JP3285315B2 - Personal computer system with TV tuner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal computer system having a television tuner for displaying image information of a television signal received by a television tuner on a display of the personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 1 having a conventional television tuner. The personal computer system 1 includes a television tuner 2 and a personal computer 4. The TV tuner 2 has an antenna 6
, A tuner body 8, and a remote control operating means 10.
1 and a display 12.

[0003] The antenna 6 is connected to the tuner body 8, receives a television signal “a” sent from, for example, a broadcasting station, and gives the signal to the tuner body 8. The tuner body 8
It has a signal processing means 9 and obtains a video signal p and an audio signal s after performing a channel selection process on a television signal a received by the antenna 6. The tuner body 8 is provided with a video output terminal 14 and an audio output terminal 16, and the computer body 11 is provided with a video input terminal 18 and an audio input terminal 20. A signal p and an audio signal s are provided. The computer main body 11 performs processing such as A / D conversion on the video signal p and the audio signal s, and supplies the processed video signal to the display 12 and also supplies the processed audio signal to a speaker (not shown). The display 12 displays a television image based on the processed video signal, and the speaker emits audio based on the processed audio signal.

The remote control operating means 10 has a key input unit (not shown), and a user can input a channel, volume, and the like by operating the keys. The remote control operation means 10 has a data transmission unit 26, and the tuner body 8 has a data reception unit 28. An infrared operation signal ir representing operation information such as a channel and volume is transmitted from the data transmission unit 26 based on a key operation of the user, and when the operation signal ir is received by the data reception unit 28, the tuner main body Reference numeral 10 changes or adjusts the channel and volume in response to the operation signal ir. The user operates the remote control operating means 1
By operating “0”, a desired television image can be displayed on the display 12.

[0005]

In such a conventional technique, the user operates the remote control operating means 10, for example.
Unless the switching operation is intentionally performed, it is not possible to switch between supplying and stopping supply of current to the signal processing means 9. For example, if the user moves away from the television tuner 2 while supplying current to the signal processing means 9 and operating the signal processing means 9, the signal processing means 9 maintains the operating state. As described above, even when the user is not near the TV tuner 2, the signal processing means 9 of the TV tuner 2 remains operating, and current is wasted. For this reason, it is preferable that the TV tuner 2 has a power saving function.

The personal computer 4 has a power saving function. When the personal computer 4 is not used for a predetermined time, the supply of power to the display 12 is stopped to prevent waste of power. Therefore, in consideration of the entire personal computer system 1, it is preferable that the television tuner 2 also has a power saving function.

In particular, when the power supply of the television tuner 2 is shared with the power supply of the personal computer 4 and the power supply is a power storage area, for example, when the personal computer 4 is of a notebook type, the personal computer system 1 is used. Since the available time is limited, the time required to use the personal computer 4 for calculation processing, which is an original function, is shortened. Also, it is preferable to have a power saving function.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a personal computer system having a television tuner capable of preventing current from being wasted by the television tuner.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a personal computer having a display for displaying image information, and a television tuner for receiving a television signal. The image of the television signal received by the television tuner is provided. In a personal computer system for displaying information on a display of a personal computer, a power supply for the TV tuner and the personal computer is shared, and the TV tuner includes a signal receiving unit for receiving a TV signal; And a detection sensor for detecting whether or not a person is present near the television tuner, wherein the tuner main body supplies and supplies current from the power supply to the tuner main body. Main power switch for switching stop and TV Signal processing means for processing a signal; and supply and supply of current from the power supply to the signal processing means in a state where the signal processing means is interposed between the signal processing means and the main power switch and the main power switch is closed. Power switch means for switching the stop, and switch control means for controlling the operation of the power switch means, in a state where the main power switch is closed, based on a signal from the detection sensor, A personal computer system having a television tuner, wherein when the detection sensor stops detecting the presence of a person, the switch control means opens the power switch means to stop supplying current to the signal processing means. It is. Further, the invention is characterized in that when the detection sensor detects the presence of a person, the switch control means closes the power switch means and supplies a current to the signal processing means.
According to the present invention, in a personal computer system including a TV tuner and a personal computer, a power supply is shared between the TV tuner and the personal computer, the TV tuner includes a tuner main body, and the tuner main body includes a signal receiving section. The television signal received by the means is processed as required by the signal processing means, and image information corresponding to the television signal processed by the tuner body can be displayed on the display of the personal computer. The tuner main body includes a main power switch, power switch means, and switch control means. When the detection sensor stops detecting the presence of a person, the switch control means opens the power switch means with the main power switch closed. When the detection sensor detects the presence of a person, the switch control means closes the power switch means and supplies the current to the signal processing means. Thereby, when the person is not present near the TV tuner, the operation of the signal processing means is stopped, and when the person is present near the TV tuner,
Switching can be performed so that the signal processing means operates without manual operation by a person. Therefore, when the user is not in the vicinity of the TV tuner, the operation of the signal processing means is stopped to stop uselessly without stopping the supply of power to the personal computer, thereby preventing waste of current. Can be.

Further, according to the present invention, the television tuner includes timer means for measuring a time. When the power switch means is closed and the current is supplied to the signal processing means, the detection sensor is provided. When no longer detects the presence of a person, the timer means starts counting the absence time of the person, and when the detection sensor does not continuously detect the presence of a person while the timer means measures a predetermined time, The switch control means opens the power switch means to stop supplying current to the signal processing means. According to the present invention, when the detection sensor does not detect the presence of a person while the current is being supplied to the signal processing unit, the timer unit starts measuring the absence time of the person, and the timer measures the predetermined time. When the detection sensor does not continuously detect the presence of a person, the supply of the current to the signal processing unit is stopped.
Thus, even if the user moves away from the vicinity of the television tuner while the current is being supplied to the signal processing means, the current is supplied to the signal processing means until such a state continues for a predetermined time. Can be maintained. In the case where the user leaves the vicinity of the television tuner for a short time and returns again, for example, when making a telephone call, it is possible to prevent the power switch means from being switched in a complicated manner.

