KR19980030718A - DVH signal switching function built-in set-top box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a satellite broadcasting signal received by the built-in signal switching function of the VB VSI in the set-top box which is a device to process the satellite broadcasting signal received by the satellite antenna to the TV to receive the satellite broadcast TV A set-top box with a built-in BD signal switching function for recording a DVD to a BD, a BD tape, or playing back a recorded satellite signal. An interconnection between a TV, a set-top box, and a DVHS VCR device. In the present invention, by transmitting the actual data between the TV, the set-top box and the DVHS VCR as it is to process the signal received from each signal processing unit, by providing a simple data interconnection device that does not require a complicated separate digital interface TV To simplify the interconnection between the device and the set-top box and the DVHS VCR device. On the other hand, not only does not need a separate digital interface (such as IEEE 1394), but also allows the user to record the satellite broadcast content directly on the VHS tape or DVHS tape during the satellite broadcast has the effect of increasing the convenience of use.

Description

DVH signal switching function built-in set-top box

The present invention is a DVHS VCR (Digital Video Cassette Recorder, DVHS VCR) in a set-top box which is a device that processes and supplies a satellite broadcast signal received by a satellite antenna to a TV to receive satellite broadcasts. The present invention relates to a set-top box with a built-in signal switching function so that a satellite signal can be recorded from a DVCR to a DVHS tape or a recorded satellite signal can be played back.

Satellite broadcasting, which is currently under test broadcasting in Korea, is broadcasted by a broadcasting satellite (BS) located on a stationary orbit above the equator of about 35,000 to 36,000 km above the ground. It is a broadcasting method to receive at home by using parabolic antenna on the ground, and it can watch with clear picture and perfect sound within the radio wave range, so it is conducted in advanced countries such as USA, Japan, Germany, France, etc. And Korea is the next generation TV broadcasting system which is currently under test broadcasting.

In order to receive such satellite broadcasts from a TV in a home (TV; TeleVision), a satellite receiving antenna and a satellite broadcasting receiver device called a set-top box must be connected to the TV. .

In the set-top box used for satellite broadcasting as described above, a low noise block (LNB; Low Noise Block-Down Converter), a waveguide (Feedhorn), and a 3G to 13 Hz radio wave emitted from a satellite are received by a satellite (BS) antenna. The converter, which consists of a pole, etc., provides low-noise and high-amplification of the radio wave received from the antenna at a frequency of 1/10 to be supplied to the set-top box through a coaxial cable. A device for converting a channel of satellite broadcasting and transmitting RF and TV video signals and audio signals in order to be reproduced on a TV. Looking at the configuration of such a set-top box in more detail, as shown in FIG. Tuner (1) for tuning and demodulating and outputting signals received from the converter connected to the satellite antenna via the coaxial cable And an analog / digital converter (2) which receives the signal output from the tuner (1) and converts the analog signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal converted by the analog / digital converter (2). A FEC decoder (3) for correcting an error of a transport bit stream (TS) and outputting the same, and receiving a signal output from the FEC decoder (3), a program element stream (PES). MPEG-2 (MPEG II; Moving Picture Experts Group II, hereinafter referred to as MPEG II) compression of the data received from the transport demultiplexer 4 and the data stream output from the transport demultiplexer 4 is generated. Video signal from the MPEG II decoder 5 and the digital signal compressed in the MPEG II standard by the MPEG II decoder 5, such as NTSC, PAL or SECAM. An encoder 6 for incubating a call, a color signal separator 7 for separating a color signal from a video signal encoded by the encoder 6, and outputting a Y signal as a luminance signal and a C signal as a color signal, and the encoder 6 The modulator 8 modulates the video signal encoded by the digital signal and outputs the video signal to the video terminal. The digital / converter converts the digital audio signal into an analog signal by receiving only an audio signal from the signal compressed by the MPEG II decoder 5. An analog converter 9, an audio amplifier 10 that amplifies an audio signal converted from the digital / analog converter 9 into a digital signal and outputs it to an audio terminal, and a MCU 11 which is a central processing unit for controlling the whole system. Etc.)

