Method of recording, reproduction and editing of a digital data stream, corresponding consumer electronics apparatus and computer program product

p0001A method for recording, reproducing and for cutting a digital data stream and unit of consumer electronics and computer program product for implementing the method

p0002The invention relates to a method for recording a digital data stream having contained therein coding parameters using a receiving device for receiving a digital data stream, a recording device for recording the digital data stream, and a recognition device for recognizing predetermined coding parameters of the digital data stream.

p0003Digital data streams contained therein encoding parameters are known, for example, as a television and radio signals. A recording of such signals for the purpose of later playback serves to archive broadcasts or deferred to look and to listen.

p0004Device and method for recording such digital data streams include, for example analog and digital video recorders, which record a predetermined television signal between a start and an end time on removable media such as a videocassette or a recordable video disk (DVD-R). also computers and other multimedia devices are increasingly being used to a record. The recording is then often on a hard drive or other non-volatile storage.

p0005In particular television programs are interrupted frequently by advertising or other disturbing elements, such as references to subsequent programs or news headlines. At a later viewing those unwanted interruptions should be ignored if possible or are not even recorded.

p0006Here, a marking of interruptions by the sender of the data stream is technically possible, but is often not carried out due to economic considerations. For particular private television broadcasters are dependent on the revenue generated by advertising. A recognition of the interfering program interruptions must therefore be carried out at the receiver.

p0007Technically, the problem is that when recording a show including the disturbing elements, the total recording time is very large. Thus, for example, high utilization of storage capacity, the recording capacity of a data carrier used is insufficient or when digital recording devices required.

p0008To solve this problem, various approaches are known. A solution is utilized for example utilizes the fact that a provider of a data stream often memorize its own indicator in the data stream. This can eg be a TV station logo, which appears during the broadcast of a program, during the broadcast of program interruption is suppressed. The presence of such a mark can be detected using image recognition algorithms, so that a recording of the data stream during the suppression of the plate is also suppressed. Such an approach has the disadvantage that not all interruptions can be detected reliably. For example, those merchants own indicator used during the broadcast of program announcements or news bulletins. Moreover, such a license plate recognition is technically complex and particularly difficult when the impressed mark not clear deposits from the digital data stream. This is for example the case when a logo of a TV station which broadcast television signal comes very close in color.

p0009Come for recording the digital data stream to a computer or other device with a data connection to use the Internet, information on crop marks, indicate the interruption of the data stream, also from a data network such as received. In this program breaks are detected manually, for example by a service provider and transmit corresponding cut marks on the recording device from customers of the service provider. The recording apparatus of the customer can evaluate the received cut marks and pause recording at the predetermined locations.

p0010Such a solution to the recipient of the digital data stream can appear in additional costs. Firstly, it must comply with the additional service provider, which provides the interface marks the program breaks, pay for his services, on the other hand has during the recording of the digital data stream made a connection to a data network. In addition, often marks for all the available data streams are provided, but only for those which are either in a certain time period, eg in the evening 18-24 pm, or only to those that are broadcast by certain channels of digital data streams. If a digital data stream to be recorded, for no crop marks the program interruption will be provided, the method can not be applied.

p0011The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method that a reliable detection of program interruptions allowed, wherein information contained only been in the digital data stream to be used. It is such a process to be easy to implement and do not incur additional costs for the recipient of the digital data stream.

p0012The object is achieved by a method according to claim. 1

p0013The inventive method makes use of that digital data streams also contain coding parameters of the digital data stream in addition to the payload data contained therein. For example, a digital television signal encoding parameters, which include the screen resolution used, the screen format used and have contained soundtracks. While movies often a picture format with an aspect ratio of 16, for example: use 9, advertisements usually to match the picture ratio of 4 are: 3 adapted. Therefore, a change of the aspect ratio of 16: 3, for example, used it to detect interruptions in a feature film: 9: 4. Other encoding parameters, such as the change from Stereozu Monotony or 5-channel sound on 2-channel can also be used for the differentiation of program interruptions.

