KR19990080315A - Method and apparatus for controlling subtitle display of closed captioning programs - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling subtitle display of a closed captioning program. In particular, when a current caption level is higher than a predetermined level when each caption is assigned to a caption in the broadcast program, the lower level than the setting level is replaced. Insert a subtitle signal with the subtitle signal and subtitle rating signal into the program, and if the current subtitle rating is higher than the parental level when the program is playing, display the subtitles with a lower rating than that of the current subtitle while limiting the video and audio. It was designed to let you know the contents of the program while performing parental control. In the present invention, the subtitle rating determiner 202 determines the rating of the current subtitle based on the preset subtitle rating, and if the rating of the current subtitle is higher than the preset rating, the subtitle generating unit 206 Synthesizing and transmitting the generated subtitle signal to the subtitle signal and the video and audio signals, and when the program is reproduced, the subtitle rating signal 213 separates and decodes the subtitle rating signal in the program. Comparing the rating signal with a preset parental level, and in the case where the rating for each subtitle is higher than the reference level, the parental level is restricted through the parental control unit 214, the subtitle generating unit 216, and the signal synthesizer 217. And performing the operation of decoding the subtitle signal and displaying the subtitle instead of the original subtitle.

Description

Method and apparatus for controlling subtitle display of closed captioning programs

The present invention relates to a caption broadcasting program, and more particularly, to play a caption broadcasting program in which a subtitle broadcasting program for displaying a subtitle having a rating lower than a parental level when a current caption level is higher than a parental level in the playback of a caption broadcasting program having a rating set for each caption in the program. A caption display control method and apparatus are provided.

In general, a program rating system has been typically applied to a technology for restricting viewing of a broadcast program.

However, the program rating system performs a function of simply displaying a rating of a program or restricting viewing by determining a rating by one program unit.

Therefore, in order to compensate for this, a technique of selectively limiting viewing by using a rating determined for each subtitle has been proposed.

This technique is as shown in the block diagrams of Figs.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a process of assigning a rating signal of a subtitle according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, a subtitle signal generator 101 generates a subtitle signal synchronized with voice according to voice information of a broadcast program, and a subtitle. The caption rating determiner 102 determines a rating of the caption signal generated by the caption signal generator 101 with reference to a rating criterion of, and the video and audio signals of the broadcast program and the caption signal generator 101. And a signal synthesizing unit 103 for synthesizing the subtitle signal of the subtitle and the subtitle class signal from the subtitle class determining unit 102 and transmitting the synthesized subtitle signal to the broadcasting medium 104 or the recording medium 105.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a viewing restriction process using a subtitle rating signal according to the prior art. As shown therein, an antenna 111 for receiving a broadcast program, a player 112 for reproducing a recorded program, and the antenna A subtitle rating determination unit for determining whether to restrict viewing by separating and decoding a subtitle rating signal from a reception broadcast program at 111 or a playback program at the player 112 and comparing it with a parental level setting standard set by a user ( 113 and determining whether to transmit the reception program at the antenna 111 or the playback program at the player 112 to the program viewing device 115 according to the determination of the subtitle rating determination unit 113. The parental control unit 114 is configured.

Referring to the operation of the prior art as follows.

First, when producing a broadcast program, the caption signal generation unit 101 that receives voice information generates a caption signal synchronized with the sound.

At this time, the subtitle rating determiner 102 compares the subtitle signal generated by the subtitle signal generator 101 with preset subtitle rating reference data to determine the level of the subtitle and then uses the signal signal synthesizer 103 to determine the subtitle rating. )

Accordingly, the signal synthesizer 103 transmits to the broadcast medium 104 or the recording medium 105 a signal including both video and audio signals, subtitle signals, and subtitle rating signals.

Therefore, the program produced as described above may be transmitted for broadcasting or stored in a recording medium for reproduction.

The rating signal of the subtitle generated when the program is produced may be changed in time or may keep the same rating from beginning to end.

2 is a diagram illustrating a case where a subtitle rating is divided into three stages.

When the subtitles included in the program are determined by the subtitle rating as illustrated in FIG. 2, an example of the subtitles that change in time according to the subtitles in one program is shown in FIG. 4.

That is, FIG. 4 shows an example of changing the actual subtitle rating so that the receiver side can selectively notify only the portion that needs to be restricted by changing the rating of the subtitle rating signal over time in one program.

