KR20060091139A - Apparatus and method for setting the viewing conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, in the initial configuration of the playback of the recording program of the digital recording device, the user environment values such as video, audio, and aspect ratio are also included in the recording program information and managed. The present invention relates to a viewing environment setting apparatus and a method for allowing a user to watch a recorded program more conveniently by immediately viewing in an optimal environment.

The viewing environment setting method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: reproducing recorded individual programs; Storing user environment values of the reproduced individual programs in a memory unit of the digital recording device; And reproducing the individual program to which the stored user environment value is applied.

Digital recording device, PVR device, user environment setting, video, audio, aspect ratio

Description

Apparatus and method for setting the viewing conditions}

1 is a configuration diagram of a complex communication system in which a conventional PVR device is installed.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a PVR device (PVR) device applied to the present invention.

3 is a view showing file information displayed on a screen when a menu key is pressed during playback of a recorded individual program according to a viewing environment setting method according to the present invention;

Figures 4a to 4c is a view showing an example of setting the user environment value of the individual program in the AV device to which the present invention is applied.

5 is a flowchart showing a viewing environment setting method according to the present invention;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of changing and storing a user environment value according to a viewing environment setting method according to the present invention.

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

100: TV 102: PVR device 104: Antenna

106: cable converter 108: cable broadcasting station 110: IR transmitter

200: external device control port 202: A / V signal input terminal 204: tuner

206: MPEG encoder part 208: HDD 210: MPEG decoder part

212: video processor unit 214: A / V switching unit 216: central processing unit (CPU)

218: memory unit 220: key input unit 222: modem unit

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for setting a viewing environment in a recording program reproducing method of a digital recording device.

Representative products of the digital recording apparatus include a personal video recorder (PVR) set, which will be described below as a visual device.

The personal video recorder (PVR) device stores a TV broadcast signal as a digital signal on an HDD or other storage medium, thereby providing an environment that can be viewed again at any time as well as in real time. Doing.

1 is a configuration diagram of a complex communication system in which a conventional FV device is installed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the FV device 102 performs a function of receiving and reproducing an airwave broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station through the air antenna 104, or recording and replaying it later when requested by a user. Then, various kinds of point-to-point (PPP) information about a broadcast schedule is transmitted from a broadcasting station using a communication line through a telephone line.

In addition, the FV device 102 is connected to the cable converter 106 and receives various cable broadcast signals transmitted from the cable broadcasting station 108. In this case, the type of cable converter 106 connected to the fib device 102 is preset in the setup mode of the fib device 102.

The cable converter 106 receives and processes the cable broadcast signal applied from the cable broadcasting station 108 and applies the A / V (Audio / Video) signal thus obtained to the fibrous device 102. The video device 102 records broadcast information when a user requests through an A / V signal applied from the cable converter 106.

For example, when a user wants to record a video while watching a cable broadcast, the user presses the number and record button of a broadcast channel to record through an operation panel (not shown) provided in the TV device 102.

In addition, when scheduled recording of the broadcast to be watched is pressed through the operation panel of the fibrous device 102, the number and broadcast time of the broadcast channel to be recorded are pressed.

The AV device 102 transmits the broadcast recording request information input by the user to the IR transmitter 110 when a recording button is input or a scheduled broadcast time arrives.

The IR transmitter 110 transmits the broadcast recording request information set by the user as a remote controller to the cable converter 106.

The cable converter 106 is provided with a remote controller receiver (not shown) and outputs the cable broadcast signal of the channel received through the IR transmitter 110 to the FV device 102.

The FV device 102 records and reproduces, in real time, a cable broadcast signal of a selected channel through an A / V signal applied from the cable converter 106. The video signal output from the video device 102 is input to the TV 100 so that the user can watch the image reproduced through the TV 100.

As described above, the FB device can record not only analog broadcast but also HD input digital broadcast, video signal, and various input sources such as a camcorder, so that a user can enjoy various programs through one device. However, viewing is possible in an optimal environment only when a process of setting different viewing environment values is performed by the user according to the characteristics of the input source.

For example, HD-quality digital images are very clear, so there is no need to change a lot of image values, and dark camcorder images will be optimal viewing environment only when the brightness is increased. The same is true of the voice and aspect ratio settings.

Therefore, the conventional viewing environment setting method has a problem in that user environment values of individual programs such as video, audio, and aspect ratio must be reset separately for each input source in order to optimize the viewing environment of a program recorded by various input sources. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically setting a viewing environment in which user environment values such as video, audio, and aspect ratio are separately stored for each individual program so that a user can immediately watch the optimum environment without resetting during subsequent playback.

