JP2000115649A - Television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption by storing and selectively executing plural setting programs for reduction in power consumption, corresponding to the using environment of a user and the using environment throughout a single day or a single year beforehand. SOLUTION: In a control microcomputer 8, plural kinds of the setting programs for reducing the power consumption corresponding to the viewing time or viewing environment (season) of the user are stored. The plural kinds of the setting programs are the programs for limiting luminance and sound volume, so as not to become higher than are required corresponding to the viewing time of the user or the programs for limiting the luminance and the sound volume so as not to be more than required, corresponding to the viewing season of the user. When the setting program is selected by the operation of the user by a remote controller 11, the control microcomputer 8 controls a video processing circuit 4 and a sound processing circuit 5, based on the selected setting program. Thus, the brightness of display video images, contrast and the sound volume are limited so as not to be higher than are required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention stores a plurality of setting programs for reducing the power consumption of a television receiver, such as the brightness of a displayed image and the volume of a sound, and allows the user to arbitrarily set any one of the setting programs. The present invention relates to a television receiver capable of reducing power consumption all day or all year by selecting and enabling the selection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, in a television receiver sold in Japan, functions that can be operated and set by a user generally include a large number of settings such as volume, channel, brightness, contrast, image quality, and color. There is content. Normally, these settings are set at a standard level in advance at the time of production and shipment on the manufacturer side, and then the settings can be freely adjusted by the user freely.

[0003] In a television receiver having a function in which various operations can be set by a user (also referred to as a preset function) as described above, after the purchase, if the setting contents are newly changed by the user's operation, each change operation is performed. The setting state is updated. That is, the control unit such as a microcomputer in the television receiver updates the setting contents stored in the storage unit such as the memory in advance based on the setting contents changed by the user's operation, and stores the updated contents.

Therefore, when the television receiver is used again, the control unit controls the television receiver to operate based on the changed settings.

By the way, in consideration of the power consumption of the above-mentioned television receiver, it is desirable that the power consumption is low economically. In order to reduce power consumption, it is largely related to how the television receiver is used, but specifically, operation setting mode values such as contrast and volume of a displayed image, which greatly affect power consumption, are important. And
Ideally, the operation mode set value should be small in order to reduce power consumption.

However, these setting contents vary depending on the user who uses the apparatus, and after the setting, the operation is performed based on the changed setting contents, so that the operation setting mode value is not necessarily small. However, the operation setting mode value is not always constant for all users. Therefore, various preset settings have an advantage that the operation content is simple, but there is a problem that it is not always optimal in consideration of reducing power consumption.

The power consumption itself is set in advance in a standard mode which is a standard at the time of production and shipment by the manufacturer or a setting mode of a prize mode at a level recommended by the manufacturer. It is generally used in such a setting mode. Therefore, it is impossible to control the power consumption in accordance with the specifications of the user, and as a result, there is a problem that the power consumption cannot be reduced.

Conventionally, from the viewpoint of low power consumption,
Some other high-end television receivers have a function of storing two or three types of image setting modes and having the function of freely switching and setting the image setting mode by operating a remote controller. Also, once the video setting mode is set in the same manner as described above, the updated setting content is stored in the storage unit, so that the subsequent use settings operate based on the stored setting content,
After that, it is continuously executed with this setting. For this reason, in order to reduce power consumption, for example, it is necessary to switch to an optimal video setting mode and reset again during one day or one year of the television receiver. There was also a disadvantage that it was troublesome.

[0009]

As described above, in a conventional television receiver in which setting modes such as brightness and volume of a displayed image can be switched, after the user resets the setting, the usage environment of each user, or Regardless of the usage environment throughout the day or year, it operates continuously in the reset setting mode, so it is not possible to reduce the power consumption of the television receiver. In order to reduce the problem, the setting mode must be switched each time, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and stores a plurality of setting programs for reducing power consumption according to a user's use environment or a use environment throughout the day or year. It is an object of the present invention to provide a television receiver capable of reducing power consumption by making it possible to select and execute.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a television receiver, comprising: receiving means for receiving a television signal;
Channel selection means for selecting a predetermined channel of a received television signal; and a detection circuit for performing detection processing on the television signal of the channel selected by the channel selection means and outputting a video signal and an audio signal And inputting the video signal, performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal, and outputting the processed signal to a display unit that displays an image based on the video signal, wherein the amplitude of the luminance signal included in the video signal is A variable video processing circuit, which inputs the audio signal, performs predetermined signal processing on the audio signal, and outputs the processed signal to a reproducing unit that reproduces the audio signal, and can change the amplitude of the audio signal. An audio processing circuit, an operation unit that allows a user to perform various setting switching operations, and a plurality of types of programs for reducing power consumption can be set according to a user's viewing time or viewing environment (seasonal). And then, among these setting program, based on the program selected by the operation means and is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling said video processing circuit and said audio processing circuit.

