WO2005109869A1

WO2005109869A1 - Osd synthesis device, integrated circuit, osd synthesis method, program, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2005109869A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/008245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Junichi Komeno
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-05-07
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2005-11-17
Also published as: CN1774917A

Abstract

When the conventional OSD synthesis image decoding device is connected to a plurality of display devices having different image resolution formats, it is impossible to simultaneously output a synthesized image to the display devices. There is provided an OSD synthesized image decoding device including: an input image resolution format converter (40) for outputting an input image as it is if it has a predetermined image resolution format and, otherwise, converting the input image data into a predetermined image resolution format before outputting it; an OSD synthesis circuit (50) for synthesizing the image data outputted with an OSD image corresponding to a predetermined image resolution format; output image resolution format converters (60, 61) for converting the synthesized image data into an image resolution format other than the predetermined image resolution format; and an image output selector (70) for outputting the synthesized image data or the converted image data.

Description

Specification

OSD synthesis apparatus, integrated circuit, OSD synthesis method, program, and recording medium

[0001] The present invention superimposes information indicating the operation state of a recording / reproducing device such as a program guide or a DVD recorder transmitted on a digital TV broadcast or the like on decoded image data and outputs the information to an external display device. The present invention relates to an OSD synthesizing device, an integrated circuit, an OSD synthesizing method, a program, and a recording medium, such as a DVD recorder, a DVD recorder, and a disk recording and reproducing device with a built-in digital tuner. Background art

[0002] OSD (On Screen Display), which superimposes information indicating the operating state of a recording / reproducing device such as a DVD recorder or the like on a program guide transmitted in digital TV broadcasting or the like on decoded image data and displays it on an external display device Some devices have functions. For example, when a device with such an OSD function is used, transmitted program guides, operating states such as image data playback, fast forward and rewind, and operation menus are displayed on external display devices. It can be displayed superimposed on the image.

[0003] As a conventional OSD composite image decoding device having such an OSD function, a digital broadcast receiving device using the decoding device has been known (for example, see paragraph (1) of JP-A-2000-347638). 0026) See also paragraph (0057) and FIG. 1).

[0004] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-347638 is incorporated herein by reference (referred to) as it is.

FIG. 8 shows a conventional OSD composite image decoding apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-347638.

[0006] Even in such a conventional OSD composite image decoding device, a plurality of display devices can be connected at the same time.

In FIG. 8, a bit stream as encoded data is input from a terminal 151 to an MPEG decoding circuit 101, transferred to a RAM 201 via a memory controller 104, and stored. The decoded image data stored in the RAM 201 is stored in the memory in the order to be displayed. The data is read out by the MPEG decoding circuit 101 via the controller 104 and transferred to the decoded image / resolution format conversion circuit 102. The decoded image resolution format conversion circuit 102 outputs the image resolution format of the decoded image (480i image (interlaced image) resolution format, 480p image (progressive image) resolution format, 1080Ϊ image resolution format, etc.). The pixel size is enlarged and reduced in the horizontal and vertical directions to match the resolution format. For example, when the image resolution format of the display to be output is the 480i image resolution format, the decoded image resolution format conversion circuit 102 adjusts the pixel size in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the decoded image data is in the 480i image resolution format. Tsu !, Enlarge Z reduction processing. The decoded image format-converted by the decoded image image format conversion circuit 102 is transferred to the synthesizing circuit 133. When the image data is transferred to the synthesizing circuit 133, the output rate of the transferred pixel is supplied from the display circuit 134 to the decoded image resolution conversion circuit 102. Each pixel is transferred in synchronization with this pixel rate.

[0008] The graphic data to be combined with the decoded image is created by the microcontroller 202. If the information source of the graphic data is text data, it is stored in the memory 203, and the necessary character font data is read from the font ROM 204 according to the graphic generation program also stored in the memory 203 to generate the graphic data. .

[0009] The microcontroller 202 transfers the 256-color data to the color look-up table provided in the CLUT (Color Look Up Table) reference circuit 131 via the data bus 200.

[0010] The CLUT reference circuit 131 reads OSD graphic data from the memory 203 via the memory controller 104. The read data means a pallet number for each pixel, and the CLUT reference circuit 131 refers to 24-bit luminance and color difference information corresponding to each pixel from a color lookup table. The luminance and color difference information of each pixel is sent to the OSD image resolution conversion circuit 132. The OSD image resolution format conversion circuit 132 expands the number of horizontal pixels for each of the luminance and color difference signals. Performs z-reduction processing to increase the number of vertical pixels. For example, if the image resolution format of the display to be output is the 480i image resolution format, the OSD image resolution format conversion circuit 132 will adjust the horizontal pixels so that each of the luminance and color difference signals is suitable for the 480i image resolution format. Enlarges the number. Reduces the number of vertical pixels.

[0011] The combining circuit 133 receives the pixel position of the current scanning line from the display circuit 134, refers to the data corresponding to the current pixel position from the decoded image and the OSD image data, and combines them at a predetermined ratio. And outputs it to the display circuit 134. The display circuit 134 outputs OSD-combined image data together with a synchronization signal suitable for an external display.

[0012] In the above description, the case where the image resolution format of the display to be output is the 480i image resolution format is different. In contrast, when the image resolution format of the display to be output is the 480p image resolution format, The decoded image resolution conversion circuit 102 and the OSD image resolution format conversion circuit 132 operate as follows.

[0013] That is, the decoded image image format conversion circuit 102 performs the enlargement / Z reduction process using the pixel size in the horizontal and vertical directions so that the decoded image data has the 480p image resolution format.

[0014] Further, the OSD image image format conversion circuit 132 expands the number of horizontal pixels and reduces the number of vertical pixels so as to conform to the 480p image resolution format for each of the luminance and chrominance signals for which the OSD graphic data power is also obtained. Perform enlargement Z reduction processing.

That is, the OSD image resolution format conversion circuit 132 of the conventional OSD composite image decoding device converts the luminance and chrominance signals obtained from the OSD graphic data so as to match the image resolution format of the display to be output. In each case, the process of expanding and reducing the number of horizontal pixels and the process of expanding and reducing the number of vertical pixels were performed. Therefore, the OSD image resolution format is connected to the conventional OSD composite image decoding device when the display compatible with the 480i image resolution format is connected, and when the display compatible with the 480p image resolution format is connected. The conversion circuit 132 performs horizontal and vertical conversions for the determined luminance and chrominance signals at different enlargement and reduction ratios. Performs the Z reduction of the number of pixels and the Z reduction of the number of vertical pixels.

[0016] As described above, when the conventional OSD composite image decoding apparatus generates the OSD data as the luminance and color difference signals determined from the OSD graphic data, the OSD composite image decoding apparatus conforms to the image resolution format of the display to be output. In addition, the processing of expanding the number of horizontal pixels and reducing the number of vertical pixels in the OSD data is performed.

