KR100746709B1 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An image processing apparatus capable of preventing a signal from leaking is disclosed. The image processing apparatus is electrically connected to an external device using a power line, and provides an external device with a driving voltage and an audio / video signal received from the outside. The image processing apparatus includes an isolator that blocks leakage of a signal received from the outside, and the power line provides an external device with a driving voltage and an audio / video signal via the isolator. Accordingly, the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus may transmit and receive signals to each other through one power line, and may prevent the signals from leaking to the outside, thereby preventing the crosstalk of different signals.

Power Line Communication, Isolator

Description

Image processing apparatus

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a television according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a signal processing procedure in the television shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the computer illustrated in FIG. 1.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a signal processing process in the computer illustrated in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: TV 200: computer

300: power output terminal 400: antenna

PL1, PL2: Power Line

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus connected to an external device using power line communication.

Power line communication refers to transmission of voice, text data, video, etc. only through a power line to which voltage is applied. That is, power line communication connects only one power line without connecting an additional communication line to the electronic device, and the electronic device is connected to the communication network at the same time as the voltage is supplied through the power line.

Recently, efforts have been made to apply such power line communication to a general home or office to enable internet communication or a home automation system with one power line without installing a telephone line or a local area network (LAN).

However, at present, since the frequency band allocated to power line communication is low, about 10 kHz to about 450 kHz, high speed communication is not possible, and thus, power line communication is mainly applied to control on / off of a switch. This is because when the frequency band of the received voltage is set to several tens of MHz, the signal leaks to the outside and crosstalk occurs, so that a low low frequency signal is used to prevent this.

In addition, even when power line communication is used in a home or an office, each electronic device is connected to different power lines to receive a voltage required for driving, and receives power from each power input terminal. In particular, since many electronic devices are used in homes and offices, many power lines are exposed to the outside, which is not good to see.

In addition, TVs, which are frequently used in homes, are connected to digital video disk (DVD) players, set-top boxes (STBs), computers, and the like to display various images. In this case, various signal lines are needed for connecting the television and the electronics to transmit and receive signals between the television and the other electronics. Since signal lines are exposed to the outside like power lines, they are not good in appearance, and the connection of signal lines is complicated, making it difficult for users to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing a signal from leaking and reducing distortion of a signal in a process of transmitting and receiving a signal to an external device through power line communication.

An image processing apparatus electrically connected to an external device using a power line according to one feature for realizing the object of the present invention includes an isolator, a frequency converter, and an image processor.

The isolator is electrically connected to the power line, receives the audio / video signal and the driving voltage, and prevents leakage of the audio / video signal to the outside. The frequency converter converts and outputs the frequency of the voltage received from the isolator. The image processor displays an image corresponding to the audio / video signal.

The apparatus may further include a coupler that separates the audio / video signal received integrally with the driving voltage from the frequency converter and provides the separated audio / video signal to the image processor.

In addition, the isolator allows currents of the same magnitude to pass and blocks currents of different magnitude to prevent leakage of the audio / video signal.

The frequency converter converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage, and then converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage to output a DC voltage having a frequency higher than that of the first DC voltage.

On the other hand, the power line transmits the audio / video signal and the driving voltage output from the isolator to an external device.

According to such an image processing apparatus, by transmitting and receiving a signal with an external device through a single power line, it is good in appearance, and is provided with an isolator to prevent the leakage of electromagnetic waves to the outside, thereby preventing crosstalk of different signals. Can be.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail the present invention.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a television according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a television 100 according to the present invention receives a driving voltage and an audio / video signal through a first power line PL1 to display an image, and displays an external computer using a second power line PL2. It is electrically connected with 200.

The television 100 includes an isolator 110 connected to the first power line PL1, a first frequency converter 120 that outputs a substantial voltage required to drive the television 100, and an audio / video signal separated from the driving voltage. The first coupler 130, the tuner 140 for receiving a broadcast signal, the signal processor 150 for decoding an audio / video signal, the image display unit 160 for displaying an image, and the audio output unit 170 for outputting audio. ).

The isolator 110 is connected to the first power line PL1 to receive power and audio / video signals through the first power line PL1 and to prevent the audio / video signal from leaking to the outside. Here, the first power line PL1 is electrically connected to the power output terminal 300. The power output terminal 300 outputs a voltage provided from the outside, and is connected to a communication network to output a signal received through a communication network (not shown).

The first power line PL1 is composed of two parallel lines, and the two lines have different directions of current. At this time, if the current magnitudes of the two lines are the same, electromagnetic waves do not leak, but if the current magnitudes are different, the electromagnetic waves leak out of the television 100.

