CA2232154C - Decoder and decoding method - Google Patents
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- CA2232154C CA2232154C CA002232154A CA2232154A CA2232154C CA 2232154 C CA2232154 C CA 2232154C CA 002232154 A CA002232154 A CA 002232154A CA 2232154 A CA2232154 A CA 2232154A CA 2232154 C CA2232154 C CA 2232154C
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
- H04N5/45—Picture in picture, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
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Abstract
When a plurality of pictures are formed from a plurality of input signals supplied at once and displayed on the same screen, the plurality of input signals are sequentially transmitted to additional information decoding means by switching switch means at a prescribed timing, and additional information included in each input signal is detected and decoded from the plurality of input signals. Thus, the display of each picture corresponding to the additional information can be individually controlled based on the plurality of additional information.
Description
DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention DECODER AND DECODING METHOD
Field of the Art The present invention relates to a decoder and a decoding method and more particularly, is preferably applicable to a decoder and a decoding method for an image receiver for displaying a plurality of screens on the same screen.
Background Art For example, in the case of a television receiver 1 shown in Fig. 1, a first video signal Si and a first audio signal S10, which are selected by a tuner 3, of a television signal recei=ved b-y an antenna 2, and a second video signal S2 and a second audio signal S20 of a video signal transmitted through a terminal EX
from the second input source of a VTR, or the like are respectively transmitted to a switch SW1.
The switch SW1 selects an input signal in the side of either the first video signal Si and the first audio signal S10, or the second video signal S2 and the second audio signal S20 as a main video signal SA under the control of a microprocessor 5 and sends it to a video processor 6 and the microprocessor 5.
The video processor 6 separates a horizontal synchronizing signal SH and a vertical synchronizing signal SV from the main video signal SA, then, transmits the main video signal SA to a CRT7 and transmits the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV to the microprocessor 5 and a deflecting circuit 8 for driving the CRT7.
Herein, the microprocessor 5 decodes a closed caption ciata being a caption signal added to the main video signal SA by means of a caption vision decoder 9. In addition, an XDS (extended data service: EDS) signal added to the main video signal SA is decoded by means of the caption vision decoder 9.
The XDS signal is a packet signal transferred so as to be interleaved in the space of a closed caption data by which various data such as a start time, contents or the like concerning a program can be transferred.
Thus, there has been investigated the control of screeri display of a TV broadcasting program which is undesirable to ]be watched by nonage using this XDS signal.
A broadcasting station previously evaluates recommendable viewer age about the contents of each program and transmits a code a:bout the viewer age (rating) as an XDS signal. On the other side, a receiver side, a level of viewer age is set and compared with t:he code transmitted. And only when satisfying a prescribed condition, the broadcasting program can be displayed on the screen.
T:he microprocessor 5 compares the rating set by the user with the rating stage set and transmitted by the broadcasting station, and controlling the display of a program based on this comparison result.
The "rating" herein essentially means a step evaluation for deciding whether the contents of expression such as extremely violent scenes in a movie should be regulated so as not to be watched by nonage. A regulation such as the age limit has been established when a film is put on the screen based on the rating.
In the case where the user sets the rating to his desired level, the caption vision decoder 9 in the microprocessor 5 first decodes the XDS signal and compares the stage set by the user. As a result of this comparison, if the prescribed condition is not satisfied, a control signal YS for controlling the display of screen is generated and supplied to the video processor 6. The caption vision decoder 9 also transmits a closed caption signal SA2 obtained by converting the closed caption data of the main video signal SA into a video signal.
At this time, the video processor 6 converts the main video signal SA into the three primary color signals of R, G and B and conducts the on/off control of the display of a main picture on the screen based on the control signal YS.
On the other hand, the above television receiver 1 is provided with only one caption vision decoder 9. Thus, for example, in a television receiver having a picture-in-picture function for displaying video signals obtained from more than two input sources on the same screen as the so-called picture-in-picture screen (main screen, sub-screen) and a multi-picture function for linearly displaying pictures of a plurality of channels, the closed caption data or the XDS data only for the main video signal SA can be decoded, but the closed caption data or the XDS data for a sub-picture cannot be decoded.
Therefore, for example, even when the user sets a rating to, a broadcasting program, the display regulation on the screen has been effective only for the main picture and the regulation has not been undesirably imposed on the sub-picture whose XDS data is not decoded, and thus, the sub-picture has been disadvantageously displayed.
To solve such problem, for example, a method has been considered in which two caption vision decoders are provided to respectively decode closed caption data and XDS data for the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB. However, in thi:s case, too much cost has been undesirably required.
Disclosure of Invention The present invention has been made considering the above points, and proposes a decoder having a simple structure and a decoding method in which a plurality of input signals are displayed on the same screen and the display of the input signals on the screen can be individually controlled depending on the additional information of each input signal.
To solve the above problems, the present invention concerning a decoder provides picture display means for forming a plurality of pictures corresponding to each input signal from a plurality of input signals having additional information, and displaying them on the same screen; switch means for switching and sequentially inputting the plurality of input signals at prescribed switch timing; additional information decoding means for detecting and decoding additional information included in each input signal from each of the plurality of input signals which are sequentially input by the switch means; and display control means for individually controlling the display of the plurality of pictures in accordance with the plurality of additional information corresponding to the plurality of input signals.
When a plurality of pictures are formed from a plurality of input signals supplied at once and displayed on the same screen, the plurality of input signals are sequentially transmitted to additional information decoding means by switching switch means at a prescribed timing, and additional information included in each input signal is detected and decoded from the plurality of input signals. Thus, the display of each picture corresponding to the additional information can be individually controlled based on the plurality of additional information.
Brief description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a conventional television receiver.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a television receiver according to the present invention.
Figs. 3A to 3D are schematic diagrams showing an example of image display.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of a YW
switch.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a television receiver according to other embodiment.
Figs. 6A to 6D are schematic views showing examples of image display according to other embodiment.
Best Mode for carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.
With reference to Fig. 2 in which the same reference numerals are added to parts corresponding to those in Fig. 1, 10 generally designates a television receiver. When a television signal received by an antenna 2 is transmitted to a tuner 3, a desired broadcasting station is selected in accordance with a control signal SC1 transmitted from a microprocessor 5 based on the control of a remote controller 11 by a user and a first video signal S1 and a first audio signal S10 are transmitted to a switch SW1.
In a similar manner, a second video signal S2 and a second audio signal S20 input through an external terminal EX from a second input source such as a VTR are transmitted to the switch SW1.
The switch SW1 selects either the input signal by the tuner 3 or the input signal by the VTR under the control of the microprocessor 5 through an internal control bus CB. The audio signal selected by the switch SW1 whose low-pitched tone, high-pitched tone, right and left balance, surrounding effect and sound volume or the like are adjusted under the control of the control signal SC10 output via the internal control bus CB from the microprocessor 5 through an audio processor 12, is sound-amplified by an amplifying circuit 13 and the sound amplified audio signal is output from a speaker 14.
