JPH0723306A - Video equipment system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the added values of this system by displaying a message or the like previously inputted and stored by a user on a specified day such as an anniversary or a birthday. CONSTITUTION:When an input operation means 8 executes power ON operation for the system at the arrival of a display date for a user input message, a microcomputer 1 reads out message information corresponding to date information matched with a current date from a storage means 9. An OSD generating unit 2 generates an OSD video signal based upon the read message information and displays the OSD video signal on a display device 4 as a user message picture with priority only for prescribed seconds or the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a television (hereinafter referred to as T
V) receiver, video tape recorder (hereinafter VTR)
(Referred to as a) integrated video receiver, a video equipment system including a TV display device such as a system in which a TV receiver and a VTR are connected, and in particular, character information and the like input by a user on the display device is specified. The present invention relates to a video equipment system capable of automatically displaying under conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-154984, in a video equipment system in which a TV receiver and a VTR are connected, a character is displayed on a TV display device by an operation from the VTR side. In recent years, a video equipment system having an ON SCREEN DISPLAY (hereinafter referred to as OSD) function that allows the system to be operated and monitor the system interactively with the character display on the TV screen is becoming widespread. If such an OSD function is provided, it is possible to easily monitor the current operating state of the system and to perform timer recording reservation operation of the VTR, which greatly improves usability.

This OSD-based display mode generally relates to the operation and state of the system, and a plurality of types are prepared in advance. However, it is not currently possible to display arbitrary personal information by the user himself. Absent.

[0004]

As described above, the OS
In the video equipment system having the D function, it is convenient for displaying the system status, monitoring the system, or recording a program, but it is not possible for the user to display arbitrary personal information. However, the OSD function is not limited to the contents related to the system,
For example, if it can be used to display personal information such as the user's birthday and wedding anniversary, the added value of the system will be further improved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a video equipment system capable of displaying a message or the like previously input and stored by a user on a specified date such as an anniversary or birthday of an individual.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is capable of displaying input signals, input operation means for performing various input operations, a main controller for controlling the overall control of the system, and a video signal. A video equipment system comprising: a display device; and a character video signal generation means for generating a video signal containing a character signal under the control of the main control device to display an image containing character information on the display device. A storage unit for storing message information including at least character information pre-input by the input operation unit and at least date information associated with the message information,
The main control device operates a predetermined key of the input operation means while detecting that the current date information from the calendar / time function unit of the main control apparatus matches the date information stored in the storage means. When recognizing that, the message information corresponding to the date information that matches the current date is read from the storage means, and the character image signal generation means is caused to generate a video signal based on the read message information, and this is read by the user. A message screen is preferentially displayed on the display device for a predetermined period.

[0007]

The user (operator) operates the OS on the display device by operating the appropriate keys of the input operation means such as a remote control device (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller).
First, the D initial menu screen is called, and the input setting mode of the message is designated by the input operation means interactively with the OSD initial menu screen. When the message input setting mode is designated, for example, a date setting screen for designating the date for displaying the message on the display device is called, and the date is input by the input operation means interactively with the date setting screen. Then, the message type selection screen for designating the message type is displayed on the display device. When a desired message type is selected interactively with this message type selection screen by the input operation means, a message content input screen corresponding to this is called. Then, after the user inputs a desired character string or the like to the predetermined position on the message content input screen by the input operation means, the input operation means issues an instruction to confirm the input, whereby the storage means of the system (for example, battery backup) is performed. R
The message information input by the user and the date information attached to the message information are stored in a non-volatile memory such as AM or EEPROM.

