KR19990067826A - Television receiving set - Google Patents

Abstract

The main microcomputer detects the rating information in the selected main video signal in which the image is displayed on the parent window. The rating information processing circuit detects the rating information in the sub video signal in which the image is displayed on the child window and sends it to the main microcomputer. The main microcomputer compares the rating level information stored in the RAM with each rating information detected in the main and sub video signals, and performs image display output control on each of the main and sub video signals according to the comparison results. .

Description

Television receiver {Television receiving set}

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a television receiver that provides a multi-window function that allows pictures composed of a plurality of video signals to be displayed simultaneously.

Description of the Prior Art

Many different kinds of television programs are broadcast. Anyone can easily watch these TV programs at home with a TV receiver. Therefore, there is a general problem that television programs, which are not suitable for low-age children, such as television programs with many violent scenes, are provided to low-age children without any limitation.

To solve this problem, a television program is broadcast with added so-called rating information used to limit its output on a television receiver.

The (represented) output of the television program may be limited in the television receiver.

This rating information is set to be specified according to the contents of the television programs, such as programs for children 6 years old and younger, programs for 7 years old and younger children, and programs unsuitable for children 14 years old and younger.

It can be used to limit the output on a television receiver depending on the viewer's age and other items.

The broadcasting station adds rating information specified according to the contents of the television program as a video signal of the program for broadcasting. The rating information is added to the video signal in, for example, the 21st horizontal period in the vertical blanking period.

On the other hand, in television receivers, when viewers of television programs on the television receiver include guardians, such as children under 14, parents of the child, even if a television program is selected that is not suitable for children under 14 years of age, Rating level information serving as a reference used for not outputting a television program having indicative rating information is preset.

The television receiver is set to be added to the video signal of the selected television program, and the information used for comparing the rating level information previously specified in the television receiver with rating information obtained from the extracted rating information is compared.

When the extracted rating information is determined, for example, when the program is for children 7 years of age and older, that is to say that the program is determined from a comparison result having a rating level lower than that of the program of predetermined rating level information, the program is television. The output is determined to be a television program that is allowed to be viewed on the receiver.

Conversely, if the extracted rating information is for example not suitable for children under 14 years of age or children under 17 years old, in other words, if the program has a higher rating level than the program of pre-specified rating level information, The program is determined to be a television program that is not allowed to be viewed on the television receiver and is not output.

This process is called blocking process. The control unit formed by the microprocessor extracts the rating information, decodes to obtain the information compared with the rating level, and performs a process of comparing the rating level.

At the same time as the above process, the user of the television receiver controls the television programs so that inappropriate television programs are not provided according to the child's age or other items in order to effectively prevent the child from receiving the adverse effect of the television program.

So-called television receivers with a multi-window function have recently been used commercially. For example, the entire display screen of a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), is set as a parent window, so-called child windows are provided in part of the parent window. Pictures composed of two video signals can be reproduced simultaneously with a parent window and a child window. Therefore, a television receiver provided with a multi-window function called a picture-in-picture function is available.

A television receiver having a multi-window function is also available such that pictures composed of a plurality of video signals can be displayed simultaneously on a plurality of windows configured by dividing a display screen of a display device.

In such a television receiver having a multi-window function, any kind of image display control performed according to the rating information added to each video signal is not considered for each of a plurality of television programs that can be viewed simultaneously. Display control of a plurality of television programs that can be displayed at the same time is executed according to the rating information added to the selected video signal as the main video signal.

In a television receiver having a picture-in-picture function, for example, control of a sub video signal used for picture display on a child window is performed according to rating information added to a main video signal selected for picture display on a parent window. In the same way, in a television receiver having a multi-window function capable of dividing the screen into a plurality of windows, for example, the control of the sub video signals used for the image display on the divided windows other than the main window is the main divided window. It is performed according to the rating information added to the main video signal selected for the picture display on the image.

Thus, when the rating information added to the main video signal has a higher rating level than a previously specified rating level, the picture is not displayed on the child window or on any other divided windows other than the main window. At the same time as this operation, the positive control of the video signal of the television program to be displayed at least on the parent window or on the main window is executed according to the rating information added to the video signal.

When the rating information added to the main video signal has a higher rating level than the previously specified rating level information, however, the divided information other than the main window or the rating information added to the video signal used for the image display on the child window Even if the rating information added to the video signals used for image display on the field has a lower rating level than the previously specified rating level information, the picture is on the child window or on any divided windows other than the main window. It is not displayed.

When the rating information added to the main video signal has a lower rating level than pre-specified rating level information, divided windows other than the main window or the rating information added to the sub video signal used for image display on the child window Even if the rating information added to the sub video signals used for the image display on the image has a higher rating level than the previously specified rating level information, the image is on the child window or on all divided windows other than the main window. Is displayed.

It may be considered that a control unit composed of a microcomputer extracts the rating information added to the sub video signal, decodes the extracted rating information, and compares the rating level with the information obtained by decoding.

However, if this is done, too much load is applied to the controller and processing delays occur. Especially in a television receiver having a multi-window function for three or more windows, since the blocking process is applied to three or more sub video signals at the control unit, an appropriate blocking process is not applied to each of the video signals. It is considered that this does not happen.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a television receiver in which, when an image composed of a plurality of signals is displayed at the same time, an output control composed of a plurality of signals is appropriately executed according to the rating information added to each video signal.

