JPH11205710A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television receiver that properly conducts reproduction control based on rating information as to each of pluralities of video signals in the case of reproducing video images by pluralities of video signals simultaneously. SOLUTION: A host microcomputer 10 detects rating information from a selected main video signal to display a video image on a master screen. A rating information processing circuit 21 detects the rating information from a sub video signal to display a video image on a slave screen and gives it to the host microcomputer 10. The host microcomputer 10 compares rating level information stored in a RAM 102 with rating information detected from the main and sub video signals respectively and controls display output of an image as to each of the main and sub video signals depending on the comparison result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiver having a multi-screen function capable of simultaneously displaying images based on a plurality of video signals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A wide variety of television broadcast programs are being broadcast. These television broadcast programs can be easily viewed by anyone using a television receiver in each home. For this reason, television broadcast programs that are not desirable for young children, such as television broadcast programs with many violent scenes, may be provided to young children without any restrictions, It has traditionally been a problem.

For this reason, the video signal of a television broadcast program is
Broadcasting with the addition of so-called rating information so that the output can be restricted in the television receiver,
2. Description of the Related Art On a television receiver side, output (provision) of a television broadcast program is restricted.

[0004] The rating information is determined according to the content of the television broadcast program such as a program for children under 6 years old, a program for children over 7 years old, and a program inappropriate for children under 14 years old. This information is set, and can be used to limit the output on the television receiver side based on the age of the viewer.

[0005] That is, the broadcasting station broadcasts the video signal of the broadcast television program by adding rating information set according to the content of the television broadcast program to the video signal. The rating information is added to, for example, the 21st horizontal section in the vertical blanking section of the video signal and broadcast.

On the other hand, on the television receiver side,
For example, if a user who watches a television broadcast program using the television receiver includes a child under the age of 14, an administrator such as the parents may send a 14-year-old message to the television receiver. Even if a television program having rating information indicating that the program is undesirable to be provided to children under the age of one is selected,
Rating level information, which is information serving as a reference for not outputting the television broadcast program, is set in advance.

[0007] In a television receiver,
From the video signal of the selected television broadcast program, rating information added to the video signal is extracted, and information for comparison with the rating information obtained from the extracted rating information is stored in advance in the television receiver. Compare with the set rating level information.

As a result of this comparison, the extracted rating information indicates a program whose rating level is lower than the preset rating level information, such as indicating that the program is for a child aged 7 years or older. In this case, the television receiver determines that the television broadcast program is a television broadcast program whose viewing has been approved by the television receiver, and outputs the television broadcast program.

On the other hand, the detected rating information indicates, for example, that the program is not preferable to be provided to a child under the age of 14, or provided to a child under the age of 17. In the case of a program whose rating level is higher than the preset rating level information, such as an undesired program, the television broadcast program is a television broadcast program that is not permitted to be viewed on the television receiver. It is determined not to output the television broadcast program.

This processing is called block processing. The processing of extracting the rating information, decoding it into information for comparison with the rating level, and comparing the information with the rating level is performed by a control unit including a microcomputer.

[0011] As described above, the user of the television receiver is prevented from providing a television broadcast program which is not desirable to provide according to the age of the child, and effectively preventing the child from being adversely affected by the television broadcast program. To prevent it.

[0012]

In recent years, television receivers having a so-called multi-screen function have been provided. For example, CRT (cathode ray tube)
The entire screen of the display screen of a display element such as a so-called sub-screen is provided as a main screen, and a so-called sub-screen is provided in a part of the main screen. One provided with a multi-screen function called a picture-in-picture function is provided.

A television receiver having a multi-screen function capable of dividing a display screen of a display element into a plurality of screens and simultaneously displaying images based on a plurality of video signals using the divided screens. Are also being provided.

In such a television receiver equipped with a multi-screen function, in accordance with the rating information added to the video signal, each of a plurality of television broadcast programs capable of outputting an image at the same time has It has not been considered how to perform image display control in such a manner. Therefore, it has been considered to perform display control on a plurality of television broadcast programs that can be displayed simultaneously according to the rating information added to the video signal selected as the main video signal.

[0015] For example, in the case of a television receiver having a picture-in-picture function, based on rating information added to a main video signal selected to display an image on a main screen, Control is also performed on a sub-video signal for displaying an image on a small screen. Similarly, in the case of a television receiver having a multi-screen function that divides one screen into a plurality of screens, for example, a main image selected to display an image on a divided screen which is a main screen Based on the rating information added to the signal, control is also performed on a sub-video signal for displaying an image on a divided screen other than the main screen.

Therefore, when the rating information added to the main video signal has a rating level higher than the preset rating level information, the sub-screen or all the divided screens other than the main screen are displayed. Do not display images. Thereby, at least the video signal of the television broadcast program that is configured to display the image on the main screen or the main screen,
Control based on the rating information added to the video signal can be performed reliably.

However, in this case, if the rating information added to the main video signal has a higher rating level than the preset rating level information, the video signal for displaying an image on the small screen or the main video signal Even if the rating information added to the video signal for displaying an image on a split screen other than the screen has a lower rating level than the preset rating level information, the child screen or the split screen other than the main screen is displayed. The image disappears.

If the rating information added to the main main video signal has a lower rating level than the predetermined rating level information, a sub video signal for displaying an image on a sub-screen or a main video signal is displayed. Even if the rating information added to the sub-video signal for displaying an image on a split screen other than the screen has a higher rating level than the preset rating level information, the split screen other than the child screen or the main screen An image will be displayed on the screen.

Therefore, the control unit extracts the rating information added to the sub video signal, decodes the extracted rating information, and compares the information obtained by decoding with the rating level from the microcomputer described above. It is conceivable that the control is performed by some control unit.

However, this causes an excessively large load on the control unit, which may cause a delay in processing.
In particular, in the case of a television receiver having a multi-screen function called a so-called multi-screen function of three or more screens, the control unit has three or more sub video signals for performing the block processing. It is considered that proper block processing may not be performed on the video signal.

