PROCESSING TIMECODE DATA IN A RECORDED DIGITAL VIDEO SIGNAL

Abstract: The method of processing comprises assigning a first timecode to a first timecode location in the signal during recording, assigning the first timecode to a second timecode location and assigning a current second timecode to the first timecode location during a first editing step and in subsequent editing steps sequentially changing the timecode locations of the timecodes so that the current timecode is assigned to the first timecode location and the previous timecodes are shifted sequentially through the other timecode locations.

Description: This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for processing timecode data in a recorded digital video signal. It is known to record timecode information on a track of a magnetic tape in digital video recording. This allows for automatic searching for a particular frame on a tape by providing a unique address for each recorded frame. This facility is particularly useful in video editing. In one arrangement, the timecode is recorded on a longitudinal track of the tape adjacent to the oblique digital video tracks (EP-A-74841). A problem with this arrangement, in particular when editing, is that the longitudinally-recorded timecode is difficult or impossible to read during slow-motion or freeze-frame replay. Accordingly, it is known to include the timecode data in the video tracks (FR-A-2 361 029), this being termed a vertical-interval timecode (VITC). Standards for VITC have been established by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the US Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). See, for example, EBU Tech 3097E. However, during complex editing operations, timecodes from earlier generation recordings are lost, and therefore it is necessary to compile separate edit lists if historical records of the editing process are to be maintained. This information will be lost when a programme is finally edited and the edit list destroyed. According to the present invention there is provided a method of digital video signal timecode data, the method comprising: assigning a first timecode to a timecode location in the video signal during recording; characterized by: providing a plurality of timecode locations in said video signal, the first timecode being assigned to a first of said timecode locations; and in a first editing step: reading the recorded first timecode; assigning the first timecode to a second of said timecode locations; assigning a current new timecode to the first of said timecode locations; and rerecording said timecodes; and in subsequent editing steps: reading the recorded timecodes; sequentially changing said timecode locations of the timecodes so that a current new timecode is assigned to the first of said timecode locations and the previous timecodes are shifted sequentially through the other of said timecode locations, if the total number of timecodes exceeds said plurality then the earliest of the timecodes being lost; and rerecording the timecodes. According to the present invention there is also provided apparatus for processing digital video signal timecode data, the apparatus comprising: means for assigning a first timecode to a timecode location in the video signal during recording; characterized by: a plurality of timecode locations being provided in said video signal, the first timecode being assigned to a first of said timecode locations; and means operative in a first editing step for: reading the recorded first timecode; assigning the first timecode to a second of said timecode locations; assigning a current new timecode to the first of said timecode locations; and rerecording said timecodes; and means in subsequent editing steps for: reading the recorded timecodes; sequentially changing said timecode locations of the timecodes so that a current new timecode is assigned to the first of said timecode locations and the previous timecodes are shifted sequentially through the other of said timecode locations, if the total number of timecodes exceeds said plurality then the earliest of the timecodes being lost; and rerecording the timecodes. Since the previous multiple timecodes are retained in the video signal, full editing information is preserved even after the final editing stage when the edit list is destroyed. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram showing timecode locations with respect to a timing reference signal; Figure 2 is a diagram showing the first three bytes following thetiming reference signal; Figure 3 is a diagram showing a vertical-interval timecode format; Figure 4 shows in block diagrammatic form part of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows in block diagrammatic form another part of the embodiment; and Figure 6 shows time charts for describing the operation of the part of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. In order to provide a plurality of timecodes, one line per field of the video signal can be used. In a 625-line television system this could be line 20, 21 or 22 in the first field and line 333, 334 or 335 in the second field. It is necessary for a particular line to be selected for a specific standard, and thereafter that line is used for timecode data. The available space is defined for the required number of timecodes, for example sixteen. In the 4:2:2 digital video recorder (DVTR) format, there are 1440 active data bytes per line. In accordance with EBU and SMPTE standards, a timecode occupies 72 active bits, including user and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code bits. The timecode can readily be packaged into eighteen video bytes, using a four to eight bit coding map which provides easy interfacing and avoids the need to use 00 H and FF H hexadecimal codes. Assuming only one line is available for the vertical-interval time-codes (VITCs), the total capacity can be as large as 1440/18 = 80 timecodes. If, as mentioned above, it is desired to provide sixteen timecodes, then 288 bytes (eighteen bytes per timecode) will be required. Since, the total capacity of each line is 80, only 20% of the active line time will be occupied, so double recording may be provided if extra security is required. Referring to Figure 1, the timecodes are utilised in a "push down stack" mode, in that at each generation, each timecode location is incremented by one. In other words, if the previous recording was generation N, then the current recording is N+1, assuming 0 ≦ N ≦ 15. This creates a space in location "0" which is then available for the new recording. After sixteen generations, the first recorded timecode is lost, since it "falls of the stack". If it is desired to recall a timecode from K generations ago, it is only necessary to decode the timecode in location K. As will be seen from Figure 1, the timecodes follow a timing reference signal (TRS), the TRS being defined by CCIR recommendation 601 for the transmission of digital video signals, and are directly related thereto, so that the location of a particular timecode can readily be accessed. In order to provide for subsequent processing of the timecodes, control bits can be defined in the bytes between the timing reference signal and the timecode "0". One example of a control bit format is shown in Figure 2, in which byte "0" has a single parity bit, two undefined bits and a multiple/single timecode (TC) determining bit. For example, if the TC determining bit is "0", this may indicate that the multiple timecode is inactive, that is, only a single timecode will be used in the signal processing; but if the bit is "1", it will be active. If multiple timecode is active, then the next four bits can define the generation number (maximum value fifteen) in simple binary form. Byte "1" includes a single parity bit and seven undefined bits, and therefore a total of nine bits in the bytes "0" and "1" is available for further use. Byte "2" is part of the current timecode "0", and subsequent bytes will form the remaining part of the current timecode "0" followed by the preceding timecodes. Figure 3 shows the EBU timecode format which can be used in the present case (relative to a longitudinal timecode - LTC). The SMPTE code format which is similar except for the synchronising bit location is also suitable. Figure 4 shows a circuit which can be used to process the timecode signals, for example during editing. A video signal reproduced from a first DVTR is supplied to an input terminal 10. A line selector 12 selects the particular line in each field containing the timecode data. A TRS detector 14 detects the TRS in the selected line to provide timing signals for a timing circuit 16, and also to enable a multiple/single timecode detector 18 which checks the appropriate bit (the fourth bit in the byte "0" in Figure 2) for multiple or single timecodes. If the multiple codes are detected, a last generation number detector 20 detects the appropriate generation number N (the fifth to eighth bits in the byte "0" in Figure 2). This number N can be displayed on a display 22, if desired. The last generation number N data is fed to the timing circuit 16 which supplies a timing signal to a timecode selector 24, causing the specific timecode associated with the generation number N to be decoded and sent for subsequent processing and recording. Alternatively, if a previous generation timecode is required, this can be provided by a set required generation number circuit 26. An incrementing circuit 28 sets the generation number N to N+1 so as to vacate the location for subsequent generation numbers and provide the "push down stack" effect. Figure 5 shows a circuit which can be used to move the timecodes down the stack prior to re-recording. The timecodes reproduced from the first DVTR are supplied to an input terminal 30, which is connected to an 18-byte period delay service 32 and to one input of a selector 34, the other input of which receives the output of the delay device 32. A timecode shift control signal is supplied by way of a terminal 36 to control the selector 34, the output of which is connected to an output terminal 38. The operation will be understood by referring also to the time charts of Figure 6. Figure 6A shows the timecodes "0" et seq, up to a maximum of timecode "15", and Figure 6B shows these timecodes as delayed by the delay device 32 for supply to the selector 34. If the timecodes are not to be shifted the timecode shift control signal is inactive, and the undelayed timecodes (Figure 6A) are supplied by the selector 34 to the output terminal 38. If a shift is to occur, the timecode shift control signal is active (Figure 6C) for fifteen timecode periods, causing the selector 34 to supply the delayed timecodes to the output terminal 38. In this case it is to be noted that the active duration of the timecode shift control signal is such that any timecode in the last (fifteenth generation) location (shown hatched) is lost, and the first location (shown hatched in Figure 6D) is made vacant to permit recording therein of a new timecode "0". Various modifications are of course possible without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims, and in particular the line or lines used for the timecodes, and the number, length, content and format of the timecodes can be changed as required