[0017] However, since the conventional OSD composite image decoding apparatus has only one decoded image resolution conversion circuit and one OSD image resolution format conversion circuit, a D3 terminal compatible television or composite can be used. When a plurality of display devices having different image resolution formats, such as compatible televisions, are connected at the same time, there is a problem that a composite image can be output to only some of the display devices.

[0018] If the resolution of the prepared OSD image is lower than the resolution of the display device to be connected, the image resolution format must be converted for the OSD-combined image in order to obtain the highest image quality. In some cases, the OSD composite image was slightly blurred.

[0019] In consideration of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides an OSD that can simultaneously output a composite image to a plurality of display devices even when a plurality of display devices having different image resolution formats are connected at the same time. It is an object to provide a synthesis device, an integrated circuit, an OSD synthesis method, a program, and a recording medium.

Disclosure of the invention

[0020] The first present invention provides (a) when the image resolution format of input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, outputs the input image data as it is; If the image resolution format of the input image data is not the predetermined image resolution format, the image resolution format is converted to the predetermined image resolution format, and the converted image data is output. Input image image resolution format conversion means

OSD combining means for combining the output image data with an OSD image corresponding to the predetermined image resolution format;

An output image image solution for converting the image resolution format of the synthesized image data into one or more image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format Image format conversion means;

An OSD synthesizing apparatus, comprising: an image data output unit that selectively outputs one of the synthesized image data and the synthesized and converted image data.

[0021] In a second aspect of the present invention, the image data output means is configured to output, to a plurality of output terminals, display devices connected to the plurality of output terminals, respectively, to selectively output the image data of the image data. An OSD synthesis apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention, which selectively outputs the image data so as to correspond to a resolution format.

[0022] In a third aspect of the present invention, the predetermined image resolution format is the highest image resolution format among image resolution formats supported by display devices connectable to the plurality of output terminals, respectively. 3 is an OSD synthesis device according to the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a setting relating to an image resolution format corresponding to the display device connected to all or a part of the plurality of output terminals is performed based on an instruction from a user. 10 is an OSD synthesizing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, comprising setting means.

A fifth invention is the OSD synthesizing apparatus according to the fourth invention, wherein the predetermined image resolution format is an image resolution format determined based on the settings made.

[0025] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the input image data includes restriction information for restricting an image resolution format of the selectively output image data. The format conversion means is the OSD synthesizing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention that outputs the image data based on the restriction information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the input image data is compression-encoded video data,

The restriction information is video stream information having a digital copy control descriptor,

All or some of the plurality of output terminals are analog terminals from which analog signals are output,

The image data output means copies the digital copy control descriptor. In the case where the flag of addition of a peak is set, the image resolution format of the image data selectively output to the analog terminal is determined for the plurality of output terminals.

The sixth aspect of the present invention for selectively outputting the image data so that 480 feet is 480p.

, OSD synthesis device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to an image resolution format corresponding to the display device connected to all or a part of the plurality of output terminals, respectively, also using the display device. An OSD synthesis apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, comprising:

[0028] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the OSD synthesizing apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein all or some of the plurality of output terminals are HDMI terminals.

[0029] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, the input image data includes

, The clock frequency of the pixel, the frequency of the horizontal synchronizing signal, and the frequency information of the vertical synchronizing signal.

The input image image resolution format conversion means is the OSD synthesizing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, which outputs the image data based on the frequency information.

[0030] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the OSD image corresponding to the predetermined image resolution format is stored in an OSD storage unit.

The OSD synthesizing unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the OSD synthesizing unit synthesizes the output image data and the corresponding OSD image read from the OSD storage unit.

[0031] The twelfth invention is characterized in that (a) when the image resolution format of the input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, the input image data is output as it is; If the image resolution format of the converted image data is not the predetermined image resolution format, the image resolution format is converted to the predetermined image resolution format, and the converted image data is output. An input image image resolution format conversion circuit,

An OSD synthesizing circuit for synthesizing the output image data and an OSD image corresponding to the predetermined image resolution format;

The image resolution format of the synthesized image data is changed to the predetermined image resolution format. An output image resolution format conversion circuit for converting into one or more image resolution formats other than the format;

An integrated circuit comprising: an image data output circuit that selectively outputs any one of the combined image data and the combined and converted image data.

[0032] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to (a) when the image resolution format of the input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, outputs the input image data as it is; If the image resolution format of the converted image data is not the predetermined image resolution format, the image resolution format is converted to the predetermined image resolution format, and the converted image data is output. An input image image resolution format conversion step;

An OSD combining step of combining the output image data with an OSD image corresponding to the predetermined image resolution format;

An output image image resolution format conversion step of converting the image resolution format of the synthesized image data into one or more image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format;

An OSD combining method, comprising: an image data output step of selectively outputting any one of the combined image data and the combined and converted image data.

[0033] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides the OSD synthesizing method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) when the image resolution format of the input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, (B) outputting the image data as it is, and if the image resolution format of the input image data is not the predetermined image resolution format, the image resolution format is changed to the predetermined image resolution format. An input image resolution format conversion step of converting the output image data into a format and outputting the converted image data; and an OSD synthesis step of synthesizing the output image data with an OSD image corresponding to the predetermined image resolution format. And one or more image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format. Strange to Tsu door An image resolution format converting step of converting the image data, and an image data output step of selectively outputting any one of the synthesized image data and the synthesized and converted image data. This is a program to be executed by

[0034] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium on which the program of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is recorded, the recording medium being processable by a computer.

The present invention has an advantage that, even when a plurality of display devices having different image resolution formats are simultaneously connected, a composite image can be simultaneously output to the plurality of display devices.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of an operation panel of an image resolution format setting unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to a modification (part 1) of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to a modification (part 2) of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 8] A block diagram of a conventional OSD composite image decoding device

Explanation of symbols

[0037] 11 MPEG2 decoder

21 Image resolution format information extractor

30 microcomputer

40 Input image image resolution format converter

50 OSD synthesis circuit

51 Memory control circuit 52 memory

60 Output image

61 Output image

70 Image output switch

80 LSI for HDMI

81 D3 terminal

82 D2 terminal

83 Composite terminal

84 HDMI terminal

101 MPEG decoding circuit

102 Decoding image resolution format converter

104 Memory controller

131 CLUT reference circuit

132 OSD image resolution conversion circuit

133 synthesis circuit

134 Display circuit

151 terminal

201 RAM

202 microcontroller

203 memory

204 font ROM

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

In the first embodiment, information indicating the image resolution format of a television externally connected to the OSD composite image decoding device is set in advance based on an instruction of the operator, and based on the information indicating the image resolution format. TV with the highest resolution, even if multiple TVs with different image resolution formats are connected. An OSD image decoding device that can prepare an OSD image according to the image, synthesize it with image data and output it, and can simultaneously output a down-converted OSD composite image to a TV with the highest resolution or lower. Will be described.

[0040] The OSD synthesized image decoding device includes an MPEG2 decoder 11, a microcomputer 30, an input image image resolution format converter 40, an OSD synthesis circuit 50, a memory control circuit 51, a memory 52, an output image image resolution format converter 60, 61, an image output switch 70, terminals 81, 82, 83, and an image resolution format setting means 95.

