JPH08154235A - Video processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve language learning effect by providing a means storing a character signal and an audio signal respectively up to a prescribed past time in the processing unit to reproduce the signals repetitively at any time. CONSTITUTION: A character memory 3B stores a character signal extracted from a video signal S1 at a slicer 3C as plural sets of character information while going back to the past by a prescribed time. An audio memory 5A stores an audio signal S5 while going back to the past by a prescribed time. When a repeat signal S3 is set, the reproduction device is set to a still image mode and a still image is displayed via a frame memory 3A. Then the audio memory 5A provides an output of the stored audio signal by a prescribed time repetitively to a terminal Aout via a changeover circuit 5B. In this case, when a character display selection signal S2 is set, the character memory 3B displays the final stored character information while overlapping on a signal of a screen. When a scroll signal S4 is set, the information going back to older character information is displayed on each occasion.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be described in the following order. Field of Industrial Application Conventional Technology Problem to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problem (FIG. 1) Action Example (FIG. 1) Effect of the Invention

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video processing apparatus and can be applied to, for example, a video tape recorder for reproducing a video signal with a caption.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, a so-called closed caption function for displaying caption information transmitted by using a vertical blanking interval on a video is beginning to be put into practical use.
By the way, recently, focusing on the function of recognizing this voice as a character, the use of this function for language learning has begun to be examined.

[0004]

However, in the current system, the screen to be confirmed can be instantly switched to the still screen, but it is not possible to return to the past screen with subtitles. For this reason, even if one wants to check the missed word again, it cannot be confirmed immediately and it is inconvenient to use for language learning.

Further, since the video tape recorder is provided with a voice repeat function capable of repeatedly listening to the voice for a fixed time stored in the memory as many times as desired, combining this function and the subtitle screen enables language learning. Although it seems useful, current videotape recorders can not be used as it is for language learning because it is designed to mute the sound when switching the image to a still image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is intended to propose a video processing apparatus having a function of repeatedly confirming a missed sound by a screen with subtitles and sound. is there.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, a video signal including a caption signal (S1)
And a first storage means (3) for extracting the caption signal output from the decoding means (3) and always retroactively storing it for a predetermined time in the past.
B), a second storage means (5A) for always storing the audio signal (S5) corresponding to the video signal (S1) retroactively for a predetermined time from the present, and the second storage. An audio processing system having a switching means (5B) for switching and outputting either the audio signal stored in the means (5A) or the audio signal corresponding to the video signal is provided, and the audio repeat mode is selected. At this time, the video processing system stops the input of the video signal and outputs a still image, and also outputs the subtitle signal at the moment when the audio repeat mode is selected from the subtitle signals stored in the first storage means (3B). The sound processing system synthesizes and outputs the still picture, and the sound processing system repeatedly outputs the sound signal stored retroactively for a predetermined time from the moment when the sound repeat mode is selected by the switching means (5B).

[0008]

[Operation] When the user selects the audio repeat mode when he / she misses the audio corresponding to the subtitle or misses the subtitle corresponding to the audio, a still image at the moment when the audio repeat mode is selected by the video processing device. At the same time, the stored audio signal is repeatedly output for a certain period of time past from that moment. As a result, the user can confirm the subtitle corresponding to the audio on the still screen combined with the video signal. By using this function, for example, the language learning effect can be further enhanced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a subtitle compatible video tape recorder as a whole. The video tape recorder 1 has a video processing circuit and an audio processing circuit built therein. Here, the video processing circuit will be described first. The video tape recorder 1 inputs the video signal S1 reproduced from the magnetic tape to the video processing circuit 2 to perform predetermined signal processing and then supplies the video signal S1 to the closed caption decoder 3.

The closed caption decoder 3 outputs the video signal S1 as it is from the video output terminal V _OUT when the caption signal is not included in the video signal S1 and decodes it when the caption signal is included. Then, subtitles are added to the video signal. However, even if the closed caption signal is included, if the closed caption display is not selected by the closed caption display selection signal S2, the closed caption decoder 3 does not add the closed caption and the video signal is still input. It is designed to output.

Next, the internal block of the closed caption decoder 3 for realizing these various functions will be described. First, the two memories (frame memory 3A and subtitle memory 3B) provided in the closed caption decoder 3 will be described. The frame memory 3A is a memory for extracting information of a video portion from the video signal S1 and sequentially storing the information.
The stored contents are updated every time 1 is input.

Incidentally, when the audio repeat signal S3 is controlled from the off state to the on state (that is, when it is controlled to the repeat mode), the reproduction mode of the video tape recorder 1 is switched to the still image mode and reproduced in this mode. The video signal S1 is repeatedly written in the frame memory 3A. As a result, the image at the moment when the voice repeat signal S3 is controlled to be in the ON state is held in the frame memory 3B as it is. Incidentally, when the audio repeat signal S3 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the reproduction mode of the video tape recorder returns to the normal reproduction mode.