In view of the above, the present invention eliminates the above problems and, when displaying images by a plurality of video signals at the same time, assigns the rating information added to each of the plurality of video signals to the rating information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a television receiver capable of appropriately performing output control based on the information.

[0022]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a television receiver for synthesizing an image based on a main video signal and an image based on a sub video signal on one screen. A television receiver having a function of displaying and displaying at least a rating signal which is a criterion for determining whether or not the video signal inhibits image display output, and which is specified by a user. Holding means, and a main block processing unit that is provided in the main video signal stream and executes an image display output prohibition process, and extracts rating information added to the main video signal, From the extracted information, information on a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding unit is detected, and the detection is performed. Control means for comparing whether or not the rating level information obtained and the rating level information of the holding means are used, and controlling whether or not to execute a process for inhibiting image display output in the main block processing unit. In the John receiver, in the sub video signal stream, a sub block processing unit for performing a process of prohibiting image display output is provided, and the rating information added to the sub video signal is extracted and extracted. Sub-rating information detection means for outputting information corresponding to the rating information to the control means is provided, and the control means controls whether or not to execute an image display output prohibition process in the sub-block processing unit. It is characterized by the following.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the video signal is stored in the holding unit by comparing the video signal with the rating information added to the video signal. Holds rating level information serving as a criterion for judging whether or not output of an image is permitted.

For example, when a multi-screen function such as a picture-in-picture function is used, and, for example, an image based on two video signals is displayed at the same time, an image is displayed on the main screen by the control means. Rating information is extracted from the main video signal to be displayed, and information on the rating level for comparison with the rating level information is detected from the extracted rating information. Is compared with the rating level information stored in the. Based on the result of the comparison, the main block processing unit is controlled by the control means, and when the main video signal is a signal whose output is prohibited in the television receiver, an image based on the main video signal is displayed. Not to be.

On the other hand, the rating information added to the sub video signal is extracted from the sub video signal for displaying the image of the small screen by the sub rating information detecting means, and the extracted rating information is extracted. Information according to the rating information is supplied to the control means.

The sub-block processing unit is controlled by the control unit on the basis of the information on the rating information from the sub-rating information detecting unit and the rating level information held in the holding unit, and the sub-video When the signal is a signal whose output is prohibited in the television receiver, an image based on the sub video signal is not displayed.

This makes it possible to appropriately control the image display output based on the rating information added to each of the main video signal and the sub video signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the television receiver according to the first aspect, wherein the sub-rating information detecting means outputs the extracted rating information to the control means. The control means detects information on a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding means from the rating information from the sub-rating information detection means, and outputs the detected rating. It is characterized in that information on a level is compared with the rating level information of the holding means to control whether or not to execute the processing for inhibiting image display output in the sub-block processing section.

According to the television receiver of the second aspect of the invention, the rating information extracted from the sub video signal is supplied from the sub rating information detecting means to the control means.

Then, the control means detects information on the rating level for comparison with the rating level information from the rating information extracted from the sub-video signal, and the information on the rating level is stored in the holding means. The rating level information is compared. The sub-block processing unit is controlled by the control unit based on the result of the comparison.

Thus, since the information on the rating information from the sub-rating information detecting means is the rating information itself from which the sub-video signal is extracted, the control means adds the rating information extracted from the sub-video signal to the rating information. Also, by performing the same processing as the processing for the rating information extracted from the main video signal, the sub-block processing unit can be appropriately controlled. Since the rating information added to the sub video signal is also extracted by the rating information detecting means, the load on the control means does not become excessive.

A third aspect of the invention is directed to the television receiver according to the first aspect, wherein the sub-rating information detecting means detects the holding information from the extracted rating information. Means for detecting information on the rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the means, and outputting the information on the detected rating level to the control means. The sub-block processing unit controls whether or not to execute the prohibition processing of the image display output by comparing the rating level information with the rating level information of the means.

According to the television receiver of the third aspect of the present invention, the sub-rating information detecting means provides the control means with information on the rating level detected from the rating information extracted from the sub video signal. Is supplied.

Then, the control means compares the rating level information from the sub rating information detecting means with the rating level information held in the holding means. The sub-block processing unit is controlled by the control unit based on the result of the comparison.

Thus, the control means does not need to detect information on the rating level from the information corresponding to the rating information from the sub-rating information detection means, so that the load on the control means is not increased. it can. That is, even when an image based on a plurality of video signals is displayed simultaneously using the multi-screen function, the block processing is appropriately performed on each video signal based on each video signal. be able to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the television receiver according to the first aspect, wherein the sub-rating information detecting means detects the holding information from the extracted rating information. Means for detecting the rating level information for comparison with the rating level information of the means, comparing the detected rating level information with the rating level information of the holding means, and outputting the comparison result to the control means 5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls whether or not to execute a process of inhibiting image display output in the sub-block processing unit based on a result of the comparison. According to the television receiver of the present invention, the rating level information held in the holding unit is the sub-latency information. It is supplied to the grayed information detecting means. Then, in the sub-rating information detection means, the information on the rating level detected from the rating information extracted from the sub video signal is compared with the rating level information from the holding means, and the result is supplied to the control means. You.

The sub-block processing unit is controlled by the control unit based on the information indicating the result of the comparison from the sub-rating information detecting unit.

With this, the control means can directly control the sub-block processing by using the information corresponding to the rating information from the sub-rating information detecting means. Since the information on the rating level is not compared with the rating level information of the holding unit, the load for the control unit to control the sub-block processing unit can be minimized.

Therefore, also in this case, when the multi-screen function is used and an image based on a plurality of video signals is simultaneously displayed, based on each video signal,
Block processing can be appropriately performed on each video signal.

A television receiver according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the television receiver according to the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, wherein the sub video signal Display information generating means for generating a signal for displaying display information in a display area of an image by the control means, wherein the control means controls the sub-block processing section and prohibits image display output of the sub-video signal. When the processing is performed, a signal generated by the display information generating means is output instead of the sub video signal.

