WO2002007160A1

WO2002007160A1 - Home multimedia storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2002007160A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gap Seok Chang
Original assignee: Gap Seok Chang
Priority date: 2000-07-19
Filing date: 2001-01-20
Publication date: 2002-01-24
Also published as: KR100370273B1; AU2001230623A1; KR20020007888A

Abstract

A home multimedia storage system includes an analog storing part for storing analog signal from a displayer in a video tape and playing the stored analog signal, and an analog/digital converting part for converting an analog signal from the displayer into a digital signal. A digital storing part is provided to store the digital signal converted by the analog/digital converting part and playing the stored digital signal. A digital/analog converting part also provided to convert the digital data output from the digital storing part into an analog play signal. A controller selects and transmits one of the analog signal stored in the analog storing part and the digital signal stored in the digital storing part to the displayer during a sound/image playback operation.

Description

HOME MULTIMEDIA STORAGE SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a home multimedia storage system, and more particularly, to an intelligent home multimedia storage system that can record and playback high definition image and sound signals in either a digital or an analog format.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, an analog video tape recorder has been used to record and playback images and sounds. That is, the video tape recorder receives a TV signal and stores the TV signal in an analog video tape, thereby enabling users to record TV programs. Such recording or taping can be accomplished either while watching the TV program or by programming a desired time and station so that the television need not be playing the TV program being recorded.

However, such an analog video tape recorder records TV broadcast signals in a VHS manner having a resolution less than that originally supported by the TV broadcast signals of the NTSC system (supporting 720 pixels x 240 lines x 60 field and 525 scan lines). That is, the resolution is one-third that obtained with the TV broadcast signals. Accordingly, when the recorded TV program is played back, the reproduced images and sounds are inferior to the original resolution supported by TV broadcast signals. This problem also occurs in the case of the PAL and SEC AM systems. When the user intends to record TV program by programming the tape recorder, typically the desired time and channel is set by the user. There is also a method in which a bar code assigned to each program is used to program the recorder.

However, a drawback of these two methods is that the user cannot perform programming from a remote location since the parameters for recording are directly input into the recorder by the user.

In addition, since the image and sound data are recorded in analog signals, it is not possible to perform editing of the images and sounds unless an additional recording system and editing system are used. Even with the use of such equipment, there are serious limitations to the degree at which editing can be performed.

Furthermore, when performing a still image playback, a fast playback, or when utilizing a search function or a skip function, the image is distorted and only a limited amount of precision is obtained.

In addition, since the analog video tape recorder is designed to be utilized in association with TV signals, it cannot be integrated with other home electric and electronic systems such as a home security system, that is, the analog video tape recorder cannot be used and employed in an integrated intelligent home storage system.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above described problems. It is a first objective of the present invention to provide an intelligent home multimedia storage system that can store image and sound signals with a definition identical to that supported in original TV signal.

It is a second objective of the present invention to provide an intelligent home multimedia storage system with sufficient storage capacity that can notify the user of a storage capacity of storage media.

It is a third objective of the present invention to provide an intelligent home multimedia storage system including a communicating device and a voice recognition function so that it can be controlled by the user from a remote location (i.e., from outside the home). It is a fourth objective of the present invention to provide an intelligent home multimedia storage system having an editing function that allows the full editing of programmed data.

It is a fifth objective of the present invention to provide an intelligent home multimedia storage system that can be used as a home security system by being integrated with sensors and cameras.

To achieve several of the above objectives, the present invention provides an intelligent home multimedia storage system comprising: analog storing means for storing external analog signal in a video tape and playing the stored analog signal; analog/digital converting means for converting the analog signal into a digital signal; digital storing means for storing the digital signal converted by the analog/digital converting means and playing the stored digital signal; digital/analog converting means for converting a digital play signal output from the digital storing means into an analog play signal; and a controller for selecting and transmitting one of the analog signal stored in the analog storing means and the digital signal stored in the digital storing means to a displayer during a playback operation. Preferably, the analog/digital converting means comprises an analog/digital converter and a digital encoder for encoding the converted digital signal, and the digital/analog converting means comprises a digital decoder for decoding the encoded digital signal and a digital/analog converter for converting the decoded digital signal into the analog play signal. Preferably, the digital encoder and decoder are designed to support a

MPEG format.

