Method and apparatus for multiple readout of digital video data with faster playback mode switching

Abstract

A multiple readout of digital video data, capable of realizing the fast forward and fast reverse modes even under the logically multiplexed circumstances, and reducing a time required for the playback mode switching. A cycle for a readout operation is formed by a plurality of slots, each slot representing a unit time for reading a unit amount of the digital video data for each channel assigned to each user terminal; at least one of the plurality of slots forming each cycle is allocated to each channel and at least one of the plurality of slots not yet used for any channel in each cycle is additionally allocated to a user terminal which is requesting a playback mode switching; and the readout operation to read the digital video data for each channel from the storage device is carried out at every slot allocated to each channel in each cycle, by cyclically repeating the cycle for the readout operation. The requested playback mode switching can be a switching to a fast forward/reverse mode.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.