KR20030085904A - Television having PIP function and image display method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A television having a PIP function and an image displaying method of the television are provided to activate a plurality of images simultaneously. CONSTITUTION: A television having a PIP function includes the first, second and third scalers(340,350,360), the first and second mixers(370,380). The first scaler scales the first video signal into a predetermined first main picture size. The second scaler scales the second video signal into a predetermined first sub-picture size. The first mixer mixes the first and second video signals with each other to generate the first picture. The third scaler scales the third video signal into a predetermined second main picture size. The second mixer mixes the first picture with the third video signal to generate the second picture.

Description

Television with PIP function and its video display method {Television having PIP function and image display method

The present invention relates to a television having a PIP function and a video display method thereof, and more particularly, to a television capable of activating three or more images to be implemented.

PIP (Picture in picture) is a multi-display function that can play another image in the image. That is, the PIP is a function of expressing two or more video signals at the same time, and is divided into a main screen for implementing a large screen and a sub-screen for implementing a small screen.

Generally, televisions having a PIP function have two or more tuners. Of course, even with one tuner, the PIP function can be implemented. For example, when performing a PIP function using one tuner, the main picture is switched to a still picture, and the tuner tunes a predetermined channel to perform the PIP function through the sub picture.

Meanwhile, when performing the PIP function using two or more tuners, the tuners are divided into a main tuner and a sub tuner. The main tuner and the sub tuner each tune to the same broadcast signal or different broadcast signals so that at least two broadcasts are implemented on one screen. This allows the user to watch the same or different images implemented in multiple.

1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a television having a conventional PIP function.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional PIP television 100 includes an input unit 110, a tuner unit 120, a switching unit 130, a main screen scaler 140, a sub-screen scaler 150, and a synthesis unit 160. , The control unit 170 and the screen display unit 180.

The input unit 110 includes a plurality of operation keys (not shown) provided in the main body of the television to perform various operations of the television. That is, a user selection command such as channel selection, PIP function, volume control, etc. is input by the input unit 110 by a plurality of operation keys. In general, for ease of use, a user inputs a selection command from a remote location using a remote controller 115 provided with a plurality of operation keys (not shown).

The tuner portion 120 has a main tuner portion 122 and a sub tuner portion 124. In general, when the ON signal is applied to the television, the main tuner unit 122 selects a channel preset or selected by the user. When the PIP function is performed, the sub tuner unit 124 selects a corresponding channel under the control of the controller 170.

When the user selects the PIP function key provided in the input unit 110 or the remote controller 115 to perform the PIP function, the switching unit 130 is connected to the channel tuned by the main tuner unit 122 and the subtuner 124. It is provided to the main screen scaler 140 and the sub-screen scaler 150 by switching the signal. The main picture scaler 140 processes the video signal among the broadcast signals of the channel tuned by the main tuner 122 according to the main picture size and outputs the processed picture signal as the main picture signal. In addition, the sub-screen scaler 150 processes the video signal among the broadcast signals of the channel tuned by the sub-tuner 124 according to the sub-screen size and outputs the sub-screen signal.

The synthesizing unit 160 synthesizes the main screen video signal and the sub-screen video signal so that the main screen and the sub-screen are displayed on the screen of the screen display unit 180. The screen display unit 180 displays a sub screen in a main screen and a predetermined area of the main screen.

The controller 170 controls the tuner 120 to tune the channel according to a user's selection command. In addition, the controller 170 controls the synthesizer 160 to synthesize the main screen and the sub-screen to implement one main screen and at least one sub-screen by the user. For example, when a selection command is input from the input unit 110 or the remote controller 115 to implement at least two sub-screens, the control unit 170 controls the synthesis unit 160 to implement three screens on the screen display unit 180. To control.

However, when the television having the conventional PIP function is to implement one main screen and two or more sub-screens on the screen, only the main screen and one sub-screen are activated, and the other sub-screen is stopped. There is a problem with the implementation. That is, the television having the conventional PIP function activates only two of the three screens and stops the rest as shown in FIG. As a result, the user cannot watch an image changing in real time from the still image.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a television having a PIP function capable of simultaneously activating a plurality of images to be implemented and a video display method thereof.

1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a television having a conventional PIP function;

2 is a view showing an embodiment of a state of a main screen and a sub-screen implemented in a television having a conventional PIP function,

3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a television having a PIP function according to the present invention;

4A to 4C are diagrams showing an embodiment of a state in which a main screen and a sub screen are activated by the present invention; and

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of activating one main screen and two sub-screens in a television having a PIP function according to the present invention.

