KR20000064923A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus for controlling the broadcast of a television program in which a classification code is transmitted with a video signal in an extension packet of a teletext signal, for example, comprises a decoder 23 which detects the received code and sends it to the microcontroller 27. The authorized person can input the authorized program classification by using the remote control device 28. Codes representing the permitted classification codes are stored in the nonvolatile memory means 29. The received and authorized codes are compared at the microcontroller 27 and the microcontroller inhibits the video 25 and / or audio 32 circuitry when the received codes are not authorized codes. Means 38 are provided that indicate whether classification codes have been received and detected.

Description

Television receiver

Since 1998, laws have been passed in the United States on all television receivers with over-sized displays sold since 1998, which would allow parents to protect children from coded programs containing violence, sex and vulgar language. A so-called "to suppress the function of the television receiver" when it monitors a code transmitted with a television signal and indicates a prohibited program containing violence, sex or other elements which may be perceived as inappropriate for some listeners or children. V-chip "has been proposed.

In the US V-Chip system, the station ranks each program into four censorship categories. The values for each category are then sent simultaneously as part of the Extended Data Services (EDS) of the Closed Captioning (CC) system. The values are transmitted continuously while the program is broadcast.

Using the access control mechanism, the parent sets a threshold for each category. If the rating exceeds a pre-authorized value, the V-chip suppresses the video and audio signals. Because the V-chip reacts almost instantaneously, the system can easily adjust channel hopping. Parents do not have to worry about missing a warning at the beginning of a TV guide or program.

The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) defines four categories of censorship and the number of data bits required to transmit the code.

MPAA rating (class equivalent to movie classification, eg 18, PG, etc.)-3 bits

Violent Content Advisory Level-2 bits (allows scale of 0 to 3)

Grade Content Advisory Level-2 bits

Adult Content Advisory Level-2 Bits

Although Canada applies the same principles to sector-tested systems, the two are not identical at present.

All US TV sets made after 1993 are equipped with a CC decoder to provide subtitle descriptions. Current CC decoders (such as SAA5252 sold by Philips Semiconductors) can make a TV picture appear dim when switched to full-text mode. These decoders also have the appropriate display feature to generate an OSD menu so that parents can program a censorship threshold.

Unlike teletext, CC data can be recorded and played back by the VHS VCR during program playback. The tape thus recorded and the prerecorded tape may also contain censored data.

In Europe, the question of implementing a system in the form of a V-chip is more complex overall than in North America. Broadcasters are uncontrolled by a single government and differ in culture and language, so there are a variety of acceptable moral standards. So there are technical-issues coping with the 625 line TV system, which has very little spare capacity for extra data signals.

Using a US system is the obvious solution, but there are some drawbacks to this.

First, for broadcast stations, the CC signal must occupy valuable teletext transmission capacity (one line can be permanently lost) and different encoding systems are needed.

Secondly, broadcasters have to pay very high costs with respect to the radiant transmission equipment and data bridges (of cable amplifiers) required for both teletext and CC signals.

Third, there is an additional cost to consumer electronics manufacturers in providing teletext and CC decoding for all TV sets and PC TV cards.

The concept of allowing parents to control watching television receivers using information transmitted from broadcast stations is not new and was proposed in W083 / 02208, published June 23, 1983. The document proposes that a code is transmitted via a teletext signal transmitted with a television signal, which code is formed as a selected row number of a given teletext page. So when some offensive event occurs, the page number and line number are sent in the field blanking period. At the receiver, the teletext decoder is permanently set up to view the relevant page and to recognize the line number. Particular row numbers indicate equality of audio and vision events.

Various other means for transmitting the code have been proposed, including the use of PDC signals and wide screen signaling signals, as described in pending patent application number 9703192.6 (PHB3435), filed by Applicant at the same time. .

All these devices are necessary for the parent or other responsible person to insert the appropriate codes into the television receiver and / or video recorder. The use of television sets should only be limited by children accessing certain types of programs, and these codes can be entered but will no longer work if parental roles are required. However, if different family members want to watch television sets at different times, the proper program classification for one of the families may not be appropriate for the other people in the family. This means that different categories of codes are often required, which can be quite annoying for the responsible person. For example, to ensure that material is not inadvertently broadcast to children, it is necessary to reset the classification code to the lowest level each time the television set is switched off. This may result in such systems not being used properly if the parents do not pay very close attention.

The present invention relates to a television receiver having means for prohibiting the display of a television program in accordance with program content.

