JPH10313434A - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow each member sharing broadcasts to effectively view his desired channel by providing an output channel allocated to a member who is discriminated by viewer discriminating means. SOLUTION: When an operator who is a viewer this time selects a personal ID from a personal ID list that is displayed (S44), each channel and its allocated programs are displayed in a list (S50). A viewer selects an allocated program he wants to view this time among allocated programs shown in the list (S52) and allows the channel to be outputted to a television monitor and speaker (S56). A member quickly allows his desired channel to be outputted in selecting a channel by preliminarily registering the channel as an allocated channel. Thus, each member who shares a digital broadcast receiver such as a family makes allows this system to discriminate who he is and efficiently selects his desired channel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver shared by a plurality of individuals such as family members, and more particularly to a digital broadcast receiver in which each member can efficiently select a channel. It concerns the receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional channel selection in a digital broadcast receiver involves displaying a program guide on a screen and allowing a user to select a channel.
A desired channel or program is searched from the program table, and a channel is selected.

[0003]

Since digital broadcasting requires a large number of channels, selecting a desired channel from all programs on all channels is complicated and difficult for children and the like.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide, for example, family members
When sharing one digital broadcast receiver, it is an object of the present invention to enable each sharer to efficiently watch a desired channel.

[0005]

The digital broadcast receiver (20) of the present invention has the following (a) and (b). Digital broadcast receiver shared by multiple co-workers
In (20), (a) a viewer discriminating means for discriminating who the co-member is the current viewer (b) a channel assigned to the co-member discriminated by the viewer discriminating means is set as an output channel Output means

[0006] The digital broadcast receiver (20) is not limited to a satellite broadcast, but also includes a cable broadcast. Further, digital broadcasting is not limited to broadcasting of only television program channels, but includes broadcasting in which television program channels and radio program channels are mixed.

[0007] Thus, each co-owner, such as a family, sharing the digital broadcast receiver (20) can identify himself / herself and can efficiently select a desired channel.

According to the digital broadcast receiver (20) of the present invention, the channel assigned to the sharer is a channel registered in advance as a channel assigned to the sharer.

[0009] The sharer can register the desired channel in advance as an assigned channel, thereby promptly outputting the assigned channel when selecting a channel.

Another digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention (20)
Has the following (c) and (d). (C) When there are a plurality of assigned channels assigned to the sharing member, the plurality of assigned channels assigned to the sharing member determined by the viewer identification means are displayed on the monitor (22) and selected by the sharing member. Assigned channel display means to be assigned (d) Output means using the assigned channel selected by the sharer based on the display of the assigned channel display means as the output channel

Thus, when there are a plurality of assigned channels desired by the sharing member, it is possible to appropriately cope with the problem.

Another digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention (20)
According to this, the display by the assigned channel display means includes the program name of the program related to the assigned channel together with the assigned channel, and is limited to the assigned channel and the program name of the program being broadcast at that time.

In this case, the channel is assigned in association with the program. Even if the co-worker sees the channel and program name assigned to him displayed by the assigned channel display means and selects one of them, if the selected program is not currently being broadcast, he cannot end up watching. Is meaningless. Efficient program selection by narrowing the display of a plurality of assigned channels and program names on the monitor (22) by digital broadcasting to the program being broadcast at that time, that is, by narrowing down to the program that can be viewed at that time. Can be.

Another digital broadcast receiver of the present invention (20)
Further has assigned channel registration means for operating the shared member while viewing the channel being viewed as a channel assigned to him / her.

[0015] The co-member can immediately register as an assigned channel when he / she likes the program during viewing. Also, since the digital broadcast receiver (20) knows the channel being output, this registration can avoid the trouble of the sharer inputting the channels one by one by number or character. Channels can be registered as assigned channels in association with programs.

Another digital broadcast receiver of the present invention (20)
According to the above, the assigned channel assigned to the co-member is the channel that the co-member last viewed.

In the case where the channel watched by the co-worker last time, that is, the channel watched last, is set as the assigned channel, the digital broadcast receiver (20) can recognize the channel by itself, so the co-worker can use the numbers or letters one by one. The trouble of inputting can be avoided. Also, the last channel can be registered as an assigned channel in association with the program.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 shows a digital broadcast receiving system. Digital broadcast transmission signals include radio waves or electric signals from artificial satellites (not shown) and cable broadcasting stations, and the parabola antenna 10 and cable.
The signal is input to the digital broadcast receiver 20 of each home 14 or the like via the 12, the received signal is processed in the digital broadcast receiver 20, and is supplied to the television monitor 22.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are an upper partial view and a lower partial view, respectively, showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver 20 divided vertically above and below a bus. The tuner module 26 selects the frequency of the received digital broadcast transmission signal and outputs it to the channel receiver 28. Channel receiver 28
Are QPSK (QAM) demodulation, analog / digital conversion (ADC) and FEC (Forward Error Correction).
n) A digital data demodulation circuit that performs error correction and the like, and generates a data stream in a format called a transport stream. The MPEG2 transport demultiplexer 32 converts the input transport stream into an MPE.
Video transport packet of G2, Audio
Transport packets and PSI (Program Speci
fic Information) and reconstructs it. Programs of 4 to 8 channels are multiplexed in one transport stream, and a plurality of transport streams are transmitted from a broadcasting company. To select a channel, press P
Data such as which transport stream is used to transmit an arbitrary channel and which packet ID is multiplexed in the transport stream are selected from the SI. MPEG2 decoder & OSD
(OnScreenDisplay) 34 is an MPEG2 video stream,
Decodes MPEG2 audio streams, and converts video and audio signals to video encoders.
36 and output to the DAC 38. The OSD 34 converts EPG character data and the like into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the video encoder 36. A video signal such as an NTSC signal is output from the video encoder 36, and the video is reproduced (output) on the television monitor 22.
Is done.

