The application is a non-temporary patent application, and it is based on the temporary patent application of following common pending trial, and serial number is to propose on June 16th, 60/139,467,1999, and serial number is to propose on July 12nd, 60/143,341,1999.
Summary of the invention
Use disc-shaped antenna instruction screen (screen display (OSD)) at present in digital broadcast satellite (DBS) product, it has been pointed out the location of disc-shaped antenna and has not shown simultaneously and/or reproduce audio/video signal or show the signal strength signal intensity of aerial digital TV channel.One aspect of the present invention is, can show tuning channel at present in background, and its corresponding clauses and subclauses of highlight.If do not show effective channel, first channel in the tabulation can highlight so.
According to one aspect of the present invention, it provides a kind of method and apparatus, is used to show the real-time signal strength of aerial digital television signal.Adopted an aerial information program/routine to come at any antenna input and the tabulation of the channel that editor receives so that show the signal strength signal intensity relevant in real time and play the Voice ﹠ Video content of any specific channel with any or all digital channel that receives, this aerial information program/routine is preferably used graphic user interface.Because the Voice ﹠ Video content just is being played during the shows signal intensity in real time, this makes the lowest signal intensity that the user can find provides acceptable Voice ﹠ Video quality level, i.e. cutoff threshold.Find cutoff threshold to be particularly useful during from different directions in digital broadcasting, ground-plane antenna can not point to both direction simultaneously.
According to another aspect of the present invention, when using the aerial information routine, the user can be transformed into different antenna input modes.Do like this and will refresh channel list with obtainable each channel of expression under new antenna input mode.All channels that obtain by channel search in a period of time are stored in the aerial information tabulation and use for the aerial information routine.Aerial information can be the tabulation of each channel of having been added to channel list by channel search.For each channel in the channel list, the aerial information routine will attempt to make tuner (or selector) to be connected with signal on various channel frequencies.If tuner successfully receives available TV signal, this channel is stored in the channel list.If this TV signal is digital, will measure and may show the intensity of this signal at least.
The value of aerial information is used for the signal strength signal intensity of examination digital channel when changing aerial position.Aerial information only comprises current antenna rather than while two antennas usually.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the user can roll display the tabulation of each channel in the current channel tabulation.When selecting any specific channel, tuner will be play the Voice ﹠ Video content of that channel, and real-time signal strength is by in screen renewal (numeric only channel) simultaneously.The tabulation of present obtainable channel comprises analog-and digital-channel, so that provide comprehensive channel screen to the user, wherein can easily see the effect of antenna adjustments to numeral and analog channel.
The invention provides a kind of video processing equipment, be used to receive ground simulation and be suitable for being connected to produce the output signal of a displayable image with display with digital television signal and generation, this equipment comprises: the device that is used for selecting from the TV signal of a plurality of receptions a TV signal; Be used to control the control device of described video processing equipment; Device with the signal strength signal intensity of the TV signal that is used to judge described a plurality of receptions, wherein said control device makes described video processing equipment in the operation down of one of following pattern, first operational mode, selected during this period TV signal are included in the described output signal to show in shown image; With second operational mode, the signal strength signal intensity of the TV signal of described a plurality of receptions is provided during this period, to be simultaneously displayed on the described display with described selected TV signal.
The invention provides a kind of video processing equipment, comprising: be used to receive the device that a plurality of TV signal with Voice ﹠ Video information component are also therefrom selected a TV signal; Be used for display that described video processing equipment links to each other on show the device of the video information component of selected TV signal; Be used for judging each the device of signal strength signal intensity of a plurality of TV signal; With each the device of signal strength signal intensity that is used for when the Voice ﹠ Video of the channel of selecting is activity, showing selectively a plurality of TV signal.
The invention provides a kind of Antenna Positioning method that is used for receiving digital television signal, comprising: a. selects the original position of described antenna; B. the signal strength signal intensity that shows the digital signal that each receives; And c. selects the last receiving position of described antenna based on the signal strength signal intensity of at least one channel of measuring.
