CN1373963A - Picture-in-guide generator with digital tuner - Google Patents
Picture-in-guide generator with digital tuner Download PDFInfo
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- CN1373963A CN1373963A CN00812641A CN00812641A CN1373963A CN 1373963 A CN1373963 A CN 1373963A CN 00812641 A CN00812641 A CN 00812641A CN 00812641 A CN00812641 A CN 00812641A CN 1373963 A CN1373963 A CN 1373963A
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
- H04N21/42607—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for processing the incoming bitstream
- H04N21/4263—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for processing the incoming bitstream involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/431—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
- H04N21/4312—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
- H04N21/4316—Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
- H04N21/4823—End-user interface for program selection using a channel name
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
- H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
- H04N5/445—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards for displaying additional information
- H04N5/45—Picture in picture, e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
- Controls And Circuits For Display Device (AREA)
- Television Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A picture-in-guide generator has an output adapted to drive a television monitor and an input adapted to receive a television signal. A display generator feeds drive signals to the output synchronized to the television monitor. EPG information is extracted from the television signal and stored in memory. The number of pixels used to represent the television signal is reduced. The reduced number of pixels television signal is stored in memory. The EPG data and the television signal are retrieved from memory and stored in the display generator. The EPG data and the television signal are fed from the display generator to the output in a continuous data stream ordered to produce a picture-in-guide display on the monitor. The picture-in-guide generator is implemented on a single integrated circuit chip along with the circuitry generating the graphics. The addition of a digital tuner to the PIG generator chip allows the PIG generator to capture VBI data at any time whether the viewer is watching the television or not.
Description
Background of invention
Relate generally to electronic program guidance system of the present invention and electronic program guides method, more particularly, the system and method that the present invention relates to utilize the picture-in-guide generator that has digital tuner to provide picture-in-guide to show.
For reference at this full content of quoting following patent application: the 08/475th of submission on June 7 nineteen ninety-five, the 60/053rd of No. 395 patent applications, International Patent Application WO submission July 21 in 96/07270,1997, the 60/061st of No. 330 patent applications, submission on October 6th, 1997, the 60/055th, No. 237 patent application that No. 119 patent applications and on August 12nd, 1997 submit to.Also quoting title is: the publication of " The CTC 140 Picture in Picture System (CPIP) TechnicalTraining Manual " is for reference, can be from Thomson ConsumerElectronics, Inc., Indianapolis, IN obtain this publication.
Electronic program guides (EPG) is being that the televiewer provides renewable television program schedule information in screen graphical display form.EPG can provide current and schedule information future broadcast program, and provides the content of TV program overview for specific program.
A kind of form especially easily that is used for EPG is that picture-in-guide (PIG) shows.PIG shows the real time video image that is included in the tv tuner program that shows in the wicket that inserts in the big figure guide.PIG is shown as spectators many selections is provided.During television program schedule information in browsing guide, spectators can continue the TV programme of watching him watching before entering guide.On the other hand, when moving about in spectators' operational light is marked on listing in the guide, the program that shows in the PIG window can change with corresponding to selected channel in the guide.Spectators can also pull out PIG and show to find out his current more information of being watched program, as time started/dwell time or program outline, continue simultaneously to watch program in the PIG window that inserts.
Usually, utilize an EPG generator and an independent chip to realize that PIG shows, the EPG generator comprises a microprocessor being positioned on the chip piece, a vertical blanking period (VBI) decoder/amplitude limiter, one at screen display generator, a digital to analog converter (DAC), (synch) circuit and memory synchronously, and independent chip comprises a picture-in-picture (PIP) generator, DAC, synchronous circuit and a Microprocessor Interface circuit.
The PIP generator utilizes vision signal and memory to produce an overall background image and a little insertion image.Little image is to store memory into by the entire frame with video signal generating to produce.These frames that are stored in the memory are carried out compound filter with the acquisition high quality graphic, but reduced picture size.As a result, has big image as a setting and just produced as a compound demonstration of the little image that inserts image (the pip window district on the televimonitor screen).