p0014Since a single encoding parameters, such as the insufficient number of tracks used, often for reliable detection of program interruptions, the digital data stream is monitored in an advantageous embodiment of the invention to a change of several encoding parameters. Upon detecting the change of at least one of the predetermined coding parameters while an event signal is generated, for example in the form of a accommodated in the recorded data stream additional marking or in the form of a parallel data stored to the data stream table, the information on the position of the change within the data stream and the nature contains the change. In the subsequent playback or the section of the recorded digital data stream that can be used for the determination of program interruptions then either single or a combination of a plurality of coding parameters.

p0015In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the recording unit analyzes a recorded digital data stream associated marks or event signals itself and selects based on statistical information those markers or signals, the program breaks mark.

p0016In a further embodiment of the invention, the recorded marks are the user of the digital data stream displayed so the user can select to be used for cutting or for reproducing marks.

p0017Further details and embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

p0018The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:<ul><li>Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus for performing the method according to the invention,</li><li>Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a originally received data stream of a recorded data stream and a cut data stream,</li><li>Figure 3 is a flowchart of a first method for reproducing a digital data stream that was recorded with the inventive method,</li><li>Figure 4 is a flowchart of a second method for reproducing a digital data stream that was recorded with the inventive method,</li><li>Figure 5 is a table with exemplary entries to detected changes of monitored encoding parameters,</li><li>Figure 6 is a table with exemplary entries for jumps from start to end of interruptions.</li></ul>

p00191 shows a recording device 1 which includes a receiving device 2, a detection device 3, and a recording apparatus 4th The recording device 1 is connected to an antenna 5 and a reproducing apparatus. 6

p0020In the recording device 1 may be, for example, a personal computer. When receiving device 2 can be used for example a television card to receive digital television broadcasts in accordance with the MPEG-2 (Motion Picture Expert Group) or MPEG-4 standard. As recognition device 3 can, for example, a simple parser which monitors the received data stream to predetermined characteristics such as specific bit patterns out are used. Alternatively, for example, points on the television card special-purpose processor to the full decoding of MPEG signals, or a decoding program that runs on a existing in the computer processor, may be used to decode the entire data stream including the encoding parameters contained therein. As the recording device 4 can be used for example a built-in computer hard drive to record the received data stream and any additionally created table with entries to the type and position of the change of coding parameters.

p0021When reproducing apparatus 6, for example, is a connected to the computer monitor with built-in speakers.

p0022Of course, the receiving apparatus 2, the detection device 3 and the recording apparatus 4 may be housed in different devices. For example, an external, so-called set-top box for receiving and decoding a broadcast digital data stream can be used with it contains encoding parameters, wherein the recording by an additional device such as a DVD recorder, takes place.

p00232 shows a temporal diagram of a digital data stream having contained therein encoding parameters. Part 2A shows a digital data stream 7, the program blocks 8, and interruptions contains. 9 and 10 In addition, the digital data stream contains 7 coding parameters eleventh

p0024In the example shown in Figure 2, the program blocks 8a, 8b and 8c, the image and sound information of a feature film should contain. The associated coding parameters 11a, 11d and 11f contain information that the movie in stereo and with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 broadcast. The interruption 9 contains a program preview, which also with the aspect ratio of 16: 9 broadcast. However, used the interruption 9, the so-called 5.1-Mehrkanaltonverfahren. The corresponding encoding parameters 11b are also included in the digital data stream. 7 The program breaks 10a and 10b contain advertising. The associated coding parameters 11c and 11e contain the information that the interruptions 10a and 10b are broadcast in stereo sound and the image format used an aspect ratio of 4: 3 has.

p0025In recording the digital data stream 7 by the recording device 1 of the digital data stream is monitored by the detection device 7 3 to changes in the coding parameters eleventh Here 9 and 10 also marks 13 are recorded along with the program blocks 8 and the interruptions, characterize the changes in the coding parameters 11th The markings 13 can for example be recorded in a separate file directly in the recorded data stream 12 or in a table. A table 17 with the appropriate information for the embodiment shown in FIG. 5

p0026Figure 2B shows the recorded digital data stream 12. The recorded data stream 12 contains the program blocks 8, and the interruptions 9 and 10. In the embodiment of the recorded data stream 12, the markings produced by the detection device 3 contains additional 13. The marking 13a marks the transition from stereo on 5.1-channel. The mark 13b denotes the transition from 5.1-channel surround sound to stereo sound and the transition from an aspect ratio of 16: 9 to a screen ratio of 4: 3. The mark 13c contains information about a transition from one image ratio of 4: 3 to an aspect ratio of 16: 9. The mark 13d contains the information of a transition from the aspect ratio of 16: 9 to a screen ratio of 4: 3, and the mark 13e containing information about a transition from one image ratio of 4: 3 to an aspect ratio of 16: 9.

