JP2002016854A - Receiver, television receiver and receiving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save power surely when a channel broadcasting no program is selected. SOLUTION: An EIT is selected as information related to program by means of a demultiplexer 4 from a digital satellite broadcast signal selected by means of a tuner 2 and delivered to a control section 100. The control section 100 monitors the information related to program received from the demultiplexer 4 and interrupts power supply to an analog block by controlling a power supply circuit 26 through an analog block control section 25 when a state where no program is broadcast through a channel to be selected sustains for a specified time or longer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a receiver, a television receiver, which can effectively save power.
Reception method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, while watching a television broadcast program at midnight, the television receiver may fall asleep with the power turned on. In this case, the power of the television receiver is kept turned on until the user notices, even though the broadcast is finished, and power is wasted.

However, a television receiver that receives a terrestrial analog television broadcast signal detects whether or not a non-broadcasting channel is selected by detecting the presence or absence of the television broadcast signal. be able to. Specifically, by monitoring the presence or absence of a synchronization signal of the video signal output from the tuner unit of the television receiver, when a channel not broadcasting is being selected, this can be easily detected. be able to.

Therefore, when it is detected that a channel that is not broadcasting is kept selected for a certain period of time, power is supplied only to a part that must be operated at a minimum, and other parts are supplied. By stopping power supply to the power supply, unnecessary power consumption is prevented.

[0005]

However, in the case of digital satellite broadcasting or analog satellite broadcasting, the radio wave from the satellite is not interrupted even when the broadcast of the program ends.
In many cases, a test signal or the like is transmitted. For this reason, it is not possible to distinguish between a channel on which a broadcast program is being broadcast and a channel on which the broadcast program is not being broadcast by the same method as in the case of analog terrestrial television broadcasting described above.

[0006] In addition, the Transport Stream
(Hereinafter abbreviated as TS) MPEG called format
(Motion Picture Expert Gr
In the case of digital broadcasting adopting the transmission frame format of the (out) system, data of a large number of packetized broadcast programs and various data related to broadcasting are multiplexed and transmitted in one broadcast signal.

In this case, assuming that a unit for selecting one broadcast program is a channel, one broadcast signal includes a plurality of channels. Then, by selecting a channel broadcasting the target broadcast program from a large number of selectable channels, the target broadcast program can be viewed.

[0008] However, even if the channel is selectable, a channel that broadcasts a broadcast program during the daytime but does not broadcast a broadcast program at night, or, conversely, a broadcast program that broadcasts at night. , But there are channels that do not broadcast broadcast programs during the day. Some channels broadcast broadcast programs only on Saturday and Sunday.

As described above, in the case of digital broadcasting, if it is not possible to reliably detect whether or not a broadcast program is being broadcast by a channel that is selected from a large number of selectable channels, the broadcast program is not broadcast. It is not possible to reliably save power when a channel that is not being broadcast is selected.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a receiver, a television receiver, and a receiving method capable of reliably saving power when a channel on which a broadcast program is not broadcast is selected. Aim.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiver for selecting a broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal selected by the channel select means. Extracting means for extracting program-related information indicating presence / absence of at least one or more broadcast programs provided by the broadcast signal; and extracting the program-related information extracted by the extracting means. Monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of a broadcast program in the selected channel based on the selected channel, and the monitoring means continues to select a channel that does not provide a broadcast program for a predetermined time or more. And control means for controlling to shift to the power saving mode when it is detected that the power saving mode is detected.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the program-related information included in the broadcast signal selected by the channel selecting means is extracted by the extracting means, and the program-related information is monitored by the monitoring means. . When the monitoring means detects that a state in which a channel on which a broadcast program is not being broadcast is being selected has continued for a predetermined time or more is detected, the control means shifts to a power saving mode. You.

Thus, if the broadcast of the broadcast program has not been performed for a predetermined time or more by the selected channel, the broadcast program can be reliably detected and automatically switched to the power saving mode. . Therefore, even if a channel that is not broadcasting a broadcast program is selected and the power is kept turned on, such a state can be reliably detected and the mode can be automatically shifted to the power saving mode. Therefore, wasteful consumption of power can be reliably prevented.