In the present invention, the control means stores a plurality of types of programs for reducing power consumption according to the viewing time or viewing environment (season) of the user. The plurality of types of programs are programs for limiting brightness and volume according to the viewing time of the user, and have different control patterns depending on time or season. Now, when a certain program is selected from these programs by the user's operation means, the control means controls the video processing circuit and the audio processing circuit based on the selected program. As a result, the brightness, contrast, and volume of the displayed image are limited, and power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the related art.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a television receiver according to the present invention and showing main components of the television receiver.

In this embodiment, a plurality of types of setting programs for reducing power consumption are stored in a storage unit in a control microcomputer mounted in a television receiver, and a plurality of setting programs are selected from the stored plurality of setting programs. The difference from the prior art is that the configuration is such that the power consumption of the television receiver can be reduced by controlling the setting program selected by the user's selection operation to be executed.

The overall configuration is substantially the same as that of a general television receiver. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the RF (high frequency) television signal received by the receiving antenna 1 is supplied to the tuner 2.

The tuner 2 selects a predetermined channel from the input RF television signal under the control of a control microcomputer (also referred to as a CPU), and converts a signal based on the selected channel into an intermediate frequency (hereinafter, referred to as IF) signal. And gives it to the detection circuit 3.

The detection circuit 3 amplifies the input IF signal, performs video detection and audio detection processing, separates the video signal and the audio signal, converts the video signal to the video processing circuit 4, and outputs the audio signal to the video processing circuit 4. It is given to the audio processing circuit 5 respectively.

The video processing circuit 4 performs signal processing necessary for displaying the input video signal on the screen and supplies the processed video signal to the display unit 6 via a drive circuit (not shown). At this time, when a setting program for reducing a certain power consumption is selected, the video processing circuit 4 performs a color processing circuit and an image quality adjustment circuit included in the processing circuit based on a control signal from the control microcomputer 8. Thus, the color signal and the luminance signal included in the video signal are processed and output so as to change the brightness and contrast of the image based on the video signal. That is, the video processing circuit 4 can perform processing based on a control signal from the control microcomputer 8 so as to change the brightness and contrast of an image based on the input video signal.

The display section 6 is, for example, a display such as a CRT. The output video signal from the video processing circuit 4 is driven by a drive circuit (not shown) to display an image based on the output video signal on its screen. indicate.

The audio processing circuit 5 performs processing such as amplification for reproducing and outputting the audio signal supplied by an audio processor (not shown), and supplies the processed audio signal to the audio speaker 7. At this time, when a certain setting program for reducing power consumption is selected, the audio processing circuit 5 adjusts the amplification factor of the amplification circuit and the like included in the processing circuit based on a control signal from the control microcomputer 8. The processing is performed so as to change, and the processed audio signal is output. Thus, the sound based on the received television signal is reproduced from the control microcomputer 8 at a volume according to the control signal via the sound speaker 7.

In the television receiver of the present embodiment,
As described above, a plurality of types of setting programs for reducing power consumption are stored in the storage unit in the control microcomputer 8 mounted in the television receiver.

[0023] The plurality of types of setting programs include, for example, operating the brightness, contrast, volume, etc. of the display image of the television receiver at an optimum level according to the time of viewing and the viewing environment of the user. It is a necessary program.

That is, as one method for reducing the power consumption, a method of adjusting the brightness, contrast, volume, and the like of the display image of the television receiver is adopted. Is forcibly executed by the control microcomputer 8 in a sense, so that the brightness, contrast, volume, and the like of the display image are controlled so as not to reach an unnecessarily high level in accordance with, for example, the time at which the user views. . When the control based on this setting program is being executed, it is of course possible to adjust the brightness, contrast, volume and the like by a user operation.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting program set according to the user's viewing time (time) of one day. In this setting program, as shown in FIG. 2, optimal brightness (including contrast) and volume can be obtained according to the viewing environment of the user.