Each channel or program can be reproduced (output) by subscribing to it, and the information is sent to the IC card interface 44 by sending data (EMM or ECM) in the transport stream to the IC card interface 44.
The card interface 44 sends predetermined data to the transport descrambler 30 in light of the data read from the IC card, and the video and audio can be decoded by the transport descrambler 30 if the conditions are met. The CPU 40 is for controlling each component device of the digital broadcast receiver 20. User interface
Reference numeral 42 is for selecting and operating a channel from the EPG screen, to which a remote controller and a keyboard are connected. The modem 46 transfers the history data of the use of the pay program to the broadcaster.

In digital broadcasting, a program of 100 channels or more is used by utilizing the image compression technology of MPEG2.
It has the advantage of broadcasting over a wide area. In this case, by increasing the number of channels, it is possible to search for a program on the same day, the next day, one week later, etc. from a program table on a print medium such as a newspaper or a magazine, and make a channel selection or recording reservation.
This can be very complicated for many users. Therefore, as a countermeasure, data necessary for creating a program guide, such as program information, is also multiplexed on an MPEG2 transport stream and broadcast so that a user can search and select a program on a TV screen. EPG (E
electronic Program Guide).

The data necessary to construct the EPG is MPEG2
It is transmitted by the data structure specified by System, and consists of tables and descriptors. The SDT (Ser
viceDescription Table), EIT (Event Information Ta
ble) (Note that SDT and EIT are not general terms used in digital broadcasting, but are used in PerfecTV!
This is a specific term. ), The data of the additional information relating to the channel and the additional information relating to the program are extracted by the MPEG2 transport demultiplexer 32 and processed by a microcomputer or the like to form an EPG (the data structure of SDT and EIT will be described later). The EPG is displayed on the TV screen, the display of the receiver main body, or the display of the remote controller. To display on a TV screen, an IC having an OSD (On Screen Display) function is required.
It is built into the audio / video decoder of the PEG2 decoder 34. Here, the decoded MPEG2 video is overlaid and output.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an output channel switching routine. In the output channel switching routine, a channel is associated with the individual program (hereinafter, referred to as a “program association allocation method”). (Hereinafter, referred to as a “channel-only allocation scheme”). In the “single channel assignment method”, the output channel is switched to the assigned channel corresponding to each co-worker regardless of the program, so that the flow is simplified.

In the output channel switching routine, when the power of the digital broadcast receiver 20 is turned on, a viewer changes from, for example, a parent to a child during operation of the digital broadcast receiver 20, and a new viewer selects an output channel. It is executed when instructed. In S40, registration of a personal ID for identifying the sharing member (registration of the personal ID is described later with reference to FIG.
Will be described in detail. ) Is determined, and if YES, the process proceeds to S42, and if NO, the process proceeds to S42.
Go to 70 (FIG. 4). For example, in the case of a family, it is a father, a mother, a son, and the like. In S42, the personal ID list is displayed on the television monitor 22. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the personal ID list displayed in S42 of FIG. "Dad", "Mother", and "Taro-kun" in FIG.
D. In order for the young Taro himself to select a channel, this personal ID list contains the IDs of all co-owners
However, they are written in hiragana without using kanji. In S44, it is determined whether or not the operator as the current viewer has selected the personal ID of the operator, and the process proceeds to S46 as soon as the determination is YES.

In S46, the personal ID selected in S44
Is checked, and if the number of allocated channels = 1, the process proceeds to S48, and if the number of allocated channels> 1, the process proceeds to S50. The assignment channel will be described later with reference to FIG. In S48, it is checked whether or not the program assigned to the assigned channel is currently being broadcast. If the program is being broadcast, the process proceeds to S56, and if not, the process proceeds to S50. In this example, the program association allocation method is used, so S48 is performed. However, in the channel-only allocation method, S48 is skipped and S5 is immediately executed.
Proceed to 6. In S50, each assigned channel and its assigned program are displayed in a list. FIG. 3 is a list display of each assigned channel and its assigned program. In this list display, Taro-kun is selected as the personal ID. In FIG. 3, all of the programs assigned to Taro-kun are displayed in a list, but only the television program being broadcast at that time may be selected and displayed in a list. In that case, S54 to be described later is omitted. Thus, the process can immediately proceed from S52 to S56.

