WO1998031145A1

WO1998031145A1 - Tv set with coupled printer

Info

Publication number: WO1998031145A1
Application number: PCT/BR1998/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carlos Pontinha Pereira
Original assignee: Companhia Suzano De Papel E Celulose
Priority date: 1997-01-13
Filing date: 1998-01-08
Publication date: 1998-07-16
Also published as: AU5470398A; BR9700097A

Abstract

It consists of a device composed of great blocks (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) which, being incorporated to a conventional TV set, enables the printing of the image shown on the screen by a conventional printer (13), upon the user's command, and a possible solution makes use of analog/digital converter (6), random access memory (7), processor (9) and suitable interfaces (8, 10, 11 and 12).

Description

TV SET WITH COtfPEEL PRINTER.

This patent of invention refers to a TV set with coupled printer, which essentially consists of printing the image on the screen of a TV set, characterizing something new, practical, safe and highly functional.

This TV set with coupled printer belongs to the technical sector of general electronic engineering.

As it is known, many times, a scene presented by TV may have such a value for a viewer that justifies its be- ing kept for the f ture.

However, up to now, there is no simple and economical means for printing a scene presented by TV.

Further, with the cheapening and popularization of printer, which could print the desired scene, the need referred to above could be fulfilled if it was possible to connect a conventional printer to an equally conventional TV set.

Thus, the object of this patent of invention is just a device enabling the coupling of a printer to TV set, as a simple and economical means for keeping a printed copy of a scene presented.

A method and its components is described below, without prejudice to any others possible equivalents, to perform the coupling of a conventional printer to a conven- tional TV set, so as to enable the printing of any scene presented therein.

The attached drawings show, on an illustrative rather than on a restrictive basis, the object of this patent of invention, where: Figure 1 conceptually shows the part related to the processing of the image of a TV set, which is formed by great blocks; and

Figure 2 shows an example of alternative, in order to perform the processing of the image of a TV set. As shown by the figures referred to above, the TV set with coupled printer which essentially consist of printing the image on the screen of a TV set is formed by the following great blocks:

- Block of RF 1, which has as function to am- plify the signals received, whether by an antenna or by cable;

- Demodulator 2, which demodulates the signals amplify by the RF 1 block;

- Video amplifiers 3, which amplify the demodulated signals and apply such signals to the cathode-ray tube 4; and

- Synchronism 5, which commands the horizontal and vertical scanning of the cathode-ray tube 4.

Further, so as to print an image shown in the cathode-ray tube 4 of the TV set, which is the primordial object of this invention, said great blocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are complemented with the following additional blocks, at least:

- an analog/digital converter 6 with electric characteristics suitable for such function, which shall digi- talize the demodulated signal;

- a memory of random access 7, with sufficient amount of bits enabling the storage of at least a full picture of the image;

- an electric interface with the synchronism circuit 8, in order to enable the determination of the star and end of the image pictures;

- a processor 9, consisting of the classic functions of central processor, RAM and ROM memories, program, etc., which shall process the digitalized image stored in the memory and transform it in a bitmap suitable to be sent to a printer 13;

- Suitable electric interface 10, arranged between the processor 9 and the memory 7;

- Suitable electric interface 11, arranged between the processor 9 and the printer 13;

- Suitable electric interface 12, arranged between the processor 9 and a control circuit 14, which may be the remote control of the TV set itself, in order to receive the command that the user wishes to print the image which is being shown.

Naturally, it shall be convenient that the program to be executed by the processor 9 uses standard software components, in order to allow the use of a variety of printers 13.

With the TV set with coupled printer so formed, for printing the image in the screen of a TV set, the operation of the blocks described above is processed as follows: The signals demodulated by block 2 are applied to the video amplifiers 3, being shown to the user by the cathode-ray tube 4. Simultaneously, such signals are applied to the analog/digital converting block 6 and are stored in the memory 7, which works as a round queue, continually storing a con- venient number of pictures.

When the user wishes to print a certain image, he/she manipulates the (remote) control 14 which, through interface 12, informs such decision to the processor 9, which then executes the routines of freezing the image acquirement driving the interface 10, converting the image to a bitmap proper to the printer 13 being used and driving the printing process, sending the processed data through the interface 11 to the printer 13. Upon the completion of the printing process, the processor 9 frees the memory 7 through the interface 10 in order to restart the acquirement of images.

In the basic description presented above, a problem of practical nature may occur, whatever it is, the fact that the user may hesitate some moments before commanding the printing of a image, so that the opportunity would be lost. Thus, it is possible to combine the blocks of this invention, with one of the existing Picture-in-Picture circuits (PIP, which are not object of this invention), according to Figure 2, apply- ing a delay of some seconds between the main image (big screen) and the secondary image (small screen), through one of the circuits commonly used for such purpose, enabling the user to watch the scene through the big screen, but choose the moment of printing through the small screen.

Finally, in an additional form, the several blocks of this invention and PIP circuit blocks, which perform equivalent functions, may be integrated in a single solution, which would simultaneously perform the two functions. Obviously, the object of this patent of invention is not in any way limited to its ways of application and embodiments which were specially considered, but rather, it encompasses all possible embodiments within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- TV set coupled printer, characterized by the fact that it consists of a device which, being coupled to a conventional TV set, whether internally or externally, enables the printing of the image shown on the screen, by a conventional printer, upon the user's command, said device may be composed of great blocks, for instance, RF block (1), demodulator (2), video amplifiers (3) and synchronism (5), said great blocks (1), (2),

(3), (4) and (5) may be complemented with additional blocks, at least, an analog/digital converter (6), a random access memory (7), a processor (9) and suitable interfaces (8), (10), (11) and (12) .

2.- TV set with coupled printer, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said device has its blocks combined and/or complemented with the circuits of a PIP (Picture-in-Picture) device.

3.- TV set with coupled printer, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that, additionally, the several blocks of said device and the blocks of the PIP cir- cuit, which perform equivalent functions, may be integrated in a single solution, which would simultaneously perform the two functions .