On the other hand, the subtitle memory 3B is a memory for storing the subtitle signal portion extracted from the video signal S1 by the slicer 3C, and in principle, the contents input during a period going back a certain time from the present time as a starting point. It is designed to hold a plurality of different subtitle information. However, when the audio repeat signal S3 is controlled to be in the ON state, the writing of new subtitle information is stopped and only the character information fetched at the end of the stored subtitle signals is output.

When the scroll signal S4 is input in this state (that is, the state in which the audio repeat signal S3 is controlled to be on), the caption memory 3B is replaced by the immediately preceding caption information instead of the currently output caption information. It is designed to output the captured subtitle information. This allows the user to select and confirm a necessary one from a plurality of caption signals obtained within a certain time from the present time.

Now, the video signal (or still image signal) and the caption signal respectively output from these two memories 3A and 3B are combined by the adder 3D. However, a switch 3E that opens and closes between the subtitle memory 3B and the adder 3D by the subtitle display selection signal S2.
Is provided. The switch 3E is in an open state when the subtitle display selection signal S2 is in the off state, and outputs the subtitle signal output from the subtitle memory 3B to the adder 3D when the subtitle display selection signal S2 is in the on state.

As a result, when the subtitle display selection signal S2 is in the off state, the video signal output from the frame memory 3A is directly supplied to the video output terminal V _OUT via the adder 3D.
In the ON state, the still image with subtitles combined in the adder 3D is output to the video output terminal V _OUT .

Next, a voice processing circuit will be described. The video tape recorder 1 takes in the inputted audio signal S5 to the audio processing circuit 4, performs a predetermined processing, and then supplies it to the audio repeat processing circuit 5. The voice repeat processing circuit 5 includes a voice memory 5
A is built in. The audio memory 5A stores the audio signals S5 sequentially fetched from the present time retroactively for a predetermined time in the past, and in principle outputs the audio signals S5 fetched at the present time as they are.
However, the audio memory 5A is adapted to stop capturing the audio signal and repeatedly output the stored audio signal when the audio repeat signal S3 is controlled to the ON state.

The audio repeat processing circuit 5 has a switching circuit for selectively outputting either the audio signal input from the audio processing circuit 4 or the audio signal input from the audio memory 5A to the audio output terminal A _OUT . 5B is provided. The switching circuit 5B is also switched and controlled by the voice repeat signal S3, and the repeat signal S3
Is controlled to the off state (that is, in the normal mode), the real-time audio signal input to the input terminal P1 is continuously output. On the other hand, when the repeat signal S3 is controlled to be in the ON state (that is, to be controlled to the repeat mode), the switching circuit 5B takes in the audio signal stored in the audio memory 5A from the input terminal P2 and repeatedly outputs it. It is done like this.

The operation and circuit operation when the video tape recorder 1 having the above structure is used for language learning will be described. However, it is assumed here that the video signal S1 includes a caption signal. First, if the user wants to try hearing without displaying the subtitles on the video, the user may turn off the subtitle display selection signal S2. At this time, the closed caption decoder 3 outputs the video signal S1 without subtitles, and the real-time audio signal S5 is output via the switching circuit 5B of the audio repeat processing circuit 5.

When it becomes difficult to hear the voice again in a scene where the voice cannot be heard, the user may operate the repeat signal S3 so as to switch it on. Then, the display screen is switched to the still image at the moment when the voice repeat signal S3 is controlled to be in the ON state. Further, at this time, the input end of the switching circuit 5B is switched to the P2 side, so that the voice past a certain time stored in the voice memory 5A is repeatedly output.
This allows the user to repeatedly listen to the sound on any screen until he is satisfied.

On the other hand, when the user wants to try hearing while watching the subtitles, the user turns on the subtitle display selection signal S2.
As a result, the caption is always displayed so as to be superimposed on the video signal output from the closed caption decoder 3, and the user can view the video while checking the pronunciation content by the caption. When it becomes difficult to hear the voice again for a scene where the voice cannot be heard, the user switches the voice repeat signal S3 to the ON state.

In this way, the display screen is switched to the still image with subtitles at the moment when the voice repeat signal S3 is controlled to be in the ON state, and the voice traced back to the past for a certain time stored in the voice memory 5A is repeatedly output. Will be in a state where This allows the user to try hearing with both subtitles and audio until he is satisfied.