[0014] The receiver according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises:
2. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, and the program-related information is electronic program guide information provided by being multiplexed with the digital broadcast signal. And

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the broadcast signal to be received and tuned in is a digital broadcast signal, and the EPG multiplexed with the digital broadcast signal by the extracting means.
(Electronic Programming
Information for forming an electronic program guide called “Guide) is extracted, and information for forming the electronic program guide is monitored by the monitoring unit.

As described above, by monitoring the information for forming the electronic program guide, if the broadcast program has not been broadcast for a certain period of time on the selected channel, it is ensured. Can be detected. When it is detected that the broadcast of the broadcast program has not been performed for a certain period of time on the selected channel, the receiver automatically consumes power by automatically shifting to the power saving mode. Can be reliably prevented.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a receiver, a television receiver and a receiving method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a receiver, a television receiver, and a receiving method according to the present invention are applied to a digital television receiver that receives a digital satellite broadcast employing a transmission frame format of an MPEG system called a TS format. A description will be given of an example in which the method is applied.

The digital broadcasting signal of the TS format is 1
Video data and audio data of a plurality of broadcast programs and various digital data related to broadcasting are packetized into one broadcast signal, and are so-called time-division multiplexed. For this reason, in the case of digital television broadcasting, a digital broadcast signal (RF channel) including a channel for broadcasting a target television broadcast program is selected, and
By selecting a channel for broadcasting the target broadcast program and extracting the data of the target broadcast program from the digital broadcast signal, the target broadcast program can be viewed.

Therefore, in the embodiments described below, simply referring to a channel means a unit for selecting a broadcast program, and selecting a channel means only selecting a digital broadcast signal. Instead, it includes selecting a digital broadcast signal and selecting a target broadcast program.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a digital television receiver (hereinafter, simply referred to as a television receiver) according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a television receiver according to this embodiment includes a digital tuner (hereinafter simply referred to as a tuner) 2 connected to a satellite broadcast receiving antenna 1, a descrambler 3, and a demultiplexer 4. , A decoding unit 5 having a video signal decoder and an audio signal decoder, and an OSD (On
It comprises a Screen Display (processing) unit 6, a video signal processing circuit 7, a DEF (Deflection: deflection) processing unit 8, a display 9, an audio signal amplifier 10, and a speaker 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the television receiver of this embodiment has a control unit (digital control unit) 1
00, a clock circuit 21, a remote control interface unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote control I / F unit) 22, a remote control signal light receiving unit 23, an analog block control unit 25, and a power supply circuit 26 for an analog block. In addition,
The analog block control unit 25 is connected to the control unit 100 via an interface (hereinafter, abbreviated as I / F) 24, and can be controlled by the control unit 100 as described later. .

The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 1
02, RAM 103, EEPROM (Electric
all Erasable Programmable
An eROM (104) is a microcomputer formed by being connected through a CPU bus 105, and controls each unit of the television receiver of this embodiment.

Here, the ROM 102 stores a processing program to be executed in the television receiver, necessary data, and the like. RAM 10
Reference numeral 3 is mainly used as a work area, for example, temporarily storing an intermediate result of an executed process. EEP
The ROM 104 is a memory for storing various kinds of parameter information set by the user, and is a so-called non-volatile memory that does not lose stored information even when the power of the television receiver is turned off. It is.

The clock circuit 21 provides the current time, has a calendar function, and displays the current year, month,
Day, day of the week, etc. can also be provided. As will be described later, the clock circuit 21 is used not only to provide the current time in the switching process to the power saving mode, but also to realize a so-called sleep timer function, a current time display function, and the like.

In FIG. 1, a remote commander (hereinafter abbreviated as "remote controller") 30 is a remote control device for the television receiver of this embodiment, and is an infrared ray corresponding to an operation input from a user. Is formed and transmitted. The remote controller 30 includes a power on / off key, a channel key for channel selection, a channel up / down key, a volume up / down key,
It is provided with various other function keys and the like.

An infrared remote control signal transmitted from the remote control 30 in response to a key operation by the user is received by the remote control signal receiving section 23 of the television receiver of this embodiment, and is converted into an electric signal. . The remote control signal converted into the electric signal is transmitted to the remote control I / F 2
2 to the control unit 100.

Thus, the control section 100 forms a control signal for controlling each section according to the remote control signal, and supplies the control signal to the related sections, thereby turning on the power in response to an instruction from the user. Various controls such as ON / OFF, tuning, and volume control can be performed.