In S52, it is determined whether or not the viewer has selected the assigned program to be viewed this time from among the assigned programs displayed in the list in S50.
Proceed to 54, and if NO, proceed to S58. In S54, it is determined whether or not the assigned channel selected by the operator is currently being broadcast. If YES, the process proceeds to S56, and if NO, the process returns to S52. In the single channel assignment method, S54 can be skipped and the process can immediately proceed to S56. In S56, the corresponding assigned channel is output to the television monitor 22 and a speaker (not shown). In S58, it is determined whether or not the sharer has instructed the output of a channel other than the channels listed in S50, that is, other channels. If YES, the process proceeds to S60, and if NO, the process returns to S52. . S6
At 0, the other channel designated by the operator is switched to the output channel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a personal ID registration routine. In the personal ID registration routine, the operator
This is performed when the D registration key is turned on. In S70, a personal ID registration screen is displayed. In S72, it is determined whether or not the operator has input a personal ID. If YES, the process proceeds to S74, and if NO, the process proceeds to S76. The personal ID is registered with characters that can be distinguished from other co-owners, such as their own names and nicknames. In S74, the character input by the operator in S72 is registered as a personal ID. In S76, it is determined whether or not the operator has turned on the cancel key for personal ID registration. If YES, the routine ends. If NO, the process returns to S72.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the assigned channel registration routine. The assigned channel registration routine is executed when the operator turns on the assigned channel registration key. In S80, an assigned channel registration screen is displayed. On the assigned channel registration screen, the sharer selects which type of assigned channel registration is desired. In the example, since the channel is a program association assignment method assigned channel, the types of registration include (a) registering the currently viewed channel and its TV program, (b) registering the channel and TV program by character input, (C) registering the last channel (= the last channel watched by the sharing member) and its television program, and (d) canceling the total of four programs. In the single channel assignment method, only the channel is registered. In S82, it is determined whether or not the operator has selected (a). If YES, the process proceeds to S90, and if NO, the process proceeds to S84. In S84, it is determined whether or not the operator has selected (b), that is, whether or not the channel and the TV program have been input as characters. If YES, the process proceeds to S90, and if NO, the process proceeds to S86. In S86, it is determined whether or not the operator has selected (c). If YES, the process proceeds to S90, and if NO, the process proceeds to S88. S8
At 8, it is determined whether the operator has selected (d),
If YES, terminate this routine; if NO, terminate
It returns to S82. In S90, the channel and the television program are registered and stored together with other related data (broadcast day, broadcast start / end time). The data related to the channel and the television program is, for example, a satellite broadcast of PerfectTV! Then, EIT (Event Information T
able) can be extracted from the data. In the case of (a) and (b), the registration and memory of the channel, the television program, and other related data are to promptly extract the related EIT,
In the case of (c), while the digital broadcast receiver 20 is on, the channel and the television program currently being output and related data are constantly obtained and updated, stored in a predetermined memory, and received by the digital broadcast receiver. After the device 20 is turned off, the channel and the television program of the predetermined memory and the related data are registered and recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an output channel switching routine.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a personal ID list displayed in S42 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a list display diagram of each assigned channel and its assigned program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a personal ID registration routine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an assigned channel registration routine.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 7 is an upper partial view showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver divided vertically above and below a bus.

FIG. 8 is a lower partial view showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver, which is divided into upper and lower parts with a bus as a boundary.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 Digital broadcast receiver 22 TV monitor (monitor)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A digital broadcast receiver (20) shared by a plurality of co-workers, (a) viewer discrimination means for discriminating who the current viewer is a co-worker, and (b) A digital broadcast receiver, comprising: output means for setting a channel assigned to the sharing member determined by the viewer determination means as an output channel. 2. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the channel assigned to the sharing member is a channel registered in advance as a channel assigned to the sharing member. (C) When there are a plurality of assigned channels assigned to the sharing member, the plurality of assigned channels assigned to the sharing member determined by the viewer identification means are displayed on the monitor (22). Channel display means to be displayed and selected by the sharer, and (d) the output means for setting the assigned channel selected by the sharer based on the display of the allocated channel display means as an output channel. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The display by the assigned channel display means includes an assigned channel and a program name of a program related to the assigned channel, and a display limited to the assigned channel and the program name of the program being broadcast at that time. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 3, wherein 5. A shared member having an assigned channel registering means for operating when registering a currently viewed channel as a channel assigned to the shared member during viewing. 5. The digital broadcast receiver according to any one of 4. 6. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the assigned channel assigned to the sharing member is a channel that the sharing member has last viewed.