According to the television receiver of the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the sub-block processing unit performs the process of prohibiting the image display output for the sub video signal under the control of the control unit. Outputs the signal generated by the display information generating means in place of the sub video signal,
Display information based on the signal generated by the display information generating means is displayed in the display area of the image based on the sub video signal.

Thus, when an image based on the sub video signal is not output because the sub video signal is blocked by the sub block processing unit, display information indicating that the sub video signal has been blocked is displayed on the sub video signal. The image is displayed in the display area of the image based on the video signal. In this case, since the display information indicates at a glance that the sub video signal has been blocked, it is not mistaken for a failure of the television receiver.

Since only the signal for displaying the display information generated by the display information generating means is used instead of the sub video signal, the display information indicating that the sub video signal is blocked is displayed. Can be relatively easily displayed in the display area of the image based on the sub video signal without performing complicated processing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a television receiver having a function of displaying an image based on a main video signal and an image based on a sub video signal on one screen and displaying the combined image. Holding means for holding rating level information specified by a user, at least as a criterion for determining whether or not the video signal prohibits image display output; and A main block processing unit that is provided in the signal stream and executes an image display output prohibition process; and extracts rating information added to the main video signal, and extracts the rating information from the extracted information. Information on the rating level to be compared with the rating level information is detected, and information on the detected rating level is detected. And a comparing means for comparing the rating level information of the holding means, and a control means for controlling whether to execute a prohibition process of image display output in the main block processing unit, and a television receiver comprising: A sub-block processing unit for performing an image display output prohibition process in the sub-video signal stream; and extracting rating information added to the sub-video signal, and extracting the rating information from the extracted information. Detecting information on the rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the above, comparing the detected information on the rating level with the rating level information of the holding unit, and displaying an image in the sub-block processing unit. A second control unit for controlling whether or not to execute the output prohibition process. That this claim 6
According to the television receiver of the invention described in (1), by comparing the rating information added to the video signal with the holding unit, the video signal can output an image in the television receiver. Rating level information serving as a criterion for determining whether or not the information is recognized is held.

For example, when a multi-screen function such as a picture-in-picture function is used and an image based on two image signals is displayed at the same time, rating is performed by the control means from the main image signal. Information is extracted, and information on the rating level for comparison with the rating level information is detected from the extracted rating information, and the information on the rating level is compared with the rating level information held in the holding unit. You. Based on the result of the comparison, the main block processing unit is controlled by the control means, and when the main video signal is a signal whose output is prohibited in the television receiver, an image based on the main video signal is displayed. Not to be.

On the other hand, as in the case of the control means for detecting rating information from the main video signal, the rating information is extracted from the sub video signal by the second control means. Then, information on the rating level for comparison with the rating level information is detected from the extracted rating information, and the information on the rating level is compared with the rating level information held in the holding unit. The sub-block processing unit is controlled by the second control means based on the result of the comparison, and when the output of the sub-video signal is prohibited in the television receiver, the sub-block signal is output from the sub-video signal. The image is not displayed.

Thus, it is possible to appropriately control the image display output of each of the main video signal and the sub video signal based on the rating information added to each video signal. Also,
Since the main block processing unit and the sub block processing unit can be controlled by different control means, the load on the control of both block processing units can be distributed.

A television receiver according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the television receiver according to the sixth aspect, wherein display information is displayed in a display area of an image based on the sub video signal. A display information generating unit for generating a signal of the sub-block, the sub-block processing unit is controlled by the second control unit, and when an image display output prohibition process for the sub video signal is performed, A signal generated by the display information generating means is output in place of the sub video signal.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the sub-block processing unit performs the process of inhibiting the image display output of the sub video signal under the control of the second control means. In this case, the signal generated by the display information generating means is output instead of the sub video signal, and the display information based on the signal generated by the display information generating means is displayed in the display area of the image based on the sub video signal. Is displayed.

Thus, the display information indicates at a glance that the sub video signal has been blocked, so that it is not mistaken for a failure of the television receiver. Also, when the sub-block processing unit performs the image display output prohibition process under the control of the second control unit, the signal generated by the display information generation unit may be used instead of the sub video signal. Therefore, there is no load on the control means for processing the main video signal.

[0051]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a television receiver according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, a description will be given assuming that the present invention is applied to a television receiver having a picture-in-picture function and capable of simultaneously reproducing images on a parent screen and a child screen. In the embodiment described below, for simplicity of description,
The description of the audio system of the television receiver is omitted.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a television receiver according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a television receiver of this embodiment includes an antenna 1, a distributor 2, a tuner 3
a, 3b, external input terminal 4, switch circuit 5, block processing unit 6, video processor 7, video amplifier 8, CR
T9, host microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as host microcomputer) 10, operation key unit 11, rating information processing circuit (described as V-Chip IC in the figure) 21, block processing unit 22, chroma decoder 23,
Picture-in-picture controller (hereinafter PI)
P controller).

The operation key section 11 is provided, for example, for turning on / off the power.
Various keys such as an off key, a tuning key, an image / picture volume / sound quality adjustment key, a picture-in-picture on / off key, a main / sub screen switching key, and operation keys used for inputting rating level information. Are provided. The user operates the operation key unit 1
Various instructions can be input to the television receiver of this embodiment through 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the host microcomputer 10 includes a CPU 100, a ROM 101, and a RAM 102. In response to a user's instruction input through the operation key unit 11, the television according to the first embodiment is provided. It has a function as a control unit that controls each unit of the receiver.

Further, the host microcomputer 10 receives the rating level information input through the operation key section 11, writes the rating level information into the RAM 102 as holding means, and holds it. The rating level information is a criterion for determining whether or not a television broadcast program to be viewed, for example, is one that allows image display output in the television receiver.