The viewing environment setting apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, in the user environment information set in the menu list of the individual program, by searching the menu list corresponding to the individual program, the user environment in the user environment information A key input unit for adjusting or changing a value; A memory unit for storing an adjusted or changed end user environment value of the individual program transmitted through the key input unit; A central processing unit for retrieving a user environment value for the individual program from the memory unit according to the control signal received from the key input unit; A video processor for outputting an individual program to which the user environment value received from the central processing unit is applied to the TV; Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, the viewing environment setting method according to the present invention comprises the steps of playing back the recorded individual program; Storing user environment values of the reproduced individual programs in a memory unit of the digital recording device; And reproducing the individual program to which the stored user environment value is applied.

In order to broadly distinguish the functions of the FV device 102, the first function is to receive and reproduce an airwave broadcasting signal transmitted from a broadcasting station through the aerial antenna 104, or to record it later when requested by a user, The second function is to reproduce the A / V signal received through the cable converter 106 in the cable broadcasting station 108 as a second function.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram of a fibrillation apparatus applied to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a component related to the first function of the FV device for reproducing and recording an airwave broadcast signal includes: an aerial antenna 104, a tuner unit 204, an MPEG encoder unit 206, and an HDD ( 208, MPEG decoder 210, video processor 212, A / V switching unit 214, central processing unit (CPU) 216, memory unit 218, key input unit 220 and modem unit ( 222). The central processing unit 216, which is a system controller, has a function of controlling the entire system.

The memory unit 218 is a part in which a driven program is stored, and when a viewing environment is set according to the present invention, an end user environment value changed by a user in a menu is stored.

The tuner 204 tunes a broadcast signal input through the antenna 104 and tunes to a desired specific frequency under the control of a system controller (not shown) to output the A / V signal.

The output A / V signal is input to the MPEG encoder 206 and the A / V converter 214. When the A / V signal is input to the MPEG encoder 206, the A / V signal is a path for playback after recording and A / V. When directly input to the switching unit 214 is a path for direct reproduction.

As a component for reproducing after recording, the MPEG encoder 206 receives an analog signal input by embedding an analog digital converter (ADC), digitizes it in real time, codes the compressed MPEG data into HDD, and converts the MPEG data into a HDD (Hard). disk drive; 208.

In addition, the MPEG decoder 210 receives the MPEG data stored in the HDD 208 and decodes the signal to generate an image signal. That is, the MPEG decoder 210 converts the digital data stored in the HDD 208 into an analog signal by embedding a digital analog converter (DAC). The analog signal converted by the MPEG decoder 210 is output to the A / V converter 214.

On the other hand, the video processor 212 configures a screen other than a broadcast screen such as a reservation recording function and outputs it to the A / V switching unit 214. In addition, the video processor 212 has a picture-in-picture (PIP) function to simultaneously output two screens on one screen of a TV, or has an alpha-blending function to display an image together with an image. Translucent subtitles may be output on the screen of the TV 100.

At this time, the A / V switching unit 214 synthesizes an analog signal from the MPEG decoder 210 and a screen other than the broadcast screen from the video processor 212 and outputs it to the input terminal of the TV 100.

The visual device 102 includes a function of displaying user environment information to a user in order to provide an optimized individual program recording function.

The user environment information stores the user environment values finally viewed by the user for each individual program in the memory unit 218, and then stores the user environment values stored under the control of the central processing unit 216. Will output

On the other hand, the modem unit 222 is connected to the connection line through the telephone line is responsible for receiving the broadcasting program information necessary for reservation recording from the broadcasting station.

In the following, the components related to the second function of the FV device 102 for reproducing A / V signals received from the cable broadcasting station 108 via the cable converter 106 will be described.

The external device A / V signal input terminal 202 is a terminal for receiving an A / V signal from the cable converter 106. The external device A / V signal is input from the cable converter 106 to the A / V switching unit 214. Is applied.

The A / V switching unit 214 selects an image input from the external device A / V signal input terminal 202 under the control of the CPU 216, and outputs the selected cable broadcast signal to the TV 100.

As described above, the A / V switching unit 214 is an A / V signal for direct reproduction applied from the tuner unit 204, a recorded analog broadcast signal applied from the MPEG decoder unit 210, and an external device A /. One of the A / V signals applied from the cable converter 106 through the V signal input terminal 202 is selectively processed.

That is, the A / V switching unit 214 selects one video signal from the three video signals input under the control of the central processing unit 216.

In addition, the external device control port 200 is a port connected to the IR transmitter 110, and transmits the recording request information set by the user to the IR transmitter 110 under the control of the central processing unit 216.

On the other hand, the key input unit 220 is provided in the FV device directly or on the remote controller in the present invention, the menu list of the program can be searched to adjust or change the user environment value in the user environment information.

3 is a view showing file information displayed on a screen when a menu key is pressed during playback of a recorded individual program according to the viewing environment setting method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the file information includes EPG information 306 for providing a program video file 300, a program audio file 302, a program thumbnail image 304, a channel and a program title, and a previous playback position 308. ) And other playback information 312 providing edit information 310, a video environment value 314 and a voice environment value 316, and a user environment 320 providing an aspect ratio environment value 318. have.

