JP2000354209A - Television receiver with viewing limiting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dissolve inconvenience and troublesomeness associated with viewing by temporarily canceling the operation of a viewing limiting function only at specified time such as a time band during which children are at schools and the sleeping time band of the children. SOLUTION: The rating information of received television signals is detected in a video processing circuit 28 and the detected data are supplied to a microcomputer 25 and compared with a rating level set by a viewer beforehand. Further, whether or not it is pertinent to a set time band for canceling the viewing limiting function is decided by performing comparison with time information from the microcomputer 25 itself or another time function. Mute cancellation is instructed from the microcomputer 25 and the operation of a video mute circuit 27 and a sound mute circuit 30 is cancelled. Also, the operation of an on-screen display generation circuit 33 is stopped, the display of an icon or the like for indicating that it is during a rating operation displayed on the screen of a display device 29 is eliminated and normal images, sound and character information are reproduced and displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiving apparatus with a viewing restriction function for restricting viewing of a specific program or channel. The present invention relates to a television receiver with a viewing restriction function that enables viewing within the range of the set conditions by selecting and specifying the setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent television broadcasting, the contents of some broadcast programs contain extremely violent or obscene contents, and it is not desirable for children to educate. Such a feeling is increasing. Also, on some broadcast channels, programs for adults are broadcast as specialized channels for adults, and similarly, they cannot be viewed unless a password is entered.
Viewing restrictions are imposed. This tendency to restrict viewing is particularly pronounced in the United States, where the Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 (also referred to as the Telecommunications Act) (the T
elecommunications Act of
1996), the broadcasting station is required to transmit rating information indicating the degree of extremity of the program content in a television signal and transmit the superimposed rating information, and a receiver for receiving these television broadcasts. Requires that a viewing restriction function be incorporated so that viewing can be restricted using the rating information.

[0003] Specifically, on the broadcast station side, in the 21st horizontal period (21H) of the vertical blanking period, as a level classification applied to a program for children only, "all children" The “program” is classified into “TV-Y”, and the “program for children aged 7 years or older” is classified into “TV-Y7”. In addition, "TV-G" refers to "programs that most parents think is suitable for all ages" and ""Programs that seem unsuitable for children under 17" are classified into four levels of "TV-MA". These rating information are transmitted as superimposed serial data from a broadcasting station at intervals of 2 to 4 seconds in a television signal.

On the receiving side, on the other hand, a parent or an adult viewer at home receives broadcast program contents or channels from
Programs or channels that are determined to be inappropriate for children to view can be restricted so that they cannot be viewed in a proper state. In other words, even if the viewer sets a level that he or she does not want to be viewed on the receiver in advance according to the level of the rating information, and receives a program or a channel that includes rating information higher than the set level,
The receiver is provided with a function of restricting normal reproduction of images and sounds.

In this receiver, an even-numbered 21H
If there is rating information in the data stream, the rating information is read out and compared with a rating level set in advance by the viewer, and if rating information higher than the set level is detected, For images, mute the screen to make it black or mosaic, and mute the audio to make playback and viewing impossible. The character information provided by the caption system, which is a character information service to the user, is also made unreproducible, and must not be displayed in a picture-in-picture- (PIP) that displays a sub-screen on the screen.

If no rating information is present in the even-numbered 21H data stream during a certain period and no rating information is detected, the content is lower than the set level. When it is determined that there is, the viewing restriction function is released, and when the program is switched or the input video is switched, the viewing restriction function is released, thereby preventing the viewing restriction state from being left. Such a viewing restriction function is designed so that the setting cannot be released unless a viewer inputs a password or the like so that the function is not easily released by a child. This restriction applies not only to a television receiver but also to a computer or monitor having a television receiving function.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a circuit configuration of a television receiver having such a viewing restriction function. A television signal including rating information is received by an antenna 11 and supplied to a tuner 12, where the tuner 12 selects a channel selected by a microcomputer 13 and receives it. The converted television signal is converted into a high-frequency signal and then output. This high-frequency signal is supplied to a video demodulation circuit 14 having a video intermediate frequency amplifier and a video detector, and a demodulated video signal is extracted. This video signal is supplied to the video processing circuit 15 and also to the microcomputer 13. The video processing circuit 15 performs video signal processing such as separation of a synchronizing signal from a video signal and RGB matrix conversion, and supplies a reproduced signal to a display device 16 such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display to reproduce a desired image.

