KR200315047Y1 - Broadcasting channel selection restricted apparatus equipped for locking function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a broadcast channel selection limiting device having a locking function, and in particular, the present invention includes a power supply unit for supplying power for operation; A tuner / IF processing unit connected to the antenna and configured to receive a specific channel signal among the high frequency signals received from the antenna, perform intermediate frequency processing, and output a baseband composite video signal and an audio signal; An IR receiver for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from a specific remote controller and converting the infrared signal into an electrical signal; A key input unit generating a key signal for performing a specific function including a lock channel setting function and transferring the key signal to a designated path; A lock function setting and releasing unit for transmitting a signal instructing setting and releasing of the channel lock function according to the movement position of the channel locking means locked or released through the dedicated key; It is connected to the tuner / IF processing unit, IR receiving unit, key input unit, and lock function setting / release unit, and receives the received channel signal from the IR receiving unit or key input unit and applies the reception channel data to tune a specific channel to the tuner / IF processing unit. And a microcomputer that collectively controls each component to receive and set an electric signal of a specific level applied from the locking function setting and releasing unit to set and release the channel locking function. A memory unit which is connected to the microcomputer and stores a driving program for performing each set function, and stores channel information applied from the microcomputer when the channel lock function is set; A display unit connected to the microcomputer and displaying various data applied from the microcomputer; An OSD overlay unit connected to the microcomputer and receiving an OSD signal from the microcomputer and overlaying the video signal from the tuner / IF processor; And an RF modulator unit connected to the tuner / IF processing unit and the OSD overlay unit and modulating the audio signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit and the video signal applied to the OSD overlay unit into a radio signal that can be received by a TV. Therefore, according to the present invention, by setting a specific channel for restricting watching TV using a remote controller or a keypad and restricting the viewing of a specific channel by setting a lock with a dedicated key, it is possible to protect children from harmful channels. have.

Description

Broadcasting channel selection restricted apparatus equipped for locking function

The present invention relates to a broadcast channel selection limiting device equipped with a lock function, and more particularly, to set and store a specific channel for restricting watching TV, and to set a lock with a dedicated key to a specific channel, especially a channel harmful to children. The present invention relates to a broadcast channel selection limiting device having a locking function for restricting viewing.

Recently, in an age where dozens of broadcast channels can be received through cable or satellite STB (Set Top Box), children can easily access adult broadcast channels in families with children. Even when using TV, children can easily watch general entertainment broadcasts and adult broadcasts as well as watching educational broadcast channels. Therefore, immigrant crimes are rapidly increasing due to children's indiscriminate viewing of adult broadcasting, and serious social problems are caused by distorted sexual knowledge.

In order to solve this problem, a broadcast program viewing lock device and method for restricting watching a broadcast of a specific broadcast program and a time zone using a Korean Broadcasting Program System (KBPS) broadcast system are disclosed (Korean Patent Publication No. 1999-26175). It is. In addition, a television receiver having a reserved channel lock function (Domestic Patent Publication No. 1998-50199), which allows a user to restrict viewing of a corresponding channel by setting a lock function for a predetermined time set by a user, is disclosed. have.

However, all of the above-described inventions are implemented to set the channel lock function using a specific password, so if the password is lost, it is inconvenient to set the channel lock function again and perform the channel lock function by a new password. If a password is leaked, there is a problem that the channel lock function becomes useless. In addition, all of the above-described inventions are implemented so that the channel lock function is embedded in the TV, so that the channel lock function cannot be checked from the outside, and the procedure for setting the channel lock function is complicated. Even if it is mounted, the situation is not properly used.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the first object of the present invention is to set a specific channel for restricting watching TV using a remote control or keypad and set a lock with a dedicated key It is to provide a broadcast channel selection limiting device having a lock function for restricting the viewing of a particular channel.

