PLAYBACK APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING A VIDEO SIGNAL RECORDED ON AN INFORMATION CARRIER

Abstract: An apparatus for playing back a first video signal recorded on a record carrier is disclosed. The apparatus comprises first read means (2) for reading the first video signal from the record carrier in order to supply it to an output (14). The apparatus further comprises means for receiving messages (6) and means for storing the messages in a storage medium (8). Second read means (10) are adapted to read one or more messages from the storage medium (8) and to generate a second video signal in dependence on a control signal. The second video signal is supplied to the output (14) in dependence on the control signal. The control signal is generated autonomously by generator means (16). The control signal may be generated periodically. The messages may be announcements or publicity information from organizations but may also be commercials.

Description: Playback apparatus for reproducing a video signal recorded on an information carrier. The invention relates to a playback apparatus for reproducing a first video signal recorded on an information carrier, comprising first read means for reading the first video signal from the information carrier and for supplying the first video signal to an output. A playback apparatus of the type defined in the opening paragraph is generally known in the form of a video recorder. The known playback apparatus reproduces a first video signal recorded on the information carrier. The information carrier can be a tape or disc with prerecorded video material or an information carrier with home-recorded video material. More and more frequently, organizations wish to bring messages to the attention of the public. These messages may contain information about the organizations themselves, about the work they do or about products and/or services they offer. The messages may also be commercials. However, when a person uses the known playback apparatus these messages cannot reach him. It is an object of the invention to provide a playback apparatus by means of which during the reproduction of the first video signal other messages which may be of interest to the user are reproduced autonomously. To this end, a playback apparatus in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means for receiving a multitude of messages, means for storing the received messages in a storage medium, second read means for reading at least one of the messages from the storage medium under the influence of a control signal in order to obtain a second video signal, means for supplying the second video signal to the output under the influence of the control signal, and generator means for autonomously generating the control signal. The playback apparatus receives messages and stores them in the storage medium. At instants which are determined by the playback apparatus itself one or more messages are read from the storage medium and are supplied to the output of the playback apparatus. A users will then see one or more of the previously received messages. In a preferred embodiment of the playback apparatus one or more messages are reproduced periodically. Thus, stored messages will be shown to the user with some degree of regularity, as a result of which he will be better informed of the content of the messages. A further embodiment of the playback apparatus in accordance with the invention is adapted to supply the second video signal instead of the first video signal to the output under the influence of the control signal. Preferably, reading of the first video signal is interrupted, as a result of which the user can view the whole video signal from the information carrier. Another embodiment of the playback apparatus is characterized in that the means for supplying the second video signal are adapted to combine the second video signal with, the first video signal so as to obtain a compound video signal and to supply the compound video signal to the output. Displaying the compound video signal yields pictures in which the first and the second video signal are visible. The picture may, for example, be divided into two parts, one part showing the first video signal and the other part showing the second video signal. It is also possible to display the second video signal as a sub-picture in the pictures of the first video signal. This embodiment has the advantage that during reproduction of one or more received messages the reproduction of the first video signal is not interrupted. The means for receiving the messages may comprise a modem or a tuner. Thus, the messages can be received and stored in a simple manner via a telephone line, a cable or a satellite receiver, respectively. Preferably, a hard disc is used for the storage of the messages in such a manner that enough messages can be stored. The more messages are stored, the less often will a given message be reproduced automatically. These and other aspects of the invention will be elucidated with reference to the embodiment described in the following figure description in which. figure 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, figure 2 shows a first example of a picture of a compound video signal, and figure 3 shows a second example of a picture of a compound video signal. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus includes first read means 2 for reading a first video signal from an information carrier. In Figure 1 said first read means 2 take the form of a device for reading a tape. Alternatively, the first read means may be adapted to read the first video signal from a disc-shaped record carrier. The information carrier may be a purchased or a rented film or may contain home-recorded video material. The playback apparatus has input 4 for receiving messages. The messages may, for example, contain publicity from companies or institutions, information about events, or commercials. The messages may comprise motion pictures but they can also be spoken messages without images, or they may comprise only text. The messages can be applied to the input via a telephone line, in which case the means 6 for receiving messages take the form of a modem. Other forms of the receiving means are, for example, a satellite receiver or a tuner. The received messages are applied to storage means 8. The storage means may comprise a RAM, HDD or a tape. The storage means can store a multitude of messages. The second read means 10 are adapted to read at least one message from the storage means 8 under the influence of a control signal and to generate a second video signal. The second video signal then comprises one or more of the messages read from the storage means 8. Means 12 are adapted to supply the second video signal to the output terminal 14 under the influence of the control signal. The output terminal 14 of the playback apparatus may be coupled to a picture display device in the form of a monitor, TV set or a PC. Control means 16 are adapted to generate the control signal. The control signal is applied to the second read means 10 for reading messages from the storage means 8 and the means 12. Depending on the implementation of the means 12 the control signal is applied or is not applied to the first read means 2. The control means 16 generate the control signal autonomously of the user. The playback apparatus in accordance with the invention operates as follows. The means 6 have their input coupled to a medium via which messages can be transmitted. The medium may be a network of terrestrial connections, cable connections, satellite connections or telephone connections. The means 6 receive the messages, upon which the storage means 8 store these messages. Receiving the messages may take place, for example, in the night-time. As long as the user wishes to reproduce the first video signal recorded on the information carrier, the control means 16 generate the control signal independently of the user and preferably at more or less regular intervals, for example every half hour. The second read means 10 read at least one of the messages from the storage means 8 under the influence of the control signal and supply these messages to the means 12 as the second video signal. Under the influence of the control signal the means 12 supply the second video signal to the output terminal 14. The pictures corresponding to the second video signal are displayed on a picture display device coupled to the output terminal. In a first variant of the means 12 they are adapted to supply the second video signal instead of the first video signal under the influence of the control signal. Alternately, the first or the second video signal is applied to the output terminal 14. If the playback apparatus includes this variant of the means 12 the first read means 2 are preferably adapted to interrupt reading of the first video signal from the information carrier under the influence of the control signal. As soon as the control signal is generated, reading of the first video signal and the application of the first video signal to the output is stopped. The second video signal is applied to the output during the presence of the control signal. When the control signal ceases reading of the first video signal is resumed and this signal is applied to the output. Thus, the playback apparatus will present the whole video signal recorded on the information carrier at the output. In a second variant of the means 12 they are adapted to combine the second video signal with the first video signal so as to form a compound video signal and to supply the compound signal to the output 14. When the compound video signal is reproduced on a picture display device the pictures are divided into two parts. Figures 2 and 3 show a first and a second example of a picture of the compound video signal. In a first part (20, 30) of the picture at least a portion of the pictures of the first video signal. The pictures of the second video signal are displayed in a second part (22, 32). Figure 2 shows that the second part can be a window in the first part. A portion of a picture of the first video signal is then overwritten by the second video signal. In this case one or more messages are then displayed in a window in the pictures of, for example, a film. It is also possible for the pictures corresponding to the compound video signal to be divided into two parts, the first video signal being displayed in the one part and the second video signal being displayed in the other part. Moreover, for example the sound of the first video signal may be replaced or combined with the sound of the second video signal if the message is only a spoken message. If a message comprises only graphic text it can be reproduced, for example, in the form of teletext pages. It is also possible to display the text in the picture by means of, for example, a scrolling bar. The first video signal can then be displayed at the same time, for example in a sub-picture. Figure 3 shows an example in which the picture corresponding to the compound signal has been divided into an upper part (30) and a lower part (32). Pictures of the first video signal are displayed in the upper part and pictures with graphic text are displayed in the lower part. The text can be scrolled through the lower part, for example from right to left. It is also possible to display each time a following portion of the text in the lower part, for example in the form of subtitling. The playback apparatus may include means for the detection of messages in the first video signal and the generation of a detection signal. The control means 16 generate the control signal in response to the detection signal. The means 12 are then preferably adapted to supply the second video signal instead of the first video signal to the output terminal. Reading of the first video signal from the information carrier is not interrupted as long as a message is detected in the first video signal. However, the messages in the first video