That is, the rating level information is compared with information on the rating level detected from the rating information provided by being added to the video signal of the television broadcast program, as described later.
The television receiver discriminates between a television broadcast program whose output is permitted and a television broadcast program whose output is not permitted, for example, by instructing a child under 14 to not output an inappropriate television broadcast program. Multi-bit information.

Then, in the first embodiment,
The RAM 102 of the host microcomputer 10 has a nonvolatile RA
M, so that the written rating level information does not disappear even when the main power is turned off.

As described above, the rating information which is the basis of the information on the rating level to be compared with the rating level information held in the RAM 102 is:
As described above, the video signal is set according to the content of the television broadcast program, and is provided in addition to the 21st horizontal section in the vertical blanking section of the video signal of the television broadcast program.

In this case, the rating information is EIA
This is 2-byte information based on a format defined by the (American Electronic Industries Association) and is based on rating information for movie programs called MPAA rating and rating information for drama programs and news programs called parental guidelines. It becomes.

Then, of the 2-byte rating information, for example, M
PAA rating level is set,
The rating level of the parental guideline is set using the lower three bits of the second byte.

For example, in the case of the parental guideline, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower three bits (g2, g1, g0) of the second byte are used to change the TV-Y to the TV-M.
Rating levels are set in six stages up to A.

In the case of this parental guidance, the TV
-Y indicates, for example, a program for children under the age of 6, which is a television broadcast program that all children can watch and watch. TV-Y7 indicates that it is a television broadcast program produced for children aged 7 and over. A television broadcast program of this level may include an extremely light and violent scene called fantasy violence (FV), and an X mark is added to the FV column as shown in FIG. TV-G is a television broadcast program that most parents consider to be safe for all age groups to watch, and does not include violent scenes or obscene language that would be problematic. Indicates that

[0063] TV-PG indicates a television broadcast program that parents consider unsuitable for young children. Television programs of this level include, as shown by the crosses in FIG. 2, mildly violent scenes (V), somewhat sexual scenes (S), vulgar words (L), and somewhat provocative. Conversation (D)
And one or more of them. TV-14
Indicates that the broadcast program is inappropriate for children under 14 years of age. Television broadcast programs of this level include one or more of violent scenes (V), sexual scenes (S), intensely crude words (L), and intensely provocative conversations (D). Also, TV-MA is inappropriate for children under the age of 17, and indicates that it is a television broadcast program for adults. TV programs of this level are:
It contains one or more of intense violence scenes (V), direct sexual expressions (S), and very crude words (L).

In the parental guidelines, TV-Y7, TV-PG, TV-14, TV-
In the case of MA, as shown with a cross in FIG. 2, fantasy violence (FV: Fantasy Violen
ce), violence scene (V: Violence), sexual scene (S: Sexual situation), language for adults (L: Adul)
tlanguage), provocative conversation (D: Sexually Suggestive)
Dialog).

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment, the video signal received by the antenna 1 is supplied to the tuners 3a and 3b through the distributor 2. The tuners 3 a and 3 b select a video signal to be reproduced based on a control signal from the host microcomputer 10 in response to an instruction input from the user, and supply the selected video signal to the switch circuit 5.

The television receiver of this embodiment can receive a video signal from an external device such as a VTR (video tape recorder) or a laser disk player through the external input terminal 4. Has been. The video signal input through the external input terminal 4 is supplied to the switch circuit 5.

The switch circuit 5 controls the tuners 3a and 3b based on a control signal from the host microcomputer 10.
, And the video signal input through the external input terminal 4, which is a main video signal for displaying an image on a main screen and which is a sub video signal for displaying an image on a child screen Switch.

In the television receiver of the first embodiment, a main video signal for displaying an image on the main screen is transmitted from the switch circuit 5 to the host microcomputer 1.
0 and the block processing unit 6. The sub video signal for displaying an image on the child screen is supplied to the rating information processing circuit 21 and the block processing unit 22.

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment, the host microcomputer 10 extracts the rating information added to the main video signal from the switch circuit 5, and from the extracted rating information, The information on the rating level to be compared with the rating level information held in the RAM 102 is detected.

Then, the host microcomputer 10 compares the information on the detected rating level with the rating level information stored in the RAM 102, and determines that the main video signal is the television image receiving signal of the first embodiment. The device determines whether or not display output of the image is permitted, and controls the block processing unit 6 according to the result.

That is, the host microcomputer 10 according to the first embodiment slices the signal added to the 21st horizontal section in the vertical blanking section from the main video signal, and slices the main video signal. Extract the rating information added to. The extracted rating information is
As described above, the data is a 2-byte data having a rather complicated format. For this reason, the host microcomputer 10 decodes the rating information detected by slicing, and obtains information on the rating level in a format that is set by the user and that is easy to compare with the rating level information stored in the RAM 102. The information on the rating level is, for example, information having the same number of bits as the rating level information held in the RAM 102.

Then, the host microcomputer 10 compares the information on the rating level detected by decoding with the rating level information stored in the RAM 102. If the rating level of the information relating to the rating level is lower than the rating level information held in the RAM 102, the main video signal is a video signal for which display output of an image is recognized in the television receiver of this embodiment. Is determined, and the block processing unit 6 is controlled to supply the main video signal from the switch circuit 5 to the video processor 7.

Conversely, the host microcomputer 10 determines that the rating level of the information on the rating level is R
If it is higher than the rating level information held in the AM 102, it is determined that the main video signal is a video signal for which display output of an image is not recognized in the television receiver of this embodiment, and the block processing unit 6 To prevent the main video signal from the switch circuit 5 from being supplied to the video processor 7.

That is, if the set rating level information indicates that an inappropriate program should not be output to a child under the age of 14, for example, a program for a child under the age of 6 (TV-Y), an image based on a video signal having rating information whose rating level is lower than this information, such as a program for children 7 years or older (TV-Y7), is displayed. Also, in this case, an inappropriate program (TV-1
4) Unsuitable program for children under 17 years old (TV-M
An image based on a video signal to which rating information having a higher rating level than the rating level information, such as a video signal having rating information indicating A), is not displayed.