A system in which the message means and the date information associated with the message information are stored in the storage means comprising the above-mentioned non-volatile memory, and the power is supplied from the battery or the sub power supply even when the main power is off. A microcomputer (main control unit; hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that controls the overall control uses the current date information from its own calendar / time function unit to determine the date information associated with the message information stored in the storage means. , Is searching for a match with the current date. When the date information attached to the message information stored in the storage unit matches the current date, the microcomputer determines that the display date of the user input message has been reached. When the power supply (main power supply) of the system is turned on by the input operation means on the date for which this message is displayed, the microcomputer recognizes this key operation and turns on the power of the system, and also coincides with the current date. The message information corresponding to the date information is read from the storage means, and based on the read message information (character string information entered by the user,
A video signal (based on other display information accompanying this) is generated by the OSD generation unit and is preferentially displayed on the display device as a user message screen only for a predetermined time. By doing so, every time the power of the system is turned on on the date designated in advance, the message for the birthday or the wedding anniversary that has been preset can be automatically displayed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Although the present embodiment is an example of application to a VTR-integrated TV receiver, the present invention is applicable to a video equipment system including a TV display device such as a TV receiver or a system in which the TV receiver and the VTR are connected. Is also applicable.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a VTR integrated TV receiver which is a video equipment system according to this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a microcomputer that controls the overall control of the entire system, 2 is an OSD generation unit, 3 is a video control unit, 4 is a TV display device (hereinafter referred to as display device 4), 5 is an antenna, 6 is a tuner, Reference numeral 7 is a recording / reproducing processing unit composed of a VTR function unit, 8 is an input operation unit, and 9 is a non-volatile storage unit. In the present embodiment, the illustration of the audio signal processing system is omitted in order to simplify the description, but it goes without saying that a known audio signal processing system is provided.

The input operation means 8 is composed of, for example, a remote controller or buttons, dials, etc. provided on the front panel of the system. When the operation input signal S1 from the input operation means 8 arrives, the microcomputer 1 becomes necessary. Various processes are executed accordingly. The OSD generation unit 2 generates an OSD image (video) signal S3 according to the display information S2 from the microcomputer 1 and outputs it to the video control unit 3. The image control unit 3 receives the signals from the antenna 5 and the tuner 6 based on the control signal S4 from the microcomputer 1.
The processed video signal S5, the video signal S6 from the recording / reproduction processing unit 7, or the OSD video signal S3 from the OSD generation unit 2 is selectively switched as appropriate and output to the display device 4. In addition, the video control unit 3 receives the video signal S5 from the tuner 6 or the OS from the OSD generation unit 2 based on the control signal S4 from the microcomputer 1.
The D video signal S3 is appropriately and selectively switched and output to the recording / playback processing unit 7 as a video signal S6 for recording. The non-volatile storage means 9 is, for example, a battery-backed non-volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM or EEPROM,
Alternatively, it is a storage means provided with another suitable non-volatile recording medium, and stores message data S9 input and set by the user under the control of the microcomputer 1 as described below.
Further, the stored data is read by the microcomputer 1 as needed. Here, in FIG. 1, S7 is a control signal for instructing a tuning operation from the microcomputer 1 to the tuner 6, and S8 is a recording / reproducing processing unit 7 for recording / reproducing from the microcomputer 1.
This is a control signal for instructing a reproducing operation and the like.

The microcomputer 1 is actually composed of various I / O interfaces, ROM, RAM, MPU, etc., executes various processes according to various predetermined programs, and controls each part of the system. However, the OSD function of the microcomputer 1 will be described here to simplify the description. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of the microcomputer 1 and the OSD generation unit 2 as functional blocks for convenience of explanation. In the microcomputer 1 of the figure, 11 is an OSD control processing unit, 12 is a calendar / time function unit, 13 is a standard OSD data storage unit, 14 is a character data generation unit, 15 is a graphic / graphic data generation unit, and 16 is a color. A paint data generation unit, 17 is a temporary input data storage unit, and in the OSD generation unit 2, 21 is a character signal generation unit, 22 is a graphic / graphic processing unit, 23 is a color paint processing unit, and 24 is an OSD. This is an image composition processing unit. Although not shown,
Power is supplied to the microcomputer 1 by a battery, a sub power supply, or the like even when the main power is off.

In FIG. 2, the OSD control processing unit 11 is
It controls the OSD function of the system according to the present embodiment, and generates various kinds of processing such as generation of display information S2 and memory read / write processing according to the input operation by the input operation means 8 or a signal generated by itself. To execute. The calendar / time function unit 12 measures the time with the built-in clock, and based on the time measurement result, the day, month, and
The year is automatically updated, and the OSD control processing unit 11 recognizes the current date / time from the signal from the calendar / time function unit 12.

