JP2011041168A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television receiver capable of automatically selecting a contracted channel from an external connection device, even if a user selects a non-contracted channel on the television receiver. <P>SOLUTION: A user uses a remote controller 200 to perform key input, corresponding to the channel of a program that the user desires to watch. When a channel selection control section 102 determines a requested channel as a non-contracted channel, an external connection device control section 105 inquires as to the presence/absence of a contracted channel on the same channel, through a command transmitting/receiving section 107 to an external connection device 400. When there is a contract-concluded channel, an operation for selecting the channel is performed via an input switching control section 106 and the command transmitting/receiving section 107, and the program of the channel is displayed on a video/audio output section 108. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a television receiver capable of selecting a channel from an external device when the selected channel is not contracted.

  In recent years, digital broadcasting has rapidly spread in satellite communication broadcasting and cable television broadcasting. A large number of program contents can be broadcast by high compression technology of moving images by digitalization of broadcasting, and broadcasting services have been diversified. Among them, there is a pay broadcast channel in which only a user who has a reception contract with a broadcaster can view a program. In order to view these channels, it is necessary to sign a contract with a broadcaster for a card called CAS (Conditional Access System) and attach the card to a device capable of receiving digital broadcasting. Usually, one CAS card is attached to one device capable of receiving digital broadcasting, and the ID of the card is different for each device. Devices that can receive digital broadcasts include not only television receivers but also digital recorders and cable broadcast receivers.

  If the user has a contract for watching a certain pay broadcast channel with the CAS of the digital recorder, viewing is possible if the channel is selected with the digital recorder, but the channel is viewed with a television receiver. Even if the channel is selected, the CAS that the television receiver has has not been contracted and cannot be viewed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-271478

  However, there is a problem that the user needs to know all of which channel contracts are made with which CAS by the above mechanism, and the operation burden is large.

  In other words, when a user wants to watch a subscribed pay broadcast channel, it is necessary to switch the input to a device having CAS that has the contract, and then select the corresponding channel. There was a problem that the burden on was large.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and even when a user selects an uncontracted channel, the television can automatically select the contracted channel from an external device. It is an object to provide a John receiver.

  In order to solve the above problems, a television receiver according to claim 1 of the present invention is a television receiver capable of automatically searching for and selecting a subscribed channel including an externally connected device. A remote control receiving unit that receives a remote control signal including viewing program information, a channel selection control unit that selects a channel according to the received remote control signal, a broadcast reception control unit that receives program data being broadcast, A channel list management unit for managing channel information assigned to the remote control key, an input switching control unit for switching signal input from the external connection device, a command transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving commands to / from the external connection device, and the external connection device Externally connected device control unit for determining signal input switching command and command command content from video, and video / audio output unit for outputting received video signal and audio signal , Characterized by including the.

  With this configuration, even when the user selects an uncontracted channel with the television receiver, the channel is searched from the external device for the same channel, and if it is found, it is automatically transferred to the external device. Channel selection for the corresponding channel can be performed simultaneously with switching the input. Therefore, the user does not need to know in advance the relationship between the channel to which the user subscribes and CAS, and the channel selection that requires a contract is the same operation as the channel selection that does not require any other contract. Just do it.

  The television receiver according to claim 2 of the present invention is the television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the externally connected device control unit is configured so that the externally connected device receives a channel selection request from the externally connected device. Is in a power-off state, the command transmission / reception unit makes a power-on request for the externally connected device and displays program information, CMs, and the like related to the corresponding channel until channel selection is completed. And

  With such a configuration, the user can select a channel for an externally connected device without worrying about the power supply state of the externally connected device, in the same manner as other channel selections. In addition, when it takes time to start up the power supply of the externally connected device, the user's stress can be reduced by displaying the program information of the selected channel.

  The television receiver according to claim 3 of the present invention is the television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the channel list management unit performs a channel selection operation for an arbitrary remote control key by the channel list of the television receiver. In addition to assigning a channel of the externally connected device, there is a means for acquiring a channel list of the device and assigning an arbitrary channel to the corresponding key.

  With such a configuration, the user can assign a desired channel selection operation to any remote control key including the channel list of the externally connected device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a television receiver capable of searching for a contracted channel from an externally connected device and automatically switching and selecting a channel even when a user selects an uncontracted channel. it can.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the television receiver in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a change of the channel selection operation | movement with respect to the remote control key in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Screen display transition diagram showing an operation example for customizing the channel tuning operation for the remote control key according to the third embodiment of the present invention

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the television receiver 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television receiver 100 includes a remote control receiving unit 101, a channel selection control unit 102, a broadcast reception control unit 103, a channel list management unit 104, an externally connected device control unit 105, an input switching control unit 106, A command transmission / reception unit 107 and a video / audio output unit 108 are provided.