Yet, use the cost of P generator very high usually.For example, with other parts comparison in the PIP generator, the memory in the PIP generator is relatively expensive.In addition, realize that compound filter also needs the supercomputing processing procedure.And, adopt two independent chips to need more parts to EPG generator and PIP generator, and more be difficult to be integrated in the consumer electronics parts, as television set, VCR, satellite receiver etc.
Yet, show for PIG, do not need to provide two real time video images, because comprise literal and pictorial information in main the demonstration, as program guide, but not the real time kinematics video image.Therefore, by using a kind of PIG generator, can significantly reduce cost.In addition, can also provide other facility to the additional dedicated tuner of PIG generator.
Summary of the invention
A display generator is delivered to the output synchronous with televimonitor with drive signal.From TV signal, extract EPG information and store in the memory.Be used for representing that the pixel quantity of TV signal is reduced.The TV signal pixel quantity that has reduced is stored in memory.From memory, retrieve EPG data and TV signal and store them into display generator.Streamed with orderly continuous data, EPG data and TV signal are delivered to output from display generator, show on monitor, to realize picture-in-guide.On the single integrated circuit (IC) chip that has a circuit that produces figure, realize picture-in-guide generator.
Can make the PIG generator catch the VBI data at any time to dedicated tuner of PIG generator chip attach, no matter whether spectators are watching TV.So having improved the PIG generator greatly provides the ability of real-time data service.By making the main tuner such as TV tuner remain on a channel, additional tuner can also improve PIG and show.So just can eliminate at screen and show that (OSD) " beats ", instability during channel change because horizontal-drive signal that main tuner provides and vertical synchronizing signal (HSYNC and VSYNC) become.Beat another solution of problem of OSD is, the PIG generator has and produces the function of stablizing HSYNC and VSYNC all the time, as a pseudo-synchronizing generator.Yet its defective is that additional pseudo-synchronizing generator requires television manufacturer to increase extra work, for example, need reserve pseudo-synchronizing generator space at tv chassis.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of picture-in-guide generator equipment comprises the digital tuner that is arranged on the single chip.To this digital tuner be configured with received television signal and with the TV signal that receives be tuned to specific channel.This picture-in-guide generator equipment also comprises: a video interface is configured the TV signal that is tuned to specific channel with reception to this video interface; And a tuning selector, link to each other with video interface with digital tuner, and this tuning selector is configured to determine the state of video interface and digital tuner.According to the state of determining, tuning selector is with the output of one of TV signal that digital tuner and video interface received.In addition, also comprise display controller, display controller is configured with the Pixel Dimensions of the TV signal that reduces the output of tuning selector and extracts electronic program guide information from outgoing television signal.Moreover, picture-in-guide generator also comprises: a memory is used to store the program guide information of extraction and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions; And a display generator, be used for retrieve electronic performance guide information and TV signal and signal delivered to televimonitor to realize the picture-in-guide demonstration on televimonitor so that orderly continuous data is streamed.
By with reference to the detailed description of doing below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, can understand this picture-in-guide generator equipment better, and many subsidiary characteristics of the present invention will become more obvious.
Description of drawings
Accompanying drawing is depicted as the feature of the specific embodiment of the preferred forms that realizes the present invention's imagination, and accompanying drawing comprises:
The program guide that Fig. 1 shows a kind of picture-in-guide (PIG) form type shows;
Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of PIG generator according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is the data structure schematic diagram in the RAM according to an embodiment of the invention;
The block diagram of the one embodiment of the invention that Fig. 4 and full screen video display system are combined;
Fig. 5 is the flow chart of the running of the master control tuner of working with the PIG generator; And
Fig. 6 is the flow chart of processing procedure that has the auxiliary tuner of the TV master control tuner of working with the PIG generator.