In the standard OSD data storage unit 13, basic data for various OSD screens for the user (operator) to interactively perform input operation with the OSD screen on the display device 4 and to monitor it ( For example, mainly character string information and ruled lines and color-coded data added to the character string information as needed) are stored in advance. Then, when the display of the predetermined interactive OSD screen is specified by the operation of the input operation means 8, the OSD control processing unit 11 reads the specified screen data from the standard OSD data storage unit 13 and reads the read data. The display information S2 is generated based on the above, and this is sent to the OSD generation unit 2. For example,
When the display of the OSD initial menu screen P1 of FIG. 4 described later is requested, the OSD control processing unit 11 reads the data for the OSD initial menu screen from the standard OSD data storage unit 13 to generate the display information S2, Based on this, the OSD generation unit 2 generates and outputs the OSD video (image) signal S3, and the OSD as shown in FIG.
D Display the initial menu screen P1.

When a character input operation is performed at a predetermined position on the message content input screen by the input operation means 8 while a predetermined message content input screen, which will be described later, is called up on the display device 4, the character data generation unit. 14 generates character information and outputs it to the OSD control processing unit 11. Based on this, the OSD control processing unit 11 generates display information S2 and outputs it to the OSD generation unit 2, and also temporarily outputs this character information. It is also transferred to and stored in the input data storage unit 17. Further, in a state where the message content input screen is called on the display device 4, the input operation means 8 inputs a graphic line to a predetermined position on the message content input screen, or inputs a graphic line other than a graphic line or a character. Then, the graphic / graphic data generation unit 15 generates graphic / graphic information and outputs it to the OSD control processing unit 11. Based on this, the OSD control processing unit 11 generates the display information S2 to generate the OSD. The graphic / graphic information is output to the unit 2 and is also transferred to and stored in the temporary input data storage unit 17. Further, when the input operation means 8 inputs the background color of the message content input screen and its paint range in a state where the message content input screen is called on the display device 4, the color paint data generation unit 16 Generate color paint information and
Output to the SD control processing unit 11 and the OSD control processing unit 11
Generates display information S2 based on this and outputs it to the OSD generation unit 2, and also transfers this color paint information to the temporary input data storage unit 17 for storage.

Here, the character input operation by the above-mentioned input operation means 8 is performed, for example, by operating a numeric keypad or the like in a character input mode of the remote controller (for example, for each numeric keypad). To each corresponding to a plurality of characters, and by switching the other keys as appropriate and selecting the numeric keypad). In addition,
At this time, the standard OSD data storage unit 13 stores the data for displaying the key character window corresponding to each key in the character input mode so that the character corresponding to each key is displayed on the display device 4 as a window. Is preferred.
Similarly, in the graphic / graphic input operation by the input operation means 8, for example, while the input mode of the remote controller is set to the graphic input mode or the graphic input mode, the keys are appropriately used as cursor movement keys or correspond to the respective keys. This is done by designating the attached graphic (even in the case of graphic input, it is preferable to display the graphic corresponding to each key on the display device 4 in a window). Similarly, the input operation of the background color and its paint range by the input operation means 8 is also performed by selecting an appropriate key, for example, in a state where the input mode of the remote controller is in the background color input designation mode.

As described above, the data containing at least the character information input by the user operating the input operation means 8 and the fixed character for the message prepared in advance by the system displayed on the message content input screen. If there is column information, data including this (hereinafter referred to as message information) is temporarily stored in the temporary input data storage unit 17, and the user instructs the input confirmation by the input operation means 8. It is transferred to the non-volatile storage means 9 and stored and held. The main data of the user message screen described later is the standard OS.
When prepared in the D data storage unit 13, the message fixed character string information prepared in advance by the system displayed on the message content input screen is stored as standard OSD data as the main data of the user message screen. It is also possible to store in the unit 13 and store only the message information that is input by the user operating the input operation unit 8 and that is composed of data including at least character information in the non-volatile storage unit 9.

Here, each message information has 1
The date information corresponding to the pair 1 or the date and time information is attached as data unique to each message information. The date information or the date and time information is also input from the input operation means 8 by the user. It is set by the input operation of. That is, by inputting the date or the date and time before or after the message information is input, the date information corresponding to the message information in a one-to-one correspondence or the date and time information is non-volatile. Storage means 9
Directly or after being temporarily stored in the temporary input data storage unit 17, transferred to the non-volatile storage unit 9 and stored in the non-volatile storage unit 9 as date information corresponding to the message information or date and time information. It

FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of the message information stored in the non-volatile storage means 9 and the corresponding date information and the like (the above-mentioned message data S9 comprising message information and date information and the like). FIG. Each message information 30 is stored in a form of being attached to ID data (message type, address, etc.) 31 and date data 32. The message information 30 is character data 30.
a, graphic data 30b, graphic data 30c, color paint data 30d and the like, and each message information 30 includes at least character data 30a.