DVHS VCR, which is currently under development, is a kind of digital DVCR, unlike a conventional analog VCR, and digitalizes a video signal input from various signal sources so as to use a dedicated editor or work. It is also connected to various information devices such as workstations or personal computers (PCs), enabling various editing and advanced functions that were not possible with conventional analog VCRs, as well as video and audio for high quality recording and playback. As a recording / playback device, it is also used in connection with broadcast satellite (BS), high definition TV (HDTV) and set-top box (HDTV), which is expected to play a pivotal role in the next generation multimedia device field. One.

Among the entire circuits of the DVHS VCR for recording and reproducing the magnetic signal recorded on the magnetic tape, FIG. 2 shows a partial block circuit diagram including only the DVHS unit, which is a digital processing unit except the VHS unit, which is a conventional analog signal processing unit. This DVHS VCR is compatible with both conventional analog VHS tapes and new digital DVHS tapes. The DVHS VCR can be loaded and recorded according to the type of tape loaded. A deck unit 13 for sending a control signal for driving the VHS processing unit or the DVHS processing unit of the system, and AGC 13, which is an automatic gain controller that is driven when the DVHS control signal is output from the deck unit 13, and amplifies the reproduction signal of the DVHS. ) And an analog / digital converter for converting the analog signal amplified by the AGC 13 into a digital signal ( 14 and a digital detector 15 which detects an output level from the output waveform of the digital signal converted by the analog / digital converter 14 and restores channel head-to-head interference of the magnetic signal recorded at a high density into the head on the rotating drum. ), A codec 16 for encoding and outputting the signal reconstructed by the digital detector 15 by channel decoding, and adjusting the channel bit rating through buffering the signal encoded by the codec 16 to the set-up box side. Whether the coded signal from the codec 16 is valid when the data is output from the codec 16 and the buffer 17 to the buffer 17 to be output. A controller 18 for controlling the timing at which the buffer 17 receives data from the codec 16 by informing the buffer 17 of a valid signal for notifying the signal and a clock signal for notifying transmission start;It is configured to include a sub MCU (19) connected to the main MCU inside the deck 12 to control the entire system with the main MCU.

The set-top box and the DVHS VCR having the above-described configuration have been developed as independent technologies, and the concept of interconnecting them has been introduced very recently, and some standards have been established.

The connection between the set-top box and the DVHS VCR is shown in FIG. 3. First, when the satellite broadcast received through the satellite antenna (BS ANT) is input to the tuner 211 of the set-top box through the converter connected to the satellite antenna on the set-top box side. After tuning and demodulating in the tuner 211, and converting to digital, when the user wants to watch satellite broadcast contents on a TV, the switching switch SW is switched to a TV terminal and demodulated in the tuner 211 and converted into digital. The on-signal is expanded by the digital expander 212 and the digital / analog converter 213 of the MPEG II decoder 214, modulated into an analog signal, and then sent to a subsequent processing circuit for output to the TV. To record the satellite broadcasts processed by the tuner 212 to a VHS or DVHS tape on a DVHS VCR, or to record a program recorded on a VHS or DVHS tape. When the CR and the set-top box are connected and played back through a TV, the switching switch SW is switched to a DVHS terminal to demodulate the digital signal converted by the tuner 211 to a connection port 216 of the DVHS VCR. A program recorded on a VHS or DVHS tape sent through the connection port 222 of the VHS unit 224 / DVHS unit 223 to a VHS tape or a DVHS tape through the connection port 222 to the set-top box through the DVHS side. Is sent to the TV via the connection port 216 of the set-top box to play.

The connection method between the set-top box and the DVHS VCR is at the stage of the digital interface standard (IEEE 1394), but it may or may not be connected according to various other digital interfaces that may emerge. In addition, there is a problem that the connection between the set-top box and the DVHS VCR is complicated and signal switching is difficult even when connected.

In addition, in the present TV system without an input port of a digital interface, there is a restriction to be input as an analog signal anyway, and in the environment in which the set-top box and the DVHS VCR are developed as separate devices as described above, the 2 The connection between the devices of the type requires a digital interface, which, as pointed out above, has a problem that the signal flow is complicated and difficult to control.

In the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, in the interconnection between the TV, the set-top box and the DVHS VCR device, the real data is transmitted between the TV, the set-top box, and the DVHS VCR as received from each signal processor. The goal is to provide a simple data interconnect that does not require a complex digital interface by allowing signal processing.

