KR100298413B1 - Digital tv - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital TV is provided to express program specific information signals included in digital broadcasting signals as voices by using a simple TTS(Text To Speech) module, so as to supply OSD(On Screen Display) information to the visually-impaired. CONSTITUTION: A tuner(100) receives broadcasting signals. A TP analyzer(200) extracts a voice packet, a video packet, and a program specific information packet from the broadcasting signals. A micro computer(800) receives the program specific information packet, and outputs an OSD signal. A voice decoder(300) receives the voice packet to decode the packet to the first voice signal. A TTS processor(200) converts the OSD signal into the second voice signal. A video decoder(400) receives the video packet to decode the packet to the first video signal. An OSD processor(700) converts the OSD signal to the second video signal. A voice processor(1100) outputs the first and the second voice signals to a speaker. A video processor(600) outputs the first and the second video signals to a CRT.

Description

Digital TV {Digital TV}

The present invention relates to a digital TV, and more particularly, to a digital TV with a built-in TTS function.

A digital TV is a device that receives a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station and provides video and audio to viewers. Most current digital broadcasts follow the MPEG standard. In particular, MPEG-2, which is a broadcast MPEG standard, is set with both system, audio, and video standards. For reference, the MPEG-2 system standard number is ISO / IEC 13818-1, the video standard number is ISO / IEC 13818-2, and the audio standard number is ISO / IEC 13818-3.

The structure and operation principle of a general digital TV receiver according to the MPEG-2 scheme will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

A general digital TV receiver includes a tuner unit 11 that receives a digital broadcast signal, a TP analyzer 12 that detects an audio / video signal by analyzing a TP signal among the digital broadcast signals received by the tuner unit 11, and a TP. Audio / video decoders 13 and 14 for separating and decoding the audio / video signals analyzed by the analyzer, and an audio signal converter 21 for converting the digital audio signals decoded by the audio decoder into analog signals, and controlling the TV system. A TV microcom 18, a ROM 19 storing channels and programs, a RAM 20 storing temporary data according to the operation of the TV microcom, an OSD processor 17 processing OSD text, and a digital decoder decoded by a video decoder. Switch unit 15 for selectively outputting the video signal and OSD text of the OSD processor, and an image that can display the video signal output from the switch unit on the TV or monitor It is composed of a video signal encoder (16) for converting the arcs.

The tuner unit 11 receives a Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) signal or a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) signal from the antenna 10, detects the signal, corrects an error, and outputs a transport signal sequence. The transport signal sequence is standardized in the MPEG-2 system.

The transport signal sequence standardized by the MPEG-2 method is a time-multiplexed signal sequence called a transport stream packet. This transport signal string has a header at the beginning of the packet, and the header has a PID (Packet IDentifier) number recorded thereon. The PID number may be used as information for demultiplexing a time multiplexed signal. In addition, the PID number indicates the type of the current packet. The PID number is analyzed to determine whether the current packet is a video packet, an audio packet, or program specific information.

The MPEG-2 video standard and audio standard provide for the signal sequence of compressed video and audio. According to the MPEG-2 standard, a video signal, an audio signal, and an additional information signal are all time-multiplexed and transmitted in the form of several transport stream packets, all of which are distinguished by PID numbers.

The TP analyzer 12 analyzes the signal sequence in the form of a transport stream packet by the PID number and applies it to the respective decoders 13 and 14. That is, the TP analyzer 12 receives the transport signal sequence received in the tuner unit and detects the PID number included in the header of the signal sequence. Thus, the TP analyzer divides the video signal sequence, the audio signal sequence, and the additional information signal sequence according to the PID number. The TP analyzer applies the video signal sequence to the video decoder 14, applies the audio signal sequence to the audio decoder 13, and applies the additional information signal sequence to the microcomputer 18.

The video decoder 14 decodes the video signal string applied from the TP analyzer 12 and outputs the decoded video signal to the NTSC encoder 16. The video signal sequence applied from the TP analyzer is data compressed by the MPEG-2 scheme. Therefore, the video decoder decompresses the compressed video signal sequence and reduces the original video data.