As described above, the block processing section 6 can prohibit display and output of an image by the main video signal by blocking the main video signal under the control of the host microcomputer 10.

On the other hand, receiving the supply of the sub video signal from the switch circuit 5, the rating information processing section 21 converts the signal added to the 21st horizontal section in the vertical blanking section of the sub video signal. The slice is sliced, and the rating information added to the sub video signal is detected. That is, in the first embodiment, the rating information processing section 21 has a function as rating information detecting means. This rating information processing circuit 2
The rating information detected in 1 is supplied to the host microcomputer 10 as it is.

The host microcomputer 10 also performs the rating from the rating information processing circuit in the same manner as the rating information detected from the main video signal described above.
The decoding process is performed to obtain information on the rating level in a format that is easy to compare with the rating level information set by the user. And the host microcomputer 1
0 compares the information on the detected rating level with the rating level information set by the user and held in the RAM 102.

When the rating level of the information on the rating level for the sub video signal is lower than the rating level information stored in the RAM 102, the host microcomputer 10
In the television receiver of this embodiment, it is determined that the image signal is a video signal for which a display output of an image is recognized, and the block processing unit 21 is controlled to supply the sub video signal from the switch circuit 5 to the chroma decoder 23. To do it.

Conversely, if the rating level of the information on the rating level for the sub video signal is higher than the rating level information held in the RAM 102, the host microcomputer 10 outputs the sub video signal according to the present embodiment. The television receiver determines that the video signal cannot be reproduced, and controls the block processing unit 22 so that the sub video signal from the switch circuit 5 is not supplied to the chroma decoder 22.

When it is recognized that an image is displayed on the sub-screen for the sub video signal, the sub video signal is not blocked by the block processing unit 22 as described above. Are supplied to a chroma decoder 23, and are subjected to a predetermined process for a video signal for displaying an image, and then supplied to a PIP controller 24.

The PIP controller 24 receives a supply of positional information and the like regarding the small screen from the main controller 10 and outputs a video signal for a small screen for displaying an image on the small screen from the video signal supplied from the chroma decoder 23. And supplies it to the video processor 7.

The video processor 7 forms, in the television receiver, a main video signal for displaying an image on the main screen where the display output of the image is recognized, and a sub-video signal for which the display output of the image is recognized. By performing processing such as synthesizing the obtained video signal for the child screen, a video signal for display for displaying images of the parent screen and the child screen on the CRT 9 is formed. The video signal for display formed here is amplified by the video amplifier 8 and supplied to the CRT 9. As a result, an image based on the main video signal is displayed on the main screen of the display screen of the CRT 9, and an image based on the sub video signal is displayed on a sub-screen formed on a part of the main screen.

In the case of the television receiver of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the image based on the main video signal is displayed on the main screen 9M of the display screen of the CRT 9, and the sub video is displayed. The image based on the signal is displayed on the small screen 9S of the display screen of the CRT 9.

As described above, the television receiver of the first embodiment detects rating information from each video signal for displaying an image on the main screen and the child screen, and Based on each rating information, image display control is separately performed for a main video signal for displaying an image on a main screen and a sub video signal for displaying an image on a sub-screen. Can be performed.

Therefore, the output of the main video signal whose image is displayed on the main screen 9M is recognized in the first television receiver, and the image is displayed on the child screen 9S. If the output video signal is a video signal whose output is not recognized in the television receiver, an image based on the main video signal is displayed only on the main screen 9M, and the sub video signal is displayed on the sub-screen 9S. No image is displayed. In this case, the child screen 9S is, for example, a blue screen.

Further, the main video signal for displaying an image on the main screen 9M is a signal whose output is not recognized in the television receiver, and the image is displayed on the sub-screen 9S. If the output video signal is a video signal whose output is recognized in the television receiver, an image based on the main video signal is not displayed on the main screen 9M, and an image based on the sub video signal is displayed only on the child screen 9S. Is displayed. In this case, the display area of the main screen is, for example, a blue screen.

Then, both the main video signal for displaying an image on the main screen 9M and the sub video signal for displaying an image on the sub-screen 9S are output-recognized signals. In this case, an image corresponding to each video signal is displayed on both the parent screen 9M and the child screen 9S. Of course, when both the main video signal and the sub-video signal are those whose output is not recognized in the television receiver, the main screen signal and the sub-screen 9S have the main video signal. Neither the image nor the image based on the sub video signal is displayed.

As described above, the television receiver of the first embodiment displays an image not only on the main video signal for displaying an image on the main screen 9M but also on the sub-screen 9S. With respect to the sub video signal set as described above, the reproduction control can be appropriately performed based on the rating information added to the sub video signal.

[Modification] In the above-described first embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21 performs the rating added to the 21st horizontal section in the vertical blanking section of the supplied sub video signal. The information is detected and supplied to the host microcomputer 10 as it is. The host microcomputer 10 performs a decoding process of the rating information from the rating information processing circuit 21 and a comparison process with the rating level information, and controls the block processing unit 22 according to a result of the comparison process. I did it.

However, the rating information processing circuit 21
Further, a function of decoding the detected rating information may be provided to reduce the load on the host microcomputer 10.

That is, in the rating information processing circuit 21, the signal of the 21st horizontal section in the vertical blanking section of the supplied sub video signal is sliced, so that the signal is added to the sub video signal. After the rating information is detected, the detected rating information is decoded to obtain information on the rating level in a format that can be easily compared with the rating level information set by the user. Then, information on the rating level is supplied to the host microcomputer 10.

The host microcomputer 10 receives the information on the rating level from the rating information processing circuit 21 and
A comparison is made with the rating level information held in the RAM 102. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the sub video signal whose video is to be reproduced on the small screen is a video signal whose output has been recognized in this television receiver, and the block processing unit 22 is controlled. .

