JP5300287B2 - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television receiver which automatically provide each user with optimal video, sound and menu display without degrading the operability. <P>SOLUTION: The television receiver receiving predetermined information with individual identification information assigned to each user added thereto, which is transmitted from the outside, includes an individual detection means 1 for detecting individual identification information from prescribed information. The television receiver has an identification means 2 for determining whether or not the individual identification information detected by the individual detection means 1 coincides with prescribed individual identification information which is registered in advance, and a control means 4 for controlling switching of contents set for video, sound and menu display of a video-sound circuit 6 on the basis of the result of the identification means 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a television receiver, and more particularly to a television receiver in which predetermined information to which personal identification information is added in advance, for example, content information, is input from the outside.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital broadcasting, the need for digital broadcast recording is increasing. However, television receivers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as televisions) that incorporate both a digital tuner circuit and an internal recording / playback device are being developed. Dissemination is still limited to a part. Among such television receivers, when a user records a digital broadcast on a television having a built-in recording / playback device with a built-in digital tuner, the recording is performed by operating the recording / playback device built into the television.

  On the other hand, there is a television receiver that has a recording / playback apparatus that does not incorporate a digital tuner and a digital tuner circuit, and that has a function of transmitting a digital broadcast signal to an external recording / playback device (for example, a VTR). In such a television receiver, in addition to a reservation function for reserving and executing a desired time and a desired channel (program / time designation), a recording reservation function for controlling the recording of an external recording / playback device according to the desired time and the desired channel is provided. I have it. With this configuration, the television receiver automatically selects the reserved channel when the recording start time comes, and transmits a command such as recording start to the external recording / playback device. The external recording / playback device records the reserved channel signal in the external recording / playback device from the recording start time according to the transmitted command. The digital broadcast recorded in this way is transmitted to the television at the time of reproduction and viewed on the television.

  The contrast, sharpness, and treble of the video vary depending on the environment where the television is installed, for example, the environment such as brightness and breadth (viewing distance), and the content of the received video signal. Therefore, in the conventional television receiver, the user manually switches the image quality and sound quality using a remote controller or the like.

  As an improvement measure, Patent Literature 1 describes a television receiver that includes a sensor that can detect the brightness around the apparatus and that automatically controls the brightness of the screen in accordance with the detection output of the sensor. . In the television receiver described in Patent Document 2, the user sets the output video characteristic (luminance) or the output audio characteristic (volume) in advance in correspondence with the broadcast content genre such as movies, news, and music. Keep it. When the broadcast content is detected, it is automatically switched to output video characteristics (luminance) or output audio characteristics (volume) corresponding to the genre of the broadcast content.

  By the way, in a general television receiver, a broadcast wave is received from a built-in tuner and can be viewed. In addition to this function, for example, a function of allowing an external recording / playback device to view a received program by connecting an external input recorder (external recording / playback device) such as an HDD / DVD is generally installed. In addition, when the user selects from the viewing / playback registration list, it is generally equipped with a function that enables viewing and viewing of programs and content recorded on external recording / playback equipment and recording media such as DVDs. Has been.

  Some of the above-described external recording / playback devices have a function of detecting and recording program genre identification information, such as a television receiver. In addition to this function, an external recording / playback device that has functions for setting user identification information (icon) in the registration list and identifying the registrant relatively easily on the registration list or displaying the registration list for each registrant. There is also. This user identification information (icon) given by the external recording / playback device is used only for displaying a program viewing list and recording / playback list for each user.

  In addition, for example, a television receiver has been proposed in which viewing age restriction is set in order to restrict viewing of a recorded program, and viewing is restricted by inputting a password when viewing the program.

JP-A-11-331726 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-322622

  However, in the television receiver as described above, as a method of automatically switching the output video characteristics (image quality) and output audio characteristics (volume) of the viewer's preference, based on the program genre identification information or the program code. Just switch. Therefore, even for the same genre and the same content, the output video characteristics and output audio characteristics associated with the genre identification information may not be appropriate for the viewer. Therefore, a television receiver that automatically obtains output characteristics (image quality) and output sound (sound quality / volume) suitable for the viewer is desired.

  The external recording / playback device may be used for dubbing from an external playback device connected to the external recording / playback device, for example, a video camera, in addition to recording a digital broadcast or the like. In this case, it is often impossible to automatically switch between output video characteristics and output audio characteristics without recording even genre identification information necessary for the above-described operation. As a result, the output video characteristics and output audio characteristics may have to be set manually by the viewer as before.

