JP2001326862A - Broadcast reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast reception system that can quickly select a desired channel. SOLUTION: An input section 112 of a remote controller 110 is provided with a button that can enter the intention of a user that the user desires to view or not to view a program in each channel while zapping. Then the entered intention of the user is transmitted to a broadcast receiver 100 via a remote control communication section 111 and stored in a storage section 104. A processing section 103 gives an instruction of selecting or not selecting a corresponding broadcast signal as to each channel to the tuner section 101 on the basis of the storage section 104. Thus, in the case of 2nd and succeeding zapping for channel selection, since the objects of desired channels are limited to some degrees, a desired channel can quickly be selected. Furthermore, the stored information can be initialized at a lapse of a prescribed time by the entry of a user or a timer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving system for receiving a plurality of channels, and more particularly to a broadcast receiving system capable of arbitrarily selecting a program to be viewed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A broadcast receiver or a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as "remote controller") attached to the broadcast receiver includes, as buttons for changing channels, a direct channel selection button for directly selecting a desired channel, and a channel number. Number button to change channels in ascending or descending order or channel number Do
There were only two types of wn buttons. Channel number Up
With the button or the channel number Down button, the order in which channels change is fixed inside the broadcast receiver.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-266405, an order provided by a medium such as a broadcast, an IC (abbreviation of an integrated circuit) card, a telephone line, or the like or a predetermined order in a time zone, which anticipates user's preference, is described. A method of storing and changing the order of the channels to the stored order is disclosed.

[0004]

When a program to be watched by a viewer is not determined and a program of interest is searched from among broadcast programs, the broadcast program is changed to a channel number Up button or Channel number Dow
Use the n button to browse through the programs little by little, and after watching all the programs, decide on the program you want to watch the most and watch it in earnest. Was decided.

[0005] As described above, when watching a program little by little, if there are a plurality of worrisome programs, or if the program cannot be watched in commercial broadcasting, after watching all the channels, once again, I did zapping and finally decided on one channel (program).

However, in the second and subsequent zapping, zapping has been completed as before, so that the programs to be viewed are often limited to several channels from all programs that can be viewed.

In the prior art, even if it is determined that a program is not to be watched, in the second zapping, the user repeatedly watches the program again in order with the channel number Up button or the channel number Down button, or sets the channel number of interest for the first time. Remember, I had to tune in with the direct tuning button.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-266405, the order is selected according to the user's preference.
It is not always the order that the user wants to see at the time of zapping, and even if zapping is repeated after selecting the order, it is possible to tune only in the selected channel order.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast receiving system capable of promptly selecting a desired channel.

[0010]

A broadcast receiving system according to an aspect of the present invention is a system for receiving a broadcast signal composed of signals for program information corresponding to a plurality of channels, respectively. A controller.

[0011] The broadcast receiver, based on the information on the designated channel, gives a signal corresponding to the designated channel,
Signal selection means for selecting and deriving from a broadcast signal, processing means for specifying a desired channel whose selection is specified based on a received predetermined signal, and providing the selected channel as signal information to the signal selection means; Output means for outputting program information based on the signal derived by the means.

The controller includes a channel designating section operated to designate a desired channel by feeding a plurality of channels in a predetermined order, and a signal selecting means for selecting a signal corresponding to the designated channel output from the output means. There is an input unit having an interruption / resumption designation unit operated to designate the interruption or the resumption of the selection after the interruption, and a communication unit for transmitting the contents specified by the input unit as a predetermined signal to the broadcast receiver.

According to the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, if it is desired to omit the program information based on the signal of the designated channel outputted by the output means without outputting it in the subsequent channel selection, the input means The channel designation unit and the interruption / resumption designation unit are configured to suspend the subsequent selection of the designated channel for the signal selection unit through the specific processing of the processing unit.

Therefore, the user checks the program information output from the output unit, and if the program information is not desired to be output in the subsequent channel selection, the user operates the interruption / resumption designation unit to select the program information. In the subsequent channel selection, the output means only outputs the program information of the other channels, that is, only the candidates of the desired program information. Since the program can be sequentially output and checked, a channel corresponding to the finally determined desired program information can be promptly selected and designated.

A broadcast receiving system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for receiving a broadcast signal including a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, and includes a broadcast receiver and a controller. .

[0016] The broadcast receiver selects a signal corresponding to the designated channel from the broadcast signal based on the received information on the designated channel, based on the signal derived by the signal selecting means. Output means for outputting information.

The controller includes a channel designating section operated to designate a desired channel by feeding a plurality of channels in a predetermined order, and a signal selecting means for selecting a signal corresponding to the designated channel output from the output means. Input means having an interruption / resumption designation unit operated to designate the interruption or resumption of the selection after the interruption, and a desired channel for which the selection is designated is specified based on the designation contents in the input means. Processing means for transmitting the information of the designated channel to the broadcast receiver.

According to the above-mentioned broadcast receiver, if it is desired to omit the program information based on the signal of the designated channel output by the output means without outputting it in the subsequent channel selection, the input means In the subsequent channel selection, the selection of the specified channel is interrupted by the signal selecting means by the channel specifying unit and the interruption / resuming specifying unit.

