JP2003189199A - Channel selector for digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a channel selector for a digital broadcast receiver that allows a user to make selective operations of a main channel and a subsidiary channel through the operation of one numeric key so as to save trouble of entering main channel and subsidiary channel numbers and easily and quickly make channel selection. <P>SOLUTION: When a numeric key is depressed (#1), the main channel assigned to the entered numeric key is decided (#2), and a set subsidiary channel is tentatively decided (#3). When the same numeric key is depressed within a prescribed time after that (YES in #4, #5), while referencing channel information stored in a memory, the subsidiary channel is revised (#6). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a channel selection device in a broadcast receiver for receiving digital broadcasting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various techniques for improving the operability of channel selection in a channel selection device of a television receiver. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-2345
In JP-A-88, by operating an automatic tuning key provided on a remote controller, a sub-screen for channel selection is displayed in addition to the display screen of the channel currently being received, and the sub-screen is scrolled sequentially. , A channel selection is performed by operating the automatic tuning key again at a predetermined timing.

By the way, in recent years, digital broadcasting has come to be distributed from each broadcasting station and is rapidly spreading. For example, ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Commit)
In tee) -compliant digital broadcasting, each broadcasting station owns a main channel and transmits various contents through one or more sub-channels attached to each main channel. The main channel of each broadcasting station is assigned to each numeric key (numerical keypad) provided on the remote controller of the digital broadcast receiver (hereinafter referred to as the receiver), and the receiver that receives the numeric key input from the remote controller. Is
The channel is selected by receiving a broadcast signal in the frequency band corresponding to the main channel assigned to the numerical key.

At this time, the receiver tentatively selects a predetermined sub-channel, but if the user does not like the tentatively selected sub-channel, he or she further operates the numerical keys to select the desired sub-channel. The subchannel can be changed by inputting the number (subchannel value) of. Also, when the configuration of the sub-channels or the content transmitted on each sub-channel is unknown, the user operates the up / down keys separately provided on the remote controller to sequentially select each sub-channel. Then, the desired sub-channel can be selected.

[0005]

However, when selecting a sub-channel value different from the main channel number following the above main channel number in digital broadcasting channel selection, the user must select a plurality of numeric keypads. Since the input operation must be performed by overwriting, the operation is complicated and time-consuming. Further, even when operating the up / down key after inputting the main channel number, the user has to input the up / down key after inputting the numerical key, so that the key is also required. However, the operation is complicated and time-consuming.

[0006] Further, even if the channel selection device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-234588 is applied to digital broadcasting and the information of the main channel and the sub-channel is sequentially displayed on the sub-screen, each main channel and the sub-channel are displayed. In digital broadcasting in which channels are hierarchically configured and the number of channels is accordingly large, it takes time to display information of a desired channel, and operability is not necessarily good.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when a desired sub-channel is selected and received from a plurality of sub-channels associated with each main channel, the main channel is received. An object of the present invention is to provide a channel selection device capable of selecting a main channel and a sub-channel only by operating one type of numerical key to which a number is assigned, and performing channel selection operation quickly and easily. .

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a receiving means for receiving an encoded digital / analog broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station,
Decoding means for decoding the digital / analog broadcast signal received by the receiving means and outputting it to the display means for displaying a video, storage means for storing channel information included in the decoded signal decoded by the decoding means, and each part of the receiver For transmitting one or a plurality of contents to one main channel, and a control means for controlling the control unit, and an input device having a numeric key for the user to numerically input a channel selection instruction to the control means. A digital / analog broadcast accompanied by a sub-channel is transmitted from the broadcasting station, and the main channel of a predetermined broadcasting station is assigned to each numerical key, and the control means receives a channel selection instruction from the numerical key. When receiving the broadcast signal of the main channel assigned to the numeric key, the receiving means receives the broadcast signal. In the channel selection device in the digital / analog broadcast receiver having a function of decoding the received broadcast signal by the decoding means, acquiring channel information included in the decoded signal, and storing the channel information in the storage means, the control means is , When a channel selection instruction is received from a numeric key, the main channel and a predetermined sub-channel assigned to that numeric key are selected, and if the same numeric key is pressed within a predetermined time, the memory is saved. By referring to the channel information stored in the means, the upper or lower adjacent sub-channels are selected, so that any main channel and sub-channel can be selected by operating one numerical key. .