1 is a television system implementing a method capable of inhibiting a television program display in accordance with program contents.

2 is a block diagram forming a television source for use in the system of FIG.

3 illustrates a scheme for code words that classify programs and are inserted into a teletext extension packet.

4 is a block diagram forming a television receiver in accordance with the present invention.

5 is a process diagram of programming a television receiver to accommodate sort codes in memory.

6 illustrates an on-screen display message that is possible when a television receiver receives programs.

7 is an on-screen display diagram illustrating the practice of the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to allow a parent or other person with authority to a television receiver to perform an editorial function on the output of the television receiver and to easily monitor whether a classification code is detected by the receiver.

According to the present invention, an authorized person can disable the sound and / or visual display of a received program according to a classification code received with a television program. Means for establishing the authority of the authorized person, nonvolatile memory means for storing a series of classification codes entered by the authorized person, and multiplexed with the received television signal. Means for receiving and detecting a classified classification code, means for comparing the series of classification codes with the received classification code, and means for disabling the speech and / or visible indication according to the comparison result, the classification Providing means for indicating that codes are currently received and detected for providing a television receiver A.

This device can be used in various ways. You can continue to observe whether the received programs are classified as they are. This may be particularly useful when a service is initially introduced because several stations may begin classifying the programs on different dates and may not initially classify all the programs. For example, broadcasters may use a combination of classifying some programs and restricting the transmission of other programs on specific dates. Implied that non-broadcast program sources such as, for example, video tapes or video discs may not be classified or, in the case of VHS video tapes, the classification code may be erased by the recording and playback process. It can also act as a remote. Thus, an indication of whether the classification code is detected can monitor whether an undesirable program source has been received and aired.

The display means may comprise an indicator lamp which can be a light emitting diode.

Such indicator means may continue to glow while a classification code is received so that parents may simply watch the indicator on the television receiver to prevent their child from immediately seeing the television receiver tuned to an unclassified program source.

Instead of or in addition to the display means, the display means may comprise an on screen display which appears in combination with the television picture instead of the television picture.

Using the on-screen display makes it easier to understand the classification codes. That is, it can indicate not only the classification codes currently received, but also what these codes are. The display thus shows the classification of the program, for example, because the PIN has been matched and an unauthorized person has changed the code by using the matched PIN. It can be used to ensure that the desired levels are not exceeded by either an incorrect entry or any subsequent corruption of the code.

The on screen display may appear in a mixed mode with a picture and / or a window in a television picture.

This makes it possible to display the received classification codes without erasing the picture so that it is less disturbing to viewers.

The on-screen display can be called up using a single button on the remote control and / or television receiver cabinet.

In general, there is no need to restrict the display of received codes to authorized persons, so the on-screen display can be accessed quickly and easily with a single button operation.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be described and clearly understood according to the following description using the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The following description relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving program classification codes using teletext extension packets, but the present invention relates to the transmission of these codes and the actual method of transmitting the classification codes used. Independent. The codes can thus be transmitted in particular using any of the methods mentioned in this document. The following examples are merely one way of practicing the invention.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a system capable of implementing the method according to the invention. The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a television signal source 1, a television transmission medium 2, and a plurality of television receivers 3-1 to 3-n. The television signal source may be a conventional television broadcast facility, either terrestrial broadcast or satellite broadcast, or may be a program source for a cable television network. The television signal source comprises means for inserting program classification codes into an extension packet of a teletext signal and a teletext inserter. The transmission medium 2 can take any convenient form, for example a cable network for radio waves or cable TV systems broadcast by terrestrial or satellite transmitters. The television receivers 3-1 to 3-n are connected to the program source via the transmission medium 2. Another possible program source 1 is a video tape or disc on which a program is recorded for playback by a video tape recorder or video disc player, in which case the transmission link 2 can simply be the tape recorder or disc player. A cable connects the tape recorder or disc player to a television receiver.

An embodiment of a television signal program source suitable for use in this system is shown in block diagram form in FIG. 2. The television program source comprises a source of video and audio signals 10, which may for example be a television camera in which video output is provided to the transmission network 12 via a teletext inserter 11. . The audio output from the television signal source 10 is provided via line 13 to another input of the transmission network 12. The conventional teletext editing system 14 is connected to the teletext inserter 11 and has another input for receiving the output provided from the TV access control device 15.

The TV access control device 15 is arranged to be inserted into an extension packet of teletext signal code words that classify the contents of the television program generated by the signal source 10. The TV access control device 15 has a first input 16 for receiving data from a TV program scheduling system. This data is provided in an overall indication of the program content, which can be used for example to prohibit the display of a program on the receiver side. The information may define, for example, the levels of distressing content that may occur in violence, sexual content, adult language or programs.