  As a measure to improve the above problems, instead of the above-mentioned genre, for example, a general age group such as “Junior” for young people and “Senior” for older people can be set automatically. TVs that automatically switch output video characteristics and output audio characteristics are assumed. However, even in this case, since it is not set for each individual viewer, every time the viewer changes, the setting content corresponding to the viewer must be selected again, which is sufficiently convenient. Absent.

  In addition, when a user desires to use an external audio system without using a television receiver built-in speaker or the like when playing a video source such as music or video, the audio output is output from the television receiver built-in speaker. There was a hassle of manually changing to external audio output.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a television receiver capable of automatically obtaining optimal video, audio, and menu displays for each user without impairing operability. The purpose is to provide a machine.

Television receiver according to the present invention is pre-registered in the external recording reproduction apparatus, the external recording and reproducing transmitted from the device, predetermined information or et personal identification information is added that is assigned to each user, A personal detection means for detecting the personal identification information; And based on the discrimination result by the personal discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the personal identification information detected by the personal detection means is coincident with predetermined personal identification information registered in advance. Control means for switching a predetermined setting content of the image receiving circuit and switching an output destination of an audio signal output from the image receiving circuit to the outside, wherein the predetermined setting content of the image receiving circuit is the image receiving circuit. The setting contents of the video and / or audio of the circuit and the setting contents of the menu display of the receiving circuit are included .

  According to the television receiver of the present invention, when viewing the predetermined information to which the personal identification information transmitted from the outside is added, the predetermined number of the image receiving circuit is determined based on the personal identification information assigned for each user. Change the setting contents, for example, the setting contents of video, audio, and menu display. Therefore, it is possible to automatically obtain video, audio, and menu displays that are optimal for each user.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television receiver according to the present embodiment. Content information is transmitted from the outside to the television receiver according to the present embodiment. This content information is, for example, information such as a program title, and is information registered in advance by an external recording / playback device by each user and recorded by the external recording / playback device. Personal identification information assigned to each user is added to the content information. Thus, in the television receiver according to the present embodiment, content information, which is predetermined information to which personal identification information assigned for each user is added, is transmitted from the external recording / playback device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television receiver according to the present embodiment includes an individual detection means 1, an individual determination means 2, an individual determination memory 3, a control means 4, an individual setting memory 5, A video / audio circuit 6 and display / sound generation means 7 are provided.

  The personal detection means 1 detects at least one personal identification information from the content information. The personal detection means 1 according to the present embodiment has, for example, an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal. The personal detection means 1 has a function of reading content information transmitted from an external recording / playback device connected by an HDMI cable, a function of detecting personal identification information from the read content information, and a personal discrimination of the detected personal identification information. A function of transmitting to the means 2.

  The personal identification means 2 receives the personal identification information transmitted from the personal detection means 1. The personal discrimination means 2 discriminates whether or not the personal identification information detected by the personal detection means 1 is coincident with predetermined personal identification information registered in advance. In the present embodiment, the personal identification means 2 includes a microcomputer, and the personal identification information detected and transmitted by the personal detection means 1 is transmitted to the personal identification memory 3 in advance by the microcomputer. Search and collate with personal identification information. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the personal identification information included in the content information is predetermined personal identification information registered in advance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as registered personal identification information). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that registered personal identification information (“user a” to “user e”) is stored in the personal identification memory 3 in advance for five users a to e.

  The control unit 4 performs control to switch predetermined setting contents of the video / audio circuit 6 that is an image receiving circuit based on the determination result in the individual determination unit 2. In the present embodiment, the predetermined setting contents include the setting contents of the video and audio of the video / audio circuit 6. That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 4 performs control for switching the video / audio setting contents of the video / audio circuit 6 based on the determination result of the individual determination unit 2. The video setting content here is, for example, the setting value of the brightness and image quality (color) of the video to be displayed, and the audio setting content is, for example, the setting value of the volume and sound quality of the sound to be generated.

  In the personal setting memory 5, the user a's favorite video (brightness and image quality) / sound (volume and sound quality) settings are associated in advance as user data 5 a with “user a” of the registered personal identification information. Is remembered. Similarly, the favorite video / audio setting contents of the users b to e are stored in advance as user data 5 b to 5 e in association with “user b” to “user e” of the registered personal identification information.