For example, in the user's viewing time, during the period from midnight to 7:00 dawn, the outside is also dark and during bedtime. %, The brightness is set to 40%, and the volume is similarly set to 20%.
Both do not reach an unnecessarily high level so that the audio output is. Then from 7:00 am to 10 am
In the period up to the hour, the brightness is 60%, the volume is 40%, and in the period from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, the minimum required brightness according to the amount of sunlight, for example, 100%, Since the noise also becomes intense, the minimum required volume, for example, 80%, is set according to the external noise. After that, in the time zone including the golden time from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the brightness and volume will be 60%, and after 10:00, the time zone will overlap with the time zone of the late-night program From the brightness only 60
The level value of% is maintained, and only the volume is suppressed to 30%.

As another setting program, the output% of brightness and volume in each time zone shown in FIG. 2 may be slightly different from the setting program in advance. In other words, it is optimal in response to various viewing patterns, such as a user's lifestyle, for example, a user who mainly watches late-night programs, a user who watches only in the morning, or a user who watches only during golden time. Any configuration program is acceptable.

Therefore, as described above, based on the setting program shown in FIG. 2 for obtaining the optimum brightness and volume according to the viewing environment and viewing time of the user in one day,
If the corresponding video processing circuit 4 and audio processing circuit 5 are controlled, the power consumption of the television receiver does not become unnecessarily high according to each time zone as shown in FIG.
It becomes possible to suppress.

By the way, the television receiver of the present embodiment has a remote control having various key buttons for facilitating the switching setting operation of the setting program for reducing the power consumption and executing various functions. A transmitter (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote controller) 10 is provided.

The remote controller 10 has various key buttons 11a (power on / off,
And a switching setting button 11b for selecting and switching an arbitrary setting program from the plurality of main setting programs.

When one of these key buttons is pressed, the remote controller 11 transmits key information based on the operation of the key button to the light receiving circuit 10 of the television receiver, and the key information received by the light receiving circuit 10 is transmitted to the control microcomputer. 8 is supplied.

The control microcomputer 8 captures key information transmitted from the remote controller 11 or key information generated by a key operation unit (not shown) of the main body (not shown), and selects a channel and sets channel presets based on the key information. Alternatively, various controls such as switching setting of a setting program are performed.

For example, switch setting button 1 of remote controller 11
When the user presses 1b, the control microcomputer 8 controls an on-screen control circuit (not shown) to display a setting screen of a plurality of installed setting programs, and selects and switches a setting program by a user using the setting screen. Let me guide you.

The control microcomputer 8 has a built-in clock circuit 8a for comparing the current time with the set time in the setting program. The time circuit 8a detects the time during execution of a certain setting program. When the control microcomputer 8 recognizes this, it becomes possible to perform brightness and volume control according to the setting program. In this case, the memory 9 connected to the control microcomputer 8 stores setting values such as brightness and volume in the setting program in a state related to the execution time. This memory 9
Normally, setting values and the like set in other preset settings are stored. When a certain setting program is executed, similarly, setting values such as brightness and sound are stored in association with the execution time. That is, by storing in the memory 9 in this manner, when the user reuses the television receiver, there is no need to reset the setting program again, and control is performed based on the stored setting values. It is possible to control brightness, volume and the like under the same conditions as when initially set. Next, an operation that is a feature of the television receiver of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. It is assumed that a plurality of types of setting programs including a setting program as shown in FIG. 2 are stored in the control microcomputer 8 in the television receiver in advance.

Now, the user presses the power button (included in 11a) of the remote controller 11 to turn on the power in order to select and set the setting program, and to perform switching setting for selecting and setting the setting program as described above. It is assumed that the button 11b (see FIG. 1) has been pressed.

Then, the remote controller 11 transmits the key information for instructing the setting program setting mode to the light receiving circuit 10 of the apparatus main body.
The light receiving circuit 10 receives the key information and gives it to the control microcomputer 8, which receives the key information and recognizes the execution of the setting program setting mode.

When the control microcomputer 8 recognizes the setting program setting mode, it controls an on-screen control circuit (not shown) to display a setting screen of a plurality of installed setting programs, and uses the setting screen. To guide the user to select / switch the setting program. The user selects, for example, a setting program shown in FIG. 2 while viewing the setting screen. At this time, the selection operation of the selection program in the setting screen is performed by operating an operation button (not shown) of the remote controller 10 shown in FIG. 1 or pressing the switching setting button 11b a plurality of times to set the setting program. As described above, the setting of the setting program or the switching setting can be performed, so that the setting program can be easily operated.

Then, the control microcomputer 8 starts up the set setting program, and controls the video processing circuit 4 and the audio circuit 5 according to the set time of the program (see FIG. 2) based on the set program. . In this case, the control microcomputer 8 uses the detection result from the timing circuit 8a to
By recognizing the current time and the set time being executed, it is possible to reliably perform control based on the setting program.