The TV access control device 15 has a second input 17 for receiving data from previously recorded data. The prerecorded material may include coding in advance to indicate the type of content provided to the program, or may include temporary data to classify specific events while the program is being aired. A keyboard or other input device 18 is connected to the other input of the TV access control device 15. This allows the operator to insert the appropriate classification codes into the live program. Of course, because the operator needs time to put the right code at the right time, there is a short delay in actually sending the program. Such transmission delays are well known in live programs in order to allow the broadcasting authority to cut out some undesirable events. For example, if a telephone caller is saying something that is slanderous or obscene during a live call, it is necessary to cut it off.

The codes generated by or received by the TV access control device 15 and passed to the teletext editing system are then inserted into an extension packet of the teletext signal. In particular, the codes can be inserted in the selected byte of packet 8/30 format 1.

3 shows the contents of Packet 8/30 Format 1 which has been modified to implement the present invention. Its contents, therefore, include clock execution cycles, framing codes, including information identifying packets 8/30 and format 1, and include initial pages, network identification, time offsets, modified Ulysses, and universal time. It contains bytes that specify. And there are 4 bytes available for transmitting sort codes for the program according to the present invention. And there is an additional byte that defines the status display.

Four bytes essentially provide 32 bits that can be used for encoded data. If the program is interrupted due to incorrect reception of the classification codes, the classification codes are preferably transmitted reliably because the viewer is very inconvenienced. Of course, this error protection reduces the number of data bits that can be used to encode the classification codes. In an embodiment according to the invention these four bytes are used to transmit 16 message bits which are coded 4/8 Hamming for error protection. In order to allocate these message bits, it is proposed as follows.

2 bits for the sexual content of the entire program

2 bits for the transcript of the individual events in the program

2 bits for violence in the program

2 bits for violence against incidents in the program

2 bits for distressing incidents in the program

2 bits for the adult language in the program

4 bits for the display of the original area of the program

Allocating 2 bits for each program content classification allows the possible levels to be set for that particular content. For example, code 00 means that there is no content of that type, 01 means low level content, code 10 means medium level content, and code 11 means high level. As long as sexual and violent content is relevant to the whole program, as well as to individual events within the program, it would be useful to have coding. So, for example, as long as individual events involving sexual content are prohibited, parents can decide which programs have low or medium level sexual content that children can see. Thus, the parent would set the acceptable program level to 01, and at the same time, to remove incidents with overall sexual content, so that the event in the program code would be set to 00. The same applies to violent content within the program. Distressing content classification will only be for a limited time within the program. The type of content considered here includes, for example, the detail of the surgical scene in medical programs. In this case, viewers will be interested in medical techniques but will also see descriptions of painful surgical scenes. Other examples of bullying are in news or current affairs programs. For example, recent interviews with survivors may dislike some people or dislike scenes that show the effects of hunger or other pain. Adult language content in the program will also be broadcast quite intermittently in general, so it is not appropriate to ban the entire program on the basis of this, so it is considered possible to suppress the moment of adult language. Since the moral code differs between regions and countries, the original program code areas are considered in that they can be classified as low-level violence in one area as medium or high-level violence in another. useful. The same considerations may apply to sexual harassment or adult language content. It is possible to modify codes in the receiver for sexual content, violent content, harassment content and adult language content according to the code for the region of the original program. Thus, an intermediate level of grade content in Region 1 may correspond to a higher level grade content in Region 2.

It is also possible to ban programs originating in certain areas, for example for political or religious reasons.

4 is a schematic block diagram forming an embodiment of a television receiver according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the television receiver comprises a conventional tuner 21 and an antenna 20 provided to the IF and demodulator block 22. The combined video and blanking signal is available at the output of block 22 and provided to teletext decoder 23 and color decoder 24. The output of the color decoder 24 is provided to a video selector 25 which also blanks the display signal output from the teletext decoder 23 and the teletext decoder 23 via an OR gate 26. Receive the signal.

The control processor 27 controls the operation of the television receiver in a conventional manner. Receive control commands from the remote control device 28 that the viewer uses to select the particular channel to display and other functions such as teletext display or screen menu display. The processor 27 receives from the teletext decoder 23 the codes provided in Packet 8/30 Format 1, i.e., codes representing sexual content, violent content, harassing content or adult language content. In addition, non volatile memory 29 stores the codes that the user has entered using the remote control unit, and displays levels of sexual, violent, harassing, or adult language content that is allowed to display. Set it. The processor 27 compares the received code with the stored code and generates a signal to line 30 according to the output of the comparison, which is input to the video selector 25 via an OR gate 26 and appropriately. Generate blanks in the video display in the environment. In addition, a signal is supplied via line 31 to the audio selector 32 so that the audio output is silent in the proper environment.

The audio selector generates an output that is input to the standard audio circuitry and loudspeaker 35, represented by block 33, and the video selector 25 is an output that is input to the standard video circuitry 35 and the display device 36. Occurs. Audio selector 32 has another input from terminal 37 to which an audio source can be selectively connected. For example, it may be a tone generator that replaces an offensive language with a ring tone or may be connected to an auxiliary channel such as an Audetel channel to provide an optional language for the offensive language. The Odetel channel provides a description of the scene by providing acoustically assisted signals to help those who do not see the display screen at all or partly, such as blind people, understand the program. In general, since Odetel is idle during conversation, it is possible to provide a reserve capacity in the channel so that an optional language for possible offensive language can be transmitted by the broadcasting station or coded in any program source.

So far, the content described for the television receiver shown in FIG. 4 is identical to that described in Applicant's British Patent No. 9619878.3 (PHB34110).

However, according to the invention, the receiver comprises means for indicating that classification codes are currently received and detected. These means may include the indicator lamp shown in FIG. 4 as the light emitting diode 38 controlled by the processor 27. The indicator lamp, of course, does not require a light emitting diode but such devices are conventional display means. Any other light emitting source that can be controlled by the processor 27 can be used. Such indicator means are pleasant for the viewer because the indicator means can shine continuously without affecting the displayed picture while the codes are detected. So you can see at a glance whether the codes are detected while having fun watching the whole program.

The limitation of such an apparatus is that it does not indicate what these classification codes are, even if they indicate that they are received and detected. So if the stored code is interrupted, there may be no indication that undesirable programs were being aired. As a result, the processor 27 is programmed to produce an on-screen display of the detected codes in response to a request made by pressing a button (preferably one dedicated button) on the remote control device or television cabinet. Such an on-screen display is described by way of example in FIG. 7. In conclusion, the parent can check that the appropriate code is programmed into memory, or at least the parent can check whether the current program does not exceed the intended level in reverse because the parent did not enter the correct code or the code was interrupted. have.

The on screen display can be used in any conventional mode. Thus, the image can be overwritten and terminated automatically so that the image disappears after 1 or 2 seconds. Alternatively, the on-screen display can be deleted by pressing a second button. It can be made to appear in the blending mode in the same way as in the blending mode teletext page display so that it is superimposed on the remaining images visible through the blending mode. Alternatively, you can make it appear in a relatively small window in one corner of the screen. Another improvement is that only one line of text can be displayed on the on-screen display, scrolling through the window through various categories.

5A-5E show screen display sequences in which a user enters one code set into a television receiver. At the initial switch, the on-screen display issues a message asking the user to enter a personal identification number. Here, whether there is a right is checked using a PIN. The PIN is stored in memory by the producer, who informs the buyer of the number of the PIN so that the buyer can initiate the selection of the classification. In an optional example, the PIN is set to all zeros at the factory, and a routine is entered when the setting is first switched so that the PIN is changed to any number desired by the user. Then, if you want to change the classification, press the key of the remote control unit. In this way, the on-screen display message prompts the user to enter a PIN. This is shown in screen 1 of FIG. 5A.

The user then enters a PIN, and if the PIN is correct, a subsequent on screen display is provided. This is shown as number 2 in FIG. 5A. First, a television receiver is set up to receive all programs, but using a television access control system, it is possible to choose to exclude certain types of programs. The on-screen display presents the user with the key for the continuation of the process, which in this case is the red key. Subsequent screens (screen 3) require the user to press a green key to select the type of program that is receivable or a red key to circumvent the condition. Assume that screen 4 is provided by pressing the green key. This requires the user to decide whether to exclude a program with sexual content, and to press one button to exclude the material, and to press the other button to exclude the material. If the user wishes to exclude at least some of the sexual content, screen 5 is provided. This requires the user to exclude high, medium or high levels or any level. In this example, the user selects a high level of exclusion only. In this example, the user selects the exclusion of only high-level sexual content and is then asked for an indication to exclude the content or completely exclude all programs that contain high-level sexual content only if the event occurs. The user is required to press red in some cases and green in others. This completes the programming of the grade content.

A similar process is shown on screens 13-15, which allows for the programming of acceptable adult languages. If a program containing excessive sexual or violent content is precluded, then it is likely that offensive languages are only a small part of the whole program, excluding certain events rather than the entire program. Screens 16 and 17 show the programming of the source area. In this way, the user can exclude a program from a certain area as necessary. For example, even if a particular country transmits propaganda material that does not contain excessive sexual, violent, harassing or adult language, an authorized person may wish to opt out of receiving the program. The selective use of areas of source code is to alter sexual, violent, harassing or adult language depending on the source of the program. Thus, a program considered to be intermediate in region A may be considered to be a program having a higher level in the region in which the receiver is located, so that the level of acceptable grade content in region A may only be an intermediate level. The code of the change can be permanently programmed in the receiver or set by the user. Screen 18 is the final screen provided, confirming the selection by the user. The screen is similar to the content of screen 2 provided when an entry of the access control system is obtained. Thus, once the setting is obtained, in a subsequent approach it will be displayed on screen 2.

It is clear that the on-screen display is just one example, and in fact can be modified to fit a particular market and in the language of the country in which the set is located. Of course, the control processor can store various on-screen displays in various languages, and since the language is selected by the user when accessing the on-screen display, a common control processor can be sold in various countries.

6 shows examples of on-screen messages displayed while the access control system is operating. Thus, the first screen shows that the program is not available, due to the high level of sexual content. Of course, the message varies depending on why a particular program is not available and is defined by the associated coding. The second screen shows the temporal blanking of the television due to the medium level of violent content. Thus, although display is allowed for most of the programs, temporary blanking of the video display is provided to prevent viewers from viewing violent content. The third screen shows the temporary blanking of the display due to offensive content. The fourth screen, along with the displayed picture, appears superimposed on the picture explaining that the sound has been muted due to adult language. After all, the viewer knows that the sound is temporarily muted, so he will not assume that the sound channel of the television receiver is defective.

In the above examples, the user has the right to change the coding by PIN. However, there are many other ways that a user can have rights. One is a fingerprint detector, in which the user places his hand or finger on the detector pad, which compares the user's fingerprint with the fingerprint stored in the receiver. This can avoid the problem of forgetting the PIN or losing the PIN. For example, the child can avoid problems such as discovering a PIN and resetting the classification code. Another method is to embed a video camera in the receiver and look up the face of the person who wants to change the code. The output of the video camera is compared with the image stored in the receiver, and if both coincide with each other, update of the classification code is allowed. Means for recognizing facial features are described in EP-A-0551 941 (PHB 33765). For example, the latter two methods can be used when a personal computer is combined with a TV program receiver. Necessary processing circuitry for the recognition of the fingerprint or face will be provided in the personal computer circuitry.

Those skilled in the art can easily implement other modifications from the description herein. Such variations include the use of known designs and the use of television systems and parts thereof, and may be used in addition to or in addition to the features described above. Although the claims of the present application are directed to specific combinations of the above characteristics, the disclosure scope of the present invention is irrelevant whether related to the invention claimed in the claims of the present application or all or part of the technical problems of the present invention. New novel features or novel combinations of features, either expressly or implicitly disclosed herein, and generalization of one or more of the above features apparent to those skilled in the art. Applicant discloses that, in the continuation of the present application, there may be a new claim that implements these features or a combination of such features, or another application derived from the present application.

Claims (8)

Means for enabling an authorized person to disable the sound and / or visual display of a received program in accordance with a classification code received with the television program. A television receiver comprising: Means for establishing the authority of said authorized person, Nonvolatile memory means for storing a classification code set input by the authorized person; Means for receiving and detecting classification codes multiplexed with the received television signal; Means for comparing the classification code set with the received classification code, and Means for disabling the voice and / or visual display according to the comparison result; And means for indicating whether classification codes are currently received and detected. A television receiver according to claim 1, wherein said display means is an indicator lamp. The television receiver of claim 2 wherein said indicator lamp is a light emitting diode. 4. Television receiver according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display means comprises an on screen display shown in place of or in combination with the television picture. 5. A television receiver as claimed in claim 4, wherein said on screen display indicates said classification codes currently being received. 6. A television receiver as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the on-screen display is shown in a mixed mode with the television picture. 7. A television receiver as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the on screen display is viewed in a window of a television picture. The television receiver of claim 4, wherein the on-screen display is called up by a single button on a remote control device and / or television receiver cabinet.