KR102152337B1 - Digital broadcast receiving system - Google Patents

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to provide a set-top box for cable broadcasting, which receives real-time subtitle broadcasting wherein an image and a subtitle are not synchronized to synchronize the image and the subtitle so as to output the same, and a subtitle synchronizing system including the same. The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting receiver and a subtitle synchronizing system including the same, wherein the digital broadcasting receiver comprises: a broadcasting signal separating and decoding processing unit for separating a broadcasting signal of a channel selected through a tuner into image data, voice data, and subtitle data to decode the same into an image signal, a voice signal, and a subtitle signal; a subtitle image generating unit for generating the decoded subtitle signal as a subtitle image; a signal processing unit for synthesizing the decoded image signal with the subtitle image to synchronize the same with the voice signal, and outputting the same; and a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit to allow the image signal to be synthesized with the subtitle image to be synchronized and outputted with the voice signal after the decoded subtitle and voice signal are delayed for a predetermined time when there is additional information displaying whether broadcasting is real-time subtitle broadcasting with a subtitle transmitted by being more delayed than an image with respect to the decoded subtitle signal.

Description

Cable broadcasting set-top box and subtitle synchronization system including the same {DIGITAL BROADCAST RECEIVING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, and more particularly, to a set-top box for cable broadcasting or IP TV broadcasting, and a caption synchronization system including the same.

In addition to terrestrial broadcasting, it is common for local cable broadcasting stations (company) and IP TV stations (company) to transmit closed-captioned broadcasting for the hearing impaired.

Closed caption broadcasting can be classified into pre-production caption broadcasting and real-time caption broadcasting in which captions are generated in advance, synthesized with images, and transmitted. In the pre-production closed caption broadcasting, since the caption is generated in advance, synthesized with the image, and transmitted, the video, the audio according to the image, and the caption according to the image are synchronized, so there is no inconvenience in viewing broadcast content.

However, in real-time closed-caption broadcasting, since the audio signal of the video transmitted in real time is received and the corresponding audio is input as a caption and then broadcast is transmitted, the video-related caption is delayed (ie, the video and the caption are unsynchronized). there is a problem.

Therefore, this problem is solved, but if the above-described problem can be corrected in a device that receives and displays broadcasts, for example, a set-top box (STB) or a digital TV receiver that is widely used in the home, the hearing impaired Of course, ordinary people will also be able to watch real-time closed-captioned broadcasting in which video and subtitles are synchronized.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2011-0123417 Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2003-0030687

Accordingly, the present invention is an invention invented in accordance with the above-described necessity, and the main object of the present invention is a set-top box for cable broadcasting capable of receiving real-time closed caption broadcasting in which images and captions are unsynchronized, and outputting them by synchronizing images and captions. It is to provide a subtitle synchronization system including.

Further, another object of the present invention is a cable that receives real-time closed caption broadcasting in which video and subtitles are unsynchronized, synchronizes the video and subtitles, and outputs it, but detects and adjusts the delay time required for synchronizing the video and subtitles. It is to provide broadcast set-top boxes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a closed-caption synchronization system including a closed-caption broadcasting program management server for receiving real-time closed-caption broadcasting in which images and captions are asynchronous in a cable broadcasting set-top box, and synchronizing and outputting the images and captions. In the offering.

A digital broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem,

A broadcast signal separation and decoding processing unit for separating the broadcast signal of the channel selected through the tuner into video data, audio data, and caption data and decoding them into video signals, audio signals and caption signals;

A caption image generator for generating the decoded caption signal as a caption image;

A signal processing unit for synthesizing the decoded video signal and the caption video and synchronizing it with an audio signal to output;

The selected channel information is transmitted to the closed captioning program management server to inquire whether the caption is a real-time closed-captioned broadcasting that is being transmitted with a delay compared to the image, and if the query result is a real-time captioned broadcasting, the decoded video and audio signal are delayed for a certain time. And a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit so that the video signal is synthesized and processed with a caption image to be synchronized with an audio signal.