In the meantime, the microprocessor 5 controls the switch SW1 through the internal control bus CB based on an operation through the remote controller 11 of the user, selects an input signal of either the first video signal S1 or the second video signal S2 as a main video signal SA and transmits it to a video processor 6 and transmits an input signal of either the first video signal S1 or the second video signal S2 as a sub-video signal SB to a picture-in-picture processor 17 through a picture mute 16.
The main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB output from the switch SW1 are simultaneously branched and also output to a switch SW2.
While the main video signal SA is input to the video processor 6 through the switch SW1, the sub-video signal SB is input to the video processor 6 through a character generator 18 from the picture-in-picture processor 17.
The video processor 6 separates a synchronizing signal comprising a horizontal synchronizing signal SH and a vertical synchronizing signal SV from the main video signal SA, and then, transmits respectively the main video signal SA and the synchronizing signals to a CRT7 and a deflecting circuit 8. Then, the R, G and B signals which are output signals of the video processor 6 are synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV, the synchronized signals are scanned by the deflecting circuit 8 and displayed on the screen of the CRT7. At this time, the quality of an image displayed on the CRT7 is adjusted by controlling the video processor 6 through the internal control bus CB from the nicroprocessor 5.
The video processor 6 furthermore respectively transmits the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV to the microprocessor 5 and the picture-in-picture processor 17.
The picture-in-picture processor 17 outputs a sub-picture comprising Y, U and V signals of the sub-video signal SB to the video processor 6 via the character generator 18 in accordance with a control signal SC10 output through the internal control bus CB from the microprocessor 5. The sub-picture is inserted into a part of the main picture by the video processor 6. The R, G and B
signals which are the output signals of the video processor 6 are synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV and scanned by the deflecting circuit 8 so that an obtained image is displayed on the screen of the CRT7.
As a result, as shown in Fig. 3A, a sub-picture P2 smaller than a main picture P1 is inserted into a part of the main picture P1 on the display screen of the CRT7.
Moreover, the video processor 6 synchronizes the caption vision of a main screen with the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV based on a control signal YS from the microprocessor 5, so that an obtained image is displayed on a desired position of the screen of the CRT7.
Similarly, the character generator 18 is designed to iiisert the caption vision of a sub-picture into the desired position of the sub-picture depending on the control signal SC10 output through the internal control bus CB from the microprocessor 5.
The output signal of the character generator 18 into which the caption vision or the character of the sub-picture such as a channel number or the like is inserted is sent to the video processor 6. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 3A, a channel number being selected as the sub-picture P2 is displayed on the sub-picture P2 as a channel number character PC2.
Furthermore, the character generator 18 displays a channel number of the main picture P1 being selected at this time as a channel number character PC1 in a part of the main picture P1 by the control signal SC10 from the microprocessor 5.
The microprocessor 5 switches the switch SW2 by a control signal SC15 for switching control which is generated by a control signal generating part 19 and alternately transmits the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB to a caption vision decoder 9.
That is, the microprocessor 5 generates the control signal SC15 to switch the switch SW2 when the horizontal synchronizing signal SH of the main video signal SA which is selected through the switch SW2 reaches the 21st line of scanning lines (21 lines) after the detection of the vertical synchronizing signal SV, and switches the SW2 to the sub-video signal SB side.
The microprocessor 5 controls to generate again the control signal SC15 from the control signal generating part 19 when the horizontal synchronizing signal SH of the sub-video signal SB
switched from the main video signal SA reaches the 21st line counting from a position in which the vertical synchronizing signal SV is detected and switch the switch SW2 to the main video signal SA side. The microprocessor 5 repeats the above-mentioned switching control relative to the switch SW2.
During this time, the microprocessor 5 respectively detects and decodes data for controlling the display on the screen which is set as to XDS signals SX1 and SX2 respectively transmitted at the 21st line of the fields 2 of the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB, from the main video signal SA and sub-video signal SB which are switched and alternately input by the control signal generating part 19 in the caption vision decoder 9.
The XDS data is a data formed into a packet on the line 21 in the field 2 of a television signal and provides a data service as the additional information of the video signal.
The caption vision decoder 9 respectively decodes the XDS
signals SX1 and SX2 added to the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB to detect a picture display control data added to the XDS signals SX1 and SX2. Thereby, a rating which has previously set to a main picture and a sub-picture at the transmitting side is discriminated.
Herein, the microprocessor 5 respectively compares the result of discrimination of the rating as to the main picture and the sub-picture by the caption vision decoder 9 with the rating data previously set in the microprocessor 5 of the receiving side by the user.
Then, the microprocessor 5 generates control signals SC20 and SC21 for controlling the display of the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen based on the compared result and respectively transmits them to a picture mute 16 and an OR circuit 21.
The picture mute 16 has a function for setting the sub-video signal SB transmitted from the switch SW1 to the picture-in-picture processor 6 to a black level and is on/off controlled by the control signal SC20 output from the microprocessor 5.
The OR circuit 21 transmits the logical OR of a timing for displaying the main picture on the screen controlled by the control signal SC21 transmitted from the microprocessor 5 and a timing for displaying the sub-picture on the screen transmitted from the picture-in-picture processor 6 as a control signal SC22, to the YW switch SW10 of the video processor 6 which is shown in Fig. 2.
The YUV switch SW10 switches the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB depending on the control signal SC22 and outputs them to the CRT7.
In this case, first, in order to block only the display of the main picture, such a control signal SC21 to set an output to off by setting the video signal of the main picture to the black level by means of the microprocessor 5, is transmitted to the OR
circuit 21. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3B, the YW switch SW10 is set to be kept switched to the sub-picture side during a display control period of the main picture on the screen, and the display of a part of displaying the main picture P1 is controlled in black and only an image of a part of the sub-picture P2 is projected onto the CRT7.
At this time, the microprocessor 5 outputs the control signal SC10 to the audio processor 12 to control a sound output from a speaker 14 corresponding to the main picture P1 in a normal state where the display is not controlled into a state of stopping the output in accordance with the display control of the main picture P1. At this time, a sound of the sub-picture P2 may be output in place of the sound of the main picture P1 (however, only when the display of the sub-picture is not controlled).
Furthermore, when the display of the main picture P1 is controlled in black, the character generator 18 displays a rating display character PC3 in a part of the main picture P1 displayed on the CRT7 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5, so that what the display of the main picture P1 is controlled can be perceived by a viewer.
In this connection, also when the display of the main picture P1 is controlled, the character generator 18 displays the channel display character PC1 in the main picture P1 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5. Thereby, even in the state where the main picture P1 is not appeared by controlled into a black level, the channel number of the main picture P1 being selected at this time can be informed the viewer.
Furthermore, when only the display of the sub-picture is blocked, the picture mute is turned on by the control signal SC20 output to the picture mute 16 from the microprocessor 5, and the sub-video signal SB transmitted to the picture-in-picture processor 6 is set to the black level. At this time, the main video signal SA or the sub-video signal SB is transmitted to the CRT7 with switched by the control signal SC22. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3C, the main picture P1 by the main video signal SA
is displayed on the display screen of the CRT7 with the sub-picture P2 controlled in the black level by the picture mute 16 displayed in a part of the main picture P1.
