JPH10117331A - Image display controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely inhibit a viewing of a video scene unsuitable for growing up and education for children, even when a channel is changed in a way that a child views a program unnecessary for restriction on the video scene after the child views a program necessary for restriction on the video scene and then the child views the same program again whose video scene requires restriction. SOLUTION: Even in the case that a channel is changed so that a child views a program unnecessary for restriction on the video scene, after the child views a program necessary for restriction on the video scene and then the child views same program again, whose video scene requires restriction, viewing of a video scene inadequate for growth and education of children is surely inhibited by an output of a comparator circuit 12 owing to matching with contents of a current channel register 9 and a storage register 101 for a time from the latter channel change until 1st restriction data whose restriction level is more strict than that of the 2nd restriction data, are superimposed on the video signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device which is video information which can be viewed on a TV receiver, and which enables or disables viewing of a video scene included in the video information depending on the content.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Broadcast information from a TV set can, at times, affect the growth of a child, both good and bad. Thus, in the United States, in consideration of the healthy growth and education of children, video scenes that are considered inappropriate for the growth and education of children (eg, excessive (Violent scenes, sexual scenes, etc.) has been enacted to require that a function to automatically disable viewing of the video scene be incorporated into a TV receiver of 13 inches or more. Was.

[0003] More specifically, for the purpose of displaying characters superimposed on the 21st horizontal scanning period (21H) of the vertical retrace period of a video signal transmitted from a TV broadcast station or a video signal reproduced by a VTR or the like. By using one of the XDS information (PROGRAM RATING), the above function can be realized. T
When watching a certain program on a V receiver and making it impossible to view a video scene that is considered inappropriate for child growth and education,
Several types of regulation data are transmitted from the broadcasting station side so as to be superimposed on the vertical flyback period 21H so that the video scene can be viewed or not viewed according to the degree of inappropriateness. The restriction data is extracted from the video signal and decoded, and according to the decoding result, the TV screen cannot be viewed (for example, the entire screen is displayed in a predetermined color).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional image display control device for realizing the above technology. In FIG.
(1) is a sampling circuit for extracting information consisting of logic "1" (high level) or logic "0" (low level) superimposed on the 21st horizontal scanning period 21H of the vertical retrace period of the video signal. After that, the information is sliced at a half level between the high level and the low level, and is output as clear digital information "1" and "0".
The superimposed data of 21H in the vertical retrace period of the video signal is
The specifications are equivalent to those of the closed caption system. For example, the most significant bit of the superimposed 8-bit data is allocated to parity data, and the lower 3 bits are allocated to first restriction data for a restriction level of a video scene. The first regulation data is transmitted together with the video signal at intervals of several tens of seconds to several minutes.

[0005] (2) is a 4-bit register, and predetermined three bits of the register (2) are any of the same eight types of second restriction data as the first restriction data transmitted from the broadcast station side. One bit is assigned to the bit area in which one is set, and the remaining one bit is set to “1” when the viewing prohibition function is activated when a video scene considered to be inappropriate for child growth and education is broadcast. It is set, and "0" is set when the above function is not operated.

[0006] (3) is a comparison circuit, the first regulation data extracted from the sampling circuit (1) and the register (2)
Is to compare the magnitude of the regulation level with the second regulation data set in. Specifically, when the first regulation data set on the broadcast station side has a stricter regulation level than the second regulation data set by the viewer, the comparison circuit (3) outputs logic “1”, and When the regulation level of the first regulation data is lower than the regulation level of the second regulation data, the comparison circuit (3) outputs logic "0". As an example, the first restriction data indicates “viewing prohibited for children under 17 years old” for a certain video scene, and the second restriction data set in the register (2) at this time indicates “viewing prohibited for children under 13 years old”. When "prohibited" is instructed, since the regulation of the first regulation data is more strict than the regulation of the second regulation data, the regulation level of the broadcasting station is prioritized over the regulation level of the viewer, so that viewing and listening to the video scene is not possible. Prohibition will be imposed. Conversely, for a certain video scene, the first restriction data indicates "viewing prohibited for children under the age of 17" as in the above example, and at this time, the second restriction data set in the register (2) is If the instruction "viewing prohibited for 18 years or younger" is instructed, the regulation of the first regulation data is less strict than that of the second regulation data.
At this time, the restriction level of the broadcasting station is prioritized over the restriction level of the viewer, and the video scene is broadcast as it is without restricting the viewing of the video scene.

An AND gate (4) has one input to which the output of the comparison circuit (3) is applied, and to the other input, 1-bit data set in the register (2), that is, viewing inhibition for a video scene. 1-bit data for controlling whether or not to perform an operation (ON when controlling, OFF when not controlling) is applied. That is, from the AND gate (4), the 1-bit data of the register (2) is logically "1" and
In the state of N, when the first control data has a stricter control level than the second control data, a logic “1” is output.

