JP2003158687A - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcast receiver that each user can easily make settings and can effectively utilize functions of a memory and the receiver to obtain a desirable state for each user. SOLUTION: The digital broadcast receiver 30 receives a digital broadcast wave, acquires various data included in the wave and processes the data. A CPU 13 reads questionnaire data from a nonvolatile memory 14, uses an OSD circuit 12 to display a questionnaire text on a monitor 16a, and asks users for a reply with respect to the questionnaire. Then the CPU 13 revises settings of hardware and software to acquire and process the various data (a filter resource of a demultiplexer 3 and a memory resource or the like of the nonvolatile memory 14) on the basis of the result of reply.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving digital broadcast.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital broadcasting receiving apparatus for receiving digital broadcasting using satellites or terrestrial waves selects an arbitrary broadcasting wave from a plurality of broadcasting waves received through a dedicated antenna or a terrestrial antenna by a tuner. , Select any channel from the multiple channels included in the selected broadcast wave by demultiplexing, extract the digital signal of this selected channel, and decode it to output video / audio signals. .

In such digital broadcasting, in addition to transmitting video and audio as in conventional analog broadcasting,
Program information is also transmitted. This program information includes various information such as a program name, program start time, program content information, and program genre information. On the receiving device side, an EPG (Select) using an OSD (On Screen Display) function is used.
The user can select a desired program from the multi-channel broadcasting by the display function of the “ronic program guide”. Data broadcasting has also been realized in digital broadcasting, information such as weather and news can be acquired, and shopping can be performed by utilizing the interactivity.

[0004]

By the way, BS (Br
In the Oadcasting Satellite digital broadcasting, the program information (all-station program information) of each (other) transport stream is inserted into all the transport streams, and this is sent in a cycle of several minutes. Therefore, it is possible to acquire the program information of all the other channels on any channel. However, when the transmission cycle of the program information becomes long as described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus should be installed so that the all-station program information can be acquired in one cycle as much as possible. It is desirable to configure. In data broadcasting, contents are broadcast on multiple channels, and several megabytes of data are sent per service. Therefore, it takes several minutes to acquire the data.

Data acquisition of data broadcasting and program information (EP
If G data) is acquired by parallel processing, it becomes a heavy processing in terms of hardware and software, so that either processing may not catch up or the operation speed of other functions may slow down. there is a possibility. On the other hand, even if the receiving device manufacturer sets the specifications of the receiving device to prioritize either process,
That may not always give the desired result for the user.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention facilitates setting for each user and can effectively utilize the functions of the storage means and the receiving device so as to bring about a desired state for each user. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention receives a digital broadcast wave, acquires various data contained therein, and processes the digital broadcast wave. In the receiving device, a means for presenting a question to the user and acquiring an answer thereto, and at least one of hardware and software for acquiring and processing the various data are set based on the answer result. And a setting changing unit for changing the setting.

With the above configuration, since the question is presented to the user and the answer result is obtained to change the hardware and / or software setting, the setting for each user is facilitated and a desired state is brought for each user. As described above, the functions of the storage unit and the receiving device can be effectively utilized.

The question may be at least a question for asking for information regarding the use of electronic program guides or the use of data broadcasting. According to this, even a general user who has no technical knowledge can easily make an answer, and the answer rate is increased.

It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises means for acquiring information regarding the viewing history of the user, and the setting changing means is configured to take into account the information regarding the viewing history in addition to the answer result.

The hardware and the software include a separating means for separating the various data, and the setting changing means returns the ratio of the data broadcasting allocation and the program information acquisition allocation of the separation function unit resources in the separation means. It should be set based on the result. Further, a storage unit for storing the various data as the hardware and software is provided, and the setting changing unit determines a ratio of data resource allocation for memory resources and program information storage allocation in the storage unit based on the reply result. It is better to set it.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
2 and the description will be made based on FIG.
(Broadcasting Satellite) A case of viewing a digital broadcast is illustrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus 30 of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a user setting screen displaying a question sentence.

The antenna 1 is arranged outdoors in a predetermined direction and receives a digital broadcast signal transmitted from the BS. This antenna 1 is generally equipped with a frequency converter, and a received / frequency-converted signal is tuned by a tuner 2
Give to.

The tuner 2 extracts a signal of a specific frequency from the high frequency digital modulation signal containing video / audio data. That is, a process of selecting one from a plurality of transponders for digital broadcasting is performed. Further, the tuner 2 includes a demodulation circuit, a deinterleave circuit, an error correction circuit, etc., and demodulates the selected digital modulation signal to output a transport stream.