Although not shown, the television receiver of this embodiment is provided with an on / off button switch for a main power supply in the television receiver body. By turning on the main power by turning on / off the main power on / off button switch, power is supplied to the minimum necessary circuit parts such as the control unit 100, and the analog block from the remote controller 30 and the like. It is in a so-called standby mode (standby state), which is a state of waiting for reception of a remote control signal for requesting turning on of drive power to the apparatus.

When the apparatus is in the standby mode, it is possible to turn on / off the drive power from a remote place through the remote controller 30. After the drive power is turned on, the remote controller 30 is used to switch channels and control the volume. Various operations such as adjustment can be performed.

As described above, in this specification, turning on the main power supply means supplying the power to a minimum necessary circuit portion such as the control unit 100 to set the standby mode, and turning on the drive power supply. Supplies power to all circuit parts including the analog block part such as the display 9 so that the television receiver of this embodiment can receive and select a digital broadcast signal to view a desired broadcast program. Means to operate as a television receiver.

When the drive power is turned on through the remote controller 30 after the main power is turned on, the television receiver of this embodiment receives and selects a digital satellite broadcast signal as follows. Performs processing, etc., to enable viewing of broadcast programs. That is, the T received by the satellite broadcast receiving antenna 1 installed outdoors.
An S-format digital satellite broadcast signal (hereinafter, simply referred to as a satellite broadcast signal) is supplied to the tuner unit 2.

The tuner unit 2 selects and demodulates a satellite broadcast signal based on a channel selection control signal from the control unit 100,
The demodulated satellite broadcast signal is supplied to the descrambler 3. The tuning control signal supplied from the control unit 100 to the channel unit 2 is transmitted to the control unit 10 in response to a channel selection operation input from the user received through the remote controller 30 or the like.
0.

The descrambler 3 receives key information for decryption from the controller 100, for example,
The scramble processing (encryption processing) applied to the received and selected satellite broadcast signal is decrypted (decrypted), and the decrypted satellite broadcast signal is supplied to the demultiplexer 4.

As described above, the satellite broadcast signal is a signal in a TS format, and includes video data and audio data of a plurality of broadcast programs, various digital data related to broadcast, and EP data.
Digital data for forming an electronic program guide called G is packetized and so-called time-division multiplexed, and a plurality of broadcast programs and various information are provided by one satellite broadcast signal. Have been able to. Then, a PID (Packet ID: Packet Identifier) is added to each packet, so that a television receiver can separate and extract a target packet from a satellite broadcast signal.

For this reason, in the demultiplexer 4, based on the channel selection control signal from the control unit 100, the video data and the audio data of the broadcast program to be broadcast on the channel selected by the user. Is extracted from the satellite broadcast signal from the descrambler 3, and the video data and audio data of the extracted broadcast program are supplied to the decoder 5.

The demultiplexer 4 extracts various data related to broadcasting and data for forming an EPG from the satellite broadcast signal from the descrambler 3,
This is supplied to the control unit 100. In this embodiment, the signal is extracted by the demultiplexer 4 and
00 is supplied as NIT (Network
k Information Table), PAT (P
program Association Tabl
e), PMT (Program Map Tabl)
e), EIT (Event Information T)
able).

The NIT indicates physical information about the transmission path, including information about the orbit of the satellite, information about the polarization, the frequency for each transponder (satellite repeater), and the broadcast program transmitted by each transmission path. It consists of data such as (program) numbers. PID of NIT itself
(Packet ID: packet identifier) is specified by PAT. The broadcast program number corresponds to the channel selected by the user.

The PAT is, for each broadcast program number, the PMT of the PMT that transmits information on the packets constituting the broadcast program.
It indicates the ID. As the PID of the PAT itself,
For example, PID = "0" is fixedly assigned. Further, the PMT indicates, for each broadcast program number, the PID of a packet in which a stream of video, audio, additional data, etc., constituting the broadcast program is transmitted. The PID of the PMT itself is specified by the PAT.

When the user selects a channel on which the intended broadcast program is being broadcast, the NI
The transponder broadcasting the satellite broadcast signal including the selected channel is specified by the information of T. Accordingly, as described above, the control unit 100 forms a channel selection control signal so as to select a satellite broadcast signal from the specified transponder, and supplies the channel selection control signal to the tuner 2 to thereby obtain a target channel. Can be selected.