The above object has a function for combining images of a plurality of video signals corresponding to a plurality of input signals and a function for displaying on one screen, and holding means for holding restriction information previously specified by the user. A first blocking processor for executing a picture-display-output disabling process corresponding to the first video signal among the plurality of video signals, and extracting additional information added to the first video signal, thereby extracting the extracted information. By detecting the information related to the display rule used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means within, and comparing the detected information related to the display rule with the restriction information held by the holding means. By means of the image-display-output disabling processing in the first blocking processing section. Control means for controlling execution, a second blocking processor for executing an image-display-output corresponding to a second video signal other than the first video signal, and information according to the extracted additional information to the control means. And additional-information detection means for said second video signal for extracting said additional information added to said second video signal, said control means being an image-display-output in said second blocking processor. Controls execution of the disabling process.

The restriction information specified by the user may be data such as rating level information according to a higher age limit of people who can view.

The additional information may be display-rule data used to limit the display of each of the plurality of pictures corresponding to the plurality of input signals. The display-rule data may be data such as rating information according to the lower age restriction of those who are able to watch the corresponding picture.

The television receiver allows a second video signal other than the first video signal to correspond to the plurality of video signals corresponding to the plurality of input signals, and executes picture-display-output disabling corresponding to the plurality of video signals. It may be such a configuration that the blocking processing units to provide.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the holding means holds rating information serving as a reference for determining whether or not an image composed of a video signal is allowed to be output in the television receiver by comparing with rating information added to the video signal. .

When a multi-window function such as picture-in-picture is used and pictures consisting of two video signals are displayed simultaneously. For example, the control means extracts rating information from the first video signal whose image is displayed on the parent window, and detects information related to the rating level used to compare with the rating level information in the extracted rating information. And comparing the information related to the rating level with the rating level information held by the holding means. According to the comparison result, the control means controls the first blocking processing unit so that the picture composed of the first video signal is not displayed when the output of the first video signal is not allowed in the television receiver.

The rating information detecting means for the second video signal extracts the rating information added to the second video signal from the second video signal having the image to be displayed on the child window, and the control means extracts the information based on the extracted rating information. send.

According to the information related to the rating information sent from the rating information detecting means for the second video signal and the rating level information held by the holding means, the control means is adapted to control when the output of the second video signal is not allowed in the television receiver. The second blocking processing unit is controlled so that an image composed of two video signals is not displayed.

With the above configuration, image display output control is performed for each of the second video signal and the first video signal according to the rating information added to each video signal.

The rating information detection means for the second video signal outputs the extracted rating information to the control means, the control means being rated by the holding means in the rating information sent from the rating information detection means for the second video signal. By detecting information related to the rating level used to compare with the level information, and by comparing the detected information related to the rating level with the rating level information held by the holding means, the image-display- at the second blocking processing section. Controls the performance of the output disabling process.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the rating information detecting means for the second video signal sends the rating information extracted from the second video signal to the control means.

The control means detects information related to the rating level used to compare with the rating level information in the rating information extracted from the second video signal, and compares the rating level information held by the holding means with the information related to the rating level. . According to the comparison result, the control means controls the second blocking processing unit.

In this operation, since the information related to the rating information sent from the rating information detecting means for the second video signal is the same as the rating information extracted from the second video signal, the control means is adapted to the rating information extracted from the first video signal. The second blocking processor is appropriately controlled by applying the same processing as applied to the rating information extracted from the second video signal. Since the rating information added to the second video signal is extracted by the rating information detecting means, the control means is not overloaded.

The rating information detecting means for the second video signal detects information related to the rating level used for comparing with the rating level information held by the holding means in the extracted rating information and the control means detects the detected information related to the rating level. Print information. The control means then controls the performance of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing section by comparing the rating level information held by the holding means with information related to the rating level.

According to the television award of the present invention, the rating information detecting means for the second video signal sends information related to the rating level detected in the rating information extracted from the second video signal to the control means.

The control means compares the rating level information held by the holding means with information related to the rating level sent from the rating information detecting means for the second video signal. According to the comparison result, the control means controls the second blocking processing unit.

In this operation, since the control means does not need to detect information related to the rating level in the information based on the rating information sent from the rating information detection means for the second video signal, the load of the control means does not increase. In other words, when a multi-window function is used, an image composed of a plurality of video signals is displayed at the same time, and blocking processing is appropriately applied to each video signal according to each video signal.

The rating information detecting means for the second video signal detects information related to the rating level used for comparison with the rating level information held by the holding means in the extracted rating information, and the rating level information held by the holding means. And detected information related to the rating level, and outputs the comparison result to the control means. The control means then controls the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing section in accordance with the comparison result.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the rating level information held by the holding means is sent to the rating information detecting means for the second video signal. The rating information detecting means for the second video signal compares the information related to the rating level detected in the rating information extracted from the second video signal with the rating level information sent from the holding means, and sends the comparison result to the control means.

The control means controls the second blocking processing unit according to the information indicating the comparison result sent from the rating information detecting means for the second video signal.

The control means controls the second blocking processor by the direct use of the information based on the rating information sent from the rating information detection means for the second video signal. In addition, the comparison of the rating level information held by the detecting or holding means related information with the information relating to the rating level is not necessary in the control means. Therefore, the load applied to the control means for controlling the second blocking processing portion is suppressed to the minimum level.

Therefore, even in this case, too, when the multi-window function is used and pictures composed of a plurality of video signals are displayed at the same time, blocking processing is appropriately applied to each video signal according to each video signal.

