This invention relates to digital television receivers and, more particularly, to a digital television receiver which displays at a same time on a display a video picture and letter information that are contained in a digital television broadcast signal.
In digital television broadcast, many programs have being broadcast over various channels with characteristics thereof reflected. In the digital television broadcasts, it is a usual practice to broadcast a program by adding program guide data to video data in order to facilitate program choice by the user. For this reason, the conventional digital television receiver of this kind is provided with a program guide display key on an accessory remote control. If the display key is pressed, a program guide will appear to be superimposed over a televised video picture, as shown in
However, in the conventional art with superimposition of display as in
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel digital television receiver.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a television receiver which has a televised video picture that is not prevented by a program guide.
A digital television receiver according to the present invention, comprises: a receive means for receiving a digital television broadcast signal; a first output means for outputting a first video signal based on a video signal contained in a digital television broadcast received by the receive means; a second output means for outputting a second video signal based on an additional information signal contained in the digital television broadcast signal received by the receive means; a first compression means for compressing a first video signal and outputting a first compression video signal; a second compression means for compressing the second video signal and outputting a second compression video signal; and a compositing means for compositing, and outputting onto monitor, the first compression video signal and the second compression video signal so as to be displayed on different screen portions of the monitor.
The first video signal is compressed by the first compression means, and the second video signal is by the second compression means. The compositing means composites, and outputs onto the monitor, the first compressed video signal and the second compressed video signal. Due to this, a broadcast video picture and additional information, say EPG, are simultaneously displayed, for example, in 2-screens display form on the monitor.
In one aspect of the present invention, a digital television receiver further comprising: a display control key; a disable means for disabling the first compression means depending upon operation of the display control key and outputting an uncompressed first video signal from the first compression means; and a control means for controlling to output from the compositing means only the first video signal given from the first compression means.
In this aspect, if a user manipulates the display control key provided on the remote control transmitter, the disable means disables the first compression means so that an uncompressed video signal is outputted from the first compression means. Also, the control means controls the compositing means to output only an uncompressed video signal from the output means. Accordingly, only a broadcast video is displayed on the monitor.
According to the present invention, because a broadcast video and additional information are simultaneously displayed on different screen portions of the display, there is no obstruction to a video picture by an additional information. Incidentally, when additional information is unnecessary, only a video picture can be displayed on the monitor by operating the display control key.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a digital television receiver, comprises: a receive means (12, 121) for receiving a digital television broadcast signal; a first extraction means (123, 124) for extracting broadcast video data contained in a digital television broadcast signal received by the receive means; a second extraction means (123) for extracting additional information data contained in the digital television broadcast signal received by the receive means; an additional information video data output means (126, 127) for outputting additional information video data based on the additional information data; a first video compositing means (125) for compositing the broadcast video data and the additional information video data according to a first window signal and outputting digital video data; a first selector (36) for receiving at least the digital video data and the additional information video data and outputting first video data; a second selector (38) for receiving at least the digital video data and the additional information video data and outputting second video data; a first video compression means (40) for compressing the first video data according to a first compression ratio and outputting a first compression video signal; a second video compression means (42) for compressing the second video data according to a second compression ratio and outputting a second compression video signal; a second video compositing means (44) for compositing the first compression video signal and second compression video signal according to a second window signal; and a monitor (24) for displaying video pictures based upon an output of the second video compositing means.
In an embodiment, a digital television receiver further comprises an input means (30) to be operated by a user and a window change means (126, 128, 26, 46) to change at least one of the first window signal and the second window signal depending upon operation of the input means.
Also, in an embodiment, a digital television receiver further comprises a compression ratio control means (26) to control the first compression ratio and the second compression ratio depending upon operation the input means.
According to this embodiment, it is possible to display a digital television broadcast video picture and additional information, for example, in a 2-screens form or superimposition by properly controlling the first window signal and/or second window signal and the first compression ratio and/or second compression ratio.
Furthermore, if another of video data is supplied to the first selector and second selector, it is possible to display in an arbitrary form a digital television broadcast video picture, additional information and other pictures on the monitor.