A demultiplexer (DEMUX) 3 converts the transport stream into MPEG2 (Mov).
ing Picture Experts Group
2) video stream, audio stream, and PSI / SI (Program Specific)
Information / Service Info
mate). The demultiplexer 3 supplies the video stream and the audio stream to the AV decoder 4, and supplies the program information (program name, program start time, program content information, program genre information, etc.) included in the PSI / SI to the CPU 13. As mentioned above,
A plurality of channels are multiplexed in the transport stream, and the process for selecting an arbitrary channel from these is performed by selecting which packet I in the transport stream is an arbitrary channel from the PSI / SI.
This is possible by taking out the data such as whether or not it is multiplexed in D. Also, the selection of the transport stream (selection of the transponder) can be performed based on the PSI / SI information.

The AV decoder 4 comprises a video decoder for decoding a video stream and an audio decoder for decoding an audio stream. The video decoder decodes the input variable length code to obtain a quantized coefficient and a motion vector, and performs inverse DCT conversion and motion compensation control based on the motion vector. The audio decoder decodes the input coded signal to generate audio data. The video data generated by decoding is output to the video processing circuit 5, and the audio data is output to the audio processing circuit 6.

The video processing circuit 5 receives the video data from the AV decoder 4 and performs D / A conversion to convert it into a composite video signal, for example. The audio processing circuit 6 receives the audio data output from the AV decoder 4 and receives the D / A
The conversion is performed to generate, for example, a right (R) sound analog signal and a left (L) sound analog signal.

The video output circuit 7 and the audio output circuit 8 are provided with output resistors and amplifiers. The AV output terminal 9 has an output section (a set of left and right audio output terminals, a video output terminal, etc.)
Is provided, and a monitor 16 including a picture tube 16a and a speaker 16b is connected to the output section by a video / audio code 17.

The OSD circuit 12 outputs to the adder 20 video data based on the character information and color information instructed by the CPU 13. The adder 20 performs a process of incorporating the video data into the received video data output from the AV decoder 4. The OSD circuit 12 causes the CPU 13 to receive an EPG (Electro) based on the program information described above.
nic Program Guide) display, a menu screen display, etc. can be performed.

The remote control transmitter 10 is a transmitter for sending a command to the broadcast receiving apparatus 30. When a key (not shown) provided on the remote control transmitter 10 is operated, a signal light (remote control signal) indicating a command corresponding to the key is sent from a light emitting unit (not shown). The remote control light receiver 11 receives the signal light, converts it into an electric signal, and gives it to the CPU 13. Further, the user can select an answer to a question to be described later by using the keys of the remote control transmitter 10.

Non-volatile memory (eg EEPROM etc.)
Reference numeral 14 denotes EPG data (program information) for displaying an EPG screen and the like, and data serving as a question sentence to the user,
Data indicating a response result from the user, data regarding viewing history, and the like are stored.

The CPU 13 performs overall control of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 30. Particularly, as controls according to the present invention, screen display processing of question texts to be presented to the user, accumulation of answer results shown by the user, Based on the accumulation of data regarding the viewing history of the user, the answer result or the answer result and the viewing history, the allocation change control of the hardware resources of the broadcast receiving apparatus 30 and the software change control are executed.

FIG. 2 exemplifies a user setting screen displaying a question sentence. For example, the CPU 13 retrieves a question from the non-volatile memory 14 such as "Is the channel to be viewed the one that is decided by looking at the program guide or is it decided by searching on the channel +-?", And the OSD circuit 1
2 is operated to display the image on the picture tube 16a. At this time, the "program guide" and "channel +-" are displayed to ask the user for an answer. The user selects an answer using the left and right keys of the remote control transmitter 10 and clicks "OK".
Select the answer with the button. When the user selects the "program guide", the CPU 13 has an EPG function such as "Do you want to acquire information quickly while the program guide is being displayed (the program being watched may not be displayed because of information acquisition?)". Question, select the question text and "YES""N"
The letter "O" is displayed on the picture tube 16a, and the user is asked for an answer.

Further, the CPU 13 displays a question sentence such as "What is the most viewed broadcast?", And allows the user to select one of "TV", "voice", "data" and "same ratio". If the user selects "TV" as the answer, the next question is "What is the second most viewed broadcast?"
Such as "TV" as an answer option.
“Voice”, “data”, and “same ratio” except for are displayed to prompt the user to select.

In this way, in order to obtain certain information,
When a plurality of questions are sequentially asked, the second and subsequent questions are automatically generated based on the result of the answer to the previous question.

Further, the CPU 13 controls the broadcast receiving device 3 concerned.
In 0, if you are going to be able to set favorite channel function and favorite genre function, ask questions such as "Do you like favorite channel function often?" And "Do you like favorite genre function often?" . Depending on the answer to this question, further information regarding the viewing history of the user (for example, "I often watch the XX channel")
It is possible to determine the program that the user likes and views by taking into consideration "I often watch sports programs". Program information (EP
Even if the allocation of software and hardware resources is reduced in the acquisition of (G data), the acquisition of program information about programs of a channel or a genre of a user's preference can be performed by acquisition of program information of another channel or another genre. It is possible to control so that the acquisition is performed with priority.

