decoder to the desired cable channel frequency. It will be appreciated that the converter/decoder may be left on continuously, with only the channel information being programmed in. At approximately the same time, the programmed VCR will turn ON to channel 3/4 and begin recording the signal appearing at the output of the converter unit. The transmitter, after the allocated time period, automatically transmits either an OFF command signal to the converter/decoder or a channel change signal, depending upon the programming.

The VCR is controlled by its separate programming. If a simple channel change is involved, the VCR would be programmed to continue recording, whereas if a time interval between events is involved, the properly programmed VCR will be turned OFF in the interim. The cycle repeats for subsequent events until all events have occurred. Thus the cable subscriber, with a programmable VCR, is enabled to utilize the recording flexibility of his VCR and need not miss desired programs when he is away from home, or otherwise occupied, because the programs are presented on different cable channel frequencies.

It will be recognized that numerous changes in the described embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its true spirit. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the programmability aspect of the invention could be implemented in the form of an appropriate programming system build directly into the converter unit rather than being provided in the form of a remote control transmitter. The invention is to be limited only as defined in the claims. ##SPC1##