p0027During the reproduction of the recorded data stream 12 by the recording device 1 and the reproducing apparatus 6, the marks 13 are analyzed, for instance by the recognition device 3rd

p0028In the example used here, neither the information on the aspect ratio used even the information on the number of recorded audio items are alone sufficient to recognize the interruptions. 9 and 10 Through a combination of different coding parameters 11, the program breaks may be 9 and 10, however, detected. It can be detected by evaluating the information contained in the markings 13 that the information of the marker 13a, 13b and 13c cancel out, as well as the information contained in the marks 13d and 13e.

p0029the interruptions can while playing the recorded digital data stream 12 9 and 10 therefore by jumping 14a of the cut mark 13a to the cut mark 13c or by jumping 14b of the cut mark 13d to cut mark 13e are excluded from playing. Information during playback to use jumps 14 can also either be accommodated in the recorded data stream 12 itself or in a separate data stream 12 associated table 18 or file is stored. Figure 6 shows a separate table 18 with information about the two jumps 14a and 14b of the embodiment.

p0030The playback of an inventively recorded data stream 12 can be done in two different ways. In the first method for reproducing containing the markings 13 Information to be evaluated promptly for reproducing the recorded data stream 12 and used to control playback. In the second method, the total evaluation of all markers 13 carried out before the start of play, the result for later use can also be stored.

p00313 shows a flowchart for a first method for reproducing an inventively recorded digital data stream 12 is shown. After starting playback of the recorded data stream is monitored 12 markers 13 contained either in the data stream 12 or be promptly read from a corresponding table 17 with changes in coding parameters 11th As long as no marker is detected 13, the playback of the stream 12 continues. If a marker detected 13, it is checked, for example, by the detection device 3 based on predetermined criteria whether the detected mark 13 the beginning of an interruption 9 or 10 marks. Denotes the mark 13 is not the beginning of a break 9 or 10, the reproduction is continued as before, that is, the reproduced data stream 12 is, optionally with the use of the table 17, further monitored for markings thirteenth

p0032Identifies the marker 13, however, the start of an interruption 9 or 10 in the data stream 12, the playback of the data stream 12 by the reproducing means 6 is interrupted. The data stream 12 or the table 17 are then screened for additional marks 13 out. Here, the recorded data stream can be processed 12 required for example in higher speed than for playback. Alternatively, the table 17 with information about location information of all occurring in the data stream 12 marks 13 are used, which allow a direct light-off of individual markers. 13

p0033If another marker 13 in the data stream 12 or the table 17 found, it is checked in a next step, whether the marking found 13 the end of an interruption 9 or 10 marks. Identifies the most recognized mark 13 is not the end of an interruption 9 or 10, such as the mark 13b of Figure 2B, will continue the search for the next marker 13 in the data stream 12 and the table 17, as described above. Identifies the most recognized mark 13, however, the end of an interruption 9 or 10, such as the mark 13c of Figure 2B, will continue playing the data stream 12 at the location indicated by the mark 13 point as described above.

p0034Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a second method for reproducing a recorded data stream 12. In this case, in a first step, all the markings 13 indicate the changes made at least one encoding parameter 12, is read. The can be made for example of a program for playing back the recorded data stream 12 by a computer or another for reproduction of the data stream 12 suitable device. It is advantageous if all markings are stored together in a relatively small file or table 17, so that the entire data stream needs to be scanned for 12 marks. 13

p0035In a second step, the read marks 13 are analyzed. For example, groups of marks 13 can be formed, which cancel each other out in their effect. For example, a first mark 13, featuring a transition from stereo to mono, are grouped with a second label 13, which marks the transition from mono to stereo. Another sensible grouping is the already explained combination of the marks 13a, 13b and 13c of the embodiment.

p0036Other analysis options can be used alone or in combination. For example, enter 10 commercial breaks usually with regular intervals and have a similar linear expansion. A static analysis or pattern recognition of the markings 13 can therefore also be used as the analysis means.

