JPH10336613A - Image delivery method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method capable of easily delivering data other than original images along with original image signals. SOLUTION: An image signal judgement means 2 judges whether sent video signals (image signals) are the original images or imaged control data. At the time of judging that they are the imaged control data, a control data restoration means 4 restores the control data from the video signals and a control data recording means 6 records the restored control data in a recording medium 8. On the other hand, at the time of judging that they are the original images, an image signal recording means 10 records the video signals in the recording medium 8 relating to the control data. In such a manner, by imaging and sending the control data along with the original image signals, the control data are easily sent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image delivery and image recording, and more particularly, to control data delivery and recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, character data and the like are transmitted by being superimposed on an original image signal. For example, in some cases, character data is transmitted by a predetermined modulation method in a blanking time of an image signal or in a portion where there is no image above and below the screen. According to this, it is possible to transmit subtitles for movie images or to transmit text news irrespective of images.

However, in these methods,
Additional equipment and circuits for modulating and demodulating character data were required. Therefore, character data could not be transmitted from a transmitting device that did not have such a modulation circuit. In addition, a receiving device that does not have such a demodulation circuit cannot receive character data.

Further, in addition to the above, the method of performing transmission by using a portion having no image above and below the screen has the following problem. This method naturally assumes that there is room at the top and bottom of the screen. Therefore, it cannot be applied to satellite broadcasting or the like in which the entire screen is used as an original image area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a method capable of easily delivering data other than an original image together with an original image signal.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting an image by signalizing an image, wherein the original image is signalized and transmitted, and the control data is expressed as an image and expressed as an image. It is characterized by delivering the control data obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the receiving side records the original image signal, restores the control data based on the image, and restores the original data based on the restored control data. It is characterized by controlling recording or reproduction of an image signal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image delivery method, wherein a plurality of delivery sides are provided corresponding to one delivery side, and the delivery side is provided based on imaged control data. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the original image signal is to be recorded by itself.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the receiving side records the original image signal, restores the control data based on the image, and transmits the restored control data to the original image signal. It is characterized in that it is recorded in association with.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the recorded control data is control data relating to image reproduction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image delivery method, the control data includes time data, and based on the time data,
It is characterized in that the device receiving the delivery sets the time.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a method of delivering an image by converting an original sound into a signal, expressing the control data as a sound, and delivering the control data expressed as a sound.

In the image delivery method according to the present invention, the receiving side records the original image signal and the audio signal in association with each other, and restores the control data based on the image and the audio, and restores the restored control data. It is characterized in that recording or reproduction of an original image signal is controlled based on data.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image delivery method, the image signal is:
It is characterized by being sent to the receiving side by wire communication or wireless communication.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the image signal is transmitted to a receiving side via a satellite.

An image delivery method according to an eleventh aspect is characterized in that the image signal is recorded on a recording medium and sent to the receiving side by the recording medium.

A delivery method according to a twelfth aspect is characterized in that an original image is converted into a signal and delivered, the data is represented as an image, and the data represented as the image is delivered.

[0018] In a delivery method according to a thirteenth aspect, the data is:
The image is characterized by being represented by at least one of the hue, luminance, and saturation of pixels constituting the image.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delivery method comprising: n pixels vertically;
One pixel is a block, and data is expressed as the same hue, luminance, and saturation for all the pixels in the block.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delivery method wherein n pixels are arranged vertically and m pixels are arranged horizontally.
The pixel is one block, and data is represented by an image pattern formed by hue, luminance or saturation of each pixel in the block or a combination thereof.

A delivery method according to claim 16 is characterized in that a frame or a field of the same image is repeatedly transmitted for a predetermined time.

A delivery method according to claim 17 is characterized in that one frame or one field is divided into a plurality of areas, and each area is obtained by imaging the same data.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: an image signal determining unit that determines whether a given image signal is an original image signal or an image signal obtained by converting control data into an image; Control data restoring means for restoring control data from the image signal when it is determined that the given image signal is an image of the control data;
The control data recording unit that records at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoration unit on a recording medium, and the image signal determination unit determines that the given image signal is an original image. Image signal recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium in association with the control data.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: an image signal determining unit that determines whether a given image signal is an original image signal or an image signal obtained by converting control data into an image; Control data restoring means for restoring control data from the image signal when it is determined that the given image signal is an image of the control data;
If the image signal determining means determines that the given image signal is an original image, the image signal recording means records the image signal on a recording medium. The recording operation of the image signal recording unit is controlled based on at least a part of the control data restored by the restoration unit.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the image signal determining means determines whether the given image signal is an original image signal or an image signal obtained by converting control data into an image. Control data restoring means for restoring control data from the image signal when it is determined that the given image signal is an image of the control data;
The control data recording unit that records at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoration unit on a recording medium, and the image signal determination unit determines that the given image signal is an original image. An image signal recording unit that records the image signal on a recording medium in association with the control data, wherein the image data is recorded based on at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoration unit. The recording operation by the signal recording means is controlled.

