JP2002176592A - Television broadcasting receiver and television broadcasting transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that the conventional toggle tuning has difficulty in reflecting change on all receivers when the change occurs in a channel designated from a broadcasting provider and when the change occurs in operation itself. SOLUTION: This television broadcasting receiver for receiving a television broadcast signal including toggle tuning information for preferentially selecting the channel designated by the broadcasting provider together with video and sound signals is provided with a television broadcast signal receiving means (22) for receiving the television broadcast signal, a television broadcast signal tuning, demodulating and reproducing means (24) for tuning in to a prescribed channel of the received television broadcast signal and demodulating and reproducing video and sound information and channel tuning information, and a toggle tuning means (20) for allocating the toggle tuning information designated by the broadcasting provider to an operation button for operating the television broadcasting receiver, and corresponds to the intention of the broadcasting provider from information written the received broadcast signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television broadcast receiver for receiving a television broadcast signal having channel selection information and a program information signal together with a video / audio signal, and more particularly, to a television broadcast receiver.
The present invention relates to toggle channel selection in which a desired channel is cyclically selected by repeatedly pressing an arbitrary button.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digitalization of television broadcasting has been promoted.
yPerfectTV! , BS digital broadcasting scheduled to be broadcast from December 2000, 11
Digital terrestrial broadcasting is scheduled to operate in 0 ° CS in 2003, and it is expected that digital broadcasting technology, which has many advantages over analog, will reach a mature stage.

One of the features of digital broadcasting is the operation of multi-channels using a digital modulation technique or a video / audio signal compression technique by MPEG coding. Furthermore, in BS digital broadcasting, approximately 20
The transmission of MB digital high-definition broadcasting has also become possible.

[0004] In the channel selection processing of digital broadcasting, information PSI (Progra) for specifying the data of the selected channel is used.
NIT (Network Info)
rmation Table), where the current TS (Transpo
rt Stream) is determined as the TS of the selected channel. If it is a different TS, switch to the corresponding TS.

Next, PAT (Program Association Tabl)
e) A PMT (Program Map Table) for specifying the video and audio of the selected channel is obtained from e), and then the selected channel is output through the process of contract determination by the IC card.

[0006] At the time of tuning, in addition to the above-mentioned tuning information PSI, an SI (Service informatio) which is program additional information.
Using n), a program can be selected from a program table, or a desired channel can be selected by designating a favorite genre. Further, the SI makes it possible to set a reservation from the presentation of a future program, and it is also possible to make a recording reservation by linking an external recording device.

[0007] The basic channel selection means is a direct channel selection in which a channel set to a remote control button is directly specified, an up-down channel selection in accordance with a channel number order, and a channel number is directly specified in digital broadcasting. 10 key tuning and media type (TV / radio /
There is media switching for cyclically switching (data broadcasting).

In the conventional direct channel selection, one channel is uniquely assigned to a remote control button and the channel is directly selected.
In the BS digital broadcasting scheduled for the main broadcast this month, the broadcaster is licensed for multiple channels for each media type, so the broadcaster and media type are assigned to one remote control button By
By pressing one remote control button, only the pertinent channel can be selected cyclically (hereinafter referred to as toggle selection).

For example, at BS Nippon Television, 140-
149CH, 440-449CH on radio, 7 on data
Since channels 40 to 749 are allocated, when BS NTV is allocated to the remote control button, 140 to 149C is assigned.
H, 440 to 449CH and 740 to 749CH can be selected cyclically. Also, by allocating a broadcaster and a media type (for example, a television), it is possible to select 140 to 149 channels cyclically. However, even if it is a licensed channel, the channel is not selected unless the broadcaster operates the broadcast.

[0010] A broadcasting company designates a channel to be assigned to a remote control button at the time of factory shipment as conventional direct channel selection. When a receiver manufacturer assigns a broadcaster to a remote control button for direct channel selection, it is necessary to set a designated channel at the time of factory shipment.

However, the channel specified by the broadcaster is not limited to the smallest channel number of the channel obtained by the license, but may be an intermediate channel. In the conventional direct channel selection, the channel is simply allocated. However, there is no problem, but in the case of toggle channel selection, if it is required to select a channel from that channel, the above-described channel selection method using NIT cannot be realized.