[0008] (5) is an on-screen circuit (OSD), which displays a predetermined color instead of an improper image scene by replacing the improper video scene by applying a logical "1" output of the AND gate (4). It operates as follows. For example, as a predetermined color display, the on-screen circuit (5)
The V screen (6) is one blue color. Further, (7) is a mute circuit, which mutes the audio signal by applying a logical "1" output of the AND gate (4),
The output of the audio synchronized with the video scene from the speaker (8) is prohibited.

Here, when data is set in the register (2), a display (PROGRAM ROCK) shown in FIG. 3 appears on the TV screen (6) by operating the remote controller. In this display, a password (PASSWORD), second regulation data (RATING) set by the user on the TV receiver side, and 1-bit data (ON / OFF) appear. The password is data that only the parent or guardian should know so that the child does not set the second restriction data and 1-bit data without permission. If there is no password, the child will not be able to
The bit data can be freely changed, and the child can view an inappropriate video scene for the child himself. A password is also required to prevent this problem. Then, when the parent or guardian inputs a correct password by remote control operation, the second regulation data and 1
Bit data can be set. This setting is also performed by the remote control operation. The infrared light output of the remote controller is determined by a microcomputer including a comparison circuit (3). When a symbol PG representing a predetermined level is operated as a second regulation data by a remote controller, the infrared light corresponding to the symbol PG is generated. The three-bit second regulation data corresponding to the symbol PG is decoded by the microcomputer and set in the register (2). Similarly, when ON is operated by remote control as 1-bit data, infrared light corresponding to this ON is decoded by the microcomputer, and "1" corresponding to ON is set in the remaining bits of the register (2).

As described above, the provision of the above-described configuration makes it possible to view or not view a video scene with the first regulation data only on the broadcast station side, as compared with a configuration that ignores the will of the viewer. Since the viewing control of the video scene is performed based on the result of comparison of the regulation level between the first regulation data on the broadcasting station side and the second regulation data on the viewer side, the parent or guardian of each home is controlled. It is possible to control the viewing of the video scene according to the intention of the user.

[0011]

However, as described above, the regulation data for controlling the viewing of a video scene which is considered inappropriate for the growth and education of a child to be impossible or possible is several tens of seconds as described above. Is superimposed on the vertical blanking period 21H of the video signal only at intervals of a few minutes from the above, the following problem occurs.

First, when a child is watching video information of channel A, a video scene inappropriate for the child arrives, and the TV screen (6) is covered with a predetermined color and cannot be viewed. (This state is assumed to be X). Next, it is assumed that the child changes the channel from the state X to the channel A from the channel A, and the channel B is a sports program or the like that has no adverse effect on the child. Then, the regulation data superimposed on 21H of the vertical retrace period of the video signal of the B channel is the most lenient state that does not require any particular regulation, and is the state where no regulation is applied to the TV screen (6). (This state is defined as Y).

Next, suppose that the child changes the channel from the B channel to the A channel again from the state Y. However, when the control data for the A channel is changed from the B channel to the A channel, the control data for the A channel is not immediately superimposed on the vertical retrace period 21H of the video signal. Since there is a time lag from seconds to several minutes, only during this time lag, the child can directly view an inappropriate video scene for the child in the video information of the A channel. There was a problem in education.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is necessary for a child to view a program that requires no restriction on the video scene, then view a program that does not require a restriction on the video scene, and then restrict the video scene again. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display control device capable of reliably prohibiting viewing of inappropriate video scenes for children's growth and education even when the channel is changed so as to view the certain program. I do.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is characterized in that an educational program superimposed on a predetermined vertical blanking period of a video signal is provided. A first one representing one of a plurality of regulation levels from a strict regulation level to a loose regulation level for making a video scene considered to be inappropriately unviewable impossible.
An extraction circuit for extracting the restriction data from the video signal; a register in which second restriction data indicating any one of the plurality of restriction levels is set; a register for setting the first restriction data and the second restriction data; (2) Comparing the regulation level with the regulation data, and when the regulation level of the first regulation data is stricter than that of the second regulation data, the display of the video information on the TV screen is prohibited, and the first regulation data is A control unit that permits display of video information on the TV screen when the restriction level is lower than the second restriction data, wherein the restriction level is lower than the second restriction data. From the first state in which the video information based on the video signal in which the first restriction data is superimposed during the vertical flyback period, the restriction level is stricter than that of the second restriction data. When the first control data is switched to the second state in which video information based on different video signals superimposed on the vertical flyback period is viewed, the second state is switched from the first state to the second state. Means for prohibiting display of video information on the TV screen until the first restriction data is superimposed on the vertical blanking period of the video signal in two states and processed by the control unit. It is.