Further, according to the present invention, the television tuner includes:
A mode switching unit for selectively switching between an automatic current supply stop mode in which the operation of the power switch unit is controlled by using a signal from the detection sensor and a normal mode in which a signal from the detection sensor is not substantially used; It is characterized by having. According to the invention, the television tuner comprises:
Since the mode switching means for selectively switching between the automatic current supply stop mode and the normal mode is provided, it is possible to selectively switch to each mode as needed. Therefore, each mode can be used properly according to the user's preference or the situation, and the convenience is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the television tuner includes:
A remote control operation means for remotely controlling the tuner main body is included. According to the present invention, the tuner main body can be remotely controlled by operating the remote control operation means. Therefore, the user:
The tuner main body can be operated even from a place where the tuner main body is not reachable, and the convenience is improved.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the detection sensor is provided in the remote control operating means.
According to the present invention, since the detection sensor is provided in the remote control operation means, it is possible to detect whether or not a person is near the remote control operation means. For convenience, the user often operates the tuner body using the remote control operation means, and is often near the remote control operation means. Can be reliably detected.

Further, in the present invention, the detection sensor is provided on the tuner main body. According to the present invention, since the detection sensor is provided on the tuner main body, it is possible to detect whether or not a person is near the tuner main body. The tuner body is often installed close to a personal computer, and when a user uses a television tuner, the tuner body is near the personal computer. Can be reliably detected.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 28 having a television tuner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The personal computer system (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “PC system”) 28 includes a television tuner 32 and a personal computer (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “PC”) 34.

The TV tuner 32 includes an antenna 36 for receiving a TV signal, a timer means 44, a tuner body 38 for processing the received TV signal, and a remote control operation means 40 for remotely controlling the tuner body 38. ,
And a detection sensor 42 for detecting the user 68. The antenna 36 serving as a signal receiving means is connected to the tuner main body 38, and the detection sensor 42 is connected to the tuner main body 3.
8 are provided integrally. Remote control operation means 40
Is separate from the tuner body 38.

The antenna 36 receives a television signal A transmitted from, for example, a broadcasting station, and supplies it to a tuner body 38. The tuner body 38 processes the television signal A received by the antenna 36 to obtain a video signal P and an audio signal S. The tuner body 38 is provided with a video output terminal 46 and an audio output terminal 48. The video signal P is output via the video output terminal 46, and the audio signal S is output via the audio output terminal 48.

The personal computer 34 is a personal computer main body (hereinafter, may be referred to as a “personal computer main body”) 50.
And a display 52. The personal computer body 50 displays display information based on the input information, with or without processing the input information as required, for example, a calculation process, based on input information provided from input means such as a keyboard (not shown). The image signal D is provided to the display 52, and the display 52
An image is displayed based on the image signal D given from the personal computer 50.

The personal computer 50 has a video input terminal 54
And an audio input terminal 56. The video output terminal 46 and the video input terminal 54 are communicatively connected by, for example, a connection cord, and the audio output terminal 48 and the audio input terminal 56 are communicatively connected by, for example, a connection cord. Video output terminal 4 of tuner body 38
6 and the video signal P output via the audio output terminal 48
The audio signal S is input to the personal computer 50 via the video input terminal 54 and the audio input terminal 56, respectively. The personal computer 50 converts the video signal P and the audio signal S sent from the tuner body 38 into A /
After performing processing such as D conversion, the processed video signal is provided as an image signal D to the display 52, and the processed audio signal is provided to a built-in speaker (not shown). The display 52 displays a television image based on the processed image signal,
That is, while displaying the image information of the television signal,
The speaker emits sound based on the processed sound signal.

The remote control operating means 40 includes a data transmitting unit 6
2 and the tuner body 38 has a data receiving unit 64. The data transmitting section 62 can transmit an infrared operation signal IR as described later, and the data receiving section 64 can receive the operation signal IR. The tuner main body 38 can be remotely controlled by the remote control operation means 40. The detection sensor 42 is
By detecting infrared rays C emitted from a user 68 who is a person, it is detected whether or not the user 68 exists near the detection sensor 42, that is, near the tuner body 38.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the tuner body 38 of the television tuner 32 and the remote control operating means 40. The TV tuner 32 is a super-heterodyne receiving type receiving device, and includes a tuner main body 38.
Comprises a signal processing means 72, a power switch means 74, and a first microcomputer 76 which is a switch control means. The signal processing unit 72 processes the television signal, the power switch unit 74 switches between supplying and stopping the supply of the current to the signal processing unit 72, and the first microcomputer 76 controls the switching operation of the power switch unit 74. The processing operation of the signal processing means 72 is controlled. Further, the tuner body 38 is provided with an antenna terminal 84, the antenna 36 is connected to the antenna terminal 84, and the received television signal A is transmitted to the signal processing unit 72.
Given to.

