KR20050009064A - Apparatus of providing caption information and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method for supplying caption information are provided to offer information about a caption service state efficiently in response to selection of a user by checking the caption service state of a broadcast signal by a constant time interval and storing the information about the caption service state. CONSTITUTION: A caption information collection part(105) checks a caption service state of a broadcast signal by a constant time interval in order to collect information of the caption service state. A caption information process part(107) shows the collected information thereof on a display part(110). The collected information thereof is stored in a memory part(106). When electric power is turned on or a certain channel of a broadcast is selected, the information stored in the memory part is deleted and then the information of the caption service state is collected again.

Description

Apparatus and method for providing caption information {APPARATUS OF PROVIDING CAPTION INFORMATION AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing caption information, and more particularly, to store information about a caption service state obtained by checking a caption service state of a broadcast signal at a predetermined time interval, and to store information about a caption service state stored at the request of a user. By providing information on the state of the caption service that can be provided through the currently provided broadcast signal to the user efficiently.

In general, a caption broadcasting method in TV broadcasting includes an open caption method of superimposing news or notification items by a broadcaster's selection without a viewer's selection by overlapping a caption signal in an active section of the broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal. There is a closed caption method in which a caption signal is loaded on a non-active section (ie, a vertical blanking section) and transmitted to indicate content of a dialogue by a viewer's selection.

In the aforementioned closed caption, a predetermined caption signal is inserted at a predetermined position (for example, the 21st horizontal line) of the video signal.

When a video signal having such a caption signal is input to the TV, the TV detects the caption signal from the received video signal according to a user's selection, decodes the text data into text data, and generates a text signal corresponding to the text data, such as a TV screen. The display is displayed at a predetermined position together with the video signal input to the video display unit.

Such caption broadcasting is differently supported in analog TV and digital TV according to the characteristics of the broadcast signal. In the case of analog TV, four caption services (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4) are supported. 6 more caption modes (SERVICE 1, SERVICE 2, SERVICE 3, SERVICE 4, SERVICE 5, and SERVICE 6) according to digital broadcast signals are further supported.

1A schematically shows a caption processing structure in a conventional analog TV.

As shown in a of FIG. 1, in the caption processing structure of an analog TV, when a National Television System Committee (hereinafter referred to as NTSC) broadcast signal is input, the control unit outputs the input NTSC broadcast signal through a TV screen.

If the user selects a caption menu among On Screen Display (OSD) menus through the remote control or key input unit, the control unit supports four caption services (CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4) items are displayed on the TV screen.

The user arbitrarily selects a specific mode among the power-on modes displayed on the TV screen, and according to the user's selection, the microcomputer displays the caption signal received through the corresponding caption service together with the broadcast signal on the TV screen.

1B schematically shows a caption processing structure in a conventional digital TV.

As shown in b of FIG. 1, in the caption processing structure of the digital TV, when the NTSC broadcast signal and the digital broadcast signal are respectively input, the control unit displays the NTSC broadcast signal on a TV screen according to the user's tuner selection, or the digital broadcast. The signal is decoded and displayed on the TV screen.

If the user selects a caption menu among the OSD menus while displaying the digital broadcast signal, the microcomputer selects six caption modes (SERVICE 1, SERVICE 2, SERVICE 3, SERVICE 4, SERVICE 5, SERVICE 6) Display the item.

The user arbitrarily selects a specific mode among the power-on modes displayed on the TV screen, and according to the user's selection, the microcomputer displays the caption signal received through the corresponding caption service along with the broadcast signal on the TV screen.

The caption processing structure in the analog and digital TV having such a process does not provide the user with information on the caption service status as well as what caption information is provided in each caption service. The user using the information about the service status had to select each caption service and check the caption contents displayed.

In order to alleviate this inconvenience, recent digital TVs provide information on caption services provided through the received broadcast signal with reference to SI (System Information) information on the received broadcast signal. In this case, each caption service is provided. Information on the state of the caption service provided through the information on the caption service does not match frequently and thus does not help the user.