1 is a schematic block circuit diagram of a conventional set-top box overall circuit.

2 is a schematic partial block circuit diagram of a conventional VHS.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an interconnection state for signal switching between a conventional set-top box and VHS.

Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the interconnection state for the signal switching between the set-top box and the VBS of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

1: Tuner 2, 14: Analog-to-digital converter

3: QPSK Demodulation and FEC Decoder 4: Transport Demultiplexer

5: MPEG II Decoder 6: Encoder

7: color signal separator 8: modulator

9: digital / analog converter 10: audio amplifier

11: MCU12: deck

13: AGC15: digital detector

16: codec 17: buffer

18: Controller 19: Sub MCU

20: Clock Generator (VCO) 21: Set Top Box

211: Tuner 212: Digital Expander

213: Digital / Analog Converter 214: MPEG2 Decoder

215: SW216: DVHS connection port

22: BH VSIAL 221: Deck

222: set-top box connection port 223: VHS

224: VHS part 225: S1

226: S2227: S3

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a tuner for tuning and demodulating a signal input through a converter connected to a satellite antenna by a satellite broadcast received through a satellite antenna (BS ANT) and the digital tuner. An MPEG II decoder which decodes a signal demodulated by the tuner and has been digitally converted into an MPEG II method and sends the signal to a subsequent processing unit, and is provided between the tuner and the MPEG II decoder to process a signal processed by the tuner into a later MPEG II decoder or It was configured to include a switching switch (S2) for switching to the DVHS side. On the DVHS VCR side, a TV tuner for demodulating a VHF or UHF signal received from a TV antenna, a VHS signal processor for reproducing and recording a VHS tape, and a DVHS signal processor for reproducing and recording a DVHS tape, and the TV tuner and the VHS signal processor. Is provided at the rear end of the switching switch (S1) and the VHS signal processing unit for switching the signal received through the TV tuner to the next VHS signal processing unit or set-top box side and sent from the signal or set-top box processed by the VHS signal processing unit It was configured to include a switching switch (S3) for switching the signal to output to the monitor side.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the switching switch S2 is switched between the BS tuner stage and the DVHS stage of the DVHS VCR on the set top box side, the satellite broadcast signal received from the satellite antenna when the switching switch S2 is switched to the BS tuner stage. Is processed through a subsequent MPEG II decoder and sent to the TV. When the switch S2 is switched to the DVHS stage, the satellite broadcasting signal received from the satellite antenna is sent to the DVHS signal processing unit of the DVHS. It is intended to be recorded on tape.

On the DVHS VCR side, when the switching switch S1 is switched to the TV stage or the set-top box stage and switched to the TV stage, the VHF signal or UHF signal received through the TV antenna is demodulated by the TV tuner and sent to a later VHS signal processor. Another switching switch S3 is switched between the rear end of the VHS signal processing unit and the rear end of the MPEG II decoder of the set-top box, and when the switching switch is switched to the VHS end, the TV signal sent from the VHS signal processing unit is output to the monitor. When it is switched to the MPEG stage, the signal processed by the MPEG II decoder of the set-top box is output to the monitor.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention;

According to the present invention for achieving the above object, as shown in Figure 4, the satellite broadcast received through the satellite antenna (BS ANT) to tune and demodulate the signal input through the converter connected to the satellite antenna to convert the digital A tuner 211, an MPEG II decoder 214 which decodes the demodulated signal digitally converted by the tuner 211 in an MPEG II manner and sends it to a subsequent processing unit, and the tuner 211 and the MPEG II decoder ( A set-top box provided between 214 and switching switches (S2) 226 for switching the signal processed by the tuner 211 to a later MPEG II decoder 214 or DVHS; A TV tuner 228 that demodulates a VHF or UHF signal received from a TV antenna, a VHS signal processor 224 for playing back and recording a VHS tape, a DVHS signal processor 223 for playing back and recording a DVHS tape, and the TV tuner A switching switch (S1) 225 and the VHS signal processor 224 for switching the signal received through the TV tuner 228 between the 228 and the VHS signal processor 224 to a later VHS signal processor or set-top box. And a switching switch (S3) 227 configured to switch the signal processed by the VHS signal processor 224 or the signal sent from the set-top box and output to the monitor side.