At this time, the character generator 18 displays a rating dlisplay character PC4 into a part of the sub-picture P2 controlled in the black level by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5, thus that the display of the sub-picture P2 is controlled can be perceived by the viewer.
In this connection, also when the display of the sub-picture P2 is controlled, the character generator 18 displays the channel clisplay character PC2 into the sub-picture P2 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5, so that even in the state where the sub-picture P2 is not appeared because of controlled into the black level, a channel number of the sub-picture being selected can be informed the viewer.
Furthermore, when the display of both the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen is blocked, the control signal SC21 for setting the output of the main picture to off is output from the microprocessor 5 to the OR circuit 21 and the control signal SC20 for setting the picture mute to on is output from the rnicroprocessor 5 to the picture mute 16.
As a result, the YW switch SW10 is set to be kept switched to the sub-picture side during the display control period of the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen, and the sub-video signal SB is set into the black level, so that, as shown in F'ig.
3D, both the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are blocked and are not output to the CRT7. At this time, the microprocessor sends the control signal SC10 to the audio processor 12 to control the sound which is output from the speaker 14 corresponding to the main picture P1 in the normal state where the olisplay is not controlled, into an output stopping state according t.o the display control of the main picture P1.
Furthermore, when both displays of the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are controlled in black, the character g-enerator 18 respectively displays the rating display character Pc3, PC9 into a part of the main picture P1 and a part of the sub-picture P2 controlled into the black level, so that what both displays of the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are controlled can be perceived to the audience.
In this connection, also when both displays of the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are controlled, the character generator 18 displays the channel display character PC1 in the main picture P1 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5 while displays the channel display character PC2 in the sub-picture P2. Thereby, even in the state where the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 cannot be seen because of controlled into the black level, each channel number of the main picture and the sub-picture being selected at this time can be informed the viewer.
Furthermore, when both of the main picture and the sub--picture are displayed, the control signal SC21 for setting the output of the main picture to on is output to the OR circuit 21 from the microprocessor 5. At this time, the picture mute 16 is simultaneously set to off by the control signal SC20 output from the microprocessor 5. In this case, the YUV switch SW10 is switched synchronizing with the respective timing for turning on the output of the main picture and the sub-picture, based on the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV of the main picture, during a period for displaying the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen. Consequently, as shown in Fig. 3A, the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are both output onto the same screen of the CRT7.
By the way, as methods of canceling the display control at the receiving side, that the user inputs a code number to the microprocessor 5 or resets a viewer age of the rating with opening a menu screen or the like can be considered.
Furthermore, the microprocessor 5 transmits the caption vision signal SA2 of the main picture decoded by a closed caption signal from the caption vision decoder 9 to the video processor 6.
At this time, the microprocessor 5 simultaneously transmits a control signal YS for controlling whether the caption vision is displayed or not to the video processor 6.
Moreover, the microprocessor 5 controls whether the caption vision of the sub-picture is displayed or not according to a caption vision signal SB2 decoded from the closed caption data of the sub-image by the control signal SC10 output through the internal control bus CB to the character generator 18.
Furthermore, the microprocessor 5 controls a position for displaying the caption vision of the sub-picture by the control signal SC10 output to the character generator 18 through the internal control bus CB.
The character generator 18 controls the position for displaying the caption vision by synchronizing the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV
transmitted from the video processor 6 with the caption vision signal SB2, based on the control signal SC10, and forms the caption vision of the sub-picture screen based on the caption vision signal SB2.
When the television signal and the video signal are respectively input through the tuner 3 and the terminal EX, in the above described structure, they are respectively selected as the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB at the switch SW1.
The main video signal SA is transmitted to the video processor 6.
The sub-video signal SB is transmitted to the picture-in-picture processor 17. At this time, the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB are also simultaneously branched and transmitted to the switch SW2.
In the switch SW2, the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB are alternately switched under the control of the microprocessor 5 and transmitted to the caption vision decoder 9.
At this time, the microprocessor 5 counts respective horizontal synchronizing signals SH of the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB and switches and controls the switch SW2 at a timing for every 21 lines counting from the vertical synchronizing signal SV in each field 2.
Accordingly, when the switch SW2 selects the main video signal SA, the microprocessor 5, after detecting the vertical synchronizing signal SV of the main video signal SA, counts the horizontal synchronizing signal SH for 21 lines counting from the vertical synchronizing signal SV to fetch the main video signals SA up to the 21st line to the caption vision decoder 9. Thus the XDS signal SX1 added to the 21st line of the field 2 in the main video signal SA is fetched to the caption vision decoder 9.
After counting 21 lines of the main video signal SA, the microprocessor 5 switches the switch SW2 to fetch the sub-video signal SB to the caption vision decoder 9. Then the microprocessor 5, after detecting the vertical synchronizing signal SV of the sub-video signal SB, counts the horizontal synchronizing signals SH for 21 lines from the vertical synchronizing signal SV to fetch the sub-video signal SB up to the 21st line to the caption vision decoder 9. Thus the XDS signal SX2 added to the 21st line of the field 2 in the sub-video signal SB to the caption vision decoder 9.
The caption vision decoder 9 respectively alternately decodes the XDS signals SX1 and SX2 respectively added to the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB of the 21st line, so that a display control of each screen of the main video signal SA
and the sub-video signal SB is discriminated.
Thus each screen display control data respectively set in two video signals selected via the switch SW1 (the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB) is repeatedly alternately discriminated in one caption vision decoder 9.
In this connection, the screen display control data added to each XDS signal SX1, SX2 of the main video signal SA, the sub-video signal SB is set its level in accordance with the contents of image. Therefore, if the level of each screen display control data discriminated in the caption vision decoder 9 is higher than the level previously set by the user and corresponding to the viewer age, this represents that the image corresponding to the screen display control data is undesirable for the viewer younger than the age set by the user. In this case, the microprocessor 5 controls the display of the picture with the screen display control data is added thereto.
In the case where the picture to be controlled of the display regulation is a main picture, the microprocessor 5 switches the YUV switch SW10 in the video processor 6 into a sub-video side to forcedly control the display of the part where the main picture is displayed into black. This display control of the main picture is continued until the level of the display control data added to the main video signal SA becomes the same as or lower than the level corresponding to the viewer age previously set by the user in the microprocessor 5.
Besides, in the case where the picture to be controlled of the display is a sub-picture, the microprocessor 5 forcedly controls the display of the sub-video into black by the picture mute 16. This display control of the sub-picture is continued until the level of the display control data added to the sub-video signal SB becomes the same as or lower than the level corresponding to the viewer age previously set by the user in the microprocessor 5.
According to the above mentioned structure, since the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB input from the two input sources are respectively switched by the switch SW2 and alternately transmitted to the caption vision decoder 9, the XDS
signal SX1 recorded on the main video signal SA as additional information and the XDS signal SX2 recorded on the sub-video signal SB as additional information are detected and decoded.
Thus, the ratings concerning the display control on the screen which are respectively set to the XDS signals SX1 and SX2 can be individually decoded by the caption vision decoder 9 with one input. Besides, the screen display control corresponding to each video signal SA and SB can be individually performed on both of the main picture and the sub-picture to be displayed on the same screen of the CRT7 by the microprocessor 5.
