EP0173411A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer memory back-up for digital and analogue information
Assignee: Kirsch Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1985-05-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The interface apparatus couples a video recording device to the parallel data channel of a computer system and also to the computer video output circuitry, so that both digital information (such as computer programs or data files) and analog information (such as video signals for displaying on a TV monitor) may be stored on the same video recording medium. The apparatus thus permits storage of both digital information and human readable information in convenient back-to-back relationship. The interface also permits the computer video monitor to directly display stored or live video broadcasts, without computer intervention. The invention thus allows the display of graphic, photographic and motion picture information in analog format, thereby eliminating information loss through digitizing. An automatic search mode of the invention permits the computer to direct the video recording device to search for a predetermined location on the recording medium at high speed without human intervention.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert John Tindall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14; G06F3/153; G06F3/06; G06F3/0601; G06F13/00; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/36; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/91; H04N5/92; H04N5/93; H04N5/9305; G06F3/0668; G06F3/0671; G06F3/0673; G06F3/0682; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/90; G11B27/02; G11B27/022; G11B27/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital and analog information using a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, and having a video output means responsive to the central processing unit for generating analog information and for generating video sync signals, comprising: parallel to serial conversion means coupled to said parallel data channel to receive said digital information and providing said digital information in a serial format; signal processing means receptive of said analog information and said video sync signals and coupled to said conversion means for receiving said digital information and for selectively providing to said video recording device either a first video signal or a second video signal; said first video signal comprising the composite of said analog information and said video sync signals and said second video signal comprising the composite of said digital information and said video sync signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital and analog information using a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, and having a video output means responsive to the central processing unit for generating analog information and for generating video sync signals, comprising: parallel to serial conversion means coupled to said parallel data channel to receive said digital information and providing said digital information in a serial format; signal processing means receptive of said analog information and said video sync signals and coupled to said conversion means for receiving said digital information and for selectively providing to said video recording device either a first video signal or a second video signal; said first video signal comprising the composite of said analog information and said video sync signals and said second video signal comprising the composite of said digital information and said video sync signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said signal processing means includes means for mixing said video sync signals and said digital information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said video output means provides a composite video signal comprising the composite of said analog information and said video sync signals and wherein said apparatus further comprising means responsive to said video output means for extracting said video sync signals from said composite video signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said video output means provides a composite video signal comprising the composite of said analog information and said video sync signals and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for extracting said video sync signals from said composite video signal, said extracting means having means for comparing said composite video signal with a predetermined reference signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said video recording device provides a composite video signal comprising recorded serial data together with recorded video sync signals and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for extracting said recorded serial data from said composite video signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said means for extracting includes means for comparing said composite video signal with a predetermined reference signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising timing means responsive to said video sync signals for producing timing pulses at periodic intervals and logic gating means responsive to said timing pulses and to said central processing unit for directing said signal processing means to selectively provide said first video signal and said second video signal in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said video output means generates a composite video sync signal canprising a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal in a preassigned relationship and wherein said apparatus further comprises line delay means for prodicing a first timing pulse at periodic intervals in response to said conposite video sync signal and frame delay means for producing a second timing pulse at periodic intervals in response to said vertical sync signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising timing means responsive to said video sync signals for producing timing pulses at periodic intervals and wherein said conversion means is responsive to said timing pulses to strobe said digital information into said signal processing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising counting means responsive to said video sync signals for providing periodic timing signals in response to the occurrence of a predetermined plurality of video sync signals and wherein said conversion means is responsive to said timing signals to strobe siad digital information into said signal processing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said video output means generates a composite video sync signal comprising a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal in a preassigned relationship and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for anticipating the occurrence of said vertical sync signal by counting said composite sync signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein said conversion means is responsive to said anticipating means for strobing said digital information into said signal processing means in information groups of a predetermined size.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said conversion means is responsive to said central processing unit and further comprising firmware storage means communicating with said central processing for instructing said central processing unit to generate control signals for controlling said conversion means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said firmware storage means further instructs said central processing unit to effect the production of predetermined analog signals corresponding to human readable information.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital and analog information usng a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and usng a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, having a video output means responsive to the central processing unit for generating analog information and for generating video sync signals, and having a video monitor responsive to the analog information and video sync signals for displaying visual information, comprising: serial to parallel conversion means for receiving digital information in serial format and for converting said digital information to a parallel format and for providing said parallel digital information to said parallel data channel; signal directing means controlled by said central processing unit and receptive of said serially stored video information from said video recording device and receptive of said analog information and video sync signals from said video output means and coupled to said video monitor for selectively directing to said video monitor either said serially stored video information or said analog information and said video sync signals, thereby permitting the visual display of both information stored by said video recording device and information generated by said video output means on the same video monitor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital and analog information usng a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and usng a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, having a video output means responsive to the central processing unit for generating analog information and for generating video sync signals, and having a video monitor responsive to the analog information and video sync signals for displaying visual information, comprising: serial to parallel conversion means for receiving digital information in serial format and for converting said digital information to a parallel format and for providing said parallel digital information to said parallel data channel; signal directing means controlled by said central processing unit and receptive of said serially stored video information from said video recording device and receptive of said analog information and video sync signals from said video output means and coupled to said video monitor for selectively directing to said video monitor either said serially stored video information or said analog information and said video sync signals, thereby permitting the visual display of both information stored by said video recording device and information generated by said video output means on the same video monitor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein said video recording device provides a composite video signal comprising recorded serial data together with recorded video sync signals and wherein said apparatus further comprises means for extracting said recorded serial data from said composite video signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein said means for extracting includes means for comparing said composite video signal with a predetermined reference signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein said conversion means is receptive of said recorded serial data from said means for extracting.