JP2001268465A - On-screen menu operation unit and television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-screen menu operation method for preferentially selecting/performing a specified operation item in a menu. SOLUTION: A main menu composed of plural main operation items is displayed by operating the menu key 25 of a remote controller 13, and in the case that a prescribed main operation item is selected by a menu selection key 24, a sub menu composed of sub operation items provided in the lower layer is displayed. Further, a control means 9 is provided with a function for preferentially selecting a specified sub operation item among the sub operation items based on the using frequency of a user or the like and performs control so as to automatically perform the adjustment/setting of the specified sub operation item without displaying the sub menu in the case that the main operation item provided in the high order hierarchy of the specified sub operation item is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an on-screen menu operation device and a television receiver which can quickly select and execute a desired menu item from a hierarchical on-screen menu.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional television receiver, a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller) is used to perform channel selection, input switching, and the like, and various remote controller adjustments and settings are performed. Have to be able to. A menu of these various adjustments and setting items is displayed on the picture tube screen, and a desired item can be selected while viewing the menu screen, and various adjustments and settings can be performed.

The above-mentioned adjustment items include adjustments regarding video (brightness, contrast, hue, etc.) and audio (sound quality, balance, etc.), and setting items include a screen (two screens, a multi-screen, etc.) and a timer (ON / OFF). Off). In recent years, various adjustment / setting items tend to increase, and the on-screen menu often has a hierarchical structure. By operating a predetermined key of the remote controller, a menu in a higher hierarchy or a lower hierarchy is operated. Items can be selected.

[0004] A hierarchical structure of a menu screen in a conventional television receiver and an example of menu selection and execution by key operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the menu key provided on the remote controller is pressed while the television receiver is in operation, a menu (main menu) of a higher hierarchy is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG.
In (a), first, main menus such as “screen”, “video”, “audio”, and “setting” are displayed.

In this state, the user can operate the cursor keys provided on the remote controller to select a desired item. For example, when the user selects "screen" and presses the enter key, as shown in FIG. A lower-level menu (submenu) related to "screen" is displayed, and "two screens", "multi", "12 screens", and "media" are displayed as submenus.

[0006] Then, when "two screens" is further selected from the sub-menu by the cursor key and the enter key is pressed, images of different channels (two-screen images) are displayed on the screen on the left and right. Become like To select another menu, operate the menu key again to display the main menu and select another menu ("Video", "Audio").
One of the "settings") is selected with the cursor key, and the sub menu is displayed in the same manner to select another menu item. In some cases, a menu screen is formed in a lower hierarchy, and it is necessary to perform many key operations to select a desired menu item.

To cope with such a drawback, various adjustments / adjustments have been made, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-238291.
In a menu operation method in which a main menu including a plurality of main operation items to be set and a sub menu including a plurality of sub operation items are displayed on a screen, for example, an operation that is frequently used is selected from among all the sub operation items. It is also considered that a customization menu is constructed by selecting some items, and a desired adjustment item is selected using the customization menu.

However, the method described in the above publication requires the user to again select and determine which of the operation items displayed in the customization menu is to be executed, and to quickly adjust / set the operation items. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional on-screen menu operation device, when the upper hierarchical menu and the lower hierarchical menu screen are configured, many key operations are performed until the lower hierarchical menu item is reached. Even if the user needs to be able to construct a customization menu, the user must select and decide again to execute the items in the customization menu. There was a problem that can not be.

An object of the present invention is to provide an on-screen menu operation device and a television receiver which can select and execute frequently used menu items by a simple operation in order to solve the above problems. I do.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has a plurality of keys including a menu key and a menu selection key, and key input means for executing various adjustments / settings of an electric device by key operations, and By operating a key, a main menu composed of a plurality of main operation items is displayed, and when any of the main operation items is constructed as a lower menu of the main operation item and selected by the menu selection key, selection is made. A menu display means capable of displaying a sub-menu composed of one or more sub-operation items below the main operation item, and from among the sub-operation items,
A specific sub-operation item is preferentially selected, and when a main operation item of a main menu in a hierarchy higher than the specific sub-operation item is selected, adjustment / setting of the specific sub-operation item is automatically performed. Control means for controlling the electric device to execute the on-screen menu operation device.