Furthermore, since the closed caption data respectively added to the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB
which are input from the two input sources are switched through the switch SW2, alternately supplied to the caption vision decoder 9 with one input, and decoded, in the main picture and the sub-picture to be displayed on the same screen, the caption vision data can be individually displayed.
Although, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying a plurality of pictures using the video signals input from the tuner 3 and the external terminal. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 5 in which the same reference numerals are added to parts corresponding to those in Fig. 2, by providing a second tuner 4 in addition to the first tuner 3, two video signals may be selected among from these two tuners 3, 4 and the external terminal EX by the switch SW1 to respectively transmit these signals to the video processor 6 and the picture mute 16 as the main video signal SA
and the sub-video signal SB.
In this case, a TV broadcasting selected by the second tuner 4 is transmitted from a different broadcasting station from the TV
broadcasting selected by the first tuner 3. Thus, if a third video signal S3 and a third audio signal S30 selected by the second tuner 4 are transmitted to the switch SW1 and the desired video signal is selected in the switch SW1, a channel of the other TV station which cannot be selected by the first tuner 3 can be selected.
In this arrangement, since the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB can be selected among from video signals supplied from two channels on the air and the external terminal EX, the screen display control and the display of caption vision can be individually conducted based on the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB being selected.
Furthermore, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying the sub-picture P2 smaller than the main picture P1 in a part of the main picture P1 on the display screen of the CRT7. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 6A, the present invention can be applied to the case of linearly displaying the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 in the display regions having the almost same size.
Furthermore, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying the two pictures (the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2) on the display screen of the CRT7. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 6B, the present invention can be applied to the case of displaying more than 3 pictures P1 - P7 on one display screen of the CRT7. In this case, by providing a switch for switching a plurality of, more than 3, inputs in place of the switch SW2 for switching two inputs mentioned above in Fig. 2, the screen display control can be conducted individually to each plurality of, more than 3, pictures.
Furthermore, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying the channel number characters PC1 and PC2 in the main picture P1 and/or the sub-picture P2 by the character generator 18. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 6C, a logotype of broadcasting station transmitted in the form of respective XDS signals to the m.ain picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 may be displayed as broadcasting station logotype character(s) Pc5 and/or PC6. Thereby, the viewer can perceive the broadcasting station being the provider of each picture. In this connection, Fig. 6D shows the state where the display of each picture is controlled when the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are linearly displayed.
Also in this case, since the rating display characters PC3 or PC4 and the broadcasting station logotype characters Pc5 or PC6 are displayed, the viewer can perceive that the displays of pictures P1, P2 are controlled respectively, and further can confirm the broadcasting stations of the pictures P1 and P2 of which the contents cannot be confirmed because it is in the process of display control.
The data service using the XDS signal may be applied to information including, 1) various information concerning a program such as the start time, lapse of time, contents of a currently transmitted program, 2) various information concerning a program such as the start time, lapse of time, contents of a program to be sent in future, 3) information concerning a broadcast station which is broadcasting, 4) time information, 5) information of weather or accident or the like, and may be applied to a case in which these information are all decoded.
Furthermore, the additional information may be broadly applied to a case in which general signal information added to a video signal such as a signal superimposed on a part other than a text or a 21st line as well as the closed caption data and the XDS
signal are decoded.
Moreover, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case where a timing when 21 horizontal synchronizing signals are counted after the vertical synchronizing signal is detected is used as a switching timing for switching the switch SW2. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also the switch SW2 may be switched every one field by the vertical synchronizing signal. Additionally, the count number of the horizontal synchronizing signals may be set to a count other than 21 according to the additional position of the XDS signal transmitted along with the count number in the horizontal synchronizing signal.
Furthermore, the switch SW2 may be switched and controlled at high speed by a clock of, for example, ten and several megahertz, the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB
may be respectively alternately read, transmitted to the microprocessor 5 and respectively stored in a RAM (random access memory) for the main video signal SA and a RAM for the sub-video signal SB, and then, the XDS signals added thereto may be respectively sampled and decoded by the caption vision decoder 9.
Moreover, by respectively storing 21 lines of the horizontal synchronizing signals of the main picture and the sub-picture in a main picture buffer and a sub-picture buffer, they may be read from each buffer at a higher speed than its writing speed, supplied to the microprocessor 5, and input to the caption vision decoder 9 in the microprocessor 5.
Industrial Applicability In a television receiver, the present invention can be applied to the case of linearly displaying pictures of a plurality of channels on the same display screen.
Title of Invention DECODER AND DECODING METHOD
Field of the Art The present invention relates to a decoder and a decoding method and more particularly, is preferably applicable to a decoder and a decoding method for an image receiver for displaying a plurality of screens on the same screen.
Background Art For example, in the case of a television receiver 1 shown in Fig. 1, a first video signal Si and a first audio signal S10, which are selected by a tuner 3, of a television signal recei=ved b-y an antenna 2, and a second video signal S2 and a second audio signal S20 of a video signal transmitted through a terminal EX
from the second input source of a VTR, or the like are respectively transmitted to a switch SW1.
The switch SW1 selects an input signal in the side of either the first video signal Si and the first audio signal S10, or the second video signal S2 and the second audio signal S20 as a main video signal SA under the control of a microprocessor 5 and sends it to a video processor 6 and the microprocessor 5.
The video processor 6 separates a horizontal synchronizing signal SH and a vertical synchronizing signal SV from the main video signal SA, then, transmits the main video signal SA to a CRT7 and transmits the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV to the microprocessor 5 and a deflecting circuit 8 for driving the CRT7.
Herein, the microprocessor 5 decodes a closed caption ciata being a caption signal added to the main video signal SA by means of a caption vision decoder 9. In addition, an XDS (extended data service: EDS) signal added to the main video signal SA is decoded by means of the caption vision decoder 9.
The XDS signal is a packet signal transferred so as to be interleaved in the space of a closed caption data by which various data such as a start time, contents or the like concerning a program can be transferred.
Thus, there has been investigated the control of screeri display of a TV broadcasting program which is undesirable to ]be watched by nonage using this XDS signal.
A broadcasting station previously evaluates recommendable viewer age about the contents of each program and transmits a code a:bout the viewer age (rating) as an XDS signal. On the other side, a receiver side, a level of viewer age is set and compared with t:he code transmitted. And only when satisfying a prescribed condition, the broadcasting program can be displayed on the screen.
T:he microprocessor 5 compares the rating set by the user with the rating stage set and transmitted by the broadcasting station, and controlling the display of a program based on this comparison result.
The "rating" herein essentially means a step evaluation for deciding whether the contents of expression such as extremely violent scenes in a movie should be regulated so as not to be watched by nonage. A regulation such as the age limit has been established when a film is put on the screen based on the rating.
In the case where the user sets the rating to his desired level, the caption vision decoder 9 in the microprocessor 5 first decodes the XDS signal and compares the stage set by the user. As a result of this comparison, if the prescribed condition is not satisfied, a control signal YS for controlling the display of screen is generated and supplied to the video processor 6. The caption vision decoder 9 also transmits a closed caption signal SA2 obtained by converting the closed caption data of the main video signal SA into a video signal.