The OSD control processing unit 11 of FIG.
Depending on the D display screen mode, necessary data is taken out from each unit, and based on this, the display information S2 is generated and the OSD is generated.
Output to the generation unit 2. That is, when any one of the standard OSD screens for dialogue which the system has in advance is designated, the OSD control processing unit 11 reads out necessary data from the standard OSD data storage unit 13 and generates the display information S2. However, when any of the message input setting screens is designated and the user performs a data input operation in this state, the OSD control processing unit 11 determines that the standard OS
Necessary data is read from the D data storage unit 13, the character data generation unit 14, the graphic / graphic data generation unit 15, and the color paint data generation unit 16 to generate the display information S2. When the OSD control processing unit 11 determines that the OSD control processing unit 11 has entered the output mode of the user message screen, which will be described later, based on its own determination function, the OSD control processing unit 11 reads out necessary data from the non-volatile storage unit 9 and displays it. Generate information S2 for use.

In the OSD generation unit 2 to which the display information S2 is sent from the OSD control processing unit 11 (microcomputer 1), the character signal generation unit 21 generates a character signal based on the input display information S2, Also, the display information S2
Contains graphic data or graphic data, the graphic / graphic processing unit 22 generates a graphic signal or graphic signal, and the display information S2 contains color paint data. Generates a background color signal in the color paint processing unit 23. Then, in the OSD image composition processing section 24, the character signal generation section 21, the graphic / graphicalization processing section 22,
The output from the color paint processing unit 23 is combined (characters, graphics, and figures are embedded in the color-painted areas) to generate a still image signal (OSD image signal S3) for one image. .

Next, an example of a procedure for input setting of message information will be described with reference to FIG. User (operator)
By operating the appropriate keys of the input operation means 8
When instructing to call the SD initial menu screen, the microcomputer 1 causes the OSD generation unit 2 to display on the display device 4.
The SD initial menu screen P1 is displayed. In this OSD initial menu screen P1, for example, "1. reservation confirmation / cancellation" mode, "2. video mode setting" mode, "3. channel display adjustment" mode, "4. message setting" mode A display prompting the user to select any one is displayed.

When the ten key "4" of the input operation means 8 is pushed in the display state of the OSD initial menu screen P1, the message setting mode is selected and the date on which the message is displayed on the display device 4. The date setting screen P41 for specifying is called. In the date setting screen P41, for example, a numerical input is prompted in the blinking date input field, and after inputting a desired date with the ten keys of the input operation means 8, the "OK" key of the input operation means 8 is entered. By pushing, a message type selection screen P42 for selecting a message type is displayed on the display device 4.

In the menu type selection screen P42, for example, "1. birthday", "2. wedding anniversary",
A display prompting the user to select any one of "3. Other" and "4. List display" is displayed. In this state, the numeric keypad "1" or "2" or "3" or "4" of the input operation means 8 is pressed. When you press any of the keys, the message input screen P43 for birthday, the message input screen P44 for wedding anniversary, the message input screen P45 for other events, or the content of the already input / set message is displayed. Any of the message list display screen P46 for displaying a list is called on the display device 4.

Then, for example, in a state where the birthday message input screen P43 is called, desired keys are sequentially input by appropriately operating the keys of the input operation means 8, and the "OK" key is pushed after the input of the character string is completed. By doing so, the message information input by the user and the date information attached thereto are stored in the non-volatile storage means 9 as described above. In this example, the message input screen P43 for birthday or the message input screen P for wedding anniversary is displayed.
When a character string is entered at 44, a combination of the character string input by the user (for example, "Mother") and a fixed character string prepared in advance by the system (for example, "Mr. Happy birthday!") Are stored in the non-volatile storage means 9 as message information.