Further, the present invention has a plurality of keys including a first key, key input means for executing various adjustments / settings of an electric device by key operation, and operating the first key. Menu display means for displaying a menu composed of a plurality of operation items, and a specific operation item is preferentially selected from the operation items displayed on the menu, and after the preferential selection is set, On-screen menu operation, comprising: control means for controlling the electric device so as to automatically execute adjustment / setting of the specific operation item when the first key is operated. Device.

Further, the present invention provides a signal processing circuit for processing an input television signal, display means for displaying an image processed by the signal processing circuit, and a plurality of keys including a menu key and a menu selection key. A key input unit having a main menu including a plurality of main operation items for designating various adjustments of a television signal or setting of various display modes by operating the menu keys. When one of the main operation items is constructed as a lower menu and selected by the menu selection key, a sub-menu including one or a plurality of sub-operation items below the selected main operation item is displayed on the display means. A menu display unit to be displayed, and a specific sub-operation item is preferentially selected from among the sub-operation items, Control means for controlling the signal processing circuit so as to automatically execute adjustment / setting of the specific sub-operation item when a main operation item of a main menu in a hierarchy higher than the specific sub-operation item is selected And a television receiver.

The present invention also provides a signal processing circuit for processing an input television signal, display means for displaying an image processed by the signal processing circuit, and a plurality of menus including a first key for menu selection. Key input means having keys, menu display means for displaying a menu consisting of a plurality of operation items on the display means by operating the first key, and specifying from among the operation items displayed on the menu Is selected preferentially, and after the preferential selection is set, the adjustment / setting of the specific operation item is automatically executed when the first key is operated. Control means for controlling the signal processing circuit.

According to the present invention, a specific operation item can be preferentially selected in the order of frequency of use or user setting, and the adjustment / setting of the specific operation item can be automatically executed. / User operation at the time of setting can be simplified.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to a case where the present invention is applied to, for example, a television receiver. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a television receiver according to the present embodiment. A television signal received by an antenna 1 is input to a tuner 2, and a signal of a predetermined channel is controlled under the control of a channel selection circuit 8 described later. Selected. The signal selected by the tuner 2 is converted into a video intermediate frequency signal, amplified to a predetermined level by an intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 3, and supplied to a video processor 4 and an audio processor 5.

The video processor 4 includes a video processing circuit 4
1, a signal combining circuit 42, and an external input terminal 4
3 to supply video signals from other tuners and video signals from external devices such as VTRs. The video processing circuit 41 can adjust the brightness, contrast, sharpness, color level, hue, and the like of the reproduced image. In addition, the video processing circuit 41 performs two-screen video or PIP (picture-in-picture).
It has a function of digitizing and compressing a video signal to display a picture or a multi-screen.

The output of the video processing circuit 41 is
2 is supplied. The signal synthesizing circuit 42 is a video processing circuit 41
A character signal generated by a character generator described later is superimposed on the video signal from, and the resulting signal is supplied to the CRT 6 serving as the next-stage display means. The deflection circuit 7 is connected to the video processing circuit 41. The deflection circuit 7 generates a deflection current based on a vertical synchronization pulse and a horizontal synchronization pulse separated from the video signal, and supplies the deflection current to the deflection coil 71. . Further, an audio signal is output from the audio processor 5, and the speaker 53,
54.

Further, a microprocessor 9 for controlling the video processor 4, the audio processor 5, the tuning circuit 8 and the like is provided. The microprocessor 9
A CPU 91 for processing data according to program instructions to control various circuits of the television receiver, a ROM 92 storing program instructions, a RAM 93 for temporarily storing various processing data, and an interface (I / O)
94. It also has a timer circuit 95 used for reservation setting and the like, and a character generator 96.
The character generator 96 generates a character signal for displaying a character such as a menu or a channel number on the screen.

The microprocessor 9 is connected to a remote control light receiver 10, a main body key 11 of the receiver, and a memory 12 for storing character information.
When performing menu display or the like, character information is read from the memory 12, a character signal is generated by the character generator 96, and output in synchronization with the vertical synchronization pulse and the horizontal synchronization pulse. Is supplied to the synthesizing circuit 42 at a predetermined timing so that various information is displayed on the synthesizing circuit 42.