[0041] The MPEG2 decoder 11 is means for decoding a bit stream of compressed image data.

The microcomputer 30 is means for controlling the input image image resolution format converter 40, the memory control circuit 51, the output image image resolution format converters 60 and 61, and the image output switch 70.

The input image image resolution format change 40 is means for converting the decoded image data into an image resolution format based on a command from the microcomputer 30.

The memory control circuit 51 is means for reading an OSD image from the memory 52 and transferring it based on a command from the microcomputer 30.

[0045] The memory 52 is means for storing OSD images corresponding to each image resolution format in a predetermined area in a distributed manner.

[0046] The output image image resolution format conversion 60 is output from the OSD synthesis circuit 50.

This is a means to reduce the OSD attached image to 480ρ image with OSD.

[0047] The output image image resolution format conversion 61 is output from the OSD synthesis circuit 50.

This is a means to reduce the OSD attached image to the OSD attached 480i image.

The image output switch 70 is means for selecting image data with OSD to be sent to each of the terminals 81, 82, and 83 according to an image resolution format switching signal sent from the microcomputer 30.

[0049] Terminals 81 and 82 are D3 terminals, ie, 480i image, 480p image, and 1080i image This terminal can be connected to a D3 terminal compatible TV or D2 terminal compatible TV.

[0050] The terminal 83 is a composite terminal, that is, a terminal that can output only 480i images, and is a terminal to which a composite signal compatible television can be connected.

[0051] The image resolution format setting means 95 is a means for setting the image resolution format of the television externally connected to the terminals 81, 82, 83 in accordance with an instruction from the operator.

The portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 1 is configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 85. That is, the microcomputer 30, the input image image resolution format conversion 40, the OSD synthesis circuit 50, the memory control circuit 51, the memory 52, the output image image resolution format converters 60 and 61, and the image output switch 70 The system LSI85 consists of a single chip LSI. As described above, as the system LSI 85, by assembling each component of the OSD composite image decoding device by one chip, the assembly cost of the OSD composite image decoding device can be reduced.

Note that the MPEG2 decoder 11 of the present embodiment is an example of a decoding unit. The input image image resolution format converter 40 of the present embodiment is an example of the input image image resolution format converter of the present invention. The memory 52 of the present embodiment is an example of the OSD storage unit of the present invention. The memory control circuit 51 of the present embodiment is an example of the OSD switching means. The OSD synthesis circuit 50 of the present embodiment is an example of the OSD synthesis means of the present invention. Output image image resolution format conversions 60 and 61 of the present embodiment are examples of output image image resolution format conversion means of the present invention. The image output switch 70 of the present embodiment is an example of the image data output means of the present invention. The image resolution format setting means 95 of the present embodiment is an example of the setting means of the present invention. Terminals 81, 82, and 83 of the present embodiment are examples of a plurality of output terminals of the present invention. The television compatible with the D3 terminal, the television compatible with the D2 terminal, and the television compatible with the composite signal of the present embodiment are examples of the display device of the present invention. The 1080i image resolution format of the present embodiment is an example of the predetermined image resolution format of the present invention. The 480i image resolution format and the 480p image resolution format of the present embodiment are examples of one or more types of image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format of the present invention. Input image image resolution format converter 40 of the present embodiment Is an example of an input image / image resolution format conversion circuit of the present invention. Of this embodiment

The OSD synthesis circuit 50 is an example of the OSD synthesis circuit of the present invention. The output image image format converters 60 and 61 of the present embodiment are examples of the output image image format converter according to the present invention. The image output switch 70 of the present embodiment is an example of the image data output circuit of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. An embodiment of the OSD synthesis method of the present invention will be described at the same time (the same applies to other embodiments).

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that a television compatible with the D3 terminal is connected to the terminal 81, a television compatible with the D2 terminal is connected to the terminal 82, and a composite terminal compatible television is connected to the terminal 83.

First, the user specifies in advance the image resolution format of the television connected to the external connection terminals such as the terminals 81, 82, and 83 of the OSD composite image decoding device using the operation panel.

That is, the image resolution format setting means 95 is provided with an operation panel. FIG. 2 shows the operation panel of the image resolution format setting means 95. As shown in FIG. 2, the image resolution format setting means 95 operates buttons 951, 952, 953, 951a, 951b, 951c, 952a, 952b, and 952c which are on / off switches.ヽThese buttons are lit red when on and off when off.

[0058] When a television is connected to terminal 83, button 953 is turned on, and when it is not connected, button 953 is turned off. When a television is connected to terminal 81, button 951 is turned on, and when not connected, button 951 is turned off. If a television is connected to the terminal 82, the button 952 is turned on. If the television is connected to the terminal 82, the button 952 is turned off.

When the television is connected to the terminal 81, the following operation is further performed. That is, when the TV connected to the terminal 81 can display image data of the 480i image resolution format, the button 951a is turned on. Also, when the image data of the TV resolution 80p image resolution format can be displayed, the button 951b is turned on. Also, if this TV can display image data in 1080i image resolution format, Turns on button 951c.

When a television is connected to terminal 82, the following operation is further performed. That is, if the television connected to terminal 82 can display image data in the 480i image resolution format, turn on button 952a. Also, when the image data in the 80p television resolution format can be displayed, the button 952b is turned on. Also, if the television can display image data in 1080i image resolution format, button 952c is enabled.

[0061] By operating the operation panel in advance by the operator in this way, whether or not a television is connected to terminals 81, 82, and 83, and if a television is connected to terminals 81 and 82, the television is connected. Enter information about the image resolution format that can be displayed on the video. The image resolution format setting means 95 outputs the set information to the microcomputer 30.

[0062] The microcomputer 30 retains information indicating whether or not a television is connected to each terminal to which the operation panel input has been input, and information about an image resolution format corresponding to the television connected to each terminal. deep. That is, the microcomputer 30 holds information indicating the relationship between each output terminal and an image resolution format compatible with the television connected to the output terminal.

As described above, the operator uses the image resolution format setting unit 95 to change the image resolution format of the television connected to the external connection terminals such as the terminals 81, 82, and 83 of the OSD composite image decoding device. Set in advance.

After that, the MPEG2 decoder 11 decodes the bit stream of the compressed image data. The decoded image data is input to the input image image resolution format converter 40.

The input image image resolution format converter 40 converts the decoded image data into an image resolution format based on a command from the microcomputer 30. The user has previously specified the image resolution format of the television connected to the external connection terminal of the OSD composite image decoding device using the operation panel as described above. Therefore, the micro-computer 30 can recognize the image resolution format having the highest resolution with this user setting capability. That is, the microcomputer 30 connects each output terminal to the output terminal. Using information indicating the relationship with the image resolution format that can be supported by the connected TV

Designate the image resolution format that has the highest resolution among the resolutions that can be displayed on the television connected to terminals 81, 82, and 83.