The signal processing unit,

Path switching units for switching signal transmission paths of the decoded video and audio signals into different transmission paths;

Buffer memories for delaying the video and audio signals output from each of the path switching units for a predetermined time;

A caption image synthesizing unit for synthesizing the caption image to the image signal output from the time delay or the path switching unit;

And a synchronization output unit for synchronizing and outputting the video signal synthesized with the subtitle image and the time-delayed audio signal.

Further, in the digital broadcasting receiver having the above-described configuration, the control unit is another feature of delaying the decoded video and audio signals with a time value of any one of 2 to 6 seconds,

Another feature of the control unit is that the control unit delays the decoded video and audio signals with a time delay value transmitted from the closed caption broadcasting program management server for the selected channel.

A digital broadcast receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention,

A broadcast signal separation and decoding processing unit for separating the broadcast signal of the channel selected through the tuner into video data, audio data, and caption data and decoding them into video signals, audio signals and caption signals;

A caption image generator for generating the decoded caption signal as a caption image;

A signal processing unit for synthesizing the decoded video signal and the caption video and synchronizing it with an audio signal to output;

If the decoded caption signal has additional information indicating whether the caption is a real-time caption broadcast delayed compared to the image, the decoded image and audio signal are delayed for a certain period of time, and the video signal is combined with the captioned image. And a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit to be processed and synchronized with the audio signal.

Furthermore, the subtitle synchronization system according to another embodiment of the present invention,

The broadcast signal of the channel selected by the user is decoded and output to the broadcast signal display device, and a query is made to an external management server capable of connecting to whether the broadcast signal of the currently selected channel is a real-time closed caption broadcasting in which the closed caption is transmitted delayed compared to the video. And, if the query results are real-time closed captioning, the decoded video and audio signals are delayed for a predetermined time, and the video signal is synthesized and processed with the closed captioning video and synchronized with the audio signal;

And a closed-captioned broadcasting program management server for notifying whether a real-time closed-captioned broadcasting is performed based on EPG information converted into a database when a query asking whether the broadcast signal of the selected channel is real-time closed-caption broadcasting is transmitted from one or more of the digital broadcasting receivers. To do.

According to the above-described problem solving means, the present invention receives real-time closed-caption broadcasting in which video and subtitles are unsynchronized, and outputs the synchronized video and subtitles, thereby minimizing confusion in viewing due to inconsistency between video and subtitles. There is this.

In addition, the present invention receives real-time closed-caption broadcasting in which video and caption are unsynchronized and outputs the synchronized video and caption, but the delay time required for synchronizing the video and caption is self-detected in the broadcast stream, without the support of an external device. It has the advantage of being able to adjust itself.

1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a digital broadcasting receiver and a caption synchronization system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exemplary block diagram of a digital broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a signal processing unit in FIG. 2.
4 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a closed caption broadcasting program management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a flow of information transmission and reception between a digital broadcasting receiver and a closed caption broadcasting program management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention disclosed in the present specification are merely illustrative for the purpose of describing the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention, and the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention are It may be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In addition, since the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention can apply various changes and have various forms, the embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and includes all changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Meanwhile, in the following description, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a set-top box (STB) as an example of a digital broadcasting receiver.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings,

First, FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration diagram of a digital broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, more specifically, a set-top box (STB, 200) for cable broadcasting or IP TV broadcasting, and a caption synchronization system including the same.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the'subtitle synchronization system' is a set-top box 200 provided in the house, as shown in FIG. 1, and notifies the set-top box 200 of the real-time closed caption broadcasting of the currently selected channel. Note will be defined as a system including the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300.