As described above, by repeatedly inputting the date for displaying the message and inputting the message contents on the desired message input screen, the nonvolatile storage means 9 is input by the user for each designated event. Message information and date information associated therewith are stored. Although the message input screen is selected after the date is input in the above example, the order may be reversed. Further, the message input screen can be prepared in any screen type other than the one shown.

When the message list display screen P46 is called after storing the message information for each event and the date information associated therewith in the non-volatile storage means 9,
The “date”, “type”, and “display content” for each event are displayed in the form of a list. Note that here, "display contents"
As for, a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string input by the user is displayed.

As described above, in the state where the message information for each event and the date information associated therewith are stored and set, the microcomputer that is supplied with power by the battery or sub power even when the main power is off. OS 1
The D control processing unit 11 uses the current date information from the calendar / time function unit 12 to determine whether the date information attached to the message information stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 9 matches the current date. Always searching at timing intervals. When the date information attached to the message information stored in the non-volatile storage unit 9 matches the current date, the OSD control processing unit 11 determines that the display date of the user input message has been reached.

On the date corresponding to this message display designation, the power supply (main power supply) of the system is operated by the input operation means 8.
When the closing operation is performed, the microcomputer 1 recognizes this key operation, powers on the system, and causes the OSD control processing unit 11 to store the message information corresponding to the date information corresponding to the present date in a nonvolatile memory. The display information S2 is read out from the means 9 and is generated based on the read message information (based on the character string information input by the user and other display information incidental thereto), and this is generated by the OSD generation unit. Output to 2. The OSD generation unit 2 generates an OSD video signal S3 based on the display information S2 and outputs it to the video control unit 3 shown in FIG. In addition, the OSD control processing unit 11 of the microcomputer 1 sends a control signal S4 to the video control unit 3 to output the OSD video signal S3 from the OSD generation unit 2 to the display device 4, and thereby the OSD video signal S3 is generated. The image is preferentially displayed on the display device 4 as a user message screen only for a predetermined time.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the above-mentioned user message screen. FIG. 5A shows the birthday user message screen output set in the above-mentioned birthday message input screen P43. 5B shows an example of user message screen output for another event that has been input and set on the message input screen P45 for another event described above. In addition,
In the present embodiment, as described above, in addition to character data, graphic / figure input settings and background color settings can be made. Therefore, graphics / figures other than characters can be displayed on the user message screen, and arbitrary backgrounds can be displayed. It can be displayed as a user message screen with colors.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the flow of the user message screen output process performed by the microcomputer 1. In step ST1 of the figure, it is asked whether or not the date information attached to the message information stored in the non-volatile storage means 9 matches the current date. If YES, the process proceeds to step ST2, N
If it is O, the loop of step ST1 is repeated. In step ST2, it is asked whether or not the power-on operation is performed. If YES, the process proceeds to step ST3, and if NO, the process returns to step ST1. In step ST3, the message information corresponding to the date information that matches the current date is read from the non-volatile storage means 9 and the process proceeds to step ST4. In step ST4, the message screen video data generation process is performed based on the read data. Go to step ST5. In step ST5, the user message screen is displayed on the display device 4 for a predetermined period, and the process proceeds to step ST6. In step ST6, it is asked whether or not the video signal of the user message screen is to be recorded in the recording / playback processing unit 7. If YES, the video signal of the user message screen is recorded on the tape in step ST7, and then the process returns to step ST1. , NO, the process directly returns to step ST1.

In the above description, the case where the date information is attached to the message information and stored in the non-volatile storage means 9 and the stored date information is compared with the current date is mainly described. did. However, it may be assumed that the user message screen is desired to be output in the desired time zone of the desired date. In this case, the date and time information is associated with the message information and stored in the non-volatile storage means 9. And the microcomputer 1 is a calendar /
The current date from the time function unit 12 matches the date information in the non-volatile storage means 9, and the calendar / time function unit 12
When the power-on operation is performed when the current time from is within ± a predetermined time value with respect to the value of the time information corresponding to the matching date information in the non-volatile storage means 9, the user operates as described above. Output message screen. With this configuration, the user message screen can be output at the timing when the power-on operation is performed near the desired time on the desired date.

The video control unit 3 shown in FIG.
Has a function of synthesizing a video signal, outputs only a character signal from the OSD generation unit, and superimposes the character signal on the video signal from the tuner 6 or the recording / playback processing unit 7 on the display device 4. It is also possible to output. It is also possible to record an image (video signal) obtained by superimposing a character signal on the video signal from the tuner 6 in the recording / reproduction processing unit 7.