The audio decoder 13 decodes the voice signal string applied from the TP analyzer 12 and outputs the decoded audio signal to the DA to digital converter 21. The speech signal sequence applied from the TP analyzer is data compressed by the MPEG-1 scheme. Therefore, the audio decoder 13 decompresses the compressed speech signal sequence and reduces the original speech data.

The DA converter 21 converts the digital voice data applied from the audio decoder 13 into an analog voice signal that can be processed by an amplifier or a speaker. The analog audio signal is output as voice or sound by a stereo speaker (not shown).

The NTSC encoder 16 converts the digital image data applied from the video decoder 14 into a luminance signal Y and a color difference signal C which can be implemented in a general TV or a monitor. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are implemented as images by the CPT.

The microcomputer 18 controls the operation of the digital TV receiver. The program and OSD information necessary for controlling the microcomputer are stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 19, and the temporary information necessary for performing the microcomputer control operation is stored in a random access memory (RAM) 20. . That is, the microcomputer processes the additional information signal sequence applied from the TP analyzer 12 by using a control signal input by the user's input device 22 such as a remote controller or a keypad, and transmits the additional information data to the OSD processor 17. Outputs The OSD information is stored in the ROM 19, but when a control signal is generated from the input device, the microcomputer 18 takes out the OSD information corresponding to the control signal from the ROM 19 and transmits it to the OSD processor 17.

The OSD processor 17 converts the OSD information transmitted by the microcomputer 18 into a video signal that the NTSC encoder 16 can process. The switch unit 15 selects the OSD information converted into the video signal by the OSD processor 17 and the video video signal converted by the video decoder 14 and applies it to the NTSC encoder 16. If the OSD information is not generated by the input device of the user, the switch unit 15 continuously applies the video signal applied from the video decoder 14 to the NTSC encoder 16. If OSD information is generated by the input device 22 of the user, the switch unit 15 applies the OSD information applied from the OSD processor 17 to the NTSC encoder 16.

The TV screen in which both the video signal and the OSD information included in the broadcast signal are implemented by the digital TV receiver of FIG. 1 is as shown in FIG. 2. In the digital TV, an image 30 of a TV broadcast signal is displayed on a background of a screen, and text 40 of OSD information is superimposed on the image.

However, since the conventional digital TV receiver is implemented with text only on the screen, the OSD has no problem for the blind or illiterate. Therefore, it is necessary to provide OSD information to the blind or illiterate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and an object thereof is to manufacture a digital TV receiver embodying methods and means for providing OSD information to blind and illiterate persons.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical digital TV.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a TV screen on which both an image signal and OSD information included in a broadcast signal are implemented by the digital TV receiver of FIG. 1.

3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital TV of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the microcomputer in the digital TV of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which additional information is displayed as OSD text by the digital TV of FIG. 3. FIG.

6a and 6b is a flow chart showing another operation method of the microcomputer of the present invention.

7 shows OSD information processed in a conventional digital TV.

8A and 8B show OSD information processed in the digital TV of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

100: tuner unit 200: TP analysis unit

300: audio decoding unit 400: video decoding unit

600: image processing unit 700: OSD processing unit

800: microcomputer unit 810: microcomputer

820: ROM 830: RAM

1100: DA conversion unit 1200: remote control or input keypad

1300: voice switching device 1400: video switching device

2000: TTS processing unit

The digital TV of the present invention is characterized by expressing the additional information signal included in the digital broadcasting signal using a simple text to speech (TTS) module.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention provides a tuning unit 100 for receiving a broadcast signal, a TP analysis unit 200 for extracting an audio packet, an image packet, and an additional information packet from the broadcast signal, and an additional information packet. A microcomputer 800 for receiving an OSD signal and receiving an audio signal, a voice decoding unit 300 for receiving a voice packet and decoding the first audio signal, a TTS processing unit 2000 for converting an OSD signal to a second audio signal, and an image. A video decoder 400 for receiving a packet and decoding the first video signal, an OSD processor 700 for converting an OSD signal to a second video signal, and an audio processor for outputting first and second audio signals to a speaker ( 1100) and an image processor 600 for outputting the first and second image signals to the CRT.

Hereinafter, the structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying FIG. 3.

The tuning unit 100 is a device that receives a broadcast signal, and includes an antenna and a tuner although not shown in the drawing. The tuning unit 100 may be designed to receive not only a digital broadcast signal but also an analog broadcast signal.