The recording device according to claim 21, wherein the given audio signal is an audio signal judging means for judging whether the audio signal is an original audio signal or an audio signal obtained by converting a timing signal into an audio signal.
When it is determined by the audio signal determining means that the given audio signal is a voice signal of the timing signal, the timing signal generating means for generating the timing signal based on the audio signal, the audio signal determining means An audio signal recording unit for recording the audio signal on a recording medium when it is determined that the given audio signal is the original audio, based on the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation unit. The recording timing by the image signal recording means is controlled.

A recording apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect is characterized in that the control data restoring means restores control data based on at least one of three independent factors of pixels constituting an image.

In a recording apparatus according to a twenty-third aspect, the control data restoring means sets the vertical n pixels and the horizontal m pixels as one block, and calculates the average value or the maximum appearance value of hue, luminance, and saturation for the pixels in the block. It is characterized in that the control data is calculated and the control data is restored based on the average value or the maximum occurrence value.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the control data restoring means sets a hue, a luminance, and a luminance of each block based on a plurality of frames or fields given within a predetermined time.
It is characterized in that an average value or a maximum appearance value of saturation is calculated and control data is restored based on the average value or the maximum appearance value.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, when the control data restoring means receives a plurality of frames or fields within a predetermined time and the control data cannot be accurately restored, the restoring is performed based on another frame or field. It is characterized in that it is performed.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, when the control data restoring means cannot accurately restore the control data based on a partial area of the given one frame or one field, It is characterized in that restoration is performed based on another area.

The recording medium according to claim 27 is the recording medium according to claims 17 to 2
5 stores a program for realizing a recording device of any one of the above-mentioned recording devices by a computer.

A recording medium according to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention includes an original image recording unit for recording an original image by converting it into a signal, and a control image recording unit for recording control data expressed as an image.

A recording medium according to claim 29 is characterized in that the control data recorded in the control image recording section controls recording or reproduction of an image signal originally recorded in the image recording section.

In this specification, the concepts and examples of terms used are as follows.

The term "delivery" refers to transmitting data by any method, and includes the concept of transmission by wireless communication or wired communication, and the concept of recording data on a recording medium and sending the recording medium. .

"Control data" refers to content recording,
This refers to data used in connection with retention, reproduction, and the like. In the embodiment, the data shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to this.

"Image signal judging means" is means for judging whether the sent image signal is at least an original image signal or whether the control data is an image. As a basis for the determination, a predetermined protocol such as a duration or a transmission order may be used, the determination may be made by the image signal itself, or the determination may be made by the audio signal. In the embodiment, steps S3 and S5 in FIG. 8 correspond to this.

"Control data restoring means" refers to means for restoring a control signal based on an image signal obtained by imaging control data. In the embodiment, step S22 in FIG. 14 corresponds to this.

"Control data recording means" refers to means for recording the restored control data on a recording medium. Includes data that records some, but not all, of the restored control data.
In the embodiment, step S24 in FIG. 14 corresponds to this.

"Image signal recording means" refers to means for recording at least an image signal in association with control data. This is a concept including a signal other than the image signal that is also recorded. In the embodiment, step S8 in FIG. 8 corresponds to this.

The "voice signal determining means" is means for determining whether the transmitted voice signal is at least an original voice signal or a voice signal of a timing signal. As a basis for the determination, a predetermined protocol such as a duration or a transmission order may be used, the determination may be made by the audio signal itself, or the determination may be made by the image signal. In the embodiment, steps S3 and S5 in FIG. 8 correspond to this.

"Timing signal restoring means" refers to means for restoring a timing signal from a given audio signal. In the embodiment, steps S3 and S5 in FIG. 8 correspond to this. In the illustrated embodiment, the audio signal determination and the timing signal restoration are performed simultaneously, but may be performed separately.

"Audio signal recording means" refers to means for recording at least an audio signal in association with control data. This is a concept that includes those that also record signals other than audio signals. In the embodiment, step S8 in FIG. 8 corresponds to this.