Therefore, it is possible to display information such as a channel and audio reception mode, a menu screen, and the like, together with the video of the selected channel. When the menu screen is displayed, pressing the menu key arranged on the remote controller 13 causes only the menu screen to be displayed.
It can also be projected on the RT screen.

The remote controller 13 is used when the user performs channel switching, volume adjustment, various adjustments such as brightness and contrast, and selects a screen display mode (two screens, multi screens, etc.). Is supplied to the microprocessor 9 via the light receiver 10 of the television receiver body. There is also a power supply circuit for supplying operating power to the receiver, but is not shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 13 has a power key 2 for turning on the power of the television receiver, for example.
1, a number key 22 for channel selection, an up / down key 23 for adjusting a volume, a cursor key 24 for selecting a channel by up / down and a predetermined adjustment / setting from a displayed menu, and a menu screen. A menu key 25 for display, an enter key 26, and the like are provided.

Next, an on-screen menu operation device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 (a)
Shows an example of a menu screen displayed when the menu key 25 is operated. When the menu key 25 is operated, the screen of the CRT 6 includes, for example, “screen” and “video”.
A main menu 30 that configures operation items of a higher hierarchy such as “voice” and “setting” is displayed.

When the main menu 30 is displayed, the "screen" item 31 is initially displayed in a different form from the other items (for example, with a different color or underline), but the user presses the cursor key 24. When the right direction key 241 is operated, the item moves to the right, and the item 32 of “video” is displayed in a different form.
The item “33” → “setting” 34 is displayed in a different form. Conversely, when the left direction key 242 of the cursor key 24 is operated, it is possible to move from "audio" to "video" to "screen".

In this manner, the user can select a desired operation item by using the cursor keys 24. For example, when the item 31 of “screen” is selected and the enter key 26 is pressed, C
As shown in FIG. 3B, a screen 35 of submenus “two screens”, “multi”, “12 screens”, and “media”, which constitute lower-level operation items related to “screen” 31, is displayed on the screen of RT6. By pressing the up direction key 243 or the down direction key 244 of the cursor key 24 in this state, the user can select any operation item in the sub-menu, for example, select the item 311 of “two screens”. Then, when the enter key 26 is pressed, the video screens 36 of two different channels are displayed on the screen of the CRT 6 as shown in FIG.

The above operation method is the same as the conventional method. However, in the present invention, one of the desired sub-menus is preferentially selected and immediately selected according to the frequency of selection by the user, as described below. It is possible to execute the adjustment / setting of the selected item.

That is, in the present invention, when the operations shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C are repeated several times, the microprocessor 9 determines which operation item in the sub-menu is most frequently selected. Like that. For example, the number of times that the “two screens” 311 or “multi” 312... Of the submenu operation items are selected is counted and stored in the RAM 93.
By comparing the number of times by the PU 91, priority is assigned in order from the operation item with the highest selection frequency.

In this way, for example, when the "two screens" 311 is selected most frequently, the microprocessor 9 sets the "two screens" 3 of the sub menu as to the "screen" 31 of the main menu.
The microprocessor 9 automatically selects the two-screen mode when the operation item of the "screen" 31 of the main menu is selected as shown in FIG. 4A. 4B, the receiver is controlled to immediately display the video screen 36 of two channels. The mode in which one of the operation items of the sub-menu is preferentially and automatically selected / executed will be described below as an automatic mode.

When "two screens" is set in the automatic mode, and when the user does not desire the two screens mode,
By operating the menu key 25 again, the microprocessor 9 cancels the automatic mode, and FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c).
In the normal mode, the operation items of the sub-menu can be selected. As a result, the number of times of the newly selected operation item is stored in the RAM 93.

Alternatively, a key capable of selecting the automatic mode / normal mode is provided on the remote controller 13 so that the automatic mode or the normal mode can be selected by key operation.
A desired operation item may be selected again.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the automatic mode, when the most frequently used, for example, "two-screen" mode is automatically executed as shown in FIGS. If the user does not want to use the "two screens" mode, the user operates the menu key 25 again to select and execute the next most frequently used operation item (for example, the "12 screens" image 37) as shown in FIG. And the operation items may be automatically executed sequentially in accordance with the priority order.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the remote controller 1
3 is provided with a key (for example, a "screen" key 27) corresponding to an operation item displayed in the main menu of FIG. 3A, and by operating this key 27, the sub menu of FIG. A corresponding menu is displayed so that each operation item can be selected and executed by a simpler operation.

