JPH1092052A - Specified program identifying device and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly identify a specified program by providing a signal processing means for processing a video signal and a sound signal including the specified program, an image information detecting means and an identifying means for identifying the specified program. SOLUTION: When a magnetic recording/reproducing device 1 is in a reproducing mode, an input changeover switch 13 is connected to the side of a video signal processing part 10 (13-b) and a frequency analysis part 14 performs the frequency analysis of a video or sound signal reproduced by the magnetic recording/reproducing device 1. At the time of changeover from the signal to commercial during reproduction, by detecting it and changing the operation of the magnetic recording/reproducing device 1 to fast forwarding mode, skip viewing of commercial is enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an identification device used in a recording / reproducing apparatus, and more particularly to a specific program identifying apparatus capable of switching the operation of a recording / reproducing apparatus by performing image processing on a recorded or reproduced signal. Regarding the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a system for automatically responding to changes in broadcast time and automatically performing commercial cuts at the time of recording by a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. In some cases, a unique code is transmitted, and the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus receives the code and performs desired processing.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional technique has a problem that it is difficult for current broadcast receiving systems and magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses to cope with changes in broadcast time and to perform processing such as commercial cut. there were.

[0004] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a specific program identification apparatus and a method thereof that can cope with the above-mentioned change in broadcast time and realize commercial cut even in a current broadcast receiving system and a normal recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following apparatus configuration. That is, a signal processing unit that processes a video signal and an audio signal containing a specific program, an image information detecting unit that performs image processing on the video signal, and is capable of detecting image information, and according to a detection result of the image information detecting unit. An identification means for identifying the specific program.

The image information detecting means is configured to detect character information.

The image information detecting means has a pattern recognizing means.

Further, a method including the following steps is provided. That is, a signal processing step of processing a video signal and an audio signal including a specific program, an image processing of the video signal, and an image information detecting step capable of detecting image information; An identification step of identifying the specific program.

Further, the image information detecting step is a method for detecting character information.

The image information detecting step is a method for performing pattern recognition.

[0011]

The specific program can be correctly identified by performing image processing on the video signal and detecting the image information. Further, by detecting character information or performing pattern recognition, a specific program can be reliably identified.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus using a specific program identification apparatus according to the present invention, wherein 1 denotes a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus, and 2 denotes a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. A control device for controlling the operation;
Is a cassette, 5 is a magnetic head for recording and reproducing on and from the magnetic tape 3, 6 is a cylinder on which the magnetic head 5 is mounted, 7
Is a remote control receiving unit that receives a control signal from the control device 2,
Reference numeral 8 denotes a mode control unit for switching the mode of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 based on a control signal received by the remote control receiving unit 7;
Is a running control unit that controls the running of the magnetic tape 4 by the operation of the mode control unit 8, 10 is a video signal processing unit that processes signals reproduced by the magnetic head 5, 11 is a tuner unit that receives broadcast signals, and 12 is a tuner. A broadcast signal processing unit for processing a broadcast signal received by the unit 11; an input switch 13 for switching an input signal to the frequency analysis unit; a frequency analysis unit 14 for analyzing frequency characteristics of a video or audio signal; A memory for holding the analysis result of the unit 14, an output switch 16 for switching the output destination of the analysis result of the frequency analysis unit 14, and a comparison 17 for comparing the previous analysis result held in the memory 15 with the current analysis result. A system control unit 18 for determining a necessary operation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 based on a comparison result of the comparison unit 17;
Reference numeral 19 denotes a remote control transmission unit that transmits a result of the determination by the system control unit 18 to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as a control signal.

In FIG. 1, a control device 2 and a magnetic recording / reproducing device 1 are connected by connectors 1-a and 2-b.

When the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is in the recording mode, the input switch 13 is set to the tuner 11 side (13
-A), and the frequency analysis unit 14 analyzes the frequency of the received broadcast image or audio signal. Then, the output changeover switch 16 is set to the memory 15 side (16-a).
And the analysis result is stored in the memory 15. Next, the output changeover switch 16 is set to the comparison unit 17 side (16-
Switch to b) to perform frequency analysis on the current image or audio signal.

When the broadcast content is switched to a commercial or the like, the frequency distribution of the image or audio signal also changes, and the comparison unit 17 detects a change in the broadcast content. On the basis of the judgment result of the comparison unit 17, the system control unit 1
In step 8, the control of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1, such as pause during recording or release of the pause, is determined and sent to the remote controller control unit 19. A control signal is transmitted from the remote control transmitting unit 19 to the remote control receiving unit 7 of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 1, and the magnetic recording / reproducing device 1 performs a predetermined operation.

When the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is in the reproducing mode, the input switch 13 is switched to the video signal processing unit 10 side (13-b), and the image or audio signal reproduced by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is Is analyzed. Then, when switching to a commercial or the like during reproduction, this is detected, and the operation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is changed to fast-forwarding or the like, thereby enabling skipping of the commercial or the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus using the specific program identifying apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the same parts as those in FIG.
Reference numeral denotes an image processing unit for recognizing a pattern of an image signal, and reference numeral 21 denotes a pattern data holding unit for holding a character or image pattern such as a time change of a commercial or a program.