Description of the main parts of the drawing

300: television 310: input unit

320: tuner unit 330: switching unit

340: first scaler 350: second scaler

360: third scaler 370: first synthesis part

380: second synthesis unit 390: screen display unit

400: control unit

In order to solve the above technical problem, a television having a PIP function according to the present invention comprises a first scaler for scaling and outputting an input first image signal to a preset first main screen size; A second scaler for scaling and outputting the input second image signal to a preset first sub-screen size; A first synthesizer configured to synthesize the first image signal and the second image signal input from the first scaler and the second scaler to generate a first screen; A third scaler for scaling and outputting the input third image signal to a preset second sub-screen size; And a second synthesizer configured to synthesize the third image signal input from the first screen and the third scaler to generate a second screen.

Preferably, the switching unit for providing the first image signal, the second image signal and the third image signal to the first scaler, the second scaler and the third scaler, respectively; And a controller configured to control the switching unit to provide the first image signal, the second image signal, and the third image signal to the first scaler, the second scaler, and the third scaler, respectively, according to a screen selection command. It includes more.

The controller is further configured to provide a path for providing each of the first image signal, the second image signal, and the third image signal to the first scaler, the second scaler, and the third scaler based on a user's screen change command. To control the switching unit.

Further, the controller controls the second synthesizer to activate at least one of the images by a user's selection command among the images implemented on the first main screen, the first subscreen, and the second subscreen.

On the other hand, to solve the above technical problem, an image display method of a television having a PIP function according to the present invention comprises the steps of scaling and outputting the input first video signal to a predetermined first main screen size; Scaling and outputting the input second image signal to a preset first sub-screen size; Generating a first screen by synthesizing the outputted first and second video signals; Scaling and outputting the input third image signal to a preset second sub-screen size; And generating a second screen by synthesizing the first screen and the outputted third image signal.

More specifically, before the outputting of the first main screen, the first sub-screen and the second sub-screen, the first video signal, the second video signal and the second video signal corresponding to a screen selection command among a plurality of video signals; And providing each of the third image signals to the first main screen output step, the first sub screen output step, and the second sub screen output step.

The first main screen output step, the first sub screen output step and the second sub screen output step may be provided before the first main screen, the first sub screen and the second sub screen output step. And changing the providing paths of each of the first image signal, the second image signal, and the third image signal based on a screen change command of the user.

At least one of the first main screen, the first subscreen and the second subscreen is activated by a user's selection command.

According to the present invention, it is possible to activate all of a plurality of images implemented by first synthesizing a main screen and a first subscreen, and then synthesizing the synthesized main screen and the first subscreen and the second subscreen.

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

3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a television having a PIP function according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the television 300 having the PIP function according to the present invention includes an input unit 310, a tuner unit 320, a switching unit 330, a first scaler 340, a second scaler 350, The third scaler 360, the first combining unit 370, the second combining unit 380, the screen display unit 390, and the control unit 400 are provided.

The input unit 310 includes a plurality of operation keys (not shown) provided in the main body of the television to perform the operation of the television. That is, a user's selection command such as channel selection, volume control, etc. is input by the input unit 310 by a plurality of operation keys. In general, for ease of use, a user inputs a selection command from a remote location using a remote controller 315 provided with a plurality of operation keys (not shown).

In a television having a PIP function, the input unit 310 and the remote control unit 315 are provided with a predetermined function key for the PIP function, a function key for channel search, or provide various functions to a plurality of already provided keys. Therefore, a separate function key may not be provided.

The tuner portion 320 has a main tuner portion 322 and at least one sub-tuner portion 324, 326. In general, when the ON signal is applied to the television, the main tuner unit 322 tunes a channel preset by the user. In addition, when a user receives a channel selection command to be implemented on the main screen, the corresponding channel is tuned. When the PIP function is performed, the sub-tuner units 324 and 326 tune to the corresponding channel under the control of the controller 400. N sub-tuners 324 and 326 may be provided, where n is a positive number of one or more.

For example, in order to receive three different RF broadcast signals and implement them on a screen, one main tuner unit 322 and at least two sub-tuner units 324 and 326 should be provided. In addition, when receiving one RF broadcast signal and one video signal to implement an image, only one main tuner 322 and one subtuner 324 need be provided.

In the present invention, one main tuner unit 322 and two sub-tuner units 324 and 326 may be provided to tune different video signals. The video signal of the channel tuned by the main tuner 322 is the first video signal signal_1, and the video signal of the channel tuned by the first sub tuner 324 is the second video signal signal_2 and the second subtuner. The video signal of the channel tuned in the section 326 is a third video signal signal_3.

When the user selects the PIP function key provided in the input unit 310 or the remote controller 315 to perform the PIP function, the switching unit 330 may include the main tuner unit 322, the first sub tuner unit 324, and the second unit. The first video signal signal_1, the second video signal signal_2, and the third video signal signal_3 for the channel tuned in the subtunnel 326 are switched to each of the first scaler 340 and the second scaler ( 350 and the third scaler 360.

