WO2009090759A1

WO2009090759A1 - Channel selection device and its control method

Info

Publication number: WO2009090759A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/051131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tetsunari Yamasaki; Masahito Abe; Musalagaru Giribabu; Annamalai Murugavel
Original assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.; Sanyo Bpl Private Limited
Priority date: 2008-01-18
Filing date: 2008-01-18
Publication date: 2009-07-23

Abstract

A channel selection device (10) includes a CPU (16). The CPU (16) repeatedly executes selection processing for selecting a desired one channel out of viewable channels (S21), prioritizes the channels in relation to the execution of the selection processing (S185, S199, S229), and displays a list (L) in which at least part of channel identifiers (TV1, TV2, &mldr;, AV2) for identifying the channels respectively are registered in the order of their priorities (S19).

Description

Specification

CHANNEL SELECTION DEVICE AND ITS CONTROL METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a channel selection device and a control method thereof, and more particularly to a channel selection device and a control method thereof that are applied to, for example, a television receiver and repeatedly execute a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels. About. Background art

In recent years, with the start of satellite broadcasting and the spread of cable TV, the number of channels (TV channels) that can be viewed on television receivers has increased rapidly. The number of AV devices connected to television receivers, such as DV players and game consoles, is increasing, and there are a large number of channels (for example, 100 or more channels) including external input channels (AV channels) assigned to these AV devices. The operation of selecting a desired channel from among the above is not easy for general users. For this reason, technologies that facilitate channel selection by storing specific channels are often applied to television receivers.

As this type of conventional technology, there is a technology (background technology 1) that stores the immediately preceding channel. For example, if an operation to select and select channel 5 is performed in a state where the program of channel 1 is displayed, the displayed program is updated to channel 5 and the immediately preceding “channel 1” is stored. When the “Return” key is pressed while the program of channel 5 is displayed, the displayed program returns to the storage channel, that is, the previous channel 1.

In addition, there is one that stores one or more channels specified by the user (Background Technology 2). The storage channel is displayed in list form according to the list display operation, and the user can select the next channel from the display list. The storage channels in the list are arranged in the order they are stored, for example.

However, in Background Art 1, no special operation is required to store a channel, but only one previous channel is stored.

On the other hand, in Background Art 2, multiple favorite channels can be stored. It is necessary to specify each channel to be used. Also, as the number of storage channels increases, channel selection from the list becomes difficult. Summary of the Invention

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel channel selection device and a control method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a channel selection device and a control method therefor that can easily select a desired channel. '

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. Note that the reference numerals and supplementary explanations in the parentheses indicate the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a channel selection device that repeatedly executes a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels. The channel selection apparatus assigns a plurality of channels in association with execution of the selection process by the channel selection means. Giving means for assigning priority, and squirrel 卜 display for displaying at least a part of a plurality of channel identifiers for identifying a plurality of channels registered in an order according to the priority given by the assigning means Means.

In the first invention, the channel selection device (1 0) includes channel selection means (4 6, S 2 1), grant means (S 1 8 5, S 1 9 9, S 2 2 9) and list display means ( S 1 9). Each time the user performs a power-on operation, a channel switching operation, etc., the channel selection means executes a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels.

In connection with the execution of such selection processing, the assigning means assigns priorities to a plurality of channels. The list display means is a list in which at least a part of a plurality of channel identifiers (TV 1, TV 2,-, AV 2) for identifying a plurality of channels are registered in an order according to the priority assigned by the assigning means ( L: See Fig. 13). This list display process is typically executed in response to a list display operation as in the following sixteenth invention. According to the first aspect, the user can easily select the channel because the priority level relationship between the channels can be known at a glance from the display list. In addition, no special operation for registration is required, and viewing channels are registered in order of priority simply by performing a normal channel selection operation, so the amount of operation does not increase. Furthermore, the number of registered channels may be multiple, and the difficulty of channel selection due to the increase in the number of registered channels can be suppressed by registering in order of priority.

The channel selection device according to the second invention is dependent on the first invention, and the assigning means assigns a higher priority to a channel whose timing selected by the channel selecting means is closer to the current time (S 1 8 5). .

According to the second invention, since the selected channels are registered in the order of selection, for example, the selection operation for going back to the past such as the previous channel, the previous channel,. Selection operation such as jumping to the previous channel becomes easy.

The channel selection device according to the third invention is dependent on the second invention, and is a time measuring means for measuring the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means, and the viewing time measured by the time measuring means. The system further comprises a first exclusion means for excluding channels that are less than the reference time from the grant target.

In the third invention, the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means is timed by the time measuring means (S 1 17, S 1 2 1, S 1 6 3). Channels whose viewing time thus counted is less than the reference time (R C VT) are excluded from granting means by the first excluding means (S 17 1).

According to the third invention, since channels whose viewing time is less than the reference time are not registered, an increase in the number of registered channels due to unnecessary registration of channels that are not of interest can be suppressed. For example, users often make channel selections (scanning) to see programs on each channel, but such channels are never registered.

The channel selection device according to the fourth invention is dependent on the third invention, and further comprises a changing means for changing the reference time based on the time measurement result of the time measuring means.

In the fourth invention, the fluctuating means (S 1 65 to S 1 6 9) is based on the time measurement result of the time measuring means. Then change the reference time.

According to the fourth aspect, by changing the reference time, it becomes possible to cope with differences in user preferences and differences in channel selection. Also, such variation processing is automatically executed based on the viewing time of the most recent channel, so no special operation is required and the amount of operation does not increase.

The channel selection device according to the fifth invention is dependent on the fourth invention, and the changing means ignores the viewing time outside the predetermined range in the time measurement result of the time measuring means (S 16 5).

According to the fifth aspect, the fluctuation frequency of the reference time is suppressed. In addition, by setting an appropriate range, the fluctuation frequency can be controlled.

The channel selection device according to the sixth invention is dependent on the third invention, and further comprises first message display means for displaying the first message when the viewing time counted by the time measuring means reaches the reference time. The granting unit executes the granting process when the registration instruction operation is performed in relation to the display process of the first message displaying unit.

In the sixth invention, when the viewing time measured by the time measuring means reaches the reference time, the first message display means (S 1 75) causes the first message (M 2: see FIG. 1 (A)) force S Is displayed. The granting process of the granting means is executed when a registration instruction operation is performed in relation to this display process.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to avoid unnecessary channel registration by the user making a final decision as to whether or not to register. 'The channel selection device according to the seventh invention is dependent on the first invention and further comprises a viewing amount measuring means for measuring the viewing amount of each of the plurality of channels, and the assigning means is based on a measurement result of the viewing amount measuring means. To execute the grant process.

In the seventh invention, the viewing amount measuring means (S 1 9 5, S 2 25) measures the viewing amount of each of the plurality of channels, and the assigning means assigning process is executed based on this measurement result ( S 1 9 9, S 2 2 9).

In general, a channel with a large amount of viewing is a user's favorite channel. According to the sixth aspect, since the selected channels are registered in the order according to the viewing amount, it is easy to select a favorite channel.

The channel selection device according to the eighth invention is dependent on the seventh invention, and the viewing amount is at the time of viewing. The giving means gives a higher priority to a channel with a longer viewing time (S 1 9 9).

According to the eighth invention, since the registered channel power S is registered in the order according to the viewing time, the viewing target is biased to either the long-time program or the short-time program. However, it becomes easy.

The channel selection device according to the ninth invention is subordinate to the seventh invention, the viewing amount is the number of times of viewing (S 2 25), and the assigning means assigns a higher priority to a channel with a larger number of times of viewing ( S 2 2 9).

According to the ninth aspect, since the selected channels are registered in the order according to the number of times of viewing, it is easy to select a favorite channel particularly when the viewing target is not biased to either the long-time program or the short-time program. Become.

A channel selection device according to the tenth invention is dependent on the seventh or eighth invention, and is a time measuring means for measuring the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selecting means, and is timed by the time measuring means. The apparatus further includes a second excluding unit that excludes a channel whose viewing time is less than the predetermined time from the grant target.

In the 10th invention, the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means is timed by the time measuring means (S 1 17, S 1 2 1, S 1 6 3). Channels whose viewing time thus counted is less than a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) are excluded from the granting means by the second 'exclusion means (S 1 9 3, S 2 2 3). According to the tenth aspect of the invention, for example, such a channel is not registered even if a channel switching operation or a scan display process is executed frequently in order to confirm a program of each channel. It is possible to suppress a decrease in accuracy of the priority given by the means.

The channel selection device according to the first Γ invention is dependent on the seventh or eighth invention, further comprising second message display means for displaying a second message prior to execution of the granting process by the granting means. The means executes a grant process when a registration instruction operation is performed in relation to the display process of the second message display means.

In the first aspect of the invention, prior to the execution of the grant process by the grant means, the second message display means (S 2 0 9, S 2 3 9) is replaced with the second message (M 2: FIG. 14 (B)). reference) Is displayed. The granting process of the granting means is executed when a registration instruction operation is performed in relation to this display process.

According to the first aspect of the invention, unnecessary channel registration can be avoided by the user making a final decision as to whether or not to register.

The channel selection device according to the first invention is dependent on the first invention, and includes a time zone designating means for designating an arbitrary time zone, and a time at which the current time is designated by the time zone designating means by the granting means. It further comprises disabling means for disabling in relation to whether it is included in the belt.