On the other hand, the video signal branched from the video demodulation circuit 14 is also supplied to a microcomputer 13, and the microcomputer 13 extracts rating information from the video signal,
If the rating information is compared with a rating level set in advance by a viewer, and rating information equal to or higher than a predetermined level is detected, the video processing circuit 15 is controlled to mute, for example, a video signal, and to the display device 16. Control is performed so that video and character information are not reproduced. When the mute is applied, the microcomputer 13 displays signals such as icons on the screen of the display device 16 in order to detect rating information and notify the viewer that the mute is applied. Is generated, and an RGB signal for displaying an icon or the like is supplied from the microcomputer 13 to the video processing circuit 15, and the display is performed on the screen of the display device 16. Although not shown here, the sound is naturally muted.

[0009] In this way, by restricting the viewing based on the rating information in advance to the program or channel determined by the parent or the like to be inappropriate for the child,
It can isolate children from extreme violence and obscene video.

[0010] In addition to the regulation method based on these rating information, when receiving an adult-oriented channel, viewing restrictions such as a channel lock function for preventing the channel from being viewed unless a predetermined password is entered. Features are also known.

Regardless of which method or combination of methods is adopted, a code for restricting viewing based on the password is set by the viewer (purchaser) in the initial setting. Is set by inputting a password, or a password is input each time reception is performed. Therefore, even if a person who does not know the password attempts to release the parental control function, the child cannot release the parental control function. If the parent knows the password, the child can release the parental control function. Since it is not possible, it is possible to restrict the viewing of programs or channels that the child does not want to watch.

[0012]

In this way, it is possible to restrict the viewing of programs and channels that the child does not want to watch, but the time period when the child goes to school and is away When a parent wants to watch a program or channel that restricts this view during the night hours when the child is sleeping, or on a specific day or day of the week, the viewer must use a remote control or the like each time. It is necessary to enter a password to release the setting of the viewing restriction function and view the contents. Further, after the viewing is completed, it is necessary to set the viewing restriction function to be operable again by inputting a password. For this reason, even if it is an effective means for children, the input of the password and the setting operation of the parental control function must be performed each time the parent watches the parent, so that it is cumbersome, and handling is difficult. There is no denying that complications arise.

The present invention has been made in response to such a problem, and automatically detects the absence of a child or a specific time zone such as sleeping, a day, a day of the week, etc., which is known in advance. The parental control function is temporarily released so that parents can freely watch the corresponding program or channel,
Each time viewing is performed, a password is released by using a remote controller or the like to release the viewing restriction function, and viewing is performed. After the viewing is completed, a password is input again to restore the viewing restriction function, thereby eliminating the inconvenience of operability. To provide a television receiver with a viewing restriction function.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a receiving means for receiving a television signal, a demodulating means for demodulating a video signal from a television signal received by the receiving means, and a video signal from the demodulating means. Display means for playing back and displaying, control means for selectively controlling the demodulation means or the video signal supplied from the demodulation means to the display means to restrict viewing, and preferentially releasing the control of this control means A television receiver having a parental control function, wherein the television receiver is provided with a selecting means for temporarily canceling the control of the control means preset by the selecting means.

[0015] The control means may be configured to detect rating information indicating the degree of radical of the transmitted program content or channel, and selectively control the rating information based on the detection result. It is characterized in that, even when the control by the setting of the information is performed, it can be preferentially released under the selected condition.

Further, the selection means is configured to release the parental control function of the control means for a specific period which is set at least in common.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a television receiver with a viewing restriction function to which the present invention is applied. A television signal containing rating information is received by an antenna 21 and supplied to a tuner 22. Tuner 22
Is selected by a remote control (remote control) transmitter 23 shown in FIG. When a desired channel is selected by the remote control transmitter 23, a signal corresponding to the selected channel is received by the remote control light receiver 24 and supplied to the microcomputer 25.

The microcomputer 25 decodes the signal from the photodetector 24 to generate a channel selection signal, and controls the tuner 22 to select a desired channel. The television signal of the channel selected by the tuner 22 is transmitted to the tuner 2.
After being frequency-converted into a high-frequency signal in step 2, the signal is supplied to a video demodulation circuit 26 including a video intermediate frequency amplification circuit and a video detection circuit, and the video demodulation circuit 26 demodulates the video signal. This video signal is supplied to a video processing circuit 28 having a video mute circuit 27 therein, and separates a synchronizing signal from the video signal, converts the video signal into an RGB matrix, and converts the reproduced signal to a display device such as a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display. 29 to display an image of a predetermined channel on the screen of the display device 29.