In addition, the switching unit 330 corresponds to the first scaler 340 and the first image signal signal_1, the second image signal signal_2, and the third image signal signal_3 in response to a user's screen selection command. The second scaler 350 and the third scaler 360 may optionally be provided in any scaler.

In addition, the switching unit 330 includes the first image signal signal_1, the second image signal signal_2, and the first image signal provided to the first scaler 340, the second scaler 350, and the third scaler 360. The providing path of the three video signals signal_3 can be changed based on the screen change command of the user.

For example, when a user's screen change command is input, the switching unit 330 inputs the first image signal (signal_1) input to the first scaler 340 to the second scaler 350, and the second scaler. The second image signal signal_2 input to 350 is provided to the third scaler 360, and the third image signal signal_3 input to the third scaler 360 is provided to the first scaler 340. That is, images implemented on the first main screen, the first subscreen, and the second subscreen may be changed within the plurality of input image signals signal_1, signal_2, and signal_3 by a user's screen change command.

The first scaler 340 scales and outputs the first video signal signal_1 among the broadcast signals of the channel tuned by the main tuner 322 according to the size of the first main screen. The second scaler 350 scales and outputs the second video signal signal_2 among the broadcast signals of the channel tuned by the first sub-tuner 324 according to the size of the first sub-screen. The first synthesizer 370 generates the first screen by synthesizing the first main screen and the first sub-screen so that the first main screen and the first sub-screen are displayed on the screen display unit 390.

The third image signal signal_3 provided to the third scaler 326 by the switching unit 330 is scaled to fit the second sub-screen size by the third scaler 360. That is, the third scaler 360 outputs the scaled third image signal signal_3 corresponding to the size of the second sub-screen.

The second combining unit 380 synthesizes the first screen and the second sub-screen to generate a second screen. The second screen consists of a first screen and a second sub-screen, and the first screen consists of a first main screen and a first sub-screen. That is, the second screen is composed of one main screen and two sub-screens. In this case, the first screen operates like the main screen and the second subscreen operates like the subscreen. The first scaler 340, the second scaler 350, and the third scaler 360 each perform the above functions as part of the IC.

The screen display unit 390 displays a first screen in an area of the main screen and a second sub screen in a predetermined area of the main screen.

4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a state in which each screen is activated by the present invention.

If the second image signal signal_2 and the third image signal signal_3 provided to the second scaler 350 do not exist, one active main screen as shown in FIG. 4A is implemented in the screen display unit 400. In addition, when there is no third image signal signal_3 provided to the third scaler 360, the screen display unit 400 implements two activated screens, that is, the first screen as shown in FIG. 4B.

In contrast, when all of the first image signal signal_1, the second image signal signal_2, and the third image signal signal_3 are provided, three activated screens as shown in FIG. 4C are implemented in the screen display unit 400. . When implemented as shown in FIG. 4C, the first screen generated by the first combining unit 370 operates as a main screen, and the second subscreen operates as a subscreen.

In addition, in FIG. 4C, when only the main tuner 322 and the first sub tuner 324 are provided in the tuner 320, at least two screens among the implemented images implement the same image. That is, at least two video signals among the first video signal signal_1, the second video signal signal_2, and the third video signal signal_3 are identical to each other.

The controller 400 controls the tuner 320 to tune a channel according to a user's screen selection command. The controller 400 outputs a control signal such that the second screen including the first main screen, the first subscreen, and the second subscreen is displayed on the screen display unit 390. In addition, the controller 400 may include a first video signal signal_1, a second video signal signal_2, and a third video signal signal_3 corresponding to a channel selected by the input unit 310 or the remote controller 315, respectively. The switching unit 330 is controlled to be provided to the scaler 340, the second scaler 350, and the third scaler 360.

In addition, the controller 400 may provide the first image signal signal_1, the second image signal signal_2, and the third signal provided to the first scaler 340, the second scaler 350, and the third scaler 360. The switching unit 330 is controlled to change the video signal providing path of the video signal signal_3 based on the screen change command of the user.

For example, according to a user's screen change command, the controller 400 controls the first video signal signal_1 to the second scaler 350, and the second video signal signal_2 to the third scaler 360. The three image signal signal_3 controls the switching unit 330 to be provided to the first scaler 340.

In addition, the controller 400 may enable the second synthesizer 380 to activate at least one or more and three images from the images implemented on the first main screen, the first subscreen, and the second subscreen by a user's selection command. ). For example, when a selection command is input from the input unit 310 or the remote controller 315 to implement at least two sub-screens, the controller 400 controls three screens to be implemented on the screen display unit 390, and three images. The second synthesizer 380 is controlled to stop all or to activate one or more images.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of activating one main screen and two sub-screens in a television having a PIP function according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, when an ON signal is first applied to a television, a broadcast signal for a preset channel is tuned. In addition, when the PIP function is selected by the user, one or more broadcast signals for the channel desired by the user are tuned. The tuned broadcast signal is composed of a volume signal and a video signal, and the present invention will be described based on the video signal.