Therefore, when the caption level is determined as shown in the example of FIG. 4, the receiving side can realize the parental control operation in more various ways by using the caption level signal.

A process for effectively restricting the viewing restriction target of a program using a rating signal of a subtitle is shown in the block diagram of FIG.

Here, it is assumed that the parental control level is set to be impossible to view at least 15 years old and the viewer is 12 years old.

First, when a broadcast program is received through the antenna 111 or when a program is played in the player 112, the caption rating determiner 113 determines whether there is a caption rating signal in the program.

At this time, if there is a subtitle rating signal, the subtitle rating determination unit 113 determines whether the parental level is set.

Accordingly, the subtitle rating determiner 113 determines whether the current subtitle rating is higher than or equal to the set rating.

If the current subtitle rating is determined to be higher than or equal to a preset rating, that is, when the current subtitle rating is determined to be 15 or older, the subtitle rating determining unit 113 controls the parental control section 114 to play the current subtitle rating. The parental control function is operated so that the program is not transmitted to the program viewing device 115.

In addition, when the rating of the subtitle is higher than the preset reference level, the view limiting unit 114 implements not to transmit any signal to the program viewing device 115, but transmits another pre-stored video, audio, video, and subtitles. May be selectively transmitted or skipped.

On the contrary, when the current subtitle rating is lower than the preset rating, that is, when the current subtitle rating is determined to be 10 years or older, the subtitle rating determiner 113 views the currently playing program to be transmitted to the program viewing device 115. The parental control function of the restrictor 114 is not operated.

Therefore, the 12-year-old viewer is watching only the program of the remaining portion except for the portion that can be viewed over 15 years old as shown in the example of FIG.

However, the conventional technology has a disadvantage in that the viewing restriction function cannot recognize the contents of the program when the viewing restriction function occurs frequently by limiting viewing of the program whenever a subtitle rating signal higher than the reference subtitle rating is received.

Therefore, in order to improve the conventional problem, the present invention provides a subtitle signal having a lower level than the set level when the current subtitle level is higher than the predetermined level when assigning each level to the subtitle inserted in the middle of the broadcast program. Is inserted into the program along with the subtitle signal and the subtitle rating signal, and when the subtitle level in the program is judged to be higher than the predetermined level, when the program is played, the subtitles of the lower level than the current subtitle level are displayed while restricting the viewing of the video and audio. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for controlling subtitle display of a closed captioning program in which a subtitle broadcasting program is created so that the contents of the program can be known while performing a function of restricting the display by displaying subtitles when a scene or dialogue is not suitable for the viewer.

That is, in the present invention, when the current subtitle rating is higher than the parental level setting level, the subtitle level is limited to the subtitle level by limiting the viewing of video and audio, and displaying the subtitle level lower than the subtitle level. It is to know the contents of.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional process for assigning a subtitle rating.

2 is an exemplary view showing a caption rating.

3 is a block diagram showing a process for a conventional parental control operation.

4 is an exemplary view showing a portion of viewing restricted.

5 is a block diagram showing a process for granting subtitles in the present invention.

6 is a block diagram showing a process for displaying subtitles in the present invention.

7 is an exemplary view showing an alternate caption display in the present invention.

8 is a signal flow diagram for alternate caption display in the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

201: caption signal generator 202: caption rating determiner

203, 217: signal synthesizer 206: alternative subtitle generator

213: subtitle rating determiner 214: viewing restriction

216: Subtitle occurrence determination unit

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a caption signal that is synchronized with the audio of a broadcast program in a video or audio signal and transmits the same to a playback medium or a broadcast medium. Determining a grade of a subtitle synchronized with the voice of the program by referring to the criterion; and if the determined grade signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined setting level, generates an alternative subtitle signal having a lower level than the setting level, and together with the caption signal, the video and audio signal. A process of including and transmitting the signal in a signal; separating, decoding, and comparing the grade signal of the subtitles transmitted above with a predetermined grade; and viewing the video and audio when the grade signal of the transmitted subtitle is above a predetermined grade. To limit the process of displaying alternate subtitles with a rating lower than the current subtitle rating. It is characterized by performing repeatedly.

To this end, the present invention performs the following operation.

First, a rating is given for each subtitle of a broadcast program.

That is, when producing a subtitle signal synchronized with voice when producing a broadcast program, the grade of the subtitle is assigned according to a predetermined standard.