In the present embodiment, the terminal 81 is connected to a D3 terminal compatible TV, the terminal 82 is connected to a D2 terminal compatible TV, and the terminal 83 is connected to a composite terminal compatible TV. The D3 terminal compatible television can display images in the 480i image resolution format, the 480p image resolution format, and the 108 Oi image resolution format. A TV compatible with the D2 terminal can display images in the 480i image resolution format and the 480p image resolution format. A TV with a composite terminal can only display images in the 480i image resolution format.

[0067] Therefore, the highest resolution image resolution format that can be displayed on the television connected to the terminals 81, 82, and 83 is the 1080i image resolution format. Therefore, the microphone computer 30 instructs the input image image resolution format conversion 40 to convert to the 1080i image resolution format. However, if the decoded image data is in the 1080i image resolution format, there is no need to convert.In this case, the input image image resolution format conversion 40 converts the decoded image data input from the MPEG2 decoder 11. Output as is.

The input image image resolution format change 40 determines the image resolution format of the decoded image data from the MPEG2 decoder 11, the frequency of the pixel clock of the input image data, the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal, and the frequency of the vertical synchronization signal. Then set the enlargement ratio for 1080i images.

Here, the determination of the image resolution format of the decoded image data will be specifically described. That is, in the 480i image, the frequency of the vertical synchronization signal is 59.94 Hz, the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal is 15.73 kHz, and the frequency of the pixel clock is 27 MHz. In a 480p image, the frequency of the vertical synchronization signal is 59.94 Hz, the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal is 31.46 kHz, and the frequency of the pixel clock is 27 MHz. That is, the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal differs between the 480i image and the 480p image. Therefore, the input image image resolution format conversion 40 is the same as the decoding transmitted from the MPEG2 If the horizontal synchronization signal of the signal image data is 15.73 kHz, it can be determined that it is a 480i image, and if it is 31.46 kHz, it can be determined that it is a 480p image. In addition, the 1080i image differs from the 480p image and the 480i image in the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal and the frequency of the pixel clock. Therefore, by examining only the horizontal synchronizing signal or the horizontal synchronizing signal and the pixel clock frequency together, it is possible to determine which of the 480i image, the 480p image and the 1080i image. Then, if you know whether it is a 480i image, a 480p image, or a 1080i image, you can set the magnification to the 1080i image.

[0070] The image converted to the 1080i image resolution format by the input image image resolution format conversion 40 is sent to the OSD synthesis circuit 50.

The OSD image corresponding to each image image resolution format is distributed and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 52, and the memory control circuit 51 specifies an address of the predetermined area in accordance with an instruction from the microcomputer 30. Then, an OSD image that matches the image resolution format of the decoded image data output from the input image image resolution format converter 40 can be read.

That is, since the image resolution format of the decoded image data output from the input image image resolution format converter 40 is the 1080i image resolution format, the microphone computer 30 sends the 1080i image resolution format to the memory control circuit 51. Command to transfer the OSD image from memory 52. In accordance with this command, the memory control circuit 51 reads out the OSD image in the 1080i image resolution format from the memory 52 and transfers it to the OSD synthesis circuit 50. The memory control circuit 51 transfers the OSD image read from the memory 52 to the OSD synthesis circuit 50 in synchronization with the pixel clock, the number of horizontal synchronization signals, and the vertical synchronization signal from the input image image resolution format change 40. The transferred OSD image in the 1080i image resolution format is combined with the 1080i decoded image data by the OSD combining circuit 50.

[0073] The 1080D image data with OSD output from the OSD synthesis circuit 50 is input to the image output switch 70, the output image resolution format converter 60, and the output image resolution format converter 61.

[0074] The output image resolution format conversion 60 converts the 1080i image data with OSD to OSD A circuit for reducing the image to a 480p image. After reducing, the image is output to the image output switch 70. The output image resolution format conversion 61 is a circuit for reducing 1080i image data with OSD to 480i image with OSD, and outputs the image data to the image output switch 70 after reduction.

The microcomputer 30 can recognize which terminal of this apparatus is connected to a television having an image resolution format by the user setting as described above. A switching signal can be sent to select the image data with OSD to be sent to each terminal.

[0076] Now, since a television compatible with the D3 terminal is connected to the terminal 81, the image resolution format is set so that the terminal 81 outputs a 1080i image, which is the highest definition image that the television compatible with the D3 terminal can support. Send a switching signal. Since a TV compatible with a D2 terminal is connected to terminal 82, an image resolution format switching signal is sent to terminal 82 to output a 48 Op image, which is the highest definition image compatible with a TV compatible with a D2 terminal. Since a composite signal compatible television is connected to terminal 83, an image resolution format switching signal is sent to terminal 83 so that a 480i image, which is the only image that a composite terminal compatible television can support, is output.

[0077] The image output switch 70 selects image data with OSD to be sent to each terminal according to the image resolution format switching signal sent from the microcomputer 30. Accordingly, a 1080i image is output to the terminal 81, a 480p image is output to the terminal 82, and a 480i image is output to the terminal 83.

According to the powerful configuration, the input image image resolution format converter 40 enlarges the 108 Oi image data and the output image image resolution format conversion 480p image data reduced by 60 and the output image image resolution format conversion Since the three types of 480i image data reduced in 61 are distributed to each terminal by the image resolution format switching signal from the microcomputer 30, even if TVs with different image resolution formats are connected to the three terminals, It is possible to output image data according to each image resolution format.

[0079] The speaker also has the highest resolution among the connected TVs, and in the case of the present embodiment, the OSD image matched to the D3 terminal compatible TV connected to the terminal 81 in this embodiment. Since a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the decoded image data can be provided, the user can view the image with good quality.

Note that in the present embodiment, the output image image resolution format converter 60 converts the 108 Oi image resolution format image into a 480p image resolution format image, and the output image image resolution format converter 61 converts the 1080i image resolution format image into a 480i image resolution format image. Power of automatically down-converting to image resolution format image The image resolution format after this down-conversion can be specified by microcomputer 30. Output image resolution format change 60 and output image image resolution format change 6 Both can be downconverted to 480i image resolution format images. The image resolution format after the down-conversion can be specified by the microcomputer 30 recognizing the image resolution format of the externally connected television.

In the present embodiment, when a television capable of supporting a plurality of types of image resolution formats such as a television compatible with the D3 terminal and a television compatible with the D2 terminal is connected to the terminal 81 which is the D3 terminal, On the other hand, the microcomputer 30 is not limited to the power described as transmitting the image resolution format switching signal so as to output the highest resolution image that the television can support. Even if a TV compatible with multiple types of image resolution formats is connected to terminals 81 and 82, only one type of image resolution format is output for each terminal by the image resolution format setting means 95. May be set in advance, and the microcomputer 30 may transmit an image resolution format switching signal so as to output an image in the set image resolution format. In this case, if any of the buttons 95 la, 951b, and 951c of the image resolution format setting means 95 is turned on, the other buttons that were on are automatically turned on. It is assumed that the device has a mechanism that can be turned off. Similarly, as the buttons 952a, 952b, and 952c of the image resolution format setting means 95, when the button of the deviation force is turned on, the other buttons that were on are automatically turned on. It is assumed that a mechanism for turning off is provided. Alternatively, when a television compatible with a plurality of image resolution formats is connected to the terminals 81 and 82, the microcomputer 30 converts the image so as to output the lowest definition image that the television can support. An image format switching signal may be sent. Alternatively, when a television compatible with a plurality of image resolution formats is connected to the terminals 81 and 82, the microcomputer 30 outputs an image resolution format switching signal to output an image in an arbitrary image resolution format that the television can support. May be sent.