The set-top box 200 decodes a broadcast program received through digital cable broadcasting into video and audio signals and outputs it through a broadcast signal display device such as the TV 100. This set-top box 200 can be used by being connected to a content providing server that provides various broadcasting contents through a communication network, and is connected with a closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 that manages closed caption broadcasting programs as in the embodiment of the present invention. It is possible to send and receive information.

For example, the set-top box 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention determines to the closed captioning program management server 300 whether the caption of a program broadcast through a channel selected by the user is delayed compared to the video in real time. When a query is made, if the subtitle is a real-time closed caption broadcast that is delayed compared to the video, the video and audio are delayed by a time delay value transmitted from the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 to synchronize the video, audio, and caption. If the time delay value is added to the real-time closed caption broadcasting stream, the video and audio may be delayed by the time delay value added to the broadcast stream without depending on the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300, and then synchronized output with the caption. .

On the other hand, the closed-captioned broadcasting program management server 300 transmits a query asking whether the broadcasting signal of the channel-selected channel is real-time closed-caption broadcasting from one or more set-top boxes 200, based on the EPG information in the database, It checks whether the broadcast program is a real-time closed-caption broadcasting, that is, a real-time closed-caption broadcasting in which the closed-caption is delayed compared to the video, and the result is transmitted to the set-top box 200. In some cases, a time delay in the set-top box 200 may be adjusted according to the time delay value by transmitting a time value at which the subtitle is delayed compared to the video (this will be referred to as a time delay value in the following). have.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the set-top box 200 constituting the caption synchronization system having the above-described configuration will be described in more detail,

First, FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a digital broadcasting receiver, for example, a set-top box 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed configuration diagram of the signal processing unit 230 in FIG. 2. will be.

As shown in Figure 2, the set-top box 200 as a digital broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention,

And a broadcast signal separation and decoding processing unit 220 that divides a broadcast signal of a channel selected through the tuner 210 into video data, audio data, and caption data, and decodes it into a video signal, an audio signal, and a caption signal.

More specifically, for the separation of broadcast signals, video, audio, and caption signals are separated by Demux, and each of the separated video, audio and caption (corresponding to additional data) data is a video signal by a video decoder, audio decoder, and data decoder. And audio signals and subtitle signals are decoded and processed.

Furthermore, the set-top box 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a caption image generator (OSD: On Screen Display: 240) that generates a decoded caption signal as a caption image,

It further includes a signal processing unit 230 for synthesizing the decoded video signal and the caption image and synchronizing with the audio signal for output. The signal processing unit 230 can be implemented with an AV processor, which is a one-chip IC, and as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of path switching units 231 and 233, a plurality of buffer memories 232 and 234, a caption image synthesis unit 235 and synchronization It can also be implemented with the output unit 236.

Referring to FIG. 3, the signal processing unit 230 includes path switching units 231 and 233 for switching signal transmission paths of decoded video and audio signals to different transmission paths, and the path switching units 231 and 233, respectively. The subtitle image is synthesized with buffer memories 232 and 234 for delaying the video and audio signals output from a predetermined time (time delay value or preset time), and the time delay or the video signal output from the path switching unit 233 And a subtitle image synthesizing unit 235 for synchronizing and outputting a synchronizing video signal and a time-delayed audio signal.

Referring back to Figure 2, the set-top box 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention,

The selected channel information is transmitted to the closed captioning program management server 300 to inquire whether the caption is a real-time caption broadcasting that is being transmitted delayed compared to the image, and if the query results are real-time caption broadcasting, the decoded video and audio signals are scheduled. It includes a control unit 250 for controlling the signal processing unit 230 so that the video signal is synthesized and processed with a caption image after a time delay and synchronized with the audio signal.