[0012] Because the toggle channel selection method based on the current operation format is based on the order of the number of the channel being broadcast, it is necessary to start the channel selection from the channel specified by the broadcaster in advance. In addition, it is necessary to preset a start channel for toggle channel selection for each broadcaster. However, the channels preset in advance are temporary, so if the channel specified by the broadcaster changes suddenly or if the operation itself changes, it is necessary to change the preset value. It is difficult to reflect it on all receivers.

[0013] In the operation mode of BS digital broadcasting scheduled for the main broadcast in December 2000, it is possible to cyclically select only the corresponding channel by assigning a broadcaster or a media type to a remote control button. become.

[0014]

However, in the conventional toggle channel selection, only the channels are selected in the order of the channel number. When a priority channel at the time of channel selection is designated by a broadcaster, the channel is set at the time of factory shipment. Each broadcaster had to preset the receiver. If a change occurs in the channel specified by the broadcaster or in the operation itself, it is necessary to change the preset value of the receiver, and it is not possible to reflect it on all receivers already on the market. It was difficult.

Therefore, when the priority channel specified by each broadcaster is changed in the toggle channel selection,
Or, if a change occurs in the broadcast operation itself, a TV broadcast receiver that meets the broadcaster's intention from information described in the received broadcast signal without changing the set value of the receiver is desired. Was.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-261908 discloses a system for searching and displaying program information seamlessly across broadcast media in a program search. At present, it cannot be said that it has been sufficiently improved to a level suitable for practical use.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A television broadcast receiver according to the present invention includes toggle selection information for preferentially selecting a channel designated by a broadcaster, together with video and audio signals. In a television broadcast receiver for receiving a television broadcast signal, a television broadcast signal receiving means for receiving the television broadcast signal, and selecting a predetermined channel of the received television broadcast signal to obtain video and audio information and channel selection information. TV broadcast signal channel demodulation and reproduction means for demodulating and reproducing the TV broadcast signal, and toggle channel selection means for assigning toggle channel information designated by the broadcaster to operation buttons for operating the TV broadcast receiver. are doing.

Further, in the television broadcast transmitting system according to the present invention, in the television broadcast transmitting system for transmitting toggle channel selection information together with video and audio information, the toggle channel selection information may include priority channel information specified by a broadcaster. Are configured to be included.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital broadcast transmission system that transmits a digital broadcast.

Reference numeral 10a denotes video, reference numeral 10b denotes audio, reference numeral 10c.
Is PSI (Program Specific Information) which is information for specifying data of a selected channel, and SI which is additional service information such as a channel name and a program table.
(Service Information). The video 10a, audio 10b, and various data 10c are components that make up a program.

Reference numeral 11a denotes a video encoder for digitally encoding the video 10a, performing bit compression processing or the like as necessary to generate and output video encoded data. Reference numeral 12a denotes a video packet encoder that divides the video coded data into packets and outputs the packets. Reference numeral 11b denotes an audio encoder that digitally encodes the audio 10b, performs bit compression processing or the like as necessary, generates encoded audio data, and outputs the encoded audio data. Reference numeral 12b denotes an audio packet encoder that divides the encoded audio data into packets and outputs the packets. Similarly,
Reference numeral 11c denotes a data encoder that digitally encodes various data 10c, performs bit compression processing or the like as necessary, generates encoded data, and outputs the encoded data. A data packet encoder 12c divides the encoded data into packets and outputs the packets.

Reference numeral 13 denotes encoded video data output from the video packet encoder 12a, and an audio packet encoder.
This is a digital broadcast signal output unit that multiplexes, scrambles, and modulates the audio encoded data output from 12b and the encoded data output from the data packet encoder to output a digital broadcast signal. This digital broadcast signal is transmitted from the digital broadcast signal transmitting unit 14 to an antenna or the like connected to each receiver.