Further, in the first embodiment, the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 1 is the force described as being configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 85. The present invention is not limited to this. The portion excluding the memory 52 and the microcomputer 30 from the system LSI 85 may be constituted by a one-chip LSI.

More specifically, as in a system LSI 85 ′ shown in FIG. 6, which is a block diagram of an OSD-combined image decoding device according to a modification (part 1) of the first embodiment of the present invention, The parts excluding the memory 52 'and the microcomputer 3 (may be constituted by a one-chip LSI.

Of course, like the system LSIs 85, shown in FIG. 7, which is a block diagram of the OSD composite image decoding device in the modification (Part 2) of the first embodiment of the present invention, the memories 52,. In addition, the parts excluding the microcomputer 30 and the like may be constituted by a one-chip LSI, and the OSD image may be read out from the memory 52 "by the microcomputer 30 memory control circuit 51.

[0085] Furthermore, the plurality of output terminals of the present invention is not limited to three provided like terminal 81 82 83 in the present embodiment, but may be two terminals or four or more terminals. It is only necessary that two or more output terminals are provided.

[0086] Further, the output image image resolution format conversion means of the present invention is not limited to two as in the output image image resolution format conversion 6061 in the present embodiment, but may be one or more. Even if three or more are provided, the output image and the image resolution format conversion means of the present invention need only be provided one or more.

(Embodiment 2)

In the first embodiment, information indicating the image resolution format of a television externally connected to the OSD composite image decoding device is set in advance based on an instruction of the operator, and Even if multiple TVs with different image resolution formats are connected based on the information indicating the image resolution format, prepare an OSD image for the TV with the highest resolution among them and synthesize it with image data. It is the same as in Embodiment 1 that the down-converted OSD composite image can be output simultaneously to the display device with the highest resolution or lower. This is an embodiment in the case where there is a restriction on an image resolution format that can be displayed, such as image data stored in a DVD or the like.

That is, Embodiment 2 describes a case where a copyright-protected bit stream such as a DVD content is handled. That is, since the bit stream protected by copyright such as DVD content is limited in resolution, it is not permitted to easily enlarge the image. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the limitation of the resolution, suppress the enlargement ratio of the image data, and prevent the image data of the DVD content from being enlarged and outputted outside the permitted range.

In the second embodiment, an OSD composite image that identifies the restriction of the image resolution format of a copyright-protected bit stream and enlarges the enlargement ratio of the image data within the permitted range to output an image can be obtained. The decoding device will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] Unlike the first embodiment, the OSD composite image decoding apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a microcom- puter 30a, an input image image format converter 40a, and an image resolution format information extractor 21. .

[0092] The microcomputer 30a performs the same function as the microcomputer 30 of the first embodiment, and is connected to information indicating an image resolution format extracted from the stream information of the input decoded image data, and to each terminal. and against the maximum resolution of the television has, Ru means der instructing image resolution format of the OSD to be synthesized to the memory control circuit 51 instructs the magnification to the input picture resolution format variable 40 _a.

[0093] The input image image resolution format conversion 40a is transmitted from the MPEG2 decoder 11. This is means for converting the incoming decoded image data into an image resolution format at the enlargement ratio notified from the microcomputer 30a.

[0094] The image resolution format information extractor 21 extracts the flag of the digital copy control descriptor of the stream with copy included in the MPEG-2 stream information of the DVD video, and also extracts the image resolution format information of the stream. It is a means to do it.

[0095] The portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 3 is configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 86. That is, an image resolution format information extractor 21, a microcomputer 30a, an input image image resolution format converter 40a, an OSD synthesis circuit 50, a memory control circuit 51, a memory 52, an output image image resolution format converter 60, 61, and an image The output switch 70 is configured as a one-chip LSI as a system LSI 86. As described above, as the system LSI 86, by assembling each component of the OSD composite image decoding device by one chip, the assembly cost of the OSD composite image decoding device can be reduced.

[0096] The input image image resolution format converter 40a of the present embodiment is an example of the input image image resolution format converter of the present invention. The micro-computer 30a and the image resolution format information extractor 21 of the present embodiment are examples of processing means.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0098] In Fig. 3, the MPEG2 decoder 11 decodes the bit stream of the compressed image data and extracts the stream information. The decoded image data is input to the input image resolution format converter 40a, and the stream information is input to the image resolution format information extractor 21.

[0099] The microcomputer 30a compares the information indicating the image resolution format of the input decoded image data with the maximum resolution of the television connected to each terminal, and converts the input image image resolution format conversion 40a into the input image image resolution format conversion 40a. At the same time, the resolution of the OSD to be synthesized is instructed to the memory control circuit 51.

[0100] Here, the stream information includes information indicating the image resolution format of the image data, that is, information indicating whether the image data is a 480i image, a 480p image, or a 1080i image. And a digital copy control descriptor indicating permission to copy image data.

[0101] The image resolution format information extractor 21 extracts the information indicating the image resolution format of the stream information decoded image data sent from the MPEG2 decoder 11, and notifies the microcomputer 30a.

[0102] The microcomputer 30a holds information indicating the image resolution format of the notified image data.

[0103] The image resolution format of the television is set in advance by the user using the operation panel of the image resolution format setting means 95 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

[0104] The operation in the case where a DVD video is played and a D3 terminal compatible television is connected to the terminal 81 is described below.

[0105] A digital copy control descriptor exists in the MPEG2 stream information of a DVD video, and a copy-impossible flag is usually set. The image resolution format information extractor 21 extracts this digital copy control descriptor. When the extracted digital copy control descriptor indicates that copying is not permitted, the image resolution format information extractor 21 sends the information to the microcomputer 30a.

When image data that cannot be copied is externally output as an analog signal, the analog signal must include a macro vision signal and be output! /. Since this macrovision signal only supports 480i and 480p image resolution formats, it cannot necessarily be expanded to 1080i. In other words, even if the external TV supports D3, it can only output 480p image data. Thus, microcomputer 30a instructs input image image resolution format converter 40a to convert to the 480p image resolution format. At this time, the microcomputer 30a uses the information indicating the image resolution format of the notified image data to determine the magnification for converting to the 480p image resolution format having the highest resolution corresponding to the macro vision signal. Instruct the image resolution format converter 40a.

