EP0188162A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-function rotary dial system including timer setting feature
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1985-12-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-12-27
Abstract
Abstract 0 In a multi-function video tape recorder system, a manually operable rotary dial (200) is used in place of a large number of dedicated manual switches, to make selections from multiple-choice lists and to assign numerical values for timing, etc. The rotary dial (200) is journalled on a fold-down section (120) of the video tape recorder's front console (110) and its manually-actuated rotation is monitored by optical sensors. A microprocessor receives the output of the sensors and so can derive the angular position and speed and direction of rotation of the rotary dial (200), which may all serve as input parameters. In addition, a ring may be included in the rotary dial assembly, the ring being pivotable slightly relative to the rotary dial itself to provide an additional information input. The rotary dial can be used to input date and time information for both clock setting and timer setting operations, to select a television channel for recording or direct reception, to select the speed and mode of video playback and/or to control the rate and direction of frame advance.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuya Wakahara
- 👤 Shinya Fukushima
- 👤 Hisayuki Akigushi
- 👤 Toshizumi Ando
- 👤 Masanori Arimitsu
- 👤 Kiyoshi Tagagaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:31
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G15/00; G04G15/006; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/02; G11B15/026; G11B15/10; G11B15/103; G11B15/18; G11B15/1808; G11B15/1875; G11B33/00; G11B33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A rotary dial assembly for a video tape recorder system capable of recording and reproducing video signals, performing picture search, and performing timer activated recording, characterized in that it comprises: a dial (200) manually rotatable at a desired speed in opposing first and second directions; a first sensing means (22,21) for monitoring the direction of rotation of said dial (200) and producing a direction indicative signal; a second sensing means (21) for monitoring magnitude of angular displacement of said dial (200) and producing a rotation angle indicative signal; a timer set mode switch (10b) manually operable to produce a timer set mode selector signal ordering said video tape recorder system to operate in a timer set mode; a display (112) for displaying at least symbols representing a timer-activated recording start timing and end timing; and a controller (7) responsive to said timer set mode selector signal for changing the value represented by each of said symbols at a given rate on said display (112), said given rate being selected on the basis of the values of said direction indicqtive signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A rotary dial assembly for a video tape recorder system capable of recording and reproducing video signals, performing picture search, and performing timer activated recording, characterized in that it comprises: a dial (200) manually rotatable at a desired speed in opposing first and second directions; a first sensing means (22,21) for monitoring the direction of rotation of said dial (200) and producing a direction indicative signal; a second sensing means (21) for monitoring magnitude of angular displacement of said dial (200) and producing a rotation angle indicative signal; a timer set mode switch (10b) manually operable to produce a timer set mode selector signal ordering said video tape recorder system to operate in a timer set mode; a display (112) for displaying at least symbols representing a timer-activated recording start timing and end timing; and a controller (7) responsive to said timer set mode selector signal for changing the value represented by each of said symbols at a given rate on said display (112), said given rate being selected on the basis of the values of said direction indicqtive signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a third sensing means (21) for monitoring the rotation speed of said dial (200) and producing a rotation speed indicative signal, and said controller (7) is responsive to said rotation speed indicative signal to adjust said given rate based thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering a picture search mode and producing a command for entry into the picture search mode, and said controller (7) is responsive to said command to perform forward and reverse playback selectively and at a given speed according to rotation of said dial (200).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said video tape recorder system includes a pause switch (10f) for temporarily stopping playback so as to freeze an image on a television monitor, said pause switch (10f) serving as said picture search triggering means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering picture search mode and producing a command for entry into the picture search mode, a ring (220) rotatable independently of said dial (200) and a fourth sensing means (23) monitoring the angular position of said ring (220) and producing a shuttle mode selector signal when angular displacement of said ring (220) is detected, and said controller (7) is responsive to said shuttle mode selector signal in the presence of said command for selectively performing forward and reverse playback at a variable playback speed varying in accordance with the direction and magnitude of angular displacement of said ring (220).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that said first and second sensing means (21,22) also cooperate with said ring (220) for monitoring angular displacement of the latter and producing said rotating direction indicative signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that said controller (7) is also responsive to rotation of said dial (200) in the presence of said command for performing forward and reverse playback selectively at a given speed according to rotation of said dial (200).