As a result, the host microcomputer 10 does not need to decode the rating information from the rating information processing circuit 21 to obtain the information on the rating level, so that the load on the host microcomputer 10 is not increased. Can be.

Further, the rating information processing circuit 21 may perform processing up to the comparison processing between the information on the rating level and the rating level information. In this case, the host microcomputer 10 supplies the rating level information set by the user to the rating information processing circuit 21.

The rating information processing circuit 21 compares the rating level information from the host microcomputer 10 with information on the rating level detected from the rating information extracted from the video signal, and outputs the sub video signal to the television receiver. It is determined whether or not the output is a video signal recognized by the device.

Then, the rating information processing circuit 21
Returns information obtained as a result of the comparison, that is, information indicating whether or not the sub-video signal whose image is to be displayed on the child screen is a video signal whose output is recognized in the television receiver. Host microcomputer 1 as data
Return to 0. This return data is sent to the host microcomputer 10
The data is returned from the rating information processing circuit 21 to the host microcomputer 10 through a bus that connects the rating information processing circuit and the like. Of course, it is also possible to return at the high / low of the port.

Then, the host microcomputer 10 controls the block processing unit 22 based on the return data from the rating information processing circuit 21. In this case, the host microcomputer 10 does not need to perform the decoding process and the comparison process on the rating information detected from the sub video signal for displaying the image on the small screen.
That is, since the host microcomputer 10 only has to control the block processing unit 22 based on the return data from the rating information processing circuit 21, the load on the host microcomputer 10 does not increase.

Further, as described above, in the rating information processing circuit 21, rating information is extracted from the sub-video signal for displaying an image on the small screen, and information on the rating level is detected from the extracted rating information. If the processing up to the comparison with the rating level information set by the user is performed, the rating information processing circuit 21 may directly control the block processing unit 21.

FIG. 4 shows a rating information processing circuit 21.
Is a block diagram for explaining a television receiver which directly controls a block processing unit 21. FIG. That is, in this case, as described above, the rating information detection circuit 21 compares the information on the rating level obtained by decoding the rating information extracted from the sub video signal with the rating level information. It is determined whether or not the output of the sub video signal whose image is to be displayed on the child screen is recognized by the television receiver.

The rating information processing circuit 21
For example, the sub-video signal is supplied to the block processing unit 22 at a high level when it is determined that the output is not recognized, and at a low level when it is determined that the output is recognized. To

Thus, when a high-level signal is supplied from the rating information processing circuit 21, the block processing section 21 does not output the supplied sub video signal, and conversely, the low-level signal is supplied. In this case, the supplied sub video signal is supplied to the chroma decoder 23.

As a result, the host microcomputer 10 only needs to supply the rating level information to the rating information processing circuit 21 for the block processing of the sub video signal for displaying the image on the small screen. Also, the load on the host microcomputer 10 is not increased.

In this case, the host microcomputer 10 controls the block processing section 6 for performing block processing on the main video signal, and controls the block processing section 22 for performing block processing on the sub video signal by rating information processing. Control can be decentralized such that circuit 21 controls.

As described above, the television receiver of the first embodiment has a main video signal for displaying an image on a main screen and a sub-video signal for displaying an image on a child screen. , The display output of the image can be controlled based on the rating information added to each of the video signals.

The rating information added to the main video signal is detected by the host microcomputer 10, and the rating information added to the sub video signal is detected by the rating information processing circuit 21. Thereby, the main microcomputer is configured to display the image on the main screen without delaying the processing of the sub-video signal for displaying the image on the child screen without imposing a large load on the host microcomputer 10. The display can be controlled based on the rating information added to the video signal similarly to the video signal.

Even if a plurality of sub video signals are handled, the rating information processing circuit 21 is provided corresponding to the number of sub video signals that can be processed.
Even in the case of a television receiver having a multi-screen function capable of dividing one screen into three or more multi-screens, each video signal is also set according to the rating information added to each video signal. Of the image can be controlled.

[Second Embodiment] In the case of the television receiver of the first embodiment described above, the main and sub video signals for which it is determined that display is not recognized are processed by the block processing unit 6 or the block processing unit. Blocked by the unit 22. When the video signal is blocked in this manner, no image is displayed, and as described above, the parent screen 9M or the child screen 9S on which the image should be displayed is, for example, a blue-back screen.

In this case, the user of the television receiver cannot immediately understand why the image is not displayed, and may misunderstand that the television receiver is out of order. Therefore, when the video signal is blocked based on the rating information, a message notifying that the video signal has been blocked may be displayed.

However, when a message is displayed on the child screen, the child screen is a screen having a small display area formed on a part of the display screen of the CRT 9 as shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to display the message information on the sub-screen, the display position of the message information, the size of the displayed message information, and the like are determined according to the position of the sub-screen on the display screen of the CRT 9 and the size of the sub-screen. It must be adjusted accordingly, and the display processing becomes complicated.

Therefore, the television receiver according to the second embodiment transmits a complicated message for notifying a sub-video signal whose image is to be displayed on a small screen, when the video signal is blocked. This makes it possible to relatively easily display on a sub-screen without performing any processing.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a television receiver according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the television receiver of the second embodiment, each part other than the rating information processing circuit 21A and the switch circuit 25 is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. It is configured almost in the same way as a television receiver. For this reason, in FIG. 5, the first
Components corresponding to those of the television receiver according to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The rating information processing circuit 21A is similar to the television receiver of the first embodiment described above.
Rating information is extracted from the sub video signal, and the extracted rating information is decoded to detect information on the rating level. Then, the information on the detected rating level is compared with the rating level information.

Then, the rating information processing circuit 21
Determines whether or not the sub video signal can be displayed on the television receiver by the comparison between the information on the rating level and the rating level information, and uses the result of the comparison as return data. Return to host microcomputer 10. As a result, the host microcomputer 10 controls the block processing unit 22 to perform reproduction control on the second video signal in accordance with the rating information added to the sub video signal.