The above described objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The video compression circuits 18 and 20 are enabled and disabled in accordance with a control signal sent from a micro-computer 26. That is, the video compression circuits 18 and 20, if receiving an enable signal, compresses an video signal and additional information signal to ½. If a disable signal is given, they output a video signal and additional information signal without compressing them. When the video and positional information signals are compressed, an video compositing circuit 22 composites the compressed video and additional information signals in accordance with a control signal sent from the micro-computer 26, thus outputting a composite signal onto a monitor 24. On the other hand, if for example the video compression circuit 18 is disabled, the video compositing circuit 22 is given an uncompressed video signal so that the video compositing circuit 22 outputs only the video signal to the monitor 24 according to a control signal sent from the micro-computer 26.
Due to this, when a composite signal is outputted from the video compositing circuit 22, a program guide (additional information) and broadcast video are simultaneously displayed in a form of 2 screens on the monitor 24, as shown in
The micro-computer 26 receives remote control data from a receiver 28 which receives an infrared ray signal sent from the remote control 30, and processes a flowchart shown in
That is, remote control data is received in the first step S1, and in step S3 it is determined from the remote control data whether or not depressed was the program guide display key 32 on the remote control transmitter 30. If “NO”, other process is performed in step S5. However if “YES”, it is determined in step S7 whether a program guide (EPG) is being displayed at the present time on the monitor 24 or not.
If no program guide is being displayed, then in step S9 an enable signal is delivered to the video compression circuits 18 and 20 to compress the video and letter information signals to ½. Thereafter, the video compositing circuit 22 is controlled to composite between the compressed video and additional information signals. On the other hand, if a program guide is being displayed is determined in step S7, the video compression circuit 18 is disabled in step S13, and the video compositing circuit 22 is controlled in step S15 to output only a video signal.
In this manner, the video compression circuits 18 and 20 respectively compress down to ½ the video signal and the additional information signal outputted from the video decoder 14 and the sub-picture decoder 16. Accordingly, on the monitor 24 a broadcast video and additional information are displayed in a parallel 2-screens form. Consequently, retrieving or scheduling for a next program is possible without preventing a broadcast video from viewing. Also, because the additional information, or program guide, can be handled while watching a broadcast video, it is possible to perform operation in a manner matched to progression of an airing program.
Incidentally, in this embodiment where displaying a broadcast video and a program guide together, the video compression circuits 18 and 20 were set in a compression ratio of 1/2. However, if the compression ratio of the video compression circuit 18 is increased and the compression ratio of the video compression circuit 20 is decreased to zero, a broadcast video and program guide will be displayed on the monitor 24 as shown in
Also, if a step is provided as a subroutine for the step S11 to switch the timing of compositing video and additional information signals according to an instruction sent from a user, it is possible to switch left and right the position of displaying a broadcast video and operation screen.
Incidentally, the additional information includes, besides program guides, television shopping and voting information, mail information sent from a broadcast center, etc. These of information may be displayed on the monitor 24 by operating a predetermined key.
Referring to
The CS antenna 121 receives a CS television broadcast radio wave that is inputted to a CS tuner 122 where a desired digital broadcast signal is selected and then sent to a demultiplexer 123. The demultiplexer 123 separates program guide (Electric Program Guide: EPG) data and MPEG data from the digital broadcast signal, and supplies the MPEG data to an AV decoder 124. The AV decoder 124 outputs NTSC-formatted video data according to MPEG data sent from the demultiplexer 123. The NTSC video data is supplied to a CS video compositing circuit 125.
On the other hand, the EPG data outputted from the multiplexer 123 is supplied to a CS micro-computer 126. The CS micro-computer 126 cumulates EPG data to an amount, for example, of 200 channels for 1 week within a memory attached (not shown). The CS micro-computer 126 extracts EPG data required for display, for example, in amount of 3 channels and for 3 hours from the accumulated EPG data, and supplies control data (including, e.g. font data and rendering data) required to display the extracted EPG data to an EPG display circuit 127. The EPG display circuit 127 includes a font generator and rendering device, and creates NTSC video data to display 3-channels, 3-hours EPG according to EPG control data sent from the CS micro-computer 126. The EPG video data is delivered to the CS video compositing circuit 125, and also outputted as CSEPG data to other circuits of the television receiver 10, e.g. a first selector 36 and second selector 38 (
The CS micro-computer 127 receives a CS control signal from a system control micro-computer 26 of the television receiver 10 shown in
A CS window signal generating circuit 128 supplies a CS window signal to the CS video compositing circuit 125, based on a pixel clock sent from a clock generating circuit 34 included in the television receiver 10 of
Referring back to
The first video compression circuit 40 includes, as shown in
The second video compression circuit 42 includes, as shown in
Now, explanation will be made on the operation to compress a video down to ½ by the first video compression circuit 40 and the second video compression circuit 42, with reference to
Incidentally, the first video compression circuit 40 is half in memory capacity of the second video compression circuit 42. Accordingly, the first video compression circuit 40 is half in resolution. This is for reducing cost while preventing the main video, e.g. EPG, from deteriorating in resolution. That is, the EPG displays letters and is impossible to be decreased in resolution, and accordingly the second video compression circuit 42 cannot be decreased in memory capacity. Nevertheless, there is requirement to reduce cost. Therefore, in this embodiment the first video compression circuit 40 is decreased in memory capacity by sacrificing in a certain degree the resolution of the main video, e.g. broadcast video, thereby satisfying both the requirements of resolution and cost reduction.