Embodiment
Referring to Fig. 1, illustrated the functional-block diagram of simplification of a multimedia system 10 at this.Multimedia system 10 can comprise TV (TV) or monitor 12 and DBS and/or set-top box receiver 14, and as is known in the art, DBS and/or set-top box receiver 14 are communicated by letter by communication line 16 with TV12.As is known in the art, DBS receiver 14 is communicated by letter by communication line 20 with disc-shaped antenna 18.Dish-like satellite antenna 18 receives digital multimedia signal and/or data-signal, as TV, music and/or the Internet signal (below be collectively referred to as " TV signal "), these signals are focused on horn antenna/LNA (low noise amplifier) device 22 and are received.Horn antenna/LNA device 22 main receptions with slightly amplifying the TV signal that is received and sending the TV signal of amplifying to DBS receiver 14 supply processing.DBS device 14 also can be connected to cable TV or wired system (not shown) by cable incoming line 24.TV 12 can be connected to antenna 26 by communication line 28.Antenna 26 is designed to receive aerial or non-satellite broadcasting numeral or anolog TV signals.Equally, antenna 26 generally can manually or automatically be regulated.Aerial TV signal is supplied to tuner 30 and is used for identification or tuning various channel and receives any digital signal, as known in the art.
Tuner 30 is communicated by letter so that the digital television signal that receives from antenna 26 is received and handles by microprocessor 32, as known in the art with microprocessor (" μ C ") 32.Except other functions commonly known in the art, according to various aspects of the present invention, microprocessor 32 provide to the control of various software program/routine and/or realization and with various component communications.Microprocessor 32 is communicated by letter with display 36 with annex memory 34, and annex memory 34 is as EEPROM, RAM and ROM.TV12 can also comprise a left side and right loud speaker 38a and 38b, and they are connected with microprocessor 32 so that audio frequency output to be provided to the user by audio communication line 40a and 40b respectively.
In addition, microprocessor 32 can also produce, handle and show osd information/data on display 36.Osd information/data may be the parts of the TV signal that receives or can be produced by inside.Such osd information may comprise channel number, time, signal strength signal intensity, screen electronic program guides (EPG), internet data, pop-up window, screen electric program menu, or the like.Microprocessor 32 also moves the software of various necessity to handle and/or to utilize the digital signal of receiving, as known in the art, quilt is replenished is provided in this.
Should be appreciated that microprocessor 32 itself or together form with tuner 30 and memory 34 and can realize a module of the present invention.This module can be fully independently (separate modules) or combine with the existing part of various assemblies (virtual module).By this way, this module can be merged in TV12, DBS/ set-top box receiver 14 or other any digital assemblies that can receive and/or utilize digital television signal.
Referring to Fig. 6, the display 36 of display program screen 44 has been described at this.Program screen 44 is schematic screens, typical programmed/menu/information (" the program ") screen in indication the present invention may be contained in.What comprise in program screen 44 is that a plurality of obtainable menu item/programs/function 50 is used for the possible selection of user and is realized by device.According to one aspect of the present invention, such menu item 50 is " aerial informations " 52.
Aerial information 52 is that menu is selected, and is used for calling aerial information program, function or routine from main or auxiliary screen or by the independent button on the remote controller.Selecting behind the aerial information by button or menu, may show on the part of program screen 44 that context-sensitive text helps to help the user.
Aerial information is handled the ground-plane antenna (as the antenna 26 of Fig. 1) that the real-time signal strength of received digital signal (as ground or satellite TV signal) is provided and helps the user to regulate him and is received digital TV channel maximum quantity, that reach the minimum signal strength threshold value.Therefore, channel search function/routine is carried out for TV or the current tuning ability of set-top box to be increased analog-and digital-channel practically and sets up a channel list and represent them.The search that aerial information is carried out can be with the channel search function mutually independently, also can call from another program screen.When the channel search routine was carried out signal or channel scanning, only those analog-and digital-channels that have greater than the signal strength signal intensity of certain threshold criteria were added in the channel list that is stored in the memory (as EEPROM).Therefore channel list is the tabulation of the storage of current obtainable analog-and digital-television channel, and it will show during channel scanning/user's surfing.
The action that channel search is carried out can be reduced following table, and it identifies channel list and aerial information tabulation occurrence, and these things are stored independently and are used in channel list to be realized frequently
Action | Channel list | The aerial information tabulation |
The channel that finds | Add | Add |
Find poor channel | Remove | No change |
The various objectives of road searching period.Referring to Fig. 2, the program circuit Figure 70 that is used for the channel search routine has been described at this.After selection, channel search is begun 72, is scanned 74 since the next frequency of the frequency of a selection.If there is not next frequency, routine is carried out 76.When next frequency, judge 78 whether an available signal is arranged on this frequency/channel.Availability can an input signal threshold signal strength that will reach requires or other one or more parameters decide by using.Do not reach the frequency/channel of the input of threshold signal strength requirement or other parameters for each, this channel is removed from channel list 75 and is judged next frequency 74.Continue not receive that available channel causes a circulation up to there not being more next frequency to obtain.Reach the frequency/channel of the input of threshold signal strength requirement or other parameters for each, be added to channel list and aerial information tabulation at this channel of step 80.This processing repeats up to judging there is not next frequency in step 74.