The signal processing means 72 includes a tuner circuit 78
, An IF amplification detection circuit 80, and a superimposition circuit 82. Antenna 36 to antenna terminal 8
4, a television signal A provided to the signal processing means 72
Is input to the tuner circuit 78. Tuner circuit 78
Is supplied from the first microcomputer 76 with a channel signal CH indicating a channel to be tuned. The tuner circuit 78 tunes the television signal A in accordance with the channel signal CH, converts the frequency, and converts the frequency to the intermediate frequency (integer).
The signal is converted into a signal Aif and input to the IF amplification detection circuit 80.

The IF amplification detection circuit 80 amplifies and detects the intermediate frequency signal Aif to generate a television video signal Pt representing image information, and further generates a sound signal S by discriminating the frequency of the television video signal Pt. IF amplification detection circuit 80
Is supplied with a volume signal VR instructing the volume from the first microcomputer 76, and the audio signal S also includes information on the volume represented by the volume signal VR. The television video signal Pt is supplied to a superimpose circuit 82, and the audio signal S is transmitted through an audio output terminal 48 to the personal computer 50.
Sent to

The superimpose circuit 82 is supplied with an overwrite display signal E representing overwrite information such as characters such as alphabets, numbers and symbols from the first microcomputer 76. Superimpose circuit 8
2 is called an OSD (on screen display) circuit, etc.
The television video signal Pt is converted into a video signal P representing an image obtained by superimposing information represented by the overwrite display signal E by superimposing on a television video represented by the television video signal Pt. The video signal P is sent to the personal computer 50 via the video output terminal 46. As a result, information such as a channel and volume can be overwritten and displayed on the television image with the television image as a background.

The tuner body 38 is provided with a power supply 86 and a main power switch 88. The power supply 86 is used to operate the signal processing means 72, the first microcomputer 76, the data receiving section 64, and the detection sensor 42. It is a current supply source. By closing the main power switch 88, current can be supplied and each can be operated. By opening the main power switch 88, current supply is stopped and each operation is stopped. Can be. The main power switch 88 is opened and closed manually, for example. The power supply 86 may share the power supply of the personal computer 34, for example, a power supply obtained by converting a commercial AC power supply to a DC power, or a power storage location.

The power switch 74 is connected to the signal processor 7.
2 and the main power switch 88, the current from the power source 86 while the main power switch 88 is closed is
This is a unit for supplying or stopping the signal processing unit 72. The power switch 74 is supplied with an open / close signal F for instructing an open / close operation from the first microcomputer 76. The power switch 74 operates to open / close according to the open / close signal F, and supplies and supplies current to the signal processing means 72. Switch the stop.

The detection sensor 42 is connected to the user 6 as described above.
This is a means for detecting the presence or absence of 8 and is realized by, for example, a pyroelectric infrared sensor. This detection sensor 4
A sensor 2 detects infrared rays emitted from the object, and detects a change in the wavelength of the infrared rays due to the temperature of the object.
That is, a change in the wavelength of the infrared ray C emitted from the user 68 is detected, and the detection signal G is supplied to the first microcomputer 76.

The first microcomputer 76 determines the presence or absence of the user 68 based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 42. Further, the first microcomputer 76 provides an open / close signal F to the power switch 74 in response to the presence or absence of the user 68.

The first microcomputer 76 has timer means 44, and the timer means 44 is means for measuring time. This timer means 44 detects the detection sensor 4 based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 44.
4 measures the time t during which the infrared ray C emitted from the user 68 is not continuously detected. The first microcomputer 76 compares the time count t of the timer means 44 with a preset time T, and determines the presence or absence of the user 68 based on the comparison result.

The remote control operation means 40 has a second microcomputer 96, key input means 98, and a data transmission section 62. Second microcomputer 96
Is means for controlling the operation of the data transmission unit 62. The key input unit 98 includes a plurality of input units for inputting operation information such as an opening / closing operation of the power switch unit 74, channel setting, volume adjustment and setting of the set time T, and an instruction to overwrite and display these functional processes. Keys are provided, and operation information can be input by operating these keys. The operation information is given to the second microcomputer 96. Data transmission unit 62
Comprises a light emitting diode 100 and an npn transistor 102. Further, the remote control operating means 40 has a power supply (not shown),
The microcomputer 96, the key input unit 98, and the data transmission unit 62 are operated.

When the key input means 98 is operated by the user 68, a signal K representing the operation information is given to the second microcomputer 96, and the second microcomputer 96 responds to the signal K representing the operation information. The transmitted transmission instruction signal H is provided to the transmission unit 62. The transmission instruction signal H is supplied to the base of the transistor 102, whereby the collector and the emitter of the transistor 102 are turned on in response to the transmission instruction signal H, and a current is supplied to the light emitting diode 100 in response to the transmission instruction signal H. It emits light. When the light emitting diode 100 blinks, infrared rays are emitted intermittently, and the intermittent infrared rays are transmitted as the operation signal IR.

The data receiving section 64 is a means for receiving the operation signal IR transmitted from the data transmitting section 62 of the remote control operating means 40, as described above.
A command signal J corresponding to the first microcomputer 7
Give to 6. Based on the command signal J, the first microcomputer 76 performs signal processing means 72 as described above.
And the operation of the power switch means 74 is controlled. That is, if the command signal J is a signal for instructing the opening and closing operation of the power switch 74, the open / close signal F
4 and a channel signal CH to a tuner circuit 78 if it is a signal for instructing a channel setting, and a volume signal VR if it is a signal for instructing a volume.
0, and if it has a signal instructing an overwrite display of these functional processes, an overwrite display signal E is further applied to the superimpose circuit 82.

As described above, the tuner main body 38 is remotely operated by the remote control operation means 40, and a desired television image received by the television tuner 32 can be displayed on the display 52 of the personal computer 34.

