KR19990041039A - Set-top box with integrated signal converter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set top box, and in particular, an antenna receiver 100 for receiving a signal input to the set top box; A PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 for determining whether an input signal is a PAL method or an NTSC method; A key input unit 300 positioned on a front panel of the set top box to receive a signal controlled by a user; A central processing unit (400) for processing the signal input through the key input unit (300) and converting the signal in a manner of processing by a television when a signal different from the signal processing method adopted by the television is input; A liquid crystal display output unit 500 for displaying current channel information of the set top box; A RAM 600 for storing temporary data generated during processing of a program by the CPU 400; A PAL audio / video output unit 700 for outputting PAL audio and video signals to a television when the central processing unit 400 outputs a PAL signal; An NTSC audio / video output unit 800 for outputting NTSC audio and video signals to a television when the central processing unit 400 outputs an NTSC signal; An output method selection switch 900 determined by a user's arbitrary; Set-top box with a built-in signal converter, characterized in that it comprises a ROM (1000) that stores a program for driving the set-top box, it is possible to reduce the cost as you can watch TV of the TV processing method and the wrong method There is.

Description

Set-top box with integrated signal converter

The present invention relates to a set top box in which a signal converter of a television is incorporated. In particular, a signal emitted from a satellite is applied to a satellite antenna on the ground, and a signal applied to the satellite antenna is again stored in the set top box. It is applied to the mounted antenna receiver. In this way, the signal applied to the antenna receiver may determine whether the signal is PAL or NTSC according to the scanning player or the MPEG code. After checking the signal processing method, the signal processing method of the TV is determined. By converting the input signal into the same processing method as that of the television, the TV processing only a single method to view both the PAL method and NTSC method.

The video formats widely used around the world include the National Television System Committee (NTSC) method used in the United States, Japan, and Korea, the Phase Alternating by Line (PAL) method used in Europe, China, etc. SECAM (Secam Color A Memory) method used in Eastern Europe and MAC (Multiplexed Analog Component) method are used, among which NTSC and PAL are the most used.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional apparatus includes a set-top box 1, which is configured to process only one of a PAL method and an NTSC method, for processing data transmitted from a satellite, and is connected to the set-top box at a satellite. It consists of a converter (2) to eliminate distortion of the screen when the method of receiving data and the method of processing on a television are different.

However, in the conventional apparatus configured as described above, although the number of channels transmitted from the satellites varies, the method of receiving and processing data on the ground differs from the method of transmitting from the satellites. The converter is used to convert it for TV prior to transmission, but the price of this converter is expensive for the general public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. In particular, a built-in converter in a set-top box enables a satellite signal to be converted into a home using a converter in a set-top box even if the television signal processing method and the received satellite signal are different. The present invention provides a set-top box with a built-in signal converter that converts a television signal into a television.

In order to achieve the above object, the set-top box in which the present invention has a signal converter includes an antenna receiver for receiving a signal emitted from a satellite from a satellite antenna and receiving a signal input to the set-top box through the satellite antenna. ; A PAL / NTSC detector for detecting whether a television signal inputted from the antenna receiver is PAL or NTSC; A key input unit located on a front panel of the set top box to receive a signal controlled by a user; The signal input through the key input unit is processed, and the signal input through the PAL / NTSC detection unit is a PAL method, whereas when the signal system of the television is NTSC, the PAL signal input through the antenna receiver is converted into an NTSC method. Or the input signal is an NTSC method, whereas the signal processing method of the television is a PAL method, and a central processing unit for converting an NTSC signal input through an antenna receiver into an NTSC; A liquid crystal display output unit for allowing a user to visually check the contents of the PAL signal to NTSC or NTSC to PAL in the central processing unit; A RAM for storing temporary data generated while the CPU processes a program; A PAL audio / video output unit for outputting PAL audio and video signals to a television when the central processing unit outputs a PAL signal; An NTSC audio / video output unit for outputting NTSC audio and video signals to a television when the central processing unit outputs an NTSC signal; An output mode selection switch for selecting an output format from among the PAL audio / video output unit and the NTSC audio / video output unit to apply a signal identical to that of a television signal to the television; The technical configuration is characterized by including a ROM that stores a program for driving a set-top box consisting of the elements described above.

1 is a view showing a method for processing a conventional television signal,

Figure 2 shows the configuration of the set-top box with a built-in signal converter of the present invention

Block diagram,

3 is a control flowchart illustrating the operation of the set-top box with a built-in signal converter of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: antenna receiver 200: PAL / NTSC detection unit

300: key input unit 400: central processing unit

500: liquid crystal display output unit 600: RAM

700: PAL video / audio output 800: NTSC video / audio output

900: Output mode selection switch 1000: ROM

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings for an embodiment according to the technical idea of the set-top box with a built-in signal converter of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