Describe in detail
According to the present invention, provide a kind of picture-in-guide (PIG) generator to show on video screen or computer monitor, to realize PIG.In the television system that adopts the PIG generator, can adopt three kinds of display types usually.First kind of display type is that the full screen video that comprises the broadcast TV program realtime graphic shows.Second kind of display type is that PIG shows, comprises background graphics and the real time video image that is positioned at little insertion window.The third display type is that full screen graphics shows.
The PIG that Fig. 1 illustrates the electronic program guides (EPG) that comprises a visuals 12 and an image window 14 shows 10.Below abbreviate image window 14 as the PIG window, it contains a video image of the TV programme that shows with full screen video display format, but usually at width with highly all reduce in the minification after 3 times, promptly in 1/9 screen size.
PIG shows that 10 visuals 12 has occupied most of screen.Visuals generally includes the background graphics of text, icon and several different colours.Figure can comprise the eye-catching demonstration of text or screen each several part.In a kind of EPG system, spectators can browse different program guides usually, and need not to change the TV programme that shows in PIG window 14.In some EPG system, when spectators place cursor 16 on different channel sign 18 in the visuals or the program title 20, this system make automatically auxiliary figure tuner 50 (if exist) or master control tuner be tuned to selected channel, and PIG window 14 in the program of this channel broadcasting of demonstration.
Produce PIG according to the present invention and show that 10 required parts are set on the single chip that can insert television set, VCR, separate unit, satellite receiver etc.By all parts are set, can reduce total the number and the bus interface size of overall package size and this chip on single chip.
Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of each parts on single-chip 21 arranged according to the present invention.These parts comprise microprocessor 22, storage control or direct memory access (DMA) (DMA) device 24, synchronizing regeneration (synch) circuit 28, analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) 30c, automatic gain control circuit (AGC) 30b, DC clamp circuit 30a, PIG window generator 32, display generator 34, color space conversion device 60, digital-to-analogue conversion (DAC) circuit 36, pixel clock 38, ntsc decoder 52 and VBI amplitude limiter ZZ.
Compare with Video processing hardware (for example: PIG window generator 32 and display generator 34), the speed of microprocessor 22 is relatively slow.The data that 22 pairs of microprocessors are stored in the RAM26 are organized, and can be text data and view data distribution address.Preferably only there is a RAM26.The parts that can visit RAM26 have four: microprocessor 22, PIG window generator 32, display generator 34 and VBI amplitude limiter ZZ.When whole four parts fall over each other to visit RAM simultaneously, just RAM is produced high visit load.Yet each cycle can only the access multidigit one of sample.Multiplexer is used to solve the arbitration problem between these parts.Therefore, microprocessor 22, PIG window generator 32, display generator 34 and VBI amplitude limiter ZZ are respectively by DMA24 visit RAM26.DMA24 is multiplexing and arbiter, by conversion visit successively between 4 parts, to realize RAM Shared 26.DMA24 comprises buffer storage, is used for being stored in the data of the parts input that does not take turns between access cycle temporarily.DMA24 stores text and video data in the RAM26 correct address, and when needed, according to selected address suitable data of retrieval in the RAM26.
This system also receives the vision signal of digital tuner 50 outputs.In addition, it is also from main frame YY receiving video signals.This digital tuner is NTSC (NTSC) tuner that adopts the digital circuit that is different from analog circuit.One of example of this digital tuner is the NTSC tuner of realizing on an integrated single-chip, distributes authorizing in the 5th, 737, No. 035 United States Patent (USP) of Rotzoll, and it is for reference to quote content that this United States Patent (USP) distributes at this.For the data such as VBI data or vision signal, digital tuner 50 provides independent data source for the EPG system.
Traditional E PG system depends on the NTSC tuner that uses in host computer system, host computer system is TV or VCR.In a kind of dual tuner host computer system with two NTSC tuners, when spectators watched TV, EPG and related data can be gathered by the EPG system.In only having the single tuner host computer system of a NTSC tuner, only when disconnecting host computer system, the EPG system just can Information Monitoring.To the dependence limits of host computer system NTSC tuner EPG the promptness of information is provided, and therefore limited this quality of information.