In such a television tuner 32, when the main power switch 88 of the tuner main body 38 is closed, the power switch means 74 is closed and the signal processing means 7 is closed.
When the detection sensor 42 does not detect the presence of the user 68 when the current is supplied to the second microcomputer 2, the timer means 44 of the first microcomputer 76 determines the time when the user 68 is absent. time t from t0,
The first microcomputer 76 compares the measured time t, that is, the absence time of the user 68, with the set time T, and while the timer means 44 measures the set time T, the detection sensor 42
If the user does not continuously detect the presence of the user 68, the power switch 74 is turned off, that is, the power switch 74 is switched to open, and the supply of the current from the power source 86 to the signal processing unit 72 is stopped. I do. When the main power switch 88 of the tuner main body 38 is closed and the power switch 74 is opened and the current supply to the signal processing unit 72 is stopped, the television tuner 32
When the detection sensor 42 detects the presence of the user 68, the first
The microcomputer 76 supplies power to the signal processing means 72 from the power supply 86 by turning on the power switch means 74, that is, switching the power switch means 74 to close.

As described above, when the user 68 is absent, the power supply switch 74 is opened to stop the supply of the current to the signal processing means 72, so that the current can be saved. Furthermore, even if the timer means 44 is provided, even if the detection sensor 42 does not detect the user 68, the power switch means 74 is kept closed until the set time T has elapsed. Switching of the open / close operation can be avoided.

The tuner body 38 is provided with a mode changeover switch 92. This mode switch 9
2, the first microcomputer 76 is switched based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 42.
Thus, it is possible to select between an automatic current supply stop mode in which switching operation of the power switch 74 is switched and a normal mode in which a signal from the detection sensor is not substantially used.

More specifically, when the mode changeover switch 92 is open, the potential of the input port 90 of the first microcomputer 76 is set to the potential given from the power supply 86 via the resistor 94, and the digital logic operation is performed. The high level is maintained, and the normal mode is selected. On the other hand, when the mode changeover switch 92 is closed, the input port 90 of the first microcomputer 76 is grounded via the mode changeover switch 92, and its potential is held at the low level of the digital logic operation. ,
The automatic current supply stop mode is selected. In this way, the two modes can be used properly by the switching operation of the mode switch 92. This mode changeover switch 92 is manually operated.

The detection sensor 42 is connected to the tuner body 38.
It is provided in. The tuner body is often provided close to the personal computer 32, and the user 6
In the case where the television tuner 32 is used, since it is near the personal computer 32, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the user 68 exists.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the first microcomputer 76. The control is started when the main power switch 88 is turned on and the current is supplied from the power supply 86 to the first microcomputer 76. In this state, current is also supplied from the power supply 86 to the data receiving unit 64 and the detection sensor 42. The power switch means 74 may be in either an open state or a closed state.
It may be configured to perform the entering operation in conjunction with the entering operation of 8.

At step a1, it is determined whether a key input has been made. That is, the remote control operation means 40 is operated by the user 68, and the operation information is transmitted to the tuner main body 3.
8 is determined. If it is determined that the key operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step a2. If it is determined that the key operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step a11.

In step a2, the mode switch 9
It is determined whether or not 2 is closed. That is, it is determined whether the automatic current supply stop mode or the normal mode is selected. If the mode switch 92 is closed and it is determined that the automatic current supply stop mode is selected, the process proceeds to step a3 to open and close the power switch 74, which will be described later. If it is determined that the normal mode has been selected by opening, the process returns to step a1 and the detection sensor 4
2 does not perform the opening / closing operation of the power switch 74.

In step a3, it is determined whether the user 68 has been detected. That is, based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 42, it is determined whether the user 68 is near the tuner body 38. The user 68 exists near the tuner body 38 (the user 68
(Including the case where the user 68 has returned to the vicinity of the tuner main body 38), the process proceeds to step a4, and the user 68 is absent near the tuner main body 68. If it is determined that, step a7
Move to

At step a4, the timer means 44 is reset, the time t counted by the timer means 44 is set to 0, and the routine goes to step a5. In step a5, it is determined whether the power switch 74 is closed. When the user 68 is near the tuner body 38, the power switch 74 is closed, and in this case, the process proceeds to step a7. On the other hand, when the user 68 is away from the tuner body 38 and has returned to the vicinity, the power switch means 74 is open, and in this case, the process proceeds to step a6.

In step a6, the power switch 74 is turned on by a signal from the detection sensor 42 that detects a person. That is, the switching operation is performed so that the power switch 74 is closed from the open state. Thus, the signal processing unit 72 is operated by being supplied with current from the power supply 86. When the processing in step a6 is completed, step a
7, the timer means 44 increments, that is, the time since the previous reset of the clock time t is newly acquired as the clock time t, and the process proceeds to step a8.

At step a8, it is determined whether or not the timer means 44 has counted a time longer than the set time T. That is, it is determined whether or not the counted time t has exceeded the set time T (t ≧ T). The set time T is determined by the user 68 as described above.
Is not detected, it is the time until the power switch 74 is opened, and the user 68 can set it arbitrarily. When it is determined that the time t measured by the timer 44 is equal to or longer than the set time T, the process proceeds to step a9. When it is determined that the time t measured by the timer 44 is less than the set time T, the process returns to step a1. .

At step a9, the power switch 74
It is determined whether or not is open. Power switch means 74
When it is determined that is open, the process returns to step a1, and when it is determined that the power switch 74 is closed, the process proceeds to step a10. At step a10, the power switch 74 is turned off. That is, the power switch 74 is switched from the closed state to the open state. As a result, the signal processing means 72
The supply of current from 6 is stopped and the operation is stopped. Upon completion of the process in the step a10, the process returns to the step a1.