In the first aspect of the invention, when an arbitrary time zone is specified by the time zone specifying means (S 8 9), the disabling means (S 1 3 9) determines whether or not the current time is included in the specified time zone. In connection with the above, the granting process by the granting means is disabled. Therefore, when a certain time zone is specified as the time zone in which the grant process is to be executed, the grant process is executed if the current time is included in this time zone, and the grant process is suspended if it is not included. In addition, if another time zone is specified as the time zone during which the grant process should be paused, the grant process will be paused if the current time is included in this time zone, and the grant process if not included. Is executed.

According to the first and second inventions, it is possible to limit the time zone in which the list is used.

The channel selection device according to the first aspect of the invention is dependent on the first aspect of the invention, and the channel designation means for designating an arbitrary channel, and the channel designated by the channel designation means are excluded from the granting targets of the grant means. And a third exclusion means.

In the first aspect of the invention, when any channel is designated by the channel designation means (S 1 0 5), the third exclusion means (S 1 3 5) excludes the designated channel from the granting means of the grant means. . For this reason, the designated channel is not registered in the list no matter how much it is viewed.

According to the first and third aspects of the invention, by registering a registration-unnecessary channel in advance, registration in the channel list can be avoided.

The channel selection device according to the fourteenth invention is dependent on the first invention and further comprises list storage means for storing a plurality of lists, and the assigning means executes the assigning process for each list. In the 14th invention, a plurality of lists are stored by the list storage means (84), and the assigning process of the assigning means is executed for each list.

According to the 14th invention, a plurality of lists can be used properly. For example, each user can use their own list or switch the usage list according to time of day.

The channel selection device according to the 15th invention is dependent on the 14th invention, the plurality of lists include a list for a specific time zone to which a specific time zone is assigned, and the current time is included in the specific time zone And a list selection means for selecting a list for a specific time period as a registration destination of the channel identifier.

In the fifteenth invention, at least one of the plurality of lists is a list for a specific time zone to which a specific time zone is assigned. The list selection means (S 2 6 1, S 2 6 3) selects the specific time zone list as the channel identifier registration destination when the current time is included in the specific time zone. For example, the use of a list (daytime list) to which the time zone "6; 0 0 to 1 8: 0 0" is assigned starts when the current time is 6: 00, and when it becomes 1 8: 0 0 Stopped.

According to the fifteenth invention, the list can be properly used according to the time zone without any special operation.

The channel selection device according to the 16th invention is dependent on the 1st invention, the list display means starts the list display processing in response to the list display operation (S19), and the channel selection means displays the list. In association with the start of processing, the channel corresponding to the channel identifier at the top of the list is selected (S 17). Therefore, when the user performs a list display operation, the list is displayed and the channel registered at the top is selected (see Figure 13). According to the 16th invention, in response to the list display operation, the channel at the top of the list, that is, the channel with the highest priority is selected. Therefore, the channel switching operation following the list display operation may be unnecessary. The number of operations is expected to be reduced. A channel selection device according to a seventeenth invention is dependent on the first invention, and further comprises a scan display means for scanning and displaying a plurality of channels respectively corresponding to a plurality of channel identifiers registered in the list in response to a scan operation. Prepare.

In the first aspect of the invention, when the user performs a scan operation, a plurality of registered A plurality of channels respectively corresponding to the channel identifiers are scanned and displayed (sequentially displaying the program of each channel) by the scan display means (S 27, S 29). The scan display destination may be the main screen, that is, the entire monitor (see Fig. 15 (A) and Fig. 15 (B)), or the PIP screen, that is, a part of the monitor (Fig. 16 (A) and Fig. 16). (See (B)).

According to the seventeenth aspect, the user can select a channel in which a program desired to be viewed at this time is provided by referring to the scan display. In addition, by narrowing down the scan target to the registered channel, efficient selection can be performed. This is because the program you want to watch is likely to be offered on a high priority channel.

The channel selection device according to the eighteenth invention is dependent on the first invention, and measures time of each of a plurality of channels by measuring means for measuring the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means. Viewing time measuring means for measuring, viewing number measuring means for measuring the number of times each of a plurality of channels is counted, and channel selection means for selecting a channel when the viewing time counted by the measuring means reaches a reference time. The first mode gives higher priority to channels closer to the current time, the second mode gives higher priority to channels with longer viewing time measured by the viewing time measuring means, and viewing count measuring means The channel selection 'means to select one of the third modes that give higher priority to the channels with more viewing times measured by For example, application means executes the addition processing according to the mode selected by the mode selection means.

In the 18th invention, the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means is timed by the time measuring means (S 1 1 7, S 1 2 1, S 1 6 3). Further, the viewing time and the number of times of viewing of each of the plurality of channels are respectively measured by the viewing time measuring means (S 1 9 5) and the viewing time measuring means (S 2 2 5).

The mode selection means (S 6 3, S 6 9, S 7 3, S 75) are the first mode (S 1 4 9), the second mode (S 1 5 3) and the third mode (S 1 5) Select any one of 5), and the granting means executes the granting process according to the mode selected by the mode selecting means. In other words, when the first mode is selected, the assigning means performs a check for a channel whose viewing time counted by the timing means reaches the reference time (RC VT). A higher priority is given to a channel whose selection timing by the channel selection means is closer to the current time (S185). When the second mode is selected, the assigning means assigns a higher priority to a channel having a longer viewing time measured by the viewing time 'measuring means (S 199). When the third mode is selected, the assigning means assigns a higher priority to a channel having a larger number of viewing times measured by the viewing number measuring means (S229).

According to the eighteenth aspect, by selecting a mode suitable for the situation and preference among the first to third modes, an effect of improving the ease of channel selection in various aspects can be expected.

The channel selection device according to the nineteenth invention is dependent on the eighteenth invention and further comprises a changing means for changing the reference time based on the time measurement result of the time measuring means, and the mode selection means selects the first mode. Furthermore, it is further selected whether to use a variable value by a variable means or a fixed value as the reference time.

In the nineteenth invention, the fluctuating means (S165 to S169) fluctuates the reference time based on the time measurement result of the time measuring means. When the first mode is selected, the mode selecting means changes the reference time as the reference time. Select further whether to use a value or a fixed value.

According to the nineteenth aspect, by changing the reference time in the first mode, it becomes possible to cope with differences in preferences and preferences among users regarding channel selection. In addition, since such fluctuation processing is automatically executed based on the viewing time of the most recent channel, no special operation is required and the amount of operation does not increase.

A selection channel management method according to a twentieth invention is a control method of a channel selection device (10) having channel selection means (46, S21) for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels. A granting step (S 185, S 199, S229) for assigning priorities to a plurality of channels in association with execution of the selection process by the channel selection means, and a plurality of channel identifiers (TV1 , TV2,… AV2) is provided with a list display step (S.19) for displaying a list in which at least a part is registered in the order according to the priority assigned by the assignment step. A selection channel management program (66) according to the twenty-first aspect of the invention is a channel selection device (10, S21) having channel selection means (46, S21) for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels. ) And a granting step (S 185, S 1 99) for giving priority to a plurality of channels in connection with execution of selection processing by the channel selection means to the processor of the channel selection device (10). , S229), and a list in which at least some of the multiple channel identifiers (TV1, TV2,…, AV2) that respectively identify multiple channels are registered in order according to the priority given by the granting step The list display step (S 19) to be executed is executed.

A recording medium according to a twenty-second aspect of the invention is a control program for a channel selection device (10) having channel selection means (46, S21) for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels (66) ) Is recorded, and the control program gives priority to a plurality of channels in connection with execution of the selection process by the channel selection means to the processor (16) of the channel selection device (10). At least a part of the assigning step (S 185, S 199, S 229) and the plurality of channel identifiers (TVl, TV2,…, AV2) for identifying the plurality of channels are assigned by the assigning step. The list display step (S 19) for displaying the list registered in the order in accordance with the specified priority is executed.

In each of the twentieth to twenty-second inventions, channel selection is facilitated as in the first invention.

According to the present invention, the user can easily select a desired channel. The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an illustrative view showing a part of a memory map applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1; • FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a structure of RVC mode information applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing a default of RVC mode information applied to the embodiment. Yes;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing an example of operation in the reference time (fixed type) mode of FIG. 1 embodiment;

6 is an illustrative view showing another example of the operation in the reference time (fixed type) mode of FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing another example of the operation in the reference time (fixed type) mode of FIG. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing still another example of the operation in the reference time (fixed type) mode of FIG. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 9 (A) and Fig. 9 (B) are illustrations showing an example of operation in the reference time (variable) mode of Fig. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 10 (A) and FIG. 10 (B) are illustrations showing an example of the operation in the viewing time mode of FIG. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 1 1 (A) and Fig. 1 1 (B) are illustrations showing an example of the operation in the viewing frequency mode of Fig. 1 embodiment;

Figures 1 2 (A) and 1 2 (B) are illustrations showing another example of the operation in the view count mode of the embodiment in Figure 1;

Figure 13 is an illustration showing a display example of RV C squirrel;

Figure 14 (A) is an illustrative view showing an example of message display in the reference time mode;

Fig. 14 (B) is an illustrative diagram showing a display example of the message in the viewing time Z viewing frequency mode;

Fig. 15 (A) and Fig. 15 (Β) are illustrations showing scan display examples on the main screen in chronological order;

Fig. 16 (A) and Fig. 16 (B) are illustrations showing scan display examples on the PIP screen in chronological order;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG.

；; Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the other part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing still another part of the C PU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG.

Fig. 22 is a flow chart showing the other part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing yet another part of the C PU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing the other part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing still another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment in Fig. 1.

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Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing the other part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing still another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment in FIG.

Fig. 31 is a flowchart showing the other part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 3 2 is a diagram showing yet another part of the CPU operation applied to Fig. 1 embodiment;

Figure 33 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment in FIG. ;

Fig. 34 is a flow diagram showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the Fig. 1 embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing yet another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing another part of the CPU operation applied to the embodiment in FIG. Best mode for carrying out the invention

Referring to FIG. 1, a television receiver 10 of this embodiment includes a remote control receiving circuit 12. The remote control receiving circuit 12 receives the control signal transmitted from the remote control 46, and the received control signal is given to the CPU 16 through the interrupt processing circuit 14.

The CPU 16 executes processing corresponding to the given control signal, for example, processing such as channel switching and mode change. When the control signal is a channel switching signal, the CPU 16 has a table (not shown) in which a plurality of channels (TV1, TV2,..., AV1, AV2,. CH selection information is generated based on, and the generated CH selection information is given to tuner 34. '

The tuner 34 extracts the high frequency signal of the TV channel indicated by the given CH selection information from the TV broadcast wave received by the antenna 32. The extracted high frequency signal is converted into an intermediate frequency signal (IF signal) by the IF processing circuit 36, and the converted IF signal is demodulated into a video signal by the video processing circuit 38. Note that the IF signal includes a video IF signal and an audio IF signal, and the latter is demodulated into an audio signal by an audio processing circuit (not shown).

The demodulated video signal is supplied to the display control circuit 40, and the display control circuit 40 drives the monitor 42 with the supplied video signal. As a result, a desired TV channel image is displayed on the monitor screen.

The television receiver 10 further includes an external input circuit 44. The external input circuit 44 has a plurality of external input terminals (two here: not shown), and a dedicated channel (AVI, AV2) is assigned to each external input terminal. For example, DVD The video signal output from the player 50 is input to the external input circuit 44 from the terminal to which channel AV 1 is assigned, and the video signal output from another AV device (not shown) is assigned to channel AV 2 Input to the external input circuit 44 from the terminal. The external input circuit 44 supplies the video signal of the AV channel indicated by the CH selection information supplied from the CPU 16 to the video processing circuit 38. The display control circuit 40 drives the monitor 42 with the given B center image signal, so that the video of the desired AV channel is displayed on the monitor screen. -The television receiver 10 further includes an OSD (On-Screen Display) circuit 30. If the control signal is a signal requesting on-screen display of a character such as a menu (not shown), list (L: see Fig. 13), message (Ml, M2: see Fig. 14), the CPU 16 Command the OSD circuit 30 to generate the video signal. The video signal generated by the OS D circuit 30 is further supplied to the display control circuit 40, and the display control circuit 40 synthesizes the video signal from the SD circuit 30 with the video signal from the IF processing circuit 36 or the external input circuit 44. To do. As a result, a desired character is displayed on the TV channel or AV channel image. '

Programs and data (for example, default mode information: see Fig. 4) for causing the CPU 16 to execute the above processing are stored in the ROM 20, and the ROM 2 to the memory controller when the power is turned on. And transferred to RAM22. The processing result of the CPU 16 is stored in the RAM 22, and the data to be saved among the data stored in the RAM 22 (for example, new mode information: see Fig. 3) is transferred to the flash memory 24 through the memory controller 18 when the power is turned off. Evacuated.

For details, referring to FIG. 2, the program storage area 60 of the RAM 22 is used for on-screen display of characters such as the CH control program area 62, menus, etc., in which the channel control program for switching channels is stored. OSD control ^ program that stores the SD control program area 64, and the RVC control program area 66 that stores the recently viewed channel (RVC) control program for registering recently viewed channels in the list. Including. The data storage area 70 of the RAM 22 is a current viewing channel ID area 72 in which an identifier of a channel that is currently being viewed (hereinafter “current viewing channel”) is stored, and a channel that was viewed immediately before (hereinafter “previous viewing channel”). Channel ID area 74 where the identifier "" is stored, RVC mode information area 76 where RVC mode information (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) is stored, currently selected RVC list (hereinafter "current selection") Current selection list ID area 78 in which the identifier of “list” is stored, viewing time area 80 in which information indicating the viewing time (TL) of each channel is stored, information indicating the number of times of viewing (N) in each channel Including the viewing count area 80 in which is stored, and: the RVC list area 84 in which the VC list is stored.

The viewing time area 80 includes channels 80a, 80b, ..., 80i for channels that can be viewed, that is, TV1, TV2, ..., AV2. The view count area 82 also includes similar areas 82 a, 82 b,..., 82 i. The RVC list area 84 includes available RVC lists, that is, lists 1 to 4, areas 84 a to 84 d, 84 e and 84 ί for day and night lists.

The RVC mode information has a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. Referring to Fig. 3, “Use” or “Do not use” is registered for the RVC function in the first layer, which is the highest layer. When the RVC function is “used”, the “Layer 2”, “List Control Method”, “Registration Confirmation”, “Usage Time Zone”, “Scan Display Destination” and “CH Skip” are further added in the second layer. The item is registered.

Specifically, the usage list is “List 1”, “Day & Night List”, “List 1 & 2”, “List 1 ~ 3” and “List;! ~ 4”. One of the three methods of “reference time”, “viewing time” and “viewing count” is registered as a list control method. “Yes” or “No” is registered for registration confirmation, and the value specified by the user (for example, “9:00 to 18:00”) or “No restriction” is registered for the usage time zone. “Main screen” or “PIP (Picture in Picture) screen” is registered as the scan display destination, and the specified value (for example, “TV3, TV 5”) or “No” is registered as the CH skip.

If the list control method is "reference time", the "fixed" or "variable" Dynamic type "is selected. When the fixed type is selected, a specified value (for example, 15 minutes) can be registered as the reference time (default is 5 minutes, for example).

As shown in Fig. 4, the default RVC mode information is "RVC function-not use",. "Use list = list 1", "list control method = reference time (fixed type: 5 minutes)", "Registration confirmation = Not done", "Usage time zone = Not restricted", "Scan display destination = Main screen", "CH skip = Not done".

The television receiver 10 further includes a timer 28. The CPU 16 measures the viewing time of each channel by the timer 28. The clock signal supplied to the CPU 16 and the evening imager 28 is generated by the clock circuit 26.

The operation of the television receiver 10 configured as described above will be described below. First, an example of operation in the state corresponding to the default shown in Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8, Fig. 13, Fig. 15 (A), and Fig. 15 (B).

Referring to Fig. 5, when the remote control 46 is used to turn on the power, the program copy is transferred from ROM20 or flash memory 24 to RAM22 (see Fig. 2), and CPU 16 selects the initial channel. . “TV1” is stored as a default in the previous viewing channel ID recording area 74 of the RAM 22, and this channel is selected in the initial channel selection. At this point, “TV1” is registered in the current viewing channel ID area 72. Since no RVC function is used, no channel is registered in Listing 1, and timer 28 remains stopped. Each list can register a maximum of 5 channels.

After this (for example, 1 minute later), the channel is switched using the remote control 46 (C C

When 1) is performed, the CPU 16 determines the channel corresponding to this operation (in this case TV

Select 2). In response to this, “TV 1” in the current viewing channel ID area 72 is updated to “T V2”, and “TV1” is registered in the previous viewing channel ID area 72. The current viewing channel is then switched from TV2 to TV3 to TV4 according to the same two channel switching operations (CC2 and C.C3). Along with this, the identifier of the current viewing channel ID area 72 is also updated as TV2 → TV3 → TV4. On the other hand, the identifier of the previous viewing channel ID area 72 is updated as TV1 → TV2 → TV3. When a mode change operation indicating the start of RVC registration is performed while viewing channel TV 4, “RVC function = not used” included in the RVC mode information is updated to “use RVC function”. In response, CPU 16 resets and starts timer 28.

Channel TV 4 continues to be watched, and the value of Eima 28 exceeds the reference time (= 5 minutes). When the value of timer 28 reaches the reference time, C P U 16 registers “TV 4” at the top of list 1 and stops evening timer 28.

After this (for example, 6 minutes after the mode change operation), the next channel switching operation (C C 4) is performed, and the current viewing channel changes from TV 4 to TV 5. The timer 28 is stopped in response to the end of watching TV4, and is reset and swung in response to the start of watching TV5.

Furthermore, the next channel switching operation (C C 5) is performed 1 minute later, and the current viewing channel changes from TV 5 to TV 67. Timer 28 will be stopped before the reference time has elapsed and "TV 5" will not be registered.

The channel TV 67 continues to be watched, and when the value of the evening timer 28 reaches the reference time, “TV 67” is registered at the top of list 1 (first row). The "TV 4" that was previously located on the first tier is moved to the second tier.

