DATA TRANSMISSION IN THE ACTIVE PICTURE PERIOD

Abstract: Additional information may be transmitted in the active picture period of a video signal by providing the lines of the signal which carry the additional information with a black reference at a higher level than usual (4) thus avoiding visual disturbances on the receiver display (black is displayed at these locations). New, or modified, types of receiver can detect this transmission of data in the active picture period and extract the data for use. This enables high definition images and wide screen images to be transmitted in a form compatible with conventional receivers (the data here being transmitted during lines above and below a letterbox image to be produced on conventional receivers and being the extra information needed to convert the letterbox image to the enhanced image). It also enables control signals to be transmitted (as the data) to new types of receiver, or modified receivers, so as to cause these receivers to alter their operation.

Description: Data Transmission in the Active Picture Period The present invention relates to video systems in which data may be transmitted during the active picture period. There are several sets of circumstances in which it is desirable to be able to transmit information along with a video signal. For example, when a new facilities are to be provided (e.g. high definition television, or increased aspect ratio images) for owners of new types of receiver but the television signal is still to be compatible with existing receivers the information required by the new receiver should accompany the information to be used in the conventional receiver. Also data transmission is often desirable for its own sake to allow teletext services and the like to be provided. Similarly, it can be useful to transmit control signals over air to a receiver so as to cause it to alter its operation, eg switch on or off. In many cases the non-active picture period, i.e. the blanking intervals, of the television signal can be used for data transmission, as is the case for teletext transmission. However there are other occasions when this is not possible or is undesirable. There have already been proposals to use the active picture period of a television signal for data transmission. In the field of increased aspect ratio television systems it has been suggested to transmit a television signal corresponding to a "letterbox" image on a conventional television receiver (i.e. an image with horizontal black bands above and below it as illustrated by Fig. 1 ) and to transmit the extra information required by the new wide-screen receiver during that part of the signal which corresponds to the horizontal black bands. However this prior proposal resulted in a visual disturbances in the black bands when reproduced on a conventional receiver display. The present invention relates to a television system of which enables a television signal corresponding to a "letterbox" image on a conventional receiver to be transmitted and additional information to be transmitted during the portions of the television signal representing the black bands, but where visual disturbance is reduced in, if not substantially absent from, the black bands when reproduced on a conventional receiver. Substantially all of the major known television signals (PAL, SECAM, NTSC) include a reference voltage level representing "black" at a predetermined location in each line signal; vision information is then carried in the signal at voltages above the black level. Consequently if the desired additional information could be transmitted using voltages below the black level it would not produce visual effects in a conventional receiver. However the voltages below black level are already used in the known television signals, e.g. for sync transmission, and so additional information carried at such levels would be misinterpreted by a conventional receiver and would give rise to undesirable effects such as loss of proper synchronisation. The present invention overcomes this problem by using an elevated black reference for lines of the active picture period which carry the additional informa ion. It is not essential for the additional information to be transmitted in the black bands of a letterbox image, instead it could be transmitted during the whole of the active picture period whilst a conventional receiver would show a black screen. The present invention provides a method for including additional information in the active picture period of a video signal, the method comprising the steps of: a) generating an image signal having a black reference at a first level, BL; b) generating an additional signal comprising said additional information for inclusion in the video signal; c) providing the additional signal with a black reference at a level, RBL, which for at lest some of the lines of the additional signal, is different from the first level BL; and d) combining the image signal with the additional signal to form a video signal such that the additional signal is in the active picture period of the video signal. The present invention further provides apparatus for carrying out the method described above, and apparatus for receiving and extracting the additional information from a transmitted signal produced according to the method described above. Features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows in diagrammatic form the image produced on a conventional receiver by the signal produced according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows the waveform of a conventional PAL signal; Fig. 3 shows the wave form of a PAL signal modified according to the present invention, without additional information inserted therein; Fig. 4 shows a profile of the variation in clamp level over one field according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 shows the waveform of a PAL signal modified according to the present invention, with additional information inserted; Fig. 6 shows a profile of the variation in clamp level over one field according to a modification of the embodiment; Fig. 7 shows a profile of the variation in clamp level over one field according to a further modification of the embodiment; Fig. 8 shows in block diagrammatic form the structure of one embodiment of apparatus for generating a signal according to the invention; and Fig. 9 shows in block diagrammatic form the structure of one embodiment of apparatus for receiving and extracting the additional data from a signal according to the invention, the apparatus depicted is an increased aspect ratio receiver. In composite television signals (NTSC, PAL or SECAM) the black level is located in each active line between the line sync pulse and the video information, this is called the "back porch" (see Fig. 2). In the PAL system the transmitted black level is sensed at the receiver and integrated over about thirty lines of the received signal, the sampled level is then used as a reference black level for the picture ("the clamp"). In a PAL television system according to the present invention the clamp level is progressively increased from the usual position shown in Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3 (towards peak white) commencing with the black lines immediately below the letterbox picture and reaching the much higher level by about thirty lines further on. At about the thirtieth line of black before the beginning of the next letterbox picture the elevated clamp level begins to be progressively reduced in the corresponding way back to the correct level for the picture. The gradual changes in black level are necessary in order that the existing receivers' clamp circuits react favourably to the new signal. The clamp "time constant" of several terms of lines is relevant in this respect. Fig. 4 shows the pattern of clamp level variation over one field according to this embodiment (which uses about seventy-two lines of black at the top and bottom of the letterbox picture displayed on a conventional receiver). Having the clamp at a high level results in a much larger range of amplitudes below black being available for transmission of data or other information. In experiments it has been found that the clamp level may be increased by 0.5 to 0.7 volts (i.e. 70-100% of average picture level APL), this allows for data transmission without the need to use amplitudes reserved for sync. The data can be transmitted in digital form (coded in the non return to zero format (NRZ) for example) or in analogue form (modulating a carrier signal). The modulated carrier signal has the advantage that it integrates to zero and is less likely to upset the sync detector, so large amplitudes can be used. An example of a line signal carrying the data is illustrated in Fig. 5. The progressive nature of the change in clamp level is designed to minimize disturbance of the clamps of the conventional domestic receiver so that a normal picture will be seen. However there are advantages in having a faster rate of change so that the highest clamp level can be maintained for as long as possible because in that way the amount of space in the "black band" part of the signal available for transmission of the extra data is maximized. Fig. 6 shows a modified clamp level profile adapted to take advantage of the conventional receiver's relative immunity to rapid increases in clamp level. Fig. 7 shows a further modified clamp level profile representing critical damping, i.e. a profile at which the response of a conventional receiver's clamp circuits will be critically damped (avoiding overshoot). The general structure of one embodiment of apparatus for generating and transmitting a PAL television signal according to the invention is shown in block diagrammatic form in Fig. 8. In this embodiment the apparatus relates to an increased aspect ratio television system and the data signal is transmitted in analogue form, i.e. modulating the carrier signal. Information from an image source 1 is fed to a "letterbox" image signal generator 2, a wide screen additional data generator 3 and a raised black level generator 4 under the control of a timing circuit, the sync and blanking pulse generator 5. The "letterbox" image signal generator 2- rocess the input image information so as to produce R, G, B signals corresponding to a "letterbox" image on a conventional PAL receiver. These signals are then processed as usual by a composite coder 7 to produce a composite chrominance and luminance signal representing the "letterbox" image. This signal includes the normal black level portion together with the colour burst (and PAL ident signal). ' The wide screen additional data generator 3 processes the input information signal so as to produce additional up-conversion information. A counter 10 receiving