Another feature is that the video signal is superimposed on a predetermined vertical retrace period of the video signal, from a strict regulation level to a strict regulation level for making it impossible to view a video scene considered to be inappropriate for education. Any one of multiple regulatory levels
A sampling circuit for extracting, from the video signal, first regulation data representing one regulation level; a register in which second regulation data representing a predetermined regulation level of any one of the plurality of regulation levels is set; A first comparison unit that compares the regulation level between the first regulation data and the second regulation data, and a first comparison unit that indicates that the regulation level of the first regulation data is stricter than that of the second regulation data. Setting the TV screen to the viewing prohibited state based on the output, and
Based on the output of the first comparison unit, which indicates that the regulation data is less regulated than the second regulation data.
An on-screen circuit for allowing the V screen to be viewed, a current channel register in which data of the current channel being viewed on the TV screen is set, and the first restriction data being compared with the second restriction data. Based on the output of the first comparison unit indicating that the regulation level is strict, the storage register for storing the contents of the current channel register and the contents of the current channel register and the storage register are compared. And controlling the on-screen circuit so that the TV screen is not viewable, based on the output when is equal, regardless of the output of the first comparing unit.
A first state in which the first regulation data having a stricter regulation level than the second regulation data is viewed in the video information in which the first regulation data is superimposed in the vertical flyback period, and the second regulation is provided. The second state in which the first regulation data whose regulation level is looser than data is superimposed in the vertical retrace period during viewing the video information based on different video signals, and the first state in which the same video information is viewed. When viewing is performed in the order, the first state is switched to the first state and the first state is returned during a vertical blanking period of the video signal in the first state.
Until the regulation data is superimposed and the on-screen circuit is controlled by the output of the first comparison unit, the display of the video information on the TV screen is prohibited by the output of the second comparison unit. is there.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image display control device of the present invention. 1 that are the same as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 9 denotes a register for the current channel, in which binary data indicating a channel on which a program currently being viewed on the TV receiver is being broadcast is set. Reference numeral (10) denotes a storage register, in which 1-bit data of the register (2) indicates a logic "1" to enable the viewing-inhibiting operation, and a logic "1" from the comparison circuit (3) as the first comparison unit. When the output, that is, the output indicating that the first regulation data on the transmitting side has a stricter regulation level than the second regulation data set on the viewer side of the TV receiver, is output, the OR gate (11) outputs the logic " In response to the output of "1", a logical "1" is output from the AND gate (4), and the current channel register (9) receives the logical "1" output of the AND gate (4), and The contents of the register (9) are stored in the storage register (1).
0) is also set. Reference numeral (12) denotes a comparison circuit serving as a second comparison unit, which compares whether or not the contents of the current channel register (9) and the storage register (10) match. The comparison circuit (12) outputs a logical "1" when the contents of the current channel register (9) and the storage register (10) match. Both outputs of the comparison circuits (3) and (12) are applied to the OR gate (11).

In the above configuration, first, while the user is watching the program on channel A, a video scene (eg, excessive violence scene, sexual depiction, etc.) that should not be shown to the child for growth and education is broadcast. When the first regulation data whose regulation level is stricter than that of the second regulation data is superimposed on 21H of the vertical retrace period of the video signal for broadcasting the program, the comparison circuit (3) outputs a logic "1". Is output. Assuming that the 1-bit data of the register (2) is logic "1" for enabling (ON) the viewing inhibition operation, the logic "1" output of the OR gate (11) and the logic "1" output of the register (2). Is applied to the AND gate (4), and a logical “1” is output from the AND gate (4). Accordingly, the on-screen circuit (5) operates,
The TV screen (6) is displayed in a predetermined one color instead of the video scene, and the child cannot view the video scene. At the same time, the audio synchronized with the video scene is AND
The logic "1" output of the gate (4) is muted by the mute circuit (7) to which it is applied. On the other hand, data indicating the A channel is set in the current channel register (9), and the current channel register (9) receives the logical "1" output of the AND gate (4), and the content thereof is stored in the storage register. It is also set to (10). That is, the logic "1" is output as the coincidence output from the comparison circuit (12), and the viewing prohibition of the video scene is executed by using any output of the comparison circuits (3) and (12). Become. This state is defined as X.

Next, it is assumed that the user changes the channel from the state X to the channel A, which does not need to prohibit viewing of a sports program or the like, from the channel A, which requires viewing restriction. In this case, the regulation level of the first regulation data is lower than that of the second regulation data.
Outputs a logic "0". On the other hand, the data indicating the B channel is set in the current channel register (9), and the data of the A channel remains in the storage register (10). "0" is output. Therefore, the OR gate (1
The logic "0" is output from 1), and the logic "0" is also output from the AND gate (4). Thus, the content of the current channel register (9) is not set in the storage register (10), and the video information on the TV screen (6) is always displayed. This state is defined as Y.