All PSI and SI data are divided into 184-byte packets. After 4-byte header information including a packet identifier (PID) is added to the head, a plurality of types of packets are alternately multiplexed on the time axis. The multiplexed signal is subjected to scramble processing and digital modulation, and then transmitted as a broadcast wave such as a satellite wave or a terrestrial wave.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a television broadcast receiver taking a digital satellite (BS digital) broadcast receiver as an example.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a BS digital antenna for receiving a BS digital broadcast wave transmitted by multiplexing the SI information together with the video signal and the audio signal by the above-mentioned transmitting means. B received by BS digital antenna 21
The S digital broadcast wave is supplied to the tuner 22. The tuner 22 selects a predetermined transmission channel from the received signal based on the control signal from the control control unit (CPU) 30 according to the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 20 operated by the operator, and selects the selected transmission channel. The received signal of the transmission channel is output to the error correction circuit 23.

The error correction circuit 23 performs an error correction process after demodulating the received signal, and supplies the obtained received signal to the scramble control circuit 24. If the supplied received signal has been scrambled, the scramble control circuit 24 performs descrambling processing for descrambling the received signal and supplies it to the multiplexed data separation circuit 25. The supply data in this case is multiplexed data including data of a plurality of channels and programs.

The multiplexed data separation circuit 25 separates a packet based on identification information (ID) included in a bit stream of a received signal. When the multiplexed data separation circuit 25 separates the program information of the SI information, the multiplexed data separation circuit 25 supplies the program information to the control control unit 30, supplies the video signal for each packet to the MPEG video reproduction circuit 27, Is given to the MPEG audio reproduction circuit 26.

The MPEG video reproduction circuit 27 performs a decoding process on the compressed and coded data because the given video signal is obtained by compression coding, and converts the video signal into an OSD signal.
(On Screen Display) circuit 28. Also, MP
The EG audio reproduction circuit 26 performs a decoding process on the compressed and encoded data because the audio signal similarly given is compression-coded, and outputs the audio signal to the audio circuit of the TV 29.

According to the present invention, information suitable for toggle selection is transmitted from the broadcaster (broadcaster) using the additional service information SI of the BS digital broadcast.
More specifically, in the SI, a BIT (Broadcaster Information Tabl
e) is used.

The BIT has a sub-table for each original network for transmitting information suitable for toggle channel selection, and has an information loop for each broadcaster. In the sub-table, a descriptor loop exists for each of the original network and the broadcaster, and is configured to have a structure in which respective information is described.

In the information for each original network, the transmission parameters of all-station SI are set using the SI transmission parameter descriptor.

In the information for each broadcaster, a broadcaster name, a service list provided by the broadcaster, and transmission parameters of each station SI operated for each broadcaster are set. The broadcaster name is indicated by a broadcaster name descriptor. With this descriptor, it becomes possible to present a program table for each broadcaster or to select a channel for each broadcaster. Note that the service list is indicated by a service list descriptor.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of channel selection by toggle channel selection according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, a channel which is preferentially selected by each broadcaster, ie, a priority service id, is defined in a descriptor described for each BIT broadcaster by the priority channel designating means. And described.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an example in which a toggle channel defined by the broadcaster A is registered in a remote control button. That is, broadcaster A has channels 101, 102, 103
B so that each channel can be selected by toggle selection.
Configure and send IT. At this time, channel 101,
102 and 103 are selected from various media types such as television, radio, and data. Business A is a pr in BIT
iority # service # id, that is, the priority channel is set to 102
Channel. The broadcaster A is registered (assigned) to the remote control button by the operator of the digital broadcast receiver.

When the registration is performed, when the operator presses the remote control button, a broadcast of channel 102 is output from the television broadcast receiver (step 41). next,
Subsequently, when the operator presses the remote control button, a broadcast of channel 101 is output from the television broadcast receiver (step 42). Next, when the operator subsequently presses the remote control button, a broadcast of channel 103 is output from the television broadcast receiver (step 43). Next, when the operator subsequently presses the remote control button, the process returns to step 41, where the broadcast of channel 102 is output from the television broadcast receiver, and thereafter, this step is repeated.

In this example, the priority channel 102 is output preferentially by toggle selection, and the other channels are displayed in ascending numerical order.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of channel selection by toggle channel selection according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the order of channel selection is described in the BIT, and the channel selection is performed in the order described by referring to the information.