[0045]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image delivery method characterized in that an original image is signalized and delivered, control data is represented as an image, and the control data represented as an image is delivered. Since the control data is imaged and transmitted, no special modulation / demodulation circuit or the like is required for the control data delivery. That is, control data can be transmitted as long as the system can deliver images.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the receiving side restores the control data based on the image,
It is characterized in that recording or reproduction of an original image signal is controlled based on the restored control data.
Therefore, recording or reproduction of the original image signal can be controlled based on the control signal sent as an image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image delivery method, wherein the receiving side determines whether or not the original image signal is to be recorded by itself based on the imaged control data. . Therefore, even when there are many recipients, delivery can be performed only to desired ones by simultaneous delivery.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image delivery method, the receiving side restores the control data based on the image,
It is characterized in that the restored control data is recorded in association with the original image signal. Therefore, control data sent as an image can be recorded in association with the original image signal, and this control data can be used at the time of image reproduction or the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the recorded control data is control data relating to image reproduction. Therefore, the reproduction of the original image can be controlled by the control data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image delivery method, the control data includes time data, and based on the time data,
It is characterized in that the device receiving the delivery sets the time. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the time on the receiving side based on the time data of the imaged and delivered image.

The image delivery method according to claim 7 is characterized in that the original sound is signalized and delivered, the control data is expressed as a sound, and the control data expressed as the sound is delivered. Therefore, voiced control data can also be used. In particular, since voiced control data is easier to restore and is quicker to restore than imaged control data, it is necessary to voice control data that is simple and requires real-time transmission. Becomes possible.

The image delivery method according to claim 8 is characterized in that the control data is restored based on the image and the sound, and the recording or reproduction of the original image signal is controlled based on the restored control data. I have. Therefore, the recording or reproduction of the original image signal can be controlled based on the control signal sent as the image and the sound.

The delivery method according to the twelfth and thirteenth aspects is characterized in that the data is represented as an image and the data represented as the image is delivered. Since data other than the original image is imaged and delivered, no special modulation / demodulation circuit or the like is required for data delivery. That is, as long as the system can deliver images, control data can be delivered.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delivery method comprising:
One pixel is a block, and data is expressed as the same hue, luminance, and saturation for all the pixels in the block. Therefore, even if the image is deteriorated due to recording noise, transmission noise, or the like, data can be accurately restored by referring to other pixels.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delivery method, wherein n pixels vertically and m pixels horizontally.
The pixel is one block, and data is represented by an image pattern formed by hue, luminance or saturation of each pixel in the block or a combination thereof. Therefore, an appropriate image pattern can be selected according to the characteristics of recording and transmission, a compression method, and the like, and data can be accurately transmitted.

A delivery method according to claim 16 is characterized in that the same image frame or field is repeatedly transmitted for a predetermined time. Therefore, even if the image is deteriorated due to recording noise, transmission noise, or the like, data can be accurately restored by referring to another frame or field.

A delivery method according to claim 17 is characterized in that one frame or one field is divided into a plurality of areas, and each area is obtained by imaging the same data. Therefore, even if the image is deteriorated due to recording noise, transmission noise, or the like, data can be accurately restored by referring to another area.

According to the recording apparatus of the present invention, when the given image signal is an image of the control data,
The control data is restored from the image signal, and the original image signal is recorded on the recording medium in association with the control data. Therefore, when receiving control data as an image and performing processing on an original image signal, the control data can be used.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, when the given image signal is an image of the control data,
The control data is restored from the image signal, and the recording of the original image signal on the recording medium is controlled based on the control data. Therefore, control data can be received as an image, and recording of an original image signal can be controlled by the control data.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, when the given audio signal is a voice signal of a timing signal, the recording device generates a timing signal based on the audio signal, and generates a timing signal based on the timing signal. The recording timing of the image signal is controlled. Therefore, the recording timing can be accurately controlled by the voiced timing signal.

A recording apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect is characterized in that the control data restoring means restores control data based on at least one of three independent factors of pixels constituting an image. Therefore, the control data can be accurately imaged.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the recording apparatus, the control data restoring means sets n pixels vertically and m pixels horizontally as one block, and calculates an average value or a maximum appearance value of hue, luminance, and saturation for pixels in the block. It is characterized in that the control data is calculated and the control data is restored based on the average value or the maximum occurrence value. Therefore, when each pixel in a block is transmitted from the transmission side so as to indicate the same control data, the control data can be accurately restored even if the image is disturbed due to the influence of noise or the like.

