Abstract:
A video reproduction device and method for using the same. The video reproduction device includes a reproduction part for reading out compressed video data recorded in a recording medium, an OSD menu part for storing and outputting compressed graphic data for configuring an OSD menu display, and a controller for selecting and displaying either the compressed video data or the compressed graphic data. Accordingly, the users&#39; ability to recognize items on the OSD is increased, and the operation of the video reproduction device is made more convenient.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 2002-36057, filed on Jun. 26, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a video reproduction device, and more particularly, to a video reproduction device having graphic On-Screen Display (OSD) capabilities.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In recent years, combination devices that employ multiple devices, each having independent functions, into one device have been appearing in the market. Such combination devices have an advantage that they can consolidate components that perform common functions for the sake of convenience and thus allow for a much more efficient use of space than when individual devices are separately used.  
           [0006]    The combination devices are typically referred to as a ‘combination system’ or a ‘combo-system’, and a typical example of such combination system may be a (Digital Video Disk/Video Cassette Recorder (DVDP/VCR) combination system which is a multi-video reproduction device implemented in one system having DVD player and VCR functions.  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a view for schematically showing such a DVDP/VCR combination system and peripheral devices coupled thereto. A DVDP/VCR combination system  100  includes a DVD device  102  for performing the DVD player functions for reproducing images and sounds recorded on a DVD, and a VCR device  104  for performing the functions for reproducing images and sounds recorded on a magnetic tape and the VCR functions for recording an external signal on the magnetic tape.  
           [0008]    The DVDP/VCR combination system  100  can be coupled to a display device such as a TV set  140  or the like as a peripheral device for outputting images and sounds reproduced from the internal DVD device  102  or VCR device  104 , as well as to an audio amplifier  130  or the like as a peripheral device for outputting sounds reproduced from the DVD device  102  of better quality. Further, an external device  150  such as a camcorder and the like can be coupled to the DVDP/VCR combination system  100 , and the DVDP/VCR combo-system  100  can input images and sounds from such an external device  150  to perform the functions of recording, reproducing, and the like.  
           [0009]    In addition, the DVD device  102  and the VCR device  104  in the DVDP/VCR combination system  100  have the appearance of existing in a single device. A user can manipulate a separate input device such as a remote controller  120  and the like, a key input part (not shown) provided on the front of the DVDP/VCR combination system  100 , or the like, to switch an operation mode between the DVD device  102  and the VCR device  104 , and can also manipulate individual functions for each of the DVD device  102  and the VCR device  104 .  
           [0010]    In the meantime, the combination system  100  as described above generally has an OSD block (not shown) for providing a user with menu items which the user can use to provide input to the system  100  through an OSD function. If a user selects the OSD function in order to input an operation command through the manipulations of the remote controller  120  or the like, menu items that can be viewed and selected by the user are displayed on the screen of the TV set  140  or the like. The user can easily control operations he or she intends to manipulate through such menu items. Such menu items include commands relating to the environment of the DVD device  102  or the VCR device  104 , in addition to the general operations of the DVD device  102  or the VCR device  104  such as record/reproduction, stop, fast forward, rewind, and so on.  
           [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is an illustrative view for showing an OSD used in a conventional DVDP/VCR combination system.  
           [0012]    Referring to FIG. 2, menu items of ‘initial settings’, ‘screen display language’, ‘disc menu language’, ‘voice language’, ‘caption language’, ‘lock device’, ‘audio settings’, and ‘screen settings’ are displayed on the OSD. Further, buttons are displayed on the lower portion of the OSD to be used when a user views the OSD and inputs operation commands. That is, the user uses the buttons ‘movement:▴▾’ when moving around the respective menu items, the button ‘selection: input’ when selecting a menu item and inputting a command, and the button ‘end: return’ when ending an operation command setting and returning to a previous display. Such buttons are provided on the remote controller  120  or the like.  
           [0013]    In addition, the item ‘initial settings’ is for initializing settings such as date/time record, DVD connection selection, and so on. The item ‘screen display language’ is for setting a language to be displayed on the screen of the DVD player, and the item ‘disc menu language’ is for setting a menu language stored in the DVD. Furthermore, the item ‘voice language’ is for setting a voice language to be output from speakers, the item ‘caption language’ is for setting a caption language appearing on the screen of the TV set  140  or the like, and the item ‘lock device’ is for preventing children from watching TV by rating violent programs, erotic programs, and so on. Also, the item ‘screen settings’ is for setting the states and screen of the TV set  140  connected to the DVDP/VCR combination system  100 . If such menu items are selected, the sub-menu items of those menu items are displayed.  