At this time, the video processor 6 converts the main video signal SA into the three primary color signals of R, G and B and conducts the on/off control of the display of a main picture on the screen based on the control signal YS.
On the other hand, the above television receiver 1 is provided with only one caption vision decoder 9. Thus, for example, in a television receiver having a picture-in-picture function for displaying video signals obtained from more than two input sources on the same screen as the so-called picture-in-picture screen (main screen, sub-screen) and a multi-picture function for linearly displaying pictures of a plurality of channels, the closed caption data or the XDS data only for the main video signal SA can be decoded, but the closed caption data or the XDS data for a sub-picture cannot be decoded.
Therefore, for example, even when the user sets a rating to, a broadcasting program, the display regulation on the screen has been effective only for the main picture and the regulation has not been undesirably imposed on the sub-picture whose XDS data is not decoded, and thus, the sub-picture has been disadvantageously displayed.
To solve such problem, for example, a method has been considered in which two caption vision decoders are provided to respectively decode closed caption data and XDS data for the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB. However, in thi:s case, too much cost has been undesirably required.
Disclosure of Invention The present invention has been made considering the above points, and proposes a decoder having a simple structure and a decoding method in which a plurality of input signals are displayed on the same screen and the display of the input signals on the screen can be individually controlled depending on the additional information of each input signal.
To solve the above problems, the present invention concerning a decoder provides picture display means for forming a plurality of pictures corresponding to each input signal from a plurality of input signals having additional information, and displaying them on the same screen; switch means for switching and sequentially inputting the plurality of input signals at prescribed switch timing; additional information decoding means for detecting and decoding additional information included in each input signal from each of the plurality of input signals which are sequentially input by the switch means; and display control means for individually controlling the display of the plurality of pictures in accordance with the plurality of additional information corresponding to the plurality of input signals.
When a plurality of pictures are formed from a plurality of input signals supplied at once and displayed on the same screen, the plurality of input signals are sequentially transmitted to additional information decoding means by switching switch means at a prescribed timing, and additional information included in each input signal is detected and decoded from the plurality of input signals. Thus, the display of each picture corresponding to the additional information can be individually controlled based on the plurality of additional information.
Brief description of Drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a conventional television receiver.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a television receiver according to the present invention.
Figs. 3A to 3D are schematic diagrams showing an example of image display.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of a YW
switch.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the entire structure of a television receiver according to other embodiment.
Figs. 6A to 6D are schematic views showing examples of image display according to other embodiment.
Best Mode for carrying Out the Invention Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.
With reference to Fig. 2 in which the same reference numerals are added to parts corresponding to those in Fig. 1, 10 generally designates a television receiver. When a television signal received by an antenna 2 is transmitted to a tuner 3, a desired broadcasting station is selected in accordance with a control signal SC1 transmitted from a microprocessor 5 based on the control of a remote controller 11 by a user and a first video signal S1 and a first audio signal S10 are transmitted to a switch SW1.
In a similar manner, a second video signal S2 and a second audio signal S20 input through an external terminal EX from a second input source such as a VTR are transmitted to the switch SW1.
The switch SW1 selects either the input signal by the tuner 3 or the input signal by the VTR under the control of the microprocessor 5 through an internal control bus CB. The audio signal selected by the switch SW1 whose low-pitched tone, high-pitched tone, right and left balance, surrounding effect and sound volume or the like are adjusted under the control of the control signal SC10 output via the internal control bus CB from the microprocessor 5 through an audio processor 12, is sound-amplified by an amplifying circuit 13 and the sound amplified audio signal is output from a speaker 14.
In the meantime, the microprocessor 5 controls the switch SW1 through the internal control bus CB based on an operation through the remote controller 11 of the user, selects an input signal of either the first video signal S1 or the second video signal S2 as a main video signal SA and transmits it to a video processor 6 and transmits an input signal of either the first video signal S1 or the second video signal S2 as a sub-video signal SB to a picture-in-picture processor 17 through a picture mute 16.
The main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB output from the switch SW1 are simultaneously branched and also output to a switch SW2.
While the main video signal SA is input to the video processor 6 through the switch SW1, the sub-video signal SB is input to the video processor 6 through a character generator 18 from the picture-in-picture processor 17.
The video processor 6 separates a synchronizing signal comprising a horizontal synchronizing signal SH and a vertical synchronizing signal SV from the main video signal SA, and then, transmits respectively the main video signal SA and the synchronizing signals to a CRT7 and a deflecting circuit 8. Then, the R, G and B signals which are output signals of the video processor 6 are synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV, the synchronized signals are scanned by the deflecting circuit 8 and displayed on the screen of the CRT7. At this time, the quality of an image displayed on the CRT7 is adjusted by controlling the video processor 6 through the internal control bus CB from the nicroprocessor 5.
The video processor 6 furthermore respectively transmits the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV to the microprocessor 5 and the picture-in-picture processor 17.
The picture-in-picture processor 17 outputs a sub-picture comprising Y, U and V signals of the sub-video signal SB to the video processor 6 via the character generator 18 in accordance with a control signal SC10 output through the internal control bus CB from the microprocessor 5. The sub-picture is inserted into a part of the main picture by the video processor 6. The R, G and B
signals which are the output signals of the video processor 6 are synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV and scanned by the deflecting circuit 8 so that an obtained image is displayed on the screen of the CRT7.
As a result, as shown in Fig. 3A, a sub-picture P2 smaller than a main picture P1 is inserted into a part of the main picture P1 on the display screen of the CRT7.
Moreover, the video processor 6 synchronizes the caption vision of a main screen with the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV based on a control signal YS from the microprocessor 5, so that an obtained image is displayed on a desired position of the screen of the CRT7.
Similarly, the character generator 18 is designed to iiisert the caption vision of a sub-picture into the desired position of the sub-picture depending on the control signal SC10 output through the internal control bus CB from the microprocessor 5.
The output signal of the character generator 18 into which the caption vision or the character of the sub-picture such as a channel number or the like is inserted is sent to the video processor 6. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 3A, a channel number being selected as the sub-picture P2 is displayed on the sub-picture P2 as a channel number character PC2.
Furthermore, the character generator 18 displays a channel number of the main picture P1 being selected at this time as a channel number character PC1 in a part of the main picture P1 by the control signal SC10 from the microprocessor 5.
The microprocessor 5 switches the switch SW2 by a control signal SC15 for switching control which is generated by a control signal generating part 19 and alternately transmits the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB to a caption vision decoder 9.
That is, the microprocessor 5 generates the control signal SC15 to switch the switch SW2 when the horizontal synchronizing signal SH of the main video signal SA which is selected through the switch SW2 reaches the 21st line of scanning lines (21 lines) after the detection of the vertical synchronizing signal SV, and switches the SW2 to the sub-video signal SB side.
The microprocessor 5 controls to generate again the control signal SC15 from the control signal generating part 19 when the horizontal synchronizing signal SH of the sub-video signal SB
switched from the main video signal SA reaches the 21st line counting from a position in which the vertical synchronizing signal SV is detected and switch the switch SW2 to the main video signal SA side. The microprocessor 5 repeats the above-mentioned switching control relative to the switch SW2.