Claims: A method of processing digital video signal timecode data, the method comprising: assigning a first timecode to a timecode location in the video signal during recording; characterized by: providing a plurality of timecode locations in said video signal, the first timecode being assigned to a first of said timecode locations; and in a first editing step: reading the recorded first timecode; assigning the first timecode to a second of said timecode locations; assigning a current new timecode to the first of said timecode locations; and rerecording said timecodes; and in subsequent editing steps: reading the recorded timecodes; sequentially changing said timecode locations of the timecodes so that a current new timecode is assigned to the first of said timecode locations and the previous timecodes are shifted sequentially through the other of said timecode locations, if the total number of timecodes exceeds said plurality then the earliest of the timecodes being lost; and rerecording the timecodes. A method according to claim 1 wherein the timecodes are assigned to locations in a line of the video signal occurring during a vertical interval. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the timecodes are preceded by control bits comprising generation number data and data confirming that multiple timecodes are present in the video signal. A method according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said timecodes are vertical interval timecodes. Apparatus for processing digital video signal timecode data, the apparatus comprising: means for assigning a first timecode to a timecode location in the video signal during recording; characterized by: a plurality of timecode locations being provided in said video signal, the first timecode being assigned to a first of said timecode locations; and means (20) operative in a first editing step for: reading the recorded first timecode; assigning the first timecode to a second of said timecode locations; assigning a current new timecode to the first of said timecode locations; and rerecording said timecodes; and means (20, 28) in subsequent editing steps for: reading the recorded timecodes; sequentially changing said timecode locations of the timecodes so that a current new timecode is assigned to the first of said timecode locations and the previous timecodes are shifted sequentially through the other of said timecode locations, if the total number of timecodes exceeds said plurality then the earliest of the timecodes being lost; and rerecording the timecodes. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said timecodes are vertical interval timecodes.

Inventors: LINCE, ROBIN LUCIEN, WILKINSON, JAMES HEDLEY
Applicants: SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G11B27
IPC codes: G11B27