[0107] Further, the microcomputer 30a stores the 480p image resolution format in the memory control circuit 51. Instructs to read one matte OSD image. Further, an instruction signal is sent to the terminal 81 to the image output switch 70 so as to output the OSD composite image of the 480p image resolution format which is the image resolution format having the highest resolution corresponding to the macro vision signal.

The image output switch 70 selects image data with OSD to be sent to each terminal according to the image resolution format switching signal sent from the microcomputer 30a. Accordingly, an image with an OSD in a 480p image resolution format is output to the terminal 81.

[0109] Therefore, an externally connected television compatible with the D3 terminal displays image data in the 480p image resolution format.

[0110] According to the powerful configuration, the conversion of the image resolution format of the input image to the 480p image resolution format based on the stream information from the MPEG2 decoder 11 is sent to the image output switch 70 after the OSD image synthesis. Therefore, image data corresponding to the copyright protection information can be output.

[0111] As described above, the OSD composite image decoding apparatus according to the second embodiment extracts the information regarding the copyright from the stream information card of the image data to be decoded and the information regarding the resolution of the connected TV. Based on this information, an appropriate resolution can be determined, an OSD image with the highest resolution that can be enlarged is prepared, and after synthesizing with the image data, it can be output simultaneously to multiple TVs with different resolutions.

In the second embodiment, the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 3 is described as being constituted by a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 86. The present invention is not limited to this. The part excluding the memory 52 and the microcomputer 30a from the system LSI 86 may be constituted by a one-chip LSI.

[0113] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the image resolution format is restricted when the digital copy control descriptor is present in the MPEG-2 stream information of the DVD video and the copy prohibition flag is set. However, it is not limited to this. The microcomputer 30a includes image resolution format restriction information indicating an image resolution format that can output MPEG-2 stream information, and the microcomputer 30a outputs only image data in an image resolution format permitted by the image resolution format restriction information. The image output switch 70 may be controlled. [0114] Also, the description has been given by taking as an example the MPEG2 stream of DVD video as the input image data. However, some copy restriction information corresponding to a digital copy control descriptor, such as a BD (Blu-ray Disc) or another standard, is described. The present invention can be realized as long as it includes.

Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 30a outputs the image resolution format switching signal to the terminal 81 so as to output the 480p image which is the image resolution format having the highest resolution corresponding to the macro vision signal. The force described as being sent to the image output switch 70 is not limited to this. The microcomputer 30a sends the image resolution format switching signal to the image output switch 70 so that the terminal 81 outputs a 48 Oi image, which is the image resolution format having the lowest resolution corresponding to the macro vision signal, to the terminal 81. I do not care.

(Embodiment 3)

In the third embodiment, for some of the output terminals, the image resolution format of the externally connected television as in the first embodiment is set based on the operator's instruction, and other output terminals are set. This embodiment automatically detects the image resolution format of the externally connected television and gives an instruction to the output terminal.

That is, Embodiment 3 describes a case in which the image resolution format of a television connected externally is automatically recognized. When connecting to a TV that has an interface such as DVI, there is no way to recognize the TV's image resolution format. Even when data was output, an image could not be displayed on a television in some cases.

[0118] In the third embodiment, an OSD composite image capable of outputting image data in the same image resolution format to a television having an HDMI (High-Definition on Multimedia Interface) interface capable of recognizing the image resolution format. The decoding device will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 4, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. [0120] Unlike the first embodiment, the OSD composite image decoding device according to the third embodiment includes a microcomputer 30b, an LSI 80 for HDMI, and a terminal 84.

[0121] The microcomputer 30b performs the same function as the microcomputer 30 of the first embodiment, and further, based on the image resolution format information notified from the HDMI LSI 80, the image resolution format notified to the terminal 84. This is a means that can send an image resolution format switching signal to the image output switch 70 to send image data with OSD corresponding to the information.

[0122] In FIG. 4, the image output switch 70 includes an HDMI LSI 80 for controlling HDMI, a D3 terminal 82 capable of outputting 480i images, 480p images, and 1080i images, and a composite capable of outputting only 480i images. Terminal 83 is connected. The terminal 84 is connected to the HDMI LSI 80, and the terminal 84 is an HDMI terminal.

The part surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 4 is configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 87. That is, input image image resolution format conversion 40, microcomputer 30b, OSD synthesis circuit 50, memory control circuit 51, memory 52, output image image resolution format converters 60, 61, image output switch 70, and HDMI The LSI 80 for use is a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 87. As described above, as the system LSI 87, by assembling each component of the OSD composite image decoding device by one chip, the assembly cost of the OSD composite image decoding device can be reduced.

[0124] The microcomputer 30b of the present embodiment is an example of a processing unit. The HDMI LSI 80 of the present embodiment is an example of the information acquisition unit of the present invention.

Next, such an operation of the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

In FIG. 4, the HDMI 80 is connected to the image output switch 70 as described above, and the terminal 84 is an HDMI terminal.

[0127] The LSI 80 for HDMI can recognize the image resolution format of an HDMI built-in television (not shown) connected via the HDMI terminal 84 by performing Plug and Play communication (for details, refer to the HDMI standard). . That is, the HDMI LSI 80 sends a message inquiring about the type of TV to the HDMI built-in TV connected via the terminal 84. send. Then, the HDMI built-in television connected via the terminal 84 sends device information indicating the type of device to the HDMI LSI 80 in response to this message. The device information includes information indicating an image resolution format supported by the television. Therefore, the HDMI LSI 80 can recognize the image resolution format of the HDMI built-in television connected via the terminal 84. Information on the recognized image resolution format is sent to the microcomputer 30b.

[0128] If an HDMI built-in television capable of supporting the 1080i image resolution format is connected to the terminal 84, the LSI 80 for HDMI notifies the microcomputer 30b that an image in the 1080i image resolution format can be output.

[0129] The microcomputer 30b receives the information of the image resolution format, instructs the input image image format converter 40 to convert the input image to the 1080i image resolution format, and instructs the memory control circuit 51 of the 1080i image resolution format. To read the OSD image of The image data with OSD of 1080 image resolution format synthesized by the OSD synthesis circuit 50 is sent to the image output switch 70. The image output switch 70 sends image data with OSD of the 1080i image resolution format to the terminal 84 in response to an image resolution format switching signal from the microcomputer 30b.

According to the powerful configuration, the HDMI LSI 80 sends the information of the image resolution format to the microcomputer 30b, thereby automatically recognizing the image resolution format of the externally connected television. Therefore, the image data optimal for the TV image resolution format can be output without the operator having to set the image resolution format of the external TV in advance.

In the third embodiment, the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 4 is the force described as being configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 87. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The part excluding the memory 52 and the microcomputer 30b from the system LSI 87 may be constituted by a one-chip LSI.

[0132] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, only the television connected to terminal 84, which is an HDMI terminal, can automatically recognize the image resolution format of an externally connected television. The terminal connected to terminal 82 which is a composite terminal and the terminal 83 which is a composite terminal Levi's image resolution format cannot be automatically recognized, but is not limited to this. All output terminals of the OSD composite image decoding device according to the third embodiment may be HDMI terminals. In this case, the image resolution format of all televisions connected to all output terminals of the OSD composite image decoding device can be automatically recognized.

