JP2004072255A - Broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast receiver providing no inconvenience to a user with respect to termination of an application. <P>SOLUTION: A broadcast receiver 30 has a function of executing application software. A CPU 13 allows a user to enter the operation end time of the application on OSD (On Screen Display) menu display at start-up of the application. When the operation end time comes, the CPU 13 terminates the application automatically or after the confirmation of the user. At the end of the operation of the application, the CPU 13 transfers application state information in a RAM to a memory 14. Then the CPU 13 starts the application on the basis of the stored state at operation restart of the application. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving device having a function of executing application software such as a game.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As a broadcast receiving apparatus that receives analog broadcast waves and digital broadcasts, there is known a broadcast receiving apparatus that includes an environment for operating application software and performs screen display using an OSD (on-screen display) function. As a method of realizing the application function, (1) a program for executing an application is previously mounted in a ROM of a CPU like an analog broadcast receiver, and the CPU executes the program. There is a method in which the software is extracted from a digital broadcast wave, stored in a RAM or a non-volatile memory of the CPU, and the software is executed by the CPU.
[0003]
In the method (1), since the software for operating the application function is previously installed in the ROM area of the CPU, it is not possible to change the function such as the type and operation method of the application. On the other hand, the method (2) has an advantage that the function such as the type of the application and the operation method can be changed even if a so-called download function is realized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In either method, the RAM of the CPU is used to execute the application function. In the case of a general CPU system, the RAM required to execute the application function and the normal TV mode are used. In some cases, the RAM necessary for execution is shared with the RAM, and when the execution of the application is interrupted and the mode is changed to the TV mode, the application execution state is lost from the RAM.
[0005]
In addition, there is a risk that the user may miss a TV program that has been scheduled too often, using the application function and being absorbed in the operation. In general, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus superimposes an OSD image on digital video data obtained by demodulation processing, converts the OSD image into an analog video signal, and outputs the analog video signal to a normal television set. When the OSD image is generated by executing the application when the recording reservation is executed for the TV program of the TV program, the TV program video on which the OSD image is superimposed is recorded, and the application is executed before the recording is executed. Need to end.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus that does not cause a problem to a user regarding termination of an application.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the broadcast receiving device of the present invention is a broadcast receiving device having a function of executing application software, wherein a means for setting an operation end time of the application by a user input before the operation of the application starts. Means for terminating the application automatically upon arrival of the end time or with the confirmation of the user.
[0008]
With the above configuration, even if the user is enthusiastic about the operation of the application, if the user inputs the operation end time in advance, the application is automatically terminated when the end time comes, or after the user's confirmation, the application is terminated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a planned television program is missed.
[0009]
Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention is a broadcast receiving apparatus having a function of executing application software, wherein: means for storing an application state when the application is interrupted; and means for starting the application from the state stored when the operation of the application is resumed. And characterized in that:
[0010]
With the above configuration, even if the application must be interrupted for any reason, the application can be started from the application state at the time of resumption when the application is resumed.
[0011]
Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention is a broadcast receiving apparatus having a function of executing application software, wherein a means for setting an operation end time of the application by a user input before the start of the operation of the application is provided. Means for terminating the application, or upon confirmation of the user, means for storing the application state when the operation of the application is terminated, and means for starting the application from the state stored when the operation of the application is resumed. It is characterized by.
[0012]
With the above configuration, even if the user is enthusiastic about the operation of the application, if the user inputs the operation end time in advance, the application is automatically terminated when the end time comes, or after the user's confirmation, the application is terminated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a planned television program is missed. Then, when the television program to be watched ends and the application is restarted, the application can be started from the application state at the time of interruption.
[0013]
In the above-described configuration in which the application can be started from the state stored when the operation of the application is restarted, a means for receiving designation of a broadcast reception channel when inputting an operation end time of the application, and a reception state of the designated broadcast reception channel after the operation is completed And control means for making a transition to. According to this, it becomes possible to view the scheduled program at the end of the application.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Here, a case where a user views a BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcast is illustrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus 30 of this embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts showing control contents. FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen from the start of the game to the end of the game. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen when the game is restarted, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a remote control transmitter.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, an antenna 1 is arranged outdoors in a predetermined direction, and receives a digital broadcast wave transmitted from a BS. The antenna 1 generally includes a frequency converter, and supplies a received / frequency-converted signal to a tuner 2.