The TP analyzer 200 classifies and extracts a voice packet, an image packet, and an additional information packet from the digital broadcast signal. The digital broadcast signal received by the TP analyzer 200 is a broadcast MPEG standard and is configured to meet the MPEG-2 standard. That is, since the digital broadcast signal is a time-multiplexed transport stream packet as described in the prior art, there is a header including a PID number at the beginning of the packet. Therefore, the TP analysis unit 200 of the present invention divides the broadcast signal into an audio packet, a video packet, and an additional information packet by this PID number.

The microcomputer 800 may include a ROM 820 in which OSD data is stored, a microcomputer 810 for selecting and outputting an OSD signal corresponding to an additional information packet from among OSD data, and a RAM 830 for storing additional data necessary for the operation of the microcomputer. The microcomputer 800 receives the additional information packet from the TP analyzer 200 and outputs an OSD signal corresponding to the additional information packet. Among the OSD data pre-stored in the ROM 820, an OSD signal corresponding to the additional information packet applied from the TP analyzer is selected and output, and the temporary additional data necessary for the operation of the microcomputer is stored in the RAM 830.

The voice decoder 300 receives the voice packet from the TP analyzer 200 and decodes the first voice signal. Since the voice packet is digital data compressed to MPEG standard as described in the prior art, the voice decoder decodes the voice packet compressed to MPEG standard into original voice data.

The image decoding unit 400 receives an image packet from the TP analyzer 200 and decodes the first image signal. Since the image packet is digital data compressed in the MPEG-2 standard as described in the prior art, the image decoding unit decodes the image packet compressed in the MPEG-2 standard into original image data.

The OSD processor 700 converts the OSD signal applied from the microcomputer 810 into a second video signal that can represent an image. Since the OSD processing unit is similar to the structure and operation principle of the prior art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The TTS processor 2000 is an improved part of the present invention compared to the prior art, and is a part for converting an OSD signal, which is represented only as an image in a conventional TV, into a voice signal. The TTS processor receives the OSD signal transmitted from the microcomputer 810 and converts the text code of the OSD signal into a voice signal. The audio signal converted by the TTS processing unit converts the audio signal into an analog signal and outputs it to a speaker (not shown), whereby the viewer can listen to the additional information transmitted from the broadcasting station.

The voice processor 1100 outputs the first voice signal output from the voice decoder and the second voice signal output from the TTS processor 2000 to the speaker. The first audio signal and the second audio signal are digital signals. Accordingly, the voice processing unit 1100 converts the first and second voice signals into analog signals and outputs them through a speaker or an amplifier. Of course, the voice processing unit of the present invention includes a DA (Digital to Analog) converter.

The image processor 600 outputs the first image signal output from the image decoder 400 and the second image signal output from the OSD processor 700 to a CRT (not shown) to implement an image. Like the audio signal described above, both the first video signal and the second video signal are digital signals. Accordingly, the image processing unit 600 converts the first and second image signals into analog signals and outputs them to the CRT to implement an image. Of course, the voice processing unit of the present invention includes a DA (Digital to Analog) converter. The image processor may be configured with various types of encoders according to the standard of broadcast signals. That is, in order to use TV in a region using an NTSC broadcast signal, the image processing unit of the present invention should be configured with an NTSC encoder.

In addition, the present invention may be provided including switch elements 1300 and 1400 as shown in FIG. 3 to simultaneously implement text by the OSD and output the audio signal by the OSD signal. That is, the present invention provides an audio switching device 1300 for selectively applying the first audio signal and the second audio signal to the audio processing unit, and an image switching element for selectively applying the first video signal and the second video signal to the image processing unit. 1400 may be further configured.

The audio switching device 1300 is installed to select an output signal of the audio decoder 300 and an output signal of the TTS processing unit 2000, and the image switching device 1400 is an output signal of the video decoder 400 and the OSD processing unit ( 700 is installed to select the output signal. At this time, when the image switching device 1400 applies the second image signal, that is, the output signal of the OSD processing unit to the image processing unit 600, the audio switching device 1300 simultaneously outputs the second audio signal, that is, the TTS processing unit. The signal may be configured to be applied to the voice processor 1100.