  In FIG. 1, when a user inputs a key corresponding to a channel that the user wants to watch with remote controller 200, remote control receiving unit 101 receives the remote control signal by infrared communication or the like, and receives program information to channel selection control unit 102. send. The channel selection control unit 102 determines which channel broadcast data is received from the viewing program information received from the remote control reception unit 101 and the channel list management unit 104, and transmits the program designation information to the broadcast reception control unit 103. The broadcast reception control unit 103 sets a reception channel from the broadcast network 300 in response to an instruction from the channel selection control unit 102. After the reception channel setting is performed, the channel selection control unit 102 determines whether the channel is a contracted channel or a non-contracted channel, and notifies the external connection device control unit 105 of the channel. The channel list management unit 104 manages information that associates key inputs such as a numeric keypad equipped with the remote controller 200 with receivable broadcast channels, and selects from the key information input by the user using the remote controller 200. Channel information necessary for the station is transmitted to the tuning control unit 102.

  When the received channel is a contracted channel, the external device control unit 105 sends the received channel data to the video / audio output unit 108 as it is. If the received channel is an uncontracted channel, it is confirmed whether the external connection device 400 is connected to the television receiving device 100. When there is no externally connected device 400 connected, a video indicating that it is an uncontracted channel is sent to the video / audio output unit 108. If there is an externally connected device 400 connected, the command transmission / reception unit 107 is instructed to the detected externally connected device 400 whether there is a contracted channel in the same channel as the received uncontracted channel. send. When the command transmission / reception unit 107 receives a contracted channel, it notifies the channel list management unit 104 which channel of the externally connected device is allocated to the contracted channel. At the same time, an input switching instruction for receiving a signal from the external device 400 is sent to the input switching control unit 106 in order to receive the found contracted channel.

  The input switching control unit 106 performs input switching for receiving a signal from the external device 400. The command transmission / reception unit 107 receives an instruction from the external connection device control unit 105, transmits / receives a command to / from the external connection device 400 using communication means such as CEC, and returns the result to the external connection device control unit 105. The video / audio output unit 108 decodes and outputs the received video signal and audio signal.

  FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment in which the channel selection operation assignment to the remote control key is changed when it is found as a non-contracted channel in the television receiver 100 and a contracted channel in the external device 400. It is explanatory drawing for doing. When the user selects the channel by inputting the remote control key 1 or 2, the channel selection operation for the remote control key does not change because the channel has already been contracted by the television receiver 100. When the user selects the channel by inputting the remote control key 3 or 4, since the channel is an uncontracted channel in the television receiver 100, the external connection device control unit 105 passes through the command transmission / reception unit 107. The external connection device 400 is inquired about whether or not there is a contracted channel in the same channel. The external device control unit 105 receives from the command transmission / reception unit 107 that a contracted channel has been found, sends a switching instruction to the input switching control unit 106, and has a contracted channel in the channel list management unit 104. Send information about external devices. Receiving this, the channel list management unit 104 changes the channel selection operation for the key input by the user to input switching to the corresponding externally connected device and channel selection operation to the corresponding channel.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when channel selection is performed in the television receiver 100 of the first embodiment. When the user inputs a key with the remote controller 200, the channel selection control unit 102 performs channel selection (step S100). The channel selection control unit 102 determines whether the selected channel is a contracted channel (step S101). If the channel is a contracted channel (“Yes” in step S101), the video / audio output unit 108 The selected channel is viewed (step S102). If the selected channel is an uncontracted channel (in the case of “No” in step S101), the external connection device control unit 105 determines whether the external connection device 400 is connected to the television receiver 100 ( If there is no external connection device 400 (step S103) (if “No” in step S103), the video / audio output unit 108 displays an error (step S107). If there is an externally connected device 400 (“Yes” in step S103), communication such as CEC is performed by the command transmission / reception unit 107 to determine whether or not there is a contracted channel in the selected channel to the externally connected device 400. An inquiry is made using the means (step S104). If there is no contracted channel (in the case of “No” in step S104), the externally connected device control unit 105 checks again whether there is any other externally connected device. If there is a contracted channel (in the case of “Yes” in step S104), the input switching control unit 106 is instructed to switch to the external connection device 400, and the command transmission / reception unit 107 is switched to the corresponding channel. An instruction is sent to the external device 400 (step S105). Subsequently, the channel list management unit 104 changes the channel selection operation for the input key as shown in FIG. 2 (step S106).