In the single tuner host computer system, thereby provide the full frame form display of television programmes of vision signal with routine as the NTSC tuner of a TV or a VCR part.Digital tuner 50 is delivered to vision signal PIG generator 32 separately and is shown to show PIG.Like this, the PIG generator has available data source all the time, and no matter host computer system is to connect or disconnection, and perhaps whether the NTSC tuner of host computer system is taken in addition.Therefore, be controlled by the independent NTSC tuner of EPG fully, i.e. the existence of digital tuner 50 makes real time data can be sent to EPG.Can also provide and use the real time business (for example: weather forecast or quotations on the stock market) that contains real time data or continuous updating data by the PIG generator like this, and need not to interrupt the business that host computer system provides.
In addition, digital tuner 50 is lower than common host computer system NTSC tuner mass, cost is also low.Therefore, the digital tuner 50 in the PIG generator can provide low-cost and effective picture-in-picture (PIP) tuner for TV or VCR (unless configuration in addition).Can prove this for being desirable to provide PIP function or inferior tuner but the manufacturer that is subjected to the TV of cost restriction and VCR is favourable.
Fig. 4 illustrates the simplified block diagram of this embodiment.Tuner 301 is parts of host computer system, and digital tuner 303 links to each other with PIG generator of the present invention.Tuning selector 305 all delivered to the independent vide signal by tuner 301 and 303.The video source that tuning selector 350 selects PIP/PIG to show, PEP/PIG shows by 350 foundation of PIG generator system.Because digital tuner 303 is more inexpensive than tuner 301, and quality is lower usually, the image source so digital tuner 303 generally need not be decided.PIG generator system 350 extracts the EPG data from vision signal, picture size is dwindled and store text and the video data that obtains into EPG memory 309.If digital tuner is effective to system, then EPG system tuning digital tuner 303, extract the EPG data and EPG be not presented on the screen whenever with storage to EPG memory 309.
Fig. 5 illustrates the flow chart of the master control tuner of working with the PIG system.In step 411, processing procedure is determined the state of host computer system.In one embodiment, determine the state of host computer system, when one or more electrical control lines has " logical one ", connect host computer system by detecting a series of electrical control lines.Another kind method is that a signal detector is delivered to the TV signal of PIG system by detecting the host computer system tuner, determines the state of host computer system.When not detecting host computer system TV signal is provided, host computer system is disconnected.In another embodiment, utilize a monitoring program (by software, hardware or their the two realizations) to determine the state of host computer system, monitoring program sends to one by the host computer system of similar activation and receive the response of this host computer system with order.According to the order that sends and the response of reception, monitoring program is determined the state of host computer system.For example,, and do not receive response in the given time, determine that then host computer system is disconnected if monitoring program is delivered to host computer system with an on-state order.Yet,, determine that host computer system is switched on if host computer system is delivered in the on-state order to monitoring program and host computer system is sent success response.
If determine that in step 413 host computer system is switched on, then EPG does not extract data.If determine that in step 413 host computer system is not switched on, then in step 419, with the master control tuner be tuned to data channel contain the TV signal of data with reception.In step 417, extract data, and, data are delivered to the EPG memory in step 421.
Referring to Fig. 4, tuner 301 is preferably the full screen video demonstration video source is provided, and this video source is delivered to display type selector 307 from tuning selector 305 again, and display type selector 307 is delivered to display 310 with the full screen video image.Equally, PIG generator system 350 shows PIG delivers to display type selector 307, and display type selector 307 is delivered to display 310 with this image.
