Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a digital video recorder and player and more particularly, to a multimedia digital video recorder and player, which is controllable to detect abnormal conditions in a place and to record/play audio video during detection. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In our living environment, unexpected conditions happen frequently. When an unexpected condition happened, a proper handling procedure should be enforced immediately to prevent serious consequences. For example, when a gas leakage, fire, intrusion of evil or any other unexpected condition happens, people may suffer a financial loss, property damage or body injury. Further, burglary, robbery, fighting and killing cases usually occur in public places. How to prevent these cases? One of the best ways is to install a security system. A security system can be installed in an assigned place to detect any abnormal changes indoors as well as outdoors, and to trigger an alarm when an abnormal condition is detected. 
         [0005]    A regular CC-TV security system uses a tape recorder to record video signal obtained from the connected video cameras. Because a tape recorder for a regular CC-TV security system adopts simulation model, its resolution is not high. Further, a video tape for a taper recorder cannot record much video data. Therefore, the video tape of the tape recorder of a CC-TV security system must be frequently replaced. Further, a CC-TV security system uses many cables to connect video cameras, video monitors and other peripheral apparatus to the host unit. Further, the operation of a CC-TV security system must be controlled by means of the buttons at the face panel of the host unit. In actual practice, the use of a CC-TV security system has the following drawbacks:
       1. The host unit has neither image storage means for storing monitored image signal directly nor transmission interface means for transmitting monitored image signal to an external memory. Using a tape recorder to record monitored image signal is inconvenient. The user must frequently replace the video tape because it can only record image signal for about one hour.   2. The host unit can only record monitored image signal in a video tape. For viewing monitored image signal recorded in a video tape, the user must use a video player to play the video tape. In case of emergency, the best chance to handle the case may be missed.   3. The host unit does not have any built-in memory device for recording monitored image data. When the connected tape recorder fails or the video tape is used up, the image recording function is stopped, reducing the protection.       
 
         [0009]    In the present digital era, the conventional analog image processing method has been gradually replaced by digital image processing methods. The creation of DVR (Digital Video Recorder) greatly expands the functioning of a monitoring system. A digital video recorder allows transmission of recorded digital video signal to an external display or data storage device either through a cable or network, or wirelessly. A DVR has built-in hard disk drive for recording digital image data. However, the data storage capacity is limited. Further, a DVR does not allow for real time data access. Data access and recording must be separately operated. A DVR also does not allow connection of an external memory card, memory stick or hard disk drive. When viewing the recorded digital image data, an external video monitor must be used. The installation of an external video monitor requires much space and cost. Further, certain digital video recorders have a complicated control system with multiple operation buttons. For controlling complicated digital video recorders, a MIS (Management Information System) may have to be used with a computer for operation control by a skilled or well-trained person. 
         [0010]    In general, the use of a digital video recorder in a security system has many drawbacks as follows: 
         [0011]    1. Because a digital video recorder in a security system works 24 hours a day, the service life of the built-in hard disk drive is greatly shortened (normally about 3˜4 months). Changing the built-in hard disk drive is complicated. 
         [0012]    2. A regular digital video recorder for security system does not allow for playing audio/video when recording monitored image data. For playing audio/video, a video monitor and a video player must be installed. The installation of these devices requires much extra space. 
         [0013]    3. A regular digital video recorder for security system has only one single operation control interface with multiple control buttons. The use of this kind of digital video recorder requires a training course or learning step. 
         [0014]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide a multimedia digital video recorder and player that eliminates the aforesaid problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. 
         [0016]    According to one aspect of the present invention, the multimedia digital video recorder and player is comprised of a display for audio and video signal output, a digital video recorder and player module and a multimedia player module. The digital video recorder and player module comprises a central processing unit, a memory unit electrically connected to the central processing unit for storing data, a control interface electrically connected to the central processing unit for the connection of an external control device for controlling the operation of the central processing unit, a signal processing unit electrically connected to the central processing unit for receiving audio/video signals from external signal source means and editing received audio/video signals, the signal processing unit comprising a signal converter for converting analog signals into digital signals, a signal transmission interface electrically connected between the central processing unit and the display and controllable by the central processing unit for output to the display, and an external signal interface electrically connected to the central processing unit for input of external audio/video signals from external signal storage means. The multimedia player module is mounted on one side of the digital video recorder and player module and electrically connected to the central processing unit, comprising an audio/video decoder electrically connected to the central processing unit for editing audio and video signals and an audio/video interface electrically connected to the display for audio and video signal output. The human engineered design of the multimedia digital video recorder and player is convenient for operation control. The external control device can be a mouse, keyboard or remote controller. Touch screen may be provided for clicking to select the monitoring mode or playing mode. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the memory unit can be a built-in hard disk drive or mobile hard disk drive. Further, the external signal interface can be a memory card slot for the connection of a memory card, a USB interface for the connection of a USB compatible multimedia player or a network interface for the connection of a network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a multimedia digital video recorder and player according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a circuit block diagram of the multimedia digital video recorder and player according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a circuit block diagram of a part of the multimedia digital video recorder and player according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a circuit block diagram of a part of the multimedia digital video recorder and player according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a system block diagram of an alternate form of the multimedia digital video recorder and player according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a circuit block diagram of a part of the multimedia digital video recorder and player according to the alternate form of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1˜4 , a multimedia digital video recorder and player in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a digital video recorder and player module  1 , a display  2  and a multimedia module  3 . 