At step a11, operation information given as the command signal J is obtained, and the routine goes to step a12. In step a12, it is determined whether or not the operation information given by the command signal J is information on the set time T. If the operation information is the information of the set time T, the process proceeds to step a13. If the operation information is not the information of the set time T, the process proceeds to step a15.

In step a13, the set time T is newly set in accordance with the operation information, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step a14, where an overwrite display signal E for overwriting the newly set time T is sent to the superimpose circuit 82. Give
The newly set time T is superimposed and displayed, and the process proceeds to step a2. In step a15, as described above, in response to the operation information, the open / close signal F, the channel signal CH, the volume signal VR, and the overwrite display signal E
Is output, and each function is processed. When the function processing corresponding to the operation information ends, the process proceeds to step S2.

Such a series of control operations is repeated,
As described above, the television image desired by the user 68 can be displayed on the display 52 of the personal computer 34 to view the television broadcast. When the mode changeover switch 92 is closed and the user 68 moves away from the vicinity of the television tuner 32, the supply of current to the signal processing means 72 can be stopped to save power, and the user 68 When returning to the vicinity of 32, supply of current to the signal processing means 72 can be restarted.

Further, since the power switch 74 is opened and closed based on the judgments in step a5 and step a9, an operation to turn off the power switch 74 is given even though the power switch 74 is open. Thus, it is possible to avoid a useless control operation for instructing an operation to turn on the power switch 74 even though the power switch 74 is closed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 28a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The personal computer system 28a of the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the personal computer system 28 of the above-described embodiment. Only different portions will be described, and portions having the same configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted. In the above-described personal computer system 28, the detection sensor 42
Is provided integrally with the tuner body 38, but in the personal computer system 28a of the present embodiment, the detection sensor 42a
Is the remote controller operating means 4 instead of the tuner body 38a.
0a is provided integrally.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the tuner main body 38a and the remote control operating means 40a of the television tuner 32a. The detection sensor 42a is realized by a pyroelectric infrared sensor similar to the detection sensor of the above-described embodiment, and similarly detects a change in the wavelength of infrared light due to temperature. The change is detected, and the detection signal G is supplied to the second microcomputer 96.

The second microcomputer 96 determines the presence or absence of the user based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 42a. Further, in response to the presence or absence of the user 68, when the user 68 is present, the data transmission unit 62 is controlled to transmit an operation signal IR including a signal indicating that the user 68 is present, and When 68 is absent, the operation signal IR is not transmitted. The first microcomputer 76 outputs the operation signal IR to the data receiving unit 6.
4, and when given as a command signal J, the opening / closing operation of the power switch 74 is controlled in accordance with the presence or absence of the user 68 as in the above-described embodiment.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the operation time of the data transmission unit 62 may be shortened by transmitting the operation signal IR including a signal indicating the absence only when the user is absent. Good.

As described above, since the detection sensor 42a is provided in the remote control operation means 40a, it is possible to detect whether or not the user 68 is near the remote control operation means 40a. Since the user 68 operates the tuner main body 38a using the remote control operation means 40a, the user 68 is often near the remote control operation means 40a, and can detect whether or not the user 68 is present.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the first microcomputer 76 of the tuner body 38a. When the main power switch 86 is turned on, the power supply 8
The control is started from the time when the supply of current to the first microcomputer 76 from 6 starts. In this state, a current is also supplied from the power supply 86 to the data receiving unit 64. The power switch means 74 may be in either an open state or a closed state.
It may be configured to perform the entering operation in conjunction with the entering operation of 8.

At step b1, it is determined whether or not a key input has been made. That is, it is determined whether or not the user 68 has operated the remote control operation means 40a and the operation information has been provided to the tuner body 38a. If it is determined that no key operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step b2,
If it is determined that the key has been operated, step b12
Move to

At step b2, the mode changeover switch 9
It is determined whether or not 2 is closed. That is, it is determined whether the automatic current supply stop mode or the normal mode is selected. If the mode switch 92 is closed and it is determined that the automatic current supply stop mode is selected, the process proceeds to step b3 to open and close the power switch 74, which will be described later. Is opened and it is determined that the normal mode is selected, the process returns to step b1, and the opening / closing operation of the power switch 74 by the detection sensor 42a is not performed.

At step b3, it is determined whether the user 68 has been detected. That is, based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 42a, the operation signal IR is transmitted from the remote control operation means 40a, and it is determined whether or not the received command signal J includes the detection information of the user 68. That is, it is determined whether the user 68 is present near the remote control operation unit 40a. The user 68 operates the remote controller 40
a (the user 68 operates the remote controller 4
0a, and when the user 68
If the user 68 is determined not to be in the vicinity of the tuner body 68, the process proceeds to step b8. .

At step b4, information indicating that the user 68 has been detected is obtained, and the routine proceeds to step b5, where the timer means 44 is reset, the time t counted by the timer means 44 is set to 0, and the procedure goes to step b6. Transition. In step b6, it is determined whether the power switch 74 is closed. When the user 68 is in the vicinity of the remote control operation means 40a, the power switch means 74 is closed, and in this case, the process proceeds to step b8. On the other hand, when the user 68 is away from the remote control operation means 40a and returns to the vicinity, the power switch means 7
4 is open, and in this case, the process proceeds to step b7.