In this configuration, the main channel is selected by operating the numeric keys to which the main channel of the broadcasting station is assigned in advance, and at the same time, the predetermined sub-channel is tentatively selected, and then the same numeric key is used. When an input is received, this input is accepted as a subchannel change instruction. The sub-channel change instruction is accepted for a predetermined time after the numerical key is first operated. When the same numeric key is operated by the user within the above-mentioned predetermined time, the control means selects the upper or lower adjacent sub-channel while referring to the channel information stored in the storage means. Thus, it is possible to select any main channel and sub-channel by operating one numeric key. Note that the predetermined sub-channel that is provisionally selected when the numerical key is first operated is, for example, by referring to the channel information stored in the storage unit, the minimum or maximum value in the corresponding main channel. The channel can be determined.

The invention of claim 2 further comprises a receiving means for receiving the encoded digital broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcasting station, and a display means for decoding the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means to display an image. Decoding means for outputting to, the storage means for storing the channel information included in the decoded signal decoded by the decoding means, the control means for controlling each part of the receiver, and the user numerically instructing the control means to select the channel. And an input device having a numeric keypad for inputting with, a digital broadcast in which one main channel is accompanied by a subchannel for transmitting one or a plurality of contents is transmitted from a broadcasting station, Indicates that the main channel of a predetermined broadcasting station is assigned, and when the control means receives a channel selection instruction from the numerical keys, the number The receiving means receives the broadcast signal of the main channel broadcast signal assigned to the key, the decoding means decodes the received broadcast signal, and the channel information included in the decoded signal is acquired and stored in the storage means. In the channel selection device in the digital broadcast receiver having a function for controlling, when the control means receives a channel selection instruction from the numerical keys,
Select the main channel and the predetermined sub-channel assigned to the numerical key, and then select the sub-channel by operating the same numerical key within the predetermined time as the above, and thereby select one numerical key. The main channel and sub-channel can be selected by the operation of.

In this configuration, the main channel is selected by operating the numerical keys to which the broadcasting station is assigned in advance, and at the same time, the predetermined sub-channel is tentatively selected, and then the input by the same numerical key is received. Then, this input is accepted as a sub-channel change instruction. The sub-channel change instruction is accepted for a predetermined time after the numerical key is first operated. As a result, it is possible to select any main channel and sub-channel by operating only one numerical key. Note that the predetermined sub-channel that is provisionally selected when the numerical key is first operated can be determined in the same manner as in claim 1.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the channel selection device of the digital broadcast receiver according to the second aspect, the control means continuously operates within a predetermined time when receiving a channel selection instruction from the numerical keys. The number of times the same numeric key is pressed is counted, and the sub-channel to be selected is determined based on the number of times the numeric key is pressed.
In this configuration, the sub-channel is selected based on the number of times the numerical key is continuously pressed within the predetermined time. Note that the acceptance of the channel change instruction ends when the numeric key is not pressed for a predetermined time, and the sub-channel is selected based on the number of times the numeric key is continuously pressed until then. You may

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the channel selecting device in the digital broadcasting receiver according to the second aspect, the control means is decoded by the decoding means when receiving a channel selection instruction from the numerical keys. Channel information is acquired by analyzing the decoded signal, and the sub-channel to be selected is determined with reference to the acquired channel information. In this configuration, when selecting the sub-channel using the same numeric key,
The latest channel information acquired when selecting the main channel can be referred to.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A digital / analog broadcast receiver having a channel selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
Shows a block configuration of a digital / analog broadcast receiver (hereinafter referred to as a receiver). The receiver 1 receives a radio frequency (RF) encoded digital / analog broadcast signal transmitted from a television broadcasting station by means of an antenna 10, and uses a main body button or a remote controller 30 as shown in FIG. A set top box that displays a list of receivable channel information on a display device 12 (display means) that displays a video signal included in a broadcast signal on a screen according to an operation input of a channel information display from a user using the input device 11. (STB).