The first video compression circuit 40 is to write the video data given from the first selector 36 to the memory circuit 402 at a rate of ½ clock. Consequently, if it is assumed that the black dots in
The second video compression circuit 42 is to write the data given from the second selector 38 to the memory circuit 422 at the pixel clock. Accordingly, if it is assumed that the white dots in
Incidentally, there is a case that the second video compression circuit 42 outputs input video data as it is without compression, as shown in
The respective first compression video signal and second compression video signal from the first video compression circuit 40 and second video compression circuit 42 are both supplied to the video compositing circuit 44. It should be noted that, although these first video compression circuit 40, second video compression circuit 42 and video compositing circuit 44 are similar to the video compression circuits 18 and 20 and video compositing circuit 22 of the
In the
Referring to
In
Referring to
If “NO” is determined in either of the two steps, i.e. S22 or S23, the system control micro-computer 26 in step S24 carries out other processes (programs).
However, if “YES” is determined in both the steps S22 and S23, the system control micro-computer 26 in the succeeding step S25 determines based on a CS control signal given from the CS micro-computer 126 (
If “YES” is determined in the step S26, “case 1” is set in the next step S27. In order to set “case 1”, the system control micro-computer 26 controls the first selector 36 to deliver CS video data to the first video compression circuit 40, as shown in
At this time, the CS micro-computer 126 included in the CS receive section 12 outputs a window control signal so as not to send a CS window signal from the CS window signal generating circuit 128 (
If “NO” is determined in the step S26, “case 2” is set in the next step S28. In order to set “case 2”, the system control micro-computer 26 controls the first selector 36 to send CS video data to the first video compression circuit 40, as shown in
At this time, the CS micro-computer 126 included in the CS receive section 12 outputs a CS window control signal in response to a CS control signal given from the CS control micro-computer 26. Accordingly, the CS window signal generating circuit 128 generates a CS window signal in a predetermined range and deliver it to the CS video compositing circuit 125. Due to this, the CS video compositing circuit 125 outputs CS video data having a CS broadcast video data given from the AV decoder 124 superimposed thereon with the EPG data given from the EPG display circuit 127, as shown in the right end column in
If “NO” is determined in the previous step S25, the system control micro-computer 26 in the next step S29 determines whether EPG is being displayed or not, similarly to the step S26. If “YES” is determined in this step S29, then in step S30 “case 3” is set. In order to set “case 3”, the system control micro-computer 26 controls the second selector 38 to supply CS video data to the second video compression circuit 42. At this time, anything may be inputted to the first video compression circuit 40. Consequently, the first selector 36 is appropriately controlled. The first compression signal may be such a 50% control signal that the first video compression circuit 40 thins out input data down to ½, or a compression rate signal not to effect thinning out. The system control micro-computer 26 further supplies a 100% second compression rate signal not to compress input data in the second video compression circuit 42.