Further, in the television receiver according to the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21A includes a so-called OSD (on-screen) capable of displaying display information such as characters, figures, and illustrations on a screen. (Display) function. That is, in the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21A performs the OSD processing having a function as a display information generating means for forming a signal for displaying display information such as characters, figures, and symbols on a child screen. A section 211 is provided.

The rating information processing section 21A
If it is determined that the output of the sub video signal is not recognized in this television receiver,
Return data notifying this is returned to the host microcomputer 10, and the sub video signal is blocked so that an image based on the sub video signal is not displayed. Further, the rating information processing circuit 21A controls the OSD processing unit 211 to form a video signal for displaying display information indicating that an image based on the sub video signal is not displayed because the sub video signal is blocked. And switch this to switch circuit 2
5 to one end.

As shown in FIG. 5, the other end of the switch circuit 25 is supplied with a video signal from the chroma decoder 23.
In this case, the OSD processing unit 2
Switching is performed so as to output the signal from.

Thus, the video signal for displaying the display information from the OSD processing section 211 is supplied to the PIP controller 24. As described above, the PIP controller 24 converts the video signal from the OSD processing unit 211 into a signal for a small screen based on the position information of the small screen from the host microcomputer 10 and sends this to the video processor 7. Supply. The video processor 7 synthesizes a main video signal and a video signal for a small screen formed in the OSD processing unit 211 and processed by the PIP processing unit 24, and supplies this to the CRT 9 through the video amplifier 8.

Thus, when the sub video signal for displaying an image on the child screen is blocked because it is a video signal that is not permitted to be output in this television receiver, For example, as shown in FIG. 6, display information based on a signal generated by the OSD processing unit 211 of “in block” is displayed on the child screen 9S. This allows the user to be notified that no image is displayed on the child screen 9S because the sub video signal has been blocked.

In this case, the television receiver of the second embodiment replaces the sub video signal with the video signal for displaying the display information from the OSD processing unit 211.
Just by supplying it to the PIP controller 24,
Display information can be displayed on the child screen 9S. That is, after the OSD processing unit 211 forms the display information display signal, the display information can be displayed on the small screen 9S without performing any special processing.

In this case, in the PIP processing circuit 24,
The same processing as that performed for the normal sub video signal is performed by O
Since the processing is performed only on the signal from the SD processing circuit 211, the display position of the display information does not shift and the size of the display information does not become inappropriate.

Also, in the case where the main video signal for displaying an image on the main screen is blocked in this television receiver because it is a video signal that is not permitted to be output, Message information indicating that the block has been made can be displayed on the main screen.

In this case, for example, the host microcomputer 1
0, when the main video signal whose video is to be displayed on the main screen is determined to be a video signal that is not permitted to be output in this television receiver, the main video signal is output. It supplies the video processor 7 with message information indicating blocking and control information instructing display on the parent screen.

The video processor 7 may form a video signal for displaying the message information on the main screen. As a result, both the main video signal for displaying the image on the main screen and the sub video signal for displaying the image on the sub-screen are allowed to be reproduced in the television receiver. If there is no video signal, message information indicating that the video signal has been blocked can be displayed on each of the parent screen 9M and the child screen 9S.

In the television receiver according to the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21A is also provided.
The rating information processing circuit 21A can directly control the block processing unit 22 in accordance with the determination result in.

In the case of the television receiver of the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21A
Has an OSD function, so that the block processing unit 2
2, it is not necessary to perform the block processing of the video signal for reproducing the video on the small screen.

That is, when the sub video signal for displaying an image on the child screen is a signal whose output is not recognized in the television receiver, the message information generated in the OSD processing section 211 is displayed. Therefore, even if the block processing is not performed in the block processing unit 22, the child screen is not disturbed. That is, the OSD processing unit 221 can apply a block.

In the case of the television receiver of the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 22A
, The switch circuit 25 is controlled by the host microcomputer 10, but the host microcomputer 10 can control the switch circuit 25 as a matter of course.

As described above, also in the case of the television receiver of the second embodiment, the main image signal for reproducing the image on the main screen and the image on the child screen are reproduced. Display control can be performed on each of the sub video signals based on the rating information added thereto.

Further, if the sub video signal selected to display an image on the sub-screen is not recognized as being output in the television receiver of the second embodiment, and is blocked, The message information for notifying that the block has been made can be displayed on the sub-screen.

As described above, the processing for displaying the message information on the child screen is performed by the OSD processing section 221 and the PIP controller 24 of the rating information processing circuit 21A, so that no load is imposed on the host microcomputer. . In addition, there is no inconvenience that the message information displayed on the sub-screen is shifted from the sub-screen.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention is applied to a television receiver having a picture-in-picture function. The present invention can be applied to a television receiver having a multi-screen function.

For example, in the case of a television receiver which can divide a display screen of a CRT into three or more and simultaneously reproduce an image on each of the divided screens, a plurality of video signals capable of simultaneously displaying images are provided. The rating information processing circuit 21 or the rating information processing circuit 21A described in the above-described first and second embodiments may be provided so as to correspond to the above.

Thus, for each of a plurality of video signals for which an image is to be displayed at the same time, display output control of the image can be performed based on the rating information added to the video signals.

As described above, even when three or more screens can simultaneously display an image, the rating information processing circuit 21 or the rating information circuit 21 corresponding to the video signal for reproducing the image on each screen. By providing the information processing circuit 21A, it is possible to prevent the load from being concentrated only on the host microcomputer, and to ensure that each video signal for displaying an image at the same time according to each rating information. The display output can be controlled.

Therefore, the rating information processing circuit 21 or the rating information processing circuit 21A can be provided to the host microcomputer in response to a plurality of sub-picture signals which can be displayed simultaneously by the multi-screen function without making a major change. With this arrangement, it is possible to appropriately perform a block process on each video signal in a television receiver having various multi-screen functions.