Furthermore, date information (or date and time information) and message information can be input in advance when a purchaser other than the user purchases the system at a store or the like. If so, it is possible to output a message for a gift or the like.

Furthermore, the key of the input operation means that triggers the message output on the designated date (or the designated time zone of the designated date) is not limited to the power key as described above, but a predetermined message output key. It is conceivable to provide

The present invention has been described above mainly with reference to the illustrated embodiments, but it goes without saying that various modifications can be considered by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, storage means for storing date information (or date and time information) and message information may be provided in the microcomputer. Alternatively, enter the message contents in simple characters (for example, numbers and alphabets, numbers and hiragana,
If the OSD generation unit is configured to generate only character signals, it is possible to use the conventional OS.
Compared with a system having a D function, the load on the hardware does not increase, and there is no risk of cost increase.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, on a specified date such as an anniversary or birthday, a message or the like previously input and stored by the user can be automatically displayed when the system is turned on. Therefore, the display device of the system can be used for displaying a personal message, and the added value of the system is greatly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a VTR integrated TV receiver which is a video equipment system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram showing the inside of a microcomputer and an OSD generation unit of FIG. 1 as functional blocks for convenience.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing data stored in a non-volatile storage unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a message input setting procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention in a screen flow.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an output example of a user message screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of display processing of a user message screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microcomputer 2 OSD generation unit 3 Video control unit 4 Display device 5 Antenna 6 Tuner 7 Recording / playback processing section 8 Input operation means 9 Non-volatile storage means 11 OSD control processing section 12 Calendar / time function section 13 Standard OSD data storage section 14 Character data generation unit 15 Graphic / graphic data generation unit 16 Color paint data generation unit 17 Temporary input data storage unit 21 Character signal generation unit 22 Graphic / graphic conversion processing unit 23 Color paint processing unit 24 OSD image synthesis processing unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An input operation means for performing various input operations, a main control device for controlling the overall control of the system, a display device capable of displaying a video signal, and a character under the control of the main control device. A video equipment system comprising a character video signal generation means for generating a video signal including a signal and displaying an image including character information on the display device, wherein the video equipment system includes at least the character information pre-input by the input operation means. Storage means for storing message information and at least date information associated with the message information is provided, and the main control device stores current date information from its own calendar / time function unit and the storage means. When it is detected that the predetermined key of the input operation means has been operated in the state in which it is detected that the date information matches the date information, the date that matches the current date is detected. The message information corresponding to the information is read from the storage means, and the character video signal generation means is caused to generate a video signal based on the read message information, and this is used as a user message screen on the display device preferentially for a predetermined period. A video equipment system characterized by being displayed. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device preferentially displays a user message screen in a state where it is detected that the current date information matches the date information stored in the storage means. The video equipment system, wherein the predetermined key of the input operation means serving as a trigger for the operation is a power-on key of the system. 3. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores message information including at least character information and date and time information associated with the message information, and the main control device itself. The current date and time from the calendar / time function of
Recognizing that a predetermined key of the input operation means has been operated when the date information stored in the storage means is coincident with and is within a time zone before and after the time specified by the time information by a predetermined amount. Then, the message information defined by the date and time information corresponding to the current date and current time is read from the storage unit, and the character image signal generation unit is caused to generate a video signal based on the read message information, A video equipment system characterized by displaying this as a user message screen on the display device preferentially for a predetermined period. 4. The video according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in the storage means can be stored in advance when a purchaser other than the user purchases the system. Equipment system. 5. The video equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the display device is capable of outputting the user message screen having a background color of a designated arbitrary color. 6. The video equipment system according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in the storage means can be displayed in the form of a list on the display device. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system has a recording / reproducing device for recording a video signal on a recording medium, and the video signal of a user message screen displayed on the display device is recorded at an arbitrary position on the recording medium. A video equipment system characterized by making it possible. 8. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the character information input by the input operation device, graphic data represented by graphic data or data other than graphic data can be stored. A video equipment system, wherein the user message screen including graphic data represented by graphic data or data other than graphic data can be displayed on the display device.