Picture-in-picture circuitry using field rate synchronization

• US 5,091,785 A
• Filed: 04/20/1989
• Issued: 02/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Duffield, David J., Canfield, Barth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Application Number:
  US07/340,944
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 358/183, 358/22, 358/182, 358/180
• US Class Current: 348/567
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen

Abstract

A picture-in-picture system including panning and scrolling capability moves an inset image about a display in synchronism with the vertical field rate in order to provide smooth movement from one display position to another.

Claims

1. A television receiver having picture-in-picture capability, comprising:

an RF signal input for receiving a plurality of television RF signals;

television tuner means for selecting a particular RF signal from said plurality of signals in response to a tuner control signal, and producing an IF signal from said selected RF signal;

IF processing and detector means coupled to said tuner means for receiving said IF signal and producing a detected baseband video signal therefrom;

control means coupled to said tuner means for generating said tuner control signal in response to data signals;

data input means coupled to said control means for generating said data signals in response to activation by a user;

a first auxiliary baseband video signal input terminal for receiving a first auxiliary baseband video signal;

picture-in-picture processing means having a first signal input coupled to said video detector means for receiving said detected baseband video signal and a second signal input coupled to said first auxiliary baseband video input terminal means for receiving said baseband video signal, and combining said video signals to form a combined image signal which when displayed has a major portion, and has a minor portion displayed in a first position, said picture-in-picture processing means having a control input for receiving a second control signal from said control means, and having an output terminal for developing said combined image signal in response to said second control signal; and

synchronizing means coupled to said output terminal of said picture-in-picture processing means for receiving said combined image signal and for generating a television vertical synchronizing component signal therefrom;

said control means having an input for receiving said television vertical synchronizing component signal, said control means generating said second control signal in response to said data signals and in response to said television vertical synchronizing component signal to course said picture-in-picture processing means to form a combined image signal which when displayed has said minor portion displayed in a position offset from said first position by a predetermined step size in a desired direction, said predetermined step size being substantially smaller than the displayed height and width of said minor portion of said image.

2. The television receiver of claim 1 wherein said control means is a microprocessor.

3. The television receiver of claim 2 wherein said data input means includes a keyboard.

4. The television receiver of claim 3 wherein said data input means includes a remote control receiver for receiving remote control signals.

5. The television receiver of claim 4 wherein said data signals indicative of the operation of keys for causing horizontal and vertical movements of said minor portion of said combined image signal about a display produced in response to said combined image signal.

6. The television receiver of claim 4 wherein said data signals include a signal indicative of the operation of a FREEZE key.

7. The television receiver of claim 4 wherein said data signals further include a signal indicative of the operation of a ZOOM key for enlargement of said minor portion of said combined image signal.

8. A picture-in-picture system comprising:

data entry means for generating data signals in response to activation by a user;

a source of video signals;

memory means coupled to said source of video signals for storing image to be displayed on a display screen;

picture-in-picture processing means coupled to said source of video signals for receiving said video signals, for storing in said memory means a predetermined amount of said video signals in response to a control signal, and for producing a display signal which when displayed on said display screen produces a display comprising an image displayed in a first position of a plurality of positions, said image being related to said stored video signal,

means coupled to said picture-in-picture processing means for producing a vertical synchronizing signal corresponding to a synchronizing component of said display signal; and

control means for controlling said picture-in-picture processing means, said control means having a first input coupled to said data entry means for receiving said data signals, having a second input for receiving said vertical synchronizing signal, and having a first output for developing said control signal;

said control means in response to said data signals and in response to said vertical synchronizing signal generates said control signal causing said picture-in-picture processing means to display said image in a second position offset from said first position by a predetermined step size in a desired direction, said predetermined step size being substantially smaller than the displayed height and width of said image.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said control means is a microprocessor.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said data entry means includes a keyboard.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said data entry means includes a remote control receiver for receiving remote control signals.

12. They system of claim 11 wherein said data signals include signals indicative of the operation of keys for causing horizontal and vertical movements of said minor portion of said image about said display.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said data signals include a signal indicative of the operation of a FREEZE key.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said data signals further include a signal indicative of the operation of a ZOOM key for enlargement of said minor portion of said image.

15. A television receiver having picture-in-picture capability, comprising:

a first RF signal input for receiving a plurality of television RF signals;

first television tuner means for selecting a particular RF signal from said plurality of signals in response to a first tuner control signal, and producing a first IF signal from said selected particular RF signal;

first IF processing and detector means coupled to said first tuner means for receiving said first IF signal and producing a first detected baseband video signal therefrom;

a second RF signal input for receiving a plurality of television RF signals;

second television tuner means for selecting a particular RF signal from said plurality of signals in response to a second tuner control signal, and producing a second IF signal from said selected particular RF signal;

second IF processing and detector means coupled to said second tuner means for receiving said second IF signal and producing a second detected baseband video signal therefrom;

control means coupled to said first and second television tuner means for generating said first and second tuner control signals in response to data signals;

data input means coupled to said control means for generating said data signals in response to activation by a user;

picture-in-picture processing means having a first signal input coupled to said first IF processing and video detector means for receiving said first detected baseband video signal and a second signal input coupled to said second IF processing and video detector means for receiving said second detected baseband video signal, and combining said video signals to form a combined image signal which when displayed has a major portion, and has a minor portion displayed in a first position, said picture-in-picture processing means having a control input for receiving a second control signal from said control means, and having an output terminal for developing said combined image signal in response to said second control signal; and

synchronizing means coupled to said output of said picture-in-picture processing means for receiving said combined image signal and for generating a television vertical synchronizing component signal therefrom;

said control means having an input for receiving said television vertical synchronizing component signal, said control means generating said second control signal in response to said data signals and in response to said television vertical synchronizing component signal causes said picture-in-picture processing means to form a combined image signal which when displayed has said minor portion displayed in a position offset from said first position by a predetermined step size in a desired direction, said predetermined step size being substantially smaller than the displayed height and width of said minor portion of said image.

16. The television receiver of claim 15 wherein said control means is a microprocessor.

17. The television receiver of claim 16 wherein said data input means includes a keyboard.

18. The television receiver of claim 17 wherein said data input means includes a remote control receiver for receiving remote control signals.

19. The television receiver of claim 18 wherein said data signals include signals indicative of the operation of keys for causing horizontal and vertical movements of said minor portion of said image about said display.

20. The television receiver of claim 17 wherein said data signals further include a signal indicative of the operation of a ZOOM key for enlargement of said minor portion of said image.