[0016]
The tuner 2 extracts a specific frequency from the received high-frequency digital modulation signal. That is, a process of selecting one from a plurality of digital broadcast transponders is performed. Further, the tuner 2 includes a demodulation circuit, a deinterleave circuit, an error correction circuit, and the like, and thereby demodulates the selected digital modulation signal and outputs a transport stream.
[0017]
The demultiplexer (DEMUX) 3 converts the transport stream output from the tuner 2 into a video stream of MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group2), an audio stream, and information attached to PSI / SI (Program Specific Information / Service Information). To separate. The demultiplexer 3 supplies the video stream and the audio stream to the AV decoder 4, and supplies PSI / SI and the like to the CPU 13. As described above, a plurality of channels are multiplexed in the transport stream, and a process for selecting an arbitrary channel from among the channels is performed by selecting an arbitrary channel from the PSI / SI in the transport stream. It becomes possible by extracting data such as which packet ID is multiplexed. Further, the selection of the transport stream (the selection of the transponder) can also be performed based on the PSI / SI information.
[0018]
The AV decoder 4 includes a video decoder that decodes a video stream and an audio decoder that decodes an audio stream. The video decoder obtains a quantized coefficient and a motion vector by decoding the input coded signal, and performs inverse DCT transform, motion compensation control based on the motion vector, and the like. The audio decoder decodes the input coded signal to generate audio data. The video data generated by the decoding is output to the video processing circuit 5, and the audio data is output to the audio processing circuit 6.
[0019]
The video processing circuit 5 receives the video data from the AV decoder 4, performs D / A conversion, and converts the data into, for example, a composite video signal. The audio signal processing circuit 6 receives the audio data output from the AV decoder 4, performs D / A conversion, and generates, for example, a right (R) sound analog signal and a left (L) sound analog signal.
[0020]
The video output circuit 7 and the audio output circuit 8 include an output resistor, an amplifier, and the like. The AV output terminal 9 is provided with an output section (a set of left and right audio output terminals and the like and a video output terminal and the like). The output section has a monitor 16 including a picture tube 16a and a speaker 16b by a video / audio code 17. Is connected.
[0021]
The OSD circuit 12 generates video data based on the character information and color information instructed to be output from the CPU 13 and outputs the video data to the adder 20. The adder 20 performs a process of incorporating the video data into the received video data output from the AV decoder 4.
[0022]
The remote control transmitter 10 is a transmitter for sending a command to the broadcast receiving device 30. When a key provided on the remote control transmitter 10 is operated, a signal light (remote control signal) indicating a command corresponding to the key is transmitted from a light emitting unit (not shown). The remote control light receiver 11 receives the signal light, converts the signal light into an electric signal, and supplies the electric signal to the CPU 13. The remote control transmitter 10 includes a plurality of keys as shown in FIG. For example, a game (GAME) key is used to start / end a game function. The MUTE key is used, for example, to set a chip at a cursor position in an Othello game. The SLEEP key is used to skip a user's turn. The numeric keys 0 to 9 are used when a set time is input on the game function end time setting screen, and are also used when a transition destination of the TV channel when the game function end time is reached is set in advance. The RECALL key is used when the game state is stored in the non-volatile memory or as a determination key for various settings. The remote control transmitter 10 in the digital broadcast receiver has a RIGHT key / LEFT key / UP key / DOWN key. In a remote control transmitter for an analog broadcast receiver, a VOLUP key / VOLDOWN key / CHUP key / CHDOWN key is provided. Each functions as a RIGHT key / LEFT key / UP key / DOWN key, and the cursor can be moved.
[0023]
The memory (RAM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.) 14 stores program information used for EPG display, user setting information, application status information, application operation end time information, reserved program position information, and the like. You.
[0024]
The CPU 13 performs overall control of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 30, and particularly executes the following control as control according to the present invention.
[0025]
Here, in a memory (not shown) (ROM, RAM, rewritable nonvolatile memory) for providing software to the CPU 13, a program and a timer for executing the game function are present. With this timer, when the target time is reached during the operation of the game function, the CPU 13 can detect this as an interruption operation.
[0026]
An example of a method of storing a game state in the memory 14 will be described. Conventionally, when a game key of the remote control transmitter 10 is pressed, a portion of a game area of a RAM (hereinafter, simply referred to as a RAM) allocated to realize a game function in the CPU 13 is cleared, and a game state is initialized. Must be set to state. However, in the present invention, at the time of ending the game, the CPU 13 transfers the game state information in the RAM (commonly used for the game function and the television reception processing) to the memory 14 to thereby maintain the game state. Starting the game function from the stored state can be realized by transferring the information stored in the memory 14 to the RAM again.