Subsequently, a series of channel switching operations (CC6 to CC9) are performed, and the current viewing channel changes as TV67 → TV68-AVl → AV2 → TV27. The timer value does not reach the reference time in each of the TV 68 viewing period and the AV viewing period, and reaches the reference time in each of the AV 2 viewing period and the TV 27 viewing period. Therefore, five minutes after the start of viewing AV 2, “AV2” is registered in the first row of list 1, and the existing TV 67 and TV 4 are moved to the second and third rows, respectively. Five minutes after the start of watching TV 27, “TV27” is registered in the first row of list 1, and the existing AV2 to TV4 are moved to the second to fourth rows, respectively.

The operation following the operation of FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. Referring to Fig. 6, the current viewing channel changes in the following manner in response to a series of channel switching operations (CC1 to CC7): TV10 → TV11 → AV 1- * AV2 → TV 11 → TV25 → TV86 → TV87 . The evening ima value is based on each viewing period of TV10 to AV11 and TV 87 The time is reached and the reference time is not reached in each viewing period of AV 2 to TV86. Therefore, “TV10” is registered in the first row of list 1 five minutes after the start of viewing TV10, and existing TV27 to TV4 are moved to the second to fifth rows, respectively. Also, five minutes after the start of watching TV 11, it is registered in the first stage of "TV 11" force list 1. Existing TV 10 to TV 67 are moved to the second stage to the fifth stage respectively, while at the end The TV4 that was located is deleted. Then, “TV87” is registered in the first row of list 1 after 5 minutes from the start of watching TV87, and existing AV1 to TV27 are moved to the second to fifth rows respectively, but are located at the end. AV 2 is deleted. As can be seen from the above, registration to the list of channel identifiers in the reference time mode is performed by FIFO (First-In First-Out) logic.

The operation following the operation of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. Here, in addition to the channel switching operation (CC) as described above, a list display operation (l i st) and a channel switching operation using a list (CD) are performed. The channel switching operation (CD) using the list is an operation for selecting one of the channel identifiers registered in the list. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a desired channel on the list (L) is selected. This is an operation to move the cursor (Cs 1) pointing to the identifier with the up and down keys. Referring to FIG. 7, initially, “TV 87, AVI, TV 11, TV 10 0, TV 27” is registered in squirrel 1 and the current viewing channel is TV 24. If a list display operation is performed while watching TV24, list 1 is displayed on the monitor screen (L: see Fig. 13), and the current viewing channel is switched to the channel registered at the top of list 1, that is, TV87.

Even in the case of channel switching by such list display operation (L i st), the evening timer 28 is stopped in response to the end of viewing of the TV 24 ′ and reset and started in response to the start of viewing of the TV 87. At the time of the stop, the timer value has not reached the reference time and "TV 24" is not registered.

If the evening time value reaches the reference time while watching channel TV87, the list update process is executed. However, since “TV 87” is already registered in the first row of list 1, the contents of list 1 are not changed. If “TV87” is registered in the second stage, this is moved up to the first stage (described later). Thereafter, when a normal channel switching operation (CC) is performed while the channel TV 87 is being viewed, the current viewing channel is switched to the TV 33, and the timer 28 is reset and switched. Then, when the timer value reaches the reference time during viewing of channel TV33, list update processing is executed, and the first level of list 1 becomes "TV33".

When the list display operation (L i st) is performed again while viewing the channel TV 33, list display processing and channel switching processing to the first channel of the list are executed. However, since the first channel at this time is the same as the current viewing channel, the current viewing channel does not actually change.

Thereafter, when a channel switching operation (CD 1) using the list is performed while the channel TV 33 is being viewed, the current viewing channel is switched to the channel registered in the second row of the list 1, that is, the TV 87. Since the viewing time of channel TV 33 is less than the reference time, the list is not updated.

When the switching operation (CD2) using the list is performed again while watching TV87, the current viewing channel is switched to the channel registered in the third row of list 1, that is, AVI. After that, when the timer value reaches the reference time while viewing the channel A VI, the list update process is executed. However, since “AV1” has already been registered in the 3rd row at this time, it is moved up to the 1st row, and so far “TV33”, which was located in the 1st row, and “ TV87 "moves down to the 2nd and 3rd stages respectively.

The operation following the operation of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, the current viewing channel then changes in the order of TV 24 → TV46 → TV47 → TV48 → TV49 → TV29 in response to a series of channel switching operations (CC 1 to CC5). The first channel TV 24 is not registered because the viewing time does not reach the reference value, and the next channel TV 46 is registered when the evening time value reaches the reference value. 'If a mode change operation indicating the end of RVC registration is performed while watching the next channel TV 47, the CPU 16 updates "RVC function-use" in the RVC mode information to "RVC function = not use". , Evening Imma 28 stops. At this time, the timer value has not reached the reference time, and "TV47" is not registered. After this, the channel List 1 will not be updated throughout each viewing period of TV48, TV49 and TV29.

In the series of operations as described above, if a scan display operation is performed during the period from the start of RVC registration to the end of RVC registration, that is, the RVC function use period, scan display processing based on the current selection list is executed. For example, referring to FIG. 6, when a scan display operation is performed when one minute has passed since the channel switching operation CC 1, the CPU 16 detects that the table 1 at this time, that is, “TV 10, TV27, Execute scan display processing on the main screen (that is, the entire monitor screen) according to “Scan display destination-main screen” of A V2, TV67, TV4 and RVC mode information (Fig. 15 (A), Fig. 15 (B See)).

As a result, the display channel of the main screen is switched as follows: TV10 → TV27 → AV2 → TV67-TV4, for example, every 5 seconds. After one round, the display channel returns to the display channel at the time of the scan display operation, that is, TV 1 1. The scan display process may be repeatedly executed until the scan display stop operation is performed.

If the scan display destination switching operation is performed before the scan display operation, “Scan display destination = main screen” in 1 ¥ Mode 1 intelligence is updated to “Scan display destination = PIP screen”, and the PIP screen In other words, the scan display process for a part of the monitor screen is executed (see Fig. 16 (A) and Fig. 16 (B)).

Next, an example of the operation when the reference time (variable type) is selected as the list control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (A) and 9 (B). In this mode, the reference time varies depending on the viewing time of the previous viewing channel. That is, the CPU 16 calculates a reference time based on the evening time value at the end of viewing and executes list registration processing based on the calculated reference time. The list registration process itself is the same for both fixed and variable types.

In this example, as shown in Fig. 9 (A), the current viewing channel changes from TV 12 → TV23 → AV1 → TV56 → TV 57 → TV58 → TV59 → TV3 → TV9 during the period from power on to power off. The viewing time of each channel is 15 minutes, 3 minutes, 7 minutes, 5 seconds, 5 seconds, 5 seconds, 5 seconds, 1 minute 30 seconds, and 25 minutes. At the end of viewing and ending each channel, each viewing time is set in the variable PC VT, and it is determined whether or not the value of the variable PC VT falls within the range of 1 to 5 minutes. If the discrimination result is YES, that is, lmi n <PCVT <5 min, the value of variable PC VT is set to variable MCVT (MCVT = PCVT), and variable R CVT indicating the reference time is set to 4 times the variable PC VT. The value is set (RCVT = 4XMCVT). Therefore, the three variables PCVT, MCVT, and RCVT change as shown in Fig. 9 (B) at the end of viewing of each channel. The initial value of MCVT and RC VT is the value carried over from the previous time or the default (1 minute, 15 seconds, and 5 minutes each).

When viewing of the first channel TV 12 ends, the viewing time (15 minutes) is set in the variable PCVT. At this time, since 5min is PCVT, neither of the two variables MC VT and RCVT is updated. At the end of watching TV 23 on the next channel, PCVT-3m i n and lmin n PCVT n 5m i n, so MCV T = 3m i n and R C VT = 12m i n.

At the end of viewing the channel AVI, PC VT = 7m i n and 5m i n PC VT, so neither MCVT nor RCVT is updated. At the end of watching TV 56, PCVT = 5 sec and PCVT is lmin, so neither MCVT nor RCVT is updated. The same applies when TV 57 to TV 59 end viewing.

At the end of watching the next channel TV 3, PC VT = lmi n30 sec, and lmi n <PCVT <5m in, so MCVT = lmin 30 sec, RCVT = 6m in. At the end of watching the next channel TV 9, PCVT = 25min, and PCVT is 5m in, so neither MCVT nor RCVT is updated.

Next, an example of operation when viewing time is selected as the list control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B). In this example, as shown in Fig. 10 (A), the current viewing channel changes as TV1-TV2-TV1->TV6->TV9->AV1->TV10-> TV2, and the viewing time of each channel is 5 Minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes, 12 minutes, 1 hour 5 minutes, 2 hours 15 minutes, 44 minutes, 1 hour 16 minutes. When viewing of the first channel TV 1 ends, the viewing time (5 minutes) is set in the variable TV 1 (TVl = 5min). Here, the variables TV 1 to AV 2 correspond to the first to second areas 80 a to 80 i (see FIG. 2) of the viewing time area 80, and “0” is set as an initial value. At this time, since the variable TV1 is the only variable larger than 0, the identifier “TV1” is registered at the top of the list as shown in FIG. 10 (B).