For example, even though English is provided in Service 1, it may be displayed in French and cause confusion to the user.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method for enabling a user to accurately and conveniently check information on a caption service state available through a current broadcast signal.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, by checking the caption service state of the broadcast signal at a predetermined time interval and by storing information on the caption service state obtained in the confirmation process, according to the user's selection to the caption service state Its main purpose is to provide information efficiently.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to display the information on the caption service status, the signal arrival time and the provided text information according to each caption service, thereby providing convenient information on the caption service status available to the user through the existing broadcast signal. To make sure it is available and available.

1 a and b schematically show a caption processing structure in a conventional analog / digital TV.

2 schematically illustrates a structure of an apparatus for providing caption information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 schematically illustrates a process of providing caption information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 schematically shows a caption processing structure in an analog TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates information about a caption service state of an analog broadcast signal displayed on a TV screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 schematically illustrates a caption processing structure in an analog / digital TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 illustrates information about a caption service state of an analog / digital broadcast signal displayed on a TV screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

101: control unit 102: key input unit

103: broadcast signal input unit 104: video and audio signal processing unit

105: caption information collection unit 106: memory unit

107: caption information processing unit 108: video and audio signal output unit

109: speaker 110: display unit

The present invention checks the caption service state of the broadcast signal input to the broadcast signal input unit at a predetermined time interval through the caption information collecting unit, and stores information on the caption service state collected in a memory, and at the request of the user to the caption service state. The information processing unit provides information about the caption service state to the user through an OSD menu through a predetermined layout structure.

The information about the caption service state includes a caption signal arrival time and caption contents.

In addition, the information on the caption service state further includes SI language information for each caption service provided with the broadcast signal.

As described above, the provision of caption service information using broadcast signals is largely performed in case of providing caption service information in analog TV processing analog broadcast signals and in analog / digital TV processing analog and digital broadcast signals. It may be divided into a case of providing caption service information.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for providing caption information according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Caption information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention checks the caption service state of the broadcast signal at regular intervals, caption information collection unit for collecting information on the caption service state, and the information on the collected caption service state It characterized in that it comprises a caption information processing unit for displaying through the display unit.

The caption information collecting unit updates the caption service state information by storing information about the caption service state collected in the memory unit, and when the power is turned on or selected by a specific channel, the caption service state stored in the memory unit After deleting the information about the caption service state information through the broadcast signal of the selected channel, and collecting the information about the caption service state characterized in that the memory unit.

The caption information processing unit may display the collected caption service information on the on-screen display menu through a predetermined layout structure.

Caption information providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of checking the caption service state of the broadcast signal at a predetermined time interval to collect information on the caption service state; And displaying information on the collected caption service through a display unit when information on the collected caption service state is requested by the user.

The method may further include updating caption service state information by storing information about the collected caption service state in a memory unit, and collecting the caption service state information from the broadcast signal for each caption service for a predetermined time. Determining whether is received; When the caption signal is received as a result of the determination, checking the caption signal arrival time and detecting a predetermined caption signal to collect the arrival time and the caption contents; And if the caption signal is not received as a result of the determination, recording that the caption service is not provided for the corresponding caption service.

Although the configuration and operation of the caption information providing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it has been described through a TV corresponding to a representative example of the caption service apparatus, but not only a TV but also a set-top box It is to be understood that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments of the module to enable the provision of information about the caption service state in a device such as a video / DVD (DVD) player are possible. If you can understand.

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

2 schematically illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for providing caption information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the caption information providing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit 101, a key input unit 102, a broadcast signal input unit 103, a video and audio signal processing unit 104, and a caption information collecting unit 105. ), A memory unit 106, a caption information processing unit 107, a video and audio signal output unit 108, a speaker 109, and a display unit 110.