<Example>

As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna receiver 100 receives a signal transmitted from the satellite antenna to the central processing unit 400 of the set-top box, and the satellite antenna is emitted from the satellite. The signal is received and applied to the satellite antenna. The PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 selects whether the television signal input from the antenna receiver 100 is PAL or NTSC and applies data to the central processing unit 400 to process the selected signal. And, the key input unit 300 is located on the front panel of the set-top box receives a signal controlled by the user, the central processing unit 400, the signal input through the key input unit 300, that is, the user desired function On the other hand, while the signal input through the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 is a PAL method, whereas the signal processing method of the television is NTSC, the PAL signal input through the antenna receiver 100 is converted into an NTSC method. If the signal processing method of the television is PAL method, the PAL signal inputted through the antenna receiver 100 is converted to NTSC and outputted. The display output unit 500 outputs letters or numbers on the LCD screen so that the user can visually check the contents of the PAL signal to NTSC or NTSC to PAL by the central processing unit 400. The RAM 600 stores temporary data generated during processing of the program by the CPU 400, and the PAL audio / video output unit 700 outputs a PAL signal from the CPU 400. When outputting the PAL audio signal and video signal output to the TV, NTSC audio / video output unit 800 outputs NTSC signal from the central processing unit 400 NTSC audio and video A signal is output to the television, and the output method selection switch 900 transmits the same signal as that of the television signal processing system among the PAL audio / video output unit and the NTSC audio / video output unit. The ROM 1000 allows a user to select an output method for application to the system, and the ROM 1000 stores a program for driving a set-top box made of the above-described elements.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail.

First, the signal processing method of the user TV can be divided into the case of adopting the NTSC method and the case of adopting the PAL method. As shown in FIG. 2, when the user's TV adopts the NTSC method, the NTSC method is used. In this case, the operation of processing the signal transmitted from the satellite is described. The signal emitted from the satellite is received by the satellite antenna, and the satellite antenna receiving the signal from the satellite sets the signal. It is applied to the antenna receiver 100 built in the box.

Then, the antenna receiver 100 applies a signal to the PAL / NTSC detector 200 to determine whether the input television signal is PAL or NTSC.

The PAL / NTSC detector 200 receiving the signal from the antenna receiver 100 checks the scan player or the MPEG code of the signal to determine whether the input signal is a PAL or NTSC method.

There are many ways to distinguish between PAL method and NTSC method. In case of PAL method, the number of injectors is 625, and in case of NTSC method, there are 525 injectors. PAL frequency band is 5.5M and NTSC frequency band is 4.2M.

When the signal input through the satellite antenna is determined by the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 whether the signal is PAL or NTSC, the signal is changed in a manner that is processed by the television to transmit the signal to the television.

At this time, when the signal determined by the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 is the NTSC system, the signal is output from the central processing unit 400 to the NTSC audio / video output unit 800 as it is.

Meanwhile, the NTSC audio / video output unit 800 receiving the NTSC audio signal and the video signal from the central processing unit 400 outputs the NTSC signal to the output mode selection switch 900.

The output method selection switch 900 is divided into auto mode, PAL mode and NTSC mode, and the user can select the mode arbitrarily.

In order for the NTSC audio / video output unit 800 to apply the same signal as that of the television signal processing system to the television, the output mode selection switch unit 900 selects an output format and outputs the signal to the television.

On the other hand, if the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 determines the signal as a result of the PAL method is not NTSC method PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 notifies the central processing unit 400 that the signal of the PAL method and at the same time signal The central processing unit 400 is applied.

The central processing unit 400 receives the signal from the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 converts the PAL signal to the NTSC method to match the processing method of the television.

The CPU 400 converts a signal from a PAL method to an NTSC method by mobilizing programs and data stored in the RAM 600 and the ROM 1000.

This is because a program for converting the PAL signal to the NTSC method is already stored in the RAM 600. The central processing unit 400 converting the PAL signal to the NTSC method applies the converted signal to the NTSC video / audio output unit 800.

Since the position of the output mode selection switch 900 is already adjusted by the user in the NTSC system, it is not necessary to switch the position of the switch.

The NTSC video / audio output unit 800, which receives the NTSC signal from the central processing unit 400, transmits the signal to the television through the output method selection switch 900, and the user can receive a clean screen. Will be.

On the other hand, when the user's television adopts the PAL method, only the PAL signal can be viewed. In this case, the operation of the signal transmitted from the satellite is described. The signal emitted from the satellite is received by the satellite antenna. The satellite antenna receiving the signal from the satellite applies the signal to the antenna receiver 100 embedded in the set top box.

Then, the antenna receiver 100 applies a signal to the PAL / NTSC detector 200 to determine whether the input television signal is PAL or NTSC.

The PAL / NTSC detector 200 receiving the signal from the antenna receiver 100 checks the scan player or the MPEG code of the signal to determine whether the input signal is a PAL or NTSC scheme.

When the signal input through the satellite antenna is determined by the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 whether the signal is PAL or NTSC, the signal is changed in a manner that is processed by the television to transmit the signal to the television.

In this case, when the signal determined by the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 is the PAL method, the central processing unit 400 outputs the signal to the PAL audio / video output unit 700 as it is.