In a recording apparatus according to a twenty-fourth aspect, the control data restoring means sets the hue, luminance, and brightness of each block based on a plurality of frames or fields given within a predetermined time.
It is characterized in that an average value or a maximum appearance value of saturation is calculated and control data is restored based on the average value or the maximum appearance value. Therefore, from the sender,
When each pixel in the block is transmitted so as to indicate the same control data, the control data can be accurately restored even if the image is disturbed by the influence of noise or the like.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the control data restoring means receives a plurality of frames or fields within a predetermined time, and if the control data cannot be accurately restored, restores the data based on another frame or field. It is characterized in that it is performed. Therefore, when the transmission side transmits the same control data over a plurality of frames or a plurality of fields, the control data can be accurately restored even if the image is disturbed due to the influence of noise or the like.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, when the control data restoring means cannot accurately restore control data based on a partial area of a given one frame or one field, It is characterized in that restoration is performed based on another area.
Therefore, when a plurality of areas indicating the same control data are provided in the screen from the transmitting side and transmitted, even if the image is disturbed by the influence of noise or the like, the control data can be accurately restored.

[0066]

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Image signal determination means 2
Determines whether the transmitted video signal (image signal) is an original image or an image of control data. In this embodiment, the determination is made by inserting an identifiable tone signal into the corresponding audio signal, but the determination may be made based on the video signal itself. When it is determined that the control data is an image, the control data restoring means 4 restores the control data from the video signal. The control data recording means 6 records the restored control data on the recording medium 8. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is the original image, the image signal recording means 10 records this video signal on the recording medium 8 in association with the control data.

The audio signal judging means 12 judges whether the transmitted audio signal (audio signal) is the original audio or the voice signal of the timing signal. If it is determined that the timing signal is a voice signal, the timing signal generating means 14 generates a timing signal based on the audio signal. The timing signal is
It is provided to the image signal recording means 10 and the audio signal recording means 16 and is used for controlling the recording timing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sound is the original sound, the sound signal recording means 16
The audio signal is recorded on the recording medium 8 in association with the control data.

Each function shown in FIG. 1 may be realized only by hardware, or may be realized by software using a CPU.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of an image delivery system in which the recording apparatus of FIG. 1 is applied to a terminal. Image and audio contents are transmitted from the transmitting station 20 to the terminals 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ ,... 26 _n via the satellite 22. In this embodiment, the terminals 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ ,... 26 _n are installed on the street or the like, and are for displaying images and sounds of product advertisements. Each of the terminals 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ ,... 26 _n has a monitor and normally reproduces a menu image repeatedly. When a person approaches the terminals 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ ,... 26 _n and presses an operation button, an image / sound that introduces a product corresponding to the operation button is reproduced.

Transmission from the transmitting station 20 is performed to these terminals 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ ,... 26 _{n in} order to rewrite the recorded contents of the images and sounds. It is to be noted that such rewriting can be performed efficiently at night when the channel of the satellite 22 is relatively open.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal 26. The signal received from the antenna 28 is transmitted to the tuner 30
Thus, the image signal is converted into a video signal (image signal) such as luminance, saturation, hue, RGB, and the like, and an audio signal (audio signal) and output. The present invention is applicable regardless of whether a video signal and an audio signal are transmitted in an analog system or a digital system.

The video signal and the audio signal from the tuner 30 are recorded in the computer 32,
6 is played. When the operation button 34 is pressed, the image / sound of the product introduction corresponding to the operation button 34 is reproduced on the monitor 36.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed block diagram of the computer 32. The CPU 38 includes a hard disk 40, a video input / output board 42, an audio input / output board 44, a memory 46, operation buttons 34, and a CD-ROM drive 4.
8. A flexible disk (FD) drive 50 is connected. The hard disk 40 has recorded therein programs for recording and reproduction processing in addition to the operating system. These programs are stored on CD-ROM5
2 is installed via the CD-ROM drive 48 based on the program stored in the CD-ROM 2. Note that the program may be installed via the FD drive 50 based on the program stored in the flexible disk 54, or may be installed via a communication line or the like.

The video signal from the tuner 30 is converted into digital data by the video input / output board 42. Similarly, the audio signal from the tuner 30 is converted into digital data by the audio input / output board 44. Further, the video input / output board 42 and the audio input / output board 44 convert the digital data read from the hard disk 40 into an analog video signal and an analog audio signal, and provide the analog video signal and the analog audio signal to the monitor 36.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show flowcharts of programs recorded on the hard disk 40. FIG.
This is a program for performing processing for constantly reproducing the menu. FIG. 6 is a program for performing an interrupt process when an operation button is pressed. FIG. 7 is a program for reproducing the introduction of the product 1 in the interrupt processing of FIG. FIG. 8 is a program for rewriting recorded contents via a satellite, which is executed by a timer interrupt.