Therefore, the user checks the program information output from the output unit, and if the program information is not desired to be output, the user simply operates the interruption / resumption designation unit to designate the interruption of the selection. In the subsequent channel selection, the program information of the channel is not output by the output means, and only the program information of another channel, that is, only the desired program information candidates are sequentially output by the output means for confirmation. Therefore, a channel corresponding to the desired program information finally determined can be promptly selected and designated.

In the above-described broadcast receiving system, the processing unit includes a storage unit in which selection information indicating whether selection interruption is designated based on a predetermined signal is written and stored for each of the plurality of channels. In addition, the specification processing may be configured to be performed with reference to the selection information in the storage means corresponding to the desired channel designated by the predetermined sequential forwarding.

According to the above-described broadcast receiving system, the specifying process for specifying the designated channel by the processing means includes selecting information indicating whether or not selection interruption has been designated based on a predetermined signal for each of the plurality of channels. This is done while referring to the contents of the storage means written and stored. Then, when the selection information in the storage means corresponding to the desired channel designated for the predetermined sequential forwarding indicates the interruption of the selection, the next channel of the predetermined sequential forwarding is designated as the desired channel.

[0022] Therefore, the processing means merely outputs the desired program information candidates to the output means only by referring to the selection information corresponding to the plurality of channels which are sequentially updated in the storage means. Since the confirmation can be made, the user can promptly select and designate the channel corresponding to the finally determined desired program information.

In the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, the processing means has a timer for measuring the time from when the output of the program information corresponding to the designated channel is started by the output means, and the timer measures the predetermined period. Accordingly, a selection instruction may be set for selection information corresponding to a plurality of channels in the storage means.

According to the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, when the timer finishes measuring the predetermined time, a selection instruction is uniformly set for the selection information corresponding to the plurality of channels in the storage means.

[0025] Therefore, when the program is broadcast after the timer finishes measuring the predetermined time, the user may select a corresponding signal for all of the plurality of channels and check the program information. Allows the user to select a corresponding signal again while performing a predetermined order for all of the plurality of channels without performing a special operation such that a selection instruction is set for selection information corresponding to a plurality of channels. Thus, the program information can be output and confirmed by the output means, which is excellent in convenience.

In the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, the input means further includes an initial setting section operated to designate setting of a selection instruction in selection information corresponding to a plurality of channels in the storage means, and a processing means. May be configured to set a selection instruction for selection information corresponding to a plurality of channels in the storage unit in response to an operation of the initial setting unit.

According to the above-described broadcast receiving system, when the initial setting unit is operated, a selection instruction is uniformly set for the selection information corresponding to a plurality of channels in the storage means.

Therefore, when the user wants to select the corresponding signals for all of the plurality of channels and to sequentially check the program information, the user simply operates the initial setting unit again and simply re-operates. It is possible to select a corresponding signal while transmitting a predetermined order for all of the plurality of channels, and to output and confirm the program information by the output means, which is excellent in convenience.

A broadcast receiving system according to still another aspect of the present invention is a system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, wherein a broadcast receiver and a controller are provided. Prepare.

[0030] The broadcast receiver, based on the information of the designated channel, gives a signal corresponding to the designated channel,
Signal selection means for selecting and deriving from the broadcast signal, and based on the received predetermined signal, each of the plurality of channels,
It has processing means for providing the information of the designated channel to the signal selecting means while sequentially forwarding according to the magnitude of the selection request, and output means for outputting information based on the signal derived by the signal selecting means.

A forward-order designating unit which is operated to designate the plurality of channels by sequentially forwarding, and which is operated to designate a degree of selection request of a designated channel corresponding to a signal outputted by the output means; Input means having a selection request designating section, and communication means for transmitting the contents specified by the input means as a predetermined signal to the broadcast receiver.

According to the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, it is desired that the degree of the request for the selection of the program information based on the signal of the designated channel output by the output means be reduced in the subsequent channel selection to delay the output order. If desired, the desired contents are input by the forward specification part and the selection request specification part of the input means. Then, the program information is sequentially forwarded through the processing means while designating a plurality of channels in an order according to the magnitude of the degree of the selection request desired by the signal selection means, and the program information by a signal corresponding to the designated channel is transmitted. Is output by the output means.

Therefore, the user checks the program information output from the output unit, and if the program information is not desired, operates the selection request specifying unit to change the degree of the request for selecting the corresponding channel. By simply specifying, in the subsequent channel selection, the program information of the channel is
Output to the output means, program information of other channels,
That is, since the desired program information candidates can be output to the output unit in the early order and confirmed by the output unit, it is possible to quickly select and designate the channel corresponding to the finally determined desired program information. it can.

A broadcast receiving system according to still another aspect of the present invention is a system for receiving a broadcast signal including a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, wherein a broadcast receiver and a controller are provided. Prepare.

[0035] The broadcast receiver, based on the received information on the designated channel, generates a signal corresponding to the designated channel,
It has signal selection means for selecting and deriving from a broadcast signal, and output means for outputting information based on the signal derived by the signal selection means.

[0036] The controller has a forward designation section which is operated to sequentially designate a plurality of channels, and an operation section which designates a degree of selection request of a designated channel corresponding to a signal output from the output means. Input means having a selection request specifying section, and, based on the specified contents in the input means, each of the plurality of channels is sequentially transmitted to the broadcast receiver as information of the specified channel while sequentially forwarding according to the size of the selection request. Processing means for transmitting.