An on-screen menu operation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
(A) shows an example of a menu screen displayed by operating the “screen” key 27. When the “screen” key 27 is operated, the screen of the CRT 6 includes, for example, “two screens”, “multi-screen”. A menu 40 of operation items related to the “screen” key 27 such as “12 screens” and “media” is displayed.

When the menu 40 is displayed, the user can select a desired operation item by using the cursor key 24. For example, the item 41 of "two screens" is selected and the enter key 2 is selected.
When 6 is pressed, images 46 of two different channels are displayed on the screen of the CRT 6 as shown in FIG. This is a normal mode, and after the operation in the normal mode is repeated several times, the microprocessor 9 determines which operation item in the menu 40 is most frequently selected. For example, the number of times that “two screens” 41, “multi” 42, etc. are selected as operation items is counted and R
By storing the number in the AM 93 and comparing the number of times by the CPU 91, it is possible to assign priorities in order from the operation item with the highest selection frequency.

Thus, for example, when "two screens" is selected most often, the microprocessor 9 operates the "two screens" as shown in FIG. 7A when the "screen" key 27 of the remote control is operated. Is preferentially selected and executed. Therefore, when the "screen" key 27 of the remote controller 13 is operated, the microprocessor 9 controls the receiver to automatically execute the image display in the two-screen mode.

When the "two-screen" is executed in the automatic mode, if the user does not desire the two-screen mode, the "screen" key 27 is operated again, so that the microprocessor 9 cancels the automatic mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, a display 40 of the normal mode is made so that the operation items can be selected. As a result, the number of times of the newly selected operation item is stored in the RAM 93.

Alternatively, a key capable of selecting the automatic mode / normal mode may be provided on the remote controller 13 so that the automatic mode or the normal mode can be selected by key operation.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the most frequently used, for example, “two-screen” image 46 is automatically displayed as shown in FIG. If you do not want to
8 is operated again so that the next most frequently used operation item (for example, the image display 47 of “12 screens”) is selected and executed, as shown in FIG. May be sequentially and automatically executed.

In the above description, an example has been described in which priorities are assigned according to the number of selections of operation items. However, the user can set in advance which operation items are to be preferentially selected and executed. Can also.

For example, the remote controller 13 is provided with a priority key 28, a sub-menu shown in FIG. 3B is displayed, a specific operation item is selected by the cursor key 24, and the priority key 28 is operated. The processor 9 may be made to recognize that the operation item has priority, and thereafter, the priority operation item may be selected and executed in the automatic mode. Of course, means for canceling the priority (such as a cancel key) may be provided so that the menu can be selected in the normal mode.

[0042]

As described above, according to the on-screen menu operation device of the present invention, it is possible to select a desired operation item and execute adjustment / setting with a reduced number of key operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a television receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key arrangement of a remote controller used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an on-screen menu operation method according to an embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an on-screen menu operation method according to an embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating an operation in an automatic mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an on-screen menu operation method according to one embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating another operation in an automatic mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an on-screen menu operation method according to a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an on-screen menu operation method according to a second embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating an operation in an automatic mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an on-screen menu operation method according to a second embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating another operation in an automatic mode.

[Description of Signs] 4 ... Video Processor 5 ... Audio Processor 6 ... CRT 9 ... Microprocessor 96 ... Character Generator, 12 ... Memory 13 ... Remote Controller 25 ... Menu Key, 30, 40 ... Menu Screen,

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 5/45 H04N 5/45 F term (reference) 5C025 AA28 BA28 CA03 CA06 CA09 CB01 CB05 CB06 CB08 CB09 5C056 AA05 BA02 BA03 DA08 EA05 5C082 AA02 AA14 AA15 AA22 BA02 BB46 BC07 BD01 CA76 CB03 CB05 DA86 EA15 MM02 MM09 5E501 AA20 BA05 CC02 DA14 EA03 EA10 EB05 FA05 FA22

