JP2002198782A - Automatic preset system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic preset system and method that can properly control maintaining or abort of preset contents. SOLUTION: In the automatic preset system and method that detects frequencies of receptible broadcast programs and presets each detected frequency to prescribed channels '01'-'10', the preset object channels can be designated with check boxes 3, 4 before presetting. Furthermore, the preset contents of each channel can be initialized according to a check box of an 'INITIALIZE?' column 5 before presetting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an auto-preset system and method for detecting receivable broadcast frequencies and presetting the detected frequencies to predetermined channels.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an auto-preset function for automatically searching for and registering broadcast frequencies receivable by radio or television. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a conventional process at the time of auto preset. In this process, first, in step 31, reception is performed for the lowest searchable frequency. Next, in step 32, it is determined whether or not the broadcast was successfully received at the frequency. If it is determined that the broadcast was not successfully received, the process proceeds to step 35. If it is determined that the signal has been successfully received, it is determined in step 33 whether or not an area in which the frequency can be stored remains in the frequency storage RAM. If it is determined that the frequency remains, the received frequency is stored in the frequency storage RAM in step 34, and the process proceeds to step 35.

In step 35, it is determined whether or not the reception has been performed up to the highest frequency that can be searched. If it is determined that the reception has not been performed up to the upper limit, the reception is performed on the frequency shifted from the current reception frequency by the frequency of the predetermined channel space in step 36, and the process returns to step 32. If it is determined that the reception has been performed up to the upper limit, the auto preset process is ended.

Thus, while the reception frequency is shifted by the channel space and scanned, the frequencies of the broadcasts that have been successfully received are sequentially registered in the RAM, and the auto preset is performed. Therefore, in the second and subsequent auto presets, the result is overwritten on the result of the previous auto preset.

[0005]

However, according to the prior art, since the auto-preset is performed by overwriting the result of the previous auto-preset, there is a case where the user wants to perform the preset without worrying about the preset contents. Is no problem, but it is inconvenient if you want to preset while leaving some of the preset contents up to now. On the other hand, since it is simply overwritten and not initialized, it is inconvenient if you do not care about the contents up to now and want to initialize and then preset.

An object of the present invention is to provide an auto-preset system and method in view of the problems of the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to appropriately control maintenance or discard of preset contents.

[0007]

To achieve this object, an auto-preset system according to a first aspect of the present invention detects a receivable broadcast frequency and presets each detected frequency to a predetermined channel. The automatic preset system is characterized in that it comprises means for designating a channel to be preset before performing the preset.

[0008] Such an auto-preset system is constituted by connecting a tuner having an auto-preset function and a personal computer using an appropriate interface. It may be constituted by a personal computer equipped with a tuner card. Detection of receivable broadcast frequency is performed, for example, by using a PLL.
(Phase Locked Loop) The reception can be performed by sequentially changing the reception frequency while selecting the reception frequency via a circuit, and searching for a broadcast frequency that can be received with a predetermined received signal strength or higher. A channel is
For example, it corresponds to a preset key or a graphic indicating a channel on a personal computer screen, and can be selected by pressing the corresponding preset key or designating a channel graphic. The broadcast to be received may be any broadcast, such as a normal radio or television broadcast, or a multiplex broadcast. The channel can be specified by specifying a range of target channel numbers, specifying each channel individually, or the like.

In this configuration, the detected receivable broadcast frequency is preset for each channel in a predetermined correspondence relationship. In this case, the preset target is:
This is a channel specified by the user as a preset target in advance. Therefore, the user excludes the channels for which the user wants to maintain the previously preset content from the preset target, and performs the preset only on the desired channel so that the preset content is appropriately maintained or discarded. Can be controlled. The frequency preset for each channel is used when selecting that channel and receiving a broadcast of that frequency.

[0010] The auto-preset system according to a second invention is the auto-preset system according to the first invention, wherein the number of detected receivable broadcast frequencies exceeds the number of channels designated as the preset target. And a means for instructing whether or not to preset the number of frequencies exceeding the preset number to a channel not designated as the preset target.

In this configuration, when the detected receivable broadcast frequency is preset to a channel, if the preset frequency number Nf exceeds the preset target channel number Np, the number is exceeded (Nf-Np). Minute frequency handling becomes a problem. Therefore, in the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to instruct whether or not to preset frequencies exceeding the number (Nf-Np) to channels not designated as preset targets. When an instruction to preset to a channel not specified as a preset target is given, the frequency exceeding the number (Nf-Np) is sequentially allocated to channels not specified as a preset target. become. According to this, the user appropriately determines and instructs whether or not to preset a frequency not exceeding the number (Nf-Np) for channels that are not designated as preset targets. Maintenance or destruction can be appropriately controlled.