According to the present invention configured as described above, first, the switching switch (S2) 226 on the set-top box side is switched between the BS tuner stage (H) and the DVHS stage (L) of the DVHS VCR, so that the switching switch (S2) (226) ) Is switched to the BS tuner stage (H), the satellite broadcast signal received from the satellite antenna is processed through a subsequent MPEG II decoder 214 to be sent to the TV, and the switching switch (S2) 226 is DVHS When switched to stage L, the satellite broadcast signal received from the satellite antenna is sent to the DVHS signal processing unit 223 of the DVHS and recorded on the DVHS tape in the DVHS VCR.

On the DVHS VCR side, when the switching switch S1 225 is switched to the TV stage H or the set-top box stage L, the switching switch S1 225 is switched to the TV stage H. The VHF signal or UHF signal received through the TV antenna is demodulated by the TV tuner 228 and then sent to the VHS signal processor 224, and another switching switch (S3) 227 of the VHS signal processor 224 When the switching switch (S3) 227 is switched to the VHS stage (H) by switching between the rear stage and the rear stage of the MPEG II decoder 214 of the set-top box, the VHS signal processing unit 224 monitors the TV signal. Is outputted to the MPEG stage L, the signal processed by the MPEG II decoder 214 of the set-top box is output to the monitor.

This switching state and the flow of signals is as follows.

That is, S1-H, S2-X, S3-H; Watch existing TV

S1-X, S2-X, S3-H; VHS playback

S1-X, S2-H, S3-L; Satellite broadcasting

S1-X, S2-L, S3-L; DVHS playback

S1-H, S2-X, S3-H; Original TV recording

S1-X, S2-H, S3-L; Record satellite broadcasting in DVHS

S1-H, S2-H, S3-H; It is supposed to record satellite broadcasting in VHS.

In the present invention thus achieved, in the interconnection between a TV, a set-top box and a DVHS VCR device, the real data is transmitted as it is between the TV, the set-top box, and the DVHS VCR, thereby processing a signal input from each signal processor. It provides a simple data interconnect that eliminates the need for a complex digital interface, simplifying the interconnection between TVs and set-top boxes and DVHS VCR devices, while eliminating the need for a separate digital interface (such as IEEE 1394). It is possible to record satellite contents directly on VHS tape or DVHS tape while receiving satellite broadcasting, which enhances the convenience of use.

Claims (3)

In a set-top box having an interconnect function with a DVHS VCR, A tuner 211 for tuning and demodulating a signal input through a converter connected to a satellite antenna for satellite broadcasting received through a satellite antenna (BS ANT); An MPEG II decoder 214 which decodes the signal demodulated by the tuner 211 and has been digitally converted in an MPEG II manner and sent to a subsequent processing unit; A switching switch (S2) 226 provided between the tuner 211 and the MPEG II decoder 214 to switch the signal processed by the tuner 211 to a later MPEG II decoder 214 or DVHS. Set-top box device, characterized in that configured. In a DVHS VCR having an interconnect function with a set-top box, A TV tuner 228 that demodulates a VHF or UHF signal received at a TV antenna; A VHS signal processor 224 for reproducing and recording a VHS tape; A DVHS signal processor 223 for reproducing and recording a DVHS tape; A switching switch (S1) 225 for switching the signal received through the TV tuner 228 between the TV tuner 228 and the VHS signal processor 224 to a later VHS signal processor or set-top box side; It is provided at the rear end of the VHS signal processing unit 224 is configured to include a switching switch (S3) (227) for switching the signal processed by the VHS signal processing unit 224 or the signal sent from the set-top box and output to the monitor side. DVHS VCR device, characterized in that. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a tuner (211) for satellite broadcasting received through a satellite antenna (BS ANT) for tuning and demodulating a signal input through a converter connected to a satellite antenna and converting the signal to digital; An MPEG II decoder 214 which decodes the signal demodulated by the tuner 211 and has been digitally converted in an MPEG II manner and sent to a subsequent processing unit; A switch (S2) 226 provided between the tuner 211 and the MPEG II decoder 214 to switch the signal processed by the tuner 211 to a later MPEG II decoder 214 or DVHS. DVHS VCR device, characterized in that the built-in, including.