JPH08205102A - Information transmission / reception method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] For broadcasting, video communication, etc., input sub-information without depending on the auxiliary device of the receiving device and without affecting the observation of the main image. [Structure] First, the sub information is encrypted in a video state (step 1). The sub information encrypted in the form of a video is combined with the main video (step 2) and transmitted as a composite video (step 3). Therefore, it is no different from a normal image after being combined. On the receiving side, the conventional television receiver displays the composite image (step 4). Since the sub information is image-processed in consideration of the visual characteristics of the observer, it is not noticed in normal observation. A sub information extraction terminal is used to retrieve the sub information. When the received image is picked up with the sub information extraction terminal facing the receiver, the sub information encrypted by the image processing unit is decrypted and displayed on the display unit as the original sub information (step 5).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information transmitting / receiving method in a system for transmitting / receiving not only main image information but also character information, time information, voice information and the like as sub information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of transmitting sub-information to a receiver in addition to the main video used in broadcasting, a TV having an audio multiplex reception function is used and an audio subchannel in audio multiplex broadcasting is used. There is a method of taking out voice information and a method of attaching a dedicated adapter for receiving teletext to a TV to take out text information.

[0003]

In all of these methods, the receiving device must be built in the TV body, or
In order to connect the device that extracts the character information from the TV signal in which the character information is multiplexed and superimposes it to the TV body,
The accessory device and the TV must be used as a unit,
There is a problem that even if an attempt is made to obtain sub-information on another TV, the information can only be obtained on a TV with an attached device.

Further, as a method of not using a dedicated device for transmitting the sub information, it is possible to transmit the character information as a telop on the transmitting side, but the telop is very disturbing to the main video. .

An object of the present invention is to provide an information input / output method for broadcasting, video communication, etc., which obtains sub information without depending on an auxiliary device of a receiving device and without affecting observation of a main image. It is in.

[0006]

In the information transmitting / receiving method of the present invention, on the transmitting side, the sub information is converted by image processing so that it cannot be recognized by an observer and synthesized with the main video, and on the receiving side,
The composite video transmitted from the transmission side is displayed on the display, the displayed video is captured, the captured video is processed based on the image processing method on the transmission side, and the sub information is extracted.

The sub information is inserted into the main video in field units or frame units.

The display screen is divided into m × n (m, n is an integer of 1 or more) blocks, each block is represented by white or black, and a plurality of blocks are assigned to character codes to obtain sub information. To convert.

The display screen is divided into m × n (m and n are integers of 1 or more) blocks, each block is represented by a black and white or color density level or a combination thereof, and a plurality of blocks are converted into character codes. By assigning
Convert side information.

The first line or a plurality of lines of the display screen m × n is made into a specific pattern.

The display screen is divided into m × n blocks, black and white or color density levels or a combination thereof is written in a plurality of blocks defined for each field or frame, and the original blocks are written in blocks other than the plurality of blocks. Display video and create a composite image.

Many of the plurality of blocks are arranged around the display screen.

In order to extract the sub information from the continuously transmitted composite image frames containing the sub information, a composite image for synchronization is inserted at l (l is an integer of 1 or more) frame intervals, and the synchronization is performed. Write a fixed pattern in the composite image for capturing.

A black and white or color density level sample is inserted into a specific pattern and is used for signal level adjustment of a processing unit of an image pickup apparatus.

[0015]

Therefore, in broadcasting, video communication, etc., the sub information other than the main video does not depend on the auxiliary device of the receiving device, and
Sub-information can be obtained without affecting the observation of the main image.

[0016]

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

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an information transmitting / receiving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Main images to be transmitted include moving images and still images. The sub-information is, for example, the title of the movie, the remaining time, the profile of the main performer, etc. when watching the movie on VOD (Video On Demand). Furthermore, news, sports-related results may be sent, and still images, moving images, and audio information may be used. It may be control information for controlling various devices.

First, the sub information is encrypted in a video state (step 1). The sub information encrypted in the form of video is combined with the main video (step 2) and transmitted as a composite image (step 3). Therefore, it is no different from a normal image after being combined. On the receiving side, the composite image is only displayed on the conventional television receiver (step 4). Since the sub information is image-processed in consideration of the visual characteristics of the observer, it is not noticed in normal observation.
A sub information extraction terminal is used to retrieve the sub information. The main configuration of this terminal is composed of an imaging unit, an image processing unit, and a display unit. When the received image is captured with the sub information extraction terminal facing the receiver, the image processing unit decrypts the encrypted sub information,
The original sub information is displayed on the display unit (step 5). In this method, since no restriction is applied to the receiver, any receiver can freely extract the sub information if it has a sub information extraction terminal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of sub information conversion. In the sub information conversion, the display screen 10 is divided into m × n blocks, each block is represented by white or black, and a plurality of blocks are assigned to character codes. Of course, it may be given in the form of a bit stream. In the figure, the information unit 11 represents one unit with 8 blocks. The unit may be 4, 16 blocks. The first line 10-1 is the display screen 10
It also serves as a flag for surely extracting a black and white pattern area from the second line 10-2, and is also used for black and white level adjustment when an image is picked up by the sub information extraction terminal. The flag line is not necessarily limited to the first line. In the figure, the sub information is entered in the second and subsequent lines. The sub information is data here, and may be character information, voice information, or image information.