First, the rewriting process of the recorded contents in FIG. 8 will be described. In this embodiment, this processing is executed by a timer interrupt every day at a predetermined time at midnight.

At a predetermined time, the CPU 38 stops the reproduction and enters the recording mode standby state (step S1). Next, a signal from the satellite is received (step S
2). That the clocks of the terminal 26 and the satellite 22 are off;
As shown in FIG. 10, the time at which each terminal 26 enters the recording mode standby state is advanced (by several minutes) from the time at which the satellite starts transmission, for example, because it takes time to switch from reproduction to recording. ) Is preferable.

FIG. 10 shows a video signal and an audio signal transmitted from the transmitting station 20 via the satellite 22. First, a solid image (one-color image) is sent, and then an image of the control data is sent. Further, following the solid image, a content image that is the rewritten content is sent. Finally, a solid image is sent. The solid image is called a space, and the image of the control data is called a header.

Tone 1 and tone 2 are transmitted as audio signals corresponding to the space. Tone 2 is sent at the end of the space. Tone 3 is sent in response to the header. A content sound is transmitted corresponding to the content image. Note that Tone 1, Tone 2, and Tone 3 have different frequencies.

In step S3, it is determined whether tone 2 has ended. The tone judgment is performed by a tone judgment circuit 60 in the audio input / output board 44 as shown in FIG. The tone determination circuit 60 outputs detection outputs corresponding to tone 1, tone 2, and tone 3 using a frequency filter. This detection output is C
PU38, whereby the CPU 38
Can determine the end of tone 2.

In the above embodiment, the tone determination circuit 60 determines the tone. However, the CPU 38 may make this determination based on A / D converted data. In this way, even a terminal that does not have the tone determination circuit 60 can deal with it only by changing the program.

When the end of tone 2 is detected, it can be determined that the start of the header is from that point onward. Note that this detection may be performed at the start of tone 3.
Alternatively, the detection may be performed when the solid image of the video signal ends.

When the start of the header is detected as described above, the transmitted image is analyzed to restore the control data (step S4). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, one frame (or field) is divided into blocks each having eight pixels vertically and eight pixels horizontally. For each block, as shown in FIG. 13, eight kinds of data A to H (that is, 3 bits in binary) are represented by combinations of the maximum and minimum hues, luminances, and saturations and transmitted from the transmitting station. I am trying to do it. Video input board 4
Numeral 2 digitizes the hue, luminance, and saturation signals and supplies them to the CPU 38 via the bus line. In response, C
The PU 38 determines which of the blocks A to H indicates by setting a threshold value for each hue, luminance, and saturation. Thereby, the CPU 38 performs control data restoration.

In this embodiment, eight vertical pixels and eight horizontal pixels are used.
All pixels are sent with the same hue, luminance, and saturation. Therefore, by calculating the average value of all the pixels constituting the block and performing the above-described restoration processing, the influence of transmission noise and the like can be reduced. Further, the most frequently occurring numerical value (mode value) may be used instead of the average value.

The hue, luminance, and saturation (at least one of these) are changed for each pixel constituting the block,
An image pattern may be formed, and data may be transmitted using this image pattern. In this case, on the terminal side, data is restored by a codebook of a predetermined pattern or arithmetic processing.

Further, in order to adjust hue, luminance, and saturation,
The maximum value and the minimum value are respectively distributed in a predetermined area of the screen, and the digital values of the hue, the luminance, and the saturation (or the threshold values for the above determination are used) using the maximum value and the minimum value. ) May be adjusted. As a result, the control data can be restored without error.

Although the size of one block can be arbitrarily determined, it is preferable that the size corresponds to a processing unit such as compression performed at the time of transmission. For example, in the case of MPEG-2, the processing unit is 8 pixels vertically and 16 pixels horizontally, so that 8 pixels vertically and 1 pixel horizontally
Six pixels, eight pixels vertically, eight pixels horizontally, four pixels vertically, four pixels horizontally, etc. are preferable.

In the above, eight types of A to H are expressed.
It may be more or less than this. For example, A,
By selecting C, F, and H, four types can be expressed.

In the above description, hue, luminance, and saturation are used.
Other three independent factors such as R, G, and B may be used. Further, not all three factors may be used, but only two or one may be used. If only one factor is used, it becomes easy to determine,
One block can be reduced in size. For example, two vertical pixels and two horizontal pixels can be defined as one block.