At this time, the CS receive section 12 outputs only CS broadcast video data, similarly to case 1. Due to this, the second video compression circuit 42 is inputted only by CS broadcast video data. The second video compression circuit 42 in this embodiment outputs the CS broadcast video data as a second compression video signal without compression. On the other hand, the first video compression circuit 40 is inputted by any of video data but nothing may be inputted to the first video compression circuit 40. The system control micro-computer 26 at this time does not output a window control signal. Consequently, the video compositing circuit 44 outputs only a second compression video signal (in this case, uncompressed CS broadcast video signal) to the monitor 24. Accordingly, in this case 3 CS broadcast video pictures are displayed entirely on the monitor 24, as shown in the left and column in
If “NO” is determined in the previous step S29, then the system control micro-computer 26 in the next step S31 determines whether EPG setting is for 2 screens or not. This can be determined by detecting CS control signal given from the CS micro-computer 126, similarly to the step S25. If “YES” is determined in this step S31, “case 4” is set in step S32. In order to set “case 4”, the system control micro-computer 26 controls the first selector 36 to supply CSEPG data as an input to the first video compression circuit 40. Also, the second selector 38 is controlled to supply CS video data to the second video compression circuit 42. Furthermore, the system control micro-computer 26 delivers to the first video compression circuit 40 such a 50% first compression rate signal that the first video compression circuit 40 thins out input video data down to ½. The system control micro-computer 26 also supplies to the second video compression circuit 42 such a 50% second compression rate signal that the second video compression circuit 42 compresses input video data down to ½.
At this time, the CS micro-computer 126 included in the CS receive section 12 does not output CS window control signal, responsive to a CS control signal given from the CS control micro-computer 26. Accordingly, the CS video compositing circuit 125 outputs, as CS video data, CS broadcast video data supplied from the AV decoder 124 as shown in the right end column in
As in this case 4, CS broadcast and EPG video pictures are displayed on different screen areas in the monitor 24. This achieves such display that the CS broadcast video picture be not prevented from viewing by EPG, similarly to the
If “NO” is determined in step S31, then “case 5” is set in the next step S33. In order to set “case 5”, the system control micro-computer 26 controls the second selector 38 to supply CS video data to the second video compression circuit 42. At this time, anything may be inputted to the first video compression circuit 40. Accordingly, first selector 36 is appropriately controlled. The first compression rate signal may be such a 50% control signal that the first video compression circuit 40 thins out input video data down to ½, or a 100% compression rate signal not to effect thinning out. The system control micro-computer 26 further delivers to the second video compression circuit 42 a 100% second compression rate signal that the second video compression circuit 42 does not compress input video data.
At this time, the CS micro-computer 126 included in the CS receive section 12 outputs a CS window control signal, responsive to CS control signal given from the CS control micro-computer 26. Consequently, the CS window signal generating circuit 128 generates a CS window signal in a predetermined range and then supplies it to the CS video compositing circuit 125. Due to this, the CS video compositing circuit 125 outputs CS video data which is superimposed with CS broadcast video data given from the AV decoder 124 and EPG data given from the EPG display circuit 127 according to the CS window signal, as shown in the right end column in
Incidentally, where the current state is in case 1 or case 5, if the 2-screens key 32a (
First, where in case 1 2-screens display is being made, if the 2-screens key 32a is pressed, case 3 is entered thus providing full-screen display. However, no EPG display is made at this time.
Where in case 2 2-screens display is being made, if the 2-screens key 32a is depressed, case 5 is entered thus providing full-screen display. In this case, however, an EPG is displayed by superimposition over a CS broadcast video.
Where in case 3 1-screen display is being made, if the 2-screens key 32a is pressed, case 1 is entered thus providing 2-screens display. However, no EPG display is made at this time.
Where in case 4 2-screens display is being made, if the 2-screens key 32a is pressed, case 2 is entered thus providing full-screen display. In this case, however, an EPG is displayed by forcible superimposition over a CS broadcast video because of outputting EPG data from the CS receive section 12.
Where in case 5 full-screen display is being made, if the 2-screens key 32a is pressed, case 2 is entered thus providing 2-screens display. However, an EPG is displayed by superimposition over a CS broadcast video at this time.
Incidentally, in the case 1 or case 2 of the above embodiment, CS broadcast video pictures are displayed on the left half of the monitor 24. This however is not determined in a one-meaning fashion. The position in display of the CS broadcast videos can be replaced with a position of other video pictures by operating a switching key (not shown) included in the remote control transmitter 30.
Also, in the above embodiments the television receiver was exemplified which can receive CS broadcast as digital television broadcast. However, the digital television broadcast may include, besides CS broadcast, arbitrary digital television broadcast such as terrestrial digital television broadcast, BS digital television broadcast, CATV digital television broadcast and so on. It is needless to say that the receive section can be arbitrarily modified depending upon a kind of digital television broadcast.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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9-040635 | Feb 1997 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/JP98/00761 | 2/25/1998 | WO | 00 | 8/24/1999 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO98/38796 | 9/3/1998 | WO | A |
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