(Embodiment 4)

The automatic acquisition of the image resolution format of an externally connected TV at some output terminals is the same as in the third embodiment, but the fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment in that it is compatible with a DVD or the like. This is an embodiment in a case where there is a restriction on an image resolution format that can be displayed, such as stored image data.

That is, Embodiment 4 describes a case in which the image resolution format of an externally connected television is automatically recognized and a copyright protected bit stream such as DVD content is handled. I do. That is, since the bit stream protected by copyright such as DVD content is restricted in the image resolution format, it is not permitted to easily enlarge the image. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the limitation of the resolution, suppress the enlargement ratio of the image data, and prevent the image data of the DVD content from being enlarged outside the permitted range and outputted. In addition, when connecting to a TV with a DVI interface, there is no way to recognize the TV image resolution format.Conventionally, if the TV resolution format and the enlargement / reduction ratio do not match, image data is output. In some cases, images could not be displayed on the TV.

[0135] In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to identify the limitation of the image resolution format of a copyright-protected bit stream, enlarge the image data enlargement ratio within the permitted range, and output the image. An OSD composite image decoding device capable of outputting image data in the same image resolution format to a television having an HDMI interface capable of recognizing the resolution format will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an OSD composite image decoding device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 5, the same components as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0137] The OSD composite image decoding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the image resolution format information extractor 21 and the HDMI 82 of the third embodiment and the terminal 84 which is an HDMI terminal are replaced with the terminal 82 instead of the terminal 82. Further, a microcomputer 30c is provided instead of the microcomputer 30 of the first embodiment.

[0138] The microcomputer 30c performs the same function as the microcomputer 30 of the first embodiment, and is connected to information indicating an image resolution format extracted from the stream information of the input decoded image data, and to each terminal. and against the maximum resolution of the television is, the OSD image resolution format to be synthesized instructs the memory control circuit 51 in together and instructs the magnification to the input picture resolution format variable 40 _a, is notified from the HDMI for LSI80 Means for sending an image resolution format switching signal to the image output switch 70 so as to send image data with an OSD corresponding to the image resolution format information notified to the terminal 84 based on the image resolution format information obtained .

The part surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. 5 is configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 88. That is, input image image resolution format conversion 40a, image resolution format information extractor 21, microcomputer 30c, OSD synthesis circuit 50, memory control circuit 51, memory 52, output image image resolution format converter 60, 61, image The output switch 70 and the HDMI LSI 80 are configured as a single-chip LSI as a system LSI 88. As described above, as the system LSI 88, by assembling each component of the OSD composite image decoding device by one chip, the assembly cost of the OSD composite image decoding device can be reduced.

[0140] The microcomputer 30c of the present embodiment is an example of a processing unit.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

[0142] Now, when a DVD video is played and an HDMI-compatible TV having an image resolution format of 1080i image resolution format is connected to the HDMI terminal 84, a D3 terminal compatible TV is connected to the terminal 81. The operation when this is the case is shown below.

As in Embodiment 2, MPEG2 decoder 11 outputs stream information of decoded image data to image resolution format information extractor 21. Then, the image resolution format information extractor 21 outputs information indicating the image resolution format of the image data, that is, information indicating whether the image data is a 480i image, a 480p image, or a 1080i image, And a digital copy control descriptor indicating permission to copy image data.

[0144] Then, the image resolution format information extractor 21 notifies the microcomputer 30c of the extracted information.

[0145] A digital copy control descriptor exists in the MPEG-2 stream information of a DVD video, and a flag indicating that copying is normally prohibited is set. When image data that cannot be copied is externally output as an analog signal, the analog signal must include the macrovision signal and be output. Therefore, the microcomputer 30c sends the image resolution format switching signal to the image output switch 70 so that the terminal 81 outputs the 480p image resolution format image which is the highest definition image resolution format corresponding to the macro vision signal. send.

[0146] On the other hand, HDMI has a copyright protection mechanism that can support up to the 1080i image resolution format. Therefore, the HDMI terminal 84 has an HDMI resolution that has the 1080i image resolution format. If a TV is connected, 1080i image resolution format images can be output.

[0147] That is, when an HDMI-compatible TV having a 1080i image resolution format is connected to the terminal 84, which is an HDMI terminal, the microcomputer 30c outputs the image resolution of the TV in the same manner as in the third embodiment. Receive format information. Then, the microcomputer 30c sends an image resolution format switching signal to the image output switch 70 so as to output a 1080i image to the HDMI terminal 81 based on the received stream information and the received image resolution format information.

[0148] According to the powerful configuration, these stream information also extracts information that restricts the image resolution format, and automatically extracts the information of the image resolution format of the externally connected TV connected to the HDMI terminal 81. Then, using the extracted information, the microcomputer 30 determines the optimum image resolution format for each terminal, and instructs the input image image resolution format converter 40 on the enlargement or reduction ratio, If the memory control circuit 51 is instructed to read an OSD image in the image resolution format after the image resolution format conversion, the OSD image and the decoded image data after the image resolution format conversion are combined. It is compatible with copyright information that does not require the operator to recognize the image resolution format of the external TV ゃ the copyright of the decoded image data, and outputs image data that is optimal for the image resolution format of the external TV. Can be.

[0149] In addition, when the decoded image data whose image resolution format is restricted is to be output to a television having an HDMI interface, it is possible to match the image resolution format of the television with the enlargement ratio due to the image resolution format restriction and output the image. it can.

[0150] As described above, when the decoded image data whose image resolution format is limited by the copyright information is output to a television having an interface capable of recognizing the image resolution format, such as HDMI, the copyright information must be used. Alternatively, it is possible to output image data optimal for the image resolution format of a television.

[0151] In the fourth embodiment, the portion surrounded by the dotted line in Fig. 5 is a force described as being configured as a one-chip LSI as the system LSI 88. The present invention is not limited to this. The part excluding the memory 52 and the microcomputer 30 from the system LSI 88 may be constituted by a one-chip LSI.

[0152] Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 30c outputs the 480p image, which is the image resolution format having the highest resolution corresponding to the macrovision signal, to the terminal 81 which is the D3 terminal so as to output the 480p image. Although it has been described that the resolution format switching signal is sent to the image output switch 70, the present invention is not limited to this. The microcomputer 30c sends an image resolution format switching signal to the image output switch 70 so that the terminal 30 outputs an 480i image, which is the image resolution format having the lowest resolution corresponding to the macro vision signal, to the terminal 81. No problem.

In the above, Embodiments 1 to 4 have been described in detail.

(A) Note that the predetermined image resolution format of the present invention is, for example, in the first embodiment described above, an image corresponding to a display device connectable to each of the plurality of terminals 81, 82, and 83. It was the 1080i image resolution format, the highest image resolution format among the resolution formats.