By sending an error correction code such as a cyclic code or a BCH code together, a delivery error due to noise or the like can be prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 12C,
The same data may be sent up and down (or left and right) in one frame (or one field). Thus, even if a part of the screen is disturbed, the control data can be restored by another part.

When the control data is large, it cannot be sent in one frame (or one field). In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of frames or fields (headers 1 to 5) may be sent.

Further, in this embodiment, the same control data (that is, the same screen) is transmitted over a plurality of frames or fields in order to cope with the inability to restore the control data due to noise or the like.

Here, FIG. 14 shows details of the header analysis processing of FIG. First, when the end of tone 2 is determined, C
The PU 38 captures image data from the video input / output board 42 (step S21) (see t1 in FIG. 11). Next, control data is restored based on the image data (step S22). If the control data is successfully restored, the restored control data is recorded on the hard disk 40 in step S24. The file name at that time is also included in the control data. Also, how many headers are sent is included in the control data.

Next, in step S25, it is determined whether or not the next header exists. This can be determined from the total number of headers included in the control data and the number of the header currently being processed.

If there is still a header, it is determined whether or not the next header has started (step S26). This determination can be made based on the end time of tone 2 and the duration of one header. The duration of one header may be determined in advance, or may be transmitted as control data each time. The corresponding audio data may be changed for each header, and the next header may be detected.

When the start of the next header is detected, step S21 and subsequent steps are repeated. If the control data could not be restored, the process returns to step S21 to capture the image data (see t2 and t3 in FIG. 11). In this way, the same control data (that is, the same screen)
Transmission is performed over multiple frames or fields to ensure reliable reception.

[0097] Improving the reliability of control data reception as described above is particularly effective in one-way communication from a satellite to a large number of terminals.

FIG. 15 shows the contents (control data) of the header used in this embodiment.

The content type indicates the type of content sent after this header. There are types such as video / audio content, content for adjusting the time, and content in which digital data is imaged and voiced.

The file information is a file name (including a path) to be given to the content and a serial code.
Here, the serial code is revision information for the same content.

The video information is information such as the frame rate, video size (screen size), image quality (compression ratio), and total number of frames of a video signal sent as content.

[0102] The audio information is information such as the audio frequency (sampling frequency), the number of channels, the number of sampling bits, the total number of samples, and the like of an audio signal transmitted as content.

The content control information is information such as a reproduction start frame, a reproduction continuation frame length, a reproduction permitted time, and a reproduction volume for reproduction.

When the analysis / recording of the last header is completed as described above, the header analysis process is completed, and the flow advances to step S5 in FIG. In step S5, the end of tone 3 (that is, the start of tone 1) is determined. That is, the start of the space before the content is detected.

When the start of this space is detected, it is determined whether or not the content to be transmitted next should be recorded (step S6). This determination is made, for example, as follows. If the serial code of the file sent as control data is newer than the serial code of the file currently recorded on the hard disk, the file is recorded by overwriting. If they are the same or older, do not record. In some cases, the transmitting side designates a specific terminal and performs recording only on the specific terminal. In this case, the ID of the terminal to be recorded is included in the control data. Therefore, if this ID matches its own ID, recording is performed. If they do not match, do not record.

If recording is not performed, the process waits for the end of the content. When recording is performed, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time Δt has elapsed since the end of tone 3 (see FIG. 10, step S7).

After a predetermined time Δt has elapsed, the video signal and the audio signal are stored as digital data in the hard disk 40 (step S8). In this embodiment, the recording is started from the space before the content, with a margin. Further, the end of the tone 2 signal is detected to determine the start of the content, the recording start address of the content is obtained, and this is recorded together with the control data. As a result, at the time of reproduction, the start address of the content can be known by obtaining the start address from the control data.

If the preparation for the recording operation can be performed promptly, the recording may be started simultaneously with the end of tone 2.

The end of the recording is calculated based on the total number of frames of the video information in the control data, and the end time is determined by adding a margin time before and after (Step S9). When the end time comes, the recording ends. The end of recording may be determined based on the start of tone 1.

In this embodiment, the data is recorded on the hard disk 40, but may be recorded on another medium such as a flexible disk.

When rewriting a plurality of contents, a header and contents may be sent continuously.

FIG. 16 shows the control data and contents rewritten and recorded as described above. Menu that is played repeatedly, Product 1, Product 2 for each product, ...
Control data, content image, and content audio are recorded for each product n. A part of the space is recorded before and after the content image and the content audio.