Meanwhile, the PAL audio / video output unit 700 receiving the PAL audio signal and the video signal from the central processing unit 400 outputs the PAL signal to the output method selection switch 900.

In order for the NTSC audio / video output unit 700 to apply the same signal as that of the television signal processing system to the television, the output mode selection switch unit 900 selects an output form and outputs the signal to the television.

On the other hand, when the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 determines the signal as a result of the NTSC method other than the PAL method, the PAL / NTSC detection unit notifies the central processing unit 400 that the signal of the NTSC method and at the same time the signal ( 400).

The central processing unit 400 receives a signal from the PAL / NTSC detection unit 200 converts the NTSC signal to the PAL method according to the television processing method.

The central processing unit 400 converts signals from NTSC to PAL by mobilizing programs and data stored in the RAM 600 and the ROM 1000.

This is because a program for converting an NTSC signal into a PAL method is already stored in the RAM 600. The central processing unit 400 converting the NTSC signal into the PAL method applies the converted signal to the PAL video / audio output unit 700.

Since the position of the output method selection switch 900 is already adjusted to the PAL method by the user, it is not necessary to switch the position of the switch.

The PAL video / audio output unit 700 receiving the PAL signal from the central processing unit 400 transmits the signal to the television through the output method selection switch 900, and the user can receive a clean screen. Will be.

The signal processing of the set-top box can be briefly described as a control flow diagram. As shown in FIG. 3, in the first step (S1), it is determined whether the output method of the set-top box is selected from PAL mode, NTSC mode, or auto mode. In the second step S2, it is compared whether the mode selected in the set-top box among the modes described in the first step S1 is an auto mode, and in the third step S3, the second step S2 As a result of the determination, the auto mode checks whether the television signal inputted from the satellite is input by the PAL method or the NTSC method. In the fourth step S4, as a result of checking in the third step S3, In the fifth step S5, if the signal is the PAL method, the PAL method is output to the television, and in the sixth step S6, it is determined whether or not the signal is the PAL method. The comparison result of the determination in the step 4 (S4), if not the PAL system, and outputs the NTSC system.

In the seventh step S7, when the auto mode is not in the second step S2, it is determined whether the output mode selected in the set-top box is the PAL mode. In the eighth step S8, the seventh step S7 is determined. In the case where the result output method compared to the PAL method is outputted, the PAL method is output to the television. In the ninth step S9, the NTSC method is outputted when the result output method compared to the seventh step S7 is not the PAL method. It is operated to

As described above, the set-top box in which the signal converter of the present invention is incorporated, in particular, even if the television has one type of processing, the set-top box in which the signal converter is built-in can be used to process the NTSC signal. It is possible to watch TV by changing the signal of PAL method to NTSC method. Also, it is a TV that processes PAL signal and can watch TV by changing NTSC signal to PAL method. The wrong way to watch television is to save money.

Claims (2)

An antenna receiver configured to receive a signal input to the set top box through the satellite antenna; A PAL / NTSC detector for determining whether the signal processing method of the television inputted from the antenna receiver is PAL or NTSC; A key input unit located on a front panel of the set top box to receive a signal controlled by a user; A central processing unit for processing a signal input through the key input unit and converting a signal in a manner of processing by a television when a signal different from a signal processing method adopted by a user's television is input; A liquid crystal display output unit for allowing a user to visually check the contents of the PAL signal to NTSC or NTSC to PAL in the central processing unit; A RAM for storing temporary data generated while the CPU processes a program; A PAL audio / video output unit for outputting PAL audio and video signals to a television when the central processing unit outputs a PAL signal; An NTSC audio / video output unit for outputting NTSC audio and video signals to a television when the central processing unit outputs an NTSC signal; An output method selection switch determined by a user; Set-top box with a built-in signal converter, characterized in that it comprises a ROM that stores a program for driving the set-top box consisting of the elements described above. A first step (S1) of checking which of the PAL mode, NTSC mode, and auto mode is selected as the output method of the set-top box; A second step (S2) of comparing whether the mode selected in the set-top box among the modes described in the first step (S1) is an auto mode; A third step (S3) of checking whether the television signal input from the satellite is input in the PAL method or the NTSC method if it is determined that the auto mode is in the second step (S2); A fourth step S4 of comparing and determining whether the signal applied from the satellite is the PAL method as a result of the checking in the third step S3; A fifth step (S5) of outputting the PAL method to the television when the result of the comparison in the fourth step (S4) is the PAL method; A sixth step S6 of outputting an NTSC method when the PAL method is not determined as a result of the comparison in the fourth step S4; A seventh step (S7) of comparing and determining whether the output mode selected in the set-top box is the PAL mode if the auto mode is not in the second step (S2); An eighth step (S8) of outputting the PAL method to the television when the result output method compared with the seventh step (S7) is the PAL method; The set-top box with a built-in signal converter, characterized in that the operation is performed in a ninth step (S9) for outputting the NTSC method if the output method is not the PAL method but the NTSC method in the seventh step (S7).