At the end of watching the next channel TV 2, TV2 = 8m in, and TV2> TV 1> 0, so "TV 2" and "TV 1" are registered in the first and second places in the list (in other words, "TV2" is registered at the top of the list, and "TV1" is moved down second). At the end of viewing the next channel TV 1, TV 1 = 3m i n, but the size relationship between TV 1 to AV 2 does not change, so the list is not updated. At the end of the next channel TV 6 watching, TV6-12m i η and TV6> TV2> TV1> 0, so it is registered in the 1st to 3rd in the "TV 6", "TV 2" and "TV1" force lists ( In other words, “TV 6” is registered at the head of the squirrel and “TV2” and “TV1” are moved down to the second and third).

At the end of watching the next channel TV 9, TV9 = 1 h 5min and T.V9> TV6> TV2> TV1> 0, so "TV9", "TV 6", "TV2" and "T VI" are 1 in the list Registered in the 4th to 4th. At the end of the next channel A VI, AV1-2 h 15m in and AV 1> TV 9〉 TV 6〉 TV 2> TV 1〉 0, so "AVI", "TV 9", "TV 6", "TV 2 "and" TV1 "are registered in the 1st to 5th of list IV.

At the end of watching the next channel TV 10, TV 10 = 44 minutes, AVI>TV9>TV10>TV6>TV2> TV 1> 0, but the list can be registered with "5", so the top 5 "AV1", "TV 9", "TV10", "TV 6" and "TV2" are registered in the 1st to 5th in the list. 'At the end of watching TV2 on the next channel, TV2 = 1 h 16m in, AV 1> TV 2> TV 9> T VI 0> Ding ¥ 6> Ding 2> Down ¥ 1> 0, so the top 5 ¥ 1 "," TV 2 "," TV 9 "," TV 10 "and" TV6 "are registered in the 1st to 5th in the list. Next, an example of operation when the number of times of viewing is selected as the list control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 (A), 11 (B), 12 (A), and 12 (B). In this example, as shown in Fig. 11 (A) and Fig. 12 (A), the current viewing channel is TV1—TV3 — TV 1 → TV8 → TV1 → T "V7 → AV2——TV10 → TV3 → TV9 → TV1 → It changes like TV2 → TV8.

Referring to FIG. 11 (A) and FIG. 11 (B), when viewing of the first channel TV 1 is completed, the variable TV 1 is incremented (TV1 = 1). Here, the variables TV 1 to AV 2 correspond to the TV 1 to AV 2 areas 82 a to 82 i (see FIG. 2) in the viewing frequency area 82, and “0” is set as an initial value. At this time, since the variable TV1 is the only variable larger than 0, the identifier “TV 1” is registered at the top of the list as shown in FIG.

The variable TV 3 is incremented when watching the next channel TV 3 ends.

(TV3 = Do At this time, TV3 = TV1> 0, so "TV3" and "TV1" are registered as the first and second in the list.

When watching the next channel TV 1 ends, the variable TV 1 is incremented.

(TVl = 2) o Since TV 1> TV3> 0 at this time, "TV1, and" TV3 "are registered first and second in the list (in other words," TV3 "and" TV 1 "on the list) "Will replace each other).

When the next channel TV 8 is watched, the variable TV 8 is incremented (TV8 = l) o At this time, TV1> TV8 = TV3> 0, so "TV1", "TV8" and "TV3" are listed Registered in the first to third.

Thus, each of the variables TV.1 to AV2 is incremented every time viewing of the corresponding channel is completed. The registration order of channel identifiers is in descending order of corresponding variable values (descending order). However, the incremented timing is in the slow order between variables of the same value.

When viewing of the next channel TV 1 ends, the variable TV 1 should be incremented according to the above principle, but no such increment is performed. This is because even if you increment here, there is no change in the magnitude relationship between variables. By not performing unnecessary increments, the 'variable exceeds the maximum value (viewing The possibility of a counterflow of counting the number of times). Since there is no change in the magnitude relationship between variables, the registered contents of the list also do not change.

When viewing of the next channel TV 7 is finished, the variable TV 7 is incremented (Ding 7 = 1). At this time, Ding ¥ 1> Ding 7 = Ding ¥ 8 = 1 ¹ ¥ 3> 0, so “TV1”, “TV 7”, “TV8” and “TV3” are registered in the first to fourth in the list. When viewing of the next channel AV 2 ends, the variable AV 2 is incremented (A V2 = 1) ₀ At this time, TV1> AV2 = TV7 = TV8 = TV3> 0, so "T VI", "AV2", " TV 7 "," TV8 "and" TV3 "are registered in the 1st to 5th in the list. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, when viewing of channel TV 10 ends, variable TV10 is incremented (TV10 = 1). At this time, TV 1> TV2> TV7> TV3 = TV4> TV6> TV 10 = TV5 = TV8 = TV 9 = AV2> 0, so the top five, namely "TV1", "TV 2", "TV 7", "TV “3” and “TV 4” are registered in the 1st to 5th in the list.

When viewing of the next channel TV 3 ends, the variable TV 3 is incremented (by ¥ 3 = 4). At this time Ding ¥ 1> Lower ¥ 2> Ding ¥ 3 = Ding ¥ 7> Ding ¥ 4> Ding ¥ 6> Ding VI 0 = Ding ¥ 5 = Ding ¥ 8 = Ding ¥ 9 = ¥ 2> 0, so the top 5 Individual "Ding 1", "TV 2", "TV 3", "TV 7" and "TV4" are registered in the first to fifth in the list (in other words, "TV7" and "TV3" swaps each other).

When viewing of the next channel T V 9 is finished, the variable T V 9 is incremented (Ding 9 = 2). At this time Ding ¥ 1> Ding 2> 1: ¥ 3 = Ding ¥ 7> Ding ¥ 4> Ding ¥ 9 = Ding V6> TV 10 = Ding ¥ 5 = Bottom 8 = Eight 2> 0, so the top five "A ¥ 1", "TV 2", "TV 3", "TV7" and "TV4" are registered in the 1st to 5th list (in other words, there is no change in the registered contents of the list) .

When viewing of the next channel TV 1 ends, the variable TV 1 should be incremented ^ The increment is performed because there is no change in the magnitude relationship between the variables even if the increment is performed here. Absent. Therefore, the registered contents of the list will not change. When viewing of the next channel TV 2 ends, the variable Τ V 2 should be incremented, but no such increment is made and instead the variable TV1 is decremented. Even if the variable TV2 is incremented and the variable TV1 is decremented, the registered contents of the list are common. In this way, if the same registration contents as when the relevant variable is incremented are also realized by decrementing another variable, the possibility of overflow can be reduced by decrementing instead of incrementing. . At this time Ding ¥ 2> Ding ¥ 1> Ding ¥ 3 = Ding 7> Ding V4> TV9 = TV6> TV 10 = TV 5 = TV 8 = AV 2> ◦, so the top five, “TV2”, “TVl” , "TV 3", "TV7" and "TV4" are registered in the first to fifth in the list (in other words, "TV2" and "TV '1" are interchanged on the list).

When watching the next channel T V 8 ends, the variable TV 8 is incremented.

(Ding ¥ 8 = 2). At this time Ding ¥ 2> Ding ¥ 1> Ding ¥ 3 = Ding ¥ 7> Bottom 4> Ding ¥ 8 = Ding V9 = TV6> TV 10 = Ding ¥ 5 = Eight ¥ 2> 0 "¥ 2", "TV 1", "TV 3", "TV7" and "TV4" are registered in the first to fifth places in the list (in other words, there is no change in the contents of the list;) .

Note that if the mode change operation updates the "registration confirmation = not" in the RVC mode information to "registration confirmation = yes", the CPU 16 goes through the OSD circuit 30 before the registration process. A message is displayed, and registration processing is executed when a registration instruction operation (for example, pressing the OK key) is performed.

Specifically, during the list control based on the reference time, when the timer value reaches the reference time while viewing the target channel, a message Ml as shown in Fig. 14 (A) is displayed on the monitor screen. Is displayed. On the other hand, the list control power S based on the viewing time or the number of times of viewing is performed after the end of viewing the target channel, that is, at the start of viewing the next channel, as shown in Fig. M2 is displayed on the monitor screen.

The registration process is executed when a registration instruction operation is performed within a specified time (for example, 30 seconds) from the message display. If the cancel operation is performed or no operation is performed after the specified time has elapsed since the message ¾, the registration is cancelled. It is.

The above operations are performed by the CPU 16 in the RVC control main function shown in FIGS. 17 to 25, the timer control task shown in FIG. 26, the list update task shown in FIGS. 27 to 35, and the list automatic task shown in FIG. Realized by processing selected tasks in parallel. That is, these tasks correspond to the RVC control program (66: see Figure 2).

Note that each of the RVC control main task, timer control task, and list update task is activated in response to a power-on operation and terminated in response to a power-off operation. On the other hand, the list automatic selection task is activated and terminated by the RVC control main task.

First, the RVC control main task will be explained. Referring to FIG. 17, CPU 16 first executes an initial process in step S 1. In the initial processing, the default data in ROM 20 and the save data in flash memory 24 are read into RAM 22 and variables are initialized. When the initial processing is completed, the CPU 16 waits for various operation events through the loop processing of steps S3 to S11.