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein said conversion means is responsive to said central processing unit and further comprising firmware storage means communicating with said central processing unit for instructing said central processing unit to generate control signals for controlling said conversion means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein said conversion means is responsive to said central processing unit and further comprising firmware storage means communicating with said central processing for instructing said central processing unit to generate control signals for controlling said conversion means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of Claim 20 wherein said firmware storage means further instructs said central processing unit to effect the production of predetermined analog signals corresponding to human readable information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of Claim 15 further comprising data monitoring means responsive to said stored video information for producing an indication when said stored video information is devoid of digital data for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital information using a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, and having a video output means responsive to the central processing unit for generating a video signal including video sync signals, comprising : parallel to serial conversion means coupled to said parallel data channel to receive said digital information and providing said digital information in a serial format; means responsive to said video output means for extracting said video sync signals from said video signal and for providing extracted video sync signals; mixing means receptive of said digital information in said serial format and said extracted video sync signals for providing a data video signal comprising said digital information and said video sync signals in a predetermined relationship; and means for routing said data video signal to said video recording device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital information using a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, and having a video output means responsive to the central processing unit for generating a video signal including video sync signals, comprising : parallel to serial conversion means coupled to said parallel data channel to receive said digital information and providing said digital information in a serial format; means responsive to said video output means for extracting said video sync signals from said video signal and for providing extracted video sync signals; mixing means receptive of said digital information in said serial format and said extracted video sync signals for providing a data video signal comprising said digital information and said video sync signals in a predetermined relationship; and means for routing said data video signal to said video recording device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein said means for routing said data video signal includes switching means for selectively routing said data video signal to said video recording device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of Claim 24 wherein said switching means is controlled by said central processing unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein said mixing means comprises means for sunning said digital information and said video sync signals.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein said means for routing said data video signal includes switching means receptive of said data video signal and said video signal for selectively routing either said data video signal or said video signal to said video recording device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of Claim 27 wherein said switching means is controlled by said central processing unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of Claim 23 wherein said computer system includes a video monitor for displaying visual information and said apparatus further comprises means coupled to said video recording apparatus and said video output means for selectively routing to said video monitor either said serially stored video information or said video signal generated by said video output means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital information using a video recording device having medium for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing said digital information canprising: means for converting said digital information into a video information for storing on said video recording medium; means for converting said serially stored video information into digital information for processing by said computer system; means for providing a plurality of serially spaced markers on said recording medium each marker corresponding to a different storage location on said medium; control means responsive to said central processing unit and responsive to said markers for controlling said video recording device to reposition said medium at a location prescribed oy said computer system, whereby said storing and retrieving of digital information at a predetermined location on said medium.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital information using a video recording device having medium for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing said digital information canprising: means for converting said digital information into a video information for storing on said video recording medium; means for converting said serially stored video information into digital information for processing by said computer system; means for providing a plurality of serially spaced markers on said recording medium each marker corresponding to a different storage location on said medium; control means responsive to said central processing unit and responsive to said markers for controlling said video recording device to reposition said medium at a location prescribed oy said computer system, whereby said storing and retrieving of digital information at a predetermined location on said medium.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said means for providing a plurality of serially spaced markers provides self clocking digital pulses.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said means for providing a plurality of seriall spaced markers provides pulses in a Manchester coded format.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said video recording device reads serially stored video information at a first rate and is capable of repositioning said medium at second rate greater than said first rate, and wherein said control means includes means for selectively operating said recording device at either said first rate or said second rate.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital information using a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, comprising : serial to parallel conversion means for receiving digital information in serial format and for converting said digital information to a parallel format comprising a plurality of data words, each word including at least one parity bit; buffer means for storing a block of digital data, said block comprising a predetermined number of data words in a predefined ordered relationship; control means responsive to said conversion means for checking the integrity of each data word based on said parity bit and for storing a first block of checked digital data in said buffer means; said control means including means for preventing the storing of data words which fail said integrity checking; checksum generating means for deriving a checksum value fran the data words stored in said buffer means and for comparing said value to a predefined value; and means responsive to said checksum means for causing a second block of data words to be received through said serial to parallel conversion means if said checksum value does not match said predetermined value.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital information using a video recording device having means for serially storing video information and also using a computer system having a central processing unit for processing digital information through a parallel data channel, comprising : serial to parallel conversion means for receiving digital information in serial format and for converting said digital information to a parallel format comprising a plurality of data words, each word including at least one parity bit; buffer means for storing a block of digital data, said block comprising a predetermined number of data words in a predefined ordered relationship; control means responsive to said conversion means for checking the integrity of each data word based on said parity bit and for storing a first block of checked digital data in said buffer means; said control means including means for preventing the storing of data words which fail said integrity checking; checksum generating means for deriving a checksum value fran the data words stored in said buffer means and for comparing said value to a predefined value; and means responsive to said checksum means for causing a second block of data words to be received through said serial to parallel conversion means if said checksum value does not match said predetermined value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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