When the pronunciation content confirmed at this time is relatively previous information and the subtitles synthesized and displayed on the still image do not correspond to the pronunciation content, the user inputs the scroll signal S4. Good. In this way, the contents of the subtitles can be switched one by one to the old subtitles, and the pronunciation and the contents can be repeatedly confirmed until the user is satisfied. Then, when the hearing confirmation operation in the repeat mode is finished, the repeat signal S3 may be returned to the off state again, and in this way, the output state of the real-time video (including the subtitles in this case) and the sound is restored. You can go back.

According to the above configuration, the caption memory 3B for always storing the caption signal synthesized and output to the video signal retroactively from the present to the past for a certain time, together with the caption memory 3B.
Similar to the image stored in, the audio memory 5A that stores the audio signal traced back a certain time from the present is provided, and when the audio repeat signal is switched to the ON state, the subtitle output and the audio output are performed. These memories 3B and 5
By switching to the output of A, it is possible to further improve the usability when using for language learning in which the voice of an arbitrary scene can be repeatedly confirmed together with the character information.

Further, by selecting and outputting an arbitrary subtitle from the plurality of subtitle information stored in the subtitle memory 3A, between the voice repeatedly read from the voice memory 5A and the displayed subtitle. Even if there is a time lag, this can be corrected, and usability during language learning can be further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, a case is stored in which the video that goes back a certain period of time from the present time to the past is stored in the subtitle memory 3B and the subtitle signal is switched to the past subtitle signal one by one each time the scroll signal S4 is input. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a device that displays only the subtitle signal that was displayed at the moment when the audio repeat signal S3 was input. Even in this case, since at least a part of the content of the sound that is repeatedly reproduced can be confirmed with the subtitles, the learning effect can be enhanced as compared with the conventional case.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the video tape recorder having the function corresponding to the video with subtitles is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the disc-shaped recording in which the video signal with subtitles is stored is stored. It can be widely applied to a disk reproducing device such as a video disk player which reproduces a video signal and an audio signal from a medium.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the subtitled video signal S1 is taken in from the reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a tuner such as a television receiver. Therefore, the present invention can be widely applied to a video processing device that processes a received subtitled video signal in real time. Incidentally, in the case of a television receiver for inputting these real-time video signals, the input of the video signal to the frame memory 3A may be stopped when the audio repeat signal S3 is switched from the off state to the on state. . By doing so, the composite image of the video and the subtitle at the moment when the audio repeat signal S3 is turned on can be confirmed as a still image as in the case of the embodiment.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the caption signal output from the decoding means for decoding the video signal including the caption signal is always stored retroactively for a predetermined time in the past.
When the voice repeat mode is selected, the second storage means for storing the audio signal corresponding to the video signal retroactively from the present to the past for a fixed time is provided in the audio processing system. The video processing system stops the input of the video signal to output a still image and combines the still image with the subtitle signal at the moment when the audio repeat mode is selected from the subtitle signals stored in the first storage means. And output
Since the audio processing system repeatedly outputs the audio signal traced back a certain time in the past from the moment the audio repeat mode is selected, the audio and the subtitle corresponding to the audio can be confirmed on the screen.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a video processing device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... video tape recorder, 3 ... closed caption decoder, 3A ... frame memory, 3B ... subtitle memory, 3C ... slicer, 5 ... audio repeat processing circuit, 5A ... audio memory, 5B ... ... Switching circuit.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location H04N 7/03 7/035 H04N 7/08 A (72) Inventor Hironari Okamoto Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 6th-7th 35th Sony Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Decoding means for inputting and decoding a video signal including a caption signal, and first storage means for extracting the caption signal output from the decoding means and always retroactively storing a certain time in the past. A video processing system having: a second storage means for always storing an audio signal corresponding to the video signal retroactively for a predetermined time from the present, and the audio signal or the video stored in the second storage means. An audio processing system having switching means for switching and outputting one of the audio signals corresponding to the signal, and when the audio repeat mode is selected, the video processing system stops the input of the video signal. The still image is output, and the subtitle signal at the moment when the audio repeat mode is selected among the subtitle signals stored in the first storage unit is combined with the still image and output, and the audio processing is performed. Video processing apparatus and outputting repeatedly audio signal being Inundating connexion stored in a predetermined time past from the moment of the audio repeat mode from said switching means is selected. 2. The video processing system, when the scrolling of a still image is instructed in a state in which the audio repeat mode is selected, the subtitle signal stored in the first storage means is currently displayed. The video processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein subtitles at a past time point are sequentially switched with respect to existing subtitles, and the still image is combined and output. 3. The input video signal is a signal reproduced from a recording medium, and when the audio repeat mode is selected, the video signal is reproduced from the recording medium in a still image state. The video processing device according to claim 1.