According to the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, it is desired to lower the priority of output by lowering the degree of the selection request in the subsequent channel selection for the program information based on the signal of the designated channel output by the output means. When this is desired, the desired contents are inputted by the forward-forwarding designation section and the selection request designation section of the input means. Then, the program information is sequentially forwarded through the processing means while designating a plurality of channels in an order according to the magnitude of the degree of the selection request desired by the signal selection means, and the program information by a signal corresponding to the designated channel is transmitted. Is output by the output means.

Therefore, the user checks the program information output from the output unit, and if the program information is not desired, operates the selection request designation unit to change the degree of the selection request of the corresponding channel. By simply designating, in the subsequent channel selection, the program information of the channel is output to the output unit in a later order, and the program information of another channel, that is, the desired program information candidate is output by the output unit in an earlier order. Since it can be output and confirmed, a channel corresponding to the finally determined desired program information can be promptly selected and designated.

In the above-described broadcast receiving system, the processing means has a permutation table in which a plurality of channels are arranged in an order based on a corresponding selection request degree specified by a predetermined signal. You may be comprised so that it may be performed according to the content of a table.

According to the above-described broadcast receiving system, the sequential transmission of the designated channel by the processing means refers to the contents of the permutation table in which each of the plurality of channels is arranged in the order based on the degree of the corresponding selection request designated by the predetermined signal. It is done while doing.

Therefore, the processing means merely refers to the selection request level corresponding to a plurality of channels sequentially updated in the permutation table, and selects the channel in descending order of the selection request to the user and responds. Can be output to the output means and sequentially checked, so that the user can quickly select and specify a channel corresponding to the finally determined desired program information.

In the above-described broadcast receiving system, the processing means has a timer for measuring the time from when the program information corresponding to the designated channel is started to be output by the output means, and the timer measures the predetermined period. Accordingly, the degree of selection request corresponding to a plurality of channels in the permutation table may be set to a predetermined initial value.

According to the above-described broadcast receiving system, when the timer finishes measuring the predetermined time, a predetermined initial value is uniformly set for the degree of selection request corresponding to a plurality of channels in the permutation table.

Therefore, when the timer has finished counting the predetermined time and the broadcasted program has changed, the user invalidates the degree of the selection request set up to now, and the corresponding level of the plurality of channels has been invalidated. If it is desired to confirm the program information by sequentially selecting the signals in accordance with a predetermined initial order, the user does not need to perform a special operation for setting the selection request degree corresponding to a plurality of channels to a predetermined initial value. In addition, it is possible to again select the corresponding signal while sequentially forwarding in a predetermined initial order for all of the plurality of channels, and to output and confirm the program information by the output means, which is convenient. Excellent.

In the above-described broadcast receiving system, the processing means outputs the designated channel in the permutation table in response to the end of the broadcast of the program information corresponding to the designated channel and the transition to the next program information. May be configured to set the selection request degree corresponding to the predetermined initial value.

According to the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, the broadcast of the program information corresponding to the designated channel output by the output means is terminated, and the user invalidates the degree of the selection request set so far. Then, if it is desired to confirm the program information by sequentially selecting the corresponding signals for all of the plurality of channels in accordance with a predetermined initial order, the user,
Even without performing a special operation for setting the selection request degree corresponding to a plurality of channels to a predetermined initial value, the corresponding signal is selected again while sequentially performing the predetermined initial order for all of the plurality of channels. Thus, the program information can be output and confirmed by the output means, which is excellent in convenience.

In the above-mentioned broadcast receiving system, the input means further has an initial setting section operated to specify setting of the selection request degree corresponding to a plurality of channels in the permutation table to a predetermined initial value. The processing means may be configured to set the degree of selection request corresponding to a plurality of channels in the permutation table to an initial value in response to the operation of the initial setting unit.

According to the above-described broadcast receiving system, when the initial setting unit is operated, the initial values are uniformly set for the selection request degrees corresponding to a plurality of channels in the permutation table.

Therefore, if the user desires to select the corresponding signals for all of the plurality of channels and to sequentially confirm the program information, the user can simply operate the initial setting unit again and operate again. In addition, it is possible to select the corresponding signal while transmitting the signals in a predetermined order for all of the plurality of channels, and to output the program information by the output unit for confirmation, which is excellent in convenience.

[0050]

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

(Embodiment 1) Here, Embodiment 1 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to each embodiment of the present invention. Broadcast receiver system is broadcast receiver 1
00 and a remote control 110 for remotely operating the broadcast receiver 100. Remote control 110 remotely controls the operation of broadcast receiver 100 using, for example, an infrared signal. The broadcast receiver 100 is for receiving a television broadcast, for example, and includes a tuner unit 101, a display unit 102 for displaying an image on a screen, and a broadcast receiver 10
A processing unit 103 comprising a microcomputer for centrally controlling 0, a storage unit 104 accessed by the processing unit 103 for storing various data and programs, and a signal for receiving signals transmitted from a remote control 110. A remote control communication unit 105 is included. Remote control 11
Reference numeral 0 denotes an input unit 112 including various buttons including a channel button operated by a user to input various information for remotely operating the broadcast receiver 100, and an infrared ray corresponding to a signal given from the input unit 112. Remote control communication unit 11 for transmitting a signal to broadcast receiver 100
Including 1.