Then, the PMT indicating the PID of the packet of the video data and the audio data constituting the broadcast program provided by the channel selected by the user is specified by the PAT information. Then, based on the specified PMT, the control unit 100 forms a channel selection control signal and supplies it to the demultiplexer 4 so that the demultiplexer 4 performs the desired broadcast in the demultiplexer 4 as described above. Video data and audio data of a program can be separated and extracted from a satellite broadcast signal.

In this embodiment, EIT is
It shows information for creating an EPG such as a channel number, a channel name, a program start time, and a program end time. By using the EIT data, an EPG having a time axis and a channel axis is created, and a user can quickly find and select a channel broadcasting a desired broadcast program through the EPG. You.

Further, based on the information of the EIT, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not a broadcast program is being broadcast on the selected channel, as described later. That is, in the television receiver of this embodiment, the EIT information is used as the program-related information.

Then, in the television receiver of this embodiment, the ES (Elemental) of the broadcast program separated and extracted by the demultiplexer 4 and output.
yStream), that is, video data and audio data of a target broadcast program are data compressed by an MPEG coding method.

Therefore, in the decoding unit 5, the video data and the audio data are expanded (compressed and decompressed) so that the television receiver of this embodiment can process them. That is, the decoding section 5 of the television receiver of this embodiment includes a video signal decoder and an audio signal decoder as shown in FIG. And
The decoding unit 5 decompresses the supplied video data and audio data according to a predetermined encoding method, and converts the original digital video data before data compression and the original digital audio data before data compression. And restore.

The decoding unit 5 converts the restored digital video data into a digital signal (D / A conversion) (digital / analog conversion).
Then, an analog video signal is formed and supplied to the OSD processing unit 6. The decoder 5 converts the restored digital audio data from digital to analog to form an analog audio signal, and supplies the analog audio signal to the audio signal amplifier 10.

The OSD processing section 6 performs video signal processing for displaying an EPG or various messages in accordance with data supplied from the control section 100. This is a so-called text / graphic processing circuit for displaying information such as characters.

For example, when character information indicating a channel to be selected or a volume bar indicating a volume level is displayed in response to an instruction from a user, the information for displaying the information includes: It is supplied from the control unit 100 to the OSD processing unit 6. Then, characters indicating a channel from the control unit 100 and a display of a volume bar are superimposed on the video signal of the broadcast program, and this is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 7.

Also, according to an instruction from the user, the EPG
Is displayed, the information forming the EPG is supplied from the control unit 100 to the OSD processing unit 6. And OS
In the D processing unit 6, a video signal for displaying the EPG is formed and supplied to the video signal processing circuit 7.

The video signal processing circuit 7 converts the analog video signal supplied thereto into a signal of a format to be supplied to the display 9, for example, R (red), G (green), B (blue).
A primary color signal is formed and supplied to the display 9.

The display 9 is a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display in this embodiment, and displays an image corresponding to the supplied image signal on its own display screen. As a result, the image of the broadcast program provided by the satellite broadcast signal and broadcast by the channel selected by the user is displayed on the display screen of the display 9.

The DEF processing circuit 8 forms a signal for deflection based on the video synchronizing signal and supplies the signal to the deflection yoke of the display 9 so that the electron beam can be properly applied to the display screen of the display 9. Can be scanned.

On the other hand, the audio signal amplifier 10 amplifies the supplied analog audio signal to a required level and supplies it to the speaker 11. Thereby, the sound of the broadcast program being broadcast on the channel selected by the user is emitted from the speaker 11.

As described above, the television receiver of this embodiment receives and selects a satellite broadcast signal, separates and extracts a target broadcast program from the selected satellite broadcast signal, and reproduces the broadcast program. This allows the user to view the desired broadcast program.

In the television receiver of this embodiment, the control unit 100 monitors the information of the EIT extracted by the demultiplexer 4 and selects a channel that does not provide a broadcast program for a certain period of time. In the case where the state continues, the television receiver of this embodiment has an auto shutdown function for stopping the supply of power to the analog block, thereby preventing wasteful consumption of power. .

That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the television receiver of this embodiment has
And is configured to be able to measure the time during which a channel that does not provide a broadcast program is selected. When the measurement result is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the control unit 100 controls the analog block control unit 25 through the I / F 24, and the analog block control unit 25 controls the power supply circuit 26 to Controls the supply of power to the block.