On the other hand, the output of the video demodulation circuit 26 is
The audio signal is also supplied to an audio processing circuit 31 having a built-in clock circuit 30 to demodulate the audio signal, and the audio signal is supplied to a speaker 32 to reproduce the audio.

The rating information transmitted in a manner superimposed and transmitted in the 21st horizontal period (21H) of the vertical blanking period of the even field of the television signal is provided in the video processing circuit 28. (Not shown) and is supplied to the microcomputer 25, and the microcomputer 25 determines the rating level. The microcomputer 25 has a remote control transmitter 23
Since the password and the rating level for which parental control is to be registered are registered, the registered level is compared with the received level, and if the channel or program is at a level higher than the registered level. A control signal is sent from the microcomputer 25 to the video mute circuit 27 to operate the mute so that the video is not reproduced, and the audio mute circuit 30 is also controlled so that the audio is not reproduced. A control signal is provided.

If the microcomputer 25 has a function of decoding character information attached to the screen, the microcomputer 25 operates to stop the function. Of course, if the microcomputer 25 does not have such a caption decoder function, it is constituted by another circuit form. However, even in this case, when a video and audio mute signal is generated, this caption decoder is used. A mute signal is also supplied to the circuit to prevent the related character information from being reproduced on the screen of the display device 29.

In connection with such a mute operation, it is necessary to notify the viewer that the viewing restriction operation is currently being performed in accordance with the rating. A control signal is supplied to generate a display signal such as a character or an icon,
A signal for displaying an icon or the like generated by the display generation circuit 33 is transmitted to the display device 29 via the video processing circuit 28.
Is displayed on the screen of the display device 29 to notify the viewer by displaying an icon or the like indicating that the rating operation is being performed.

Here, an example of the setting of the parental control function will be described. First, the menu button 41 of the remote control transmitter 23 is selected to display a parental control selection screen on the screen of the display device 29. Since the contents for setting the password are displayed on this screen, a desired four-digit number is selected from the number keys 42 and the password is set by pressing the enter key 43. When the password is set, a question screen as to whether or not the viewing restriction function is to be provided is displayed, and the necessity of the setting is confirmed. Next, in the case of the above-described television broadcast, or when there are a plurality of different types of rating information, such as rating information in a digital signal of a movie or the like recorded on a digital video disc or the like, for each type, or The setting is performed only for the selected type.

For example, when the types of rating information are described in two lines, assuming that only the above-described rating information of the television broadcast is selected, the television information is displayed using the up and down arrow keys 44 and 45. Select a rating information item for broadcasting. EXIT after selection
When key 46 is pressed, a selection screen for setting a classification applied to a program for children only is displayed.
Settings are made at levels such as “TV-Y” and “TV-Y7”. Next, similarly, a program setting screen for all viewers is displayed, and the level information from "TV-G" to "TV-MA" and further information such as violence and obscenity for each level are displayed. Is displayed. These are up and down arrow keys -44, 4
5 and select using the left and right arrow keys 47 and 48,
Confirm by pressing XIT key-46. After that, when the enter key 43 is pressed, all the set conditions are fixed, and the parental control function is set.

By the way, in order to release the parental control function for a specific period such as the time when the child goes to school or the time after going to bed, it is necessary to release the parental control function continuously or after setting the parental control function. The setting screen is read and set. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the setting screen of the time zone for releasing the parental control function is read out, and the time for releasing this parental control function is indicated by up, down, left, right arrows -44, 45,
At 47 and 48, the place where the time is to be set is selected, and the time is set using the numerical keys 42 of 0-9. When the setting is completed, press the EXIT key 46 and confirm with the enter key 43.

It is needless to say that the assignment and operation method of the function setting of these keys, or the selection procedure and the display screen configuration can be changed in any way by the way of assembling software programs. Again, this description is merely an example.

Next, the detailed operation of the television receiver with viewing restriction function according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example in which a channel up operation is performed in a state in which a time zone in which the rating and the viewing restriction can be released is set. When the channel up key 49 is operated by the remote control transmitter 23,
The transmission signal from the remote control transmitter 23 is transmitted to the remote control
In step 4, the remote control code signal is supplied to the microcomputer 25. When the microcomputer 25 receives the remote control code signal, the flow shifts to step S1, where it is determined whether or not the received remote control code signal is a signal for instructing channel up. The process proceeds to step S2 if it is determined that the signal is a channel up signal.