Specifically, first, in step S3, the presence / absence of an RVC mode change operation is determined, in step S5, the presence / absence of a list selection operation is determined, in step S7, the presence / absence of a list display operation is determined, and in step S9 The presence / absence of a channel switching operation is determined, and the presence / absence of a scan display operation is determined in step S11.

If the determination result in step S3 is YES, RVC mode information (76: see Fig. 2) is updated in step S13. The RVC mode information update process will be described later. Thereafter, the process returns to the loop process of steps S3 to S11.

If the decision result in the step S5 is YES, the identifier of the list selected by the remote control 46 is set in a variable “current selection list” (78) in a step S15. Here: Only if “List 1 & 2”, “List 1 1-3” and “List 1-4” are set in the “Use list” of VC mode information (see Figure 3) It is assumed that a list selection operation is accepted. After setting, return to the loop processing of steps S3 to S11.

In the following, the list identifier is simply called a list, and the variable "current selection list" Is simply called the "current selection list" (the same applies to other identifiers and other variables). If the decision result in the step S7 is YES, a command for displaying the first channel of the current selection list is issued in a step S17, and a command for displaying the current selection list is issued in a step S19. In response to these commands, the display program on the monitor screen is updated to the program of the first channel in the list, and the current selection list is displayed on-screen (see Fig. 13). Thereafter, the process returns to the loop process of steps S3 to S11.

If the determination result in step S9 is YES, first, in step S21, the channel after switching to "current viewing channel" (72) is set, and then in step S23, "previous viewing channel" ( 7 4> Set the channel before switching, and then return to the loop processing of steps S3 to S11.

If the determination result of step S 11 is Y E S, it is determined in step S 25 whether or not the “scan display destination” of the RVC mode information (see FIG. 3) is the “main screen”. If YES in step S25, a scan display command to the main screen is issued, thereby executing the scan display on the main screen (see Fig. 15. (A) and Fig. 15. (B)). . If NO in step S25, a scan display command to the PIP screen is issued, thereby executing the scan display on the PIP screen (see Fig. 16 (A) and Fig. 16 (B)). Thereafter, the process returns to the loop processing of steps S3 to S11. The R V C mode information update process in step S 1 3 follows the subroutine shown in FIGS. Note that the mode change operation detected in step S3 is based on a remote control operation using a menu screen (not shown). In addition, the operation information indicating the contents of the mode change operation is held in a built-in register (not shown) of the CPU 16, and the CPU 16 performs the discrimination processing (S 3 9 to S 4 5 in FIGS. 19 to 25). ) Is executed based on this operation information, and the RVC mode information (see Fig. 3) in the RAM 22 is updated according to the determination result.

Referring to Figure 19, in step S 3 1, it is determined whether or not “use RVC function” has been selected. If “NO” is determined here, “use RVC function” is used in step S 3 3. After setting "Not used", return to the upper layer routine. If “YES” in step S 3 1, “use” is set in “RBC function” in step S 3 5, and then the process proceeds to step S 3 7. Referring to FIG. 20, in step S 37, it is determined whether or not “use list” is selected. If “NO” here, the process proceeds to step S 57. If “YES” in the step S 37, it is determined whether or not “1” is selected in a step S 39. If YES at step S '39, set “list 1” to “use list” at step S 47, and then return to the upper layer routine.

If “NO” in the step S 39, it is determined whether or not “day and night” is selected in the step S 41. If YES in step S41, set "use list" to "day and night" in step S49, then start the list automatic selection task in step S50a, and enter the upper layer routine. Return. If NO in step S 4 1, the list automatic selection task is terminated in step S 5 Ob, and then the process proceeds to step S 43.

In step S43, it is determined whether or not “2” has been selected. If YES here, “list 1 & 2” is set in “use list” in step S 51, and then the routine returns to the upper layer routine. To do. If “NO” in the step S 43, it is determined whether or not “3” is selected in a step S 45. If YES in step S45, after setting "List 1 1 3" in "Use list" in Step S53, return to the upper layer routine. If “NO” in step S45, “list 1-4” is set in the “use list” in step S55, and then the routine returns to the upper layer routine.

Referring to FIG. 21, in step S 57, it is determined whether or not “list control method” has been selected. If “NO” here, the process proceeds to step S 77. If YES in step S57, the type of the selected control method is specified through the series of processing in steps S59 to S75, and the result is set to “reference time”.

Specifically, it is determined whether or not “reference time” is selected in step S59, and if “NO” here, the process proceeds to step S71. If YES in step S 59, it is determined in step S 61 whether or not a “fixed” force S has been selected. If NO here, the process proceeds to step S 69. If it is YE S in step S61, set “reference time (fixed type)” to “list control method” in step S63, then move to step S65 to determine whether time is specified or not. To do. If YES in step S65, the specified value is set in "reference time" in step S67, and then the routine returns to the upper layer routine. If NO in step S 65, immediately return to the upper layer routine.

In step S69, "reference time (fixed type)" is set in "list control method", and the process returns to the upper layer routine. In step S 7 1, it is determined whether or not “viewing time” has been selected. If YES here, “viewing time” is set in “list control method” in step S 73, and then the upper layer routine Return to. On the other hand, if “NO” in step S 71, “view count” is set in “list control method” in step S 75, and then the process returns to the upper layer routine.

Referring to FIG. 22, in step S 7 7, it is determined whether or not “registration confirmation” has been selected. If “NO” here, the process proceeds to step S 85. If YES in step S 77, the process advances to step S 79 to determine whether “YES” is selected. If YES in step S79, set "Registration confirmation" to "Yes" in step S81. If NO in step S79, set "Registration confirmation" to "No" in step S83. set. After setting, return to the upper layer routine.

Referring to FIG. 23, in step S 85, it is determined whether or not “usage time zone” has been selected. If “NO” here, the process proceeds to step S 93. If YES in step S85, the process moves to step S87 to determine whether a time zone is specified. If it is YE S in step S87, the specified value is set in "Usage time zone" in step S89, and if NO in step S87, it is not "restricted" in "usage time zone" in step S91. "Is set. After setting, return to the upper layer routine. ·

Referring to FIG. 24, in step S 93, it is determined whether or not “scan display destination” has been selected. If NO, the process proceeds to step S 1 0 1. If YES in step S93, the process moves to step S95 to determine whether or not "main screen" has been selected. If YES in step S 9 5, “Main screen” is set in “Scan display destination” in step S 9 7, and if NO in step S 9 5, “Scan display destination” is set in step S 9 9. Set the “PIP screen”. After setting, return to the upper layer routine.

Referring to Fig. 25, in step S 1 0 1, it is determined whether or not “CH squib” is selected, and if NO here, the process returns to the upper layer routine. If so, go to step S 1 0 3 to determine if a channel has been specified. Separate. If YES in step S103, the specified value is set in "CH skip" in step S105. If NO in step S103, "CH skip" is set to "not skip" in step S107. After setting, return to the upper layer routine. '

Next, the evening light control task will be described. Referring to FIG. 26, CPU 16 first executes an initial process in step S 111. The initial process includes a process of setting “0” to the flag F indicating the viewing state. Here, F == 0 indicates that no channel is being viewed, and F = 1 indicates that any channel is being viewed. Therefore, the flag F changes from “0 → 1” in response to the start of viewing of the initial channel by the power-on operation, and “F” in response to the end of viewing the current channel and the start of viewing the next channel by the channel switching operation. 1 →→ 0 → 1 ”'(period of“ 0 ”is about a fraction of a second, for example), and“ 1 → 0 ”depending on the end of viewing the current channel by turning off the power To change.

When the initial processing is completed, the CPU 16 determines whether or not there is a state change through the loop processing in steps S113 and S115. Specifically, first, in step S 113, it is determined whether or not viewing of any channel is started, and in next step S 115, it is determined whether or not viewing of that channel is ended. If YES in step S 11 3, reset and start the evening light 28 in step S I 17, and then set "1" to flag F in step S119. Then, the process returns to the loop processing of steps S113 and S115. '

If YES in step S115, timer 28 is stopped in step S121, and then "0" is set to flag F in step S123. Then, the process returns to the loop process in steps S113 and S115.

Next, the list update task will be described. Referring to FIG. 27, CPU 16 refers to the RVC mode information (76) in the first step S131, and in the subsequent steps S133 to S155, the list updating process according to the contents of the RVC mode information (see FIG. 3). Execute.

Specifically, it is determined whether or not “Use for RVC function” is set in step S 133. If NO, return to step S 131. In step S 133 If YES, step S 135 determines whether the “current viewing channel” (72) matches any skip channel (that is, the channel set to “CH skip”). If YES, return to step S131.

If “No” is set in “CH Skip”, or if “Current Viewing Channel” does not match any skip channel, it is determined as NO in step S 135 and the process proceeds to step S 137. In step S137, it is determined whether or not the specified value is set in “Usage time zone.” If “No restriction” is set in “Usage time zone”, NO is determined in step S137. Return to step S 131. If YES in step S 137, proceed to step S 139 to determine whether or not the current time is within the specified time zone, and if NO, return to step S 131. STEP If YES at S139, proceed to step S141.