In this embodiment, the analog block whose supply of power is controlled is a circuit portion for processing an analog video signal and an analog audio signal.
, A circuit portion composed of an OSD processing section 6, a video signal processing section 7, a DEF processing section 8, a display 9, an audio signal amplifier 10, and a speaker 11 surrounded by a dotted line.

Next, the operation of the television receiver of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is processing executed by the control unit 100 of the television receiver after the main power is turned on to the television receiver of this embodiment.

First, the control section 100 waits until a remote control signal for instructing to turn on the drive power from the remote control 30 is received (step S101), and the control section 100 proceeds to step S101.
When it is determined in the determination process of 101 that a remote control signal for instructing to turn on the drive power from the remote controller 30 has been received, the control unit 100 supplies power to all circuit parts such as analog blocks, The memory function is used to select the channel which was previously selected until immediately before the power was turned off (step S102).

Then, the control section 100 determines whether or not there is an operation input from the user through the remote controller 30 (step S103). When it is determined that there is no selection input from the user, when it is determined that there is no selection input from the user, FIG. In step S118, the power saving mode switching routine is executed.

If it is determined in step S103 that there is an operation input from the user, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the received operation input is an instruction to select a channel, that is, has received the operation input. It is determined whether the operation input is an instruction to change the channel (step S1).
04).

If it is determined in step S104 that the received operation input does not instruct a channel selection, the received operation input instructs to turn off the driving power supply of the television receiver. It is determined whether or not the operation is to be performed (step S105).

When it is determined in the determination processing of step S106 that the received operation input is an instruction to turn off the driving power, the control unit 100
End processing such as stopping the supply of power to the analog block and the like is performed (step S106), and after the standby mode is entered, the processing from step S101 is repeated.

If it is determined in step S106 that the received operation input does not indicate that the drive power supply is to be turned off, the controller 1
00 performs processing corresponding to the selection input, for example, processing such as adjustment of volume and image quality and channel display (step S107), and proceeds to the processing of step S118 in FIG. 3 described below to execute a power saving mode switching routine. Will do.

If it is determined in step S104 that the received operation input is for instructing channel selection, the control unit 100 first controls the satellite broadcast signal to be received and selected. N extracted and extracted from
A transponder that transmits a satellite broadcast signal including a channel to be selected is searched based on the IT (step S1).
08).

Then, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S10
Based on the search result of No. 8, it is determined whether a transponder including the target channel exists (step S109). In the determination processing of step S109, when it is determined that there is no transponder including the target channel, the control unit 100 forms display message information for notifying that the corresponding channel does not exist, and transmits the display message information to the OSD processing unit. 6 to display a message (step S111). Then, in this embodiment, the process proceeds to the process of step S118 in FIG. 3 described later, and the power saving mode switching routine is executed.

As described above, when there is no channel to be selected, a message notifying that there is no corresponding channel is displayed on the display screen of the display 9 of the television receiver of this embodiment. So
The user can be prompted to select another channel.

When it is determined in step S109 that there is a target transponder, the control unit 100 controls the tuner unit 2 so as to select the target transponder, and controls the tuner unit 2 to select the target transponder. A PAT separated and extracted by the demultiplexer 4 is searched from the satellite broadcast signal (step S).
111), it is determined whether or not the PID of the target channel exists (step S112). This step S
The determination process of 112 is a process of determining whether or not a broadcast program is being broadcast on the corresponding channel.

In the determination processing of step S112, P
When the control unit 100 determines that the PID of the target channel is not present in the AT, the control unit 100 forms display message information for notifying that the broadcast on the corresponding channel is suspended, and transmits the display message information to the OSD processing unit 6. And a message is displayed (step S113). In this embodiment, the process proceeds to step S118 in FIG. 3 to be described later, and a power saving mode switching routine is executed.

As described above, when the broadcast program is not broadcast on the corresponding channel, the broadcast program is not broadcast on the display of the television receiver of this embodiment depending on the corresponding channel. Is displayed, and the user can be prompted to select another channel.

When it is determined in the determination processing of step S112 that the PID of the target channel exists, that is, when it is determined that the broadcast program is being broadcast on the corresponding channel, the control unit 100
Separates and extracts the PMT for the target channel based on the PID in the PAT, as shown in FIG. 3 (step S114).

Then, the control unit 100 sets the extracted PMT
The demultiplexer 4 is controlled based on the information of the ES (Elementary S) of the target channel.
stream), that is, video data and audio data of a broadcast program provided by the channel are extracted (step S115).