The program video file 300, the program audio file 302, the program thumbnail image 304, the EPG information 306 for providing a channel and a program title, the previous playback position 308 and the edit information 310 The other reproduction information 312 that provides the file information is the file information 322 that has been provided in the past.

In addition, through the software technique, the user environment 320 file information for adjusting the video environment value 314, the audio environment value 316, and the aspect ratio environment value 318 can be added (324) and recorded. If the menu key is pressed by the user during individual program playback, the user environment 320 file information is displayed on the screen.

4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of setting a user environment value of an individual program in a FV device to which the present invention is applied.

The user environment value can be set by selecting information included in the user environment 320 file information shown in FIG. 3 by the user.

4A is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when an image environment value adjustment included in the user environment file information is selected by a user.

Referring to FIG. 4A, contrast 400, brightness 402, color 404, sharpness 406, tint 408, and the like are displayed on the screen. The adjustment items including the Color Temperature (410) are displayed.

On the screen, the user can adjust the items for the currently recorded program being played to create a desired viewing environment.

4B is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when a voice environment value adjustment included in the user environment file information is selected by a user.

Referring to FIG. 4B, adjustment items including treble 412, bass 414, surround effect 416, and bass boost 418 are displayed on the screen. Is displayed.

On the screen, the user can adjust the items for the currently recorded program being played to create a desired viewing environment.

4C is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when an aspect ratio environment value adjustment included in the user environment file information is selected by a user.

Referring to FIG. 4C, adjustment items including 4: 3 (420), 16: 9 (Wide) 422, Zoom Value 424, and 3: 2 Pull Down 426 are displayed on the screen.

On the screen, the user can adjust the items for the currently recorded program being played to create a desired viewing environment.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting a viewing environment according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a fibrous device in operation standby state is searched for a program playlist previously recorded (recorded) by a user, and a recorded program that the user wants to watch is selected (S500).

When the program is selected, the central processing unit (CPU) 216 in the FV device retrieves the user environment storage value of the program stored in the ROM 218 (S502).

Then, the selected program is played back according to the user environment storage value (S504).

After step 504, the central processing unit 216 determines whether the user environment storage value of the selected program has not been changed by the user (S506).

As a result of the determination, if the user environment storage value of the selected program is changed, after the changed user environment value of the selected program is stored in the memory unit 218 (S508), step 502 is entered to store the user environment of the changed program. The selected program is played as the value.

However, if the user environment storage value of the selected program is not changed as a result of the determination, the user program is reproduced according to the user environment value set in the recorded program, and then ends when the selected program ends (510).

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of changing and storing a user environment value according to the viewing environment setting method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 506 of FIG. 5, a menu key of a FV device is pressed by a user who wants to change a user environment storage value of a recording program being reproduced (S600).

Then, the 'user configuration' key is pressed in the file information menu displayed on the screen (S602).

When the 'user environment setting' key is pressed, a screen for adjusting the video environment value 314, the audio environment value 316, and the aspect ratio environment value 318 is displayed, and thus the user environment value can be adjusted (S604). . Then, the adjusted user environment value is stored in the memory unit 218 in the FV device (S606).

That is, when one of the programs recorded by the user is selected and played, the viewing environment may be automatically reset using data set in the user environment value in the recorded program information.

Therefore, at the time of playing the said program in any state, it becomes possible to watch, maintaining the environment previously set as it is.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible.

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

In the present invention, in the initial configuration of the playback of the recording program of the digital recording device, the viewing environment setting values such as video, audio, and aspect ratio are also included in the recording program information to be managed. By setting the whole environment, users can watch recorded programs more conveniently.

In addition, the fact that not only the broadcasting information about the recorded program itself but also the environment in which the user views the recorded program is stored and managed together, the result of meeting the concept of the PVR may be more satisfied.

Claims (5)

In the user environment information set in the menu list of each program, A key input unit for searching the menu list corresponding to the individual program and adjusting or changing a user environment value in user environment information; A memory unit for storing an adjusted or changed end user environment value of the individual program transmitted through the key input unit; A central processing unit for retrieving a user environment value for the individual program from the memory unit according to the control signal received from the key input unit; A video processor for outputting an individual program to which the user environment value received from the central processing unit is applied to the TV; Viewing environment setting apparatus comprising a. Playing back the recorded individual program; Storing user environment values of the reproduced individual programs in a memory unit of the digital recording device; Playing the individual program to which the stored user environment value is applied; Viewing environment setting method comprising a. The method of claim 2, The storage is, Selecting user environment information from a menu list; Adjusting a predetermined user environment value in the selected user environment information; Storing the adjusted predetermined user environment value in a memory unit of the digital recording device; Viewing environment setting method comprising a. The method of claim 2, The recorded program being played is reproduced by applying the user environment value stored in the memory unit unless the user environment information is changed again. The method of claim 3, wherein And the predetermined user environment value comprises a video environment value, an audio environment value, and an aspect ratio environment value.

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