[0012] The instruction as to whether or not to preset a channel that is not designated as a preset target may be made sequentially for each channel. When the channel to be preset is not specified, all channels may be set as the preset target similarly to the case of the normal auto preset, and the preset may be sequentially performed in a normal processing procedure. However, also in this case, the number Np of channels designated as the preset target is considered to be zero, and frequencies exceeding the number (Nf-Np = Nf), that is, all receivable broadcast frequencies are considered. Alternatively, it may be possible to sequentially instruct, for each channel, whether or not to assign to a channel not specified as the preset target.

An auto-preset system according to a third aspect of the present invention is an auto-preset system which detects a receivable broadcast frequency and presets each detected frequency for a predetermined channel.
It is characterized in that it comprises means for initializing the preset contents of each channel before performing the preset. According to this, the user initializes the data of the frequency that has already been preset for each channel and then performs the auto-preset or performs the auto-preset without performing the initialization by appropriately selecting and instructing. Maintaining or discarding the preset contents can be appropriately controlled. In addition,
As a method of initialization, a method of initializing with data of a predetermined frequency, a method of clearing with a predetermined value to make a state where preset is not performed, and the like are considered.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the auto-preset method for detecting a receivable broadcast frequency and presetting each detected frequency to a predetermined channel, Receiving a designation before performing the preset. According to this, similarly to the case of the first invention, it is possible to appropriately control the maintenance or discarding of the preset content by limiting the preset to a desired channel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic preset method according to the fourth aspect, when the number of detected receivable broadcast frequencies exceeds the number of channels designated as the preset target. And accepting an instruction as to whether or not to preset the number of frequencies exceeding the number of channels that are not designated as the preset target. According to this, similarly to the case of the second invention, the maintenance or discarding of the preset contents is appropriately controlled by appropriately determining and instructing whether or not to preset the channel not designated as the preset target. can do.

The auto-preset method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the auto-preset method for detecting a receivable broadcast frequency and presetting each detected frequency to a predetermined channel, according to a given instruction, The method includes a step of initializing the preset contents of each channel before performing the preset. According to this, similarly to the case of the third invention, the maintenance or discarding of the preset contents is appropriately controlled by appropriately selecting and instructing whether or not to perform the auto preset after the initialization or without the initialization. be able to.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows a display example in an auto preset system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this system, a tuner having an auto preset function is connected to a personal computer, and the tuner and the personal computer can communicate with each other via an appropriate interface.
In the figure, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote “Pch DATA” for displaying preset data which is data of the frequency of the currently preset FM broadcast and AM broadcast, respectively.
(Preset channel data) column, where the channel numbers are "01" to "05" for FM broadcasts and 5 for "06" to "10" for AM broadcasts.
A display area for each channel is prepared. 3 and 4 are channels "01" to "05" and "06" to "10", respectively.
Is a check box corresponding to. As a result, the checked channel becomes a target of the preset data allocation by the auto preset. The tuner has a RAM for storing preset data having a storage area corresponding to channels "01" to "10".

Reference numeral 5 denotes an "INITIALIZE?" (Initialize?) Field for designating whether or not to initialize (initialize) all preset data during auto presetting. And "NO?"
(No?) Check box. If you check the box of "YES?", The preset contents of all channels will be initialized and then the auto preset will be performed. If you check the box of "NO?", The auto preset will not be performed. Is performed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an "AUTO PRESET?" Field for instructing to perform an auto preset, and has an "OK" button. By clicking this button, the auto preset is performed under the conditions set by the above check boxes.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the process of the auto preset. As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the personal computer first acquires the current preset data from the preset data storage RAM in the tuner in step 11 and displays “Pc” on the display screen.
h DATA "field. The user can designate a channel to be preset by referring to the content displayed in this field and checking the check box 3 or 4. Whether or not to initialize all channels, "INITI
ALIZE? It can be indicated by a check box in the "column.

Next, in step 12, "AUTO
PRESET? When the “OK” button in the “column” is pressed, the auto preset is started.
In step 3, "YES?" In the "INITIALIZE?"
It is determined whether or not the box is checked.
If it is determined that the check is not checked, the channel is not initialized, and therefore, Step 1 is not performed.
Go to 5. If checked, go to Step 14
, A RAM CLEAR command for initializing the RAM in the tuner is transmitted to the tuner, and the process proceeds to step 15. Upon receiving this command, the tuner clears the RAM for storing preset data with a predetermined value.