By presenting the above-mentioned questions to the user, the CPU 13 causes the EPG when the user decides a program.
Information such as the fact that functions are heavily used, that TV is viewed more frequently than data broadcasting, and whether functions such as favorite channels and genres set in the receiving device 30 are often used (answer result) Can be obtained. In addition, as a question presented to the user, for example, a question involving technical matters such as directly asking the allocation (ratio) of memory resources may not be understood by a general user and an answer may often not be obtained. Conceivable.
On the other hand, as described above, since it is asked how the broadcast receiving apparatus 30 is used (is being watched), even a general user can answer the question, and the response rate can be increased to increase each user. The precise control of can be performed.

The CPU 13 sets the ratio of the data broadcast allocation and the program information acquisition allocation of the memory resource in the non-volatile memory 14 based on the above information or based on the information and the information regarding the viewing history of the user. .

For example, when the user decides a program, the EPG
When the function is used frequently and the TV is viewed more frequently than the data broadcast, the ratio of the program information storage allocation for the memory resource in the non-volatile memory 14 is increased as compared with the default setting state, for example. The allocation ratio will be lowered. On the other hand, if a user who does not use the EPG function much and uses data broadcasting frequently, the ratio of the program information storage allocation for the memory resource in the non-volatile memory 14 is set lower than that in the default setting state, for example. , The ratio of allocation for data broadcasting will be increased.

In addition, for example, in data broadcasting reception,
A first processing method of erasing all contents stored in the non-volatile memory 14 when receiving services or components are switched, receiving the data broadcast after the switching, and storing the contents in the non-volatile memory 14 (first 1)) and a second processing method (second software) that caches the received module in the nonvolatile memory 14 even when the receiving component and the like are switched, When the user often views the data broadcast, the second processing method is adopted, and when the user does not often watch the data broadcast, the first processing method is adopted to perform the software change control. You may In addition, control may be performed to set the priority of erasing the data broadcast content and the program information stored in the non-volatile memory 14 according to the answer result or the like.

Further, the CPU 13 is based on the above information,
Alternatively, with respect to the demultiplexer 3 that separates the transport stream based on the information and the information regarding the viewing history of the user, the ratio between the data broadcasting allocation and the program information acquisition allocation of the separation function unit resource (filter resource) is set. To do. By changing the allocation rate of the separation function unit resources, it becomes possible to preferentially acquire the data that the user attaches importance to and obtain it more quickly.

For example, when the user decides the program, the EPG
When the function is often used and the TV is viewed more frequently than the data broadcast, the separation function unit resource in the demultiplexer 3 is compared with the default setting state, for example.
The ratio of allocation for program information acquisition will be increased and the ratio of allocation for data broadcasting will be reduced. On the contrary, EPG
If a user who does not use many functions and uses data broadcasting frequently, with respect to the separation function unit resources in the demultiplexer 3, for example, the ratio of allocation for program information acquisition is made lower than in the default setting state, and data broadcasting is performed. Will increase the allocation ratio for For example, in the latter case, when the user often uses the favorite channel function or favorite genre function,
When the viewing preference of the user is known based on the viewing history of the user, it is preferable to perform control such that the program information of the channel or genre preferred by the user is preferentially acquired.

Further, the data acquisition priority order may be determined for each medium such as TV, data broadcasting, and audio according to the answer result.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the question is presented to the user and the answer result is obtained, the hardware and / or software setting is changed.
It is possible to facilitate the setting for each user and effectively use the functions of the memory and the receiving device so as to bring about a desired state for each user. In particular, when the question is a question for asking information regarding the use of the electronic program guide or the use of the data broadcast, even a general user who does not have technical knowledge can easily answer, and the response rate is increased. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a user setting screen displaying a question sentence.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 antenna 2 BS digital tuner 3 Demultiplexer (DEMUX) 4 AV decoder 12 OSD circuit 13 CPU 14 Non-volatile memory

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus adapted to receive a digital broadcast wave, acquire and process various data contained in the wave, and present a question to a user and acquire an answer thereto, and the various types. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a setting changing unit that changes the setting of at least one of hardware and software for acquiring and processing data based on the answer result. 2. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the question is a question for asking at least information regarding use of an electronic program guide or use of a data broadcast. 3. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for acquiring information regarding a viewing history of the user, wherein the setting changing means includes the viewing result in addition to the answer result. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus, characterized in that it is configured to take into account information relating to history. 4. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a separating unit that separates the various data as the hardware and software, and the setting changing unit includes the separating unit. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus, characterized in that the ratio of the data broadcasting allocation and the program information acquisition allocation of the separation function unit resources in (1) is set based on the answer result. 5. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the various data as the hardware and software, and the setting changing unit includes the storage unit. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus, characterized in that the ratio of the allocation of memory resources for data broadcasting to the allocation of program information is set based on the answer result.