         [0025]    The digital video recorder and player module  1  comprises a CPU  11  for video editing and control, a memory unit  12  electrically connected to the CPU  11  for storing data, a control interface  13  electrically connected to the CPU  11  for the connection of an external control device  131 , a signal processing unit  14  electrically connected to the CPU  11  and having a signal converter  141  for signal format conversion, and a signal transmission interface  15  electrically connected to the CPU  11  for transmitting video signal, and an external signal interface  16  electrically connected to the CPU  11  for input of external signal from an external signal source. 
         [0026]    The display  2  comprises a video interface  21  an audio interface  22 . 
         [0027]    The multimedia player module  3  comprises an A/V decoder  31  capable of editing audio and video signals, and an A/V interface  32 . The A/V interface  32  comprises a video interface  321  electrically connected to the video interface  21  of the display  2 , and an audio interface  322  electrically connected to the audio interface  22  of the display  2 . 
         [0028]    The signal transmission interface  15  of the digital video recorder and player module  1  is electrically connected to the video interface  21  of the display  2  to transmit video signals from video cameras  4  to the display  2  for image display. 
         [0029]    The external signal interface  16  can be a multimedia (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory card slot, A/V recorder/player) interface, USB interface, RS485 interface, RS232 interface or network interface adapted to receive an external A/V signal source and to transmit an external A/V signal from the connected external A/V signal source to the CPU  11 , for enabling the CPU  11  to transmit the received external A/V signal to the multimedia player module  3 . Upon receipt of the external A/V signal from the CPU  11 , the A/V decoder  31  of the multimedia player module  3  decodes the external A/V signal, and then the video interface  321  and the audio interface  322  of A/V interface  32  transmit the decoded video signal and the decoded audio signal to the video interface  21  and the audio interface  22  of the display  2  for output. Thus, when the display  2  is playing video signals received by the CPU  11  from the connected video cameras  4 , the CPU  11  synchronously receives an external A/V signal from the connected external A/V signal source and transmits the received external A/V signal to the multimedia player module  3 , which decodes the received external A/V signal and transmits the decoded video signal and the decoded audio signal to the video interface  21  and the audio interface  22  of the display  2  for output. Therefore, the multimedia digital video recorder and player of the present invention provides an audio/video player function while running a screen recording and monitoring function. 
         [0030]    The A/V decoder  31  of the multimedia player module  3  is designed to decode or encode format signals, such as MPEG4 VIDEO, MPEG2 MOVIE, MPEG1 VIDEO, MOTION JPEG and JPEG PHOTO, and audio format signals, such as S/PD IF DIGITAL AUDIO, ACC AUDIO, AC-3 AUDIO, MP3 MUSIC and ESS MUSIC, thereby fitting the play format of the display  2 . 
         [0031]    Further, the CPU  11  of the digital video recorder and player module  1  has a built-in compression function, and the compression format can be MotionJPEG, MPEG4 or H.264. 
         [0032]    The A/V data obtained from each connected video camera  4  is processed by the signal processing unit  14  and then transmitted to the CPU  11  for storing in the memory unit  12 . The user can fetch storage video data from the memory unit  12  through the CPU  11 , and send the fetched video data through the external signal interface  16  to an external data storage means for storage. 