The intelligent home multimedia storage system may further comprises: a modem for converting an analog signal from a telephone line; an ARS system for storing a record menu, the ARS system being operated according to a voice command of a user from a remote location; a speaker for outputting sound information to the user; and a microphone for inputting the voice command.

At this point, the controller controls the recording operation according to a signal from the ARS system, a voice information signal through the modem or the microphone.

Preferably, the controller determines one of the analog storing means and the digital storing means according to a predetermined logic when performing a recording operation. According to another aspect that can achieve parts of the above objectives, the intelligent home multimedia storage system may further comprises: at least one video camera for taking a photograph of image and sound signals; at least one motion detecting sensor for detecting a motion; and a signal detector for determining whether the signals from the camera is an analog signal or a digital signal and transmitting the determined result to the controller.

At this point, the controller operates the camera when the motion detecting sensor detects a motion such that the camera outputs image and sound signals and controls the digital storing means such that the image and sound signals can be stored in the digital storing means.

Preferably, the controller converts, when the determined result is the analog signal, the analog signal into the digital signal by controlling the analog/digital converter, and encodes the converted digital signal by controlling the encoder. And the controller encodes, when the determined result is the digital signal, the digital signal by controlling the encoder.

Preferably, the controller stores, when the controller receives a motion detecting signal from the motion detecting sensor, information on the detecting time and manages the image and sound signals according to the detecting time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a home multimedia storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a programmable recording method using a home multimedia storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating data exchange algorithms of a home multimedia storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating home security algorithms achieved by a home multimedia storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the operation of sensors and cameras associated with a home security function of a home multimedia storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an intelligent home multimedia storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

When an analog image signal is transmitted to a video tape recorder (VTR) 2 and an analog/digital(A/D) converter 3 from a TV 1, the VTR 2 records the image signal and the A/D converter 3 converts the analog signal into a digital signal. The converted digital signal is transmitted to a digital encoder 4 which compresses the digital signal into a small size.

Since the encoding technology using the encoder 4 is well known, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. For example, as the encoding technology, the well known MPEG2 or MPEG3 can be used. The digital signal encoded by the digital encoder 4 is stored in the digital storage device(DTS) 5. As the digital storage device 5, a hard disk, a compact disk, or a digital video disk can be used.

When playing back the stored data, the user can select one of the analog data stored in the VTR and the digital data of the digital storage device 5. In addition, when a user intends to record a program from the TV 1, the program is not be simultaneously stored in both of the storage media and instead is stored in one medium then another medium when the program to be stored is larger than the capacity of the former medium. This will be described more in detail hereinbelow. In this case, when the user selects the program to be played back, the storing system automatically selects the player and outputs a play signal. When playing back the encoded data stored in the digital storing device 5, the encoded data is first transmitted to a digital decoder 6 to be decoded, then the decoded digital data is converted into an analog signal by a digital/analog(D/A) converter 7 so that the TV 1 can receive the signal. When the program data is stored in the form of a digital signal, image frames are classified in a plurality of groups and an address can be assigned to each group. Accordingly, it is easy to edit and search the program. Particularly, when a still image is reproduced, the image can be displayed without being distorted. Furthermore, when the program is edited, separated frames can be extracted from the stored data, and then edited into a special image.

When a voice recognition function is added to the controller 8, user commands can be input through a microphone 16 or a telephone 13. For example, the user can input programmable recording commands through the telephone 13 and the multimedia storage system can perform the program recording operation according to the user's command. The multimedia storage system also provides information on the input programs and the system state to the user through a speaker 15. That is, the inventive multimedia storage system provides an interactive service. Accordingly, the user can easily program the system without having to use conventional methods such as setting a timer or using a bar-code device.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a programmable recording method using a multimedia system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention When a reservation command is input, the controller 8 calculates remaining recordable capacities of the video tape recorder 2 and the digital storage device 5 (S3_l, S3_2), then determines if the remaining recordable capacity of the digital storage device 5 is greater than the capacity of the reserved program (S3_3).

When the remaining recordable capacity of the digital storage device 5 is greater than the capacity of the reserved program, the controller 8 records the reserved program in both the video tape recorder 2 and the digital storage device 5 (S3_4). However, when the remaining capacity of the digital storage device 5 is less than the capacity of the reserved program, the controller notifies the user of this fact, then it is determined if the user has cancelled the programmable recording command (S3_5).