The second object of the present invention is to connect by using a special cable (for example, a specially manufactured mono RF cable), broadcast channel selection limiting device with a locking function that can easily identify whether the cable exchange and set installation with the naked eye To provide.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a broadcast channel selection limiting device having a lock function in which a channel lock function is performed only at a corresponding time by designating a specific time zone.

1 is a perspective view of a broadcast channel selection limiting apparatus according to the present invention,

2 is a view showing a connection state of the rear of the broadcast channel selection limiting apparatus and the TV according to the present invention,

3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a broadcast channel selection limiting apparatus according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting a channel lock function using a broadcast channel selection limiting device according to the present invention;

4A through 4D are exemplary views of an OSD displayed on a TV screen while performing a channel lock function.

♣ Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ♣

100: broadcast channel selection limiting device 305: power supply

310: tuner / IF processing unit 320: IR receiver

330: key input unit 340: lock function on and off

350: microcomputer 360: memory unit

370: display unit 380: OSD overlay unit

390: RF modulator unit

The present invention for achieving the above object is a power supply for supplying power for operation; A tuner / IF processing unit connected to the antenna and configured to receive a specific channel signal among the high frequency signals received from the antenna, perform intermediate frequency processing, and output a baseband composite video signal and an audio signal; An IR receiver for receiving an infrared signal transmitted from a specific remote controller and converting the infrared signal into an electrical signal; A key input unit generating a key signal for performing a specific function including a lock channel setting function and transferring the key signal to a designated path; A lock function setting and releasing unit for transmitting a signal instructing setting and releasing of the channel lock function according to the movement position of the channel locking means locked or released through the dedicated key; It is connected to the tuner / IF processing unit, IR receiving unit, key input unit, and lock function setting / release unit, and receives the received channel signal from the IR receiving unit or key input unit and applies the reception channel data to tune a specific channel to the tuner / IF processing unit. And a microcomputer that collectively controls each component to receive and set an electric signal of a specific level applied from the locking function setting and releasing unit to set and release the channel locking function. A memory unit which is connected to the microcomputer and stores a driving program for performing each set function, and stores channel information applied from the microcomputer when the channel lock function is set; A display unit connected to the microcomputer and displaying various data applied from the microcomputer; An OSD overlay unit connected to the microcomputer and receiving an OSD signal from the microcomputer and overlaying the video signal from the tuner / IF processor; And an RF modulator connected to the tuner / IF processing unit and the OSD overlay unit and modulating an audio signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit and a video signal applied to the OSD overlay unit into a wireless signal that can be received by the TV.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a broadcast channel selection limiting device equipped with a lock function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a broadcast channel selection limiting device 100 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a connection state of a rear surface of the broadcast channel selection limiting device 100 and a TV.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel of the broadcast channel selection limiter 100 includes an IR receiver 111 for receiving an infrared signal of a remote controller (not shown), numerical information of a selected function (for example, a volume level, Display means 112 for displaying the selected channel, etc. to the outside, a function key 113 for confirming a function set in the broadcast channel selection limiter 100, a selection key 114 for selecting a specific function, a volume Volume keys 115 and 116 for adjusting the level, channel keys 117 and 118 for moving the channel, and channel locking means 120 for setting and releasing the channel locking function are provided. In addition, in order to implement the functions of the broadcast channel selection limiter 100, a dedicated remote controller (not shown) and a dedicated key 130 should be provided. Position and type of the various means provided on the front panel of the broadcast channel selection limiting device 100 is merely exemplary, and can be freely changed by the designer.