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 1, in which said video tape recorder system also has a television tuner for selecting a television channel and in which the selected television channel is indicated on said display (112), characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering a channel set mode for dg_ video tape recorder system for selecting a television channel, and said controller (7) is responsive to rotation of said dial in said channel set mode to adjust the channel selection according to angular displacement of said dial (200).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a third sensing means (21) for monitoring the rotation speed of said dial (200) and producing a rotation speed indicative signal, and said controller (7) is responsive to said rotation speed indicative signal to adjust said given rate in accordance therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that said controller (7) adjusts the rate of change of said television channel in said channel set mode depending upon said rotation speed indicative signal value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that said rotary dial assembly (20) is mounted on a sub-panel (120) associated with a front panel (110) of said video tape recorder system (10 0 ), said sub-panel (120) being hinged to said front panel (110) for movement between a first position in which said sub-panel (120) is oriented vertically so as to expose one side of said rotary dial assembly (20) for manual operation and a second position in which said sub-panel (120) is oriented horizontally so as to expose the other side of said rotary dial (20) for manual operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 11, characterized in that said first mode selector switch is disposed on the portion of said front panel (110) opposing said sub-panel (120) when the latter is in its vertical position, hidden thereby and accessible only when said sub-panel (120) is in said horizontal position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that said dial (200) and said ring (220) are associated with a common rotary plate (221) with which said first, second and fourth sensing means (21,22,23) are associated for monitoring the direction, magnitude and speed of angular displacement thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rotary dial as set forth in claim 13, characterized in that said dial (200) is further associated with a click mechanism (230) providing a detent action at every given angle of angular displacement; which given angle corresponds to one frame of a video signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
189 words
A rotary dial assembly for a video tape recorder system capable of recording and reproducing video signals, performing picture search, and including a television tuner for varying a television channel, characterized in that it comprises: a dial (200) manually rotatable at a desired speed in opposing first and second directions; a first sensing means (21,22) for monitoring the direction of rotation of said dial (200) and producing a direction indicative signal; a second sensing means (21) for monitoring magnitude of angular displacement of said dial (200) and producing a rotation angle indicative signal; a channel set mode switch manually operable to produce a first mode selector signal ordering said video tape recorder system to operate in a television channel set mode; a display (112) for displaying at least symbols representing a timer-activated recording start timing and end timing; and a controller (7) responsive to said first mode selector signal for changing the value represented by each of said symbols at a given rate on said display (112), said given rate being selected on the basis of the values of said direction indicative signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
189 words
A rotary dial assembly for a video tape recorder system capable of recording and reproducing video signals, performing picture search, and including a television tuner for varying a television channel, characterized in that it comprises: a dial (200) manually rotatable at a desired speed in opposing first and second directions; a first sensing means (21,22) for monitoring the direction of rotation of said dial (200) and producing a direction indicative signal; a second sensing means (21) for monitoring magnitude of angular displacement of said dial (200) and producing a rotation angle indicative signal; a channel set mode switch manually operable to produce a first mode selector signal ordering said video tape recorder system to operate in a television channel set mode; a display (112) for displaying at least symbols representing a timer-activated recording start timing and end timing; and a controller (7) responsive to said first mode selector signal for changing the value represented by each of said symbols at a given rate on said display (112), said given rate being selected on the basis of the values of said direction indicative signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises a third sensing means (21) for monitoring the rotation speed of said dial (200) and producing a rotation speed indicative signal; and said controller (7) is responsive to said rotation speed indicative signal to adjust said given rate based thereon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering a picture search mode and producing a command for entry into the picture search mode, and said controller (7) is responsive to said command to perform forward and reverse playback selectively and at a given speed according to rotation of said dial (200).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 17, in which said video tape recorder system includes a pause switch (10E) for temporarily stopping playback so as to freeze an image on a television monitor, characterized in that said pause switch (10 E ) serves as said picture search triggering means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
