Patent ID: 6614990
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
A video reproducing apparatus having a storage unit storing video data for a plurality of video programs on a plurality of removable media, at least some of the video programs spanning at least two of the removable media, a reproducing unit with a plurality of reproducing means for reproducing the video data from the removable media, a transport means automatically transporting the removable media between the storage unit and the reproducing unit, and a control unit receiving video program requests from a plurality of terminal devices and controlling the transport means and reproducing unit so that each requested video program is reproduced and supplied to the requesting terminal device, wherein the control unit comprises:memory means storing predicted times at which each video program currently being reproduced by said reproducing unit will require a change of removable media; and processing means calculating the times at which a newly requested video program will require a change of removable media, comparing the calculated times with said predicted times, adjusting said calculated times according to said predicted times, and storing the adjusted calculated times in said memory means as the predicted times at which the newly requested video program will require a change of removable media.