In step b7, the power switch 74 is turned on by a signal from the detection sensor 42a that detects a person. That is, the switching operation is performed so that the power switch 74 is closed from the open state. Thus, the signal processing unit 72 is operated by being supplied with current from the power supply 86. When the process in step b7 ends, the process proceeds to step b8, where the timer means 44 is incremented, that is, the time since the previous time t was reset is newly acquired as the time t, and the process proceeds to step b9.

At step b9, it is determined whether or not the timer means 44 has counted a time longer than the set time T. That is, it is determined whether or not the counted time t has exceeded the set time T (t ≧ T). The set time T is determined by the user 68 as described above.
Is not detected, it is the time until the power switch 74 is opened, and the user 68 can set it arbitrarily. When it is determined that the time t measured by the timer 44 is equal to or longer than the set time T, the process proceeds to step b10. When it is determined that the time t measured by the timer 44 is less than the set time T, the process returns to step b1. .

In step b10, the power switch 7
It is determined whether or not 4 is open. Power switch means 7
When it is determined that the power switch 4 is open, the process returns to step b1, and when it is determined that the power switch 74 is closed, the process proceeds to step b11. Step b11
Then, the power switch 74 is turned off. That is, the power switch 74 is switched from the closed state to the open state. As a result, the supply of the current from the power supply 86 is stopped and the operation of the signal processing unit 72 is stopped. Upon completion of the process in the step b10, the process returns to the step b1.

At Step b12, the operation information given as the command signal J is obtained, and the routine goes to Step b13. At step b13, it is determined whether or not the operation information given by the command signal J is information on the set time T. When the operation information is the information of the set time T, the process proceeds to Step b14, and when the operation information is not the information of the set time T, the process proceeds to Step b16.

In step b14, the set time T is newly set in accordance with the operation information, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step b15, where the overwrite display signal E for overwriting the newly set time T is sent to the superimpose circuit 82. Give
The newly set time T is superimposed and displayed, and the process proceeds to step b2. In step b16, the open / close signal F, the channel signal CH, the volume signal VR, and the overwrite display signal E correspond to the operation information as described above.
Is output, and each function is processed. When the function processing corresponding to these pieces of operation information ends, the process proceeds to step b2.

Such a series of control operations is repeated,
As described above, the television image desired by the user 68 is displayed on the display 52 of the personal computer 34 to view the television broadcast. Also, even if the detection sensor 42a is provided in the remote control operation means 40a, the supply of current to the signal processing means 72 is stopped when the mode changeover switch 92 is closed and the user 68 moves away from the vicinity of the television tuner 32. And save power, and the user 6
When 8 returns to the vicinity of the TV tuner 32,
The supply of the current to the signal processing means 72 can be restarted.

Step b6 and step b10
The power switch 74 is opened / closed based on the judgment of the above. Therefore, even though the power switch 74 is open, it is instructed to turn off the power switch 74 or the power switch 74 is closed. Nevertheless, it is possible to avoid useless control operation for instructing the operation of turning on the power switch 74.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 28b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The personal computer system 28b of this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the personal computer system 28a of the above-described embodiment. Only different portions will be described, and portions having the same configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted.
In the personal computer system 28a of the above-described embodiment, the timer means 44 is built in the tuner body 38a, but in the personal computer system 28b of the present embodiment, the timer means 44b
Is built in the remote control operation means 40b.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the tuner body 38b of the television tuner 32b and the remote control operating means 40b. The timer means 44b is configured similarly to the timer means 44 of the above-described embodiment. This timer means 4
4b is included and configured in the second microcomputer 96. The timer means 44b, similarly to the timer means 44, uses the infrared ray C emitted from the user 68 by the detection sensor 44a based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 44a.
Is not detected continuously. In this connection, the second microcomputer 96 includes the timer means 44
The measured time t of b is compared with a preset time T, and the presence or absence of the user 68 is determined based on the comparison result.

Further, the second microcomputer 96 includes:
In response to the presence or absence of the user 68, the data transmission unit 62 is controlled so as to transmit an operation signal IR for instructing the power switch 74 to open and close. More specifically, the second microcomputer 96 sets a power flag indicating the open / close state of the power switch means 74 to 0,
The closed state is stored as 1. When the power supply flag is 0, that is, when the power supply switch means 74 is open and the current supply to the signal processing means 72 is stopped, the detection of the user 68
Is detected, an operation signal IR including a signal instructing to turn on the power switch means 74 is transmitted by controlling the data transmission unit 62, and the power flag is set to 1. In the second microcomputer 96, when the power flag is 1, that is, when the power switch means 74 is closed and the current is supplied to the signal processing means 72, the detection sensor 42b is connected to the user similarly to the above-described embodiment. If the control signal 68 is not detected continuously for a predetermined time, an operation signal IR including a signal for instructing the power switch 74 to be turned off is transmitted by controlling the data transmission unit 62, and the power flag is set to 0.

As described above, the detection sensor 42a is built in the remote control operating means 40b, and the second microcomputer 9
Even if the device 6 is configured to include the timer means 44b, the power switch means 74 can be opened and closed in response to the presence or absence of the user 68 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Can be. Further, by using the power flag, it is possible to transmit an operation signal IR for instructing the power switch 74 to be turned on even if the power switch 74 is closed, or to operate the power switch 74 when the power switch 74 is open. Nevertheless, it is possible to avoid a useless operation of transmitting an operation signal IR for instructing the power switch 74 to be turned off.