As shown in FIG. 2, a power cable 140 for applying operating power is attached to the rear panel of the broadcast channel selection limiter 100, and an antenna (for example, an antenna for terrestrial broadcasting, an antenna for cable broadcasting, and a satellite). RCA for accommodating an antenna input means 151 for inputting a broadcasting antenna, etc.), a radio frequency (RF) terminal 152 for accommodating an RF cable 160, and an RCA (Radio Corparation of America) cable 170 Terminals 153, 154 and 155 are provided. Although FIG. 2 illustrates both the RF terminal 152 and the RCA terminals 153, 154, and 155, only one of these may be selectively implemented. Here, it is preferable that the RF cable 160 is specially manufactured to be easily identified from the outside. For example, the cable color can be implemented differently from the existing cable, or the connection jack can be implemented differently from the existing connection jack. Therefore, the parent of the child can easily determine the connection state of the cable can identify whether the cable connection of the present broadcast channel selection limiter is implemented as intended. In addition, although three RCA terminals 153, 154, and 155 are illustrated, one or more RCA terminals 153, 154, and 155 may be connected. This varies depending on the configuration of the TV to which the broadcast channel selection limiter 100 is to be connected. In general, the RCA cable 170 is implemented in red, white, and yellow, red and white are cables for transmitting left and right voice signals, respectively, and yellow is a cable for transmitting video signals.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a broadcast channel selection limiting device according to the present invention. The broadcast channel selection limiting device includes a power supply unit 305, a tuner / IF processing unit 310, an IR receiving unit 320, and a key input unit. 330, the lock function setting and releasing unit 340, the microcomputer 350, the memory unit 360, the display unit 370, the OSD (On Screen Display) overlay unit 380, and the RF modulator unit 390. It is configured to include.

The power supply unit 305 supplies power to each component to power the operation of the broadcast channel selection limiter 100.

The tuner / IF processing unit 310 is connected to an antenna, receives a specific channel signal among high frequency signals received from the antenna, performs intermediate frequency processing, and outputs a baseband composite video signal (ie, a CVIDEO signal) and an audio signal. It plays a role. Here, the reception of a specific channel signal is made through the reception channel data applied from the microcomputer 350 to be described later.

The IR receiver 320 receives an infrared signal transmitted from a dedicated remote controller of the broadcast channel selection limiter 100, and converts the IR signal into an electrical signal (eg, IR_DATA). The key input unit 330 transmits a key signal applied from various keys located on the front panel of the broadcast channel selection limiter 100 to a designated path (ie, the microcomputer 350). That is, the user may set and execute a desired function through the IR receiver 320 and the key input unit 330.

The lock function setting and releasing unit 340 transmits a signal (eg, CHANNEL_LOCK) indicating the setting and release of the channel lock function according to the position of the channel locking means 120. For example, when the channel locking means 120 is inserted into the channel locking means 120 through the dedicated key 130 and the channel locking means 120 is moved to the set position, the locking function setting and releasing unit 340 may transmit an electric signal (eg, a specific level). High signal), and when the channel locking means 120 is moved to the release position, the lock function setting and releasing unit 340 transmits an electric signal (for example, a low signal) of another level. Of course, the electric signal transmitted according to the set position of the channel locking means 120 may be implemented in reverse.

The microcomputer 350 is connected to the tuner / IF processing unit 310, the IR receiving unit 320, the key input unit 330, and the lock function setting and releasing unit 340, and the IR receiving unit 320 and the key input unit 330. Receives a key signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit 310 to receive the channel data to tune the specific channel, and lock the channel by receiving a specific level of the electrical signal applied from the lock function setting and release unit 340 It is responsible for controlling each component to turn on and off the functions. For example, when the channel lock function is set, the microcomputer 350 controls to store the selected channel in the memory unit 360 and controls the selected channel information and volume information to be externally checked through the display unit 370. In addition, when the set function is executed, the user controls to transmit an OSD signal (eg, OSD_VIDEO) so that the user can easily perform a procedure according to the execution of the function through the TV screen.

The memory unit 360 is interconnected with the microcomputer 350, stores a driving program for performing each function implemented in the present broadcasting channel selection limiting device 100, and applies the microcomputer 350 when setting a channel lock function. It stores the channel information.

The display unit 370 is connected to the microcomputer 350 and serves to display various data (for example, channel information and volume information) applied from the microcomputer 350. In the present invention, it is preferable to display data by using a 7-segment numeric display device (ie, FND).

The OSD overlay unit 380 is connected to the microcomputer 350, and receives the OSD signal from the microcomputer 350 and overlays the video signal from the tuner / IF processor 310.