With reference to Fig. 3, illustrated that at this program circuit Figure 82 is used for adding channel to channel list automatically.When importing discrete numeral 84 users and be used for specific channel, program is generally from the keyboard operation of remote controller (not shown).When receiving channel number, judge 86 whether an available signal is arranged on this frequency/channel.If there is not available signal, this program finishes 88.If an available signal is arranged, this channel is added in channel list and the aerial information tabulation 90.
With reference to Fig. 4, at this program circuit Figure 92 has been described, be used for adding the general channel known to the user that is not to aerial information tabulation.When in step 94 to this when energising device, the next channel in EEPROM is scanned to judge whether there is an obtainable signal 96.If no, program stops 98.If there be (can obtain) in an available signal, it is added in the aerial information tabulation 100.Whether this programmed decision after this can obtain another channel is used to watch.So these routines are added available channel to channel list and aerial information tabulation.
The action that aerial information search is carried out can be reduced following table, it identify the aerial information searching period when a good intensity signal is received (available) or poor strength signal be received (low or do not have) time institute's occurrence.
Action | Channel list | The aerial information tabulation |
The channel that finds | Add | Update signal intensity |
Find poor channel | No change | Update signal intensity |
Fig. 5 is the flow chart of an aerial information search routine 104.When 106 beginning aerial information search, the next frequency/channel in 108 scanning antenna information lists is to obtain a signal.If do not have more frequency/channel and/or arrived the end of subscription list, stop in 110 programs.If an available signal exists, judge 112 whether this is an analog or digital signal 112 on this channel.An analog signal is added (transmission) to channel list 114.After this, prepare to scan next frequency at 108 these devices.If this signal is digital, measured in real time and in the aerial information tabulation, be updated in 116 signal strength signal intensities, and this channel is added to channel list.After this, be ready to scan next frequency at 108 these devices.
Simultaneously, various aerial information screen prompt users, channel data grid 54 will be inserted the information about channel, and one of 64 every row, these information receive or receive that promptly, channel number is positioned at row 58 from all ground-plane antennas; Platform title (, being positioned at row 60) as NBC (if possible); This channel be the numeral or the simulation, be positioned at row 58; That day, line received this channel, was positioned at row 60; Only for digital channel, their current demand signal intensity is positioned at row 62.Information about the other types of various channels also may be shown.Channel data grid 54 comprises screen title 56 (aerial information) and has shown a plurality of row, once is five-element 64a-e at this. Arrow 67 and 68 expressions can be seen more channel by the scroll-up/down grid.
The aerial information screen was measured in the aerial information measuring process before will preserving but was not had enough intensity to come by " signal strength threshold standard/level " so that added to those channels the channel list from channel search.This is the result of expectation, because the user may not know to obtain the channel of what locality, in case but they know to obtain what channel, whether the user decides in its sole discretion and tries to regulate their antenna so that some channel has enough intensity to be added in the channel search table.
In case finished signal strength measurement, will on display 36, illustrate in the aerial information result screen shown in the program screen 44.The grid that the user can be circulated by scroll-up/down/make an inspection tour around tabulating by the various attributes of channel number and they or characteristics (row 64 and row 58,60,62) definition utilizes current aerial position can obtain what channel to check.Those digital channels that have for example one "-" rather than a number are represented signal strength signal intensity neither be large enough to watch this channel can not add this channel to channel list from channel search again, see 64d.All analog channels will show that " N/A (inapplicable) " can not picked up signal ionization meter (seeing 64c) to those channels with indication as their intensity.Those current channels that can not obtain by channel search can appear in the former signal strength measurement table or appear in the information table that obtains by guide or otherwise in this demonstration.
If the user selects " aerial information " function, the signal strength signal intensity of that channel is with measured and/or renewal so.Along with the user rolls by different channel, tuner is attempted and is connected by the channel of highlight.If this channel is detected, signal strength measurement is obtained and/or is upgraded.Whenever channel can not given up because signal strength signal intensity is not enough automatically, and this helps user to understand can to obtain what channel and tries to regulate antenna so that channel has enough signal strength signal intensities is added in the channel table.