Here, the display unit 102 is provided inside the broadcast receiver 100, but the broadcast receiver body and the display unit may be configured separately.

In operation, the user operates the remote control 110
When a button provided on the input unit 112 is operated, information on the operated button is converted into an infrared signal from the input unit 112 via the remote control communication unit 111, and provided to the broadcast receiver 100.

Broadcast receiver 100 transmits a signal transmitted from remote controller 110, for example, a signal such as a command of channel number Up or channel number Down to remote controller communication section 1.
05 and gives it to the processing unit 103. Processing unit 1
In 03, the channel number of the video signal to be displayed next on the display unit 102 is determined while referring to the information stored in the storage unit 104 based on the received information, and the channel number is determined for the tuner unit 101. Indicate the channel number. The tuner unit 101 operates to select the designated channel number, and the video signal included in the television signal of the selected channel number is displayed on the display unit 102.
To be displayed.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the remote controller according to the first embodiment. The remote controller 110 has a button 201 for changing channel numbers in ascending order, a button 202 for changing in descending order, a storage button 203 for storing a program (channel number) not to be viewed, and a storage for erasing stored information. An erase button 204, a button 205 for directly designating a channel number, and a communication unit 206 for transmitting information of the operated button to the broadcast receiver 100 as an infrared signal are provided.

Here, as shown in FIG.
Although the number of selectable channels is set to 12 at 0, the number of selectable channels may be two or more. Also,
The button 205 for directly specifying the channel number may not be provided.

Next, the operation of the broadcast receiving system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
6 is a processing flowchart according to FIG. FIG. 4 (A) and (B)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a channel flag correspondence table according to the first embodiment. The illustrated channel flag correspondence table TB1
Are stored in the storage unit 104 as a table. In the channel flag correspondence table TB1, True is set for a program broadcast on the channel corresponding to each of the plurality of channel numbers CH if the user does not want to watch the program, and False otherwise. Is stored, a flag FL that the user does not want to see is stored. Note that the flag FL that you do not want to see is False
Is set.

At the time of zapping, the channel flag correspondence table TB1 is referred to, and the flag FL that the user does not want to see is set to F.
The channel of the channel number CH set to “alse” is subject to zapping, but the flag F
The channel of the channel number CH for which L is set to True is not subject to zapping.

In operation, when the user presses a button on remote control 110, it is determined in step S301 which button has been pressed. If the memory erasure button 204 has been pressed, in step S302, FIG.
As shown in (A), the flag FL not to be viewed for all channel numbers CH is set to False, and zapping is enabled for all channels.

If the storage button 203 is pressed, in step S303, a flag FL not to be viewed for the channel number CH currently selected by the tuner section 101 is set to True in FIG. As a result,
If the flag FL for which all channel numbers CH are not desired to be viewed is set to True, an error case occurs in which there are no channels that can be displayed on the display unit 102, and it is determined whether the error case has occurred in step S30.
Check at 6.

If the error case has occurred, in step S307 the channel number C to be stored
The flag FL not to be viewed for H is returned to False.
At this time, in order to inform the user of the error state, the remote controller 110 may emit a warning display or a warning sound via an output unit (not shown). For example, if the storage button 203 is pressed while watching channel 2, the flag FL that the user does not want to see for channel number CH = 2 becomes True. Specifically, FIG. 4A is in the state of FIG. 4B.

When the channel number Up button is pressed, the number obtained by incrementing the current channel number CH by one in step S304 is set as the channel number CH to be adjusted next (S304). At this time, if the channel number CH is 12, which is the largest, the channel number CH is returned to 1, which is the smallest.

Next, with reference to the channel flag correspondence table TB1, a flag FL which the user does not want to see for the next channel number CH to be checked is confirmed. As a result of the confirmation, if the flag FL that the user does not want to see is False (N in S308)
O), the tuner section 101 is changed so that reception is performed for this channel number CH (S310).
If the flag FL that one does not want to see is True (S30)
8 is YES), and the channel number CH is set to 1 again.
It returns to step S304 to raise it.

For example, it is assumed that the tuner unit 101 matches the channel number CH = 1 and the broadcast of the channel 1 is flowing on the display unit 102. When the channel number Up button 201 is pressed while the channel flag correspondence table TB1 is as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the channel number CH to be adjusted next becomes 2, so that the channel flag corresponding to FIG. The flag FL not to be viewed for the channel number CH = 2 in the table TB1 is referred to. As a result of the reference, since the flag FL that the user does not want to see is set to True, the process returns to step S304, and further the channel number C
H is incremented by one, and the flag FL that the user does not want to see for the channel number CH = 3 is referred to. As a result of the reference, the flag FL that the user does not want to see is False, so the tuner unit 101 is adjusted to match the channel number CH = 3.

The channel number Down button 20
When 2 is pressed, the tuner unit 101 is adjusted so that the signal of the channel number CH obtained by lowering the currently received channel number CH by 1 is received (step S).
305).

At this time, if the channel number CH is 1, which is the smallest, the channel number CH is changed to 12, which is the largest.

Next, by referring to the channel flag correspondence table TB1, the flag FL which the user does not want to see next for the channel number CH to be matched is confirmed (S309). Check result,
If the flag FL that the user does not want to see is False, the tuner unit 101 is set so that the channel number CH is received.
Is adjusted (S310). If you don't want to see the flag F
If L is True, one more channel number C
The process returns to step S305 to decrease H by one.