For example, the control microcomputer 8, as shown in FIG.
In the period up to the hour, the brightness of the displayed video is 40
%, And the sound volume is controlled so as not to reach an unnecessarily high level so that the sound output is similarly 20%. Thereafter, the control microcomputer 8 determines that the brightness is 60% and the volume is 40% in the period from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, and the minimum is in accordance with the amount of sunshine in the period from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm With the required brightness, for example, 100%, and the outside noise becomes intense,
The minimum required volume according to the external noise, for example, 80
%. After that, the control microcomputer 8
During the period including the golden time from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the brightness and the volume are set to 60%,
After 0:00, since it is a time zone that also overlaps with the time zone of the midnight program, control is performed such that only the brightness is maintained at a level value of 60% and only the volume is suppressed to 30%.

It should be noted that such control operation by the control microcomputer 8 is forcibly operated when the television receiver is started up during the viewing time period. It can be adjusted freely.

Therefore, as described above, based on the setting program shown in FIG. 2 for obtaining the optimal brightness and volume according to the viewing environment and viewing time of the user for one day, each corresponding video processing circuit 4 By controlling the audio processing circuit 5, the power consumption of the television receiver can be suppressed without becoming unnecessarily high according to each time zone as shown in FIG. It is also possible to greatly reduce power consumption.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of types of setting programs are provided for obtaining the optimal brightness and volume of the level value according to the user's viewing environment, ie, the season of the year. The setting program may be installed in the control microcomputer 8 and controlled in combination with the setting program shown in FIG.

In this case, the control microcomputer 8 includes a clock circuit 8
is used to calculate the month and day. In accordance with the calculation result, for example, as shown in FIG. In the spring and summer periods from April to October, the program 1 is executed, and the program 2 is executed to improve the brightness and the like as a whole due to the long sunshine hours.
In the fall period of the month, control is performed according to the season to execute the program 3 for suppressing the brightness as a whole as compared with the summer period. This makes it possible to significantly reduce power consumption throughout the year by executing the setting program optimally in accordance with the season of the year.

In this embodiment, the case where a plurality of types of setting programs are installed in the control microcomputer 8 in the television receiver in advance has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the John receiver is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from a terminal device such as a personal computer, the above-described setting program for reducing the power consumption is stored in another storage medium in which a plurality of types of programs are stored. A plurality of setting programs may be installed in the control microcomputer in the television receiver. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently cope in the future.

In the embodiments of the present invention, reduction of power consumption of a television receiver has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to all display devices for displaying an image based on a television signal or an input video signal. It is clear that a similar effect can be obtained.

[0046]

According to the present invention, as described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of setting programs for reducing power consumption in accordance with a user's use environment or a use environment throughout the day or year are stored in advance. By enabling the selection, the power consumption can be significantly reduced compared to the related art. Also,
Since it can be implemented with a simple configuration, it contributes to cost reduction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a television receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a daily program incorporated in the control microcomputer of FIG. 1 and illustrating a control operation.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an annual program incorporated in the control microcomputer of FIG. 1 and illustrating a control operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna, 2 ... Tuner, 3 ... Detector, 4 ... Video processing circuit, 5 ... Audio processing circuit, 6 ... Display part, 7 ... Speaker, 8 ... Control microcomputer, 8a ... Measurement circuit, 9 ... Memory, 10 ... Light receiving circuit, 11 ... Remote control.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving a television signal, a tuning means for selecting a predetermined channel of the received television signal, and a detection of a television signal of a channel selected by the tuning means. A detection circuit that performs processing and outputs a video signal and an audio signal, and receives the video signal, performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal, and outputs the processed signal to a display unit that displays an image based on the video signal. A video processing circuit capable of changing the amplitude of a luminance signal included in the video signal; and a reproducing unit that receives the audio signal, performs predetermined signal processing on the audio signal, and reproduces the audio signal. An audio processing circuit capable of changing the amplitude of the audio signal, an operating means capable of performing a switching operation of various settings by the user, and a user's viewing time or viewing environment (seasonal). Control means for setting a plurality of types of programs for reducing power consumption in accordance with the program, and controlling the video processing circuit and the audio processing circuit based on a program selected by the operation means among the setting programs. A television receiver, comprising: 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of types of programs are programs for limiting brightness and volume according to a user's viewing time, and control patterns of the programs are different depending on time. Item 6. The television receiver according to item 1. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of types of programs are programs for limiting brightness and volume according to a user's viewing season, and control patterns of the programs are different depending on the season. Item 6. The television receiver according to item 1.