The extracted ESs are decompressed and D / A-converted in the decoder unit 5 as described above, and the analog video signals are passed through the OSD processing unit 6 and the video signal processing unit 7. The audio signal is supplied to the display 9 and is supplied to the speaker 11 through the audio signal amplifier 10 so that the user can view a broadcast program broadcast on the selected channel (step S116).

Next, the control unit 100 controls the demultiplexer 4 to transmit the EIT from the selected transponder.
Are separated and extracted (step S117), and a power saving mode switching routine described later is executed (step S11).
8). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode has been set (step S119). When the power saving mode has been set, the processing from step S101 shown in FIG. 2 is repeated. When it is determined that the power saving mode is not set in the determination processing in step S119, the processing from step S103 illustrated in FIG. 2 is repeated.

As can be seen from the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the television receiver of this embodiment is turned on by the remote controller 30 after the main power is turned on and the standby mode is set. After the selection of the satellite broadcast signal and the selection of the channel broadcasting the desired broadcast program, the power saving mode switching routine must be performed until the drive power of the television receiver is turned off. Is executed.

As described below, this power saving mode switching routine supplies power to the analog block when a channel on which broadcasting is not being performed is selected for a predetermined time Toff or more. Are stopped and the mode is shifted to the power saving mode so that power is not wasted.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the power saving mode switching routine executed in step S118 of the main routine shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, in the power saving mode switching routine, the control unit 100 first detects the current time from the clock circuit 21 and holds the current time as the time T1 (step S201).

Then, the control section 100 determines whether or not there is an operation input from the user through the remote controller 30 (step S202). If it is determined in step S202 that there is an operation input,
2 and returns to the main routine, and returns to step S1 of the main routine shown in FIG.
The process from 03 is repeated.

When it is determined in step S202 that there is no operation input from the user,
Based on the latest EIT information extracted by the demultiplexer 4, the control unit 100 uses the channel currently selected to tune the currently broadcast event (broadcast program). It is determined whether or not there is (step S203).

As described above, the EIT is information for creating an EPG such as a channel number, a channel name, a program start time, a program end time, etc., and the current channel is selected by referring to the EIT. With such a channel, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not a broadcast program is currently being broadcast.

In the determination processing of step S203, when it is determined that there is a broadcast program currently being broadcasted by the currently selected channel,
The control unit 100 continues the reproduction of the broadcast program (step S204), and repeats the processing from step S201 of the power saving mode switching processing shown in FIG.

In the determination processing of step S 203, when it is determined that there is no broadcast program being broadcast at the present time by the currently selected channel, the control unit 100 detects the current time from the clock circuit 21. This is held as time T2 (step S20).
5).

Then, the control unit 100 determines that ΔT = T2-T
1 to calculate the difference ΔT between the time point T2 and the time point T1.
Is obtained (step S206). Then, the obtained difference Δ
T is compared with a predetermined fixed time Toff, and it is determined whether the predetermined fixed time Toff is longer than the difference ΔT (step S207).

In the determination processing in step S207, it is determined whether or not the difference ΔT, which is the duration of the channel that has not been broadcast, is longer than a predetermined time Toff when the channel is not being broadcast. This is a determination process for detecting whether In other words, the fixed time Toff is a time for determining whether or not to switch to the power saving mode, and is an arbitrary predetermined time such as, for example, 10 minutes or 15 minutes.

FIG. 5 shows a predetermined time Toff
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the time difference ΔT.
As shown in FIG. 5, ΔT is a difference between the time T2 and the time T1, and based on the information of the EIT, the channel selected after the broadcast program is no longer broadcasted by the selected channel. It is an ongoing time. When the time ΔT is equal to or longer than a predetermined time Toff, the power saving mode is turned on as shown in FIG.

That is, if it is determined in the determination processing in step S207 that the fixed time Toff is longer than the difference ΔT, the control unit 100 determines that it is not necessary to switch to the power saving mode yet, and step S202 Is repeated. In the determination processing of step S205, when it is determined that the difference ΔT is longer than the predetermined time Toff, the control unit 100 determines that the difference ΔT is longer than the predetermined time Toff.
As described above, since the channel on which the broadcast program is not being broadcast is selected, the analog block control unit 25 is controlled to be in the power saving mode, and the mode is shifted to the power saving mode (step S208).