When the button 205 is pressed, the tuner unit 1 receives the corresponding channel number CH.
01 is adjusted (S310).

According to such a processing procedure, the channel number CH is moved up and down, and the storage button 203 is pressed once with the desired channel number CH. Will not be able to watch the program, and as a result, the program that has been decided not to be watched will not need to be watched in the second and subsequent zapping.

When it is desired to select a channel again from all the channel numbers CH due to a change in time zone, the zapping can be performed again for all the channel numbers CH only by pressing the memory erase button 204. become.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the broadcast receiving system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the broadcast receiving system includes a broadcast receiver 500 and a remote control 510 for remotely controlling the broadcast receiver 500. Broadcast receiver 500
Is for receiving a television broadcast, and includes a remote control communication unit 505 for transmitting and receiving infrared signals for control among the tuner unit 501, the display unit 502, and the remote control 510. Remote control 510 is a broadcast receiver 500
Remote control communication unit 511 for transmitting and receiving infrared signals for control, input unit 512, processing unit 513 including a microcomputer, storage unit 514 accessed by processing unit 513 and storing various information, and timer 515.

In the present embodiment, broadcast receiver 500
Although the display unit 502 is provided inside, the broadcast receiver body and the display unit 502 including a liquid crystal monitor or the like may be configured separately.

FIG. 6 is an external view of the remote controller 510 of FIG. The remote control 510 has a channel feed button 601 for changing channel numbers in a predetermined order, a channel return button 602 for sending in the reverse order, a storage button 607 operated for storing a channel number of a program that the user does not want to watch, A storage button 608 operated to store a channel number of a program to be watched, a button 605 operated to directly specify a channel number, a power button 609, and information of the operated button is transmitted to the broadcast receiver 50.
0 has a communication unit 606 for transmitting an infrared signal or receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the broadcast receiver 500. Here, the number of channels that can be selected by remote controller 510 is 12, but the number of channels may be two or more.

In the broadcast receiver 500, the remote controller 51
The signal of a command such as a channel number change transmitted from 0 is received by the remote control communication unit 505 and is transmitted to the tuner unit 5.
01 is sent. When the power button 609 is operated to turn on the broadcast receiver 500, the channel number currently selected by the tuner unit 501 is transmitted from the remote control communication unit 505 to the remote control communication unit 511. Then, the remote controller 510
4 stores this channel number.

Here, storage unit 514 of remote controller 510
In the above, the operation of the power button 609 is designated as a trigger for storing the currently selected channel number, but the currently selected channel number may be periodically transmitted from the broadcast receiver 500. Alternatively, when a button for directly specifying a channel number is specified from remote controller 510, the specified channel number may be stored in storage unit 514.

Next, the operation of the system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a channel priority correspondence table TB2 according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing the channel number sending permutation table TB3 according to the second embodiment. These tables are stored in the storage unit 514.

In the channel priority correspondence table TB2, a priority PR, which is input information by the user, indicating that he or she does not want to watch the corresponding program for each channel number CH is set. Based on the channel priority correspondence table TB2, the channel number sending permutation table T
In B3, the order of sending the channel numbers CH is stored as a channel number sequence.

More specifically, all channel numbers CH
8A when the priority PR for the is initialized.
, The priorities are all initialized to 0, and the arrangement of the channel numbers CH is set as shown in FIG. if,
If the priority PR is set as shown in FIG. 8B, the arrangement of the channel numbers CH is as shown in FIG. 9B. When the button 608 to be viewed is operated, the priority P for the channel number CH being broadcast at that time is displayed.
When the value of R increases by one and the button 607 that the user does not want to see is operated, the value of the priority PR for the channel number CH received and broadcast by the tuner unit 501 at that time decreases by one.

In the present embodiment, if the priority PR is a negative value, the corresponding channel number CH
The tuning by the tuner unit 501 is skipped.

Note that the tuning may be performed while skipping the channel numbers CH and sending them in the order of the corresponding priority PR.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, if the user continues to watch the program of the same channel number CH without zapping, the timer of the storage erasure timer by the timer 515 expires in step S701. The value of the storage erasure timer may be set in advance by the broadcast receiving system, or may be arbitrarily set by the user.

If the memory erasure timer has expired, step S
In step 702, all the priority numbers PR in the channel priority correspondence table TB2 in the storage unit 514 are initialized based on the information of pressing the button 608 or 607 that the user wants to see or does not want to see in all the channel numbers CH, and based on the priority PR. Also, the contents of the channel number sending permutation table TB3 arranged in this manner are initialized. As a result, the priority PR for each channel number CH is as shown in FIG. Further, assuming that the arrangement of the channel numbers CH matches the channel number CH = 1 by the tuner unit 501, the channel numbers CH are arranged as shown in FIG. 9A starting from the channel number CH = 1. , Channel number CH = 4, they are arranged as shown in FIG. 9C starting from channel number CH = 4.

In this embodiment, at the time of initialization, FIG.
As in (A) and (C), the user's preference and the frequency of selecting a channel may be remembered according to the permutation of the channel number CH, and the initialization may be performed accordingly.

On the other hand, if the user presses a button on remote control 510, it is determined in step S703 which remote control button has been pressed.