Fig. 6 is illustrated in the interior process flowchart with the master control tuner of working as the digital tuner of auxiliary tuner of television set.Similar with step 411 shown in Figure 5, by detecting control line or utilizing monitoring program, processing procedure is determined the state of television set in step 451.If determine that in step 453 television set is switched on, then in step 455, processing procedure determines whether TV is in screen mode toggle.Screen mode toggle means that television set handles full frame television image, the tv tuner program real time video image that promptly shows on whole television indicator.If TV is in screen mode toggle, then in step 462, the master control tuner in the television set continues to handle the full frame television image on the television display.In addition, with auxiliary tuner be tuned to data channel with received television signal, and will extract data and send to EPG memory (step 463).
If television set is not in screen mode toggle, then with the master control tuner in the television set be tuned to data channel with received television signal and will extract data and send to EPG memory (step 457).In step 459, auxiliary tuner is handled television image and is used for the TV demonstration, in one embodiment, is used for PIG and shows, to comprise the tv tuner program real time video image that is presented in the wicket that inserts big figure guide.Yet if determine that in step 453 host computer system is not switched on, processing procedure connects reservation tuning device (auxiliary tuner or master control tuner) handling the EPG data, and another tuner is handled television image and is used for TV and shows.In one embodiment, the reservation tuning device is that auxiliary tuner (digital tuner) is handled the EPG data.In this embodiment, under the television set disconnection, the scheduled EPG data of handling of the digital tuner that quality is lower than master control tuner are to guarantee that when connecting television set the master control tuner can be used to handle full frame television image immediately and show to carry out TV.
Referring to Fig. 2, the vision signal that the master control tuner is provided is separated into horizontal-drive signal and vertical synchronizing signal (h-and v-) and sends to synchronous circuit 28.Horizontal-drive signal and vertical synchronizing signal that the PIG window generator will extract from conventional video baseband signal (CVBS) are used for the video leaching process.Synchronous circuit 28 is connected to pixel clock 38.Pixel clock is determined the x coordinate and the y coordinate of each pixel to screen to be shown.The number of scanning lines of the corresponding screen of y coordinate, the pixel quantity on corresponding each scan line of x coordinate.
Handle through demodulator XX from the video section of digital tuner 50 input videos, become CVBS from 45MHz intermediate frequency (I/F) conversion of signals.Analog to digital converter (ADC) 30c is a digital sample streams with the CVBS conversion of signals.DC clamp circuit 30a and automatic gain control circuit 30b at first handle the CVBS signal, for example to reduce when the switching signal because the distorted signals that low-frequency noise and direct current are beated and caused.
Ntsc decoder 52 is converted to digital yuv video signal with digital sample streams, corresponding to the full screen video image.PIG window generator 32 receives digital yuv video signal and reduces the image overall dimension by extracting video data, then it is delivered to the video data part 33 that DMA24 is used to store into RAM26.In order to extract video data, PIG window generator 32 cooperates with synchronous circuit 28, for example selects a pixel from per 3 pixels, and selects a scan line from per 3 scan lines, promptly 1: 3 ratio is delivered to DMA24 with these data then and is used to store into RAM26.In order to produce the PIG window of different sizes, can also adopt other withdrawal ratio, for example: 1: 4.
Explanation now realizes that according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2 PIG shows the process of 10 (as shown in Figure 1).
Show for given PIG, according to spectators' command device, IR remote controller for example, microprocessor 22 be the suitable text data in the interior urtext data 31 of this display access RAM26 shown in Figure 3.The correct address that 22 pairs of text datas of microprocessor carry out configurations shown and are used for videotex sends to DMA24 with text data and is used to store in the RAM26 as video data 33.
To be used to realize that PIG shows all video datas of 10, and comprise the text and the figure of visuals 12, and the video image of PIG window 14 stores in the above-mentioned RAM26 PIG demonstration 10 into as video data 33.Display generator 34 cooperates with map addresses circuit 40 and synchronous circuit 28, and the content of organizing in advance of the video data 33 in the visit RAM26 is with display image on the screen that is implemented in CRT62.Each pixel data to screen to be shown is stored in the RAM26 as video data 33, have x coordinate and the y coordinate corresponding address of this pixel on screen.According to the sequence that pixel clock 38 is determined, the proper data of corresponding each pixel in the display generator 34 visit RAM26, and utilize the horizontal-drive signal of master control tuner output and vertical synchronizing signal to realize pixel output synchronously.