In this way, the currents of the two lines having different magnitudes are called common mode currents, and since the common mode currents mainly flow in the first power line PL1, a signal may leak out of the television 100. To prevent this, the isolator 110 cuts off the common mode current received from the first power line PL1 and passes only currents having the same magnitude between the two lines. Accordingly, the television 100 can prevent the audio / video signal from leaking to the outside.

Meanwhile, the first frequency converter 120 converts the frequency of the voltage input from the isolator 110 and outputs the converted frequency. The first frequency converter 120 receives a DC voltage having a low frequency bandwidth of about 60 Hz from the isolator 110. The first frequency converter 120 converts the input DC voltage into an AC voltage, and then converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage to output a voltage of several tens to hundreds of MHz. Here, the driving voltage output from the first frequency converter 120 becomes a substantial voltage for driving the television 100.

The first coupler 130 receives the voltage output from the first frequency converter 120. In this case, the driving voltage and the audio / video signal are integrally formed with the voltage input to the first coupler 130. The first coupler 130 filters the audio / video signal from the driving voltage and outputs the separated audio / video signal.

The tuner 140 receives a broadcast signal from an external antenna 400 and transmits the received broadcast signal to the signal processor 150.

The signal processor 150 receives the audio / video signal from the first coupler 130, decodes the audio / video signal, and restores the original audio / video signal.

The image display unit 160 receives a video signal output from the signal processor 150 to display an image, and the audio output unit 170 receives an audio signal output from the signal processor 150 to output audio.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a signal processing procedure in the television shown in FIG.

1 and 2, first, the isolator 110 receives an audio / video signal and a driving voltage through the first power line PL1 (step S501), and then passes only currents having the same current strength. (Step S503).

The first frequency converter 120 converts and outputs the frequency of the voltage received from the isolator 110 (step S505).

The first coupler 130 receives the driving voltage and the audio / video signal from the first frequency converter 120, separates the driving voltage and the audio / video signal, and outputs the separated audio / video signal (step S120). S507).

The signal processor 150 receives the audio / video signal from the first coupler 130, decodes the received audio / video signal, and provides the decoded audio / video signal to the image display unit 160 and the audio output unit 170 (step S509).

The audio output unit 170 receives the audio signal from the signal processor 150 to reproduce the audio (step S511), and the image display unit 160 receives the video signal from the signal processor 150 to display the image (step S511). S513).

Referring back to FIG. 1, the voltage output from the isolator 110 is transmitted to the computer 200 through the second power line PL2. The second power line PL2 is electrically connected to the television 100 and the computer 200. The second power line PL2 receives the driving voltage and the audio / video signal from the isolator 110 and transmits it to the computer 200.

That is, the driving voltage and the audio / video signal output from the power output terminal 300 are input to the isolator 110 of the television 100 via the first power line PL1. The driving voltage and the audio / video signal output from the isolator 110 are provided to the first frequency converter 120 of the television 100, as well as the second output line PL2 electrically connected to the isolator 110. It may be provided to the computer 200 through.

As such, since the computer 200 is electrically connected to the television 100 through the second power line PL2, the computer 200 may be provided with a voltage required for driving without being directly connected to the power output terminal 300. Can be connected to the network. In addition, the computer 200 may receive a driving voltage and various signals for driving the computer 200 through the second power line PL2.

Accordingly, since the television 100 does not need to further include a signal line for transmitting and receiving various signals with the computer 200, the television 100 is good in aesthetic view, and the user can easily connect the television 100 and the computer 200. have.

Although not shown in the drawing, the computer 200 may be electrically connected to other electronic devices by using an additional power line, and the electronic device connected to the computer 200 may transmit driving voltages and signals from the television 100 to the computer 200. Receive via. In addition to the computer 200, an additional electronic device may be connected to the television 100 by using a power line, and the additional electronic device connected to the television 100 receives a driving voltage and a signal through the television 100.

In this embodiment, the television 100 is connected to the computer 200 using the second power line PL2, but image processing that may be connected to the television 100, such as a DVD player or a set-top box, in addition to the computer 200. The devices can be connected in the same way.

In addition, in this embodiment, the computer 200 receives a voltage via the television 100, but the computer 200 is directly connected to the power output terminal 300, and the television 100 is connected to the computer 200. ) May be indirectly connected to the power output terminal (300). In this case, the television 100 is supplied with a voltage through the computer 200, which has an isolator 110 embedded in the television 100.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the computer illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the computer 200 according to the present invention decodes a second frequency converter 210, a second coupler 220, an interface 230, and an audio / video signal for converting a frequency of an input voltage. A / V signal processing unit 240, a display unit 260 for displaying an image corresponding to the video signal, and an audio output unit 270 for outputting audio corresponding to the audio signal.