During this time, the microprocessor 5 respectively detects and decodes data for controlling the display on the screen which is set as to XDS signals SX1 and SX2 respectively transmitted at the 21st line of the fields 2 of the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB, from the main video signal SA and sub-video signal SB which are switched and alternately input by the control signal generating part 19 in the caption vision decoder 9.
The XDS data is a data formed into a packet on the line 21 in the field 2 of a television signal and provides a data service as the additional information of the video signal.
The caption vision decoder 9 respectively decodes the XDS
signals SX1 and SX2 added to the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB to detect a picture display control data added to the XDS signals SX1 and SX2. Thereby, a rating which has previously set to a main picture and a sub-picture at the transmitting side is discriminated.
Herein, the microprocessor 5 respectively compares the result of discrimination of the rating as to the main picture and the sub-picture by the caption vision decoder 9 with the rating data previously set in the microprocessor 5 of the receiving side by the user.
Then, the microprocessor 5 generates control signals SC20 and SC21 for controlling the display of the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen based on the compared result and respectively transmits them to a picture mute 16 and an OR circuit 21.
The picture mute 16 has a function for setting the sub-video signal SB transmitted from the switch SW1 to the picture-in-picture processor 6 to a black level and is on/off controlled by the control signal SC20 output from the microprocessor 5.
The OR circuit 21 transmits the logical OR of a timing for displaying the main picture on the screen controlled by the control signal SC21 transmitted from the microprocessor 5 and a timing for displaying the sub-picture on the screen transmitted from the picture-in-picture processor 6 as a control signal SC22, to the YW switch SW10 of the video processor 6 which is shown in Fig. 2.
The YUV switch SW10 switches the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB depending on the control signal SC22 and outputs them to the CRT7.
In this case, first, in order to block only the display of the main picture, such a control signal SC21 to set an output to off by setting the video signal of the main picture to the black level by means of the microprocessor 5, is transmitted to the OR
circuit 21. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3B, the YW switch SW10 is set to be kept switched to the sub-picture side during a display control period of the main picture on the screen, and the display of a part of displaying the main picture P1 is controlled in black and only an image of a part of the sub-picture P2 is projected onto the CRT7.
At this time, the microprocessor 5 outputs the control signal SC10 to the audio processor 12 to control a sound output from a speaker 14 corresponding to the main picture P1 in a normal state where the display is not controlled into a state of stopping the output in accordance with the display control of the main picture P1. At this time, a sound of the sub-picture P2 may be output in place of the sound of the main picture P1 (however, only when the display of the sub-picture is not controlled).
Furthermore, when the display of the main picture P1 is controlled in black, the character generator 18 displays a rating display character PC3 in a part of the main picture P1 displayed on the CRT7 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5, so that what the display of the main picture P1 is controlled can be perceived by a viewer.
In this connection, also when the display of the main picture P1 is controlled, the character generator 18 displays the channel display character PC1 in the main picture P1 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5. Thereby, even in the state where the main picture P1 is not appeared by controlled into a black level, the channel number of the main picture P1 being selected at this time can be informed the viewer.
Furthermore, when only the display of the sub-picture is blocked, the picture mute is turned on by the control signal SC20 output to the picture mute 16 from the microprocessor 5, and the sub-video signal SB transmitted to the picture-in-picture processor 6 is set to the black level. At this time, the main video signal SA or the sub-video signal SB is transmitted to the CRT7 with switched by the control signal SC22. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3C, the main picture P1 by the main video signal SA
is displayed on the display screen of the CRT7 with the sub-picture P2 controlled in the black level by the picture mute 16 displayed in a part of the main picture P1.
At this time, the character generator 18 displays a rating dlisplay character PC4 into a part of the sub-picture P2 controlled in the black level by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5, thus that the display of the sub-picture P2 is controlled can be perceived by the viewer.
In this connection, also when the display of the sub-picture P2 is controlled, the character generator 18 displays the channel clisplay character PC2 into the sub-picture P2 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5, so that even in the state where the sub-picture P2 is not appeared because of controlled into the black level, a channel number of the sub-picture being selected can be informed the viewer.
Furthermore, when the display of both the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen is blocked, the control signal SC21 for setting the output of the main picture to off is output from the microprocessor 5 to the OR circuit 21 and the control signal SC20 for setting the picture mute to on is output from the rnicroprocessor 5 to the picture mute 16.
As a result, the YW switch SW10 is set to be kept switched to the sub-picture side during the display control period of the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen, and the sub-video signal SB is set into the black level, so that, as shown in F'ig.
3D, both the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are blocked and are not output to the CRT7. At this time, the microprocessor sends the control signal SC10 to the audio processor 12 to control the sound which is output from the speaker 14 corresponding to the main picture P1 in the normal state where the olisplay is not controlled, into an output stopping state according t.o the display control of the main picture P1.
Furthermore, when both displays of the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are controlled in black, the character g-enerator 18 respectively displays the rating display character Pc3, PC9 into a part of the main picture P1 and a part of the sub-picture P2 controlled into the black level, so that what both displays of the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are controlled can be perceived to the audience.
In this connection, also when both displays of the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are controlled, the character generator 18 displays the channel display character PC1 in the main picture P1 by the control signal SC10 supplied from the microprocessor 5 while displays the channel display character PC2 in the sub-picture P2. Thereby, even in the state where the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 cannot be seen because of controlled into the black level, each channel number of the main picture and the sub-picture being selected at this time can be informed the viewer.
Furthermore, when both of the main picture and the sub--picture are displayed, the control signal SC21 for setting the output of the main picture to on is output to the OR circuit 21 from the microprocessor 5. At this time, the picture mute 16 is simultaneously set to off by the control signal SC20 output from the microprocessor 5. In this case, the YUV switch SW10 is switched synchronizing with the respective timing for turning on the output of the main picture and the sub-picture, based on the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV of the main picture, during a period for displaying the main picture and the sub-picture on the screen. Consequently, as shown in Fig. 3A, the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are both output onto the same screen of the CRT7.
By the way, as methods of canceling the display control at the receiving side, that the user inputs a code number to the microprocessor 5 or resets a viewer age of the rating with opening a menu screen or the like can be considered.
Furthermore, the microprocessor 5 transmits the caption vision signal SA2 of the main picture decoded by a closed caption signal from the caption vision decoder 9 to the video processor 6.
At this time, the microprocessor 5 simultaneously transmits a control signal YS for controlling whether the caption vision is displayed or not to the video processor 6.
Moreover, the microprocessor 5 controls whether the caption vision of the sub-picture is displayed or not according to a caption vision signal SB2 decoded from the closed caption data of the sub-image by the control signal SC10 output through the internal control bus CB to the character generator 18.
Furthermore, the microprocessor 5 controls a position for displaying the caption vision of the sub-picture by the control signal SC10 output to the character generator 18 through the internal control bus CB.
The character generator 18 controls the position for displaying the caption vision by synchronizing the horizontal synchronizing signal SH and the vertical synchronizing signal SV
transmitted from the video processor 6 with the caption vision signal SB2, based on the control signal SC10, and forms the caption vision of the sub-picture screen based on the caption vision signal SB2.