The television receiver according to the present invention comprises display information generating means for generating a signal used for displaying display information in a display area of an image composed of a second video signal, the control means comprising: an image-display-output display; When the sable processing is performed on the second video signal, the second blocking processing unit is controlled so that the signal generated by the display information generating means is output instead of the second video signal.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, when the picture-display-output disabling processing is applied to the second video signal under the control of the control means, the second blocking processing portion is a signal generated by the display information generating means instead of the second video signal. The display information composed of the signal generated by the display information generating means is displayed in the display area of the image composed of the second video signal.

When the second video signal is not output because the second video signal is blocked by the second blocking processor, display information indicating the blocked second video signal is displayed in the display area of the picture composed of the second video signal. In this case, since the condition under which the second video signal is blocked is understood by the display information for a while, the user does not suffer from the television receiver.

Since the signal for displaying the display information generated by the display information generating means is used in place of the second video signal only, the display information indicative of the blocked second video signal can be relatively easily removed without performing complicated processing. It is displayed in the display area of an image composed of two video signals.

The above object is achieved within another aspect of the invention through the provision of a television receiver having a function for displaying on one screen and for combining pictures consisting of a plurality of video signals corresponding to the plurality of input signals. .

The television receiver has at least a holding means for holding restriction information specified in advance by the user, and a first blocking for executing a picture-display-output disabling process corresponding to the first video signal of the plurality of video signals. The processing section extracts additional information added to the first video signal, detects information related to the display rule used to compare the restriction information held by the holding means in the extracted information, and detects that related to the display rule. First control means for controlling the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the first blocking processing section by comparing the stored information with the restriction information held by the holding means, a second video signal other than the first video signal. Second blocking process for executing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to And extracting additional information added to the second video signal, detecting information related to the display rule used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means in the extracted information, and held by the holding means. And second control means for controlling the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing unit by comparing the detected restriction information with the detected information related to the display rule.

Also, in this case, the restriction information specified by the user may be data such as rating level information according to the upper age restriction of those who are allowed to view.

The additional information may be display-rule data used to limit the display of each of the plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of input signals. The display-rule data can be data such as rating information according to the lower age restriction of those allowed to view the corresponding picture.

The television receiver may be configured such that the second video signal corresponds to a plurality of video signals corresponding to a plurality of input signals other than the first video signal, and the picture-display-output disable corresponding to the plurality of video signals. Blocking processing units are provided for executing the ring processing.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the holding means obtains the rating level information as a reference for determining whether or not an image composed of the video signal is allowed to be output in the television receiver by comparison with rating information added to the video signal. Keep it.

When a multi-window function such as picture-in-picture is used and pictures consisting of two video signals are displayed simultaneously. For example, the control means extracts rating information from the first video signal, detects information related to the rating level used for comparison with the rating level information in the extracted rating information, and the rating level information held by the holding means. And information related to the rating level. According to the comparison result, the control means controls the first blocking processing unit so that an image composed of the first video signal is not displayed when the output of the first video signal is not allowed in the television receiver.

On the other hand, in the same manner as in the case of the control means for detecting the rating information in the first video signal, the second control means extracts the rating information from the second video signal. The second control means detects information related to the rating level used for comparison with the rating level information in the extracted rating information, and compares the rating level information held by the holding means with the information related to the rating level. According to the comparison result, the second control means controls the second blocking processing unit so that an image composed of the second video signal is not displayed when the output of the second video signal is not allowed in the television receiver.

The picture display output is appropriately controlled for each of the first video signal and the second video signal according to the rating information added to each of the video signals. Since the first blocking processing section and the second blocking processing section control by separating the control means, the rods controlling both the blocking processing sections are separated.

Display information generating means for generating a signal used for displaying the display information in the display area of the picture composed of the second video signal by the television receiver according to the present invention may be included, and the second control means may include the picture. When the display-output disabling process is executed for the second video signal, the signal generated by the display information generating means is output instead of the second video signal.

According to the television receiver of the present invention, the second blocking processing portion is generated by the display information generating means instead of the second video signal when the picture-display-output disabling processing is applied to the second video signal under the control of the second control means. The outputted signal, and the display information of the signal generated by the display information generating means is displayed in the display area of the image composed of the second video signal.

In this case, since the blocked second video signal condition is understood by display information for a while, the user does not suffer from the television receiver. When the second blocking processing unit executes the image-display-output disabling process under the control of the second control means, since only the signal generated by the display information generating means is used in place of the second video signal, the load is applied to the control means. Not applied, the control means executes processing on the first video signal.

1 is a block diagram of a television receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram for describing an example of rating information.

FIG. 3 shows a parent window and a child window as an example in which picture-in-picture functionality has been used. FIG.

4 is a block diagram of a television receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of a television receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a parent window and a child window in the television receiver shown in FIG. 5 with display information displayed on the child window; FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1 antenna 2 splitter

3a, 3b: Tuner 4: External input terminal

5: switch circuit 6: blocking processing unit

7: video processor 8: video amplifier

9: cathode ray tube (CRT) 10: main microcomputer

11: operation key part 21: rating information processing circuit

22: blocking processing unit 23: chromaticity decoder

24: PIP Controller

A television receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment will be described assuming that the present invention is applied to a television receiver having picture-in-picture function and allowing pictures to be reproduced simultaneously on a parent window and a child window. In the following embodiments, the description of the audio system in each of the television receivers will be omitted to simplify the description.

First embodiment

1 is a block diagram of a television receiver according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the television receiver of the present embodiment includes an antenna 1, a distributor 2, tuners 3a and 3b, an external input terminal 4, a switch circuit 5, a blocking processor 6, Video processor 7, video amplifier 8, cathode ray tube (CRT) 9, main microcomputer 10, operation key section 11, rating information processing circuit (illustrated as V-chip IC in the drawing). 21), blocking processing unit 22, chromaticity decoder 23, and picture-in-picture controller (hereinafter referred to as PIP controller).

The operation key section 11 includes, for example, a power on / off key, a station selection key, adjustment keys for image quality, volume and sound quality, a picture-in-picture on / off key, a switching key for a parent window / child window. And various action keys, such as an action key used to input rating level information. The user can input various instructions to the television receiver of this embodiment through the operation keys.

The main microcomputer 10 is provided to the CPU 100, the ROM 101, and the RAM 102 as shown in FIG. In accordance with the instruction input by the user via the operation key section 11, the main microcomputer 10 serves as a control section for controlling each part of the television receiver of the first embodiment.

The main microcomputer 10 receives the rating level information input via the operation key section 11 and writes it into the RAM 102 which serves as a holding means. The rating level information serves, for example, as a criterion for determining whether the image display output of the television program to be watched is allowed in the television receiver.

In other words, the rating level information is compared with information related to the rating level detected in the proposed rating information by being added to the video signal of the television program, as described below. The rating level information is used to instruct, for example, not to output an unsuitable television program for children under 14 years of age. It is information in the television receiver having a plurality of bits used for identification between television programs that are allowed to be output and television programs that are not allowed.

In this first embodiment, the RAM 102 of the main microcomputer 10 is nonvolatile, meaning that the written rating-level information is not erased even if the main power is turned off.

As described above, the rating information which is the basis of the information related to the rating level to be compared with the rating level information held by the RAM 102 is specified according to the content of the television program, and the vertical blanking period of the video signal of the television program is It is provided by adding to the 21st horizontal period within.

In this case, the rating information has two bytes in a format specified by the Electronics Industry Association (EIA), and movie-program rating information and drama programs and parental guidelines called MPAA ratings. It is formed of rating information for new programs called.

Of these two bytes of rating information, for example, the rating level of the MPAA rating is specified by the least significant three bits of the first byte and the rating level of the parental guideline is the least significant three bits of the second byte. Is cleared.

For the parental guideline, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the rating uses the least significant three bits (g2, g1 and g0) of the second byte at six levels from TV-Y to TV-MA. Is cleared.

In these parental guidelines, TV-Y directs television programs for children aged 6 and younger, which is beneficial for all children. TV-Y7 directs television programs created for children 7 years of age and older, which contain a very mild violence scene called imaginary violence (FV). Mark x is located at TV-Y7 in the column of FV in FIG. TV-G does not include inappropriate violence or obscene language in which most parents' ideas are assigned to television programs that are not a problem for people of all ages.

TV-PG, as shown by the mark (x) in FIG. 2, indicates that parents' thoughts indicate inappropriate television programs for younger children, mild violence scenes (V), slight sex scenes (S), and vulgar language (L). ), And one or more of mild obscene sex conversations (D). TV-14 directs inappropriate television programs to children ages 14 and younger, and includes one or more of violent scenes (V), sex scenes (S), very vulgar language (L), and strong obscene sex conversations (D). It includes the above. TV-MA is an adult program that is inappropriate for children ages 17 and younger, and includes one or more of severe violence (V), direct sex expression (S), and strong obscene language (L). .

In this parental guideline, imaginary violence (FV), violence scene (V) included in TV-Y7, TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA, as shown by marks (x) in FIG. 2. ), Sex situation, adult language (L), and obscene sex conversation (D).

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment, video signals received by the antenna 1 are sent to the tuners 3a and 3b through the divider 2. The tuners 3a and 3b are sent from the main microcomputer 10 and select video signals to be reproduced according to control signals based on the user's direct input, and send the selected signals to the switch circuit 5.

According to the control signal sent from the main microcomputer 10, the switch circuit 5 causes the image to appear in the parent window between the video signals sent from the tuners 3a and 3b and the video signal input through the external input terminal 4. The primary video signal and the image displayed on the image allocate the secondary video signal displayed on the child window.

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment, the main video signal whose image is displayed on the parent screen is sent from the switch circuit 5 to the main microcomputer 10 and the blocking processor 6. The sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child window is sent to the rating information processing circuit 21 and the blocking processing unit 22.

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment, the main microcomputer 10 extracts rating information added to the main video signal sent from the switch circuit 5 and detects information related to the rating level in the extracted rating information, It is compared with rating level information maintained by RAM 102.

The main microcomputer 10 compares the detected information related to the rating level with the rating level information held by the RAM 102 and whether the image display output of the main video signal is allowed in the television receiver of the first embodiment. The blocking processing unit 6 is controlled according to the determination result.

Specifically, in the first embodiment, the main microcomputer 10 splits the main video signal to obtain a signal added to the 21st horizontal period in the vertical blanking period, and extracts the rating information added to the main video signal. The extracted rating information has two bytes in a more complicated format as described above.

Therefore, the main microcomputer 10 decodes the rating information detected by breaking it up to obtain the information related to the rating level in one format and provides easy comparison with the rating level information maintained by the RAM 102. The information related to the rating level has, for example, the same number of bits as the rating level information maintained by the RAM 102.

The host microcomputer 10 compares the information related to the rating level detected by the decoding with the rating level information held by the RAM 102. When the rating level of the information related to the rating level is lower than the rating level of the rating level information maintained by the RAM 102, the main microcomputer 10 outputs the image display output of the main video signal allowed in the television receiver of this embodiment. And control the blocking processor 6 to send the main video signal from the switch circuit 5 to the video processor 7.

Conversely, when the rating level of the information related to the rating level is higher than the rating level of the rating level information held by the RAM 102, the main microcomputer 10 causes the image display output of the main video signal to be the television receiver of this embodiment. Control the blocking processor 6 such that the main video signal is not sent from the switch circuit 5 to the video processor 7.

In other words, a program (TV-Y) suitable for children ages 6 and younger (TV-Y) and ages 7 and older, when the specified rating level information instructs, for example, that inappropriate programs are not output to children under 14 years of age. Images consisting of video signals having lower rating information at the rating level than the specified information are output, such as a program (TV-Y7) suitable for children. In this case, rating information that is higher at the rating level than specified rating level information, such as a program that is inappropriate for children 14 years of age or younger (TV-14) or a program that is inappropriate for children 17 years of age or younger (TV-MA). Images composed of added video signals are not output.

As described above, the blocking processor 6 blocks the main video signal under the control of the main microcomputer 10 to disable the image display output of the main video signal.

On the other hand, the rating information processor 21 receives the sub video signal from the switch circuit 5, splits the sub video signal in order to obtain a signal added to the 21st horizontal period in the vertical blanking period, and applies the rating to the sub video signal. Detect information. That is, in the first embodiment, the rating information processor 21 serves as the rating information detection means. The rating information detected by the rating information processing circuit 21 is sent to the main microcomputer 10.

The main microcomputer 10 decodes the rating information sent from the rating information processing circuit in order to obtain the information related to the rating level in one format in the same way with respect to the rating information detected from the above-described main video signal, and specified by the user. Provides easy comparison with erased rating level information. The host microcomputer 10 compares the detected information related to the rating level with the rating level information specified by the user and stored in the RAM 102.

When the rating level of the information related to the rating level for the sub video signal is lower than the rating level of the rating level information stored in the RAM 102, the main microcomputer 10 causes the image display output of the sub video signal to be the television receiver of this embodiment. The blocking processing unit 22 is controlled so as to be allowed in the cabin and the sub video signal is sent from the switch circuit 5 to the chromaticity decoder 23.

Conversely, when the rating level of the information related to the rating level for the sub video signal is higher than the rating level of the rating level information stored in the RAM 102, the main microcomputer 10 causes the image display output of the sub video signal to be implemented. It determines that it is not allowed in the example television receiver, and controls the blocking processing unit 22 so that the sub video signal is not sent from the switch circuit 5 to the chromaticity decoder 23.

When the image of the sub video signal is allowed to be displayed on the child window, since the sub video signal is not blocked by the blocking processing unit 22 as described above, it is sent to the chromaticity decoder 23 and the image is displayed. Preset processing is applied to the video signal, and the synthesized signal is sent to the PIP controller 24.

The PIP controller 24 receives the positional information of the child window from the host microcomputer 10 and generates a video signal for the child window used to display an image on the child window from the video signal sent from the chromaticity decoder 23 and Send it to the video processor 7.

The video processor 7 forms a video signal for display for displaying images for the parent and child windows on the CRT 9 so that the image is displayed on the parent window and the image display output allowed in the television receiver is produced. Processing such as combining the video signal for the child window generated from the constituent primary video signal and the sub video signal constituting the allowed image display output is applied.

The video signal formed for display is amplified by the video amplifier 8 and sent to the CRT 9. With this operation, the image of the main video signal is displayed on the parent window of the display screen of the CRT 9, and the image of the sub video signal is formed on a part of the parent window and displayed on the child window.

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment, as described above, the rating information is detected in each of the video signals constituting the image displayed on the parent and the child window, and according to each rating information, the image display control is performed by the image Is performed separately for the main video signal displayed on the parent window and for the sub video signal for which the image is displayed on the child window.

Therefore, the output of the main video signal in which the image is displayed on the parent window 9M is allowed in the television receiver according to the first embodiment, and the output of the video signal in which the image is displayed on the child window 9S is the television receiver. When not allowed in the cabin, only the image of the main video signal is displayed only on the parent window 9M, and the image of the sub video signal is not displayed on the child window 9S. In this case, the child window 9S appears blue.

When the output of the main video signal whose image is displayed on the parent window 9M is not allowed in the television receiver and the output of the video signal whose image is displayed on the child window 9S is allowed in the television receiver, the main video signal Is not displayed on the parent window 9M, only an image of the sub video signal is displayed on the child window 9S. In this case, the display area of the parent window appears blue.

When the output of the main video signal in which the image is displayed on the parent window 9M and the output of the sub video signal in which the image is displayed on the child window 9S are allowed, the images of the video signals are respectively displayed in the parent window 9M. And on the child window 9S. When both the output of the main video signal and the output of the sub video signal are not allowed in the television receiver, both the image of the main video signal and the image of the sub video signal are displayed on the parent window 9M or the child window 9S. It doesn't work.

As described above, in the television receiver according to the first embodiment, proper playback control is provided not only with the main video signal whose image is displayed on the parent window 9M but also with the sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child window 9S. Is applied according to the rating information added to the sub video signal.

Improved embodiments

In the first embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21 detects the rating information added to the 21st horizontal period within the vertical blanking period of the sent sub video signal, and sends the rating information to the main microcomputer 10 as it is. The main microcomputer 10 decodes the rating information sent from the rating information processing circuit 21 and compares it with the rating level information. According to this comparison result, the main microcomputer 10 controls the blocking processing unit 22.

The rating information processing circuit 21 may have a decoding function for the detected rating information in order to reduce the load of the main microcomputer 10.

In other words, the rating information processor 21 splits the sent sub video signal in order to obtain a signal added to the 21st horizontal period within the vertical blanking period, and detects the rating information added to the sub video signal. The rating information processing circuit 21 decodes the detected rating information in order to obtain information related to the rating level in one format, provides easy comparison with rating information specified by the user, and provides information related to the rating level. To the microcomputer 10.

The main microcomputer 10 receives information related to the rating level from the rating information processing circuit 21, compares the information related to the rating level with the rating level information held by the RAM 102, and the main microcomputer 10 ) Determines whether the sub video signal whose image is reproduced on the child window is a video signal whose output is allowed in the television receiver, and controls the blocking processing unit 22.

With this configuration, since the main microcomputer 10 does not need to decode the rating information sent from the rating information processing circuit 21 to obtain information related to the rating level, the load of the main microcomputer 10 does not increase. .

The rating information processing circuit 21 compares the information related to the rating level with the rating level information. In this case, the main microcomputer 10 is required to send the rating level information specified by the user to the rating information processing circuit 21.

The rating information processing circuit 21 compares the rating level information sent from the main microcomputer 10 with information related to the rating level detected in the rating information extracted from the video signal, and the sub video signal is outputted in the television receiver. Determine if you are allowed to.

At this time, the rating information processing circuit 21 sends information obtained from the comparison, that is, information indicating whether a sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child window is allowed to be output in the television receiver, and return data. As a result, the main microcomputer 10 is returned. The return data is sent from the rating information processing circuit 21 to the main microcomputer 10 via a bus connecting the main microcomputer 10 to the rating information processing circuit and other circuits. Of course, it can be returned using a port, ie by a high / low-level signal at the port.

The main microcomputer 10 controls the blocking processing unit 22 according to the return data sent from the rating information processing circuit 21. In this case, the host microcomputer 10 does not need to perform a comparison or decoding on the rating information detected in the sub video signal in which the image is displayed on the child window. In other words, the main microcomputer 10 controls the blocking processing unit 22 according to the return data sent from the rating information processing circuit 21, and the load of the main microcomputer 10 does not increase.

As described above, the rating information processing circuit 21 extracts the rating information from the sub video signal in which the image is displayed on the child window, detects the information related to the rating level in the extracted rating information, and The comparison with the specified rating level information is performed, and the rating information processing circuit 21 directly controls the blocking processing unit 22.

4 is a block diagram of a television receiver in which the rating information processing circuit 21 directly controls the blocking processing unit 22. In this case, as described above, the rating information processing circuit 21 uses the rating information extracted in the sub video signal to determine whether or not the sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child screen is allowed to be output in the television receiver. The rating level information is compared with the information related to the rating level obtained by decoding.

The rating information processing circuit 21 outputs a high-level signal to the blocking processing unit 22, for example, when determining a sub video signal for which output is not allowed, and when determining a sub video signal for which output is allowed, a low-level signal. Output the signal.

In addition, the blocking processing unit 22 does not output the sent sub video signal when the high-level signal is received from the rating information processing circuit 21, and the sent sub video signal when the low-level signal is received. Is output to the chromaticity decoder 23.

With this operation, the main microcomputer 10 only needs to send the rating level information to the rating information processing circuit 21 regarding the blocking processing for the sub video signal whose image is output on the child window. The load of 10 does not increase.

Also in this case, the main microcomputer 10 controls the blocking processor 6 and applies the blocking process to the main video signal, and the rating information processing circuit 21 controls the blocking processor 22 to the sub video signal. Apply blocking processing. Therefore, control is separated.

As described above, in the television receiver according to the first embodiment, according to the rating information added to each video signal, the image display output is displayed with the main video signal and the image displayed on the child window. The sub video signal is controlled.

The rating information added to the main video signal is detected by the main microcomputer 10, and the rating information added to the sub video signal is detected by the rating information processing circuit 21. With this configuration, no large load is applied to the main microcomputer 10, the processing for the sub video signal in which the image is displayed on the child window is not delayed, and the display of the sub video signal causes the image to be in the parent window. It is controlled according to the rating information added to the sub video signal in the same manner as for the main video signal to be displayed.

In a television receiver having a multi-window function that allows a screen to be divided into three or more windows, the image display output of each video signal is a plurality of sub video signals to be adjusted even if a plurality of sub video signals are adjusted. Corresponding to the rating information added to each video signal by providing the rating information processing circuits 21 corresponding thereto.

Second embodiment

In the television receiver according to the first embodiment described above, the main and sub video signals determined not to be displayed are blocked by the blocking processor 6 and the blocking processor 22. If the video signal is blocked in this manner, it is shown that the image was displayed in blue as described above, for example, since the image is not displayed on the parent window 9M or the child window 9S.

In such a case, the user of the television receiver cannot immediately understand why the image is not displayed, and may think that the television receiver is broken. Therefore, when the video signal is blocked according to the rating information, it can be considered that a message indicating the blocked image is displayed.

When the message information is shown in the child window, since the child window has a small display area formed in part of the display screen of the CRT 9 as also shown in Fig. 3, the display position of the message information and The size needs to be adjusted according to the position of the child window on the display screen of the CRT 9 and the size of the child window. This means that display processing becomes complicated.

When the sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child window is blocked, the television receiver according to the second embodiment allows a message indicating a condition to be displayed on the child window relatively easily without performing complicated processing.

5 is a block diagram of a television receiver according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the television receiver according to the second embodiment excludes the television receiver, the rating information processing circuit 21A and the switch circuit 25 according to the first embodiment as described above with reference to FIG. And are constructed in substantially the same way.

Therefore, in Fig. 5, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 are assigned to parts corresponding to the television receiver according to the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

The rating information processing circuit 21A extracts rating information from the sub video signal, detects information related to the rating level by decoding the extracted rating information, and compares the detected information related to the rating level with the rating level information. .

The rating information processing circuit 21A determines whether an image of the sub video signal is allowed to be displayed in the television receiver by a comparison between the information related to the rating level and the rating level information, and returns the comparison result as the return data to the main microcomputer. Return to (10). In this operation, the main microcomputer 10 controls the blocking processing unit 22 such that the reproduction control is executed on the second video signal according to the rating information added to the sub video signal.

In addition, the rating information processing circuit 21A has a so-called on-screen display (OSD), which displays display information such as text, pictures, descriptions on the screen in the television receiver according to the second embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21A includes an OSD processing unit which serves as display information generating means for generating a signal for displaying display information such as characters, pictures, and symbols on the child window. 211 is provided.

The rating information processing circuit 21A returns the return data indicating the condition to the main microcomputer 10 when determining the sub video signal which is not allowed to be output in the television receiver, and the sub video signal is displayed. The sub video signal is blocked so as not to be blocked. The rating information processing circuit 21A displays the OSD processing unit so that the video signal for displaying the display information indicates that the image of the sub video signal is not displayed because the sub video signal is blocked and sent to the end of the switch circuit 25. Control 211.

As shown in FIG. 5, the video signal is sent from the chromaticity decoder 23 to the other end of the switch circuit 25. In this case, the rating information processor 21A switches the switch circuit 25 to output a signal sent from the OSD processor 211.

In this operation, a video signal for displaying display information sent from the OSD processing unit 211 is sent to the PIP controller 24. The PIP controller 24 converts the video signal from the OSD processing unit 211 to the signal for the child window according to the positional information of the child window and other parts of the information sent from the main microcomputer 10, and as described above, To the video processor 7. The video processor 7 combines the main video signal with the video signal for the child window which is processed by the PIP processing section 24 and formed by the OSD processing section 211, and which is connected to the CRT 9 via the video amplifier 8. Send to.

In this operation, when the sub video signal displayed on the child window is blocked, the display information of "blocked" formed by the signal generated by the OSD processing unit 211 is allowed because it is allowed to be output in the television receiver. Is displayed on the child window 9S as shown in FIG. In this operation, the condition under which the image is displayed on the child window is reported to the user because the sub video signal is blocked.

In this case, in the television receiver according to the second embodiment, the display information immediately sends the child window 9S by sending a video signal for displaying the display information from the OSD processing unit 211 to the PIP controller 24 instead of the sub video signal. Is displayed on the screen. In other words, after the display signal of the display information is generated by the OSD processing section 211, the display information is displayed on the child window 9S without performing special processing.

In this case, since the PIP processing circuit 24 only applies the same processing to the signal sent from the OSD processing circuit 211 as is normally applied to the sub video signal, the display position of the display information does not change and the display information does not change. The size of does not become inappropriate.

Since the main video signal displayed on the parent window is allowed to be output in the television receiver when it is blocked, the message information indicating the blocked signal can be displayed on the parent window.

In this case, the main microcomputer 10 decides not to allow the main video signal whose image is displayed on the parent window to be output in the television receiver, for example, the main microcomputer 10 blocks the blocked main video. Message information indicating a signal and control information indicating message information displayed on the parent window are sent to the message information video processor 7.

The video processor 7 is necessary to form a video signal for displaying message information on the parent window. In this operation, message information indicating a blocked video signal when both the main video signal whose image is displayed on the parent window and the sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child window are not allowed to be reproduced in the television receiver. Can be displayed on the parent window 9M and the child window 9S, respectively.

Further, in the television receiver according to the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 21A controls the blocking processing unit 22 in accordance with the determination result in the rating information processing circuit 21A.

The rating information processing circuit 21A is provided as an OSD function in the television receiver according to the second embodiment, and blocking processing for the video signal in which the image is reproduced on the child window is not required by the use of the blocking processing unit 22. Do not.

In other words, since the message information generated by the OSD processing unit 211 is displayed when the sub video signal displayed on the child window is not allowed to be output in the television receiver, the block processing is performed by the blocking processing unit 22. Child windows are not interrupted even if they are not executed by. That is, the OSD processor 211 applies blocking.

In the television receiver according to the second embodiment, the rating information processing circuit 22A controls the switch circuit 25. Of course, the main microcomputer 10 controls the switch circuit 25.