Although preferably store whole screen area or frame into RMA26 simultaneously with the position mapping mode, also can store simultaneously less than whole screen, i.e. part screen only, and can in less than the pixel groups of whole screen, effectively realize showing processing procedure.
The digital YUV signal of display generator 34 outputs.Color space conversion device 60 usefulness digital methods are converted to the digital rgb signal with YUV signal.The DAC circuit is converted to the screen that the analog rgb signal is used to be presented at CRT62 with digital rgb.
In another embodiment of the present invention, RAM26 is positioned at " chip is outer ", links to each other with DMA24 by data/address bus.RGB transducer 60, CRT62 and spectators' command device 70 are parts of television equipment.In other words, these parts are realized difunctional, help to show TV signal and help to show the picture-in-guide form with the full frame form of routine.Other parts are the special uses of picture-in-guide form.
Because size that reduces and door number are so the PIG circuit design according to the present invention that is positioned on the single-chip 21 can provide more economical packing.Because microprocessor 22, synchronous circuit 28, DAC circuit 36, digital tuner 50 and DAM24 only need a gate array respectively, and do not resemble the existing television system in order to realize that PIG shows, these parts on PIP chip and the EPG chip are adopted two gate arrays respectively, so the present invention has reduced by total number.Should be noted that under the control of pixel clock 38 and synchronous circuit 28 display generator 34 is all delivered to CRT 62 so that continuous data is streamed with image information and EPG information.Therefore, in EPG shows, produce video (that is: moving image) image, and need not speed-sensitive switch.
The described embodiment of the invention only is considered as preferred embodiment and is used to illustrate the principle of the invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto embodiment.Under the prerequisite that does not deviate from essence of the present invention and scope, the those of skill in the art in the present technique field it is contemplated that out various other settings.For example, independent RAM can be used to store the EPG data and the TV signal that has reduced pixel quantity.In addition, the present invention also can be used for digital television transmission system, in this case, can omit ADC, DAC and VBI amplitude limiter.
Claims (19)
1. picture-in-guide system that uses in conjunction with televimonitor, this picture-in-guide generator system comprises:
A digital tuner is arranged on the single-chip, and be configured to received television signal and with the TV signal that receives be tuned to specific channel;
A video interface, to this video interface be configured with receive be tuned to the TV signal of specific channel;
A tuning selector, link to each other with video interface with digital tuner, this tuning selector is configured to determine the state of video interface and digital tuner, and according to determined state, tuning selector is with the output of one of TV signal that digital tuner and video interface received;
Display controller is configured Pixel Dimensions with the TV signal that reduces the output of tuning selector to this display controller, and extracts program guide information from outgoing television signal;
A memory is used to store program guide information of being extracted and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions; And
A display generator is used for retrieve electronic performance guide information and TV signal, and so that orderly continuous data is streamed signal is delivered to televimonitor to produce the picture-in-guide demonstration on televimonitor.
2. picture-in-guide generator equipment according to claim 1, wherein, display controller comprises a VBI amplitude limiter, and this VBI amplitude limiter is configured to extract electronic program guide information the TV signal of selecting box output from video.
3. picture-in-guide generator equipment according to claim 1 wherein, disposes video interface, tuning selector, display controller and display generator on single-chip.
4. picture-in-guide generator equipment according to claim 1, wherein, for disconnecting, tuning selector is the TV signal output that digital tuner receives according to the state of video interface, makes video interface can not receive to be tuned to the TV signal of specific channel.