First, when the ON signal is applied to the television, each tuner tunes each broadcast signal having the first video signal, the second video signal, and the third video signal. When two tuners are provided, at least two video signals of the tuned first video signal, second video signal, and third video signal are the same. Hereinafter, a case in which three tuners are provided and respective broadcast signals having different first video signals, second video signals, and third video signals are pre-selected.

The switch provided in the television switches the first video signal, the second video signal, and the third video signal among the tuned broadcast signals (S510). The switched first image signal is scaled to a first main screen size preset by the switching operation S510 and output. In addition, when the PIP function is selected by the user's selection command, the second video signal is scaled to a preset first sub-screen size and output. The first screen is generated by combining the scaled first video signal and the second video signal (S530). Thereby, the PIP function is performed.

If a command is input to implement two sub-screens, that is, three screens from the user (S540), the input third image signal is scaled and output to a preset second sub-screen size (S550). In operation S560, a second screen is generated by synthesizing the generated first screen and the third video signal.

As described above, the second screen includes a first main screen, a first subscreen, and a second subscreen, and all three screens are activated and implemented on one screen (S570). In addition, if there is no command for implementing three screens in operation S540, only the first main screen and the first subscreen (or the second subscreen) are activated by the user's selection, and the second subscreen (or the first subscreen) is activated. Screen) can be stopped.

Meanwhile, in operation S510, the first video signal, the second video signal, and the third video signal provided to the first main screen, the first sub screen, and the second sub screen are provided on the basis of a user's screen change command. Can be changed. For example, when a user's screen change command is input, the first video signal implemented on the first main screen is implemented on the first subscreen, and the second video signal implemented on the first subscreen is assigned to the second subscreen. The third image signal implemented on the screen and implemented on the second sub-screen may be implemented on the first main screen. That is, images implemented on the first main screen, the first subscreen and the second subscreen may be changed within a plurality of input video signals by a user's screen change command.

According to the present invention, in the case of performing a PIP function by synthesizing three different images, first, two images are synthesized according to the screen size, and then a first screen is synthesized, and then the generated first screen and the other images are synthesized. It is possible to activate all three images implemented by generating a second screen. In addition, it is also possible to activate three images by synthesizing the same two images and one other image. This is performed by driving the first screen generated by the first synthesis as if it is a main screen and driving the other screen as a sub-screen to generate a second screen. Thereby, the user can watch at least three activated images in real time.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through the representative embodiments, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention with respect to the embodiments described above. Will understand. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

Claims (8)

A first scaler for scaling and outputting the input first image signal to a preset first main screen size; A second scaler for scaling and outputting the input second image signal to a preset first sub-screen size; A first synthesizer configured to synthesize the first image signal and the second image signal input from the first scaler and the second scaler to generate a first screen; A third scaler for scaling and outputting the input third image signal to a preset second sub-screen size; And And a second synthesizer for synthesizing the third image signal input from the first screen and the third scaler to generate a second screen. The method of claim 1, A switching unit providing the first image signal, the second image signal, and the third image signal to the first scaler, the second scaler, and the third scaler, respectively; And A control unit controlling the switching unit to provide the first image signal, the second image signal, and the third image signal to the first scaler, the second scaler, and the third scaler, respectively, according to a screen selection command. Television with PIP function characterized by including. The method of claim 2, The controller is further configured to provide a path for providing each of the first image signal, the second image signal, and the third image signal to the first scaler, the second scaler, and the third scaler based on a user's screen change command. And the switching unit controls the switching unit. The method of claim 2, The control unit controls the second synthesis unit to activate at least one or more of the images by a user's selection command among the images implemented on the first main screen, the first sub-screen and the second sub-screen. TV with PIP function to say. Scaling and outputting the input first image signal to a preset first main screen size; Scaling and outputting the input second image signal to a preset first sub-screen size; Generating a first screen by synthesizing the outputted first and second video signals; Scaling and outputting the input third image signal to a preset second sub-screen size; And And synthesizing the first screen and the output third video signal to generate a second screen. The method of claim 5, Before outputting the first main screen, the first sub-screen and the second sub-screen, the first video signal, the second video signal, and the third video signal corresponding to a screen selection command among a plurality of video signals. And providing each to the first main screen output step, the first sub screen output step, and the second sub screen output step. The method of claim 5, Before the first main screen, the first sub-screen and the second sub-screen output step, the first main screen output step, the first sub-screen output step and the second sub-screen output step, respectively And changing a provision path of the first video signal, the second video signal, and the third video signal based on a screen change command of a user. . The method of claim 5, And at least one of the first main screen, the first subscreen, and the second subscreen is activated by a user's selection command.