The RF modulator 390 is connected to the tuner / IF processing unit 310 and the OSD overlay unit 380, and is an audio signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit 310 and a video signal applied to the OSD overlay unit 380. Modulates the signal into a radio signal that can be received by the TV and transmits the same to the TV through the RF terminal 152.

As mentioned above, although a radio signal can be transmitted from the broadcast channel selection limiter 100 to the TV through the RF terminal, a radio signal can also be transmitted from the broadcast channel selection limiter 100 to the TV through the RCA terminal. That is, the audio signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit 310 is transmitted to the TV through the RCA audio cables (for example, red and white), and the video signal output from the OSD overlay unit 380 is transmitted to the RCA video cable ( For example, yellow).

Hereinafter, the operation relationship of the broadcast channel selection limiting device with a lock function according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting a channel lock function using a broadcast channel selection limiting device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4A to 4D are exemplary views of an OSD displayed on a TV screen while performing a channel lock function.

First, the user connects a broadcast channel selection limiter and a TV through an RF cable or an RCA cable, and then connects a power supply. The description of the operation of the broadcast channel selection limiter describes only the lock channel setting function.

The user selects a lock channel setting function by using a function key attached to a remote controller or a front panel of a broadcast channel selection limiting device (S410). When the function setting key of the remote controller or the function key of the broadcast channel selection limiter is selected, an example OSD of FIG. 4A is displayed on the TV screen. The user views the OSD example of FIG. 4A and selects a desired function as a moving key (for example, a channel selection key of a remote controller or a channel key of a broadcast channel selection restriction device), and then presses a selection key (for example, 114 of FIG. 1). .

When the user selects the lock channel setting function, the microcomputer determines whether the channel lock function is set in the broadcast channel selection limiting device (S420), and if the channel lock function is already set, the message that cannot be selected (for example, "channel lock function already exists" In order to perform the lock channel setting function again, set the channel locking means to the 'unlock' position ') (S430), and if the channel locking function is not set, the channel shown in the OSD example of FIG. 4B is set. Display the selection message. At this time, the OSD displays the current channel and the OSD process a message to select the channel to be locked (S440). Next, the microcomputer determines whether a channel has been input (S450). If no channel is input, the microcomputer proceeds to step S440 and displays a channel selection message for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) and displays the channel (for example, '22'). When 'No' is inputted, an image of the corresponding channel is output and the OSD processing of the current channel and channel saving message (for example, "press the select button to save the channel") as shown in the OSD example of FIG. 4C (S460). ). At this time, if a predetermined time elapses in the channel selection message display step (S440) and the channel storage message display step (S460), the microcomputer considers that there is no intention to proceed with the lock channel setting function any more and deletes the channel selection message. Return to the initial state.

Next, the microcomputer determines whether the user has set up the storage of the corresponding channel (S470). If the user does not set the channel storage, the microcomputer proceeds to step S460 and displays the channel storage message for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). If the channel storage is set, the corresponding channel is stored in the memory unit (S480). In addition, the microcomputer determines whether there are more channels to set (S490). If there are more channels to set, the process proceeds to the step S440 and repeats the subsequent steps. When the parental control channel is set, an example OSD of FIG. 4D is displayed at one end of the TV screen. Therefore, the user can easily confirm that the lock channel setting function is operating through the TV screen.

The broadcast channel selection limiting device may add a time setting function to the lock channel setting function so that the channel locking function is performed only at a specific time period. When the time setting function is added to the lock channel setting function, after storing the channel, the method may further include storing a specific time input by the user together with the channel information.

After the user saves a specific channel, in order to set the channel lock function, the channel lock means must be moved to the setting position using a dedicated key.