           [0014]    However, the conventional DVDP/VCR combination system  100  uses and displays only low-resolution character data on the OSD. This means that the character data for configuring the OSD menu is formed in advance in a font data fashion, and displaying menu items of respective menu displays by using the formed character data limits the use of characters and deteriorates the resolution as compared to DVD video data. Furthermore, the use of the restricted fonts makes it impossible to construct menus in diverse fashions.  
           [0015]    Accordingly, a user cannot readily use a graphic user interface (GUI) environments in the DVDP/VCR combination system  100 . Furthermore, it is difficult to display respective menu items by using complicated characters on an OSD, and a user may find it difficult to understand the meanings of the respective menu items. In addition, an OSD configured in low-resolution character data can deteriorate the entire quality of the product.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The present invention has been devised to solve the above and other problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a video reproduction device having an OSD that is easy and convenient for users to recognize and use by implementing the OSD in a high-resolution graphic display.  
           [0017]    In order to substantially achieve the above and other objects, a video reproduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a reproduction component for reading out compressed video data stored in a recording medium, an OSD menu component for storing and outputting compressed graphic data in order to configure an OSD menu display, and a controller for selecting and displaying either the compressed video data or the compressed graphic data, or both.  
           [0018]    The controller preferably includes a selection component for selectively outputting either the inputted compressed video data or the inputted compressed video data, a decoder part for decoding the compressed data outputted from the selection part, and a selection control component for controlling outputs of the selection part.  
           [0019]    The compressed graphic data is preferably compressed and stored in a screen unit to configure one OSD menu display, and the compressed graphic data is preferably compressed in the same format as the compressed video data recorded in the recording medium.  
           [0020]    The OSD menu component preferably outputs graphic data for configuring different displays based on a control input of a user, and the OSD menu component is preferably constructed in a different medium from the recording medium. Furthermore, the OSD menu component can be constructed with a semiconductor memory.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    The above objects and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail certain embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a general DVDP/VCR combination system;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a view for showing an example of a conventional OSD;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a block diagram for showing a video reproduction device having an OSD according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 are illustrative views for showing OSDs according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    Hereinafter, certain embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a video reproduction device, in particular, a DVDP/VCR combination system  400  capable of performing the functions of a DVD player and a VCR according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    The DVDP/VCR combination system  400  is constructed with a DVD device  200  that performs the functions of a general DVD player, and a VCR device  300  that performs the function of a general VCR device.  
         [0029]    The DVD device  200  includes a DVD deck  202 , DE-MUX  204 , OSD menu  1  component consisting of OSD menu  1 ˜OSD menu n  205   a  to  205   n,  MPEG video decoder  206 , VIDEO buffer  208 , NTSC/PAL encoder  210 , MPEG audio decoder  212 , audio DAC  214 , selector  220 , DVD communication component  230 , and DVD controller  240 .  
         [0030]    The DVD deck  202  operates to read in data recorded in a DVD in order to perform a reproduction operation for the DVD. The DE-MUX  204  classifies the data read in from the DVD deck  202  into a Moving Picture Experts Group(MPEG) video signal and an MPEG audio signal, and transfers the MPEG video signal to the selector  220  and the MPEG audio decoder  212 .  
         [0031]    Graphic data for showing OSDs in graphics is MPEG-encoded and stored on the OSD menu  1  to OSD menu n  205   a  to  205   n  consisting of the OSD menu component. In this example, the MPEG-encoded and stored graphic data is configured with one data group for every OSD, and stored in any one of the respective OSD menu  1  to OSD menu n  205   a  to  205   n.  MPEG-encoding and storing of graphic data for OSD configurations is performed because much data is required to show OSD graphics and compressing data is necessary to effectively store much data in a limited storage device.  
         [0032]    The selector  220  selectively outputs and transfers to the MPEG video decoder  206  any one of the output signals of the OSD menu  1  to OSD menu n  205   a  to  205   n  and the DE-MUX  204 . The DVD controller  200  controls which signal the selector  220  selects and outputs. That is, the DVD controller  200  functions as a selection controller for controlling the outputs of the selector  220 .  
         [0033]    The MPEG video decoder  206  decodes the MPEG-encoded data output from the selector  220 , and the MPEG audio decoder  212  decodes an MPEG-encoded audio signal. The VIDEO buffer  208  functions as a buffer temporarily storing a decoded video signal.  