[0136]

As described above, according to the television receiver of the first aspect of the present invention, even when an image based on a plurality of video signals is displayed simultaneously using the multi-screen function, For each of the plurality of video signals, display output control of an image can be performed based on rating information added to each video signal.

According to the television receiver of the second aspect of the present invention, since the information relating to the rating information from the sub-rating information detecting means is the rating information itself from which the sub video signal is extracted, The control means appropriately controls the sub-block processing unit by performing the same processing as the processing for the rating information extracted from the main video signal on the rating information extracted from the sub-video signal. be able to. In other words, it is possible to prevent the control means from performing new logic processing on the rating information extracted from the sub video signal.

Further, according to the television receiver of the third aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to detect the information on the rating level, the load on the control means can be prevented from increasing.

Further, according to the television receiver of the present invention, the control means performs the sub-block processing by directly using the information corresponding to the rating information from the sub-rating information detection means. Since it is possible to control, there is no need to detect information about the rating level or to compare the information about the rating level with the rating level information of the holding means, so that the control means controls the sub-block processing unit. The load can be minimized.

According to the television receiver of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fact that the sub video signal has been blocked can be seen at a glance, so that it is not mistaken for a failure of the television receiver.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, an image display is performed for each of the main video signal and the sub video signal based on the rating information added to each video signal. The output can be controlled appropriately. In addition, since the main block processing unit and the sub block processing unit can be controlled by different control units, the load on the control of both block processing units can be distributed.

Further, according to the television receiver of the present invention, since the display information indicates at a glance that the sub video signal has been blocked, it can be mistaken for a failure of the television receiver. Can not be. Also, when the sub-block processing unit performs the image display output prohibition process under the control of the second control unit, the signal generated by the display information generation unit may be used instead of the sub video signal. Therefore, there is no load on the control means for processing the main video signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a television receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of rating information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a parent screen and a child screen when a picture-in-picture function is used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining another example of the television receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining another example of the television receiver by the name of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where display information is displayed on a small screen by the television receiver shown in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna, 2 ... Distributor, 3a, 3b ... Tuner, 4
... External input terminal, 5 ... Switch circuit, 6 ... Block processing unit, 7 ... Video processor, 8 ... Video amplifier, 9 ... C
RT (cathode ray tube), 10: host microcomputer, 11: operation key unit, 21: rating information processing circuit, 22: block processing unit, 23: chroma decoder, 2
4: Picture-in-picture controller (PIP controller), 21A: Rating information processing circuit, 2
11 OSD processing unit 25 switch circuit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A television receiver having a function of combining an image based on a main video signal and an image based on a sub video signal on a single screen and displaying the combined image, wherein at least a video signal for which image display output is prohibited. Holding means for holding rating level information specified by a user, which is provided as a criterion for determining whether or not there is, provided in the main video signal stream, and prohibiting image display output. A main block processing unit to be executed, extracting rating information added to the main video signal, and detecting, from the extracted information, information on a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding unit. And the information on the detected rating level and the rating level information of the holding means are Control means for controlling whether or not to execute the prohibition processing of the image display output in the main block processing unit. In the television receiver, comprising: displaying the image in the sub video signal stream; A sub-block processing unit for performing output prohibition processing; a sub-rating for extracting rating information added to the sub-video signal and outputting information according to the extracted rating information to the control unit; A television receiver, comprising: an information detection unit; and the control unit controls whether or not to execute an image display output prohibition process in the sub block processing unit. 2. The sub-rating information detecting means,
And outputting the extracted rating information to the control means. The control means obtains, from the rating information from the sub-rating information detection means, information on a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding means. And comparing the detected rating level information with the rating level information of the holding unit to control whether or not to execute the image display output prohibition process in the sub block processing unit. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The sub-rating information detecting means,
From the extracted rating information, information on a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding unit is detected, and information on the detected rating level is output to the control unit.The control unit includes: And comparing the rating level information with the rating level information of the holding unit to control whether or not to execute the image display output prohibition process in the sub block processing unit. 2. The television receiver according to 1. 4. The sub-rating information detecting means,
From the extracted rating information, information about a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding unit is detected, and information about the detected rating level is compared with the rating level information of the holding unit. Outputting the comparison result to the control unit, wherein the control unit controls whether or not to execute the image display output prohibition process in the sub block processing unit based on the comparison result. The television receiver according to claim 1. 5. A display information generating means for generating a signal for displaying display information in a display area of an image based on said sub-video signal, wherein said control means controls said sub-block processing section, 2. A signal generated by the display information generating means is output in place of the sub video signal when prohibition processing of image display output of the video signal is performed. The television receiver according to claim 2, 3, or 4. 6. A television receiver having a function of synthesizing an image based on a main video signal and an image based on a sub video signal on one screen and displaying the combined image, wherein at least a video signal for which image display output is prohibited. Holding means for holding rating level information specified by a user, which is provided as a criterion for determining whether or not there is, provided in the main video signal stream, and prohibiting image display output. A main block processing unit to be executed, extracting rating information added to the main video signal, and detecting, from the extracted information, information on a rating level for comparison with the rating level information of the holding unit. And the information on the detected rating level and the rating level information of the holding means are Control means for controlling whether or not to execute the prohibition processing of the image display output in the main block processing unit. In the television receiver, comprising: displaying the image in the sub video signal stream; A sub-block processing unit that performs output prohibition processing; and a rating for extracting rating information added to the sub video signal and comparing the extracted information with the rating level information of the holding unit. Level information, and compares the detected rating level information with the rating level information of the holding unit to determine whether to execute the image display output prohibition process in the sub-block processing unit. And a second control means for controlling the television receiver. 7. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising: display information generating means for generating a signal for displaying display information in a display area of an image based on said sub video signal, wherein said second control means controls said sub block processing section. Outputting a signal generated by the display information generating means, in place of the sub video signal, when an image display output prohibition process is performed on the sub video signal. 7. The television receiver according to 6.