  In the present embodiment, the control means 4 reads the user data 5 a to 5 e corresponding to the registered personal identification information determined to be the same by the personal determination means 2 from the personal setting memory 5. Then, the video / audio setting content of the video / audio circuit 6 is switched to the video / audio setting content of the read user data 5a to 5e. For example, if the registered personal identification information determined to match by the personal determination means 2 is “user a”, the video / audio circuit 6 includes the video / audio setting content of the video / audio circuit 6.・ Switch the audio settings.

  The video / audio circuit 6 outputs the result of the setting contents switched by the control means 4. In this embodiment, the video / audio circuit 6 outputs a video signal / audio signal based on the set content of the video / audio to the display / sound generation means 7. The display / sound generation means 7 displays / sounds the video / audio based on the video / audio signal from the video / audio circuit 6.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the above-described predetermined setting contents include setting contents for menu display of the video / audio circuit 6. That is, the control unit 4 according to the present embodiment performs control for switching the setting contents of the menu display of the video / audio circuit 6 based on the determination result by the individual determination unit 2. The setting contents of the menu display here are, for example, the size of the menu display, the display font, and display characters (for example, kanji-less). The predetermined setting contents may include setting contents of other additional functions.

  In the personal setting memory 5, as with the above-described user data 5a to 5e, the setting contents of this menu display are stored in advance in association with the registered personal identification information "user a" to "user e". . Based on the registered personal identification information determined to be the same by the personal determination means 2, the control means 4 according to the present embodiment transmits the setting contents of the menu display corresponding to the registered personal identification information from the personal setting memory 5. read out. Then, the setting contents of the menu display of the video / audio circuit 6 are switched to the setting contents of the menu display of the read data. The video / audio circuit 6 outputs a video signal based on the setting contents of the menu display to the display / sound generation means 7. The display / sound generation means 7 displays a menu based on the video signal from the video / audio circuit 6. The present invention is not limited by the connection method between the television receiver and the external recording / playback device.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart simply showing the operation of the television receiver according to the present embodiment configured as described above. First, communication for mutual recognition between the external recording / playback device and the television receiver is performed. Alternatively, a transmission request for a viewing / playback registration list capable of content transmission is made from the television receiver to the external recording / playback device (START). When this communication or transmission request is made, viewing / playback content information is transmitted from the external recording / playback device to the television receiver. This content information is registered in advance by an external recording / playback device by each user and recorded by the external recording / playback device.

  The television receiver receives the transmitted content information by the individual detection means 1. The personal detection means 1 detects at least one personal identification information from the content information (step S1), and transmits the personal identification information to the personal discrimination means 2.

  Next, the individual determination means 2 determines whether or not personal identification information has been acquired in the television receiver as a result of communication between the external recording / playback device and the television receiver (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that the personal identification information could not be acquired, the process returns to step S1, and a transmission request for a viewing / playback registration list capable of content transmission is made from the television receiver to the external recording / playback device. . Note that the operation when it is determined in step S2 that personal identification information could not be acquired is not limited to the operation of returning to step S1. For example, if the personal identification information cannot be acquired once, the process may be immediately ended (END) without returning to step S1, or the result of repeating the detection in step S1 a plurality of times may result in personal identification information. May not be obtained (END).

  If it is determined in step S2 that the personal identification information has been acquired, the personal identification means 2 matches the personal identification information acquired in step S2 with the registered personal identification information registered in the personal identification memory 3 in advance. It is determined whether or not there is (step S3). If the personal identification information acquired in step S2 is not the registered personal identification information stored in the personal identification memory 3, and as a result it is determined that they do not match in step 3, the process is terminated (END). )

  When the personal identification information acquired in step S2 is the registered personal identification information stored in the personal identification memory 3, and as a result, it is determined that they match in step S3, the control means 4 The user data 5a to 5e previously associated with the registered personal identification information matched in S3 and the setting contents of the menu display are read from the personal setting memory 5. Then, the video / audio and menu display setting contents of the video / audio circuit 6 are switched to the read video / audio and menu display setting contents (step S4). The video / audio circuit 6 outputs the video / audio signal based on the setting contents of the video / audio and menu display to the display / sound generation means 7 (step S5), and ends the processing (END). The display / sound generation means 7 displays / sounds video and menu / sound based on the video signal / sound signal from the video / sound circuit 6.

  In the television receiver according to the present embodiment as described above, when viewing content information transmitted from an external recording / playback device, the personal identification information added to the content information is determined. At the time of determination, the video / audio setting content of the video / audio circuit 6 is changed based on the personal identification information assigned to each user. Therefore, it is possible to automatically obtain the video / audio preferred by each user.