p0037In a next step, a jump table 18 is created to skip the interruptions 9 or 10 of the analyzed markers thirteenth The jump table contains 18 entries in the form of a jump position with an associated jump target for each to be performed during playback jump 14. For example, in each case the time first mark 13 a group are noted of related marks as a stepping position and the temporally last mark 13 as jump destination can be used.

p0038It is advantageous if the branch history table 18 is created only once and is then stored for future renditions of the recorded data stream 12, associated, for example, by saving in a data stream 12 separate file. This can for example take place at the end of recording or at the time of first reproduction. Such cached jump table 18 can then be read on every subsequent reproduction, so that a rescan of each marker 13 and under stay whose analysis can.

p0039After creating or reading the branch table 18, the reproduction of the recorded data stream 12 starts. It is checked continuously whether a jump position of the jump table was reached 18th As long as no jump position is reached, playback continues as before.

p0040If a jump position is reached, the reproduction of the recorded data stream 12 is interrupted. Then the body will be instantly jumped into the data stream 12 that corresponds to the jump position assigned jump destination. From this point, the playback of the stream 12 continues as described above, that is, it is again checked whether when playing a jump position is achieved.

p0041Of course, the reproduction of the recorded data stream 12 can be interrupted or terminated at any time, even if such termination or such stop playback is not shown in the flowchart of Figure 3 and Figure. 4 For example, the reproduction by the user's request to the recorder 1 or the reproducing apparatus can be completed. 6 Also an automatic playback ends at the end of the recorded data stream 12 is meaningful and known from practice.

p0042Alternatively, for playback, the digital data stream 7 or 12 to 18 and cut using the event signals or markings 13 or the hopping table generated generated. The figure 2C shows a cut digital data stream 15. The cut digital data stream 15 is composed of the program blocks 8a, 8b and 8c. Any additional information such as the interruptions 9 and 10 and the mark 13 are no longer included in the cut digital datastream 15th

p0043The sliced ​​digital data stream 15 can be produced for example by a method that uses the table generated by the second method for reproducing the data stream 12 with 18 jump information. The skipped by jumping 14 interruptions 9 and 10 are to be removed from the cut data stream 15, for example, by copying the recorded data stream 12 with the omission of the interruptions. 9 and 10

p0044Alternatively, the marks 13 for the determination of interfaces 16 can be used. For this example, a user of the recording device 1 possible interfaces 16 of the recorded digital data stream can be 12 proposed to cut. The user of the receiving device 1, any proposed port 16 using a suitable input device, such as a remote control, either accept, reject or modify, for example, by shifting the associated marking 13 further forwards or backwards. Also new markers 13 and cut marks 16 can be inserted by the user, which were not recognized by the recognition device. 3 In the example shown in Figure 2, a user 13a and 13c and 13d and 13e select eg the markers as crop marks or reject the cut mark 13b. are interfaces 16 in the cut digital data stream 15 from the selected markers 13a and 13c and 13d and 13e.

p0045Of course, the event signals normally used for the production of markings 13 can also be used directly and automatically by the recording device. 1 If the interfaces 16 already detected while recording the digital data stream 7 by corresponding event signals, so the interruptions may be 9 and 10 excluded during recording of the recording. In this case, marks 13 are not even generated and recorded. Instead, the. Recording of the digital data stream 7 directly controlled by detecting changes in the coding parameters 11th For example, the recording of the data stream 7 by the recording apparatus 4 upon detection of a first event signal indicative of a predetermined change of the coding parameters 11 are interrupted and resumed upon detecting a second event signal. When further interruptions 9 or 10 occurs, the recording of the data stream 7 is interrupted again.

p0046Cutting out of program interruptions 9 and 10 has the additional advantage that the sectioned digital data stream 15 is shorter than the original digital data stream 7 so that the recording apparatus 4 or the recording medium used by it must have less recording capacity.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

p0047<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>recording apparatus</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>receiving device</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>recognizer</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>recording device</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>antenna</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>Reproducing apparatus</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>digital data stream</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>rung</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>interruption</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>interruption</dd><dt>11</dt><dd>encoding parameters</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>recorded digital data stream</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>mark</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>leap</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>sliced ​​digital data stream</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>interfaces</dd><dt>17</dt><dd>marking Table</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>jump table</dd></dl>