Reference numeral 50 denotes an example in which the broadcasting company A registers a toggle channel whose channel selection order is defined in the BIT by using a remote control button. That is, as in the first embodiment, the broadcaster A has the channels 101, 102, 10
BIT is configured and transmitted so that each channel of No. 3 can be selected by toggle selection. The operator A sets the channel selection order in the BIT from 103 ch to 102 ch to 101 ch. And
The broadcaster A is assigned to the remote control button by the operator of the digital broadcast receiver.

When the above registration is performed, when the operator presses the remote control button, a broadcast of channel 103 is output (step 51). Subsequently, when the operator presses a remote control button, a broadcast of channel 102 is output (step 52). Subsequently, when the operator presses a remote control button, a broadcast of channel 101 is output (step 43). Next, when the operator subsequently presses the remote control button, the process returns to step 51, where the broadcast of channel 103 is output from the television broadcast receiver, and this step is thereafter repeated.

In this example, the operator A defines the channel selection order of the toggle channel selection as 103ch → 102ch → 101ch and transmits the channel, and performs the toggle channel selection display in the defined order.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of channel selection by toggle channel selection according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, a priority channel (described in the first embodiment) described in a BIT of a broadcast broadcast from a plurality of broadcasters is referred to, and a priority channel up / down selection is performed. This is an example in which the station means first selects a priority channel of each broadcaster, and then selects a channel broadcast by a specific broadcaster.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a priority channel defined by each broadcaster, and is stored as needed in a memory (not shown) provided in the broadcast receiver.

In this example, the priority channel of broadcaster A is 101, the priority channel of broadcaster B is 202,
The priority channel of the broadcaster C is 305. Also,
For example, broadcaster B has broadcast channels 201, 2
02 and 203 channels are provided.

By toggle selection using the up / down key of the remote controller, priority channels broadcast from a plurality of broadcasters are output according to the order of channel numbers.

The up / down channel selection outputs the priority channel 101ch of the broadcaster A (step 61).
Subsequently, when the operator operates the up / down key of the remote controller, the priority channel 202ch of the broadcaster B is output (step 62). Subsequently, when the operator operates the up / down key of the remote controller, the priority channel 305ch of the broadcaster C is output (step 63).

Also, the priority channel 20 of the broadcaster B
When the channel switch button (for example, the left / right key button) in the same broadcaster is pressed by the operator while 2ch is being output, a channel other than the priority channel of broadcaster B is output. For example, when the right key button is pressed in step 62, 203ch is output (step 65). Similarly, when the left key button is pressed, 201ch is output (step 64). FIG. 6 shows a program table displaying priority channels of broadcasters according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

In the fourth embodiment, a program table including the priority channels is displayed by referring to the priority channels described in the BIT transmitted from each broadcasting business. When displaying a program guide of another channel in each broadcaster, a button for switching to a program guide in the broadcaster is provided on the remote controller by, for example, a remote control by the program guide display means in the broadcaster. Display the program guide of all channels in the broadcaster selected in the table.

Reference numeral 70 indicates a priority channel defined by each broadcaster, and is stored in a memory provided in the broadcast receiver in the same manner as described above.

In this example, the priority channel of broadcaster A is 101, the priority channel of broadcaster B is 202,
The priority channel of the broadcaster C is 305. Also,
For example, broadcaster B has broadcast channels 201, 2
02 and 203 channels are provided.

Reference numeral 70a is an example of a program table including priority channels. The priority channel 101 of the broadcaster A (reference numeral 71), the priority channel 202 of the broadcaster B (reference numeral 72), and the priority channel 305 of the broadcaster C (reference numeral 73) are displayed.

Reference numeral 70b denotes a broadcaster B (reference numeral 74).
6 is an example of a program guide including other channels.

The switching between the program table 70a of the priority channel and the program table 70b of the specific broadcaster can be switched by the operator pressing a switching button or the like provided on the remote controller. Here, a remote control button has been described as an example of the switching button, but the switching button is not limited to this.

In the above description, means for writing the priority channel specified by the broadcaster and the channel information in the order of selection in the BIT is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the BIT, and a table for newly describing program information relating to the broadcaster. Can be variously changed without departing from the present invention, for example, when the definition is made or described in a table other than the existing BIT.