The receiver 1 includes a tuner 2 (reception means) for receiving a digital / analog broadcast signal existing in a frequency band corresponding to a desired channel, and a digital decoder for decoding the digital / analog broadcast signal received by the tuner 2. 3, an analog decoder 4 (digital / analog decoding means), a switch 5 for switching the broadcast signal decoded by the digital decoder 3 or the analog decoder 4, and a predetermined on-screen display (hereinafter referred to as OSD) display on the display device 12. OSD circuit 6
(OSD output means), memory 7 (storage means) that stores the transmission frequency and channel configuration information of each main channel of digital broadcasting, and CPU that controls each unit of the receiver 1.
And a control unit 8 (control means). Then, the tuner 2, the digital decoder 3, the memory 7,
The control unit 8 and the input device 11 (remote controller 30) constitute a channel selection device.

The tuner 2 receives the digital / analog broadcast signal received by the antenna 10 and performs a tuning operation according to an instruction input by the user from the input device 11 to the control unit 8 to correspond to the input channel. The digital decoder 3 receives a digital / analog broadcast signal existing in a frequency band of
And output to the analog decoder 4. In the channel configuration in digital broadcasting, different frequency bands are given to the respective main channels, and broadcast signals are transmitted at the same frequency in the sub-channels within the same main channel.
The digital decoder 3 and the analog decoder 4 decode the broadcast signal received by the tuner 2.

The switch 5 receives an instruction from the control unit 8 and outputs a broadcast signal decoded by either the digital decoder 3 or the analog decoder 4 to the OSD circuit 6. The OSD circuit 6 outputs an broadcast signal to the display device 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 8 and also an OS for displaying a predetermined list of receivable channel information.
D display signal is output. The memory 7 stores information about the frequency band of each channel, channel configuration information, and the sub-channel number last selected by the user for each main channel.

The control unit 8 receives the input operation by the user using the input device 11 and controls the respective units by a data bus (Data bus).
-Bus). Further, the control unit 8 is obtained by causing the tuner 2 to receive a broadcast signal including the channel configuration information according to a channel change instruction from the user, and decoding the broadcast signal by the digital decoder 3. The decoded signal is analyzed to obtain channel information. This channel information usually includes all sub-channel information in the selected main channel, and the control unit 8 stores the acquired channel information in the memory 7 every time the main channel is selected.

As the display device 12, a display screen of a television receiver may be used, and in addition to a CRT, an LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) and PDP (Plasma Display)
Panel) or the like. Although not shown, the receiver 1 includes a D / A conversion circuit that converts a digital signal into an analog signal, and the signals for the OSD display and the video display are analog signals by the D / A conversion circuit. After being converted into, the data is output to the display device 12. The D / A conversion circuit may be built in the display device 12. In addition,
When displaying on the above flat panel display,
The digital signal may be output as it is without passing through the D / A conversion circuit.

The input device 11 is a device for inputting an operation instruction from the user to the control unit 8. Examples of the input device 11 include a main body button provided on the front surface of the receiver 1 and a remote controller (remote control) 30 as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the remote controller 30 is the receiver 1.
And power keys 31 and 3 for turning on / off the power of the receiver 1 and the television receiver, which are configured to be able to instruct the operation of the television receiver using infrared rays or the like.
2, a numeric keypad (numeric keypad) 33 for inputting the main channel and sub-channel numbers of the receiver 1, and a channel up / down key 34 used for changing the channel.
And menu keys 35 and 36 for calling the menu screens of the receiver 1 and the television receiver, keys 37 (37a to 37d) for moving the cursor in a desired direction, and an input (ENTER) key 38 for confirming the input. A volume up / down key 39 for adjusting the audio volume of the television receiver and a channel up / down key 40 used for changing the channel of the television receiver are provided.

The main channel of each broadcasting station is mainly assigned a one-digit number other than the physical channel number corresponding to the transmission frequency of the broadcast signal according to the agreement of the industry that operates digital broadcasting. The user can select the main channel by operating any of the numerical keys to which the desired main channel number is assigned. Furthermore, with this channel selection device,
When the main channel number is input by the numeric keypad 33, the main channel is selected and a predetermined sub-channel is tentatively selected. Then, when the same numeric keypad 33 is input, this input is sub-selected. Accept as a channel change instruction. Now, for example,
The operation when the main channel of the broadcasting station assigned to the "6" numerical key 33a is selected by the user and further changed to the sub-channel desired by the user within the main channel will be described below.