The mode changeover switch 92b is provided on the remote control operating means 40b. Mode switch 92b
Are operated in the same manner as the mode changeover switch 92 of the above-described embodiment, and have the same functions. More specifically, when the mode change switch 92b is open, the input port 90b of the second microcomputer 96 is turned off.
Is a potential supplied from a power supply (not shown) provided in the remote control operation means 40b via the resistor 94b, is held at the high level of the digital logic operation, and the normal mode is selected. On the other hand, when the mode switch 92b is closed, the input port 90b of the second microcomputer 96 is connected to the mode switch 9
Grounded via 2b, the potential is kept at the low level of the digital logic operation, and the automatic current supply stop mode is selected.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation of the second microcomputer 96 of the remote control operating means 40b. The control is started when the main power switch 88 is turned on and the current is supplied from the power supply 86 to the first microcomputer 76. In this state, a current is also supplied from the power supply 86 to the data receiving unit 64. The power switch means 74 may be in either an open state or a closed state, and may be configured to perform an on operation in conjunction with an on operation of the main power switch 88.

At step c1, it is determined whether or not a key input has been made. That is, it is determined whether or not the user 68 operates the key input section 98 of the remote control operation means 40b and the operation information is given to the second microcomputer 96. When it is determined that the key operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step c2, and when it is determined that the key operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step c15.

At step c2, the mode changeover switch 9
It is determined whether or not 2b is closed. That is, it is determined whether the automatic current supply stop mode or the normal mode is selected. Mode switch 92b
Is closed and it is determined that the automatic current supply stop mode is selected, the process proceeds to step c3 to open and close the power switch 74 described later. When it is determined that the mode is selected, the process returns to step c1, and the opening / closing operation of the power switch 74 by the detection sensor 42a is not performed.

In step c3, the mode switch 9
It is determined whether or not 2b has been switched from the open state to the closed state, that is, whether or not the mode switch 92b has just been turned on. If it is not immediately after the mode switch 92b is turned on, the process proceeds to step c5. If it is immediately after the mode switch 92b is turned on, the process proceeds to step c4 and the power set in the second microcomputer 96 is set. The flag is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step c5.

At step c5, it is determined whether the user 68 has been detected. That is, based on the detection signal G from the detection sensor 42a, the user 68
It is determined whether it exists near b. It is determined that the user 68 is present near the remote control operation means 40b (including a case where the user 68 is near the remote control operation means 40b and a case where the user 68 has returned to the vicinity of the remote control operation means 40b). If it is determined that the user 68 is absent near the tuner body 68, the process proceeds to step c10.

At step c6, the timer means 44b is reset, and the time counted by the timer means 44b becomes 0.
And the process moves to step c7. In step c7,
It is determined whether or not the power flag is 1, that is, whether or not the power switch 74 is closed. When the user 68 is in the vicinity of the remote control operation means 40b, the power flag is 1, and the power switch means 74 is closed. In this case, the process proceeds to step c10. on the other hand,
When the user 68 is away from the remote control operating means 40b and returns to the vicinity, the power switch means 74 is open, and in this case, the process proceeds to step c8.

In step c8, an operation signal IR for instructing to turn on the power switch 74 is transmitted by a signal indicating that a person has been detected from the detection sensor 42a. That is, an operation signal IR for giving an instruction to switch the power switch 74 from the open state to the closed state is transmitted.
Thus, the signal processing unit 72 is operated by being supplied with current from the power supply 86. Upon completion of the process in the step c8, the process shifts to a step c9, sets the power flag to 1, and shifts to a step c10. In Step c10,
The timer means 44b increments, that is, the time since the previous time t was reset is newly acquired as the time t, and the process proceeds to step c11.

At step c11, it is determined whether or not the timer means 44b has counted a time longer than the set time T. That is, it is determined whether or not the counted time t has exceeded the set time T (t ≧ T). If the user 68 is not continued as described above, the set time T is a time until the power switch 74 is opened, and the user 64 can arbitrarily set the time. When it is determined that the time t measured by the timer 44b is equal to or longer than the set time T, the process proceeds to step c12. When it is determined that the time t measured by the timer 44b is less than the set time T, the process returns to step c1. .

At step c12, it is determined whether or not the power flag is 0. That is, it is determined whether or not the power switch 74 is open. The power flag is 0,
If it is determined that the power switch 74 is open, the process returns to step c1, and if it is determined that the power flag is 1 and the power switch 74 is closed,
It moves to step c13.

At step c13, the power switch 7
An operation signal IR for instructing to turn off 4 is transmitted. That is, an operation signal IR for giving an instruction to switch the power switch 74 from the closed state to the open state is transmitted. As a result, the supply of the current from the power supply 86 is stopped and the operation of the signal processing unit 72 is stopped. Step c1
Upon completion of the process in Step 3, the process proceeds to Step c14, the power flag is set to 0, and the process returns to Step c1.

At step c15, it is determined whether or not the operation information input by the key is information of the set time T. If the operation information is information on the set time T, step c1
The process moves to step c18, and if the operation information is not the information of the set time T, the process moves to step c18.

At step c16, the set time T is newly set according to the operation information, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step c17, where the overwrite display signal E for overwriting the newly set time T is sent to the superimpose circuit 82. An operation signal IR instructing to give is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step c2. In step c18, as described above, the switching operation signal F, the channel signal CH,
A volume signal VR and an overwrite display signal E are given, and an operation signal IR for instructing to perform each function is transmitted. When the transmission of the operation signal IR instructing the function processing corresponding to the operation information is completed, the process proceeds to step c2. An operation signal I for giving a switching operation signal F
When R is transmitted, the mode changeover switch 92b
Is set to the automatic current supply stop mode,
In response to the switching operation, the power supply flag is newly set to 1 or 0.