as inputs line and frame sync pulses from the sync and blanking pulse generator 5 generates an output signal corresponding to the line number (by counting up one for every input line sync pulse and resetting on every input frame sync pulse). This line number signal is received by the raised black level generator 4 which outputs an elevated blacked level signal during the lines corresponding to the black bands in the composite chrominance and luminance signal. The elevated black level is raised and lowered dependent upon line number as shown in e.g. Fig. 7. The data signal and the raised black level are added in an adder 11 and the resulting signal is output. A switch 12 selectively connects the composite signal output from- composite coder 7, or the data signal and raised black level output from the adder 11, to a further adder 14, dependent upon the value of the line number signal. When the line number corresponds to the position of a black band then the. data signal elevated black level are selected by switch 12 for output to the adder 14, and combination therein with the required sync and blanking pulses. The signal then output from the adder 14 is fed to a modulator and the data signal is there modulated onto a carrier. When the line number corresponds to the position of lines in the letterbox image then the composite signal is selected by switch 12 for output to the adder 14 and combination therein with the sync and blanking pulses as usual. This resultant signal is fed to the modulator and modulated onto the carrier. The general structure of one embodiment of apparatus for receiving and extracting the additional data from transmitted PAL signal according to the invention is shown in block diagrammatic form in Fig. 9. This receiver is a wide-screen receiver compatible with the transmitter of Fig. 8. In the illustrated receiver an up-converter 20 is provided which comprises a PAL decoder 22. The decodes the signal portion corresponding to the letterbox image. A data demodulator 24 is also provided for extracting the additional data from the "black band" portion of the received signal. The additional data extracted by the data demodulator 24 is fed to the up- converter 20 where it is used together with the docoded composite signal to reconstruct a wide-screen image. The present invention may be used in PAL, SECAM and NTSC television systems for many different applications where it is desired to transmit additional information of some sort along with the television signal. This information need not be solely data for processing by a receiver but equally could be control signals for causing the receiver to modify its operation. Accordingly there are a wide variety of possible receiver implementations. Some receiver embodiments may be adapted both to respond to the new-style television signal according to the invention, by using the extra data transmitted during the active picture period, and to respond to conventional television signals. Such embodiments may include manually operable means for indicating to the receiver which type of signal is being received at any particular time. Such embodiments may incorporate means for automatically distinguishing between the two types of received signal, such as a comparator device for comparing the black level in the lines of the received signal with a threshold indicative of the conventional black level (this threshold could be derived from the received signal itself by analysis of the modal value of black level). Alternatively, or additionally, the transmitted signal according to the invention may include a flag (in a convenient portion of the signal, e.g. in the video blanking portion) indicating that the signal has data transmitted in the active picture period, and the receiver can include a circuit for detecting and responding to this flag. Although the invention has been explained above in terms of the creation of a letterbox image, or black screen, on a conventional receiver it is equally applicable to the situation where a letterbox image, or indeed a completely black screen, is to be created on a non-conventional receiver (e.g. a high definition receiver) and the data carried in the black area(s) is to be extracted and used by a different type of receiver (e.g. a wide screen, high definition receiver). Furthermore according to the present invention it is possible to modify receivers of a given type so that while unmodified receivers display a letterbox image, or black screen, in response to the received signal and "do not notice" the additional information carried in the black areas, modified receivers extract the additional information and use it (either by processing it, if it is image or sound data, or by responding to it, if it comprises control signals). This "modification" of receivers may take place during manufacture of the receivers (ie by making particular receivers in the modified form) or thereafter (ie by altering particular receivers, or by adding on a module for detecting and extracting the additional information carried in the black areas) . In some video signal transmission systems the video signal is transmitted in an inverted form. In such systems according to the invention the level of the black reference of the additional information in would appear in the transmitted signal to be lower, for some lines, than the first level, BL, of the image signal black reference.