Next, reproduction of the content recorded and rewritten in this manner will be described. First, the reproduction of the menu image / sound which is always performed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step S30
, The CPU 38 reads the control data 100 (see FIG. 16) of the menu control file. Next, the head address of the content (menu) is obtained from the control data 100, and reading is performed from this head address (step S31). This makes it possible to skip reading of unnecessary portions.

Next, the process stands by until the reproduction start frame in the control data (step S33). When the playback start frame is reached, the read video data and audio data are provided to the video input / output board 42 and the audio input / output board 44 (step S34). Thus, the menu image / sound is reproduced on the monitor 36.
Thereafter, when the number of frames to be played continues, the output to the video input / output board 42 and the audio input / output board 44 is stopped. Thereafter, step S30 and subsequent steps are repeated. Thereby, the reproduction is performed again from the beginning of the menu, and this is repeated.

Next, the interrupt processing when the operation button 34 is pressed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When any one of the operation buttons 34 is pressed, FIG.
Is executed. First, in step S40, it is determined which button has been pressed. The reproduction process of the introduction image / sound of the product corresponding to the pressed button is performed. When the reproduction processing of the introduction image / sound of the product ends, the process returns to the menu reproduction of FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a reproduction process of the introduction image / sound of the product 1 (the same applies to other products). The data to be processed are 106, 108 and 110 (FIG. 16), but the basic processing flow is the same as in FIG. However, since the introduction of the product is completed once, the reproduction is not repeated as in the case of FIG.

As described above, it is possible to provide a system capable of simultaneously rewriting contents via a satellite.

In the above embodiment, the content data is distributed by satellite communication, but may be transmitted by terrestrial waves (radio waves, light, etc.). Moreover, you may perform by wire transmission.
Further, control data and content may be recorded on a recording medium, and the recording medium may be delivered.

Further, the hard disk 40 is used as a recording medium.
, But may be recorded on a video tape, DVD, or the like.

FIG. 17 shows an application example of the recording apparatus according to the present invention to another system. This system uses satellite 22
For recording an image / audio signal in each terminal via the terminal. The configurations of the tuner 30 and the computer 32 are as follows.
This is substantially the same as the above embodiment. However, in this system, the received image / audio signal is recorded on a DVD disk by a DVD device. The user
The content (movie or the like) of the recorded DVD disc can be viewed on the monitor 72. Also in this system, since the control data is imaged and sent, no special circuit for the control data is required. In addition, satellite 2
Simultaneous delivery can be performed using the second free time, which is efficient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a satellite delivery system to which the recording device of FIG. 1 is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a terminal in the satellite delivery system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the computer shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of menu reproduction.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a button interruption process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for reproducing a product 1 introduction.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the audio input / output board 44.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format of a transmission signal.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of a header portion.

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a block division of a screen. FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating the size of one block. FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating a case where the screen is divided into two regions.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where eight different data expressions are made using hue, saturation, and luminance.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing details of a header analysis process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the content of control data.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing data recorded on a hard disk 40.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Image signal judgment means 4 ... Control data restoration means 6 ... Control data recording means 8 ... Recording medium 10 ... Image signal recording means 12 ... Sound signal judgment means 14 ... Timing signal generation means 16 ... audio signal recording means

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 19, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 11

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 6

FIG. 9

FIG.

FIG. 13

FIG. 4

FIG. 10

FIG.

FIG. 5

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG. 14

FIG. 16

FIG.

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A method for signalizing and delivering an image, comprising: delivering an original image as a signal, expressing control data as an image, and delivering the control data expressed as an image. Shipping method. 2. The image delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving side records the original image signal, and restores the control data based on the image.
The recording or reproduction of an original image signal is controlled based on the restored control data. 3. The image delivery method according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of delivery sides are provided corresponding to one delivery side, and the delivery side is provided with the control data in the form of an image. And determining whether or not the original image signal is to be recorded by itself. 4. The image delivery method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving side records the original image signal, and restores the control data based on the image.
A recording method in which restored control data is recorded in association with an original image signal. 5. The image delivery method according to claim 4, wherein the recorded control data is control data relating to image reproduction. 6. The image delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the control data includes time data, and the device receiving the delivery adjusts the time based on the time data. What to do. 7. The image delivery method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: delivering the original voice as a signal; expressing the control data as voice; and delivering the control data expressed as voice. Image delivery method. 8. The image delivery method according to claim 7, wherein the receiving side records the original image signal and audio signal in association with each other, and restores the control data based on the image and audio. The recording or reproduction of an original image signal is controlled based on the restored control data. 9. The image delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the image signal is sent to a delivery recipient by wire communication or wireless communication. 10. An image delivery method according to claim 9, wherein the image signal is sent to a receiver via a satellite. 11. The image distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the image signal is recorded on a recording medium and sent to the receiving side by the recording medium. 12. A method for signalizing and delivering an image, the method comprising: delivering an original image as a signal; expressing the data as an image; and delivering the data represented as an image. 13. The delivery method according to claim 12, wherein the data is represented as an image by at least one of hue, luminance, and saturation of pixels constituting the image. 14. The delivery method according to claim 13, wherein n pixels vertically and m pixels horizontally are defined as one block, and data is expressed as the same hue, luminance, and saturation for all pixels in the block. What to do. 15. The delivery method according to claim 13, wherein n pixels vertically and m pixels horizontally are defined as one block, and data is formed by an image pattern formed by the hue, luminance or saturation of each pixel in the block or a combination thereof. Characterized by the expression. 16. A delivery method according to claim 12, wherein frames or fields of the same image are repeatedly transmitted for a predetermined time. 17. The method of claim 12, 13, 14, 15, or 1.
6. In the delivery method 6, one frame or one field is divided into a plurality of areas,
Each region is obtained by imaging the same data. 18. An image signal judging means for judging whether a given image signal is an original image signal or an image signal obtained by converting control data into an image. When it is determined that the control data is an image, control data restoring means for restoring control data from the image signal, at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoring means, is recorded on a recording medium. An image signal recording unit that associates the image signal with the control data and records the image signal on a recording medium when the control data recording unit that records the image signal is determined to be an original image; Recording device comprising: 19. An image signal judging means for judging whether a given image signal is an original image signal or an image signal obtained by converting control data into an image, and If it is determined that the control data is an image, the control signal restoring means for restoring the control data from the image signal and the image signal determining means determine that the given image signal is an original image. A recording apparatus for recording the image signal on a recording medium, wherein the image signal is recorded on the basis of at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoring means. A recording device for controlling a recording operation by a recording unit. 20. An image signal judging means for judging whether a given image signal is an original image signal or an image signal obtained by converting control data into an image, wherein the given image signal is determined by the image signal judging means. When it is determined that the control data is an image, control data restoring means for restoring control data from the image signal, at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoring means, is recorded on a recording medium. An image signal recording unit that associates the image signal with the control data and records the image signal on a recording medium when the control data recording unit that records the image signal is determined to be an original image; Means for recording the image signal on the basis of at least a part of the control data restored by the control data restoring means. Recording apparatus that controls the recording operation that. 21. The recording apparatus according to claim 18, 19, or 20, wherein the given audio signal is an original audio signal or an audio signal obtained by converting a timing signal into an audio signal. When it is determined by the audio signal determining means that the given audio signal is a voiced version of the timing signal, the timing signal generating means for generating the timing signal based on the audio signal, the audio signal determining means When the given audio signal is determined to be the original audio, audio signal recording means for recording the audio signal on a recording medium, based on the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation means. And a recording apparatus for controlling recording timing by an image signal recording unit. 22. A recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said control data restoring means restores control data based on at least one of three independent factors of pixels constituting an image. Features that are. 23. The recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said control data restoration means sets n pixels vertically and m pixels horizontally as one block, and calculates an average value or a maximum value of hue, luminance, and saturation for pixels in said block. An apparatus for calculating an appearance value and restoring control data based on the average value or the maximum occurrence value. 24. The recording apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the control data restoring means calculates an average value of hue, luminance, and saturation for each block based on a plurality of frames or fields given within a predetermined time. Alternatively, it is characterized by calculating a maximum occurrence value and restoring control data based on the average value or the maximum occurrence value. 25. A recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said control data restoring means receives a plurality of frames or fields within a predetermined time, and if the control data cannot be restored accurately, the control data restoring means receives another frame or field. Characterized in that the restoration is performed based on. 26. The recording apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said control data restoring means cannot accurately restore control data based on a partial area of a given one frame or one field. In some cases, restoration is performed based on another area of the frame or field. 27. A recording medium recording a program for realizing a recording device according to any one of claims 18 to 26 by a computer. 28. A recording medium for recording an image signal obtained by converting an image into a signal, comprising: an original image recording unit for recording an original image as a signal; a control image recording unit for recording control data expressed as an image; Recording medium comprising: 29. The recording medium according to claim 28, wherein the control data recorded in the control image recording section controls recording or reproduction of an image signal originally recorded in the image recording section. thing.