By the processing in step S208, the analog block control unit 25 controls the power supply circuit 26 to stop the supply of power to the analog block, which is the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. Becomes Here, the power saving mode is a state in which the main power is turned on, and a state of waiting for receiving a remote control signal instructing to turn on the driving power from the remote controller 30 is the same as the standby mode described above.

For this reason, in this embodiment, after the power saving mode is set, the processing from step S101 of the main routine shown in FIG. 2 is performed to instruct the user to turn on the driving power. To wait for an operation input.

As described above, in the television receiver of this embodiment, the tuner 2 has the functions of the channel selection means, the demultiplexer 4 has the functions of the extraction means, and the control unit 100 has the functions of the monitoring means and the control means. ing. Then, when the channels cooperate with each other and the channel on which the broadcast program is not broadcast continues for a certain period of time or more, the power supply to the analog block is stopped, and the power is wasted. This can be prevented reliably.

In the television receiver of this embodiment, when it is determined in the determination processing of step S109 shown in FIG. 2 that there is no satellite broadcast signal including the target channel, and S1
In the determination process of No. 12, the PM of the target channel
Even if T cannot be detected and it is determined that the broadcast of the broadcast program on the target channel is suspended, the power saving mode switching process is also performed.

In this case, the EIT is not detected, and in the process of step S203 of the power saving mode switching routine shown in FIG. 4, the broadcast program currently being broadcast by the currently selected channel is selected. Is determined to be missing. For this reason, when a channel that does not exist is still selected, and when a channel whose broadcasting is paused is still selected, if the state continues for a predetermined time Tof or more, ,
The supply of power to the analog block is stopped, and the power saving mode is set.

Of course, step S109 shown in FIG.
It is determined that the satellite broadcast signal including the target channel does not exist in the determination processing of FIG.
If the PMT of the target channel cannot be detected and it is determined that the broadcast of the broadcast program on the target channel is suspended in the determination process of step S112 shown in (1), the user instructs to change the channel. Since the switching to the power saving mode is not performed immediately after the operation has been performed, the user may wait for an operation input for instructing the user to change the channel while the message is being displayed.

In this embodiment, when the power saving mode is set, the supply of power to the analog block which is a circuit block surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 1 is stopped. It is not limited. For example, at least the supply of power to the display 9 may be stopped. In addition, the main power supply may be dropped.

Further, the predetermined time Toff is predetermined on the manufacturer side, for example, and is set in advance in the EEPROM 104 or the like. This fixed time Toff is:
Any time such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes can be set. In addition, through the remote controller 30, by the user,
The time Toff may be set or changed for a predetermined time Toff. Whether the auto shutdown function is used or not can be set by the user through the remote controller 30 or the like.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the present invention is applied to a television receiver for receiving digital satellite broadcasting, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, STB (Set-Top Box), I
RD (Integrated Receiver Dec)
receiver), a VTR (video tape recorder) equipped with a broadcast signal receiving function, a DVD recording / reproducing machine equipped with a broadcast signal receiving function, and various electronic devices equipped with a receiving function. The present invention can be applied.

As an example of the receiver, a device without the display 9 and the speaker 11 of the television receiver described with reference to FIG. 1 may be considered. Also, in the case of the receiver, when the power saving mode is set, a power supply to a circuit part for processing an analog video signal and an analog audio signal, for example, an OSD processing unit, a video signal processing unit, and an audio signal amplifier is provided. The supply may be stopped.

That is, in the case of the power saving mode,
It is sufficient to supply power only to the minimum necessary circuit parts such as a relatively small digital control unit for managing the standby mode, and not to supply power to the other circuit parts. Also, the processing performed in the receiver may be the same as the processing described above with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, and the present invention is applied to both the television receiver and the receiver. Can be applied. Of course, in the case of the receiver, when the power saving mode is set, the supply of all power may be stopped.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described as an example where the present invention is applied to a television receiver capable of receiving digital satellite broadcasting, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to analog broadcasting. The present invention can be applied not only to television broadcasting but also to radio broadcasting receivers.

That is, when a broadcast signal is transmitted not only when a broadcast program is distributed but also when it is constantly transmitted, such as by transmitting a test radio wave, the broadcast signal provided to the viewer is included in the broadcast signal. Information about a broadcast program (broadcast program related information) capable of determining whether or not the program is being broadcast is superimposed or multiplexed.