Referring to FIG. 28, in step S141, it is determined whether or not “reference time” is set in “list control method”. If NO, the process proceeds to step S151. If YES in step S141, it is further determined in step S143 whether or not "fixed type" is selected as the reference time type. If YES in step S143, the reference time (specified value) described in the RVC mode information is read in step S145.

If NO in step S143, the process proceeds to step S147 to calculate the reference time (described later). After reading or calculating, the process moves to step S149, and the list is updated based on the reading result or the calculation result (described later).

In step S 151, it is determined whether or not “viewing time” is set in “list control method”. If YES, the list is updated based on the viewing time (described later) in step S153, and if NO, the list is updated (described later) based on the number of views in step S155. After updating, the process returns to step S131.

The reference time calculation process of step S147 follows the subroutine shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 29, CPU 16 determines whether or not F = 0 in the first step S 161, and if NO, returns to the upper layer routine. If Y ES in step S161, the value of timer 28 is obtained in step S163, and the obtained timer value is Set to variable PCVT. In the next step S 165, it is determined whether or not the variable PCVT is within the range of 1 minute or 5 minutes, and if NO, that is, the variable PC VT is less than 1 minute or 5 minutes. If so, return to the upper layer routine.

If YES in step S165, the process moves to step S167 and the variable PCVT is set to the variable MCVT. In step S169, the variable RCVT is set to four times the variable MCVT. Return to.

The list update process based on the reference time in step S149 described above follows the subroutine shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 30, CPU 16 determines in the first step S 171 whether variable PCVT has reached variable RCVT, and if it is NO (ie if PCVT is RCVT). Return to the upper layer routine.

If YES in step S 171, it is determined in step S 173 whether or not “YES” is set in “registration confirmation.” If YES in step S 173, steps S 175 to S 179 are performed. After a series of processes, the process proceeds to step S181. If NO in step S173, the process immediately proceeds to step S181.

In step S175, the message Ml is displayed through the OSD circuit 30 (see FIG. 14A), and then it is determined whether or not registration is instructed in step S177. If a cancel operation (such as pressing the “return key”) by the remote control 46 is performed, or if a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) elapses without any operation, NO is determined in step S177 and the upper layer Return to the routine. If a registration operation (such as pressing the “Enter” key) is performed before the specified time has elapsed, it is determined as YES at step S 1.77, and the message Ml is deleted at step S 179.

In step S181, it is determined whether or not the current viewing channel is already registered in the current selection list. If YES here, the process proceeds to step S183, and the current viewing channel is moved to the top of the list. Move down the channel that is located above the current viewing channel one step at a time. Then, return to the upper layer routine. If NO in step S181, the process moves to step S185, and the current viewing list is registered with the FIFO logic.

Specifically, if no channel has been registered in the current selection list, 聰 Register the channel at the top of the list (first row). If 1 to 4 channels are registered in the current selection list, the registered channel is moved down by one level and the current viewing channel is registered in the first level. If 5 channels are already registered in the current selection list, the channel at the end of the list (5th stage) is deleted, then the remaining registered channels are moved down by 1 stage, and the current viewing channel is registered in the 1st stage. To do. Then return to the upper-level routine.

The list updating process based on the viewing time in step S 15 3 follows the subroutine of FIG. 31 and FIG. First, referring to FIG. 31, 'C P U 16 determines whether F = 0 in the first step S 1 91, and if NO, returns to the upper layer routine. If it is YE S in step S 1 9 1, it is determined in step S 1 9 3 whether or not the evening light value has reached a default value (for example, 1 minute), and if it is NO, the routine returns to the upper layer routine. To do. Therefore, even if frequent channel switching operations or scan display processing is performed, such channels are not registered, so that it is possible to suppress a reduction in the accuracy of the list.

If YES in step S 1 9 3, after setting the evening time value in the viewing time (TL) of the previous viewing channel in step S 1 9 5, TL> 0 in step S 1 9 7 Channels (viewed channels) are selected, and in step S 1 99, the viewed channels are arranged in descending order of TL. However, channels that are viewed later are given priority among channels that share a common TL.

In the following step S 2 0 1, it is determined whether or not the number of viewed channels exceeds “5”. If YES here, step 6 in the viewed channel column is the step S 2 0 3 or less. After deleting in step S 2 0 5, go to step S 2 0 5. If N 0 in step S 2 0 1, the process immediately proceeds to step S 2 0 5.

Referring to FIG. 32, in step S 2 0 5, it is determined whether or not a previous viewing channel has newly appeared in the viewed channel column, and if it is N0, the process returns to the upper layer routine. . If YES in step S 2 0 5, it is determined whether or not “Yes” is set in “Registration confirmation” in step S 2 0 7, and if NO, proceed to step S 2 1 5. .

If YES in step S2 0 7, OSD circuit 30 in step S2 0 9 Message M2 is displayed (see FIG. 14B), and then it is determined in step S211 whether registration has been instructed. If the cancel operation is performed or if the set time (for example, 30_sec) elapses without any operation, NO is determined in step S211 and the process returns to the upper layer routine. If the registration instruction operation is performed before the specified time has elapsed, YES is determined in step S211 and the process proceeds to step S213 to delete the message M2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S215.

In step S215, the viewed channel string created in steps S191 to S203 is registered in the current selection list. As a result, the list update processing based on the viewing time as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is realized. After registration, return to the upper level routine.

The list update process based on the number of views in step S155 is in accordance with the subroutine shown in FIGS. First, referring to FIG. 33, the CPU 16 determines whether or not F = 0 in the first step S221, and if NO, returns to the upper layer routine. If YES in step S221, it is determined in step S223 whether or not the timer value has reached a predetermined value (for example, 1 minute). If NO, the routine returns to the upper layer routine. Therefore, even if frequent channel switching operations or scan display processing is performed, such channels are not registered, so that it is possible to suppress a reduction in the accuracy of the list. This effect is particularly prominent in the viewing count mode than in the viewing time mode described above. ,

If YES in step S223, the number of views (N) is updated (described later) in step S225, then a channel (viewed channel) where N> 0 is selected in step S227, and In step S'229, watched channels are arranged in descending order of N. However, the channels that are viewed later have priority over channels that share N.

In the following step S231, it is determined whether or not the number of viewed channels exceeds "5". If YES here, the 6th or lower channel from the viewed channel column is deleted in step S233. Then, the process proceeds to step S235. If NO in step S231, the process immediately proceeds to step S235.

■ Referring to Figure 34, in step S235, the previously viewed channel is placed in the viewed channel column. It is determined whether or not a new channel has appeared. If NO, the routine returns to the upper layer routine. If YES in step S 2 3 5, it is determined whether or not “YES” is set in “registration confirmation” in step S 2 3 7. If NO here, the process proceeds to step S 2 45.

If YE S in step S 2 3 7, message M 2 is displayed through OSD circuit 30 in step S 2 3 9 (see Fig. 14 (B)), and then registration is instructed in step S 2 4 1 It is determined whether or not it has been done. If a cancel operation is performed or if a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses without any operation, NO is determined in step S 2 41 and the process returns to the upper layer routine. If a registration instruction operation is performed before the specified time has elapsed, step S 2 4 1 is determined as Y E S, and the process proceeds to step S 2 4 3 to delete message M 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S 2 4 5.

In step S 2 4 5, the viewed channel sequence created through steps S 2 2 1 to S 2 3 3 is registered in the current selection list.

The number of views (N) in step S 2 25 is updated according to the subroutine shown in FIG. Referring to Figure 35, CPU 1 6 determines in the first step S 2 5 1 whether the number of views of the previous viewing channel is large for the views of any other viewed channels. If YES, return to the upper layer routine. If NO in step S 2 5 1, move to step S 2 5 3 to determine whether the number of views of the previous viewing channel is different from the number of views of any other viewed channels. Proceed to step S 2 5 9.

If the determination result in step S 2 5 3 is YES, the process moves to step S 2 5 5 to determine whether or not there is a viewed channel whose number of views is more dog than the number of views of the previous viewing channel. If NO here, proceed to step S 2 59.

If the determination result in step S 2 5 5 is Y E S, the number of viewing times of such a visual channel is decremented (N = N−1) in step S 2 5 7, and then the routine returns to the upper layer routine.

In step S 2 59, the viewing count of the previous viewing channel is incremented (N = N + 1), and then the routine returns to the upper layer routine. This is based on the number of views as shown in Fig. 11 (A), Fig. 11 (B), Fig. 12 (A) and Fig. 12 (B). The list update process is realized.

Next, the automatic list selection task will be described. Referring to FIG. 36, CPU 16 determines whether or not the current time is within the daytime zone (eg, 6:00 to 18:00) in step S261, and if YES here, step S263 To set “day list” in “current selection list” (78), and if NO, set “night list” in “current selection list” in step S265. After setting, return to step S261.

As is apparent from the above, in this embodiment, the CPU 16 repeatedly executes a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels that can be viewed (S21), and a plurality of processes related to the execution of the selection process are performed. Is given priority (S 185, S 199, S 229), and at least some of the multiple channel identifiers (T VI,, TV2,. A list (L: see Fig. 13) registered in the order according to the degree is displayed (S19).