  As described above, according to the television receiver 100 in the present embodiment, which user of any externally connected device 400 has a contract with any of the externally connected devices 400 even in an uncontracted channel. Channel tune-in can be performed in the same way as other channel tuned channels without being aware of whether the channel is already subscribed, and the burden on the user is reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the television receiver 100 according to the second embodiment makes a channel selection request to an externally connected device. Since the configuration of television receiving apparatus 100 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a channel selection operation to the external connection device 400 is assigned to a certain remote control key and the user inputs the key (step S200), the external connection device control unit 105 is requested. It is determined whether the power supply of the external connection device 400 is ON (step S201). If the power is ON (“Yes” in step S201), the input switching control unit 106 is instructed to switch to the external device 400, and the command transmission / reception unit 107 is instructed to switch to the corresponding channel. Is sent to the external device 400 (step S202). If the power is off (in the case of “No” in step S201), a power-on request for the external connection device 400 is made through the command transmission / reception unit 107 (step S204). Further, the program contents of the channel for which the channel selection request has been made are also displayed (step S205).

  After the external connection device 400 is turned on, the input switching control unit 106 is instructed to switch to the external connection device 400 and the command transmission / reception unit 107 is instructed to switch to the corresponding channel. (Step S202). When the switching to the external device and the channel selection are completed, the selected channel can be viewed on the video / audio output unit 108 (step S203).

  As described above, according to the television receiver 100 of the second embodiment, the user can connect the external connection in the same way as other channel selection without worrying about the power state of the external connection device 400. Channel selection for the device 400 can be performed. In addition, when it takes time to start up the power supply of the external connection device 400, the user's stress can be reduced by displaying the program information of the selected channel.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the user actually changes the channel assignment to the remote control key in the television receiver 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in screen 500, it is assumed that the user can change the channel assignment for remote control numbers 1 to 4. Here, as shown in the screen 501, when the change of the channel assignment for the remote control number 4 is selected, as shown in the screen 502, an externally connected device list is displayed in order to determine from which device the channel is selected. Transition to the screen. According to the screen 502, the user can select a channel of the television receiving device 100 or the three externally connected devices 400. Here, when the DVD recorder 1 is selected as shown on the screen 503, the channel list possessed by the DVD recorder 1 is acquired and displayed as shown on the screen 504. Here, by selecting channel 12 as shown on screen 505, the channel selection operation for remote control number 4 finally changed channel selection channel 3 of the television receiver before the change. After that, the channel 12 of the DVD recorder 1 is selected.

  As described above, according to the television receiver 100 in the present embodiment, not only the channel of the television receiver 100 but also an arbitrary channel including the external device 400 is assigned to an arbitrary remote control number. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a case where the user knows in advance which channel is contracted and wants to assign a different channel to the remote control key.

  According to the present invention, even if a user selects an uncontracted channel in the television receiver, it is possible to automatically select the contracted channel from the external connection device. This is useful for viewing contracted programs in an environment where devices are connected to a network.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Television receiver 101 Remote control reception part 102 Channel selection control part 103 Broadcast reception control part 104 Channel list management part 105 External connection apparatus control part 106 Input switching control part 107 Command transmission / reception part 108 Video / audio output part 200 Remote control 300 Broadcast network 400 External device

Claims (3)

A television receiver for receiving and displaying each broadcast data from a broadcast network,
A remote control receiving unit that assigns each broadcast channel to a remote control key and receives a remote control signal including viewing program information when the remote control key is operated;
A channel selection control unit that selects a corresponding channel received by the remote control reception unit;
A broadcast reception control unit for receiving a channel selected by the channel selection control unit from a broadcast network;
A channel list management unit for managing a channel group assigned to the remote control key;
An input switching control unit that switches signal input from an external device;
A command transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving commands to / from an external device;
An externally connected device control unit that determines the switching of the signal input from the externally connected device and the command instruction content;
A video / audio output unit for outputting the received video signal and audio signal;
When the selected channel is a non-contracted channel in pay broadcasting, the channel selection control unit determines whether the channel selected for the external connection device via the external connection device control unit is a contracted channel. If the contract has been made, the input switching control unit is switched to the signal input from the external connection device, and the video / audio output unit is configured to output the signal input from the external connection device. A television receiver. When the external connection device is in a power OFF state when a channel selection request is received for the external connection device, the external connection device control unit makes a power ON request for the external connection device by the command transmission / reception unit. 2. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein program information, CMs, and the like related to the corresponding channel are displayed until the channel selection is completed. 2. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein the channel list management unit includes means for acquiring channel lists of all externally connected devices and assigning them in advance to remote control keys.

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