If a specific channel is selected through the channel key of the remote control or broadcasting channel selection limiter while the channel lock function is set, the microcomputer reads the channel information stored in the memory unit and compares it with the selected channel. Blocks the broadcast signal of the channel and controls OSD processing that the lock function is set for the channel. When the time setting function is added to the lock channel setting function, when the channel set to the lock function is input, the microcomputer compares the current time and the set time and blocks the broadcast signal of the corresponding channel only when the current time corresponds to the set time. At other times, the control unit transmits the broadcast signal of the channel to the TV.

In the above-described embodiment, when the lock channel setting function is implemented in a specific channel, if the corresponding channel is selected through the channel key of the remote controller or the broadcast channel selection limiting device, the corresponding channel is blocked, but it may be set in reverse. That is, when the lock channel setting function is implemented in a specific channel, only the corresponding channel can be viewed, and other channels can be set to block.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast channel selection limiting apparatus of the present invention can be used for all terrestrial broadcasting, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and the like, and a channel locking function implemented in the broadcasting channel selection limiting apparatus can be embedded in a TV. These embodiments are easily described by those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail.

The above descriptions are merely illustrative of one embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the appended utility model registration claims. For example, the shape and structure of each component specifically shown in the embodiment of the present invention may be modified.

As described above, according to the broadcast channel selection limiting device equipped with a lock function according to the present invention, a specific channel for restricting watching TV using a remote controller or a keypad is set and a lock is set with a dedicated key for a specific channel. By restricting viewing, there is an effect that can protect children from harmful channels.

Claims (4)

A power supply unit supplying power required for operation; A tuner / IF processor connected to an antenna and configured to receive a specific channel signal among the high frequency signals received from the antenna to perform intermediate frequency processing and to output a baseband composite video signal and an audio signal; An IR receiver which receives an infrared signal transmitted from a specific remote controller and converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal; A key input unit generating a key signal for performing a specific function including a lock channel setting function and transferring the key signal to a designated path; A lock function setting and releasing unit for transmitting a signal instructing setting and releasing of the channel locking function according to the movement position of the channel locking means locked or released through the dedicated key; A channel connected to the tuner / IF processing unit, an IR receiving unit, a key input unit and a lock function setting and releasing unit, and receiving a key signal applied from the IR receiving unit or the key input unit to tune a specific channel to the tuner / IF processing unit A microcomputer that applies data and controls each component to collectively control the configuration of the channel locking function by receiving an electrical signal of a specific level applied from the locking function setting and releasing unit; A memory unit connected to the microcomputer and storing a driving program to perform each set function, and storing channel information applied from the microcomputer when the channel lock function is set; A display unit connected to the micom and displaying various data applied from the micom; An OSD overlay unit connected to the microcomputer and receiving an OSD signal from the microcomputer and overlaying the video signal from the tuner / IF processor; And A lock function connected to the tuner / IF processing unit and the OSD overlay unit, and including an RF modulator unit for modulating an audio signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit and a video signal applied to the OSD overlay unit into a wireless signal that can be received by a TV; Broadcast channel selection limiter provided. The method of claim 1, An audio signal applied from the tuner / IF processing unit and a video signal output from the OSD overlay unit are transmitted to the TV through an RCA terminal and an RCA cable or an audio and video signal output from the RF modulator unit is an RF terminal and an RF cable. Broadcast channel selection limiting device having a lock function for transmitting to the TV through. The method of claim 1, If a specific channel is selected while the channel lock function is set, the microcomputer reads the channel information stored in the memory unit and compares it with the selected channel. If the selected channel is set as the lock channel, the microcomputer blocks the broadcast signal of the corresponding channel. And at the same time controlling the OSD process that the lock function is set for the corresponding channel. The method of claim 1 or 3, further comprising: adding a time setting function for locking a channel in a specific time zone to the microcomputer; When the time setting function is added, when the channel set with the lock function is input, the microcomputer compares the current time with the set time and blocks the broadcast signal of the corresponding channel only when the current time corresponds to the set time. And a broadcast channel selection limiting device having a lock function, wherein the broadcast signal of the corresponding channel is controlled to be transmitted to the TV in time.