117 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering picture search mode and producing a command for entry into the picture search mode, a ring (220) rotatable independently of said dial (200) and a fourth sensing means (23) monitoring the angular position of said ring (220) and producing a shuttle mode selector signal when angular displacement of said ring (220) is detected, and said controller (7) is responsive to said shuttle mode selector signal in the presence of said command for selectively performing forward and reverse playback at a variable playback speed varying in accordance with the direction and magnitude of angular displacement of said ring (220).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 19, characterized in that said first and second sensing means (21,22) also cooperate with said ring (220) for monitoring angular displacement of the latter and producing said rotating direction indicative signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 20, characterized in that said controller (7) is also responsive to rotation of said dial (200) in the presence of said command for performing forward and reverse playback selectively at a given speed according to rotation of said dial (200).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 17, characterized in that said rotary dial assembly (20) is mounted on a sub-panel (120) associated with a front panel (110) of said video tape recorder system, said sub-panel (120) being hinged to said front panel (110) for movement between a first position in which said sub-panel (120) is oriented vertically so as to expose one side of said rotary dial assembly (20) for manual operation and a second position in which said sub-panel (120) is oriented horizontally so as to expose the other side of said rotary dial (20) for manual operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 22, characterized in that said first mode selector switch is disposed on the portion of said front panel (110) opposing said sub-panel (120) when the latter is in its vertical position, hidden thereby and accessible only when said sub-panel (120) is in said horizontal position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
The rotary dial assembly as set forth in claim 19, characterized in that said dial (200) and said ring (220) are associated with a common rotary plate (221) with which said first, second and fourth sensing means (21, 22, 23) are associated for monitoring the direction, magnitude and speed of angular displacement thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The rotary dial as set forth in claim 24, characterized in that said dial (200) is further associated with a click mechanism (230) providing a detent action at every given angle of angular displacement, which given angle corresponds to one frame of a video signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
85 words
A video tape recorder system characterized in that it comprises: a signal processing system for processing video tape recorder signals for recording and reproducing; which signal processing system is associated with a timer for timer-activated recording; said timer being actuable to select a recording start timing, recording end timing and a television channel to be recorded; and a manually rotatable rotary dial system (20) associated with said timer to allow selection of said recording start timing, recording end timing and television channel by rotation thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
85 words
A video tape recorder system characterized in that it comprises: a signal processing system for processing video tape recorder signals for recording and reproducing; which signal processing system is associated with a timer for timer-activated recording; said timer being actuable to select a recording start timing, recording end timing and a television channel to be recorded; and a manually rotatable rotary dial system (20) associated with said timer to allow selection of said recording start timing, recording end timing and television channel by rotation thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
The video tape recorder system asset forth in claim 26, characterized in that said signal processing system also allows picture in a playback-pause search state for locating a desired image frame, and advances said image frame forward and reverse at a given speed according to rotation of said rotary dial system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises a ring (220) associated with said signal processing system and rotatingly operable to perform picture search at a predetermined variable speed according to the direction and magnitude of its rotation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 28, characterized in that said ring (220) is connected to said manually operable rotary dial system (20) to form an assembly and is operable independently of said manually operable rotary dial system (20).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
51 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 29, characterized in that said assembly (20) is mounted on a sub-panel (120) hinged to a front panel (110) of said video tape recorder system, said sub-panel (120) having two surfaces at which at least said rotary dial (20) is accessible.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
171 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 26, characterized in that said rotary dial system (20) comprises: a dial (200) manually rotatable at a desired speed in opposing first and second directions; a first sensing means (21,22) for monitoring the direction of rotation of said dial (200) and producing a direction indicative signal; a second sensing means (21) for monitoring magnitude of angular displacement of said dial (200) and producing a rotation angle indicative signal; a timer set mode manually operable to produce a first selector signal ordering said video tape recorder system to operate in a timer set mode; a display (112) for displaying at least symbols representing a timer-activated recording start timing and end timing; and a controller (7) responsive to said first mode selector signal for changing the value represented by each of said symbols at a given rate on said display (112) said given rate being selected on the basis of the values of said direction indicative signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 31, characterized in that it further comprises a third sensing means (21) for monitoring the rotation speed of said dial (200) and producing a rotation speed indicative signal, and said controller (7) is responsive to said rotation speed indicative signal to adjust said given rate based thereon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