When the television signal and the video signal are respectively input through the tuner 3 and the terminal EX, in the above described structure, they are respectively selected as the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB at the switch SW1.
The main video signal SA is transmitted to the video processor 6.
The sub-video signal SB is transmitted to the picture-in-picture processor 17. At this time, the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB are also simultaneously branched and transmitted to the switch SW2.
In the switch SW2, the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB are alternately switched under the control of the microprocessor 5 and transmitted to the caption vision decoder 9.
At this time, the microprocessor 5 counts respective horizontal synchronizing signals SH of the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB and switches and controls the switch SW2 at a timing for every 21 lines counting from the vertical synchronizing signal SV in each field 2.
Accordingly, when the switch SW2 selects the main video signal SA, the microprocessor 5, after detecting the vertical synchronizing signal SV of the main video signal SA, counts the horizontal synchronizing signal SH for 21 lines counting from the vertical synchronizing signal SV to fetch the main video signals SA up to the 21st line to the caption vision decoder 9. Thus the XDS signal SX1 added to the 21st line of the field 2 in the main video signal SA is fetched to the caption vision decoder 9.
After counting 21 lines of the main video signal SA, the microprocessor 5 switches the switch SW2 to fetch the sub-video signal SB to the caption vision decoder 9. Then the microprocessor 5, after detecting the vertical synchronizing signal SV of the sub-video signal SB, counts the horizontal synchronizing signals SH for 21 lines from the vertical synchronizing signal SV to fetch the sub-video signal SB up to the 21st line to the caption vision decoder 9. Thus the XDS signal SX2 added to the 21st line of the field 2 in the sub-video signal SB to the caption vision decoder 9.
The caption vision decoder 9 respectively alternately decodes the XDS signals SX1 and SX2 respectively added to the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB of the 21st line, so that a display control of each screen of the main video signal SA
and the sub-video signal SB is discriminated.
Thus each screen display control data respectively set in two video signals selected via the switch SW1 (the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB) is repeatedly alternately discriminated in one caption vision decoder 9.
In this connection, the screen display control data added to each XDS signal SX1, SX2 of the main video signal SA, the sub-video signal SB is set its level in accordance with the contents of image. Therefore, if the level of each screen display control data discriminated in the caption vision decoder 9 is higher than the level previously set by the user and corresponding to the viewer age, this represents that the image corresponding to the screen display control data is undesirable for the viewer younger than the age set by the user. In this case, the microprocessor 5 controls the display of the picture with the screen display control data is added thereto.
In the case where the picture to be controlled of the display regulation is a main picture, the microprocessor 5 switches the YUV switch SW10 in the video processor 6 into a sub-video side to forcedly control the display of the part where the main picture is displayed into black. This display control of the main picture is continued until the level of the display control data added to the main video signal SA becomes the same as or lower than the level corresponding to the viewer age previously set by the user in the microprocessor 5.
Besides, in the case where the picture to be controlled of the display is a sub-picture, the microprocessor 5 forcedly controls the display of the sub-video into black by the picture mute 16. This display control of the sub-picture is continued until the level of the display control data added to the sub-video signal SB becomes the same as or lower than the level corresponding to the viewer age previously set by the user in the microprocessor 5.
According to the above mentioned structure, since the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB input from the two input sources are respectively switched by the switch SW2 and alternately transmitted to the caption vision decoder 9, the XDS
signal SX1 recorded on the main video signal SA as additional information and the XDS signal SX2 recorded on the sub-video signal SB as additional information are detected and decoded.
Thus, the ratings concerning the display control on the screen which are respectively set to the XDS signals SX1 and SX2 can be individually decoded by the caption vision decoder 9 with one input. Besides, the screen display control corresponding to each video signal SA and SB can be individually performed on both of the main picture and the sub-picture to be displayed on the same screen of the CRT7 by the microprocessor 5.
Furthermore, since the closed caption data respectively added to the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB
which are input from the two input sources are switched through the switch SW2, alternately supplied to the caption vision decoder 9 with one input, and decoded, in the main picture and the sub-picture to be displayed on the same screen, the caption vision data can be individually displayed.
Although, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying a plurality of pictures using the video signals input from the tuner 3 and the external terminal. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 5 in which the same reference numerals are added to parts corresponding to those in Fig. 2, by providing a second tuner 4 in addition to the first tuner 3, two video signals may be selected among from these two tuners 3, 4 and the external terminal EX by the switch SW1 to respectively transmit these signals to the video processor 6 and the picture mute 16 as the main video signal SA
and the sub-video signal SB.
In this case, a TV broadcasting selected by the second tuner 4 is transmitted from a different broadcasting station from the TV
broadcasting selected by the first tuner 3. Thus, if a third video signal S3 and a third audio signal S30 selected by the second tuner 4 are transmitted to the switch SW1 and the desired video signal is selected in the switch SW1, a channel of the other TV station which cannot be selected by the first tuner 3 can be selected.
In this arrangement, since the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB can be selected among from video signals supplied from two channels on the air and the external terminal EX, the screen display control and the display of caption vision can be individually conducted based on the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB being selected.
Furthermore, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying the sub-picture P2 smaller than the main picture P1 in a part of the main picture P1 on the display screen of the CRT7. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 6A, the present invention can be applied to the case of linearly displaying the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 in the display regions having the almost same size.
Furthermore, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying the two pictures (the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2) on the display screen of the CRT7. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 6B, the present invention can be applied to the case of displaying more than 3 pictures P1 - P7 on one display screen of the CRT7. In this case, by providing a switch for switching a plurality of, more than 3, inputs in place of the switch SW2 for switching two inputs mentioned above in Fig. 2, the screen display control can be conducted individually to each plurality of, more than 3, pictures.
Furthermore, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case of displaying the channel number characters PC1 and PC2 in the main picture P1 and/or the sub-picture P2 by the character generator 18. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also, as shown in Fig. 6C, a logotype of broadcasting station transmitted in the form of respective XDS signals to the m.ain picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 may be displayed as broadcasting station logotype character(s) Pc5 and/or PC6. Thereby, the viewer can perceive the broadcasting station being the provider of each picture. In this connection, Fig. 6D shows the state where the display of each picture is controlled when the main picture P1 and the sub-picture P2 are linearly displayed.
Also in this case, since the rating display characters PC3 or PC4 and the broadcasting station logotype characters Pc5 or PC6 are displayed, the viewer can perceive that the displays of pictures P1, P2 are controlled respectively, and further can confirm the broadcasting stations of the pictures P1 and P2 of which the contents cannot be confirmed because it is in the process of display control.
The data service using the XDS signal may be applied to information including, 1) various information concerning a program such as the start time, lapse of time, contents of a currently transmitted program, 2) various information concerning a program such as the start time, lapse of time, contents of a program to be sent in future, 3) information concerning a broadcast station which is broadcasting, 4) time information, 5) information of weather or accident or the like, and may be applied to a case in which these information are all decoded.
Furthermore, the additional information may be broadly applied to a case in which general signal information added to a video signal such as a signal superimposed on a part other than a text or a 21st line as well as the closed caption data and the XDS
signal are decoded.