In this embodiment, the second frequency converter 210 and the second coupler 220 have the same function as the first frequency converter 120 and the first coupler 130 built in the television 100, respectively. . Therefore, hereinafter, the description of the second frequency converter 210 and the second coupler 220 will not be repeated with the first frequency converter 120 and the first coupler 130.

The second frequency converter 210 converts and outputs the frequency of the voltage received from the isolator 110 (see FIG. 1) of the television 100 via the second power line PL2.

The second coupler 220 receives the driving voltage and the audio / video signal whose frequency is converted by the second frequency converter 210, and separates the audio / video signal from the driving voltage.

The interface unit 230 provides an interface between the second coupler 220, the A / V signal processor 240, and the memory 250. The interface unit 230 transmits data from the second coupler 220 to the A / V signal processor 240, transmits data extracted from the memory 250 to the A / V signal processor 240, and transmits predetermined data. Transfer to memory 250.

The A / V signal processor 240 decodes the audio / video signal received from the second coupler 220 and converts the audio / video signal into a playable original audio / video signal. The audio / video signal output from the A / V signal processor 240 may be provided to the display unit 260 and the audio output unit 270, and may be transmitted to the television 100 through the second power line PL2. Video and audio corresponding to audio / video signals may be reproduced by the television 100. At this time, when the video and audio are reproduced by the computer 200, the television 100 is in a stand-by mode. In contrast, when video and audio are reproduced by the television 100, the computer 200 enters the standby mode.

Since the signal output from the A / V signal processor 240 is a frequency-converted signal by the second frequency converter 210, the computer 200 transmits the signal to the television 100 in the form of raw data. Can transmit Accordingly, the television 100 and the computer 200 may transmit and receive signals to each other without compressing data using an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) (MPEG), thereby preventing the signal from being distorted during the transmission and reception process. Can be.

The memory 250 stores data generated inside or input from the outside of the computer 200.

The display unit 260 reproduces the video signal output from the A / V signal processor 240 to display an image, and the audio output unit 270 reproduces the audio signal output from the A / V signal processor 240. Output voice.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a signal processing process in the computer illustrated in FIG. 3.

3 and 4, first, the second frequency converter 210 receives from the television 100 (step S601), converts and outputs the frequency of the received voltage (step S603).

The second coupler 220 receives the driving voltage and the audio / video signal from the second frequency converter 210, separates the driving voltage and the audio / video signal, and outputs the separated audio / video signal (step S605).

The A / V signal processor 240 receives the audio / video signal from the second coupler 220 through the interface unit 230, and then decodes the received audio / video signal to display the display unit 260 and the audio output unit. 270, respectively (step S607).

The audio output unit 270 receives the audio signal from the A / V signal processor 240 to reproduce the voice (step S609), and the display unit 260 receives the video signal from the A / V signal processor 240. An image is displayed (step S611).

According to the present invention described above, the television is provided with an isolator for receiving the driving voltage and the audio / video signal through the first power line and blocking the common mode current, thereby preventing the audio / video signal from leaking to the outside. .

In addition, the television is electrically connected to the computer using the second power line, thereby receiving and transmitting signals from the computer using one power line. Accordingly, the television does not need to have several signal lines necessary for communication with the computer, and therefore, the television is good in appearance and can provide convenience to the user.

In addition, the computer may convert the frequency using the second frequency converter so that the signal may be transmitted to the television in the form of raw data. Accordingly, the computer can transmit a signal to the television without compressing the data, thereby preventing the signal from being distorted during transmission and reception.

Although described above with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art can be variously modified and changed within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below. I can understand.

Claims (5)

An image processing apparatus electrically connected to an external device using a power line, An isolator electrically connected to the power line, receiving an audio / video signal and a driving voltage, and preventing the audio / video signal from leaking to the outside; A frequency converter for converting and outputting frequencies of the audio / video signal and the driving voltage received from the isolator; And An image processor which displays an image corresponding to the audio / video signal, The power line, The audio / video signal output from the frequency converter is transmitted to an external device. The method of claim 1, The image processing apparatus, And a coupler separating the audio / video signal received integrally with the driving voltage from the frequency converter and providing the separated audio / video signal to the image processor. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolator passes currents having the same magnitude and blocks currents having the same magnitude. The image of claim 1, wherein the frequency converter converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage, and then converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage to output a DC voltage having a frequency higher than that of the first DC voltage. Processing unit. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power line transmits the audio / video signal and the driving voltage output from the isolator to the external device.

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