A series of such control operations are repeated,
As described above, the television image desired by the user 68 is displayed on the display 52 of the personal computer 34 to view the television broadcast. Even if the detection sensor 42a, the timer means 44b, and the mode changeover switch 92b are provided in the remote control operation means 40b, the mode changeover switch 92 is closed and the user 68
When the user 68 moves away from the vicinity of the television tuner 32, the supply of current to the signal processing means 72 can be stopped to save power. Supply can be resumed.

Further, by using the power supply flag, useless operation can be avoided as described above, based on the determinations in step c7 and step c11. Further, by the operation of step c2, the mode changeover switch 92b uses the power flag only when the automatic current supply stop mode is selected, so that the useless transmission of the operation signal IR can be prevented. Further, by setting the initial condition of the power supply flag when the automatic current supply stop mode is selected to 0, when the mode changeover switch 92b is switched to the automatic current supply stop mode, the user 68 is positioned near the remote control operating means 40b. Since it is present, the power switch 74 can always be closed and the signal processing unit 72 can be operated.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the detection sensor stops detecting the presence of a person, the supply of current to the signal processing means is stopped. Current is supplied to the processing means. by this,
When a person is not near the TV tuner, the operation of the signal processing means can be stopped. When a person is near the TV tuner, the signal processing means can be operated. When not present near the tuner, it is possible to prevent the signal processing means from operating wastefully and wasting current.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the user moves away from the vicinity of the television tuner while the current is being supplied to the signal processing means, the signal processing means is maintained until such a state continues for a predetermined time. Since the state where the current is supplied to the power switch can be maintained, it is possible to prevent the power switch means from being complicatedly switched.

Further, according to the present invention, by switching the mode changeover switch, the automatic current supply stop mode and the normal mode can be selectively used according to the user's preference or situation, and the convenience is improved. .

Further, according to the present invention, by operating the remote control operating means, the user can operate the tuner main body even from a place where the tuner main body cannot be reached, thereby improving the convenience.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether or not there is a person near the remote control operating means. For convenience, the user often operates the tuner main body using the remote control operating means, and is often near the remote control operating means. Can be reliably detected.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether or not there is a person near the tuner body. The tuner main body is often installed close to a personal computer, and when a user uses a television tuner, the tuner main body is located near the personal computer. Can be reliably detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a personal computer system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuner main body 38 and a remote control operation unit 40 of the television tuner 32.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of a first microcomputer 76 of the tuner main body 38.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 28a according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuner main body 38a and a remote control operation unit 40a of the television tuner 32a.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control operation of the first microcomputer 76 of the tuner main body 38a.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 28a according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuner main body 38b of a television tuner 32b and a remote control operation unit 40b.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation of the second microcomputer 96 of the remote control operation means 40b.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a personal computer system 1 according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

28, 28a, 28b Personal computer system 32 Television tuner 34 Personal computer 36 Antenna 38, 38a, 38b Tuner body 40, 40a, 40b Remote control operation means 42, 42a Detection sensor 44, 44b Timer means 50 Personal computer 52 Display 62 Data transmission unit 64 data receiving unit 72 signal processing means 74 power switch means 76 first microcomputer 96 second microcomputer

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H02J 1/00 H04N 5/44 H04N 5/46 H04Q 9/00

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A personal computer having a display for displaying image information, and a television tuner for receiving a television signal, wherein image information of a television signal received by the television tuner is displayed on a display of the personal computer. In the personal computer system, a power source is shared between the TV tuner and the personal computer, the TV tuner includes a signal receiving unit that receives a TV signal, and a tuner that processes the received TV signal as required. A main body and a detection sensor for detecting whether or not a person is present in the vicinity of the television tuner, wherein the tuner main body is a main current switch for switching between supply of current from the power source to the tuner main body and supply stop. And signal processing to process TV signals Means, interposed between the signal processing means and the main power switch,
Power switch means for switching between supplying and stopping supply of current from the power supply to the signal processing means in a state where the main power switch is closed; and switch control means for controlling operation of the power switch means. In the state where the main power switch is closed, based on a signal from the detection sensor, when the detection sensor stops detecting the presence of a person, the switch control means opens the power switch means, A personal computer system comprising a television tuner, wherein supply of current to the signal processing means is stopped. 2. The television tuner according to claim 1, wherein when the detection sensor detects the presence of a person, the switch control means closes the power switch means and supplies a current to the signal processing means. Personal computer system equipped with 3. The television tuner includes timer means for measuring time, and in a state where the power switch means is closed and current is supplied to the signal processing means, the detection sensor detects the presence of a person. When it stops detecting presence,
When the timer means starts measuring the absence time of a person and the detection sensor does not continuously detect the presence of a person while the timer means measures a predetermined time, the switch control means controls the power switch means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply of the current to the signal processing unit is stopped when the signal processing unit is opened.
Or a personal computer system provided with the television tuner according to 2. 4. The television tuner includes an automatic current supply stop mode for controlling operation of the power switch means using a signal from the detection sensor, and a normal mode for substantially not using a signal from the detection sensor. 4. A personal computer system equipped with a television tuner according to claim 1, further comprising a mode switching means for selectively switching. 5. The personal computer system according to claim 1, wherein the television tuner includes remote control operation means for remotely controlling the tuner main body. . 6. The personal computer system having a television tuner according to claim 5, wherein said detection sensor is provided in said remote control operation means. 7. The personal computer system according to claim 5, wherein the detection sensor is provided on the tuner main body.