According to this embodiment, the user can easily understand the high-low priority relationship between channels from the display list L, and can easily select a channel. In addition, no special operation for registration is required, and viewing channels are registered in order of priority simply by performing a normal channel selection operation, so the amount of operation does not increase. Furthermore, the number of registered channels may be multiple, and the difficulty of channel selection due to the increase in the number of registered channels can be suppressed by registering in order of priority. ,,

The CPU 16 also selects one of the reference time mode (first mode: S 149), the viewing time mode '(second mode: S 153) and the number of viewing times (third mode: S 155). Select according to (S63, S69, S73, S75). In the first mode, the viewing time of the most recently selected channel is timed (S 117, S 121, S 163), and the prioritized time for viewing is counted as the reference time (RCVT). For channels that have reached, higher priority is given to channels whose selection timing by the channel selection means is closer to the current time (S185). Therefore, since the selected channels are registered in the order of selection, for example, the selection operation that goes back to the past, such as the previous channel, the previous channel, ... Selection operation such as jumping to the previous channel becomes easy. In the second mode, the viewing time of each of the plurality of channels is measured (S 1 95), and a higher priority is given to the channel whose measured viewing time is longer (S 1 9 9). Therefore, since the selected channels are registered in the order according to the viewing time, it is easy to select the favorite channel, especially when the viewing target is biased to either the long-time program or the short-time program. .

In the third mode, the number of viewing times of each of the plurality of channels is measured (S 2 25), and a higher priority is given to a channel with a larger number of viewing times (S 2 29). Therefore, since the selected channels are registered in the order according to the number of times of viewing, it is easy to select a favorite channel especially when the viewing target is not biased to either the long-time program or the short-time program.

By making it possible to select any one of the three modes in this way, channels can be given priority in a way that suits the situation and preference. For this reason, improvements in the ease of channel selection can be expected in various situations.

In addition, in the first mode, CPU 16 also counts the viewing time of the most recently selected channel (S 1 1 7, S 1 2 1, S 1 6 3), and the measured viewing time is the reference. Channels that are less than the time (RC VT) are excluded from the granting targets (S 1 7 1). Therefore, since channels whose viewing time is less than the reference time are not registered, an increase in the number of registered channels due to unnecessary registration of channels that are not of interest can be suppressed. For example, users sometimes make channel selections (scanning) to see the programs on each channel, but such channels are never registered. .

Further, C P U 16 changes the reference time based on the above timing result, that is, the viewing time of the most recently selected channel (S 1 65 to S 1 6 9). By changing the reference time in this way, it becomes possible to cope with differences in user preferences and differences in channel selection. In addition, since such fluctuation processing is automatically executed based on the viewing time of the most recent channel, no special operation is required and the amount of operation does not increase.

It is also possible to use a fixed value as the reference time. In this case, the user may specify a fixed value (S65, S67). In addition, using the CH skip function (S 105, S 135), scan display function (S 27, S 29), etc. makes the channel selection operation even easier. It is also possible to use multiple lists (84a to 84f). For example, each user can use their own list or switch the use list according to the time of day. In particular, when the day / night list is selected, the CPU 16 selects the day / night list when the current time is included in the day / night time zone (S261, S263). Therefore, no special operation is required to switch the list.

In this embodiment, channel numbers (TV1, TV 2,…, AV2) are used as channel identifiers to be registered in the list. However, frequency, broadcast station name, device name, symbol (logo) mark, etc. are used. Also good. For example, if the broadcast station name is detected from the broadcast radio wave of each channel and the channel number in list L is replaced with the broadcast station name, identification of the registered channel by the user becomes easier.

In the above description, the television receiver 10 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applied to a channel selection device having channel selection means for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels. it can. Examples of such devices include television receivers, set-top boxes, TV / radio tuners, built-in tuner recorders ZPC / mobile phone terminals, and so on.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clear that the invention has been used merely as an illustration and example and should not be construed as limiting, the spirit and scope of the invention being attached Limited only by the language of the claim.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1-Channel selection means for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels,

Granting means for giving priority to the plurality of channels in connection with execution of the selection process by the channel selection means; and

A channel selection device, comprising: list display means for displaying a list in which at least part of a plurality of channel identifiers for identifying the plurality of channels is registered in an order according to the priority assigned by the assigning means.

2. The channel selection device according to claim 1, wherein the assigning unit assigns a higher priority to a channel whose timing selected by the channel selecting unit is closer to the current time.

3. Time measuring means for measuring the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selecting means, and '

The channel selection device according to claim 2, further comprising: a first excluding unit that excludes a channel whose viewing time measured by the time measuring unit is less than a reference time from an addition target of the adding unit.

4. The channel selection device _b ′ according to claim 3, further comprising a varying unit that varies the reference time based on a timing result of the timing unit.

5. The channel selection device according to claim 4, wherein the changing means ignores a viewing time outside a predetermined range in the time measurement result.

6. It further comprises first message display means for displaying a first message when the viewing time measured by the time measuring means reaches a reference time,

4. The channel selection device according to claim 3, wherein the assigning unit executes the assigning process when a registration instruction operation is performed in association with the display process of the first message display unit.

7. Further comprising a viewing amount measuring means for measuring a viewing amount of each of the plurality of channels,

2. The channel selection device according to claim 1, wherein the granting unit executes a granting process based on a measurement result of the viewing amount measuring unit.

8. The viewing volume is viewing time, The channel selection device according to claim 8, wherein the assigning unit assigns a higher priority to a channel having a longer viewing time.

9. The amount of viewing is the number of viewings,

The channel selection device according to claim 8, wherein the assigning unit assigns a higher priority to a channel having a larger number of viewing times.

1 0; timing means for timing the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means; and

10. The channel selection device according to claim 8, further comprising a second excluding unit that excludes a channel whose viewing time measured by the timing unit is less than a predetermined time from an addition target of the adding unit.

1 1. It further comprises second message display means for displaying a second message prior to execution of the granting process by the granting means,

10. The channel selection device according to claim 8, wherein the assigning unit executes the assigning process when a registration instruction operation is performed in relation to the display process of the second message display unit.

1 2. Time zone specification means to specify any time zone, and

The channel selection device according to claim 1, further comprising disabling means for disabling the assigning process by the assigning means in relation to whether or not a current time is included in a time zone specified by the time zone specifying means. .

1 3. Channel designation means to designate any channel, and

The channel selection device according to claim 1, further comprising a third excluding unit that excludes the channel designated by the channel designating unit from an assignment target of the assigning unit.

1 4. A list storage means for storing multiple lists is further provided.

The channel selection device according to claim 1, wherein the granting unit performs granting processing for each list. '

1 5. The plurality of lists includes a list for a specific time period to which a specific time period is assigned,

The list selecting means for selecting the list for the specific time zone as a channel identifier registration destination when the current time is included in the specific time zone, further comprising: Channel selection device.

1 6. The list display means starts list display processing in response to the list display operation,

2. The channel selection device according to claim 1, wherein the channel selection means selects a channel corresponding to a channel identifier at the head of the list in association with the start of list display processing.

17. The channel selection device according to claim 1, further comprising scan display means for scanning and displaying a plurality of channels respectively corresponding to the plurality of channel identifiers registered in the list in response to a scan operation.

1 8. Timing means for timing the viewing time of the channel most recently selected by the channel selection means,

Viewing time measuring means for measuring the viewing time of each of the plurality of channels, viewing number measuring means for measuring the number of viewing times of each of the plurality of channels, and the viewing time counted by the timing means has reached a reference time For a channel, the first mode gives a higher priority to a channel whose selection timing by the channel selection means is closer to the current time, and a higher priority is given to a channel whose viewing time measured by the viewing time measuring means is longer. A mode selection means for selecting any one of a second mode to be assigned, and a third mode to give a higher priority to a channel having a larger number of viewing times measured by the viewing number measuring means;

The channel selection device according to claim 1, wherein the granting unit executes a granting process according to a mode selected by the mode selecting unit.

1 9. The apparatus further comprises changing means for changing the reference time based on the time measurement result of the time measuring means,

The channel selection device according to claim 18, wherein, when the first mode is selected, the mode selection means further selects whether to use a fluctuation value by the fluctuation means or a fixed value as the reference time. .

2 0. A control method for a channel selection apparatus having channel selection means for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels, comprising:

A granting step of giving priority to the plurality of channels in connection with execution of the selection process by the channel selection means; and A control method comprising: a list display step of displaying a list in which at least a part of a plurality of channel identifiers for identifying the plurality of channels is registered in an order according to the priority given by the granting step.

2 1. A control program for a channel selection device having channel selection means for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels, wherein the channel selector of the channel selection device includes:

A granting step of giving priority to the plurality of channels in connection with execution of the selection process by the channel selection means; and

Control for executing a list display step of displaying a list of priorities in which at least a part of a plurality of channel identifiers for identifying the plurality of channels is given by the grant step [lists registered in the order to be followed] program.

2 2. A recording medium recording a control program for a channel selection device having channel selection means for repeatedly executing a selection process for selecting a desired one of a plurality of channels,

The control program is sent to the processor of the channel selection device,

A granting step of giving priority to the plurality of channels in relation to execution of the selection process by the channel selection means; and

(2) A recording medium for executing a list display step for displaying a list in which at least a part of a plurality of channel identifiers for identifying the plurality of channels is registered in an order according to the priority assigned by the assigning step.