When the user operates the numeric key 33a, the control section 8 firstly operates the numeric key 33a.
The main channel assigned to the number "6" corresponding to a is selected. At this time, the selection of the sub-channel in the main channel is performed by, for example, the following (a) to
It is tentatively performed according to any of the methods shown in (d). (A) Select the minimum or maximum subchannel that the receiver 1 can set. (B) With reference to the channel information stored in the memory 7, the sub-channel having the minimum value or the maximum value in the main channel to be selected is selected. (C) With reference to the channel information acquired by analyzing the decoded signal decoded by the digital decoder 3, the currently broadcasted minimum or maximum sub-channel is selected in the main channel to be selected. (D) With reference to the channel information stored in the memory 7, the previously selected sub-channel (the last sub-channel selected by the user) is selected from the main channels to be selected.

After that, when the numerical key 33a is operated by the user within a predetermined time, the control section 8 regards this as a sub-channel change instruction, and changes the sub-channel within the main channel. The subchannel is changed, for example, in accordance with any of the following methods (e) to (g). (E) Select a subchannel having a value obtained by adding or subtracting "1" to the currently selected subchannel value. (F) With reference to the channel information stored in the memory 7, the subchannel having the next subchannel value or the previous subchannel value of the currently received subchannel is selected. (G) With reference to the channel information acquired by analyzing the decoded signal decoded by the digital decoder 3, the subchannel having the next subchannel value or the previous subchannel value of the currently received subchannel is selected.

When the user operates a numeric key different from the numeric key 33a, the controller 8 changes the main channel to the main channel assigned to the another numeric key. After that, until a predetermined time elapses, the input by the other numeric key is regarded as a sub-channel change instruction, and the sub-channel is changed.

The processing procedure of the control unit 8 at the time of the channel selection processing will be described with reference to FIG. When the user presses the numerical key 33 (YES in # 1), the main channel assigned to the numerical key 33 is determined (#
2), tentatively determine the setting subchannel (#
3). At this time, the sub-channels are from (a) to
It is selected according to the method shown in (d). Then, the numeric key 33 is pressed within a predetermined time (YE in # 4).
S), if the numeric key 33 is the same as the numeric key 33 pressed in # 1 (YES in # 5), the subchannel is changed (# 6) and the process returns to # 4. At this time, the subchannel is changed according to the method shown in (e) to (g) above. If the numerical key 33 pressed within the predetermined time is not the same as the numerical key 33 pressed in # 1 (NO in # 5), the process returns to # 2. If the numeric key 33 is not pressed within the predetermined time (N in # 4
O), the tuning process ends.

As described above, according to the channel selection device in the present receiver 1, it is possible to select any main channel and sub-channel by operating one numerical key 33. Therefore, the user can save the trouble of inputting the main channel number and the sub channel number by pressing different keys respectively, and can select the desired channel quickly and easily.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, when the control section 8 receives a channel selection instruction from the numerical key 33a of the remote controller, a predetermined time The number of times the same numerical key 33a is continuously pressed is counted in this numerical key 33a
The sub-channel to be selected may be determined based on the number of times that is pressed. By doing this, the numeric key 3
Since the desired sub-channel can be selected quickly by rapidly responding to the continuous input of 3, the usability of the receiver 1 can be improved. The acceptance of the channel change instruction ends when the numerical key 33 is not pressed for a predetermined time, and the sub-channel is selected based on the number of times the numerical key 33 is continuously pressed until then. You may do it.

When the control section 8 receives a channel selection instruction from the numerical keys 33, it acquires channel information by analyzing the decoded signal decoded by the digital decoder 3, and refers to this acquired channel information. However, the sub-channel to be selected may be determined. In this way, the control unit 8 can refer to the latest channel information acquired when the main channel is selected, so that the control unit 8 flexibly responds to the sub-channel configuration of digital broadcasting that changes depending on the time of day, and an appropriate sub-channel configuration. Channel selection can be made.

