Patent ID: 6031961
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
A device to output program schedule information recorded on a tape as a voice message in a programmed recording system using schedule data transmitted in a vertical blanking interval of a video frame, the device comprising:(a.) a video reproducing portion for playing back a tape which stores a video signal containing the schedule data and outputting a composite video signal, said video reproducing portion playing back the tape from an initially rewound position in a fast forward mode to detect a first occurrence of a VISS signal, said VISS signal corresponding to a start location at which schedule data and a pre-recorded program is recorded, upon detection of said VISS signal, stopping said fast forward mode;(b.) a schedule data processing portion for separating the located schedule data of the composite video signal output from said video reproducing portion and decoding the separated schedule data;(c.) a voice conversion portion for converting the decoded schedule data output from said schedule data processing portion into audible program schedule data, the decoded schedule data including at least one of a title of a program, a broadcasting station identification of the program, a recording date of the program and a recording time of the program;(d.) a speaker for outputting the audible program schedule data from said voice conversion portion; and(e.) a microcomputer controller for controlling said schedule data processing portion and said voice conversion portion;(f.) resuming said fast forward mode to detect a next occurrence of a VISS signal, and upon detection of said next occurrence of said VISS signal repeating steps (b-e) until all occurrences of said VISS signal have been detected.