Claims (16)

[Claims] A key input means for performing various adjustments / settings of an electric device by a key operation, comprising: a plurality of keys including a menu key and a menu selection key; and A main menu including main operation items is displayed, and when any of the main operation items is selected by the menu selection key and is constructed as a lower menu of the main operation items, the main menu is displayed below the selected main operation item. A menu display unit capable of displaying a sub-menu including one or a plurality of sub-operation items; and a specific sub-operation item is preferentially selected from among the sub-operation items, and a higher rank of the specific sub-operation item When the main operation item of the main menu in the hierarchy is selected, the electric device is controlled to automatically execute the adjustment / setting of the specific sub operation item. On-screen menu operating device being characterized in that and a control means for. 2. The on-screen menu operation device according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the specific sub-operation item is automatically selected in descending order of the frequency of use by the user. 3. The menu operation device according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the specific sub operation item can be set by a user. 4. When the menu key is operated again in a mode in which the adjustment / setting is automatically executed, the control unit cancels a preferential selection of the specific sub-operation item and displays the main menu. 2. The menu operation device according to claim 1, wherein the menu operation mode is changed to a mode. 5. A method comprising: a plurality of keys including a first key;
Key input means for executing various adjustments / settings of the electric device by key operation; menu display means for displaying a menu including a plurality of operation items by operating the first key; From the selected operation items, the specific operation item is preferentially selected, and after the preferential selection is set, when the first key is operated, the adjustment / setting of the specific operation item is performed. Control means for controlling the electric device so as to automatically execute the on-screen menu operation. 6. The on-screen menu operation device according to claim 5, wherein the selection of the specific operation item is automatically selected in descending order of the frequency of use by the user. 7. The menu operation device according to claim 5, wherein the selection of the specific operation item can be set by a user. 8. The control means releases the priority selection of the specific operation item by operating the first key again in the mode in which the adjustment / setting is automatically executed, and displays the menu. The menu operation device according to claim 5, wherein the mode is shifted to a mode. 9. A signal processing circuit for processing an input television signal, display means for displaying an image processed by the signal processing circuit, and a key input having a plurality of keys including a menu key and a menu selection key Means for displaying a main menu consisting of a plurality of main operation items for specifying various adjustments of the television signal or setting of various display modes by operating the menu key, and as a lower menu of the main operation items A menu which is constructed and displays a sub-menu of one or more sub-operation items below the selected main operation item when any one of the main operation items is selected by the menu selection key. Display means; and preferentially selecting a specific sub-operation item from among the sub-operation items; Control means for controlling the signal processing circuit so as to automatically execute adjustment / setting of the specific sub-operation item when a main operation item of a main menu in a higher hierarchy of the operation item is selected. A television receiver characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The television receiver according to claim 9, wherein the selection of the specific sub-operation item is automatically selected in descending order of the frequency of use by the user. 11. The television receiver according to claim 9, wherein the selection of the specific sub-operation item can be set by a user. 12. When the menu key is operated again in the mode in which the adjustment / setting is automatically executed, the control unit cancels the priority selection of the specific sub operation item and displays the main menu. 10. The television receiver according to claim 9, wherein the mode shifts to a mode. 13. A signal processing circuit for processing an input television signal, display means for displaying an image processed by the signal processing circuit, and a plurality of keys including a first key for menu selection. Key input means; menu display means for displaying a menu consisting of a plurality of operation items on the display means by operating the first key; and a specific operation item from among the operation items displayed on the menu After the priority selection is set, and when the first key is operated, the signal processing is performed so that adjustment / setting of the specific operation item is automatically performed. A television receiver, comprising: control means for controlling a circuit. 14. The television receiver according to claim 13, wherein the selection of the specific operation item is automatically selected in descending order of the frequency of use by the user. 15. The television receiver according to claim 13, wherein the selection of the specific operation item can be set by a user. 16. When the first key is operated again in the mode in which the adjustment / setting is automatically executed, the control unit cancels the priority selection of the specific operation item and displays the menu. 14. The television receiver according to claim 13, wherein the mode shifts to a mode.