If the storage button 608 to be viewed is depressed, the priority PR for the channel number CH currently received by the tuner section 501 is incremented by 1 in the channel priority correspondence table TB2 in step S704.

If the storage button 607 that the user does not want to see is pressed, in step S 705, the priority level P for the corresponding channel number CH currently received by the tuner section 501 is displayed in the channel priority correspondence table TB 2.
Decrease R by one. At this time, if the priority PR of all the channel numbers CH becomes a negative value, the display unit 5
Since there are no more channels that can be displayed on 02,
In that case, a check is made in step S706, and if applicable, the value of the priority PR for the channel number CH that was about to be changed is restored in step S707. At this time, a warning display or a warning sound may be output by an output unit (not shown) to notify the user of the error state.

For example, when initialized and the priority PR for all the channel numbers CH is 0,
If the user does not want to see the store button 607 while watching channel 2, the priority PR for the channel number CH = 2 becomes −1, and the store button 608 to be viewed while watching channel 4 is pressed. Then, the priority PR for the channel number CH = 4 becomes +1.

When the channel feed button 601 is pressed, it is checked in step S708 whether the currently tuned channel number CH is the last in the channel number feed permutation table TB3. If it is the last, zapping has been completed for all the channels, and the process jumps to step S710. Even if it is not the last, if the priority PR of the next channel number CH is a negative value, there is no more channel to be displayed in the current channel arrangement, and the process jumps to step S710. Otherwise, the tuner unit 501 is adjusted so that the next channel number CH is received in S714.

In step S710, the channel numbers CH in the channel number sending permutation table TB3 are rearranged based on the contents of the channel priority correspondence table TB2. Arrangement is performed in order from the highest priority PR, and channels having the same priority PR may be arranged in any manner. For example, from the state of FIG. 8A after initialization, a store button 608 to be viewed for channels 4 and 8 is displayed.
By operating the storage button 607 that the user does not want to see for channels 2 and 11, the setting state is as shown in FIG. If this is rearranged in step S710, the arrangement is as shown in FIG. 9B. In step S711, the channel is changed to the first channel in the rearranged result.

When the channel return button 602 is pressed, it is checked in step S712 whether the tuned and received channel number CH is the first channel number CH in the channel number sending permutation table TB3. If not, step S713 is performed. To change the channel number CH to the previous channel.

When the channel direct selection button 605 is pressed, the tuner section 501 is adjusted so that the receiving operation is performed in accordance with the pressed channel.

Step S711 or step S71
When the channel is changed in step 5, it is determined that zapping is in progress, and the above-described memory erasure timer is restarted in step S716, and the time when the timer expires is set to
Change from when the channel was changed.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a broadcast receiving system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The broadcast receiving system includes a broadcast receiver 1000 and a remote controller 1010. The broadcast receiver 1000 includes a tuner unit 1001, a display unit 1002,
Remote control communication unit 1005 and EPG information management unit 100
6 inclusive. Here, the display unit 1002 is provided inside the broadcast receiver 1000.
00 and a display unit 1002 including a liquid crystal monitor or the like may be configured separately.

The EPG information management unit 1006 checks the information of the EPG received by the broadcast, and gives the remote control communication unit 1005 the channel number at which the new program has started each time a new program starts. Information such as a channel number change command transmitted from the remote controller 1010 is received by the remote controller communication unit 1005 and given to the tuner unit 1001. Also, when power ON is instructed, the currently selected channel number is transmitted from remote control communication unit 1005 to remote control 1010.
In step 010, the channel number is received and stored in the storage unit 101.
4 is stored. Information sent when a new program starts from the EPG information management unit 1006 is transmitted to the remote control 1010, and the result processed by the processing unit 1013 is stored in the storage unit 1014.

FIG. 11 is an external view of the remote controller 1010 of FIG. In the figure, a remote control 1010 has a channel feed button 1101 for changing channel numbers in a predetermined order, a channel return button 1102 for sending the channel numbers in the reverse order, a storage button 1107 operated to store a program that the user does not want to watch, and a watch button. A storage button 1108 for storing a program, a button 1105 operated to directly designate a channel number, a power button 1109,
And a communication unit 1106 for transmitting information on the operated button to the broadcast receiver 1000 and receiving a signal from the broadcast receiver 1000. Communication unit 1106
Is a part for transmitting or receiving an infrared signal. Here, the number of channels that can be selected by remote controller 1010 is 12, but the number of channels may be two or more.

In operation, when the power button 1109 is operated, the power is turned on in the broadcast receiver 1000, and the remote control communication unit 1005 on the broadcast receiver 1000 is switched to the remote control communication unit 1 on the remote control 1010 by bidirectional communication.
A channel number matched by the current tuner unit 1001 is transmitted to 011, and this channel number is received by the remote control communication unit 1011 and the processing unit 101
3 is stored in the storage unit 1014. When the user operates a button provided on remote controller 1010, information on the operated button is provided to processing unit 1013 via input unit 1012. The processing unit 1013 determines the channel number to be displayed next while referring to the information stored in the storage unit 1014, and gives the number to the broadcast receiver 1000 via the remote control communication unit 1011.