At this time, the grade of the subtitle may be constant or continuously change as the broadcast program progresses.

When the current subtitle level is higher than the preset subtitle level, subtitles having a lower level than the set subtitle level are additionally inserted.

Accordingly, there may be a plurality of subtitles corresponding to one voice signal in any part of the program.

Subsequently, the subtitle rating signal is included in the video and audio signal together with the subtitle signal and the subtitle signal to be additionally inserted to produce a program, and the program is transmitted to a broadcast medium or stored in a recording medium.

That is, once the rating for the subtitle is determined, if the rating is higher than the preset subtitle rating, the subtitle signal is added to the subtitle signal of the current rating and synthesized in the program.

In this case, the rating signal of the current subtitle is recorded before the subtitle signal and the alternative subtitle signal synchronized with voice, so that the rating signal of the current subtitle can be known so as to know the grade of the subtitle to be displayed later and whether there is an alternative subtitle.

Accordingly, when the broadcast signal or the signal stored in the recording medium is reproduced, the subtitle rating signal is separated and decoded to determine the rating of the subtitle to determine whether to restrict viewing or display alternate subtitles.

Accordingly, by determining the rating of the subtitles, 1) before viewing the subtitles, the parental level is first determined by displaying the parental level on the screen, or 2) the parental level is set in advance on the receiver to determine the subtitle level or higher. In one case, after restricting the viewing of the video and audio of the program, the subtitles are displayed to realize the contents of the program.

After the parental control operation is performed, if the subtitle level below the preset level is again determined, the parental control operation is released.

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

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a process of assigning a rating signal to a caption according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the caption signal generator 201 generates a caption signal synchronized with voice according to voice information of a broadcast program. And a caption rating determiner 202 for determining a rating of the caption signal generated by the caption signal generator 201 with reference to the caption rating criteria of the caption. An alternative subtitle generator 206 for generating an alternative subtitle signal having a lower level than the current subtitle level, a video and audio signal of a broadcast program, and a subtitle signal from the subtitle signal generator 201; The caption rating signal from the caption rating determiner 202 is synthesized and transmitted to the broadcast medium 204 or the recording medium 205, and the subtitle capturing signal 206 generates an alternative caption signal. If it constitutes an additional signal combiner 203 for combining with.

6 is a block diagram showing a parental control process using a subtitle rating signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, an antenna 211 for receiving a broadcast program, a player 212 for reproducing a recorded program, and A subtitle rating for determining whether to restrict viewing by separating and decoding a subtitle rating signal from a reception broadcast program at the antenna 211 or a playback program at the player 212 and comparing it with a parental level setting set by a user. A judging unit 213 and a subtitle generation judging unit 216 for generating a subtitle subtitle signal when the subtitle class judging unit 213 determines that the current subtitle level is higher than a preset parental level; According to the determination of the unit 213, the reception program at the antenna 211 or the reproduction program at the player 212 is transmitted to the program viewing device 215. A parental control unit 214 for deciding whether or not;

When the alternative subtitle generation determination unit 216 generates an alternative subtitle signal, the synthesizer is configured with a signal synthesizer 217 which synthesizes the alternative subtitle signal with the limited viewing signal from the parental control unit 214 and transmits it to the program viewing device 215. do.

Referring to the operation and effect of the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, in the present invention, when producing a broadcast program, the caption signal generator 201 that receives voice information generates a caption signal synchronized with the voice.

At this time, the subtitle rating determiner 202 compares the subtitle signal generated by the subtitle signal generation unit 201 with preset subtitle rating reference data to determine the level of the subtitle, and then applies the rated signal at that time to the signal synthesizer 203. )

After the subtitle rating determiner 202 determines the rating of the current subtitle, the substitute subtitle generator 206 compares whether the current subtitle rating is higher than a predetermined rating, and the current subtitle rating is higher than the preset rating. A caption signal having a lower level than that of the current caption is generated and output to the signal synthesizer 203.

Therefore, when the alternative caption signal is generated by the alternative caption generating unit 206, the signal synthesizer 203 modulates the video and audio signals of the program into a mode signal including the caption signal, the current signal of the current caption, and the alternative caption signal. The data is transmitted to the broadcast medium 204 or the recording medium 205.

In the case of analog broadcasting, the signal synthesizer 203 synthesizes and transmits a caption grade signal to a video signal or an audio signal, and in the case of digital broadcasting, transmits a video signal, an audio signal, or a separate data channel.