5. method of utilizing picture-in-guide generator on televimonitor, to provide picture-in-guide to show, this method comprises:
Receive first TV signal by a digital tuner;
Utilize this digital tuner with first TV signal that received be tuned to specific channel;
Determine the state of one of this digital tuner and a video interface, video interface is configured second TV signal that is tuned to specific channel with reception;
According to determined state, select one of output first TV signal and second TV signal;
Reduce the Pixel Dimensions of outgoing television signal;
From outgoing television signal, extract electronic program guide information;
Electronic program guide information that storage is extracted and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions;
Retrieve electronic performance guide information and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions; And
So that orderly continuous data is streamed signal is delivered to televimonitor to produce the picture-in-guide demonstration on televimonitor.
6. method according to claim 5, wherein, video interface do not receive be tuned to during second TV signal of specific channel, the state of video interface is for disconnecting.
7. method according to claim 6 wherein, when the state of video interface is disconnection, is selected output first TV signal.
8. method that on televimonitor, provides picture-in-guide to show in conjunction with main video system, this method comprises:
Determine the pattern of main video system;
According to main video system pattern, tuning main video system is to receive first TV signal of specific channel;
From the TV signal that is received, extract electronic program guide information;
Store electronic program information into memory; And
The electronic program information that retrieval is stored shows to show picture-in-guide.
9. method according to claim 8 also comprises:
Received television signal;
Reduce the Pixel Dimensions of TV signal;
The TV signal that will reduce Pixel Dimensions stores memory into;
Retrieve electronic performance guide information and TV signal from memory;
Store electronic program guide information and the TV signal retrieved into display generator; And
Streamed with orderly continuous data, the electronic program guide information and the TV signal of display generator output are delivered to the output that is suitable for driving televimonitor, show on televimonitor, to realize picture-in-guide.
10. method according to claim 9, wherein, main video system is a televimonitor, this televimonitor has screen mode toggle and picture-in-picture mode.
11. method according to claim 10 also comprises:
When televimonitor is in screen mode toggle, the host computer system tuner is connected to televimonitor; And
An auxiliary tuner is connected to display controller, makes and to extract electronic program guide information and this information stores is arrived memory.
12. method according to claim 10 also comprises:
When televimonitor is in picture-in-picture mode, the host computer system tuner is connected to display controller, make and can extract electronic program guide information and this information stores is arrived memory; And
An auxiliary tuner is connected to televimonitor.
13. method according to claim 10 also comprises:
One of given host system tuning device and auxiliary tuner are connected to display controller; And
Designated tuners is connected to display controller, makes and to extract electronic program guide information and this information stores is arrived memory.
14. method according to claim 11, wherein, auxiliary tuner is arranged on a kind of digital tuner on the single-chip.
15. the picture-in-guide generator equipment in conjunction with televimonitor and the use of main video system, this picture-in-guide generator equipment comprises:
A digital tuner is arranged on the single-chip, to this digital tuner be configured with receive first TV signal and with the TV signal that receives be tuned to specific channel;
A main video system, to this main video system be configured with receive second TV signal and second TV signal that will receive be tuned to specific channel;
A tuning selector, link to each other with main video system with digital tuner, and this tuning selector is configured to determine the state of video interface and digital tuner, according to determined state, one of tuning selector output TV signal that digital tuner and video interface received;
Display controller is configured Pixel Dimensions with the TV signal that reduces the output of tuning selector to display controller, and extracts electronic program guide information from outgoing television signal;
A memory is used to store program guide information of being extracted and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions; And
A display generator is used for retrieve electronic performance guide information and TV signal, and shows to realize picture-in-guide with the streamed transmission signal of orderly continuous data.
16. picture-in-guide generator equipment according to claim 15, also comprise a display type selector, this display type selector is configured with the signal that receives display generator output and with the signal that is received delivers to televimonitor, show on televimonitor, to realize picture-in-guide.
17. picture-in-guide generator equipment according to claim 15, also comprise a display type selector, this display type selector is configured with the signal that receives the output of main video system and with the signal that is received delivers to televimonitor, on televimonitor, to realize full screen display.