In this embodiment, the remote controller 10
Although the operation of the power button 1109 is described as a trigger for storing the current channel number in the storage unit 1014 of the ten, the broadcast receiver 1000 may periodically transmit the currently selected channel number. Alternatively, when a button for directly specifying a channel number is specified from remote controller 1010, the specified channel number may be stored in storage unit 1014.

FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Next, the operation of the system will be described with reference to this flowchart. The storage unit 101
4 stores the order of sending channels based on input information such as whether or not the user wants to see the channel.

The information stored in storage unit 1014 is exactly the same as that of the second embodiment described above.
As shown in the channel priority correspondence table TB2 of FIG. 9A, the channel number CH and the priority PR corresponding to the channel number CH, and FIG.
The channel numbers CH rearranged based on the priority PR as in the channel number sending permutation table TB3 of (A).
Assume that the column contains

Button 1108 to be viewed on remote control 1010
Is operated, the priority for the channel number being broadcast at that time is increased by 1 and the button 11
When 07 is pressed, the priority for the channel number being broadcast at that time is decreased by one. In the present embodiment, when the priority has a negative value, the corresponding channel is skipped by zapping. Of course, without skipping, all channels may be sent in order of priority.

When information indicating that the program being broadcast is over and a new program is started is sent from the EPG information management unit 1006 to the processing unit 1013, this is checked in step S1201, and the flow advances to step S1202.

In step S1202, the priority PR is initialized only for the channel number CH corresponding to the end of the program broadcast immediately before and the start of the next new program.

When the user operates a button on remote control 1010, it is determined in step S1203 which button has been operated.

If the storage button 1100 to be viewed has been pressed, the priority PR for the channel number CH currently selected by the tuner unit 1001 is 1 in the channel number priority correspondence table TB2 in step S1204.
Will be increased.

If the store button 1107 that the user does not want to see has been pressed, in step S1205, the current tuner unit 1001 is displayed in the channel number priority correspondence table TB2.
Priority PR for channel number CH selected by
Is reduced by one. At this time, all channel numbers C
When the priority PR of H becomes a negative value, the display unit 10
Since there are no more channels that can be displayed on 02,
This case is checked in step S1206, and if applicable, in step S1207, the value of the priority PR for the channel number CH that was about to be changed is restored. At this time, a warning display or a warning sound may be output via an output unit (not shown) in order to notify the user of the error state.

For example, when the priority button PR for all channel numbers CH is 0 and the store button 1107 that the user does not want to watch is pressed while watching channel 2, the priority level for channel number CH = 2 is set. When the value of PR is decremented by one and the storage button 1108 desired to be viewed is pressed when watching channel 4, the value of the priority PR for the channel number CH = 4 is incremented by one.

When the channel feed button 1101 is pressed,
In step S1208, the corresponding channel number CH currently received is stored in the channel number sending permutation table T.
It is determined whether or not the end of the arrangement of the channel numbers CH of B3. If it is the last, zapping has been completed for all the channels, and the process jumps to step S1210 described later.

Even if it is not the last, if the value of the priority PR of the next channel number CH is negative, there is no more channel to be displayed in the current channel arrangement in the channel number sending permutation table TB3. The process jumps to step S1210 described below. Otherwise, S121
The tuner unit 1001 is adjusted so that the signal corresponding to the channel number CH arranged next at 4 is received.

In step S1210, the channel numbers CH in the channel number sending permutation table TB3 are rearranged based on the contents of the channel priority correspondence table TB2. The arrangement is the same as in the second embodiment, and the priority P
Channels having the same priority PR may be arranged in any order from the highest R. For example, the channels 4 and 8 are initialized from the state shown in FIG.
When a store button 1108 desired to be viewed is pressed and a store button 1107 not desired to be viewed for channels 2 and 11 is pressed, the state shown in FIG. If this is rearranged in step S1210, the arrangement shown in FIG. 9B is obtained.
In step S1211, the tuner unit 1001 is adjusted so that channel selection is performed in accordance with the rearranged first channel number CH.

When the channel return button 1102 is pressed, it is checked in step S1212 whether the channel number is the first channel number CH.
In step 1213, the channel number CH is changed to the previous channel, and the flow advances to step S1215.

The following features are obtained in each of the above embodiments. Based on the user's intention to show or do not want to see, the program that the user does not want to see is either not displayed from the next, or the user arranges the channels in the order that the user wants to see and shows the next. Is provided.

Further, the input display of the user's intention can be deleted. One of the triggers for this erasure is to use a user input, a timer,
There is a range of choices whether to use this information. Any of these functions may be used as the function of deleting the input intention, or a plurality of items may be provided.

Further, the user's intention input is stored in the broadcast receiver or the remote controller.
There are two storage modes.

As described above, in these embodiments, when zapping, the user inputs intention information indicating that he or she does not want to watch the program corresponding to the currently tuned channel. In zapping, the program is tuned and received in the order of the channel numbers CH corresponding to the program to be watched, or the channel number CH corresponding to the program not to be watched is not tuned and received (not displayed on the screen).

