Television – Basic receiver with additional function – Multimode
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-01
2001-06-05
Lee, Michael (Department: 2714)
Television
Basic receiver with additional function
Multimode
C348S555000, C348S571000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243141
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video signal processing device which can change ways of processing video signals according to settings from the outside.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional video signal processing device includes exclusive circuits and exclusive memories for processing respective sorts of video signals.
To be specific, for example, a device for second generation extended definition television (hereinafter referred to as “HD2”) has exclusive logic circuits, and exclusive memories of First-In First-Out (FIFO) and Look-Up Table (LUT), for processing respective kinds of signals (see “National TECHNICAL REPORT Vol. 41, No. 4, PP. 420, FIG.
11
”).
As described above, for example, to process kinds of video signals, such as ED2 and MUSE, a television receiver needs to include respective exclusive logic circuits and exclusive memories. For this reason, if a new broadcast format is created, another exclusive circuit is needed to develop for it. A period needed for developing such an exclusive circuit can be shorten if gate arrays are combined more than if a full-customized integrated circuit is manufactured, to create the exclusive circuit. In the former case, yet the period is too long. Moreover, once the circuit has been developed, it is hard to amend it, and so, if a bug is found in the circuit, the problem is serious.
To avoid those situations, we came up with a conception of a device including an array of operating elements, storage units, and a network connecting the operating elements and the storage units, all of which works according to commands from the outside, and processing video signals in a way suited to their respective sorts by changing programs downloaded to the array of operating elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to provide a video signal processing device which can process different kinds of video signals with the use of the same hardware, based on the above-mentioned conception.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description desired hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific embodiment are desired by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
According to a first aspect of this invention, a video signal processing device changing ways of processing digitized video signals, according to commands from programs, and comprising:
an operating unit for processing the video signals according to commands from the programs;
a storage unit for storing the video signals according to commands from the programs; and
a networking unit for switching connections between the operating unit and the storage unit according to commands from the programs.
Thereby, the video signal processing device produces the flexible connection between the operating unit and the storage unit according to input commands, and therefore, changes ways of processing video signals according to commands from the outside. As a result, the same hardware can deal with different kinds of video signals.
According to a second aspect of this invention, the video signal processing device of the first aspect wherein
the operating unit comprises an operator and an operation element command memory, the operator processing the video signals, and the operation execute command memory holding a command of operating the operator, and outputting the command to the operator according to input commands;
the networking unit comprises selectors and signal switching command memories, the selectors receiving the video signals from either the operating unit or the storage unit, switching the operating unit and the storage unit, and outputting the input video signals to either the operating unit or the storage unit, and the signal switching command memories holding commands of operating the selectors, and outputting the commands to the selectors according to input commands; and
the storage unit comprises a data memory, a command setting unit, and a register, the data memory storing data related to the video signals input from the networking unit, the command setting unit setting commands to the data memories, the register storing the commands set by the command setting unit, and the data memory processing the stored data according to the commands stored in the register, and outputting the processed data to the networking unit.
Thereby, the operating unit changes operations for processing video signals according to input commands, the network unit produces the flexible connection between the operating unit and the storage unit according to input commands, the storage unit changes its function according to input commands, and therefore, the video signal processing device can change ways of processing video signals according to commands from the outside. As a result, the same hardware can deal with different kinds of video signals.
According to a third aspect of this invention, the video signal processing device of the second aspect wherein the data memory comprises a storage element for storing digital data wherein
the storage element executes a First-In First-Out process for the video signals by storing digital data in the storage element in an order in which digital data have been input;
the storage element executes a histogram process by controlling the storage element in a way in which tones of the video signals correspond to addresses of the storage element, and by adding a predetermined value to the corresponding addresses to successively calculate histograms; and
the storage element executes a look-up table process including correcting tones of the video signals by control of the storage element.
As a result, a video signal processing device can include a data memory which can process an FIFO process, a histogram process, and a look-up table process, according to input commands, with the same memory.
According to a fourth aspect of this invention, the video signal processing device of the second aspect wherein the data memory comprises
a storage element for storing digital data;
a controller for controlling the storage element;
an incrementer for adding 1 to a signal output from the storage element;
a limiter for limiting an output of the incrementer to a predetermined value;
a first selector for selecting one of an output of the limiter, the input video signal, and data input from outside the device, and storing the selected one in the storage element;
a second selector for selecting one of the input video signal, an address output from the controller, and an address input from outside the device, and switching the input address of the storage element to the selected one;
a third selector for selecting one of a memory control signal output from the controller, and a memory control signal input from outside the device, and storing the selected one in the storage element; and
a buffer for outputting a signal output from the storage element, outside the device.
As a result, a video signal processing device can include a data memory which can carry out various processes with the same memory.
According to a fifth aspect of this invention, the video signal processing device of the fourth aspect wherein
in an FIFO process for video signals, the controller controls the first selector so that the storage element stores the input video signals, controls the second selector so that the input address of the storage element is switched to the address output from the controller, and controls the third controller so that the memory control signal output from the controller is output, as a data rewrite signal, to the storage element;
in a histogram process for video signals, initially, the controller, in a blanking period of the video signals, controls the first selector so that the storage element stores data input from outside the device, controls the second selector so that the input address of the storage element is s
Kurita Naoki
Nio Yutaka
Ueda Kazuya
Lee Michael
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Parkhurst & Wendel LLP
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