18. picture-in-guide generator equipment according to claim 15, also comprise a display type selector, this display type selector is configured with the signal of reception display generator output and the signal of main video system output, and selectively the signal that is received is delivered to televimonitor, on televimonitor, to realize one of picture-in-guide demonstration or full screen display.
19. a utilization is in conjunction with the picture-in-guide generator of main video system, the method that on televimonitor, provides picture-in-guide to show, and this method comprises:
By a digital tuner received television signal;
Utilize this digital tuner with the TV signal that received be tuned to specific channel;
Main video system TV signal that provide, that be tuned to specific channel is provided;
From the main video system TV signal that provide, that be tuned to specific channel that is received, extract synchronizing signal;
Reduce from the Pixel Dimensions of the TV signal of digital tuner reception;
From the TV signal that digital tuner receives, extract electronic program guide information;
Program guide information that storage is extracted and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions;
Retrieve electronic performance guide information and the TV signal that has reduced Pixel Dimensions; And
Streamed with orderly continuous data, signal is delivered to televimonitor show on televimonitor, to realize picture-in-guide.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14848699P | 1999-08-12 | 1999-08-12 | |
| US60/148,486 | 1999-08-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1373963A true CN1373963A (en) | 2002-10-09 |
Family
ID=22525991
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN00812641A Pending CN1373963A (en) | 1999-08-12 | 2000-08-14 | Picture-in-guide generator with digital tuner |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1206875A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2003507939A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20020025220A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1373963A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6907800A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0013550A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2381783A1 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1049087A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA02001510A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001013630A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1658661B (en) * | 2004-02-03 | 2010-12-15 | 微软公司 | Virtual tuner combined using method and client |
| US8001566B2 (en) | 2005-10-25 | 2011-08-16 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Digital TV and control method of the same |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5699125A (en) * | 1995-03-31 | 1997-12-16 | Matsushita Electric Corporation Of America | Electronic television program guide for a television system having two tuners |
| US5801785A (en) * | 1996-02-13 | 1998-09-01 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for processing two analog composite video signals |
| AU720866B2 (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 2000-06-15 | Rovi Guides, Inc. | Combination of VCR index and EPG |
| BR9714593A (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 2000-05-16 | Thomson Consumer Eletronics In | Frame on an electronic program guide for a video processing system. |
| BR9809939B1 (en) * | 1997-06-06 | 2013-03-05 | system and method for processing audio-only programs on a television receiver. |
-
2000
- 2000-08-14 WO PCT/US2000/022384 patent/WO2001013630A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-08-14 CN CN00812641A patent/CN1373963A/en active Pending
- 2000-08-14 AU AU69078/00A patent/AU6907800A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-08-14 EP EP00957464A patent/EP1206875A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-08-14 CA CA002381783A patent/CA2381783A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-08-14 KR KR1020027001934A patent/KR20020025220A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-08-14 JP JP2001517794A patent/JP2003507939A/en active Pending
- 2000-08-14 BR BR0013550-0A patent/BR0013550A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-08-14 MX MXPA02001510A patent/MXPA02001510A/en unknown
-
2003
- 2003-02-18 HK HK03101150.1A patent/HK1049087A1/en unknown
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1658661B (en) * | 2004-02-03 | 2010-12-15 | 微软公司 | Virtual tuner combined using method and client |
| US8001566B2 (en) | 2005-10-25 | 2011-08-16 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Digital TV and control method of the same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR0013550A (en) | 2003-04-29 |
| MXPA02001510A (en) | 2002-08-30 |
| CA2381783A1 (en) | 2001-02-22 |
| EP1206875A1 (en) | 2002-05-22 |
| KR20020025220A (en) | 2002-04-03 |
| WO2001013630A1 (en) | 2001-02-22 |
| JP2003507939A (en) | 2003-02-25 |
| AU6907800A (en) | 2001-03-13 |
| HK1049087A1 (en) | 2003-04-25 |
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