For reference, the control unit 250 delays the decoded video and audio signals with a preset time delay value, for example, within a period of 2 to 6 seconds, according to an implementation method, so that the decoded video and audio signals are output with a caption. The signal processing unit 230 may be controlled, and the video and audio signals are delayed by a time delay value fed back from the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 for each broadcasting program of the selected channel, and synchronized with the caption to be output. 230) can also be controlled. Of course, video and audio signals may be delayed by detecting a time delay value added to the broadcast stream.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the set-top box 200 having the above-described configuration and the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 capable of transmitting and receiving information will be described with reference to FIG. 4,

As shown in Fig. 4, the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 constituting the caption synchronization system according to an embodiment of the present invention queries whether the broadcasting of the channel currently selected from the set-top box 200 is real-time caption broadcasting. The information transmission/reception unit 310 for receiving and notifying the result thereof, and the EPG (electronic electronic device) in which the broadcasting program for each channel in the region where the inquired set-top box 200 is located and real-time caption broadcasting information of each broadcasting program are mapped. The EPG DB (330) in which the program guide) is converted into a DB, and a real-time closed caption broadcasting search unit 320 that searches whether real-time closed-caption broadcasting for the selected channel requested for a query is transmitted through the information transmission/reception unit 310. Include. It is preferable that the EPG DB 330 is updated in real time according to whether a real-time closed caption is broadcast for each channel.

Hereinafter, a process of synchronizing and outputting a delayed subtitle with an image by interlocking the set-top box 200 having the above-described configuration and the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an information transmission/reception flow between a digital broadcasting receiver, that is, a set-top box 200 and a closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, if a user selects a channel to view a broadcast program of a specific channel (step S10), the control unit 250 performs real-time closed caption broadcasting in which the caption is delayed compared to the video for the channel currently selected by the user. It queries the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300 for recognition (step S12). This query information includes at least information on the channel that has been selected.

When a query asking whether or not it is real-time closed-caption broadcasting is received for the channel selected, the real-time closed-caption broadcasting search unit 320 of the closed-caption broadcasting program management server 300 searches the EPG DB 330 to the set-top box 200 side. In the terminal, it is checked whether the broadcast of the currently selected channel is real-time closed captioning, and the result is transmitted to the set-top box 200 through the information transmission/reception unit 310.

In this way, when the answer as to whether the real-time closed caption broadcasting is transmitted to the set-top box 200 (step S16), the control unit 250 checks whether the real-time closed caption broadcasting is based on the answer (step S18), and when it is determined that it is a real-time closed caption broadcasting, S20 In step S22, the video and audio are delayed, and the system is controlled so that the video and audio signals are synchronized with the caption and outputted in step S22.

Specifically, the control unit 250 converts the path switching control signal so that the video signal and the audio signal decoded and output from the broadcast signal separation and decoding processing unit 220 can pass through the buffer memories 232 and 234 of the signal processing unit 230. Output to the path switching units 231 and 233.

For reference, in the case of pre-production closed caption broadcasting, since the caption and the video are already synchronized, a separate time delay process is not required. Therefore, in the case of pre-production caption broadcasting or general broadcasting (broadcast without subtitle insertion), the controller 250 is configured to directly transmit the decoded video and audio signals to the synchronization output unit 236 through the path switching units 231 and 233. Path control.

On the other hand, since the video signal transmitted to the buffer memory 234 is buffered and transmitted to the captioned image synthesis unit 235, the control unit 250 may have a preset time delay value (in the range of 2 to 6 seconds) or the caption broadcasting program management server ( If the data output time of the buffer memories 232 and 234 is adjusted by the time delay value received from 300), the video and audio signals output before the caption are delayed by the time delay value and transmitted to the synchronization output unit 236, As a result, the synchronization output unit 236 can obtain an effect of synchronizing the video and audio in which the captioned image is synthesized and outputting it.