Claims: - II - CLAIMS : 1. A method for including additional information in the active picture period of a video signal, the method comprising the steps of: a) generating an image signal having a black reference at a first level, BL; b) generating an additional signal comprising said additional information for inclusion in the video signal; c) providing the additional signal with a black reference at a level, RBL, which, for at least some of the lines of the additional signal, is different from the first level BL; and d) combining the image signal with the additional signal to form a video signal such that the additional signal is in the active picture period of the video signal. 2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein steps c) and d) are adapted such that the additional signal is provided with a black reference having a level which varies from a first value, at or near the first level BL, for lines of the additional signal which in the video signal are closest to lines of the image signal, to a second value, greater than the first level BL, for lines of the additional information which in the video signal are further from lines of the image signal. 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the providing step c) is adapted to vary the level of the black reference of the additional signal, between the first and second values, over a number of lines of the additional signal, which number of lines substantially corresponds to the number of lines over which the sensed black reference level is integrated in the clamp circuits of receivers. 4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the providing step c) is adapted to provide a black reference having such a variation in level that on reception of the video signal the response of the clamp circuits of receivers would be critically damped. 5. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the providing step c) is adapted to provide a black reference having a maximum level greater than the first level, BL, by an amount in the range 70% to 100% average picture level. 6. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the generating step b) is adapted to produce an analogue signal for modulating a carrier. 7. A method for including additional information in the active picture period of a video signal, comprising: means (1,2) for producing an image signal having a black reference at a first level, BL; means (3) for generating an additional signal comprising said additional information for inclusion in the video signal; means (4,11) for providing the additional signal with a black reference having a level, RBL, which, for at least some of the lines of the additional signal, is different from the first level , BL; and means (12) for combining the image signal with the additional signal to produce a video signal such that the additional signal is in the active picture period of the video signal. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the providing means (4,11) and the combining means (12) are adapted for providing the additional signal with a black reference having a level varying from a first value, at or near the first level BL, for lines of the additional signal which in the video signal are closest to lines of the image signal, to a second value, greater than the first level BL, for the lines of the additional signal which in the video signal are further from lines of the image signal. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the providing means (4,11) is adapted to vary the level of the black reference of the additional signal, between the first and second values, over a number of lines of the additional signal, which number of lines substantially corresponds to the number of lines over which the sensed black reference level is integrated in the clamp circuits of receivers. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the providing means (4,11) is adapted to produce such a variation in level of the black reference of the additional signal that on reception of the video signal the response of the clamp circuits of receivers is critically damped. 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the providing means (4,11) is adapted to provide a black reference having a maximum level greater than the first level, BL, by an amount in the range 70% to 100% average picture level. 12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the generating means (3) is adapted to produce an analogue signal for modulating a carrier. 13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the combining means (12) comprises gate means receiving as inputs the image signal and the additional signal, wherein the gate means is adapted to selectively output the image signal or the additional signal depending on the output of a line counter (10). 14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the additional signal generating means (3) comprises means for generating wide screen image information which, in combination with the image signal, may be used by a wide screen receiver to produce a wide screen image. 15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the additional signal generating means (3) is adapted to generate high definition image information which, in combination with the image signal, may be used by a high definition receiver to produce a high definition image. 16. Apparatus for receiving a video signal, the video signal comprising an image signal, and an additional signal in the active picture period of the video signal,the black reference of the image signal having a first level, BL, and the black reference of the additional signal having a level, RBL, which, for at least some of the lines.of the additional signal, is different from the first level BL,the apparatus comprising: means for determining whether or not lines of the received video signal have a black reference with a level different from the first level, BL; and means for ' modifying the operation of the receiver, so as to make use of the additional signal portion of the received signal, when the determining means determines that a line of the received video signal has a black reference of level different from the first level, BL. 17. Receiving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the determining means comprises means for detecting in the received video signal a flag indicative of the presence in the received signal of an additional signal having a black reference with an level, for at least some of the lines of the received signal, which is greater than said first level BL. 18. Receiving apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the determining means comprises a line counter responsive to the synchronisation signals present in the received video signal. 19. Receiving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the determining means comprises means for sensing the level of the black reference of lines of the received video signal, for comparing the sensed level with a threshold level and outputting a signal indicative of the result of the comparison. 20. Receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19, and comprising means responsive to the determining means for extracting said additional information from a line of the received video signal when the determining means determines that said line of the received video signal has a black reference at a level greater than the first level BL. 21. Receiving apparatus according to claim 20, and comprising means for using the image signal portion of the received television signal, in combination with the additional information extracted by said extracting means, for producing a modified image signal for display.

Inventors: MORCOM RICHARD, MORCOM, RICHARD
Applicants: INDEP BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY
Application year: 1990
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N7, H04N11