When the user cancels the command, the controller 8 finishes the process. However, when the user does not withdraw the command, the controller 8 determines if the sum of the remaining recordable capacities of the respective video tape recorder 2 and digital storage device 5 is greater than the capacity of the reserved program that the user desires to record (S3_7).

When the sum of the remaining recordable capacities is greater than the capacity of the reserved program, the controller 8 records the TV program on one of the video tape recorder 2 and the digital storage device 5, then on the other media when the recordable capacity of the former is consumed (S3_8). However, when the sum of the recordable capacities is less than the capacity of the reserved program, the controller 8 notifies the user of this fact (S3_9), and determines if the user has cancelled the recording command (S3_10).

When the user cancels the command, the controller 8 finishes the process. However, when the user does not cancel the command, the controller 8 records the reserved program on the recordable capacity of the digital storage media(S3_l 1).

During this process, when the recordable capacity of the digital storage device 5 is completely consumed, the controller 8 deletes other stored data (other programs), and records the reserved program on a recordable capacity generated by deleting the stored data. At this point, the controller 8 lets the user know the information of the deleted data through the TV 1, the speaker 15 or the telephone 13.

The process for recording the reserved program on the digital storage device 5 while deleting the stored data will be described more in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4.

Generally, the data is stored in a group unit according to the programs. That is, when a plurality of programs and images are stored in the digital storage device 5, the data is stored in the program unit or the image unit so that the user can easily manage the programs and images. Therefore, when deleting the stored programs, the controller 8 selects a first data group (one program), which has a capacity greater and closest to that of the reserved program (S4__l). Then, the controller 8 determines if the selected data group is a protected data group (S4_2). When the selected data group is not the protected data group, the selected data group is deleted and the reserved program is recorded on the deleted section (S4_9).

However, when the selected data group is the protected data group, the controller 8 selects a second data group which has not been played back for the longest time (S4_3). Then, the controller 8 determines if the second selected data group is the protected data group (S4_4). When the second data group is not the protected data group, the second data group is deleted and the reserved program is recorded on the deleted section (S4_9).

However, when the second selected data group is the protected data group, the controller 8 selects a third data group having the largest capacity (S4_5). Next, the controller 8 determines if the third selected data group is a protected data group (S4_6). When the third data group is not the protected data group, the third data group is deleted and the reserved program is recorded on the deleted section (S4_9).

However, when the third selected data group is the protected data group, the controller selects a fourth data group which is firstly stored (S4_7). The controller 8 determines if the selected fourth data group is protected (S4_8), and when it is not protected, the selected fourth data group is deleted and the reserved program is recorded on the deleted section (4_9). However, when the selected fourth data group is protected, the controller 8 notifies the user of this fact (S4_10), and ends the process.

In the above, if the capacity of the deleted section is less than that of the reserved program, another data group may be further deleted and the remaining part of the reserved program is recorded on the further deleted section. At this point, information on the arrangement of the recorded sections is managed so that the recorded program stored in different sections can be played back successively. Although the data storable sections are obtained by deleting each data group, the reserved program may be recorded by randomly deleting the deletable sections.

When a camera 10 and a plurality of motion detecting sensors 9 disposed in a variety of locations are further added to the inventive multimedia storage system as shown in FIG. 1, a home security system can be realized.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a home security process realized by the inventive intelligent home multimedia storage system

When a user sets the multimedia system in a security mode to go out or to bed, the controller 8 receives signals from the sensors 9 (S5_l), and determines if there is an abnormal motion signal among the signals from the sensors (S5_2).

When there is the abnormal motion signal, the controller 8 identifies the location of the sensor that outputs the abnormal motion signal (S5_3), and adjusts the camera toward the identified location of the sensor (S5_4). Next, the controller 8 reports these facts to a preset telephone number (S5_6) while storing the image and sound taken by the camera together with the time (S5 5). The controller 8 then determines if the abnormal motion continues (S5 7), and when it continues, the controller 8 continuously stores the abnormal motion (S5_8). However, when the abnormal motion is not continued, the controller 8 stops the storing operation, and then feeds back the process to Step S5_l.