The controller 101 performs overall operation control for providing a broadcast service and caption information. The caption information collecting unit 105 controls the caption service state provided with a broadcast signal of a channel selected by a user at a predetermined time interval. To store information about the caption service state collected in the memory unit 106 and detect information about the stored caption service state according to a user's request and provide the caption service state to the user through the caption information processing unit 107. Perform control.

The key input unit 102 receives a key selection from a user through a remote controller and an input key, generates a control signal corresponding to the selected input signal, and transmits the generated control signal to the controller 101.

The broadcast signal input unit 103 receives a predetermined broadcast signal through a tuner that outputs a broadcast signal of a channel tuned according to a user's selection among high frequency signals received by an antenna.

The video and audio signal processing unit 104 demodulates the broadcast signal output from the broadcast signal input unit 103 to signal-process the audio signal and the video signal and output the demodulated signal.

The caption information collecting unit 105 checks the caption service state at a predetermined time interval through a broadcast signal output from the broadcast signal input unit 103 when a power is turned on by a user or when a specific channel is tuned to a predetermined caption service state. Collect information about

Information about the caption service state is a caption signal arrival time obtained in a process of checking whether the caption signal is reached for a predetermined time for each caption service of the caption service provided with the broadcast signal, and a predetermined caption detected from the received caption signal. It consists of the caption content, which is a text signal corresponding to the signal.

In addition, the digital TV further includes SI language information for each caption service provided with the digital broadcast signal.

For example, in the case of an analog TV providing four caption services, the information on the caption service state includes a caption signal arrival time of each caption service and a text signal corresponding to a predetermined caption signal, and provides six caption services. In the case of a digital TV, the caption service state information includes caption signal arrival time, text signal, and SI language information of each caption service.

The memory unit 106 stores algorithms for controlling the operation of the caption information providing apparatus and data generated in an operation process, and stores information about a caption service state obtained through the caption information collecting unit 105.

The caption information processing unit 107 displays the caption information detected from the memory unit 106 in an on-screen display menu through a predetermined layout structure according to the operation control of the control unit 101, and displays a specific caption service according to a user's selection. The text signal corresponding to the caption signal received through the processing is superimposed on the video signal according to the control code included in the caption signal.

The predetermined layout structure includes caption service state information for a plurality of caption services for structurally providing caption service state information to a user. For example, caption signal arrival time, caption contents, and SI language information for each caption service. A table representing is used.

The video and audio signal output unit 108 outputs the video and audio signals output from the video and audio signal processing unit and the caption information processing unit 107 to the speaker 109 or the display unit 110 which is a TV screen.

For reference, in the caption information providing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each module may be configured in hardware, some modules may be configured in software, or the entire module may be configured in software.

Therefore, the configuration of the caption information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of hardware or software without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and modifications and changes according to the configuration of the software and / or hardware without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is obvious that this can be added.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a network connection method according to the present invention using a caption information providing apparatus configured as described above will be described in detail.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of providing caption service state information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the caption information collecting unit 105 determines whether power is applied to the TV according to a user's key selection so that the TV is turned on or a specific channel is tuned to change the channel (S1).

As a result of the determination, when the TV is turned on or the channel is switched, the information on the existing caption service state stored in the memory unit 106 is deleted (S2).

Next, the caption service state of the broadcast signal input through the broadcast signal input unit 103 is checked at regular intervals to collect information on a predetermined caption service state, and the collected caption service state information is stored in the memory unit. Save (S3).

That is, it is checked whether a caption signal is reached for each caption service for a predetermined time through a broadcast signal of a channel previously tuned, and when the caption signal is reached, the caption signal arrival time is checked and a predetermined caption signal is detected. Generate a text signal.

Next, at a predetermined time interval, information on the caption service state provided through the broadcast signal of the current channel is collected to update the information on the caption service state stored in the memory unit 106 (S4).

If the channel is not converted as a result of the determination, information about the caption service state provided through the broadcast signal of the current channel is collected to update the information about the caption service state stored in the memory unit 106.