FIG. 3 shows an example of sub-information conversion when a gradation expression is used for a block. When one block can be expressed in 16 gradations, one block is represented by 4 bits. A gradation pattern is displayed on the first line 12-1 of the block and is also used for adjusting the gradation level when an image is captured by the sub information extraction terminal. In the above description, the block display color is black and white, but it is of course possible to use a color other than black and white to increase the number of combination patterns.

The converted image of the sub information obtained as described above is combined with the main video. As a method of inserting the sub information conversion image into the main video within the range that does not affect human visual characteristics,
In the case of NTSC, the image is rewritten in 60 fields per second, so it can be realized by inserting it in the 1 field. Although it depends on the degree of flicker, it may be inserted in a plurality of fields without being limited to one field. Also, it may be handled in frame units. Of course, HDTV, EDTV,
The composite image may be inserted in the field or frame, even if it is compatible with PAL, personal computer display, and other displays.

As another method of sub information conversion, a sub information conversion pattern is superimposed on the main image. FIG. 4 shows a sub-information conversion image to be superimposed. The sub information image is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the character information is coded by the brightness difference for each predetermined block. Of course, it may be in the form of a bit stream. Sub information image 13
Is an example pattern for synchronizing when capturing the sub information image. Here, it is determined that the block pattern in the first row is a checkerboard pattern. This sub-information image is superimposed on the main image as a composite image. The area to be superimposed is only the first block line, and the main image is displayed in the other areas. Of course, the pattern for synchronizing is not limited to the above checkered pattern. You may use several lines for the pattern for synchronizing. In the next sub-information image 14 from which the sub-information image has been obtained, only the blocks marked with * are represented in black and white. Since there are eight * marks in the example in the figure, 8-bit information can be obtained. Blocks other than * are main images. The sub-information extraction terminal focuses only on the positions marked with * in the sub-information image 14 for the next image from which the sub-information image 13 is obtained, and restores the information based on the black-and-white information at those positions. Similarly, the sub-information images 15 and 1
Information is obtained only from the 6 * mark. The position of the * mark of the sub information image is arranged so as to change randomly for successive sub information images so that it is not perceived by the observer.
Further, the arrangement of * marks reduces the flicker feeling caused by the present method by gathering from the center of the screen to the periphery. In the example of FIG. 4, the sub-information images 13, 14, 15, 1
It changes cyclically in the order of 6, 13, 14 ... The cyclic cycle has four patterns in FIG. 4,
It is not limited to this number. The sub information extraction terminal is
Since the sub information conversion pattern is stored, the sub information can be accurately extracted. The display of blocks is not limited to black and white, and gradation expression, color expression may be used, or a combination thereof may be used. Further, the composition in the composite video is processed in field units or frame units.

A black and white or color density level sample is inserted into a specific pattern to be used for a composite image for synchronization and is used for signal level adjustment of a processing unit of an image pickup apparatus to improve reading accuracy. To do.

[0025]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, according to the present invention, in broadcasting, video communication, etc., sub-information other than the main image can be obtained without depending on the auxiliary device of the receiving device and without affecting the observation of the main image. Therefore, there is no financial burden on the user who does not need the sub information, and the user having the sub information extraction terminal can obtain the information from any display device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an information transmitting / receiving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing sub information conversion.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing sub-information conversion using gradation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing sub information conversion using a random pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 to 5 Steps 10 and 12 Display screen 11 Information unit 13 to 16 Sub information image

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. In a system for transmitting and receiving a video, on a transmitting side, sub-information is converted by image processing so that an observer cannot recognize it, and is combined with main information, and a composite image is transmitted,
On the receiving side, the composite image transmitted from the transmitting side is displayed on the display, the displayed image is captured, the captured image is processed based on the image processing method on the transmitting side, and the sub information is extracted. Characteristic information transmission / reception method. 2. The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the sub information is inserted into the main video in field units or frame units. 3. A display screen is divided into m × n (m and n are integers of 1 or more) blocks, each block is expressed in white or black, and a plurality of blocks are assigned to character codes, The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the sub information is converted. 4. A display screen is divided into m × n (m and n are integers of 1 or more) blocks, each block is represented by a black-and-white or color density level or a combination thereof, and a plurality of blocks are represented by characters. By assigning to the code,
The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the sub information is converted. 5. The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 3, wherein the first line or a plurality of lines of the display screen m × n has a specific pattern. 6. A display screen is divided into m × n blocks,
The information according to claim 1, wherein a monochrome or color density level or a combination thereof is written in a plurality of blocks defined for each field or frame, and an original image is displayed in a block other than the plurality of blocks to form a composite image. How to send and receive. 7. The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 6, wherein many of the plurality of blocks are arranged around a display screen. 8. A composite image for synchronization is inserted at l (l is an integer of 1 or more) frame intervals in order to extract the sub information from the composite image frames that are continuously transmitted containing the sub information, 7. The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 6, wherein a fixed pattern is written in the composite image for synchronizing. 9. The information transmitting / receiving method according to claim 5, wherein a sample of a black-and-white or color density level is inserted into a specific pattern, and the sample is used for signal level adjustment of a processing unit of an image pickup device.