         [0034]    The NTSC/PAL encoder  210  outputs a DVD video signal in the national television system committee (NTSC) mode or in the phase alternation line (PAL) mode by using data stored in the VIDEO buffer  208 , and the audio DAC  214  receives data from the MPEG audio decoder  212  and outputs a DVD audio signal. The DVD video signal of the NTSC/PAL encoder  210  and the DVD audio signal output from the audio DAC  214  are employed for DVD-dedicated output signals. The DVD-dedicated output signal is coupled to the output ports for Y, Pr, and Pb component outputs, S-video outputs, digital audio outputs, and so on, in order for a user to use better-quality video and audio signals.  
         [0035]    The MPEG video decoder  206 , VIDEO buffer  228 , NTSC/PAL encoder  210 , and so on, make up a display component that restores and displays on a TV set or the like data that the selector  220  selectively outputs.  
         [0036]    The DVD controller  240  controls the overall operations of the individual constituents in the DVD device  200  in addition to the selection of the selector  220 , and the DVD communication part  230  is used for communication between the DVD device  200  and the VCR device  300 .  
         [0037]    The VCR device  300  includes a VCR deck  302 , video/audio signal processing block  304 , signal selector  306 , broadcast receiver  308 , external signal input part  310 , key input part  312 , FUNCTION display  314 , VCR communication part  330 , and VCR controller  340 .  
         [0038]    The VCR deck  302  records a signal on a magnetic tape or reproduces a signal recorded on the magnetic tape, and the video/audio signal processing block  304  receives and transfers video and audio signals to be recorded or reproduced to and from the VCR deck  302 .  
         [0039]    The signal selector  306  selects a signal to be connected to a TV set or the like from an output of the NTSC/PAL encoder  210 , an output of the audio DAC  214 , an output of the video/audio signal processing block  304 , signals from the broadcast receiver  308  and the external signal input part  310 , and so on, based on the control of the VCR controller  340 . The signal becomes VCR video and audio signals.  
         [0040]    The broadcast receiver  308  tunes to a broadcast channel for a TV set or the like to receive a desired broadcast channel, and the external signal input part  310  has a function transferring an output signal of an external device such as a camcorder or the like to the signal selector  306 .  
         [0041]    The FUNCTION display  314  shows information such as operation states, operation modes, and the like of the DVDP/VCR combination system  400  to external in order for a user to view the information, and various commands of a user are inputted through the key input part  312  and a remote controller  350 . The VCR controller  340  receives and performs the control based on operation commands inputted from a user through the key input part  312  and the remote controller  350 , and also controls the entire operations of the respective constituents of the VCR device  300 .  
         [0042]    The VCR controller  340  and the DVD controller  240  are connected to each other through the VCR communication part  330  and the DVD communication part  230  to mutually receive and transfer commands.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 show examples of illustrative OSDs of the video signal reproduction device according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0044]    As shown in FIGS.  4  to  6 , the OSDs are shown in graphics, and menu items of ‘DVD settings’, ‘video settings’, ‘installation connection’, ‘reserved recording’, ‘current time settings’, and ‘help’ are shown in an initial OSD.  
         [0045]    Items entitled ‘movement: ▴▾                   ’, ‘selection: [function selection]’, and ‘complete: [return]’ are displayed on the lower portion of the OSD. These indicate buttons are used when a user views the OSD and inputs an operation command. That is, a user uses any one of the ‘movement: ▴▾                   ’ buttons when he or she wants to move to each menu item, a ‘selection: [function selection]’ button when selecting a menu item and a function, and a ‘complete: [return]’ button for the completion of an input of an operation command or for the return to a previous display. Such buttons are provided on the remote controller  350  or the key input part  312 .  
         [0046]    A user can manipulate up, down, left, and right movement buttons of ‘▴▾                   ’ to move a cursor to one of the menu items shown in an OSD. In the drawings, the dotted menu item indicates a menu item on which a cursor is currently placed. A menu item on which a cursor is currently positioned can be indicated by using a different color distinct from the colors of the other items.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 4 shows that a cursor is positioned on a ‘DVD settings’ item by a user, FIG. 5 shows that a cursor is placed on a ‘video settings’ item, and FIG. 6 shows that a cursor is positioned on an ‘installation connection’ item.  