This table can be numbered the highest channel number sorting of bottom from the lowest channel at top.Share the channel that same virtual channel is numbered for analog-and digital-channel, analog channel and digital channel are adjacent in table.
The user can be only upgrades information (seeing 64b) at each channel by move highlight to that channel in the aerial information screen.In addition, the video of back, aerial information viewing area will illustrate current channel, comprise audio frequency, carry out antenna adjustments to help the user.In order to change the input of antenna or antenna, the user can push ANTENNA (antenna) or select by menu on remote controller.When having carried out a complete aerial information search each time, the signal strength signal intensity of all digital channels is measured.The channel of each highlight is with its signal strength signal intensity real-time update in the grid, and the Voice ﹠ Video of this channel broadcasts in program screen 44 back on display 36 simultaneously.The signal strength signal intensity of each obtainable channel can not show automatically in an alternate embodiment.Signal strength signal intensity will show behind the selection channel.
When finishing the signal strength measurement process, a dialog box will be presented on the display 36, mainly be in the mode of stack or in current screen.When the user selects " Continue (continuation) ", the highlight of aerial information screen will be shifted to first channel rows (64a) in the channel data grid 54.If user's interrupt signal measuring process, a dialog box is shown notifies the user, and the intensity that shows in channel data grid 54 is determined any size before processing is interrupted.
Channel in tabulation is during by highlight (64b), continued to upgrade about the information of channel.This digital channel of router and system information protocol (PSIP) (ATSC file A/65) guide change channel arrange with one with situation that digital channel has the analog channel of identical main channel number (abbreviating main channel as) to include under be particularly useful.In this case, the aerial information tabulation will be expanded with the analog channel that this is new and include as the independent clauses and subclauses in channel data grid 54 (row 64).New analog channel will have identical channel number with digital channel, but will be labeled as analog channel in row 58, with to be labeled as digital channel relative.The renewal of this tabulation and expansion are fully automatic and real-time.
Obtain the best signal strength signal intensity of given set of number channel in order to aim at ground-plane antenna, be necessary probably the ground-plane antenna of each receiving digital television signal is carried out aerial information search several times.When antenna is positioned, the signal strength signal intensity of various digital TV channels will need with antenna direction monitored relatively.By repeatedly carrying out the aerial information search, can find the aerial position an of the best.When antenna is had good positioning, be necessary to carry out channel search so that channel is added in the channel list.
An example will be explained above-mentioned principle.Adopt the new ground-plane antenna (antenna 26 among Fig. 1) that receives aerial digital television signal to be connected to receiving system (TV12 among Fig. 1).Suppose that after power supply the initial condition of signal tabulation and aerial information tabulation all is empty.Channel search is moved by user's operation or because be added after the former channel search of several new channel during this device initial setting up the time.Initial channel search location has two channels of the signal of the given threshold level that is higher than minimum reception, i.e. channel " 10 " " 20 ".Herein, channel list comprises channel " 10 " and " 20 ", and the aerial information tabulation comprises channel " 10 " and " 20 ".So the user regulates antenna 26 and carries out another channel search.Two additional channel with signal of the given threshold level that is higher than minimum reception have been located in this search, and promptly channel " 30 " and " 40 " still do not detect former channel " 10 " and " 20 " owing to new antenna direction.Now, channel list comprises channel " 30 " and " 40 ", and the aerial information tabulation comprises channel " 10 ", " 20 ", " 30 " and " 40 ".Can obtain four channels now because the user knows, aerial information search operation is to attempt to determine the optimum position of antenna during each aerial position slight modification.To check channel " 10 " according to the program flow diagram of Fig. 5.Suppose that present channel " 10 " has a signal strength signal intensity greater than predetermined threshold.Therefore, channel " 10 " is added to channel list and makes that the content of channel list is channel " 10 ", " 30 " and " 40 ", and aerial information is itemized and do not changed.Execution is regulated and the search of another time aerial information another time of antenna.Suppose that present channel " 20 " has the signal strength signal intensity greater than predetermined threshold.Channel " 20 " is added in the channel list so that the content of channel list and aerial information tabulation all is channel " 10 ", " 20 ", " 30 " and " 40 ".
Though the present invention has been illustrated a preferred design, the present invention can further improve in the scope of the present disclosure.Therefore the application is intended to cover change, the use that any employing is of the present invention, utilize General Principle of the present invention.And the application is intended to cover departing from of the present invention in the known or common practical framework of prior art.