         [0033]    The external control device  131  that is connected to the control interface  13  can be a mouse, keyboard, remote controller or control buttons on the surface of the digital video recorder and player module  1 . The control buttons are human factor engineered for convenient operation. Through the external control device  131 , the user can directly click the operation interface displayed on the screen of the display  2 , thereby controlling the operation of the digital video recorder and player module  1 . This control operation is simple and convenient. An ordinary, non-professional person uses the system. It is not necessary to install a MIS (Management Information System) to control the operation of the digital video recorder and player module  1 . Through the external control device  131 , a non-professional person can control the operation of the digital video recorder and player module  1  conveniently. Further, the signal converter  141  of the signal processing unit  14  can be an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter that processes image signal from each video camera  4  connected thereto, i.e., converts analog image signal into digital image signal and then transmits the converted digital image signal to the memory unit  12  for storage and to the display  2  through the signal transmission interface  15  for display under the control of the CPU  11 . The memory unit  12  can be comprised of a built-in or internal HDD (Hard Disk Drive) memory card, or any of a variety of data storage devices for storing image data obtained from the connected video cameras  4 . As stated above, the external signal interface  16  can be a multimedia (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory card slot, A/V recorder/player) interface, USB interface, RS485 interface, RS282 interface or network interface adapted to receive an external A/V signal source and to transmit an external A/V signal from the connected external A/V signal source to the CPU  11 , for enabling the CPU  11  to transmit the received external A/V signal to the multimedia player module  3 . The memory card slot is designed to receive SD/MS card, CF card, and SM/XD card. The USB interface is for the connection of the USB connector of an external mobile memory stick, hard disk drive, MP3 player, MP4 player, multimedia storage device or the like. By means of the external signal interface  16 , the user can expand the memory capacity of the multimedia digital video recorder and player and make a copy of video data obtained from the connected video cameras  4  in an external storage device. The external signal interface  16  can be a network interface, Land Viewer or RJ45 for the connection of a remote computer through a network for remote monitoring. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in addition to the connection of video cameras  4 , the signal converter  141  of the signal processing unit  14  allows for the connection of an external video signal source (analog or digital TV signal)  5  through a coaxial cable. The signal processing unit  14  has a built-in video decoder that decodes video signal from the connected external video signal source  5  into the format of the display  2 , for enabling the decoded video signal to be transmitted by the CPU  11  through the signal transmission interface  15  to the display  2  for display. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  again, by means of the built-in network interface or Land Viewer, a person at a remote site can monitor the multimedia digital video recorder and player through a network, for example, the Internet. The digital video recorder and player module  1  can be designed having an image display editing interface so that the control person can edit the images displaying on the display  2  (such as, split image, PIP/POP, replay, etc.). By means of the external control device  131  (mouse, keyboard, remote controller, etc.), the user can directly click the operation interface displayed on the screen of the display  2  to control the operation of the digital video recorder and player module  1 . This control operation is simple and convenient. The display unit  2  may be designed to provide an UI (User Interface) for operation control. By means of the external control device  131  (mouse, keyboard, remote controller, etc.), the user can click the function options on the UI. Therefore, old or young people who are not familiar with electronic device can operate the multimedia digital video recorder and player conveniently. The digital video recorder and player module  1  may be provided with a trigger interface such that the CPU  11  outputs a trigger signal through the external signal interface  16  to trigger an external security/alarm system when the monitored signal differs from the predetermined reference level. 
         [0036]    When an external multimedia player is connected to the external signal interface  16  of the digital video recorder and player module  1 , the user can operate the external control device  131  of the digital video recorder and player module  1  to control the CPU  11  through the control interface  13 , enabling the output A/V signal of the multimedia player to be transmitted to the display  2  for output. The display  2  can be a touch screen display built in the digital video recorder and player module  1 , having a touch control unit  23  for touch control. By means of the touch control unit  23 , the user can directly click the display  2  to control the operation of the digital video recorder and player module  1  without through the external control device  131 . By means of the external signal interface  16 , an external multimedia player, such as, DVD-ROM, VCD-ROM, CD-ROM, MEDIA PLAYER, digital video recorder/player, burner, etc., can be connected to the digital video recorder and player module  1  for recording video data stored in the memory unit  12 , obtained from the connected video cameras  4  or playing audio and video on the display  2 . 
         [0037]    As indicated above, the invention provides a multimedia digital video recorder and player comprising a digital video recorder and player module  1 , a display  2  and a multimedia player module  3 . The digital video recorder and player module  1  comprises an image processing unit  14  for processing video signals from connected external video cameras  4  and/or connected TV video signal source for display on a built-in display  2  subject to the control of a CPU  11  as well as for storage in a memory unit  12 , and an external signal interface  16  for transmitting external A/V signal from an external A/V signal source to a built-in multimedia player module  3  for output through the display  2  after processing through an A/V decoder  31  in the multimedia player module  3 . By means of the external signal interface  16 , video data obtained from the connected video cameras  4  can be stored in an external data storage means. 
         [0038]    As stated above, the multimedia digital video recorder and player of the present invention has the following features and advantages: 
         [0039]    1. By means of the control of the CPU  11 , images obtained from the connected video cameras  4  and processed through the signal processing unit  14  can be transmitted through the signal transmission interface  15  to the video interface  21  of the display  2  for display on the screen of the display  2 . 
         [0040]    2. Audio and/or video signals obtained from the connected video cameras  4  can be stored in the memory unit  12  or an external data storage means that is connected to the external signal interface  16 . By means of the external signal interface  16 , a multimedia player can be connected to the digital video recorder and player module  1  to fetch storage data from the memory unit  12  for making a backup. 
         [0041]    3. The display  2  and the multimedia player module  3  are built in the digital video recorder and player module  1 , eliminating the wire tangling problem. The external signal interface  16  allows for the connection of an external data storage device, such as memory card, memory stick, mobile hard disk drive, or a computer or electronic device having data storage means directly or through the Internet. 
         [0042]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5