         [0048]    The OSD graphic data is stored in any one of the respective OSD menu  1  to OSD menu n  250   a  to  250   n  in order to configure the respective OSDs shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. For example, the graphic data to construct a display shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the OSD menu  1   250   a,  the graphic data to configure a display shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the OSD menu  250   b,  and the graphic data to structure a display shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the OSD menu  3   250   c.  Although not shown in the drawings, the graphic data for constructing an OSD on which the ‘reserved recording’ item is selected is stored in the OSD menu  4 , the graphic data for constructing a display on which the ‘current time settings’ item is selected is stored in the OSD menu  5 , and the graphic data for constructing a display on which the ‘help’ item is selected is stored in the OSD menu  6 .  
         [0049]    In such a state that the graphic data is stored, if a user presses a button set to show an OSD through the remote controller  350  or the key input part  312 , the VCR controller  340  receives a signal caused by the button and transfers the signal to the DVD controller  240  through the VCR communication part  330  and the DVD communication part  230 . The DVD controller  200  controls the selector  220  to first output the graphic data stored in the OSD menu  1   250 , to thereby show an OSD shown in FIG. 4 on the display device of a TV set or the like.  
         [0050]    The user manipulates the up, down, left, and right movement buttons of ‘▴▾                   ’ to move the cursor, viewing a shown OSD, and, through the above steps, one of the OSD menu  1  to the OSD menu n  250   a  to  250   n  is selected which stores the graphic data to configure a corresponding OSD, so that the corresponding OSD is shown.  
         [0051]    The user presses a button of ‘selection/function selection’ to select a menu item on which a cursor is currently placed. The menu item selected by the user is again received in the VCR controller  340 , and transferred to the DVD controller  240  through the VCR communication part  330  and the DVD communication part  230 . The DVD controller  240  decides for which operation a command of a corresponding command value may be. If a command value is an operation command related to a DVD as a result of the decision, the DVD controller  240  performs an operation based on the corresponding command value. If the transferred command value is not an operation command related to the DVD, the DVD controller  240  transfers the command value to the VCR controller  340  through the DVD communication part  230  and the VCR communication part  330 , and the VCR controller  340  performs an operation based on the transferred command value.  
         [0052]    In the meantime, it is possible to construct to pop up a new OSD showing sub-items for a corresponding menu item when a user moves a cursor to one of the menu items and presses the button of ‘selection/function selection’.  
         [0053]    For example, if a user selects the item of ‘DVD settings’, an OSD appears which shows sub-operation items related to the DVD settings. These include the ‘screen display language’ for setting a screen display language of the DVD display, ‘disc menu language’ for setting a menu language recorded in the DVD, ‘voice, language’ for setting a voice language to be outputted from speakers, ‘caption language’ for setting a caption language, and so on. Further included is the items of ‘lock device’ for limiting program rates, ‘audio settings’ for connected audio settings, ‘screen settings’ for setting a DVD screen related to states of a connected TV set or the like, and so on.  
         [0054]    If a user selects the item of ‘video settings’, the items of ‘tape selection’ for selecting the kind of tape to be used, ‘video-dedicated channel selection’ for selecting a video-dedicated channel, ‘iterative reproduction function use’ for enabling repetitive watching from the beginning by automatically rewinding a tape when reproduction is finished and starting the reproduction again upon setting the iterative reproduction, ‘blue screen use’ for using a blue color screen, ‘quality selection’ for selecting a soft screen and so on upon a video reproduction, and so on, are shown.  
         [0055]    The item of ‘reserved recording’ is used when a reserved video recording is needed. If a user selects the item of ‘reserved recording’, shown is an OSD having items of ‘channel’ for selecting a broadcast channel to be recorded, ‘recording start time’, ‘recording speed’, and so on.  
         [0056]    If a user selects the item of ‘current time settings’, the user can set a current time. The current time is used for the reserved recording and the like, and it is possible to use the current time for a clock by displaying the current time all the time. Further, if a user selects the item of ‘help’, shown is a help window helping the user use an OSD.  
         [0057]    In case of configuring the OSDs as stated above, the graphic data configuring the respective OSDs is stored independently in the OSD menu  1  to OSD menu n  205   a  to  205   n  respectively, and the selector  220  selects and displays any one of the OSD menu  1  to OSD menu n  205   a  to  205   n.  As described above, each menu item displayed in graphic becomes easily recognized in meaning and convenient in use by users.  
         [0058]    As described above, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a video reproduction device is provided which shows OSDs in high-resolution graphics, so that users can easily recognize and conveniently use the OSDs. Further, the OSDs processed in high-resolution graphics can contribute to the enhancements of the product quality of the entire system.  
         [0059]    Further, although certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and such changes and modifications should not be individually understood from the technical thought and outlook of the present invention.