Referring to FIG.
As in FIG. 1, when the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is in the recording mode, it is switched to the tuner 11 side (13-a), and when the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is in the reproduction mode, it is switched to the video signal processing unit 10 side (13-b). .

The image processing unit 20 processes the image signal being recorded or reproduced to extract a commercial title or a character pattern for changing the time of a program. The processing result is compared with the data in the pattern data holding unit 21, and the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is switched to a required mode according to the comparison result. The control signal is transmitted from the remote control transmission unit 19 and received by the remote control reception unit 7 of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as in FIG. 1, and a predetermined operation is performed.

Further, in this embodiment, a character pattern such as "The subsequent program will be broadcast 30 minutes later" displayed when the program time is changed is detected, and a timer for recording reservation (not shown). It is also possible to automatically cope with a change in the broadcast time of a program in conjunction with.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus using a specific program identifying apparatus according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. , 22 are caption detection units for detecting captions in the image.
In the figure, an image signal being recorded or reproduced is subjected to image processing by an image processing unit 20, a subtitle detection unit 22 detects a subtitle displayed immediately before a commercial, and performs a commercial cut or skipping.

In this embodiment, as compared with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is no need to hold a memory or pattern data, so that the cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIGS. A detecting unit 24 is a timer for measuring a screen switching interval, and a reference numeral 25 is a judging unit for judging whether or not it is commercial based on the screen switching interval.

In FIG. 2, a detecting section 23 detects the timing of switching of the screen during recording or reproduction, and measures the time until the next screen switching by the timer 24.
Normally, commercials are often broadcast at regular intervals, and the determination unit 25 determines whether or not a commercial is based on the screen switching interval.

This embodiment does not require a memory or pattern data as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore can be made simple and inexpensive.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus using the specific program identifying apparatus according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIGS. , 26 are audio multiplex signal detection units for detecting switching of the audio multiplex signal.

In the figure, the switching timing of the audio multiplex signal of the broadcast being recorded is detected by the audio multiplex signal detection unit 26, the interval is measured by the timer 24, and the judgment unit 25 judges whether it is a commercial or not. .

In this embodiment, when switching from a normal broadcast to a commercial, the fact that the audio multiplex broadcast is switched is used, and a memory or the like is not required. Therefore, the cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, in which the same parts as those in FIGS. An input request display unit for requesting the user to input a response as to whether or not to change the operation mode 1; an external remote controller 28 to which the user responds in response to the input request display unit 27;
An external remote control receiving unit 29 receives a signal from the external remote control 28.

In the figure, when the judgment section 25 detects a commercial in a signal being recorded or reproduced, the input request display section 27 may change the operation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 for the user. Prompts you to enter

On the other hand, the user operates the external remote controller 28
And the transmission signal is transmitted to the external remote control receiving unit 29.
Sent to the system control unit 18 from the magnetic recording / reproducing device 1
Is determined.

According to this embodiment, since the final decision is left to the user, the decision of the commercial is ensured.

The display of the input request display unit 27 may be light, characters, voice, or warning sound.

Further, in order to more reliably detect commercials, it is possible to combine the above-described embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. A holding member that holds the unit 19 with respect to the control device 2.

As shown in the figure, the control device 2 is mounted on the magnetic recording / reproducing device 1 and the remote control transmitting portion 19 of the control device 2 is held at a position corresponding to the remote control receiving portion 7 of the magnetic recording / reproducing device 1. It is held by the member 30 to transmit and receive control signals.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7, and the same parts as those of FIG.
And a connection code for connecting the remote control transmitting unit 19 to the remote controller.

As shown in the drawing, the holding member 30 has a bellows-like structure so that it can freely correspond to the position of the remote control receiving section 7 of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to be connected. The present invention can be applied to the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus described above.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By performing image processing on a video signal and detecting image information, a specific program can be correctly identified. Further, by detecting character information or performing pattern recognition, a specific program can be reliably identified. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a specific program identification device and a method thereof that can cope with a change in broadcast time and realize a commercial cut.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Magnetic recording / reproducing device, 2 ... Control device, 7
... Remote control receiver, 14 ... Frequency analyzer,
15: memory, 17: comparison unit, 1
9: remote control transmission unit, 20: image processing unit,
21: pattern data holding unit, 22: caption detecting unit, 23: detecting unit, 24: timer, 25: determining unit, 26: audio multiplex signal detecting unit, 30: holding member.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A signal processing means for processing a video signal and an audio signal containing a specific program, an image information detecting means capable of performing image processing on the video signal and detecting image information, and a detection result in the image information detecting means A specific program identification device, comprising: identification means for identifying the specific program according to: 2. The specific program identification device according to claim 1, wherein said image information detecting means detects character information. 3. The specific program identifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image information detecting means includes a pattern recognizing means. 4. A signal processing step of processing a video signal and an audio signal including a specific program; an image information detecting step capable of performing image processing on the video signal to detect image information; and a detection result in the image information detecting step. An identification step of identifying the specific program according to the following. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said image information detecting step detects character information. 6. The specific program identification method according to claim 4, wherein said image information detecting step performs pattern recognition.