Then, on the receiving side, broadcast program related information superimposed or multiplexed on the broadcast signal is extracted, and based on the extracted broadcast program related information, even if the broadcast signal exists, the broadcast Depending on the signal, it is necessary to accurately determine whether or not a broadcast program is being provided, and to select a channel on which a broadcast program is not being broadcast for a predetermined time or more, transition to the power saving mode. Can be.

When only one broadcast program is provided by one broadcast signal, such as a conventional television broadcast signal or radio broadcast signal, channel selection is performed. Becomes

Broadcast signals include not only digital satellite broadcast signals but also analog satellite broadcast signals, analog terrestrial broadcast signals, terrestrial digital broadcast signals, or broadcast signals provided by cable such as cable television broadcast. The present invention can be applied to a receiver for receiving an image, a television receiver, and the like.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, although a broadcast signal exists, for example, a test signal is broadcast, and a broadcast program is not broadcast depending on the broadcast signal. Even if there is, it is possible to reliably detect that the broadcast program is not being broadcast. When a channel on which a broadcast program is not broadcast continues for a predetermined time or longer, the mode is changed to a power saving mode, so that power is not wasted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for describing a television receiver to which an embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a main routine executed in the television receiver shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving mode switching routine executed in the television receiver illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between a predetermined time Toff and a time difference ΔT.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... satellite broadcasting receiving antenna, 2 ... digital tuner,
3: De-scramble section, 4: De-multiplexer, 5
... Decoding unit, 6 ... OSD (On Screen Di)
spray) processing unit, 7 video signal processing circuit, 8 DE
F (Deflection) processing unit, 9 display, 10 audio signal amplifier, 11 speaker, control unit 100, 101 CPU, ROM 102, ROM 103
RAM, 104: EEPROM, 21: Clock circuit, 22
... Remote control interface (remote control I / F)
23 ... Remote control signal receiver, 24 ... Interface,
25 ... Analog block control unit 25, 26 ... Power supply circuit 26

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/035 F term (Reference) 5C025 BA25 BA26 BA27 BA28 CA09 CB08 DA01 5C026 EA09 5C063 AB03 AB07 AC01 AC05 AC10 CA11 CA23 CA31 DA03 EB03 EB33

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A channel selecting unit for selecting a broadcast signal, and information included in the broadcast signal selected by the channel selecting unit, wherein the information is provided at least by the broadcast signal.
Extracting means for extracting program-related information indicating the presence or absence of each of the one or more broadcast programs; and monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of a broadcast program on a selected channel based on the program-related information extracted by the extracting means. When the monitoring unit detects that a state in which a channel that does not provide a broadcast program is being selected is continued for a predetermined time or more, the mode shifts to the power saving mode. A receiver, comprising: control means for controlling. 2. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, and the program related information is provided by being multiplexed with the digital broadcast signal. A receiver characterized in that: 3. A channel selecting means for selecting a broadcast signal; a display element for displaying an image of a broadcast program provided by the broadcast signal selected by the channel selecting means; Information included in the broadcast signal, and at least one of the information provided by the broadcast signal.
Extracting means for extracting program-related information indicating the presence or absence of each of the one or more broadcast programs; and monitoring means for monitoring the presence or absence of a broadcast program on a selected channel based on the program-related information extracted by the extracting means. When the monitoring means detects that the state of selecting a channel that does not provide a broadcast program continues for a predetermined time or more, at least the power to the display element is detected. Control means for controlling the supply to be stopped. 4. The television receiver according to claim 3, wherein the broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, and the program-related information is provided by being multiplexed with the digital broadcast signal. A television receiver, which is guide information. 5. A channel selecting step of selecting a broadcast signal; and information included in the broadcast signal selected in the channel selecting step, wherein at least one of broadcast programs provided by the broadcast signal is provided. An extracting step of extracting program-related information indicating presence / absence of each, a monitoring step of monitoring presence / absence of a broadcast program on a selected channel based on the program-related information extracted in the extracting step, More than a predetermined time,
A power saving mode transition step of controlling to transition to a power saving mode when it is detected that a state in which a channel not providing a broadcast program is being selected is continued. How to receive broadcast signals. 6. The receiving method according to claim 5, wherein the broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, and the program-related information is provided by being multiplexed with the digital broadcast signal. A receiving method, characterized in that: