KR19990074573A - How to manage audience rating of video signal recording / playback device - Google Patents

Abstract

Detects the parental level display signal from the video signal reproduced from the storage medium.If the parental level display signal is detected, the screen is faded by increasing the luminance level until the unique code is input. If it is determined that the unique code is the same as the preset unique code, and the audience rating display signal is not detected or the input unique code is the same as the preset unique code, the brightness level is restored to the normal state to normalize the screen.

Therefore, even when recording and playing the video signal containing the rating display signal, it is possible to adjust the display state of the screen to the normal state and abnormal state without the need for a separate viewing restriction device, harmful to children and adolescents broadcasting environment To protect against

Description

How to manage audience rating of video signal recording / playback device

The present invention relates to a method of managing a rating of a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital video signal recording / reproducing method of recording and reproducing digital data on a recording medium after signal processing by digitizing the video signal. An apparatus comprising: a viewer rating management method of a video signal recording / playback apparatus configured to set a unique code according to a rating level of a recorded broadcast signal and to control a display state of a playback screen according to whether a set unique code is input; .

With the development of broadcasting, telecommunications, and electronic technology, the use of television has become commonplace to the public, and now television is being spotlighted as a powerful means of information transfer that replaces existing type media and radio media. In addition, with the development of the video and film industry, various kinds of dramas and movies, which have not been seen in the past, are produced and broadcast on television. As TV is spread to all homes, family members can watch broadcast programs at all times.

A television is a device for receiving broadcast signals, processing signals, and displaying them on a screen, and can be viewed by both adults and children. Accordingly, TV has a problem in that violent and sensational scenes that can be included in dramas or movies differently from existing movie theaters and are conscious of adult value judgment are exposed to children and adolescents without any filtering. For this reason, the censorship of broadcast programs has always been a social issue.

However, as a television, a mass media medium that needs to broadcast all programs of various contents for cultural, social and entertainment purposes, it is not always possible to broadcast only programs that all age groups can watch. Therefore, the need for the ability to filter incoming programs has emerged.

In response to these needs, the Consumer Manufacturers Association (CEMA) of the United States was established on October 1, 1997 by the International Broadcasters Association, the Motion Picture Association, and a group of educators and parents. Was approved by the TV Parental Guidelines. After CEMA's decision, Chairman ED Markey called the technology V-CHIP and suggested that it be included in all television sets.

The V-CHIP sends a packet containing the rating information of the program currently being broadcast with the caption signal included in the 21st scan line of the television broadcast signal, allowing the program currently being received by the television based on the rating signal received by the V-CHIP. A semiconductor chip that controls / blocks, invented by CEMA's engineering committee.

According to the TV Parental Guideline, the ratings of the programs are TV-Y, a rating for all children, TV-Y7, a rating for children ages 7 and older, TV-G, a rating that is appropriate for most viewers, and TV, where parental guidance is required. -PG, TV-14, which is strongly prohibited by parents, and TV-MA, which is an adult-only grade.The packet received by V-CHIP includes the grade of the program currently received by the program and the scene to block for each grade. Personality information is included. For each class, there is information indicating a scene of fantasy violence (FV), a scene of violence (V), a sexual scene (S), an adult language scene (L), and a seductive conversation scene (D).

The V-CHIP blocks the program according to the combination shown in FIG. 1 when receiving information indicating the nature of the scene to be blocked in a particular scene in the program, regarding the class of the received program. The blocking method of the program is to express the image unrecognizable, to remove the voice, to remove the subtitles associated with the program, or to remove both the video, audio and subtitles. All of these programs are blocked by V-CHIP at the user's request. Therefore, the above-described parental control function can be performed only for the television equipped with the V-CHIP.

However, according to the conventional parental leveling system, the following problems occur.

First, V-CHIP is indispensable in television in order to perform the parental level restriction function through the television. By the way, there is no built-in V-CHIP in the general video signal recording / playback apparatus. Therefore, if the broadcast program is recorded on the recording medium and then played back, the rating restriction function for each grade is not performed. In other words, when playing the video and audio signals recorded on the recording medium and viewing them through a display device attached to the recording medium, there is no filtering device for viewing restriction, which is contrary to the original purpose of the viewing restriction function. No protection from hazardous environment.

Second, when viewing and reproducing the video and audio signals recorded on the recording medium through a television that does not have a built-in V-CHIP, the viewing restriction function for each grade is not performed. Therefore, it is not possible to protect children and adolescents from harmful environments as above.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a video signal restriction function for each grade through recording and reproducing a broadcast signal without a separate V-CHIP. The present invention provides a method of managing a rating of a recording / playback apparatus.

1 is a diagram showing screen block setting for each program grade of a television;

2 is a schematic block diagram of a digital video camera as an embodiment of a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus applied to the present invention;

3 is an operation flowchart showing a process of performing a rating management method of a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

5: Error correction 6: External channel

7: Deshuffling section 8: Inverse quantization section

9: input unit 10: microcomputer

11: N-Bit Counter 12: Synthesizer

13: digital / analog converter 14: display

15: Servo system

In order to achieve the above object, a feature of the present invention is to detect a parental level display signal from a video signal reproduced from a storage medium, and if a parental level display signal is detected, increase the luminance level until a unique code is input to display the screen. If a unique code is input, it determines whether the inputted unique code is the same as the preset unique code, and restores the luminance level to the normal state if the audience rating display signal is not detected or the inputted unique code is the same as the preset unique code. To normalize the screen.

Here, the fade is performed by dividing the luminance level into a predetermined number of steps, and increasing by one step based on any one of the divided steps.

In addition, the unique code uses any one of a letter, a number, a combination of letters and numbers, and a combination of specific function keys.

In addition, when the parental level indication signal is detected, the playback operation may be stopped. If the parental level indication signal is not detected or the inputted unique code is the same as the preset unique code, the playback operation may be started.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, in adding reference numerals to the elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in the following description there are shown a number of specific details, such as components of the specific circuit, which are provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. It is self-evident to those of ordinary knowledge in Esau. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2 is a schematic block diagram of a digital video camera as an embodiment of a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus applied to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera unit 1 is composed of a lens, a shutter, and an image pickup device (generally, a charge coupled device (CCD) is used), and the like. Convert to and print it out. The analog / digital converter 2 digitizes and outputs an electrical analog video signal transmitted from the camera unit 1. The quantization unit 3 performs a quantization operation that takes a representative value of the image signal digitized by the analog / digital conversion unit 2, and the shuffling unit 4 digitizes the digital image by the quantization unit 3 A shuffling operation is performed to change the recording order of signals. The error correction unit 5 restores the original video signal even if an error occurs when playing the video signal recorded on the storage medium through the external channel 6 or a signal signal processed through a signal processing apparatus such as a television. Insert an error correction code (ECC) unique to the video signal shuffled by the shuffling section 4 so that the video signal recorded on the storage medium is used and the error correction code included in the video signal is used. To correct the error of the video signal.

The external channel 6 is transmitted to an image signal processing apparatus (for example, a TV, etc.) connected to the outside for signal processing of an image signal assigned with an error correction code by the error correction unit 5, or transmitted to a storage medium to transmit the image signal. The video signal input from the external video signal processing apparatus or the video signal input from the storage medium is supplied to the error correction unit 5.

The deshuffling section 7 rearranges the arrangement order of the video signals output from the error correction section 5 in the reverse order of the arrangement order by the shuffling section 4 in the same order as the original video signal. Make. The inverse quantization unit 8 converts the continuous quantization signal into a continuous video signal using the representative value of the quantized video signal.

The input unit 9 has a plurality of function keys arranged so that the user can select various functions of the digital camera, and in particular, a numeric key or a special function key is mounted to input a user's unique code for the rating.

The microcomputer 10 generally controls the digital video camera according to a predetermined program. In particular, the microcomputer 10 detects whether the parental level display signal is included in the video signal input from the external channel 6, and if it is determined that the parental level display signal is included, the micro code 10 and the unique code inputted from the input unit 9 Check whether the set unique code is the same and output the control signal accordingly.

The N-bit counter 11 adjusts the luminance signal level divided into 256 grades (8 bits) for each grade unit according to the user's request. That is, 128 of 256 steps are set to an intermediate value, and when a user's request is received, the brightness level is adjusted by adding or subtracting bit units. In particular, when it is determined that the unique code input through the input unit 9 and the predetermined unique code are different, the playback unit increases the bit unit sequentially from 128 to 256 steps according to the control signal output from the microcomputer 10. Fade

The synthesizer 12 synthesizes the digital video signal having the continuity converted by the inverse quantization unit 8 to the luminance level provided from the N-bit counter 11, and the digital / analog converter 13 combines the synthesizer 12 Is converted into an analog form displayable on the display unit 14.

The display unit 14 displays an analog image signal converted by the digital / analog converter 13 so that the user can visually check.

The servo system 15 includes a drum servo for recording an image signal on a storage medium or reproducing a stored video signal, and a capstan servo for driving the storage medium at a predetermined speed. The servo system 15 operates according to a control signal of the microcomputer 10. Is controlled.

Referring to Figure 3 with respect to the operation of the present invention having such a configuration as follows.

In response to the user's request, the servo system 15 is driven to reproduce the video signal recorded on the storage medium (S1). In this case, the video signal recorded on the storage medium includes a rating display signal in the general broadcast signal. The microcomputer 10 detects the viewing grade display signal from the reproduced video signal (S2). In this case, the audience rating display signal may be included in the electronic program guide (EPG) information continuously transmitted along with the image signal, or may be transmitted in real time by being loaded in the burst signal included in the broadcast signal. At this time, the microcomputer 10 checks whether the parental level display signal is detected (S3), and if the parental level display signal is detected, sequentially increases the bit value (luminance level) of the N-bit counter 11 to 256 steps. Let's do it.

On the other hand, in the playback video signal input through the external channel 6, an error generated during the recording and playback process is corrected through the error correction unit 5, and the deshuffling section 7 performs the same sequence as the original video signal. After reordering, the dequantization unit 8 restores a continuous video signal. The reconstructed video signal is synthesized with the luminance level output from the N-bit counter 11 by the synthesizer 12, and the synthesized digital video signal is analogized by the digital / analog converter 13 and then displayed by the display unit ( 14 is the final output. Accordingly, the user may watch a fade state in which the screen becomes brighter and the actual image disappears.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 10 controls the servo system 15 to stop the reproducing operation of the storage medium (S5). That is, when the servo system 15 is continuously driven while the screen is faded, when the user inputs the unique code, the playback time of the storage medium is different from the start of the fade (the user is unique from the start of the fade). Since the servo system 15 continues to be driven until a code is inputted, the user can watch the playback screen with a skipped state for a predetermined time. Therefore, it is preferable to stop the servo system 15 in order to be able to watch a continuous playback screen.

After the servo system 15 is stopped, the microcomputer 10 checks whether a unique code is input from the input unit 9 (S6). In this case, the unique code may be a password set by a user (a combination of numbers, letters, numbers, and letters), or may be used by combining a specific key attached to a remote controller or an operation panel. When the unique code is input, the microcomputer 10 compares the inputted unique code with a preset unique code (S7). If the inputted unique code is the same as the preset unique code, the microcomputer 10 drives the servo system 15 to perform a regeneration operation. At the same time, the bit value (luminance level) of the N-bit counter 11 is restored to a normal state (for example, step 128), and the normal screen is displayed (S8).

If the unique code is not input in step 6 (S6) or if the unique code input in step 7 (S7) is different from the preset unique code, the microcomputer 10 fades and the servo system 15 starts. Keep the stop of). In addition, when the video signal reproduced in step 3 (S3) does not include the parental level display signal, it is recognized as a broadcast program without a separate parental control to process a normal screen.

Therefore, even when the recorded video signal is reproduced and viewed after recording the video signal to a storage medium, the screen can be adjusted to a normal state or an abnormal state according to the viewing grade of the video signal, thereby limiting exposure from harmful broadcasting environments. can do.

As described above, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

As a result, according to the method for managing the rating of a video signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the following advantages occur.

First, even in the case of recording and playing the video signal including the viewer rating display signal, it is necessary to adjust the display state of the screen to the normal state and the abnormal state without the need for a separate parental control device, thereby harming children and adolescents. To protect against

Second, when the audience rating display signal is detected, by processing the abnormal screen using the fade technique, and processing the normal screen according to the preset unique code, by controlling the state of the screen through the fade technique, additional It can be easily applied to current products without the need for equipment.

Claims (4)

Detecting a rating display signal from a video signal reproduced from a storage medium; Fading the screen by increasing the luminance level until a unique code is input when the parental level display signal is detected; Determining whether the inputted unique code is identical to a preset unique code when the unique code is input; And Restoring the luminance level to a normal state if the parental level display signal is not detected or the inputted unique code is equal to the preset unique code, thereby normalizing the screen. . The method of claim 1, wherein the fade step, And dividing the luminance level into a predetermined number of steps, and increasing by one step based on any one of the divided steps. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique code, And a combination of a letter, a number, a combination of letters and numbers, and a combination of specific function keys. The method of claim 1, Stopping playback if the parental level indication signal is detected; And And if the parental level indication signal is not detected or if the inputted unique code is the same as the preset unique code, starting the playback operation.