63 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 31, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering a picture search mode and producing a command for entry into the picture search mode, and said controller (7) is responsive to said command to perform forward and reverse playback selectively and at a given speed according to rotation of said dial (200).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
3 4. The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 33, in which said video tape recorder system includes a pause switch (10E) for temporarily stopping playback so as to freeze an image on a television monitor, characterized in that said pause switch (10E) serves as said picture search triggering means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
117 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 31, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering picture search mode and producing a command for entry into the picture search mode, a ring (220) rotatable independently of said dial (200) and a fourth sensing means (23) monitoring the angular position of said ring and producing a shuttle mode selector signal when angular displacement of said ring (220) is detected, and said controller (7) is responsive to said shuttle mode selector signal in the presence of said command for selectively performing forward and reverse playback at a variable playback speed varying in accordance with the direction and magnitude of angular displacement of said ring (220).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
47 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 35, characterized in that said first and second sensing means (21,22) also cooperate with said ring (220) for monitoring angular displacement of the latter and producing said rotating direction indicative signal and said rotation angle indicative signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
50 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 36, characterized in that said controller (7) is also responsive to rotation of said dial (200) in the presence of said command for performing forward and reverse playback selectively at a given speed according to rotation of said dial (200).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
94 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 31, in which said video tape recorder system also has a television tuner for selecting a television channel and in which the selected television channel is indicated on said display, characterized in that it further comprises means for triggering a channel set mode for the video tape recorder system for selecting a television channel, and said controller (7) is responsive to rotation of said dial (200) in said channel set mode to adjust the channel selection according to angular displacement of said dial (200).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 38, characterized in that it further comprises a third sensing means (21) for monitoring the rotation speed of said dial (200) and producing a rotation speed indicative signal, and said controller (7) is responsive to said rotation speed indicative signal to adjust said given rate in accordance therewith.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 38, characterized in that said controller (7) adjusts the rate of change of said television channel in said channel set mode depending upon said rotation speed indicative signal value.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
103 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 33, characterized in that said rotary dial assembly (20) is mounted on a sub-panel (120) associated with a front panel (110) of said video tape recorder system, said sub-panel (120) being hinged to said front panel (110) for movement between a first position in which said sub-panel (120) is oriented vertically so as to expose one side of said rotary dial assembly (20) for manual operation and a second position in which said sub-panel (120) is oriented horizontally so as to expose the other side of said rotary dial (20) for manual operation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
55 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 41, characterized in that said first mode selector switch is disposed on the portion of said front panel (110) opposing said sub-panel (120) when the latter is in its vertical position, hidden thereby and accessible only when said sub-panel (120) is in said horizontal position.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
54 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 35, characterized in that said dial (200) and said ring (220) are associated with a common rotary plate (221) with which said first, second and fourth sensing means (21, 22, 23) are associated for monitoring the direction, magnitude and speed of angular displacement thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
The video tape recorder system as set forth in claim 43, characterized in that said dial (200) is further associated with a click mechanism (230) providing a detent action at every given angle of angular displacement, which given angle corresponds to one frame of a video signal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a video tape recorder system with a rotary dial input device, a method of inputting information from a user to the video tape recorder system characterised in that it comprises the steps of: manually rotating a rotary dial (200) at a rate, to an extent and/or in a direction indicative of the desired information; monitoring rotation of said rotary dial (200); and converting the direction, speed and/or extent of rotation of said rotary dial into an information form readily employable by said video tape recorder system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a video tape recorder system with a rotary dial input device, a method of inputting information from a user to the video tape recorder system characterised in that it comprises the steps of: manually rotating a rotary dial (200) at a rate, to an extent and/or in a direction indicative of the desired information; monitoring rotation of said rotary dial (200); and converting the direction, speed and/or extent of rotation of said rotary dial into an information form readily employable by said video tape recorder system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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