[0030]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
In the digital / analog broadcasting receiver, an arbitrary main channel and sub channel can be selected by operating one numerical key. Therefore, the user
It is possible to save the trouble of typing the main channel number and the sub-channel number by using different keys, and it is possible to select a desired channel quickly and easily.

According to the invention of claim 2, in a digital broadcast receiver, the same effect as that of claim 1 can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to quickly respond to continuous input of numerical keys and to quickly select a desired sub-channel, so that the usability of the digital broadcast receiver can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the latest channel information acquired at the time of selecting the main channel can be referred to, it is possible to flexibly deal with the sub-channel configuration of the digital broadcasting which varies depending on the time zone, and it is appropriate. It is possible to select various sub-channels.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a remote control device of the receiver.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a control unit when the receiver is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Digital / analog broadcast receiver 2 tuner (reception means) 3 Digital decoder (decoding means) 7 memory (storage means) 8 Control unit (control means) 11,30 Remote control (input device) 33, 33a Numerical key

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving an encoded digital / analog broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station and a display means for decoding the digital / analog broadcast signal received by the receiving means and displaying an image. Decryption means to
A storage unit that stores channel information included in the decoded signal decoded by the decoding unit, a control unit that controls each unit of the receiver, and a user input a channel selection instruction to the control unit by a numerical value. An input device having a numeric key is provided, and a digital / analog broadcast in which one main channel is accompanied by a sub-channel for transmitting one or a plurality of contents is transmitted from a broadcasting station, and each numeric key has a predetermined number. When the main channel of the broadcasting station is assigned, the control means receives the broadcast signal of the main channel assigned to the numeric key to the receiving means when receiving a channel selection instruction from the numeric key. Is included in the decoded signal, and the received broadcast signal is decoded by the decoding means. In a channel selection device in a digital / analog broadcast receiver having a function of acquiring channel information and storing it in the storage means, the control means, when receiving a channel selection instruction from the numeric key, changes the numeric key to the numeric key. If you select the assigned main channel and the specified sub-channel and then press the same numeric key within the specified time,
With reference to the channel information stored in the storage means, an upper or lower adjacent sub-channel is selected so that any main channel and sub-channel can be selected by operating one numerical key. A channel selection device in a digital / analog broadcast receiver characterized by. 2. Receiving means for receiving an encoded digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, and decoding means for decoding the digital broadcast signal received by the receiving means and outputting it to a display means for displaying an image. A storage means for storing channel information included in the decoded signal decoded by the decoding means; a control means for controlling each part of the receiver; and a user inputting a channel selection instruction to the control means by a numerical value. And an input device having a numeric keypad, and a digital broadcast in which one main channel is accompanied by a subchannel for transmitting one or a plurality of contents is transmitted from the broadcasting station, and each numeric key has a predetermined number. The main channel of the broadcasting station is assigned, and when the control means receives a channel selection instruction from the numeric key, Regarding the broadcast signal of the main channel assigned to the key, the receiving means receives the broadcast signal, the received broadcast signal is decoded by the decoding means, the channel information included in the decoded signal is acquired, and the storage is performed. In a channel selection device in a digital broadcast receiver having a function of storing the means in the means, the control means, when receiving a channel selection instruction from the numeric key, a main channel and a predetermined sub-channel assigned to the numeric key. After selecting a channel, the sub-channel is selected by operating the same numeric key as above within a predetermined time, and by doing so, any main channel and sub-channel can be selected by operating one numeric key. The channel in the digital broadcasting receiver characterized by Selection device. 3. The control means, when receiving a channel selection instruction from the numeric key, counts the number of times the same numeric key is continuously pressed within a predetermined time, and the numeric key is pressed. The channel selection device in a digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2, wherein the selected sub-channel is determined based on the number of times. 4. When the control means receives a channel selection instruction from the numerical key, it acquires channel information by analyzing the decoded signal decoded by the decoding means, and refers to this acquired channel information. The channel selection device in the digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2, wherein the subchannel to be selected is determined.