Moreover, the above described embodiment has dealt with the case where a timing when 21 horizontal synchronizing signals are counted after the vertical synchronizing signal is detected is used as a switching timing for switching the switch SW2. However, the present invention is not only limited to this but also the switch SW2 may be switched every one field by the vertical synchronizing signal. Additionally, the count number of the horizontal synchronizing signals may be set to a count other than 21 according to the additional position of the XDS signal transmitted along with the count number in the horizontal synchronizing signal.
Furthermore, the switch SW2 may be switched and controlled at high speed by a clock of, for example, ten and several megahertz, the main video signal SA and the sub-video signal SB
may be respectively alternately read, transmitted to the microprocessor 5 and respectively stored in a RAM (random access memory) for the main video signal SA and a RAM for the sub-video signal SB, and then, the XDS signals added thereto may be respectively sampled and decoded by the caption vision decoder 9.
Moreover, by respectively storing 21 lines of the horizontal synchronizing signals of the main picture and the sub-picture in a main picture buffer and a sub-picture buffer, they may be read from each buffer at a higher speed than its writing speed, supplied to the microprocessor 5, and input to the caption vision decoder 9 in the microprocessor 5.
Industrial Applicability In a television receiver, the present invention can be applied to the case of linearly displaying pictures of a plurality of channels on the same display screen.
Claims (14)
1. A decoder, comprising:
means for processing a plurality of input signals simultaneously received from various input sources and displaying on one screen a plurality of pictures corresponding to said plurality of input signals, each input signal containing data service signals superimposed at predetermined positions;
switching means for sequentially inputting to said processing means each video signal at predetermined switch times associated with said predetermined positions;
means for decoding an information contained in said data service signals; and display control means generating control signals based on said information for controlling display of each picture.
means for processing a plurality of input signals simultaneously received from various input sources and displaying on one screen a plurality of pictures corresponding to said plurality of input signals, each input signal containing data service signals superimposed at predetermined positions;
switching means for sequentially inputting to said processing means each video signal at predetermined switch times associated with said predetermined positions;
means for decoding an information contained in said data service signals; and display control means generating control signals based on said information for controlling display of each picture.
2. The decoder of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of input signals is a television signal formed by a video signal and an audio signal.
3. The decoder of claim 2, further including means for setting a switch time value based on said predetermined position by counting a fixed number of horizontal synchronizing signals following a vertical synchronizing signal.
4. The decoder of claim 2, further including means for separating said audio signal and wherein said display control means also controls the output of said audio signal based on said information.
5. The decoder of claim 1, wherein said control signals are obtained by comparing said information with data set at the receiving end.
6. The decoder of claim 5, wherein said data set at the receiving end includes a preset age limit, said information includes a minimum age limit, and said display control means restricts display of a picture whenever said preset age limit is smaller than said minimum age limit.
7. The decoder of claim 1, further including means for selecting and decoding a fixed number of input signals out of said plurality of input signals.
8. The decoder of claim 7, wherein said fixed number is two, and wherein a first picture is output for display on a full screen and a second picture is output for display in a smaller area on the same screen.
9. The decoder of claim 7, wherein said fixed number is two and wherein a first picture is output for display on a predetermined part of a screen and a second picture is output for linear display on the other part of the same screen.
10. The decoder of claim 7, wherein said fixed number is larger than two and wherein a first picture corresponding to a first input signal is output for display on a predetermined part of a screen and a plurality of pictures corresponding to the remaining input signals are output for linear display on the other part of the same screen.
11. The decoder of claim 1, wherein said information is added as a packet data.
12. The decoder of claim 1, further including character generating means for outputting characters indicating a type of service included in said information.
13. The decoder of claim 12, wherein said characters indicate that said decoder is processing a group of pictures.
14. A method for decoding, comprising:
(a) providing a plurality of input signals received from various input sources, each input signal containing data service signals superimposed at predetermined locations;
(b) sequentially processing each input signal at predetermined switch times associated with said predetermined locations;
(c) continuously decoding an information contained in said data service signals; and (d) generating picture display control signals based on said information for displaying on same screen pictures corresponding to said plurality of input signals, each picture output being based on an associated picture display control signal.
(a) providing a plurality of input signals received from various input sources, each input signal containing data service signals superimposed at predetermined locations;
(b) sequentially processing each input signal at predetermined switch times associated with said predetermined locations;
(c) continuously decoding an information contained in said data service signals; and (d) generating picture display control signals based on said information for displaying on same screen pictures corresponding to said plurality of input signals, each picture output being based on an associated picture display control signal.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPP08-215277 | 1996-07-26 | ||
| JP21527796 | 1996-07-26 | ||
| PCT/JP1997/002588 WO1998005160A1 (en) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-07-25 | Decoder and decoding method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2232154A1 CA2232154A1 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
| CA2232154C true CA2232154C (en) | 2007-12-04 |
Family
ID=16669657
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002232154A Expired - Fee Related CA2232154C (en) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-07-25 | Decoder and decoding method |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP4006764B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR19990063705A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2232154C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998005160A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6055023A (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2000-04-25 | Thomson Consumer Electronics | Television apparatus for simultaneous decoding of auxiliary data included in multiple television signals |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3237783B2 (en) * | 1992-08-05 | 2001-12-10 | 株式会社富士通ゼネラル | Dual screen TV receiver |
| JPH06125505A (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1994-05-06 | Sony Corp | Television device |
| JPH06133239A (en) * | 1992-10-16 | 1994-05-13 | Sony Corp | Monitor |
| JPH06133238A (en) * | 1992-10-21 | 1994-05-13 | Toshiba Corp | Broadcast viewing state automatic switching device |
| JPH06189214A (en) * | 1992-12-18 | 1994-07-08 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Black level correcting device for multiscreen synthetic video signal |
| JPH06233210A (en) * | 1993-02-04 | 1994-08-19 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | On-screen display circuit |
| JPH0898172A (en) * | 1994-09-27 | 1996-04-12 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Picture encoding device and picture decoding device |
| JP3498866B2 (en) * | 1994-11-07 | 2004-02-23 | ソニー株式会社 | Image display control device and method |
| JP3065227B2 (en) * | 1995-03-10 | 2000-07-17 | ソニー株式会社 | Parental Control Device and Parental Control Method |
| JP3536946B2 (en) * | 1995-04-17 | 2004-06-14 | ソニー株式会社 | Electronic program guide receiving apparatus and method |
| JP3539449B2 (en) * | 1995-04-17 | 2004-07-07 | ソニー株式会社 | Electronic program guide receiving apparatus and method |
-
1997
- 1997-07-25 CA CA002232154A patent/CA2232154C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-07-25 WO PCT/JP1997/002588 patent/WO1998005160A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-07-25 KR KR1019980702172A patent/KR19990063705A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-07-25 JP JP50868898A patent/JP4006764B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1998005160A1 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
| MX9802155A (en) | 1998-08-30 |
| CA2232154A1 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
| JP4006764B2 (en) | 2007-11-14 |
| KR19990063705A (en) | 1999-07-26 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
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| MKLA | Lapsed |
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