  In the television receiver according to the present embodiment, when viewing content information transmitted from an external recording / playback device, the menu of the video / audio circuit 6 is based on the personal identification information assigned to each user. Change the display settings. Therefore, a menu can be displayed for a certain user, for example, with the menu characters enlarged, and for another user, the menu characters are mainly hiragana characters. For example, when the user is a child, the menu characters can be enlarged and a menu for children without kanji can be displayed. Thus, according to the television receiver according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically switch to a menu display specification dedicated to each user, so that it is expected that the operability of the operator of the television receiver is improved.

  Depending on the content of the video and the viewing environment, multiple video / audio with preset values for image quality brightness, color tone, and high / low sound equalization so that the image quality and sound quality can be switched manually with a single touch. A television receiver with a mode has been proposed. A plurality of video / audio modes of the television receiver are preset with names such as a high-bright mode, a standard mode, and a cinema mode, and can be switched manually by one touch.

  Therefore, the user data 5a to 5e according to the present embodiment is not set by the user from the beginning, but these video / audio modes are referred to as personal modes, and image quality / sound quality modes dedicated to each user are prepared. It may be possible to automatically switch to that mode. The video / audio mode described above is adjusted to a value determined at the time of manufacture of the television receiver, but the setting value may be changed by the viewer thereafter.

  Further, when displaying personal identification information on a television receiver so that the personal information identification information can be easily identified, it is desirable that the display is the same as the display of personal identification information on an external recording / playback device. In addition, in common with both external recording / playback devices and television receivers, personal identification information is displayed as a symbol display such as an icon, for example, a child-specific icon, so that the user can more easily discriminate it. it can. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the television receiver according to the present embodiment. The difference from the television receiver according to Embodiment 1 is that a video / audio switching circuit 8 is provided instead of the video / audio circuit 6, an external audio device is connected, and an external recording / playback device The external output flag is added to the personal identification information of the user b. Hereinafter, among the configurations of the television receiver according to the present embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the components not newly described are the same as those of the first embodiment. Suppose that Further, the present invention is not limited by the connection method between the television receiver and the external recording / playback device.

  The video / audio switching circuit 8 is obtained by adding an audio switching function to the video / audio circuit 6 of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the video / audio switching circuit 8 includes a microcomputer (not shown). Here, it is assumed that the personal identification means 2 determines that the personal identification information detected by the personal detection means 1 matches the registered personal identification information. In this case, the microcomputer of the video / audio switching circuit 8 sends the output destination of the audio signal output from the video / audio switching circuit 8 based on the external output flag from the internal display / sound generation means 7 to the external audio device. Control to switch to. Thus, the television receiver according to the present embodiment switches the output destination of the audio signal output from the video / audio switching circuit 8 to the outside based on the determination result of the individual determination means 2.

  As an operation of the television receiver according to the present embodiment, for example, when the content information to which the personal identification information of the user b is added is transmitted in the same procedure as in the first embodiment, the individual detection unit 1 The personal identification information of the user b is detected. In the personal discrimination means 2, it is judged that the personal identification information detected by the personal detection means 1 matches the registered personal identification information “user b”. As a result, the microcomputer of the video / audio switching circuit 8 switches the output destination of the audio signal output from the video / audio switching circuit 8 to the external audio device based on the external output flag.

  Thereby, when reproducing | regenerating music or the image | video accompanying music, audio | voice output can be automatically changed to the external audio | voice apparatus from the display and sound generation means 7, for example, a speaker built in a television receiver.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television receiver according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the television receiver according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television receiver according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1 personal detection means, 2 personal discrimination means, 3 memory for personal discrimination, 4 control means, 5 memory for personal setting, 6 video / audio circuit, 7 display / sound generation means, 8 video / audio switching circuit.

Claims (1)

Registered in advance in an external recording and reproducing device, the transmitted from the external video recording and reproducing apparatus, predetermined information or et personal identification information assigned to each user is added, an individual detection means for detecting the personal identification information When,
Personal identification means for determining whether or not the personal identification information detected by the personal detection means is coincident with predetermined personal identification information registered in advance;
Based on the result of the discrimination at the individual discrimination means, performs control of switching the predetermined settings of the image receiving circuit, Bei example and control means for switching the output destination of the audio signal that the receiving circuit is output to the outside,
The predetermined setting contents of the image receiving circuit include video and / or audio setting contents of the image receiving circuit and menu display setting contents of the image receiving circuit.
Television receiver.

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