Therefore, even if the set-top box 200 of the present invention receives a real-time subtitle broadcast in which the subtitle is delayed than the video, the video and audio signals are delayed and synchronized with the subtitle, so that viewers including the hearing impaired may use the TV 100 You can watch subtitles synchronized with the video through. Although the present invention has implemented synchronization by measuring the output time difference between the subtitle and the video in advance and setting it as a time delay value, there is a slight error in the output time difference between the video and the subtitle, compared to real-time closed caption broadcasting before synchronization correction. There is an advantage of remarkably reducing the time difference between video and subtitle output.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the set-top box 200 outputs video and audio delays with the support of the closed caption broadcasting program management server 300, but if the time delay value indicating the difference in output time between the caption and the video in the broadcast stream is If it is inserted as additional data, the control unit 250 of the set-top box 200 detects it and adjusts the data output time of the buffer memory to achieve synchronization between the caption and the video.

The above has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, a set-top box for cable broadcasting has been described as an example, but the present invention may be applied to all digital broadcasting receivers capable of receiving and displaying real-time closed caption broadcasting without any modification. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined only by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

A broadcast signal separation and decoding processing unit that separates the broadcast signal of the channel selected through the tuner into video data, audio data, and caption data and decodes it into a video signal, audio signal, and caption signal, and the decoded caption signal into a caption image. In the cable broadcasting set-top box including a caption image generator to generate,
Path switching units for switching signal transmission paths of each of the decoded video and audio signals to different transmission paths according to a path switching control signal, and delaying the video and audio signals output from each of the path switching units for a predetermined time Buffer memories for synthesizing the subtitle image to the time-delayed video signal, and a caption image synthesizing unit for synthesizing the video signal and the time-delayed audio signal for synchronizing output or direct from each of the path switching units A signal processing unit including a synchronization output unit for synchronizing and outputting an input video signal and an audio signal;
The selected channel information is transmitted to the closed captioning program management server to inquire whether the caption is a real-time caption broadcasting that is being transmitted delayed compared to the image, and if the query results are real-time caption broadcasting, the decoded video and audio signals are sent to the buffer memories. And a control unit for outputting a path switching control signal to pass through, and delaying the decoded video and audio signals with a time delay value transmitted from the closed caption broadcasting program management server. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete The following closed caption broadcasting program management server determines whether the broadcasting signal of the channel selected by the user is decoded and output to the broadcasting signal display device, and whether the broadcasting signal of the currently selected channel is a real-time closed caption broadcasting in which the caption is transmitted delayed compared to the video. If the query results are real-time closed captioning, the decoded video and audio signals are delayed by the time delay value transmitted from the following closed captioning program management server, and then the decoded video signal is synthesized with the captioned video, A cable broadcasting set-top box for synchronizing output together;
When a query asking whether the broadcast signal of the selected channel is real-time closed captioning is transmitted from one or more of the cable broadcasting set-top boxes, it notifies whether real-time closed captioning is performed based on EPG information in the database, and the captions and video of the real-time closed captioning Including; a closed caption broadcasting program management server for notifying the time delay value together,
The EPG information converted into a database includes broadcast programs for each channel, information on whether real-time closed captioning of each broadcast program, and a time delay value in case of real-time closed captioning. The method of claim 9, wherein the cable broadcasting set-top box,
Path switching units for switching signal transmission paths of each of the decoded video and audio signals to different transmission paths according to a path switching control signal, and the time delay of the video and audio signals output from each of the path switching units Buffer memories for delaying by a value, a caption image synthesizing unit for synthesizing the caption image with the time-delayed video signal, and a synchronizing output or the path switching unit for the video signal synthesized with the caption image and the time-delayed audio signal A signal processing unit including a synchronization output unit for synchronizing and outputting a video signal and an audio signal directly input from each;
The selected channel information is transmitted to the closed captioning program management server to inquire whether the caption is a real-time caption broadcasting that is being transmitted delayed compared to the image, and if the query results are real-time caption broadcasting, the decoded video and audio signals are sent to the buffer memories. And a control unit for outputting a path switching control signal to pass through and delaying the decoded video and audio signals with a time delay value transmitted from the closed caption broadcasting program management server. delete

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