As described above, even within the television receiver according to the second embodiment, display control is also applied to each video signal for the main video signal from which the image is reproduced on the parent window and the sub video signal from which the image is reproduced on the child window. It is performed according to the information.

In addition, since the selected sub video signal whose image is displayed on the child window is not allowed to be output in the television receiver according to the second embodiment when the selected sub video signal is blocked, the message information indicating the blocked signal may be displayed on the child window. Can be.

As described above, since the OSD processing unit 221 and the PIP controller 24 of the rating information processing circuit 21A perform the processing required for displaying message information on the child window, the load is transferred to the main microcomputer. Not authorized Discomfort such as a change in the message information displayed on the child window does not occur in the child window.

In the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a television receiver having picture-in-picture function. The present invention can also be applied to a television receiver provided with a multi-window function other than a picture-in-picture function.

In a television receiver, the CRT screen is divided into three or more windows and at the same time an image is reproduced on each divided window, and the rating information processing circuit 21 or the rating information described in the first or second embodiment. Processing circuit 21A is needed for each of a plurality of video signals from which an image can be displayed simultaneously.

With this configuration, image display output control is executed according to the rating information added to each video signal for each of a plurality of video signals for which images are displayed simultaneously.

As mentioned above, even when three or more windows can display images simultaneously, the load is either rating information processing circuit 21A or rating information for the video signal used to reproduce the image on each window. By supplying the processing circuit 21, concentration on the main microcomputer is prevented. In addition, the display outputs of video signals in which an image is displayed simultaneously can be clearly controlled in accordance with the rating information of the video signals.

Therefore, the rating information processing circuit 21A or the rating information processing circuit 21 for each of the plurality of sub video signals whose images can be displayed simultaneously using the multi-window function without making a large change in the main microcomputer. By providing a suitable blocking process is applied to each video signal in a television receiver having various multi-window functions.

Claims (12)

A television receiver, which is displayed on one screen and has a function for combining images consisting of a plurality of video signals corresponding to a plurality of input signals, Holding means for holding restriction information previously specified by the user, A first blocking processor for executing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to the first video signal of the plurality of video signals, By extracting additional information added to the first video signal, by detecting information related to the display rule used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means in the extracted information, and held by the holding means. Control means for controlling execution of an image-display-output disabling process in the first blocking processing unit by comparing the restriction information with the detected information related to the display rule; A second blocking processor for executing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to a second video signal other than the first video signal, and And additional information detecting means for the second video signal for outputting information to the control means according to the extracted additional information and for extracting the additional information added to a second video signal. And the control means controls the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing section. The method of claim 1, And the restriction information specified by the user is data according to a higher age restriction of those who are allowed to watch. The method of claim 1, And the additional information is display-rule data used to limit the display of each of the plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of input signals. The method of claim 3, wherein And the display-rule data is data according to a minimum age restriction of those allowed to view the corresponding image. The method of claim 1, The second video signal corresponds to a plurality of video signals corresponding to a plurality of input signals in addition to the first video signal, and And a blocking processing unit for performing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to the plurality of video signals. The method of claim 1, The sub-information detecting means for the second video signal outputs the extracted sub information to the control means, and By means of the control means detecting information related to a display rule used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means in the sub information sent from the sub-information detecting means for the second video signal, and the display And a television receiver for controlling the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing section by comparing the detected information related to the rule with the restriction information held by the holding means. The method of claim 1, The sub-information detecting means for the second video signal detects information related to the display used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means in the extracted information and is related to the display rule with the control means. Output the detected information, And the control means controls the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing section by comparing the information related to the display rule with the restriction information held by the holding means. The method of claim 1, The sub-information detecting means for the second video signal detects information related to the display rule used in the extracted sub information to be compared with the restriction information held by the holding means, and Comparing the detected information associated with the restriction information held by the holding means, outputting the comparison result to the control means, And the control means controls the execution of the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing unit according to the comparison result. The method of claim 1, Display information generating means for generating a signal used for displaying display information in a display area of the image composed of the second video signal, The second blocking processing unit such that the control means outputs the signal generated by the display information generating means instead of the second video signal when the image-display-output disabling process is performed on the second video signal. TV receiver to control the. A television receiver, which is displayed on one screen and has a function for combining images consisting of a plurality of video signals corresponding to a plurality of input signals, Holding means for holding restriction information specified at least in advance by the user, A first blocking processor for executing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to the first video signal of the plurality of video signals, By extracting additional information added to the first video signal, by detecting information related to the display rule used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means in the extracted information, and held by the holding means. First control means for controlling execution of an image-display-output disabling process in the first blocking processing unit by comparing the restriction information with the detected information related to the display rule; A second blocking processor for executing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to a second video signal other than the first video signal, and Extracting the additional information added to the second video signal, detecting information related to a display rule used for comparison with the restriction information held by the holding means, in the extracted information, and the display rule And second control means for controlling the image-display-output disabling process in the second blocking processing section by comparing the detected information related to the restriction information held by the holding means. The method of claim 10, The second video signal corresponds to a plurality of video signals corresponding to a plurality of input signals, in addition to the first video signal, and And a blocking processor for performing an image-display-output disabling process corresponding to the plurality of video signals. The method of claim 10, Display information generating means for generating a signal used for displaying display information in a display area of the image composed of the second video signal, The blocking processor to cause the second control means to output the signal generated by the display information generating means in place of the second video signal when an image-display-output disabling process is performed on the second video signal. TV receiver to control the.