Through this process, the caption information collecting unit 105 continuously updates the information on the caption service state of the existing broadcast signal, and the caption information processing unit 107 displays the caption menu in the OSD menu according to the user's key selection. It is determined whether or not it is selected (S5).

When the determination result caption menu is not selected and returns to the information updating routine for the caption service state, and when the determination result caption menu is selected, the information about the caption service state stored in the memory unit 106 is determined through a predetermined layout structure. Display with OSD menu.

An apparatus and method for providing caption information according to the present invention as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The caption information providing apparatus according to the present invention provides information on the caption service state by performing an information processing process on a corresponding caption service state according to analog and digital broadcast signals input through an analog / digital TV.

Accordingly, first, a process of providing caption service information in an analog TV processing an analog broadcast signal will be described, and a process of providing caption service information in an analog / digital TV processing an analog and digital broadcast signal will be described.

4 schematically shows a caption processing structure in an analog TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the TV is turned on or the channel is switched by channel selection, the caption information collecting unit 105 uses an NTSC signal, which is an analog broadcast signal input through the broadcast signal input unit. It is determined whether a caption signal is reached for each caption service CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4.

As a result of the determination, when the caption signal arrives, the caption signal arrival time of each caption service is checked, a predetermined caption signal is detected, a corresponding text signal is generated, and the memory unit 106 is provided with information on the state of the caption service. Save it.

The caption information collecting unit 105 continuously collects information on the caption service state of the broadcast signal input at predetermined time intervals and continuously updates the information on the caption service state stored in the memory unit 106.

In this process, when the caption menu is selected from the OSD menu by the user, the controller detects information on the caption service state stored in the memory unit according to the user's selection of the caption menu and transmits the information to the caption information processing unit 107.

The caption information processing unit 107 displays the information about the caption service state as an OSD menu through a predetermined layout structure.

If the information about the caption service state of the caption service CC1 is caption arrival time '0' seconds, the caption content decoded by the character signal is 'I am a Korean', and the information about the caption service state of the caption service CC2 is the caption arrival time. '30 seconds', the caption content decoded to the character signal is' Je suis Coreenne ', the caption service status of the caption service CC3 is the caption arrival time' 4 minutes', and the caption content decoded to the character signal is' Sou de Corea '. ', And the caption signal is not reached in the caption service CC4.

In this case, if the layout structure for displaying information about the caption service state is set as a table, the information about the caption service state is structurally displayed to the user through a TV screen as shown in FIG.

6 schematically illustrates a caption processing structure in an analog / digital TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the TV is turned on or the channel is switched by channel selection, the caption information collecting unit 105 determines whether the channel selected by the user is an analog broadcast channel or a digital broadcast channel. Judge.

When the analog broadcast signal is selected as a result of the determination, the caption signal processing process for the analog broadcast signal as described above is performed.

As a result of the determination, when the digital broadcast signal is selected, it is determined whether the caption signal is reached for each caption service SERVICE1, SERVICE2, SERVICE3, SERVICE4, SERVICE5, and SERVICE6 through the digital broadcast signal input to the broadcast signal input unit 103.

As a result of the determination, when the caption signal arrives, the caption signal arrival time of each caption service is checked, and the received predetermined caption signal is detected to generate a corresponding text signal.

In addition, the SI language information of each caption service obtained from the SI provided with the digital broadcast signal is detected and stored in the memory unit 106 as information on the caption service state of each caption service.

The caption information collecting unit 105 continuously collects information on the caption service state of the broadcast signal input at predetermined time intervals and continuously updates the information on the caption service state stored in the memory unit 106.

In this process, if the caption menu is selected from the OSD menu by the user, the controller detects information on the caption service state stored in the memory unit 106 according to the user's selection of the caption menu and transmits the information to the caption information processing unit 107.

The caption information processing unit 107 displays the information about the caption service state as an OSD menu through a predetermined layout structure.