This operation is continuously performed until the user turns off the security mode. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the abnormal motion is detected by a sensor S7 after being detected by a sensor SI, the controller identifies the location of the sensor S7, then adjusts the camera toward the sensor S7, then performs steps S5_5 and S5_6.

When more than two cameras are used, the images and sounds output from each camera are all stored and classified.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view illustrating the camera motion according to abnormal motion signals from the sensors.

As shown in the drawing when a sensor SI detects the abnormal motion, the camera moves in a direction Dl so as to take an image around the sensor SI . When a sensor S7 detects the abnormal motion, the camera moves in a direction D2 so as to take an image around the sensor S7. When more than two sensors are simultaneously detecting the abnormal motion and there is a difference in a detecting start time (i.e., when the sensor SI detects the abnormal motion, immediately after which a sensor S2 detects the abnormal motion), the controller 8 predicts the moving direction of an object and moves the camera towards the sensor S2 so as to take the image around the sensor S2. However, both the abnormal images detected by the sensors SI and S2 are alternately taken and stored.

Since the storage system of the present invention is designed to process both analog and digital signals, regardless of the type of camera, all of the image signals can be stored in the digital storage device.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that may variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIM:

1. A home multimedia storage system comprising: analog storing means for storing external analog signal in a video tape and playing the stored analog signal; analog/digital converting means for converting the analog signal into a digital signal; digital storing means for storing the digital signal converted by the analog/digital converting means and playing the stored digital signal; digital/analog converting means for converting an digital play signal output from the digital storing means into an analog play signal; and a controller for selecting and transmitting one of the analog signal stored in the analog storing means and the digital signal stored in the digital storing means to a displayer during a playback operation.

2. The home multimedia storage system of claim 1 wherein the analog/digital converting means comprises an analog/digital converter and a digital encoder for encoding the converted digital signal.

3. The home multimedia storage system of claim 1 wherein the digital/analog converting means comprises a digital decoder for decoding the encoded digital signal and a digital/analog converter for converting the decoded digital signal into the analog play signal.

4. The home multimedia storage system of claim 2 wherein the digital encoder and decoder are designed to support a MPEG format.

5. The home multimedia storage system of claim 1 further comprising: a modem for converting an analog signal from a telephone line; an ARS system for storing a record menu, the ARS system being operated according to a voice command of a used from a remote location; a speaker for outputting sound information to the user; and a microphone for inputting voice command.

6. The home multimedia storage system of claim 5 wherein the controller controls the recording operation according to a signal from the ARS system, a voice information signal through the modem or the microphone.

7. The home multimedia storage system of claim 1 wherein the controller determines one of the analog storing means and the digital storing means according to a predetermined logic when performing a recording operation.

8. The home multimedia storage system of claim 1 further comprising: at least one video camera for taking a photograph of image and sound signals; at least one motion detecting sensor for detecting a motion; and a signal detector for determining whether the signals from the camera is an analog signal or a digital signal and transmitting the determined result to the controller. a controller for operating the camera when the motion detecting sensor detects a motion such that the camera outputs image and sound signals and controlling the encoding means and the digital storing means such that the image and sound signals can be stored in the digital storing means through the encoding means.

9. The home multimedia storage system of claim 8 wherein the controller converts, when the determined result is the analog signal, the analog signal into the digital signal by controlling the analog/digital converter, and encodes the converted digital signal by controlling the encoder.

10. The home multimedia storage system of claim 8 wherein the controller encodes, when the determined result is the digital signal, the digital signal by controlling the encoder.

11. The home multimedia storage system of claim 8 wherein the controller operates the camera when the motion detecting sensor detects a motion such that the camera outputs image and sound signals and controls the digital storing means such that the image and sound signals can be stored in the digital storing means.

12. The home multimedia storage system of claim 8 wherein the controller stores, when the controller receives a motion detecting signal from the motion detecting sensor, information on the detecting time and manages the image and sound signals according to the detecting time.

13. The home multimedia storage system of claim 8 further comprising a modem for receiving a command signal through a telephone line, an ARS system, a speaker and a microphone.

14. The home multimedia storage system of claim 13 wherein the controller controls the recording operation according to a signal from the ARS system, a voice information signal through the modem or the microphone.