In this state, the microcomputer 25 operates the tuner.
A control signal is sent to the tuner 22 to raise the channel, and the tuner 22 performs a channel-up operation. When the channel up instruction is completed, step S
The process proceeds to step 3, where the rating information of the received television signal is detected by the video processing circuit 28, and the detected data is supplied to the microcomputer 25 to be compared with the rating level set in advance by the viewer. As a result of the comparison, when it is determined that the rating information of the received channel exceeds the preset rating level, the process proceeds to step S4, and when it is determined that the rating information does not exceed the preset rating level, the process proceeds to step S6. Move to

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the time falls within the set time period for canceling the viewing restriction function by comparing the time information from the microcomputer 25 itself or time information from another clock function. If it is determined that the time is within the set time range, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, an instruction to cancel mute is issued from the microcomputer 25 to cancel the operations of the video mute circuit 27 and the audio mute circuit 30 and stop the operation of the on-screen display display generation circuit 33. In addition, the display such as the icon indicating that the rating operation is being performed on the screen of the display device 29 is deleted, and the normal image, sound, and character information are reproduced and displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the video signal is not included in the time period for releasing the parental control, an operation signal is issued in step S5 to mute the video mute circuit 27 and the audio mute circuit 30. To mute the video and audio signals, and operate the on-screen display generation circuit 33 to display on the screen of the display device 29 an icon or the like indicating that the rating operation is being performed. Of course, the caption operation of the character information service is also stopped, and the series of operations is terminated.

With this configuration and operation, the microcomputer 25 repeats this series of operations each time the viewer switches channels or inputs, and sets a time period for releasing the viewing restriction function. Are you doing
Alternatively, it is monitored whether or not it is included in this time zone. As a result, if it is in the time zone of the release of the viewing restriction function, even if it is a channel or a broadcast program to which the parental control has been previously set, the setting of the release is set in this set release time zone. The user can prioritize and freely watch the broadcast program or channel regardless of the setting of the viewing restriction function. Naturally, after this set time period, the preset rating operation is restored, so when children are present, channels and programs that you do not want to watch are automatically muted, so that adverse effects on children are prevented. can do.

In the above description, the case of the channel up operation has been described. However, it goes without saying that the same operation can be performed in the case of the channel down operation or in the case of direct channel selection by the numerical keys. Recording and playback device (VTR) and digital video disc playback device (DV
D), needless to say, the same can be applied to the case of an external input signal such as a cable television.

The form of television broadcasting can be applied to analog and digital broadcasting, and can be applied to transmission forms such as terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the circuit configuration of the embodiment. For example, the rating information is not detected by the video processing circuit but is processed by the microcomputer itself. It is also possible to set a specific period by, for example, setting a specific day or day of the week in combination, and various other applications and modifications are conceivable. It goes without saying that it is included in the category of the present invention.

[0035]

According to the present invention, the operation of the parental control function is limited to a specific period during which the child cannot clearly watch TV, such as a time period during which the child goes to school or a child's bedtime. Is temporarily released, so that when an adult watches the program or channel during this specific period, a password is input each time to cancel the operation of the viewing restriction function, and after the viewing is completed, Since there is no need to enter the password again and set the viewing restriction function, the inconvenience and inconvenience associated with viewing can be eliminated, and a viewing restriction function with easy handling while achieving the initial purpose is provided. A television receiver can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a television receiver with a viewing restriction function according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a remote control transmitter used in the television receiver with a viewing restriction function of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a screen state when a time zone is set in the television receiver with a viewing restriction function of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the television receiver with viewing restriction function of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram for explaining a conventional television receiver with a viewing restriction function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22: Tuner 25: Microcomputer 26: Video demodulation circuit 27: Video mute circuit 28: Video processing circuit 29: Display device 30: Audio mute circuit 31: Audio processing circuit

Claims (4)

[Claims] A receiving means for receiving a television signal; a demodulating means for demodulating a video signal from the television signal received by the receiving means; a display means for reproducing and displaying the video signal from the demodulating means; Control means for selectively controlling the video signal supplied to the display means from the demodulation means or the demodulation means to restrict viewing, and a selection means for preferentially canceling the control of the control means, A television receiver with a parental control function, wherein the control of the control means preset by the selection means is temporarily released. 2. The control means is configured to detect rating information indicating the degree of radicals of a transmitted program content or channel, and to be selectively controlled based on a result of the detection. 2. The television with a viewing restriction function according to claim 1, wherein, even when the control by the setting of the rating information is performed, it can be preferentially released under the selected condition. John image receiving device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection means is configured to release the parental control function of the control means for a specific period set at least in common.
The television receiver with a parental control function described in the above. 4. The television receiver with a parental control function according to claim 1, wherein the television signal includes a signal input externally.