signal are now replaced with messages read from the storage medium. For example, if the second video signal continues for a longer time than the detected message in the first video signal, reading of the first video signal may be interrupted. As soon as the whole second video signal has been applied to the output terminal reading is resumed and subsequently the first video signal is applied to the output terminal. Thus, during playback of the first video signal the messages present in the first video signal are replaced with messages read from the storage medium and are supplied to a picture display device. In this manner, the usually outdated messages, or messages which are not specifically aimed at the user, in the first video signal are replaced with messages stored in the storage medium, which are more relevant to the user. Preferably, the playback apparatus further includes means which detect that no new messages have been received by the receiving means 6 during a given period, for example a week. The reception of new messages can be impossible because the connection with, for example, the cable is interrupted. If no messages have been received this is brought to the attention of the user by the means. This can be effected, for example, in that a message is added to the second video signal to indicate that no new messages have been received. The user can then take action to restore the reception of new messages. The control means may further include means for the management of the messages stored in the storage medium 8. When the storage medium is at least substantially completely filled with messages previously stored messages must be overwritten with newly received messages. Criteria whether a stored message may be replaced are, for example, the date at which the message has been stored or the number of times that a message has been read by the second read means 10. These criteria may also depend on the interests of the user, so that messages which are of less interest to the user are overwritten with message which are of more interest to the user. In this way, the messages displayed for the user are better in keeping with his interest profile. The apparatus includes entry means for specifying his interests. For example, the entry means may be adapted to load an interest profile. Furthermore, the entry means may also allow the user to indicate while a message is being displayed whether he prefers to see or not to see similar messages in future. Although the invention has been described on the basis of preferred embodiments, it will be evident that these embodiments are non-limitative examples. Thus, various modifications are conceivable to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the Claims. Thus, it is possible, for example, to combine the information carrier which stores the first video signal and the storage medium which stores the messages may be combined if signals can be read from the medium at a sufficiently high rate. Types of media which are suitable for this purpose are, for example, a hard disc or solid- state memories. Furthermore, reference symbols do not limit the scope of the Claims. The invention can be implemented by software as well as hardware means and different means may be represented by the same item or hardware. The use of the verb "to comprise" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those mentioned in the Claims. Moreover, the use of the indefinite article "a" before an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In addition, the invention resides in any novel feature or combination of features.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A playback apparatus for reproducing a first video signal recorded on an information carrier, comprising first read means for reading the first video signal from the information carrier and for supplying the first video signal to an output, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means for receiving a multitude of messages, means for storing the received messages in a storage medium, second read means for reading at least one of the messages from the storage medium under the influence of a control signal in order to obtain a second video signal, means for supplying the second video signal to the output under the influence of the control signal, and generator means for autonomously generating the control signal. 2. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the generator means are adapted to generate the control signal periodically. 3. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for supplying are adapted to supply the second video signal instead of the first video signal to the output under the influence of the control signal. 4. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that the first read means are further adapted to interrupt, under the influence of the control signal, reading of the first video signal. 5. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for supplying the second video signal are adapted to combine the second video signal with the first video signal in order to obtain a compound video signal and to supply the compound video signal to the output. 6. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the compound video signal contains pictures in each of which both the first and the second video signal are visible. 7. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the compound video signal contains pictures in which the second video signal is visible in a part of a picture of the first video signal. 8. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the means for receiving the multitude of messages comprise a modem. 9. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the means for receiving the multitude of messages comprise a tuner. 10. A playback apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the storage medium comprises a hard disc.

Inventors: TREFFERS MENNO A, TREFFERS, MENNO, A.
Applicants: KONINKL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04N5