[0057]

According to the present invention, it is possible to perform the toggle channel selection in accordance with the operation intended by the broadcaster. Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to select a priority channel of each broadcaster and to display a program table of the priority channel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a digital broadcast transmission system for transmitting digital broadcast according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television broadcast receiver using a digital satellite broadcast receiver as an example.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of channel selection by toggle channel selection according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of channel selection by toggle channel selection according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of channel selection by toggle channel selection according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a program table displaying priority channels of broadcasters according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10a… Video 10b… Audio 10c… Various data 11a… Video encoder 11b… Audio encoder 11c… Data encoder 12a… Video packet encoder 12b… Audio packet encoder 12c… Data packet encoder 13… Digital broadcast signal output unit 14… Digital broadcast signal transmission unit 21… BS digital antenna 22… Tuner 23… Error correction circuit 24… Scramble control circuit 25… Multiplex data separation circuit 27… MPEG video reproduction circuit 26… MPEG audio reproduction circuit 28… OSD circuit 29… TV 30… Control control section 40… Example in which toggle channel selection is registered to remote control buttons 50… Example in which toggle channel selection is registered to remote control buttons. 60… Priority channel defined by each broadcaster 70… Priority channel defined by each broadcaster 70a… Example of a program table composed of priority channels 70b… Example of a program table including other channels of broadcaster B

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A television broadcast receiver for receiving a television broadcast signal containing toggle selection information for preferentially selecting a channel designated by a broadcaster, together with a video and audio signal. TV broadcast signal receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal, TV broadcast signal tuning demodulation and reproduction means for tuning a predetermined channel of the received TV broadcast signal and demodulating and reproducing video and audio information and channel tuning information, A television broadcast receiver, comprising: a toggle selection means for assigning toggle selection information designated by the broadcaster to an operation button for operating the television broadcast receiver. 2. The toggle selection information includes information for selecting a channel in a specified order, and the toggle selection means switches channels in an order specified by a broadcaster. The television broadcast receiver according to claim 1. 3. A television broadcast receiver for receiving a television broadcast signal including toggle selection information for preferentially selecting a channel designated by a broadcaster, together with a video and audio signal. TV broadcast signal receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal, TV broadcast signal tuning demodulation and reproduction means for tuning a predetermined channel of the received TV broadcast signal and demodulating and reproducing video and audio information and channel tuning information, Toggle tuning information storage means for storing the toggle tuning information transmitted from a plurality of broadcasters, and priority channels for a plurality of operators based on the toggle tuning information stored in the toggle tuning information storage means And a priority channel switching channel selecting means for switching channel selection. 4. The television broadcast receiver according to claim 1, further comprising: a same broadcaster channel switching means for switching to another channel of a broadcaster broadcasting the priority channel selected by said priority channel switching means. The television broadcast receiver according to claim 3, wherein: 5. A television broadcast receiver for receiving a television broadcast signal including a program selection and toggle selection information for preferentially selecting a channel designated by a broadcaster, together with a video and audio signal. A television broadcast signal receiving means for receiving the television broadcast signal, a toggle tuning information acquiring means for acquiring the toggle tuning information of a plurality of broadcasters from the received signal, and the toggle tuning information acquisition Program information acquisition means for acquiring the program information of the priority channel acquired by the means from the received signal, and program table display means for displaying a program table of the priority channel from the program information acquired by the program information acquisition means. A television broadcast receiver comprising: 6. The TV broadcast receiver further comprises: a toggle channel selection information storage unit for storing toggle channel selection information of a plurality of broadcasters acquired by the toggle channel selection information obtaining unit; Business program table display means for displaying another broadcast channel of the business which broadcasts the priority channel displayed on the display, and program table switching display means for switching from the program table display means to the business program table display means The television broadcast receiver according to claim 5, comprising: 7. A television broadcast transmitting system for transmitting toggle selection information together with video and audio information, wherein the toggle selection information includes priority channel information specified by a broadcaster. Broadcast transmission system. 8. The television broadcast transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the toggle channel selection information includes information for specifying a channel selection order for a plurality of channels.