[0155] Meanwhile, the predetermined image resolution format of the present invention is, for example, one of the image resolution formats supported by display devices connectable to the plurality of terminals 81, 82, and 83, respectively. 480p image resolution format, which is the second highest image resolution format.

Of course, in such a case, the output image image resolution format conversion means of the present invention converts the image resolution format of the synthesized image data into one or more types other than the predetermined image resolution format by up-conversion. It may be converted to an image resolution format.

(B) Further, the predetermined image resolution format of the present invention is, for example, in the above-described first embodiment, an image corresponding to a display device connected to each of the plurality of terminals 81, 82, and 83. The resolution is determined based on the settings made by the image resolution format setting means 95 for setting the resolution format based on an instruction from the user.

[0158] While working, the predetermined image resolution of the present invention is, for example, fixedly determined.

(C) Further, the image resolution format of the image data selectively output by the image data output means of the present invention is performed by the image resolution format setting means 95 in the first embodiment described above, for example. Was determined based on the settings made.

For example, the image resolution format of the image data selectively output by the image data output unit of the present invention may be fixedly determined for each of the plurality of terminals 81, 82, and 83, for example. Good.

(D) The OSD storage unit of the present invention is, for example, the memory 52 that stores the OSD image corresponding to each image resolution format in the first embodiment described above.

[0162] In short, the OSD storage unit of the present invention only needs to store an OSD image corresponding to a predetermined image resolution format.

(E) The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the steps of the above-described OSD synthesizing method of the present invention, and the program cooperates with the computer. This is a working program.

[0164] Further, the recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the steps of all or some of the above-described OSD synthesizing methods of the present invention, Computer readable and before read The program is a recording medium that executes the operation in cooperation with the computer.

[0165] Note that the "partial steps" in the present invention means one or several steps of the plurality of steps.

[0166] The "operation of the step" in the present invention means the operation of all or part of the step.

[0167] One usage form of the program of the present invention may be a form in which the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

[0168] One use form of the program of the present invention may be a form in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operates in cooperation with the computer.

[0169] The recording medium includes a ROM and the like, and the transmission medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet, light, radio waves, and sound waves.

[0170] The computer of the present invention described above is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, but may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

[0171] As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be implemented by software or hardware.

[0172] As described above, the present invention, for example, expands or reduces decoded image data in accordance with the television having the highest resolution, even when a plurality of televisions having different image resolution formats are connected at the same time. After combining with the OSD image that matches the converted image resolution format, it is possible to simultaneously output images to an external TV with a different image resolution format. Such as DVD recorders and disc recording / reproducing devices with built-in digital tuners, which superimpose the information indicating the operating state of recording / reproducing devices such as program guides and DVD recorders on the decoded image data and output them to external display devices. It is useful for an OSD composite image decoding device, an OSD image decoding method, a program, a recording medium, and the like.

Industrial applicability

[0173] The OSD synthesizing apparatus, integrated circuit, OSD synthesizing method, program, and recording medium of the present invention are capable of displaying a synthesized image on a plurality of display devices having different image resolution formats even when they are simultaneously connected. D can be output at the same time. It is useful for VD recorders, disk recording and playback devices with built-in digital tuners, and the like.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] (a) If the image resolution format of the input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, the input image data is output as it is, and (b) the input image data is output. If the image resolution format is not the predetermined image resolution format, the input image resolution format conversion means for converting the image resolution format to the predetermined image resolution format and outputting the converted image data When,

Output image image resolution format conversion means for converting the image resolution format of the synthesized image data into one or more image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format;

An OSD synthesizing apparatus, comprising: an image data output unit that selectively outputs any one of the synthesized image data and the synthesized and converted image data.

[2] The image data output means may be arranged such that a display device connected to each of the plurality of output terminals corresponds to an image resolution format of the selectively output image data, for a plurality of output terminals. 2. The OSD synthesizing device according to claim 1, wherein the image data is selectively output.

3. The image resolution format according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined image resolution format is the highest image resolution format among image resolution formats supported by display devices connectable to the plurality of output terminals. , OSD synthesizer.

[4] The display device connected to all or a part of the plurality of output terminals, the display device comprising setting means for performing setting related to a corresponding image resolution format based on a command from a user. The OSD synthesizer according to item 2.

5. The OSD synthesizing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined image resolution format is an image resolution format determined based on the settings made.

[6] The input image data includes an image resolution of the selectively output image data. Contains restriction information to restrict the format.

3. The OSD synthesizing device according to claim 2, wherein said input image image resolution format conversion means outputs said image data based on said restriction information.

[7] The input image data is compression-encoded video data,

The image data output means outputs the image selectively output to the plurality of output terminals and the analog terminal when a copy addition flag is set in the digital copy control descriptor. 7. The OSD synthesizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image data is selectively output so that an image resolution format of the data is 480p or 480p.

[8] The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising information acquisition means for acquiring information on an image resolution format corresponding to the display device connected to all or a part of the plurality of output terminals. The OSD synthesizer according to item 2.

[9] The OSD synthesizing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein all or a part of the plurality of output terminals is an HDMI terminal.

[10] The input image data includes frequency information on all or a part of a pixel clock frequency, a horizontal synchronization signal frequency, and a vertical synchronization signal frequency of the input image data. Included,

2. The OSD synthesizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input image image resolution format conversion means outputs said image data based on said frequency information.

[11] An OSD image corresponding to the predetermined image resolution format is stored in an OSD storage unit.

2. The OSD synthesizing device according to claim 1, wherein said OSD synthesizing unit synthesizes the output image data and the corresponding OSD image read from the OSD storage unit.

[12] (a) When the image resolution format of the input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, the input image data is output as it is, and (b) the input image data is output. If the image resolution format is not the predetermined image resolution format, an input image resolution conversion circuit that converts the image resolution format to the predetermined image resolution format and outputs the converted image data When,

An output image image resolution format conversion circuit for converting the image resolution format of the synthesized image data into one or more image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format;

[13] (a) When the image resolution format of the input image data is a predetermined image resolution format, the input image data is output as it is, and (b) the input image data is output. If the image resolution format is not the predetermined image resolution format, the input image image resolution format converting step of converting the image resolution format to the predetermined image resolution format and outputting the converted image data When,

An OSD combining method, comprising: an image data outputting step of selectively outputting any one of the combined image data and the combined and converted image data.

[14] The image solution of the input image data according to the OSD synthesizing method according to claim 13, If the resolution format is a predetermined image resolution format, the input image data is output as it is, and (b) the image resolution format of the input image data is not the predetermined image resolution format. In this case, the image resolution format is converted to the predetermined image resolution format, and the input image resolution format conversion step of outputting the converted image data; the output image data; An OSD combining step of combining an OSD image corresponding to the image resolution format of the present invention, and an output image for converting the image resolution format of the combined image data into one or more image resolution formats other than the predetermined image resolution format An image resolution format conversion step; Data and, for executing an image data output step for selectively outputting one of the image data among said combined converted image data to the computer, the program.

15. A recording medium on which the program according to claim 14 is recorded, the recording medium being processable by a computer.