As described above, the present invention stands out from the conventional invention in that the TTS processor 2000 is newly added. By the TTS processing unit 2000, text that has been implemented as an image by the OSD processing unit 700 in the conventional digital TV is output as audio. The microcomputer installed in the digital TV of the present invention operates in various ways to output additional information as voice.

(First operation method)

The microcomputer 810 installed in the digital TV of the present invention constructs the additional information included in the broadcast signal as a database as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (s100), and checks whether the additional information request signal is input by the viewer. In step S200, searching for additional information corresponding to the additional information request signal from the database in S300, and outputting the searched additional information as OSD text in S400, and searching for the additional information as a voice signal. And checking whether it needs to be converted (s500), and converting additional information into a voice signal (s700). At this time, the operation principle of the digital TV according to the present invention may further include a step (s600) of determining whether the TTS processing unit exists. That is, if the TTS processing unit does not exist in the digital TV, the provision of additional information by voice, which is a feature of the present invention, cannot be implemented.

First, when the TV of the present invention is turned on, the microcomputer adopted by the present invention collects additional information included in the broadcast signal to build a basic database. At this time, the microcomputer of the present invention constructs additional information into a database at all times while receiving a broadcast signal.

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not a control signal has been generated by the viewer, and if a control signal is generated, necessary information is retrieved from the database according to the control signal. At this time, the control signal corresponds to the additional information request signal of the viewer who needs the additional information. The control signal is generated by the viewer due to the key input operation of the remote controller or the input keypad.

The information retrieved by the above process is converted into a text image signal by the OSD processor to implement on the TV screen. For example, if the viewer inputs the detailed information key of the predetermined additional information, the microcomputer of the present invention retrieves the detailed information data from the database and provides the viewer with a screen as shown in FIG.

Then, the microcomputer of the present invention checks whether data to perform TTS exists in the data retrieved from the database. That is, the microcomputer of the present invention determines whether or not the additional information needs to be converted into a voice signal. Therefore, if there is data to perform TTS (Text To Speech) among the data, that is, it is determined that the searched additional information needs to be converted into a voice signal, the microcomputer of the present invention transmits the data to perform TTS to the TTS processing unit. The OSD processing unit not only displays the data as OSD text characters, but also outputs the text corresponding to the data as voice.

At this time, the data on which the TTS is to be performed is determined according to the intention of the designer of the digital TV of the present invention. For example, if the designer has designed the TV of the present invention to apply only the additional information corresponding to the plot of each menu among the detailed information shown in FIG. 4 to the TTS processing unit, the TV of the present invention has a title of each menu. Select the menu to output the output as a voice signal along with the OSD text.

(Another operation method)

The microcomputer installed in the digital TV of the present invention may determine whether the additional information included in the broadcast signal is required as illustrated in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6A and 6B (S110 and S120), and the OSD corresponding to the requested additional information. And extracting the information (S210 and S220), and displaying the extracted OSD information as a video signal (S310 and S320) and outputting the audio signal (S410 to S610 and S420 to S620). As a result of this operation, the present invention converts the text of the additional information included in the digital broadcast signal into a voice signal and provides the viewer with a speaker, and simultaneously converts the text of the OSD screen into a voice signal and provides the viewer with the audio signal. .

The conventional OSD information is composed of a bitmap image as shown in FIG. 7. Thus, when a viewer presses a predetermined key through a remote controller or other input device, an OSD bitmap image corresponding to the key is displayed on the TV screen. The method of displaying the OSD bitmap image is divided into the following two methods according to the configuration of the OSD information.

First, when the OSD information is composed of a bitmap image and TTS data as shown in FIG. 8A, the digital TV of the present invention provides the viewer with the OSD information in the following manner.

When the viewer needs the additional information included in the broadcast signal and manipulates the TV remote control or other input device (S110), the digital TV of the present invention is one of the OSD information data pre-stored in a predetermined memory. The OSD information data corresponding to the additional information is extracted (S210). Then, the bitmap image included in the extracted OSD information data is implemented on the TV screen (S310), and whether the TTS data is included in the OSD information data (S410) and whether the TTS function is used (S510) is determined. The TTS data is output to the speaker (S610).