If the information on the caption service state of the caption service SERVICE1 is caption arrival time '0', the caption content decoded by the character signal is 'I am a Korean', the SI language information 'English', and the caption service of the caption service SERVICE2. The information on the status is caption arrival time '30 seconds', the caption content decoded by the text signal is' I'm Korean ', SI language information' Korean ', and the caption service status of the caption service SERVICE3 is the caption arrival time. "1 minute", caption content is "Je suis Coreenne", SI language information is "French", the caption service status of the caption service SERVICE4 is caption arrival time "2 minutes", caption content is "Sou de Corea", SI language information is' Spanish ', the caption service status of the caption service SERVICE5 is the caption arrival time '10 minutes', the caption content is' Watashiha Kankanku で す', the SI language information 'Japanese', and the caption service SERVICE6 Caption scene Define that the arc is not reached.

In this case, if the layout structure for displaying information about the caption service state is set as a table, the information about the caption service state is structurally displayed to the user through a TV screen as shown in FIG. 7.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited to drawing.

According to the present invention made as described above, by checking the caption service state of the broadcast signal at a predetermined time interval and storing information on the caption service state obtained in the confirmation process, the information on the caption service state according to the user's selection Can be provided as

In addition, by structurally displaying the signal arrival time and the caption content according to each caption service, the user can conveniently check and use the information on the caption service state available through the existing broadcast signal.

Claims (15)

A caption information collecting unit which collects information on the caption service state by checking a caption service state of a broadcast signal at predetermined time intervals; Caption information providing apparatus comprising a caption information processing unit for displaying the information on the collected caption service state through a display unit. The method of claim 1, The caption information collecting unit Caption information providing apparatus characterized by updating the caption service status information by storing the information on the collected caption service status in a memory unit. The method of claim 1, The caption information collecting unit When the power is turned on by the user or when a specific channel is tuned, the caption service state stored in the memory unit is deleted and information about the caption service state is collected through the broadcast signal of the selected channel. Caption information providing apparatus, characterized in that for storing information about the service status in the memory unit. The method of claim 1, The caption service state information includes a caption signal arrival time and caption content. The method of claim 3, wherein The caption service state information is Caption information providing apparatus further comprises SI language information for each caption service provided with the broadcast signal. The method of claim 1, The caption information processing unit Caption information providing device, characterized in that for displaying the information on the caption service state collected through an on-screen display menu through a predetermined layout structure. The method of claim 6, The predetermined layout structure Caption information providing apparatus, characterized in that the table consisting of caption service status information for each service for structurally providing the caption service status information to the user. Checking the caption service state of a broadcast signal at predetermined time intervals and collecting information on the caption service state; And And displaying information about the collected caption service through a display unit when information on the collected caption service state is requested by a user. The method of claim 8, And capturing the caption service state information by storing the collected caption service state information in a memory unit. The method of claim 9, Updating the caption service status information It is determined whether the power is turned on or the specific channel is tuned by the user, and when the power is turned on or the specific channel is selected, the caption service state stored in the memory unit is deleted and the broadcast signal of the selected channel is deleted. And capturing information about a caption service state. The method of claim 8, Collecting the caption service status information Determining whether a caption signal is received for each caption service for a predetermined time from the broadcast signal; If the caption signal is received as a result of the determination, checking the caption signal arrival time and detecting a predetermined caption signal to collect the arrival time and the caption contents; And if the caption signal is not received as a result of the determination, recording the caption service as not being provided for the caption service. The method of claim 8, Information about the collected caption service is Caption information providing method characterized in that displayed via the predetermined layout structure. The method of claim 12, The predetermined layout structure And caption service state information for each service for structurally providing the caption service state information to a user. The method of claim 8, The caption service state information includes a caption signal arrival time and caption content. The method of claim 14, The caption service state information is Caption information providing apparatus further comprises SI language information for each caption service provided with the broadcast signal.