Further, when the user changes the channel from the B channel to the A channel again from the state Y, the data indicating the A channel is immediately set in the current channel register (9). At this time, the first control data is superimposed on the video signal only at intervals of several tens of seconds to several minutes as described above, or the TV receiver is in a state where it cannot receive the first control data due to some trouble. 1 If there is a time lag in receiving regulatory data,
There is no guarantee that the first regulation data has been applied to the comparison circuit (3) when the data of the A channel is set in the current channel register (9). Therefore,
Even if the first regulation data is not applied to the comparison circuit (3), the comparison is performed because the contents of the current channel register (9) and the storage register (10) are identical in the A channel data. The logic (1) is output from the circuit (12), so that the viewing of the TV screen (6) is prohibited from the time when the channel is changed from the B channel to the A channel.

Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention,
If the user is a child, after watching a program that requires regulation of the video scene, watch a program that does not require regulation of the video scene, and then repeat the same program that requires regulation of the video scene again. Even if the channel is changed so as to be viewed, the comparison circuit (12) replaces the comparison circuit (3) from the latter channel change time until the first regulation data is applied to the comparison circuit (3). With the output of (2), it is possible to surely prohibit the viewing of inappropriate video scenes for the growth and education of children.

[0023]

According to the present invention, when the user is a child,
After watching a program that requires regulation of the video scene, change the channel so that the user views a program that does not require regulation of the video scene, and then views the same program that requires regulation of the video scene again. Even when the second channel is changed from the channel change point until the first control data, which has a higher control level than the second control data, is superimposed on the video signal, it is inappropriate for child growth and education. The advantage that the viewing of the video scene can be surely prohibited is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image display control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional image display control device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Extraction circuit (2) Register (3) (12) Comparison circuit (5) On-screen circuit (9) Register for current channel (10) Register for storage

Claims (2)

[Claims] A plurality of regulation levels from a strict regulation level to a loose regulation level for supervising a video scene deemed inappropriate for education superimposed on a predetermined vertical retrace period of a video signal. The first restriction data representing one of the restriction levels is extracted from the video signal, and the second restriction data representing the predetermined restriction level of any one of the plurality of restriction levels is set. And the control level of the first control data and the control value of the second control data are compared.
When the regulation level is stricter than the regulation data, the display of the video information on the TV screen is prohibited. When the regulation level of the first regulation data is lower than the regulation level of the second regulation data, the display of the video information on the TV screen is prohibited. And a control unit for permitting the display of the first restriction data, wherein the first restriction level is lower than the second restriction data.
From the first state in which the video data is viewed by the video signal in which the restriction data is superimposed in the vertical flyback period, the first restriction data having a stricter regulation level than the second restriction data is displayed in the vertical flyback period. When switching to the second state in which video information is viewed by different video signals superimposed on the video signal, the video signal in the second state is switched from the first state to the second state during a vertical retrace period of the video signal in the second state. Until the first regulation data is superimposed and processed by the control unit, the TV
An image display control device, comprising: means for prohibiting display of video information on a screen. 2. A plurality of regulation levels from a strict regulation level to a loose regulation level for supervising a video scene considered to be inappropriate for education, superimposed on a predetermined vertical retrace period of a video signal. The first restriction data representing any one of the restriction levels is extracted from the video signal, and the second restriction data representing the predetermined restriction level of any one of the plurality of restriction levels is set. Register, a first comparison unit that compares a regulation level between the first regulation data and the second regulation data, and indicates that the regulation level of the first regulation data is stricter than that of the second regulation data. An output of the first comparing unit indicating that the TV screen is set to the viewing prohibited state based on the output of the first comparing unit, and that the first restricting data has a less restrictive level than the second restricting data. An on-screen circuit for enabling the TV screen to be viewed based on a current channel; a current channel register in which data of a current channel being viewed on the TV screen is set; and the first restriction data being the second restriction. Based on the output of the first comparing unit indicating that the regulation level is stricter than the data, the storage register for storing the contents of the current channel register is compared with the contents of the current channel register and the storage register. And based on the output when both contents match,
A second comparing unit that controls the on-screen circuit so that the TV screen is not viewable irrespective of the output of the first comparing unit, wherein the restriction level is stricter than the second restriction data. A first state in which video information is viewed by a video signal in which the first restriction data is superimposed in the vertical flyback period, wherein the first restriction data has a lower restriction level than the second restriction data; A second state in which video information is viewed by different video signals superimposed on the first state, and when the viewing is executed in the first state in which the same video information is viewed, the second state changes to the first state. The second control data is superimposed during a vertical blanking period of the video signal in the first state from the switching time until the on-screen circuit is controlled by the output of the first comparison unit. Previous at the output of the comparator Note T
An image display control device for prohibiting display of video information on a V screen.