Secondly, when the OSD information is composed of character code and TTS data as shown in FIG. 8B, the digital TV of the present invention provides the viewer with OSD information in the following manner.

When the viewer needs the additional information included in the broadcast signal and manipulates the TV remote control or other input device (S120), the digital TV of the present invention is one of the OSD information data previously stored in a predetermined memory. The OSD information data corresponding to the additional information is extracted (S220). Then, the text code included in the extracted OSD information data is converted into a bitmap image to be implemented on the TV screen (S320), and whether or not the TTS data is included in the OSD information data (S420) and the TTS function. The doctor determines whether or not the doctor (S520) and outputs the TTS data included in the OSD information data to the speaker (S620).

As a result, the present invention constructs the additional information included in the broadcast signal into a database according to a predetermined field while receiving the broadcast signal, and converts the additional information corresponding to the request signal from the database into the OSD according to the viewer's additional information request signal. It outputs and converts the text corresponding to the OSD into an audio signal and provides it to the viewer. In this case, the present invention displays the bitmap image on the TV screen if the character corresponding to the OSD is a bitmap image, and if the character corresponding to the OSD is a text code, the character code is a bitmap. Convert it to an image and display it on the TV screen.

In other words, the present invention provides the viewer with additional information as necessary, both as a voice signal and a video signal, and shows the OSD information to the viewer through the TV screen, while simultaneously listening to the viewer through the speaker. Function.

According to the present invention, as well as the additional information transmitted from broadcasting stations, in particular, not only the simple contents such as the current broadcasting channel number and the program title, but also the plot of the currently broadcast contents to the visually impaired or illiterate persons. The advantage is that it can be provided.

Claims (10)

Tuning unit for receiving a digital broadcast signal; A TP analyzer extracting an audio packet, an image packet, and an additional information packet from the digital broadcast signal; A microcomputer unit receiving the additional information packet and outputting an OSD signal; A voice decoder which receives the voice packet and decodes the first voice signal; An image decoder which receives the image packet and decodes the first image signal; An OSD processor which receives the OSD signal and converts the OSD signal into a second image signal; A TTS processor which receives the OSD signal and converts the OSD signal into a second voice signal; A voice processor outputting the first voice signal and the second voice signal to a speaker; And, And a video processor for outputting the first video signal and the second video signal to a CRT. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital TV A voice switching device for selectively applying the first voice signal and the second voice signal to the voice processor; And, And a video switching device for selectively applying the first video signal and the second video signal to the video processor. The method of claim 1, wherein the microcomputer unit A ROM unit in which OSD information is stored; A microcomputer that selects and outputs an OSD signal corresponding to the additional information packet from among OSD information stored in the ROM; And, And a RAM unit for storing additional data required for the operation of the microcomputer. In the digital TV additional information output method for implementing the additional information contained in the broadcast signal in the OSD (On Screen Display) text, Constructing additional information included in a broadcast signal into a database; Checking whether an additional information request signal is input by a viewer; Retrieving additional information corresponding to the additional information request signal from the additional information constructed in the database; Outputting the retrieved additional information as OSD text; Checking whether the retrieved additional information needs to be converted into a voice signal; And converting the additional information into a voice signal if the searched additional information needs to be converted into a voice signal. The additional information of the digital TV according to claim 4, wherein the determining of whether the additional information needs to be converted into a voice signal is a step of checking whether the additional information includes voice signal data. Output method. Determining whether to request additional information included in the broadcast signal; If the additional information is requested, extracting OSD information corresponding to the requested additional information from OSD information previously stored in a predetermined memory; Displaying the extracted OSD information as an image signal; And outputting the extracted OSD information as a voice signal. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying the video signal comprises: And displaying bitmap image data included in the extracted OSD information on a TV screen. The method of claim 6, wherein displaying the video signal comprises: Converting the character code included in the extracted OSD information into bitmap image data, and And displaying the converted bitmap image data on a TV screen. The method of claim 6, wherein the outputting of the voice signal And outputting OSD voice data included in the extracted OSD information to a speaker. The method of claim 6, wherein the outputting of the voice signal Converting the requested additional information into OSD voice data; And outputting the converted OSD voice data to a speaker.