In step 15, a command to start the preset is transmitted to the tuner. Upon receiving this command, the tuner tries to receive the lowest searchable frequency in step 16. Next, in step 17, it is determined whether or not the frequency has been successfully received. If it is determined that the signal has not been received, the preset is not performed for that frequency, so that the process proceeds to step S22. If it is determined that the reception was successful, it is determined in step 18 whether or not a storable area remains in the RAM for storing preset data. The storable area means an area in which the check box of the channel corresponding to the area is checked and the frequency is not yet stored in the current auto preset. If it is determined that there is a storable area, the data of the received frequency is stored in the area corresponding to the channel of the smallest number among those areas in step 19, and the process proceeds to step 22. As a result, the frequency of the received broadcast is preset to the channel.

If it is determined in step 18 that there is no storable area remaining, the process proceeds to step 20, where it is determined whether or not channel "10" has been preset.
If it is determined that the preset has been performed up to channel “10”, the process proceeds to step 22 because there is no room for presetting. If it is determined that the preset has not been performed up to the channel "10", the process proceeds to step 21, and it is determined whether or not the preset is performed by overwriting the unchecked channel. If it is not overwritten, the process directly proceeds to step 22. If it is overwritten, in step 19, the received frequency is stored in the RAM area corresponding to a predetermined one of the unchecked channels, and then the process proceeds to step 22. move on.

The determination in step 21 is made on the basis of the content of the instruction received from the user as to whether or not to overwrite the unchecked channel on the personal computer side. The acceptance of this instruction may be performed individually each time the step 21 is passed, or may be performed only at the first pass. If the instruction is to be performed only at the time of the first pass, the contents of the instruction at that time will be described in step 21 below.
Used in the determination in In addition, the predetermined one of the unchecked channels corresponds to, for example, a channel having a larger number and a smaller number than the last preset channel number among the unchecked channels.

In step 22, it is determined whether or not the reception has been performed up to the highest frequency that can be searched. If the maximum has not been reached, reception is performed in step 23 by shifting the reception frequency by the channel space.
Return to 7. If the upper limit has been reached, in step 24, the personal computer acquires the preset data stored in the RAM for storing the preset data from the tuner side, displays the data in a predetermined format as shown in FIG. finish. Thereafter, the user selects a desired channel based on the displayed preset content of each channel, and the like, so that the broadcast of the frequency preset for the channel can be received by the tuner.

According to this, since the user can perform the auto-preset only on the channels checked by the check boxes 3 and 4, it is possible to perform the auto-preset on the desired channel while leaving the past preset result. Can be. Also, after presets are made for all the checked channels,
Further, when a broadcast that can be preset is received, it is possible to select whether to overwrite the unchecked channel and to perform presetting, so that more flexible auto-preset can be performed. Further, since it is possible to select whether or not to initialize all the preset contents before performing the auto preset, it is also possible to prevent the previous preset contents from being left at all.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the designation of the channel to be subjected to auto-preset is accepted before performing the auto-preset, so that the auto-preset is limited to the desired channel. In this way, the maintenance or discard of the preset contents can be appropriately controlled.

When the number of receivable broadcast frequencies exceeds the number of channels designated as the subject of the auto preset, the excess number of frequencies are used for the channels not designated as the subject of the auto preset. To accept or not to pre-set the contents of the preset. Can be properly controlled.

In addition, since the preset data of each channel is initialized before performing the auto-preset according to the given instruction, it is appropriately selected whether to perform the auto-preset after the initialization or without the initialization. , The maintenance or discarding of the preset contents can be appropriately controlled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example in an auto preset system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an auto preset process in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process at the time of a conventional auto preset.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2: "Pch DATA" (preset channel data) column, 3, 4: check box, 5: "INIT"
IALIZE? "(Initialize?) Column, 6:" AUT
O PRESET? "(Auto preset?) Field.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An auto-preset system for detecting receivable broadcast frequencies and presetting the detected frequencies for predetermined channels, wherein a channel to be preset is designated before performing the preset. An auto-preset system comprising means. 2. When the number of detected receivable broadcast frequencies exceeds the number of channels designated as the preset target, the number of frequencies exceeding the number of channels is set as:
2. The auto preset system according to claim 1, further comprising means for instructing whether or not to preset a channel not specified as the preset target. 3. An auto-preset system for detecting a receivable broadcast frequency and presetting the detected frequency for a predetermined channel, wherein the preset of each channel is performed before the preset according to a given instruction. It is characterized by comprising means for initializing the contents. 4. An auto-preset method for detecting a receivable broadcast frequency and presetting each detected frequency for a predetermined channel, wherein the designation of the channel to be preset is performed before the preset is performed. An auto-preset method comprising an accepting step. 5. When the number of detected receivable broadcast frequencies exceeds the number of channels specified as the preset target, the excess frequencies are set as the preset targets. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of receiving an instruction as to whether or not to preset a non-designated channel. 6. An auto-preset method for detecting a receivable broadcast frequency and presetting each detected frequency for a predetermined channel, wherein the preset of each channel is performed before the preset according to a given instruction. An auto-preset method comprising a step of initializing contents.