As a result, the user can easily find the program at the time of zapping. Also,
The information of the user's intention display that has been input is displayed when there is a predetermined input operation by the user, when a certain period of time elapses according to timer information, or when a new program starts in conjunction with the EPG, zapping is performed even on a channel that the user does not want to watch once. , The system can be used without any inconvenience even when zapping is desired again.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a remote controller according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing channel flag correspondence tables according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a broadcast receiving system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an external view of the remote controller of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing channel priority correspondence tables according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing channel number sending permutation tables according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a broadcast receiving system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

11 is an external view of the remote controller of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 500, 1000 broadcast receivers, 110, 51
0,1010 remote controller, TB1 channel flag correspondence table, TB2 channel priority correspondence table, TB3 channel number feed permutation table TB3.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast receiving system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, wherein a signal corresponding to the designated channel is provided based on information of a given designated channel. A signal selecting means for selecting and deriving from the broadcast signal, based on the received predetermined signal,
There are processing means for specifying a desired channel for which selection is specified and providing it to the signal selecting means as information of the specified channel, and output means for outputting program information based on a signal derived by the signal selecting means. A broadcast receiver, a channel specifying unit operated to specify the desired channel by feeding the plurality of channels in a predetermined order, and the signal of the signal corresponding to the specified channel output by the output unit. An input unit having an interruption / resumption designation unit operated to designate interruption of the selection by the selection unit or resumption of the selection after the interruption; and the broadcast receiver receives the content specified by the input unit as the predetermined signal. A broadcast receiving system, comprising: a controller having communication means for transmitting. 2. A broadcast receiving system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, wherein the broadcast receiving system transmits a signal corresponding to the designated channel based on received information on the designated channel. A signal selection means for selecting and deriving from the broadcast signal, and a broadcast receiver having an output means for outputting information based on the signal derived by the signal selection means; and A channel designation unit operated to designate a desired channel, and interruption of selection by the signal selection means or resumption of selection after the interruption of a signal corresponding to the designated channel output by the output means. Input means having an interruption / resumption designation unit operated for designation, and selection is designated on the basis of the designated contents in the input means. And a controller having a processing means for transmitting to the broadcast receiver as the information of the designated channel of the desired channel is identified processed to broadcast receiving system. 3. The processing unit includes a storage unit in which selection information indicating whether or not the selection interruption is designated based on the predetermined signal is written and stored for each of the plurality of channels. 3. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying process is performed with reference to the selection information in the storage unit corresponding to the desired channel specified in the predetermined sequential transmission. 4. . 4. In the specific processing, when the selection information in the storage means corresponding to the desired channel designated for the predetermined sequential transfer indicates the interruption of the selection, the next next to the predetermined sequential transfer is performed. Is designated as the desired channel.
The broadcast receiving system according to claim 3. 5. The processing means has a timer for measuring a time from when the program information corresponding to the designated channel starts to be output by the output means, wherein the timer measures a predetermined period. 5. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 3, wherein the selection instruction is set for the selection information corresponding to the plurality of channels in the storage unit according to 6. The input unit further includes an initial setting unit that is operated to specify setting of the selection instruction in the selection information corresponding to the plurality of channels in the storage unit. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, in response to the operation of the initial setting unit, the selection instruction is set for the selection information corresponding to a plurality of channels in the storage unit. The broadcast receiving system as described. 7. A broadcast receiving system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, wherein a signal corresponding to the designated channel is provided based on information of the given designated channel. A signal selecting means for selecting and deriving from the broadcast signal, based on the received predetermined signal,
Processing means for providing each of the plurality of channels sequentially to the signal selecting means as information of the designated channel while sequentially forwarding according to the magnitude of the selection request; and outputting information based on a signal derived by the signal selecting means. A broadcast receiver having an output unit, a forward specifying unit that is operated to specify the plurality of channels in the forward order, and the specified channel corresponding to the signal output by the output unit. A controller having an input unit having a selection request specifying unit operated to specify a selection request degree, and a communication unit transmitting the specified content in the input unit as the predetermined signal to the broadcast receiver; , A broadcast receiving system. 8. A broadcast receiving system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising a signal for program information corresponding to each of a plurality of channels, wherein a signal corresponding to the designated channel is received based on the received information on the designated channel. A signal selecting means for selecting and deriving from the broadcast signal, and a broadcast receiver having an output means for outputting information based on the signal derived by the signal selecting means; and And a selection request specifying unit operated to specify the degree of the selection request of the specified channel corresponding to the signal output by the output unit. Based on the input means and the contents specified by the input means, do not sequentially feed each of the plurality of channels in accordance with the size of the selection request. And a controller having a processing means for transmitting to the broadcast receiver as the information of al the designated channel, the broadcast receiving system. 9. The processing means includes a permutation table in which each of the plurality of channels is arranged in an order based on the degree of the corresponding selection request specified by the predetermined signal. 9. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 7, wherein the broadcast reception is performed according to the contents of the table. 10. The processing means includes:
A timer for measuring the time from when the program information corresponding to the designated channel starts to be output; and in response to the timer measuring a predetermined period, the selection request corresponding to the plurality of channels in the permutation table. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 9, wherein the degree is set to a predetermined initial value. 11. The processing means includes:
Setting the selection request degree corresponding to the designated channel in the permutation table to a predetermined initial value in response to the end of the broadcast of the program information corresponding to the designated channel and transition to the next program information. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: 12. The input unit further includes an initial setting unit that is operated to specify setting the selection request degree corresponding to the plurality of channels in the permutation table to a predetermined initial value. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the processing unit sets the selection request degree corresponding to the plurality of channels in the permutation table to the initial value in response to the operation of the initial setting unit. The broadcast receiving system as described.