[0027]
Next, processing related to game start (resume) / execution / end will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. The game function is executed when a game (GAME) key of the remote control transmitter 10 is pressed. When the game key is pressed, the CPU 13 determines whether or not there is game state storage information in the memory 14 (step S1). If there is game state storage information, a screen for asking the user whether to start the game from the stored game state (for example, see the screen shown in FIG. 6A) is displayed. It is determined whether or not to start the game from the stored game state based on a user operation on this screen (step S2). When starting the game from the stored game state, the CPU 13 reads out the game state storage information stored in the memory 14 and stores it in a predetermined game area of the RAM of the CPU 13 (step S3). If there is no game state storage information, the game is executed from the initial state. In the above example, when the game state is stored in the memory 14, the user is allowed to select whether to use the game state. However, the game state storage may be automatically read and executed.
[0028]
Conventionally, in order to end the game function after the game function is executed and to transition to the normal television reception state, it is necessary to press the game key again, but this causes the user to become enthusiastic about the game function There is a risk of overlooking a TV program that has been planned too often. Therefore, before starting the game function, a game function end time setting screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 5A, and the user is required to input a desired game end time. Note that, on the input screen shown in FIG. 5A, channel (position) information of a television to be viewed after the game is over can also be input. When the game end time has been set (YES in step S4), the time is set in a timer (step 5), and the game process is executed (step S11). FIG. 5B illustrates a screen during the game (Othello game screen).
[0029]
The CPU 13 determines whether a recall (RECALL) key of the remote control transmitter 10 has been pressed (step S12). When the recall key is pressed, the game state is stored in the memory (step S13). Then, it is determined whether or not the set game end time has come (step S14) and whether or not the game key has been pressed (step S15). YES is determined in step S14 and YES in step S15. In the case of, the processing shifts to game function end processing. When the game end time has arrived, a screen recommending the end is displayed as shown in FIG. 5C, and after confirming with the user whether or not the game is to be ended, the process is shifted to the game function end processing. You may.
[0030]
In the game function end processing, it is determined whether there is a request to save the game state (step S21). In this request determination, for example, a screen shown in FIG. 6B is presented to the user, and the determination is made based on a user operation on this screen. If it is determined that there is a request to save the game state (YES in step S21), the game state is stored in the memory 14 (step S22). Next, it is determined whether there is a channel setting after the game is over (step S23). If the channel has been set (YES in step S23), the CPU 13 issues a command to the tuner 2 and the demultiplexer 3 to form a broadcast reception state using the set channel. As a result, a normal television reception mode is entered.
[0031]
The state recording and the timer function can be provided for all application software, not limited to the game function described above. Further, even when the application itself does not have a function of storing a state, the state can be recorded. Examples of the application software include a spreadsheet function, a word processing function, an Internet function, an image browsing function, a graphic image processing function, a database function, a presentation function, a mailer function, and the like, in addition to the game function. Further, in the above embodiment, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing the application software has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an analog broadcast receiver capable of executing the application software.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, with the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a scheduled TV program is missed, and to resume an application from the suspended application state when resuming. Also, there is an effect that the user can view a scheduled program at the end of the application.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing contents.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing contents.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are explanatory diagrams each exemplifying a display screen; FIG.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams each exemplifying a display screen. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a remote control transmitter.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 antenna 2 tuner 3 demultiplexer (DEMUX)
4 AV decoder 12 OSD circuit 13 CPU
14 memory

Claims (4)

In a broadcast receiving apparatus having a function of executing application software, a means for setting an operation end time of an application by a user input before the operation of the application is started, and the application automatically or upon receipt of a user's confirmation when the end time comes. Means for terminating the broadcast reception. A broadcast receiving apparatus having a function of executing application software, comprising: means for storing an application state when the application is interrupted; and means for starting the application from the state stored when the operation of the application is resumed. Broadcast receiver. In a broadcast receiving apparatus having a function of executing application software, a means for setting an operation end time of an application by a user input before the operation of the application is started, and the application automatically or upon receipt of a user's confirmation when the end time comes. A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: means for terminating an application; means for storing an application state when the operation of the application ends; and means for starting the application from the state stored when the operation of the application is restarted. 4. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a means for receiving designation of a broadcast reception channel when inputting an operation end time of the application, and transitioning to a reception state by the designated broadcast reception channel after the end of the operation. Control means for causing the broadcast to be received.

Images