That is, in the present invention, when the rating of the current subtitle is higher than the predetermined rating, the subtitle signal having a lower level than the rating of the current subtitle is generated and included in the program.

The rating signal of the current subtitle is recorded in advance of the current subtitle signal and the alternative subtitle signal, which may decode the rating signal of the current subtitle at the time of playing the program to inform the audience to be restricted or to determine whether to display the parental control function and the alternative subtitle. It is to ensure that.

Figure 2 is an exemplary view showing a case in which the subtitle rating is divided into three stages in the present invention.

In the present invention, when the rating of the subtitle included in the program is determined based on the subtitle rating as shown in the example of FIG. An example is shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the caption level is determined as shown in the example of FIG. 4, the receiving side can realize the parental control operation in more various ways by using the caption level signal.

A process for displaying subtitles while effectively limiting viewing restrictions of a program or limiting viewing of video and audio by using a subtitle rating signal is shown in the block diagram of FIG.

In the present invention, it is assumed that at least 15 years of age is set to restrict viewing, and that the viewer is 12 years old.

First, when a broadcast program is received through the antenna 211 or a program is played back in the player 212, the subtitle rating determiner 213 separates and decodes a subtitle rating signal.

It is compared with the preset parental level criteria.

At this time, if the rating of the subtitle is lower than the predetermined reference level, for example, when it is determined that the rating is 10 or more years old, the subtitle rating determining unit 213 does not operate the parental control function of the parental control unit 214.

Accordingly, the received broadcast program or the reproduced program is transmitted to the program viewing device 215 and decoded so that the viewer can watch the video, audio, and original subtitles.

If the rating of the current subtitle is higher than the preset reference level, for example, when it is determined that the rating is 15 years or older, the subtitle rating determiner 213 selectively receives the received broadcast program or the reproduced program. Control the parental control unit 214 to transmit to.

In this case, the subtitle generation determination unit 216 determines that the current subtitle level is higher than the preset parental level by the subtitle level determining unit 213. For example, the subtitle of the lowest level is used. A signal is generated and output to the signal synthesizer 217.

Accordingly, the signal synthesizer 217 synthesizes the subtitle subtitle signal from the subtitle generation determination unit 217 to the signal for which the viewing limiter 214 has restricted viewing and outputs the subtitle signal to the program viewing device 215.

In this case, the subtitle is displayed while the program viewing device 215 plays the video or the audio in a limited manner.

Therefore, the 12-year-old viewer is watching only the program of the remaining portion except for the 15-year-old or older portion in which alternative subtitles are displayed while the video or audio is restricted in the example of FIG. 4.

7 shows an example of displaying an original subtitle dash replacement subtitle when a rating signal of a subtitle which is viewable for 15 years or older is received in the above operation.

On the other hand, the parental control function for displaying the alternative subtitles as described above is performed the same process as the signal flow diagram of FIG.

First, when a broadcast program is received or when a program recorded on the recording medium 205 is played back, the caption rating unit 213 determines whether there is a caption rating signal in the program.

At this time, if there is a caption rating signal, the caption rating determiner 213 determines whether the parental level is set.

Accordingly, if the parental level is set, the caption rating determiner 213 determines whether the current caption level is higher than or equal to the set level.

If the current subtitle rating is determined to be higher than or equal to a preset rating, that is, when the current subtitle rating is determined to be a viewable rating of 15 years or older, the subtitle rating determination unit 213 displays the program currently being played. The parental control unit 214 controls the parental control unit so as not to transmit the parental control.

In this case, the subtitle generation determining unit 216 determines that the subtitle rating unit 213 determines that the current subtitle level is higher than the preset parental level, so that the subtitle signal having a lower level than the current subtitle level is synthesized by the signal synthesizer 217. Will print to

Accordingly, the signal synthesizer 217 synthesizes the subtitle signal from the subtitle generation determination unit 216 with the output signal of the parental control unit 214 that operates the parental control function, and outputs the subtitle signal to the program viewing device 215. Appropriate subtitles are displayed for all three viewers.

On the contrary, when the current subtitle rating is lower than the preset rating, that is, when the current subtitle rating is determined to be 10 years or older, the subtitle rating determination unit 213 views the currently playing program to be transmitted to the program viewing device 215. The parental control function of the restriction unit 214 is not operated.

At this time, the replacement subtitle generation unit 216 does not generate a replacement subtitle.

Accordingly, the signal synthesizer 217 outputs the output signal from the signal synthesizer 214 to the program viewing device 215 so that the 12-year-old viewer views the original video, audio, and subtitles.

As described in detail above, when the parental level and the parental level are set, the present invention provides a scene or dialogue with a parental level or higher, and when the current subtitle level is higher than the preset parental level, the parental level function may be used instead of the original subtitle. By displaying the parental level with subtitles below the parental level, the viewer can see the overall flow of the program.

Claims (8)

In order to perform a parental control function according to a rating given to each subtitle in a program during reproduction, a method of assigning a rating to each subtitle while generating a subtitle synchronized with the voice in the program, wherein the rating of the current subtitle is given. And a subtitle signal having a lower level than the set subtitle rating and including the subtitle signal together with the video and audio signals in the current subtitle signal. 2. The method of controlling a caption display of a caption broadcasting program according to claim 1, wherein the caption level signal is inserted into the program so as to be played before the caption signal and the subtitle signal. An apparatus for transmitting a program including a parental level for each subtitle to a parental control function, the apparatus comprising: subtitle signal generation means for generating a subtitle signal synchronized with a corresponding voice in accordance with voice information of the program, and a subtitle in the subtitle signal generation means; Subtitle grading means for comparing the signal with a preset subtitle rating to determine the rating for each subtitle, and if the current subtitle rating determined by the subtitle grading means is higher than the preset rating, a subtitle signal having a lower rating than that of the current subtitle. The subtitle generating means for generating the subtitle generating means, the subtitle signal in the subtitle signal generating means, the subtitle rating signal in the subtitle rating determining means, and the video and audio signals of the program, and transmitting the synthesized subtitle rating in the broadcasting medium or the recording medium. Sudan determined that the rating of the current subtitle is higher than the preset rating. Wu subtitle display control apparatus of the caption broadcasting program, characterized in that the above-described configuration replaced by the signal combination means for transmitting including the replacement of a caption signal from the caption generation means. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the signal synthesizing means transmits a caption grade signal using a video signal, an audio signal, or a separate channel. A method of playing a program to which a rating is given for each subtitle, the method comprising: determining whether a rating signal for each subtitle exists in a program to be played; A second step of determining, a third step of comparing the detected caption level with a preset reference level when the parental level is set, and the detected caption level is higher than a predetermined reference level. A fourth step of determining whether there is an alternative subtitle signal while operating the parental control function so as not to play the corresponding part of the program only; and the fifth step of displaying an alternative subtitle instead of the original subtitle when the alternative subtitle signal exists. A caption display control method of a caption broadcasting program, characterized in that repeatedly performed. An apparatus for reproducing a program to which a rating is given for each subtitle, the apparatus comprising: means for separating and decoding a rating signal for each subtitle by receiving a program from a broadcasting medium or a recording medium, and converting the decoded subtitle rating signal to a preset reference rating; Means for comparing, means for outputting a signal for parental control when the decoded subtitle rating signal is determined to be higher than the reference level as a result of the comparison; and a parental level for which the rating of the current subtitle is preset as a result of the comparison. Means for generating an alternative subtitle signal if higher, viewing restriction means for selectively performing transmission of a program on a broadcast medium or a recording medium to a program viewing device if it is determined to be a parental restriction; Only when the parental level is higher than the preset parental level, the output signal of the parental level means And a signal synthesizing means for synthesizing an alternative subtitle signal and transmitting the synthesized subtitle signal to a program viewing device. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the parental control means is configured to block transmission of the program or to perform selective transmission when the parental control function is operated. A method of transmitting and reproducing a broadcast program including a caption signal synchronized with voice, the method comprising: determining a rating of the subtitle with reference to a preset subtitle rating criterion; and the rating signal of the current subtitle determined as described above. A second step of generating an alternative subtitle signal when the rating is higher than a predetermined level; and when the rating of the current subtitle is higher than a predetermined rating, combining the alternative subtitle signal with the subtitle signal and the video and audio signals. A third step of separating and decoding the grade signal included in the program when the program is reproduced, and comparing the grade signal with a preset parental level, and watching if the grade for each subtitle is higher than the reference grade. Performing a fifth operation of decoding the alternative subtitle signal while performing the limiting operation to display the alternative subtitles instead of the original subtitles; A caption display control method of a caption broadcasting program, characterized by the above-mentioned.